US 2015/0146601 A1 · Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications

Abstract

Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Various com systems may include smart meter stations (SMSTAs) and/or wireless stations (STAs). Appropriate coordination is made with respect to such communication devices to ensure appropriate uplink (and/or downlink) communications between a network manager or coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP)) and the SMSTAs and/or STAs. With respect to SMSTAs, the relative duration of time that such communication devices are awake and operative versus asleep (or in a reduced power and/or functionality state) can be significant. Certain implementations may include a relatively large number of such communication devices (e.g., 10s, 100s, 1000s, or more), and appropriate coordination and scheduling of such communications to/from them is made using one or more variations of TDMA signaling (e.g., including different respective service periods (SPs), communication medium access operational modes, adaptation thereof, etc.).

Claims20

Dependent claims

A wireless communication device comprising:

a communication interface;
and
a processor, the processor and the communication interface configured to:
support first communications with a first smart meter station (SMSTA) to determine a first at least one characteristic of the first SMSTA;
support second communications with a second SMSTA to determine a second at least one characteristic of the second SMSTA;
generate, based on the first at least one characteristic and the second at least one characteristic, an announcement or assignment frame to direct the first SMSTA to awaken from a power savings mode to an operational mode and to support third communications with the wireless communication device at or during a first time and to direct the second SMSTA to awaken from the power savings mode to the operational mode and to support fourth communications with the wireless communication device at or during a second time;
transmit the announcement or assignment frame to the first SMSTA;
and
transmit the announcement or assignment frame to the second SMSTA.

6 more elements

A wireless communication device comprising:

a communication interface;
and
a processor, the processor and communication interface configured to:
support first communications with a first smart meter station (SMSTA) during a first association process between the first SMSTA and the wireless communication device to determine a first at least one characteristic of the first SMSTA;
support second communications with a second SMSTA during a second association process between the second SMSTA and the wireless communication device to determine a second at least one characteristic of the second SMSTA;
generate, based on the first at least one characteristic and the second at least one characteristic, an announcement or assignment frame to direct the first SMSTA to awaken from a power savings mode to an operational mode and to support third communications with the wireless communication device at or during a first time and to direct the second SMSTA to awaken from the power savings mode to the operational mode and to support fourth communications with the wireless communication device at or during a second time;
transmit the announcement or assignment frame to the first SMSTA in a first transmission;
and
transmit the announcement or assignment frame to the second SMSTA in a second transmission that is subsequent to the first transmission.

6 more elements

A method for execution by a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

supporting, via a communication interface of the wireless communication device, first communications with a first smart meter station (SMSTA) to determine a first at least one characteristic of the first SMSTA;
supporting, via the communication interface, second communications with a second SMSTA to determine a second at least one characteristic of the second SMSTA;
generating, based on the first at least one characteristic and the second at least one characteristic, an announcement or assignment frame to direct the first SMSTA to awaken from a power savings mode to an operational mode and to support third communications with the wireless communication device at or during a first time and to direct the second SMSTA to awaken from the power savings mode to the operational mode and to support fourth communications with the wireless communication device at or during a second time;
transmitting, via the communication interface, the announcement or assignment frame to the first SMSTA;
and
transmitting, via the communication interface, the announcement or assignment frame to the second SMSTA.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications

Life of this patent

Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20