AFC OPTIMIZATION FOR WLAN APPLICATIONS
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024115293
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-01-29
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-31
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
BackgroundA computer network (sometimes referred to as a "network") may include a plurality of network devices (e.g., access points, controllers, gateways, switches, etc.) that perform various network operations. For example, a wireless local area network (WLAN) may include a plurality of access points (APs) that perform network operations, such as providing network access, performing authentication, forwarding network traffic to establish connectivity, etc. Client devices (e.g., laptops, PCs, smart phones, etc.) connect to network devices to exchange data with a network. Network devices and client devices may be examples of wireless communication devices that exchange wireless communication signals over a network.The IEEE 802.11 standards provide several different radio frequency (RF) ranges (sometimes referred to herein as frequency bands) for use in WLAN communication. Examples of frequency bands are the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the 5 GHz frequency band, and the recently opened 6 GHz frequency band. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policies to wireless communication protocols for the 6 GHz frequency band may be referred to herein as the 6 GHz standard.Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) is a system for coordinating frequency usage that consists of a registered database of frequency bands used by different types of radio services in a geographic region. The FCC has approved certain companies - referred to herein as AFC provider - to offer AFC services to APs and other wireless communication devices wishing to use the 6 GHz frequency band.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe present disclosure will be described in detail in accordance with one or more different examples with reference to the following figures. The figures are for illustrative purposes only and are illustrative only. FIG. 1 shows an example of a network device in which various examples of the technology presented herein may be implemented. FIGS. 2A-2B show an example method for sharing an AFC response received from a first AP in a WLAN deployment with other APs in the WLAN deployment, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 3 illustrates an example AP sharing a received AFC response with other APs in a WLAN deployment, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 4 illustrates an example AP that uses a received collaborative AFC response packet to enable 6 GHz communication, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 5 illustrates an example central unit sharing an AFC response received from a first AP in a WLAN deployment with other APs in the WLAN deployment, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a geographic safety zone according to various examples of the presently disclosed technology FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example computer system in which various of the examples described herein may be implemented.The figures are not exhaustive and do not limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed.Detailed DescriptionBefore transmitting over the 6 GHz frequency band in a "standard power" mode (sometimes referred to as "outdoor power" mode), the 6 GHz standard indicates that an AP should (1) transmit an AFC query to an allowed AFC provider; and (2) receive a response to the AFC query from the AFC provider. The AFC request should contain the GPS coordinates of the requesting AP. The AFC provider's response (referred to herein as the AFC response) should indicate (a) channels over which the requesting AP is allowed to transmit in the standard power mode 6 GHz communication, and (b) a maximum allowed power level that the requesting AP is allowed to use in transmitting 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode. The AFC provider may determine the allowed channels and maximum allowed power level by consulting a universal license system (ULS) for the established operators' geographical locations that are priority over the 6 GHz frequency band. Based on the geographic locations of these established operators, the AFC provider may configure the AFC response to indicate protected geographic regions where the requesting AP may not send a 6 GHz communication in the default performance mode.It may often take several minutes for an AP to have collected its GPS coordinates for an AFC request, sent the AFC request to an AFC provider, and received an AFC response from the requested AFC provider. This time delay may become acute particularly in large WLAN implementations in companies with many requesting APs. As mentioned above, an AP according to the 6 GHz standard is generally not allowed to broadcast 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode until the AP receives an AFC response in which the allowed channels and the maximum allowed power are indicated. Accordingly, many APs have substantial delays before they can broadcast 6 GHz communication in standard power mode. If an AP is unable to obtain accurate GPS coordinates (e.g., because it is in a building or its line of sight to a satellite is otherwise obstructed), the AP may not send a valid AFC request and thus not broadcast 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode because it is unable to complete the conventional process prescribed by the 6 GHz standard.In light of this, examples of the presently disclosed technology provide methodology that enables APs to transmit 6 GHz communication faster in standard power mode while waiting for an AFC response from an AFC provider. Examples may also allow an AP that is unable to send an AFC request to an AFC provider (e.g., because the AP cannot obtain its own GPS coordinates), to send 6 GHz communication in standard power mode.To realize these advantages, examples provide a methodology for sharing an AFC response received from a first AP in a WLAN device with other APs in the WLAN device. The other APs in the WLAN installation may then use the common AFC response to enable the 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode while waiting for their own AFC responses from the AFC provider.For example, a first AP in a WLAN deployment may receive an AFC response from an AFC provider. The AFC response may indicate one or more allowed channels and a maximum allowed power level for transmission of 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode. The first AP may then send a "collaborative AFC response packet" to neighboring APs in WLAN deployment indicating the one or more allowed channels and the maximum allowed power level for transmission of 6 GHz communication in the default power mode.While waiting for their own AFC responses, the neighboring APs may use the common AFC response packet to enable 6 GHz communication in the interim in the standard power mode.In certain implementations, the AFC response received from the first AP may further indicate information about protected geographic regions where transmission of 6 GHz communication is not permitted in the standard power mode. In these implementations, the first AP may determine a geographic safety zone in which transmission of 6 GHz communication is permitted in the standard power mode (e.g., a 2D radius around the first AP). Information about the determined geographic region of the secure zone may be included in the collaborative AFC response packet sent to neighboring APs. From this information, the neighboring APs can determine whether they are within the specified geographical safety zone and enable the 6 GHz communication in the default power mode only if they are within the specified geographical safety zone. For example, a neighbor AP receiving the collaborative AFC response packet may determine whether the distance between the first AP and the neighbor AP is less than the radius of the secure zone around the first AP indicated in the collaborative AFC response packet. If the distance between the first AP and the neighbor AP is less than the radius of the secure zone, the neighbor AP may enable the 6 GHz communication while waiting for its own AFC response from the AFC provider.In certain implementations, instead of (or in addition to) sending the collaborative AFC response packet to neighboring APs, the first AP may send the collaborative AFC response packet to a central entity that manages APs in WLAN deployment (e.g., a controller or cloud-based manager). The central unit may then forward the collaborative AFC response packet