Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide signaling mechanisms for wireless networks composed of a large number of stations. An example method embodiment comprises: receiving, by a first apparatus, a request-to-send frame for a transmission opportunity from a second apparatus; transmitting, by the first apparatus, a first clear-to-send frame for a shared transmission opportunity to the second apparatus; receiving, by the first apparatus, a second clear-to-send frame as response to the first clear-to-send frame from a third apparatus; receiving a data frame from the second apparatus during the shared transmission opportunity; and forwarding the data frame to the third apparatus during the same shared transmission opportunity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide signaling mechanisms for wireless networks composed of a large number of stations. An example method embodiment comprises: receiving, by an access node of an access network, a frame from an overlapped access network, indicating time restrictions for reserving a wireless medium for the access network; and coordinating, by the access node of the access network, transmissions by members of the access network, to comply with the time restrictions for reserving the wireless medium for the access network.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments configure channel access windows in overlapping network environments. An example method embodiment comprises: transmitting, by an access node, a measurement request to an associated wireless device, to perform measurements of signals received from other access nodes to which the device is not associated, the device being a member of a group of devices based on transmission by the access node to the device, of a directional beacon frame; receiving from the device, a measurement response comprising information on a directional message with an access node identifier of another access node to which the device is not associated; and determining a time window that may be used by devices that are members of the group, for transferring data between members of the group and the access node, based at least partly on the measurement response.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide signaling mechanisms for wireless networks composed of a large number of stations. An example method embodiment comprises: determining, by a wireless relay device, a first time window allocated for a first network, allowing first maximum transmit power for packet transmissions; and determining, by the wireless relay device, a second time window allocated for a second network, wherein the second time window is allowed for transmissions also within the first network, but only with second maximum transmit power that is lower than the first maximum transmit power.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide signaling mechanisms for wireless networks composed of a large number of stations. An example method embodiment comprises: receiving by a short-range access point in a basic service set, a beacon from a long-range access point in an overlapping basic service set, indicating a beginning and ending of a first quiet interval for short-range stations associated with the short-range access point; and transmitting by the short-range access point, a broadcast control frame, notifying the long-range access point of a second quiet interval for long-range stations associated with the long-range access point, the broadcast control frame further notifying the short-range stations associated with the short-range access point that they may access and transmit data during the second quiet interval.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide signaling mechanisms for wireless networks composed of a large number of stations. An example method embodiment comprises: receiving by a wireless terminal device, a first message from an access point, the first message comprising information indicating a plurality of restricted access windows, each allocated for a different group of terminal devices associated to a wireless network managed by the access point; receiving by the terminal device, a second message from the access point, within a restricted access window of the plurality of restricted access windows, the restricted access window allocated to a group of terminal devices of which the terminal device is a member, the second message comprising information indicating that a communications channel is available; and determining by the terminal device, based on the second message, that the communications channel is not occupied by hidden ones of the terminal devices associated to the network.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and computer program product embodiments provide signaling mechanisms for wireless networks composed of a large number of stations. An example method embodiment comprises: receiving by a wireless client device, a first message from an access point device, the first message comprising information related to resource allocation that at least partly indicates a resource allocation in time-frequency space for the wireless client device; decoding by the wireless client device, the information related to resource allocation, using a connection identifier that identifies the wireless client device within a wireless network managed by the access point device, to obtain the resource allocation in time-frequency space; and transmitting by the wireless client device to the access point device, a second message using the resource allocation in time-frequency space.

Abstract: A first access node of a first network utilizes code sequences, assigned to different user devices, to distinguish at least acknowledgements received in parallel or sequentially from those user devices. The first access node determines from received signaling that a root sequence of the code sequences is in use by a second access node of a second network, then changes that root sequence of the code sequences assigned to the different user devices. In certain examples the access nodes are WLAN access points APs and the acknowledgements are received in response to a group probe/poll. In various embodiments the first AP monitors its neighbors' group probes/polls to learn the root sequences/basic service sets in use in those neighbor networks, or the AP's own stations monitor and send the information in neighbor reports. This latter option can be initiated by the stations themselves, or by the AP.

Abstract: A method includes receiving indications of a wake-up interval assigned to a station and a corresponding group to which the station belongs, wherein all stations assigned to the group are assigned the wake-up interval. The method includes waking the station during the wake-up interval and determining, using at least the indication of the group, whether information received by the station during the wake-up interval corresponds to the group. Another method includes assigning stations to one of multiple groups based on wake-up intervals, in which stations assigned to a group all have a same wake-up interval and each group has a different wake-up interval, sending indications of a corresponding wake-up interval and a corresponding group to each of the stations, and during a interval corresponding to the wake-up interval for a selected group, transmitting the indication of the selected group and associated information meant for the group.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program for controlling device-to-device connections and associated quality-of-service parameters are presented. The quality-of-service parameters of an end-to-end connection through a plurality of different radio access networks are aligned in connection with changing a communication mode to a direct device-to-device connection.

Abstract: A method of controlling device-to-device communications between user equipment, including using a network control element, which is common to a plurality of networks, including controlling any of the following functions: network access control functions, connection set-up, resource allocation, mode switching, handover, security and/or charging. Also a method of controlling handovers or connections in a device-to-device communications between a first and a second user equipment wherein the control is performed, at least in part, said first or second user equipments. Alternatively the user equipment may send reports a handover/connection is initiated/controlled based on said report.