Patent ID: 9088952
Filing Date: 2015-07-21
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for managing a wireless local area network comprising a plurality of station units (STAs), where each of the plurality of station units is adapted to wirelessly communicate with one or more access points, wherein the method comprises affecting power control over air time request packets transmitted by respective station units from among the plurality of STAs towards one of the one or more access points, so that all air time request packets are received at said access point at substantially the same Signal to Noise Ratio (“SNR”), and wherein said power control does not affect packets carrying payload data that precedes the air time request packets transmitted by the respective station units, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (i) providing an indication to each of the plurality of STAs to enable each respective STA to adjust its transmission power level for transmitting an air time request packet, and wherein said transmission power level is determined so that each of the air time request packets transmitted by at least two of the STAs, when received at said access point would be at substantially the same Signal to Noise Ratio (“SNR”) as any other transmitted air time request packet would be when received thereat; (ii) at least one of the plurality of STAs, adjusting said transmit power prior to transmitting the air time request packet, to a level which is in conformity with the indication provided by the access point; and (iii) at the at least one STA, re-adjusting the transmit power to a different level for transmitting packets carrying payload data that would be transmitted following the transmission of said air time request packet.