Diagnostic method and device for a wireless local area network

Abstract

The invention relates to a diagnostic method comprising, when a communication channel of an access point of the network has an occupation rate that exceeds a threshold: - identifying a predominant contribution from among a first contribution C1 to the occupation rate assigned to usage of the channel by at least one item of user equipment, and a second contribution C2 assigned to interference; - a diagnosis comprising: if C2 is predominant, detecting (E140) interference on the channel; if C1 is predominant, detecting (E70, E100, E120), depending on a distance from the access point of at least one item of user equipment associated with the access point, intensive use of the channel by the at least one item of user equipment, the presence of at least one interference device, or at least one required support action for the access point.

Description

Description Title of the invention: Diagnostic method and device for a wireless local area network Prior art

[0001] The invention belongs to the general field of telecommunications.

[0002] It relates more particularly to a diagnostic method intended to be applied to a wireless local area network or WLAN (for "Wireless Local Area Network" in English), to detect possible malfunctions within this network, and if necessary to remedy them. Such a WLAN network typically uses wireless transmission technology based on the IEEE802.il radio network standard and its evolutions, more commonly referred to as Wi-Fi (for "Wireless Fidelity" in English).

[0003] Due in particular to the explosion in the telecoms market of mobile terminals (e.g. smart phones (or "smartphones" in English), digital tablets, computers and portable game consoles, etc.), a majority of users today connect to their local home network (or RLD) via Wi-Fi technology. This local home network is itself connected to the Internet via a high-speed network (for example an xDSL network for "x Digital Subscriber Line" in English) or very high-speed network (for example an FTTH network (for "Fiber To The Home" in English) based on optical fiber).

[0004] With the increasing deployment of very high-speed FTTH networks, users are promised increasingly high speeds (typically up to 2Gbits / s downstream, and more than 800Mbits / s upstream). However, due to their Wi-Fi connection, users often experience speeds that are lower than those promised by operators, which leads to user frustration and dissatisfaction with very high-speed network operators. Indeed, like all technologies based on radio access, Wi-Fi does not guarantee the speed or quality of the connection that users benefit from, which can vary depending on various factors, such as the distance of user equipment from their Wi-Fi access point (AP), the presence of obstacles (e.g. partitions, slabs, etc.).), the number of user equipment simultaneously connected to the access point, the users' radio environment (presence of jammers, interference, etc.), etc.

[0005] The quality of experience perceived by users of very high-speed networks (i.e. the overall performance at the level of services and applications perceived by users) is therefore largely linked to the quality of service offered by the Wi-Fi networks they use to connect to these very high-speed networks, this quality of service being able to be measured from various parameters, such as the throughput obtained by users, the level of signal received, the signal-to-noise ratio, transmission opportunities, etc. This makes the quality of service of Wi-Fi networks a key issue for very high-speed network operators. It is therefore very important today for these operators to be able to effectively diagnose problems likely to affect a Wi-Fi network and to identify the origins of these problems, in particular in order to be able to provide explanations to their subscribers and, if necessary, if necessary, offer them solutions to improve the situation.

[0006] The IEEE 802.11 standard identifies a number of radio measurements that can be performed by a station compliant with this standard, whether it is a user equipment or an access point. These measurements, described in section 4.3.11 of the IEEE Std 802-11™-2020 document entitled “IEEE Standard for Information Technology - Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks - Specific Requirements - Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications”, 2021, can be performed at the initiative of the station or at the request of another station. They are intended to adjust the operation of stations in a WLAN network according to their radio environment in particular. The procedures for interrogating stations to obtain these measurements and reporting them are described elsewhere in section 11.10 of this document.

[0007] However, the IEEE 802.11 standard does not provide any guidance on how to actually use these measurements to enable reliable and accurate diagnosis of network status.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a reliable and efficient mechanism to diagnose the status of a WLAN network. Statement of the invention

[0009] The invention meets this need by proposing a diagnostic method intended to be applied by a diagnostic device to a wireless local area network, said method comprising, when a communication channel of an access point of the network has an occupancy rate exceeding a first threshold: a step of identifying a predominant contribution to the occupancy rate among a first contribution resulting from transmission(s) and / or reception(s) on the channel of data relating to at least one user equipment associated with the access point, and a second contribution resulting from interference on the channel; a diagnostic step comprising: o if the second contribution is identified as predominant, a detection of a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel;o if the first contribution is identified as predominant, a detection, as a function of a level of attenuation of at least one signal received by the access point from at least one user equipment associated with the access point, of an intensive use of said channel by said at least one user equipment, of a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel, or of at least one support action required of the access point (for example, replacement of the access point, addition of one or more repeaters in support of the access point) to improve a transmission and / or a reception on said channel of data relating to said at least one user equipment.;

[0010] Correlatively, the invention also relates to a diagnostic device for a wireless local area network, said device comprising a plurality of modules, activated when a communication channel of an access point of the network has an occupancy rate exceeding a first threshold, said plurality of modules comprising: an identification module, configured to identify a predominant contribution to the occupancy rate among a first contribution resulting from transmission(s) and / or reception(s) on the channel of data relating to at least one user equipment associated with the access point, and a second contribution resulting from interference on the channel; a diagnostic module, configured to: o if the second contribution is identified as preponderant, detect a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel;o if the first contribution is identified as predominant, detecting, as a function of a level of attenuation of at least one signal received by the access point from at least one user equipment associated with the access point, an intensive use of said channel by said at least one user equipment, a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel, or at least one support action required of the access point to improve a transmission and / or a reception on said channel of data relating to said at least one user equipment.;

[0011] No limitation is attached to the location of such a diagnostic device. It can for example be embedded within a single hardware or software device, such as a network access point, a controller, a network management system, etc. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage that the modules of a diagnostic device according to the invention are distributed over several separate devices (for example on an access point and on a controller, etc.).

[0012] Thus, the invention also relates to a wireless local area network management system comprising a diagnostic device according to the invention, and a wireless local area network access point comprising a diagnostic device according to the invention. No limitation is attached to the nature of such an access point; it may be a Wi-Fi terminal, a repeater, a home or residential gateway (also more commonly referred to as a "box"), a business router, an extender, etc.

[0013] The invention provides a mechanism for reliably and efficiently establishing the status of a wireless local area network (hereinafter WLAN or Wi-Fi network), and for detecting possible malfunctions of this network or situations that may disrupt the quality of experience perceived by users of the network (for example because a service has not been optimally served to users). The inventors, through numerous laboratory tests, have identified that such situations are closely linked to the occupancy rate (or "airtime" in English) of the channel used by user equipment to communicate with their access point.In particular, they found, through the tests carried out, that when this occupancy rate exceeds a certain threshold (first threshold within the meaning of the invention), the throughput provided by the access point to the user equipment associated with it (which represents an important quality of service parameter for WLAN networks) is impacted, this impact being able to be relatively significant (typically beyond 10%). The threshold in question depends in particular on the Wi-Fi chipset (or chip) equipping the access point, and can be determined experimentally. This observation is however valid regardless of this Wi-Fi chipset, regardless of the number and type of user equipment (in other words, regardless of its physical characteristics) associated with the access point, the operating band in which the channel is located (e.g. 2.4GHz, 5GHz or 6GHz), the throughputs of. instructions requested by the user equipment, and the signal levels received by the access point from the user equipment (which incidentally reflect the attenuations suffered by the signals and the distance of the user equipment from the access point).

[0014] The diagnostic mechanism proposed by the invention takes into account for this purpose a set of factors that the inventors have identified as determining factors (thanks in particular to numerous tests carried out in the laboratory) and combined judiciously, according to a particular scheme, to form an effective decision tree making it possible to detect the existence of complex problems in the Wi-Fi network, likely to affect the quality of service of the network (for example the flow rate obtained by users, the signal level or the signal-to-noise ratio received by the access point) and incidentally, the experience of users. Such problems are for example the existence of jammers or interference, or intensive use of the network by its users.But the invention also makes it possible to very advantageously identify situations in which an action to support the access point can make it possible to improve the quality of service of the network and / or extend its coverage, such as for example the addition of one or more repeaters in support of the access point, or a replacement of the access point (for example the replacement of an access point conforming to the IEEE 802. lin standard with an access point conforming to the IEEE 802.11ax standard).

[0015] Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to detect and explain various quality of service problems (and incidentally quality of experience problems perceived by network users) that may arise on the link between an access point (AP) of a Wi-Fi network and the user equipment (or equivalently, the non-AP stations) associated with it. Each branch of the decision tree proposed by the invention advantageously identifies the exact cause (lack of resources, interference, weakening of signals, etc.) of a problem detected in the network. Thanks to the invention, it is therefore possible to provide an explanation, and where appropriate an effective solution, to a drop in quality of service experienced by a network user, which represents a substantial improvement compared to the state of the art.Furthermore, the invention advantageously makes it possible to have a differentiated diagnosis for the different user equipment associated with an access point.

[0016] The method according to the invention may indeed further comprise, in a particular embodiment, a step of recommending at least one action to be implemented to improve a quality of service of the wireless local network. It should however be noted that this recommendation step is optional.

[0017] Such action is, for example, the addition of one or more repeaters, a change in the Wi-Fi connection channel or interface used to communicate with the access point, checking the characteristics of the user equipment, moving the user or their access point away from potential sources of interference (e.g. microwave), changing the access point, etc. As indicated above, different actions may be recommended to the user equipment depending on the situation diagnosed for each of them.

[0018] The invention thus allows operators of Internet access networks (more generally ISPs, for "Internet Service Providers") and their after-sales service to provide a detailed response to their subscribers when they experience difficulties on their Wi-Fi network (for example, recommending the addition of a repeater to improve network coverage, proposing alternatives to improve the performance of its home network). This results in better management of subscriber calls, a reduction in field interventions (and therefore incidentally a reduction in costs and the environmental footprint resulting from such interventions), and an improvement in subscriber satisfaction. It is also possible to consider feeding a database with the results of diagnostics carried out on the network, locally or remotely, in order to enable statistical studies to be carried out on the network's behavior. The benefits provided by the invention are therefore multiple for both users and operators.

[0019] Different implementations can be envisaged for each branch of the decision tree proposed by the invention. These implementations can advantageously rely on standardized measurements (such as the measurements described in paragraph 4.3.1 of the IEEE Std 802-ll™-2020 document cited above) that can be carried out by the network stations (user equipment and / or access points) and / or on indicators (often referred to as KPIs for “Key Performance Indicators” in English) already calculated by most of the chipsets equipping the access points (or which would not pose any difficulty to calculate for those skilled in the art). The invention therefore does not strictly speaking require any signaling or particular data transmission to be able to diagnose the state of the network.

[0020] For example, in a particular embodiment, at least one element among the channel occupancy rate, the first contribution, the second contribution and the attenuation level of said at least one signal received by the access point is estimated by the diagnostic device from values ​​collected from the access point of at least one parameter among: a channel occupancy rate for transmitting data to at least one user equipment associated with the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate for receiving data from at least one user equipment associated with the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate associated with access points neighboring the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate associated with erroneous data received by the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate associated with energy or carrier detection by the access point; and / or a transmission opportunity on the channel.

[0021] Such KPIs are typically available in most chipsets used in access points. It should be noted that if all or part of these KPIs are not already offered by the manufacturer of a chipset, this poses no difficulty for him as a person skilled in the art, based on the information available to a Wi-Fi chipset (and which he observes on its interfaces) and the measurements reported by the user equipment associated with it, to evaluate the missing KPIs.

[0022] Thus, for example, the first contribution can be estimated by the diagnostic device by summing the channel occupancy rate for transmitting data from the access point to the user equipments associated with it and the channel occupancy rate for receiving data from the user equipments associated with the access point.

[0023] As another example, the second contribution can be estimated by summing the channel occupancy rate associated with neighboring access points of the access point, the rate channel occupancy associated with erroneous data received by the access point and channel occupancy rate associated with energy or carrier detection by the access point.

[0024] These two examples are given for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the invention.

[0025] In another particular embodiment in which the first contribution is identified as preponderant, and during the diagnostic step, a presence of at least one jamming device (or jammer) is detected when a physical transmission rate from the access point to at least one said user equipment on said channel is lower than a reference physical rate expected on this channel.

[0026] The reference physical throughput can typically be estimated from a signal level (or RSSI for “Received Signal Strength Indication”) or a signal-to-noise ratio (or SNR for “Signal-to-Noise Ratio”) received by the access point which is compared to a reference chart, known to those skilled in the art, associating the corresponding theoretical throughputs with different RSSI or SNR values.

[0027] With this embodiment, it is possible for the diagnostic device to alert the user and indicate to him whether one of his user devices is jammed (and which one), and possibly to provide him with additional indications so that he can intervene. The jamming device can be another access point or one of the user devices of the user, or even another non-Wi-Fi device (for example, a device using a technology exploiting the same frequency band such as Bluetooth or DECT equipment, a microwave, etc.).

[0028] In a particular embodiment, the first contribution is identified as predominant if it is greater than the second contribution weighted by an actual weighting value greater than or equal to 1, the second contribution being identified as predominant otherwise.

[0029] By "preponderant" here we mean the one that has the greatest impact on network performance. The weighting value makes it possible to modulate the weight of interference in relation to the weight of the actual use of the channel (and vice versa) taking into account their respective impacts on network performance.

[0030] Such a weighting value may depend on the manufacturer of the chipset equipping the access point and / or an operating band (e.g. 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) in which the communication channel is located. It can be determined by expertise or by means of laboratory tests.

[0031] Alternatively, the diagnostic can determine which of the contributions is predominant by comparing them against given thresholds.

[0032] In a particular embodiment in which the first contribution is identified as preponderant, and during the diagnostic step, said attenuation level of said at least one signal received from the access point is taken into account by comparing a signal level received by the access point of this user equipment on said channel with respect to a second threshold.

[0033] This comparison amounts to estimating the distance of the user equipment in question from the access point (the weaker the signal level received from a user equipment, the more it is weakened and the user equipment is considered to be far from the access point). It is advantageously based on measurements already available at the access point, as mentioned previously.

[0034] In another embodiment wherein the first contribution is identified as preponderant, during the diagnostic step, the diagnostic device takes into account the level of attenuation of signals received by the access point from N user devices identified by the diagnostic device as being the most resource-consuming of said communication channel, N designating an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0035] It should be noted that the number N can be fixed in advance, or dynamically, for example by considering a limit consumption threshold of the channel resources and by identifying the user equipment exceeding this limit consumption threshold, or by ordering the user equipment associated with the access point in descending order of a given resource consumption indicator, and retaining only the N most significant user equipments having a ratio (or a difference) between their indicator and that of their neighbor immediately below greater than a given threshold).

