Abstract: The application describes a method to merge two wireless networks in which each terminal gets a beacon slot within the beacon period. In order to merge two networks, the beacon slots have to be time-coordinated such that the beacon slots of the first network are completed before the beacon slots of the second network begin. The method includes transmitting a beacon frame having a beacon period switch information element which instructs the neighboring terminals in the first network of the need to merge, provides clock synchronization information; provides the time of the merge; and informs the neighboring terminals which beacon slot to occupy in the beacon period of the merged network. In order to deal with hidden terminals, the information needs to be forwarded terminal-to-terminal within each network.

Abstract: A complementary medium access control (CMAC) method and apparatus are described. A method of wireless communication includes transmitting a request-to-send (RTS) frame and transmitting a clear-to-send (CTS) frame. The method also includes transmitting a partner-to-send (PTS) frame. A wireless network includes a source station adapted to transmit a RTS frame and a destination station adapted to transmit a CTS frame. The wireless network also includes a partner station adapted to send a PTS frame.

Abstract: To maximize power saving performance without compromising on the QoS requirement of an application stream, a method and wireless network device generates a subset of a periodic service interval can be used for medium time allocation and data and information can be transmitted in contiguous medium time allocated this way. This selection of a period of time below service capacity allows multiple applications access the medium and for the selection of contiguous medium time during which data transmission can occur.

Abstract: A system (400), device (500) (401), and method are provided for power saving in a wireless communication network (400), where all devices (401i) regularly transmit a beacon (600) but can enter a hibernation mode in which they do not transmit beacons (600) and operate in a power-saving state. A device (400) announces the start (303) and duration (304) of the hibernation period in its beacon (600) prior to its hibernation period. The neighboring devices (401i) keep information on the presence of the beacon (600) of the hibernating device (401) in their own beacons (600) in order to block the beacon slot (204) for the hibernating device (401) during its sleep time. Devices (401i) furthermore include an information element (604) in their beacons (600) that contains all receiver addresses for which a device (401i) has data pending to be sent.

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: In order that media access slots MAS are allocated based on minimum latency requirements of, for example, not less than 4 ms, or on a medium utilization efficiency or power consumption requirement for a minimum reservation block length, both high-efficiency and low-latency schemes (or category) need to coexist within a superframe with fair support given to both. The maximization of contiguous available MAS between low-latency and high-efficiency schemes ensures that power saving and overhead risk are minimized without compromising the support for low-latency applications.

Abstract: The current MBOA UWB MAC protocol requires a device that detects alien devices to include a BP Switch IE in its beacon so that its neighbors may learn the presence of the alien devices and follow that device to relocate their beacons in a coordinated fashion. However, during the transition period of beacon relocation, that device may decide to halt the relocation process as required by the standard and such decisions also have to be received by its neighbors. In such a case, a BP switch IE will be generated by that device which includes a BPST offset equal to a length of a superframe.

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: Wireless stations (108-1-108-N) contending for exclusive access for a predetermined period of time (S232) to transmit on a communication medium (112) are regulated by a common external controller (104) using a single timing parameter (S204). Attempts at transmission access are preceded by respective delays that are expired simultaneously and at a common rate by the stations at times when the stations sense the medium to be idle (S224). The delays are pseudo-randomly selected to avoid collisions among stations in their respective access attempts (S208). Default, initial values of the respective delays (S204) applied to the stations, when multiplied by the respective expected number of transmission attempts by the stations over the long term over periods of time when no transmission attempt is unsuccessful, yield respective products equal to a constant value common to all stations (S312). The default values therefore serve as a knob by which the controller regulates air time opportunity.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, method of wireless communication includes sending a beacon frame (300), which includes at least one availability information element (AIE) (400, 404). The method also includes scheduling transmission and reception of traffic among a plurality of devices (101, 103), or systems (101, 103), or both based on the AIES from the receivers. A wireless network (100) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A distributed MAC protocol that includes a super-frame having a slotted Beaconing Period and a data transfer period. The super-frame includes a plurality of medium access slots which are assigned to the slotted Beaconing Period. The Beaconing Period length may be fixed or variable. The Beaconing protocol defines initializing an ad hoc network by means of starting a Beaconing Period, joining an existing Beaconing Period of ad hoc network and resolving collisions during the Beaconing Period.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provide a protocol for a device (400) to announce that a previously reserved time-period or time-slot is not (completely) used and becomes available, so that other devices can transmit during the unused time. The system and method are especially intended for systems with distributed medium reservation by the devices, i.e., those systems adhering to a distributed reservation protocol (DRP).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a system for activating a communication device in presence of a field generated by a near field communication (NFC) tag reader in a near field communication (NFC) environment. The presence of a field generated by a NFC tag reader is automatically detected using detection circuits. Once the field is detected, the presence of the field is signaled to the communication devices associated with the NFC environment. The communication devices are then switched automatically to an appropriate mode according to the field. The method and system of the present invention removes the additional user interaction in pairing various communication devices in the NFC environment.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently utilizing frequency spectrum resources is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining at least one spectrum opportunity (510), wherein the opportunity is identified by a frequency range and a time duration, determining a set of altered transmission characteristics (515, 517) to allow transmission of a desired signal in the identified frequency range, wherein the altered transmission characteristics avoid interference with signals expected in the frequency range, and transmitting said desired signal using the altered transmission characteristics when the transmission occurs during said time duration. In one aspect of the system, the step of determining at least one opportunity comprises the steps of receiving signals in known frequency ranges, and determining the characteristics of the received signals.

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: The system (500), apparatus (400), and method of the present invention provide three architectures for logically organizing multiple channels: a parallel multi-channel superframe (PMS) (100), a sequential multi-channel superframe (SMS) (200), and a non-overlapping multi-channel superframe (NMS) (300). Each of these architectures arises from different trade-offs and is applicable to any multi-channel MAC protocol that is based on the concept of a superframe, e.g., IEEE 802.11 superframe.

Abstract: A wireless network (100) includes a plurality of first wireless stations (101) and a plurality of second wireless stations (102). The first wireless stations are adapted to receive a frame (202, 401), which includes a duration value (207, 403) identifying a contention period (203, 402). The first wireless devices are adapted not to communicate during the contention period. The second wireless stations are adapted to communicate during the contention period. A method of wireless communication is also described.

Abstract: A new type of measurement (150) recently adopted in the IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN standard is used by the a system and method that allows devices (301) to detect if microwave ovens (302) are operating in their vicinity. By scanning the medium, the devices (301) derive information about whether a commercial and/or residential microwave oven causes interference on the medium (310). The information is derived from the collected pattern of medium occupancy times that is characteristic of microwave ovens by using medium sensing histograms (150) defined by the standard.

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: A complementary medium access control (CMAC) method and apparatus are described.