Abstract: Devices, networks, systems, methods, and processes for scheduling transmissions from a plurality of ambient power devices are described herein. An Access Point (AP) may determine whether one or more ambient power devices are overlapping or non-overlapping based on one or more device characteristics associated with the one or more ambient power devices. The AP may transmit, to a wireless device, a charging instruction signal based on the one or more device characteristics. The one or more ambient power devices may receive one or more charging frames from the wireless device. The wireless device can receive one or more uplink frames and relay the one or more uplink frames to the AP. The AP may record the one or more charging frames, generate one or more charging profiles for the one or more ambient power devices, and develop an energy management strategy based on the one or more charging profiles.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, methods, and processes for optimizing automatic frequency coordination (AFC) queries based on a location-specific likelihood of success. An intermediate service provides a metric or score to determine whether and how to perform a query to the AFC system for a given location. The AFC query metric provided by the intermediate service can be used to determine whether to perform the AFC query, how to prioritize queries, and/or how to adapt the query rate based on the likelihood of success. The system can learn from previous queries and utilize artificial intelligence or machine learning processes in the generation of the AFC query metric. Other relevant data can also be utilized for the generation of the AFC query metric. The number of AFC queries can be reduced based on the utilization of the AFC query metric. Accordingly, costs associated with the AFC queries can be reduced.

Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems, methods, and processes for optimizing the utilization of large bandwidth channels in wireless communication networks. This is achieved by an access point (AP) identifying parts of the channel available for standard power (SP) transmissions and using novel puncturing messages to allow simultaneous low-power indoor (LPi) transmissions on the “punctured” parts of the channel. The AP can implement different modes to allow concurrent transmissions at SP level on the SP-allowed parts of the channels and at LPi level on part of the channel that do not allow SP transmissions. The AP can also switch unicast communication with a client device to LPi but with a larger channel width as the device nears the AP. The techniques allow for fuller utilization of large bandwidth channels where only a part of the channel is available for SP transmissions, thereby improving network efficiency.

Abstract: Backscatter Device (BKD) placement and placement calibration may be provided. A plurality of ambient energy sources of a Three-Dimensional (3D) space may be caused to transmit charging frames for Backscatter Devices (BKDs). Each of the charging frames may include a payload having a Media Access Control (MAC) address of transmitting ambient energy source. An amount of ambient energy received from the charging frames of the plurality of ambient energy sources and each contributing source may be received from survey devices placed at positions along a sub-space of the 3D space. The amount of ambient energy available from each contributing source at each positions along the sub-space per predetermined time period may be predicted based on the amount of ambient energy received from the plurality of ambient energy sources.

Abstract: A method is provided that is performed in a wireless network to detect a rogue wireless device. The method comprises detecting a suspect wireless device in the wireless network based on messages transmitted by the suspect wireless device using a first Media Access Control (MAC) address that is also used by a valid wireless device in the wireless network. When a suspect wireless device is detected, the method next includes sending to the valid wireless device in the wireless network a request configured to cause the valid wireless device to change its MAC address. After the valid wireless device has changed its MAC address, the method involves observing messages transmitted by the suspect wireless device in the wireless network. The method then includes determining that the suspect wireless device is a rogue device when the suspect wireless device continues to transmit messages using the first MAC address.

Abstract: A backscatter communication device assistant may be provided. A computing device may designate a client device as a backscatter communication device assistant. Next, a report indicating a location of a backscatter communication device may be received from the backscatter communication device assistant. Then the backscatter communication device may be caused to receive energy. Data originating from the backscatter communication device may then be received.

Abstract: Devices, networks, systems, methods, and processes for scheduling transmissions from a plurality of ambient power devices are described herein. An Access Point (AP) may determine whether one or more ambient power devices are overlapping or non-overlapping based on one or more device characteristics associated with the one or more ambient power devices. The AP may transmit, to a wireless device, a charging instruction signal based on the one or more device characteristics. The one or more ambient power devices may receive one or more charging frames from the wireless device. The wireless device can receive one or more uplink frames and relay the one or more uplink frames to the AP. The AP may record the one or more charging frames, generate one or more charging profiles for the one or more ambient power devices, and develop an energy management strategy based on the one or more charging profiles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques for secure capabilities sharing for wireless networks. A station (STA) encodes a limited access uniform resource locator (URL) into a management frame. The limited access URL provides access to a plurality of capability elements of the STA. The operation by the STA further comprises transmitting the management frame to an access point (AP) when attempting to associate with the AP. The AP negotiates parameters with the STA based on retrieving the plurality of capability elements using the limited access URL.

Abstract: Described herein is a network device that assesses privacy. The device includes one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors, individually or collectively, perform an operation that includes determining usage statistics of a wireless medium for a group of user devices, determining that a first usage statistic of the usage statistics for a first user device of the group of user devices differs from a usage statistic of the usage statistics for other user devices of the group of user devices, and based on determining that the first usage statistic differs from the usage statistic for the other user devices, adjusting a transmission characteristic of the first user device such that the first usage statistics are brought closer to the usage statistics for the other user devices.

