Methods and apparatus for dynamic control of connections to co-existing radio access networks

• US 10,638,361 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2017
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charter Communications Operating LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Charter Communications Operating LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gunasekara, Don, Divvi, Venkata Ramana, Bencheikh, Ahmed
• Primary Examiner(s): Skripnikov, Alex
• Application Number:
  US15/615,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20180352473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/04 Traffic adaptive resource partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/04 Error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for monitoring and controlling access to coexisting first and second networks within a venue. In one embodiment, the first network is a managed content delivery network that includes one or more wireless access points (APs) in data communication with a backend controller which communicates with a dedicated background scanner. The background scanner scans for coexisting networks within the venue, and reports this to the controller. In one variant, the controller dynamically adjusts transmit characteristics of the AP(s) to manage interference between the coexisting networks. In another variant, the controller causes the energy detect threshold of a client device to be lowered so that the device may detect WLAN signals in a scenario where a coexisting RAT (for example, LTE-U or LTE-LAA) occupies the same channel and/or frequency.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing wireless connectivity for at least one mobile client device, the method comprising:

detecting a first type of wireless signal, the detecting comprising receiving data from a dedicated background scanner disposed in a wireless network, the dedicated background scanner being configured to detect a plurality of types of wireless signals concurrently deployed within a prescribed boundary, the plurality of types of wireless signals including the first type of wireless signal and a second type of wireless signal distinct from the first type of wireless signal;

based at least in part on the receiving of the data from the dedicated background scanner and the detecting of the first type of wireless signal, modifying one or more wireless connectivity parameters associated with an interface apparatus of the wireless network, the interface apparatus utilizing the second type of wireless signal; and

transmitting configuration data relating to the modified one or more wireless connectivity parameters to the interface apparatus, the transmitted configuration data enabling the interface apparatus to adjust one or more operational characteristics thereof with respect to the second type of wireless signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the interface apparatus comprises a wireless LAN (WLAN) access point disposed within the wireless network;

the first type of wireless signal comprises a cellular data standard-compliant signal; and

the modifying of the one or more parameters associated with the second type of radio signal comprises modifying one or more of;

(i) a frequency band used by the second type of wireless signal, and (ii) a transmit power of the second type of wireless signal used by the interface apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the interface apparatus comprises a wireless LAN (WLAN) access point operating in an unlicensed frequency band;

the first type of wireless signal comprises a cellular data standard-compliant signal operating in the unlicensed frequency band; and

the modifying of the one or more parameters associated with the second type of radio signal comprises modifying a beamforming scheme utilized used by the interface apparatus, the modifying of the beamforming scheme comprising adjustment of one or more spatial parameters associated with a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) spatial diversity capability of the interface apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second type of wireless signal comprises signals compliant with a Wi-Fi (IEEE-802.11) standard; and

the first type of wireless signal comprises signals compliant with a Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based standard, the LTE standard comprising at least one of (i) LTE-U (Long Term Evolution in unlicensed spectrum), and/or (ii) LTE-LAA (Long Term Evolution, Licensed Assisted Access).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the detecting of the first type of wireless signal, the detecting comprising receiving data from the dedicated background scanner further comprises detecting one or more of an Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) or Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) value, and

the modifying one or more parameters associated with the interface apparatus utilizing the second type of wireless signal and based at least in part on the data from the dedicated background scanner comprises;

calculating a Signal to Interference Noise Ratio (SINR) value, and determining a transmit power associated with the second type of wireless signal based at least on the SINR.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a data structure from a computerized network entity, the data structure comprising at least data relating to the one or more parameters associated with the second type of radio signal according to a nominal or baseline configuration associated particularly with the interface apparatus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the data from the dedicated background scanner comprises receiving data relating to:

(i) a received signal strength (RSS) of the first type of wireless signal, and (ii) a type of modulation scheme utilized by the first type of wireless signal.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing a computerized network entity to transmit one or more data structures to the at least one mobile client device, the transmitted one or more data structures configured to change an energy detection (ED) threshold utilized by a wireless interface of the at lease one mobile client device to be reduced so as to facilitate detection of the second type of wireless signals transmitted by the interface apparatus.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the transmission of the one or more data structures to the at least one mobile client device comprises transmission from a software process of the computerized network entity to a corresponding software process of an application computer program operative on the at least one mobile device via a PHY other than said interface apparatus.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the dedicated background scanner is further configured to detect the plurality of types of wireless signals concurrently deployed within at least one of (i) a prescribed geographic boundary or (ii) a prescribed virtual boundary, the prescribed virtual boundary comprising one or more known wireless-enabled network nodes that utilize the first type of wireless signal and one or more known wireless-enabled network nodes that utilize the second type of wireless signal.

11. A controller apparatus for use within a managed content delivery network, the controller apparatus being configured to manage wireless connectivity to a first wireless-enabled client device, the controller apparatus comprising:

a network interface;

a processor apparatus; and

a computer-readable apparatus comprising a storage medium having at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, the plurality of instructions being configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the controller apparatus to;

detect signals associated with a first radio protocol being utilized by the first wireless-enabled client device, the detection being based at least on data from a first radio frequency (RF) apparatus, the first RF apparatus being configured to receive data representative of one or more network parameters via at least a second wireless-enabled client device;

modify one or more values associated with one or more parameters associated with a second radio frequency (RF) apparatus utilizing a second radio protocol, the modification being based at least in part on the data from the first RF apparatus; and

transmit, via the network interface, data relating to the modified one or more parameters to at least the second RF apparatus, the transmitted data being configured to enable the at least second RF apparatus to implement, according to the data relating to the modified one or more parameters associated with the second RF apparatus, one or more adjusted connectivity parameters with respect to the second radio protocol; and

cause the at least second RF apparatus to provide wireless service to the first wireless-enabled client device using the one or more adjusted connectivity parameters with respect to the second radio protocol.

12. The controller apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detection of the signal associated with the first radio protocol comprises a detection of a coexistence with the second radio protocol, the first radio protocol and the second radio protocol both operating within a common frequency band.

13. The controller apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first radio protocol comprises a cellular data standard-compliant wireless data protocol, and the second radio protocol comprises a IEEE 802.11 standard-compliant wireless data protocol.

14. The controller apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the signals associated with the first radio protocol comprise signals compliant with at least one of (i) LTE-U (Long Term Evolution in unlicensed spectrum) standard, and (ii) LTE-LAA (Long Term Evolution, Licensed Assisted Access) standard; and

signals associated with the second radio protocol comprise signals complaint with a IEEE 802.11 standard.

15. The controller apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the controller apparatus to:

evaluate the implemented one or more adjusted connectivity parameters;

determine whether the implementation of the one or more adjusted connectivity parameters caused a desired level of connectivity via the second radio protocol with respect to given wireless-enabled client device within a prescribed area associated with the second RF apparatus; and

based on a determination that the desired level of connectivity via the second radio protocol did not occur, cause an adjustment to a connectivity parameter of the given wireless-enabled client device.

16. The controller apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the one or more connectivity parameters comprises at least a transmit power; and

the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the controller apparatus to;

modify the transmit power associated with the second RF apparatus utilizing the second radio protocol based on a respective distance to one or more wireless-enabled client devices.

17. The controller apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the one or more connectivity parameters comprises at least an energy detection (ED) threshold corresponding to the second radio protocol; and

the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the controller apparatus to;

cause a reduction of the ED threshold corresponding to the second radio protocol, the ED threshold being associated with one or more wireless-enabled client devices within a service range of the second RF apparatus.

18. A computer-readable apparatus comprising a storage medium having at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, the plurality of instructions being configured to, when executed by a processor apparatus of a networked apparatus, cause the networked apparatus to:

receive a first type of wireless signal from a first network apparatus via a scanner that is configured to detect wireless signals without provision of user data services to wireless-enabled client devices;

modify, based on the receipt of the first type of wireless signal, data representative of one or more connectivity parameters associated with one or more second network apparatus; and

transmit, to the one or more second network apparatus, data representative of the modified one or more connectivity parameters associated with the one or more second network apparatus;

wherein the data representative of the modified one or more connectivity parameters is configured to enable each of the one or more second network apparatus to modify one or more operational characteristics with respect to a second type of wireless signal so as to allow a wireless-enabled client device to perform data communication with at least one of the one or more second network apparatus via the second type of wireless signal over data communication with the first network apparatus via the received first type of wireless signal.

