Law compliance for wide bandwidth WiFi ranging measurements

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to regulatory compliance of wide bandwidth WiFi ranging measurements, examples perform regulatory compliant traffic checks for a wider bandwidth prior to temporarily increasing the WLAN channel to a bandwidth wider than a WLAN channel on which the AP is currently operating in order to serve Wi-Fi ranging requests with improved precision. An example AP may: (1) while performing a non-ranging Wi-Fi operation on a WLAN channel of a first bandwidth, perform a regulatory compliant traffic check to determine whether a second bandwidth is free of priority traffic, where the second bandwidth is wider than the first bandwidth; (2) in response to receiving the Wi-Fi ranging request and determining that the second bandwidth has no priority traffic, modifying the WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request; and (3) after the service of the Wi-Fi ranging request is completed, restoring the WLAN channel to the first bandwidth to perform the non-ranging Wi-Fi operation.

Description

Background Art

[0001] A computer network (sometimes referred to as a "network") may include various network devices (e.g., access points, controllers, gateways, switches, etc.) that perform various network operations. For example, a wireless local area network (WLAN) may include multiple access points (APs) that perform network operations, such as providing network access, performing authentication, routing network traffic to provide connectivity, etc. Client devices (e.g., laptops, personal computers, smart phones, etc.) connect to network devices to exchange data with the network. Network devices and client devices may be examples of wireless communication devices that exchange wireless communication signals over a network.

[0002] The IEEE 802.11 standard provides for several different radio frequency (RF) ranges (sometimes referred to herein as frequency bands) for WLAN communications. Examples of existing frequency bands include the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band. The 6 GHz band is currently under development. The frequency bands can be divided into multiple WLAN channels. WLAN channels can have various bandwidths (e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz).

[0003] Typically, enterprise WLAN deployments operate using narrower bandwidth WLAN channels (typically 20MHz or 40MHz), especially in dense environments. These narrower bandwidth WLAN channels can minimize interference, allow spatial reuse, improve spectrum efficiency, and reduce adverse effects on neighboring AP performance. Using narrower bandwidth WLAN channels can also provide more WLAN channels and better coverage, especially in dense enterprise WLAN deployments.

[0004] As used herein, an AP's "home channel" may refer to a WLAN channel on which the AP is configured to perform common enterprise functions (e.g., traffic forwarding, delivering high priority traffic, providing enterprise services, servicing connected client devices, scanning for networks, etc.). As described above, in a typical enterprise WLAN deployment, the AP's home channel is preconfigured to a narrow bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz or 40 MHz). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] According to one or more different examples, the present disclosure is described in detail with reference to the following figures. These figures are for illustration purposes only and depict only examples.

[0006] Figure 1 illustrates an example network deployment in which various examples of the presently disclosed techniques may be implemented;

[0007] Figure 2A-2BAn example method for performing regulatory-compliant Wi-Fi ranging operations with improved accuracy according to various examples of the presently disclosed technology is shown;

[0008] Figure 3 An example method for performing regulatory compliant business checks according to various examples of the presently disclosed technology is shown;

[0009] Figure 4 Depicted are example computing systems that may be used to perform regulatory compliant Wi-Fi ranging operations with improved accuracy in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology;

[0010] Figure 5 Depicting an example computing system that may be used to perform Wi-Fi ranging operations with improved accuracy according to various examples of the presently disclosed technology; and

[0011] Figure 6 Depicted is a block diagram of an example computer system in which various examples described herein may be implemented.

[0012] The drawings are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Wi-Fi ranging operations (e.g., fine timing measurement (FTM) operations) allow wireless communication devices (e.g., client devices and APs) to estimate the distance between each other. For example, Wi-Fi ranging operations enable a Wi-Fi ranging initiator (i.e., a wireless communication device seeking to locate itself, such as a client device or an AP) to determine its distance from a Wi-Fi ranging responder (i.e., other wireless communication devices, such as an AP, with which the Wi-Fi initiator performs a Wi-Fi ranging operation) by measuring the travel time of wireless communication signals sent between the Wi-Fi ranging initiator and the responder(s). Since the Wi-Fi ranging responder(s) typically have a known / static location, the Wi-Fi ranging initiator can estimate its location / position within the network via the distance estimate derived from the Wi-Fi ranging operation. The fine timing measurement (FTM) positioning technique is an example of a Wi-Fi ranging operation. In accordance with FTM, an FTM initiator (i.e., a wireless communication device, such as a client device or an AP, seeking to locate itself via FTM positioning techniques) may send (multiple) ranging requests to initiate (multiple) FTM sessions with one or more FTM responders (i.e., other wireless communication devices, such as APs, with which the FTM initiator performs FTM positioning techniques). During an FTM session, FTM messages may be exchanged between the FTM initiator and (multiple) FTM responders. The FTM initiator (and / or (multiple) FTM responders) may utilize the FTM message exchange to determine the time of arrival (TOA), round trip time (RTT), or time difference of arrival (TDOA) of wireless communication signals carrying FTM messages. The FTM initiator (and / or (multiple) FTM responders) may utilize the RTT, TOA, and TDOA information to determine (multiple) distances between the FTM initiator and (multiple) FTM responders. These distances, combined with the known / static locations of the (multiple) FTM responders, may be used to estimate the position / location of the FTM initiator.

[0014] The AP allocates computing resources and time slots to serve Wi-Fi ranging requests (i.e., perform Wi-Fi ranging operations). When the AP receives additional Wi-Fi ranging requests, the AP may consume additional computing resources and time slots to serve the Wi-Fi ranging requests. This increases the processing load of the AP, thereby adversely affecting the service processing performance of the AP. Therefore, it is beneficial to improve the balance between the use of AP resources dedicated to Wi-Fi ranging and non-ranging Wi-Fi operations (e.g., providing enterprise services, serving connected client devices, delivering high priority services, scanning networks, etc.). On the other hand, it is also beneficial to optimally serve Wi-Fi ranging requests to improve the accuracy of position / location measurements.

[0015] Typically, Wi-Fi ranging operations are more accurate when performed on WLAN channels with wider bandwidths (e.g., 80 MHz, 160 MHz, etc.). For example, many wireless communication devices can achieve an accuracy error of less than one meter by performing Wi-Fi ranging operations on 80 MHz WLAN channels. This error increases significantly when Wi-Fi ranging operations are performed on narrower bandwidth WLAN channels (e.g., 20 MHz out of 40 MHz). This can be a problem in enterprise WLAN deployments, which typically utilize narrower bandwidth WLAN channels (e.g., 20 MHz or 40 MHz) to optimize Wi-Fi capacity / coverage, minimize interference between neighboring APs, and so on.

[0016] In order to better balance the above-mentioned competing interests involved in servicing Wi-Fi ranging requests in an enterprise WLAN deployment, examples of the currently disclosed technology provide an AP (and associated methods) that temporarily / selectively increases the bandwidth of the AP's home channel in order to serve Wi-Fi ranging requests in a more precise manner. When Wi-Fi ranging requests are not being serviced (i.e., when the AP is performing non-ranging Wi-Fi operations), the AP's home channel can revert to a narrower bandwidth preferred in dense enterprise deployments, thereby optimizing Wi-Fi capacity / coverage, minimizing interference between neighboring APs, and the like. Relatedly, the present technology can also enable the AP to efficiently use the RF spectrum by using different channel bandwidths to perform Wi-Fi ranging and non-ranging WiFi operations (e.g., providing enterprise services, serving connected client devices, delivering high priority services, scanning networks, and the like). Therefore, a balanced distribution of the AP's RF spectrum and computing resources can be achieved. Furthermore, because the examples increase the bandwidth of the AP's home channel to service Wi-Fi ranging requests, rather than switching to a different, wider bandwidth WLAN channel to service the Wi-Fi ranging requests, the examples may prevent / reduce air time loss or connection loss associated with (unnecessary) WLAN channel switching.

[0017] However, communicating over certain WLAN channels requires that the AP complete a regulatory compliance traffic check before performing operations in the WLAN channel. The regulatory compliance traffic check can confirm that the WLAN channel has no traffic that takes precedence over other wireless communications in the WLAN channel (i.e., "priority traffic") within a regulatory specified time interval. For example, dynamic frequency selection (DFS) is a channel allocation scheme for Wi-Fi that is designed to prevent interference with radar communications (i.e., an example of priority traffic for a DFS channel) compared to a DFS channel (i.e., a WLAN channel in the 5 GHz band dedicated to DFS). Therefore, various jurisdictions have DFS-related regulations requiring the AP to automatically switch channels / frequencies when a radar (e.g., a Doppler weather radar) is detected. Relatedly, DFS-related regulations typically require the AP to perform a DFS channel availability check (CAC) before performing operations on the DFS channel to confirm that there is no radar in the DFS channel within a regulatory specified time interval (e.g., 60 seconds). When the AP's home channel is a DFS channel, existing APs typically perform such DFS CAC for the pre-configured bandwidth of their home channel. For example, an AP operating in an enterprise WLAN deployment utilizing a 20 MHz bandwidth DFS channel will perform DFSCAC for the pre-configured 20 MHz bandwidth of its home (DFS) channel. Here, it should be understood that DFS CAC is just one example of a regulatory compliant traffic check for determining that there is no priority traffic in a WLAN channel (e.g., within a regulatory specified time interval) before performing Wi-Fi operations on the WLAN channel. For example, the 6 GHz standard may utilize a similar regulatory compliant traffic check to confirm that there is no existing priority traffic (i.e., a specific example of priority traffic for a 6 GHz unlicensed channel) in a 6 GHz unlicensed channel (e.g., within a regulatory specified time interval) before performing Wi-Fi operations on the 6 GHz unlicensed channel.

[0018] However, as the examples of the currently disclosed technology are designed, if the AP is to temporarily increase the bandwidth of its home channel (e.g., from 20 MHz to 80 MHz) to serve Wi-Fi ranging requests, the above-mentioned traditional regulatory compliant traffic inspection methods will be insufficient. For example, DFSCAC performed for the pre-configured 20 MHz bandwidth of the AP's home (DFS) channel may not detect radars present in the wider 80 MHz bandwidth. In addition, modifying the home channel to a wider bandwidth (e.g., increasing the home channel from 20 MHz to 80 MHz) and then performing DFS CAC for the wider bandwidth may cause the AP to operate on the wider bandwidth for longer than necessary while performing DFS CAC - in some cases, this may not even confirm that the wider bandwidth is free of radar. Operating at a wider bandwidth for longer than necessary may adversely affect the performance of APs in dense enterprise WLAN deployments where narrower bandwidth operation is preferred. Relatedly, the time it takes for the AP to complete the bandwidth increase, perform DFS CAC at the wider bandwidth (which can again exceed 60 seconds), and then serve Wi-Fi ranging requests may exceed the AP's beacon interval. Here, the potential lost transmission of beacon frames may negatively impact the performance of the AP's enterprise functional responsibilities.

[0019] In this context, an AP consistent with the presently disclosed techniques performs a regulatory compliance traffic check for a home channel before temporarily increasing the home channel to a wider bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz) than its current / pre-configured home channel bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz) (e.g., from 20 MHz to 80 MHz) in order to service Wi-Fi ranging requests with improved accuracy. For example, the AP may: (1) perform a regulatory compliance traffic check (e.g., DFS CAC) to determine whether a second bandwidth is free of priority traffic (e.g., radar) while performing non-ranging Wi-Fi operations on a WLAN channel of a first bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth is wider than the first bandwidth (in various examples, a dedicated antenna of the AP may repeatedly perform the regulatory compliance traffic check); (2) in response to receiving a Wi-Fi ranging request (e.g., a ranging request to initiate an FTM session) and determining that the second bandwidth is free of priority traffic (e.g., free of radar), modify the WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request (e.g., perform an FTM session); and (3) after completing the service of the Wi-Fi ranging request, restore the WLAN channel to the first bandwidth to perform non-ranging Wi-Fi operations. Thus, the AP may serve Wi-Fi ranging requests with improved accuracy on a WLAN channel (e.g., a DFS channel) that requires a regulatory compliance traffic check to be performed prior to transmission on the WLAN channel.

[0020] As described above, by performing regulatory compliance traffic checks for a wider bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz) than the AP's current / preconfigured home channel bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz) before temporarily increasing the home channel to a wider bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz) (e.g., increasing from 20 MHz to 80 MHz), examples of the presently disclosed technology can reduce the amount of time the AP operates on the wider bandwidth, thereby improving the performance of the AP's non-ranging Wi-Fi operations (i.e., enterprise) functions. Reducing the amount of time the AP performs Wi-Fi ranging-related operations on the wider bandwidth can also reduce the likelihood that the AP misses beacon frames, which can also improve the performance of the AP's non-ranging Wi-Fi operations (i.e., enterprise) functions. Relatedly, a presently disclosed technology AP capable of splitting chains / antennas can dedicate a single chain / antenna to repeatedly performing regulatory compliance traffic checks for a wider bandwidth, thereby allowing the AP's remaining chains / antennas to use their resources for enterprise functions. Alternatively, a presently disclosed technology AP with dedicated radio capability can dedicate a single radio to repeatedly performing regulatory compliance traffic checks for a wider bandwidth, thereby allowing the AP's remaining / primary radio to use its resources for enterprise functions.

[0021] To be clear, modifying the bandwidth of the AP's home channel in order to perform a Wi-Fi ranging operation and then restoring the home channel to its original / preconfigured bandwidth after the Wi-Fi ranging operation is completed is different from existing methods in many ways. For example, with conventional Wi-Fi ranging technology, an AP that receives a Wi-Fi ranging request will simply use the preconfigured bandwidth of its home channel to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request. In other words, the AP will not modify its home channel bandwidth or switch WLAN channels before serving the Wi-Fi ranging request. For example, a conventional AP in an enterprise WLAN deployment using a narrow bandwidth channel (e.g., 20 MHz or 40 MHz) will use the preconfigured narrow bandwidth of its home channel to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request. This may result in high-precision errors in the positioning of the Wi-Fi ranging initiator in the enterprise WLAN deployment. In contrast, the AP of the currently disclosed technology can serve the Wi-Fi ranging request with improved accuracy by temporarily / selectively increasing the bandwidth of the AP's home channel (e.g., from 20 MHz to 80 MHz) in order to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request. Again, this may be performed in a regulatory compliant manner that minimizes the time spent operating at the wider bandwidth by performing a regulatory compliant traffic check for the wider bandwidth prior to temporarily increasing the home channel to the wider bandwidth.

[0022] Before describing in detail embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods, it is useful to describe an example network infrastructure with which the systems and methods may be implemented in various applications. Figure 1An example of a network configuration 100 that may be implemented for an organization such as a business, educational institution, government entity, medical institution, or other organization is shown. The figure shows an example of a configuration implemented with an organization having multiple users (or at least multiple client devices 110) and possibly multiple physical or geographic sites 102, 132, 142. The network configuration 100 may include a main site 102 in communication with a network 120. The network configuration 100 may also include one or more remote sites 132, 142 in communication with the network 120.

[0023] The main site 102 may include a main network (e.g., a WLAN network), which may be, for example, an office network, a home network, or other network facilities. The main site 102 network may be a private network, such as a network that may include security and access controls to limit access to authorized users of the private network. Authorized users may include, for example, employees of a company at the main site 102, residents of a residence, customers of an enterprise, and the like.

[0024] In the example shown, the master site 102 includes a controller 104 that communicates with a network 120. The controller 104 can provide communication with the network 120 for the master site 102, although it may not be the only point of communication with the network 120 for the master site 102. A single controller 104 is shown, although the master site may include multiple controllers and / or multiple points of communication with the network 120. In some embodiments, the controller 104 communicates with the network 120 through a router (not shown). In other embodiments, the controller 104 provides router functionality to devices in the master site 102.

[0025] The controller 104 may be operable to configure and manage network devices, such as network devices at the primary site 102, and may also manage network devices at remote sites 132, 142. The controller 104 may be operable to configure and / or manage switches, routers, access points, and / or client devices connected to the network. The controller 104 may itself be an access point, or provide the functionality of an access point.

[0026] The controller 104 can communicate with one or more switches 108 and / or wireless access points (APs) 106a-c. The switches 108 and wireless APs 106a-c provide network connections to various client devices 110a-j. Using the connections to the switches 108 or APs 106a-c, the client devices 110a-j can access network resources, including the (primary site 102) network and other devices on the network 120.

[0027] Examples of client devices may include: desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, network servers, authentication servers, authentication authorization accounting (AAA) servers, domain name system (DNS) servers, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, Internet Protocol (IP) servers, virtual private network (VPN) servers, network policy servers, mainframes, tablet computers, e-readers, netbook computers, televisions and similar displays (e.g., smart TVs), content receivers, set-top boxes, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, smart phones, smart terminals, dumb terminals, virtual terminals, video game consoles, virtual assistants, Internet of Things (IOT) devices, etc. Client devices may also be referred to as stations (STAs).

[0028] Within the primary site 102, a switch 108 is included as one example of an access point to a network established in the primary site 102 for wired client devices 110i-j. Client devices 110i-j may connect to the switch 108 and, through the switch 108, may be able to access other devices within the network configuration 100. Client devices 110i-j may also be able to access a network 120 through the switch 108. Client devices 110i-j may communicate with the switch 108 through a wired 112 connection. In the example shown, the switch 108 communicates with the controller 104 through the wired 112 connection, although the connection may also be wireless.

