Wi-Fi management in presence of high priority receivers

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to Wi-Fi management in the presence of high priority receivers. The disclosed embodiments provide for management of a Wi-Fi network in the presence of a high priority receiver. When a high priority receiver is identified, a portion of the Wi-Fi network that may potentially interfere with the high priority receiver is identified, and measures are taken to reduce the probability of such interference. For example, some wireless transmitters may be switched to alternative channels to reduce the probability of interference. By sharing information related to a high priority receiver among multiple wireless transmitters, the disclosed embodiments provide for more efficient operation in the presence of a high priority receiver compared to a method of independently detecting a high priority receiver at each wireless transmitter.

Description

[0001] Description of divisional application

[0002] This application is a divisional application with a filing date of June 5, 2020, application number 202010505443.1, and invention name “Wi-Fi management in the presence of a high priority receiver”. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to Wi-Fi communications. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to conditional operation of a Wi-Fi transmitter when a higher priority receiver (HPR), such as a weather radar, is detected in the vicinity. Background Art

[0004] The IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard specifies a bandwidth of 22 MHz, and channels are spaced in 5 MHz increments. A nominal figure of 20 MHz channel bandwidth is often given. The 20 / 22 MHz bandwidth and 5 MHz channel spacing means that adjacent channels overlap, and signals on adjacent channels can interfere with each other.

[0005] The 5GHz Wi-Fi bandwidth includes unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) channels, as well as numerous channels outside the accepted ISM unlicensed band, and as a result, operations at these frequencies are subject to various restrictions. The main problem with using channels outside the ISM unlicensed band is that Wi-Fi devices may interfere with the operation of weather radars and military applications (such as military radars and / or communications). To prevent interference, Wi-Fi devices operating at these frequencies must implement dynamic frequency selection (DFS) capabilities on these channels. DFS is supported by the IEEE 802.11h wireless LAN standard. DFS is also required to avoid radar in the 5470-5725MHz unlicensed national information infrastructure (U-NII) band.

[0006] DFS is a spectrum sharing mechanism that allows wireless LAN (WLAN) to coexist with radar and other systems. The DFS system listens for signals from, for example, a radar system on a specific frequency band. If the DFS system detects a signal, the DFS system automatically selects a different frequency channel (referred to as a channel for short) and checks that different frequency to see if there are any other devices operating on it. The DFS system then selects and uses a 5GHz channel that will not interfere with any radar system.

[0007] DFS rules apply only to the frequency band between 5.250 and 5.725 GHz, which is the band used by weather and military radars. It should be noted that a DFS-based system is only effective if the existing system includes a transmitter operating on the same channel and thus announces the presence of a receiver on that channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 An example system 100 is shown that is implemented in accordance with at least one embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example access point (AP).

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an example network management system.

[0011] Figure 4 An example network graph is shown.

[0012] Figure 5 is an example network diagram 500 for a wireless network including an HPR 551 .

[0013] Figure 6 Example message portions implemented in one or more disclosed embodiments are shown.

[0014] Figure 7 is an overview diagram illustrating an example blacklist maintained by a wireless device.

[0015] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an example process for managing transmissions of multiple wireless devices to prevent interference with one or more high priority receivers.

[0016] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of an example process for avoiding interference with high priority receivers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Although DFS ensures that the receivers of high-priority devices are not affected by interference from Wi-Fi devices, it does not meet the needs of users of Wi-Fi networks. Specifically, in order to comply with 802.11h DFS, the AP switches from the channel being used by the HPR to the second channel. In some cases, the HPR may also be using the second channel. After a delay of a period of time when the HPR is detected on the second channel, the AP will switch from the second channel to the third channel. In some cases, this process can even be repeated for other channels. During this channel switching period, the performance of the AP will be affected to a certain extent, which in some cases will affect the user community. To avoid this performance degradation, each AP that detects the HPR should perform fewer channel switches before identifying available channels. Ideally, the AP can pre-identify which channels are available for use and which channels are utilized by high-priority receivers.

[0018] The present disclosure describes a method for maintaining a high service level experience (SLE) for users of a Wi-Fi network in the presence of one or more higher priority devices. In some embodiments, these higher priority devices operate on the 5 GHz band. It is desirable for a Wi-Fi device to detect these higher priority devices to avoid being able to interfere with the operation of the higher priority devices. Stopping the interfering operation may include switching its operation to a different channel on which the higher priority devices are not operating.

[0019] In order to comply with DFS regulations, when a first AP detects that it may interfere with a higher priority receiver on a first communication channel, the first AP is required to switch its own operation from the first communication channel to a different second communication channel. The first AP then adds the first communication channel to a "blacklist" that tracks the channels on which the first AP is prohibited from operating. Other APs that have not detected that they may interfere with the higher priority receiver can continue to utilize the first channel for communication. In some cases, the first AP determines that the higher priority receiver is not only utilizing a single channel, but is operating across an entire frequency band (such as the entire 5Ghz band). In this case, simply switching channels within the same frequency band will not reduce the risk of interfering with the higher priority receiver. Therefore, in this case, the first AP transitions from using a frequency band (e.g., 5Ghz) to using a completely different frequency band (e.g., 2.4GHz band).

[0020] Some disclosed embodiments construct a network connectivity graph. The graph is constructed based on signal strength information measured by each AP included in the Wi-Fi network. The APs included in the Wi-Fi network forward the measured signal strength information to a network management system. The network management system also has information about the geographic location of each AP that reports signal strength information.

[0021] Based on the location information and signal strength information, the network management system can determine a network diagram for the Wi-Fi network. In some embodiments, the nodes in the network diagram correspond to devices (e.g., wireless transmitters) operating within the Wi-Fi network. The edges in the diagram represent the signal strengths between the devices connected by the edges. In some embodiments, the edges of the graph data structure are marked with corresponding signal strength information and / or attenuation information. In some embodiments, if the attenuation is higher than a threshold or meets certain criteria, the edge is not included in the network diagram.

[0022] In some disclosed embodiments, when an AP included in a Wi-Fi network detects a high priority receiver, the AP sends a notification to a network management system. The network management system then relies on the network map discussed above to identify other network devices that are at risk of interfering with the high priority receiver. These identified other network devices are then instructed to modify their operations appropriately to avoid interfering with the high priority receiver.

[0023] In some embodiments, a network management system that receives notification of a high priority receiver instructs all other network devices on the Wi-Fi network to avoid channels and / or frequencies where HPR operation has been detected. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by adding channel information describing where HPR is operating to a blacklist maintained by the NMS. The NMS blacklist is used to determine Wi-Fi channels that should be blacklisted by one or more APs operating on the Wi-Fi network. By adding HPR channel information to a global blacklist, proactive measures are taken to prevent interference with HPR. This also avoids additional channel switching that might be required if other network devices in the wireless network were left to independently discover HPR.

[0024] Some other embodiments determine to modify the operation of a subset of network devices based on the detection of HPR. In some of these embodiments, the operation of one or more APs. Which AP's operation is modified is based on a standard. For example, one standard takes into account the attenuation of signals exchanged between a first AP and a second AP where HPR is detected. If the attenuation of these signals is relatively large (e.g., above a predetermined threshold), then in at least some embodiments, since the AP is assumed to be far enough away from the HPR to prevent interference with the operation of the HPR, there is no need to modify the operation of the first AP. In these embodiments, if the attenuation of the signal exchanged between the two APs is below a predetermined threshold, the operation of the first AP is modified to avoid transmission on the channel where the second AP detects HPR (in these embodiments). In addition to the NMS blacklist discussed above, some embodiments also maintain a device-specific AP blacklist. In order to complete the modified operation of the subset of network devices, channel information related to the operation of the HPR is added to the device-specific blacklist for each device included in the subset.

[0025] Some embodiments estimate the HPR transmission signal strength at the AP by the following Equation 1:

[0026] Estimated SS HPR j =SS HPR i –attenuation i->j Equation 1

[0027] in:

[0028] SS HPR i : From the transmitter associated with the HPR by the first AP i The detected signal strength value,

[0029] Estimated SS HPR j : Second AP j based on an estimated signal strength value detectable from a transmission originating from a transmitter associated with the HPR,

[0030] Attenuation i->j : From AP i To AP j The attenuation of Wi-Fi signals along the path.

