Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for announcing the expected delay period between when a wireless AP stops transmitting on a first channel and begins transmitting on a second channel. After the last beacon frame is send on an old channel, a delay is experienced between transmitting the last frame on the old channel and transmitting the first frame on the new channel, where the delay varies based on the implementation of the AP and any CAC that must be performed on the new channel before broadcasting. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide an expected channel switch time element, for example, in a beacon frame or probe response frame.

Abstract: An approach is presented for client initiated provisioning. A provisioning manager determines a client-based trigger for requesting a provisioning of a client device to access a network. The provisioning manager processes and/or facilitates a processing of the client-based trigger to generate a provisioning request, and then causes, at least in part, transmission of the provisioning request to a provisioning server associated with the network. The provisioning manager receives provisioning information from the provisioning server for processing to gain access to the network.

Abstract: A method of direction finding (DF) positioning in a wireless location area network (WLAN) is proposed. A multiple antenna IEEE 802.11 transmitting device can transmit signal preamble containing multiple Long Training Field (LTF) symbols in a radio frame from multiple antennas simultaneously, which allows a receiving device to resolve multiple DF sounding signals transmitted from the multiple antennas. As a result, angle of departure (AoD) of the transmitting device can be estimated by using the multiple resolved DF sounding signals from each antenna for DF positioning purpose.

Abstract: Radio management reporting techniques can allow a reporting station to send measurement parameters in one or more radio management frames. The receiving station can receive the radio management measurement parameters within a requested time period and/or can determine when the last requested radio management measurement parameter has been received.

Abstract: A method of indoor positioning using Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) protocol with multi-antenna access point (AP) is proposed. In a wireless local area network, an AP has multiple antennas that are strategically located in different physical locations. The AP is used to exchange FTM frames with a wireless station for timing measurement of the FTM frames via its multiple antennas independently. The timing measurement result (e.g., timestamps of transmitting and receiving FTM frames) is then used to determine an absolute location of the station. A simplified Indoor Location operation with simplified deployment is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing temporal information may include a processor. The processor may be configured to provide a request for receipt of temporal information associated with a wireless communication access point, and receive a response to the request prior to either or both of authentication of a device providing the request by the wireless communication access point or association of the device with the wireless communication access point in which the response includes the temporal information.

Abstract: A method of a ranging and positioning with sensor STA/neighbor AP is proposed. An initiating wireless device establishes an FTM procedure with a responding wireless device in an indoor wireless local area network. The initiating device exchanges FTM frames with the responding device and thereby receiving a first set of timestamps from the responding device. The initiating device receives a second set of timestamps associated with the exchanged FTM frames from one or more listening devices. Finally, the initiating device determines location information from the first and the second set of timestamps.

Abstract: Various methods for determining network entity timeout values to improve keep-alive signaling are provided. One example method may comprise providing for transmission of a request for a timeout value associated with a keep-alive timer. The method of this example embodiment may further comprise receiving a response to the request, wherein the response comprises an indication of the timeout value of the keep-alive timer. Additionally, the method may further comprise determining an expiration time of the keep-alive timer based at least in part on the timeout value. The example method may further comprise providing for transmission of a keep-alive data packet prior to the determined expiration time. Similar and related example methods, example apparatuses, and example computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: An approach is provided for performing authentication in a communication system. In one embodiment, a key is established with a terminal in a communication network according to a key agreement protocol. The agreed key is tied to an authentication procedure to provide a security association that supports reuse of the key. A master key is generated based on the agreed key. In another embodiment, digest authentication is combined with key exchange parameters (e.g., Diffie-Hellman parameters) in the payload of the digest message, in which a key (e.g., SMEKEY or MN-AAA) is utilized as a password. In yet another embodiment, an authentication algorithm (e.g., Cellular Authentication and Voice Encryption (CAVE)) is employed with a key agreement protocol with conversion functions to support bootstrapping.

