Multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC

• US 20050147071A1
• Filed: 08/31/2004
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ojard, Eric J., Karaoguz, Jeyhan, Frank, Edward H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,208,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC. A novel solution is presented in which a MAC (Medium Access Controller) is implemented that includes multiple functionality types. This MAC may include functionality supporting communication according to one or more of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) related standards and also to one or more of the standards generated by the IEEE 802.15.3 PAN (Personal Area Network) working group. By providing this dual functionality of a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC, a communication device may adaptively change the manner in which it communicates with other communication devices. For example, in an effort to maximize throughput and overall efficiency of communication within a communication system, certain of the various devices may change from using the WLAN related standards to using the PAN related standards, and vice versa, based on any one or more of a variety of operational parameters including system configuration.

Claims

1. A communication device including a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC (Wireless Local Area Network/Personal Area Network Medium Access Controller), the communication device comprising:

a PHY (PHYsical layer) receiver;

a MAC (Medium Access Controller) that is communicatively coupled to the PHY receiver;

wherein the MAC includes at least two functional blocks to support at least two different operational modes corresponding to at least two different communication system types in which the communication device may operate; and

wherein the PHY receiver includes at least two PHY receiver portions that are cooperatively operable to process received signals from other communication devices within each of the at least two different communication system types and to provide the processed received signals to the MAC.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

a first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode;

a second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode;

a first communication system of the at least two different communication system types in which the communication device may operate is a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network); and

a second communication system of the at least two different communication system types in which the communication device may operate is a piconet/PAN (Personal Area Network).

3. The communication device of claim 2, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

4. The communication device of claim 2, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

5. The communication device of claim 2, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

6. The communication device of claim 2, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

7. The communication device of claim 2, wherein:

the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.11a standard, an IEEE 802.11b standard, and an IEEE 802.11g standard; and

the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.15.3 high data rate PAN standard and an IEEE 802.15.3a extended high data rate PAN standard.

8. The communication device of claim 2, wherein:

the communication device is communicatively coupled to an AP (Access Point) that is also communicatively coupled to at least one additional communication device;

a first communication link between the communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode;

a second communication link between the at least one additional communication device and the AP is also initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

at least one of the first communication link and the second communication link is subsequently assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

9. The communication device of claim 2, wherein:

the communication device is communicatively coupled to an AP (Access Point) that is also communicatively coupled to at least one additional communication device;

a first communication link between the communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

a second communication link between the at least one additional communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

10. The communication device of claim 9, wherein:

the first communication link is subsequently assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

11. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

the communication device is implemented as an integrated circuit.

12. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

the communication device simultaneously monitors beacons corresponding to the at least two different operational modes.

13. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

the communication device simultaneously monitors beacons corresponding to the at least two different operational modes;

a first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode; and

a second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

14. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

the communication device provides information corresponding to its capability set to at least one additional communication device when associating with a communication system that includes the communication device and the at least one additional communication device.

15. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

the communication device undergoes authentication when associating with a communication system while operating according to a first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes to a second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes, the communication device carries along the earlier undergone authentication for use when operating according to the second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes.

16. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

the communication device establishes an IP (Internet Protocol) layer configuration when associating with a communication system while operating according to a first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes to a second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes, the communication device carries along the earlier established IP layer configuration when operating according to the second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes.

17. The communication device of claim 1, wherein:

a first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode;

a second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

a third operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.16 type operational mode.

18. A communication device including a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC (Wireless Local Area Network/Personal Area Network Medium Access Controller), the communication device comprising:

a PHY (PHYsical layer) receiver;

a first MAC (Medium Access Controller) that is communicatively coupled to the PHY receiver;

a second MAC that is also communicatively coupled to the PHY receiver;

wherein the first MAC supports a first operational mode corresponding to a first communication system type in which the communication device may operate;

wherein the second MAC supports a second operational mode corresponding to a second communication system type in which the communication device may operate;

wherein the PHY receiver includes at least two PHY receiver portions that are cooperatively operable to process received signals from other communication devices within each of the first communication system type and the second communication system type and to provide the processed received signals selectively to the first MAC and the second MAC; and

wherein, at any given time, the PHY receiver provides the processed received signals to only one of the first MAC and the second MAC.

19. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

the first operational mode is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode;

the second operational mode is an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode;

the first communication system in which the communication device may operate is a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network); and

the second communication system in which the communication device may operate is a piconet/PAN (Personal Area Network).

20. The communication device of claim 19, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

21. The communication device of claim 19, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

22. The communication device of claim 19, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

23. The communication device of claim 19, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

24. The communication device of claim 19, wherein:

the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.11a standard, an IEEE 802.11b standard, and an IEEE 802.11g standard; and

the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.15.3 high data rate PAN standard and an IEEE 802.15.3a extended high data rate PAN standard.

25. The communication device of claim 19, wherein:

the communication device is communicatively coupled to an AP (Access Point) that is also communicatively coupled to at least one additional communication device;

a first communication link between the communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode;

a second communication link between the at least one additional communication device and the AP is also initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

at least one of the first communication link and the second communication link is subsequently assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

26. The communication device of claim 19, wherein:

the communication device is communicatively coupled to an AP (Access Point) that is also communicatively coupled to at least one additional communication device;

a first communication link between the communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

a second communication link between the at least one additional communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

27. The communication device of claim 26, wherein:

the first communication link is subsequently assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

28. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

the communication device is implemented as an integrated circuit.

29. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

the communication device simultaneously monitors a first beacon that corresponds to the first operational mode and a second beacon that corresponds to the second operational mode.

30. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

the communication device simultaneously monitors a first beacon that corresponds to the first operational mode and a second beacon that corresponds to the second operational mode;

the first operational mode is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode; and

the second operational mode is an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

31. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

the communication device provides information corresponding to its capability set to at least one additional communication device when associating with a communication system that includes the communication device and the at least one additional communication device.

32. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

the communication device undergoes authentication when associating with a communication system while operating according to the first operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the first operational mode to the second operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier undergone authentication for use when operating according to the second operational mode.

33. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

the communication device establishes an IP (Internet Protocol) layer configuration when associating with a communication system while operating according to the first operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the first operational mode to the second operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier established IP layer configuration when operating according to the second operational mode.

34. The communication device of claim 18, wherein:

a first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode;

a second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

a third operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.16 type operational mode.

35. A communication device including a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC (Wireless Local Area Network/Personal Area Network Medium Access Controller), the communication device comprising:

a PHY (PHYsical layer) receiver;

a MAC (Medium Access Controller) that is communicatively coupled to the PHY receiver;

wherein the MAC includes a first functional block to support an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode when the communication device operates within an IEEE 802.11 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network);

wherein the MAC includes a second functional block to support an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode when the communication device operates an IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN (Personal Area Network); and

wherein the PHY receiver includes at least two PHY receiver portions that are cooperatively operable to process received signals from other communication devices within each of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN and the IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN and to provide the processed received signals to the MAC.

36. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

37. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

38. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

39. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

40. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.11a standard, an IEEE 802.11b standard, and an IEEE 802.11g standard; and

the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.15.3 high data rate PAN standard and an IEEE 802.15.3a extended high data rate PAN standard.

41. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device is implemented as an integrated circuit.

42. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device simultaneously monitors a first beacon that corresponds to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode and a second beacon that corresponds to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

43. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device provides information corresponding to its capability set to at least one additional communication device when associating with a communication system that includes the communication device and the at least one additional communication device.

44. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device undergoes authentication when associating with a communication system while operating according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier undergone authentication for use when operating according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

45. The communication device of claim 35, wherein:

the communication device establishes an IP (Internet Protocol) layer configuration when associating with a communication system while operating according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier established IP layer configuration when operating according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

46. A communication device including a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC (Wireless Local Area Network/Personal Area Network Medium Access Controller), the communication device comprising:

a PHY (PHYsical layer) receiver;

a first MAC (Medium Access Controller) that is communicatively coupled to the PHY receiver

a second MAC that is communicatively coupled to the PHY receiver

wherein the first MAC support an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode when the communication device operates within an IEEE 802.11 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network);

wherein the second MAC supports an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode when the communication device operates an IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN (Personal Area Network); and

wherein the PHY receiver includes at least two PHY receiver portions that are cooperatively operable to process received signals from other communication devices within each of the IEEE 802.11 WLAN and the IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN and to provide the processed received signals to the MAC.

47. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

48. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

49. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.11a standard, an IEEE 802.11b standard, and an IEEE 802.11g standard; and

the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.15.3 high data rate PAN standard and an IEEE 802.15.3a extended high data rate PAN standard.

50. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the communication device is implemented as an integrated circuit.

51. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the communication device simultaneously monitors a first beacon that corresponds to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode and a second beacon that corresponds to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

52. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the communication device provides information corresponding to its capability set to at least one additional communication device when associating with a communication system that includes the communication device and the at least one additional communication device.

53. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the communication device undergoes authentication when associating with a communication system while operating according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier undergone authentication for use when operating according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

54. The communication device of claim 46, wherein:

the communication device establishes an IP (Internet Protocol) layer configuration when associating with a communication system while operating according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier established IP layer configuration when operating according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

55. A communication device including a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC (Wireless Local Area Network/Personal Area Network Medium Access Controller), the communication device comprising:

a first PHY (PHYsical layer) receiver;

a first MAC (Medium Access Controller) that is communicatively coupled to the first PHY receiver;

a second PHY receiver;

a second MAC that is communicatively coupled to the second PHY receiver;

wherein the first MAC supports an IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 type operational mode corresponding to a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) in which the communication device may operate;

wherein the second MAC supports an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode corresponding to a piconet/PAN (Personal Area Network) in which the communication device may operate;

wherein the first PHY receiver is operable to process received signals from other communication devices within the first communication system type and to provide the processed received signals to the first MAC; and

wherein the second PHY receiver is operable to process received signals from other communication devices within the second communication system type and to provide the processed received signals to the second MAC.

56. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

57. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

58. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

59. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device initially operates according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

based on a change in a relative location of the communication device with respect to at least one additional communication device, the communication device subsequently operates according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

60. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.11a standard, an IEEE 802.11b standard, and an IEEE 802.11g standard; and

the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode corresponds to one of an IEEE 802.15.3 high data rate PAN standard and an IEEE 802.15.3a extended high data rate PAN standard.

61. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device is communicatively coupled to an AP (Access Point) that is also communicatively coupled to at least one additional communication device;

a first communication link between the communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode;

a second communication link between the at least one additional communication device and the AP is also initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

at least one of the first communication link and the second communication link is subsequently assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

62. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device is communicatively coupled to an AP (Access Point) that is also communicatively coupled to at least one additional communication device;

a first communication link between the communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode;

a second communication link between the at least one additional communication device and the AP is also initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode; and

at least one of the first communication link and the second communication link is subsequently assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode.

63. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device is communicatively coupled to an AP (Access Point) that is also communicatively coupled to at least one additional communication device;

a first communication link between the communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

a second communication link between the at least one additional communication device and the AP is initially assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

64. The communication device of claim 63, wherein:

the first communication link is subsequently assigned to be an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

65. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device is implemented as an integrated circuit.

66. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device simultaneously monitors a first beacon that corresponds to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode and a second beacon that corresponds to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

67. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device provides information corresponding to its capability set to at least one additional communication device when associating with a communication system that includes the communication device and the at least one additional communication device.

68. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device undergoes authentication when associating with a communication system while operating according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier undergone authentication for use when operating according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

69. The communication device of claim 55, wherein:

the communication device establishes an IP (Internet Protocol) layer configuration when associating with a communication system while operating according to the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode; and

after the communication device performs an operational mode switch from the IEEE 802.11 type operational mode to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode, the communication device carries along the earlier established IP layer configuration when operating according to the IEEE 802.15 type operational mode.

70. A method for supporting both IEEE (Institute of Electrical &

Electronics Engineers) 802.11 and IEEE 802.15.3 functionality within a wireless communication system, the method comprising;

determining relative locations of an AP (Access Point) and a plurality of STAs (wireless STAtion) with respect to each other within a communication system that initially operates as an IEEE 802.11 WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network);

grouping the AP and any STA of the plurality of STAs located within a relative proximity of the AP of approximately less than a radius of 10 meters thereby forming an IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN (Personal Area Network);

supporting communication between the AP and any STA of the plurality of STAs within the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN at a first data rate; and

supporting communication between the AP and any STA of the plurality of STAs that is not grouped within the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN at a second data rate.

71. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

monitoring relative locations of the AP and each STA of the plurality of STAs;

subsequently supporting communication between the AP and any STA of the plurality of STAs within the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN at the second data rate when any STA of the plurality of STAs within the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN changes position to a relative location that is outside of the relative proximity of the AP of approximately less than the radius of 10 meters.

72. The method of claim 70, further comprising:

monitoring relative locations of the AP and each STA of the plurality of STAs;

including a STA within the plurality of STAs within the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN when the STA changes position to a relative location that is within the relative proximity of the AP of approximately less than the radius of 10 meters; and

subsequently supporting communication between the AP and the included STA of the plurality of STAs within the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN at the first data rate.

73. The method of claim 70, wherein:

the AP and each STA of the plurality of STAs includes a PHY (PHYsical layer) receiver communicatively coupled to a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC (Wireless Local Area Network/Personal Area Network Medium Access Controller);

the multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC includes at least two functional blocks to support at least two different operational modes corresponding to at least two different communication system types in which the AP or the corresponding STA may operate;

a first operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.11 type operational mode;

a second operational mode of the at least two different operational modes is an IEEE 802.15 type operational mode;

a first communication system of the at least two different communication system types in which the communication device may operate is the IEEE 802.11 WLAN; and

a second communication system of the at least two different communication system types in which the communication device may operate is the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN.

74. The method of claim 70, wherein:

the AP and each STA of the plurality of STAs includes a PHY (PHYsical layer) receiver communicatively coupled to a multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC (Wireless Local Area Network/Personal Area Network Medium Access Controller);

the multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC includes a first MAC that supports a first operational mode corresponding to a first communication system type in which the AP or the corresponding STA may operate;

the multi-mode WLAN/PAN MAC includes a second MAC that supports a second operational mode corresponding to a second communication system type in which the AP or the corresponding STA may operate;

a first communication system of the at least two different communication system types in which the communication device may operate is the IEEE 802.11 WLAN; and

a second communication system of the at least two different communication system types in which the communication device may operate is the formed IEEE 802.15.3 piconet/PAN.