Method and apparatuses for controlling communications depending on detected radar signals

An apparatus for controlling wireless communication between a first wireless access point and one or more user devices, the first wireless access point having a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the one or more user devices using one or more wireless communication channels in a predetermined frequency range, the first wireless access point being configured to communicate with one or more other wireless access points, the first wireless access point and the one or more other wireless access points each having a radar detector operable to detect possible radar signals received by the access point within the predetermined frequency range and each being configured to provide information indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive communications relating to information provided by the one or more other wireless access points;
• and
• a processor configured to start or stop the wireless communication with the one or more user devices using a wireless communication channel in the predetermined frequency range in dependence on information indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the first wireless access point and on information provided by the one or more other wireless access points indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the one or more other wireless access points,
• wherein the processor is configured to start or stop the wireless communication between the first wireless access point and the one or more user devices in response to detection by the first wireless access point of one or more possible radar signals within the predetermined frequency range, the wireless communication being started or stopped in dependence on a detection threshold, the detection threshold itself being updated in dependence on the information provided by the one or more other wireless access points indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the one or more other wireless access points.

A first wireless access point comprising:

• a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with one or more user devices using one or more wireless communication channels in a predetermined frequency range, the first wireless access point being configured to communicate with one or more other wireless access points;
• a radar detector operable to detect possible radar signals received by the first access point within the predetermined frequency range and being configured to provide information indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range;
• and
• an apparatus for controlling wireless communication between the first wireless access point and the one or more user devices, the apparatus comprising:
• a receiver configured to receive communications relating to information provided by the one or more other wireless access points;
• and
• a processor configured to start or stop the wireless communication with the one or more user devices using a wireless communication channel in the predetermined frequency range in dependence on information indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the first wireless access point and on information provided by the one or more other wireless access points indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the one or more other wireless access points,
• wherein the processor is configured to start or stop the wireless communication between the first wireless access point and the one or more user devices in response to detection by the first wireless access point of one or more possible radar signals within the predetermined frequency range, the wireless communication being started or stopped in dependence on a detection threshold, the detection threshold itself being updated in dependence on the information provided by the one or more other wireless access points indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the one or more other wireless access points.

A computer program element comprising computer program code to, when loaded into a computer system and executed thereon, cause the computer system to control wireless communication between a first wireless access point and one or more user devices, the first wireless access point having a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the one or more user devices using one or more wireless communication channels in a predetermined frequency range, the first wireless access point being configured to communicate with one or more other wireless access points, the first wireless access point and the one or more other wireless access points each having a radar detector operable to detect possible radar signals received by the access point within the predetermined frequency range and each being configured to provide information indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range, by:

• the first wireless access point receiving communications relating to information provided by the one or more other wireless access points, and starting or stopping the wireless communication with the one or more user devices using a wireless communication channel in the predetermined frequency range in dependence on information indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the first wireless access point and on information provided by the one or more other wireless access points indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the one or more other wireless access points,
• wherein the starting or stopping of the wireless communication between the first wireless access point and the one or more user devices is in response to detection by the first wireless access point of one or more possible radar signals within the predetermined frequency range, the wireless communication being started or stopped in dependence on a detection threshold, the detection threshold itself being updated in dependence on the information provided by the one or more other wireless access points indicative of whether or not possible radar signals have been detected within the predetermined frequency range by the one or more other wireless access points.