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: The invention relates to a communication system which comprises at least one user equipment having a plurality of identities associated therewith. The user equipment has means for storing at least one of the identities. Storage means are provided for storing at least one of the plurality of identities and means for receiving identity information from the user equipment, for obtaining from the storage means at least one identity associated with the received identity information and for sending to the user equipment the at least one obtained from the storage means.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for facilitating randomized port allocation. An apparatus may include a processor configured to receive a port allocation message from a network management entity. The port allocation message may comprise an encryption key, an initial input value, and a value indicating a number of ports allocated to the apparatus for communication on a network. The processor may be further configured to calculate at least one port allocated to the apparatus with an encryption function based at least in part upon the encryption key and initial input value. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiments include a method to perform, based on at least one of hypertext transport protocol and non-hypertext transport protocol traffic tests failing, sending an hypertext transport protocol message to a subscription remediation server URI that carries a package1 message, receiving an hypertext transport protocol response from the subscription mediation server with a package2 message, and automatically replacing a password with a new value, automatically initiating creation of a new client certificate, or launching a browser to a URI provided in the response to enable user intervention. In addition, to receive an access request from a device, determining whether credentials are valid, and if the credentials are determined valid, sending an access-accept message with a success indication, and if the credentials are determined not valid, sending an access-accept message with a success indication and an indication that access by the device is limited to only a subscription remediation server.

Abstract: A method of managing BSS network loading is proposed. An access point (AP) transmits BSS session time and data limit element in beacon or probe response frame or a response frame to a service request frame. The AP determines the session time and data limit according to the network load and AP resourced. The AP adjusts the session time and data limit dynamically. An STA decides whether to join a specific BSS based on the BSS session time and the BSS session data limit. AP encourages or discourages the STA to join the BSS by increasing or reducing the session time and data limit. The per-AP loading will be distributed according to AP's capabilities.

Abstract: A method of indoor positioning using Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) avoiding co-located access point (AP) is proposed. In a wireless local area network, an AP obtains neighboring AP location information and determines a list of co-located BSSIDs. In a first option, an STA first selects an AP and query for AP location and co-located BSSID information using ANQP (Access Network Query Protocol). In a second option, the STA first selects an AP and initiates FTM protocol with the selected AP and thereby obtaining AP location and co-located BSSID information. Upon obtaining the AP location and the co-located BSSID list, the STA can initiates FTM protocol with additional non-co-located BSSs for determining an accurate STA location.

Abstract: A method for determining access point service capabilities may include identifying, at a mobile terminal, an access point to which the mobile terminal is capable of establishing a connection, determining, prior to authentication between the mobile terminal and the access point, whether the access point supports a particular service or connection, and enabling a connection determination to be made at the mobile terminal regarding whether to connect to the access point based on whether the access point supports the particular service or connection. A corresponding computer program product and apparatuses are also provided.

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: Method, apparatus, and computer program product for wireless position determination. According to an example embodiment, location determination of a mobile device may be performed by network elements using RSSI and/or RCPI of a mobile device measured beacon from each of a plurality of access point devices. Location determination of a mobile device may be performed by network elements using WiFi Timing Measurement Action Frames to enable receiving the location of the mobile device, derived from flight times of respective signals over a plurality of the signal paths for a plurality of access point devices connected in a common network. Location determination may be performed by a mobile device using WiFi Timing Measurement Request Frames to enable receiving the location of the mobile device, derived from flight times of signal paths for a plurality of access point devices that are not connected in a common network.

Abstract: An approach is presented for client initiated provisioning. A provisioning manager determines a client-based trigger for requesting a provisioning of a client device to access a network. The provisioning manager processes and/or facilitates a processing of the client-based trigger to generate a provisioning request, and then causes, at least in part, transmission of the provisioning request to a provisioning server associated with the network. The provisioning manager receives provisioning information from the provisioning server for processing to gain access to the network.

Abstract: A security gateway/home agent controller HAC is used to assign one home agent HA from a plurality of HAs and to identify at least one security protocol that is common between a mobile node MN and the assigned HA. Establishment of a security association between the MN and the assigned HA is enabled according to the identified security protocol and utilizing bootstrapping parameters provided over a secure connection between the security gateway/HAC and the MN. The bootstrapping parameters include at least a home address for the MN, an address of the assigned HA and security credentials and security parameters for the identified at least one security protocol. In an exemplary embodiment the home address for the MN may be an IPv6 home address and the MN may have certain capabilities with respect to security protocols and ciphering suites which the MN sends to the security gateway.