Abstract: One or more access points in a wireless communication system, wherein at least one of those access points includes a set of more than one antennae capable of concurrent communication, and at least one of those more than one antennae is isolated from a remainder of that set of antennae during concurrent communication. Isolation includes one or more of disposed a first antenna in a null region of a second antenna, disposing a first antenna to communicate polarized and substantially orthogonal to a second antenna, disposing a set of antennae to communicate at two or more carrier frequencies, wherein each first antenna adjacent to a second antenna operate at distinct such carrier frequencies, or disposing a set of antennae to communicate using two or more substantially distinct protocols, wherein substantially each first antenna adjacent to a second antenna operate at substantially distinct such protocols.

Abstract: A technique for providing per station control of multiple stations in a wireless network across multiple access points. A look-up table that assigns a station connected to the access point and at least one communication parameter to each of a plurality of persistent, uniquely-assigned BSSIDs (Basic Service Set Identifiers) is stored. An access point responds to messages addressed one of the plurality of persistent, uniquely-assigned BSSIDs and ignores messages addressed to other BSSIDs. Persistence of the BSSID allows the controller to maintain individual control over each station after moving to a second access point of the plurality of access points. A frame comprising the plurality of BSSIDs corresponding to each connected station aggregated into the frame is generated. The frame is transmitted to the plurality of stations.

Abstract: A controller directing access points to default to a virtual cell service mode which allows seamless mobility for stations in motion around a wireless network is disclosed. Responsive to identifying a first station, the controller logic may dictate tighter controls for the first station by selecting a virtual port service mode. Some embodiments can also select a native cell service mode for devices due to a connection history of the station or a MAC OUI that is incompatible with virtual cell service mode. An initial service mode can be changed due to a condition. Also, the controller provides multiple BSSIDs to each access point.

Abstract: A communication system detects particular application protocols in response to their message traffic patterns, which might be responsive to packet size, average packet rate, burstiness of packet transmissions, or other message pattern features. Selected message pattern features include average packet rate, maximum packet burst, maximum future accumulation, minimum packet size, and maximum packet size. The system maintains a counter of packet tokens, each arriving at a constant rate, and maintains a queue of real packets. Each real packet is released from the queue when there is a corresponding packet token also available for release. Packet tokens overfilling the counter, and real packets overfilling the queue, are discarded. Users might add or alter application protocol descriptions to account for profiles thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a differential signal to noise ratio (DSNR) based rate adaptation for wireless networks are disclosed. The described methods probabilistically adapt the rate of data transmission based on an assessment of the causes of data loss. The described methods include determining a DSNR for data transmission during a predetermined window of time and adapting the transmission rate in a probabilistic manner responsive to the differential SNR and a differential SNR threshold for the data transmission.

Abstract: For seamless mobility, at least one communication parameter to associate with a BSSID is selected. A beacon is sent from a first access point to advertise its presence, wherein the beacon comprises the BSSID associated with the at least one communication parameter. Responsive to the mobile station choosing the BSSID being advertised in the beacon sent from the first access point, a uniquely assign the BSSID is selected for a mobile station. The first access point from the plurality of access points is associated with the mobile station persistently. Associating is made as selected by the system coordinator, the uniquely assigned BSSID being independent of an identify of mobile station and being eligible for subsequent assignment to a different mobile station as determined by the system coordinator.

Abstract: A dual-band antenna including a ground plane, a first resonating plate that resonates in a first frequency band, a first shorting plate that shorts the first resonating plate to the ground plane, a second resonating plate that resonates in a second frequency band, with the second resonating plate raised above the first resonating plate with respect to the ground plane, and a second shorting plate that shorts the second resonating plate to the first resonating plate. Also, a dual-stack dual-band MIMO antenna comprising four dual-band antennas arranged in a square or rectangular pattern.

Abstract: A method wherein a message packet is received at a node in a 1st wireless communication system, wherein said 1st wireless communication system determines whether it is experiencing interference with a 2nd wireless communication system, and wherein said 1st wireless communication system takes action to reduce said interference. Reducing said interference might include reduction in signal strength, change in message coding, and other actions, in response to a set of selected interference thresholds. Different protocol effects might be changed in response to one or more said thresholds, with the effect that distinct wireless communication systems may operate in relatively close proximity with a minimum of interference.

Abstract: A selective barrier prevents undesired communication between a protected region and an unprotected region. Wireless communication is allowed within the protected region, while wireless communication is prevented between the protected region and any unprotected regions. Particular undesired message packets might be selected by business rules responsive to aspects of individual messages. Particular unprotected regions might be statically or dynamically determined. Alternatively, the selective barrier similarly operates to block undesired message packets from originating in any of the unprotected regions and successfully being received in the protected region.

