Channel selection for dynamic-frequency-selection channels using puncturing

An access point for deployment in a wireless network, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for:
• wirelessly communicating with one or more client devices over a channel that comprises a plurality of subchannels, wherein each subchannel of the plurality of subchannels corresponds to a distinct frequency chunk with a respective plurality of subcarriers;
• detecting radar on a first subchannel of the plurality of subchannels;
• in response to detecting the radar on the first subchannel, making a selection between (i) redefining the channel, comprising removing multiple subchannels including the first subchannel from the channel, and (ii) puncturing the first subchannel while continuing to use all other subchannels in the channel besides the first subchannel, wherein:
• puncturing the first subchannel comprises muting subcarriers on the first subchannel, and
• the selection is based at least in part on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of (i) a number of the one or more client devices that support the puncturing, (ii) one or more traffic characteristics for the access point, (iii) a spectrum wastage factor indicating an amount of the channel unavailable to any of the one or more client devices that do not support puncturing if puncturing is performed, (iv) radio-frequency density associated with one or more adjacent access points, and (v) an expected percentage of transmission time over the channel spent on transmissions that utilize all of the channel except for the punctured first subchannel if the puncturing is performed;
• and
• continuing to communicate wirelessly with the one or more client devices in accordance with the selection.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a first access point in a wireless network, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:

• wirelessly communicating with one or more client devices over a channel that comprises a plurality of subchannels, wherein each subchannel of the plurality of subchannels corresponds to a distinct frequency chunk with a respective plurality of subcarriers;
• detecting radar on a first subchannel of the plurality of subchannels;
• in response to detecting the radar on the first subchannel, making a selection between (i) redefining the channel, comprising removing multiple subchannels including the first subchannel from the channel, and (ii) puncturing the first subchannel while continuing to use all other subchannels in the channel besides the first subchannel, wherein:
• puncturing the first subchannel comprises muting subcarriers on the first subchannel, and
• the selection is based at least in part on one or more factors selected from the group consisting of (i) a number of the one or more client devices that support the puncturing, (ii) one or more traffic characteristics for the first access point, (iii) a spectrum wastage factor indicating an amount of the channel unavailable to any of the one or more client devices that do not support puncturing if puncturing is performed, (iv) radio-frequency density associated with one or more access points adjacent to the first access point, and (v) an expected percentage of transmission time over the channel spent on transmissions that utilize all of the channel except for the punctured first subchannel if the puncturing is performed;
• and
• continuing to communicate wirelessly with the one or more client devices in accordance with the selection.