Patent ID: 9125147
Filing Date: 2015-09-01
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a load associated with a node, the method comprising: determining an average time interval measure representing an average time interval between successive frames transmitted by the node via a selected channel; determining a number of unique user devices associated with the node based on a destination media access control (MAC) address field in each of the frames transmitted by the node; determining a load measure associated with the node, based at least on a value determined by dividing the number of unique user devices associated with the node by the average time interval measure; determining a rate-weighted load measure associated with the node by weighting the load measure with a data transmission rate associated with the node determined based on an observed signal strength of transmission signals of the node; repeating the steps of determining an average time interval measure, determining a number of unique user devices, determining a load measure, and determining a rate-weighted load measure for a second node associated with the selected channel; and selecting a rate-weighted load measure for a Wi-Fi connection with the node, wherein the Wi-Fi connection with the node is selected from among Wi-Fi connections with a plurality of other nodes based on the rate-weighted load measure relative to rate-weighted load measures associated with the plurality of other nodes.