WLAN access scheduling control
First Claim
1. A method for scheduling access times for transmitting data frames from a first transmission point in a WLAN to a second transmission point therein, wherein data frame traffic includes both isochronous streams and asynchronous bursts and is characterized by variations in specified parameter values, the method comprising:
- defining a succession of service periods, each service period including a specified number of isochronous epochs;
adapting at least one of the service periods to include at least one asynchronous epoch, each asynchronous epoch immediately following an isochronous epoch of the same service period and each asynchronous epoch is followed by at least one isochronous epoch of the same service period; and
scheduling the access times for the isochronous streams only during the isochronous epochs, and for the asynchronous bursts only during the asynchronous epochs, wherein the lengths of the isochronous and asynchronous epochs fluctuate dependent on the dynamic needs and priorities of user traffic.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for scheduling access times for transmitting data traffic in a WLAN including both isochronous streams and asynchronous bursts characterized by widely varying parameter values generates a succession of service periods, each having adjustable length and including two or other number of primary access intervals. The service periods may also be adapted to include one or more asynchronous burst periods, each immediately following a primary access interval. Access times for each isochronous stream are scheduled only during a primary access interval, or an immediately following extension period. Asynchronous bursts are scheduled for access times only during asynchronous burst periods. Epoch lengths fluctuate dependent on the dynamic needs and priorities of user traffic. Thus, an access time scheduling is made available that can readily adapt WLAN access to continually changing data traffic conditions, and thereby provide QoS by scheduling access times accordingly.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for scheduling access times for transmitting data frames from a first transmission point in a WLAN to a second transmission point therein, wherein data frame traffic includes both isochronous streams and asynchronous bursts and is characterized by variations in specified parameter values, the method comprising:
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defining a succession of service periods, each service period including a specified number of isochronous epochs; adapting at least one of the service periods to include at least one asynchronous epoch, each asynchronous epoch immediately following an isochronous epoch of the same service period and each asynchronous epoch is followed by at least one isochronous epoch of the same service period; and scheduling the access times for the isochronous streams only during the isochronous epochs, and for the asynchronous bursts only during the asynchronous epochs, wherein the lengths of the isochronous and asynchronous epochs fluctuate dependent on the dynamic needs and priorities of user traffic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for transmitting data frames from a first transmission point in a WLAN to a second transmission point therein, wherein data frame traffic includes both isochronous streams and asynchronous bursts, the apparatus comprising:
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a first component at a first transmission point for scheduling access times to transmit the data traffic during a succession of service periods, each service period including a specified number of isochronous epochs and at least one of the service periods including at least one asynchronous epoch, and each asynchronous is followed by at least one isochronous epoch; and a second component at the first transmission point acting in cooperation with the first component to successively transmit and receive the isochronous streams during isochronous epochs and asynchronous bursts during asynchronous epochs, wherein the lengths of the isochronous and asynchronous epochs fluctuate dependent on the dynamic needs and priorities of user traffic. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program product embodied in a computer readable medium the execution of which by one or more processors causes the processors to define a succession of service periods, each service period including a specified number of isochronous epochs;
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adapt at least one of the service periods to include at least one asynchronous epoch, each asynchronous epoch immediately following an isochronous epoch of the same period and each asynchronous epoch is followed by at least one isochronous epoch of the same service period; and schedule the access times for the isochronous streams only during the isochronous epochs, and for the asynchronous bursts only during the asynchronous epochs, wherein the lengths of the isochronous and asynchronous epochs fluctuate dependent on the dynamic needs and priorities of user traffic. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification