KR200418770Y1 - Apparatus for determining a level of involvement of mesh points - Google Patents

Abstract

An MP used in a wireless communication system that includes a plurality of mesh points (MPs) is configured to determine the level of involvement in the wireless communication system. The MP is a transmitter configured to send a network status request to other MPs in a wireless communication system, a receiver configured to receive network status information of the MPs in response to the network status request, and connected to both the transmitter and the receiver, both the transmitter and the receiver. And a processor in communication with the. The processor controls the transmitter to cause the transmitter to send a network status request to other MPs in the wireless communication system, receives network status information of the MPs in response to the network status request from the receiver, and participates in the wireless communication system. Configured to determine the level.

Description

A device for determining the level of involvement of mesh points {APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT OF MESH POINTS}

1 illustrates a wireless communication system constructed in accordance with the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a pair of MPs configured to perform a method of determining the level of involvement of a mesh point (MP) in the wireless communication system of FIG.

3 is a signal diagram of MPs communicating with each other to determine an engagement level of the MP in the wireless communication system of FIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention;

4 is a flow diagram of a process for determining an engagement level of an MP in a wireless communication system, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a wireless communication system with MP having a high level of engagement in the wireless communication system. FIG.

FIG. 5B illustrates a wireless communication system with a low MP level in a wireless communication system. FIG.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110: mesh point (MP)

114, 124: Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)

115, 125: Processor

116, 126: receiver (RCVR)

117, 127: Transmitter (XMTR)

119, 129: Memory

150: external network

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the involvement level of a mesh point in a wireless communication system.

As wireless technology continues to advance, wireless local area networks (WLANs) are becoming more common, and there may be modified wireless networks. For example, traditional WLANs are based on a structured system that includes a base station in communication with a wireless device and routes traffic between the base station and the wireless device. Another type of wireless network is an ad-hoc network, in which a wireless device communicates with one or more additional wireless devices in a point-to-point technology that dynamically connects and disconnects wireless devices to and from the network.

Mesh networks, which are a combination of traditional WLAN and ad hoc networks, may include user equipment, terminals, access points (APs), and base stations, all of which function as mesh points (MPs). Mesh networks are increasingly supported by the standard community due to features such as extended coverage with less effort, self-deploying WLANs with less effort, and higher fault tolerance and redundancy. have.

One characteristic of a mesh network is that MPs within that network can perform various network functions traditionally performed only by one particular type of wireless device within the network. As a result, MPs that are not normally used for a particular function are suddenly forced to perform these additional functions. For example, a wireless device that is not normally expected to perform routing or forwarding from one device to another device may not be functional because the power or battery of the device is excessively consumed when routing or forwarding from one MP to another. And useful life.

Therefore, there is a need to control the MP belonging to the mesh network from both the MP user and the mesh network operator, which is not subject to the limitations of the conventional method.

The present invention relates to an MP used in a wireless communication system including a plurality of mesh points (MP). The MP is configured to determine the level of involvement in the wireless communication system. The MP is a transmitter configured to send a network status request to other MPs in a wireless communication system, a receiver configured to receive network status information of the MPs in response to the network status request, and connected to both the transmitter and the receiver, both the transmitter and the receiver. And a processor in communication with the. The processor controls the transmitter to cause the transmitter to send a network status request to other MPs in the wireless communication system, receives network status information of the MPs in response to the network status request from the receiver, and participates in the wireless communication system. Configured to determine the level.

In addition to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the above item [the technical problem to be solved] will be more easily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the term "mesh point (MP)" refers to a wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU), a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, or a wireless environment. It represents another type of device that can be operated. In addition, the MP may represent a base station, a Node B, a site controller, an access point, or any other type of interface device in a wireless environment.

Features of the present invention may be organized into integrated circuits (ICs) or composed of circuits including a plurality of interconnecting components.

1 shows a wireless communication system 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The wireless communication system 100 includes a plurality of MPs 110 that can communicate with each other. In addition, the one or more MPs 110 may be connected to an external network 150 such as the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or another type of external network. In this way, any MP 110 in the wireless communication system 100 can access the external network 150 through the MP 110 connected to the external network 150. For example, in FIG. 1, only one MP 110 is shown connected to the external network 150. However, any of the MPs 110 may be connected to the external network 150.

In the description of the present invention, "level of involvement" means the level of involvement of the MP in the wireless communication system in which the MP is operating. As will be described in detail below, the level of involvement is preferably based on status information about the system or network on which the MP is operating, specifically network status information.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of two MPs (denoted MP 110 'and MP 110 ") configured to determine the level of engagement of the MP and share information in the wireless communication system 100 in accordance with the present invention. MP 110 ′ and MP 110 ″ are substantially similar units.

