System and method for dynamically allocating data rates and channels to clients in a wireless network

An apparatus for dynamically allocating wireless channels in a wireless network to at least two client devices, each client device to transceive wireless data over a wireless channel, the apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter to transceive wireless data over at least one wireless channel;
• and
• a processor to implement a software module to:
• determine the number of client devices in the wireless network;
• allocate client devices to different wireless channels, wherein client devices that receive data at substantially different data rates are allocated to different wireless channels in order to optimize the total system utility of the wireless network;
• and
• estimate data rates at which client devices of the wireless network receive data for a plurality of different transmit power levels and, based on power level requirements, selecting at least one power level to maximize data rates to client devices for at least one wireless channel.

A method for dynamically allocating wireless channels in a wireless network to at least two client devices, each client device to transceive wireless data over a wireless channel, the method comprising:

• transceiving wireless data over wireless channels to at least two client devices;
• determining the number of client devices in the wireless network;
• allocating client devices to different wireless channels, wherein client devices that receive data at substantially different data rates are allocated to different wireless channels in order to optimize the total system utility of the wireless network;
• and
• estimating data rates at which client devices of the wireless network receive data for a plurality of different transmit power levels and, based on power level requirements, selecting at least one power level to maximize data rates to client devices for at least one wireless channel.

A machine-readable medium storing tangibly embodied instructions which, when executed in a processing system, cause the system to perform a method for dynamically allocating wireless channels in a wireless network to at least two client devices, wherein each client device is to transceive wireless data over a wireless channel, comprising instructions for:

• transceiving wireless data over wireless channels to at least two client devices;
• determining the number of client devices in the wireless network;
• allocating client devices to different wireless channels, wherein client devices that receive data at substantially different data rates are allocated to different wireless channels in order to optimize the total system utility of the wireless network;
• and
• estimating data rates at which client devices of the wireless network receive data for a plurality of different transmit power levels and, based on power level requirements, selecting at least one power level to maximize data rates to client devices for at least one wireless channel.