Wireless mesh network node
AssigneeSkyPilot Network, Inc.
InventorsRobert H. Sparr, William G. Olsen, Thomas Hammel, Kirk Alton Bradley, Mark J. Rich, Michael R. Franceschini, Joseph T. Merenda
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims12
A network node, comprising:
- an antenna sector array;
- a radio frequency (RF) converter coupled to the antenna sector array;
- a transceiver coupled to the RF converter;
- a transceiver controller coupled to the transceiver;
- a processor coupled to the transceiver controller;
- and
- an interface coupled to the processor;
- the network node configured for point-to-point communication with a neighboring network node.
A transceiver controller, comprising:
- an interface;
- a plurality of registers coupled to the interface;
- first memory elements configured to buffer data for conversion from non-real-time execution to real-time execution and coupled to the interface;
- second memory elements configured to receive sequence numbers for synchronization of transfer of the buffered data and coupled to the interface;
- and
- an event handler coupled to the first and the second memory elements, the event handler configured to process pre-scheduled slots in real-time.
A transceiver controller, comprising:
- a bus interface;
- a plurality of registers coupled to the bus interface;
- a plurality of buffers coupled to the bus interface, the buffers and configured for synchronized transfer of data in real-time;
- an event handler coupled to the plurality of buffers and configured to accept a slot defining command;
- a timebase counter coupled to the event handler;
- an oscillator coupled to the timebase counter;
- and
- a frequency error detector configured to receive a time reference signal from a global positioning system, the frequency error detector coupled to the oscillator and configured to discipline the oscillator responsive to the time reference signal.
A software architecture comprising:
- a protocol stack module;
- a provisioning module;
- a route management module;
- a database module in communication with the protocol stack module, the route management module and the provisioning module, the database module configured with a database management module and configured to transmit and receive a shareable database;
- a traffic management module in communication with the database module;
- a link management module in communication with the the database module;
- an interface control module in communication with an interface controller and the database module;
- and
- a positioning module in communication with the database module.
A method for installing a portion of a network, comprising:
- providing a node configured with an antenna;
- and
- positioning the node for communication with another node or a neighborhood access point, the positioning not including having to align the antenna to point at or approximately point at a base station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.