Patent ID: 7388846

Claim:
A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber units, each subscriber unit sending and receiving information packets using a wireless communication link; a plurality of access points, each access point forming a coverage area for exchanging information packets with subscriber units within the coverage area through at least one wireless communication link; and a plurality of distribution points, each distribution point in communication with at least one access point and with at least one additional distribution point, each distribution point operative to (a) receive an information packet for distribution to a destination within the communication system, (b) determine if the information packet destination is to one of the plurality of subscriber units within the coverage area of an access point in communication with the distribution point, (c) forward the information packet to the access point defining the coverage area containing the subscriber unit if the information packet destination is to one of the plurality of subscriber units within the coverage area of the access point in communication with the distribution point, and (d) forward the information packet to one of the additional distribution points in communication with the distribution point if the information packet destination is not to one of the plurality of subscriber units within the coverage area of the access point in communication with the distribution point.