Patent Application
20090168693
Currently, in standards development in Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN), such as, but not limited to, the TC32-TG20—High Rate Short Range Wireless Communication committee, there are multiple types of devices being discussed. Specifically, there is a first type of device called an “advanced device” (AD) which is focused on video streaming at a longer range and high antenna gain and has complex MAC functionality. Another type of device is called a “simple device” (SD) which is targeted at point-n-shoot applications, low power operation, minimum signal processing capability and minimum MAC functionality. Due to mutual interference, it is difficult for these two types of devices to co-exist and be interposable.
Thus, a strong need exists for techniques for the operation of multiple classes of devices in a wireless personal area network.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the preset invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes.
Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. For example, “a plurality of stations” may include two or more stations.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for two or more devices to co-exist and communicate with each other using AD devices as a proxy and to reserve the channel time. An assumption of this embodiment provides that the AD and the SD are sharing the same channel, which in a typical embodiment is usually a frequency channel. The SD will be limited either by reduced Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) or reduced transmit power in order for low cost. Set forth below is a summary of the characteristics of each type of device.
Simple Device (SD)
Focused on Point to Point, Low power, Inexpensive, Minimum MAC
Examples: Phone, PDA, iPod, etc.
Advance Device (AD)
Focused on WPAN usage model, Longer Range, Improved Spatial Reuse, Full MAC
Examples: Set-top Box to TV, Notebook to Peripheral.
Embodiments of the present invention provide using an AD device as a proxy to control the communication of the SD devices. The procedure of the communication between AD and SD includes the AD performing at least the in band MAC for device discovery, reservation, etc. The SD device requires an AD device to be present to be a surrogate to set up the WPAN, beacon, reserve time for SD devices to communicate with the AD device and the SD device communication and interference range is less than an AD device.
Turning now to
In the illustrative embodiment of
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
