Abstract: A method for accessing a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel and providing quality of service (QoS) for voice in a system supporting both voice and data services. Under the method, a communication device (302, 303) contends for a medium (channel). Upon identifying a transmit opportunity, the device transmits a voice packet to an access point (AP) (304) and polls the AP for downlink traffic. A low power implementation is feasible because the communication device can sleep, wake up to contend for the medium, transmit a voice packet to the AP, request a voice packet from the AP, transmit an acknowledgement, and go back to sleep.

Abstract: A mobile terminal (302, 304) wakes up from a low power state and initiates a frame exchange in a wireless local area network that supports voice traffic by transmitting a polling frame (602). If the mobile terminal had voice data to send, it is included in the polling frame. In response to receiving the polling frame, the access point transmits a delay frame (604) to acknowledge receipt of the polling frame. If the access point has data for the polling mobile terminal, it transmits a non-delay frame (606) including the voice data, otherwise it transmits a null frame (702). The mobile terminal acknowledges the data from the access point (608), and goes back to sleep until the beginning of the next service interval.

Abstract: An access point (11) for a wireless local area network (10) transmits a beacon message during a service interval period (21). This beacon message identifies, in a preferred embodiment, those subscriber units to whom the access point will shortly be transmitting data. Subscriber units that are not identified in the beacon message and that do not have data themselves to transmit to the access point can implement a power conservation mode of operation until the next beacon message. Subscriber units that have data, such as voice information, to transmit can utilize the beacon message contents to at least estimate a likely time by when the access point will have concluded making its transmissions to the subscriber units. That estimated time can then be used to facilitate scheduling a time at which a given subscriber unit will contend for an opportunity to transmit its data to the access point.

Abstract: Multi-mode link adaptation in a wireless communication network where a station calculates a current link quality, a minimum link quality, and an excess link quality based upon the current link quality and the minimum link quality to determine an operating mode that is related to the success or failure of recent transmissions from the station. If the calculated excess link margin is lower than a first threshold, the station operates in a first mode, otherwise in another mode. In any case, the station selects the link rate for a new transmission from the station based upon the selected mode.

Abstract: A mobile terminal (302, 304) wakes up from a low power state and initiates a frame exchange in a wireless local area network that supports voice traffic by transmitting a polling frame (602). If the mobile terminal had voice data to send, it is included in the polling frame. In response to receiving the polling frame, the access point transmits a delay frame (604) to acknowledge receipt of the polling frame. If the access point has data for the polling mobile terminal, it transmits a non-delay frame (606) including the voice data, otherwise it transmits a null frame (702). The mobile terminal acknowledges the data from the access point (608), and goes back to sleep until the beginning of the next service interval.

Abstract: A mobile station (106) establishes a real time communication link via an access point (102) for carrying voice or other time-sensitive data. A WLAN subsystem (204) of the mobile station is normally kept in a low power state. Upon initiating a communication link the mobile station signals to the access point that unscheduled power save delivery mode will be used (614), and the access point reserves resources to assure the necessary quality of service. The mobile station initiates a frame transaction by first powering up the WLAN subsystem (712), acquiring the WLAN channel (407), and transmitting a polling frame. Upon successful receipt of the polling frame the access point prepares to reply with an aggregate response. The aggregate response commences by transmitting all data in an aggregate buffer, including both reserved and unreserved data buffers. Upon successful receipt of the aggregate response, the mobile station places the WLAN subsystem back into a low power state.

Abstract: A mobile station (106) establishes a real time communication link via an access point (102) for carrying voice or other time-sensitive data. A WLAN subsystem (204) of the mobile station is normally kept in a low power state. Upon initiating a communication link the mobile station signals to the access point that unscheduled power save delivery mode will be used (614), and the access point reserves resources to assure the necessary quality of service. The mobile station initiates a frame transaction by first powering up the WLAN subsystem (712), acquiring the WLAN channel (407), and transmitting a polling frame. Upon successful receipt of the polling frame the access point prepares to reply with an aggregate response. The aggregate response commences by transmitting all data in an aggregate buffer, including both reserved and unreserved data buffers. Upon successful receipt of the aggregate response, the mobile station places the WLAN subsystem back into a low power state.

Abstract: An access point (11) for a wireless local area network (10) transmits a beacon message during a service interval period (21). This beacon message identifies, in a preferred embodiment, those subscriber units to whom the access point will shortly be transmitting data. Subscriber units that are not identified in the beacon message and that do not have data themselves to transmit to the access point can implement a power conservation mode of operation until the next beacon message. Subscriber units that have data, such as voice information, to transmit can utilize the beacon message contents to at least estimate a likely time by when the access point will have concluded making its transmissions to the subscriber units. That estimated time can then be used to facilitate scheduling a time at which a given subscriber unit will contend for an opportunity to transmit its data to the access point.

Abstract: A method for accessing a wireless local area network (WLAN) channel and providing quality of service (QoS) for voice in a system supporting both voice and data services. Under the method, a communication device (302, 303) contends for a medium (channel). Upon identifying a transmit opportunity, the device transmits a voice packet to an access point (AP) (304) and polls the AP for downlink traffic. A low power implementation is feasible because the communication device can sleep, wake up to contend for the medium, transmit a voice packet to the AP, request a voice packet from the AP, transmit an acknowledgement, and go back to sleep.