Abstract: Switching operations are described that provide greater reliability for multilink operations between an access point multilink device (AP MLD) and a non-AP MLD in a wireless communications network. The AP MLD announces that the AP MLD switches one of the multilinks necessary for the multilink operation. The non-AP MLD determines whether an AP operating on a switching link has resumed basic service set (BSS) operation on a target channel.

Abstract: A multi-link device (MLD) includes a transmit (TX) circuit, a receive (RX) circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the RX circuit to receive a first frame under an operation mode parameter with a first setting, control the TX circuit to transmit a second frame responsive to the first frame under the operation mode parameter with the first setting, and after the second frame is transmitted, controls the RX circuit to receive at least one physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) under the operation mode parameter with a second setting, wherein the second setting is different from the first setting. None of the first frame and the second frame carries indication of operation mode parameter change that specifies the use of the second setting, and the use of the second setting is indicated by transmission of the second frame.

Abstract: Switching operations are described that provide greater reliability for multilink operations between an access point multilink device (AP MLD) and a non-AP MLD in a wireless communications network. The AP MLD announces that the AP MLD switches one of the multilinks necessary for the multilink operation. The non-AP MLD determines whether an AP operating on a switching link has resumed basic service set (BSS) operation on a target channel.

Abstract: A first multi-link device (MLD) enables an enhanced multi-link single-radio (EMLSR) mode and establishes concurrent target wake time (TWT) agreements with a second MLD on multiple links, including at least a first link and a second link of a plurality of links. In establishing the concurrent TWT agreements, a first station (STA) affiliated with the first MLD transmits a TWT request to a first peer STA affiliated with the second MLD, the TWT request containing a TWT element that comprises a Link Identifier (ID) Bitmap subfield indicating the multiple links on which the concurrent TWT agreements are requested to be established. In response, the first STA receives a TWT response from the first peer STA, the TWT response containing another TWT element that comprises another Link ID Bitmap subfield indicating the multiple links on which the concurrent TWT agreements are agreed to be established.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for a MAP wireless network that includes a collaborative channel sounding measurement phase to determine channel state information between devices (e.g., the channel state between an STA and a collaborative AP) for efficient configuration of the MAP wireless network and to improve the performance of the MAP wireless networks. The wireless AP and wireless STAs associated with the collaborative APs can simultaneously transmit by applying collaborative beamforming where the interferences between channels nullify each other (e.g., nulling), and the beamforming is performed based on a sounding phase performed by the collaborative APs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for enhanced data retransmission based on log-likelihood ratio (LLR) combining in WLAN. According to some embodiments, packets can be retransmitted using a modified transmission scheme. Codewords are associated with cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs) for detecting errors, and a subsequent packet is received that includes data that can be used to correct the error. For example, each packet can be encoded for both error detection and correction, and the retransmission mechanism can be adapted to the error rate. The retransmission scheme is improved by utilizing an LLR combining scheme, transmit diversity, and modified ACK methods.

Abstract: A first multi-link device (MLD) determines that there is an overlap between reception of one or more frames from a second MLD on a first link of a plurality of enhanced multi-link single-radio (EMLSR) links and a frame exchange with the second MLD on a second link of the plurality of EMLSR links in an event that the frame exchange is started upon either: (i) expiration of a backoff timer regarding the second link or (ii) receiving a soliciting frame regarding the second link. In response to the determining, the first MLD refrains from either: (i) initiating the frame exchange on the second link upon the expiration of the backoff timer (e.g., by deferring the frame exchange to a later time) responsive to the expiration of the backoff timer regarding the second link or (ii) transmitting a solicited frame on the second link responsive to receiving the soliciting frame.

Abstract: System and method of using an AP to individually controlling RTS/CTS duration thresholds for multiple STAs in a WLAN. In response to a STA's association request, the AP determines a duration threshold specific to the STA and encloses this information in an association request response for transmission to the STA. By using a broadcast frame, the AP may instruct multiple STAs to uniformly update their stored duration thresholds. For example, if the duration threshold field in the beacon frame is set to 0, the multiple STAs preserve their current duration thresholds; if the field is set to a non-zero value less than 1023, the multiple STAs all update their duration thresholds to the non-zero value; if this field is set to 1023, the multiple STAs disable the RTS/CTS transmissions. Based on a current threshold and pertinent policies, an STA can decide whether to initiate an RTS/CTS transmission sequence.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and devices for transmitting or receiving beacon frames and probe response frames that include MAC addresses of a multi-link device (MLD) operating on multiple links in a wireless network. For example, the beacon frames and probe response frames can include an MLD MAC address that uniquely identifies an AP MLD in a wireless network, and can optionally include one or more WM MAC addresses of STAs of the AP MLD. The MAC addresses can be used to by wireless devices (e.g., STA MLDs) to connect to and associate with the AP MLD, and can be used to generate a password element used during authentication between wireless devices.

Abstract: An encryption mechanism used on cooperative multi-band wireless STA architecture that enables full duplex operations. In encrypting a frame, an AAD can be constructed by using a selected MAC address, which may not be associated with a band to be used for transmitting the frame in an upcoming TXOP. An STA that supports simultaneous transmission in a multi-band operation uses the same MAC address to encrypt the frames to be transmitted on different bands. An AAD is constructed by using a same MAC address corresponding to one of the transceivers. A transmit STA may specify band information used for encryption in the MAC header, which serves to signal the receive STA to decrypt the frame by using the proper information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are drawn to a computer-implemented process for automatically synchronizing TXOPs for a multi-link device (MLD) to improve wireless network performance and prevent IDC. The novel process can be performed by a multi-link device performing a multi-link operation, and the multi-link device can act as a wireless access point or a wireless station. Independent EDCA channel access can be performed at the multi-link device on a first wireless link and a second wireless link, and a back-off counter for a first wireless STA and a back-off counter for a second wireless STA are set according to the independent EDCA channel access. A TXOP is synchronously obtained on the first wireless link and the second wireless link responsive to the back-off counters expiring, and a multi-link operation is performed at the MLD using the first wireless link and the second wireless link during the TXOP.

Abstract: A first station (STA) and a second STA perform bandwidth negotiation with a bandwidth extension indication. Then the first STA and the second STA communicate wirelessly according to the bandwidth negotiation.

Abstract: One wireless communication method includes: receiving a request action frame; and in response to the request action frame, generating and sending an acknowledgement (ACK) control frame that is configured to serve as a response action frame for the request action frame, wherein the response action frame is not solicited by the request action frame. Another wireless communication method includes: receiving a request action frame; and in response to the request action frame, generating and sending an acknowledgement (ACK) control frame and a time-constrained response action frame following the ACK control frame, wherein the time-constrained response action frame is solicited by the request action frame.

Abstract: A first access point (AP) receives a second spatial reuse parameter (SRP) related to a second AP from the second AP. The first AP transmits the second SRP to at least a first communication device associated with the first apparatus. The first AP then receives a uplink (UL) transmission from the first communication device with a transmit power of the UL transmission controlled based on the second SRP.

Abstract: An apparatus implemented in a master access point (AP) selects at least one basic service set (BSS) from one or more neighbor BSSs to form a spatial reuse group (SRG). The apparatus then performs coordinated spatial reuse (CSR) in the SRG with a set of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) power detection (PD) parameters.

Abstract: A plurality of different medium access control (MAC) addresses are assigned to a plurality of virtual access point (AP) multi-link devices (MLDs) that are implemented within a physical AP MLD such that each of the plurality of virtual AP MLDs is assigned a respective MAC address of the plurality of different MAC addresses. Wireless communications are then established with one or more stations (STAs) over a plurality of links.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention transmit fragmented frames using a sequence control field in a MAC header that includes an extended 15-bit sequence number for tracking the order of frames, and a 1-bit PF field that indicates the position of a fragmented frame in conjunction with a 1-bit MF field carried in a frame control subfield of the MAC header. The fragmented frames can be received by a wireless device and defragmented according to the MF field, the PF field, and the sequence control number. The frames can be discarded if any are not received successfully.

Abstract: A multi-link device (MLD) includes a transmit (TX) circuit, a receive (RX) circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the RX circuit to receive a first frame under an operation mode parameter with a first setting, control the TX circuit to transmit a second frame responsive to the first frame under the operation mode parameter with the first setting, and after the second frame is transmitted, controls the RX circuit to receive at least one physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) under the operation mode parameter with a second setting, wherein the second setting is different from the first setting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and device for multi-AP beamforming (e.g., nulling) and spatial reuse to mitigate interference and improve the performance of MAP wireless networks. According to one embodiment, multiple APs agree to collaborate in multi-AP beamforming, transmissions of received PDDUs are measured to determine interference information, the APS generate interference maps, and the APs perform joint and Multi-AP beamforming in a first and second BSS to avoid/mitigate interference of the MAP wireless network. An RTS and CTS frame exchange sequence can be performed prior to Multi-AP beamforming between BSSs using a flag/indicator in the RTS frame to indicate coordinated transmission, or an UL trigger frame can be used to indicate a coordinated UL transmission.

Abstract: A station includes one or more memories and processors, configured to cause the processors to generate a first frame that includes a plurality of data units, where each of the plurality of data units is associated with traffic information, transmit the first frame to a wireless device in the wireless network, and receive a second frame that includes one or more per-station information fields. Each of the per-station information fields includes a first subfield that is set to a first predetermined value and a second subfield. The first subfield indicates whether the plurality of data units were received successfully and the first predetermined value indicates successful reception of all of the plurality of data units carried in the first frame that has elicited the second frame. The second subfield indicates whether the plurality of data units were received successfully when they are associated with different types of traffic information.