Wireless Access Point RSSI-Based Reception Window Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, especially those using IEEE 802.11 standards, overlapping service areas of access points can lead to interference from neighboring access points, causing stations to receive radio frequency signals from multiple sources with varying signal strengths, which affects communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a wireless access point identifies subsets of stations with strong receive signal strength intensity (RSSI) values and assigns them specific reception windows, adjusting its hardware characteristics to minimize interference from weaker signals by dynamically changing receiver sensitivity based on RSSI thresholds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the service area of wireless access points is expanded to increase network coverage, then the network utility and communication range are improved, but interference from neighboring access points increases and communication efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice areaVSAvoidcommunication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the set of wireless stations into multiple subsets based on their RSSI values. Stations are divided into a first subset (with higher RSSI) and a second subset (with lower RSSI), allowing differentiated scheduling and resource allocation to manage interference in expanded service areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic receiver sensitivity adjustment at the access point. The receiver sensitivity is changed based on the RSSI threshold and the subset to which stations belong, allowing the system to adapt to varying interference conditions in different geographic areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If receiver sensitivity is increased to improve signal reception from distant stations, then communication range is extended, but interference from weaker signals from neighboring access points increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal receptionVSAvoidinterference from weaker signals

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the receiver sensitivity parameter dynamically based on the RSSI threshold and station subset. By adjusting this parameter, the access point can optimize signal reception for distant stations while filtering out interference from weaker signals in overlapping service areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different receiver sensitivity settings to different subsets of stations based on their local RSSI characteristics. Stations in the first subset (higher RSSI) receive different sensitivity treatment than stations in the second subset (lower RSSI), optimizing reception quality for each local condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3085186B1Apparatus and method for reducing interference in a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2019.11.27 CAMBIUM NETWORKS

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AI summary

In a communication system, an access point in communication with one or more stations identifies a first subset of wireless stations from the set of wireless stations. The first subset of wireless stations is identified based on RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Intensity) values for radio frequency signals received from each of the stations exceeding an RSSI threshold (720). The first subset of wireless stations is assigned to a first reception window (730). The access point transmits an identifier of each of the subset of wireless stations and an identifier of the reception window via the radio frequency channel.