Assigning channel access
View Patent ↗A system and method for assigning channel access is described. At least one of a terminal or an access point transmits a message to other entities where the message assigns access to an assignee and includes a duration field of a specified length. The unassigned terminals or access point remain silent for a duration specified in the duration field while the assignee has access to the channel.
1. A method for providing access to a channel to at least one of a plurality of terminals and an access point comprising:
determining if the channel is to be assigned for a limited time to said at least one of said plurality of terminals and said access point;
determining how long said assignment is to last; and
assigning said channel to said at least one of said plurality of terminals and said access point via constructing a Medium Access Control (MAC) data frame including a duration field and then transmitting said MAC data frame to at least one of said plurality of terminals and said access point.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said channel uses an IEEE 802.11 protocol.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said access point assigns said channel.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a terminal assigns said channel.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said access point is assigned said channel.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a terminal is assigned said channel.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based on a request.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based on network capacity.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based on network congestion.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based a type of data to be transmitted.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on a request.
12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on network capacity.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on network congestion.
14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on a type of data to be transmitted.
15. A computer-readable medium having a program stored thereon, said program for providing access to a channel to at least one of a plurality of terminals and an access point, said program comprising:
determining if the channel is to be assigned for a limited time to said at least one of said plurality of terminals and said access point;
determining how long said assignment is to last; and
assigning said channel to said at least one of said plurality of terminals and said access point via constructing a Medium Access Control (MAC) data frame including a duration field and then transmitting said M AC data frame to at least one of said plurality of terminals and said access point.
16. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said channel uses an IEEE 802.11 protocol.
17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein said access point assigns said channel.
18. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein a terminal assigns said channel.
19. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said access point is assigned said channel.
20. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein a terminal is assigned said channel.
21. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based on a request.
22. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based on network capacity.
23. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based on network congestion.
24. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines if said channel is to be assigned makes said determination based a type of data to be transmitted.
25. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on a request.
26. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on network capacity.
27. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on network congestion.
28. The computer-readable medium according to claim 15 , wherein said determining step that determines how long said assignment is to last is based on a type of data to be transmitted.
29. A process for assigning channel access to at least one of a plurality of terminals and an access point, said process comprising the steps of:
constructing a Medium Access Control (MAC) data frame including a duration field; and
transmitting said MAC data frame to at least one of said plurality of terminals and said access point,
wherein the assigned terminal or access point has access to said channel for a period specified in said duration field and wherein non-assigned terminals or access point does not have access to said channel for the period specified in said duration field.
30. A device for assigning access to a channel comprising:
at least one processor that controls a Logical Link Control (LLC) layer and a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, wherein said processor creates a message that assigns channel access to an assignee; and
a transceiver for transmitting said message to at least one of a plurality of terminals and an access point,
wherein said message includes a duration field that specifies the duration non-assigned terminals or access point is to permit access to said channel by said assignee.
31. The device according to claim 30 , wherein said device is a second access point.
32. The device according to claim 30 , wherein said device is a terminal.
33. The device according to claim 30 , wherein said assignee is an access point.
34. The device according to claim 30 , wherein said assignee is a terminal.