Method to improve throughput and power consumption efficiency in wireless communication systems

• US 8,737,312 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2005
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Del Prado Pavon, Javier, Habetha, Joerg
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Kan
• Application Number:
  US11/572,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20100165925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,312 Days
• Field of Search: 370/329, 370/338, 370/347, 370/468, 370/477, 370/341, 370/395.4, 455/574
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0219 where the power saving management affects multiple terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0816 with collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment, method of wireless communication includes sending a beacon frame (300), which includes at least one availability information element (AIE) (400, 404). The method also includes scheduling transmission and reception of traffic among a plurality of devices (101, 103), or systems (101, 103), or both based on the AIES from the receivers. A wireless network (100) is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising:

providing an availability information element (AIE) including an availability bitmap during a beacon period of a wireless network; and

scheduling transmission and reception of traffic on the wireless network among a plurality of devices, or systems, or both, based on the AIE,

wherein the availability bitmap provides a bit for each device or system indicative of the availability of the corresponding one of the plurality of devices or systems during a medium access slot (MAS) of a superframe.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a beacon interval begins the superframe.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the AIE includes a beacon period start time (BPST) offset and a duration.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the AIE provides information about a power save mode period.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the AIE indicates scanning scheduling.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the AIE indicates communication from hidden neighbors.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a ‘

0’

bit indicates availability during a MAS and a ‘

1’

bit indicates lack of availability during a MAS.

8. A wireless network, comprising:

a plurality of wireless elements, wherein the network is adapted to provide an availability information element (AIE) including an availability bitmap during a beacon period of the wireless network, and the wireless elements schedule transmission and reception of traffic based on the AIE,

wherein the availability bitmap provides a bit for each of the plurality of wireless elements indicative of the availability of the corresponding one of the plurality of wireless elements during a medium access slot (MAS) of a superframe.

9. A wireless network as recited in claim 8, wherein the wireless elements are selected from the group consisting of wireless devices and wireless systems.

10. A wireless network as recited in claim 8, wherein a beacon interval begins the superframe.

11. A wireless network as recited in claim 8, wherein the AIE provides information about a power save mode period.

12. A wireless network as recited in claim 8, wherein the AIE indicates scanning scheduling.

13. A wireless network as recited in claim 8, wherein the AIE indicates communication from hidden neighbors.

14. A wireless network as recited in claim 8, wherein the AIE includes a beacon period start time (BPST) offset and a duration.