Roaming Access Point Detection via Physical Co-location
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of evaluating access points for wireless network roaming based on signal strength can lead to suboptimal roaming behavior by omitting suitable candidates, as it discards access points that do not meet a threshold signal strength criterion, potentially missing preferable roaming destinations.
Innovation Solution
A wireless computing device implements a method to detect physically co-located access points during a roam scan, exempting them from the signal strength criterion, allowing selection as roaming candidates even if they do not meet the signal strength threshold, thereby mitigating the omission of suitable access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If access points are evaluated based on signal strength threshold criterion, then roaming decision reliability is improved, but suitable access point candidates are omitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the evaluation parameter from signal strength alone to a composite criterion that includes physical co-location status. Access points that are physically co-located with the current connected access point are exempted from the signal strength threshold requirement, allowing them to be considered as viable roaming candidates regardless of signal strength measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the access point evaluation process into two distinct paths: one for access points that meet the signal strength threshold and another for physically co-located access points. This segmentation allows the system to handle different types of access points with appropriate criteria, preventing the omission of suitable candidates due to strict signal strength requirements.
2Device complexity
If access points not meeting signal strength threshold are omitted, then roaming evaluation complexity is reduced, but network connection quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new evaluation parameter - physical co-location status - that operates independently of signal strength. This parameter change enables the system to identify and retain suitable access point candidates that would otherwise be filtered out by signal strength threshold criteria, thereby maintaining network connection quality without substantially increasing evaluation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: establishing a connection with a wireless network; performing a roam scan to detect a plurality of access points of the wireless network; determining that a first access point of the plurality of detected access points satisfies a signal strength criterion; determining that a second access point of the plurality of detected access points is physically co-located with the first access point; and selecting a roaming destination from the first access point and the second access point.