Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the privacy policy of an electronic device in a network having a privacy policy server and an authentication server are provided. In one aspect a privacy policy server receives a connection request from the electronic device, queries an authentication server for the device's privacy policy acceptance state. If the device had not accepted the network's privacy policy, the privacy policy server sends a URL to the device so the device may accept or reject the policy. The authentication server locates a network session identifier representing the device's connection with the network and response to the policy server indicating the device's current privacy policy acceptance state if applicable. Advantageously, a network session identifier can track a device's privacy policy acceptance state when the device reconnects with the network. The systems and methods are applicable in wireless networks, such as 802.11.

Abstract: A direct link addressing method and apparatus. Direct communication is performed between a non-AP MLD and a non-AP MLD, or between a STA device and a non-AP MLD, thereby improving data transmission efficiency. The method is applied to a first device, and the first device includes one or more stations STAs. The first device is connected to a third device, and the third device includes a plurality of access points APs. A second device is connected to the third device, and the second device includes a plurality of STAs. The first device transmits a first data unit over a direct link between the first device and the second device, thereby increasing a data transmission rate.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure provides a method of communication between a first multi-link device (MLD) and a second MLD, the first MLD being affiliated with a first station (STA) and a third STA, the second MLD being affiliated with a second STA and a fourth STA. Such a method includes receiving, by the first multi-link device (MLD) from the first station (STA), a management frame comprising a header indicating address information associated with the second MLD. Such a method further includes encrypting, by the first MLD, the management frame based on a security association established between the first MLD and the second MLD. Such a method further includes sending, by the first MLD, the encrypted management frame toward the second MLD via one of the first STA and the third STA.

Abstract: A method for configuring services in a communications network including defining, by a service provider, a service type, then associating, by the service provider of the service type, the service type with an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA)/Priority Access parameter set on an Access Point (AP) infrastructure. Then, provisioning a WLAN entity with the service type. In some cases, the WLAN entity is a multi-link device (MLD), and the service type is associated with a set of links of the WLAN entity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for methods, systems and apparatus related to WLAN enhanced channel map advertisements. An aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for discovering a network. The method includes sending a discovery request to an access point for discovering a network, the discovery request requesting for: available channels of access points within a radio range of the device, one or more access network operators for the available channels, and one or more service providers for the available channels. The method further includes receiving from the access point a response message including one or more lists indicative of: the available channels, the one or more access network operators, and the one or more service providers. In some embodiments, the response message is based on one of: internal data of the access point, and databases indicative access network operators and service providers.

Abstract: A method of changing a MAC address of a WLAN affiliated STA of a multi-link device (MLD) and related system, device and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. A new MAC address is generated for an affiliated non-AP STA of a non-AP MLD. A request to change the MAC address of the affiliated non-AP STA to the new MAC address is sent from the non-AP MLD to an AP MLD. An acknowledgement that the new MAC address for the affiliated non-AP STA of the non-AP MLD has been successfully applied by the AP MLD is received by the non-AP MLD from the AP MLD. The MAC address for the affiliated non-AP STA of the non-AP MLD is changed to the new MAC address in response to the acknowledgment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for supporting outside the context of a basic service set (OCB) concurrent with infrastructure-based communications, including cellular communications or basic service set (BSS) communications, are described. OCB service information is transmitted by an infrastructure unit in an infrastructure-based communication. The OCB service information include a service identifier and channel information for each available OCB service. The infrastructure unit may then communicate with a terminal unit over an OCB communication link, to provide an OCB service to the terminal unit. The OCB service information may be communicated in an OCB operation information element (IE) including a service hash field and an operating class and channel field.

Abstract: A method of changing a MAC address of a WLAN affiliated STA of a multi-link device (MLD) and related system, device and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. A new MAC address is generated for an affiliated non-AP STA of a non-AP MLD. A request to change the MAC address of the affiliated non-AP STA to the new MAC address is sent from the non-AP MLD to an AP MLD. An acknowledgement that the new MAC address for the affiliated non-AP STA of the non-AP MLD has been successfully applied by the AP MLD is received by the non-AP MLD from the AP MLD. The MAC address for the affiliated non-AP STA of the non-AP MLD is changed to the new MAC address in response to the acknowledgment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking the privacy policy of an electronic device in a network having a privacy policy server and an authentication server are provided. In one aspect a privacy policy server receives a connection request from the electronic device, queries an authentication server for the device's privacy policy acceptance state. If the device had not accepted the network's privacy policy, the privacy policy server sends a URL to the device so the device may accept or reject the policy. The authentication server locates a network session identifier representing the device's connection with the network and response to the policy server indicating the device's current privacy policy acceptance state if applicable. Advantageously, a network session identifier can track a device's privacy policy acceptance state when the device reconnects with the network. The systems and methods are applicable in wireless networks, such as 802.11.

