Tiered Multi-AP Scheduling for Interference-Isolated Transmissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network technologies face challenges in managing interference among multiple Access Points (APs) due to individual oscillator offsets and lack of precise time coordination, leading to impaired scheduling and potential conflicts in multi-AP environments.
Innovation Solution
Implement a tiered multi-level scheduling approach with a central Multi-Access Point coordinator and per-floor coordinators to manage Connectivity Groups (CGs), using connectivity information to minimize interference by scheduling transmissions across CGs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized scheduling approach is used to manage multiple Access Points, then interference coordination is improved, but system complexity and scalability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless network into multiple floors, with each floor having its own coordinator that manages APs locally. This segmentation allows interference coordination to be handled at the floor level rather than requiring a single centralized controller to manage all APs across the entire building, thus improving reliability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the scheduling system by organizing coordinators in tiers (floor-level coordinators reporting to building-level coordinators). This multi-dimensional structure enables local interference coordination at each floor while maintaining global coordination through the hierarchy, resolving the contradiction between centralized control and scalability.
2Measurement precision
If individual oscillator offsets are not compensated, then device complexity is reduced, but time synchronization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where coordinators exchange timing information and adjust their schedules based on observed interference patterns and synchronization status. This feedback loop enables the system to compensate for oscillator offsets dynamically without requiring complex hardware modifications, thus improving time synchronization precision while keeping device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts scheduling parameters and time offsets dynamically based on measured interference and synchronization performance. By changing temporal parameters in the scheduling algorithm rather than modifying hardware oscillators, the system achieves precise time synchronization while avoiding the complexity of hardware-level oscillator compensation.
3Reliability
If transmissions are scheduled without considering connectivity groups, then scheduling simplicity is maintained, but interference from neighboring groups increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into Connectivity Groups (CGs) based on spatial proximity and interference characteristics. By scheduling transmissions at the CG level rather than individual AP level, the system reduces scheduling complexity while improving transmission reliability through coordinated resource allocation among groups, effectively managing interference without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Scaling by using tiered multi-level scheduling may be provided. Connectivity information associated with a plurality of Access Points (APs) may be received by a computing device. A plurality of Connectivity Groups (CGs) may be determined from the plurality of APs based on the connectivity information. Transmissions may be scheduled for the plurality of CGs such that when any of the plurality of CGs sends a transmission, the transmission is substantially unaffected by interference from any others of the plurality of CGs.