Access Terminal White List Database for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless access terminal technologies consume significant processor resources and battery life due to the need to scan a wide spectrum of channels to discover nearby access points, leading to increased power consumption and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a database on the access terminal to maintain a 'white list' of access points that have provided acceptable service, allowing the terminal to quickly search for and connect to known good access points, while also maintaining a 'black list' of access points to avoid, thereby minimizing unnecessary scanning and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the access terminal scans a wide spectrum of channels to discover all nearby access points, then the terminal can find available access points, but power consumption increases and battery life reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a database of previously discovered access points and their characteristics. Instead of scanning all channels from scratch, the terminal uses stored information to quickly identify and reconnect to known access points, performing the discovery action in advance and reusing it.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by focusing scanning efforts only on specific channels where access points are known to operate, rather than uniformly scanning the entire spectrum. The terminal adjusts its scanning behavior locally to match the actual distribution and characteristics of nearby access points.
2Reliability
If the access terminal scans a wide spectrum of channels to discover all nearby access points, then the terminal can find available access points, but processor resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a database of previously discovered access points and their characteristics. Instead of scanning all channels from scratch, the terminal uses stored information to quickly identify and reconnect to known access points, performing the discovery action in advance and reusing it.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the necessary information from the full spectrum scan - specifically focusing on channels where access points are known to operate. By taking out and processing only the relevant portion of the spectrum rather than the entire range, processor resources are conserved while still achieving reliable access point discovery.
3Speed
If the access terminal connects to any available access point, then connection is established quickly, but quality of service may be poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of access points by maintaining a database that records quality of service metrics, signal strength, and other characteristics from previous connections. This preliminary assessment allows the terminal to quickly identify high-quality access points without trial-and-error connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback by continuously monitoring and recording the quality of service experienced at each access point. This feedback information is stored in the database and used to guide future connection decisions, allowing the terminal to prefer access points that have demonstrated good performance while avoiding those with poor service.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure is directed to an access terminal, and method for selecting an access point in a communications system. The access terminal may include memory and a processor. The processor may be configured to maintain in the memory a database containing a list of access points that have previously served the access terminal with at least a minimum quality of service, the processor being further configured to use the list to search for an access point to associate with, or search for an access point to handoff thc access terminal to during operation. In addition to, or alternatively, the processor may also be configured to maintain in the database a second list of access points. The database may be used by the processor to search for an access point that is not on the second list to associate with, or handoff the access terminal to.