Automated Access Point Configuration via Clustered Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications networks with multiple access points, the automatic configuration process can be lengthy or fail due to competition among access points trying to establish initial power levels, leading to inadequate or incomplete radio coverage in areas that require multiple access points.
Innovation Solution
A method where access points are configured in clusters, with one designated as a gateway, and parameters are set to ensure handovers or reselections only occur to external base stations, using pilot units for measurements to calculate optimal parameters and reduce interference, allowing for automated configuration by moderately skilled technicians.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple access points are configured automatically using conventional methods, then configuration time is reduced, but the configuration process becomes lengthy or fails due to competition among access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having a designated gateway access point perform measurements and calculate optimal parameters for all access points in the cluster before other access points are fully activated. This pre-calculation prevents the time-consuming iterative competition that occurs in conventional automatic configuration methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway access point acts as an intermediary that coordinates the configuration process. It collects measurement data from pilot units, calculates optimal parameters for all access points, and distributes these parameters to other access points, thereby mediating the configuration process and avoiding direct competition between multiple access points.
2Reliability
If access points compete to establish initial power levels, then each access point attempts to optimize its own coverage, but this leads to inadequate or incomplete radio coverage in areas requiring multiple access points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration process into a coordinated cluster operation where multiple access points work together under a single gateway. Instead of competing independently, the access points combine their efforts with the gateway calculating parameters that ensure complete and reliable coverage across the entire service area, preventing coverage gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of access points based on coordinated measurements and calculations. The gateway determines optimal power levels, frequency allocations, and other parameters for all access points in the cluster, ensuring that parameters are adjusted to achieve complete coverage while minimizing interference between access points.
3Manufacturing precision
If skilled personnel manually configure each macro base station, then configuration accuracy is high, but this is not feasible for a large number of access points
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration where access points in a cluster automatically configure themselves through coordinated measurements and gateway-mediated parameter calculation. Pilot units perform measurements and the gateway calculates optimal parameters, eliminating the need for skilled personnel to manually configure each access point while maintaining high configuration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the configuration process into distinct functional components: pilot units perform measurements, the gateway access point calculates parameters, and individual access points apply their specific configurations. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the accuracy benefits of manual configuration while achieving the throughput of automated processes by dividing the complex configuration task into manageable segments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A GSM or UMTS mobile telecommunications network is disclosed. In addition to the conventional radio access network comprising macro base stations additional access points AP1,....AP6 are provided. The access points are connected to the network core 140 by an IP transport broadband connection via hub 200 and concentrator 30. The access points are configured to appear to a mobile terminal as a conventional base station - that is, it communicates with the mobile terminal using GSM or UMTS protocols and does not require any modification to a standard GSM or UMTS mobile terminal. The access points are associated as a cluster, the mobile terminal may be handed over from one access point of the cluster to another access point of the cluster. A procedure is disclosed for performing automatic initial configuration of the access points such that one or more of the access points in turn operates in a transmit mode while the other access points operate in a receive mode only. The strength of the received signal by each of the received access points is processed by processor 204 associated with the concentrator 30 which calculates and then provides set up parameters to each of the access points to provide optimum radio coverage within premises 202.