Arista Networks, Inc.
ACCOMMODATING SIMULTANEOUS TRANSMISSIONS IN A WIRELESS CHANNEL

Abstract:

Systems and methods are disclosed for improving communication efficiency in environments featuring both 802.11ax devices and legacy devices. Although 802.11ax introduces the ability for multiple devices to transmit simultaneously over a wireless channel, this feature is not used to its full potential because legacy devices transmit using turn-based communication (waiting for the channel to free up before transmitting). To create the illusion that the channel is free, in one method, an 802.11ax access point lowers the power for 802.11ax transmissions in a portion of a wireless channel being utilized by the legacy device. In another method, the 802.11ax access point blanks the portion of the wireless channel altogether (i.e., does not schedule transmissions over the portion). As a result of these methods, signal interference is reduced, and legacy devices do not halt transmissions to follow turn-based communication.