Wireless network system with multiple access point layers

Abstract

A multiple overlapping layer wireless network system for providing coverage in a multiple-office or business environment with multiple APs, and an improved method of designing and installing these multiple layers of wireless networks. Multiple overlapping wireless networks (i.e., multiple layers) are superimposed in the same area, and offset from each other according to their geometry. This results in a multiple wireless network installation with sufficient signal coverage in all areas for all networks with minimal inter-AP interference, segregated traffic, and multiple connections for each wireless network to one or more wired networks, thereby reducing the possibility of a single point of failure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multiple overlapping layer wireless network system for providing coverage in an area, comprising:
 a first wireless network comprising a plurality of first wireless access point hardware devices (first WAPs) arranged according to a first hexagonal grid;   a second wireless network comprising a plurality of second wireless access point hardware devices (second WAPs) arranged according to a second hexagonal grid; and   a third wireless network comprising a plurality of first wireless access point hardware devices (third WAPs) arranged according to a third hexagonal grid;   wherein the first wireless network, second wireless network, and third wireless network overlap in an area;   wherein each hexagonal grid comprises an exterior boundary and an interior, wherein said interior comprises a plurality of hexagons, each hexagon with six vertices and a center point;   wherein corresponding WAPs in the interior of a corresponding hexagonal grid are located at or proximate to a hexagon vertex or center point in the corresponding hexagonal grid;   wherein each hexagonal grid is offset from the other two hexagonal grids.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein the hexagons in the first hexagonal grid, second hexagonal grid, and third hexagonal grid are equal in size. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein the hexagonal grids are not rotated with respect to each other. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein the area comprises a building floor. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein the traffic on each wireless network is segregated from the other wireless networks. 
     
     
         6 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wireless networks has a higher security level than the other wireless networks. 
     
     
         7 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein the WAPs in each of the wireless networks are placed to not interfere with WAPS in the other wireless networks. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein the WAPs in each of the wireless networks are located to provide complete coverage for the corresponding wireless network in the area. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wireless network is a highly secure network limited to employees of a business, the second wireless network is a secure network, and the third wireless network is a less secure network open to guests or visitors of the business. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless network system of  claim 4 , wherein the building floor comprises an outer boundary, and the exterior boundary of each hexagonal grid is configured to fall within said outer boundary. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless network system of  claim 10 , wherein a portion of said WAPs in a corresponding wireless network are placed within said outer boundary by translocation of one or more placement points from hexagon vertex or center points in the corresponding hexagonal grid that would fall outside the outer boundary to a location inside the outer boundary. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless network system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said one or more placement points is duplicated and translocated to two locations inside the outer boundary. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless network system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth wireless network comprising a plurality of fourth wireless access point hardware devices (fourth WAPs) arranged according to a fourth hexagonal grid. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless network system of  claim 13 , further comprising a fifth wireless network comprising a plurality of fifth wireless access point hardware devices (fifth WAPs) arranged according to a fifth hexagonal grid. 
     
     
         15 . The wireless network system of  claim 14 , further comprising a sixth wireless network comprising a plurality of sixth wireless access point hardware devices (sixth WAPs) arranged according to a sixth hexagonal grid.