Data rate algorithms for use in wireless local area networks
First Claim
1. A method in a data communications network including a plurality of stationary access points and a plurality of mobile units, the mobile unit being capable of transmitting at least two data rates and capable of communicating with at least two access points in a predetermined range therefrom, comprising the steps of:
- evaluating the mobile unit performance; and
scanning for the most eligible access point at periodic predetermined intervals wherein the most eligible one of the access points is selected according to received signal quality at said one of the mobile units, and a loading factor at each of the access points, and in which an eligible group of said access points is selected from all the access points having a signal quality above a predetermined threshold;
the group including a current one of the access points having a signal quality above a further predetermined threshold; and
the most eligible access point being selected from all the access points having the lowest loading factor;
wherein the access point of more than a given proportion of the loading factor of the current one of the stationary access points are excluded; and
wherein, when a plurality of the access points has the same loading factor, the access point having the highest signal quality is selected as the most eligible access point;
associating with the most eligible access point at the highest data rate.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communications network comprising a wireless local area network includes a plurality of access points connected to a host computer and each other, and a plurality of mobile units with each mobile unit being arranged for association with at least one access point. The mobile units are arranged to periodically scan for and identify the most eligible access point for association at the highest data rate on the basis of a performance criteria at the current data rate.
-
Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method in a data communications network including a plurality of stationary access points and a plurality of mobile units, the mobile unit being capable of transmitting at least two data rates and capable of communicating with at least two access points in a predetermined range therefrom, comprising the steps of:
-
evaluating the mobile unit performance; and
scanning for the most eligible access point at periodic predetermined intervals wherein the most eligible one of the access points is selected according to received signal quality at said one of the mobile units, and a loading factor at each of the access points, and in which an eligible group of said access points is selected from all the access points having a signal quality above a predetermined threshold;
the group including a current one of the access points having a signal quality above a further predetermined threshold; and
the most eligible access point being selected from all the access points having the lowest loading factor;
wherein the access point of more than a given proportion of the loading factor of the current one of the stationary access points are excluded; and
wherein, when a plurality of the access points has the same loading factor, the access point having the highest signal quality is selected as the most eligible access point;
associating with the most eligible access point at the highest data rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A data communications network including a plurality of stationary access points and a plurality of mobile units, the mobile unit being capable of transmitting at least two data rates, and capable of communicating with at least two access points at a predetermined range therefrom, comprising:
-
means in the mobile unit to scan for the most eligible access point at periodic predetermined intervals, wherein the most eligible one of the access points is selected according to received signal quality at said one of the mobile units, and a loading factor at each of the access points, and in which an eligible group of said access points is selected from all the access points having a signal quality above a predetermined threshold;
the group including a current one of the access points having a signal quality above a further predetermined threshold; and
the most eligible access point being selected from all the access points having the lowest loading factor;
wherein the access point of more than a given proportion of the loading factor of the current one of the stationary access points are excluded; and
wherein, when a plurality of the access points has the same loading factor, the access point having the highest signal quality is selected as the most eligible access point;
means in the mobile unit for evaluating performance statistics and received access point signal quality;
means in the mobile unit to change the data rate to a second data rate; and
means for associating with the most eligible access point at the highest data rate. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification