Distributed Systems for Wireless / Optical Communications

Abstract

A wireless access point (WAP) for communicating with user equipment, the WAP comprising a plurality of wireless communication units and an access stratum control unit (ALCU) communicatively coupled to the plurality of wireless communication units and configured to manage the plurality of wireless communication units, wherein a first wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicates through a radio frequency (RF) spectrum and a second wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicates through a visible or infrared light spectrum.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The increasing popularity of networked personal devices has resulted in a need to improve the functionality of such networks. To meet these needs, wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi, 5G LTE, Bluetooth, etc. have been developed. However, these wireless technologies use adjacent or overlapping radio bands, which can result in higher interference.

[0002] Interference also tends to increase with the spatial density of devices communicating through the same RF band, resulting in bottlenecks or reduced performance. Thus, networks located in indoor environments where many users are confined and attempting to access the network simultaneously, such as on trains or airplanes, suffer from increased interference that can significantly degrade the performance of those networks. This is addressed in part by increasing the number of base stations to increase capacity and provide more channels for devices to communicate.

[0003] However, such approaches can often be difficult to deploy and manage as the number of devices required increases. Additionally, interference generated by transmissions in the RF spectrum can affect the performance of other electronic devices used, for example, to pilot an airplane.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a networked system that can provide reduced interference and improved performance while facilitating network management and deployment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wireless access point WAP comprising a plurality of wireless communication units for communicating with user equipment, an access stratum control unit ALCU communicatively coupled to the plurality of wireless communication units and configured to manage the plurality of wireless communication units, wherein a first wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicates through a radio frequency RF spectrum and a second wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicates through a visible or infrared light spectrum.

[0006] Advantageously, a wireless access point according to the first aspect of the invention facilitates the deployment of heterogeneous networks by integrating into a single wireless access point the necessary equipment for communicating using visible light and / or RF spectrum electromagnetic waves, thereby reducing the need for separate access points using the RF spectrum and separate dedicated access points for visible light communications. Having both wireless communication units employing the RF spectrum and the visible light spectrum in the same device facilitates offloading network traffic from one wireless link to another, for example, when the user equipment does not have line of sight (LOS) with the WAP due to movement of the user equipment (i.e., when it is unable to transmit or receive radio waves from the WAP, hereinafter referred to as "line of sight").

[0007] An ALCU of the WAP can be associated with each user equipment and configured to manage the plurality of wireless communication units of the WAP based at least in part on first network measurements collected through each of the plurality of wireless communication units, and the ALCU uses the first network measurements to improve the WAP's communication link with each user equipment.

[0008] Managing the multiple wireless communication units of the WAP may include improving a bit error rate (BER) of a communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, a spectral efficiency of a communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, a signal bandwidth of a communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, and a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of a communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, balancing the communication load on the first and second wireless communication units, extending a coverage area of ​​the WAP, providing single-user and / or multi-user MIMO capabilities to the user equipment, or a combination thereof.

[0009] The first wireless communication unit can be communicatively coupled to one or more RF endpoints, and each RF endpoint can include at least one antenna for RF communication.

[0010] The second wireless communication unit can be communicatively coupled to one or more light-based endpoints, and each light-based endpoint can include at least one visible or infrared light emitter for communication throughout the visible or infrared light spectrum.

[0011] One or more RF endpoints and / or one or more light-based endpoints may be external to the WAP.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a networked system comprising a network including a plurality of wireless access points WAPs and a cognitive control unit CCU communicatively coupled to an ALCU of each WAP in the network and configured to manage the plurality of WAPs.

[0013] Advantageously, the CCU can adapt the WAP so that quality of service (QoS) is maintained or even improved based on the different propagation characteristics of the visible light EM spectrum and the RF spectrum, as compared to known networks that employ only RF spectrum links or only visible light spectrum links. Furthermore, the CCU can select the spectrum to be employed based on the interference characteristics of the application scenario, for example, by ensuring that user equipment near equipment that is sensitive to RF frequencies only communicates using the visible light spectrum.

[0014] The CCU may be configured to manage the plurality of WAPs based at least in part on second network measurements associated with each WAP and transmitted to the CCU by the ALCU of each WAP to improve network performance of the plurality of WAPs.

[0015] Managing multiple WAPs may include balancing network load among WAPs in the multiple WAPs, for example, configuring a WAP to provide redundant communication links when link failures are likely, configuring a WAP to adhere to requirements for quality of service guarantees, optimizing bandwidth allocation between WAPs and application configurations, configuring RF and optical communication links, allocating predefined channels for the RF or visible or infrared light spectrum, determining the number of active RF and optical transmit / receive elements, causing a WAP to communicate with particular user equipment only through the RF or visible light spectrum, or combinations thereof.

[0016] The CCU can be integrated in one of multiple WAPs forming a system.

[0017] A CCU can manage multiple WAPs by training a neural network based on collected network measurements from the ALCUs of each WAP.

[0018] Multiple WAPs may be communicatively coupled in a star topology and centrally coordinated by a central node comprising a CCU.

[0019] At least one second wireless communication unit of each WAP may be configured to communicate via an IEEE 802.15.7 or IEEE 802.11bb protocol.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an in-flight entertainment and connectivity IFEC system for an aircraft comprising a networked system according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0021] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture of a known in-flight entertainment and connectivity platform. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an in-flight entertainment and connectivity platform based on a networked system according to a first aspect of the invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wireless action point according to a first aspect of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention relates to a networked system that employs communication links through both the RF and visible light spectrum to mitigate problems encountered by known networks when the density of potentially connected devices is high.

[0024] As an example of deployment, consider an in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) system for an airplane, but this should not be construed as a limitation on the invention. The invention can be used in other indoor or outdoor environments.

[0025] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a typical system architecture of a known in-flight entertainment and connectivity platform 10. In FIG. 1, dashed lines indicate wireless links employing RF spectrum, and solid double lines indicate wired links, e.g., 1 Gigabit Ethernet links. A crew panel 12 is connected to primary and backup media servers 14a, 14b through wired connections. Aircraft connectivity loops (16a,...,16n) can connect different cabin systems and client devices within the system, such as seat-mounted screens for media consumption. Multiple connectivity loops provide resilience against failures but can make deployment and repair more difficult. Access points 18a-18c, daisy-chained together through wired means, are wirelessly connected to personal devices 19a-19c using one of several different RF communication protocols, such as Bluetooth or different WiFi standards. The primary and backup media servers 14a, 14b are also coupled to other aircraft systems (not shown) through wired connections.

[0026] 1 may suffer from increased interference in densely populated spaces when multiple personal devices attempt to connect to access points 18a-18c. Furthermore, to increase network capacity to accommodate more personal devices, the number of access points must be increased, resulting in management and installation difficulties due to the large number of wired connections required, as well as increased overall interference.

[0027] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a novel networking system 28 according to an embodiment of the present invention for an improved IFEC platform. In the networking system 28, wireless access points (WAPs) 20a-20c are coupled to one another to create a network. Each WAP is connected to a recognition control unit (CCU) 24. The CCU 24 includes a centralized recognition engine that receives information from the WAPs 20a-20c over any suitable backbone network and communication standard for the computer system. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the WAPs 20a-20c are communicatively coupled to the CCU through wireless communication links. However, in other embodiments, some or all of the WAPs may be communicatively coupled to the CCU through wired connections.

[0028] In some embodiments, the WAPs may be connected in a star topology with a central node comprising a CCU. Advantageously, when the WAPs are connected in a star topology, the CCU, in response to detecting a WAP failure, can provide another WAP to take the place of the failed WAP, ensuring continuity of service.

[0029] Each of the WAPs 20a-20c can wirelessly communicate with user equipment through electromagnetic waves using either the RF or visible light spectrum. A variety of user equipment 21a, 22a, 21c, and 22c can be connected to each WAP of the network. In the illustrated embodiment, user equipment 21a may be a personal device, such as a laptop or tablet, wirelessly connected to WAP 20a by communicating over the RF spectrum. User equipment 22a may be a screen, such as an integrated device in a passenger seat, wirelessly connected to WAP 20a using the visible light spectrum. User equipment 21c and 22c may be similar devices coupled to WAP 20c using either the visible light spectrum or the RF spectrum. In some embodiments, user equipment can connect to a WAP by communicating simultaneously over the RF and visible light spectrums. In the illustrated embodiment, all user equipment is wirelessly connected to its respective WAP, but in other embodiments, some user equipment may be connected to the WAP through a wired connection.

[0030] Each of the WAPs 20a-20c includes an access stratum control unit (ALCU) (not shown in FIG. 2). The ALCU may be communicatively coupled to the CCU 24 via a different wired medium, such as Ethernet or optical fiber. Alternatively, the ALCU may be communicatively coupled to the CCU 24 wirelessly. The ALCU may transmit network measurements to the CCU 24, including information related to the communication link between each of the WAPs 20a-20c and each user equipment communicatively coupled to each WAP. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the ALCU of the WAP 20a collects information related to the communication link between the WAP 20a and the user equipment 21a, such as the bit error rate (BER) of the communication link, the spectral efficiency of the communication link, the signal bandwidth of the communication link, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the communication link, the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the communication link, or the received signal strength of the communication link. The ALCU of the WAP 20a also collects information related to the communication link between the WAP 20a and the user equipment 22a. The ALCU can collect this information regardless of whether the communication link is established in the RF or visible light spectrum.Similarly, the ALCU of WAP 20c collects information for the communication links with user equipment 21c, 22c.

[0031] The CCU 24 collects network measurements from the ALCUs of each WAP to build a model for the network. The model can include any of the information detailed above that can be used to quantify the performance of each individual communication link and the networked system 28 historically. The information is used to train an artificial intelligence (AI) network or entity. In other embodiments, the information can be used to train a machine learning (ML) network. The AI / ML network can generate configuration information that is sent to the WAPs to improve network performance. The CCU receives network information from multiple ALCUs, thus performing periodic monitoring of the entire network infrastructure. The network information is received periodically, on the order of milliseconds. In other embodiments, the information can be received at longer intervals, for example, lasting several seconds or even several hours. Increasing the time between subsequent transmissions of network information from the ALCUs to the CCU can reduce the amount of resources consumed in the monitoring process and increase the battery life of the WAPs. The CCU applies various control loops or feedback algorithms to available measurements to determine an overall optimum for the network configuration, where the optimum may comprise any of network throughput maximization, fairness in resource allocation, traffic prioritization, number of active RF / optical transmit and receive elements, etc. Examples of network measurements include the number of clients per WAP and technology (RF / optical), client capabilities, applications being used, overall throughput, physical WAP failure rates, etc.

[0032] Improving the performance of a network of multiple WAPs can comprise balancing the network load among the multiple WAPs. Measuring the network load on a WAP can depend on various metrics such as throughput per interface (including received and transmitted packets and bytes per second per client and / or respective traffic class information), number of clients connected to an interface (RF or visible / infrared light), received signal strength (in the RF and / or visible / infrared light spectrum), energy consumption, number of failed communication links, etc. In some embodiments, improving the performance of the network can comprise configuring a WAP to provide a redundant communication link when a high probability of link failure is anticipated, e.g., when there are indications that line-of-sight will soon be lost based on the SNR of the communication link, and therefore communication should rely on the RF spectrum. In some embodiments, improving performance may comprise adjusting the number of active radio and visible / infrared optical transmit / receive elements in the WAP, determining the number of active data streams that can be initiated without undue interference in both the RF and visible / infrared optical coverage areas above predefined respective tolerance thresholds (i.e., maximizing the benefits of a MIMO architecture), determining the number of active local networks in both the radio and visible / infrared optical spectrums, etc. In some embodiments, improving performance may comprise having the WAP communicate with certain user equipment only over the visible optical spectrum to reduce interference on the RF spectrum. Some embodiments may comprise a combination of the above improvements.

[0033] 2, CCU 24 employs a neural network to generate the WAP configuration information, but other embodiments may not include a neural network. Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, CCU 24 may generate the WAP configuration information based on an anomaly detection algorithm, a reinforcement learning algorithm, an interference reduction algorithm, or a game theory algorithm, depending on the aspect of network performance that is desired to be improved.

[0034] The WAPs 20a-20c receive configuration information from the CCU 24 and adjust their functions accordingly to improve network performance as desired.

[0035] In the embodiment of Figure 2, the CCU 24 is also coupled to a terminal 26. The terminal 26 may be a crew panel similar to the crew panel 12 in Figure 1, which allows a user to interact with the IFEC platform. In some embodiments, the terminal 26 may be a personal device that communicates wirelessly with the CCU 24. In yet other embodiments, for example, in an airplane environment, the terminal 26 may be a panel fixed to the airplane.

[0036] 2, CCU 24 is part of a server unit and is coupled to WAPs 20a-20c, but in other embodiments CCU 24 can be integrated in one of the WAPs, either in software or hardware.

