Wireless LAN Relay Apparatus Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless LANs based on IEEE 802.11 standards, data transfer efficiency is poor due to the need for data to travel in two hops, and existing solutions require separating wireless channels for direct inter-terminal communication.
Innovation Solution
A relay apparatus that can perform wireless communication with a base station and other relay apparatuses without going through the base station, equipped with a path search unit to compare and select the path with higher throughput for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data transfer goes through the base station in wireless LAN, then communication reliability is maintained, but data transfer efficiency deteriorates due to two-hop routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication network into multiple relay apparatuses that can independently communicate with each other directly, bypassing the base station for certain data transfers. This segmentation enables parallel communication paths where terminal apparatuses can exchange data through intermediate relay nodes without requiring base station involvement, thus improving efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through structured relay protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces relay apparatuses as intermediary nodes between terminal apparatuses and the base station. These intermediaries enable direct peer-to-peer communication between terminals through wireless relay paths, eliminating the mandatory two-hop routing through the base station while maintaining communication reliability through protocol-based error handling and path management
2Productivity
If direct inter-terminal communication is implemented, then data transfer throughput is improved, but wireless channel management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional relay apparatuses that can operate in multiple modes: acting as intermediaries for direct terminal-to-terminal communication, maintaining connectivity to the base station for infrastructure mode operations, and dynamically switching between different communication paths. This universality allows the system to provide both direct high-throughput paths and fallback base station routes, improving throughput while managing channel complexity through integrated multi-mode operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic path selection mechanisms where relay apparatuses and terminals can adaptively choose between direct communication paths and base station-routed paths based on current network conditions, signal quality, and traffic requirements. This dynamic behavior enables the system to optimize throughput by selecting direct paths when available while managing channel complexity through adaptive routing decisions rather than fixed complex channel management
Data Source
AI summary
The relay apparatus includes a wireless communication unit configured to carry out wireless communication with the base station, and capable of direct wireless communications respectively with other relay apparatuses belonging to the wireless LAN, without going through the base station, and a path search unit configured to compare the throughput of a wireless communication path for carrying out data transfer to a destination apparatus without going through the base station, with the throughput of a wireless communication path for carrying out data transfer to a destination apparatus going through the base station; and select the path having higher throughput.