Collaboration between wireless LAN access points using wired LAN infrastructure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for mobile communication, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station;
linking the access points together by cables in a wired local area network (LAN) so as to convey data to and from the mobile station via the LAN in accordance with a first media access control (MAC) protocol characterized by a first latency;
receiving at one or more of the access points an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel;
sending one or more messages over the LAN among the access points, responsive to receiving the uplink signal, using a second MAC protocol, having a second latency lower than the first latency;
arbitrating among the access points based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal; and
transmitting a response from the selected one of the access points to the mobile station.
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Abstract
A method for mobile communication includes arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station, and linking the access points together by cables in a wired local area network (LAN). When one or more of the access points receive an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel, the access points send messages over the LAN and arbitrate among themselves based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal.
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Citations
55 Claims
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1. A method for mobile communication, comprising:
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arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station;
linking the access points together by cables in a wired local area network (LAN) so as to convey data to and from the mobile station via the LAN in accordance with a first media access control (MAC) protocol characterized by a first latency;
receiving at one or more of the access points an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel;
sending one or more messages over the LAN among the access points, responsive to receiving the uplink signal, using a second MAC protocol, having a second latency lower than the first latency;
arbitrating among the access points based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal; and
transmitting a response from the selected one of the access points to the mobile station. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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2-3. -3. (Canceled)
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14. A method for network communication, comprising:
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linking a plurality of nodes together in a local area network (LAN);
conveying data over the LAN among the nodes in accordance with a first media access control (MAC) protocol characterized by a first latency; and
preempting conveying the data in accordance with the first MAC protocol in order to pass a message over the LAN among the nodes using a second MAC protocol, having a second latency lower than the first latency. - View Dependent Claims (15, 17, 18)
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16. (Canceled)
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19-20. -20. (Canceled)
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21. A system for mobile communication, comprising:
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cables arranged to form a wired local area network (LAN); and
a plurality of access points interconnected by the LAN and arranged in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station and to convey data to and from the mobile station via the LAN in accordance with a first media access control (MAC) protocol characterized by a first latency, the access points being adapted, upon receiving at one or more of the access points an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel, to send one or more messages over the LAN among the access points, responsive to receiving the uplink signal, using a second MAC protocol, having a second latency lower than the first latency, and to arbitrate among the access points based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal, and to transmit a response from the selected one of the access points to the mobile station. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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22-23. -23. (Canceled)
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34. A system for network communication, comprising:
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cables arranged to form a wired local area network (LAN); and
a plurality of nodes, which are linked together by the LAN and are adapted to convey data over the LAN among the nodes in accordance with a first media access control (MAC) protocol characterized by a first latency, and which are further adapted to preempt conveying the data in accordance with the first MAC protocol in order to pass a message over the LAN among the nodes using a second MAC protocol, having a second latency lower than the first latency. - View Dependent Claims (35, 37, 38)
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36. (Canceled)
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39-40. -40. (Canceled)
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41. Access point apparatus for deployment in a wireless local area network (WLAN) as one of a plurality of access points for mobile communication, the apparatus comprising:
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a radio transceiver, which is configured to communicate on a predetermined frequency channel with a mobile station;
a physical layer interface, for connecting the access point to a wired local area network (LAN) interconnecting the access points; and
processing circuitry, which is adapted to convey data to and from the mobile station over the LAN via the physical layer interface in accordance with a first media access control (MAC) protocol characterized by a first latency, and which is further adapted, when the transceiver receives an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the predetermined frequency channel, to send and receive messages via the physical layer interface over the LAN to and from the plurality of access points using a second MAC protocol, having a second latency lower than the first latency, and to arbitrate among the access points based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal, and to control the transceiver so that the transceiver returns a response to the mobile station subject to the arbitration protocol. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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42-43. -43. (Canceled)
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46-47. -47. (Canceled)
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53. Node apparatus for deployment as one of a plurality of nodes in a local area network (LAN), the apparatus comprising:
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a physical layer interface, for connecting the node to the LAN; and
processing circuitry, which is adapted to convey data via the physical layer interface over the LAN in accordance with a first media access control (MAC) protocol characterized by a first latency, and which is further adapted to preempt conveying the data in accordance with the first MAC protocol in order to pass a message over the LAN using a second MAC protocol, having a second latency lower than the first latency. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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55-60. -60. (Canceled)
Specification