Dynamic Subset Channel Lists for Mesh Network Parent AP Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless mesh networks, the conventional search for parent access points across a large number of regulatory domain channels is time-consuming and inefficient, as many channels are unused, disrupting data flow and wasting time.
Innovation Solution
A network controller creates and disseminates dynamic subset channel lists to mesh access points, identifying only active backhaul channels for each group, allowing them to search and connect with parent access points more efficiently, reducing the number of channels to scan and favoring active scans over passive scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an AP searches across a full set of regulatory domain channels to find a parent AP, then the AP can discover all potential parent connections, but the search time becomes relatively long and disrupts data flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full set of regulatory domain channels into multiple subsets, where each subset corresponds to a specific geographic region or group of access points. Instead of searching all channels globally, APs only search the subset relevant to their location, dramatically reducing search time while maintaining discovery effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating region-specific channel subsets tailored to each geographic area or AP group. Each AP receives a customized channel subset based on its location and group membership, allowing efficient local search without the overhead of global channel scanning.
2Reliability
If an AP searches across all regulatory domain channels, then no potential parent connections are missed, but many empty channels are searched wasting valuable time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining channel subsets for different regions and AP groups before the actual parent search begins. The network controller pre-processes and distributes the appropriate channel subset to each AP, so that when search time arrives, APs can immediately begin scanning only the relevant channels without waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having APs scan only a subset of channels rather than all regulatory domain channels. This partial scanning approach is sufficient for finding parent connections in the local area without the excessive time cost of scanning every possible channel.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the network uses a fixed channel assignment for RAPs, then network stability is improved, but adaptability to changing network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the channel subset assignments adaptive and changeable based on network conditions. While RAPs have assigned subsets for stability, the network controller can dynamically adjust these assignments as APs join, leave, or move within the network, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining operational stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A mesh network includes a controller, root access points (APs), and mesh APs assigned to different groups of APs. The controller creates for each group a distinct subset channel list of backhaul channels used by root APs of the group that are connected to the controller. The controller updates, for each group, the subset channel list as root APs assigned to the group connect with and disconnect from the controller. The controller sends, for each group, the subset channel list to the mesh APs assigned to the group that are connected with the controller through respective root APs when the subset channel list is created and updated.