Wi-Fi access point discovery system for mobile users

Abstract

Wi-Fi access provides a very convenient way for mobile terminals to connect the Internet. However, locating points where connections can be made is not always easy. In this paper, we propose a Neighbor Wi-Fi Access Point Advertisement System. The features of our system are as follows: (1) A personal access point function operates on mobile terminals that continuously detect and collect information on nearby WiFi access points (APs) within its radio detection range. (2) Detected and collected Wi-Fi AP information, such as locations and network names, are shared between mobile terminals in proximity with each other. (3) Neighbor Wi-Fi AP information can then be advertised to clients through their personal access points. In our system, a client is a mobile terminal that does not have access privileges for nearby APs. In such cases, clients will not connect to the Internet through the restricted APs; they will simply obtain information regarding APs that are available nearby, yet outside their normal detection range. We developed a prototype system and have confirmed the usability of its basic functions by experiment.