Patent Publication Number: US-10764349-B2

Title: Self-organizing network communication

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application claims priority from, and is a continuation of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/567,723, filed Dec. 11, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to a self-organizing network (SON) communication. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Mobile communication providers, such as cellular data providers, may utilize self-organizing network (SON) controllers to setup and maintain wide area wireless networks. For example, a SON controller may be utilized to control configuration settings associated with base stations such as NodeB stations of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. Due to increases in demand, wireless hotspots of local area networks can be utilized to offload some demand from wireless wide area networks; however, identifying resources and configuring resources to offload demand can be challenging. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a system that includes one or more access points and one or more base stations that are controlled via a SON controller; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method of automatically establishing communications from an access point to a SON controller; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a second particular embodiment of a method of establishing communications from an access point to a SON controller; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a computer system that includes an agent application to establish communications from an access point to a SON controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Controlling “hotspots” of wireless local area networks (e.g., “WiFi” hotspots) along with base stations of wireless wide area networks using a SON controller can improve performance of a wireless wide area network and can improve customer satisfaction associated with data demands. However, setting up wireless local area networks using access points may be demanding when a large number of access points are utilized to offload capacity from the wireless wide area network. Accordingly, methods to facilitate automated setup or configuration of access points to establish communications with a SON controller may simplify setup and operation of wireless local area networks, especially in the context of combined control of wireless local area network access points (or hotspots) and wireless wide area network base stations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a system that includes one or more access points and one or more base stations that are controlled via a SON controller is disclosed and generally designated  100 . In  FIG. 1 , for purposes of illustration, the system  100  may include a first access point  102  and a second access point  104 . Although only two access points  102  and  104  are illustrated, the system  100  may include more than two access points. The system  100  also includes a first base station  106  and a second base station  108 . Although only two base stations  106  and  108  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  may include more than two base stations. 
     The access points  102 ,  104  and the base stations  106 ,  108  may be coupled via one or more networks  114  to a provider system  116 . The provider system  116  may include a SON controller  156 . The SON controller  156  may be configured to control operation of the base stations  106 ,  108  and the access points  102 ,  104  in a combined manner in order to manage communication services to one or more stations, such as a stations  124 ,  125 . A station, such as stations  124 ,  125 , may denote a user of wireless resources of one of more wireless networks and may include a cell phone, smart phone, tablet, laptop, or other wireless communication device. Each of the access points  102 ,  104  may be associated with a respective wireless coverage area in which the access point supports a wireless local area network. For example, the first access point  102  may be associated with a coverage area  110  in which the first access point  102  supports a wireless local area network, such as an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 network. Additionally, each of the base stations  106 ,  108  may be associated with a coverage area. For example, the first base station  106  may be associated with a coverage area  112  in which the first base station  106  supports a wireless wide area network, such as a 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long-Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) network or a 3GPP Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access (EUT) network. 
     The base stations  106 ,  108  and the access points  102 ,  104  may be coupled to the provider systems  116  and/or to one another via wired connections. For example, the first access point  102  may be coupled to the network  114  via a wireline connection  118 . As another example, the second access point  104  may be coupled to the network  114  via the wireline connection  122 . The base station  106  may be coupled to the network  114  via the wireline connection  120  and the base station  108  may be coupled to the network  114  via a wireline connection  123 . Each wireline connection may include wires (e.g., twisted pairs or un-twisted pairs), cables (e.g., coaxial cables), fibers (e.g., optical fibers), or other physical communication media. 
