Abstract: Systems and methods for improving data transmission rates in communication networks are disclosed. In an 802.11 wireless communication network, where a source node of the wireless network transmits TCP data to a destination node of the wireless network, the destination node does not transmit TCP acknowledgments (ACKs) for the TCP data if 802.11 ACKs indicate that the destination node received the TCP data. If a source outside the wireless network transmits TCP data to the destination node within the wireless network through an intermediate device, such as an access point, the destination node suppresses transmitting TCP ACKs. The intermediate device transmits TCP ACKs as proxy for the destination node to the source. The intermediate device also suppresses TCP ACKs where a source node within the wireless network sends the TCP data to a destination node outside of the wireless network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secured network access are provided. A user device located within range of a hotspot initiates a request sent via an open communication network associated with the hotspot. The request concerns secured network access at the hotspot by the user device. A unique pre-shared key is generated for the user device based on information in the received request and transmitted over the open communication network for display on a webpage accessible to the user device. The unique pre-shared key is stored in association with information regarding the user device. The user device may then use the unique pre-shared key in subsequent requests for secured network access.

Abstract: Power consumption in a receiving device is avoided by receiving packets from a transmitting device in a first band of frequencies (such as around 60 GHz) and providing acknowledgments in a second band of frequencies that is different than the first band of frequencies (such as around 5 GHz). These out-of-band acknowledgments may allow the receiving device to avoid transmissions in the first band of frequencies and the associated power consumption. Moreover, the transmissions by the transmitting device in the first band of frequencies and the second band of frequencies may be synchronized so that packets are transmitted in the first band of frequencies when transmission in the second band of frequencies is enabled. In these ways, this communication technique may improve the performance of the transmitting device and the receiving device.

Abstract: In order to maintain performance during wireless communication, a transmitting electronic device may selectively enable use of pre-authorization messages during communication with one or more receiving electronic devices. In particular, the transmitting electronic device may monitor a performance metric associated with the communication. If the performance metric is less than a threshold, the transmitting electronic device may selectively enable the use of the pre-authorization messages before communicating data to the one of the receiving electronic devices. Subsequently, the transmitting electronic device monitors a pre-authorization performance metric associated with the communication of the pre-authorization messages. If the pre-authorization performance metric is less than a pre-authorization threshold, the transmitting electronic device may selectively disable the use of the pre-authorization messages.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing transmission parameter control at a transmitting station is described. The exemplary system and method comprises querying a transmission parameter control module for a transmission schedule. The transmission schedule comprises at least one schedule entry defining a set of transmission parameter controls as they pertain to a destination address. At least one packet of data is then transmitted to the destination address according to the transmission parameters controls of at least one schedule entry from the transmission schedule. A system and method for selecting an antenna configuration corresponding to a next transmission of packet data is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authentication using paired dynamic secrets in secured wireless networks are provided. Each authenticated user is assigned a random secret generated so as to be unique to the user. The secret is associated with a wireless interface belonging to the user, so that no other wireless interface may use the same secret to access the network. The secret may be updated either periodically or at the request of a network administrator, and reauthentication of the wireless network may be required.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus comprises selectable antenna elements including a plurality of dipoles and/or a plurality of slot antennas (“slot”). Each dipole and/or each slot provides gain with respect to isotropic. The dipoles may generate vertically polarized radiation and the slots may generate horizontally polarized radiation. Each antenna element may have one or more loading structures configured to decrease the footprint (i.e., the physical dimension) of the antenna element and minimize the size of the antenna apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secured network access are provided. A user device located within range of a branded hotspot initiates a request for the secured network access. The request concerns secured network access at the hotspot by the user device and includes a unique pre-shared key. A query regarding the unique pre-shared key is sent to a database, which retrieves information regarding a corresponding pre-shared key. That information is sent to the hotspot controller, which allows the user device secured network access as governed by one or more parameters associated with the pre-shared key.

Abstract: A horizontally polarized antenna array allows for the efficient distribution of RF energy into a communications environment through selectable antenna elements and redirectors that create a particular radiation pattern such as a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In conjunction with a vertically polarized array, a particular high-gain wireless environment may be created such that one environment does not interfere with other nearby wireless environments and avoids interference created by those other environments. Lower gain patterns may also be created by using particular configurations of a horizontal and/or vertical antenna array. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna systems disclosed herein are utilized in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) wireless environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for provisioned configuration of wireless devices to allow access to restricted wireless networks are provided. Using an open wireless or wired network, a user of a wireless device may be authenticated. A configuration application, which includes the parameters and policies of the provisioned configuration, is generated, transferred to, and executed on the wireless device. Following configuration by the application, the wireless device is allowed to access the restricted wireless network within the parameters and policies of the provisioned configuration.

Abstract: An access point of a communications network receives a multicast or broadcast packet from a source. The access point converts the multicast or broadcast packet into a unicast packet addressed to a station associated with the access point. The access point then transmits the unicast packet over the communications network from the access point to the station. The access point further may determine a minimum data rate by which the access point may transmit the multicast or broadcast packet to the station and determines an effective unicast rate for transmitting the unicast packet to the station. If the effective unicast rate does not exceed the minimum data rate, the access point does not transmit the unicast packet to the station and transmits the multicast or broadcast packet.

Abstract: An apparatus for Internet-Protocol based communications in a wireless network includes a network interface, a controller, and memory. The interface receives a series of multicast data packets. The controller identifies one or more receiving nodes in the wireless network requesting data corresponding to the series of multicast data packets and determines that the effective unicast rate for one or more unicast data packets exceeds a minimum data rate of the series of multicast data packets using an 802.x protocol. The memory stores instructions that may be executable by a processor. Upon execution of the instructions by a processor, the received series of multicast data packets is converted into one or more unicast packets, the execution and conversion occurring in response to instructions received from the controller. A system for Internet-Protocol based communications in a wireless network implements such an apparatus in the context of an access point.

Abstract: A method of controlling access to a network, the method comprising storing in a data repository first identifying detail relating to a second type of connection and associating the details with respective base credential relating to a first type of connection, and granting a request to access to network via second type of connection, the request comprises a second identifying detail, if correlation is found between the second identifying detail and the first identifying detail.

Abstract: A method for unicast packet conversion whereby a unicast packet is received at a receiving node followed by a determination as to whether the destination address is identified in the packet. If the address is identified, then the unicast packets are converted to a multicast packet and forwarded to a connected station. If a destination network address is not identified, then the packet is forwarded to the connected station.

Abstract: A system and method for a wireless link to a remote receiver includes a communication device for generating RF and a planar antenna apparatus for transmitting the RF. The planar antenna apparatus includes selectable antenna elements, each of which has gain and a directional radiation pattern. The directional radiation pattern is substantially in the plane of the antenna apparatus. Switching different antenna elements results in a configurable radiation pattern. Alternatively, selecting all or substantially all elements results in an omnidirectional radiation pattern. One or more directors and/or one or more reflectors may be included to constrict the directional radiation pattern. The antenna apparatus may be conformally mounted to a housing containing the communication device and the antenna apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secured network access are provided. A user device located within range of a branded hotspot initiates a request for the secured network access. The request concerns secured network access at the hotspot by the user device and includes a unique pre-shared key. A query regarding the unique pre-shared key is sent to a database, which retrieves information regarding a corresponding pre-shared key. That information is sent to the hotspot controller, which allows the user device secured network access as governed by one or more parameters associated with the pre-shared key.

Abstract: Initiating a virtual presence at a physical access point in response to a request for a service from a wireless access device is provided. A particular wireless service may be provided to a subscriber on an on-demand basis according to location and/or type of service requested. The service may be terminated when demand for the service comes to an end whereby a common wireless service infrastructure may be shared amongst service providers thus eliminating the need for radio channel coordination and otherwise enhancing service quality for those service providers.

Abstract: A device for a wireless RF link to a remote receiving device can radiate at different radiation patterns in response to detecting a change in the device position. As the device is moved, displaced, or re-positioned, a position sensor in the device detects the change in position and provides position information to a processor. The processor receives the position information from the position sensor, selects an antenna configuration and physical data rate based on the position information, and provides an RF signal associated with the selected antenna configuration through the antenna elements of the selected antenna configuration.

Abstract: A horizontally polarized antenna array allows for the efficient distribution of RF energy into a communications environment through selectable antenna elements and redirectors that create a particular radiation pattern such as a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern. In conjunction with a vertically polarized array, a particular high-gain wireless environment may be created such that one environment does not interfere with other nearby wireless environments and avoids interference created by those other environments. Lower gain patterns may also be created by using particular configurations of a horizontal and/or vertical antenna array. In a preferred embodiment, the antenna systems disclosed herein are utilized in a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) wireless environment.

Abstract: A wireless access network including a wireless base station configured to, for Iu-CS voice traffic, act as a network controller, by, terminating Iu-b signals from user equipment, and relaying the voice traffic over Iu-CS via an IP sec tunnel. And for data traffic, wireless base station is configured to act as the network controller, by, terminating Iu-b signals from the user equipment, striping IP payload, and sending the data traffic inside IPsec. Further, the wireless access network includes a wireless gateway configured to act as a security gateway for Iu-CS voice traffic, by, establishing the IP sec tunnel with the femtocell base station without the support of a GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) as defined over Iu-PS. Also receiving and forwarding the tunneled Iu-CS voice traffic to a mobile switching center, and for data traffic, encapsulate the IP payload and send it via Gn to GGSN.