Multi-access system and method using multi-sectored antenna
First Claim
1. A method for controlling communication between an access point and a client in a wireless network, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an omnidirectional antenna that is used for wireless communications with clients disposed around the omnidirectional antenna, in a network space;
(b) providing a directable antenna that is selectively controlled to provide coverage of any of a plurality of different directional spaces, each of the directional spaces overlapping a portion of the network space;
(c) identifying a client directional space from among the plurality of different directional spaces, the client directional space facilitating a higher communication rate between the access point and the client than a basic communication rate available between the access point and the client using the omnidirectional antenna;
(d) selecting one of the omnidirectional antenna and the directable antenna for communicating with the client based on at least one of;
(i) a characteristic of a transmission communicated between the access point and client; and
(ii) a characteristic of the wireless network; and
(e) when the directable antenna is selected, selectively directing the directable antenna to the client directional space.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless access point is equipped with both an omnidirectional antenna and a directable antenna that can be selectively directed to any of a plurality of directional spaces overlapping the network space served by the omnidirectional antenna. The directable antenna is directed to an optimal directional space for a client when the access point is communicating with the client at a high data rate. The access point can intermittently exchange information with other clients using the omnidirectional antenna. The omnidirectional antenna enables broadcast signals to be transmitted to any client in the entire network space, but at a lower data rate. A preferred data rate and an optimal client directional space are re-determined periodically or as necessary based on parameters such as the data rate, signal strength, and rate of success in communicating data.
39 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for controlling communication between an access point and a client in a wireless network, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing an omnidirectional antenna that is used for wireless communications with clients disposed around the omnidirectional antenna, in a network space; (b) providing a directable antenna that is selectively controlled to provide coverage of any of a plurality of different directional spaces, each of the directional spaces overlapping a portion of the network space; (c) identifying a client directional space from among the plurality of different directional spaces, the client directional space facilitating a higher communication rate between the access point and the client than a basic communication rate available between the access point and the client using the omnidirectional antenna; (d) selecting one of the omnidirectional antenna and the directable antenna for communicating with the client based on at least one of; (i) a characteristic of a transmission communicated between the access point and client; and (ii) a characteristic of the wireless network; and (e) when the directable antenna is selected, selectively directing the directable antenna to the client directional space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for controlling communication between an access point and a client in a wireless network, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing an omnidirectional antenna that is used for wireless communications with clients disposed around the omnidirectional antenna, in a network space; (b) providing a directable antenna that is selectively controlled to provide coverage of any of a plurality of different directional spaces, each of the directional spaces overlapping a portion of the network space; (c) identifying an optimal client directional space from among the plurality of different directional spaces, the optimal directional space facilitating a highest communication rate between the access point and the client among the plurality of directional spaces; (d) identifying a preferred directional communication rate for use when the directable antenna is directed to the optimal directional client space; (e) selecting one of the omnidirectional antenna and the directable antenna for communicating with the client; and (f) when the directable antenna is selected; (i) directing the directable antenna to the optimal client directional space; and (ii) communicating with the client using the preferred directional communication rate. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A networking system for communicating with at least one client in a wireless network, comprising:
-
(a) an antenna subsystem, including; (i) an omnidirectional antenna configured to provide coverage of a network space around the omnidirectional antenna; (ii) a directable antenna that is controllable to provide coverage of any of a plurality of different directional spaces, each of the directional spaces overlapping a portion of the network space; and (iii) an antenna switch coupled to both the omnidirectional antenna and the directable antenna, the antenna switch being configured to select one of the omnidirectional antenna and the directable antenna for at least one of a downlink and an uplink communication; (d) a processor; (e) a communication interface in communication with a network, the antenna subsystem, and the processor; and (c) a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including; (i) identifying a client directional space from among the plurality of directional spaces, the client directional space facilitating a higher communication rate between the access point and the client than a basic communication rate that is available between the access point and the client using the omnidirectional antenna; (ii) selecting one of the omnidirectional antenna and the directable antenna for communicating with the client based on at least one of; (A) a characteristic of a transmission communicated between the access point and client; and (B) a characteristic of the wireless network; and (iii) when the directable antenna is selected, directing the directable antenna to the client directional space. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification