ADAPTIVE NAN DISCOVERY BEACON TRANSMISSION INTERVAL CHANGES

This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for wireless communications. In one aspect, a method for wireless communications may include monitoring, at a wireless device, a congestion of a channel; adapting, at the wireless device, an interval at which discovery beacons are transmitted based on the congestion of the channel; and transmitting from the wireless device the discovery beacons on the channel at the adapted interval.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically, to neighbor aware network (NAN) discovery beacon transmission intervals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

Electronic devices, such as wireless telephones, may use wireless connections to access networks in order to transmit and receive data. In addition, electronic devices may use wireless connections to exchange information directly with each other. For example, mobile electronic devices that are in close proximity to each other may use a neighbor aware network (NAN) to perform data exchanges via the NAN (e.g., without involving wireless carriers, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access points, and/or the Internet). To join a NAN, a device performs a scan for a “discovery beacon” for a time interval designated by a NAN standard. In order to ensure reception of discovery beacons, the device activates a receiver for an entirety of the time interval, thus consuming power during the entirety of the time interval.

If the device receives a discovery beacon, the device may use the discovery beacon to determine a time of an upcoming “discovery window” during which the device may perform one or more operations to join the NAN. Discovery beacons may be transmitted during the time interval preceding the “discovery window.” A “master” device periodically transmits the discovery beacons at regular intervals without taking channel conditions into consideration. Blind transmission of discovery beacons may lead to inefficient discoverability of the master device, as well as unnecessary power consumption of both the master device and the device scanning for the discovery beacons.

SUMMARY

One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communications. In some implementations, the method includes monitoring, at a wireless device, a congestion of a channel; adapting, at the wireless device, an interval at which discovery beacons are transmitted based on the congestion of the channel; and transmitting from the wireless device the discovery beacons on the channel at the adapted interval.

In some implementations, the method can include decreasing the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted if the channel is congested. In some implementations, the method can include increasing the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted if the channel is uncongested. In some implementations, the method can include collecting at least one channel congestion metric.

In some implementations, the method can include determining a congestion score based on the at least one channel congestion metric. In some implementations, the congestion score is proportional to an amount of congestion on the channel. In some implementations, the method can include transmitting the discovery beacons at a first discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is above a predetermined threshold.

In some implementations, the method can include transmitting the discovery beacons at a second discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is below the predetermined threshold, the second discovery beacon transmission interval being greater than the first discovery beacon transmission interval. In some implementations, the first discovery beacon transmission interval is less than a default discovery beacon transmission interval, and the second discovery beacon transmission interval is greater than the default discovery beacon transmission interval.

In some implementations, the first discovery beacon transmission interval is proximate a lower bound of a range for discovery beacon transmission provided by a Wi-Fi Neighbor Aware Network (NAN) Technical Specification. In some implementations, the second discovery beacon transmission interval is proximate an upper bound of the range for discovery beacon transmission provided by the Wi-Fi NAN Technical Specification.

In some implementations, the method can include transmitting the discovery beacons at the default discovery beacon transmission interval until the at least one channel congestion metric is collected. In some implementations, the method can include collecting data for the at least one channel congestion metric over a plurality of time periods to build a database. In some implementations, the method can include using the database to determine the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a wireless device. In some implementations, the wireless device can include a transceiver; a memory; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and the memory, the processor configured to: monitor a congestion of a channel, adapt an interval at which discovery beacons are transmitted based on the congestion of the channel, and transmit, via the transceiver, the discovery beacons on the channel at the adapted interval.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to decrease the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted if the channel is congested. In some implementations, the processor is further configured to increase the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted if the channel is uncongested.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to collect at least one channel congestion metric. In some implementations, the processor is further configured to determine a congestion score based on the at least one channel congestion metric. In some implementations, the congestion score is proportional to an amount of congestion on the channel.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to transmit the discovery beacons at a first discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is above a predetermined threshold. In some implementations, the processor is further configured to transmit the discovery beacons at a second discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is below the predetermined threshold, the second discovery beacon transmission interval being greater than the first discovery beacon transmission interval.

