Wireless Network Discovery via Duplicate Channel Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in network discovery, particularly in scanning for available channels, which hinders fast link setup and increases power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of duplicate transmission of scanning messages on multiple channels simultaneously, allowing scanning devices to expedite network discovery by transmitting multiple copies of scanning request messages across different frequency channels, enabling faster link setup and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a terminal device scans for available communication channels sequentially before initiating link setup, then it can discover networks, but the link setup process becomes slow and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the access point transmit beacon frames and scanning response messages in advance, containing network discovery information that terminal devices can retrieve without performing lengthy active scanning procedures. This pre-prepared information allows terminal devices to skip time-consuming channel-by-channel scanning and directly obtain network availability data, thereby accelerating link setup while reducing both scanning time and associated power consumption
2Reliability
If a terminal device performs active scanning on multiple channels to ensure comprehensive network discovery, then network discovery reliability improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by having the access point generate and transmit multiple copies of beacon frames and scanning response messages across different communication channels. Terminal devices can obtain network discovery information from these pre-transmitted copies without needing to actively scan each channel themselves. This approach maintains reliable network discovery (as information is available on multiple channels) while dramatically reducing terminal device power consumption, as the energy-intensive scanning operation is performed by the access point rather than the power-constrained terminal device
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and computer programs are presented for operation during a network discovery process of a scanning device attempting to detect presence of wireless networks. During the network discovery process, the scanning device itself may transmit scanning messages by using duplicate transmission in which multiple scanning messages are transmitted simultaneously on different channels. According to another aspect, a wireless apparatus of a wireless network may transmit scanning messages by using the duplicate transmission to facilitate the detection of the wireless network by the scanning device.