WLAN Simulation Tool Importing Physical Network Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 802.11 simulation tools cannot import a physically deployed WLAN network configuration to create virtual nodes, do not allow intelligent use of parameters affecting throughput, and fail to provide real-time observation of network operations, which are too fast for human discernment.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that import network and node configurations from a physical WLAN deployment to simulate a virtual WLAN, allowing analysis of throughput statistics and enabling real-time observation of network behavior by simulating virtual transmission processes and calculating throughput metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing 802.11 simulation tools are used, then simulation capability is provided, but they cannot import physically deployed WLAN network configuration to create virtual nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual nodes by copying the configuration parameters from physically deployed WLAN access points and clients. The simulation tool imports actual network configuration data including SSID, channel, power settings, and hardware parameters to generate accurate virtual representations of the physical network for simulation purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration import and validation before simulation execution. The system pre-processes physical network configuration data, validates parameters against IEEE 802.11 standards, and prepares virtual node definitions in advance, allowing the simulation to start with pre-configured accurate network models
2Productivity
If existing 802.11 simulation tools are used, then general simulation is possible, but they do not allow intelligent use of parameters affecting throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates only those IEEE 802.11 specification parameters that directly affect network throughput from the full specification set. The system identifies and separates critical parameters such as data rate, modulation scheme, channel width, and power settings from non-critical parameters, allowing focused simulation on throughput-affecting factors without implementing the entire specification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts simulation parameters based on the imported physical network configuration. The system automatically configures virtual nodes with parameter values matching the physical deployment, and intelligently modifies only the throughput-critical parameters during simulation to analyze their impact on network performance
3Loss of information
If existing 802.11 simulation tools are used, then simulation runs can be performed, but end-users cannot observe and understand real-time operation of the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visualization layer between the high-speed simulation engine and the human observer. The system captures simulation events and states, translates them into human-readable formats, and presents them through graphical interfaces showing real-time network operations, packet flows, and performance metrics without slowing down the actual simulation execution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies and representations of the fast-running simulation events for human observation. The system generates graphical depictions of network traffic, node states, and performance data that mirror the actual simulation proceedings, allowing users to observe and understand network operations in real-time through visualized copies of the simulation state
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for network channel capacity planning, measuring, and analyzing of WLAN networks are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes importing network and node configuration of an existing physical wireless local area network (WLAN) deployment from WLAN surveying system that captures and analyzes WLAN traffic in order to define a configuration of the existing physical WLAN, simulating a virtual WLAN using the imported network and node configuration as parameters of the simulated WLAN and applying various other configurations not present in the imported network and node configuration as parameters of the simulated WLAN, and analyzing the simulated WLAN to produce throughput statistics of network and nodes of the simulated WLAN.