Wi-Fi 6E Machine-Learned RSSI Thresholds for Weak-Client Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wi-Fi 6E deployments face challenges in managing connections with far-away clients due to the absence of a functional Probe-Response-Threshold feature, leading to poor network performance and inefficient rate-adaptation algorithms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a machine learning-based dynamic RSSI threshold to determine connection acceptance or rejection based on previous Wi-Fi 6E connection data, current number of connections, and average RSSI measurements, using beacon frames and authentication request frames to manage Wi-Fi 6E client connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Wi-Fi 6E access points accept all connection requests without probe-response-threshold filtering, then client connectivity is maximized, but network performance deteriorates due to far-away clients with weak RSSI signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic RSSI threshold that adapts to current network conditions including number of active connections, average RSSI of connected clients, and historical connection data. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between accepting more clients and maintaining performance based on real-time conditions, resolving the contradiction between connectivity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses machine learning models that continuously learn from connection outcomes and network performance feedback. The threshold adjustment mechanism incorporates feedback loops where connection success rates, RSSI measurements, and network performance metrics are fed back to refine future threshold decisions, enabling the system to balance connectivity and performance automatically.
2Device complexity
If Wi-Fi 6E removes unicast probe requests and responses to simplify the protocol, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to prevent far-away connections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication request frame that carries RSSI information from the client to the access point. This intermediary mechanism enables the access point to make informed connection decisions based on signal strength without requiring the complex probe request/response exchange, thus maintaining simplicity while restoring connection quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical probe request/response filtering mechanism with a machine learning-based threshold decision system. Instead of relying on the removed probe-response-threshold feature, the system uses automated ML models to evaluate authentication requests and make connection decisions, substituting one mechanism with another that achieves the same goal without requiring the eliminated probe exchanges.
3Productivity
If Wi-Fi 6E uses short wavelengths to improve data transmission capacity, then bandwidth is increased, but signal loss increases for far-away stations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary RSSI assessment and connection threshold evaluation before establishing full data transmission. By evaluating signal strength during the authentication phase using the machine learning threshold, the system prevents weak connections from being established, thereby avoiding the energy loss that would occur during actual data transmission over long distances with short wavelength signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic radio signal strength indicator (RSSI) connection threshold is determined, with machine learning, based on previous Wi-Fi 6E connection data for the Wi-Fi 6E access point. An authentication request frame (or other type of frame) is received from a Wi-Fi 6E client that received a beacon. The authentication request or other management frame includes an RSSI measurement characterizing signal strength between the Wi-Fi 6E client and the Wi-Fi 6E access point. It is determining whether the RSSI measurement of the authentication request frame satisfies the machine learning RSSI threshold as a minimum signal strength for connections. Responsive to the RSSI measurement not satisfying the RSSI threshold, the connection with the Wi-Fi 6E client is refused.