[0031] In some embodiments, the network management system determines which APs should be notified of the HPR based on whether an estimated signal strength at said AP from a transmitter of the HPR is greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0032] Estimated RSSI HPR j >Threshold Equation 2

[0033] in:

[0034] Estimated SS HPR j : Second AP j based on an estimated signal strength value that a transmission originating from a transmitter associated with the HPR would experience,

[0035] Threshold: Predetermined threshold.

[0036] In some embodiments, the network management system notifies a set of APs within a predetermined proximity to a first AP about the operation of the HPR. For example, in some embodiments, the set of APs is notified to avoid operation on any channel where an HPR-associated transmission is detected. In some cases, the number of APs included in the set of APs is reduced based on criteria. For example, in some embodiments, if the APs within a threshold distance of the HPR are not also within a predetermined distance of the network map of the first AP, then these APs are not included in the set of APs. When the network management system is already aware of the HPR, these embodiments reduce the number of APs that switch to the channel being used by the HPR.

[0037] When determining which devices should be notified about an HPR operating in its vicinity, some embodiments rely on the physical location (geographic location, e.g., coordinates) of the network device. Some embodiments utilize triangulation to obtain a location estimate of the HPR. In some embodiments, the triangulation is based on signal strength measurements received from two or more network devices. Once the location estimate of the HPR is determined, these embodiments provide notifications to network devices within a threshold distance of the HPR.

[0038] Some specific network topologies (e.g., when the APs of the Wi-Fi network are substantially located in a straight line) affect how to select the network devices to be notified. For example, when the network devices are substantially located in a straight line, which APs to notify are determined after at least two APs have detected HPR.

[0039] Figure 1 An example system 100 implemented according to at least one embodiment is shown. System 100 includes multiple APs (AP 1142, ..., AP X 144, AP 1'150, ..., AP X'152). In various embodiments, the AP is a wireless AP, a router, a switch, or any other device capable of providing network access. System 100 also includes a network management system (NMS) 136 (e.g., an NMS blacklist management system (server)). NMS 136 is coupled to network 134 via connection 137. Figure 1 The network devices shown in FIG. 1 communicate with each other via a digital network such as network 134 (e.g., the Internet and / or an intranet). Network 134 is composed of a plurality of routers 185 and a plurality of switches 180. Network communication links 143 and 145 couple each AP (AP 1 142, AP X 144, AP 1' 150, AP X' 152) to network 134, respectively. System 100 also includes a plurality of user equipment (UE) (UE 1 138, ..., UE Z 140, UE 1' 146, ..., UE Z' 148), wherein a user equipment is any wired, wireless, or optical device that provides network access to a communication device or an automation device (such as an IoT device) used by a user (such as a person). Some UEs (138, 140, 146, 148) are wireless devices that can move throughout system 100.

[0040] In the example system 100, APs are located at different customer sites. Customer premises site 1 102 includes APs (AP 1 142, ..., AP X 144). Customer premises site 2 104 includes APs (AP 1' 150, ..., AP X' 152). Figure 1As shown, UE (UE 1 138, ..., UE Z 140) is currently located at customer premises site 1 102; UE (UE 1' 146, ..., UE Z' 148) is currently located at customer premises 2 104. In some embodiments, each of the servers, routers, switches, APs, UE NMSs, and other servers attached to the network optionally includes a system log or an error log. Each of these devices records the status of the device in the error log, including normal operating status and error conditions.

[0041] An example HPR 175 associated with, for example, a weather radar is shown near site 2 104. Some or all of the APs in site 104 (AP 1' 150, AP X' 152) and the APs of site 102 (AP 1 142, AP X 144) are within range of weather radar 175. Weather radar 175 is shown generating signals 162a and 162b.

[0042] The method described herein minimizes the number of times an AP associated with the system has to switch to a channel used by an HPR (eg, weather radar 175), detect the presence of an HPR in its vicinity, and then switch again to the new channel.

[0043] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an example AP 200 (eg, any of APs such as AP 1 142, ..., AP X 144, AP 1' 150, ..., AP X' 152, etc.) according to one or more disclosed embodiments. Various embodiments include the following with respect to AP 200 and Figure 2 AP 200 includes a wired interface 230, wireless interfaces 236, 242, a hardware processor 206 (e.g., a CPU or hardware processing circuitry), a memory 212, and an assembly 208 of components (e.g., an assembly of hardware components, such as an assembly of circuits) coupled together via a bus 209 on which the various elements can exchange data and information. Wired interface 230 includes a receiver 232 and a transmitter 234. Wired interface 230 couples AP 200 to a network (e.g., Figure 1The first wireless interface 236 (e.g., a wireless Wi-Fi interface, e.g., an 802.11 interface) includes: a receiver 238 coupled to a receiving antenna 239, via which the AP can receive wireless signals from a communication device (e.g., a wireless terminal); and a transmitter 240 coupled to a transmitting antenna 241, via which the AP can transmit wireless signals to a communication device (e.g., a wireless terminal). The second wireless interface 242 (e.g., a Bluetooth interface) includes a receiver 244 coupled to a receiving antenna 245, via which the AP can receive wireless signals from a communication device (e.g., a wireless terminal), and a transmitter 246 coupled to a transmitting antenna 247. Via the transmitting antenna 27, the AP transmits the wireless signal to the communication device (e.g., a wireless terminal).

[0044] Memory 212 includes routines 214 and data / information 216. Routine 214 includes components 218 of components (e.g., components of software components) and application programming interfaces (APIs) 220. Data / information 216 includes configuration information 222, device status logs (including error events and normal events captured as messages in system log or error log 224), and blacklist 226 that identifies all 5 GHz channels on which higher priority devices (such as weather radars, military communications, etc.) that have been previously discovered and should not be used have been installed.

[0045] Figure 3 is a block diagram of an example network management system. In some embodiments, also in the above Figure 1 The NMS 136 discussed is a network management node, for example, a network management server such as an automated network reconfiguration server. Figure 3 The network management system 136 is Figure 1 In some embodiments, the network management system 136 is connected to the AP or other network devices (such as Figure 1 Any AP or device shown in ).

[0046] Various embodiments of the network management system include the following: Figure 3One or more components discussed. The example network management system 136 includes a communication interface 330, a processor 306, an output device 308 (e.g., a display, a printer, etc.), an input device 310 (e.g., a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a mouse, etc.), a memory 312, and an assembly 340 of components (e.g., an assembly of hardware components, such as an assembly of circuits) coupled together via a bus 309, on which the various elements can exchange data and information. In some embodiments, the communication interface 330 includes an Ethernet interface. The communication interface 330 couples the network management system 136 to a network and / or the Internet. The communication interface 330 includes: a receiver 332, via which the network monitoring device can receive information from various devices (such as AAA servers, DHCP servers, Web servers (not shown for simplicity) Figure 1 ), routers, switches) to receive data and information (e.g., including service-related information, such as messages recorded in a system log or error log); and a transmitter 334, via which the network management system 136 can send data and information, such as configuration information and instructions, such as instructions sent to an AP, router, switch, or any other server attached to the network to restart, change operating parameters, download and install another SW version, etc.

[0047] The memory 312 includes routines 314 and data / information 317. The routines 314 include components 318 of components (e.g., components of software components) and application programming interfaces 320 (APIs). The data / information 317 includes configuration information 322, a recorded RSSI log 324 (including RSSIs from each operating AP, specifically including the ID of the receiving AP 325, the ID of the transmitting AP 326, and the RSSI received by receiving the AP from the transmitting AP 327). The memory 312 also includes a Wi-Fi network map 319 indicating the network topology. In some embodiments, the network map includes a map of the physical deployment locations of the APs and / or the attenuation experienced on the radio path between AP pairs. For example, the table shows that AP ID 1 receives a signal with RSSI 1 from AP ID 2, receives a signal with RSSI 2 from AP ID 3, ..., and AP ID 2 receives a signal with RSSI x from AP ID j. Generally, column 325 provides a list of receiving APs, column 326 provides a list of transmitting APs, and column 327 provides a list of corresponding RSSIs. This table and other tables are provided for illustration only, and other more efficient data structures may be used.

