Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for providing scaled coverage. An example method for use in an access point or station may comprise causing operation in a reduced coverage mode, generating a beacon comprising an indication of a reduced coverage mode in a capability field and one or more coverage scaling parameters (CSP) in an information element, and causing the beacon to be provided to one or more stations (STAs).

Abstract: On-demand acquisition method and device of SI are provided. The method includes transmitting a random access preamble to a network, and the random access preamble is used at least for requesting the SI, acquiring indication information related to the SI based on a random access response received from the network; and acquiring the SI, based on the indication information, from the network in broadcast or unicast mode, and the indication information is used for indicating time sequence information and a mode of acquiring the SI. Interaction process between the UE and the network may be simplified, which further effectively reduces signaling overhead during the interaction and avoids a waste of resources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for scheduling or assigning a transmission opportunity. A method and apparatus may assign a relay transmission opportunity to at least one intermediate node designating a resource, among a plurality of resources, of a scheduled transmission opportunity of a signal. The intermediate node is assigned to communicate with at least one designated station during the designated time period. The method and apparatus may broadcast information of the signal to enable the designated station to detect data of the signal indicating that the station is assigned to communicate with the intermediate node during the designated resource of the scheduled transmission opportunity.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to allow the idle period to be defined in a more tailored manner, such as on a per station or per class of stations basis, as opposed to on a per access point basis. In the context of a method, an indication of an idle period is caused to be provided to a station. The method also causes an association with the station to be maintained for a period of time that is at least partially defined by the idle period. The period of time for which an association is maintained with the station is different than a period of time for which an association is maintained with another station in an absence of communication with the another station. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A geographic region in which an access point AP lies is divided into sectors, each sector associated with a group; and a station is assigned to a group based on location information of the station relative to the sectors. The station can assign itself to a group autonomously, after determining the number of groups from signalling received from the AP. Or the AP can do the group assignments, such as by assessing distance between adjacent stations. The AP can utilize the station's location information to test whether a first link between the station and a first node of a first group is sufficient. If the test indicates that the first link is sufficient the AP can assign the station to the first group, else it will utilize the location information to test whether a second link between the station and a second node of a second group is sufficient.

Abstract: A wireless communications method comprises: acquiring, by a radio apparatus, information indicating a frequency hopping pattern for control data in order to perform communication of the control data on at least one frequency resource unit hopping in frequency, wherein the frequency hopping pattern defines a control data band within the shared spectrum; acquiring knowledge of a user data band defined as a function of the control data band according to a predetermined criterion in order to per-form communication of user data on at least one free frequency resource unit within the user data band, wherein the user data band is within the shared spectrum and at least partly overlapping with the control data band; acquiring knowledge of a total frequency band comprising the control data band and the user data band; and causing communication of both the control data and the user data on the total frequency band.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a unifying identifier for a user device across different wireless networks. The different wireless networks include a first wireless network and a second wireless network. The second wireless network receives information from the first wireless network, associates a unifying identifier for the user device based on the received information, and assigns the unifying identifier to the user device. The information from the first wireless network indicates a priority or a quality or level of service provided to the user device by the first wireless network.

Abstract: Various systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable mediums for providing a quality of service (QoS) level for communication between a wireless device and a wireless local area network (WLAN) are provided. A user classification may be determined for a user associated with a wireless device. An access class (AC) associated with a set of data to be exchanged between the wireless device and the access point (AP) of the WLAN may be determined. Using the user classification and the AC associated with the set of data to be exchanged between the wireless device and the access point of the WLAN, a priority of the set of data may be established. The set of data may be exchanged between the wireless device and the access point of the WLAN in accordance with the determined priority.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer-program products according to the specification and drawings, whereby an estimate of spectrum utilization or availability to a wireless local area network may be obtained by observing or obtaining a channel utilization related element, such as an Extended BSS load element. Upon determining spectrum utilization or availability, this information is useful for deciding whether or not to offload mobile device traffic from a cellular network to the wireless local area network.

Abstract: QoS information provided in or by at least one of the RAN and ANDSF for 3GPP compliant mobile networks is or are leveraged to implement IP flow steering rules.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program facilitate the assignment of stations to slots of a restricted access window (RAW) to support communications between the stations and an access point. In a method for use in an access point, a broadcast message is caused to be provided to the station(s). The broadcast message includes an indication of a type of stations to access the RAW and one or more of a duration of the slot(s) in the RAW allocated to a first type of station, a duration of the RAW allocated to the first type of station, a duration of the slot(s) in the RAW allocated to a second type of station or a duration of the RAW allocated to the second type of station. The method also provides for access for one or more stations of the type that was indicated within the slots of the RAW.

