Increasing Mesh Network Range and Reliability via Low-Order MIMO Spatial Streams

Abstract

This document describes range and reliability improvements for wireless mesh networks implementing IEEE 802.11 networking technology. It preemptively trades off a lower maximum data throughput limitation for a higher link budget by reducing the number of spatial streams N to smaller values ​​at mid-range and long-range ranges using an optimized rate control algorithm. This higher link budget achieves longer range and higher RF link reliability by exploiting the NxN spatial diversity of the MIMO RF channel to maximize link budget at the expense of network throughput.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] background Wi-Fi mesh network routers suffer from limited range and reliability issues due to link budget limitations when NxM Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) channels are fully utilized to carry N spatial data streams with the goal of maximizing network data throughput. Maximizing throughput impacts the coverage range of Wi-Fi mesh network routers. However, an opportunity exists to change rate adaptation techniques to provide users with more consistent Wi-Fi coverage. Summary of the Invention

[0002] overview This Summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams. These simplified concepts are further explained in the detailed description below. This Summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] In an aspect, a method, device, system, and means for wireless communication in a wireless mesh network by a wireless mesh router, and in particular for improving wireless communication range and reliability in a wireless mesh network by a wireless mesh router, describes a mesh router that measures an indication of link quality between the wireless mesh router and another wireless device. The wireless mesh router determines a number of spatial streams for wireless communication based on the measured indication of link quality, and uses the determined number of spatial streams to select a channel bandwidth and a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) for the wireless communication. The wireless mesh router configures a wireless transceiver for wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS. The wireless mesh router can communicate with other wireless devices using the configured wireless transceiver.

[0004] According to an aspect, a wireless mesh (access) router includes one or more wireless transceivers and a processor and memory system that stores a rate controller application and, when executed, performs the method of any aspect or embodiment described herein.

[0005] Aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams are illustrated in conjunction with the following drawings, in which like numbers are used to refer to like features and components throughout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network environment in which various aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams may be implemented. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 illustrates example device diagrams for a mesh router and client devices capable of implementing various aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams. [Diagram 3] 11A-11C illustrate example throughput versus path loss for various combinations of number of spatial streams and channel bandwidth in accordance with various aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an example method of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams, generally associated with a mesh router in accordance with aspects of the techniques described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Detailed Description Summary Wi-Fi mesh network routers suffer from limited range and reliability issues due to link budget limitations when NxN multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) channels are fully utilized to carry N spatial data streams with the goal of maximizing network data throughput. These range and reliability issues are particularly acute in 802.11ax mesh routers with Wi-Fi 6 backhaul, where transmit power is significantly reduced due to regulatory requirements for low power indoor (LPI) 802.11ax 6E devices. The LPI transmit power reduction when using modulation and coding scheme 0 (MCS0) varies from 4.5 dB to 7.5 dB depending on the channel bandwidth (e.g., 160 MHz or 80 MHz channel bandwidth).

[0008] Improving the rate adaptation technique in Wi-Fi mesh routers can improve the consistency of coverage range. Overcoming range and reliability issues in 802.11ax mesh routers with Wi-Fi 6 backhaul can increase costs and reduce options for maintaining a small form factor of the mesh router. For example, increasing the number of transmitting antennas N to three or four antennas (N=3 or N=4) increases the hardware cost of the mesh router compared to using two antennas (N=2) and also affects the form factor of the product design. Changing the rate adaptation technique can improve coverage without increasing costs or reducing options for maintaining a small form factor of the mesh router.

[0009] Example Environment 1 illustrates an example environment 100 having multiple mesh routers 110, shown as mesh router 111, mesh router 112, and mesh router 113. The mesh routers 110 together provide a Wi-Fi network 120 that provides wireless connectivity to one or more client devices 130. Each client device 130 can communicate with one or more mesh routers 110 through one or more communication links 140, shown as wireless communication link 141 and wireless communication link 142. In this example, the client devices 130 are implemented as smartphones. Although shown as smartphones, the client devices 130 may be implemented as any suitable computing or electronic device, such as a mobile communication device, a gaming device, a media device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a smart home appliance. The mesh router 110 may implement one or more Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies, such as IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E), or future developments thereof.

[0010] The mesh routers 110 are connected by wired (e.g., Ethernet) or wireless backhaul links (mesh links) at 151, 152, and 153 for routing network traffic among the client devices 130 and / or between the client devices and the Internet 180 and remote services 190. For example, one or more mesh routers, such as mesh router 111, have a network interface for connecting to the Internet 180, such as via a cable modem or DSL modem and corresponding communications link 101.

[0011] Example Device 2 shows an example device diagram 200 of multiple mesh routers 110 and client devices 130. The mesh routers 110 and client devices 130 may also have additional functionality and interfaces that are omitted from FIG. 2 for clarity.

[0012] The mesh router 110 has an antenna 202, a radio frequency front end 204 (RF front end 204), and one or more transceivers 206 configured for WLAN (Wi-Fi) communications with client devices 130 and / or another mesh router. The RF front end 204 may couple or connect the transceiver 206 to the antenna 202 to facilitate various types of wireless communications. The antenna 202 of the mesh router 110 may have an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from one another. The antenna 202 and RF front end 204 may be tuned and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by IEEE 802.11 and / or Wi-Fi communications standards and implemented by the transceiver 206. Additionally, the antenna 202, RF front end 204, and / or transceiver 206 may be configured to assist in beamforming for transmitting and receiving communications with client devices 130 and / or another mesh router.

[0013] The mesh router 110 further comprises a processor 208 and a computer-readable storage medium 210 (CRM 210). The processor 208 can be a single-core processor or a multiple-core processor constructed of a variety of materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-K dielectrics, and copper. The CRM 210 can comprise any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory, that is useful for storing device data 212 of the mesh router 110. The device data 212 includes network scheduling data, radio resource management data, applications, and / or the operating system of the mesh router 110 that are executable by the processor 208 to enable communication with client devices 130 or for mesh link communication between the mesh routers 110.

[0014] The CRM 210 may further have an access point manager 214, which in one implementation is embodied thereon (as shown). Alternatively or additionally, the access point manager 214 may be implemented, in whole or in part, as hardware logic or circuitry integral with or separate from other components of the mesh router 110. In at least some aspects, the access point manager 214 configures the transceiver 206 for communication with client devices 130 and / or other mesh routers 110, as well as for communication of data over the Internet 180 via the network interface 220. In at least some aspects, the access point manager 214 configures the RF front end 202 and the transceiver 206 for implementing techniques for mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams as described herein.

[0015] The CRM 210 further includes a rate controller 216 and a lookup table 218 that are embodied on the CRM 210 in one implementation (as shown). Alternatively or additionally, the rate controller 216 may be implemented in whole or in part as hardware logic or circuitry integral with or separate from other components of the mesh router 110. The rate controller 216 uses the link quality measurements and the lookup table 218 to determine a configuration for wireless communication. The rate controller 216 uses the link quality measurements to perform a lookup in the lookup table 218 that includes a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and channel bandwidth for wireless communication. In an alternative implementation, the lookup table 218 may be included in a Wi-Fi chipset included in the transceiver 206. Each MCS defines configuration parameters such as a modulation type.

[0016] The client device 130 has an antenna 252, a radio frequency front end 254 (RF front end 254), and one or more transceivers 256 for communicating with the mesh router 110 in the Wi-Fi network 120 (mesh network 120). The RF front end 254 of the client device 130 can couple or connect the transceiver 256 to the antenna 252 to facilitate various types of wireless communication. The antenna 252 of the client device 130 can have an array of multiple antennas configured similarly or differently from one another. The antenna 252 and the RF front end 254 can be tuned and / or tunable to one or more frequency bands defined by the IEEE 802.11 and Wi-Fi communication standards and implemented by the transceiver 256. Additionally, the antenna 252, the RF front end 254, and / or the transceiver 256 can be configured to assist in beamforming for transmitting and receiving communications with the mesh router 110.

[0017] The client device 130 further includes a processor 258 and a computer-readable storage medium 260 (CRM 260). The processor 258 can be a single-core processor or a multiple-core processor constructed of various materials, such as silicon, polysilicon, high-K dielectrics, and copper. The computer-readable storage medium described herein excludes propagating signals. The CRM 260 can include any suitable memory or storage device, such as random access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or flash memory, that can be used to store device data 262 of the client device 130. The device data 262 includes user data, multimedia data, beamforming codebooks, applications, and / or an operating system of the client device 130 that are executable by the processor 258 to enable wireless communication, signaling, and user interaction with the mesh router 110.

