CN118714586A - Method and system for configuring access points within a communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method for configuring access points within a communication network, including configuring each of a plurality of access points within the communication network to communicate with each of a plurality of client devices on each of a plurality of channels. Obtaining data indicating a channel quality indicator for each of a plurality of antenna modes and each of a plurality of channels for each of a plurality of client devices; determining one of a plurality of channels as a selected channel for each of a plurality of access points, determining one of a plurality of antenna modes as an antenna mode selected for an adaptive antenna, determining one or more priority client devices among a plurality of client devices based at least in part on the data indicating the channel quality indicator; configuring each of a plurality of access points to communicate with the one or more priority client devices on the selected channel; and configuring the adaptive antenna on each of the plurality of access points to operate in the selected antenna mode.

Description

Method and system for configuring access points within a communication network

This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number "201880059485.8" filed on September 12, 2018 and invention name "Adaptive antenna for channel selection management in communication system".

Priority claim

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 15/703,794, filed on September 13, 2017, entitled “Adaptive Antenna for Channel Selection Management in Communications Systems,” which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communications; and more particularly, to an adaptive antenna system for improved channel selection management in wireless local area networks (WLANs) and other multi-node communication systems.

Background Art

WLANs have been adopted in homes and businesses in most parts of the world, with numerous client devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets capable of WLAN reception. More recently, WLANs have been used for high throughput applications, such as video streaming for in-building applications. These devices require good performance from the RF radio and antenna systems to ensure high quality operation; and these devices increase the number of WLAN antenna systems and RF signaling encountered in businesses, apartment buildings, and communities. The increased data rates required to support a greater number of users and video applications dictate the need for higher order modulation in the transmitted signal, which in turn requires an increase in the level of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), collectively referred to as "metrics", to support higher modulation rates. Specifically, better control of the radiated field from the antenna system associated with the access point will be required to provide better communication link quality for antenna systems designed to provide higher throughput and more reliable links.

Due to the range limitations of electromagnetic (EM) signals propagating within buildings in the WLAN frequency band, it is becoming more common to configure multiple access points in the network to provide continuous wireless service. WLAN internal roaming involves a situation in which a wireless device moves a connection from one access point to another within a Wi-Fi network because the signal strength from the original access point becomes too weak. The wireless device may include an algorithm that periodically monitors the presence of alternative access points that can provide better connections and reassociates itself with an access point with a stronger signal. However, due to the complexity of radio propagation, it is difficult to predict Wi-Fi signal strength for a given area associated with a transmitter. In many cases, the line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver involved in the communication is blocked or obscured by obstacles such as walls, trees, and other objects. Each signal bounce may cause phase shifts, time delays, attenuation, and distortion, each of which ultimately produces interference at the receiving antenna. Destructive interference in a wireless link is problematic and can result in a degradation of device performance. Signal quality metrics are typically used to assess the quality of the signal. As introduced above, examples of such quality metrics may include signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), bit error rate (BER), and various other metrics, which are referred to as channel quality indicators (CQIs).

Increasing the number of access points in a Wi-Fi network generally provides network redundancy and supports fast roaming by defining smaller cells. However, because too many devices are connected to one access point in the same area, Wi-Fi connections may be interrupted and/or Internet speeds may be reduced due to interference. When multiple access points are used in a system to provide WLAN coverage for a building, the standard technique is to assign different channels (frequencies) to adjacent access points to reduce interference between access points. Due to the limited frequency bandwidth and a certain number of available channels available at the 2.4GHz and 5GHz WLAN bands, the frequency spacing that can be achieved between adjacent access points is generally not enough to eliminate the channel roll-off (roll-off) in the frequency component radiated by one access point due to interference with adjacent access points. This interference is usually manifested as a reduction in the SINR at the receiving port of the adjacent access point, which leads to a reduction in the modulation schemes that can be supported and translates into a reduction in data throughput. In the case of wireless devices that are typically configured with one or more antennas (these antennas are passive antennas with a fixed radiation pattern (i.e., one radiation pattern)), the antenna system cannot be used as a tool to improve the SINR of the access point in the presence of interfering signals. This situation results in suboptimal traffic flow without optimizing the quality of service (QOS) provided to the users.

