Access Point Handover Timing via Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networking technologies lack an effective method to determine accurate handoff timing for mobile devices transitioning between access points, leading to potential gaps in wireless service coverage, especially for fast-moving devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that calculate handover time by analyzing signal reception data, using directional indicators from directional antennas and access point mapping datasets to estimate the crossover time and velocity of mobile devices, allowing seamless handovers within overlapping coverage areas without requiring special protocols or instructions from the mobile device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If handover timing is determined using traditional methods, then the system is simpler to implement, but accurate handoff timing cannot be determined leading to gaps in wireless service coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of handover timing by analyzing signal reception data and directional indicators before the actual handover occurs. The access point calculates the crossover time when the mobile device will be equidistant from current and next APs, and determines the optimal handover moment in advance, allowing seamless transition without requiring complex real-time decisions during the handover event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary calculation mechanism using directional indicators (DI) as a mediator between signal reception data and handover decisions. The DI, calculated from the difference in signal strength between directional antenna groups, serves as an intermediate parameter that simplifies the determination of crossover time and handover timing, bridging the gap between raw signal measurements and actionable handover commands.
2Reliability
If handover timing is delayed until the mobile device enters overlapping coverage area, then the mobile device can maintain connection longer with current AP, but fast-moving devices may move out of coverage before handover can complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and determines the optimal handover timing in advance based on predicted mobile device trajectory and signal reception patterns. By computing the crossover time when the device will be equidistant from current and next APs, and determining handover should occur at a specific moment before this crossover point, the system ensures the handover completes within the overlapping coverage area even for fast-moving devices, preventing service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point continuously monitors signal reception data from the mobile device and uses this feedback to dynamically calculate and adjust handover timing. The directional indicator, derived from signal strength differences across antenna groups, provides real-time feedback about the device's position and movement, allowing the system to determine the optimal handover moment and ensure seamless transition while maintaining service continuity.
3Ease of operation
If the mobile device autonomously determines handover timing, then the device has more control, but the device lacks accurate information about next AP parameters and cannot perform timely handoff
Solution Approach 1:
The access point acts as an intermediary that provides the mobile device with essential information about the next AP's parameters and characteristics. By sharing calculated handover timing and next AP details, the access point enables the mobile device to autonomously execute informed handover decisions without requiring the device to independently gather and process complex network topology information, thus maintaining device autonomy while providing necessary information.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs self-service handover by autonomously deciding when to switch APs based on information provided by the access point. The device monitors its own signal reception and uses the handover timing information to automatically transition between APs without requiring manual intervention or complex external control, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring timely handoff through access point support.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a device for managing access point connections, wherein the device is configured to determine signal reception data (102) related to a mobile device registered to a at least one of a plurality of access points AP, access an access point mapping dataset (106) indicative of geographical distances between the plurality of APs, calculate a crossover time (108) in which the mobile device crosses over one of the APs by analyzing the signal reception data, estimate a velocity (110) of the mobile device as a function of the signal reception data, in particular based on the crossover time and a first geographical distance between two of the APs from the access point mapping dataset, and determine a handover time (112) from one of the APs to another of the APs based on the crossover time the velocity of the mobile device and a second geographical distance from the access point mapping dataset.