Patent Publication Number: US-2017353961-A1

Title: Managing Radio Utilization of an Access Point

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Wireless networks are widely deployed, especially for use in relatively well-defined areas such as residences, workplaces, and certain public venues. A wireless access point can be connected to an Ethernet network, a cable modem, or a digital subscriber line modem to provide wireless access to a broadband network. A wireless station (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or another similar device) may establish a communication link (“associate”) with an access point, either directly or through a range extender device. 
     To increase the bandwidth available to wireless stations, access points may be configured with an increasing number of radios capable of transmitting and receiving signals in a variety of frequency bands. For example, a three-radio access point may be configured to support simultaneous communications on three channels. Three-radio operations may be enabled by communication protocols such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ac communication protocols. 802.11ac also provides for multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) operation, which supports simultaneous multi-stream communication from the access point to multiple wireless stations. MU-MIMO operations may thus substantially improve wireless communications with the access point. 
     Balancing access among radios of the access point as a part of MU-MIMO operations may increase available capacity and throughput of the radio bandwidth of the access point. 
     SUMMARY 
     The various embodiments include methods and access points implementing methods for managing radio utilization of an access point. Various methods may include determining whether a multi-user (MU) physical layer quality of a communication link between a radio of the access point and a wireless station exceeds a quality threshold in response to receiving at the access point an access request from the wireless station. Such embodiments may further include determining whether a load of the radio of the access point is below a load threshold in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link exceeds the quality threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the wireless station with the radio of the access point in response to determining that the load of the radio of the access point is below the load threshold. 
     In some embodiments, determining whether the load of the radio of the access point is below the load threshold may include determining whether an overall load of the radio is below an overall load threshold, and associating the wireless station with the radio of the access point may include associating the wireless station with the radio in response to determining that the overall load of the radio is below the overall load threshold. 
     In some embodiments, determining whether the load of the radio of the access point is below the load threshold may include determining whether an MU load of the radio is below an MU load threshold, and associating the wireless station with the radio of the access point may include associating the wireless station with the radio in response to determining that the MU load of the radio is below the multi-user load threshold. 
     The various embodiments may include methods for managing radio utilization of an access point, which may include determining whether a load of a first radio of the access point is below a load threshold, in which one or more wireless stations are associated with the first radio. Such embodiments may further include selecting a wireless station associated with the first radio in response to determining that the load is below the load threshold. Such embodiments may further include determining whether a multi-user (MU) physical layer quality of a communication link between the first radio of the access point and the selected wireless station exceeds a quality threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with a second radio of the access point in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link between the first radio of the access point and the selected wireless station does not exceed the quality threshold. 
     In some embodiments, associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access may include determining whether an MU physical layer quality of a second communication link between the second radio and the wireless station exceeds the quality threshold, and associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality exceeds the quality threshold. Such embodiments may further include determining whether an overall load of the second radio is below an overall load threshold in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the second communication link exceeds the quality threshold, and associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the overall load of the second radio is below the overall load threshold. Some embodiments may further include determining whether an MU load of the second radio is below an MU load threshold in response to determining that the overall load of the second radio is below the overall load threshold, and associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the MU load of the second radio is below the MU load threshold. 
     In some embodiments, determining whether the load of the first radio of the access point is below the load threshold may include determining whether an overall load of the first radio is below an overall load threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access point in response to determining whether an MU load of the first radio is greater than an MU load threshold in response to determining that the overall load of the first radio is not below the overall load threshold, and associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access point in response to determining that the MU load of the first radio is greater than the MU load threshold. 
     Some embodiments may further include determining a contribution of wireless stations associated with the first radio and operating in an MU mode to the overall load of the first radio in response to determining that the MU load of the first radio is not greater than an MU load threshold. Such embodiments may further include determining whether the contribution of the associated wireless stations operating in the MU mode to the overall load of the first radio exceeds a threshold contribution. Such embodiments may further include associating one of the wireless stations that is associated with the first radio with the second radio of the access point in response to determining that the contribution of the associated wireless stations operating in the MU mode to the overall load of the first radio exceeds the threshold contribution. 
     In some embodiments, determining whether the load of the first radio of the access point is below the load threshold may include determining whether an MU load of the first radio is below an MU load threshold. In such embodiments, associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access point may include determining whether an MU physical layer quality of a second communication link between the second radio and the selected wireless station exceeds a quality threshold, determining whether a load of the second radio is below a load threshold in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the second communication link exceeds the quality threshold, and associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the load of the second radio is below the load threshold. In such embodiments, determining whether the load of the second radio is below the load threshold may include determining whether an overall load of the second radio is below an overall load threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the overall load of the second radio is below the overall load threshold. In such embodiments, determining whether the load of the second radio is below the load threshold may include determining whether an MU load of the second radio is below an MU load threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the MU load of the second radio of the access point is below the multi-user load threshold. 
     Some embodiments may further include determining whether an MU data quality metric of the communication link exceeds a data quality threshold in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link exceeds the quality threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access point in response to determining that the MU data quality metric of the communication link does not exceed the data quality threshold. In some embodiments, associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access point in response to determining that the MU data quality metric of the communication link does not exceed the data quality threshold may include determining whether an MU physical layer quality of a second communication link between the second radio and the wireless station exceeds the quality threshold, and associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality exceeds the quality threshold. 
     Some embodiments may further include determining whether an overall load of the second radio is below an overall load threshold in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the second communication link between the second radio and the wireless station exceeds the quality threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the overall load of the second radio is below the overall load threshold. 
     Some embodiments may further include determining whether an MU load of the second radio is below an MU load threshold in response to determining that the overall load of the second radio is below the overall load threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the MU load of the second radio is below the MU load threshold. 
     Some embodiments may further include determining whether an MU interference of the communication link is below an MU interference threshold in response to determining that the MU data quality metric of the communication link exceeds the data quality threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access point in response to determining that the MU interference of the communication link is not below the MU interference threshold. 
