AirMatch

AirMatch is an inbuilt radio resource management service that helps access points (APs) optimize their performance for WLAN deployments. AirMatch continuously monitors the Radio Frequency (RF) data for wireless networks and dynamically adjusts key parameters such as channel selection, channel bandwidth, and Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) optimization. This allows networks to quickly adapt to changing RF conditions and helps maintain better coverage, performance, and stability. Examples of changing RF conditions include high client density, interference from nearby APs (Co-channel Interference), coverage gaps, and frequent roaming between APs.

AirMatch periodically analyzes RF data across the entire network to derive configuration changes for all deployed APs. The APs receive regular updates based on changing environmental conditions, and AirMatch recalculates and optimizes the channel allocation accordingly. For instance, when a local RF event such as Radar detection or increased noise is observed, the APs automatically change channels to maintain optimal operation.

Key Functions of AirMatch

AirMatch performs the following functions:

• Manage radio resources—Continuously monitors RF environment and collects telemetry data from APs across the network to make informed decisions.

• Allocate channels—Automatically assigns optimal channels to APs to minimize interference and improve overall network throughput and stability. In dense deployments or when the RF profile has limited available channels, AirMatch may assign the same channel to nearby APs.

• Compute channel bandwidth—Automatically adjusts channel bandwidth (20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz) based RF conditions.

  Note:

  Client density is not currently used as a factor in computing bandwidth.

• Optimize EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated Power)—Fine-tunes the EIRP levels to avoid wide power fluctuations between neighboring APs, ensuring consistent coverage and minimizing interference.

• Support for automatic opmode—In high-density deployments, AirMatch can optimize band assignments for APs with flex-band capability by allocating more radios to operate on 5 GHz or 6 GHz bands.

• Wi-Fi 6E support and 6 GHz optimization—

  • Supports the 6 GHz radio band on Wi-Fi 6E APs, along with the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radio bands.

  • Calculates channel and EIRP values specifically for 6 GHz radios.

  • Uses PSC (Preferred Scanning Channels) for optimization, but can assign non-PSC channels if enabled in the configuration.

  • Supports 160 MHz and 320 MHz bandwidths on 5 GHz and 6 GHz radios, selecting the highest optimal bandwidth based on RF conditions.