Wireless network having real-time channel allocation

• US 7,787,416 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanjay M. Gidwani
• Original Assignee: Sanjay M. Gidwani
• Inventors: Gidwani, Sanjay M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper; Vincent P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sabouri; Mazda
• Application Number:
  US10/994,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20060104232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/331, 455/436
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/29 between an access point and the access point controlling device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices

Abstract

A wireless network having a real-time channel allocation is described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary network architecture includes, but is not limited to, multiple access points coupled to a wired network, where each of the access points is capable of communicating with one or more mobile nodes over a wireless network. The exemplary network architecture further includes a controller coupled to the access points over the wired network. The controller maintains one or more parameters that control one or more characteristics of each access points. The controller adjusts and communicates the one or more parameters to each of the access points in response to a detection of real-time conditions changed. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Claims

1. A network architecture, comprising:

a plurality of access points coupled to a wired network, each of the access points being capable of communicating, over a wireless network, with one or more mobile nodes to receive a state of queues of packets that have not been received by the access point, and to utilize the state of queues as anticipated demands to determine whether required performance of the wireless network can be met; and

a controller coupled to the access points over the wired network, the controller maintaining one or more parameters that control one or more characteristics of each of the access points, and the controller adjusting and communicating the one or more parameters to each of the access points in response to a detection of real-time conditions changed based on a respective packet type to be forwarded by each of the access points,

wherein the controller periodically queries each of the access points regarding a status of a respective access point,

the one or more parameters are adjusted based on the status collected from each of the access points,

the respective packet type is determined based on a network wide identification that identifies a type of content within a respective packet, and

the controller changes a class of service of a given subscriber in real-time based on the detection of real-time conditions changed,

the controller allocates the channels to a plurality of mobile nodes that are capable of communicating with each other directly without passing through any of the access points, the controller allocates a first channel and a second channel to a first mobile node to allow the first mobile node to simultaneously communicate with a second mobile node via the first channel and forward data received via the second channel from a third mobile node to a fourth mobile node.

2. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the controller is separated from the access points and is to centrally maintain and manage the one or more parameters on behalf of the access points.

3. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein each of the access points and the controller includes a storage element to store the one or more parameters.

4. The network architecture of claim 3, wherein the storage element is one of a semiconductor memory and a hard drive.

5. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein each of the access points and the controller includes a communication element to provide a communication link between one or more of the access points and the controller.

6. The network architecture of claim 5, wherein the communication element provides multiple communication links between each of the access points and the controller substantially concurrently.

7. The network architecture of claim 6, wherein the multiple communication links are used interchangeably dependent upon real-time network conditions detected by the controller.

8. The network architecture of claim 6, wherein the multiple communication links include at least one control and command channel and at least one data channel, wherein the at least one control and command channel is used to exchange control and command information, and wherein the at least one data channel is used to exchanged data separated from the at least one control and command channel.

9. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein each of the access points and controller includes a queuing element to store a list of pending data requests.

10. The network architecture of claim 7, wherein a behavior and priorities of the multiple communication links are changed dependent upon the real-time network conditions.

11. The network architecture of claim 10, wherein upon changing behavior and priority of a given communication links, transactions pending for the given communications link are reevaluated for queuing.

12. The network architecture of claim 7, wherein one of the communication links used for a given communication channel is changed dependent upon real-time network conditions detected by the controller.

13. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein a classification of subscribers, applications, and traffic is made in a group of elected class of service, and wherein subscribers, applications and traffic are aggregated in a group with similar requirements.

14. The network architecture of claim 13, wherein a given subscriber is a member of a plurality of elected classes of service based on applications and traffic types.

15. The network architecture of claim 13, wherein the controller utilizes the elected class of service to determine a behavior and priority of given traffic.

16. The network architecture of claim 13, wherein a membership of the elected class of service is changed dependent upon real-time network conditions detected by the controller.

17. The network architecture of claim 13, wherein a membership of the elected class of service determined based upon an identity of a subscriber.

18. The network architecture of claim 13, wherein a membership of the elected class of service is determined based upon a classification of packets in an application group based on packet types.

19. The network architecture of claim 13, wherein the controller utilizes the elected class of service to determine routing of a given packet.

20. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the access points communicate with the mobile nodes over a communications channel in a secure and encrypted manner dependent on a class of service.

21. The network of claim 20, wherein a security mechanism used for a given channel changes from time to time.

22. The network architecture of claim 20, wherein a given communications channel is established using a plurality of security mechanisms.

23. A method, comprising:

maintaining within a controller one or more parameters that control one or more characteristics of a plurality of access points over a wired network, each of the plurality of access points being capable of communicating over a wireless network, with one or more mobile nodes to receive a state of queues of packets that have not been received by the access point, and to utilize the state of queues as anticipated demands to determine whether required performance of the wireless network can be met; and

adjusting and communicating by the controller the one or more parameters to each of the plurality of access points in response to a detection of real-time conditions changed based on a respective packet type to be forwarded by each of the plurality of access points,

wherein the controller periodically queries each of the plurality of access points regarding status of a respective access point,

the one or more parameters are adjusted based on the status collected from each of the plurality of access points,

the respective packet type is based on a network wide identification that identifies a type of content within a respective packet, and

the controller changes a class of service of a given subscriber in real-time based on the detection of real-time conditions changed,

the controller allocates the channels to a plurality of mobile nodes that are capable of communicating with each other directly without passing through any of the access points, the controller allocates a first channel and a second channel to a first mobile node to allow the first mobile node to simultaneously communicate with a second mobile node via the first channel and forward data received via the second channel from a third mobile node to a fourth mobile node.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining within a controller one or more parameters that control one or more characteristics of a plurality of access points over a wired network, each of the access points being capable of communicating over a wireless network, with one or more mobile nodes to receive a state of queues of packets that have not been received by the access point yet, and to utilize the state of queues as anticipated demands to determine whether required performance of the wireless network can be met; and

means for adjusting and communicating by the controller the one or more parameters to each of the access points in response to a detection of real-time conditions changed based on a respective packet type to be forwarded by each of the plurality of access points,

wherein the controller periodically queries each of the access points regarding status of a respective access point,

the one or more parameters are adjusted based on the status collected from each of the access points,

the respective packet type is based on a network wide identification that identifies a type of content within a respective packet, and

the controller changes a class of service of a given subscriber in real-time based on the detection of real-time conditions changed,

the controller allocates the channels to a plurality of mobile nodes that are capable of communicating with each other directly without passing through any of the access points, the controller allocates a first channel and a second channel to a first mobile node to allow the first mobile node to simultaneously communicate with a second mobile node via the first channel and forward data received via the second channel from a third mobile node to a fourth mobile node.

25. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the detection of real-time conditions changed includes detection of a failed communication link between an access point and the controller.

26. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the respective packet type to be forwarded by each of the access points includes voice or video traffic.

27. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the respective packet type is determined based on being from one of a predetermined set of source IP addresses.