In some implementations, the first discovery beacon transmission interval is less than a default discovery beacon transmission interval, and the second discovery beacon transmission interval is greater than the default discovery beacon transmission interval. In some implementations, first discovery beacon transmission interval is proximate a lower bound of a range for discovery beacon transmission provided by a Wi-Fi Neighbor Aware Network (NAN) Technical Specification.

In some implementations, the second discovery beacon transmission interval is proximate an upper bound of the range for discovery beacon transmission provided by the Wi-Fi NAN Technical Specification. In some implementations, the processor is further configured to transmit the discovery beacons at the default discovery beacon transmission interval until the at least one channel congestion metric is collected.

In some implementations, the processor is further configured to collect data for the at least one channel congestion metric over a plurality of time periods to build a database. In some implementations, the processor is further configured to use the database to determine the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. In some implementations, the apparatus includes means for monitoring a congestion of a channel; means for adapting an interval at which discovery beacons are transmitted based on the congestion of the channel; and means for transmitting the discovery beacons on the channel at the adapted interval.

Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a wireless communications device, cause the wireless communications device to monitor a congestion of a channel, adapt an interval at which discovery beacons are transmitted based on the congestion of the channel, and transmit the discovery beacons on the channel at the adapted interval.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described examples are directed to methods, devices, and apparatuses for wireless communications in which neighbor aware network (NAN) discovery beacon transmission intervals may be adapted. According to some aspects, a master device of a NAN may dwell on a channel for a finite duration and collect channel congestion metrics. The channel congestion metrics may be used to dynamically change an interval at which discovery beacons are transmitted. If the channel is congested, a scanning device may not reliably receive the discovery beacons due to interference and collision. Therefore, the master device may transmit discovery beacons more aggressively at a shortened interval in order to improve discoverability. If the channel is not congested, the master device may transmit discovery beacons less aggressively at an increased interval in order to reduce power consumption.

Popular wireless network technologies may include various types of wireless local area networks (WLANs). A WLAN may be used to interconnect nearby devices together, employing widely used networking protocols. The various aspects described herein may apply to any communication standard, such as a wireless protocol.

In some implementations, a WLAN includes various devices which are the components that access the wireless network. For example, there may be two types of devices: access points (“APs”) and clients (also referred to as stations, or “STAs”). In general, an AP may serve as a hub or base station for the WLAN and a STA serves as a user of the WLAN. For example, a STA may be a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. In an example, a STA connects to an AP via a WiFi (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol) compliant wireless link to obtain general connectivity to the Internet or to other wide area networks. In some implementations a STA may also be used as an AP.

An access point (“AP”) may also comprise, be implemented as, or known as a NodeB, Radio Network Controller (“RNC”), eNodeB, Base Station Controller (“BSC”), Base Transceiver Station (“BTS”), Base Station (“BS”), Transceiver Function (“TF”), Radio Router, Radio Transceiver, or some other terminology.

A station “STA” may also comprise, be implemented as, or known as an access terminal (“AT”), a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, user equipment, or some other terminology. In some implementations an access terminal may comprise a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”) phone, a wireless local loop (“WLL”) station, a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), a handheld device having wireless connection capability, or some other suitable processing device or wireless device connected to a wireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein may be incorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smartphone), a computer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a headset, a portable computing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satellite radio), a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wireless medium.

Devices, such as a group of stations, for example, may be used for neighbor aware network (NAN), or social-WiFi networking. For example, various stations within the network may communicate on a device to device (e.g., peer-to-peer communications) basis with one another regarding applications that each of the stations supports. It is desirable for a discovery protocol used in a social-WiFi network to enable STAs to advertise themselves (e.g., by sending discovery packets) as well as discover services provided by other STAs (e.g., by sending paging or query packets), while ensuring secure communication and low power consumption. A discovery packet may also be referred to as a discovery message or a discovery frame. A paging or query packet may also be referred to as a paging or query message or a paging or query frame.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a wireless communication system100in which aspects of the present disclosure may be employed. The wireless communication system100may operate pursuant to a wireless standard, such as an 802.11 standard. The wireless communication system100may include an AP104, which communicates with STAs106. In some aspects, the wireless communication system100may include more than one AP. Additionally, the STAs106may communicate with other STAs106. As an example, a first STA106amay communicate with a second STA106b. As another example, a first STA106amay communicate with a third STA106calthough this communication link is not illustrated inFIG. 1.

A variety of processes and methods may be used for transmissions in the wireless communication system100between the AP104and the STAs106and between an individual STA, such as the first STA106a, and another individual STA, such as the second STA106b. For example, signals may be sent and received in accordance with OFDM/OFDMA techniques. If this is the case, the wireless communication system100may be referred to as an OFDM/OFDMA system.

Alternatively, signals may be sent and received between the AP104and the STAs106and between an individual STA, such as the first STA106a, and another individual STA, such as the second STA106b, in accordance with CDMA techniques. If this is the case, the wireless communication system100may be referred to as a CDMA system.

A communication link that facilitates transmission from the AP104to one or more of the STAs106may be referred to as a downlink (DL)108, and a communication link that facilitates transmission from one or more of the STAs106to the AP104may be referred to as an uplink (UL)110. Alternatively, a downlink108may be referred to as a forward link or a forward channel, and an uplink110may be referred to as a reverse link or a reverse channel.

A communication link may be established between STAs, such as during social-WiFi networking. Some possible communication links between STAs are illustrated inFIG. 1. As an example, a communication link112may facilitate transmission from the first STA106ato the second STA106b. Another communication link114may facilitate transmission from the second STA106bto the first STA106a.

The AP104may act as a base station and provide wireless communication coverage in a basic service area (BSA)102. The AP104along with the STAs106associated with the AP104and that use the AP104for communication may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS). An extended service set (ESS) is a set of connected BSSs. In another example, the wireless communication system100may not have a central AP104, but rather may function as a peer-to-peer network between the STAs106. Accordingly, the functions of the AP104described herein may alternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs106.

Referring toFIG. 2, a wireless communication system200may include one or more STAs206located in an intersection of more than one coverage area220and associated with more than one AP204. Each AP204may generate a WLAN, such as an IEEE 802.11 network, with STAs206. The STAs206may be distributed or deployed within a coverage area220. Each STAs206may associate and communicate, via communication links222, with one of the APs204. Each AP204has a coverage area220such that STAs206within that area can typically communicate with the AP204. A STA206can be covered by more than one AP204and may therefore associate with different APs at different times depending on which one provides a more suitable connection. The coverage areas220of the APs204may overlap. When nearby BSSs or APs have overlapping coverage areas, such BSSs may be referred to as overlapping BSSs or OBSSs. In dense deployments of WLANs, some APs may be automatically configured to work on the same channel, which may increase channel congestion.

In some instances, a subset of APs204or several of the STAs206may connect to each other to establish a NAN. A NAN may be established for network communications in a relatively small geographic area, for example. In some deployments, a NAN may provide communications directed to certain devices or to devices that may be running certain applications. The devices or applications may cause a STA206to seek to connect to the NAN. In some cases, several STAs206may form a NAN that does not include an AP204, through the establishment of a peer-to-peer network. In this type of network or group, one of the STAs206may operate as the AP for the group and is typically referred to as the master. One of the STAs206may operate as an anchor master, and one or more other STAs206may operate as masters.

