System and Method for Providing a Wireless Access Point (WAP) Having Multiple Integrated Transceivers for Use in a Hybrid Wired/Wireless Network

Abstract

The method may include determining a protocol associated with a communication signal for an access point. A compatible processor may be allocated and selected from a pool of available processors and subsequently utilized to process the communication signal. In one aspect of the invention, a processor may be made compatible by updating it with compatible protocol code that may be used for processing the communication signal. The compatible protocol code may be downloaded to the processor from a memory. The processor may associate a particular protocol code with a particular portion of the memory. Accordingly, the protocol code may be retrieved from the memory based on the association. The processor may be a digital signal processor (DSP), which may be adapted to process 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g and Bluetooth protocols, for example.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS / INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 658,727 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A WIRELESS ACCESS POINT (WAP) HAVING MULTIPLE INTEGRATED TRANSCEIVERS FOR USE IN A HYBRID WIRED / WIRELESS NETWORK” filed on Sep. 9, 2003, which makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of: U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 433,118 entitled “System and Method for Providing a Wireless Access Point (WAP) Having Multiple Integrated Transceivers for Use in a Hybrid Wired / Wireless Network” filed on Dec. 13, 2002;U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 411,261 entitled “Communications Systems Software and Protocols” filed on Sep. 17, 2002; andU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 411,301 entitled “Method and System for Providing a Scalable Integrated Switch and Wireless Architecture” filed on Sep. 17, 2002.U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 606,565 entitled “Method...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This solution enhances network interoperability, increases channel utilization, reduces RF interference, and improves network management and security by allowing seamless communication across multiple protocols and frequency bands, supporting a more efficient and scalable hybrid wired / wireless network infrastructure.

Problems solved by technology

One major drawback is that companies that have invested in 802.11b equipment and infrastructure may not readily upgrade their network without significant expenditure.

RF interference may pose additional operational problems with 802.11b and 802.11g equipment designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Accordingly, interference poses interference problems with the 802.11b and 802.11g standards.

Notwithstanding, the higher operating frequency of 802.11a causes more attenuation resulting in a shorter operating range at a given data rate.

This may significantly increase deployment cost since a larger number of access points are required to service a given service area.

In hybrid wired / wireless networks that utilize one or more protocols in the 802.11 suite of protocols, the mobility of access devices throughout the network may pose additional challenges for conventional switches and switching equipment.

Since access devices are continuously changing their point of access to the network, conventional switches may not have the capability to effectively control other network devices and / or entities in order to provide seamless communication throughout the network.

Accordingly, allocation and de-allocation of certain network resources can be problematic in these networks where traffic dynamics are continuously changing.

Moreover, particularly in network systems that may handle large volumes of access device traffic, providing adequate security may also pose additional problems.

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