Node Placement Method Within a Wireless Network, Such as a Wireless Local Area Network

Abstract

The disclosure includes a method of and associated system for placing nodes in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes receiving user-specified parameters regarding the network. The parameters can include a layout of a building or other space, and requirements for the WLAN. An algorithm then employs these parameters to automatically create and optimized layout of multiple wireless access points for the WLAN. The method can display the layout and provide various types of information to the user.

1 . A method placing nodes in a wireless local area network, the method comprising: receiving user-specified parameters regarding the wireless local area network, including: a layout of a space in which the wireless local area network is to be located, and
 a maximum number of wireless access points, or a number of users and a minimum wireless data throughput for at least some of the wireless access points;   performing a first phase of an algorithm by automatically creating a collection of candidate solutions to an optimized layout of multiple wireless access points within the space layout, wherein the candidate solutions at least in part take into account the user-specified parameters;   performing at least a second phase of the algorithm by automatically adjusting the candidate solutions in the collection to obtain the optimized layout of the multiple wireless access points within the space layout, wherein the optimized layout at least in part takes into account the user-specified parameters; and   displaying the optimized layout of the multiple wireless access points within the space layout.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving user-specified parameters includes a requirement to employ two or more wireless local area network protocols, wherein the wireless local area network protocols include IEEE 802. 11 a, IEEE 802.11 b, IEEE 802.11 g, or Bluetooth; and
 wherein the space layout includes a number of floors, a ceiling height, and walls, 
 wherein the user-specified parameters Include a type of wall construction; and 
 wherein the user-specified parameters further include an antenna type and whether the wireless local area network is to be connected via wires or wirelessly to an external wired network. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein performing a first phase of the algorithm includes obtaining optimization parameters, wherein the optimization parameters include bandwidths of two or more wireless local area network protocols with associated receive sensitivities, and wherein the optimized layout includes a minimum number of wireless access points. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first phase includes performing a genetic algorithm and identifying a location of backhaul nodes for connecting the wireless local area network to an external wired network;
 wherein the second phase includes performing the genetic algorithm and identifying locations of IEEE 802.11-type access points that are to be connected wirelessly, or via wires, to the backhaul nodes; and 
 wherein the method further comprises performing at least a third phase of the genetic algorithm to identify locations of Bluetooth-type access points that are to be connected wirelessly, or via wires, to the backhaul nodes. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the user-specified parameters has different weights during the first and second phases. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user-specified parameters include at least one user-specified location of a fixed or preferred wireless local area network access point. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user-specified parameters include a location of a power outlet or an Ethernet connection. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein displaying the optimized layout of access points includes displaying color-coded wireless coverage patterns within the space layout, wherein the color-coding corresponds to bandwidth, signal strength or both. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving user-specified parameters includes receiving user adjustments to model assumptions, wherein the model assumptions include antenna specifications, wall type attenuation, or wireless local area network protocol bit rate/transmit power. 
     
     
         10 . A system for displaying node layout in a wireless local area network, the system comprising:
 means for displaying a building layout into which the wireless local area network is to be installed;   means for displaying backhaul nodes for connecting the wireless local area network to an external wired network;   means for displaying multiple wireless access points, wherein the wireless access points are to be configured to exchange communications with the backhaul nodes; and   means for displaying additional information with respect to at least some of the multiple wireless access points, wherein the additional information includes: wireless coverage area for a wireless access point, type of radio-frequency data link layer technology for a wireless access point, wireless bandwidth for a wireless access point, or received signal strength for a wireless access point.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying additional information includes displaying an estimated receive power with respect to a displayed wireless access point when a pointer is positioned near the displayed wireless access point. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying additional information includes displaying color-coded wireless coverage patterns with respect to at least some of the wireless access points, wherein the color-coding corresponds to bandwidth, signal strength or both. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying additional information includes displaying wireless coverage area, type of radio-frequency data link layer technology, and bandwidth or signal strength for at least some of the wireless access points. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying additional information includes displaying with respect to at least a subset of the wireless access points a list of associated modules for each of the wireless modules in the subset, wherein at least some of the access points in the subset include two or more discrete yet interconnected modules. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying additional information includes displaying a list of total modules of different types associated with at least a subset of the wireless access points, wherein at least some of the access points include two or more discrete yet interconnected modules of different types. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying a building layout includes means for providing floor layout elements such as walls or electrical outlets. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying a building layout includes means for establishing fixed or preferred positions for wireless nodes or antennas within the building layout. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the means for displaying a building layout includes means for establishing fixed or preferred areas within the building layout for wireless coverage by a type of radio-frequency data link layer technology. 
     
     
         19 - 35 . (canceled)