     In some embodiments, associating the selected wireless station with the second radio of the access point in response to determining that the MU interference of the communication link is not below the MU interference threshold may include determining whether an MU physical layer quality of a second communication link between the second radio and the selected wireless station exceeds the quality threshold, and associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality exceeds the quality threshold. 
     Some embodiments may further include determining whether an overall load of the second radio is below an overall load threshold in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the second communication link between the second radio and the selected wireless station exceeds the quality threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the overall load of the second radio is below the overall load threshold. 
     Some embodiments may further include determining whether an MU load of the second radio is below an MU load threshold in response to determining that the overall load of the second radio is below the overall load threshold. Such embodiments may further include associating the selected wireless station with the second radio in response to determining that the MU load of the second radio is below the MU load threshold. 
     Various embodiments further include an access point having one or more radios, a memory, and a processor coupled to the one or more radios and the memory and configured with processor executable instructions to perform operations of the methods summarized above. Various embodiments include a non-transitory processor-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of an access point to perform operations of the methods summarized above. Various embodiments include an access point having means for performing functions of the methods summarized above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a communication system block diagram of a communication system suitable for use with various embodiments. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are component block diagrams illustrating access points suitable for use with various embodiments. 
         FIGS. 2C and 2D  are component block diagrams illustrating range extenders suitable for use with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of various embodiments or the claims. 
     Various embodiments provide methods for managing radio resource usage by a multi-radio wireless access point based on characteristics of a wireless communication link and the network performance of the access point and one or more wireless stations communicating with the access point. 
     The term “wireless station” is used herein to refer to a device that may associate with an access point, and includes any one or all of a cellular telephones, smart phones, personal or mobile multi-media players, personal data assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, tablet computers, smart books, palm-top computers, wireless electronic mail receivers, multimedia Internet enabled cellular telephones, wireless gaming controllers, and similar personal electronic devices that include a programmable processor, memory and circuitry for establishing wireless communication pathways and transmitting/receiving data via wireless communication pathways. 
     The term “access point” is used herein to refer to a device that may provide one or more wireless stations with a wireless communication link to a network connection via one or more radios, and includes wireless routers, range extenders, hotspot devices, and other similar devices. Thus, an access point may support a wireless communication link to a wireless station via a radio and may include circuitry for relaying network message traffic both directions between the wireless communication link and another network, such as a network connection to an Internet service provider (ISP) or a wired local area network. 
     The terms “component,” “unit,” and the like are intended to include a computer-related entity, such as, but not limited to, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution, which are configured to perform particular operations or functions. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device may be referred to as a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one processor or core and/or distributed between two or more processors or cores. In addition, these components may execute from various non-transitory computer readable media having processor-executable instructions and/or data structures stored thereon. Components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes, function or procedure calls, electronic signals, data packets, memory read/writes, and other known computer, processor, and/or process related communication methodologies. 
     Wireless access points may be configured with a plurality of radios capable of transmitting and receiving signals in a variety of frequency bands. For example, a three-radio access point may be configured to support simultaneous communications on three channels defined by three frequency bands. Such access points may also be configured to use one or more communication protocols that support simultaneous multi-channel communications, such as 802.11ac, which provides for MU-MIMO operation. Balancing access among radios of the access point for MU-MIMO operation can maximize available capacity and throughput of the access point&#39;s radio bandwidth. 
     Various embodiments and implementations provide methods implemented by a processor of a wireless access point to manage radio utilization of a multi-radio access point by performing proactive and responsive steering of wireless stations to radios of the access point. 
     In some implementations, when a wireless station requests access to an access point, the access point may determine whether a multi-user (MU) physical layer quality of a communication link between a selected radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds a quality threshold. The quality threshold may be a quality measure at which the MU physical layer quality is sufficient to support MU communication between the access point and the wireless station using the selected radio of the access point. In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link exceeds the quality threshold, the access point may determine whether a load of the radio of the access point is below a load threshold. In response to determining that the load of the radio of the access point is below the load threshold, the access point may associate the wireless station with the radio of the access point. In some implementations, the load of the radio may include an overall load (e.g., a traffic load) of the selected radio. In some implementations, the load of the radio may include an MU load (i.e., a traffic load attributable to MU communication) of the selected radio. 
     In some implementations, in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link is below the quality threshold, or that the load of the radio is above the load threshold, the access point may select another radio of the access point and analyze the MU physical layer quality of a communication link between the newly selected radio and the wireless station, as well as the load of newly selected radio. 
     In some implementations, the access point may monitor communication performance and network performance of the access point with the associated wireless station, and may dynamically adjust the association of the wireless station with one or more radios of the access point. 
     For example, when the access point determines that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link drops below (or no longer exceeds) the quality threshold, the access point may associate a wireless station with a second radio of the access point. The access point may then determine whether an MU physical layer quality of a second communication link between the second radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds the quality threshold. The access point may also determine whether a load of the second radio of the access point is below the load threshold. The load of the second radio may include one or more of an overall load of the second radio and an MU load of the second radio. The access point may associate the wireless station with the second MU-capable radio of the access point when the MU physical layer quality and the load of the second MU-capable radio permit. 
     In some implementations, the access point may associate the wireless station with a second radio of the access point in response to determining that an MU data quality metric of the communication link is less than a data quality threshold. Further, the access point may associate the wireless station with a second radio of the access point in response to determining that an MU interference of the communication link exceeds an MU interference threshold. In either of such situations, the access point may determine whether an MU physical layer quality of a second communication link between the second radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds the quality threshold. The access point may also determine whether a load of the second radio of the access point is below the load threshold. The load of the second radio may include one or more of an overall load of the second radio and an MU load of the second radio. In such implementations, the access point may associate the wireless station with the second MU-capable radio of the access point when the MU physical layer quality and the load of the second MU-capable radio permit. 
     In some implementations, the access point may associate the wireless station with a second radio of the access point in response to determining that the overall load of the radio of the access point exceeds an overall load threshold. In such implementations, the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU load of the radio of the access point exceeds an MU load threshold. The access point may also determine a contribution of each wireless station associated with the selected MU-capable radio to the overall load of the selected MU-capable radio. In such implementations, the access point may determine whether an MU load of the second radio of the access point (i.e., a load contribution attributable to associated wireless stations that are operating in an MU mode) is below the MU load threshold. 
