Mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement through lower order MIMO spatial streams

Abstract

This document describes improvements in range and reliability for wireless mesh networks implementing IEEE 802.11 network technology. Using an optimized rate control algorithm, the number of spatial streams, N, is reduced to a lower value in medium and long range, preempting a lower throughput limit for a higher link budget. This higher link budget provides longer range and higher RF link reliability by maximizing the link budget rather than the network throughput using NxN spatial diversity of the MIMO RF channel.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] When NxM Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) channels are fully utilized to carry N spatial data streams in order to maximize network throughput, Wi-Fi mesh network routers suffer from limited range and reliability issues due to link budget constraints. Maximizing throughput impacts the coverage area of ​​Wi-Fi mesh network routers. However, there are opportunities to modify rate adaptation techniques to provide users with more consistent Wi-Fi coverage. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This invention is provided to introduce a simplified concept for mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement via lower-order MIMO spatial streams. The simplified concept is further described in the detailed description below. This invention is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to define the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0003] This document describes aspects, methods, apparatuses, systems, and devices for wireless communication in wireless mesh networks via wireless mesh routers—particularly for improving the range and reliability of wireless communication in wireless mesh networks via wireless mesh routers—that a mesh router measures an indication of link quality between itself and another wireless device. Based on the measured link quality indication, the mesh router determines the number of spatial streams used for wireless communication and uses the determined number of spatial streams to select a channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for wireless communication. The mesh router uses the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS to configure a wireless transceiver for wireless communication. The mesh router can then use the configured wireless transceiver to communicate with other wireless devices.

[0004] According to one aspect, a wireless mesh (access) router includes one or more wireless transceivers; and a processor and memory system that stores a rate controller application and performs the methods of any aspect or embodiment described herein when executing the rate controller application. Attached Figure Description

[0005] The following figures illustrate various aspects of range extension and reliability enhancement in mesh networks via lower-order MIMO spatial flow. The same figures are used throughout to refer to similar features and components:

[0006] Figure 1 An example wireless network environment is shown, in which various aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement can be achieved through lower-order MIMO spatial streams.

[0007] Figure 2An example device diagram of mesh routers and client devices is shown, illustrating various aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement through lower-order MIMO spatial streams.

[0008] Figure 3 Example data throughput versus path loss is shown, based on various combinations of spatial stream number and channel bandwidth, considering aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement through lower-order MIMO spatial streams.

[0009] Figure 4 An example method for extending the range and enhancing the reliability of mesh networks through lower-order MIMO spatial flows typically associated with mesh routers, based on various aspects of the techniques described herein, is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0010] Overview

[0011] When NxN Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) channels are fully utilized to carry N spatial data streams to maximize network throughput, Wi-Fi mesh network routers suffer from limited range and reliability issues due to link budget constraints. These range and reliability issues are particularly severe for 802.11ax mesh routers with Wi-Fi 6 backhaul, where regulatory requirements for low-power indoor (LPI) 802.11ax 6E devices significantly reduce transmit power. When using Modulation and Coding Scheme 0 (MCS0), the LPI transmit power reduction varies between 4.5 dB and 7.5 dB, depending on the channel bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz or 80 MHz channel bandwidth).

[0012] Improved rate adaptation technology in Wi-Fi mesh routers can enhance coverage consistency. Overcoming range and reliability issues with 802.11ax mesh routers with Wi-Fi 6 backhaul can increase costs and reduce options for maintaining a small form factor for mesh routers. For example, increasing the number of transmit antennas N to three or four (N=3 or N=4) increases the hardware cost of a mesh router and impacts the form factor of the product design compared to using two antennas (N=2). Changes in rate adaptation technology can improve coverage without increasing costs or reducing options for maintaining a small form factor for mesh routers.

[0013] Example Environment

[0014] Figure 1An example environment 100 is illustrated, comprising multiple mesh routers 110, shown as mesh router 111, mesh router 112, and mesh router 113. The mesh routers 110 collectively provide a Wi-Fi network 120, which provides wireless connectivity to one or more client devices 130. Each client device 130 can communicate with one or more mesh routers 110 via one or more wireless communication links 140, shown as wireless communication link 141 and wireless communication link 142. In this example, the client device 130 is implemented as a smartphone. Although illustrated as a smartphone, the client device 130 can be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, gaming device, media device, laptop computer, desktop computer, tablet computer, smart appliance, etc. The mesh router 110 can implement one or more wireless local area network (WLAN) technologies, such as IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E) or their future evolutions.

[0015] Mesh router 110 is connected at 151, 152, and 153 via wired (e.g., Ethernet) or wireless backhaul links (mesh links) to transmit network traffic between client devices 130 and / or between client devices and the Internet 180 and remote service 190. For example, one or more mesh routers, such as mesh router 111, include network interfaces for connecting to the Internet 180, such as via a cable modem or DSL modem and a corresponding communication link 101.

[0016] Example device

[0017] Figure 2 Example device diagram 200 illustrates multiple mesh routers 110 and client devices 130. For clarity, the mesh routers 110 and client devices 130 may include... Figure 2 Additional features and interfaces omitted in the text.

[0018] Mesh router 110 includes an antenna 202, a radio frequency front-end 204 (RF front-end 204), and one or more transceivers 206 configured for WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication with client device 130 and / or another mesh router. The RF front-end 204 can couple or connect the transceiver 206 to the antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 202 of mesh router 110 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. The antenna 202 and RF front-end 204 can be tuned to and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the IEEE 802.11 and / or Wi-Fi communication standards and implemented by the transceiver 206. Furthermore, the antenna 202, RF front-end 204, and / or transceiver 206 can be configured to support beamforming for transmitting and receiving communications with client device 130 and / or another mesh router.

[0019] The mesh router 110 also includes a processor 208 and a computer-readable storage medium 210 (CRM 210). The processor 208 may be a single-core or multi-core processor made of various materials such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectrics, copper, etc. The CRM 210 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory for storing device data 212 of the mesh router 110. Device data 212 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, applications, and / or operating systems of the mesh router 110, which can be executed by the processor 208 to enable communication with client devices 130 or for mesh link communication between mesh routers 110.

[0020] CRM 210 also includes an access point manager 214, which in one embodiment is embodied in CRM 210 (as shown). Alternatively or additionally, the access point manager 214 may be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of the mesh router 110. In at least some aspects, the access point manager 214 configures transceiver 206 for communication with client device 130 and / or another mesh router 110, as well as for data communication over the Internet 180 via network interface 220. In at least some aspects, the access point manager 214 configures RF front-end 204 and transceiver 206 to implement techniques for mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement via the lower-order MIMO spatial streams described herein.

[0021] CRM 210 also includes a rate controller 216 and a lookup table 218, which in one embodiment is embodied on CRM 210 (as shown). Alternatively or additionally, the rate controller 216 may be implemented wholly or partially as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of the mesh router 110. The rate controller 216 uses link quality measurements and lookup table 218 to determine the configuration of wireless communication. The rate controller 216 uses link quality measurements to perform a lookup in lookup table 218, which includes modulation and coding schemes (MCS) for wireless communication and channel bandwidth. In an alternative, lookup table 218 may be included in a Wi-Fi chipset included in transceiver 206. Each MCS defines configuration parameters, such as modulation type.

[0022] Client device 130 includes an antenna 252, a radio frequency front-end 254 (RF front-end 254), and one or more transceivers 256 for communicating with a mesh router 110 in a Wi-Fi network 120 (mesh network 120). The RF front-end 254 of client device 130 can couple or connect the transceiver 256 to the antenna 252 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 252 of client device 130 may include an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from each other. The antenna 252 and RF front-end 254 can be tuned to and / or are tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the IEEE 802.11 and Wi-Fi communication standards and implemented by the transceiver 256. Furthermore, the antenna 252, RF front-end 254, and transceiver 256 can be configured to support beamforming for transmission and reception for communication with the mesh router 110.

[0023] Client device 130 also includes processor 258 and computer-readable storage medium 260 (CRM 260). Processor 258 may be a single-core or multi-core processor composed of various materials such as silicon, polysilicon, high-k dielectric, copper, etc. The computer-readable storage medium described herein does not include propagation signals. CRM 260 may include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory that can be used to store device data 262 of client device 130. Device data 262 includes user data, multimedia data, beamforming codebook, applications, and / or the operating system of client device 130, which can be executed by processor 258 to enable wireless communication, signaling, and user interaction with mesh router 110.