to the other APs in the WLAN device.As indicated, examples of the presently disclosed technology provide many advantages. For example, examples allow APs to transmit 6 GHz communication faster in standard power mode while waiting for an AFC response from an AFC provider. Examples may also allow an AP that is unable to send an AFC request to an AFC provider (e.g., because the AP cannot obtain its own GPS coordinates), to send 6 GHz communication in standard power mode. By enabling APs to transmit 6-GHz communication more quickly in the standard power mode (and in some cases, APs that would otherwise not be able to transmit 6-GHz communication), examples may improve the performance of APs and increase efficiency in the technical field of wireless communication (e.g., reduce data latencies, improve data transmission times, improve and extend wireless communication channel usage, etc.).Before describing examples of the presently disclosed technology in detail, it is useful to describe an example of a network installation in which examples could be implemented. FIG. 1 shows an example of a network configuration 100 that may be implemented for an organization such as a business, an educational agency, a government agency, a healthcare agency, or another organization. This diagram illustrates an example configuration implemented in a multi-user (or at least multiple client devices 110) organization and possibly multiple physical or geographic locations 102, 132, 142. The network configuration 100 may include a main site 102 that communicates with a network 120. The network configuration 100 may also include one or more remote sites 132, 142 that are in communication with the network 120.The primary site 102 may include a primary network (e.g., a WLAN insert), which may be, for example, an office network, a home network, or other network installation. The primary network of the site 102 may be a private network, e.g., a network that may include security and access controls to restrict access to authorized users of the private network. Authorized users may include, for example, business employees at the head site 102, home occupants, business customers, etc.In the example shown, the primary site 102 includes a controller 104 that communicates with the network 120. The controller 104 may provide communication with the network 120 for the primary site 102, although it may not be the only point of communication with the network 120 for the primary site 102. A single controller 104 is shown, although the primary site 102 may include multiple controllers and / or multiple communication points with the network 120. In some examples, controller 104 communicates with network 120 via a router (not shown). In other examples, the controller 104 provides router functions to the devices at the master site 102.The controller 104 may configure and manage network devices, for example, at the master site 102, and may also manage network devices at the remote sites 132, 142. The controller 104 may be operable to configure and / or manage switches, routers, access points, and / or client devices connected to a network. The controller 104 may itself be or provide the functionality of an access point.The controller 104 may communicate with one or more switches 108 and / or wireless access points (APs) 106 a- c. Switches 108 and wireless APs 106 a- cprovide network connectivity for various client devices 110 a- j. Via a connection to a switch 108 or AP 106 a-c, a client device 110 a-j can access network resources, including other devices on the (primary site 102) network and the network 120.Examples of client devices may include desktop computers, laptop computers, servers, web servers, authentication servers, authentication authorization accounting (AAA) servers, domain name system (DNS) servers, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, internet protocol (IP) servers, virtual private network (VPN) servers, network policy servers, mainframe computers, tablet computers, e-readers, netbook computers, televisions, and similar screens (e.g., smart TVs), content receivers, set-top boxes, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Mobile Phones, Smart Phones, Smart Terminals, Silent Terminals, Virtual Terminals, Video Game Consoles, Virtual Assistants, Internet of Things (IOT) devices, and the like. Client devices may also be referred to as stations (STA).Included within the primary site 102 is a switch 108 as an example of an access point to the wired client device network 110 i-j established at the primary site 102. Client devices 110 i-j may connect to the switch 108 and access other devices within the network configuration 100 via the switch 108. The client devices 110 i- jmay also access the network 120 via the switch 108. The client devices 110 i- jmay communicate with the switch 108 via a wired connection 112. In the illustrated example, the switch 108 communicates with the controller 104 via a wired connection 112, although this connection may also be wireless.The wireless APs 106 a- care included as another example of an access point to the network for client devices 110 a- harranged at the primary site 102. The APs 106 a- cmay control network access of the client devices 110 a- hand authenticate the client devices 110 a- hfor connection to the APs and via the APs to other devices within the network configuration 100. Each of the APs 106 a- cmay be a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware configured to provide wireless network connectivity to wireless client devices 110 a- h. In the illustrated example, the APs 106 a- cmay be managed and configured by the controller 104. The APs 106 a- ccommunicate with the controller 104 and the network via connections 112, which may be either wired or wireless interfaces.The network configuration 100 may include one or more remote sites 132. A remote location 132 may be located at a different physical or geographic location than the primary location 102. In some cases, the remote location 132 may be located at the same geographic location or possibly in the same building as the primary location 102, but does not have a direct connection to the network within the primary location 102. Instead, remote site 132 may utilize a connection over another network, e.g., network 120. A remote location 132 as shown in FIG. 1 may be, for example, a satellite office, other floor or suite in a building, etc. Remote site 132 may include a gateway device 134 for communication with network 120. A gateway device 134 may be a router, a digital-to-analog modem, a cable modem, a DSL modem, or other network device configured for communication with the network 120. Remote site 132 may also include a switch 138 and / or an AP 136 that communicates with gateway device 134 via either wired or wireless connections. The switch 138 and the AP 136 connect to the network for different client devices 140 a- d.In various examples, the remote site 132 may be in direct communication with the primary site 102 such that the client devices 140 a- don the remote site 132 access the network resources at the primary site 102 as though these client devices 140 a- dare at the primary site 102. In such examples, the remote site 132 is managed by the controller 104 at the primary site 102, and the controller 104 provides the necessary connectivity, security, and accessibility to enable communication of the remote site 132 with the primary site 102. Once connected to the headend 102, the remote site 132 may function as part of a private network provided by the headend 102.In various examples, the network configuration 100 may include one or more smaller remote locations 142 that include only one gateway device 144 for communicating with the network 120 and a wireless AP 146 through which different client devices 150 a- b access the network 120. Such a remote location 142 may be, for example, a single employee's home or a temporary remote office. Remote site 142 may also communicate with master site 102 such that client devices 150 a- bat remote site 142 access the network resources at master site 102 as though these client devices 150 a- bwere located at master site 102. Remote site 142 may be managed by controller 104 at primary site 102 to enable this transparency. After connection to the master site 102, the remote site 142 may function as part of a private network provided by the master site 102.The network 120 may be a public or private network, such as the Internet or other communication network, to provide connectivity between the various sites 102, 130-142, as well as access to the servers 160a-b. The network 120 may include third party telecommunications lines such as telephone lines, broadcast coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, satellite communications, cellular communications, and the like. The network 120 may include any number of intermediary network devices, such as switches, routers, gateways, servers, and / or controllers, that are not directly part of the network configuration 100, but facilitate communication between the various parts of the network configuration 100 and between the network configuration 100 and other entities connected to the network. The network 120 may include various content servers 160 a- b. The content servers 160 a- bmay include various providers of downloadable multimedia and / or streaming content, including audio, video, graphics and / or text content, or any combination thereof. Examples of content servers 160 abinclude web servers, streaming radio and video providers, and cable and satellite television providers. The client devices 110 a- j, 140 a- d, 150 a- bmay request and access the multimedia contents provided by the content servers 160 a- b.FIGS. 2A-2B show an example method for sharing an AFC response received from a first AP in a WLAN deployment with other APs in the WLAN deployment, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology. While certain blocks of the example method are shown in both FIGS. 2A-2B (i.e., blocks 203 and 204), other blocks are only shown once for brevity.The method may be performed by an AP 201 within a WLAN device 200. In general, the method of one or more processing resources or computing devices may be implemented by any suitable hardware, non-transitory machine-readable medium, or combination thereof. In one example, the method may be performed by computer readable instructions comprising instructions stored on a medium and executable by a processing resource, such as a hardware processor of a computing device / component. It can be appreciated that the processes involved in the method can be executed based on instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium may include, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media such as magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard disks, or optically readable digital data storage media.As shown, in block 202, AP 201 may attempt to locate itself using GPS coordinates. As already indicated, AP 201 may need to locate its GPS coordinates itself to provide its GPS coordinates to an AFC provider in an AFC request. If AP 201 is unable to self-locate (or otherwise obtain its GPS coordinates) using GPS coordinates, AP 201 may not be able to send a valid AFC request - and thus also unable to perform the conventional 6-GHz communication enable method in the standard power mode as specified by the 6-GHz standard. There may be several reasons for AP 201 not being able to locate itself using GPS coordinates. For example, AP 201 may be located in a building that is remote from a window or its line of sight to a satellite may be otherwise obstructed (e.g., AP 201 may be located in a city environment surrounded by tall buildings).As indicated above, AP 201 would conventionally not be able to transmit 6-GHz communications in standard power mode if it is unable to locate itself using GPS coordinates - and thus unable to transmit an AFC query. However, examples of the presently disclosed technology may enable AP 201 to transmit 6-GHz communication in the standard power mode even when AP 201 is unable to transmit an AFC query. The examples realize this improvement by providing methodology for sharing an AFC response received from a first AP in WLAN deployment 200 with other APs (e.g., AP 201) in WLAN deployment 200. The other APs (e.g., AP 201) may then use the shared AFC response to enable the 6 GHz communication in the default power mode when they are unable to complete the conventional 6-GHz communication enable process prescribed by the 6 GHz standard. However, even though the other APs are able to send valid AFC requests to the AFC provider, they may use the shared AFC response to enable the 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode while waiting for their own AFC responses from the AFC provider (such a method will be described in more detail below).If, at block 203, AP 201 is able to locate itself with GPS coordinates, at block 204, AP 201 may send an AFC request to an AFC provider (this method will be described in more detail below).However, if AP 201 is unable to locate itself with GPS coordinates, at block 204, AP 201 may scan lower frequency bands (e.g., the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band) for a collaborative AFC response packet sent from another AP in WLAN device 200 and / or a central entity that manages APs in WLAN device 200.In some implementations, the AP 201 may scan the lower frequency bands for a collaborative AFC response packet without sharing chains / antennas. For example, AP 201 may be an AP with dedicated radio capabilities. Accordingly, AP 201 may employ a dedicated radio to repeatedly (and in some cases continuously) scan the lower frequency bands for a collaborative AFC response packet when AP 201 does not have a current AFC response from an AFC provider. In further examples (e.g., when AP 201 is unable to split chains and / or assign a radio to scan the lower frequency bands after an AFC collaborative response packet), AP 201 may scan the lower frequency bands only at repeated but discrete intervals after an AFC collaborative response packet. Accordingly, AP 201 may better balance the use of resources for network functions. It will be appreciated that in other implementations, AP 201 may search the lower frequency bands for a collaborative AFC response packet using other techniques.As used herein, to revert back to the collaborative AFC response packet, a "collaborative AFC response packet" may refer to wireless communication sent from a non-AFC provider (e.g., an AP or a central entity that manages APs) and including information related to an AFC response sent from an AFC provider. In various implementations, the collaborative AFC response packet may include an Internet Protocol (IP) packet encapsulating such information.As indicated above, an AFC response may refer to wireless communication sent from an AFC provider (i.e., a permitted enterprise offering AFC services, or more specifically, a computerized system of the permitted enterprise offering AFC services) to an AP that sent an AFC request to the AFC provider. The AFC response typically indicates: (a) channels over which the requesting AP is allowed to transmit 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode, and (b) a maximum allowed power level that the requesting AP is allowed to use when transmitting 6 GHz communication in the standard power mode. The AFC provider may determine the allowed channels and maximum allowed power level by consulting a Universal Slicing System (ULS) for the established operators' geographical locations that are priority in the 6 GHz frequency band.The 6 GHz standard also allows an AFC provider to include other information in an AFC response. For example, an AFC provider could configure the AFC response to include information about protected geographic regions in which the requesting AP may not transmit a 6 GHz communication in the default performance mode. Examples of protected geographical regions are shown in Fig. 6. FIG. 6 shows protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b). The AFC provider may determine the protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b) based on the geographic location of the established operators 602 and 604, respectively. As already mentioned, the established operators 602 and 604 can be broadcast stations which take priority in the 6 GHz frequency band.The information about the protected geographical areas indicated / recorded in the AFC response may take various forms. As an illustrative example, such information could include a 2D contour map that defines the protected geographic areas based on GPS coordinates.As described above, a collaborative AFC response packet may indicate one or more allowed channels (as indicated in an AFC response received by an AP receiving the AFC response in the WLAN deployment 200) and a maximum allowed power level (as indicated in the AFC response received by the AP receiving the AFC response in the WLAN deployment 200) for transmission of wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band in the standard power mode. As indicated above, in certain implementations, the collaborative AFC response packet may also indicate information about protected geographic regions (as indicated in the AFC response received by the AP receiving the AFC response in the WLAN device 200) in which transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is not permitted in the default power mode.To provide more useful / valuable information to other APs in the WLAN deployment 200, the AP receiving the AFC response may determine / calculate a geographical security zone in which transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the default power mode. FIG. 6 shows an example of a geographic safety zone 604. As shown in FIG. 6, an example AP 606 (which may be an AP in the WLAN deployment 200) may determine / calculate the secure zone geographic region 604 based on the protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b) (or more specifically, the information regarding the protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b) received in an AFC response received from AP 606). AP 606 may define the geographic region 604 of the guard zone in various forms. As an illustrative example, AP 606 may define the geographic region 604 of the guard zone with a 2D radius around AP 606. As another illustrative example, AP 606 may define the geographic region 604 of the security zone as a 2-D contour map with GPS coordinates.In some scenarios, AP 201 may receive multiple collaborative AFC response packets (e.g., sent from multiple other APs in WLAN deployment 200) while searching the lower frequency bands for a collaborative AFC response packet. To address this scenario, examples may use different protocols for AP 201 to determine which collaborative AFC response packet is to be used / used. As an illustrative example, a first protocol may specify that AP 201 use a collaborative AFC response packet indicating the largest geographic safety zone or a geographic safety zone that allows AP 201 to transmit 6 GHz communication over the largest geographic region in the default power mode. A second example protocol may track a more conservative approach and specify that AP 201 uses a collaborative AFC response packet indicating the smallest geographic region of the secure zone or a geographic region of the secure zone that allows AP 201 to transmit 6 GHz communication over the smallest geographic region in the default power mode. A third example protocol may specify that AP 201 uses / utilizes the most recent collaborative AFC response packet it receives, etc.If AP 201 does not receive a collaborative AFC packet at block 205, AP 201 may return to block 202 and repeat the method described above (see FIGS. 2A-2B ).However, if AP 201 receives a collaborative AFC response packet (i.e., in response to scanning block 204), AP 201 may next determine whether it is within a geographic safety zone indicated in the collaborative AFC response packet, at block 207. AP 201 may make this determination in various ways. For example, if the collaborative AFC response packet defines the geographic region of the secure zone as a 2D radius around AP 606 of FIG. 6, AP 201 may determine whether a distance between AP 201 and AP 606 is less than the 2D radius. AP 201 may determine the distance between AP 201 and AP 606 in various ways, such as through loss of scattering / RSSI measurements, ranging data, the known topology of WLAN insert 200, and / or other ranging methods (e.g., Bluetooth ranging method, angle of arrival / departure method, etc.).If AP 201 is not within the geographic safety zone indicated in the collaborative AFC response package, AP 201 may return to block 202 and repeat the methodology described above.However, if AP 201 is within the geographic safety zone indicated in the collaborative AFC response packet, in block 208, AP 201 may enable the 6 GHz communication and transmit the 6 GHz communication in the default power mode. Here, AP 201 may still return to block 202 and repeat the methodology described above. This may be the case to comply with the 6 GHz standard, which states that AP 201 should receive its own AFC response directly from an AFC provider, or at least attempt to receive it. Such an AFC response, when received, may override the common AFC response packet.If, at block 203, AP 201 is able to locate itself with GPS coordinates, at block 210, AP 201 may send an AFC request to an AFC provider (see the methodology branch shown in FIG. 2B ).The AFC query may include the GPS coordinates of the AP 201. In certain implementations, the AFC query may also include the FCCID of AP 201, the serial number of AP 201, and various other proprietary elements (VSEs) specified by an AFC provider. Such VSEs may include, as illustrative examples, statistics about how often AP 201 sent AFC queries, whether AP 201 reached a negotiated threshold for AFC queries, etc.Next, if AP 201 does not receive an AFC response from the AFC provider in block 211, AP 201 may determine whether it has an old AFC response from the AFC provider in block 213. In general, the 802.11 standard allows an AP to use an AFC response from an AFC provider for 24 hours. However, after these 24 hours have elapsed, the AP should send (or attempt to send) an AFC request to the AFC provider to obtain a new AFC response.Accordingly, in certain implementations, if there is an old AFC response (i.e., an AFC response received more than 24 hours before), AP 201 may perform operation 216 to enable the 6 GHz communication based on the old AFC response while waiting for a new (i.e., fresh) AFC response. Accordingly, in these implementations, after enabling the 6 GHz communication, AP 201 may return to block 210 and repeat the methodology described above. However, in other implementations, if AP 201 has an old AFC response (i.e., an AFC response received more than 24 hours before), AP 201 may return to block 210 and repeat the method described above without activating the 6 GHz communication.As shown, if AP 201 does not have an old AFC response, it may (1) return to block 210 and / or (2) search lower frequencies for a common AFC response packet in block 204: (1) return to block 210; and / or (2) scan lower frequencies for a cooperative AFC response packet in block 204.If AP 201 receives an AFC response from the AFC provider, AP 201 may enable the 6 GHz communication and broadcast the 6 GHz communication as needed in block 212 (see block 211).In this regard, in block 214, the AP 201 may send a collaborative AFC response packet to the neighbors in the WLAN deployment 200. As described above, the collaborative AFC response packet may indicate one or more allowed channels (as indicated in the AFC response received from AP 201) and a maximum allowed power level (as indicated in the AFC response received from AP 201) for transmission of wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band in the standard power mode. In certain implementations, the collaborative AFC response packet may also include information about protected geographic regions (as indicated in the AFC response received from AP 201) in which transmission of wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is not permitted in the default power mode.To provide more useful / valuable information to other APs in WLAN deployment 200, AP 201 may determine / calculate a geographical security zone in which transmission of wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the default power mode. AP 201 may define the geographic region of the secure zone in various forms. As an illustrative example, AP 201 may define the geographic region of the secure zone with a 2D radius around AP 201. As another illustrative example, AP 201 may define the geographic region of the security zone as a 2-D contour map with GPS coordinates.As already indicated, AP 201 may transmit the collaborative AFC response packet on a frequency band lower than 6 GHz (e.g., the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency band). Accordingly, APs that have not yet enabled 6 GHz communication may receive the collaborative AFC response packet when scanning channels of these lower frequency bands.In certain implementations, the neighbors to which AP 201 sends the collaborative AFC response packet may include one or more other APs in WLAN deployment 200. In other implementations, the neighbors to which AP 201 sends the collaborative AFC response packet may include a central entity (e.g., a controller such as controller 104 in FIG. 1, a cloud-based central management entity, etc.) that manages APs in WLAN device 200. Accordingly, this central unit may share the collaborative AFC response packet with the other APs in the WLAN deployment 200. In still other implementations, the neighbors to which AP 201 sends the collaborative AFC response packet may include a combination of one or more other APs in WLAN provisioning 200 and the central entity.AP 201 may use various techniques to determine / identify the neighbors to which it sends the collaborative AFC response packet.For