WLAN Channel Access Control via Device Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WLAN channel access schemes, such as contention-based and AP-controlled methods, fail to efficiently manage channel resources in outdoor and commercial networks, leading to reduced network performance and user satisfaction due to high complexity and inefficiency, especially with increasing numbers of user equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a next device for channel access based on predefined rules, scheduling traditionally active devices to occupy the channel and newly active devices to contend, thereby organizing them into a single virtual device to reduce the number of contending devices and improve channel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contention-based channel access scheme is used, then user equipments can access network simultaneously with fair bandwidth sharing, but channel efficiency drops rapidly as number of user equipments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments user equipments into two categories: traditional active status devices and newly active status devices. This segmentation allows different channel access mechanisms to be applied to different device groups, resolving the contradiction by enabling fair bandwidth sharing for traditional devices while improving channel efficiency for newly active devices through controlled contention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically adjusts the channel access mechanism based on device status. Newly active status devices contend for channel access only during specific periods (when channel is free and no traditional active status device is transmitting), while traditional active status devices follow standard contention-based access. This dynamic approach maintains fairness while improving overall channel efficiency.
2Productivity
If AP-controlled channel access scheme is used, then channel resource allocation can be managed, but delay time for new device internet session increases greatly and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a hybrid control mechanism where the AP acts as an intermediary only for newly active status devices, coordinating their channel access to improve efficiency. Traditional active status devices continue to use autonomous contention-based access, maintaining simplicity. This partial intermediary approach provides resource allocation capability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different control qualities to different device groups. Newly active status devices receive coordinated control from the AP to improve channel efficiency, while traditional active status devices maintain autonomous control for simplicity and fast access. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between resource allocation capability and system complexity.
3Productivity
If enhanced contention-based channel access scheme is used, then bandwidth resources can be controlled for different applications, but only four predefined applications can be distinguished and finer granularity control is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of device status classification from application-type-based (four predefined applications) to status-based (traditional active status and newly active status). This parameter change enables finer granularity control by distinguishing devices based on their access pattern and timing, allowing more flexible resource allocation beyond the four predefined application categories.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for controlling a channel access, an access point and a user equipment. The method comprises: determining a next device for accessing a channel according to a predefined rule; when the next device for accessing the channel is a traditionally active status device, scheduling the traditional active status device to occupy the channel once the channel is free; when the next device for accessing the channel is a newly active status device, determining a next traditionally active device for accessing the channel according to the predefined rule, and scheduling all newly active status devices and the next traditionally active status device to contend for accessing the channel once the channel is free.