Wireless AP Path Selection for Backhaul Failure Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face disruptions and inefficiencies when the backhaul connection between an access point and a communication network fails, leading to interruptions in Internet service for client devices, especially for devices without cellular capabilities, and manual tethering or hotspot connections can disrupt workflows and incur additional costs.
Innovation Solution
An access point dynamically selects a cellular-enabled device to relay communications based on path metrics and device status information, enabling automatic switching to cellular connections for seamless traffic steering and maintaining connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual tethering or hotspot connections are used to maintain connectivity during backhaul failure, then network availability is maintained, but workflow disruption and additional costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes cellular connections between client devices and the network before backhaul failure occurs. When the wired backhaul fails, traffic is automatically redirected through these pre-established cellular paths without requiring manual user action, thus maintaining workflow continuity while ensuring network availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point autonomously detects backhaul connection failures and automatically switches traffic routing through cellular connections without requiring manual user intervention. The system self-manages the connectivity failure response, eliminating workflow disruption while maintaining network availability.
2Reliability
If cellular connections are used as backup paths during backhaul failure, then network availability is maintained, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects the optimal communication path based on real-time backhaul connection status. When the wired backhaul is available, traffic flows through the lower-latency wired connection. When backhaul fails, traffic automatically routes through cellular connections. This dynamic path selection minimizes latency while maintaining network availability during failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the communication parameter (transmission medium) from wired backhaul to cellular connection based on the operational status of the backhaul. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to failure conditions while optimizing for the lowest possible latency in each operational state.
3Ease of operation
If automatic path selection is implemented, then workflow continuity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multi-path selection. Instead of requiring complex logic in each client device, the access point centrally monitors backhaul status and automatically routes traffic through appropriate paths (wired backhaul or cellular connections). This centralizes the complexity management, maintaining workflow continuity while keeping client devices simple.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, components, devices, and systems for wireless communication. Some aspects more specifically relate to dynamic path selection for wireless connectivity. An access point (AP) may receive communication link information and device status information from cellular-enabled devices in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The communication link information may indicate path metrics (such as link quality information) associated with respective connections between the cellular-enabled devices and a communication network (such as the Internet). The device status information may indicate operational metrics associated with the cellular-enabled devices (such as battery status information or cellular subscription information). If, for example, the performance of a default connection between the AP and the communication network deteriorates, the AP may select one of the cellular-enabled devices to relay wireless communications between the communication network and the AP in accordance with the communication link information and the device status information.