Abstract: An access point (AP) accepts a communications device to join a wireless communications network. The AP registers a service provided by the communications device. The service is available in accordance with a schedule and a set of service parameters. The AP receives a request from a peer communications device seeking the service. The AP announces availability of the service on behalf of the communications device while the communications device is unavailable. The service is later provided by the communications device to the peer communications device when both devices are available to communicate. By utilizing an always-on AP to announce service availability and to exchange service parameters, fast service discovery can be achieved with low power consumption for both service advertisers and service seekers.

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: 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: 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 for a multiple BSSID environment in a wireless location area network (WLAN) is proposed. A first wireless device obtains basic service set (BSS)information of a plurality of BSSs. The first wireless device then sends a fine time measurement (FTM) frame containing the BSS information to a second wireless device. The second wireless device joins at least one of the BSS according to the BSS information.

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: 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: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for providing wideband channel access to wireless devices, such as 20 MHz only wireless stations. A Target Wakeup Time (TWT) Channel field contains a bitmap indicating a temporary primary channel for using during a TWT Service Period (SP). The temporary primary channel is determined through a negotiation between a requesting STA and a responding STA, and the responding STA assigns resource units (RUs) to the requesting STA according to the temporary primary channel. After the TWT SP, the requesting STA switches back to a primary channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a first capping layer on a dielectric structure over a substrate, and patterning the dielectric structure and the first capping layer to define cavities within the dielectric structure. A conductive material is formed within the cavities and a second capping layer is formed on the conductive material. An etch stop layer is formed along sidewalls and over an upper surface of the second capping layer. The etch stop layer has a first thickness over the first capping layer and a second thickness over the second capping layer. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

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: 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 communication for a communication device in a wireless ad hoc network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a service publish message and a service subscribe message from a first communication device of a first service cluster and a second communication device of a second service cluster respectively, wherein the second communication device subscribes a service from the first communication device, and establishing a third service cluster including the first communication device and the second communication device, wherein a schedule of the third service cluster for the communication device, the first and second communication devices of the third service cluster to wake up for data transmission and reception is determined by the communication device or coordinated by the communication device, the first and the second communication devices.

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 method of determining a distance between mobile wireless devices can include determining a format and bandwidth supported by an initiating Station (STA) and a responding Station (STA) and exchanging one or more sets of Null Data Packet (NDP) frames between the initiating Station (STA) and the responding Station (STA) using the determined format and bandwidth. The distance between the initiating Station (STA) and the responding Station (STA) can then be determined based on timing measurements of the one or more sets of Null Data Packet (NDP) frames exchanged between the initiating Station (STA) and the responding Station (STA).

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).

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 secure ranging measurements for wireless devices in multi-user (MU) mode. Specifically, a signaling procedure between an initiating wireless station (ISTA) and a responding wireless station (RSTA) is used to enable protection of randomized LTF sequences used in the secure ranging measurements. The signaling procedure may be performed in a HEz or VHTz mode and may include performing error recovery when operating in the HEz mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip having a back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) metal interconnect structure with capping layers that provide for improved reliability. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a dielectric layer disposed over a semiconductor substrate, and one or more metal layer structures disposed within the dielectric layer. A first capping layer is located over the dielectric layer at positions between the one or more metal layer structures, so that the first capping layer is located along an interface having the one or more metal layer structures interspersed between the first capping layer. A second capping layer is located over the one or more metal layer structures. An etch stop layer is arranged over the first capping layer and the second capping layer and laterally surrounds the second capping layer.

Abstract: A novel feedback schemes are introduced to assistant link adaptation for re-transmissions and to improve the network throughput and efficiency. When reception failure is a type B failure, then a failure report (FR) frame is feedback from the destination STA to the source STA. In the failure report frame, link adaptation information and information on failure causes are included.

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.