Reducing loop effects in a wireless local area network repeater
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorsJames Proctor Jr, Kenneth Gainey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for operating a frequency translating repeater in a wireless local are network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters (200, 204), a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units (100) and one or more client units (104, 105). A first frequency channel may be used for receiving and transmitting, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies monitored to detect a transmitted signal. The signal is characterized to determine if associated with the base units. A second frequency channel selected for use by one of the repeaters for retransmission of additional signals based on the characterization.
Claims34
A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters and a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, the method comprising:
- monitoring the multiple operating frequencies to detect a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel;
- characterizing the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units;
- and
- selecting a second frequency channel for use by at least one of the one or more repeaters for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal.
A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters, a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies valid for operation in the WLAN, the method comprising:
- detecting one or more signals on one or more of the multiple operating frequencies;
- identifying a wireless transmission on a first one of the multiple operating frequencies;
- pre-selecting a second channel for use by the repeater based on at least one rule;
- monitoring the second frequency channel for the presence of the one or more signals indicating the wireless transmission;
- and
- setting the repeater to operate on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel if a number of the one or more signals is at or below a minimum value.
A method for operating a repeater in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having one or more repeaters, a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies valid for operation in the WLAN, the method comprising:
- detecting one or more signals on one or more of the multiple operating frequencies indicating the presence of one or more wireless transmissions on at least a first frequency channel of the multiple operating frequencies;
- pre-selecting a second frequency channel for use by the repeater;
- detecting the one or more signals on the second frequency channel indicating the presence of the one or more wireless transmissions on the second channel;
- setting the repeater to operate on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel a number of the one or more signals is at or below a minimum value;
- transmitting a test signal on the second frequency channel and monitoring the first frequency channel;
- and
- qualifying the second frequency channel as a valid channel for operation of the repeater if no other of the one or more repeaters is operating on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel, otherwise if an other repeater is operating the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel, reducing a power level associated with the test signal to determine a transmission level preventing a feedback loop with the other repeater, and setting the repeater to transmit at the determined level.
In a wireless network having one or more repeaters, a network protocol for communicating between one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units and one or more client units receiving and transmitting on at least a first frequency channel of at least two frequency channels, the network protocol defining multiple operating frequencies, an apparatus for enhancing coverage of the wireless network comprising:
- a frequency translating repeater configured to:
- monitor the multiple operating frequencies to detecting a signal transmitted by one of the one or more base units on the first frequency channel;
- characterize the signal to determine whether the signal is associated with the one of the one or more base units;
- and
- select a second frequency channel for use by the frequency translating repeater for retransmission of one or more additional signals received on the first frequency channel based on the characterizing of the signal.
In a wireless network including one or more base units and one or more client units, the one or more base units capable of transmitting on a first one of the at least two frequency channels and the one or more client units capable of transmitting on a second one of the at least two frequency channels, the wireless network having multiple operating frequencies, an apparatus for enhancing coverage of the wireless network comprising:
- a frequency translating repeater configured to:
- detect one or more signals on one or more of the multiple operating frequencies;
- identify a wireless transmission on a first one of the multiple operating frequencies;
- pre-select a second channel for use by the frequency translating repeater based on at least one rule;
- monitor the second frequency channel for the presence of the one or more signals indicating the wireless transmission;
- and
- set the frequency translating repeater to operate on the first frequency channel and the second frequency channel if a number of the one or more signals is at or below a minimum value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.