Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory to store routing information, and a control unit configured to examine routing information stored in the memory for routing information corresponding to one or more destination nodes in a plurality of destination nodes in response to a message requesting routing information for routes between an originating node and the plurality of destination nodes. If routing information for multiple destination nodes in the plurality of destination nodes is stored in the memory, the control unit generates an information element that includes routing information for the multiple destination nodes, and causes a single message that includes the information element to be generated.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes determining that at least one performance characteristic of a broadband communication channel between an access point and a gateway and managing access point communication channel utilization based, at least in part, on the performance characteristic. In one or more example embodiments, the access point communication channel utilization pertains to the broadband communication channel, at least one user equipment communication channel, and/or the like.

Abstract: A network interface including a radio frequency system with a component configured for communication with an access point. First, second and third client modules communicate with the access point according to respective wireless communication standards. The first, second and third client modules share the component, such that during respective periods the first, second and third client modules communicate with the access point via the component. The first client module transmits a request signal to the second client module while the second client module is in an idle state and the third client module is in an active state. The request signal requests access to the component. The third client module, in response to the request signal, aborts transmitting of first data to the access point and transmits an acknowledgement signal. The first client module transmits to or receives from the access point second data based on the acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: A quality-of-service enhanced access point (QAP) is provided. The QAP includes a signaling module that receives call signaling information and transmits a timing offset for a quality-of-service enhanced station (QSTA). A call offset scheduler module determines the timing offset based on the call signaling information. A buffer buffers data addressed to the QSTA, and a wireless local area network (WLAN) driver module automatically transmits at least a portion of the buffered data to the QSTA based on the timing offset.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide improved mesh networks with properties that address various shortcomings of current mesh network implementations. At least some embodiments are directed to improving operations of mesh networks in connection with battery powered devices and address concerns associated with latency issues due to power save nodes as well as load balancing. Yet other embodiments address route cache timeouts, reduce route discovery overhead, perform proactive route maintenance based on a node's battery, and provide a straightforward battery-aware process based sleep protocol.

Abstract: Secure block acknowledgment techniques for use in communication networks are discussed. In one embodiment, a method includes setting up a session with a transmitting station in which the transmitting station is to perform a block acknowledgment to confirm receipt of packets, the session including determining whether the transmitting station has a capability to implement a mechanism to securely perform a block acknowledgement. The embodiment includes receiving an information unit including information indicative of a request for the communication device to adjust a receiving window associated with the session, determining whether the received information unit is in accordance with the mechanism, adjusting the receiving window if the received information unit is in accordance with the mechanism, and not adjusting the receiving window if (i) the received information unit is not in accordance with the mechanism, and (ii) the transmitting station is determined to have the capability to implement the mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for decreasing the amount of power consumed by a wireless signal receiver in a wireless device. Received data is communicated from the receiver to a play-out buffer in communication with a media play-out device. The level of data in the play-out buffer increases when received data is written to the buffer, and the level of data decreases when data is read from the buffer. If the level of data is above a first watermark level, the receiver is transitioned to a sleep mode while data is read from the buffer. When the level of data in the buffer falls below a second watermark level, the receiver is transitioned back to an active mode to receive data. The device communicates status messages (whether the receiver is asleep or active) to the transmitting device so that the transmitting device stops transmitting data when the receiver is in sleep mode, and transmits data when the receiver is in the active mode.

Abstract: A client station including a communication circuit to communicate, via an infrastructure mode, with an access point in a basic service set; identify, based on signals transmitted by the access point, a plurality of client stations in the basic service set capable of communicating via a direct link setup mode; and during a predetermined time period, communicate, via the direct link setup mode, with the plurality of client stations; and a control circuit to, during the predetermined time period, determine strength of signals received from the plurality of client stations via the direct link setup mode, determine highest supportable data rates for communicating with the plurality of client stations via the direct link setup mode, and select, based on (i) the strength of the signals and (ii) the highest supportable data rates, one or more of the plurality of client stations for communicating via the direct link setup mode.

Abstract: A device includes a first processing unit and an interface configured to communicate with an embedded access point including a wireless communication module configured to establish (i) a first wireless connection with a first station, and (ii) a second wireless connection with a separate access point. The device further includes a second processing unit configured to control a first wireless network including the device and the first station to operate the embedded access point as an access point for the first wireless network, and operate the embedded access point as a station in a second wireless network that includes the embedded access point and the separate access point. The separate access point provides access point functionality for the second wireless network, and the embedded access point is configured to be powered via the interface.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a transceiver module that receives beacons from an access point (AP), and transition a wireless network device to an active mode based on: a predetermined beacon interval; and a first predetermined period prior to one of multiple beacons. A timestamp module calculates a first correction value based on a first timestamp received from the AP. An adjustment module adjusts the first predetermined period based on the first correction value. A beacon module detects a beacon missed during an inactive mode by the transceiver module. The timestamp module transmits a probe request signal to the AP a second predetermined period after detection of the missed beacon, receives a second timestamp from the AP in response to the probe request signal, and recalculates the first correction value based on the second timestamp. The adjustment module adjusts the first predetermined period based on the recalculated first correction value.

