Modular access point
Described is a modular access point for wireless communications. The access point includes a housing which has at least one module receiving slot and a first wireless communication radio. The radio communicates with a first wireless device via a first frequency band. The access point also includes a removable module configured for insertion into the module receiving slot. The module includes a second communication radio utilizing a second frequency band so that, when the removable module is inserted into the slot, the access point is capable of communicating with a second wireless device via at least one of the first and second frequency bands. The access point includes a plurality of antenna connectors which are connected to the first and second radios. The access pint may utilize external antennas or internal antenna modules which interchangeably attachable to the antenna connectors.
1. An access point for wireless communication, comprising:
a housing including at least one module receiving slot and a first wireless communication radio, the first radio communicating with a first wireless device utilizing a first frequency band; and
a removable module configured for insertion into the module receiving slot so that the removable module is disposed at least partially within the housing, the module including a second communication radio utilizing a second frequency band so that, when the removable module is inserted into the slot, the access point is capable of communicating with a second wireless device utilizing at least one of the first and second frequency bands.
2. The access point according to claim 1 , wherein the housing include at least one cover covering the corresponding receiving slot and the removable module including a further cover which has a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cover, and wherein when the removable module is inserted into the slot, the cover is removed and the slot is covered with the further cover.
3. The access point according to claim 2 , wherein the housing, the cover and the further cover are composed of substantially the same material.
4. The access point according to claim 1 , wherein when communications over the first frequency band utilize 802.11a technology, communications over the second frequency band utilize one of 802.11b and 802.11g technology, and wherein when communications over the first frequency band utilize one of the 802.11b and 802.11g technology, communications over the second frequency band utilize the 802.11a technology.
5. The access point according to claim 1 , wherein when the removable module is inserted into the slot, the second radio establishes an electrical connection with a circuitry of the housing.
6. The access point according to claim 5 , wherein the second radio establishes the connection with the circuitry using a parallel connection.
7. The access point according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of first antenna connectors connected to the first radio,
wherein the module includes a plurality of the second antenna connectors connected to the second radio.
8. The access point according to claim 7 , further comprising:
a plurality of external antennas; and
at least internal antenna module including an internal antenna,
wherein the external antenna and the at least one internal antenna module are connectable to the first and second radio using the first and second antenna connectors.
9. The access point according to claim 8 , further comprising:
a switch indicating whether one of the external antenna and the internal antenna module is connect to the first and second antenna connectors.
10. The access point according to claim 1 , wherein when the removable module is inserted into the slot, a circuitry of the housing performs an initialization procedure to initiate utilization, of resources of the removable module.
11. The access point according to claim 1 , wherein the access point automatically forwards a communication from the first wireless device to at least one of the second wireless device and a third wireless device.
12. A wireless access point, comprising:
a first module including a first wireless communication radio communicating utilizing a first frequency band; and
a housing including first and second receiving slots, the first module being mounted in a first receiving slot of the housing, the second receiving slot being capable of receiving a second removable module so that the second removable module is disposed at least partially within the housing, the second module including a second wireless radio communicating utilizing a second frequency band,
wherein when the second module is inserted into the second slot, the access point is capable of communicating with a wireless device utilizing at least one of the first and second frequency bands.
13. The access point according to claim 12 , wherein the first module is permanently mounted in the first slot.
14. The access point according to claim 12 , wherein when communications over the first frequency band utilize 802.11a technology, communications over the second frequency band utilize one of 802.11b and 802.11g technology, and wherein when communications over the first frequency band utilize one of the 802.11b and 802.11g technology, communications over the second frequency band utilize the 802:11a technology.
15. The access point according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a plurality of external antennas; and
at least internal antenna module including an internal antenna,
wherein the external antenna and the at least one internal antenna module are connectable to the first and second radio using the first and second antenna connectors.
16. The access point according to claim 15 , further comprising:
a switch indicating whether one of the external antenna and the internal antenna module is connect to the first and second antenna connectors.
17. The wireless access point according to claim 12 , wherein the wireless access point automatically forwards a communication from the first wireless radio to at least one of the second wireless radio and a third wireless device.
18. A wireless communication access point, comprising:
a first wireless radio communicating on a first frequency band;
a housing including at least one module receiving slot and housing the first radio; and
at least one module selectively insertable into and removable from the slot so that the at least one module is disposed at least partially within the housing, the module including one of an internal antenna and an external antenna for the first radio, and a second wireless radio communicating on a second frequency band.
19. The access point according to claim 18 , wherein the housing include at least one cover covering the corresponding receiving slot and the module including a further cover which has a shape substantially similar to the shape of the cover, and wherein when the module is inserted into the slot, the cover is removed and the slot is covered with the further cover.
20. The access point according to claim 18 , wherein the first frequency band is an 802.11a and the second frequency band is one of 802.11b and 802.11g band.
21. The access point according to claim 18 , wherein when the module is inserted into the slot, a circuitry of the housing performs an initialization procedure to initiate utilization of resources of the module.
22. The wireless communication access point according to claim 18 , wherein the wireless communication access point automatically forwards a communication from the first wireless radio to at least one of the second wireless radio and a third wireless device.