Dynamic channel selection scheme for IEEE 802.11 WLANs

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for dynamically selecting a communication channel between an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STAs) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes the steps of: determining whether a new channel between the AP and STAs within a particular basic service set (BSS) is needed; requesting a channel signal quality measure to some of the plurality of stations by the AP; reporting a channel signal quality report back to the AP based on a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a packet error rate (PER) of all channels detected by the stations within the BSS; selecting a new channel based on the channel quality report for use in communication between the AP and the plurality of stations.

1 . A method for dynamically selecting a communication channel between an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STAs) located within the coverage area of a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) determining whether a new channel to be used by said plurality of stations is needed;    (b) requesting, by said AP, a channel signal quality measure to at least one of said plurality of stations;    (c) reporting a channel signal quality report to said AP based on a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a packet error rate (PER) of all channels measured by said plurality of stations;    (d) determining a plurality of candidate channels for use in communication between said AP and said plurality of stations; and,    (e) selecting one of said candidate channels based on said channel quality report for use in communication between said AP and said plurality of stations.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of transmitting the selected channel information to said plurality of stations by said AP.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of establishing communication to said selected channel between said AP and said plurality of stations.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said channel signal quality report further includes an interference signal level caused by another communication device, said interference signal level is based on the absence of any 802.11 frame reception.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said RSSI and said PER is used to determine said channel signal quality and a relative distance between the STA requested for said channel signal quality measure and a plurality of adjacent stations from said adjacent BSS.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein it is determined that said new channel is needed in step (a) if one of the following conditions occurs: 
 (1) said BSS is formed by said AP;    (2) said AP or said STA experiences a bad channel condition;    (3) said BSS overlaps with an adjacent BSS; and,    (4) no association of said STA by said AP occurs longer than a predetermined time period.    
   
   
       7 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A system for dynamically selecting a communication channel between an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STAs) located within the coverage area of a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the system comprising: 
 means for determining whether a new channel to be used by said plurality of stations is needed;    means for requesting, by said AP, a channel signal quality measure to at least one of said plurality of stations;    means for reporting a channel signal quality report to said AP based on a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a packet error rate (PER) of all channels measured by said plurality of stations;    means for determining a plurality of candidate channels for use in communication between said AP and said plurality of stations; and,    means for selecting one of said candidate channels based on said channel quality report for use in communication between said AP and said plurality of stations.    
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising means for transmitting the selected channel information to said plurality of stations by said AP.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising means for establishing communication to said selected channel between said AP and said plurality of stations.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said channel signal quality report further includes an interference signal level caused by another communication device, said interference signal level is based on the absence of any 802.11 frame reception.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein said RSSI and said PER is used to determine said channel signal quality and a relative distance between the STA requested for said channel signal quality measure and a plurality of adjacent stations from said adjacent BSS.