Method and apparatus for increasing spectrum use efficiency in a mesh network
First Claim
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1. A method of managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
- monitoring a communication channel for a request-to-send message;
determining a bearing to the request-to-send message;
identifying a sector containing the bearing, wherein the identified sector conforms to a mesh network sectoring scheme;
scheduling a time for signal transmission based on the identity of the sector containing the bearing and based on a time division multiple access scheme defined to synchronize transmissions among sectors in the mesh network sectoring scheme; and
transmitting a signal at the scheduled time to adjust a directional antenna toward the sector containing the bearing.
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Abstract
Mesh Network Access Points (APs) points, including gateways and routers, are deployed over a geographic area. The APs monitor the communication channel for other carriers and transmit accordingly. The APs selectively co-transmit when other carriers are sensed, if the efficiency of the mesh network will improve. APs select a transmission rate based on observed carrier-to-interference ratios. APs use directional antennas to increase carrier-to-interference ratios and spectral efficiency. AP transmit schedules are adaptable and adjusted according to observed carrier-to-interference measurements.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
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monitoring a communication channel for a request-to-send message; determining a bearing to the request-to-send message; identifying a sector containing the bearing, wherein the identified sector conforms to a mesh network sectoring scheme; scheduling a time for signal transmission based on the identity of the sector containing the bearing and based on a time division multiple access scheme defined to synchronize transmissions among sectors in the mesh network sectoring scheme; and transmitting a signal at the scheduled time to adjust a directional antenna toward the sector containing the bearing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions that upon execution cause a machine to:
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monitor a communication channel for a request-to-send message; determine a bearing to the request-to-send message; identify a sector containing the bearing, wherein the identified sector conforms to a mesh network sectoring scheme; schedule a time for signal transmission based on the identity of the sector containing the bearing and based on a time division multiple access scheme defined to synchronize transmissions among sectors in the mesh network sectoring scheme; and transmit a signal at the scheduled time to adjust a directional antenna toward the sector containing the bearing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
a gateway or a router configured to monitor a communication channel for a request-to-send message, configured to determine a bearing to the request-to-send message, configured to identify a sector containing the bearing, wherein the identified sector conforms to a mesh network sectoring scheme, configured to schedule a time for signal transmission based on the identity of the sector containing the bearing and based on a time division multiple access scheme defined to synchronize transmissions among sectors in the mesh network sectoring scheme, and configured to transmit a signal at the scheduled time to adjust a directional antenna toward the sector containing the bearing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
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means for monitoring a communication channel for a request-to-send message; means for determining a bearing to the request-to-send message; means for identifying a sector containing the bearing, wherein the identified sector conforms to a mesh network sectoring scheme; means for scheduling a time for signal transmission based on the identity of the sector containing the bearing and based on a time division multiple access scheme defined to synchronize transmissions among sectors in the mesh network sectoring scheme; and means for transmitting a signal at the scheduled time to adjust a directional antenna toward the sector containing the bearing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification