Hybrid Wired Wireless Communication Apparatus Destination Address Controller
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current communications apparatus using WiFi transceivers can only support a single MAC address, making it difficult to distinguish between multiple devices connected to a network node, limiting the ability to communicate data intended for specific devices over wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a destination address controller within the communications apparatus, which allows for the determination of multiple destination addresses, enabling independent visibility and communication with multiple devices connected to the network, and combining this with a wired medium interface circuit for simultaneous wired and wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a WiFi transceiver is used to provide wireless communication in a network node, then wireless communication capability is improved, but the number of supported MAC addresses is limited to one, making it impossible to distinguish between multiple devices connected to the node
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MAC address handling function by introducing a separate destination address controller that manages multiple destination addresses independently from the WiFi transceiver's single MAC address limitation. This allows the wireless interface to maintain its simple single-MAC design while the controller handles multiple destinations through additional address fields in data packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The destination address controller acts as an intermediary between the WiFi transceiver and multiple destination devices. It receives data packets with multiple destination addresses, determines the correct destination, and forwards data accordingly, thereby bridging the gap between the single-MAC wireless interface and multiple destination devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are connected to a network node through Ethernet interface, then device connectivity is improved, but the nodes become invisible to the rest of the network when communicating via WiFi
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to address handling by incorporating multiple destination address fields in data packets transmitted over the wireless medium. This allows the system to convey information about multiple destination devices through the wireless interface without requiring multiple MAC addresses, thereby making connected devices visible to the rest of the network.
3Reliability
If both wired and WiFi communication are combined in a network node, then communication reliability and coverage are improved, but the complexity of address management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The destination address controller is designed to handle both wired and wireless communication address management universally. It manages MAC addresses for wired Ethernet interfaces and multiple destination addresses for wireless interfaces through a single unified controller, simplifying address management across hybrid communication environments.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A communications apparatus is provided comprising: a first circuit comprising a wired medium interface circuit that is configured to, in use, communicate data over a wired medium; a second circuit comprising a wireless medium interface circuit that is configured to, in use, communicate data over a wireless medium; and a destination address controller comprised in the first circuit that is operative to determine to which of a plurality of destination addresses at a communications apparatus data is to be communicated from the second circuit.