SYNCHRONIZING CONNECTIVITY IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
In one example, a method for synchronizing connectivity in a wireless communication network includes participating in a communication on a management plane between at least one station and a first access point. The management plane includes a first frequency. A service period element specifies a plurality of terms of one or more service periods during which at least one station connects to a second access point over a data plane. The data plane includes a second radio frequency different from the second radio frequency. The method also includes participating in the one or more service periods on the data plane according to the terms specified by the service period element.
1 . A method for synchronizing connectivity in wireless communication networks, the method comprising:
participating in a communication on a management plane between at least one station and a first access point, wherein the management plane comprises a first radio operation frequency, and wherein a service period element specifies a plurality of terms of one or more service periods during which at least one station connects to a second access point over a data plane comprising a second radio operation frequency, wherein the second radio operation frequency is different from the first radio operation frequency; and
participating in the one or more service periods on the data plane according to the terms specified by the service period element.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first access point is different from the second access point.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the service period element specifies a duration of the service period.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the service period element specifies a time of a beginning of the service period, wherein the station wakes at the beginning of the service period to participate in one of the service periods, and a time of an end of the service period, wherein the station stops participating in the one of the service periods.
5 . The method of claim 4 , comprising:
waking the station at the beginning of the one service period for a specific duration;
connecting the station to the second access point; and
participating in a communication on the data plane with the second access point.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the data plane comprises a third radio operation frequency.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the third radio operation frequency is shared by the station and the first access point.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the third radio operation frequency is shared by the station and a third access point that is different from the first access point and the second access point.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the second access point and the station negotiate an individual agreement defining the one or more service periods by exchanging a plurality of service period elements.
10 . An apparatus for synchronizing connectivity in a wireless network, comprising:
a memory comprising executable instructions; and
a processor that executes the executable instructions to:
participate in a communication on a management plane between at least one station and a first access point wherein a service period element specifies a plurality of terms of one or more service periods during which at least one station connects to a second access point over a data plane comprising a second radio operation frequency; and
participate in the one or more service periods on the data plane according to the terms specified by the service period element.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first radio operation frequency is different from the second radio operation frequency.
12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first radio operation frequency is the same as the second radio operation frequency, and wherein the first access point is different from the second access point.
13 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the service period element specifies a time of a beginning of the service period, when the station wakes to participate in one of the service periods.
14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the processor:
wakes the station at the beginning of the one service period for a specific duration;
connects the station to the second access point; and
participates in a communication on the data plane with the second access point.
15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the data plane comprises a third radio operation frequency.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the third radio operation frequency is shared by the station and the first access point.
17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the third radio operation frequency is shared by the station and a third access point that is different from the first access point and the second access point.
18 . One or more tangible, non-transitory computer readable media for synchronizing connectivity in a wireless communication network, comprising a plurality of instructions that, in response to being executed on a processor, cause the processor to:
participate in a communication on a management plane between at least one station and a first access point wherein a service period element specifies a plurality of terms of one or more service periods during which at least one station connects to a second access point over a data plane comprising a second radio operation frequency; and
participate in the one or more service periods on the data plane according to the terms specified by the service period element.
19 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the first radio operation frequency is different from the second radio operation frequency.
20 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the first radio operation frequency is the same as the second radio operation frequency, and wherein the first access point is different from the second access point.
21 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the service period element specifies a time of a beginning of the service period, when the station wakes to participate in one of the service periods.
22 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 21 , wherein the processor:
wakes the station at the beginning of the one service period for a specific duration;
connects the station to the second access point; and
participates in a communication on the data plane with the second access point.
23 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the data plane comprises a third radio operation frequency.
24 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 23 , wherein the third radio operation frequency is shared by the station and the first access point.
25 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media 23 , wherein the third radio operation frequency is shared by the station and a third access point that is different from the first access point and the second access point.
26 . The one or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 , wherein the second access point and the station negotiate an individual agreement defining the one or more service periods by exchanging a plurality of service period elements.