Abstract: A wireless network device includes a physical layer module configured to send and receive packets wirelessly. The wireless network device includes a mesh routing module configured to receive a first packet from a second wireless network device via the physical layer module. The first packet includes a metric and a source address. The mesh routing module is further configured to determine a cumulative metric based on (i) the metric from the first packet and (ii) a link metric. The mesh routing module is further configured to transmit a second packet to a third wireless network device via the physical layer module. The second packet includes the cumulative metric. The mesh routing module is further configured to determine the link metric based on (i) a state of charge of a power supply of the wireless network device and (ii) a transmission parameter of the second packet.

Abstract: An access point includes a packet generation module, a packet detection module, and a downlink control module. The packet generation module is configured to generate a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) packet for transmission to each of N remote nodes, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The packet detection module is configured to detect clear-to-send (CTS) packets received from ones of the N remote nodes. The downlink control module is configured to control a downlink to M of the N remote nodes after M CTS packets are detected, wherein M is based on the MU-RTS packet, and wherein M is an integer less than or equal to N.

Abstract: An infrastructure and ad-hoc node device is described. In embodiments, a node device includes an ad-hoc interface for data communications via an ad-hoc network that includes peer devices of a first basic service set (BSS). The node device also includes an infrastructure interface for additional data communications via an infrastructure network of nodes that communicate via an access point of a second basic service set. A power save service can optimize a power save mode of the node device by minimizing a device communication mode during which the data communications and the additional data communications are received over a shared communication channel, or are received over different communication channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with controlling buffer size based on latency are described. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a transmission latency for a data item exiting a transmission buffer and selectively manipulating a size of the transmission buffer based on the transmission latency for the data item.

Abstract: A frame groupcast system for a mesh node in a mesh network having a plurality of mesh nodes includes a transceiver that receives a groupcast frame and a groupcast determination module that determines whether to forward the received groupcast frame based on at least one measurement.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for wakeup beacons for mesh networks, which often permits nodes of a mesh network to save power when operating in a power-save mode. These wakeup beacons can be sent at high transmission rates and/or be small in size, thereby reducing the time a node must be awake to transmit and receive communications.

Abstract: A wireless network device includes a forwarding table and a mesh routing module. The forwarding table is configured to store direct and reverse entries, each including a destination address, a next hop address, and a metric. The metric of the direct entries corresponds to a route from the wireless network device to the destination address. The metric of the reverse entries corresponds to a route from the destination address to the wireless network device. The mesh routing module is configured to (i) wirelessly receive route discovery packets, including a first route discovery packet, and (ii) create, based on the route discovery packets, corresponding direct entries and reverse entries in the forwarding table. The mesh routing module is configured to, in response to receiving the first route discovery packet, create a corresponding direct entry in the forwarding table and create a corresponding reverse entry in the forwarding table.

Abstract: A network interface including a radio frequency system with a component configured for communication with an access point. First, second and third client modules communicate with the access point according to respective wireless communication standards. The first, second and third client modules share the component, such that during respective periods the first, second and third client modules communicate with the access point via the component. The first client module transmits a request signal to the second client module while the second client module is in an idle state and the third client module is in an active state. The request signal requests access to the component. The third client module, in response to the request signal, aborts transmitting of first data to the access point and transmits an acknowledgement signal. The first client module transmits to or receives from the access point second data based on the acknowledgement signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing location-aware WiFi access for a portable device include receiving, at a mobile communication device, locations and ranges for a set of one or more WiFi access points from a location provider system. The mobile communication device uses the locations and ranges to determine whether to power on a WiFi transceiver, and to determine for which WiFi access points to scan if the WiFi transceiver is powered on.

Abstract: A network interface of a first mesh point device, the network interface including a memory and a medium access controller. In response to the first mesh point device receiving a frame, the medium access controller determines whether a mesh path for routing the frame from the first mesh point device to a second mesh point device is stored in the memory. In response to a mesh path not being stored in the memory, and prior to performing a mesh path discovery protocol, the medium access controller (i) determines whether the second mesh point device is one hop from the first mesh point device, and if so selects a one hop path for routing the frame to the second mesh point device, otherwise (ii) uses the mesh path discovery protocol to determine a mesh path for routing the frame to the second mesh point device.