WUR Discovery Element for Power-Efficient Neighbor AP Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In next-generation wireless LAN systems, there is a need to improve power efficiency and reduce the time consumed during the WUR discovery process in dense environments with multiple access points and stations, especially in outdoor settings where existing methods are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method where a station receives information on nearby access points through a Primary Connectivity Radio before performing the WUR discovery process, including WUR discovery element details such as operating class, channel information, and neighbor AP lists, allowing for targeted scanning during designated WUR discovery periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a station performs WUR discovery scanning in dense environments with multiple access points, then the station can discover available access points, but the power consumption and time required for scanning increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The access point transmits WUR discovery elements containing neighbor AP list information in advance during normal communication frames (beacon or data frames). This preliminary action provides the station with advance knowledge of available neighbor APs and their WUR discovery parameters, eliminating the need for the station to perform exhaustive scanning of all possible channels and APs, thereby significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable discovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The WUR discovery element acts as an intermediary information carrier that conveys neighbor AP list information from the access point to the station. This element includes pre-configured WUR discovery parameters such as operating class, channel number, and WUR discovery period, allowing the station to efficiently locate and discover neighbor APs without extensive scanning, thus resolving the contradiction between discovery reliability and energy consumption
2Reliability
If a station performs comprehensive WUR discovery scanning to ensure complete AP discovery, then all available access points can be found, but the time required for the discovery process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point pre-configures and transmits the neighbor AP list with WUR discovery elements containing complete discovery information for all relevant neighbor APs. This preliminary action includes operating class, channel number, and WUR discovery period parameters, enabling the station to perform targeted discovery at specific times and frequencies without exhaustive scanning, thus maintaining complete discovery reliability while minimizing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The WUR discovery element provides feedback information from the access point about the presence and parameters of neighbor APs. This feedback mechanism allows the station to adjust its discovery strategy by using the provided WUR discovery period to scan only at appropriate times, ensuring complete AP discovery while significantly reducing the overall discovery time compared to blind scanning approaches
3Reliability
If a station scans multiple channels and frequencies to discover all neighbor APs, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the complexity of the discovery process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The WUR discovery element serves as an intermediary that consolidates and transmits all necessary discovery parameters (operating class, channel number, WUR discovery period) from the access point to the station. This intermediary approach provides comprehensive channel and frequency coverage information in a structured format, allowing the station to perform complete discovery with simplified logic by following the provided parameters rather than implementing complex multi-channel scanning algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed herein is a method and device for receiving a WUR discovery frame in a wireless LAN system. More specifically, a station (STA) receives a WUR discovery element from an access point (AP). The STA receives the WUR discovery frame from a neighbor AP based on the WUR discovery element. The WUR discovery element includes AP list information. The AP list information includes information on a WUR discovery period. The WUR discovery frame is received during the WUR discovery period.