EP4652789A1

EP4652789A1 - Automated frequency coordination in wireless communication networks

Info

Publication number: EP4652789A1
Application number: EP24744289.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gabor Bajko
Original assignee: Mediatek Inc; MediaTek Inc
Current assignee: MediaTek Inc
Priority date: 2023-01-18
Filing date: 2024-01-17
Publication date: 2025-11-26
Also published as: CN120457760A; WO2024153114A1; TW202431879A

Abstract

Techniques pertaining to the use of automated frequency coordination (AFC) in wireless communication networks are described. A network controller of a wireless communication network may receive spectrum availability information for operating multiple access points (APs) for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, in which the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs based on locations of the multiple APs or a location of the network controller. The network controller further configures the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate for the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.

Description

AUTOMATED FREQUENCY COORDINATION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
The present disclosure claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/480,320, filed 18 January 2023, the content of which being incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to Wi-Fi communications and, more particularly, to the use of automated frequency coordination (AFC) in wireless communication networks.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims listed below and are not admitted as prior art by inclusion in this section. The use of the 6 GHz spectrum for wireless communication is regulated by various governmental rules in jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe. The 6 GHz spectrum was used for point-to-point earth-to-satellite communication, i.e., for sending and receiving data between a ground station and a satellite. Another use for the 6 GHz spectrum is for point-to-point wireless backhaul links between wireless communication network nodes, such as backhaul links between communication nodes installed on various buildings. However, because of the increasing need for short-range wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi) and the lack of available wireless spectrums, the 6 GHz spectrum is currently being adapted for use in short-range (e.g., Wi-Fi) communication. This is because since the 6 GHz spectrum were being used for point-to-point communications in selected locations, the spectrum is freely available for reuse for other types of communication in other locations. Such reuse of the 6 GHz spectrum is contingent upon the lack of encumberments that would make such reuse unfeasible. The 6 GHz spectrum, as used herein, may include various operating bands that range from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz.

SUMMARY

The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce concepts, highlights, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. Select implementations are further described below in the detailed description. Thus, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
An objective of the present disclosure is to propose solutions or schemes that address the aforementioned issues. More specifically, various schemes proposed in the present disclosure pertain to the use of automated frequency coordination (AFC) in wireless communication networks.
In one aspect, a method may include receiving, at a network controller of a wireless communication network, spectrum availability information for operating the multiple APs for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, in which the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs based on locations of the multiple APs or a location of the network controller. The method may further include configuring, via the network controller, the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate for the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
In another aspect, an apparatus may include a transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly and a processor coupled to the transceiver. A network controller of a wireless communication network that is implemented via the processor may receive spectrum availability information for operating multiple APs of the wireless communication network for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, in which the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs based on locations of the multiple APs or a location of the network controller. The network controller implemented via the processor may further configure the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate for the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
It is noteworthy that, although the description provided herein may be in the context of certain radio access technologies, networks and network topologies such as Wi-Fi, the proposed concepts, schemes and any variation (s) /derivative (s) thereof may be implemented in, for and by other types of radio access technologies, networks and network topologies such as, for example and without limitation, Bluetooth, ZigBee, infrared, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, 5th Generation (5G) , New Radio (NR) , Internet-of-Things (IoT) , Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) , Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) . Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of the present disclosure. The drawings illustrate implementations of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. It is appreciable that the drawings are not necessarily in scale as some components may be shown to be out of proportion than the size in actual implementation in order to clearly illustrate the concept of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example network environment in which various proposed schemes in accordance with the present disclosure may be implemented.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example communication system in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a first example process in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a second example process in accordance with an implementatio n of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATIONS
Detailed embodiments and implementations of the claimed subject matters are disclosed herein. However, it shall be understood that the disclosed embodiments and implementations are merely illustrative of the claimed subject matters which may be embodied in various forms. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that description of the present disclosure is thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the description below, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations.
Overview
Implementations in accordance with the present disclosure relate to various techniques, methods, schemes and/or solutions pertaining to the use of AFC for a particular spectrum with respect to a wireless communication network, such as anWi-Fi network. According to the present disclosure, a number of possible solutions may be implemented separately or jointly. That is, although these possible solutions may be described below separately, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one combination or another.
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maintains an exclusion database that lists existing point-to-point encumberments of the 6 GHz spectrum, e.g., the locations of existing point-to-point transmitters and receivers that use the 6 GHz spectrum, the identifiers of such transmitters and receivers, the widths of the communication paths between such transmitters and receivers, etc. Such information is used by the FCC to designate exclusion zones that encompass the existing point-to-point users of the 6 GHz spectrum in which reuse of the 6 GHz spectrum is not permitted. Outside of the exclusion zones, wireless communication devices may operate indoors in the 6 GHz spectrum with reduced power levels (e.g., a low power) . Likewise, wireless communication devices (e.g., access points) that are indoors or outdoors may operate with higher power levels (e.g., standard power) in the 6 GHz spectrum when the wireless communication devices are not in an exclusion zone and have permission from the FCC to do so. Accordingly, a wireless communication device such as an access point may contact an automatic frequency coordination (AFC) server of the FCC that has access to the exclusion database. The wireless communication device may provide the location of the device and initiate a query as to the power limit under which the device is allowed to operate the AFC server. In turn, the AFC server of the FCC may check the exclusion database and send a response to indicate whether the wireless communication device is permitted to operate at the location using the 6 GHz spectrum, and if the device is permitted to operate, the power limit under which the device is allowed to operate.
In particular, in some instances, a standalone access point (AP) may contact the AFC server with its geographical coordinates, an accuracy measurement for the determined geographical coordinates (e.g., a margin of error meters) , an antenna height of the AP above ground, an FCC identifier (ID) of the AP, a serial number of the AP, etc. The APs that contact the AFC server may determine their locations, e.g., geographical coordinates, and the accuracy of their locations by various methods. For example, outdoor APs may determine their locations via a satellite-based radio navigation system (e.g., GPS) . However, the use of satellite-based radio navigation systems may be impossible for APs that are located indoors. Accordingly, in other instances, an AP may acquire its location from a manual configuration inputted by a user, by obtaining a location from an application that is installed on the AP or on another device (e.g., a smartphone) that is proximate to the AP and in communication with AP, and/or so forth.
In other instances, an AP may use a proxy server to contact the AFC server, such as in scenarios where the AP is a part of an enterprise deployment. In such instances, the proxy server may contact the AFC server of the FCC on behalf of an AP with the geographical coordinates of the AP, an accuracy measurement for the determined geographical coordinates, an antenna height of the AP above ground (e.g., sea level) , an FCC ID of the AP, a serial number of the AP, etc. For example, such information may be encoded for transmission to the AFC server via the proxy server according to AFC Device Interface Specification 1.3.2 of the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) . Once the proxy server receives a response from the AFC server regarding whether an AP is permitted to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum (and the power limit if applicable) , the proxy server may forward such information to the AP. In this way, the use of the proxy server may eliminate the need for each of the APs in an enterprise deployment to contact the AFC server on an individual basis.
However, there are currently no protocols that define the use of AFC for the 6 GHz spectrum with respect to a wireless communication network, such as Wi-Fi is a Wi-Fi mesh network that employs multiple Wi-Fi certified access points (e.g., five access points) that work together to form a unified wireless communication network that provides better wireless coverage, higher throughput bandwidth, superior spectrum usage, and/or so forth. Therefore, there is a need for solutions that provide for the use of AFC with respect to wireless communication networks.
