Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) includes a first device and a second device. The first device sends a first frame including a first transmission indicator, which indicates that a service interval is to begin at a certain time. The second device sends an acknowledgement from the second device to the first device indicating receipt of the first transmission indicator. The first device sends a second frame including another first transmission indicator if, after a prescribed time period, the acknowledgement is not received by the first device. The first device also sends a last transmission indicator, which indicates that the service period will end at a certain time. The WLAN and its method of use provide synchronicity between the first and second devices as to the beginning and the end of a service period.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) includes at least one hybrid coordinator (HC) and at least one Quality of Service Station (QSTA). The HC transmits a schedule frame element (SEF). The WLAN also includes a clocking mechanism that sets a substantially absolute start time of a service interval. A method of synchronizing the HC and the QSTA includes transmitting a schedule element frame (SEF), and setting a substantially absolute start-time of a service interval, and a first transmitted frame element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system based on MAC frames for enabling a QAP to seamlessly operate between granting polls for upstream and sidestream traffic while sending downstream frames. The inventive scheduling method uses a minimum set of mandatory TSPEC parameters to generate a schedule, which provides minimum performance requirement in wireless local area networks (WLANs).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for dynamically selecting a communication channel between an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STAs) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes the steps of: determining whether a new channel between the AP and STAs within a particular basic service set (BSS) is needed; requesting a channel signal quality measure to some of the plurality of stations by the AP; reporting a channel signal quality report back to the AP based on a received signal strength indication (RSSI) and a packet error rate (PER) of all channels detected by the stations within the BSS; selecting a new channel based on the channel quality report for use in communication between the AP and the plurality of stations.

Abstract: A channel quieting/measurement request element is provided for use in a wireless local area network. The unified element of the invention integrates a dual capability for performing channel quieting and for making measurement requests of one or more stations in the network. According to another aspect of the invention, a conventional channel quieting element is modified to include provisions for defining an offset time and an offset duration interval for performing channel quieting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for announcing to a wireless station in a wireless network that a Quality of Service (QoS) service schedule is pending for the wireless station. The apparatus of the invention comprises a hybrid coordinator that is capable of creating and sending to the wireless station an announcement of a pending Quality of Service (QoS) service schedule. The wireless station delays entering a power save mode of operation until the wireless station receives the QoS service schedule or until a selected timeout period expires.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing a Quality of Service (QoS) service schedule and bandwidth allocation message to a wireless station in a wireless network. The apparatus of the invention comprises a hybrid coordinator that is capable of (1) creating a Quality of Service (QoS) service schedule and a bandwidth allocation message for a wireless station and (2) sending the QoS service schedule and the bandwidth allocation message to the wireless station. The wireless station is capable of using the scheduling information to perform power management by entering a power save mode during times when the hybrid coordinator has not scheduled any transmission opportunities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing fast channel switching in a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method generally includes the steps of: determining that the wireless medium has been idle during a PCF interframe space (PIFS) period, transmitting a first management frame during a slot time following the PIFS period; wherein the transmission at said slot time substantially guarantees priority access said wireless medium; and performing fast channel switching in the network in accordance with directives contained within the management frame. Fast channel switching as defined herein includes one of quieting the current channel and/or switching from a current channel of operation to a new channel of operation. The method overcomes the latencies associated with contention based services, such as the DCF service.

Abstract: A granted TxOP holder transmits the first frame of a QSTA-to-QSTA communication at a power level sufficient to ensure correct reception by the destination and at least detection by the HC, and then, with exceptions, transmits subsequent frames at a power level merely sufficient to ensure correct reception by the destination, regardless of reception or detection by the HC. Subsequent frames that must be received by the HC, such as those changing the TC queue size or requesting extension of the current TxOP, are transmitted at a power sufficient to ensure reception by the HC as well as the destination, as are the last frame(s). The HC is constrained from reclaiming the channel unconditionally merely because of failure to detect activity, and recovery is limited to the TxOP holder.

Abstract: Dynamic frequency selection for an IEEE 802.11 basic service set network is enabled by a dynamic frequency selection (DFS) element within beacon and probe response frames defining a DFS owner, a DFS interval specifying the time until channel switch in beacon intervals, a DFS count specifying a time in beacon intervals until the DFS owner initiates selection of the next channel frequency from the supported channel set, and a DFS recovery interval specifying a time after the end of the DFS interval when recovery procedures are initiated if no channel switch information was received during that DFS interval. Channel switch information is presented in beacons following the end of the channel selection process, and within beacons during the DFS recovery interval.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for dynamically selecting a communication channel between an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STAs) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes the steps of: determining whether a new channel to be used by the plurality of STAs is needed; measuring the channel quality of a plurality of frequency channels by at least one of the plurality of STAs; reporting the quality of the plurality of frequency channels in terms of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) busy periods and periodicity; and, selecting one of the candidate channels based on the channel quality report for use in communication between the AP and the plurality of STAs.