Wireless Mesh Network Survey Tool for Building Signal Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current building management systems (BMS) lack tools for effectively designing and diagnosing wireless mesh networks, particularly in large environments, leading to inadequate signal strength and interference issues due to the absence of comprehensive testing tools and graphical representation of network health.

Innovation Solution

A wireless mesh network survey tool and diagnostic tool with a user interface and processing circuit that access scaled floor plans, determine signal strength, recommend repeater device locations, and generate technical reports, including heat maps and weak zone identification, to optimize network configuration and diagnose issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a technician manually tests a mesh network using discrete tools and qualitative analysis, then the technician can identify some wireless issues, but the process is time-consuming and lacks comprehensive coverage for large networks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless network health assessment accuracyVSAvoidnetwork survey and diagnosis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple discrete testing functions (signal strength measurement, interference detection, network topology mapping) into a single integrated wireless mesh network survey tool that automatically performs comprehensive network assessment, eliminating the need for technicians to manually execute multiple separate tests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The survey tool automatically performs network discovery, device identification, and health assessment without requiring technician intervention for each measurement, enabling the system to self-diagnose and provide actionable insights independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If expensive professional tools like Chanalyzer or WiSpy are used to analyze wireless spectrum, then comprehensive interference detection is achieved, but the cost becomes prohibitive for widespread deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum interference detection capabilityVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements wireless mesh network survey capabilities using standard, readily available hardware (such as smartphones or basic wireless adapters) rather than expensive proprietary equipment, making the solution economically viable for widespread deployment while maintaining sufficient measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The survey tool is designed to run on general-purpose devices that can perform multiple functions (network surveying, spectrum analysis, reporting) rather than requiring specialized expensive hardware, enabling universal deployment across different platforms and budget levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If visual analysis methods are used to assess wireless coverage, then the process is simple and quick, but the analysis is qualitative rather than quantitative and lacks detailed metrics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless survey simplicityVSAvoidsignal strength measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual assessment methods with automated electronic measurements that quantitatively capture signal strength, interference levels, and network performance metrics, substituting subjective technician judgment with objective data-driven analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If network data is not continuously monitored, then the system operates with minimal overhead, but issues cannot be diagnosed in real-time when devices toggle between online and offline conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time issue detection capabilityVSAvoidnetwork monitoring overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic network health checks and data collection at intervals rather than continuous monitoring, balancing real-time issue detection with acceptable resource consumption by sampling network status at regular intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10735976B2Systems and methods for network design, monitoring and visualization

Publication Date: 2020.08.04 TYCO FIRE & SECURITY GMBH

AI summary

A wireless mesh network survey tool is provided. The tool includes a user interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to access a scaled floorplan of a building site, and identify a receiver device location on the scaled floorplan. The processing circuit is further configured to instruct a user to position a transmitter device at a number of test locations to determine a signal strength at each of the test locations. The processing circuit is also configured to determine a device count for a proposed mesh network based on the signal strength at each of the test locations. The device count includes a number of repeater devices. The processing circuit is further configured to display the proposed mesh network to the user via the user interface. The proposed mesh network includes recommended locations for the repeater devices on the scaled floorplan.