Referring to FIG. 1, network environment 100 may include multiple communication entities, such as communication entities 110, 120, and 130, that are communicating wirelessly (e.g., in a WLAN in accordance with one or more Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards) . The multiple communication entities 110-130 may be access points (APs) that form a wireless communication network, such as anWi-Fi network. The APs of the mesh network may be controlled by a software controller node, i.e., the network controller 140, in which the network controller 140 may be an application that is implemented on a local computing device, such as one of the APs 110-130, a virtual software that is implemented in a virtual computing platform (e.g., a cloud computing service provider) , and/or so forth. The network controller 140 may be configured to collect and store information regarding the functionalities and wireless communication capabilities of the APs 110-130. In turn, the network controller 140 may assign the APs 110-130 to perform certain tasks. For example, the network controller 140 may task the AP 110 with scanning for neighboring APs that are in the communications range of the AP 110. Once the AP 110 has performed the scan, the AP 110 may send the scanned neighboring AP data back to the network controller 140. The neighboring AP data may be used by the network controller 140 for spectrum planning, e.g., the allocation and configuration of APs 110-130 to use specific communication channels that avoid interference between neighboring APs. Such allocation and configuration of the APs 110-130 may result in a wireless communication network that is optimized in terms of bandwidth usage, network latency, and/or so forth. Under various proposed schemes in accordance with the present disclosure, the wireless communication network may be further adapted to use the 6 GHz spectrum via AFC. For example, the APs 110-130 may be configured to use the 6 GHz spectrum when they are permitted to do so by an external server 150, such as an AFC server of the FCC. Generally speaking, an AP in the wireless communication network (e.g., Wi-Fi network) may contact an AFC server of the FCC when the AP is able to determine and/or configure a corresponding location, has an FCC ID, has a manufacturer ID, and is AFC-certified. However, the network controller 140 is unlikely to be able to act as a proxy server for the APs 110-130 since the network controller 140 lacks an FCC ID and/or a manufacturer ID.
Under a first proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, the network controller 140 of the wireless communication network may be configured to obtain a location. For example, the location may include a set of geographical coordinates. In various embodiments, the network controller 140 may obtain the location from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is a part of the network controller 140 or installed on an AP that is in communication with the network controller 140, or from another device (e.g., a smartphone) that is in direct communication with the network controller 140 or in communication with an AP that is in turn in communication with the network controller 140.
Subsequently, the network controller 140 may distribute the location of the network controller 140 to all of the APs of the wireless communication network (e.g., AP 110-130) . In some instances, the network controller 140 may adjust the location of the network controller 140 for accuracy based on a network relationship between the network controller 140 and each AP and/or other information before sending such location to each AP. For example, the network controller 140 may add a longitudinal offset and/or a latitudinal offset to a set of geographical coordinates of the location that belongs to the network controller 140 based on information from a network topology map, measured signal strengths of the one or more APs, known or calculated distances between the network controller 140 and the APs, proximity measurements between the APs, and/or directional relationships between the network controller 140 and various APs, and/so forth. This distribution of the location by the network controller 140 may be accompanied by commands for the APs to send spectrum availability requests to the AFC server that includes the location. Each AP may use a network connection, such as an Internet connection, to communicate with the AFC server. In some instances, each AP may also use the network connection to communicate with the network controller 140.
Alternatively, the network controller 140 may initially query all the APs of the wireless communication network for their ability to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum. For example, in response to such a query, each AP of the wireless communication network may be configured to send a response that includes an indicator (e.g., a capability bit value) that indicates whether the AP is able to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum for wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi communication) . Accordingly, the network controller 140 may distribute the location to one or more APs that have indicated the ability to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum. The network controller 140 may distribute the location via unicast, i.e., send the location individually to each AP by one-to-one transmission, or via a multicast, i.e., send the location in a transmission that is simultaneously directed to multiple APs.
Each AP of the wireless communication network that received the location of the network controller 140 may individually send a spectrum availability request to the AFC server to ask for spectrum availability to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum. A spectrum availability request from each AP may include the location (e.g., geographical coordinates) as provided by the network controller 140, an accuracy measurement for the location (e.g., a margin of error in meters) , an antenna height of the AP above ground, an FCC identifier (ID) of the AP, a serial number of the AP, and/or so forth.
In return, the AFC server may send a spectrum availability response to each AP. Upon receiving a corresponding spectrum availability response to its spectrum availability request, each AP may forward the spectrum availability response to the network controller 140. Each spectrum availability response may include a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the 6 GHz spectrum for a corresponding AP, in which the corresponding indication of spectrum availability includes multiple channels. For example, each of the channels may be a specific 10-20 MHz spectrum segment. Each of the spectrum availability indication from the AFC server to each AP may be valid for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 24 hours) . Once the network controller 140 has received the spectrum availability information, i.e., all the spectrum availability responses with the corresponding indications of spectrum availability, the network controller 140 may configure each AP of the wireless communication network that received a spectrum availability response based on the indicated available spectrum from the AFC server.
The configuration of the APs may include the network controller 140 assigning the channels in the spectrum availability responses for use by the APs using a coordination logic that enables the entire wireless communication network to achieve the best performance (e.g., highest data throughput, lowest network latency, etc. ) based on its network-wide knowledge. For example, a first spectrum availability response for a first AP may include ten channels, and a second spectrum availability response for a second AP may include ten additional channels. Accordingly, the network controller 140 may assign one or more channels of the first spectrum to the first AP while assigning one or more channels of the second spectrum to the second AP. In such an example, the assignment of a particular channel to the first AP may enable the first AP to avoid interference from another AP or another network, and the assignment of a particular second channel may improve the outdoor performance of the second AP.
Furthermore, in some instances, a spectrum availability response for an AP may indicate that the AP is not assigned any available spectrum in the 6 GHz spectrum by the AFC server, such as due to the AP being located in an exclusion zone. In such instances, the network controller 140 may likewise exclude the AP from being configured to use the 6 GHz spectrum for wireless communication.
Once an AP of a wireless communication network (e.g., Wi-Fi network) is allocated one or more particular channels of the 6 GHz spectrum by the network controller 140, the AP may use the one or more particular channels to perform inter-AP communication with other APs in the network, as well as perform uplink and downlink communications with wireless communication devices, e.g., stations (STAs) that are connected to the AP. For example, the AP 110 may use its one or more allocated channels to communicate with STAs 160 and 165, and the AP 130 may use its one or more allocated channels to communicate with STAs 170 and 175. Such usage of the 6 GHz spectrum by the APs may continue until the spectrum availability indicated by the AFC server expire. At this point, the network controller 140 may trigger the APs of the wireless communication network to request additional 6 GHz spectrum availability in the same manner.
Under a second proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure, each of the APs 110-130 may be configured to determine its location. For example, the location determined by each AP may include a set of geographical coordinates. In various embodiments, an AP may obtain its location from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is installed on the AP, from a satellite-based radio navigation system receiver (e.g., a GPS receiver) of the AP, or from a device (e.g., a smartphone) that is in communication with the AP or an application on such a device.
