Virtual Access Point Mapping for IoT Traffic Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In IoT networks, especially those using low-power lossy networks (LLNs), deterministic routing is challenging due to issues like overwhelming servers with multiple traffic copies, excessive delay, and high latency, particularly with carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) techniques, which hinder reliable data transmission in hub-and-spoke models.
Innovation Solution
A supervisory device forms a virtual access point (VAP) by mapping multiple access points (APs) to a single logical entity for each node, using machine learning to optimize traffic management, ensuring that data packets are received by multiple APs with independent chances, reducing duplicates and latency, and maintaining quality of transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple access points transmit data copies to a server in parallel, then data transmission reliability is improved, but server overload and network congestion occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple Virtual Access Point (VAP) groups, where each group handles specific traffic flows. This segmentation prevents server overload by distributing traffic across multiple organized channels rather than overwhelming the server with all copies simultaneously, while still maintaining reliability through redundant transmission paths within each VAP group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Virtual Access Points as intermediary entities between end devices and the server. These VAPs act as mediators that receive, manage, and coordinate data copies from multiple access points before forwarding to the server, thereby preventing direct server overload while maintaining the reliability benefits of parallel transmission.
2Reliability
If data packets are transmitted through multiple access points, then transmission reliability is improved, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring VAP mappings and establishing optimal transmission paths before data transmission begins. This allows the system to select the best access points and routes in advance, ensuring reliable delivery without incurring excessive delay during actual data transmission, as the routing decisions are already optimized and ready.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic VAP mapping that can adapt to changing network conditions. The system dynamically selects and reconfigures access points in the VAP groups based on real-time network status, device location, and traffic conditions, thereby maintaining reliable transmission while minimizing delay by always using the most efficient available paths.
3Reliability
If CSMA/CA techniques are used for carrier sensing, then collision avoidance is improved, but latency surges occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic carrier sensing and transmission opportunities within the VAP framework, allowing devices to transmit at scheduled intervals rather than continuously contending for the channel. This periodic action reduces collisions by coordinating access times while minimizing latency by providing guaranteed transmission windows, thus resolving the trade-off between collision avoidance and latency surge.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a supervisory device in a network forms a virtual access point (VAP) for a node in the network whereby a plurality of access points (APs) in the network are mapped to the VAP as part of a VAP mapping. The node treats the APs in the VAP mapping as a single AP for purposes of communicating with the network. The supervisory device determines a data traffic management strategy for the node based on traffic associated with the node. The supervisory device instructs the APs in the VAP mapping to implement the data traffic management strategy for the node.