Methods and Apparatus for Coordination of Wireless Network Communication

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• memory storing a program of instructions;
• wherein the memory storing the program of instructions is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
• receive at least first and second frames from an access point in at least first and second frequency sub-bands, respectively, the at least first and second frequency sub-bands being encompassed within a frequency band, each of the first and second frames comprising a duration field specifying a time duration during which an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing device is to refrain from accessing the sub-bands in which the at least first and second frames are received;
• and
• receive an additional frame in a portion of the frequency band comprising all of the at least first and second frequency sub-bands during the duration specified by the duration field;
• wherein the first and second frames are received according to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technique and wherein the additional frame is received according to orthogonal frequency division multiple access techniques.

A method comprising:

• defining at least first and second frames for transmission in at least first and second frequency sub-bands, respectively, the at least first and second frequency sub-bands being encompassed within a frequency band, each of the first and second frames comprising a duration field specifying a time duration during which an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing device is to refrain from accessing the sub-bands in which the at least first and second frames are transmitted;
• defining an additional frame for transmission in a portion of the frequency band comprising all of the at least first and second frequency sub-bands;
• transmitting the at least first and second frames using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technique;
• and
• transmitting the additional frame using an orthogonal frequency division multiple access technique.

A method comprising:

• receiving at least first and second frames transmitted by an access point in at least first and second frequency sub-bands, respectively, the at least first and second frequency sub-bands being encompassed within a frequency band, each of the first and second frames comprising a duration field specifying a time duration during which an orthogonal frequency division multiplexmg device is to refrain from accessing the sub-bands in which the at least first and second communication frames are transmitted;
• and
• receiving an additional frame transmitted in a portion of the frequency band comprising the at least first and second frequency sub-bands during the duration specified by the duration field, such that transmission of the communication frame is protected from interference by orthogonal frequency division multiplexmg devices;
• wherein the first and second frames are transmitted using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technique and wherein the additional frame is transmitted using orthogonal frequency division multiple access techniques.

A computer readable medium storing a program of instructions, execution of which by at least one processor configures an apparatus to at least:

• define at least first and second frames for transmission in at least first and second frequency sub-bands, respectively, the at least first and second frequency sub-bands being encompassed within a frequency band, each of the first and second frames comprising a duration field specifying a time duration during which an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing device is to refrain from accessing the sub-bands in which the at least first and second frames are transmitted;
• define an additional frame for transmission in a portion of the frequency band comprising all of the at least first and second frequency sub-bands;
• transmit the at least first and second frames using an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technique;
• and
• transmit the additional frame using an orthogonal frequency division multiple access technique.

A computer readable medium storing a program of instructions, execution of which by at least one processor configures an apparatus to at least:

• receive at least first and second frames from an access point in at least first and second frequency sub-bands, respectively, the at least first and second frequency sub-bands being encompassed within a frequency band, each of the first and second frames comprising a duration field specifying a time duration during which an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing device is to refrain from accessing the sub-bands in which the at least first and second frames are received;
• and
• receive an additional frame in a portion of the frequency band comprising all of the at least first and second frequency sub-bands during the duration specified by the duration field;
• wherein the first and second frames are received according to an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing technique and wherein the additional communication frame is received according to orthogonal frequency division multiple access techniques.