Implementing Location Awareness In WLAN Devices

• US 20090067398A1
• Filed: 11/03/2008
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm Atheros Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Green, Michael R., Wang, Yi-Hsiu
• Granted Patent: US 8,155,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information

Abstract

A set of global location signals, an SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System), or an ACI (ambient country identifier) signal can be used to automatically provide location awareness for a WLAN device. If one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, or the ACI signal is detected, then the WLAN device can configure itself to comply with channel and power settings for the country/region having the detected signal(s). After configuration, the WLAN device can be “locked” to the country/region having the signal(s), thereby ensuring legal operation of the WLAN device even after subsequent restarts. If one of the signals is not detected, then the WLAN device can be configured in a default mode, e.g. an “open mode” in which end users can configure the WLAN device by entering a country of operation or a “common mode” in which the channel and transmit power settings meet global spectrum usage requirements.

Claims

1. A method of automatically providing location awareness for a WLAN device, the method comprising:

performing a first scan for a set of global location signals, wherein the set of global location signals is at a frequency within an operating range of a receiver of the WLAN device;

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a country having the set of global location signals when the set of global location signals is detected during the first scan;

performing a second scan for the set of global location signals, an SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) signal, and an ACI (ambient country identifier) signal when the set of global location signals is not detected during the first scan, wherein the second scan is longer than the first scan, wherein the SBAS signal and the ACI signal are at frequencies within the operating range of the receiver of the WLAN device;

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a country having the set of global location signals when the set of global location signals is detected during the second scan;

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a country having the ACI signal when the ACI signal is detected during the second scan; and

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a region having the SBAS signal when the SBAS signal is detected during the second scan.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

configuring the WLAN device for one of a common mode and an open mode if the first and second scans do not detect the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, or the ACI signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein if the ACI signal is a Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) signal, then configuring the WLAN device for U.S. operation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring includes locking the WLAN device to the country/region based on at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein locking includes programming non-volatile memory of the WLAN device to retain current channel and power settings.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein locking includes initiating a protocol required by the country/region.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the protocol includes enabling radar detection.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein locking includes overriding any end user commands that could be inconsistent with regulations of the country/region.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein overriding any end user commands includes disabling ad-hoc operation of the WLAN device in a predetermined frequency band.

10. A method of operating a WLAN device in one of a common mode or an open mode, the method comprising:

determining whether the WLAN device is in a low-utilization period;

performing a scan for a set of global location signals, an SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) signal, and an ambient country identifier (ACI) signal when the WLAN device is in a low-utilization period, wherein the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal and the ACI signal are at frequencies within an operating range of a receiver of the WLAN device; and

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with spectrum usage rules for a country/region when at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal are detected.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein if the WLAN device is not in a low-utilization period, then waiting a predetermined period before performing the scan.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein if at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal are not detected, then continuing operation of the WLAN device in its current mode.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein after continuing operation, the method further including the step of waiting a predetermined period before performing another scan.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein configuring includes locking the WLAN device to the country/region based on at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein locking includes programming non-volatile memory of the WLAN device to retain current channel and power settings.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein locking includes initiating a protocol required by the country/region.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the protocol includes enabling radar detection.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein locking includes overriding any end user commands that could be inconsistent with regulations of the country/region.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein overriding any end user commands includes disabling ad-hoc operation of the WLAN device in a predetermined frequency band.

20. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for automatically providing location awareness for a WLAN device, which when executed by a computer performs steps of:

performing a first scan for a set of global location signals, wherein the set of global location signals is at a frequency within an operating range of a receiver of the WLAN device;

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a country having the set of global location signals when the set of global location signals is detected during the first scan;

performing a second scan for the set of global location signals, an SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) signal, and an ACI (ambient country identifier) signal when the set of global location signals is not detected during the first scan, wherein the second scan is longer than the first scan, wherein the SBAS signal and the ACI signal are at frequencies within the operating range of the receiver of the WLAN device;

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a country having the set of global location signals when the set of global location signals is detected during the second scan;

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a country having the ACI signal when the ACI signal is detected during the second scan; and

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with a region having the SBAS signal when the SBAS signal is detected during the second scan.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, further including:

configuring the WLAN device for one of a common mode and an open mode if the first and second scans do not detect the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, or the ACI signal.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein if the ACI signal is a Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) signal, then configuring the WLAN device for U.S. operation.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein configuring includes locking the WLAN device to the country/region based on at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein locking includes programming non-volatile memory of the WLAN device to retain current channel and power settings.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein locking includes initiating a protocol required by the country/region.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the protocol includes enabling radar detection.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 24, wherein locking includes overriding any end user commands that could be inconsistent with regulations of the country/region.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein overriding any end user commands includes disabling ad-hoc operation of the WLAN device in a predetermined frequency band.

29. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for operating a WLAN device in one of a common mode or an open mode, which when executed by a computer performs steps of:

determining whether the WLAN device is in a low-utilization period;

performing a scan for a set of global location signals, an SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) signal, and an ambient country identifier (ACI) signal when the WLAN device is in a low-utilization period, wherein the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal and the ACI signal are at frequencies within an operating range of a receiver of the WLAN device; and

configuring the WLAN device for compliance with spectrum usage rules for a country/region when at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal are detected.

30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein if the WLAN device is not in a low-utilization period, then waiting a predetermined period before performing the scan.

31. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein if at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal are not detected, then continuing operation of the WLAN device in its current mode.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein after continuing operation, the method further including the step of waiting a predetermined period before performing another scan.

33. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein configuring includes locking the WLAN device to the country/region based on at least one of the set of global location signals, the SBAS signal, and the ACI signal.

34. The computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein locking includes programming non-volatile memory of the WLAN device to retain current channel and power settings.

35. The computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein locking includes initiating a protocol required by the country/region.

36. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the protocol includes enabling radar detection.

37. The computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein locking includes overriding any end user commands that could be inconsistent with regulations of the country/region.

38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein overriding any end user commands includes disabling ad-hoc operation of the WLAN device in a predetermined frequency band.