Abstract:
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for interfacing between a broadband wireless communication system and a Local Area Network (LAN) system are disclosed herein. For instance, the method can include converting first data formatted according to a broadband communication protocol, from a transceiver, to a local area network (LAN) protocol to generate LAN formatted data. The method can also include converting second data formatted according to the LAN protocol, from a computing device, to the broadband communication protocol to generate broadband-formatted data. Further, the method can includes transmitting the LAN-formatted data to the computing device and the broadband-formatted data to the transceiver.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/602,907, filed on Sep. 4, 2012, now allowed (Attorney Docket No. 1744.1720003), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/424,504, filed on Mar. 20, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,285,277, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/164,449, filed on Jun. 20, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,195,149, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/936,821, filed on Sep. 9, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,966,012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to wireless data communication and, more particularly, to broadband wireless data communication. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    There is an increasing demand for broadband wireless communications, such as wireless internet access, which service providers are attempting to provide. 
         [0006]    Cellular telephone companies are advertising future availability of broadband wireless internet access. According to the advertising, users will be able to connect to the internet at ever increasing speeds using cellular telephone systems. 
         [0007]    Conventional cellular telephone systems do not provide uniform indoor or outdoor coverage. For example, a cellular telephone may work well in one part of a building but not in another part of the building or in one part of a city, but not the other. 
         [0008]    Thus, it is expected that broadband wireless technology, such as cellular broadband wireless technology, will suffer from at least the same and most likely more of the location limitations as conventional cellular telephone technology. In fact, for a number of reasons, it is expected that cellular broadband wireless technology will suffer even greater location limitations due to factors such as increased bandwidth and additional users. 
         [0009]    For example, broadband wireless communication will require transmissions at higher bandwidths to extend the available data rates. The higher the bandwidth, the more signal to noise ratio will be required to accurately transmit and receive the information. Given that all other factors remain the same, the distance and reliability will be reduced as the bandwidth increases. In addition, other cell phone frequency bands are being considered, at even higher frequencies. Cell phone systems deploying higher frequency technology will have increased distance and reliability problems due to increased directionally and free space loss. 
         [0010]    In many locations, the current coverage area is unacceptable for low speed voice applications. Higher bandwidth and higher frequency wireless signals will reduce the current coverage area even more. As a result, in some environments and locations, reception of broadband wireless communications is expected to be poor or non-existent. In other words, broadband wireless communications, such as planned internet access through cellular telephone systems, will not provide adequate coverage in many locations and situations. 
         [0011]    What is needed, therefore, is a method and system for extending the coverage area for broadband wireless communications, such as, but not limited to, planned internet access through cellular telephone systems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatuses for extending the coverage area for broadband wireless communications such as planned internet access through cellular telephone systems. An embodiment of the present invention includes a method with the following steps: converting first data formatted according to a broadband communication protocol, from a transceiver, to a local area network (LAN) protocol to generate LAN-formatted data; converting second data formatted according to the LAN protocol, from a computing device, to the broadband communication protocol to generate broadband-formatted data; and, transmitting the LAN-formatted data to the computing device and the broadband-formatted data to the transceiver. 
         [0013]    Another embodiment includes an apparatus. The apparatus includes a protocol conversion module and a second transceiver. The protocol conversion module is configured to: convert first data formatted according to a broadband communication protocol, from a first transceiver, to a local area network (LAN) protocol to generate LAN-formatted data; and, convert second data formatted according to the LAN protocol, from a computing device, to the broadband communication protocol to generate broadband-formatted data. The second transceiver is configured to transmit the LAN-formatted data to the computing device and the broadband-formatted data to the first transceiver. 
         [0014]    Further, another embodiment of the present invention includes a system with a local area network (LAN) and a protocol converter. The protocol converter includes a protocol conversion module and a second transceiver. The protocol conversion module is configured to: convert first data formatted according to a broadband communication protocol, from a first transceiver, to a LAN protocol to generate LAN-formatted data; and, convert second data formatted according to the LAN protocol, from a computing device, to the broadband communication protocol to generate broadband-formatted data. The second transceiver is configured to transmit the LAN-formatted data to the computing device and the broadband-formatted data to the first transceiver. 
