Wireless AP Handover Buffer Transfer to Prevent Packet Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inter-AP handovers in WLAN systems result in packet losses and latency issues due to interruptions during the handover process, particularly affecting latency-sensitive applications like VR, AR, and multimedia streaming.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a wireless controller (WLC) manages the handover process by buffering downlink data at the source AP and transferring it to the target AP after the handover is complete, ensuring data continuity and order without loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inter-AP handover is performed, then the client device can transition between access points, but packet loss and connection interruption occur during the handover window
Solution Approach 1:
The source AP buffers downlink data packets before the handover is complete, preparing them for transfer to the target AP in advance. This preliminary buffering action ensures that data is ready and waiting when the handover finishes, eliminating the traditional handover interruption window and preventing packet loss during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The source AP acts as an intermediary by temporarily holding (buffering) the downlink data packets that are intended for the mobile station. Instead of data being lost during handover or waiting at the target AP, the source AP intermediates by storing and then forwarding these packets to the target AP after handover completion, ensuring continuous data delivery.
2Loss of time
If handover is performed quickly, then latency is reduced, but data packets may be lost during the transition window
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary buffering of data packets at the source AP before the handover window closes. This allows the handover to proceed quickly without sacrificing data packets, as the buffered data is ready to be forwarded to the target AP immediately after handover completion, thus reducing both latency and packet loss.
3Productivity
If the source AP continues to receive and forward data during handover, then data flow is maintained, but packets are lost due to the handover interruption window
Solution Approach 1:
The source AP performs preliminary buffering of incoming downlink data packets during the handover process. This allows the AP to maintain normal data reception and buffering operations without interruption, then forward the accumulated buffered packets to the target AP after handover completes, ensuring both continuous throughput and reliable delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The source AP serves as an intermediary buffer between the data network and the mobile station during handover. It receives and holds data packets temporarily, then forwards them to the target AP after handover completion, acting as a mediator that ensures data continuity despite the handover transition.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for performing optimized handovers of a client device between access points in wireless networks are provided. A first access point exchanges packets with a client device. The first access point receives a disassociation notice from the client device. In response to the disassociation notice, the first access point buffers one or more packets received for the client device in a first buffer. The first access point receives an indication from a controller to transmit the one or more packets in the first buffer to a second access point. In response to the indication, the first access point transmits the one or more packets in the first buffer to the second access point.