[0018] The CRM 260 further includes a client device manager 264. Alternatively or additionally, the client device manager 264 may be implemented in whole or in part as hardware logic or circuitry integral with or separate from other components of the client device 130. The client device manager 264 configures the transceiver 256 to implement the functionality of a WLAN station (STA).

[0019] Rate Adaptation for Improved Mesh Network Range and Reliability 802.11ax mesh networks have radio frequency (RF) link budgets that limit the range of operation and RF link reliability as data throughput is intentionally maximized by fully utilizing NxN MIMO channels carrying N spatial streams for data traffic at mid- and long-range ranges. Rate adaptation techniques that optimize maximum data throughput may be insufficient to provide coverage and therefore connectivity over larger spatial ranges.

[0020] In an aspect, an optimized rate control algorithm is used to preemptively trade off a lower maximum data throughput limitation for a higher link budget by reducing the number of spatial streams N at mid-range or long-range ranges to a smaller value (e.g., N-1 when N=2, or N-2 when N=3), which achieves longer range and higher RF link reliability by exploiting the NxN spatial diversity of the MIMO RF channel to maximize link budget instead of network throughput.

[0021] For example, the 160 MHz bandwidth of 801.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) can support sufficient data throughput on the mesh links (e.g., mesh links 151, 152, and 153) and data links (e.g., radio links 141 and 142) with the number of spatial streams reduced to N-1 (when N=2) or N-2 (when N=3) while increasing the range and improving the reliability of the mesh network 120.

[0022] Conventional rate adaptation techniques in many Wi-Fi access points, Wi-Fi mesh routers, and Wi-Fi chipsets measure the packet error rate (PER) for a communication link with a station (STA) device (e.g., client device 130) or another mesh router. These conventional techniques use the measured PER to perform a lookup in a three-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding schemes (MCS), number of spatial streams (NSS), and channel bandwidth. Typically, these techniques first modify the MCS (e.g., reduce the MCS to about MSC0) in an attempt to improve link quality (reduce the measured PER) with the STA (or other mesh router) before varying the NSS or channel bandwidth to improve the link quality.

[0023] In one aspect, a rate control controller (e.g., rate controller 216) of the Wi-Fi mesh router measures a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a received channel power indicator (RCPI) of a received packet transmission from a STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router. Based on the RSSI or RCPI, the rate controller selects a number of spatial streams (NSS) for a wireless link with the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router and provides the value of the NSS to the Wi-Fi chipset. The Wi-Fi chipset uses the NSS value to perform a lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding schemes (MCS) and channel bandwidths. Alternatively, the rate controller 216 can perform a lookup in a lookup table 218 included in the CRM 210. The resulting configuration of MCS and channel bandwidth together with the NNS value is used to configure a Wi-Fi transceiver for a wireless link between the Wi-Fi mesh router and the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, a rate control controller (e.g., rate controller 216) of the Wi-Fi mesh router uses the data throughput of an ongoing communication with a STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router as an input for selecting a number of spatial streams (NSS) for a wireless link with the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router, and provides the value of the NSS to the Wi-Fi chipset. Similar to the above embodiment, the Wi-Fi chipset uses this NSS value to perform a lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding schemes (MCS) and channel bandwidths. Alternatively, the rate controller 216 can perform a lookup in a lookup table 218 included in the CRM 210. The resulting configuration of MCS and channel bandwidth together with the NNS value is used to configure a Wi-Fi transceiver for a wireless link between the Wi-Fi mesh router and the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0025] In another aspect, a rate control controller (e.g., rate controller 216) of the Wi-Fi mesh router uses the ongoing MCS in use for communication with the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router as an input for selecting the number of spatial streams (NSS) for a wireless link with the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router, and provides the value of the NSS to the Wi-Fi chipset. Similar to the above aspect, the Wi-Fi chipset uses this NSS value to perform a lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of modulation and coding schemes (MCS) and channel bandwidths. Alternatively, the rate controller 216 can perform a lookup in a lookup table 218 included in the CMR 210. The resulting configuration of the MCS and channel bandwidth together with the NSS value is used to configure the Wi-Fi transceiver for the wireless link between the Wi-Fi mesh router and the STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0026] 3 illustrates example data throughput versus path loss for various combinations of number of spatial streams and channel bandwidth in accordance with various aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams. The dotted line NSS2-80 in FIG. 3 illustrates data throughput for a Wi-Fi mesh router using a conventional rate controller that maintains two spatial streams (NSS=2) with a channel bandwidth of 80 MHz.

[0027] In the aspects discussed above, the rate controller 216 selects a switch point between the number of spatial streams and the channel bandwidth based on the RSSI, RCPI, data throughput, or ongoing MCS. In this example, the wireless mesh router operates in three regions 302, 304, and 306 selected by the rate controller 216 to optimize the Wi-Fi coverage area. Although three regions are shown, any suitable number of regions may be used. For example, at a lower path loss value in region 302 (which generally corresponds to a higher RSSI, a higher RCPI, a higher data throughput, or a higher MCS), the rate controller 216 sends a value for NSS=2 to the Wi-Fi chipset in the transceiver 206, which is used by the Wi-Fi chipset for a rate adaptation search to select a 160 MHz channel bandwidth (indicated by the solid line NSS2-160 in FIG. 3) and an appropriate MCS (e.g., MCS0 to MCS13) to configure the transceiver 206 for Wi-Fi communication with a STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0028] Continuing with this example, under conditions of increasing path loss (generally corresponding to a medium RSSI, medium RCPI, medium data throughput, or medium MCS), the rate controller 216 optimizes the Wi-Fi coverage area by selecting operation in region 304 with a value of NSS=1. The rate controller 216 sends the value for NSS=1 to the Wi-Fi chipset in the transceiver 206, which is used by the Wi-Fi chipset for a rate adaptation search to select a 160 MHz channel bandwidth (indicated by the short-dashed line NSS1-160 in FIG. 3) and an appropriate MCS to configure the transceiver 206 for Wi-Fi communication with a STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0029] Continuing with this example, under conditions where the path loss is greatest (generally corresponding to a low RSSI, low RCPI, low data throughput, or low MCS), the rate controller 216 optimizes the Wi-Fi coverage area by selecting operation in region 306 with a value of NSS=1. The rate controller 216 sends the value for NSS=1 to the Wi-Fi chipset in the transceiver 206, which is used by the Wi-Fi chipset for a rate adaptation search to select an 80 MHz channel bandwidth (indicated by the long-dashed line NSS1-80 in FIG. 3) and an appropriate MCS to configure the transceiver 206 for Wi-Fi communication with a STA or another Wi-Fi mesh router.

[0030] By selecting appropriate switch points 308 and 310, the rate controller 216 selects a configuration of number of spatial streams and channel bandwidth that increases Wi-Fi coverage while maintaining high data throughput. Although this example is shown as using one or more spatial streams and two channel bandwidths, the described techniques are applicable to any number of spatial streams (e.g., one to eight spatial streams) and any number of channel bandwidths of any suitable bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and / or 320 MHz channel bandwidths).

[0031] Example Method With reference to FIG. 4, an example method 400 according to one or more aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-dimensional MIMO spatial streams is described. The order of description of the method blocks is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks may be combined in any order or omitted to implement the method or alternative methods. In general, any of the components, modules, methods, and operations described herein may be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), or any combination thereof. Some operations of the example methods may be described in the general context of executable instructions stored in a computer-readable storage memory that is local and / or remote to a computer processing system, and implementations may include software applications, programs, functions, and the like. Alternatively or in addition, any of the functionality described herein may be implemented, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components, including but not limited to Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-Chip Systems (SoCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and the like.

[0032] 4 illustrates an example method 400 of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams generally associated with a wireless mesh router 110. At block 402, the wireless mesh router measures an indication of link quality between the wireless mesh router and another wireless device. For example, the wireless mesh router (e.g., wireless mesh router 111, 112, or 113) measures the link quality (e.g., RSSI, RCPI, data throughput, PER, or MCS).

