Local area network having multiple channel wireless access
DCFirst Claim
1. A communication module for establishing communications with a wired link, the communication module comprising:
- processing circuitry operating to send and receive data according to a first protocol; and
interface circuitry operable to;
receive data from the processing circuitry according to the first protocol;
send data to a plurality of wireless transceivers operating on independent wireless communication channels, according to at least a second protocol independent of the first protocol;
send data to a wired transceiver operating on the wired link,according to a third protocol independent of the first and second protocols;
receive data from the plurality of wireless transceivers according to at least the second protocol independent of the first protocol;
receive data from the wired transceiver according to the third protocol independent of the first and second protocols; and
send data to the processing circuitry according to the first protocol.
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Abstract
A communication network having at least one access point supports wireless communication among a plurality of wireless roaming devices via a first and a second wireless channel. The access point comprises a first and a second transceiver. The first and second transceivers operate on the first and second wireless channels, respectively. Each of the plurality of wireless roaming devices are capable of communicating on the first and second wireless channel. In one embodiment, the first wireless channel is used to exchange data, while the second channel is used to manage such exchanges as well as access to the first channel. In an alternate embodiment, both channels are used to support communication flow, however the first channel supports a protocol that is more deterministic than that of the second channel. Allocation of ones of the plurality of wireless roaming devices from one channel to the next may occur per direction from the access point. It may also result from decisions made by each of the wireless roaming devices made independent of the access point. For example, a decision may be made based on the data type being transferred or based on the current channel load. Such factors may also be used by the access point for allocation determinations. In addition, allocation may be based on the type of roaming device involved, such as allocating peripherals to a slower channel.
18 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A communication module for establishing communications with a wired link, the communication module comprising:
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processing circuitry operating to send and receive data according to a first protocol; and interface circuitry operable to; receive data from the processing circuitry according to the first protocol; send data to a plurality of wireless transceivers operating on independent wireless communication channels, according to at least a second protocol independent of the first protocol; send data to a wired transceiver operating on the wired link, according to a third protocol independent of the first and second protocols; receive data from the plurality of wireless transceivers according to at least the second protocol independent of the first protocol; receive data from the wired transceiver according to the third protocol independent of the first and second protocols; and send data to the processing circuitry according to the first protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A communication module for establishing communications with a wired link, the communication module comprising:
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an interface system for modularly receiving a plurality of wireless transceivers for operating on independent wireless communication channels; interface circuitry operable to communicate with wireless transceivers modularly received via the interface system; and processing circuitry coupled to the interface circuitry to control communications effected by wireless transceivers modularly received via the interface system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification