METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REQUESTED REVERSE DIRECTION PROTOCOL

• US 20140010211A1
• Filed: 07/03/2013
• Published: 01/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Asterjadhi, Alfred, Merlin, Simone
• Granted Patent: US 9,345,026 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/336
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for communicating data in a wireless communications network are described herein. In some aspects, a first wireless device may request to transmit data during a transmission opportunity of a second wireless device. The request may also indicate a duration of time for which permission to transmit is requested. In some aspects, the second wireless device may send a response message to the first wireless device indicating the first wireless device has been granted permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device. The response may include an indication of a period of time for which permission to transmit has been granted. In an embodiment, the response may include an indication of a period of time the first wireless device may delay or sleep before an opportunity to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device will be available.

Claims

1. A method of allocating a data communication medium between a first and second wireless device on a wireless network, comprising:

receiving a request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

transmitting a message to the first wireless device granting permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device in response to the request.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a message specifying a time period for which the permission to transmit is requested.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a ps-poll message comprising the request.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a duration for which the permission to transmit is granted as part of the message granting permission.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a time period after which a frame granting permission to transmit will be transmitted by the second wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting an acknowledgement comprising the message granting permission.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving data from the first wireless device after the acknowledgement message is transmitted and during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the message to the first wireless device as a data message.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving data from the first wireless device after the data message is transmitted and during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device for a first duration less than the transmission opportunity.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a message canceling permission to transmit during the transmission opportunity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the message is a CF-END message.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a beacon signal indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a clear-to-send message indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the clear-to-send message grants permission for the first wireless device to transmit in the transmission opportunity.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a clear-to-send message indicating a request for extension of a contention free period on the wireless medium.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the clear-to-send message includes an indication of a first contention free period.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting a request to send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting a message on the wireless medium indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to receiving the clear-to-send message.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a message to the first wireless device in response to the request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device, the transmitted message comprising a more data indication; and

transmitting a downlink frame after transmitting the message comprising the more data indication to the first wireless device in response to the request for permission to transmit, wherein the downlink frame indicates that the first wireless device may transmit during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising periodically transmitting a reverse direction grant indication to the first wireless device.

22. An apparatus for allocating a data communication medium between a first and second wireless device on a wireless network, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

a transmitter configured to transmit a message to the first wireless device granting permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device in response to the request.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a time period for which permission to transmit is requested as part of the request.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a ps-poll message comprising the request for permission to transmit.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the response granting permission specifying a duration for which permission to transmit is granted.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the response granting permission specifying a time period after which a frame granting permission to transmit will be transmitted by the second wireless device.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the response granting permission as an acknowledgement message.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive data from the first wireless device after the acknowledgement message is transmitted and during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the response granting permission as a data message.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive data from the first wireless device after the data message is transmitted and during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

31. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device for a first duration less than the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

32. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a message canceling permission to transmit during the transmission opportunity.

33. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a CF-END message comprising the message granting permission.

34. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a beacon signal indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

35. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a clear-to-send message indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the clear-to-send message grants permission for the first wireless device to transmit in the transmission opportunity.

37. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a clear-to-send message indicating a request for extension of a contention free period on the wireless medium.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the transmitter is configured to include an indication of a first contention free period in the clear to send message.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a request to send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a message on the wireless medium indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to the receiver receiving the clear-to-send message.

41. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:

transmit a message to the first wireless device in response to the request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device, the transmitted message comprising a more data indication, and

transmit a downlink frame after transmitting the message comprising the more data indication to the first wireless device in response to the request for permission to transmit, wherein the downlink frame indicates that the first wireless device may transmit during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

42. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a transmitter configured to periodically transmit a reverse direction grant indication to the first wireless device.

43. An apparatus for allocating a data communication medium between a first wireless device and a second wireless device on a wireless network, comprising:

means for receiving a request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

means for transmitting a message to the first wireless device granting permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device in response to the request.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for receiving a time period for which permission to transmit is requested.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for receiving a ps-poll message comprising the request for permission to transmit.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to specify a duration for which permission to transmit is granted in the message.

47. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to specify in the message a time period after which a frame granting permission to transmit will be transmitted by the second wireless device.

48. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit the message granting permission as an acknowledgement message.

49. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for receiving data from the first wireless device after the acknowledgement message is transmitted and during the second wireless device transmission opportunity.

50. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit the message granting permission as a data message.

51. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for receiving data from the first wireless device after the data message is transmitted and during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

52. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for transmitting data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device for a first duration less than the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

53. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for transmitting a message canceling permission to transmit during the transmission opportunity.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, further comprising means for transmitting a CF-END message comprising the message canceling permission.

55. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for transmitting a beacon signal indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

56. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for transmitting a clear-to-send message indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the clear-to-send message grants permission for the first wireless device to transmit in the transmission opportunity.

58. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for receiving a clear-to-send message indicating a request for extension of a contention free period on the wireless medium.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising means for receiving an indication of a first contention free period in the clear to send message.

60. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising means for transmitting a request-to-send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

61. The apparatus of claim 58, further comprising means for transmitting a message on the wireless medium indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to the means for receiving the clear-to-send message.

62. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

means for transmitting a message to the first wireless device in response to the request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device, the transmitted message comprising a more data indication; and

means for transmitting a downlink frame after transmitting the message comprising the more data indication to the first wireless device in response to the request for permission to transmit, wherein the downlink frame indicates that the first wireless device may transmit during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

63. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising means for periodically transmitting a reverse direction grant indication to the first wireless device.

64. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method of allocating a data communication medium between a first and a second wireless device on a wireless network, the method comprising:

receiving a request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

transmitting a message to the first wireless device granting permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device in response to the request.

65. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, further comprising receiving a time period for which permission to transmit is requested as part of the request.

66. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, further comprising receiving a ps-poll message comprising the request.

67. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, further comprising transmitting a duration for which permission to transmit is granted as part of the response granting permission.

68. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, further comprising transmitting a time period after which a frame granting permission to transmit will be transmitted by the second wireless device as part of the response granting permission.

69. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, further comprising transmitting an acknowledgement message comprising the message granting permission.

70. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 69, to the method further comprising receiving data from the first wireless device after the acknowledgement message is transmitted and during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

71. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, wherein the message transmitted to the first wireless device granting permission is a data message.

72. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 71, the method further receiving data from the first wireless device after the data message is transmitted and during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

73. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, the method further comprising transmitting data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device for a first duration less than the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

74. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, the method further comprising transmitting a message canceling permission to transmit during the transmission opportunity.

75. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 74, the method further comprising transmitting a CF-END message comprising the message canceling permission.

76. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, the method further comprising transmitting a beacon signal indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

77. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, the method further comprising transmitting a clear-to-send message indicating the second wireless device has a transmission opportunity.

78. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, wherein the clear-to-send message grants permission for the first wireless device to transmit in the transmission opportunity.

79. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 64, the method further comprising receiving a clear-to-send message indicating a request for extension of a contention free period on the wireless medium.

80. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79, wherein the clear-to-send message includes an indication of a first contention free period.

81. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79, the method further comprising transmitting a request-to-send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

82. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 79, the method further comprising transmitting a message indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to receiving the clear-to-send message.

83. The non-transitory-computer readable medium of claim 64, the method further comprising:

transmitting a message to the first wireless device in response to the request from the first wireless device for permission to transmit during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device, the transmitted message comprising a more data indication; and

transmitting a downlink frame after transmitting the message comprising the more data indication to the first wireless device in response to the request for permission to transmit, wherein the downlink frame indicates that the first wireless device may transmit during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

84. The non-transitory-computer readable medium of claim 64, the method further comprising periodically transmitting a reverse direction grant indication to the first wireless device.

85. A method of allocating a data communication medium between a first and a second wireless device on a wireless network, comprising:

transmitting a request to the second wireless device for permission to transmit data during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

receiving a message granting permission to transmit the data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising transmitting a time period for which permission to transmit is requested as part of the request.

87. The method of claim 85, further comprising transmitting an indication of the length of time for which permission to transmit the data is requested as part of the request.

88. The method of claim 85, further comprising receiving an indication of the length of time after which permission to transmit in a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device will be granted, the indication received as part of the message granting permission.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising entering a sleep state in response to the message.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising entering the sleep state for a time period less than or equal to the indication of the length of time in the message.

91. The method of claim 85, further comprising receiving an acknowledgement message comprising the message granting permission.

92. The method of claim 85, further comprising receiving a data message comprising the message granting permission.

93. The method of claim 85, further comprising transmitting a ps-poll message comprising the request for permission.

94. The method of claim 85, further comprising transmitting the data to a node on the wireless network that is not the second wireless device during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

95. The method of claim 85, further comprising transmitting a clear-to-send message requesting an extension of a contention free time period on the wireless medium.

96. The method of claim 95, further comprising transmitting an indication of a first contention free period as part of the clear to send message.

97. The method of claim 96, further comprising receiving a request-to-send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

98. The method of claim 96, further comprising receiving a message indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to transmitting the clear-to-send message.

99. The method of claim 85, further comprising

receiving a message comprising a more data indication in response to the request to the second wireless device for permission to transmit data during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device;

and

in response to receiving the more data indication, transmitting a message during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device after receiving a downlink frame during the transmission opportunity.

100. The method of claim 85, further comprising periodically receiving a reverse direction grant indication from the second wireless device.

101. An apparatus for allocating a data communication medium between a first and second wireless device on a wireless network, comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a request to the second wireless device for permission to transmit data during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

a receiver configured to receive a message granting permission to transmit the data during the transmission opportunity.

102. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the transmitter is configured to specify a time period for which permission to transmit is requested in the request for permission to transmit.

103. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the receiver is further configured to decode an indication of the length of time for which permission to transmit the data is granted from the message granting permission.

104. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the receiver is further configured to decode an indication of the length of time after which permission to transmit in a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device will be granted from the message granting permission.

105. The apparatus of claim 101, further comprising a processor configured to enter a sleep state in response to the message.

106. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the processor is further configured to enter the sleep state for a time period less than or equal to the indication of the length of time in the message.

107. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive an acknowledgement message comprising the message granting permission.

108. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a data message comprising the message granting permission.

109. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a ps-poll message comprising the request for permission.

110. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the data to a device on the wireless network that is not the second wireless device during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

111. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a clear-to-send message requesting an extension of a contention free time period on the wireless medium.

112. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the clear-to-send message comprises an indication of a first contention free period.

113. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a request-to-send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

114. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a message indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to transmitting the clear-to-send message.

115. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a message comprising a more data indication in response to the request to the second wireless device for permission to transmit data during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device, and the transmitter is further configured to, in response to receiving the more data indication, transmit a message during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device after the receiver receives a downlink frame during the transmission opportunity.

116. The apparatus of claim 101, further comprising a receiver configured to periodically receiving a reverse direction grant indication from the second wireless device.

117. An apparatus for allocating a data communication medium between a first and a second wireless device on a wireless network, comprising:

means for transmitting a request to the second wireless device for permission to transmit data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

means for receiving a message granting permission to transmit the data during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

118. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein the means for transmitting a request for permission to transmit is configured to specify a time period for which permission to transmit is requested in the request.

119. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein the means for receiving a message granting permission is configured to decode an indication of the length of time for which permission to transmit the data is granted from the message granting permission.

120. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein the means for receiving a message granting permission is configured to decode an indication of the length of time after which permission to transmit in a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device will be granted from the message granting permission.

121. The apparatus of claim 120, further comprising means for entering a sleep state in response to the message.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the means for entering a sleep state is configured to enter the sleep state for a time period less than or equal to the indication of the length of time in the message.

123. The apparatus of claim 117, further comprising receiving an acknowledgment packet comprising the message granting permission.

124. The apparatus of claim 117, further comprising receiving a data packet comprising the message granting permission.

125. The apparatus of claim 117, wherein the means for transmitting a request for permission is configured to transmit the request in a ps-poll message.

126. The apparatus of claim 117, further comprising means for transmitting the data to a node on the wireless network that is not the second wireless device during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

127. The apparatus of claim 117, further comprising means for transmitting a clear-to-send message requesting an extension of a contention free time period on the wireless medium.

128. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the means for transmitting the clear-to-send message is configured to include an indication of a first contention free period in the clear to send message.

129. The apparatus of claim 127, further comprising means for receiving a request-to-send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

130. The apparatus of claim 127, further comprising means for receiving a message indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to the means for transmitting the clear-to-send message transmitting the clear to send message.

131. The apparatus of claim 117, further comprising:

means for receiving a message comprising a more data indication in response to the request to the second wireless device for permission to transmit data during a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

means for transmitting a message during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device after receiving a downlink frame during the transmission opportunity in response to receiving the more data indication.

132. The apparatus of claim 117, further comprising means for periodically receiving a reverse direction grant indication from the second wireless device.

133. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method of allocating a data communication medium between a first and a second wireless device on a wireless network, the method comprising:

transmitting a request to the second wireless device for permission to transmit data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device; and

receiving a message granting permission to transmit the data during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

134. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising transmitting a time period for which permission to transmit is requested as part of the request.

135. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising receiving an indication of the length of time for which permission to transmit the data is granted.

136. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising transmitting further comprising receiving an indication of the length of time after which permission to transmit in a transmission opportunity of the second wireless device will be granted.

137. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising entering a sleep state in response to the message.

138. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising entering the sleep state for a time period less than or equal to the indication of the length of time in the message.

139. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising transmitting further comprising receiving an acknowledgement comprising the message granting permission.

140. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising receiving a data packet comprising the message granting permission.

141. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising receiving a ps-poll message comprising the request for permission.

142. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising transmitting the data to a device on the wireless network that is not the second wireless device during the transmission opportunity of the second wireless device.

143. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising transmitting a clear-to-send message requesting an extension of a contention free time period on the wireless medium.

144. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 143, the method further comprising transmitting an indication of a first contention free period as part of the clear to send message.

145. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 143, the method further comprising receiving a request-to-send message indicating a second contention free period on the wireless medium, the second contention free period different than the first contention free period.

146. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 143, the method further comprising receiving a message indicating a contention free period on the wireless medium different than the first contention free period in response to transmitting the clear-to-send message.

147. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 133, the method further comprising periodically receiving a reverse direction grant indication from the second wireless device.