Access Point Association Transfer Using Multi-AP Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi systems face challenges in effectively mitigating coverage holes, leading to poor signal propagation and increased interference due to the use of higher transmit power, which affects performance in overlapping basic service sets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Multi-Access Point Coordination (MAPC) framework to enable association transfer between Wi-Fi access points, allowing seamless handover of device associations to improve coverage and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If transmit power is increased to mitigate coverage holes, then coverage area is improved, but interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the coverage area into multiple AP service regions and enables devices to associate with multiple APs simultaneously. This segmentation allows coverage extension without requiring any single AP to increase transmit power, thereby avoiding interference issues while maintaining improved coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple AP associations at the device level, allowing a device to maintain connections with multiple APs concurrently. This merging approach creates a unified coverage solution where devices can receive signals from multiple APs without any single AP needing to transmit at higher power levels, thus improving coverage while minimizing interference.
2Reliability
If association transfer between APs is implemented, then coverage hole mitigation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to autonomously discover and associate with multiple APs without requiring complex centralized coordination. The association transfer mechanism allows devices to self-manage their connections by monitoring signal quality and automatically switching associations, reducing the complexity burden on network infrastructure while improving coverage hole mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic association where devices can flexibly switch between single and multi-AP associations based on real-time coverage conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing environmental conditions without requiring complex pre-planning or static configuration, thereby improving reliability while keeping device complexity manageable through adaptive behavior.
3Strength
If multi-AP coordination is implemented, then signal propagation is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a simplified coordination mechanism where APs exchange minimal necessary information through a standardized interface. This intermediary layer enables multiple APs to work together for improved signal propagation without requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination protocols, thereby maintaining strong signal propagation while reducing overall network coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the coordination approach from complex protocol-level synchronization to simpler parameter-based association management. By focusing on exchange of association parameters and capability information rather than detailed coordination protocols, the system achieves improved signal propagation through multi-AP cooperation while keeping network complexity at acceptable levels.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is herein disclosed a method comprising determining that a first access point and a second access point are in a coordination agreement and determining that an association exists between a device and the first access point. The method further includes transmitting, to the second access point, a discovery request. The discovery request contains an inquiry as to whether the second access point will accept transfer of the association with the device. The method further includes receiving, from the second access point, a discovery response indicating that the second access point accepts the discovery request to transfer the association with the device. The method further includes negotiating, between the first access point and the second access point, terms of the association between the device and the second access point.