Range Extender Assignment via Throughput and Interference Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for assigning a range extender in Wi-Fi networks do not necessarily increase overall efficiency and may decrease performance for some stations, as they are based on limited parameters such as received signal strength and hop counts, without considering the impact on throughput and interference.
Innovation Solution
A computing system that determines the back-haul and front-haul throughput capabilities of a range extender when connected to each access point, and calculates the sum of uplink interference for each station, using these parameters to select the access point that maximizes throughput and minimizes interference through an optimization function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a range extender is assigned to an AP based on physical measurements such as received signal strength and hop counts, then the coverage hole problem is addressed, but the overall network efficiency may not increase and may even decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameters from basic physical measurements (received signal strength, hop counts) to comprehensive performance parameters including back-haul throughput capability, front-haul throughput capability, and uplink interference. This parameter transformation enables the system to select APs that truly optimize network efficiency while resolving coverage holes.
2Area of stationary object
If the range extender is connected to an AP with high current traffic load, then the coverage area is extended, but the uplink interference to connected STAs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that calculates the sum of uplink interference to all STAs connected to each candidate AP. This feedback information is used in the optimization function to penalize APs with high uplink interference, ensuring that the selected AP extends coverage without significantly degrading the performance of existing connections.
3Ease of manufacture
If the assignment is based only on current performance parameters, then the implementation is simple, but the predicted performance of the range extender cannot be accurately evaluated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of back-haul throughput capability and front-haul throughput capability for each candidate AP before making the assignment decision. These preliminary performance evaluations allow the system to predict how the range extender will perform with each potential AP, enabling accurate comparison and selection without complex real-time measurements.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an embodiment, the disclosure relates to a computing system (100) for assigning (305) a range extender (203) to a selected access point (202) from a plurality of access points (200-201), the computing system (100) comprising a collection module (101) configured to determine the range extender's (203) back-haul throughput capability for when connected with each of the access points (200-201); and determine the range extender's (203) front-haul throughput capability for when connected with each of the access points (200-201); and determine for each access point (200-201) with connected Wi-Fi stations (240) a sum of an amount of uplink interference to each connected Wi-Fi station; and a selection module (102) configured to select the selected access point (202) according to an optimization function maximizing the range extender's back-haul and front-haul throughput capability and minimizing the amount of uplink interference.