Automatic activation of a 6 ghz access point

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for optimising the energy consumption of an access point using WiFi technology; the access point comprising a first WiFi module operating at a 2.4 GHz frequency band, a second WiFi module operating at a 5 GHz frequency band and a third WiFi module operating at a 6 GHz frequency band, characterised in that the first and the second WiFi module are active by default and the third is inactive by default, and the method is carried out by a processing unit and comprises the following steps: - during the association of at least one station with the access point, receiving, by the access point, via the first or the second WiFi module, compatibility data transmitted by the station, - if the station is compatible with the 6 GHz frequency band, activating the third WiFi module.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Automatic activation of a 6GHz access point

[0001] technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the energy consumption of an access point using WIFI technology within a private communication network, this access point being configured to allow stations connected by WIFI to access the internet.

[0003] Prior art

[0004] Today, Wi-Fi technology offers several frequency bands. Many devices are compatible with the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. The latest frequency band to be implemented is 6 GHz. It is advantageous for operators to offer all frequency bands to their users in order to benefit from additional bandwidth and limit interference experienced during multiple transmissions.

[0005] However, integrating multiple WIFI modules within an access point increases the number of power-consuming components.

[0006] The present invention aims to optimize energy consumption in such an access point.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to improve the distribution of traffic between the different WIFI modules.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] At least one of the objectives is achieved with a method for optimizing the energy consumption of a Wi-Fi access point within a private communication network. This access point is configured to allow Wi-Fi connected stations to access the internet through it. The access point comprises a first Wi-Fi module operating at the 2.4 GHz frequency band, a second Wi-Fi module operating at the 5 GHz frequency band, and a third Wi-Fi module operating at the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0010] According to the invention, the first WIFI module and the second WIFI module are active by default and the third WIFI module is inactive by default, and the method is implemented by a processing unit within the access point and comprises the following steps: - when at least one station is associated with the access point, the access point receives, via the first WIFI module or the second WIFI module, compatibility data transmitted by the station, this compatibility data including all the WIFI frequency bands to which the station is compatible, - if the station is compatible with the 6GHz frequency band, activation of the third WIFI module.

[0011] According to the invention, the set of Wi-Fi frequency bands to which the station is compatible generally constitutes the station's frequency capacity. This refers to all the Wi-Fi frequency bands that the station can use.

[0012] The method according to the invention enables automatic activation of a 6GHz Wi-Fi connection only in the presence of stations or equipment capable of communicating on this frequency band. This activation is achieved based on initial communication at 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

[0013] Generally, an access point according to the invention can be a gateway in a home network. Such a gateway is advantageously a device, notably supplied by a network or telecom operator, allowing home equipment to be connected to the internet.

[0014] Such an access point equipped with a 6GHz WIFI module can communicate with compatible stations such as, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a television, ....

[0015] Most stations operate at 2.4 GHz and / or 5 GHz. Stations capable of operating at 6 GHz are generally high-end devices and therefore not very common. Some access points rarely, if ever, implement Wi-Fi communication on the 6 GHz frequency band. Furthermore, mobile stations are very often located outside the home. Thus, the method according to the invention saves energy by activating the 6 GHz Wi-Fi module only when necessary.

[0016] A Wi-Fi module consists of electronic components such as electronic chips, power amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, etc., which are electrically powered. This implies a significant energy consumption.

[0017] The invention therefore proposes an automatic activation of the 6GHz frequency only if the user has compatible Wi-Fi stations, near the Access Point, by analyzing the capabilities of the Wi-Fi station from the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.

[0018] According to an advantageous feature of the invention, compatibility data can be transmitted during association by means of a "Supported Operating Classes" data field as defined in IEEE 802.11 standards.

[0019] Indeed, when associating with an access point on the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band, the station sends standardized information called “Supported Operating Classes”.

[0020] This information includes all the frequency capacities of the station. • If the station includes element [81 - 84]: the station is 2.4GHz compatible. • If the station includes the elements: [115 - 130]: the station is 5GHz compatible. • If the station includes the elements: [131 - 136]: the station is 6GHz compatible.

