Optimizing network configuration from established usage patterns of access points

• US 7,574,492 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2003
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Seshadri, Nambi, Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Primary Examiner(s): SALAD, ABDULLAHI ELMI
• Application Number:
  US10/348,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20040054767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,392 Days
• Field of Search: 709220-224, 709227-228, 455/419, 455/456.1, 370/331
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/18 Network planning tools
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition

Abstract

A wireless network configuration device can include a first communication port configured to access a plurality of nodes positioned in a geographic area, a first storage unit configured to store statistical information from the plurality of nodes with respect to communication between the plurality of nodes and the at least one wireless devices. In addition, the wireless network configuration device can include a processor configured to determine an optimized configuration with respect to the plurality of nodes based on the statistical information, and a second communication port configured to provide data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of nodes, wherein the plurality of nodes are adjusted based on the data.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing wireless network configuration, said method comprising:

detecting a plurality of access points positioned in a geographic area;

wherein each of the plurality of access points is connected to a wired network device and at least one of the access points is connected to at least one wireless device in the geographic area;

receiving location information on each of a plurality of wireless devices within the geographic area from the plurality of access points;

receiving statistical information from the plurality of access points with respect to communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices;

determining an optimized configuration with respect to the plurality of access points based on the statistical information and the location information, said optimized configuration including information suggesting both of a physical removal and relocation of at least one of said plurality of access points; and

providing data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the plurality of access points are adjusted based on the data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the location information comprises:

receiving a distance range and a geographic location on each of the plurality of wireless devices from the plurality of access points.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving statistical information comprises:

receiving transmission channel information from the plurality of access points, wherein the transmission channel information comprises recorded transmission channels in operation during the communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving statistical information comprises:

receiving transmission power level information from the plurality of access points, wherein the transmission power level information comprises recorded transmission power levels in use during the communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving statistical information comprises:

receiving coverage area information from the plurality of access points, wherein the coverage area information comprises recorded coverage patterns between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the data with respect to the optimized configuration comprises:

providing the data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the plurality of access points are adjusted manually based on the data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the data with respect to the optimized configuration comprises:

providing the data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the plurality of access points automatically adjust their respective configuration based on the data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the data with respect to the optimized configuration comprises:

providing the data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is upgraded.

9. A wireless network configuration device, said device comprising:

a detecting unit configured to detect a plurality of access points positioned in a geographic area wherein each of the plurality of access points is connected to a wired network device and at least one of the access points is connected to at least one wireless device in the geographic area;

a storage unit configured to store statistical information on each of a plurality of wireless devices within the geographic area from the plurality of access points and to store statistical information from the plurality of access points with respect to communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices;

a processor configured to determine an optimized configuration with respect to the plurality of access points based on the statistical information and the location information, said optimized configuration includes information suggesting both of physical removal and relocation of at least one of said plurality of access points; and

a communication port configured to provide data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the plurality of access points are adjusted based on the data.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the storage unit is configured to store a distance range and a geographic location on the plurality of wireless devices determined by the plurality of access points.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the storage unit is configured to store transmission channel information determined by the plurality of access points, wherein the transmission channel information comprises recorded transmission channels in operation during the communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the storage unit is configured to store transmission power level information determined by the plurality of access points, wherein the transmission power level information comprises recorded transmission power levels in use during the communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the storage unit is configured to store coverage area information determined by the plurality of access points, wherein the coverage area information comprises recorded coverage patterns between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the communication port provides data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the plurality of access points are adjusted manually based on the data.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein the communication port provides data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the plurality of access points automatically adjust their respective configuration based on the data.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein the communication port provides data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the at least one of the plurality of access points is upgraded.

17. A system for optimizing wireless network configuration, said system comprising:

a detecting means for detecting a plurality of access points positioned in a geographic area wherein each of the plurality of access points is connected to a wired network device and at least one of the access points is connected to a plurality of wireless devices in the geographic area;

a receiving means for receiving location information on each of a plurality of wireless devices within the geographic area from the plurality of access points and statistical information from the plurality of access points with respect to communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices;

a determination means for determining an optimized configuration with respect to the plurality of access points based on the statistical information and the location information, said optimized configuration including information suggesting both of physical removal and relocation of at least one of said plurality of access points; and

a providing means for providing data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, wherein the plurality of access points are adjusted based on the data.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the receiving means receives a distance range and a geographic location on the plurality of wireless devices from the plurality of access points.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the receiving means receives transmission channel information from the plurality of access points, wherein the transmission channel information comprises recorded transmission channels in operation during the communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the receiving means receives transmission power level information from the plurality of access points, wherein the transmission power level information comprises recorded transmission power levels in use during the communication between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the receiving means receives coverage area information from the plurality of access points, wherein the coverage area information comprises recorded coverage patterns between the plurality of access points and the plurality of wireless devices.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the providing means provides the data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, and wherein the plurality of access points are adjusted manually based on the data.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the providing means provides the data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, and wherein the plurality of access points automatically adjust their respective configuration based on the data.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the providing means provides the data with respect to the optimized configuration to the plurality of access points, and wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is upgraded.