GB2511866A

GB2511866A - Method and apparatus for providing access in a communication system

Info

Publication number: GB2511866A
Application number: GB1304836.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timo Koskela; Anna Pantelidou; Sami Hakola; Samuli Turtinen
Original assignee: Broadcom Corp
Current assignee: Broadcom International Ltd; Broadcom Corp
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2013-03-15
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: GB201304836D0

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program for providing a frame based access (FBA) for a wireless communication system such as a WLAN is disclosed. An FBA frame 412 to be provided to one or more stations (STAs) 434, 436, 438 indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity (TXOP) comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA, comprising for example, at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, or Time division multiple access (TDMA). The FBA frame may be transmitted in a beacon or at a predetermined time after a beacon. The FBA frame may contain an indication of MIMO mode. Legacy STAs interpret the frame as a long transmission and may enter low power mode.

Description

Method and Apparatus for Providing Access in a Communication System

Technical Field

An example embodiment of the present invention relates generally to wireless communications technology and, more particularly, to a method, apparatus and computer program product for providing framc based access between an access point and a plurality of stations.

Background

Access points (APs) are capable of communicating with a large number of associated stations (STAs). The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.llah standard defines the communication between stations and access points in the sub 1 gigahertz (0Hz) band. However, 802.11 is expanding its foot print on 50Hz unlicensed spectrum by introducing 1 lac (Very High Throughput amendment). Having large portions of spectrum available for 50Hz operation means there may be potential to have multiple wideband channels available. e.g., 802.llac defines 20/40/80/160 channel widths maybe used. There also may be multiples of 80/160 MHz channels available in the fttture. With the increased bandwidth, the data rates will be higher and thus the transmission times will be shorter. And with conventional distributed coordination frmnction (DCF), the portion of the DCF overhcad increases as the data rates grow higher.

The spectrum efficiency of the system is then reduced.

While the Carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) mechanism has been successful and has its benefits, it may lead to unfair, in terms of channels access, utilization of the transmission resources. To address this issue, 802.11 has defined a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and Enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) mechanism to improve the Quality of Service (Q0S) in the basic service set (BSS). However, these mechanisms may not be sufficient to meet the requirements for future deployments e.g., Access Point (or cell) edge throughputs in dense deployment scenarios. Also in order to potentially apply AF-to-AP coordination in the future 802.11 systems, AP should have a mechanism to control the medium utilization in the BSS in an efficient manner while maintaining backwards compatibility and flexibility of CSMA/DCF based access when needed.

Existing methods to control medium utilization may be inefficient. Some existing methods include (1) PCF, point coordination functions in 802.11, where an AP polls STAs separately for data, (2) medium access control (MAC) header format, (3) TXOP which allows a single STA to transmit as much data as possible within the time constraints or the AP and STA to have a speed frame exchange where one AP or STA responds to data frames with another data frame, and (4) Restricted Access Window (RAW) which indicates slots for STAs and restricts access for contention based access.

RAW is designed to reduce the number of stations that will contend for the channel at the same time.

Summary

An example embodiment of the present invention may improve average throughputs, including the improvement of BSS-edge (cell-edge) throughput and the reduction of the degrading impact of BSS-edge STA on other STAs (e.g. in case of OBSS, Overlapping Basic Service Set). An example embodiment of the present invention may also improve the scheduling capabilities of the AP to apply fairness strategies, which may also improve the average throughput. Further, an example embodiment of the present invention may also improve robustness to interference, and aid in better coordination between co-located BSSs for spectrum sharing, interference management and QoS including better robusthess to band saturation, adaptation to outdoor deployments, and range extension, as well as support for longer delay spreads.

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment to provide frame based access.

In one embodiment, a method for providing a frame based access (FBA) is providcd that includes causing a FBA frame to bc provided to onc or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA, and providing FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with the EBA frame. The method may also comprise causing observation of a channel and causing transmission of a FBA frame at a time where the channel is unoccupied. In one embodiment, the method may further include causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an information element. In another embodiment, the method may include causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, wherein the beacon comprises a target start time of the FBA access. In yet another embodiment, the method may include causing transmission of the FBA frame at a predetermined time after a beacon.

In another embodiment, the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple inputimultiple output mode. In another embodiment, the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power mode. In another embodiment the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device. In another embodiment, the FBA frame is provided by a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.

In another embodiment, the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). In another embodiment, the method may further comprise causing a second frame to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA. hi another embodiment only one access type is supported per FBA. In another embodiment, the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions. In another embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.

In one embodiment, during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode. In another embodiment, FBA is provided by an access point. hi an alternative embodiment, FBA may be provided by a station. In one embodiment, one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal. In one embodiment, scheduled access, such as FBA, is provided in a 802.1 I wireless system.

In a further embodiment, a method for use in a station is provided including receiving a frame based access (FBA) frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA, and causing access to an access point in accordance with the FBA frame. In one embodiment, only one access type is supported per FBA. hi one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode. In one embodiment, the EBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices to enter a low power mode.

In one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device. In one embodiment, the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set. Tn one embodiment, the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, or Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).

In one embodiment, the method may ifirther include receiving of a second frame from the access point causing termination of the FBA. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame. In one embodiment, during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode. in one embodiment one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal. In one embodiment, FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus may comprise a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus at least to cause a FBA frame to be provided to one or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA, provide FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with the FBA frame.

The processing system may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code.

In one embodiment, the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause observation of a channel and cause transmission of a FBA frame at a time where the channel is unoccupied. In one embodiment, the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an information element. In one embodiment, the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, wherein the beacon comprises a target start time of the FBA access.

In one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode. In one embodiment, the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to onc or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power modc. In one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodablc by a legacy device. In one embodiment, the FBA frame is provided by a station in the indcpcndcnt basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.

In one embodiment, the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). Tn one embodiment, the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause a second frame to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA. In one embodiment, the processing system is arranged to cause transmission of the FBA frame at a predetermined time after a beacon.

In one embodiment, only one access type is supported per FBA. k one embodiment, the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.

In one embodiment, during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode. In another embodiment, FBA is provided by an access point. In an alternative embodiment, FBA may be provided by a station. In one embodiment, one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal. In one embodiment, scheduled access, such as FBA, is provided in a 802.1 I wireless system.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus may comprise a processing system arrangcd to cause the apparatus at least to receive a frame based access (FBA) frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA, and cause access to an access point in accordance with the FBA frame.

The processing system may comprise at least one processor and at least one memoiy including computer program code.

In one embodiment, one access type is supported per FBA. In one embodiment, thc FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode. In onc embodiment the FBA framc is interpreted as a long transmission to onc or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices to enter a low power mode. In one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device. Tn onc en*bodimcnt the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic service sct or in the mesh basic service set. In onc embodiment, the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, or Time division multiple acccss (TDMA), Codc division multiple acccss (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiplc Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). In one embodiment, the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to receive a second frame from the access point causing termination of the FBA. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product may comprise at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions for causing a FBA frame to be provided to one or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA, and providing FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with thc FBA frame. Tn one embodiment, during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode. In one embodiment one or more stations arc embodicd as a mobile terminal. Tn one embodiment, FBA is provided in a 802.!! wireless system.

In one embodiment, the computer-executable program code portions flirther comprise program code instructions for causing observation of a channel and causing transmission of a FBA frame at a time where the channel is unoccupied. In one embodiment, the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an information element. In onc embodiment, the eomputer-cxeeutable program code portions further eomprisc program code instructions for causing transmission of thc FBA framc in a beacon, whcrein the beacon comprises a target start time of the FBA access.

In one embodiment, the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for causing transmission of the FBA frame at a predetermined time after a beacon. In one embodiment the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode. Tn one embodiment, the EBA frame is inteipreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power mode. in one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device. In one embodiment, the FBA frame is provided by a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.

In one embodiment the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). In one embodiment, the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for causing a second frame to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA. In one embodiment, only one access type is supported per FBA. In one embodiment, a second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.

In a further embodiment, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product may comprise at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions for receiving a frame based access (FBA) frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for thc FDA, and causing access to an access point in accordance with the FBA frame.

In one embodiment, only one access type is supported per FDA. In one I 0 embodiment, the FDA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode. In one embodiment the FDA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices to enter a low power mode.

In one embodiment the FDA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodablc by a legacy device. Tn one embodiment, the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set. In one embodiment, the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, or Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). In one embodiment, the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for receiving of a second frame from the access point causing termination of the FBA. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame. In one embodiment, during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode. In one embodiment one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal. In one embodiment, FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus may comprise means for causing a FBA frame to be provided to one or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FDA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for thc FDA, and means for providing FDA access to one or more stations in accordance with the FBA flame. In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include means for causing observation of a channel and causing transmission of a FBA frame at a time where the channel is unoccupied.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include means for causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an information element. In one cmbodiment, thc apparatus may further include means for causing transmission of the FBA framc in a bcacon, whercin thc bcacon compriscs a targct start time of thc FBA access. In onc embodiment, thc apparatus may further include means for causing transmission of the FBA frame at a predetermined time aftcr a beacon. In one I 0 embodiment, only one access type is supported per FBA.

In one embodiment, the FBA frame compriscs an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode. In one embodiment, the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power modc. In one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device. In one embodiment, the FBA frame is provided by a station in the indepcndent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.

In one embodiment, the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include means for causing a second frame to be pmvided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame. In one embodiment, during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode. hi another embodiment, FBA is provided by an access point. In an alternative embodiment, FBA may be provided by a station. In one embodiment, one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal. In one embodiment, schcduled access, such as FBA, is provided in a 802.11 wireless system In a frirther embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include means for receiving a frame based access (FBA) frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA, and means for causing access to an access point in accordance with the FBA frame.

In one embodiment, only one access type is supported per FBA. In one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode. In one embodiment, the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices to enter a low power mode.

In one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device.

In one embodiment, the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set. In one embodiment, the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, or Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include means for receiving of a second frame from the access point causing termination of the FBA. hi one embodiment, the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions. In one embodiment, the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame. In one embodiment, during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode. In one embodiment one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal. In one embodiment, FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system

Brief Description of the Drawings

Having thus described example embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a system that supports communications between access points and stations in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be embodied by an access point or a station and that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example cmbodiment of thc prcscnt invention; Figurc 3 is a flow chart illustrating opcrations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2 embodied by an access point, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a timing diagram of a FBA period in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure Sa shows an example illustration of a FBA information element in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure Sb shows an example illustration of an FBA frame format in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6a shows an example illustration of a frame control field in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6b shows an example embodiment, in which a clear-to-send (CTS) message ensures backwards compatibility in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 an example illustration of a FBA End frame in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows an example illustration of an embodiment of allocating 20MHZ channels inside 80 MHz BSS in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 shows an example illustration of FBA capability information in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2 embodied by a station, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these cmbodimcnts arc provided so that this disclosure will satisl applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and soffivare (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work togcthcr to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmwarc is not physically prcscnt.