         [0015]    These and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
         [0016]    Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein generally like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Also generally, the leftmost digit(s) of the reference numbers identify the drawings in which the associated elements are first introduced. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a wireless LAN communication environment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary illustration of broadband wireless communication environment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a process flowchart for converting from a broadband wireless protocol to a wireless LAN protocol. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a process flowchart for bi-directionally converting between a broadband wireless protocol and a wireless LAN protocol. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     I. Introduction 
       [0021]    Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for extending the coverage area of broadband wireless communications, such as internet access through cellular telephone systems. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example local area network (“LAN”) system  100 . The LAN system  100  includes an access point (“AP”)  102 , such as a wired and/or wireless router. The AP  102  is connected via physical connection  104  to an internet service provider (“ISP”)  116 . The physical connection  104  can be, for example, a hardwired broadband connection or a wireless broadband connection. The internet service provider (“ISP”)  116  is connected to the internet  106  through a connection  118 . 
         [0023]    The AP  102  interfaces between the ISP  116  and one or more devices  112 . The AP  102  optionally includes a wireless router and an antenna  108 . In this embodiment, the AP  102  transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave  110  to communicate data with one or more of the devices  112 , such as computers or other data processing devices with wireless LAN capability. Alternatively, or additionally, the AP  102  includes a physical connection  114  to one or more of the devices  112 . 
         [0024]    Cellular telephone companies are attempting to design broadband wireless systems that will communicate wirelessly between the ISP  116  and devices  112 , thus eliminating the need for physical connection  104  and/or AP  102 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a broadband wireless system  200 . The broadband wireless system  200  includes the ISP  116  and System  100  as described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , the ISP  116  is coupled to a transceiver apparatus or tower  206 , such as a conventional cellular telephone transceiver tower. The cellular telephone transceiver tower  206  provides a broadband wireless communication link  210  in addition to wireless voice services and to a variety of wireless devices. 
         [0027]    For example, the transceiver tower  206  interfaces with a wireless device  214  (e.g., a laptop computer) via broadband wireless communications channel  210 B. The transceiver tower  206  provides broadband wireless service (e.g., internet access) to the wireless device  214 . 
         [0028]    The wireless communication channel  210 B has, for example, a cellular telephone protocol. Thus, the wireless device  214  need to contain, or be modified to include a communication device, such as a PCMCIA card or internal circuit card, plus associated software, to communicate with the transceiver tower  206  via wireless communication channel  210 B. To be commercially effective, many wireless devices  214  will need to be equipped with additional hardware and/or software to be compatible with the cell phone network 
         [0029]    There are locations where the wireless device  214  does not effectively communicate with transceiver tower  206 . For example, the electromagnetic wave of broadband wireless communications link  210  may not for whatever reason (obstructions, multi-path, increased bandwidth, etc.) reach all desired coverage areas. As a result, in some environments and locations, wireless communications is poor or non-existent due to poor propagation. 
         [0030]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , the transceiver tower  206  also communicates with a cellular telephone  212  via communication channel  210 A. The communication channel  210 A includes conventional cellular telephone service. Alternatively, or additionally, the communication channel  210 A includes broadband wireless service (e.g., internet access). The communication channel  210 A potentially suffers from the same drawbacks that affect communication channel  210 B. 
       II. Repeater Station 
       [0031]    In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the wireless system  200  includes a repeater station  226 . The repeater station  226  is positioned to effectively communicate with the transceiver tower  206  through a wireless communication channel  210 C. The repeater station  226  interfaces between the transceiver tower  206  and one or more devices  222 . 