example, in certain implementations, APs in the WLAN device 200 (including AP 201) may use the lower frequency bands (either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz or both) to trigger background sampling on each radio or a dedicated radio without beaconing (i.e., a radio that does not have active virtual APs that transmit beacons and serve clients). On scanned channels, the APs may send management frames indicating that they are part of the WLAN device 200. Such management frames may include a beacon having a field (or fields) that enables the respective AP to indicate that it is part of the WLAN device 200. Such fields may also allow the respective AP to indicate other identification and / or location information. Accordingly, an independent process on each AP may determine / generate a list of neighbor APs based on the received management frames. In some implementations described above, the APs may also send management frames to share their list of neighbor APs with other APs in the WLAN deployment 200. Within the WLAN installation 200, this sharing of the neighbor AP list may save further processing resources, processing time, power consumption, etc.In some implementations, the list of neighbor APs may be sent from a central instance (e.g., a controller such as controller 104 in FIG. 1, a cloud-based central management instance, etc.) that manages APs in WLAN device 200 to APs in WLAN device 200.FIG. 3 illustrates an example AP 300 sharing a received AFC response with other APs in a WLAN deployment, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology.Referring to FIG. 3, AP 300 may include a computing component 310 as shown. Computing component 310 may be, for example, a server computer, a controller, or other similar computing component capable of processing data. In the example implementation of FIG. 3, computing component 310 includes a hardware processor 312 and a machine readable storage medium 314.The hardware processor 312 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs), semiconductor-based microprocessors, and / or other hardware devices suitable for fetching and executing instructions stored in a machine-readable storage medium 314. Hardware processor 312 may fetch, decode, and execute instructions, such as instructions 316- 322, to control burst pre-loading processes or operations for estimation of available bandwidth. Alternatively or in addition to fetching and executing instructions, the hardware processor 312 may include one or more electronic circuits including electronic components for executing the functionality of one or more instructions, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or other electronic circuits.A machine-readable storage medium, such as machine-readable storage medium 314, may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that includes or stores executable instructions. The machine readable storage medium 314 may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), memory device, optical disk, or the like. In some examples, the machine readable storage medium 314 may be a non-transitory storage medium, where the term "non-transitory" does not include transitory propagation indicators. As described in detail below, machine-readable storage medium 314 may be encoded with executable instructions, for example, instructions 316- 322. Although the instructions shown in FIG. 3 are depicted in a particular order, the order shown is not the only order in which the instructions may be executed. Each command may be executed in any order and at any time, may be repeatedly executed, and / or may be executed by one or more suitable devices.As shown, hardware processor 312 executes instruction 316 to cause AP 300 to send an AFC query to an AFC provider indicating the GPS coordinates of AP 300. As indicated above, the AFC query may include additional information such as the FCCID of AP 300, the serial number of AP 300, and various other VSEs specified by the AFC provider. Such VSEs may include, as illustrative examples, statistics about how often AP 300 sent AFC queries, whether AP 300 reached a negotiated AFC query threshold, etc.The hardware processor 312 executes the command 318 to cause the AP 300 to receive from the AFC provider an AFC response indicating: (a) one or more allowed channels and a maximum allowed power level for transmission of wireless communication over a 6 GHz frequency band in a standard power mode; and (b) information regarding protected geographic regions where transmission of wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is not allowed in the standard power mode.Based on the protected geographic region information, the hardware processor 312 executes the instruction 320 to cause the AP 300 to determine a geographic safety zone in which transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the standard power mode. In certain implementations, AP 300 may define the determined geographic safety zone as a 2D radius around AP 300.The hardware processor 312 executes the instruction 322 to cause the AP 300 to send a collaborative AFC response packet to at least a second AP and a central instance that manages APs in a WLAN deployment that includes the AP 300. The collaborative AFC response packet may indicate: (a) the one or more allowed channels and the maximum allowed power level for transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band in the default power mode; and (b) information regarding the particular geographic region of the secure zone. As indicated above, the information relating to the determined geographic safety zone may be defined as a 2-D radius around the AP 300.In various implementations, the collaborative AFC response packet may be transmitted over a lower frequency band than the 6 GHz frequency band. In this way, adjacent APs that have not yet enabled 6 GHz communication can receive the collaborative AFC response packet when scanning the lower frequency band.In certain implementations, prior to receiving the AFC response from the AFC provider, the hardware processor 312 may execute an instruction to cause AP 300 to scan a lower frequency band than the 6 GHz frequency band for a collaborative AFC response packet sent from at least one other AP and the central entity that manages APs in the WLAN device to which AP 300 belongs. AP 300 may then use this collaborative AFC response packet while AP 300 waits for its own AFC response from the AFC provider.In some implementations, in response to receiving the AFC response from the AFC provider, the hardware processor 312 may execute a command to cause the AP 300 to enable the 6 GHz wireless communication and / or disable a previously received AFC response from the AFC provider or a previously received collaborative AFC response packet.FIG. 4 illustrates an example AP 400 that uses a received collaborative AFC response packet to enable 6 GHz communication, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology.As shown, AP 400 includes a computing component 410. Except for instructions 416- 422, computing component 410 may be the same / similar to computing component 310 of AP 300. Accordingly, common elements of the computer component 410 will not be described again in the interest of brevity.In response to a failed attempt by AP 400 to locate itself with GPS coordinates, hardware processor 412 executes instruction 416 to cause AP 400 to scan a lower frequency band than the 6 GHz frequency band after a collaborative AFC response packet from at least a second AP and a central entity that manages APs in a WLAN deployment that includes AP 400.In response to the scanning, the hardware processor 412 executes the command 418 to cause the AP 400 to receive the collaborative AFC response packet. The collaborative AFC response packet may indicate: (a) one or more allowed channels and a maximum allowed power level for transmitting wireless communication over a 6 GHz frequency band in a standard power mode; and (b) information regarding a geographic safety zone in which transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band in the standard power mode is allowed. As indicated above, the information regarding the geographic safety zone may include a 2D radius around the second AP.The hardware processor 412 executes the instruction 420 to cause the AP 400 to determine that the AP 400 is within the geographic region of the secure zone. In implementations where the received information regarding the secure zone geographic region includes the 2-D radius around the second AP, determining that AP 400 is within the secure zone geographic region may include determining that the distance between AP 400 and the second AP is less than the 2-D radius around the second