Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for wireless local area network (WLAN) communication which support real-time application (RTA) packets. The access point (AP) schedules multiple-user (MU) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) transmissions for uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) for RTA packets by allocating resources to packet transmissions before RTA packet arrival. The AP contends for channel access before the expected time of arrival of the RTA packet in the DL or UL direction. The operations reduce RTA packet latency on the WLAN.

Abstract: A WiFi communications mechanism in which simultaneous transmission is negotiated and beamforming communications performed towards at least one station (STA), while nulling is performed towards one or more other access points (APs) to reduce interference. Omni-directional transmissions are utilized in a manner to overcome preamble interferences, which is used in combination with synchronizing symbol intervals to eliminate interference from symbol transitions. The enhanced simultaneous transmission protocol allows two APs to transmit simultaneously without interfering with one another.

Abstract: Reduced signaling overhead is provided in an apparatus and method for communications within a mesh network. The communications involve using two different beacon signals. A peer beacon contains time synchronization and resource management information to maintain existing links among one or more neighboring peer stations, while a separate network discovery beacon contains mesh network profile information that identifies the mesh network to aid network discovery for wireless communication stations wanting to join the mesh network. Embodiments describe coordination between peer stations to determine which stations are to send the network discovery beacons, so that at any given period of time not all stations need to be transmitting the discovery beacons.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus/system/method utilizing directional transmission over a mmW band performing transmission of signals on a sub-6 GHz band that aids scanning for mmW mesh network discovery. A new node sends an assistance request on the sub-6 GHz band. The network node responds to the assistance request by sending an assistance response on the sub-6 GHz band. Upon exchanging the discovery assistance request and response with the network node on the sub-6 GHz band, the new node switches to the mmW band to discover neighbor(s). The network node upon exchanging the discovery assistance request and response on the sub-6 GHz band switches to mmW band to discover new nodes. Implementations can provide assistance directly or in response to cooperation between network stations.

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: A wireless communication apparatus/system/method utilizing directional data transmission over a communication (e.g., mmW) band and propagating discovery assistance request and responses to neighboring stations (e.g., in its BSS or in the surrounding area) toward increasing network efficiency. If these stations support discovery assistance they send a discovery assistance response to the station from which the request was propagated. The STA that sent the propagated discovery assistance request processes all the responses and sends a discovery assistance response, containing information about the discovery assistance campaign, to the STA that requested the discovery assistance request.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for wireless local area network (WLAN) communication which support real-time application (RTA) packets. The access point (AP) schedules multiple-user (MU) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) transmissions for uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) for RTA packets by allocating resources to packet transmissions before RTA packet arrival. The AP contends for channel access before the expected time of arrival of the RTA packet in the DL or UL direction. The operations reduce RTA packet latency on the WLAN.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus, system or method for operation on a network utilizing CSMA/CA, in which non-AP stations can share their TXOP. After obtaining a TXOP, a non-AP station informs the AP to share the TXOP within its BSS. The AP collects buffer status and the QoS requirements of the buffer from the stations and arranges transmissions during the shared TXOP to satisfy the QoS requirement of the buffer reported by the STAs. The non-AP station can also share its TXOP through the AP using trigger frames or other mechanisms. The AP station may be part of a multi-link device and the AP can arrange transmissions on multiple links of an MLD.

Abstract: Reduced signaling overhead is provided in an apparatus and method for communications within a mesh network. The communications involve using two different beacon signals. A peer beacon contains time synchronization and resource management information to maintain existing links among one or more neighboring peer stations, while a separate network discovery beacon contains mesh network profile information that identifies the mesh network to aid network discovery for wireless communication stations wanting to join the mesh network. Embodiments describe coordination between peer stations to determine which stations are to send the network discovery beacons, so that at any given period of time not all stations need to be transmitting the discovery beacons.

Abstract: A wireless communication protocol for an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) using carrier-sense multiple-access collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) with multi-link operations. Transmit opportunities (TXOPs) are obtained by setting a random number of backoff slots, as a random backoff, for channel contention on each link, and counting down the random backoff on each link independently. When the backoff for the link reaches zero, channel access is obtained and a TXOP duration of reserved on a link whose end time cannot occur later than the latest existing TXOPs of the AP MLD. Numerous variations are described for setting the random number of backoff slots and for reserving the TXOP duration on a link.

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) 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.

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. RTA packet retransmission is performed with lower latency in response to performing an immediate retransmission scheme that can bypass the need to contend for channel access, and/or without waiting for notifications back from a receiver before channel access. In other instances the RTA packets contend for retransmission access without a contention time window increase.

Abstract: Wireless mesh networking protocols are taught that provide neighbor node discovery in a network utilizing directional transmissions. The established mesh network is utilized to trigger stations in the mesh network to assist in neighbor discovery. The new node joining the network then does not need to wait for beacons from other mesh nodes in starting the process to join the mesh network. In this way the discovery of available nodes is accelerated. Numerous variations and scenarios of the apparatus and method are described.

Abstract: A wireless communication circuit for operating over a wireless local area network (WLAN) in which real time application (RTA) traffic and non-RTA traffic coexist and are distinguished from one another. RTA queues are created to enqueue RTA packets while non-RTA packets are pushed into non-RTA queues. Management frames containing RTA session parameters and RTA queue setting information are exchanged between stations. Channel time is allocated to RTA queues for transmitting packets, during which non-RTA queues are not allowed to access the channel. Stations determine which RTA queues to enqueue an RTA packet into based on RTA queue classification information of its RTA session.

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: 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: 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 local area network (WLAN) station and protocol configured to support communicating real-time application (RTA) packets that are sensitive to communication delays as well as non-real time packets over a network supporting within traffic stream (TS) operations in which real time application (RTA) traffic and non-RTA traffic coexist. Stations can request establishing a traffic stream from neighboring stations, which can accept or deny the TS for the RTA stream. Additional information can be passed in requesting the stream or by the responder for denying the stream.

Abstract: A WiFi communications mechanism in which simultaneous transmission is negotiated and beamforming communications performed towards at least one station (STA), while nulling is performed towards one or more other access points (APs) to reduce interference. Omni-directional transmissions are utilized in a manner to overcome preamble interferences, which is used in combination with synchronizing symbol intervals to eliminate interference from symbol transitions. The enhanced simultaneous transmission protocol allows two APs to transmit simultaneously without interfering with one another.