[0024] CRM 260 also includes a client device manager 264. Alternatively or additionally, the client device manager 264 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integrated or separate from other components of the client device 130. The client device manager 264 configures the transceiver 256 to function as a WLAN station (STA).

[0025] Improved rate adaptation for mesh network range expansion and reliability

[0026] 802.11ax mesh networks have a radio frequency (RF) link budget, which limits operational range and RF link reliability because data throughput has been intentionally maximized for mid- and long-range data services by fully utilizing NxN MIMO channels carrying N spatial streams. Rate adaptation techniques optimized around maximum data throughput may not provide coverage over a wider spatial area, thus failing to provide connectivity.

[0027] In all aspects, by using optimized rate control algorithms to reduce the number of spatial streams N to lower values ​​(e.g., N-1 where N=2 or N-2 where N=3) over medium and long distances, a higher link budget is preemptively traded for a lower maximum data throughput limit. This higher link budget, achieved by maximizing the link budget rather than network throughput through NxN spatial diversity of the MIMO RF channel, provides longer range and higher RF link reliability.

[0028] For example, the 160MHz bandwidth of 801.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) can support sufficient data throughput on mesh links (e.g., mesh links 151, 152, and 153) and data links (e.g., wireless links 141 and 142) while having a reduced number of spatial streams of N-1 (where N=2) or N-2 (where N=3), while increasing range and improving the reliability of mesh network 120.

[0029] Traditional rate adaptation techniques in many Wi-Fi access points, Wi-Fi mesh routers, and Wi-Fi chipsets measure the packet error rate (PER) of a communication link with a station (STA) device (e.g., client device 130) or another mesh router. These traditional techniques use the measured PER to perform a lookup in a three-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding scheme (MCS), number of spatial streams (NSS), and channel bandwidth. Typically, these techniques will first change the MCS (e.g., reduce the MCS to MCS0) in an attempt to improve link quality with the STA (or other mesh router) by reducing the measured PER, before changing the NSS or channel bandwidth to improve link quality.

[0030] In one aspect, the rate control controller of the Wi-Fi mesh router (e.g., rate controller 216) measures the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) or Received Channel Power Indicator (RCPI) of received packet transmissions from the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router. Based on the RSSI or RCPI, the rate controller selects the Spatial Stream Quantity (NSS) for the wireless link with the STA or other Wi-Fi mesh router and provides the NSS value to the Wi-Fi chipset. The Wi-Fi chipset uses the NSS value to perform a lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and channel bandwidth. Alternatively, the rate controller 216 may perform a lookup in a lookup table 218 included in CRM 210. The resulting configuration of the MCS and channel bandwidth, along with the NSS value, is used to configure the Wi-Fi transceiver for the wireless link between the Wi-Fi mesh router and the STA or other Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0031] In an alternative approach, the rate control controller of the Wi-Fi mesh router (e.g., rate controller 216) uses the data throughput of the current communication with the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router as input to select the number of spatial streams (NSS) of the wireless link with the STA or other Wi-Fi mesh router, and provides the value of the NSS to the Wi-Fi chipset. As in the previous approach, the Wi-Fi chipset uses the NSS value to perform a lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and channel bandwidth. Alternatively, rate controller 216 may perform a lookup in lookup table 218 included in CRM 210. The resulting configuration of MCS and channel bandwidth, along with the NSS value, is used to configure the Wi-Fi transceiver for the wireless link between the Wi-Fi mesh router and the STA or other Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0032] On the other hand, the rate control controller of the Wi-Fi mesh router (e.g., rate controller 216) uses the current MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) for communication with the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router as input to select the Spatial Stream Quantity (NSS) of the wireless link between the STA or other Wi-Fi mesh router, and provides the NSS value to the Wi-Fi chipset. As in the previous aspect, the Wi-Fi chipset uses the NSS value to perform a lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and channel bandwidth. Alternatively, rate controller 216 may perform a lookup in lookup table 218 included in CRM 210. The resulting configuration of MCS and channel bandwidth, along with the NSS value, is used to configure the Wi-Fi transceiver for the wireless link between the Wi-Fi mesh router and the STA or other Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0033] Figure 3Example data throughput versus path loss is shown, based on various combinations of spatial stream number and channel bandwidth, considering aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement through lower-order MIMO spatial streams. Figure 3 The dashed line NSS2-80 in the diagram illustrates the data throughput of a Wi-Fi mesh router that uses a conventional rate controller to maintain two spatial streams (NSS=2) in an 80MHz channel bandwidth.

