Method and System for Client-Driven Channel Management in Wireless Communication Networks

A method of assigning channels to a plurality of access points (APs) of a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

• obtaining first information regarding first interference experienced by a first client due to multiple APs being positioned in proximity of that client;
• obtaining second information regarding second interference experienced by either the first client or a first of the APs with respect to which the first client is associated, wherein the second interference is due either to others of the APs that are in proximity to the first AP, or to others of the clients that are in proximity to either the first client or the first AP;
• and
• determining channel assignments for the plurality of APs based upon each of the first and second information.

An access point (AP) system comprising:

• a transceiver by which the AP system is capable of communicating with at least one client by way of a channel;
• a port by which the AP system is capable of being in communication with at least one additional AP system of a WLAN of which the AP system forms a part;
• a memory device;
• and
• a processing device coupled at least indirectly to each of the transceiver, the port, and the memory device,
• wherein the AP system receives by way of the transceiver at least one signal from the at least one client indicative of either interference being experienced by the at least one client or one or more of the at least one additional AP system with which the at least one client can potentially be in communication, and
• wherein the processing device either by itself or in cooperation with at least one other processing device of one or more of the at least one additional AP system, and based upon the at least one signal, determines the channel by which the transceiver is capable of communicating.