Concurrent Data Plane Roaming for Zero-Loss Wireless Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies experience long traffic interruptions during roaming, which are unacceptable for mission-critical tasks and can cause system failures, especially in applications requiring seamless network connectivity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with a wireless client device that utilizes two concurrent data planes and a control plane to manage roaming, allowing for seamless switching between access points by synchronizing and sharing a media access control address, ensuring zero packet loss during the transition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional single data plane roaming is used, then device complexity is reduced, but traffic interruption occurs during roaming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous data transmissionVSAvoiddata plane structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the data transmission function into two separate data planes: a first data plane for maintaining connection with the first access point and a second data plane for establishing connection with the second access point. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of both data planes, enabling seamless roaming without traffic interruption while maintaining manageable complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second data plane is established and synchronized with the network controller before the actual roaming switch occurs. By performing the connection establishment and synchronization in advance while the first data plane remains active, the system prepares the backup path beforehand, ensuring zero packet loss during the transition from first to second access point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If roaming switching is performed, then network connectivity is improved, but packet loss occurs during transition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess point switchingVSAvoiddata packet loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuous data transmission by keeping the first data plane active during the roaming process. While the second data plane is being established and synchronized, the first data plane continues to transmit data without interruption. Only after the second data plane is fully synchronized does the system switch traffic, ensuring continuous useful action throughout the roaming transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The network controller acts as an intermediary that receives synchronization from both the first and second data planes. It manages the transition by coordinating the establishment of the second data plane and authorizing the switch, ensuring that packet loss is prevented through controlled intermediary management of the roaming process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If fast roaming is implemented, then roaming latency is reduced, but traffic interruption still occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming speedVSAvoidtraffic interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary establishment of the second data plane and synchronization with the network controller before the roaming switch is triggered. This advance preparation eliminates the need for post-switch reconnection and data resynchronization, achieving fast roaming with zero traffic interruption by having the second data plane ready in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between data planes based on roaming conditions. The system can flexibly transition from the first data plane to the second data plane without fixed timing constraints, adapting the switch moment to when the second data plane is fully synchronized and ready, thereby minimizing or eliminating traffic interruption time while maintaining high roaming speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12538169B2System and method for achieving zero packet loss in wireless roaming

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a method for achieving zero packet loss in wireless roaming is implemented by a processor of a wireless client device in a system. The wireless client device establishes a first data plane in association with a first radio connected to a first access point and a second data plane in association with a second radio. The first data plane is different from and operates concurrently with the second data plane. The wireless client device determines a second access point by scanning a plurality of operating channels using the second radio. The wireless client device synchronizes the second data plane with a network controller to connect the second radio with the second data plane to the second access point. The wireless client device switches traffic of the first data plane connected to the first access point to the second data plane connected to the second access point.