Method and apparatus for implementing self-organization in a wireless local area network

In a wireless local area network comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one node and at least one relay point for communicating information between nodes wherein the nodes and relay points in the local area network are not necessarily uniform and distributed, specifically wherein at least one node operates differently from the other nodes and at least one relay point operates differently from the other relay points of the local area network, a method for the node to implement self-organization comprising the steps of:

• a first node communicating a message over said control channel requesting that each relay point transmit identification information to the node over said control channel;
• each relay point transmitting identification information to the first node over said control channel;
• the first node selecting one of the identified relay points for communication with the first node;
• the first node issuing a request over said control channel requesting that the selected relay point transfer operating parameters of the selected relay point to the first node;
• the selected relay point determining whether to accept or reject the request;
• if the selected relay point determines to accept the request:
• the selected relay point transferring the operating parameters over said control channel to the first node;
• conforming the first node to the operating parameters of the selected relay point, such that the first node is prepared to communicate with the selected relay point;
• the first node communicating with the selected relay point on a data channel unique to the cell corresponding to the selected relay point;
• and
• if the selected relay point determines to reject the request, repeating said communicating, transmitting, selecting, issuing, and determining steps.

In a wireless local area network (LAN) comprising a plurality of cells, each cell comprising at least one node and at least one relay point for communicating information between said nodes wherein the nodes and relay points in the local area network are not necessarily uniform and distributed, specifically wherein at least one node operates differently from the other nodes and at least one relay point operates differently from the other relay points of the local area network, an apparatus for the node to implement self-organization comprising:

• (a) a common control channel over which said nodes and said relay points communicate information, wherein said common control channel is common to said plurality of cells;
• (b) at least one data channel, unique to each of said cells, over which a node and a relay point communicate information;
• (c) each node comprising:
• (i) identification means for identifying relay points by acquiring identification information transmitted by said relay points across said common control channel, wherein said relay points reside in at least the same cell as said each node;
• (ii) selection means for selecting one of said relay points for communication with said node;
• (iii) first requesting means for issuing a message over said control channel requesting that said selected relay point transfer operating parameters of the selected relay point from said relay point to said node;
• and
• (iv) conforming means for conforming the node to the operating parameters received from the selected relay point;
• and
• (d) each relay point comprising transfer means for transferring said operating parameters over said control channel from said selected relay point to said node.