[0036] Different indicators can be considered by the diagnostic device to identify the N largest consumers of channel resources.

[0037] Thus, according to one example, said N user devices identified by the diagnostic device correspond to the N user devices associated with the access point having the highest usage rates of said communication channel.

[0038] The inventors have in fact noted that the channel occupancy rate makes it possible to simply and precisely identify the user equipment which contributes most to channel saturation.

[0039] Alternatively, the diagnostic device may consider the throughputs used by the user equipment associated with the access point or the number of frames transmitted / received by the latter. These indicators have the advantage of being relatively simple for the diagnostic device to evaluate.

[0040] In a particular embodiment, the diagnostic method further comprises, when a communication channel of an access point of the network located in a 5Ghz operating band has an occupancy rate not exceeding the first threshold and a level of attenuation of at least one signal received by said access point from at least one user equipment using said channel exceeds a given limit, a diagnostic step comprising a detection of at least one support action required of the access point to improve a transmission and / or a reception on said channel of data relating to said at least one user equipment.

[0041] The inventors noted, during the validation of their diagnostic method, that in a very small number of cases, despite a channel occupancy rate lower than or equal to the first threshold, a drop in quality of service may be experienced by the user equipment associated with the access point using this channel. These exceptional situations are encountered for a particular Wi-Fi interface corresponding to the 5GHz band. In this case, depending on the attenuation suffered by the signals emitted by the user equipment (and incidentally on the distance of the latter from the access point and the level of the signals received by the access point), the addition of a repeater may prove relevant to improve the situation and the quality of service of the network.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, the diagnostic method is implemented by a computer.

[0043] The invention also relates to a computer program on a recording medium, this program being capable of being implemented in one or more computers generally in a diagnostic device according to the invention and comprising instructions adapted to the implementation of a diagnostic method as described above.

[0044] Each of these programs may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0045] The invention also relates to an information medium or a recording medium readable by a computer, and comprising instructions of a computer program as mentioned above.

[0046] The information or recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing programs. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a hard disk, or a flash memory.

[0047] On the other hand, the information or recording medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio link, by wireless optical link or by other means.

[0048] The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network.

[0049] Alternatively, the information or recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which a program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the diagnostic method according to the invention.

[0050] It is also possible to envisage, in other embodiments, that the diagnostic method and device, the access point and the management system according to the invention have in combination all or part of the aforementioned characteristics. Brief description of the drawings

[0051] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting character. In the figures: [Fig. 1] Figure 1 represents, in its environment, a diagnostic device according to the invention, in a particular embodiment; [Fig. 2] Figure 2 schematically represents the hardware architecture of a computer on which the diagnostic device of Figure 1 is based, in a particular embodiment; [Fig. 3] Figure 3 represents the functional modules of the diagnostic device of Figure 1; and [Fig. 4] Figure 4 represents, in the form of a flowchart, the main steps of a diagnostic method according to the invention, as implemented by the diagnostic device of Figure 1, in a particular embodiment. Description of the invention

[0052] Figure 1 represents, in its environment, a diagnostic device 1, according to the invention, in a particular embodiment. According to the invention, the diagnostic device 1 is able to carry out a diagnosis of the state of a wireless local access network 2 (hereinafter Wi-Fi network 2).

[0053] In the example considered here, the Wi-Fi network 2 is a home network of a user U. It is connected via a home gateway 3, also more commonly called a box (or internet box), to a very high-speed network 4 (for example an FTTH network) managed by an operator OP, allowing the user U to access the Internet in particular. The box 3 here comprises a Wi-Fi chipset 5 offering several Wi-Fi connection interfaces to the user U, for example an interface operating in an operating band around the 2.4GHz frequency (hereinafter called the 2.4GHz operating band), an interface operating in an operating band around the 5GHz frequency (hereinafter called the 5GHz operating band), and an interface operating in an operating band around the 6GHz frequency (hereinafter called the 6GHz operating band). The box 3 is therefore an access point (or AP) of the Wi-Fi network 2, hereinafter referred to as AP 3.In the example illustrated in Figure 1, a plurality of user devices are associated, in a manner known per se, with the box 3, namely a mobile terminal 6 (for example a smartphone), a digital tablet 7 and a laptop 8 of the user U. In the following, P is an integer greater than or equal to 1 designating the number of user devices associated with the AP 3 and capable of communicating with it (P=3 in the example of Figure 1).

[0054] These assumptions are of course not limiting in themselves of the invention. The invention applies in fact in contexts other than a residential context (such as for example to a Wi-Fi network of a company), to other configurations of the Wi-Fi network, for example comprising a number and / or different types of access points (Wi-Fi terminals, repeaters, extenders, etc.), or a number P and / or different types of user equipment associated with the access point(s).

[0055] The user equipments associated with the AP 3 may use the same Wi-Fi connection interface or separate Wi-Fi connection interfaces (for example, one user equipment may use the 2.4GHz interface of the AP 3, while another user equipment may use its 5GHz interface). In a manner known per se, each connection interface allows the user equipments associated with the AP 3 to communicate (i.e., receive and / or send data) with it via a single communication channel chosen (for example, via a configuration of the AP 3) from among the plurality of communication channels made available by this interface.

[0056] In the embodiment described here, the diagnostic device 1 is embedded in the AP 3 and relies on the hardware architecture of the latter. It is assumed here that the AP 3 has the hardware architecture of a computer as shown in FIG. 2.

[0057] More specifically, the AP 3 includes the chipset 5 offering multiple Wi-Fi interfaces and connected to one or more ANT antennas, a processor PROC, a random access memory MEM, a read only memory ROM, a non-volatile memory NVM, and COM means integrating a port intended to be connected to the FTTH network 4 as well as other ports, such as Ethernet ports, USB, etc.

[0058] The non-volatile memory NVM of the AP 3 constitutes a recording medium in accordance with the invention, readable by the processor PROC and on which a program PROG in accordance with the invention is recorded. This comprises instructions defining the main steps of a diagnostic method according to the invention. It defines more specifically the functional modules of the diagnostic device 1, which rely on and / or control all or part of the elements 5, PROC, MEM, ROM, NVM, and COM of the AP 3 mentioned above.

[0059] According to the invention, the diagnostic device 1, and more particularly its functional modules, are configured to diagnose the state of the Wi-Fi 2 network by applying a decision tree considering a plurality of factors identified as relevant by the inventors to obtain a reliable and precise diagnosis of the state of the network. These factors include in particular, for each communication channel considered of an access point of the Wi-Fi 2 network, the occupancy rate of this channel, the respective contributions to this occupancy rate attributable to use of the channel by the P user equipments associated with the access point and to interference, and the location (or more particularly here the distance) of the user equipments associated with the access point relative to it.

[0060] Thus, in the embodiment described here, the functional modules of the diagnostic device 1 comprise, as illustrated in FIG. 3: a detection module IA configured to determine an occupancy rate called %airtime of a communication channel of an access point of the Wi-Fi network 2 (typically here of the AP 3) and to compare the occupancy rate %airtime thus obtained with a given threshold SI (first threshold within the meaning of the invention); an identification module IB, activated when the detection module IA detects that the occupancy rate %airtime of the channel exceeds the threshold SI, and configured to determine: o a first contribution C1 to the occupancy rate %airtime resulting from transmission(s) and / or reception(s) on the channel of data relating to at least one user equipment associated with the access point considered; and o a second contribution C2 to the occupancy rate %airtime resulting from interference on the channel. The identification module IB is further configured to identify, among the first contribution C1 and the second contribution C2, the one which is predominant, i.e. has the greatest impact on the state of the network; a diagnostic module IC, activated by the identification module IB and configured to: o if the second contribution C2 is identified as predominant, detect the presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on the channel in question and therefore likely to affect a quality of service offered by the wireless local area network;o if the first contribution Cl is identified as predominant, detecting, as a function of a level of attenuation of at least one signal received by the access point from at least one user equipment associated with the access point (in other words, a distance of the user equipment from the access point), an intensive use of the channel in question by said at least one user equipment, a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on the channel, or at least one support action required from the access point (for example the addition of one or more repeaters in support of the access point) to improve a transmission and / or a reception on said channel of data relating to said at least one user equipment.; In the embodiment described herein, the diagnostic IC module is further configured to report the diagnostics it has performed, and their results (in other words, the events it has detected during these diagnostics (presence of interference, intensive use of the channel, presence of a jamming device or need of an action to support the access point, such as adding a repeater to support it)). This reporting may take the form, for example, of storage (in the form of logs for example) in a database of the OP operator (accessible by the OP operator's actors), of a notification sent to the OP network operator or its after-sales service, or to a management system (controller) of the Wi-Fi network 2, or to any other entity interested in such diagnostics (for example to the user in the form of a display on a local screen of the box 3). This reporting includes the result of the diagnostic, and if necessary, the context in which it was carried out.It may also include a recommendation made by the diagnostic IC module of one or more actions to be implemented to improve the quality of the Wi-Fi 2 network in light of the diagnosis made, such as for example the addition of a repeater, the verification of the characteristics of one or more user devices, the movement of the user U or its access point in relation to potential sources of interference (e.g. microwave), a change of channel or interface (i.e. operating band), etc.

[0061] In the embodiment described here, the diagnostic IC module can also be activated by the detection IA module when the latter detects that the %airtime occupancy rate of a channel located in the 5GHz operating band and used by at least one user equipment of the Wi-Fi network 2 does not exceed the SI threshold. More particularly in this case, the diagnostic IC module is configured to, when the attenuation level of the signals received from the user equipment(s) using this channel exceeds a given limit, detect a context favorable to (or requiring) the implementation of at least one action to support the access point, such as for example the use of at least one repeater to improve transmission and / or reception on said data channel between the access point and said at least one user equipment.

[0062] In all other cases, the situation of the Wi-Fi network 2 observed by the diagnostic device 1 is considered normal. The diagnostic IC module can then be configured to not report any reports in such a case, or on the contrary to report normal operation of the Wi-Fi network 2 in light of the diagnosis carried out.

[0063] It should be noted that by convention in this description, by "exceeds a threshold or a limit" is meant that the observed quantity (in absolute value) is greater (strictly) than the threshold or limit in question. Conversely, if the quantity "does not exceed this threshold or this limit", it is less than or equal to the threshold or limit in question. Of course, another convention can be used according to which an exceedance of the threshold or the limit results in an observed quantity greater than or equal to the threshold or the limit in question, and a quantity not exceeding a threshold or a limit results in the quantity being less than the threshold or the limit in question. The two situations are in fact equivalent and depend on the threshold or the limit considered, and do not alter in any way the principle of the invention.

[0064] The operation of the IA to IC modules is described in more detail now.

[0065] More specifically, Figure 4 represents in the form of a flowchart the main steps of a diagnostic method according to the invention as they are implemented, in a particular embodiment, by the diagnostic device 1 (and by its modules IA, IB and IC) in the context of the Wi-Fi network 2. These different steps illustrate the decision tree on which the invention is based and which is used by the diagnostic device 1 to diagnose the state of the Wi-Fi network 2.

[0066] Such a diagnosis can be triggered (step E10) by the operator OP of the FTTH network 4 (or by an entity acting on its behalf, such as for example its after-sales service after having been alerted by the user U of a drop in his quality of experience), for example via a command sent to the AP 3 so that it activates the diagnostic device 1, or by another actor (for example by the user U after having noticed a drop in his quality of experience, via a command provided for this purpose on the AP 3), or by the diagnostic device 1 itself (for example because it is configured to carry out such a diagnosis at specific times), etc.

[0067] It is assumed here, for the sake of simplification, that the triggered diagnosis targets a communication channel CH of a Wi-Fi connection interface of the AP 3 used simultaneously by the P user equipments 6, 7, 8, for example the 2.4GHz interface. However, this simplifying assumption is not limiting in itself, and the triggered diagnosis may target several Wi-Fi connection interfaces of the AP 3 used simultaneously by the user equipments 6, 7 and 8, in which case, what is described below for a single Wi-Fi connection interface is reproduced in a similar or identical manner for each Wi-Fi connection interface considered (in other words, for each respective communication channel used for each interface considered).

[0068] Following the triggering of the diagnosis, the diagnostic device 1 via its IA module, determines the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) of the communication channel CH used by the P user devices 6, 7, 8 (step E20). The occupancy rate %airtime(CH) designates the load (or "load" in English) or the use of the channel CH (or "channel utilization" in English), regardless of the origin of this use.

[0069] The concept of occupancy rate of a Wi-Fi channel is known to those skilled in the art. For example, the document IEEE Std 802-11™-2020 cited above, in paragraph 11.10.9.3, defines the occupancy rate %airtime of a communication channel as being the percentage, scaled linearly by considering that the value 255 represents 100%, of the time when a station has detected that the medium (otherwise the communication channel) was occupied in the sense of the virtual carrier sense mechanism or the physical carrier sense mechanism when they are implemented on the required channel band. The occupancy rate %airtime of a channel can thus be defined using the following formula: Channel occupation time %airtime = — — ■ — — - — — - x 255 Measurement duration x 1024 where channel occupancy time refers to the number of microseconds during which the physical or virtual medium listening mechanism (or more generally CS mechanism (for "Carrier Sense")), as defined in paragraph 10.3.2.1 of the IEEE Std 802-ll™-2020 document, provides an indication of a busy channel on the required channel band. The CS mechanism is, in a manner known per se, used by stations (user equipment and access points) to access a communication channel: they must in fact listen to the communication channel (also referred to as medium or medium) before transmitting data on it; if the channel is busy (identified as such on the basis of an energy level detected by the stations), they cannot transmit data. The IEEE Std 802-11™-2020 document proposes to exploit this mechanism to determine the channel occupancy rate.