[0037] 3 schematically illustrates a WAP 30, such as WAPs 20a-20c, forming part of networked system 28. One or more WAPs may be deployed in an indoor environment, such as the interior of an airplane, to enable data communication for client devices having wireless connectivity and access to networked system 28. WAP 30 is wirelessly coupled to user equipment 31a, 31b, and 31c.

[0038] WAP 30 includes ALCU 32. ALCU 32 includes a microcontroller 32a for executing machine-readable instructions and computer programs, a memory 32b for storing data and executable computer programs, an I / O subsystem 32c that is an I / O component for controlling peripheral devices connected to WAP 30, and, optionally, a light controller 32d for controlling hardware responsible for communication over the visible light spectrum.

[0039] The WAP 30 also includes a cognitive control unit interface, CCUI 34, that enables coupling of the ALCU 32 to the CCU 24. The CCUI 34 provides a software translation layer to enable interaction with standardized open interfaces, such as RESTful, that enable reporting of information to system administrators and / or trained personnel via an appropriate management interface (be it a graphical user interface or a command line interface). While in the embodiment of FIG. 3 the CCUI is illustrated as a separate component from the ALCU, in some embodiments the CCUI may be part of the ALCU, e.g., implemented in software running on the microcontroller 32a.

[0040] The WAP 30 also includes a wireless communication unit 36a configured to communicate with the user devices 31a-31b over the RF spectrum. The wireless communication unit 36a may include some or all of the necessary modules forming part of an RF transceiver, such as a modulator, a power amplifier, an impedance matching circuit, etc. The wireless communication unit 36a is coupled to the ALCU 32 and to an RF endpoint 38a. While in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the wireless communication unit 36a is connected to only one RF endpoint, in other embodiments, a wireless communication unit configured to communicate over the RF spectrum may be coupled to multiple RF endpoints.

[0041] RF endpoint 38a includes multiple antennas for wireless communication. RF endpoint 38a may also include a controller (not shown) arranged to provide signals to the multiple antennas to enable single-user or multi-user MIMO communication links with user equipment 31a and / or user equipment 31b. In some embodiments, RF endpoint 38a may include circuitry for physical layer signal processing and / or for implementing a low MAC protocol for accessing a wireless channel.

[0042] 3, RF endpoint 38a is external to WAP 30 and is coupled to WAP 30 through wired means, such as Ethernet or optical fiber, but in other embodiments, RF endpoint 38a can be integrated within WAP 30.

[0043] WAP 30 also includes a wireless communication unit 36b configured to communicate with user equipment 31c over the visible light spectrum. Wireless communication unit 36b can include some or all of the necessary modules forming part of a transceiver using the visible light spectrum, such as, for example, an ADC or DAC, a baseband digital signal modulator / demodulator, and a light emitter (LED and / or infrared diode) with respective optical driver. Wireless communication unit 36b is coupled to ALCU 32 and optical-based endpoint 38b. While in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, wireless communication unit 36a is connected to only one optical-based endpoint, in other embodiments, a wireless communication unit configured to communicate over the visible light spectrum can be coupled to multiple optical-based endpoints.

[0044] The optical-based endpoint 38b includes multiple optical emitters for wireless communication. The optical emitters may be lamps or LEDs arranged to emit visible light, i.e., light with wavelengths ranging from approximately 370 to 800 nm. The optical-based endpoint 38b may also include a controller (not shown) arranged to provide signals to the multiple optical emitters to enable a single-user or multi-user MIMO communication link with the user equipment 31c. The optical-based endpoint 38b includes an optical sensor (not shown) to enable bidirectional transmission over the visible light spectrum. However, in other embodiments, the optical-based endpoint 38b may not include a sensor to reduce the size and complexity of the optical-based endpoint, and therefore, communication over the visible light spectrum may be downlink only, i.e., from the WAP 30 to the user equipment 31c. In some embodiments, the optical-based endpoint 38b may include circuitry for physical layer signal processing and / or for implementing a low MAC protocol for accessing the optical-based channel. In some embodiments, the light-based endpoint 38b includes a driver for the light emitter, along with any other required hardware that enables the light emitter to emit in either the visible or infrared spectrum.

[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the light-based endpoint 38b is external to the WAP 30 and is coupled to the WAP 30 through wired means, e.g., Ethernet or optical fiber. Advantageously, having the light-based endpoint external to the WAP eliminates the need to store a light emitter within the housing of the WAP 30. This, in turn, allows for a reduction in the size of the WAP, resulting in a more compact WAP. Such a compact WAP facilitates deployment and installation of a networked system.

