Low cost mesh network capability

摘要

A wireless device that utilizes a single network interface to simultaneously connect to an infrastructure network and a mesh network. The device has a driver layer with a media access control module for each network type. A multiplexing module and transceiver module within the driver can direct received information associated with one of the networks to an appropriate media access control and then to an appropriate network adapter. For transmitted data, the multiplexing module can receive data from the application layer through an appropriate network adapter and route it to an appropriate media access control module for processing. The processed data can be interleaved by the transceiver for transmission.

主权项

1. A computing device, comprising:
a memory and a processor that respectively store and execute instructions, including instructions for causing the computing device to perform operations, the operations including:
interfacing the computing device to a first network via a first network interface component;interfacing the computing device to a second network via a second network interface component;with a first media access control (MAC) component:
controlling a radio in accordance with a first protocol; andreceiving messages from the first network from the radio;with a second media access control (MAC) component:
controlling the radio in accordance with a second protocol; andreceiving messages from the second network from the radio;selectively routing messages from the first MAC component and messages from the second MAC component to either the first network interface component or the second network interface component based on information associated with the MAC component through which particular messages were received; originating a first message to be sent through an access point for the first network via at least one bridging device of the second network; bridging a second message that is to be sent through the access point by receiving the second message over the second network and retransmitting the second message to the access point via the at least one bridging device; and bridging a third message that is to be sent through the access point by receiving the third message over the second network and retransmitting the third message to the access point.