LAYER-3 MESH CONNECTIVITY OF WIRELESS LOCAL NETWORKS

摘要

A first wireless device of a wireless local network is operated in an un-associated data transfer mode at a layer-2 level. In the un-associated data transfer mode, communication between the first wireless device and a second wireless device in the wireless local network is allowed to take place without prior authentication and association between the two wireless devices. The first wireless device participates in formulation of routing information in routing nodes of a wireless mesh network while operating in the un-associated data transfer mode. If configured as an end device, the first wireless device thereafter exchanges data packets with another wireless device in the mesh. If configured as a router, the first wireless device routes packets to corresponding wireless devices in the mesh. Operation in the un-associated data transfer mode may result in reduction in power consumption of nodes in the mesh, as well as increased data throughput.

主权项

1. A method of operating a first wireless device of a first wireless local network comprised in a wireless mesh network formed of a plurality of wireless local networks including said first wireless local network, wherein said method is performed in said first wireless device, said method comprising:
setting an operating mode to un-associated data transfer mode at a layer-2 level; and participating in formulation of routing information in routing nodes of said wireless mesh network while operating in said un-associated data transfer mode.