Abstract: An access point transmits a preemptive peg packet when it has no data to transmit in order to maintain the contiguity of its transmission timing position with respect to the timing position of other contention-free sessions (CFS) transmitted by other access points in an existing, periodic sequence. The cyclic prioritized multiple access (CPMA) method establishes the transmission timing position of contention-free sessions (CFS) between overlapping first and second wireless LAN cells contending for the same medium. Each cell includes a respective plurality of member stations. If an access point has no traffic, it will transmit a short, preemptive pegging packet and reset its backoff timer. In this manner, no gaps longer than the distributed coordination function (DCF) Interframe Space (DIFS) are left idle. This prevents other stations from using DCF contention to seize the channel, until all access points have completed one contention-free session (CFS) per periodic cycle.

Abstract: A cyclic prioritized multiple access (CPMA) method is disclosed which includes Fixed Deterministic Post-Backoff. Fixed deterministic post-backoff reduces conflicts between access points of overlapping cells. Contention-free sessions (CFSs) can be generated, one from each overlapping cell. Each active access point engages in a fixed deterministic post-backoff. A fixed deterministic backoff delay (Bkoff times a fixed number of idle time slots) is used by all access points, with the value of Bkoff being greater than the number of overlapping cells. The Bkoff should be large enough to enable the traffic that needs to be accommodated by the channel. Each access point has a backoff timer that is counted down using the shortest interframe space possible, typically the Priority Interframe Space (PIFS). A contention-free session (CFS) is initiated when the backoff timer expires, and it is then reset to the value of Bkoff to start a new cycle.

Abstract: A call processing system, which may include multiple distributed call center sites, utilizes a local back-off approach to endpoint registration. The call processing system comprises a plurality of endpoints and at least a first server, wherein the endpoints register with the first server in order to send and receive calls in the call processing system. Responsive to an end-to-end connectivity failure or other designated event, a registration process is initiated in the call processing system for a given one of the endpoints. The issuance of at least one message of the sequence for the given endpoint is controlled so as to provide a local random back-off or other local back-off of the controlled message at that endpoint. For example, a second server implemented as an aggregation server may be operative to control the issuance of messages by the endpoints so as to provide a local random back-off for each of the plurality of endpoints by staggering the delivery of failure notifications to the endpoints.

Abstract: A first information block is transmitted from a first terminal, the first terminal retaining access to a channel until either i) the first information block is acknowledged by a second terminal, or ii) at least a first predetermined period of time following transmission of the first information block expires, whichever is shorter. It is determined whether the first information block is acknowledged within the first predetermined period of time. A second information block is transmitted from the first terminal in response to the first information block being acknowledged within the first predetermined period of time. When the first information block has a first type, the first information block is retransmitted in response to the first information block not being acknowledged within the first predetermined period of time. When the first information block has a second type, retransmitting the first information block is attempted after waiting a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A communications system includes a network that is coupled to a number of terminals, at least some of which are capable of audio or other forms of real-time interactive data communications over the network. Each of the terminals includes a network adapter that is capable of detecting a collision with another terminal on the network. If a collision is detected, transmission of a data frame is aborted, and a backoff time delay is selected. The backoff time delay is selected from a group of delay periods that vary at a rate different than exponentially with a number of collisions. The group of one or more delay periods can contain delay periods that increase linearly with the number of collisions, delay periods that increase according to some power of n, where n is the number of collisions, or a delay period that is selected at random based on a predetermined mean backoff delay.

Abstract: A carrier sense relationship and an interference relationship between logical links in a shared, broadcast, medium network are determined. Bandwidth for each of the links is estimated based on the carrier sense relationship and the interference relationship.

Abstract: A multiple wireless networks structure comprising a plurality of beacon groups each comprising one or more devices communicating via an associated wireless network utilizing a superframe structure; wherein each device of each beacon group allocates a local control period and one or more neighbor control periods in each superframe; wherein the neighbor control periods in each beacon group cover all one or more control periods of other beacon groups detected by one or more of the devices in said each beacon group to an extent as said control periods do not overlap with the local control period in said each beacon group.

Abstract: Operation of a mobile voice client utilizing a WLAN for access is enhanced by controlling the rate at which transmission power is changed by the access point with which the mobile voice client is associated. The access point calculates a target transmit power level based at least in-part on the distance to the nearest fixed position wireless device and the distance to the mobile voice client. The access point then determines whether the target transmit power level differs from a current transmit power level. If the target transmit power level is greater than the current transmit power level, the current transmit power level is increased at a first controlled, non-instantaneous rate such as 1 dB per second. If the target transmit power level is less than the current transmit power level, the current transmit power level is decreased at a second controlled, non-instantaneous rate such as 1 dB per second.

Abstract: Intra-cell upstream data forwarding is utilized in a wireless network such as a wireless local area network. A network forwarding path is determined based on the signal strength of an access point signal received at client stations within the network, referred to as the OASS. In particular embodiments, a station that is either originating or forwarding a frame inserts its own OASS into the frame before transmitting it and a client station that receives a frame forwards it only if its own OASS exceeds the frame-enclosed OASS, illustratively by at least a predetermined amount.

Abstract: Overlapped wireless LAN cells in a medium have an equal chance at establishing a session on the medium. A first member station in the first cell transmits a timing packet containing a timestamp value, which is received at a second member station in the second cell. This synchronizes member stations in the first and second cells to interrupt transmissions at a global channel release instant corresponding to the timestamp value. The member stations in the first and second cells then have the opportunity to contend for access to the medium following the global channel release instant, using a slotted CSMA/CA access method. Each of the member stations in the first and second cells has a superframe clock that is synchronized based on the timestamp value, thereby establishing a periodic global channel release instant during each of a plurality of periodic superframes. The member stations can then periodically interrupt transmissions at the periodic global channel release instant to contend for the medium.

Abstract: A staggered startup method and system for a cyclic prioritized multiple access (CPMA) system reduce interference between overlapping first and second wireless LAN cells contending for the same medium. Each cell includes a respective plurality of member stations. A first member station in the first cell coordinates a periodic sequence of first contention-free sessions. Each contention-free session includes multiple bursts with other member stations in the first cell. The first member station retains control of the medium by using interframe spaces sufficiently short between the bursts so that the multiple bursts appear to contending stations to be a single instance of activity in the medium during a session until an end of a session. A second member station in the second cell listens to the activity in the medium and detects an end to one of the first contention-free sessions indicated by an interval longer than a PIFS idle interval following an end to the activity in the medium.

Abstract: A method of fair scheduling for channel access in a wireless network comprising a plurality of nodes including a first node and at least one second node is described, the method comprising the steps of: arranging (RICP) a packet to be transmitted at the first node; calculating (COMP) a waiting time (ta) for the first node; the first node attempting (ATTX) the transmission of the packet on the channel at least after the calculated waiting time; characterised in that said calculation step includes an evaluation step of a first size representative of the ratio between a real use of the channel by the first node and a real use of the channel by a group of the plurality of nodes, during the transmission on the network of further packets preceding said packet.

Abstract: Methods and systems to perform collision detection (CD) in a communication network are disclosed. Methods and systems over multipacket reception (MPR)-capable physical layers are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for transmitting information in a network includes the steps of initiating transmission over a communication channel, monitoring a feedback channel, modifying transmission parameters for the transmission over the communication channel (where modifying includes stopping transmission and adjusting transmission parameters), if a feedback transmission is detected while monitoring the feedback channel, a duration of the feedback transmission being smaller than duration of the transmission over the communication channel, and determining whether transmission was successful, if transmission continues after modifying transmission parameters. Other embodiments of methods for transmitting and receiving information, as well as systems that implement the methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of performing a random access channel (RACH) procedure between a mobile terminal and a network includes the steps of detecting whether a random access response (RAR) is received from the network within a certain time period, the RAR including information about a random access channel (RACH) preamble transmitted to the network; and if the RAR is not received within the certain time period or if the information about the transmitted RACH preamble included in the RAR does not match the transmitted RACH preamble, performing a first procedure to detect failures in the RACH procedure; and if the RAR is received within the certain time period and if the information about the transmitted RACH preamble included in the RAR matches the transmitted RACH preamble, performing a second procedure to detect failures in the RACH procedure.

