Abstract: A wireless IEEE 802.11 communication protocol under CSMA/CA for enhanced full duplex (FD) station (STA) operations. PPDU preambles are configured to incorporate STA identification and corresponding resource unit (RU) or multiple resource unit (MRU) information. An FD AP indicates STA identification and corresponding RU/MRU index of a transmission destination in the FD preamble of a downlink (DL) PPDU; while a FD non-AP STA indicates its own STA identification and corresponding RU/MRU index in the FD preamble of a uplink (UL) PPDU. The disclosed technology mitigates many issues in regard to fake collisions, partial RU fake collisions, and real collisions, toward improving communications and efficiency and reducing latencies.

Abstract: Enhanced R-TWT scheduling is performed in which the R-TWT scheduling AP can perform scheduling quickly to react quickly to changes in the network environment and optimize R-TWT scheduling for efficiency and stability. The R-TWT scheduling AP transmits R-TWT trigger frames and is able to collect information from R-TWT scheduled STAs which may affect R-TWT scheduling. The scheduling can take into account that some member STAs may be dozing (asleep) for several beacon intervals and do not wake up for the beacon, then the R-TWT scheduling AP initiates the update of parameters when needed to check on those STAs to determine if any updates are needed. The R-TWT trigger frame can allocate resource units (RU) for R-TWT scheduled STAs to communicate back to the R-TWT scheduling AP.

Abstract: New reverse direction (RD) protocols for EHT devices during reserved target wait time (R-TWT) service periods (SPs). In this protocol the R-TWT scheduling AP does not have to trigger the RD initiator when it performs as the RD responder, and can trigger TB PPDU(s). In addition, the RD initiator is enabled to inform the RD initiator to inform its non-AP peer STA about the R-TWT information in the transmitted RD PPDU. The RD initiator is enabled to send a new MU RD PPDU to both the R-TWT scheduling AP and the non-AP peer STA, which allows the AP to quickly takeover scheduling if the non-AP peer STA is a non-RTWT member and has limited access the in current ongoing R-TWT SP.

Abstract: Multi-band signaling is described for reducing signaling overhead in an apparatus and method for communications within a mesh network. The communications involve using two different beacon signals on two different communication channels. Peer beacons are sent using directional millimeter-wave (mmW) communications to provide time synchronization and resource management information to maintain existing links among one or more neighboring peer stations. A separate network discovery beacon is sent over a sub-6 GHz communication channel, to provide mesh network profile information that identifies the mesh network to aid network discovery for wireless communication stations wanting to join the mesh network.

Abstract: A non-AP STA, which is a scheduled STA having membership in an R-TWT scheduled STA, having an enqueued urgent burst of RTA traffic for the AP during an ongoing R-TWT SP of which it does not have R-TWT membership, is enabled to initiate R-TWT negotiation with the scheduling AP inside the ongoing R-TWT SP to either request a temporary or a long-term membership of the current ongoing R-TWT SP or request to setup a new temporary or long-term R-TWT SP after the current SP, but before the SP it originally had membership in, or to contend for an RA-RU in the current R-TWT SP if UORA feature is enabled. Thus, a non-R-TWT member STA is granted access for its burst traffic transmissions.

Abstract: A wireless protocol CSMA/CA and scheduling SPs of a R-TWT for RTA frame exchange. In addition to link level scheduling, R-TWTs can be scheduled from an MLD level. An R-TWT scheduling MLD is configured to schedule a Multi-Link (ML) R-TWT with SP scheduled on multiple links. These ML R-TWTs can be one or more SL R-TWTs, and a ML R-TWT can be an independent R-TWT from the SL R-TWT. The R-TWT scheduling MLD can: (a) assign a unique ML level R-TWT ID to identify a ML R-TWT, and if a ML R-TWT consists of SL R-TWTs each SL R-TWT is assigned to a unique link level R-TWT ID to identify it on its link; and (b) complete ML R-TWT signaling on one link for the ML R-TWT management on multiple links.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting simultaneous MultiUser (MU) Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) operations utilizing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) with Uplink OFDMA Random Access (UORA). Access Points (APs) trigger and obtain short PPDUs from the stations to learn spatial filtering patterns that are utilized in adjusting antenna phase differences to obtain minimum/maximum energy from this BSR. The APs determine favored and unfavored directions of communication, which are conveyed to non-AP UORA stations as channel estimation signals. The UORA stations base broadcasting on strengths of channel estimation signals to determine eligible UORA resource units. The UORA procedure to secondary APs allows a primary AP to trigger a UL-MU MIMO transmission with the number of spatial streams exceeding the number of antennas at the primary AP.

Abstract: A buffer status reporting mechanism, such as within a buffer status request poll (BSRP), in which the Access Point (AP) communicates the specific type of information that the non-AP station (STA) is to communicate back, such as within a buffer status report (BSR), about the buffers. The AP specified requirements for the BSR being characteristics of: access categories (ACs), traffic identifiers (TIDs), traffic streams, traffic directions, and/or types of traffic and quality of service (QoS) requirements which allow the AP to properly arrange transmissions to satisfy QoS requirements.

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: A wireless communication apparatus, system or method utilizing directional data transmission over a communication (e.g., mmW) band, and broadcasting time and directional allocations in each direction. Stations transmit beacons containing time, directional allocations and unallocated slots in their direction of transmission. Stations comparing beam identifications with received allocation to determine if the allocation is in the direction of reception. Stations performing receiver beamforming with a station from which a beacon was received in order to determine if the station can access the direction (channel) in its intended direction.

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: 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: 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: 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.