Methods and Apparatuses for Managing Acknowledgements

An apparatus for designating an acknowledgement of content, the apparatus comprising:

• a processing system comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code, in which the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to at least:
• designate a mode of operation, in a signal, for acknowledging receipt of data;
• assign an aggregation period, to the signal, comprising a time period in which one or more stations are designated to communicate one or more items of data to an intermediate node;
• and
• cause transmission of the signal to enable the one or more stations to detect the designated mode of operation and the time period of the assigned aggregation period in which to communicate the items of data to the intermediate node.

An apparatus for detecting a designated acknowledgement of data, the apparatus comprising:

• a processing system comp sing at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code, in which the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to at least:
• detect, via a signal, a designated mode of operation for acknowledging receipt of data and an assigned aggregation period comprising a time period in which to communicate with one or more stations;
• and
• receive one or more items of data from the one or more stations during the time period of the aggregation period.