Constrained optimization of wireless links in networks with competing objectives
Various embodiments of the invention describe systems, devices and methods used to improve network topology connectivity by implementing throughput analysis between an access point and a plurality of extenders. This throughput analysis may include measurements such as interference and load values. Various embodiments of the invention may also implement band-steering between wireless channels.
1. A network system comprising:
an access point coupled to a backend network, the access point having a plurality of wireless interfaces on which a plurality of extenders communicate;
a first extender within the plurality of extenders, the first extender coupled to at least one of a first plurality of terminals, the first extender communicates with a first wireless interface in the plurality of wireless interfaces on the access point;
a second extender within the plurality of extenders, the second extender coupled to at least one of a second plurality of terminals, the second extender communicates with a second wireless interface in the plurality of wireless interfaces on the access point; and
a processing unit coupled to communicate with the access point, the first extender and the second extender, the processing unit receives a plurality of measurements on connections across a plurality of possible connection architectures among the access point, the first extender, and the second extender, the plurality of measurements comprising a throughput measurement, the processing unit uses the received plurality of measurements to determine a preferred connection architecture among the plurality of possible connection architectures.
2. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the throughput measurement is a direct throughput measurement between the first extender and the second extender.
3. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of possible connection architectures comprises:
both the first extender and the second extender connecting directly to the access point;
the first extender connecting to the access point and the second extender connecting to the first extender; and
the second extender connecting to the access point and the first extender connecting to the second extender.
4. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of measurements further comprises a plurality of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements across the plurality of possible connection architectures.
5. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of measurements further comprises one or more of:
load measurement associated with at least one of the first extender and the second extender;
one or more interference measurements across the plurality of possible connection architectures; and
one or more discrete channel response measurements.
6. The network system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more interference measurements comprise one or more inter-channel interference measurements.
7. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the access point and the first and second extenders share a single band or have overlapping bands.
8. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the preferred connection architecture allocates different bands between a plurality of connections among the access point, the first extender, and the second extender.
9. The network system of claim 1 , wherein the preferred connection architecture is determined using a cost function, the cost function is modified by modifying a throughput function that is used in the cost function.
10. The network system of claim 9 , wherein the cost function involves constraints on metrics that comprise one or more of:
dropped connections;
load;
cross-talk;
transmit power; and
throughput.
11. A method for network connection architecture selection, the method comprising;
coupling a first extender, among a plurality of extenders, to an access point that has a plurality of wireless interfaces to communicate with the plurality of extenders, the first extender coupled to at least one of a first plurality of terminals;
coupling a second extender, among the plurality of extenders, to the access point, the second extender coupled to at least one of a second plurality of terminals;
receiving, at a processing unit coupled to communicate with the access point, the first extender and the second extender, a plurality of measurements on connections across a plurality of possible connection architectures among the access point, the first extender, and the second extender, the plurality of measurements comprising a direct throughput measurement; and
determining, at the processing unit, a preferred connection architecture among the plurality of possible connection architectures based on the received plurality of measurements.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the throughput measurement is a direct throughput measurement between the first extender and the second extender.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of possible connection architectures comprises:
both the first extender and the second extender connecting directly to the access point;
the first extender connecting to the access point and the second extender connecting to the first extender; and
the second extender connecting to the access point and the first extender connecting to the second extender.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of measurements further comprises one or more of:
a plurality of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements across the plurality of possible connection architectures;
load measurement associated with at least one of the first extender and the second extender;
one or more interference measurements across the plurality of possible connection architectures, wherein the one or more interference measurements comprise one or more inter-channel interference measurements; and
one or more discrete channel response measurements.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the preferred connection architecture allocates different bands between a plurality of connections among the access point, the first extender, and the second extender.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the preferred connection architecture is determined using a cost function, the cost function is modified by modifying a throughput function that is used in the cost function.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the cost function involves constraints on metrics that comprise one or more of:
dropped connections;
load;
cross-talk;
transmit power; and
throughput.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium or media comprising one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by at least one processing unit, causes steps for performance measurement comprising:
receiving a plurality of measurements on connections across a plurality of possible connection architectures among a first extender, a second extender, and an access point that couples to a backend network, the plurality of measurements comprising a throughput measurement, the first extender coupled to at least one of a first plurality of terminals, the first extender communicates with a first wireless interface on the access point, the second extender coupled to at least one of a second plurality of terminals, the second extender communicates with a second wireless interface on the access point;
determining a preferred connection architecture among the plurality of possible connection architectures based on the received plurality of measurements.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium or media of claim 18 , wherein the throughput measurement is a direct throughput measurement between the first extender and the second extender.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium or media of claim 18 , wherein the preferred connection architecture is determined using a cost function, the cost function is modified by modifying a throughput function that is used in a cost function that involves constraints on metrics that comprise one or more of:
dropped connections;
load;
cross-talk;
transmit power; and
throughput.