Integrated circuit and method for enhancing data connectivity

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to obtaining better connectivity experience by normalizing transmit power imbalance. An integrated circuit for an electronic device includes a memory and a controller. The memory stores instructions and the controller circuitry is operably coupled to the memory. Execution of the instructions causes the controller circuitry to obtain first and second normalized RSSIs, compare the first normalized RSSI to the second normalized RSSI, and select a network device associated with a larger one of the first and second normalized RSSIs from a first network device and a second network device. The first normalized RSSI includes a first difference between a first Tx power value of the first network device and an electronic device Tx power. The second normalized RSSI includes a second difference between a second Tx power value of the second network device and the electronic device Tx power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This description generally relates to data communication hardware, including, for example, achieving a better connectivity experience by normalizing transmit power imbalances. Background Technology

[0002] In the IEEE 802.11 Infrastructure Basic Services set, the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) calculated for a Station (STA) can vary based on the transmit power used at the transmitting station, path loss, and / or the distance between the transmitting and receiving stations. The transmit power of Access Points (APs) and client stations can vary depending on national and / or regulatory restrictions, hardware and / or board limitations, and channel mode and / or usage, as described in Section 11.7.6 of the IEEE 802.11 specification.

[0003] According to Section 11.7.6 of the IEEE 802.11 specification, the STA may select any transmit power for transmission in the channel within the following three constraints: First, before transmitting in the channel, the STA shall determine the regulated maximum transmit power of the channel and the local maximum transmit power in the current regulated domain. Second, the AP shall use a transmit power level less than or equal to the regulated maximum transmit power level of the channel; the AP shall also meet any regulated mitigation requirements. Third, non-access point client stations shall use a transmit power level less than or equal to the local maximum transmit power level of the channel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, this disclosure relates to an integrated circuit for an electronic device, the integrated circuit comprising: a memory storing instructions; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein executing the instructions causes the one or more processors to: obtain a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI), the first RSSI comprising a first difference between a first transmit (Tx) power value of a first network device and a Tx power value of the electronic device; obtain a second RSSI, the second RSSI comprising a second difference between a second Tx power value of a second network device and the Tx power value of the electronic device; compare the first RSSI with the second RSSI; and select a network device associated with the larger of the first RSSI and the second RSSI from the first network device and the second network device.

[0005] In another aspect, this disclosure relates to an integrated circuit for an electronic device, the integrated circuit comprising: a memory storing instructions; and one or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein executing the instructions causes the one or more processors to: join a first network device; receive a first frame from the first network device, wherein the first frame includes a first transmit (Tx) power value; receive a second frame from a second network device, wherein the second frame includes a second Tx power value; obtain i) a first difference between the first Tx power value and a device Tx power value of the electronic device, and ii) a second difference between the second Tx power value and the device Tx power value; and in response to the second Tx power value being less than the first Tx power value: leave the first network device; and join the second network device.

[0006] In a further aspect, this disclosure relates to a method for enhancing data connectivity, the method comprising: obtaining a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and a first transmit (Tx) power value from a first network device; obtaining a second RSSI and a second transmit Tx power value from a second network device; determining a first normalized RSSI based on the first RSSI and the first Tx power value; determining a second normalized RSSI based on the second RSSI and the second Tx power value; and selecting a network device associated with the larger of the first normalized RSSI and the second normalized RSSI from the first network device and the second network device. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Some features of this subject matter are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purposes of explanation, several aspects of this subject matter are described in the accompanying drawings.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating a wireless environment in which some aspects of the techniques of this subject are implemented.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication scenario between an access point and a client station, handled by aspects of the technology in this subject matter.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example communication scenario based on aspects of the technology in this subject matter, where the client station selects the access point to join based on a normalized received signal strength indicator.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for enhancing data connectivity based on aspects of the technical subject matter.

[0012] Figure 5 It is a block diagram illustrating the aspects of the technical subject matter implemented therein. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The detailed description set forth below is intended to describe various configurations of the subject matter, and not to represent the only configuration in which the subject matter can be practiced. The accompanying drawings are incorporated herein and form part of the detailed description. The detailed description contains specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject matter. However, the subject matter is not limited to the specific details set forth herein, and can be practiced using one or more embodiments. In one or more examples, structures and components are shown in the form of block diagrams to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject matter.

[0014] According to some aspects of the art described herein, the art relates to enhancing the connectivity experience by overcoming transmit power imbalances between an electronic device and two or more network devices. As a non-limiting example, the electronic device described herein may include a STA, such as a mobile wireless communication device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet computing device). As a non-limiting example, the network device described herein may include an access point (AP).

[0015] A traditional solution in a STA involves receiving Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) from each available AP and selecting (e.g., connecting to) the AP with the highest RSSI. Due to Tx power imbalance (e.g., an AP has higher Tx power than STATx power), the STA may be unable to successfully transmit all data packets or frames to the selected AP. However, the STA of this subject matter can calculate a normalization parameter and select APs to which the STA's radio circuitry can connect based on this parameter. The term "normalization" refers to converting or simplifying a value to a common standard. For example, the RSSI value of an AP can be normalized by subtracting the Tx power (or power value) from the AP and the Tx power from the STA from the actual RSSI from the AP. In this way, the STA can determine a normalized RSSI for each AP and select the AP with the highest normalized RSSI. Advantageously, RSSI normalization overcomes the power imbalance problem between APs and the STA and helps the STA select APs to which it can reliably transmit data packets or frames. In addition, normalized RSSI can be used to make roaming decisions and target AP selection when roaming or joining an Infrastructure Basic Services Set (BSS) network created by several APs.

[0016] The Tx power of the AP and STA can vary depending on country and / or regulatory restrictions, hardware (HW) and / or board limitations, and channel mode and / or usage, as described in the IEEE 802.11 specification. Generally, a wall-mounted AP will have better Tx power than the STA, partly due to the STA's battery and / or power usage limitations. Therefore, due to the difference in Tx power at the AP and STA, the RSSI of the AP calculated by the STA will be higher than the RSSI of the STA calculated by the AP. This Tx power imbalance, or difference between the AP and STA, can sometimes cause connection and / or data stagnation problems, especially in low RSSI areas, where the STA can receive all packets from the AP due to the higher Tx power usage at the AP, but the AP receives few or no frames from the STA due to the lower Tx power usage at the STA.

[0017] Typically, when a STA determines that the Tx power value from an AP is below a threshold Tx power value or a threshold RSSI, the STA will trigger a low RSSI roaming operation. In this operation, the STA will attempt to determine whether it can connect to any other AP with a better (e.g., higher) Tx power value or a higher RSSI, respectively. Under such conditions, if the STA receives an acceptable Tx power value from the connected AP (e.g., above the threshold Tx power value), the STA may not be able to trigger low RSSI roaming because the AP RSSI at the STA's location may still be better than the low RSSI roaming threshold configuration at the STA's location. In this case, although the data connection from the STA to the AP has deteriorated or been interrupted, the STA does not initiate a roaming process and remains connected to the AP. The STA neither attempts to roam to any better available AP nor falls back to a mobile data connection, such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) connection or other cellular connection.

[0018] This technology enables STAs roaming to a BSS network of infrastructure created by several APs to calculate the normalized RSSI of the APs and use the normalized RSSI to make roaming decisions and target AP selection without experiencing poor data connectivity and data stagnation issues.

[0019] Figure 1This is a block diagram illustrating a wireless environment 100 in which some aspects of the subject matter technology are implemented. The wireless environment 100 includes several network devices, such as access points (APs) for network connectivity, including (but not limited to) AP 110-1, AP 110-2, and AP 110-3, and an electronic device 120 (e.g., a STA). Each of APs 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 can create a BSS network for the electronic device 120 to join. The electronic device 120 can be a mobile communication device, such as a telephone (e.g., a smartphone), a tablet computer, or any other mobile communication device. The electronic device 120 roams to find the best AP among the available APs 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3, to find an AP with a better RSSI than the low RSSI roaming threshold set in its configuration. Due to battery and / or power usage limitations, the electronic device 120 may have a lower Tx power than any of APs 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3. Therefore, the RSSI associated with any of APs 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 at electronic device 120 can be better than the low RSSI roaming threshold set in the configuration of electronic device 120.

