Abstract: A transmitter beamforming technique for use in a MIMO wireless communication system determines a partial description of a reverse channel without determining a full dimensional description of the reverse channel. A correction matrix is developed from the partial description of the reverse channel and a description of the forward channel. The correction matrix is used to process signals to be transmitted via the forward channel, and a steering matrix is used to perform beamforming in the forward channel.

Abstract: A system including a base station and a plurality of stations. The base station is configured to estimate bandwidths used by the plurality of stations based on packets transmitted by the plurality of stations during a first period. The base station is further configured to selectively allocate timeslots to the plurality of stations for transmission of packets to the base station during a second period following the first period. Durations of the timeslots are based on the estimated bandwidths. The plurality of stations are configured to transmit packets to the base station in the timeslots during the second period.

Abstract: A wireless device includes a transceiver that receives packets via a wireless channel. A measurement circuit measures a channel condition of the wireless channel when the measurement circuit is in an active state. A controller identifies a request for a channel condition of the wireless channel in a first packet received by the transceiver, transitions the measurement circuit from an inactive state to the active state in response to the request, and transitions the measurement circuit to the inactive state in response to the measurement circuit having completed measuring the channel condition of the wireless channel during processing of a second packet received by the transceiver.

Abstract: A wireless device includes a transmitter that transmits packets including a header field and a data field and a coding module that selectively encodes data of the packets based on one of first and second signal processing modes. The header field of each of the packets comprises a first field that identifies one of the first signal processing mode and the second signal processing mode and a second field that identifies one of a first data length that corresponds to a transmit time period for data corresponding to the first signal processing mode and a second data length that corresponds to the transmit time period plus an extension time period for transmission of dummy data. Data fields of packets that correspond with the first signal processing mode comprise data and data fields of packets that correspond with the second signal processing mode comprise data and the dummy data.

Abstract: A first packet is transmitted via a forward channel corresponding to a signal direction from a first transceiver device to a second transceiver device, wherein the first packet includes a request to initiate calibration. A partial dimensional description of a reverse channel is determined based on the reception of a second packet received from the second transceiver device, wherein the second packet includes training information of spatial dimensions used for the transmission of the second packet but does not include training information for all available spatial dimensions of a reverse channel. A correction matrix is developed from the partial dimensional description of the reverse channel and a description of the forward channel, and the correction matrix and a steering matrix is used to process signals to be transmitted via the forward channel.

Abstract: A first node in a wireless network comprises a transceiver that wirelessly communicates with an access point. A hidden status generator communicates with the transceiver, receives a table comprising a list of nodes in communication with the access point and determines a hidden status of a second node in the table relative to the first node.

Abstract: A wireless network includes a base station and N stations where N is an integer greater than one. During a first period, M of the N stations transmit packets to the base station at M bandwidths, respectively, using carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), where M is an integer greater than one and less than or equal to N. During a second period after the first period, the M stations transmit packets to the base station during M sets of timeslots having durations based on the M bandwidths during the first period, respectively.

Abstract: An autonomous wireless system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices includes a wireless interface. At least two devices directly communicate with each other through a direct link between the wireless interfaces of the at least two devices. Methods and apparatus for two or more devices equipped with wireless local area network (WLAN) interface to communicate and exchange selected information are disclosed. Accordingly, a system and method in accordance with the present invention enables a handheld, laptop, smart phone or the like, which is equipped with a WLAN interface, to communicate and exchange business contact, sales brochures, event announcements, presentation materials, alert messages, etc., to other devices that include a WLAN interface.

Abstract: An autonomous wireless system is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of devices. Each of the plurality of devices includes a wireless interface. At least two devices directly communicate with each other through a direct link between the wireless interfaces of the at least two devices. Methods and apparatus for two or more devices equipped with wireless local area network (WLAN) interface to communicate and exchange selected information are disclosed. Accordingly, a system and method in accordance with the present invention enables a handheld, laptop, smart phone or the like, which is equipped with a WLAN interface, to communicate and exchange business contact, sales brochures, event announcements, presentation materials, alert messages, etc., to other devices that include a WLAN interface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transmitter to transmit a first orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing signal including a first signal burst with a plurality of first fields of a first type. Each of a plurality of pair fields includes a second field of a second type and a third field of a third type. The second type is different than the first type and the third type is different than the first type and the second type. Each first field in the first signal burst is transmittable prior to a corresponding pair field of the plurality of pair fields. Each second field of a given pair field comprises an indicator to indicate whether a first field is transmitted subsequent to the given pair field. A controller selects a number of pair fields to be transmitted in the first signal burst of the first orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing signal.

Abstract: A wireless network apparatus includes an infrastructure controller to exchange packets of data with a wireless base station over a wireless channel, and receives start beacon packets and stop beacon packets from the wireless base station. An ad hoc controller exchanges packets of data with one or more wireless end stations over the wireless channel. A master controller causes the infrastructure controller to exchange packets of data with the wireless base station over the wireless channel only after receiving one of the start beacon packets and before receiving a next one of the stop beacon packets, and causes the ad hoc controller to exchange packets of data with the one or more wireless end stations over the wireless channel only after receiving one of the stop beacon packets and before receiving a next one of the start beacon packets.

Abstract: A method for detecting a security breach in a network comprises at one of a plurality of transceivers each having a different media access control address, receiving a signal from an access point, the signal representing one or more packets of data, determining a source media access control address for each of the packets, and alerting the access point when the source media access control address of one of the packets is the media access control address of the transceiver.

Abstract: A method and system of communicating packets and detecting packets are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method and system comprise enabling the detection of a very high throughput (VHT) signal field. The VHT signal field is distinguishable from other signal fields, wherein the VHT signal field allows for a backward compatibility with other devices. In a second aspect, the method and system comprise initializing the device to be in receive mode and receiving at least one signal field symbol and detecting the presence of additional signal field symbols. The method and system further include distinguishing a very high throughput (VHT) signal field from other signal field symbols and decoding the VHT signal field parameters uniquely describing the VHT packet format.

Abstract: A method and system of communicating packets and detecting packets are disclosed. In a first aspect, the method and system comprise enabling the detection of a very high throughput (VHT) signal field. The VHT signal field is distinguishable from other signal fields, wherein the VHT signal field allows for a backward compatibility with other devices. In a second aspect, the method and system comprise initializing the device to be in receive mode and receiving at least one signal field symbol and detecting the presence of additional signal field symbols. The method and system further include distinguishing a very high throughput (VHT) signal field from other signal field symbols and decoding the VHT signal field parameters uniquely describing the VHT packet format.

Abstract: A first network device includes a calibration module configured to receive a training signal from a second network device. The training signal indicates the second network device is capable of adjusting beamforming weights associated with the second network device based on a steering matrix received from the first network device. A steering module is configured to determine a first steering matrix for the second network device based on the training signal. The steering module is configured to transmit the first steering matrix to the second network device for adjustment of the beamforming weights associated with the second network device.

Abstract: A range-based alarm system comprised of a controlling device and a plurality of portable, handheld devices communicating over a wireless local area network (WLAN); wherein the controlling device frequently computes the distance between itself and the plurality of portable, handheld devices and raises an audible or visual alarm when one of the computed distances exceeds its programmed operating range. An audible or visual alarm is also triggered on any of a plurality of portable, handheld devices when it has lost communication with the controlling device or when instructed by the controlling device.

Abstract: A first packet is transmitted via a forward channel corresponding to a signal direction from a first transceiver device to a second transceiver device, wherein the first packet includes a request to initiate calibration. A partial dimensional description of a reverse channel is determined based on the reception of a second packet received from the second transceiver device, wherein the second packet includes training information of spatial dimensions used for the transmission of the second packet but does not include training information for all available spatial dimensions of a reverse channel. A correction matrix is developed from the partial dimensional description of the reverse channel and a description of the forward channel, and the correction matrix and a steering matrix is used to process signals to be transmitted via the forward channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method and computer program comprises a key mixing circuit to generate N groups of AES Blocks, each generated based upon a key, a transmitter MAC address, and a start value for a packet number. An input circuit receives N encrypted MPDUs, each comprising the transmitter address and one of N values for the packet number. Each of the N values for the packet number is greater than, or equal to, the start value for the packet number. A decryption circuit decrypts each of the N encrypted MPDUs using the respective one of the N groups of AES Output Blocks. The key mixing circuit generates each of the N groups of AES Output Blocks before the input circuit receives the respective one of the N encrypted MPDUs. The predetermined start value is initialized when the apparatus is initialized and incremented when each of the N groups of AES Output Blocks is generated.

Abstract: A transmitter beamforming technique for use in a MIMO wireless communication system determines a partial description of a reverse channel without determining a full dimensional description of the reverse channel. A correction matrix is developed from the partial description of the reverse channel and a description of the forward channel. The correction matrix is used to process signals to be transmitted via the forward channel, and a steering matrix is used to perform beamforming in the forward channel.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a key mixing circuit, an input circuit, and a decapsulation circuit. The key mixing circuit generates N Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) seeds, N?1, each based on a predetermined temporal key, a transmitter MAC address, and a predetermined start value for a Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) Sequence Count (TSC). The input circuit receives a message including the transmitter MAC address and the predetermined start value. The key mixing circuit generates the N WEP seeds based on the message. The input circuit receives N encapsulated MAC Payload Data Units (MPDUs) each including the transmitter MAC address and one of N values for the TSC, greater than or equal to the predetermined start value. The decapsulation circuit decapsulates the N encapsulated MPDUs using one of the N WEP seeds generated based on the value for the TSC in the respective one of the N encapsulated MPDUs.