Abstract: Acknowledgment and/or receiver recovery mechanisms for scheduled responses within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Explicit scheduling information is provided from a first wireless communication device (e.g., an access point (AP), a transmitting wireless communication device) to a number of other wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless stations (STAs), receiving wireless communication devices) directing those other wireless communication devices a manner by which responses (e.g., acknowledgments (ACKs), block acknowledgments (BACKs), training feedback frames, etc.) are to be provided to the first wireless communication device there from. Such direction may include the order, timing, cluster assignment, etc. by which each respective wireless communication device is to provide its respective response to the first wireless communication device.

Abstract: Transmission coordination within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within wireless communication systems, there can be various wireless communication devices therein that are not all compliant with a common capability set, communication protocol, communication standard, recommended practice, etc. For example, some communication systems may have some wireless communication devices characterized as ‘legacy’ wireless communication devices, and other wireless communication devices therein may be newer and compliant with newer capability sets, communication protocols, communication standards, recommended practices, etc. In such instances, coordination of transmissions among the various wireless communication devices may be made, when performing simultaneous transmissions, by ensuring that transmissions of devices on different channels is made when aligned on a common boundary of an OFDM symbol.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes communication interface configured to receive and transmit signals and a processor configured to generate and process such signals. The communication interface of the wireless communication device is configured to receive a first signal from a first other wireless communication device, and the processor of the wireless communication device is configured to process the first signal to determine one or more concurrent transmission parameters. The processor of the wireless communication device is configured to generate the second signal based on the one or more concurrent transmission parameters and direct the communication interface to transmit the second signal to a second other wireless communication device during receipt of the first signal from the first other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be configured to make such concurrent transmissions based on one or more considerations such as the power level of the first signal.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processing circuitry configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processing circuitry, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device generates and transmits a request to send (RTS) to group (RTG) frame to other devices. In response to the RTG frame, the device receives clear to send (CTS)(s) from one or more of the other devices and generates and transmits an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) data frame to those one or more of the other devices based thereon. The RTG frame can include different RTSs transmitted via different channels, sub-channels, sub-carriers, etc. to the different other devices.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processing circuitry configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processing circuitry, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device receives a request to send (RTS) from another device and replies with a clear to send (CTS) when the RTS includes a non-zero-valued network allocation vector (NAV) if one or more conditions make such a response permissible. The device processes other parameter(s) associated with other communications between other devices to determine if a CTS response is permissible even during the other communications between the other devices.

Abstract: A relay receives a frame from a source, and based on state of a relayed frame bit within the frame, the relay selects an operational mode: implicit acknowledgement mode, first explicit acknowledgement mode, or second explicit acknowledgement mode. The relay sets the relayed frame bit in subsequent transmissions to indicate transmission opportunity (TXOP) control of the communication medium (e.g., whether under control of the relay or the source). The source may receive acknowledgement of the relay's successful receipt of the frame implicitly via the relay transmitting a relayed frame to the destination. Alternatively, the source may receive acknowledgement of the relay's successful receipt of the frame explicitly in a response frame from the relay. State of a more data bit in the frame receive from the source may indicate the source has one or more additional frames intended for the destination.

Abstract: Multi-user null data packet (MU-NDP) sounding within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within communication systems including multiple wireless communication devices (e.g., one or more APs, STAs, etc.), channel sounding of the selected communication links between the various wireless communication devices is performed. A MU-NDP announcement frame is transmitted to and received by various wireless communication devices indicating which of those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded. Then, respective NDP sounding frames are transmitted via the communication links corresponding to those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded, and sounding feedback signals are subsequently sent back to the original transmitting wireless communication device.

Abstract: A method for multiple protocol wireless communications begins by determining protocols of wireless communication devices within a proximal region. The method then continues by determining whether the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of a like protocol. The method continues by, when the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are not of a like protocol, selecting a protocol of the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region based on a protocol ordering to produce a selected protocol. The method continues by utilizing the selected protocol by the wireless communication devices within the proximal region to set up a wireless communication within the proximal region.

Abstract: Scheduled clear to send (CTS) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Before sending transmissions, a request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) exchange takes place between a transmitting wireless communication device and multiple receiving wireless communication devices may take place therein. The transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., an AP) may generate and transmit a multi-user request to send (mRTS) frame to a number of receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs). The mRTS frame can include information and instructions therein to direct the manner by which all or a subset of the receiving wireless communication devices are to provide CTS responses back to the transmitting wireless communication device. The mRTS frame may be an OFDMA frame, a MU-MIMO frame, or a combination thereof. The CTS responses may be received in accordance with any one or combination of OFDM signaling, OFDMA signaling, and MU-MIMO signaling.

Abstract: Smart meter media access control (MAC) for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Different types of wireless communication devices may be implemented within various wireless communication systems. Some of these devices may be implemented to communicate sensing and/or measurement to one or more other devices. For example, certain devices may be implemented to perform monitoring associated with any of a number of services provided by service providers (e.g., electricity, natural gas, water, Internet access, telephone service, and/or any other service). In accordance with such sensing and/or measurement related applications, a given device need not necessarily be awake or at a fully operative state at all times. Appropriate coordination, scheduling, communication medium access, etc. among potentially many implemented devices ensures effective communication and gathering of such sensing and/or measurement related data (e.g.

Abstract: Beamforming feedback frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A transmitting wireless communication device (TX) transmits a sounding frame to one or more receiving wireless communication devices (RXs) using one or more antennae and one or more clusters. Any antenna/cluster combination may be employed in communications between TXs and RXs. The one or more RXs receive/process the sounding frame to determine a type of beamforming feedback frame to be provided to the TX. Any one of a variety of beamforming feedback frame types and a types of information may be contained within a respective beamforming feedback frame including various characteristics of the respective communication channel between the TX and each of the various RXs. A common beamforming feedback frame format may be supported and employed by all such wireless communication devices (e.g., TX and RXs) when performing MU-MIMO operation such as in accordance with IEEE 802.11ac/VHT.

Abstract: Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device generates and transmits a resource and association poll frame (ra-poll frame) to other device(s). The contents of ra-poll frame direct which of the other device(s) is authorized to respond to the device (e.g., authorized device(s)) and the manner in which they are authorized to respond. Authorized device(s) transmit responses that may include association request(s) and/or a resource request(s), among other types of communications.

Abstract: Communications are coordinated between different respective wireless communication device groups in a multiple delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) per device signaling scheme. Different respective wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless stations (STAs)) may communicate with a manager/coordinator wireless communication device (e.g., access point (AP)) at different times and for different reasons. The manager/coordinator wireless communication device generates and transmits beacons to the wireless communication devices specifying times during which communications may be supported with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device. A restricted access window (RAW) information element (IE) within a beacon includes at least one restricted access window (RAW) to specify a wireless communication device authorized to communicate with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device.

Abstract: Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g.

Abstract: A relay wireless communication device is implemented to perform buffer management and coordination with a source wireless communication device. A relay wireless communication device (generally, a relay) informs a source wireless communication device (source) of the status of memory therein to store messages intended for a destination wireless communication device (destination). For example, the source transmits information to the relay, which buffers information before forwarding it on to the destination. This buffering may be a function of the source having additional information intended for the relay and/or destination. The relay performs appropriate signaling, such as suspend transmission requests and resume transmission requests, to inform other devices in the system of its memory storage status (e.g., such as when having an actual or anticipated overflow).

Abstract: A signaling protocol allows for speed frame exchange between different wireless communication devices within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communication system. A listening wireless communication device analyzes state of speed frame indicator bits within frames transmitted from a first other wireless communication device to determine the entire radio frame exchanges between that first other wireless communication device and a second other wireless communication device. The second other wireless communication device may be a hidden node relative to the listening wireless communication device such that all or less than all transmissions from the hidden node are received by the listening device. The listening wireless communication device determines the status of the communication medium (e.g.

Abstract: A disk-error detection system may include a storage array having a plurality of storage disks configured to store data. The disk-error detection system may include a processor in communication with the storage disks. The processor may detect presence of a media error in a storage disk from the plurality of storage disks during a read operation of the data stored on the storage disk. The processor may perform a media-error detection scan of a predetermined portion of the storage disk in response to the detection of the media error. The location on the storage disk of the predetermined portion of the storage disk may be based on location of the media error on the storage disk. A method and computer-readable medium may also implement disk-error detection.

Abstract: Session recovery after network coordinator or AP restart for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Restart or reset of a network coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP) or other network coordinator type device) may occur for various reasons (e.g., a power cycle or power failure, inadequate failover protection, scheduled or planned power outages such as for including network maintenance, software upgrades, etc.). Upon determination of network coordinator restarted or reset, a singular bit within a communication from the network coordinator indicates synchronization or not of the its timing synchronization function (TSF) (e.g., with other devices in the communication system, such as wireless stations (STAs), smart meter stations (SMSTAs), etc.). A given device (e.g., STA, SMSTA, etc.) can provide its current TSF to the network coordinator so that it can resynchronize, re-establish its scheduled for wake times of those devices (e.g., target wake times (TWTs)), etc.

Abstract: Acknowledgment and/or receiver recovery mechanisms for scheduled responses within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Explicit scheduling information is provided from a first wireless communication device (e.g., an access point (AP), a transmitting wireless communication device) to a number of other wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless stations (STAs), receiving wireless communication devices) directing those other wireless communication devices a manner by which responses (e.g., acknowledgments (ACKs), block acknowledgments (BACKs), training feedback frames, etc.) are to be provided to the first wireless communication device there from. Such direction may include the order, timing, cluster assignment, etc. by which each respective wireless communication device is to provide its respective response to the first wireless communication device.