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WiLink8 devices support additional features beyond the basic Wi-Fi modes like STA, AP and MESH. Table 1-1 details the features that are supported by the device and provides a brief description of the same. Subsequent sections provide the details of enabling these features. Some of the features are covered in detailed through other user's guides and the links are provided along with the feature description. Additionally, WiLink™ 8 WLAN Features User's Guide provides details on the performance measures for each of these features.
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Peer-to-Peer(P2P) Mode | |
Multi BSSID (mBSSID) | Running 2 BSS simultaneously on the same device |
AP DFS Master | Supports AP DFS Master capabilities (FCC/ETSI/TELEC) |
AP ELP | Power-save mechanism at the Soft-AP that reduces the power-consumption |
AP + P2P | AP + P2P GO/CL Multi Role Support |
WoWOW Support | Wake on WLAN for Wilink8 |
Suspend/Resume | Suspend and Resume WLAN to optimize power |
WL18xx 5GHZ Antenna Diversity | Antenna Diversity for 5GHz Band |
Precise Time Synchronization Over WLAN | Accurate time synchronization between WL8 Wi-Fi Devices |
WiLink™ 8 WLAN Software - 802.11s Mesh | Connect WL18xx devices in Mesh topology |
Acronym | Definition |
---|---|
AP | Access Point |
DFS | Dynamic Frequency Switching |
ELP | Enhanced Low Power |
P2P | Peer-to-Peer |
GO/CL | P2P Group Owner and client modes |
STA | Station |
WoW | Wake-on-Wireless |
DPDT | Double Pole Double Throw |
GPIO | General Purpose Input/output |
CLI | Command Line Interface |
The purpose of P2P is to establish a direct WLAN connection between two devices without involving a router or AP for its operation. The P2P is known in Android devices as Wi-Fi Direct and can be operated from the Wi-Fi menu. Usually, the P2P role exists concurrently with the WLAN station role, which causes Android devices to operate in a WLAN multi-role state.
P2P is a WLAN role that typically has a short lifespan, in contrast to station or AP WLAN roles that exist from the moment that they are started until they are explicitly terminated by the user. The P2P role is mainly used by a Miracast function in Android OS, for example, for mirroring the Android smartphone screen on other device, such as a smart TV or smart phone that has a WLAN module and supports Miracast functionality.
P2P may exist in three states: device, client, and GO. P2P functionality, after a connection, is similar to the WLAN station and AP functionality. However, P2P has supplementary functional behaviors that distinguish it from a standard station and AP operation, and allows different services to be used. P2P also has its own power save behavior that allows an additional battery.
A P2P device is a Wi-Fi certified device that is compliant with the Wi-Fi P2P specification. When P2P is enabled, either by enabling the Wi-Fi Direct or the Miracast function, it starts in device state. This state is used for discovering other P2P devices for further connection by looking for specific services such as printers or smart TVs. The P2P connection is established while P2P is in a device state. After connection, the P2P device operates as client or GO depending on a decision taken during the negotiation process between two P2P devices. The P2P connection process consists of three steps: searching, negotiation, and group formation.
During a searching phase, the P2P device discovers any device that supports P2P functionality and is discovered by other P2P devices for further connection. If P2P functionality is used by some specific application, such as Miracast, only devices that support Miracast capabilities appear in the list of devices for connection. Such filtering is possible because of a service discovery function in P2P devices. The P2P device does not have a static operating channel in which it can be detected. Thus, the search phase consists of two phases: scan and listen. During the scan phase, the P2P devices scan all WLAN channels on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (if 5 GHz is supported), and wait for responses from devices that support P2P functionality. During the listen phase, the P2P devices stay on specific channels called social channels. The P2P device remains in the listen state for a time period that permits detection. P2P detection during the search phase is statistical and depends on a proper combination of the scan and the listen phases. When P2P devices are detected, they appear in the P2P devices list.