Method and apparatus for high throughput multiple radio sectorized wireless cell

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for high throughput wireless cells, capable of functioning as access points, are described. The wireless cells may be equipped with multiple radios to increase the amount of throughput available through a single wireless cell. Multiple antennas attached to the radios through RF switches may enable the wireless cell to service multiple clients simultaneously. The physical sectors of the antennas may overlapped to form virtual sectors that provide greater flexibility in client load management and in simultaneously servicing multiple clients. Attenuators may reduce interference from foreign wireless cells or clients. Systems and methods for assigning minimally interfering channels to either physical sectors or to radios to reduce interference between adjacent sectors and overlapping sectors are also disclosed. An antenna horn may also allow any antenna to be used as a directional antenna and may enable the antenna's angle of coverage to be adjusted. The use of multiple antennas on a client to reduce interferences is also described.

1 . A method performed by a first wireless cell for performing of an active scan, the method comprising: 
 setting each radio of the first wireless cell to a preliminary channel, wherein the first wireless cell comprises at least two radios and at least two antennas, wherein each one of the antennas is coupled to at least one of the radios, wherein each antenna transmits and receives radio signals within a respective physical sector, wherein the antennas are positioned in such a way that the physical sector of at least one of the antennas of the first wireless cell overlaps the physical sector of at least one of the other antennas of the first wireless cell;    collecting a signal quality information for the preliminary channel through each one of the antennas;    recording the signal quality information;    changing the channel of each radio to a next channel;    repeating the collecting step, the recording step, and the changing step until all channels have been tested;    assigning each one of the radios to the channel that provides a signal quality greater than a threshold signal quality.    
   
   
       2 . The methods of  claim 1  wherein assigning further comprises assigning at least a portion of the radios to the same channel, wherein the physical sectors of the antennas coupled to the radios that are assigned the same channel at least partially overlap.  
   
   
       3 . The methods of  claim 1  wherein assigning further comprises assigning each one of at least a portion of the radios to different channels, wherein the physical sectors of the antennas coupled to the radios that are assigned different channels at least partially overlap.  
   
   
       4 . The methods of  claim 1  further comprising probing for a client that transmits a control information to the first wireless cell.  
   
   
       5 . The methods of  claim 4  wherein the control information comprises at least one of signal quality information, desired data throughput, and buffer fullness.  
   
   
       6 . The methods of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a control information from a client.  
   
   
       7 . The methods of  claim 1  wherein the assigning step further comprises assigning a channel that provides a client with at least one of a signal quality greater than a threshold signal quality and a desired data throughput.  
   
   
       8 . A method performed by a first wireless cell for initializing, the method comprising: 
 ascertaining a configuration mode of the first wireless cell, wherein the first wireless cell comprises at least two radios and at least two antennas, wherein each one of the antennas is coupled to at least one of the radios, wherein each antenna transmits and receives radio signals within a respective physical sector, wherein the antennas are positioned in such a way that the physical sector of at least one of the antennas of the first wireless cell overlaps the physical sector of at least one of the other antennas of the first wireless cell, then, 
 if the mode is static, retrieving a predetermined configuration data, assigning each one of the radios to a channel, and entering a background loop;  
 if the mode is not static, performing an active scan and probing for a client that sends a control information to the wireless cell, then; 
 if probing detects the client, receiving the control information from the client, assigning each one of the radios to a channel, and entering background loop; and  
 if probing does not detect the client, assigning each one of the radios to a channel that provides a signal quality greater than a threshold signal quality, and entering a background loop.  
 
   
   
   
       9 . The methods of  claim 8  wherein assigning further comprises assigning at least a portion of the radios to the same channel, wherein the physical sectors of the antennas coupled to the radios that are assigned the same channel at least partially overlap.  
   
   
       10 . The methods of  claim 8  wherein assigning further comprises assigning each one of at least a portion of the radios to different channels, wherein the physical sectors of the antennas coupled to the radios that are assigned different channels at least partially overlap.  
   
   
       11 . A method performed by a first wireless cell for performing background functions, the method comprising: 
 ascertaining a configuration mode of the first wireless cell, wherein the first wireless cell comprises at least two radios and at least two antennas, wherein each one of the antennas is coupled to at least one of the radios, wherein each antenna transmits and receives radio signals within a respective physical sector, wherein the antennas are positioned in such a way that the physical sector of at least one of the antennas of the first wireless cell overlaps the physical sector of at least one of the other antennas of the first wireless cell, then, 
 if the mode is static, starting performance of a housekeeping function;  
 if the mode is not static, performing a passive scan and probing for a second wireless cell, then; 
 if the second wireless cell is not detected, starting performance of the housekeeping function;  
 if the second wireless cell is detected, detecting the channel used by the second wireless cell, comparing the channel used by the second wireless cell to the channels assigned to the radios of the first wireless cell, determining if a new channel assignment is needed; then 
 if a new channel assignment is not needed, starting performance of the housekeeping function;  
 if a new channel assignment is needed, assigning each one of the radios a channel and starting performance of the housekeeping function; and  
 
 upon completion of the housekeeping function, repeating the ascertaining step.  
 
   
   
   
       12 . The methods of  claim 11  wherein assigning further comprises assigning at least a portion of the radios to the same channel, wherein the physical sectors of the antennas coupled to the radios that are assigned the same channel at least partially overlap.  
   
   
       13 . The methods of  claim 11  wherein assigning further comprises assigning each one of at least a portion of the radios to different channels, wherein the physical sectors of the antennas coupled to the radios that are assigned different channels at least partially overlap.  
   
   
       14 . The methods of  claim 11  wherein the assigning step further comprises assigning the radio that detected the second wireless cell to a channel different from the channel used by the second wireless cell.