Abstract: Excessive quality in the receiving apparatus is controlled to obtain the combined gain by distinctively controlling the re-transmission for the first transmission. A transmitting apparatus for transmitting the data to a receiving apparatus to execute regeneration of data using, for example, the received data and the re-transmitted data, comprises a control unit operable to receive an indication that an error has been detected in received data transmitted in a first transmission, to re-transmit the data in a second transmission, and to control resources for re-transmission of the data to use fewer resources for the second transmission than for the first transmission.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, asynchronous network nodes and synchronous network nodes coexist on a shared media network.

Abstract: A communication system includes mobile stations carrying out transmission at report cycles selected from a group consisting of 0, 1 and other integers without having a relation of a multiple and including a lot of prime numbers.

Abstract: A hybrid speech recognition system uses a client-side speech recognition engine and a server-side speech recognition engine to produce speech recognition results for the same speech. An arbitration engine produces speech recognition output based on one or both of the client-side and server-side speech recognition results.

Abstract: A wireless communication system has a plurality of base stations. The wireless communication system maintains a data structure that indicates wireless communication capacity for the base stations by time. The wireless communication system processes a user location and the data structure to select base stations having capacity during selected timeframes. A user communication interface has antennas that exchange wireless communications with the selected base stations. The user communication interface selects the antennas to use for the wireless communications with the selected base stations.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved random access channel protocol, wherein different user elements may be associated with different priority levels. Based on relative priority, the user elements may have different probabilities for deciding when to retransmit a previously transmitted packet upon receiving information from an access point indicating that the packet needs to be retransmitted. A buffer is provided for storing a packet to transmit, and the buffer is associated with a stack counter, which is incremented or decremented to or from a nominal value to determine when to transmit or retransmit the packet stored in the buffer. Based on the relative priority, feedback information from the access point may cause the stack counter for a packet needing to be retransmitted to stay at the nominal value, wherein retransmission will occur at the next available time slot, or it may increase the stack counter by one or more levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communications network including transmitting stations and receiving stations for transmitting and receiving signals, the transmitting stations being adapted for transmitting a data signal as a series of data packets, wherein a data packet is scheduled to be transmitted by use of an available transmission resource, and receiving stations for transmitting a reservation indicator for reception by transmitting stations.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals in a wireless telecommunication system and to a method for transmitting random access bursts in such an apparatus. The apparatus includes a transmitter for transmitting random access bursts, a receiver for receiving acknowledgement information confirming a successful transmission of a random access burst, a decision unit for deciding if acknowledgement information has been received, and a control unit for randomly choosing a time point for an attempt to retransmit said random access burst from an interval if no acknowledgement information has been received after a random access burst had been transmitted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multicast communication systems and in particular to the implementation of a random access uplink channel, which can be used, e.g., for transmission of acknowledgement messages for received data. In order to prevent frequent collisions on said channel, the transmission of acknowledgement messages is spread at least over time or, additionally, with regard to another distinguishing channel property, e.g. a RACH sub-channel or RACH-signature.

Abstract: A portable media player device is capable of operating in a wireless network. The wireless portable media player device can bootstrap and synchronize with an ad hoc network with low power consumption. Neighbor portable media player devices in an ad hoc network can be discovered by the wireless portable media player device. The portable media player device can establish and terminate connections to neighbor portable media player devices. The portable media player device can transfer data in a high speed data transfer mode or a power save data transfer mode, while concurrently permitting discovery by other devices. The portable media player device operates in a power save mode during an inactive portion of a periodic discovery interval.

Abstract: A method of efficiently processing a random access response message, when a terminal (or user equipment) performs random access, is disclosed. After the terminal transmits a random access preamble to a base station, the terminal may receive a random access response message having a format of medium access control protocol data unit (MAC PDU) including only a backoff indicator subheader in a MAC header of the MAC PDU, from the base station in response to the random access preamble. As described above, the terminal, which has received the random access response message including only a backoff indicator subheader in the MAC header of the MAC PDU, may consider a random access response reception procedure not successful and may perform a subsequent procedure for a random access responses reception failure.

