Cloud-Controlled Mesh Networking for Interference-Aware Channel Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless mesh networks face inefficiencies due to interference from other devices operating on the same unlicensed spectrum bands, leading to decreased channel access probability and suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A cloud network controller collects channel quality measurements from access points, forecasts optimal channels using various forecasting methods, and sends recommendations for channel switches to improve network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access points operate on unlicensed spectrum bands, then network deployment flexibility is improved, but interference from other devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cloud-based network controller acts as an intermediary between access points and the wireless medium. It collects channel quality measurements from multiple access points, processes this data through forecasting algorithms, and sends optimized channel assignments back to access points. This intermediary coordination mechanism resolves the interference problem while maintaining the flexibility of unlicensed band operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where access points continuously report channel quality measurements to the cloud controller, which then adjusts channel assignments based on forecasted interference conditions. This closed-loop feedback enables dynamic adaptation to changing interference conditions while maintaining deployment flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If access points make independent channel selection decisions, then device autonomy is improved, but network-wide interference coordination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the decision-making process: access points autonomously collect and report local channel quality measurements, while the cloud controller performs centralized forecasting and coordination. This segmentation allows devices to maintain operational autonomy for data collection while achieving network-wide coordination through centralized intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud controller serves as an intermediary that aggregates information from autonomous access points and coordinates their channel selections. This intermediary enables network-wide interference coordination without eliminating the autonomy of individual access points to collect and report their own measurements.
3Productivity
If cloud controller forecasts and recommends channel switches, then network performance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud controller acts as an external intermediary that handles the complex forecasting and optimization calculations remotely. This shifts the computational complexity from individual access points to a centralized service, improving network performance while keeping individual device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex local decision-making mechanics at each access point with a centralized forecasting service. Instead of each device running complex interference prediction algorithms, they rely on cloud-based forecasting, substituting distributed mechanical complexity with centralized computational intelligence.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for optimizing a mesh network by cloud computing. A cloud network controller may receive from multiple access points (APs) in a mesh network information related to channel quality based on measurements taken by the APs. Based on this information, the cloud network controller may forecast one or more optimal channels based on the information related to channel quality. The cloud network controller my then send to the multiple APs a message including a recommendation to switch to the one or more optimal channels based on the forecasting. The AP may then make a decision to carry out the recommended channel switch.