Integrated wireless distribution and mesh backhaul networks
Networks, devices and methods related to wireless networking. A wireless network using nodes that perform both distribution and backhaul functions is provided. These nodes constitute the key elements of a wireless network that would be deployed and controlled by a wireless network operator. Each node contains a distribution wireless module which is wirelessly coupled to the wireless end user device using a point to multipoint scheme. Also integrated into each node is at least one backhaul wireless module with a directional wireless antenna. Each backhaul wireless module communicates by way of a point to point wireless link with the backhaul module of one other node. The nodes in the wireless network are interconnected to form a mesh backhaul network. Because of the nature of a mesh network, data traffic can be routed around obstacles that may prevent line of site links. Furthermore, the mesh network allows dynamic routing of data traffic to avoid congestion points or downed links in the network.
1. A wireless network for providing services to a plurality of end users, the network comprising:
a plurality of routing nodes for routing traffic by using at least one wireless signal, each routing node being wirelessly coupled to at least one other node, wherein at least one routing node also performs a distribution function for distributing said traffic to at least one wireless end user device;
at least one network aggregation node for routing said traffic between said wireless network and another network, the or each network aggregation node being coupled to at least one routing node; and,
at least one end node for distributing said traffic to a plurality of wireless end user devices, each end node being wirelessly coupled to at least one routing or aggregation node, each end node communicating with the or each coupled routing or aggregation node by way of a dedicated point to point link, wherein each end node comprises:
at least one wireless backhaul module for communicating with at least one node in the wireless network; and
a wireless distribution module for communicating with said least one wireless end user device;
wherein,
each end node receives said at least one wireless signal from said at least one node by way of the at least one backhaul module and transmits at least a portion of at least one of said at least one wireless signal to said at least one end user device by way of the wireless distribution module; and,
the or each wireless backhaul module communicates with a single node in the wireless network at any one time.
2. A wireless network according to claim 1 wherein the or each network aggregation node is coupled to a core network which provides at least a portion of traffic, said traffic being encoded into said at least one wireless signal for routing to said at least one end user device.
3. A wireless network according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of routing nodes is coupled to at least one other routing node by way of a point to point wireless link.
4. A wireless network according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of routing nodes are wirelessly coupled to form a mesh network.
5. A wireless network according to claim 4 wherein said mesh network allows traffic to be routed from one node in the network to another node, said traffic being encoded in said at least one wireless signal.
6. A wireless network according to claim 1 wherein each distribution module wirelessly communicates with a plurality of wireless end user devices.
7. A wireless network for providing services to a plurality of end users, the network comprising:
a plurality of routing nodes for routing traffic by using at least one wireless signal, each routing node being wirelessly coupled to at least one other node;
at least one network aggregation node for routing said traffic between said wireless network and another network, the or each network aggregation node being coupled to at least one routing node;
wherein at least one routing node also performs a distribution function for distributing said traffic to at least one wireless end user device and comprises:
at least two backhaul modules; and,
a switch/router module for routing traffic between different modules in said at least one routing node, said traffic being extracted from said at least one wireless signal,
wherein,
the or each routing node receives said at least one wireless signal from said at least one other node by way of the at least two backhaul modules and transmits at least a portion of at least one of said at least one wireless signal to either:
another node in the wireless network by way of at least one backhaul module; or,
to said at least one end user device by way of the wireless distribution module.
8. A wireless network for providing services to a plurality of end users, the network comprising:
a plurality of routing nodes for routing traffic by using at least one wireless signal, each routing node being wirelessly coupled to at least one other node; and,
at least one network aggregation node for routing said traffic between said wireless network and another network, the or each network aggregation node being coupled to at least one routing node;
wherein at least one routing node also performs a distribution function for distributing said traffic to at least one wireless end user device and the or each network aggregation node comprises:
at least one wireless backhaul module for communicating with at least one node in said wireless network;
a switch/router module for routing traffic between different modules in said aggregation node, said traffic being extracted from said at least one wireless signal; and,
at least one network interface module for communicating with said another network;
wherein the or each network aggregation node receives said at least one wireless signal from said at least one node by way of the at least one backhaul module and transmits at least a portion of at least one of said at least one wireless signal to a destination selected from a group comprising:
another node in the wireless network by way of at least one backhaul module; and,
said another network by way of the at least one network interface module;
wherein the or each wireless backhaul module communicates with a single node in the wireless network at any one time.
9. A wireless network according to claim 8 wherein the or each network aggregation node further comprises a wireless distribution module for communicating with at least one wireless end user device.