     In some implementations, the access point may associate the wireless station with a second radio of the access point in response to determining that an MU load of the radio of the access point exceeds the MU load threshold. The access point may determine whether an MU physical layer quality of a second communication link between the second radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds the quality threshold. The access point may determine whether a load of the second radio of the access point is below the load threshold in response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the second communication link exceeds the quality threshold. 
     By implementing various embodiments, a wireless access point may manage radio utilization by proactively and responsively monitoring and managing the association of one or more wireless stations to radios of the access point. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system  100  suitable for use with various embodiments. Wireless stations  102 ,  104 ,  106  may associate with a radio of an access point  108 , and may communicate with the access point  108  through communication links  120 ,  122 , and  124 , respectively. The access point  108  may communicate with a communication network  110  over a wired or wireless communication link  126 , which may include twisted-pair backhaul links, fiber optic backhaul links, microwave backhaul links, cellular data networks, and other suitable communication links. In some embodiments, the access point  108  may include a first access point and a second access point. For example, a first access point may communicate with the communication network  110 , and a second access point may communicate with the first access point via a wired or wireless communication link. The second access point may also communicate with one or more wireless stations (e.g., the wireless stations  102 ,  104 ,  106 ), and thus the second access point may act as a range extender in communication with the first access point. In such embodiments, the first access point may also communicate with one or more wireless stations. 
     While the communication links  120 ,  122 ,  124  are illustrated as single links, each of the communication links  120 ,  122 ,  124  may include a plurality of carrier signals, frequencies, or frequency bands, each of which may include a plurality of logical channels. Additionally, each of the communication links  120 ,  122 ,  124  may utilize more than one radio access technology (RAT). In some embodiments, the communication links  120 ,  122 ,  124  may use a relatively short-range wireless communication protocol, such as Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, and others. The communication links  120 ,  122 ,  124  may include cellular communication links using 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for Mobility (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), and other mobile telephony communication technologies. Additionally, each of the communication links  120 ,  122 ,  124  may utilize more than one radio access technology. 
       FIG. 2A  is a component block diagram of an example of a wireless access point  200   a  suitable for implementing various embodiments. The access point  200   a  may be similar to the access point  108  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The access point  200   a  may include at least one processor  202 . The processor  202  may be configurable with processor-executable instructions to execute operations of the various embodiments, a specialized processor (e.g., a modem processor) configurable with processor-executable instructions to execute operations of the various embodiments in addition to a primary function, dedicated hardware (e.g., “firmware”) circuit or circuits configured to perform operations of the various embodiments, or a combination of dedicated hardware/firmware and one or more programmable processors. For ease of reference, the various alternative configurations of hardware and programmed processor(s) are referred to generally in the description of the various embodiments as a “processor”  202 . 
     The processor  202  may be coupled to memory  204 , which may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores processor-executable instructions as well as data. The memory  204  may store an operating system, as well as user application software and executable instructions implementing various embodiments. The memory  204  may also store application data, such as an array data structure. The memory  204  may include one or more caches, read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), and/or other types of memory. The processor  202  may read and write information to and from the memory  204 . The memory  204  may also store instructions associated with one or more protocol stacks. A protocol stack generally includes computer executable instructions to enable communications using a radio access protocol or communication protocol. 
     The access point  200   a  may also include a network interface  208  for connecting to a broadband network, such as the Internet. The access point  200   a  may provide various computing devices with access to the broadband network. The network interface  208  may include one or more input/output (I/O) ports  210  through which a connection to a network, such as the Internet, may be provided. For example, the I/O ports  210  may include an Ethernet connection, a fiber optic connection, a broadband cable connection, a telephone line connection, or other types of wired communication connections. Alternatively or in addition to the I/O ports  210 , the network interface  208  may include a cellular radio unit  212  that provides a connection to a mobile telephony system or cellular data network through which access to the Internet may be acquired. 
     The processor  202  may be coupled to the machine access control (MAC) layer  214 . The MAC layer  214  may provide addressing and channel access control mechanisms between the network interface  208  and one or more devices associated with the access point  200   a , such as wireless stations and/or range extenders. The MAC layer  214  may be connected to a physical layer  216 , which may perform various encoding, signaling, and data transmission and reception functions. The physical layer  216  may include one or more transceivers  218  and a baseband processor  220  for carrying out the various functions of the physical layer  216 . The physical layer  216  may be coupled to one or more wireless antennas (e.g., wireless antennas  222 ,  224 , and  226 ) to support wireless communications with devices associated with the access point  200   a , such as wireless stations and/or range extenders. Each of the transceivers  218  may be configured to provide communications using one or more frequency bands, for example 2.4 GHz, lower band 5 GHz, and higher band 5 GHz. The number of wireless antennas in the access point  200   a  is not limited to three as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , but may include any number of antennas. 
     The processor  202  may also be coupled to a radio performance monitor unit  206  and a network performance monitor unit  207 . The network performance monitor unit  207  may use information from the physical layer  216 , the MAC layer  214 , and/or the processor  202  to monitor and/or determine characteristics of a communication link between a wireless station and a radio of the access point  200   a  (e.g., the transceiver(s)  218  and/or the wireless antennas  222 ,  224 , and  226 ). In some embodiments, the radio performance monitor unit  206  may receive information from the physical layer  216  and/or the MAC layer  214 , and provide such information to the processor  202  for determination and/or monitoring of the performance of each radio of the access point  200   a . The network performance monitor unit  207  may use information from the physical layer  216 , the MAC layer  214 , and/or the processor  202  to monitor and/or determine network performance characteristics of communications conducted by the access point  200   a . The monitored communications may include the communications between a wireless station and the access point  200   a  and/or communications between a communication network and the access point  200   a . In some embodiments, the network performance monitor unit  207  may receive information from the physical layer  216  and/or the MAC layer  214  and provide such information to the processor  202  for monitoring and/or determination of the network performance characteristics. 
