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

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.

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.