Abstract: A wireless communication device, serving as a destination node of one or more data packets propagated in a wireless mesh network, is provided. The wireless communication device includes a wireless transceiver and a controller. The wireless transceiver performs wireless transmission and reception in the wireless mesh network. The controller selects a first relay node to serve as a friend node for the wireless communication device and to store the data packets which arrive when the wireless communication device operates in a sleep mode, and broadcast, via the wireless transceiver, a notification message in the wireless mesh network when selecting a second relay node to serve as the friend node for the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A unified channel contention scheme is proposed such that spatial reuse can be enabled by a wireless station (STA) when a basic service set (BSS) color of a received signal cannot be resolved. If the detected frame is an intra-BSS frame, then the STA should not contend the channel for the PPDU duration. If the detected frame is an inter-BSS frame, then the STA uses OBSS Packet Detection (OBSS-PD) level as the CCA level for channel contention. Furthermore, when BSS color cannot be resolved, channel contention schemes for WiFi signal and non-WiFi signal are differentiated. If the received signal is detected as WiFi signal, then the STA uses WiFi-SIG Detection (WD) level as the CCA level for channel contention. If the received signal is detected as non-WiFi signal, then the STA uses Non-WiFi-SIG Detection (NWD) level as the CCA level for channel contention.

Abstract: A method of improved allocation of uplink resources in an OFDMA network is proposed. A wireless communications station (an AP) reserves both dedicated resource and contention resource for uplink OFDMA operation for a list of communications devices (STAs). The AP can switch between random access operation and non-random access operation without the need for any special protection mechanisms. In the event of an increase in uplink OFDMA frame collisions the AP can switch from random operation to non-random operation to reduce the number of collisions. In the event of a decrease in uplink OFDMA frame collisions the AP can switch from non-random operation to random operation to reduce required AP processing. The AP can also dynamically control a STA access probability to reduce the number of collisions by reducing the number of uplink OFDMA frames each STA transmits.

Abstract: A spatial reuse prioritized channel access scheme is proposed to enhance the average throughput per station in a wireless network by optimizing spatial reuse. Spatial reuse capability (SRC) is defined as a monotonically decreasing function of co-channel interference signal strength from OBSSs. Higher spatial reuse capability can be transformed into higher data rate or less usage of airtime by using higher MCS or less interferences to OBSSs by reducing TX power. By allowing the stations that have larger spatial reuse capability to have higher probability to win channel access contention, the overall network throughput is enhanced.

Abstract: Body area networks (BANs) implemented in accordance with this disclosure may enter a disaster rescue mode. The disaster rescue mode is triggered in disaster scenarios to help body devices to assist in rescue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a many to one communication protocol. In one novel aspect, a modified CTS is sent by a receiving wireless communications station in response to a regular RTS. The modified CTS includes an indication for an uplink MU operation. In one embodiment, a modified CTS indicates a restricted access window (RAW) followed by RAW parameter set (RPS). In one embodiment, a subset of wireless communications devices associated with the receiving wireless communications station sends modified PS-poll with uplink data indication. Such PS-poll traffic is protected from passerby wireless communications devices from an OBSS. The receiving wireless communications station sends a modified resource-allocation map frame followed by a regular CTS frame. The subsets of wireless communications devices send their uplink data based on the received resource allocation map.

Abstract: A method of managing BSS network loading is proposed. An access point (AP) transmits BSS session time and data limit element in beacon or probe response frame or a response frame to a service request frame. The AP determines the session time and data limit according to the network load and AP resourced. The AP adjusts the session time and data limit dynamically. An STA decides whether to join a specific BSS based on the BSS session time and the BSS session data limit. AP encourages or discourages the STA to join the BSS by increasing or reducing the session time and data limit. The per-AP loading will be distributed according to AP's capabilities.

Abstract: Systems and methods for group management in machine-to-machine networks are provided. Network nodes in a network group are divided into sub-groups and a group information register, which includes a listing of the nodes in the group, is divided into an equal number of partitions. The partitions are distributed to the sub-groups such that each node in a given sub-group receives the same partition. The partitions are accompanied by references to network nodes of other sub-groups (termed “anchor nodes”) that have a copy of another partition of the group information register. When a new network head takes over the network group, it is able to use the available partitions to determine which partitions are missing and which nodes hold copies of the missing partitions. The group head can wake up the missing nodes and obtain the missing partition copies, thereby generating a complete copy of the group information register.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize signaling to modify previously made reservations. In other embodiments, reservation adjustment is performed without using signaling. Preemption can also be used to allow flexible reservation adjustment.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize a reservation-based power saving polling (RESP) MAC protocol for communication. The RESP MAC can be configured to provide methods for emergency event handling of both bursty data and streaming data.

Abstract: Allocation slot arrangement is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the allocation slots are arranged based on a set of rules and received input parameters. Allocation slot arrangement may comprise maximizing a weighted sum function computed by applying the rules and input parameters to all nodes over all possible arrangements.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize a reservation-based power saving polling (RESP) MAC protocol for communication. The RESP MAC can be configured to provide methods for emergency event handling of both bursty data and streaming data.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize signaling to modify previously made reservations. In other embodiments, reservation adjustment is performed without using signaling. Preemption can also be used to allow flexible reservation adjustment.

Abstract: Allocation slot arrangement is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the allocation slots are arranged based on a set of rules and received input parameters. Allocation slot arrangement may comprise maximizing a weighted sum function computed by applying the rules and input parameters to all nodes over all possible arrangements.

Abstract: Body area networks (BANs) implemented in accordance with this disclosure may enter a disaster rescue mode. The disaster recue mode is triggered in disaster scenarios to help body devices to assist in rescue.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize a reservation-based power saving polling (RESP) MAC protocol for communication. The RESP MAC can be configured to provide methods for emergency event handling of both bursty data and streaming data.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize a reservation-based power saving polling (RESP) MAC protocol for communication. The RESP MAC can be configured to provide methods for emergency event handling of both bursty data and streaming data.

Abstract: A time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) protocol is provided for wireless body area networks (BANs). In particular, in some embodiments the described network devices utilize a reservation-based power saving polling (RESP) MAC protocol for communication. The RESP MAC can be configured to provide methods for emergency event handling of both bursty data and streaming data.