Split medium access and control layer communications system
View Patent ↗A MAC layer system is disclosed. The MAC layer system comprises an upper MAC portion wherein the upper MAC portion is dependent on a MAC protocol and a lower MAC portion wherein the lower MAC portion is independent of the MAC protocol.
1. A MAC layer system comprising:
an upper MAC portion wherein the upper MAC portion is dependent on a MAC protocol, and
a lower MAC portion wherein the lower MAC portion is independent of the MAC protocol, wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including a time offset, and wherein the lower MAC interfaces with a physical layer device compatible with a wireless personal area network.
2. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion functionality is performed using software.
3. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the lower MAC portion functionality is performed using hardware.
4. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion via a memory interface.
5. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion which includes control information and data information.
6. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure.
7. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including a time sequence of events.
8. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including a local control.
9. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event queue descriptor.
10. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event queue descriptor that includes a tail and a head.
11. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor.
12. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor that includes a start.
13. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor that includes a duration.
14. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor that includes a type.
15. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor that includes a buffer.
16. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor that includes a buffer and wherein the a portion of the buffer is made available between the upper MAC portion and the lower MAC portion before the entire data information structure has been filled to enable timely processing.
17. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor that includes a link.
18. A MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an event descriptor that includes an event control.
19. A method for splitting a MAC layer system comprising:
providing an upper MAC portion wherein the upper MAC portion is dependent on a MAC protocol, and
providing a lower MAC portion wherein the lower MAC portion is independent of the MAC protocol, wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including a time offset, and wherein the lower MAC interfaces with a physical layer device compatible with a wireless personal area network.