WLAN Access Point Beacon Frame Channel Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks (WLANs), the coexistence of different protocol stations (e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n) leads to a low utilization rate of system spectrum resources due to the mismatch in bandwidths, as stations occupying only 20 MHz of a 40 MHz channel waste the remaining bandwidth, reducing network throughput.
Innovation Solution
An access point determines consecutive channels within a single bandwidth and sends distinct beacon frames for each protocol, allowing stations to connect and communicate using corresponding channels, thereby improving spectrum resource utilization by preventing simultaneous channel usage among different protocol stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy STAs (802.11a/b/g) connect to an 802.11n AP using a 40 MHz channel, then backward compatibility is maintained, but only 20 MHz of the bandwidth is utilized and the other 20 MHz is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The 40 MHz channel is divided into two 20 MHz subchannels. The AP transmits different beacon frames on these subchannels to guide legacy STAs to connect to the appropriate subchannel, thereby utilizing the entire 40 MHz bandwidth for simultaneous connections from both legacy and 802.11n STAs.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a frequency dimension by separating legacy STA connections onto specific 20 MHz subchannels within the 40 MHz band. This allows the AP to maintain backward compatibility while simultaneously supporting 802.11n STAs on the remaining subchannels, effectively resolving the bandwidth underutilization issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If legacy STAs connect to an 802.11n AP, then they can communicate in the 802.11n system, but spectrum resource utilization rate decreases due to occupying only part of the bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The available spectrum is segmented into multiple 20 MHz subchannels within the 40 MHz band. The AP uses beacon frames to indicate which subchannels are available for legacy STA connections, ensuring that legacy STAs occupy only the necessary 20 MHz while leaving the other 20 MHz available for 802.11n STAs, thus minimizing spectrum waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The AP dynamically adjusts the channel assignment for legacy STAs by modifying beacon frame transmissions on different subchannels. This allows the system to optimize spectrum utilization by assigning legacy STAs to specific 20 MHz subchannels based on current network conditions and STA capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a communication method, a receiving method and an apparatus in a wireless local area network. The communication method includes: determining a first channel and a second channel of the wireless local area network, where the first channel and the second channel are consecutive, and the wireless local area network includes a first local area network and a second local area network; sending a first beacon frame by using all or a part of a bandwidth of the first channel, where the first beacon frame includes system information of the first local area network; and sending a second beacon frame by using all or a part of a bandwidth of the second channel, where the second beacon frame includes system information of the second local area network. The embodiments of the present invention improve a utilization rate of system spectrum resources.