Method and apparatus for network management using periodic measurements of indicators

• US 20050009565A1
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kwak, Joseph A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,710,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A beacon signal used in data communications, such as the IEEE 802.11, is provided with data extensions. The data extensions permit additional information to be provided by the beacon signal, thereby reducing the traffic overhead of the network. The data extensions further permit handoffs and handoffs based on offset values. Periodic beacon requests are made during connection between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and an access point (AP) on a WLAN. A Measurement Request field corresponding to a beacon request contains a measurement duration value and channel number for which the request applies. The beacon request permits a scan mode which includes “Active Scan” mode, “Passive Scan” mode and “Beacon Table” mode. In Active Scan mode, the measuring station (STA) transmits a probe request with a broadcast SSID. In Passive Scan mode, the measuring STA passively receives on the specified channel and return a beacon report containing one information element for each STA from which it detects a beacon or probe response. In Beacon Table mode, the measuring STA returns a beacon report containing the current contents of its beacon table without performing additional measurements.

Claims

1. In a wireless communication system utilizing at least one access point transmitting a beacon signal responsive to a beacon request, the beacon signal used for indicating channel, measurement and mode data, a method for extending the system to incorporate additional signal information, the method comprising:

providing at least one extension of the beacon request, the extension providing a measurement of a signal condition.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the extension including one of BSSID, measurement period, reporting condition, threshold, offset of measurement and hysteresis.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the extension including one of PSNI and RCPI measurements.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication system implementing a wireless LAN connection and the beacon signal provided in the implementation of the LAN connection.

5. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein:

a response protocol includes a beacon extension; and

the beacon extension includes a Period subfield provided as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein:

a response protocol includes a beacon extension; and

the beacon extension including a Period subfield, the Period subfield comprising 14 LSBs as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement, wherein a Period subfield value of 0 indicates a single non-periodic measurement.

7. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the beacon request extension includes a Period subfield provided as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement.

8. The wireless communication system of claim 1, wherein the beacon request extension including a Period subfield, the Period subfield comprising 14 LSBs as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement, wherein a Period subfield value of 0 indicates a single non-periodic measurement.

9. In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a method for operating an access point (AP) utilizing a beacon signal, the method comprising:

providing, in the beacon signal, periodic measurements in response to beacon requests in order to support one of roaming, dynamic data rate adjustment, and related signal control functions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the WLAN implementing a WLAN connection and the beacon signal provided in the implementation of the WLAN connection.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the extension includes one of BSSID, measurement period, reporting condition, threshold, offset of measurement and hysteresis.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein extension including one of PSNI and RCPI measurements.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein:

a response protocol including a beacon extension;

the beacon extension includes a Period subfield provided as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein:

a response protocol including a beacon extension; and

the beacon extension including a Period subfield, the Period subfield comprising 14 LSBs as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement, wherein a Period subfield value of 0 indicates a single non-periodic measurement.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the beacon request extension includes a Period subfield provided as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement.

16. The method of claim 9, further characterized by a beacon request extension including a Period subfield, the Period subfield comprising 14 LSBs as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement, wherein a Period subfield value of 0 indicates a single non-periodic measurement.

17. In a wireless local area network (WLAN) including at least one access point (AP) and at least one wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), a method for operating a WTRU, the method comprising:

providing a beacon request including at least one measurement response;

receiving a beacon signal in response to the request; and

if provided in the beacon signal obtaining the measurement response.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the measurement response includes one of a measurement to support roaming, a measurement to support dynamic data rate adjustment, and a measurement to support a related signal control function.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the wireless communication system implementing a WLAN connection and the beacon signal provided in the implementation of the WLAN connection.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein a beacon request extension includes one of BSSID, measurement period, reporting condition, threshold, offset of measurement and hysteresis.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein a beacon request extension includes one of PSNI and RCPI measurements.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein:

a response protocol including a beacon extension; and

the beacon extension including a Period subfield provided as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein:

a response protocol including a beacon extension; and

the beacon extension including a Period subfield, the Period subfield comprising 14 LSBs as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement, wherein a Period subfield value of 0 indicates a single non-periodic measurement.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein a beacon request extension including a Period subfield provided as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement.

25. The method of claim 17, a beacon request extension including a Period subfield, the Period subfield comprising 14 LSBs as an unsigned integer number representing a repeating time interval for a periodic measurement, wherein a Period subfield value of 0 indicates a single non-periodic measurement.