Patent ID: 8553714

Claim:
A method for transmission opportunity protection in a basic service set (BSS) of a wireless network, comprising a personal independent BSS coordination point (PCP) for which there can be time periods when the PCP is not available to transmit messages between stations of the BSS, the method comprising: using an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) method for medium access control within the BSS; using multiple slots for transmission opportunities; determining, by a source station within the BSS, the availability of the PCP for transmitting messages to a plurality of stations within the BSS for protection of a transmission opportunity; responsive to the PCP being available, transmitting, by the source station a target request to send (TRTS) message to the PCP; responding, by the PCP, to the TRTS with a target clear to send (TCTS) message to the plurality of stations within the BSS; receiving at a destination station the TCTS message; and transmitting data between the source station and the destination station during the transmission opportunity.