[0020] For example, even though the data connection from electronic device 120 to AP 110-1 deteriorates or is interrupted, electronic device 120 may contain radio circuitry connected to the AP (e.g., AP 110-1). This may happen without electronic device 120's awareness, and therefore electronic device 120 does not initiate a roaming process to find another AP. In other words, although the data connection from electronic device 120 to AP 110-1 has deteriorated or been interrupted, electronic device 120 remains connected to AP 110-1, and electronic device 120 does not attempt to roam to any better available AP (e.g., AP 110-2 or 110-3) or fall back to a mobile data connection.

[0021] This subject matter provides a solution to the problem by enabling electronic device 120 to calculate the normalized RSSI of APs 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 and use the normalized RSSI to make roaming decisions and select target APs without experiencing poor data connectivity and data stagnation issues.

[0022] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a communication scenario 200 between AP 110 and electronic device 120, handled by certain aspects of the subject matter. Communication scenario 200 shows an instance where AP 110 fails to receive frames transmitted by electronic device 120, as explained herein. In this instance, AP 110 creates an infrastructure BSS with 32 dB as its AP Tx power (or Tx power value), and electronic device 120 uses 12 dB as its Tx power (or Tx power value). The Tx power value used by electronic device 120 and other electronic devices shown and described herein may be referred to as the electronic device Tx power value. In this case, considering the same path loss and / or distance in either direction between AP 110 and electronic device 120, the RSSI of electronic device 120 at AP 110 is approximately -90 dBm, while the RSSI of AP 110 at electronic device 120 is -70 dBm. In this scenario, electronic device 120 can receive all frames from AP 110 because AP 110 uses a higher Tx power compared to electronic device 120, and packets received from AP 110 at electronic device 120 have a better RSSI than packets received from electronic device 120 at AP 110. This results in no frames being received from electronic device 120 at AP 110 because electronic device 120 has a low Tx power (12 dB), and the signal strength associated with packets transmitted from electronic device 120 would be too low at AP 110.

[0023] For electronic device 120, the low RSSI roaming threshold (or threshold power value) can be configured to -75 dBm. Therefore, electronic device 120 may not even initiate a roaming scan to find an RSSI stronger than that of AP 110 (which is -70 dBm at electronic device 120), -70 dBm being higher than the configured RSSI roaming threshold (-75 dBm) for electronic device 120. Therefore, it is highly likely that if electronic device 120 does not move and remains idle in the same low RSSI area for a longer period, then electronic device 120 will remain in this state without any uplink data connection. This situation can be addressed by certain aspects of the subject matter art, as discussed in more detail herein.

[0024] Figure 3The illustration of a communication scenario 300 according to aspects of the present invention illustrates that an electronic device 320 can select from multiple network devices (e.g., AP 310-1 and AP 310-2) to join based on a normalized RSSI value. The electronic device 320 can obtain information from AP 310-1 and AP 310-2 via connections 312 and 314, respectively. According to some aspects of the present invention, the electronic device 320 can overcome the poor data connectivity and data stagnation problems discussed above by calculating the normalized RSSI of the AP based on the Tx power usage difference between the AP and the electronic device, and use the normalized RSSI for roaming decisions and target AP selection to simultaneously join or roam to the infrastructure BSS network. To achieve this target AP selection, APs 310-1 and 310-2 can autonomously include a Tx power usage (TPU) field. In this way, the electronic device 320 can use this information to derive the normalized RSSI. Normalized RSSI is based on the Tx power difference between the electronic device and the corresponding AP (e.g., electronic device 320 and APs 310-1 and 310-2).

[0025] According to Section 9.4.1.20 of the IEEE 802.11 specification mentioned above, the TPU field is a 2s complement signed integer. It is less than or equal to the maximum transmit power and indicates the actual power, measured in dBm, used by the electronic device when transmitting a frame containing the TPU field at the antenna connector. The TPU value is determined at any time before transmitting a frame containing the TPU field and has a tolerance of ±5 dBm.

[0026] In some embodiments, electronic device 320 includes integrated circuit 330, which may include, for example, (but is not limited to) roaming trigger logic circuitry 332, one or more processors 334, memory 336, and wireless communication circuitry system 338. Memory 336 contains instructions (e.g., executable instructions), and one or more processors 334 are operatively coupled to memory 336. The phrase "operatively coupled" refers to at least one communication coupling, wherein one or more processors 334 and memory 336 can send and receive information (e.g., data) from each other. Thus, one or more processors 334 can receive executable instructions from memory 336 and perform the steps of the executable instructions. As a non-limiting example, one or more processors 334 may include one or more microcontrollers, MEMS controllers, or programmable controllers. Wireless communication circuitry system 338 may include controllers and antennas for communicating (e.g., transmitting and receiving) information (e.g., RSSI and Tx power value information) to and from APs 310-1, 310-2, and 310-3.

[0027] In the example described, AP 310-1 uses 32 dBm of Tx power, while AP 310-2 uses 20 dBm of Tx power. The RSSI of APs 310-1 and 310-2 at electronic device 320 can be, for example, -66 dBm and -68 dBm, respectively. The power used by APs 310-1 and 310-2 can be transmitted from APs 310-1 and 310-2 to electronic device 320 in the corresponding frames. In this scenario, ideally, electronic device 320 would prefer to join the network of AP 310-1 because AP 310-1 has a better RSSI than AP 310-2 (-66 dB vs. -68 dB). However, when electronic device 320 is associated with AP 310-1, poor uplink data connectivity and data stagnation may occur in the early low RSSI region (e.g., between -70 dB and -75 dB). This is because when the RSSI of AP 310-1 at electronic device 320 is in the early low RSSI region, AP 310-1 may receive very few packets or no packets from electronic device 320. This is because when the RSSI of AP 310-1 at electronic device 320 is approximately -70 dB to -75 dB, the RSSI of electronic device 320 at AP 310-1 will already be within -90 dB to -95 dB. This is based on the fact that the Tx power used in electronic device 320 is 20 dBm lower than the Tx power used in AP 310-1. Under this condition, electronic device 320 may not be able to successfully deliver any data frames to AP 310-1, and electronic device 320 will not initiate low RSSI roaming because the RSSI of AP 310-1 at electronic device 320 may still not meet the low RSSI roaming trigger threshold configured for electronic device 320. However, in this subject matter, one or more processors 334 of integrated circuit 330 execute instructions stored in memory 336, causing the one or more processors 334 to perform the following exemplary steps: 1) obtaining a first normalized RSSI containing a first Tx power value of a first network device (AP 310-1) and a first difference between the Tx power of electronic device 320; 2) obtaining a second normalized RSSI containing a second Tx power value of a second network device (AP 310-2) and a second difference between the Tx power of electronic device 320; 3) comparing the first normalized RSSI with the second normalized RSSI; and 4) selecting from the first network device (AP 310-1) and the second network device (AP 310-2) a network device associated with the larger of the first normalized RSSI and the second normalized RSSI based on a specified Tx power value. A “specified Tx power value” may refer to a Tx power value set by the manufacturer of the AP or an actual Tx power value obtained by the electronic device (e.g., electronic device 320).The roaming trigger logic circuit 332 in electronic device 320 can use this normalized RSSI to initiate a target selection decision so that electronic device 320 can overcome poor data connectivity / data stagnation problems (especially in low RSSI regions) caused by the imbalance of Tx power usage between electronic device and APs 310-1 and 310-2. The term "obtain" or "obtaining" can refer to electronic device 320, which includes at least some of the described components (e.g., one or more processors 334), receiving information (e.g., RSSI value, Tx power value, RSSI normalized value) and / or calculating the received information.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, before obtaining the first normalized RSSI, one or more processors 334 may obtain a first Tx power value from AP 310-1, compare the first Tx power value with a threshold Tx power, and in response to the first Tx power value being lower than the threshold Tx power value, cause roaming trigger logic circuitry 332 to initiate roaming operation to obtain a second Tx power value from AP 310-2. In some embodiments, one or more processors 334 compare the first RSSI with the threshold RSSI; and when the second normalized RSSI is greater than the first RSSI, cause electronic device 320 to leave AP 310-1 and join AP 310-2.

