Method for prioritizing services by redirecting traffic in wi-fi communications

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for optimizing Wi-Fi communication, in a communication network, between a user equipment and an access point via at least one repeater; the access point and the repeater each being equipped with at least one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 5 GHz frequency band and with a Wi-Fi module communicating in the 6 GHz frequency band. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: - when the repeater is connected to the access point, establishing two simultaneous connections in the 5 GHz frequency band and in the 6 GHz frequency band between the access point and the repeater, - the communication between the user equipment and the access point generating traffic, routing this traffic between the access point and the repeater on the 5 GHz frequency band or the 6 GHz frequency band based on predetermined criteria.

Description

A process of prioritizing services by redirecting traffic in Wi-Fi communications.

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for optimizing Wi-Fi communication in a communication network between a user's equipment and an access point via at least one repeater.

[0002] Such a network is, in particular, a home network equipped with a gateway as an access point allowing local equipment to be connected to the Internet.

[0003] The repeater allows you to connect equipment to the access point, this equipment being too far from the access point but close to the repeater.

[0004] The present invention relates more particularly to an access point and a repeater each equipped with at least one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 5 GHz frequency band and one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 6 GHz frequency band. State of the prior art

[0005] Generally speaking, Wi-Fi is the most widely used medium for transmitting data at home. It is used by a large and growing number of different devices (smartphones, tablets, PCs, TV decoders, IoT devices, etc.) and for a wide variety of uses: email, telephony, “Live” video, “OTT” video, IoT monitoring, etc.

[0006] Wi-Fi technologies are becoming more complex and provide additional tools that allow certain characteristics of the flows to be optimized, while taking into account certain constraints: 802.11e, 802.11u, 802.11ax, OFDMA, etc.

[0007] The 6 GHz frequency band supports the same bandwidth and throughput as the 5 GHz band. It can nearly double the available Wi-Fi bandwidth in the home. Furthermore, the absence of interference and the exclusive presence of 802.11ax-compliant equipment on this band provide unparalleled quality of service and allow you to take full advantage of the improvements made by the latest standards.

[0008] The present invention aims to optimize communication within a home network.

[0009] Another aim of the invention is to benefit from the contribution of Wi-Fi 6 even when using equipment not equipped with the Wi-Fi 6 standard.

[0010] At least one of the aforementioned devices is achieved with a method for optimizing Wi-Fi communication in a communication network between a user's equipment and an access point via at least one repeater; the access point and the repeater each being provided with at least one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 5 GHz frequency band and one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 6 GHz frequency band. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: - when connecting the repeater to the access point, establishing two simultaneous connections to the 5 GHz frequency band and to the 6 GHz frequency band between the access point and the repeater, - the communication between the user's equipment and the access point generating traffic, routing this traffic between the access point and the repeater to the 5 GHz frequency band or the 6 GHz frequency band according to predetermined criteria.

[0011] The connection between the user equipment and the repeater can be in 2.4, 5 or 6 GHz Wi-Fi mode, in wired mode via Ethernet, or by any other connection mode.

[0012]

[0013] With the method according to the invention, when the repeater begins the connection phase to the access point, two communication channels are initiated in parallel between the access point and the repeater: a first communication channel in the 5 GHz frequency band and a second communication channel in the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0014] This results in two simultaneous connections in parallel, with traffic passing either via the 5 GHz frequency band or via the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0015] Preferably, the decision to route traffic to one or the other band is made when connecting the repeater to the access point, and / or when establishing a new service and / or at predetermined times, whether periodic or not.

[0016] This mode of operation is contrary to standard operation in which only one communication channel is required.

[0017] With the method according to the invention, at a given moment, traffic is directed towards only one of the two frequency bands according to predetermined criteria.

[0018]

[0019] The 5 GHz frequency band allows operation up to 30 dBm in ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and FCC (Federal Communications Commission) zones. This frequency band corresponds to the 802.11n standard and is widely used. It is therefore common for it to be saturated with transmission. Furthermore, this frequency band is also affected by interference from other radio equipment: DECT telephone, radio TV system, mobile communication, etc.

[0020] The 6 GHz band allows operation up to 23 dBm in ETSI areas and up to 30 dBm in FCC areas. It is newer and less used than the 5 GHz frequency band. Furthermore, only 802.11ax devices will be able to connect to this frequency band.

[0021] The method according to the invention makes it possible to take advantage of the presence of 6 GHz Wi-Fi modules to implement a strategy for optimizing Wi-Fi communication or prioritizing traffic.

[0022]

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, when a frequency band between the access point and the repeater is chosen for a given connection, the repeater and the access point are both configured to prohibit any traffic on the unchosen frequency band.

[0024] This embodiment makes it possible to avoid any harmful loop which would be created by setting up the two simultaneous connections.

[0025] Indeed, such simultaneous connections can cause loops and / or other inconveniences which would unnecessarily saturate the network and prevent any other use.

[0026] To implement this embodiment to avoid loops, it can for example be provided that the connection with the highest quality frequency band (5 GHz in the most common case) is considered as a primary connection and the default connection. Routing rules (level 2) can be defined in the access point and in the repeater in order to prohibit any traffic via the secondary connection.

[0027] When the choice to use the secondary connection is made, a specific rule in the access point and / or in the repeater authorizes the use of the secondary connection and prohibits the use of the primary connection.

[0028]

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the criteria may include the type of service used by a user's equipment, said service being the origin of the traffic between the access point and the repeater.

[0030] Thus, a first selection criterion can be the type of service used by the equipment seeking to connect to the access point.

[0031] For example, the access point and repeater can be configured to route each service to 5GHz or 6GHz depending on the service's sensitivity to latency, packet loss, and bandwidth.

[0032] For example, for a service where latency and packet loss are important parameters, i.e., where a given threshold must not be exceeded, the 6 GHz frequency band will be chosen. Such a type of service could be a video conference.

[0033] For example, for a service where communication quality is not an important criterion but bandwidth must be high (above a pre-set threshold), the 5 GHz frequency band will be chosen. Such a type of service could be data downloading.

[0034]

[0035] According to the invention, the criteria may include the type of equipment of a user connecting to the access point. Thus, whether it is a mobile phone, a tablet, a television, a computer or any other equipment, the access point and / or the repeater identifies the type of the device and adds this type as a single criterion or one of the criteria for selecting the frequency band.

[0036]

[0037] Furthermore, the criteria may also include optimal load distribution between the 5GHz frequency band and the 6GHz frequency band.

[0038]

[0039] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the network comprises several repeaters between a user's equipment and the access point, the routing of traffic towards the 5 GHz frequency band or the 6 GHz frequency band according to predetermined criteria can also be carried out between two successive repeaters, in particular immediately successive ones.

[0040] In other words, the access point and repeaters are paired in series and two simultaneous connections are established between two successive devices. The selection of the connection to be used is done for each pair so that the frequency band used for one pair (two successive devices) can be independent of the frequency band used for another pair.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two simultaneous connections to the 5 GHz frequency band and to the 6 GHz frequency band between the access point and the repeater can be made only when the communication quality of each frequency band is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. This threshold is a function of the signal reception level and / or the quality of the physical link.

[0042]

[0043] According to the invention, the access point and the repeater are each further equipped with a Wi-Fi module communicating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the traffic between the access point and the repeater is directed towards the 5 GHz frequency band, towards the 6 GHz frequency band or towards the 2.4 GHz frequency band depending on the predetermined criteria.

[0044] This creates three simultaneous connections in parallel.

[0045] According to the invention, the communication network may be a home network, the access point comprising an internet connection router. Such a router may be, for example, a gateway, a "homegateway" in English, or any other device capable of connecting user equipment to the internet.

[0046]

[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, a communication network is provided comprising an access point and at least one repeater; the access point and the repeater each being provided with at least one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 5 GHz frequency band and one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 6 GHz frequency band. According to the invention, the access point and the repeater are configured to implement a method as defined above.

[0048] .

[0049] Description of figures and embodiments.

[0050] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings:

[0051] This is a schematic view of a house equipped with an access point in the form of an internet gateway, a repeater and user equipment;

[0052] This is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method according to the invention;

[0053] This is a schematic view of a typical connection between an access point and a repeater;

[0054] This is a schematic view illustrating two simultaneous connections between the access point and the repeater according to the invention;

[0055] This is a schematic view illustrating two simultaneous connections between the access point and two successive repeaters according to the invention; and

[0056] This is a schematic view illustrating traffic paths via connections between the access point and two successive repeaters according to the invention.

[0057] The embodiments which will be described below are in no way limiting; it will be possible in particular to implement variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described below isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional characteristic without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part alone is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0058] This 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 optical fiber.

[0059] The access point 2 comprises a processing unit 7, such as a microprocessor for example, to implement the method according to the invention; a Wi-Fi module 8 for communication at 2.4GHz; a Wi-Fi module 9 for communication at 5GHz; and a Wi-Fi module 10 for communication at 6GHz.

[0060] There is also a repeater 11. This repeater is intended to extend the coverage of the three Wi-Fi frequency bands. In this case, the repeater 11 is equipped with a microprocessor 12 to manage a Wi-Fi module 13 in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, a Wi-Fi module 14 in the 5 GHz frequency band and a Wi-Fi module 15 in the 6 GHz frequency band. Its function is to serve as a relay between communications between the access point 2 and equipment or stations that would be too far from the access point 2 but close to the repeater.

[0061] The repeater 11 is directly connected wirelessly to the access point 2. Communication between the gateway 2 and the repeater 11 is via a Wi-Fi connection in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz or 6 GHz frequency band.

[0062]

[0063] Home devices can connect wired or wirelessly to access point 2 to access the Internet 3.

[0064] In the example of the, we distinguish a television 5 and a mobile telephone 6 of the “smartphone” type both connected to the gateway 2 wirelessly by Wi-Fi. When the television 5 is in operation, a digital television service is notably activated between the television 5 and the access point 2.

[0065] The mobile phone 6 is connected to the gateway 2 via the repeater 11 to access the internet by implementing different types of services: web, download, telephony, etc.

[0066] The combination of access point 2, repeater 11, television 5 and mobile phone 6 forms a home network.

[0067] The access point 2 and the repeater 11 comprise conventional hardware and software means for serving as an access point and repeater between equipment and the Internet and further comprise one and / or the other a computer program product for implementing the method according to the invention.

[0068] When the mobile phone 6 comes close to the repeater 11, an association is made, for example, via the Wi-Fi module 14 to the 5 GHz frequency band. During this association, the repeater retrieves a set of characteristics of the mobile phone 6, including the type of equipment and the type of service required.

[0069] This is a flowchart illustrating steps in implementing the method according to the invention.

[0070] With reference to figures 1 and 2, we distinguish a first step 16 consisting of the start of the association via Wi-Fi 2.4 or 5 GHz or 6 GHz. As an example, we imagine a connection between the telephone 6 and the repeater 11 in Wi-Fi 5 GHz.

[0071] In step 17, when the repeater connects to the access point, two simultaneous connections in 5 GHz and 6 GHz are established between the access point 2 and the repeater 11. Thus, on the one hand the Wi-Fi modules 9 and 14, both in the 5 GHz frequency band, are wirelessly connected to each other, and on the other hand the Wi-Fi modules 10 and 15, both in the 6 GHz frequency band, are also wirelessly connected to each other. Both connections are active and in parallel.

[0072] It is also possible to connect the two Wi-Fi 8 and 13 modules to the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

[0073] In step 18 the equipment and the type of service initiated are identified.

[0074] In step 19, a set of predetermined criteria are identified, such as the latency, packet loss and bandwidth requirement for the type of equipment, i.e., phone 6, and the type of service required.

[0075] Depending on the set of predetermined criteria, one of the two 5 GHz or 6 GHz connections is selected or one of the three 5 GHz, 6 GHz or 2.4 GHz connections if the 2.4 GHz frequency band has also been established between access point 2 and repeater 11.

[0076] When one of the frequency bands is selected, in step 20 all connections established in parallel remain active but communication, i.e. traffic or data exchange, takes place only via the selected frequency band.

[0077]

[0078] This is a schematic view of a typical connection between an access point and a repeater. In the prior art, a repeater connects to a single frequency band. When a device connects to the repeater, the link between the access point and the repeater is made via a 5 GHz connection or a 6 GHz connection; the two connections are never established simultaneously in parallel.

[0079]

[0080] According to the invention, we find the gateway 2 and the repeater 11 connected to each other by two simultaneous connections. We can thus direct the flow towards the frequency band which corresponds most to the constraints of the service used by the user's equipment.

[0081]

[0082] Preferably, the different services that may be used are ranked according to their sensitivity to latency, packet loss, and bandwidth demand.

[0083] Each service category can thus be redirected to the most appropriate frequency band.

[0084]

[0085] For example, we can classify services as follows:

[0086] Service CharacteristicType of ServiceExamplePreferred BandSensitive to latency and packet loss. Low bandwidth.Voice Call and Video Call"Classic" Online Gaming"Voice Over Wifi" implemented by the operatorWhatzapp®, Skype® call…Console or PC gaming (on DVD / Blue Ray or downloaded)6 GHzSensitive to packet loss – low / medium bandwidth (< 30 Mbps)IPTV MulticastOperator IPTV service6 GHzSensitive to latency – medium bandwidth"Online Streaming" GamingStreaming game, remote gaming platform6 GHzLow latency sensitivity – low / medium bandwidthWeb Browsing; ApplicationsAccess to websites, banking, insurance applications, etc.Twitter®, Facebook®…5 GHzLow latency sensitivity – high bandwidthDownloading; UHD streaming videoYoutube®, software update, game download…5 GHz

[0087]

[0088] Such a classification makes it possible to select the connection through which the traffic is to pass.

[0089] For example, an IPTV stream coming from the operator and requiring an average bandwidth (from 5 Mbps for an SD stream, to 20 or 30 Mbps for a UHD / 4K stream), this type of stream is very sensitive to packet losses, especially when it comes to Live / multicast streams. This stream is directed to the 6 GHz frequency band according to the invention so that it will directly benefit from the optimized QoS on the 6 GHz band without suffering from the bandwidth limit.

[0090] These IPTV streams are mainly intended for a Set Top Box provided by the operator or for certain specific devices such as the Apple TV which can be reliably identified.

[0091] Generally, the destination device can be used as a criterion to select the connection to use.

[0092] For example, in the gaming industry, game streams are highly sensitive to both latency and jitter. They typically have low bandwidth. Traffic originating from or destined for a gaming console is also routed in a specific way, preferably over the 6 GHz connection.

[0093] For example, Voice over Wifi (Operator Call) or Voice over IP (WhatzApp®, Teams®, Skype®, etc.) call services require high quality of service with low latency and no packet loss. However, they have a very low bandwidth requirement (typically 1.5 to 3 Mbps for a high-quality video call). The 6 GHz connection between the gateway and the repeater is therefore the most suitable.

[0094]

[0095] The classification thus obtained constitutes predetermined rules or criteria allowing the choice of the connection to be used between 5 GHz and 6 GHz.

[0096] Depending on each service or source / destination equipment, the most appropriate technology is selected at each Wi-Fi hop.

[0097] The choice of technology can be made according to strict criteria. For example, all IPTV Multicast traffic can systematically use the 6 GHz connection when it is available.

[0098] The choice of technology can also be made dynamically depending on the user's environment. For example, if there is little traffic on one of the two bands but the other is in use, the less used band can be chosen. Furthermore, if the traffic must pass through several successive repeaters, the system can alternately use one band and then the other to optimize the load on each band.

[0099] The choice can be based on the type of service, the equipment receiving the traffic or based on an overall optimization of the system in order to distribute the load optimally.

[0100] In addition in particular to all of the above and for the embodiments described or any other embodiment of the invention, the criteria which are used to determine the band on which the transmission must take place include one or more of the following elements: - the availability of airtime, - the available bandwidth, - non-Wi-Fi interference operating on the band, - the signal level of the access points, repeaters and stations, - the characteristics of the frequency band (standard used; power level, etc.), - the bandwidth used by the application, - the transmissions in progress on the different bands, - the retransmissions necessary on each of the bands to reach the main access point (the Internet), - the type of station, and - the type of service

[0101]

[0102] For example, when the access point and the repeater are capable of implementing broadcast and multicast transmissions, different cases may arise.

[0103] When traffic originates from the gateway, the "Broadcast" traffic is duplicated on both the 5GHz and 6GHz connections between the gateway and the repeater. The repeater is then responsible for removing traffic from the connection considered secondary.

[0104] "Registered" Multicast traffic is sent only over the connection between the gateway and the repeater over which the registration was made using the IGMP protocol.

[0105] The "unregistered" multicast traffic is duplicated on the 5GHz and 6GHz connections between the gateway and the repeater. The repeater is then responsible for removing the traffic from the connection considered secondary.

[0106] When traffic originates from the repeater, the traffic is forwarded through the primary connection.

[0107] When traffic originates from a Wi-Fi device connected to the extender, the traffic is forwarded through the connection selected to forward traffic originating from or destined to the device.

[0108]

[0109] According to the invention, the diversity of use cases, network topologies and the variability of bandwidth availability on the different connections may require a real-time estimation of the available bandwidth based on the different paths that the traffic may take.

[0110]

[0111] For example, this is a schematic view illustrating two simultaneous connections between the access point and two successive repeaters repeater1 and repeater2 according to the invention. Depending on the availability of the 5 GHz connection and the quality of the 6 GHz connection, it may be more efficient to use only the 5 GHz connection, to use only the 6 GHz connection or to use a combination of the two, for example the 5 GHz connection once and the 6 GHz connection a second time. The most efficient solution may also vary over time and may be different depending on the amount of data that the end device will receive or send.

[0112]

[0113] This is a schematic view illustrating traffic paths via connections between the access point and two successive repeaters according to the invention. In order to identify the most efficient solution, an algorithm can be used to qualify the cost associated with each part of the path. It will thus be possible to quantify the available bandwidth from the starting point (typically the Internet) to the destination (the final equipment) for all possible combinations. The path that will be the most efficient will thus be implemented, unless there are specific constraints linked to the service or the type of equipment as described above.

[0114] The cost estimate for each part of the path can be a function of the available physical bandwidth, the current channel utilization, and the impact that traffic on the various preceding or following hops will have on the quality of the link being estimated. The presence of other services being transmitted can also be taken into account to ensure that priority services receive the best available quality.

[0115]

[0116] In all the examples described, it is entirely possible to also provide a connection to the 2.4 GHz frequency band in addition to the other two connections. The 2.4 GHz connection allows a limited gain in terms of bandwidth and quality of service. However, it allows for greater robustness and provides bandwidth if the repeater is positioned very far from the access point.

[0117]

[0118] 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

A method for optimizing Wi-Fi communication in a communication network between a user's equipment and an access point via at least one repeater; the access point and the repeater each being equipped with at least one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 5 GHz frequency band and one Wi-Fi module communicating in the 6 GHz frequency band, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - when connecting the repeater to the access point, establishing two simultaneous connections in the 5 GHz frequency band and in the 6 GHz frequency band between the access point and the repeater, - communication between a user's equipment and the access point generating traffic, routing this traffic between the access point and the repeater to the 5 GHz frequency band or the 6 GHz frequency band according to predetermined criteria. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that when a frequency band between the access point and the repeater is chosen for a given connection, the repeater and the access point are configured to prohibit any traffic on the unselected frequency band. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the criteria include the type of service used by a user's equipment, said service being the origin of the traffic between the access point and the repeater. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the access point and the repeater are configured to direct each service to 5GHz or 6GHz depending on the sensitivity of the service to latency, packet loss and bandwidth. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the criteria include the type of equipment of a user connecting to the access point. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the criteria include an optimal load distribution between the 5GHz frequency band and the 6GHz frequency band. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the network includes several repeaters between a user's equipment and the access point, the routing of traffic to the 5 GHz frequency band or the 6 GHz frequency band according to predetermined criteria is also carried out between two successive repeaters. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two simultaneous connections to the 5 GHz frequency band and the 6 GHz frequency band between the access point and the repeater are made only when the communication quality of each frequency band is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access point and the repeater are further equipped with a Wi-Fi module communicating at the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the routing of traffic between the access point and the repeater is carried out to the 5 GHz frequency band, to the 6 GHz frequency band or to the 2.4 GHz frequency band according to predetermined criteria. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication network is a home network, the access point comprising an internet connection router. Communication network comprising an access point and at least one repeater; the access point and the repeater each having at least one Wi-Fi module communicating at the 5 GHz frequency band and one Wi-Fi module communicating at the 6 GHz frequency band, characterized in that the access point and the repeater are configured to implement a method according to any one of the preceding claims. Product computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing unit in an access point and / or in a repeater, cause the latter to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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