Method and system for dynamic access point selection in coordinated access point group
A system and method for dynamic access point (AP) selection by a station (STA) in a coordinated AP group is herein disclosed. According to an embodiment, a STA obtains one or more link quality metrics for each link between the STA and each of a plurality of member APs in the coordinated AP group. The STA dynamically selects at least one anchor AP for the STA from the plurality of member APs based on the one or more link quality metrics for each link. The at least one anchor AP being used to relay transmission between the STA and a coordinator of the coordinated AP group. Authentication of the STA with the at least one anchor AP is shared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowing the STA to utilize any subsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissions without re-authentication.
1. A method for dynamic access point (AP) selection by a station (STA), the method comprising:
measuring at least a first portion of link quality metrics at the STA, for each link between the STA and each of a plurality of member APs in a coordinated AP group; and
receiving, at the STA, at least a second portion of the link quality metrics measured by the plurality of member APs, in a beacon from each of the plurality of member APs, each beacon comprising at least a channel capacity of a corresponding member AP to a coordinator of the coordinated AP group;
dynamically selecting, by the STA, at least one anchor AP for the STA from the plurality of member APs based on the link quality metrics, the at least one anchor AP being used to relay uplink (UL) transmissions between the STA and the coordinator; and
receiving, from the coordinator, a selection of at least one other anchor AP, from the plurality of member APs, to be used to relay downlink (DL) transmissions from the coordinator to the STA,
wherein authentication of the STA with the at least one anchor AP is shared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowing the STA to utilize any subsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissions without re-authentication.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least a first portion of the one or more link quality metrics comprises received signal strength indicators (RSSIs); and
the at least a second portion of the link quality metrics further comprises at least one of capabilities of the respective member AP, and a number of STAs attached to the respective member AP.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
initiating an UL transmission from the STA to the coordinator, via an anchor AP of the at least one anchor AP.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anchor AP is a first anchor AP and the at least one other anchor AP is a second AP, and further comprising:
broadcasting, by the STA, sounding frames to the plurality of member APs; and
receiving, from the coordinator, a data frame indicating selection of the second anchor AP via the second anchor AP.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one anchor AP comprises a plurality of anchor APs, and further comprising:
transmitting, from the STA, information on the plurality of anchor APs to the coordinator in a management frame.
6. An electronic device, comprising:
a processor; and
a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
measure at least a first portion of link quality metrics, for each link between the STA and each of a plurality of member APs in a coordinated AP group; and
receive at least a second portion of the link quality metrics measured by the plurality of member APs, in a beacon from each of the plurality of member APs, each beacon comprising at least a channel capacity of a corresponding member AP to a coordinator of the coordinated AP group;
dynamically select at least one anchor AP for the electronic device from the plurality of member APs based on the link quality metrics, the at least one anchor AP being used to relay uplink (UL) transmissions between the electronic device and the coordinator; and
receive, from the coordinator, a selection of at least one other anchor AP, from the plurality of member APs, to be used to relay downlink (DL) transmissions from the coordinator to the STA,
wherein authentication of the electronic device with the at least one anchor AP is shared with all APs in the coordinated AP group, allowing the electronic device to utilize any subsequently selected anchor AP to relay transmissions without re-authentication.
7. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:
initiate an UL transmission from the electronic device to the coordinator, via an anchor AP of the at least one anchor AP.
8. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the at least one anchor AP is a first anchor AP and the at least one other anchor AP is a second AP, and the instructions further cause the processor to:
broadcast sounding frames to the plurality of member APs; and
receive, from the coordinator, a data frame indicating selection of the second anchor AP via the second anchor AP.
9. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the at least one anchor AP comprises a plurality of anchor APs, and the instructions further cause the processor to:
transmit information on the plurality of anchor APs to the coordinator in a management frame.