[0021] This information allows reliable identification when a station supporting 6 GHz is connected to the user's access point on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

[0022] According to the invention, by default, the 6GHz frequency is disabled for all users. If a station has the capability to use 6GHz, then the Wi-Fi access point activates the 6GHz frequency for the user's home and requests the station to connect to 6GHz or another band using the "bandsteering" technique, which consists of automatically directing the connection to the best performing frequency band.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method according to the invention may advantageously further include a step of deactivating the third WIFI module when a last station compatible with the 6GHz frequency band disconnects from the access point.

[0024] For example, deactivation can be performed after a configurable duration from the station dissociation.

[0025] When all stations supporting 6 GHz are disconnected from the Wi-Fi access point, 6 GHz is also turned off after a few minutes; the duration is configurable.

[0026] The invention relates in particular to the activation and deactivation of the 6 GHz Wi-Fi module. The processing unit is configured to count connected Wi-Fi stations. When the last station connected via 6 GHz Wi-Fi disconnects or switches to another mode, for example, 2.4 or 5 GHz mode, the 6 GHz Wi-Fi module is deactivated immediately or after a predetermined period.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, during pairing, the third WIFI module is activated only when the following condition is also met: when the first WIFI module and the second WIFI module are unable to ensure transmission quality for services of all stations connected to the access point.

[0028] In this specific case, an additional condition is required to activate the 6 GHz Wi-Fi module. A station capable of communicating at 6 GHz can continue to communicate at 2.4 or 5 GHz when the requested service is fully met, taking into account all the services provided by the access point for all connected stations. The processing unit is then configured to analyze the services provided by the access point. As long as these services are met, the 6 GHz Wi-Fi module is not activated. A service being met means, for example, that the bandwidth offered by the access point is sufficient, or that the different frequency bands used by the access point do not create interference.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, for a station associated with the access point; when the access point is connected to a repeater equipped with a fourth, inactive WIFI module, operating on the 6GHz frequency band; the method may further comprise the following steps:

[0030] - estimation of the station's location relative to the access point and repeater,

[0031] - transmission of an instruction to the repeater, this instruction including an additional condition of activation of the fourth WIFI module only when the station is closer to the repeater than to the access point.

[0032] In other words, if a 6GHz repeater is connected to the access point, such as a home gateway, and a 6GHz station is connected to the access point but is some distance from the repeater, the repeater's 6GHz module will remain off until the station is close enough to the repeater. "Close enough" could be a configurable minimum distance or a distance at which the connection to the repeater is better than to the access point.

[0033] "Sufficiently close" can also be a configurable minimum power or a power level at which the connection is better with the repeater than with the access point.

[0034] Preferably, the estimation can be carried out periodically or at the request of the repeater; and the instruction can be transmitted periodically or at the request of the repeater.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, activating a WIFI module can consist of supplying the WIFI module completely electrically; and deactivating it can consist of cutting off its electrical supply totally or partially.

[0036] Thus, for example, in inactive mode, the WIFI module can be in standby.

[0037] According to the invention, the access point can be a home internet gateway or "set top box", or a repeater in a home network.

[0038] The present invention also provides for the protection of a processing unit configured to implement a process as described above.

[0039] A computer program product is also planned, comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing unit in an access point, cause the unit to implement the process as described above.

[0040] Description of the figures and methods of implementation.

[0041] Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments, which are by no means limiting, and the following attached drawings:

[0042] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of a house comprising an access point in the form of an internet gateway and a user station;

[0043] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic view of the house in Figure 1, further equipped with a repeater;

[0044] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a process according to the invention.

[0045] The embodiments described below are not exhaustive; in particular, variants of the invention may be implemented comprising only a selection of features described hereafter, isolated from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, or with only a portion of the structural details if this portion alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the prior art.

[0046] Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a house 1 equipped with an access point 2 which is a gateway allowing access to the internet 3 via a wired connection 4 based on coaxial cable or fiber optic.

[0047] Home equipment can connect wired and wirelessly to access point 2 to access the internet 3. In the example in Figure 1, we can distinguish a television 5 and a mobile phone 6 of the "smartphone" type. When TV 5 is on, a digital television service is activated between TV 5 and access point 2. The mobile phone can connect to the access point to access the internet using different types of services: web, download, telephony, etc.

[0048] In Figure 1, the television 5 and the mobile phone 6 can connect to the access point 2 via WIFI.

[0049] The access point 2, television 5 and mobile phone 6 together form a home network.

[0050] Access point 2 includes conventional hardware and software means for access point service between stations and the internet and further includes a computer program product for implementing the method according to the invention.

[0051] The access point 2 includes a processing unit 7, such as a microprocessor for example, to implement the method according to the invention; a WIFI module 8 for 2.4GHz communication; a WIFI module 9 for 5GHz communication; and a WIFI module 10 for 6GHz communication.

[0052] By default, the 10 to 6GHz Wi-Fi module is turned off. "By default" means that no devices are connected to access point 2, or only devices compatible with 2.4 or 5GHz are connected.

[0053] When mobile phone 6 comes into contact with access point 2, the connection to the access point is established via Wi-Fi modules 8 or 9 at 2.4 or 5 GHz. During the connection process, the access point retrieves a set of information, including the frequency capabilities of mobile phone 6. If this mobile phone is not compatible with 6 GHz, the connection with the access point remains at 2.4 or 5 GHz, and Wi-Fi module 10 remains off. However, if mobile phone 6 is capable of communicating on the 6 GHz band, the processing unit 7 activates Wi-Fi module 10. Communication between mobile phone 6 and access point 2 can then take place via the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0054] When associating with the access point on the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency band, the station's frequency capabilities are transmitted included in a standardized information called “Supported Operating Classes”. - If the station includes element [81 - 84]: the station is 2.4GHz compatible. - If the station includes the elements: [115 - 130]: the station is 5GHz compatible. - If the station includes the elements: [131 - 136]: the station is 6GHz compatible.

[0055] An example of code for such information might be the following: • « tag: Supported Operating Classes • Tag Number: Supported Operating Classes (59) • Tag length: 21 • Current Operating Class: 128 • Alternate Operating Classes: 134, 133, 132, 131, 129, 128, 127, 126, 125, 124, 123, 122, 121, 120, 119, 118, 117, 116, 115, 81”

[0056] Then, during communication, access point 2 can be equipped with a function to select the best frequency band from the three available. This selection aims for even distribution of traffic within the network for a stable and fast connection for all stations. Whether the Wi-Fi module is selected for communication or not, it can remain powered on as long as a compatible station is nearby.

[0057] When the mobile phone 6 is no longer nearby, i.e., is outside the coverage area of ​​the access point 2, the processing unit 7 cuts off the power to the Wi-Fi module 10 after a few seconds or minutes. This waiting period prevents the Wi-Fi module 10 from being cut off prematurely due, for example, to a temporary disconnection of the mobile phone 6.

[0058] The invention thus saves energy consumed by the access point because the 6GHz module is only activated when needed.

[0059] Figure 2 replicates the elements of Figure 1 with the addition of a repeater 11. This repeater can be used solely to extend the coverage of the 6 GHz band or, as shown in Figure 2, to extend coverage across all three frequency bands. In this case, the repeater 11 in Figure 2 is equipped with a microprocessor 12 to manage a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi module 13, a 5 GHz Wi-Fi module 14, and a 6 GHz Wi-Fi module 15. The repeater 11 is directly connected to the access point 2 via a wired or wireless connection. Its function is to act as a relay for communication with the access point 2 for stations that are too far from the access point 2 but close to the repeater.

[0060] According to the invention, the processing unit 7 is configured to estimate the distance between the mobile phone 6 and the access point 2. This estimation may include a measurement or an estimate of the power emitted by the mobile phone 6 and received by the access point. As long as the mobile phone 6 is able to communicate with the access point 2 under good conditions according to predetermined technical quality criteria, the processing unit 7 sends instructions to the repeater 11 not to activate the Wi-Fi module 15.

