SON Server Optimizing Wi-Fi Link Setup via Consolidated Probe Responses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The initial link setup time in Wi-Fi networks, particularly in environments with high user mobility and dense access point coverage, is excessively long, leading to interruptions in voice or video calls and inefficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
A Wi-Fi Self-Organizing Network (SON) system that utilizes a cloud/network-based controller to dynamically update access point RF configurations based on changes in user traffic and network topology, facilitating faster link setup by generating comprehensive probe responses and optimizing access point selection through a SON server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional link setup procedures are used, then comprehensive network discovery and authentication can be completed, but the initial link setup time becomes excessively long causing interruptions in voice or video calls
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the access point pre-generate and store comprehensive probe responses containing network discovery, authentication, and association information before clients arrive. When a client enters the coverage area, the access point can immediately provide this pre-prepared information, eliminating the need for the client to perform time-consuming scanning and discovery procedures, thus reducing initial link setup time while ensuring complete link setup functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the access point acts as a mediator that provides comprehensive probe responses to clients. Instead of clients directly performing extensive scanning and discovery procedures, the access point intermediates by supplying pre-collected network information, authentication credentials, and association details in a single comprehensive response, thereby accelerating the link setup process while maintaining reliability
2Loss of information
If individual probe responses are transmitted from each access point, then complete network information is provided to clients, but scanning time increases and Wi-Fi pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual probe responses from different access points into a single comprehensive probe response. The master access point consolidates network discovery information, authentication credentials, and association details that would otherwise be distributed across multiple separate responses, providing clients with complete network information in one unified response, thereby reducing scanning time and eliminating Wi-Fi pollution from multiple probe transmissions
3Area of stationary object
If multiple access points are deployed to provide widespread coverage, then network coverage is improved, but the number of probe responses increases causing Wi-Fi pollution and scanning delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master access point as an intermediary that consolidates probe responses from multiple access points. Instead of each access point independently transmitting probe responses (causing Wi-Fi pollution), the master access point collects information from multiple access points and transmits a single comprehensive probe response to clients, thereby maintaining widespread network coverage while eliminating the harmful effect of multiple probe transmissions
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the probe response functions of multiple access points into a single comprehensive response transmitted by the master access point. This consolidation maintains the network coverage provided by multiple access points while combining their individual probe responses into one unified transmission, thereby reducing Wi-Fi pollution and eliminating scanning delays caused by receiving multiple separate probe responses
Data Source
AI summary
Ameliorating initial link setup in manage networks, self-organizing networks (SONs), systems, etc. of the type having capabilities sufficient to facilitate operations according to a common methodology is contemplated. The contemplated processes and systems may include ameliorating initial link setup when operating pursuant to the Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) protocol defined in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) specification 802.11ai with use of a self-organizing network (SON) server to facilitate access point selection.