Virtual Access Point Mapping for IoT Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deterministic routing in hub-and-spoke IoT models using CSMA/CA techniques faces issues such as overwhelming servers with multiple traffic copies, excessive delay, and unacceptable frame loss, particularly in low-power lossy networks.
Innovation Solution
A supervisory device forms a virtual access point (VAP) mapping between a node and a set of access points, designating a primary access point to send network availability responses, allowing the node to access the network through a distributed logical entity that appears as a normal access point, thereby reducing latency and frame loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple access points transmit traffic copies to a server in a hub-and-spoke IoT model, then network coverage is improved, but the server becomes overwhelmed and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple virtual access points (VAPs), each serving a specific geographic area or group of nodes. Instead of all traffic converging on a single server, each VAP handles its own traffic locally, segmenting the load and reducing server overload while maintaining broad coverage through the distributed VAP structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual dimension to the physical access point infrastructure by creating virtual access points that can be dynamically assigned to nodes. This virtual layer adds flexibility to the network architecture, allowing traffic to be routed through optimal paths without physically moving access points, thereby reducing latency while maintaining coverage.
2Stability of the object's composition
If nodes use CSMA/CA techniques to avoid collisions, then network stability is improved, but deterministic routing becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing virtual access point assignments and routing paths before data transmission occurs. Nodes are pre-configured with knowledge of their designated VAP and the optimal transmission path, eliminating the need for real-time collision avoidance negotiations and enabling deterministic routing while maintaining network stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual access point acts as an intermediary between physical access points and end nodes. This virtual layer mediates traffic flow, providing deterministic routing decisions while the underlying physical layer maintains stability through CSMA/CA. The VAP absorbs the complexity of collision avoidance, presenting a simplified deterministic interface to upper layers.
3Reliability
If a node roams between access points to maintain connection, then network availability is improved, but delay and frame loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of access points that can be dynamically assigned to nodes. Instead of physically roaming between access points, a node's virtual access point assignment can be rapidly changed or copied to different physical access points, maintaining network availability while eliminating the delays associated with physical roaming procedures and reducing frame loss during transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a supervisory device in a network receives from a plurality of access points (APs) in the network data regarding a network availability request broadcast by a node seeking to access the network and received by the APs in the plurality. The supervisory device uniquely associates the node with a virtual access point (VAP) for the node and forms a VAP mapping between the VAP for the node and a set of the APs in the plurality selected based on the received data regarding the network availability request. One of the APs in the mapping is designated as a primary access point for the node. The supervisory device instructs the primary AP to send a network availability response to the node that includes information for the VAP. The node uses the information for the VAP to access the network via the set of APs in the VAP mapping.