Access Point Traffic Coordination for Congestion Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large public venues, network access points experience congestion due to increased upstream traffic from mobile devices livestreaming or livecasting, leading to degradation in network performance and difficulties in handling downstream traffic.
Innovation Solution
A system with a controller that monitors and coordinates upstream and downstream traffic by shifting downstream traffic to a more distant access point when the aggregate upstream traffic demand exceeds a threshold, allowing the original access point to focus on handling upstream traffic while another access point handles downstream traffic, thereby maintaining network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile devices connect to the physically closest access point for both upstream and downstream traffic, then connection simplicity is improved, but network performance deteriorates due to upstream traffic congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traffic handling function by separating upstream and downstream traffic paths. Mobile devices connect to different access points for upstream versus downstream traffic, dividing the congestion problem into separate manageable paths rather than having all traffic converge on a single access point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that coordinates traffic routing between mobile devices and access points. The controller manages the separation of upstream and downstream traffic paths, optimizing network performance while maintaining connection simplicity for end devices.
2Device complexity
If all traffic (upstream and downstream) is handled by the same access point, then device complexity is reduced, but traffic handling capacity deteriorates due to congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic handling across multiple access points, with upstream traffic routed through one access point and downstream traffic through another. This segmentation increases overall traffic handling capacity by distributing load across the access point network rather than concentrating it on a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the access point network to perform multiple functions simultaneously by having different access points handle different traffic directions. The network as a whole provides both upstream and downstream services through coordinated multi-point operation, increasing overall capacity while maintaining individual device simplicity.
3Device complexity
If access points handle both upstream and downstream traffic, then system complexity is reduced, but traffic delay increases due to overwhelming load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic flows into separate upstream and downstream paths handled by different access points. This segmentation reduces traffic delay by preventing congestion at any single access point, as each access point handles only one direction of traffic from multiple devices, distributing the load temporal and spatially.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller acts as an intermediary that orchestrates the separated traffic paths, managing the coordination between upstream and downstream access points. This intermediary enables the system to maintain low delay by dynamically routing traffic through optimal paths while preserving overall system simplicity through centralized control.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes monitoring an upstream traffic demand at a first access point and based at least in part on the upstream traffic demand on the first access point, communicating a message that causes a mobile device to transmit upstream messages to the first access point and to receive downstream messages from a second access point. The first access point is physically closer to the mobile device than the second access point.