Reliable broadcast protocol in a wireless local area network
US7280495B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 2, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04H20/38
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A protocol for acknowledging receipt of a multicast or broadcast frame by a wireless unit is described. One embodiment, an Eavesdrop Unicast frame is created for use in a wireless network operated in accordance with IEEE 802.11. The Eavesdrop Unicast frame allows the targeted wireless unit to transmit acknowledgement (ACK) frame but is configured so that other wireless units can scan and obtain information therefrom. Another embodiment is similar in configuration to the Eavesdrop Unicast frame but is fully compliant with IEEE 802.11. Therein, a multicast or broadcast frame is transmitted but one wireless unit is configured to acknowledge receipt of the multicast or broadcast frame. The acknowledgement is accomplished through transmission of a data frame. Yet another embodiment is the transmission of broadcast or multicast frames into corresponding unicast frames.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.