AP.In response to determining that the AP 400 is within the geographical safety zone, the hardware processor 412 executes the instruction 420 to cause the AP 400 to enable the 6 GHz communication and transmit 6 GHz in the default power mode as needed. The hardware processor 412 may execute another command to cause the AP 400 to override a previously received AFC response from an AFC provider or a previously received collaborative AFC response packet.In certain implementations, scanning the lower frequency band for the collaborative AFC response packet may be responsive to determining that AP 400 does not have an old AFC response from the AFC provider. Here, determining whether AP 400 has an old AFC response from the AFC provider may be responsive to waiting for a new AFC response from the AFC provider.FIG. 5 illustrates an example central unit 500 sharing an AFC response received from a first AP in a WLAN deployment with other APs in the WLAN deployment, in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology. In certain implementations, central unit 500 may consist of a controller, such as controller 104 shown in FIG. 1. In other implementations, the central unit 500 may include a cloud-based management unit.As shown, central unit 500 includes a computing component 510. Except for instructions 516- 520, computing component 510 may be the same / similar as computing component 310 of AP 300. Accordingly, common elements of the computer component 510 will not be described again in the interest of brevity.The hardware processor 512 may execute the command 516 to cause the central unit 500 to receive a collaborative AFC response packet from a first AP in a WLAN deployment. The collaborative AFC response packet may indicate: (a) one or more allowed channels and a maximum allowed power level for transmission of wireless communication over a 6 GHz frequency band in a standard power mode; and (b) information regarding protected geographic regions where transmission of wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is not allowed in the standard power mode. In some implementations, the protected geographic region information may include a 2-D contour map defined with GPS coordinates.Based on the information related to the protected geographic regions and a geographic location of the first AP, the hardware processor 512 may execute the instruction 518 to cause the central unit 500 to determine a geographic region of the secure zone within the WLAN deployment in which transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the default power mode. The central unit 500 may define the determined geographic safety zone as a 2-D radius around the first AP.The hardware processor 512 may execute the command 518 to cause the central unit 500 to transmit to one or more other APs in the WLAN device (i.e., other APs than the first AP) an AFC response packet generated by the central unit indicating: (a) the one or more allowed channels and the maximum allowed power level for transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band in the default power mode; and (b) information regarding the determined geographical region of the secure zone. As indicated above, the information relating to the determined geographic safety zone may define a 2-D radius around the first AP.As described above, FIG. 6 shows an example of a geographic safety zone 604 in accordance with various examples of the presently disclosed technology.FIG. 6 also shows protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b). An AFC provider may determine protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b) based on the geographic locations of the established operators 602 and 604, respectively. As already mentioned, the established operators 602 and 604 can be broadcast stations which take priority in the 6 GHz frequency band.As shown in FIG. 6, an example AP 606 may determine / calculate the secure zone geographic region 604 based on the protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b) (or more specifically, the information regarding the protected geographic regions 600( a) and 600( b) indicated in an AFC response received from AP 606). AP 606 may define the geographic region 604 of the guard zone in various forms. As an illustrative example, AP 606 may define the geographic region 604 of the guard zone by a 2D radius around AP 606. As another illustrative example, AP 606 may define the geographic region 604 of the security zone as a 2-D contour map with GPS coordinates.An AP receiving a collaborative AFC response packet from AP 606 may determine whether the AP is within the geographic security zone 604 before activating the 6 GHz communication based on the collaborative AFC response packet. For example, if AP 201 (also shown in FIGS. 2A-2B ) receives a collaborative AFC response packet from AP 606, AP 201 may determine whether AP 201 is within geographical safety zone 604 by determining whether the distance between AP 606 and AP 201 is less than the 2D radius around AP 606. AP 201 may determine the distance between AP 606 and AP 201 in various ways, e.g., through loss of scattering / RSSI measurements, through ranging data, through the known topology of WLAN device 200, and / or other ranging methods (e.g., Bluetooth ranging methods, arrival / departure angle methods, etc.).It is understood that the principles of the technology presented herein may also be applied beyond operation in the 6 GHz frequency band.For example, the methods described in connection with FIGS. 2A-2B and 3-5 may be applied for operation in a future 7 GHz frequency band, a future 8 GHz frequency band, etc.FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example computer system 700 in which various of the examples described herein may be implemented. For example, AP 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B, AP 300 of FIG. 3, AP 400 of FIG. 4, and central unit 500 of FIG. 5 may be implemented with computer system 700. Computer system 700 includes a bus 702 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and one or more hardware processors 704 coupled to bus 702 for processing information. The hardware processor(s) 704 may be, for example, one or more general purpose microprocessors.The computer system 700 also includes a main memory 706, such as random access memory (RAM), a cache, and / or other dynamic storage devices, coupled to the bus 702 for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 704. Main memory 706 may also be used to store temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 704. When such instructions are stored in storage media accessible by processor 704, computer system 700 becomes a special purpose machine adapted to perform the operations specified in the instructions.The computer system 700 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 708 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 702 to store static information and instructions for the processor 704. A storage device 710, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or USB stick (flash drive), etc., is provided and connected to the bus 702 to store information and instructions.The computer system 700 may be coupled via the bus 702 to a display 712, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) (or touch screen), to display information to a computer user. An input device 714, including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to bus 702 to provide information and command selections to processor 704. Another type of user input device is cursor control 716, such as a mouse, trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to processor 704 and for controlling cursor movement on display 712. In some examples, the same directional information and command selections as cursor control may be implemented via receiving touches on a touch screen without a cursor.The computer system 700 may include a user interface module for implementing a graphical user interface, which may be stored in a mass storage device as executable software code executed by the computing device(s). This and other modules may include, for example, components such as software components, object oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.In general, the word "component", "engine", "system", "database", "data storage", and the like, as used herein, may refer to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions that may have entry and exit points and are written in a programming language such as Java, C, or C++. A software component may be compiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamic link library, or written in an interpreted programming language such as BASIC, Perl, or Python. It will be appreciated that software