Single Radio Multiplexing for Simultaneous Wireless Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices with a single radio can only maintain a connection with a single wireless network at a time, requiring frequent disconnections and reconnections to communicate with multiple networks, which is time-consuming and may disrupt activities like sharing live video across networks.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that uses a single radio to maintain simultaneous virtual connections with multiple wireless networks by creating unique MAC states for each network port, allowing seamless communication and authentication without reauthentication, using a network miniport driver and hardware virtualization layer to multiplex connections and manage wireless signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single radio is used to communicate with wireless networks, then device complexity is reduced, but the device can only maintain connection with one network at a time, losing simultaneity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MAC layer functionality into multiple virtual ports (e.g., port0, port1, port2) within the driver, each capable of maintaining independent connection state with different wireless networks. This allows a single physical radio to be logically divided into multiple simultaneous network interfaces, resolving the contradiction between using a single radio and maintaining multiple simultaneous connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of network interface cards (virtual NICs) that emulate multiple physical interfaces. Each virtual NIC maintains its own connection state, MAC address, and network parameters, allowing the system to present multiple simultaneous network connections to higher layers while using a single physical radio hardware resource.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radio disconnects from one network to connect to another, then network switching is possible, but connection establishment time increases and ongoing activities are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains connection state information (including authentication credentials, association parameters, and network configuration) in the driver's port structures for multiple potential networks simultaneously. When network switching is needed, the radio can quickly transition to a pre-prepared connection state without performing full re-authentication, significantly reducing connection establishment time and minimizing disruption to ongoing activities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radios are used to maintain simultaneous network connections, then connection simultaneity is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single radio hardware resource universal by implementing a multi-functional driver architecture where one radio can serve multiple virtual network interfaces simultaneously. The driver manages radio resource allocation dynamically, allowing the same physical radio to be shared across multiple virtual ports that each appear as independent network connections to the operating system and applications.
4Reliability
If authentication is performed for each network connection separately, then security is maintained, but authentication overhead increases when switching networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts authentication state and credentials from the individual network connection context and stores them in the driver's port structures that persist across connection transitions. This allows authentication information to be retained and reused when switching between networks, maintaining security while eliminating redundant authentication operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing simultaneous virtual connections with multiple wireless networks. A plurality of ports in a hardware driver may be each associated with a corresponding wireless network and maintain a unique MAC state relative to other ports. Each port may have a corresponding virtual NIC that communicates directly with the radio hardware via a hardware virtualization layer that multiplexes communication between the virtual NICs and the radio hardware. Simultaneous virtual connections may be made with one or more infrastructure networks or adhoc networks, and/or the computer may function as an access point for one or more of the networks.