     To facilitate operation of the access points  102 ,  104  with the provider systems  116 , each access point  102 ,  104  may include an agent application  140 . The agent application  140  may include a SON connection controller  142  and an access point controller  144  (e.g., SON client). The agent application  140  may correspond to instructions  136  stored at a memory  134  of the access point  102 . The instructions  136  may be executable by a processor  130  of the access point  102  in order to facilitate communication between the access point  102  and the SON controller  156  of the provider systems  116 . The agent application  140  may pre-loaded into the access point  102  by a service provider, may be downloaded by the access point  102 , or may be loaded into the access point  102  by a user or a technician of the access point  102 . The agent application  140  may be started during a boot-up process of the access point  102  or by a command from a user of the access point  102 . The agent application  140  may be modified by an application update provided by the SON controller  156  or by an application update downloaded by the access point  102 . The agent application  140  may be programmable by the SON controller  156  or by commands from the user or an administrator of the access point  102 . 
     Additionally, the access point  102  may include multiple communication interfaces  132 . For example, the access point  102  may include a wireline communication interface associated with coupling the access point  102  via the wireline connection  118  to the provider systems  116 . The wireline communication interface may include an Ethernet interface, a fiber-optic interface, or another wireline or optical communication interface or connection. Additionally, the communication interfaces  132  may include one or more wireless interfaces, such as a wireless communication interface configured to support the wireless local area network associated with the access point  102 . Additionally, the communication interfaces  132  may include one or more other wireless communication interfaces, such as an interface configured to communicate with one of the base stations  106  or  108  via a corresponding wireless wide area network. 
     The access point  102  may also include other applications  138 , such as applications, that when executed by the processor  130 , perform operations that facilitate communications between the access point  102  and the stations  124 ,  125 , between the access point  102  and one or more other access points or base stations, or between the access point  102  and other devices that are accessible via the network  114 , such as the provider systems  116  or remote communication servers, such as an internet website server. One or more of the applications  138  may be executable at the access point  102  to support access point communications, or to support an encryption process used by the access point  102 . The access point  102  may operate according to one or more settings  148  that identify particular operational parameters of the access point  102 . For example, the settings  148  may include information indicating a transmitter or transceiver power to be used by the access point  102 . The settings  148  may also include a communication protocol or protocols to be utilized by the access point  102  to support the wireless local area network. 
     The access point  102  may also include data identifying a prioritized set of communication paths  146 . The prioritized set of communication paths  146  may be data elements accessed by the access point  102 , commands executable by the access point, settings established by a user or settings established by a service provider associated with the network  114 . The prioritized set of communication paths  146  may include communication paths utilized by the access point  102  during startup or configuration of the access point  102  in order to establish communications with the SON controller  156 . Thus, the access point  102  may be able to automatically setup or establish communications with the SON controller  156  via a variety of different communication paths based on the prioritized set of communication paths  146 . To illustrate, when the access point  102  attempts to establish communications with the SON controller  156 , the access point  102  may prioritize communications via the wireline connection  118  based on the prioritized set of communication paths  146 . If no wireline connection  118  is available (e.g., if no Ethernet connection is coupled to the access point  102 ), the access point  102  may select a different communication path from the prioritized set of communication paths  146 . For example, the access point  102  may attempt to establish a communication path  174  via a wireless connection  176  to the first base station  106 . As another example, the access point  102  may attempt to establish a communication path  180  via a wireless connection  178  to another access point (e.g., the second access point  104 ). Thus, the access point  102  may be configured to automatically establish communication with the SON controller  156  to facilitate setup and management of a combined wireless wide area network and wireless local area network. 
     After establishing communications with the SON controller  156 , the access point  102  may gather information (e.g., via the access point controller  144 ) and send the information to the SON controller  156  via the established communication correction with the SON controller  156 . The SON controller  156  may analyze data received from the access point  102  as well as data received from other access points (e.g., second access point  104 ) and base stations (e.g., the base stations  106 ,  108 ) and generate control data  184 . The control data  184  may be sent to any device. For example, the control data  184  for the access point  102  may be sent via communication connection  170  to the access point  102 . The access point controller  144  may analyze the control data  184  and take action based on the control data  184 . For example, the control data  184  may indicate to modify a setting  148  associated with the access point  102 , in which case the access point controller  144  may modify the setting  148  in the memory  134  such that the access point  102  operates according to the modified setting  148 . As another example, the control data  184  may be directed to one or more stations, such as the stations  124 ,  125  that are coupled to the access point  102  via the wireless local area network. In this example, the access point controller  144  may cause the control data  184 , or a portion of the control data  184 , that is directed to the station  124 , to be transmitted to the station  124  via one or more communication interfaces  132  associated with the wireless local area network. 
