HK1177368B - Method, apparatus and system for selecting wireless network controller - Google Patents

Description

Method, device and system for selecting radio network controller

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for selecting a radio network controller.

Background

Personal wireless area networks (WPANs) are networks used for communication between computing devices (e.g., personal devices such as telephones and personal digital assistants) that are close to a person. The reach of a WPAN may be several meters. WPAN can be used for interpersonal communication between personal devices themselves, or for connecting to a higher layer network, such as the internet, via an uplink.

The mmWave WPAN and/or mmWave network may allow for very high data rate (e.g., above 2 gigabits per second (Gbps)) applications such as high speed internet access, streaming content download (e.g., video on demand, High Definition Television (HDTV), home theater, etc.), real-time streaming, and wireless data bus for cable replacement (cablereplacement).

Some mmWaveWPANs may include a Personal Basic Service Set (PBSS). The PBSS may include a plurality of Stations (STAs). The STAs may be multiband capable STAs and/or 60ghz STAs. The mmWaveWPAN may also allow one of the STAs to be able to operate as a PBSS Control Point (PCP) or to perform as a PBSS Control Point (PCP). The PCP may control and/or establish a direct link between the two stations, if desired. Additionally, the PCP may assign and/or schedule Service Periods (SPs).

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a method of selecting a station of a wireless network to perform the role of the wireless network controller, the method comprising: receiving, at a station, a request to check capabilities of the station, wherein the request includes a sending station capability value; checking the station capabilities by comparing the station capability values and the sending station capability values in descending capability priority order; and selecting a station with the highest set of capability values as the radio network controller.

The present invention also provides a station of a wireless network, the station comprising: a transceiver for receiving a request to check capability to become the radio network controller, wherein the request comprises a set of sending station capability values; a memory storing an own radio network controller factor, the factor including the station capability; a Media Access Control (MAC) processor checking the station capabilities by comparing the station capabilities stored in the self radio network controller factor and the capability values arranged in the received peer network controller factor in order of decreasing capability priority, and selecting a station having a highest set of capability values as the radio network controller.

The present invention also provides a wireless communication system comprising a station of a wireless network, wherein the station comprises: a transceiver for receiving a request to check capability to become the radio network controller, wherein the request comprises a set of sending station capability values; a memory storing an own radio network controller factor, the factor including the station capability; a Media Access Control (MAC) processor checking the station capabilities by comparing the station capabilities stored in the self radio network controller factor and the capability values arranged in the received peer network controller factor in order of decreasing capability priority, and selecting a station having a highest set of capability values as the radio network controller.

The present invention also provides a Medium Access Control (MAC) processor, comprising: a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed result in: receiving, at a station, a request to check capabilities of the station, wherein the request includes a sending station capability value; checking the station capabilities by comparing the station capability values and the sending station capability values in descending capability priority order; and selecting a station with the highest set of capability values as the radio network control point.

Drawings

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a wireless communication network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a radio network controller capability factor (factor) for a DBand station information element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a station of a wireless communication network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method of selecting a radio network controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digital signals within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations may be the techniques used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing," "computing," "calculating," "determining," or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage or transmission devices. The terms a or an, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (but not limited to). The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as operatively connected in any desired form, e.g., mechanically, electronically, digitally, directly, through software, through hardware, and the like.

The term PBSS Control Point (PCP) is defined herein as a Station (STA) that operates as a control point for mmWave networks.

The term Access Point (AP) as used herein is defined as any entity having STA functionality and providing access to distribution services for associated STAs via the Wireless Medium (WM).

The term radio network controller, as used herein, is defined as a station that operates as a PCP and/or as an AP of a wireless network.

The term directional band (DBand) is defined herein as any frequency band in which the channel start frequency is above 45 GHz.

The term DBand STA is defined herein as an STA whose radio transmitter operates on a channel within DBand.

The term Personal Basic Service Set (PBSS) as used herein is defined as a Basic Service Set (BSS) that forms an ad hoc self-contained network, operates in DBand, includes one PBSS Control Point (PCP), and in which access to a Distribution System (DS) is absent but optionally there is a forwarding service within the PBSS.

The term scheduled Service Period (SP) is used herein to be scheduled by a quality of service (QoS) AP or PCP. The scheduled SPs may begin at fixed time intervals, if desired.

The terms "traffic" and/or "traffic stream" as used herein are defined as data traffic (flow) and/or flow between wireless devices, such as STAs. The term "session" as used herein is defined as state information maintained or stored in a pair of stations having an established direct physical link (e.g., not including forwarding); the state information may describe or define a session.

The term "wireless device" as used herein includes, for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, or the like. In some embodiments, the wireless device may be or include a peripheral device integrated with the computer, or a peripheral device attached to the computer. In some embodiments, the term "wireless device" may optionally include wireless services.

Embodiments of the invention may provide an apparatus, system, and method to schedule service periods in mmWave networks. For example, a PCP of an mmWave network may be able to set a start time of a service period that is not less than a predetermined time after transmitting an information element containing service period scheduling information to the PCP, although the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

It should be understood that the present invention may be used in a variety of applications. Although the present invention is not limited in this respect, the circuits and techniques disclosed herein may be used in many apparatuses such as stations of a radio system. Stations intended to be included within the scope of the present invention include, by way of example only, WLAN stations, wireless personal networks (WPANs), and the like.

Types of WPAN stations intended to be included within the scope of the present invention include, but are not limited to, stations capable of operating as multi-band stations, stations capable of operating as PCPs, stations capable of operating as APs, stations capable of operating as DBand stations, mobile stations, access points, stations for receiving and transmitting spread spectrum signals (e.g., such as Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), Complementary Code Keying (CCK), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)), and the like.

Some embodiments may be used in connection with various devices and systems, such as, for example, a video device, an audio video (A/V) device, a set-top box (STB), a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a High Definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, an HDDVD recorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a display, a flat panel display, a Personal Media Player (PMP), a Digital Video Camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a Yang PianoAn acoustic device, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a data source, a data sink, a Digital Still Camera (DSC), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an onboard device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, a wireless AP, a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a wired or wireless network, a wireless area network (WVAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a WLAN, a PAN, a WPAN, according to existing WirelessHD, a wireless LAN, a WLAN, a PAN, a WPAN, a wireless LAN^TMAnd/or Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WGA) Specifications and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE802.11(IEEE 802.11-19992007: wirelessla n media access control (mac) and physical layer (phy) standards and revisions ("IEEE 802.11 standards"), IEEE802.16 standards and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices that are part of the aforementioned networks, one-way and/or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, wireless-display (WiDi) devices, cellular telephones, wireless telephones, Personal Communication Systems (PCS) devices, PCS devices that incorporate wireless communication devices, mobile or portable Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, devices that incorporate GPS receivers or transceivers or chips, devices that incorporate RFID elements or chips, A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a multiple-input single-output (MISO) transceiver or device, a device with one or more internal and/or external antennas, a Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) device or system, a multi-standard radio device or system, a wired or wireless handheld device (e.g., BlackBerry, PalmTreo), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

Some embodiments may be used in connection with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems, e.g.Radio Frequency (RF), Infrared (IR), Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA2000, single carrier CDMA, multi-carrier modulation (MDM), Discrete Multitone (DMT),Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Zigbee^TMUltra Wideband (UWB), global system for mobile communications (GSM), enhanced data rates for evolution (EDGE) 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, GSM, or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems, and/or networks.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with suitable limited-range or short-range wireless communication networks, e.g., "piconets," e.g., wireless local area networks, WVAN, WPANs, and the like.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication network 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, the wireless communication network 100 may be in accordance with a standard developed by the IEEE802802.11 task group ad (TGad) and/or in accordance with the WGA specification and/or in accordance with the IEEE802.15.3c standard and/or in accordance with WirelessHD^TMSpecification and/or ECMA-387 standard or the like.

Although the scope of the present invention is not so limited, wireless communication network 100 may include station 110, radio network controller 120, and station 130. According to this exemplary embodiment, each of stations 110 and 130 may be capable of operating as a network controller. The network controller 120 may be capable of performing a role (role) of a station, if desired.

In addition, although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, stations 110 and 130 may be capable of operating as source and destination DBand stations, respectively.