Commonly owned patents: US 7,911,402; US 8,362,962; US 8,648,755; and US 9,240,634; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, each of which describes a beam steering technique in which a single antenna is capable of generating multiple radiation patterns, wherein the single antenna exhibits a different radiation pattern in each of the multiple possible modes. This is accomplished by using biased parasitic elements that vary the current distribution on the driven antenna as a reactive load on the parasitic element varies. This beam steering technique of generating multiple patterns is referred to as "modal antenna technology," and antennas configured to vary radiation patterns in this manner will be referred to herein as "modal antennas." This antenna architecture addresses issues associated with the lack of volume in mobile devices and small commercial communications devices to accommodate antenna arrays required to implement more traditional beam steering hardware.

This modal antenna technology can be implemented in access points and client devices in WLAN systems and used to improve communication link performance for these networks. On the access point side of a link that requires multi-user operation, the ability to optimize the radiation pattern of the antenna in the access point will be key to optimizing link performance. By sampling multiple radiation patterns of the modal antenna and selecting a pattern that provides improved system gain for each client, the modal antenna can provide improved antenna gain performance in the direction of the client device compared to the passive antenna used with the access point. The increased antenna system gain from the modal antenna will translate into an increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which in turn will translate into higher order modulation schemes that can be supported for higher data throughput.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows four radiation pattern patterns of a single modal antenna.

2 shows a communication system including a network controller, two access points including a first access point labeled “ AP1 ” and a second access point labeled “ AP2 ”, and four client devices wirelessly connected to the two access points.

FIG. 3 shows a graph of channel utilization for three access points, where the three access points are labeled “ AP1 ,” “ AP2 ,” and “ AP3 .”

FIG. 4 shows a graph of channel utilization for three access points, where the three access points are labeled “ AP1 ,” “ AP2 ,” and “ AP3 .”

5 illustrates a noise matrix for each access point in a communication system where the access point and one or more client devices include adaptive antenna systems.

6 shows a flow chart of a process for optimizing channel selection for each access point or node in a communication system and selection of an optimal active steering pattern for an adaptive antenna.

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph of channel utilization for four access points labeled “ AP1 ,” “ AP2 ,” “ AP3 ,” and “ AP4 .”

FIG8 illustrates a network communication system for separately servicing wireless communication links between each of a plurality of client devices and a network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an adaptive antenna system that provides multiple radiation patterns that can be sampled and selected to improve communication link performance in WLAN and other communication systems. The adaptive antenna system provides additional parameters that can be used to optimize the noise level in receivers within access points and other transceivers implemented in the communication system to provide higher SINR levels that in turn translate into higher data throughput, and higher reliability of maintaining communication links in multipath and dynamic environments.

In an embodiment, an adaptive antenna capable of generating multiple radiation patterns is combined with an algorithm that implements a sampling process for selecting the optimal radiation pattern for an intended communication link. The technology is very suitable for implementation in a WLAN system in which the task of multiple access points is to provide coverage in a specific area and interference between access points needs to be resolved. Utilizing the ability to change the radiation pattern of an antenna system used with an access point, the technology can be used to improve the SINR level of an access point in the system by selecting a pattern that reduces the signal strength level in the direction of an adjacent node. This ability to change the radiation pattern of an antenna system also affects the way adjacent channels interfere with each other. Therefore, using this technology on (i) only devices, (ii) only (one or more) access points, or (iii) both devices and (one or more) access points provides additional degrees of freedom in the channel allocation process to maximize overall network performance.

