Wi-Fi Admission Control via Expected Data Rate Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networks face challenges in accurately predicting performance for handovers between 3GPP technologies and Wi-Fi networks, leading to uncertain user experiences due to high signal strength not corresponding to actual data rates, causing users to disable Wi-Fi, which undermines its potential for improving network performance.
Innovation Solution
A method implemented by a wireless network node to estimate the expected performance of a future connection by calculating performance measures under ideal conditions, considering the number of connected devices and their activity, and determining admission based on these estimates to ensure a minimum performance level, thereby avoiding channel sharing issues that result in low data rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless device connects to a Wi-Fi network based on high signal strength alone, then connection establishment is fast and simple, but the actual data rate may be very low due to channel sharing and collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary estimation of expected data rate and performance metrics before allowing connection establishment. The access point calculates the expected data rate for a new device based on current network conditions, number of connected devices, and channel characteristics, then uses this estimation to make admission decisions that ensure minimum performance thresholds are met.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual network performance and uses this feedback to adjust admission control decisions. By comparing expected versus actual performance metrics and considering the impact of new connections on overall network capacity, the system dynamically adapts its admission criteria to maintain both simplicity and performance.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple wireless devices share the same Wi-Fi channel simultaneously, then network capacity is increased, but channel collisions increase and individual data rates decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of admission control from binary (allow/deny) to probabilistic and performance-based. By calculating expected data rates and comparing them against minimum thresholds, the system dynamically adjusts which devices are admitted based on current network state, transforming a static resource allocation problem into a dynamic optimization problem that balances quantity and quality of connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Wi-Fi network admits all devices with sufficient signal strength, then network accessibility is maximized, but overall network performance deteriorates due to excessive load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary estimation mechanism that mediates between the device's connection request and the network's admission decision. The access point acts as an intermediary that evaluates expected performance metrics and makes informed admission decisions, preventing direct connection based solely on signal strength while maintaining open accessibility for qualified devices.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to wireless networks, and more specifically to multiple access networks. The present disclosure relates to methods implemented by a wireless network node, to which a number of wireless devices are already connected of determining admission of a further wireless device. The disclosure provides for a method implemented by a wireless network node, to which a number of wireless devices are already connected and are communicating using an access method, of determining admission of a further wireless device. The method comprises calculating a measure of the performance of a possible future connection between the wireless network node and the wireless device under ideal network condition estimating an expected performance of a possible future connection between the wireless network node and the further wireless device, as the calculated measure of the performance while taking into account effects of the used access method; and determining admission of the further wireless device based on the estimated expected performance. It further relates to a wireless network node configured to perform the methods.