Granted Patent B2

US 9,585,029 · App. 14/211,355 · Granted Feb 28, 2017

Abstract

Claims (60)

1. A computer implemented method of performing a start-up sequence and a configuration for a wireless node comprising the steps of:

determining if a wireless node has a wired connection to a network;

discovering a wireless backhaul connection;

discovering a dynamic host configuration protocol server;

requesting an IP address from the dynamic host configuration protocol server;

resolving a fully qualified domain name of a centralized server based on geographical location;

authenticating the wireless node;

creating, at the wireless node, a neighborhood list identifying each node in the neighborhood of the wireless node, and including capability information for each neighbor node;

broadcasting, at the wireless node, the neighborhood list for nodes newly joining the network over a control channel; and

exchanging, at the wireless node, the neighborhood list with another node on the network.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 wherein the discovering a wireless backhaul connection further comprises the steps of:

a. listening for an active transmission from a neighboring node;

b. creating a neighborhood list based on a one-hop neighbor list transmitted by the neighboring node;

c. transmitting an introduction over a control channel; and

d. receiving a backhaul timeslot.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

a. analyzing a present operational software version to determine if it is the most current operational software version;

b. providing an updated version of the operational software to the wireless node if the wireless node does not have the most current version;

c. rebooting the wireless node;

d. receiving a hardware capability of the wireless node from the centralized server; and

e. receiving a node configuration for the wireless node from the centralized server.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising downloading a system configuration.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising broadcasting a node ID on a contention slot of a backhaul layer 1 .

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 further comprising selecting a second centralized server based on load characteristics or geographic location of the centralized server.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising measuring and storing a network condition.

8. The method of 7 further comprising adjusting a self-configuration of the wireless node comprising the steps of:

a. determining if there is a fault in a hardware component within the wireless node;

b. informing the centralized server of the fault;

c. adjusting a configuration of a second wireless node; and

d. changing an operational parameter of the second wireless node.

9. A wireless node comprising a memory communicatively coupled to a processor having computer readable software stored within that when executed causes the processor to:

determine if a wireless node has a wired connection to a network;

discover a wireless backhaul connection;

discover a dynamic host configuration protocol server;

request an IP address from the dynamic host configuration protocol server;

resolve a fully qualified domain name of a centralized server based on geographical location;

authenticate the wireless node;

creating, at the wireless node, a neighborhood list identifying each node in the neighborhood of the wireless node, and including capability information for each neighbor node;

broadcasting, at the wireless node, the neighborhood list for nodes newly joining the network over a control channel; and

exchanging, at the wireless node, the neighborhood list with another node on the network.

10. The wireless node of claim 9 further comprising computer readable software that when executed causes the processor to:

a. receive an active transmission from a neighboring node;

b. create a neighborhood list based on a one-hop neighbor list transmitted by the neighboring node;

c. transmit an introduction over a control channel; and

d. receive a backhaul timeslot.

11. The wireless node of claim 9 further comprising computer readable software that when executed cause the processor to:

a. analyze a present operational software version to determine if it is the most current operational software version;

b. store an updated version of the operational software if the wireless node does not have the most current version;

c. reboot the wireless node;

d. send a hardware capability of the wireless node to the centralized server; and

e. receive a node configuration for the wireless node from the centralized server.

12. The wireless node of claim 9 further comprising computer readable software that when executed cause the processor to download a system configuration.

13. The wireless node of claim 9 further comprising computer readable software that when executed cause the processor to broadcast a node ID on a contention slot of a backhaul layer 1 .

14. The wireless node of claim 9 further comprising computer readable software that when executed cause the processor to select a second centralized server based on load characteristics or geographic location of the centralized server.

15. The wireless node of claim 9 further comprising computer readable software that when executed cause the processor to measure and store a network condition.

16. The wireless node of claim 15 further comprising computer readable software that when executed cause the processor to:

a. determine if there is a fault in a hardware component within the wireless node;

b. inform the centralized server of the fault;

c. adjust a configuration of a second wireless node; and

d. change an operational parameter of the second wireless node.

Assignments (7)