     When the access point  102  establishes a communication connection to the SON controller  156  via an untrusted communication device (e.g., such as the second access point  104 ), the access point  102  may attempt to authenticate or authorize the untrusted communication device. For example, when the first access point  102  does not have information indicating that the second access point  104  is an authorized or authenticated access point, after establishing the communication connection  180  with the SON controller  156  via the second access point  104 , the first access point  102  may attempt to authenticate the second access point  104  via an authentication server  154  of the provider systems  116 . To illustrate, the access point  102  may transmit identification information associated with the second access point  104  to the authentication server  154 . The authentication server  154  may access network data  152  to determine whether the second access point  104  is authenticated. 
     During operation, when the first access point  102  starts the agent application  140 , the agent application  140  may activate the SON connection controller  142  to attempt to establish a communication connection to the SON controller  156 . In a particular embodiment, the agent application  140  may be started during a setup operation of the access point  102  or during a power up operation of the access point  102 . The SON connection controller  142  may determine which communication interfaces of the communication interfaces  132  are available for communication. For example, the SON connection controller  142  may determine whether a wired connection is coupled to an Ethernet communication interface of the set of communication interfaces  132 . As another example, the SON connection controller  142  may determine whether a base station (e.g., base station  106 ) associated with a wireless wide area network is detected via a wireless communication interface of the set of communication interfaces  132 . As another example, the SON connection controller  142  may determine whether a wireless local area network associated with the second access point  104  is detected via a wireless communication interface of the set of communication interfaces  132 . 
     The SON connection controller  142  may access the prioritized set of communication paths  146 . The prioritized set of communication paths  146  may indicate which communication path of the set of available communication paths is preferred. For example, the communication path  170  associated with the wireline connection  118  may be preferred. However, when the SON connection controller  142  determines that the wireline connection  118  is not available (e.g., no wired connection is coupled to an Ethernet communication port), the SON connection controller  142  may select a different communication path from the set of prioritized communication paths  146  to attempt to establish the communication connection to the SON controller  156 . In a particular example, the prioritized communication paths  146  may indicate that the next preferred communication path is the wireless wide area network. Accordingly, the access point  102  may attempt to establish the communication connection associated with the communication path  174  to the SON controller  156  via the first base station  106 . If the communication connection associated with the communication path  174  is established via the base station  106 , the access point  102  may send information  182  to the SON controller  156  via the communication path  174 . In this example, the information  182  may include access point data generated by the access point  102  or other information associated with the access point  102 . However, if the communication connection associated with the communication path  174  is not established (e.g., if the base station  106  does not accept a request from the access point  102  to establish the communication connection), the access point  102  may attempt to establish an alternate connection, such as a connection associated with the communication path  180  via the second access point  104 . 
     After a communication path (e.g., the communication paths  170 ,  174 , or  180 ) is established, the access point controller  144  may gather data associated with the access point  102 , such as access point data indicating load or demand associated with the wireless local area network supported by the access point  102 , quality of service parameters associated with the wireless local area network supported by the access point  102 , signal strength information (e.g., as indicated by the one or more stations  124 ,  125  associated with the wireless local area network), applications in use by stations in communication with the access point  102  (e.g., stations  124 ,  125 ), access patterns of stations associated with the wireless local area network (e.g., whether the stations are primarily utilizing voice data or text communications), rates of communications, and so forth. The access point  102  may transmit the access point data and other information associated with the access point  102  as the information  182  to the SON controller  156 . 
