Movable Access Points for Wireless Network Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inadequate wireless network coverage and congestion in densely populated areas, such as airports, universities, and office buildings, lead to poor application performance and limited capacity to serve a large number of users, as traditional wireless access points (APs) reach their maximum throughput, resulting in network failures and the need for time-consuming manual installations.
Innovation Solution
An automatically deployed wireless network system that utilizes an access point controller (AC) to detect network anomalies and dispatch movable access points (APs) via unmanned vehicles, such as drones or ground robots, to quickly provide additional coverage and alleviate congestion by moving them to areas with insufficient service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixed wireless access points are deployed in densely populated areas, then network coverage is provided, but network congestion and inadequate coverage occur when user demand exceeds AP capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces movable access points that can dynamically relocate to areas with network anomalies or high user density demands. These movable APs transition from static fixed installations to dynamic mobile units, allowing the network to adapt its coverage capacity in real-time based on user distribution and traffic patterns, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliable coverage and service capacity in densely populated areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of access points from fixed to movable, enabling dynamic adjustment of network coverage parameters. When user density or traffic load exceeds thresholds, the system relocates APs to optimize coverage and capacity distribution, transforming the network from a static infrastructure to a dynamically adjustable system that can handle varying user demands.
2Productivity
If more wireless access points are deployed to serve more users, then user capacity increases, but installation time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable access points are equipped with autonomous navigation and self-deployment capabilities. When the controller detects network anomalies or capacity needs, it automatically dispatches movable APs to required locations without requiring manual installation. The movable units navigate autonomously and begin providing service upon arrival, eliminating time-consuming manual deployment processes while increasing user service capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a pool of movable access points in standby or pre-positioned states, ready for rapid deployment. Rather than installing new APs when needed, the system has pre-configured movable units that can be quickly dispatched to address capacity needs or coverage gaps, reducing the time required to increase user service capacity.
3Reliability
If manual installation of additional access points is performed to address network congestion, then coverage capacity increases, but response time is slow and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors network status parameters including user density, traffic load, and signal quality. When anomalies or capacity deficiencies are detected, the system automatically generates deployment commands for movable access points. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual network assessment and deployment decisions, simplifying operations while maintaining reliable coverage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical installation process with an automated control system that dispatches movable access points. Instead of physically installing new APs through manual labor, the system uses automated navigation and deployment mechanisms, substituting human-operated mechanical installation with automated robotic or vehicle-based deployment, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining coverage capacity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If fixed access points are used to provide stable network service, then network stability is maintained, but flexibility to adapt to changing user distribution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines fixed stable infrastructure with movable adaptive units. The fixed access points provide baseline stable coverage, while movable access points dynamically relocate to adapt to changing user distribution patterns. This hybrid approach maintains network service stability from fixed units while gaining coverage adaptability through mobile units that can be dispatched to emerging high-demand areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable access points serve multiple functions: they can supplement fixed APs in high-density areas, provide temporary coverage during events, and dynamically adjust to changing user distributions. This multi-functionality allows the same movable units to adapt to various scenarios while fixed units maintain stable baseline coverage, achieving both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for an automatically deployed wireless network are provided. According to one embodiment, an access point controller (AC) determines the existence of a network anomaly at a position of a wireless network that is managed by the AC. Responsive thereto, the AC causes an unmanned vehicle that carries a movable access point (AP) to carry the movable AP to the position or proximate thereto and causes the movable AP to provide wireless network service to an area encompassing the position by sending a dispatch command to the unmanned vehicle. The dispatch command instructs the unmanned vehicle to move to the position or proximate thereto.