Wireless Hotspot Load Balancing via Dynamic Resource Reallocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless network hotspot systems face load unbalance among access points, leading to poor bandwidth utilization, especially for real-time media applications that require quality of service (QoS) guarantees, due to STA-centric network association mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A load balancing apparatus and method that includes a resource allocation module and a load balancer, which dynamically reallocates network resources by finding a load balance shift path (LBSP) to adjust the loads of access points, improving overall bandwidth utilization by reallocating resources among access points in wireless network hotspots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If STA-centric network association mechanism is used, then STAs can easily connect to the nearest AP, but load unbalance occurs among APs leading to poor bandwidth utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional STA-centric association approach by implementing an AP-centric load balancing mechanism. The system monitors AP load conditions and actively directs STAs to associate with APs that have sufficient capacity, rather than allowing STAs to independently select based solely on signal strength. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining easy STA connection while preventing load unbalance through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where APs continuously report their load status to a central controller or each other. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of association decisions based on real-time network conditions. The feedback loop allows the system to respond to changing load patterns, ensuring optimal bandwidth utilization while maintaining ease of STA connection.
2Reliability
If QoS connections are established with bandwidth guarantee, then service quality is improved, but available bandwidth for other connections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where QoS guarantees are adjusted based on real-time network conditions and AP load. Rather than static bandwidth reservation, the system dynamically modifies allocation parameters to balance QoS requirements with overall network utilization. This allows the network to maintain reliability for QoS connections while optimizing available bandwidth for other traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes bandwidth allocation parameters dynamically based on network state. When APs have excess capacity, more bandwidth is allocated to QoS connections; when capacity is constrained, allocation is adjusted to maintain overall network health. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between QoS guarantee and available bandwidth by making allocation flexible rather than fixed.
3Reliability
If admission control is strictly enforced, then QoS requirements are met, but connection acceptance rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary load assessment and capacity planning before admission decisions are made. The system pre-evaluates AP capacity and potential load impacts, allowing it to make informed admission control decisions that balance QoS requirements with connection acceptance. This preliminary action enables the network to accept more connections by avoiding premature rejections based on static thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial admission control rather than strict enforcement, allowing some connections to be admitted even when capacity is constrained, with the understanding that not all QoS requirements can be fully met. This partial approach increases connection acceptance rate while maintaining QoS compliance for priority traffic, resolving the contradiction between strict enforcement and acceptance rate.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a load balancing apparatus and method in wireless network hotspots, which comprises a resource allocation module and a load balancer. The resources reallocation module establishes the resources module and the relationship between access points (APs) and STAs in the wireless network hotspots, and seeks possible load balance shift paths (LBSPs). From these possible LBSPs, an LBSP is selected. Based on the selected LBSP, the load balancer reallocates network resources and dynamically arranges the load among the APs in the wireless network hotspots. This invention can be applicable to a centralized or a decentralized wireless communication system.