The MP 110 ′, in addition to the nominal components included in a typical MP, includes a processor 115 configured to determine the level of involvement in the wireless communication system 100, and a receiver 116 in communication with the processor 115. A transmitter 117 in communication with the processor 115, a memory 119 in communication with the processor 115, a graphical user interface (GUI) 114 in communication with the processor 115, a receiver 116, An antenna 118 is in communication with both transmitters 117 and facilitates the transmission and reception of wireless data to and from the MP 110 ′.

In addition to the nominal components included in a typical MP, the MP 110 ″ includes a processor 125 configured to determine the level of involvement in the wireless communication system 100, a receiver 126 in communication with the processor 125, and a processor 125. A transmitter 127 in communication with the processor 125, a memory 129 in communication with the processor 125, a graphical user interface (GUI) 124 in communication with the processor 125, a receiver 126, It includes an antenna 128 that communicates with both transmitters 127 and facilitates the transmission and reception of wireless data to and from the MP 110 ″.

3 shows a signal diagram 300 between the MP 110 ′ and the MP 110 ″ for determining the level of engagement of the MP in the wireless communication system 100 according to the present invention. In an example, processor 115 of MP 110 ′ sends a network state information request 310 to MP 110 ″ via transmitter 117 and antenna 118. Receiver 126 of MP 110 ″ receives request 310 from MP 110 ′ via antenna 128 and then forwards the request to processor 125.

The processor 125 of the MP 110 ″ transmits a response 320 including the network state information to the MP 110 ′ through the transmitter 127 and the antenna 128. Information about the second MP 110 ″, such as the communication validity of the second MP 110 ″, the state of the MP 110 currently connected to the wireless communication system 100, and via any MP 110. Connection validity to the external network 150, the number of available MPs 110 connected to the wireless system, the current system's functional level, authentication required to connect to the wireless system, the average or maximum delay experienced by the wireless system, bandwidth availability, And the level of reliability and encryption currently available in the wireless system.

Receiver 116 of NP 110 ′ receives response 320 via antenna 118 and then forwards the response to processor 115. The processor 115 of the MP 110 ′ may display network state information to the user of the MP 110 ′ via the GUI 114. In addition, the processor 115 of the MP 110 'may include the number of MPs 110 connected to the first MP 110', connection quality such as packet loss rate, current radio capability level, and other in the wireless communication system. It is possible to determine and set the level of engagement or availability in the wireless communication system 110, such as the current service availability level for the MP 110. For example, MP 110 ′ is unavailable for other MP 110, only available in an emergency, operates in availability mode only for some time to save power, or fully for other MP 110 in the system. May be available.

The processor 115 of the MP 110 ′ may transmit state information about itself to the MP 110 ″ via the transmitter 117 and the antenna 118. 126 receives status information from MP 110 ′ via antenna 128, passes the information to processor 125, and the processor transmits the information to MP 110 ″ via GUI 124. It is possible to indicate to the user and determine or set the level of involvement or availability in the wireless communication system 100.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, network state information and information related to the MP 110 "are stored in the memory 129 of the MP 110", extracted by the processor 125, and stored in the MP 110 '. Is sent. Similarly, status information regarding the MP 110 'is stored in the memory 119 of the MP 110', extracted by the processor 115, and transmitted to the MP 110 ". 110 'and 110 " and additional regions, may be stored and extracted by the processors 115 and 125, respectively.

In another embodiment of the present invention, rather than sending a network status information request to the additional MP 110, the first MP 110 'passively monitors the wireless communication system 100 to allow other MPs in the wireless communication system. Network status information may be received from 110. In this way, processor 115 of MP 110 ′ passively receives network status signals from other MP 110 via receiver 116 and antenna 118. This network status information may be displayed by the processor 115 to the user of the MP 110 ′ via the GUI 114. In addition, the processor 115 may transmit state information regarding the MP 110 ′ to other MPs 110 in the wireless communication system via the transmitter 117 and the antenna 118.

4 is a flow diagram 400 of a processor for determining the level of involvement of the MP 100 in the wireless communication system 100 in accordance with the present invention. At step 410, the first MP 110 ′ sends a network state information request to another MP 100 in the wireless communication system 100. Although any MP 110 may receive the request, it will be described by way of example that the second MP 110 ″ responds to the first MP 110 ′. After receiving the request, the network status information and information about itself is transmitted to the first MP 110 '(step 420). In operation 430, the first MP 110 ′ receives status information from the second MP 110 ″.

The first MP 110 ′ displays other state information regarding the first MP 110 ′ itself with the received network state information (step 440). In addition, other status information such as power life may also be displayed to the user of the MP 110 ′. This display can be implemented in various ways, such as a graphical display or a text display for the user.

If desired by the user of the first MP 110 ′, the first MP 110 ′ transmits its status information to the other MP 110 in the wireless communication system (step 450). The first MP 110 ′ also determines the level of engagement or availability in the wireless communication system (step 460). Since resource factors such as memory capacity, processing resources and battery consumption affect the use of the MP 110, the MP 110 may wish to be more involved and available in wireless communications when resources are abundant, If resources are scarce, one may want to have low involvement and availability in the wireless communication system.

