System and method using multiple request to send (RTS) messages to enhance wireless communication resource allocation

摘要

A system and method using multiple request to send (RTS) messages to enhance wireless communication resource allocation. The system and method operates a receiver to receive an RTS message from a station operating in, for example, a very high throughput wireless local area network, and in response, to transmit an ask for request (AFR) message. The receiver can receive multiple RTS messages and in response, issue respective AFR messages, to thus perform RTS negotiation of resources for access by the stations. If the receiver fails to receive any further RTS messages due to, for example, collision of RTS messages sent by multiple stations or failure of any other stations to send an RTS message, the receiver can then issue a clear to send (CTS) message indicating to all stations that have sent an RTS message that they are clear to send to the receiver using the information contained in the AFR message.

主权项

1. A method for allocating resources in a wireless communications system, the method comprising:
operating a wireless station to transmit a request to send (RTS) message; operating a receiver to receive the RTS message and, in response, transmit an ask for request (AFR) message to be received by the wireless station which transmitted the RTS message, and by another wireless station, the AFR message including channel state information indicating to the wireless station and to the another wireless station communication resources that the receiver allocates to the wireless station so as to allow the another wireless station to evaluate communication resources that are still available to the another wireless station; operating the receiver to wait for receipt of another RTS message transmitted by the another wireless station which received the transmitted AFR message and, if the receiver receives the another RTS message, operating the receiver to transmit another AFR message including channel state information indicating to the another wireless station and to a further wireless station communication resources that the receiver allocates to the another wireless station and operating the receiver to wait for receipt of a further RTS message transmitted by the further wireless station, and if the receiver does not receive the another RTS message within a period of time, operating the receiver to transmit a clear to send (CTS) message; and operating the receiver to transmit a different another AFR message before transmitting the CTS message if the receiver does not receive the further RTS message within a period of time after receiving the another RTS message due to a collision that occurred while the receiver was waiting for the further RTS message.