Access point incorporating a function of monitoring illegal wireless communications

• US 20040235453A1
• Filed: 05/23/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chia-Hung Chen, Wheng Wang
• Original Assignee: Chia-Hung Chen, Wheng Wang
• Inventors: Chen, Chia-Hung, Wang, Wheng
• Application Number:
  US10/443,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20040235453A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1416 Event detection, e.g. attack signature detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/121 Wireless intrusion detection systems [WIDS]; Wireless intrusion prevention systems [WIPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/122 Counter-measures against attacks; Protection against rogue devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

An access point comprises a transceiver unit for normal access point function and a receiver unit to scan all channels for monitoring illegal wireless communications such as intruder and abnormal traffic. A buffer is provided in the access point to store the scanned packets from the monitoring receiver unit for an algorithm to screen the scanned packets under a user-defined configuration. The access point will automatically notify the user of the detected illegal wireless communications by blinking LED, buzzer, email alert or phone alert. The configuration includes identification of specific wireless devices and traffic or communication conditions and is updated to optimize the performance of the access point.

Claims

1. An access point incorporating a function of monitoring illegal wireless communications, comprising:

a transceiver unit for performing a function of a normal access point;

a receiver unit for scanning a plurality of channels;

a buffer for storing a plurality of scanned packets from said receiver unit to be screened by an algorithm to detect an illegal device or traffic; and

a warning apparatus for representing a detected illegal device or traffic.

2. An access point according to claim 1, wherein said receiver unit comprises:

an RF receiver for transforming an RF signal from said plurality of channels to a baseband signal;

a baseband process receiver for transforming said baseband signal to a decoded signal; and

a MAC receiver for extracting one or more packets from said decoded signal.

3. An access point according to claim 1, wherein said warning apparatus comprises an LED lamp.

4. An access point according to claim 1, wherein said warning apparatus comprises a buzzer.

5. An access point according to claim 1, further comprising means for automatically sending an email alert.

6. An access point according to claim 1 further comprising means for automatically sending a phone alert.

7. An access point according to claim 1, wherein said algorithm compares said plurality of scanned packets with a configuration defining said illegal device or traffic to be alerted by said warning apparatus.

8. A method for monitoring illegal wireless communications for an access point, comprising the steps of:

incorporating a receiver unit in said access point;

scanning a plurality of channels by said receiver unit;

storing a plurality of scanned packets from said receiver unit;

screening said plurality of scanned packets for detecting an illegal device or traffic; and

alerting a detected illegal device or traffic.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said scanning a plurality of channels comprises the steps of:

receiving an RF signal;

transforming said RF signal to a baseband signal;

transforming said baseband signal to a decoded signal; and

extracting one or more packets from said decoded signal.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein said alerting a detected illegal device or traffic comprises blinking an LED lamp.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein said alerting a detected illegal device or traffic comprises buzzing a buzzer.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein said alerting a detected illegal device or traffic comprises sending an email alert.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein said alerting a detected illegal device or traffic comprises sending a phone alert.

14. A method according to claim 8, wherein said screening said plurality of scanned packets comprises comparing said plurality of scanned packets with a configuration defining said illegal device or traffic to be alerted.

15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising updating said configuration.

16. A method according to claim 8, further comprising registering a nearby wireless device to be ignored in said screening said plurality of scanned packets.

17. A method according to claim 8, further comprising determining a frequency that an illegal device is detected for said alerting.