Aircraft Wi-Fi Access Point Steering for Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network systems in vehicles, such as aircraft, suffer from inefficient load balancing due to random association of mobile devices with wireless access points, leading to network inefficiencies and performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A system that automates the association of mobile devices with specific wireless access points based on location markers or tags, using NFC, barcodes, or image recognition, ensuring proper load balancing by directing devices to appropriate access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large number of wireless access points are deployed throughout the aircraft, then wireless service coverage is improved, but network load balancing deteriorates due to random association of devices with access points
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring location markers at specific seating locations and pre-establishing associations between markers and wireless access points. When a device scans a marker, the association is already determined, eliminating random connection behavior and ensuring proper load distribution across access points from the moment of connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Location markers serve as intermediaries between mobile devices and wireless access points. Instead of devices randomly selecting access points, they scan markers that encode specific access point associations. This intermediary system guides devices to appropriate access points based on their physical location, improving both coverage utilization and network efficiency.
2Reliability
If manual network connection procedures are required, then network security control is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to complex connection steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing devices to automatically obtain connection information through marker scanning. The device independently extracts the associated access point details from the scanned marker and initiates connection without manual intervention. This maintains security through controlled access point selection while dramatically simplifying the user experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (typing SSIDs, navigating settings menus, selecting networks) with an automated optical recognition system. The device uses its camera to scan location markers and automatically processes the information to establish connections, substituting complex manual procedures with a simple scan-and-connect mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
System and methods are described herein for automatically associating one or more passenger mobile devices with one or more specific wireless access points depending on each passenger location within the aircraft or other vehicle, and the status of each of the wireless access points including its functionality and load. In preferred embodiments, a tag can be captured or read by the passenger's device, which can then cause the passenger's device to connect with a specific wireless access point. In some embodiments, the passenger's device can also be automatically directed to a landing page, such as using a web browser of the passenger's device.