[0029] Wireless APs 106a-c are included as another example of access points to a network established in the main site 102 for client devices 110a-h. APs 106a-c can control network access for client devices 110a-h, and can authenticate client devices 110a-h to connect to the AP and connect to other devices within the network configuration 100 through the AP. Each of the APs 106a-c can be a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware configured to provide wireless network connectivity to wireless client devices 110a-h. In the example shown, the APs 106a-c can be managed and configured by the controller 104. The APs 106a-c communicate with the controller 104 and the network via a connection 112, which can be a wired interface or a wireless interface.

[0030] The network configuration 100 may include one or more remote sites 132. The remote sites 132 may be located in a different physical or geographic location than the primary site 102. In some cases, the remote sites 132 may be in the same geographic location as the primary site 102, or may be in the same building, but lack direct connectivity to a network located within the primary site 102. Instead, the remote sites 132 may utilize connectivity over a different network (e.g., network 120). Figure 1The remote site 132 shown may be, for example, a satellite office, another floor or suite in a building, etc. The remote site 132 may include a gateway device 134 for communicating with the network 120. The gateway device 134 may be a router, a digital-to-analog modem, a cable modem, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, or some other network device configured to communicate with the network 120. The remote site 132 may also include a switch 138 and / or an AP 136 that communicate with the gateway device 134 via a wired or wireless connection. The switch 138 and the AP 136 provide connectivity to the network for the various client devices 140a-d.

[0031] In various embodiments, the remote site 132 can communicate directly with the primary site 102, such that client devices 140a-d at the remote site 132 access network resources at the primary site 102 as if the client devices 140a-140d were located at the primary site 102. In such embodiments, the remote site 132 is managed by the controller 104 at the primary site 102, and the controller 104 provides the necessary connectivity, security, and accessibility to enable the remote site 132 to communicate with the primary site 102. Once connected to the primary site 102, the remote site 132 can function as part of the private network provided by the primary site 102.

[0032] In various embodiments, the network configuration 100 may include one or more smaller remote sites 142 and wireless APs 146, the remote sites only including a gateway device 144 for communicating with the network 120, and various client devices 150a-b access the network 120 through the wireless AP. Such remote sites 142 may represent, for example, the homes of individual employees or temporary remote offices. The remote sites 142 may also communicate with the main site 102, so that the client devices 150a-b at the remote sites 142 access the network resources at the main site 102, as if these client devices 150a-b were located at the main site 102. The remote sites 142 may be managed by the controller 104 at the main site 102 to make this transparency possible. Once connected to the main site 102, the remote sites 142 may be used as part of the private network provided by the main site 102.

[0033] The network 120 may be a public or private network, such as the Internet, or other communication network to allow connections between the various sites 102, 130 to 142 and access to the servers 160a-b. The network 120 may include third-party telecommunication lines, such as telephone lines, broadcast coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, satellite communications, cellular communications, etc. The network 120 may include any number of intermediate network devices, such as switches, routers, gateways, servers, and / or controllers, which are not directly part of the network configuration 100, but facilitate communication between the various parts of the network configuration 100 and between the network configuration 100 and other network connection entities. The network 120 may include various content servers 160a-b. The content servers 160a-b may include various providers of multimedia downloadable and / or streaming content, including audio, video, graphics, and / or text content, or any combination thereof. Examples of content servers 160a-b include, for example, network servers, streaming radio and video providers, and cable and satellite television providers. Client devices 110a-j, 140a-d, 150a-b may request and access multimedia content provided by content servers 160a-b.

[0034] Figure 2A-2B An example method for performing regulatory compliant Wi-Fi ranging operations with improved accuracy according to various examples of the presently disclosed technology is shown. The method can be performed by AP 201 within an enterprise WLAN deployment 200. However, it should be understood that in other examples, AP 201 may include various types of wireless communication devices, including network devices (e.g., APs, switches, routers, gateways, etc.) or client devices (e.g., personal computers, laptops, smart phones, etc.). For example, Figure 2A-2B The method may be performed by the client device mutatis mutandis. In general, the method may be implemented by (multiple) processing resources or (multiple) computing devices via any suitable hardware, non-transitory machine-readable media, or a combination thereof. In one example, the method may be performed by computer-readable instructions comprising instructions stored on a medium and executable by a processing resource (such as a hardware processor of a computing device / component). It will be appreciated that the processes involved in the method may be performed based on instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Non-transitory computer-readable media may include, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media such as disks and tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media.

[0035] As described above, AP 201 may be part of an enterprise WLAN deployment 200. Enterprise WLAN deployments typically operate using narrower bandwidth channels (typically 20 MHz or 40 MHz), especially in dense environments. These narrower bandwidth channels can minimize interference, allow spatial reuse, improve spectral efficiency, and reduce adverse effects on neighboring AP performance. Using narrower bandwidth channels can also provide a greater number of channels and better coverage, especially in dense enterprise WLAN deployments.

[0036] However, when performed on a WLAN channel with a wider bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz, 160 MHz, etc.), Wi-Fi ranging operations are more accurate. For example, many wireless communication devices can achieve an accuracy error of less than one meter by performing Wi-Fi ranging operations on an 80 MHz WLAN channel. When Wi-Fi ranging operations are performed on a narrower bandwidth WLAN channel (e.g., 20 MHz of 40 MHz), the error increases significantly. This can be a problem in enterprise WLAN deployments, which typically utilize narrower bandwidth WLAN channels (e.g., 20 MHz or 40 MHz) to optimize Wi-Fi capacity / coverage, minimize interference between neighboring APs, etc.

[0037] In order to better balance the above-mentioned competing interests involved in servicing Wi-Fi ranging requests in an enterprise WLAN deployment, examples of the currently disclosed technology provide an AP (e.g., AP 201) that temporarily / selectively increases the bandwidth of the AP's home channel in order to serve Wi-Fi ranging requests in a more precise manner. When Wi-Fi ranging requests are not being serviced (i.e., when the AP is performing non-ranging Wi-Fi operations), the AP's home channel can revert to a narrower bandwidth preferred in dense enterprise deployments, thereby optimizing Wi-Fi capacity / coverage, minimizing interference between neighboring APs, and the like. Relatedly, the present technology can also enable the AP to efficiently use the RF spectrum by using different channel bandwidths to perform Wi-Fi ranging and non-ranging Wi-Fi operation functions (e.g., providing enterprise services, serving connected client devices, delivering high priority services, scanning networks, and the like). Therefore, a balanced distribution of the AP's RF spectrum and computing resources can be achieved. Furthermore, because the examples increase the bandwidth of the AP's home channel to service Wi-Fi ranging requests, rather than switching to a different, wider bandwidth WLAN channel to service Wi-Fi ranging requests, the examples may prevent / reduce air time loss or connection loss associated with (unnecessary) WLAN channel switching.

[0038] However, communicating over certain WLAN channels requires that the AP complete a regulatory compliance check before performing operations in the WLAN channel. The regulatory compliance check can confirm that the channel is free of priority traffic (i.e., traffic in the channel that takes precedence over other wireless communications) within a regulatory specified time interval. For example, dynamic frequency selection (DFS) refers to a channel allocation scheme that facilitates the use of WLAN channels that are typically reserved for radar. Therefore, by using DFS channels, underserved frequencies can be utilized, which can increase the number of available channels. DFS also enables the AP to detect radar signals and switch its operating frequency to prevent interference. Because DFS channels are typically used for radar, various radio communications regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), impose several conditions and guidelines on the use of DFS channels. For example, DFS-related regulations typically require the AP to perform a DFS channel availability check (CAC) before performing operations on the DFS channel to confirm that there is no radar (in combination with the DFS channel availability check) in the DFS channel within a regulatory specified time interval (e.g., 60 seconds). Figure 3 ). When the AP's home channel is a DFS channel, the AP typically performs DFS CAC for the pre-configured bandwidth of its home channel. For example, an AP operating in an enterprise WLAN deployment that utilizes 20 MHz bandwidth DFS channels will perform DFS CAC for the pre-configured 20 MHz bandwidth of its home (DFS) channel. Similar regulatory compliance traffic checks may also be performed for non-DFS channels. For example, similar regulatory compliance traffic checks may be performed to confirm that there is no existing priority traffic in a 6 GHz unlicensed channel (i.e., an unlicensed channel in the 6 GHz band) before transmitting over the 6 GHz unlicensed channel ("existing priority traffic" is sometimes used to describe traffic that has priority in a 6 GHz unlicensed channel).

[0039] However, since the examples of the presently disclosed technology are designed with the understanding that if an AP were to temporarily increase the bandwidth of its home channel (e.g., from 20 MHz to 80 MHz) to serve Wi-Fi ranging requests, the above-described conventional regulatory compliant traffic inspection methods would be inadequate. For example, DFS CAC performed for the pre-configured 20 MHz bandwidth of the AP's home (DFS) channel may not detect radars present in the wider 80 MHz bandwidth. Furthermore, modifying the home channel to a wider bandwidth (e.g., increasing the home channel from 20 MHz to 80 MHz) and then performing DFSCAC for the wider bandwidth may cause the AP to operate on the wider bandwidth longer than necessary while performing DFS CAC - in some cases, this may not even confirm that the wider bandwidth is free of radar. Operating at a wider bandwidth longer than necessary may adversely affect the performance of APs in dense enterprise WLAN deployments where narrower bandwidth operation is preferred. Relatedly, the time it takes for the AP to complete the bandwidth increase, perform DFS CAC at the wider bandwidth (which may again exceed 60 seconds), and then serve Wi-Fi ranging requests may exceed the AP's beacon interval. Here, the potential lost transmission of beacon frames may negatively impact the performance of the AP's enterprise functional responsibilities.

[0040] In this context, an AP (e.g., AP 201) consistent with the presently disclosed techniques performs a regulatory compliance traffic check for a home channel before temporarily increasing the home channel to a wider bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz) than its current / pre-configured home channel bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz) (e.g., from 20 MHz to 80 MHz) in order to service Wi-Fi ranging requests with improved accuracy. For example, the AP may: (1) perform a regulatory compliance traffic check (e.g., DFS CAC for 6 GHz networks or similar regulatory compliance traffic check) while performing non-ranging Wi-Fi operations on a WLAN channel of a first bandwidth to determine whether a second bandwidth is free of priority traffic (e.g., radar for a DFS channel or existing priority traffic for a 6 GHz unlicensed channel), wherein the second bandwidth is wider than the first bandwidth (in various examples, a dedicated antenna of the AP may repeatedly perform the regulatory compliance traffic check); (2) in response to receiving a Wi-Fi ranging request (e.g., a ranging request to initiate an FTM session) and determining that the second bandwidth is free of priority traffic (e.g., free of radar or “existing priority traffic”), modify the WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to service the Wi-Fi ranging request (e.g., perform an FTM session); and (3) after completing servicing of the Wi-Fi ranging request, restore the WLAN channel to the first bandwidth to perform non-ranging Wi-Fi operations. Thus, the AP may service Wi-Fi ranging requests with improved accuracy on a WLAN channel (eg, a DFS channel or a 6 GHz unlicensed channel) that requires regulatory compliance traffic checks to be performed prior to transmission on the WLAN channel.

[0041] As described above, by performing a regulatory compliant traffic check for a home channel before temporarily increasing the home channel to a wider bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz) than the AP's current / pre-configured home channel bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz) (e.g., increasing from 20 MHz to 80 MHz), examples of the presently disclosed technology can reduce the amount of time that the AP operates at the wider bandwidth, thereby improving the performance of the AP's non-ranging Wi-Fi operations (i.e., enterprise) functions.

[0042] Figure 2A-2B Example methods consistent with the above disclosure are described.

[0043] Reference now Figure 2A At operation 214, AP 201 may receive a Wi-Fi ranging request.

[0044] A Wi-Fi ranging request sent from a Wi-Fi ranging initiator to a Wi-Fi ranging responder may include a request to perform a Wi-Fi ranging operation. As described above, a Wi-Fi ranging operation allows wireless communication devices (e.g., client devices and network devices) to estimate the distance between each other. That is, the Wi-Fi ranging operation enables a Wi-Fi ranging initiator (i.e., a wireless communication device such as a client device or an AP that seeks to locate itself by sending a Wi-Fi ranging request) to determine its distance from a Wi-Fi ranging responder (i.e., other wireless communication devices with which the Wi-Fi ranging initiator performs a Wi-Fi ranging operation) by measuring the travel time of wireless communication signals sent between the Wi-Fi ranging initiator and the (multiple) responders. Since the (multiple) Wi-Fi ranging responders (e.g., APs of a WLAN) typically have known / static locations, the Wi-Fi ranging initiator can estimate its location / position within the network via the distance estimate resulting from the Wi-Fi ranging operation.

[0045] Fine timing measurement (FTM) positioning technology is an example of Wi-Fi ranging operation. In line with FTM, an FTM initiator (i.e., a wireless communication device, such as a client device or AP, seeking to locate itself via FTM positioning technology) can send (multiple) ranging requests to one or more FTM responders (i.e., other wireless communication devices (such as APs) that perform FTM positioning technology together with the FTM initiator) to initiate (multiple) FTM sessions. During an FTM session, FTM messages can be exchanged between the FTM initiator and the FTM responder. The FTM initiator (and / or (multiple) FTM responders) can utilize FTM message exchanges to determine the time of arrival (TOA), round trip time (RTT), or time difference of arrival (TDOA) of wireless communication signals carrying FTM messages. The FTM initiator (and / or (multiple) FTM responders) can utilize RTT, TOA, and TDOA information to determine the location / positioning of the FTM initiator based on the known location of (multiple) FTM responders. For example, an FTM initiator (e.g., a client device or another AP) may attempt to establish an FTM session with an FTM responder (e.g., an AP) by sending a ranging request to the FTM responder for initiating an FTM session. The FTM initiator may be pre-connected to the FTM responder before sending the ranging request. Based on the ranging request, the FTM responder may determine a burst duration indicating a time period for performing an FTM session. An FTM session typically occurs via burst transmission. A burst transmission may refer to a broadcast of a relatively high bandwidth transmission in a short period of time. A burst transmission may include intermittent asynchronous transmissions of a specific amount of data. A burst transmission may be intermittent at a regular or irregular rate. The duration for performing an FTM session may be referred to as a burst duration or simply an FTM burst. One or more FTM-based messages may be exchanged between an FTM initiator and an FTM responder in an FTM burst.

[0046] Reference again Figure 2A In response to receiving the Wi-Fi ranging request, AP 201 may determine whether to reject the Wi-Fi ranging request considering various factors (e.g., see operation 216). It should be understood that the order of these determinations depicted via blocks 215a-215d may be different in various examples. Relatedly, some examples may not require making one or more of the depicted determinations.

[0047] Reference again Figure 2AAt block 215a, the AP 201 may determine whether the AP 201 is performing a channel scan or whether the AP 201 is scheduled to perform a channel scan. The channel scan may be performed based on the WLAN channel type, priority, and WLAN channel group. During the channel scan, the AP 201 may sequentially visit each channel of the enterprise WLAN deployment 200, and the primary WLAN channel may be rotated after each visit. In some examples, when the AP 201 is performing a channel scan and a Wi-Fi ranging request is received via the WLAN channel that the AP 201 is scanning, the AP 201 may reject the Wi-Fi ranging request, as shown at operation 216. In some examples, if the AP 201 is scheduled to initiate a channel scan and the Wi-Fi ranging request is received via the home channel of the AP 201, the AP 201 may also reject the Wi-Fi ranging request. By rejecting the Wi-Fi ranging request during the channel scan, the non-ranging Wi-Fi operation function of the AP 201 may be prioritized, thereby reducing the adverse impact on the network performance of the AP 201.

[0048] At box 215b, AP 201 can determine whether it is serving high priority services. In some examples, high priority services can include voice / video, VoIP services, online games, media streaming services, etc. In some examples, high priority services can be classified based on the differentiated services code point (DSCP) present in the Internet Protocol (IP) packet header. In other examples, high priority services can be sensitive services that operators expect to deliver on time. The service management scheme can be configured in a way that the quality of service of these selected uses can be guaranteed or at least prioritized over other categories of services. In some examples, high priority services served by AP 201 can be identified. High priority services can be identified based on identifiers present in packets transmitted via AP 201. AP 201 can classify services as high priority based on multiple factors including port number, protocol, byte frequency, packet size, etc. Based on the above factors, AP 201 can implement a service management scheme or strategy to classify services and serve services based on their classification. In some examples, network services can be classified into sensitive services and best effort services. Examples of sensitive services may include VoIP, online gaming, video conferencing, and web browsing. The service management scheme may be configured to ensure or at least give priority to other categories of services with the quality of service (QoS) of these selected uses. Best-effort services may include other types of non-harmful services. This may be a service that the service provider considers to be insensitive to QoS parameters (such as jitter, packet loss, delay). Examples of best-effort services may include peer-to-peer and email applications. The service management scheme may be configured to allocate resources of AP 201 to best-effort services after sensitive services are prioritized. Therefore, in this example, high-priority services may include sensitive services. In some examples, the network services served by AP 201 may be classified as high priority or best-effort using service differentiation techniques. For example, DSCP, as a packet header value in an IP packet, may be used to request, for example, high priority or best-effort delivery of network services.

[0049] In some examples, in response to determining that AP 201 is servicing high priority traffic, AP 201 may reject the Wi-Fi ranging request at operation 216. By rejecting the Wi-Fi ranging request while servicing the high priority traffic, high priority traffic processing is given a higher priority than servicing the Wi-Fi ranging request, thereby balancing the allocation of resources of AP 201 between Wi-Fi ranging functions and non-Wi-Fi ranging functions.