Determining the level of engagement or availability in the wireless communication system (step 460) may be performed by the user of the first MP 110 ′, by the wireless system operator, or by the first MP 110 ′, in accordance with a preset configuration. It can be done by itself. In addition, if the user of the MP 110 'is an entity constituting an engagement or available level, the user may change the configuration using software or a hardware configuration tool, such as an application running on the processor 155 of the MP 110'. Can be. This configuration can be accomplished by the user via the GUI 114.

Alternatively, the wireless communication system operator or manufacturer may remotely configure the MP 110 'for the level of engagement and availability of the MP 110'. This remote configuration uses a single inline module (SIM) card to coordinate the configuration of the MP 110 'from a remote location, including an external location of the wireless communication system 100, such as an external network 150. The unit can be used for preset, factory configuration, or remote semi-static settings via signaling frames and protocols in Layer 1 or Layer 2. Similarly, MP 110 ′ may be configured to change its level of involvement depending on whether it is running on battery power or connected to a power source. In all cases, the configuration parameters are stored when reading and writing information elements stored in a database such as a Management Information Database (MIB). The user or wireless communication system operator can remotely monitor its configuration, or can adjust, retrieve and change elements in the database using, for example, SMTP, XML, and the like.

The configuration may include a setting regarding whether the MP 110 is communicable and, if possible, the available level of the MP. The available level may only include full service availability for routing, some time connection, no packet forwarding or other MP 110 in the wireless communication system in an emergency only. Moreover, the configuration may include settings relating to the degree of identifying information about the MP 110, the presence of the MP, its connection to other MPs 110 in the wireless communication system, and the MPs 100 routing or It may contain the type of authentication or encryption required before forwarding.

5A illustrates a wireless communication system 500 having an MP 110 ′ with a high level of involvement in the wireless communication system 500. In the wireless communication system 500, the plurality of MPs 100 wirelessly communicate with each other to form the wireless communication system 500, and the MP 110 ′ is connected with almost all other MPs 110 in the wireless communication system 500. Wireless communication. As such, the traffic load routed or forwarded through the MP 110 ′ may be high, and the MP 110 requiring fast routing may want to connect to the MP 110 with a low level of involvement. Alternatively, the MP 110 connected to the MP 110 'will access a large number of various additional MPs 100 in the wireless communication system 500 because of the high involvement of the MP 110'.

5B illustrates a wireless communication system 550 having a low involvement MP 110 " in wireless communication system 550. In wireless communication system 550, a plurality of MPs 100 communicate wirelessly with each other. Configure wireless communication system 550, and MP 110 ″ is the only one that communicates wirelessly with other MP 110 in wireless communication system 550. Accordingly, traffic routing through the MP 110 ″ may be less, and the MP 110 connecting to the MP 110 ″ may have a faster information routing through the MP 110 ″. MP 110 connected to 110 "will not readily access additional MPs in wireless communication system 550 that are not connected to MP 110".

The present invention can be implemented in any form of wireless communication system, if desired. For example, the present invention may be implemented in any type of 802.XX type system or other type of wireless communication system. The present invention can be implemented in application software or DSP.

While the features and elements of the present invention have been described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element may be used on its own (without other features and elements of the preferred embodiments), and using other features and elements of the present invention or It can be used in various combinations not used.

According to the present invention, it is possible to determine the engagement level of the MP in a wireless communication system including a plurality of mesh points (MPs).

Claims (6)

A mesh point for use in a wireless communication system including a plurality of mesh points (MPs), the mesh point being configured to determine an engagement level in the wireless communication system, A transmitter configured to transmit a network status request to other MPs in the wireless communication system; A receiver configured to receive network status information of MPs in response to the network status request; A processor coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, the processor configured to communicate with both the transmitter and the receiver and to control the transmitter to cause the transmitter to transmit a network status request to other MPs in the wireless communication system. Including, The processor is further configured to receive network state information of MPs in response to a network state request from the receiver, And the processor is further configured to determine a level of engagement in the wireless communication system. The network of claim 1, wherein the network state information provided in response to the network state request comprises: availability of other MPs in the wireless communication system, connection status of other MPs in the wireless communication system, number of other MPs in the wireless communication system, And at least one of authentication and encryption required to access the wireless communication system, availability of an external network, average and maximum delay within the wireless communication system, and bandwidth availability.  3. The mesh point of claim 2 wherein the processor of the MP is configured to display network state information provided in response to the network state request. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to display status information about a first MP, wherein the status information about the first MP is connected to additional MPs, required authentication and encryption, connection quality, current And at least one of a radio functional level, a power level, and a current service availability level for other MPs in the wireless communication system. The mesh point of claim 1, further comprising a memory coupled to the processor. The mesh point of claim 1, further comprising an antenna coupled to the transmitter and the receiver.

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