Indoor Network Heat Maps for Real-Time Coverage Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for visualizing and analyzing indoor building networks are limited in capability, lack real-time data, and often fail to consider building-specific needs, leading to issues like poor network coverage, interference, and congestion.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating heat maps on a floor plan that visualize network coverage by measuring attributes like RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, RSSI, and throughput, using a color gradient scheme to represent signal strength, and overlaying non-coverage areas, with automated data collection and intuitive visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing tools are used for visualizing and analyzing indoor building networks, then basic network overview is provided, but real-time data is not available and network issues cannot be identified quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously collects network data from multiple access points and devices in real-time, processes this data through a server, and updates the heat map visualization dynamically. This feedback loop enables network administrators to see current network conditions immediately and respond to issues as they occur, resolving the contradiction between information availability and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual network analysis methods with automated computer-based data collection, processing, and visualization systems. The server automatically gathers data from network devices, calculates signal strength metrics, and generates heat maps without human intervention, enabling real-time analysis and quick issue identification.
2Reliability
If multiple access points are deployed to improve network coverage, then network coverage is enhanced, but it becomes more difficult to identify areas experiencing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the building into multiple geographic areas using the heat map visualization, with each area represented by different color intensities. This segmentation allows administrators to quickly identify which specific areas have poor network performance by looking at the visual representation, making it easier to detect and measure network issues despite having multiple access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a heat map color gradient scheme where different colors represent different signal strength levels and network performance characteristics. This visual encoding transforms complex network data into an intuitive color-based representation, enabling easy detection of areas with poor coverage or high interference without requiring technical analysis of individual access points.
3Productivity
If network data is collected and analyzed to optimize performance, then network efficiency is improved, but the complexity of managing and analyzing the data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically collects network data from access points and devices, processes the data through server-side calculations, and generates heat maps without requiring manual intervention. The automated pipeline handles data aggregation, signal strength calculation, and visualization generation, reducing the operational burden on administrators while maintaining high network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that sits between the network devices and the visualization interface. This server handles the complex data processing, aggregation, and analysis tasks, shielding administrators from the complexity of raw data management while providing simplified heat map outputs that directly indicate network performance issues.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides system and method for or creating heat maps to visualize network coverage across floor plans within buildings. A floor plan database (110) is maintained for storing the details of areas designated for survey. Equipped with a boundary definition module (120), the system delineates specific zones within the floor plan. A walk test module captures precise measurement points and associated signal metrics, RSRP/RSSI, throughout the survey area. The canvas module (140) facilitates the generation of custom views and bitmap images, and manages drawing operations on the canvas. A signal strength calculation module (150) assesses the signal strength across various regions by computing and normalizing the average signal values. The heat map definition module (160) finalizes the creation of the heat map by arranging a colour gradient scheme to reflect signal intensity, thereby enabling an intuitive and analytical visualization of network distribution and strength.