[0070] It should be noted that determining the channel occupancy rate by a chipset Wi-Fi, is a classic operation in itself: all Wi-Fi chipsets do it or determine, in an equivalent way, an indicator noted here KPI1, representative of the transmission opportunity rate on the channel which is defined as the percentage of time when the channel is free for data transmission (KPI1 is between 0 and 100 and defined by KPIl=100-%airtime),

[0071] The IA module therefore determines the occupancy rate %airtime of the CH channel by interrogating the Wi-Fi 5 chipset of the AP 3 using a command provided by the chipset manufacturer for this purpose. During this interrogation, it obtains either the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) directly, or the transmission opportunity rate KPIl(CH) on the CH channel, from which it determines the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) by applying the following relationship: %airtime(CH)=100-KPIl(CH)

[0072] Then the IA module compares the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) to the threshold SI (test step E30). The threshold SI corresponds to the occupancy rate of the channel beyond which the inventors observed a significant drop in the quality of service (and more particularly the throughput) of the Wi-Fi 2 network provided to the user equipment 6, 7, 8. Thus, for example, during their experiments, the inventors considered a loss of throughput greater than or equal to 12% as a significant drop in throughput. Of course, this value is given for illustrative purposes only and other values ​​may be considered. Furthermore, in the embodiment described here, the inventors were interested as a parameter representative of the quality of service of the Wi-Fi 2 network to the throughput experienced by the user equipment. However, alternatively, other quality of service parameters could have been considered such as jitter, delay, etc. (or even a combination of parameters).

[0073] The SI threshold can be determined experimentally from measurement campaigns. It may vary, in particular, depending on the manufacturer of the Wi-Fi chipsets equipping the AP and user equipment (and the model of these chipsets) and the Wi-Fi connection interface considered (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz).

[0074] For example, the inventors conducted such measurement campaigns on access points equipped with different models of Wi-Fi chipsets and evaluated the impact of the channel occupancy rate %airtime on the throughput (quality of service parameter) enjoyed by the user equipment associated with an AP. Several WiFi network configurations were observed by varying the WiFi interface used, the types of user equipment associated with the AP, their number, their distance from the AP, their radio environment (presence or absence of jammers) or their target throughput (i.e. the throughput required by the user equipment).In each of the tested configurations, it was found by the inventors that up to a certain limit utilization of the channel (in other words, as long as the %airtime occupancy rate of the channel is below a certain threshold, namely the SI threshold introduced previously), no impact (or only a minor impact) on the quality of service and in particular on the throughput, is to be deplored. Conversely, beyond this limit utilization (in other words the SI threshold), a major impact is observed (by major impact, the inventors considered a loss of throughput beyond 12%, as mentioned previously). By observing the results obtained and quantifying the impact of the utilization rate on a quality of service parameter such as the throughput, it is therefore possible to easily determine the SI threshold (for example SI = 80%).

[0075] In the embodiment described herein, if the AI ​​module detects during its comparison that the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) is greater than the threshold SI (yes response to test step E30), then the diagnostic device 1 executes the block of steps E-DIAG-I. Otherwise (no response to test step E30), it executes the block of steps E-DIAG-II.

[0076] Let us first assume that the IA module detects that the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) is higher than the SI threshold (and that the diagnostic device 1 therefore executes the E-DIAG-I step block). The IA module then activates the IB module for identifying the diagnostic device 1.

[0077] Following this activation, the module IB then determines the sources causing the high occupancy rate of the CH channel. It distinguishes more particularly here (step E40): the contribution Cl (first contribution within the meaning of the invention) to the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) due to the use of the CH channel by the P user devices associated with the AP 3 to transmit and / or receive data (data relating to the user devices within the meaning of the invention). This includes the Wi-Fi data frames received on the CH channel by the AP 3 that can be detected and decoded (i.e. for which it is possible to read the header) and which are intended for it, and those which are sent on the CH channel by the AP 3 to the P user devices associated with it, as well as the control and management frames sent on the CH channel before the data frames;and the contribution C2 (second contribution within the meaning of the invention) to the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) due to the interference present on the channel CH, i.e. to all the signals having a sufficient energy level to be detected by the AP 3 on the channel CH but whose nature cannot be determined (also referred to as “non-Wi-Fi energy” in English) and which are therefore not associated with the use of the channel CH, as well as to all the Wi-Fi frames that the AP 3 is able to detect and decode on the channel CH but which are not intended for it (in other words which can be assimilated to Wi-Fi jamming).;

[0078] In the embodiment described here, the module IB estimates the contributions C1 and C2 using values ​​of indicators or KPIs available at the level of the Wi-Fi chipset 5. More particularly here, it is assumed that, in a manner known per se and not described in detail here, the Wi-Fi chipset 5 evaluates from the information that it observes on its Wi-Fi connection interfaces and the measurements that it collects from the P user equipments associated with the AP 3, the values ​​of the following KPIs (in addition to the value of KPI1 cited previously): a KPI2 occupancy rate of the channel for transmitting data to at least one user equipment associated with the AP 3; a KPI3 occupancy rate of the channel for receiving data from at least one user equipment associated with the AP 3; a KPI4 occupancy rate of the channel associated with access points neighboring the AP 3; a KPI5 occupancy rate of the channel associated with erroneous data received by the AP 3;and a KPI6 channel occupancy rate associated with energy or carrier detection by the AP 3; and that these values ​​are accessible by the IB module by querying the Wi-Fi 5 chipset using a command provided by the chipset manufacturer for this purpose. It should be noted that the frequency of reporting of these KPIs is configurable at the chipset level (for example ls). Furthermore, it is possible to consider averaging over a given time period (for example 10s) the values ​​of these KPIs reported by the chipset.;

[0079] The IB module then estimates the contribution Cl by summing the parameters KPI2 and KPI3 obtained from chipset 5 of the AP 3. It also estimates the contribution C2 either by summing the parameters KPI4, KPI5 and KPI6 obtained from chipset 5 of the AP 3, or by subtracting the values ​​of the parameter KPI1 and Cl from 100.

[0080] Then the module IB identifies among the contributions C1 and C2 the one which is preponderant with regard to a determined so-called preponderance criterion (test step E50). In the embodiment described here, this preponderance criterion is as follows: the contribution C1 is considered to be preponderant (yes response to the test step E50) if it is greater than the contribution C2 weighted by an actual weighting value P greater than or equal to 1; and the contribution C2 is considered to be preponderant (no response to the test step E50) otherwise.

[0081] The E50 comparison performed by the IB module aims to identify the contribution having the greatest impact on the network's quality of service. The weighting value P makes it possible to modulate the weight of one of the contributions in relation to the other. In a particular embodiment, it is taken equal to 1.

[0082] However, the inventors have found experimentally that a value strictly greater than 1 can lead in certain situations to a better diagnosis. Consequently, in another embodiment, the weighting value P used by the IB module is strictly greater than 1. Such a value can be determined experimentally, and can depend on the Wi-Fi connection interface considered, and therefore on the operating band in which the CH channel considered is located during the diagnosis.

[0083] In an alternative embodiment, the preponderance criterion applied by the IB module to identify the preponderant contribution among the contributions C1 and C2 consists of comparing the contributions C1 and C2 with respect to a predefined threshold (for example, defined experimentally) and identifying the one that exceeds the threshold in question. It should be noted that in this alternative, a separate threshold can be defined for each contribution, and in the event that both thresholds are exceeded, the IB module identifies the one that most substantially exceeds the threshold defined for it.

[0084] If during step E50, the module IB identifies that the contribution C1 is preponderant (response yes to the test step E50), it activates the module IC of the diagnostic device 1 so that it examines the level of attenuation undergone by the signals received by the AP 3 from all or part of the P user equipments (6, 7 and 8 in the example envisaged in FIG. 1) associated with the AP 3 (test step E60). This level of attenuation reflects the distance of the user equipments from the AP 3. In the embodiment described here, the level of attenuation of the signals received by the AP 3 is taken into account by the module IC by considering the signal level or RSSI received by the AP 3 from these user equipments on the channel CH (the lower the signal level received from a user equipment, the more its signal is attenuated and the user equipment is considered to be far from the access point).However, as a variant, this level of attenuation may be taken into account in a different way, for example by taking into account location information available concerning this user equipment (e.g. provided by the user U or by the user equipment itself), or an estimate of the attenuation suffered by the signals coming from the user equipment.

[0085] In the embodiment described here, during the test step E60, the module IC considers a LIST set comprising N user devices selected from the P user devices associated with AP 3 (user devices 6, 7, 8 in the example of figure 1), N designating an integer greater than or equal to 1, and less than or equal to P.

[0086] More specifically, the IC module selects the N user equipments at the origin of the contribution Cl which consume the most resources on the channel CH, in other words which participate the most in the contribution Cl. For this purpose, various indicators of the resources consumed by the P user equipments associated with the AP 3 can be considered by the IC module.

[0087] In the embodiment described here, the indicator taken into account by the module IC is the utilization rate of the channel CH of each user equipment associated with the AP 3, noted %airtime(CH,UEx), where UEx designates the user equipment considered, x=l,...,P (UEx=6, 7 or 8 in the example envisaged in figure 1). Indeed, the analyses carried out by the inventors have shown that this indicator is very relevant for reliably identifying the user equipment which contributes most to the saturation of the channel.

[0088] In the embodiment described here, to evaluate the utilization rate %airtime(CH,UEx) of a user equipment UEx associated with the AP 3, the IC module uses the following elements, available at the chipset 5 of the AP 3: the number of data frames transmitted / received on the CH channel by (i.e. associated with) the user equipment UEx; the average size of these frames; the physical rates used to send / receive data frames on the CH channel associated with the user equipment UEx; and the physical rate used for the control and management frames sent before the data frames relating to the user equipment UEx on the CH channel (which may be different (lower) than the rate of the data frames, for example 25Mb / s for the control and management frames and 1Gb / s for the data frames).

[0089] From the number of frames and their average size, the IC module is able to estimate a number of bytes or bits sent on the channel CH (uplink and / or downlink) and associated with the user equipment UEx; then from the bit rate values, it can estimate the occupancy rate %airtime(CH,UEx) of the channel by the user equipment UEx. It should be noted that to estimate the number of bytes / bits associated with the user equipment UEx, the IC module relies here on a certain number of assumptions, such as for example concerning the number of control and management frames sent for a given user equipment UEx (for example the ratio of the number of payload frames and the number of acknowledgment frames). Of course, other assumptions or other ways of calculating the rate %airtime(CH,UEx) for a user equipment UEx can be considered as a variant. For example, G. Raaen on his website https: / / gjermundraaen.com / thewifiairtimecalculator / , proposes a method for calculating the channel occupancy rate per user equipment, called “The WiFi AirTime Calculator”, version 1 (October 21, 2019), applicable to a Wi-Fi network compliant with the IEEE 802.11ax standard, and which can be used within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] Once the occupancy rate %airtime(CH,UEx) has been estimated for each user equipment UEx, x=l,...,P associated with access point 3, the IC module calculates the following ratio for each: %airtime(CH, UEx) ratio(UEx) = - — — - ÀUEX associated with AP3 %airtime(CH, UEx)

[0091] Then the IC module classifies the user equipments UEx, x=l,...,P, in descending order of their ratios ratio(UEx). In the following, for the sake of simplification, we assume that the user equipments UE1, UE2,... UEP thus classified correspond to the descending order of their ratios, UE1 corresponding to the largest ratio and UEP corresponding to the smallest ratio.

[0092] The IC module then compares the ratios ratio(UEx) of the user equipments UEx, x=l,...,P thus classified two by two, starting from the user equipment UE1 corresponding to the largest ratio. As soon as it detects a value xO of x for which: ratio(UExO)>p.ratio(UExO+l) where p denotes a real value greater than 1 (for example p=1.5), the IC module considers that the user equipments UEx for x>x0 have an occupancy rate of the channel CH that is not representative compared to the previous user equipments. It then selects from the set LIST the N=x0 user equipments UEl,...,UExO.

[0093] Other methods may be implemented at the IC module level to constitute the LIST set. Thus, in another embodiment, the IC module may select the N user equipments from the LIST set by considering a limit consumption threshold of the CH channel resources and by identifying the N user equipments UEx exceeding this limit consumption threshold.

[0094] It should be noted that in these embodiments, the number N is determined dynamically. Alternatively, it can be envisaged that it is fixed in advance, for example N=2 and the IC module selects the 2 user equipments UEx corresponding to the highest ratios ratio(UEx).

[0095] It goes without saying that in both cases (N fixed dynamically or in advance), a number N strictly less than P makes it possible to reduce the set of user equipment examined by the IC module during the diagnosis and therefore accelerates the diagnosis. Conversely, a number N close to P makes it possible to obtain a more precise diagnosis. A method such as described previously which does not retain in the LIST set the user equipment not participating in the occupancy rate of the channel CH in a significant manner makes it possible to obtain a diagnosis quickly without sacrificing its precision and reliability.

[0096] Furthermore, the IC module can consider other indicators than the occupancy rate per user equipment to select the N user equipments that consume the most channel resources and constitute the LIST list, such as for example the bit rate used by each user equipment UEx, or the number of Wi-Fi frames transmitted and / or received by each user equipment UEx, and apply to these indicators any of the methods that have just been described.

[0097] The IC module then examines the attenuation level of the signals received by the AP 3 from each user equipment of the LIST set. As mentioned previously, in the embodiment described here, this attenuation level is taken into account by considering the RSSI(UEx) signal level received by the AP 3 from each user equipment UEx of the LIST set (i.e. x=1,...N), and by comparing this RSSI(UEx) signal level with a given threshold S2 (second threshold within the meaning of the invention). The RSSI signal level of each user equipment associated with the AP 3 is a measurement conventionally carried out by the AP 3 as part of its operation within the Wi-Fi network 2, which the IC module has no difficulty in obtaining by interrogating the Wi-Fi 5 chipset of the AP 3. The comparison carried out by the module IC during step E60 allows it to establish a diagnosis of the state of the Wi-Fi 2 network for each user equipment UEx considered, and in the embodiment described here, depending on the diagnosis established, to recommend one or more actions to be implemented to improve this state and in particular the quality of service of the Wi-Fi 2 network experienced by each user equipment. It should be noted that a different diagnosis (and a different action to be implemented) can be established for the different user equipment.

[0098] The threshold S2 can be determined by expertise or experimentally. For example, measurements can be carried out by considering a plurality of user equipments and a plurality of access points, and by comparing the throughputs achieved by the user equipments in the presence or absence of repeaters placed in support of the access points. The threshold S2 is obtained from the RSSIs of the user equipments which, when connected to a repeater, obtain, at a point in space, a throughput greater than or equal to the throughput achieved without a repeater. For example, the threshold S2 corresponds to the maximum value of the RSSIs obtained. Alternatively, the average value of the RSSIs obtained can be taken as S2. In yet another alternative, a single user equipment and a single access equipment can be considered to determine the value of S2 and the value of the RSSI obtained for this user equipment can be taken.

