wlan-cloud-rrm/ALGORITHMS.md

Algorithms

This document describes the RRM algorithms implemented by this service.

Channel Optimization

ChannelOptimizer and its subclasses implement various channel optimization algorithms, with the goal of minimizing co-channel interference.

RandomChannelInitializer

This algorithm randomly selects a channel, and then assigns all APs to that selected channel. This is only for testing and re-initialization.

Parameters:

• mode: "random"
• setDifferentChannelPerAp: If true, will set a different random channel per AP. If false, it will set the same random channel for all APs.
  • values: true, false (default: false)

LeastUsedChannelOptimizer

This algorithm assigns the channel of the OWF APs based on the following logic:

1. If no other APs are on the same channel as the OWF AP, then the algorithm keeps the OWF AP on the same channel.
2. If any other APs are on the same channel as the OWF AP, and the OWF AP scan results indicate unused channels in its RF vicinity, then the algorithm randomly assigns one of those channels to the AP.
3. If any other APs are on the same channel as this AP and the OWF AP scan results indicate all available channels are occupied locally, then the algorithm assigns the channel with the least number of APs in its WiFi scan result.

Parameters:

• mode: "least_used"

UnmanagedApAwareChannelOptimizer

Building on the least used channel assignment algorithm, this algorithm can additionally (1) prioritize non-OWF ("unmanaged") APs over OWF APs and (2) keep track of the current assignment. This algorithm will try to avoid assigning the OWF APs to a channel with many non-OWF APs and prevent assigning subsequent OWF APs to the same channel as previously-assigned OWF APs. The assignment decisions are based on the following logic:

1. If no other APs are on the same channel as the OWF AP, then the algorithm keeps the OWF AP on the same channel.
2. If any other APs are on the same channel as the OWF AP, and the OWF AP scan results indicate unused channels in its RF vicinity, then the algorithm randomly assigns one of those channels to the AP.
3. If any other APs are on the same channel as this AP and the OWF AP scan results indicate all available channels are occupied locally, then the algorithm assigns the channel with the least channel weight (W): W = (D \times N) + (1 \times M) where D > 1 is the default weight, N is the number of non-OWF APs, and M is the number of OWF APs.

Parameters:

• mode: "unmanaged_aware"

Transmit Power Control

TPC and its subclasses implement various transmit power control algorithms, with the goal of minimizing interference while avoiding coverage holes.

RandomTxPowerinitializer

This algorithm randomly selects a Tx power value, and then assigns all APs to the value. This is only for testing and re-initialization.

Parameters:

• mode: "random"
• setDifferentTxPowerPerAp: If true, will set a different random tx power per AP. If false, it will set the same random tx power for all APs.
  • values: true, false (default: false)

MeasurementBasedApClientTPC

This algorithm tries to assign the Tx power of the OWF APs based on the associated clients of each AP. The strategy is described in the steps below (for each AP):

1. Determine the operating SNR & MCS on the client side.
2. If this SNR is greater than the minimum required SNR to achieve this MCS, reduce the Tx power. Otherwise, no change is made.
3. If there are multiple clients, the above decision is made based on the client with lowest SNR.

Parameters:

• mode: "measure_ap_client"
• targetMcs: The target MCS index
  • values: 0-9 (default: 8)

MeasurementBasedApApTPC

This algorithm tries to assign the Tx power of the OWF APs by getting a set of APs to transmit at a power level to minimize overlapping coverage. The power levels of these APs will be determined by the following steps:

1. Through WiFi scans, collect the list of RSSIs (from N-1 APs) reported by every AP.
2. For each AP, find the lowest RSSI in its list. If this is higher than RSSI_threshold, decrease the Tx power of this AP by (RSSI_lowest - RSSI_threshold).
3. If this is lower than RSSI_threshold, increase the Tx power of this AP by (RSSI_threshold - RSSI_lowest).

Parameters:

• mode: "measure_ap_ap"
• coverageThreshold: Coverage threshold between APs in dBm
  • values: int < 30 (default: -70)
• nthSmallestRssi: the nth smallest RSSI that is used for tx power calculation
  • values: int >= 0 (default: 0)