[0034] In the aforementioned aspects, the rate controller 216 selects the switching point between the number of spatial streams and the channel bandwidth based on RSSI, RCPI, data throughput, or the current MCS. In this example, the wireless mesh router operates in three regions 302, 304, and 306 selected by the rate controller 216 to optimize the Wi-Fi coverage area. Although three regions are shown, any suitable number of regions can be used. For example, in region 302, with a lower path loss value (typically corresponding to a higher RSSI, higher RCPI, higher data throughput, or higher MCS), the rate controller 216 sends an NSS=2 value to the Wi-Fi chipset in transceiver 206, which uses this value for a rate adaptation lookup to select a channel bandwidth of 160MHz (by...). Figure 3 (Solid lines NSS2-160 shown in the diagram) and appropriate MCS (e.g., MCS0 to MCS13) to configure transceiver 206 for Wi-Fi communication with STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0035] Continuing this example, in the case of increased path loss (typically corresponding to medium RSSI, medium RCPI, medium data throughput, or medium MCS), the rate controller 216 optimizes the Wi-Fi coverage area by selecting operation in region 304 with a value of NSS=1. The rate controller 216 sends the value of NSS=1 to the Wi-Fi chipset in transceiver 206, which uses this value to perform a rate adaptation lookup to select a channel bandwidth of 160MHz (as determined by...). Figure 3 (Short dashed line NSS1-160 shown in the diagram) and appropriate MCS to configure transceiver 206 for Wi-Fi communication with STA or other Wi-Fi mesh routers.

[0036] Continuing this example, in cases of maximum path loss (typically corresponding to low RSSI, low RCPI, low data throughput, or low MCS), the rate controller 216 optimizes the Wi-Fi coverage area by selecting the region 306 where NSS=1. The rate controller 216 sends the value of NSS=1 to the Wi-Fi chipset in transceiver 206, which uses this value to perform a rate adaptation lookup to select an 80MHz channel bandwidth (by...). Figure 3(As shown by the long dashed line NSS1-80 in the diagram) and the appropriate MCS to configure transceiver 206 for Wi-Fi communication with STA or other Wi-Fi mesh routers.

[0037] By selecting appropriate switching points 308 and 310, the rate controller 216 selects a configuration that increases Wi-Fi coverage while maintaining high data throughput in terms of the number of spatial streams and channel bandwidth. Although this example is shown using one or two spatial streams and two channel bandwidths, the described technique is applicable to any suitable number of spatial streams (e.g., one to eight spatial streams) and any suitable number of channel bandwidths (e.g., 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and / or 320MHz channel bandwidths).

[0038] Example Method

[0039] refer to Figure 4 Example method 400 is described based on one or more aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement through lower-order MIMO spatial streams. The order in which the method blocks are described is not intended to be construed as limiting, and any number of described method blocks may be combined in any order, or skipped, to implement the method or alternative methods. Generally, any components, modules, methods, and operations described herein can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), or any combination thereof. Some operations of the example method may be described in the general context of executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage memory local and / or remote on a computer processing system, and implementations may include software applications, programs, functions, etc. Alternatively or additionally, any functionality described herein may be performed at least in part by one or more hardware logic components, such as, but not limited to, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip (SoCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), etc.

[0040] Figure 4 The illustration depicts an example method 400 typically associated with a wireless mesh router 110 for range extension and reliability enhancement of a mesh network via lower-order MIMO spatial streaming. In box 402, the wireless mesh router measures an indication of link quality between the wireless mesh router and another wireless device. For example, the wireless mesh router (e.g., wireless mesh routers 111, 112, or 113) measures link quality (e.g., RSSI, RCPI, throughput, PER, or MCS).

