Patent ID: 9226332
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method comprising, at a first wireless device that serves a plurality of second wireless devices in a wireless network, grouping the plurality of second wireless devices into sets based on commonality of the second wireless devices in terms of one or more of: power requirements and throughput requirements; partitioning a time interval on a wireless channel during which the second wireless devices may contend for usage of wireless medium into a plurality of disjoint or overlapping contention periods; assigning each set of second wireless devices to a corresponding one of the plurality of contention periods such that only second wireless devices in each set contend for access to the wireless channel during the corresponding contention period assigned to that set; and transmitting, in advance of the time interval, an announcement to the plurality of second wireless devices containing information indicating duration of the plurality of contention periods and assignment of respective second wireless devices to the contention periods.