WLAN Beacon Information Tag for AP Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WLAN setups rely on inadequate radio link parameters in beacons for mobile station access point selection, failing to consider user preferences like price and Quality of Service (QoS), and extending beacons with extra information is bandwidth inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method where a beacon signal with an information tag alerts mobile stations to additional information available from an access point, allowing mobile stations to request and receive parameters such as access point ownership, network load, and commercial information, enabling informed connection decisions without increasing beacon size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If beacons are extended with extra information, then mobile stations can make better access point selection decisions, but bandwidth is wasted due to increased beacon size
Solution Approach 1:
The information exchange is divided into two segments: essential information is included in the beacon message, while additional information is provided separately in response to information request frames from mobile stations. This segmentation allows the beacon to remain compact while still providing comprehensive information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon message includes a flag indicating whether additional information is available, preparing mobile stations in advance to request more details if needed. This preliminary indication allows mobile stations to make initial assessments without receiving complete information in the beacon itself.
2Loss of information
If all desired information is included in beacons, then mobile stations have complete information for selection, but beacon size increases and bandwidth efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Information is segmented into two categories: critical information embedded in the beacon (such as flag indicating availability) and detailed information provided on-demand through information request/response exchanges. This allows complete information availability without bloating the beacon structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Mobile stations are empowered to request additional information themselves by sending information request frames when they detect the flag indicating availability. The access point then provides the requested information without being forced to include all information in every beacon transmission.
3Productivity
If beacons contain only radio link parameters, then bandwidth is conserved, but information is inadequate for user preferences like price and QoS
Solution Approach 1:
The flag in the beacon acts as an intermediary indicator, signaling to mobile stations that additional information is available without directly transmitting that information in the beacon. This intermediary mechanism conserves bandwidth while still providing the means to obtain comprehensive information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon provides preliminary information including the flag that prepares mobile stations to request additional details. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain bandwidth efficiency while still enabling access to complete information through subsequent on-demand requests.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method, device, instruction set, and signal for communicating the availability of additional information in access points relevant for determining in a mobile station which access point to connect to. An information tag is inserted into a beacon signal alerting of the additional information available; mobile stations not implemented with the present invention may operate as if the information tag was not present and thus ensuring compatibility between systems.