19. The computer-readable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus of the networked apparatus, cause the networked apparatus to:

based on the receipt of the first type of wireless signal from the first network apparatus, detect deployment of cellular signals within a prescribed area; and

based on receipt of the second type of wireless signal, detect deployment of Wi-Fi signals within the prescribed area;

wherein the networked apparatus is configured to determine a coexistence scenario based on a concurrent detection of the deployment of cellular signals and the detection of the deployment of the Wi-Fi signals.

20. The computer-readable apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

the first network apparatus comprises a wireless-enabled access point configured to perform data communication with one or more of the wireless-enabled client devices via signals compliant with a Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based standard; and

the one or more second network apparatus comprise one or more wireless-enabled access points each configured to perform data communication with one or more of the wireless-enabled client devices via signals compliant with a IEEE 802.11 standard.

21. The computer-readable apparatus of claim 20, wherein the LTE-based standard comprises at least one of (i) LTE-U (Long Term Evolution in unlicensed spectrum), and (ii) LTE-LAA (Long Term Evolution, Licensed Assisted Access).

22. The computer-readable apparatus of claim 20, wherein the signals compliant with the LTE-based standard and the signals compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard both occupy a common frequency band.

23. The computer-readable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the modification of the one or more operational characteristics with respect to the second type of wireless signal comprises at least one of (i) increase in signal strength associated with the second type of wireless signal, (ii) decrease in energy detection (ED) threshold associated with the second type of wireless signal, (iii) modification of a frequency spectrum used with respect to the second type of wireless signal.

24. The computer-readable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus of the networked apparatus, cause the networked apparatus to transmit one or more data structures configured to modify a transmit parameter associated with a wireless interface of the wireless-enabled client device, the transmission of the one or more data structures involving transmission to the wireless-enabled client device via a PHY other than the one or more second network apparatus.

25. The computer-readable apparatus of claim 18, wherein the plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus of the networked apparatus, cause the networked apparatus to, based on an absence of a prescribed amount of connectivity via the second type of wireless signal for the wireless-enabled client device given the one or more modified operational characteristics, cause an adjustment to an operational characteristic associated with the wireless-enabled client device.

26. A controller apparatus for use within a managed content delivery network, the controller apparatus being configured to manage wireless connectivity to a first wireless-enabled client device, the controller apparatus comprising:

a network interface;

a processor apparatus; and

a computer-readable apparatus comprising a storage medium having at least one computer program having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, the plurality of instructions being configured to, when executed by the processor apparatus, cause the controller apparatus to;

detect signals associated with a first radio protocol utilized by the first wireless-enabled client device, the detection being based at least on data from a first radio frequency (RF) apparatus, the first RF apparatus being configured to receive data representative of one or more network parameters via at least a second wireless-enabled client device;

modify one or more values associated with one or more parameters associated with a second radio frequency (RF) apparatus utilizing a second radio protocol, the modification being based at least in part on the data from the first RF apparatus; and

transmit, via the network interface, data relating to the modified one or more parameters to at least the second RF apparatus, the transmitted data being configured to enable the at least second RF apparatus to implement, according to the data relating to the modified one or more parameters associated with the second RF apparatus, one or more adjusted connectivity parameters with respect to the second radio protocol; and

cause the at least second RF apparatus to provide wireless service to the first wireless-enabled client device using the one or more adjusted connectivity parameters with respect to the second radio protocol;

based on a determination that a desired level of connectivity via the second radio protocol with respect to a given wireless-enabled client device associated with the second RF apparatus did not result from the one or more adjusted connectivity parameters, cause an adjustment to a connectivity parameter of the given wireless-enabled client device.