This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention in order to assign stations 10 to slots within a restricted access window (RAW) in a manner that takes into account the type of station. As such, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment may assign the same type of stations to a respective slot of the RAW in order to facilitate communications between an access point 12 and the stations.

In an instance in which the RAW includes one or more slots for supporting communications with a first type of station and one or more slots for supporting communications with a second, different type of station, the method, apparatus and computer program product of an example embodiment may configure the slots within the RAW in such a manner that a certain type of station may efficiently communicate with the access point, such as by sleeping during the slots assigned to a different type of station.

Referring now to Figure I, which illustratcs an cxample system that supports communications betwecn a plurality of stations tO and one or niorc access points 12, cach acccss point may communicate with onc or more stations and, in one embodiment, may communicate with a large number of stations, such as 6,000 or more stations. The access points may, in turn, communicate with a network 14. While the access points may communicate via an Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, other networks may support communications between the access points including those configured in accordancc with wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), CDMA2000, global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), the IEEE 802.11 standard including, for example, the IEEE 802.1 lah or 802.llac standard, wireless local access network (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) protocols, universal mobile telecommunications systems (UTvITS) terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) and/or the like.

The access points 12 and the stations 10 may communicate via wireline communications, but most commonly communicate via wireless communications. For example, the access points and the stations may communicate in a sub 1 GHz band as defined by WEE 802.11th standard or in a 5GHz band, which may be defined by, for example, WEE 802.llac standard. The access point may be embodied by any of a variety of network entities, such as an access point, a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (R}4C) or the like. The stations may also be embodied by a variety of devices, such as sensors, meters or the like. The sensors and meters may be deployed in a variety of different applications including in utility applications to serve as a gas meter, a water meter, a power meter or the like, in environmental and/or agricultural monitoring applications, in industrial process automation applications, in healthcarc and fitness applications, in building automation and control applications and!or in temperature sensing applications. Stations that are embodied by sensors or meters may be utilized in some embodiments to backhaul sensor and meter data. Alternatively, the stations may be embodied by mobile terminals or user equipment(s) (tiE), such as mobile communication devices, e.g., mobile telephones, smart phones, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, laptop computers, tablet computers or any of numerous other hand held or portable communication devices, computation devices, content generation devices, content consumption devices, or combinations thereof Tn an embodiment in which the station is embodied by a mobile terminal, the communication between an access point and the station may serve to extend the range of wi-fl or another wireless local area network (WLAN), such as by extending thc range of a hotspot, and to offload traffic that otherwise would be carried by a cellular or other network.

The access point 12 andIor the station 10 may be embodied as or otherwise include an apparatus 20 that is specifically configured to perform the ftinctions of the respective device, as generically represented by the block diagram of Figure 2. While the apparatus may be cn1ployed, for example, by an access point or a station, it should be noted that the components, devices or elements described below may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments may include fijrther or different components, devices or elements beyond those shown and described herein.

As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 20 may include or otherwise be in communication with processing circuitry 22 that is configurable to perform actions in accordance with example embodiments described herein. The processing circuifry may be configured to perform data processing, application execution, signal processing, measurements and report generation, and/or other processing and management services according to an example embodiment of the present invention. k some embodiments, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and!or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus or the processing circuitry may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein. Alternatively or additionally, a processing system may be embodied by or have similar functionality to thc processing circuitry.

In an example embodiment, thc processing circuitry 22 may include a processor 24 and memory 26 that may be in communication with or otherwise control a communication interface 28 and, in some cases, a user interface 30. As such, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein. However, in sonic embodiments, the processing circuitry may be embodied as aportion of the mobile terminal tO.

The user interface 30 (if implemented) may be in communication with the processing circuitry 22 to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the uscr In this regard, the user interface andIor the processing circuitry 22 may include user interface circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions based upon user input. The user interface may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input/output mechanisms. The apparatus 20 need not always include a user interface.

The communication interface 28 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks, such as for enabling communication between an access point 12 and a station 10 or between two or more stations. In some cases, the communication interface may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network and/or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuitry 22. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or soffivare for enabling communications with a wireless communication network and/or a communication modem or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or other methods.

In an example embodiment, the memory 26 may include one or more non-transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus 20 to carry out various thnetions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory may be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 24. Additionally or alternatively, the memory could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor. As yet another alternative, the memory may include one of a plurality of databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets. Among the contents of the memory, applications may be stored for execution by the processor in order to carry out the thnetionality associated with each respective application. In sonic cases, the memory may be in communication with the processor via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus.

The processor 24 may be embodied in a number of different ways For example, the processor may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coproeessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 26 or otherwise accessible to the processor. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and sofiware, the processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry -in the form of processing circuitry 22) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the operations described herein.

A new access type is introduced in 802.11 to initiate a multi-user "FRAME BASED ACCESS" (FBA) period. In this regard, an AP may initiate a multi-user TXOP where the AP may indicate the allocated resources, in for example, a single-channel orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access ([DMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Acccss (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) manner in an 802.11 system. The AP niay start and end an FBA period by transmitting a specific frame Rcferring now to Figure 3, the operations performed by an apparatus 20, such as illustrated in Figure 2, cnibodied by an access point 12 are illustrated and will be hereinafter described. Referring now to block 34 of Figure 3, the apparatus may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication interface 28 or the like, for causing an FBA franie to be provided to one or niore stations 10. Tn one embodiment, the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources in a wireless system and an access type for thc FBA period. In sonic T 5 embodiments, the access type comprises at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), and single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).

