Mesh AP Load Balancing With Coordinated Band Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless mesh networks face challenges in load balancing among access point multi-link devices (AP MLDs) due to lack of coordination, leading to potential load imbalances and non-convergent back-and-forth load balancing acts, which affect aggregate throughput and quality of service.
Innovation Solution
Implementing centralized, semi-distributed, and fully distributed load balancing techniques where AP MLDs report load information to a centralized controller or directly to neighboring APs, allowing for coordinated load balancing decisions to prevent interference and optimize resource utilization across the mesh network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If AP MLDs perform load balancing independently without coordination, then each AP can make local load balancing decisions, but this leads to non-convergent back-and-forth load balancing acts and load imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where AP MLDs exchange load information with neighboring APs and report to a centralized controller. This feedback loop enables coordinated load balancing decisions, preventing non-convergent behavior by allowing APs to adjust their operations based on real-time network conditions and peer AP status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary that receives load information from multiple AP MLDs and facilitates coordinated load balancing decisions. This intermediary prevents direct conflicts between APs by mediating the load balancing process and ensuring convergence through centralized coordination.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple APs operate independently in a mesh network, then network coverage is extended, but interference between APs increases and aggregate throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the load balancing operations of multiple independent AP MLDs into a coordinated system. By combining load information from all APs and processing it centrally or through coordinated protocols, the system achieves unified load balancing decisions that optimize aggregate throughput while maintaining extended network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where AP MLDs continuously report their load status to neighboring APs and the centralized controller. This feedback enables real-time adjustment of transmission parameters and load distribution, reducing interference between APs and optimizing aggregate throughput across the extended network coverage area.
3Measurement precision
If load information is collected from all wireless devices, then accurate load balancing decisions can be made, but system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by collecting load information selectively from wireless devices based on their specific characteristics and network position. Rather than uniformly collecting data from all devices, the system tailors the information collection process to the specific needs of each device and AP, reducing unnecessary complexity while maintaining accurate load balancing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by collecting load information from a subset of wireless devices and APs rather than all devices. This selective approach provides sufficient accuracy for load balancing decisions while significantly reducing system complexity and communication overhead associated with comprehensive data collection.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for load balancing access points (APs) in a mesh network. Certain aspects are directed to obtaining load information from each wireless device of a set of wireless devices, the load information being indicative of resource availability for each band available to each wireless device of the set. In some examples, the disclosure is directed to identifying a first band and a first wireless device of the set of wireless devices associated with the first band based on the first band having a highest level of traffic among bands available to the set of wireless devices.