Wireless Network Speed Prediction Using Historical Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless devices lack an efficient method to accurately indicate end-to-end data speed of wireless networks, leading to poor user experiences due to confusing iconography and costly, time-consuming speed tests that do not account for actual throughput from the user device to content sources.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device and method that detect current signal strength and use historically compiled end-to-end data speed information to provide a user interface indicating expected data speeds, allowing for faster, more accurate network selection and improved user understanding of network capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional speed tests are performed to determine data speed, then data speed information can be obtained, but it is extremely costly to compute and takes additional time during connection process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs speed tests in advance during background scanning operations before the user needs to connect to a network. Historical speed test results are stored and reused when network selection is needed, eliminating the need to perform time-consuming speed tests at the moment of connection. This allows the device to have speed information ready beforehand without impacting the actual connection process time.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing actual speed tests to the content source, the system creates simplified copies or models of speed test results based on historical data and signal strength correlations. These copied speed indicators are then used for network selection, providing accurate enough information without the computational cost and time of actual end-to-end speed measurements.
2Measurement precision
If conventional speed tests are performed to determine data speed, then data speed information can be obtained, but it is extremely costly to compute
Solution Approach 1:
Speed tests are performed during background scanning operations when the device is already active and processing network information, rather than performing them on-demand when connection is needed. This distributes the computational load over time and utilizes existing system resources efficiently, reducing peak battery consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simplified speed indicators derived from historical data and signal strength correlations instead of performing computationally intensive actual speed tests. These copied speed metrics provide sufficient accuracy for network selection while consuming minimal computational resources and battery power.
3Ease of operation
If data speed is indicated based on speed between wireless device and access point, then speed information can be displayed, but it does not reflect actual end-to-end throughput to content source
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates simplified models of end-to-end speed based on historical speed test results and correlates them with current signal strength measurements. This copied end-to-end speed information is then displayed to users, providing accurate representation of actual throughput to content sources without requiring complex real-time measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously updates speed information based on actual end-to-end speed tests performed in the background and uses this feedback to improve future speed predictions. Historical speed data is stored and used to refine the correlation between signal strength and actual end-to-end throughput, making the speed indicators increasingly accurate over time.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive network information is provided in user interface, then user decision-making is improved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface displays different levels of information detail based on user needs and context. Basic views show only essential information like network name and simplified speed indicators, while detailed views can show additional information such as signal strength, historical performance, and other quality metrics. This allows comprehensive information to be available when needed without cluttering the basic interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded indicators to represent network quality and speed levels, allowing users to quickly assess network characteristics at a glance. Different colors indicate different speed ranges or quality levels, providing intuitive visual feedback without requiring users to interpret complex numerical data or navigate complex interface elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless device and method detect a current signal strength of each of a number of wireless networks, determine an expected end-to-end data speed for each of the wireless networks using wireless network end-to-end data speed information that was historically compiled from prior connections with the wireless networks and using the detected current signal strength of each of the wireless networks. The wireless device and method connects to at least one wireless network based on the determined expected end-to-end data speed and/or provides a user interface that includes the determined expected end-to-end data speed and the detected signal strength indication of each of the wireless networks.