Assist engine for transmit and receive functions in a modular wireless network access device

Abstract

A wireless network access device comprising a radio interface with a serial communication line, a switch, and M serial connections to M connectors for connecting up to M corresponding detachable radio modules. The radio interface forms up to M individually addressable radio communications paths. Each radio module includes a radio configured to communicate with client devices in a coverage area and a radio processor configured to manage at least one radio receiving buffer. The radio receiving buffers store receiver buffer identifiers to corresponding received data space. A processor manages communication between the client devices that communicate with the radio modules and a data network via the radio interface and a network interface when N≦M radio modules are connected to the radio interface. An assist engine is connected in the serial connection between the processor and the switch to manage allocation of receive buffer identifiers to the radio modules.