Subsequently, each of the APs (e.g., AP 110-130) of the wireless communication network may individually send a spectrum availability request to the AFC server to ask for spectrum availability to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum. A spectrum availability request from each AP may include the location (e.g., geographical coordinates) of the AP, an accuracy measurement for the location (e.g., a margin of error in meters) , an antenna height of the AP above ground, an FCC identifier (ID) of the AP, a serial number of the AP, and/or so forth. In some embodiments, an AP may be configured to determine its location and send the location in a spectrum availability request to the AFC server when the AP is capable of operating in the 6 GHz spectrum for wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi communication) .
In return, the AFC server may send a spectrum availability response to each AP. Upon receiving a corresponding spectrum availability response to its spectrum availability request, each AP may forward the spectrum availability response to the network controller 140. Each spectrum availability response may include a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the 6 GHz spectrum for a corresponding AP, in which the corresponding indication of spectrum availability includes multiple channels. For example, each channel may be a specific 10-20 MHz spectrum segment. Each of the spectrum availability indication by the AFC server may be valid for a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 24 hours) . In some instances, each AP may include with the forwarded spectrum availability response a capability indication (e.g., a capability bit value) that indicates whether the AP is currently capable of operating in the 6 GHz spectrum. Each AP may use a network connection, such as an Internet connection, to communicate with the AFC server. In some instances, each AP may also use the network connection to communicate with the network controller 140.
Once the network controller 140 has received the spectrum availability information, i.e., all the spectrum availability responses with the corresponding indications of spectrum availability, the network controller 140 may configure each AP of the wireless communication network that received a spectrum availability response and is capable of operating in the 6 GHz spectrum based on the indicated available spectrum from the AFC server.
The configuration of the APs may include the network controller 140 assigning the channels in the spectrum availability responses for use by the APs using a coordination logic that enables the entire wireless communication network to achieve the best performance (e.g., highest data throughput, lowest network latency, etc. ) based on its network-wide knowledge. For example, a first spectrum availability response for a first AP may include ten channels, and a second spectrum availability response for a second AP may include ten additional channels. Accordingly, the network controller 140 may assign one or more channels of the first spectrum to the first AP while assigning one or more channels of the second spectrum of the second AP. In such an example, the assignment of a particular channel to the first AP may enable the first AP to avoid interference from another AP or another network, and the assignment of a particular second channel may improve the outdoor performance of the second AP. Furthermore, in some instances, a spectrum availability response for an AP may indicate that the AP is not assigned any available spectrum in the 6 GHz spectrum by the AFC server, such as due to the AP being located in an exclusion zone. In such instances, the network controller 140 may likewise exclude the AP from being configured to use the 6 GHz spectrum for wireless communication.
Once an AP of a wireless communication network (e.g., Wi-Fi network) is allocated one or more particular channels of the 6 GHz spectrum by the network controller 140, the AP may use the one or more particular channels to perform inter-AP communication with other APs in the network, as well as perform uplink and downlink communications with wireless communication devices, e.g., stations (STAs) that are connected to the AP. For example, the AP 110 may use its one or more allocated channels to communicate with STAs 160 and 165, and the AP 130 may use its one or more allocated channels to communicate with STAs 170 and 175. Such usage of the 6 GHz spectrum by the APs may continue until the spectrum availability indicated by the AFC server expire. At this point, the network controller 140 may trigger the APs of the wireless communication network to request additional 6 GHz spectrum availability in the same manner.
It will be appreciated that while FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication network that includes APs 110-130, wireless communication networks in accordance with the present disclosure may include any number of APs. Thus, the example wireless communication network shown in FIG. 1 is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting. Furthermore, while the various schemes are described above with respect to the 6 GHz spectrum and channels in the 6 GHz spectrum, it will be appreciated that such schemes may be applied to other spectrums in a similar manner, such as current or future designated shared spectrums that can be jointly used by multiple types of communication and/or radio access technologies under some circumstances.
Illustrative Implementations
FIG. 2 illustrates an example communication system 200 having an example apparatus 210 and an example apparatus 220 in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may perform various functions to implement schemes, techniques, processes, and methods described herein pertaining to the use of automated frequency coordination (AFC) in wireless communication networks, including scenarios/schemes described above as well as process (es) described below.
Each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may be a part of an electronic apparatus, which may be a user equipment (UE) such as a portable or mobile apparatus, a wearable apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus or a computing apparatus. For instance, each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing equipment such as a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a notebook computer. Each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may also be a part of a machine type apparatus, which may be an STA such as an AP STA or a non-AP STA. For instance, each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart fridge, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. Alternatively, the apparatus 210 may be implemented as an AP and the apparatus 220 may be implemented as a computing device of a virtual computing platform that hosts the network controller 140. each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated-circuit (IC) chips such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced-instruction set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex-instruction-set-computing (CISC) processors. Each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may include at least some of those components shown in FIG. 2 such as a processor 212 and a processor 222, respective. Each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may further include one or more other components not pertinent to the proposed scheme of the present disclosure (e.g., internal power supply, display device and/or user interface device) , and, thus, such component (s) of each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 are neither shown in FIG. 2 nor described below in the interest of simplicity and brevity.
In one aspect, each of processor 212 and processor 222 may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more RISC processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, even though a singular term “aprocessor” is used herein to refer to processor 212 and processor 222, each of processor 212 and processor 222 may include multiple processors in some implementations and a single processor in other implementations in accordance with the present disclosure. In another aspect, each of processor 212 and processor 222 may be implemented in the form of hardware (and, optionally, firmware) with electronic components including, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors and/or one or more varactors that are configured and arranged to achieve specific purposes in accordance with the present disclosure. In other words, in at least some implementations, each of processor 212 and processor 222 is a special-purpose machine specifically designed, arranged and configured to perform specific tasks including the use of AFC with wireless communication networks in accordance with various implementations of the present disclosure.
In some implementations, apparatus 210 may also include a transceiver 216 coupled to processor 212 and capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, apparatus 210 may further include a memory 214 coupled to processor 212 and capable of being accessed by processor 212 and storing data therein. In some implementations, apparatus 220 may also include a transceiver 226 coupled to processor 222 and capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, apparatus 220 may further include a memory 224 coupled to processor 222 and capable of being accessed by processor 222 and storing data therein. Accordingly, apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may wirelessly communicate with each other via transceiver 216 and transceiver 226, respectively.
