Systems and methods for managing a plurality of short-range wireless connections within a vehicle
Systems and methods are described for maximizing a number of short-range wireless connections within an aircraft or other vehicle. A controller can be used to dynamically assign a wireless device to an access point and a channel for connection to the wireless network of the vehicle. When the controller receives a request for connection by a third-party wireless device, the controller can assign the third-party wireless device to one of a plurality of access points disposed within the vehicle based on a location of the third-party wireless device within the vehicle, a location of other wireless devices within the vehicle, and a number of wireless devices connected to each of the access points.
1 . A controller for one or more wireless networks that is configured to maximize a number of simultaneous Bluetooth audio connections within a vehicle, the controller comprising:
a processor including one or more cores; and
a memory;
wherein the processor is configured so that upon receipt of a request for connection by a passenger wireless device to one of a plurality of access points disposed within the vehicle forming a wireless network, the processor prioritizes connecting the passenger wireless device to a 5GHz band of the wireless network instead of a 2.4 GHz band;
wherein the processor is further configured to dynamically distribute a population of the wireless devices connected in a 2.4GHz band across the plurality of access points and across a set of channels to maximize wireless channel availability; and
wherein the processor is further configured to reduce a transmit power of aircraft Bluetooth equipment to minimize a radius of frequency reuse, based on a function of a number of wireless devices connected within a geographic region of an access point;
wherein the processor is further configured to implement a directional antenna for the aircraft Bluetooth equipment such that the transmit power is directed toward a passenger space of the vehicle and minimized outside the passenger space; and
wherein the processor is further configured to implement a Bluetooth connection algorithm such that, once established, a connection between one of the access points and a wireless device is automatically re-established without notification to the wireless device.
2 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to negotiate Bluetooth audio connections with the wireless devices to a lowest possible power level to minimize a transmit power of each connected wireless device during protocol transmissions and the transmit power of aircraft Bluetooth equipment during protocol and audio transmissions.
3 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide for independent and dynamic transmit power control for an aircraft audio source.