[0048] The memory 312 also includes a table of measured RSSIs 350 (only one data entry of the table is shown). Each data entry includes the ID 351 of the wireless device that detected the signal from the transmitter associated with the HPR, the ID 352 of the wireless device from which the signal was detected, and the ID 353 of the wireless device from which the signal was detected. Figure 1 The RSSI value 353 of the detected signal of the transmitter associated with the weather radar 175), and the channel 352 in which the signal was detected.

[0049] The memory 312 also includes a table of estimated RSSI 355 (only one data entry of the table is shown). Each data entry includes the AP for which the system calculated the estimated RSSI from the HPR (e.g. Figure 1 The ID 356 of the transmitter associated with the weather radar 175), the channel 357 for which the estimated RSSI is calculated, and the estimated RSSI 358.

[0050] As described above, in some embodiments, the estimated RSSI is calculated using Equation 1 and also based on the estimated attenuation between the AP receiving the transmission on a particular channel and the AP. In some embodiments, a physical map of the AP deployment is used to calculate the estimated direction and / or estimated location 365 of the HPR. When determining the estimated direction and / or estimated location 365, the RSSI value received by the AP from the transmitter associated with the HPR is also utilized.

[0051] In some embodiments, the estimated RSSI 358 is compared to a predetermined threshold, and if the system determines that the RSSI is greater than the predetermined threshold, the blacklist 360 of the AP 361 is enhanced by adding the channel 362 to the list of blacklisted channels for that AP. The network management system notifies the particular AP 361 of any modifications to the blacklist associated with that AP.

[0052] In some embodiments, blacklist 360 includes a table of blacklists associated with each AP (only one entry is provided in the figure for simplicity). Each entry of blacklist 360 includes an ID of an AP 361 and a channel 362 that should be added to the AP's blacklist.

[0053] Figure 4 The above shows Figure 1 An example network diagram 400 of a network included in the discussed system 100. The illustrative network has nodes (e.g., APs) {A, B, C, D, E, F, and G} labeled 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, and 435, respectively. The nodes use Wi-Fi channels {36, 44, 48, 38, 40, 52, and 60}, respectively. HPR 450 operates on channel 52. HPR 450 is shown as generating signals 462a-462c.

[0054] Since HPR 450 operates on channel 52, only AP 430, which also operates on channel 52, detects HPR 450. According to one embodiment, once AP 430 notifies a network management system (e.g., NMS 136) of the presence of HPR on channel 52, the network management system notifies all APs in the network of the presence of HPR on channel 52. In response to the notification, in some embodiments, each AP that receives the notification adds channel 52 to their respective blacklists.

[0055] In other embodiments, the network management system notifies devices determined to be peer neighbors of AP 430 of HPR 450. In some embodiments, peer neighbors are those wireless devices whose signals are visible from AP 430 (and / or those wireless devices that have visibility of signals from AP 430). Figure 4 In the example of , the peers of AP 430 include APs 405, 410, 425, and 435. Assuming that network diagram 400 does not include a direct connection (edge) connecting AP 430 with AP 415 or AP 420, APs 415 and 420 are not peer neighbors. In an embodiment where only the peers of the AP are notified that HPR 450 has been detected, only the peers update their blacklists to include channel 52 (e.g., the set of channels utilized by the HPR). If AP 415 or 420 attempts to use channel 52, they can detect that the HPR is operating on the channel. If AP 420 detects HPR 450, AP 420 will notify the network management system, which will propagate channel 52 to the blacklist of the peers of AP 420 and may also forward it to AP 420. Some embodiments extend this embodiment to a broader notification: not only peers, but also peers of peers of peers. Some embodiments may further extend this embodiment to peers of peers of peers of peers.

[0056] In some embodiments, attenuation between wireless devices is determined. The attenuation is used to estimate the signal strength of the signal generated by HPR 450 (eg, via Equation 1).

[0057] In some embodiments, the physical (e.g., geographic) locations of wireless devices and the signal strength of HPR 450 generated signals received at those wireless devices are used to estimate the geographic location or location of the HPR 450 (e.g., via triangulation). Based on the estimated location of the HPR 450, some disclosed embodiments then estimate the signal strength of the HPR 450 signals at the wireless devices. Those devices having signal strengths that meet a criterion (e.g., above a threshold) are then notified to include the operating channels and / or frequencies of the HPR 450 on their respective blacklists (thereby prohibiting those devices from operating on those operating channels).

[0058] Some embodiments determine estimated locations of HPRs 450 based on the physical locations of wireless devices and the signal strengths of HPRs 450 at those wireless devices. In some embodiments, triangulation is used by correlating signal strength with the distance between the HPR and the corresponding HPR. The estimated locations of the HPRs 450 are then used to estimate the signal strengths of HPR 450 signals at other wireless devices. These signal strengths are evaluated against a second criterion (e.g., a second predetermined threshold). If the estimated signal strengths meet the second criterion (e.g., are greater than the second predetermined threshold), the HPR 450 operating channels are added to the blacklist of the wireless devices, thereby prohibiting the wireless devices from operating on these operating channels.

[0059] Figure 5 5 is an example network diagram 500 for a wireless network including HPR 551. The network shown includes nodes (e.g., APs) 506, 511, 516, 521, and 526, respectively. The nodes use Wi-Fi channels {36, 44, 48, 38, and 40}, respectively. HPR 551 operates on channel 40. HPR 551 is shown as generating signals 562a-562b.

[0060] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the nodes are oriented in a substantially straight line. Node 526 initially operates on the same channel as HPR 551 (e.g., channel 52). Thus, in some embodiments, node 526 detects the transmission of HPR. In response, node 526 switches to an alternative channel (e.g., channel 60). Node 526 provides a notification message (not shown) to a network management system (e.g., NMS 136) indicating the detection of the HPR 551 transmission on channel 52.

[0061] As described above, the network management system can use various techniques to determine which wireless devices should include the channels and / or frequencies of HPR 551 on their blacklists (e.g., prohibit the use of these channels). For example, in the embodiment of notifying peer devices, the network management system notifies node 521 because node 521 is a first-level peer of node 526. Since node 516 is not notified to prohibit transmission on channel 52, node 516 can later detect the transmission through HPR 551 and provide a second notification to the network management system.

[0062] Alternatively, in some embodiments, node 516 operates on channel 48. HPR 551 operates on channel 52 and channel 48. Therefore, while operating on channel 48, node 516 detects HPR transmissions and notifies the network management system. In this example embodiment, node 516 initiates a transition from channel 48 to another channel. Channel 48 is included in the blacklist maintained by node 516. In the future, AP 516 may need to switch to another channel and select channel 40. Shortly after the switch, in this example, node 516 detects operation of HPR on channel 40. AP C switches to another operating channel, marks the channel in its blacklist and notifies network management.

[0063] When a node is Figure 5 When shown in a substantially straight line, the direction and distance from a node to the HPR 551 can be determined based on the estimated signal strength value of the HPR 551 at each node. If the estimated signal strength of the HPR 551 at the node 506 and / or the node 511 meets the criteria (e.g., is less than a predetermined threshold), the operating band of the HPR 551 is not added to the blacklist of the node 506 and / or the node 511 (at least in some embodiments).

[0064] Figure 6 Example message portions implemented in one or more disclosed embodiments are shown. Figure 6A first message portion 600, a second message portion 610, and a third message portion 620 are shown. In some embodiments, the first message portion 600 is included in a notification message that is transmitted by a wireless device (e.g., an AP) to a network management system (e.g., NMS 136). Message portion 600 includes a wireless device identifier field 602, a blacklist version field 604, a field 606 of (multiple) high priority receiver channels, a signal strength field 607, and a detection time field 608. Wireless device identifier field 602 identifies the device that sent the notification message. In some embodiments, the device identified via field 602 is the device that detected the high priority receiver. In some embodiments, field 602 stores the station address of the identified wireless device. Blacklist version field 604 indicates a blacklist version stored by the wireless device that sent the message. In some embodiments, blacklist version field 604 identifies the version of blacklist data provided by the NMS to the wireless device that sent message portion 600. In some embodiments, this information is used by the NMS to determine whether to update the blacklist information of the wireless device. High priority receiver channel field 606 identifies the channel on which the high priority receiver is detected to transmit. In at least some aspects, field 606 identifies a specific frequency range of one or more channels (e.g., a channel). Signal strength field 607 indicates the signal strength received from a transmitter associated with the HPR and detected on the channel identified via field 606. In some embodiments, signal strength field 607 represents the signal strength via a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value. Detection time field 608 indicates the time at which the detection occurred. One or more fields of example message portion 600 are included in a notification message sent by a wireless device to a network management system (e.g., NMS 136). In some embodiments, the wireless device is configured to send one or more fields of message portion 600 when a transmitter associated with the HPR is detected.

[0065] The message portion 610 includes a wireless device identifier 612, a blacklist version field 614, a high priority receiver channel identification field 616, a signal strength field 617, a detection time field 618, and a detection device identifier field 619. The wireless device identifier 61 identifies the wireless device that is sending the message portion 610. The blacklist version field 614 indicates a version number associated with the blacklist information provided in the message portion 610. In some embodiments, the blacklist version field 614 is used to ensure that the wireless device has the latest blacklist information from the NMS. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless device provides the blacklist version information identifying the version of the blacklist maintained by the wireless device to the NMS. The NMS can then determine whether to update the wireless device with the new blacklist information. The high priority receiver channel identification field 616 identifies the channel on which the HPR has been detected to operate. The signal strength field 617 identifies the strength of the signal received from the transmitter associated with the HPR and detected on one or more channels indicated by the field 616. In some embodiments, the signal strength field 617 represents the signal strength via a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value. Detection time field 618 indicates when operation of the HPR on the identified channel was detected (e.g., via field 616). In some embodiments, the access point and / or NMS may remove the channel from the blacklist if detection of operation of the HPR on the channel occurs at a predetermined elapsed time prior to the current time. Detection device identifier field 619 identifies the device that initially detected operation of the HPR on the channel identified via field 616. In some embodiments, message portion 610 is included in a message transmitted by a network management system (e.g., NMS 136) to one or more wireless devices. Message portion 610 is used to notify the receiving wireless device of the presence of the identified HPR, and the device receiving the notification will avoid operating on the channel identified via field 616 (in some embodiments, at least until the time indicated by expiration time field 618).

[0066] Message portion 620 is used to send a Figure 1 Any of the APs 142, 144, 150, or 152 discussed herein provides signal strength measurement information to a network management system (e.g., NMS 136). Message portion 620 includes a reporting wireless device identifier field 622 and a strength measurement times field 624. Reporting wireless device identifier field 622 identifies the device that generated message portion 620. In some embodiments, field 622 also identifies the device that performed the signal strength measurement reported by message portion 620. Strength measurement times field 624 indicates the number of signal strength measurements communicated by message portion 620. Signal strength measurement results are communicated via paired fields, such as Figure 6These pairs may be repeated multiple times in the message portion 620, as indicated by the number of strength measurements field 624. Each wireless device identifier field 626 1 ..626 n Identifies the device from which the signal was generated and is measured by the device identified via field 622. Each signal strength measurement field 628 1 …628 n Identifies the signal strength measurement of the signal on the respective channel. In some embodiments, the signal strength field(s) 628 1 ..n identifies a received signal strength indication (RSSI). In some embodiments, one or more fields included in message portion 620 are transmitted by a particular wireless device to a network management system (e.g., NMS 136) to report the strength of signals transmitted by other wireless devices and received by the particular wireless device.

[0067] Figure 7 is an overview diagram illustrating an example blacklist maintained by a wireless device in at least some disclosed embodiments. Figure 7 Two wireless devices 702a-702b and a network management system 136 are shown. Each wireless device 702a-702b maintains an AP blacklist 706 and an AP blacklist 708, respectively. Version identifications 705 and 707 are maintained for each of the AP blacklist 706 and the AP blacklist 708, respectively. Each of the AP blacklist 706 and the AP blacklist 708 is stored in data repositories 704a and 704b, respectively. In some embodiments, the network management system 136 also stores an NMS blacklist 710 in a data repository 704c. In some embodiments, each of the AP blacklist 706 and the AP blacklist 708 includes at least channel information (e.g., channel information 706a, channel information 708a) and detection time information (e.g., detection time information 706b and detection time information 708b). Each of the AP blacklist 706 and the AP blacklist 708 also stores information identifying a device that detects an HPR operating on a channel identified by the AP blacklist (e.g., 706c and 708c).

[0068] The NMS blacklist 710 stores blacklist version information 712 and information that allows it to customize the blacklist for each AP managed by the NMS 136. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the NMS blacklist 710 includes channel information 710a, detection time information 710b of an HPR operating on the channel(s) indicated by 710a, a device detecting the HPR operating on the channel 710c, a signal strength (e.g., RSSI) of the signal at the device 710d, and an AP list 710e. The AP list 710e identifies zero or more access points that are instructed not to operate on one or more channels indicated by the channel information 710a. In some embodiments, the detection time information 710b is used to remove a prohibition on operating on a particular channel. For example, if an HPR is not detected on a channel for a period of time exceeding a predetermined threshold, the APs can be notified that they are now allowed to attempt to operate on the channel. When the data in the NMS blacklist 710 is updated, the NMS increases the blacklist version information 712. Blacklist version information 712 is provided in messages transmitted to APs 702a-702b to provide the ability to synchronize blacklist information across NMSs and APs.

[0069] In some embodiments, the network management system 136 sends a message to one or more of the wireless devices 702a-702b to add or remove channels used by HPR from the AP blacklist 706 and / or AP blacklist 708, respectively. For example, as discussed above, in some embodiments, the network management system 136 transmits one or more fields of the message portion 610 to one or more of the wireless devices 702a-702b to add or remove HPR operating channels from the AP blacklist (e.g., 706 and / or 708) of the wireless device (e.g., via field 616). The NMS blacklist 710 stores HPR information that has been collected and / or determined by the network management system 136. In some embodiments, the network management system 136 is configured to transmit information derived from the NMS blacklist 710 to wireless devices managed by the network management system 136.

[0070] Figure 8 is a flow chart of an example process for managing transmissions of multiple wireless devices to prevent interference with one or more high priority receivers. Figure 8 One or more functions discussed are performed by hardware processing circuitry (e.g., 206, 306). In some aspects, instructions (e.g., 214, 314) stored in memory (e.g., 212, 312) configure the hardware processing circuitry to perform the following Figure 8 In some embodiments, process 800 is performed by Figure 1The discussed network management system 136 performs. In the following discussion, a device that performs process 800 is referred to as an "executing device."

[0071] After start operation 805, process 800 moves to operation 810, where signal strength measurements are received from wireless devices. As discussed above, in some embodiments, wireless devices on a wireless network (such as those described above with respect to Figure 1 Any of the APs 142, 144, 150, or 152 discussed above with respect to Figure 7 The wireless device 702a and the wireless device 702b discussed above report the signal strength measurements to a network management system (e.g., NMS 136). In some embodiments, the wireless device filters the signal strength measurements so that only those signal strength measurements above a threshold are provided and thus received in operation 810. In some embodiments, operation 810 includes: receiving one or more of the message portions 620, as described above with respect to Figure 6 As discussed, message portion 620 communicates signal strength information via the wireless device to an execution device (eg, a network management system such as NMS 136).