components may be invoked from other components or by themselves and / or in response to detected events or interrupts. Software components configured for execution on computing devices may be provided on a computer readable medium, such as a compact disc, digital video disc, flash drive, magnetic disk, or other tangible medium, or as a digital download (and may be originally stored in a compressed or installable format that requires installation, decompression, or decryption prior to execution). Such software code may be partially or completely stored in a memory of the executing computing device for execution by the computing device. Software instructions may be embedded in firmware such as an EPROM. Moreover, the hardware components may consist of connected logic units such as gates and flip-flops and / or programmable units such as programmable gate arrays or processors.The computer system 700 may implement the techniques described herein using custom hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware, and / or program logic that, in combination with the computer system, causes or programs the computer system 700 to be a special-purpose machine. According to an example, the techniques described herein are performed by computer system 700 in response to processor(s) 704 executing / executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 706. Such instructions may be read into main memory 706 from another storage medium, such as storage device 710. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in main memory 706 causes processor(s) 704 to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative examples, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.The term "non-transitory media" and similar terms as used herein refer to any media that stores data and / or instructions that a machine operates in a particular manner. Such non-volatile media may include non-volatile media and / or volatile media. The non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic hard disks, such as storage device 710. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 706. Common forms of non-volatile media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, solid state drives, magnetic tapes or other magnetic data storage media, CD-ROMs, other optical data storage media, physical media with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM and EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, NVRAM, other memory chips or cartridges, and their networked versions.Non-transitory media are different from, but may be used in conjunction with, transmission media. Transmission media are involved in the transmission of information between non-transitory media. Transmission media includes, for example, coaxial cables, copper wires, and glass fibers, including the wires making up bus 702. Transmission media can also occur in the form of sound or light waves, as are generated during data communication via radio and infrared.Computer system 700 also includes a communication interface 718 connected to bus 702. Network interface 718 establishes a two-way data communication link to one or more network links connected to one or more local area networks. The communication interface 718 may be, for example, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, a cable modem, a satellite modem, or a modem to establish a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the network interface 718 may be a local area network (LAN) card to establish a data communication link to a compatible LAN (or WAN component for communication with a WAN). Wireless connections may also be implemented. In each of these implementations, the network interface 718 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical indicators that transmit digital data streams having different types of information.A network connection typically allows data communication over one or more networks to other data devices. For example, a network connection may connect via a local area network to a host computer or to data devices operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP, in turn, provides data communication services over the world wide packet data communication network, commonly referred to today as the "Internet.". Both the local area network and the Internet use electrical, electromagnetic or optical indicators that transmit digital data streams. The indicators in the various networks and the indicators in the network connection and communication interface 718 that transmit the digital data to and from the computer system 700 are examples of transmission media.The computer system 700 may send messages and receive data, including program code, via the network(s), network connection, and communication interface 718. In the Internet example, a server could transmit requested code for an application program over the Internet, the ISP, the local area network, and the communication interface 718.The received code may be executed by the processor 704 when received and / or stored in the storage device 710 or other non-volatile memory for later execution.Each of the processes, methods, and algorithms described in the preceding paragraphs may be embodied in code components and fully or partially automated, executed by one or more computer systems or computer processors comprising computer hardware. The one or more computer systems or computer processors may also operate to support execution of the respective operations in a cloud computing environment or as a software as a service (SaaS). The processes and algorithms can be partially or fully implemented in application specific circuitry. The various features and methods described above may be used independently or combined in various ways. Various combinations and sub-combinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure, and certain method or process blocks may be omitted in some implementations. The methods and processes described herein are also not limited to any particular order, and the blocks or states associated therewith may be performed in other suitable orders, in parallel, or in other ways. Blocks or states may be added to or removed from the disclosed examples. The execution of certain operations or processes may be distributed among computer systems or computer processors that are not only located in a single machine, but are distributed across a number of machines.As used herein, circuitry may be implemented using any form of hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, one or more processors, controllers, ASICs, PLAs, PALs, CPLDs, FPGAs, logic components, software routines, or other mechanisms may be implemented to form a circuit. In implementation, the various circuits described herein may be implemented as discrete circuits, or the described functions and features may be partially or totally shared among one or more circuits. Although various features or functional elements are individually described or claimed as separate circuits, these features and functions may be shared among one or more common circuits, and such description is not intended to imply or imply that separate circuits are required to implement these features or functions. When a circuit is implemented in whole or in part with software, this software may be implemented to operate on a computer or processing system capable of executing the functionality described with respect to it, such as computer system 700.As used herein, the term "or" may be understood in both the inclusive and exclusive sense. Moreover, the description of resources, acts, or structures in the singular is not to be understood as excluding the plural. Conditional terms such as "may", "could", "could" or "permitted" are generally intended to convey that certain examples include certain features, elements and / or steps, while other examples do not include these unless expressly stated otherwise or understood differently in the context of each.The terms and expressions and variations thereof used in this document are not to be understood as limiting, but rather as open-ended, unless expressly stated otherwise. Adjectives such as "conventional", "traditional", "normal", "standard", "known", and terms of similar meaning should not be understood to limit the described subject matter to a particular time period or to an available subject matter at a particular time, but should be understood to include conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. The presence of extending words and formulations such as "one or more", "at least", "but not limited to", or similar formulations in some instances is not to be understood as the narrower case is intended or required when such extending formulations are not present.
