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Abstract

A wireless network access system and method that provides a multiplicity of access point devices, each being capable of relaying information. The upstream network access may include an omni-directional antenna for downstream communications. The wireless network is provided as a tree structure wherein each access point feeds back to a higher access point of the multiplicity of access point devices. The described system does not employ routers, and thereby speeds processing time and reduces network latency and costs associated with a mesh network employing routers. A multiplicity of customer premise wireless network devices are provided with a wireless modem for communication from the customer premise limited to a path all the way back to a main gateway upstream to the wired side of the network where the gateway provides a T3 or other high speed Internet connection. Each customer premise wireless network access device includes a directional antenna connected to the wireless modem and an interface adapted for conveying bidirectional data signals. The wireless modem and the directional antenna are locatable in an environmental enclosure outside the customer premise for communication with an upstream network access device. Anything that comes in on the wireless side has to go out on the wired side, i.e., via the gateway. The relay points for communicating information via the access point devices provide filtering, e.g., on the Ethernet hub, such that communications is limited as between the downstream customer premise and the access point providing service only upstream communication directly to the gateway.

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First Claim