InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[Gamco]

United States Patent 7,710,930
Kwak May 4, 2010

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Method and apparatus for network management using periodic measurements of indicators


Abstract
A beacon signal used in data communications, such as the IEEE 802.11, is provided with data extensions. The data extensions permit additional information to be provided by the beacon signal, thereby reducing the traffic overhead of the network. The data extensions further permit handoffs and handoffs based on offset values. Periodic beacon requests are made during connection between a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) and an access point (AP) on a WLAN. A Measurement Request field corresponding to a beacon request contains a measurement duration value and channel number for which the request applies. The beacon request permits a scan mode which includes "Active Scan" mode, "Passive Scan" mode and "Beacon Table" mode. In Active Scan mode, the measuring station (STA) transmits a probe request with a broadcast SSID. In Passive Scan mode, the measuring STA passively receives on the specified channel and return a beacon report containing one information element for each STA from which it detects a beacon or probe response. In Beacon Table mode, the measuring STA returns a beacon report containing the current contents of its beacon table without performing additional measurements.


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Inventors: Kwak; Joseph A. (Bolingbrook, IL)
Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation (Wilmington, DE)

Appl. No.: 10/845,822
Filed: May 14, 2004

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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Application Number Filing Date Patent Number Issue Date
60470256 May., 2003


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Current U.S. Class: 370/338 ; 370/328
Current International Class: H04W 4/00 (20090101)
Field of Search: 370/328-344,431-444,430,312