CN104838695A - System and method for efficient access network query protocol (ANQP) discovery of multiple access points (APs) - Google Patents

Abstract

An extension to the Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) protocol allows stations (STAs) to discover multiple APs via a single ANQP request/response exchange. A STA can send a single ANQP request message to request information for multiple APs, e.g., two or more neighboring APs. The receiving AP may retrieve discovery information for one or more neighboring APs, and send an AP response message including the retrieved discovery information to the requesting STA. The ANQP request message identify the multiple APs for which discovery information is sought, and may specify which information is being requested for that corresponding AP.

Description

For the system and method that the efficient access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) of multiple access point (AP) finds

This application claims that the denomination of invention submitted on January 3rd, 2013 is " system and method for AP list GAS query " the 61/748th, the denomination of invention submitted in No. 673 U.S. Provisional Application cases and on October 9th, 2013 is the 14/050th of " system and method that the efficient access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) for multiple access point (AP) finds " the, the earlier application priority of No. 092 U.S.'s non-provisional application case, the content of described both earlier applications is incorporated in Ben Wenben in the mode introduced as copied in full.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of system and method for radio communication, and in a particular embodiment, relate to a kind of system and method found for the efficient access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) of multiple access point (AP).

Background technology

Mobile site (STA) can be connected to WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN) to access the network service provided by Internet Service Provider.WLAN is commonly called Wi-Fi network, and can run according to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.11-2012, and it is incorporated in Ben Wenben in the mode introduced as copied in full.Before access WLAN, STA will perform access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) program usually to find to serve feature and/or the ability of Wi-Fi AP.By means of example, STA can perform ANQP inquiry determining whether given Wi-Fi AP supports Internet Protocol (IP) version four (IPv4) or IP version six (IPv6), determine which network provider (NP) is associated with Wi-Fi AP, identifies supplier's (or manufacture) of Wi-Fi AP and the out of Memory that is associated with Wi-Fi network.

Summary of the invention

Technological progress is achieved substantially by the embodiment of the present invention of the system and method describing the efficient ANQP inquiry being used for multiple AP.

According to an embodiment, provide a kind of method found for WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN).In this example, described method comprises when website (STA) roams in the area of coverage from described STA reception request.Described request is by a reception in the multiple neighboring access points (AP) in the area of coverage.Described method comprises the response containing the discovery information of each in described multiple adjacent AP to described STA transmission package further.A kind of device for performing the method is also provided.

According to another embodiment, provide the another kind of method found for WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN).In this example, described method comprises and sends request to access point (AP) when website (STA) roams in the area of coverage.Described AP is one in the multiple adjacent AP in the area of coverage.Described method comprises the response containing the discovery information of each described multiple adjacent AP from described AP receiving package further.A kind of device for performing the method is also provided.

Accompanying drawing explanation

In order to more completely understand the present invention and advantage thereof, with reference now to the description hereafter carried out by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows the schematic diagram of the wireless network for communication data;

Fig. 2 shows the schematic diagram of the network architecture for supporting traditional ANQP discovery technique;

Fig. 3 shows the schematic diagram of the network architecture for supporting embodiment A NQP discovery technique;

Fig. 4 shows the schematic diagram for the network architecture supporting ANQP to find;

Fig. 5 shows the agreement schematic diagram of embodiment A NQP discovery procedure;

Fig. 6 shows the flow chart for performing the embodiment method that ANQP finds;

Fig. 7 shows the flow chart for performing another embodiment method that ANQP finds;

Fig. 8 shows ANQP element description list;

Fig. 9 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment A NQP inquiry request message;

Figure 10 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment A P list field;

Figure 11 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment A NQP query response message;

Figure 12 shows ANQP and uses description list;

Figure 13 shows the agreement schematic diagram of embodiment generic advertisement service (GAS) discovery technique;

Figure 14 shows ANQP element description list;

Figure 15 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment capabilities list ANQP-element format;

Figure 16 shows the schematic diagram that embodiment neighbor reports ANQP-element format;

Figure 17 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment neighbor reporting format;

Figure 18 shows the schematic diagram of Embodiment B SSID Information Field Format;

Figure 19 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment Capability subfield form;

Figure 20 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment A NQP-element format;

Figure 21 shows the ANQP list of elements;

Figure 22 shows another ANQP list of elements;

Figure 23 shows the schematic diagram of embodiment A NQP interrogate format;

Figure 24 shows the schematic diagram of another embodiment A NQP interrogate format;

Figure 25 shows the schematic block diagram of embodiment communication equipment; And

Figure 26 shows the schematic block diagram of embodiment computing platform.

Unless otherwise directed, the corresponding label otherwise in different figure and symbol are often referred to for corresponding part.Drawing each figure is related fields in order to embodiment is clearly described, therefore may not draw in proportion.

Embodiment

Hereafter will discuss manufacture and the use of the embodiment of the present invention in detail.Should be appreciated that, concept disclosed herein can be implemented in multiple specific environment, and the specific embodiment discussed only does not limit the scope of claims as explanation.Further, should be understood that can when not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by appended claims, to making various change herein, substituting and change.

Often, STA will roam into the region or scope served by multiple Wi-Fi access point (AP), therefore can have the some selection schemes for setting up Wi-Fi link/connection.But traditional ANQP discovery technique only allows STA once to find an AP.Therefore, utilize the STA of traditional ANQP discovery technique to perform and find to exchange with the independent ANQP of each in Wi-Fi AP, this initial link circuit that can postpone in the Wi-Fi region served by multiple Wi-Fi AP is arranged.With perform that multiple ANQP finds that exchange correlation joins time postpone a meeting or conference and obviously reduce the service quality (QoS) realized in Wi-Fi network, because user may expect the access that (or needs) are almost instantaneous when roaming in WLAN.Therefore, the more efficient technology for finding multiple Wi-Fi AP is needed to accelerate the setting of Wi-Fi link.

Each aspect of the present invention provides the expansion to ANQP agreement, and it allows STA to find multiple AP by single ANQP request/response exchange.More specifically, STA can send single ANQP request message to ask the information of multiple AP, such as, and two or more adjacent AP.After reception ANQP request message, the AP of receipt message can obtain the discovery information of multiple AP, and sends to request STA the AP response message comprising accessed discovery information.In an embodiment, ANQP request message can comprise AP list field and multiple ANQP inquiry son field.AP list field can comprise multiple AP identifier (such as, BSSID (BSSID)) and search to identify multiple AP that it finds information.Each of inquiring about in son field of ANQP can correspond to searches its different one of finding in multiple AP of information, and can indicate which information of just asking this corresponding A P.ANQP response message can comprise multiple AP inquiry response son fields of inquiring about son field corresponding to the multiple ANQP carried in ANQP request message.Each ANQP inquiry response son field can provide the information of being asked by corresponding A NQP inquiry son field.

Fig. 1 shows the network 100 for communication data.Network 100 comprises the access point (AP) 110 with the area of coverage 112, multiple website (STA) 120 and backhaul network 130.AP 110 can comprise any assembly, this any assembly is connected particularly by setting up with the up link (dotted line) of STA 120 and/or down link (dotted line) and provides any assembly of wireless access, and this STA120 is such as base station, enhanced base station (eNB), Femto cell and other wireless enabled equipment etc.STA 120 can comprise any assembly can set up with the wireless connections of AP 110.Backhaul network 130 can be the set of any assembly or the assembly allowing data to exchange between AP 110 and far-end (not shown).In certain embodiments, network 100 can comprise other wireless device various, such as repeater, Femto cell etc.

Fig. 2 shows network 200, and wherein STA 240 is configured to after roaming in the area of coverage 202, perform traditional ANQP and finds.As shown in the figure, network 200 comprises the multiple AP 210 to 230 being configured to provide wireless access in the area of coverage 202.STA 240 is configured to perform traditional ANQP and finds, and therefore (respectively) execution must find that exchange 215,225,235 is to determine their individual features and/or ability with the independent ANQP of each in AP 210,220,230.Perform multiple ANQP and find that exchange obviously can postpone the initial link circuit setting of STA 240, reduce the service quality (QoS) perceived thus.

Aspects more of the present disclosure provide the embodiment A NQP discovery technique allowing STA to find to find in exchange multiple AP at single ANQP.Fig. 3 shows network 300, and wherein STA 340 is configured to perform embodiment A NQP discovery technique after roaming in the area of coverage 302.More specifically, STA 340 performs and finds that exchange 345 is to obtain the discovery information of each in multiple AP 310 to 330 with the single ANQP of AP 320.In an example, STA 340 sends single ANQP request message to AP 320, the discovery information of request AP 310 to 330.AP 320 provides asked discovery information via single ANQP response message to STA340.In certain embodiments, AP 320 obtains the discovery information of adjacent AP 310,330 via backhaul network from ANQP server 305, or directly from adjacent AP 310,330, obtains discovery information.In other embodiments, some or all in the discovery information of adjacent AP 310,330 are prior informations of AP 320.

Fig. 4 shows the network architecture 400 operated for performing access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP).As shown in the figure, the STA wanting to be connected to Wi-Fi network can particularly by detecting beacon and/or exchanging the available Wi-Fi AP that probe request/response message come in scanning area.Once identify, STA and Wi-FiAP can exchange ANQP inquiry request and response, makes STA can find the different characteristic of Wi-Fi AP.As discussed herein, STA can comprise any wireless-enabled device, such as cell phone, kneetop computer, panel computer, intelligent sensor, hand-hold type or consumer electronic devices and other subscriber equipment.STA can comprise the Wi-Fi interface for accessing Wi-Fi network, and for communication network other interface interactive with other types such as cellular networks.Access point (AP) and one or more STA can form Basic Service Set (BSS), and BSS is the basic building module of IEEE 802.11 WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN).AP can with AP controller or ANQP server communication, AP controller or ANQP server can with AP juxtaposition or not with AP juxtaposition.BSS can pass through service set identifier (SSID) substantially and identify, SSID is configured by AP and can be broadcasted by AP.

Fig. 5 show request STA 540, response STA 520 and ANQP server 505 between ANQP discovery procedure 500.In an embodiment, request STA 540 can be mobile site or subscriber equipment, and to respond STA 520 can be Wi-Fi AP.As shown in the figure, STA 540 is asked to send ANQP inquiry request message to response STA520.ANQP inquiry request message can ask the discovery information of multiple AP.In one embodiment, ANQP inquiry request message comprises AP list field, and AP list field is listed and searched it and find each in multiple AP of information identifier of being associated.In other embodiments, ANQP inquiry request message comprises the general request designator of the discovery information of the AP in the given area of coverage of request.Such as, response STA 520 can be Wi-Fi AP, so general request designator can ask the discovery information of the adjacent AP of STA 520.After reception ANQP inquiry request message, STA 520 is by exchanging every query request/response message with ANQP server 505 or obtaining asked discovery information via the cache information at AP place in response.Thereafter, respond STA 520 and provide accessed discovery information via ANQP query response message to request STA 540.

