US Patent 11418969 Suggestive device connectivity planning

A network design tool enables users to easily and quickly graphically design a model of a wireless communication network in a process control environment. Specifically, the network design tool may provide an interactive user interface including a canvas that enables users to design network models by way of the users placing and arranging within the canvas symbols representing model devices and links. The tool may dynamically indicate the strengths of communication links at potential locations as the user moves a pointer or cursor around the canvas, and may automatically suggest devices to be added to desired locations. After a desired device has been selected, the tool may automatically connect the selected device to other devices in the model based on an analysis of the plant environment, real-world positions of the existing devices and the new device, and signaling attributes of the existing devices and the new device.