Multichannel MAC in wireless networks

1. A method of operating a device for transmitting data over a plurality of channels, said channels forming a bonded channel including a bonded channel superframe, the bonded channel superframe including a bonded channel beacon period and a bonded channel data period, the method comprising:

broadcasting, by the device, a control message on the bonded channel superframe, said control message indicating that subsequent transmission will be over distinct channels, each of said distinct channels including a distinct superframe having a distinct beacon period and a distinct data period, and

transmitting, by the device, in each of the distinct channels, a sequence of superframes, each superframe including the distinct beacon period followed by the distinct data period.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the control message is a management frame used to obtain access to the bonded channel superframe.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the control message including an information element broadcast in the bonded channel beacon period.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the control message obtains priority over other potential MAC frames.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein further control messages are broadcast in each of the distinct channels indicating the termination of transmission over distinct channels.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bonded channel including two channels.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the distinct channels operates a data protocol independent of the other channels.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control message maps a device to at least one of the distinct channels.

9. A transmitter having a single or multiple, dual, physical interface, said transmitter being configured for transmitting a signal over a plurality of channels, said channels forming a bonded channel including a bonded channel superframe, the bonded channel superframe including a bonded channel beacon period and a bonded channel data period, the transmitter comprising:

a broadcasting means configured to broadcast a control message on a bonded channel superframe, said control message indicating that subsequent transmission will be over distinct channels, each of said distinct channels including a distinct superframe having a distinct beacon period and a distinct data period, and

wherein said transmitter is further configured to transmit, in each of the distinct channels, a sequence of superframes, each superframe including the distinct beacon period followed by the distinct data period.

10. A receiver having a single or multiple, dual, physical interface, said receiver being configured for receiving a signal over a plurality of channels, said channels forming a bonded channel including a bonded channel superframe, the bonded channel superframe including a bonded channel beacon period and a bonded channel data period, the receiver comprising:

means for receiving a control message on a bonded channel superframe, said control message indicating that subsequent transmission will be over distinct channels, each of said distinct channels including a distinct superframe having a distinct beacon period and a distinct data period, and

wherein said receiver is further configured to receive, in each of the distinct channels, a sequence of superframes, each superframe including the distinct beacon period followed by the distinct data period.

11. A device having a multiple, dual, physical interface, said device being configured for transmitting a control message in a bonded channel, and further adapted to transmit, receive and bridge further signals within each of distinct channels, said channels forming the bonded channel including a bonded channel superframe, the bonded channel superframe including a bonded channel beacon period and a bonded channel data period, the device comprising:

means for receiving the control message on a bonded channel superframe, said control message indicating that subsequent transmission will be over distinct channels, each of said distinct channels including a distinct superframe having a distinct beacon period and a distinct data period, and

wherein said device is further configured to receive, in each of the distinct channels, a sequence of superframes, each superframe including the distinct beacon period followed by the distinct data period.