Program for adjusting channel interference between access points in a wireless network

• US 10,420,002 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2018
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Xenogenic Development Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Backes, Floyd, Vacon, Gary, Callahan, Paul, Hawe, William, Durand, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer, Temica M
• Application Number:
  US15/883,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20180242216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 455434, 455522
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/27 for locating or positioning the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0002 by adapting the transmission rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/125 by balancing the load, e.g. traffic engineering
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10015 Access to distributed or replicated servers, e.g. using brokers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/04 Traffic adaptive resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/06 Hybrid resource partitioning, e.g. channel borrowing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/10 Dynamic resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/02 Traffic management, e.g. flow control or congestion control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/08 Load balancing or load distribution transferring a connection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0862 of same hierarchy level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0983 for optimizing bandwidth or throughput
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 : for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/20 : for optimising the interference level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/08 : based on transmission power
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/18 : based on predicted events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/36 : due to handover
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/06 : based on traffic conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/17 : Selecting a data network PoA [Point of Attachment]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 : using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/10 : Open loop power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/18 : TPC being performed according to specific parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/225 : Calculation of statistics, e.g. average, variance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/226 : using past references to control power, e.g. look-up-table
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/228 : using past power values or information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/24 : using SIR [Signal to Interference Ratio] or other wireless path parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/245 : taking into account received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/246 : where the output power of a terminal is based on a path parameter calculated in said terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/247 : where the output power of a terminal is based on a path parameter sent by another terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/283 : Power depending on the position of the mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/285 : taking into account the mobility of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/286 : during data packet transmission, e.g. high speed packet access [HSPA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/287 : when the channel is in stand-by
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/288 : taking into account the usage mode, e.g. hands-free, data transmission, telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/34 : TPC management, i.e. sharing limited amount of power among users or channels or data types, e.g. cell loading
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/343 : taking into account loading or congestion level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/367 : Power values between minimum and maximum limits, e.g. dynamic range
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/50 : at the moment of starting communication in a multiple access environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 : Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 : Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 : with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 : based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/54 : based on quality criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/002 : Transmission of channel access control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 : Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 : Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 : Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 : with access to wired networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 : between terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/20 : between access points
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Claims

1. A method for use by a station associated with a first access point on a first channel in a wireless communications environment, the method comprising:

determining if the first access point is in a buffering mode to buffer at least one data packet to be transmitted to the station, wherein the buffering mode is initiated by the first access point, and wherein the determining comprises receiving a notification from the first access point that the first access point has entered buffering mode; and

in response to the determination, during the buffering mode, canvassing a second channel in the wireless communications environment for association with a second access point.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the canvassing includes listening for other access points on the second channel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the listening comprises detecting one or more beacons, one or more announce messages, or both, wherein an announce message is a message sent by an access point to alert stations to its presence and to provide information about access points that can be used by stations to aid decisions as to whether to request to associate to access points other than their current access points.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining determines that a power save mode has been entered, wherein the buffering mode corresponds to the power save mode, and wherein the canvassing is performed during the power save mode.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the canvassing is performed during selected occurrences of the power save mode, but not during every occurrence of power save mode.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a station associated with a first access point on a first channel in a wireless communications environment, the station being configured to;

determine if the first access point is in a buffering mode to buffer at least one data packet to be transmitted to the station, wherein the buffering mode is initiated by the first access point, and wherein the station is configured to determine if the first access point is in a buffering mode by receiving a notification from the first access point; and

in response to the determination, during the buffering mode, canvass a second channel in the wireless communications environment for association with a second access point.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the canvassing includes listening for other access points on the second channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the listening comprises detecting one or more beacons, one or more announce messages, or both, wherein an announce message is a message sent by an access point to alert stations to its presence and to provide information about access points that can be used by stations to aid decisions as to whether to request to associate to access points other than their current access points.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the determining determines that a power save mode has been entered, wherein the buffering mode corresponds to the power save mode, and wherein the canvassing is performed during the power save mode.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the canvassing is performed during selected occurrences of the power save mode, but not during every occurrence of power save mode.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing machine-executable instructions to cause a station associated with a first access point on a first channel in a wireless communication environment to perform operations comprising:

determining if the first access point is in a buffering mode to buffer at least one data packet to be transmitted to the station, wherein the buffering mode is initiated by the first access point, and wherein the determining comprises receiving a notification from the first access point that the first access point has entered buffering mode; and

in response to the determination, during the buffering mode, canvassing a second channel in the wireless communications environment for association with a second access point.

12. The medium of claim 11, wherein the canvassing includes listening for other access points on the second channel.

13. The medium of claim 12, wherein the listening comprises detecting one or more beacons, one or more announce messages, or both, wherein an announce message is a message sent by an access point to alert stations to its presence and to provide information about access points that can be used by stations to aid decisions as to whether to request to associate to access points other than their current access points.

14. The medium of claim 11, wherein the determining determines that a power save mode has been entered, wherein the buffering mode corresponds to the power save mode, and wherein the canvassing is performed during the power save mode.

15. The medium of claim 14, wherein the canvassing is performed during selected occurrences of the power save mode, but not during every occurrence of power save mode.

16. A method for use by a station associated with a first access point on a first channel in a wireless communications environment, the method comprising:

determining if the first access point is in a buffering mode to buffer at least one data packet to be transmitted to the station; and

in response to the determination, during the buffering mode, canvassing a second channel in the wireless communications environment for association with a second access point, wherein the canvassing includes listening for other access points on the second channel, wherein the listening comprises detecting one or more announce messages, wherein an announce message is a message sent by an access point to alert stations to its presence and to provide information to stations about access points to which stations may choose to associate and about access points that can be used by stations to aid decisions as to whether to request to associate to access points other than their current access points.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the determining comprises sending a notification to the first access point to enter the buffering mode.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a station associated with a first access point on a first channel in a wireless communications environment, the station being configured to;

determine if the first access point is in a buffering mode to buffer at least one data packet to be transmitted to the station; and

in response to the determination, during the buffering mode, canvass a second channel in the wireless communications environment for association with a second access point, wherein the canvassing includes listening for other access points on the second channel, wherein the listening comprises detecting one or more announce messages, wherein an announce message is a message sent by an access point to alert stations to its presence and to provide information to stations about access points to which stations may choose to associate and about access points that can be used by stations to aid decisions as to whether to request to associate to access points other than their current access points.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the determining comprises sending a notification to the first access point to enter the buffering mode.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing machine-executable instructions to cause a station associated with a first access point on a first channel in a wireless communication environment to perform operations comprising:

determining if the first access point is in a buffering mode to buffer at least one data packet to be transmitted to the station; and

in response to the determination, during the buffering mode, canvassing a second channel in the wireless communications environment for association with a second access point, wherein the canvassing includes listening for other access points on the second channel, wherein the listening comprises one or more announce messages, wherein an announce message is a message sent by an access point to alert stations to its presence and to provide information to stations about access points to which stations may choose to associate and about access points that can be used by stations to aid decisions as to whether to request to associate to access points other than their current access points.

21. The medium of claim 20, wherein the determining comprises sending a notification to the first access point to enter the buffering mode.