Automated configuration of RF WLANs via selected sensors
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving first absolute geographic location data from each of two or more first wireless access points in a wireless network, the first absolute geographic location data from each first wireless access point indicating an absolute geographic location of the first wireless access point;
receiving relative geographic location data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or one or more second wireless access points in the wireless network, the relative geographic location data indicating a relative location of each of one or more of the first wireless access points and the second wireless access points with respect to each other;
determining second absolute geographic location data indicating an absolute geographic location of each of one or more of the second wireless access points based on the first absolute geographic location data and the relative geographic location data;
receiving antenna orientation data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or the second wireless access points, the antenna orientation data indicating orientation of one or more antennae of the first or second wireless access point; and
generating a radio frequency (RF) model representing RF coverage of one or more of the first or second wireless access points based at least in part on the first absolute geographic location data, the second absolute geographic location data, and the antenna orientation data.
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Abstract
In a wireless LAN (WLAN), methods, apparatuses and systems directed to facilitating configuration of a wireless network is provided. According to one implementation of the present invention, sensors are used to collect data associated with locations and other properties of access points of the wireless network. The collected data can then be used to assist in automatically configuring one or more aspects of the wireless network. In some implementations, the collected data can be used to dynamically re-configure the wireless network in real time. According to another implementation of the present invention, location computation mechanisms are used to collect data associated with the location of one or more wireless clients, and the data is used to dynamically adjust one or more radio frequency (RF) coverage maps in real time. The revised RF coverage maps can then be used to re-configure one or more operational parameters of the wireless network. Implementations of the present invention provide many advantages, such as automating the configuration of the wireless network in real time and facilitating network management decisions.
104 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving first absolute geographic location data from each of two or more first wireless access points in a wireless network, the first absolute geographic location data from each first wireless access point indicating an absolute geographic location of the first wireless access point; receiving relative geographic location data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or one or more second wireless access points in the wireless network, the relative geographic location data indicating a relative location of each of one or more of the first wireless access points and the second wireless access points with respect to each other; determining second absolute geographic location data indicating an absolute geographic location of each of one or more of the second wireless access points based on the first absolute geographic location data and the relative geographic location data; receiving antenna orientation data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or the second wireless access points, the antenna orientation data indicating orientation of one or more antennae of the first or second wireless access point; and generating a radio frequency (RF) model representing RF coverage of one or more of the first or second wireless access points based at least in part on the first absolute geographic location data, the second absolute geographic location data, and the antenna orientation data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a network interface; at least one processor; a memory; and a configuration application, physically stored in the memory, comprising instructions operable to cause the processor and the network interface to receive first absolute geographic location data from each of two or more first wireless access points in a wireless network, the first absolute geographic location data from each first wireless access point indicating an absolute geographic location of the first wireless access point; receive relative geographic location data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or one or more second wireless access points in the wireless network, the relative geographic location data indicating a relative location of each of one or more of the first wireless access points and the second wireless access points with respect to each other; determine second absolute geographic location data indicating an absolute geographic location of each of one or more of the second wireless access points based on the first absolute geographic location data and the relative geographic location data; receive antenna orientation data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or the second wireless access points, the antenna orientation data indicating orientation of one or more antennae of the first or second wireless access point; and generate a radio frequency (RF) model representing RF coverage of one or more of the first or second wireless access points based at least in part on the first absolute geographic location data, the second absolute geographic location data, and the antenna orientation data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving first absolute geographic location data from each of two or more first wireless access points in a wireless network, the first absolute geographic location data from each first wireless access point indicating an absolute geographic location of the first wireless access point; means for receiving relative geographic location data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or one or more second wireless access points in the wireless network, the relative geographic location data indicating a relative location of each of one or more of the first wireless access points and the second wireless access points with respect to each other; means for determining second absolute geographic location data indicating an absolute geographic location of each of one or more of the second wireless access points based on the first absolute geographic location data and the relative geographic location data; means for receiving antenna orientation data from each of one or more of the first wireless access points or the second wireless access points, the antenna orientation data indicating orientation of one or more antennae of the first or second wireless access point; and means for generating a radio frequency (RF) model representing RF coverage of one or more of the first or second wireless access points based at least in part on the first absolute geographic location data, the second absolute geographic location data, and the antenna orientation data.
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Specification