         [0032]    The repeater station  226  communicates with the one or more devices  222 , or a portion thereof, via wireless communication link  230 . Alternatively, or additionally, the repeater station  226  communicates with the one or more devices  222 , or a portion thereof, via a physical link  228 , which can be a wire, optic fiber, infra-red, and/or any other type of physical link. 
         [0033]    As described below with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the repeater station  226  is implemented to receive information from the transceiver tower  206 , and/or to transmit the information to the one or more devices  222 . 
         [0034]    Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the repeater station  226  can be implemented in a variety of ways. 
       III. Protocol Conversion 
       [0035]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the repeater station  226  includes a protocol converter  220  that converts between a first protocol associated with the broadband wireless communication  210 C, and one or more additional protocols associated with the one or more devices  222 , or a portion thereof. 
         [0036]    For example, and without limitation, the first protocol of the communication channel  210 C includes a cellular telephone protocol and at least one of the devices  222  operate with a second protocol, such as a LAN protocol. In this embodiment, the protocol converter  220  converts between the cellular telephone protocol and the LAN protocol. Example LAN protocols are described below. 
         [0037]    The protocol converter  220  permits the one or more devices  222  to utilize conventional LAN hardware, software, and/or firmware. Thus, where a device  222  includes pre-existing LAN capabilities, no special upgrades are required to the device  222 . The invention is not limited, however, to existing LAN hardware, software, and/or firmware. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the protocol converter can be implemented to interface with conventional and/or future developed protocols. 
         [0038]    As noted above, aspects of the invention can be implemented for unidirectional or bi-directional operation.  FIG. 3  is an example process flowchart  300  for converting from a first protocol to a second protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Flowchart  300  is described below with reference to  FIG. 2 . The invention is not, however, limited to the example of  FIG. 2 . Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the invention can be implemented with other systems. 
         [0039]    The flowchart  300  is now described for converting from a protocol associated with broadband wireless communication channel  210 C, to a second protocol, such as a LAN protocol, associated with the one or more devices  222 . 
         [0040]    The process begins at step  302 , which includes receiving a broadband wireless communication having a first protocol. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the repeater station  226  receives information over communication channel  210 C from the transceiver tower  206 . The information on communication channel  210 C is formatted according to, for example, a cellular telephone protocol. 
         [0041]    Step  304  includes converting the received broadband wireless communication from the first protocol to a second protocol. In  FIG. 2 , the protocol converter  220  converts information in communication channel  210 C from the cellular telephone protocol to a LAN protocol. The LAN protocol can be, for example, a protocol in accordance with IEEE Standard 802.11 et sequens. IEEE Standard 802.11 is available, for example, at: &lt;http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/11/&gt;. 
         [0042]    Step  306  includes transmitting the protocol-converted communication to a device via wireless or wired means. In  FIG. 2 , the repeater station  226  transmits protocol-converted communication  230  to the device  222 . 
         [0043]    Alternatively, or additionally, steps  302 ,  304 , and  306  are implemented to communicate from one or more of the devices  222  to the tower  206 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is an example process flowchart  400  for bi-directional protocol conversion, in accordance with the aspects of the invention. Flowchart  400  is described below with reference to  FIG. 2 . The invention is not, however, limited to the example of  FIG. 2 . Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the invention can be implemented with other systems. 
         [0045]    The process flowchart  400  begins with steps  302 ,  304 , and  306 , substantially as described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0046]    The process flowchart  400  further includes step  402 , which includes receiving a broadband communication formatted according to the second protocol, from a device. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the repeater station  226  receives communication  230  from the device  222 . Alternatively, or additionally, the repeater station  226  receives a communication via physical link  228 . The received communication is formatted according to a protocol associated with the device  222  (i.e., the second protocol, e.g., a LAN protocol). 
         [0047]    Step  404  includes converting the received communication from the second protocol to the first protocol. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the protocol converter  226  converts communication  230  from the LAN protocol to the cellular telephone protocol. 
