Abstract: A multi-mode access point (AP) and a method of controlling access between that AP and one or more clients is disclosed. In a first time period, the AP commands the client(s) not to send data on a first channel, using, for example, the 802.11a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Standard. The AP is enabled, in that first time period, to receive data on a second channel using say, the 802.11b WLAN standard. At the end of the first time period, the AP switches so that the first channel is commanded to be silent while data can instead be sent via the second channel. Data queuing for a given channel can take place at the or each client when that channel is commanded to be silent, for subsequent transmission when that channel is enabled again.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of helping mobile stations such as voice over IP devices to roam between wireless access points, by each access point transmitting the MAC address of a spanning tree algorithm root switch of the local network domain. This MAC address is used by mobile stations to detect if two access points are in a common network domain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for terminating frame reception in a wireless Local Area Network. A node receiving a frame transmitted on the common channel in a wireless Local Area Network determines the destination address of the frame. If the destination address indicates that the transmitted frame is not intended for that node, the node terminates reception of the frame for a time period at least as long as the time required to transmit the remainder of the transmitted frame. In a further embodiment, the time period can also include at least one Short Inter Frame Space and the time required to send an Acknowledgement frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for terminating frame reception in a wireless Local Area Network. A node receiving a frame transmitted on the common channel in a wireless Local Area Network determines the destination address of the frame. If the destination address indicates that the transmitted frame is not intended for that node, the node terminates reception of the frame for a time period at least as long as the time required to transmit the remainder of the transmitted frame. In a further embodiment, the time period can also include at least one Short Inter Frame Space and the time required to send an Acknowledgement frame.

Abstract: A multi-mode access point (AP) and a method of controlling access between that AP and one or more clients is disclosed. In a first time period, the AP commands the client(s) not to send data on a first channel, using, for example, the 802.11a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Standard. The AP is enabled, in that first time period, to receive data on a second channel using say, the 802.11b WLAN standard. At the end of the first time period, the AP switches so that the first channel is commanded to be silent whilst data can instead be sent via the second channel. Data queuing for a given channel can take place at the or each client when that channel is commanded to be silent, for subsequent transmission when that channel is enabled again.