In operation, radio network controller 120 may be capable of performing the role of a PCP and/or an AP, if desired. Stations 110 and 120 may receive requests to check or evaluate their capabilities to become radio network controllers. The request may include a sending station capability value, or a set of such values. Each station may create or store an own radio network controller factor, e.g., a PCP factor for a DBand station information element, from the station's capabilities. Upon receiving peer station capabilities, the station may create a radio network controller factor for the transmitting station. The PCP factor for the DBand station information element will be described in detail with respect to fig. 2.

According to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the stations 110 and 130 and the radio network controller 120 may check or evaluate the capabilities of the station itself by comparing the stored capability values (e.g., self radio network controller factor) and the received capability values (e.g., peer radio network controller factor) in order of decreasing capability priority, and if the station self capability value (e.g., station 110) is higher than the peer station capability value (e.g., station 130), the station having the highest capability value or set or combined value of values may be selected as the radio network controller or control point, although the scope of the present invention is not limited to this example. The factors or values of the comparison may comprise a set of values, e.g. a set of bits, and thus the comparison may comprise comparing a set of values that may be combined to form a factor or overall value.

To perform the comparison, the station may combine the station self capability value and the received peer station capability value to provide, compute, or generate, respectively, a combined capability value of station values and a combined capability value of peer station values, where the location of a capability in the combined capability value (and thus the location of a comparison of that value in the ordered comparison) depends on the priority of that capability and the capability has a higher weight in the combined capability value than a lower priority capability value.

For example, the combined capability value may be, for example, a number that is a combined value of the following states or values: a state of or a value corresponding to a permanent power source (e.g., whether it is present or not), a state of or a value corresponding to a control point aggregation (clustering) capability, a state of or a value corresponding to a capability of scheduling a service period for an associated station, a state of or a value corresponding to a capability of providing a pseudo-static scheduling capability and a value corresponding to the capability, a total number of sectors of a station antenna, and a maximum number of stations to be associated with a radio network control point, thereby providing a numerical combined capability value.

In addition, the station may prioritize its own capabilities in the following order: the first and highest priority may be the status or presence of a permanent power source, the second priority may be a control point aggregation capability, the third priority may be the capability to schedule service periods for associated stations, the fourth priority may be the capability to provide pseudo-static scheduling, the fifth priority may be the total number of sectors of a station antenna and the sixth priority is the maximum number of stations to associate with a radio network control point, although the scope of the invention is not limited in this respect.

In the case where the station self capability value or combined value is equal to the capability value or combined value of the peer station, the station (e.g., station 110) may compare the station MAC address value with the MAC address values of the peer station (e.g., station 130) and radio network controller 120, and may select the station with the largest MAC address value. If desired, the selected station (e.g., station 130) may operate or execute in accordance with radio network controller functions that cause station 130 to perform the role of a radio network controller.

Fig. 2 illustrates a radio network controller capability factor for a DBand station information element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. According to some demonstrative embodiments, the radio network controller capability factor may be referred to as a PCP capability factor 200, if desired.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the station capabilities may include a maximum number of associated stations 210, a total number of sectors 220, and a pseudo-static allocation 230. Time Division Data Transfer Time (TDDTT)240, PCP/AP aggregation 250, and power source 260, although it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to these capabilities and other station capabilities may be used with embodiments of the present invention.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the power source 260 value may be set to 1 if the STA is battery powered and set to 0 otherwise (e.g., if a permanent power source is used). Thus, according to this example, when the power source value is set to 0, the highest priority may be boosted (gain), and the highest value may be set as a combination of station capability values (if desired).

The second priority is PCP/AP aggregation 250. If the STA is capable of performing PCP/AP aggregation 250 when operating as a PCP/AP, the PCP/AP aggregation 250 may be set to 1 and otherwise set to 0. Thus, if desired, the priority of PCP/AP250 may be increased or increased when the PCP/AP aggregation value may be set to 1.

TDDTT240 may be a third priority. The TDDTT240 may be set to 1 if the STA is capable of providing time division channel access when operating as a PCP/AP, and may be set to 0 in other cases. Accordingly, when the TDDTT value is set to 1, the priority of the TDDTT240 may be increased or increased.

