Self-configuration of wireless access devices in a wireless network environment
A self-configuration method for access devices in a wireless network begins by performing wireless data collection with the access devices during an automated calibration period. During this time, each access device receives beacons from one or more transmitting access devices, the beacons being transmitted and received using a plurality of different channels available to the wireless network. The method records radio frequency (RF) data associated with the received beacons, and processes the RF data to select, from the plurality of different channels, a respective channel for each of the access devices. In addition, the RF data is processed to adjust transmit power levels for the access devices. The selected channels and adjusted transmit power levels are then used as configuration settings for the access devices.
1. A self-configuration method for access devices in a wireless network, the method comprising:
performing wireless data collection with the access devices during an automated calibration period by a controller commanding the access devices to transmit test beacons at specified transmit power levels on a plurality of different channels available to the wireless network, wherein each of the access devices then receives beacons from one or more transmitting access devices, the beacons being transmitted and received using the plurality of different channels;
recording radio frequency (RF) data including each access device test beacon transmit power level received during the wireless data collection;
selecting, by the controller from the plurality of different channels, a respective channel for each of the access devices, wherein the selecting is based upon the recorded RF data; and
adjusting transmit power levels for the access devices, based upon the recorded RF data and based upon the selecting.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the performing step comprises performing wireless data collection with all of the access devices transmitting at their maximum transmit power levels.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the recording step records RF data indicative of:
transmitting access device identifiers, wherein if the controller does not recognize the identifier as one belonging to the wireless network, flagging the transmitting access device in the RF data as an external device; and
received signal strength measurements.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising calculating, for each received beacon and based upon the received signal strength measurements and the beacon transmit power levels, a distance metric that indicates RF distance between transmitting and receiving access devices.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting step results in adjusted power levels for the access devices, and the method further comprises repeating the selecting step, based upon the recorded RF data and the adjusted power levels.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein repeating the selecting step results in reselected channels for the access devices, and the method further comprises repeating the adjusting step, based upon the recorded RF data and the reselected channels.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step selects channels for the access devices in a progressive manner that strives to minimize channel interference among the access devices.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting step adjusts transmit power levels in a manner that strives to minimize channel interference among the access devices.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
assigning the selected channels to the access devices; and
configuring the access devices for operation using the adjusted transmit power levels.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising assigning rescuer access devices to each of the access devices, based upon the recorded RF data, the selected channels, and the adjusted transmit power levels, wherein if the access device is disabled, the transmit power levels of the assigned rescuer access devices can be raised to provide additional coverage for the area normally supported by the disabled access device.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the recording step records RF data corresponding to beacons received from at least one external access device that is not a member of the wireless network.
12. In a wireless local area network (WLAN) comprising a plurality of access devices that support wireless communication with devices within the WLAN, and comprising a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of access devices, a self-configuration method for establishing wireless operating characteristics of the plurality of access devices, the method comprising:
the controller commanding the access devices to transmit test beacons at specified transmit power levels and on different channels available to the wireless network during an automated calibration period;
the access devices receiving the test beacons;
recording radio frequency (RF) data associated with received test beacons including each access device test beacon transmit power level;
processing, by the controller, the RF data to assign channels to the access devices;
processing, by the controller, the RF data and the assigned channels to determine adjusted transmit power levels for the access devices; and
configuring, by the controller, the access devices for operation using the assigned channels and the adjusted transmit power levels.