System and method for linking wireless local area networks

• US 5,410,738 A
• Filed: 09/03/1991
• Issued: 04/25/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Mud, Rienk, Diepstraten, Wilhemus J. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US07/753,778
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 455/66, 455/78, 455/79, 455/50.1, 455/51.1, 455/58.2, 370/85.13
• US Class Current: 455/528
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A wireless local area network (LAN) station and method for operating the same. The station has a number of antennas for communicating with a similar number of LANs, respectively. Transmissions from one antenna are blocked when the other antenna is receiving RF signals.

Claims

1. A method of linking two wireless local area networks (LANs) comprising:

providing a processing station having at least two antennas, each antenna transmitting and receiving information in a respective LAN;

receiving RF signal data on a first of said antennas;

generating an electrical signal in response to said RF signal; and

using said electrical signal to prevent the other antennas from transmitting as long as the first antenna is receiving RF signal data.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

deactivating said electrical signal when reception of RF signal data terminates.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

storing signal data received by said first antenna in said processing station and transmitting it from another antenna after said electrical signal is deactivated.

4. A method for operating a wireless local area network (LAN) station which has first and second antennas for communicating with first and second LANs, respectively, comprising:

blocking transmissions from one antenna when the other antenna is receiving RF signals;

wherein each antenna monitors the airwaves for RF signals when neither is transmitting;

generating an electrical signal from an antenna when it receives RF signals; and

using the electrical signal to control transmission from the other antenna.

5. A local area network (LAN) station comprising:

first and second transceiver and antenna assemblies for communicating with first and second LANs, respectively; and

means for blocking transmissions from said first transceiver and antenna assembly when said second transceiver and antenna assembly is receiving RF signals;

a processor;

first and second network interface cards connecting respective first and second transceiver and antenna assemblies to said processor;

said blocking means including a signal line interconnecting said transceiver and antenna assemblies and interface cards;

wherein each of said transceiver and antenna assemblies is connected to said signal line by an open collector transistor.