Access Point Location Mapping Using Robust Quad Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of wireless access points (APs) in networks are inaccurate, time-consuming, and require manual surveys, leading to high deployment costs and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing robust quadrilaterals (quads) in graph theory to identify neighbor relationships between nodes, defining anchor nodes, and applying trilateration to determine AP locations with high accuracy, transforming local to global coordinates for comprehensive site coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual surveys are used to determine AP locations, then deployment accuracy can be achieved, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical surveying methods with automated electronic systems. The network management system automatically collects RTT measurements between APs and client devices, processes this data through algorithms to determine locations, and eliminates the need for physical manual measurement and surveying processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service location determination where the network infrastructure itself (APs and client devices) automatically provides the measurement data needed for location calculation. The APs and devices perform RTT measurements and communicate results without external intervention, allowing the system to self-determine locations autonomously.
2Measurement precision
If manual surveys are conducted for AP location determination, then location data can be obtained, but deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive manual surveying services with automated electronic measurement systems. By utilizing existing network infrastructure (APs and client devices) to perform RTT measurements and automated processing, the system eliminates costs associated with manual labor, surveying equipment, and professional services while maintaining high location accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing network resources (APs, client devices, and network infrastructure) to automatically perform location determination. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external surveying services and reduces deployment costs by utilizing already-deployed hardware and software resources.
3Productivity
If automated location determination is implemented, then deployment time is reduced, but measurement accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where RTT measurements are continuously collected from multiple AP-client device pairs, and location calculations are refined based on this feedback data. The network management system processes measurement results and adjusts location estimates to improve accuracy while maintaining automated high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location determination process into distinct phases: data collection (RTT measurements from multiple pairs), data processing (algorithmic computation), and result generation (location coordinates). This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, enabling both high speed and high accuracy through specialized processing at each stage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables automated, accurate, and cost-effective determination of AP locations, reducing the need for manual surveys and enhancing the precision of location-based services and RF coverage optimization.
Implementation Method 1
distances between neighboring nodes (e.g., based on round trip time (RTT) measurements)
Data Source
AI summary
A network management system (NMS) automatically determines locations of deployed access points (APs) in a wireless network. The system identifies clusters of APs, wherein each AP in a cluster is a member of at least one robust quad, and wherein each robust quad in the cluster has three APs in common with another robust quad in the cluster. The NMS identifies one of the plurality of clusters as a global cluster and the remaining plurality of clusters as local clusters. The NMS determines coordinates of each node in the global cluster based on the coordinates of the anchor APs in the global coordinate system. For each local cluster, the NMS transforms the coordinates of each AP from the respective local coordinate system to the global coordinate system.