Multipoint Wireless Network Controller for Seamless Handoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional WiFi networks face challenges in providing reliable and efficient wireless connectivity in communicatively isolated environments, such as aircraft or tunnels, due to limited bandwidth and excessive loading on wireless access points, with slow handoff processes that hinder applications like broadband streaming.
Innovation Solution
A virtual wireless network system comprising a network controller, multiple wireless access points, and a broadband backbone that manages connections by assigning devices to access points based on criteria other than signal strength, optimizing latency, bandwidth, and loading, and enabling simultaneous multi-point transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple mobile devices connect to a single wireless access point in conventional WiFi, then wireless connectivity is provided to devices, but excessive loading occurs on the access point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless network into multiple virtual access points or network slices, each capable of handling a portion of the connected devices. This allows the system to distribute device connections across multiple logical entities, preventing any single physical access point from becoming overloaded while maintaining support for a large number of concurrent devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtualization layer or network controller as an intermediary between mobile devices and physical access points. This intermediary manages device connections, load balancing, and resource allocation, enabling the system to handle numerous devices without overwhelming individual access points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional WiFi handoff sequences are used, then mobile devices can switch between access points, but the handoff process is too slow to support broadband streaming applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-establishing connection parameters, authentication credentials, and resource allocations before handoff is needed. When a device needs to switch access points, the new connection is already prepared and configured, allowing for rapid handoff without the delays of conventional authentication and parameter negotiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network controller continuously monitors device positions, signal strengths, and network conditions. This real-time feedback enables proactive handoff decisions and dynamic resource allocation, ensuring that handoffs occur at optimal moments with minimal disruption to ongoing applications.
3Ease of operation
If mobile devices select access points based on strongest SSID signal, then connection establishment is simplified, but network resource allocation is suboptimal and access points become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller or virtualization layer as an intermediary that intercepts and manages device-to-access-point associations. While devices may still identify access points using conventional SSID signals, the intermediary redirects connections to optimally loaded access points based on real-time network conditions, maintaining user simplicity while optimizing resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes network parameters such as SSID visibility, connection priorities, and access point capacities based on real-time load conditions. When an access point becomes overloaded, the system can adjust parameters to steer new connections toward underutilized access points, maintaining ease of connection while optimizing overall network productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed systems and methods configure a plurality of wireless access points to perform probe request handling operations including, responsive to receiving a probe request from a mobile device, relaying the probe request to a network controller, and responsive to receiving a probe response from the network controller, relaying the probe response to the mobile device. The network controller is configured to provide the mobile device with a multipoint wireless network by identifying two or more of the plurality of wireless access points as selected access points for multipoint transmission with the mobile device, coordinating the selected access points to allow simultaneous transmissions to the mobile device from each of the selected access points, and forwarding a probe response indicative of the selected access points to the selected access points.