Abstract: A method and device for providing an alternative backhaul portal at a mesh access point in a mesh network as provided enables improved backhaul services. The method includes processing a registration of the mesh access point as an alternative backhaul portal in the mesh network. It is then determined that additional backhaul capacity is required in the mesh network. Next, the mesh access point is activated as an alternative backhaul portal in the mesh network in response to determining that additional backhaul capacity is required. Mesh network data are then routed through the alternative backhaul portal at the mesh access point until it is determined that additional backhaul capacity is no longer required. The mesh access point is then deactivated as an alternative backhaul portal in the mesh network.

Abstract: A multi-hop wireless network includes an originator node, a proxy node, and at least one other node. The originator node generates a data packet and transmits the data packet to the proxy node. The proxy node receives and forwards to the at least one other node the data packet including an originator node address and a proxy node sequence number for an end-to-end groupcast sequence number.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies are provided for dynamically selecting one of a default channel bandwidth and an alternate channel bandwidth for transmitting information over a wireless communication link which couples a transmitter node to a receiver node. The transmitter node and the receiver node are designed to transmit and receive at the default channel bandwidth and at the alternate channel bandwidth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for multihop packet forwarding within a multihop wireless communication network. The method uses a data frame format including at least the four address fields to forward packets in a multihop wireless network. The method includes generating a route request packet at a routable device in response to receiving a packet destined for an unknown destination. The route request packet includes an originating device field including an address of an originating device, wherein the originating device generated the packet originally; and a source field, wherein the source field includes an address of the first routable device which generated the route request packet.

Abstract: A method and device for providing an alternative backhaul portal at a mesh access point in a mesh network as provided enables improved backhaul services. The method includes processing a registration of the mesh access point as an alternative backhaul portal in the mesh network. It is then determined that additional backhaul capacity is required in the mesh network. Next, the mesh access point is activated as an alternative backhaul portal in the mesh network in response to determining that additional backhaul capacity is required. Mesh network data are then routed through the alternative backhaul portal at the mesh access point until it is determined that additional backhaul capacity is no longer required. The mesh access point is then deactivated as an alternative backhaul portal in the mesh network.

Abstract: Unified groupcast data frame formats are provided for improving the efficiency of groupcast communications in multihop wireless mesh networks, and significantly reducing bandwidth consumption. The unified groupcast data frame formats modify existing BSS data frame formats by inserting a mesh end-to-end sequence number into a field that is normally reserved for a sequence control field. In some implementations, a time-to-live (TTL) value can also be inserted into a QoS control field.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies are provided for dynamically selecting one of a default channel bandwidth and an alternate channel bandwidth for transmitting information over a wireless communication link which couples a transmitter node to a receiver node. The transmitter node and the receiver node are designed to transmit and receive at the default channel bandwidth and at the alternate channel bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying potential hidden node problems in a multi-hop wireless ad-hoc communication network, such as an 802.11 network. The system and method evaluates the relationship between the neighbors of each respective node to identify nodes of a wireless ad-hoc communication network whose capabilities of receiving data packets can be adversely affected by hidden node problems in order to avoid selecting paths containing those potentially problem nodes for routing data packets. Specifically, for each node, the system and method generates a node metric identifying the relationship between the neighbors of a node. Each node can then transmit its respective metric with its routing advertisement data, so that other nodes can assess the degree of potential hidden node problem that may be experienced by that node, and can choose to avoid using that potentially problem node for routing data packets to other nodes.

Abstract: An system and method for handling broadcast network requests for auto-configuration and discovery of IP to MAC address mappings and gateway presence in wireless peer-to-peer ad-hoc routing networks. The significant portion of a node's IP address is calculated by applying a hashing function to the six-byte hardware (MAC) address. The significant portion is appended to routing advertisements, and thereby propagates passively to other network nodes. DHCP and ARP requests, as well as other broadcast type requests, are handled by the local network stack of a node, without requiring a broadcast transmission over the wireless channel.

Abstract: An system and method for handling broadcast network requests for auto-configuration and discovery of IP to MAC address mappings and gateway presence in wireless peer-to-peer ad-hoc routing networks. The significant portion of a node's IP address is calculated by applying a hashing function to the six-byte hardware (MAC) address. The significant portion is appended to routing advertisements, and thereby propagates passively to other network nodes. DHCP and ARP requests, as well as other broadcast type requests, are handled by the local network stack of a node, without requiring a broadcast transmission over the wireless channel.

Abstract: A system and method for data transmission incorporating a channel bridge node which can identify and deliver data traffic requiring delivery via alternate 802.11 data channels. The system and method provides a channel bridging node which is configured to communicate via each channel of the available spectrum in series. The node advertises this capability and accepts data traffic for communication over any number of channels. Data is buffered for subsequent delivery once the node is configured to communicate via the channel to which the data is addressed. In doing so, the system and method provides a channel bridge which enables routing of 802.11 data traffic across channels in 802.11 ad-hoc networks, thus increasing ad-hoc network capacity.