[0029] In some implementations, one or more processors 334 obtain receive frames from AP 310-1 containing a specified Tx power for a first network device. For example, one or more processors 334 may select a network device during roaming operations. For example, when electronic device 320 joins AP 310-1, in response to a second normalized RSSI (based on AP 310-2) being greater than a first normalized RSSI (based on AP 310-1), one or more processors 334 cause electronic device 320 to leave AP 310-1 and join AP 310-2. In some aspects, the first Tx power value obtained by one or more processors 334 may be a sensed Tx power value determined by electronic device 320.

[0030] In some implementations, one or more processors 334 may determine (calculate) and apply a normalized RSSI for AP 310-1 and AP 310-2 based on the Tx power usage difference between each of AP 310-1 and AP 310-2 and the electronic device 320 during the join / roam target selection decision. As a result, the determined normalized RSSI for AP 310-2 is significantly better than that for AP 310-1. The normalized RSSI can be determined by the following equation:

[0031] Normalized AP RSSI = Actual AP RSSI – (AP Tx Power – Electronic Device Tx Power) Equation 1

[0032] For example, based on the above information, the normalized RSSI of AP 310-1 is -86 dB (i.e., -66 dB – (32 dBm – 12 dBm)), and the normalized RSSI of AP 310-2 is -76 dB (i.e., -68 dB – (20 dBm – 12 dBm)). Therefore, the radio frequency of electronic device 320 (for simplicity, Figure 3 (Not shown) will join the network of AP310-2, which has a higher normalized RSSI value, and in the low RSSI region (e.g., within -70 dB to -85 dB), poor uplink performance or data stagnation issues will be extremely unlikely because the Tx power difference between AP310-2 and electronic device 320 is smaller compared to the Tx power difference between AP310-1 and electronic device 320. This causes the low RSSI roaming trigger condition to occur before electronic device 320 experiences any data connectivity / stagnation issues. At this point, the roaming trigger logic circuit 332 of electronic device 320 sends an interrupt to one or more processors 334, causing electronic device 320 to join the network of AP 320-2.

[0033] Furthermore, if normalized RSSI is used in the scenario associated with AP 310-1, then device 320 can begin low RSSI roaming and roam to a better AP long before encountering poor data connectivity and data stagnation issues in low RSSI regions. Therefore, as described herein, calculating and applying normalized RSSI helps overcome poor data connectivity and data stagnation that may occur due to Tx power imbalance / difference between STA and AP.

[0034] This subject matter technology includes several advantageous features, including (but not limited to) achieving a better data connectivity experience even in low RSSI areas, regardless of Tx power imbalance / difference between AP and STA, faster reconnection to better available APs, and overcoming long-term poor data connectivity in low RSSI areas due to Tx power imbalance / difference between AP and STA.

[0035] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method 400 for enhancing data connectivity according to aspects of the subject matter. Method 400 begins at operation block 410, where the station (e.g., Figure 3 Integrated circuits (e.g., electronic devices 320) Figure 3 The integrated circuit 330) is from the first network device (e.g., Figure 3AP 310-1) obtains the first RSSI and the first Tx power (e.g., Figure 3 Connection 312) (box 410). From the second network device (e.g., Figure 3 AP 310-2) receives the second RSSI and the second transmit Tx power (e.g., Figure 3 Connection 314) (Box 420). Determine the first normalized RSSI based on the first RSSI and the first Tx power (Box 430). Determine the second normalized RSSI based on the second RSSI and the second Tx power (Box 440). Select a network device (e.g., from the first network device and the second network device) associated with the larger of the first normalized RSSI and the second normalized RSSI. Figure 3 AP 310-2 (box 450).

