Reducing loop effects in a wireless local area network repeater
First Claim
1. A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters and a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, the method comprising:
- monitoring the multiple operating frequencies to detect a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel;
characterizing the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units; and
selecting a second frequency channel for use by at least one of the one or more repeaters for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal,wherein the selecting the second frequency channel further includes sending a test transmission on the second frequency channel, and monitoring the first frequency channel, to detect the presence of another one of the one or more repeaters operating on the second frequency channel being tested.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for operating a frequency translating repeater in a wireless local are network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters (200, 204), a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units (100) and one or more client units (104, 105). A first frequency channel may be used for receiving and transmitting, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies monitored to detect a transmitted signal. The signal is characterized to determine if associated with the base units. A second frequency channel selected for use by one of the repeaters for retransmission of additional signals based on the characterization.
273 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters and a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, the method comprising:
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monitoring the multiple operating frequencies to detect a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel; characterizing the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units; and selecting a second frequency channel for use by at least one of the one or more repeaters for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal, wherein the selecting the second frequency channel further includes sending a test transmission on the second frequency channel, and monitoring the first frequency channel, to detect the presence of another one of the one or more repeaters operating on the second frequency channel being tested. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters and a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, the method comprising:
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monitoring the multiple operating frequencies to detect a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel; characterizing the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units; and selecting a second frequency channel for use by at least one of the one or more repeaters for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal, wherein the selecting the second frequency channel includes monitoring the second frequency channel for a first level of activity indicating the second frequency channel is already in use, and further wherein the selecting the second frequency channel further includes monitoring the second frequency channel for the first level of activity and monitoring the first frequency channel for a second level of activity and comparing the first level of activity and the second level of activity to determine if transmissions on a pre-selected repeater channel is a transmission from another one of the one or more repeaters using the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel and disqualifying the second frequency channel as a valid repeater channel if the transmission are determined to be transmissions from the another one.
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20. A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters, a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies valid for operation in the WLAN, the method comprising:
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detecting one or more signals on one or more of the multiple operating frequencies; identifying a wireless transmission on a first one of the multiple operating frequencies; pre-selecting a second channel for use by the repeater based on at least one rule; monitoring the second frequency channel for the presence of the one or more signals indicating the wireless transmission; setting the repeater to operate on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel if a number of the one or more signals is at or below a minimum value; and sending a test transmission on the second frequency channel, and monitoring the first frequency channel to detect the presence of another one of the one or more repeaters operating on the second frequency channel being tested. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters, a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies valid for operation in the WLAN, the method comprising:
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detecting one or more signals on one or more of the multiple operating frequencies indicating the presence of one or more wireless transmissions on at least a first frequency channel of the multiple operating frequencies; pre-selecting a second frequency channel for use by the repeater; detecting the one or more signals on the second frequency channel indicating the presence of the one or more wireless transmissions on the second channel; setting the repeater to operate on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel a number of the one or more signals is at or below a minimum value; transmitting a test signal on the second frequency channel and monitoring the first frequency channel; and qualifying the second frequency channel as a valid channel for operation of the repeater if no other of the one or more repeaters is operating on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel, otherwise if an other repeater is operating the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel, reducing a power level associated with the test signal to determine a transmission level preventing a feedback loop with the other repeater, and setting the repeater to transmit at the determined level.
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23. In a wireless network having one or more repeaters, a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel of at least two frequency channels, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, an apparatus for enhancing coverage of the wireless network comprising:
a frequency translating repeater configured to; monitor the multiple operating frequencies to detecting a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel; characterize the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units; and select a second frequency channel for use by the frequency translating repeater for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal, wherein selecting the second frequency channel further includes having the repeater send a test transmission on the second frequency channel, and monitor the first frequency channel, to detect the presence of another one of the one or more repeaters operating on the second frequency channel being tested. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. In a wireless network including one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units capable of transmitting on a first one of the at least two frequency channels and the one or more client units capable of transmitting on a second one of the at least two frequency channels, the wireless network having multiple operating frequencies, an apparatus for enhancing coverage of the wireless network comprising:
a frequency translating repeater configured to; detect one or more signals on one or more of the multiple operating frequencies; identify a wireless transmission on a first one of the multiple operating frequencies; pre-select a second channel for use by the frequency translating repeater based on at least one rule; monitor the second frequency channel for the presence of the one or more signals indicating the wireless transmission; set the frequency translating repeater to operate on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel if a number of the one or more signals is at or below a minimum value; and send a test transmission on the second frequency channel, and monitor the first frequency channel to detect the presence of another one of the one or more repeaters operating on the second frequency channel being tested. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An apparatus for enhancing coverage of a local area wireless network (WLAN) having a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, the apparatus comprising:
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means for monitoring the multiple operating frequencies to detect a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel; means for characterizing the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units; means for selecting a second frequency channel for use by at least one of the one or more repeaters for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal; means for sending a test transmission on the second frequency channel; and means for monitoring the first frequency channel to detect the presence of another one of the one or more repeaters operating on the second frequency channel being tested.
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34. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which execute on a processor for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters and a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, the medium further comprising:
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instructions to monitor the multiple operating frequencies to detect a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel; instructions to characterize the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units; instructions to select a second frequency channel for use by at least one of the one or more repeaters for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal; instructions to send a test transmission on the second frequency channel; and instructions to monitor the first frequency channel to detect the presence of another one of the one or more repeaters operating on the second frequency channel being tested.
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Specification