HK1160326B - Method and apparatus for selecting a multi-band access point to associate with a multi-band mobile station - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for selecting a multi-band access point to associate with a multi-band mobile station Download PDFInfo
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- HK1160326B HK1160326B HK12100351.9A HK12100351A HK1160326B HK 1160326 B HK1160326 B HK 1160326B HK 12100351 A HK12100351 A HK 12100351A HK 1160326 B HK1160326 B HK 1160326B
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Description
The present application is a divisional application of the chinese patent application entitled "method and apparatus for selecting a multi-band access point with a multi-band mobile station", filed on 30/3/2006, having application number 200680011270.6.
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system including a plurality of multi-band Access Points (APs) and a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), i.e., a mobile station. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting a particular multi-band access point to associate with based on frequency band information transmitted from a plurality of multi-band access points to the multi-band wtru.
Background
A typical Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) includes an Access Point (AP) that provides radio access to wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) in the coverage area of the access point. The access point includes a Basic Service Set (BSS), which is a basic building block of an IEEE 802.11-based wlan. Multiple basic service sets may also be interconnected through a Distribution System (DS) to form an Extended Service Set (ESS).
The wlan can be configured in an infrastructure mode or an ad hoc mode. In the infrastructure mode, wireless communications are controlled by an access point. The access point periodically broadcasts beacon frames to possible wtrus for identification, which in turn communicate with the access point. In the ad-hoc mode, the plurality of wtrus operate in a point-to-point communication mode. The wtru establishes its own communication without the need to incorporate a network component. However, an access point may be configured to act as a bridge or router to another network, such as the internet.
The wtru and the access point may be configured to communicate using multiple frequency bands. In a conventional wireless communication system, a multi-band wtru transmits multiple probe requests on different channels of a frequency band to find out whether there are any aps available in the area. Once an access point receives the probe request, it sends a probe response packet to the wtru. The access point will transmit probe response packets on its operating channel in a particular frequency band. The probe response packet contains parameters required by the wtru, such as supported rates, etc., to associate with the ap. The wtru sends an association request packet and waits for an association response packet from an ap for further data communication.
Once associated, the multi-band wtru may scan other frequency bands for a preferred communication band by transmitting a probe request packet and waiting for a probe response packet. In the case of receiving another probe response packet, the wtru compares the frequency band and/or the ap and selects a better frequency band and/or ap.
In the conventional wireless communication system, the multi-band wtru must scan and compare different frequency bands to determine the frequency band that provides the best wireless communication quality. However, these scanning and comparing functions are time consuming and require a significant amount of battery power. What is needed is a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of time and battery power required to make band and channel selection decisions.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting one of a plurality of multi-band Access Points (APs) for association with a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The multi-band access point broadcasts frequency band information regarding the multi-bands on which the multi-band access point is configured to operate. The multi-band wtru selects a particular associated multi-band access point based on the frequency band information and selects a frequency band for communicating with the selected multi-band access point. If the multi-band wtru receives frequency band information from the selected multi-band ap indicating that a characteristic of the selected frequency band (e.g., path loss, load, throughput, performance, backhaul) is unacceptable, the multi-band wtru determines to disassociate (disassociate) with the particular multi-band ap or to continue associating with the particular multi-band ap over a different frequency band.
Drawings
A detailed understanding of the present invention will be gained from the following description by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
fig. 1 shows a wireless communication system including a plurality of multi-band access points and a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit operating in accordance with the present invention;
fig. 2 is an exemplary beacon frame including frequency band information transmitted by a plurality of multi-band access points to a multi-band wtru of the wireless communication system of fig. 1;
fig. 3 is a flow chart of a process selected by the multi-band wtru to associate with one of the multi-band aps in accordance with the present invention;
fig. 4 is a flow chart of a process for the multi-band wtru determining whether to change the particular frequency band used for communication with a multi-band ap or associate with a different multi-band ap in accordance with the present invention; and
fig. 5 is a flow chart of a process for establishing a wireless communication link between the multi-band wtru and a preferred multi-band ap over a preferred frequency band in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, the term "wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)" includes but is not limited to a User Equipment (UE), mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager, or any other type of device capable of operating in a wireless environment. Such wireless transmit/receive units include, but are not limited to, telephones, video telephones, internet ready telephones, Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), and notebook computers having network-enabled wireless modems.
When referred to hereafter, the term "Access Point (AP)" includes but is not limited to a node-B, base station, site controller, or any other form of interfacing device that provides wireless access to other wtrus associated with the AP in a wireless environment.
The present invention is applicable to any wireless communication system including, but not limited to, 802.x based wireless communication systems.
Figure l shows a wireless communication system 100 including a plurality of multi-band access points 105 operating in accordance with the present invention1-105NAnd a multi-band wtru 110. Each multi-band access point 1051-105NAnd the multi-band wtru 110 operate on at least two frequency bands. The multi-band access point 1051-105NTransmitting band information 1151-115NIndicating each multi-band access point 1051-105NOn which different multi-bands are configured to operate. Each multi-band access point 1051-105NEach including a respective transceiver 1201-120NWith a respective processor 1251-125N. Each respective transceiver 1201-120NIt is configured to operate on at least two different frequency bands. Each respective processor 1251-125NThe respective band information 115 is generated and arranged1-115NAnd provides it to the transceiver 1201-120NFor transmission. The multi-band wtru 110 also includes a transceiver 130 and a processor 135. The transceiver 130 is configured to operate on at least two different frequency bands. The processor 135 processes the data from the multi-band access point 105 by the transceiver 1301-105NReceived frequency band information 1151-115NBased on the band information 1151-115NA multi-band access point 105 is selected for association and a frequency band for communication with the selected multi-band access point 105 is selected.
The multi-band wtru 110 and the multi-band ap 1051-105NAny of them can be usedTo provide the band information to the multi-band wtru 110. For example, an authentication frame (which is a management frame) may also be used to transmit multi-band information. Likewise, the packet may be piggybacked on any current or future wlan packet.
Alternatively, the multi-band wtru 110 and the multi-band ap 105 may be utilized1-105NTo provide the frequency band information to the multi-band wtru 110.
Fig. 2 shows an exemplary beacon frame including a beacon frame from each multi-band access point 1051-105NThe frequency band information 115 is transmitted to the multi-band wtru 110 of the wireless communication system 100 of figure i. The band information 115 indicates whether a particular multi-band access point 105 supports multi-band 2051-205NThe number of channels 215 and timing information 220, or the like.
The band information 115 may additionally include for each band 2051-205NQuality metric information 210 of1-210N. The quality metric information may include, but is not limited to, path loss, load (e.g., number of associated wireless communication systems 100), throughput, performance, and backhaul on each frequency band.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a multi-band access point 105 according to the present invention1-105NFrequency band information 115 to the multi-band wtru 1101-115NSpecific multi-band access points 105 in the wireless communication system 100 of figure l1-105NA process 300 flow diagram for establishing a wireless communication link with the multi-band wtru 110. In step 305, a plurality of multi-band access points 1051-105NBroadcast with respect to multi-band access points 1051-105NFrequency band information 115 for multiple frequency bands on which to configure to operate1-115N. As shown in fig. 2, the band information 1151-115NCan be at oneAnd broadcasting in a beacon frame. In step 310, a multi-band wtru 110 receives and processes the frequency band information 1151-115N. In step 315, the multi-band wtru 110 bases on the frequency band information 1151-115NFrom multi-band access point 1051-105NSelect a particular one to associate with, and select a frequency band for communicating with, the selected multi-band access point 105.
Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a process 400 for determining by the multi-band wtru 100 whether to change the particular frequency band used for communication with a multi-band ap 105 or associate with a different multi-band ap 105 in accordance with the present invention. In step 405, the multi-band wtru 100 associates with a particular multi-band ap 105 on a particular frequency band. In step 410, the multi-band wtru 100 receives frequency band information 115 from the particular multi-band ap 105 that includes a quality metric indicating that the particular frequency band has a quality metric such as, for example, an insufficient throughput. In step 415, the multi-band wtru 100 disassociates with the multi-band ap 105 and associates with another multi-band ap 105, or continues to associate with the same multi-band ap 105 over a different frequency band containing band information 115 indicating a good (e.g., high) throughput quality metric.
Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a process 500 for establishing a wireless communication link between the multi-band wtru and a preferred multi-band ap over a preferred frequency band in accordance with the present invention. In step 505, a multi-band wtru 100 broadcasts a broadcast from a plurality of multi-band aps 1051-105NAn association request packet or probe request packet is received. The multi-band wtru 100 may include in the request packet an indication of the multi-band capabilities and information related to the wtru 100. In step 510, each multi-band access point 1051-105NTransmits an association response packet or probe response packet to the multi-band wtru 100 including frequency bands according to the multi-band capabilities of the wtru 100Information 1151-115N. In step 515, the multi-band wtru 100 bases on the frequency band information 1151-115NA better frequency band and a better multi-band ap 105 are selected for association.
In another embodiment, the wireless communication system 100 excludes the multi-band access point 1051-105NIn addition to the multi-band wtru 104a, a single-band access point and a single-band wtru may be included. If the single-band wtru is associated with a multi-band access point 105 because the single-band wtru is not configured to communicate on multiple bands, information about the multiple bands of the multi-band access point 105 that is not information about the frequency band in which the single-band wtru is configured to operate will be ignored by the single-band wtru. The single-band access point broadcasts information about its single band (such as timing, load, or other) in a beacon frame. Both a single-band wtru and a multi-band wtru 110 may use this information to determine whether to associate with the single-band ap.
In accordance with the present invention, the multi-band wtru 110 does not need to spend significant time and battery power scanning different frequency bands in search of an appropriate access point to associate with. Further, by providing a multi-band wtru 110 with a per-band quality metric (e.g., throughput), the wtru can optimize not only its own throughput, but also the throughput of the ap 105.
Examples
1. A method of wireless communication between a plurality of multi-band Access Points (APs) and a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the multi-band access points and the WTRU configured to communicate via at least two different frequency bands, the method comprising: each multi-band access point broadcasting band information regarding a multi-band on which the multi-band access point is configured to operate;
the multi-band wtru processes the frequency band information and, based on the frequency band information, selects a particular multi-band access point to associate with and selects a frequency band for communicating with the selected multi-band access point.
2. The method of embodiment 1 wherein the frequency band information is broadcast by each multi-band access point in a beacon frame.
3. The method of embodiment i wherein the frequency band information is sent by the multi-band ap in response to a probe request packet sent by the multi-band wtru.
4. The method of embodiment 3 wherein the multi-band wtru includes band information regarding multi-frequency performance of the multi-band wtru in the probe request packet.
5. The method of embodiment i wherein the frequency band information is sent by the multi-band ap in response to an association request packet sent by the multi-band wtru.
6. The method of embodiment 5 wherein the multi-band wtru includes band information regarding multi-frequency performance of the multi-band wtru in the association request packet.
7. The method of embodiment i wherein the band information is sent by the multi-band ap in response to a packet sent by the multi-band wtru.
8. The method of embodiment 1 wherein the frequency band information is sent by a private information exchange.
9. The method as in any embodiments 1-8, wherein the frequency band information comprises at least one of an indication of multi-band support, a number of channels for the frequency band, and frequency information for each frequency band.
10. The method as in any one of embodiments 1-9, wherein the frequency band information comprises quality metric information for the frequency band on which the access point is configured to operate.
11. The method of embodiment 10 wherein the quality metric information includes at least one of a path loss, a load, throughput, performance, and backhaul for each frequency band.
12. A wireless communication system, comprising: a plurality of multi-band Access Points (APs) broadcasting band information regarding multi-bands on which the APs are configured to operate; and a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to process the frequency band information and select a particular multi-band access point to associate with and a frequency band to communicate with the selected multi-band access point based on the frequency band information.
13. The system of embodiment 12 wherein the frequency band information is broadcast by each multi-band access point in a beacon frame.
14. The system of embodiment 12 wherein the frequency band information is sent by the multi-band ap in response to a probe request packet sent by the multi-band wtru.
15. The system of embodiment 14 wherein the multi-band wtru includes band information regarding multi-frequency performance of the multi-band wtru in the probe request packet.
16. The system of embodiment 12 wherein the frequency band information is sent by the multi-band ap in response to an association request packet sent by the multi-band wtru.
17. The system of embodiment 16 wherein the multi-band wtru includes band information regarding multi-frequency performance of the multi-band wtru in the association request packet.
18. The system of embodiment 12 wherein the band information is sent by the multi-band ap in response to a management packet sent by the multi-band wtru.
19. The system of embodiment 12 wherein the frequency band information is sent by a private information exchange.
20. The system as in any one of embodiments 12-19, wherein the frequency band information comprises at least one of an indication of multi-band support, a number of channels for the frequency band, and frequency information for each frequency band.
21. The system as in any one of embodiments 12-20, wherein the frequency band information comprises quality metric information for the frequency band on which the access point is configured to operate.
22. The system of embodiment 21 wherein the quality metric information includes at least one of a path loss, a load, a throughput, performance and backhaul for each frequency band.
23. A method of wireless communication between multi-band Access Points (APs) and a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the APs and the WTRU configured to communicate over a plurality of different frequency bands, the method of wireless communication comprising: the multi-band wtru associating with a particular one of the multi-band aps via a first one of the different frequency bands; the multi-band wtru receiving frequency band information from the particular multi-band access point indicating that a characteristic of the first frequency band is unacceptable; and the multi-band wtru determining whether to disassociate with the particular multi-band access point or to continue associating with the particular multi-band access point through a second one of the frequency bands.
24. The method of embodiment 23 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is throughput.
25. The method of embodiment 23 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is path loss.
26. The method of embodiment 23 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is load.
27. The method of embodiment 23 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is performance.
28. The method of embodiment 23 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is backhaul.
29. A wireless communication system, comprising: a plurality of multi-band Access Points (APs) that broadcast band information regarding multi-bands on which each of the multi-band APs is configured to operate; and a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) that associates with a particular one of the multi-band access points through a first different one of the frequency bands, wherein the WTRU receives frequency band information from the particular multi-band access point indicating that a characteristic of the first frequency band is unacceptable, and the WTRU determines whether to disassociate with the particular multi-band access point or to continue to associate with the particular multi-band access point through a second one of the frequency bands.
30. The system of embodiment 29 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is throughput.
31. The system of embodiment 29 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is path loss.
32. The system of embodiment 29 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is load.
33. The system of embodiment 29 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is performance.
34. The system of embodiment 29 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is a post network.
35. A multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) configured to communicate with a multi-band AP, the multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising: a transceiver configured to associate with a particular one of the multi-band access points over a first one of the different frequency bands, and a processor configured to determine whether to disassociate with the particular multi-band access point or to continue associating with the particular multi-band access point over a second frequency band based on frequency band information received by the transceiver from the particular multi-band access point indicating that a characteristic of the first frequency band is unacceptable.
36. The wireless transmit/receive unit of embodiment 35 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is throughput.
37. The wireless transmit/receive unit of embodiment 35 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is path loss.
38. The wireless transmit/receive unit of embodiment 35 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is load.
39. The wireless transmit/receive unit of embodiment 35 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is performance.
40. The wireless transmit/receive unit of embodiment 35 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is backhaul.
41. An Integrated Circuit (IC) embedded in a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (wtru) configured to communicate with multi-band Access Points (APs) over a plurality of different frequency bands, the IC comprising: a transceiver configured to associate with a particular one of the multi-band access points via a second one of the different frequency bands, and a processor configured to determine whether to disassociate with the particular multi-band access point or to continue associating with the particular multi-band access point via a second frequency band based on frequency band information received by the transceiver from the particular multi-band access point indicating that a characteristic of the first frequency band is unacceptable.
42. The integrated circuit of embodiment 41 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is throughput.
43. The integrated circuit of embodiment 41 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is path loss.
44. The integrated circuit of embodiment 41 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is a load.
45. The integrated circuit of embodiment 41 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is performance.
46. The integrated circuit of embodiment 41 wherein the unacceptable characteristic is backhaul.
Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the present invention or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention.
Claims (18)
1. A method for a multi-band access point, AP, the method comprising:
receiving a probe request message from a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), wherein the probe request message includes first frequency band information indicating multi-frequency performance of the WTRU;
transmitting a probe response message to the multi-band WTRU, wherein the probe response message is responsive to the probe request message and includes information on multi-bands supported by the multi-band AP, and wherein the multi-bands include a first frequency band and a second frequency band;
establishing an association with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band;
transmitting second frequency band information to the multi-band WTRU; and
maintaining or terminating association with the multi-band WTRU on a second frequency band after transmitting second frequency band information to the multi-band WTRU.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving an association request message from the multi-band WTRU; and
transmitting an association response message to the multi-band WTRU.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
communicating data with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the association with the multi-band WTRU is maintained or terminated based on a quality metric.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is throughput.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is path loss.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is load.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is performance.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein the quality metric is backhaul.
10. A multi-band access point, AP, comprising:
a processor; and
a transceiver in communication with the processor and configured to,
wherein the transceiver is configured to:
receiving a probe request message from a multi-band wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), the probe request message including first frequency band information indicating multi-frequency performance of the WTRU: and
transmitting a probe response message to the multi-band WTRU, wherein the probe response message is responsive to the probe request message and includes information on multi-bands supported by the multi-band AP, and wherein the multi-bands include a first frequency band and a second frequency band;
wherein the processor is configured to:
establishing an association with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band;
wherein the transceiver is further configured to:
transmitting second frequency band information to the multi-band WTRU; and
wherein the processor is further configured to:
maintaining or terminating association with the multi-band WTRU on a second frequency band after transmitting second frequency band information to the multi-band WTRU.
11. The multi-band access point, AP, of claim 10 wherein the transceiver and the processor are further configured to:
receiving an association request message from the multi-band WTRU; and
transmitting an association response message to the multi-band WTRU.
12. The multi-band access point, AP, of claim 10 wherein the transceiver and the processor are further configured to:
communicating data with the multi-band WTRU on the first frequency band.
13. The multi-band access point, AP, of claim 10, wherein the association with the multi-band WTRU is maintained or terminated based on a quality metric.
14. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is throughput.
15. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is path loss.
16. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is load.
17. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is performance.
18. The AP of claim 13, wherein the quality metric is backhaul.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US66752305P | 2005-04-01 | 2005-04-01 | |
| US60/667,523 | 2005-04-01 | ||
| US11/284,242 | 2005-11-21 | ||
| US11/284,242 US7797018B2 (en) | 2005-04-01 | 2005-11-21 | Method and apparatus for selecting a multi-band access point to associate with a multi-band mobile station |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HK08106852.6A Addition HK1112132A (en) | 2005-04-01 | 2006-03-30 | Method and apparatus for selecting a multi-band access point to associate with a multi-band mobile station |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| HK08106852.6A Division HK1112132A (en) | 2005-04-01 | 2006-03-30 | Method and apparatus for selecting a multi-band access point to associate with a multi-band mobile station |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| HK1160326A1 HK1160326A1 (en) | 2012-08-10 |
| HK1160326B true HK1160326B (en) | 2016-08-19 |
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