[0072] In operation 815, a network graph is constructed based on the signal strength measurements. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the network graph is constructed to represent devices that provide signal strength measurements as nodes in the graph, where the signal strength measurements are represented as edges in the graph. Therefore, if a first wireless device measures a signal from a second wireless device, an edge in the graph will connect a node representing the first wireless device to a second node representing the second wireless device. The signal strength will be stored in association with the edge. As discussed below, some embodiments use a network graph to determine which wireless devices are affected by the high priority receiver. Some embodiments may not generate a network graph, but instead use other types of data structures and / or processing methods to determine which wireless devices are affected by the high priority receiver.

[0073] Decision operation 820 determines whether a high priority receiver has been detected. For example, in some embodiments, decision operation 820 determines the same as above with respect to Figure 6 The message is received from a notification device. Message portion 600 provides an example message that serves as a notification of the detection of a transmitter associated with a high priority receiver. The message may be received from a wireless device included in a wireless network (such as the one described above with respect to Figure 1 Any of AP142, 144, 150 or 152 discussed above Figure 7The notification is received by the wireless device 800 at operation 810. If the notification is not received, the process 800 returns to operation 810. Otherwise, if the notification has been received, the process 800 moves to operation 830, which determines which wireless devices are to be notified of the high priority receivers.

[0074] In various embodiments, operation 830 uses various methods to identify the set of wireless devices. In some embodiments, operation 830 identifies all wireless devices managed by the executing device. In some embodiments, operation 830 identifies all access points managed by the executing device. For example, Figure 7 , the network management server identifies each of the wireless device 702a and the wireless device 702b. Figure 1 , the network management system 136 identifies each of the APs 142 , 144 , 150 , or 152 .

[0075] In some other embodiments, operation 830 identifies the peer devices of the detection device from which the notification was received (the notification device discussed above). In at least some embodiments, the peer devices of the subject device are devices that are directly connected to the subject device by a single edge of the network graph. In some embodiments, the peer devices are connected to the subject device via a predetermined number of edges (which may be one, two, three, four, five or more edges in various embodiments). These peer devices are then included in the set of wireless devices. As described above with respect to Figure 4 As discussed, APs 425, 435, 410, and 405 are peers of AP 430 because these APs receive signals generated by AP 430 and / or AP 430 receives signals from APs 425, 435, 410, and 405 (and / or these signals are above the threshold that qualifies a device as a peer). Note that since, for example, AP 415 is not Figure 4 The network diagram 400 of FIG. 400 is connected to AP 430, therefore, AP 415 is not a peer device of AP 430. Similarly, since AP 420 is not connected to AP 430 through Figure 4 The network diagram 400 of operation 830 is connected to AP 405, AP 410 or AP 430, therefore, AP 420 is not a peer device of these APs. Some embodiments of operation 830 identify peer devices at the first, second, third or fourth level. (For example, the peer device of the peer device will be a second-level peer device, etc.).

[0076] In another embodiment, operation 830 identifies a set of wireless devices whose estimated signal strength of the HPR signal is above a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the estimation is performed by first determining an estimated geographic location of the HPR and then estimating its signal strength at the location of the wireless devices (e.g., the multiple wireless devices that provided signal strength measurement information in operation 810). In some aspects, the geographic location of the HPR is determined by triangulating signals received by the HPR across multiple wireless devices (e.g., signals generated by HPR 730 and received by wireless device 702a and wireless device 702b (e.g., signals 762a and 762b) are used to estimate the location of HPR 730).

[0077] Based on the estimated geographic location of the HPR and the network map generated in some embodiments in operation 815, an estimate of the signal strength value of the HPR signal at a wireless device included in the plurality of wireless devices is determined. If the estimated signal strength at a particular device is above a threshold or otherwise satisfies the criteria, the particular device is included in the subset of the plurality of wireless devices. The wireless devices included in the subset are then included in the set of wireless devices identified in operation 830.

[0078] In some embodiments, the wireless device is included in the subset based on a geographical distance determined between the device detecting the HPR or the estimated location of the HPR and each corresponding device. In these embodiments, wireless devices having a distance from the detecting device and / or the estimated location of the HPR less than a predetermined threshold are identified, and the identified wireless devices are included in the set of wireless devices of operation 830.

[0079] In some embodiments, a network map is utilized to identify devices to be notified. For example, in some embodiments, a network map is utilized to identify communication paths between devices with signal attenuation that meets a criterion. For example, in some embodiments, the criterion evaluates whether the attenuation between the detection device and a particular candidate device is less than a predetermined threshold. Then, in these embodiments, the candidate devices that meet the criterion are notified. Thus, based on the respective attenuation of the wireless device and the detection device, the wireless device is included in the subset. Then, the identified subset of devices with attenuation that meets the criterion is added to the set of wireless devices.

[0080] In operation 845, instructions are sent to the set of wireless devices identified in operation 830. These instructions generally instruct the wireless devices in the subset to avoid operating on any channel detected to be used by the detected HPR. In some embodiments, in operation 830, the executing device transmits one or more fields of the message portion 610 to each wireless device included in the set of wireless devices. In some embodiments, operation 845 adds the channel information associated with the identified HPR to the NMS blacklist (e.g., 710). In some embodiments, the NMS blacklist is used to initialize the AP blacklist (e.g., 706 and / or 708) of other wireless devices. For example, if a new wireless device is added to the network, or an existing device is reinitialized, the network management system (e.g., NMS 136) utilizes the NMS blacklist to initialize the local blacklist of the new device or reset the device.

[0081] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of an example process for avoiding interference with a high priority receiver. Fig. 9 The process 900 discussed is performed by a wireless device, such as, Figure 1 Any of AP 142, 144, 150 or 152 or the above Figure 7 In some embodiments, instructions (e.g., routine 214) stored in a memory (e.g., 212) configure a hardware processing circuit device (e.g., 206) to perform the following operations with respect to wireless devices 702a and / or wireless devices 702b. Fig. 9 and one or more functions discussed with process 900. In the following discussion, a device that performs process 900 is referred to as an "execution device" in some cases.

[0082] In some embodiments, the following Fig. 9 One or more functions discussed are performed by hardware processing circuitry (e.g., 206, 306). In some aspects, instructions (e.g., 214, 314) stored in memory (e.g., 212, 312) configure the hardware processing circuitry to perform the following Fig. 9 In some embodiments, process 900 is performed by Figure 1 The discussed network management system 136 executes. A device that executes or performs process 900 is referred to as an "executing device."

[0083] Process 900 begins at start operation 905 and then moves to operation 910. In operation 910, a signal strength measurement of a signal received by the execution device is performed. In some embodiments, the signal strength measurement result is represented as a received signal strength indication (RSSI). The signal is generated by other wireless devices (such as neighboring APs or high priority receivers).

[0084] In operation 915, the signal strength measurement results are transmitted to a network management system (e.g., NMS 136). Figure 6 As discussed, some embodiments generate the message portion 620 to communicate signal strength measurements from the wireless device to the network management system.

[0085] In operation 920, the execution device operates on the current channel. Operating on the current channel includes communicating with other devices on the current channel (e.g., a wireless terminal associated with the execution device). Decision operation 925 determines whether a transmitter associated with a high priority receiver has been detected. If a high priority receiver has not been detected, process 900 moves to decision operation 950. Decision operation 950 determines whether a notification has been received. The notification is used to notify the execution device of a channel that is conditionally blacklisted. The channel is referred to as a notified channel. In some embodiments, the notification includes a message portion 610. In some embodiments, the notification is received from a network management system (e.g., NMS136). If no notification is received, process 900 returns to operation 910. If a notification is received, process 900 moves from decision operation 950 to decision operation 955, which determines whether the execution device is currently operating on a notified channel included in the received notification. If the execution device is currently operating on the notified channel, some embodiments determine that continued operation on the notified channel is acceptable because the AP has not yet detected operation of the HPR on the notified channel. This implementation operates in a manner that prioritizes local determination of possible interference (e.g., by the execution device) over determination of possible interference by the NMS. If the execution device is not operating on the notified channel, process 900 moves from decision operation 955 to operation 956, which adds the notified channel to the blacklist. After operation 956 is completed, processing returns to operation 910. If the execution device is operating on the notified channel, the notification is effectively ignored and processing moves from decision operation 955 to operation 910.

