Network access points using multiple devices
First Claim
1. A system providing access points to a communication network, the system comprising:
- a first radio node for providing a device with access to the communication network, wherein the radio node has a first set of access point components;
a second radio node for providing a device with access to the communication network, wherein the second radio node has a second set of access point components; and
wherein the second set of access point components are different from the first set of access point components;
a controller node coupled to the first radio node and the second radio node via a communication link, wherein the controller node has a third set of access point components complementary to the first and second set of access point components; and
a system controller for controlling the first and second radio nodes, wherein the system controller is configured using a physically distributed hosting function incorporated into at least one of the first radio node, the second radio node, and the controller node, and wherein the system controller is logically centralized.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing access to a communication network includes providing a radio node comprising a first set of access point components including a radio component, and providing a physically separated controller node in communication with the radio node. The access point controller comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, creating a distributed access point. A system controller may also be used to control at least one of the radio node and the controller node. The radio node, the controller node, and the system controller communicate over a communication link, such as a wireless or wired link.
51 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system providing access points to a communication network, the system comprising:
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a first radio node for providing a device with access to the communication network, wherein the radio node has a first set of access point components;
a second radio node for providing a device with access to the communication network, wherein the second radio node has a second set of access point components; and
wherein the second set of access point components are different from the first set of access point components;
a controller node coupled to the first radio node and the second radio node via a communication link, wherein the controller node has a third set of access point components complementary to the first and second set of access point components; and
a system controller for controlling the first and second radio nodes, wherein the system controller is configured using a physically distributed hosting function incorporated into at least one of the first radio node, the second radio node, and the controller node, and wherein the system controller is logically centralized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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5. (canceled)
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10. A method for distributing access point components in a data communication network, the method comprising:
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grouping a first set of access point components in each of multiple radio node components;
grouping a second set of access point components in at least one controller node component; and
connecting the radio node components and the at least one controller node component via a communication link;
wherein the data communication network is under one of the IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, or IEEE 802.16 network standards. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A system providing access to a communication network, the system comprising:
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an access point radio node comprising a first set of access point components;
an access point controller node in communication with the access point radio node, wherein the access point controller node comprises a second set of access point components distinct from the first set of access point components, wherein the access point controller node is physically separated from the access point radio node;
a system controller for controlling at least one of the access point radio node and the access point controller node; and
a wireless communication link for connecting the access point radio node, the access point controller node, and the system controller. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-readable medium whose contents control providing access to a communication network via an access point system comprising:
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multiple radio nodes each comprising a first set of access point layers;
an access point controller in communication with the multiple radio nodes, wherein the access point controller comprises a second set of access point layers distinct from the first set of access point layers, wherein the access point controller is physically separated from at least some of the multiple radio nodes; and
a communication link for connecting the each of the radio nodes to the access point controller;
wherein the communication network is under one of the IEEE 802 family of network standards. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification