Wi-Fi Extender Hop-Limit Control in Multi-AP Backhaul Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi multi-access point networks lack a robust mechanism to control hop limitations, leading to inefficient network operations and potential service disruptions beyond a certain number of hops.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system and method using a WLAN access point controller to configure and enforce a configurable hop limit by disabling backhaul BSS, blacklisting, or whitelisting wireless extenders, ensuring they only connect to the root AP or extenders within a specified hop range, using vendor-specific controller logic to manage network topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless extenders are allowed to onboard freely onto any backhaul BSS in the network, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but network operation efficiency deteriorates and service disruptions occur beyond certain hop depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring hop limit parameters and backhaul BSS settings on extenders before they onboard to the network. The controller device sets maximum hop limits and configures extenders to only associate with backhaul BSS of root AP or other extenders within the permitted hop depth, preventing inefficient deep-hop connections before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the backhaul BSS configuration dynamic based on the extender's current hop depth in the network. The controller device adjusts which extenders are permitted to associate with which backhaul BSS in real-time, allowing flexible network topology changes while maintaining hop limit constraints to ensure operational efficiency.
2Reliability
If hop limitation control mechanisms are implemented to maintain network efficiency, then network operation reliability is improved, but device complexity and configuration management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling extenders to automatically receive and enforce hop limit configurations from the controller device without manual intervention. The controller device autonomously manages hop limit parameters, backhaul BSS permissions, and extender associations, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining network efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extenders are permitted to connect beyond configured hop limits, then network scalability is improved, but service disruption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the controller device continuously monitor extender associations and hop depths in the network. When an extender attempts to associate beyond the configured hop limit, the controller device detects this condition and prevents the association, providing real-time feedback control that maintains network scalability while preventing service disruptions from excessive hop depths.
Data Source
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AI summary
WLAN access point configured to: configure a first wireless extender device not to exceed a hop limit; cause the first wireless extender device to initiate messaging with a root APD via a root fronthaul BSS to receive credentials for a backhaul BSS; cause the first wireless extender device to onboard onto the root APD via the backhaul BSS using the received credentials; enable a second wireless extender device to initiate messaging via the first fronthaul BSS of the first wireless extender device to obtain the credentials for the backhaul BSS; and prevent, in a case that the hop limit has been reached, the second wireless extender device from onboarding onto the backhaul BSS of the first wireless extender device so as to cause the second wireless extender device to onboard onto either the root APD or another wireless extender device.