Frame based MAC control in WLAN communication devices

摘要

A WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) communication device and method are provided where a MAC (Medium Access Control) control unit controls access to a wireless medium. The MAC control unit is capable of selectively applying any one of at least two different control mechanisms to data to be transmitted. The data received from a target system comprises data frames, each having associated an individual control header comprising control information. The control information specifies at least one control mechanism to be applied to data of the associated data frame. The MAC control unit extracts control information from each control header associated to a data frame, and selects a control mechanism specified by the extracted control information.