Method and apparatus to provide hidden node protection

Abstract

A method and a wireless communication device to overcome a hidden node problem in a BSS. The method includes detecting that transmitting one or more data frames causing one or more nodes of an unsynchronized wireless communication network to become hidden nodes. The wireless communication device that causes the hidden node problem requests a time allocation for transmitting one or more data frames to at least one node of the unsynchronized wireless communication network and to transmit the one or more data frames using an antenna beam forming technique at the allocated time frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 detecting at least one hidden node of an unsynchronized wireless communication network;   requesting to schedule a time frame for transmitting one or more data frames to at least one node of said unsynchronized wireless communication network without interfering with transmissions of the at least one hidden node; and   transmitting the one or more data frames using an antenna beam forming technique at the scheduled time frame.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 sending a control signal to prevent transmission of one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein sending the control signal comprises sending clear-to-send request to the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting comprises:
 observing excessive collision of transmissions of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting comprises:
 detecting request-to-send\clear-to-send (RTS\CTS) control commands of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network without detecting related acknowledgement massages and transmissions of the one or more date frames from the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving a beam formed transmissions at said allocated time frame.   
     
     
         7 . A wireless communication device comprising:
 a hidden node detector to detect that transmitting one or more data frame causing one or more nodes of an unsynchronized wireless communication network to become hidden nodes;   a medium access controller to request a time allocation for transmitting one or more data frames; and   an antenna beam forming unit to transmit said one or more data frames using an antenna beam forming technique at an allocated time frame.   
     
     
         8 . The wireless communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the medium access controller is able to send a control signal to prevent transmission of one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless communication device of  claim 8 , wherein the control signal comprises a clear-to-send request. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the hidden node detector is able to detect the hidden nodes by observing excessive collision of transmissions of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the hidden node detector is able to detect the hidden nodes by detecting request-to-send\clear-to-send (RTS\CTS) control commands of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network without detecting related acknowledgement massages and transmissions of the one or more date frames from the one or more stations of the wireless communication network. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless communication device of  claim 7 , comprising:
 a receiver to receive a beam formed transmissions of one or more data frames at said allocated time frame.   
     
     
         13 . A wireless local area network comprising:
 at least one mobile station having a hidden node detector to detect that transmitting one or more data frame causing one or more nodes of an unsynchronized wireless communication network to become hidden nodes, a medium access controller to request a time allocation for transmitting one or more data frames and an antenna beam forming unit to transmit said one or more data frames using an antenna beam forming technique at an allocated time frame.   
     
     
         14 . The wireless local area network of  claim 13 , wherein the medium access controller is able to send a control signal to prevent transmission of one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network. 
     
     
         15 . The wireless local area network of  claim 14 , wherein the control signal comprises a clear-to-send request. 
     
     
         16 . The wireless local area network of  claim 13 , wherein the hidden node detector is able to detect the hidden nodes by observing excessive collision of transmissions of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network. 
     
     
         17 . The wireless local area network of  claim 13 , wherein the hidden node detector is able to detect the hidden nodes by detecting request-to-send\clear-to-send (RTS\CTS) control commands of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network without detecting related acknowledgement massages and transmissions of the one or more date frames from the one or more stations of the wireless communication network. 
     
     
         18 . The wireless local area network of  claim 13 , comprising:
 a receiver to receive a beam formed transmissions of one or more data frames at said allocated time frame.   
     
     
         19 . A wireless communication device comprising:
 a hidden node detector to detect that transmitting one or more data frame causing one or more nodes of an unsynchronized wireless communication network to become hidden nodes;   a medium access controller to request a time allocation for transmitting one or more data frames; and   an antenna beam forming unit operably coupled to two or more dipole antennas to transmit said one or more data frames using an antenna beam forming technique at an allocated time frame.   
     
     
         20 . The wireless communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the medium access controller is able to send a control signal to prevent transmission of one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network. 
     
     
         21 . The wireless communication device of  claim 20 , wherein the control signal comprises a clear-to-send request. 
     
     
         22 . The wireless communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the hidden node detector is able to detect the hidden nodes by observing excessive collision of transmissions of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network. 
     
     
         23 . The wireless communication device of  claim 19 , wherein the hidden node detector is able to detect the hidden nodes by detecting request-to-send\clear-to-send (RTS\CTS) control commands of the one or more stations of the unsynchronized wireless communication network without detecting related acknowledgement massages and transmissions of the one or more date frames from the one or more stations of the wireless communication network. 
     
     
         24 . The wireless communication device of  claim 19 , comprising:
 a receiver to receive a beam formed transmissions of one or more data frames at said allocated time frame.