Access point proxy and multi-hop wireless communication

摘要

Methods and devices for communicating data in a wireless communications network are described herein. In one aspect, network layers are offloaded from a station to an access point. In another aspect, flow control is introduced between the station and access point. In another aspect, segmentation is introduced between the station and access point. In another aspect, keep alive is introduced between the station and access point. In another aspect, in addition to MAC layer sequencing and acknowledging, additional sequencing and acknowledging is performed between the station and access point to ensure reliable transmission of data. In another aspect, MAC layer sequencing and acknowledging is disabled. In another aspect, a last MPDU fragment is used to ensure reliable transmission of data.

主权项

1. A method of communicating data in a wireless communications network, comprising:
receiving, by an electronic device from an upstream device, an IP communication for a downstream device; generating, by the electronic device, a message including a link identifier that identifies an encapsulated form of the IP communication; transmitting, by the electronic device, the generated message to a relay; and receiving, by the electronic device, a media access control (MAC) level acknowledgment message from the relay, the acknowledgment message acknowledging receipt of the generated message by the different downstream device and including the link identifier; and transmitting an acknowledgment of the IP communication to the upstream device in response to receiving the media access control MAC level acknowledgment message from the relay.