     The access point  200   a  may also include a bus for connecting the various components of the access point  200   a  together, as well as hardware and/or software interfaces to enable communication among the various components. The access point  200   a  may also include various other components not illustrated in  FIG. 2A . For example, the access point  200   a  may include a number of input, output, and processing components such as buttons, lights, switches, antennas, display screen or touchscreen, various connection ports, additional processors or integrated circuits, and many other components. 
       FIG. 2B  is a component block diagram of another example of a wireless access point  200   b  suitable for implementing various embodiments. In various embodiments, the access point  200   b  may be similar to the access point  108  in  FIG. 1 . The wireless access point  200   b  illustrated in  FIG. 2B  is similar to and includes many of the same components as the wireless access point  200   a  described above with reference to  FIG. 2A . The access point  200   b  may include a memory  230  in which may be stored processor-executable instructions for a radio performance monitor unit  232 , and a network performance monitor unit  234 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the radio performance monitor unit  232  may be implemented in software stored on a non-transitory medium (e.g., the memory  230 ) as processor-executable instructions configured to cause the processor  202  to perform functions similar to the radio performance monitor unit  206  described with reference to  FIG. 2A . Similarly, the network performance monitor unit  234  may be implemented in software stored on a non-transitory medium (e.g., the memory  230 ) as processor-executable instructions configured to cause the processor  202  to perform functions similar to the network performance monitor unit  207  described with reference to  FIG. 2A . 
     In some embodiments, the radio performance monitor unit  206 ,  232  and the network performance monitor unit  207 ,  234  may be implemented partially in hardware (as illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) and partially in software executing in a processor  202  (as illustrated in  FIG. 2B ). 
     A special type of access point is a “range extender” that is configured to relay network message traffic via wireless communication links between an access point (e.g.,  200   a ,  200   b ) and wireless stations beyond the wireless communication range of the access point.  FIG. 2C  is a component block diagram of an example of a range extender  200   c  suitable for implementing various embodiments. The range extender  200   c  includes components that may be found in similar types of access points, including signal relays, wireless repeaters, signal boosters, FEMTO cells, and similar wireless devices. Typically, a range extender  200   c  communicates and operates in conjunction with an access point  200   a ,  200   b  and functions to relay communications between wireless stations and the access point  200   a ,  200   b , thereby extending their communication range. 
     The range extender  200   c  may include at least one processor  240  that may be a general purpose processor configurable with processor-executable instructions to execute operations of the various embodiments, a specialized processor, such as a modem processor, configurable with processor-executable instructions to execute operations of the various embodiments in addition to a primary function, a dedicate hardware (e.g., “firmware”) circuit configured to perform operations of the various embodiments, or a combination of dedicated hardware/firmware and a programmable processor. 
     The processor  240  may be coupled to a memory  242 . The memory  242  may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores processor-executable instructions. The memory  242  may store an operating system, as well as user application software and executable instructions. The memory  242  may also store application data, such as an array data structure. The memory  242  may include one or more caches, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, SRAM, DRAM, and/or other types of memory. The processor  240  may read and write information to and from the memory  242 . The memory  242  may also store instructions associated with one or more protocol stacks. A protocol stack generally includes computer executable instructions to enable communication using a radio access protocol or communication protocol. 
     In some embodiments, a radio performance monitor unit  250 , and a network performance monitor unit  252  may be implemented in hardware as dedicated circuitry coupled to the processor  240 . In some embodiments, the memory  242  may store processor-executable instructions for a radio performance monitor unit  244  and a network performance monitor unit  248  that may be executed in the processor  240 . Thus, in various embodiments, the radio performance monitor unit  244 ,  250  and the network performance monitor unit  248 ,  252  may be implemented completely in software, completely in hardware, or partially in hardware and partially in software. 
     The processor  240  may be coupled to a MAC layer  254 . The MAC layer  254  may provide addressing and channel access control mechanisms for coordinating communication links between wireless stations connected to the range extender  200   c  and an access point (e.g.,  108 ,  200   a ,  200   b ) with which the range extender  200   c  is associated. 
     The MAC layer  254  may be connected to a physical layer  256 , which may perform various encoding, signaling, and data transmission and reception functions on the range extender  200   c . The physical layer  256  may include one or more baseband processors  258  for controlling the operation of one or more receivers  260 - 264  and one or more retransmitters  272 - 276 . The receivers  260 - 264  may each receive a broadband network connection signal transmitted from an access point. The receivers  260 - 264  may receive signals through one or more wireless antennas  266 - 270 . Each receiver  260 - 264  may include one or more amplifiers, filters, radios, and other components for performing reception operations. Each receiver  260 - 264  may operate on a different base or center frequency. For example, the receivers  260 - 264  may receive signals on different frequencies utilized by the transceiver(s)  218  of the access point  200   a ,  200   b.    
     In some embodiments, the baseband processor(s)  258  may control the operation of one or more retransmitters  272 - 276 . Each retransmitter  272 - 276  may retransmit a broadband network connection signal from a receiver  260 - 264 . Each retransmitter  272 - 276  may transmit the signal to one or more wireless stations through one or more wireless antennas  278 - 282 . The frequencies utilized by each retransmitter  72 - 276  may be the same frequencies or different frequencies utilized by the receivers  260 - 264 . 
     In some embodiments, the radio performance monitor unit  244 ,  250  may use information from receivers  260 - 264 , and/or retransmitters  272 - 276 , the baseband processor(s)  258 , and/or the processor  240  to monitor and/or determine characteristics of a communication link between a radio of the range extender  200   c  and a wireless station (e.g., the wireless stations  102 ,  104 ,  106 ). In some embodiments, the radio performance monitor unit  244 ,  250  may receive information from the receivers  260 - 264 , and/or retransmitters  272 - 276 , and may provide such information to the processor  240  for determination and/or monitoring of the performance of each radio of the range extender  200   c.    
     In some embodiments, the network performance monitor unit  248 ,  252  may use information from the receivers  260 - 264 , and/or retransmitters  272 - 276 , the baseband processor(s)  258 , and/or the processor  240  to monitor and/or determine network performance characteristics of communications conducted by the range extender  200   c . Such communications may include communications between a wireless station and the range extender  200   c , and/or communications between a communication network and the range extender  200   c . In some embodiments, the network performance monitor unit  248 ,  252  may receive information from the receivers  260 - 264 , and/or retransmitters  272 - 276  and provide such information to the processor  240  for monitoring and/or determination of the network performance characteristics. 