[0046] While the RF endpoint 38a and the optical-based endpoint 38b are illustrated in FIG. 3 as external to the WAP, in other embodiments, they can be integrated within the WAP, resulting in a monolithic device. In such a case, all WAPs comprise a single housing containing the CCUI 34, the ALCU 32, the wireless communication units 36a-36b, the RF endpoint 38a, and the optical-based endpoint 38b. Advantageously, having a single WAP 30 capable of communicating in both the RF spectrum and visible light simplifies the deployment and management of a networked system. Furthermore, having a single WAP 30 capable of communicating in both the RF spectrum and visible light allows the CCU 24 to manage a network comprising multiple identical WAPs in a more efficient and optimized manner.

[0047] Although WAP 30 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as including only wireless communication units 36a and 36b, in other embodiments of the invention, WAP 30 may include multiple wireless communication units 36c, . . . , 36n.

[0048] The ALCU 32 is responsible for local configuration and optimization of wireless communication technologies supported by the WAP 30. The ALCU 32 is configured to manage the wireless communication units 36a and 36b based at least in part on network measurements associated with the user equipment 31a-31c. The network measurements are collected through the wireless communication units 36a and 36b. The ALCU configures the wireless communication units 36a, 36b to improve the communication link between the WAP 30 and any of the user equipment 31a-31c. In some embodiments, the ALCU can determine that the user equipment 31c has lost line-of-sight with the optical-based endpoint 38b and can configure the wireless communication unit 38a to establish a communication link with the user equipment 31c over the RF spectrum.

[0049] In some embodiments, improving the communication link between the WAP 30 and any of the user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise improving the bit error rate (BER) of the communication link. In some embodiments, improving the communication link between the WAP 30 and any of the user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise improving the spectral efficiency of the communication link. In some embodiments, improving the communication link between the WAP 30 and any of the user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise improving the signal bandwidth of the communication link. In some embodiments, improving the communication link between the WAP 30 and any of the user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the communication link. In some embodiments, improving the communication link between the WAP 30 and any of the user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise improving the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the communication link. In some embodiments, improving the communication link between WAP 30 and any of user equipment 31 a-31 c can comprise balancing the communication load on the first and second wireless communication units. Balancing the communication load on the first and second wireless communication units can comprise determining the communication load on the first and second wireless communication units based on information about the number of connected clients per interface (RF or visible / infrared), the traffic class (i.e., application quality of service (QoS) parameters) requested by the clients, the aggregate downstream traffic per interface (RF or visible / infrared) measured in aggregate bytes per second, signal quality maps for clients connected to the interface (RF or visible / infrared), interference maps in both the RF and visible / infrared spectrums, traffic scheduling policies, detection of faulty transmitting / receiving elements and / or WAPs, etc.In some embodiments, improving the communication link between WAP 30 and any of user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise expanding the coverage area of ​​WAP 30 by using a wireless communication unit with a wider range. In some embodiments, improving the communication link between WAP 30 and any of user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise managing wireless communication units 36 a, 36 b to deliver single-user and / or multi-user MIMO capabilities to the respective user equipment. In some embodiments, improving the communication link between WAP 30 and any of user equipment 31 a-31 c may comprise any combination of the above.

