Proxy mechanism for mesh-type networks

a mesh-type network and proxy mechanism technology, applied in the field of proxy mechanism for mesh-type networks, can solve the problems of many existing aps that cannot be upgraded, device hardware limits possible implementations, and most current 802.11 aps, however, cannot operate in this bridging mode, so as to save processing resources

Active Publication Date: 2014-09-18
SIGNIFY HLDG BV
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This solution enables interconnection and range extension of legacy networks, allowing devices to communicate beyond a single hop, effectively integrating legacy AP-based WLANs with wireless mesh networks, enhancing connectivity without requiring changes to existing access devices.

Problems solved by technology

However, many existing APs cannot be upgraded.
Either the device's manufacturer considers a product to be end of life and thus product maintenance has ended or, the device's hardware limits possible implementations.
However, most of the current 802.11 APs, however, cannot operate in this bridging mode as described above.
However, the device A cannot provide its network connectivity to the WMN.
Although the device A and other devices D to G form a single WMN, the addressing limitation at the AP C prevents the device A from sharing its connectivity.
Since the AP C allows for the usage of three addresses only, all frames transmitted to the WMN must be destined to the device A. Without further information however, the device A cannot decide about a frame's final destination.

Method used

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  • Proxy mechanism for mesh-type networks
  • Proxy mechanism for mesh-type networks
  • Proxy mechanism for mesh-type networks

Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0055] a proxy mechanism or functionality is provided, where a device that connects with both the wireless mesh network (WMN) and a legacy access device, access point (AP), or BSS base station sub-system (BSS) operates on behalf of all devices that are present in the WMN.

[0056]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary network structure, where a single device behaves as a proxy device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, actual device “A” of the wireless mesh network (MSN) behaves as a proxy device for devices “D” to “G” of the wirelss mesh network (MSN). For access point (AP) “C”, all frame exchanges appear to occur locally. In other words, the access point AP “C” considers actual devices “D” to “G” to be one hop away, as proxy device A is configured to maintain a separate connection with the access point (AP) C for each of the member of the wireless mesh network (WMN). Thus, proxy device “A” serves as an actual device of the wireless mesh network (WMN) and in...

second embodiment

[0059]FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of proxy mechanism, which is incorporated into a proxy device, in a mesh network. This procedure may be implemented as a software routine controlling a processor or controller provided in the radio access management unit 20 of FIG. 8.

[0060]The procedure is initiated as soon as a frame is received from one of the devices of the wireless mesh type network (WMN) (e.g. one of devices “D” to “G” of FIG. 7). The received frame is forwarded to the interconnectivity layer 30 of proxy device “A” (step S101). Then, based on the source address of the received frame, a corresponding one of the virtual stations STA D to STA G is selected and the frame is internally routed (i.e., delivered) to the selected internal virtual station implemented in proxy device “A” (step S102). Finally, the frame can be sent via the access point (AP) to the external network 100 (step S103).

[0061]The same procedure can be applied in reverse when a frame is received via the access po...

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PUM

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for connecting a mesh type network via an access device (C) to another network. A proxy mechanism is provided in the mesh type network, that allows for interconnection and range extension of legacy access point based mesh type networks.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit or priority of and describes the relationships between the following applications: wherein this application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 060,293, filed Feb. 23, 2011, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT / IB2009 / 053751, filed Aug. 27, 2009, which claims the priority of foreign application EP08163484 filed Sep. 2, 2008 all of which are incorporated herein in whole by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a method, a computer program product and a system for connecting a mesh type network via an access device to another network.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In WLAN deployments without mesh services, client stations or end stations (STAs) must associate with an access point (AP) in order to gain access to the network. These STAs are dependent on the AP with which they are associated to communi...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H04W40/22H04W84/18
CPCH04W84/18H04W40/22H04W84/10H04W88/04H04W84/22H04W92/02H04L12/46H04W76/10H04W84/12H04W88/182
InventorDENTENEER, THEODORUS JACOBUS JOHANNESHIERTZ, GUIDO ROLANDWALKE, BERNHARD
OwnerSIGNIFY HLDG BV