Concurrent Operation In Multiple Wireless Local Area Networks

• US 20080056133A1
• Filed: 08/28/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Deshpande, Manoj, Suri, Atul, Nanda, Sanjiv, Meylan, Arnaud
• Granted Patent: US 8,223,662 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/235
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless terminal concurrently associates with multiple wireless local area networks. The wireless terminal may operate in power save mode on both of the WLANs to prevent a disruption of communication on either WLAN. The wireless terminal may adjust the times at which it listens for beacons to enable reception of beacon information even though the beacons for different WLANs may overlap in time. Beacon transmission times also may be scheduled to avoid overlapping transmissions of beacons on different WLANs.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

identifying a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

concurrently associating with the first wireless local area network and the second wireless local area network by operating in power save mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the associating with the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon listen interval to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the associating with the second wireless local area network comprises defining a time to associate with the second wireless local area network to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling transmission of downlink data over the first and second wireless local area networks.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating in power save mode comprises concurrently operating in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data over the first and second wireless local area networks.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting a poll message while in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks to retrieve downlink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising receiving downlink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising transmitting uplink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

temporarily exiting power save mode on the first wireless local area network to receive a set of downlink data via the first wireless local area network; and

remaining in power save mode on the second wireless local area network while receiving the set of downlink data.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining information indicative of related wireless local area networks;

wherein the identification of the first and second wireless local area networks for concurrent association is based on the maintained information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the maintained information is learned after first discovery of overlapping coverage of the first and second wireless local area networks.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving data via the first and second wireless local area networks, wherein the data is received as a result of coordination between access points associated with the first and second wireless local area networks.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless local area network is associated with a first channel and the second wireless local area network is associated with a second channel.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second wireless local area networks are associated with a common service set identifier.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second wireless local area networks are associated with different service set identifiers.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless local area network carries real-time traffic and the second wireless local area network carries best-effort traffic.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification of the first and second wireless networks comprises detecting at least one network and/or defining at least one network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the detection of the at least one network comprises detecting at least one infrastructure wireless local area network and/or detecting at least one ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the defining of the at least one network comprises defining at least one ad hoc wireless local area network.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless local area network comprises an ad hoc wireless local area network.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising defining beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid overlap in transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising adjusting beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

23. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a network identifier configured to identify a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

a network controller configured to concurrently associate with the first wireless local area network and the second wireless local area network by operating in power save mode.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network controller comprises a beacon interval selector configured to define a beacon listen interval to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network controller comprises an association timing selector configured to define a time to associate with the second wireless local area network to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus concurrently operates in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data over the first and second wireless local area networks.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a receiver configured to receive downlink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while the apparatus is in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit uplink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while the apparatus is in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

a data memory configured to maintain information indicative of related wireless local area networks;

wherein the identification of the first and second wireless local area networks for concurrent association is based on the maintained information.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the maintained information is learned after first discovery of overlapping coverage of the first and second wireless local area networks.

31. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

32. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network identifier is further configured to detect at least one network and/or define at least one network.

33. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first wireless local area network comprises an ad hoc wireless local area network.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a beacon generator configured to define beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid overlap in transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a beacon generator configured to adjust beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

36. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for identifying a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

means for concurrently associating with the first wireless local area network and the second wireless local area network by operating in power save mode.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the means for concurrently associating comprises means for defining a beacon listen interval to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the means for concurrently associating comprises means for defining a time to associate with the second wireless local area network to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the apparatus concurrently operates in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data over the first and second wireless local area networks.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising means for receiving downlink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while the apparatus is in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising means for transmitting uplink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while the apparatus is in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

42. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising:

means for maintaining information indicative of related wireless local area networks;

wherein the identification of the first and second wireless local area networks for concurrent association is based on the maintained information.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the maintained information is learned after first discovery of overlapping coverage of the first and second wireless local area networks.

44. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

45. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the means for identifying detects at least one network and/or defines at least one network.

46. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first wireless local area network comprises an ad hoc wireless local area network.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising means for defining beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid overlap in transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising means for adjusting beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

49. A computer-program product for wireless communication, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing a computer to identify a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

code for causing a computer to concurrently associate with the first wireless local area network and the second wireless local area network by operating in power save mode.

50. The computer-program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to define a beacon listen interval to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

51. The computer-program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to define a time to associate with the second wireless local area network to facilitate reception of information associated with beacons that are concurrently transmitted over the first and second wireless local area networks.

52. The computer-program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to concurrently operate in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data over the first and second wireless local area networks.

53. The computer-program product of claim 52, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to receive downlink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

54. The computer-program product of claim 52, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to transmit uplink data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks while in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks.

55. The computer-program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to:

maintain information indicative of related wireless local area networks;

wherein the identification of the first and second wireless local area networks for concurrent association is based on the maintained information.

56. The computer-program product of claim 55, wherein the maintained information is learned after first discovery of overlapping coverage of the first and second wireless local area networks.

57. The computer-program product of claim 49, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

58. The computer-program product of claim 49, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to detect at least one network and/or define at least one network.

59. The computer-program product of claim 49, wherein the first wireless local area network comprises an ad hoc wireless local area network.

60. The computer-program product of claim 59, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to define beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid overlap in transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

61. The computer-program product of claim 59, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to adjust beacon transmission times for the ad hoc wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

62. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

determining beacon transmission times of a first wireless local area network; and

defining beacon transmission times for a second wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the determination of beacon transmission times comprises scanning channels for beacons.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the determination of beacon transmission times comprises receiving, from an access point, information indicative of the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network.

65. The method of claim 62, wherein:

an access point manages the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the determination of the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network comprises accessing information maintained by the access point for the first wireless local area network.

66. The method of claim 62, wherein the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network are defined in conjunction with establishing the second wireless local area network.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

69. The method of claim 62, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises adjusting previously defined beacon transmission times.

70. The method of claim 62, wherein:

an access point manages the first wireless local area network;

a wireless terminal is associated with the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the method further comprises coordinating with the access point to facilitate transferring data to and from the wireless terminal via the second wireless local area network.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the coordination comprises transmitting status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point or receiving status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

73. The method of claim 62, wherein a wireless terminal is concurrently associated with the first and second wireless local area networks.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the wireless terminal concurrently operates in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data to the wireless terminal via the first and second wireless local area networks.

75. The method of claim 73, wherein, while the wireless terminal is in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks, the wireless terminal transmits and receives data via the first and second wireless local area networks.

76. The method of claim 62, wherein the first wireless local area network is associated with a first channel and the second wireless local area network is associated with a second channel.

77. The method of claim 62, wherein the first and second wireless local area networks are associated with a common service set identifier.

78. The method of claim 62, wherein the first and second wireless local area networks are associated with different service set identifiers.

79. The method of claim 62, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

80. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a beacon timing processor configured to determine beacon transmission times of a first wireless local area network; and

a beacon generator configured to define beacon transmission times for a second wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

81. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the beacon timing processor is further configured to scan channels for beacons.

82. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the beacon timing processor is further configured to receive, from an access point, information indicative of the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network.

83. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein:

the apparatus is implemented in an access point that manages the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the beacon timing processor is further configured to determine the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network by accessing information maintained by the access point for the first wireless local area network.

84. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the beacon generator is further configured to define the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network in conjunction with establishment of the second wireless local area network.

85. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

87. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein the beacon generator is further configured to adjust previously defined beacon transmission times.

88. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein:

an access point manages the first wireless local area network;

a wireless terminal is associated with the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the apparatus further comprises a traffic coordinator configured to coordinate with the access point to facilitate transferring data to and from the wireless terminal via the second wireless local area network.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the traffic coordinator is further configured to send status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point and/or receive status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

90. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

91. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for determining beacon transmission times of a first wireless local area network; and

means for defining beacon transmission times for a second wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the means for determining beacon transmission times scans channels for beacons.

93. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the means for determining beacon transmission times receives, from an access point, information indicative of the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network.

94. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein:

the apparatus is implemented in an access point that manages the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the means for defining beacon transmission times determines the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network by accessing information maintained by the access point for the first wireless local area network.

95. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the means for defining beacon transmission times defines the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network in conjunction with establishment of the second wireless local area network.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

97. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

98. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the means for defining beacon transmission times adjusts previously defined beacon transmission times.

99. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein:

an access point manages the first wireless local area network;

a wireless terminal is associated with the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the apparatus further comprises means for coordinating with the access point to facilitate transferring data to and from the wireless terminal via the second wireless local area network.

100. The apparatus of claim 99, wherein the means for coordinating transmits status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point and/or receives status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

101. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

102. A computer-program product for wireless communication, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing a computer to determine beacon transmission times of a first wireless local area network; and

code for causing the computer to define beacon transmission times for a second wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

103. The computer-program product of claim 102, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to scan channels for beacons.

104. The computer-program product of claim 102, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to receive, from an access point, information indicative of the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network.

105. The computer-program product of claim 102, wherein:

an access point manages the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to determine the beacon transmission times of the first wireless local area network by accessing information maintained by the access point for the first wireless local area network.

106. The computer-program product of claim 102, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to define the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network in conjunction with establishment of the second wireless local area network.

107. The computer-program product of claim 106, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

108. The computer-program product of claim 107, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the second wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

109. The computer-program product of claim 102, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to adjust previously defined beacon transmission times.

110. The computer-program product of claim 102, wherein:

an access point manages the first wireless local area network;

a wireless terminal is associated with the first and second wireless local area networks; and

the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to coordinate with the access point to facilitate transferring data to and from the wireless terminal via the second wireless local area network.

111. The computer-program product of claim 110, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to send status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point and/or receive status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

112. The computer-program product of claim 102, wherein:

the first wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network; and

the second wireless local area network comprises an infrastructure wireless local area network or an ad hoc wireless local area network.

113. A method of wireless communication, comprising:

identifying a wireless terminal associated with a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

coordinating with an access point associated with the second wireless local area network to control transfer of data to or from the wireless terminal via the first wireless local area network.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein the coordination comprises receiving status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

116. The method of claim 114, further comprising buffering data for the first wireless local area network based on the status information.

117. The method of claim 113, wherein the coordination comprises sending status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

119. The method of claim 113, further comprising defining beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

122. The method of claim 113, further comprising adjusting beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

123. The method of claim 113, wherein the wireless terminal concurrently operates in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data to the wireless terminal via the first and second wireless local area networks.

124. The method of claim 113, wherein, while the wireless terminal is in power save mode on the first and second wireless local area networks, the wireless terminal transmits and receives data via one of the first and second wireless local area networks.

125. The method of claim 113, wherein the first wireless local area network is associated with a first channel and the second wireless local area network is associated with a second channel.

126. The method of claim 113, wherein the first and second wireless local area networks are associated with a common service set identifier.

127. The method of claim 113, wherein the first and second wireless local area networks are associated with different service set identifiers.

128. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a wireless terminal identifier configured to identify a wireless terminal associated with a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

a traffic coordinator configured to coordinate with an access point associated with the second wireless local area network to control transfer of data to or from the wireless terminal via the first wireless local area network.

129. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein the traffic coordinator is further configured to receive status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

130. The apparatus of claim 129, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

131. The apparatus of claim 129, further comprising a network controller configured to buffer data for the first wireless local area network based on the status information.

132. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein the traffic coordinator is further configured to send status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point.

133. The apparatus of claim 132, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

134. The apparatus of claim 128, further comprising a beacon generator configured to define beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

135. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

136. The apparatus of claim 135, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

137. The apparatus of claim 128, further comprising a beacon generator configured to adjust beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

138. The apparatus of claim 128, wherein the wireless terminal concurrently operates in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data to the wireless terminal via the first and second wireless local area networks.

139. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for identifying a wireless terminal associated with a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

means for coordinating with an access point associated with the second wireless local area network to control transfer of data to or from the wireless terminal via the first wireless local area network.

140. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the means for coordinating receives status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

141. The apparatus of claim 140, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

142. The apparatus of claim 140, further comprising means for buffering data for the first wireless local area network based on the status information.

143. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the means for coordinating sends status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point.

144. The apparatus of claim 143, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

145. The apparatus of claim 139, further comprising means for defining beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

146. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

147. The apparatus of claim 146, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

148. The apparatus of claim 139, further comprising means for adjusting beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

149. The apparatus of claim 139, wherein the wireless terminal concurrently operates in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data to the wireless terminal via the first and second wireless local area networks.

150. A computer-program product for wireless communication, comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing a computer to identify a wireless terminal associated with a first wireless local area network and a second wireless local area network; and

code for causing a computer to coordinate with an access point associated with the second wireless local area network to control transfer of data to or from the wireless terminal via the first wireless local area network.

151. The computer-program product of claim 150, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to receive status information associated with the wireless terminal from the access point.

152. The computer-program product of claim 151, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

153. The computer-program product of claim 151, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to buffer data for the first wireless local area network based on the status information.

154. The computer-program product of claim 150, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to send status information associated with the wireless terminal to the access point.

155. The computer-program product of claim 154, wherein the status information relates to at least one of the group consisting of:

whether the wireless terminal is in power save mode, whether the wireless terminal is currently transferring data, a listen interval of the wireless terminal, and whether data is queued for the wireless terminal.

156. The computer-program product of claim 150, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to define beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

157. The computer-program product of claim 156, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon interval.

158. The computer-program product of claim 157, wherein the definition of the beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network comprises defining a beacon start time associated with the beacon interval.

159. The computer-program product of claim 150, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to adjust beacon transmission times for the first wireless local area network to avoid concurrent transmission of beacons on the first and second wireless local area networks.

160. The computer-program product of claim 150, wherein the wireless terminal concurrently operates in power save mode on each of the first and second wireless local area networks to control transmission of downlink data to the wireless terminal via the first and second wireless local area networks.