Patent ID: 6996074
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a medium access control protocol within a wireless network having a plurality of nodes communicating over a channel, comprising: transmitting a data packet over said channel by a first node, after a first collision-avoidance delay interval, in response to receipt of a ready-to-receive control packet from a second node indicating that said second node is ready to receive a data packet; and canceling transmission of said data packet during said first collision-avoidance delay interval in response to receipt of a no-transmission-request control packet which indicates the detection of activity within said channel; wherein said ready-to-receive control packet further indicates that said second node is requesting transmission of data to said first node; wherein transmission of said data packet from said second node to said first node is responsive to the receipt of a clear-to-send control packet from said first node indicating that said second node is clear to send the data packet; and wherein said second collision-avoidance interval substantially equals or exceeds the time required for transmitting a ready-to-receive control packet plus seven times the maximum propagation delay between the nodes communicating over said channel.