Packet-based wireless local loop and method

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following applications:

U.S. application Ser. No. 09/128,553, filed on Aug. 3, 1998, now abandoned and entitled “A ‘Plug and Play’ Wireless Architecture Supporting Packet Data and IP Voice/Multimedia Services,” pending; and

U.S. application Ser. No. 09/219,539, filed on Dec. 23, 1998, now abandoned and entitled “Wireless Local Loop System Supporting Voice/IP,” pending.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of communications, and more specifically to a packet-based wireless local loop and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless local loops have been used for several years to provide telephone service to subscribers. In traditional wireless local loop systems, omni-directional radios are used to link one subscriber or a group of subscribers to a telephone company's central office. Omni-directional radios at the subscribers' locations communicate with radios coupled to the central office, allowing the telephone company to provide service to the subscribers without the use of conventional twisted-pair copper wires. Wireless local loops are often useful because they can be easily reconfigured and do not require expensive copper lines. Wireless local loops are particularly useful in areas where, for example, environmental conditions make it difficult to lay copper lines between the subscriber and the central office.

A single subscriber or group of subscribers may have telephones, fax machines, and computers all connected to the same subscriber line inside a residence or building. Conventional wireless local loop systems are usually able to transport either analog voice and fax traffic or data traffic. A problem with conventional wireless local loop systems is that they cannot transport analog voice and fax and data traffic concurrently. The subscriber must choose which application to use.

Another problem with conventional wireless local loop systems is that the inability to transport analog voice and fax and data traffic concurrently adds complexity to the communications system. To properly handle the different types of traffic, equipment used in the wireless local loop typically needs to differentiate between analog voice and fax traffic and the data traffic. For example, if voice or fax traffic is being routed through a packet data network, equipment typically is needed to convert the analog voice or fax traffic into a format used by the packet network. Once the voice or fax traffic passes through the packet data network, equipment is needed to reconvert the traffic back into an analog format. These and other requirements of a conventional wireless local loop increase the amount and complexity of the equipment used in the local loop. This also increases the complexity and the expense of the overall system.

Further, typical wireless local loops use voice coders and decoders (vocoders) to convert analog voice signals into digital signals and to convert digital signals back into analog voice signals. Typical wireless local loops limit the types of vocoders that can be used in the system. For example, conventional wireless local loops often require that analog voice and fax traffic have a specific structure, which limits the vocoders that may be used in the system. A subscriber is unable to use other vocoders in the local loop, even though the subscriber's preferred vocoder may have better performance, clarity, or security features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a packet-based wireless local loop and method are provided that substantially reduce or eliminate disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed systems and methods.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a packet-based wireless local loop includes a wireless router operable to communicate with a network and a fixed wireless unit operable to communicate with the router over a wireless interface. The fixed wireless unit is operable to transmit a first plurality of packet messages to the router. The first plurality of messages contains analog traffic and data traffic from at least one wired device. The fixed wireless unit is also operable to receive a second plurality of messages from the router. The second plurality of messages contains analog traffic and data traffic, and the fixed wireless unit is further operable to communicate the analog traffic and the data traffic in the second plurality of messages to at least one of the wired devices.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for communicating over a wireless local loop includes generating a first plurality of packet messages, the first plurality of messages containing analog traffic and data traffic from at least one wired device. The method also includes communicating the first plurality of messages to a network over a wireless interface, and receiving a second plurality of packet messages from the network over the wireless interface, the second plurality of messages containing analog traffic and data traffic. The method further includes communicating the analog traffic and the data traffic in the second plurality of messages to at least one of the wired devices.

Technical advantages of the present invention include the provisioning of a packet-based wireless local loop and method. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention allow analog voice and fax traffic and data traffic to be carried concurrently in the wireless local loop. The analog traffic and the data traffic may be contained in packets of data, and the wireless local loop may route the packets to an appropriate destination such as another telephone, fax machine, computer, or a gateway to an analog network. In one embodiment, the wireless local loop routes the packets to their destinations without differentiating between the different types of traffic. Treating the analog traffic and the data traffic as packets of data allows all three types of traffic to be handled concurrently in the local loop.

Another technical advantage of some embodiments of the present invention is that the communications system may be less complex than conventional systems. For example, if voice or fax traffic is being routed through a packet data network, the wireless local loop may not need to convert the voice or fax traffic into another format. This allows less complex and less expensive equipment to be used in the communications system, which helps reduce the overall complexity and expense of the system.

