Wireless Mesh Access Point Dynamic State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional wireless mesh networks, the fixed number of access points leads to underutilization during favorable communication conditions and higher transaction costs, as the capacity of each access point is not dynamically adjusted to accommodate varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
Access points within the network compute and evaluate network metrics to determine whether to participate or disable their connections based on favorable or unfavorable conditions, dynamically adjusting their participation to optimize resource utilization and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of access points is fixed to accommodate poor communication conditions, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to underutilization during favorable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of access point participation in the network. Access points can transition between active and inactive states based on real-time communication conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize between reliability and productivity by activating additional access points when conditions are poor and deactivating them when conditions are favorable, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and maximizing throughput.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of access points is fixed at a low value to accommodate poor conditions, then adaptability is improved, but loss of energy increases due to higher transaction costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active access points based on communication conditions and transaction cost considerations. When transaction costs are high and communication conditions are favorable, the system deactivates excess access points to reduce energy loss. When conditions deteriorate or costs decrease, access points are reactivated. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining versatility and minimizing energy loss.
3Reliability
If access points are kept active to ensure reliable communication, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases due to unnecessary transactions during favorable conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state transitions for access points based on monitored communication conditions. When conditions are favorable and reliability requirements are met with fewer access points, the system deactivates excess access points to reduce energy consumption and operational costs. When conditions deteriorate, the system activates additional access points to maintain reliability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliability and minimizing energy use.
4Ease of operation
If the number of nodes per access point is fixed, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate varying conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of node capacity allocation by allowing access points to transition between active and inactive states. This dynamic reconfiguration automatically adjusts the number of nodes served by each access point based on communication conditions, eliminating the need for manual capacity planning while maintaining operational simplicity. The system adapts capacity allocation dynamically, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a technique for convergence and automatic disabling of access points in a wireless mesh network. Specifically, an access point within a wireless mesh network computes one or more network metrics to determine whether the metrics are unfavorable or favorable. If the network metrics are favorable, then the access point disables the access point's network connection. An access point turns the network connection back on based on whether a routing was lost for at least a preset amount of time, utilization of one or more neighboring access points is above a preset value, or one or more network metrics have degraded by a certain percentage value. One advantage of this approach is that cost savings may be achieved when the number of access points dynamically changes to accommodate varying communications conditions.