Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for performing multiuser block acknowledgement in a wireless communication protocol. Embodiments include receiving a control frame from an access point (AP). A transmission mode can be determined based on a trigger information field in the control frame. Further, a data frame to acknowledge can be determined based on a block acknowledgement request (BAR) field in the control frame. A block acknowledgment (BA) frame can be generated based on the data frame to acknowledge. The BA frame can then be transmitted to the AP based on the transmission mode, e.g., at the same time another BA frame is transmitted to the AP by another station.

Abstract: In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring wireless stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a mechanism for a device to transmit, via a BTLE (or Bluetooth) interface, a first message indicating an operation associated with a Wi-Fi service (e.g., a service available via a Wi-Fi interface and/or Wi-Fi related interface parameters) to a peer device. The first message may include a service hash that indicates the operation. The service hash may be included in a first data structure. The first data structure may indicate availability of the Wi-Fi service. The device may receive a second message from the peer device indicating that the neighboring wireless station intends to subscribe to or provide the Wi-Fi service, e.g., via Wi-Fi peer-to-peer communications.

Abstract: Wireless stations may operate to configure direct communication with neighboring wireless stations (direct communication between wireless stations without an intermediate access point). Mechanisms for near-field device-to-device communications are disclosed. A wireless station may be configured to determine a minimum power level for a near-field device-to-device datapath. The wireless device may determine an average channel interference for a first discovery channel and compare the average channel interference to a first threshold. If the average channel interference is less than the first threshold, the wireless device may select a first transmission mode associated with a first power level and determine a maximum data rate for the first transmission mode.

Abstract: One or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. A wireless station may be configured to perform a method to accelerate discovery of a peer device after an out-of-band triggering event. For example, a wireless device may detect an out-of-band triggering event and activate a wireless interface capable of peer-to-peer communications in response. The wireless device may transmit one or more discovery messages (e.g., discovery beacons, active subscribe messages, and/or unsolicited publish messages) over the wireless interface immediately after activation of the wireless interface to aid in discovery of the peer device. The one or more discovery messages may be transmitted as service discovery frames. The wireless device may perform service discovery over the wireless interface with the peer device post discovery.

Abstract: An electronic device communicates frames with an access point (AP) by receiving, from the AP, a frame header that includes information specifying a first set of tones of an OFDMA communication, the first set of tones associated with first resource block subchannels having a first bandwidth used by the AP to transmit a frame payload. The electronic device obtains a second set of tones associated with second resource block subchannels having a second bandwidth that differs from the first bandwidth, and receives the frame payload using the OFDMA communication, the second resource block subchannels, and the second set of tones. Alternatively, an electronic device dynamically switches a channel-access mode when communicating a frame with the AP depending on whether the communication includes a primary 20 MHz channel. In a technique, an MU-PPDU is communicated using a frame via a non-primary 20 MHz channel without using the primary 20 MHz channel.

Abstract: Methods for performing error recovery during a ranging procedure may include negotiation one or more ranging parameters, including a set of secure training sequences and receipt of a first ranging frame that may include a first dialog token and may have an appended first secure training sequence. The first ranging frame may be decoded based on the first dialog token but not correlated based on the first secure training sequence. A first acknowledgment that may include an appended second secure training sequence may be transmitted. The second secure training sequence may be associated with a prior dialog token. A second ranging frame that may include a second dialog token and may have an appended third secure training sequence may be received. The second ranging frame may be decoded based on the third dialog token and correlated based on the third secure training sequence.

Abstract: In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with one or more neighboring mobile stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a mechanism for a wireless station to transmit a pause indication to one or more neighboring peer wireless stations, indicating a pause in direct communication.

Abstract: Methods for performing a ranging procedure according to the non-trigger-based protocol may include negotiating timing parameters associated with the ranging procedure, performing a ranging measurement, and transmitting/receiving, after completion of the ranging measurement, a message announcing initiation of another ranging measurement. The timing parameters may indicate a time window in which an initiating device can initiate a subsequent ranging measurement and the message announcing initiation of the second ranging measurement may be received during the time range specified. Timing parameters may indicate a responding device's required minimum and maximum time between ranging measurements. Additional parameters may indicate an initiating device's required minimum and maximum time between ranging measurements. A power savings mode may be entered after the first ranging measurement and during at least a portion of a time period specified by the parameters.

Abstract: Passive and active scanning for extended range wireless networking. The choice between legacy and extended range signaling can depend on one or more factors. For passive scanning, an electronic device may transmit a combination of legacy beacons and extended range beacons for network discovery by receiving electronic devices. For active scanning, an electronic device may transmit extended range probe requests in addition to legacy probe requests to discover all of the access points within its transmission range. Responses to probe requests can use extended range, legacy, single user, and/or multi user protocols.

Abstract: In some embodiments, one or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a mechanism for a device to request synchronization assistance from one or more neighboring peer devices.

