METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEADER COMPRESSION IN A WIRELESS LAN

The present invention includes various embodiments of a method and apparatus for increasing the networking capacity of existing wireless networks by using robust header compression. In one embodiment, the invention is a method. The method includes initiating a link within a wireless computer network. The method further includes transmitting data through the link using robust headers. The method may also include negotiating parameters of the link. In an alternate embodiment, the invention is also a method. The method includes receiving a request for a link within a wireless computer network. The method also includes receiving data through the link using robust headers. The method may further include negotiating parameters of the link. In another alternate embodiment, the invention is also a method. The method includes initiating a link within a wireless computer network. The method also includes transmitting data through the link in packets, the packets having headers, the headers including only unpredictable parameters. The method may further include compressing the headers and/or the packets. The method may also further include negotiating parameters of the link.