Multicast-Based Group Communications in Ad-Hoc Arrangements of Wireless Devices

Abstract

Wireless communication devices may directly communicate within groups of wireless communication devices using Layer-2 communications to implement “push-to-talk” type applications. In one implementation, a method may include generating a floor request signaling message to take control of a communication channel for a group. After transmitting data relating to the communications, a floor release signaling message may be generated and transmitted a number of times.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An user equipment (UE) for proximity-based direct communications with one or more other UEs of a group, comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more device-readable media having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the UE to:
 obtain information related to the group including a layer-2 group identifier (ID) and an upper layer group ID; 
 generate a frame having:
 a destination layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication, wherein the destination layer-2 address is based on the layer-2 group ID, and 
 the upper layer group ID; and 
 
 transmit the frame to the one or more other UEs affiliated with the layer-2 group ID.