Method and apparatus for increasing spectrum use efficiency in a mesh network
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorsJay Rodney Walton, Sanjiv Nanda
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Abstract
Mesh Network Access Points (APs) points, including gateways and routers, are deployed over a geographic area. The APs monitor the communication channel for other carriers and transmit accordingly. The APs selectively co-transmit when other carriers are sensed, if the efficiency of the mesh network will improve. APs select a transmission rate based on observed carrier-to-interference ratios. APs use directional antennas to increase carrier-to-interference ratios and spectral efficiency. AP transmit schedules are adaptable and adjusted according to observed carrier-to-interference measurements.
Claims20
A method of managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
- monitoring a communication channel for one or more carriers;
- measuring signal strength for the one or more carriers;
- determining an expected carrier-to-interference ratio for a transmission on the communication channel based on the measured signal strength;
- and
- transmitting data at a data rate selected based on the expected carrier-to-interference ratio.
An apparatus for managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
- a monitoring module configured to monitor a communication channel for one or more carriers;
- a measuring module configured to measure signal strength for the one or more carriers;
- a determining module configured to determine an expected carrier-to-interference ratio for a transmission on the communication channel based on the measured signal strength;
- and
- a transmitting module configured to transmit data at a data rate selected based on the expected carrier-to-interference ratio.
An apparatus of managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
- means for monitoring a communication channel for one or more carriers;
- means for measuring signal strength for the one or more carriers;
- means for determining an expected carrier-to-interference ratio for a transmission on the communication channel based on the measured signal strength;
- and
- means for transmitting data at a data rate selected based on the expected carrier-to-interference ratio.
A machine-readable medium comprising instructions, stored thereon, that upon execution cause a machine to:
- monitor a communication channel for one or more carriers;
- measure signal strength for the one or more carriers;
- determine an expected carrier-to-interference ratio for a transmission on the communication channel based on the measured signal strength;
- and
- transmit data at a data rate selected based on the expected carrier-to-interference ratio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.