[0041] At box 404, the wireless mesh router determines (e.g., reduces) the number of spatial flows used for wireless communication based on a measured link quality indication or a combination of measured link quality indications. For example, a rate controller in the wireless mesh router (e.g., rate controller 216) determines the number of spatial flows based on the measured link quality indication. As an example, the rate controller of the wireless mesh router may compare the measured link quality indication with at least one threshold (and / or one or more value ranges) to determine the number of spatial flows.

[0042] In box 406, using the determined number of spatial streams, the wireless mesh router selects a channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for wireless communication. For example, the rate controller uses the determined number of spatial streams to look up the channel bandwidth and MCS in a lookup table (e.g., lookup table 218). For example, the lookup table may include two or more of the following bandwidths, such as all of them: 20MHz channel bandwidth, 40MHz channel bandwidth, 80MHz channel bandwidth, 160MHz channel bandwidth, and 320MHz channel bandwidth. Alternatively or additionally, the lookup table may include two or more of the following MCSs, such as all of them: MCS0 MCS; MCS1 MCS, MCS2 MCS, MCS3 MCS, MCS4 MCS, MCS5 MCS, MCS6 MCS, MCS7 MCS, MCS8 MCS, MCS9 MCS, MCS10 MCS, MCS11 MCS, MCS12 MCS, and MCS13 MCS.

[0043] At box 408, the wireless mesh router configures the wireless transceiver for wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS. For example, rate controller 216 and / or access point manager 214 configure the wireless transceiver (e.g., transceiver 206) to perform wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS.

[0044] The following are some examples:

[0045] Example 1: A method for improving the range and reliability of wireless communication in a wireless mesh network using a wireless mesh router, the method comprising:

[0046] A first indication of the link quality between the wireless mesh router and the first wireless device;

[0047] The number of spatial streams used for the wireless communication is determined based on a first indication of the measured link quality.

[0048] The determined number of spatial streams is used to select the channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the wireless communication; and

[0049] Configure the wireless transceiver for the wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS.

[0050] Example 2: Based on the method of Example 1, the method further includes:

[0051] Use the configured wireless transceiver to communicate with the first wireless device.

[0052] Example 3: According to the method of Example 1 or Example 2, wherein the first wireless device includes:

[0053] Another wireless mesh router; or

[0054] Wireless station (STA), device.

[0055] Example 4: According to any of the methods in the preceding examples, the first indication of link quality includes one or more of the following:

[0056] Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI);

[0057] Receive channel power indicator, RCPI;

[0058] Data throughput;

[0059] Data grouping error rate, PER; or

[0060] Modulation and coding scheme, MCS.

[0061] Example 5: According to any of the preceding examples, wherein selecting the channel bandwidth and the modulation and coding scheme for the wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams includes:

[0062] The determined number of spatial streams is used as input for the lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme.

[0063] Example 6: According to any of the methods in the preceding examples, the selected channel bandwidth includes:

[0064] 20 MHz channel bandwidth;

[0065] 40 MHz channel bandwidth;

[0066] 80 MHz channel bandwidth;

[0067] 160MHz channel bandwidth; or

[0068] 320MHz channel bandwidth.

[0069] Example 7: According to any of the methods in the preceding examples, the selected MCS includes:

[0070] MCS0 MCS;

[0071] MCS1 MCS;

[0072] MCS2 MCS;

[0073] MCS3 MCS;

[0074] MCS4 MCS;

[0075] MCS5 MCS;

[0076] MCS6 MCS;

[0077] MCS7 MCS;

[0078] MCS8 MCS;

[0079] MCS9 MCS;

[0080] MCS10 MCS;

[0081] MCS11 MCS;

[0082] MCS12 MCS; or

[0083] MCS13 MCS.

[0084] Example 8: According to any of the methods in the preceding examples, wherein the number of spatial flows includes one or more spatial flows.

[0085] Example 9: According to any of the preceding examples, the wireless mesh network comprises:

[0086] IEEE 802.11n wireless network;

[0087] Wi-Fi 4 wireless network;

[0088] IEEE 802.11ac wireless network;

[0089] Wi-Fi 5 wireless network;

[0090] IEEE 802.11ax wireless network;

[0091] Wi-Fi 6 wireless network; or

[0092] Wi-Fi 6E wireless network.

