Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications

摘要

Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Various com systems may include smart meter stations (SMSTAs) and/or wireless stations (STAs). Appropriate coordination is made with respect to such communication devices to ensure appropriate uplink (and/or downlink) communications between a network manager or coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP)) and the SMSTAs and/or STAs. With respect to SMSTAs, the relative duration of time that such communication devices are awake and operative versus asleep (or in a reduced power and/or functionality state) can be significant. Certain implementations may include a relatively large number of such communication devices (e.g., 10s, 100a, 1000s, or more), and appropriate coordination and scheduling of such communications to/from them is made using one or more variations of TDMA signaling (e.g., including different respective service periods (SPs), communication medium access operational modes, adaptation thereof, etc.).

主权项

1. A wireless communication device comprising:
a communication interface; and a processor configured to:
generate an announcement or assignment frame to direct a plurality of smart meter stations (SMSTAs) to transmit to the wireless communication device based on time division multiple access (TDMA) signaling, wherein the announcement or assignment frame includes information that partitions the plurality of SMSTAs into a plurality of groups and to assign a plurality of service periods (SPs) of the TDMA signaling respectively for the plurality of groups to transmit to the wireless communication device, wherein a SMSTA of the plurality of SMSTAs is configured to:
awaken from the power savings mode to an operational mode and subsequently to re-enter the power savings mode including to operate within the operational mode less than a tenth of percentage of period of time than the SMSTA is configured to operate within the power savings mode;generate sensing or measurement related data when operating in the operational mode; andtransmit the sensing or measurement related data when operating in the operational mode and during at least one SP of the plurality of SPs that is assigned to a group of the plurality of groups that includes the SMSTA;transmit, via the communication interface, the announcement or assignment frame to the plurality of SMSTAs;receive, via the communication interface, first sensing or measurement related data from the SMSTA during a first SP of the plurality of SPs; andreceive, via the communication interface, second sensing or measurement related data from another SMSTA that is included within another group the plurality of groups during a second SP of the plurality of SPs.