Cloud-Based Radio Resource Management for WLAN Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing WLAN access points independently select channels and channel widths in a shared frequency band without considering co-channel interference (CCI), leading to suboptimal communication performance for associated clients.
Innovation Solution
A computer system computes CCI metrics based on information from access points and communication-performance metrics, using a graph representation to select optimal channels and channel widths that minimize CCI, and adjusts transmit power to reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access points independently select channels and channel widths based on local wireless conditions, then each access point can adapt to its immediate RF environment, but co-channel interference occurs between access points leading to suboptimal overall network performance
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized controller acts as an intermediary between access points, collecting RF environment information from multiple access points and computing optimal channel assignments that minimize co-channel interference across the entire network, rather than allowing each access point to make independent decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from distributed local decision-making to centralized global optimization by adding a new dimensional layer of network-wide coordination, using graph theory to model and optimize channel assignments across the entire access point network simultaneously
2Ease of operation
If a predefined channel width is used by access points, then configuration is simplified, but the system cannot dynamically optimize RF utilization based on current wireless conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic channel width selection where the centralized controller determines optimal channel widths for each access point based on real-time RF conditions, network density, and interference levels, allowing the network to adapt continuously rather than using fixed predefined widths
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the channel width parameter for different access points based on computed metrics, adjusting this critical parameter to optimize both capacity and interference management rather than maintaining a uniform static configuration
3Reliability
If access points perform frequent wireless scans to determine optimal channels, then channel selection adapts to changing conditions, but network overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the channel selection functionality from individual access points into a centralized controller that aggregates RF environment data from multiple access points, performing a single comprehensive optimization calculation that replaces multiple individual scan and decision processes
Solution Approach 2:
Access points report their local RF measurements to the centralized controller, which then autonomously computes and distributes optimal channel assignments, allowing the system to self-optimize without requiring complex scan coordination between individual access points
Data Source
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AI summary
During operation, a computer system may receive, associated with access points, information about the access points and specifying one or more communication-performance metrics associated with a shared band of frequencies. Then, for the access points, the computer system may compute co-channel interference (CCI) metrics based at least in part on the information about the access points and the one or more communication-performance metrics. Moreover, the computer system may select channels and channel widths of the access points based at least in part on the CCI metrics, a graph representation of the access points and a CCI criterion, where nodes in the graph representation correspond to the access points and edges in the graph representation correspond to communication between the pairs of access points. Next, the computer system may provide, addressed to the access points, second information specifying the channels, the channel widths and/or the transmit power of the access points.