Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to scheduling of air link resources, e.g., traffic segments, in a wireless communications system are described. Various described methods and apparatus are well suited to wireless peer to peer networks in which traffic scheduling is decentralized, e.g. an ad hoc peer to peer network. An individual wireless terminal corresponding to a peer to peer connection which desires to transmit traffic signals make transmitter yielding decisions on a traffic slot by traffic slot basis. The transmitter yielding decision, in some embodiments, includes comparing a link quality estimate corresponding to a higher priority link intending to use the same traffic segment concurrently, to a dynamically generated transmitter yielding threshold. The dynamically generated transmitter yielding threshold is determined based on at least one of: quality of service information corresponding to its own link and historical link quality information corresponding to the higher priority link.

Abstract: Channel characterization and training within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within such communication systems, there can be a number of devices (e.g., STAs) that communicate with a single device (e.g., AP). A multi-cast sounding frame may be transmitted from a transmitting device to a number of receiving devices. Appropriate scheduling or ordering of feedback signals from some or all of the receiving devices may be performed explicitly (e.g., sounding frame sent from the transmitting device to a receiving device) or implicitly (e.g., control information sent from the transmitting device to the receiving device, sounding frame sent to the transmitting device from the receiving device). Such characterization and training is with respect to a channel or path in which data will subsequently follow. Such characterization and training can be performed in accordance with group membership (e.g., with respect to only some of the receiving devices).

Abstract: Techniques for the generation of beacons are disclosed. For instance, embodiments may establish a delay time that is based at least on a directional beacon transmission characteristic of a wireless communications device. In turn, embodiments may determine whether a beacon transmission is received from a remote device during a time period. This time period begins at a start of a beacon interval in a distributed wireless communications network, and has a duration of the delay time. When a beacon transmission is not received from a remote device during the time period, one or more directional beacon transmissions may be sent upon completion of the time period.

Abstract: A wireless mobile station transmits a signal string representing a wireless resource allocation request and service quality information on transmission data to be transmitted to a wireless base station. The wireless base station identifies the service quality information based on the signal string received from the wireless mobile station, and controls allocation of an uplink wireless resource to the wireless mobile station based on the identified service quality information. This enables wireless resource allocation in consideration of service quality information on transmission data of the wireless mobile station.

Abstract: In a system comprising a first access point serving a first wireless network; and a neighboring access point serving a neighboring wireless network having coverage overlapping with the first wireless network, where the first access point and the neighboring access point transmit beacon messages at beacon times that are temporally separated by predetermined beacon periods, a method of operating the system is disclosed, the method comprising: the first access point sending a first offer to the neighboring access point, the first offer offering a period of silent time to the neighboring access point during which period of silent time the first access point silences the first wireless network, the period of silent time being independent of the beacon times and the beacon periods.

Abstract: A method for filling a WiMAX downlink frame by the base station of a WiMAX network, wherein the downlink MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) are fitted into the WiMAX downlink frame by means of a DL-MAP scheduler, which allows the concatenation of downlink MPDUs from different connections in single bursts, the bursts having a rectangular shape in terms of the two dimensions—OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) symbols and subchannels—of a WiMAX downlink frame, is characterized in that the DL-MAP scheduler is configured in a way that it considers the concatenation of downlink MPDUs from different connections in single bursts based on the available and/or the remaining free space in the WiMAX downlink frame, such that it simplifies the DL-MAP scheduler task of filling the WiMAX downlink frame minimizing the amount of wasted radio resources.

Abstract: A wireless network system is provided in which time periods during which packets are transmitted or received for bandwidth allocation request and acknowledgement over a network are separately set in a superframe period, and data is transmitted or received through the bandwidths allocation. The wireless network system includes a frame-generation unit which generates a beacon frame for constructing a superframe including one or more channel time blocks, a bandwidth-management unit which sets among the one or more channel time blocks first channel time blocks as a bandwidth allocated period for a particular station on a network and second channel time blocks as packet transmission or reception periods for a bandwidth-use-request packet on the network, and a communication unit which transmits the beacon frame including reservation information for setting the first and second channel time blocks through a communication channel.

Abstract: A method of transmitting packet in a mobile station is provided. The method includes determining whether a resource reserved for a special purpose is overlapped with a resource for transmitting a packet by the mobile station, on the basis of resource allocation information on the mobile station, and delaying the transmission of the packet if the reserved resource is overlapped with the resource for transmitting the packet. Accordingly, it is possible to increase uplink packet transmission efficiency without increasing downlink overhead, by avoiding or adjusting collision of an uplink packet transmission with a time-frequency resource reserved for another purpose.

