WLAN Spatial Diagnostics Using MIMO CSI Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless local area networks (WLAN) face challenges in efficiently managing and diagnosing issues related to spatial changes, human activity, and structural impediments within residential and business environments, which affect network performance and the integration of IoT devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for spatial diagnostics in WLANs using a sounding aggregator and spatial correlator to aggregate and analyze MIMO CSI, identifying changes in node locations, human activity, and structural impediments, thereby providing spatial data that can be used to improve network performance without the need for additional sensors or devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If MIMO channel state information is aggregated and correlated with spatial characteristics, then spatial diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial diagnostic capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sounding aggregator and spatial correlator are configured to perform multiple functions: aggregating MIMO CSI from multiple WLAN nodes, correlating CSI with spatial characteristics, detecting node location changes, human activity, and structural impediments. This multi-functionality allows the system to derive various spatial diagnostics from the same processed data without requiring separate dedicated systems for each diagnostic function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The WLAN nodes themselves generate and provide the MIMO channel state information during normal wireless communications. The system leverages the existing communication signals and their inherent spatial characteristics rather than requiring separate diagnostic equipment or additional active sensors, allowing the network to self-diagnose its spatial conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If additional sensors or devices are deployed for spatial monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial data accuracyVSAvoidhardware requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes the existing WLAN communication infrastructure and signals to extract spatial information. The MIMO channel state information naturally contains spatial characteristics that are captured during regular wireless communications, eliminating the need for separate sensing hardware or additional devices dedicated to spatial monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The same WLAN nodes that perform wireless communication also provide spatial diagnostic data through their MIMO channel state information. This dual use of communication infrastructure for both data transmission and spatial diagnostics avoids the need for dedicated sensing devices while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3255818B1Wireless local area network with spatial diagnostics
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 QUANTENNA COMM
  • EP3255818B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3255818B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3255818B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A diagnostic system for spatial diagnosis of the WLAN includes: a sounding aggregator and a spatial correlator. The sounding aggregator is configured to aggregate multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel state information (CSI) from channel soundings of the WLAN, including channel soundings between a wireless access point (WAP) node and associated station nodes on a selected one of a plurality of communication channels of the WLAN;. The spatial correlator is coupled to the sounding aggregator and configured to correlate CSI from the channel soundings with spatial characteristics of the WLAN including at least one of: a change in location of a WLAN node, human activity among the WLAN nodes, and structural impediments among WLAN nodes.