System and method for routing 802.11 data traffic across channels to increase ad-hoc network capacity

• US 20030157951A1
• Filed: 02/20/2003
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MeshNetworks, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hasty, William V. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/368,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20030157951A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/519
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/14 using intermediate storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

A system and method for data transmission incorporating a channel bridge node which can identify and deliver data traffic requiring delivery via alternate 802.11 data channels. The system and method provides a channel bridging node which is configured to communicate via each channel of the available spectrum in series. The node advertises this capability and accepts data traffic for communication over any number of channels. Data is buffered for subsequent delivery once the node is configured to communicate via the channel to which the data is addressed. In doing so, the system and method provides a channel bridge which enables routing of 802.11 data traffic across channels in 802.11 ad-hoc networks, thus increasing ad-hoc network capacity.

Claims

1. A method for controlling data transmission using a channel bridge for routing data traffic between channels in a wireless communications network, said network including a plurality of nodes being adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from other nodes in said network, the method comprising:

configuring a first node of said network to communicate via a plurality of communication channels, and identifying said first node as a channel bridging node;

controlling at least one node of said network to detect said first node as a channel bridging node, and to communicate data traffic requiring routing between a first and second communication channel of said plurality to said first node; and

controlling said first node to receive said data traffic via said first communication channel, and to transmit said data traffic to a destination via said second communication channel.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

controlling said first node to create a routing advertisement; and

identifying said first node as said channel bridging node by communicating said routing advertisement in each communication channel of said plurality.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said routing advertisement includes a channel set which identifies at least one communication channel of said plurality.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said routing advertisement includes a dwell time which identifies a period during which said first node can communicate via said communication channel.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said routing advertisement includes a destination route set which identifies at least one destination route of said communication channel.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

controlling said at least one node of said network to detect said first node as a channel bridging node between said first and second communication channels.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

controlling said at least one node of said network to communicate said data traffic requiring routing between said first and second communication channels to said first node via said first channel and controlling said first node to detect a destination for said data traffic requiring transmission via said second channel.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

controlling said first node to buffer said data traffic requiring routing between said first and second communication channels until said first node is configured to communicate via said second channel.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

configuring said first node of said network to communicate via each communication channel of said plurality in series.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second communication channels are the same.

11. A system for controlling data transmission using a channel bridge for routing data traffic between channels in a wireless communications network, said network including a plurality of nodes being adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from other nodes in said network, the system comprising:

at least one node, adapted to detect a first node as a channel bridging node, and to communicate data traffic requiring routing between a first and second communication channel of a plurality to said first node;

said first node, adapted to communicate via said plurality of communication channels, and being adapted to communicate an identity as a channel bridging node; and

said first node being further adapted to receive said data traffic via said first communication channel, and to transmit said data traffic to a destination via said second communication channel.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said first node is adapted to create a routing advertisement, and to communicate said identity as a channel bridging node by communicating said routing advertisement in each communication channel of said plurality.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said routing advertisement includes a channel set which identifies at least one communication channel of said plurality.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said routing advertisement includes a dwell time which identifies a period during which said first node can communicate via said communication channel.

15. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said routing advertisement includes a destination route set which identifies at least one destination route of said communication channel.

16. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said at least one node is adapted to detect said first node as a channel bridging node between said first and second communication channels.

17. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said at least one node is adapted to communicate said data traffic requiring routing between said first and second communication channels to said first node via said first channel; and

said first node is adapted to detect a destination for said data traffic requiring transmission via said second channel.

18. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said first node is adapted to buffer said data traffic requiring routing between said first and second communication channels until said first node is configured to communicate via said second channel.

19. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said first node is adapted to communicate via each communication channel of said plurality in series.

20. A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first and second communication channels are the same.

21. A computer-readable medium of instructions, adapted to control data transmission using a channel bridge for routing data traffic between channels in a wireless communications network, said network including a plurality of nodes being adapted to transmit and receive signals to and from other nodes in said network, comprising:

a first set of instructions, adapted to configure a first node of said network to communicate via a plurality of communication channels, and to identify said first node as a channel bridging node;

a second set of instructions, adapted to control at least one node of said network to detect said first node as a channel bridging node, and to communicate data traffic requiring routing between a first and second communication channel of said plurality to said first node; and

a third set of instructions, adapted to control said first node to receive said data traffic via said first communication channel, and to transmit said data traffic to a destination via said second communication channel.

22. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said first set of instructions is adapted to control said first node to create a routing advertisement; and

said first set of instructions being further adapted to identify said first node as said channel bridging node by communicating said routing advertisement in each communication channel of said plurality.

23. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 22, wherein said routing advertisement includes a channel set which identifies at least one communication channel of said plurality.

24. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 23, wherein said routing advertisement includes a dwell time which identifies a period during which said first node can communicate via said communication channel.

25. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 23, wherein said routing advertisement includes a destination route set which identifies at least one destination route of said communication channel.

26. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said second set of instructions is adapted to control said at least one node of said network to detect said first node as a channel bridging node between said first and second communication channels.

27. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said second set of instructions is adapted to control said at least one node of said network to communicate said data traffic requiring routing between said first and second communication channels to said first node via said first channel; and

said third set of instructions is adapted to control said first node to detect a destination for said data traffic requiring transmission via said second channel.

28. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:

a fifth set of instructions, adapted to control said first node to buffer said data traffic requiring routing between said first and second communication channels until said first node is configured to communicate via said second channel.

29. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 21, further comprising:

configuring said first node of said network to communicate via each communication channel of said plurality in series.

30. A computer-readable medium of instructions as claimed in claim 21, wherein said first and second communication channels are the same.