Methods and systems for providing efficient operation of multiple modes in a WLAN system

摘要

A method and apparatus that applies medium access control (MAC) transmission opportunity (TXOP) protection for multiple mode operation in a WLAN system. In particular, MAC mechanisms are defined to support multiple mode CTS frames, and multiple mode CF-End frames sent by the AP, each in a format appropriate for the corresponding mode which may also apply to a single mode. MAC mechanisms permit truncation of TXOP duration for releasing the unused portion of the TXOP when no further data for transmission is available. Release of unused protected TXOP is possible for both protected AP transmissions and STA transmissions.

主权项

1. A method for use in an access point (AP), the method comprising:
receiving a request-to-send (RTS) frame from a station (STA), wherein the RTS frame indicates a request for a transmit opportunity (TXOP); transmitting, in response to the RTS frame, an indication of a TXOP, wherein the indication of a TXOP is a clear-to-send (CTS) frame; receiving packet data from the STA during the TXOP; receiving, on a condition that the STA does not have further packet data to transmit, an indication of truncation of the TXOP including a first space-time block code (STBC) contention free (CF)-End frame or a first non-STBC CF-End frame; and transmitting a second STBC CF-End frame and a second non-STBC CF-End frame.