WLAN Handover Using Pre-stored AP Certification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless local area network (WLAN) handover processes are inefficient due to the need for re-certification of mobile terminals when moving between access points, leading to prolonged handover times and increased radio resource consumption, as well as reduced communication security due to shared keys within the same extended service set.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables rapid handover by having each access point store mobile terminal certification and association information for overlapping cells, allowing for immediate determination of access and encryption of new keys, ensuring secure and efficient data transmission between mobile terminals and access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile terminal sends a reconnection request to the second AP and the second AP re-certifies the terminal actively, then the handover procedure can be completed, but the handover time is prolonged and radio resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The second AP pre-stores the terminal certification information and shared key before the handover occurs. When handover is needed, the terminal can directly use the pre-stored information for rapid authentication without active re-certification, thus reducing handover time while ensuring reliable handover completion
Solution Approach 2:
The second AP obtains and stores a copy of the terminal certification information and shared key from the first AP in advance. This copying mechanism allows the second AP to perform rapid authentication without needing to actively re-certify the terminal, thereby reducing handover time and resource consumption
2Reliability
If the second AP actively acquires information about the mobile terminal from the first AP, then the handover can be completed, but additional radio resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The second AP pre-obtains and stores the terminal certification information and shared key before the handover occurs. This preliminary acquisition eliminates the need for active information exchange during handover, reducing radio resource consumption while ensuring reliable handover completion
Solution Approach 2:
The second AP receives and stores a copy of the terminal certification information and shared key from the first AP in advance. This copying mechanism reduces the need for active information acquisition during handover, thereby reducing radio resource consumption
3Reliability
If a shared key is allocated by the second AP to the mobile terminal within the same ESS, then the handover can be completed, but communication security is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each AP is assigned a unique shared key that is specific to that AP-terminal connection. The second AP uses its own unique shared key (obtained from the first AP) for authentication, rather than using a common shared key for the entire ESS. This localizes the security key to each AP, improving communication security while enabling handover completion
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in the present invention are a handover method and system for a mobile terminal (MT) based on a wireless local area network. The method includes: sending a data frame to a second AP when an MT needs to hand over from a cell covered by a first AP service to a cell covered by a second AP service, with the data frame including an associated number between the MT and the first AP and an MAC access of the first AP; and the second AP looking up locally stored mobile terminal certification and association information about the cell covered by the first AP service and rapidly determining whether to allow the access of the MT according to the stored information.