Rack Location Determination via Wireless Signal Strength Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Locating and identifying rack devices in datacenters is time-consuming and costly due to conventional methods requiring manual recording or additional subsystems like RFID tags and mobile tracking software.
Innovation Solution
An information handling system with a chassis equipped with a wireless communication system, processing system, and memory that uses signal strength mapping to determine rack locations by receiving wireless signals from rack wireless communication devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual recording methods are used to locate rack devices, then administrative effort and time are required, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rack devices autonomously determine their own locations by receiving wireless signals from rack wireless communication devices and processing signal strength measurements through a location determination engine, eliminating the need for manual administrative intervention in the location determination process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical recording processes with an automated wireless signal-based system that uses signal strength mapping to automatically determine rack device locations, substituting human administrative actions with automated electronic detection and processing
2Extent of automation
If RFID tags and sensors are deployed on servers and racks to detect location, then automated location determination is achieved, but the cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing wireless communication capabilities of rack devices for location determination, making the wireless communication system multi-functional by serving both data communication and location detection purposes, thereby avoiding the need for separate dedicated tracking subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring physical RFID tags and sensors on each device, the patent creates a virtual representation of location information through wireless signal strength measurements and mapping, using information copying rather than physical tracking components
3Measurement precision
If mobile tracking software and hardware are implemented to report server locations, then real-time location tracking is enabled, but the cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location determination functionality from complex mobile tracking systems and implements it natively within the rack devices themselves using simplified wireless signal processing, separating the location determination function from the need for external tracking infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive wireless signal strength measurements instead of expensive dedicated tracking hardware, accepting that signal strength data is transient and requires continuous measurement but providing cost-effective location determination
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and automated rack location determination with reduced administrative effort and hardware costs, improving accuracy through calibration and communication between rack devices.
Implementation Method 1
receive a first wireless signal through the chassis wireless communication system from a first rack wireless communication device that is positioned on the rack
Implementation Method 2
determine a first wireless signal strength of the first wireless signal; and determine a first rack location of the chassis by using the first wireless signal strength with a first wireless signal strength/rack location mapping
Data Source
AI summary
A rack location determination system includes a rack that defines a plurality of device housings. A rack wireless communication device is positioned on the rack and a computing device that includes a computing device wireless communication subsystem and that is positioned in a first device housing of the plurality of device housings in the rack. The computing device is configured to receive a wireless signal through the computing device wireless communication subsystem from the rack wireless communication device and determine a wireless signal strength of the received wireless signal. Based on the wireless signal strength of the wireless signal, the computing device is configured to determine a rack location of the computing device by using the wireless signal strength with a wireless signal strength/rack location mapping. The wireless signal strength/rack location mapping is associated with a location of the first rack wireless communication device.