Abstract: A dual-radio AP including both a high-power (e.g., Wi-Fi) radio and a low-power (e.g., BLE) radio may support an assisted wakeup service for a power-limited dual-radio mobile device (STA). The power-limited STA may register with the AP for the assisted wakeup service, and may then disable its Wi-Fi radio (or otherwise initiate a lower-power mode). The power-limited STA may receive a BLE communication indicating the AP has pending Wi-Fi transmissions or updates applicable to the power-limited STA. In response, the power-limited STA may turn on its Wi-Fi radio and receive the pending transmissions or updates from the AP. If an AP does not include a low-power radio, then a high-power/low-power dual-radio STA that is not power-limited may serve as an assisted wakeup service proxy. The proxy may scan and trace the Wi-Fi beacons from the AP, and generate the BLE communication to the power-limited STA on behalf of the AP.

Abstract: In one set of embodiments, one or more client stations operate to configure Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN)—direct communication with neighboring client stations, i.e., direct communication between the client stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to NAN datapath scheduling and NAN pre-datapath operation setup and scheduling. The NAN datapath embodiments described herein provide a mechanism through which devices can communicate and provide services. Aspects of the datapath development include datapath scheduling, including datapath setup and scheduling attributes, as well as pre-datapath operation triggering and scheduling. Scheduling may include determination of a type of datapath, including paging and synchronized datapaths. NAN data cluster base schedules may be scheduled as equal-sets or subsets of datapath schedules. The datapath model may be implemented for unicast and multicast communication between client stations.

Abstract: A method for receiving feedback on a quality of multicast transmissions in a Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) including a source electronic device (e.g., an access point) and a plurality of electronic devices is disclosed, according to some embodiments. The method can include (i) transmitting a plurality of multicast packets addressed to a subset of the plurality of electronic devices by the source electronic device; (ii) concurrently polling the subset of the plurality of electronic devices by the source electronic device; and (iii) receiving a plurality of block acknowledgements (BAs) from at least the subset of the plurality of electronic devices by the source electronic device. Each BA may include information on a quality of reception of two or more multicast packets received at an electronic device.

Abstract: An interface circuit in an electronic device may contend for access to a shared communication channel on behalf of the electronic device and a recipient electronic device, where the access has a duration. Then, the electronic device may provide a schedule frame intended for the recipient electronic device that includes information that specifies one or more time slots during the duration that are associated with the recipient electronic device and one or more communication functions of the recipient electronic device in the one or more time slots. Moreover, the electronic device may provide a data frame with data intended for the recipient electronic device. In response, the electronic device may receive a response frame associated with the recipient electronic device, where the response frame is received during at least one of the one or more time slots.

Abstract: A basic bandwidth wireless local area network (WLAN) device or station (STA) is assigned to a secondary channel. The basic bandwidth STA may be a 20 MHz STA. On the secondary channel, the basic bandwidth STA operates in a wideband mode recovering received data transmitted from an access point (AP) as part of a high bandwidth physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). The STA and the AP can be members of a basic service set (BSS). The high bandwidth PPDU may be, for example, a 40 MHz, 60 MHz, or 80 MHz PPDU. Once on the secondary channel, the STA relies on the AP to perform channel sensing and scheduling activities, thus reducing power consumption at the STA and increasing the efficiency of the BSS. Several signaling formats are provided for indicating the secondary channel that the STA is assigned to or requests to move to.

Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for implementing a target wake time (TWT) technique for multicast communication. For example, some embodiments relate to a method including configuring a target wake time (TWT) process for delivering one or more multicast packets to a group of electronic devices. The method further includes determining that a service period associated with the TWT process has started and transmitting, in accordance with the TWT process, the one or more multicast packets during the service period, where the one or more transmitted multicast packets are addressed to the group of electronic devices.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for performing ranging wireless communication including prioritization. A first wireless device may transmit a request for ranging services to a second wireless device. The first wireless device may transmit an indication of a ranging priority to the second wireless device. The second wireless device may determine a granted ranging priority. The first and second wireless device may perform ranging communication according to the granted ranging priority.

Abstract: One or more wireless stations operate to configure Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN)—direct communication with neighboring wireless stations, i.e., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to reciprocating service between two or more wireless stations. The reciprocating service embodiments described herein provide a mechanism through which devices can participate in a same service instant.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to wireless stations that operate to configure direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. In embodiments, a wireless station may establish a peer-to-peer communication schedule with at least one neighboring peer wireless station, announce, to the at least one neighboring peer wireless station, a schedule transition (or migration), wherein the schedule transition includes an effective time of a new schedule, and announce, to the at least one neighboring peer wireless station, the new schedule at the effective time.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for performing ranging wireless communication including prioritization. A first wireless device may transmit a request for ranging services to a second wireless device. The first wireless device may transmit an indication of a ranging priority to the second wireless device. The second wireless device may determine a granted ranging priority. The first and second wireless device may perform ranging communication according to the granted ranging priority.