System for continuously improving the performance of wireless networks with mobile users
AssigneeFidelity Comtech, Inc.
InventorsJoseph Carey, Robert Weaver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method is provided for performing an automated a site survey process for adjusting radiation patterns of access point antennas in a wireless network. The system and method utilize wireless mobile devices in their normal process of carrying about ordinary traffic to measure network performance. Further, such information is utilizes to configure the radiation patterns of the access point antennas to tailor coverage areas of the antennas to current network conditions.
Claims30
A method for providing coverage in a wireless network where at least a first access point provides RF coverage for client devices in at least a first geographic area, wherein each access point includes one or more electronically configurable antennas having adjustable radiation patterns comprising:
- identifying a location of an access point relative to a coordinate system of said first geographic area;
- receiving, at said access point, wireless communications originating from a wireless client, wherein said wireless communications include client location information for said wireless client;
- obtaining a signal quality indication for said wireless client, wherein said signal quality indication is indicative of a signal quality of said wireless communications as received by said access point;
- and
- determining a client position in said coordinate system based on said client location information;
- recording, in an electronic storage media, said client position and said signal quality indication;
- and
- adjusting a radiation pattern of at least one electronically configurable antenna at said access point based on at least one client position and at least one corresponding signal quality indication.
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A computer implemented method for adjusting one or more adaptive antennas to provide coverage for a wireless network coverage area of a wireless network, comprising:
- generating a grid having a plurality of grid cells for a wireless coverage area, wherein the coverage area includes at least one wireless access point having an adaptive antenna;
- characterizing wireless performance for each grid cell to generate grid performance characteristics;
- assigning each grid cell a weight value;
- establishing a first coverage area performance value;
- iteratively adjusting settings of antenna elements of said adaptive antenna of said at least one access point to generate a series of second coverage area performance values;
- and
- adjusting at least one antenna element to a setting that generated a second coverage area performance value greater than said first coverage area performance value.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.