[0061] The sending of instructions can be periodic or in response to a request issued by the repeater 11.

[0062] A mode can be provided where the microprocessor 12 of the repeater 11 is configured to implement the method according to the invention.

[0063] The following mode can then be considered. For any station entering association with the repeater, communication is initially carried out in 2.4 or 5 GHz mode. If the station is 6 GHz compatible, then microprocessor 12 activates the WIFI module 15, but only if an instruction sent by the access point also authorizes this activation.

[0064] Figure 3 shows steps of a process according to the invention.

[0065] In step 16, a station begins its association with access point 2 via the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency band, which are more protected than the 6 GHz band. The 6 GHz Wi-Fi module remains inactive until a 6 GHz-compatible station is detected within the coverage area of ​​access point 2.

[0066] At step 17, during association, the station sends to access point 2 the "Supported Operating Classes" information which includes the indication of the station's compatibility with the 6GHz frequency band.

[0067] If the station is not compatible, the process stops and communication will only take place in 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

[0068] If the station is indeed compatible in step 18, an optional step 19 is planned to verify the need for communication on the 6 GHz frequency band. This may involve checking whether current or expected traffic requires communication on the 6 GHz frequency band. If not, the activation of the 6 GHz Wi-Fi module is delayed until the station requests a service requiring traffic via the 6 GHz frequency band. If so, the 6 GHz Wi-Fi module is activated in step 20.

[0069] At step 21, the station is connected to the 6GHz WIFI module.

[0070] If a 6GHz repeater exists in the network, access point 2 requires the repeater's 6GHz WIFI module to remain inactive as long as the station remains within the coverage area of ​​access point 2.

[0071] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described. Many modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as described.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for optimizing the energy consumption of an access point (2) using WIFI technology within a private communication network, this access point being configured to allow stations connected via WIFI to access the internet (3) through this access point (2); this access point (2) comprising a first WIFI module (8) in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, a second WIFI module (9) in the 5 GHz frequency band and a third WIFI module (10) in the 6 GHz frequency band, characterized in that the first WIFI module (8) and the second WIFI module (9) are active by default and the third WIFI module (10) is inactive by default and the method is implemented by a processing unit (7) within the access point (2) and comprises the following steps: - when at least one station is associated with the access point (2), the access point (2) receives, via the first WIFI module (8) or the second WIFI module (9), compatibility data transmitted by the station, this compatibility data including all the WIFI frequency bands to which the station is compatible, - if the station is compatible with the 6GHz frequency band, activation of the third WIFI module (10).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the compatibility data is transmitted during association by a "Supported Operating Classes" data field as defined in IEEE 802.11 standards.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a step of deactivating the third WIFI module (10) when a last station compatible with the 6GHz frequency band dissociates from the access point (2).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deactivation is carried out after a configurable time from the dissociation of the station.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during association, the third WIFI module (10) is activated only when the following condition is further met: when the first WIFI module (8) and the second WIFI module (9) are not able to ensure transmission quality for services from all stations connected to the access point (2).

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for a station associated with the access point (2); when the access point (2) is connected to a repeater equipped with a fourth, inactive WIFI module in the 6GHz frequency band; the method further comprises the following steps: - estimation of the station's location relative to the access point (2) and the repeater, - transmission of an instruction to the repeater, this instruction including an additional condition of activation of the fourth WIFI module only when the station is closer to the repeater than to the access point (2).

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the estimation is carried out periodically or at the request of the repeater; and the setpoint is transmitted periodically or at the request of the repeater.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that activating a WIFI module consists of supplying it with electricity completely; and deactivating it consists of cutting off its power supply totally or partially.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access point (2) is a gateway in a home network.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the access point (2) is a repeater in a home network.

11. Access point device comprising a processing unit (7) configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Product computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing unit (7) in an access point, cause the latter to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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