In addition, some embodiments of the present invention do not restrict the type of vocoders that may be used in the system. Each subscriber may select which vocoder to use. This may allow, for example, the subscriber to select a vocoder having specific performance, clarity, or security features that are needed for a particular situation. The subscriber may even be able to use a personal vocoder that is unknown to the wireless local loop.

Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one of skill in the art from the attached Figures, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and for further features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communications system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary subscriber and wireless router for the communications system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for handling outgoing traffic in a fixed wireless unit;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for handling incoming traffic in a fixed wireless unit; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for handling traffic from a subscriber's fixed wireless unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. I through <b>5</b> of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary communications system <b>10</b>. In the illustrated embodiment, system <b>10</b> comprises a plurality of subscribers <b>12</b>, a wireless router <b>14</b>, a plurality of public switched telephone network (PSTN) gateways <b>16</b>, a plurality of PSTNs <b>18</b>, and a packet network <b>20</b>. Other embodiments of system <b>10</b> may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Subscribers <b>12</b> may include individual subscribers <b>12</b>a and groups of subscribers <b>12</b><i>b</i>. Subscriber <b>12</b> is operable to communicate with wireless router <b>14</b> over a wireless interface <b>22</b>. Throughout this document, the term “communicate” refers to communication between two or more elements in system <b>10</b>, whether those elements communicate directly with one another or indirectly through one or more intermediate elements in system <b>10</b>.

Subscriber <b>12</b> may include one or more telephones operable to transmit and receive voice traffic and one or more fax machines operable to transmit and receive fax traffic. Subscriber <b>12</b> may also include one or more computers operable to transmit and receive voice, fax, and/or data traffic. In this document, voice and fax traffic may be referred to collectively as “analog traffic.” The analog traffic may be in the form of an analog signal, a digital version of the analog signal, or a digital version of the analog signal that is broken into packets. The phrase “data traffic” refers to non-voice and non-fax traffic, such as video traffic. The telephone, fax machine, and computer may each communicate using any suitable communications protocol, such as a circuit-switched protocol, a packet-switched protocol, or both.

In one embodiment, the voice, fax, and data traffic are communicated over wireless interface <b>22</b> in packets of data. At least a portion of a packet comprises the voice, fax, or data traffic. A packet may contain one type of traffic, or the packet may contain multiple types of traffic such as, for example, voice traffic and related data traffic. In this embodiment, subscriber <b>12</b> is operable to receive traffic from at least one of the telephone, the fax machine, and the computer. Subscriber <b>12</b> packetizes the traffic and communicates the outgoing packets to wireless router <b>14</b>. Subscriber <b>12</b> is also operable to receive incoming packets from wireless router <b>14</b>. Subscriber <b>12</b> may depacketize the traffic contained in the packets and route the traffic to at least one of the telephone, the fax machine, and the computer. Subscriber <b>12</b> could also route the packet directly to the computer without depacketizing the traffic in the packet. In a particular embodiment, subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> exchange packets using an Internet Protocol (IP) scheme such as, for example, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). One embodiment of subscriber <b>12</b> is shown in FIG. 2, which is described below.

Wireless router <b>14</b> is coupled to PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a </i>and packet network <b>20</b>. Throughout this document, the term “couple” refers to any direct or indirect connection between two or more elements in system <b>10</b>, whether the elements physically contact one another. Wireless router <b>14</b> is operable to provide bi-directional communication with subscribers <b>12</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> may, for example, transmit and receive messages to and from subscriber <b>12</b> using a circuit-switched or a packet-switched protocol. Wireless router <b>14</b> is also operable to facilitate communication between subscriber <b>12</b> and other elements in system <b>10</b>. In one embodiment, wireless router <b>14</b> receives packets containing voice, fax, and/or data traffic from subscriber <b>12</b>, and wireless router <b>14</b> routes the messages to PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a </i>or packet network <b>20</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> also receives data packets from PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a </i>and packet network <b>20</b> destined for subscriber <b>12</b>, and wireless router <b>14</b> communicates the packets to subscriber <b>12</b> over wireless interface <b>22</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to route data packets in system <b>10</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> may, for example, comprise a base station, a base station controller coupled to the base station, and a router coupled to the base station or the base station controller. One embodiment of wireless router <b>14</b> is shown in FIG. 2, which is described below.

Wireless interface <b>22</b> communicatively couples subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b>. In this document, the term “wireless” designates the use of a radio or over-the-air interface to communicate with subscriber <b>12</b>. Wireless interface <b>22</b> may comprise any suitable circuit-switched or packet-switched wireless interface. For example, mobile station <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> may communicate using a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) interface.

PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a </i>couples wireless router <b>14</b> and PSTN <b>18</b><i>a. </i>PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>b </i>couples packet network <b>20</b> and PSTN <b>18</b><i>b. </i>Each PSTN gateway <b>16</b> is operable to facilitate communication between components of system <b>10</b> and a PSTN <b>18</b>. PSTN gateway <b>16</b> may, for example, perform voice/fax coding and decoding operations to convert between the different protocols used in system <b>10</b>. PSTN gateway <b>16</b> may convert data packets received from wireless router <b>14</b> or packet network <b>20</b> into analog traffic sent to PSTN <b>18</b>. PSTN gateway <b>16</b> may also convert analog traffic received from PSTN <b>18</b> into data packets sent to wireless router <b>14</b> or packet network <b>20</b>. Each PSTN gateway <b>16</b> may also perform address translation, converting between an address format used by PSTN <b>18</b> and an address format used by wireless router <b>14</b> and packet network <b>20</b>. PSTN gateway <b>16</b> may be further operable to identify the vocoder that should be used by subscriber <b>12</b> to properly decode incoming packet messages. PSTN gateway <b>16</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to facilitate communication with a circuit-switched network.

PSTN <b>18</b> is coupled to PSTN gateway <b>16</b>, a telephone <b>24</b>, and a fax machine <b>26</b>. PSTN <b>18</b> is operable to facilitate communication between PSTN gateway <b>16</b> and telephone <b>24</b> or fax machine <b>26</b>. Telephone <b>24</b> may comprise any suitable telephone, including an analog or an integrated services digital network (ISDN) telephone. Fax machine <b>26</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to provide facsimile service, including a computer with a fax modem, an analog device, and an ISDN device.

Packet network <b>20</b> is coupled to wireless router <b>14</b>, PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>b, </i>Internet phone <b>28</b>, and computer <b>30</b>. Packet network <b>20</b> is operable to facilitate the transfer of data packets containing voice, fax, and/or data traffic between different components in system <b>10</b>. Packet network <b>20</b> may, for example, facilitate communication between wireless router <b>14</b> and PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>b. </i>Internet phone <b>28</b> may transmit and receive voice traffic over network <b>20</b>, and computer <b>30</b> having voice/fax coding and decoding functionality is operable to transmit and receive voice, fax, and data traffic over network <b>20</b>. Packet network <b>20</b> may comprise any suitable packet-based network. For example, packet network <b>20</b> may comprise a local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or other communications system or combination of communications systems at one or more locations.

In one aspect of operation, subscriber <b>12</b> communicates with other elements in system <b>10</b> through wireless router <b>14</b>. In one embodiment, subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> may use an IP scheme such as TCP/IP to transfer packets in system <b>10</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> may receive packets from subscriber <b>12</b> that contain voice, fax, and/or data traffic, and wireless router <b>14</b> routes the packets to the appropriate destination in system <b>10</b>. For example, if the packets contain voice or fax traffic, wireless router <b>14</b> may route the packets to PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a </i>for transmission to telephone <b>24</b><i>a </i>or fax machine <b>26</b><i>a. </i>Wireless router <b>14</b> may also route packets containing voice or fax traffic to packet network <b>20</b> for transmission to Internet phone <b>28</b>, computer <b>30</b>, or PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>b</i>. If the packets contain data traffic, wireless router <b>14</b> may route the packets to packet network <b>20</b> for transmission to a node such as computer <b>30</b> in network <b>20</b> or in another packet network communicating with network <b>20</b>. In addition, wireless router <b>14</b> may receive packets containing voice, fax, and/or data traffic destined for subscriber <b>12</b> from PSTN gateway <b>16</b> or packet network <b>20</b>, and wireless router <b>14</b> communicates the incoming packets to subscriber <b>12</b> over wireless interface <b>22</b>. Numerous additional routing scenarios may occur in system <b>10</b> without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of system <b>10</b>, numerous changes may be made to system <b>10</b> without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, system <b>10</b> may include any number of wireless routers <b>14</b>, PSTN gateways <b>16</b>, PSTNs <b>18</b>, and packet networks <b>20</b>. Also, system <b>10</b> could include one or more integrated services digital networks (ISDNs), and system <b>10</b> could include one or more public land mobile networks (PLMNs) coupled to system <b>10</b> by PLMN gateways. Other changes may be made in system <b>10</b> without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> for communications system <b>10</b> of FIG. <b>1</b>. In the illustrated embodiment, subscriber <b>12</b> comprises a fixed wireless unit <b>50</b>, a telephone <b>52</b>, a fax machine <b>54</b>, and a computer <b>56</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> comprises a wireless subsystem <b>66</b> and a packet data subsystem <b>68</b>. Other embodiments of subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> is coupled to telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, and computer <b>56</b>. Telephone <b>52</b> may comprise any suitable telephone device, including a wireless telephone that communicates with a telephone cradle at subscriber <b>12</b>. Fax machine <b>54</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to provide facsimile service, including a computer with a fax modem. Computer <b>56</b> may comprise any suitable computing device operable to communicate with fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> and exchange voice, fax, and/or data traffic. The traffic from computer <b>56</b> may be contained in packets of data, or fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> may packetize traffic from computer <b>56</b> that is not already contained in packets. To support the transfer of voice and fax traffic, computer <b>56</b> may include voice/fax vocoder functionality.

Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> facilitates communication between conventional wired devices and wireless router <b>14</b> by providing a wireless link between subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b>. “Wired devices” include devices that conventionally use wired connections for communication with a network over a local loop. “Wired devices” include telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, and/or computer <b>56</b> at subscriber <b>12</b>.

Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> transmits and receives packets of voice, fax, and data traffic to and from wireless router <b>14</b>. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to facilitate wireless communication between subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b>. In the illustrated embodiment, fixed wireless unit <b>12</b> comprises a telephone interface <b>58</b>, a voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b>, a packet data subsystem <b>62</b>, and a wireless subsystem <b>64</b>.

Telephone interface <b>58</b> is coupled to telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, and voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b>. Telephone interface <b>58</b> is operable to facilitate communication between telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, and voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b>. Telephone interface <b>58</b> may, for example, perform analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions to convert between a digital format used by voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> and an analog format used by telephone <b>52</b> and fax machine <b>54</b>. Telephone interface <b>58</b> may also perform dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) decoding to support push button dialing in telephone <b>52</b> or fax machine <b>54</b>. In addition, telephone interface <b>58</b> may perform other functions such as, for example, provisioning loop current and ring voltage. Telephone interface <b>58</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to facilitate communication between telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, and voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b>.

Voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> is coupled to telephone interface <b>58</b> and packet data subsystem <b>62</b>. Voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> is operable to facilitate communication between telephone interface <b>58</b> and packet data subsystem <b>62</b>. Voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> is also operable to perform coding and decoding functions to packetize and depacketize voice and fax traffic. Voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> may, for example, receive digitized voice and fax traffic from telephone interface <b>58</b> and place the traffic into one or more packets. Voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> may also receive packets containing voice and fax traffic from packet subsystem <b>62</b> and remove the traffic from the packets. Voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to perform vocoding functions. Voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> may support a single vocoder or multiple vocoders, and voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> may also support personal vocoders defined by subscriber <b>12</b>.

Packet data subsystem <b>62</b> is coupled to voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b>, computer <b>56</b>, and wireless subsystem <b>64</b>. Packet data subsystem <b>62</b> is operable to facilitate communication between telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, computer <b>56</b>, and wireless subsystem <b>64</b>. In one embodiment, packet data subsystem <b>62</b> supports the functions and protocols needed to transfer packets containing voice, fax, and/or data traffic between subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b>. Packet data subsystem <b>62</b> may, for example, support the routing of incoming messages received from wireless router <b>14</b> to telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, or computer <b>56</b>. In one embodiment, packet data subsystem <b>62</b> is also operable to determine a destination address for the outgoing packets, and packet data subsystem <b>62</b> adds appropriate headers to the packets so that wireless router <b>14</b> may route the packets to that destination in system <b>10</b>. Packet data subsystem <b>62</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to facilitate the communication of data packets between subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b>.

Wireless subsystem <b>64</b> in subscriber <b>12</b> is coupled to packet data subsystem <b>62</b>. Wireless subsystem <b>66</b> in wireless router <b>14</b> is coupled to packet data subsystem <b>68</b>. Wireless subsystems <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> are operable to facilitate communication between subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> by managing communications channels over wireless interface <b>22</b>. Wireless subsystems <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> may, for example, establish a communications channel over wireless interface <b>22</b> and then transmit and receive data packets over wireless interface <b>22</b>. In one embodiment, wireless subsystems <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> release the communications channel once communication over wireless interface <b>22</b> is complete. In another embodiment, wireless subsystems <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> maintain a constant connection over wireless interface <b>22</b>. Wireless subsystems <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> are operable to support any suitable communications protocol. Wireless subsystems <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> may use a circuit-switched protocol, a packet-switched protocol, or both to communicate over wireless interface <b>22</b>. Wireless subsystems <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> may each comprise any suitable device operable to manage one or more communications channels over wireless interface <b>22</b>.