Abstract: A node may include a receiver configured to receive signals transmitted from a gateway and a logic device coupled to the receiver. The node may also include a memory configured to store label information identifying a data packet stored in the node. The logic device may be configured to receive a message from the gateway, where the message includes label information, and access the memory to identify a data packet based on the label information included in the message. The node may also include a transmitter configured to transmit the data packet to the gateway over a channel shared with a number of other nodes.

Abstract: Provided is a radio communication system for ultra wideband (UWB) impulse communications and a radio communication apparatus and method thereof. The present patent provides a radio communication system that can minimize power consumption by eliminating a need for carrier detection and sharing transmission/reception time information in UWB impulse communications. The system includes a network coordinator; and one or more devices communicating on a superframe basis in subordination to the network coordinator. The devices perform data transmission/reception in predetermined time slots and then they are inactivated to thereby reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A communication system includes mobile stations carrying out transmission at report cycles selected from a group consisting of 0, 1 and other integers without having a relation of a multiple and including a lot of prime numbers.

Abstract: Methods, circuits and architectures for managing channel access and/or reducing contention in network transmissions where such transmissions may not be acknowledged within a certain time period, computer programs adapted to implement such methods, and systems and networks including such circuits/architectures. When the information is not so acknowledged, the methods generally include (1) waiting for a predetermined time period before attempting to retransmit the information, and/or (2) retransmitting the information. The action taken may depend on the priority of the information. The circuit and/or architecture generally includes (a) a transmitter, (b) a priority detector, and when the information is not acknowledged within a certain time period, (c) logic for (i) retransmitting the information having a first priority and (ii) waiting before attempting to retransmit information having a second priority.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for enabling a legacy station to perform virtual carrier sensing when a plurality of stations with heterogeneous capabilities coexist in a wireless network. The method includes receiving first data via a bonded channel formed by channel bonding first and second adjacent channels, and transmitting second data via each of the first and second adjacent channels, the second data being a clear-to-send (CTS) frame or a request-to-send (RTS) frame.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a computer program product for achieving fairness in utilization of a channel in a network. The network includes plurality of stations such that at least one station of the plurality of stations includes at least one radio. The at least one radio may fail to access the channel even when the channel is available for performing transmission. The method includes determining a number of idle slots occurred at the channel during a disruption period when the at least one radio is unavailable for transmission. The number of idle slots occurred during the disruption period may be accumulated as a credit. Based on the accumulated credit, an initial value of a backoff counter of the at least one station may be reset. The reset initial value of the backoff counter enables the at least one radio to utilize the accumulated idle slots for next transmission.

Abstract: A communication system includes mobile stations carrying out transmission at report cycles selected from a group consisting of 0, 1 and other integers without having a relation of a multiple and including a lot of prime numbers.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for controlling contention in a wireless network device. The systems and methods transmit a packet on a wireless network. If the transmission is not successful, then a contention window parameter is adjusted according to a fast backoff operation. If the packet transmission was successful and the current value of the contention window parameter is less than a threshold value then the contention window parameter is decreased according to a contention avoidance operation. If the packet transmission is successful and the current value of the contention window parameter is greater than the threshold value then the contention window parameter is decreased according to a slow start operation.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for stamping any Ethernet frames. Any Ethernet frame is provided with a time stamp, it being possible to use standard Ethernet controllers defined according to IEEE 802.X. This is achieved by the method in such a way that the stamp is applied between an Ethernet controller operated in RAW mode and a “Physical Layer” to an area of the Media Access Control (MAC) destination address, while the original MAC destination address is advantageously encoded in the remaining area.

Abstract: Wireless stations (108-1-108-N) contending for exclusive access for a predetermined period of time (S232) to transmit on a communication medium (112) are regulated by a common external controller (104) using a single timing parameter (S204). Attempts at transmission access are preceded by respective delays that are expired simultaneously and at a common rate by the stations at times when the stations sense the medium to be idle (S224). The delays are pseudo-randomly selected to avoid collisions among stations in their respective access attempts (S208). Default, initial values of the respective delays (S204) applied to the stations, when multiplied by the respective expected number of transmission attempts by the stations over the long term over periods of time when no transmission attempt is unsuccessful, yield respective products equal to a constant value common to all stations (S312). The default values therefore serve as a knob by which the controller regulates air time opportunity.

