Network with subnets being connectable via bridge terminals
First Claim
1. A method of connecting a first subnet and a second subnet of a communication network by means of a bridge terminal, wherein the first subnet operates on a first frequency channel and the second subnet operates on a second frequency channel, the method comprising:
- signaling a switching operation and unavailability of the bridge terminal by sending a power management bit in a header of a data frame to stations in either the first subnet or the second subnet which is not served by the bridge terminal after the switching operation; and
switching the operation of the bridge terminal between an operation in the first subnet on the first frequency channel and an operation in the second subnet on the second frequency channel, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the first subnet when it is operated in the second subnet, and wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the second subnet when it is operated in the first subnet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to the connection of subnets which operate on different frequency channels and are connected by wireless forwarder stations. According to the present invention, a forwarding station periodically switches to the other frequency channel to remain there for a pre-defined presence duration, whereby jitters of the presence time caused by overlapping packet transmissions are compensated. According to the present invention, a presence and absence time of the forwarder station in the respective subnet is indicated by using signals relating to a power saving mechanism.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of connecting a first subnet and a second subnet of a communication network by means of a bridge terminal, wherein the first subnet operates on a first frequency channel and the second subnet operates on a second frequency channel, the method comprising:
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signaling a switching operation and unavailability of the bridge terminal by sending a power management bit in a header of a data frame to stations in either the first subnet or the second subnet which is not served by the bridge terminal after the switching operation; and switching the operation of the bridge terminal between an operation in the first subnet on the first frequency channel and an operation in the second subnet on the second frequency channel, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the first subnet when it is operated in the second subnet, and wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the second subnet when it is operated in the first subnet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A bridge terminal for connecting a first subnet and a second subnet of a communication network, wherein the first subnet operates on a first frequency channel and the second subnet operates on a second frequency channel, the bridge terminal comprising:
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a processor coupled to a memory, the processor configured to switch between an operation in the first subnet on the first frequency channel and an operation in the second subnet on the second frequency channel, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the first subnet when operated in the second subnet, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the second subnet when operated in the first subnet, and a transmitter configured to signal the switching operation and the unavailability of the bridge terminal by to sending a power management bit in a header of a data frame to stations in either the first subnet or the second subnet which is not served by the bridge terminal after the switching operation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A communication network comprising:
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a first subnet; a second subnet; and a bridge terminal for connecting the first and second subnets, wherein the first subnet operates on a first frequency channel and the second subnet operates on a second frequency channel, wherein an operation of the bridge terminal is switched between an operation in the first subnet on the first frequency channel and an operation in the second subnet on the second frequency channel, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the first subnet when it is operated in the second subnet, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the second subnet when it is operated in the first subnet, wherein the switching operation and the unavailability of the bridge terminal is signaled by sending a power management bit in a header of a data frame to stations in either the first subnet or the second subnet which is not served by the bridge terminal after the switching operation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A non-transitory machine readable medium having stored thereon machine executable instructions that, when executed, implement a method for operating a bridge terminal of a communication network for connecting a first subnet and a second subnet, wherein the first subnet operates on a first frequency channel and the second subnet operates on a second frequency channel, wherein, when the instructions are executed on the bridge terminal, the instructions cause the bridge terminal to perform:
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signaling a switching operation and unavailability of the bridge terminal by sending a power management bit in a header of a data frame to stations in either the first subnet or the second subnet which is not served by the bridge terminal after the switching operation; and switching an operation of the bridge terminal between an operation in the first subnet on the first frequency channel and an operation in the second subnet on the second frequency channel, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the first subnet when it is operated in the second subnet, wherein the bridge terminal is unavailable for the second subnet when it is operated in the first subnet. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification