Multi-tier WLAN beacon propagation schedule synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IEEE standards for WLANs do not effectively address beacon synchronization in multi-tier wireless local area networks, leading to inefficient neighbor discovery, excessive power consumption, and wasted capacity due to lack of synchronization among nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method for synchronizing beacon propagation across multiple tiers of access points and clients using a predetermined beacon propagation schedule, where beacons are transmitted at specific offsets from a master backhaul unit, allowing clients to reduce channel scanning time and power consumption by transmitting beacons at variable frequencies based on their tier and hop count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If nodes transmit beacons independently without synchronization in multi-tier WLAN, then each node can transmit beacons according to IEEE standards, but nodes spend excessive time scanning neighbors and consuming power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a predetermined beacon propagation schedule before nodes need to discover neighbors. The schedule is pre-configured with beacon transmission times for different tiers, allowing nodes to know in advance when beacons will be transmitted. This eliminates the need for nodes to continuously scan and search for beacons, directly reducing neighbor scanning time while maintaining independent beacon transmission capability for each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes receive beacon information from master backhaul units and use this feedback to determine when to expect beacons from other tiers. The beacon propagation schedule is updated based on received beacon times, creating a feedback loop that synchronizes nodes across multiple tiers. This feedback mechanism allows nodes to efficiently discover neighbors without continuous scanning, reducing time loss while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If nodes transmit beacons independently without synchronization in multi-tier WLAN, then beacon transmission follows IEEE standards, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing beacon transmission schedules that allow nodes to sleep between designated beacon times. Instead of continuously monitoring for beacons, nodes can enter low-power states during intervals when beacons are guaranteed not to be transmitted. This scheduling approach directly reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability for nodes to transmit beacons independently according to IEEE standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes use received beacon information to determine optimal sleep intervals. The feedback loop allows nodes to dynamically adjust their power states based on actual beacon transmission patterns, ensuring they wake only when needed to receive or transmit beacons. This feedback-driven power management significantly reduces unnecessary power consumption while preserving beacon transmission capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If nodes transmit beacons independently without synchronization in multi-tier WLAN, then each node operates autonomously, but capacity is wasted due to lack of coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring beacon propagation schedules that coordinate node transmissions across tiers. This schedule is established before traffic needs to be handled, allowing nodes to know in advance when channels will be occupied by beacon transmissions. This preliminary scheduling enables efficient traffic handling by avoiding collisions during beacon transmission intervals, while nodes maintain autonomous operation during non-beacon periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes use received beacon schedules to coordinate their own transmissions. The feedback loop allows nodes to adjust their traffic handling based on predicted beacon transmission times, avoiding capacity waste from collisions. Nodes maintain autonomous operation for traffic transmission while using feedback from beacon schedules to optimize overall network efficiency and resource utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting beacons by nodes in a multi-tier wireless local area network is disclosed. First, a first beacon by a tier 1 node in the multi-tier wireless local area network is transmitted. Then, a second beacon by a tier 2 node is transmitted where the second beacon is transmitted based upon the time that the first beacon is sent by the tier 1 node.