Access point channel forecasting for seamless station association transition
First Claim
1. A method for maintaining an association with a station by an access point in a wireless network comprising the steps of:
- selecting a first channel and at least one alternate channel for transmissions by the access point;
storing, in a channel forecast table, the at least one alternate channel;
forwarding the channel forecast table to the station;
detecting a loss of availability of the first channel; and
initiating communications on the alternate channel without notice to other devices in the network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Seamless migration of an AP/STA link across channels to compensate for a changing RF environment is achieved by forecasting alternate AP communication channels to an STA prior to loss of connectivity on the link. The AP, when identifying a preferred communication channel, also identifies an alternate communication channel, and communicates this alternate channel to a coupled STA. In the event that communication between the AP and the STA is lost, the STA can quickly predict the new location of the AP, and migrate to the new channel without loss of communication state. The AP is not required to communicate to any STA that it has switched stations. Rather, the fact that the AP has switched is inferred at the STA by the inability of the STA to communicate with the AP. Thus the present invention may be used to preserve link state when a communication channel used by the AP/STA link is blocked.
123 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining an association with a station by an access point in a wireless network comprising the steps of:
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selecting a first channel and at least one alternate channel for transmissions by the access point;
storing, in a channel forecast table, the at least one alternate channel;
forwarding the channel forecast table to the station;
detecting a loss of availability of the first channel; and
initiating communications on the alternate channel without notice to other devices in the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A network device for use as an access point in a wireless network comprising:
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channel selection means for selecting a first channel and at least one alternate channel for transmissions;
a channel forecast table for storing the at least one alternate channel; and
forwarding means for forwarding the channel forecast table associated stations. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method of maintaining an association with an access point by a station in a wireless network including the steps of:
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receiving, from the access point, a channel forecast table including at least one alternate transmission channel;
communicating with the access point on a first channel; and
upon a detection of a loss of transmissions by the access point on the first channel, switching to the at least one alternate transmission channel. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A network device including:
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means for establishing communications with an access point in a wireless network on a first channel;
a channel forecast table, storing at least one alternate channel for communications with the access point;
means for detecting a loss of connectivity with the access point; and
means for switching to the alternate channel to locate the access point.
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Specification