System and method for coordinated management of network access points

A method for coordinated wireless network management, the method comprising:

• sending, from one of a plurality of overlay access points to a coordinator device, wireless operational parameters characterizing operation of the one of the plurality of overlay access points;
• receiving, at the one of the plurality of overlay access points, suggested operational information provided by the coordinator device wherein the suggested operational information causes modification of a perceived value of at least one operational parameter of the one of the plurality of overlay access points wherein the perceived value is different from an actual value of the operational parameter;
• wherein the one of the plurality of overlay access points comprises a MIMO overlay access point including a plurality of antennas configured to produce a plurality of adjustable beam directions, the plurality of antennas producing one of the plurality of adjustable beam directions in response to MIMO configuration parameters included within the suggested operational information;
• and
• adjusting an operational mode of the one of the plurality of overlay access points based upon the perceived value.

A method for coordinated wireless network management, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a plurality of overlay access points, wireless operational parameters characterizing wireless operation of the plurality of overlay access points;
• generating, based upon the wireless operational parameters, suggested operational information for at least one of the plurality of overlay access points;
• and
• sending, to the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points, the suggested operational information wherein the suggested operational information causes modification of a perceived value of at least one operational parameter of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points wherein the perceived value is different from an actual value of the at least one operational parameter;
• wherein the at least one operational parameter comprises a wireless channel access parameter wherein the wireless channel access parameter is one of random and semi-random, and wherein the suggested operational information creates a bias in the wireless channel access parameter and thereby causes the modification of the perceived value;
• wherein an operational mode of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points is adjusted based at least in part upon the perceived value.

A method for coordinated wireless network management, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a plurality of overlay access points, wireless operational parameters characterizing wireless operation of the plurality of overlay access points;
• generating, based upon the wireless operational parameters, suggested operational information for at least one of the plurality of overlay access points;
• and
• sending, to the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points, the suggested operational information wherein the suggested operational information causes modification of a perceived value of at least one operational parameter of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points wherein the perceived value is different from an actual value of the at least one operational parameter;
• wherein the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points comprises a MIMO overlay access point including a plurality of antennas configured to produce a plurality of adjustable beam directions, the plurality of antennas producing one of the plurality of adjustable beam directions in response to MIMO configuration parameters included within the suggested operational information;
• wherein an operational mode of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points is adjusted based at least in part upon the perceived value.

A method for coordinated wireless network management, the method comprising:

• receiving, from a plurality of overlay access points, wireless operational parameters characterizing wireless operation of the plurality of overlay access points;
• generating, based upon the wireless operational parameters, suggested operational information for at least one of the plurality of overlay access points;
• wherein the plurality of overlay access points comprise a plurality of MIMO network access points and wherein the wireless operational parameters include new device detection parameters and new device direction parameters associated with one or more local wireless devices;
• determining probable locations of the one or more local wireless devices based upon the new device detection parameters and new device direction parameters;
• and
• sending, to the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points, the suggested operational information wherein the suggested operational information causes modification of a perceived value of at least one operational parameter of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points wherein the perceived value is different from an actual value of the at least one operational parameter;
• wherein an operational mode of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points is adjusted based at least in part upon the perceived value.

An overlay access point included within a plurality of overlay access points configured for communication with a coordinator device, the overlay access point comprising:

• a processor;
• a network communication unit in communication with the processor;
• memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program code which when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
• send, to the coordinator device, wireless operational parameters characterizing operation of the overlay access point;
• receive suggested operational information provided by the coordinator device wherein the suggested operational information causes modification of a perceived value of at least one operational parameter of the overlay access point wherein the perceived value is different from an actual value of the operational parameter;
• and
• adjust an operational mode of the overlay access point based upon the perceived value;
• and
• a MIMO antenna array including a plurality of antennas configured to produce a plurality of adjustable beam directions, the plurality of antennas producing one of the plurality of adjustable beam directions in response to MIMO configuration parameters included within the suggested operational information.

An overlay access point included within a plurality of overlay access points configured for communication with a coordinator device, the overlay access point comprising:

• a processor;
• a network communication unit in communication with the processor;
• memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program code which when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
• send, to the coordinator device, wireless operational parameters characterizing operation of the overlay access point;
• receive suggested operational information provided by the coordinator device wherein the suggested operational information causes modification of a perceived value of at least one operational parameter of the overlay access point wherein the perceived value is different from an actual value of the operational parameter and wherein the at least one operational parameter comprises a wireless channel access parameter wherein the wireless channel access parameter is one of random and semi-random;
• use the suggested operational information to create a bias in the wireless channel access parameter, thereby causing the modification of the perceived value;
• adjust an operational mode of the overlay access point based upon the perceived value.

A coordinator device configured for communication with a plurality of overlay access points, the coordinator device comprising:

• a processor;
• a network communication unit in communication with the processor;
• and
• memory coupled to the processor, the memory including program code which when executed by the processor causes the processor to:
• receive, from the plurality of overlay access points, wireless operational parameters characterizing wireless operation of the plurality of overlay access points;
• generate, based upon the wireless operational parameters, suggested operational information for at least one of the plurality of overlay access points wherein the suggested operational information causes modification of a perceived value of at least one operational parameter of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points wherein the perceived value is different from an actual value of the at least one operational parameter;
• and
• send, to the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points, the suggested operational information;
• wherein the at least one operational parameter comprises a wireless channel access parameter wherein the wireless channel access parameter is one of random and semi-random, and wherein the suggested operational information creates a bias in the wireless channel access parameter and thereby causes the modification of the perceived value;
• wherein an operational mode of the at least one of the plurality of overlay access points is adjusted based at least in part upon the perceived value.