Automatic activation of a 6GHz access point

Abstract

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

Description

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

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for optimizing the energy consumption of an access point using WIFI technology within a private communication network, this access point being configured to allow stations connected by WIFI to access the Internet. State of the prior art

[0002] Today, Wi-Fi technology offers several frequency bands. Many devices are compatible with the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands. The latest frequency band to be implemented is the 6GHz. It is beneficial for operators to offer all frequency bands to their users in order to benefit from additional bandwidth and limit interference experienced during numerous transmissions.

[0003] However, the integration of several WIFI modules within an access point increases the number of energy-consuming components.

[0004] The present invention aims to optimize energy consumption in such an access point.

[0005] Another aim of the invention is to improve the distribution of traffic between the different WIFI modules. Statement of the invention

[0006] At least one of the objectives is achieved with a method for optimizing the energy consumption of an access point using WIFI technology within a private communication network. This access point is configured to allow stations connected by WIFI to access the Internet via this access point. This access point comprises a first WIFI module in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, a second WIFI module in the 5 GHz frequency band and a third WIFI module in the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0007] According to the invention, the first WIFI module and the second WIFI module are active by default and the third WIFI module is inactive by default and the method is implemented by a processing unit within the access point and comprises the following steps: - when associating at least one station with the access point, reception by the access point, via the first WIFI module or the second WIFI module, of data from compatibility transmitted by the station, this compatibility data including all the WIFI frequency bands with which the station is compatible, - if the station is compatible with the 6GHz frequency band, activation of the third WIFI module.

[0008] According to the invention, the set of WIFI frequency bands with which the station is compatible generally constitutes the frequency capacity of the station. This is all the WIFI frequency bands that the station can use.

[0009] With the method according to the invention, an automatic activation of a WIFI connection at 6GHz is implemented only in the presence of stations or equipment capable of communicating at this frequency band. This activation is obtained on the basis of a communication carried out first in 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

[0010] Generally, an access point according to the invention may be a gateway in a home network. Such a gateway is advantageously a box, in particular provided by a network or telecom operator, allowing equipment in a home to be connected to the Internet.

[0011] Such an access point equipped with a 6GHz WIFI module can communicate with compatible stations such as, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, a tablet, a television, etc.

[0012] The majority of stations operate at 2.4GHz and / or 5GHz. Stations capable of operating at 6GHz are generally high-end terminals, and therefore not very widespread. Some access points will rarely, if at all, implement WIFI communication on the 6GHz frequency band. Furthermore, mobile stations are very often outside the home. Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to save energy by activating the WIFI module at 6GHz only when necessary.

[0013] A WIFI module is made up of electronic components such as electronic chips, power amplifiers, low noise amplifiers, etc. which are electrically powered. This implies a significant energy consumption.

[0014] The invention therefore proposes automatic activation of the 6GHz frequency only if the user has compatible Wi-Fi stations, close to the Access Point, by an analysis of the capacities of the Wi-Fi station from the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the compatibility data can be transmitted during the association by a “Supported Operating Classes” data field as defined in the IEEE 802.11 standards.

[0016] Indeed, when associating with an access point on 2.4GHz or 5GHz, the station sends standardized information called “Supported Operating Classes”.

[0017] This information includes all of the station's frequency capabilities. • If the station includes item [81 - 84]: the station is 2.4GHz compatible. • If the station includes the elements: [115 - 130]: the station is 5GHz compatible. • If the station includes the elements: [131 - 136]: the station is 6GHz compatible.

[0018] This information makes it possible to reliably identify when a station supporting 6 GHz is connected to the user's access point on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.

[0019] According to the invention, by default, the 6GHz frequency is deactivated for all users. If a station has the capacity to use 6GHz, then the Wi-Fi access point activates the 6GHz frequency for the user's home and asks the station to connect to 6GHz or to another band according to the technique known as "bandsteering" consisting of automatically directing towards the most efficient frequency band.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method according to the invention can advantageously further comprise a step of deactivating the third WIFI module when a last station compatible with the 6GHz frequency band dissociates from the access point.

[0021] For example, deactivation may be performed after a configurable duration since disassociation from the station.

[0022] When all stations supporting 6 GHz are disconnected from the Wi-Fi access point, 6 GHz is also switched off after a few minutes, the duration is configurable.

[0023] The invention thus relates in particular to the activation and deactivation of the 6 GHz WIFI module. The processing unit is configured to count the connected WIFI stations. When the last station connected in 6 GHz WIFI disconnects or switches to another mode, for example the 2.4 or 5 GHz mode, the 6 GHz WIFI module is deactivated immediately or after a predetermined duration.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, during the association, the third WIFI module is activated only when the following condition is also met: when the first WIFI module and the second WIFI module are not able to ensure transmission quality for services of all the stations connected to the access point.

[0025] In this case, an additional condition is provided for activating the 6 GHz WIFI module. Indeed, a station having the capacity to communicate at 6 GHz can continue to communicate at 2.4 or 5 GHz when the requested service is fully satisfied, taking into account all the services provided by the access point for all the connected stations. The processing unit is then configured to analyze the services provided by the access point. As long as the services are satisfied, the 6 GHz WIFI module is not activated. A satisfied service means for example that the bandwidth offered by the access point is sufficient, or that the different frequency bands used by the access point do not create interference, ...

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, for a station associated with the access point; when the access point is connected to a repeater provided with a fourth WIFI module, not activated, in the 6GHz frequency band; the method may further comprise the following steps:

[0027] - estimation of the location of the station relative to the access point and the repeater,

[0028] - transmission of an instruction to the repeater, this instruction comprising a condition additional activation of the fourth WIFI module only when the station is closer to the repeater than to the access point.

[0029] In other words, if a 6GHz repeater is connected to the access point such as a residential gateway, and if a 6GHz station is connected to the access point and distant from the repeater, the 6GHz module of the repeater remains switched off until the station is sufficiently close to the repeater. Sufficiently close can be a configurable minimum distance or a distance for which the connection is better with the repeater than with the access point.

[0030] Close enough can also be a configurable minimum power or a power for which the connection is better with the repeater than with the access point.

[0031] Preferably, the estimation can be carried out periodically or at the request of the repeater; and the instruction can be transmitted periodically or at the request of the repeater.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the activation of a WIFI module may consist of supplying the WIFI module completely electrically; and the deactivation may consist of completely or partially cutting off its electrical supply.

[0033] Thus, for example, in non-activated mode, the WIFI module can be in standby.

[0034] According to the invention, the access point may be a home internet gateway or “set top box”, or a repeater in a home network.

[0035] The present invention also provides for the protection of a processing unit configured to implement a method as described above.

[0036] Also provided is a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processing unit in an access point, cause the latter to implement the method as described above.

[0037] Description of the figures and embodiments.

[0038] 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:

[0039] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a house including a point access in the form of an internet gateway and a user station;

[0040] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of the house in [Fig.l] equipped with besides a repeater;

[0041] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method according to the invention.

[0042] 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.

[0043] [Fig.l] 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.

[0044] Home equipment can be connected wired and wirelessly to the access point 2 to access the Internet 3. In the example of [Fig.l], a television 5 and a mobile phone 6 of the “smartphone” type can be seen. When the television 5 is on, a digital television service is activated between the television 5 and the access point 2. The mobile phone can connect to the access point to access the Internet based on different types of services: web, downloading, telephony, etc.

[0045] In [Fig.l], the television 5 and the mobile phone 6 can connect to the access point 2 via WIFI.

[0046] The access point 2, television 5 and mobile telephone 6 assembly forms a home network.

[0047] The access point 2 comprises conventional hardware and software means for access point service between stations and the Internet and further comprises a computer program product for implementing the method according to the invention.

[0048] The access point 2 comprises a processing unit 7, such as a microprocessor for example, to implement the method according to the invention; a WIFI module 8 for 2.4GHz communication; a WIFI 9 module for 5GHz communication; and a WIFI 10 module for 6GHz communication.

[0049] By default, the WIFI 10 module at 6GHz is off. Default means that no stations are connected to access point 2 or only 2.4 or 5GHz compatible stations are connected to it.

[0050] When the mobile phone 6 arrives near the access point 2, the association to connect to the access point is carried out via the WIFI modules 8 or 9 at 2.4 or 5 GHz. During the association, the access point retrieves a set of information including the frequency capabilities of the mobile phone 6. If this mobile phone is not compatible with 6 GHz, then the connection with the access point remains in 2.4 or 5 GHz and the WIFI module 10 remains switched off. On the other hand, if the mobile phone 6 is able to communicate on the 6 GHz band, the processing unit 7 activates the WIFI module 10. The communication between the mobile phone 6 and the access point 2 can be carried out via the 6 GHz frequency band.

[0051] When associating with the access point on the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency band, the frequency capabilities of the station are transmitted included in standardized information called “Supported Operating Classes”. - If the station includes item [81 - 84]: the station is 2.4GHz compatible. - If the station includes the elements: [115 - 130]: the station is 5GHz compatible. - If the station includes the elements: [131 - 136]: the station is 6GHz compatible.

[0052] An example code of such information may be as follows: • « tag: Supported Operating Classes • Tag Number: Supported Operating Classes (59)# • Tag length: 21# • Current Operating Class: 128# • Alternate Operating Classes: 134, 133, 132, 131, 129, 128, 127, 126, 125, 124, 123, 122, 121, 120, 119, 118, 117, 116, 115, 81”#

[0053] Then, during communication, the access point 2 can be equipped with a function allowing the best frequency band to be selected from the three available. This selection aims at a homogeneous distribution of traffic within the network for a stable and fast connection of all stations. Whether the WIFI module is selected for communication or not, it can remain switched on as long as a compatible station is nearby.

[0054] When the mobile phone 6 is no longer nearby, that is to say is outside the coverage area of ​​the access point 2, the processing unit 7 cuts off the power supply to the WIFI module 10 after a few seconds or minutes. This waiting time makes it possible not to cut off the power supply to the WIFI module 10 prematurely due, for example, to a temporary disconnection of the mobile phone 6.

[0055] The invention thus makes it possible to save the energy consumed by the access point because the 6GHz module is only activated when needed.

[0056] [Fig.2] takes up the elements of [Fig.l] with the addition of a repeater 11. This repeater can be intended only to extend the coverage of the 6GHz band or as shown in [Fig.2] to extend the three frequency bands. In this case, the repeater 11 of [Fig.2] is equipped with a microprocessor 12 to manage a WIFI module 13 at 2.4 GHz, a WIFI module 14 at 5 GHz and a WIFI module 15 at 6 GHz. The repeater 11 is directly connected to the access point 2 by a wired or wireless link. Its function is to serve as a relay for exchanges with the access point 2 for stations which would be too far from the access point 2 but close to the repeater.

[0057] According to the invention, the processing unit 7 is configured to estimate the distance between the mobile phone 6 and the access point 2. This estimation may comprise a measurement or an estimation of the power emitted by the mobile phone 6 and captured by the access point. As long as the mobile phone 6 is able to communicate with the access point 2 in good conditions according to predetermined technical quality criteria, the processing unit 7 sends instructions to the repeater 11 not to activate the WIFI module 15.

[0058] The sending of instructions can be periodic or in response to a request sent by the repeater 11.

[0059] A mode can be provided where the microprocessor 12 of the repeater 11 is configured to implement the method according to the invention.

[0060] We can then consider the following mode. For any station entering into association with the repeater, the exchanges are first carried out in 2.4 or 5GHz mode. And if the station is 6GHz compatible, then the microprocessor 12 activates the WIFI module 15 and this only if an instruction sent by the access point also authorizes this activation.

[0061] [Fig.3] shows steps of a method according to the invention.

[0062] In step 16, a station begins its association with access point 2 via the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency band which are more protected than the 6 GHz band. The 6 GHz WIFI module remains inactive as long as no 6 GHz compatible station has been detected in the coverage area of ​​access point 2.

[0063] In step 17, during association, the station sends to access point 2 the information “Supported Operating Classes” in which there is an indication of the station's compatibility with the 6GHz frequency band.

[0064] If the station is not compatible, the process stops and communication will only take place in 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

[0065] If the station is actually compatible in step 18, an optional step 19 is provided for verifying the need for communication on the 6GHz frequency band. This may involve, in particular, verifying whether the current or expected traffic requires communication on the 6GHz frequency band. If not, provision is made to delay the activation of the 6GHz WIFI module until a service requiring traffic via the 6GHz frequency band is requested by the station. If so, the 6GHz WIFI module is activated in step 20.

[0066] In step 21, the station is connected to the 6GHz WIFI module.

[0067] If a 6GHz repeater exists in the network, access point 2 requires the repeater's 6GHz WIFI module to be kept in inactive mode as long as the station remains within the coverage area of ​​access point 2.

[0068] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. Numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as described.

Claims

Claims

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

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

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

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the deactivation is carried out after a configurable duration since the dissociation of the station.

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

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for a station associated with the access point (2); when the access point (2) is connected to a repeater provided with a fourth WIFI module, not activated, in the 6GHz frequency band; the method further comprises the following steps: - estimation of the location of the station relative to the access point (2) and to the repeater, - transmission of an instruction to the repeater, this instruction comprising an additional condition of activation of the fourth WIFI module only when the station is closer to the repeater than to the access point (2).

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

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the activation of a WIFI module consists of supplying it with complete electrical power; and the deactivation consists of completely or partially cutting off its electrical power supply.

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

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

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

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

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