Claims
An access point (AP) comprising: one or more processors; and memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to: receive an automatic frequency coordination (AFC) response from an AFC provider, wherein the AFC response indicates one or more allowed channels and a maximum allowed power level for transmission of wireless communication over a frequency band in a standard power mode; sending a collaborative AFC response packet indicating the one or more allowed channels and the maximum allowed power level for transmission of the wireless communication over the frequency band in the standard power mode to a second AP and / or a central entity managing APs in a wireless local area network (WLAN) deployment comprising the AP.The AP of claim 1, wherein the frequency band comprises the 6 GHz frequency band.The AP of claim 2, wherein: the AFC response further includes protected geographic area information in which broadcast of wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is not permitted in the standard power mode; the memory comprises further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to determine, based on the information relating to the protected geographic areas, a geographic security zone in which broadcast of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the standard power mode; and the collaborative AFC response packet further includes information about the determined geographic area of the secure zone.The AP of claim 3, wherein the information regarding the determined geographical safety zone comprises a two-dimensional (2-D) radius around the AP.The AP of claim 2, wherein the AP sends the collaborative AFC response packet over a lower frequency band than the 6 GHz frequency band.The AP of claim 2, wherein: the memory includes further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to send an AFC request to the AFC provider indicating the GPS coordinates of the AP; and the AFC response of the AFC provider responds to the AFC request.The AP of claim 6, wherein the memory includes further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to: prior to receiving the AFC response from the AFC provider, scan a lower frequency band than the 6 GHz frequency band for a collaborative AFC response packet sent from at least one other AP and the central entity that manages APs in the WLAN device comprising the AP.The AP of claim 7, wherein the memory includes further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to: activate the 6 GHz wireless communication in response to receiving the AFC response from the AFC provider.The AP of claim 2, wherein the memory includes further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to: in response to receiving the AFC response from the AFC provider, override any previously received AFC response from the AFC provider or a previously received collaborative AFC response packet from at least one other AP and the central entity that manages APs in the WLAN device that includes the AP.An access point (AP) comprising: one or more processors; and memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to: receive a collaborative AFC response packet from at least a second AP and a central unit that manages APs in a wireless local area network (WLAN) deployment that includes the AP, wherein the collaborative AFC response packet indicates one or more allowed channels and a maximum allowed power level for broadcasting wireless communication over a 6 GHz frequency band in a standard power mode; and in response to receiving the collaborative AFC response packet, enable the 6-GHz wireless communication and transmit the wireless communication over the 6-GHz frequency band in the standard power mode.The AP of claim 10, wherein: the collaborative AFC response packet further displays information related to a geographic security zone in which transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the default power mode; and the memory comprises further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to determine that the AP is within the geographic security zone.The AP of claim 11, wherein: the information related to the geographic region of the secure zone comprises a two-dimensional (2-D) radius around the second AP; and determining that the AP is within the geographic region of the secure zone comprises determining that a distance between the AP and the second AP is less than the 2D radius around the second AP.The AP of claim 10, wherein: the memory comprises further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to sample a lower frequency band than the 6 GHz frequency band after the collaborative AFC response packet; and the receipt of the collaborative AFC response packet responds to the scanning.The AP of claim 13, wherein: the memory includes further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to attempt to locate itself with GPS coordinates; and scanning the lower frequency band for the AFC response of the non-AFC provider responds to a failed attempt by the AP to locate itself with GPS coordinates.The AP of claim 13, wherein: the memory comprises further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to determine whether the AP has an old AFC response from an AFC provider; and scanning the lower frequency band after the collaborative AFC response packet is responsive to determining that the AP does not have an old AFC response from the AFC provider.The AP of claim 15, wherein: the memory includes further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to send an AFC request to the AFC provider; and the determination of whether the AP has an old AFC response from the AFC provider is responsive to waiting for a new AFC response from the AFC provider.The AP of claim 10, wherein the memory comprises further instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the AP to override a previously received AFC response from an AFC provider or a previously received collaborative AFC response packet from at least one other AP and the central entity managing APs in the WLAN device comprising the AP.A method comprising: receiving a collaborative AFC response packet from a first access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) deployment indicating one or more allowed channels and a maximum allowed power level for broadcasting wireless communication over a 6 GHz frequency band in a standard power mode; and transmitting an AFC response packet generated by the central unit to one or more other APs in the WLAN device indicating the one or more allowed channels and the maximum allowed power level for transmitting the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band in the standard power mode.The method of claim 18, wherein: the collaborative AFC response packet further includes information about protected geographic regions in which broadcast of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is not permitted in the standard power mode; the method further comprises, based on the information relating to the protected geographic regions and a geographic location of the first AP, determining a geographic security zone within the WLAN deployment in which broadcast of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the standard power mode; and the central location generated AFC response packet includes information about the determined geographic region of the secure zone.The method of claim 19, wherein the information regarding the determined geographical safety zone identifies the first AP and indicates a two-dimensional (2-D) radius around the first AP in which transmission of the wireless communication over the 6 GHz frequency band is permitted in the standard power mode.