WLAN Channel Switching with Shadowed Parameters and Duplicated Algorithms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless LAN devices experience significant channel switch delays, typically around 5 milliseconds, which limit network performance in environments with strict latency and throughput requirements, making dynamic switching algorithms infeasible.
Innovation Solution
Implementing shadowed configuration parameters and duplicated algorithms for each channel, along with a reset command to prepare network components before switching, allowing for pre-programmed operations without reprogramming, thus reducing channel switch times to approximately 5-10 microseconds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional channel switching is used, then channel switching capability is provided, but channel switch time is long (5 milliseconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-programming configuration parameters for multiple channels before switching is needed. The system maintains a pool of pre-configured parameters that can be rapidly deployed when channel switching is required, eliminating the need for time-consuming reprogramming during the actual switch operation. This reduces channel switch time from 5 milliseconds to approximately 5-10 microseconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating duplicate sets of configuration parameters for different channels. Instead of generating parameters from scratch during channel switching, the system maintains copied versions of parameters that can be instantly activated. This copying approach allows the system to switch channels by simply pointing to pre-existing parameter sets rather than computing new ones in real-time.
2Productivity
If channel switching occurs every 50 ms in fixed time slot configurations, then time slot operation is maintained, but 10% (5 ms) of the time slot is lost to switching
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-programming configuration parameters before channel switching events, the system eliminates the 5 milliseconds of reprogramming overhead that previously consumed 10% of each 50 ms time slot. The preliminary preparation of parameters allows the actual channel switch to occur in approximately 5-10 microseconds, effectively removing the switching overhead from the time slot calculation and maximizing effective communication time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic switching algorithms are implemented, then adaptive channel selection is achieved, but the algorithms are not feasible with large switching delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic switching algorithms by pre-computing and storing configuration parameters for multiple potential channels. This preliminary action provides the computational results in advance, allowing the system to rapidly switch to optimally selected channels based on real-time conditions without being constrained by 5 millisecond reprogramming delays. The pre-programmed parameters make dynamic adaptation feasible by removing the computational bottleneck.
Solution Approach 2:
By maintaining copied configuration parameter sets for multiple channels, the system enables dynamic switching algorithms to operate effectively. The copying approach allows the algorithm to select from pre-prepared parameter sets corresponding to different channels, facilitating rapid adaptive switching based on network conditions without the computational overhead that previously made dynamic algorithms infeasible.
Data Source
AI summary
Network devices may include shadowed parameters and duplicated algorithms, each of which being used to decrease channel switch time. A network device may use a controller to instruct various systems (MAC layer, PHY layer, and radio circuit) to create and store the shadowed parameters, which include channel-dependent parameters for each channel. The duplicated algorithms may be specific algorithms used for a particular channel. The shadowed parameters are pre-programmed and thus, do not require reprogramming prior to a channel switch operation. Additionally, the controller can instruction the MAC layer, the PHY layer and the radio circuit to cease operations prior to a channel switch operation.