[0099] More particularly, in the embodiment described here, if for at least one user equipment UEx, x=l,...,N, of the set LIST, the signal level RSSI(UEx) exceeds the threshold S2 (yes response to the test step E60), then the diagnostic module IC detects an intensive use of the channel CH by this user equipment UEx (step E70) and notifies it to the entity at the origin of the triggering of the diagnosis, as described previously (step E80). It goes without saying that if the parameter considered to estimate the level of attenuation of the signal received from a user equipment with respect to the AP 3 is a distance to the access point or a weakening of the signals, an intensive use of the channel CH is detected if the distance or the weakening of the signals is less than a determined threshold.

[0100] The comparison carried out in step E60 shows that the high occupancy rate of the channel CH is due in whole or in part to one or more user devices located near the AP 3 (and whose signals are slightly weakened). The IC module can then recommend, with its diagnosis as an action to be implemented, a verification of the characteristics of the AP 3 and / or the user devices concerned (i.e. those for which the signal level exceeds the threshold S2), such as for example the standard implemented (IEEE802.11, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, etc.), the number of antennas (also called “Spatial Stream”), the maximum bandwidth used, etc., or an update of the Wi-Fi technology implemented by the AP 3 and / or by the UEx user equipment(s) concerned (for example a change of the Wi-Fi card for a laptop or PC (for “Personal Computer” in English) type user equipment), or a verification that the UEx user equipment(s) concerned are using the “best” frequency band (i.e. operating band within the meaning of the invention), and depending on the result of this verification, a switch (also called “band steering” in English) to another more suitable frequency band (for example a switch from the 2.4GHz band to the 5GHz band).

[0101] It should be noted that in the embodiment described here, step E60 is implemented for each user equipment UEx in the list LIST, and a diagnosis is established individually for each of the user equipment considered. Alternatively, it is possible to consider establishing a diagnosis taking into account all of the results obtained following the E60 comparisons carried out for each of the user equipment on the LIST list.

[0102] In the embodiment described here, if for at least one user equipment UEx, x=l,...,N, of the set LIST, the signal level RSSI(UEx) is less than or equal to the threshold S2 (yes response to the test step E60), then this means that the utilization rate of the channel CH is entirely or partly due to one or more user equipments distant from the AP 3 and whose signals undergo a strong attenuation. The diagnostic module IC then refines its diagnosis by examining the presence or not of at least one hidden jamming device, not visible from the AP 3 and generating interference on the channel CH, in the environment of the user equipment(s) whose signal level is less than the threshold S2 (test step E90).This jamming device can be another Wi-Fi station (user equipment or AP, present in the Wi-Fi 2 network or in a neighboring network) or other non-Wi-Fi equipment, implementing a technology using the same frequencies as the Wi-Fi 2 network, or having harmonics in the frequency band (i.e. in the operating band) used by the Wi-Fi 2 network (for example Bluetooth, DECT, 4G technology, or a microwave oven, etc.).

[0103] For this purpose, in the embodiment described here, the IC module uses a method as described in document FR 3 067 556, and compares the physical transmission rate PhyR(UEx) from the AP 3 to each user equipment UEx concerned (in other words for which an RSSI(UEx) signal level is lower than the threshold S2) with a reference or theoretical physical rate RefPhyR expected on the channel CH. By "physical rate PhyR(UEx)" is meant the actual Wi-Fi transmission rate used to exchange a frame between the AP 3 and the user equipment UEx. It can be obtained by the IC module directly from the Wi-Fi chipset 5. The theoretical or reference physical rate RefPhyR corresponds to the physical rate theoretically achievable on the channel CH in the direction AP 3 to user equipment UEx, under the current Wi-Fi conditions of the AP 3 and the user equipment UEx.It can be estimated by the IC module by comparing for example the signal-to-noise ratio (or SNR) at the level of the AP 3 (which can be easily obtained at the level of the chipset 5) with pre-established charts of correspondence between SNR and physical flow rate. Such charts are known and easily accessible to those skilled in the art for the IEEE 802.11 standard. Alternatively, the RSSI and a pre-established chart of correspondence between RSSI and physical flow rate can be used. It is noted that the reference physical flow rate considered during step E90 may differ depending on the user equipment.

[0104] If during the test step E90, the IC module determines that the physical rate PhyR(UEx) of one or more user equipments UEx distant from the AP 3 (in other words, whose signals are attenuated beyond a given limit) is lower than the reference physical rate RefPhyR (answer yes to the test step E90), then the IC module detects the presence of one or more hidden jamming devices in the environment of the user equipment(s) UEx in question, not visible from the AP 3, these jamming devices generating interference on the channel CH (step E100). The IC module notifies this to the entity that triggered the diagnosis, as described previously (step E110). The IC module can also recommend, with its diagnosis, as an action to be implemented, a relocation of the equipment(s) UEx users affected and impacted by the jamming device, a change of channel or WiFi connection interface (operating band), etc.

[0105] If, on the contrary, during the test step E90, the IC module determines that the physical throughput PhyR(UEx) of one or more user equipments UEx remote from the AP 3 exceeds the reference physical throughput RefPhyR (response no to the test step E90), then the IC module detects that this or these user equipments UEx are in a context requiring the implementation of an action to support the AP 3 such as for example the use of one or more repeaters to improve a transmission and / or a reception on the data channel CH between the AP 3 and this or these user equipments UEx (step E120). The IC module notifies this to the entity that triggered the diagnosis, as described previously (step E130). The IC module can then recommend with its diagnosis as an action to be implemented the positioning of one or more repeaters in support of the AP 3.As an alternative or in addition to the addition of repeater(s), other actions to support the AP 3 can be considered, such as replacing the AP 3 (for example, to a more recent or more advanced Wi-Fi technology).

[0106] As for step E60, step E90 is in the embodiment described here implemented individually for each user equipment of the LIST set having an RSSI level lower than the threshold S2, and a different diagnosis (as well as an action to be implemented) per user equipment can be established. Alternatively, it can be envisaged that the results of all the comparisons carried out during step E90 are combined to establish a common diagnosis.

[0107] Steps E60 to E130 which have just been described are executed by the diagnostic device 1 (and more particularly by the module IC) when the module IB identifies during step E50 that the contribution Cl is preponderant.

[0108] If, on the contrary, during step E50, the module IB identifies that it is the contribution C2 which is predominant (response no to test step E50), then the module IC diagnoses the presence of one or more jamming devices generating interference on the channel CH likely to affect the quality of service offered by the Wi-Fi network 2 and more particularly by the AP 3 (step E140). The module IC notifies this to the entity at the origin of the triggering of the diagnosis, as described previously (step E150). The module IC can then recommend with its diagnosis as an action to be implemented a change of channel (in other words, the use by the user equipment associated with the AP 3 of a channel other than the channel CH, either on the same Wi-Fi connection interface or on another Wi-Fi connection interface of the AP 3).

[0109] The steps E40 to E150 which have just been described are those of the block of steps E-DIAG-I which are executed when the module IA of the diagnostic device 1 detects during the test step E30 that the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) of the channel CH exceeds the threshold SI.

[0110] Now suppose that the IA module detects, in step E30, that the occupancy rate %airtime(CH) does not exceed the threshold SI (and that the diagnostic device 1 therefore executes the block of steps E-DIAG-II). The IA module then activates the diagnostic module IC which first determines in which operating band the CH channel is located (test step E160).