     Each receiver  260 - 264  and each retransmitter  272 - 276  may include various circuitry and components to enable the sending, receiving, and processing of radio signals, such as a modulator/demodulator component, a power amplifier, a gain stage, a digital signal processor (DSP), a signal amplifier, a filter, and other such components. Each of the receivers  260 - 264  and the retransmitters  272 - 276  may be configured to provide communications using one or more frequency bands, for example 2.4 GHz, lower band 5 GHz, higher band 5 GHz, or another frequency band. The number of receivers  260 - 264  and retransmitters  272 - 276  in the range extender  200   c  is not limited to three as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , but may include any number of receivers and/or retransmitters. In some embodiments, there may be a one-to-one correspondence between receivers and retransmitters. In some embodiments, multiple receivers may share one retransmitter, and/or multiple retransmitters may share one receiver. 
     In some embodiments, the receivers  260 - 264  may also be configured to receive communications from various wireless stations associated with the range extender  200   c , and the retransmitters  272 - 276  may be configured to transmit the communications from the wireless stations to another access point (e.g., the access point  200   a ,  200   b ), which may be in communication with a communication network (e.g., the communication network  110 ). In some embodiments, the retransmitters  272 - 276  may be configured to receive communications from various wireless stations associated with the range extender  200   c , and the receivers  260 ,  262 , and  264  may be configured to transmit the communications from the wireless stations to another access point (e.g., the access point  200   a ,  200   b ). 
     The range extender  200   c  may also include a bus for connecting the various components of the range extender  200   c  together, as well as hardware and/or software interfaces to enable communication among the various components. The range extender  200   c  may also include various other components not illustrated in  FIG. 2C . For example, the range extender  200   c  may include a number of input, output, and processing components such as buttons, lights, switches, antennas, display screen or touchscreen, various connection ports, additional processors or integrated circuits, and many other components. 
     In some embodiments, the functions of the one or more receivers  260 - 264  may be combined with the functions of the one or more retransmitters  272 - 276  in transceivers  284 - 288  with both reception and transmission capabilities, as illustrated in  FIG. 2D . For example, the transceivers  284 - 288  may be configured to receive communications from various wireless stations connected to the range extender  200   d , as well as receive communications from an access point associated with the range extender  200   d . The transceivers  284 - 288  may also be configured to transmit communications received from the access point to the wireless stations connected to the range extender  200   d , and vice versa. 
     Since range extenders  200   c ,  200   d  and the like function as an access point to wireless stations and communicate via wireless links to an access point  200   a ,  200   b , the various embodiments may be implemented in range extenders and access points in a similar manner. Therefore, various embodiments will be described below using the term “access point” as a general term and an example of wireless communication devices suitable for implementing various embodiments. However, the following example embodiments and references to an “access point” are not intended to limit the scope of the claims to exclude range extenders (e.g.,  200   c ,  200   d ) and similar devices that function as an access point for wireless stations and relay network communications to an access point (including in some cases another range extender). 
       FIG. 3  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  300  for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point to some embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , in various embodiments, the method  300  may be implemented by a processor (e.g.,  202 ,  240 ) of an access point (e.g.,  108 ,  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ). 
     In block  302 , the processor of the access point may receive a request from a wireless station to associate with the access point. In some implementations, the request from the wireless station may include a generic request to associate with any radio of the access point. In some implementations, the request may include a request to associate with a specific radio of the access point. 
     In block  304 , the processor of the access point may determine whether the wireless station is MU-capable. For example, the processor of the access point may receive information in the request indicating whether the wireless station is capable of conducting communications in an MU mode, for example, using MU-MIMO communications. As another example the processor of the access point may send a query message to the wireless station, and the wireless station may respond with an indication of whether the wireless station is MU-capable. 
     In response to determining that the wireless station is not MU-capable (i.e., determination block  304 =“No”), the processor of the access point may use a non-MU association and steering process to determine whether to associate the wireless station with a radio of the access point that does not support (or is not currently supporting) MU communication in block  322 . In some implementations, the non-MU association and steering process may include steering the wireless station to a radio of the access point that supports or is being used for MU communication, or to a radio of the access point that does not support or is not being used for MU communication. 
     In response to determining that the wireless station is MU-capable (i.e., determination block  304 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  306 . For example, the processor may determine a level of utilization of one or more MU-capable radios of the access point. The level of utilization of each MU-capable radio may be based on one or more criteria, such as overall load, MU load, and one or more of the most recently used modulation and coding scheme(s) (MCS). In some embodiments, the processor may determine whether an MU-capable radio is available based on the one or more criteria, such as whether any of the criteria meets a threshold. In some embodiments, the processor may rank or order two or more MU-capable radios using one or more criteria, and the processor may determine whether an MU-capable radio is available based on the ranking or ordering. 
     In response to determining that no MU-capable radio of the access point is available (i.e., determination block  306 =“No”), the processor of the access point may use a non-MU association and steering process to determine whether to associate the wireless station with a radio of the access point that does not support MU communication in block  322 . 
     In response to determining that one or more MU-capable radios of the access point is available (i.e., determination block  306 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may select an MU-capable radio of the access point in block  308 . For example, the processor may select one MU-capable radio from among a plurality of MU-capable radios of the access point. In some implementations, the processor may select from among the plurality of MU-capable radios in a sequence. In some implementations, the processor may select from among the plurality of MU-capable radios according to one or more criteria, such as utilization of each radio, overall load of each radio, MU load of each radio, or other criteria. For example, the processor may select the MU-capable radio with the lowest utilization, overall load, and/or MU load. 
     In some implementations, the processor may select from among the plurality of MU-capable radios based on a capability of the radio. The capability of the radio may include one or more of a number of antennas associated with the radio, a number of simultaneous spatial streams that the radio is capable of transmitting and/or receiving, a maximum transmit power capability, and a maximum number of MU groups that the radio can support. In various implementations, the processor may select from among the plurality of MU-capable radios in a predetermined order, using a round-robin selection, or randomly from among the plurality of MU-capable radios. 
