Wireless Network Topology Visualization for Throughput and Channel Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication network management systems are inadequate in representing available throughput and channel selection between network devices, making it difficult for network managers to assess network performance and optimize device placement.
Innovation Solution
A system that graphically represents associations between wireless network devices, using line thickness to indicate maximum throughput and color to represent the current communication channel, allowing for visual representation of available bandwidth and channel selection between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing network management systems are used to represent throughput and channel information, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to visually indicate available throughput and channel selection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using different colors to represent different channels (e.g., blue for channel 1, green for channel 2) and varying color intensities or shades to indicate throughput levels. This allows the system to visually encode multiple dimensions of network information (channel and throughput) using color variations, resolving the contradiction by providing rich visual information without complex graphical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes visual parameters such as line thickness, color, and marker styles to represent different throughput values and channel selections. By mapping network parameters (throughput magnitude, channel number) to visual parameters (line width, color hue), the system creates an intuitive graphical representation that improves information visibility while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If detailed throughput and channel information is displayed, then network performance assessment improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses color-coded representations where network managers can quickly assess performance by observing color patterns rather than reading detailed numerical data. This color-encoding approach provides precise performance information (throughput and channel details) while maintaining ease of operation, as users can rapidly interpret graphical color representations without delving into complex data tables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a graphical copy or visualization of the network topology and connection characteristics, where lines between devices represent connections and their visual properties encode throughput and channel information. This graphical copy allows network managers to assess performance intuitively by examining the visual representation rather than processing raw data, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for graphically representing associations between wireless network devices in a way that visually indicates the maximum amount of throughput between the associated devices, as well as a channel that is currently selected for communications between the associated devices. The thickness of a line between the associated devices may indicate the maximum throughput between the devices, whereas the color of the line may indicate the channel on which the associated devices are currently communicating. Other visual characteristics of lines generated between associated devices may be used to visually represent maximum possible throughput and current channel selection. Associations between the devices in the wireless network may be determined by checking a list of associated stations maintained in each access point.