Wireless Network Devices Configurable via Powerline Communications Networks

Abstract

A communications device includes a wireless communications interface, a power line carrier (PLC) communications interface, and processing circuitry coupled to the wireless communications interface and to the PLC communications interface. The communications device sends a request for wireless communications interface operational parameters via the PLC communications interface, receives a response via the PLC communications interface that includes wireless operational parameters, and configures the wireless communications interface based upon the response. In another operation, the processing circuitry is operable to listen for transmissions of at least one Wireless Access Point (WAP) of the wireless network. When transmissions of the at least one the WAP of the wireless network meets a sufficiency threshold, receive data service via the wireless communications interface and when the transmissions of the at least one the WAP of the wireless network fail to meet the sufficiency threshold, receive data service via the PLC communications interface.

1 . A communications device comprising:
 a wireless communications interface;   a power line carrier (PLC) communications interface;   processing circuitry configured to:
 send a request for wireless operational parameters via the PLC communications interface to a second communications device; 
 receive a response via the PLC communications interface from the second communications device, the response including wireless operational parameters; 
 configure the wireless communications interface with the wireless operational parameters; and 
 communicate with the second communications device via one of the wireless communications interface and the PLC communications interface based upon service quality available via the PLC communications interface and the wireless communications interface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The communications device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to send the request upon one of:
 power-up;   restart;   reset;   timer expiration; and   user initiation.   
     
     
         3 . The communications device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 determine a timeout condition when the response is not received; and   configure the wireless communications interface with default wireless operational parameters.   
     
     
         4 . The communications device of  claim 3 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a request for wireless operational parameters via the PLC communications interface from the second communications device; and   prepare a response that includes the default wireless operational parameters; and   transmit the response via the PLC communications interface that includes the default wireless operational parameters.   
     
     
         5 . The communications device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless operational parameters comprise at least one of:
 an SSID;   password data;   identification data;   channel selection data;   medium select data;   encryption format data;   power saving configuration data;   VLAN configuration data; and   quality of service control data.   
     
     
         6 . The communications device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit a system configuration message to change or reset a network key. 
     
     
         7 . The communications device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to manage handoff of a serviced wireless client to the second communications device via communications via the PLC communications interface. 
     
     
         8 . A method for operating a communications device comprising:
 sending a request for wireless operational parameters via a PLC communications interface to a second communications device;   receiving a response via the PLC communications interface from the second communications device, the response including wireless operational parameters corresponding to a wireless network;   configuring a wireless communications interface with the wireless operational parameters; and   communicating with the second communications device via one of the wireless communications interface and the PLC communications interface based upon service quality available via the PLC communications interface and the wireless communications interface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising sending the request upon one of:
 power-up;   restart;   reset;   timer expiration; and   user initiation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining a timeout condition when the response is not received;   establishing default wireless operational parameters upon the timeout condition; and   configuring the wireless communications interface with the default wireless operational parameters.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 receiving a request for wireless operational parameters via the PLC communications interface; and   preparing a response that includes the default wireless operational parameters and   transmitting a response via the PLC communications interface that includes the default wireless operational parameters.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless operational parameters comprise at least one of:
 an SSID;   password data;   identification data;   channel selection data;   medium select data;   encryption format data;   power saving configuration data;   VLAN configuration data;   secure channel information; and   quality of service control data.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising transmitting a system configuration message to change or reset a network key for a wireless network. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising managing handoff of a serviced wireless client to a second communications device of the wireless network via communications with the second communications device via the PLC communications interface. 
     
     
         15 . A communications device comprising:
 a wireless communications interface;   a power line carrier (PLC) communications interface;   processing circuitry configured to:
 send a request for wireless operational parameters via the PLC communications interface; 
 receive a response via the PLC communications interface, the response including wireless operational parameters; 
 configure the wireless communications interface with the wireless operational parameters; 
 listen for transmissions of a Wireless Access Point (WAP); 
 when transmissions of the WAP meet a service threshold, receive data service via the wireless communications interface; and 
 when the transmissions of the WAP fail to meet the service threshold, receive data service via the PLC communications interface. 
   
     
     
         16 . The communications device of  claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to enable the wireless communications interface to service data service for at least one other communications device. 
     
     
         17 . The communications device of  claim 16 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to enable the wireless communications interface to provide data service as a WAP. 
     
     
         18 . The communications device of  claim 17 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit its wireless operational parameters to potential client devices. 
     
     
         19 . The communications device of  claim 15 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to send the request upon one of:
 power-up;   restart;   reset;   timer expiration; and   user initiation.   
     
     
         20 . The communications device of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless operational parameters comprise at least one of:
 an SSID;   password data;   identification data;   channel selection data;   medium select data;   encryption format data;   power saving configuration data;   VLAN configuration data; and   quality of service control data.