Patent Application
20060270412
Wireless local area networks (“WLANs”) are frequently utilized in locations where one or more mobile units (“Mus”) (e.g., PDAs, scanners, laptops, cell phones, etc.) require access to the WLAN, a central server and/or a database. For example, in a retail or a warehouse environment, a plurality of MUs may be used at any one time to perform routine functions, such as retrieving data from inventory items (e.g., scanning barcodes, interrogating RFID tags). These MUs are connected to the WLAN via an access point (“AP”) in order to transmit the data to the central server, the database or other MUs. In the retail environment, the data may represent, for example, a number of items presently on a shelf, a location of an item within a store, etc.
These environments (e.g., retail, warehouse) may have highly dynamic radio frequency (“RF”) characteristics due to certain contingencies, such as floor plan changes and the addition, removal or movement of goods therein. RF surveys performed prior to and during the WLAN installation cannot cover all of these contingencies, and maintain a cost- and capacity-efficient WLAN architecture. That is, these contingencies may cause interruptions and interference in the wireless connections between the MUs and the APs resulting in coverage gaps in the WLAN. As a result, WLAN operators are forced to perform routine maintenance, including identifying and fixing the coverage gaps, which may represent significant time and cost to a proprietor of the WLAN (e.g., owner of retail outlet).
To maintain reliability of the WLAN, the operators typically oversubscribe through proliferation of APs within the WLAN. However, each additional AP represents significant costs in terms of installation, maintenance, etc. Furthermore, the coverage gaps may be temporally-based, and, thus, not require full deployment (e.g., cabling, line/battery powering, etc.) of an additional AP. Thus, there is a need for a system which will maintain reliability and resiliency of the WLAN at a lower cost than the over-proliferation of APs therein.
The present invention relates to is a system and method for resilient coverage in a wireless environment. The system may include a first wireless device having a first wireless transceiver; a second wireless device having a second wireless transceiver; and an envelope detection arrangement (“EDA”) coupled to the second device. The second wireless device has a first communication mode and a second communication mode, The second wireless transceiver conducts wireless communications with the first wireless transceiver using a predetermined wireless communication protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.11/16) only when the second wireless device is in the first communication mode. The second wireless transceiver is in a low-power state when in the second communication mode. The EDA screens radio frequency signals for a signal having a predetermined envelope sequence; the signal is generated according to the same predetermined wireless communication protocol. When the EDA receives the signal, the arrangement causes the second wireless device to switch into the first communication mode.
The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention describes a system for providing reliability and resiliency to a wireless communication network. As will be described further below, the present invention may enable a connection to the wireless network for wireless devices outside of an RF range thereof.
As shown in
The WLAN 105 may include a variety of wireless communication devices operating therein and connected thereto. For example, the WLAN 105 may include an access point (“AP”) 110 at a predetermined position within the space 108. That is, the position of the AP 110 may be determined as a result of, for example, a radio frequency (“RF”) survey conducted by an operator or a proprietor of the WLAN 105. The RF survey may have taken into account factors, such as a size of the space 108, wireless communication devices operable therein, applications of such devices, etc., and the positioning and/or configuration of the AP 110 may have been a function of the factors. As understood by those of skill in the art, the AP 110 may be one of a plurality of APs positioned within the WLAN 105, the space 108 and/or the system 100. Thus, any number of APs may be utilized in connection with the present invention.
The AP 110 may have a connection, wired (e.g., ethernet cable) or wireless, to a server 112. The server 112 may be further connected to a database 114, which may be integral with the server 112 or act as a stand-alone storage element. The server 112 may utilize a representation of the space 108 and/or the WLAN 105 and the position of the APs (including the AP 110) to determine an RF environment created thereby.
