Abstract: An apparatus capable of multi-link operations with respect to a first link and a second link obtains a second transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the second link after one other apparatus has started a first TXOP on the first link. The apparatus performs one or more transmissions during the second TXOP on the second link such that the second TXOP is at least partially synchronized with the first TXOP on the first link.

Abstract: An apparatus implemented in a master access point (AP) selects at least one basic service set (BSS) from one or more neighbor BSSs to form a spatial reuse group (SRG). The apparatus then performs coordinated spatial reuse (CSR) in the SRG with a set of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) power detection (PD) parameters.

Abstract: A physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmission method includes aligning parameters of a plurality of links for constraining the plurality of links to have same capacity for PPDU transmission, and transmitting PPDUs via the plurality of links. Highest capacity supported by one of the plurality of links is different from highest capacity supported by another of the plurality of links. Each of the PPDUs is generated and transmitted under the same parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., an access point (AP) establishes a plurality of links comprising a primary link and at least a secondary link. The apparatus transmits a management frame on the primary link to indicate a multi-link capability of the AP. The apparatus configures the secondary link for one or more non-AP stations (STAs), which are capable of operating on the primary link and the secondary link, with multi-link capability and operating parameters through an association procedure on the primary link.

Abstract: A link condition announcement method is employed by a wireless fidelity (WiFi) multi-link device (MLD), and includes: obtaining information of a traffic condition of each of a plurality of links owned by the WiFi MLD according to traffic statistics of each of the plurality of links, and transmitting the information of the traffic condition of each of the plurality of links to another WiFi MLD that communicates with the WiFi MLD.

Abstract: A control link switch method is employed by a wireless fidelity (WiFi) multi-link device (MLD). The control link switch method includes: sending a request frame to another WiFi MLD for requesting a switch process of switching a current control link to a new control link, and receiving a response frame from another WiFi MLD. After the response frame is received, the new control link is selectively enabled at the WiFi MLD.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide apparatus and methods for multi-link operations that include retransmission of data using different wireless links. The following discussion describes one such exemplary electronic system or computer system that can be used as a platform for implementing embodiments of the present invention. The multi-link device can be a multi-link wireless access point or a multi-link wireless station, for example. The multi-link device can operate multiple transceivers simultaneously to perform multi-link operations including retransmission using different wireless links. For example, the multi-link device can transmit an encrypted MPDU using a first wireless link, and retransmit the MPDU using a second wireless link by setting a MAC header of the MPDU according to a MAC address of the second wireless link, to advantageously enhance the performance, reliability, and efficiency of the wireless network.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN)), receives, from an access point (AP), a frame comprising a multi-link configuration information element (IE) that indicates one or more enabled links as a subset of one or more supported links for a traffic identifier (TID). Accordingly, the apparatus transmits, to the AP, data over at least one of the one or more enabled links corresponding to the TID.

Abstract: A first apparatus communicates with a second apparatus via a first link in a first frequency band and via a second link in a second frequency band different than the first frequency band by performing operations. For example, the first apparatus performs an independent enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) on each of the first link and the second link. Then, the first apparatus obtains a transmit opportunity (TXOP). Next, the first apparatus synchronizes a starting time and/or an ending time of a transmission and a reception on the first link and the second link to avoid causing an in-device coexistence (IDC) interference due to the transmission and the reception occurring simultaneously. Alternatively, the first apparatus refrains from transmitting and receiving on the first link and the second link simultaneously to avoid causing the IDC interference.

