Approach for managing the use of communications channels based on performance

Abstract

An approach for selecting sets of communications channels involves determining the performance of communications channels. A set of channels is selected based on the results of performance testing and specified criteria. The participant generates data that identifies the selected set of channels and provides that data to other participants of the communications network. The participants communicate over the set of channels, such as by using a frequency hopping protocol. When a specified time expires or monitoring of the performance of the channel set identifies poor performance of the set of channels, the participant selects another set of channels for use in communications based on additional performance testing. By selecting channels based on the initial performance testing and performance monitoring, the communications network adaptively avoids channels with poor performance.

1 . A wireless communications device adapted to perform frequency hopping communications within a frequency band of a wireless communications network with at least one other wireless communications device thereof, wherein the wireless communications device being adapted to perform said frequency hopping communications includes the wireless communications device being configured to:
 receive packet data including information defining a subset of communications channels from a set of communications channels within the frequency band of the wireless communications network, wherein the subset excludes any communications channel of the set designated as being unavailable for performing said frequency hopping communications between the wireless communications device and the at least one other wireless communications device; and   use at least one of the communications channels of the subset for performing said frequency hopping communications between the wireless communication device and the at least one other wireless communications device.