Robust topology wireless communication using broadband access points

• US 7,158,784 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2000
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Monument Bank of Intellectual Property, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Aperto Networks
• Inventors: Majidi-Ahy, Reza
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild; Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, SHEILA B
• Application Number:
  US09/540,674
• Time in Patent Office: 2,468 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426, 455/437, 455/436, 455/438, 455/439, 455/442, 455/441, 455/444, 455/525, 455/13.1, 455/500, 455/504, 455/501, 455/63, 455/61, 455/67.3, 455/278.1, 455/283, 455/296, 455/11.1, 455/426.1, 455/445, 455/560, 370/338, 370/328, 370/317, 370/216, 370/219
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/26 Cell enhancers or enhancement, e.g. for tunnels, building shadow
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

The invention provides a method and system for robust topology wireless communication using access points. A wireless communication system includes a communication cell having a base station controller and at least one set of customer premises equipment. The customer premises equipment is disposed within a sector of the cell, and communication between the base station controller and the customer premises equipment is controlled by the base station controller is so as to prevent interference between multiple sets of customer premises equipment. When customer premises equipment is subject to relatively larger amounts of multipath effect, or interference or noise, one or more access points are disposed within the sector, so as to propagate or route communication between the base station controller and one or more sets of customer premises equipment. The access points may range in complexity from simple reflectors, to repeaters, to routing devices operative within the cell.

Claims

1. A method of controlling communication between a base station controller and customer premises equipment, comprising steps of:

selecting, by said base station controller, one or more access points between said base station controller and said customer premises equipment for sending a message;

controlling, by said base station controller, physical parameters and media access control parameters for said one or more access points;

controlling, by said one or more access points, routing and switching of said message to said customer premises equipment, wherein said routing and switching by an access point includes said access point determining that said customer premises equipment is a destination for said message; and

sending said message through said one or more access points from said base station controller to said customer premises equipment.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling, by said base station controller, quality of service parameters for communication between said base station controller and said access points.

3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling, by said access points, quality of service parameters for communication between said access points and said customer premises equipment.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein said access points include one or more reflectors, each reflector reflecting an electromagnetic signal carrying said message from a first path to a second path.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein said access points include one or more repeaters.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said access points include one or more routers or switching devices.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein each of said access points includes one or more reflectors, repeaters, or routers or switching devices.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein said step of sending is at least partially wireless.

9. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling, by said base station controller or said access points, scheduling for communication between said base station controller and said access points.

10. A base station controller capable of controlling communication between a base station controller and customer premises equipment, comprising:

wireless communication equipment including at least an antenna and a transmitter and receiver; and

a processor that controls the wireless communication equipment, said processor programmed to perform instructions comprising steps of (a) selecting one or more access points between said base station controller and said customer premises equipment for sending a message, (b) controlling physical parameters and media access control parameters for said one or more access points, and (c) sending said message through said one or more access points to said customer premises equipment, wherein said one or more access points control routing and switching of said message to said customer premises equipment; and

wherein said routing and switching by an access point includes said access point determining that said customer premises equipment is a destination for said message.

11. A base station controller as in claim 10, wherein said instructions further comprise the step of controlling scheduling for communication between said base station controller and said access points.

12. A base station controller as in claim 10, wherein said instructions further comprise the step of controlling quality of service parameters for communication between said base station controller and said access points.

13. A base station controller as in claim 10, wherein said instructions permit said access points to control scheduling for communication between said access points and said customer premises equipment.

14. A base station controller as in claim 10, wherein said instructions permit said access points to control quality of service parameters for communication between said access points and said customer premises equipment.

15. A memory storing information including instructions, the instructions executable by a processor of a base station controller to control communication between a base station controller and customer premises equipment, wherein the instructions comprise steps of:

selecting one or more access points between said base station controller and said customer premises equipment for sending a message;

controlling physical parameters and media access control parameters for said one or more access points; and

sending said message through said one or more access points to said customer premises equipment;

wherein said one or more access points control routing and switching of said message to or from said customer premises equipment; and

wherein said routing and switching by an access point includes said access point determining that said customer premises equipment is a destination for said message.

16. A memory as in claim 15, wherein said instructions further comprise the step of controlling scheduling for communication between said base station controller and said access points.

17. A memory as in claim 15, wherein said instructions further comprise the step of controlling quality of service parameters for communication between said base station controller and said access points.

18. A memory as in claim 15, wherein said instructions permit said access points to control scheduling for communication between said access points and id customer premises equipment.

19. A memory as in claim 15, wherein said instructions permit said access points to control quality of service parameters for communication between said access points and said customer premises equipment.