Shadow Access Point for Hierarchical Tree Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
IEEE 802.11-based monitoring and alarm systems face reliability issues due to the lack of redundant communication paths, as devices can only associate with a single access point, making the network less reliable and prone to failures in critical applications like fire detection systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchical tree network with primary and shadow access points, where the shadow access point operates in listening mode and assumes primary mode only when the primary access point fails, providing redundant communication paths without modifying the IEEE 802.11 protocol, ensuring continuous operation and network reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single access point is used for wireless communication in IEEE 802.11 infrastructure mode, then device complexity is reduced and protocol compliance is maintained, but network reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundant communication paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shadow access point that copies the operational state and configuration of the primary access point. The shadow access point mirrors the primary access point's behavior, including its association with wireless nodes and data transmission patterns. This copying mechanism provides redundancy without requiring complex coordinated control between multiple active access points, as the shadow access point passively replicates the primary's operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow access point is pre-configured and positioned alongside the primary access point before any failure occurs. It maintains the same operational state as the primary access point, including active associations with wireless nodes. When the primary access point fails, the shadow access point can immediately assume the primary's role without requiring reconfiguration or reassociation of wireless nodes, as all necessary configurations are already in place.
2Reliability
If redundant communication paths are added to IEEE 802.11 infrastructure mode network, then network reliability is improved, but the protocol compliance and simplicity of standard 802.11 radios are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shadow access point exactly copies the primary access point's operational characteristics, including its 802.11 protocol behavior, association management, and data transmission patterns. This copying allows the system to maintain standard 802.11 protocol compliance while achieving redundancy, as the shadow access point uses identical protocol mechanisms to mirror the primary's operations without requiring custom protocol extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow access point operates autonomously by passively observing and copying the primary access point's operations. It automatically assumes the primary's role when failure occurs without requiring external intervention or complex coordination protocols. The system leverages the self-service capability of the shadow access point to maintain redundancy while preserving the simplicity of standard 802.11 protocol operations.
3Reliability
If a shadow access point is implemented to provide redundancy, then network reliability is improved through invisible redundant paths, but device complexity increases due to additional access point components
Solution Approach 1:
The shadow access point is implemented as a copy of the primary access point, using identical hardware components and software configurations. This copying approach provides redundancy while minimizing additional complexity, as the shadow access point uses the same 802.11 radio, controller, and association management mechanisms as the primary access point, rather than requiring specialized redundancy hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of the shadow access point with the primary access point by having them share common infrastructure resources where possible. Both access points use the same wireless radio hardware and protocol stack, and the shadow access point's control logic is integrated into the same system architecture. This merging reduces the overall complexity addition compared to implementing entirely separate redundant systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes first and second access points. Each access point includes one or more 802.11 wireless radios configured to communicate with a wireless node. The first and second access points are both configured to wirelessly receive first data from the wireless node at substantially a same time and forward the first data. The first and second access points are also both configured to receive second data for the wireless node. The first access point is configured to wirelessly transmit the second data to the wireless node, and the second access point is configured to refrain from transmitting the second data to the wireless node while the first access point is operating properly.