Patent ID: 7277729
Filing Date: 2007-10-02
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A wireless communication apparatus which is one of a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses, each having a relay function, the wireless communication apparatus comprising: a unit configured to insert a data item into one or more fields which are included in at least one of an authentication frame used in an authentication process with respect to another of the wireless communication apparatuses and an association frame used in an association process with respect to the another of the wireless communication apparatuses, the data item in the one or more fields included in the one of the authentication frame and the association frame designating that the one of the authentication frame and the association frame is transmitted from one of the wireless communication apparatuses; a transmitter unit configured to transmit the one of the authentication frame and the association frame in which the data item is inserted; a receiver unit configured to receive frames which are transmitted from the another of the wireless communication apparatuses, to obtain received frames; a measuring unit configured to measure a received power of each of the received frames, to obtain measured powers; a detection unit configured to detect a type of each of the received frames, to obtain detected types; a determination unit configured to determine whether the another of the wireless communication apparatuses is adapted to form a directional pattern having directivity toward the wireless communication apparatus or not when the another of the wireless communication apparatuses is adapted to transmit the frames which are addressed to the wireless communication apparatus, based on the measured powers and the detected types; and a controlling unit configured to suppress, when the determination unit determines that the another of the wireless communication apparatuses is adapted to form the directional pattern having directivity toward the wireless communication apparatus, at least one of (a) a transmitting power of transmitting frame addressed to the another of the wireless communication apparatuses and (b) a sensitivity of sensing carrier.