The AP 110 has a coverage area 115 in which it may conduct wireless communications with the wireless computing devices therein. The coverage area 115 may represent a predetermined range over which the AP 110 can send and receive RF signals. Although the coverage area 115 is depicted as uniform (e.g., fixed radius around the AP 110), those of skill in the art will understand that the coverage area 115 may be manipulated by, for example, beam steering or switching via a smart antenna at the AP 110. Although,
As shown in
The disconnection may be a result of movement of the MU 120 within the space 108. For example, the MU 120 may be a scanner which is used for an inventory function (e.g., scanning barcodes) within a warehouse. After each scan or a predetermined number of scans, the MU 120 may transmit inventory data (e.g., product ID, location, etc.) to the server 112 via the AP 110. However, when the MU 120 is outside of the coverage area 115 of the AP 110, the transmission of the inventory data fails. Thus, a user of the MU 120 may attempt to reestablish connection to the WLAN 105 and complete the transmission by repositioning the MU 120 (and himself) within the warehouse. Alternatively, after the failed transmission, the MU 120 may store the inventory data and transmit it when a connection to the WLAN 105 has been reestablished (e.g., back inside the coverage area 115, out of the coverage hole 117, the coverage hole 117 has been eliminated). When the user is repositioning, the inventory function is suspended and no new inventory data is being collected. When the MU 120 transmits an increased amount of stored inventory data, it may use an increased portion of a bandwidth allocated to the WLAN 105. In both instances, the operator and/or the proprietor of the WLAN 105 is taking on significant costs as a result of the scanner being disconnected from the WLAN 105. Those of skill in the art will understand that the disconnection may be a result of factors other than position, such as, for example, decreased power of the AP 110 and/or the MU 120, barriers/obstructions between the MU 120 and the AP 110 which may create the coverage hole 117, etc.
Disconnections caused by movement, power and/or barriers/obstructions may be temporary. That is, as noted above, repositioning the MU 120 and/or time may resolve the disconnection. However, time taken to reposition and/or wait for restored connectivity may result in a loss in productivity. Thus, the present invention provides both temporary and permanent solutions for temporary and permanent disconnections suffered by MUs within the WLAN 105. In addition, these solutions may be low-cost in that significant hardware/software modifications and/or upgrades to the WLAN 105 and the devices therein/connected thereto may not be required.
According to the present invention, the system 100 further includes a modified AP (“MAP”) 125 positioned within the WLAN 105. Preferably, the MAP 125 is positioned within the coverage area 115 of the AP 110 allowing for wireless communication therebetween. The MAP 125 may be positioned during initial deployment of the WLAN 105 and/or as a result of, for example, coverage gap detection. Those of skill in the art will understand that any number of MAPs may be positioned within the WLAN 105. As will be described below, deployment and utilization of the MAPs may extend the RF environment and provide reliability and resiliency thereto. For example, the MAPs may allow the APs to communicate with MUs within coverage holes and/or outside of their respective coverage areas.
An exemplary embodiment of an architecture of the MAP 125 is shown in
The MAP 125 may further include a power arrangement 525. According to the present invention, the power arrangement 525 may be a battery 530 housed within a battery compartment 535 in the MAP 125. The battery compartment 535 may include a security feature (e.g., a lock) which would allow only authorized personnel to change/charge the battery 530. The MAP 125 may monitor a charge level of the battery 530 and transmit a signal to the server 112 (or broadcast a signal) when the level reaches a predetermined threshold, indicating that the battery 530 must be either replaced and/or recharged. In another embodiment, the battery 530 is attached to a recharger (not shown) which may be, for example, a solar cell. Thus, the battery 530 may recharge itself on a continuous basis. In a further embodiment, the power arrangement 525 is a line voltage.
According to the present invention, the MAP 125 may further include a receiver 540 (e.g., an AM demodulator). In the exemplary embodiment shown in
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MAP 125 is not connected (e.g., wired) to the WLAN 105 via, for example, network infrastructure cabling (e.g., ethernet cabling). Thus, with no cable connecting the WLAN 105 and the LAN port on the MAP 125, the MAP 125 may not directly initiate wireless communications and/or communicate with the server 112. Thus, the MAP 125 remains in an idle state until the predetermined signal 400 is transmitted/broadcast over a radio channel and received, as further described below.
The MAP 125 switches between a first communication mode (“FCM”) and a second communication mode (“SCM”) upon receipt of the predetermined signal 400 by the receiver 540. Thus, the MAP 125 utilizes a dual-mode of operation including the FCM and the SCM. In the FCM (e.g., a dormant state), the MAP 125 is powered off, conserving the battery 530. Thus, in the FCM, only the receiver 540 (and an amplifier connected thereto) are powered. Those of skill in the art will understand that, when in the FCM, the MAP 125 is completely powered off. The FCM is not a sleep/power-conserve state. While in the FCM, the receiver 540 listens only for the predetermined signal 400. In the SCM (e.g., active mode), the MAP 125 is capable of actively conducting wireless communications.
