Method and apparatus for coordinating a wireless PAN network and a wireless LAN network

摘要

A personal area network (PAN) devices use a wireless medium shared with a wireless local area network (WLAN). WLAN devices communicate using WLAN protocols and PAN devices communicate using PAN protocols, allowing for lower power transmissions over the wireless medium relative to transmissions over the WLAN. A PAN coordinator device obtains access to the wireless medium for the PAN devices by signalling a reservation of the medium by the PAN coordinator device, such that the other devices defer use of the wireless medium, including at least one WLAN device, for a reservation period. During the reservation period, communication uses the PAN protocol. The signalling can be implicit such as a standard or modified HCCA-CF poll frame, a CTS frame with an increased duration field, or other variation. A PAN coordinator might also signal an access point to set up a DLS link with the PAN coordinator.