Packet data subsystem <b>68</b> is coupled to wireless subsystem <b>66</b>, packet network <b>20</b>, and PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a</i>. Packet data subsystem <b>68</b> is operable to facilitate communication between wireless router <b>14</b> and components in system <b>10</b>. Packet data subsystem <b>68</b> may, for example, support the routing of messages received from subscriber <b>12</b> to packet network <b>20</b> or PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a</i>. In one embodiment, packet data subsystem <b>68</b> is also operable to determine a destination address of the packets, and packet data subsystem <b>68</b> adds appropriate headers to the packets so that the packets may be routed to that destination. Packet data subsystem <b>68</b> may also receive messages from PSTN gateway <b>16</b> or packet network <b>20</b> destined for subscriber <b>12</b>. Packet data subsystem <b>68</b> may comprise any suitable device operable to facilitate the communication of data packets between wireless router <b>14</b>, PSTN gateway <b>16</b>, and packet network <b>20</b>.

In one aspect of operation, fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> communicate over wireless interface <b>22</b> and exchange voice, fax, and data traffic contained in data packets. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> is operable to receive voice traffic from telephone <b>52</b>, fax traffic from fax machine <b>54</b>, and voice, fax, and/or data traffic from computer <b>56</b>. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> is also operable to packetize the voice and fax traffic from telephone <b>52</b> and fax machine <b>54</b>, and fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> may packetize traffic from computer <b>56</b> that is not already contained in data packets. The packets are communicated to wireless router <b>14</b> over wireless interface <b>22</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> routes the packets to an appropriate location in system <b>10</b>. If the packets are going to PSTN <b>18</b>, subscriber <b>12</b> or wireless router <b>14</b> determines an address for a PSTN gateway <b>16</b>, and wireless router <b>14</b> communicates the packets to that PSTN gateway <b>16</b>. If the packets are going to packet network <b>20</b>, subscriber <b>12</b> or wireless router <b>14</b> determines an address for a destination node in network <b>20</b>, and wireless router <b>14</b> communicates the packets to that node.

Wireless router <b>14</b> may also receive data packets from PSTN gateway <b>16</b> or packet network <b>20</b> destined for subscriber <b>12</b>. Wireless router <b>14</b> communicates the packets to fixed wireless unit <b>50</b>. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> determines whether the packets are destined for telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, or computer <b>56</b>. Voice, fax, and/or data traffic may be sent to computer <b>56</b>, and voice and fax traffic may be sent to telephone interface <b>58</b>.

By supporting the concurrent transfer of analog traffic and data traffic using packets of data, fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> provide several advantages over prior wireless local loops. For example, system <b>10</b> simplifies the handling of voice, fax, and data traffic by using packets of data to transport the traffic. In one embodiment, the different types of traffic are handled similarly in system <b>10</b> until the analog traffic enters an analog network such as PSTN <b>18</b>. When the analog traffic is entering PSTN <b>18</b>, system <b>10</b> converts the packetized analog traffic into an analog signal. Also, because traffic is handled as packets of data, system <b>10</b> supports voice telephone calls to and from packet data networks like the Internet. In addition, since the traffic is handled as packets, conversion of the traffic may be unnecessary between the wireless local loop and packet network <b>20</b>.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b>, numerous changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although subscriber <b>12</b> is illustrated as comprising telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, and computer <b>56</b>, subscriber <b>12</b> need not include all three elements. Subscriber <b>12</b> could, for example, comprise only telephone <b>52</b> or telephone <b>52</b> and computer <b>56</b>. Also, although fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> is illustrated as comprising separate modules for telephone interface <b>58</b>, voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b>, packet data subsystem <b>62</b>, and wireless interface <b>64</b>, one or more of these modules may be combined in a single physical unit. For example, a single physical unit could perform the functions of telephone interface <b>58</b> and voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b>. Other changes may be made to system subscriber <b>12</b> or wireless router <b>14</b> without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for handling outgoing traffic in fixed wireless unit <b>50</b>. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> receives traffic from telephone <b>52</b> and/or fax machine <b>54</b> at a step <b>100</b>. This may include, for example, telephone interface <b>58</b> receiving the traffic from telephone <b>52</b> or fax machine <b>54</b>. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> codes the voice or fax traffic into packets at a step <b>102</b>. This may include, for example, telephone interface <b>58</b> digitizing the analog signals received from telephone <b>52</b> or fax machine <b>54</b> and voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> packetizing the digitized traffic. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> may also receive traffic from computer <b>56</b> at a step <b>104</b>. This may include, for example, packet data subsystem <b>62</b> receiving the traffic from computer <b>56</b>. The traffic from computer <b>56</b> may comprise voice, fax, and/or data traffic, and the traffic may or may not already be packetized. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> communicates the packets containing the traffic to wireless router <b>14</b> at a step <b>106</b>. This may include, for example, packet data subsystem <b>62</b> addressing the packets to a destination in system <b>10</b> and wireless subsystem <b>64</b> communicating the packet data to wireless router <b>14</b>.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for handling incoming traffic in fixed wireless unit <b>50</b>. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> receives incoming packets of data from wireless router <b>14</b> at a step <b>140</b>. This may include, for example, wireless subsystem <b>64</b> receiving the packets from wireless router <b>14</b> over wireless interface <b>22</b>. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> determines whether the packet contains traffic destined for telephone <b>52</b> or fax machine <b>54</b> at a step <b>142</b>. This may include, for example, packet data subsystem <b>62</b> determining whether the packet is addressed to telephone <b>52</b>, fax machine <b>54</b>, or computer <b>56</b>. If the packet contains traffic destined for telephone <b>52</b> or fax machine <b>54</b>, fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> decodes the voice or fax traffic at a step <b>144</b>. This may include, for example, voice/fax vocoder subsystem <b>60</b> depacketizing the traffic and telephone interface <b>58</b> converting the digital data into an analog signal. Fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> communicates the analog voice or fax traffic to telephone <b>52</b> or fax machine <b>54</b> at a step <b>146</b>. This may include, for example, telephone interface <b>58</b> routing the traffic to telephone <b>52</b> and/or fax machine <b>54</b>. If the packet received from wireless router <b>14</b> contains traffic destined for computer <b>56</b> at step <b>142</b>, fixed wireless unit <b>50</b> communicates the traffic to computer <b>56</b> at a step <b>148</b>. This may include, for example, packet data subsystem <b>62</b> transferring the packet or the traffic in the packet to computer <b>56</b>.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for handling traffic from a subscriber's fixed wireless unit <b>50</b>. System <b>10</b> receives voice, fax, and/or data traffic from subscriber <b>12</b> at a step <b>200</b>. This may include, for example, wireless subsystem <b>66</b> in wireless router <b>14</b> receiving packets from subscriber <b>12</b> over wireless interface <b>22</b>. In one embodiment, subscriber <b>12</b> and wireless router <b>14</b> communicate using an IP protocol. System <b>10</b> determines if the packet is going to an analog network such as PSTN <b>18</b> at a step <b>202</b>. This may include, for example, determining the destination address of the packet. The destination address may already be included in the packet, or wireless router <b>14</b> may determine an address for the packet. The address may be for a PSTN gateway <b>16</b> providing access to the analog network or for a destination node in packet network <b>20</b>.

If the packet is going to an analog network at step <b>202</b>, wireless router <b>14</b> routes the packet to the gateway at a step <b>204</b>. This may include, for example, wireless router <b>14</b> communicating the packet directly to PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>a </i>coupled to wireless router <b>14</b>. This may also include wireless router <b>14</b> routing the message through packet network <b>20</b> to another PSTN gateway <b>16</b><i>b</i>. System <b>10</b> decodes the voice or fax traffic contained in the packet at a step <b>206</b> This may include, for example, PSTN gateway <b>16</b> receiving the packet, extracting the voice or fax traffic from the packet, and converting the digital data into an analog signal. System <b>10</b> communicates the voice or fax traffic to the analog network at a step <b>208</b> This may include, for example, PSTN gateway <b>16</b> communicating the analog voice or fax traffic to PSTN <b>18</b>.

If the packet is going to a node in a packet network at step <b>202</b>, wireless router <b>14</b> communicates the data packet to the destination node at a step <b>210</b>. This may include, for example, wireless router <b>14</b> routing the message to a node coupled to packet network <b>20</b>. This may also includes router <b>14</b> routing the message to another packet network that communicates with packet network <b>20</b>.

Although the present invention has been described in several embodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.