Accessing channels in a multi-channel communication system

A communication device for use in a wireless communication network that utilizes a plurality of sub-channels, wherein multiple sub-channels in the plurality of sub-channels can be joined to form a composite channel, the communication device comprising:

• a network interface configured to
• receive a first signal via a first channel, wherein
• the first signal includes first access control information indicating an expected utilization of the first channel, and
• the first channel includes a first sub-channel,
• update a first sub-channel availability indicator based on the first access control information, wherein the first sub-channel availability indicator indicates an expected utilization of the first sub-channel,
• receive a second signal via a second channel, wherein
• the second signal includes second access control information indicating an expected utilization of the second channel, and
• the second channel includes a second sub-channel,
• update a second sub-channel availability indicator based on the second access control information, wherein the second sub-channel availability indicator indicates an expected utilization of the second sub-channel, and
• determine a transmission channel based on the first sub-channel availability indicator and the second sub-channel availability indicator.

A method of determining availability of channels and receivers in a wireless communication network that utilizes a plurality of sub-channels, wherein multiple sub-channels in the plurality of sub-channels can be joined to form a composite channel, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal sent to or from a first receiver via a first channel, wherein
• the first signal includes first access control information indicating an expected utilization of the first channel by the first receiver, and
• the first channel includes a first sub-channel of the plurality of sub-channels;
• updating a first sub-channel availability indicator based on the first access control information, wherein the first sub-channel availability indicator indicates an expected utilization of the first sub-channel;
• and
• updating a first receiver availability indicator based on the first access control information, wherein the first receiver availability indicator indicates expected communication activity of the first receiver.

A communication device for use in a wireless communication network that utilizes a plurality of sub-channels, wherein multiple sub-channels in the plurality of sub-channels can be joined to form a composite channel, the communication device comprising:

• a network interface configured to
• receive a first signal sent to or from a first receiver via a first channel, wherein
• the first signal includes first access control information indicating an expected utilization of the first channel by the first receiver, and
• the first channel includes a first sub-channel,
• update a first sub-channel availability indicator based on the first access control information, wherein the first sub-channel availability indicator indicates an expected utilization of the first sub-channel, and
• update a first receiver availability indicator based on the first access control information, wherein the first receiver availability indicator indicates expected communication activity of the first receiver.