In one embodiment, a communication system comprising two nodes (access points) is used to provide wireless communication in a defined area, wherein each node contains a transceiver and an antenna system. An example of this type of system is a WLAN system consisting of two access points (nodes) to provide wireless coverage within a building. The first access point operates on channel A, while the second access point operates on channel B, wherein channel A and channel B occupy different parts of the spectrum. The first access point in the system contains an adaptive antenna system, which is defined as an antenna capable of generating multiple radiation patterns (capable of beam steering or zero steering), while the second access point contains a passive antenna system with a fixed radiation pattern. Each radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna system has a radiation pattern associated with it, wherein these radiation patterns vary between patterns with respect to radiation pattern shape and/or polarization characteristics. Candidate antennas for adaptive antennas are modal antennas, which are capable of generating multiple radiation patterns from a single port antenna. The network controller is implemented as a network of command and control access points. An algorithm resides in a computer in a network controller and is tasked with controlling the radiation pattern of an adaptive antenna system in a first access point, for example, by turning on/off or adjusting the reactance of active components such as switches, adjustable capacitors, adjustable inductors, etc. The quality of the communication link between the two access points in the system and each client is measured and stored in a memory. The algorithm implemented with the adaptive antenna provides the ability to survey a channel quality indicator (CQI) metric such as a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), a received signal sensitivity indicator (RSSI), a modulation coding scheme (MCS), or a similar metric obtained from a baseband processor of the communication system to provide the ability to sample the radiation pattern based on the CQI and make decisions about operating in an optimal radiation pattern or mode. When the first access point is communicating with clients in the system, an optimization may be performed by selecting a radiation pattern for the adaptive antenna system associated with the first access point to improve the SINR of the second access point. Although the two access points operate on different channels, a finite amount of roll-off occurs in the frequency response where resident out-of-band frequency components from the first access point couple into the receive port of the second access point. For example, optimization may be performed by the first access point by selecting another channel for different antenna modes for all devices connected to the access point and monitoring the signal quality metrics such as SINR described previously.

When the mode of the adaptive antenna is selected to serve the intended client while coupling less power to the receive port of the second access point, an improvement in SINR will occur. The result will be improved throughput, range and capacity of the communication link established between the second access point and the client in the system.

In another embodiment, a communication system as previously described is implemented, wherein an adaptive antenna system is incorporated into both a first access point and a second access point. The task of an algorithm residing in a computer in a network controller is to control the radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna system in the first and second access points. The first access point operates on channel A, while the second access point operates on channel B, wherein channel A and channel B occupy different portions of the frequency spectrum. When the access points communicate with clients in the system, an optimization may be performed to improve the SINR of the first access point and the second access point by selecting the radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna system associated with each of the first access point and the second access point, respectively.

In another embodiment, a plurality of access points are deployed in a communication system, wherein a plurality of the access points include adaptive antenna systems. An algorithm resident in a network controller is tasked with controlling all adaptive antenna systems in the network with the goal of increasing the SINR in the receive ports of all access points in the system by selecting a radiation pattern with minimal coupling from one access point to a neighboring access point when a communication link is established between an access point and a client.

In another embodiment, multiple access points and multiple clients are configured with adaptive antenna systems to provide multiple radiation patterns at both ends of a communication link established in the network. The algorithm resident in the network controller is tasked with controlling all adaptive antenna systems in the network with the goal of increasing the SINR in the receive ports of all access points in the system by selecting the radiation pattern with the least coupling from one access point to a neighboring access point when a communication link is established between the access points and the clients. The adaptive antenna system on the client device provides an additional parameter that is adjusted during the optimization process.

In yet another embodiment, a plurality of access points are deployed in a communication system, wherein a plurality of the access points include adaptive antenna systems, wherein at least two access points adjacent to each other operate on the same channel. An algorithm resident in a network controller operates in the same manner as previously described, with the end result being that when a communication link is established between an access point and a client, the SINR in the receive ports of all access points in the system is improved by selecting a radiation pattern that has the least coupling from one access point to an adjacent access point.