When the predetermined signal 400 is received, the receiver 540 switches the MAP 125 from the FCM to the SCM. That is, the receiver 540 sends a signal to the processor 505 indicating that the MAP 125 should switch to the SCM. Once the MAP 125 has switched to the SCM, it acts as a bridge by, for example, receiving a signal (e.g., an 802.11 transmission) from the AP 110 and transmitting it to the MU 120, or vice-versa. Thus, the AP 110 may effectively extend the coverage area 115 to include a further coverage area 130 of the MAP 125. No hardware, software or power modifications need be made to the AP 110 which may communicate with the MU 120 (or any wireless device within the coverage area 130) via the MAP 125. Those of skill in the art will understand that the further coverage area 130 may have similar characteristics (e.g., size, space, dimension, etc.) to that of the coverage area 115.
As shown in
The receiver 540 may have several further embodiments. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the receiver 540 is a low-power receiver (e.g., a non-802.11 radio) designed solely to respond to the predetermined signal 400. In another exemplary embodiment, the receiver 540 is a conventional receiver (e.g., a conventional 802.11 receiver). In yet a further embodiment, the receiver 540 is a modified receiver (e.g., reduced-power 802.11 receiver) which may be the conventional receiver with one or more modifications (e.g., decreased receivers sensitivity, single channel receiver operation, alternative demodulation schemes based on the predetermined signal 400, low duty cycle receiver operation, etc.). The one or more modifications preferably reduces battery power consumed by the modified receiver, thereby increasing a lifetime of the battery thereof or of the MAP 125.
Referring again to
Upon detection of the disconnection, the MU 120 may attempt to reconnect to the AP 110 or any other AP connected to the WLAN 105. If this attempted reconnection fails, the MU 120 transmits the predetermined signal 400. As understood by those of skill in the art, the transmission of the predetermined signal 400 may not be transmitted to a particular wireless computing device, but may simply be a broadcast by the MU 120 over a radio channel. Further, transmission of the predetermined signal 400 may be user-controlled if, for example, the MU 120 detects the disconnection but the user desires to work offline (i.e., disconnected from the WLAN 105). An exemplary embodiment of the predetermined signal 400 is shown in
The predetermined signal 400 may include a first packet 405 having a first predetermined pulse width 410 (e.g., T1). A second packet 415 having a second predetermined pulse width 420 (e.g., T3) may be separated from the first packet 405 by a first pre-defined space 425 (e.g., T2). A third packet 430 having a third predetermined pulse width 435 (e.g., T5) may be separated from the second packet 415 by a second pre-defined space 440 (e.g., T4). As shown in
Referring back to
As described above, the predetermined signal 400 may have a format including one or more packets of uniform or varying pulse-width. These packets may or may not contain any data. Thus, the receiver 400 may not attempt to decode the packets (e.g., demodulate the predetermined signal 400), but based on the predefined structure(s) (e.g., resolved on/off timing 445), determines that the transmission is the predetermined signal 400. This determination may be accomplished using, for example, a pulse code modulation (“PCM”) technique which may provide robust receiver sensitivity. In this manner, the predetermined signal 400 is operably similar to an SOS communication. For example, the MU 120 represents that it is “lost” (e.g., disconnected from the WLAN 105), and broadcasts the predetermined signal 400 (e.g., SOS) hoping that any in the FCM connected to the WLAN 105 hears it and (re)establishes the connection thereto. Thus, the MU 120 is utilizing the predetermined signal 400 in an “emergency” scenario (e.g., disconnected from the WLAN 105).
