Server and multiple sensor system for monitoring activity in a shared radio frequency band
First Claim
1. A radio sensor device comprising:
- a. a first radio receiver capable of receiving radio signals in a radio frequency band;
b. a spectrum analysis system coupled to the first radio receiver that produces spectrum activity information representative of the activity in the frequency band;
c. a baseband signal processing section that demodulates baseband signals transmitted by other devices on a wireless network in the frequency band according to a communication protocol;
d. a second radio receiver coupled to the baseband signal processing section that receives signals transmitted on the wireless network and couples received signals to the baseband signal processing section; and
e. a processor coupled to the spectrum analysis system and to the baseband signal processing section, wherein the processor executes one or more programs to analyze packets transmitted on the wireless network in the frequency band based on signals demodulated by the baseband signal processing section and to classify radio signals occurring in the frequency band based on the spectrum activity information output by the spectrum analysis system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intelligent spectrum management (ISM) system and method are provided that includes sophisticated features to detect, classify, and locate sources of RF activity. The system comprises one or more sensors positioned at various locations in a region where activity in a shared radio frequency band is occurring and a server coupled to the sensors. Each sensor monitors communication traffic, such as IEEE WLAN traffic, as well as classifies non-WLAN signals occurring in the frequency band. The server receives data from each of the plurality of sensors and that executes functions to process the data supplied by the plurality of sensors. In particular, the server aggregates the data generated by the sensors and generates event reports and other configurable information derived from the sensors that is interfaced to a client application, e.g., a network management station.
588 Citations
78 Claims
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1. A radio sensor device comprising:
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a. a first radio receiver capable of receiving radio signals in a radio frequency band;
b. a spectrum analysis system coupled to the first radio receiver that produces spectrum activity information representative of the activity in the frequency band;
c. a baseband signal processing section that demodulates baseband signals transmitted by other devices on a wireless network in the frequency band according to a communication protocol;
d. a second radio receiver coupled to the baseband signal processing section that receives signals transmitted on the wireless network and couples received signals to the baseband signal processing section; and
e. a processor coupled to the spectrum analysis system and to the baseband signal processing section, wherein the processor executes one or more programs to analyze packets transmitted on the wireless network in the frequency band based on signals demodulated by the baseband signal processing section and to classify radio signals occurring in the frequency band based on the spectrum activity information output by the spectrum analysis system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for monitoring activity in a shared frequency band, comprising:
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a. a plurality of radio sensors positioned at various locations in a region where activity in a shared radio frequency band is occurring, each of the plurality of radio sensors comprising;
i. a first radio receiver capable of receiving radio signals in a radio frequency band;
ii. a spectrum analysis system coupled to the first radio receiver that produces spectrum activity information representative of the activity in the frequency band;
iii. a baseband signal processing section that demodulates baseband signals transmitted by other devices on a wireless network in the frequency band according to a communication protocol;
iv. a second radio receiver coupled to the baseband signal processing section that receives signals transmitted on the wireless network and couples received signals to the baseband signal processing section; and
v. a processor coupled to the spectrum analysis system and to the baseband signal processing section, wherein the processor executes one or more programs to analyze packets transmitted on the wireless network in the frequency band based on signals demodulated by the baseband signal processing section and to classify radio signals occurring in the frequency band based on the spectrum activity information output by the spectrum analysis system; and
b. a server coupled to the plurality of radio sensors that receives data from each of the plurality of radio sensors and that executes functions to process the data supplied by the plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A method for interfacing a network management application with a plurality of radio sensor devices that monitor activity in a frequency band in which a wireless network and other interfering signal activity may be occurring, comprising steps of:
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a. receiving configurations from the network management application concerning the type of information requested about activity in the wireless network and/or frequency band; and
b. supplying data concerning activity in the wireless network and/or frequency band according to configurations. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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68. A method for interfacing a network management application with a plurality of radio sensor devices that monitor activity in a frequency band in which a wireless network and other interfering signal activity may be occurring, comprising steps of:
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a. generating configurations at the network management application concerning the type of information requested about activity in the wireless network and/or frequency band; and
b. receiving data concerning activity in the wireless network and/or frequency band according to configurations. - View Dependent Claims (69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. A processor readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of:
- generating configurations concerning the type of information requested about activity in a wireless network and in a frequency band in which the wireless network operates; and
receiving data containing information concerning activity in the wireless network and frequency band according to the configurations.
- generating configurations concerning the type of information requested about activity in a wireless network and in a frequency band in which the wireless network operates; and
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77. A method for analyzing data pertaining to activity in a shared radio frequency band comprising steps of:
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a. receiving data from each of a plurality of radio sensor devices deployed in different locations to detect activity in the radio frequency band, wherein the data includes identifiers types of signals determined to be occurring in the frequency band and statistics concerning traffic on wireless network operating in the radio frequency band;
b. aggregating the data; and
c. analyzing the data. - View Dependent Claims (78)
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Specification