Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described herein for adapting clear channel assessment (CCA) thresholds with or without Transmit Power Control (TPC) are disclosed. An IEEE 802.11 station (STA) may dynamically calculate a STA specific transmit power control (TPC) value and a STA specific clear channel assessment (CCA) value based on a target TPC parameter and a target CCA parameter. The target TPC parameter and the target CCA parameter may be received from an IEEE 802.11 cluster head configured to control TPC and CCA for a plurality of STAs associated with the BSS. The target TPC parameter and the target CCA parameter also may be related. The STA may then determine whether a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) wireless medium of a wireless local area network (WLAN) basic service set (BSS) is occupied or idle based on the STA specific CCA value.

Abstract: WTRUs, access points (APs) and methods thereon are disclosed. A method on a WTRU may include receiving a message from an AP that comprises a beamformee capability element; sending a second message to the AP that comprises a beamformer capability element; and receiving, from the AP, a third message in response to the second message that indicates a group to which the WTRU is assigned. The group may be based on the beamformer capability element and the group may indicate UL transmission information to be used by the WTRU. A method on an AP may include determining a group for multiple WTRUs based on a received beamformer capability element. A method on a WTRU may include sending to an AP a message with a low overhead preamble for UL MU-MIMO. The low overhead preamble may include LTFs that enable the AP to distinguish the WTRU from other WTRUs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are related to multi-user parallel channel access (MU-PCA). For example, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is provided that is one of a plurality of WTRUs operable to simultaneously communicate via a plurality of channels managed by an access point (AP). The WTRU includes a receiver configured to receive, from the AP, over at least one channel of the plurality of channels, a group request-to-send (G-RTS) message that includes a resource allocation that indicates at least one assigned channel for the WTRU; a transmitter configured to transmit a clear-to-send (CTS) message, to the AP, over the at least one assigned channel of the plurality of channels; and the receiver further configured to receive a data message, from the AP, over at least one channel of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are provided to implement a method of communicating a feedback in a wireless local area network (WLAN). A WLAN device may receive a data frame with a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) data indicator in a frame header. The WLAN device may send an acknowledgement frame when the data frame is correctly received and decoded. The WLAN device may send a negative acknowledgement frame when the data frame is not correctly received and decoded.

Abstract: Method and apparatuses may provide multi-user parallel channel access (MU-PCA). For example, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is provided that belongs to a MU-PCA group of a plurality of WTRUs that are configured to simultaneously communicate via a plurality of channels managed by an access point (AP). The WTRU may include a receiver configured to receive a data message, from the AP, over a channel associated with the WTRU of the plurality of channels, wherein the data message is one of a group of multiple data messages transmitted simultaneously by the AP over the plurality of channels; and a transmitter configured to transmit a message to the AP over the channel associated with the WTRU, wherein the message includes an indication bit for notifying the AP whether the WTRU has uplink (UL) data to transmit to the AP.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described to implement WLAN uplink multi-user multiple input multiple output (UL MU-MIMO) communication in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 based system, using an IEEE 802.11 station (STA). The STA may receive a downlink poll frame from an IEEE 802.11 access point (AP) including one or more of a request for reporting of a transmit power, a request for a timestamp of a response frame, or a request for an estimated carrier frequency offset (CFO) value. The STA may send an uplink response frame. The uplink response frame may include one or more of transmit power parameters, timestamp parameters, or an estimated CFO value to an AP. The STA may receive a schedule frame, wherein the schedule frame may include indication to adjust one or more of a transmit power, a timing correction value, or a CFO correction value.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for improving the efficiency of resource usage while facilitating transmission by multiple providers in a WLAN system. Information elements (lEs) may be used to coordinate among providers. Provider(s) may use an auction based method to contend for the channel. A provider may elect an auctioneer or auctioneers (e.g., Provider Coordinator(s)) that may broadcast a utility metric, performance-based (e.g., Network Throughput, Network Energy Level, Network Interference Level, Channel Selection Cost,etc.) or non-performance based (e.g., bid, payment, charge, preferred provider,etc). A granting entity, e.g., a central controller, may compare the utility metrics to determine a most favorable utility metric and grant access based on the most favorable utility metric, for example, to a provider associated with the most favorable utility metric. The provider with the most favorable utility metric may gain access (e.g., be granted access and gain access) to the channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described herein for adapting clear channel assessment (CCA) thresholds with or without Transmit Power Control (TPC) are disclosed. An IEEE 802.11 station (STA) may dynamically calculate a STA specific transmit power control (TPC) value and a STA specific clear channel assessment (CCA) value based on a target TPC parameter and a target CCA parameter. The target TPC parameter and the target CCA parameter may be received from an IEEE 802.11 cluster head configured to control TPC and CCA for a plurality of STAs associated with the BSS. The target TPC parameter and the target CCA parameter also may be related. The STA may then determine whether a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) wireless medium of a wireless local area network (WLAN) basic service set (BSS) is occupied or idle based on the STA specific CCA value.

Abstract: Method and apparatuses may provide multi-user parallel channel access (MU-PCA). For example, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) is provided that belongs to a MU-PCA group of a plurality of WTRUs that are configured to simultaneously communicate via a plurality of channels managed by an access point (AP). The WTRU may include a receiver configured to receive a data message, from the AP, over a channel associated with the WTRU of the plurality of channels, wherein the data message is one of a group of multiple data messages transmitted simultaneously by the AP over the plurality of channels; and a transmitter configured to transmit a message to the AP over the channel associated with the WTRU, wherein the message includes an indication bit for notifying the AP whether the WTRU has uplink (UL) data to transmit to the AP.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may be used to support coordinated and cooperative sectorized transmissions. Power control and clear channel assessment for sectorized transmissions may be used, along with sectorized beacon and associated procedures. Transmissions in a network may be protected by a first access point (AP) sending an omni-directional transmission and a beamformed or sectorized transmission to a station (STA), an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) confirming a spatially orthogonal (SO) condition based on the omni-directional transmission, and a second AP monitoring the omni-directional transmission and confirming the SO condition. The STA may be configured to receive a request-to-send (RTS) frame indicating data is available for transmission, and transmit a cooperative sectorized (CS) clear-to-send (CTS) frame indicating an ability for multiple AP reception.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for WiFi sectorization and beamforming. In one embodiment, an access point (AP) may send a Request to Send (RTS) to a first station (STA), receive a Sectorized Coordinated Beam (CB/S)-Clear to Send (CTS) from the first STA, and receive a CBS-CTS from a second STA. The AP may then send a Null Data Packet (NDP) Announcement (NDPA), followed by a NDP. The NDP may be sent using sub-sector beamforming. The AP may receive feedback from the first STA, and may create a targeted beam to transmit data to the first STA. The AP may determine sector order and timing based on the feedback. The AP may also identify whether the STA is a sector-edge STA or non-sector-edge (or sector center) STA. The AP may allow the STA to transmit based on whether the STA is assigned to the sector-edge or non-sector edge group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may provide multi-user parallel channel access (MU-PCA) and/or single-user parallel channel access (SU-PCA) using transmit and/or receive with symmetrical bandwidth, in the downlink (DL), uplink (UL), or combined DL and UL. SU-PCA and MU-PCA may support unequal modulation and coding schemes (MCS) and unequal transmit power. Medium access control (MAC) layer, Physical layer (PHY), and mixed and PHY layer methods and procedures may support UL, DL and combined UL and DL SU-PCA and MU-PCA using transmit and/or receive with symmetrical bandwidth. MU-PCA and/or SU-PCA may also be supported by MAC and PHY layer designs and procedures for downlink, uplink and combined uplink and downlink using transmit/receive with asymmetrical bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described to implement an interference management method in a WLAN. An access point (AP) or an inter-BSS coordinator (IBC) may identify a station (STA) associated with a first basic service set (BSS) as an edge STA or a non-edge STA. The AP or the IBC may group the edge STA into an edge group and a non-edge STA into a non-edge group. The AP or the IBC may receive information associated with a second BSS. The AP or the IBC may coordinate access of the edge group and/or the non-edge group. The access may be coordinated to minimize interference of the edge STA. The access may be based at least on the received information associated with the second BSS. The AP or the IBC may adjust transmit power of a plurality of STAs identified as edge group STAs and non-edge group STAs.

