Direct link protocol in wireless local area networks
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving at an access point from a first Q-station a direct_link_protocol_request frame that indicates a second Q-station as the destination of said direct_link_protocol_request frame;
transmitting from said access point a traffic indication map that indicates that traffic is available for said second Q-station;
receiving at said access point, in response to the transmission of said traffic indication map, a PS-Poll frame from said second Q-station; and
forwarding from said access point, in response to the reception of said PS-Poll frame, said direct_link_protocol_request frame to said second Q-station.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A technique enabling enhanced stations to communicate with other enhanced stations that periodically or sporadically enter power save mode is disclosed. If a Q-station targeted for a direct link is in power save mode, an access point “wakes” the Q-station. The targeted Q-station responds by transmitting back a PS-Poll frame. The access point then forwards an awaiting direct_link_protocol_request frame to the targeted Q-station, which then responds by transmitting back a direct_link_protocol_response frame to the transmitting Q-station. Subsequently, the targeted Q-station can expect to receive a frame directly from a Q-station requesting the direct link. For example, a data frame containing data or a direct_link_protocol_probe frame can be transmitted. In this way, Q-stations do not have to track when other Q-stations are in power save mode.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving at an access point from a first Q-station a direct_link_protocol_request frame that indicates a second Q-station as the destination of said direct_link_protocol_request frame;
transmitting from said access point a traffic indication map that indicates that traffic is available for said second Q-station;
receiving at said access point, in response to the transmission of said traffic indication map, a PS-Poll frame from said second Q-station; and
forwarding from said access point, in response to the reception of said PS-Poll frame, said direct_link_protocol_request frame to said second Q-station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
receiving at said access point from said second Q-station, in response to forwarding said direct_link_protocol_request frame, a direct_link_protocol_response frame that indicates said first Q-station as the destination of said response frame; and
forwarding from said access point, in response to said direct_link_protocol_response frame, said direct_link_protocol_response frame to said first Q-station.
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3. The method of claim 1 wherein said direct_link_protocol_request frame comprises a destination medium access control address, a source medium access control address, capability information of said first Q-station, supported rates information of said first Q-station, and extended capabilities information of said first Q-station.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein said direct_link_protocol_response frame comprises a destination medium access control address, a source medium access control address, capability information of said second Q-station, supported rates information of said second Q-station, and extended capabilities information of said second Q-station.
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5. A system comprising:
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(1) a first station for;
(a) transmitting, in response to receiving a direct_link_protocol_response frame, at least one data frame directly to a second station;
(2) an access point for;
(a) queuing a direct_link_protocol_request frame;
(b) transmitting a traffic indication map that indicates that traffic is available for said second station;
(c) forwarding, in response to receiving a PS-Poll frame from said second station, said direct_link_protocol_request frame to said second station for the purpose of establishing a direct link between said first station and said second station; and
(d) forwarding, in response to receiving said direct_link_protocol_response frame from said second station, said direct_link_protocol_response frame to said first station; and
(3) said second station for;
(a) transmitting, in response to receiving said traffic indication map, said PS-Poll frame to said access point; and
(b) transmitting, in response to receiving said direct_link_protocol_request frame from said access point, said direct_link_protocol_response frame to said access point. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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receiving at said first Q-station from an access point a traffic indication map that indicates that traffic is available for said first Q-station;
transmitting from said first Q-station, in response to receiving said traffic indication map, a PS-Poll frame to said access point; and
receiving at said first Q-station from said access point, in response to transmitting said PS-Poll frame, a direct_link_protocol_request frame that indicates a second Q-station as the source. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
transmitting from said first Q-station to said access point, in response to receiving said direct_link_protocol_request frame, a direct_link_protocol_response frame that indicates said second Q-station as the destination of said response frame; and
receiving at said first Q-station directly from said second Q-station, in response to transmitting said direct_link_protocol_response frame, at least one data frame.
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14. The method of claim 13 wherein said first Q-station remains ready to communicate directly with said second Q-station for at least the duration of about aDLPIdleTimeout after said first Q-station transmits said direct_link_protocol_response frame.
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15. The method of claim 13 wherein said direct_link_protocol_request frame and said direct_link_protocol_response frame comprise security information.
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16. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving at said first Q-station directly from said second Q-station a direct_link_protocol_probe frame.
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17. The method of claim 16 wherein said direct_link_protocol_probe frame comprises a destination medium access control address, a source medium access control address, and random data.
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18. The method of claim 12 further comprising transmitting from said first Q-station to said access point, in response to receiving said direct_link_protocol_request frame, a direct_link_protocol_response frame that indicates said second Q-station as the destination of said response frame and that the first Q-station is not willing to participate in direct link communication with said second Q-station.
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19. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
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transmitting from said first Q-station directly to said second Q-station, in response to receiving said direct_link_protocol_request frame, a direct_link_protocol_response frame that indicates said second Q-station as the destination of said response frame; and
receiving at said first Q-station directly from said second Q-station, in response to transmitting said direct_link_protocol_response frame, at least one data frame.
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20. A first station comprising:
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(1) a receiver for;
(a) receiving a traffic indication map; and
(b) receiving a direct_link_protocol_request frame; and
(2) a transmitter for;
(a) transmitting, in response to receiving said traffic indication map, a PS-Poll frame; and
(b) transmitting, in response to receiving said direct_link_protocol_request frame, a direct_link_protocol_response frame. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification