Wireless Range Extender

• US 20110274029A1
• Filed: 05/10/2010
• Published: 11/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2010
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Connelly, Michael, Pedaprolu, Hari Venkatram
• Application Number:
  US12/777,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20110274029A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

As described herein, Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) is used to connect a range extender to a base Wireless Access Point (WAP). The MoCA based range extender may be outside the wireless range of the base WAP. In an embodiment, the MoCA based range extender may be in a wireless dead zone of the WAP. The MoCA range extender may support at least the same wireless bands as that of the base WAP. The MoCA based range extender may be automatically discovered in the network and may receive the configuration without intervention. Firmware also may be upgraded from the service provider network through the WAP. The MoCA range extender and its clients may communicate with other devices in the local network as well as other devices in the Authorized Service Domain controlled by the service provider.

Claims

1. A method of extending a wireless network through a range extender, the method comprising:

receiving at the range extender wireless configuration information from a wireless access point through a coaxial cable;

detecting at least one wireless device to be connected to the wireless network;

transmitting network parameters to the detected at least one wireless device; and

receiving an indication that the detected at least one wireless device is connected to the wireless network.

2. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 1, further comprising automatically receiving updated configuration information from a remote location.

3. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 1, wherein the wireless configuration information includes an SSID and channel number.

4. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 1, further comprising transmitting configuration requests that include DHCP and ICMP requests.

5. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 1, wherein the transmitted network parameters include subnet mask and DNS name.

6. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 1, wherein the wireless configuration information includes at least one encryption key.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the range extender comprises a MoCA range extender.

7. A method of extending a wireless network having a wireless access point at a location having coaxial cable, the method comprising:

receiving at the range extender wireless configuration information from the wireless access point through the coaxial cable;

automatically connecting the range extender to the wireless access point via a coaxial cable network;

detecting at least one wireless device to be connected to the wireless network;

transmitting network parameters to the detected at least one wireless device; and

receiving an indication that the detected at least one wireless device is connected to the wireless network.

8. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 7, further comprising automatically receiving updated configuration information from a remote location.

9. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 7, wherein the wireless configuration information includes an SSID and channel number.

10. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 7, further comprising transmitting configuration requests that include DHCP and ICMP requests.

11. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 7, wherein the transmitted network parameters include subnet mask and DNS name.

12. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 7, wherein the wireless configuration information includes at least one encryption key.

14. A method of extending a wireless network having a wireless access point at a location having coaxial cable, the method comprising:

receiving at the range extender wireless configuration information from the wireless access point through the coaxial cable;

automatically connecting the range extender to the wireless access point via a coaxial cable network;

detecting at least one wireless device to be connected to the wireless network;

transmitting network parameters to the detected at least one wireless device;

receiving an indication that the detected at least one wireless device is connected to the wireless network; and

controlling the range extender from the wireless access point.

15. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 14, wherein the range extender and the at least one wireless device are part of an authorized service domain.

16. The method of extending the wireless network of claim 15, further comprising transmitting status of the range extender;

and

based on the transmitted status, receiving updated firmware.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the range extender comprises a MoCA range extender.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by said processor, cause the apparatus to perform;

receiving configuration information from the wireless access point through the coaxial cable;

automatically connecting to the wireless access point via a coaxial cable network;

detecting at least one wireless device to be connected to the wireless network;

transmitting network parameters to the detected at least one wireless device;

receiving an indication that the detected at least one wireless device is connected to the wireless network; and

controlling from the wireless access point.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a range extender.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the range extender comprises a MoCA range extender.