Dynamic link adaptation for improved link margin

摘要

Devices at either end of a wireless communication link are each configured to support multiple different link settings. During communication, a device that is receiving data can monitor the signal quality and initiate a dynamic transition to a new link setting if performance of the current link setting falls below a lower threshold or exceeds an upper threshold. Dynamic link adaptation can be implemented within a wireless communication interface of the device and can be transparent to application and/or operating system software executing on the device.

主权项

1. A method implemented in a wireless communication interface processor of a first device, the method comprising:
receiving a data signal from a second device using a first link setting selected from a plurality of supported link settings; determining a signal quality of the received data signal, the signal quality including a received signal power, wherein the first link setting has a first minimum signal power required for the first link setting and is associated with a first link margin defined by a first difference between the first minimum signal power and the received signal power; determining whether the signal quality is below a lower threshold; and in the event that the signal quality is below the lower threshold: selecting a second link setting from the plurality of supported link settings, wherein the second link setting has a second minimum signal power required for the second link setting and is associated with a second link margin defined by a second difference between the second minimum signal power and the received signal power, and wherein the second link margin is greater than the first link margin; and switching to the second link setting to receive a subsequent data signal from the second device.