Abstract: Dynamic time-spectrum block allocation for cognitive radio networks is described. In one implementation, without need for a central controller, peer wireless nodes collaboratively sense local utilization of a communication spectrum and collaboratively share white spaces for communication links between the nodes. Sharing local views of the spectrum utilization with each other allows the nodes to dynamically allocate non-overlapping time-frequency blocks to the communication links between the nodes for efficiently utilizing the white spaces. The blocks are sized to optimally pack the available white spaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving a Random Access Channel (RACH) signal in a communication system. A User Equipment (UE) selects one of Contention Resolution (CR) channels allocated for collision detection, and transmits the selected CR channel and a connection request message to an Evolved Node B (E-NB), and receives a response signal from the E-NB. The UE transmits the RACH signal, if a collision indicator is included in the response signal. The E-NB receives from each of UEs a connection request message and a CR channel, decodes the connection request message, and detects a collision between the UEs using the CR channel. The E-NB generates a response signal to the connection request message according to the decoding result, generates a collision indicator according to the collision detection result, and transmits to the UEs at least one of the generated response signal, the generated collision indicator, and a unique ID of a corresponding UE.

Abstract: Communicating among stations in a network includes, from each of multiple stations in the network, transmitting information indicating which other stations from which that station is able to reliably receive transmissions. A schedule for communicating among the stations is determined based on the information from the stations and transmitting the schedule over the network. The schedule includes a plurality of time slots during which respective sets of stations are assigned to communicate using a contention-based protocol.

Abstract: A method for transmitting packets, including forwarding a first set of upstream packets and a first set of local packets by inserting at least one of the first set of local packets between subsets of the first set of upstream packets according to a first insertion rate; calculating a second insertion rate after forwarding a predetermined number of upstream packets generated by a single upstream source, by dividing a cardinality of the first set of upstream packets by a greatest common divisor of the predetermined number and the cardinality of the first set of upstream packets; and forwarding a second set of upstream packets and a second set of local packets from the local switch to the downstream switch by inserting at least one of the second set of local packets between subsets of the second set of upstream packets according to the second insertion rate.

Abstract: A slotted Aloha communication system is provided according to one embodiment of the invention. The system may include a hub and a plurality of RCSTs. According to one embodiment, congestion control may occur at the RCST based in part on the number of segments received at the hub, the number of retransmission segments received at the hub and the number of successful collision retransmission segments received at the hub. The hub may communicate information regarding received segments. Congestion control may include calculating a transmission probably, performing a skewed probability measure with a probability equal to the transmission probability. If the results of the probability measure is positive the RCST may transmit or retransmit a segment within a first time prior, if the probability measure is negative then the RCST waits a set time period and reperforms the skewed probability measure.

Abstract: A system for controlling a contention state for a communication link between a base station controller and customer premises equipment in point-to-multipoint communication. The contention state is controlled using a state machine, which includes a grant pending absent state in which a unicast request slot is maintained open for use by the customer premises equipment. During the grant pending absent state, the customer premises equipment sends no upstream data to the base station controller but can use the unicast request slot to request a data slot for sending upstream data to the base station controller. In the grant pending state, the customer premises equipment preferably uses piggybacking to request grant of a next data slot while sending upstream data to the base station controller.

Abstract: A resiliency-link having a master node and slave nodes may be used to automatically avoid network conflicts due to failure of a node stack. Any stack stub formed as a result of the failure of a stack node or link may use the resiliency-link to determine whether the stack Master node is still online and providing service. If communication over the resiliency-link determines that the original Master node is offline, a new stack stub takes over and provides the desired service. If the original Master node is still online, then the new stack stub takes an appropriate alternative or fallback action.

Abstract: An arbitration device includes an arbitration section, a counter, and a changing section. While write request signals and read request signals for a transfer path, are inputted from request sources, the arbitration section arbitrates an order that the write and read request signals use the transfer path, and when arbitration is settled, outputs use permission signals to the request sources. The changing section changes a time from outputting of the write request signals until inputting of the write request signals to the arbitration section, and/or a time from outputting of the use permission signals for the write request signals until inputting of the use permission signals to the request sources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing features of a signal in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus sense signal features by determining a number of spectral density estimates, where each estimate is derived based on reception of the signal by a respective antenna in a system with multiple sensing antennas. The spectral density estimates are then combined, and the signal features are sensed based on the combination of the spectral density estimates.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of communicating in a network with a plurality of nodes. In the method, information is gathered from the plurality of nodes, where information from each node specifies other nodes from which the node detected messages. Based on the gathered information, a transmit sequence according to which the plurality of nodes are to transmit is determined. Other methods and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Access control based on CSMA is favorably carried out with the RTS/CTS method used together. If the RTS/CTS procedure is used together, CTS information is transmitted in response to the reception of RTS information, and data is transmitted in response to the reception of CTS. The CTS transmitting station measures the quality of RTS receive signal, and thereby determines a transmission rate at which it can receive and notifies a station as the destination of CTS. The station as the destination of CTS transmits data in response to CTS information. As the transmission rate for this data, the transmission rate indicated in the RATE field in CTS is applied.

Abstract: A method for performing random access in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes transmitting a preamble for random access in uplink, receiving a random access response message including back-off information as a response to the preamble, and performing back-off using the back-off information when the random access has failed.

Abstract: Intra-cell upstream data forwarding is utilized in a wireless network such as a wireless local area network. A network forwarding path is determined based on the signal strength of an access point signal received at client stations within the network, referred to as the OASS. In particular embodiments, a station that is either originating or forwarding a frame inserts its own OASS into the frame before transmitting it and a client station that receives a frame forwards it only if its own OASS exceeds the frame-enclosed OASS, illustratively by at least a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Provided are a network apparatus and system that may request or receive the same contents stored in a plurality of network apparatuses. In a network system sharing data, specific segments from a plurality of segments constituting the data may be received from mutually different terminals. For this, a transmission region may be determined by calculating a transmission offset corresponding to the plurality of terminals, and at least one segment included in the determined transmission region may be received from a corresponding terminal.

Abstract: Method for reducing collisions between a first station and a second station in a CSMA/CA system. The method may be performed by the first station. Medium access to transmit to the second station may be obtained according to a first procedure for obtaining medium access. It may be determined that the second station is configured to grant transmit opportunity to the first station. Medium access to transmit to the second station may be obtained according to a second procedure for obtaining medium access based on determining that the second station is configured to grant transmit opportunity to the first station. The first procedure may include contending for medium access, while the second procedure may include delaying contention for medium access relative to the first procedure.

Abstract: A method and system by which a base station in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally a transceiver in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate with other transceivers to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how the base station can initiate contentions for an increased share of the frames available in the following superframe of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by a random number based contention process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allocating Radio Network Temporary Identifiers (RNTIs) for random access in a mobile communication system are provided. An Evolved Node B (ENB) determines the number of RNTIs allocated to at least one User Equipment (UE) that transmitted a random access preamble, determines an average number of random access preambles received during a Transmission Time Interval (TTI), and sets a timer based on the number of allocated RNTIs and the average number of random access preambles. If a cell identifier corresponding to a first UE is not received from an upper layer before expiration of the timer, the ENB releases the RNTI allocated to the first UE, and allocates the released RNTI to a second UE different from the first UE.

Abstract: A communication device of an example of the present invention comprises a first unit determining that whether a state is a first state indicating that a transmission medium is in use, a second state indicating that the transmission medium is not in use, or a third state indicating that whether or not the transmission medium is in use is being determined, and a second unit prohibiting a data transmission in the first and third states, and permitting the data transmission in the second state.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for communicating via a network. In one embodiment, a device for communicating via a network includes a medium access controller (MAC). The MAC is configured to apply a contention window for collision avoidance on the network, and to determine whether the network is free for use on expiration of a time value of the contention window. The MAC is also configured to initiate a transmission based on a determination that the network is free for use. The MAC is further configured to increase, in accordance with a predetermined probability value, the time value of the contention window based on: the transmission being successful; and the time value of the contention window being a minimum contention window time value. The probability value establishes the likelihood of the MAC increasing the time value of the contention window with respect to successful transmissions with the minimum contention window time value.

Abstract: An information processing system is disclosed that makes it possible to easily create a process definition ticket according to a template created by checking common capabilities of devices. Devices on a network that have a potential for being used to execute a process based on the process definition ticket are selected, and information on capabilities of the selected devices is obtained. Functions common or uncommon to the devices are displayed in an identifiable manner based on the information on the capabilities of the devices. A process definition ticket template including common capabilities of the selected devices is generated with respect to process items in the template that are designated. A process definition ticket that is to be executed using the devices is created based on the generated template.

Abstract: A protocol for collision avoidance in inter and intra basic service set broadcast/multicast communication in a wireless network is disclosed. An access point reserves a broadcast transmission time and conveys that reservation to each of its associated stations. Using a beacon or an action frame, the transmission reservation time is sent to all stations and other neighboring access points within range of the primary access point. Upon receiving the broadcast transmission time reservation, each station associated with the reserving access point and any neighboring access points set their network allocation vector thus preventing frame transmission or reception during the now reserved transmission time.

