US 7,606,208 B2 · Distributed architecture for deploying multiple wireless local-area networks

Abstract

A novel distributed architecture for deploying a plurality of wireless local-area networks is disclosed. The illustrative embodiment enables some of the protocols of a protocol stack to be “off-loaded” from wireless access points to a remote central controller. In particular, protocols whose services operate correctly regardless of the presence or magnitude of processing and communication delays are off-loaded to the central controller, while protocols whose services operate correctly only when delays are below a threshold remain in the wireless access points. The illustrative embodiment thus enables the use of “thin” (i.e., reduced-functionality) access points, thereby reducing cost and facilitating maintenance when deploying multiple wireless local-area networks (for example, on a corporate or academic campus).

Claims23

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of access points, wherein each of said access points is for performing a first non-empty set of protocol services, but not a second non-empty set of protocol services, for a respective network, and wherein the correctness of each protocol service in said first set is based on a maximum timing delay, and wherein the correctness of each protocol service in said second set is independent of said maximum timing delay;
and
(b) a central controller for:
(i) performing said second non-empty set of protocol services,
(ii) receiving an input signal from each of said plurality of access points, and
(iii) transmitting to each of said plurality of access points an output signal based on the input signal from that access point and a protocol service that belongs to said second set of protocol services;
wherein said first set and said second set constitute a partition of the set of protocol services of a protocol stack.

4 more elements

A method comprising:

(a) performing a first protocol service for a first network using a first processor, wherein said first protocol service belongs to a first non-empty set of protocol services, and wherein the correctness of each protocol service in said first set is based on a maximum timing delay, and wherein said first processor is programmed to perform each protocol service in said first set;
(b) performing said first protocol service for a second network using a second processor;
(c) transmitting a first signal from said first processor to a third processor;
(d) performing a second protocol service for said first network using said third processor, wherein said second protocol service belongs to a second non-empty set of protocol services, and wherein the correctness of each protocol service in said second set is independent of said maximum timing delay, and wherein said third processor is programmed to perform each protocol service in said second set, and wherein said third processor is not programmed to perform any of said first set of protocol services, and wherein said first processor is not programmed to perform any of said second set of protocol services, and wherein said first set and said second set constitute a partition of the set of protocol services of a protocol stack;
(e) transmitting a second signal from said third processor to said first processor, wherein said second signal is based on said second protocol service;
(f) transmitting a third signal from said second processor to said third processor;
(g) performing said second protocol service for said second network using said third processor;
and
(h) transmitting a fourth signal from said third processor to said second processor, wherein said fourth signal is based on a protocol service in said second set.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Distributed architecture for deploying multiple wireless local-area networks

Life of this patent

Distributed architecture for deploying multiple wireless local-area networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23