Adaptive Standby Access Point for Wireless Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless local area communication networks face challenges in load balancing due to varying AP capabilities, leading to undesirable disruptions when handling sudden bursts of user devices, which can result in reduced throughput and network interference.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive standby access point with multiple switchable antennas and radios is introduced to assist overloaded APs by providing sectorized coverage, dynamically reallocating user devices and adjusting channel operations to alleviate traffic demand without causing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If user devices are handed off from a heavily loaded AP to a less loaded AP, then load balancing is improved, but device data rate capability is reduced when the target AP has lower capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
A standby access point is activated that is essentially a copy of the overloaded primary AP, replicating its capabilities including data rate, channels, and power levels. This allows seamless handoff without capability mismatch, maintaining both load balancing and device data rate performance
Solution Approach 2:
The standby AP is configured with identical parameters to the primary AP including transmission power, channel settings, and capability profiles. This parameter replication ensures that handed-off devices experience no degradation in data rate while achieving load distribution
2Productivity
If the power level of a neighboring AP is increased to attract user devices, then load balancing is improved, but network interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standby AP is pre-configured with the same power levels and channel settings as the primary AP before activation. When activated, it immediately provides appropriate signal strength without requiring power adjustments, thus avoiding the interference that would result from increasing neighboring AP power levels
Solution Approach 2:
The standby AP acts as an intermediary that assumes the exact radio characteristics of the primary AP, allowing load redistribution without modifying the power levels of existing APs in the network, thereby preventing additional interference
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the power of a serving AP is lowered to reduce interference, then network interference is reduced, but service to user devices may be dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The standby AP serves as an intermediary that takes over the exact service parameters of the primary AP, allowing the primary to reduce power without dropping service, as the standby maintains identical coverage and service quality for all associated devices
4Productivity
If a standby access point is activated to relieve overloaded APs, then throughput is enhanced and load balancing is improved, but device capability mismatch may occur if the standby has different capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The standby AP is dynamically configured to match the primary AP's capabilities including data rate, supported protocols, and channel widths. This parameter matching ensures that devices handed off to the standby experience no capability mismatch while benefiting from load distribution and maintained throughput
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive standby access point in a local area communication network includes an interface operable to communicate with other access points, at least one radio operable to communicate with user devices utilizing at least one antenna, and a processor operable to receive a message over the interface from one of the other access points that is experiencing traffic overload. The message indicating to the standby access point that the one other access point requires traffic demand assistance, whereupon the processor will activate and direct the radio to send out beacons to solicit user devices within the coverage area of the overloaded access point to instead association with the standby access point.