Upon receipt of the predetermined signal 400, the receiver 540 indicates to the MAP 125 that it should switch from the FCM to the SCM. In the SCM, the MAP 125 may relay transmissions (e.g., 802.11 packets) from the MU 130 to the AP 110, and vice-versa. For example, once the MAP 125 enters the second mode, it may transmit a beacon from the AP 110 to the MU 120. When the MU 120 receives the beacon, it will know that it has been (re)connected to the WLAN 105. The MAP 125 may remain in the SCM until a predetermined condition occurs. For example, the predetermined condition may be when no MUs are associated with the MAP 125. As will be understood by those of skill in the art, when the MAP 125 is in the SCM, the receiver 540 may cease listening for the predetermined signal 400. That is, the receiver 540 may not require power while the MAP 125 is in the SCM. Thus, when the MAP 125 is in the FCM, the receiver 540 is powered and the MAP 125 is not, and when the MAP 125 is in the SCM, the MAP 125 is powered and the receiver 540 may not be powered.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, after the MAP 125 switches from the FCM to the SCM, it transmits a notification signal to the server 112 via the AP 110. The notification signal may alert the server 112 that the MAP 125 has been activated (e.g., switched to the SCM) indicating a coverage gap within the WLAN 105. As understood by those of skill in the art, the notification signal may include data such as, for example, an identification and a location of the MAP 125 and a time of receipt of the predetermined signal 400. The data may further include an identification of the device from which it was transmitted (e.g., the MU 120). The data may be utilized by the server 112 and/or operator/proprietor of the WLAN 105 to determine coverage gaps and intermittent outage trends therein.
Upon receipt of the notification signal, the server 112 may instruct the MAP 125 to remain in the SCM thereby providing the connection to the WLAN 105 for the MU 120. In a further embodiment, the server 112 indicates to the operator/proprietor of the WLAN 105 that the MAP 125 is activated and will be so for a predetermined amount of time. In that time, the operator/proprietor may replace the MAP 125 with a conventional AP (e.g., with a wired or wireless connection to the WLAN 105). Alternatively, the server 112 may instruct one or more APs (e.g., AP 110) within a predetermined distance around the MAP 125 to increase power expanding a coverage thereof (e.g., coverage area 115). Those of skill in the art will understand that any of the above responses to the notification signal may temporarily or permanently establish a connection to the WLAN 105.
An exemplary embodiment of a method 200 according to the present invention is shown in
In step 205, the receiver 540 receives the predetermined signal 400. As described above, the predetermined signal 400 may be transmitted by the MU 120 in response to the disconnection from the WLAN 105 (e.g., exiting the coverage area 105, powering up outside the coverage area 105, in the coverage hole 117). In one exemplary embodiment, after receiving the predetermined signal 400, the receiver 540 switches to a power-off state. Thus, the receiver 540 and the MAP 125 are mutually exclusive, in that when one is powered, the other is not.
In further embodiments of the present invention, the predetermined signal 400 may be transmitted from other sources as a result of other conditions in the WLAN 105. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the AP (e.g., AP 110, a further AP, a dumb access port) may transmit the predetermined signal 400 as a result of a predetermined event, such as, for example, an increased amount of communications which exceeds a capacity of the AP, if the AP detects a malfunction (e.g., wired connection ceases working), or if the AP requests assistance from the further AP (or any other wireless device) for a diagnostic of itself. The above examples of the predetermined event for transmission of the predetermined signal 400 are illustrative thereof, and those of skill in the art will understand that various other examples may be contemplated which remain within the scope of the present invention.
In step 210, the MAP 125 switches from the FCM to the SCM. As noted above, the MAP 125 may remain in the SCM until no MUs are associated therewith. While in the SCM, the MAP 125 is configured to relay transmissions between devices in the WLAN 105, particularly devices within the further coverage area 130 (e.g., MU 120 to AP 110, and vice-versa).
In step 215, the MAP 125 establishes the connection to the WLAN 105. In one embodiment, as described above, the MAP 125 may transmit the beacon received from the AP 110 to the MU 120, connecting the MU 120 to the WLAN 105. In a further embodiment, the MAP 125 transmits the notification signal to the server 112 via the AP 110. The notification signal, as stated above, may indicate that the coverage gap exists where the MU 120 is located. In yet a further embodiment, the predetermined signal 400 may have contained data. In this embodiment, the MAP 125 transmits the predetermined signal 400 to the AP 110, and, then, transmits beacons to the MU 110. In the cases where the AP 110, the further AP or the dumb access port transmitted the predetermined signal 400, the MAP 125, after switching to the SCM, may further operate as a conventional AP.
A further exemplary embodiment of a method 300 according to the present invention is shown in
In step 305, the MU 120 detects the disconnection from the WLAN 105 based on one or more predetermined criteria. For example, the criteria may be one or more missed beacons from the AP 110, one or more upper layer protocol timeouts (e.g., TCP timeouts), one or more failed transmissions, etc.