[0086] Returning to decision operation 925, if a high priority receiver is identified, process 900 moves from decision operation 925 to operation 928, which notifies the network management system of the detected HPR. In some embodiments, process 900 generates a message portion 600, which indicates the parameters of the HPR. Message portion 600 is then transmitted to the network management system (e.g., NMS136). Process 900 then moves to operation 930, which includes the current channel on the blacklist. By adding the current channel to the blacklist, operations on the current channel are prohibited. Process 900 then moves to operation 935, which switches the operation of the execution device to a different channel. Processing then optionally returns to operation 910.

[0087] exist Fig. 9 In some embodiments and process 900, the AP may be restricted with respect to the channels on which it can operate. For example, in some environments, the AP may be blacklisted, prohibiting it from operating on a first set of channels where HPR has been determined to be operating. HPR operation on the first set of channels is detected by the AP itself. The AP may be further blacklisted, prohibiting it from operating on a second set of channels. HPR operation on the second set of channels is detected by other wireless devices (such as other access points). At least in some embodiments, the second set of channels that are blacklisted is notified to the AP via the NMS. Therefore, the operating environment of the AP is restricted. In some cases, these restrictions may prevent the AP from achieving a reasonable performance level. For example, in some operating environments, all available channels that are not in the blacklist do not have sufficient quality to support nominal operation. Therefore, there is a lack of available channels sufficient to maintain nominal operation.

[0088] In such an environment, in order to maintain nominal operation, in some embodiments, the AP is configured to attempt to operate on channels identified in the blacklist. In some embodiments, communication is first attempted on any blacklisted channels transmitted to the wireless device by the NMS. For these channels, it is likely that HPR was detected via a different AP than the AP attempting the communication. Therefore, due to the inefficiency of the blacklisting algorithm that determines which AP should be blacklisted from which channels, the AP has a higher probability of successfully operating on a blacklisted channel. If no channel identified by the NMS can be used (for example, after attempting communication, HPR communication is detected to prohibit operation), some APs are then configured to attempt to communicate on channels previously blacklisted by the AP itself.

[0089] The techniques of various embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, and / or a combination of software and hardware. Various embodiments relate to apparatuses, such as management entities (e.g., network monitoring nodes), routers, gateways, switches, APs, DHCP servers, DNS servers, AAA servers, user equipment (e.g., wireless nodes such as mobile wireless terminals), base stations, communication networks, and communication systems. Various embodiments also relate to methods, such as methods for controlling and / or operating one or more communication devices (e.g., network management nodes, APs, wireless terminals (UEs), base stations, control nodes, DHCP nodes, DNS servers, AAA nodes, mobility management entities (MMEs), networks, and / or communication systems). Various embodiments also relate to non-transient machines, such as computers, readable media (e.g., ROMs, RAMs, CDs, hard disks, etc.), including machine-readable instructions for controlling a machine to implement one or more steps of a method.

[0090] It is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed process is an example of a method that can be used in one or more disclosed embodiments. Based on design preferences, it is to be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the process can be rearranged while still being within the scope of the present disclosure. The attached method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0091] In various embodiments, one or more modules are used to perform steps corresponding to one or more methods, such as signal generation, transmission, processing, analysis and / or reception steps, to implement the devices and nodes described herein. Therefore, in some embodiments, modules are used to implement various features. Such modules can be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. In some embodiments, each module is implemented as a separate circuit, wherein the device or system includes a separate circuit for implementing the functions corresponding to each described module. Many of the above methods or method steps can be implemented using machine-readable media (such as memory devices, such as RAM, floppy disks, etc.) included in machine-executable instructions (such as software) to control a machine (e.g., a general-purpose computer with or without additional hardware) to implement all or part of the above methods, for example, in one or more nodes. Therefore, in addition, various embodiments relate to a machine-readable medium, such as a non-transient computer-readable medium, including machine-executable instructions for causing a machine (e.g., a processor and associated hardware) to perform one or more steps of the above (multiple) methods. Some embodiments relate to a device including a processor configured to implement one, more or all operations of the disclosed embodiments.

[0092] In some embodiments, one or more processors (e.g., CPUs) of one or more devices (e.g., communication devices such as routers, switches, network-attached servers, network management nodes, wireless terminals (UEs), and / or access nodes) are configured to perform the steps of the methods described as being performed by the device. The configuration of the processor can be achieved by using one or more modules (e.g., software modules) to control the processor configuration and / or by including hardware (e.g., hardware modules) in the processor to perform the enumerated steps and / or control the processor configuration. Therefore, some but not all embodiments relate to a communication device (e.g., user equipment) having a processor, which includes a module corresponding to each step of the various described methods performed by the device including the processor. In some but not all embodiments, the communication device includes a module corresponding to each step of the various described methods performed by the device including the processor. These modules can be implemented purely in hardware (e.g., as circuits), or can be implemented using software and / or hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0093] Some embodiments relate to a computer program product, which includes a computer-readable medium, which includes a code for causing one or more computers to implement various functions, steps, actions and / or operations (e.g., one or more steps described above). According to an embodiment, the computer program product can and sometimes does include different codes for each step to be performed. Therefore, the computer program product can and sometimes does include codes for each individual step of a method (e.g., a method of operating a communication device (e.g., a network management node, an AP, a base station, a wireless terminal, or a node)). The code can be in the form of machine (e.g., computer) executable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read-only memory), or other types of storage devices). In addition to relating to a computer program product, some embodiments also relate to a processor configured to implement one or more of the various functions, steps, actions, and / or operations of one or more of the above-mentioned methods. Therefore, some embodiments relate to a processor (e.g., a CPU) configured to implement some or all of the steps of the method described herein. The processor can be used in, for example, a communication device or other device described in this application.

[0094] Although described in the context of communication systems including wired, optical, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and BLE, at least some of the methods and apparatus of various embodiments may be applicable to various types of communication systems including IP-based and non-IP-based, OFDM and non-OFDM and / or non-cellular systems.

[0095] In view of the above description, many other variations of the methods and devices of the various embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations should be considered to be within the scope. The method and device can and in various embodiments are used with IP-based and non-IP-based, wired and wireless (such as CDMA, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, BLE, optical) communication technologies and / or various other types of communication technologies that can be used to provide a communication link between network-attached or associated devices or other devices (including receiver / transmitter circuits and logic and / or routines) to implement the method.

[0096] Example 1 is a method comprising: receiving signal strength measurements of signals generated by multiple wireless devices of a wireless network; receiving a notification of detection of a high priority receiver (HPR) from a wireless device among the multiple wireless devices, the notification indicating a channel on which the HPR was detected; determining a set of wireless devices based on the signal strength measurements and the notification; and transmitting an instruction to the set of wireless devices to avoid operation on a channel.

[0097] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include generating a network map based on the signal strength measurement results, wherein determining the set of wireless devices is based on the network map.

[0098] In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2 optionally includes: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: determining the attenuation between each wireless device in a plurality of wireless devices and the wireless device, and conditionally including each wireless device in the plurality of wireless devices in the wireless device set based on the corresponding attenuation.

[0099] In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3 may optionally include: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: all wireless devices included in the wireless network are included in the wireless device set.

[0100] In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4 optionally includes: wherein determining the set of wireless devices includes: estimating a geographic location of the HPR, identifying wireless devices within a predetermined proximity of the geographic location, and including the identified wireless devices in the set of wireless devices.

[0101] In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 can optionally include wherein estimating the geographic location of the high priority receiver is based on a plurality of signal strength measurements of signals generated by the HPR, the signal strength measurements being generated by a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices.

[0102] In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6 optionally includes: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: estimating the signal strength of the HPR at each wireless device in a plurality of wireless devices based on the signal strength measurement results, identifying a subset of the plurality of wireless devices having an estimated signal strength of the HPR that meets a criterion, and adding the identified subset of wireless devices to the wireless device set.

