Dynamic Wireless Backhaul Link Between Access Points
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wired backhaul links in WiFi networks can become saturated, leading to increased latency and reduced throughput, especially when handling high-bandwidth applications or increased client device connections.
Innovation Solution
Establishing an on-demand or dynamic wireless link between access points, which is triggered by saturation or degradation of wired backhaul links, allowing data traffic to be rerouted through available wireless connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired backhaul links are used to connect access points, then network stability and reliability are improved, but network throughput and latency performance deteriorate when the wired links become saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic link selection where access points can switch between wired and wireless backhaul modes based on real-time network conditions. The system monitors wired link saturation and dynamically establishes wireless mesh links as alternative paths, making the backhaul infrastructure adaptive rather than static. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to maintain reliability through wired links when available while switching to wireless paths when wired capacity is exhausted.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the backhaul links by transitioning from exclusive wired connectivity to a hybrid wired-wireless configuration. When wired links become saturated, the system modifies the network topology parameters by activating wireless mesh connections, thereby changing the capacity and latency characteristics of the backhaul path without compromising overall network stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless mesh connections are established between access points, then network adaptability and congestion management are improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where access points automatically discover available wireless mesh neighbors, negotiate connection parameters, and dynamically establish backhaul links without manual configuration. The system autonomously monitors wired link conditions and triggers wireless mesh activation when needed, eliminating the need for complex manual setup while providing adaptive congestion management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops that continuously monitor wired backhaul link utilization and automatically trigger wireless mesh link establishment when saturation is detected. This closed-loop control mechanism provides adaptability by responding to real-time network conditions while keeping configuration complexity low through automated decision-making algorithms that eliminate manual intervention.
3Speed
If dynamic wireless links are established on-demand, then network responsiveness to saturation events is improved, but signal interference and wireless channel congestion worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless spectrum into dedicated mesh backhaul channels separate from client access channels. By allocating specific frequency resources for wireless backhaul traffic and others for client device communications, the system enables rapid response to wired link saturation while minimizing interference with client services. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of mesh links without harmful interference to the primary access function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a plurality of access points, each configured to communicate with one or more client devices; and a monitoring engine configured to receive metric data periodically from the plurality of access points and further configured to generate confidence score profiles for each of the plurality of access points. A first access point of the plurality of access points is configured to: receive a set of confidence score profiles from the monitoring engine; detect occurrence of a dynamic wireless link creation event; select, in response to the detecting of the occurrence of the dynamic wireless link creation event and based on the confidence score profiles, a second neighbor access point; establish a dynamic wireless link between the first access point and the second neighbor access point; and direct at least some network traffic to the second neighbor access point using the established dynamic wireless link.