Channel assignment for wireless access networks
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- ascertaining how many external neighbor access points there are for a particular one of a plurality of internal access points, at least in part by examining information provided in control messages, the internal access points enabled to participate in a wireless network on at least one channel of a plurality of channels;
computing topological metrics based at least in part on communication topology of the internal access points, the topological metrics comprising at least some results of the ascertaining; and
determining, based at least in part on the topological metrics, assignments of the plurality of channels to each of the internal access points.
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Abstract
Channel assignment for wireless access networks is directed toward improved overall communication capability of the networks. A network is formed of wireless access points (APs) coupled via wired (and/or wireless) links and enabled to communicate with clients via radio channels of each of the APs. Local information is collected at each of the APs and processed to determine channel assignments according to a Neighbor Impact Metric (NIM) that accounts for one-hop and two-hop neighbors as well as neighbors not part of the network. Optionally, the NIM accounts for traffic load on the APs. The channel assignments are determined either on a centralized resource (such as a server or one of the APs) or via a distributed scheme across the APs. The local information includes how busy a channel is and local operating conditions such as error rate and interference levels.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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ascertaining how many external neighbor access points there are for a particular one of a plurality of internal access points, at least in part by examining information provided in control messages, the internal access points enabled to participate in a wireless network on at least one channel of a plurality of channels; computing topological metrics based at least in part on communication topology of the internal access points, the topological metrics comprising at least some results of the ascertaining; and determining, based at least in part on the topological metrics, assignments of the plurality of channels to each of the internal access points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having a set of instructions stored therein that when executed by a processing element cause the processing element to perform functions comprising:
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ascertaining how many external neighbor access points there are for a particular one of a plurality of internal access points, at least in part by examining information provided in control messages, the internal access points enabled to participate in a wireless network on at least one channel of a plurality of channels; computing topological metrics based at least in part on communication topology of the internal access points, the topological metrics comprising at least some results of the ascertaining; and determining, based at least in part on the topological metrics, assignments of the plurality of channels to each of the internal access points. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; a memory readable by the processor; wherein the memory stores instructions that when executed by the processor enable the processor to perform functions comprising; ascertaining how many external neighbor access points there are for a particular one of a plurality of internal access points, at least in part by examining information provided in control messages, the internal access points enabled to participate in a wireless network on at least one channel of a plurality of channels; computing topological metrics based at least in part on communication topology of the internal access points, the topological metrics comprising at least some results of the ascertaining; and determining, based at least in part on the topological metrics, assignments of the plurality of channels to each of the internal access points. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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means for ascertaining how many external neighbor access points there are for a particular one of a plurality of internal access points, at least in part by examining information provided in control messages, the internal access points enabled to participate in a wireless network on at least one channel of a plurality of channels; means for computing topological metrics based at least in part on communication topology of the internal access points, the topological metrics comprising at least some results of the ascertaining; and means for determining, based at least in part on the topological metrics, assignments of the plurality of channels to each of the internal access points. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification