Multi-AP Handover Control for Stable Wireless Terminal Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems experience instantaneous interruptions when switching connections between access points, leading to data communication delays, particularly in wide area networks with multiple access points, which can destabilize the control of devices like robots in industrial IoT applications.
Innovation Solution
A terminal apparatus communicates with a sharing access point and multiple shared access points, establishing a multi-AP connection and managing wireless links to switch connections seamlessly between these points using a handover request and response mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal performs association procedure with a new AP when switching connection destinations, then the terminal can connect to a different AP, but instantaneous interruption of wireless connection occurs causing data communication delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a multi-AP connection where the terminal pre-establishes wireless connections with multiple access points before actually needing to switch. The management unit maintains connection information for multiple APs in advance, so when switching is needed, the terminal can transition smoothly without interruption by already having the necessary connection parameters ready.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the wireless connection into multiple independent links with different APs. The management unit divides the connection management into separate components, allowing the terminal to maintain multiple simultaneous connections to different APs. This segmentation enables selective switching between APs without disrupting other active connections, thereby maintaining overall connection continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal switches from one AP to another AP, then the terminal can adapt to movement and maintain coverage, but data communication delay occurs due to instantaneous interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing and maintaining multiple wireless connections to different APs through the multi-AP connection mechanism. When movement requires switching APs, the necessary connection information is already prepared in the management unit, eliminating the need for time-consuming association procedures during the actual switch and thus reducing communication delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining multiple active wireless connections simultaneously through the multi-AP connection. The management unit continuously manages connection states and can seamlessly switch between APs without breaking the data flow, ensuring that the wireless communication function continues uninterrupted during terminal movement.
3Reliability
If a multi-AP connection is established with multiple shared access points, then connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a multi-AP connection that serves multiple functions simultaneously. The single multi-AP connection structure enables both connection reliability through multiple APs and simplified management by treating all APs as part of one unified connection framework. The management unit handles all APs through a standardized process, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from managing multiple separate connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple individual terminal-AP connections into a single multi-AP connection entity. Instead of managing separate connection protocols for each AP, the management unit consolidates all connection management tasks into one unified structure. This merging approach maintains the reliability benefits of multiple APs while significantly reducing the complexity of managing them individually.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention, a terminal apparatus wirelessly communicates with an access point system including a sharing access point and shared access points located at different physical positions. The terminal apparatus includes a communication unit including terminal wireless stations and configured to wirelessly communicate with the shared access points using the terminal wireless stations, and a management unit configured to establish a multi-AP connection that is a comprehensive wireless connection between the sharing access point and the terminal apparatus, and manage which of wireless links included in the established multi-AP connection is used for communication with the access point system.