Abstract: An improved method of network management, particularly in the context of standards IEEE802.11 and IEEE802.11k, through two new MAC measurements, with attendant advantages. The two new measurements include WTRU uplink traffic loading measurement, and an AP service loading measurement and is generally applicable at least to layers 1 and 2 as applied to a least 802.11k in the context of OFDM and CDMA 2000 systems, but is applicable to other scenarios as well. A Method for determining and advertising congestion is also provided for a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) system. The present invention also introduces a method for managing congestion when congestion is detected. This aspect of the present invention applies primarily to wireless systems that use the Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) mechanism. The methods are advantageously implemented in selectively configured WTRUs of various forms.

Abstract: An air interface information unit including a measurement setup unit for implementing measurement setup procedures and configuration; a measurement reception and storing unit for storing actual, predicted and default air interface values and corresponding timestamps; a measurement processing unit for filtering, verifying, processing and combining air interface values; and a measurement output unit for providing air interface values to RRM functions upon request and triggering RRM functions when an air interface value exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for radio resource management (RRM) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) having an access point and a station begins by obtaining a first group of parameters from a current traffic channel. Measurements from all available channels are taken for a second group of parameters. The radio resources of the WLAN are autonomously managed by selectively invoking at least one RRM algorithm that uses at least one parameter. A RRM algorithm may be invoked based upon results produced by a previously executed RRM algorithm, whereby RRM algorithms may be continuously invoked such that the radio resources are autonomously managed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for admission control and resource tracking in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and a base station maintain parameters for admission control including parameters for the amount of time available for admission of traffic of each access category and for the amount of time available for admission of all access categories and parameters for admitted time and used time for the WTRU. Upon receipt of an admission request for a traffic stream from the WTRU, the base station determines whether to accept or deny the request based on the medium time for the requested traffic stream and the available time for the access category and total available time. The base station tracks the actually transmitted time by the WTRU, reclaims the unused time and returns the reclaimed time to either a common pool or to the WTRU as needed.

Abstract: A method for performing frequency selection escape in wireless communications is disclosed. The method includes receiving an activation trigger, determining whether the activation trigger has persisted for a predetermined period of time, determining a list of candidate channels; selecting a channel from the candidate list, and evaluating the selected channel against predetermined criteria, the predetermined criteria being related to the activation trigger. If the selected channel meets the predetermined criteria, then an access point (AP) is disassociated from all stations communicating with the AP; and the AP is changed to the selected channel. If the selected channel does not meet the predetermined criteria, then the selected channel is removed from the candidate list; and the selecting of a channel is repeated if there are additional candidate channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for alleviating congestion of a wireless medium used by an access point (AP) and a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) is disclosed. If congestion is determined to exist on the wireless medium, a determination is then made as to whether there are any low priority traffic streams established between the AP and at least one of the WTRUs. If there are no low priority traffic streams established between the AP and at least one of the WTRUs, selected ones of the associated WTRUs are disassociated with the AP based on the amount of time spent by the WTRUs trying to transmit and retransmit unacknowledged packets or on a specific traffic stream access category. If low priority traffic streams have been established, the packet transmission delay associated with the low priority traffic streams is increased when congestion exists. Otherwise, the packet transmission delay is decreased.

Abstract: This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for autonomously determining a coverage area of each of a plurality of access points (APs) in a wireless communication system are disclosed. Each of a plurality of APs transmits loud packets to, and receives loud packets from, other APs. Each AP measures received powers of the loud packets received from the other APs. Each AP estimates path losses from the other APs using the measured received powers and calculates the range of the AP from the estimated path losses from the other APs.

Abstract: A wireless communication method and system for optimizing channel selection for an AP. The channel selection optimization process includes four sub-processes: (1) a measurement process; (2) a candidate channel determining process; (3) a channel selection process; and (4) a channel update process. Candidate channels used for supporting communication performed by the AP are determined. The candidate channels are chosen from an allowable channel set (ACS) if a detected interference of each candidate channel is less than an established maximum allowed interference.

