Wireless Spectrum Migration via Remote Access Point Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transition between different spectrum allocations in wireless communications is problematic due to interference and incompatibility issues between legacy and new equipment, leading to operational challenges and increased costs for network operators during the migration process.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves adding new access points to the wireless network that can support both legacy and target spectrum allocations, with a remote network manager facilitating the migration by remotely activating, reconfiguring, and deactivating these access points to seamlessly transition from one spectrum to another, allowing for gradual or simultaneous support of both allocations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new access points supporting both legacy and target spectrum allocations are added to the network, then migration flexibility and network continuity are improved, but device complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
New access points are designed to support both legacy and target spectrum allocations simultaneously, enabling them to function with both old and new regulatory rules. This multi-functionality allows the access points to operate on both legacy channels and target channels, providing migration flexibility without requiring separate equipment for each spectrum allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The access points are configured to dynamically switch between supporting legacy spectrum allocations and target spectrum allocations. A remote network manager can reconfigure the access points to activate or deactivate support for specific spectrum allocations based on migration timing requirements, allowing flexible transition without manual hardware changes.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If simultaneous use of legacy and new equipment is allowed during migration period, then network continuity is maintained, but interference and incompatibility issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The spectrum allocation support is segmented into distinct, independently controllable components within each access point. The access point can be configured to support legacy spectrum allocations on certain channels while supporting target spectrum allocations on other channels, allowing spatial and spectral separation of legacy and new equipment operations to minimize interference.
Solution Approach 2:
A remote network manager acts as an intermediary to coordinate the operation of access points during the migration period. The network manager remotely configures and monitors access points to ensure proper channel allocation and timing, preventing interference between legacy and new equipment by orchestrating their spectrum usage.
3Extent of automation
If manual reconfiguration of access points is required during migration, then precise control over transition timing is achieved, but operational burden and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access points are designed to accept remote reconfiguration commands without requiring physical access or manual intervention. The remote network manager can programmatically reconfigure access points to switch between legacy and target spectrum allocations, allowing automated migration control while reducing the operational burden on network operators.
4Reliability
If legacy equipment is prohibited and replaced with new equipment, then spectrum allocation compliance is achieved, but migration costs and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing physical equipment, the invention changes the operational parameters of existing access points by remotely reconfiguring their spectrum allocation support. The access points can be dynamically adjusted to support or prohibit specific spectrum allocations through software configuration, avoiding the costs and disruptions associated with physical equipment replacement while achieving compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
Migrating from a legacy spectrum allocation to a target spectrum allocation can be accomplished by adding new access points and, at a selected time, activating the new access points and deactivating the legacy access points with a remote network manager. Alternatively, the new access points can initially support legacy channels and at a selected time be reconfigured to support only the target channels. Alternatively, the new access points are initially activated in a mode which supports only a subset of the target channels and at a selected time reconfigured to support only the target channels. A remote network manager may be employed to remotely monitor, reconfigure, and trigger activation and deactivation of access points in support of the technique. New access points adapted to respond to inputs from the remote network manager further facilitate the invention. For example, the new access points may be remotely configurable to activate, deactivate, support a legacy spectrum or portions thereof, support a target spectrum or portions thereof, and provide traffic load and other data to the remote network manager.