Radio frequency local area network

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for routing data in a radio data communication system having one or more host computers, one or more intermediate base stations, and one or more RF terminals organizes the intermediate base stations into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically. Communication between the host computer and the RF terminals is achieved by using the network of intermediate base stations to transmit the data.

1 - 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A terminal node for communicating in a wireless network, the terminal node comprising at least one component that is operable to, at least:
 communicate with a second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network;   determine to communicate wirelessly with the second terminal node directly instead of indirectly; and   establish a wireless communication link directly with the second terminal node.   
   
   
       31 . The terminal node of  claim 30 , where communication with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network is governed by a wireless network protocol associated with the wireless network, and wireless communication with the second terminal node directly is governed by an extension to the wireless network protocol. 
   
   
       32 . The terminal node of  claim 30 , where communication with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network is governed by a wireless network protocol associated with the wireless network, and wireless communication with the second terminal node directly is governed by an optional extension to the wireless network protocol. 
   
   
       33 . The terminal node of  claim 30 , where the at least one component is operable to maintain a local list of other terminal nodes associated with direct wireless communication. 
   
   
       34 . The terminal node of  claim 33 , where the at least one component is operable to maintain the local list of other terminal nodes by, at least in part, monitoring traffic directed to nodes other than the terminal node. 
   
   
       35 . The terminal node of  claim 33 , where the at least one component is operable to age entries in the local list of other terminal nodes. 
   
   
       36 . The terminal node of  claim 35 , where the at least one component is operable to age entries in the local list of other terminal nodes relatively quicker than entries in a list of wireless network nodes. 
   
   
       37 . The terminal node of  claim 30 , where the at least one component is operable to, if direct communication with the second terminal node fails, continue communication with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network. 
   
   
       38 . The terminal node of  claim 33 , where the at least one component is operable to, if direct communication with the second terminal node fails, modify an entry in the local list of other terminal nodes corresponding to the second terminal node. 
   
   
       39 . The terminal node of  claim 30 , where when operating to communicate with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network, instead of directly, the at least one component is operable in a power-save mode. 
   
   
       40 . The terminal node of  claim 30 , where the at least one component is operable to, when communicating directly with the second terminal node, include information in a packet communicated to the second terminal node indicative of direct communication being performed with the second terminal node. 
   
   
       41 . The terminal node of  claim 30 , where the at least one component is operable to maintain relatively more MAC state information when communicating directly with the second terminal node than when communicating indirectly with the second terminal node through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network. 
   
   
       42 . In a terminal node, a method for operating the terminal node in a wireless network, the method comprising:
 determining whether to wirelessly communicate with a second terminal node directly or communicate with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network; and   if it is determined to communicate with the second terminal node directly, then establishing a wireless communication link directly with the second terminal node.   
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein communication with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network is governed by a wireless network protocol associated with the wireless network, and wireless communication with the second terminal node directly is governed by an extension to the wireless network protocol. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein communication with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network is governed by a wireless network protocol associated with the wireless network, and wireless communication with the second terminal node directly is governed by an optional extension to the wireless network protocol. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising maintaining a local list of other terminal nodes associated with direct wireless communication. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein maintaining the local list of other terminal nodes comprises monitoring traffic directed to nodes other than the terminal node. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein maintaining the local list of other terminal nodes comprises aging entries in the local list of other terminal nodes. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , further comprising aging entries in the local list of other terminal nodes relatively quicker than entries in a list of wireless network nodes. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising, if direct communication with the second terminal node fails, continuing communication with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising, if direct communication with the second terminal node fails, modifying an entry in the local list of other terminal nodes corresponding to the second terminal node. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising, when communicating with the second terminal node indirectly through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network, instead of directly, operating at least one component of the terminal node in a power-save mode. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising, when communicating directly with the second terminal node, including information in a packet communicated to the second terminal node indicative of direct communication being performed with the second terminal node. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising maintaining relatively more MAC state information when communicating directly with the second terminal node than when communicating indirectly with the second terminal node through at least one intermediate node of the wireless network.