Split Architecture Wireless Access Point for Seamless Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks often require complex updates and configurations to integrate new features, limiting the ability of home users to easily expand or upgrade their networking capabilities without affecting existing setups.
Innovation Solution
A split architecture wireless access point (SAAP) is introduced, which operates as a client within an existing wireless network (TRAP) while maintaining a separate network environment, allowing seamless integration and isolation of new networking capabilities without altering the TRAP network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access points are integrated into a wireless network to add new features and capabilities, then network functionality and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway access point that acts as an intermediary between legacy access points and the network. This gateway provides translation and coordination functions, allowing new features to be added without requiring complex reconfiguration of existing access points. The gateway mediates communications and manages the integration complexity centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the wireless network into distinct functional zones managed by different access points. Legacy access points continue to serve their original functions while the gateway access point introduces new capabilities. This segmentation allows independent operation and simplifies integration by avoiding full-system reconfiguration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing wireless network equipment is updated with new features, then network adaptability improves, but the complexity of updating and configuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway access point serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of configuration and translation. Existing access points maintain their original configurations while the gateway provides the new functionality, eliminating the need for users to reconfigure legacy devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway access point is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a regular access point for client devices and as a coordination hub for integrating multiple access points. This universal design consolidates configuration management in a single device that users can control.
3Ease of operation
If a single access point is used to maintain simple network operation, then ease of operation is preserved, but network adaptability and ability to support new features is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into a management plane (gateway access point) and data planes (multiple access points). Users interact only with the gateway for configuration, maintaining operational simplicity, while the segmented architecture enables support for multiple features and access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple access points into a coordinated system where the gateway consolidates management capabilities. This combining allows feature-rich operation while presenting a simplified interface to users through single-point configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A split architecture wireless access point (SAAP) extends a traditional wireless access point (TRAP) network by selectively interfacing or isolating a SAAP network with a deployed TRAP of the TRAP wireless network. The SAAP has a split architecture that interfaces with the TRAP as a client of the TRAP network and supports the SAAP network as a router. For instance, a client module communicates as a client of the TRAP wireless network over a TRAP channel and a router module routes information between clients of the SAAP network over a SAAP channel, the SAAP wireless network to advantageously benefit streaming of audiovisual information and other usages of the TRAP and SAAP wireless networks. A control module selectively allows communication between the router and client modules to support communication between information handling systems associated with the SAAP wireless network and the TRAP wireless network.