Wireless Venue RF Heat-Map Generation for Connectivity Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network solutions fail to provide precise and anticipatory mechanisms for identifying and characterizing areas with desired wireless performance levels within venues, leading to frustrating user experiences due to unpredictable RF signal propagation and interference, especially in event-specific settings where seating and device placement are not optimized for wireless connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for monitoring RF conditions and generating heat-maps to notify users of locations with improved wireless performance, utilizing sensors and access points to collect and process data on RF parameters, and providing location-specific recommendations for better connectivity, integrating with a content delivery network to optimize user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless access points are deployed throughout a venue to provide coverage, then wireless connectivity is improved, but RF signal interference and attenuation increase due to multipath propagation and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary RF environment characterization and heat-map generation before events occur. Sensors and access points collect RF data during setup phases (pre-staging, pre-event) to predict signal propagation conditions in advance, allowing organizers to identify optimal seating and device placement locations before deploying wireless infrastructure or hosting events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RF sensors and heat-map generation systems as intermediary devices between the wireless environment and users. These sensors act as mediators that measure and characterize RF conditions, translating complex RF propagation patterns into actionable visual heat-maps that guide seating and device placement decisions.
2Ease of operation
If seating and device placement are optimized for wireless performance, then user experience is improved, but the system complexity increases due to need for RF monitoring and analysis infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes access points serve multiple functions: not only providing wireless connectivity but also acting as RF sensors for environment characterization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensing infrastructure, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while enabling comprehensive RF monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic heat-map generation and analysis without requiring manual RF measurements or expert intervention. The automated processing of RF data into visual heat-maps and recommendations allows venue organizers to optimize seating and device placement independently, improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If RF conditions are monitored in real-time during events, then wireless performance optimization is improved, but the loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the time-consuming RF data collection and heat-map generation during pre-event setup phases rather than during actual events. By characterizing the RF environment in advance, the system avoids real-time data collection delays during events while still enabling performance optimization when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic heat-map generation that can adapt to changing event configurations. When venue layout, seating arrangements, or device placements change, the system can regenerate heat-maps to reflect new conditions, balancing the need for updated information with the time cost of regeneration.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for monitoring a wireless network such as a WLAN to characterize a venue or other area. In one embodiment, the network comprises a WLAN which includes one or more access points (APs) in data communication with a controller, which in turn communicates with managed network entities via a backhaul connection. The controller s is configured to monitor the operation of the network components including the APs, as well as one or more fixed or mobile sensors. In one variant, the sensors provide data relating to wireless signal performance at their current location, which can be provided to a cloud-based evaluation process for enhanced characterization of the venue in conjunction with the AP-derived data. In the exemplary embodiment, logic operative to run on the system includes automated seating allocation suggestions, thereby providing end users with a better quality experience.