Allocate resource units to stations

Abstract

In one embodiment, an access point is configured with a plurality of resource units (RUs). Each RU is configured to use a frequency range different from the frequency range used by other RUs. The access point receives first information, which indicates, for each RU, a first signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station. The access point receives second information, which indicates, for each RU, a second signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station. The access point also determines a pattern based at least on the first information and the second information, the pattern indicating a recurrent signal quality associated with each RU by the station. The access point uses the pattern to allocate an RU for communicating with the station.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to allocating one or more resource units to a station. Background Art

[0002] In a wireless communication system, an access point (AP) can communicate with a station (STA) through a wireless communication channel. The wireless communication channel can be divided into multiple resource units (RUs), and the AP can communicate with multiple STAs through different RUs. However, simultaneous communication with multiple STAs and other factors may cause interference. Interference may make it difficult for the STA to receive messages from the AP and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system according to some embodiments;

[0004] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an access point communicating with a station via different resource units according to certain embodiments;

[0005] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating example components of an access point and a station according to certain embodiments;

[0006] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for allocating resource units to a station according to certain embodiments; and

[0007] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for determining a pattern in which a station is associated with a resource unit in accordance with certain embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Overview

[0009] In one embodiment, an access point is configured with multiple resource units (RUs). Each RU is configured to use a frequency range different from the frequency range used by other RUs. The access point receives first information, which indicates, for each RU, a first signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station. The access point receives second information, which indicates, for each RU, a second signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station. The access point also determines a pattern based at least on the first information and the second information, the pattern indicating a recurring signal quality associated with each RU by the station. The access point uses the pattern to allocate an RU for communication with the station.

[0010] Example Embodiments

[0011] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to assigning one or more RUs to a STA. According to certain embodiments, the AP determines one or more RUs to be assigned to a STA based on the interference that the STA is predicted to experience at a given point in time. In order to predict interference, the AP may determine a pattern of recurrent signal performance experienced by the STA for different RUs. For example, the AP may determine a pattern of recurrent signal performance for a STA that is static over a period of time, because the interference experienced by the STA becomes random when the STA is static.

[0012] Compared with existing RU allocation methods, certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide advantages. For example, some existing RU allocation methods rely only on the detection process performed for each transmission opportunity between the AP and the STA. In this existing RU allocation method, the AP can use the detection process to obtain a snapshot of the channel conditions experienced by the STA for a given transmission opportunity. During the detection process, the AP sends a detection signal to the STA. If the STA successfully receives the detection signal, the STA responds to the AP with a detection response (e.g., an acknowledgment (ACK) signal). The AP and the STA perform a detection process based on each RU. Therefore, the AP can identify RUs that cause the STA to experience a high level of destructive interference. For a given transmission opportunity, the AP can then avoid allocating such RUs to the STA. The AP can repeat the detection process for the next transmission opportunity to obtain updated channel conditions. By repeating the detection process, the AP can determine whether the interference level experienced by the STA has changed. As an example, when the STA and / or an object near the STA moves position, the multipath propagation conditions may change in the following manner: causing the STA to experience a higher level of interference for some RUs and a lower level of interference for other RUs. For the next transmission opportunity, the AP may use the updated channel conditions when allocating RUs to STAs.

[0013] Although existing RU allocation methods can provide an overall situation of the channel at a specific time, existing RU allocation methods do not describe the impact of multipath on the selected RU over time. In contrast, the advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure allow RUs to be allocated based at least in part on a pattern of recurrent signal performance, which describes the impact of multipath on the selected RU over time, for example, based on a statistical analysis of past signal performance. Allocating RUs based on this pattern can reduce interference because the AP can avoid allocating RUs that cause a specific STA to experience recurrent interference problems, even if the RU does not seem to have interference problems during the current detection process. In addition, certain embodiments may allow the AP to determine whether to increase power in response to interference. For example, certain embodiments allow the AP to determine when interference may be the result of multipath fading (in which case increasing power may be counterproductive), or other types of interference, such as external co-channel interference (in which case increasing power may be beneficial). The advantages of certain embodiments include improved efficiency, because using a pattern of recurrent signal performance can allow the detection process to be performed less frequently (for example, when the STA is static, the detection process does not need to be performed for each transmission opportunity). Certain embodiments may include all or some of these advantages, or do not include these advantages. Other advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0014] Figure 1 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a system 100 according to some embodiments. Figure 1 In the example shown, system 100 includes access network 102 and network 110. Access network 102 includes multiple access points (APs) 104 that communicate with multiple stations (STAs) 106. APs 104 provide a communication interface between STAs 106 and network 110. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, AP 104a communicates with STAs 106a, 106b, and 106c, and AP 104b communicates with STAs 106d and 106e. More generally, any STA 106 can communicate with any AP 104, as long as the STA 106 is within the coverage area and is authorized to communicate with the given AP 104. Communications between AP 104 and STA 106 may include downlink and / or uplink communications via wireless communication channels. For downlink communications, AP 104 acts as a transmitter and STA 106 acts as a receiver. For uplink communications, AP 104 acts as a receiver and STA 106 acts as a transmitter. Figure 2-Figure 5An example of communication between the AP 104 and the STA 106 is further described. Optionally, the access network 102 includes a wireless LAN controller (WLC) 108, which is operable to handle multiple APs 104. For example, the WLC 108 can handle the management and configuration of the APs 104.

[0015] In some embodiments, access network 102 may include a Wi-Fi network, which may be based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 specification, such as IEEE 802.11ax. Examples of AP 104 include femtocells, hotspots, microcells, small cells, WiFi arrays, or any other suitable access devices that can provide suitable connections to wireless devices. In some cases, the access point is connected to a router (via a wired network), and it can relay data between wireless devices and wired devices of a network (e.g., network 110). Examples of STA 106 (also referred to as "user equipment," "endpoints," or "wireless devices") include computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, electronic notebooks, smartphones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or any other device, component, element, or object capable of sending or receiving data (e.g., voice, audio, video, media) within system 100. In some embodiments, network 110 may include all or part of a wireless network; a public switched telephone network (PSTN); the Internet; a public or private data network; a metropolitan area network (MAN); a wide area network (WAN); a local, regional, or global communications network; and / or a local, regional, or global computer network. Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to system 100. Components of system 100 may be integrated or separated. For example, certain functions of WLC 108 may be integrated into AP 104. In addition, the operations of system 100 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.

[0016] Figure 2A block diagram of an example of an AP 104a communicating with STAs 106a and 106b via a wireless communication channel 120 is illustrated. The wireless communication channel 120 includes a plurality of resource units (RUs) 124. The RUs 124 may support uplink and / or downlink communications, and the AP 104a may communicate with one or more STAs 106 via the plurality of RUs 124. Each RU 124 may be associated with a frequency range (e.g., one or more subcarriers or subchannels). The wireless communication channel 120 may have a channel width, and the channel width may be divided into one or more RUs 124. Each RU 124 may use a frequency range different from the frequency range used by the other RUs 124. As an example, the wireless communication channel 120 may have a channel width of 160 MHz configured in a 2.4 GHz band, and each RU may use a corresponding 2 MHz portion of the 160 MHz channel width (e.g., a first RU 124a may use a center frequency of 2.402 GHz, a second RU 124b may use a center frequency of 2.404 GHz, and so on). Other embodiments may use other values ​​for frequency band, channel width, and / or RU spacing.

[0017] Under certain conditions, signals transmitted between the AP 104 and the STA 106 may be affected by interference. As an example, signals transmitted between the AP 104a and the STA 106a may reflect from surrounding objects in such a manner that the receiver (the STA 106a for a downlink signal, or the AP 104a for an uplink signal) receives the signals via multiple paths. In some cases, the paths may interfere with each other, which may produce multipath fading. The extent to which multipath interference affects signals transmitted between the AP 104 and the STA 106 depends in part on the frequency range associated with the RU 124 used to transmit the signals. That is, different RUs 124 experience different levels of multipath fading. In addition, the extent to which multipath fading affects signals transmitted between the AP 104 and the STA 106 also depends on the physical location of the STA 106 relative to the physical location of the AP 104. Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, STA 106a and STA 106b may be located at different physical locations. Therefore, STA 106a and STA 106b may experience different multipath fading patterns on RU 124 of wireless communication channel 120.

[0018] According to some embodiments, AP 104a can determine the RU 124 that is most likely to cause the communication between STA 106a and AP104a to experience strong multipath fading or other destructive interference at a given point in time. Because multipath fading depends in part on the physical location of STA 106a relative to the physical location of AP 104a, the multipath fading for STA 106a becomes highly random when STA 106a is static. As a result, during the period when STA 106a remains static, AP 104a can predict which RU 124 will be affected by strong multipath fading. In some embodiments, AP 104a determines (e.g., generates or updates) a pattern 122a of signal performance over time to predict the performance of RU 124 relative to STA 106a. Then, AP 104a can use pattern 122a when allocating RU 124 for communicating with STA 106a. For example, the pattern 122a can be used to avoid allocating RUs 124 that may experience strong multipath fading or other destructive interference. The AP 104a can apply similar methods to other STAs 106. For example, the AP 104a determines a second pattern 122b of signal performance over time to predict the performance of the RU 124 relative to the second STA 106b. The AP 104a can then use the second pattern 122b when allocating the RU 124 for communication with the second STA 106b.

[0019] exist Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , pattern 122a illustrates the regular signal quality associated with each RU 124 of a plurality of RUs 124a-124u by STA 106a, and pattern 122b illustrates the regular signal quality associated with each RU 124 of a plurality of RUs 124a-124u by STA 106b. Lighter shading represents RUs 124 associated with relatively low levels of multipath fading, while darker shading represents RUs 124 associated with relatively high levels of multipath fading. For example, STA 106a experiences relatively high levels of multipath fading on RUs 124f, 124n, and 124u, while STA 120b experiences relatively high levels of multipath fading on RUs 124d, 124k, and 124r. Comparing patterns 122a and 122b illustrates that STAs 106a and 106b at different physical locations may experience different levels of multipath fading for the same RU 124 of the same AP 104a (eg, RU 124d is better for STA 106a than for STA 106b).

[0020] In some embodiments, based on the signal received from the STA 106a, the AP 104a determines the mode 122a associated with the STA 106a. The AP 104a may receive one or more signals from the STA 106a related to the ACK process. The ACK process begins with the AP 104a sending a signal (e.g., a probe signal) to the STA 106a through one or more RUs 124. For example, the AP 104a may send a signal to each RU 124, or a subset of the RU 124, in the wireless communication channel 120. When the STA 106a successfully receives the signal, the STA 106a responds to the AP 104a with one or more ACK signals, which indicate that the STA 106a successfully received the signal from the AP 104a through the RU 124. In some embodiments, the STA 106a modifies the ACK signal to include one or more signatures. The signature may include any suitable information to identify a specific RU 124. In some embodiments, the signature identifies the RU 124 based on the transmission frequency associated with the RU 124. As an example, when indicating to the AP 104a whether the STA 106a successfully received a signal via the RU 124a, the STA 106a may include a value corresponding to the transmission frequency of the RU 124a (eg, 2.402 GHz).

[0021] In some embodiments, the STA 106a may include an interference index in the ACK signal to indicate which RUs 124 successfully received signals from the AP 104a, and / or which RUs 124 failed to successfully receive signals from the AP 104a. The STA 106a may use any suitable criteria to determine whether a signal is successfully received by a given RU 124, such as whether a signal is received, whether the strength or power of the received signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and / or whether an interference level associated with the received signal is below a predetermined threshold. The interference index may include an indication (e.g., success or failure) for each RU 124 within the wireless communication channel 120, or for a subset of one or more RUs 124 (e.g., RUs 124 for which the STA 106a received some signals (whether successfully or unsuccessfully); or RUs 124 for which the AP 104a has requested the STA 106a to include them in the interference index). The STA 106a may explicitly indicate which RUs 124 have been included in the interference index (e.g., the STA 106a may include a signature of the RUs 124 that have been included in the interference index), or may implicitly indicate which RUs 124 have been included in the interference index (e.g., a predetermined mapping may map each RU 124 to one or more corresponding bit positions in the interference index). The STA 106a may optionally use the interference index or other fields, signals, etc. to provide the AP 104a with one or more other types of information related to the signal quality of a particular RU 124, such as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a received channel power indicator (RCPI), a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), an interference score based on multipath conditions, and / or other suitable information.

[0022] Upon receiving the ACK signal from the STA 106a, the AP 104a may determine the signal quality of the STA 106a associated with one or more RUs 124. In some embodiments, the presence of a successful acknowledgment may indicate good signal quality for the RU 124, while the absence of a successful acknowledgment may indicate poor signal quality for the RU 124. For example, assume that the AP 104a has sent a signal to the STA 106a via RUs 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d, 124e, 124f, and 124g, and the AP 104a receives one or more ACK signals from the STA 106a indicating that the RUs 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d successfully received the signal. The AP 104a does not receive any ACK signals corresponding to the RUs 124e, 124f, and 124g from the STA 106a (or the AP 104a receives an ACK signal indicating that the STA 106a failed to successfully receive the signal through the RUs 124e, 124f, and 124g). Therefore, the STA 106a can determine that the signal quality associated with the STA 106a and the RUs 124a, 124b, 124c, and 124d is relatively good, while the signal quality associated with the STA 106a and the RUs 124e, 124f, and 124g is relatively poor. If the ACK signal includes other signal quality related information (e.g., RSSI, RCPI, SNR, SINR, etc.), the AP 104a can use this information when determining the signal quality associated with the STA 106a and one or more RUs 124.

[0023] The AP 104a may continue to collect information over time and may update the pattern 122a to reflect the recurring signal quality associated with the STA 106a and each of the plurality of RUs 124a-124u. Updating the pattern 122a to reflect the recurring signal quality may allow the AP 104a to distinguish between RUs 124 for which the signal quality experienced by the STA 106a is generally poor and RUs 124 for which the signal quality experienced by the STA 106a is temporarily poor, or may allow the AP 104a to predict times when the STA 106a may experience good signal quality on a particular RU 124. For example, certain loading conditions of the AP 104a and / or movement of objects in the coverage area of ​​the AP 104a may occur based on the recurring pattern that may result in a predicted interference condition for the STA 106a.

[0024] In order to collect information over time, AP 104a can repeat the ACK process periodically. For example, AP 104a can repeat the ACK process according to regular time intervals or based on the occurrence of certain events, such as every Nth transmission opportunity (where N can be any suitable number, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.). Increasing N reduces the signaling overhead associated with repeating the ACK process. Therefore, N can be increased when multipath fading remains relatively stable, such as when AP 104a, STA 106a and surrounding objects remain substantially stable. The value of N can be statically set (e.g., pre-configured by a network administrator) or dynamically set (e.g., automatically updated by AP 104a based on network conditions). In some embodiments, AP 104a can repeat the ACK process based on a rotation-based scanning process that tests RU 124 by subset. During the first ACK process, AP 104a can send a signal to test a first subset of RU 124, such as RU 124a-g. During the second ACK process, the AP 104a may send a signal to test a second subset of RUs 124, such as RUs 124h-n. During the third ACK process, the AP 104a may send a signal to test a final subset of RUs 124, such as RUs 124o-u. The AP 104a may then repeat the ACK process according to a subset-by-subset rotation.

[0025] Any suitable number of subsets may be used, and each subset may include any suitable number of RUs 124. The frequency ranges associated with the RUs 124 in the subset may be contiguous (e.g., RUs 124a and 124b), non-contiguous RUs (e.g., RUs 124a and 124d), or some combination of the two (e.g., RUs 124a, 124b, and 124d). The subsets may be fixed so that the same RUs 124 are grouped together (from one rotation to the next), or the subsets may be determined dynamically. The AP 104a may determine which RUs 124 are included in the subset and / or which subset to test during a particular ACK process based on any suitable criteria (e.g., round-robin, weighted round-robin, least connected, weighted least connected, previous signal quality, random, etc.). In some embodiments, the bandwidth of the wireless communication channel 120 is scanned based on a rotation-based scanning process to determine dark areas (frequencies with high multipath fading), and a pattern 122 is generated to provide a fingerprint of the dark areas.

[0026] In some embodiments, the AP 104a may use different configuration settings for testing different ACK processes for the same RU 124 to determine how the same RU 124 operates under different conditions (e.g., when the AP 104a increases or decreases its transmit power, or when the AP 104a changes its beamforming configuration). The AP 104a may iteratively test different configuration settings to determine the preferred configuration settings. Although the previous examples have described the use of the ACK process to collect information indicating signal quality, in some embodiments, the AP 104a may use other signals from the STA 106a (e.g., data transmissions or special management signals) to evaluate signal quality. Such other signals may be used as a substitute or supplement to the ACK signal. Certain embodiments may test the reception of the following items: downlink signals, uplink signals, or both. Multipath interference tends to be symmetrical in most cases, so testing the downlink can provide sufficient information about the uplink, and vice versa.

[0027] In some embodiments, the pattern 122a may include a gradient compatibility list that indicates, for each RU 124, the compatibility level between the STA 106a and the corresponding RU 124 over time. For example, for each RU 124 (or each tested RU 124) in the wireless communication channel, the gradient compatibility list may list a first RU 124a having a corresponding first compatibility value, a second RU 124b having a corresponding second compatibility value, and so on. Each compatibility value may be based on information collected over a period of time. For example, the compatibility value may be based on one or more of the following: the number of times the AP 104a receives an ACK signal indicating that the STA 106a successfully receives a signal through the corresponding RU 124, the number of times the AP 104a receives an ACK signal indicating that the STA 106a fails to successfully receive a signal through the corresponding RU 124, the number of times the AP 104a fails to receive any ACK signal from the STA 106a during an ACK process attempt for the corresponding RU 124, the total number of ACK process attempts for the corresponding RU 124, and / or other signal quality related information (e.g., RSSI, RCPI, SNR, SINR, etc.) received from the STA 106a. The compatibility value may be updated in any suitable manner, such as continuously as new data is received, or periodically according to a predetermined time interval.

[0028] Any suitable method may be used to determine the compatibility value. For example, the AP 104a may use an average, median, mode, range, maximum, and / or minimum value over a period of time to determine the compatibility value. In some embodiments, the AP 104a may apply some weighting, statistical analysis, or other calibration, for example, to reduce the impact of abnormal data or older data on the compatibility value. Figure 2 An example is illustrated in which the pattern 122a includes a relatively good compatibility value for RU 124a (indicated as light shading) and a relatively poor compatibility value for RU 124g (indicated as dark shading). In some embodiments, AP 104a may maintain multiple patterns 122a for STA 106a. For example, a first pattern 122a-1 may indicate a recurring pattern under certain conditions (e.g., daytime conditions, in which more objects tend to be located in the coverage area of ​​AP 104a, and / or the load tends to be heavier), and a second pattern 122a-2 may indicate a recurring pattern under other conditions (e.g., nighttime conditions, in which fewer objects tend to be located in the coverage area of ​​AP 104a, and / or the load tends to be lighter).

[0029] As described above, when allocating RU 124 to STA 106a, AP 104a can use pattern 122a (e.g., gradient compatibility list). For example, if pattern 122a indicates that STA 106a often experiences constructive interference (or low destructive interference) for RU 124a, AP 104a can prioritize allocating RU 124a to STA 106a. If pattern 122a indicates that STA 106a often experiences destructive interference for RU 124g, AP 104a can avoid allocating RU 124g to STA 106a. Because pattern 122a indicates regular signal quality over a period of time, using pattern 122a can allow AP 104a to determine more accurate RU allocation compared to other methods that rely only on performing a sounding process for the current transmission opportunity. For example, even if the current sounding process indicates that the signal quality of RU 124g is good, AP 104a can use pattern 122a to avoid allocating RU 124g to STA 106a. In contrast, other approaches that rely solely on performing a probing process for the current transmission opportunity may allocate a RU 124 (eg, RU 124g) that appears to have good signal quality during the probing phase, but ultimately has poor signal quality during the corresponding exchange phase.

[0030] In some embodiments, based on a combination of the pattern 122a and the results of the sounding process for the current transmission opportunity, the AP 104a may determine the RU 124 to allocate for communication with the STA 106a. For example, the AP 104a may use the pattern 122a as a positive or negative weighting factor for the current sounding process results. Therefore, the AP 104a may give a high priority to the following RU 124: the RU 124 often experiences constructive interference (or low destructive interference) according to the pattern 122a, and currently has good signal quality according to the sounding process. The AP 104a may give an intermediate priority to the following RU 124: the RU 124 often experiences average interference according to the pattern 122a, and currently has good signal quality according to the sounding process. The AP 104a may give a low priority to the following RU 124: the RU 124 often experiences strong destructive interference, even if the RU 124 currently has good signal quality according to the sounding process. When prioritizing the RU 124, the AP 104a may use any suitable granularity. For example, the AP 104a may prioritize the RUs 124 into tiers such that RUs 124 with relatively similar performance have the same priority, or the AP 104a may prioritize the RUs 124 based on the individual scores of each RU 124. The AP 104a may apply any suitable weights to the modes 122. For example, some embodiments may give greater weight to the mode 122a, other embodiments may give greater weight to the current sounding process, and other embodiments may use some combination (e.g., the mode 122a may be given greater weight for RUs 124 that often have good signal quality or poor signal quality, and the current sounding process may be given greater weight for RUs 124 that often have medium signal quality).

[0031] In some embodiments, the AP 104a may use the pattern 122a to determine when to send redundant transmissions to the STA 106a. For example, the AP 104a determines the ratio of failed RUs 124a based on the pattern 122a and uses this information to add RUs 124 for forward error correction (FEC). A single transmission may be performed with the pattern 122a indicating statistically high performance (as indicated by Figure 2 Multiple transmissions may be used with RU 124 indicating statistically poor performance (indicated by the lighter shading in FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 In some embodiments, the multiple transmissions may include frame duplication on another RU 124, such as in dual carrier mode (DCM).

[0032] In some embodiments, the AP 104 may use special management signals (e.g., operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM) signals) to explore the wireless communication spectrum available for the AP 104 and STA 106 pair. In doing so, the AP 104 may use a rotation-based scanning process to scan all RUs 124 that the AP 104 uses to communicate with the STA 106. Over time, the AP 104 sends a signal to the STA 106 through each RU 124 within the wireless communication channel 120. In some embodiments, the AP 104 may perform this rotation-based scanning process over a period of time, so that the rotation restarts at the end of the interval. In some embodiments, the AP 104 may perform this rotation-based scanning process in response to an event, for example, whenever the AP 104 detects that a new STA 106 has entered the coverage area and is authorized to connect to the AP 104. The rotation-based scanning process may allow the AP 104 to determine a pattern 122 that indicates a success rate for each RU 124 for communications sent to and received from a particular STA 106. The AP 104 may use the pattern 122 to allocate RUs 124 associated with high success rates. Thus, in some embodiments, selection of RUs 124 need not be based on a linear allocation function (where the only goal of a radio resource management (RRM) channel allocation function is to limit interference between neighboring APs 104), but may instead depend on the highest combined RU 124 transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) success for each AP 104 (where the AP 104 is also pushed toward a non-overlapping RU 124 that provides the highest successful RU 124 count for that AP 104 and location).

[0033] In some embodiments, AP 104 can use RU 124 corresponding to strong constructive interference to transmit traffic with high quality of service (QOS) requirements and / or traffic with lower loss tolerance. In some embodiments, the farther RU 124 moves away from the RU 124 that suffers from strong destructive interference in frequency, the stronger constructive interference RU 124 will suffer. For example, when RU 124 at a first frequency (e.g., 2.414GHz) and RU 124 at a second frequency (e.g., 2.428GHz) suffer from strong destructive interference, RU 124 at approximately the middle space between the first frequency and the second frequency (e.g., 2.420GHz or 2.422GHz) may experience strong constructive interference. RU 124 that suffers from strong constructive interference can correspond to RU 124 associated with a high gradient compatibility list value. Traffic marking can be used to identify traffic with high QOS or low loss requirements.

[0034] For simplicity, certain examples have been described for communication between an AP 104a and a STA 106a. The AP 104 may perform similar techniques for multiple STAs 106 (e.g., the AP 104a may determine a mode for the STA 106a, a mode for the STA 106b, a mode for the STA 106c, etc.). As an example, during a first time period (e.g., a first transmission opportunity), the AP 104a may transmit signals to the STA 106a via the RUs 124a, 124b, and 124c, and may transmit signals to the STA 106b via the RUs 124d, 124e, and 124f. During a subsequent time period (e.g., a second transmission opportunity), the AP 104a may transmit signals to the STA 106a via the RUs 124d, 124e, and 124f, and transmit signals to the STA 106b via the RUs 124a, 124b, and 124c. The scheduler of the AP 104 may coordinate the allocation of RUs 124 between the STAs 106. If the scheduler detects compatibility between the STA 106a and the RU 124a, the scheduler may allocate the RU 124a to the STA 106a if probing of a subgroup (e.g., STAs 106b and 106c) of other STAs 106 (e.g., other static STAs 106) reveals compatibility of the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) mapping with the proposed allocation. In some embodiments, a single gradient compatibility list may include compatibility information for one or more STAs 106. The following table provides an example.

[0035]

[0036] Multiple APs 104 may determine patterns for STAs 106. For example, each AP 104 may determine patterns for STAs 106 within the coverage area of ​​the AP 104. In some cases, multiple APs 104 may determine patterns for the same STA 106. For example, if STA 106a is within the coverage of both AP 104a and AP 104b, AP 104a may determine a first pattern that indicates signal quality between AP 104a and STA 106a, and AP 104b may determine a second pattern that indicates signal quality between AP 104b and STA 106a.

[0037] Figure 31 is a block diagram illustrating example components of an AP 104 and a STA 106 according to some embodiments. The AP 104 includes one or more interfaces 130, a processing circuit 140, and a memory 150. Similarly, the STA 106 includes one or more interfaces 160, a processing circuit 170, and a memory 180. In general, the interface 130 or 160 receives input and provides output to facilitate communication between devices or components; the processing circuit 140 or 170 executes program code to perform the functions of the device; and the memory 150 or 180 stores information.

[0038] Examples of interface 130 or 160 may include an internal bus or other circuit for transmitting data between components within the device, a wireless interface (which may include a transmitter for sending wireless signals and a receiver for receiving wireless signals), and / or a network interface (which may include a wired or wireless interface for communicating with a switch, router, or other component of a network). Interface 130 or 160 may be configured to use any suitable type of communication protocol and may include any suitable protocol converter, modem, and / or other logic to receive input and provide output.

[0039] Processing circuitry 140 or 170 includes any electronic circuitry, including but not limited to one or more processors, microprocessors, microcontrollers, central processing unit (CPU) chips, state machines, logic units, cores (e.g., multi-core processors), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital hardware, digital signal processors (DSPs), dedicated digital logic, any suitable hardware and / or software for processing data, or a combination of the foregoing. Processing circuitry 140 or 170 may be configured to execute program code stored in memory 150 or 180, respectively, which may include one or more types of memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, non-transitory computer-readable media, etc. The program code stored in the memory may include instructions (e.g., logic, rules, etc.) for executing one or more telecommunications and / or data communication protocols and instructions for executing one or more techniques described herein.

[0040] In some embodiments, the memory 150 of the AP 104 may store RU determination instructions 152, and the processing circuit 140 of the AP 104 may be configured to execute the RU determination instructions 152 to implement the RU determination engine 142. The RU determination engine 142 may determine a pattern 122 indicating a recurrent signal quality associated with the STA 106 and each of the plurality of RUs 124. In some embodiments, the RU determination engine 142 causes the AP 104 to transmit a signal to the STA 106a via the plurality of RUs 124. The RU determination engine 142 receives an ACK signal from the STA 106a. As described above with respect to Figure 2 As discussed, the ACK signal may provide the AP 104 with a signature of each RU 124 to which the ACK signal belongs, and, for each RU 124 identified in the ACK signal, an indication of whether the RU 124 successfully received the signal. In some embodiments, the ACK signal may include an interference index indicating the performance of each tested RU 124. The RU determination engine 142 may analyze the ACK signal received from the STA 106a to determine a pattern 122a, such as a gradient compatibility list. In some embodiments, the RU determination engine 142 causes the AP 104 to repeatedly determine the performance of each RU 124 for the STA 106a over time in order to update the pattern 122a. The RU determination engine 142 may cause the AP 104 to perform the determination in the following circumstances: in response to an event (e.g., detection of the STA 106a), during a specific time period, repeatedly at regular intervals, or when required. The above Figure 2 Other examples for testing RU 124 and determining mode 122a are discussed.

[0041] In some embodiments, the memory 150 of the AP 104 may store RU allocation instructions 154, and the processing circuit 140 of the AP 104 may be configured to execute the RU allocation instructions 154 to implement the RU allocation engine 144. The RU allocation engine 144 may cause the AP 104 to use the pattern 122a when allocating RUs 124 for communication between the AP 104 and the STA 106a. For example, the RU allocation engine 144 may avoid selecting RUs 124 for which the pattern 122a indicates that the STA 106a often experiences relatively high levels of multipath fading. Figure 2 Other examples for prioritizing and assigning RUs 124 are discussed.

[0042] Can Figure 3 The devices (AP 104 and / or STA 106) shown in FIG. 1 may be modified, added, or omitted. As an example, although Figure 3The RU determination engine 142 and RU allocation engine 144 are shown as being allocated on a single AP 104, but other embodiments may implement the functionality of the RU determination engine 142 and / or the RU allocation engine 144 on another node, or portions of the functionality may be distributed between other nodes (e.g., one or more APs 104, STAs 106, and / or WLCs 108). In some embodiments, the AP 104 and a controller (e.g., a WLC 108) may work together to perform the described functionality. For example, the AP 104 may obtain signal quality information from the STA 106 on a regular basis, and may provide the signal quality information to the WLC 108. The WLC 108 may use the signal quality information to generate or update a pattern 122 (e.g., a gradient compatibility list). The WLC 108 may instruct the AP 104 which RU 124 to allocate based on the pattern 122, or the WLC 108 may provide the pattern 122 to the AP 104 so that the AP 104 may use the pattern 122 to select the RU 124. More generally, device components may be integrated or separated. In addition, the functionality of a device may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. Components within a device may be communicatively coupled in any suitable manner.

[0043] Figure 4 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 400 for allocating a RU 124 to a STA 106 according to certain embodiments. The method 400 may select a preferred RU 124 to allocate to the STA 106 based on the pattern 122 of RU performance. The method 400 begins at step 402, where a signal is transmitted between an AP 104 (e.g., AP 104a) and a STA 106 (e.g., STA 106a) via a RU 124 (e.g., RU 124a). In certain embodiments, transmitting the signal may include sending a downlink signal to the STA 106a using the RU 124a. In certain embodiments, transmitting the signal may include allocating the RU 124a for uplink communications from the STA 106a. In certain embodiments, the AP 104a and the STA 106a may transmit the signal via multiple RUs 124.

[0044] At step 404, the RU determination engine 142 determines whether the AP 104a has received information from the STA 106a. In some embodiments, the information may include an indication of the signal quality of the STA 106a associated with the current RU 124a. The signal quality of the STA 106a associated with the current RU 124a is affected by the frequency range of the RU 124a (e.g., depending on whether multipath propagation will produce constructive or destructive interference with the frequency range of the RU 124a). If, at step 404, the RU determination engine 142 determines that the AP 104a has received information from the STA 106a, the method proceeds to step 406. If, at step 404, the RU determination engine 142 determines that the AP 104a has not received information from the STA 106a, the method proceeds to step 408.

[0045] At step 406, the RU determination engine 142 performs a comparison. The comparison compares the information indicating the signal quality of RU 124a (the information received in step 404) with a threshold and / or index. In some embodiments, the indicated signal quality itself can be compared with the threshold. In other embodiments, a value (e.g., a weighted value) based on the indicated signal quality can be compared with the threshold. In some embodiments, the indication of signal quality can be received as part of an interference index indicating whether the signal is successfully transmitted between AP 104a and STA 106a through RU 124a. The success / failure indication of RU124a can be compared with the success / failure indication of other RUs 124. As an example, if the interference index includes a table, different rows (or columns) of the same interference index can be compared with each other. As another example, one interference index can be compared with another interference index (e.g., another interference index obtained for one or more other RUs 124 during the current or most recent iteration of the rotation-based scanning process).

[0046] At step 408, the RU determination engine 142 determines a compatibility level for the pairing between the STA 106a and the current RU 124a of the AP 104a. In some embodiments, the compatibility level may be determined based at least in part on the information received in step 404. In some embodiments, the compatibility level may be determined based at least in part on the comparison performed in step 406, if applicable (as described above, if step 404 results in a "no" determination, step 406 may be skipped). In some embodiments, the compatibility level may be determined based at least in part on the pattern 122a of the recurrent signal quality. The pattern 122a may indicate the recurrent signal quality in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the pattern 122a may indicate the regular signal quality based on the performance of the RU 124a, the performance of which is related to one or more predetermined criteria (e.g., the success-to-failure ratio over a period of time; the average RSSI, RCPI, SNR, SINR, etc. over a period of time; or other criteria), or other RUs 124 (e.g., whether RU 124a has a higher success rate of receiving signals than other RUs 124 over a period of time; whether RU 124a has a better average RSSI, RCPI, SNR, SINR, etc. over a period of time; or other relevant criteria). Figure 2 , describes other examples of the pattern 122a and its use. As described above, the pattern 122a can be used as a weighting factor for other information (eg, the information obtained in step 404 and / or step 406).

[0047] Factors indicating a good level of compatibility may include one or more of: the presence of information from STA 106a (e.g., in step 404, if AP 104a receives information from STA 106a via RU 124a); an indication that STA 106a successfully receives a signal from AP 104a via RU 124a (e.g., based on an interference index received from STA 106a in step 404); an indication that signal quality (or a value based on signal quality) exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., based on the comparison in step 406); and an indication that RU 124a has regularly good signal quality according to pattern 122a. Factors indicating a poor level of compatibility may include one or more of the following: a lack of information from STA 106a (e.g., in step 404, AP 104a failed to receive information from STA 106a); an indication that STA 106a failed to successfully receive a signal from AP 104a via RU 124a (e.g., based on an interference index received from STA 106a in step 404); an indication that the signal quality (or a value based on the signal quality) is below a predetermined threshold (e.g., based on the comparison in step 406); and an indication that RU 124a has recurrently poor signal quality according to pattern 122a.

[0048] In certain embodiments, the compatibility level may be increased or decreased to prioritize the use of a particular RU 124 by a particular STA 106. For example, if STA 106b has higher QoS requirements, lower loss tolerance, or better signal quality compatibility with RU 124a than STA 106a, the RU determination engine 142 may determine to prioritize RU 124a for use by a different STA 106 (e.g., STA 106b). Therefore, the compatibility level for STA 106a may be decreased to allow RU 124a to be allocated to STA 106b.

[0049] At step 410, the RU determination engine 142 determines whether to try another RU 124 (e.g., RU 124b). In some embodiments, the RU determination engine 142 may determine to try another RU 124b as part of a rotation-based scanning process. In some embodiments, in response to determining that the STA 106a and the RU 124a have low compatibility (as determined in step 408), the RU determination engine 142 may determine to try another RU 124b. For example, the compatibility level may be compared to a threshold to determine whether to try another RU 124b. If at step 410, the RU determination engine 142 determines to try another RU 124b, the method returns to step 402 to repeat these steps for another RU 124b. The method may be repeated for any suitable number of RUs 124. If at step 410, the RU determination engine 142 determines that the AP 104a does not need to try another RU 124, the method proceeds to step 412.

[0050] At step 412, the RU allocation engine 144 allocates the RU 124 to the STA 106a based at least in part on the compatibility level (which the RU allocation engine 144 may receive from the RU determination engine 142). Because some embodiments determine the compatibility level based at least in part on the mode 122 (as discussed with respect to step 408), in practice, the allocation scheme in these embodiments depends on the mode 122. In some embodiments, the RU allocation engine 144 allocates the RU 124 with the highest compatibility level. In some embodiments, the RU allocation engine 144 selects any RU 124 from a group of RUs 124 with relatively high compatibility. Therefore, the RU allocation engine 144 can avoid allocating RUs 124 with low compatibility (high interference) while still having the flexibility to allocate from a group of RUs 124. This flexibility may be useful for facilitating resource sharing or scheduling between multiple STAs 106 (which may have similar compatibility levels to other STAs 106 relative to some of the same RUs 124). In some embodiments, the RU allocation engine 144 may allocate any RU 124 (including RUs 124 with low compatibility) and may use the compatibility level to determine whether to provide some additional interference mitigation (eg, FEC or DCM).

[0051] At step 414, the RU determination engine 142 updates the pattern 122a. For example, the RU determination engine 142 may update the pattern 122a based on the information obtained in any one of steps 404, 406, and / or 408. In some embodiments, the RU determination engine 142 performs the step of updating the pattern 122a by analyzing the information itself. In some embodiments, the RU determination engine 142 may perform the step of updating the pattern 122a by sending the information to be analyzed by another node (e.g., WLC 108), so that the RU determination engine 142 obtains the updated pattern 122a from the other node.

[0052] Can Figure 4 The method may be modified, added or omitted. The method may include more, less or other steps. In addition, the steps may be performed in any suitable order. For the purpose of example, certain steps have been described as being performed by RU determination engine 142 and RU determination engine 144. However, these steps may be performed by more, less or other components, and the functions may be distributed among the components in any suitable manner. For example, some parts of the functions described as being performed by RU determination engine 142 may be performed by RU determination engine 144 or other components, and vice versa.

[0053] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 500 for determining a mode in which a STA 106 is associated with a RU 124 according to some embodiments. The method 500 may be performed by an AP, e.g. Figure 1-Figure 4 The AP 104a described. The AP 104a can be configured with multiple RUs 124. Each RU 124 can be configured to use a frequency range that is different from the frequency range used by other RUs 124 of the AP 104a. In other words, each RU 124 of the AP 104a can be assigned its own unique center frequency. The multiple RUs 124 can refer to each RU 124 in the wireless communication channel 120 to be tested for signal quality, or a subset of the RUs 124 (e.g., the RUs 124 to be included in the pattern 122).

[0054] Method 500 begins at step 510, from a STA (e.g., Figure 1-Figure 4106a) receives first information. The first information indicates a first signal quality associated with the corresponding RU 124 for each of the plurality of RUs 124. The frequency range associated with a particular RU 124 affects the first signal quality. For example, signals transmitted at certain frequencies are often more susceptible to path fading than signals transmitted at other frequencies. Objects in the surrounding environment and the physical location of the STA 106a relative to the physical location of the AP 104a can affect which frequencies are susceptible to multipath fading.

[0055] With respect to step 510, the first information received from the STA 106a indicates a first signal quality for each of the plurality of RUs 124. As an example, the first information may indicate a signal quality A1 for RU 124a, a signal quality B1 for RU 124b, a signal quality C1 for RU 124c, and so on. Figure 1-Figure 4 Examples of different ways that the STA 106a can indicate signal quality are provided. As described above, the STA 106a can indicate signal quality as a simple success or failure to receive a signal on a particular RU 124, or the STA 106a can indicate signal quality by providing more detailed information (e.g., RSSI, RCPI, SNR, SINR, interference score, etc.) to the AP 104a. Likewise, as discussed above, the information received from the STA 106a can include one or more signatures associated with the RU 124, and / or interference indexes.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first information of step 510 is received in response to an earlier step (not shown) in which method 500 transmits a signal (e.g., a probe signal) from AP 104a to STA 106a via multiple RUs 124. Thus, the first information may include one or more ACK signals (e.g., one or more probe response signals). In some embodiments, the first information may be received in multiple messages over a period of time. For example, the first information may be received in response to a rotation-based scanning process initiated by AP 104a. The rotation-based scanning process prompts STA 106a to provide the first information for each RU 124 in multiple RUs 124 on an RU-by-RU (or subset-by-subset) basis. A more detailed example of a rotation-based scanning process can be seen above. Figure 2 discussion.

[0057] At step 520, the method 500 receives second information from the station. The second information may indicate, for each of the plurality of RUs 124, a second signal quality associated with the corresponding RU 124 by the STA 106a. As an example, the second information may indicate a signal quality A2 for RU 124a, a signal quality B2 for RU 124b, a signal quality C2 for RU 124c, and so on. The second signal quality may be affected by the frequency range of the corresponding RU 124 (e.g., due to multipath propagation). In general, the second information is similar to the first information discussed in step 510, but the second information is obtained at a different time. For example, the first information may be obtained for a first transmission opportunity, and the second information may be obtained for a second (subsequent) transmission opportunity. In an embodiment using a rotation-based scanning process, the first information may be obtained during a first scan (e.g., a first frequency sweep) of the RUs 124, and the second information may be obtained during a second scan (e.g., a second frequency sweep) of the RUs 124, wherein the first scan and the second scan may each be performed on a per-RU basis or on a per-subset basis. Thus, in some embodiments, the second information of step 520 is received in response to an earlier step (not shown) in which the method 500 transmits a signal (e.g., a probe signal) from the AP 104a to the STA 106a via the plurality of RUs 124.

[0058] At step 530, the method 500 determines a pattern 122 based on at least the first information and the second information, the pattern 122 indicating a recurring signal quality associated with the STA 106a and each of the plurality of RUs 124. In some embodiments, the pattern 122a may indicate a recurring pattern of multipath fading experienced by the STA 106a when the STA 106a is located at a given physical location. Figure 2-Figure 4 An example of a method for determining the pattern 122a is discussed. Determining the pattern 122a may include generating a new pattern, or updating an existing pattern. In some embodiments, the AP 104a may perform the step of determining the pattern 122a (step 530) by analyzing the first information and the second information itself. In some embodiments, the AP 104a may perform the step of determining the pattern 122a (step 530) by sending the first information and the second information to be analyzed by another node (e.g., WLC 108) so that the AP 104a obtains the pattern 122a from the other node.

[0059] At step 540, the method 500 uses pattern 122a when allocating at least one of the RUs 124 for communication with the STA 106a. Pattern 122a can be used to allocate RUs 124 for uplink and / or downlink communications. In some embodiments, using pattern 122a to allocate RUs 124 can include avoiding allocating RUs 124 that have a recurring signal quality below a minimum signal quality threshold. The threshold can be based on any suitable criteria, such as a success-to-failure ratio of an ACK process for the RU 124, or a statistical analysis of other signal quality related information (e.g., one or more of RSSI, RCPI, SNR, SINR, etc.). In some embodiments, using pattern 122a can include avoiding allocating RUs 124 that have a recurring signal quality that is poor (compared to the recurring signal quality of one or more other RUs 124). The above description of Figure 2-Figure 4 Other examples of prioritizing RUs 124 for assignment to STAs 106a according to modes 122a are described. Figure 2-Figure 4 As discussed, in some embodiments, RUs 124 may be allocated based on a combination of pattern 122a and other information. For example, pattern 122a may be used as a weighting factor for other information.

[0060] In one embodiment, the method 500 further includes: periodically receiving additional information from the STA 106a, and updating the pattern 122a based on the additional information. For each RU 124 in the plurality of RUs 124, the additional information may indicate an additional signal quality associated with the corresponding RU 124 by the STA 106a. As an example, a set of additional information may indicate a signal quality A3 for RU 124a, a signal quality B3 for RU 124b, a signal quality C3 for RU 124c, and so on. The additional signal quality may be affected by the frequency range of the corresponding RU 124 (e.g., due to multipath propagation). The additional information is generally similar to the first information discussed in step 510 and the second information discussed in step 520, but the additional information is obtained at a different time. For example, the additional information may be received at each (or every Nth) transmission opportunity, or according to a periodic rotation-based scanning process.

[0061] In some embodiments, the AP 104a may perform the step of updating the pattern 122a by analyzing the additional information itself. In some embodiments, the AP 104a may perform the step of updating the pattern 122a by sending additional information to be analyzed by another node (e.g., WLC 108) so that the AP 104a obtains the updated pattern 122a from the other node. The updated pattern 122a may indicate the compatibility between the STA 106a and each of the multiple RUs 124 of the AP 104a over time. Any suitable method may be used to determine compatibility. The node (e.g., AP 104a or WLC 108) used to perform the analysis may use an average, median, mode, range, maximum, and / or minimum value over a period of time to determine compatibility. In some embodiments, some weighting, statistical analysis, or other calibration may be applied for analysis, for example, to reduce the impact of abnormal data or older data on compatibility determination.

[0062] Can Figure 5 The method may be modified, added or omitted. The method may include more, less or other steps. In addition, the steps may be performed in any suitable order.

[0063] In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented using a computer program including executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Figure 5 When executed by the processing circuit, these instructions cause the processing circuit to perform Figure 5 steps.

[0064] In some embodiments, the system may be executed by a system including a memory storing executable instructions and a processing circuit operable to execute the instructions. Figure 5 In some embodiments, the system may include a controller (e.g., WLC 108) and / or AP 104. In one embodiment, the controller receives first information and second information from a station via AP 104 (steps 510 and 520), determines a mode 122 based at least in part on the received first information and second information (step 530), and uses the mode 122 to allocate a RU 124 for communication between the AP 104 and the STA 106. In an embodiment where the controller allocates the RU 124, the controller may select the RU 124 based on the mode 122, and send an instruction to the AP 104 to use the selected RU 124 when transmitting uplink and / or downlink signals with the STA 106.

[0065] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide advantages over existing frequency hopping and channel hopping techniques. Existing frequency hopping and channel hopping may attempt to avoid unknown multipath fading conditions by hopping between all possible frequencies or channels, thereby avoiding the use of any particular frequency or channel for a long time. In contrast, embodiments of the present disclosure may allow for prediction of specific RUs that may experience multipath fading based on recurrent patterns of performance.

[0066] Compared to existing 802.1lax / Wi-Fi6 technologies that rely on a probing process to provide a snapshot of the channel state for a given transmission opportunity, certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide advantages. The probing process in existing 802.1lax / Wi-Fi6 technologies only provides a general state of the channel, and the probing process cannot reliably describe the statistical (over time) effects of multipath on the selected RU. Similarly, the channel pilot provides a view of the noise coefficient of the selected sub-segment of the transmission, but the channel pilot provides little information about the overall reliability of a particular RU. In contrast, embodiments of the present disclosure evaluate the RU and learn over time to avoid some RUs. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in the context of Wi-Fi6, for example, by leveraging the RU functionality in Wi-Fi 6 with orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and increasing RU diversity. For example, certain embodiments may rotate RUs between APs and STAs to learn multipath-sensitive RUs and avoid them. Certain embodiments may be implemented without changing STA behavior because in OFDMA, the AP schedules RUs for STAs. In other embodiments, the AP may transmit the pattern (or a portion of the pattern) to the STA, and the STA may use this information to select which RUs to use to transmit communications to the AP.

[0067] Although several embodiments are provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and are not intended to be limited to the details given herein. For example, various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system, or certain features may be omitted or not implemented.

[0068] In addition, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described and illustrated as discrete or separate in various embodiments may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques or methods. Other items shown or discussed as coupled to each other, or directly coupled, or communicating may be indirectly coupled or communicated through some interface, device or intermediate component (whether electrical, mechanical or otherwise). Other examples of changes, substitutions and alterations are ascertainable by those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

[0069] Any appropriate steps, methods, features, functions or benefits disclosed herein may be performed by one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual devices. Each virtual device may include some such functional units. These functional units may be implemented by processing circuits configured to execute program codes stored in memory. In the field of electronic devices, electrical equipment and / or electronic equipment, the term unit may have a traditional meaning and may include, for example, electrical and / or electronic circuits; devices; modules; processors; receivers; transmitters; memories; logical solid-state and / or discrete devices; computer programs or instructions for performing corresponding tasks, processes, calculations, outputs and / or display functions, etc., such as those described herein.

[0070] To assist the Patent Office, and to assist readers of any patents that issue related to this application, in interpreting the appended claims, applicants note that they do not intend for any of the appended claims to incorporate 35 U.S.C. §112(f) as it existed on the filing date of this application unless the phrase "means for" or "step for" is expressly used in a particular claim.

Claims

1. An access point configured with a plurality of resource units (RUs), each RU being configured to use a frequency range different from a frequency range used by other RUs, the access point being operable to: receiving first information from a station, the first information indicating, for each RU in the plurality of RUs, a first signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station, wherein: A first signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station is affected by a frequency range of the corresponding RU; receiving second information from the station, the second information indicating, for each RU in the plurality of RUs, a second signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU, wherein the second signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU is affected by a frequency range of the corresponding RU; determining a pattern based at least on the first information and the second information, the pattern indicating a recurrent signal quality associated by the station with each RU of the plurality of RUs; and One of the RUs is allocated for communicating with the station based at least in part on the pattern.

2. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: To allocate one of the RUs for communicating with the station based at least in part on the pattern, the access point may be further operable to use the pattern to avoid allocating a RU that frequently has a signal quality below a minimum signal quality threshold.

3. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: To allocate one of the RUs for communicating with the station based at least in part on the pattern, the access point may be further operable to use the pattern to avoid allocating a RU having a regular signal quality that is poor compared to a regular signal quality of one or more other RUs.

4. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: The access point may be further operable to send one or more signals prompting the station to send the first information via one or more acknowledgment signals or one or more probe response messages.

5. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: The first information indicates the first signal quality by providing an indication of whether the corresponding RU successfully receives the signal sent by the access point or fails to successfully receive the signal sent by the access point.

6. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: The first information includes an interference index for each of the plurality of RUs tested by the access point, and the pattern indicates which RUs of the plurality of RUs are affected by recurrent interference.

7. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: The pattern is indicative of a recurring pattern of multipath fading experienced by the station when located at a given physical location.

8. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: The first information is received in response to a round-robin based scanning process initiated by the access point, wherein the round-robin based scanning process prompts the station to provide the first information for each RU of the plurality of RUs.

9. The access point of claim 1, further operable to: periodically receiving additional information from the station, the additional information indicating, for each RU in the plurality of RUs, additional signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station, wherein The additional signal quality associated with the corresponding RU by the station is affected by the frequency range of the corresponding RU; as well as The pattern is updated based on the additional information so that the pattern indicates compatibility between the station and each RU over time.

10. The access point according to claim 1, wherein: The access point is operable to allocate one of the RUs based at least in part on current channel conditions.

11. The access point according to claim 10, wherein: The access point is further operable to avoid allocating RUs for which the current channel conditions do not indicate interference issues but for which the pattern indicates recurring interference issues.

12. A method for allocating resource units to a station, comprising: receiving, from a station, first information indicating, for each resource unit (RU) of a plurality of RUs associated with a given access point, a first signal quality of the station associated with the respective RU, wherein each RU corresponds to a frequency range different from frequency ranges corresponding to other RUs, and wherein the first signal quality of the station associated with the respective RU is affected by the frequency range of the respective RU; receiving second information from the station, the second information indicating, for each RU in the plurality of RUs, a second signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU, wherein the second signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU is affected by a frequency range of the corresponding RU; determining a pattern based at least on the first information and the second information, the pattern indicating a recurrent signal quality associated by the station with each RU of the plurality of RUs; and One of the RUs is allocated for communication between the access point and the station based at least in part on the pattern.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: Allocating one of the RUs for communication between the access point and the station based at least in part on the pattern includes using the pattern to avoid allocating a RU that frequently has a signal quality below a minimum signal quality threshold.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: Allocating one of the RUs for communication between the access point and the station based at least in part on the pattern includes using the pattern to avoid allocating a RU having a regular signal quality that is poor compared to a regular signal quality of one or more other RUs.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: One or more signals are sent, the one or more signals prompting the station to send the first information via one or more confirmation signals, or one or more probe response messages.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The first information indicates the first signal quality by providing an indication of whether the corresponding RU successfully receives the signal sent by the access point or fails to successfully receive the signal sent by the access point.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The first information includes an interference index for each of the plurality of RUs tested using a probing signal, and the pattern indicates which RUs of the plurality of RUs are affected by frequent interference.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The pattern is indicative of a recurring pattern of multipath fading experienced by the station when located at a given physical location.

19. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The first information is received in response to a round-robin based scanning process initiated by the access point, wherein the round-robin based scanning process prompts the station to provide the first information for each RU of the plurality of RUs.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising: periodically receiving additional information from the station, the additional information indicating, for each RU in the plurality of RUs, an additional signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU, wherein the additional signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU is affected by a frequency range of the corresponding RU; and The pattern is updated based on the additional information so that the pattern indicates compatibility between the station and each RU over time.

21. A system for allocating resource units to stations, comprising a memory storing executable instructions and a processing circuit operable to execute the instructions, wherein: The system is operable to: receiving, from a station, first information indicating, for each RU of a plurality of RUs associated with a given access point, a first signal quality of the station associated with the respective RU, wherein each RU corresponds to a frequency range different from frequency ranges corresponding to other RUs, and wherein the first signal quality of the station associated with the respective RU is affected by the frequency range of the respective RU; receiving second information from the station, the second information indicating, for each RU in the plurality of RUs, a second signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU, wherein the second signal quality associated with the station and the corresponding RU is affected by a frequency range of the corresponding RU; determining a pattern based at least on the first information and the second information, the pattern indicating a recurrent signal quality associated by the station with each RU of the plurality of RUs; and One of the RUs is allocated for communication between the access point and the station based at least in part on the pattern.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein: The system includes a controller operable to manage the access point and one or more other access points.

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