Different delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) periods for different wireless networks having different network names

• US 7,420,942 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2004
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Wang, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan; Wing F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sefcheck; Gregory B
• Application Number:
  US11/008,023
• Publication Number:
  US 20060126533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A single access point may manage two or more wireless networks, each having a network name. The access point may be configured to store delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) period values on a per network name basis. A processor of the access point may manage, on a per network name basis, timing of transmission of delivery traffic indication messages.

Claims

1. An access point configurable to support concurrently a first wireless network having a first network name and a second wireless network having a second network name, the access point comprising:

one or more antennae;

a radio coupled to said one or more antennae;

a memory to store an indication of a first delivery traffic indication message ‘

DTIM’

period value associated with said first network name and to store an indication of a second, different DTIM period value associated with said second network name; and

a processor, coupled to said radio and to said memory, to transmit via said radio a sequence of beacon frames at regular beacon intervals that are specified in said beacon frames, to include DTIMs for said first wireless network in a first subset of said sequence and to include DTIMs for said second wireless network in a second subset of said sequence,

wherein said beacon frames specify said first DTIM period value, the interval between beacon frames in said first subset is the product of said first DTIM period value and said beacon interval, and the interval between beacon frames in said second subset is the product of said second DTIM period value and said beacon interval.

2. The access point of claim 1, wherein said access point is compatible with IEEE 802.11a.

3. The access point of claim 1, wherein said access point is compatible with IEEE 802.11b.

4. The access point of claim 1, wherein said access point is compatible with IEEE 802.11g.

5. The access point of claim 1, wherein said beacon frames specify said second DTIM period value.

6. The access point of claim 1, wherein some of said beacon frames belong to said first subset and to said second subset.

7. A wireless system comprising:

a first wireless client device configurable to belong to a first wireless network having a first network name;

a second wireless client device configurable to belong to a second wireless network having a second network name; and

an access point configurable to transmit a second of beacon frames at regular beacon intervals that are specified in said beacon frames, to include delivery traffic indication messages for said first wireless network in a first subset of said sequence, and to include delivery traffic indication messages for said second wireless network in a second subset of said sequence,

wherein said beacon frames specify a first delivery traffic indication message ‘

DTIM’

period value associated with said first network name, the interval between beacon frames in said first subset is the product of said beacon interval and said first DTIM period value, and the interval between beacon frames in said second subset is the product of said beacon interval and a second, different DTIM period value that is associated with said second network name.

8. The wireless system of claim 7, wherein said access point is to inform said second wireless client device of said second DTIM period value during an association process for said second wireless network.

9. The wireless system of claim 7, wherein said access point and said wireless client devices are compatible with IEEE 802.11a.

10. The wireless system of claim 7, wherein said access point and said wireless client devices are compatible with IEEE 802.11b.

11. The wireless system of claim 7, wherein said access point and said wireless client devices are compatible with IEEE 802.11g.

12. The wireless system of claim 7, wherein said beacon frames specify said second DTIM period value.

13. The wireless system of claim 7, wherein some of said beacon frames belong to said first subset and to said second subset.

14. A method in an access point, the method comprising:

transmitting a sequence of beacon frames at regular beacon intervals that are specified in said beacon frames, wherein said beacon frames specify a first delivery traffic indication message ‘

DTIM’

period value;

including delivery traffic indication messages for a first wireless network managed by said access point in a first subset of said sequence of beacon frames, wherein the first wireless network has a first network name and the interval between beacon frames in said first subset is the product of said first DTIM period value and said beacon interval; and

including delivery traffic indication messages for a second wireless network managed by said access point in a second subset of said sequence of beacon frames, wherein the second wireless network has a second network name and the interval between beacon frames in said second subset is the product of a second, different, DTIM period value and said beacon interval.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing said second DTIM period value to a client device belonging to said second wireless network during an association process for said second network.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

if a client device belonging to said first wireless network is in a power save mode, buffering broadcast and/or multicast data for said first wireless network;

specifying the existence of said buffered data in a beacon frame of said first subset; and

transmitting said buffered data following said beacon frame and prior to transmitting a next beacon frame of said first subset.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

if a client device belonging to said second wireless network is in a power save mode, buffering broadcast and/or multicast data for said second wireless network;

specifying the existence of said buffered data in a beacon frame of said second subset; and

transmitting said buffered data following said beacon frame and prior to transmitting a next beacon frame of said second subset.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

specifying said second DTIM period value in said beacon frames.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing said second DTIM period value to a client device belonging to said second wireless network via a management frame.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

transmitting multicast data comprising said second DTIM period value to client devices belonging to said second wireless network.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein some of said beacon frames belong to said first subset and to said second subset.