System and method for allocating periodic resources

An access point comprising:

• a memory storage comprising instructions;
• and
• one or more processors in communication with the memory, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
• broadcast a beacon frame comprising a periodic restricted access window (PRAW) allocation message, each instance of the PRAW being an interval for accessing a channel by one or more stations, wherein the PRAW allocation message indicates a message type of the PRAW allocation message, and wherein the PRAW allocation message further indicates a period of the PRAW as an integer multiple of a short beacon interval;
• and
• transmit an association response frame to a first station that includes information about a time slot of the PRAW that is assigned to the first station;
• and
• transmit or receive data to or from the first station during the assigned time slot of the PRAW.

A station comprising:

• a memory storage comprising instructions;
• and
• one or more processors in communication with the memory, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
• receive a beacon frame comprising a periodic restricted access window (PRAW) allocation message, each instance of the PRAW being an interval for accessing a channel by one or more stations, wherein the PRAW allocation message indicates a message type of the PRAW allocation message, and wherein the PRAW allocation message further indicates a period of the PRAW as an integer multiple of a short beacon interval;
• and
• transmit or receive data to or from an access point during a time slot of the PRAW upon determining that the station is in a list of allowed stations permitted to utilize the PRAW.

A method implemented by an access point in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 compliant communications system, the method comprising:

• periodically broadcasting, by the access point, a Beacon frame comprising a periodic restricted access window (PRAW) allocation message, each instance of the PRAW being an interval for accessing a channel by one or more stations, wherein the PRAW allocation message indicates a message type of the PRAW allocation message, and wherein the PRAW allocation message further indicates a period of the PRAW as an integer multiple of a short beacon interval;
• transmitting, by the access point, a management frame to a first station, the management frame including information about a time slot of the PRAW that is assigned to the first station;
• and
• transmitting or receiving, by the access point, data to or from the first station during the assigned time slot of the PRAW.