[0093] Example 10: According to any of the preceding examples, determining the number of spatial streams for the wireless communication based on a first indication of the measured link quality includes comparing the first indication of the measured link quality with at least one threshold.

[0094] Example 11: According to any of the methods in the preceding examples, the method further includes:

[0095] A second indication measuring the link quality between the wireless mesh router and the second wireless device;

[0096] The number of spatial streams used for the wireless communication is determined based on a second indication of the measured link quality.

[0097] The determined number of spatial streams is used to select the channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the wireless communication;

[0098] Configure the wireless transceiver for the wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS; and

[0099] Use the configured wireless transceiver to communicate with the second wireless device.

[0100] Example 12: A wireless mesh access router, comprising:

[0101] One or more wireless transceivers; and

[0102] A processor and memory system for implementing a rate controller application configured to perform the method described in any of the foregoing examples.

[0103] Example 13: The wireless mesh access router according to Example 12 further includes:

[0104] Network interface.

[0105] Example 14: A wireless mesh access router according to Example 13, wherein the wireless mesh access router is configured to communicate with other wireless mesh access routers via a backhaul link using the network interface.

[0106] Example 15: A computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, in response to execution by a processor, instruct a device to perform a method according to any one of Examples 1 to 11.

[0107] Although aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement via lower-order MIMO spatial flows have been described in feature- and / or method-specific language, the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary embodiments of mesh network range extension and reliability enhancement via lower-order MIMO spatial flows, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, various different aspects have been described, and it should be understood that each described aspect may be implemented independently or in combination with one or more other described aspects.

Claims

1. A method for improving the range and reliability of wireless communication in a wireless mesh network using a wireless mesh router, the method comprising: A first indication of the link quality between the wireless mesh router and the first wireless device; The number of spatial streams used for the wireless communication is determined based on a first indication of the measured link quality. The determined number of spatial streams is used to select the channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the wireless communication; as well as Configure the wireless transceiver for the wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Use the configured wireless transceiver to communicate with the first wireless device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first wireless device includes: Another wireless mesh router; or Wireless station STA equipment.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first indication of link quality includes one or more of the following: Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI); Receive Channel Power Indicator (RCPI); Data throughput; Data grouping error rate PER; as well as Modulation and coding scheme (MCS).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Using the determined number of spatial streams to select the channel bandwidth and the modulation and coding scheme for the wireless communication includes: The determined number of spatial streams is used as input for the lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The selected channel bandwidth includes: 20MHz channel bandwidth; 40MHz channel bandwidth; 80MHz channel bandwidth; 160MHz channel bandwidth; or 320MHz channel bandwidth.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The selected MCSs include: MCS0 MCS; MCS1 MCS; MCS2 MCS; MCS3 MCS; MCS4 MCS; MCS5 MCS; MCS6 MCS; MCS7 MCS; MCS8 MCS; MCS9 MCS; MCS10 MCS; MCS11 MCS; MCS12 MCS; or MCS13 MCS.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The number of spatial flows includes one or more spatial flows.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The wireless mesh network includes: IEEE 802.11n wireless network; Wi-Fi 4 wireless network; IEEE 802.11ac wireless network; Wi-Fi 5 wireless network; IEEE 802.11ax wireless network; Wi-Fi 6 wireless network; or Wi-Fi 6E wireless network.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Determining the number of spatial streams for the wireless communication based on a first indication of the measured link quality includes comparing the first indication of the measured link quality with at least one threshold.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: A second indication measuring the link quality between the wireless mesh router and the second wireless device; The number of spatial streams used for the wireless communication is determined based on a second indication of the measured link quality. The determined number of spatial streams is used to select the channel bandwidth and modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the wireless communication; Configure the wireless transceiver for the wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS; and Use the configured wireless transceiver to communicate with the second wireless device.

12. A wireless mesh access router, comprising: One or more wireless transceivers; as well as A processor and memory system for implementing a rate controller application configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The wireless mesh access router according to claim 12, further comprising: Network interface.

14. The wireless mesh access router according to claim 13, wherein, The wireless mesh access router is configured to use the network interface to communicate with other wireless mesh access routers via a backhaul link.

15. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, in response to execution by a processor, instruct a device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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