[0103] In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7 may optionally include: detecting initialization of an access point; and in response to the detecting, transmitting the blacklist information to the access point.

[0104] Example 9 is a method comprising: detecting, by an access point, operation of a high priority receiver on a first channel; transmitting, by the access point, a message indicating the detection to a network management system; adding, by the access point, the first channel to a blacklist indicating that the first channel was detected by the access point; and switching, by the access point, communications to a second channel based on the detection.

[0105] In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 9 optionally includes: communicating via a second channel; receiving, by the access point, a first message from a network management system indicating that communication on the second channel is to be avoided; and prohibiting the second channel from being added to a blacklist based on communication via the second channel.

[0106] In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 optionally includes: receiving, by the access point, a second message from a network management system indicating an additional channel on which communication is to be avoided; in response to the access point being operating on a different channel when the second message is received, adding the additional channel to a blacklist; indicating in the blacklist that the additional channel was not detected by the access point; and prohibiting operation on the additional channel based on the additional channel being on the blacklist.

[0107] In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 11 may optionally include: detecting a lack of available channels; and in response to the detection, attempting communication on a channel on the blacklist not detected by the access point before attempting communication on a second channel detected by the access point.

[0108] In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 9-12 may optionally include: determining that a predetermined elapsed time has passed since operation of the high priority receiver was detected; and in response to the determination, removing the first channel from the blacklist.

[0109] Example 14 is a system comprising: a hardware processing circuit device; one or more hardware memories storing instructions that, when executed, configure the hardware processing circuit device to perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving signal strength measurements of signals generated by multiple wireless devices of a wireless network; receiving a notification of detection of a high priority receiver (HPR) from a wireless device among the multiple wireless devices, the notification indicating a channel on which the HPR was detected; determining a set of wireless devices based on the signal strength measurements and the notification; and transmitting instructions to the set of wireless devices to avoid operating on the channel.

[0110] In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 optionally includes operations further comprising: generating a network map based on the signal strength measurement results, wherein determining the set of wireless devices is based on the network map.

[0111] In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 14-15 optionally includes: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: determining the attenuation between each wireless device in the multiple wireless devices and the wireless device, and based on the corresponding attenuation, conditionally including each wireless device in the multiple wireless devices in the wireless device set.

[0112] In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 14-16 may optionally include: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: including all wireless devices included in the wireless network in the wireless device set.

[0113] In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 14-17 optionally includes: wherein determining the set of wireless devices includes: estimating a geographic location of the HPR, identifying wireless devices within a predetermined proximity of the geographic location, and including the identified wireless devices in the set of wireless devices.

[0114] In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 5-18 may optionally include wherein estimating the geographic location of the high priority receiver is based on a plurality of signal strength measurements of a signal generated by the HPR, the signal strength measurements being generated by a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices.

[0115] In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 14-19 optionally includes: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: estimating the signal strength of the HPR at each wireless device in a plurality of wireless devices based on the signal strength measurement results, identifying a subset of the plurality of wireless devices having an estimated signal strength of the HPR that meets a criterion, and adding the identified subset of wireless devices to the wireless device set.

[0116] In Example 21, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 14-20 may optionally include operations further comprising: detecting initialization of an access point; and, in response to the detecting, transmitting the blacklist information to the access point.

[0117] Example 22 is a system comprising: a hardware processing circuit device; one or more hardware memories storing instructions that, when executed, configure the hardware processing circuit device to perform operations, the operations comprising: an access point detecting an operation of a high priority receiver on a first channel; the access point transmitting a message indicating the detection to a network management system; the access point adding the first channel to a blacklist, which indicates in the blacklist that the first channel is detected by the access point; and the access point switching communications to a second channel based on the detection.

[0118] In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 22 optionally includes operations further comprising: communicating via a second channel; receiving, by the access point, a first message from a network management system indicating that communication on the second channel is to be avoided; and prohibiting the second channel from being added to a blacklist based on communicating via the second channel.

[0119] In Example 24, the subject matter of Example 23 optionally includes operations, which further include: receiving a second message by the access point from the network management system, the second message indicating an additional channel on which communication is to be avoided; in response to the access point being operating on a different channel when the second message is received, adding the additional channel to a blacklist; indicating in the blacklist that the additional channel was not detected by the access point; and based on the additional channel being on the blacklist, prohibiting operation on the additional channel.

[0120] In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 24 optionally includes operations further comprising: detecting a lack of available channels; and in response to the detection, attempting communication on a channel on the blacklist not detected by the access point before attempting communication on a second channel detected by the access point.

[0121] In Example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 22-25 optionally includes an operation further comprising: determining that a predetermined elapsed time has passed since the operation of the high priority receiver was detected, and in response to the determination, removing the first channel from the blacklist.

[0122] Example 27 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, configure a hardware processing circuit device to perform operations comprising: receiving signal strength measurements of signals generated by multiple wireless devices of a wireless network; receiving a notification of detection of a high priority receiver (HPR) from a wireless device among the multiple wireless devices, the notification indicating a channel on which the HPR was detected; determining a set of wireless devices based on the signal strength measurements and the notification; and transmitting instructions to the set of wireless devices to avoid operating on the channel.

[0123] In Example 28, the subject matter of Example 27 optionally includes operations further comprising: generating a network map based on the signal strength measurement results, wherein determining the set of wireless devices is based on the network map.

[0124] In Example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-28 optionally includes: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: determining the attenuation between each wireless device in the multiple wireless devices and the wireless device, and based on the corresponding attenuation, conditionally including each wireless device in the multiple wireless devices in the wireless device set.

[0125] In Example 30, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-29 may optionally include: wherein determining the wireless device set includes: including all wireless devices included in the wireless network in the wireless device set.

[0126] In Example 31, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-30 optionally includes: wherein determining the set of wireless devices includes: estimating a geographic location of the HPR, identifying wireless devices within a predetermined proximity of the geographic location, and including the identified wireless devices in the set of wireless devices.

[0127] In Example 32, the subject matter of Example 31 may optionally include wherein estimating the geographic location of the high priority receiver is based on a plurality of signal strength measurements of a signal generated by the HPR, the signal strength measurements being generated by a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices.

[0128] In Example 33, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-32 optionally includes: wherein determining a wireless device set includes: estimating a signal strength of an HPR at each of a plurality of wireless devices based on a signal strength measurement result, identifying a subset of a plurality of wireless devices having an estimated signal strength of the HPR that meets a criterion, and adding the identified subset of wireless devices to the wireless device set.

[0129] In Example 34, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 27-33 may optionally include operations further comprising: detecting initialization of an access point; and in response to the detecting, transmitting the blacklist information to the access point.

[0130] Example 35 is a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, configure a hardware processing circuit device to perform operations comprising: an access point detecting operation of a high priority receiver on a first channel; the access point transmitting a message indicating the detection to a network management system; the access point adding the first channel to a blacklist, which indicates in the blacklist that the first channel is detected by the access point; and the access point switching communications to a second channel based on the detection.

[0131] In Example 36, the subject matter of Example 35 optionally includes operations further comprising: communicating via a second channel; receiving, by the access point, a first message from a network management system indicating that communication on the second channel is to be avoided; and prohibiting the second channel from being added to a blacklist based on communicating via the second channel.

[0132] In Example 37, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 35-36 optionally includes operations, which further include: receiving a second message by the access point from the network management system, the second message indicating an additional channel on which communication is to be avoided; in response to the access point being operating on a different channel when the second message is received, adding the additional channel to a blacklist; indicating in the blacklist that the additional channel has not been detected by the access point; and prohibiting operation on the additional channel based on the additional channel being on the blacklist.

[0133] In Example 38, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 35-37 optionally includes operations further comprising: detecting a lack of available channels; and in response to the detection, attempting communication on a channel on a blacklist not detected by the access point before attempting communication on a second channel detected by the access point.

[0134] In Example 39, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 35-38 optionally includes an operation further comprising: determining that a predetermined elapsed time has passed since the operation of the high priority receiver was detected, and in response to the determination, removing the first channel from the blacklist.