A FBA period may be initiated by transmitting an FBA frame. In one embodiment, a FBA frame may be transmitted by way of a beacon containing FBA information element. In alternative embodiments, a FBA frame may be transmitted by way of a new FBA frame or an existing frame containing reinterpretation of the information fields and indicating the reinterpretation by setting a bit combination in the Frame Control (FC) (e.g., Clear-To-Send (CTS)).

In one embodiment, in order to facilitate the allocation of transmission resources to one or more stations, a FBA frame may be provided. The FBA frame may include an indication which of one or more stations may access which of one or more slots, which of one or more access types may be provided and the duration of the slots.

In one embodiment, an FBA frame may contain the indication of multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) mode in the current FBA period. For example, the FBA frame may contain the indication of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) multiple input7multiple output (MIMO) and/or DL/UL multi-user MIMO. The FBA frame may be seen as a transmission opportunity (TXOP)/long transmission by legacy devices and they may set the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) for the duration of the FBA period as it was a TXOP.

In one embodiment, an FBA frame may be provided and/or an FBA period may bc initiated at any time after PIFS when the channel is observed to be free. In another embodiment, the AP may contend for the channel in Carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) manner and initiate FBA once the channels have been observed to be free for DIFS.

In another embodiment, an access point (AP) may initiate the FBA period by indicating it in the beacon and including an information element to initiate. The FBA period may then begin after the beacon transmission (e.g., beacon + xIFS (e.g., Short Inter Frame Space (SIFS) or Point Coordination Inter Frame Space (PIFS))).

Alternatively it may be transmitted immediately after (short) beacon An AP may indicate in the beacon whether this beacon period will contain an FBA period In one embodiment, an AP may indicatc in the beacon a target start time of the FBA period. In another embodiment, an AP may indicate, for example in a beacon, when FBA information will be sent. FBA information may not and need not be part of every beacon. FBA information may be in terms of an FBA frequency and/or count. For example, an indication of FBA frame information may be sent every n beacon period and/or an indication of the remaining count of beacons before the next FBA. FBA may also be transmitted in semi-persistent manner so that specific part of beacon period is set to be an FBA period. FBA period may also last the whole beacon period A FBA period may be indicated by transmitting the FBA frame to one or more of a (1) Broadcast Address wherein an indication may be transmitted in the beacon or the like CTS which is meant to be heard by everyone; (2) Unicast Address, wherein an AP may transmit the FBA indication to single address to initiate frame based TXOP; or (3) Group Address where an AP may form scheduling groups and indicate the beginning of FBA to a group of STAs.

Rcgarding FBA frame design, in an instance in which a new frame is transmitted with specific fields, the frame may includc at least duration field and a header which is decodable by legacy devices. In one embodiment, an existing frame is used with reinterpreted fields. k another embodiment, FBA information may be transmitted in an information element.

In one embodiment, a STA may initiate FBA period in the Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) or in the Mesh Basic Service Set (MBSS).

Rcferring now to block 36 of Figure 3, the apparatus may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication interface 28 or the like, for providing FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with the FBA frame.

Rcferring now to block 38 of Figure 3, the apparatus may include means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communication interface 28 or the like, for causing a second frame (e.g., called a FBA-End frame) to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA period. An FBA period may be coupled with a second frame (e.g., a FBA-End frame) which ends the multiuser TXOP and frame based access and may additionally acknowledge any preceding UL transmissions. A second frame (e.g., a FBA-End frame) may be an existing frame (e.g., a CF-End frame or a Block-ACK frame with a modified type/subtype fields to indicate FBA access) In one alternative example the FBA period may be terminated without FBA-end frame e.g., by AP sending an ACK for the preceding UL frames.

Figure 4 shows a timing diagram of a FBA period in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. A FBA period may be initiated by providing, transmitting, or sending an FBA frame. In one embodiment, a FBA frame may be provided at any time at the discretion of an AP or STA when the channel is observed to be unoccupied. In another embodiment, a FBA frame may be transmitted in a beacon (as an information element) or after a beacon + Inter Frame Space (IFS) (e.g. PWS).

In one embodiment, an AP may contend for the channel by using CSMA. In another embodiment, an AP may initiate FBA at a specific time after beacon transmission. Tn another embodiment, an AP may also indicate, in the beacon, a target FBA start time (e.g., SOms) after the beacon is transmitted. An AP may also utilize PIFS at any time after transmission by a STA (or the channel is observed to be idle).

A FBA frame may indicate access type for the FBA period. For example, the FBA frame may indicate one or morc of single channel OFDMA, multichannel OFDMA or TDMA for the FBA period. Alternatively an FBA may support only one access type per FBA period. Additional parameters may be present in the FBA frame configuration.

One example of single channel OFDMA is that AP has a deployment bandwidth of 80 MHz and it allocates resources with 20 MHz granularity (following the 20 MHz channelization). In another example AP may allocate resources with different granularity in such manner that the resource allocation unit (granularity is higher or smaller than the said 20 MHz, e.g. l/5/l0/ISMHz). In multichannel OFDMA is deploycd to one primary channel (20 MHz) and it allocates resources on the secondary 20 MHz channels to STAs during FBA. In TDMA allocation AP assigns the channel to one STA at the time.

Although the current DCF (and the 802.11) operates in such manner the FBA based TDMA access has benefits of potentially reducing overhead since FBA period is free of contention.

In one embodiment, the FBA frame may bc transmitted on the hill Basic Service Set (BSS) bandwidth. Alternatively FBA frame may be repeated per 20MHz inside the BSS deployment bandwidth, which may achieve legacy support and coexistence.

