Multiband communication device for use with a mesh network and methods for use therewith

• US 8,311,498 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Issued: 11/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Ahmadreza (Reza)
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun, Eugene
• Application Number:
  US12/240,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20100081381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,506 Days
• Field of Search: 455/168.1, 455/176.1, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/180.1, 455/188.1, 455/428, 455/445, 455/150.1, 709/250, 709/238, 709/230, 709/203
• US Class Current: 455/168.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/12 Frequency diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/246 Connectivity information discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 for collaboration of different radio technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A communication device includes an RF transceiver for communicating first data with at least one of a plurality of remote communication devices via a first protocol and a first frequency band. A millimeter wave transceiver communicates second data with at least one of the plurality of remote communication devices via a second protocol and a second frequency band. A communication control module coordinates the communication of the first data and the second data with the at least one of the plurality of remote communication devices and for establishing a mesh network between the communication device and the plurality of remote communication devices.

Claims

1. A communication device comprising:

an RF transceiver for communicating first data with at least one of a plurality of remote communication devices via a first protocol and a first frequency band;

a millimeter wave transceiver for communicating second data with at least one of the plurality of remote communication devices via a second protocol and a second frequency band; and

a communication control module, coupled to the RF transceiver and the millimeter wave transceiver, for coordinating the communication of the first data and the second data with the at least one of the plurality of remote communication devices and for establishing a mesh network between the communication device and the plurality of remote communication devices wherein communication control module generates a routing table to facilitate communication between the communication device and the plurality of remote communication devices, wherein the routing table specifies a plurality of possible routes between the communication device and one of the plurality of remote devices.

2. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the first protocol includes at least one of:

a wireless local area network protocol;

a wireless piconet protocol; and

a wireless telephony protocol.

3. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the possible routes include direct routes.

4. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the possible routes include indirect routes including at least one relay point.

5. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the second protocol includes a source identifier and a destination identifier and wherein the second protocol operates in accordance with acknowledgement messages to confirm delivery.

6. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the second protocol includes a source identifier, a destination identifier and at least one relay identifier.

7. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the mesh network is conducted exclusively via the second frequency band.

8. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the mesh network is conducted via the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

9. The communication device of claim 1 wherein the second frequency band includes a 60 GHz band.

10. A method comprising:

communicating first data with at least one of a plurality of remote communication devices via a first protocol and a first frequency band;

communicating second data with at least one of the plurality of remote communication devices via a second protocol and a second frequency band; and

coordinating the communication of the first data and the second data with the at least one of the plurality of remote communication devices; and

establishing a mesh network between the communication device and the plurality of remote communication devices by generating a routing table to facilitate communication between the communication device and the plurality of remote communication devices, wherein the routing table specifies a plurality of possible routes between the communication device and one of the plurality of remote devices.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first protocol includes at least one of:

a wireless local area network protocol;

a wireless piconet protocol; and

a wireless telephony protocol.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the possible routes include direct routes.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the possible routes include indirect routes including at least one relay point.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the second protocol includes a source identifier and a destination identifier and wherein the second protocol operates in accordance with acknowledgement messages to confirm delivery.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the second protocol includes a source identifier, a destination identifier and at least one relay identifier.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the mesh network is conducted exclusively via the second frequency band.

17. The method of claim 10 wherein the mesh network is conducted via the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein the second frequency band includes a 60 GHz band.