Abstract: An apparatus and method of a method of a wireless mesh network proposing access nodes for conversion to gateways is disclosed. The method includes each access node of the wireless mesh network measuring wireless mesh network metrics. A server connected to the wireless mesh network obtains the network metrics, and calculates a desirability of conversion of at least one access node to a gateway based upon the network metrics. An apparatus and method of a server of a wireless mesh network calculating which access nodes of the wireless mesh network should be converted to gateways is also disclosed. The method includes the server receiving wireless mesh network metrics from the access nodes, and calculating which of the access nodes should be converted based upon the network metrics.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of client device roaming from a home subnet to a foreign subnet of a network. The method includes the client device accessing the network through a first access node of the home subnet, and the client device roaming to a second access node of the foreign subnet, the client device accessing the network through the second access node, the client device maintaining a fixed client IP address, default gateway IP address and IP subnet attachment as the client device roams from the first access node to the second access node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining link qualities of a plurality of links between an access point and a plurality of client devices is disclosed. The method includes detecting all client devices associated with the access point. A list of the associated client devices is generated. The access point transmits keep alive packets according to the list. The access point counts responds to the keep alive packets from each of the client devices. The access point estimates a link quality between the access point and each client device based on the counted responses. An apparatus and method of determining link qualities of a plurality of links between an access node of a wireless mesh network and a plurality of client devices is also disclosed. The method includes detecting all client devices associated with the access node. A list of the associated client devices is generated. The access node transmits keep alive packets to each of the associated client devices according to the list.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a gateway selecting transmission channels of a cluster of a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The cluster includes the gateway and a plurality of access nodes. The method includes the gateway cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, evaluating channel each of the available transmission channels, and selecting a cluster transmission channel based on the channel evaluations. An apparatus and method of a node within a wireless mesh network selecting a transmission channel is also disclosed. The method includes the node cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, measuring a persistence of successfully received routing packets from upstream devices at each of the available transmission channels, evaluating noise of each of the available transmission channels, and selecting one of the available transmission channels based on the persistence of successfully received routing packets and the noise.

Abstract: A method of adaptively setting a transmission power level of a node within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes monitoring a quality of a plurality of reverse direction links between the node and downstream nodes, and between the node and an upstream node, of the wireless mesh network. At least one worst quality reverse direction link is identified. If the at least one worst quality link is greater than a high threshold, then the transmission power level of the node is decreased. If the at least one worst quality link is less than a low threshold, then the transmission power level of the node is increased. A method of adaptively selecting transmission power of gateway nodes of a wireless mesh network is also disclosed. The method includes each gateway node monitoring a quality of a plurality of reverse direction links between the gateway node and downstream nodes of the wireless mesh network. Each gateway node identifies at least one worst quality reverse direction link.

Abstract: A wireless access node includes a first radio operable to transmit/receive on one of at least N transmission channels. A second radio is operable to transmit/receive on another one of the at least N transmission channels. A first filter bank, of less than N filters, filters a first transmit/receive signal of the first radio. A second filter bank, of less than N filters, filters a second transmit/receive signal of the second radio. Generally, N is greater than 2.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of propagating a size of a cluster within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes a gateway within the cluster maintaining information of access nodes within the cluster. The gateway determines a cluster size based on the maintained information, and transmits routing packets that include the cluster size of the gateway. An apparatus and method of balancing clusters of a wireless mesh network is also disclosed. The method includes the gateway of each cluster originating beacons, wherein the beacons include a size of the cluster of the gateway. The access nodes of each cluster, re-broadcasts beacons received from the gateway of the cluster. A connecting access node selects which cluster to connect to at least in part based on the size of each of the clusters.

Abstract: Methods and systems of generating a frequency switching local oscillator signal are disclosed. One method includes generating a reference clock signal, and clocking a counter with the reference clock signal. The counter controls selection of a one of a plurality of analog values stored in at least one of a plurality of periodic signal generators. The frequency switching local oscillator signal is generated by selecting an output of a one of the plurality of periodic signal generators.

