Abstract: Mixed mode operations within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Certain communication systems can include wireless communication devices of various capabilities therein (e.g., IEEE Task Group ac (TGac VHT), IEEE 802.11 amendment TGn, IEEE 802.11 amendment TGa, and/or other capabilities, etc.). In one manner of classification, wireless communication devices having legacy and newer/updated capabilities may inter-operate with one another, operate within a common region, and/or communicate via a common access point (AP). Coordination of such wireless communication devices (e.g., legacy and newer/updated) provides for their respective operation on a same set of clusters in accordance with various operational modes including: (1) time dividing medium access between the wireless communication devices of various capabilities, (2) assigning primary cluster(s) for a first capability set and assigning non-primary cluster(s) for a second capability set, etc.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processing circuitry configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processing circuitry, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device generates and transmits a request to send (RTS) to group (RTG) frame to other devices. In response to the RTG frame, the device receives clear to send (CTS)(s) from one or more of the other devices and generates and transmits an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) data frame to those one or more of the other devices based thereon. The RTG frame can include different RTSs transmitted via different channels, sub-channels, sub-carriers, etc. to the different other devices.

Abstract: Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Various com systems may include smart meter stations (SMSTAs) and/or wireless stations (STAs). Appropriate coordination is made with respect to such communication devices to ensure appropriate uplink (and/or downlink) communications between a network manager or coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP)) and the SMSTAs and/or STAs. With respect to SMSTAs, the relative duration of time that such communication devices are awake and operative versus asleep (or in a reduced power and/or functionality state) can be significant. Certain implementations may include a relatively large number of such communication devices (e.g., 10s, 100s, 1000s, or more), and appropriate coordination and scheduling of such communications to/from them is made using one or more variations of TDMA signaling (e.g.

Abstract: Coordination and synchronization is performed between two or more wireless network managers (e.g., access points (APs)). A first wireless network manager supports first communications with first other wireless communication devices, and a second wireless network manager supports second communications with those first and/or second other wirelessly case devices. The first and second wireless network managers also support communications with one another to coordinate the first and second communications supported with the first and/or second other wireless communication devices. Examples of coordination include selection of which other wireless communication devices are serviced or in communication with which of the first and second wireless network managers, selection of operational parameters (e.g., modulation coding set (MCS), beamforming, frequency band assignment, channel assignment, scheduling information, transmit power, etc.

Abstract: Mixed mode operations within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Certain communication systems can include wireless communication devices of various capabilities therein (e.g., IEEE Task Group ac (TGac VHT), IEEE 802.11 amendment TGn, IEEE 802.11 amendment TGa, and/or other capabilities, etc.). In one manner of classification, wireless communication devices having legacy and newer/updated capabilities may inter-operate with one another, operate within a common region, and/or communicate via a common access point (AP). Coordination of such wireless communication devices (e.g., legacy and newer/updated) provides for their respective operation on a same set of clusters in accordance with various operational modes including: (1) time dividing medium access between the wireless communication devices of various capabilities, (2) assigning primary cluster(s) for a first capability set and assigning non-primary cluster(s) for a second capability set, etc.

Abstract: Transmission coordination within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within wireless communication systems, there can be various wireless communication devices therein that are not all compliant with a common capability set, communication protocol, communication standard, recommended practice, etc. For example, some communication systems may have some wireless communication devices characterized as ‘legacy’ wireless communication devices, and other wireless communication devices therein may be newer and compliant with newer capability sets, communication protocols, communication standards, recommended practices, etc. In such instances, coordination of transmissions among the various wireless communication devices may be made, when performing simultaneous transmissions, by ensuring that transmissions of devices on different channels is made when aligned on a common boundary of an OFDM symbol.

Abstract: Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Various com systems may include smart meter stations (SMSTAs) and/or wireless stations (STAs). Appropriate coordination is made with respect to such communication devices to ensure appropriate uplink (and/or downlink) communications between a network manager or coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP)) and the SMSTAs and/or STAs. With respect to SMSTAs, the relative duration of time that such communication devices are awake and operative versus asleep (or in a reduced power and/or functionality state) can be significant. Certain implementations may include a relatively large number of such communication devices (e.g., 10s, 100s, 1000s, or more), and appropriate coordination and scheduling of such communications to/from them is made using one or more variations of TDMA signaling (e.g.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device generates and transmits a resource and association poll frame (ra-poll frame) to other device(s). The contents of ra-poll frame direct which of the other device(s) is authorized to respond to the device (e.g., authorized device(s)) and the manner in which they are authorized to respond. Authorized device(s) transmit responses that may include association request(s) and/or a resource request(s), among other types of communications.

Abstract: Session recovery after network coordinator or AP restart for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Restart or reset of a network coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP) or other network coordinator type device) may occur for various reasons (e.g., a power cycle or power failure, inadequate failover protection, scheduled or planned power outages such as for including network maintenance, software upgrades, etc.). Upon determination of network coordinator restarted or reset, a singular bit within a communication from the network coordinator indicates synchronization or not of the its timing synchronization function (TSF) (e.g., with other devices in the communication system, such as wireless stations (STAs), smart meter stations (SMSTAs), etc.). A given device (e.g., STA, SMSTA, etc.) can provide its current TSF to the network coordinator so that it can resynchronize, re-establish its scheduled for wake times of those devices (e.g., target wake times (TWTs)), etc.

Abstract: Mixed mode operations within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Certain communication systems can include wireless communication devices of various capabilities therein (e.g., IEEE Task Group ac (TGac VHT), IEEE 802.11 amendment TGn, IEEE 802.11 amendment TGa, and/or other capabilities, etc.). In one manner of classification, wireless communication devices having legacy and newer/updated capabilities may inter-operate with one another, operate within a common region, and/or communicate via a common access point (AP). Coordination of such wireless communication devices (e.g., legacy and newer/updated) provides for their respective operation on a same set of clusters in accordance with various operational modes including: (1) time dividing medium access between the wireless communication devices of various capabilities, (2) assigning primary cluster(s) for a first capability set and assigning non-primary cluster(s) for a second capability set, etc.

