Patent ID: 6674737
Filing Date: 2004-01-06
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
A method of operating a local area network (LAN) comprising a primary station having a radio transceiving means and a plurality of secondary stations, each secondary having radio transceiving means, characterized by periodically transmitting wide area control signals, by the primary station initiating transmission of a signal a predetermined time interval after the wide area control signal, and by a secondary station which is out-of-range of the primary station and wishing to join the LAN transmitting a signal burst in said predetermined time interval;wherein a LAN registered secondary station of the plurality of secondary stations that is in communication range of both the primary station and said secondary station that is out-of-range from the primary station receives the signal burst and acts as a relay station between the primary station and the out-of-range secondary station by transmitting a (Random Access Channel) RACH_notify message in response to receipt of the signal burst from the out-of-range secondary station, and wherein the out-of-range secondary station listens for and receives the RACH notify message from at least one of the secondary stations to determine timing of the RACH to use the RACH for a subsequent stage of registration with the LAN via the secondary station whose RACH notify message was received to act as the relay station.