     In determination block  310 , the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU physical layer quality (“MU PHY layer quality”) of a communication link between the selected radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds a quality threshold (“TH Q ”). In some implementations, the quality threshold may indicate whether the MU physical layer quality can support MU communications (e.g., MU-MIMO communications) between the wireless station and the selected radio of the access point. In some implementations, the processor may use the selected MU-capable radio of the access point to send and/or receive one or more messages to the wireless station to determine the physical layer quality of the communication link. The physical layer quality may include, for example, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), or another indication of the physical layer quality. The processor of the access point may then compare the determined MU physical layer quality to the quality threshold. 
     In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link exceeds the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  310 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an overall load of the selected MU-capable radio of the access point is below an overall load threshold (“TH OV   _   LOAD ”) in determination block  312 . For example, the processor may determine an overall level of utilization of the selected MU-capable radio. In some implementations, the overall load of the selected radio may be based on an amount and/or type of traffic carried by the selected radio to and/or from one or more other wireless stations. In some embodiments, the overall load of the selected radio may be independent of a number of wireless stations associated with the selected radio. In some implementations, the overall load of the selected radio may be based on a number of wireless stations associated with the selected radio. In some implementations, the processor may assign a higher priority to traffic generated by a wireless station performing MU communications or operating in an MU mode when determining the overall load of the selected radio. For example, a radio operating in MU mode may provide a greater data rate to a wireless station and/or or may provide communications to a greater number of wireless stations than a radio operating in a non-MU mode (such as a single-user (SU) mode). In some embodiments, the processor may evaluate a capability of a radio operating in MU mode using a “MU gain” value, which may be an overall data throughput when operating in MU mode divided by an overall data throughput when the radio operates in non-MU mode (e.g., SU mode) for the same wireless station(s). 
     In response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is below the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  312 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU load of the radio of the access point is below an MU load threshold (“TH MU   _   LOAD ”) in determination block  314 . For example, the processor may determine an MU-specific level of utilization of the selected MU-capable radio. In some implementations, the MU load of the radio may be based on an amount and/or type of traffic carried by the selected radio to and/or from one or more wireless stations performing MU communications or operating in an MU mode. In some embodiments, the MU load of the selected radio may be independent of a number of wireless stations associated with the selected radio. In some embodiments, the MU load of the selected radio may be based on a number of wireless stations associated with the selected radio. 
     In response to determining that the multi-user load of the radio of the access point is below the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  314 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may associate the wireless station with the selected MU-capable radio of the access point in block  316 . The processor of the access point may then perform operations for monitoring communications of the wireless station with the selected MU-capable radio of the access point in method  400  as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link does not exceed the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  310 =“No”), in response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is not below the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  312 =“No”), or in response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point is not below the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  314 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  318 . 
     In response to determining that another MU-capable radio of the access point is not available (i.e., determination block  318 =“No”), the processor of the access point may use a non-MU association and steering process to determine whether to associate the wireless station with a radio of the access point that is not operating in, or does not support, MU communication in block  322 . In some embodiments, the radio may be an MU-capable radio that is not currently operating in MU mode. 
     In response to determining that another MU-capable radio of the access point is available (i.e., determination block  318 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may select another MU-capable radio of the access point in block  320 . The processor of the access point may then determine for the newly selected MU-capable radio whether a physical layer quality of a communication link between the newly selected radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds the quality threshold in determination block  310  as described above. 
       FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  400  for monitoring communications of the wireless station with the selected MU-capable radio of the access point according to some embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , in various embodiments, the method  400  may be implemented by a processor (e.g.,  202 ,  240 ) of an access point (e.g.,  108 ,  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ). 
     In various implementations, the processor of an access point may use the method  400  to monitor and evaluate various aspects of the established communication link and/or communications between an MU-capable radio of the access point and one or more wireless stations associated with the MU-capable radio. The order of certain operations of the method  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4  represents merely one implementation, and operations of the method  400  (for example, operations  404  and  406 , and operations  410 - 416 ) may be performed in any sequence. 
     In block  402 , the processor of the access point may select an MU-capable radio of the access point. For ease of reference, the selected MU-capable radio of the access point may be referred to as radio j. 
     In determination block  404 , the processor of the access point may determine whether an overall load of the selected MU-capable radio of the access point is below an overall load threshold (“TH OV   _   LOAD” ). In some implementations, the overall load and the overall load threshold may be similar to the overall load and the overall load threshold described with reference to determination block  312  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is not below (i.e., equals or exceeds) the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  404 =“No”), the processor of the access point may perform operations of the method  500  described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     In response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is below the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  404 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU load of the radio of the access point is below an MU load threshold (“TH MU   _   LOAD ”) in determination block  406 . In some implementations, the MU load and the MU load threshold may be similar to the MU load and the MU load threshold described with reference to determination block  314  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the multi-user load of the radio of the access point is not below (i.e., equals or exceeds) the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  406 =“No”), the processor of the access point may perform operations of the method  600  described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     In response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point is below the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  406 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may select a wireless station associated with the selected MU-capable radio in block  408 . For ease of reference, the selected wireless station may be referred to as wireless station i. 
     In determination block  410 , the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU physical layer quality (“MU PHY layer quality”) of a communication link between the selected radio (e.g., radio j) of the access point and the selected wireless station (e.g., wireless station i) no longer exceeds (e.g., drops below) the quality threshold (“TH Q ”). In some implementations, the quality threshold may be set as an MU physical layer quality at which MU communications (e.g., MU-MIMO communications) between the wireless station and the selected radio of the access point can be reliably maintained. The MU physical layer quality may include for example, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), or another indication of the physical layer quality. In determination block  410 , the processor of the access point may compare the determined physical layer quality to the quality threshold. 
     In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link does not exceed the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  410 =“No”), the processor of the access point may perform operations of the method  700  described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In response to determining that the physical layer quality of the communication link exceeds the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  410 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU data quality metric of the communication link exceeds a data quality threshold (“TH DATA” ) in determination block  412 . In some implementations, the data quality threshold may indicate whether the MU data quality metric can support MU communications between the wireless station and the selected radio of the access point. 
     In some implementations, the evaluation of the MU data quality metric in determination block  412  may include a determination of a delay sensitivity of one or more data packets sent between (i.e., to and/or from) the wireless station i and the selected MU-capable radio of the access point j. In some implementations, the evaluation of the MU data quality metric in determination block  412  may include a determination of a priority of the one or more data packets. In some implementations, the evaluation of the MU data quality metric in determination block  412  may include a determination of a delay sensitivity and/or a priority of an application running on the selected wireless station that is sending and/or receiving the data packets. The determination of delay sensitivity may be based on, for example, an access class of the one or more data packets. The determination of delay sensitivity may also be based on an indication in a packet header of a priority and/or quality of service (QoS) requirement of the one or more data packets. The determination of delay sensitivity may also be based on a deep packet inspection (DPI) of a content portion of one or more of the data packets. 
     In some implementations, the evaluation of the MU data quality metric in determination block  412  may include a determination of a queue depth associated with the selected wireless station. For example, access class may include one or more data queues. The queue depth may provide an indication of data traffic frequency and/or volume associated with the selected wireless station. 
     In response to determining that the MU data quality metric of the communication link does not exceed the data quality threshold (i.e., determination block  412 =“No”), the processor of the access point may perform operations of the method  700  described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In response to determining that the MU data quality metric of the communication link exceeds the data quality threshold (i.e., determination block  412 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU interference of the communication link is below an MU interference threshold (TH MU   _   I ) in determination block  414 . 
     The MU interference may be based on a measurement of actual and/or potential MU signal interference between an MU signal sent over the communication link between the selected MU-capable radio and the selected wireless station, and another MU signal sent between the selected MU-capable radio and another wireless station. The MU interference may be represented in a metric, such as, signal to interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) or another suitable metric. 
     In some implementations, the selected wireless station and one or more other wireless stations may be part of an MU group designated by the access point. For example, as part of MU operations, the access point may perform MU precoding (which may be an extension of transmit beamforming) to separate out available spatial transmission modes and to allocate one or more transmissions from the access point to each wireless station in an MU group. However, two or more beamformed signals to wireless stations in the MU group may nonetheless cross-interfere. Thus, the MU interference may include a measurement of actual signal interference between beamformed signals to two or more wireless stations in the MU group. Additionally or alternatively, the MU interference may include potential or anticipated MU interference, which the access point may determine based on signal characteristics of the beamformed signals to the two or more wireless stations in the MU group. In some implementations, the access point may use the measured and/or anticipated MU interference to determine whether to exclude a wireless station from an MU group, or to associate the wireless station with a different radio of the access point. 
     In response to determining that the MU interference of the communication link is not below (i.e., equals or exceeds) the MU interference threshold (i.e., determination block  414 =“No”), the processor of the access point may perform operations of the method  700  described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     In response to determining that the MU interference of the communication link is below the MU interference threshold (i.e., determination block  414 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an additional wireless station is associated with the selected MU-capable radio in determination block  416 . 
     In response to determining that an additional wireless station is associated with the selected MU-capable radio (i.e., determination block  416 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may select another wireless station in block  408  and may perform operations  410 - 416  for the selected MU-capable radio and the newly selected wireless station. 
     In response to determining that an additional wireless station is not associated with the selected MU-capable radio (i.e., determination block  416 =“No”), the processor of the access point may select another MU-capable radio of the access point in block  402 . 
       FIG. 5  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  500  for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to some embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , in various embodiments, the method  500  may be implemented by a processor (e.g.,  202 ,  240 ) of an access point (e.g.,  108 ,  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ). 
     In determination block  502 , the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU load of the selected MU-capable radio of the access point exceeds MU load threshold (“TH MU   _   LOAD” ). In some implementations, the MU load and the MU load threshold may be similar to the MU load and the MU load threshold described with reference to determination block  314  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point does not exceed the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  502 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine a contribution of wireless stations associated with the selected MU-capable radio and operating in an MU mode (“MU-wireless stations”) to the overall load of the selected MU-capable radio in block  504 . For example, the processor of the access point may determine a level or an amount of load contributed by the one or more MU-wireless stations associated with the selected MU-capable radio. In some implementations, the overall load may include load contributed by wireless stations operating in a non-MU mode as well as in an MU mode. In some embodiments, the access point processor may determine a proportion of the overall load that is attributable to wireless stations operating in MU mode. In some embodiments, the access point processor may determine a percentage of the overall load that is attributable to wireless stations operating in MU mode. 
     In determination block  506 , the processor of the access point may determine whether the contribution of the one or more wireless stations operating in an MU mode (MU-wireless stations) to the overall load of the selected MU-capable radio of the access point exceeds a threshold contribution (“TH CONTRIB ”). For example, the combined contribution of all associated MU-wireless stations to the overall load of the selected MU-capable radio may be compared to the threshold contribution. 
     In response to determining that the contribution of the MU-wireless station(s) to the overall load of the selected MU-capable radio of the access point does not exceed the threshold contribution (i.e., determination block  506 =“No”), the processor of the access point may use a non-MU association and steering process to determine whether to associate the wireless station with a radio of the access point that does not support MU communication in block  322 . 
     In response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point exceeds the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  502 =“Yes”), or in response to determining that the contribution of the MU-wireless station(s) to the overall load of the selected MU-capable radio of the access point exceeds the threshold contribution (i.e., determination block  506 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may perform operations the method  600  as described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  600  for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to some embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , in various embodiments, the method  600  may be implemented by a processor (e.g.,  202 ,  240 ) of an access point (e.g.,  108 ,  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ). 
     In block  602 , the processor of the access point may receive communication link metrics of each wireless station associated with the selected MU-capable radio of the access point. The communication link metrics may include, for example, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The communication link metrics may also include, for example, a data rate (e.g., an average data rate, a highest data rate), a data throughput, an error rate (e.g., a packet error rate), or another indication of the MU physical layer quality of the communication link between each wireless station and the MU-capable radio of the access point. 
     Based on the communication link metrics, the processor of the access point may select a wireless station from among the wireless stations associated with the MU-capable radio of the access point in block  604 . In some implementations, the processor of the access point may select a wireless station having a lowest communication link metric, such as a lowest signal-to-noise ratio, or a lowest modulation and coding scheme. 
     In determination block  606 , the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU-wireless station (i.e., a wireless station operating in an MU mode) is selected. In some implementations, based on the received communication link metrics the processor of the access point may select a wireless station operating in MU mode, or a wireless station operating in a non-MU mode. 
     In response to determining that an MU-wireless station is not selected (i.e., determination block  606 =“No”), the processor of the access point may use a non-MU association and steering process to determine whether to associate the selected non-MU wireless station with a radio of the access point that does not support MU communication in block  322 . 
     In response to determining that an MU-wireless station is selected (i.e., determination block  606 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  608 . 
     In response to determining that another MU-capable radio of the access point is not available (i.e., determination block  608 =“No”), the processor of the access point may use a non-MU association and steering process to determine whether to associate the wireless station with a radio of the access point that does not support MU communication in block  322 . 
     In response to determining that another MU-capable radio of the access point is available (i.e., determination block  608 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may select a next MU-capable radio of the access point in block  610 . 
     In determination block  612 , the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU physical layer quality (“MU PHY layer quality”) of a communication link between the selected MU-capable radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds a quality threshold (“TH Q ”). In some implementations, the MU physical layer quality and the quality threshold may be similar to the MU physical layer quality and the quality threshold described with reference to determination block  310  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link does not exceed the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  612 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  608 . 
     In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link exceeds the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  612 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an overall load of the selected radio of the access point is below an overall load threshold (“TH OV   _   LOAD ”) in determination block  614 . In some implementations, the overall load threshold may be similar to the overall load threshold described with reference to determination block  312  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is not below the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  614 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  608 . 
     In response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is below the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  614 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU load of the radio of the access point is below an MU load threshold (“TH MU   _   LOAD ”) in determination block  616 . In some implementations, the MU load and the MU load threshold may be similar to the MU load and the MU load threshold described with reference to determination block  314  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point is not below the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  616 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  608 . 
     In response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point is below the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  616 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may associate the wireless station with the selected next MU-capable radio of the access point in block  618 . In some embodiments, the processor may send to the wireless station a message instructing the wireless station to associate with the selected MU-capable radio of the access point. 
     The processor of the access point may then perform operations for monitoring communications of the wireless station with the selected MU-capable radio of the access point in method  400  as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method  700  for managing radio utilization of a multi-radio access point according to some embodiments. With reference to  FIGS. 1-7 , in various embodiments, the method  700  may be implemented by a processor (e.g.,  202 ,  240 ) of an access point (e.g.,  108 ,  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d ). 
     In block  702 , the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available. 
     In response to determining that another MU-capable radio of the access point is not available (i.e., determination block  702 =“No”), the processor of the access point may use a non-MU association and steering process to determine whether to associate the wireless station with a radio of the access point that does not support MU communication in block  322 . 
     In response to determining that another MU-capable radio of the access point is available (i.e., determination block  702 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may select a next MU-capable radio of the access point in block  704 . 
     In determination block  706 , the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU physical layer quality (“MU PHY layer quality”) of a communication link between the selected MU-capable radio of the access point and the wireless station exceeds a quality threshold (“TH Q ”). In some implementations, the MU physical layer quality and the quality threshold may be similar to the MU physical layer quality and the quality threshold described with reference to determination block  310  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 .) 
     In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link does not exceed the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  706 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  702 . 
     In response to determining that the MU physical layer quality of the communication link exceeds the quality threshold (i.e., determination block  706 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine may determine whether an overall load of the selected radio of the access point is below an overall load threshold (“TH OV   _   LOAD” ) in determination block  708 . In some implementations, the overall load threshold may be similar to the overall load threshold described with reference to determination block  312  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is not below the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  708 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  702 . 
     In response to determining that the overall load of the selected radio is below the overall load threshold (i.e., determination block  708 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may determine whether an MU load of the radio of the access point is below an MU load threshold (“TH MU   _   LOAD” ) in determination block  710 . In some implementations, the MU load and the MU load threshold may be similar to the MU load and the MU load threshold described with reference to determination block  314  of the method  300  ( FIG. 3 ). 
     In response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point is not below the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  710 =“No”), the processor of the access point may determine whether another MU-capable radio of the access point is available in determination block  702 . 
     In response to determining that the MU load of the radio of the access point is below the MU load threshold (i.e., determination block  710 =“Yes”), the processor of the access point may associate the wireless station with the selected next MU-capable radio of the access point in block  618  of the method  600  as described with reference to  FIG. 6 . The processor of the access point may then perform operations for monitoring communications of the wireless station with the selected MU-capable radio of the access point in method  400  as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The various embodiments may improve the function of a multi-radio wireless access point by improving the utilization of radios of the wireless access point. In particular, the various embodiments may improve the functioning of an access point by performing proactive and responsive steering of wireless stations to radios of access point. The various embodiments thereby improve communication resource utilization and wireless communication quality and capacity provided by the access point. 
     Various embodiments illustrated and described are provided merely as examples to illustrate various features of the claims. However, features shown and described with respect to any given embodiment are not necessarily limited to the associated embodiment and may be used or combined with other embodiments that are shown and described. Further, the claims are not intended to be limited by any one example embodiment. For example, one or more of the operations of the methods  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700  may be substituted for or combined with one or more operations of the methods  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 , and  700 , and vice versa. 
     The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the blocks of various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of blocks in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the blocks; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 
     The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm blocks described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and blocks have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the claims. 
     The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of communication devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some blocks or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. 
     In various embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or non-transitory processor-readable medium. The operations of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module, which may reside on a non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage medium. Non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage media may be any storage media that may be accessed by a computer or a processor. By way of example but not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable and processor-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a non-transitory processor-readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product. 
     The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present embodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the embodiments. Thus, various embodiments are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.