WLAN Access Point Quiet Element Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks (WLANs), the presence of legacy devices reduces throughput and communication efficiency due to competition for channels with new protocol stations, as existing methods lack effective control over legacy device access and interference management.
Innovation Solution
An access point broadcasts messages with quiet information elements and ignoring instruction elements, specifically formatted for high-efficiency stations, to suspend legacy device transmissions and enable channel switching, thereby controlling access and improving network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy devices communicate by competing for channels in a WLAN system, then all devices can access the network, but the throughput and communication efficiency of the whole system is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the WLAN network into two distinct access modes: a first access mode for legacy devices using traditional contention-based channel access, and a second access mode for high-efficiency stations using scheduled uplink access. This segmentation allows legacy devices to maintain their ability to access the network while high-efficiency stations can transmit without contention, thereby resolving the contradiction between network access capability and system throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point dynamically switches between different access modes for different stations based on their capabilities. The system dynamically allocates resources by sending scheduling information to high-efficiency stations, allowing them to switch from contention-based access to scheduled access. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize throughput for modern devices while maintaining compatibility with legacy devices.
2Productivity
If the NAV mechanism is used to back off legacy devices during new protocol station communication, then new protocol stations can communicate efficiently, but legacy devices cannot access the channel even when it is idle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a scheduling mechanism as an intermediary between new protocol stations and legacy devices. The access point acts as a mediator that sends scheduling information to high-efficiency stations, allowing them to access the channel without competing with legacy devices. This intermediary mechanism enables new protocol stations to achieve high throughput while legacy devices can still access the channel during periods when scheduled uplink access is not required, resolving the contradiction between new protocol efficiency and legacy device accessibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy devices and new protocol stations compete fairly for channel access, then both can transmit data with equal opportunity, but the overall communication efficiency is reduced due to repeated channel contention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic scheduled uplink access for high-efficiency stations, where the access point sends scheduling information at regular intervals. This periodic action allows high-efficiency stations to access the channel at predetermined times without contention, while legacy devices can access the channel during other periods. This periodic scheduling eliminates repeated channel contention for modern devices while maintaining fair access opportunities for legacy devices, thereby reducing overall channel contention time.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a station access management device and method for a wireless local area network. The station access management device for a wireless local area network comprises an access point (AP). The AP comprises a processor and a sender. The processor is used for determining a whether a preset condition is met. The sender is used for broadcasting and sending a first message when the preset condition is met. The first message carries a silent information unit and a first neglect instruction information unit. The silent information unit is used for enabling a station (STA) receiving the first message to pause to send a signal to the AP. The first neglect instruction information unit uses a format that can be only parsed by a specific STA, and is used for instructing the specific STA to neglect the silent information unit. The station access management device and method for a wireless local area network provided in the embodiments of the present invention can improve the throughput and the communication of a WLAN system.