Self-Configuring Wireless Location Using Air Monitor Signal Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network management solutions, relying on Access Points (APs) or dedicated hardware sensors, face limitations such as cost, resource constraints, and inability to detect issues like RF holes or interference, requiring significant human intervention for location estimation and profile updates.
Innovation Solution
A self-configuring wireless location estimation system using densely deployed air monitors with computing devices and inference engines that correlate signal strength data to determine the location of target transceivers without human intervention, leveraging existing desktop infrastructure for efficient and cost-effective network diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated hardware sensors are deployed for RF monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing access points perform multiple functions: their primary function of providing wireless network access is combined with the secondary function of RF signal monitoring and location estimation. The access points continue to serve clients while simultaneously collecting signal strength data from target devices, eliminating the need for dedicated monitoring hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The access points automatically perform RF monitoring and location estimation without requiring external dedicated sensors. The system uses the access points' existing capabilities to gather signal data and, through the inference engine, automatically determines device locations without manual intervention or specialized hardware deployment.
2Measurement precision
If manual mapping is performed to create signal propagation profiles, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs the mapping function through an inference engine that processes signal strength data collected by access points. Instead of requiring manual administration to create and update signal propagation profiles, the inference engine continuously analyzes available data to estimate device locations, eliminating manual intervention and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The inference engine continuously receives signal strength data from access points and uses this feedback to automatically update location estimates. The system adapts to environmental changes by processing ongoing measurements rather than relying on static manually-created profiles, maintaining accuracy without requiring periodic manual remapping.
3Device complexity
If access points are used for monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inference engine as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the simple access point measurements and accurate location determination. The inference engine processes signal strength data from access points using location estimation algorithms, transforming basic monitoring data into precise location information without adding complex hardware to the access points themselves.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enables accurate and efficient wireless network location determination with minimal human overhead, improving network reliability and performance by automatically adapting to environmental changes.
Implementation Method 1
wireless transceivers (air monitors) with known predetermined locations detect a wireless signal transmitted by a target transceiver device
Implementation Method 2
A signal strength indication value and identification data are determined from the wireless signal by the air monitor
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless adapters are installed on one or more general purpose computing devices and are connected via a network in an enterprise environment. The adapters are densely deployed at known locations throughout the environment and are configured as air monitors. The air monitors monitor signals transmitted by one or more transceiver devices and records information about these signals. One or more analysis or inference engines may be deployed to obtain the recorded signal information and the air monitor locations to determine a location of the one or more wireless transceivers devices deployed in the environment.