[0036] Figure 5 It is a block diagram illustrating the aspects of the technical subject matter implemented therein. Figure 5 This describes an example of a wireless communication device 500 according to one or more embodiments of the subject matter. In some aspects, the wireless communication device 500 may represent, as with respect to... Figure 3 The described subject matter refers to a STA or AP. The wireless communication device 500 may include a radio frequency (RF) antenna 510, a receiver 520, a transmitter 530, a baseband processing module 540, a memory 550, a processor 560, and a local oscillator generator (LOGEN) 570. In various embodiments of the subject matter, Figure 5 One or more of the boxes indicated in the diagram can be integrated on one or more semiconductor substrates. For example, boxes 520 to 570 can be implemented on a single chip or a single system-on-a-chip, or in a multi-chip chipset.

[0037] RF antenna 510 is suitable for transmitting and / or receiving RF signals (e.g., wireless signals) over a wide range of frequencies. Although RF antenna 510 represents a single antenna as described, the subject matter is not limited thereto.

[0038] Receiver 520 may include suitable logic circuitry and / or code operable to receive and process signals from RF antenna 510. Receiver 520 may, for example, be operable to amplify and / or down-convert received wireless signals. In various embodiments of the subject matter, receiver 520 is operable to eliminate noise in the received signal and may be linear over a wide frequency range. In this way, receiver 520 is suitable for receiving signals according to various wireless standards, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and various cellular standards. In various embodiments of the subject matter, receiver 520 may not require any SAW filter and requires few or no off-chip discrete components, such as large capacitors and inductors.

[0039] Transmitter 530 may include suitable logic circuitry and / or code operable to process and transmit signals from RF antenna 510. Transmitter 530 may, for example, be operable to up-convert a baseband signal to an RF signal and amplify the RF signal. In various embodiments of the subject matter, transmitter 530 is operable to process the up-converted and amplified baseband signal according to various wireless standards. Examples of such standards may include Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and various cellular standards. In various embodiments of the subject matter, transmitter 530 is operable to provide a signal for further amplification by one or more power amplifiers.

[0040] The duplexer 512 provides isolation in the transmit frequency band to prevent saturation or damage to the receiver 520's components and relaxes one or more design requirements of the receiver 520. Furthermore, the duplexer 512 attenuates noise in the receive frequency band. The duplexer can operate in multiple frequency bands across various wireless standards.

[0041] The baseband processing module 540 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to perform baseband signal processing. The baseband processing module 540 may, for example, analyze received signals and generate control and / or feedback signals for configuring various components of the wireless communication device 500 (e.g., receiver 520). The baseband processing module 540 is operable to encode, decode, transcode, modulate, demodulate, encrypt, decrypt, scramble, descramble, and / or otherwise process data according to one or more wireless standards. In some embodiments, the baseband processing module 540 may include a roaming trigger module (e.g., Figure 3 The roaming trigger logic 332) is used to execute the above-mentioned roaming trigger logic. Figure 3 The described functionality.

[0042] Processor 560 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and / or code that enables data processing and / or control of the operation of wireless communication device 500. In this regard, processor 560 may be enabled to provide control signals to various other parts of wireless communication device 500. Processor 560 may also control data transmission between the various parts of wireless communication device 500. Furthermore, processor 560 may enable the implementation of an operating system or other code execution to manage the operation of wireless communication device 500. In some embodiments, processor 560 may execute... Figure 3 Some or all of the functions of the 338 processor, as described above regarding Figure 3 As described.