Each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 may be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various proposed schemes in accordance with the present disclosure. For instance, apparatus 210 may be an example implementation of communication entity 110 (or the first communication entity) and apparatus 220 may be an example implementation of communication entity 120 (or the second communication entity) in network environment 100. To aid better understanding, the following description of the operations, functionalities, and capabilities of each of apparatus 210 and apparatus 220 is provided in the context of a wireless communication environment in which apparatus 210 is implemented in or as a communication apparatus or a to-be-onboarded device and apparatus 220 is implemented in or as an AP or wireless router of a communication network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network) . Under various proposed schemes in accordance with the present disclosure, processor 222 of apparatus 220 may be configured to execute application functions that provide for the use of automated frequency coordination (AFC) in a wireless communication network, including functions of the network controller 140. It is also noteworthy that, although the example implementations described below are provided in the context of wireless communications, the same may be implemented in other types of networks.
In one aspect under some proposed schemes pertaining to the use of AFC in wireless communication networks in accordance with the present disclosure, apparatus 210 may be implemented in or as an example AP of a wireless communication network (of which there may be multiple APs) and apparatus 220 may be implemented in or as a computing device that supports the execution of a network controller of the wireless communication network. Accordingly, processor 222 of the apparatus 220 may provide a location of the network controller to multiple APs of the wireless communication network.
Moreover, processor 222 may receive spectrum availability information for operating the multiple APs for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, in which the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs based on the location of the network controller. Furthermore, processor 222 may configure the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate for the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
In some implementations, processor 222 of the apparatus 220 may obtain the location of the network controller from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is a part of the network controller or installed on an AP that is in communication with the network controller, or from another device that is in direct communication with the network controller or in communication with an AP that is in turn in communication with the network controller.
In some implementations, the network controller may be an application that is installed on an AP or a virtual application that is executed on a virtual computing platform.
In some implementations, the multiple APs may be a subset of a plurality of APs of the wireless communication network, in which the multiple APs have indicated to the network controller their capability to operate in a 6 GHz spectrum for wireless communication.
In some implementations, in providing the location of the network controller, processor 222 of the apparatus 220 may provide the location to the multiple APs individually via unicast or simultaneously via multicast.
In some implementations, the spectrum availability information may be obtained by the multiple APs from a server that accesses a database, in which the database stores incumbent information that includes incumbents that exclude usage of the 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi communication in a geographical area that includes the location.
In some implementations, each of the multiple APs may send a spectrum availability request to the server that includes the location, such that the server provides a spectrum availability response for each spectrum availability request that includes a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the 6 GHz spectrum for a corresponding AP.
In such implementations, the corresponding indication of spectrum availability for each of one or more APs of the multiple APs may include multiple corresponding channels in the 6 GHz spectrum for use by each AP. Further in such implementations, configuring the multiple APs for Wi-Fi communications may include configuring a particular AP to use one or more channels of multiple channels in a corresponding indication of spectrum availability for communication with at least one of one or more other Aps, or one or more STA.
In some implementations, the 6 GHz spectrum may include operating bands that range from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz.
In another aspect under some proposed schemes pertaining to the use of AFC in wireless communication networks in accordance with the present disclosure, apparatus 210 may be implemented in or as an example AP of a wireless communication network (of which there may be multiple APs) and apparatus 220 may be implemented in or as a computing device that supports the execution of a network controller of the wireless communication network. Accordingly, processor 222 of the apparatus 220 may receive spectrum availability information for operating multiple APs of the wireless communication network for Wi-Fi communications, in which the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs based on locations of the multiple APs. Furthermore, processor 222 may configure the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
In some implementations, the network controller may be an application installed on an AP or a virtual application that is executed on a virtual computing platform.
In some implementations, the location of an AP of the multiple APs is determined by the AP from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is installed on the AP, from a satellite-based radio navigation system receiver of the AP, from a device that is in communication with the AP, or from an application on the device.
In some implementations, the spectrum availability information may be obtained by the multiple APs from a server that accesses a database, in which the database stores incumbent information that includes incumbents that exclude usage of the 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi communication in a geographical area that includes the locations of the multiple APs.
In some implementations, each of the multiple APs may send a spectrum availability request to the server that includes a corresponding location of each AP, such that the server provides a spectrum availability response for each spectrum availability request that includes a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the 6 GHz spectrum for a corresponding AP.
In some implementations, in receiving the spectrum availability information, processor 222 of the apparatus 220 may receive indications of spectrum availability for the multiple APs from the multiple APs.
Further in such implementations, an indication of spectrum availability for each of one or more APs of the multiple APs may include multiple corresponding channels in the 6 GHz spectrum for use by each AP. Additionally in such implementations, configuring the multiple APs to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi communications may include configuring a particular AP to use one or more channels of multiple channels in a corresponding indication of spectrum availability for communication with at least one of one or more other Aps, or one or more STAs.
In some implementations, the multiple APs may be a subset of a plurality of APs of the wireless communication network, in which the multiple APs have the capability to operate in the 6 GHz spectrum for wireless communication.
In some implementations, the 6 GHz spectrum may include operating bands that range from 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz.
Illustrative Processes
FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Process 300 may be an example implementation of a scheme described above whether partially or completely, with respect to the use of AFC with wireless communication networks in accordance with the present disclosure. Process 300 may represent an aspect of implementation of features of apparatus 210 and/or apparatus 220. Process 300 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by steps 310 and 320. Although illustrated as discrete steps, various steps of process 300 may be divided into additional steps, combined into fewer steps, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, the steps of process 300 may be executed in the order shown in FIG. 3 or, alternatively, in a different order. Process 300 may be implemented by apparatus 210 and apparatus 220. Solely for illustrative purposes and without limitation, process 300 is described below in the context of apparatus 210 implemented in or as an example AP of a wireless communication network (of which there may be multiple APs) and apparatus 220 implemented in or as a computing device that supports the execution of a network controller of the wireless communication network. Process 300 may begin at step 310.
