MONITORING OF CHANNEL STABILITY AND INTERFERENCE IN WIRELESS NETWORKS

摘要

The stability of a channel in a wireless network is evaluated at a node. Upon transmitting a packet from the node on a network channel, a first counter associated with the channel is incremented. Upon receiving an acknowledgment packet responsive to the transmitted packet, a second counter associated with the channel is incremented. A stability metric for the channel is computed based on values stored in the first and second counters. Additionally, interference on a channel of the network is measured at a node. Upon determining that no packet is received during a predetermined time-period on the channel, a received signal strength (RSS) is measured on the channel at an end of the predetermined time-period. Alternatively, upon determining that a packet is received during the predetermined time-period on the channel, the RSS is measured on the channel following completion of the transmission of the packet on the channel.

主权项

1. A method for evaluating stability of a channel in a node of a wireless communication network, the method comprising steps of:
in response to transmitting a first packet to another node of the wireless communication network on a selected channel of a plurality of channels of the wireless communication network, incrementing a first counter of a first plurality of counters of the node, wherein each counter of the first plurality of counters is associated with a different channel of the plurality of channels and the first counter is associated with the selected channel; receiving a second packet from the other node, the second packet being an acknowledgment packet received in response to transmitting the first packet; in response to receiving the second packet, determining a channel of the wireless communication network associated with the second packet; incrementing a second counter of a second plurality of counters each associated with a different channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the second counter is associated with the determined channel; and computing a stability metric for the selected channel of the wireless communication network based on values stored in the first and second counters.