Wireless Repeater MAC Virtualization for Accurate Device Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications networks, the use of repeaters that virtualize MAC addresses and modify signal strength values leads to inaccurate device identification and signal assessment, hindering effective network management and analysis by network operators.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine device identifiers and repeater identifiers by analyzing signal strength values and MAC addresses, using statistical functions to correct for virtualized MAC addresses and ensure accurate device tracking and network diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If repeaters virtualize MAC addresses to extend network coverage, then network coverage and signal reach are improved, but device identification accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Auto-Configuration Server (ACS) as an intermediary that receives dataset from CPE, identifies virtualized MAC addresses, and maps them to actual device MAC addresses. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by maintaining accurate device identification while allowing repeaters to virtualize MAC addresses for network extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the ACS analyzes collected dataset, identifies patterns of virtualized MAC addresses, and uses this information to correctly associate traffic with actual devices. The feedback loop enables continuous improvement in device identification accuracy despite MAC address virtualization.
2Use of energy by moving object
If repeaters modify signal strength values, then signal propagation is improved, but signal assessment accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ACS acts as an intermediary that receives and analyzes signal strength data, distinguishing between actual device signal strength and repeater-modified values. By implementing additional verification mechanisms, the ACS recovers accurate signal assessment information despite repeater modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of dataset patterns to establish baseline signal strength characteristics before repeater intervention. This preliminary information is used to detect and correct modifications made by repeaters, maintaining accurate signal assessment.
3Ease of operation
If TR-69 protocol collects device data periodically, then network management capability is improved, but data reliability deteriorates due to MAC address virtualization
Solution Approach 1:
The ACS implements feedback mechanisms that analyze collected dataset for patterns indicating virtualized MAC addresses. By continuously monitoring and identifying these patterns, the system maintains reliable device identification and data association despite the use of virtualized addresses in TR-69 protocol collections.
Solution Approach 2:
The ACS serves as an intermediary layer between the TR-69 protocol data collection and the network management system. It processes and validates the collected data, correcting associations between virtualized MAC addresses and actual devices, thereby ensuring data reliability for network management decisions.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention provides a method of operating a wireless local area network, the wireless local area network including a user device, a wireless access point and a wireless repeater, wherein the wireless repeater is configured to virtualise a Media Access Control, MAC, address of the user device when the user device is connected to the wireless repeater, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining data including a first plurality of records, wherein each record of the first plurality of records relates to the user device and includes a MAC address and a signal strength value; obtaining data including a second plurality of records, wherein each record of the second plurality of records includes a Basic Service Set Identifier, BSSID, and a signal strength value; for each MAC address in the first plurality of records: identifying a record of the second plurality of records having a BSSID that sufficiently matches the MAC address by determining a similarity between an Organisationally Unique Identifier, OUI, of the BSSID and the OUI of the MAC address, determining that a difference between the signal strength value associated with the identified record of the second plurality of records and the signal strength value associated with the MAC address of the first plurality of records is within a threshold, assigning a first hop repeater identifier to each record of the first plurality of records having the MAC address based on the BSSID of the identified record of the second plurality of records; and causing a reconfiguration in the wireless local area network based on the first hop repeater identifier.