WLAN Channel Switching with Shadowed Parameters and Reset Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless LAN devices experience significant channel switch delays, typically around 5 milliseconds, which hinder network performance due to lost communication time during fixed time slot operations and make 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 for seamless channel switching, reducing the need for real-time reprogramming and allowing components to synchronize quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional channel switching is used, then the device can switch between channels, but the channel switch delay is approximately 5 milliseconds which causes loss of communication time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads configuration parameters for multiple channels into shadow registers before switching is needed. When a channel switch is required, the pre-loaded parameters are immediately activated, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time reconfiguration and reducing switch delay from 5 milliseconds to approximately 5-10 microseconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates shadow copies of configuration parameters for each channel in shadow registers. These shadow copies are maintained in parallel with the active channel parameters, allowing instantaneous switching by simply switching which set of parameters is active, rather than copying or transferring data during the switch.
2Loss of time
If fixed time slot operations are used, then network operations are structured, but 10% or 5 ms of the fixed time slot is lost to channel switching
Solution Approach 1:
Configuration parameters for all possible channels are pre-loaded into shadow registers before the fixed time slot operations begin. This preliminary action ensures that when channel switching is needed within the fixed time slot structure, the switch can occur instantaneously without consuming any of the allocated time slot, thereby eliminating the 10% time loss while maintaining the stable fixed time slot structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time reprogramming is performed during channel switching, then the device can adapt to new channels, but the switching process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains shadow registers that are pre-programmed with configuration parameters for multiple channels in advance. This preliminary action allows the device to rapidly switch between channels by simply activating the appropriate shadow register, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time reprogramming while preserving full channel adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and maintains shadow copies of channel configuration parameters in parallel. These shadow copies are kept up-to-date and can be instantly activated, providing both adaptability to different channels and rapid switching without real-time reprogramming delays.
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.