Predicting Wi-Fi Access Point Availability via Cellular Tower Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular network communications devices face limitations in battery life and data transmission speed due to frequent use of Wi-Fi radios to scan for and connect to Wi-Fi access points, leading to potential data loss and increased cellular bandwidth usage.
Innovation Solution
A wireless availability prediction device generates a mapping of cellular towers to predict when a Wi-Fi access point is within range, allowing the device to conserve battery life by keeping the Wi-Fi radio off until an access point is likely available, using signal strength measurements and selectively gathering data to build a reliable graph without extended radio use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Wi-Fi radio is frequently used to scan for access points, then data transmission reliability is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by using cellular signals to predict Wi-Fi access point availability before actually needing to connect. By analyzing cellular tower proximity and historical access point locations, the device pre-determines when Wi-Fi connectivity is likely available, allowing it to keep the Wi-Fi radio off until necessary, thus conserving battery while maintaining reliable data transmission
2Speed
If the Wi-Fi radio is kept on continuously to ensure connectivity, then data transmission speed is improved, but cellular bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring cellular signal strength and using this information to adjust Wi-Fi radio operation. When cellular signals indicate the device is in a location where Wi-Fi access points are likely available (based on historical data and tower proximity), the system activates the Wi-Fi radio to provide high-speed data transmission, thereby reducing cellular bandwidth consumption while maintaining fast connectivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Wi-Fi radio is used frequently to search for access points, then connectivity availability is improved, but battery consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary approach by using cellular network information as a mediator to predict Wi-Fi availability. Instead of directly using the Wi-Fi radio to scan for access points, the system first checks cellular signal data and predicted access point locations, then selectively activates the Wi-Fi radio only when prediction indicates availability, thereby maintaining connectivity versatility while minimizing battery consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Examples relate to predicting wireless access point availability. In one example, a computing device may: generate, for a wireless access point, a mapping for predicting availability of the wireless access point, the mapping specifying: one or more in-range cellular towers to which at least one client device has been connected while the at least one client device was also connected to the wireless access point; one or more border cellular towers to which at least one client device has been connected to i) subsequent to being connected to one of the one or more in-range cellular towers, and ii) while not connected to the wireless access point; and one or more out-of-range cellular towers to which at least one client device has been connected to i) subsequent to being connected to one of the one or more border cellular lowers, and ii) while not connected to the wireless access point.