Abstract: Some embodiments include utilizing a multilink media access control (MAC) address structure to support multilink devices (MLDs) that can operate concurrently in more than one link such as extremely high throughput (EHT) access points (APs) and EHT stations (STA), where the multilink MAC address structure is compatible with legacy devices. An EHT AP can utilize a multilink basic service set (BSS) identification (BSSID) MAC address to communicate with an EHT STA identified by a multilink MAC address. Values of the multilink BSSID and the multilink MAC address of the EHT STA are independent of which of the multiple links are used in the communication. In addition, to utilizing a multilink BSSID, the EHT AP can also support unique link-specific MAC addresses to concurrently support legacy and MLD stations. The EHT STA can also utilize unique link-specific MAC addresses that can be different than the EHT AP's link-specific MAC addresses.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for station (STA) identifier opt-in. Some embodiments include a STA that can associate with an access point (AP) of a wireless network, where the STA is configured to opt-in to being identified by the AP. The STA can transmit a first message 2 (M2) of a 4-way handshake protocol during the association, where the first M2 includes a Device Identifier (ID) Key Data Encapsulation (KDE) that includes an Opt-in Control field, where a first value of the Opt-in Control field indicates the STA opts-in to being identified by the AP. The STA can receive a first message 3 (M3) of the 4-way handshake protocol including a Device ID KDE and an ID Blob, where the ID Blob corresponds to the STA. The STA can communicate with the AP, where the first value enables the AP to collect data about the STA during the communication.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for performing an address change by an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) and non-AP MLD are described. A non-AP MLD may transmit to an AP MLD, using one or more respective transmission (TX) links in an active mode, one or more uplink frames that include one or more respective initial addresses corresponding to one or more respective reception (RX) links of the AP MLD. The non-AP MLD may then configure the one or more respective TX links to a lower power mode. The non-AP MLD may configure the one or more respective TX links with one or more respective new addresses prior to transitioning the one or more respective TX links back to the active mode. The non-AP MLD may transmit, to the AP MLD, one or more additional uplink frames that include the one or more respective new addresses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a timebase is disclosed. A timebase management circuit includes limit circuitry, in a first clock domain, which generates, based on a global timebase, an initial timebase limit. The timebase management circuit includes, in a second clock domain, adjustment circuitry that generates an adjusted timebase limit based on the initial timebase limit. A storage circuit in the second clock domain stores a local timebase. Update circuitry, coupled to an output of the storage circuit, generates an updated local timebase using a clock signal in the second clock domain, wherein the updated local timebase is subject to the adjusted timebase limit.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for privacy enhancement (PE) beacon frames. A PE station (STA) can receive a PE beacon frame comprising a media access control (MAC) header that includes a first random identifier (ID) and a first checksum ID, determine that configured beacon parameters are satisfied, and then receive the PE beacon frame. When the first random ID and the first checksum ID correspond to an affiliated PE access point (AP) of a PE AP multilink device (MLD), to identify the PE AP MLD the PE STA can determine a checksum value using a AP MLD ID of the PE AP MLD and the first random ID, and based on a comparison of the determined checksum value with the first checksum ID, identify the PE AP MLD. In some embodiments, a location of a change sequence number adjacent to the MAC header enables early termination of the PE beacon frame reception.

Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for implementing a target wake time (TWT) scheme that includes traffic differentiation and service period extension. For example some embodiments relate to an electronic device including a transceiver and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The one or more processors receive an indication of traffic associated with an application. The one or more processors determine information associated with the traffic and configure the TWT scheme associated with the traffic based at least in part on the determined information. The one or more processors further communicate initial information associated with the TWT scheme to an access point of a wireless network. The initial information associated with the TWT scheme can include at least one of traffic direction information, traffic pattern information, a traffic identifier (TID), or an access category, indication (ACID).

