Action list for a split media access and control layer communications system
View Patent ↗A split MAC layer system is disclosed. The split MAC layer system comprises an upper MAC portion wherein the upper MAC portion is dependent on a MAC protocol, a lower MAC portion wherein the lower MAC portion is independent of the MAC protocol, and wherein the upper MAC portion communicates information to the lower MAC portion using an information structure including an action pointer.
1. A split MAC layer system comprising:
an upper MAC portion wherein the upper MAC portion is dependent on a MAC protocol,
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 an action pointer, wherein the action pointer points to an action list that is defined by the upper MAC portion and performed by the lower MAC portion to improve response performance when processing a received message, and wherein the lower MAC interfaces with a physical layer device compatible with a wireless personal area network.
2. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a pattern related to the action.
3. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a buffer location related to the action.
4. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a mask related to the action.
5. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion.
6. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a pattern, a buffer location, and a mask related to the action, wherein the action is executed if the pattern matches data in the buffer location as masked by the mask.
7. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion to immediately acknowledge.
8. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion to check an address.
9. A split MAC layer system as in claim 1 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion to check an error flag.
10. A method for splitting MAC layer system comprising:
providing an upper MAC portion wherein the upper MAC portion is dependent on a MAC protocol,
providing a lower MAC portion wherein the lower MAC portion is independent of the MAC protocol,
sending an information structure including an action pointer from the upper MAC portion, and
receiving the information structure by the lower MAC portion, wherein the action pointer points to an action list that is defined by the upper MAC portion and performed by the lower MAC portion to improve response performance when processing a received message, and wherein the lower MAC interfaces with a physical layer device compatible with a wireless personal area network.
11. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a pattern related to the action.
12. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a buffer location related to the action.
13. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a mask related to the action.
14. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion.
15. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action defines a pattern, a buffer location, and a mask related to the action, wherein the action is executed if the pattern matches data in the buffer location as masked by the mask.
16. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion to immediately acknowledge.
17. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion to check an address.
18. A method for splitting MAC layer system as in claim 10 , wherein the action pointer points to an action list wherein an action is a series of instructions that are performed by the lower MAC portion to check an error flag.