Multiple network multiple protocol communication using a shared communication medium

• US 20060245401A1
• Filed: 06/26/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fischer, Matthew James, Trachewsky, Jason A.
• Application Number:
  US11/475,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20060245401A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/337
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/02 Hybrid access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method for coordinating multiple protocols using a shared communication medium by a plurality of networks begins by exchanging packets between a plurality of communication devices to obtain access to the shared communication medium, wherein the packets are formatted in accordance with at least one of the multiple protocols of at least one of the plurality of networks. The method continues by transmitting by at least one of the plurality of communication devices within another one of the plurality of networks via the shared communication medium.

Claims

1. A method for coordinating multiple protocols using a shared communication medium by a plurality of networks, the method comprises:

exchanging packets between a plurality of communication devices to obtain access to the shared communication medium, wherein the packets are formatted in accordance with at least one of the multiple protocols of at least one of the plurality of networks, wherein at least one of the packets reserves time on the shared communication medium for subsequent ones of the packets, and

transmitting, during the time reserved by the at least one of the packets, by at least one of the plurality of communication devices within another one of the plurality of networks via the shared communication medium using another one of the multiple protocols.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the exchanging packets comprises:

generating a second packet and second packet header from a first packet of the packets, wherein the second packet header is formatted in accordance with the at least one of the multiple protocols of at least one of the plurality of networks, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with at least one of;

a higher layer protocol, the at least one of the multiple protocols, and another one of the multiple protocols; and

wherein the first packet indicates a desire to access the shared communication medium.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the exchanging packets comprises:

receiving a third packet of the packets via a second network of the plurality of networks, wherein the third packet is in accordance with a second protocol of the multiple protocols;

generating a fourth packet from the third packet, wherein the fourth packet is formatted in accordance with a first protocol of the multiple protocols; and

transmitting the fourth packet via a first network of the plurality of networks in accordance with the first protocol.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting by at least one of the plurality of communication devices comprises:

receiving a data portion of a first packet within a first network of the plurality of networks via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from a second network of the plurality of networks, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with a first protocol of the multiple protocols;

converting the data portion of the first packet into a data portion of a second packet, wherein the second packet is formatted in accordance with a second protocol of the multiple protocols; and

transmitting the data portion of the second packet within the second network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the first network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of communication devices is affiliated with the another one of the plurality of networks by at least one of:

sending registration information to the device registered in the first network during an association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained;

receiving the registration information from the device registered in the first network during the association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained; and

receiving at least one frame including the registration information from the device registered in the first network.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprises:

interpreting a packet header of a first packet of the packets to determine a multiple network multiple protocol communication, wherein access to the shared communication medium within the another one of the plurality of networks is for a predetermined period of time.

7. A method for coordinating multiple protocols using a shared communication medium by a plurality of networks, the method comprises:

generating a second packet header indicating a desire to access the shared medium, wherein the second packet header is formatted in accordance with a second protocol of a second network of the plurality of networks;

in association with the generating the second packet header, generating a first packet header indicating a desire to access the shared communication medium, wherein the first packet header is formatted in accordance with a first protocol of a first network of the plurality of networks;

transmitting the first packet header within the first network;

transmitting the second packet header within the second network; and

obtaining access to the shared communication medium in the first and second networks.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprises:

receiving a data portion of a first packet within the first network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the second network, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with the first protocol;

converting the data portion of the first packet into a data portion of a second packet, wherein the second packet is formatted in accordance with the second protocol; and

transmitting the data portion of the second packet within the second network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the first network.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprises:

receiving a data portion of a second packet within the second network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the first network, wherein the second packet is formatted in accordance with the second protocol;

converting the data portion of the second packet into a data portion of a first packet, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with the first protocol; and

transmitting the data portion of the first packet within the first network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the second network.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprises:

registering with the second network; and

establishing a relationship with a device registered in the first network.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the establishing the relationship comprises at least one of:

sending registration information to the device registered in the first network during an association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained;

receiving the registration information from the device registered in the first network during the association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained; and

receiving at least one frame including the registration information from the device registered in the first network.

12. A communication device comprises:

transceiving module operably coupled to convert outbound signals into transmit signals and to convert receive signals into inbound signals in accordance with at least one of a first protocol and a second protocol, wherein the transmit signals and the receive signals are conveyed via a shared communication medium;

processing module; and

memory operably coupled to store operational instructions that cause the processing module to;

exchange packets with at least one other communication device to obtain access to the shared communication medium, wherein the packets are formatted in accordance with at least one of the multiple protocols of at least one of the plurality of networks, and

transmit within another one of the plurality of networks via the shared communication medium.

13. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the exchanging packets comprises:

generating a second packet and second packet header from a first packet of the packets, wherein the second packet header is formatted in accordance with the at least one of the multiple protocols of at least one of the plurality of networks, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with at least one of;

a higher layer protocol, the at least one of the multiple protocols, and another one of the multiple protocols; and

wherein the first packet indicates a desire to access the shared communication medium.

14. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the exchanging packets comprises:

receiving a third packet of the packets via a second network of the plurality of networks, wherein the third packet is in accordance with a second protocol of the multiple protocols;

generating a fourth packet from the third packet, wherein the fourth packet is formatted in accordance with a first protocol of the multiple protocols; and

transmitting the fourth packet via a first network of the plurality of networks in accordance with the first protocol.

15. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the transmitting by at least one of the plurality of communication devices comprises:

receiving a data portion of a first packet within a first network of the plurality of networks via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from a second network of the plurality of networks, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with a first protocol of the multiple protocols;

converting the data portion of the first packet into a data portion of a second packet, wherein the second packet is formatted in accordance with a second protocol of the multiple protocols; and

transmitting the data portion of the second packet within the second network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the first network.

16. The communication device of claim 12 is affiliated with the another one of the plurality of networks by at least one of:

sending registration information to the device registered in the first network during an association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained;

receiving the registration information from the device registered in the first network during the association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained; and

receiving at least one frame including the registration information from the device registered in the first network.

17. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the processing module further functions to:

interpret a packet header of a first packet of the packets to determine a multiple network multiple protocol communication, wherein access to the shared communication medium within the another one of the plurality of networks is for a predetermined period of time.

18. A communication device comprises:

transceiving module operably coupled to convert outbound signals into transmit signals and to convert receive signals into inbound signals in accordance with at least one of a first protocol and a second protocol, wherein the transmit signals and the receive signals are conveyed via a shared communication medium;

processing module; and

memory operably coupled to store operational instructions that cause the processing module to;

generate a second packet header indicating a desire to access the shared medium, wherein the second packet header is formatted in accordance with a second protocol of a second network of the plurality of networks;

in association with the generating the second packet header, generate a first packet header indicating a desire to access the shared communication medium, wherein the first packet header is formatted in accordance with a first protocol of a first network of the plurality of networks;

provide the first packet header to the transceiving module for transmission within the first network;

provide the second packet header to the transceiving module for transmission within the second network; and

obtaining access to the shared communication medium in the first and second networks.

19. The communication device of claim 18, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

receive a data portion of a first packet, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with the first protocol and wherein a receive signal containing the data portion of the first packet was received by the transceiving module via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the second network;

convert the data portion of the first packet into a data portion of a second packet, wherein the second packet is formatted in accordance with the second protocol; and

provide the data portion of the second packet to the transceiving module for transmission within the second network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the first network.

20. The communication device of claim 18, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

receive a data portion of a second packet, wherein the second packet is formatted in accordance with the second protocol and wherein a receive signal containing the data portion of the second packet was received by the transceiving module via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the first network;

convert the data portion of the second packet into a data portion of a first packet, wherein the first packet is formatted in accordance with the first protocol; and

provide the data portion of the first packet to the transceiving module for transmission within the first network via the shared communication medium with negligible interference from the second network.

21. The communication device of claim 18, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to:

register with the second network; and

establish a relationship with a device registered in the first network.

22. The communication device of claim 21, wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to establish the relationship by at least one of:

sending registration information to the device registered in the first network during an association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained;

receiving the registration information from the device registered in the first network during the association or authentication process such that, through the device registered in the first network, registration with the first network is obtained; and

receiving at least one frame including the registration information from the device registered in the first network.