Abstract: Reduced signaling overhead is provided in an apparatus and method for communications within a mesh network. The communications involve using two different beacon signals. A peer beacon contains time synchronization and resource management information to maintain existing links among one or more neighboring peer stations, while a separate network discovery beacon contains mesh network profile information that identifies the mesh network to aid network discovery for wireless communication stations wanting to join the mesh network. Embodiments describe coordination between peer stations to determine which stations are to send the network discovery beacons, so that at any given period of time not all stations need to be transmitting the discovery beacons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing the same data through independent routes between stations in a mesh network to increase the robustness of communications. The disclosed feature allows transmission of the same data stream via multiple routes from a source station (STA) to a destination station (STA). An extended routing request (RREQ) and routing reply (RREP) are utilized which provide a primary and secondary flag indication, which is utilized in combination with advanced programming for setting path cost metrics to assure independence of primary and secondary routes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adaptive network discovery signaling. Information is collected in a database of events, such as the discovery of a new station. The event information (e.g., new station, antenna sectors, active links) is shared with a central coordinator, or other stations in the network. Based on events, at this or other stations, signal transmission forms are adapted, for example for transmitting the beacon signals and notification signals. Adaptations of signal transmission include changing how frequently signaling is performed, timing of signaling, adjusting beam width, and/or adjusting directionality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing multiple data streams simultaneously through independent routes between multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) stations in a mesh network. The disclosed feature allows transmission of multiple data streams via multiple routes from a source station (STA) to a destination station (STA), which are both MIMO capable, even though the relay STAs in between can be a single-input-single-output (SISO) STA. An extended routing request (RREQ) and routing reply (RREP) frames are utilized which provide a primary and secondary flag indication, which is utilized in combination with advanced programming for setting path cost metrics to assure independence of primary and secondary routes.

Abstract: Multi-band signaling is described for reducing signaling overhead in an apparatus and method for communications within a mesh network. The communications involve using two different beacon signals on two different communication channels. Peer beacons are sent using directional millimeter-wave (mmW) communications to provide time synchronization and resource management information to maintain existing links among one or more neighboring peer stations. A separate network discovery beacon is sent over a sub-6 GHz communication channel, to provide mesh network profile information that identifies the mesh network to aid network discovery for wireless communication stations wanting to join the mesh network.

Abstract: Reduced signaling overhead is provided in an apparatus and method for communications within a mesh network. The communications involve using two different beacon signals. A peer beacon contains time synchronization and resource management information to maintain existing links among one or more neighboring peer stations, while a separate network discovery beacon contains mesh network profile information that identifies the mesh network to aid network discovery for wireless communication stations wanting to join the mesh network. Embodiments describe coordination between peer stations to determine which stations are to send the network discovery beacons, so that at any given period of time not all stations need to be transmitting the discovery beacons.

Abstract: Wireless mesh networking protocols are taught that provide neighbor node discovery in a network utilizing directional transmissions. The established mesh network is utilized to trigger stations in the mesh network to assist in neighbor discovery. The new node joining the network then does not need to wait for beacons from other mesh nodes in starting the process to join the mesh network. In this way the discovery of available nodes is accelerated. Numerous variations and scenarios of the apparatus and method are described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing the same data through independent routes between stations in a mesh network to increase the robustness of communications. The disclosed feature allows transmission of the same data stream via multiple routes from a source station (STA) to a destination station (STA). An extended routing request (RREQ) and routing reply (RREP) are utilized which provide a primary and secondary flag indication, which is utilized in combination with advanced programming for setting path cost metrics to assure independence of primary and secondary routes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing multiple data streams simultaneously through independent routes between multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) stations in a mesh network. The disclosed feature allows transmission of multiple data streams via multiple routes from a source station (STA) to a destination station (STA), which are both MIMO capable, even though the relay STAs in between can be a single-input-single-output (SISO) STA. An extended routing request (RREQ) and routing reply (RREP) frames are utilized which provide a primary and secondary flag indication, which is utilized in combination with advanced programming for setting path cost metrics to assure independence of primary and secondary routes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing data through independent routes substantially between a source station and a destination station of a mesh network. The routes are discovered in a non-sequential, pseudo-simultaneous manner from a source station (STA) to a destination station (STA). An extended routing request (RREQ) and routing reply (RREP) are utilized which provide a primary and secondary flag indication, which is utilized in combination with advanced programming for setting path cost metrics to assure independence of primary and secondary routes.

Abstract: Wireless communication is performed in a wireless network by dividing up a data transmission interval (DTI) within the communication frame into a plurality of time slots based on determining the number of best sector directions from the AP to each STA in the wireless network. Each STA transmits only during this time slot, while the AP uses receiver beamforming and receives only from a single beamforming direction for each of these time slots. A time slot may be used by more than one STA if they are in the same best antenna sector direction from the AP, wherein they contend for access within this time slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing the same data through independent routes between stations in a mesh network to increase the robustness of communications. The disclosed feature allows transmission of the same data stream via multiple routes from a source station (STA) to a destination station (STA). An extended routing request (RREQ) and routing reply (RREP) are utilized which provide a primary and secondary flag indication, which is utilized in combination with advanced programming for setting path cost metrics to assure independence of primary and secondary routes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing multiple data streams simultaneously through independent routes between multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) stations in a mesh network. The disclosed feature allows transmission of multiple data streams via multiple routes from a source station (STA) to a destination station (STA), which are both MIMO capable, even though the relay STAs in between can be a single-input-single-output (SISO) STA. An extended routing request (RREQ) and routing reply (RREP) frames are utilized which provide a primary and secondary flag indication, which is utilized in combination with advanced programming for setting path cost metrics to assure independence of primary and secondary routes.