Multicarrier packet communication system

摘要

Messages transmitted between a receiver and a transmitter are used to maximize a communication data rate. In particular, a multicarrier modulation system uses messages that are sent from the receiver to the transmitter to exchange one or more sets of optimized communication parameters. The transmitter then stores these communication parameters and when transmitting to that particular receiver, the transmitter utilizes the stored parameters in an effort to maximize the data rate to that receiver. Likewise, when the receiver receives packets from that particular transmitter, the receiver can utilize the stored communication parameters for reception.

主权项

1. A multicarrier packet communication system comprising:
a transmitter adapted to transmit a packet including a header portion and a data portion, wherein the header portion indicates one or more communications parameters for transmission of the data portion of the packet and includes a receiver station identifier, and the data portion used for communication of a number of data bytes at a data rate, the receiver station identifier usable to determine whether a receiver is an intended recipient of the packet, the receiver entering a low power mode when it is not an intended recipient of the packet, wherein the header portion also includes a legacy header portion containing a Rate field indicating a legacy data rate value and a Length field indicating a legacy number of bytes, a number of data bytes communicated in the data portion of the packet is different than the legacy number of data bytes indicated in the legacy header portion of the packet, and a data rate used in the data portion of the packet is different than the legacy data rate value indicated in the legacy header portion of the packet, wherein the Rate field and Length field are used to defer transmission for a period of time and wherein station identifier bits in an extended header field are decoded to determine if the receiver is the intended recipient of the packet.