     Additionally, the second access point  104  may generate second access point data associated with the second access point  104  based on an agent application operating at the second access point  104 . The second access point  104  may transmit the second access point data associated with the second access point  104  and other information (e.g., as the information  182 ) to the SON controller  156 . Further, the base stations  106 ,  108  may generate base station data and station data (e.g., data associated with a station, such as station  124 ) and may transmit the base station data, the station data and other information (e.g., as the information  182 ) to the SON controller  156 . 
     The SON controller  156  may include a processor  158  and a memory  160  accessible to the processor  158 . The memory  160  may include instructions  162  that are executable by the processor  158  to perform operations at the SON controller  156 . For example, the SON controller  156  may be configured to receive the information  182  from the access point  102 , from other access points (e.g., the second access point  104 ), from one or more base stations (e.g., the first base station  106  or the second base station  108 ), or from a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the SON controller  156  may be configured to communicate with a master “hotspot” controller (not shown) that may control one or more of the access points (e.g., the access points  102  or  104 ) of a wireless network of hotspots. For example, the SON controller  156  may alternatively receive the information  182  from one or more of the access points  102 ,  104  via the master “hotspot” controller. In this example, the SON controller  156  may transmit control data  184  to one or more of the access points  102 ,  104  via the master “hotspot” controller. 
     The SON controller  156  may be configured to analyze the information  182  received from the various access points and base stations and to generate the control data  184  based on the analysis. The control data  184  may cause one or more of the access points (e.g., access points  102  or  104 ), one or more of the base stations (e.g., base stations  106  or  108 ) or one or more of the stations (e.g., stations  124  or  125 ) to modify operational parameters or settings, to execute an application, or to perform other activities or operations of the combined wide area and local area networks associated with the SON controller  156 . 
     Examples of operations that may be performed by the base stations  106 ,  108  based on the control data  184  include selecting particular antennae organizations (e.g., using a single antenna or multiple antennas), utilizing particular transmitter power, utilizing particular communication protocols, utilizing beam-forming to directionally transmit data or receive data, etc. Examples of operations that may be performed by the access points  102 ,  104  based on the control data  184  include selecting particular antennae organizations (e.g., using a single antenna or multiple antennas), utilizing particular transmitter power, utilizing particular communication protocols, utilizing beam-forming to directionally transmit data or receive data, etc. Examples of operations that may be performed by stations (e.g., the stations  124 ,  125 ) responsive to the control data  184  include executing one or more applications (e.g., a station monitoring application or a station reporting application), selecting particular antennae organizations, utilizing particular transmitter power, utilizing particular communication protocols, utilizing beam-forming to directionally transmit data or receive data, etc. 
     Other operations that may be performed by stations responsive to the control data  184  may include switching from communicating via a wireless wide area network (e.g., the wireless wide area network supported by the first base station  106 ) to communicating via a wireless local area network (e.g., the wireless local area network supported by the first access point  102 ) or switching from communicating via a wireless local area network (e.g., the wireless local area network supported by the first access point  102 ) to communicating via a wireless wide area network (e.g., the wireless wide area network supported by the first base station  106 ). Additional operations that may be performed by stations responsive to the control data  184  may include changing from communicating via a first access point (e.g., the access point  102 ) to communicating via a second access point (e.g., the access point  104 ), changing an operational parameter of a particular application (e.g., an encryption parameter, a data-communication-rate parameter such as a frame rate, etc.), terminating an application executing at the station (e.g., station  124 ), or any combination thereof. 
     Changing one or more device operational parameters, device settings, or the execution of an application at devices (e.g., the base stations, access points, or stations) based on the control data  184  may enable automatic configuration of one or more devices associated with the SON controller  156 . For example, changes in parameters or settings of one or more access points (e.g., the access points  102  and  104 ) based on the control data  184  from the SON controller  156  may enable automatic configuration of the one or more access points. The automatic configuration may be based on certain conditions, such as network load, time of day, or other demands (e.g., device processing demands or network processing demands). Access point parameter changes may facilitate the automatic discovery of access points by the SON controller  156 . For example, an access point introduced to a network of “hotspots” (e.g., a network of one or more access points) associated with the SON controller  156  may undergo parameter changes (e.g., the initialization of parameters or settings) associated with network introduction. 
     The control data  184  generated by the SON controller  156  may include policy enforcement information for managing network access, data, and services between the network  114  and one or more devices (e.g., access points, base stations, or stations). For example, the policy enforcement information may include policy and charging rules of a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) associated with the SON controller  156 . To illustrate, the SON controller  156  may be configured to transmit policy information to a master “hotspot” controller (not shown) that controls one or more of the access points (e.g., the access points  102  or  104 ) of a wireless network of hotspots. The master “hotspot” controller may distribute, enforce, or distribute and enforce the policy information among the one or more access points of a wireless network of hotspots. 
     The SON controller  156  may utilize the received information  182  and control data  184  to establish a dynamic “super channel” between one or more stations (e.g., stations  124  or  125 ) and the wireless networks (e.g., one or more wireless wide area networks and one or more wireless local area networks) to facilitate load balancing of network data. For example, the station  124  may have access to and may be capable of receiving data from both the wireless wide area network (via a wireless connection to base station  106 ) and the wireless local area network (via a wireless connection to access point  102 ). In this example, the SON controller  156  may establish a dynamic “super channel” in which data to and from the station  124  may proceed dynamically through either the wireless wide area network or the wireless local area network. The SON controller  156  may utilize the received information  182  and other information to determine network loading of the wireless networks. Based on the determined network loading, the SON controller  156  may transmit control data  184  to the station  124  to cause the station to dynamically switch between receiving data from the wireless wide area network to receiving data from the wireless local area network. 
     Accordingly, the stations (e.g., the stations  124 ,  125 ), the access points (e.g., the access points  102 ,  104 ), and the base stations (e.g., base stations  106 ,  108 ) may undergo automated setup or configuration changes for establishing communications with the SON controller  156  to modify setup and operation of wireless networks especially in the context of combined control of wireless local area network access points and wireless wide area network base stations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method of automatically establishing communications from an access point to a SON controller is disclosed and generally designated  200 . The method  200  includes, at  202 , determining that a first type of communication path to a self-organizing network controller is not available at an access point that supports a first wireless local area network. Types of communication paths may include communication paths associated with a wireline connection, a wireless connection, a base station connection, an access point connection, or any combination thereof. For example, in  FIG. 1 , the first access point  102  may determine that the communication path  170  associated with the wireline connection  118  to the SON controller  156  is not available. To illustrate, the SON connection controller  142  may determine that no Ethernet connection is coupled to an Ethernet communication interface of the set of communication interfaces  132 . After determining that the first type of communication path is not available, the method  200  may include, at  204 , selecting by an agent application at the access point  102 , a second type of communication path to the self-organizing network controller from a prioritized set of types of communications paths. For example, based on determining that the communication path  170  associated with the wireline connection  118  is not available, the SON connection controller  142  may access the prioritized communications paths  146  and select a second communication path. For example, the second communication path may include a wireless wide area communication path associated with the wireless connection  176  to the first base station  106  or a wireless local area communication path associated with the wireless connection  178  to the second access point  104 . 
     After selecting the second type of communication path, the method  200  may include, at  206 , attempting to establish a communication connection to the self-organizing network controller using the second type of communication path. For example, after the SON connection controller  142  selects a second communication path type from the prioritized communication paths  146 , the agent application  140  may utilize a corresponding communication interface  132  to attempt to establish the communication connection (e.g., the connection associated with the communication path  174  or the connection associated with the communication path  180 ) to the SON controller  156  in order to transmit information associated with the access point  102  (e.g., as the information  182 ) to the SON controller  156 . Accordingly, the method  200  enables an access point to automatically establish a communication connection to a SON controller in order to facilitate configuration of a wireless local area network (e.g., by receiving control data including configuration information from the SON controller  156 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a flowchart of a second particular embodiment of a method of establishing communications from an access point to a SON controller is disclosed and generally designated  300 . The method  300  includes, at  302 , starting an agent application. For example, the agent application may be started at power-on of an access point. To illustrate, the access point  102  of  FIG. 1  may start the agent application  140  at power-on of the access point  102  or in response to a user input. 
