Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for multi-link operations that include retransmission of data using different wireless links. The following discussion describes one such exemplary electronic system or computer system that can be used as a platform for implementing embodiments of the present invention. The multi-link device can be a multi-link wireless access point or a multi-link wireless station, for example. The multi-link device can operate multiple transceivers simultaneously to perform multi-link operations including retransmission using different wireless links. For example, the multi-link device can transmit an encrypted MPDU using a first wireless link, and retransmit the MPDU using a second wireless link by setting a MAC header of the MPDU according to a MAC address of the second wireless link, to advantageously enhance the performance, reliability, and efficiency of the wireless network.

Abstract: A data unit (e.g., a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)) is detected at a first wireless device of a basic service set (BSS). The data unit was sent on a channel from a second wireless device of an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). The data unit is wide-bandwidth, occupying both a primary channel and a secondary channel of the wireless network. The first and second wireless devices are within a same spatial reuse group (SRG). The first wireless device stores the channel bandwidth of the data unit and a receive duration time of the data unit. During the receive duration time of the data unit, a SRG OBSS power density threshold is applied on the secondary channels that are within the channel bandwidth of the data unit, instead of applying a non-SRG OBSS power density threshold on those secondary channels.

Abstract: System and method of cooperative multi-band wireless STA communication that enables full duplex operations are disclosed herein. Frames are configured to carry band information and are selected to be transmitted simultaneously in multiple bands based on various constraints to avoid out-of-order delivery. For frames under a block ACK agreement, a transmit STA can specify the transmission bands for the frames in an ADDBA request frame. While a first band is transmitting a first frame under a block ACK agreement, the second band can be used to transmit a frame under the same block ACK agreement as, and from the same traffic flow with, the first frame. Otherwise, the second band can be used to transmit a frame with a different TID than the first frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for coordinated multi-AP channel access in a wireless network. A wireless AP that obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) (a “coordinator AP”) can grant one or more STAs or APs under control of the coordinator AP the use of some of the bandwidth granted by the TXOP. The STAs or APs that are granted the use of the bandwidth are referred to as “coordinated APs.” Thereafter, a coordinator AP or a coordinated AP can create a new basic service set (BSS) of devices for coordinating data transmissions. For example, the coordinated AP may serve as a relay, where the coordinated AP services devices in a new BSS by sending and receiving data with a coordinator AP in a different BSS.

Abstract: A station (STA) receives an indication from a first access point (AP) on one of a plurality of links that is not a non-primary link among the plurality of links comprising at least a primary link and the non-primary link. Based on the indication, the STA determines that: (i) the first AP is affiliated with a non-simultaneous-transmit-and-receive (NSTR) AP multi-link device (MLD), and (ii) a second AP, as a neighbor AP of the first AP, is affiliated with the NSTR AP MLD and is operating on the non-primary link.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., an access point (AP) establishes a plurality of links comprising a primary link and at least a secondary link. The apparatus transmits a management frame on the primary link to indicate a multi-link capability of the AP. The apparatus configures the secondary link for one or more non-AP stations (STAs), which are capable of operating on the primary link and the secondary link, with multi-link capability and operating parameters through an association procedure on the primary link.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a punctured preamble enabling wireless devices to efficiently use a channel (e.g., an 80 or 160 MHz channel) where a primary service is operating. A Wideband Channel Access Mechanism for 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STAs is provided so that a 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STA can dynamically move to a secondary channel to improve wireless performance of the STA. An AP coordinates the operating channel switch of the 20 MHz/80 MHz operating STA. An EHT cooperative multi-band operation can be applied to the preamble punctured PPDU for simultaneous multi-band operation.

Abstract: A data unit (e.g., a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)) is detected at a first wireless device of a basic service set (BSS). The data unit was sent on a channel from a second wireless device of an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). The data unit is wide-bandwidth, occupying both a primary channel and a secondary channel of the wireless network. The first and second wireless devices are within a same spatial reuse group (SRG). The first wireless device stores the channel bandwidth of the data unit and a receive duration time of the data unit. During the receive duration time of the data unit, a SRG OBSS power density threshold is applied on the secondary channels that are within the channel bandwidth of the data unit, instead of applying a non-SRG OBSS power density threshold on those secondary channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for performing priority service access between EHT non-AP STAs or MLDs using EDCA or UORA parameter sets corresponding to enabled links that can be used to derive priority access (e.g., contention window) information of enabled links for NSEP or LL wireless communication. The EHT non-AP STAs or MLDs can enable, configure, and update priority access for NSEP or LL services using protected action frames or beacon frames, for example. Deriving priority information from the EDCA or UORA parameters carried in protected action frames or beacon frames advantageously avoids increasing the overhead of beacon frames and prevents degradation of spectrum efficiency while supporting NSEP or LL priority services.

Abstract: A station (STA) associated with an access point (AP) receives, from the AP, an indication of an enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameter set. The STA then updates one or more parameters of the EDCA parameter set with respect to a triggered transmission opportunity (TXOP) sharing (TXS) operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing secure ranging measurements between wireless devices are disclosed herein according to embodiments of the present invention. The described embodiments use key values to indicate which LTF sequence (e.g., LTF measurement exchange) to use for performing wireless ranging measurements. A LTF sequence that is received by a wireless device that does not correspond with the associated key value is determined to be invalid. Invalid LTF sequences may be disregarded as signal noise.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved multi-link operation over EML links. A non-AP MLD indicating support of EMLMR operation announces it's the number of spatial streams supported for receiving or transmitting after receiving the initial frame exchange during enhanced multi-link multi-radio (EMLMR) operation (MLD level capabilities). MLD level capabilities for operating over the EMLSR links is defined so that the EMLMR capable devices can improve/optimize their performance based on their computing capabilities and RF design.

Abstract: A capability indication method employed by a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) multi-link device (MLD) includes: during an association process between the Wi-Fi MLD and another Wi-Fi MLD, indicating a first capability allocation of a first combination of affiliated stations in the Wi-Fi MLD for a first combination of enabled links on the Wi-Fi MLD, and indicating a second capability allocation of a second combination of affiliated stations in the Wi-Fi MLD for a second combination of enabled links on the Wi-Fi MLD, wherein the first combination of affiliated stations is different from the second combination of affiliated stations, and the first combination of enabled links is different from the second combination of enabled links.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN)), receives, from an access point (AP), a frame comprising a multi-link configuration information element (IE) that indicates one or more enabled links as a subset of one or more supported links for a traffic identifier (TID). Accordingly, the apparatus transmits, to the AP, data over at least one of the one or more enabled links corresponding to the TID.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide improved multi-link operation over for recovering from a transmission failure on a primary link. During synchronous transmission on the NSTR pair of links, a transmission failure of an MPDU may happen on either link of the NSTR pair of links. Error recovery can be performed when an AP MLD is operating on the NSTR pair of links. When a transmission failure is detected, error recovery can be performed, and the timing of a synchronous transmission on the other wireless link can be managed to advantageously avoid IDC interference and improve performance of the wireless network.

Abstract: A capability allocation method employed by a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) device includes: during association between the Wi-Fi device and another Wi-Fi device, setting up a first capability allocation of a first non-AP station (STA); and after the first non-AP STA associates with a first AP, changing the first capability allocation of the first non-AP STA in the absence of re-association. Each of the Wi-Fi device and the another Wi-Fi device includes a plurality of stations. The first AP is affiliated to the another Wi-Fi device. The first non-AP STA is affiliated to the Wi-Fi device.

Abstract: System and method of cooperative multi-band wireless STA communication that enables full duplex operations. Frames are configured to carry band information and are selected to be transmitted simultaneously in multiple bands based on various constraints to avoid out-of-order delivery. For frames under a block ACK agreement, a transmit STA can specify the transmission bands for the frames in an ADDBA request frame. While a first band is transmitting a first frame under a block ACK agreement, the second band can be used to transmit a frame under the same block ACK agreement as, and from the same traffic flow with, the first frame. Otherwise, the second band can only be used to transmit a frame with a different TID than the first frame.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and methods for performing HARQ operations using parallel HARQ threads, where each new transmission of a MPDU/A-MPDU/PSDU triggers the activation of a HARQ thread. Each HARQ thread contains one or more HARQ coding words or coding units. A HARQ thread index is setup by a transmission opportunity (TXOP) holder for a corresponding PSDU and is used to identify HARQ threads. Multiple HARQ threads can be aggregated into one PPDU for transmission (or retransmission). The maximum number of HARQ threads can be negotiated between AP and non-AP STAs based on buffer requirements, for example. A HARQ thread can end when all MPDUs associated with the HARQ thread have been decoded or other predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved switching mechanism for multi-link devices that can perform frame exchanges using multiple spatial streams and automatically switch back to a listening mode on enabled links deterministically for improved throughput and reduced latency. Embodiments of the present invention are suitable for multi-link operations performed using a multi-radio device or a single-radio device.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of multi-link operations with respect to a first link and a second link obtains a second transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the second link after one other apparatus has started a first TXOP on the first link. The apparatus performs one or more transmissions during the second TXOP on the second link such that the second TXOP is at least partially synchronized with the first TXOP on the first link.