Abstract: A method and a system for reliably supplying information about an electronic device employed as a primary information signal receiver device to an electronic device employed as a primary information signal sender device via an existing analog transmission line or digital serial transmission line. A set top box (STB) employed as the primary information signal sender device and a VTR (video tape recorder) employed as the primary information signal receiver are connected to each other via an analog transmission line.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the bandwidth of a TDD channel is increased where multiple slave devices communicate with a master device over the channel. According to an aspect of the present invention, the master device can increase channel bandwidth by utilizing available transmit slots that occur during receipt of a multi-slot packet from a slave device. For example, the master device receives a first packet at a first frequency from a first slave via the channel. The master determines whether the first packet is a multi-slot packet, and if so, transmits a second packet to a second slave via the channel at a second frequency different from the first frequency. The second packet is transmitted after receipt of the first packet, but prior to the end of the first packet.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for providing quality of service (QoS)-driven channel access within a basic service set (BSS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN). A contention control (CC) frame is sent from a point coordinator (PC) of the BSS during a contention-free period (CFP) of a superframe that includes the contention-free period (CFP) and a contention period (CP). The CC frame contains information relating to at least one of a priority limit for a next centralized contention interval (CCI), a length of the next CCI, a permission probability associated with the next CCI and information relating to a reservation request (RR) frame successfully received by the PC in a previous CCI. A non-colliding RR frame is then received at the PC in the CCI following the CC frame. The received RR frame is sent from a non-PC station in the BSS when at least one centralized contention opportunity (CCO) is available during the CCI after the CC frame.

Abstract: A high speed wireless network for the access market where a polling mode, a contention mode, a seamless transition between the two modes and an efficient contention resolution algorithm are utilized to coordinate user transmission while utilizing a splitting tree algorithm to avoid collision of a number of users.

Abstract: A method for the detection of M0 sources common to several observations u(t) and v(t) within a single array of sensors, the observations having different lengths N1 and N2, comprises at least the following steps: defining a law of likelihood Vuv([M=M0]/M0) substantially equal to the chi-2 law with 2(N1?M0)(N2?M0) degrees of freedom with N1?N2, dim{u(t)}=N1×1 and dim{v(t)}=N2×1; determining a detection threshold ?M in order to obtain a low probability of false alarms and a number of degrees of freedom that takes account of the lengths N1 and N2 and of the number of sources M0; determining the presence and/or the number of the sources M0 in applying the law of likelihood and the threshold ?M. The method and device can be applied to the determining of the presence and/or the number of sources common to at least two observations having different lengths in a GSM type radiocommunications system.

Abstract: A one way direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications wide-area network is the data collection channel (uplink) of an automatic meter reading (AMR) system, and a paging network, or other suitable communication channel is the optional forward (downlink) channel. The communications network may include one-way meter modules (transmitters) each communicatively coupled to a corresponding electric, gas or water utility meter, and may include two-way meter modules (transceivers) each coupled to such a corresponding utility meter. The meter modules monitor, store, encode and periodically transmit metering data via radio signals (air messages) in an appropriate RF channel. Metering data air messages are collected by a network of receiver Base Stations (BS) and forwarded to a Data Operations Center (DOC), which acts as a metering data gateway.

Abstract: The MAC protocol of the present invention takes into account backward compatibility and conventional layering principles while introducing QoS parameters to describe and transport the QoS traffic. Minislots are also introduced in the protocol in the context of slots to reduce the transmission time of management, control, and data frames, and to facilitate channel bandwidth allocation, in response to increasing PHY rates. A highly efficient piconet joining process for wireless devices (e.g., IEEE 802.15.3 devices, etc.) is also provided by the protocol.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) communication system and the search method thereof are disclosed, which apply search instructions and reads instructions to communicate between a read and a plurality of transponders. Each transponder generates a random number for comparison with received search instructions. When the random number meets with the number of received search instructions, a response request is sent by a corresponding transponder such that the reader can read the content of the corresponding transponder.

Abstract: A periodical processing time band during which communication is periodically conducted between a plurality of communication terminals and a data bus control apparatus and a nonperiodical processing time band during which communication is nonperiodically conducted between the plurality of terminals and the data bus control apparatus are independently provided, priority communication during each nonperiodical processing time band are determined in advance.

Abstract: A transmitter is capable of transmitting protocol data units (PDUs). Each PDU has an n-bit sequence number. A polling determination method is provided that determines if polling should be performed according to a parameter S that is an n-bit sequence number. Polling is then triggered if a PDU that is next to be transmitted is not a re-transmitted PDU and the polling determination method indicates that polling is to be triggered according to the sequence number of the PDU. The polling determination method uses the equation: t=((2n+1+S VT(A)) mod 2n)/VT(WS) to determine if polling should be triggered, where S is the sequence number of the next outgoing PDU.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between nodes in a communications network. The network includes nodes that broadcast and receive data packets over a radio channel. The system includes a distributed trunking method that distributes the communications between the nodes over multiple channels. Voice and other data may be broadcast over data channels, while information regarding the availability of the data channels is broadcast over a control channel. Access to the control channel is controlled using a protocol that may include carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), time division multiple access (TDMA) or a hybrid of CSMA/TDMA.

Abstract: A communications system comprises a primary station (100) and at least one secondary station (101). The primary station (100) is arranged to broadcast a series of inquiry messages, each in the form of a plurality of predetermined data fields arranged according to a first communications protocol such as Bluetooth. In addition the primary station (100) adds to some or all of the inquiry messages an additional data field for polling one or more secondary stations, which can respond to the poll if they have data for transmission. This system provides secondary stations (101) with a rapid response time without the need for a permanently active communication link.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the efficiency of providing bandwidth for voice traffic to a data provider via asynchronous communication mediums is provided. This is generally accomplished by not transmitting any data during the silence periods and playing out background noise (i.e., comfort noise) at the other end, to obtain significant bandwidth savings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for polling stations that transmit and receive periodic traffic streams are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment determines when to transmit a frame comprising a data payload and a poll to a station based on (i) the temporal period and temporal offset of the traffic stream transmitted by the station, and (ii) the temporal period and temporal offset of the traffic stream received by the station, such that delays for either the transmitted traffic stream or the received traffic stream are reduced. The present invention is particularly advantageous for latency-sensitive applications such as voice and video telecommunications.

Abstract: A wireless network is provided that uses pseudo-static time slots. These time slots remain fixed in time unless and until a network controller specifically changes them and the network controller subsequently receives confirmation of the change. Times and durations of the pseudo-static time slots are only changed in small steps as each relevant device in the network acknowledges the step. To aid in allowing full coverage even during a change of active devices, when a transmitter and receiver are moved to a new time slot, the receiver is set to listen to both the old and the new time slots until the transmitter confirms that it has made the switch.

Abstract: A polling system and method for establishing forward and return communication links with a plurality of mobile platforms operating within a given coverage region, and further which provides preliminary return channel assignments with each polling message. Each polling message further has an associated ID code designating a particular mobile platform which is registered with a network operations center (NOC) of the system. If the mobile platform does not respond on its designated preliminary return channel within a given time period (e.g., 5 seconds) than the preliminary return channel is returned to a database of available return channels. Polling is carried out more expeditiously because groups of mobile platforms are polled simultaneously and provided with preliminary return channels which accompany the polling messages, and which direct each mobile platform to a designated return channel to use in establishing a return communications link.

Abstract: The invention relates notably to a method for assigning resources in a shared channel of a communication network including a master station and a plurality of slave stations communicating with the master station over the shared channel. The master station sends transmit authorizations to the slave stations authorizing them to transmit at least a traffic packet on the shared channel. A slave station may have inactivity periods during which it has no traffic packet to transmit. A maximum time interval between two transmit authorizations, called activity time interval, is ensured during non inactivity periods for each slave station. The method includes a step of transmitting to the master station a silence indication upon reception of a transmit authorization at a slave station during an inactivity period and increasing the maximum time interval between two transmit authorizations for the slave station upon reception of the silence indication at the master station.

Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a narrowband wireless messaging network, a subscriber communication unit that uses a miscellaneous ALOHA message to transmit predefined messages and/or formatted telemetry data to a base station. The subscriber communication unit comprises a transceiver for receiving messages from the base station in a forward channel and transmitting messages to the base station in a reverse channel. The reverse channel is divided into a plurality of scheduled transmission time slots and a plurality of unscheduled transmission time slots of the ALOHA type. A message controller receives input data generated by the subscriber communication unit and translates the input data into a reverse channel message capable of being transmitted in an available unscheduled time slot, such as a miscellaneous ALOHA message time slot.

Abstract: To address the need for a communication infrastructure and method to speed uplink data setup, the present invention provides for the assignment of uplink packet data resources by basestation transceiver systems (BTSs) without the need to communicate with any packet control unit (PCUs) first. The present invention accomplishes this by reserving packet data resources before they are needed or requested and providing them to BTSs for assignment. Thus, BTS-PCU communication occurs in the period before an uplink connection is needed and after uplink data is established, effectively eliminating the BTS-PCU delay from uplink data setup. Moreover, the present invention provides for the transmission of transmit allowance messages before an uplink request is made by the communication unit, further reducing uplink data setup time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for requesting and allocating bandwidth in a broadband wireless communication system. The inventive method and apparatus includes a combination of techniques that allow a plurality of CPEs to communicate their bandwidth request messages to respective base stations. One technique includes a “polling” method whereby a base station polls CPEs individually or in groups and allocates bandwidth specifically for the purpose of allowing the CPEs to respond with bandwidth requests. The polling of the CPEs by the base station may be in response to a CPE setting a “poll-me bit” or, alternatively, it may be periodic. Another technique comprises “piggybacking” bandwidth requests on bandwidth already allocated to a CPE. In accordance with this technique, currently active CPEs request bandwidth using previously unused portions of uplink bandwidth that is already allocated to the CPE.

Abstract: When polled, a remote unit (113) provides a radio access network (RAN 101) with an acknowledgment message. The acknowledgment message contains information such as the current window size, the number and identification of frames received in error, . . . etc. The polling frequency is based on a channel condition metric. More particularly, active polling timers that control the transmission of status information over the air interface are adjusted based on a bit error rate (BER) of radio channel such that as the BER of the radio channel decreases less control information is transmitted. Similarly as BER increases the timer values will change such that more control information is transmitted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using SONET technology to efficiently carry both data and voice traffic by Add/Drop Multiplexing of both isochronous traffic, such as voice and video, and non-isochronous traffic, such as data, in a SONET/SDH fiber-optic ring topology. A portion of a SONET/SDH frame structure (STS-1, STM-1 etc.) is shared by a number of nodes connected to an optical SONET/SDH ring (either directly or sitting behind a SONET/ADM). The inherent column structure of the SONET/SDH frame is used define dynamic channels (flexible bandwidth channels) between the nodes. Each dynamic channel can be assigned a priority and optionally a minimum bandwidth. The channel to column mapping is varied dynamically for data traffic by a centralized bandwidth manager which serves as an arbiter for requests for bandwidth.

Abstract: A transmitter is capable of transmitting layer 2 protocol data units (PDUs). Each PDU has an n-bit sequence number. A base sequence number VT(A) is obtained that marks a beginning sequence number of a transmitting window of the transmitter. A current sequence number VT(S) is obtained that marks a sequence number of a PDU that is next to be transmitted by the transmitter. 2n is added to a difference of the current sequence number VT(S) and the base sequence number VT(A) to yield a first value. A second value is obtained that is a modulus of the first value with 2n. A test value is then obtained that is the second value divided by a size of the transmitting window. Polling is triggered when the test value is greater than or equal to a polling value. The polling value represents a percentage of the transmitting window that has been transmitted.

Abstract: A method of confirming a receipt of protocol data units (PDU) that can eliminate the starting point polling problem of the conventional window-based polling algorithm widely used in a radio link control is disclosed. The conventional window-based polling algorithm is modified in such a way that the unwanted polling is eliminated when transmitting the protocol data units at the starting point of the communication window.

Abstract: Simplified data message terminals and data communicating voice terminals are described for providing additional functionality in a facility using a wireless data communication system. The simplified data message terminals provide message and paging communication to employees or customers in a simplified terminal configuration using the existing data communication system. By performing voice to data and data to voice conversions, the same system provides voice communication without interruption of data communication services.

Abstract: A method of transmitting information to a portable computing device comprises, using a first communication protocol, transmitting a client to the portable computing device. The client configures the portable computing device to communicate with a distributor using a data transfer communication protocol. Using the data transfer communication protocol, the information is transmitted from the distributor to the portable computing device. Transmitting the information includes generating, at the distributor, a polling signal, detecting, at the distributor, an acknowledgement signal generated, in response to the polling signal, by the portable computing device, and generating, in response to the acknowledgement signal, a broadcast signal incorporating the information.

Abstract: A wireless network communication method using an Access Point (AP). The method includes creating a polling list based on association identifications of stations stored in the AP. Thereafter, a polling signal is transmitted to one of the stations according to the polling list in an interval of a PCF mode. Data, which will be transmitted, is transmitted from the station in response to the polling signal transmitted from the AP. The data transmitted from the station is received by the AP, and is stored in a buffer of the AP. The number of pieces of data is compared with a threshold value set in the buffer. If the number of the pieces of data exceeds the threshold value, a polling signal is not transmitted to a next station and data stored in the buffer is transmitted to relevant stations.

Abstract: An improved multicarrier modulation system and method, which has the advantages of both isotropic orthogonal transfer algorithm orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (IOTA OFDM) and scalable advanced modulation (SAM), is introduced. The invention is root raised cosine (RRC) OFDM using the most spectrally efficient RRC filter without sacrificing the compact subchannel spacing of OFDM. The invention further provides an adjacent channel interference (ACI) suppression scheme and a modified RRC for better suppressing ACI of RRC OFDM. The ACI suppression scheme can also be applied to SAM with the modified RRC and to IOTA OFDM with a modified IOTA. The invention greatly improves a major problem of conventional OFDM namely ACI due to the use of a wide subchannel filter. Thus, the invention allows OFDM to meet even the strictest ACI requirements, which was not possible by using a conventional raised cosine windowing method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a point coordinator node operative to coordinate the message transmissions of a plurality of nodes in a wireless communications network and wherein at least one node within the plurality of nodes is operative to assume the function of the point coordinator upon recognizing the failure of the point coordinator.

Abstract: In an information processing device having a communication function of performing a network connection via a wireless relay apparatus, the information processing device comprises a first unit which finds the wireless relay apparatus, and a second unit which displays information, which is characterized according to identification information of the wireless relay apparatus when the first unit finds the wireless relay apparatus.

Abstract: The invention targets at a QoS-aware handover procedure in a typical dynamic mobile ad-hoc scenario (cf. FIGS. 23 to 27) wherein the connectivity of fixed (AR1, AR2, CN) and/or mobile nodes (MN, M1, M2, M3, M4, EN1, EN2) is unpredictably time-varying and, due to the mobility of mobile nodes, handovers will inevitably frequently occur. Thereby, resources are pre-allocated along potential routing paths in advance, and the flow traffic is redirected to the path having the best available QoS capabilities. According to the new QoS situation of the selected path, adaptive real-time applications can have the opportunity to individually adjust traffic generation. With this concept, packet loss can be avoided and degradation effects on the running real-time application during the QoS-aware handover can be minimized.

Abstract: A link method for establishing a link between two bluetooth devices is provided to enable a device to transfer data to/from other device located in a bluetooth scatternet. The link method executes a link initialization procedure when resetting or initializing a link to determine whether the role of the bluetooth device at a dedicated link is a slave or master. Then, in the link search establishment procedure, it searches all possible paths for transferring data packet and establishes a link path table. Finally, when the link detection timer expires after a pre-determined period, the link detection procedure is resumed to detect whether the link is existed. If the link is not existed, the link initialization procedure is executed; otherwise, it further determines whether to execute the link initialization procedure again. If yes, the link initialization procedure is executed, otherwise the link detection procedure is executed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. The self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol utilizes a combination of incremental and aggregate bandwidth requests. In accordance with the present inventive protocol, CPEs primarily transmit incremental bandwidth requests to their associated base stations, followed by periodic transmissions of aggregate bandwidth requests. The use of incremental bandwidth requests reduces risks that a base station erroneously issues duplicate bandwidth allocations to the same CPE for the same connection. Race conditions that may have occurred using only aggregate bandwidth requests are eliminated by requiring the CPEs to request bandwidth in an incremental manner. However, use of periodic aggregate bandwidth requests (that express the current state of their respective connection queues) allows the present bandwidth allocation method and apparatus to be “self-correcting.