The algorithm described in the previously mentioned embodiment is configured to survey the radiation patterns of all adaptive antenna systems in the network. The quality of the communication link between all access points and each client in the system with adaptive antennas enabled is measured and stored in a memory. The algorithm implemented with adaptive antennas provides the ability to survey channel quality indicator (CQI) metrics such as signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), received signal sensitivity indicator (RSSI), modulation coding scheme (MCS), or similar metrics obtained from the baseband processor of the communication system to provide the ability to sample the radiation pattern based on the CQI and make decisions about operating in the optimal radiation pattern or mode. By selecting a radiation pattern for the adaptive antenna system associated with the access point and client in the system, optimization can be performed to improve the SINR of the communication link established between the access point and the client in the network. The algorithm fills the noise matrix for each access point in the network that has an adaptive antenna system coupled to it. The average noise of each communication link between the access point and the client in the network is measured, and these noise values are stored in the noise matrix. The noise matrix associated with each access point in the network is algorithmically surveyed and the radiation pattern states are selected for the adaptive antenna systems of the access points and access point/client pairs so that the noise levels in the receivers within the access points and clients, respectively, are minimized. The noise matrix is updated on a continuous basis to account for changes in the propagation channel and channel variations at the access points.

Turning now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows four radiation pattern patterns of a single modal antenna. The modal antenna is capable of generating multiple radiation patterns (four are shown, but there can be more). The four radiation patterns shown provide peak gain coverage in four different directions (D1; D2; D3 and D4).

FIG. 2 shows a communication system including: a network controller, two access points including a first access point labeled “AP1” and a second access point labeled “AP2”, and four client devices wirelessly connected to the two access points. Each access point recognizes all devices; however, the system throughput is optimized by configuring the “pattern” of the adaptive antenna system of each access point separately so that the pattern distinguishes for unintended links (e.g., a null in the radiation pattern of a particular selected pattern indicates in the direction of client devices that do not need a link) and also so that the pattern prioritizes link communications with intended client devices (e.g., steering the gain maximum of the radiation pattern toward client devices that need a link). Here, the first access point (AP1) is configured in a first pattern, where the first pattern is a pattern that establishes gain in the direction of intended clients (devices 1 and 3) while excluding links with unintended client devices (devices 2 and 4). However, note that the second access point (AP2) is configured in a second pattern so that links are established with intended clients (devices 2 and 4) while distinguishing links with unintended clients (devices 1 and 3). In this regard, all devices (devices 1 to 4) are services on the network, however, the throughput is evenly distributed among the access points and devices on the network and is accomplished through control provided by the network controller to configure the adaptive antenna systems of the first access point and the second access point.

FIG3 shows a graph of channel utilization for three access points, which are labeled "AP1," "AP2," and "AP3." The frequency response and SINR for each access point are shown. As can be seen in the figure, the effective noise floor of each access point is limited or set by the frequency components generated by the other access points in the communication system. The antenna system used with the three access points includes traditional passive antennas, each of which has a single radiation pattern or radiation diagram (as opposed to the multiple reconfigurable antenna patterns of a modal antenna).

FIG. 4 shows a graph of channel utilization for three access points, which are labeled “AP1,” “AP2,” and “AP3.” The three access points have adaptive antenna systems that are capable of generating multiple radiation patterns, wherein the antenna systems produce different radiation patterns when configured in each of the multiple patterns. The frequency response to each access point and the SINR for the three adaptive steering patterns generated by the adaptive antenna system of each access point are shown. In the case where the active steering modes provide different radiation patterns and/or polarization states from the adaptive antenna system, the SINR will vary from one mode to the next. The mode that provides the highest SINR can be selected and used for communications between the access point and the client device, thereby providing improved communication performance. In addition, adaptive steering modes can be surveyed for multiple channels for each access point, and channel selection for the access point can be performed in conjunction with adaptive steering mode selection. When optimal channel selection and adaptive steering mode selection are performed, the result will be an improvement in SINR performance at each access point due to improved frequency response roll-off.

FIG5 shows a noise matrix for each access point in a communication system, wherein the access point and one or more client devices include an adaptive antenna system. When sampling the active steering pattern of the adaptive antenna system, the average noise level in the receiver of the access point and the receiver of the client device can be determined. The noise matrix provides a database for surveying when selecting the optimal channel for the access point in the system and the adaptive steering pattern used for each client.

6 shows a flow chart of a process for optimizing channel selection for each access point or node in a communication system and selection of an optimal active steering pattern for an adaptive antenna.

FIG7 shows a graph of channel utilization for four access points labeled "AP1," "AP2," "AP3," and "AP4." The frequency response for each access point is shown, with "AP1" and "AP4" operating on the same channel. The optimal active steering mode for the frequency response of each access point is shown.

