Adaptive beacon interval in WLAN

摘要

The present invention relates to Wireless Local Area Networks and Access Points in such networks, in particular it relates to the control and use of varying beacon intervals in such networks. According to the present invention, the beacon frames in the Wireless Local Area Network are provided with an adaptive beacon interval. The interval is adapted in dependence on a current network load such that the length of the beacon interval is decreased when the network load is decreased and increased when network load is increased. The invention is applicable in existing as well as future IEEE 802.11 standards. <IMAGE>