Software-Defined Antenna Management for 6 GHz Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current WLAN standards do not provide provisions for wireless APs with software-defined antennas to communicate their beam capabilities to control services, hindering effective management of interference with incumbent devices in the 6 GHz band, particularly in outdoor environments.
Innovation Solution
Wireless APs equipped with software-defined antennas can communicate beam information to a management service like an AFC service, obtaining configuration parameters to manage transmission beams and reduce interference with incumbent devices by adjusting beam orientations, widths, and power levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless APs operate in the 6 GHz band with fixed-direction antennas, then they can provide wireless coverage, but they cause interference to incumbent devices and cannot adapt to dynamic environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements software-defined antennas that enable dynamic beamforming, allowing the wireless AP to adjust beam directions, widths, and shapes in real-time based on environmental conditions and incumbent device locations, transforming static antenna systems into adaptive ones
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automated frequency coordination (AFC) service as an intermediary that manages beam configurations for software-defined antennas, handling the complexity of interference mitigation while enabling the AP to adapt to dynamic conditions through coordinated beam management
2Reliability
If wireless APs use software-defined antennas with dynamic beamforming, then they can reduce interference to incumbent devices, but current WLAN standards lack provisions for communicating beam capabilities to control services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes preliminary protocols for wireless APs to communicate their software-defined antenna capabilities and beam information to AFC services before operation, enabling the control service to pre-coordinate frequency usage and beam configurations to prevent interference with incumbent devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal communication framework that enables AFC services to manage multiple wireless APs with software-defined antennas using standardized beam capability reporting and coordination mechanisms, making the system scalable and interoperable
3Area of stationary object
If wireless APs operate outdoors in the 6 GHz band, then they can provide extended coverage, but they must comply with regulatory requirements that limit interference to incumbent microwave devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beamforming technology to concentrate wireless signals in specific directional zones rather than omnidirectional coverage, allowing the AP to provide adequate coverage in service areas while minimizing signal strength in directions where incumbent devices operate, thus reducing interference locally
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are techniques to facilitate software-defined antenna management for a wireless access point of a wireless local area network. In one example, a method may include communicating, by a wireless access point of a wireless local area network to a management service, a request to operate a transmission beam to be produced by the wireless access point using a transmitter and a software-defined antenna of the wireless access point; and obtaining by the wireless access point from the management service, beam configuration information identifying parameters that the wireless access point is to utilize for operation of the transmission beam to be produced by the wireless access point using the transmitter and the software-defined antenna.