WLAN Association Comeback Time for Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless LAN systems, maintaining correct association between stations (STA) and access points (AP) is challenging, especially in Machine to Machine (M2M) communication scenarios where numerous devices require low-speed data transmission, and existing methods lack efficient mechanisms for ensuring reliable association and power management.
Innovation Solution
A method for STA association in a wireless LAN system involves transmitting an association request frame to an AP, receiving an association response frame with an association comeback time, and using this time to awaken and attempt to receive a Security Association (SA) query request frame, thereby maintaining valid SA status and optimizing power save modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the association response frame includes complete information elements, then the association information is complete and reliable, but the frame length increases and transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information elements needed for association maintenance from the complete association response frame. Specifically, it removes redundant duplicate information elements while keeping critical data such as association ID, capability information, and necessary security parameters, thereby reducing frame length and transmission time while preserving association reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of information completeness based on the specific association scenario. Rather than always including all possible information elements, the association response frame dynamically includes only the locally necessary information elements appropriate for the current association context, optimizing both completeness and efficiency
2Reliability
If stations remain awake to maintain association, then association reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing an association comeback time mechanism where stations wake up at predetermined intervals to maintain association. The association response frame includes an association comeback time element that specifies when the station should wake up to receive potential SA query request frames, allowing the station to remain in low-power mode between wake-up periods while ensuring association reliability is maintained
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling stations to autonomously manage their wake-up schedule based on the association comeback time information received in the association response frame. Stations independently determine when to wake up and attempt to receive SA query request frames without requiring continuous network monitoring or external scheduling, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining association
3Speed
If association comeback time is set to a short interval, then association maintenance responsiveness is improved, but system overhead and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the association comeback time interval based on network conditions, station capabilities, and association stability requirements. The association response frame includes an association comeback time element that can be set to different values to optimize the balance between responsiveness and power consumption, allowing the system to adapt the wake-up frequency to current operational needs
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for maintaining association in a WLAN system are disclosed. The method for performing association by a station (STA) in a wireless LAN (WLAN) system includes: transmitting an association request frame from the station (STA) to an access point (AP); and receiving an association response frame from the access point (AP) in response to the association request frame. If the association request is accepted by the access point (AP), the association response frame includes information regarding an association comeback time.