Abstract: A method and system by which a base station in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally a transceiver in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate with other transceivers to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how the base station currently occupying a channel responds to requests from other base stations for an increased share of the frames available in a subsequent superframe of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by a random number based contention process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for randomizing access probes from co-located mobile terminals in order to reduce collisions is provided. By each mobile terminal or group of mobile terminals computing a random delay between a minimum delay value and a maximum delay value and using the random delay to delay the starting time of access probes, collisions between access probes from different mobile terminals may be reduced.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of neighbor discovery in a wireless personal area network, comprising coordinating communications in the WPAN by a WPAN coordinator, and transmitting beacons by the WPAN coordinator on a control channel of the WPAN that specifies the time slots and the order in which devices operating in the WPAN transmit their omni-directional training sequences on a data channel at the beginning of the next super-frame.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of collision avoidance systems and methods. One method embodiment, among others, comprises a client sending an end of transmission (EOT) request to an access point (AP), and responsive to the EOT request, the AP responding with an EOT frame.

Abstract: A method of operation of a communication device. A first communication module is operatively coupled to a second communication module within the communication device. The second communication module is designed for carrier sensing. An instruction is communicated from the first communication module to the second communication module to begin sensing a channel on behalf of the first communication module. Next, the first communication module is informed of channel activity status by the second communication module. Thereafter, the first communication module transmits on the channel when no activity is detected on the channel.

Abstract: A method and system by which base stations in a Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN), and more generally transceivers in a cognitive radio (CR) system, can communicate to fairly share transmission and reception of scheduled use (“occupancy”) of frames on a single channel within a frame-based, on demand spectrum contention system. The method and system disclose how a base station can acquire the scheduled use of a share of the frames available in subsequent superframes of the CR system. The method and system assure fair and efficient access to the transmission channel by using a random number based contention process.

Abstract: A combination of devices in which communication parameters are to be set is selected on the basis of information indicating the capabilities of communication devices located on a network, and an unselected device is notified of termination of the setting of the communication parameters. Therefore, the communication parameters are set in a desired combination of devices, and the communication parameters are not set in an unintended pair of devices.

Abstract: A reliable and deterministic video communication protocol is provided. In one aspect, a method of transmitting data, audio or video frames in a basic service set having a plurality of stations in a wireless local area network transmits a transmit opportunity information element to reserve a transmit opportunity time interval. The method further transmits the data, audio or video frames to a number of the stations in the basic service set during the reserved transmit opportunity time interval. In another aspect, a method of transmitting data, audio or video frames in a basic service set having a plurality of stations in a wireless local area network first transmits protection frames to reserve a time interval, then transmits frames during the reserved time interval or during a non-reserved time interval.

Abstract: Provided are a reader-tag integrated RFID apparatus and a method for controlling the same. The apparatus includes a tag unit for communicating with an external reader, and transmitting a response signal and data corresponding to a signal transmitted from the external reader to the external reader, a reader unit for selecting a channel between other reader and the reader-tag integrated RFID apparatus with a different delay time, and communicating with an external tag using a random value to minimize collision; and a controller for selectively activating one of the tag unit and the reader unit if it necessary.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the latency of instant communication session establishment are presented. According to various preferred embodiments, a RAN, may receive a setup request message via a packet-switched network. The RAN may determine, from a quality of service (QOS) indication contained in the setup request message, that the setup request message is requesting establishment of a instant communication session. The RAN may further determine an intended destination wireless communication device (WCD) for the setup request message. Based on the QOS indication and/or a profile indicating the destination WCD's capabilities, the RAN may pre-allocate resources for the instant communication session in parallel to paging the destination WCD. In this way, the latencies associated with these procedures are overlapped, thus reducing the overall latency of instant communication session establishment.

Abstract: Real-time broadcast and multicast based packet transmissions/services over a wireless, local area networks (WLAN) may be improved by reducing the interference across neighboring access points (APs) while minimally impacting the performance of unicast transmissions/services. Minimal impact is assured by scheduling the transmission of multicast packet flows such that the duration of the time period required to transmit such flows is also minimized. One type of method provides a constant approximation of an optimal time period/schedule while another provides a logarithmic approximation of an optimal time period/schedule.

