METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING CLIENT INITIATED TRANSMISSIONS IN MULTIPLE-USER COMMUNICATION SCHEMES

• US 20110122805A1
• Filed: 05/14/2010
• Published: 05/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sampath, Hemanth, Abraham, Santosh P., Merlin, Simone, Wentink, Maarten Menzo
• Granted Patent: US 8,434,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/046 the resource being in the space domain, e.g. beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 for collaboration of different radio technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 based on load
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8432 For key-operated mechanism

Abstract

A method for wireless communications is disclosed that includes receiving a plurality of requests to transmit data from a plurality of apparatuses; determining resource allocation for a set of apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses, wherein the determination is based on the plurality of requests; and transmitting a message comprising the resource allocation to the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission. Another method for wireless communications is disclosed that includes contending for access to a medium based on a request, by an apparatus, with a plurality of other apparatuses; receiving a message, the message comprising a resource allocation based on requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses, wherein the resource allocation permits data transmission from the apparatus and some of the other apparatuses; and transmitting data by the apparatus based on the message. Apparatuses for performing the methods are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communications comprising:

receiving a plurality of requests to transmit data from a plurality of apparatuses;

determining resource allocation for a set of apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses, wherein the determination is based on the plurality of requests; and

transmitting a message comprising the resource allocation to the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a multi-cast message, a uni-cast message, or a broadcast message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of requests comprise a first request and a second request and the determination of resource allocation comprises:

determining a time at or after which to transmit the message based on the first request; and

updating the time based on the second request.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the message comprises an acknowledgment of the second request.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmission of the message comprises transmitting the message according to an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) contention mechanism after the time has been reached.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmission of the message comprises transmitting the message following the reception of the second request, wherein the second request is received before the time has been reached.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the first request is received earlier than the second request and the message is transmitted prior to the reception of the second request.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the transmission of the message comprises transmitting the message based on the reception of the second request and based on a number of allocated spatial streams.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmission of the message comprises transmitting the message upon the reception of any request that requires more spatial streams than can be supported.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of requests is acknowledged with an alternate transmission.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of requests comprises an indication of an associated class of traffic.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of resource allocation comprises allocating a number of spatial streams to each apparatus in the set of apparatuses, wherein the allocated number of spatial streams is determined as part of an association protocol.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource allocation comprises a power level adjustment for each apparatus in the set of apparatuses.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the power level adjustment is based on a measured power level from each apparatus in the set of apparatuses.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises a requested transmission duration, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration based on a plurality of requested transmission durations.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of requests are received as part of a medium access contention process.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the medium access contention process comprises an EDCA-based access contention.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a confirmation for at least one apparatus in the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a medium reservation for the at least one apparatus in the set of apparatuses to perform a transmission operation.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises a maximum transmission duration that is determined based on a requested transmission duration carried in each of the plurality of requests.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the maximum transmission duration is further determined based on a maximum of the requested transmission durations in the plurality of requests.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on at least one of available communication resources or QoS requirements.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on an order of receipt of the plurality of requests.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on information communicated using an alternative signaling scheme.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the alternative signaling scheme comprises a previously received alternative signaling message from at least one of the set of apparatuses.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the alternative signaling message comprises at least one of an association of the apparatus;

an indication of a beginning of a traffic stream;

or an indication of a required data rate for the traffic stream.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on at least one of a random or a round robin scheme.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on a class of traffic.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the class of traffic of chosen apparatuses is equal or higher than a class in a previous request.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprise a plurality of parameters for each one of the plurality of apparatuses, comprising at least one of:

a MCS value;

a number of spatial streams;

spatial stream index or indices;

a power level adjustment;

or

a class of data.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the MCS value is based on at least one of the requests in the plurality of requests.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the message immediately after one of the plurality of requests, wherein the message will allow transmission from some other apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses with a class of traffic that is equal or higher than one in the one of the plurality of requests.

33. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving data transmissions from at least two of the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses, wherein the received data transmissions were simultaneously started.

34. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a block acknowledgment message to the at least one of the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises an MCS value.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises multiple durations, each of them associated with a different possible value of at least one parameter within the resource allocation, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration grant based on the transmission durations of each request and on the value of at least one parameter in the resource allocation.

37. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

receive a plurality of requests to transmit data from a plurality of apparatuses;

determine resource allocation for a set of apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses, wherein the determination is based on the plurality of requests; and

transmit a message comprising the resource allocation to the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the message comprises a multi-cast message, a uni-cast message, or a broadcast message.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the plurality of requests comprise a first request and a second request and the processing system is further configured to:

determine a time at or after which to transmit the message based on the first request; and

update the time based on the second request.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the message comprises an acknowledgment of the second request.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit the message according to an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) contention mechanism after the time has been reached.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit the message following the reception of the second request, wherein the second request is received before the time has been reached.

43. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the first request is received earlier than the second request and the message is transmitted prior to the reception of the second request.

44. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit the message based on the reception of the second request and based on a number of allocated spatial streams.

45. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit the message upon the reception of any request that requires more spatial streams than can be supported.

46. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each of the plurality of requests is acknowledged with an alternate transmission.

47. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each of the plurality of requests comprises an indication of an associated class of traffic.

48. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to determine a number of spatial streams to each apparatus in the set of apparatuses, wherein the allocated number of spatial streams is determined as part of an association protocol.

49. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the resource allocation comprises a power level adjustment for each apparatus in the set of apparatuses.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the power level adjustment is based on a measured power level from each apparatus in the set of apparatuses.

51. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises a requested transmission duration, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration based on a plurality of requested transmission durations.

52. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the plurality of requests are received as part of a medium access contention process.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the medium access contention process comprises an EDCA-based access contention.

54. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the message comprises a confirmation for at least one apparatus in the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

55. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the message comprises a medium reservation for the at least one apparatus in the set of apparatuses to perform a transmission operation.

56. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the message comprises a maximum transmission duration that is determined based on a requested transmission duration carried in each of the plurality of requests.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the maximum transmission duration is further determined based on a maximum of the requested transmission durations in the plurality of requests.

58. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to choose the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on at least one of available communication resources or QoS requirements.

59. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to choose the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on an order of receipt of the plurality of requests.

60. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to choose the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on information communicated using an alternative signaling scheme.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the alternative signaling scheme comprises a previously received alternative signaling message from at least one of the set of apparatuses.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the alternative signaling message comprises at least one of an association of the apparatus;

an indication of a beginning of a traffic stream;

or an indication of a required data rate for the traffic stream.

63. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to choose the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on at least one of a random or a round robin scheme.

64. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to choose the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on a class of traffic.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the class of traffic of chosen apparatuses is equal or higher than a class in a previous request

66. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the message comprise a plurality of parameters for each one of the plurality of apparatuses, comprising at least one of:

an MCS value;

a number of spatial streams;

spatial stream index or indices;

a power level adjustment;

or

a class of data.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the MCS value is based on at least one of the requests in the plurality of requests.

68. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit the message immediately after one of the plurality of requests, wherein the message will allow transmission from some other apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses with a class of traffic that is equal or higher than one in the one of the plurality of requests.

69. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to receive data transmissions from at least two of the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses, wherein the received data transmissions were simultaneously started.

70. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit a block acknowledgment message to the at least one of the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses.

71. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises an MCS value.

72. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises multiple durations, each of them associated with a different possible value of at least one parameter within the resource allocation, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration grant based on the transmission durations of each request and on the value of at least one parameter in the resource allocation.

73. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of requests to transmit data from a plurality of apparatuses;

means for determining resource allocation for a set of apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses, wherein the determination is based on the plurality of requests; and

means for transmitting a message comprising the resource allocation to the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the message comprises a multi-cast message, a uni-cast message, or a broadcast message.

75. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the plurality of requests comprise a first request and a second request and the determination means of resource allocation comprises:

means for determining a time at or after which to transmit the message based on the first request; and

means for updating the time based on the second request.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the message comprises an acknowledgment of the second request.

77. The apparatus of claim 76, wherein the transmission means of the message comprises means for transmitting the message according to an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) contention mechanism after the time has been reached.

78. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the transmission means of the message comprises means for transmitting the message following the reception of the second request, wherein the second request is received before the time has been reached.

79. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the first request is received earlier than the second request and the message is transmitted prior to the reception of the second request.

80. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the transmission means of the message comprises means for transmitting the message based on the reception of the second request and based on a number of allocated spatial streams.

81. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein the transmission means of the message comprises means for transmitting the message upon the reception of any request that requires more spatial streams than can be supported.

82. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein each of the plurality of requests is acknowledged with an alternate transmission.

83. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein each of the plurality of requests comprises an indication of an associated class of traffic.

84. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the determination means of resource allocation comprises means for allocating a number of spatial streams to each apparatus in the set of apparatuses, wherein the allocated number of spatial streams is determined as part of an association protocol.

85. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the resource allocation comprises a power level adjustment for each apparatus in the set of apparatuses.

86. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the power level adjustment is based on a measured power level from each apparatus in the set of apparatuses.

87. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises a requested transmission duration, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration based on a plurality of requested transmission durations.

88. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the plurality of requests are received as part of a medium access contention process.

89. The apparatus of claim 88, wherein the medium access contention process comprises an EDCA-based access contention.

90. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the message comprises a confirmation for at least one apparatus in the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

91. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the message comprises a medium reservation for the at least one apparatus in the set of apparatuses to perform a transmission operation.

92. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the message comprises a maximum transmission duration that is determined based on a requested transmission duration carried in each of the plurality of requests.

93. The apparatus of claim 92, wherein the maximum transmission duration is further determined based on a maximum of the requested transmission durations in the plurality of requests.

94. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on at least one of available communication resources or QoS requirements.

95. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on an order of receipt of the plurality of requests.

96. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on information communicated using an alternative signaling scheme.

97. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the alternative signaling scheme comprises a previously received alternative signaling message from at least one of the set of apparatuses.

98. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the alternative signaling message comprises at least one of an association of the apparatus;

an indication of a beginning of a traffic stream;

or an indication of a required data rate for the traffic stream.

99. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on at least one of a random or a round robin scheme.

100. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for choosing the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses based on a class of traffic.

101. The apparatus of claim 100, wherein the class of traffic of chosen apparatuses is equal or higher than a class in a previous request

102. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the message comprise a plurality of parameters for each one of the plurality of apparatuses, comprising at least one of:

a MCS value;

a number of spatial streams;

spatial stream index or indices;

a power level adjustment;

or

a class of data.

103. The apparatus of claim 102, wherein the MCS value is based on at least one of the requests in the plurality of requests.

104. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for transmitting the message immediately after one of the plurality of requests, wherein the message will allow transmission from some other apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses with a class of traffic that is equal or higher than one in the one of the plurality of requests.

105. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for receiving data transmissions from at least two of the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses, wherein the received data transmissions were simultaneously started.

106. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for transmitting a block acknowledgment message to the at least one of the apparatuses in the set of apparatuses.

107. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises an MCS value.

108. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises multiple durations, each of them associated with a different possible value of at least one parameter within the resource allocation, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration grant based on the transmission durations of each request and on the value of at least one parameter in the resource allocation.

109. A computer-program product for wireless communications, comprising:

a machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable to;

receive a plurality of requests to transmit data from a plurality of apparatuses;

determine resource allocation for a set of apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses, wherein the determination is based on the plurality of requests; and

transmit a message comprising the resource allocation to the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

110. An access point, comprising:

one or more antennas;

a receiver configured to receive, via the one or more antennas, a plurality of requests to transmit data from a plurality of apparatuses;

a processor configured to determine resource allocation for a set of apparatuses in the plurality of apparatuses, wherein the determination is based on the plurality of requests; and

a transmitter configured to transmit a message comprising the resource allocation to the set of apparatuses to permit data transmission.

111. A method for wireless communications comprising:

contending for access to a medium based on a request, by an apparatus, with a plurality of other apparatuses;

receiving a message, the message comprising a resource allocation based on requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses, wherein the resource allocation permits data transmission from the apparatus and some of the other apparatuses; and

transmitting data by the apparatus based on the message.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein transmissions of at least two of the requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses overlap.

113. The method of claim 111, wherein the transmission of data from the apparatus and at least one of the other apparatuses start substantially simultaneously.

114. The method of claim 111, wherein the contention comprises:

determining a characteristic of the data to be transmitted; and

transmitting a request for resource allocation to the medium if the characteristic satisfies a threshold.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein the characteristic is an amount of the data to be transmitted.

116. The method of claim 114, wherein the characteristic is a priority of the data to be transmitted.

117. The method of claim 114, wherein the characteristic is a transmission duration of the data to be transmitted.

118. The method of claim 111, wherein the data transmission comprises transmitting data on a number of spatial streams based on a spatial stream allocation and a spatial stream index of the resource allocation.

119. The method of claim 111, wherein the data transmission comprises transmitting data based on an MCS specified in the resource allocation.

120. The method of claim 111, wherein the data transmission comprises transmitting data at a power level based on a power level adjustment in the resource allocation

121. The method of claim 111, wherein the data transmission comprises transmitting data selected based on a class of data in the resource allocation.

122. The method of claim 111, wherein the data transmission comprises an indication of further data waiting to be transmitted, wherein the further data comprises data that is other than the data being transmitted currently.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein the indication comprises at least one of the following:

an amount of data, a duration of data, or a priority of the data.

124. The method of claim 111, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises a transmission duration, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration grant based on the transmission duration of each request.

125. The method of claim 111, wherein each request in the plurality of requests is transmitted at a respective power level, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a power level adjustment based on the respective transmitted power levels.

126. The method of claim 111, wherein the data transmission comprises transmitting data using a modulation scheme based on a rate adaption algorithm.

127. The method of claim 111, further comprising transmitting an indication of data to be transmitted in an alternative communication.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the alternative communication comprises a message previously received.

129. The method of claim 127, wherein the indication comprises an indication that no data is available for transmission.

130. The method of claim 111, further comprising receiving a block acknowledgement based on the transmission of data.

131. The method of claim 130, wherein the message comprises a transmission duration time and wherein the method further comprising waiting for the block acknowledgment for a period of time that is based on the transmission duration time.

132. The method of claim 111, wherein the resource allocation in the message comprise a plurality of parameters for the apparatus and at least one of the other apparatuses comprising at least one of:

a MCS value;

a number of spatial streams;

spatial stream index or indices;

a power level adjustment;

or

a class of data.

133. The method of claim 111, wherein the contention for medium access comprises a back off process.

134. The method of claim 133, wherein the request is associated with a first class of data, the method further comprising stopping the back off process for the first class of data until determining at least one of receiving the message or reaching a time out, wherein the back off process is interrupted after receiving an acknowledgment for the request.

135. The method of claim 134, wherein the apparatus is not permitted to send another request of the first class unless:

(i) the apparatus receives an allocation corresponding to the request;

(ii) the first class is associated with a class of data that requires periodic transmission;

or (iii) a time out is reached.

136. The method of claim 134, wherein the apparatus is permitted to send a second request after the request, wherein the second request being associated with a second class according to a contention algorithm associated with the second class.

137. The method of claim 134, wherein the apparatus, subsequent to transmitting data in accordance with the received message and receiving the acknowledgment for the data, resumes the back off process with a new back off count prior to sending a second request.

138. The method of claim 137, where the new back off count is based on a random number.

139. The method of claim 137, wherein the new back off count is received from an access point.

140. The method of claim 133, further comprising:

receiving an unsolicited message; and

transmitting data in accordance with the unsolicited message before expiration of the back off process.

141. The method of claim 140, wherein the request is associated with a first class, the method further comprising:

interrupting the back off process for the first class; and

transmitting data in accordance with the unsolicited message.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein the interruption of the back off process comprises stopping a back off count, and the method further comprises resetting the back off count based on a random number.

143. The method of claim 141, wherein the interruption of the back off process comprises suspending a back off count, and the method further comprises resuming the back off count.

144. The method of claim 141, further comprising resuming, subsequent to a transmission of data in accordance with the unsolicited message and receiving an acknowledgment for the data, the back off process to transmit another request associated with the first class.

145. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

a processing system configured to;

contend for access to a medium based on a request, by the apparatus, with a plurality of other apparatuses;

receive a message, the message comprising a resource allocation based on requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses, wherein the resource allocation permits data transmission from the apparatus and some of the other apparatuses; and

transmit data by the apparatus based on the message.

146. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein transmissions of at least two of the requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses overlap.

147. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the transmission of data from the apparatus and at least one of the other apparatuses start substantially simultaneously

148. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

determine a characteristic of the data to be transmitted; and

transmit a request for resource allocation to the medium if the characteristic satisfies a threshold.

149. The apparatus of claim 148, wherein the characteristic is an amount of the data to be transmitted.

150. The apparatus of claim 148, wherein the characteristic is a priority of the data to be transmitted.

151. The apparatus of claim 148, wherein the characteristic is a transmission duration of the data to be transmitted.

152. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit data on a number of spatial streams based on a spatial stream allocation and a spatial stream index of the resource allocation.

153. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit data based on an MCS specified in the resource allocation.

154. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit data at a power level based on a power level adjustment in the resource allocation

155. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit data selected based on a class of data in the resource allocation.

156. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the data transmission comprises an indication of further data waiting to be transmitted, wherein the further data comprises data that is other than the data being transmitted currently.

157. The apparatus of claim 156, wherein the indication comprises at least one of the following:

an amount of data, a duration of data, or a priority of the data.

158. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises a transmission duration, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration grant based on the transmission duration of each request.

159. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein each request in the plurality of requests is transmitted at a respective power level, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a power level adjustment based on the respective transmitted power levels.

160. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the data transmission comprises transmitting data using a modulation scheme based on a rate adaption algorithm.

161. The apparatus of claim 145, the processing system is further configured to transmit an indication of data to be transmitted in an alternative communication.

162. The apparatus of claim 161, wherein the alternative communication comprises a message previously received.

163. The apparatus of claim 161, wherein the indication comprises an indication that no data is available for transmission.

164. The apparatus of claim 145, the processing system is further configured to receive a block acknowledgement based on the transmission of data.

165. The apparatus of claim 164, wherein the message comprises a transmission duration time and wherein the processing system is further configured to wait for the block acknowledgment for a period of time that is based on the transmission duration time.

166. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the resource allocation in the message comprise a plurality of parameters for the apparatus and at least one of the other apparatuses comprising at least one of:

a MCS value;

a number of spatial streams;

spatial stream index or indices;

a power level adjustment;

or

a class of data.

167. The apparatus of claim 145, wherein the contention for medium access comprises a back off process.

168. The apparatus of claim 166, wherein the request is associated with a first class of data, the processing system is further configured to stop the back off process for the first class of data until determining at least one of receiving the message or reaching a time out, wherein the back off process is stopped after receiving an acknowledgment for the request.

169. The apparatus of claim 168, wherein the apparatus is not permitted to send another request of the first class unless:

(i) the apparatus receives an allocation corresponding to the request;

(ii) the first class is associated with a class of data that requires periodic transmission;

or (iii) a time out is reached.

170. The apparatus of claim 168, wherein the apparatus is permitted to send a second request after the request, wherein the second request being associated with a second class according to a contention algorithm associated with the second class.

171. The apparatus of claim 169, wherein the apparatus, subsequent to transmitting data in accordance with the received message and receiving the acknowledgment for the data, resumes the back off process with a new back off count prior to sending a second request.

172. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein the new back off count is based on a random number.

173. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein message comprises the new back off count.

174. The apparatus of claim 166, the processing system is further configured to:

receive an unsolicited message; and

transmit data in accordance with the unsolicited message before expiration of the back off process.

175. The apparatus of claim 174, wherein the request is associated with a first class, the processing system is further configured to:

interrupt the back off process for the first class; and

transmit data in accordance with the unsolicited message.

176. The apparatus of claim 175, wherein the interruption of the back off process comprises stopping a back off count, the processing system is further configured to reset the back off count based on a random number.

177. The apparatus of claim 175, wherein the interruption of the back off process comprises suspending a back off count, the processing system is further configured to resume the back off count.

178. The apparatus of claim 175, wherein the processing system is further configured to resume, subsequent to a transmission of data in accordance with the unsolicited message and receiving an acknowledgment for the data, the back off process to transmit another request associated with the first class.

179. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

means for contending for access to a medium based on a request, by an apparatus, with a plurality of other apparatuses;

means receiving a message, the message comprising a resource allocation based on requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses, wherein the resource allocation permits data transmission from the apparatus and some of the other apparatuses; and

means for transmitting data by the apparatus based on the message.

180. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein transmissions of at least two of the requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses overlap.

181. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the transmission of data from the apparatus and at least one of the other apparatuses start substantially simultaneously.

182. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the contention means comprises:

means for determining a characteristic of the data to be transmitted; and

means for transmitting a request for resource allocation to the medium if the characteristic satisfies a threshold.

183. The apparatus of claim 182, wherein the characteristic is an amount of the data to be transmitted.

184. The apparatus of claim 182, wherein the characteristic is a priority of the data to be transmitted.

185. The apparatus of claim 182, wherein the characteristic is a transmission duration of the data to be transmitted.

186. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the data transmission means comprises means for transmitting data on a number of spatial streams based on a spatial stream allocation and a spatial stream index of the resource allocation.

187. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the data transmission means comprises means for transmitting data based on an MCS specified in the resource allocation.

188. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the data transmission means comprises means for transmitting data at a power level based on a power level adjustment in the resource allocation

189. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the data transmission means comprises means for transmitting data selected based on a class of data in the resource allocation.

190. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the data transmission comprises an indication of further data waiting to be transmitted, wherein the further data comprises data that is other than the data being transmitted currently.

191. The apparatus of claim 190, wherein the indication comprises at least one of the following:

an amount of data, a duration of data, or a priority of the data.

192. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein each request in the plurality of requests comprises a transmission duration, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a transmission duration grant based on the transmission duration of each request.

193. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein each request in the plurality of requests is transmitted at a respective power level, and wherein the resource allocation comprises a power level adjustment based on the respective transmitted power levels.

194. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the data transmission means comprises means for transmitting data using a modulation scheme based on a rate adaption algorithm.

195. The apparatus of claim 179, further comprising means for transmitting an indication of data to be transmitted in an alternative communication.

196. The apparatus of claim 195, wherein the alternative communication comprises a message previously received.

197. The apparatus of claim 195, wherein the indication comprises an indication that no data is available for transmission.

198. The apparatus of claim 179, further comprising means for receiving a block acknowledgement based on the transmission of data.

199. The apparatus of claim 198, wherein the message comprises a transmission duration time and further comprising means for waiting for the block acknowledgment for a period of time that is based on the transmission duration time.

200. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the resource allocation in the message comprise a plurality of parameters for the apparatus and at least one of the other apparatuses comprising at least one of:

a MCS value;

a number of spatial streams;

spatial stream index or indices;

a power level adjustment;

or

a class of data.

201. The apparatus of claim 179, wherein the contention for medium access comprises a back off process.

202. The apparatus of claim 201, wherein the request is associated with a first class of data, further comprising means for stopping the back off process for the first class of data until determining at least one of receiving the message or reaching a time out, wherein the back off process is stopped after receiving an acknowledgment for the request.

203. The apparatus of claim 202, wherein the apparatus is not permitted to send another request of the first class unless:

(i) the apparatus receives an allocation corresponding to the request;

(ii) the first class is associated with a class of data that requires periodic transmission;

or (iii) a time out is reached.

204. The apparatus of claim 202, wherein the apparatus is permitted to send a second request after the request, wherein the second request being associated with a second class according to a contention algorithm associated with the second class.

205. The apparatus of claim 202, wherein the apparatus, subsequent to transmitting data in accordance with the received message and receiving the acknowledgment for the data, resumes the back off process with a new back off count prior to sending a second request.

206. The apparatus of claim 205, where the new back off count is based on a random number.

207. The apparatus of claim 205, wherein the new back off count is received from an access point.

208. The apparatus of claim 201, further comprising:

means for receiving an unsolicited message; and

means for transmitting data in accordance with the unsolicited message before expiration of the back off process.

209. The apparatus of claim 208, wherein the request is associated with a first class, the method further comprising:

means for interrupting the back off process for the first class; and

means for transmitting data in accordance with the unsolicited message.

210. The apparatus of claim 209, wherein the interruption means of the back off process comprises means for stopping a back off count, and further comprising means for resetting the back off count based on a random number.

211. The apparatus of claim 209, wherein the interruption means of the back off process comprises means for suspending a back off count, and further comprising means for resuming the back off count.

212. The apparatus of claim 209, further comprising means for resuming, subsequent to a transmission of data in accordance with the unsolicited message and receiving an acknowledgment for the data, the back off process to transmit another request associated with the first class.

213. A computer-program product for wireless communications, comprising:

a machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable to;

contend for access to a medium based on a request, by an apparatus, with a plurality of other apparatuses;

receive a message, the message comprising a resource allocation based on requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses, wherein the resource allocation permits data transmission from the apparatus and some of the other apparatuses; and

transmit data by the apparatus based on the message.

214. A station, comprising:

an antenna;

a processor, coupled to the antenna, configured to contend for access to a medium based on a request, by an apparatus, with a plurality of other apparatuses;

a receiver configured to receive a message, the message comprising a resource allocation based on requests from the apparatus and the other apparatuses, wherein the resource allocation permits data transmission from the apparatus and some of the other apparatuses; and

a transmitter configured to transmit data by the apparatus based on the message.