Abstract: Null Data Packet Sounding for preamble punctured Physical Layer Convergence Procedure Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) for efficient use of a wireless channel bandwidth where a primary service co-exists.

Abstract: A method of sounding and feedback with channel quality information and reduced overhead is provided. A receiving station receives a sounding signal transmitted from an access point over multiple sub-channels of a wide channel in a wireless network. The receiving station detects channel quality based on the received sounding signal for each sub-channel. The receiving station then performs channel estimation based on the received sounding signal and thereby determining feedback information. Finally, the receiving station transmits a feedback message to the access point, the feedback message contains NULL feedback information, reduced feedback information, or channel integrity/quality indicators based on the channel quality information for each sub-channel. Based on the feedback message, the access point may repeat the sounding process, narrow the transmission bandwidth, or select only stations who have indicated uncorrupted channel sounding for MU-MMO transmission.

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: A cooperative multi-band wireless station architecture that enables full duplex operations of wireless stations (STAs). Such an STA includes a WIFI transceiver and one or more additional transceivers. The two transceivers (and the associated channels) operate in mutually exclusive WIFI bands or different types of protocols and therefore can transmit and/or receive simultaneously without signal interference to each other. The multiple transceivers can perform independent clear channel assessment (CCA) and then simultaneously perform signal transmission or reception jointly or independently. In a cooperative multi-band operation, one channel may be used as an independent assistant channel and responsible for supplying assistant information relevant to a transmission opportunity (TXOP) for the other channel (primary channel) to take corresponding actions.

Abstract: A device detects a primary channel busy for an operating bandwidth having a plurality of channel segments comprising the primary channel and at least one non-primary channel. In response to detecting the primary channel busy, the device obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) through a first non-primary channel of the at least one non-primary channel. Then, the device performs a transmission at least on the first non-primary channel during the TXOP.

Abstract: A device obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) in a wideband operating bandwidth comprising a primary channel and a plurality of non-primary channels. The device initiates a frame exchange to reserve the TXOP for TXOP sharing. The device also performs a data transmission within the TXOP on one or more of the plurality of non-primary channels. The device then shares the primary channel with a basic service set (BSS) after the frame exchange.

Abstract: A management device accepts a first communications device to join a wireless communications network managed by the management device. The management device registers a service provided by the first communications device. The service is available in accordance with a set of service parameters. The set of service parameters include a schedule of availability. The set of service parameters include at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of a set of one or more starting times, a set of one or more service intervals, a set of one or more service periods, a set of one or more physical media, a set of one or more device identifiers, a set of one or more data sequence identifiers, and at least one medium access mode within the service interval.

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 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 the duration threshold. Based on a current threshold and pertinent policies, an STA can decide whether to initiate an RTS/CTS transmission sequence.

Abstract: A method of very high throughput (VHT) operation information subfields design for IEEE 802.11 WLAN is proposed. The VHT operation information subfields comprise a channel width, a channel center frequency segment 0 (CCFS0), and a channel center frequency segment 1 (CCFS1). Multiple definitions of the VHT operation information subfields have been adopted by different access points (AP)s and wireless stations (STAs). In accordance with one novel aspect, upon receiving the VHT operation information element broadcasted by an AP, an STA will first check the channel width indicated by the AP. The STA then follows different definitions under different channel widths. Under such method, the STA can support up to 160 MHz operation mode with APs following different definitions and operating up to 160 MHz mode.

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.

Abstract: A data unit (e.g., a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU)) is detected at a first wireless device that is a member of a basic service set (BSS). The data unit was sent on a channel from a second wireless device that is a member of an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). When the first wireless device ignores the data unit and obtains a transmit opportunity for the channel according to a spatial reuse procedure, then the first wireless device is prohibited from transmitting a frame to a device that is a member of the OBSS during the time interval associated with the transmit opportunity.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing Basis Service Set (BSS) load information pertinent to multi-user (MU) communications in WLAN systems. An access point (AP) can determine the counts of MU-capable user stations (STAs) active STAs in a BSS. Each MU-capable STA is configured for Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO) communications and/or Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communications. The AP can further determine ratios of PPDU time over an observation period of MU uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) communications, respectively. The AP can further determine an underutilization level of each available frequency subband, the underutilization level integrating the actual underutilization in terms of both spatial streams and frequency subbands. The DL and UL underutilization levels can be separately determined and reported. The MU BSS load information can be included in a beacon frame as a BSS load information element and distributed to user STAs periodically.

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: An integrated circuit structure includes a first low-k dielectric layer having a first k value, and a second low-k dielectric layer having a second k value lower than the first k value. The second low-k dielectric layer is overlying the first low-k dielectric layer. A dual damascene structure includes a via with a portion in the first low-k dielectric layer, and a metal line over and joined to the via. The metal line includes a portion in the second low-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting A-MSDU data transfer in an A-MPDU system includes sending capability information from a first network device, receiving onto the first network device an A-MPDU frame that includes A-MSDU data, and sending an acknowledgment from the first network device. A bit field in the capability information indicates if inclusion of A-MSDU data in an A-MPDU payload is supported. The first network device is a wireless station (STA). The first network device is part of a peer-to-peer network. The A-MSDU is in a data enabled immediate response context. A bit field in the capability information indicates if receiving an A-MPDU frame including A-MSDU data carried in a QoS Data frame without a block acknowledgment agreement is supported.

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 described herein provide apparatus and methods for performing HARQ operations using parallel HARQ threads, where each new transmission of a Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (MPDU)/Aggregate-MPDU (A-MPDU)/Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Service Data Unit (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. Transmission information such as duration in formation for PPDUs including BA/HARQ-ACK feedback such as RX/TX addresses, etc. can be determined according to previous transmission values of a received PPDU (e.g., values of a MAC or PHY header).

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: 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: A method of data acknowledgement includes: transmitting data from a wireless station, transmitting a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR) from the wireless station, and receiving a Block Acknowledgement (BA) by the wireless station. In one example, the step of transmitting BAR by the wireless station requests an acknowledgment for transmitted data with an access category that has the same priority as the a primary access category. In another example, the step of transmitting BAR by the wireless station requests an acknowledgment for transmitted data with an access category that has the same or higher priority than a primary access category. A wireless device includes at least one transceiver to exchange data with another wireless device, at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to: transmit data, transmit a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR), and receive a Block Acknowledgement (BA).