Hierarchical Wireless Access System with Master Management Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless access systems face challenges in managing access points locally within buildings, leading to increased bandwidth waste, performance deterioration, and high engineering costs due to the need for extensive cable resources and complex network configurations, particularly in dense urban areas and commercial buildings with high traffic demands.

Innovation Solution

A hierarchical wireless access system with master and slave access point management units that utilize power-line modulation and demodulation, allowing for local management and communication among access points, reducing the need for extensive cabling and enhancing network performance through centralized control and timing synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple independently-configured access points are deployed in dense urban areas with conventional outdoor macro base stations, then outdoor coverage can be provided, but transmission loss increases significantly (18-25dB) and coverage radius decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutdoor coverage areaVSAvoidtransmission loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the base station functionality into distributed access points (Pico BSs) deployed throughout the coverage area, each with local management capabilities. This segmentation allows signals to be transmitted over shorter distances with lower loss, while maintaining overall coverage through coordinated operation of multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional 2D outdoor macro base station coverage to a 3D distributed architecture where access points are deployed at multiple levels (ground floor, intermediate floors, rooftop) within buildings. This vertical dimension addition enables better signal propagation and reduces transmission loss by placing access points closer to users in dense urban environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional Pico BS architecture with centralized management is used, then access points can be deployed, but bandwidth is wasted and performance deteriorates due to all communication routing through central ASN-GW

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork deployment flexibilityVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network management functions by introducing building management units (BMUs) that locally manage access points within specific buildings or areas. This segmentation allows local switching and routing of traffic, preventing all communications from being funneled through the central ASN-GW, thereby improving bandwidth efficiency and reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces BMUs as intermediary management units between access points and the central ASN-GW. These BMUs handle local control plane signaling and data routing, acting as mediators that reduce the burden on centralized infrastructure and improve overall network performance by keeping local traffic local.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If each access point is independently configured and connected via transmission network, then coverage can be provided, but engineering costs and cable resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidcable resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple access points under common management by BMUs, allowing them to share control plane infrastructure and resources. This consolidation reduces the need for extensive individual cabling for each access point, as BMUs provide centralized local management and traffic aggregation, thereby reducing overall cable resources while maintaining coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal BMU units that can manage multiple access points across different locations and building types. These multi-functional BMUs reduce engineering costs by providing standardized management infrastructure that can be deployed repeatedly, eliminating the need for custom configurations and extensive cabling for each individual access point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If access points communicate through central ASN-GW via PDN/SDH network, then network management is centralized, but delay and jitter increase degrading user experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidcommunication delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control plane communication path by introducing BMUs as intermediate management points. This segmentation allows control signaling to be handled locally at the building level rather than being routed through the entire network to the central ASN-GW, significantly reducing communication delay and jitter while maintaining centralized oversight through the BMU hierarchy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution improves network management efficiency, reduces bandwidth usage, lowers engineering costs, and enhances user experience by enabling flexible deployment and capacity expansion while maintaining system reliability and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

master access point management units and slave access point access point management units which are directly connected with the access points have a power-line modulation and demodulation function, and adopt the power line as a transmission medium to directly connect with the attached access points

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPower-line modulation and demodulation:

Data Source

PatentEP2291051B1Hierarchical wireless access system including a plurality of access point management units
Publication Date: 2015.01.28 ZTE CORP
  • EP2291051B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2291051B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2291051B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A hierarchical wireless access system includes terminals, access points, centralized access gateways and a plurality of master access point management units located at the access layer and adopting distributed architecture. The master access point management unit includes a communication interface interacting with the centralized access gateway and/or core networks, to which one or more access points are attached. The master access point management unit processes forwards the data and signaling among the attached access points, and provides the function of access gateway and local operation maintenance and network management. Construction of the master access point management unit and the access point in the system is also provided.