Simultaneous multi-mode WiFi differentiated by SSID
View Patent ↗Embodiments provide a wireless network with several access points connected to a communication infrastructure. Residential or business customers of the Internet are provided an Internet interface (e.g., a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem) having a wireless transceiver. Two or more users may access the Internet or other network through the Internet interface. Each user can be assigned a unique Service Set-Identifier (SSID) with each SSID associated with a type of service (e.g., user video service, backhaul service, etc.). The amount of bandwidth assigned to the type of service (and user) may be governed by the equipment according to the assigned SSID.
1. A wireless access point for use in a multi-mode wireless network, the wireless access point comprising:
a wireless access point component, the wireless access point component wirelessly communicating with a second wireless access point and a third wireless access point, wherein the second wireless access point is associated with a first Service Set Identifier (SSID) and is provided a first portion of bandwidth by the wireless access point component based on the first SSID, wherein the second wireless access point is in communication with a first user associated with a first class of user, wherein the first SSID is associated with the first class of user, wherein the second wireless access point provides the first portion of bandwidth based on the first SSID associated with the first class of user, wherein the third wireless access point is associated with a second SSID and is provided a second portion of bandwidth by the wireless access point component based on the second SSID; and
a Network Interface Device (NID) in communication with the wireless access point component, the NID receiving first data packets from the multi-mode wireless network and sending the first data packets to the second wireless access point and receiving second data packets from the third wireless access point and sending the second data packets to the the multi-mode wireless network.
2. The wireless access point as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) device for evaluating one or more of the first data packets or the second data packets communicated between the wireless access point component and the NID.
3. The wireless access point as defined in claim 1 , further comprising:
a packet inspection component, wherein the packet inspection component is operable to inspect received at least one of the first data packets or the second data packets, wherein the first data packets and the second data packets are each associated with corresponding one of the first SSID or the second SSID;
a priority engine, wherein the priority engine operable to determine a priority for assigning bandwidth to the second wireless access point and the third wireless access point, wherein the priority engine operable to also assign bandwidth to the first class of user and to a second class of user accessing the second wireless access point;
an allocation engine, wherein the allocation engine is operable to allocate the first portion of bandwidth and the second portion of bandwidth based on the priority;
a database, wherein the database is operable to store the priority and the allocation;
a network communication component, wherein the network communication component is operable to provide the first portion of bandwidth and the second portion of bandwidth; and
an assignment engine in communication with the packet inspection component, the priority engine, the allocation engine, the database, and the network communication component, the assignment engine operable to receive the first data packets and second data packets and the first SSID or the second SSID associated with corresponding one of the first data packets or the second data packets from the packet inspection component, retrieve the allocation of bandwidth associated with the first SSID or the second SSID from the database, and instruct the network communication component to provide the amount of allocated bandwidth for corresponding one of the first data packets or the second data packets.
4. The wireless access point as defined in claim 3 , wherein the priority is based on a type of service associated with the second wireless access point.