         [0048]    Step  406  includes transmitting the protocol-converted communication. In  FIG. 2 , the repeater station  226  transmits protocol-converted information in communication channel  210 C to the transceiver tower  206 . 
         [0049]    Steps  302 ,  304 , and  306  are optionally independent of steps  402 ,  404 , and  406 . Alternatively, steps  302 ,  304 , and  306  are optionally dependent of steps  402 ,  404 , and  406 , and/or vice versa. For example, steps  302 ,  304 , and  306  are optionally performed in response to steps  402 ,  404 , and  406 . Alternatively, or additionally, steps  402 ,  404 , and  406  are optionally performed in response to steps  302 ,  304 , and  306 . 
       IV. Example Implementations 
       [0050]    Aspects of the invention can be implemented in a variety of applications. 
         [0051]    A. Broadband Wireless Services 
         [0052]    The broadband wireless communication channel  210 C ( FIG. 2 ) can include one or more of a variety of types of wireless communication. For example, and without limitation, the wireless communication channel  210 C can carry a cellular communication, such as a cellular telephone communication, and/or cellular wireless interne service. Alternatively, or additionally, the wireless communication channel  210 C can carry one or more of a wide area network (“WAN”) communication, such as a wireless communication from an IEEE 802.16 tower or device, and/or a broadband satellite communication. 
         [0053]    The invention is not, however, limited to the examples herein. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the broadband wireless communication channel  210 C can carry one or more of a variety of other types of broadband wireless communications. 
         [0054]    Similarly, the broadband wireless communication link  230 , and/or a communication on physical link  228 , optionally includes one or more of a variety of types of broadband communications, including, without limitation, LAN communication. As described above, the LAN protocol can be, for example, a protocol in accordance with IEEE Standard 802.11. Additional optional protocols are described below. 
         [0055]    Tne invention is not, however, limited to the examples herein. Based on the description herein, one skilled in the relevant art(s) will understand that the broadband wireless communication  230  and/or a communication on physical link  228 , can include one or more of a variety of other types of broadband wireless communication. 
         [0056]    B. Physical Locations
       1. Locations for the Repeater Station and Protocol Converter       
 
         [0058]    The repeater station  226  ( FIG. 2 ) is positioned at a location that receives adequate signal strength with respect to broadband wireless communication channel  210 C. The optional protocol converter  220  is incorporated within or coupled to the repeater station  226 . The coupling can be physical and/or wireless. 
         [0059]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  are optionally positioned in a fixed location. For example, and without limitation, the repeater station  226  and the protocol converter  220  are positioned on or within a building, train station, subway, oil rig, church, prison, lamp post, bus shelter, school, office building, house, monument, telephone pole, tower, hotel, crane, warehouse, hanger, terminal, drydock, dam, jetway, bridge, dock, lock, marina, emergency services facility, police station, fire station, central office, equipment shelter, observation tower, power plant, factory, silo, research facility, shopping center, shopping mall, cellular communication system tower, traffic signal, fire escape, scaffold, bridge, convention center, sports arena, stadium, stage, and/or other man-made structure. 
         [0060]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  are optionally positioned on a fixed installation on a naturally-occurring structure or terrain feature. The protocol converter  220  is optionally designed to be wall-mountable, rack-mountable, and/or surface-mountable. 
         [0061]    Alternatively or additionally, the repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  are optionally positioned on a mobile platform. In this way, the one or more devices  222  are can be moved around within a range of the mobile platform. For example, and without limitation, the repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  are positioned on or within a bus, taxi, car, truck, tractor, van, multi-purpose vehicle, sport utility vehicle, police vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, train car, locomotive, airplane, helicopter, blimp, hovercraft, boat, ship, barge, tugboat, construction machinery, naval vessel, motorcycle, subway car, pullman, trolley, lawnmower, race car, all-terrain vehicle, golf cart, forklift, segway, scooter, bicycle, pedal car, rickshaw, sled, tractor-trailer, delivery truck, trailer, submarine, raft, pushcart, and/or other transportation apparatus.