Abstract: Wireless security is enforced at L1, in addition to or in lieu of other layers. AP's can switch dynamically from serving to scanning. Scanners listen for authorized frame headers. Scanners either receive, or allow authorized frames to be received, at their destination. Scanners kill unauthorized frames while they are still transmitting; scanners continue listening for and killing unauthorized frame headers until frame ending time demands their return to serving, multiplying their effectiveness. AP's include dual-mode multi-frequency omni-directional antennae, used to prevent third parties from snooping messages received at those AP's.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.

Abstract: A method of adapting wireless transmission rates that includes the steps of determining at least a short-term loss ratio for wireless communication during a window of time, and adapting a transmission rate responsive to at least the short-term loss ratio, a maximum tolerable loss threshold for the communication during the window, and an opportunistic rate increase threshold for the communication during the window. A size of the window, the maximum tolerable loss threshold, and the opportunistic rate increase threshold are responsive to the transmission rate used for the communication. Preferably, the window is re-started if the transmission rate changes. Also, systems, devices, and memories that embody the foregoing.

Abstract: A system and method enable the transmission of messages between a source device and a wireless station. A first message is received at an access point from the source device. The access point transmits the first message to the wireless station and stores a copy of the first message in a memory. The access point receives an acknowledgement message from the wireless station and transmits a proxy acknowledgement message to the source device. The access point transmits a control message to the source device to limit the number or size of additional messages sent from the source device based on a number or size of messages currently stored in the memory and a maximum number or size of messages that can be stored in the memory.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.

Abstract: One or more 802.11 access points that are programmed or otherwise configured to transmit a preferably continuous waveform over a band of frequencies that interferes with other devices in the region, effectively blocking all (or at least most) 802.11 traffic on channels spanned by that band of frequencies.

Abstract: AP's associated with a communication network and any wireless devices desiring contact, operated according to a protocol in which each wireless device selects AP's with which to communicate. A system coordinator causes the AP's to operate so as to guide each wireless device to an AP selected by the system coordinator. This has the effect that, notwithstanding that the protocol involves having the wireless device make the selection of AP, functionally, the AP's make the selection for it. In a 1st technique, multiple AP's share an identifier, with the system coordinator directing one particular AP to respond to the wireless device, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal cell”. In a 2nd technique, AP's each maintain identifiers substantially unique to each wireless device, with the system coordinator directing only one particular AP to maintain any particular wireless device's identifier, thus appearing to wireless devices as a “personal AP”.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a differential signal to noise ratio (DSNR) based rate adaptation for wireless networks are disclosed. The described methods probabilistically adapt the rate of data transmission based on an assessment of the causes of data loss. The described methods include determining a DSNR for data transmission during a predetermined window of time and adapting the transmission rate in a probabilistic manner responsive to the differential SNR and a differential SNR threshold for the data transmission.

Abstract: Carrier sensing and power control, or trade-off among two or more communication parameters, can provide relative improvement in throughput. A sensing threshold or transmission power are varied, thus altering a sensing range and a transmission quality, thus maximizing a feasible transmission rate. Transmission power and rate are collectively altered to find a best throughput rate. A transmission rate can incremented after successful transmission and decremented after failed transmission, the described increment possibly being less than the described decrement. Thus, pairs of transmissions where one fails and one succeeds decrease the net transmission rate. Smaller increments, with larger decrements, cause increases to increase throughput without degrading quality, while causing decreases to restore transmission quality if an increase does degrade transmission quality.

Abstract: Uplink medium access control on per-wireless device level. An access point sends a beacon frame to a wireless device. The beacon frame includes a BSSID that is unique to the wireless device. The beacon frame also includes embedded uplink configurations specifying uplink medium access for the wireless device. In one embodiment, a controller recognizes a device or user associated with the device, and sends corresponding uplink configurations for embedding in a subsequent beacon frame.

Abstract: ACK messages by access points are suppressed when those access points receive messages from wireless stations for which those access points should not respond. This might occur in wireless communication systems based upon 802.11 protocols in which seamless mobility is desired, with a system controller that assigns wireless stations to specific access points. The access point examines an incoming message from a wireless device to decide whether or not to suppress a responsive ACK message to that wireless device. An access point may suppress an ACK message by suppressing the generation of the ACK, or by suppressing the transmission of a generated ACK. Mechanisms for suppressing an ACK message include setting the ACK transmission to a relatively unpowered transmitting antenna; interrupting a PHY-layer element during receipt of an incoming frame; and limiting entries in a key cache table to suppress ACK messages in response to encrypted incoming frames.