Abstract: A certain ECU transmits a reference message for requiring the other ECUs to transmit data. After transmission of the reference message, each of all the ECUs transmits priority information of its transmit message onto a communication bus, and then detects whether some priority information transmitted from the other ECUs has a higher priority than its own transmitted priority information. If there is detected no priority information of a higher priority than its own transmitted priority information, it transmits a message associated therewith, and then is prohibited to transmit data of the same priority until receiving a next reference message.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for supporting multiple devices on a high speed physical link may be described. An embedded device may assert a link request pin to request to transmit data on a multi-point communications link that may serve a plurality of embedded devices. A controlling device may receive the link request signal. When the controlling device finishes sending data on the link, it may address the plurality of embedded devices in a round robin format and may determine which device asserted the link request pin. The embedded device that asserted the link request pin may send an acknowledgement signal to the controlling device when it is addressed.

Abstract: A terminal device, used in communication system conducting communication by periodically switching frequency channels in a predefined sequence, communicates with a control device using a predefined channel.

Abstract: A radio communication system includes: a first base station for communicating with a mobile station in a first area; and a second base station for communicating with the mobile station in a second area; the first base station including: a first receiving unit for receiving connection control information from the second station; a first setup unit for generating scheduling information; and a first transmitting unit for transmitting the generated scheduling information to the second base station and for transmitting the data decided to send to the mobile station on the basis of the scheduling information; the second base station including: a second transmitting unit for transmitting the connection control information and for transmitting the data decided to send to the mobile station on the basis of the scheduling information; and a second receiving unit for receiving the scheduling information from the first base station.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to display the availability of a wireless LAN, in which information about an area supporting a wireless local area network (LAN) is provided to a user carrying a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone through a mobile phone network in the form of text, voice or images. The apparatus includes: an input unit to receive a command to request a search for a wireless LAN available in a designated location from a user; a packet generating unit to generate an information request packet according to the received command; a communicating unit to transmit the generated information request packet and to receive a result of the requested search for the available wireless LAN, in response to the transmitted information request packet; and a display unit to display the received result of the search.

Abstract: An IBSS that allows token passing for round-robin service of QoS flows is disclosed (an RRBSS). The RRBSS permits low-latency, reduced contention, distributed scheduling useful in any ad hoc network, but particularly suitable for high data rates. Distributed scheduled access is provided for flows through a round-robin token passing service discipline. STAs follow a round-robin order, or list, and are able to communicate with round-robin transmit opportunities during a defined period. Each STA in the list transmits a respective token to transfer access to the shared medium to the next STA in the RR List. The sequence is terminated with an end token. STAs maintain station identifiers and list updates are maintained with a sequence identifier. Techniques are disclosed to add and remove STAs to the sequence; establish connectivity lists (receive and forward), and maintain other sequence parameters such as bandwidth management and TXOP duration. Various other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A backoff counter is used to determine the start time of a contended allocation for a device. The backoff counter is set to an integer randomly drawn from the interval [1, CW], where CW is a contention window value selected based upon the priority of the traffic to be transmitted. The backoff counter is decremented for each idle contention slot detected. When the backoff counter reaches zero, the device attempts to transmit in the next contention slot. If the device receives no acknowledgement or an incorrect acknowledgment, then the transmission has failed. After a failed transmission, CW is set by alternately doubling the CW value up to a CWmax value for the user priority. CW is unchanged, if it was doubled in the last setting; and CW is doubled, if it was unchanged in the last setting.

Abstract: An edge device for controlling provisioning of data streams to a network includes a primary channel for receiving a primary stream and a secondary channel for receiving a secondary stream. A scheduler selects between the primary stream and the secondary stream. Timers quantify an elapsed time between a triggering event and a previous switch by the scheduler from the secondary stream to the primary stream and quantify a wait time. When the primary stream does not meet the predetermined criteria and the secondary stream does meet the predetermined criteria, the scheduler switches to the secondary stream. The scheduler and switches back to the primary stream after an exponentially increasing wait time has elapsed and the primary stream meets the predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless communication over multi-rate channels are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes source and destination devices that use first and second channels under a contention-based protocol. The first channel is directional with a first frequency and a first range. The second channel is omni-directional with a second frequency and a second range. The second frequency is lower than the first frequency, and the second range is greater than the first range. The source device may send the destination device a request for data transmission via the first channel over the second channel. The destination device may send the source device an approval for the data transmission over the second channel. The source device may further transmit an acknowledgment (ACK) of the approval over the second channel upon receiving the approval to prevent other devices in the system from contending for data transmission.

Abstract: A random backoff time can be determined and the transmission of an initial access probe can be delayed for the random backoff time. A backoff interval can be determined based on channel load, wherein the backoff interval defines a range from which the random backoff time is selected.