     The method  300  also includes, at  304 , accessing data identifying prioritized communication paths. For example, the SON connection controller  142  of  FIG. 1  may access the prioritized communication paths  146  from the memory  134  of the access point  102 . The prioritized communication paths  146  may indicate a prioritized set of communication paths to be utilized by the access point  102  to set up communications with the SON controller  156 . 
     The method  300  also includes, at  306 , selecting a next communication path from the prioritized communication paths and, at  308 , determining whether the selected path is available. For example, when the first path in the prioritized communication paths  146  is a wired communication path (e.g., communication path  170 ), after the wired communication path is selected, the access point  102  may determine whether the wired communication path associated with the wireline connection  118  is available. When the selected communication path is not available, the method  300  may include accessing the data identifying the prioritized communication paths again, at  304 , and selecting a next communication path from the prioritized communication paths, at  306 . When the selected communication path is available, the method  300  includes, at  310 , attempting to establish a communication connection to the self-organizing network controller via the selected path, at  310 . For example, when the wired communication path associated with the wireline connection  118  is available to the access point  102 , the SON connection controller  142  may attempt to establish communications via the communications path  170  via the wireline connection  118  to the SON controller  156 . Similarly, when the wired communication path associated with the wireline connection  118  is not available, based on the prioritized communication paths  146 , the access point  102  may attempt to establish a second communication path  174  via the first base station  106 . When the second communication path  174  is not available (e.g., when the base station  106  does not accept the access point&#39;s requests to establish the communication connection), the access point  102  may attempt to establish the third communication path  180  via the second access point  104 . 
     After the attempt to establish the communication connection to the SON controller via the selected path, the method  300  may include determining whether the connection was established, at  312 . When the connection was not established via the selected communication path, the method  300  includes accessing the data identifying the prioritized communication paths, at  304 , and selecting a next communication path from the prioritized list of communication paths, at  306 . When the communication connection was established, at  312 , the method  300  may include, at  314 , attempting to authenticate intermediate devices on the communication path. For example, when the access point  102  establishes the third communication path  180  via the second access point  104 , the access point  102  may attempt to authenticate the second access point  104  by accessing an authentication server  154  of the provider systems  116 . 
     The method  300  may also include, at  316 , determining first information associated with a wireless local area network supported by the access point. For example, the first information may include access point data indicating load or demand associated with the wireless local area network, quality of service parameters associated with the wireless local area network, signal strength of signals received at the access point, signal strength of signals transmitted by the access point and received by the station, etc. As another example, the first information may include station data, such as access patterns of stations (e.g., whether the station tends to stream media) associated with the wireless local area network, applications executed by the stations (e.g., voice applications, media applications, messaging applications, etc.) associated with the wireless local area network, etc. In some embodiments, the first information includes both the access point data and the station data. 
     The method  300  may also include, at  318 , sending the first information to the SON controller. For example, the information  182  may be sent from the access point  102  via the established communication connection and associated communication path (e.g., the communication path  170 ,  174 , or  180 ) to the SON controller  156 . The SON controller  156  may be configured to receive the first information and to receive second information associated with a base station of a wireless wide area network. In a particular embodiment, the SON controller  156  may be configured to receive third information associated with other wireless local area networks supported by a plurality of other access points. 