[0033] At block 404, the wireless mesh router determines (e.g., reduces) the number of spatial streams for wireless communications based on the measured indication of link quality or a combination of measured indications of link quality. For example, a rate controller (e.g., rate controller 216) within the wireless mesh router determines the number of spatial streams based on the measured indication of link quality. By way of example, the rate controller of the wireless mesh router may compare the measured indication of link quality to at least one threshold value (and / or one or more ranges of values) to determine the number of spatial streams.

[0034] At block 406, using the determined number of spatial streams, the wireless mesh router selects a channel bandwidth and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for wireless communication. For example, the rate controller uses the determined number of spatial streams to look up the channel bandwidth and MCS in a lookup table (e.g., lookup table 218). For example, the lookup table can include two or more, e.g., all of the following bandwidths: 20 MHz channel bandwidth, 40 MHz channel bandwidth, 80 MHz channel bandwidth, 160 MHz channel bandwidth, and 320 MHz channel bandwidth. Alternatively or in addition, the lookup table may include two or more, for example all, of the following MCS: MCS that is MCS0, MCS that is MCS1, MCS that is MCS2, MCS that is MCS3, MCS that is MCS4, MCS that is MCS5, MCS that is MCS6, MCS that is MCS7, MCS that is MCS8, MCS that is MCS9, MCS that is MCS10, MCS that is MCS11, MCS that is MCS12, and MCS that is MCS13.

[0035] At block 408, the wireless mesh router configures a wireless transceiver for wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS. For example, the rate controller 216 and / or the access point manager 214 configure a wireless transceiver (e.g., the transceiver 206) for wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS.

[0036] Some examples are given below: Example 1 1. A method for improving wireless coverage and reliability of a wireless mesh network by a wireless mesh router, comprising: measuring a first indication of a link quality between the wireless mesh router and a first wireless device; determining a number of spatial streams for wireless communication based on the measured first indication of link quality; using the determined number of spatial streams to select a channel bandwidth and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for wireless communication; configuring a wireless transceiver for wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected channel bandwidth, and the selected MCS; A method comprising:

[0037] Example 2 The method of Example 1, further comprising communicating with a first wireless device using the configured wireless transceiver.

[0038] Example 3 The first wireless device Another wireless mesh router, or Wireless Station STA Device The method of Example 1 or Example 2,

[0039] Example 4 The first indication of link quality is Received signal strength indicator RSSI, Received Channel Power Index RCPI, Data throughput, Data packet error rate PER, or Modulation and coding scheme MCS, The method of any one of the preceding examples, including one or more of:

[0040] Example 5 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: using the determined number of spatial streams to select a channel bandwidth and a modulation and coding scheme for wireless communication, the method comprising: Using the determined number of spatial streams as input for a lookup in a two-dimensional lookup table of channel bandwidth and modulation and coding schemes. The method of any one of the preceding examples.

[0041] Example 6 The selected channel bandwidth is 20MHz channel bandwidth, 40MHz channel bandwidth, 80MHz channel bandwidth, 160MHz channel bandwidth, or 320MHz channel bandwidth, 4. The method of any one of the preceding examples.

[0042] Example 7 The selected MCS is MCS0, MCS, which is MCS1; MCS, which is MCS2; MCS, which is MCS3; MCS4 is MCS, MCS, which is MCS5; MCS, which is MCS6; MCS, which is MCS7; MCS, which is MCS8; MCS, which is MCS9; MCS, which is MCS10; MCS, which is MCS11; MCS12, or MCS, which is MCS13; 4. The method of any one of the preceding examples.

[0043] Example 8 The method of any one of the preceding examples, wherein the number of spatial streams includes one or more spatial streams.

[0044] Example 9 Wireless mesh networks are IEEE802.11n wireless network, Wi-Fi 4 wireless network, IEEE802.11ac wireless network, Wi-Fi5 wireless network, IEEE802.11ax wireless network, Wi-Fi 6 wireless network, or Wi-Fi6E wireless network, 4. The method of any one of the preceding examples.

[0045] Example 10 20. The method of any one of the preceding examples, wherein determining a number of spatial streams for wireless communication based on the measured first indication of link quality includes comparing the measured first indication of link quality to at least one threshold.

