MAC ID Pool Management for Wireless Access Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face limitations due to a limited number of available Media Access Control Identifiers (MAC IDs) at each wireless access node, which can prevent new user devices from establishing communication sessions when the pool is exhausted.
Innovation Solution
A wireless access control system maintains a pool of MAC IDs, selects user devices based on wireless signal strength, instructs them to stop using the base station, and returns the MAC IDs to the pool to manage resource allocation efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a limited number of MAC IDs are allocated to user devices at a wireless access node, then wireless communication sessions can be established for active user devices, but new user devices cannot establish communication sessions when the pool is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mechanism where MAC IDs are temporarily allocated to user devices during active communication sessions, then recovered and returned to the available pool when sessions end or when idle timeout thresholds are exceeded. This allows the same MAC ID to be reused for different user devices over time, effectively increasing the system's adaptability without requiring additional MAC IDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages MAC ID allocation by monitoring session activity and automatically reallocating identifiers based on current network conditions and user device needs. The available pool of MAC IDs is adjusted in real-time as sessions are established and terminated, allowing the system to adapt to varying traffic patterns and user device access requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MAC IDs are reused for different user devices, then more user devices can access the network, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic MAC ID management where the wireless access node itself handles the allocation, tracking, and reclamation of MAC IDs without requiring external intervention. The node monitors session states and automatically returns MAC IDs to the available pool when appropriate, reducing the operational complexity of managing identifier reuse while maintaining high user device access capacity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If MAC IDs are held for inactive user devices, then session continuity is maintained, but the pool of available MAC IDs is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of user device session states with defined timeout thresholds. MAC IDs are retained for active sessions but are automatically reclaimed after a specified idle period, creating a rhythmic pattern of allocation and reclamation that balances session continuity requirements with the need to maintain an adequate pool of available identifiers for new user devices.
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is a wireless access system. The wireless access system includes a wireless access control system configured to maintain an available pool of Media Access Control Identifiers (MAC IDs) for subsequent use by a base station, remove a portion of the MAC IDs from the available pool, and use the portion of the MAC IDs for wireless communications between a wireless transceiver of the base station and a plurality of user devices. The wireless access control system is configured to determine that the available pool of the MAC IDs is insufficient, and in response, select a set of the user devices based on at least wireless signal strength. The wireless transceiver of the base station is configured to instruct the selected set of the user devices to not use the base station for the wireless communication, and in response, the wireless access control system is configured to return ones of the MAC IDs used by the selected set of the user devices to the available pool.