Wireless Transceiver Concurrent WLAN-STA and Wi-Fi P2P MAC Address Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication devices face challenges in efficiently facilitating communications over concurrent IEEE 802.11 WLAN-STA and Wi-Fi P2P connections using distinct hardware addresses for each type of connection, leading to complexities in device identification and data frame addressing.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication device is configured with a first wireless transceiver for IEEE 802.11 standards and a second wireless transceiver for Bluetooth standards, utilizing universally administered MAC addresses for concurrent WLAN-STA and Wi-Fi P2P connections, allowing simultaneous operation and switching between connections to optimize power consumption and data throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single unique virtual MAC address is assigned to all link layers of a terminal supporting multiple physical interfaces, then device identification is simplified, but communication efficiency over concurrent connections deteriorates due to address ambiguity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification complexityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the MAC address space by creating distinct MAC address pools for different connection types (WLAN-STA, Wi-Fi P2P, Bluetooth). Each connection type uses its own dedicated MAC addresses, eliminating address ambiguity while maintaining clear identification. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple concurrent connections efficiently without the complexity of a single virtual address.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If distinct hardware addresses are used for each type of connection, then communication efficiency over concurrent connections is improved, but device identification complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddevice identification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning specific MAC address characteristics to specific connection types. WLAN-STA connections use MAC addresses from the WLAN-STA pool, Wi-Fi P2P connections use MAC addresses from the Wi-Fi P2P pool, and Bluetooth connections use MAC addresses from the Bluetooth pool. This localized address assignment simplifies identification within each connection context while maintaining overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If concurrent WLAN-STA and Wi-Fi P2P connections are maintained, then communication versatility is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic connection management where the wireless transceiver can switch between different connection types (WLAN-STA, Wi-Fi P2P, Bluetooth) based on communication needs. The system maintains the ability to establish concurrent connections when necessary for versatility, but can also transition to single connections or lower-power states when full versatility is not required, thereby optimizing power consumption dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3174323B1Methods and apparatus for use in facilitating communications over first and second wireless connections of a wireless transceiver
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3174323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3174323B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3174323B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A wireless communication device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. The wireless device is configured for communicating via the first transceiver over a first connection with a first device, where communications to and from the wireless device are addressed with a first hardware address assigned to the first transceiver. The wireless device is further configured for communicating via the first transceiver over a second connection with a second device, where communications to and from the wireless device are addresses with a second hardware address assigned to the second transceiver. The first transceiver may be configured for communications in accordance with IEEE 802.11, and the second transceiver may be configured for communications in accordance with BLUETOOTH®. The first connection may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) infrastructure connection, and the second connection may be a WiFi Peer-to-Peer (P2P) connection.