US 9,872,337 B2 · Backhaul-optimized beamforming in IEEE 802.11ad networks

A method comprising:

receiving, at data processing hardware, at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying, using the data processing hardware, an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
obtaining, at the data processing hardware, locations of the first node and the second node from memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware;
determining, using the data processing hardware, a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node based on the second node location relative to the first node location, the recommended first set of beam vectors constraining the first scanning range of the first node to expedite beam forming alignment with the second node;
and
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node.

3 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, at data processing hardware, at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying, using the data processing hardware, an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining, using the data processing hardware, a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
and
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node,
wherein the first node executes beam forming training with the second node by:
executing an initiator transmitter sector level sweep constrained by the first recommended set of beam vectors;
receiving one or more responder directional beams from the second node while the second node executes a responder transmitter sector level sweep, the received responder directional beams indicating an optimal initiator beam vector received by the second node during the initiator transmitter sector level sweep;
transmitting sector sweep feedback to the second node, the sector sweep feedback indicating an optimal responder beam vector received by the first node during the responder transmitter sector level sweep;
and
when a sector sweep acknowledgement is received from the second node, establishing the first communication link using the optimal initiator beam vector at the first node and the optimal responder beam vector at the second node.

8 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, at data processing hardware, at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying, using the data processing hardware, an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining, using the data processing hardware, a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
and
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node,
wherein the first node executes beam forming training with the second node by:
when the second node comprises an undiscovered node:
executing an initiator transmitter sector level sweep constrained by the first recommended set of beam vectors while the second node executes a receiver sector level sweep, the second node determining an optimal receiving beam vector associated with the receiver sector level sweep while the first node executes the initiator transmitter sector level sweep;
receiving one or more responder directional beams from the second node while the second node executes a responder transmitter sector level sweep, the received responder directional beams constrained by a set of beam vectors using the optimal receiving beam vector and indicating an optimal initiator beam vector received by the second node during the initiator transmitter sector level sweep and the responder directional beams;
establishing the first communication link with the second node when the first node captures one or more of the responder directional beams from the first node during the responder transmitter sector level sweep;
and
informing the data processing hardware that the first communication link is established between the first node and the second node.

9 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, at data processing hardware, at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying, using the data processing hardware, an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining, using the data processing hardware, a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node;
determining, using the data processing hardware, whether the first node is rediscovered after an intermittent disconnection from the network;
and
when the first node is rediscovered after an intermittent disconnection from the network:
receiving, at the data processing hardware, a connection request from the first node requesting connection to the previously established first communication link with the second node;
obtaining, at the data processing hardware, locations and beam histories of the first node and the second node from memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the beam forming histories indicating optimal initiator transmit and receive beam vectors and optimal responder transmit and receive beam vectors associated with the previously established first communication link;
determining, using the data processing hardware, bootstrap beam forming instructions based on the locations and beam forming histories of the first and the second node;
and
transmitting the bootstrap beam forming instructions to the first node and the second node, the bootstrap beam forming instructions, when received by the first node and the second node, causing first node and the second node to:
re-establish the first communication link using the optimal initiator transmit and receive beam vectors and the optimal responder transmit and receive beam vectors specified by the beam forming histories without executing a sector level sweep procedure between the first node and the second node;
and
execute a beam refinement protocol procedure to optimize the re-established first communication link.

12 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving, at data processing hardware, at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying, using the data processing hardware, an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining, using the data processing hardware, a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node;
identifying, using the data processing hardware, a second communication link between a third node and the second node of the network;
and
when the first communication link and the second communication link are outside an interference threshold:
determining, using the data processing hardware, the first communication link and the second communication link will not interfere with each other;
and
scheduling, using the data processing hardware, overlapping service periods using the same frequency channel over the first communication link and the second communication link without instructing any of the nodes associated with the first and second communication links to perform an interference assessment.

7 more elements

A network system comprising:

data processing hardware external to a mesh network, the mesh network including a network of nodes each operative to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed by the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
receiving at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
obtaining locations of the first node and the second node from memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware;
determining a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node based on the second node location relative to the first node location, the recommended first set of beam vectors constraining the first scanning range of the first node to expedite beam forming alignment with the second node;
and
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node.