Alternatively the FBA may be repeated on primary and secondary channel(s) if BSS is deployed in 2OMHz+2OMHz mode or in more generally expressed N x 20 MHz mode where at least one channel is considered to be primary (or similarly 8OMHz+8OMHz mode etc.).

In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, after AP 432 transmits a beacon 402, a legacy STA3 438 may transmit a frame 406 using CSMA 404 follo\ved by a SIFS period 408 and an AP may initiate an FBA period 414 after ackiiowledgement 410 + PIFS 412.

The AP 432 has initiated a FBA period with 2DL/2UL configuration (comprised of 2 downlink slots 416 and 418 and 2 uplink slots 422 and 424, separated by if'S 420) and indicated that STA1 434 and STA2 436 shall receive downlink data in OFDMA manner, e.g. in case of 80 MHz channel, the AP 432 may allocate resources in multiples of 20 MHz (2x2OMHz for STA I 434 and STA2 436 in the first DL slot 416) and in the second DL slot 418, the whole bandwidth is allocated for STA1 434 (either 80MHz or 4x2OMHz). On UL slots 422 and 424, STA I 434 and STA2 436 may transmit with 2x2OMHz allocations.

A second frame (e.g.. a FBA-End frame) may be transmitted at slot 428 after SIFS 426 and is used to release the TXOP and acknowledge the uplink transmissions, which occurs at slot 428. AP may transmit FBA-end with full bandwidth or repeat the FBA end message per 20 MHz. FBA-end may contain block acknowledgements ACKs) for STAs which transmitted on UL direction during FBA period. After which, frames again may be transmitted using CSMA access 404 and the AP 432 may transmit a beacon.

In onc embodiment, for legacy STAs, an AP may indicate the duration of the FBA period in the physical layer (PHY) header by indicating it the Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) header. Legacy STA may read, for example the PHY header part of the FBA frame which is transmitted with low Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) (typically 1/2 Binary phase-shift keying (BPSK)). Additionally legacy STA3 438 may be able to decode the duration field of the MAC header and the check the RA/AID address. If the RA/AID does not match, the legacy STA3 438 may set the NAV 406 according to the duration value. In an instance in which the FBA frame is an existing frame (with reinterpretation of information fields) STA may interpret the FBA period for STAI 434 and STA2 436 as a TXOP (based on duration field) and may set NAV accordingly. In an instance in which a legacy station or any STA misses the FBA frame, transmission may rely on Clear Channel Assessment Energy Detection (CCA-ED) as specified in 802.11.

In one embodiment, FBA period may have fixed frame lengths which are indicated in the system parameters (e.g., specific capability field) or in a separate FBA-parameter element. If a STA has allocation for 2 consecutive slots it may transmit one continuous frame across the slots. In one embodiment, such continuous transmission may be disallowed by an AP. In another embodiment, channel coding is made per slot. If Al? selects fixed slot durations for an FBA period, the values may be indicated in the system parameters (DL and UL may have different duration values). An AP may select and inform slot durations also pcr FBA period. In one embodiment, an AP may select duration values individually per slot, such as for example, DL1 = ims and DL2= 2ms and ULI= 0.Snis and UL2= 3ms. Tf the FBA period has only UPLINK frames, the UL slots may start after IFS and after the AP has transmitted the FBA frame. Alternatively the FBA pcriod may have only DOWNL1NK (DL-only) frames. In a DL-only example, the AP indicates STAs of the uplink slots for transmitting feedback in for example, either OFDMA or TDMA manner.

Figure SA shows an example illustration of a FBA information element. The FBA frame may indicate the beginning of a frame based access period. The information element may include an information element 502, a length 504, a receiver address (RA)/association identifier (AID) 506, frame configuration 508, resource allocation table 510 and additional modes 512. Additionally or alternatively, the FBA frame may also indicate thc frame configuration which will be valid for this FBA pcriod.

Figure SB shows an example illustration of an FBA frame format. In one example the FBA frame is implemented as a control frame with a frame control (FC) 520, duration 522, transmitter address(TA) (e.g., association identifier (AID)/basic service set identifier (BSSID)) 524, receiver address (RA)/association identifier (AID) 526, frame configuration 528, a resource allocation table 530, additional modes 532, and frame check sequence (FCS) 534.

Figure 6A shows an example illustration of a frame control field. In one embodiment, the frame control field comprises 16 bits (e.g., B0-B15) and the existing bit fields in specific combination in the frame control field of the MAC header may be used to indicate the start of an FBA period. In an example embodiment, the frame control field comprises 2 bits allocated for Protocol Version 602, 2 bits for Type 604, 4 bits for Sub-Type 606, a bit for To DS 608, a bit for From DS 610, a bit for More Fragments 612, a bit for Retry 614, a bit for Power Management 616, a bit for More Data 618 a bit for Protected Frame 620 and a bit for Order 622. In one example, a Type (e.g., 01) and subtype (e.g., 1100) indicates that the Frame is a clear to send (CTS) frame. By selecting appropriate combinations of the FC bits that are not used in CTS frame, the rest of the frame can be reinterpreted by FBA compatible STAs and seen as a CTS frame by legacy STAs.

Figure 6B shows an example embodiment, in which a CTS message (modified or non-modified) sent to one of unicast, group, or broadcast address and followed by FBA frame after STFS would ensure bachvards compatibility. In one embodiment, after AP 432 transmits a beacon 402, a CSMA acccss period 404 follows. AP 432 may then scnd a CTS message 502 followed by an FBA frame 508 after SIFS 506. FBA compatible STAs 434 and 436 may interpret the FBA frame 508 as initiating a FBA period 510. Non-compatible Legacy STA3 438 may interpret FBA frame 508 as a CTS frame and may set NAV 504 accordingly. FBA-end frame 514 is transmitted after SIFS 512 and is used to release the TXOP. Frames may then be transmitted using CSMA access 516 and the AP 432 may transmit a beacon 518.

