Dynamic communication channel switching for computer networks

• US 20030231621A1
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cirrus Logic Incorporated
• Inventors: Ekambaram, Natarajan, Gubbi, Rajugopal R.
• Application Number:
  US10/379,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231621A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/382 for resource allocation, admission control or handover
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/302 due to low signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/54 based on quality criteria

Abstract

Communications within a computer network may be controlled by determining that conditions within a first communication channel communicatively coupling components of the computer network are becoming unacceptable for continued utilization of the communication channel and then switching communications within the computer network to a second communication channel. Interference conditions therein preferably being less severe than interference conditions within the first communication channel. The switching may initiated by one of the network components and generally includes placing communications within the first communication channel in a standby condition while searching for an available communication channel. This may be accomplished by instructing the components of the computer network to remain quiet while one of the components searches for an available communication channel, for example by tuning an associated radio to listen in the second communication channel. Ultimately, network communications may be established in the second communication channel. This may include setting up bandwidth connection agreements with each of the components of the computer network for the second communication channel and/or polling for each of the components of the computer network in the second communication channel.

Claims

1. A method of controlling communications within a computer network, comprising:

determining, at a first network device, that conditions within a first communication channel communicatively coupling components of the computer network are becoming unacceptable for continued utilization of the communication channel; and

switching communications within the computer network to a second communication channel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein interference conditions within the second communication channel are less severe than interference conditions within the first communication channel.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the switching is initiated by said first network device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the switching comprises placing communications within said first communication channel in a standby condition while searching for an available communication channel.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein placing communications within said first communication channel in a standby condition comprises instructing the components of the computer network to remain quiet while the first network device searches for the available communication channel.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein each of the components of the computer network acknowledges receipt of an instruction to remain quiet.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the first network device searches for the available communication channel by tuning a radio associated with the first network device.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein prior to the switching, the first network device broadcasts a channel change message identifying the second communication channel to the components of the computer network.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein each of the components of the computer network responds to the channel change message by transmitting an acknowledgement to the first network device.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the first network device switches to the second communication channel even in the absence of acknowledgement messages from each of the components of the computer network.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing network communications in the second communication channel after the switching.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein establishing network communications comprises setting up bandwidth connection agreements with each of the components of the computer network for the second communication channel.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein establishing network communications comprises polling for each of the components of the computer network in the second communication channel.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to the switching, the first network device listens for channel activity indicative of another computer network in the second communication channel.

15. The method of claim 5 wherein prior to the switching, the first network device listens for channel activity indicative of another computer network in the second communication channel.

16. The method of claim 8 wherein prior to the switching, the first network device listens for channel activity indicative of another computer network in the second communication channel.

17. A method, comprising switching communications within a computer network from a first communication channel to a second communication channel in response to an indication that channel interference conditions within the first communication channel are unacceptable.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the first or second communication channels comprise a wireless communication channel.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the first and second communication channels each comprise spread spectrum wireless communication channels.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the switching comprises discontinuing communications within the first communication channel in response to an instruction to remain quiet.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the switching further comprises acknowledging the instruction to remain quiet prior to discontinuing communications within the first communication channel.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the switching comprises voluntarily switching to the second communication channel in the absence of a request to do so.

23. The method of claim 17 further comprising resuming communications in the second communication channel in response to a request for channel switching acknowledgement.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein resuming communications comprises negotiating for bandwidth in the second communication channel.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein resuming communications comprises transmitting a request for access to the second communication channel in a quiet time slot thereof.