Wireless AP Load Balancing via Inter-AP Data Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load balancing solutions for wireless Access Points (APs) do not effectively manage heavy loads, leading to network deterioration and poor user experience when multiple users access the network, especially in 3G/4G mobile networks, as they fail to account for real-time load conditions and cannot distribute data transmission efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for load balancing that determines when an AP is overloaded by assessing 3G/4G network conditions, including bandwidth occupancy, traffic limitation, and stability, and offloads data to other APs within the same Extended Service Set (ESS) by broadcasting load information and selecting APs with lower loads for sharing, using Beacon frames and load balancing requests to manage data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless APs are arranged in the same area to meet requirements of accessing the LAN by multiple users, then the network coverage and user access capability are improved, but the load on each AP increases and network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network load by introducing a load balancing controller that divides data traffic among multiple APs based on real-time load conditions. The controller intercepts data packets destined for STAs and redirects them to APs with lower load, effectively segmenting the overall network load into manageable portions across different APs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic load balancing by continuously monitoring the load status of each AP and adjusting data routing in real-time. The load balancing controller dynamically determines which AP should handle specific data traffic based on current network conditions, making the system adaptable to changing load patterns rather than using static routing.
2Reliability
If existing load balancing solutions reject new users to access when AP load is heavy, then the existing AP performance is protected, but new users cannot access the network and load balancing problem is not solved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a load balancing controller as an intermediary component between STAs and APs. This controller intercepts data packets before they reach the APs and intelligently redirects them to appropriate APs based on real-time load conditions. The intermediary enables new user access while protecting AP performance by preventing direct connection to overloaded APs.
3Ease of operation
If a wireless AP accesses the Internet by using a 3G/4G mobile network, then mobility and networking cost are improved, but network bandwidth is limited and bandwidth stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple APs into a coordinated load balancing system where each AP contributes to the overall network capacity. By combining the resources of multiple APs and using intelligent load distribution, the system achieves more stable aggregate bandwidth than a single AP could provide, while maintaining the mobility benefits of wireless access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables data packets to skip directly to APs with available capacity by using the load balancing controller for intelligent routing. Instead of following traditional hierarchical routing through overloaded APs, data can be rapidly redirected to underutilized APs, rushing through the network more efficiently and reducing congestion delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method and device for implementing load balancing, when a first Access Point (AP) is to transmit data of a Station (STA) accessing the first AP, the first AP determines other APs for load sharing and transmits data desired to be offloaded to said other APs. Technical solutions for implementing load balancing according to the present disclosure can offload data of an STA to one or more APs and transmit the data to the Internet by virtue of other APs of a same ESS when conditions of a wireless network where a wireless AP of a MiFi or Eufi type is located is relatively poor or a load of the wireless AP is relatively heavy. Therefore, when too many STAs access the wireless AP, cases will not arise that the load of the wireless AP is too heavy or a 3G/4G network where the wireless AP is located experiences deterioration of its conditions or even an decrease in its performance. In addition, the load balancing can effectively improve user experiences for STAs to use a wireless network while improving utilization rate of wireless APs of the same ESS.