Macro-Micro Cell Wireless Access Point Interference Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless access points experience performance degradation when co-located radios operate in the same band due to receiver overdrive and excessive transmitter noise floor, leading to interference and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'macro-micro' cell approach with different relative coverage area sizing for co-located same-band radios, using band steering techniques to intelligently hand off client devices between micro and macro cells, and leveraging IEEE standards for efficient client management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple co-located radios operate in the same band to increase throughput capacity, then the quantity of radio channels increases, but receiver overdrive and transmitter noise floor cause packet loss and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage area into multiple cells (macro cells and micro cells) and assigns different radios to serve different cells. This spatial segmentation allows multiple radios to operate in the same band without interfering with each other's packet reception, as each radio serves a distinct geographic region rather than overlapping coverage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different transmit power levels for different radios based on their assigned cells. Macro cells use higher power levels for broader coverage, while micro cells use lower power levels for localized coverage. This localized power optimization reduces interference to other radios while maintaining adequate signal quality for each specific cell.
2Area of stationary object
If transmit power is increased to extend coverage range, then the coverage area increases, but transmitter noise floor increases causing interference to co-located radios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the overall coverage requirement into multiple smaller coverage areas (cells), each served by a dedicated radio. This allows the system to achieve total coverage equivalent to a single high-power radio while using multiple lower-power radios, thereby reducing the transmitter noise floor generated by each individual radio and minimizing interference to co-located radios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the coverage problem by creating overlapping coverage areas with different geographic footprints. Macro cells provide broad area coverage while micro cells fill in localized gaps, achieving complete coverage through spatial distribution rather than relying on a single high-power transmitter that would generate excessive noise floor.
3Measurement precision
If receiver sensitivity is increased to improve signal detection, then signal detection capability improves, but receiver becomes susceptible to overdrive from nearby transmitters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns dedicated geographic cells to each radio, creating spatial separation between transmitters and receivers. This segmentation ensures that when a radio receives signals, nearby co-located radios are not actively transmitting in the same band, thereby preventing receiver overdrive while maintaining high signal detection sensitivity for legitimate signals within the assigned cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by coordinating transmit and receive operations across multiple radios. Before a radio begins receiving packets, the system ensures that co-located radios will not be transmitting during that reception interval. This preliminary coordination prevents receiver overdrive before it can occur, allowing receivers to operate at high sensitivity without fear of being overwhelmed by nearby transmissions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments herein describe using a dual assess point (AP) to establish two access points that both are established by two individual radios (e.g., two 5GHz radios). Generally, APs experience highly degraded performance when two co-located radios operate within the same band. In one embodiment, AP devices can deploy same band radios using a macro-micro cell approach. Thus, the AP may intelligently hand off client devices between the micro and macro cell in a way that optimizes the system for overall throughput and low packet latency while creating minimal oscillation of clients between cells. The embodiments in this disclosure disclose techniques that direct clients in a manner that optimizes these factors.