Fig. 6 shows the method 600 found for performing ANQP, and the method can be performed by request STA, and this request STA can be mobile site etc.As shown in the figure, method 600 starts with step 610, wherein asks STA to send request the ANQP request message of the discovery information of multiple AP.Thereafter, described method proceeds to step 620, wherein ask STA receive the multiple AP of carrying ask the ANQP query response message of discovery information.

Fig. 7 shows the method 700 found for performing ANQP, and the method can be performed by Wi-Fi AP.As shown in the figure, method 700 starts with step 710, and wherein Wi-Fi AP receives ANQP inquiry request message from STA, and the request of described ANQP inquiry request message comprises the discovery information of multiple AP of the adjacent AP of described Wi-Fi AP.Thereafter, method 700 proceeds to step 720, and wherein said Wi-Fi AP obtains the discovery information of adjacent AP from ANQP server.Subsequently, method 700 proceeds to step 730, and wherein said Wi-Fi AP sends the ANQP inquiry response of the discovery information of the adjacent AP of carrying to described STA.

Fig. 8 shows access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) element description list.Query List ANQP-element provides the identifier list of the ANQP-element that request STA is just inquiring about.In response to inquiry AP list ANQP-element, each ANQP-element can be returned.In certain embodiments, STA can comprise and comprise selection screening washer or " blank " list element, and to indicate the selection of AP collection, this AP collection is reported a part for ANQP element as neighbor and is included in ANQP inquiry response.

Fig. 9 shows the embodiment A NQP inquiry request message comprising inquiry AP list ANQP-element.Information ID is the field of 2 eight bit bytes, and its value takes from the table (the table 8-184ai01 such as, in IEEE 802.11) corresponding to inquiry AP list ANQP-element.Length is the field of 2 eight bit bytes, and its value is set to that ANQP inquires about the twice of the number of id field.AP list is variable length, and it comprises AP ID list.The list of AP ID can identify searches multiple ID that it finds information.Each AP identifier field can comprise six eight bit bytes and can indicate searches the BSSID that it finds the AP of information.Each ANQP inquiry id field can ask the one or more discovery information in Wi-Fi AP cited in AP list field.In certain embodiments, STA can comprise the Information ID in Query List ANQP-element, to ask to return the ANQP-element corresponding to described Information ID in ANQP inquiry response.The Information ID be included in Query List ANQP-element can be sorted by the information ID value of monotone increasing.Figure 10 shows AP list field form, and it can be included in ANQP inquiry request.As shown in the figure, AP list field form comprises the AP identifier of the AP searching its discovery information.

Figure 11 shows the ANQP query response message comprising AP list response element.AP list response element can be passed in response to inquiry AP list request.Information ID is the field of 2 eight bit bytes, and its value takes from the table (the table 8-184ai01 such as, in IEEE 802.11) corresponding to AP list response ANQP-element.Length subfield is the field of 1 eight bit byte, and its value is set to the number of the corresponding A P identifier item in AP list response ANQP element.Length subfield is the field of 2 eight bit bytes, and its value is set to the number of the eight bit byte in follow-up AP inquiry response field.Default AP response son field is its value is the universal container responded the reception AP of GAS query.This field formats according to the agreement indicated in advertizing protocol element.AP identifier field adopts 6 eight bit bytes with the BSSID indicating request STA to want the AP inquired about.

The universal container of the follow-up AP inquiry response field BSSID relevant response that to be its value be to GAS query.This field formats according to the agreement indicated in advertizing protocol element equally.Figure 12 shows ANQP use table.

In certain embodiments, the ANQP inquiry that AP list ANQP-element can be used for performing by request STA each AP indicated in AP list is inquired about.Request STA can comprise the Information ID with ANQP-element type in Query List ANQP element.The Information ID with ANQP element type Q can be got rid of at inquiry AP list ANQP-element outer (such as, should not comprise the Information ID of the specific ANQP-element of supplier).Run into receive the unknown in inquiry AP list ANQP element or the response STA of reserved ANQP information ID value can ignore described ANQP Information ID and resolve remaining ANQP Information ID any.In response to inquiry AP list, inquiry response field can comprise AP list response ANQP element.AP list response can comprise the inquiry response report by the AP of the increase sequence instruction of AP identifier in inquiry AP list.

Aspects more of the present disclosure provide the expansion to GAS agreement, and it allows STA to find that exchange finds multiple AP by single GAS.More specifically, STA can send single GAS request message to ask the discovery information of multiple AP, such as, and two or more adjacent AP.After reception GAS request message, receive AP can obtain (about)/for the discovery information of multiple AP, and send to request STA the AP response message comprising accessed discovery information.In an embodiment, GAS request message can comprise AP list field and multiple GAS query son field.AP list field can comprise multiple AP identifier (such as, BSSID (BSSID)) and search to identify multiple AP that it finds information.Each in GAS query son field can correspond to search that it finds in multiple AP of information not same, and can indicate which the discovery information of just asking this corresponding A P.GAS response message can comprise the multiple AP inquiry response son fields corresponding to the multiple GAS query son fields carried in GAS request message.Each GAS query response son field can provide the discovery information of being asked by corresponding GAS query son field.That discusses when ANQP more of the present disclosurely can expand to other GAS agreement in, the registered location vlan query protocol VLAN (RLQP) such as, described in IEEE 802.11af (2012), described agreement is incorporated in Ben Wenben in the mode introduced as copied in full.Such as, at white space (white space), environment (such as, IEEE 802.11af network) the middle equipment operated can to transfer point transmission RLQP request, require the information (such as, available channel, power level, position etc.) relevant to neighboring transmission point.

