US 6,377,608 B1 · Pulsed beacon-based interference reduction mechanism for wireless communication networks

Abstract

A repetitively pulsed beacon based mechanism prevents interference between wireless communication devices of users of a band wireless local area network WLAN, and wireless communication devices of ad hoc networks using the same ISM band. A beacon generator is installed in the vicinity of an access point of the WLAN infrastructure, and generates a wireless beacon in a portion of the ISM band that does not overlap that portion used by the WLAN. A beacon responsive radio control mechanism, installed in each ad hoc radio, monitors the beacon channel for the presence of the wireless beacon. In response to detecting the beacon, the radio control mechanism adjusts the operation of its ad hoc radio, to avoid simultaneous use of the same portion of the ISM band as the WLAN. In one example, the ad hoc radio is adjusted so that it transmits within a selected portion of the ISM band other than that used by the WLAN.

Claims44

Dependent claims

For use with a communication network having a wireless access point through which wireless connectivity is available for users of said communication network within a first portion of a prescribed band of the wireless communication spectrum, a method of preventing interference between first wireless communication devices of said users of said communication network and second wireless communication devices of others than said users of said communication network, who are capable of transmitting within said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) at a location in the vicinity of said wireless access point, generating a wireless beacon in a second portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum that does not overlap said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum;
(b) at a second wireless communication device, monitoring said second portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum for the presence of said wireless beacon;
and
(c) in response to detecting said wireless beacon, causing said second wireless communication device to avoid use of said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum.

1 more element

A system for preventing interference between first wireless communication devices of users of a communication network, which has a wireless access point through which wireless connectivity is available for said users of said communication network within a first portion of a prescribed band of the wireless communication spectrum, and second wireless communication devices of others than said users of said communication network, who are capable of transmitting within said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum, said system comprising:

a wireless beacon generator installed in the vicinity of said wireless access point, and being operative to generate a wireless beacon in a second portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum that does not overlap said first portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum;
and
a beacon responsive mechanism installed in said second wireless communication device, and being operative to monitor said second portion of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum for the presence of said wireless beacon and, in response to detecting said wireless beacon, being operative to control the operation of said second wireless communication device so as to avoid use of said first and second portions of said prescribed band of said wireless communication spectrum.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pulsed beacon-based interference reduction mechanism for wireless communication networks

Life of this patent

Pulsed beacon-based interference reduction mechanism for wireless communication networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims44