SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISCOVERING AND SYNCHRONIZING WITHIN A NEIGHBOR AWARE NETWORK

• US 20140254569A1
• Filed: 03/05/2014
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Abraham, Santosh Paul, Cherian, George, Raissinia, Alireza, Frederiks, Guido Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,800,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/336
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods, devices, and computer program products for optimization of message transmission intervals in a NAN are described herein. In one aspect, a method for discovering a cluster of STA'"'"'s forming a NAN is provided. The method includes generating a NAN beacon at an access point (AP). The NAN beacon includes timing information for the NAN. The timing information indicates a first time interval when one or more messages can be transmitted within the NAN. The method further includes transmitting the NAN beacon.

Claims

1. A method of communicating in a neighbor aware network (NAN), comprising:

generating via an access point (AP) a NAN beacon, the NAN beacon including timing information for the NAN, the timing information indicating a first time interval when one or more messages can be transmitted within the NAN; and

transmitting the NAN beacon.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a discovery query during the first time interval; and

transmitting the discovery query to the NAN.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

receiving another discovery query during the first time interval;

aggregating the received queries; and

transmitting the aggregated queries.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the discovery query further includes a request for one or more services.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the requested class of service is ambient sound.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time interval is a discovery query window.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the NAN beacon includes a NAN basic service set identifier (BSSID).

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the NAN beacon comprises synchronization information.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein responses to the transmitted discovery query are received during a second time interval.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second time interval is a discovery query response window.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first time interval overlaps in time with the second time interval.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first time interval is adjacent in time with the second time interval.

13. An apparatus for communicating in a neighbor aware network (NAN), comprising:

a processor configured to generate via an access point (AP) a NAN beacon, the NAN beacon including timing information for the NAN, the timing information indicating a first time interval when one or more messages can be transmitted within the NAN; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the NAN beacon on the neighbor aware network.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a receiver configured to receive a discovery query during the first time interval, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the discovery query to the NAN.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive another discovery query, the processor is configured to aggregate the received queries, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the aggregated queries.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the discovery query further includes a request for one or more services.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the requested class of service is ambient sound.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first time interval is a discovery query window.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the NAN beacon includes a NAN basic service set identifier (BSSID).

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the NAN beacon comprises synchronization information.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein responses to the transmitted discovery query are received during a second time interval.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the second time interval is a discovery query response window.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first time interval overlaps in time with the second time interval.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first time interval is adjacent in time with the second time interval.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the first time interval is spaced in time from the second time interval.

26. An apparatus for communicating in a neighbor aware network (NAN), comprising:

means for generating via an access point (AP) a NAN beacon, the NAN beacon including timing information for the NAN, the timing information indicating a first time interval when one or more messages can be transmitted within the NAN; and

means for transmitting the NAN beacon.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising means for receiving a discovery query during the first time interval, wherein the means for transmitting is further configured to transmit the discovery query to the NAN.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the means for receiving is further configured to receive another discovery query, the means for processing is configured to aggregate the received queries, and the means for transmitting is configured to transmit the aggregated queries.

29. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a method of communicating in a neighbor aware network (NAN), the method comprising:

generating via an access point (AP) a NAN beacon, the NAN beacon including timing information for the NAN, the timing information indicating a first time interval when one or more messages can be transmitted within the NAN; and

transmitting the NAN beacon.

30. The computer readable storage medium of claim 29 further comprising:

receiving a discovery query during the first time interval; and

transmitting the discovery query to the NAN.