Abstract: A network device having a message receiving module for receiving notify messages transmitted from controlled devices connected in a network, a device list management module for collecting information regarding the controlled devices connected in the network and creating and managing a list of service information of all the controlled devices connected in the network, and a control module for searching for service information of a specific controlled device, which has been requested by a control point, in the device list management module and transmitting the searched information. Since a controlled device has a list of other controlled devices connected thereto in a network, when a message searching for a specific controlled device has been received from a control point, another controlled device can transmit a response message to the control point on behalf of the specific controlled device even though the specific controlled device cannot receive the message from the control point.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for carrying out the method for managing power consumption in a master driven time division duplex wireless network comprising optimizing power consumption while maintaining quality of service requirements for end-to-end packet delay by adjusting the polling interval for each slave in low power mode based on the incoming traffic at the slave.

Abstract: A modem, communications system and method are provided with a transmitter and a receiver connected to a modem termination system (CMTS) by a medium. The modem has a memory forming a transmit queue including voice and video. The modem has a controller for sending data units from the receive queue to CMTS. The modem requests unsolicited grant service (UGS) from CMTS when the frame controller detects periodic stream to transmit. Upon detecting a data accumulation in the receive queue, the controller asserts a queue indicator. The Modem receives an occasional extra grant per interval and uses these grants until the queue indicator is not asserted. According to another feature, during transmission, the modem requests subsequent grants in a subsequent interval using an extended header having multiple bits for requesting the multiple grants. The CMTS allocates at least an extra grant to form a grant burst in response to the request.

Abstract: A device is dedicated to controlling access to wireless communications local area networks (WLAN-i) having a local coverage area included in a main coverage area of a main communications network (RP) equipped with mobile communications device positioning means (8). The device comprises management means (20) connected to the positioning means (8) and adapted i) to compare the positions of at least some of the mobile devices (9) to those of the local areas, in order to select the primary identifiers of the mobile devices substantially positioned in said local areas, and ii) to send a messaging server (10) of the main network (RP) instructions including the primary identifier of each mobile device (9) selected, in order for it to send them a message telling their users that they can connect to the local area network (WLAN-i) in whose local area they are placed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly assigning traffic channels to a plurality of mobile stations in a wide area high-speed packet data cellular communication system. Mobile stations transmit access probes on randomly selected access channels to selected base stations to initiate traffic channel assignments. The access probe comprises a pilot preamble, a traffic channel request, and a pilot/data request channel (DRC). The pilot preamble allows the selected base station to easily detect the access probe transmission. The traffic channel request includes data that identifies the mobile station. Immediately after transmitting the traffic channel request, the mobile station begins communicating with the base station on both the forward and reverse communication links. The selected base station immediately supervises the mobile station's transmission power. The mobile station selects from a group of available power control sub-channels.

Abstract: A Hybrid Coordination Function (HCF) implementation wherein an access point's existing (E)DCF transmit queues are augmented by at least one strict priority HCF transmit queue. The HCF queues are only used to schedule downlink data and CF-Poll transmissions are used for admitted downlink flows and for uplink flows. The 802.1D user priority value is used to select the HCF queue for an admitted flow. The strict priority HCF transmit queues are always serviced first, in priority order before any other (E)DCF transmit queue. The channel is considered busy to (E)DCF transmit queues while the strict priority queues are being serviced. An admissions control mechanism is used to control data flows and prevents the strict priority traffic from starving (E)DCF traffic. A single, simple AP scheduler is used for scheduling both polling times and station wakeup times.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing device information through networks. The apparatus for managing device information through networks includes a polling list for storing polling information including device IP addresses assigned to home devices, polling intervals, and last polling times; a poller for checking the polling list and sending out a polling list listing devices to be polled; and a message processor for generating a polling message based on received registration request messages from the home devices, sending out the polling message verifying whether corresponding devices are activated with reference to the polling list, and updating the polling information stored in the polling list based on a response message with respect to the polling message received from the home devices. As different polling intervals are used with respect to devices existing on a home network, the reliability of device information improves and network traffic reduces.

Abstract: A limited acknowledgement-based communication methodology increases the throughput efficiency of extended range, wireless packetized data transmissions to a ‘master’ data-reception site from a ‘slave’ data-sourcing site, geographically remote with respect to the data-reception site. Rather than return an acknowledgement for each received packet, the master returns an acknowledgement only after receipt of a group of packets. When returning an acknowledgement, the master identifies which packets of the group were not successfully received. Missing packets may be retransmitted by the slave transmitter either immediately, or in response to a subsequent poll by the master.

