Wireless mesh network

• US 8,249,042 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Trilliant Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Sparr, Robert H., Olsen, William G., Hammel, Thomas, Bradley, Kirk Alton, Rich, Mark J., Franceschini, Michael R., Merenda, Joseph T.
• Primary Examiner(s): MATTIS, JASON E
• Application Number:
  US10/122,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20020181427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,781 Days
• Field of Search: 370/312, 370/315, 370/326, 370/328, 370/338, 370/408, 370/230, 370/343, 370/433, 455/3.04, 455/3.05, 455/7, 455/11.1, 455/25
• US Class Current: 370/343
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/24 Cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/06 based on characteristics of available antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/20 based on geographic position or location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/20 between access points

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a wireless mesh network and network node are described. More particularly, a network having network node neighborhoods is described. A node comprises a multi-sectored antenna and a transceiver controller. Nodes are configured for installation without antenna pointing and without pre-coordination with the network. Software architecture for the node is also described.

Claims

1. A network, comprising:

network nodes, the network nodes arranged in network neighborhoods, the network nodes in the network neighborhoods configured for over-the-air communication with one another, and;

neighborhood access points configured for over-the-air communication with the network nodes in the network neighborhoods, the neighborhood access points coupled to a backhaul, a subset of the network nodes configured to not be in communication with the neighborhood access points to provide a private network.

2. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured for at least one of point-to-point communication, point-to-multipoint communication and broadcast communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

3. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for point-to-multipoint communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

4. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for broadcast communication with at least one other of the network nodes.

5. The network of claim 1 wherein at least one of the network nodes is configured only for point-to-point communication with at least one other of the network nodes.