Vehicle Network Access Points Unified SSID Wireless Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle network technologies struggle to create a seamless, wireless connection across multiple vehicles, particularly in long road trains where the typical radio range of an access point is exceeded, and fail to provide a unified network experience for users regardless of their position or distance from a specific vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to establish a wireless vehicle network using multiple access points connected via WDS, sharing the same radio network identifier, which allows a single visible network for WLAN clients, enabling communication between access points and accommodating more than two vehicles with a line or mesh topology, and ensuring physical connections between vehicles for signal exchange and authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If multiple access points are used across multiple vehicles to extend network range, then the network can accommodate more than two vehicles and achieve greater range, but the network complexity increases and managing different network identifiers becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple access points across different vehicles are merged into a single unified network by assigning them the same wireless network identifier (SSID). This allows clients to connect to any access point in the network as if it were a single network, eliminating the need for clients to manually switch between different network identifiers when moving between vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points act as intermediaries between vehicles, relaying communication between them via WDS (Wireless Distribution System). When a client connects to one access point and needs to communicate with another vehicle, the intermediary access points forward the data through the wireless mesh network, enabling seamless communication across multiple vehicles without direct peer-to-peer connections.
2Reliability
If access points use different network identifiers to distinguish between vehicles, then vehicle identification is possible, but client connectivity is disrupted when moving between vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the network identifiers of multiple access points into a single unified SSID. All access points broadcast the same network identifier, creating a seamless network experience for clients. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining vehicle distinction through IP addresses while presenting a unified network identity to clients, ensuring continuous connectivity as clients move between vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
While the network identifier (SSID) is unified across all access points, the patent segments the network at the IP address level. Each access point has a unique IP address that identifies its associated vehicle, allowing the system to distinguish between vehicles for routing and management purposes while maintaining a unified client experience.
3Reliability
If a wired backbone is used to connect access points, then network stability is improved, but the system cannot accommodate mobile vehicles and the range is limited by cable length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired backbone system with a wireless communication system using WDS (Wireless Distribution System). Access points communicate with each other wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical cables to span long distances between vehicles. This substitution maintains network stability through reliable wireless protocols while enabling full adaptability to mobile vehicle configurations and extended ranges.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle network for a plurality of interconnected vehicles. The network is in the form of a WLAN and has at least two access points. The access points are interconnected in a wireless manner, i.e. without using a wired backbone. Each access point uses the same radio network ID, so all access points form only one single visible network for WLAN clients.