Unified AFC Request Handler for AP Location-Based Country Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless access points (APs) operating in the 6 GHz band face challenges in coordinating frequency usage across different countries due to varying regulatory requirements, leading to logistical overheads from hardcoding locations and separate software control for each AP.

Innovation Solution

A unified request handler and country determination service provide a single endpoint for APs to determine the correct AFC system based on location, using a dedicated API or integrated URL solution, reducing the need for multiple device identifiers and separate software configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate software control and hardcoded locations are used for each AP, then regulatory compliance is ensured, but logistical overhead and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidsoftware control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A unified request handler service is introduced as an intermediary between APs and country-specific AFC systems. The service receives location information from APs, determines the appropriate country, and routes requests to the correct AFC system, eliminating the need for hardcoded locations and separate software control for each AP while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified request handler service provides a single multi-functional endpoint that handles AFC requests for multiple countries. Instead of requiring separate software control for each AP type and location, the service universally handles requests from any AP by determining the appropriate country based on location information, thereby reducing device complexity while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If hardcoded locations and separate software control are used for each AP, then country-specific AFC requirements are met, but ease of operation and logistics are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecountry-specific AFC complianceVSAvoidlogistical overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

APs perform self-service by providing their own location information to the unified request handler. The service automatically determines the appropriate country and routes requests accordingly, eliminating the need for manual configuration, hardcoded locations, and complex software control for each AP, thereby reducing logistical overhead while maintaining country-specific AFC compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The unified request handler acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of country-specific routing. APs simply need to provide location information, and the service manages the rest by determining the appropriate country and directing requests to the correct AFC system, significantly improving ease of operation and reducing logistical overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple device identifiers and separate software configurations are used, then accurate AFC coordination is achieved, but productivity and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAFC coordination accuracyVSAvoidAP setup efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The complexity of determining country-specific AFC coordination is extracted from individual APs and centralized in the unified request handler service. APs only need to provide location information, and the service handles the rest by determining the appropriate country and routing requests, thereby improving setup efficiency while maintaining AFC coordination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified request handler performs preliminary action by pre-determining country information based on location data before processing AFC requests. This eliminates the need for APs to have pre-configured country-specific settings or multiple device identifiers, significantly improving setup efficiency while ensuring accurate AFC coordination through location-based determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250240640A1Country determination service and unified request handler for automated frequency coordination (AFC)

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Systems and techniques are provided for providing a country determination service and a unified request handler for AFC. For example, a computing device can receive, from an access point (AP), an application programming interface (API) request associated with an automated frequency coordination (AFC) inquiry, wherein the API request includes location information indicating a location of the AP. The computing device can transmit, to the AP, an API response including at least an indication of a country in which the AP is located and an address associated with an AFC service for the AP.