[0050] While the above embodiments of the invention describe communications units that transmit electromagnetic waves in the visible light spectrum, those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments of the invention may instead transmit in the infrared light spectrum. The inventions disclosed herein include the following: [Aspect 1] A wireless access point (WAP) for communicating with user equipment, comprising: a plurality of wireless communication units; an access stratum control unit ALCU communicatively coupled to the plurality of wireless communication units and configured to manage the plurality of wireless communication units; a first wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicating over a radio frequency (RF) spectrum; A WAP wherein a second wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicates through the visible or infrared light spectrum. [Aspect 2] The WAP of aspect 1, wherein the ALCU is associated with the user equipment communicatively coupled to the WAP and is configured to manage the plurality of wireless communication units based at least in part on first network measurements collected through the plurality of wireless communication units. [Aspect 3] The WAP of aspect 2, wherein managing the plurality of wireless communication units includes improving a bit error rate (BER) of a communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, a spectral efficiency of the communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, a signal bandwidth of the communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the communication link between the WAP and the user equipment, balancing the communication load of the first and second wireless communication units, extending a coverage area of ​​the WAP, passing single-user and / or multi-user MIMO capabilities to the user equipment, or a combination thereof. [Aspect 4] the first wireless communication unit is communicatively coupled to one or more RF endpoints, each RF endpoint comprising at least one antenna for RF communication; The WAP of any one of the preceding aspects 1 to 3, wherein the second wireless communication unit is communicatively coupled to one or more light-based endpoints, each light-based endpoint having at least one visible or infrared light emitter for communication through the visible or infrared light spectrum. [Aspect 5] The WAP of embodiment 4, wherein the one or more RF endpoints and / or the one or more light-based endpoints are external to the WAP. [Aspect 6] 1. A networked system comprising: A plurality of wireless access points (WAPs) according to any one of the preceding aspects 1 to 5; A networked system comprising a cognitive control unit (CCU) communicatively coupled to an ALCU of each WAP and configured to manage the plurality of WAPs. [Aspect 7] The networked system of aspect 6, wherein the CCU is associated with each WAP and is configured to manage the plurality of WAPs based at least in part on second network measurements transmitted to the CCU by the ALCU of each WAP. [Aspect 8] Managing the plurality of WAPs includes: balancing network load among the WAPs in the plurality of WAPs; Configuring the WAP to provide a redundant communication link when link failure is likely; Configuring the WAP to comply with requirements for a service level agreement; optimizing bandwidth allocation among WAPs; configuring an RF and visible / infrared optical communication link; Allocating predefined channels for the RF or visible / infrared optical spectrum; Determining the number of active RF and optical transmit / receive elements; causing the WAP to communicate with a particular user device only through the RF or visible light spectrum; or The networked system according to embodiment 7, comprising a combination thereof. [Aspect 9] 9. The networked system of any one of aspects 6 to 8, wherein the CCU is integrated in one of the plurality of WAPs forming the system. [Aspect 10] The networked system described in any one of aspects 6 to 9, characterized in that the CCU manages the multiple WAPs by training a neural network based on the collected network measurements from the ALCU of each WAP. [Aspect 11] A networked system described in any one of aspects 6 to 10, characterized in that the multiple WAPs are communicatively coupled in a star topology and centrally coordinated by a central node having the CCU. [Aspect 12] 12. The networked system of any one of aspects 6 to 11, wherein the second wireless communication unit of each WAP is configured to communicate via an IEEE 802.15.7 or IEEE 802.11bb protocol. [Aspect 13] An in-flight entertainment and connectivity IFEC system for an airplane, comprising a networked system according to any one of aspects 6 to 12.

Claims

1. 1. A networked system comprising: a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs) for communicating with user equipment, each WAP comprising: a plurality of wireless communication units; an access stratum control unit ALCU communicatively coupled to the plurality of wireless communication units and configured to manage the plurality of wireless communication units; a first wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicating over a radio frequency (RF) spectrum; a second wireless communication unit of the plurality of wireless communication units communicating through the visible or infrared light spectrum; The ALCU collects information relating to a communication link between a WAP and a user device, the information comprising: the bit error rate (BER) of said communication link; the spectral efficiency of said communication link; the signal bandwidth of said communications link; the signal-to-noise ratio SNR of said communication link, and the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the communication link; The ALCU is the bit error rate (BER) of said communication link; the spectral efficiency of said communication link; the signal bandwidth of said communications link; the signal-to-noise ratio SNR of said communication link, and a plurality of WAPs configured to control operation of the plurality of wireless communication units based on the collected information to improve one or more of a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the communication link; a recognition control unit CCU communicatively coupled to the ALCU of each WAP and arranged to receive from each ALCU said collected information relating to each communication link; Balancing network load among multiple WAPs; Configuring the WAP to provide redundant communication links; and a CCU configured to control operation of the plurality of WAPs based on the received collected information to improve one or more of the number of active radio and visible / infrared optical transmitting / receiving elements in the WAPs; A networked system comprising:

2. 2. The networked system of claim 1, wherein the CCU is integrated in one of the WAPs forming the system.

3. 3. The networked system of claim 1, wherein the CCU manages the plurality of WAPs by training a neural network based on the information received from the ALCU of each WAP.

4. 4. The networked system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of WAPs are communicatively coupled in a star topology and centrally coordinated by a central node comprising the CCU.

5. 5. The networked system of claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication unit of each WAP is configured to communicate via an IEEE 802.15.7 or IEEE 802.11bb protocol.

6. An in-flight entertainment and connectivity IFEC system for an airplane, characterized in that it comprises a networked system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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