Access Point Positioning via Location Score Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network planning tools fail to accurately determine the optimal positions of access points due to the lack of detailed consideration of environmental factors such as signal propagation and obstacles, leading to suboptimal network performance.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates location scores by dividing the planning area into smaller cells, assessing various metrics like maximum range and pattern directivity, and converting these metrics into scores to determine the quality of each location for access point placement, followed by a two-step procedure to determine initial and final access point positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simple objective functions are used to find the best network plan within reasonable time, then the planning process is efficient, but the objective functions do not cover the exact positions of access points with enough detail to provide the optimum final positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the planning area into multiple location topology cells, and for each cell calculates several predefined metrics (maximum range, pattern directivity, distance to map median, distance to planning area edge). This segmentation allows detailed evaluation of each potential access point location without requiring a single complex objective function, thus achieving both planning efficiency and position precision.
2Reliability
If detailed environmental factors such as signal propagation and obstacles are considered, then the optimal access point positions are achieved, but the complexity of the planning process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex environmental evaluation into multiple independent metrics (maximum range, pattern directivity, distance to map median, distance to planning area edge). Each metric evaluates a specific aspect of environmental suitability, making the overall complex evaluation process manageable and systematic while ensuring comprehensive consideration of signal propagation and obstacles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms qualitative environmental factors into quantitative metrics with specific calculation formulas. For example, maximum range is calculated based on signal propagation models, pattern directivity is computed from antenna radiation patterns, and distances are measured from map data. This parameter transformation enables systematic evaluation of environmental factors without excessive complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a two-step procedure is used to determine access point positions, then the final positions are optimized based on location scores, but the planning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-step procedure where the first step calculates location scores for all potential access point positions by evaluating multiple metrics (maximum range, pattern directivity, distance to map median, distance to planning area edge). This preliminary evaluation creates a ranked list of candidate locations, and the second step selects final positions from this pre-evaluated list, reducing the need for iterative optimization and saving time.
Data Source
AI summary
A solution how to calculate locations scores that depict the quality of specific locations as an installation point of an access point is disclosed. To calculate a location score a network planning area is divided into location topology cells, and in each location topology cell a plurality of predefined metrics that take into account environment are calculated. Then the metrics are converted into metric scores, and from the metric scores a location score for a location topology cell is calculated. Further, a solution in which final positions of access points are determined in a two-step procedure is disclosed. Firstly, initial positions are determined based on received planning information. Then final positions are determined starting from the initial positions and using both planning information and location scores.