Abstract: Methods of adjusting a transmit time of a wireless device are disclosed. One method includes a receiver determining a frequency hopping sequence of an interfering signal. The receiver obtains an observed pattern of at least one of time and frequency overlap between the interfering signal and a signal of interest. The receiver determines a desired pattern of at least one of time and frequency overlap between the interfering signal and the signal of interest. A desired transmit time delay of the signal of interest is adjusted based on a difference between the observed pattern and the desired pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a wireless network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons is disclosed. The method includes identifying multiple personalities of the wireless network, wherein a separate MAC address corresponding with each of the personalities. A beacon type is assigned for each of the personalities. During each transmission interval, a plurality of the beacon types are consecutively transmitted, wherein the different beacon types are consecutively spaced during transmission by a predetermined inter-frame spacing, wherein the predetermined inter-frame spacing is substantially less than an air-time duration of each transmission interval.

Abstract: Methods and systems of a receiver selecting a subset of plurality of frequency hopping bands for synchronization of the receiver are disclosed. One method includes the receiver determining a receive signal quality metric for each band of the plurality of frequency hopping bands, and selecting at least one synchronization band as a subset of the plurality of frequency hopping bands for synchronization based on the receive signal quality metric of each of the plurality of frequency hopping bands.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of determining coverage of a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes traveling to multiple locations around access points of the wireless network, and for a plurality of client applications, measuring a performance parameter between a test client device and nodes of the wireless network, at a plurality of the multiple locations.

Abstract: Methods and systems of receiving wireless signals are disclosed. One method includes a receiver characterizing signal quality parameters of receive signals for a plurality of receive diversity settings. The receiver selects a first receive diversity setting for synchronizing the receiver with the receive signal based on the characterized signal quality parameters. The receiver selects a second receive diversity setting for receiving data with the receive signal based on the characterized signal quality parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling transmission air-time available to a wireless node within a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes occupied by transmission packets. The method includes the wireless node monitoring air-time available to the wireless node for wireless transmission. The wireless node controls wireless transmission of neighboring wireless devices if the air-time available is detected to be lower than a threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and apparatus for selecting coefficients of a non-linear filter are disclosed. The non-linear filter receives a transmit signal and generates a non-linear replica signal of a transmit DAC of a transceiver. The method include applying a plurality of periodic test pattern signals to inputs of the transmit DAC, wherein the periodic test pattern signals include a stream of symbols. Receive symbols are collected at an output of a receiver ADC of the transceiver resulting from the plurality of periodic test pattern signals. A non-linear map is generated that provides a value for each of n consecutive symbols input to the transmit DAC. Coefficients of the non-linear filter are selected based on the non-linear map.

Abstract: Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for solar heating are disclosed. One solar heating apparatus includes an insulating layer adjacent to an exterior of a structure. A heat transfer plate is adjacent to the insulating layer. A fluid conduit is adjacent to the heat transfer plate. The heat transfer plate is thermally connected to the fluid conduit for transferring heat from the heat transfer plate to fluid within the fluid conduit. A weather exposed layer is thermally connected to the heat transfer plate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of pre-qualifying a potential customer of a wireless network is disclosed. The prequalification includes obtaining a location input by the potential customer, and accessing a wireless network performance database. An expected level of wireless connection performance of the potential customer is estimated based upon the location input by the potential customer, and wireless network performance stored within the network performance database. The expected level of performance is communicated to the potential customer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of identifying long links within a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes identifying long links within a wireless network. The method includes a first node estimating a link quality of a wireless link between the first node and a second node of the wireless network. The first node uni-casts packets to the second node. The first node monitors a packet acknowledgment success rate. The first node identifies the wireless link to be a long link if the link quality is above a link threshold, and the packet acknowledgment success rate is below an acknowledgment threshold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling activation of electronic circuitry of data ports of a communication system is disclosed. One method includes a first data port detecting a lack of data for transmission to a second data port. At least one of the first data port and a second data port deactivate electronic circuitry of at least one of the first and second data ports upon detection of the lack of data. The first and second data ports maintain synchronization with each other while the electronic circuitry is deactivated by periodically exchanging synchronization test patterns. At least one of the first data port and the second data port transmit an alert to the other of the first and second data port when data for communication is detected. The other of the first data port and the second data port activate electronic circuitry upon receiving the alert. At least one of the first data port and the second data port transmit data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of setting power back-off of a master transceiver and a slave transceiver is disclosed. The method includes the master transceiver determining a master power back-off, and the slave transceiver determining a slave power back-off based on signals received from the master transceiver, and based on the master power back-off.