WLAN Access Point Steering Based on Aggregated Behavior
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Solution Overview
Problem
In WLANs with multiple access points, maintaining communication performance is challenging due to uneven loading among access points, where some access points handle more devices and consume more network resources, leading to degraded performance.
Innovation Solution
An access point that aggregates communication-performance information and behavior information over a time interval, provides this information to a second electronic device, and based on historical and profile information, selectively provides transition recommendations to optimize load balancing and communication performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If access points are deployed to expand WLAN coverage, then network coverage area is improved, but load distribution becomes uneven and communication performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts steering recommendation strategies based on real-time conditions. The access point monitors communication performance metrics and device behavior patterns, then adaptively selects whether to provide steering recommendations to mobile devices. This dynamic adjustment allows the network to maintain optimal performance across varying load conditions while preserving coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of steering recommendation provision from a static always-on approach to a conditional approach based on aggregated performance information. By analyzing communication performance data and device behavior over time, the system modifies its steering behavior to prevent performance degradation while maintaining expanded coverage through multiple access points.
2Productivity
If steering recommendations are provided to mobile devices, then load balancing is improved, but communication performance may be degraded when access points are overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The access point aggregates communication performance information and device behavior patterns over time, then uses this feedback to intelligently control steering recommendations. When performance metrics indicate an access point is overloaded, the system reduces or eliminates steering recommendations to that access point, preventing further performance degradation while maintaining load balance across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the provision of steering recommendations based on real-time network conditions and aggregated performance data. Rather than applying a static load balancing strategy, the system adapts its steering behavior to current load conditions, providing recommendations when capacity exists and withholding them when access points are overloaded, thus optimizing both load distribution and communication performance.
3Reliability
If steering recommendations are selectively provided based on aggregated information, then communication performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex task of performance optimization by having the access point aggregate and analyze communication performance information and device behavior patterns separately, then use this processed information to control steering recommendations. This segmentation allows the access point to manage complexity through modular information processing while achieving improved communication performance through intelligent, condition-based steering control.
Data Source
AI summary
During operation, an access point aggregates communication-performance information and behavior information in a wireless local area network (WLAN) corresponding to an electronic device, where the communication-performance information and the behavior information are aggregated over a time interval that is longer than an instance of a connection or association of the electronic device to the WLAN. Then, the access point provides the communication-performance information and the behavior information to a second electronic device. After receiving information about another instance of a connection or association of the electronic device to the WLAN, the access point provides a request to the second electronic device for historical information about communication performance and behavior of the electronic device in the WLAN. Moreover, after receiving the historical information, the access point selectively provides the transition recommendation in the WLAN to the electronic device, where the transition recommendation is based at least in part on the historical information.