Abstract: This invention relates to wireless local area networks, and particularly to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. It consists of a method and apparatus that can be implemented in access points (APs) and subscriber wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), in order to allow an AP to initiate re-association of a WTRU to itself or a different AP. The invention improves the robustness of the network by enabling more efficient load balancing, congestion control, and roaming, without compromising the user experience.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are directed toward optimizing clear channel assessment (CCA) parameters in wireless communications. A CCA parameter request is received from an optimizing station. A current CCA parameter is read and transmitted to the optimizing station. A notification is received from the optimizing station of an optimized CCA parameter to be used by the optimizing station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for dynamic range power control of a wireless downlink communication signal, such that target signal quality adjustments are held temporarily when it is apparent that transmit power control commands will not produce the desired response at the transmitting station. Comparisons of measured received signals to thresholds are performed to determine whether the transmitting station has either reached the maximum or minimum transmit power, in which case the target signal quality adjustment is controlled accordingly. When normal transmit power is detected, the target signal quality adjustments are allowed to resume as usual.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are directed toward optimizing clear channel assessment (CCA) parameters in a wireless local area network having an access point (AP) and at least one station. An upper bound and a lower bound for an energy detect threshold (EDT) parameter are determined. A value of the EDT parameter is calculated and is bound by the upper bound and the lower bound. The EDT parameter is updated. The method can be performed at each station or at the AP, with the updated CCA parameters being signaled to each station associated with the AP.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for dynamic range power control of a wireless downlink communication signal, such that target signal quality adjustments are held temporarily when it is apparent that transmit power control commands will not produce the desired response at the transmitting station. Comparisons of measured received signals to thresholds are performed to determine whether the transmitting station has either reached the maximum or minimum transmit power, in which case the target signal quality adjustment is controlled accordingly. When normal transmit power is detected, the target signal quality adjustments are allowed to resume as usual.

Abstract: A startup process of an access point (AP) includes a discovery phase and an announcement phase. During the discovery phase, the AP detects neighboring APs from its own extended service set (ESS), neighboring APs from different ESSs, and external sources of interference. During the announcement phase, the AP transmits its beacon signals at maximum power in order to accelerate recognition by neighboring APs running the discovery phase. An automatic initialization channel selection process of an AP scans channels the AP will use to communicate. Information of each scanned channel is recorded and a best performance channel is determined for use by the AP.

Abstract: During a contention-free period, or silent measurement period, of a first wireless communications channel, signals received on a second wireless communications channel are analyzed. The results of the analysis are used to perform advanced radio resource management functions, such as frequency selection, load balancing, or power management. Each of a plurality of wireless channels may be measured in order to perform the advanced radio resource management functions. During the analysis, an energy detect threshold may be lowered to a minimal value.

Abstract: A primary station for a wireless communication system transmits and receives communications within a sectorized cell with at least one secondary station. The primary station transmits and receives signals within a beam; and directs the signal transmission and reception as a shaped beam. The shaped beam is directed at a plurality of predetermined directions; either continuously or discretely.

Abstract: A silent measurement period (SMP) for a selected channel in an allowable channel set (ACS) of the access point (AP) is set. During the SMP, the AP does not serve wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) within its coverage area and reserves its channels for other BSSs. A normal operating channel of the AP is changed to the selected channel upon initialization of the SMP. Characteristics of the selected channel is measured during the SMP. The operating channel of the AP is changed back to the normal operating channel when the duration of the SMP expires.

Abstract: A startup process of an access point (AP) includes a discovery phase and an announcement phase. During the discovery phase, the AP detects neighboring APs from its own extended service set (ESS), neighboring APs from different ESSs, and external sources of interference. During the announcement phase, the AP transmits its beacon signals at maximum power in order to accelerate recognition by neighboring APs running the discovery phase. An automatic initialization channel selection process of an AP scans channels the AP will use to communicate. Information of each scanned channel is recorded and a best performance channel is determined for use by the AP.

Abstract: In a method for controlling channel access in wireless communications, an admitted time value is calculated for each access category in a station. The admitted time value is a maximum amount of medium time the station can use in a time period. A used time value is calculated for each access category in the station. The used time value is an amount of medium time used by the station. A determination is made whether the used time value is less than the admitted time value. If the used time value is less than the admitted time value, a frame with enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters is transmitted. If the used time value is not less than the admitted time value, a frame without the EDCA parameters is transmitted.