Access Point Frequency Coordination via Signaling Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Access points (APs) operating in the 6 GHz frequency band face challenges in avoiding interference with backhaul modems and incumbent devices, as they lack information about the affected receiver frequencies and locations, leading to potential non-compliance with interference-to-noise (I/N) ratio regulations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a signaling aid in the backhaul frame, detectable by APs, to identify backhaul frequency channels and compute complementary channels, allowing APs to transmit on operating frequencies that avoid interference, and utilizing an AFC server for dynamic frequency coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If APs transmit in the 6 GHz band without frequency coordination, then AP productivity and service coverage are improved, but interference to backhaul modems and incumbent devices increases causing regulatory non-compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of backhaul frequency channels by embedding signaling aids in backhaul frames before AP transmission begins. APs detect these signaling aids to identify occupied frequency channels in advance, allowing them to select alternative frequencies that avoid interference with backhaul modems and incumbent devices
Solution Approach 2:
AFC servers act as intermediaries between backhaul modems and APs. The AFC server collects frequency channel information from backhaul modems, processes this data to determine available channels, and provides coordination information to APs. This intermediary mechanism enables automated frequency coordination without requiring direct communication between backhaul modems and APs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If APs avoid backhaul frequency channels, then interference to backhaul modems is reduced, but APs lose access to potentially available frequency channels reducing spectral efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts AP operating frequencies based on real-time detection of backhaul frequency channels. APs continuously monitor for signaling aids in backhaul frames and adapt their transmission frequencies accordingly. This dynamic frequency selection allows APs to utilize available spectrum while avoiding channels occupied by backhaul modems, optimizing both interference avoidance and spectral efficiency
3Power
If APs transmit at high power, then AP coverage and signal strength are improved, but interference to backhaul receivers increases causing I/N ratio violations
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different transmission power levels to different frequency channels based on local interference conditions. APs transmit at high power on channels that do not interfere with backhaul operations, while reducing or avoiding transmission on channels that would cause interference to backhaul receivers. This localized power adjustment maintains coverage where possible while protecting backhaul communications
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of an example, an access point (AP) may comprise a transceiver configured to receive, at the AP from a backhaul modem, a downlink signal including a signaling aid and a backhaul frame. The AP may comprise a processing device configured to: identify, at the AP, a signaling aid in the downlink signal to detect a downlink backhaul frequency channel; and determine, based on the signaling aid, one or more operating frequencies for the AP, wherein the operating frequencies do not include the backhaul frequency channel.