Figure 7 shows an cxample illustration of a second frame (e.g., a FBA-End frame). An FBA-end may be the last frame of the FBA period. An FBA-End frame may include FC ficld 702, duration 704, TA (AID/BSS TD) 706 RA/AID 708, acknowledgements for the uplink transmissions of the FBA period 710, additional information 712 and FCS 714. In one embodiment, FBA-end releascs the TXOP. FBA- end may include ACKs for all the STAs in the FBA. In one embodiment, wherc FBA-end is repeated per 20Mhz, cach 20 MHz FBA-end may include ACKs for different STAs. For example, FBA-end may include ACKs at least for one or more STAs.

In another embodiment, an AP may transmit new FBA frame instead of FBA -end to continue the IXOP. In this case the FBA frame that continues the IXOP may comprise acknowledgements for UL frames. In one example the FBA-end is implemented as a control frame and/or not by redefining an existing frame.

In one embodiment, FBA may also be used as a single user TXOP enhancement by allocating the frames for a single user. For example, MAC and/or PRY headers do not need to be transmitted per frame as in DCF since the transmitting and receiving STA are known due to FBA scheduled access.

Figure 8 shows an example illustration of an embodiment of allocating 20MHz channels inside 80 MHz BSS 802. In one embodiment, resources are allocated such that the 80MHz bandwidth is divided to 4 x 20Mhz resource blocks. In 20MHz block may be allocated independently or for example, in one or more combinations. The resource blocks may follow 1 lac channelization. Alternatively, other allocation bandwidths may be used, such as for example, a 40MHz resource block allocated to for example a first station and 2x2OMHz resource blocks allocated each to a second and third station respectively, as shown in 804 and 808. Alternatively, a 20MHz resource block may be allocated to a first station and 3x2OMHz resource blocks may be allocated to a second station as shown in 806 in Figure 8.

In one embodiment, one or more STAs may enter in so-called micro-sleep state (e.g., short sleeping period) during FBA if not scheduled during at least one slot. In one example based on figure 8, STA1, STA2 and STA3 receive data on DL slot 1 but on DL slot 2 the AP has scheduled only STA1 and STA2, thus STA3 may enter sleep mode until it has the transmission resources in UL slot. In one further example AP may schedule only STAI in DL slot I and only STA2 in thc DL slot 2. This allows STA2 to micro-sleep for DL slot I and STA I to micro slccp during DL slot 2. STA3 may micro-sleep during DL slots I and 2 and thcn transmit on UL slot I. Also STA I and STA2 may bc scheduled in UL slot I. In onc example, Figurc 4 shows scheduled DLI slot 418 indicating access for STA I. In onc embodimcnt, during 418, STA2 may enter a sleep mode or othcr low cnergy mode. STA2 may wake at or bcforc slot 422 where STA2 is scheduled for UL acccss. Tn onc cmbodimcnt, a STA may indicatc thc AP (e.g., during association or any nianagcment frame exchangc) that it supports micro-sleep' which may allow AP to schedule resources such that for example, the energy efficiency is maximized at STA side. In one embodiment, AP may indicate in the beaconIprobe response/association response that it supports micro-sleep operation. In another embodiment, AP may also disable the micro-sleep so that STAs must be awake during FBA.

In another embodiment, if an AP is deployed as a narrower band BSS than 80MHz, an allocation, such as for example 8MHz BSS (as in 1 lah), a similar division between resources may be utilized. For example, an AP may choose to have 1/2/4/8 MHz allocations.

In one embodiment, FBA may be expanded to include ilL and DL transmissions by indicating resource allocations in the FBA frame.

Figure 9 shows an example illustration of FBA capability information. An Al? may indicate the FBA capability, such as whether the Al? supports FBA, in a beacon frame, probe response frame, association response frame or in any management/control frame. For example, The FBA Capability Element may be included by an AP and a mesh STA when dotl IFrameBasedAccessoptionimplemented is tme. In one embodiment, this is how 802.11 lists the information (e.g., what is transmitted in the beacon). Referring to Figure 9, for example, instead of 56th element in the frame body the word order may be used.

Figure 10 illustrates a flow chart for operations performed by the apparatus 20, such as shown in Figure 2, embodied by a station 10, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. As shown in block 1000 of Figure 10, the apparatus cnibodied by a station may include nieans, such as thc proccssing circuitry 22, the processor 24, the communications interface 28 or the like, for receiving a FBA frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity. Tn one embodiment, the ERA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA period. In sonic embodiments, the access type compriscs at least one of a single-channel orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). Also the resource allocation in the FBA may implicitly indicate the access type. As shown in block 1010 of Figure 10, the apparatus embodied by thc station may also include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor or the like, for determining whether the FBA frame indicates accessibility. If the determination at block 1010 yields a yes, as shown in block 1020, the apparatus embodied by the station may also include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor or the like, for accessing the access point in accordance with the FBA frame.

However, in an instance in which the determination at block 1010 yields a no, as shown in block 1030, the apparatus embodied by the station may also include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor or the like, for determining the number of slots allocated to a different station based on the FBA frame resource allocation information. As shown in block 1040, the apparatus embodied by the station may also include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor or the like, for waiting, entering a low power mode, or sleeping during a duration of the slots allocated to the different station.

Figures 3 and 10 illustrate example operations perfornied by a method, apparatus and computer program product, such as apparatus 20 of Figure 2 as embodied by an access point 12 and a station 10, respectively, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuifry and/or other device associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory 26 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 24 in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may bc loaded onto a I 0 computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of the ftinctions specified in the flowcharts' blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to thnction in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the &nction specified in the flowcharts' blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts' blocks. As such, the operations of Figures 3 and 10, when executed, convert a computer or processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations of Figures 3 and 10 define an algorithm for configuring a computer or processing circuitry 22, e.g., processor, to perform an example embodiment. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithm of Figures 3 and 10 to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment.

Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified fianctions and combinations of operations for performing the specified fhnctions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified flmctions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in sonic embodiments additional optional opcrations niay also bc included as shown, for example, by the blocks having a dashed outline in Figure 10. It should be appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additions or amplifications below may be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth hercin will conic to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions arc not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or frmnctions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for providing a frame based access (FBA), the method comprising: causing a FBA frame to be provided to one or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access typc for the FBA; and providing FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with the FBA frame.
2. The method according to Claim I, further comprising causing observation of a channel and causing transmission of a ERA frame at a time where the channel is unoccupied.
3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an information element.
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, wherein the beacon comprises a target start time ofthe FBA access.
5. The method according to any of claims 1 and 2, further comprising causing transmission of the FBA frame at a predetermined time after a beacon.
6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein only one access type is supported per FBA.
7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.
8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power mode.
9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header deeodable by a legacy device.
10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the FBA frame is provided by a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set
II. The method according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).
12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising causing a second frame to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.
14. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.
15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein during a time in which access is not schcdulcd, a station enters a sleep mode.
16. The method according to any one of Claims ito 14, wherein FBA is provided by an access point.
17. The method according to any one of Claims ito 16, wherein FBA is provided by a station.
18. The method according to any one of Claims I to 17, wherein one or more stations arc cmbodied as a mobile terminal.
19. The method according to any one of Claims I to IS, wherein FBA is provided in a 802.11 wirelcss system.
20. A method for use in a station, the method comprising: receiving a frame based access (FBA) frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA; and causing access to an access point in accordance with the FBA frame.
2i. The method according to claim 20, wherein only one access type is supported per FBA.
22. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 21, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.
23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy dcvices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power mode.
24. The method according to any onc of claims 20 to 23, wherein the FBA frame compriscs one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy devicc.
25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.
26. Thc method according to any one of the claims 20 to 25, wherein the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channcl OFDMA, or Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).
27. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, further comprising receiving of a second frame from the access point causing termination of the FBA.
28. The method according to claim 22, wherein the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.
29. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 28, wherein the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.
30. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode.
31. The method according to any one of Claims 20 to 30, wherein one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal.
32. The method according to any one of Claims 20 to 31, wherein FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.
33. An apparatus comprising a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus at least to: provide a FBA frame to one or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA; and provide FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with the FBA frame.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to: cause observation of a channel and cause transmission of a FBA frame at a time I 0 where the channel is unoccupied.
35. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 34, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an infoniiati on element.
36. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 34, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, wherein the beacon comprises a target start time of the FBA access.
37. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 34, wherein the processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause transmission of the FBA flame at a predetermined time after a beacon.
38. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein only one access type is supported per FBA.
39. The apparatus of ally one of claims 33 to 38, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.
40. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 39, wherein the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power mode.
41. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 40, wherein the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device.
42. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 41, wherein the FBA frame is provided by a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.
43. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 42, wherein the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA, multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access TDMA), Code division multiplc access (CDMA), Frcquency Division Multiple Access (FDMA, or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).
44. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 43, wherein the prncessing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to cause a second frame to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA.
45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.
46. The apparatus of any one of claims 44 to 45, wherein the second frame comprises an FBA-End frame.
47. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 46, wherein during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode.
48. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 47, wherein FBA is provided by an access point.
49. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 47, wherein FBA is provided by a station.
50. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 49, wherein one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal.
51. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 33 to 50, wherein FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.
52. An apparatus comprising a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus at least to: receive a frame based access (FBA) frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA; and cause access to an access point in accordance with the FBA frame.
53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein one access type is supported per FBA.
54. The apparatus of any one of claims 52 to 53, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.
55. The apparatus of any one of claims 52 to 54, wherein the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices to enter a low power mode.
56. The apparatus of any one of claims 52 to 55, wherein the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device.
57. The apparatus of any one of claims 52 to 56, wherein the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.
58. The apparatus of any one of claims 52 to 57, wherein the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, or Time division multiple access TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).
59. Thc apparatus of any onc of claims 52 to 58, wherein thc processing system is arranged to cause the apparatus to reccivc a second frame from thc access point causing termination of the FBA.
60. Thc apparatus of claim 59, wherein the sccond frame comprises an acknowledgment ofonc or more preceding uplink transmissions.
61. The apparatus of any one of claims 59 to 60, wherein the second frame comprises a EBA-End frame.
62. The apparatus according to any one of claims 52 to 61, wherein during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode.
63. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 52 to 62, wherein one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal.
64. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 52 to 63, wherein FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.
65. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions for: causing a FBA frame to be provided to one or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA; and providing FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with the FBA frame.
66. A computer program product according to Claim 65, wherein the computer-cxecutable program codc portions thrthcr comprise program code instructions for: causing observation of a channel and causing transmission of a FBA frame at a time where the channel is unoccupied.
67. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 66, wherein the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for: causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an information element.
68. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 66, wherein the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for: causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, wherein the beacon comprises a target start time of the FBA access.
69. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 66, wherein the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for: causing transmission ofthe FBA frame at a predetermined time after a beacon.
70. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 69, wherein only one access type is supported per FBA.
71. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 70, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.
72. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 7!, wherein the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power mode.
73. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 72, wherein the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device.S74. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 73, wherein FBA frame is provided by a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.75. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 74, wherein the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).76. A computer program product according to any of claims 65 to 75, wherein the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for: causing a second frame to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA.77. A computer program product according to Claim 76, wherein the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.78. A computer program product according to any one of claims 76 to 77, wherein the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.79. The computer program product according to any one of claims 65 to 78, wherein during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode.80. The computer program product according to any one of Claims 65 to 79, wherein FBA is provided by an access point.81. The computer program product according to any one of Claims 65 to 79, wherein FBA is provided by a station.82. The computer program product according to any one of Claims 65 to 81, wherein onc or morc stations are embodied as a mobile terminaL 83. Thc computcr program product according to any onc of Claims 65 to 82, whcrcin FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.84. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computcr-exccutablc program code instructions stored therein, the computer-exccutablc program code instructions comprising program code instructions for: receiving a frame based access (FBA) frame from an access point indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA; and causing access to an access point in accordance with the FBA frame.85. A computer program product according to Claim 84, wherein only one access type is supported per FBA.86. A computer program product according to any of claims 84 to 85, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.87. A computer program product according to any of claims 84 to 86, wherein the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or morc legacy dcviccs, whercin the one or more legacy deviccs to enter a low power mode.88. A computer program product according to any of claims 84 to 87, wherein the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device.89. A computer program product according to any of claims 84 to 88, wherein the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic servicc set.90. A computer program product according to any of claims 84 to 89, wherein the access type is at least onc of orthogonal frequcncy-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, or Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).91. A computer program product according to any of claims 84 to 90, wherein the computer-executable program code portions further comprise program code instructions for: receiving of a second frame from the access point causing termination of the FBA.92. A computer program product according to claim 91, wherein the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.93. A computer program product according to any one of claims 91 to 92, wherein the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.94. The computer program product according to any one of claims 84 to 93, wherein during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode.95. The computer program product according to any one of Claims 84 to 94, wherein one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal.96. The computer program product according to any one of Claims 84 to 95, wherein FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.97. An apparatus comprising: means for causing a FBA frame to be provided to one or more stations indicating initiation of a multi-user transmission opportunity, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access type for the FBA; and providing FBA access to one or more stations in accordance with the FBA frame.98. The apparatus according to Claim 97, further comprising means for causing observation of a channel and causing transmission of a FBA frame at a time where the channel is unoccupied.99. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 98, further comprising means for causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, as an information element.100. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 98, further comprising means for causing transmission of the FBA frame in a beacon, wherein the beacon comprises a target start time of the FBA access.101. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 98, further comprising means for causing transmission of the FBA frame at a predetermined time after a beacon.102. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 101, wherein only one access type is supported per FBA.103. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 102, wherein the EBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.104. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 103, wherein the EBA frame is inteipreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices enter a low power mode.105. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 104, wherein the EBA frame comprises one or more of a duration field and a header decodable by a legacy device.106. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 105, wherein the EBA frame is provided by a station in the independent basic service set or in the mesh basic service set.107. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 106, wherein the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel OFDMA, Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).108. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 107, further comprising means for causing a second frame to be provided to the one or more stations causing termination of the FBA.109. The apparatus according to Claim 108, wherein the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.110. The apparatus according to any one of claims 108 to 109, wherein the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.111. The apparatus according to any one of claims 97 to 110, wherein during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode.112. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to ill, wherein FBA is provided by an access point.113. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 111, wherein FBA is provided by a station.114. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 113, wherein one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal.115. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 97 to 114, wherein FBA is providcd in a 802.11 wirclcss systcm.116. An apparatus comprising: mcans for rccciving a franc based acccss (FBA framc from an acccss point indicating initiation of a multi-uscr transmission opportunity, whcrcin thc FBA franc comprises an indication of an allocation of transmission resources and an access typc for the FBA; and means for causing access to an access point in accordance with thc FBA framc.117. The apparatus according to Claim 116, wherein only one access type is supported per FBA.118. The apparatus according to any one of claims 116 to 117, wherein the FBA frame comprises an indication of a multiple input/multiple output mode.119. The apparatus according to any one of claims 116 to 118, wherein the FBA frame is interpreted as a long transmission to one or more legacy devices, wherein the one or more legacy devices to enter a low power mode.120. The apparatus according to any one of claims 116 to 119, wherein the FBA frame comprises one or more of a duration ficid and a header decodable by a legacy device.121. The apparatus according to any one of claims 116 to 120, wherein the FBA frame is received from a station in the independent basic scrvicc sct or in the mcsh basic service set.122. The apparatus according to any one of claims 116 to 121, wherein the access type is at least one of orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-channel S OFDMA, or Time division multiple access (TDMA), Code division multiple access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA).123. The apparatus according to any one of claims 116 to 122, further comprising means for receiving of a second frame from the access point causing termination of the FBA.124. The apparatus according to claim 123, wherein the second frame comprises an acknowledgment of one or more preceding uplink transmissions.12S The apparatus according to any one of claims 123 to 124, wherein the second frame comprises a FBA-End frame.126. The apparatus according to any one of claims 116 to 125, wherein during a time in which access is not scheduled, a station enters a sleep mode.127. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 116 to 126, wherein one or more stations are embodied as a mobile terminal.128. The apparatus according to any one of Claims 116 to 127, wherein FBA is provided in a 802.11 wireless system.