Using multiple beacon types in wireless communication

A wireless communication device comprising a processor, a memory and a wireless interface, wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed, causes the processor to:

• generate and transmit a plurality of first periodic beacon signals and a plurality of second periodic beacon signals that identify a wireless network and include information to enable other wireless devices to associate or synchronize with the wireless network,
• wherein the plurality of first periodic beacon signals is transmitted using a non-high throughput (HT) physical frame having a first Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) format,
• wherein the plurality of second periodic beacon signals is transmitted using a high efficiency (HE) physical frame having a second PPDU format,
• wherein the plurality of first periodic beacon signals is transmitted less frequently than the plurality of second periodic beacon signals,
• wherein each of the plurality of first periodic beacon signals includes a complete set of information about the wireless network and each of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals includes full information about the wireless network,
• wherein the first PPDU format is different from the second PPDU format, and
• wherein the transmission of the plurality of first periodic beacon signals is interspersed with the transmission of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals;
• receive a negative acknowledgement message indicating that a previously transmitted second periodic beacon signal was not received by the wireless device;
• and
• adjust a PHY characteristic of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals in response to a number of negative acknowledgement messages reaching a threshold, wherein adjusting the PHY characteristic comprises any one or more of reducing a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) rate for the plurality of second periodic beacon signals, and adjusting a target default beacon transmission time (TDBTT) of each of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals.

A non-transitory computer readable program storage medium having code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to implement a method comprising:

• transmitting a plurality of first periodic beacon signals and a plurality of second periodic beacon signals that identify the wireless network and provide information for other wireless devices to associate or synchronize with the wireless network,
• wherein the plurality of first periodic beacon signals is transmitted using a non-high throughput (HT) physical frame having a first Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) format,
• wherein the plurality of second periodic beacon signals is transmitted using a high efficiency (HE) physical frame having a second PPDU format,
• wherein the plurality of first periodic beacon signals is transmitted using a modulation efficiency that is less than that of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals,
• wherein the first PPDU format is different from the second PPDU format, and
• wherein the transmission of the plurality of first periodic beacon signals is interspersed with the transmission of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals;
• receiving a negative acknowledgement message indicating that a previously transmitted second periodic beacon signal was not received by the wireless device;
• and
• adjusting a PHY characteristic of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals in response to a number of negative acknowledgement messages reaching a threshold, wherein adjusting the PHY characteristic comprises any one or more of reducing a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) rate for the plurality of second periodic beacon signals, and adjusting a target default beacon transmission time (TDBTT) of each of the plurality of second periodic beacon signals.