Band Steering System Using Signal Strength Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of single-band electronic devices causes network congestion in the 2.4 GHz band, while the 5 GHz band remains underutilized, necessitating an effective band steering mechanism to allocate multiband devices efficiently between the two bands.
Innovation Solution
A band steering system that includes a station and a wireless access point, which broadcasts and monitors probe requests and association requests based on signal strength indicators, using different thresholds to determine whether to block or respond, and adjusts retry parameters and communication protocols based on association status, link time, request count, and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the 2.4 GHz band is used for wireless network operations, then compatibility with single-band devices is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless network into two separate bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and uses different threshold values for probe requests and association requests to segment device allocation. Multiband devices are steered to the 5 GHz band while single-band devices remain on 2.4 GHz, effectively segmenting the network to reduce congestion on the 2.4 GHz band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the threshold parameter for probe requests and association requests based on the band being used. Different threshold values are applied for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, allowing the system to dynamically adjust acceptance criteria for device connections and steer multiband devices to the less congested 5 GHz band.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the 5 GHz band is used for wireless network operations, then network congestion is reduced, but compatibility with single-band devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by sending probe requests before actual connection establishment. The access point monitors these probe requests and uses threshold comparison to determine whether to respond, allowing it to pre-screen devices and steer multiband devices to the 5 GHz band before full connection occurs, ensuring single-band devices remain compatible on 2.4 GHz.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe request mechanism serves as an intermediary between device discovery and actual connection. The access point uses this intermediary step to evaluate signal strength against thresholds and make band allocation decisions, facilitating smooth steering of multiband devices to 5 GHz while maintaining 2.4 GHz compatibility for single-band devices.
3Measurement precision
If different threshold values are used for probe requests and association requests, then band steering precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different threshold values for different types of requests (probe requests vs. association requests) and for different bands (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz). This local quality approach allows precise control over band steering at each decision point while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure based on standard Wi-Fi protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A band steering system includes a station and a wireless access point. The station broadcasts a probe request, where the probe request corresponds to a received signal strength indicator. The wireless access point monitors whether the probe request is in a first band or in a second band. When the wireless access point receives the probe request from the first band, the wireless access point determines whether the station is associated with the first band or the second band. When the station is not associated with the first band and the second band, the wireless access point blocks or responds to the probe request according to the received signal strength indicator and a first threshold. When the station is associated with the first band or the second band, the wireless access point blocks or responds to the probe request according to the received signal strength indicator and a second threshold.