Network Controller Wireless Device Association Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless devices often connect to Wi-Fi networks suboptimally, leading to congestion and performance issues due to lack of information about network congestion and future events, causing devices to select access points based on signal strength alone without considering overall network quality or future demands.
Innovation Solution
A network controller is introduced to manage association of wireless devices with access points, selecting the most suitable access point based on load balancing, signal strength, and predicted future activities, ensuring optimal quality of experience by directing devices to less congested access points with sufficient signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless devices connect to access points based on signal strength alone, then connection establishment is simple and fast, but network congestion increases and performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary component that receives probe requests from wireless devices, determines the optimal access point based on network conditions, and directs the device to connect to that access point. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple device operation while implementing intelligent network-wide load management that prevents congestion and maintains performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access points operate independently, then device connectivity is flexible, but load distribution becomes unbalanced causing congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller serves multiple functions: it monitors network conditions across all access points, receives probe requests from devices, determines optimal connections based on current and predicted network state, and directs device associations. This multi-functional approach maintains connectivity flexibility while achieving balanced load distribution through centralized intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network controller continuously monitors network conditions, device connections, and access point loads. Based on this feedback and predictions of future network events, the controller dynamically adjusts device associations to optimize load distribution while maintaining connectivity flexibility.
3Loss of time
If devices select access points without network information, then connection process is fast, but suboptimal connections lead to congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The network controller performs preliminary actions by pre-monitoring network conditions, predicting future network events, and pre-determining optimal access point assignments before devices attempt to connect. When probe requests arrive, the controller already has the information needed to rapidly direct devices to appropriate access points, maintaining fast connection times while avoiding congestion through advance planning.
Data Source
AI summary
Managing an association of a wireless device to an access point of a wireless network is disclosed. Probe requests are received from the wireless device at access points within the wireless network. The probe requests are forwarded from the access points to a network controller. The network controller selects an access point to connect the wireless device to, based on information available thereto. The selected access point is informed that it has been selected. A probe response is provided to the wireless device from the selected access point.