[0043] Memory 550 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and / or code that enables the storage of various types of information, such as received data, generated data, code, and / or configuration information. Memory 550 may include, for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, and / or magnetic storage devices. In various embodiments of the present subject matter, the information stored in memory 550 may be used to configure receiver 520 and / or baseband processing module 540.

[0044] The local oscillator generator (LOGEN) 570 may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and / or code operable to generate one or more oscillation signals at one or more frequencies. LOGEN 570 is operable to generate digital and / or analog signals. In this manner, LOGEN 570 is operable to generate one or more clock signals and / or sine waves. Characteristics of the oscillation signals, such as frequency and duty cycle, can be determined based on one or more control signals from, for example, processor 560 and / or baseband processing module 540.

[0045] In operation, processor 560 can configure various components of wireless communication device 500 based on the wireless standard desired to be used with respect to the received signals. Wireless signals can be received via RF antenna 510 and amplified and down-converted by receiver 520. Baseband processing module 540 can perform noise estimation and / or noise cancellation, decoding and / or demodulation of the baseband signals. In this way, information in the received signals can be appropriately recovered and utilized. For example, the information may be audio and / or video to be presented to the user of the wireless communication device, data to be stored in memory 550, and / or information that affects and / or enables the operation of wireless communication device 500. Baseband processing module 540 can modulate, encode, and perform other processing on audio, video, and / or control signals to be transmitted by transmitter 530 according to various wireless standards.

[0046] The preceding description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects presented herein, but should be given the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein references to singular elements, unless expressly stated otherwise, are not intended to mean “one and only one,” but rather “one or more.” Unless expressly stated otherwise, the term “some” means one or more. Masculine pronouns (e.g., his) include feminine and neuter pronouns (e.g., her and its), and vice versa. Titles and subtitles (if any) are used for convenience only and do not limit this disclosure.

[0047] The predicates “configured to,” “operable to,” and “programmed to” do not imply any specific tangible or intangible modification of the subject, but are intended to be used interchangeably. For example, a processor configured to monitor and control operations or components can also refer to a processor programmed to monitor and control operations or an operable processor to monitor and control operations. Similarly, a processor configured to execute code can be interpreted as a processor programmed to execute code or an operable processor to execute code.

[0048] For example, the phrase "aspect" does not imply that such an aspect is essential to the present subject matter, or that such an aspect applies to all configurations of the present subject matter. Disclosures relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. For example, the phrase "aspect" may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa. For example, the phrase "configuration" does not imply that such a configuration is essential to the present subject matter, or that such a configuration applies to all configurations of the present subject matter. Disclosures relating to configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. For example, the phrase "configuration" may refer to one or more configurations, and vice versa.

[0049] The term “example” is used in this document to mean “used as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described as an “example” in this document is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

[0050] When an element is referred to herein as “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it should be understood that the element may be directly connected to the other element, or that there may be intervening elements between these elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, it should be understood that there are no intervening elements in the “direct” connection between the elements. However, the presence of a direct connection does not preclude the possibility of other connections in which intervening elements may exist.

[0051] All structural and functional equivalents of elements known or to be known later by one of ordinary skill in the art throughout the various aspects described in this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be offered to the public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly stated in the claims. No claim element should be interpreted in accordance with 35 USC §112(f) unless the element is expressly stated using the phrase “component for…” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is stated using the phrase “step for…”. Furthermore, the use of the terms “comprising,” “having,” and the like in the description or claims is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “including,” as “comprising” is interpreted when used as a transitional word in the claims.

[0052] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms described herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative blocks, modules, elements, components, methods, and algorithms have been described above in general terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in different ways for each specific application. Various components and blocks can be arranged differently (e.g., in different orders or divided in different ways), all without departing from the scope of the subject matter.

