Apple Inc.
Neighbor awareness networking--data cluster

Abstract:

One or more wireless stations operate according to Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN)--direct communication with neighboring wireless stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. In a NAN system, NAN devices may operate to establish a datapath and multiple NAN devices may operate with one another in the form of a NAN cluster to facilitate communications processes. Portions of the disclosure relate to systems and methods for one or more wireless device (e.g., NAN devices) to transition into a cluster (e.g., a NAN cluster). In particular, wireless devices, having established a datapath, may be further organized into a data cluster (e.g., a NAN data cluster) within a cluster, which may be usable to facilitate the transitioning of a group of connected wireless devices (e.g., data clusters) between clusters.