Multi-channel binding in data transmission

Abstract

A system and method are described for binding together a plurality of wireless data communications channels, whereby an aggregate throughput improvement is realized. A master channel amongst the channels to be bound is compatible with existing standards-based wireless data communications equipment. The master channel serves to perform MAC association and flow control. Aggregate throughput is improved by sending and receiving either multiple sets of separately encoded packets, commonly encoded packets or redundantly encoded packets.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of sending data over a wireless data channel including:
 obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data;   processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel;   upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel;   wherein:
 the number of secondary channels is even; 
 only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association; and 
 the master channel and the secondary channel carry independent data packets and wherein transmitting of the independent data packets results in the transmit duration on the master channel being substantially the same or greater than the transmit duration on the secondary channel. 
   
     
     
       2. The A method of  claim 1  sending data over a wireless data channel including:
 obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data; 
 processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel; 
 processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel; 
 binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error; 
 upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and 
 sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel, 
 wherein only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission, and wherein an operation of a wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets. 
 
 
     
     
       3. The A method of  claim 1  sending data over a wireless data channel including:
 obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data; 
 processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel; 
 processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal asociated with a secondary channel; 
 binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error; 
 upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and 
 sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel, 
 wherein only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association, wherein the a separation of the a plurality of secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels, and wherein an operation of a wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein only the master channel transmits a beacon signal. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and the secondary channel. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to minimize an estimate of decoded bit error. 
     
     
       10. A wireless data transmitter including:
 a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data;   a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel;   a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   an antenna configured to the transmit signal over the wireless data channel;   wherein:
 the number of secondary channels is even; 
 only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association; and 
 the master channel and the secondary channel carry independent data packets and wherein transmitting of the independent data packets results in the transmit duration on the master channel being substantially the same or greater than the transmit duration on the secondary channel. 
   
     
     
       11. The A wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  including:
 a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data; 
 a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel; 
 a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel; 
 a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error; 
 a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and 
 an antenna configured to transmit the transmit signal over a wireless data channel; 
 wherein, only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission, and wherein an operation of the wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The A wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  including:
 a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data; 
 a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel; 
 a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel; 
 a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error; 
 a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and 
 an antenna configured to transmit the transmit signal over a wireless data channel; 
 wherein, only the master channel is used to negotiate wireless association, wherein the a separation of the a plurality of secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels, and wherein an operation of the wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  wherein only the master channel transmits a beacon signal. 
     
     
       14. The wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  wherein only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation. 
     
     
       15. The wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  wherein the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and the secondary channel. 
     
     
       16. The wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets. 
     
     
       17. The wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets. 
     
     
       18. The wireless data transmitter of  claim 10  wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to minimize an estimate of decoded bit error. 
     
     
       19. A method of sending data over a wireless data channel, the method comprising:
 obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data;   processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error, and wherein the first baseband encoded signal is configured to negotiate MAC association for the master channel and any secondary channel;   upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission, and wherein an operation of a wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.  
   
     
     
       20. A method of sending data over a wireless data channel, the method comprising:
 obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data;   processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error, and wherein the first baseband encoded signal is configured to negotiate MAC association for the master channel and any secondary channel;   upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel, wherein a separation of a plurality of secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels, and wherein an operation of a wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.  
   
     
     
       21. A wireless data transmitter including:
 a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data;   a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel, wherein the first baseband encoded signal is configured to negotiate MAC association for the master channel and any secondary channel;   a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error;   a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   an antenna configured to transmit the transmit signal over a wireless data channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission, and wherein an operation of the wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.  
   
     
     
       22. A wireless data transmitter including:
 a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data;   a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel, wherein the first baseband encoded signal is configured to negotiate MAC association for the master channel and any secondary channel;   a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error;   a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   an antenna configured to transmit the transmit signal over a wireless data channel, wherein a separation of a plurality of secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels, and wherein an operation of the wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.  
   
     
     
       23. A method of sending data over a wireless data channel, the method including:
 obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data;   processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error;   upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel,   wherein a transmit duration on the master channel is substantially the same or greater than a transmit duration on the secondary channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission, and wherein an operation of a wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.  
   
     
     
       24. A method of sending data over a wireless data channel, the method including:
 obtaining master channel data and secondary channel data;   processing the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   processing using a processing circuit the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   binding the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error;   upconverting the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   sending the transmit signal over the wireless data channel,   wherein a transmit duration on the master channel is substantially the same or greater than a transmit duration on the secondary channel, wherein a separation of a plurality of secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels, and wherein an operation of a wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.  
   
     
     
       25. A wireless data transmitter including:
 a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data;   a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error;   a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   an antenna configured to transmit the transmit signal over a wireless data channel, wherein a transmit duration on the master channel is substantially the same or greater than a transmit duration on the secondary channel, wherein the master channel and the secondary channel appear offset in frequency during transmission, and wherein an operation of the wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.  
   
     
     
       26. A wireless data transmitter including:
 a data distributor configured to obtain master channel data and secondary channel data;   a first processing circuit configured to process the master channel data into a first baseband encoded signal associated with a master channel;   a second processing circuit configured to process the secondary channel data into a second baseband encoded signal associated with a secondary channel;   a summing circuit configured to combine the master channel and the secondary channel at least in part by combining the first baseband encoded signal and the second baseband encoded signal into a combined baseband encoded signal, wherein multiple channels are bound if a single wireless association is used to instantiate the master channel and the secondary channel, and wherein the master channel and the secondary channel carry redundant data packets and wherein the redundant data packets are combined to reduce an estimate of decoded bit error;   a mixer configured to upconvert the combined baseband encoded signal to a transmit frequency to obtain a transmit signal; and   an antenna configured to transmit the transmit signal over a wireless data channel, wherein a transmit duration on the master channel is substantially the same or greater than a transmit duration on the secondary channel, wherein a separation of a plurality of secondary channels spans an odd number of unused channels, and wherein an operation of the wireless data transmitter is selected from a group of operating conditions consisting of:
 a) only the master channel transmits a beacon signal, 
 b) only the master channel responds to a probe signal to initiate a MAC negotiation, 
 c) the master channel provides flow control for the master channel and any secondary channel, and 
 d) the master channel and the secondary channel carry common-coded data packets.