Referring toFIG. 3, a wireless communication system300, which may be referred to as a NAN cluster, is shown. The NAN cluster300includes multiple STAs306configured in a NAN that communicate with an AP304using communication links322. NAN information for connection with the AP304(or other NAN devices306) may be periodically transmitted in a NAN discovery beacon from AP304. AP304may transmit a NAN discovery beacon on a predefined channel in a radio frequency spectrum used by the wireless communication system300. For example, the NAN network may operate on channel 6 (2.437 GHz) in the 2.4 GHz band and optionally in channel 44 (5.220 GHz) or channel 149 (5.745 GHz) of the 5 GHz band.

Referring toFIG. 4, another wireless communication system400, which may be referred to as a NAN cluster is shown. The NAN cluster400includes multiple STAs406configured in a NAN that communicate with a NAN master406-ausing communication links422. In this example, the NAN master406-amay perform similar functions as described above with respect to AP304inFIG. 3. More specifically, the NAN master406-amay periodically transmit a NAN discovery beacon, which includes NAN information for connection with the NAN master406-a(or other NAN devices406-b). The NAN master406-amay transmit a NAN discovery beacon on a predefined channel in a radio frequency spectrum used by the wireless communication system400, such as channel 6 (2.437 GHz) of the 2.4 GHz band, channel 44 (5.220 GHz) or channel 149 (5.745 GHz) of the 5 GHz band.

The other STAs or NAN devices406-bmay use an active scan to detect the NAN discovery beacons and connect to the NAN master406-aand/or to each other. In some cases, such as on a congested channel, one or more STAs306may not reliably receive the discovery beacon transmissions. This may result in additional monitoring by the one or more STAs306to try to detect the discovery beacon. It is desirable to reduce the time period used for the additional monitoring in order to decrease power consumption.

FIG. 5illustrates various components that may be utilized in a wireless device530that may be employed within the wireless communication systems100,200,300,400. The wireless device530is an example of a device that may be configured to implement the various methods described herein. For example, the wireless device530may comprise one or more of the APs104,204,304, and/or one or more of the STAs (or NAN devices)106,206,306,406.

The wireless device530may include a processor532which controls operation of the wireless device530. The processor532may also be referred to as a central processing unit (CPU). Memory534, which may include both read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), may provide instructions and data to the processor532. A portion of the memory534may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). The processor532may perform logical and arithmetic operations based on program instructions stored within the memory534. The instructions in the memory534may be executable (by the processor532, for example) to implement the methods described herein.

The wireless device530may also include a housing536that may include a transmitter538and/or a receiver540to allow transmission and reception of data between the wireless device530and a remote location. The transmitter538and receiver540may be combined into a transceiver542. An antenna544may be attached to the housing536and electrically coupled to the transceiver542. The wireless device530may also include (not shown) multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers, and/or multiple antennas.

The transmitter538may be configured to wirelessly transmit packets having different packet types or functions. For example, the transmitter538may be configured to transmit packets of different types generated by the processor532. When the wireless device530is implemented or used as an AP, STA, or NAN device, the processor532may be configured to process packets of a plurality of different packet types. For example, the processor532may be configured to determine the type of packet and to process the packet and/or fields of the packet accordingly. The processor532may also be configured to select and generate one of a plurality of packet types. For example, the processor532may be configured to generate a discovery packet comprising a discovery message and to determine what type of packet information to use in a particular instance.

The receiver540may be configured to wirelessly receive packets having different packet types. In some aspects, the receiver540may be configured to detect a type of a packet used and to process the packet accordingly.

The wireless device530may also include a signal detector546that may be used in an effort to detect and quantify the level of signals received by the transceiver542. The signal detector546may detect such signals as total energy, energy per subcarrier per symbol, power spectral density and other signals. The wireless device530may also include a digital signal processor (DSP)548for use in processing signals. The DSP548may be configured to generate a packet for transmission. In some aspects, the packet may comprise a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU).

The wireless device530may further comprise a user interface550in some aspects. The user interface550may comprise a keypad, a microphone, a speaker, and/or a display. The user interface550may include any element or component that conveys information to a user of the wireless device530and/or receives input from the user.

The various components of the wireless device530may be coupled together by a bus system552. The bus system552may include a data bus, for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, and a status signal bus in addition to the data bus. The components of the wireless device530may be coupled together to accept or provide inputs to each other using some other mechanism.

Although a number of separate components are illustrated inFIG. 5, one or more of the components may be combined or commonly implemented. For example, the processor532may be used to implement not only the functionality described above with respect to the processor532, but also to implement the functionality described above with respect to the signal detector546and/or the DSP548. Further, each of the components illustrated inFIG. 5may be implemented using a plurality of separate elements. In addition, more components than that described and illustrated inFIG. 5may be used to comprise the wireless device530.

FIG. 6illustrates, in an aspect, an example timing diagram660for NAN discovery beacon transmissions. As shown in the example timing diagram660, NAN discovery beacons662may be transmitted at a default discovery beacon transmission interval664. The default discovery beacon transmission interval664may comprise a predetermined time period at which the NAN discovery beacons662are transmitted based on a device implementation and/or an application specific implementation of the wireless device530. The default discovery beacon transmission interval664may be preprogrammed into a memory associated with a processor of the wireless device, such as the memory534associated with the processor532of the wireless device530.

In particular, the default discovery beacon transmission interval664may have a duration of X time units (Tus). The wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may periodically transmit a NAN discovery beacon662once every X Tus. The default discovery beacon transmission interval664may be within a range for discovery beacon transmission provided by the NAN Technical Specification. For instance, the range for discovery beacon transmission provided by the NAN Technical Specification may be 50 Tus to 200 Tus, with 50 Tus being a lower bound of the range and200. Tus being an upper bound of the range. The range of 50 Tus to 200 Tus is for example purposes only, and other discovery beacon transmission ranges than that may be used. The processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be configured to transmit NAN discovery beacons at the default discovery beacon transmission interval664until channel congestion metrics are collected.

In another aspect, once channel congestion metrics are collected, the wireless device530may no longer transmit the NAN discovery beacons at the default discovery beacon transmission interval664. More specifically, an interval at which the NAN discovery beacons are transmitted may be adapted based on the congestion of the channel. The processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be configured to dynamically change the discovery beacon transmission interval depending on the congestion level of the channel as indicated by the channel congestion metrics.

Thus, a frequency of the discovery beacon transmissions may be increased or decreased to account for the traffic conditions and congestion on the channel. Prior art wireless devices are configured to transmit discovery beacons solely at the default discovery beacon transmission interval. By providing the novel feature of an adaptive discovery beacon transmission interval as described herein, the discoverability of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be improved and the power consumption of the wireless device530and the device(s) scanning for the discovery beacons may be decreased.

More specifically, the wireless device530may collect one or more channel congestion metrics to monitor traffic conditions and a congestion of the channel when NAN is enabled and the wireless device530assumes the role of a NAN master device. The channel congestion metrics may comprise measurements and statistics indicative of a level of congestion on the channel. The processor532of the wireless device530may be configured to dwell on the channel, such as channel 6 (2.437 GHz) of the 2.4 GHz band, channel 44 (5.220 GHz) or channel 149 (5.745 GHz) of the 5 GHz band, to collect the channel congestion metrics. In addition, the processor532may be configured to collect the channel congestion metrics for a finite predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be preprogrammed into the memory534associated with the processor532.

In an example, the channel congestion metrics may include but not be limited to: a congestion total on the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band, a Wi-Fi congestion total, an uplink Wi-Fi total, a downlink Wi-Fi total, a BSS traffic total, an OBSS traffic total, a transmissions total, and any combination thereof. For instance, the wireless device530may use energy detection to determine the congestion total on the ISM band. The Wi-Fi congestion total may include Wi-Fi packets transmitted from and received by the wireless device530, as well as other Wi-Fi traffic on the channel. The Wi-Fi congestion total may be computed after detecting physical layer (PHY) preambles of the packets. The transceiver542of the wireless device530may detect the uplink Wi-Fi total, the downlink Wi-Fi total, the BSS traffic total, the OBSS traffic total, and the transmissions total. However, other channel congestion metrics and other ways to collect the channel congestion metrics may be used.

Furthermore, the processor532may be further configured to collect the channel congestion metrics each time the wireless device530dwells on the same channel for beacon transmission. Based on the data of the channel congestion metrics collected every beacon transmission period, the processor532may build a database of channel congestion metrics. The processor532may be further configured to use the database to determine the interval at which the NAN discovery beacons are transmitted. For instance, a duration of the discovery beacon transmission interval may be determined based on hysteresis built with the collection of data from one or more prior intervals.

In an aspect, the processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be further configured to compute how congested the channel is, or quantify the level of congestion on the channel, based on the channel congestion metrics. For example, a weighted formula may be preprogrammed into the memory534associated with the processor532. The processor532may be configured to use the channel congestion metrics as inputs into the weighted formula in order to calculate a congestion score. In addition, the hysteresis built from the database of channel congestion metrics may be factored into the congestion score, such as via another input into the weighted formula. The congestion score may be directly proportional to an amount of congestion on the channel, and the processor532may be further configured to adapt the discovery beacon transmission interval based on the congestion score.

In another aspect, the processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be further configured to compare the congestion score to a predetermined threshold in order to determine whether the channel is congested or uncongested. The predetermined threshold may be preprogrammed into the memory534associated with the processor532and may be established via field testing and laboratory experimentation. If the congestion score is higher than the predetermined threshold, this may be indicative of a congested channel. If the congestion score is lower than the predetermined threshold, this may be indicative of an uncongested channel.

FIG. 7illustrates, in an aspect, an example timing diagram760for NAN discovery beacon transmissions on a congested channel. If the channel is congested, scanning devices may not reliably receive the NAN discovery beacons due to interference and collision. Therefore, the processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be configured to decrease the interval at which the NAN discovery beacons are transmitted in a congested environment.

By decreasing the discovery beacon transmission interval, the frequency of the discovery beacon transmissions is increased. Increasing the frequency of the discovery beacon transmissions in a congested environment may provide the scanning devices with a higher probability of receiving the NAN discovery beacons. In so doing, the wireless device530may transmit the NAN discovery beacons more aggressively on the congested channel in order to improve its discoverability, as well as limit power consumption of the wireless device530and the scanning devices via quicker discovery.

As shown in the example timing diagram760, NAN discovery beacons762may be transmitted at a first discovery beacon transmission interval766when the channel is congested. The first discovery beacon transmission interval766may be less than the default discovery beacon transmission interval664(FIG. 6). Being an aggressive interval, the first discovery beacon transmission interval766may have a duration of Y Tus, with Y<X (where X is the duration of the default discovery beacon transmission interval664). The wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may periodically transmit a NAN discovery beacon762once every Y Tus.

The first discovery beacon transmission interval766may be preprogrammed into a memory associated with a processor of the wireless device, such as the memory534associated with the processor532of the wireless device530. In addition, the first discovery beacon transmission interval766may be within the range for discovery beacon transmission provided by the NAN Technical Specification. For instance, the first discovery beacon transmission interval766may be proximate or equal to the lower bound of the range provided by the NAN Technical Specification. However, other configurations for the first discovery beacon transmission interval766may be used.

The processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be configured to transmit the NAN discovery beacons762at the first discovery beacon transmission interval766when the channel is congested. More specifically, the wireless device530may transmit the NAN discovery beacons762at the first discovery beacon transmission interval766if the congestion score is above the predetermined threshold. However, other configurations may be used to adapt the discovery beacon transmission interval in a congested environment. Moreover, the processor532of the wireless device530may be configured to continually collect the channel congestion metrics and continually adapt the discovery beacon transmission interval to the real-time channel congestion metrics and the real-time congestion on the channel.

FIG. 8illustrates, in an aspect, an example timing diagram860for NAN discovery beacon transmissions on an uncongested channel. If the channel is not congested, there is a high probability of the scanning devices receiving NAN discovery beacon transmissions without the likelihood of interference and collision. Therefore, the processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be configured to increase the interval at which the NAN discovery beacons are transmitted in an uncongested environment, or a clean channel. By increasing the discovery beacon transmission interval, the frequency of the discovery beacon transmissions is decreased. Decreasing the frequency of the discovery beacon transmissions on an uncongested channel may provide a power savings benefit to the scanning devices by limiting a number of wake up cycles.

As shown in the example timing diagram860, NAN discovery beacons862may be transmitted at a second discovery beacon transmission interval868when the channel is uncongested. The second discovery beacon transmission interval868may be greater than the default discovery beacon transmission interval664(FIG. 6). Being a lenient interval, the second discovery beacon transmission interval868may have a duration of Z Tus, with Z>X (where X is the duration of the default discovery beacon transmission interval664).

In addition, the second discovery beacon transmission interval868may be greater than the first discovery beacon transmission interval766(FIG. 7), with Z>Y (where Y is the duration of the first discovery beacon transmission interval766). The wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may periodically transmit a NAN discovery beacon862once every Z Tus. The second discovery beacon transmission interval868may be preprogrammed into a memory associated with a processor of the wireless device, such as the memory534associated with the processor532of the wireless device530.

Furthermore, the second discovery beacon transmission interval868may be within the range for discovery beacon transmission provided by the NAN Technical Specification. For example, the second discovery beacon transmission interval868may be proximate or equal to the upper bound of the range provided by the NAN Technical Specification. However, other configurations for the second discovery beacon transmission interval868may be used.

The processor532of the wireless device530, such as the AP304or the NAN master406-a, may be configured to transmit the NAN discovery beacons862at the second discovery beacon transmission interval868when the channel is uncongested. More specifically, the wireless device530may transmit the NAN discovery beacons862at the second discovery beacon transmission interval868if the congestion score is below the predetermined threshold. However, other configurations may be used to adapt the discovery beacon transmission interval in an uncongested environment.

In addition, it is to be understood that the novel feature of an adaptive discovery beacon transmission interval described herein may have more or less than three discovery beacon transmission intervals (i.e., the default discovery beacon transmission interval664, the first discovery beacon transmission interval766, and the second discovery beacon transmission interval868). For example, rather than having only the default discovery beacon transmission interval664, the first discovery beacon transmission interval766, and the second discovery beacon transmission interval868, the wireless device530may have a wide array of discovery beacon transmission intervals that correspond to various congestion levels or congestion scores.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, examples of one or more operations related to the wireless device530(FIG. 5) according to the present apparatus and methods are described with reference to one or more methods and one or more components. Although the operations described below are presented in a particular order and/or as being performed by an example component, it should be understood that the ordering of the actions and the components performing the actions may be varied, depending on the implementation. Also, although the wireless device530is illustrated as having a number of subcomponents, it should be understood that one or more of the illustrated subcomponents may be separate from, but in communication with, the wireless device530and/or each other. Moreover, it should be understood that the following actions or components described with respect to the wireless device530and/or its subcomponents may be performed by one or more specially-programmed processors, processors executing specially-programmed software or computer-readable media, or by any other combination of one or more hardware components and/or software components specially configured for performing the described actions or components. For example, various aspects of the operation of the wireless device530and/or its subcomponents may be performed by, or implemented in, the processor532inFIG. 2.