Abstract: Priority-based access systems and methods for shared communication media are provided. The priority and a corresponding weight of traffic to be transmitted on a shared communication medium are determined. This determination may be made, for example, before a first attempt to transmit the traffic, or before a subsequent traffic transmission attempt following an unsuccessful transmission attempt. The weight controls a rate of change of an exponential delay range limit factor in proportion to a number of attempts to transmit the traffic. The resultant weighted delay range limit factor is used to determine a range of delays from which a delay is selected. A transmission back-off time is then determined based on the selected delay.

Abstract: A wireless communication device that performs packet transmission in accordance with a packet transmission system that performs wireless bandwidth allocation by virtual carrier sensing has a time-point management section that manages the time-point and outputs current time-point information, and a parameter management section that manages a parameter relating to packet transmission right acquisition priority.

Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-radio wireless communication device having a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) radio module and a Bluetooth (BT) radio module and methods for communicating are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a WiMax active signal is asserted by a coexist controller of the WiMax radio module during receipt of a downlink subframe, and the BT radio module aligns a BT slot boundary of either master-to-slave or slave-to-master slot based on timing information conveyed by the WiMax active signal. The WiMax active signal may be de-asserted by the coexist controller during transmission of an uplink subframe by the WiMax radio module.

Abstract: A base station assigns a most appropriate carrier from wide frequency bands in response to a re-request for channel establishment received from a mobile station, even if a same slot as a slot last assigned is assigned. Furthermore, a frequency management table is managed in which carriers that form a radio channel and are grouped by a specific number thereof so as to be distributed over wide frequency bands. Priorities used to search groups are individually provided for base stations that form a system. This allows neighboring base stations to distribute carriers over the wide frequency bands.

Abstract: Expected channel occupancy time is a wireless link metric determined based on a transmission protocol to be used for transmitting data in a wireless network. The wireless link metric may be used for routing or other network management functions. For determining the wireless link metric, an overhead is determined for one or more of accessing and releasing a channel to transmit a burst, including at least one frame, in the wireless network using the transmission protocol. An expected burst transmission time is calculated based at least on the overhead. The expected channel occupancy time is determined from the expected burst transmission time and an estimation of a number of frames to be successfully delivered during the burst.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling channel access in a communications system is disclosed. The method and system include providing a data packet to communications queue and determining the priority of the data packet. The method and system also generate a channel occupancy statistic. The channel occupancy statistic is based on the level of activity on a communications channel during a predetermined period. The method and system also compare the channel occupancy statistic to a predetermined threshold. The threshold is based on the priority.

Abstract: Intra-cell upstream data forwarding is utilized in a wireless network such as a wireless local area network. A network forwarding path is determined based on the signal strength of an access point signal received at client stations within the network, referred to as the OASS. In particular embodiments, a station that is either originating or forwarding a frame inserts its own OASS into the frame before transmitting it and a client station that receives a frame forwards it only if its own OASS exceeds the frame-enclosed OASS, illustratively by at least a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A wireless communication system using channel access based on a contention approach and method thereof is disclosed, which allocates plural sets of time slots in a predetermined contention interval, wherein each set of time slots further includes plural adjacent overlapped time slots. A channel requester transmits a contention message to a channel allocator at a time slot based on an interleaved method after the channel requester completes count down of a predetermined time, so that the positions of the headers of the contention messages in the adjacent time slots of each set of time slot are different. Thus, if the contention message transmitted by the channel requester collides with the contention message of the adjacent time slot, the channel allocator can parse the headers of the collided contention messages and respectively allocate plural special channel times for communicating with the channel requesters.

