Decentralized Wireless Access Point Control for Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless local area networks (WLANs) face challenges with interference due to limited radio channels, high user density, and complex manual configuration and maintenance, especially in large-scale systems, leading to increased costs and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized control technology that distributes control logic among access points, eliminating the need for a centralized controller, allowing access points to communicate and manage network resources autonomously, thereby reducing interference and enhancing scalability and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centralized controller is used to manage wireless networks, then network management and control become simplified, but the cost of the system increases and the complexity of the architecture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized controller's control logic into distributed control modules located at each access point. Each access point becomes an autonomous entity capable of independent decision-making, eliminating the need for a centralized controller while maintaining simplified management through standardized peer-to-peer communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points are equipped with autonomous control capabilities that enable them to self-manage network operations. Each access point independently performs channel selection, power adjustment, and interference management without external control, thereby simplifying overall system management while reducing architectural complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a centralized controller is used to manage wireless networks, then configuration and maintenance become easier, but the cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Access points autonomously perform configuration and maintenance tasks through built-in control logic. They automatically detect network conditions, adjust parameters, and adapt to changes without requiring centralized configuration, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements distributed feedback mechanisms where each access point continuously monitors network conditions and automatically adjusts its configuration based on local measurements of interference, channel quality, and traffic load, eliminating the need for expensive centralized configuration systems.
3Device complexity
If access points use fixed configuration, then device simplicity is maintained, but network scalability and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static fixed configurations into dynamic adaptive configurations. Each access point continuously adjusts its operational parameters based on real-time network conditions, enabling the network to scale and adapt while maintaining simple device architecture through automated control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points automatically modify operational parameters such as transmission power, channel selection, and antenna configuration based on detected network conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables network scalability and adaptability without increasing the inherent simplicity of the access point devices.
4Productivity
If radio channels are reused across multiple access points to serve high user density, then network capacity increases, but interference and electromagnetic noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each access point independently optimizes its local transmission parameters including channel selection and power level based on its specific environmental conditions and local interference landscape. This localized optimization enables effective channel reuse across the network while minimizing interference and electromagnetic noise in each local area.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points dynamically adjust transmission parameters such as power level and channel frequency based on real-time detection of interference conditions. When interference is detected, the system automatically changes parameters to avoid conflicting transmissions, thereby maintaining high network capacity while reducing harmful electromagnetic effects.
Data Source
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AI summary
System and method for decentralized control of wireless networks, made up by a set of access points (AP) that provide connection service to a set of stations (STA). The method comprises carrying out, during the start-up process, an automatic selection of the transmission channel (S7) of each access point (AP) to minimize interference, and which is based on the following information transmitted between the access points (AP) in the network: • a list of the access points (AP) that are within the range of reach of each access point (AP) in the network; • the powers with which each access point (AP) receives signals from the access points within its reach; • a list of preferred channels, with the lowest level of interference, for each access point (AP) in the network. The method also enables, among other features, carrying out an automatic transmit power selection (S8).