WLAN Repeater Using Single Radio Time Slot Multiplexing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless repeaters for WLAN networks face limitations in coverage due to signal attenuation and interference, particularly with higher frequency signals, which restrict their range and throughput, especially when using separate RF channels that require complex filtering to avoid interference.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system that employs a repeater configured to communicate with an access point over one RF channel and remote clients over another, using time slot multiplexing with a single radio unit, allowing dynamic allocation of channels to minimize interference and maximize coverage, while maintaining contemporaneous communication with close and remote clients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If repeaters receive and retransmit frames on the same RF channel, then the repeater can extend network coverage, but throughput on the WLAN is reduced because the AP cannot transmit contemporaneously with the retransmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second RF channel dimension to the single-channel system. The repeater receives frames on the first RF channel (e.g., 5 GHz) and retransmits them on a second RF channel (e.g., 5.96 GHz), allowing simultaneous operations on different frequency dimensions without mutual interference, thus resolving the throughput-coverage tradeoff
2Productivity
If repeaters receive and retransmit continuously on separate RF channels, then throughput is improved, but the system requires two separate radio devices and complicated filtering to avoid signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single radio device universal by enabling it to operate on multiple RF channels sequentially. The repeater's single radio device receives on the first channel and retransmits on the second channel, eliminating the need for dual radio devices while maintaining separate channel operations and avoiding interference through time-division multiplexing
3Speed
If higher frequency RF signals are used, then data transmission speed is improved, but signal attenuation increases and penetration through solid objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication system into two distinct RF channel operations: the first RF channel (e.g., 5 GHz) handles high-speed data transmission to nearby devices, while the second RF channel (e.g., 5.96 GHz) handles transmission through repeaters to remote devices. This segmentation allows each channel to be optimized for its specific function, with the lower frequency second channel providing better penetration for extended reach
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for enhancing performance of a wireless communication system, including communicating between an access point and at least one close client over a first RF channel, and communicating between an access point and at least one remote client via a repeater. The communication between the access point and the at least one remote client via the repeater includes communicating between an access point and the repeater over the first RF channel and communicating between the repeater and the at least one remote client over a second RF channel. The communication between the access point and the at least one close client over the first RF channel is substantially contemporaneous with the communication between the repeater and the at least one remote client over the second RF channel.