5 more elements

A network system comprising:

data processing hardware external to a mesh network, the mesh network including a network of nodes each operative to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed by the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
receiving at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
and
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node,
wherein the first node executes beam forming training with the second node by:
executing an initiator transmitter sector level sweep constrained by the first recommended set of beam vectors;
receiving one or more responder directional beams from the second node while the second node executes a responder transmitter sector level sweep, the received responder directional beams indicating an optimal initiator beam vector received by the second node during the initiator transmitter sector level sweep;
transmitting sector sweep feedback to the second node, the sector sweep feedback indicating an optimal responder beam vector received by the first node during the responder transmitter sector level sweep;
and
when a sector sweep acknowledgement is received from the second node, establishing the first communication link using the optimal initiator beam vector at the first node and the optimal responder beam vector at the second node.

10 more elements

A network system comprising:

data processing hardware external to a mesh network, the mesh network including a network of nodes each operative to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed by the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
receiving at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
and
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node,
wherein the first node executes beam forming training with the second node by:
when the second node comprises an undiscovered node;
executing an initiator transmitter sector level sweep constrained by the first recommended set of beam vectors while the second node executes a receiver sector level sweep, the second node determining an optimal receiving beam vector associated with the receiver sector level sweep while the first node executes the initiator transmitter sector level sweep;
receiving one or more responder directional beams from the second node while the second node executes a responder transmitter sector level sweep, the received responder directional beams constrained by a set of beam vectors using the optimal receiving beam vector and indicating an optimal initiator beam vector received by the second node during the initiator transmitter sector level sweep and the responder directional beams;
establishing the first communication link with the second node when the first node captures one or more of the responder directional beams from the first node during the responder transmitter sector level sweep;
and
informing the data processing hardware that the first communication link is established between the first node and the second node.

11 more elements

A network system comprising:

data processing hardware external to a mesh network, the mesh network including a network of nodes each operative to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed by the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
receiving at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node;
determining whether the first node is rediscovered after an intermittent disconnection from the network;
and
when the first node is rediscovered after an intermittent disconnection from the network:
receiving a connection request from the first node requesting connection to the previously established first communication link with the second node;
obtaining locations and beam histories of the first node and the second node from memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the beam forming histories indicating optimal initiator transmit and receive beam vectors and optimal responder transmit and receive beam vectors associated with the previously established first communication link;
determining bootstrap beam forming instructions based on the locations and beam forming histories of the first and the second node;
and
transmitting the bootstrap beam forming instructions to the first node and the second node, the bootstrap beam forming instructions, when received by the first node and the second node, causing first node and the second node to:
re-establish the first communication link using the optimal initiator transmit and receive beam vectors and the optimal responder transmit and receive beam vectors specified by the beam forming histories without executing a sector level sweep procedure between the first node and the second node;
and
execute a beam refinement protocol procedure to optimize the re-established first communication link.

14 more elements

A network system comprising:

data processing hardware external to a mesh network, the mesh network including a network of nodes each operative to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed by the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
receiving at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node;
identifying a second communication link between a third node and a second node of the network;
and
when the first communication link and the second communication link are outside an interference threshold:
determining the first communication link and the second communication link will not interfere with each other;
and
scheduling overlapping service periods using the same frequency over the first communication link and the second communication link without instructing any of the nodes associated with the first and second communication links to perform an interference assessment.

9 more elements

A network system comprising:

data processing hardware external to a mesh network, the mesh network including a network of nodes each operative to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that when executed by the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising:
receiving at least a first node connection from a network external to the data processing hardware, the network including a network of nodes, each node configured to transmit and/or receive directional beams containing packets of data;
identifying an open first communication link between a first node and a second node of the network;
determining a first recommended set of beam vectors to constrain a first scanning range of the first node when initiating beam forming with the second node;
transmitting the first recommended set of beam vectors from the data processing hardware to the first node, the first recommended set of beam vectors causing the first node to execute beam forming training with the second node using the first recommended set of beam vectors to establish the first communication link with the second node;
identifying a third node relative to the first node causing interference over the first communication link;
obtaining locations and beam histories of the first node and the third node from the memory hardware, the beam forming histories indicating beam vectors used by the first node and the third node:
determining beam tuning instructions for the first node based on the first and third node locations and beam forming histories;
and
transmitting the beam tuning instructions to the first node, the beam tuning instructions when received by the first node causing the first node to adjust side lobe levels to mitigate the interference over the first communication link or the second communication link.

8 more elements

Backhaul-optimized beamforming in IEEE 802.11ad networks

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Backhaul-optimized beamforming in IEEE 802.11ad networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28