WLAN Terminal Channel Access Information Request Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless local area networks (WLANs), stations (STAs) that do not listen to beacons face challenges in acquiring necessary information for network management, leading to inefficient resource allocation and increased collision probabilities due to hidden node issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable STAs to request and acquire channel access information directly from an access point (AP) using a group and slot information request signal, allowing them to perform intended operations without relying on beacons, thereby reducing power consumption and collision probabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If an STA does not listen to the beacon, then power consumption is reduced, but the STA cannot acquire information for network management and channel access operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidchannel access information

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The AP performs preliminary action by proactively transmitting group and slot information to STAs before the STA needs to access the channel. The AP sends this information in advance during beacons or through dedicated frames, so that when the STA wakes up and needs to access the channel, the information is already available or can be quickly acquired through the established request-response mechanism, eliminating the need for the STA to continuously listen to beacons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the STA sends a group and slot information request frame to the AP, and the AP responds with the required information. This feedback loop allows the STA to acquire necessary channel access information on-demand without continuously monitoring beacons, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the STA awaits a subsequent beacon to acquire information, then information can be acquired, but the STA cannot perform intended operations during the beacon cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation acquisitionVSAvoidoperation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The AP performs preliminary action by proactively transmitting group and slot information to STAs before the STA needs to access the channel. The AP sends this information in advance during beacons or through dedicated frames, so that when the STA wakes up and needs to access the channel, the information is already available or can be quickly acquired through the established request-response mechanism, eliminating the need for the STA to continuously listen to beacons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (the group and slot information request-response frame exchange) that facilitates information transfer between the AP and STA independently of the beacon timeline. This intermediary channel allows the STA to acquire information without waiting for the next beacon, thereby eliminating operation delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If multiple STAs listen to beacons for channel access information, then information can be acquired, but collision probability increases due to hidden node issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation acquisitionVSAvoidcollision probability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the STA sends a group and slot information request frame to the AP, and the AP responds with the required information. This feedback loop allows the STA to acquire necessary channel access information on-demand without continuously monitoring beacons, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The STA performs self-service by actively requesting and acquiring group and slot information from the AP based on its own needs and timing. Rather than passively listening to beacons and potentially causing collisions, the STA initiates its own information acquisition process, thereby reducing collision probability while ensuring information availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10555336B2Method and terminal for requesting and acquiring information relating to channel access in wireless LAN, and apparatus for providing information relating to channel access in wireless LAN

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST

AI summary

Provided are a terminal for requesting and acquiring information associated with a channel access in a wireless local area network (WLAN) and an apparatus for providing information associated with a channel access in a WLAN, and more particularly, the terminal for requesting and acquiring information associated with a channel access in a WLAN according to an example embodiment may verify whether a beacon is received during a predetermined beacon interval, transmit a group and slot information request signal when the beacon is verified not to be received, and receive a group and slot information response signal in response to the group and slot information request signal.