Pseudo static allocation 230 may be a fourth priority. Pseudo static allocation 230 may be set to 1 if the STA is capable of providing a pseudo static allocation when operating as a PCP/AP, and may be set to 0 in other cases. Thus, if desired, the priority of pseudo-static allocation 230 may be increased or increased when the pseudo-static allocation value is 1.

The total number of sectors 220 may be a fifth priority. The total number of sectors 220 may indicate the total number of sectors that may be used in a sector sweep where STAs are combined on all antennas. According to this example, the number of sectors may weight the fifth priority (if desired).

The maximum number of associated STAs 210 is the sixth priority. According to this exemplary embodiment, the maximum number of associated STAs 210 may indicate the maximum number of STAs with which the STA may perform association if operating as a PCP/AP. According to this example, the number of STAs may weight the sixth priority (if desired).

According to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the PCP factor value may be a numerical combination of the station capabilities described above. The decision whether a station can perform the role of radio network controller may be made by comparing the PCP factor of the STA, e.g., PCP factor 200(self _ PCP _ factor), with the PCP factor of the peer STA (peer _ PCP _ factor), which is indicated in the DBand capability element of the peer station, if desired. Other factors may also be used.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the PCP factor value of a station may be computed, generated or constructed by concatenating the values of fields or selection fields present in the station DBand capability element, if desired. It should be noted that according to common practice, the least significant bit is the leftmost bit (B0), although the scope of the invention is not limited in this respect.

In addition, if the value of self _ PCP _ factor of DBandSTA is greater than the value of peer _ PCP _ factor or these values are equal and the MAC address of the STA is greater than the MAC address of the peer STA contained in the DBand capability element of the peer STA, the DBandSTA may set or perform the role of a radio network controller (e.g., PCP or AP), otherwise, the STA may not perform the role of a radio network controller.

In addition, if the radio network controller selection is performed as a result of receipt of the request, the station may respond as follows. If a station becomes a radio network controller, it may respond with a success message. If a station can perform the role of a non-PCPSTA, it can respond with an already started (erased) or join message.

In an explicit radio network controller (e.g., PCP) handover, the radio network controller may use the value of the PCP factor when selecting a candidate radio network controller, although the scope of the invention is not limited in this respect.

Other values or encodings than 1 and 0, or different meanings for 1 and 0, may be used.

Turning first to fig. 3, a schematic illustration of a STA of a wireless communication network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. According to an embodiment of the present invention, station 300 may be a wireless communication device capable of operating, for example, as a radio network controller, an access point, a piconet controller (PNC), a station, a multi-band station, a DBand station, an initiator (initiator), a responder, or the like.

According to some demonstrative embodiments of the invention, station 300 may include, for example, a radio 310. Radio 310 may be operably coupled to two or more antennas. For example, radio 310 may be operably coupled to antennas 360 and 362. Radio 310 may include at least a Receiver (RX)312, a Transmitter (TX)314, and a Beamforming (BF) controller 316, although the scope of the invention is not limited in this respect. Radio 310 may be or include a transceiver.

Additionally, according to some embodiments of the invention, radio 310 may operate on DBand, for example, at the 60GHz band. Station 300 may further include a MAC processor 340 and a memory 350. MAC processor 340 may include a Station Management Entity (SME) module 345. MAC processor 340 may be in accordance with IEEE802.11TAGad and/or IEEE802.15.3c and/or WirelessHD, if desired^TMAnd/or ECMA-387 and/or ISO/IEC 13156: 2009 and/or Bluetooth^TMAnd/or the WGA specification to operate MAC protocols. Methods according to an embodiment of the invention including, for example, operating on or generating a PCP factor value or other value may be performed in whole or in part by MAC processor 340.

Memory 350 may include one or more of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. For example, memory 350 may include one or more of Random Access Memory (RAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), double data rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), synchronous DRAM (sdram), static RAM (sram), Read Only Memory (ROM), programmable ROM (prom), erasable programmable ROM (eprom), electrically erasable programmable ROM (eeprom), compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), compact disk recordable (CD-R), compact disk rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory (e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), Content Addressable Memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase change memory, ferroelectric memory, Silicon Oxide Nitride Oxide (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppy disk, a hard drive (hardrive), an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a tape, a cassette (cassette), and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, antennas 360 and 362 may include, for example, a phased array antenna, an internal and/or external RF antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, an omni-directional antenna, an end-fed antenna, a circularly polarized antenna, a microstrip antenna, a diversity antenna, or other types of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transport streams, packets, messages and/or data, although the scope of the invention is not limited to these examples.

