Wireless Throughput Estimation via Temporal Load Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in determining the optimal wireless network to join due to variable performance based on device density, leading to suboptimal throughput selection by devices before association.
Innovation Solution
Wireless devices can estimate the actual temporal load and data rate in a network by receiving signals from access points or monitoring the medium, allowing them to calculate potential uplink and downlink throughput before joining, enabling informed network selection based on highest throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless devices join networks without throughput estimation, then device association is simple and fast, but network selection is suboptimal leading to lower throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs throughput estimation before network association by calculating temporal load and data rate metrics in advance. This preliminary action allows devices to select optimal networks based on predicted throughput performance without complex real-time negotiations after joining, resolving the contradiction by preparing selection criteria beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporal load metrics and data rate calculations as intermediary parameters that mediate between raw network conditions and final throughput performance. These intermediaries provide a simplified basis for network selection that correlates with actual throughput without requiring complex end-to-end performance measurements, resolving the contradiction by using intermediate metrics for decision-making.
2Productivity
If wireless devices perform throughput estimation before association, then network selection optimizes throughput, but measurement and calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from observed network conditions (temporal load, data rates) to estimate throughput before association. By continuously monitoring these parameters and using them to predict performance, the system can make informed network selection decisions without requiring complex direct throughput measurements, resolving the contradiction through indirect estimation based on feedback from network state observations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified model or copy of network performance characteristics using temporal load and data rate metrics. Instead of measuring actual throughput directly (which is complex), the system creates a representative model that can be calculated from readily available network parameters, resolving the contradiction by using a simplified copy of performance data for decision-making.
3Productivity
If access points broadcast detailed load information, then wireless devices can make informed network selection, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential temporal load and data rate information from complex network state data for broadcasting. By taking out only the critical parameters needed for throughput estimation rather than broadcasting complete network state information, the system enables informed network selection while minimizing signaling overhead, resolving the contradiction through selective information extraction.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to estimating throughput of wireless networks by a wireless device. According to some embodiments, estimated uplink and downlink actual temporal load available to a wireless device in a wireless network may be determined. An uplink data rate and a downlink data rate of the wireless device in the wireless network may be estimated. Based on the estimated uplink and downlink actual temporal load available to the wireless device and the estimated uplink and downlink data rates of the wireless device, the maximum possible uplink throughput and downlink throughput of the wireless device in the wireless network may be estimated. Such throughput estimates may be used to select a wireless network to join from among multiple available wireless networks or to select an initial data rate for an application executing on the wireless device, among possible uses.