Wireless Channel Selection via Transient Interference Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless networks experience interference from neighboring networks, leading to reduced service quality, as existing methods for managing channel selection are not sufficiently aware of changing interference levels over time, causing temporary improvements in service quality to be short-lived.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that measure and calculate interference parameters by analyzing received signal strength indicators (RSSI) over time, using weighting factors and coupling parameters to determine the total interference on a target channel, and employing transient analysis to predict changes in interference, allowing for proactive channel switching or user notification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the access point reconfigures to a new channel while restarting to improve service quality, then service quality temporarily improves, but the radio environment changes within short time periods causing service quality to deteriorate again

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidduration of service quality improvement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and analyzing the radio environment before interference becomes problematic. The transient analysis predicts future interference patterns, allowing the access point to proactively switch channels before service quality deteriorates, rather than reactively switching after problems occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously measuring received signal strength indicators (RSSI) and calculating interference parameters based on transient analysis. This feedback loop allows the access point to adapt its channel selection based on real-time and predicted future interference conditions, maintaining service quality over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If existing methods select operating channels based on interference levels, then channel selection is automated, but the methods are not sufficiently aware of changing interference levels over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel selection automationVSAvoidinterference level awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies dynamics by transitioning from static interference measurements to transient analysis that captures time-varying interference patterns. The interference parameter calculation incorporates temporal dynamics, allowing the automated channel selection to respond to changing radio environments with precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a temporal dimension to interference measurement by analyzing RSSI values over time rather than at single points. This dimensional expansion enables the system to detect trends, patterns, and transient interference that single-point measurements would miss, significantly improving interference level awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the access point monitors interference at single measurement points in time, then the monitoring process is simple, but the interference awareness is insufficient for proactive decision-making

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring process complexityVSAvoidinterference pattern information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous monitoring by repeatedly measuring RSSI values over time intervals, creating a continuous record of radio environment conditions. This continuous data stream enables transient analysis that preserves information about interference patterns, trends, and temporal variations that single-point measurements would lose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transforms the monitoring approach by changing from single-point interference measurements to multi-point transient analysis. This parameter change involves analyzing multiple RSSI measurements over time, calculating statistical properties, and deriving interference patterns that provide comprehensive information for proactive channel selection decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3367738B1Method, system and computer program product for operating a wireless network
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3367738B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3367738B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3367738B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a system and method of operating a wireless network, the method comprising obtaining data indicating a radio signal power present at the access point for each wireless channel, calculating an interference parameter indicating an interference on at least one wireless channel based on the obtained data, wherein the obtained data is weighted for each wireless channel based on a channel overlap parameter, obtaining a change of the calculated interference parameter in time and determining whether to perform an action among performable actions including changing the wireless channel used by the access point to a wireless channel for which a lower interference parameter is calculated.