Access Point Location Discovery Using RF Proximity Maps for AFC
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional GPS-based location determination for access points (APs) in wireless networks is unreliable due to the requirement of an unobstructed view of multiple satellites, leading to delayed AFC registration and network connectivity disruptions during reboot events.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a radio frequency (RF) proximity map generated from neighborhood discovery data, including RSSI, SSID, and BSSID, to determine the current location of APs based on a last known location, enabling expedited AFC registration by comparing RF proximity maps and neighborhood discovery data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based location determination is used for AFC registration, then location accuracy can be achieved, but location determination is delayed due to satellite availability requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an RF proximity map as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the need for location determination and the limitations of GPS. The RF proximity map contains pre-stored RF characteristic data (RSSI, SSID, BSSID) of neighboring access points at known locations. When GPS is unavailable, the system compares current RF measurements against this map to infer location, thus providing a time-efficient alternative that maintains reasonable location accuracy without requiring satellite visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-building and storing RF proximity maps during periods when location determination is not critical. These maps contain RF characteristic data of the wireless environment at various locations. When AFC registration is needed and GPS is unavailable, the pre-prepared RF proximity map enables immediate location inference without waiting for satellite acquisition, thus resolving the time delay issue while maintaining measurement precision through the pre-collected RF data.
2Reliability
If GPS modules are used for location determination, then location can be obtained, but network connectivity is disrupted during reboot when satellite view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling access points to autonomously determine their locations using RF proximity maps and neighborhood discovery data without requiring external GPS assistance. The AP compares its observed RF characteristics (RSSI, SSID, BSSID of neighboring APs) against the stored RF proximity map to infer its location. This self-contained mechanism ensures location determination reliability and maintains network connectivity continuity during reboots, eliminating the single-point-of-failure dependency on GPS satellite availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for location determination from GPS-based coordinates to RF-based parameters (RSSI, SSID, BSSID). By transitioning from satellite-dependent GPS coordinates to wireless environment-based RF characteristics, the system achieves location determination that is reliable during reboots and maintains network connectivity continuity. The RF parameters can be quickly measured and matched against the proximity map without requiring external satellite signals.
3Measurement precision
If traditional GPS-based location determination is used, then location can be determined, but AFC registration is delayed due to location determination delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/GPS-based location determination system with an RF-based electronic matching system. Instead of relying on physical satellite signals and GPS hardware, the system uses RF characteristic measurements (RSSI, SSID, BSSID) and compares them against an electronic RF proximity map. This substitution dramatically increases AFC registration speed while maintaining location accuracy, as RF measurements can be taken instantly without waiting for satellite acquisition and geometric calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-building RF proximity maps that contain RF characteristic data of the wireless environment at various locations. This pre-computation allows for rapid location determination during AFC registration by simply matching current RF measurements against the pre-stored map, eliminating the time-consuming GPS satellite acquisition and position calculation process while maintaining measurement precision through the pre-collected RF data.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, methods, and processes for location discovery of an access point (AP) are described herein. The AP, after a reboot event, is required to transmit a current location for automated frequency coordination (AFC) registration. However, the current location may be unknown to the AP. To address this, a device is provided with a location discovery logic that determines the current location of the AP. The device may receive first neighborhood discovery data (NDD) of the AP after first boot event and may generate an RF proximity map based on the first NDD. The device may receive the second NDD of the AP based on the reboot event. The device may compare the second NDD with the RF proximity map, and if the second NDD matches the RF proximity map, the device may determine the current location to be same as a reference location associated with the RF proximity map.