In some demonstrative embodiments of the invention, BF controller 316 may include a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) controller and/or a beamformer processor, if desired.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, radio 310 and receiver 312 may receive a request via antenna 360 to check or evaluate their capabilities to become a wireless network controller. The request may include a sending station capability value. For example, the capability value may be included in the PCP factor for the DBand station information element, which has been described with respect to fig. 2.

According to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the MAC processor 340 may check or evaluate the station's own capabilities by comparing the stored capability values (e.g., own capabilities) with the received capability values (e.g., peer station capabilities). The checking may be performed, for example, in an order, such as in a decreasing capability priority order. For example, if desired, the MAC processor may check the highest priority capability first and then check the other capabilities in descending order. If the station self capability value, e.g., station 110, is higher than the peer station capability value, e.g., station 130, the station with the highest capability value may be selected as the radio network controller or control point, although the scope of the invention is not limited to this example.

In one embodiment, "selecting" may be done by a station that becomes or is selected (e.g., by selecting itself) as the network controller. A station that determines it will not act as a controller may in some embodiments not select another station as a controller, but may allow another station to select itself.

To perform the comparison, the MAC processor 340 may combine the station self capability value and the received peer station capability value to compute, provide, or generate, respectively, a combined capability value of the station values and a combined capability value of the peer station values, where the location of a capability in the combined capability value depends on the priority of the capability and/or has a higher weight in the combined capability value than a lower priority capability value.

For example, the combined capability value may be a combined value of a permanent power source, a control point aggregation capability, a capability to schedule a service period for an associated station, a capability to provide pseudo-static scheduling, a total number of sectors of a station antenna, and a maximum number of stations to associate with a radio network control point to provide, compute, or generate a numerical combined capability value.

In addition, MAC processor 340 may prioritize the capabilities of the stations themselves in the following order, where the first and highest priority is a permanent power source, the second priority is a control point aggregation capability, the third priority is the capability of scheduling service periods for the associated stations, the fourth priority is the capability of providing pseudo-static scheduling, the fifth priority is the total number of sectors of the station antenna, and the sixth priority is the maximum number of stations to associate with the radio network control point, although the scope of the invention is not limited in this respect.

In the event that the station self capability value is equal to the peer station capability value, MAC processor 340 may compare the station MAC address value to the peer station (e.g., station 130) and radio network controller 120MAC address values and may select the station with the largest medium access control value. If desired, SME345 may enable selected stations (e.g., station 130) to operate in accordance with radio network controller functions and cause station 130 to perform the role of a radio network controller.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method of selecting a radio network controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, the method may be performed by a MAC processor (e.g., MAC processor 340) from or by executing instructions stored in memory 350, if desired.

The method begins by receiving a request message to check and compare wireless network factors of stations to perform a role of a wireless network controller (e.g., PCP and/or AP) (text block 410). The request may include a transmitter station capability. The station may combine an own radio network controller Factor (e.g., Self _ PCP _ Factor) and a Peer station radio network controller Factor (e.g., Peer _ PCP _ Factor) for its own capabilities and reception capabilities, respectively (text block 415). The station may check and/or compare, for example, its Self _ PCP _ Factor value to the Peer _ PCP _ Factor value. If the station Self _ PCP _ Factor value is equal to the Self _ PCP _ Factor value (diamond 420), the station may check or compare its MAC address with the peer station MAC address. If the station MAC address is higher than the peer station MAC address (diamond 440), the station may be set to perform the role of a radio network controller (text block 470) and may send a success message to the station management entity, e.g., SME345, if desired (text block 480).

If the station self _ PCP _ Factor value is not equal to the Peer _ PCP _ Factor value (diamond 420) and the station's own self _ PCP _ Factor value is higher than the self _ PCP _ Factor value (diamond 430), the station may be set (e.g., by its station management entity) to perform the role of radio network controller (text block 470), if desired, by sending a success message or a message otherwise indicating this status to the station's SME (e.g., SME345) (text block 480). If the station self _ PCP _ Factor value is equal to the Peer _ PCP _ Factor capability value (diamond 420) and if the station MAC address is lower than the Peer station MAC address (diamond 440), the Peer station may be set to perform the role of a radio network controller (text block 450) and the station may send a message to the station's SME (e.g., SME345) indicating this status and/or a "start already" or "join" message (if desired) (text block 460). Other or different operations may be performed.