Abstract: A station is used to implement non-linear coding based multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO). The station includes a processor that may be configured to perform a number of actions. For example, the processor receives a null packet from an access point (AP). Channel feedback is generated using the null packet. The channel feedback is sent to the AP. QR dependent information is received from the AP. Data is sent to the AP according to the QR dependent information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described herein for performing loop power control and transmission power control (TPC) in a wireless network. Described herein are methods including using separate power control loops for communication with an entire wireless network and for point-to-point (P2P) transmissions and separate power control loops for omni-directional and directional beamformed transmissions. Also described herein are methods and apparatuses for requesting clear channel assessment (CCA) measurements and adjusting CCA thresholds and transmission power based on the reported measurements. Methods and apparatuses are also described wherein access points (APs) coordinate transmission power to reduce interference with each other and to determine optimal transmission power to each mobile station (STA).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for training and feedback in sectorized transmissions. An IEEE 802.11 station may receive a Sector Training Announcement frame from an AP. The station may then receive a plurality of Training frames from the AP, wherein each of the plurality of Training frames is separated by a short interframe space (SIFS) and each of the plurality of Training frames is received using a different sectorized antenna pattern. The station may generate a Sector Feedback frame indicating a sector based on the plurality of Training frames. The station may send the Sector Feedback frame to the AP. The Sector Feedback frame may indicate a desire to enroll in sectorized transmissions. Alternatively, the Sector Feedback frame may indicate a desire to change sectors.

Abstract: WTRUs, access points (APs) and methods thereon are disclosed. A method on a WTRU may include receiving a message from an AP that comprises a beamformee capability element; sending a second message to the AP that comprises a beamformer capability element; and receiving, from the AP, a third message in response to the second message that indicates a group to which the WTRU is assigned. The group may be based on the beamformer capability element and the group may indicate UL transmission information to be used by the WTRU. A method on an AP may include determining a group for multiple WTRUs based on a received beamformer capability element. A method on a WTRU may include sending to an AP a message with a low overhead preamble for UL MU-MIMO. The low overhead preamble may include LTFs that enable the AP to distinguish the WTRU from other WTRUs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may be configured to support coordinated orthogonal block-based resource allocation (COBRA) operations. An access point (AP) may be configured to indicate to a plurality of stations (STA)s that it may support COBRA. Each WTRU may be configured to indicate to the AP that it can support COBRA as well. The AP may be configured to transmit a COBRA controller information element (IE) comprising a plurality of fields to each of the WTRUs. Each WTRU may be configured to transmit a COBRA controllee IE comprising a plurality of fields. STA grouping management, group maintenance, channel access, beamforming, sounding and frequency and synchronization procedures are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power savings in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are disclosed. A station (STA) may receive parameters that associate the STA to a specific group of STAs and perform a channel access during a period that is allowed for the group of STAs based on the parameters. The STA may receive information regarding an access slot that is allowed for the group of STAs and access a channel during the access slot. The STA may receive a schedule for wake up from a doze state and goes in and out of the doze state based on the schedule. A highest channel access priority may be provided to a sensor or meter type of STA. The STA may indicate to an access point (AP) that the STA will not listen to a traffic indication map (TIM) or a delivery TIM (DTIM) in a beacon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus may provide multi-user parallel channel access (MU-PCA) and/or single-user parallel channel access (SU-PCA) using transmit and/or receive with symmetrical bandwidth, in the downlink (DL), uplink (UL), or combined DL and UL. SU-PCA and MU-PCA may support unequal modulation and coding schemes (MCS) and unequal transmit power. Medium access control (MAC) layer, Physical layer (PHY), and mixed and PHY layer methods and procedures may support UL, DL and combined UL and DL SU-PCA and MU-PCA using transmit and/or receive with symmetrical bandwidth. MU-PCA and/or SU-PCA may also be supported by MAC and PHY layer designs and procedures for downlink, uplink and combined uplink and downlink using transmit/receive with asymmetrical bandwidth.