           2. Locations for the Devices           
 
         [0063]    The one or more devices  222  are positioned in a location that receives adequate signal strength with respect to broadband wireless communication  224  and/or a communication on physical link  228 . The one or more devices  222  are mobile within a range of the repeater station  226 .
       C. Device Types       
 
         [0065]    The one or more devices  222  can include a variety of types of devices, such as, without limitation, a desk-top computer, lap-top computer, printer, security system, thermostat, household appliance, industrial appliance, watercraft, airplane, industrial machinery, and/or electronic control system, such as an electronic control system for an automobile. The invention is not limited to these examples, but includes any data processing device or communication.
       D. Controls, Settings, and Indicators       
 
         [0067]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  optionally include one or more controllable settings. The settings can include settings that are wholly controlled by a manufacturer and/or settings that are user selectable. 
         [0068]    The settings can include, for example, protocol selection settings that allow a manufacturer and/or user to select one or more protocols that are compatible with the protocol of the broadband wireless transmission  210 C. The protocol converter  220  is also optionally factory set to communicate using a protocol that is compatible with the desired wireless LAN protocol. Alternatively, or additionally, the protocol of the broadband wireless transmission  210  is user-selectable. Alternatively, or additionally, the wireless LAN protocol is user-selectable. Alternatively, or additionally, the protocol converter  220  automatically senses and selects the broadband wireless protocol and/or the wireless LAN protocol. 
         [0069]    Device addresses, subscriber numbers, phone numbers, and other device identifiers set in hardware and/or software of the protocol converter  220  are factory pre-set, user-selectable, and/or automatically sensed and set. 
         [0070]    Software settings are optionally effected remotely by physical and/or wireless connection. Alternatively, or additionally, software settings are optionally effected locally. 
         [0071]    Other optional controllable features include varying the output power of the repeater station  226  to maintain an optimal signal between the protocol converter  220  and devices  220  and/or transceiver tower  206 . Power adjustment is effected manually and/or automatically. 
         [0072]    The protocol converter  220  optionally provides multiple broadband wireless communications channel  210 C to provide, for example, diverse and/or redundant service. 
         [0073]    The protocol converter  220  optionally provides multiple wireless LAN connections  230 . 
         [0074]    The protocol converter  220  optionally includes one or more antennas to communicate with the one or more devices  220  and/or the transceiver tower  206 . In an embodiment, the protocol converter  220  includes a single antenna to communicate with the one or more devices  220  and the transceiver tower  206 . Alternatively, or additionally, the protocol converter  220  includes at least one antenna to communicate with the one or more devices  220 , and at least one other antenna to communicate with the transceiver tower  206 . 
         [0075]    The protocol converter  220  optionally includes at least one of: an integral antenna; an external antenna; a removable antenna; and a fixed antenna; to communicate with the one or more devices  220  and/or the transceiver tower  206 . 
         [0076]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  optionally include a data router, which includes one or more receptacles or ports for wired LAN. 
         [0077]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  optionally include one or more of a DSL modem, cable modem, ISDN modem, and/or dial-up modem. 
         [0078]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  optionally include one or more password protection features. 
         [0079]    The repeater station  226 , the protocol converter  220 , and or the device  222  optionally include a hardwired or cordless telephone system. 
         [0080]    The repeater station  226 , the protocol converter  220 , and or the device  222  optionally include one or more audio inputs for voice activated connections. The repeater station  226 , the protocol converter  220 , and or the device  222  optionally include one or more audio outputs for providing information or requests to a user. 
         [0081]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  are optionally powered by one or more of a variety of power sources including AC, DC, and/or battery power sources. 
         [0082]    The repeater station  226 , the protocol converter  220 , and or the device  222  optionally include one or more of a variety of visual and/or audible indicators, such as status indicators. Status indicators can include, without limitation, link, data rate, RF transmit power, RF signal strength, supply power, and/or protocol type. 
         [0083]    The repeater station  226 , optionally includes Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capability. A VoIP enabled device would be able to communicate with cell tower  206  ( FIG. 2 ), thereby enabling bi-directional VoIP to cell phone voice communications. 
         [0084]    The repeater station  226 , optionally includes Quality of Service (QoS) capability. The QoS protocol could give higher priority to voice information, thereby enabling seamless voice and data communications on a network.
       E. Example Environments       
 
         [0086]    The repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  can be implemented in one or more of a variety of environments. For example, and without limitation, repeater station  226  and/or the protocol converter  220  can be implemented as part of a system associated with one or more of the following, alone and/or in combination with one another: 
         [0087]    local area networks; 
         [0088]    remote monitoring; 
         [0089]    security systems, including home security systems and/or industrial security systems; 
         [0090]    remote data logging; 
         [0091]    monitoring of utility meters, such as oil or gas meters, residential and/or commercial; 
         [0092]    Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA); 
         [0093]    Monitoring and/or control of environmental conditions; 
         [0094]    remote telemetry; 
         [0095]    factory automation; 
         [0096]    point-of-sale monitoring; 
         [0097]    wireless inventory control; 
         [0098]    mobile sales; 
         [0099]    field service; 
         [0100]    meter reading; 
         [0101]    warehousing applications; 
         [0102]    portable data terminals; 
         [0103]    audio/visual transmissions; 
         [0104]    radio transmissions; 
         [0105]    television transmissions; 
         [0106]    home automation; 
         [0107]    security monitoring; 
         [0108]    medical monitoring; 
         [0109]    home and/or industrial heating and/or air-conditioning controls; and/or 
         [0110]    packet data radio. 
         [0111]    Network Standards 
         [0112]    The wireless communications  230 ,  210 A,  210 B,  210 C, and/or  110 ; 
         [0113]    and/or communications over physical link  228  and/or  114 ; are optionally implemented in accordance with, and/or are in conformance with, one or more of the following standards: 
         [0114]    IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.16a, IEEE 802.16e, IEEE 802.20, IEEE 802.15, T1, T3, DS1, DS3, ethernet, HiperMAN, HiperAccess, WirelessMAN, HiperLAN, HiperLAN2, HiperLink, internet protocol, transmission control protocol, atm, ppp, ipx, appletalk, windows nt, systems network architecture, decnet, netware, ipx, spx, netbios, Ethernet, FDDI, PPP, Token-Ring, IEEE 802.11, Classical IP over ATM, 3GPP2 All, 802.11 MGT, 802.11 Radiotap, AAL1, AAL3 — 4, AARP, ACAP, ACSE, AFP, AFS (RX), AH, AIM, AIM Administration, AIM Advertisements, AIM BOS, AIM Buddylist, AIM