Using channel loading statistics to determine whether to search for a new channel in a wireless communication system
First Claim
1. A method for use in allowing a wireless transceiver communicating on one channel to seek another channel for communication, the method comprising:
- (a) monitoring available channels to determine whether any of the channels are idle, (b) accumulating data about the idle channels from which the transceiver can determine whether any of the channels are idle at any given time, (c) allowing the transceiver to determine whether any of the channels is idle and to seek another channel if the data indicates that the transceiver is likely to find an idle channel;
wherein the data about the idle channels is accumulated by the transceiver at times during which the transceiver can monitor other channels, and wherein allowing the transceiver to determine whether any of the channels is idle includes supplying at least some of the accumulated data to the transceiver at a time during which the transceiver cannot monitor other channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Channel loading statistics are collected to allow a wireless transceiver communicating on one channel to make an educated decision about whether to seek another channel when interference occurs. All of the available channels are monitored to determine whether any of the channels are idle, and data about the idle channels is accumulated. The transceiver can use the accumulated data to determine whether any of the channels are idle at any given time. The transceiver is allowed to seek another channel if the data indicates that the transceiver is likely to find an idle channel, e.g., if a Gaussian statistical analysis of the data indicates with a given level of confidence that more than a given number of channels will be idle.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for use in allowing a wireless transceiver communicating on one channel to seek another channel for communication, the method comprising:
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(a) monitoring available channels to determine whether any of the channels are idle, (b) accumulating data about the idle channels from which the transceiver can determine whether any of the channels are idle at any given time, (c) allowing the transceiver to determine whether any of the channels is idle and to seek another channel if the data indicates that the transceiver is likely to find an idle channel;
wherein the data about the idle channels is accumulated by the transceiver at times during which the transceiver can monitor other channels, and wherein allowing the transceiver to determine whether any of the channels is idle includes supplying at least some of the accumulated data to the transceiver at a time during which the transceiver cannot monitor other channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for use in allowing a wireless transceiver communicating on one channel to seek another channel for communication, the method comprising:
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(a) monitoring available channels to determine whether any of the channels are idle, (b) accumulating data about the idle channels from which the transceiver can determine whether any of the channels are idle at any given time, (c) allowing the transceiver to determine whether any of the channels is idle and to seek another channel if the data indicates that the transceiver is likely to find an idle channel, wherein accumulating data comprises compiling information indicating an average number of the channels over a given time period that have a noise floor level below the given threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A wireless transceiver configured for communication on one channel comprising:
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(a) receiver circuitry configured to monitor other available channels to determine whether any of the channels are idle, (b) data accumulation circuitry configured to accumulate data about the idle channels from which the transceiver can determine whether any of the channels are idle at any given time, and (c) control circuitry configured to determine whether any of the channels is idle and to instruct the transceiver to seek another channel if the data indicates that the transceiver is likely to find an idle channel, wherein the data accumulation circuitry accumulates the data about the idle channels at times during which the transceiver can monitor other channels, and wherein the control circuitry accesses the accumulated data at a time when the transceiver cannot monitor other channels to determine whether any of the channels is idle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A wireless transceiver configured for communication on one channel comprising:
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(a) receiver circuitry configured to monitor other available channels to determine whether any of the channels are idle, (b) data accumulation circuitry configured to accumulate data about the idle channels from which the transceiver can determine whether any of the channels are idle at any given time, and (c) control circuitry configured to determine whether any of the channels is idle and to instruct the transceiver to seek another channel if the data indicates that the transceiver is likely to find an idle channel, wherein the data accumulation circuitry is configured to compile information indicating an average number of the channels over a given time period that have a noise floor level below the given threshold level. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification