Hybrid Repeater for High-Density Locations

Abstract

A hybrid repeater for high-density locations may be provided. First, a user density value at an access point (AP) disposed above the ground may be determined. Then, a user density value at an AP repeater disposed at the ground may be determined. Next, it may be determined that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold. Then, in response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than the predetermined threshold, the AP repeater may be switched from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

Description

[0001] This application was filed as a PCT international application on September 4, 2020, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 16 / 568,721 filed on September 12, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless access points. Background Art

[0003] In computer networking, a wireless access point (AP) is a network hardware device that allows Wi-Fi compatible client devices to connect to a wired network and other client devices. An AP is usually connected to a router (directly or indirectly via a wired network) as a standalone device, but it can also be an integrated component of the router itself. Several APs can also work together through direct wired or wireless connections, or through a central system commonly called a wireless local area network (WLAN) controller. An AP is different from a hotspot, which is a physical location that can access a WLAN via Wi-Fi.

[0004] Before wireless networking, setting up a computer network in a business, home, or school typically required running many cables through walls and ceilings to provide network access to all network-enabled devices in the building. With the creation of wireless APs, network users were able to add devices that access the network with fewer or no cables. The AP typically connects directly to a wired Ethernet connection structure, and then the AP uses a radio frequency link to provide a wireless connection for other devices to use that wired connection. Most APs support connecting multiple wireless devices to a single wired connection structure. APs are built to support standards that use these radio frequencies to send and receive data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are included in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0006] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the operating environment;

[0007] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method for providing a hybrid repeater for high density locations;

[0008] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates the arrangement of access points (APs) and AP repeaters in a venue;

[0009] Figure 4 The user device density is illustrated;

[0010] Figure 5illustrates an AP repeater operating at different transmit (Tx) power levels; and

[0011] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a computing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Overview

[0013] A hybrid repeater for high-density locations may be provided. First, a user density value at an access point (AP) disposed above the ground may be determined. Then, a user density value at an AP repeater disposed at the ground may be determined. Next, it may be determined that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold. Then, in response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold, the AP repeater may be switched from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

[0014] The above overview and the following exemplary embodiments are exemplary and illustrative only and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure described and claimed. In addition, features and / or variations other than those described herein may also be provided. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure may involve combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described in the exemplary embodiments.

[0015] Example Embodiments

[0016] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. Although embodiments of the present disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, the elements shown in the drawings may be replaced, added, or modified, and the methods described herein may be modified by replacing, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Therefore, the following detailed description does not limit the present disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0017] People may gather in venues, including but not limited to: stadiums, concert halls, conference halls, or anywhere where many people can gather densely. The venue may be empty at first, but as more and more people arrive, the venue may become densely populated with people (i.e., human bodies). In these densely populated venues, the radio frequency (RF) environment may deteriorate asymmetrically about the access point (AP). However, at the ground level, the human body may act as an RF absorber (absorption sink), and the RF signal may not be able to propagate far horizontally through the crowd. This is why the AP is located on the ceiling and the antenna is oriented to point downward.

[0018] In this environment, signals from user devices (e.g., smartphones) located on the ground can be detected by the AP above because the human body may be located between the devices at the ground level rather than above the user devices. As a result, from the perspective of each user device located at the ground level, channel utilization may be low and the channel may be clear most of the time. This is because the user device may only be able to detect a small number of other user devices within horizontal proximity. From the perspective of the AP, channel utilization may be high and the channel may be almost unusable because the AP detects all user devices that reach the AP vertically. This phenomenon can be referred to as "quiet floor and noisy ceiling". In this case, it may be necessary to reduce the load on the AP by pushing client devices to other APs. However, client devices tend to associate with the AP above because its signal may be the strongest.

[0019] Therefore, consistent with the embodiments of the present disclosure, hybrid repeater processing using sensors (i.e., AP repeaters) for high-density locations can be provided. As will be described in more detail below, based on the RF environment and user policies, the sensor can be triggered to become an AP repeater to serve the client, thereby improving the capacity and channel utilization at the AP.

[0020] Figure 1 An operating environment 100 is illustrated. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , operating environment 100 may include network controller 105, wireless local area network (WLAN) controller 110, access point (AP) 115, AP repeater 120, and multiple client devices 125. Network controller 105 may include assurance component 130 and automation component 135. Assurance component 130 may include network analysis component 140 and sensor policy manager component 145. Multiple client devices 125 may include first client device 150, second client device 155, third client device 160, and fourth client device 165. WLAN controller 110 may control a WLAN of which AP 115 and AP repeater 120 are part.

[0021] The network controller 105 can set up and configure WLAN devices by proactively monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing the WLAN. Fully automated functionality for setup and change management can be enhanced by intelligent analysis of telemetry data extracted from locations in the WLAN. Radio resource management (RRM) processing can be performed by the network controller 105 to provide real-time RF management of the operating environment 100. The RRM processing can allow the network controller 105 to continuously monitor the APs 115 and AP repeaters 120, for example, for the following items: channel utilization, number of clients, signal strength between the AP repeater 120 and other AP repeaters, traffic load, interference, noise, coverage, and other information (e.g., the number of nearby APs). Using this information, the RRM processing on the controller 105 can periodically reconfigure the APs 115 and AP repeaters 120 in the operating environment 100 to improve efficiency by providing radio resource monitoring, AP repeater mode, transmit power control, dynamic channel allocation, and coverage hole detection and correction.

[0022] The AP repeater 120 can operate in a sensor mode or an AP repeater mode. In the sensor mode, the AP repeater 120 can behave as, for example, an 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax compatible (e.g., Wave 2) sensor with an internal antenna and Ethernet backhaul, which can also be able to join the AP 115 as a client. In addition to running network tests such as Internet Protocol (IP) addressing, host reachability, Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS), and email / web / file transfer protocol (FTP) applications, the AP repeater 120 in the sensor mode can also report user device-level views (e.g., ground) to the RRM process running in the operating environment 100. In the AP repeater mode, the AP repeater 120 can operate one of its two radios as an AP while keeping the other radio in client mode, connected to the AP 115, where the AP provides the same service set identifier (SSID) as the AP 115 on a different channel than the AP 115. As will be described in more detail below, AP repeater 120 may switch from sensor mode to AP repeater mode to enhance RRM processing.

[0023] The first client device 150, the second client device 155, the third client device 160, or the fourth client device 165 may include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a personal computer, a tablet device, a mobile device, a cable modem, a cellular base station, a telephone, a remote control device, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a network computer, a mainframe computer, a router, or other similar microcomputer-based devices. The AP 115 and the AP repeater 120 may be compatible with specification standards (e.g., 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax specification standards).

[0024] Embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize AP repeaters (e.g., AP repeaters 120) that may be deployed in the above-described high-density environments (i.e., crowded places). These AP repeaters may be hybrid devices that may be intended to test the network as a client or to be used as an AP. For example, the AP repeater 120 may initially be configured by the network controller 105 as a client of the AP 115 and may exchange performance metrics with the AP 115. These performance metrics may be collected and stored in the network analysis component 140. The performance metrics may include, for example, channel utilization, the number of frames (e.g., to and from client devices) with the "retry" bit set, and the number of frames for which no confirmation is detected. When the sensor policy manager component 145 analyzes the performance metrics and determines that the channel utilization from the perspective of the AP 115 or the AP repeater 120 increases, the sensor policy manager component 145 may send a signal to the automation component 135 to instruct the WLAN controller 110 to switch the AP repeater 120 to the AP repeater mode. In AP repeater mode, the first of the two radio devices of AP repeater 120 can be switched to AP mode, in which it provides the same SSID as AP 115 on another channel, while the second of the two radio devices of AP repeater 120 remains in client mode, connected to AP 115.

[0025] The above-described elements of the operating environment 100 (e.g., the network controller 105, the WLAN controller 110, the AP 115, the AP repeater 120, and the plurality of client devices 125) may be implemented in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or in any other circuit or system. The elements of the operating environment 100 may be implemented in circuits including discrete electronic components, packaged or integrated electronic chips including logic gates, circuits utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip including electronic components or a microprocessor. In addition, the elements of the operating environment 100 may also be implemented using other technologies capable of performing logical operations (e.g., AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies). As described below with respect to Figure 6As described in more detail in , elements of operating environment 100 may be implemented in computing device 600 .

[0026] Figure 2 1 is a flow chart illustrating the overall stages involved in a method 200 consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure for providing a hybrid repeater for high-density locations. The method 200 may be implemented using a network controller 105, a WLAN controller 110, an AP 115, or an AP repeater 120, any of which may be implemented as described below with respect to Figure 6 The method 200 is implemented by the computing device 600 described in more detail. Therefore, the method 200 can be described according to the computing device 600. The manner in which each stage of the method 200 is implemented will be described in more detail below.

[0027] Method 200 may begin at start block 205 and proceed to stage 210, where computing device 600 may determine a user density value at an AP 115 disposed above the ground. Figure 3 As shown in , an AP 115 having a directional antenna can be arranged above the ground at the venue. A plurality of AP repeaters (e.g., a first AP repeater 305, a second AP repeater 310, a third AP repeater 315, and a fourth AP repeater 320) can be placed under seats at the venue. The AP repeater 120 can include one of a plurality of AP repeaters.

[0028] A centralized management system (e.g., network controller 105) can trigger the mode of AP repeater 120 based on the co-channel contention and total load reported by AP 115. The trigger framework can operate as follows. Initially (i.e., empty site), network controller 105 can set each AP repeater to sensor mode. Trigger events for detecting an "empty site" can include: a low number of client devices or no client devices on AP 115, AP 115 can be closest to AP repeater 120 (i.e., highest received signal strength indicator (RSSI)).

[0029] As people (e.g., client device users) enter the venue, the AP repeater 120 can forward the media access control (MAC) address of each detected client device and its RSSI value (from the perspective of the AP repeater 120) to the AP 115 (i.e., the nearest AP). As the user density at the venue increases, the channel utilization on the AP 115 will also increase. The AP 115 can provide performance metrics to the network controller 105, which can allow the network controller 105 to determine the user density value at the AP 115 at a given time. These performance indicators can include, but are not limited to, channel utilization on the AP 115 and the number of client devices on the AP 115.

[0030] The method 200 may proceed from stage 210 (at stage 210, the computing device 600 determines a user density value at the AP 115 disposed above the ground) to stage 220, at which the computing device 600 may determine a user density value at the AP repeater 120 disposed at the ground. For example, as the user density at the venue increases, the AP repeater 120 may provide performance metrics to the network controller 105, which may allow the network controller 105 to determine the user density value at the AP repeater 120 at a given time. These performance metrics may include, but are not limited to: the number of MAC addresses reported by the AP repeater 120, and the RSSI value between the AP repeater 120 and other AP repeaters, which may indicate the density of people between the AP repeater locations.

[0031] Once the computing device 600 determines the user density value at the AP repeater 120 arranged at the ground in stage 220, the method 200 may proceed to stage 230, where the computing device 600 may determine that the difference between the user density value at the AP 115 and the user density value at the AP 120 repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, in the case of a densely populated place, the RF environment may deteriorate asymmetrically about the AP 115. However, at the ground, the human body may act as an RF absorber, and the RF signal may not be able to propagate far horizontally through the crowd. In this environment, the signal from the user device located on the ground can be detected by the AP above because the human body may be located between the devices at the ground. As a result, even though the user density around the AP repeater 120 may be higher in reality, from the perspective of the AP repeater 120 located at the ground and from the perspective of each user device located at the ground, the channel utilization may be low, and the channel may be unblocked most of the time. This is because the AP repeater 120 may only be able to detect a small number of user devices within horizontal proximity due to the human body acting as an RF absorber. However, from the perspective of AP 115, channel utilization may be high and the channel may be almost unusable because AP 115 may detect all user devices that reach AP 115 vertically. The network controller 105 may monitor the difference between the user density value detected at AP 115 and the user density value detected at AP repeater 120, and determine that it is greater than a predetermined threshold. In other words, the difference between the user density value detected at AP 115 and the user density value detected at AP repeater 120 increases as people enter the venue.

[0032] After computing device 600 determines in stage 230 that the difference between the user density value at AP 115 and the user density value at AP repeater 120 is greater than a predetermined threshold, method 200 may proceed to stage 240, where computing device 600 may switch AP repeater 120 from sensor mode to AP repeater mode in response to determining that the difference between the user density value at AP 115 and the user density value at AP repeater 120 is greater than the predetermined threshold. For example, AP 115 may gradually switch some AP repeaters (e.g., AP repeater 120) from sensor mode to AP repeater mode.

[0033] Figure 4 The figure shows the actual user device density. Figure 4As shown in , there may be a maximum user density around AP repeater 405, a minimum user density around AP repeater 410, and a user density around AP repeater 415 may be between the two. For example, AP repeater 120 may include AP repeater 405 or AP repeater 415. Because the human body around AP repeater 405 and AP repeater 415 can act as an RF absorber, from the perspective of AP repeater 405 located at the ground and AP repeater 415 located at the ground, channel utilization may be low, and the channel may be unblocked most of the time. Therefore, AP repeater 405 and AP repeater 415 may report low user density values, so that the difference between their user density values ​​and the user density value reported by AP 115 is greater than a predetermined threshold. Therefore, the network controller 105 can switch AP repeater 405 and AP repeater 415 from sensor mode to AP repeater mode.

[0034] For example, the network controller 105 may cause the AP 115 to send instructions to each target AP repeater (e.g., AP repeater 405 and AP repeater 415) to switch to AP repeater mode. The AP repeater mode may use a first radio in infrastructure mode (e.g., used as an AP) with the same SSID as the AP 115, and a second radio as a client mode (e.g., connected to the AP 115). In some embodiments, the AP repeater may report individual MAC addresses for client devices to the AP 115 (via its over-the-air (OTA) secure connection), and the AP 115 may forward to the AP repeater the credentials of the target client devices that may need to be moved to the AP repeater.

[0035] AP 115 may then send a Basic Service Set Transition Management (BTM) request to the clients closest (highest RSSI) to AP repeater 120, instructing them to move to the BSSID of AP repeater 120. AP repeater 120 may connect to AP 115 on a different channel than the channel that AP 115 uses to connect directly to client devices. AP repeater 120 may now act as an AP for these nearby clients.

[0036] like Figure 5As shown, consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, an AP repeater can operate at different transmit (Tx) power levels depending on the number and range of client devices it currently serves in the horizontal direction. AP repeater 505 can operate in sensor mode. AP repeater 510 can operate in AP repeater mode at power level 2. AP repeater 515 and AP repeater 520 can operate in AP repeater mode at power level 4. The power level and range can be instantiated by the repeater sub-function of RRM based on AP repeater to AP repeater signals, based on the number of clients per AP repeater, and based on the overall observed or expected gain of moving more clients to various AP repeaters. Because the traffic may be essentially horizontal, the range may be small and the conflict may be minimal.

[0037] The network controller 105 can set the AP repeater AP side channel to optimize coverage while minimizing potential co-channel interference between AP repeaters and AP repeater Tx power levels. For example, the AP repeater can use its second radio device in 802.11ax orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) mode to forward traffic from client devices to AP 115 and from AP 115 to client devices. Multiple AP repeaters can be connected to the same AP 115. AP 115 can allocate resource units (RUs) to various AP repeaters within range based on its client device load. Since AP 115 and AP repeaters operate in 802.1l ax OFDMA mode and are not mobile, multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO) can be used for uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) throughput optimization. In parallel, since horizontal traffic may be mixed (i.e., some client devices may be 802.11ax and others may not, and only some 802.11ax client devices may be able to utilize OFDMA or MU-MIMO), the vertical bandwidth capability may be much greater than the need for horizontal bandwidth. As AP-to-AP repeater channel utilization decreases, the AP repeater can gradually return to sensor mode, thus allowing the system to scale and maintain endpoint connection performance even during traffic spikes.

[0038] Thus, a hybrid repeater process using AP repeaters for high density locations can be provided. Based on the RF environment and user policies, AP repeater 120 can be triggered from sensor mode to AP repeater mode, where it assumes the role of an AP to serve clients, thereby improving capacity and channel utilization at AP 115.

[0039] Once computing device 600 switches AP repeater 120 from sensor mode to AP repeater mode in stage 240 in response to determining that the difference between the user density value at AP 115 and the user density value at AP repeater 120 is greater than a predetermined threshold, the method can then end at stage 250.

[0040] Figure 6 A computing device 600 is shown. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 6 , computing device 600 may include processing unit 610 and memory unit 615. Memory unit 615 may include software module 620 and database 625. When software module 620 is executed on processing unit 610, it may perform, for example, Figure 2 The processing for providing a hybrid repeater for high-density locations is described. For example, the computing device 600 can provide an operating environment for the network controller 105, the WLAN controller 110, the AP 115, the AP repeater 120, or the plurality of client devices 125. The network controller 105, the WLAN controller 110, the AP 115, the AP repeater 120, and the plurality of client devices 125 can operate in other environments and are not limited to the computing device 600.

[0041] The computing device 600 can be implemented using a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point, a cellular base station, a tablet device, a mobile device, a smart phone, a telephone, a remote control device, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a cable modem, a personal computer, a network computer, a host, a router, a switch, a server cluster, a smart TV-like device, a network storage device, a network relay device, or other similar microcomputer-based devices. The computing device 600 may include any computer operating environment, such as a handheld device, a multiprocessor system, a microprocessor-based or programmable transmitter electronic device, a minicomputer, a mainframe computer, etc. The computing device 600 may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices. The foregoing systems and devices are examples, and the computing device 600 may include other systems or devices.

[0042] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a method for providing a hybrid repeater for a high-density location. The method may include: determining, by a computing device, a user density value at an access point (AP) disposed above the ground; determining a user density value at an AP repeater disposed at the ground; determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold; in response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold, switching the AP repeater from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

[0043] Determining a user density value at an AP may include: determining the user density value at the AP based on channel utilization on the AP. Determining a user density value at the AP may include: determining the user density value at the AP based on the number of client devices on the AP. Determining a user density value at an AP repeater may include: determining the user density value at the AP repeater based on the number of user devices detected by the AP repeater. Determining a user density value at an AP repeater may include: determining the user density value at the AP repeater based on a signal strength detected between the AP repeater and another AP repeater.

[0044] Switching the AP repeater from the sensor mode to the AP repeater mode may include causing the AP repeater to communicate with the user device using a first radio in the AP repeater and to communicate with the AP using a second radio in the AP repeater.

[0045] The method may also include causing the AP repeater to operate at different transmit power levels depending on the number and range of client devices served by the AP repeater in the horizontal direction.

[0046] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a system for providing a hybrid repeater for high-density locations. The system may include a memory and a processing unit disposed in an access point (AP), the processing unit coupled to the memory, wherein the processing unit is operable to: determine a user density value at an access point (AP) disposed above the ground; determine a user density value at an AP repeater disposed at the ground; determine that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold; in response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold, switch the AP repeater from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

[0047] The processing unit is operable to determine a user density value at the AP based on channel utilization on the AP. The processing unit is operable to determine a user density value at the AP based on a number of client devices on the AP. The processing unit is operable to determine a user density value at the AP repeater based on a number of user devices detected by the AP repeater. The processing unit is operable to determine a user density value at the AP repeater based on a signal strength detected between the AP repeater and another AP repeater.

[0048] The processing unit is operable to cause the AP repeater to communicate with the user device using a first radio in the AP repeater and to communicate with the AP using a second radio in the AP repeater. The processing unit is also operable to cause the AP repeater to operate at different transmit power levels depending on the number and range of client devices served by the AP repeater in a horizontal direction.

[0049] An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a computer-readable medium storing an instruction set, which, when executed, executes a method, the method comprising: determining a user density value at an access point (AP) arranged above the ground; determining a user density value at an AP repeater arranged on the ground; determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold; in response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold, switching the AP repeater from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

[0050] Determining a user density value at an AP may include: determining the user density value at the AP based on channel utilization on the AP. Determining a user density value at the AP may include: determining the user density value at the AP based on the number of client devices on the AP. Determining a user density value at an AP repeater may include: determining the user density value at the AP repeater based on the number of user devices detected by the AP repeater. Determining a user density value at an AP repeater may include: determining the user density value at the AP repeater based on a signal strength detected between the AP repeater and another AP repeater.

[0051] Switching the AP repeater from the sensor mode to the AP repeater mode may include causing the AP repeater to communicate with the user device using a first radio in the AP repeater and to communicate with the AP using a second radio in the AP repeater.

[0052] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented, for example, as a computer process (method), a computing system, or as an article such as a computer program product or a computer-readable medium. A computer program product may be a computer storage medium that is readable by a computer system and encodes a computer program for executing instructions for computer processing. A computer program product may also be a propagation signal on a carrier that is readable by a computing system, and encodes a computer program for executing instructions for computer processing. Therefore, the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.). In other words, the embodiments of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium, which contains a computer-usable or computer-readable program code for use by an instruction execution system or in combination with it. A computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transmit a program for use by an instruction execution system, device, or equipment or in combination with it.

[0053] A computer usable or computer readable medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared or semiconductor system, apparatus, device or propagation medium. More specific examples of computer readable media (non-exhaustive list), computer readable media may include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, and a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that a computer usable or computer readable medium may even be paper or other suitable medium on which the program is printed, since the program may be captured electronically, for example by optical scanning of paper or other medium, and then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in an appropriate manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

[0054] Although certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, other embodiments may exist. In addition, although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as being associated with data stored in memory and other storage media, data may also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, for example, secondary storage devices such as hard disks, floppy disks or CD-ROMs, carrier waves from the Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. In addition, the stages of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering stages and / or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from the present disclosure.

[0055] In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in electronic circuits on a single chip including discrete electronic components, packages or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, circuits utilizing microprocessors, or electronic components or microprocessors. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in a general-purpose computer or in any other circuit or system.

[0056] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced via a system on a chip (SOC), wherein: Figure 1 Each or more of the elements shown in can be integrated into a single integrated circuit. Such a SOC device may include one or more processing units, a graphics unit, a communication unit, a system virtualization unit, and various applications, all of which can be functionally integrated (or "burned") into a chip substrate as a single integrated circuit. When operated via a SOC, the functions described herein with respect to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be performed via dedicated logic integrated on a single integrated circuit (chip) together with other components of the computing device 600.

[0057] For example, multiple embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to the block diagrams and / or operational diagrams of the methods, systems, and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The functions / actions noted in the boxes may not occur in the order shown in any flow chart. For example, depending on the functions / actions involved, two boxes shown in succession may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the boxes may sometimes be executed in reverse order.

[0058] Although the specification includes examples, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the appended claims. In addition, although the specification has been described in the language of specific structural features and / or method actions, the claims are not limited to the above features or actions. Instead, the above specific features and actions are disclosed as examples of embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for providing a hybrid repeater for use in high density locations, include: Determining, by a computing device, a user density value at an access point (AP) arranged above the ground; Determine a user density value at an AP repeater arranged on the ground; determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold; as well as In response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than the predetermined threshold, the AP repeater is switched from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, in, Determining a user density value at the AP includes determining the user density value at the AP based on a channel utilization rate on the AP.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in, Determining a user density value at the AP includes determining a user density value at the AP based on a number of client devices on the AP.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in, Determining a user density value at an AP repeater includes determining a user density value at the AP repeater based on a number of user devices detected by the AP repeater.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in, Determining a user density value at an AP repeater includes determining a user density value at the AP repeater based on a signal strength detected between the AP repeater and another AP repeater.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in, Switching the AP repeater from the sensor mode to the AP repeater mode includes causing the AP repeater to communicate with a user device using a first radio in the AP repeater and to communicate with the AP using a second radio in the AP repeater.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: include: The AP repeater is enabled to operate at different transmit power levels depending on the number and range of client devices served by the AP repeater in the horizontal direction.

8. A system for providing a hybrid repeater for use in high density locations, include: Memory; as well as a processing unit disposed in an access point (AP), the processing unit being coupled to the memory, wherein the processing unit is operable to: Determining a user density value at an access point (AP) disposed above the ground; Determine a user density value at an AP repeater arranged on the ground; determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold; and In response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than the predetermined threshold, the AP repeater is switched from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

9. The system according to claim 8, in, The processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at an AP includes the processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at the AP based on channel utilization at the AP.

10. The system according to claim 8 or 9, in, The processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at an AP includes the processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at the AP based on a number of client devices on the AP.

11. The system according to claim 8 or 9, in, The processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at an AP repeater includes the processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at the AP repeater based on a number of user devices detected by the AP repeater.

12. The system according to claim 8 or 9, in, The processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at an AP repeater includes the processing unit being operable to determine a user density value at the AP repeater based on a signal strength detected between the AP repeater and another AP repeater.

13. The system according to claim 8 or 9, in, The processing unit being operable to switch the AP repeater from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode includes the processing unit being operable to cause the AP repeater to communicate with a user device using a first radio device in the AP repeater and to communicate with the AP using a second radio device in the AP repeater.

14. The system according to claim 8 or 9, in, The processing unit is further operable to cause the AP repeater to operate at different transmit power levels depending on the number and range of client devices served by the AP repeater in a horizontal direction.

15. A computer readable medium storing an instruction set, wherein the instruction set, when executed, implements a method, wherein the method include: Determining a user density value at an access point (AP) disposed above the ground; Determine a user density value at an AP repeater arranged on the ground; determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than a predetermined threshold; as well as In response to determining that a difference between a user density value at the AP and a user density value at the AP repeater is greater than the predetermined threshold, the AP repeater is switched from a sensor mode to an AP repeater mode.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, in, Determining a user density value at the AP includes determining the user density value at the AP based on a channel utilization rate on the AP.

17. The computer readable medium according to claim 15 or 16, in, Determining a user density value at the AP includes determining a user density value at the AP based on a number of client devices on the AP.

18. The computer readable medium according to claim 15 or 16, in, Determining a user density value at an AP repeater includes determining a user density value at the AP repeater based on a number of user devices detected by the AP repeater.

19. The computer readable medium according to claim 15 or 16, in, Determining a user density value at an AP repeater includes determining a user density value at the AP repeater based on a signal strength detected between the AP repeater and another AP repeater.

20. The computer readable medium according to claim 15 or 16, in, Switching the AP repeater from the sensor mode to the AP repeater mode includes causing the AP repeater to communicate with a user device using a first radio in the AP repeater and to communicate with the AP using a second radio in the AP repeater.

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