Hybrid coordination in an IEEE 802.11 network
First Claim
1. A method for maintaining a hybrid coordinator (HC) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless communications local area network (LAN), the method comprising:
- a first IEEE 802.11 station (STA) seeking a guaranteed quality of service (QoS);
establishing a first IEEE 802.11 basic service set (BSS) through association with a first IEEE 802.11 access point (AP);
the first AP selecting a first IEEE 802.11 HC from IEEE 802.11 STAs in the first BSS;
the first AP broadcasting the first HC information to STAs in the first BSS; and
, the first STA initiating an IEEE 802.11 transmission specification (TSPEC) with the first HC.
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for maintaining a hybrid coordinator (HC) in a wireless communications local area network (LAN). The method comprises: a station (STA) seeking a guaranteed quality of service (QoS); establishing a basic service set (BSS) through association with an access point (AP); the AP selecting a HC from STAs in the BSS; the AP broadcasting the HC information to STAs in the BSS; and, the STA initiating a transmission specification (TSPEC) with the HC. In one aspect, selecting an HC from STAs in the first BSS includes integrating the HC function into the AP. Then, a STA seeking a guaranteed quality of service (QoS): receives a broadcast message including a list of potential APs; and, communicates with an AP from the broadcast list. If the STA is unable to communicate with an established AP, then it instantiates a BSS with itself as the AP.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining a hybrid coordinator (HC) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless communications local area network (LAN), the method comprising:
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a first IEEE 802.11 station (STA) seeking a guaranteed quality of service (QoS);
establishing a first IEEE 802.11 basic service set (BSS) through association with a first IEEE 802.11 access point (AP);
the first AP selecting a first IEEE 802.11 HC from IEEE 802.11 STAs in the first BSS;
the first AP broadcasting the first HC information to STAs in the first BSS; and
,the first STA initiating an IEEE 802.11 transmission specification (TSPEC) with the first HC. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for establishing a hybrid coordinator (HC) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless communications local area network (LAN), the method comprising:
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an IEEE 802.11 station (STA) attempting to associate with an IEEE 802.11 access point (AP) in an IEEE 802.11 basic service set (BSS);
failing the association attempt;
the STA establishing itself as an AP; and
,the AP functioning as an IEEE 802.11 HC to perform guaranteed quality of service (QoS) functions. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for maintaining a hybrid coordinator (HC) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless communications local area network (LAN), the system comprising:
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a first IEEE 802.11 HC having a wireless communications port for managing guaranteed quality of service (QoS) functions;
a first IEEE 802.11 access point (AP) for selecting the first HC, the first AP including a wireless communications port to broadcast HC information;
a first IEEE 802.11 basic service set (BSS) including the first AP and the first HC; and
,at least a first IEEE 802.11 station (STA) in the first BSS having a wireless communications port for requesting a guaranteed quality of service (QoS) from the first AP and initiating an IEEE 802.11 transmission specification (TSPEC) with the first HC. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification