Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) having stations (STAs) using Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) in which at least some stations support Full Duplex (FD) transmission. Mechanisms are described in which a STA can send a preemption request to a station performing ongoing transmissions. The preempted STA detects a preemption request of this preempting STA. The preempted STA interrupts its ongoing transmission; if it has determined to accept the preemption request. Thus, the preempting STA preempts the transmission of the preempted STA, to send a preemptive transmission, after receiving notification that the preempted STA has interrupted its ongoing transmission.

Abstract: A preamble-based collision detection mechanism for use in wireless local area networks (WLANS), having one or more full-duplex (FD) stations. In addition, a new collision resolution estimation and scheduling mechanism is described for prioritized communication. These techniques can allow for more rapid collision detection and resolution, without the need of performing self-interference (SI) estimation. The techniques includes use of orthogonal preambles, in the time domain and/or frequency domain, into which FD stations embed priority information.

Abstract: Full-duplex (FD) enhancements for three scenarios with multiple APs/BSSs. (1) Multiple-AP joint transmissions on a WLAN. Toward eliminating self-interferences and other issues, certain pilot signals in the PPDU are transmitted only by the primary AP. One or more secondary APs participating in the joint transmission receive the pilots to correct their clock in the following symbols. (2) Communications are performed with extended OFDM symbols sent on a second channel which facilitate NAV decoding for stations transmitting on a first channel. (3) More than one AP can perform a joint Ack/BA to a UL PPDU. The secondary AP may utilize its full duplex capability to determine the difference of receiving status between itself and the primary AP, and forward data to the primary which it had not received.

Abstract: An IEEE 802.11 protocol in which the necessity and issues surrounding separately setting up SCS and reserving target wait time (R-TWT) are eliminated. In the present disclosure new data structures and processes are performed in which a station (STA) can request scheduling R-TWT for the traffic transmission of a stream classification service (SCS) during the setup procedure of that SCS. In using the teachings of the present disclosure, a STA can exchange a TWT setup frame on one link to schedule R-TWT on multiple links.

Abstract: A wireless communication protocol using CSMA/CA, EDCA and R-TWT to prioritize RTA traffic transmissions. During an R-TWT SP, the RTA traffic is prioritized for transmission and mechanisms are provided for assuring proper indications and termination of the R-TWT SP. During this process, member STAs communicate with the R-TWT scheduling AP when they have no more frames to send. The R-TWT scheduling AP can also terminate the R-TWT SP before its scheduled end time, allowing non-member STAs to immediately contend for the channel. In addition, the R-TWT scheduling AP can exchange frames with STAs, that have an R-TWT feature but are not R-TWT member STAs, after frame exchanges with the R-TWT member STAs during the R-TWT SP have been completed.

Abstract: A wireless communications protocol in which multiple-link operations provide enhanced efficiency in particular for non-simultaneous transmit receive (NSTR) communications between stations (STAs) of multiple-link devices (MLDs). When MLD1 is the TXOP holder of Link1 and the channel is accessed on Link2 by MLD2 for transmitting to MLD1; MLD2 immediately transmits over Link2 to MLD1, if MLD1 is receiving on Link1. MLD2 transmits a frame over Link2 to occupy the channel if MLD1 is transmitting on Link1, then when MLD1 is receiving on Link1 then MLD2 transmits another frame to MLD1.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol allowing a Transmit Opportunity (TXOP) holder to share the TXOP with other stations. An intent to share the TXOP is communicated to the Access Point (AP). Upon gaining channel access, the TXOP holder directly or indirectly communicates that the TXOP can be shared with other STAs, after which scheduling information (time and duration) are shared with the STAs. When the TXOP occurs, the STAs can access the channel at the time and for the duration specified, thus providing increased use of the TXOP to improve efficiency.

Abstract: A wireless communication circuit for operating over a wireless local area network (WLAN) supporting carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) in which real time application (RTA) traffic and non-RTA traffic coexist. Channel time is scheduled for transmitting real-time application (RTA) traffic based on expected RTA packet arrival time, with the schedule being shared with neighboring stations. Schedule time is adjusted based on schedules of neighboring stations to prevent channel contention collisions of multiple RTA traffics contending for the channel. Various mechanisms are described for supporting RTA transmissions while reducing channel access latency and contention collision.

Abstract: A wireless communications protocol for enabling legacy (non-EHT) stations (STAs) to operate on the conditional link of the Soft AP MLD. Legacy devices can connect and setup link connections on the conditional link, and the scheduler is configured to allow legacy STAs to use the conditional link if there is no IDC interference issue at the soft AP MLD. This enhanced protocol utilizes either a cooperative HCCA schedule created for simultaneous transmission and reception over the basic link and conditional link, or an adaptive polling-based scheduling performed for the conditional link in response to the link status of the basic link.

Abstract: A wireless protocol performing Restricted Target Wait Time (R-TWT) signaling and its parameters to reduce latency, such as for real-time application traffic. Further control of traffic flow is provided during the R-TWT Service Period (SP), including whether: R-TWT SP can be extended, multiple overlapped R-TWT SPs on different links can be started, spatial reuse is required during R-TWT SP, allowance of transmission outside R-TWT SP, or use of Quiet element to protect R-TWT SP, whereby R-TWT operation (mode) is described with enhanced operations. Protocol is applicable to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), and is especially well suited for 802.11be 802.11ax, Real-Time Application (RTA) traffic such as on time sensitive networks, Wi-Fi and on Multi-Link Devices (MLDs).