In IEEE 802.11REVmb D12, chapters and sections 10.24.3 describes the intercommunication program with generic advertisement service (GAS).GAS can be used at dot11InterworkingServiceActivated that to be true time be that STA opening network is selected.GAS provides the transfer mechanism of advertisement service when STA is in onrelevant state and associated state.This makes for completing via public action management frames, and described frame is 1 class frame.GAS message uses independent addressing public action frame to transmit.When having consulted management frames protection, website has used the dual public action frame through protection of independent addressing instead of independent addressing public action frame.

(802.11REVmb-D12's) chapters and sections 10.24.3.1 describes GAS agreement.The support of existence instruction to GAS agreement of intercommunication element (Interworking element) in beacon or probing response frame.In beacon or probing response frame, the existence of advertizing protocol element indicates the advertizing protocol ID supported in Basic Service Set (BSS) or independent BSS (IBSS).STA transmits GAS query request in GAS initial request frame, and respond STA provide in GAS initial communication frame GAS query respond or about how to receive GAS query response information.GAS query response recovers to transmit in response frame in single GAS initial communication frame or at one or more GAS.GAS query response does not recover to split between response frame at GAS initial communication frame and one or more GAS.It is genuine GAS message sequence that Figure 13 shows wherein dot11GASPauseForServerResponse.

Chapters and sections 10.24.3.2.2 describes Query List program.Request STA utilizes Query List ANQP-element to inquire about to perform ANQP to be used in the program defined in 10.24.3.2.1.Request STA only comprises the Information ID with the unique ANQP-element type S as shown in table 10-10 in Query List ANQP element, and it is shown in Figure 14.The Information ID with ANQP element type Q is not included in Query List ANQP-element and (such as, does not comprise the Information ID of the specific ANQP-element of supplier).The response STA of that run into the unknown in the ANQP Query List not having to receive under error condition or reserved ANQP information ID value ignores described ANQP Information ID and resolves remaining ANQP Information ID any.

Chapters and sections 8.4.4.2 describes capabilities list ANQP-element.Capabilities list ANQP-element provides the information/capabilities list be configured on STA.Capabilities list ANQP-element in response to comprise capabilities list ANQP-element Information ID Query List ANQP-element and returned.Figure 15 shows capabilities list ANQP-element format.

Chapters and sections 4.3.8.10 describes neighbor's report.Neighbor's report request is sent to AP, and described AP returns neighbor's report, and described neighbor's report comprises the information of the known adjacent AP about the candidate changed for services set.Neighbor reports the information comprised from the table dot11RMNeighborReportTable related in the MIB of adjacent AP.This ask/report to make STA can obtain to the AP that is associated will be used as the relevant information of the neighbor of potential roaming candidate.

Chapters and sections 8.4.4.18 describes neighbor and reports ANQP-element, and it is shown in Figure 16.Neighbor reports that ANQP-element provides zero or more neighbor about adjacent AP to report, its form is shown in Figure 17.This is useful to the STA being in pre-correlation connection state.Basic SSID (BSSID) is just by the BSSID of BSS reported.Follow-up field in neighbor's report element therewith BSS is correlated with.BSSID information field can with helping determine neighbor's services set conversion candidates person.It is four eight bit bytes and the son field comprised as shown in Figure 18 in length.

Capability subfield comprises the selected ability information of the AP of BSSID instruction thus.Bit field in this son field has identical meanings and is set to by the equivalent position in the capability information field just just sent in a beacon by the AP reported (see chapters and sections 8.4.1.4).The form of Capability subfield is shown in Figure 19.

Chapters and sections 8.4.4 describes ANQP element.ANQP-element definition is for having the common format be made up of the specific information field of element of 2 eight bit byte information identifier (Information ID) fields, 2 length in octets fields and variable-lengths.Each Elemental partition is just like the unique information ID defined in standard.ANQP-element format is shown in Figure 20.

The ANQP-element that can configure is enumerated in the table 8-184 as shown in Figure 21 to 22.If not for specific ANQP-element arrangements information, the inquiry of so described element returns this element, and all Optional Fields of this element do not present.

Chapters and sections 10.11.10.2 describes the request of neighbor's report.The STA asking the neighbor from AP to report sends neighbor's report request frame to its AP be associated.Chapters and sections 10.11.10.3 describes the reception of neighbor's report.If dot11RMNeighborReportActivated is true, with neighbor, the AP so receiving neighbor's report request reports that response frame responds, this neighbor comprises response frame and comprises zero or more neighbor's report element.If specify SSID element in corresponding neighbor's report request frame, so neighbor's report element comprises the information only relating to following adjacent AP: this adjacent AP is the member in the current extensions services set (ESS) indicated by the SSID element comprised in neighbor's report request.If eliminate SSID element, so neighbor's report element will comprise the information relating to and belong to the adjacent AP of identical ESS with request STA.If specify wildcard SSID element in corresponding neighbor's claim frame, so neighbor's report element comprises the information relating to all adjacent AP.If do not have available adjacent AP, so AP sends the neighbor without neighbor's report element and reports response frame.