[0050] At block 215c, AP 201 may determine whether its traffic load is above a traffic load threshold. In some examples, the traffic load threshold may be approximately 10 megabytes per second (MBPS). In some examples, in response to determining that the traffic load of AP 201 is above the traffic load threshold, AP 201 may reject the Wi-Fi ranging request at operation 216, thereby preventing (or reducing the likelihood of) processing overload of AP 201.

[0051] At block 215d, the AP 201 may determine whether it has buffered data for an associated client device that is in a power save (PS) state (i.e., whether the AP 201 is serving a "power save" client device). The PS state of the client device may indicate a low power mode of the client device, in which some of the components / peripherals (such as a display unit, a hard disk) are turned off, and some of the components (such as a random access memory (RAM), a processing unit, etc.) continue to operate at a reduced power. In some examples, the AP 201 may use a traffic indication map (TIM) bitmap to indicate to a client device in a PS state that the AP 201 has buffered data waiting for it. The AP 201 may periodically send a TIM bitmap as an information element in its beacon. The TIM bitmap may include a plurality of bits, each of which represents an association ID (AID) of a client device. Thus, a portion of the TIM bitmap representing a client device (for which the AP 201 has buffered data) may be transmitted with the beacon. Using the TIM bitmap sent in the beacon, AP 201 can determine that it has buffered data waiting to be transmitted to associated client devices in the PS state.

[0052] In some examples, in response to determining that AP 201 has buffered data for an associated client device in a PS state, AP 201 may reject the Wi-Fi ranging request at operation 216. This is because power saving client devices may be very sensitive to delays. Therefore, it is beneficial to send traffic to the power saving client device before servicing the Wi-Fi ranging request. Relatedly, dequeuing the power saving client device before performing the Wi-Fi ranging operation may improve the performance of the Wi-Fi ranging operation.

[0053] At block 217a, AP 201 may determine whether a Wi-Fi ranging initiator (i.e., a wireless communication device that sends a Wi-Fi ranging request) supports (i.e., is operable in) a channel having a wider bandwidth than a current home channel bandwidth of AP 201 (i.e., a home channel bandwidth through which the Wi-Fi ranging request is received). In some examples, AP 201 may determine whether the Wi-Fi ranging initiator supports a wider bandwidth based on information in a “Format and Bandwidth” field of a Wi-Fi ranging request sent by the Wi-Fi ranging initiator.

[0054] As described above, operating in the enterprise WLAN deployment 200, the AP 201 will typically have a narrower pre-configured home channel bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz or 40 MHz). However, according to an example of the presently disclosed technology, the AP 201 may temporarily increase the bandwidth of its home channel (e.g., to 80 MHz or 160 MHz) in order to serve Wi-Fi ranging requests with improved accuracy. Therefore, if the Wi-Fi ranging initiator does not support wider bandwidth channels, then at operation 218, the AP 201 may instead serve the Wi-Fi ranging request on the pre-configured / current (i.e., narrow) home channel bandwidth of the AP 201.

[0055] At block 217b, AP 201 determines whether the wider bandwidth channel is free of priority traffic. AP 201 may make such a determination using various types of regulatory compliance traffic checks (e.g., DFS CAC for DFS channels, similar regulatory compliance traffic checks for 6 GHz unlicensed channels, etc.). Figure 3 Illustrative examples of regulatory compliant business checks are described in more detail.

[0056] If the AP 201 determines that the wider bandwidth has no priority traffic, then at operation 218 , the AP 201 may alternatively service the Wi-Fi ranging request over the AP 201 's pre-configured / current (ie, narrow) home channel bandwidth.

[0057] However, if AP 201 determines that there is no priority traffic for the wider bandwidth, AP 201 may combine Figure 2B The described approach services Wi-Fi ranging requests over a wider bandwidth.

[0058] like Figure 2B As shown, at operation 220, in response to determining that the wider bandwidth has no priority traffic, AP 201 can modify its home channel to a wider bandwidth to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request. In various examples, AP 201 can modify the bandwidth using the "Format and Bandwidth" field in the Wi-Fi ranging response sent by AP 201.

[0059] At operation 222, after completing the service of the Wi-Fi ranging request, the AP 201 may restore its home channel to the preconfigured / original (i.e., narrower) bandwidth for performing non-ranging Wi-Fi operations, thereby improving the performance of the non-ranging Wi-Fi (i.e., enterprise) operations of the AP 201.

[0060] Figure 3 An example method for performing regulatory compliance business checks according to various examples of the presently disclosed technology is shown. Figure 2A-2B An example method of Figure 3 The example method may be performed by an AP 201 within an enterprise WLAN deployment 200.

[0061] In more detail Figure 3 Before, it should be understood that Figure 3 Only examples of regulatory compliance business checks that can be utilized by examples of the presently disclosed technology are depicted. Figure 3 A specific example may be designed for DFS CAC (ie, a type of regulatory compliance traffic checking performed for DFS channels), but the presently disclosed method may be extended to similar regulatory compliance traffic checking, such as for 6 GHz unlicensed channels.

[0062] Reference now Figure 3 , AP 201 may perform operation 302 to identify a Wi-Fi ranging triggering event. A Wi-Fi ranging triggering event may include a network event indicating that AP 201 has received or is likely to receive a Wi-Fi ranging request soon. Thus, examples of a Wi-Fi ranging triggering event may include AP 201 receiving a Wi-Fi ranging request from another wireless communication device (i.e., a Wi-Fi ranging initiator, such as a client device or another AP), or a neighboring AP receiving a Wi-Fi ranging request. Thus, identifying a Wi-Fi ranging triggering event may include AP 201 receiving a Wi-Fi ranging request, or detecting that a neighboring AP has received a Wi-Fi ranging request.

[0063] After identifying the Wi-Fi ranging trigger event, the AP 201 may perform operation 304 to mark a bandwidth wider than the pre-configured / current bandwidth of the AP 201's home channel as not idle. For example, if the AP 201's pre-configured / current home channel bandwidth is 20 MHz, the AP 201 may mark a bandwidth of 80 MHz (including the AP 201's pre-configured / current 20 MHz home channel bandwidth) as not idle. Initially marking the wider bandwidth as not idle may be a default type of operation to comply with DFS-related regulations. For example, the DFS-related regulations may prevent the AP 201 from marking the wider bandwidth channel as idle until the AP 201 has completed a regulatory-compliant DFS CAC check for the wider bandwidth (see, e.g., operation 308) and confirmed that there is no radar (i.e., an example of priority traffic) in the wider bandwidth within a time interval specified by the DFS regulation. For example, regulations in many jurisdictions require that an AP complete a DFS CAC check to confirm that no radar is present in the DFS channel within a regulatory specified time interval (e.g., 60 seconds) before transmitting in a DFS channel. As described above, prior art techniques typically perform regulatory compliance traffic checks (e.g., DFS CAC) only for the pre-configured / current bandwidth of its home channel, which in the case of AP 201 would be a narrower bandwidth channel (e.g., 20 MHz). However, since examples of the presently disclosed techniques temporarily increase / modify the bandwidth of the AP's home channel to a wider bandwidth to service Wi-Fi ranging requests, in some cases (e.g., where the AP's home channel is a DFS channel), it may be necessary to perform a regulatory compliance DFS CAC check for a wider bandwidth before servicing Wi-Fi ranging requests on the wider bandwidth.

[0064] As described above (and as shown at block 305), in various examples, AP 201 may be able to split chains / antennas. In such cases, AP 201 may dedicate one chain / antenna to repeatedly (and in some cases, continuously) perform DFS CAC for a wider bandwidth, thereby allowing the remaining chains / antennas of AP 201 to use their resources for enterprise functions. In other words, the dedicated chain / antenna may perform DFS CAC for a wider bandwidth regardless of whether a Wi-Fi ranging triggering event is detected. In some examples, the dedicated chain / antenna may be reused for enterprise functions in certain circumstances (e.g., when AP 201 is serving high priority traffic, when AP 201 is serving a high traffic load, when no Wi-Fi ranging triggering event is identified for more than a threshold time interval, etc.). Reusing the dedicated chain / antenna for enterprise functions in selected circumstances may improve performance of the enterprise functions, save power / resources, etc.

[0065] As shown at block 305, in some examples, if AP 201 cannot split the chain / antenna, AP 201 may not perform DFS CAC for the wider bandwidth (e.g., see operation 306). However, in other examples, AP 201 may perform DFS CAC for the wider bandwidth without splitting the chain / antenna. For example, AP 201 may be an AP with dedicated radio capabilities. Thus, AP 201 may dedicate a radio to repeatedly (and in some cases, continuously) perform DFS CAC for the wider bandwidth. In yet other examples (e.g., where AP 201 cannot split the chain and / or dedicate a radio to perform DFS CAC), AP 201 may perform DFS CAC only for the wider bandwidth in response to identifying a Wi-Fi ranging event or at repeated but discrete intervals. Thus, AP 201 may better balance using resources for Wi-Fi ranging operations and non-ranging Wi-Fi operations (i.e., enterprise).