Abstract: Systems and methods for WLAN multi-link TDLS key derivation. An aspect of the disclosure provides a method for WLAN multi-link communication. Such a method includes sending, by a first station to a second station, a discovery request comprising a link identifier indicating a non-access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD), wherein the first station and the second station are associated with an AP MLD. Such a method further includes receiving, by the first station from the second station, a discovery response. In some embodiments, the method further includes receiving, by the first station from an AP affiliated with the AP MLD, a message indicating a MAC address of the second station. In some embodiments, the discovery request is sent via an AP affiliated with the AP MLD and a non-AP station affiliated with the second station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for supporting outside the context of a basic service set (OCB) concurrent with infrastructure-based communications, including cellular communications or basic service set (BSS) communications, are described. OCB service information is transmitted by an infrastructure unit in an infrastructure-based communication. The OCB service information include a service identifier and channel information for each available OCB service. The infrastructure unit may then communicate with a terminal unit over an OCB communication link, to provide an OCB service to the terminal unit. The OCB service information may be communicated in an OCB operation information element (IE) including a service hash field and an operating class and channel field.

Abstract: A method for a user agent to access a session policy in a network is provided. The method comprises the user agent sending a registration message to a first network node. The method further comprises the user agent receiving policy-related information from the first network node in a response to the registration message. The policy-related information is one of the session policy, a Uniform Resource Locator that points to the session policy, and a Policy-Contact header containing a policyContactURI for a policy document.

Abstract: Methods and systems for wireless network management are described. In one embodiment, a radio measurement of a characteristic of a wireless access technology may be taken. The wireless access technology may enable data communication through a wireless network when connected to an access point. A report may be transmitted through an alternate access technology. The report may be based on the radio measurement. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Communication devices capable of at least two communication modes (e.g. WLAN, WMAN and WWAN and/or wired modes) can be configured to optimize communications using a policy-based mechanism to configure connections and routes. A rules engine evaluates its policies on a state change (e.g. network availability, time of day, etc.) to configure a routing table and, together with communication APIs, provides an appropriate connection to an application for its respective communications. Policies may be responsive to various factors such as Radio Access Technology (high/low bandwidth), cost, presence, time of day, location, application type and quality of service (QoS) requirements among others to optimize communications.

Abstract: A disclosed example method for requesting neighboring network information from a device involves encoding a request for neighboring network information and sending the request to an authentication server to obtain the neighboring network information. The example method also involves receiving a response to the request, retrieving the neighboring network information contained in the response, and decoding the neighboring network information. The decoded neighboring network information is stored.

Abstract: A method for a user agent to access a session policy in a network is provided. The method comprises the user agent sending a registration message to a first network node. The method further comprises the user agent receiving policy-related information from the first network node in a response to the registration message. The policy-related information is one of the session policy, a Uniform Resource Locator that points to the session policy, and a Policy-Contact header containing a policyContactURI for a policy document.

Abstract: Examples to discover network authentication information in a wireless network involve transmitting during network discovery and prior to authentication, a Generic Advertisement Services (GAS) request to a network access point. The request requests authentication information. In addition, a response to the request is received from the network access point. The network authentication information is retrieved from the response. The network authentication information includes a re-direct frame.

Abstract: A method for a user agent to access a session policy in a network is provided. The method comprises the user agent sending a registration message to a first network node. The method further comprises the user agent receiving policy-related information from the first network node in a response to the registration message. The policy-related information is one of the session policy, a Uniform Resource Locator that points to the session policy, and a Policy-Contact header containing a policyContactURI for a policy document.

Abstract: An example method for network selection involves discovering network capabilities by performing an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query at a wireless terminal, and receiving a subsequent ANQP response from an access point of a wireless local area network. The network capabilities are indicated in the subsequent ANQP response. The example method also involves comparing the network capabilities with configured capabilities, finding a match between at least a portion of the network capabilities and at least a portion of the configured capabilities, and joining the wireless terminal with the access point based on the at least the portion of the network capabilities matching the at least the portion of the configured capabilities.

Abstract: A method for a user agent to access a session policy in a network is provided. The method comprises the user agent sending a registration message to a first network node. The method further comprises the user agent receiving policy-related information from the first network node in a response to the registration message. The policy-related information is one of the session policy, a Uniform Resource Locator that points to the session policy, and a Policy-Contact header containing a policyContactURI for a policy document.