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for encrypting media access control (MAC) Header fields for Wireless LAN (WLAN) privacy enhancement. For example, a transceiver of a station (STA) or an access point (AP) can set a real time Media Access Control (MAC) header bit in a payload of an aggregated MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU) subframe to an actual value of a power management (PM) field of a MAC header of the A-MPDU subframe. The transceiver can encrypt the payload, set the PM field to an over the air (OTA) PM value, and transmit the A-MPDU subframe over the air. The OTA PM value can include all zeros, a predetermined value, or a randomized value The transceiver can also set static MAC header bits in the payload of the A-MPDU subframe to corresponding actual values of an aggregated MAC service data unit (A-MSDU) present field of the A-MPDU subframe.

Abstract: An apparatus for time management of a peripheral device is disclosed. A peripheral interface circuit receives information from a host circuit over a peripheral bus, the host circuit maintaining a global timebase in accordance with a first clock signal within a first clock domain. The peripheral interface circuit maintains, based om a second clock signal within a second clock domain, a first local timebase correlated to the global timebase. A peripheral control circuit operates in a third clock domain and maintains a second local timebase based on the first. The peripheral interface circuit determines phase and frequency differences between the second and third clock signals in determining a correlation between the second and first local timebases. A peripheral logic circuit in the third clock domain performs, operations that utilize a timestamp from the second local timebase, which accounts for correlation with the first local timebase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a timebase is disclosed. A timebase management circuit includes limit circuitry, in a first clock domain, which generates, based on a global timebase, an initial timebase limit. The timebase management circuit includes, in a second clock domain, adjustment circuitry that generates an adjusted timebase limit based on the initial timebase limit. A storage circuit in the second clock domain stores a local timebase. Update circuitry, coupled to an output of the storage circuit, generates an updated local timebase using a clock signal in the second clock domain, wherein the updated local timebase is subject to the adjusted timebase limit.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and mechanisms for a privacy enhanced basic service set (BSS), including privacy enhancements for both access points and wireless stations as well as privacy enchantments for authentication, association, and discovery operations. Further, the systems, methods, and mechanisms disclosed may continue to support legacy wireless stations and are thus, backward compatible. A non-associated PE station may receive, from a PE access point, one or more discovery beacons advertising PE BSSs hosted by the PE access point and transmit, to the PE access point, a request to setup pre-association security protection. The non-associated PE station may, upon setup of pre-association security protection, transmit, to the PE access point, a protected request frame and receive, from the PE access point, a protected response that includes PE access point parameters.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and mechanisms for a privacy enhanced basic service set (BSS), including privacy enhancements for both access points and wireless stations as well as privacy enchantments for authentication, association, and discovery operations. Further, the systems, methods, and mechanisms disclosed may continue to support legacy wireless stations and are thus, backward compatible. A station may communicate with a legacy BSS of a wireless network to transition to a PE BSS of the wireless network. The station may receive, from the PE BSS of the wireless network, an encrypted beacon, wherein the encrypted beacon is decoded based on information received from the legacy BSS and perform, with the PE BSS of the wireless network, an encrypted handshake procedure to authenticate and associate with the PE BSS of the wireless network.

