Airtime fairness in WLANs (wireless local access networks) based on dynamic updates to ATF (airtime fairness) tokens

1. A computer-implemented method in an access point coupled to a plurality of wireless stations over a Wi-Fi network for providing access to a data communication network, the method for dynamically updating airtime fairness (ATF) tokens for improved packet prioritizing during packet processing, the method comprising:

receiving a data packet concerning a station on the Wi-Fi network at a scheduler of the access point subject to a limited number of the ATF tokens for access to a channel for transmission of data packets between the Wi-Fi network and the data communication network, wherein the station is not currently assigned to one of the ATF tokens;

determining a number of transmitting stations assigned to a run queue that are currently assigned for permission to transmit with the ATF tokens;

responsive to the number of stations exceeding a first threshold number, prioritizing the transmitting stations relative to the station based on a station type;

responsive to the number of stations exceeding a second threshold number, prioritizing the transmitting stations relative to the station based on a station RSSI value;

assigning the station to the run queue with an ATF token responsive to being prioritized within the first or second thresholds permitting transmission of the data packet for the station; and

assigning the station to a wait queue responsive to being prioritized outside of the first or second threshold not permitting transmission of the data packet for the station.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

responsive to being assigned to the wait queue, checking a station RSSI value relative to a neighboring access point; and

responsive to the neighboring station RSSI value exceeding the station RSSI value, steering the station to the neighboring access point.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

responsive to being assigned to the wait queue, checking a number of connected stations relative to a neighboring access point; and

responsive to the neighboring access point connection number of connected stations being less than the access point connected number, steering the station to the neighboring access point.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ATF token is assigned to the station for a minimum period of time, regardless of subsequent prioritizations.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the station is assigned to the run queue after being assigned to the wait queue for a maximum period of time, regardless of prior prioritizations.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein an operating system executing on the access point governs the limited number of ATF tokens.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second threshold number is higher than the first threshold number.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium in an access point to, when executed by a processor, perform a computer-implemented method for providing access to a data communication network, the method for dynamically updating airtime fairness (ATF) tokens for improved packet prioritizing during packet processing, the method comprising:

receiving a data packet concerning a station on the Wi-Fi network at a scheduler of the access point subject to a limited number of the ATF tokens for access to a channel for transmission of data packets between the Wi-Fi network and the data communication network, wherein the station is not currently assigned to one of the ATF tokens;

determining a number of transmitting stations assigned to a run queue that are currently assigned for permission to transmit with the ATF tokens;

responsive to the number of stations exceeding a first threshold number, prioritizing the transmitting stations relative to the station based on a station type;

responsive to the number of stations exceeding a second threshold number, prioritizing the transmitting stations relative to the station based on a station RSSI value;

assigning the station to the run queue with an ATF token responsive to being prioritized within the first or second thresholds permitting transmission of the data packet for the station; and

assigning the station to a wait queue responsive to being prioritized outside of the first or second threshold not permitting transmission of the data packet for the station.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

responsive to being assigned to the wait queue, checking a station RSSI value relative to a neighboring access point; and

responsive to the neighboring station RSSI value exceeding the station RSSI value, steering the station to the neighboring access point.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

responsive to being assigned to the wait queue, checking a number of connected stations relative to a neighboring access point; and

responsive to the neighboring access point connection number of connected stations being less than the access point connected number, steering the station to the neighboring access point.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the ATF token is assigned to the station for a minimum period of time, regardless of subsequent prioritizations.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the station is assigned to the run queue after being assigned to the wait queue for a maximum period of time, regardless of prior prioritizations.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein an operating system executing on the access point governs the limited number of ATF tokens.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second threshold number is higher than the first threshold number.

15. An access point to access to a data communication network, to dynamically update airtime fairness (ATF) tokens for improved packet prioritizing during packet processing, the access point comprising:

a processor;

a network interface, communicatively coupled to the processor and to the data communication network; and

a memory to store:

a scheduler having a run queue and a wait queue;

a receiving module to receive a data packet concerning a station on the Wi-Fi network at a scheduler of the access point subject to a limited number of the ATF tokens for access to a channel for transmission of data packets between the Wi-Fi network and the data communication network, wherein the station is not currently assigned to one of the ATF tokens;

a determining module to determine a number of transmitting stations assigned to the run queue that are currently assigned for permission to transmit with the ATF tokens;

a first prioritizing module to, responsive to the number of stations exceeding a first threshold number, prioritize the transmitting stations relative to the station based on a station type;

a second prioritizing module to, responsive to the number of stations exceeding a second threshold number, prioritize the transmitting stations relative to the station based on a station RSSI value;

an assigning module to assign the station to the run queue with an ATF token responsive to being prioritized within the first or second thresholds permitting transmission of the data packet for the station, wherein the assigning module assigns the station to the wait queue responsive to being prioritized outside of the first or second threshold not permitting transmission of the data packet for the station.

16. The access point of claim 15 , further comprising:

responsive to being assigned to the wait queue, checking a station RSSI value relative to a neighboring access point; and

responsive to the neighboring station RSSI value exceeding the station RSSI value, steering the station to the neighboring access point.

17. The access point of claim 15 , further comprising:

responsive to being assigned to the wait queue, checking a number of connected stations relative to a neighboring access point; and

responsive to the neighboring access point connection number of connected stations being less than the access point connected number, steering the station to the neighboring access point.

18. The access point of claim 15 , wherein the ATF token is assigned to the station for a minimum period of time, regardless of subsequent prioritizations.

19. The access point of claim 15 , wherein the station is assigned to the run queue after being assigned to the wait queue for a maximum period of time, regardless of prior prioritizations.

20. The access point of claim 15 , wherein the second threshold number is higher than the first threshold number.