[0111] If the operating band thus determined is the 5GHz operating band (yes answer to test step E160), the IC module determines whether the attenuation levels of the signals received by the AP 3 from one or more user equipment UEx associated with the AP 3 and using the channel CH are beyond a given permitted limit (in other words, the IC module determines whether one or more user equipment UEx associated with the AP 3 are very far away from it, beyond a certain limit) (test step E170). For this purpose, as described previously for step E60, the diagnostic IC module here considers the RSSI signal level received by the AP 3 from each user equipment UEx associated with the AP and using the channel CH, and compares it to a predefined threshold S3 for the 5GHz band (third threshold within the meaning of the invention). It should be noted that the threshold S3 and the threshold S2 considered in step E60 when the channel CH is in the 5GHz band may be identical.

[0112] If there is at least one user equipment UEx for which a level of attenuation of the signal received from this user equipment UEx by the AP 3 exceeds the permitted limit (i.e. here for which the RSSI does not exceed the threshold S3 or which is located far from the AP 3 beyond a certain limit) (response yes to the test step E170), then the module IC detects that the user equipment UEx concerned is / are in a context requiring or favorable to the implementation of a support action of the AP 3, such as for example the use of one or more repeaters to improve a transmission and / or a reception on the data channel CH between the AP 3 and this / these user equipment UEx (step E180).The IC module notifies the entity that triggered the diagnosis, as described previously (step E190), and can recommend with its diagnosis as an action to be implemented the positioning of one or more repeaters in support of the AP 3. As mentioned previously, other actions to support the AP 3 can be envisaged, such as for example the replacement of the AP 3 by an AP implementing another version of the Wi-Fi standard. Furthermore, as described previously for the test steps E60 and E90, the diagnosis can differ depending on the user equipment.

[0113] In all other cases (CH channel in an operating band other than the 5GHz band, UEx user equipment all in the vicinity of AP 3), the IC module diagnoses a normal state of the Wi-Fi network 2 and a satisfactory quality of service offered to the UEx user equipment concerned (step E200) and notifies the entity that triggered the diagnosis, as described previously (step E210).

[0114] In the embodiments that have just been described, the diagnostic device 1 is located in the box / AP 3. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage the diagnostic device 1 being located in equipment other than the box / AP 3, such as for example in a management system (or "manager" in English) or in a controller of the Wi-Fi network 2, or that its modules are distributed over several hardware or software devices, such as for example on the box / AP 3 and on a management system as mentioned above. In this case, the steps that have just been described are implemented in a similar or identical manner from measurements and / or KPIs obtained from the user equipment and / or the AP 3.

[0115] Furthermore, in the embodiments described here, the diagnosis triggered at the diagnostic device 1 targets a single channel of a given Wi-Fi connection interface of the AP 3. Alternatively, the diagnosis triggered may target channels made available by a plurality of Wi-Fi connection interfaces of the AP 3, the diagnostic device proceeding in the same way as what has just been described for each Wi-Fi connection interface targeted by the diagnosis.

Claims

Claims

1. Diagnostic method intended to be applied by a diagnostic device (1) to a wireless local access network (2), said method comprising, when a communication channel (CH) of an access point (3) of the network has an occupancy rate exceeding a first threshold (SI): a step (E50) of identifying a predominant contribution to the occupancy rate among a first contribution (Cl) resulting from transmission(s) and / or reception(s) on the channel of data relating to at least one user equipment associated with the access point, and a second contribution (C2) resulting from interference on the channel; a diagnostic step (E70, E100, E120, E140) comprising: o if the second contribution (C2) is identified as predominant, a detection (E140) of a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel;o if the first contribution (Cl) is identified as predominant, a detection (E70, E100, E120), as a function of a level of attenuation of at least one signal received by the access point from at least one user equipment associated with the access point, of an intensive use of said channel by said at least one user equipment, of a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel, or of at least one support action required from the access point to improve a transmission and / or a reception on said channel of data relating to said at least one user equipment.;

2. Diagnostic method according to claim 1 in which the first contribution is identified as preponderant and during the diagnostic step (E100), a presence of at least one jamming device is detected when a physical transmission rate from the access point to at least one said user equipment on said channel is lower than an expected reference physical rate on this channel.

3. Diagnostic method according to claim 1 or 2 in which the first contribution (Cl) is identified as preponderant if it is greater than the second contribution (C2) weighted by an actual weighting value greater than or equal to 1, the second contribution being identified as preponderant otherwise.

4. A diagnostic method according to claim 3 wherein said weighting value depends on an operating band in which said communication channel is located.

5. Diagnostic method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the first contribution is identified as preponderant and during the diagnostic step, said attenuation level is taken into account (E60) by comparing a level of at least one signal received by the access point of at least one said user equipment on said channel with respect to a second threshold.

6. Diagnostic method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the first contribution is identified as preponderant and during the diagnostic step, the diagnostic device takes into account the level of attenuation of signals received by the access point from N user devices identified by the diagnostic device as being the most resource-consuming of said communication channel, N designating an integer greater than or equal to 1.

7. Diagnostic method according to claim 6 wherein said N user equipments identified by the diagnostic device correspond to the N user equipments associated with the access point having the highest rates of use of said communication channel.

8. A diagnostic method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising, when a communication channel of an access point of the network located in a 5Ghz operating band has an occupancy rate not exceeding the first threshold and a level of attenuation of at least one signal received by said access point from at least one user equipment using said channel exceeds a given limit, a diagnostic step (E180) comprising a detection of a support action required from the access point to improve a transmission and / or a reception on said channel of data relating to said at least one user equipment.

9. Diagnostic method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a step (E80, E110, E130, E190) of recommending at least one action to be implemented to improve a quality of service of the wireless local network.

10. A diagnostic method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein at least one element among the channel occupancy rate, the first contribution, the second contribution and the attenuation level of said at least one signal received by the access point is estimated by the diagnostic device from values ​​collected from the access point of at least one parameter among: a channel occupancy rate for transmitting data to at least one user equipment associated with the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate for receiving data from at least one user equipment associated with the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate associated with access points neighboring the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate associated with erroneous data received by the access point; and / or a channel occupancy rate associated with energy or carrier detection by the access point; and / or an opportunity for transmission on the channel.

11. Computer program (PROG) comprising instructions for implementing a diagnostic method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 when said program is executed by a computer.

12. A computer-readable recording medium (NVM) on which a computer program according to claim 9 is recorded.

13. Diagnostic device (1) for a wireless local area network, said device comprising a plurality of modules, activated when a communication channel of an access point of the network has an occupancy rate exceeding a first threshold, said plurality of modules comprising: an identification module (IB), configured to identify a predominant contribution to the occupancy rate among a first contribution resulting from transmission(s) and / or reception(s) on the channel of data relating to at least one user equipment associated with the access point, and a second contribution resulting from interference on the channel; a diagnostic module (IC), configured to: o if the second contribution is identified as predominant, detect a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel;o if the first contribution is identified as predominant, detecting, as a function of a level of attenuation of at least one signal received by the access point from at least one user equipment associated with the access point, an intensive use of said channel by said at least one user equipment, a presence of at least one jamming device generating interference on said channel, or at least one support action required of the access point to improve a transmission and / or a reception on said channel of data relating to said at least one user equipment.;

14. Access point (3) of a wireless local area network comprising a diagnostic device (1) according to claim 13.

15. System for managing a wireless local area network comprising a diagnostic device (1) according to claim 13.

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