Adaptive standby access in a local area communication network

摘要

An adaptive standby access point in a local area communication network includes an interface operable to communicate with other access points, at least one radio operable to communicate with user devices utilizing at least one antenna, and a processor operable to receive a message over the interface from one of the other access points that is experiencing traffic overload. The message indicating to the standby access point that the one other access point requires traffic demand assistance, whereupon the processor will activate and direct the radio to send out beacons to solicit user devices within the coverage area of the overloaded access point to instead association with the standby access point.

主权项

1. An adaptive standby access point in a local area communication network, comprising:
an interface configured to communicate with other access points in the communication network; at least one radio configured to communicate with user devices in the communication network, the at least one radio to be switched between multiple antennas; and a processor coupled to the interface and the at least one radio, the processor configured to receive a request over the interface from one of the other access points, the request indicating to the standby access point that the one other access point requires traffic demand assistance, whereupon the processor will activate and direct the at least one radio to send a sequence of data frames to the one other access point on a channel being used by the one other access point, each data frame in the sequence being sent by the at least one radio using a different antenna, and each data frame in the sequence indicating its sequence and the antenna being used to send that data frame, receive a reply over the interface from the one other access point including a selected frame of the sequence that was received with the strongest signal strength by the one other access point, connect the at least one radio to the indicated antenna in the selected frame, and send out beacons using the indicated antenna to solicit user devices within the coverage area of the one other access point to associate with the standby access point.