Abstract: Smart meter media access control (MAC) for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Different types of wireless communication devices may be implemented within various wireless communication systems. Some of these devices may be implemented to communicate sensing and/or measurement to one or more other devices. For example, certain devices may be implemented to perform monitoring associated with any of a number of services provided by service providers (e.g., electricity, natural gas, water, Internet access, telephone service, and/or any other service). In accordance with such sensing and/or measurement related applications, a given device need not necessarily be awake or at a fully operative state at all times. Appropriate coordination, scheduling, communication medium access, etc. among potentially many implemented devices ensures effective communication and gathering of such sensing and/or measurement related data (e.g.

Abstract: Differential feedback within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. After full feedback signal(s) have been received by a communication device (e.g., one that is to be performing beamforming for use in subsequent signal transmission), differential feedback signal(s) are received. Those differential feedback signal(s) are employed to update the full feedback signal(s) thereby generating updated/modified full feedback signals. Over time, such updated/modified full feedback signals may subsequently be further updated based upon later received inferential feedback signal(s). Such differential feedback signaling takes advantage of time and/or frequency correlation in a communication channel to provide for reduced feedback overhead by feeding back a difference or delta (?) relative to a previous value. For example, instead of providing full feedback signals in each respective/successive communication, feedback overhead is reduced by providing a difference or delta (?).

Abstract: A communication device includes a processor configured to generate OFDMA packets using various OFDMA packet structures and to transmit such OFDMA packets, via a communication interface, to at least one other communication device. The processor is also configured to receive, interpret, and process such OFDMA packets. One example of an OFDMA packet includes common SIG for two or more other wireless communication devices modulated across all sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. The common SIG is followed by first SIG and first data for a first other wireless communication device modulated across first subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet and is also followed by second SIG and second data for a second other wireless communication device modulated across second subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. Another example of an OFDMA packet includes the common SIG followed directly by first data and second data modulated as described above.

Abstract: Acknowledgment and/or receiver recovery mechanisms for scheduled responses within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Explicit scheduling information is provided from a first wireless communication device (e.g., an access point (AP), a transmitting wireless communication device) to a number of other wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless stations (STAs), receiving wireless communication devices) directing those other wireless communication devices a manner by which responses (e.g., acknowledgments (ACKs), block acknowledgments (BACKs), training feedback frames, etc.) are to be provided to the first wireless communication device there from. Such direction may include the order, timing, cluster assignment, etc. by which each respective wireless communication device is to provide its respective response to the first wireless communication device.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (alternatively, device, WDEV, etc.) includes at least one processing circuitry configured to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processing circuitry, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other WDEV(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. The WDEV generate a first orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame that specifies information regarding resource unit (RUs) to be used by other WDEV. The WDEV transmits the first OFDMA frame to other WDEVs and receives a second OFDMA frame from the WDEVs based on some RUs specified within the first OFDMA frame. The WDEV then generates and transmits a third OFDMA frame to the other WDEVs (e.g., based on RU(s) spanning RU(s) within which information is received in the second OFDMA frame).

Abstract: Communications are coordinated between different respective wireless communication device groups in a multiple delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) per device signaling scheme. Different respective wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless stations (STAs)) may communicate with a manager/coordinator wireless communication device (e.g., access point (AP)) at different times and for different reasons. The manager/coordinator wireless communication device generates and transmits beacons to the wireless communication devices specifying times during which communications may be supported with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device. A restricted access window (RAW) information element (IE) within a beacon includes at least one restricted access window (RAW) to specify a wireless communication device authorized to communicate with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device generates and transmits a resource and association poll frame (ra-poll frame) to other device(s). The contents of ra-poll frame direct which of the other device(s) is authorized to respond to the device (e.g., authorized device(s)) and the manner in which they are authorized to respond. Authorized device(s) transmit responses that may include association request(s) and/or a resource request(s), among other types of communications.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is implemented to include a communication interface and a processor. The processor is configured to process communications associated with the other wireless communication devices within the wireless communication system to determine one or more traffic characteristics of those communications as well as one or more class characteristics of the other wireless communication devices. The processor is configured to classify the communications into one or more access categories based on the one or more traffic characteristics and is configured to classify the other devices into one or more device class categories based on the one or more class characteristics. The processor is then configured to generate one or more channel access control signals based on these classifications. The communication interface of the device is configured to transmit the one or more channel access control signals to one or more of the other devices.

Abstract: A communication device includes a processor configured to generate OFDMA packets using various OFDMA packet structures and to transmit such OFDMA packets, via a communication interface, to at least one other communication device. The processor is also configured to receive, interpret, and process such OFDMA packets. One example of an OFDMA packet includes common SIG for two or more other wireless communication devices modulated across all sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. The common SIG is followed by first SIG and first data for a first other wireless communication device modulated across first subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet and is also followed by second SIG and second data for a second other wireless communication device modulated across second subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. Another example of an OFDMA packet includes the common SIG followed directly by first data and second data modulated as described above.

Abstract: A relay wireless communication device is discovered using probe request. A source device that intends to transmit one or more frames to a destination device transmits the probe request to request a probe response from one or more potential relay devices. A relay device transmits a probe response to the source device when the relay device may operate to forward the one or more frames from the source device to the destination device. The relay device employs one or more considerations to determine its eligibility to serve as relay for the source and destination devices. The source device selects one of the potential relay devices based on their provided probe responses. The source device may select an optimal relay device based upon two or more received probe responses.