At step 310, process 300 may include processor 222 receiving spectrum availability information for operating the multiple APs for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, in which the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs based on a location of the network controller. Process 300 may proceed from step 310 to step 320.
At 320, process 300 may include processor 222 configuring the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate for the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
In some implementations, process 300 may include processor 222 obtaining the location of the network controller from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is a part of the network controller or installed on an AP that is in communication with the network controller, or from another device that is in direct communication with the network controller or in communication with an AP that is in turn in communication with the network controller. In some implementations, the location of the network controller may be adjusted for accuracy for each of the multiple APs to compensate for the locations of the multiple APs based on a network relationship between the network controller and each of the multiple APs, a corresponding distance between the network controller and each of the multiple APs, or proximity measurements between the multiple APs, prior to being provided by the network controller to the multiple APs.
In some implementations, the network controller may be an application that is installed on an AP or a virtual application that is executed on a virtual computing platform.
In some implementations, in providing the location of the network controller, process 300 may include processor 222 providing the location to the multiple APs individually via unicast or simultaneously via multicast.
In some implementations, the spectrum availability information may be obtained by the multiple APs from a server that accesses a database, in which the database stores incumbent information that includes incumbents that exclude usage of a particular spectrum for Wi-Fi communication in a geographical area that includes the location.
In some implementations, the multiple APs may be a subset of a plurality of APs of the wireless communication network, in which the multiple APs have indicated to the network controller their capability to operate in the particular GHz spectrum.
In some implementations, the spectrum availability information may be obtained by each of the multiple APs sending a spectrum availability request to the server that includes the location, and receiving a spectrum availability response for each spectrum availability request from the server that includes a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the particular spectrum for a corresponding AP.
In such implementations, the corresponding indication of spectrum availability for each AP of the multiple APs may include multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for use by each AP, such that the corresponding indication of spectrum availability is sent by each AP of the multiple APs to the network controller. Further in such implementations, configuring the multiple APs for the Wi-Fi communications includes at least one of coordinating or instructing, by processor 222, each AP to use a specific corresponding channel of the multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for communication with at least one of one or more other APs or one or more STA.
In some implementations, the particular spectrum may include operating bands in a 6 GHz spectrum or another designated spectrum. In some implementations, the server may be a governmental server.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Process 400 may be an example implementation of a scheme described above whether partially or completely, with respect to the use of AFC with wireless communication networks in accordance with the present disclosure. Process 400 may represent an aspect of implementation of features of apparatus 210 and/or apparatus 220. Process 400 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by steps 410 and 420. Although illustrated as discrete steps, various steps of process 400 may be divided into additional steps, combined into fewer steps, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, the steps of process 400 may be executed in the order shown in FIG. 4 or, alternatively, in a different order. Process 400 may be implemented by apparatus 210 and apparatus 220. Solely for illustrative purposes and without limitation, process 400 is described below in the context of apparatus 210 implemented in or as an example AP of a wireless communication network (of which there may be multiple APs) and apparatus 220 implemented in or as a computing device that supports the execution of a network controller of the wireless communication network. Process 400 may begin at step 410.
At 410, process 400 may include processor 222 of apparatus 220 receiving spectrum availability information for operating multiple APs of the wireless communication network for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, in which the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs based on locations of the multiple APs. Process 400 may proceed from 410 to 420.
At 420, process 400 may include processor 222 configuring the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
In some implementations, the network controller may be an application installed on an AP or a virtual application that is executed on a virtual computing platform.
In some implementations, the location of an AP of the multiple APs is determined by the AP from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is installed on the AP, from a satellite-based radio navigation system receiver of the AP, from a device that is in communication with the AP, or from an application on the device.
In some implementations, the spectrum availability information may be obtained by the multiple APs from a server that accesses a database, in which the database stores incumbent information that includes incumbents that exclude usage of a particular spectrum for Wi-Fi communication in a geographical area that includes the locations of the multiple APs.
In some implementations, the spectrum availability information is obtained by each of the multiple APs sending a spectrum availability request to the server that includes a corresponding location of each AP, and receiving a spectrum availability response for each spectrum availability request from the server that includes a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the particular spectrum for a corresponding AP.
In some implementations, in receiving the spectrum availability information, process 400 may include processor 222 receiving indications of spectrum availability for the multiple APs from the multiple APs.
Further in such implementations, an indication of spectrum availability for each of one or more APs of the multiple APs may include multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for use by each AP, such that the corresponding indication of spectrum availability is sent by each AP of the multiple APs to the network controller. Additionally in such implementations, the configuring of the multiple APs for Wi-Fi communications may include at least one of coordinating or instructing, by processor 222, each AP to use a specific corresponding channel of the multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for communication with at least one of one or more other APs or one or more STAs.
In some implementations, the multiple APs may be a subset of a plurality of APs of the wireless communication network, in which the multiple APs have capability to operate in the particular spectrum for wireless communication.
In some implementations, the particular spectrum may include operating bands in a 6 GHz spectrum or another designated spectrum. In some implementations, the server may be a governmental server.
Additional Notes
The herein-described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected" , or "operably coupled" , to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable" , to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.
Further, with respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity.
Moreover, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims, e.g., bodies of the appended claims, are generally intended as “open” terms, e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to, ” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least, ” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to, ” etc. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to implementations containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an, " e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more; ” the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number, e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations, " without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations. Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc. ” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention, e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc. In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc. ” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention, e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc. It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B. ”
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various implementations of the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the various implementations disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