Chat, AIM ChatNav, AIM Directory, AIM Generic, AIM ICQ, AIM Invitation, AIM Location, AIM Messaging, AIM OFT, AIM Popup, AIM SSI, AIM Signon, AIM Stats, AIM Translate, AIM User Lookup, AJP13, ALCAP, ANS, ANSI BSMAP, ANSI DTAP, ANSI IS-637-A Teleservice, ANSI IS-637-A Transport, ANSI IS-683-A (OTA (Mobile)), ANSI IS-801 (Location Services (PLD)), ANSI MAP, AODV, ARCNET, ARP/RARP, ASAP, ASF, ASP, ATM, ATM LANE, ATP, ATSVC, AVS WLANCAP, Auto-RP, BACapp, BACnet, BEEP, BER, BFD Control, BGP, BICC, BOFL, BOOTP/DHCP, BOOTPARAMS, BOSSVR, BROWSER, BSSAP, BSSGP, BUDB, BUTC, BVLC, Boardwalk, CAST, CCSDS, CDP, CDS_CLERK, CFLOW, CGMP, CHDLC, CLDAP, CLEARCASE, CLNP, CLTP, CONV, COPS, COTP, CPFI, CPHA, CUPS, CoSine, DCCP, DCERPC, DCE_DFS, DDP, DDTP, DEC_STP, DES, DHCPv6, DISTCC, DLSw, DNS, DNSSERVER, DRSUAPI, DST, DTSPROVIDER, DTSSTIME_REQ, DVMRP, Data, Diameter, E.164, EAP, EAPOL, ECHO, EDONKEY, EFSRPC, EIGRP, ENC, ENIP, EPM, EPM4, ESIS, ESP, ETHERIP, Ethernet, FC, FC ELS, FC FZS, FC-FCS, FC-SB3, FC-SP, FC-SWILS, FC-dNS, FCIP, FCP, FC_CT, FDDI, FIX, FLDB, FR, FTAM, FTP, FTP-DATA, FTSERVER, FW-1, Frame, GIF image, GIOP, GMRP, GNUTELLA, GPRS NS, GPRS-LLC, GRE, GSM BSSMAP, GSM DTAP, GSM MAP, GSM RP, GSM SMS, GSM SMS UD, GSS-API, GTP, GVRP, H.261, H.263, H1, H225, H245, H4501, HCLNFSD, HPEXT, HSRP, HTTP, HyperSCSI, IAPP, IB, ICAP, ICL_RPC, ICMP, ICMPv6, ICP, ICQ, IGAP, IGMP, IGRP, ILMI, IMAP, INITSHUTDOWN, IP, IP/IEEE1394, IPComp, IPDC, IPFC, IPML IPP, IPVS, IPX, IPX MSG, IPX RIP, IPX SAP, IPX WAN, IPv6, IRC, ISAKMP, ISDN, ISIS, ISL, ISMP, ISUP, IUA, Inter-Asterisk eXchange v2, JFIF (JPEG) image, Jabber, KADM5, KLM, KRB5, KRB5RPC, Kpasswd, L2TP, LACP, LANMAN, LAPB, LAPBETHER, LAPD, LDAP, LDP, LLAP, LLC, LMI, LMP, LPD, LSA, LSA DS, LWAPP, LWAPP-CNTL, LWAPP-L3, Laplink, Line-based text data, Lucent/Ascend, M2PA, M2TP, M2UA, M3UA, MAN, MDS Header, MGMT, MIME multipart, MIPv6, MMSE, MOUNT, MPEG1, MPLS, MPLS Echo, MQ, MQ PCF, MRDISC, MS Proxy, MSDP, MSNIP, MSNMS, MTP2, MTP3, MTP3MG, Media, Messenger, Mobile IP, Modbus/TCP, MySQL, NBDS, NBIPX, NBNS, NBP, NBSS, NCP, NDMP, NDPS, NETLOGON, NFS, NFSACL, NFSAUTH, NIS+, NIS+CB, NLM, NLSP, NMAS, NMPI, NNTP, NSPI, NTLMSSP, NTP, NW SERIAL, NetBIOS, Null, OAM AAL, OLSR, OSPF, OXID, PCNFSD, PER, PFLOG, PFLOG-OLD, PGM, PIM, POP, POSTGRESQL, PPP, PPP BACP, PPP BAP, PPP CBCP, PPP CCP, PPP CDPCP, PPP CHAP, PPP Comp, PPP IPCP, PPP IPV6CP, PPP LCP, PPP MP, PPP MPLSCP, PPP OSICP, PPP PAP, PPP FPPMux, PPP PPPMuxCP, PPP VJ, PPPoED, PPPoES, PPTP, PRES, PTP, Portmap, Prism, Q.2931, Q.931, Q.933, QLLC, QUAKE, QUAKE2, QUAKE3, QUAKEWORLD, RADIUS, RANAP, REMACT, REP_PROC, RIP, RIPng, RMCP, RMI, RMP, RPC, RPC BROWSER, RPC_NETLOGON, RPL, RQUOTA, RSH, RSTAT, RSVP, RSYNC, RS_ACCT, RS_ATTR, RS_BIND, RS_PGO, RS_PLCY, RS REPADM, RS REPLIST, RS UNIX, RTCP, RTMP, RTP, RTP Event, RTPS, RTSP, RWALL, RX, Raw, Raw SIP, Rlogin, SADMIND, SAMR, SAP, SCCP, SCCPMG, SCSI, SCTP, SDLC, SDP, SEBEK, SECIDMAP, SES, SUFI MOUNT, SIP, SIPFRAG, SKINNY, SLARP, SU. SMB, SMB Mailsiot, SMB Pipe, SMPP. SMTP, SMUX, SNA, SNA