If dot11RMNeighborReportActivated is false in the AP receiving neighbor's report request, so described AP ignored request and return neighbor and report frame, this neighbor reports and can not be set to 1 in position (incapable bit) in the measurement report pattern field of frame.The STA receiving neighbor's report element with unknown daughter element identifier ignores unknown daughter element and continues remaining daughter element of process.Receiving package is ignored this supplier's particular child element containing the STA of neighbor's report element with supplier's particular child element that unknown organization identification accords with and continues process remaining supplier's particular child element any.If AP services can ensure 1.5 chronomeres (TU) on timer synchronization function (TSF) Deviation subfield or better accumulated error, so described AP comprises TSF information sub-element in neighbor's report element.Otherwise, described AP does not comprise TSF information sub-element in neighbor's report element.

Again, chapters and sections 8.4.4.18 describes neighbor and reports ANQP-element, as shown in figure 16.Neighbor reports that ANQP-element provides zero or more neighbor about adjacent AP to report, this is useful to the STA being in pre-correlation connection state.Report ANQP-element corresponding to neighbor, Information ID field equals the value in the table 8-184 shown in Figure 21 to 22.Length is the field of 2 eight bit bytes, and its value is set to the number of the eight bit byte in neighbor's reporting field.The form of neighbor's report element is shown in Figure 17, as in chapters and sections 8.4.2.39 define.As shown in Figure 17, element ID and the length field of neighbor's report element is not comprised.

Usually, mobile device cannot obtain the ANQP information of more than one AP, and because there is not interface between ANQP server and described equipment, so described equipment only can obtain the ANQP information of described AP via the air interface between described equipment and AP; Otherwise, it cannot obtain ANQP information.

Embodiment provides the interface between ANQP server and equipment, and wherein said equipment can obtain the ANQP information of more than one AP via inquiry-response message program.An embodiment provides the expansion (such as, ANQP, RLQP etc.) of GAS agreement for acquisition Neighboring AP information.In an embodiment method, STA combines various ANQP attribute and their desired value via logical operator in single query.The AP received replys this inquiry with the adjacent AP list meeting logical condition.

Embodiment provide expense minimizing and before association and accelerate the process of Network finding and selection during switching.Embodiment decreases the time delay of air traffic channel competition, communication overhead and Network finding and selection.Embodiment can be implemented in Radio Access Network and equipment, such as, support the Wi-Fi mobile device, Wi-Fi STA, Wi-Fi AP, ANQP server etc. of Hotspot 2.0 and ANQP server.

Embodiment provides the expansion to original GAS and the ANQP agreement proposed in 802.11u, complicated GAS request is sent to AP (being commonly referred to AP services) before or after the association to allow STA, require the ANQP information available at adjacent AP place, or be required to meet the adjacent AP list of logical condition of ANQP attribute.This expansion is equally applicable to other GAS agreement, such as, as the RLQP defined in IEEE802.11af.This accelerates the process of Network finding and selection and the switching between adjacent AP or between focus.Adjacent AP can operate in identical or different radio frequency (RF) channel or RF frequency band.

In one embodiment, AP services preserves the local information about its adjacent AP in local ANQP server or ANQP buffer memory.

In another embodiment, AP services can receive the GAS request of adjacent AP, and by this request by the communication of DS via AP to AP, then through its adjacent AP (for example, being similar to rapid translating agreement).

In another embodiment, when receiving ANQP inquiry, described inquiry can be forwarded to ANQP server by AP services, and asked ANQP information is sent to AP services by described ANQP server, and last AP services sends request ANQP information to STA.In this embodiment, ANQP server can store the information relevant to multiple AP and based on the subset of received these AP of query selection.In a different embodiment, ANQP server can be connected (in consolidated network juxtaposition or belong to heterogeneous networks) and based on the information of received ANQP complex query requests from these ANQP servers with other ANQP server.In a different embodiment, ANQP server can be connected to other network element (such as from the ANDSF server of 3GPP network) belonging to heterogeneous networks with WiFi, and solicited message is to reply ANQP complex query.

In one embodiment, expansion is called as neighbor's information provision (NPI), also can give described expansion other title.When AP supports interconnected (and therefore supporting ANQP agreement) with signal indication in its beacon or in probe response, and exist NPI enable bit (as in one embodiment provide) time, this is interpreted as the ANQP information that described AP also can provide its neighbor.In addition, when NPI enables, described AP at random can present the BSSID list that it has the neighbor of information in beacon or probe response.In alternative embodiments, beacon also comprises sequence number to identify the freshness of the information of each in its neighbor in neighbor list.

The STA receiving the beacon that NPI enables can use provided BSSID list to send the GAS request of the subset of all adjacent AP or adjacent AP.In a different embodiment, the STA freshness designator (this type of sequence number or time stamp) of special neighbourhood person that can present more in a beacon and determine the information of whether asking to be associated with described neighbor.

In another embodiment, when not providing adjacent AP list in beacon or probe response, request STA sends request to require adjacent AP list.Described request can be the general request of all adjacent AP lists, can be maybe the request through screening of the subset of the adjacent AP based on ANQP/RLQP attribute value set or other choice criteria.For example, STA is asked to require: " sending to the list of I all adjacent AP " or " lists of all ANQP attributes sending to me to be associated with follow-up list BSSID ".In one embodiment, request comprises the logical combination of the standard in order to obtaining information, and wherein the inquiry of this type can be called as combination ANQP inquiry.For example, STA is asked can to require " send to me to be associated with follow-up list BSSID and have the list of all ANQP attributes of the WAN throughput being greater than specific threshold ".When AP services receives combination ANQP inquiry request, described AP checks that local cache is to search the subset of the adjacent AP of the request met through screening, and it is to subset described in request STA communication.

In another embodiment, ANQP information is divided into public ANQP information and specific ANQP information.Public ANQP information is the information (for example, at same electronic switching system (ESS) (ESSS)) public to some adjacent AP, and specific ANQP information is to the specific information of indivedual AP.When receiving neighbor ANQP information request, AP can send the only one-duplicate copy of public ANQP information for all adjacent AP.For RLQP, institute's solicited message can be limited in public geographical position or the AP of close public geographical position operation.

In a different embodiment, if AP services does not maintain the local information about its adjacent AP; So it sends request to each adjacent AP.When sending request to adjacent AP, AP services is enabled timer and is received all responses for from its neighbor.After timer is stopped using, the information received from its neighbor is sent it back request STA by AP.In a different embodiment, AP services sends once receiving the information from adjacent AP the information received.In this embodiment, STA is asked can to locate at any time based on up to the present received information to stop AP to send more information about its neighbor.

In one embodiment, AP services stores the ANQP information that the person of being adjacent is correlated with in this locality.This information upgrades the RQ cycle of its neighbor via from AP services, or is updated periodically according to information servers such as ANQP servers, or according to being updated periodically via more newly arriving of triggering of the event from adjacent AP based on event.

If final AP services cannot provide request ANQP information, so it can respond to STA the message representing that it fails to provide ANQP information, and failure cause can be such as without this type of adjacent AP, non-buffer memory, time-out etc.

Embodiment method allows STA to inquire about ANQP attribute about multiple AP simultaneously.Network finding in a main focus of attention of embodiment method (pass point) and selection, this supports that neighbor's report program of rapid translating (FT) feature is different from being exclusively used in.Such as, inquiry is sent to provide the AP services of its neighbor ANQP information (must not associate).These are different from the neighbor's report request being sent to the AP be associated.Inquiry STA may not be associated with AP services.

As another example, STA may not provide adjacent AP list in ANQP inquiry; It requires the adjacent AP list with some particular values of ANQP attribute.

In addition, neighbor's report request and response do not send ANQP inquiry; Its objective is the information obtained about the neighbor AP that (support) ANQP inquires about can be responded after a while on the contrary.An embodiment method clearly allows STA to send ANQP inquiry via AP services, asks the ANQP information from adjacent AP.

As the method for subset returning all adjacent AP (focus) meeting some logical criteria, embodiment providing package is inquired about containing the combination ANQP of the logical combination of the logical condition of ANQP attribute and value (threshold value).

Embodiment providing package is inquired about containing the combination ANQP of AP group identifier.Replace AP identifier list, or except AP identifier list, ANQP group identifier can be comprised.Group described in the identification of AP or ANQP server and provide ANQP property value for the AP belonging to described group identifier.

Embodiment method is with several mandatory field extending neighboring person reporting format.Inquiry can be followed by or not be followed by other inquiry of the side information directly sent to adjacent AP.

Information ANQP ability is that neighbor reports (Information ID=272).When AP receives combination ANQP inquiry, it is replied with enhancement mode neighbor report, and the element wherein presented in Figure 17 adds following element: intercommunication support indicates; Hotspot2 supports instruction; The ANQP attribute of optional element-described in Figure 20; And the additional ANQP attribute of optional element-described in Hotspot 2.0 (version 2).

Enhancement mode neighbor list comprises the list of the adjacent AP of the ANQP attribute with coupling combination ANQP inquiry.AP identifies via itself BSSID or SSID or HESSID information in the list returned.The example embodiment of combination ANQP inquiry shown in Figure 23 to 24, but may have other forms many.

Embodiment for radio communication comprises the first website of access network.First website sends detection attachment request (or detection connection request) message.Detection attach request message comprises one or more conditional parameter.Conditional parameter can be one: the SSID in following item (or ssid list), operator's friendly name (or friendly name list), carrier ID (or carrier ID list), BSSID (or BSSID list), Public Land Mobile Nerwork (PLMN) ID (or PLMN ID list), network capabilities (such as, service quality (QoS), multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), number of antennas, bandwidth, load level, quick initial link circuit is arranged), authentication method (such as, conditional parameter indicates described authentication method to be Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) or Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or open), base station IDs (or base station IDs list), or their combination.The list presented in this embodiment is only example, and can comprise other parameter in detection attach request message.

When the second website (for example, access point or base station) receives detection attach request message, described second station point checks whether it satisfies condition.Such as, if conditional parameter is SSID value, so second station point checks its SSID whether identical with the SSID value in conditional parameter (if conditional parameter is ssid list, so second station point checks whether its SSID belongs to the SSID in list).If its SSID identical with described SSID (or belonging to described list), so the second website carries out responding (this can be called detection attachment response) with message, described message can comprise the second website ID (or address), represent that it allows the first website to carry out being attached the designator (or representing that it satisfies condition and processes the designator of next step) of (or connection).When receiving this type of detection attachment response, the first website can respond (this can be called that detection attachment confirms) to confirm to receive response message by acknowledge message to the second website.

When the first website receive from more than one of different website detection attachment response time (this by meet at some AP in message condition time, they occur when all responding the first website), the first website can be selected one in described detection attachment response and respond selected website with acknowledge message.For the website that those are not selected, the first website also can send message (or all sending broadcast to them) to each in them and not be selected to indicate them.Another option is, for the website that those are not selected, the first website can not send message to them, and wherein those website waiting timers be not selected are stopped using.If timer is stopped using before receiving the confirmation message, so self is considered as not being selected and shows rightly by those websites be not selected.

There are some embodiment options of this embodiment method.An execution mode option is, except conditional parameter, detection attachment request can also comprise certification and start request (and can comprise some security parameters, or self be that certification starts message and comprises conditional parameter).When the second website receives request, if it satisfies condition and determines to pre-treatment, so it can start authentication procedure.In the case, detection attachment response message can also comprise security parameters to continue authentication procedure, and detection attachment confirmation can comprise association request and/or other authentication information.Details about certification and security parameters can with reference to IEEE 802.11-2007 standard criterion or later release or the relevant specification of IETF.

Another execution mode option is that detection attachment request comprises association request (details about associated response can with reference to 802.11-2007 specification or later release) or connection request (details about connection request can with reference to 3GPP TS25.331 or TS36.331).Detection attachment respond packet is containing associated response (details about associated response can with reference to 802.11-2007 specification or later release) or connection response (details about connection request can with reference to 3GPP TS25.331 or TS36.331).

Another execution mode option is that detection attachment request comprises open system authentication condition and associates request, and detection attachment respond packet is containing associated response and authenticate-acknowledge information.The detailed content of related information and authentication information can with reference to 802.11-2007 specification or later release or the relevant specification of IETF.

Figure 25 shows the block diagram of the embodiment of communication equipment 2500, and described communication equipment can be equivalent to discussed one or more equipment (such as, UE, NB etc.) above.Communication equipment 2500 can comprise processor 2504, memory 2506, cellular interface 2510, supplement interface 2512 and backhaul interface 2514, and described assembly can (or can not) arranging as shown in Figure 25.Processor 2504 can be any assembly that can perform calculating and/or other task relevant to process, and memory 2506 can be can the program of storage of processor 2504 and/or any assembly of instruction.Cellular interface 2510 can be the set of any assembly or the assembly allowing communication equipment 2500 to use cellular signals to carry out communicating, and may be used for connecting via the honeycomb fashion of cellular network receiving and/or transmission information.Supplementing interface 2512 can be allow communication equipment 2500 via complementary agreement communication data or any assembly of control information or the set of assembly.For example, supplementary interface 2512 can be the non-cellular wave point for carrying out communicating according to Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth protocol.Or supplementing interface 2512 can be wireline interface.Backhaul interface 2514 can optionally be included in communication equipment 2500, and can comprise the set allowing communication equipment 2500 to carry out any assembly or the assembly communicated via backhaul network and another equipment.

Figure 26 is the block diagram for the treatment of system, and this treatment system can be used for realizing equipment disclosed herein and method.Particular device can utilize an only subset of all shown assemblies or described assembly, and the degree of integration between equipment may be different.In addition, equipment can comprise the Multi-instance of parts, such as multiple processing unit, processor, memory, reflector, receiver etc.Treatment system can comprise outfit one or more input-output apparatus, the such as processing unit of loud speaker, microphone, mouse, touch-screen, button, keyboard, printer, display etc.Processing unit can comprise CPU (CPU), memory, mass storage facility, display card and be connected to the I/O interface of bus.

Bus can be one or more in some bus architectures of any type, comprises memory bus or memory controller, peripheral bus, video bus etc.CPU can comprise the data into electronic data processing of any type.Memory can comprise the system storage of any type, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dram (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM) or its combination etc.In one embodiment, the program used when the ROM used when memory can be included in start and executive program and the DRAM of data storage.

Mass storage facility can comprise the memory devices of any type, and it is for storing data, program and out of Memory, and makes these data, program and out of Memory pass through bus access.It is one or more that mass storage facility can comprise in following item: solid magnetic disc, hard disk drive, disc driver, CD drive etc.

Display card and I/O interface provide interface outside input and output equipment to be coupled on processing unit.As shown in the figure, the example of input and output equipment comprises the display be coupled on display card and the mouse/keyboard/printer be coupled on I/O interface.Miscellaneous equipment can be coupled on processing unit, and can utilize extra or less interface card.Such as, can use as interface is supplied to printer by the serial line interfaces such as USB (USB) (not shown).

Processing unit also comprises one or more network interface, and described network interface can comprise the such as wire link such as Ethernet cable or its fellow, and/or in order to the wireless link of access node or heterogeneous networks.Network interface allows processing unit via network and remote unit communication.For example, network interface can provide radio communication via one or more reflector/transmitting antenna and one or more receiver/reception antenna.In one embodiment, processing unit is coupled on local area network (LAN) or wide area network and communicates for data processing and with remote-control device, and described remote-control device is such as other processing unit, internet, remote storage facility or its fellow.

Although be described in detail, should be understood that can when not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by appended claims, to making various change herein, substituting and change.In addition, scope of the present invention is without wishing to be held to specific embodiment described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art easily will recognize from the present invention, and process, machine, manufacturing process, material composition, component, method or step (comprise exist at present or later by exploitation) can perform the function roughly the same with corresponding embodiment described herein or realize the effect roughly the same with corresponding embodiment described herein.Correspondingly, claims scope comprises these flow processs, machine, manufactures, material composition, component, method, and step.

Claims (28)

1., for the method that WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN) finds, described method comprises:

When website (STA) roams in the area of coverage, access point (AP) receives request from described STA, and wherein said AP is one in the multiple adjacent AP in the described area of coverage; And

Described AP is to described STA transmission response, and wherein said respond packet is containing the discovery information of each in described multiple adjacent AP.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein said request is generic advertisement service (GAS) request message, and described response is GAS response message.

3. method according to claim 1, wherein said request is access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) request message, and described response is ANQP response message.

4. method according to claim 1, wherein said request message comprises the general designator of the discovery information of all adjacent AP of the described AP of request.

5. method according to claim 1, wherein said request message comprises the AP list field of the AP identifier of each (AP ID) indicated in described multiple adjacent AP.

6. method according to claim 1, wherein said AP list field comprises the independent BSSID (BSSID) of each in described multiple adjacent AP.

7. method according to claim 1, wherein said request message comprises multiple queries field further, and each in described multiple queries field asks the discovery information of one in the described multiple adjacent AP indicated in described AP list field.

8. method according to claim 7, wherein said response message comprises multiple AP inquiry response field, and each in described multiple AP inquiry response field provides the discovery information of being asked by the correspondence inquiry field in described multiple queries field.

9. method according to claim 1, comprises further:

Before transmitting described response message to described STA, described AP obtains the described discovery information of each in described multiple adjacent AP.

10. method according to claim 1, the described discovery packets of information wherein obtaining each in described multiple adjacent AP contains:

Described AP sends inquiry request message to server; And

Described AP receives the query response message in response to described inquiry request message from described server, and described query response message provides the described discovery information of described multiple adjacent AP.

Wi-Fi access point (AP) in 11. 1 kinds of WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN), described Wi-Fi AP comprises:

Processor; And

Computer-readable recording medium, described computer-readable recording medium stores the program being used for described processor and performing, and described program package is containing the instruction for carrying out following operation:

When website (STA) roams in the area of coverage, receive request from described STA, wherein said Wi-Fi AP is one in the multiple adjacent AP in the described area of coverage; And

To described STA transmission response, wherein said respond packet is containing the discovery information of each in described multiple adjacent AP.

12. Wi-Fi AP according to claim 11, wherein said request is generic advertisement service (GAS) request message, and described response is GAS response message.

13. Wi-Fi AP according to claim 11, wherein said request is access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) request message, and described response is ANQP response message.

14. Wi-Fi AP according to claim 11, wherein said request message comprises AP list field, and described AP list field comprises the AP identifier (APID) of each in described multiple adjacent AP.

15. Wi-Fi AP according to claim 11, wherein said request message comprises multiple queries field further, and each in described multiple queries field asks the discovery information of one in the described multiple adjacent AP indicated in described AP list field.

16. Wi-Fi AP according to claim 11, wherein said response message comprises multiple AP inquiry response field, and each in described multiple AP inquiry response field provides the discovery information of being asked by the correspondence inquiry field in described multiple queries field.

17. 1 kinds of methods found for WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN), described method comprises:

When website (STA) roams in the area of coverage, described STA sends request to access point (AP), and wherein said AP is one in the multiple adjacent AP in the described area of coverage; And

Described STA receives response from described AP, and wherein said respond packet is containing the discovery information of each in described multiple adjacent AP.

18. methods according to claim 17, wherein said request is generic advertisement service (GAS) request message, and described response is GAS response message.

19. methods according to claim 17, wherein said request is access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) request message, and described response is ANQP response message.

20. methods according to claim 17, wherein said request message comprises AP list field, and described AP list field comprises the AP identifier of each (AP ID) in described multiple adjacent AP.

21. methods according to claim 17, wherein said request message comprises multiple queries field further, and each in described multiple queries field asks the discovery information of one in the described multiple adjacent AP indicated in described AP list field.

22. methods according to claim 21, wherein said response message comprises multiple AP inquiry response field, and each in described multiple AP inquiry response field provides the discovery information of being asked by the correspondence inquiry field in described multiple queries field.

23. 1 kinds of websites (STA) being suitable for execution WLAN (wireless local area network) (WLAN) and finding, described STA comprises:

Processor; And

Computer-readable recording medium, described computer-readable recording medium stores the program being used for described processor and performing, and described program package is containing the instruction for carrying out following operation:

When described STA roams in the area of coverage, send request to access point (AP), wherein said AP is one in the multiple adjacent AP in the described area of coverage; And

Receive response from described AP, wherein said respond packet is containing the discovery information of each in described multiple adjacent AP.

24. STA according to claim 23, wherein said request is generic advertisement service (GAS) request message, and described response is GAS response message.

25. STA according to claim 23, wherein said request is access network vlan query protocol VLAN (ANQP) request message, and described response is ANQP response message.

26. STA according to claim 23, wherein said request message comprises AP list field, and described AP list field comprises the AP identifier of each (AP ID) in described multiple adjacent AP.

27. STA according to claim 26, wherein said request message comprises multiple queries field further, and each in described multiple queries field asks the discovery information of one in the described multiple adjacent AP indicated in described AP list field.

28. STA according to claim 27, wherein said response message comprises multiple AP inquiry response field, and each in described multiple AP inquiry response field provides the discovery information of being asked by the correspondence inquiry field in described multiple queries field.