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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adaptive network discovery signaling. Information is collected in a database of events, such as the discovery of a new station. The event information (e.g., new station, antenna sectors, active links) is shared with a central coordinator, or other stations in the network. Based on events, at this or other stations, signal transmission forms are adapted, for example for transmitting the beacon signals and notification signals. Adaptations of signal transmission include changing how frequently signaling is performed, timing of signaling, adjusting beam width, and/or adjusting directionality.

Abstract: A communication circuit and protocol for a wireless local area network (WLAN) using CSMA/CA and single EDCA and/or Multiple-User (MU) EDCA. EDCA functions are configured to operate with multiple sets of operating parameters providing a range of priority levels for altering on the fly the nominal access time for a STA sending prioritized packets. The STA then must switch to a lower-priority set of parameters as recompense so that channel usage remains fair.

Abstract: Stations (STAs) in the network transmit broadcast frames which incorporate sharing information about specific parameter settings in the basic service set (BSS). Updates are transmitted to the other STAs when parameter settings change, which include version information about the parameter settings. A STA receiving an update records version information, which is incorporated in any response or broadcast back to the transmitting station to indicate that the specific update was properly received. The transmitting STA can indicate which other STAs are to provide feedback to the update information. The sharing information, or indicated portions thereof, may be shared with overlapping BSS STAs as well.

Abstract: A wireless communication circuit configured for communicating over a wireless local area network (WLAN) in its reception area to communicate real-time application (RTA) packets as well as non-real time (non-RTA) packets while utilizing carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). An RTA scheduling table is utilized for tracking active RTA sessions and managing transmission times for RTA traffic. Scheduling of channel time based on the expected RTA packet arrival time, and rejecting other packet transmissions during the scheduled channel time for RTA packet.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol allowing a Transmit Opportunity (TXOP) holder to share the TXOP with other stations (STAs) residing in either the same Basic Service Set (BSS) of the TXOP holder, or in an other BSS (OBSS). An intent to share the TXOP is communicated to the Access Point (AP), and/or directly to other STAs. Scheduling information (time and duration) are shared with the STAs either directly, or through one or more APs. 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 local area network (WLAN) protocol allowing a Transmit Opportunity (TXOP) holder, whether its an AP or non-AP STA, to share the TXOP with other stations, that are either AP or non-AP STAs. An intent to share the TXOP is communicated by the TXOP holder either directly or indirectly with other STAs and/or AP, after which scheduling information (time and duration) are shared with the STAs and/or AP. When the TXOP occurs, the STAs and/or AP 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 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 sending beacons containing time and directional allocations in its 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: 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 local area network (WLAN) protocol allowing a Transmit Opportunity (TXOP) holder to share the TXOP with other stations acting cooperatively. An intent to share the TXOP is communicated to other stations that a TXOP is available for sharing, and notifying the Access Point (AP) station of the stations willing to join that TXOP. When the TXOP occurs, the stations can access the channel over different frequency domain simultaneously and for the duration specified, thus providing increased use of the TXOP to improve efficiency.