Client-Assisted Wi-Fi Extender Onboarding Under Regional Power Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for onboarding wireless network extenders to gateway devices face challenges such as varying regulatory channels and transmission power levels across countries, requiring complex configurations and potential locking into perpetual onboarding states without proper network connections.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a client device to assist in onboarding by selecting allowed channels and transmission powers based on regional regulations, enabling default DPP with a timeout for flexible onboarding, and providing country codes to extenders for immediate full power operation, with fallback options like WPS if DPP fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional onboarding methods are used without regional regulation considerations, then the onboarding process can be simplified, but the extender cannot operate at legally permitted transmission power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by obtaining the country code and determining regional regulations before the extender establishes network connection. This allows the extender to be pre-configured with appropriate transmission power levels and allowed channels based on its deployment location, eliminating the need for post-onboarding adjustments and ensuring compliance with local regulations from the start.
2Reliability
If the extender waits for gateway connection before operating, then network security is maintained, but the onboarding time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions including obtaining BH credentials, determining country code, and calculating allowed transmission power levels before the extender connects to the gateway. This pre-configuration enables the extender to operate independently during onboarding without requiring immediate gateway connection, thereby reducing onboarding time while maintaining security through pre-shared credentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a client device as an intermediary that facilitates the onboarding process by transferring BH credentials and country code information to the extender. This intermediary approach allows secure credential distribution without requiring the extender to directly connect to the gateway during the initial setup phase, thus decoupling the security requirement from the timing constraint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the extender operates at default low power without country code, then regulatory compliance is maintained globally, but network coverage and performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by configuring the extender with location-specific parameters including country code and allowed transmission power levels. Instead of using a uniform low power setting globally, the extender receives localized configuration data that enables it to operate at the maximum legally permitted power level for its specific deployment region, thereby optimizing network coverage while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission power parameter from a fixed default value to a dynamically determined value based on the country code. By obtaining the country code and referencing regional regulations, the system adjusts the transmission power parameter to match local requirements, enabling the extender to transition from conservative default operation to optimized local operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex configuration procedures are implemented to handle regional variations, then regulatory compliance is ensured, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling the extender to automatically obtain and process its own configuration parameters including country code and allowed transmission power levels. The extender autonomously determines its operational parameters based on received information without requiring manual configuration by the user, thereby maintaining regulatory adaptability while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The client device serves as an intermediary that automates the complex configuration process by retrieving country code and BH credentials, then automatically transferring this information to the extender. This intermediary approach shields the user from complexity while ensuring proper regional configuration, as the intermediary handles all regulatory adaptation tasks automatically in the background.
Data Source
AI summary
A client device is provided for use with a user, a network extender device and a gateway device. The client device includes: a memory; a graphic user interface configured to provide an instruction to the user to place the client device within a predetermined distance from the network extender device; and a processor configured to execute instructions stored on the memory to cause the client device to: obtain the backhaul credentials from the wireless network; obtain the extender identification data from the network extender device; instruct the graphic user interface to provide the instruction to the user to place the client device within a predetermined distance from the network extender device; communicate with the network extender device based on the extender identification data; and provide the backhaul credentials to the network extender device to enable the network extender device to join the wireless network.