Method and apparatus for selecting a multi-band access point to associate with a multi-band mobile station

• US 9,026,173 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chandra, Arty
• Primary Examiner(s): Ferguson, Keith
• Application Number:
  US13/661,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20130051328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/550.1, 455/426.1, 455/426.2, 455/422.1, 455/403.5, 455/517, 455/434, 455/432.1, 455/432.2, 455/524, 455/525, 455/67.1, 370/329, 370/328, 370/343, 370/310
• US Class Current: 455/552.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method and apparatus may be used for selecting one of a plurality of multi-band APs to associate with a multi-band WTRU. The multi-band APs may broadcast frequency band information regarding multiple frequency bands on which the multi-band AP is configured to operate. The multi-band WTRU may select a multi-band AP to associate with and a frequency band to use to communicate with the selected multi-band AP based on the frequency band information. The multi-band AP may transmit frequency band information from the that indicates that a characteristic, (e.g., throughput, path loss, load, capacity, backhaul), of the selected frequency band and disassociate with the multi-band WTRU or to continue to associate with the multi-band WTRU via a different frequency band.

Claims

1. A method for use in a multi-band access point (AP), the method comprising:

receiving a probe request message from a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), wherein the probe request message includes first frequency band information that indicates a multiple frequency capability of the WTRU;

transmitting a probe response message to the multi-band WTRU, wherein the probe response message is responsive to the probe request message and includes information regarding multiple frequency bands supported by the multi-band AP, and wherein the multiple frequency bands include a first frequency band and a second frequency band;

establishing an association with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band;

transmitting second frequency band information to the multi-band WTRU; and

subsequent to transmitting the second frequency band information, maintaining the association with the multi-band WTRU on the second frequency band or terminating the association with the multi-band WTRU.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an association request message from the multi-band WTRU; and

transmitting an association response message to the multi-band WTRU.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating data with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the association with the multi-band WTRU is maintained or terminated based on a quality metric.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is throughput.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is path loss.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is load.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is capacity.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is backhaul.

10. A multi-band access point (AP) comprising:

a processor; and

a transceiver in communication with the processor,

wherein the transceiver and the processor are configured to;

receive a probe request message from a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), wherein the probe request message includes first frequency band information that indicates a multiple frequency capability of the WTRU;

transmit a probe response message to the multi-band WTRU, wherein the probe response message is responsive to the probe request message and includes information regarding multiple frequency bands supported by the multi-band AP, wherein the multiple frequency bands include a first frequency band and a second frequency band;

establish an association with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band;

transmit second frequency band information to the multi-band WTRU; and

subsequent to transmission of the second frequency band information, maintain the association with the multi-band WTRU on the second frequency band or terminate the association with the multi-band WTRU.

11. The AP of claim 10, wherein the transceiver and the processor are further configured to:

receive an association request message from the multi-band WTRU; and

transmit an association response message to the multi-band WTRU.

12. The AP of claim 10, wherein the transceiver and the processor are further configured to:

communicate data with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band.

13. The AP of claim 10, wherein the association with the multi-band WTRU is maintained or terminated based on a quality metric.

14. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is throughput.

15. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is path loss.

16. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is load.

17. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is capacity.

18. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is backhaul.