WLAN Access Point Location Optimization via RF Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual process of selecting access point locations for wireless local area networks (WLANs) is prone to human errors, such as incorrect identification, incorrect placement, and improper orientation of directional antennas, leading to suboptimal RF coverage and performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that use RF discovery to determine the relative location of access points within a WLAN, employing triangulation or trilateration to calculate their actual locations and map them onto a floor plan, thereby providing performance optimization recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual process is used to select access point locations, then network administrator can control placement, but human errors occur leading to incorrect identification, placement, and orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables access points to automatically determine their own locations by measuring distances to other access points and performing self-positioning through triangulation or trilateration algorithms, eliminating the need for manual location specification and reducing human errors in identification and placement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of locating and orienting access points with an automated RF-based system that uses wireless signal measurements and computational algorithms to determine precise locations and orientations automatically
2Manufacturing precision
If manual process is used to specify facility RF characteristics, then administrator can input custom parameters, but errors occur in inputting access point locations and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses RF measurements from multiple access points as feedback to automatically calculate and verify locations and orientations, providing real-time validation and correction without manual intervention, thus improving precision while reducing configuration time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary automatic location and orientation determination before final deployment configuration, ensuring accurate positioning and orientation is established in advance through automated measurements rather than manual specification
3Reliability
If automated RF discovery is used to determine access point locations, then human errors are eliminated, but triangulation and mapping processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing RF infrastructure and standard wireless communication capabilities to perform multiple functions including distance measurement, location determination, and orientation calculation, avoiding the need for specialized hardware while achieving high reliability through multi-functional use of standard components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach eliminates human errors, provides improved WLAN performance by optimizing access point placement, and offers adaptive planning for enhanced coverage and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
determining, by the computing device and using a triangulation method, an actual location of the access point based on the relative location information
Implementation Method 2
determining, by the computing device and using a triangulation method or a trilateration method, an actual location of the access point
Data Source
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AI summary
A device receives distances between an access point, located on a floor of a building, and other access points located on the same floor, and determines, based on the distances, relative location information associated with the access point, where the relative location information provides a location of the access point relative to the other access points. The device also determines, using a triangulation method, an actual location of the access point based on the relative location information. The device further maps the actual location of the access point to a floor plan of the floor, and displays the floor plan with the mapped actual location of the access point.