In step 310, the MU 120 determines whether the predetermined signal 400 has been previously broadcast on or transmitted over the radio channel. In this manner, the MU 120 may use an energy detection mechanism (e.g., one of a plurality of conventional clear channel assessment (“CCA”) modes) to detect energy in the channel. The MU 120 may detect the energy in the channel for a predetermined duration which is preferably long enough to determine if the predetermined signal 400 has been transmitted over or broadcast on the channel, or if the receiver 540 has received the predetermined signal 540. The use of the energy detection mechanism may prevent corruption of the predetermined signal 400 previously transmitted on the channel by preventing multiple MUs disconnected from the WLAN 105 from transmitting their own predetermined signal 400. As understood by those skilled in the art, detecting the in-channel energy may be optional for the MU 120. That is, once the MU 120 detects the disconnection, it may automatically transmit/broadcast the predetermined signal 400 without detecting the in-channel energy.
In step 315, the predetermined signal 400 has not been transmitted/broadcast on the channel, and, thus, the MU 120 transmits/broadcasts the predetermined signal 400. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver 540 hears the predetermined signal 400, and the MAP 125 switches from the FCM to the SCM, which has been described above. In a further exemplary embodiment, it is possible that the MU 120 connects to the WLAN 105 via the AP 110 or the further AP. In this manner, the MU 120 may be moving within the space, lose the connection at a first position, and reestablish the connection at a second position. For example, the MU 120 may move to an area of the warehouse which is outside of the coverage area 115, thereby temporarily disconnecting from the WLAN 105 (e.g., in the coverage gap). However, the MU 120 may be in the coverage gap only temporarily and reconnect to the WLAN 105 via the further AP (e.g., conventional AP) within a short time. Thus, upon reconnecting to the WLAN 105 via the further AP, the MU 120 and/or the further AP may transmit a message to the server 112 indicating that the MU 120 has been reconnected and that the MAP 125 may remain in or switch back to the FCM. Therefore, the server 112 may distinguish between the coverage gaps in the WLAN 105 and/or adjust operation of the WLAN 105 accordingly (i.e., no chance of reconnection, low chance of reconnection, transient). For example, the coverage gap with ‘no chance of reconnection’ or ‘low chance of reconnection’ may warrant deployment of a conventional AP (wired or wireless) therein or may require that the MAP 125 remain in the SCM. Whereas, the ‘transient’ coverage gap may simply warrant a power adjustment (e.g., to manipulate a coverage area) of the AP in the WLAN 105.
In step 320, either the predetermined signal 400 has been previously transmitted/broadcast on the channel (step 310) or the MU 120 has transmitted/broadcast the predetermined signal 400 thereon (step 315). Thus, the MU 120 may receive the beacon from the AP 110 via the MAP 125, reestablishing the connection to the WLAN 105 (step 325). According to the present invention, the user of the MU 120 and/or the server 112 may be notified of the disconnection from and/or the connection to the WLAN 105. For example, while in the coverage area 115, the MU 120 may include a display/message which indicates that the MU 120 is connected to the WLAN 105. Furthermore, the server 112 may have knowledge of those devices (APs, MAPs, MUs, etc.) which are connected to the WLAN 105. Upon exiting from the coverage area 115 (or powering on in the coverage gap), the display/message may indicate a disconnection from the WLAN 105. As understood by those of skill in the art, the server 112 may recognize when a device previously connected to the WLAN 105 loses the connection (e.g., in the coverage gap, malfunction, etc.), but may not recognize the disconnection if the device (e.g., the MU 120) is powered on in the coverage gap.
After the MU 120 is connected to the WLAN 105, it may communicate with any devices connected thereto. For example, the MU 120 may transmit the inventory data to the AP 110 via the MAP 125. With a connection to the AP 110, the MU 120 may further communicate with the server 112 and further MUs connected to the WLAN 105. As described above, once the MAP 125 is in the SCM, it may simply retransmit received signals between wireless devices (e.g., MU 120 to AP 110, and vice-versa).
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the AP 110 may transmit the predetermined signal 400 to the receiver 540 attached to the MAP 125. In this manner, the AP 110 may attempt to expand the coverage area 115 to devices not previously therein. Those of skill in the art would understand that this embodiment may be useful for many applications, such as, for example asset tag (e.g., RFID tag) wakeup. That is, the AP 110 may interrogate the asset tag via the MAP 125. This embodiment may be initiated by the server 112, any AP or any MU.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made in the present invention, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