     The method  300  may also include receiving control data from the SON controller, at  320 . For example, the SON controller  156  may analyze the information  182 , which may include information from the access point  102  (e.g., first information), information from base stations (e.g., second information associated with the base station  106  or the base station  108 ), information from other access points (e.g., third information associated with the second access point  104 ), and information from one or more stations (e.g., the stations  124 ,  125 ). Analysis of the information  182  by the SON controller  156  may include performance analysis of devices (e.g., access points, base stations, or stations) or of networks (e.g., a wireless wide area network or a wireless local area network) associated with the SON controller  156 . The SON controller  156  may determine operations to be performed by devices associated with the SON controller  156  or settings to be implemented by devices associated with the SON controller  156 . For example, device settings to be implemented may include transmitter or transceiver power settings, communication protocol settings, beam-forming settings, data-communication rate settings, security or encryption settings, device initialization settings, etc. Based on the determinations by the SON controller  156 , devices associated with the SON controller  156 , such as one or more access points, one or more base stations, or one or more stations, may receive control data  184  from the SON controller  156 . 
     In a particular embodiment, the control data  184  may include one or more operational parameters associated with the access point. In this example, the method  300  may include, at  322 , changing an operational parameter of the access point based on the control data. For example, configuration settings associated with the access point may be changed or an application at the access point may be executed. To illustrate, in response to the control data  184 , the access point  102  may change one or more settings  148  at the access point  102 , may execute an application  138  (e.g., a transcoding application) at the access point  102 , or both. For example, the access point  102  may have a data-communication parameter configured to allow the access point  102  to transmit data at a first data rate to the station  124  that can receive the data at the first data rate. The access point  102  may transmit data to a second station  125  at the first data rate that is faster than a rate the data can be received by the second station  125 . Based on the control data  184 , the access point  102  may change its data-communication parameter or may execute an application to modify the transmission rate of the data transmitted to the second station  125 . Changes to one or more operational parameters associated with the access point  102  based on the control data  184  may enable automatic setup of the access point  102  and allow improved control by the SON controller  156  of the performance of the wireless local area network associated with the access point  102 . Network performance of the wireless local area network associated with the SON controller  156  may be modified to compensate for the network performance of a wireless wide area network that is also associated with the SON controller  156 . 
     As another example, the control data  184  may include one or more instructions for a station (e.g., the station  124 ) coupled to the access point (e.g., the access point  102 ). The instructions for the station may be in the form of one or more commands, or station parameters. In this example, the method  300  may include, at  324 , sending instructions from the access point  102  to the station  124  via the wireless local area network. For example, when the control data  184  includes an instruction for the station  124 , the access point  102  may send the instruction via a wireless connection  126  over the wireless local area network supported by the access point  102 . To illustrate, the station  124  may process data at a rate that is faster than its current data transmission rate. In response to an instruction received from the access point  102  based on the control data  184 , the station may change a data-communication parameter of the station  124  or may execute an application at the station  124  to modify the data transmission rate of the station  124  (e.g., to increase the rate) to better match the processing needs of the station  124 . As a further illustration, in response to an instruction received from the access point  102  based on the control data  184 , the station  124  may modify a configuration setting of the station  124 , may join a second wireless local area network associated with a second access point  104 , may join the wireless wide area network, may terminate an application executing at the station  124 , may execute an application at the station  124 , or may change a setting associated with the application. 