Claims

1. An integrated circuit for an electronic device, the integrated circuit comprising: Memory, which stores instructions; and One or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein executing the instructions causes the one or more processors to: A first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is obtained, wherein the first RSSI includes the RSSI from the first network device minus a first difference between the first transmit Tx power value of the first network device and the Tx power value of the electronic device. A second RSSI is obtained, which includes the RSSI from the second network device minus a second difference between the second Tx power value of the second network device and the Tx power value of the electronic device. Compare the first RSSI with the second RSSI, and Select the network device associated with the larger of the first RSSI and the second RSSI from the first network device and the second network device.

2. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions further causes the one or more processors to receive a received frame from the first network device, wherein the received frame includes the first Tx power value of the first network device.

3. The integrated circuit of claim 2, wherein executing the instructions further causes the one or more processors to: before obtaining the first RSSI: The first Tx power value is obtained from the first network device; Compare the first Tx power value with the threshold power value; and In response to the first Tx power value being lower than the threshold power value, a roaming operation is initiated to obtain the second Tx power value from the second network device.

4. The integrated circuit of claim 3, wherein executing the instructions further causes the one or more processors to select the network device during the roaming operation.

5. The integrated circuit of claim 3, wherein executing the instructions causes the one or more processors to respond to the electronic device joining the first network device and to the second RSSI being greater than the first RSSI: Leaving the first network device; and Add the second network device.

6. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein executing the instructions to cause the one or more processors to obtain the first Tx power value includes obtaining a sensed Tx power value as determined by the electronic device.

7. The integrated circuit of claim 1, wherein executing the instruction that causes the one or more processors to obtain the first Tx power value from the first network device includes receiving the first Tx power value from the first access point.

8. The integrated circuit of claim 7, wherein executing the instruction causing the one or more processors to receive the second Tx power value from the second network device includes receiving the second Tx power value from a second access point different from the first access point.

9. An integrated circuit for an electronic device, the integrated circuit comprising: Memory, which stores instructions; and One or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein executing the instructions causes the one or more processors to: Join the first network device; Receive a first frame from the first network device, wherein the first frame includes a first transmit Tx power value; Receive a second frame from a second network device, wherein the second frame includes a second Tx power value; Obtain i) a first difference between the first Tx power value and the device Tx power value of the electronic device, ii) a second difference between the second Tx power value and the device Tx power value, iii) a first normalized received signal strength indicator (RSSI), the first normalized RSSI comprising the RSSI from the first network device minus the first difference, and iv) a second normalized RSSI, the second normalized RSSI comprising the RSSI from the second network device minus the second difference; and In response to the second Tx power value being less than the first Tx power value: Leave the first network device; and Add the second network device.

10. The integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein executing the instructions further causes the one or more processors to: Compare the first Tx power value with the threshold power value; and In response to the first Tx power value being less than the threshold power value, a roaming operation is initiated to obtain the second frame.

11. The integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein executing the instructions causes the one or more processors to leave the first network device in response to the second normalized RSSI being greater than the first normalized RSSI.

12. The integrated circuit of claim 9, wherein executing the instructions causes one or more processors to obtain the device Tx power value of the electronic device, including obtaining a sensed Tx power value as determined by the electronic device.

13. A method for enhancing data connectivity, the method comprising: Obtain the first Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the first Transmitted Tx power value from the first network device; Obtain the second RSSI and the second transmit Tx power value from the second network device; Determine a first normalized RSSI, the first normalized RSSI including the first RSSI minus a first difference between the first Tx power value and the electronic device Tx power value; Determine a second normalized RSSI, the second normalized RSSI comprising the second RSSI minus a second difference between the second Tx power value and the electronic device Tx power value; and Select a network device from the first network device and the second network device that is associated with the larger of the first normalized RSSI and the second normalized RSSI.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising, after obtaining the first RSSI: Compare the first RSSI with the threshold RSSI; and In response to the first RSSI being less than the threshold RSSI, a roaming operation is initiated to obtain the second RSSI.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising, when joining the first network device and in response to the second normalized RSSI being greater than the first RSSI: Leaving the first network device; and Add the second network device.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: Receive the first Tx power value from the first network device; and Receive the second Tx power value from the second network device.

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