Abstract: Technologies directed to a wireless network device with a single hardware architecture that supports multiple devices roles through software configuration are described. One wireless network device includes a housing with an RF connector and a circuit board with a first radio coupled to an internal antenna and a second radio coupled to an external antenna via the RF connector. The second antenna is mounted on an exterior surface of the building and coupled to the RF connector via an RF cable. The wireless network device receives a command identifying a device role for the wireless network device and configures itself according to the device role using device setting.

Abstract: Technologies directed to a wireless network device with a single hardware architecture that supports multiple devices roles through software configuration are described. One wireless network device includes a housing with an RF connector and a circuit board with a first radio coupled to an internal antenna and a second radio coupled to an external antenna via the RF connector. The second antenna is mounted on an exterior surface of the building and coupled to the RF connector via an RF cable. The wireless network device establishes a first wireless link between the first radio and a radio of a second device via the first antenna and a second wireless link between the second radio and a radio of a third device via the second antenna. The second device can be a second wireless network device that is programmed to operate as a gateway, the gateway being mounted outside of the building.

Abstract: Technologies directed to coordinated dynamic analog beamforming are described. One method includes receiving, by a digital controller of a first wireless device, a data packet, the data packet comprising a destination address of a second wireless device. The method further includes retrieving, from memory, beamformer configuration data associated with the destination address, the beamformer configuration data comprising a phase shifter angle value for a radiation pattern. The method sends, to a beamformer circuit, the phase shifter angle value, the beamformer circuit comprises a power splitter and a set of phase shifters (e.g., at least four). The method causes the set of phase shifters to steer the radiation pattern of electromagnetic energy, radiated by an antenna array of elements, at the phase shifter angle value and sends the data packet to the second wireless device via the antenna array.

Abstract: Technologies for wireless network devices with surface-link antenna systems mounted on exterior surfaces of buildings are described. One wireless network device includes a housing with a circuit board and a first antenna port. A processor, a first antenna, a first wireless local area network (WLAN) radio, and a second WLAN radio are disposed on the circuit board. The first WLAN radio communicates with a radio of a client device using the first antenna over a first line-of-sight (LOS) or non-LOS wireless link (e.g., 2.4 GHz) inside the building. The second WLAN radio communicates with a radio of a second wireless network device using the second antenna over a second LOS wireless link (e.g., 5 GHz) that is external to the building. The first antenna is located inside the building and the second antenna is located along an exterior surface of the building.

Abstract: Technologies directed to a wireless network device with a single hardware architecture that supports multiple devices roles through software configuration are described. One wireless network device includes a housing with an RF connector and a circuit board with a first radio coupled to an internal antenna and a second radio coupled to an external antenna via the RF connector. The second antenna is mounted on an exterior surface of the building and coupled to the RF connector via an RF cable. The wireless network device establishes a first wireless link between the first radio and a radio of a second device via the first antenna and a second wireless link between the second radio and a radio of a third device via the second antenna. The second device can be a second wireless network device that is programmed to operate as a gateway, the gateway being mounted outside of the building.

Abstract: A wireless device includes a radio, a first directional antenna, a second directional antenna, an omnidirectional antenna, and a switch selectively coupled between the radio and the first directional antenna, the second directional antenna, and the omnidirectional antenna. A processor is coupled to the switch and to, for a frame: determine, based on an arbitration table, a destination medium access control address of a client wireless device and identifiers of antennas for transmitting the frame and receiving acknowledgement data; cause the switch to couple the radio to the first directional antenna; transmit the frame to the client wireless device via the first directional antenna, wherein the first client wireless device is located along a first direction with respect to the wireless device; cause the switch to couple the radio to the omnidirectional antenna; and receive an acknowledgment, corresponding to the frame, from the client wireless device via the omnidirectional antenna.

Abstract: A device includes first and second directional antennas, an omnidirectional antenna, and a switch selectively coupled between the first directional and omnidirectional antennas. A first radio includes first RF circuitry. A switch selectively couples the first omnidirectional antenna or the first directional antenna to the first radio. A second radio is coupled to the second directional antenna and includes second RF circuitry. An application processor receives, from first RF circuitry, a first radio frequency performance indicator (RFPI) value for signals received over the omnidirectional antenna, a second RFPI value for signals received over the first directional antenna, and, from the second RF circuitry, a third RPI value for signals received over the second directional antenna. The application processor determines a best RFPI value, selects an antenna corresponding to the best RFPI value, and selects a radio corresponding to the selected antenna.

Abstract: Technologies for wireless network devices with surface-link antenna systems mounted on exterior surfaces of buildings are described. One wireless network device includes a housing with a circuit board and a first antenna port. A processor, a first antenna, a first wireless local area network (WLAN) radio, and a second WLAN radio are disposed on the circuit board. The first WLAN radio communicates with a radio of a client device using the first antenna over a first line-of-sight (LOS) or non-LOS wireless link (e.g., 2.4 GHz) inside the building. The second WLAN radio communicates with a radio of a second wireless network device using the second antenna over a second LOS wireless link (e.g., 5 GHz) that is external to the building. The first antenna is located inside the building and the second antenna is located along an exterior surface of the building.