Method and apparatus for increasing spectrum use efficiency in a mesh network
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorsJay Rodney Walton, Sanjiv Nanda
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims16
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 whether a transmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency;
- and
- transmitting data if the signal strength meets a condition, wherein the condition is based on the determining whether or not the trasmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency.
A non-transitional computer-readable medium comprising, instructions stored thereon, that upon execution cause a computer to:
- monitor a communication channel for one or more carriers;
- measure signal strength for the one or more carriers;
- determine whether a transmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency;
- and
- transmit data if the signal strength meets a condition, wherein the condition is based on whether or not the trasmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency.
An apparatus for managing a communications resource in a mesh network, comprising:
- a gateway configured to monitor a communication channel for one or more carriers, configured to measure signal strength for the one or more carriers, and configured to determine whether a transmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency and to transmit data if the signal strength meets a condition, wherein the condition is based on whether or not the trasmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency.
An apparatus for 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 whether a transmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency;
- and
- means for transmitting data if the signal strength meets a condition, wherein the condition is based on whether or not the transmission will increase or decrease overall mesh network efficiency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.