HK1193298A - Buffer relay management within wireless communications - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a buffer relay management within wireless communications. A relay wireless communication device is implemented to perform buffer management and coordination with a source wireless communication device. A relay wireless communication device (generally, a relay) informs a source wireless communication device (source) of the status of memory therein to store messages intended for a destination wireless communication device (destination). For example, the source transmits information to the relay, which buffers information before forwarding it on to the destination. This buffering may be a function of the source having additional information intended for the relay and/or destination. The relay performs appropriate signaling, such as suspend transmission requests and resume transmission requests, to inform other devices in the system of its memory storage status (e.g., such as when having an actual or anticipated overflow). In one implementation, a suspend transmission request may be implemented by setting a particular bit within a communication from the relay to the source.

Description

Buffer relay management within wireless communications

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT/PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from the following U.S. provisional patent applications, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and actually form a part of this application:

1. pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/720,770 entitled "Relay with Single user, multiple access, and/or MIMO with communications" filed on 31/10/2012.

2. Pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/766,795 entitled "Relay with Single user, multiple access, and/or MIMO with communications" filed on 20/2.2013.

3. Pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/814,945 entitled "Relay with Single user, multiple access, and/or MIMO with communications" filed on 23/4/2013.

4. Pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/819,238 entitled "Relay with Single user, multiple access, and/or MIMO with communications" filed on 3/5/2013.

5. Pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/822,504 entitled "Relay with Single user, multiple access, and/or MIMO with communications" filed on 13/5.2013.

6. Pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/822,510 entitled "Buffer relay management with insulating user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications" filed on 13/5.2013.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems; and more particularly to relay-based memory and buffer management within single-user, multi-access, and/or MIMO wireless communications.

Background

The communication system supports wireless and wired communication between wireless and/or wired communication devices. These systems may range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems, to the internet, to point-to-point in-home wireless networks, and may operate in accordance with one or more communication standards. For example, a wireless communication system may operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE802.11x (where x may be various extensions, e.g., a, b, n, g, etc.), Bluetooth, Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS), digital AMPS, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), etc., and/or variations thereof.

In some cases, wireless communication is performed between a Transmitter (TX) and a Receiver (RX) using single-input single-output (SISO) communication. Another type of wireless communication is Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO), in which a single TX processes data into radio frequency signals that are transmitted to a receiver that includes more than two antennas and more than two RX paths.

Yet another alternative type of wireless communication is multiple-input-single-output (MISO), where TX comprises more than two transmission paths, each of which converts a respective portion of a baseband signal into Radio Frequency (RF) signals that are transmitted through a respective antenna to a receiver. Another type of wireless communication is multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), in which TX and RX each include multiple paths, respectively, such that the TX processes the data in parallel using spatial and temporal coding functions to generate more than two data streams, and the RX receives multiple radio frequency signals via multiple RX paths that use the spatial and temporal coding functions to recover the data streams.

Within these wireless communication systems, long distances between devices can cause problems and reduce communication performance. For example, as the distance between devices increases, fading and other undesirable effects may degrade the performance and effectiveness of communications between devices.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a wireless communication apparatus, including: a communication interface, a memory, and a processor, the communication interface configured to: receiving a frame from a source wireless communication device; and transmitting the relay frame to the destination wireless communication device; the memory is configured to buffer the frames; the processor is configured to generate a suspend transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to suspend transmission to the wireless communication apparatus for a predetermined period of time based on the storage state of the memory; and wherein: the communication interface is configured to transmit the suspend transmission request to the source wireless communication apparatus.

Preferably, the processor is further configured to generate a resume transmission request to direct the source wireless communication device to resume transmission to the wireless communication device.

Preferably, the storage status of the memory indicates an actual or expected storage overflow of the memory.

Preferably, the processor is further configured to generate the suspend transmission request by setting at least one bit within a relay flow suspend action frame; and the communication interface is further configured to transmit the relay flow pause action frame to the source wireless communication device.

Preferably, the source wireless communication device is further configured to transmit at least one additional frame to the wireless communication device after the predetermined time period expires.

Preferably, the source wireless communication apparatus is further configured to permit transmission of a clear to send (CTS 2 Self) frame for Self transmission after receiving the suspend transmission request.

Preferably, the at least one additional wireless communication device associated with the source wireless communication device is further configured to transmit at least one additional frame to the source wireless communication device during a predetermined time period.

Preferably, the wireless communication apparatus further comprises: the source wireless communication device includes one of a wireless Station (STA) and a Smart Meter Station (SMSTA); and the destination wireless communication device comprises an Access Point (AP).

The present invention also provides a wireless communication apparatus, comprising: a communication interface, a memory, and a processor, the communication interface configured to: receiving a frame from a source wireless communication device; and transmitting the relay frame to the destination wireless communication device; the memory is configured to buffer the frames; and the processor is configured to: generating a suspend transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to suspend transmission to a wireless communication apparatus based on the storage state of the memory; and generating a restart transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to restart transmission to the wireless communication apparatus; and wherein: the communication interface is configured to first transmit the suspend transmission request to the source wireless communication device and subsequently transmit the resume transmission request to the source wireless communication device.

Preferably, the storage status of the memory indicates an actual or expected storage overflow of the memory.

Preferably, at least one additional wireless communication device associated with the source wireless communication device is configured to transmit at least one additional frame to the source wireless communication device after transmission of the pause transmission request and before transmission of the resume transmission request.

Preferably, the source wireless communication device is further configured to allow a send-to-Self (CTS 2 Self) frame for Self transmission after receiving the suspend transmission request.

Preferably, the wireless communication apparatus further comprises: the source wireless communication device comprises an Access Point (AP); and the destination wireless communication device comprises one of a wireless Station (STA) and a Smart Meter Station (SMSTA).

The present invention also provides a method performed by a wireless communication apparatus, the method comprising: operating a communication interface of the wireless communication device to receive a frame from a source wireless communication device and transmit a relayed frame to a destination wireless communication device; buffering the frame within a memory of the wireless communication device; generating a suspend transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to suspend transmission to the wireless communication apparatus for a predetermined period of time based on the storage state of the memory; and operating a communication interface of the wireless communication device to transmit the suspend transmission request to the source wireless communication device.

