Wi-Fi Network Controller Routing Path Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Wi-Fi networks face reduced operability due to the multitude of routing paths over different range extenders (EXTs) for various devices, which affects data-packet exchange efficiency, particularly in balancing throughput and delay requirements for delay-sensitive and throughput-sensitive applications.
Innovation Solution
A network controller monitors and classifies devices based on their sensitivity, calculates performance coefficients by weighting average delay and throughput, and optimizes routing paths by reassociating or rerouting data-packets to balance throughput for throughput-sensitive devices and reduce delay for delay-sensitive devices, using reinforcement learning algorithms to enhance network performance without modifying devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple routing paths over different EXTs are used for various STAs, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but network operability and data-packet exchange efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of routing path selection by introducing a classification mechanism that divides STAs into DSC and TSC categories. This parameter change enables different routing strategies for different device types, optimizing both coverage and efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing device-specific routing policies where DSCs receive low-delay routing paths and TSCs receive high-throughput routing paths. This localized optimization allows each device type to receive tailored routing treatment, improving overall network operability while maintaining coverage.
2Productivity
If routing paths are optimized for throughput, then throughput for TSCs is improved, but delay for DSCs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the STA population into two distinct categories: DSC (delay-sensitive) and TSC (throughput-sensitive). This segmentation allows the network to apply different routing optimizations for each group, ensuring that throughput optimization for TSCs does not negatively impact delay performance for DSCs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameter selection based on device classification. For TSCs, the optimization parameter is throughput; for DSCs, the optimization parameter is delay. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing both throughput and delay to be optimized simultaneously for different device types.
3Loss of time
If routing paths are optimized for low delay, then delay for DSCs is reduced, but throughput for TSCs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The classification of STAs into DSC and TSC segments the network traffic into two streams with different performance requirements. This segmentation enables the network to dedicate specific routing paths and resources to each group, preventing the throughput deterioration that would occur if low-delay optimization was applied universally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing location-specific and device-type-specific routing optimizations. DSCs receive routing treatment optimized for low delay, while TSCs receive routing treatment optimized for high throughput. This localized approach ensures that delay reduction for DSCs does not come at the cost of throughput for TSCs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a multitude of routing paths are created for different STAs, then network flexibility is improved, but network operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameter from managing individual routing paths for each STA to managing classification-based routing groups. This parameter change simplifies network operation by reducing the complexity from potentially thousands of individual path management tasks to managing just two classification groups (DSC and TSC), thereby improving network operability while maintaining flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example embodiments describe a network controller (300) comprising means for performing monitoring (301) routing paths (120-122, 123-124) wherein data-packets are exchanged between an access point, AP (100), and respective associated devices, STAs (101, 106), in a Wi-Fi network (110) comprising at least one range extender, EXT (102-105); classifying (302) the STAs (101, 106) as a delay-sensitive associated device, DSC (101), or a throughput-sensitive associated device, TSC (106); calculating (303) an average delay between the DSCs (101) and the AP (100), and an average throughput between the TSCs (106) and the AP (100); weighting (304) the average delay with the average throughput, thereby obtaining a performance coefficient; and optimizing (305) the performance coefficient by altering (306) the routing paths (200-202, 203).