XIII, SNAETH, SNDCP, SNMP, SONMP, SPNEGO-KRB5, SPOOLSS, SPRAY, SPX, SRVLOC, SRVSVC, SSCOP, SSH, SSL, STAT, STAT-CB, STP, STUN, SUA, SVCCTL, Serialization, SliMP3, Socks, SoulSeek, Spnego, Symantec, Syslog, T38, TACACS, TACACS+, TAPI, TCAP, TCP, TDS, TEI_MANAGEMENT, TELNET, TEREDO, TFTP, TIME, TKN4Int, TNS, TPCP, TPKT, TR MAC, TRKSVR, TSP, TUXEDO, TZSP, Token-king, UBIKDISK, UBIKVOTE, UCP, UDP, UDPENCAP, V.120, VLAN, VRRP, VTP, Vines ARP, Vines Echo, Vines FRP, Vines ICP, Vines IP, Vines IPC, Vines LLC, Vines RTP, Vines SPP, WAP SIR, WBXML, WCCP, WCP, WHDLC, WHO, WINREG, WKSSVC, WSP, WTLS, WTP, X.25, X.29, X11, XDMCP, XOT, XYPLEX, YHOO, YMSG, YPBIND, YPPASSWD, YPSERV, YPXFR, ZEBRA, ZIP, cds_solicit, cprpc_server, dce_update, dicom, iSCSI, iSNS, 11b, message/http, rdaclif, roverride, rpriv, rs_attr schema, rs_misc, rs_prop_acct, rs_prop_acl, rs_prop_attr, rs_prop_pgo, rs_prop_plcy, rs_pwd_mgmt, rs_repmgr, rseclogin, and/or sFlow. 
         [0115]    The communication channels  210 A,  210 B, and/or  210 C optionally include, and/or are generated according to, and/or are in conformance with, without limitation, one or more of: quadrature amplitude modulation, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, vector orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, wideband orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, frequency division duplex, time division duplex, gaussian minimum shift keying, binary phase shift keying, differential phase shift keying, quadrature phase shift keying, binary frequency shift keying, minimum shift keying, phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, direct sequence spread spectrum, pulse code modulation, pulse amplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, angle modulation, quadrature multiplexing, single sideband amplitude modulation, vestigial sideband amplitude modulation, analog modulation, digital modulation, phase modulation, and/or frequency hopped spread spectrum. 
         [0116]    The invention is optionally implemented with one or more of: gsm, cdma, gprs, umts, cdma2000, tdma, cellular, iden, pdc, is-95, is-136, is-54, is-661, amps, dcs 1800, edge, pcs 1900, gsm 900, gsm 850, namps, sdma, uwc-136, wpcdma, wap, a wide area network protocol, a satellite radio protocol, and/or wcdma. 
         [0117]    The invention may include any combination of the foregoing, although the invention is not, however, limited to the examples herein. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0118]    From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions, and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 
         [0119]    Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Such alternate boundaries are within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One skilled in the art will recognize that these functional building blocks can be implemented by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like and combinations thereof. 
         [0120]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not limitation. Ownership and/or possession of equipment by an entity is presented herein by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.