Patent ID: 8411612
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of performing cooperative communication in a wireless local area network (LAN), the method comprising: receiving, by a receiver, a transmission request signal; determining, by the receiver, whether cooperative communication is necessary based on the received transmission request signal; when it is determined that the cooperative communication is necessary, transmitting, by the receiver, a transmission response signal instructing the cooperative communication; monitoring, by at least one device, the transmission response signal instructing the cooperative communication; transmitting, by the at least one device, a response signal for supporting relaying to a transmitter; selecting, by the transmitter, a relay from the at least one device based on the response signal for supporting relaying received from the at least one device; and transmitting, by the transmitter, data to the selected relay, wherein the determining, by the receiver, whether cooperative communication is necessary includes, reading a newest transmission rate information of the transmitter transmitting the transmission request signal, determining whether the transmitter performs transmission at a maximum transmission rate based on the read newest transmission rate information, and when it is determined that the transmitter does not perform transmission at the maximum transmission rate, determining whether the cooperative communication is necessary, and wherein the response signal for supporting relaying includes first transmission rate information that is transmission rate information between the transmitter and the at least one device, and second transmission rate information that is transmission rate information between the at least one device and a receiver transmitting the transmission response signal instructing cooperative communication.