Abstract:
A system, method and device for dynamic optimization of network parameters for optimal performance in a wireless network. The method includes sending at least one reference file to clients, collecting reference files to the clients, measuring performance metrics and updating the low-level parameters to optimize performance.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/891,153 filed on Oct. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to method and device for dynamic optimization of network parameters for optimal performance. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Wireless networks are used in a wide variety of applications and environments from airports to factory floors to lecture halls. Each of these applications and environments has unique characteristics that affect the RF signals differently. The factory configurations of the hardware and firmware used in the chipsets may not be optimized for each environment. This mismatch results in sub-optimal performance. 
         [0006]    For example, WiFi chipsets have a parameter that defines the signal level at which the channel is considered to be “busy”. If the signal received by a WIFI device exceeds this level, the chipset will not transmit until the value falls below the threshold. For a scenario with a large number of wireless devices in an area, such as, a lecture hall, the default setting may cause performance problems. If this level is set too low by default, the chipset will detect “false positives” and not transmit even when it is safe to do so. If this level is set too high, the chipset may ignore valid transmissions on the channel and start transmitting. In the former case, the performance will be poor due to excessive delays. In the latter case, the performance will be poor due to data corruption and excessive re-transmissions. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for an improved method and device for dynamic optimization of network parameters for optimal performance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, method and device for dynamic optimization of network parameters for optimal performance in a wireless network. The method includes sending at least one reference file to clients, collecting reference files to the clients, measuring performance metrics and updating the low-level parameters to optimize performance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a system capable of dynamically optimizing network parameters for optimal performance; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an embodiment of a block diagram of a device capable of dynamically optimizing network parameters for optimal performance; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a flow diagram depicting a method for dynamically optimizing network parameters for optimal performance. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Optimizing network parameters, such as, retry algorithm, maximum data rate, noise level, performance and connectivity level thresholds and transmission power levels, for each specific scenario ensures optimal system performance. Thus, adding “system tuning” functionality to calibrate the parameters for optimum performance for the specific application. In one embodiment, before the system is used in the specific application, the user can choose to “self tune” the system. As a result, the system switches to a ‘self test’ mode where the system would perform uplink and downlink transfers of a known set of files. After the completing the transfers, the system statistics would be collected and analyzed to determine how well the system performs compared to the expected results. 
         [0014]    The “self tune module” would then re-configure all clients with a new set of parameters. In one embodiment, parameter files and sending instructions to load them are then downloaded. In another embodiment, the method to update the parameters would depend on the chipsets used in the product. This process may be repeated until the results matched the expectations or until the system reaches optimum parameters for optimal performance for the specific application. In one embodiment, the “tuning” may be done as part of normal operations, thus, it may not be part of a separate step. 
         [0015]    In such an embodiment, the lower-level parameters are tuned to optimize a network&#39;s performance regardless of the presence of other networks. Other solutions to improving performance are limited to changing channels and/or the transmitting power of the wireless devices. These are high-level parameters and adjusting these help with reducing interaction with other networks in the same physical area. 
         [0016]    As a result, self-tuning network for optimum performance is possible. Also, in such embodiment, parameters may be updated regularly when conditions change, e.g., change in number of clients, physical layout of network etc. In addition, such embodiments are applicable in all application scenarios, in-class use, hotspots at cafes, airports, enterprise usage etc. Furthermore, such solution may be used in either as a separate step or as part of normal operation, may be used with existing “auto channel selection” or “auto power adjustment” mechanisms, and allow the network to be self-adjust for the best performance. Such techniques may not need to be standardized. Rather, they are application level protocol that can work for any network, regardless of actual networking technology, i.e. this will work for WiFi, Bluetooth and other similar technologies. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a system  100  capable of dynamically optimizing network parameters for optimal performance. The system  100  includes handheld devices  102  and a computer  104 . In this embodiment, the handheld devices are shown to be calculators.  FIG. 1  depicts  10  handhelds devices  102 ; however, the mechanism can easily scale to any number of wireless clients. The computer  104  may function as a laptop, desktop, server, host, mainframe, or any device or system capable of connecting to a network. The handheld devices  102  and computer  104  are capable of connecting to a wireless network and performing a method  300 , described herein below and shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an embodiment of a block diagram of a device  200  capable of dynamically optimizing network parameters for optimal performance. The device  200  includes a CPU  202 , a memory  204 , power module  206 , display  208  and I/O module  210 . The device  200  is capable of connecting to a wireless network and of performing a method  300 , described herein below and shown in  FIG. 3 . The CPU  202  may include any suitable combination of software, firmware, and hardware. The CPU  202  may include one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, discrete logic, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc. The memory  204  may be internal or external to the device  200  and may be a read only, write only, flash, read/write, transitory, non-transitory and the likes. The power  206  may be electric, battery or solar power. The Input/output (I/O) module  210  may be internal, external or coupled to the device  200 . The device  200  is capable of performing the method  300 , described herein below. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a flow diagram depicting a method for dynamically optimizing network parameters for optimal performance. The method  300  starts at step  302  and proceeds to step  304 , wherein the method  300  starts self tuning. At step  306 , the method  300  sends reference files to all clients. At step  308 , the method  300  collects reference files to all clients. At step  310 , the method  300  measures performance metrics. At step  312 , the method  300  determines if the outcome matches the expected results. If the outcome does not match, the method  300  proceeds to step  314 , wherein the method  300  updates the parameters and the clients and the method  300  returns to step  306 ; otherwise, the method  300  proceeds to step  316 , wherein the method  300  ensures that the system is ready for normal use. The method  300  ends at step  318 . The method  300  may be repeated either on-demand or automatically when performance drops below the specified threshold. 
         [0020]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.