Wireless LAN Controller Access Point Load Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in environments with high concentrations of users like sports stadiums or hotel lobbies, access points (APs) become congested, leading to decreased communication speeds due to terminal devices connecting to the AP with the strongest signal strength, resulting in electromagnetic wave occupancy rate decreases and communication speed reductions. Existing methods to alleviate congestion, such as terminal devices switching to less congested APs, face challenges in accurately detecting congestion and distributing load effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple access points that measure and share congestion levels, allowing an AP with high congestion to instruct terminal devices to switch to a less congested AP by temporarily stopping probe responses from other APs, thereby guiding the terminal device to connect to a less congested AP, and managing the switching process to distribute the load and reduce congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If terminal devices connect to the AP with the strongest signal strength, then coupling reliability is improved, but AP congestion increases and communication speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless LAN controller as an intermediary that manages terminal coupling decisions. The controller receives probe requests from terminals, determines congestion levels of multiple APs, and selectively responds to redirect terminals to less congested APs. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by decoupling the terminal's signal strength selection from the final coupling decision, enabling load distribution while maintaining reliable coupling.
2Area of stationary object
If APs are installed at distances of 20 to 30 meters to broaden coverage, then coverage area is improved, but terminal coupling concentrates on specific APs and communication speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the wireless LAN controller continuously monitors congestion levels of multiple APs and uses this information to dynamically guide terminal coupling decisions. The controller receives probe requests, assesses real-time congestion status, and provides feedback by selectively responding to redirect terminals. This feedback loop ensures that even with APs spaced 20-30 meters apart for broad coverage, terminals are distributed across multiple APs based on current load conditions, preventing concentration and maintaining communication speed.
3Ease of operation
If terminals perform coupling to the closest AP, then coupling simplicity is improved, but electromagnetic wave occupancy rate decreases and communication speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless LAN controller acts as an intermediary that maintains coupling simplicity for terminals while improving communication speed. Terminals continue their standard probe request process without complexity, but the controller intercepts and manages the coupling decision by selectively responding to probe requests based on congestion levels. This preserves the simple terminal operation while achieving load distribution and improved communication speed through the controller's intelligent mediation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes measuring a first congestion level of the first access point, determining to change a coupling destination of a terminal device from a first access point to a second access point, transmitting a request from the first access point to the plurality of access points, the request from the first access point requesting the plurality of access points other than the second access point not to send a response to a request from the terminal device, the request from the terminal device requesting the plurality of access points to send the response to the terminal device, cutting off a coupling between the first access point and the terminal device, transmitting the request from the terminal device to the plurality of access points, sending the response to the request from the terminal device, and establishing a coupling between the second access point and the terminal device.