Preferably, the method further comprises: generating a resume transmission request to allow the source wireless communication device to resume transmission to the wireless communication device; and operating a communication interface of the wireless communication device to transmit the resume transmission request to the source wireless communication device.

Preferably, the storage status of the memory indicates an actual or expected storage overflow of the memory.

Preferably, the method further comprises: generating a suspend transmission request by setting at least one bit within a relay flow suspend action frame; and operating a communication interface of the wireless communication device to transmit the relay flow pause action frame to the source wireless communication device.

Preferably, the method further comprises: operating a communication interface of the wireless communication device to receive at least one additional frame from the source wireless communication device after expiration of the predetermined time period.

Preferably, the method further comprises: operating the source wireless communication device to transmit a clear to send (CTS 2 Self) frame to Self after receiving the suspend transmission request.

Preferably, the source wireless communication device includes one of a wireless Station (STA) and a Smart Meter Station (SMSTA); and the destination wireless communication device comprises an Access Point (AP).

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating one or more embodiments of a wireless communication system;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one or more embodiments of a wireless communication device;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a number of wireless communication devices acting as Smart Meter Stations (SMSTAs);

fig. 4A is a diagram showing one example of a wireless communication system including a wireless relay communication device implemented between two other wireless communication devices;

fig. 4B is a diagram showing another example of a wireless communication system including a wireless relay communication apparatus implemented between two other wireless communication apparatuses;

fig. 4C is a diagram showing another example of a wireless communication system including a wireless relay communication device implemented between two other wireless communication devices;

fig. 4D is a diagram illustrating another example of a wireless communication system including a wireless relay communication device implemented between two other wireless communication devices;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a wireless communication device pausing/resuming transmissions;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating one example of changing a storage state of a memory implemented within a wireless communication device;

fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating one example of flow control operations for memory and buffer management among various wireless communication devices;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating one example embodiment of flow control operations for memory and buffer management among various wireless communication devices;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method performed by one or more wireless communication devices;

fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of a method performed by one or more wireless communication devices.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating one or more implementations 100 of a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system 100 includes base stations and/or access points 112-116, wireless communication devices 118-132, and a network hardware component 134. The wireless communication devices 118-132 may be laptop host computers 118 and 126, personal digital assistant hosts 120 and 130, personal computer hosts 124 and 132, and/or cellular telephone hosts 122 and 128. Details of embodiments of these wireless communication devices are described in more detail with reference to fig. 2.

Base Stations (BSs) or Access Points (APs) 112 to 116 are operatively coupled to the network hardware 134 via local area network connections 136, 138 and 140. Network hardware 134 may be a router, switch, bridge, modem, system controller, etc. that provides wide area network connection 142 for communication system 100. Each of the base stations or access points 112 to 116 has an associated antenna or antenna array to communicate with wireless communication devices within its area. Typically, wireless communication devices register with a particular base station or access point 112 to 116 to receive service from the communication system 100. For direct connection (i.e., point-to-point communication), the wireless communication device communicates directly over the assigned channel.

Any of the plurality of wireless communication devices in this illustration may include a corresponding communication interface to support communication with other devices. Through the communication interface, the relay wireless communication device may receive one or more frames from the source wireless communication device. The relay wireless communication device then generates a relay frame based at least in part on the frame received from the source wireless communication device. Considering an example of relaying by the relay wireless communication device 190, the personal computer 124 and the base station and/or access point 114 may not be able to communicate for a variety of reasons (e.g., fading, interference, etc.). As shown by hop V1, relay wireless communications device 190 receives a frame from personal computer 124. The relay wireless communication device 190 then generates and transmits a relay frame to the base station and/or access point 114 as shown by hop V2. It is noted that the reverse operation may alternatively be performed such that relaying from the base station and/or access point 114 to the personal computer 124 is performed by the relay wireless communication device 190.

Herein, the terms source wireless communication device, relay wireless communication device, and destination wireless communication device are used. Any of these wireless communication devices may be implemented as any of the various wireless communication devices 118-132 or other types of wireless communication devices. For the sake of simplicity, source, relay, and destination (or source, relay, and destination or other such equivalents) devices are sometimes used instead of source, relay, and destination wireless communication devices.

The wireless communication device (e.g., any of the various wireless communication devices 118-132) may operate a relay. Such an apparatus may include a communication interface configured to receive one or more frames from a source wireless communication apparatus and further configured to transmit the frames to a destination wireless communication apparatus. The frame transmitted to the destination wireless communication device may include all or a portion of the frame received from the source. In the wireless context, various processing may be performed to generate relay frames, such as reprogramming source and destination addresses, etc.

For example, a relay operates to forward or relay information received from a source to a destination. The wireless communications apparatus can also include a memory configured to buffer information received from a source (via one or more transmissions) and facilitate transmission of at least a portion of the first information (e.g., data or payload therein) to a destination via a relay frame. For example, by storing or buffering all or part of the first signal within the relaying wireless communication device, one or more retransmission attempts of the information within the signal may be implemented.

The storage state of the memory will change over time based on the information stored in the memory. For example, if very little information is stored in the memory, the storage state of the memory may indicate a large available storage capacity. Alternatively, if a large amount of information is stored in memory (e.g., when the memory is approximately or substantially full and the amount of memory available for storage is small, as defined within any industry-accepted tolerance), then the storage state of the memory may indicate an expected or desired overflow of memory storage. If the memory is completely full, the storage state of the memory will indicate that the actual storage overflows the memory.

As different amounts of signals and information received from the first wireless communication device are stored in the memory, the amount of information stored in the memory varies, so the memory sometimes cannot receive and properly store additional signals that may be transmitted from the first wireless communication device.

Accordingly, the relay wireless communication device may be implemented to include a processor configured to generate a suspend transmission request of the first wireless communication device based on the storage state of the memory. The suspend transmission request directs the first wireless communication device to refrain from transmitting any signals to the relay wireless communication device for a predetermined period of time. Then, the relay wireless communication apparatus may transmit the suspend transmission request to the first wireless communication apparatus within the third signal.

In some embodiments, the relaying wireless communication device transmits a resume transmission request to the first wireless communication device to indicate that the relaying wireless communication device is now able to store and obtain subsequent signals received from the first wireless communication device. Alternatively, other embodiments operate such that the first wireless communications device refrains from transmitting additional signals only for certain specified time periods. It is noted that the resume transmission request may be provided to the first wireless communication apparatus before expiration of such a specific time period. In this case, the resume transmission request may be used to cover operation of the first wireless communication device to avoid transmission for a particular period of time (e.g., transmission may occur before the expiration of the period of time).

In general, various embodiments perform buffer or memory management at a relay wireless communication device within a communication system. It can be appreciated that changes and variations in channel conditions (e.g., channel conditions included between the relaying wireless communication device and the destination wireless communication device) can result in frames being continuously buffered at the relaying wireless communication device. In certain instances, a memory or buffer overflow (e.g., queue overflow) may occur at the relay wireless communication device, for example, when a transmission from the relay wireless communication device to the destination wireless communication device is unsuccessful.

The source wireless communication device may not be aware of the downstream congestion and it may disadvantageously continue forwarding frames to the relay wireless communication device. This then requires retransmission of the frames from the source wireless communication device to the relay wireless communication device, and this can degrade the Medium Access Control (MAC) efficiency of these wireless communication devices. In one embodiment, the suspend transmission request is made by adding a bit within a MAC header (e.g., of a communication from the relaying wireless communication device to the source wireless communication device) to govern flow control. This is used by the relaying wireless communication device to signal the source wireless communication device to stop or start (or restart such as after a time out or based on a resume transmission request) transmissions to the relaying wireless communication device.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating one or more implementations 200 of a wireless communication device. The embodiment 200 of the wireless communication device comprises host devices 218 to 232 and an associated radio 260. In some embodiments, one or more host devices 218-232 may be implemented as one or more wireless communication devices 118-132. For a cellular phone host, the radio 260 is a built-in component. For a personal digital assistant host, a laptop host, and/or a personal computer host, the radio 260 may be a built-in or add-on component. For an access point or base station, the components are typically housed within a single structure. Host devices 218-232 include a processing module 250, a memory 252, a radio interface 254, an input interface 258, and an output interface 256. The processing module 250 and the memory 252 execute corresponding instructions that are typically executed by a host device. For example, for a cellular telephone host device, the processing module 250 performs the corresponding communication functions according to a particular cellular telephone standard.

Radio interface 254 allows for the reception of data from radio 260 and the transmission of data to the radio. For data received from radio 260 (e.g., inbound data), radio interface 254 provides the data to processing module 250 for further processing and/or routing to output interface 256. Output interface 256 provides a connection to one or more output display devices, such as a display, monitor, speakers, or the like, so that the received data can be displayed. Radio interface 254 may also provide data from processing module 250 into radio 260. Processing module 250 may receive outbound data or generate data itself from one or more input devices, such as a keyboard, keys, microphone, etc., through input interface 258.

Radio 260 includes a host interface 262, a baseband processing module 264, a memory 266, Radio Frequency (RF) Transmitters (TX) 268-272, a transmit/receive (T/R) module 274, antennas 282-286, radio frequency Receivers (RX) 276-280, and a local oscillation module 201. The baseband processing module 264, together with operating instructions stored in memory 266, performs digital receiver functions and digital transmitter functions, respectively. Digital receiver functions include, but are not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, constellation demapping, decoding, deinterleaving, fast fourier transform, cyclic prefix removal, spatial and temporal decoding, and/or descrambling. Digital transmitter functions, which will be described in more detail in later figures, include, but are not limited to, scrambling, encoding, interleaving, constellation mapping, modulation, inverse fast fourier transform, cyclic prefix addition, spatial and temporal coding, and/or digital baseband to intermediate frequency conversion.

In operation, the radio 260 receives outbound data 288 from a host device through the host interface 262. Baseband processing module 264 receives outbound data 288 and, based on mode select signal 202, generates one or more outbound symbol streams 290. The mode selection signal 202 represents the particular mode shown in the mode selection table as understood by the reader. For example, the mode select signal 202 may represent a frequency channel of 2.4GHz or 5GHz, a channel bandwidth of 20MHz or 22MHz (e.g., a channel that is 20MHz or 22MHz wide), and a maximum bit rate of 54 megabits per second. In other embodiments, the channel bandwidth may be scaled up to 1.28GHz or more at all times, with the maximum supported bit rate scaled up to 1 gigabit per second or more. In this general context, the mode select signal further represents a particular rate ranging from 1 megabit per second to 54 megabits per second. Furthermore, the mode select signal will represent a particular modulation type including, but not limited to, barker modulation, BPSK, QPSK, CCK, 16QAM, and/or 64 QAM. Also, in the mode selection table, a coding rate and the number of coded bits per subcarrier (NBPSC), coded bits per OFDM symbol (NCBPS), data bits per OFDM symbol (NDBPS) are provided. The mode selection signal may also indicate a particular channelization for the respective mode for information in one mode selection table with respect to another mode selection table. It should be noted that other types of channels having different bandwidths may be employed in other embodiments.

Baseband processing module 264 generates one or more outbound symbol streams 290 from output data 288 based on mode select signal 202. For example, if mode selection signal 202 indicates that a single transmit antenna is being used for a particular mode that has been selected, then baseband processing module 264 will produce a single outbound symbol stream 290. Alternatively, if the mode select signal represents 2, 3, or 4 antennas, then baseband processing module 264 may generate 2, 3, or 4 outbound symbol streams 290 corresponding to the number of antennas from output data 288.

Depending on the number of outbound streams 290 generated by baseband processing module 264, a corresponding number of rf transmitters 268-272 will be able to convert the outbound symbol streams 290 into outbound rf signals 292. The transmit/receive module 274 receives the outbound radio frequency signals 292 and provides each outbound radio frequency signal to a respective antenna 282 through 286.

When the radio 260 is in the receive mode, the transmit/receive module 274 receives one or more inbound radio frequency signals through the antennas 282 through 286. The T/R module 274 provides the inbound radio frequency signal 294 to one or more radio frequency receivers 276-280. The rf receivers 276-280 convert the inbound rf signals 294 into a corresponding number of inbound symbol streams 296. The number of inbound symbol streams 296 will correspond to the particular mode in which the data is received. The baseband processing module 264 receives and converts the inbound symbol stream 296 into inbound data 298, which is provided to the host devices 218-232 through the host interface 262.

