Abstract: Management of receiver sensitivity in a packet based wireless communication system is achieved by controlling a clear channel sensing process which determines if the channel is clear for use, governed by a sensitivity to use of the channel. The sensitivity of the clear channel sensing process is effected by monitoring transmission performance over a plurality of emissions, and making adjustments to the sensitivity based on comparison of that performance with a performance criterion.

Abstract: A device and method for wirelessly communicating over a transmission channel with one or more wireless devices. The device comprises a wireless network interface and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a wireless signal via the wireless network interface, if strength of the received signal is greater than a first threshold, determine that the channel is busy, and, if the strength of the received signal is not greater than the first threshold, but is greater than a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold, determine whether the received signal is intended for the device and if so, determine that the channel is busy.

Abstract: A device and/or method for dynamically adjusting a CCA threshold in an addressable unit that is suitable for communication in a wireless network, the method performed in the addressable unit and comprising autonomously increasing the CCA threshold with successful data transmissions and/or autonomously decreasing the CCA threshold with unsuccessful data transmissions.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a system comprising a plurality of Femtocell base stations in communicative contact with each other, in use, via a control channel. The Femtocell base stations arranged to exchange information suitable for controlling a said Femtocell base station via said control channel.

Abstract: There is provided a method and device for managing a wireless network comprising a wireless access point for communicating over a transmission channel with one or more wireless stations. The method comprises the wireless access point monitoring network performance and, if the network performance is below a limit, issuing an instruction to one of the wireless stations to operate in a mode to more reliably determine when the transmission channel is clear.

Abstract: A device and method of scheduling data transmission in a communication system comprising receiving at a first network node a request for data transmission to the first network node and scheduling a data transmission originating at first network node so that the end of the data transmission substantially coincides with or is earlier than the expected end of the data transmission to first network node. The first network node is an access point or a station.

Abstract: Management of receiver sensitivity in a packet based wireless communication system is achieved by controlling a clear channel sensing process which determines if the channel is clear for use, governed by a sensitivity to use of the channel. The sensitivity of the clear channel sensing process is effected by monitoring transmission performance over a plurality of emissions, and making adjustments to the sensitivity based on comparison of that performance with a performance criterion.

Abstract: A device and/or method for dynamically adjusting a CCA threshold in an addressable unit that is suitable for communication in a wireless network, the method performed in the addressable unit and comprising autonomously increasing the CCA threshold with successful data transmissions and/or autonomously decreasing the CCA threshold with unsuccessful data transmissions.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a wireless communication method in an access point of a wireless network is disclosed. The access point comprises at least one wireless interface operable to communicate on one of a plurality of channels. The method comprises monitoring each of the plurality of channels, wherein monitoring a monitored channel from the plurality of channels comprises switching the wireless interface to the monitored channel; receiving a plurality of indications, each transmitted by a second access point on the monitored channel and indicating an aggregate traffic level calculated by the respective second access point; and storing an indication of the highest aggregate traffic level received for the monitored channel; comparing the stored highest aggregate traffic levels for the plurality of channels; selecting as a communication channel, the channel from the plurality of channels having the smallest stored highest aggregate traffic level; and communicating over the communication channel.

Abstract: In an embodiment a wireless communication method in an access point of a wireless network is disclosed. The access point comprises a wireless network interface configured to be switchable between a plurality of wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A device and method for wirelessly communicating over a transmission channel with one or more wireless devices. The device comprises a wireless network interface and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a wireless signal via the wireless network interface, if strength of the received signal is greater than a first threshold, determine that the channel is busy, and, if the strength of the received signal is not greater than the first threshold, but is greater than a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold, determine whether the received signal is intended for the device and if so, determine that the channel is busy.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a Femtocell base station arranged to receive interference notifications from another Femtocell base station and to send an interference remedial command to the other Femtocell base station and/or to one or more further Femtocell base stations.

Abstract: A controller for coordinating wireless transmissions between a plurality of radio units and one or more user devices, each radio unit having a respective geographic area of coverage. The controller comprises a first module for signaling each radio unit to broadcast a pilot signal over its respective geographic area of coverage, the pilot signal being designed to elicit a response signal from each user device located within the radio unit's area of coverage, and a second module for receiving from each radio unit information specifying the user devices from which the respective radio unit has received a response signal. The controller is configured to use the information received from the radio units to determine which user devices are located within range of each radio unit.

Abstract: An arrangement for wireless communication includes apparatus operable to establish a region of wireless communications capability, and operable to establish communication with a communications hub by way of a backhaul. The apparatus is operable to determine availability of communication facilities on the backhaul and, in response to a request by a communications device operating with the use of the region of wireless communications capability, is operable to offer the backhaul implemented communication facilities to the communications device subject to the existence of a fault in offering of said facilities. The apparatus includes fault detection means operable to detect the presence of a fault. In the event of a fault being detected, the apparatus is operable to emit a signal intended to communicate the existence of the fault to t communications device.

Abstract: A method of establishing a communication path in a sensor network, the sensor network having a tree structure comprising a plurality of root nodes representative of access point devices in said sensor network, and at least one non-root node representative of a sensor device in said sensor network, wherein each node in said sensor network is associated with a rank value determining its position relative to other nodes, such that said non-root node has higher rank value than said root node, the method comprising forwarding a control message from each root node in a subset of said plurality of root nodes, the control message comprising a tree size value associated with said each root node in said subset, the tree size value defining the number of non-root nodes associated with each root node in said subset; and upon reception of said control message, selecting one of said root nodes in said subset to establish a communication path between said at least one non-root node, based on said tree size values of said ro

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a Femtocell base station arranged to receive interference notifications from another Femtocell base station and to send an interference remedial command to the other Femtocell base station and/or to one or more further Femtocell base stations.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a system comprising a plurality of Femtocell base stations in communicative contact with each other, in use, via a control channel. The Femtocell base stations arranged to exchange information suitable for controlling a said Femtocell base station via said control channel.

Abstract: An arrangement for wireless communication includes apparatus operable to establish a region of wireless communications capability, and operable to establish communication with a communications hub by way of a backhaul. The apparatus is operable to determine availability of communication facilities on the backhaul and, in response to a request by a communications device operating with the use of the region of wireless communications capability, is operable to offer the backhaul implemented communication facilities to the communications device subject to the existence of a fault in offering of said facilities. The apparatus includes fault detection means operable to detect the presence of a fault. In the event of a fault being detected, the apparatus is operable to emit a signal intended to communicate the existence of the fault to t communications device.