InFIG. 9, a flowchart is shown illustrating a method970for wireless communications that may be employed within the wireless communication systems100,200,300, and400ofFIGS. 1-4. The method970may be implemented in whole or in part by the wireless devices described herein, such as the wireless device530shown inFIG. 5. At block972, the wireless device530may monitor a congestion of a channel. For example, the wireless device530may monitor the congestion on channel 6 (2.437 GHz) of the 2.4 GHz band, channel 44 (5.220 GHz) or channel 149 (5.745 GHz) of the 5 GHz band. In an aspect, the transmitter538, the receiver540, the transceiver542, the signal detector546, and/or the processor532may monitor the congestion of the channel.

At block974, the wireless device530may adapt an interval at which discovery beacons are transmitted based on the congestion of the channel. For example, the wireless device530may increase the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted if the channel is congested or may decrease the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted if the channel is uncongested. In an aspect, the processor532may adapt the interval at which the discovery beacons are transmitted based on the congestion of the channel.

At block976, the wireless device530may transmit the discovery beacons on the channel at the adapted interval. In an aspect, the transmitter538, the transceiver542, and/or the processor532may transmit the discovery beacons on the channel at the adapted interval.

InFIG. 10, a flowchart is shown illustrating a method1080for wireless communications that may be employed within the wireless communication systems100,200,300, and400ofFIGS. 1-4. The method1080may be implemented in whole or in part by the wireless devices described herein, such as the wireless device530shown inFIG. 5.

At block1082, the wireless device530may collect at least one channel congestion metric. For example, the wireless device530may collect the at least one channel congestion metric when NAN is enabled and the wireless device530assumes the role of the master device. The wireless device530may transmit discovery beacons at the default discovery beacon transmission interval until the at least one channel congestion metric is collected. In an aspect, the transmitter538, the receiver540, the transceiver542, the signal detector546, and/or the processor532may collect the at least one channel congestion metric.

At block1084, the wireless device530may determine a congestion score based on the at least one channel congestion metric. For example, the congestion score may be proportional to an amount of congestion on the channel. In an aspect, the processor532may determine the congestion score based on the at least one channel congestion metric.

At block1086, the wireless device530may determine whether the congestion score is greater than a predetermined threshold. For example, the predetermined threshold may be preprogrammed into the memory534associated with the processor532and may be established via field testing and laboratory experimentation. In an aspect, the processor532may determine whether the congestion score is greater than the predetermined threshold.

At block1088, the wireless device530may transmit the discovery beacons at a first discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is above the predetermined threshold. For example, the first discovery beacon transmission interval may be less than the default discovery beacon transmission interval. In an aspect, the transmitter538, the transceiver542, and/or the processor532may transmit the discovery beacons at the first discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is above the predetermined threshold.

At block1090, the wireless device530may transmit the discovery beacons at a second discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is below the predetermined threshold. For example, the second discovery beacon transmission interval may be greater than each of the default discovery beacon transmission interval and the first discovery beacon transmission interval. In an aspect, the transmitter538, the transceiver542, and/or the processor532may transmit the discovery beacons at the second discovery beacon transmission interval if the congestion score is below the predetermined threshold.

The various operations of methods described above may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as various hardware or software component(s), circuits, or component(s). Generally, any operations illustrated in the Figures may be performed by corresponding functional means capable of performing the operations.

In some aspects, an apparatus or any component of an apparatus may be configured to (or operable to or adapted to) provide functionality as taught herein. This may be achieved, for example: by manufacturing (e.g., fabricating) the apparatus or component so that it will provide the functionality; by programming the apparatus or component so that it will provide the functionality; or through the use of some other suitable implementation technique. As one example, an integrated circuit may be fabricated to provide the requisite functionality. As another example, an integrated circuit may be fabricated to support the requisite functionality and then configured (e.g., via programming) to provide the requisite functionality. As yet another example, a processor circuit may execute code to provide the requisite functionality.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure can include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium embodying a method for wireless communications. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to the illustrated examples.