Abstract: A first access point (AP) receives a second spatial reuse parameter (SRP) related to a second AP from the second AP. The first AP transmits the second SRP to at least a first communication device associated with the first apparatus. The first AP then receives a uplink (UL) transmission from the first communication device with a transmit power of the UL transmission controlled based on the second SRP.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and methods for performing HARQ operations using parallel HARQ threads, where each new transmission of a Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (MPDU)/Aggregate-MPDU (A-MPDU)/Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Service Data Unit (PSDU) triggers the activation of a HARQ thread. Each HARQ thread contains one or more HARQ coding words or coding units. A HARQ thread index is setup by a transmission opportunity (TXOP) holder for a corresponding PSDU and is used to identify HARQ threads. Transmission information such as duration in formation for PPDUs including BA/HARQ-ACK feedback such as RX/TX addresses, etc. can be determined according to previous transmission values of a received PPDU (e.g., values of a MAC or PHY header).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatus and methods for performing HARQ operations using parallel HARQ threads, where each new transmission of a MPDU/A-MPDU/PSDU triggers the activation of a HARQ thread. Each HARQ thread contains one or more HARQ coding words or coding units. A HARQ thread index is setup by a transmission opportunity (TXOP) holder for a corresponding PSDU and is used to identify HARQ threads. Multiple HARQ threads can be aggregated into one PPDU for transmission (or retransmission). The maximum number of HARQ threads can be negotiated between AP and non-AP STAs based on buffer requirements, for example. A HARQ thread can end when all MPDUs associated with the HARQ thread have been decoded or other predetermined conditions are met.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for accessing multiple wireless links simultaneously during a transmission opportunity granted to a wireless STA to increase throughput of the wireless network while advantageously preventing or mitigating the IDC interference caused by simultaneous transmission and reception of data over multiple wireless bands. According to some embodiments, a wireless STA can be prevented from accessing a wireless medium to transmit data to a peer wireless STA when the peer wireless STA is already transmitting data, or may be transmitting data, or is scheduled to transmit data in the immediate future. According to some embodiments, access to a wireless medium for performing a multi-link operation can be prevented responsive to IDC interference.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for a MAP wireless network that includes a collaborative channel sounding measurement phase to determine channel state information between devices (e.g., the channel state between an STA and a collaborative AP) for efficient configuration of the MAP wireless network and to improve the performance of the MAP wireless networks. The wireless AP and wireless STAs associated with the collaborative APs can simultaneously transmit by applying collaborative beamforming where the interferences between channels nullify each other (e.g., nulling), and the beamforming is performed based on a sounding phase performed by the collaborative APs. The sounding protocol can include a collaborative sounding measurement phase and a collaborative sounding feedback report phase, using Null Data Packets (NDPs), for example, as described herein according to embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and device for multi-AP beamforming (e.g., nulling) and spatial reuse to mitigate interference and improve the performance of MAP wireless networks. According to one embodiment, multiple APs agree to collaborate in multi-AP beamforming, transmissions of received PDDUs are measured to determine interference information, the APS generate interference maps, and the APs perform joint and Multi-AP beamforming in a first and second BSS to avoid/mitigate interference of the MAP wireless network. An RTS and CTS frame exchange sequence can be performed prior to Multi-AP beamforming between BSSs using a flag/indicator in the RTS frame to indicate coordinated transmission, or an UL trigger frame can be used to indicate a coordinated UL transmission.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for synchronous independent channel access in a wireless network. The synchronous independent channel access can be performed by a wireless station having multiple transceivers for simultaneous communication over multiple wireless bands. A wireless station can connect wirelessly to a wireless access point to access a first primary wireless band during a transmission opportunity, and can use early access on a second primary wireless band without receiving a transmission opportunity. The transmission and reception of data frames over the different primary channels are synchronized to prevent or mitigate inter-channel interference. According to some embodiments, the channels are synchronized using back-off procedures and/or padding to align the ending time of transmitted and received data frames, for example.

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 request 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 a current threshold and pertinent policies, an STA can decide whether to initiate an RTS/CTS transmission sequence.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for hybrid ARQ acknowledgement and retransmission requests for decoding failed MPDUs of an A-MPDU received by an STA. The source address and receiver address of a failed MPDU can be verified according to a MAC header CRC that can be included in an A-Control frame, for example. For verifying the source address and the receiver address in MAC header, according to some embodiments, the MAC header CRC is jointly calculated over the first two octets of the MPDU delimiter of an A-MPDU subframe. Moreover, a Hybrid ARQ frame is defined to include Block Ack Bitmap subfield representing the received status of a plurality of MPDUs according to starting sequence control number, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for coordinated multi-AP channel access in a wireless network. A wireless AP that obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) (a “coordinator AP”) can grant one or more STAs or APs under control of the coordinator AP the use of some of the bandwidth granted by the TXOP. The STAs or APs that are granted the use of the bandwidth are referred to as “coordinated APs.” Thereafter, a coordinator AP or a coordinated AP can create a new basic service set (BSS) of devices for coordinating data transmissions. For example, the coordinated AP may serve as a relay, where the coordinated AP services devices in a new BSS by sending and receiving data with a coordinator AP in a different BSS.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for simultaneous transmission and reception of data wirelessly using different wireless bands. The multi-link operations described herein can provide higher network throughput and improved network flexibility compared to traditional techniques to wireless communication. Link management operations such as enabling and disabling of a link may be performed by an AP or STA by sending a frame over a link that is currently active. Moreover, an AP may request a switch to a different link available on the AP side for MLO, for example, when a link is occupied by interference and is not available when AP needs to use the link, and the operating parameters of a target link can be updated.