[0066] As shown, at operation 308, AP 201 may perform DFS CAC for the wider bandwidth. As described above, this may include confirming that there is no radar in the wider bandwidth within the regulatory specified time interval (i.e., an example of priority traffic for the DFS channel). If a radar is detected in the wider bandwidth during the regulatory specified time interval, AP 201 may mark the wider bandwidth as idle (e.g., see box 309 and operation 310). Conversely, if a radar is detected in the wider bandwidth during the DFS regulatory specified time interval, AP 201 may mark the wider bandwidth as not idle (e.g., see box 309 and operation 312). As shown, AP 201 may perform DFS CAC in a repetitive manner (i.e., the process may not terminate after marking the wider bandwidth as idle / not idle). However, as shown at operation 314, after marking the wider bandwidth as having radar, before performing another DFS CAC, AP 201 may be required to wait until a regulatory specified non-occupancy period (e.g., 30 minutes) has expired.

[0067] As described above, a regulatory-compliant service check performed for a DFS channel may be referred to as DFS CAC. DFS-related regulations typically require the AP to perform DFS CAC before performing operations on a DFS channel to confirm that there is no radar in the DFS channel within a regulatory-specified time interval (e.g., 60 seconds). One type of DFS CAC is a zero-wait DFS operation. Traditionally, a wireless communication device switches to a new DFS channel and then performs DFSCAC on the new DFS channel before performing operations through the new DFS channel. In contrast, zero-wait DFS allows a wireless communication device to perform DFS CAC on a new channel while still operating on a different channel. Therefore, once the zero-wait DFS operation for the new channel is completed, the wireless communication device can switch to the new DFS channel and perform operations on the new DFS channel without downtime. It should be understood that examples of the currently disclosed technology utilize zero-wait DFS operations in different ways, i.e., performing DFSCAC for a bandwidth wider than the current bandwidth of the DFS channel while still operating on the narrower / current bandwidth of the DFS channel. Thus, once the zero-wait DFS operation for the wider bandwidth completes, the example can modify the DFS channel to the wider bandwidth and perform operations on the wider bandwidth with no downtime.

[0068] Figure 4 An example computing system 400 is depicted that can be used to perform regulatory compliant Wi-Fi ranging operations with improved accuracy according to various examples of the presently disclosed technology. In various examples, the computing system 400 can be used as a network device, as described in the examples described herein. Examples of network devices may include APs, layer 3 switches, and routers. In some examples, the computing system 400 can be used as a client device, such as a computer, a smart phone, etc., connected to the network device.

[0069] Reference now Figure 4 , computing component 410 may be, for example, a server computer, a controller, or any other similar computing component capable of processing data. Figure 4 In an example implementation of , computing component 410 includes a hardware processor 412 and a machine-readable storage medium 414 .

[0070] The hardware processor 412 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs), semiconductor-based microprocessors, and / or other hardware devices suitable for retrieving and executing instructions stored in the machine-readable storage medium 414. The hardware processor 412 may retrieve, decode, and execute instructions, such as instructions 416-420, to control the process or operation of burst preloading for available bandwidth estimation. As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, the hardware processor 412 may include one or more electronic circuits including electronic components for performing the functions of one or more instructions, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other electronic circuits.

[0071] A machine-readable storage medium, such as machine-readable storage medium 414, may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. Thus, machine-readable storage medium 404 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage device, an optical disk, etc. In some examples, machine-readable storage medium 404 may be a non-transitory storage medium, where the term “non-transitory” does not include a transient propagation indicator. As described in detail below, machine-readable storage medium 414 may be encoded with executable instructions, such as instructions 416-420. Furthermore, although Figure 4 The instructions shown in the are in order, but the order shown is not the only order in which the instructions can be executed.Any instruction can be executed at any time in any order, can be executed repeatedly, and / or can be executed by any suitable one or more devices.

[0072] As shown, hardware processor 412 executes instructions 416 to perform a regulatory compliance traffic check to determine whether a second bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz or 160 MHz) is free of priority traffic (i.e., traffic that takes precedence over other wireless communications in the channel) while performing non-ranging Wi-Fi operations on a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel of a first bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz or 40 MHz), wherein the second bandwidth is wider than the first bandwidth. As described above, in the case where computing system 400 is used as an AP, the WLAN channel can be the AP's home channel.

[0073] In various examples, the WLAN channel may be a dynamic frequency selection (DFS) WLAN channel. Similarly, determining that the second bandwidth is free of priority traffic may include determining that the second bandwidth is free of radar traffic within a time interval specified by DFS regulation (e.g., 60 seconds). In some of these examples, performing a regulatory compliance traffic check for the second bandwidth may include performing a zero-wait DFS operation for the second bandwidth. Relatedly, determining that the second bandwidth is free of radar traffic within a time interval specified by DFS regulation may include completing a zero-wait DFS operation after the time interval specified by DFS regulation.

[0074] It should be understood that in other examples, the WLAN channel may include a non-DFS channel. For example, the WLAN channel may include an unlicensed channel in the 6 GHz band. In these examples, the priority service in the 6 GHz unlicensed channel may be referred to as "existing priority service" - consistent with the 6 GHz standard.

[0075] In some examples (e.g., where computing system 400 includes an AP), hardware processor 412 may repeatedly perform regulatory compliance traffic checks for the second bandwidth using a dedicated antenna / chain of computing system 400. Relatedly, in some examples (e.g., where computing system 400 includes an AP), hardware processor 412 may execute additional instructions to: (1) determine that computing system 400 can split antennas / chains; and (2) perform channel availability checks for the second bandwidth using a dedicated antenna of computing system 400. However, in other examples (e.g., where computing system 400 includes an AP with dedicated radio capabilities), hardware processor 412 may utilize the dedicated radio to perform regulatory compliance traffic checks.

[0076] As described above, in some examples, hardware processor 412 may perform a regulatory compliance traffic check for the second bandwidth in response to a Wi-Fi ranging triggering event, such as detecting that a neighboring AP has received a Wi-Fi ranging request.

[0077] The hardware processor 412 executes instructions 418 to modify the WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to service the Wi-Fi ranging request in response to receiving the Wi-Fi ranging request and determining that the second bandwidth has no priority traffic.

[0078] In some examples, the Wi-Fi ranging request may be received from a client device. In other examples, the Wi-Fi ranging request may be received from a network device such as a neighboring AP.

[0079] As described above, in some examples, the Wi-Fi ranging request may include a ranging request to initiate a fine timing measurement (FTM) session. In these examples, the hardware processor 412 may modify the WLAN channel from a first bandwidth to a second bandwidth to perform the FTM session. However, in other examples, the Wi-Fi ranging request may be a different type of Wi-Fi ranging request (e.g., a Wi-Fi ranging request used in a 6 GHz network).

[0080] In some examples (e.g., where computing system 400 includes an AP), modifying the WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request may be further responsive to determining that at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) computing system 400 is not performing a channel scan and is not scheduled to perform a channel scan; (2) computing system 400 is not serving traffic that is pre-classified as high priority traffic; (3) computing system 400 is serving a traffic load that is below a threshold level; and (4) computing system 400 is not serving a power saving client device. In other words, in response to determining that at least one of the following conditions is satisfied, the instructions may cause hardware processor 412 to reject the Wi-Fi ranging request and not modify the WLAN channel to the second bandwidth: (1) computing system 400 is performing a channel scan or is scheduled to perform a channel scan; (2) computing system 400 is serving traffic that is pre-classified as high priority traffic; (3) computing system 400 is serving a traffic load that is above a threshold level; and (4) computing system 400 is serving a power saving client device.

[0081] In some examples, the instructions may cause the hardware processor 412 to service the Wi-Fi ranging request while the WLAN channel is in the first bandwidth in response to determining that the second bandwidth has priority traffic but the first bandwidth does not have priority traffic.

[0082] As shown, the hardware processor 412 executes instructions 420 to restore the WLAN channel to the first bandwidth to perform non-range Wi-Fi operations after completing the service of the Wi-Fi ranging request. As described above, examples of non-range Wi-Fi operations may include service forwarding, delivering high priority services, providing enterprise services, serving connected client devices, performing channel scanning, and the like.

[0083] Figure 5An example computing system 500 is depicted that can be used to perform Wi-Fi ranging operations with improved accuracy in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology. In this particular example, the computing system 500 may not need to perform a regulatory compliance traffic check before servicing Wi-Fi ranging requests over a wider bandwidth. For example, this is the case when the home channel of the computing system 500 is a non-DFS 5 GHz channel.

