Method for access to a medium by a multi-channel device
A method of accessing a medium on a transmission system having at least two channels, in which a multi-channel device groups at least two channels for the purpose of increasing the bandwidth. The method enables multi-channel devices and single-channel devices to coexist by sending out a preamble and header on each individual channel before the channels are grouped, a single-channel device that may be scanning the channel thus detecting that the message that follows is not intended for itself.
1. A method for communicating using a multi-channel device in a communication system having at least two channels, the method comprising:
scanning the at least two channels,
determining a group of channels of the at least two channels on which an idle state is underway or a back-off state by the multi-channel device is underway,
transmitting the preamble and header of a message on the group of channels, the preamble and header of the message being configured to indicate that a waiting process to be performed by a single channel device detecting the preamble and the header, and
transmitting the message on the group of channels.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication is performed based on IEEE 802.11.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, from a point coordinator or hybrid coordinator, beacons in parallel on all the channels.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
employing Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) as the transmission system.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message is one of a request-to-send (RTS), clear-to-send (CTS), or acknowledgment (ACK) type.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message is transmitted via the group of channels so as to increase the transmission bandwidth of a transmitting device.
7. A multi-channel device configured to communicate in a transmission system having at least two channels, the multi-channel device comprising:
one or more transmit antennas; and
computer processing circuitry configured to:
scan the at least two channels,
determine a group of channels of the at least two channels on which an idle state is underway or a back-off state by the multi-channel device is underway,
transmit the preamble and header of a message on the group of channels, the preamble and header of the message being configured to indicate that a waiting process is to be performed by a single channel device detecting the preamble and the header, and
transmit the message on the group of channels.
8. The multi-channel device of claim 7 , wherein the communication is performed based on IEEE 802.11.
9. The multi-channel device of claim 7 , wherein the computer processing circuitry is further configured to receive, from a point coordinator or hybrid coordinator, beacons in parallel on all the channels.
10. The multi-channel device of claim 7 , wherein a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is employed as the transmission system.
11. The multi-channel device of claim 7 , wherein the message is one of a request-to-send (RTS), clear-to-send (CTS), or acknowledgment (ACK) type.
12. The multi-channel device of claim 7 , wherein the message is transmitted via the group of channels so as to increase the transmission bandwidth of the multi-channel device.
13. A wireless network comprising:
at least one multi-channel device; the at least one multi-channel device comprising one or more transmit antennas and computer processing circuitry configured to:
scan the at least two channels,
determine a group of channels of the at least two channels on which an idle state is underway or a back-off state by the multi-channel device is underway,
transmit the preamble and header of a message on the group of channels, and
transmit the message on the group of channels; and
at least one single channel device; the at least one single channel device comprising at least one antenna and computer processing circuitry configured to scan one or more of the at least two channels and initiate a waiting process for a channel on which the preamble and the header are detected.
14. The wireless network of claim 13 , wherein the communication is performed based on IEEE 802.11.
15. The wireless network of claim 13 , wherein the computer processing circuitry of the multi-channel device is further configured to receive, from a point coordinator or hybrid coordinator, beacons in parallel on all the channels.
16. The wireless network of claim 13 , wherein a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is employed as the transmission system.
17. The wireless network of claim 13 , wherein the message is one of a request-to-send (RTS), clear-to-send (CTS), or acknowledgment (ACK) type.
18. The wireless network of claim 13 , wherein the message is transmitted via the group of channels so as to increase the transmission bandwidth of the multi-channel device.