In one embodiment of the radio 260, it includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter may include a MAC module, a PLCP module, and a PMD module. A Media Access Control (MAC) module, which may be implemented by the processing module 64, is operatively coupled to convert MAC Service Data Units (MSDUs) into MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) according to the WLAN protocol. A Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) module, which may be implemented within the baseband processing module 264, is operably coupled to convert MPDUs into PLCP Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) according to a WLAN protocol. A Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) module is operably coupled to convert the PPDU to a Radio Frequency (RF) signal according to one mode of operation of the WLAN protocol, wherein the mode of operation includes a multiple-input and multiple-output combination.

Embodiments of a Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) module include an error protection module, a demultiplexing module, and a direction conversion module. Error protection modules, which may be implemented within the baseband processing module 264, are operably coupled to reconstruct PPDU (PLCP (physical layer convergence protocol) protocol data unit) to reduce transmission errors to produce error protection data. The demultiplexing module is operably coupled to divide the error protection data into error protection data streams. The direct conversion module is operably coupled to convert the error protection data stream to a Radio Frequency (RF) signal.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the wireless communications apparatus of fig. 2 may be implemented using one or more integrated circuits in accordance with any desired configuration or combination or elements, modules, etc. within the one or more integrated circuits.

The wireless communication device 200 includes a communication interface configured to receive one or more frames from a source wireless communication device and further configured to transmit the frames to a destination wireless communication device. As described above, the relaying wireless communication device may transmit a suspend transmission request to the first or source wireless communication device to direct the device to stop transmitting signals to the relay. The relay may also provide a resume transmission request to the first or source wireless communication device when the relay is ready to receive additional signaling from the first or source wireless communication device. For example, after a relay has successfully transmitted information located within its memory to a second or destination wireless location device, the relay will then be able to receive more signaling from the first or source wireless location device.

This information may be provided to the first or source wireless communication device in the form of the stored state of the relayed memory. Appropriate signaling from the relay to the first or source wireless communication device may ensure that no additional signals are transmitted from the first or source wireless communication device that may not be properly received, processed, and/or stored within the memory of the relay.

In one embodiment, the pause transmission request may be implemented using a relay flow pause action frame in which at least one bit set to a particular value is included. Also, the relay flow resume action frame may be used to inform the first or source wireless communication device that the signal transmission to the relay may resume.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment 300 of a number of wireless communication devices implemented in various locations in an environment including a building or structure to function as smart meter stations (smsas).

In some cases, various wireless communication devices may be implemented to support communication associated with monitoring and/or sensing of any of a variety of different conditions, parameters, and/or the like. These wireless communication devices may provide this information to another wireless communication device. As described herein, these communications may be conducted using relays.

For example, in some cases, the wireless communication device may be implemented as a Smart Meter Station (SMSTA). An SMSTA may have certain characteristics similar to wireless Stations (STAs), but may also operate to communicate in association with one or more actions based on monitoring and/or sensing. In certain applications, such devices operate only in rare cases. For example, the period of operation may be relatively insignificant (e.g., only a few percent of the period of time that the apparatus is in such a power saving mode) when compared to the period of time that such an apparatus is in a power saving mode (e.g., a sleep mode, a reduced-function operating mode, a reduced-power operating mode, etc.).

The SMSTA may wake up from such a power saving mode only to perform certain operations. For example, such a device may wake up from such a power saving mode to sense and/or measure one or more parameters, conditions, constraints, and/or the like. During such operation (e.g., the device is not in a power save mode), the device may also transmit such information to another wireless communication device (e.g., an Access Point (AP), another SMSTA, a wireless Station (STA), or such an SMSTA or STA operating as an AP, etc.).

It is noted that such devices may enter an operational mode for sensing and/or monitoring using a frequency that is different from (e.g., greater than) the frequency of the operational mode entered by the device for transmission. For example, such a device may wake up a certain number of times for successive respective sensing and/or monitoring operations, and such data obtained in those operations may be stored (e.g., stored within a memory element within the device), and during a subsequent mode of operation dedicated to transferring data, a plurality of portions of data corresponding to a plurality of respective sensing and/or monitoring operations may be transmitted during that mode of operation dedicated to transferring data.

In this illustration, a plurality of wireless communication devices are implemented to forward information related to monitoring and/or sensing to a particular wireless communication device, which may operate as a manager, coordinator, or the like, e.g., may be implemented by an Access Point (AP) or a wireless Station (STA) operating as an AP. In general, these wireless communication devices may be implemented to perform any of a number of data forwarding, monitoring, and/or sensing operations. For example, in the context of a building or structure, there may be a plurality of services provided to the building or structure, ranging from natural gas services, electrical services, television services, internet services, and the like. Alternatively, throughout the environment, different respective monitors and/or sensors may be implemented for parameter-related (not service-specific) monitoring and/or sensing. As some examples, motion detection, door ajar detection, temperature measurement (and/or other atmospheric and/or environmental measurements), and the like, may be performed by different respective monitors and/or sensors within various locations and implemented for various purposes.

Different respective monitors and/or sensors may be implemented to wirelessly provide information related to such monitoring and/or sensing functions to the manager/coordinator wireless communication device. Such information may be provided continuously, sporadically, intermittently, as may be required in some applications.

Further, it is noted that, in accordance with such two-way communication, such communication between such manager/coordinator wireless communication devices of different respective monitors and/or sensors may cooperate, as the manager/coordinator wireless communication devices may direct the respective monitors and/or sensors to perform certain related functions at a subsequent time.

Any of the various STAs or smsstas within the wireless communication system may not be able to communicate with each other or with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device for any of a variety of reasons (e.g., fading, interference, weak/invalid communication links, etc.). While various forms of signal degradation (e.g., fading and interference) may degrade or inhibit communication between devices, certain physical features (e.g., buildings, fences, mountains, etc.) may also degrade or inhibit such communication. In this case, to support communication between either one of the STA or the SMSTA and the other or the manager/coordinator wireless communication device, the wireless communication device may operate as a relay between the two devices.

Various options may be used to select one of these wireless communication devices. The source may select one of the other devices as the relay. Alternatively, the source may play frames and the first responding device may act as a relay. Even in other cases, one wireless communication device may voluntarily act as a relay between sources and destinations that are unable to accept communication with each other. For example, an SMSTA that does not accept well communications with a manager/coordinator wireless communication device may communicate with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device through a relay, as illustrated by two hops or communication links to and from the relay.

Fig. 4A is a diagram illustrating one example 401 of a wireless communication system including a wireless relay communication device implemented between two other wireless communication devices. As can be seen in scenario 1 of the figure, a relay (e.g., an intermediary, etc. wireless communication device) is located at an equal distance between a first wireless communication device (e.g., a wireless Station (STA)) and a second wireless communication device (e.g., an Access Point (AP)). There are two available paths: direct and relay. Comparing the relay path with the direct path, the path through the relay requires more frames and has a shorter PPDU duration for the same number of bytes. This requires separate channel access for the next frame transmission by the relay STA. The shorter TX-to-RX period through the relay path allows the STA to operate with less power consumption.

Fig. 4B is a diagram illustrating another example 402 of a wireless communication system including a wireless relay communication device implemented between two other wireless communication devices. Referring to scenario 2 of the figure, the relay is located relatively closer to the first wireless communication device (e.g., STA) than to the second wireless communication device (e.g., AP). As shown in the figure, for hop V₁The proximity of the STA to the relay allows a higher Modulation Coding Set (MCS) to be used and consumes less power. For the next hop, the relay requires a separate channel access. The relay may be another sensor on the wall power supply and the path loss is outdoor device to device.

Fig. 4C is a diagram illustrating another example 403 of a wireless communication system including a wireless relay communication device implemented between two other wireless communication devices. Referring to scenario 3 of the figure, the relay is located relatively closer to the first wireless communication device (e.g., AP) and farther away from the second wireless communication device (e.g., STA). The relay path may not be as ideal as the direct path between the AP and the STA (e.g., relay option = path option). If the relay is another sensor and the STA-to-relay hop is an outdoor device-to-device path loss, the STA may not be able to reach the relay through the same MCS.

Fig. 4D is a diagram illustrating another example of a wireless communication system 404 that includes a wireless relay communication device implemented between two other wireless communication devices. Referring to scenario 4 of the diagram, in a case where the STA to relay to the AP can be set in a straight line, and when the STA transmits one uplink DATA (DATA), the following observation can be made.

Total medium time: PPDU (V)₁)+ACK(V₁)+PPDU(V₂)+ACK(V₂)+3×SIFS

STA on time: PPDU (V)₁)+ACK(V₁)+SIFS

STA-to-relay factor: distance (V)₁) Distance to (U)₁) Ratio (e.g., distance (V))₁) Distance (U)₁））

In the above observations, the PPDU time is based on a PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) transmission time. The ACK time is based on an Acknowledgement (ACK) transmission time. The SIFS time shown below is based on a short interframe space (SIFS). Variable V₁And V₂Corresponding to the respective distances shown in the figures and between the communication devices.

In general, a relay wireless communication device (or relay in general) forwards information received from a first wireless communication device onto a second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, no more than two hops or communication links are made to forward information from the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device through the relay.

Appropriate signaling within the various communications between the originating, relaying, and destination devices ensures proper coordination and operation.

Within such a communication system including a source wireless communication device, a destination wireless communication device, and an intermediary or intermediate relay wireless communication device (e.g., source, destination, and relay), there may be the following: the relay does not have sufficient storage capacity to receive the additional signal from the source. In this case, the relay may provide a suspend transmission request to the source directing the source to stop transmitting any signals to the relay. Based on the suspend transmission request, the source may refrain from transmitting the signal to the relay for a particular period of time. Alternatively, the source may refrain from transmitting any signal to the relay until a restart transmission request received from the relay is subsequently received.

Appropriate communication and signaling between the relay and the source ensures that no transmission from source to relay is made that may lose or relay the ability of the transmission not currently received, processed and/or stored therein. For example, since the storage capacity of the memory within a relay may change over time, depending on the number of messages that may be stored within the memory, there may be situations where the relay cannot and cannot properly handle signaling from the source. Thus, appropriate communications and signaling are conducted between the relay and the source to ensure that the source transmits signals to the relay when the relay can properly receive and process the signals.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment 500 of a wireless communication device that performs suspend/resume transmissions. The wireless communication device (relay) 510 communicates with a source wireless communication device (AP 580 in this illustration) and a destination wireless communication device (STA 590 in this illustration). Wireless communication device (relay) 510 includes a communication interface 520 to facilitate transmission and reception of one or more frames (e.g., using transmitter 522 and receiver 524). Wireless communication device (relay) 510 also includes a processor 530 and associated memory 540 for performing various operations including interpreting one or more frames transmitted from a source wireless communication device (AP 580) and a destination wireless communication device (STA 590).

The source wireless communication device (AP 580) operates to transmit a frame (shown as D in this view) to the destination wireless communication device (STA 590). The intermediary or intermediate relay wireless communication device (relay) 510 is used to relay one or more frames from the AP580 to the STA 590. The frame ultimately transmitted from relay 510 to STA590 may comprise the entire frame D transmitted from the AP, or may be a subset of that particular frame (shown as D' in this illustration), e.g., the data or payload portion of the frame transmitted from the AP.

When memory 540 within relay 510 is at or near a store overflow (e.g., when the storage state of memory 540 indicates that memory 540 is actually or expected to be over-storing), relay 510 transmits a suspend transmission request (STR in this illustration) to AP 580. Based on STR, the AP510 may refrain from transmitting signals to the relay 510 for a certain period of time. Alternatively, AP580 may refrain from transmitting any signals to relay 510 until a resume transmission request received from relay 510 is subsequently received.

In an alternative embodiment, AP580 may first refrain from transmitting a signal to relay 510 for a certain period of time, but before the end of that time, AP580 may receive a resume transmission request from the relay. In such embodiments, the resume transmission request may override the operation based on a particular time period, and then the AP580 may resume transmitting signals to the relay. It is noted that in an alternative implementation, the source wireless communication device may be a STA and the destination wireless communication device may be an AP.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating one example 600 of varying storage states of a memory implemented within a wireless communication device. The amount of memory within a relay wireless communication device (often referred to as a relay) varies as a function of time. The amount of information stored in the memory of the relay may increase and decrease over time, depending on the number of signals received from the source wireless communication device, and depending on the successful transmission of information to the destination wireless communication device.

The amount of available memory within the relay is used to provide an indication of the storage status of the memory. For example, the memory may be close to expected storage overflow due to a small amount of available memory (e.g., the amount of memory that is not currently storing information). If the storage has no available memory, then an actual storage overflow of the storage is imminent or has occurred. The storage state of the memory may correspond to an amount of memory available for storing information. The storage status may also have other information associated with it, such as past or recent information trends (e.g., the amount of available memory continues to decrease or increase, remains relatively stable, etc.).

In general, information related to the storage state of memory within the relay wireless communication device may be used to direct the generation of a suspend transmission request to be provided to the source wireless communication device. Whether to suspend or resume transmission to the relay wireless communication device, the relay appropriately communicates with the source wireless communication device based on the storage state of memory within the relay wireless communication device.

Fig. 7 is a diagram of one example 700 of flow control operations for memory and buffer management between various wireless communication devices. First, a first or source wireless communication device (STA 1 in this illustration) transmits data intended for a second or destination wireless communication device (STA 2 in this illustration). Upon receiving the data, the relay provides an Acknowledgement (ACK) to STA 1.

In the event that the relay cannot forward the data to STA2 in the current transmission opportunity (TXOP) (e.g., a time period during which the relay is operable to receive information from the source device and forward the information to the destination device), the relay may transmit a Clear To Send (CTS), informing other wireless communication devices within the system including STA 1. The additional storage of signals received from STA1 may facilitate reducing the available storage capacity within the buffer or memory of the relay. Likewise, a relay transmitting a CTS will inform the STA1 to STOP transmitting signals to the relay (or transmit a signal FLOW STOP).

Any other devices within the system that receive the FLOW STOP notification (e.g., STA 2) will not transmit to the relay (e.g., wireless communication devices addressed within the Receiver Address (RA) within a particular time period such as may be specified within the DUR field). Any wireless communication device within an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) may ignore CTS transmissions (e.g., if there is a PM value of PM =1 within the CTS).

After transmitting the CTS, transmission to the relay is stopped. Then, after some period of time, a subsequent CTS may be used to indicate that the transmission to the relay may be resumed (or the transmission signal FLOW _ RESTART). The indication will then resume normal operation to transmit the frame to the relay (e.g., the wireless communication device addressed at the RA). Again, any wireless communication device within an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) may ignore CTS transmissions (e.g., if there is a PM value of PM =1 within the CTS).

Flow control program (FIG. 7)

To stop transmitting frames to a relay-operated wireless communication device (e.g., a relay AP), the particular relay-operated wireless communication device (e.g., a relay AP) may transmit a clear-to-self (CTS-to-self) frame with PM set to 1 and DUR > 0.

A respective associated wireless communication device (e.g., STA) will not transmit for a Duration (DUR) time to a wireless communication device (e.g., STA) addressed within the Receiver Address (RA). An associated wireless communication device (e.g., STA) may update its Network Allocation Vector (NAV) through the DUR. The non-associated STA may ignore the DUR field.

In order to restart frame transmission to a relay-operation wireless communication apparatus (e.g., a relay AP), the specific relay-operation wireless communication apparatus (e.g., a relay AP) may transmit a permission-to-transmit frame to itself, where the PM group is set to 1 and DUR = 0.

The corresponding associated wireless communication device (e.g., STA) will cancel the flow pause time and resume normal procedures for transmitting frames to the RA-addressed wireless communication device (e.g., STA). The associated wireless communication device (e.g., STA) may cancel its or their NAV and resume normal channel access for transmitting the frame. The non-associated STA may ignore the DUR field. When transmission permits transmission of a frame To itself, the relay-operating wireless communication apparatus (e.g., relay AP) will set To DS =0 and From DS = 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram of one alternative example 800 of flow control operations for memory and buffer management among various wireless communication devices. The operations of the diagram use a SUSPEND transmission request, shown in the diagram as FLOW SUSPEND, and a RESUME transmission request, shown in the diagram as FLOW RESUME.

Initially, a first or source wireless communication device (STA 1 in this illustration) transmits data intended for a second or destination wireless communication device (STA 2 in this illustration). Upon receiving the data, the relay provides an Acknowledgement (ACK) to STA 1.

In the event that the relay cannot forward the data to STA2 in the current transmission opportunity (TXOP), the relay may transmit a SUSPEND transmission request (FLOW SUSPEND) notifying other wireless communication devices within the system including STA 1. The additional storage of signals received from STA1 may facilitate reducing the available storage capacity within the buffer or memory of the relay. Likewise, a relay transmitting a SUSPEND transmission request (FLOW SUSPEND) will inform the STA1 to STOP transmitting signals to the relay (or transmit a signal FLOW STOP).

Any other devices within the system that receive such a FLOW STOP notification (e.g., STA 2) will not transmit to the relay (e.g., a wireless communication device addressed within the Receiver Address (RA) within a particular time period such as may be specified within the DUR field). Generally, after relaying a transmission suspension request (FLOW SUSPEND), all data transmissions to the relay are suspended for a period of time (e.g., a suspension duration). All wireless communication devices receiving the SUSPEND transmission request (FLOW SUSPEND) will not transmit to the relay (e.g., wireless communication devices addressed within a Transmitter Address (TA) for a particular time period such as may be specified within the SUSPEND duration).

After transmitting the SUSPEND transmission request (FLOW SUSPEND), the transmission to the relay is stopped. Then, after some period of time, the relay transmits a RESUME transmission request (FLOW RESUME) to indicate that the transmission to the relay can be resumed (or the transmission signal FLOW _ RESUME). The indication will then resume normal operation to transmit the frame to the relay (e.g., a wireless communication device addressed within the RA). After resuming transmission requests (FLOW RESUME), all wireless communication devices may RESUME or continue transmission to the relay (e.g., wireless communication devices addressed within the TA).

Flow control program (FIG. 8)

To suspend transmission of frames to a relay-operated wireless communication device (e.g., a relay AP), the relay-operated wireless communication device (e.g., a relay AP) may send a unicast or broadcast relay flow suspension action frame with a suspension duration > 0. A respective associated wireless communication device (e.g., STA) should not transmit a data frame to a wireless communication device (e.g., STA) addressed within a Transmitter Address (TA) for the amount of time represented by the pause duration field. Also, the respective associated wireless communication device (e.g., STA) may resume normal procedures for data frame transmission at the end of the pause duration.

To resume transmission of frames to a relay-operated wireless communication device (e.g., a relay AP), the relay-operated wireless communication device (e.g., a relay AP) may transmit a unicast or broadcast relay flow resume action frame. The corresponding associated wireless communication device (e.g., STA) should cancel the flow pause time and resume normal procedures in order to transmit data frames to the wireless communication device (e.g., STA) addressed within the TA. The transmission of the relay flow restart action frame by the relay wireless communication device is optional, and such transmission may be used by the relay wireless communication device to cancel the existing pause duration.

Also as described with respect to other embodiments herein, a given wireless communication device (e.g., a device operating as a relay) may serve multiple wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs) at a time and have limited memory buffering of frames that have not yet been forwarded.

Various fields may be used to enable signaling for use by relay operating wireless communication devices (e.g., relay APs, relay STAs, etc.). Some embodiments operate to use two relay action frames as signaling frames for flow pause and resume (e.g., based on pause transmission requests and resume transmission requests, respectively).

Various tables are provided below that display the new relay action frame.

Field value	Mean for
		0	Available address update
1	Relay flow suspension
		2	Relay flow restart
3-255	Retention

Table 1-Relay action field value

Sequence of	Information
		1	Categories
2	Relay action
		3	Pause duration (microseconds)

TABLE 2 Relay flow pause frame Format

Sequence of	Information
		1	Categories
2	Relay action

TABLE 3 Relay flow restart frame Format

Also, a bit in the signaling frame to suspend transmission to the relaying wireless communication device may be added to the S1G control response frame. For example, certain S1G control response frames (e.g., Target Wake Time (TWT) acknowledgement (TACK) frames, Short TWT Acknowledgement (STACK) frames, block acknowledgement TWT (bat), etc.) may include signaling bits such that such S1G control response frames may be used as signaling frames to suspend transmissions to the relay wireless communication device. Thus, through such signaling contained within a response frame (e.g., within the most recent ACK or any other type of response frame) to the source wireless communication device, the relay wireless communication device can effectively cause the source wireless communication device to suspend transmission of any data frames to the relay wireless communication device. The relay flow resume frame or modified response frame (e.g., TACK BAT, etc.) may operate as a suspend transmission request by the source wireless communication device to suspend transmission to the wireless communication device (e.g., within a predetermined period of time, until the resume transmission request is transmitted, etc.).

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 900 performed by one or more wireless communication devices. As shown in block 910, the method 900 begins with operating a communication interface of a relay wireless communication device to receive a frame from a source wireless communication device. Finally, as shown in block 970, the relay wireless communication device is operable to transmit a second signal comprising at least a portion of the first signal to the destination wireless communication device.

The method 900 continues by evaluating a storage status of a memory within the relay wireless communication device, as shown in block 920. For example, the relay wireless communication device may be operable to buffer all or at least a portion of the frames (and/or other frames) within the memory of the relay wireless communication device.

For example, the storage status of a memory within the relay wireless communication device may indicate an actual or expected overflow when the memory does not have sufficient available storage capacity to store additional information that may be provided from the source.

If an actual or expected overflow of memory is determined in block 930, the method 900 operates by generating a pause transmission request for the source, as shown in block 940. The pause transmission request may represent a period of time (e.g., a delta T or timeout phase) for the source to stop transmitting any signals to the relay. The method 900 operates by transmitting a pause transmission request to the source, as shown in block 950.

Alternatively, if it is determined in block 930 that the memory does not have any actual or expected overflow, then the method 900 operates by buffering the frame (and/or other frames received from the source), as shown in block 960. The method 900 continues by transmitting a relayed frame including at least a portion of the frame received from the source (e.g., its data, payload, etc.) to the destination, as shown in block 970.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of a method 100 performed by one or more wireless communication devices. This operation is quite similar to the previous diagram, with at least one difference being that the source wireless communication device is directed to resume transmission to the relay wireless communication device using a resume transmission request, rather than the source wireless communication device avoiding transmission to the relay wireless communication device for some period of time (e.g., T or timeout period). The proper exchange of the suspend transmission request with the resume transmission request manages the information transfer from the source to the relay.

The method 1000 begins by operating a communication interface of a relay wireless communication device to receive a frame from a source wireless communication device. Finally, as shown in block 1090, the relaying wireless communication device is operable to transmit a relayed frame comprising at least a portion of the frame (e.g., data, payload, etc. thereof) to the destination wireless communication device.

The method 1000 continues by evaluating a storage state of a memory within the relay wireless communication device, as shown in block 1020. For example, the relay wireless communication device may be operable to buffer a frame or at least a portion of a frame within a memory. The storage status of the memory within the relay wireless communication device may indicate an actual or expected overflow, e.g., when the memory does not have sufficient available storage capacity to store additional information.

If an actual or expected overflow of memory is determined in block 1030, the method 1000 operates by generating a suspend transmission request for the source wireless communication device, as shown in block 1040. The method 1000 operates by transmitting a suspend transmission request to the source wireless communication device, as shown in block 1050. As shown in block 1060, the method 1000 operates by generating a resume transmission request after a certain period of time, or when appropriate conditions exist (e.g., when there is sufficient storage capacity within the memory of the relay wireless communication device to accept and store subsequent received signals, frames, etc., and/or portions thereof).

The method 1000 operates by transmitting a resume transmission request to the source wireless communication device, as shown in block 1070.

Alternatively, if it is determined in block 1030 that the memory does not have any actual or expected overflow, then the method 1000 operates by buffering the frame, as shown in block 1080. Method 1000 continues by transmitting a relay frame including at least a portion of the frame received from the source wireless communication device (e.g., data, payload, etc. thereof) to the destination, as shown in block 1090.

It is noted that various operations and functions described in the various methods herein may be performed within the wireless communication device (e.g., by the baseband processing module 64, the processing module 50 described with reference to fig. 2) and/or within other elements therein. Typically, the communication interface and processor within the wireless communication device may do so.