[0084] As described above, computing system 500 can be used as a network device, as described in the embodiments described herein. Examples of network devices may include APs, layer 3 switches, and routers. In some examples, computing system 500 can be used as a client device connected to a network device, such as a computer, a smart phone, etc.

[0085] Reference now Figure 5 , computing component 510 may be, for example, a server computer, a controller, or any other similar computing component capable of processing data. Figure 5 In an example implementation of , computing component 510 includes a hardware processor 512 and a machine-readable storage medium 514 .

[0086] The hardware processor 512 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs), semiconductor-based microprocessors, and / or other hardware devices suitable for retrieving and executing instructions stored in the machine-readable storage medium 514. The hardware processor 512 may retrieve, decode, and execute instructions, such as instructions 516-524, to control the process or operation of burst preloading for available bandwidth estimation. As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, the hardware processor 512 may include one or more electronic circuits including electronic components for performing the functions of one or more instructions, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other electronic circuits.

[0087] A machine-readable storage medium, such as machine-readable storage medium 514, may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that contains or stores executable instructions. Thus, machine-readable storage medium 514 may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage device, an optical disk, etc. In some examples, machine-readable storage medium 514 may be a non-transitory storage medium, where the term “non-transitory” does not include a transient propagation indicator. As described in detail below, machine-readable storage medium 514 may be encoded with executable instructions, such as instructions 516-524. Furthermore, although Figure 5The instructions shown in the are in order, but the order shown is not the only order in which the instructions can be executed.Any instruction can be executed at any time in any order, can be executed repeatedly, and / or can be executed by any suitable one or more devices.

[0088] As shown, hardware processor 512 executes instruction 516 to receive a Wi-Fi ranging request. In some examples, the Wi-Fi ranging request may include a ranging request to initiate an FTM session, although this is not necessarily the case. For example, the Wi-Fi ranging request may be a Wi-Fi ranging request for a 6 GHz network.

[0089] In the case where the Wi-Fi ranging request is a ranging request to initiate an FTM session, the FTM session may include the exchange of multiple message frames between the Wi-Fi ranging initiator and the computing system 500. In some examples, the Wi-Fi ranging initiator may be an AP or a client device, such as a laptop, a desktop, a smart phone, etc. Similarly, the computing system 500 (e.g., an AP) may be a Wi-Fi ranging responder. In some examples, the Wi-Fi ranging initiator may attempt to establish an FTM session with the computing system 500 to determine the distance between the Wi-Fi ranging initiator and the computing system 500. In some examples, the Wi-Fi ranging initiator may be pre-connected with the computing system 500 (e.g., an AP) before sending the Wi-Fi ranging request. Based on the Wi-Fi ranging request, the hardware processor 512 may determine a burst duration indicating a time period for performing the FTM session. The FTM session typically occurs in the form of a burst transmission. A burst transmission may include a broadcast of a relatively high bandwidth transmission within a short period of time. A burst transmission may include intermittent asynchronous transmission of a specific amount of data. Burst transmissions may be intermittent at regular or irregular rates. The duration for performing one FTM session may be referred to as a burst duration or simply an FTM burst. In an FTM burst, one or more FTM-based messages may be exchanged between the Wi-Fi initiator and the computing system 500.

[0090] Hardware processor 512 executes instruction 518 to determine whether the traffic load at computing system 500 (eg, AP) is above a threshold level. Hardware processor 512 may execute instruction 518 according to the above combined Figure 2A-2B , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The method described above may be used to execute instructions 518. In some examples, hardware processor 512 may execute instructions 518 in response to receiving a Wi-Fi ranging request.

[0091] The hardware processor 512 executes instructions 520 to reject the Wi-Fi ranging request in response to determining that the traffic load is above the threshold level. The hardware processor 512 may execute instructions 520 in response to determining that the traffic load is above the threshold level. Figure 2A-2B , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The method described here is to execute instruction 520 .

[0092] Hardware processor 512 executes instructions 522 to modify the bandwidth of a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel on which computing system 500 (e.g., an AP) is operating from a first bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz or 40 MHz) to a second bandwidth (e.g., 80 MHz or 160 MHz) to service the Wi-Fi ranging request, wherein the second bandwidth is greater than the first bandwidth. As described above, in various examples (e.g., where computing system 500 is an AP), the WLAN channel can be a home channel of computing system 500. In some examples, hardware processor 512 can modify the bandwidth of the WLAN channel by using a "format and bandwidth" field in an FTM response sent by computing system 500.

[0093] In some examples, before modifying the bandwidth of the WLAN channel to the second bandwidth to service the Wi-Fi ranging request, the hardware processor 512 can queue non-ranging Wi-Fi traffic, such as video, voice, audio, online media streaming, online gaming, etc. In some of these examples, the non-ranging Wi-Fi traffic can be buffered in a queue of the computing system 500 and can be ready for transmission once the WLAN channel is restored back to its previous bandwidth (i.e., the first bandwidth).

[0094] The hardware processor 512 executes the instruction 522 to restore the WLAN channel to the first bandwidth to perform non-ranging Wi-Fi operations after completing the service of the Wi-Fi ranging request. As described above, examples of non-ranging Wi-Fi operations may include service forwarding, delivering high priority services, providing enterprise services, serving connected client devices, performing channel scanning, and the like.

[0095] Figure 6 A block diagram of an example computer system 600 is depicted in which various embodiments described herein may be implemented. The computer system 600 includes a bus 602 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and one or more hardware processors 604 coupled to the bus 602 for processing information. The hardware processor(s) 604 may be, for example, one or more general purpose microprocessors.

[0096] The computer system 600 also includes a main memory 606, such as a random access memory (RAM), cache, and / or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 602 for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 604. The main memory 606 may also be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by the processor 604. When stored in a storage medium accessible to the processor 604, such instructions render the computer system 600 as a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions.

[0097] The computer system 600 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 608 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 602 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 604. A storage device 610, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or USB thumb drive (flash drive), etc., is provided and coupled to the bus 602 for storing information and instructions.

[0098] The computer system 600 may be coupled to a display 612, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) (or touch screen), via the bus 602 for displaying information to a computer user. An input device 614, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus 602 for communicating information and command selections to the processor 604. Another type of user input device is a cursor control 616, such as a mouse, trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor 604 and for controlling cursor movement on the display 612. In some embodiments, the same direction information and command selections as a cursor control may be achieved by receiving touches on a touch screen without a cursor.

[0099] The computing system 600 may include a user interface module for implementing a GUI, which may be stored in a mass storage device as executable software code executed by the computing device(s). For example, this module and other modules may include components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, properties, procedures, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuit systems, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

[0100] In general, the words "component", "engine", "system", "database", "data storage", etc., as used herein, may refer to logic included in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions (which may have entry and exit points) written in a programming language (e.g., Java, C, or C++). A software component may be compiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamic link library, or may be written in an interpreted programming language (e.g., BASIC, Perl, or Python). It should be understood that a software component may be called from other components or from itself, and / or may be called in response to a detected event or interrupt. A software component configured to execute on a computing device may be provided on a computer-readable medium, such as a compact disc, digital video disc, flash drive, disk, or any other tangible medium, or as a digital download (and may be initially stored in a compressed or installable format that requires installation, decompression, or decryption prior to execution). Such software code may be stored in part or in whole on a memory device of an executing computing device for execution by the computing device. The software instructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM. It should also be appreciated that hardware components may be composed of connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and / or may be composed of programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors.

[0101] The computer system 600 may implement the techniques described herein using custom hardwired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware, and / or program logic that, in combination with the computer system, makes the computer system 600 a special purpose machine or programs the computer system 600 to be a special purpose machine. According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by the computer system 600 in response to the processor(s) 604 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory 606. Such instructions may be read into the main memory 606 from another storage medium such as the storage device 610. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory 606 causes the processor(s) 604 to perform the processing steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.

[0102] The term "non-transient medium" and similar terms used herein refer to any medium storing data and / or instructions that cause a machine to operate in a particular manner. Such non-transient media may include non-volatile media and / or volatile media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical disks or magnetic disks, such as storage device 610. Volatile media include dynamic memories such as main memory 606. Common forms of non-transient media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, solid-state drives, tapes, or any other magnetic data storage media, CD-ROMs, any other optical data storage media, any physical media with hole patterns, RAM, PROMs and EPROMs, FLASH-EPROMs, NVRAMs, any other memory chips or cassette memories, and network versions of the above.

[0103] Non-transient media are distinct from transmission media, but may be used in conjunction with transmission media. Transmission media participate in the transmission of information between non-transient media. For example, transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire, and optical fiber, including the wires that comprise bus 602. Transmission media may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.