Abstract: Wireless planning for reduced power consumption may be provided. Characteristics of a space may be received, wherein the characteristics include a representation of the space. A model of the space may be generated using the representation of the space. Next, a coverage requirement and a power saving requirement may be determined for the space. An initial wireless plan may be generated including one or more APs positioned in the model of the space. The initial wireless plan may be adjusted based on the coverage requirement and the power saving requirement to generate a final wireless plan.

Abstract: Balancing Multi-link Operation (MLO) usage may be provided. A list of a plurality of Access Points (APs) for each of a plurality of Multi-link Operation (MLO) types indicating availability of each of the plurality of APs may be received. A first request indicating an MLO type associated with the first request is a first MLO type may be received. In response to the first request, a first subset of the list of the plurality of APs that support the MLO type associated with the first request may be sent. A second request indicating that an MLO type associated with the second request is the first MLO type may be received. In response to the second request, a second subset of the list of the plurality of APs that support the MLO type associated with the second request may be sent. The first subset is different from the second subset.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for distributed resource unit (RU) coordination. A first access point (AP) determines a plurality of first RU within a frequency channel for use in transmitting data to a client device, where the frequency channel is located within a frequency band and has a defined bandwidth. The first AP coordinates with a second AP to distribute the plurality of first RUs across the frequency channel, where the coordination avoids frequency overlap between the plurality of first RUs assigned to the first AP and a plurality of second RUs assigned to the second AP. The first AP transmits the data to the client device using the plurality of first RUs.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting and/or confirming a Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM) attack using Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) are provided. In one aspect, a FTM exchange is initiated between a second station and a first station to detect or confirm a MiTM attack in a network in which a MiTM is positioned between the first station and a third station. The MiTM attack is detected or confirmed, or both, based at least in part on FTM information determined during the FTM exchange.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a supervisory device in a network notifies, via an access point of the network, a node as to an ability of the network to support virtual access points. The supervisory device receives, in response to notifying the node, information from the node regarding characteristics of the node. The supervisory device selects, based on the characteristics of the node, a plurality of access points in the network to form a virtual access point with which the node may communicate. The supervisory device configures the plurality of access points to function as the virtual access point, wherein the node communicates with the network via the virtual access point.

Abstract: Techniques for wireless communication are disclosed. These techniques include determining that a first wireless access point (AP) has a failure to connect to a controller. The techniques further include identifying one or more neighbor APs, for the first AP, as candidate rescue APs, selecting a rescue AP, from among the candidate rescue APs, and establishing a secure connection from the first AP to the rescue AP. The techniques further includes transmitting diagnostic data from the first AP to the controller using the secure connection from the first AP to the rescue AP. The diagnostic data relates to the failure to connect from the first AP to the controller, and the controller is configured to use the diagnostic data to assist in establishing a connection from the first AP to the controller that bypasses the rescue AP.

Abstract: A troubleshooting trigger may be provided. A first computing device may provide, to a second computing device, data indicating a troubleshooting capability protocol. Next, first computing device may receive, from the second computing device, a troubleshooting request in accordance with the troubleshooting capability protocol. The first computing device may then perform the troubleshooting request in accordance with the troubleshooting capability protocol.

Abstract: Techniques for managing communications between access points (APs) and stations (STAs) are described herein. In one embodiment, an AP broadcasts a trigger message to a plurality of STAs, the trigger message including a matrix defining a plurality of resource units (RUs) that the plurality of STAs are assigned to transmit or receive data, and a fragment flag. The presence of the fragment flag, within the scheduling matrix, informs the AP that the data transmission that the fragment flag is appended to is a partial transmission that will be completed in a subsequent transmission opportunity.

Abstract: Alternative communications techniques for troubleshooting may be provided. Using alternative communications techniques for troubleshooting can include sending an alternative communications advertisement frame to a client, the alternative communications advertisement frame identifying an alternative connection for communicating with the client. An alternative communications troubleshooting frame is then received from the client via the alternative connection, the alternative communications troubleshooting frame comprising troubleshooting information associated with a connection issue of a wireless network. The troubleshooting information is sent to a network device.

Abstract: Devices, networks, systems, methods, and processes for rotating a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a device. A device can negotiate a periodicity for address rotation of the MAC address associated with the device. The device may receive a data frame and generate seed data based on the data frame. The device can also utilize a shared secret key, a cryptographic hash function, and/or a cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generator to generate the seed data. The device can determine timestamp data based on the periodicity or a time of reception of the data frame. The device may utilize a pseudorandom function to determine the MAC address based on the timestamp data and the seed data. The device can generate the MAC address after every rotation cycle. Upon waking up from a power saving mode, the device can synchronize with a network device to generate next MAC address.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe BKDs that can transmit reply messages using different frequencies than the frequencies of wireless transmissions they receive which can reduce collisions in a Wi-Fi environment. In one embodiment, when transmitting power to be used by a BKD to transmit a reply message, an access point (AP) also includes an parameter that affects the frequency used by the BKD when transmitting its signal. For example, the AP can direct the BKD to use a frequency in a channel that is not used by other Wi-Fi Devices. The BKD can be equipped with a frequency filter that can shift the carrier frequency of the BKD response (compared to the carrier frequency of the energy-bearing signal) allowing the response signal to be transmitted on a different frequency than the one which was received.