Abstract: A method for mobile communication includes arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station, and linking the access points together by cables in a wired local area network (LAN). When one or more of the access points receive an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel, the access points send messages over the LAN and arbitrate among themselves based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for mobile communication includes a switch and a plurality of access points, which are arranged in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate over the air on a common frequency channel with a mobile station using a common basic service set identification (BSSID) for all the access points. The access points are coupled by a LAN to the switch so that upon receiving at one or more of the access points an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel, the one or more of the access points convey messages responsively to the uplink signal over the LAN to the switch. A manager node is coupled to the switch so as to receive the messages and is adapted to process the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal.

Abstract: A method for mobile communication includes arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate over the air with a mobile station using a common basic service set identification (BSSID) for all the access points. Upon receiving at one or more of the access points an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station using the common BSSID, messages are sent and received over a communication medium linking the access points in order to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal. The selected one of the access points transmits a response to the mobile station.

Abstract: Apparatus for network communication includes a cable arranged to form a wired local area network (LAN), the cable comprising at least first and second conductors. A plurality of access points are interconnected by the cable and are arranged in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate over the air on a common frequency channel with a mobile station. The access points are adapted to convey data to and from the mobile station over the LAN via the first conductor and to exchange control messages among the access points via the second conductor.

Abstract: A method for mobile communication by access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) includes transmitting a first downlink signal on a common frequency channel from a first access point to a first mobile station, at a first downlink power level, which is adjusted responsively to a first uplink power level transmitted from the first mobile station to the first access point. If the first downlink signal received at a second access point is below a predetermined interference threshold, the second access point may transmit a second downlink signal on the common frequency channel to a second mobile station, simultaneously with transmission of the first downlink signal from the first access point to the first mobile station. The capacity of the WLAN may thus be substantially increased.

Abstract: A method for mobile communication includes arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station, and linking the access points together by cables in a wired local area network (LAN), so as to convey frames of data to and from the mobile station via the LAN. When one or more of the access points receive an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel, the access points send messages over the LAN by interleaving the messages in one or more of the frames of the data, and arbitrate among themselves based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal.

Abstract: A method for mobile communication includes arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate over the air with a mobile station, and linking the access points to one another over a communication medium. The access points exchange control messages over the communication medium using a code division multiple access (CDMA) protocol, and responsive to the control messages, transmit signals over the air to the mobile station.

Abstract: A method for mobile communication includes arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station, and linking the access points together by cables in a wired local area network (LAN). When one or more of the access points receive an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel, the access points send messages over the LAN and arbitrate among themselves based on the messages so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal.

Abstract: A method for mobile communication includes arranging a plurality of access points in a wireless local area network (WLAN) to communicate on a common frequency channel with a mobile station. Upon receiving at one or more of the access points an uplink signal transmitted over the WLAN by the mobile station on the common frequency channel, the access points receiving the uplink signal arbitrate among themselves so as to select one of the access points to respond to the uplink signal. A response is then transmitted from the selected one of the access points to the mobile station.