Wireless Access Ports for Self-Configuring Network Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless network installations require costly and time-consuming surveys to ensure adequate coverage, which can be inaccurate, leading to areas with poor or no coverage.

Innovation Solution

A wireless network system with wireless access ports that includes a wireless switch and both wired and wireless access ports, where the wireless switch provides centralized management and intelligence, and the wireless access ports encapsulate data packets between wireless and wired protocols to eliminate the need for installation surveys.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wireless network installation surveys are conducted to ensure adequate coverage, then coverage quality is improved, but installation cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage qualityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless access ports perform self-configuration and automatically detect their operational status, eliminating the need for manual surveys. The system autonomously determines coverage adequacy through distributed intelligence at each access port, allowing the network to self-assess and self-adjust without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where wireless access ports monitor signal strength, client connectivity, and network performance in real-time. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters and automatic detection of coverage gaps, replacing static pre-installation surveys with ongoing adaptive optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If wireless network installation surveys are conducted to ensure adequate coverage, then coverage quality is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage qualityVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless access ports perform self-configuration and automatically detect their operational status, eliminating the need for manual surveys. The system autonomously determines coverage adequacy through distributed intelligence at each access port, allowing the network to self-assess and self-adjust without external intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where wireless access ports monitor signal strength, client connectivity, and network performance in real-time. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of transmission parameters and automatic detection of coverage gaps, replacing static pre-installation surveys with ongoing adaptive optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If access points directly connect to wired networks with centralized management, then network management is simplified, but management cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork managementVSAvoidmanagement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides network intelligence between centralized wireless switch and distributed wireless access ports. The wireless switch handles high-level management tasks while access ports perform local configuration, authentication, and optimization, segmenting management functions to reduce centralized burden and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Wireless access ports perform preliminary configuration and self-setup before being fully integrated into the network. They automatically detect their environment, configure initial parameters, and prepare for operation, reducing the management overhead required during deployment and ongoing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1886439B1Wireless network system with wireless access ports
Publication Date: 2011.08.17 SYMBOL TECH INC
  • EP1886439B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1886439B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1886439B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication system comprises a wireless switch, a plurality of wired access ports and a plurality of wireless access ports. The plurality of wired access ports are coupled to the wireless switch via a wired connection and are configured to receive data over the wired connection and over a wireless connection. The plurality of wireless access ports are configured to receive data over the wireless connection from the wireless access port and to send data over the wireless connection to the wired access port. The wireless access ports are further configured to receive and encapsulate first wireless data packets in to first wired data packets based on a wired transmission protocol and encapsulate the first wired data packets into second wireless data packets based on a wireless transmission protocol.