Assignment of holding packets in a wireless communication network

Abstract

A method and apparatus for assigning holding packets in a wireless communication system or network includes determining an invalid station address that corresponds to an invalid station and that does not correspond to the address of an affiliated station. The invalid station address is assigned to a holding packet. The holding packet is transmitted to allocate a transmit period to the invalid station. This generates a quiet time in the wireless communication system or network during the transmit period.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . A method for use within a wireless communication network for determining interference on a current wireless channel of a plurality of wireless channels, the method comprising:
 determining an invalid station address that corresponds to an invalid station and that does not correspond to the address of an affiliated station;   assigning the invalid station address to a holding packet;   transmitting the holding packet on the current wireless channel to allocate a transmit period to the invalid station; and   measuring the interference on the current wireless channel during the transmit period allocated to the invalid station.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the wireless communication network includes a 802.11 compliant network. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the interference on the current wireless channel is generated by a Bluetooth compliant device. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein transmitting the hold packet is performed periodically. 
   
   
       45 . A method for use within a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
 determining an invalid station address that corresponds to an invalid station and that does not correspond to the address of an affiliated station;   assigning the invalid station address to a holding packet; and   transmitting the holding packet to allocate a transmit period to the invalid station.   
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the wireless communication network includes a 802.11 compliant network. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein transmitting the holding packet is repeated periodically. 
   
   
       48 . An access point for use in a wireless communication network, the access point comprises:
 an AP processing module; and   an AP memory, wherein the AP memory further includes operational instructions that cause the AP processing module to:
 determining an invalid station address that corresponds to an invalid station and that does not correspond to the address of an affiliated station; 
 assigning the invalid station address to a holding packet; and 
 transmitting the holding packet to allocate a transmit period to the invalid station. 
   
   
   
       49 . The access point of  claim 48 , wherein the wireless communication network includes a 802.11 compliant network. 
   
   
       50 . The access point of  claim 48 , wherein transmitting the holding packet is repeated periodically.