Transmit power adaptation algorithm using 802.11H

A wireless device, comprising:

• a signal strength module configured to
• receive N signals from N wireless devices, respectively, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1, wherein the N signals include N transmit powers indicating transmit powers of the N wireless devices, respectively, and
• estimate N signal strengths of the N signals received from the N wireless devices, respectively;
• and
• a control module configured to
• estimate N path losses between the wireless device and the N wireless devices, respectively,
• determine that the wireless device is to associate with one of the N wireless devices having a lowest of the N path losses, and
• generate a control signal to control a transmit power of the wireless device based on (i) the lowest of the N path losses and (ii) a sensitivity of a receiver of the wireless device, wherein the sensitivity of the receiver is a minimum signal strength that the receiver is able to detect.

A method for a first wireless device, the method comprising:

• receiving a signal from a second wireless device, wherein the signal received from the second wireless device includes transmit power data indicating a transmit power of the second wireless device;
• estimating a signal strength of the signal received from the second wireless device;
• estimating a path loss between the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on (i) the signal strength of the signal received from the second wireless device and (ii) the transmit power data indicating the transmit power of the second wireless device;
• and
• generating a control signal to control a transmit power of the first wireless device based on (i) the path loss between the first wireless device and the second wireless device and (ii) a sensitivity of a receiver of the first wireless device, wherein the sensitivity of the receiver is a minimum signal strength that the receiver is able to detect.

A method for a wireless device, the method comprising:

• receiving N signals from N wireless devices, respectively, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1, wherein the N signals include N transmit powers indicating transmit powers of the N wireless devices, respectively, and
• estimating N signal strengths of the N signals received from the N wireless devices, respectively;
• estimating N path losses between the wireless device and the N wireless devices, respectively;
• determining that the wireless device is to associate with one of the N wireless devices having a lowest of the N path losses;
• and
• generating a control signal to control a transmit power of the wireless device based on (i) the lowest of the N path losses and (ii) a sensitivity of a receiver of the wireless device, wherein the sensitivity of the receiver is a minimum signal strength that the receiver is able to detect.