In-Network Wireless Interference Detection Through Airtime Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks struggle to distinguish between foreign and in-network interference, leading to inaccurate channel selection and frequent, unnecessary channel switches due to unaccounted in-network interference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing processors to determine a correlation between total interference and airtime usage of client devices, allowing differentiation between foreign and in-network interference, and selectively switch channels based on the determined interference types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If processors determine total interference without distinguishing interference types, then channel selection can be made simply, but channel selection accuracy deteriorates due to in-network interference being misclassified as foreign interference
Solution Approach 1:
The interference detection system segments total interference into two distinct components: in-network interference and foreign interference. This segmentation is achieved by correlating airtime usage data with interference measurements, allowing the system to separate interference caused by local network traffic from external interference sources, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring overly complex additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces airtime usage correlation as an intermediary mechanism to distinguish between in-network and foreign interference. By using airtime usage data as a mediator, the system can identify which portion of total interference originates from local network devices versus external sources, enabling more accurate channel selection decisions
2Reliability
If processors frequently switch channels based on total interference, then interference avoidance may be improved, but network stability deteriorates due to unnecessary channel switches caused by in-network interference
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting interference into in-network and foreign components, the system can make more reliable channel selection decisions. The processor only triggers channel switches when foreign interference exceeds thresholds, not when in-network interference fluctuates, thereby reducing unnecessary channel switches and improving network stability while maintaining reliable interference avoidance
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of switching channels in response to any increase in total interference, the system inverts the logic by only switching when foreign interference (not in-network interference) exceeds thresholds. This inversion prevents unnecessary channel switches caused by normal network traffic patterns while still responding to actual external interference threats
3Measurement precision
If processors account for in-network interference in channel selection, then channel selection accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases due to correlation analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The airtime usage correlation mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies in-network interference sources, quantifies their contribution to total interference, and provides data for channel selection decisions. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve accurate channel interference assessment without requiring separate complex processing algorithms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing airtime usage data, which is already being collected for network management purposes, to simultaneously perform interference source identification. This self-service approach allows the processor to distinguish between in-network and foreign interference using data already available in the system, avoiding the need for additional complex measurement or data collection mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A system for interference detection includes one or more processors are configured to receive from one or more access points within a wireless network information indicative of airtime usage of one or more client devices associated with the one or more access points, determine an amount of total interference for at least one of the access points on a first channel, the total interference including foreign interference and in-network interference, determine a correlation between the total interference and the airtime usage of the one or more client devices, determine an amount of the foreign interference or an amount of the in-network interference based on the correlation, and selectively switch the at least one of the access points from communicating on the first channel to communicating on a second channel based on the determined amount of the foreign interference or the determined amount of the in-network interference.