     Accordingly, the access point  102  may undergo automated setup or configuration for establishing communications with a SON controller, improve setup and operation of wireless local area networks, especially in the context of combined control of wireless local area network hotspots or access points and wireless wide area network base stations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a computer system that includes an agent application to establish communications from an access point to a SON controller is disclosed and generally designated  400 . The computer system  400  may include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computer system  400  to perform any one or more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system  400  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices. For example, the computer system  400  may include, may be included within, or may correspond to one or more of the components of the system  100 , the provider systems  116  of  FIG. 1 , the base stations  106  and  108  of  FIG. 1 , the access points  102  and  104  of  FIG. 1 , the stations  124  and  125 , or a combination thereof described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     In a networked deployment, the computer system  400  may operate in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment, or as a device operating within the network  114  (e.g., one or more wireless wide area networks and one or more wireless local area networks). The computer system  400  may also be implemented as or incorporated into various other devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a wireless set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a customer premises equipment device, an endpoint device, a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, or any other machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system  400  may be implemented using electronic devices that provide video, audio, or data communication. Further, while one computer system  400  is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or more computer functions. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the computer system  400  includes a processor  402 , e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. The processor  402  may be one or more components (e.g., a processor) of the provider systems  116 , one or more components (e.g., a processor) of the base stations  106  and  108 , one or more components (e.g., a processor) of the access points  102  and  104 , or one or more components (e.g., a processor) of the stations  124  and  125 . In a particular embodiment, the processor  402  may include multiple processors. For example, the processor  402  may include distributed processors, parallel processors, or both. The multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a single device or multiple devices. The processor  402  may include a virtual processor. In a particular embodiment, the processor  402  may include a state machine, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a programmable gate array (PGA) (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA)). 
     Moreover, the computer system  400  may include a main memory  404  and a static memory  406 , which can communicate with each other via a bus  408 . For example, the main memory  404  may be one or more components (e.g., a memory) of the provider systems  116 , one or more components (e.g., a memory) of the base stations  106  and  108 , one or more components (e.g., a memory) of the access points  102  and  104 , or one or more components (e.g., a memory) of the stations  124  and  125 . As shown, the computer system  400  may further include a video display unit  410 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel display, or a solid state display. Additionally, the computer system  400  may include an input device  412 , such as a keyboard, a touch screen, and a cursor control device  414 , such as a mouse. The computer system  400  may also include a drive unit  416 , a signal generation device  418 , such as a speaker or remote control, and a communication interface device(s)  420 , such as communication interface device(s) associated with the communication interfaces  132 . The computer system  400  may not include an input device (e.g., a server may not include an input device). 
     In a particular embodiment, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , the drive unit  416  may include a computer-readable storage device  422  in which one or more sets of instructions  424  (e.g. an agent application), can be embedded. The computer-readable storage device  422  may be random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), register(s), hard disk, a removable disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, magnetic storage devices, or any other storage device that can be used to store program code in the form of instructions or data and that can be accessed by a computer and/or processor. The computer-readable storage device is an article of manufacture. The computer-readable storage device is a physical device and is not a signal. Further, the instructions  424  may embody one or more of the methods or logic as described herein. The instructions  424  may be executable by the processor  402  to perform one or more functions or methods described herein, such as the methods described with reference to  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 3 . In a particular embodiment, the instructions  424  may reside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory  404 , the static memory  406 , and/or within the processor  402  during execution by the computer system  400 . The processor  402  may execute the instructions  424  to perform operations corresponding to one or more of the methods as described herein. The processor  402  may perform the operations directly, or the processor  402  may facilitate, direct, or cooperate with another device or component to perform the operations 
     In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, may be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Various embodiments may broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations. 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, implementations may include distributed processing, component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system processing may be constructed to implement one or more of the methods or functionality as described herein. 
     The present disclosure includes a computer-readable storage device  422  that stores the instructions  424  or receives, stores, and executes the instructions  424 , so that a device connected to a network  426  may communicate voice, video, or data over the network  426 . The network  426  may include the network  114  (e.g., a network in communication with one or more wireless wide area networks and one or more wireless local area networks). The computer-readable storage device  422  device may include or may be included within one or more of the components of the provider systems  116 , one or more components of the base stations  106  and  108 , one or more components of the access points  102  and  104 , one or more components of the stations  124  and  125 , or a combination thereof described with reference to  FIG. 1 . While the computer-readable storage device  422  is shown to be a single device, the computer-readable storage device  422  may include multiple devices. The computer-readable storage device  422  is capable of storing a set of instructions for execution by a processor to cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein. 
     In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable storage device  422  may include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable storage device  422  may be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable storage device  422  may include a magneto-optical or optical device, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter. 
     The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.