[0104] Computer system 600 also includes a communication interface 618 coupled to bus 602. Network interface 618 provides a two-way data communication coupled to one or more network links connected to one or more local networks. For example, communication interface 618 can be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, a satellite modem, or a modem for providing a data communication connection to a telephone line of a corresponding type. As another example, network interface 618 can be a local area network (LAN) card for providing a data communication connection to a compatible LAN (or a WAN component communicating with a WAN). Wireless links can also be implemented. In any such implementation, network interface 618 sends and receives an electrical, electromagnetic or optical indicator of a digital data stream carrying information representing various types.

[0105] A network link typically provides data communications to other data devices through one or more networks. For example, a network link may provide a connection to a host computer or to data devices operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) through a local network. The ISP in turn provides data communications services through a global packet data communications network now commonly referred to as the "Internet." Both local networks and the Internet use electrical, electromagnetic, or optical indicators that carry digital data streams. Indicators through various networks and indicators on network links and through communication interface 618 are example forms of transmission media that transmit digital data to and from computer system 600.

[0106] Computer system 600 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network links and communications interface 618. In the Internet example, a server may send the requested code for an application through the Internet, an ISP, a local network and communications interface 618.

[0107] The received code may be executed by processor 604 as it is received, and / or stored in storage device 610 or other non-volatile storage for later execution.

[0108] Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding sections may be embodied in a code component executed by one or more computer systems or computer processors including computer hardware, and fully or partially automated by the code component. One or more computer systems or computer processors may also operate to support the execution of related operations in a "cloud computing" environment or as "software as a service" (SaaS). The processes and algorithms may be implemented in part or in whole in a dedicated circuit system. The various features and processes described above may be used independently of each other, or may be combined in various ways. Different combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure, and in some implementations, certain method or process blocks may be omitted. The methods and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular sequence, and the blocks or states associated therewith may be executed in other appropriate sequences, or may be executed in parallel, or in some other manner. The blocks or states may be added to or removed from the disclosed example embodiments. The execution of certain operations or processes may be distributed between computer systems or computer processors, not only residing in a single machine, but also deployed across multiple machines.

[0109] As used herein, circuits can be implemented using any form of hardware, software or a combination thereof. For example, one or more processors, controllers, ASIC, PLA, PAL, CPLD, FPGA, logic components, software routines or other mechanisms can be implemented to form circuits. In implementation, the various circuits described herein can be implemented as discrete circuits, or the described functions and features can be shared in part or in whole between one or more circuits. Even if various features or functional elements can be individually described or claimed as separate circuits, these features and functions can be shared between one or more common circuits, and this description should not require or imply that separate circuits are needed to implement such features or functions. In the case where the circuit is implemented in whole or in part using software, such software can be implemented to operate together with a computing or processing system (such as computer system 1100) that can perform the function described therefor.

[0110] As used herein, the term "or" may be interpreted as inclusive or exclusive. In addition, singular resource, operation, or structure descriptions should not exclude the plural. Unless otherwise specifically stated, or otherwise understood in the context of use, conditional language such as "can," "could," "might," or "may" is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include and other embodiments do not include certain features, elements, and / or steps.

[0111] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the terms and phrases used in this document and their variations should be interpreted as open-ended, not restrictive. Adjectives such as "conventional," "traditional," "normal," "standard," "known," and terms of similar meaning should not be interpreted as limiting the items described to those available in a given time period or as of a given time, but should be understood to include conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies available or known at any time now or in the future. In some cases, the appearance of broadening words and phrases such as "one or more," "at least," "but not limited to," or other similar phrases should not be understood as an intention or need to use a narrower case where such broadening phrases are possible without them.

Claims

1. An access point AP, comprising: processor; as well as a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to: While performing non-range measurement Wi-Fi operations on a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel of a first bandwidth, performing a regulatory compliance traffic check to determine whether a second bandwidth is free of priority traffic, wherein the second bandwidth is wider than the first bandwidth, In response to receiving a Wi-Fi ranging request and determining that the second bandwidth has no priority traffic, modifying the WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request, and After the service of the Wi-Fi ranging request is completed, the WLAN channel is restored to the first bandwidth to perform a non-ranging Wi-Fi operation.

2. The AP according to claim 1, wherein: The WLAN channel is a dynamic frequency selection DFS WLAN channel; The Wi-Fi ranging request includes a ranging request for initiating a fine timing measurement FTM session; and Determining that the second bandwidth is free of priority traffic includes determining that the second bandwidth is free of radar traffic within a time interval specified by DFS regulation.

3. The AP according to claim 2, wherein: Performing the regulatory compliance traffic check on the second bandwidth includes performing a zero-wait DFS operation on the second bandwidth; and Determining that the second bandwidth is free of radar traffic within the DFS regulation specified time interval includes completing the zero-wait DFS operation after the DFS regulation specified time interval.

4. The AP of claim 1, wherein the regulatory compliance traffic check for the second bandwidth is repeatedly performed by a dedicated antenna of the AP. 5 . The AP of claim 1 , wherein the regulatory compliance traffic check for the second bandwidth is performed in response to detecting that a neighboring AP has received a Wi-Fi ranging request. The AP of claim 1 , wherein the Wi-Fi ranging request is received from a client device.

7. The AP of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: Determining that the AP is capable of splitting antennas; performing the regulatory compliance traffic inspection for the second bandwidth using a dedicated antenna of the AP; and In response to determining that the second bandwidth has no priority traffic, marking the second bandwidth as having no priority traffic.

8. The AP of claim 1 , wherein modifying the WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request is also in response to determining that at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: The AP is not performing a channel scan and is not scheduled to perform a channel scan; The AP is not serving any service that is pre-classified as a high priority service; The AP is serving a traffic load below a threshold level; and The AP is not serving power saving client devices.

9. The AP of claim 1 , wherein the instructions cause the processor to reject the Wi-Fi ranging request and not modify the WLAN channel to the second bandwidth in response to determining that at least one of the following conditions is satisfied: The AP is performing channel scanning or is scheduled to perform channel scanning; The AP is serving a service that is pre-classified as a high priority service; The AP is serving a traffic load above a threshold level; and The AP is serving power-saving client devices.

10. The AP of claim 1, wherein the instructions cause the processor to: In response to determining that the second bandwidth has priority traffic but the first bandwidth does not have priority traffic, the Wi-Fi ranging request is serviced while the WLAN channel is in the first bandwidth.

11. The AP of claim 1, wherein the WLAN channel is a home channel of the AP.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: While performing a non-fine timing measurement FTM operation on a dynamic frequency selection DFS wireless local area network WLAN channel of a first bandwidth, performing a DFS channel availability check CAC to determine whether there is no radar traffic in a second bandwidth, wherein the second bandwidth is wider than the first bandwidth; In response to receiving a ranging request to initiate an FTM session and determining that the second bandwidth has no radar traffic, modifying the DFS WLAN channel from the first bandwidth to the second bandwidth to perform the FTM session; as well as After the execution of the FTM session is completed, the DFS WLAN channel is restored to the first bandwidth to perform non-FTM operation.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein: Determining that the second bandwidth is free of radar traffic includes determining that the second bandwidth is free of radar traffic within a time interval specified by DFS regulation.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein: performing the DFS CAC for the second bandwidth includes performing a zero-wait DFS operation for the second bandwidth; and Determining that the second bandwidth is free of radar traffic for a time interval specified by the DFS regulation includes completing the zero-wait DFS operation after a time interval specified by the DFS regulation.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein: The non-transitory computer-readable medium is implemented on an access point AP; and The DFS CAC for the second bandwidth is repeatedly performed by a dedicated antenna of the AP.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the DFSCAC for the second bandwidth is performed in response to detecting that a neighboring AP has received a Wi-Fi ranging request.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein: The non-transitory computer-readable medium is implemented on the AP; and The instructions are also executable by the processor to: Determining that the AP is capable of splitting antennas, and The DFSCAC is performed for the second bandwidth using a dedicated antenna of the AP.

18. A method capable of being performed by an access point AP, the method comprising: Receive Wi-Fi ranging; In response to receiving the Wi-Fi ranging request, determining whether a traffic load at the AP is above a threshold level; In response to determining that the traffic load is above the threshold level, rejecting the Wi-Fi ranging request; modifying a bandwidth of a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel on which the AP is operating from a first bandwidth to a second bandwidth to serve the Wi-Fi ranging request, wherein the second bandwidth is greater than the first bandwidth; as well as After the service of the Wi-Fi ranging request is completed, the WLAN channel is restored to the first bandwidth to perform a non-ranging Wi-Fi operation.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: Before modifying the bandwidth of the WLAN channel, non-ranging Wi-Fi services are queued.

20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: In response to restoring the WLAN channel to the first bandwidth, re-initiating transmission of the queued non-ranging Wi-Fi service in the WLAN channel.

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