Abstract: A wireless device transmits a device-to-device discovery signal using the same transmission resource that is used for transmitting uplink retransmissions to a base station by a second wireless device. The device-to-device discovery signal is transmitted at a power that is determined in accordance with a control signal received by the wireless device from the base station. In an example, the wireless device transmits the device-to-device discovery signal on an uplink control channel established for use for sending uplink control signals to the base station.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for enhancing data exchange between an access point (AP) and station (STA) in a wireless network when the exchange must be interrupted for the AP to perform other services while data remains buffered for later exchange. AP downlinks an indicator that more data remains for exchange together with a request for the STA to enter sleep mode for a duration scheduled by the AP. Sleep duration may be sent in the medium access control (MAC) header of a data frame, with the indicator of more data and the indicator of the sleep mode request being contained in the frame control (FC) segment of the MAC header. The STA may uplink an acknowledgement (ACK) of the sleep mode. Alternatively, the AP may downlink an ACK of the STA's indication of more data confirmation together with sleep mode indication and duration.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for use in a communication device. The method may add a transmission type identifier to a transmission opportunity (TXOP) request packet, wherein the transmission type identifier includes one or more bits indicating a request for either Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) operation or for non-HARQ operation. The method may further causes the communication device to transmit the TXOP request packet to a TXOP responder and receives a subsequent transmission from the TXOP responder indicating acceptance, modified acceptance, or rejection of the request. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for communication are provided. The solution includes controlling the communication of a transceiver on shared data channels using a data channel slot including a sensing period and a data period and controlling a transceiver to communicate on common and dedicated control channels on a shared spectrum using control channel slots, each control channel slot including a downlink part and an uplink part, wherein the uplink part occurs at the same time as the sensing period of a data channel slot.

Abstract: A fixed or Mode II device enables a Mode I device for license exempt operation by providing to it a list of available license exempt radio channels and a parameter indicating an interval at which contact verification signals CVSs are to be sent. The CVSs verify whether the list remains valid. The fixed/Mode II device then repeatedly sends contact verification signals spaced in time from one another according to the interval. In various embodiments the parameter may be an explicit indication, or it may be implicit. A plurality of enabled Mode I devices each gets a device-specific list, and in one embodiment the interval is the same for each of them and the explicit indication is broadcast while in another the parameter is provided to each of them via unicast messages and the interval may differ.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for use in a communication device. The method may add a transmission type identifier to a transmission opportunity (TXOP) request packet, wherein the transmission type identifier includes one or more bits indicating a request for either Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) operation or for non-HARQ operation. The method may further causes the communication device to transmit the TXOP request packet to a TXOP responder and receives a subsequent transmission from the TXOP responder indicating acceptance, modified acceptance, or rejection of the request. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product provide improved detection of overlapping wireless networks. In this regard, the method, apparatus and computer program product may utilize a processor, such as a processor on a wireless access point, to determine one or more parameters for a scan of a wireless network to identify overlapping networks. Wireless stations may utilize the parameters to determine the content of a scan report generated from a scan of the wireless network. The wireless stations may further utilize the parameters to determine which values should be monitored and/or recorded during the scan of the network. The wireless stations may respond to the access point with results corresponding to the parameters requested by the access point, and the access point may use the results to determine channel access parameters for other devices on the network, such as the wireless stations.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product provide improved detection of overlapping wireless networks. In this regard, the method, apparatus and computer program product may utilize a processor, such as a processor on a wireless access point, to determine one or more parameters for a scan of a wireless network to identify overlapping networks. Wireless stations may utilize the parameters to determine the content of a scan report generated from a scan of the wireless network. The wireless stations may further utilize the parameters to determine which values should be monitored and/or recorded during the scan of the network. The wireless stations may respond to the access point with results corresponding to the parameters requested by the access point, and the access point may use the results to determine channel access parameters for other devices on the network, such as the wireless stations.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to allow the idle period to be defined in a more tailored manner, such as on a per station or per class of stations basis, as opposed to on a per access point basis. In the context of a method, an indication of an idle period is caused to be provided to a station. The method also causes an association with the station to be maintained for a period of time that is at least partially defined by the idle period. The period of time for which an association is maintained with the station is different than a period of time for which an association is maintained with another station in an absence of communication with the another station. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also provided.