Abstract: A multicast packet transmitting method of wireless network is provided. According to the method, a first transmitting terminal adds a first acknowledge serial number into a multicast downlink packet and transmits the downlink packet to a second transmitting terminal. After transmitting the downlink packet, the first transmitting terminal determines whether to re-transmit the downlink packet in accordance to a received second acknowledge serial number in an uplink packet, which is output from the second transmitting terminal.

Abstract: A video conferencing method is provided in a system for managing voice and data communications to a plurality of users. Computer data is communicated between the system and one of a plurality of computers coupled to the system over one or more packet buses. Voice data is communicated between the system and one of a plurality of telephone devices coupled to the system. The voice data is coupled to a TDM bus in the system, and the voice data and/or the computer data are coupled from the TDM bus to a digital transmission link. Video and audio data are coupled between the system and a video conferencing unit and coupled to the TDM bus. The video and audio data are coupled from the TDM bus to a digital transmission link of the telecommunications network. A video conference participant participates in a video conference with the video conferencing unit over the digital transmission link, while concurrently a user participates in a telephone call with one of the telephone devices over the digital transmission link.

Abstract: A radio communication system, a radio communication control method, a radio communication apparatus, a control method for a radio communication apparatus, and a computer program make it possible to minimize the chance of co-channel interference in a multi-cell environment, and also permit free adjustment of an uplink/downlink ratio. The carrier sense region of a terminal wanting an uplink shares the region used as a directional busy tone region for a terminal wanting an uplink, and the region used as a reference signal transmission region of a terminal wanting a downlink. Furthermore, the carrier sense region of a terminal wanting a downlink shares the region used as a directional busy tone region for a terminal wanting a downlink, and the region used as a reference signal transmission region of a terminal wanting an uplink. If a result of the carrier sense indicates an idle mode, then a reference signal is transmitted.

Abstract: Wireless medium access in a communication network having a number of terminals is controlled by defining protocol message units for transmission by a given terminal which units correspond to operational states of at least one of the terminal and the medium. A number of time slots are allocated for transmission of packets from each terminal, and a number of contention opportunities are defined at the beginning of each time slot. Priority and backoff mechanisms are defined and applied at each terminal during the contention opportunities in the slots. Packets are then transmitted by the terminal within the slots while (1) minimizing the occurrence of empty slots at times when packets are available for transmission, and (2) minimizing the number of slots during which two or more packets are detected on the medium simultaneously at the terminal.

Abstract: In order to realize low power consumption of a communicator and information transmission in short packets with a short latency in a network environment of a self-organized distribution type, each communication station performs a reception processing before and after a beacon transmission time of a next communication station which transmits a beacon next to a local station, and performs data transmission before and after a beacon transmission time of a communication station functioning as a data transmission destination. In a case where a certain communication station transmits information to all other communication stations, each communication station transmits information by utilizing a reception period provided after the beacon transmission time of the next communication station transmitting the beacon next to the local station to perform transmission according to a bucket-brigade system.

Abstract: A novel and useful synchronization mechanism that functions to provide a uniform time base for mesh points in a WLAN mesh based network. The invention enables timing synchronization to a common reference clock base by advertising the common TSF within beacon transmissions. All MPs in a mesh share a common DTIM interval. The synchronization mechanism enables the mesh points to avoid collisions in the generation and transmission of beacons. The TBTT offsets of the current MP and its neighbors are advertised in beacons so that neighboring MPs that hear the beacons can select non-overlapping TBTT offsets. Each MP receives one or more beacons from its neighbors and compares the timing of its neighbors to that of itself and adopts the highest TSF (i.e. the fastest) in the mesh. Eventually, all MPs in the mesh will adjust their timing to that of the MP with the fastest clock. The reception of beacons by MPs from its neighbors is also advertised.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for polling stations that transmit periodic traffic streams are disclosed. The illustrative embodiment polls the station in accordance with a polling schedule that is generated to reduce the delay between (i) when the station queues a frame, and (ii) when the station transmits the frame. This reduces the waiting time of the frame in the station, and is, therefore, especially advantageous for latency-sensitive applications such as voice and video telecommunications. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a station that expects to periodically queue a frame for transmission sends a polling request to the polling coordinator, which request enables the polling coordinator to generate an advantageous polling schedule.