Operation of access points and autonomous group owners

Abstract

A system includes a device and a station. The device includes: a first access point (AP) function, which is configured to operate on a first channel of a first frequency band; and a second AP function, which is configured to operate on a second channel of a second frequency band. The device also includes a processing device. In response to detecting that the second channel is not usable by the second AP function, the processing device is configured to convert the second AP function to operate on a third channel of the first frequency band. The station can be used in automotive applications and is configured to: communicate with the first AP function in the first frequency band; or communicate with the second AP function in the first frequency band or the second frequency band.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is an international application of U.S. non-provisional application No. 16 / 361,588 filed on March 22, 2019, which claims priority and benefits to U.S. provisional application No. 62 / 782,847 filed on December 20, 2018. The entire contents of all of the above U.S. applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Various aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless systems and, more particularly, to the operation of access points and autonomous group owners in a wireless local area network (WLAN). Background Art

[0004] Dynamic frequency selection (DFS) is a mechanism that enables a wireless local area network (WLAN) device (e.g., an access point or an autonomous group owner) to operate in the 5 gigahertz (GHz) band without interfering with other systems (e.g., radar systems) operating in the 5 GHz band. For example, if no radar signals are detected on a channel in the 5 GHz band, the access point may operate in that channel. However, when a radar signal is detected on the channel, the access point may need to change to a new channel in the 5 GHz band to avoid interfering with the radar system. In many cases, finding a new channel for an access point may take a long period of time (e.g., from 1 minute to 10 minutes), which may cause significant disruption to stations or client devices connected to the access point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The described embodiments and their advantages can be best understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the described embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.

[0006] Figure 1 An example architecture of a wireless system according to some implementations of the present disclosure is shown.

[0007] Figure 2 An example process for switching an access point between different frequency bands is shown in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 3 A flow chart illustrating a method of operation of an access point or autonomous group owner in a wireless local area network (WLAN) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 4A and Figure 4BA flow chart showing a method of operation of an access point or an autonomous group owner in a WLAN according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method for switching an access point between different frequency bands according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The examples, implementations, and embodiments described herein can enable an access point (AP) or an autonomous group owner (AGO) to operate smoothly in different frequency bands in a wireless local area network (WLAN). For example, if no radar signal is detected on a channel in the 5 GHz band, the AP can operate in the channel. When a radar signal is detected on the channel, the AP can be converted to a channel in the 2.4 GHz band without causing an interruption to the station (STA) connected to the AP, because the AP can use a channel switching announcement (CSA) function to help guide the connected station (STA) to the new channel. That is, after the AP is converted to a channel in the 2.4 GHz band, the STA connected to the AP can operate on a channel in the 2.4 GHz band. If a new channel in the 5 GHz band is found for the AP without interfering with any radar system operating in the 5 GHz band, the AP can be converted to the new channel. And the station connected to the AP can also use the AP's CSA announcement to convert to operate in the new channel.

[0012] The examples, implementations, and embodiments described herein are primarily described in the context of WLAN networks.

[0013] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows an example architecture of a wireless system 100 in a WLAN network according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, the wireless system 100 may include a device 110 and one or more stations, such as STA 111 and STA 112. In one embodiment, the device 110 may be a WLAN device and includes a first AP function unit 101, a second AP function unit AP 102, and a processing unit 103.

[0014] STA 111 and STA 112 may be devices that can access a WLAN network, such as a mobile device or a computer. STA 111 and STA 112 may communicate with AP 101 or AP 102. Figure 1As shown, STA 111 can communicate data with AP 101. For example, STA 111 can receive a wireless radio frequency (RF) signal carrying a data packet (or data message, frame, etc.) from AP 101, as indicated by arrow 120. In addition, STA 111 can transmit a wireless RF signal carrying a data packet (or data message, frame, etc.) to AP 101, as indicated by arrow 121. Similarly, STA 112 can communicate data with AP 102, as indicated by arrows 130 and 131. STAs 111 and 112 can be used in automotive applications such as automotive infotainment applications. Also as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, circle 140 may represent the range of RF signals transmitted between STAs 111 and 112 and APs 101 and 102. When STAs 111 and 112 and APs 101 and 102 are located within circle 140, data may be wirelessly transmitted between STAs 111 and 112 and APs 101 and 102. In some examples, device 110 may include an internal STA function (e.g., within device 110) that may be connected to an external AP (different from APs 101 and 102).

[0015] The processing device 103 may be provided by one or more general-purpose processing devices such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit, etc. In an illustrative example, the processing device 103 may include a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, or a processor that implements other instruction sets or a processor that implements a combination of instruction sets. The processing device 103 may also include one or more special-purpose processing devices such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor, etc. According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, the processing device 103 may be configured to perform some of the operations described herein to perform some of the operations and steps discussed herein.

[0016] In one embodiment, AP 101 operates on a first channel of a first frequency band. The first frequency band may be a 2.4 GHz band. AP 101 may be operable in at least one of the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The second frequency band may be a 5 GHz band. In one embodiment, AP 102 operates on a second channel of a second frequency band. AP 102 may be operable in both the first frequency band (i.e., the 2.4 GHz band) and the second frequency band (i.e., the 5 GHz band). In one embodiment, AP 101 and AP 102 are integrated in a single integrated circuit. A single integrated circuit or chip may support multiple basic service sets (MBSS). That is, a single integrated circuit or chip may support more than one beacon entity (AP or AGO) operating in the same frequency band or channel. In some examples, AP 101 and AP 102 and an internal STA may be integrated in a single integrated circuit. The internal STA may be operable in at least one of the first frequency band (i.e., the 2.4 GHz band) and the second frequency band (i.e., the 5 GHz band).

[0017] In one embodiment, the device 110 supports dynamic frequency selection (DFS). The AP 102 operates on a second channel, which is a DFS channel in the 5 GHz band. In one embodiment, the AP 102 may detect that a radar system is operating on a second channel in the 5 GHz band, that is, the second channel cannot be used by the AP 102. In this embodiment, in order to avoid interfering with the radar, in response to detecting that the second channel cannot be used by the AP 102, the processing device 103 may convert the AP 102 to operate on a third channel in the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, the AP 102 is converted to operate on the third channel in the 2.4 GHz band without interfering with the radar system operating in the second channel in the 5 GHz band. In this embodiment, the STA 112 may also be converted to operate on the third channel to communicate data with the AP 102. For example, the AP 102 may send a channel switch announcement (CSA) to the STA 112 to notify the STA 112 to convert to the third channel in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0018] In one embodiment, the third channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band may be different from the first channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band on which AP 101 operates. In another embodiment, the third channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band may be the same as the first channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band on which AP 101 operates. That is, after the conversion of AP 102, AP 101 and AP 102 may operate on the same channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Device 110 may support MBSS. Therefore, AP 101 and AP 102 may operate in the same frequency band, for example, the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

[0019] In one embodiment, after AP 102 switches to the third channel of the 2.4 GHz band, processing device 103 may scan channels in the 5 GHz band to find or select a new channel that does not interfere with any radar system operating in the 5 GHz band. That is, the new channel in the 5 GHz band may be used by AP 102. In this embodiment, device 110 may support real-time simultaneous dual band (RSDB) so that device 110 may communicate using both the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band at the same time. With RSDB supported, AP 102 may operate on the third channel of the 2.4 GHz band while processing device 103 may simultaneously scan channels in the 5 GHz band to find or select a new channel.

[0020] In one embodiment, after finding or selecting a new channel in the 5 GHz band, in response to detecting that the new channel can be used by the AP 102, the processing device 103 can further convert the AP 102 from the third channel in the 2.4 GHz band to operate on the new channel in the 5 GHz band. In this embodiment, the STA 112 can also convert to operate on the new channel in the 5 GHz band to communicate data with the AP 102.

[0021] Figure 2 An example process for switching an access point between different frequency bands according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 As shown, AP 101 may operate on a first channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band. STA 111 connected to AP 101 may also operate on the first channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band to communicate with AP 101. On the other hand, when no radar signal is detected on the second channel, AP 102 may operate on a second channel of the 5 GHz frequency band, as indicated by arrow 201 during a time period from time t0 to time t1. STA 112 may also operate on the second channel of the 5 GHz frequency band to connect with AP 102. The second channel may be a DFS channel.

[0022] In one embodiment, when a radar signal is detected on the second channel, as indicated by arrow 202, processing device 103 may switch AP 102 to operate on a third channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band, as indicated by arrow 203. As explained above, the third channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band may be the same as or different from the first channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band on which AP 101 operates.

[0023] In one embodiment, Figure 2As shown, the processing device 103 may perform DFS channel selection to find or select a new channel that does not interfere with any radar system operating in the 5 GHz frequency band, as indicated by arrow 204 in the time period from time t1 to time t2. During the time period of DFS channel selection (from time t1 to time t2), the AP 102 may operate on a third channel in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, as indicated by arrow 205. And the STA 112 may also switch to operate on the third channel to communicate data with the AP 102 without being interrupted by the DFS channel selection.

[0024] After finding or selecting a new channel in the 5 GHz band, the new channel may be used by the AP 102. In one embodiment, in response to detecting that the new channel may be used by the AP 102, the processing device 103 may convert the AP 102 from the third channel in the 2.4 GHz band to operate on the new channel in the 5 GHz band, as indicated by arrow 206. That is, the AP 102 may operate on the new channel in the 5 GHz band without interfering with any radar system operating in the 5 GHz band, as indicated by arrow 207 during the time period from time t2 to time t3. In this embodiment, the STA 112 may also convert to operate on the new channel to communicate data with the AP 102. For example, the AP 102 may send a CSA to the STA 112 to notify the STA 112 to convert to the new channel in the 5 GHz band.

[0025] In one embodiment, one or more channels used by AP 102 in the 5 GHz frequency band may be DFS channels. In other embodiments, one or more channels used by AP 102 in the 5 GHz frequency band may not be DFS channels. In some embodiments, the first frequency band and the second frequency band may be frequency bands other than the 2.4 GHz frequency band and the 5 GHz frequency band.

[0026] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example process 300 of an AP or AGO operating in different frequency bands according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Process 300 may be performed by device 110. In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, at block 301, processing device 103 may initiate a request for an AP or AGO to operate on a channel in the 5 GHz frequency band. At block 302, processing device 103 may determine whether the requested channel is a DFS channel. If it is determined that the requested channel is not a DFS channel, process 300 may proceed to block 303. At block 303, the AP or AGO may begin operating on a channel in the 5 GHz frequency band.

[0027] On the other hand, if the requested channel is a DFS channel, DFS channel selection or channel scanning should be performed before the AP or AGO can begin operating on the channel. DFS channel selection can detect whether the radar system is operating on the requested channel so that the AP or AGO may not begin operating on the requested channel. DFS channel selection may take 1 to 10 minutes to complete. If the requested channel is a DFS channel, the process 300 may proceed to box 304. At box 304, the processing device 103 may determine whether an interface such as another AP or AGO is already operating on a channel in the 2.4 GHz band. If it is determined that an interface such as another AP or AGO is already operating on a channel in the 2.4 GHz band, the processing device 103 may pick or select the same 2.4 GHz band channel for switching the AP or AGO, as shown in box 305. If it is determined that the interface, such as another AP or AGO, is not operating on a channel in the 2.4 GHz band, the processing device 103 may pick any channel in the 2.4 GHz band for switching the AP or AGO, as shown at block 306 .

[0028] Process 300 may proceed from block 305 or block 306 to block 307. At block 307, processing device 103 may temporarily activate or move the AP or AGO to operate on the selected channel of the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Stations connected to the AP or AGO may also operate on the selected channel to communicate data with the AP or AGO. In order to support more than one beacon entity (AP or AGO) operating in the same frequency band or channel, device 110 may support MBSS.

[0029] At box 308, the processing device 103 may perform DFS channel selection to find or select a channel in the 5 GHz band for use by the AP or AGO. For example, the processing device 103 may perform a DFS channel availability check (CAC) to determine whether a channel or candidate channel in the 5 GHz band selected by the user is available for the AP or AGO to operate on. In one example, if no radar signal is detected on the selected channel or candidate channel, the selected channel or candidate channel is available for the AP or AGO to operate on. Otherwise, the selected channel or candidate channel is not available for the AP or AGO to operate on. During the DFS selected time period, the AP or AGO may temporarily operate on the selected channel in the 2.4 GHz band.

[0030] At box 309, if the processing device 103 determines that the selected channel or candidate channel is not available for the AP or AGO to operate on, the process 300 can proceed back to box 308 to continue to perform DFS channel selection. On the other hand, at box 309, if the processing device 103 determines that the selected channel or candidate channel is available for the AP or AGO to operate on, the process 300 can proceed to box 310. At box 310, the processing device 103 can cause the AP or AGO to switch or move from the selected channel of the 2.4 GHz band to operate on the selected channel or candidate channel of the 5 GHz band. In one example, the AP or AGO can send one or more CSAs to the station connected to the AP or AGO to notify the station to switch to the selected channel or candidate channel of the 5 GHz band.

[0031] At block 311, the AP or AGO may initiate in-service monitoring to detect any radar systems operating on the selected channel or candidate channels in the 5 GHz band. If a radar signal is detected on the selected channel or candidate channels as shown at block 312, the process 300 may proceed back to block 304 to initiate a transition of the AP or AGO to operate in the 2.4 GHz band to avoid interference with the detected radar system.

[0032] Figure 4A and Figure 4B A flowchart of an example process 400 of an access point or autonomous group owner operating in different frequency bands according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is included. Process 400 may be performed by device 110. In process 400, device 110 may include an internal STA function (e.g., within device 110) that may be connected to an external AP (which is different from AP 101 and AP 102). Figure 4A As shown, at block 401, a beacon role (e.g., AP 101) in the 2.4 GHz band may be created. AP 101 may analyze system dependencies and create a BSS in the 2.4 GHz band. At block 402, processing device 103 may decide to start AP 102 in the 5 GHz band and begin analyzing system dependencies before a beacon role (e.g., AP 102) in the 5 GHz band may be created.

[0033] At block 403, processing device 103 may determine whether a DFS channel is enabled. For example, some regions may have DFS channels enabled, while other regions may not have DFS channels enabled. If the DFS channel is not enabled, process 400 may proceed directly from block 403 to block 404. At block 404, AP 102 may create a BSS on a valid channel in the 5 GHz band, in which case the BSS may be one of the non-DFS channels in the 5 GHz band.

[0034] On the other hand, if the DFS channel is enabled, the process 400 may proceed from box 403 to box 405. At box 405, the processing device 103 may create a list of regulatory allowed channels for the 5 GHz band. At box 406, the DFS channels and non-DFS channels may be separated in the channel list and arranged in a preferred order. At box 407, the processing device 103 may browse the preferred channel list in a preferred order, analyze each channel and determine whether each channel can enable the AP 102 to start. During this iteration, if the selected channel is a DFS channel, the processing device 103 may perform a DFS-CAC scan to determine whether there is any radar signal interference in the channel. If radar signal interference is found, the selected channel may be considered an invalid channel and the search may continue for the next channel. If the selected channel is not a DFS channel, the DFS-CAC scan may be skipped and the selected channel may be used to directly start the AP 102. At the conclusion of processing in block 407, a valid DFS or non-DFS channel is found and process 400 may proceed from block 407 to block 404 to start AP 102 in the selected channel.

[0035] From block 404, process 400 may proceed to block 408. At block 408, processing device 103 may monitor internal STA functionality to trigger any activity associated with an external AP. If a STA mode connection is not triggered, process 400 may proceed from block 408 to block 409. At block 409, if the operating channel is a DFS channel, AP 102 may perform DFS in-service monitoring (DFS-ISM) for the radar signal while it is operating.

[0036] On the other hand, at block 408, if the processing device 103 detects that the STA mode connection is triggered, the process 400 may proceed from block 408 to block 410. At block 410, a CSA may be initiated by an AP (e.g., AP 102) or an AGO to switch to a channel of an external AP in the 5 GHz band along with a STA (e.g., STA 112) to which the AP or AGO is connected. Once the AP 102 switches to the channel of the external AP, the STA may continue to connect to the external AP, as shown at block 411. If, as shown at block 412, the AP or AGO is operating on a DFS channel, the process 400 may proceed from block 412 to block 409 to perform DFS-ISM and monitor the radar signal on the DFS channel in the 5 GHz band while it is operating.

[0037] Process 400 may proceed from block 409 to block 413, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B As shown. At box 413, AP 102 can determine whether a radar signal is detected on the current operating channel of the 5 GHz band, or determine whether the internal STA function connected to the external AP has received any quiet information element (IE) and / or received a CSA from the external AP. If the internal STA function receives a quiet IE and / or CSA from the external AP, it can indicate that the external AP first (e.g., before AP 102) detected the radar. If no radar is detected or no quiet IE and / or CSA is received, AP 102 can continue to operate on the channel of the 5 GHz band and radar detection, as shown at box 414.

[0038] On the other hand, if a radar signal is detected or a quiet IE and / or CSA is received, process 400 may proceed from block 413 to block 415. At block 415, AP 102 may send out a frame with a quiet IE to its connected STAs (e.g., STA 112), and all further packet transmissions may be suspended or queued.

[0039] At block 416, the connection status of the internal STA function is determined. If the internal STA is connected, the process 400 may proceed from block 416 to block 417. At block 417, the AP 102 may wait for a timeout period by using a timing counter and wait for a CSA frame from the external AP to the internal STA interface. If a CSA frame is received within the timeout period, the AP 102 may obtain a new channel as provided by the external AP for transition. If, as shown at block 418, the counter value is zero, indicating a timeout and the AP 102 has not received a CSA frame from the external AP to the internal STA, that is, there is no channel transition information from the external AP, the internal STA may be disconnected from the external AP, as indicated by arrow 419. If the counter is not zero and the channel is available for transition from the external AP to the internal STA function, the process 400 may proceed from block 419 to block 420. At block 420, the AP 102 may initiate a CSA operation to direct the connected STA (e.g., STA 112) to the next channel for transition.

[0040] On the other hand, if the internal STA is not connected, the process 400 may proceed from block 416 to block 421. At block 421, if the preferred non-DFS channel is available, the process 400 may proceed from block 421 to block 420. However, if the preferred non-DFS channel is not available, the process 400 may proceed from block 421 to block 422. If the service set identifier (SSID) and security credentials of the AP or AGO (e.g., AP 101) operating in the 2.4 GHz band match the SSID and security credentials of the AP or AGO (e.g., AP 102) operating in the 5 GHz band, the process 400 may proceed from block 422 to block 420. Otherwise, the process 400 may proceed from block 422 to block 423. At block 423, the AP 102 may continue to scan channels to detect radar signals and not transmit for a period of time indicated by the quiet IE. If an available channel is found, the process 400 may proceed from block 423 to block 420.

[0041] As described above, at block 420, a CSA operation may be initiated for the connected station to direct the connected station to the next channel for transition. Process 400 may then proceed from block 420 to block 424. If at block 424, the AP or AGO (e.g., AP 112) is operating on a DFS channel, process 400 may proceed from block 424 back to block 413, where process 400 may perform DFS-ISM and its normal operations. If the AP or AGO (e.g., AP 112) is not operating on a DFS channel, process 400 may proceed from block 424 to block 425.

[0042] At block 425, the last DFS channel on which the radar signal was detected may be moved to the last position in the preferred DFS channel list. That is, the last DFS channel may have a low priority in the preferred DFS channel list for use by the AP 102. CAC may then be initiated for the next preferred DFS channel in the channel list, as shown at block 426. Process 400 may proceed from block 426 to block 427 if the next preferred DFS channel is valid for AP 102 movement. Process 400 may proceed from block 427 to block 420 to initiate CSA operation. If the next preferred DFS channel is not valid for AP 102 movement, process 400 may proceed from block 427 to block 424 to update the preferred DFS channel list.

[0043] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method 500 of switching an access point between different frequency bands according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In some embodiments, the method 500 may be performed by the device 110.

[0044] The method 500 starts at block 501, where the method 500 includes operating a first AP function (AP 101) of a wireless device (device 110) on a first channel of a first frequency band, the first AP function being operable in at least one of a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The first frequency band may be a 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, and the second frequency band may be a 5 GHz frequency band. The device 110 may support DFS, and the second channel may be a DFS channel.

[0045] At block 502, the method 500 includes operating a second AP function (AP 102) of a wireless device on a second channel of a second frequency band, the second AP function being operable in a first frequency band and a second frequency band.

[0046] The first AP function and the second AP function may be integrated into a single integrated circuit.

[0047] At block 503, method 500 includes, in response to detecting that the second channel is not usable by the second AP function, converting the second AP function to operate on a third channel of the first frequency band. The third channel may be the same as or different from the first channel.

[0048] The method 500 may also include, in response to detecting that the fourth channel is usable by the second AP function, converting the second AP function from the third channel to operate on a fourth channel of the second frequency band.

[0049] The method 500 described above may be used to operate one or more APs or AGOs in a WLAN network.

[0050] Unless expressly stated otherwise, terms such as "receive," "generate," "verify," "execute," "correct," "identify," and the like refer to actions and processes performed or implemented by computing devices that manipulate data represented as physical (electronic) quantities in the registers and memories of the computing devices and transform them into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the memories or registers of the computing devices or other such information storage devices, transmission devices, or display devices.

[0051] The examples described herein also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations described herein. The apparatus may be specially constructed for the desired purpose, and / or the apparatus may include a general-purpose computing device selectively programmed by a computer program stored in the computing device. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium.

[0052] Certain embodiments may be implemented as a computer program product, which may include instructions stored on a machine-readable medium. These instructions may be used to program a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor to perform the described operations. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). A machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage media (e.g., floppy disks); optical storage media (e.g., CD-ROMs); magneto-optical storage media; read-only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or another type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. A machine-readable medium may be referred to as a non-transitory machine-readable medium.

[0053] The methods and illustrative examples described herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other device. Various general purpose systems may be used, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized equipment to perform the required method steps, according to the teachings described herein. The structures required for various of these systems will appear as set forth in the above description.

[0054] The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific illustrative examples, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to the described examples. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full range of equivalents to which these claims are entitled.

[0055] As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms. It will also be understood that the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", and / or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or groups thereof. In addition, as used herein, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. are intended to be used as marks to distinguish among different elements and may not necessarily have ordinal meanings specified according to their numbers. Therefore, the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be restrictive.

[0056] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions / actions may not occur in the order shown in the drawings. For example, depending on the functions / actions involved, two figures shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order.

[0057] Although method operations are described in a particular order, it should be understood that other operations may be performed between the described operations, that the described operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times, or that the described operations may be distributed in a system that allows the processing operations to occur at various intervals associated with the processing.

[0058] Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as being "configured to" or "configurable to" perform one or more tasks. In such contexts, the phrases "configured to" or "configurable to" are used to represent a structure by indicating that the unit / circuit / component includes a structure (e.g., a circuit) that performs one or more tasks during operation. Thus, even if the specified unit / circuit / component is currently inoperable (e.g., not conducting), it can be said that the unit / circuit / component is configured to perform a task, or can be configured to perform a task. Units / circuits / components used with the "configured to" or "configurable to" language include hardware, such as circuits, memory storing executable program instructions for implementing operations, and the like. The statement that a unit / circuit / component is "configured to" perform one or more tasks or "configurable to" perform one or more tasks expressly indicates that 35 U.S.C. 112(f) is not intended to be invoked with respect to the unit / circuit / component. Additionally, "configured to" or "configurable to" may include general structures (e.g., general purpose circuits) that are manipulated by software and / or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general purpose processor executing software) to operate in a manner capable of performing the tasks in question. "Configured to" may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor manufacturing facility) to manufacture devices (e.g., integrated circuits) suitable for implementing or performing one or more tasks. It is expressly stated that "configurable to" is not intended to apply to blank media, unprogrammed processors or unprogrammed general purpose computers, or unprogrammed programmable logic devices, programmable gate arrays, or other unprogrammed devices unless accompanied by programmed media that imparts the ability for the unprogrammed device to be configured to perform the disclosed functions.

[0059] For the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussion above is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible. The embodiments are selected and described in order to best illustrate the principles of these embodiments and their practical application, so that those skilled in the art can best utilize these embodiments and various modifications that may be suitable for the specific purpose envisioned. Therefore, the present embodiments are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and the invention is not limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for communication, comprising: operating a first access point (AP) function of a wireless device on a first channel of a first frequency band, the first AP function being capable of operating in at least one of the first frequency band and a second frequency band; operating a second AP function of the wireless device on a second channel of the second frequency band, the second AP function being capable of operating in the first frequency band and the second frequency band; In response to detecting that the second channel cannot be used by the second AP function, converting the second AP function to operate on a third channel of the first frequency band; scanning the second frequency band to find a new channel in the second frequency band, wherein the new channel does not interfere with any radar system operating in the second frequency band; as well as In case the new channel is found, the second AP function is switched from the third channel to operate on the new channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The third channel is different from the first channel.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The third channel is the same as the first channel.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first frequency band comprises a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, and wherein the second frequency band comprises a 5 GHz frequency band.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The wireless device supports dynamic frequency selection (DFS), and wherein the second channel is a DFS channel.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first AP function and the second AP function are integrated into a single integrated circuit.

7. A device for communication, comprising: a first access point (AP) function configured to operate on a first channel of a first frequency band, the first AP function being capable of operating in at least one of the first frequency band and a second frequency band; a second AP function, the second AP function being configured to operate on a second channel of the second frequency band, the second AP function being capable of operating in the first frequency band and the second frequency band; as well as A processing device, the processing device being configured to, in response to detecting that the second channel cannot be used by the second AP function: converting the second AP function to operate on a third channel of the first frequency band, scanning the second frequency band to find a new channel in the second frequency band, wherein the new channel does not interfere with any radar system operating in the second frequency band, and In case the new channel is found, the second AP function is switched from the third channel to operate on the new channel.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The third channel is different from the first channel.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The third channel is the same as the first channel.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The first frequency band comprises a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, and wherein the second frequency band comprises a 5 GHz frequency band.

11. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The device supports dynamic frequency selection (DFS), and wherein the second channel is a DFS channel.

12. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The first AP function and the second AP function are integrated into a single integrated circuit.

13. A system for communication, comprising: Device, the device comprising: a first access point (AP) function configured to operate on a first channel of a first frequency band, the first AP function being capable of operating in at least one of the first frequency band and a second frequency band; a second AP function configured to operate on a second channel of the second frequency band, the second AP function being capable of operating in the first frequency band and the second frequency band; and A processing device, the processing device being configured to, in response to detecting that the second channel cannot be used by the second AP function: converting the second AP function to operate on a third channel of the first frequency band, scanning the second frequency band to find a new channel in the second frequency band, wherein the new channel does not interfere with any radar system operating in the second frequency band, and In case the new channel is found, converting the second AP function from the third channel to operate on the new channel; and A station in an automotive application, the station being configured to communicate with the first AP function in the first frequency band, or to communicate with the second AP function in the first frequency band or the second frequency band.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein: The third channel is different from the first channel.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein: The first frequency band comprises a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, and wherein the second frequency band comprises a 5 GHz frequency band.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein: The device supports dynamic frequency selection (DFS), and wherein the second channel is a DFS channel.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein: The first AP function and the second AP function are integrated into a single integrated circuit.

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