Methods and apparatus for peer discovery assist

Abstract

Methods and apparatus related to peer / network / service discovery in a mobile wireless system, e.g., an ad hoc peer-to-peer network (100) are described. Transmission of discovery information, e.g., upper layer discovery information, is divided into a number of portions (An, Bn, Cn, Dn) to be transmitted separately over time. Transmission of the individual portions is structured so as to enable flexibility in the frequency of the peer discovery transmissions as well as the monitoring of such transmissions. Various embodiments facilitate rapid discovery and / or secure discovery, e.g., selective discovery by trusted peers. The structuring enables proxying of some transmissions by a third party, e.g., an assist node (114). The assist node receives discovery information portions being communicated at a first rate and retransmits the received discovery information portions (An, Bn, Cn, Dn) at a second rate which is higher than the first rate.

Description

technical field [0001] In general, various embodiments relate to wireless communications, and in particular, various embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for communicating peer discovery information. Background technique [0002] In a wireless network (e.g., an ad hoc peer-to-peer wireless network), let a wireless communication device (e.g., a mobile node) support transmitting (e.g., broadcasting) various types of discovery information (e.g., peer discovery information, network discovery information, and and / or service discovery information) is beneficial. Other peer devices currently in its vicinity can use this broadcasted information to form an awareness of the environment. This exchange of wireless device broadcast discovery information between peers is particularly useful in networks lacking centralized coordination and / or control. Different wireless communication devices have different capabilities and / or requirements for the transmission and / or reception of d...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Transmitting discovery information at a high rate has the benefit of reducing discovery latency, but at the cost of consuming more power (e.g., reduced battery life)

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