Abstract: In this document, we proposed a hybrid MAC protocol that can utilize the precious wireless link bandwidth efficiently in the environment of a partially connected wireless network topology and VBR connections running in the network.

Abstract: A technique enabling enhanced stations to communicate with other enhanced stations that periodically or sporadically enter power save mode is disclosed. If a Q-station targeted for a direct link is in power save mode, an access point “wakes” the Q-station. The targeted Q-station responds by transmitting back a PS-Poll frame. The access point then forwards an awaiting direct_link_protocol_request frame to the targeted Q-station, which then responds by transmitting back a direct_link_protocol_response frame to the transmitting Q-station. Subsequently, the targeted Q-station can expect to receive a frame directly from a Q-station requesting the direct link. For example, a data frame containing data or a direct_link_protocol_probe frame can be transmitted. In this way, Q-stations do not have to track when other Q-stations are in power save mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol in a broadband wireless communication system is disclosed. The self-correcting bandwidth request/grant protocol utilizes a combination of incremental and aggregate bandwidth requests. In accordance with the present inventive protocol, CPEs primarily transmit incremental bandwidth requests to their associated base stations, followed by periodic transmissions of aggregate bandwidth requests. The use of incremental bandwidth requests reduces risks that a base station erroneously issues duplicate bandwidth allocations to the same CPE for the same connection. Race conditions that may have occurred using only aggregate bandwidth requests are eliminated by requiring the CPEs to request bandwidth in an incremental manner. However, use of periodic aggregate bandwidth requests (that express the current state of their respective connection queues) allows the present bandwidth allocation method and apparatus to be “self-correcting”.

Abstract: An electronic electricity meter which, in one embodiment, includes a modem board, or unit, coupled to the meter microcomputer and exchanges information between the meter and a central computer is described. Using signals supplied by the meter microcomputer and the central computer, the modem unit microcomputer can determine whether to exchange information between the meter and the central computer and the proper time at which the information should be exchanged. In an exemplary embodiment, the modem unit detects various conditions within the meter and responds by exchanging information with the central computer at a proper, or pre-defined, time. The modem unit has two different basic modes, or states, of operation. These states of operation are sometimes referred to as the call originate mode and the call answer mode. Call originate refers to the mode of the unit when a condition occurs in meter 10 and information is being transmitted to the central computer from the modem unit utilizing a telephone line.

Abstract: A method for polling a plurality of wireless modems from a base station in which the base station individually polling all of the modems and forming at least two lists such that each modem is identified on only one discrete list based upon its behavior in response to the polling. Thereafter, the modems identified on each discrete list are polled at a rate that may differ from the rate at which the modems identified on any other list are polled and the lists are updated dynamically based upon the behavior of the modems polled in response to the last polling.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for managing resources of a link in a communication network comprising busses interconnected by at least one link to form a network in which the at least one link is transparent for some protocol layers of nodes connected to the busses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for polling stations that transmit periodic traffic streams are disclosed. A station transmits a polling request that specifies the temporal period of the station's traffic stream, and a coordinator, after receiving the polling request, repeatedly sends polls to the station in a rapid-fire manner until a response from the station is received. The coordinator estimates the temporal offset for the temporal period based on one or both of (i) the time at which the coordinator received the response, and (ii) the time at which the coordinator transmitted the particular poll to which the station responded. Based on the temporal period and temporal offset, the coordinator establishes a polling schedule that polls the station soon after the station generates a frame. The coordinator also monitors downlink traffic to polled stations and, when the downlink traffic is periodic, establishes a downlink transmission schedule accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and system for weighted polling of terminals in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Quality of Service (QoS) information related to WLAN terminals is obtained. A weighted polling factor may be assigned to each WLAN terminal based on the QoS information. Each WLAN terminal may be polled during a transmission period based on the weighted polling factor assigned to each WLAN terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communications network establishes an initial polling interval for a corresponding network element. The network management system detects whether the network element provides at least one status message during a group of sequential polls. Each poll within the group is preferably separated by the initial polling interval. The network management system adjusts the initial polling interval to a subsequent polling interval for the network element based on the detection of the status message to adaptively meet the communications traffic requirements.