Embodiments of the invention may include an article, such as a computer or processor non-transitory readable medium, or a computer or processor non-transitory storage medium, such as, for example, a memory, a disk drive, or a USB flash memory, encoding, including, or storing instructions, such as computer-executable instructions, that when executed by a processor or controller, perform the methods disclosed herein.

The teachings in accordance with the present invention have been described in the context of particular embodiments. These examples are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, or improvements are possible. Thus, multiple instances of the components described herein may be provided as a single instance. Boundaries between various components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the various configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

Claims (28)

1. A method of selecting a station of a wireless network to perform a role of a wireless network controller, the method comprising:

receiving, at a first station, a message from a second station, the message comprising a value of a field of a peer station capability element indicating a capability value of the second station;

comparing, at the first station, a self station factor to a peer station factor, the self station factor comprising a concatenation of values of fields of a capability element of the first station, and the peer station factor comprising a concatenation of values of fields of a peer station capability element of the second station; and

selecting at the first station whether the first station is to be a radio network controller by comparing the self station factor with the peer station factor to determine when the value of the self station factor is greater than the value of the peer station factor.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining the self station factor by combining values of fields of a capability element of the first station to produce a combined value of values, wherein a location of a capability in the combined value depends on a priority of the capability and a weight of the capability.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising:

the self station factor is determined by combining values of a state of a permanent power source, a control point aggregation capability, a capability of scheduling a service period for an associated station, a capability of providing pseudo-static scheduling, a total number of antenna sectors, and a maximum number of stations to be associated.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining the self-station factor comprises:

setting priorities of values of fields of a capability element of the first station in the following order, wherein first and highest priority is a status of a permanent power source, second priority is the control point aggregation capability, third priority is the capability of scheduling a service period for an associated station, fourth priority is the capability of providing pseudo-static scheduling, fifth priority is a total number of the antenna sectors, and sixth priority is a maximum number of the stations to be associated.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising:

selecting whether the first station is to be a radio network controller by determining whether a media access control address value of the first station is greater than a media access control address value of the second station when the value of the self station factor is equal to the value of the peer station factor.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising:

initiating a control point function at the first station; and

performing the role of a control point of the wireless network at the first station.

7. A first station of a wireless network, the first station comprising:

a transceiver to receive a message from a second station, the message including a value of a field of a peer station capability element indicating a capability value of the second station;

a memory storing a self station factor including a concatenation of values of fields of a capability element of the first station;

a Media Access Control (MAC) processor that compares the self station factor and a peer station factor, the peer station factor comprising a concatenation of values of fields of a peer station capability element of the second station;

the MAC processor selects whether the first station is to be a radio network controller by comparing the self station factor with the peer station factor to determine when the value of the self station factor is greater than the value of the peer station factor.

8. The first station of claim 7, wherein the MAC processor is capable of determining the self-station factor by combining values of fields of a capability element of the first station to produce a combined value of values, wherein a location of a capability in the combined value depends on a priority of the capability and a weight of the capability.

9. The first station of claim 7, wherein the MAC processor is capable of determining the self-station factor by combining values of a state of a permanent power source, a control point aggregation capability, a capability to schedule service periods for associated stations, a capability to provide pseudo-static scheduling, a total number of antenna sectors, and a maximum number of stations to associate.

10. The first station of claim 9, wherein the MAC processor is capable of setting priorities of values of fields of a capability element of the first station in the following order, wherein a first and highest priority is a state of a permanent power source, a second priority is the control point aggregation capability, a third priority is the capability of scheduling a service period for an associated station, a fourth priority is the capability of providing pseudo-static scheduling, a fifth priority is a total number of antenna sectors, and a sixth priority is the maximum number of stations to associate.

11. The first station of claim 7, wherein the MAC processor is capable of selecting whether the first station is to act as a radio network controller by determining whether a MAC address value of the first station is greater than a MAC address value of the second station when the value of the self station factor equals the value of the peer station factor.

12. The first station of claim 7, wherein the MAC processor is capable of operating a control point function and causing the first station to perform a role of a control point of the wireless network.

13. The first station of claim 7, wherein the radio network controller comprises a Personal Basic Service Set (PBSS) control point (PCP).

14. The first station of claim 7, comprising a direct band (DBand) station.

15. A wireless communication system, comprising:

a first station of a wireless network, wherein the first station comprises:

at least one antenna;

a transceiver to receive a message from a second station, the message including a value of a field of a peer station capability element indicating a capability value of the second station;

a memory storing a self station factor including a concatenation of values of fields of a capability element of the first station;

a Media Access Control (MAC) processor that compares the self station factor and a peer station factor, the peer station factor comprising a concatenation of values of fields of a peer station capability element of the second station, the MAC processor selecting whether the first station is to be a radio network controller by comparing the self station factor and the peer station factor to determine when the value of the self station factor is greater than the value of the peer station factor.

16. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the MAC processor is capable of determining the self station factor by combining values of fields of capability elements of the first station to produce a combined value of values, wherein a location of a capability in the combined value depends on a priority of the capability and a weight of the capability.

17. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the MAC processor is capable of determining the self station factor by combining values of a state of a permanent power source, a control point aggregation capability, a capability to schedule service periods for associated stations, a capability to provide pseudo-static scheduling, a total number of antenna sectors, and a maximum number of stations to associate.

18. The wireless communication system of claim 17, wherein the MAC processor is capable of setting priorities of values of fields of a capability element of the first station in the following order, wherein a first and highest priority is a state of a permanent power source, a second priority is the control point aggregation capability, a third priority is the capability of scheduling a service period for an associated station, a fourth priority is the capability of providing pseudo-static scheduling, a fifth priority is a total number of antenna sectors, and a sixth priority is the maximum number of stations to associate.

19. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the MAC processor is capable of selecting whether the first station is to act as a radio network controller by determining whether a MAC address value of the first station is greater than a MAC address value of the second station when the value of the self station factor is equal to the value of the peer station factor.

20. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the MAC processor is capable of operating a control point function such that the first station performs the role of a control point of the wireless network.

21. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the radio network controller comprises a Personal Basic Service Set (PBSS) control point (PCP).

22. The wireless communication system of claim 15, wherein the first station comprises a direct band (DBand) station.

23. A Media Access Control (MAC) processor, comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed result in:

receiving, at a first station, a message from a second station, the message comprising a value of a field of a peer station capability element indicating a capability value of the second station;

comparing, at the first station, a self station factor to a peer station factor, the self station factor comprising a concatenation of values of fields of a capability element of the first station, and the peer station factor comprising a concatenation of values of fields of a peer station capability element of the second station; and

selecting at the first station whether the first station is to be a radio network controller by comparing the self station factor with the peer station factor to determine when the value of the self station factor is greater than the value of the peer station factor.

24. The MAC processor of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed, result in:

determining the self station factor by combining values of fields of a capability element of the first station to produce a combined value of values, wherein a location of a capability in the combined value depends on a priority of the capability and a weight of the capability.

25. The MAC processor of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed, result in:

combining the values of the state of the permanent power source, the control point aggregation capability, the capability to schedule service periods for the associated stations, the capability to provide pseudo-static scheduling, the total number of antenna sectors, and the maximum number of stations to associate.

26. The MAC processor of claim 25, wherein the instructions, when executed, result in:

setting priorities of values of fields of a capability element of the first station in the following order, wherein first and highest priority is a status of a permanent power source, second priority is the control point aggregation capability, third priority is the capability of scheduling a service period for an associated station, fourth priority is the capability of providing pseudo-static scheduling, fifth priority is a total number of the antenna sectors, and sixth priority is a maximum number of the stations to be associated.

27. The MAC processor of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed, result in:

selecting whether the first station is to be a radio network controller by determining whether a media access control address value of the first station is greater than a media access control address value of the second station when the value of the self station factor is equal to the value of the peer station factor.

28. The MAC processor of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed, result in:

initiating a control point function at the first station; and

performing the role of a control point of the wireless network at the first station.