Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for establishing a virtual communication link including at least a first and second physical link between two devices. A single virtual packet queue of a device may receive one or more data packets to be transmitted via the virtual communication link. The single virtual packet queue may attach a virtual sequence number to each of the one or more data packets and send the one or more data packets to one or more of the first or the second physical link according to the assigned virtual sequence numbers. The one or more packets may then be communicated via the first and/or second physical links according to link specific sequence numbers, such as medium access control (MAC) sequence numbers, assigned to the one or more data packets by the first and/or second physical links.

Abstract: An access point can include an array of antennas and a smart antenna selector. The smart antenna selector is configured to select a subset of antennas from the antenna array for use in multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU MIMO) data transmissions. Stations that are communicatively coupled to the access point can be selected for inclusion in a multi-user group based, at least in part, on performance measurements of the stations. Performance measurements are determined directly and indirectly from data transmissions sent in response to sounding packets. Antennas for use in MU MIMO data transmissions are selected for the antenna array based, at least in part, on previous antenna selections used for single user data transmissions.

Abstract: A method of performing MIMO wireless communication includes identifying a first wireless device that qualifies for inclusion in a multi-user (MU) group and identifying a set of one or more candidate wireless devices, distinct from the first wireless device, that qualify for inclusion in the MU group. The set includes a second wireless device. A determination is made that an estimated MU-mode net goodput for the first and second wireless devices is greater than an estimated average single-user-mode net goodput for the first and second wireless devices. The first and second wireless devices are included in the MU group based at least in part on the determination. A transmission is sent to the MU group. Net goodput corresponds to a number of bits that may be successfully transmitted divided by a sum of a time to transmit the number of bits and a time associated with network overhead.

Abstract: System and method for improving channel efficiency in a wireless link between an access-point transceiver and a first transceiver. The first transceiver may have a first data throughput rate that is lower than the maximum possible data throughput rate of the wireless link. The first transceiver may include a first receive buffer. An indication of the first data throughput rate and a size of the first receive buffer may be received and stored by the access-point transceiver. A first size of a first data packet for transmission to the first transceiver may be determined by the access-point transceiver based on one or more of the first data throughput rate and/or the size of the first receive buffer. The first data packet of the first size may be transmitted to the first transceiver by the access-point transceiver at a data rate that is higher than the first data throughput rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for content optimization of a physical layer preamble. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for encapsulating a payload for transmission through a network is disclosed. The method comprises the step of programming a legacy physical layer length value in a legacy physical layer preamble. The legacy physical layer preamble is configured such that it can be received by any legacy stations that may be on the network, and such that a separate physical layer length value can be derived from the legacy physical layer preamble. Using such a system, content optimization of a physical layer preamble is provided.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for operating a client device to communicate with a wireless access point to validate data within a frame by comparing channel quality metrics and duration metrics to thresholds. Information received within a validity window may be treated as correctly received even if the frame fails a subsequent verification process or if reception of the frame is terminated prior to the end of the frame.

Abstract: As one example, an apparatus for wireless communications includes a processing system configured to communicate with several receivers including a first receiver and a second receiver. The processing system is configured to generate an aggregate data packet including several data packets that include a first data packet and a second data packet. The first data packet is destined for the first receiver and the second data packet is destined for the second receiver. The aggregate data packet includes a delimiter that includes a group identifier for determining, at the first receiver, that at least one of the data packets, including the first data packet, is destined for the first receiver. The group identifier is also for determining, at the second receiver, that at least one of the data packets, including the second data packet, is destined for the second receiver.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for performing ranging operations between two wireless devices without employing cyclic shift diversity (CSD) compensation techniques. For some embodiments, a first wireless device sends a negotiation request frame requesting the second wireless device to respond to subsequently received frames of a specified type using a selected one of the transmit chains in the second wireless device. Thereafter, the first wireless device sends a data frame to the second wireless device to initiate a ranging operation. The second wireless device sends a response frame of the specified type to the first wireless device using the selected one of the transmit chains.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for increasing the speed with which a number of stations associated with an IBSS network may be synchronized and/or for reducing the number of beacon frame collisions in the IBSS network. For at least some embodiments, the synchronization speed may be increased by allowing STAs having faster clock speeds to broadcast beacon frames more frequently than STAs having slower clock speeds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses are described for wireless communications in which first type of traffic may be transmitted from a gateway access point (AP) directly to a station. Beacon signals transmitted to the station are transmitted as part of the first type of traffic. A second type of traffic may be transmitted from the gateway AP to the station via at least one relay AP. The first type of traffic may include low-throughput traffic and may be transmitted over a long-range radio link (e.g., 2 GHz band link or sub-1 GHz band link). The second type of traffic may include high-throughput traffic and may be transmitted over at least one short-range radio link (e.g., 5 GHz band link). The gateway AP may receive low-throughput traffic directly from the station and high-throughput traffic from the station via the at least one relay AP.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically adapting channel access or transmission parameters based upon an identified channel access parameter or previously used transmission parameter are disclosed. In an aspect, an electronic device for communication over a wireless network is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a processor configured to generate a message that identifies one rule of a plurality of rules. Each of the plurality of rules defines a process for adapting a value of a communication parameter based on an identified channel access parameter. Also, each of the plurality of rules provides a particular quality of service and a particular priority for communication with the electronic device. The electronic device further comprises a transceiver configured to transmit the message to a station.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for preferentially locating a candidate channel likely to have an active network during a WLAN scanning process of an increased bandwidth. The candidate channel may be detected using spectral analysis of a received signal that may involve any combination FFT captures and correlation operations associated with detecting packets. Upon identification of a candidate channel, a wireless communications device may switch to that channel to receive and process one or more packets to determine the existence of a BSS available for association.

Abstract: Overhead associated with packet communication is reduced by combining or eliminating one or more fields of a packet. In some implementations, a reduction in overhead associated with packets employing security (e.g., IEEE 802.11ah packets) can be achieved by reducing overhead associated with verification-related fields. For example, a packet can include a merged frame check sequence (FCS) and an integrity check value (ICV). In some implementations, an FCS is omitted from a packet.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for power conservation in a wireless communications system through efficient transmissions and acknowledgements of information between an AP and a station. The time between a determination by a station to enter a power saving mode and entering network sleep mode by the station may be reduced through a transmission, by an AP, of an MPDU to the station successive to an SIFS after transmission of an acknowledgement to the station of a PS-Poll frame from the station. The time to enter a power saving mode by a station may also be reduced through transmission of A-MPDUs in which a last MPDU of the A-MPDU has an indicator bit cleared to indicate no additional data is to be transmitted. An AP may prevent a retransmission of an MPDU to the station in the absence of an acknowledgement from the station, to further enhance efficiency.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for power conservation in a wireless communications system through efficient transmissions and acknowledgements of information between an AP and a station. The time between a determination by a station to enter a power saving mode and entering network sleep mode by the station may be reduced through a transmission, by an AP, of an MPDU to the station successive to an SIFS after transmission of an acknowledgement to the station of a PS-Poll frame from the station. The time to enter a power saving mode by a station may also be reduced through transmission of A-MPDUs in which a last MPDU of the A-MPDU has an indicator bit cleared to indicate no additional data is to be transmitted. An AP may prevent a retransmission of an MPDU to the station in the absence of an acknowledgement from the station, to further enhance efficiency.

Abstract: This disclosure includes systems and methods for determining the location of each of a plurality of STAs of a WLAN where an AP measures the round-trip time (RTT) and the angle of arrival (AOA) to each STA from implicit packet exchange, such as data frame and ACK frame. The AP may then report the RTT and AOA measurements to each STA using a dedicated beacon information element (IE) which multicasts RTT and AOA measurements to the STAs. By employing an additional parameter, namely, angle of arrival AOA, a single AP may compute the two-dimensional location of each associated STA. Further, another beacon IE may multicast mapping of the AIDs to MAC addresses so that the associated STAs can understand such mapping for STAs in a network so that one STA may know the location of other STAs. Encryption may be employed to achieve privacy.

Abstract: Inkjet droplets having a vaporizable carrier fluid are jetted from a printhead according to image data. A heated condensation shield between the printhead and a target area at which the printhead directs drops protects against condensation of vaporized carrier fluid and creates heat. A heat shield between the printhead and a support structure for the printhead protects the printhead and support structure from heat and condensation. A heated zone exists between the heat shield and the condensation shield. The condensation shield is heated to a temperature above a condensation temperature of vaporized carrier fluid in the second region so that ink droplets that pass through the heated zone are heated in a manner that causes ink droplets having a first concentration to spread when printed onto a paper in the target area as if the ink droplets had a higher concentration of at least one percent.

Abstract: An access point can include an array of antennas and a smart antenna selector. The smart antenna selector is configured to select a subset of antennas from the antenna array for use in multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU MIMO) data transmissions. Stations that are communicatively coupled to the access point can be selected for inclusion in a multi-user group based, at least in part, on performance measurements of the stations. Performance measurements are determined directly and indirectly from data transmissions sent in response to sounding packets. Antennas for use in MU MIMO data transmissions are selected for the antenna array based, at least in part, on previous antenna selections used for single user data transmissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting short interframe space information to aid in determining a round trip time are provided. The round trip time is used as an aid in locating nodes within a WiFi or WLAN network. The method begins with capturing a time of transmission of a frame by a transmitting station. The receiving station then captures the time of arrival of the frame just sent by the transmitting station. The receiving station replies with a received frame message and the time of departure is captured. The transmitting station then captures the time of arrival of the received frame message. The captured arrival and departure times of the frame and the received frame message allow the round trip time to be computed. The RTT may then be included as part of a network message.

Abstract: Inkjet droplets having a vaporizable carrier fluid are jetted from a printhead according to image data. A heated condensation shield is used between a printhead and a target area at which the printhead directs drops protects against condensation of vaporized carrier fluid and creates heat. A heat shield is used between the printhead and a support structure for the printhead protects the printhead and support structure from heat and condensation. A heated zone exists between the heat shield and the condensation shield. The condensation shield is heated to a temperature above a condensation temperature of vaporized carrier fluid in the second region so that ink droplets that pass through the heated zone are heated in a manner that causes ink droplets having a first concentration to spread when printed onto a paper in the target area as if the ink droplets had a higher concentration of at least one percent.