Dynamic packet sizing in an RF communications system

• US 6,256,478 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2000
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ASTER Wireless, Inc. (Iota Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Allen, James D., Carlson, Grant B., Heberling, Allen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/506,136
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 455/63, 455/67.1, 455/67.3, 455/67.4, 455/67.5, 455/67.6, 455/218, 455/222, 455/223, 455/224, 455/226.1, 455/295, 455/296, 455/298, 455/299, 455/450, 455/466, 370/528, 370/343, 370/450, 375/356, 375/357
• US Class Current: 455/63.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0007 by modifying the frame length
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/06 Optimizing the usage of the radio link, e.g. header compression, information sizing , discarding information system modifying transmission characteristic according to link quality by modifying frame length H04L1/0007; dynamic adaptation of the packet size for flow control or congestion control H04L47/365

Abstract

A wireless communication system operating in the presence of the periodic noise such as from a microwave oven, the communication system, wherein the wireless communication system including at least two wireless communication stations with transceiver in microwave communication with each other, each such station detects periodic microwave signals for producing a signal indicating the duration of a periodic microwave signal'"'"'s quiescent period; and controls the transmitter to send a data packet which includes data and the duration of quiescent periods in the periodic microwave signal; and adjusts the amount of data sent in an data packet as a function of the duration of the quiescent period.

Claims

1. A wireless communication system operating in the presence of the periodic microwave signals such as from a microwave oven, the communication system, comprising:

a) the wireless communication system including at least two wireless communication stations with transceiver in microwave communication with each other, each such station including;

i) means for detecting periodic microwave signals for producing a signal indicating the duration of a periodic microwave signal'"'"'s quiescent period;

ii) means for controlling the transmitter to send an data packet which includes data and the duration of quiescent periods in the periodic microwave signal; and

iii) means for adjusting the amount of data sent in an data packet as a function of the duration of the quiescent period.

2. The wireless communications system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the data packet includes the type of data packet, and quiescent duration time.

3. The wireless communications system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of data packets are transmitted and the last transmitted data packet is adjusted for the amount of data to make efficient use of the remaining quiescent period.