Access Point Bandwidth Adaptation for Wireless Network Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network congestion in wireless LANs leads to increased latency and packet loss, resulting in a degraded user experience, especially when delivering video streams, due to the unreliable nature of transport protocols and the cascading effect of APs becoming congested independently.
Innovation Solution
An access point device with a controller that monitors bandwidth allocation and quality of service (QoS) degradation across multiple data flows, adapting bandwidth by dropping packets early in the cascade to prevent further congestion and packet loss, using messages indicative of drop levels to prioritize bandwidth adjustments based on the highest drop level values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple APs are connected in a cascade to increase network coverage and capacity, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but network congestion and packet loss increase due to independent congestion at each AP
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by monitoring QoS levels at each AP in the cascade and using this information to dynamically adjust bandwidth allocation. The controller receives QoS degradation messages from APs and responds by adapting bandwidth allocation to prevent packet loss, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliability while preserving network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by proactively adjusting bandwidth allocation when QoS degradation is detected, rather than waiting for severe congestion to occur. By adapting bandwidth in response to early QoS degradation signals, the system prevents packet loss before it occurs, maintaining reliability in the extended network coverage area.
2Device complexity
If bandwidth is allocated to multiple data flows without dynamic adjustment, then network simplicity is maintained, but QoS degradation occurs during congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making bandwidth allocation adaptive rather than static. The controller dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation based on real-time QoS feedback from APs, allowing the network to respond to changing conditions. This dynamic approach maintains QoS reliability during congestion while adding only the necessary complexity for monitoring and adjustment.
3Productivity
If packets are transmitted without early dropping, then data throughput is maximized, but congestion and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively dropping packets when QoS degradation is detected, preventing further congestion before it severely impacts throughput. This early intervention prevents the accumulation of congested packets that would cause increased latency, maintaining a balance between throughput and time loss by acting in advance of severe congestion.
Data Source
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AI summary
An access point device comprising a controller configured to: monitor bandwidth allocated by the access point device to a plurality of data flows directed to a plurality of wireless clients including a supported access point device; receive from the supported access point device a message indicative of a degradation of a quality of service (QoS) level provided by the supported access point device; and in response to the message, adapt a bandwidth allocated to at least one of the plurality of data flows which is forwarded to the supported access point device.