A method, comprising:

receiving, at a network controller of a wireless communication network, spectrum availability information for operating multiple access points (APs) for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, the spectrum availability information being obtained by the multiple APs based on locations of the multiple APs or a location of the network controller; and

configuring, via the network controller, the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate for the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the network controller is an application installed on an AP or a virtual application that is executed on a virtual computing platform.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the location of the network controller is obtained from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is a part of the network controller or installed on an AP that is in communication with the network controller, or from another device that is in direct communication with the network controller or in communication with an AP that is in turn in communication with the network controller.
The method of Claim 1, wherein a location of an AP of the multiple APs is determined by the AP from a manual configuration inputted by a user, from an application that is installed on the AP, from a satellite-based radio navigation system receiver of the AP, from a device that is in communication with the AP, or from an application on the device.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the location of the network controller is adjusted for accuracy for each of the multiple APs to compensate for locations of the multiple APs based on a network relationship between the network controller and each of the multiple APs, a corresponding distance between the network controller and each of the multiple APs, or proximity measurements between the multiple APs prior to being provided to the multiple APs.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the location of the network controller is provided by the network controller to the multiple APs individually via unicast or simultaneously via multicast.
The method of Claim 1, wherein the spectrum availability information is obtained by the multiple APs from a server that accesses a database, the database storing incumbent information that includes incumbents that exclude usage of a particular spectrum for Wi-Fi communication in a geographical area that includes the locations of the multiple APs or the location of the network controller.
The method of Claim 7, wherein the multiple APs are a subset of a plurality of APs of the wireless communication network, and wherein the multiple APs have indicated to the network controller their capability to operate in the particular spectrum.
The method of Claim 7, wherein the spectrum availability information is obtained by each of the multiple APs sending a spectrum availability request to the server that includes a corresponding location of each AP or the location of the network controller, and receiving a spectrum availability response for each spectrum availability request from the server that includes a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the particular spectrum for a corresponding AP.
The method of Claim 9, wherein the corresponding indication of spectrum availability from the server for each AP of the multiple APs includes multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for use by each AP, and wherein the receiving the spectrum availability information at the network controller includes receiving the corresponding indication of spectrum availability that is sent by each AP of the multiple APs to the network controller.
The method of Claim 10, wherein the configuring the multiple APs for the Wi-Fi communications includes at least one of coordinating or instructing, by the network server, each AP to use a specific corresponding channel of the multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for communication with at least one of one or more other APs or one or more stations (STAs) .
The method of Claim 7, wherein the particular spectrum includes operating bands in a 6 GHz spectrum or another designated spectrum.
The method of Claim 7, wherein the server is a governmental server.
An apparatus, comprising:

a transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations comprising:

receiving, at a network controller implemented by the apparatus, spectrum availability information for operating multiple access points (APs) of a wireless communication network for Wi-Fi communications from the multiple APs, the spectrum availability information being obtained by the multiple APs based on locations of the multiple APs or a location of the network controller; and

configuring, via the network controller, the multiple APs of the wireless communication network to operate for the Wi-Fi communications based on the spectrum availability information.
The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein the network controller is an application installed on an AP or a virtual application that is executed on a virtual computing platform.
The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein the spectrum available information is obtained by the multiple APs from a server that accesses a database, the database storing incumbent information that includes incumbents that exclude usage of a particular spectrum for Wi-Fi communication in a geographical area that includes the locations of the multiple APs or the location of the network controller.
The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the spectrum availability information is obtained by each of the multiple APs sending a spectrum availability request to the server that includes a corresponding location of each AP or the location of the network controller, and receiving a spectrum availability response for each spectrum availability request that includes a corresponding indication of spectrum availability in the particular spectrum for a corresponding AP.
The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the corresponding indication of spectrum availability from the server for each AP of the multiple APs includes multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for use by each AP, and wherein the receiving the spectrum availability information at the network controller includes receiving the corresponding indication of spectrum availability that is sent by each AP of the multiple APs to the network controller.
The apparatus of Claim 18, wherein the configuring the multiple APs for Wi-Fi communications includes at least one of coordinating or instructing, by the network server, each AP to use a specific corresponding channel of the multiple corresponding channels in the particular spectrum for communication with at least one of one or more other APs or one or more stations (STAs) .
The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the particular spectrum includes operating bands in a 6 GHz spectrum or another designated spectrum.