WLAN STA Handover Using a Shared MAC Across Access Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network handover delays are high in wireless networks due to the need for re-initiating connections when switching between access points, leading to interruptions and increased data transmission delays.
Innovation Solution
Maintaining a connected state with a secondary access point using the same MAC address as the primary access point, allowing seamless handover without re-initiation of connections, thereby reducing network handover delays and data transmission interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the STA re-initiates connection when switching between access points, then the connection can be established with the new AP, but the network handover delay increases and data transmission is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The STA performs preliminary actions by scanning and selecting a target AP before disconnecting from the current AP. The connection parameters including MAC address are prepared in advance, allowing the STA to quickly establish connection with the target AP without full re-initialization, thus reducing handover delay while ensuring reliable connection establishment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by preserving the MAC address during handover. The STA keeps its MAC address unchanged when switching between APs, allowing seamless continuation of data transmission without interruption. This ensures the network layer can maintain sessions while the physical connection transitions between APs
2Adaptability or versatility
If the STA uses different MAC addresses when communicating with different APs, then each AP can identify the STA independently, but the second AP re-initiates connection causing communication interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC address serves multiple functions: it identifies the STA to the current AP, maintains session continuity across AP switches, and allows the target AP to recognize the STA as an existing device. By making the MAC address universal across different APs in the same ESS, the system achieves both identification capability and communication continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the identification function across multiple APs by using a common MAC address. Instead of having separate identification mechanisms for each AP, the system combines them into a single universal identifier that works across the entire ESS, eliminating the need for re-initialization when switching APs
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication method and apparatus are provided, applied to the field of communication technologies, may be applied to a wireless local area network system of 802.11 series protocols such as the IEEE 802.11a/b/g protocol, the 802.11n protocol, the 802.11ac protocol, the 802.11ax protocol, the 802.11be protocol, the 802.11bn protocol, and the integrated millimeter wave (IMMW) protocol, and may be further applied to a WPAN system that supports UWB, a sensing system, and the like. A STA communicates with a first AP. In a process in which the STA communicates with the first AP, the STA maintains a connected state with a second AP, and a MAC address used when the STA communicates with the first AP is the same as a MAC address used when the STA maintains the connected state with the second AP. The STA is handed over to the second AP, and communicates with the second AP. According to the method provided in embodiments of this application, a network handover delay is effectively reduced.