Method and system for autonomous channel coordination for a wireless distribution system

Abstract

A method and system for autonomous channel coordination for a wireless distribution system (WDS) are disclosed. A wireless communication system includes a plurality of access points (APs) and the APs communicate each other via a WDS. A coordinated channel group (CCG) of a plurality of member APs is established. The member APs of the CCG camp on a WDS channel used for the WDS among the member APs of the CCG. One AP among the member APs of the CCG is designated as a master AP. The master AP coordinates with other member APs of the CCG for selecting and configuring the WDS channel for the CCG and addition and deletion of member APs. By allowing APs to define a CCG, changes of the WDS channel are performed autonomously while maintaining connectivity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . In a wireless communication system including a plurality of access points (APs) wherein the APs communicate each other via a wireless distribution system (WDS), a method for autonomous channel coordination for the WDS, the method comprising:
 establishing a coordinated channel group (CCG) comprising a plurality of member APs, the member APs of the CCG camping on a WDS channel used for the WDS among the member APs of the CCG;   designating one AP among the member APs of the CCG as a master AP; and   the master AP coordinating with other member APs of the CCG for selecting and configuring the WDS channel for the CCG.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each member AP of the CCG broadcasts a CCG indicator (CCGI) on the WDS channel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the CCGI is transmitted via one of a beacon frame and a probe response frame. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the CCGI is transmitted via a stand alone frame. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the master AP transmits a master indicator associated with the CCGI. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a non-member AP that desires to join the CCG sending a CCG addition request message to the master AP; 
 the master AP determining whether or not accept the non-member AP; and 
 the master AP sending a CCG addition response message to the non-member AP, the CCG addition response message indicating an accept or a reject for the request. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the CCG addition request message includes capability information of the non-member AP. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the capability information includes at least one of a list of frequency channels that the non-member AP may support, information as to whether the non-member AP is capable of reporting channel utilization and interference measurement, and information related to a basic service set (BSS) served by the non-member AP. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the CCG addition request message is included in one of a probe request message and an association request message. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the CCG addition response message is included in one of a probe response message and an association response message. 
     
     
         11 . In a wireless communication system including a plurality of access points (APs) wherein the APs communicate each other via a wireless distribution system (WDS), a system for autonomous channel coordination for the WDS, the system comprising:
 a plurality of member APs configured to establish a coordinated channel group (CCG), the member APs camping on a WDS channel used for the WDS among the member APs of the CCG; and   a master AP being designated among the member APs of the CCG, the master AP being configured to coordinate with other member APs of the CCG for selecting and configuring the WDS channel for the CCG.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein each member AP of the CCG broadcasts a CCG indicator (CCGI) on the WDS channel. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the CCGI is transmitted via one of a beacon frame and a probe response frame. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the CCGI is transmitted via a stand alone frame. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the master AP transmits a master indicator associated with the CCGI. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 at least one non-member AP configured to send a CCG addition request message to the master AP to join the CCG, wherein the master AP determines whether or not accept the non-member AP and sends a CCG addition response message to the non-member AP indicating an accept or a reject for the request. 
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the CCG addition request message includes capability information of the non-member AP. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the capability information includes at least one of a list of frequency channels that the non-member AP may support, information as to whether the non-member AP is capable of reporting channel utilization and interference measurement, and information related to a basic service set (BSS) served by the non-member AP. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the CCG addition request message is included in one of a probe request message and an association request message. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the CCG addition response message is included in one of a probe response message and an association response message.