Patent ID: 6795418
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
A medium access control (MAC) protocol for maximizing utilization of allocable bandwidth in a wireless local area network (WLAN) in isochronous transmission mode, where the WLAN comprises an access point (AP) and a plurality of mobile stations (STAs), the MAC protocol including the steps of:transmitting a beacon from the AP which includes time slot allocation information for each STA associated with the AP, and AP information required for new STAs to join the network; transmitting by STAs in the order delegated by the AP; allowing a STA with a â€œsubsequentlyâ€  scheduled time slot to utilize any unused time in a time slot allocated to a â€œprecedingâ€  STA when the STA with the subsequently scheduled time slot is within the transmission range of the preceding STA; and generating a polling mechanism at the AP directed to STAs with subsequently scheduled time slots in order to offer said STAs with subsequently scheduled time slots the preceding STA's remaining time (in its allocated time slot) when the preceding STA has clearly stopped transmitting, and before the time allocated for the subsequent STA to transmit.