Wireless Network Device Sharing Baseband Processors for Multiple Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless Ethernet networks operating in infrastructure mode, the need for multiple access points (APs) to communicate with client stations leads to increased power consumption and costs due to the requirement of separate baseband processors (BBPs) and radio frequency (RF) transceivers for each BSS, which becomes exacerbated as the number of client stations increases.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network device is designed to incorporate multiple AP modules with shared BBPs and RF transceivers, allowing for staggered and non-overlapping beacon transmissions and frame routing based on MAC addresses, enabling efficient communication with multiple client stations and external APs while reducing hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple access points are implemented with separate baseband processors and RF transceivers, then each BSS can operate independently, but power consumption and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple AP functionalities into a single device that can operate as multiple virtual APs simultaneously. The control module manages multiple BSSs and can emulate client stations to communicate with external APs, consolidating what would traditionally require separate physical AP devices into one unified system, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining independent BSS operation
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless network device performs multiple functions: it operates as multiple APs serving different BSSs, emulates client stations to communicate with external networks, and routes frames between different BSSs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware for each AP, reducing overall power consumption and cost
2Reliability
If multiple access points are implemented with separate baseband processors and RF transceivers, then each BSS can operate independently, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple AP functionalities into a single device with shared hardware resources. The control module manages multiple BSSs and coordinates frame routing, while the baseband processor and RF transceiver are shared across all virtual APs, significantly reducing hardware complexity compared to having separate physical APs for each BSS
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the logical functionality into multiple virtual APs and BSSs while maintaining shared physical hardware. The control module divides the management of different BSSs and handles frame routing decisions, allowing logical independence while using shared physical resources, thereby reducing device complexity
3Productivity
If beacon transmissions from multiple APs overlap, then client stations can receive beacons simultaneously, but interference and communication reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beacon transmissions with carefully coordinated timing. The control module schedules beacons from different virtual APs to occur at different times within periodic intervals, ensuring that beacons are transmitted in a staggered manner rather than overlapping, thus maintaining communication reliability while achieving efficient periodic updates to client stations
Solution Approach 2:
The control module performs preliminary scheduling of beacon transmissions before they occur. It calculates and sets the timing for each virtual AP's beacons in advance, ensuring that beacons are transmitted at non-overlapping times. This preliminary coordination prevents interference before it can occur, maintaining both productivity and reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network device includes N access point (AP) modules having N BSSID's, where N is an integer greater than 1. The wireless network device includes a control module that communicates with the N AP modules. The control module stores the N BSSID's, a BSSID of an (N+1)th external AP that communicates with M client stations, and at least one MAC address of at least one of the M client stations, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The control module communicates with the (N+1)th external AP by emulating at least one of the M client stations.