Examples of some components may include one or more baseband processing modules, one or more Media Access Control (MAC) layers, one or more physical layers (PHYs) and/or other components, and so forth. For example, such baseband processing modules (sometimes in conjunction with radios, Analog Front Ends (AFEs), and the like) may generate such signals, frames, and the like as described herein, and perform various operations described herein and/or their corresponding equivalents.

In some implementations, such baseband processing modules and/or processing modules (which may be implemented within the same device or separate devices) may perform this processing to generate signals that are transmitted to another wireless communication device using any number of radios and antennas. In some embodiments, such processing is performed jointly by a processor within the first device and another processor within the second device. In other embodiments, such processing is performed entirely by a processor within one device.

The invention has been described herein with reference to at least one embodiment. The embodiments of the invention have been described with the aid of method steps illustrating structural components of physical and/or logical components and illustrating the performance and relationship of specific functions thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries and sequences may be defined so long as the specific functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Accordingly, any such alternate boundaries or sequences are within the scope and spirit of the following claims. And the boundaries of these functional elements have been arbitrarily defined for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries may be defined so long as certain important functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, the flow diagram blocks are artificially defined herein to illustrate certain important functions. To the extent used, the boundaries and sequence of the flowchart blocks may be otherwise defined and still perform some important functions. Accordingly, such alternative definitions of functional blocks and sequences of flow diagram blocks and sequences are within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that functional component blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules, and components may be shown in accordance with the described implementations, or implemented as discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software, etc., or any combination thereof.

As also used herein, the terms "processing module," "processing circuit," "processing circuitry," "processing unit" and/or "processor" may be a processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog or digital) based on hard-coded and/or operational instructions of the circuitry. The processing module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit may be or further include memory and/or integrated memory elements, which may be single memory devices, multiple memory devices, and/or circuitry built into another processing module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, state machine, dynamic memory, flash memory, high speed memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. It is noted that if the processing module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or separately located (e.g., indirectly coupled via a local area network and/or a wide area network for cloud computing). Also, it is noted that if the processing module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit performs one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory elements storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. It is further noted that the memory elements may store hard coded and/or operational instructions and that the processing modules, processing circuits and/or processing units execute the hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more of the figures. Such memory devices or memory elements may be included within an article of manufacture.

As also used herein, the terms "configured to," "operatively coupled to," "coupled to," and/or "coupled to" include direct couplings between items and/or indirect couplings between items through intermediate items (e.g., items including, but not limited to, components, parts, circuits, and/or modules), where for one example of indirect coupling, an intermediate does not modify signal information, but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may be further used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one component is coupled to another component by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as "coupled to". As may be further used herein, the terms "configured to," "operable to," "coupled to," or "operably coupled to" mean that the item includes one or more power connections, inputs, outputs, etc. that, when activated, perform one or more corresponding functions of the item, and these pertain to inferred couplings that may further include to one or more other items. As may be further used herein, the term "associated" means a direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or the embedding of one item within another.

Signals transmitted to, transmitted from, and/or between components in any of the figures illustrated herein may be analog or digital, continuous-time or discrete-time, and single-ended or differential, unless expressly stated to the contrary. For example, if the signal path is shown as a single-ended path, then the signal path also represents a differential signal path. Likewise, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, then the signal path also represents a single-ended signal path. Those skilled in the art will recognize that while one or more particular architectures are described herein, other architectures using one or more data buses, direct connections between elements, and/or indirect couplings between other components not explicitly shown, may likewise be implemented.

The term "module" is used in the description of one or more embodiments. The modules include processing modules, functional blocks, hardware, and/or software stored on memory for performing one or more functions that may be described herein. It is noted that if the module is implemented in hardware, the hardware may operate separately and/or in conjunction with software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

Although specific combinations of various features and functions are described in connection with one or more embodiments explicitly herein, other combinations of features and functions are possible. The disclosure of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples disclosed herein and explicitly encompasses such other combinations.

Claims (10)

1. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a communication interface configured to:

receiving a frame from a source wireless communication device; and

transmitting the relay frame to the destination wireless communication device;

a memory configured to buffer the frames; and

a processor configured to generate a suspend transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to suspend transmission to the wireless communication apparatus for a predetermined period of time based on the storage state of the memory; and wherein:

the communication interface is configured to transmit the suspend transmission request to the source wireless communication apparatus.

2. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a resume transmission request to direct the source wireless communication apparatus to resume transmission to the wireless communication apparatus.

3. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage status of the memory indicates an actual or expected storage overflow of the memory.

4. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to generate the suspended transmission request by setting at least one bit within a relay flow suspension action frame; and

the communication interface is further configured to transmit the relay flow pause action frame to the source wireless communication device.

5. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the source wireless communication apparatus is further configured to transmit at least one additional frame to the wireless communication apparatus after expiration of the predetermined time period.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the source wireless communication device is further configured to transmit a clear to send (CTS 2 Self) frame after receiving the suspend transmission request.

7. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one additional wireless communication apparatus associated with the source wireless communication apparatus is further configured to transmit at least one additional frame to the source wireless communication apparatus during a predetermined time period.

8. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

the source wireless communication device includes one of a wireless Station (STA) and a Smart Meter Station (SMSTA); and

the destination wireless communication device includes an Access Point (AP).

9. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a communication interface configured to:

receiving a frame from a source wireless communication device; and

transmitting the relay frame to the destination wireless communication device;

a memory configured to buffer the frames; and

a processor configured to:

generating a suspend transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to suspend transmission to a wireless communication apparatus based on the storage state of the memory; and

generating a resume transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to resume transmission to the wireless communication apparatus; and wherein:

the communication interface is configured to first transmit the suspend transmission request to the source wireless communication device and subsequently transmit the resume transmission request to the source wireless communication device.

10. A method performed by a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

operating a communication interface of the wireless communication device to receive a frame from a source wireless communication device and transmit a relayed frame to a destination wireless communication device;

buffering the frame within a memory of the wireless communication device;

generating a suspend transmission request of the source wireless communication apparatus to suspend transmission to the wireless communication apparatus for a predetermined period of time based on the storage state of the memory; and

operating a communication interface of the wireless communication device to transmit the suspend transmission request to the source wireless communication device.