[0046] Example 11 measuring a second indication of link quality between the wireless mesh router and a second wireless device; determining a number of spatial streams for the wireless communication based on the measured second indication of link quality; using the determined number of spatial streams to select a channel bandwidth and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for wireless communication; configuring a wireless transceiver for wireless communication using the determined number of spatial streams, the selected bandwidth, and the selected MCS; communicating with a second wireless device using the configured wireless transceiver; The method of any one of the preceding examples, further comprising:

[0047] Example 12 one or more radio transceivers; A processor and memory system for implementing a speed controller application configured to perform the method of any one of the preceding examples; A wireless mesh access router comprising:

[0048] Example 13 13. The wireless mesh access router of example 12, further comprising a network interface.

[0049] Example 14 14. The wireless mesh access router of example 13, wherein the wireless mesh access router is configured to communicate with other wireless mesh access routers over a backhaul link using the network interface.

[0050] Example 15 A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, direct an apparatus to perform the method of any one of Examples 1 to 11.

[0051] Although aspects of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams have been described in feature- and / or method-specific terminology, the subject matter of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to only the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as example embodiments of mesh network range extension and reliability improvement via low-order MIMO spatial streams, and other equivalent features and methods are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, a variety of different aspects have been described, and it will be recognized that each described aspect can be implemented independently or in conjunction with one or more of the other described aspects.

Claims

1. 1. A method for improving wireless coverage and reliability of a wireless mesh network by a wireless mesh router, comprising: measuring a first indication of link quality between the wireless mesh router and a first wireless device; determining a number of spatial streams for the wireless communication based on the measured first indication of link quality; using the determined number of spatial streams to select a channel bandwidth and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the wireless communication; configuring a wireless transceiver for said wireless communication using said determined number of spatial streams, said selected channel bandwidth, and said selected MCS; determining the number of spatial streams for the wireless communication based on the measured first indication of link quality includes comparing the measured first indication of link quality to a first or second threshold and determining the number based on a comparison result with the first or second threshold established based on a relationship between data throughput and path loss.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of communicating with the first wireless device using the configured wireless transceiver.

3. The first wireless device is Another wireless mesh router, or Wireless Station STA Device The method of claim 1 or claim 2, comprising:

4. The first indication of link quality may be Received signal strength indicator RSSI, Received Channel Power Index RCPI, Data throughput, Data packet error rate PER, or Modulation and coding scheme MCS, The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising one or more of:

5. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of: using the determined number of spatial streams to select the channel bandwidth and the modulation and coding scheme for the wireless communication, the step of:

5. The method of claim 1, comprising using the determined number of spatial streams as input for a lookup in a two-dimensional look-up table of channel bandwidths and modulation and coding schemes.

6. The selected channel bandwidth is 20 MHz channel bandwidth, 40 MHz channel bandwidth, 80MHz channel bandwidth, 160 MHz channel bandwidth, or 320MHz channel bandwidth, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. The selected MCS is MCS0, MCS1, MCS2 is MCS, MCS3 is MCS, MCS4 is MCS, MCS5 is MCS, MCS6 is MCS, MCS7 is MCS, MCS8 is MCS, MCS9 is MCS, MCS10 is MCS, MCS11 is MCS, an MCS that is MCS12, or MCS13, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said number of spatial streams comprises one or more spatial streams.

9. The wireless mesh network includes: IEEE 802.11n wireless network, Wi-Fi 4 wireless network, IEEE 802.11ac wireless network, Wi-Fi 5 wireless network, IEEE 802.11ax wireless network, Wi-Fi 6 wireless network, or Wi-Fi 6E wireless network, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising:

10. measuring a second indication of link quality between the wireless mesh router and a second wireless device; determining a number of spatial streams for the wireless communication based on the measured second indication of link quality; using the determined number of spatial streams to select a channel bandwidth and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for the wireless communication; configuring a wireless transceiver for said wireless communication using said determined number of spatial streams, said selected channel bandwidth, and said selected MCS; communicating with the second wireless device using the configured wireless transceiver; The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising:

11. one or more radio transceivers; A processor and memory system for implementing a speed controller application configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; A wireless mesh access router comprising:

12. The wireless mesh access router of claim 11 , further comprising a network interface.

13. The wireless mesh access router of claim 12 , wherein the wireless mesh access router is configured to communicate with other wireless mesh access routers over a backhaul link using the network interface.

14. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, direct an apparatus to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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