Method, system and components for facilitating wireless communication in a sectored service area

• US 20070191063A1
• Filed: 04/16/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chandra, Arty, Zhao, Zheng, Iacono, Ana
• Granted Patent: US 8,024,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering

Abstract

Network Allocation Vector (NAV) and “beam access control” (BAC) techniques are provided to address data collision problems in WLANs wherein APs provide wireless network access in a service area defined by multiple sectors via use of a switchable antenna system or the like. Preferably, every time the AP visits a sector and before the AP moves on to the next sector, the AP can set the NAV equal to the time it will take until its next visit. Alternatively, or in addition, a BAC bit is transmitted by an AP to control access to the AP by WTRUs disposed in a service sector in which the BAC is transmitted.

Claims

1. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive at least one beam access control (BAC) signal transmitted by an access point (AP) via at least one directional beam in a sector in which the WTRU is located; and

a controller configured to control the transmission of a plurality of signals by the transceiver in response to the at least one BAC signal received by the transceiver.

2. The WTRU according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to sum all of the received BAC signals during a period of time to determine a BAC value when controlling the transmission of the plurality of signals.

3. The WTRU according to claim 2 wherein the BAC value permits the transmission of the plurality of signals by the transceiver.

4. The WTRU according to claim 2 wherein the BAC value indicates the availability of a service period (SP) for the sector in which the WTRU is located.

5. The WTRU according to claim 2 wherein the BAC value defers the transmission of the plurality of signals by the transceiver until another BAC value is determined that permits the transmission.

6. The WTRU according to claim 5 wherein the BAC value indicates the cessation of a service period (SP) for the sector in which the WTRU is located.

7. The WTRU according to claim 1 wherein a beam identity is transmitted together with the BAC signal.

8. The WTRU according to claim 7 wherein the beam identity permits the controller to determine the validity of the BAC signal.

9. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive at least one Network Allocation Vector (NAV) signal transmitted by an access point (AP) via at least one directional beam in a sector in which the WTRU is located; and

a controller configured to control the transmission of a plurality of signals by the transceiver in response to the at least one NAV signal received by the transceiver.

10. The WTRU according to claim 9 wherein the received NAV signal prevents the transmission of the plurality of signals by the transceiver until the expiration of a controlling NAV.

11. The WTRU according to claim 10 wherein the controlling NAV is set by the AP before the AP directs its beam to a different sector and is equal to the time it takes for the AP to direct its beams back to the sector in which the WTRU is located.

12. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive at least one beam access control (BAC) and a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) signal transmitted by an access point (AP) via at least one directional beam in a sector in which the WTRU is located; and

a controller configured to control the transmission of a plurality of signals by the transceiver in response to the at least one BAC signal and the NAV signal received by the transceiver.

13. The WTRU according to claim 12 wherein the controller is configured to sum all of the received BAC signals during a period of time to determine a BAC value when controlling the transmission of the plurality of signals.

14. The WTRU according to claim 12 wherein the BAC value permits the transmission of the plurality of signals by the transceiver.

15. The WTRU according to claim 14 wherein the BAC value indicates the availability of a service period (SP) for the sector in which the WTRU is located.

16. The WTRU according to claim 13 wherein the BAC value defers the transmission of the plurality of signals until another BAC value is determined that permits the transmission.

17. The WTRU according to claim 16 wherein the BAC value indicates the cessation of a service period (SP) for the sector in which the WTRU is located.

18. The WTRU according to claim 12 wherein a beam identity is transmitted together with the BAC signal.

19. The WTRU according to claim 18 wherein the beam identity permits the controller to determine the validity of the BAC signal.

20. The WTRU according to claim 12 wherein the received NAV signal prevents the transmission of the plurality of signals by the transceiver until the expiration of a controlling NAV.

21. The WTRU according to claim 20 wherein the controlling NAV is set by the AP before the AP directs its beam to a different sector and is equal to the time it takes for the AP to direct its beams back to the sector in which the WTRU is located.