Abstract: An apparatus for time management of a peripheral device is disclosed. A peripheral interface circuit receives information from a host circuit over a peripheral bus, the host circuit maintaining a global timebase in accordance with a first clock signal within a first clock domain. The peripheral interface circuit maintains, based om a second clock signal within a second clock domain, a first local timebase correlated to the global timebase. A peripheral control circuit operates in a third clock domain and maintains a second local timebase based on the first. The peripheral interface circuit determines phase and frequency differences between the second and third clock signals in determining a correlation between the second and first local timebases. A peripheral logic circuit in the third clock domain performs, operations that utilize a timestamp from the second local timebase, which accounts for correlation with the first local timebase.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for address changing schemes for a multi-link device in a wireless communications system. Some embodiments include a privacy enhanced (PE) access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) that includes one or more affiliated APs operating on different links. The PE AP MLD can generate a first randomized OTA MLD address based at least on the MLD address of the PE AP MLD for a first affiliated PE AP (PE AP1). The PE AP MLD can transmit a first data transmission using the first OTA MLD address where the first data transmission includes an encrypted aggregated MAC service data unit (A-MSDU) subframe that includes the MLD address. The PE AP MLD can correlate the MLD address of the PE AP MPL with multiple addresses comprising: the first OTA MLD, a unique MLD address, and a Media Access Control (MAC) service access point (SAP) MLD address.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for address changing schemes in a wireless communications system. Some embodiments include an access point (AP) that can establish two or more address profiles with a station (STA), establish a schedule for switching from a first address profile to a second address profile, where the first and second address profiles are of the two or more address profiles, and transmit a first data transmission using the first address profile. Some embodiments include switching from the first address profile to the second address profile based on the schedule, and transmitting a second data transmission using the second address profile. The schedule can be based on a randomized time synchronization function (TSF). The AP can establish a joint algorithm with the STA, and use the joint algorithm determine the first and the second address profiles as well as transition times for the schedule.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for implementing address and parameter modifications for an access point (AP) and/or a station (STA). Some aspects of this disclosure relate to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a transceiver and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to communicate, using the transceiver, with a second electronic device that is associated with the electronic device using a first address and a first parameter of the electronic device. The processor is further configured to determine a second address and a second parameter for the electronic device, where the second address is different from the first address and the second parameter is different from the first parameter. The processor is further configured to communicate with the second electronic device using the second address and the second parameter.

Abstract: An electronic device that performs a scan is described. During operation, the electronic device may perform, using a scanning radio, the scan of a band of frequencies, where the scanning radio only receives frames. Then, the electronic device may receive, using the scanning radio, a beacon associated with a second electronic device, where the beacon includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in a second band of frequencies. Next, the electronic device may perform, using a data radio, a second scan of the second band of frequencies based at least in part on the information, where the data radio transmits and/or receives second frames, and where the second scan is performed, at least in part, while the scan is performed. Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device.

Abstract: During operation, an electronic device may perform, using a scanning radio, a scan of a band of frequencies, where the scanning radio only receives frames. Then, the electronic device may receive, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with a second electronic device, where the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in a second band of frequencies. Next, the electronic device may perform, using a data radio, a second scan of the second band of frequencies based at least in part on the information, where the data radio transmits and/or receives second frames, and where the second scan is performed, at least in part, while the scan is performed. Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device.

Abstract: One or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. A wireless station may enter an unsynchronized discovery mode, transmit, in response to receiving a subscribe message from a neighboring device, a publish message to the neighboring device, perform authentication and trusted device cluster provisioning with the neighboring wireless device, and protect transmissions using the security credentials. In the unsynchronized discovery mode, the wireless device may monitor a discovery channel for subscribe messages, e.g., from neighboring peer devices. Additionally, the trusted device cluster provisioning may provide security credentials to the wireless device.

Abstract: Some embodiments include utilizing a multilink media access control (MAC) address structure to support multilink devices (MLDs) that can operate concurrently in more than one link such as extremely high throughput (EHT) access points (APs) and EHT stations (STA), where the multilink MAC address structure is compatible with legacy devices. An EHT AP can utilize a multilink basic service set (BSS) identification (BSSID) MAC address to communicate with an EHT STA identified by a multilink MAC address. Values of the multilink BSSID and the multilink MAC address of the EHT STA are independent of which of the multiple links are used in the communication. In addition, to utilizing a multilink BSSID, the EHT AP can also support unique link-specific MAC addresses to concurrently support legacy and MLD stations. The EHT STA can also utilize unique link-specific MAC addresses that can be different than the EHT AP's link-specific MAC addresses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing a timebase is disclosed. A timebase management circuit includes limit circuitry, in a first clock domain, which generates, based on a global timebase, an initial timebase limit. The timebase management circuit includes, in a second clock domain, adjustment circuitry that generates an adjusted timebase limit based on the initial timebase limit. A storage circuit in the second clock domain stores a local timebase. Update circuitry, coupled to an output of the storage circuit, generates an updated local timebase using a clock signal in the second clock domain, wherein the updated local timebase is subject to the adjusted timebase limit.