Inter-Access Point Link for Wireless Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in managing data flows between multiple access points to optimize signal quality and resource utilization for mobile devices, particularly when a mobile device is within range of multiple access points, leading to suboptimal performance due to uneven load distribution and signal quality issues.
Innovation Solution
Establishing an inter-access point communications link to receive performance statistics, such as radio resource usage, transmission delay, and throughput, allowing the anchor access point to manage data flows and resource allocation between access points, enabling dynamic switching of data flows based on these statistics to optimize communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile device communicates with multiple access points simultaneously, then signal quality and coverage are improved, but load distribution becomes unbalanced and resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by switching data flows between anchor and booster access points based on performance statistics. The anchor access point monitors throughput, packet error rates, and signal quality metrics, then adjusts data flow allocation by sending flow switch commands to the serving gateway, thereby optimizing both signal quality and resource utilization through parameter adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic data flow management where the anchor access point continuously monitors performance statistics and actively switches data flows between itself and booster access points in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to changing channel conditions and load requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable signal quality and achieving balanced resource utilization across multiple access points.
2Productivity
If data flows are offloaded to booster access points, then traffic load on anchor access point is reduced, but system complexity increases due to coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor access point serves as an intermediary that coordinates between the mobile device, booster access points, and serving gateway. It receives performance statistics from booster access points, makes centralized decisions about data flow switching, and communicates with the serving gateway to execute flow migrations. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing control logic at the anchor access point rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination between multiple access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the anchor access point continuously receives performance statistics (throughput, packet error rates, signal quality) from booster access points and uses this feedback to dynamically switch data flows. The feedback loop enables intelligent decision-making for load distribution while keeping system complexity manageable through rule-based switching criteria defined in the patent.
3Productivity
If performance monitoring and dynamic switching are implemented, then communication efficiency is optimized, but measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The booster access points autonomously measure and report their own performance statistics (throughput, packet error rates, signal quality metrics) to the anchor access point without requiring complex external monitoring infrastructure. This self-service measurement approach simplifies the overall system by leveraging the inherent measurement capabilities of each access point while achieving comprehensive performance monitoring for efficient data flow switching decisions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for managing communications in a wireless communications system. An inter-access point communications link between a first access point and a second access point is established. At the first access point, one or more performance statistics from the second access point are received via the inter-access point communications link. Communication to or from a mobile device via the first access point and the second access point, is managed based at least in part on the received performance statistics.