8 shows a network communication system for serving wireless communication links between each of a plurality of client devices 31; 32; 33; 34 and a network, respectively. The network communication system for serving wireless communication links between each of a plurality of client devices and a network, respectively, may include: a first access point 10, a second access point 20, and a network controller 40. The first access point may include an adaptive antenna system 100 associated therewith, which may be configured in one of a plurality of possible modes, wherein the adaptive antenna system exhibits a different radiation pattern 101 (a to d) when configured in each of the plurality of possible modes. The network controller 40 can be adapted to run an algorithm 50 for determining an optimal mode for the adaptive antenna system 100 for a given time period, the algorithm comprising the steps of: (i) surveying, using a first access point, each of a plurality of client devices that can be used to communicate with the network, (ii) configuring the adaptive antenna system of the first access point in each of its plurality of possible modes and measuring, for each mode, a channel quality indicator (CQI) associated with the adaptive antenna system of the first access point and each of the plurality of client devices, (iii) storing on the network antenna mode data corresponding to each mode, device, and measured channel quality indicator of the adaptive antenna system, (iv) selecting an optimal mode from the plurality of possible modes based on the antenna mode data, and (v) configuring the adaptive antenna system of the first access point in the optimal mode.

The second access point 20 is shown as comprising a second passive antenna 200 having its radiation pattern 201a fixed. However, as discussed above, the second antenna may alternatively comprise an adaptive antenna system.

The adaptive antenna system can be characterized by: a radiating element, one or more parasitic elements positioned adjacent to the radiating element, and one or more active tuning components, each of the one or more active tuning components being coupled to one of the one or more parasitic elements and configured to adjust a current mode of the corresponding parasitic element.

Active tuning components can be individually selected from the following combinations: switches, tunable capacitors, tunable inductors, MEMs devices, tunable phase shifters, and diodes.

The second access point may include a second adaptive antenna system configurable in one of a plurality of possible second modes associated therewith, wherein the second adaptive antenna system exhibits a different radiation pattern when configured in each of the plurality of possible second modes.

The network communication system may include three or more access points.

The optimal mode may be one of multiple possible modes that achieves maximum throughput for the network. The optimal mode may be one of multiple possible modes that achieves prioritized throughput based on network preference for individual device throughput.

Maximum throughput may be achieved when balancing the device load between each of the access points on the network. Maximum throughput may be achieved when balancing the device load between each channel of each of the access points on the network.

The antenna pattern data also includes frequency or channel information.

As described above, the CQI may be selected from a combination of: signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and modulation and coding scheme (MCS), or other similar metrics.

In some embodiments, a communication system includes: a first radio frequency transceiver operating at a frequency F1; a first antenna system coupled to the first transceiver; a second radio frequency transceiver operating at a frequency F2; a second antenna system coupled to the second transceiver; a network controller for commanding and controlling the first transceiver and the second transceiver; a plurality of client devices, each client device comprising a transmitter, a receiver, or a transceiver capable of operating at a frequency F1 or F2 or both F1 and F2; wherein the first antenna system coupled to the first transceiver is an adaptive antenna system capable of generating two or more radiation patterns, each radiation pattern having a different radiation pattern and/or polarization than the other patterns; and an algorithm resident in a network controller, the algorithm being configured to control changes in a radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna system and a channel used by each of the access points of the network, to survey communication link metrics when a first transceiver establishes a communication link with one or more client devices using the radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna system, to survey communication link metrics when a second transceiver establishes a communication link with one or more client devices, and to select a radiation pattern for an adaptive antenna system coupled to a first transceiver when the first transceiver establishes a communication link with a first client that provides a minimum noise level in a receiver of the second transceiver when the second transceiver establishes a communication link with a second client at the same time interval.

According to an embodiment of the communication system, multiple frequencies can be used for transmission and reception, and an algorithm resident in a network controller is configured to: control changes in the radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna system and the channels used by each of the access points of the network; survey communication link metrics when a first transceiver establishes a communication link with one or more client devices using the radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna system; survey communication link metrics when a second transceiver establishes a communication link with one or more client devices; and when the first transceiver establishes a communication link with a first client, select a radiation pattern for the adaptive antenna system coupled to the first transceiver, the radiation pattern providing a minimum noise level in the receiver of the second transceiver when the second transceiver establishes a communication link with a second client at the same time interval, and perform communication link metric surveys for each pattern at two or more frequencies, wherein an optimal frequency of operation is selected for the first and second transceivers to minimize the noise level in the receivers of the first and second transceivers.

In another embodiment, the second antenna system coupled to the second transceiver is an adaptive antenna system capable of generating two or more radiation patterns, each radiation pattern having a different radiation pattern and/or polarization compared to the other patterns; an algorithm resident in a network controller is configured to: control changes in the radiation patterns of the first and second adaptive antenna systems and the channels used by each of the access points of the network; survey communication link metrics when the first transceiver establishes a communication link with one or more client devices using the radiation patterns of the adaptive antenna system; survey communication link metrics when the second transceiver establishes a communication link with one or more client devices using the radiation patterns of the adaptive antenna system; and When establishing a communication link, a radiation pattern is selected for an adaptive antenna system coupled to a first transceiver, the radiation pattern providing a minimum noise level in a receiver of the second transceiver when the second transceiver establishes a communication link with a second client; and when the second transceiver establishes a communication link with the second client, a radiation pattern is selected for an adaptive antenna system coupled to a second transceiver, the radiation pattern providing a minimum noise level in a receiver of the first transceiver when the first transceiver establishes a communication link with the first client at the same time intervals; performing a communication link metric survey for each pattern at two or more frequencies, wherein an optimal frequency of operation is selected for the first and second transceivers to minimize the noise level in the receivers of the first and second transceivers.

In various embodiments, the communication link metric is a channel quality indicator (CQI) metric, such as a signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), a received signal sensitivity indicator (RSSI), a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), or a similar metric obtained from a baseband processor of the communication system to provide the ability to sample the radiation pattern based on the CQI and make decisions about operating in an optimal radiation pattern or mode.

The algorithm may reside in a processor co-located with the first or second transceiver.The algorithm may reside in a processor co-located with the first or second adaptive antenna system.

Certain embodiments may include multiple transceivers, one or more of the multiple transceivers having adaptive antenna systems coupled thereto; an algorithm resident in a network controller configured to: control selection of radiation patterns for all adaptive antenna systems in a communication system; survey communication link metrics for all transceivers having adaptive antenna systems when the transceivers establish communication links with client devices utilizing the radiation patterns of the adaptive antenna systems; and select transceiver/client pairs to simultaneously establish communication links with other transceivers in the communication system to optimize minimum noise levels for the transceivers in the communication system.

Certain embodiments may further include an algorithm resident in a network controller configured to: control selection of radiation patterns for all adaptive antenna systems in a communication system; survey communication link metrics for all transceivers having adaptive antenna systems when the transceivers establish communication links with client devices utilizing the radiation patterns of the adaptive antenna systems; and select a frequency channel for said transceiver of a transceiver/client pair to simultaneously establish communication links with other transceivers in the communication system, thereby optimizing a minimum noise level for the transceivers in the communication system.

Certain embodiments may additionally include wherein the first and second radio frequency transceivers operate at frequency F1. Certain embodiments may additionally include wherein two or more transceivers having adaptive antenna systems operate at frequency F1.

Although the present disclosure contains many details, these details should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention or the content that can be claimed, but should be interpreted as descriptions of features specific to a particular embodiment of the present invention. Certain features described in the context of separate embodiments herein may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually in multiple embodiments or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although the features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features in the claimed combination may be excluded from the combination in some cases, and the claimed combination may only involve a sub-combination or a variant of a sub-combination.

Claims (14)

1. A method for configuring an access point within a communication network, the method comprising: configuring, by one or more processors, each of a plurality of access points within the communication network to communicate with each of a plurality of client devices on each of a plurality of channels, the plurality of client devices being connected to the communication network; configuring, by the one or more processors, an adaptive antenna on each of the plurality of access points in each of a plurality of antenna patterns while communicating with each of the plurality of client devices while a corresponding access point of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate on each of the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of antenna patterns having a different radiation pattern; obtaining, by the one or more processors, data indicative of a channel quality indicator for each of the plurality of client devices for each of the plurality of antenna modes and each of the plurality of channels; determining, by the one or more processors, one of the plurality of channels as a selected channel for each of the plurality of access points based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; determining, by the one or more processors, one of the plurality of antenna modes as a selected antenna mode for the adaptive antenna based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; determining, by the one or more processors, one or more priority client devices among the plurality of client devices based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; configuring, by the one or more processors, each of the plurality of access points to communicate with the one or more priority client devices on the selected channel; and The adaptive antenna on each of the plurality of access points is configured, by the one or more processors, to operate in the selected antenna mode. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining one of the plurality of channels as a selected channel for each of the plurality of access points comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a first channel of the plurality of channels as a selected channel for a first access point of the plurality of access points based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; and A second channel of the plurality of channels is determined, by the one or more processors, as a selected channel for a second access point of the plurality of access points based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator. 3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining one of the plurality of antenna modes as the antenna mode selected for the adaptive antenna comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a first antenna mode from the plurality of antenna modes as an antenna mode selected for an adaptive antenna on a first access point based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; and A second antenna mode from the plurality of antenna modes is determined, by the one or more processors, as the antenna mode selected for an adaptive antenna on a second access point based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator. 4. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when an adaptive antenna on a first access point among the plurality of access points is configured to the selected antenna mode, a total number of client devices communicating with the first access point is less than a total number of client devices communicating with a second access point among the plurality of access points. 5. The method of claim 1 , wherein, when an adaptive antenna on a first access point among the plurality of access points is configured to the selected antenna mode, a null associated with a radiation pattern of the adaptive antenna on the first access point is directed toward one or more client devices communicating with a second access point among the plurality of access points. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication network comprises a wireless local area network. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel quality indicator comprises a signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR). 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel quality indicator comprises a received signal strength indicator (RSSI). 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the channel quality indicator comprises a modulation coding scheme. 10. A system for configuring an access point within a communication network, the system comprising: one or more processors; and One or more memory devices storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: configuring each of a plurality of access points within the communication network to communicate with each of a plurality of client devices on each of a plurality of channels, the plurality of client devices being connected to the communication network; configuring an adaptive antenna on each of the plurality of access points in each of a plurality of antenna patterns when communicating with each of the plurality of client devices while a corresponding access point of the plurality of access points is configured to communicate on each of the plurality of channels, each of the plurality of antenna patterns having a different radiation pattern; obtaining data indicative of a channel quality indicator for each of a plurality of client devices for each of the plurality of antenna modes and each of the plurality of channels; determining one of the plurality of channels as a selected channel for each of the plurality of access points based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; determining one of the plurality of antenna modes as a selected antenna mode for the adaptive antenna based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; determining one or more priority client devices among the plurality of client devices based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; configuring each of the plurality of access points to communicate with the one or more priority client devices on the selected channel; and The adaptive antenna on each of the plurality of access points is configured to operate in the selected antenna mode. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein determining one of the plurality of channels as a selected channel for each of the plurality of access points comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a first channel of the plurality of channels as a selected channel for a first access point of the plurality of access points based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; and The one or more processors determine, based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator, a second channel of the plurality of channels as a selected channel for a second access point of the plurality of access points. 12. The system of claim 10, wherein determining one of the plurality of antenna modes as the antenna mode selected for the adaptive antenna comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a first antenna mode from the plurality of antenna modes as an antenna mode selected for an adaptive antenna on a first access point based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator; and A second antenna mode from the plurality of antenna modes is determined, by the one or more processors, as the antenna mode selected for an adaptive antenna on a second access point based at least in part on the data indicative of the channel quality indicator. 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the adaptive antenna comprises a radiating element, one or more parasitic elements, and one or more active tuning components configured to control operation of the one or more parasitic elements. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more active tuning components include a switch, an adjustable capacitor, an adjustable inductor, an adjustable phase shifter, or a diode.