Abstract: A wireless station and protocols for a wireless local area network (WLAN) to support real-time application (RTA) packets in setting up an unsolicited retry policy for RTA packets within a TXOP in which the station retransmits RTA packets in time and frequency domains without waiting for feedback. Setting up block acknowledgement (BA) agreements to receive feedback for adapting future packet transmissions. Dropping an RTA packet if a retry count for that packet exceeds the unsolicited retry limit, or a lifetime of that packet has expired. Supporting multi-link devices (MLDs) including access point multi-link devices (AP-MLDs) for performing simultaneous transmit/receive (STR), and non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLDs) which are not configured for simultaneous transmit/receive (non-STR).

Abstract: Multiple solutions for a non-STR (simultaneous transmit and receive) MLD (Multi-Link Device) contending and accessing the channel on a second link, during the detection time of the packet transmission on a first link. The solutions involve performing select backoff count-down procedures, channel accessing, and backoff initialization/re-initialization that the non-STR MLD should perform on the second link during its detection time on the first link.

Abstract: An IEEE 802.11 wireless protocol which allows a non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (non-AP MLD) to access a soft AP MLD (e.g., an MLD which is not configured for Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (STR)) over a conditional link (Link2) when the primary/basic link (Link1) is occupied by another STA/MLD. Additional frame exchanges are described between MLDs to facilitate the Non-AP MLD's ability to accessing the the soft AP MLD. Utilizing the approach can increase overall network throughput in a single BSS or OBSS.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol having a non-zero backoff procedure which is bounded by setting a backoff counter to a random value greater than or equal to at least one backoff slot in starting to contend for a channel. This is preferably utilized in combination with setting the Arbitration Inter-Frame Spacing (AIFS) time to an amount less than that utilized for a legacy backoff. The parameters controlling the non-zero backoff may be set by the station performing the contention, or by an associated Access Point (AP), or in response to negotiation between the station and the AP. In some cases the station can switch between enabling and disabling the non-zero backoff procedure during different periods of time.

Abstract: A communication circuit and protocol for a wireless local area network (WLAN) using single EDCA and/or Multiple-User (MU) EDCA in which frames for Real Time Applications (RTA) can utilize shared Transmit Opportunities (TXOPs) to reduce transmission latencies. The protocol is configured in a number of ways to ensure communication fairness, such as by ensuring a minimum required channel resource is provided for transmitting frames from the primary AC during the TXOP. AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs are also supported and can exchange information on distinguishing traffic streams from other traffic streams having the same Traffic Identifier (TID), in determining which links to use for transmitting the traffic stream.

Abstract: A WLAN protocol which addresses a fairness issue in sharing MLD link access between STR and NSTR MLDs. The protocol allows NSTR MLDs to be transmitting under certain circumstances even when receiving on the other link of the NSTR link pair. A process is described in which an NSTR timer is utilized in a process of determining whether an NSTR MLD is allowed to transmit on a link of a NSTR link pair of the NSTR MLD even when it is receiving on the other link of the NSTR link pair. Numerous examples are described for utilizing this enhanced WLAN protocol.

Abstract: A wireless communication circuit for operating over a wireless local area network (WLAN) supporting carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) in which real time application (RTA) traffic and non-RTA traffic coexist. Channel time is scheduled for transmitting real-time application (RTA) traffic based on expected RTA packet arrival time, with the schedule being shared with neighboring stations. Schedule time is adjusted based on schedules of neighboring stations to prevent channel contention collisions of multiple RTA traffics contending for the channel. Various mechanisms are described for supporting RTA transmissions while reducing channel access latency and contention collision.

Abstract: Enhanced Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is performed in this protocol in which non-simultaneous transmit/receive (NSTR) Multi-Link Devices (MLDs) cooperate with each other in sharing a portion of their available Transmit Opportunity (TXOP) toward reducing contention and competition for channel access across the group of cooperating MLDs. The shared TXOP is performed at an MLD level after all links for an NSTR MLD are obtained by stations which do not need to be in part of the same NSTR MLD, thus synchronized transmissions and receptions are performed which eliminate in-device coexistence (IDC) interference in any single NSTR MLD. The time gap while awaiting for all links to be obtained, is also made use of for performing transmission(s) toward increasing data throughput.

Abstract: A wireless network communications protocol to allow sharing transmit opportunities (TXOP) in the same basic service set (BSS), or an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) over at least one channel. Sharing offer and request information is exchanged with an access point (AP) station, which shares this with APs on overlapping BSSs. Information is exchanged between stations advertising that a coming TXOP is available to be shared, and identifying stations that are willing to join it. Resource unit (RU) distributions are determined for the participant stations to use in sharing the TXOP, while the AP of the OBSS performs scheduling and distribution of RUs for stations in the OBSS.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) supporting real-time application (RTA) packets that are sensitive to communication delays as well as non-real time packets over a network supporting carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) using enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) in an EDCA queue system. At least one new access class (AC) and associated transmit queue for enqueuing RTA packets while non-RTA packets are enqueued to the original transmit queues in the EDCA queue system. A new EDCA function (EDCAF) is created for the new access class (AC) transmit queue for RTA packets in which the RTA queue is able to contend for channel before expected RTA packets arrival.