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: 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: Methods and systems describe herein relate to a reconfigurable multi-radio bridge that may connect a local area network (LAN) with an access point (AP) or other WAP to the backhaul and may dynamically change and/or select transmission methods. An example implementation of a reconfigurable multi-radio bridge performs a method including discovering a topology of a network that includes one or more wireless stations (STAs), evaluating a metric for each of at least two routes discovered in the topology, receiving a packet that identifies a first STA of the one or more STAs as an intended destination of the packet, selecting a route of the at least two routes over which to send the packet based on the metric, and sending the packet from a reconfigurable multi-radio bridge over the selected route toward the first STA.

Abstract: Example implementations are directed to methods and systems employing a solicited sounding protocol that includes an efficient communication sequence for operating a wireless transceiver transmitting a sounding trigger to one or more beamformees via a forward channel, receiving at least one dedicated training signal from the one or more beamformees via a reverse channel in response to the sounding trigger, and for each of the received dedicated training signal. The method also includes estimating forward CSI derived based on the dedicated training signal from an associated beamformee; and where subsequent packets are precoded with precoding derived from the forward CSI for transmission to the associated beamformee via the forward channel. Example aspects including scheduling multiple dedicated training signals from one or more beamformees based on a single sounding trigger.

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: Methods and systems describe herein relate to a reconfigurable multi-radio bridge that may connect a local area network (LAN) with an access point (AP) or other WAP to the backhaul and may dynamically change and/or select transmission methods. An example implementation of a reconfigurable multi-radio bridge performs a method including discovering a topology of a network that includes one or more wireless stations (STAs), evaluating a metric for each of at least two routes discovered in the topology, receiving a packet that identifies a first STA of the one or more STAs as an intended destination of the packet, selecting a route of the at least two routes over which to send the packet based on the metric, and sending the packet from a reconfigurable multi-radio bridge over the selected route toward the first STA.

Abstract: Example implementations are directed to methods and systems employing a solicited sounding protocol that includes an efficient communication sequence for operating a wireless transceiver transmitting a sounding trigger to one or more beamformees via a forward channel, receiving at least one dedicated training signal from the one or more beamformees via a reverse channel in response to the sounding trigger, and for each of the received dedicated training signal. The method also includes estimating forward CSI derived based on the dedicated training signal from an associated beamformee; and where subsequent packets are precoded with precoding derived from the forward CSI for transmission to the associated beamformee via the forward channel. Example aspects including scheduling multiple dedicated training signals from one or more beamformees based on a single sounding trigger.

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: An example method of wireless data transmission may include selecting a first frequency segment and selecting a second frequency segment that is different from and non-contiguous with the first frequency segment. The method may further include encoding a first signal with a data frame using the first frequency segment and encoding a second signal with the data frame using the second frequency segment. The method may further include providing the first signal and the second signal for wireless transmission such that at least a portion of the first signal and a portion of the second signal are simultaneously wirelessly transmitted.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include a method for selectively operating a software enabled access point (Soft-AP) in a low-power listen mode. In some embodiments, a Soft-AP may use a low-power listen mode with limited or no transmit capabilities to monitor a wireless medium when not actively engaged in transmission or reception of frames. The Soft-AP may activate a fully-capable mode when there is an upcoming frame transmission from a station.

Abstract: An example method may include configuring a pattern of a sounding packet of a first wireless node in a resource space. Configuring the pattern may include assigning first precoders to a first subset of the resource space for a first antenna sector of the first wireless node; and assigning second precoders to a second subset of the resource space for a second antenna sector of the first wireless node. The method may include wirelessly transmitting the sounding packet with the configured pattern to a second wireless node. The method may include transmitting data packets from the first wireless node to the second wireless node according to one or more transmission parameters that are at least one of received from the second wireless node or determined based on channel state information (CSI) feedback received from the second wireless node.

Abstract: Wireless stations and access points may perform a wireless local area network (WLAN) sensing operation using a basic sensing by proxy (SBP) procedure driven by an SBP responder, in which case the sensing features associated with the SBP procedure are dictated by the SBP responder, or driven by an SBP initiator, in which case the sensing features are dictated by the SBP initiator. For an SBP responder driven SBP procedure, the SBP session may be requested with a reduced number of parameters that include number of respondents and maximum bandwidth. For an SBP initiator driven SBP procedure, suitable sensing responders may be identified and instructed prior to receiving a sensing request. The WLAN sensing session may be paused to enter doze mode during which no sensing frame exchanges take place between participating nodes and the WLAN sensing session does not expire and is not terminated, and may resume upon exiting doze mode.

Abstract: A method includes determining traffic priority information of a first wireless network that includes a first radio configured to communicate according to a first communication protocol on multiple overlapping channels. The method includes determining an operating mode of a second radio as a power save operating mode based on the traffic priority information of the first wireless network. The second radio is included in a second wireless network and is configured to communicate according to a second communication protocol on the overlapping channels. The power save operating mode is configured to avoid interference on the overlapping channels with traffic in the first wireless network. The method includes operating the second radio in the determined power save operating mode.

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: Methods, systems and apparatuses for non-access point (non-AP) and access point (AP) multi-link devices (MLDs) are described. A non-AP MLD can transmit, to an AP MLD, a query for information comprising at least one of one or more sets of parameters or identities associated with one or more target AP MLDs. The non-AP MLD can receive, from the AP MLD, a message comprising the information and select, based at least in part on the information, a target AP MLD of the one or more target AP MLDs. The non-AP MLD can transmit a roaming request to the target AP MLD and further receive a roaming response from the target AP MLD.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for providing detailed basic service set load information in a wireless local area network. A wireless device may receive basic service set load information including one or more of overlapping basic service set channel utilization information, in basic service set channel utilization information for a basic service set, or load history information for the basic service set. The wireless device may select a basic service set with which to associate based at least in part on the load information for the basic service set.

Abstract: An example method of wireless data transmission may include selecting a first frequency segment and selecting a second frequency segment that is different from and non-contiguous with the first frequency segment. The method may further include encoding a first signal with a data frame using the first frequency segment and encoding a second signal with the data frame using the second frequency segment. The method may further include providing the first signal and the second signal for wireless transmission such that at least a portion of the first signal and a portion of the second signal are simultaneously wirelessly transmitted.

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: An example method may include configuring a pattern of a sounding packet of a first wireless node in a resource space. Configuring the pattern may include assigning first precoders to a first subset of the resource space for a first antenna sector of the first wireless node; and assigning second precoders to a second subset of the resource space for a second antenna sector of the first wireless node. The method may include wirelessly transmitting the sounding packet with the configured pattern to a second wireless node. The method may include transmitting data packets from the first wireless node to the second wireless node according to one or more transmission parameters that are at least one of received from the second wireless node or determined based on channel state information (CSI) feedback received from the second wireless node.