Multiple mode support in a wireless local area network

摘要

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an access point may provide multiple access to a single medium by providing time division multiple access to the medium. During a first phase to communicate with devices of a first type, the access point may transmit a beacon to indicate to devices of a second type not to communicate during the first phase. During a second phase to communicate with devices of the second type, the access point may transmit a beacon to indicate to devices of the first type not to communicate during the second phase. In one particular embodiment, the access point may transmit a medium reservation packet to indicate reservation of the medium for affected devices. Phases may be adaptively extended by transmitting additional medium reservation packets until it is desired to end the present phase and transition to the second phase.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
during a first phase in which to communicate with devices of a first type, transmitting a first beacon frame to indicate to devices of a second type not to transmit during the first phase; communicating with devices of the first type during the first phase; extending to another device by overlapping medium reservations signaled with another beacon frame; during a second phase in which to communicate with devices of a second type, transmitting a second beacon frame to indicate to devices of the first type not to transmit during the second phase; and communicating with devices of the second type during the second phase; wherein the first phase and the second phase are non-overlapping in time.