Wireless mesh network

• US 20020181427A1
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SkyPilot Networks Incorporated (Trilliant Networks Incorporated)
• Inventors: Franceschini, Michael R., Olsen, William G., Sparr, Robert H., Bradley, Kirk Alton, Rich, Mark J., Merenda, Joseph T., Hammel, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,249,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/06 based on characteristics of available antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/20 based on geographic position or location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/20 between access points

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a wireless mesh network and network node are described. More particularly, a network having network node neighborhoods is described. A node comprises a multi-sectored antenna and a transceiver controller. Nodes are configured for installation without antenna pointing and without pre-coordination with the network. Software architecture for the node is also described.

Claims

1. A network comprising:

network nodes, the network nodes arranged in network neighborhoods, the network nodes in the network neighborhoods configured for over-the-air communication with one another, and

neighborhood access points configured for over-the-air communication with the network nodes.

2. The network of claim 1 further comprising network access concentrators in communication with the neighborhood access points, the neighborhood access points coupled to a backhaul.

3. The network of claim 2 wherein the network access concentrators are configured for communication with a point-of-presence.

4. The network of claim 3 wherein at least one of the network nodes is used to form a mesh using direct communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

5. The network of claim 1 wherein the network nodes are configured to operate in the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure band.

6. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured for at least one of point-to-point communication, point-to-multipoint communication and broadcast communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

7. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for point-to-multipoint communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

8. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for broadcast communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

9. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for point-to-point communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

10. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the the neighborhood access points is configured for multicast communication to at least two of the network nodes.

11. The network of claim 1 wherein the network nodes are configured with global positioning systems for synchronization.

13. The network of claim 12 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured for at least one of point-to-point communication, point-to-multipoint communication and broadcast communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

14. The network of claim 12 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for point-to-multipoint communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

15. The network of claim 12 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for broadcast communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

16. The network of claim 12 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for point-to-point communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

18. The network of claim 17 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate only by point-to-point communication.

19. The network of claim 17 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate only by point-to-multipoint communication.

20. The network of claim 17 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate only by broadcast communication.

21. The network of claim 17 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate with one another by at least one of point-to-point communication, point-to-multipoint communication and broadcast communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

12. A network, comprising:

network nodes, the network nodes arranged in network neighborhoods, the network nodes in the network neighborhoods configured for over-the-air communication with one another, and;

neighborhood access points configured for over-the-air communication with the network nodes in the network neighborhoods, the neighborhood access points coupled to a backhaul, a subset of the network nodes configured to not be in communication with the neighborhood access points to provide a private network.

17. A network, comprising:

network nodes, the network nodes arranged in network neighborhoods, the network nodes in the network neighborhoods configured for over-the-air communication with one another;

neighborhood access points configured for over-the-air communication with the network nodes in the network neighborhoods; and

the network nodes configured to directly communicate with at least one other of the network nodes using at least one of the neighborhood access points within a radio range for relaying network traffic.

22. A network, comprising:

network nodes, the network nodes arranged in network neighborhoods, the network nodes in the network neighborhoods configured for over-the-air communication with one another, one of the network nodes having an antenna, wherein the antenna does not have to be in communication with a base station for communication with at least one other of the network nodes; and

neighborhood access points configured for over-the-air communication with the network nodes in the network neighborhoods;

the network nodes configured to directly communicate with at least one of the network nodes and the neighborhood access points within a radio range.

23. The network of claim 22 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate by at least one of point-to-point communication, point-to-multipoint communication and broadcast communication.

24. The network of claim 22 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate only by point-to-point communication.

25. The network of claim 22 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate only by point-to-multipoint communication.

26. The network of claim 22 wherein the network nodes are configured to communicate only by broadcast communication.

27. A network, comprising:

a router;

a point-of-presence (PoP) comprising a first segment switch, a first programmed computer configured as a first server and a first fiber interface, the PoP coupled to the router via the segment switch;

a metropolitan access point (MAP) comprising a second point-to-point radio, a second segment switch, a second programmed computer configured as a second server, a first network node, and a second fiber interface, the MAP coupled to the PoP via the first fiber interface and the second fiber interface;

a neighborhood access point (NAP) comprising a second point-to-point radio, a third segment switch, a third programmed computer configured as a third server and a second network node, the NAP in communication with the MAP via the first point-to-point radio and the second point-to-point radio.

28. A communications architecture, comprising:

a computer configured with,

a transport protocol;

a network protocol;

a media access control protocol;

a first physical link layer;

a network node configured with the network protocol, the media access control protocol and the first physical link layer, and configured with,

a channel access control protocol;

a second physical link layer, the network node and the computer in communication through the first physical link layer; and

at least one other network node configured with the network protocol, the channel access control protocol and the first physical link layer, the network node and the at least one other network node in communication through the second physical link layer.