Distributed Wi-Fi Access Node Selection via Load-Aware Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed Wi-Fi networks, user equipment items often connect to access nodes with the strongest signal, which may be overloaded, leading to suboptimal network performance due to the lack of effective handover functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method that sorts access nodes into groups based on their quality of connection to the root node, determines secondary indicators for each node, and compares these indicators to a variable threshold to select the most suitable access node for user equipment items, optimizing connection management and reducing network congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment items connect to access nodes with the strongest signal, then connection quality is improved, but network load balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection selection parameters from solely signal strength-based to a composite metric that includes both signal quality and network load conditions. The access node selection algorithm modifies the parameters considered for connection establishment, weighing both RSSI and backhaul network status to determine optimal connection targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where access nodes continuously report their load status and backhaul network conditions to a central controller. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of connection recommendations, allowing the system to respond to changing network conditions and redistribute load effectively.
2Ease of operation
If access nodes are selected based on signal strength only, then connection setup is simplified, but network performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multi-criteria access node selection. This mediator receives signal strength information from user equipment and load information from access nodes, then computes optimal connection recommendations, shielding users from the complexity while maintaining performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The selection process is segmented into distinct phases: signal strength evaluation, load condition assessment, and optimal node recommendation. This segmentation allows each aspect to be handled separately and systematically, maintaining operational simplicity while incorporating multiple performance factors.
3Device complexity
If a fixed threshold is used for access node selection, then decision-making is simplified, but adaptability to varying network conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment based on current network conditions. Instead of fixed thresholds, the system adapts selection criteria according to real-time load information from access nodes and backhaul network status, enabling flexible response to varying network states while maintaining manageable decision complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This method for managing the connection of a user equipment item to a distributed wireless communication network includes the following steps: sorting access nodes of the distributed wireless communication network into different groups as a function of a primary indicator representative of their quality of connection to a distributed wireless communication network root node and, for at least one access node included in a selected group: determining a secondary indicator representative of a quality of connection of the user equipment item to the access node. If, for each access node included in the selected group, the secondary indicator is strictly greater than a threshold, the steps are repeated with another group containing access nodes having a lower quality of connection to the root node.