[0135] In example 40, an access point includes: a wireless interface; a hardware processing circuit device; one or more hardware memories storing instructions, the instructions, when executed, configuring the hardware processing circuit device to perform operations. The operations include: receiving a signal via the wireless interface; based on the received signal, detecting operation of a high priority receiver on a first channel; transmitting a message indicating the detection to a network management system; adding the first channel to a blacklist; indicating in the blacklist that the first channel is detected by the access point; and based on the detection, switching communications to a second channel.

[0136] In Example 41, the subject matter of Example 40 optionally includes additional operations, which include: communicating through a second channel; receiving a first message from a network management system via a wireless interface, the first message indicating that communication on the second channel is to be avoided; and based on communicating through the second channel, prohibiting the second channel from being added to a blacklist.

[0137] In Example 42, the subject matter of Examples 40-41 optionally includes additional operations, which include: receiving a second message from a network management system via a wireless interface, the second message indicating an additional channel on which communication is to be avoided; in response to the access point being operating on a different channel when the second message is received, adding the additional channel to a blacklist; indicating in the blacklist that the additional channel was not detected by the access point; and based on the additional channel being on the blacklist, prohibiting operation on the additional channel.

[0138] In Example 43, the subject matter of Examples 40-42 may optionally include: detecting a lack of available channels; and in response to the detection, attempting communication on a channel on the blacklist not detected by the access point before attempting communication on a second channel detected by the access point.

[0139] In Example 44, the subject matter of Examples 40-43 may optionally include: determining that a predetermined elapsed time has passed since operation of the high priority receiver was detected; and in response to the determination, removing the first channel from the blacklist.

Claims

1. A method comprising: determining, by a computing device, a physical location of a high priority receiver HPR, wherein the HPR is operating on a communication channel; determining, by the computing device, that one or more wireless devices are within a threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR; as well as A notification is provided, by the computing device, to the one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR, the notification including one or more instructions to inhibit operation on the communication channel.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR comprises: One or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR are determined based on a network map of the one or more wireless devices based on signal strength measurements of signals transmitted between the one or more wireless devices.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A blacklist is maintained by the computing device indicating the communication channels on which the HPR is operating.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein providing the notification including one or more instructions for inhibiting operations on the communication channel comprises: The blacklist is sent to each of the one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that the one or more wireless devices are within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR comprises: determining a signal strength measurement of a signal received by a wireless device of the one or more wireless devices from the HPR; as well as A determination is made as to whether the signal strength measurement of the signal satisfies a threshold.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification comprises a first notification, and the method further comprises: A second notification is provided, by the computing device, to the one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR, the second notification including one or more instructions for allowing operation on the communication channel based on a threshold time period.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the wireless devices comprise access points.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a frequency band of the communication channel, Wherein the one or more instructions for disabling operation on the communication channel include instructions for using a frequency band different from the frequency band of the communication channel.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the physical location of the HPR is performed in response to receiving, by the computing device, a notification from a wireless device among the one or more wireless devices indicating that the wireless device detected the HPR.

10. A computing device comprising: Memory; as well as One or more processors are coupled to the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: determining a physical location of a high priority receiver HPR, wherein the HPR is operating on a communication channel; determining that one or more wireless devices are within a threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR; as well as A notification is provided to the one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR, the notification including one or more instructions to prohibit operation on a communication channel.

11. A computing device according to claim 10, wherein in order to determine the one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR, the one or more processors are configured to: determine the one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR based on a network map of the one or more wireless devices and based on signal strength measurements of signals transmitted between the one or more wireless devices.

12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to indicate a blacklist of the communication channels on which the HPR is operating.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein to provide the notification comprising one or more instructions for prohibiting operation on the communication channel, the one or more processors are configured to send the blacklist to each of the one or more wireless devices identified in the plurality of wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR.

14. The computing device of claim 10, wherein to determine that the one or more wireless devices are within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR, the one or more processors are configured to: determining a signal strength measurement of a signal received by a wireless device of the one or more wireless devices from the HPR; and A determination is made as to whether the signal strength measurement of the signal satisfies a threshold.

15. The computing device according to claim 10, The notification includes a first notification, and Wherein the one or more processors are further configured to provide a second notification to the one or more wireless devices within the threshold proximity of the physical location of the HPR, the second notification comprising one or more instructions for allowing operation on the communication channel based on a threshold time period.

16. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the one or more of the wireless devices comprise an access point.

17. The computing device according to claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine a frequency band of the communication channel, and Wherein the one or more instructions for disabling operation on the communication channel include instructions for using a frequency band different from the frequency band of the communication channel.

18. The computing device of claim 10, wherein to determine the physical location of the HPR, the one or more processors are configured to determine the physical location of the HPR in response to receiving a notification from a wireless device among the one or more wireless devices indicating that the wireless device detected the HPR.

19. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions for causing one or more processors to configure one or more programmable processors to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9 or to be configured as a computing device of any one of claims 10-18.

20. A method comprising: receiving, by the computing device, a notification from a wireless device among a plurality of wireless devices of the wireless network indicating detection of a high priority receiver HPR and a channel on which the HPR was detected; identifying, by the computing device, one or more other wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices that are within a threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR based on one or more received signal strength measurements of signals transmitted between the one or more other wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices and the wireless device that detected the HPR; as well as One or more instructions are provided, by the computing device, to the one or more other wireless devices within the threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR, for causing the one or more other wireless devices to refrain from operating on the channel where the HPR was detected.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: A network map for the plurality of wireless devices is generated by the computing device based on received signal strength measurements of signals transmitted between the plurality of wireless devices.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: A blacklist is maintained by the computing device indicating one or more channels on which operation of one or more HPRs is detected.

23. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: A blacklist is updated, by the computing device, for each of the one or more other wireless devices in the plurality of wireless devices to include the channel on which the HPR was detected.

24. The method according to claim 23, further comprising: The blacklist is sent, by the computing device, to each of the one or more other wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices that are within the threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising: receiving, by the computing device, a notification from the wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices that detected the HPR that the HPR is no longer detected on the channel; as well as A notification including permission to operate on the channel is provided, by a computing device, to the one or more other wireless devices within a threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein one or more of the plurality of wireless devices are access points.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising: The geographic location of the HPR is estimated by the computing device by triangulating HPR-generated signals received by one or more wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices, wherein the one or more wireless devices are within a threshold distance of the geographic location of the HPR.

28. A system comprising: a plurality of wireless devices configured to provide a wireless network; as well as Computing equipment, including: Memory; and One or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to: receiving, from a wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices, a notification indicating detection of a high priority receiver HPR and a channel on which the HPR was detected; identifying one or more other wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices that are within a threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR based on one or more received signal strength measurements of signals transmitted between the one or more other wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices and the wireless device that detected the HPR; and One or more instructions are provided to one or more other wireless devices within the threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR to cause the one or more other wireless devices to refrain from operating on the channel where the HPR was detected.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: A network map is generated for the plurality of wireless devices based on received signal strength measurements of signals transmitted between the plurality of wireless devices.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: A blacklist is maintained indicating one or more channels on which operation of one or more HPRs is detected.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: For each of the one or more other wireless devices in the plurality of wireless devices, a blacklist is updated to include the channel on which the HPR was detected.

32. The system of claim 31 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: The blacklist is transmitted to each of the one or more other wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices that are within the threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receiving a notification from the wireless device of the plurality of wireless devices that detected the HPR that the HPR is no longer detected on a channel; and A notification including permission to operate on the channel is provided to one or more other wireless devices within a threshold distance to the wireless device that detected the HPR.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein one or more of the plurality of wireless devices are access points.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: estimating a geographic location of the HPR by triangulating signals generated by the HPR received by one or more wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices, Wherein the one or more wireless devices are located within a threshold distance of the geographic location of the HPR.

36. A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions for causing one or more processors to cause the one or more programmable processors to be configured to perform the method of any one of claims 20-27 or to be configured as the system of any one of claims 28-35.

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