Wireless Access Point Secondary Data Rate Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless access point configurations face challenges in managing radio spectrum sharing between primary and secondary networks, leading to potential degradation of primary network performance due to interference from secondary network devices, especially those at the edge of the network range, which can result in reduced bandwidth and increased transmission delays.

Innovation Solution

A wireless access point device dynamically adjusts the minimum data rate for the secondary network based on the performance of connected primary network devices, using a central controller to monitor and update the data rates, ensuring that slower secondary users do not disproportionately occupy channel bandwidth and impact primary network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If secondary network devices are allowed to connect without data rate restrictions, then network coverage and accessibility are improved, but primary network performance deteriorates due to spectrum sharing interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidprimary network performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically changes the minimum data rate parameter for secondary network devices based on the performance of primary network devices. When primary devices experience degradation, the system adjusts the minimum data rate upward for secondary devices, thereby resolving the contradiction between network coverage and primary network performance by making the data rate parameter adaptive rather than fixed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If bandwidth caps are imposed on secondary networks, then primary network quality is protected, but secondary network usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprimary network qualityVSAvoidsecondary network usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of minimum data rates for secondary networks based on real-time monitoring of primary network performance. Instead of imposing static bandwidth caps that reduce secondary network usability, the system adapts the data rate requirements dynamically - only increasing them when primary network degradation is detected, thereby maintaining secondary network usability while protecting primary network quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If slow secondary devices are permitted to transmit, then network inclusivity is improved, but channel bandwidth occupancy increases disproportionately

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork inclusivityVSAvoidchannel bandwidth occupancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the minimum data rate parameter for secondary devices based on their impact to primary network performance. When slow devices are detected to be occupying excessive channel bandwidth, the system adjusts the minimum data rate upward, preventing these devices from transmitting at rates that would disproportionately consume channel resources while still allowing them to connect to the network

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3090593B1Method and corresponding wireless access point for adjusting data rate of secondary users
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP3090593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3090593B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3090593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dual network access point capable of establishing a home wireless network and a further secondary wireless network for a number of wireless devices. The first wireless network is a private home WLAN while the second wireless network is a guest network or a hotspot network. To prevent secondary network users impacting the performance of the first network, the access point monitors the devices connected to the first network and adjusts the advertised minimum supportable rate on the second network.