Abstract: A translating bi-directional packet repeater includes a first antenna and a second antenna for receiving a wireless signal, amplifying it, and retransmitting it on a different channel. The channel associated with each of the antennas is separated in frequency sufficiently to ensure good isolation between the wireless signals that are received and then retransmitted. The wireless signal is down converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) that is passed through a band pass filter, and the filtered signal is then up converted and retransmitted on the different channel. A controller responds to a wireless signal on one of the antennas in selecting a path through the bi-directional amplifier and the antennas used to receive and retransmit the signal. The isolation between the received wireless signal and the retransmitted wireless signal is sufficient to avoid interference, and the retransmission takes place almost instantaneously to minimize the delay incurred.

Abstract: A system and method in a wireless network for discovering which resources (e.g., other wireless computing devices) are proximate a user's wireless computing device. Wireless signal strengths with respect to various base stations are compared with the signal strengths of other network devices or resources, to determine which devices are experiencing similar signal strengths. Devices with similar signal strengths are deemed proximate. Each participating computing device may send its signal strength reports to a proximity server, which distributes proximity data to network clients. Each client may receive and process the signal strength data for determining which other clients/resources are proximate, or the server can perform proximity computations and return a list of proximate clients. Once computed, the identities of the proximate clients can be used to query for additional data about the clients, such as the names and other details of their owners, or information about the resource.

Abstract: A translating bi-directional packet repeater includes a first antenna and a second antenna for receiving a wireless signal, amplifying it, and retransmitting it on a different channel. The channel associated with each of the antennas is separated in frequency sufficiently to ensure good isolation between the wireless signals that are received and then retransmitted. The wireless signal is down converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) that is passed through a band pass filter, and the filtered signal is then up converted and retransmitted on the different channel. A controller responds to a wireless signal on one of the antennas in selecting a path through the bi-directional amplifier and the antennas used to receive and retransmit the signal. The isolation between the received wireless signal and the retransmitted wireless signal is sufficient to avoid interference, and the retransmission takes place almost instantaneously to minimize the delay incurred.

Abstract: A translating bi-directional packet repeater includes a first antenna and a second antenna for receiving a wireless signal, amplifying it, and retransmitting it on a different channel. The channel associated with each of the antennas is separated in frequency sufficiently to ensure good isolation between the wireless signals that are received and then retransmitted. The wireless signal is down converted to an intermediate frequency (IF) that is passed through a band pass filter, and the filtered signal is then up converted and retransmitted on the different channel. A controller responds to a wireless signal on one of the antennas in selecting a path through the bi-directional amplifier and the antennas used to receive and retransmit the signal. The isolation between the received wireless signal and the retransmitted wireless signal is sufficient to avoid interference, and the retransmission takes place almost instantaneously to minimize the delay incurred.

Abstract: A wireless device is coupled to a multi-sector antenna that includes a plurality of different sectors, any of which can be activated to transmit and receive in a desired direction specific to that sector. Optionally, an omnidirectional antenna is included for initially establishing a wireless connection with another wireless device, such as an access point. A parameter indicative of signal quality, such as throughput or received signal strength indication (RSSI) is determined by polling with each antenna sector to establish a prioritized candidate list. If a receive Trigger becomes active in response to a parameter falling below a threshold level, a new candidate sector is selected from the current list based upon a next-best signal quality. The directionality of the multi-sector antenna provides a substantially higher data rate compared to that of the conventional omnidirectional antenna.

Abstract: A wireless access point is equipped with both an omnidirectional antenna and a directable antenna that can be selectively directed to any of a plurality of directional spaces overlapping the network space served by the omnidirectional antenna. The directable antenna is directed to an optimal directional space for a client when the access point is communicating with the client at a high data rate. The access point can intermittently exchange information with other clients using the omnidirectional antenna. The omnidirectional antenna enables broadcast signals to be transmitted to any client in the entire network space, but at a lower data rate. A preferred data rate and an optimal client directional space are re-determined periodically or as necessary based on parameters such as the data rate, signal strength, and rate of success in communicating data.

Abstract: A system and method in a wireless network for discovering which resources (e.g., other wireless computing devices) are proximate a user's wireless computing device. Wireless signal strengths with respect to various base stations are compared with the signal strengths of other network devices or resources, to determine which devices are experiencing similar signal strengths. Devices with similar signal strengths are deemed proximate. Each participating computing device may send its signal strength reports to a proximity server, which distributes proximity data to network clients. Each client may receive and process the signal strength data for determining which other clients/resources are proximate, or the server can perform proximity computations and return a list of proximate clients. Once computed, the identities of the proximate clients can be used to query for additional data about the clients, such as the names and other details of their owners, or information about the resource.