Multiple wireless local area networks occupying overlapping physical spaces
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1. A method for operating multiple overlapping wireless local area subnetworks, the method comprising:
- providing a common cell controller coupled to a plurality of RE ports, wherein the common cell controller in conjunction with each RF port provides wireless medium access to all of the wireless local area subnetworks for mobile units in a designated area associated with the RF port, wherein each RF port is configured to perform low level medium access control (MAC) functions and the cell controller is configured to perform high level MAC functions for the coupled plurality of RF ports;
using the cell controller to provide multiple service set identifications through each RF port, wherein each service set identification is associated with a corresponding wireless subnetwork, wherein said RF ports are operated to perform low level MAC functions and to relay signals received from mobile units to said cell controller and to relay signals received from said cell controller to said mobile units, and wherein said cell controller is operated to control association of said mobile units with said RF port, including sending and receiving association signals between said RF port and said cell controller, said association of said mobile units utilizing at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space.
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Abstract
A wireless local area network is provided with simplified RF ports which are configured to provide lower level media access control functions. Higher level media access control functions are provided in a cell controller, which may service one or more RF ports that are capable operating with at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space. Mobile units can also be configured with the higher level media access control functions being performed in a host processor.
180 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method for operating multiple overlapping wireless local area subnetworks, the method comprising:
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providing a common cell controller coupled to a plurality of RE ports, wherein the common cell controller in conjunction with each RF port provides wireless medium access to all of the wireless local area subnetworks for mobile units in a designated area associated with the RF port, wherein each RF port is configured to perform low level medium access control (MAC) functions and the cell controller is configured to perform high level MAC functions for the coupled plurality of RF ports;
using the cell controller to provide multiple service set identifications through each RF port, wherein each service set identification is associated with a corresponding wireless subnetwork, wherein said RF ports are operated to perform low level MAC functions and to relay signals received from mobile units to said cell controller and to relay signals received from said cell controller to said mobile units, and wherein said cell controller is operated to control association of said mobile units with said RF port, including sending and receiving association signals between said RF port and said cell controller, said association of said mobile units utilizing at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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15. A method for transmitting signals having a wireless signal format using an RF port, the RF port having an Ethernet interface whereby the RF port is coupled to a wired network, and having a data processor and an RF module, wherein the RF port is configured to perform low level MAC functions, and wherein the wired network comprises at least one of a physical entity and a logical entity to perform high level MAC functions, the method comprising:
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providing an Ethernet data packet formatted according to high level MAC functions over the wired network to said Ethernet interface, said Ethernet data packet encapsulating as data a data message having said wireless signal format according to high level MAC functions on said wired network;
operating said data processor to provide said data message to said RF module;
operating said RF module to transmit said data message as an RF signal to a mobile unit; and
operating said RF module to transmit said data message as an RF signal over at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for receiving signals having a wireless signal format including wireless address data and message data at an RF port, the RF port having a wired network interface whereby the RF port is coupled to a wired network, and having a data processor and an RF module, wherein the RF port is configured to perform low level MAC functions and the wired network is configured to perform high level MAC functions, the method comprising:
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operating said RF module to receive RF signals from at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space having said wireless signal format;
operating said data processor to receive wireless data signals from said RF module and provide data signals to said wired network interface comprising a data packet having a source address corresponding to said RF port formatted according to high level MAC functions on said wired network, said data packet including said wireless address data and said message data.
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19. A method for receiving RF message signals having a wireless signal format including an address data format and message data using an RF port, the RF port having an Ethernet interface whereby the RF port is coupled to a wired network, and having a data processor and an RF module, wherein the RF port is configured to perform low level MAC functions and the wired network is configured to perform high level MAC functions, the method comprising:
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receiving said RF message signals in said RF module from at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space;
providing said signals as data signals to said data processor;
operating said data processor to interpret address data in said data signals; and
,in dependence on said address data, encapsulating said message data and address data in an Ethernet packet and providing said Ethernet packet to said Ethernet interface for transmission on said wired network according to high level MAC functions. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. A simplified wireless local area network system comprising:
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a computer having a data processor and a memory;
a plurality of RF ports, each RF port having an RF port data processor, an RF module and a data communications interface coupled to said computer, a first program in said memory of said computer for operating said computer data processor to perform high level MAC functions for said plurality of RF parts, said functions including association with mobile units via at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space; and
a second program for operating said RF port data processor to perform low level MAC functions. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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- 27. A wireless access device for providing wireless access to a communication system, comprising a modem for sending and receiving data messages between said communications system and an RF port, the RF port comprising a data interface coupled to said modem, a data processor and an RF module, said data processor being programmed to receive data messages from said modem, to format said messages for wireless data communications and to provide said formatted messages to said RF module for transmission by RF data signals to at least one mobile unit via at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space, and to receive RF data signals from said at least one mobile unit via at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space, and to provide data messages to said modem to be sent on said communications system, wherein said RF port performs low level MAC functions and said communication system performs high level MAC functions.
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31. A method for providing wireless access to the Internet, comprising:
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providing a modem coupled to the Internet and having a data communications interface connected to an RF port, configuring said RF port for wireless data communication to a mobile unit having a predetermined wireless communications address, and providing at least one mobile unit configured with said predetermined wireless communications address for conducting RF data communications with said RF port via at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space, said RF port being arranged to relay communications between said mobile unit and said modem, wherein said RF port performs low level MAC functions and said Internet performs high level MAC functions. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A system for providing wireless data communications between mobile units and a wired network operating according to a wireless data communications protocol having high level MAC functions including association and roaming functions, comprising:
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at least one RF port performing lower level MAC functions, said at least one RF port having an RF module for sending and receiving data messages to said at least one mobile unit using capable of operating via at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space, having a wired interface for sending and receiving data messages to and from said wired network using a wired communications protocol, and a programmed processor for relaying data messages received on said wired interface using said RF communications protocol and for relaying data messages received by said RF module using said wired communications protocol; and
at least one cell controller for sending data messages to said wired interface of said RF port and for receiving data messages from said RF port wherein said cell controller performs said high level MAC functions. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification