Abstract: In 802.11ax networks with access points, a trigger frame offers scheduled and random resource units to nodes for data uplink communication to the access points. To make more effective the usage of the network, the access point may design the trigger frame to force the nodes to send some categories of data. Resource units may be defined in trigger frames to be dedicated to small packets or to some access category data. Adjusting the time length of the resource units helps restricting the type of data that can be conveyed by the resource units. Also, using various frequency widths for resource units in the same trigger frame helps reducing padding in the resource units when various traffic types coexist.

Abstract: The invention relates to improve use of resource units in MU transmissions of an 802.11ax network. An un-associated station may receive data frames over a downlink resource unit, RU, assigned to an AID, e.g. 2045, reserved for stations not associated with the AP, The AP may use a downlink RU sharing an allocation scheme feature of an uplink RU previously used by the un-associated station. The AP may also aggregated data frames addressed to several stations within the same downlink RU, for instance to acknowledge frames previously received from the stations. The aggregated data frames may signal which respective response RUs the addressee stations should use for a next multi-user uplink transmission to respond to the AP. These approaches particularly applies to the exchange of management frames for instance to speed up the association procedure of un-associated stations.

Abstract: In 802.11ax networks with access points, a trigger frame offers scheduled and random resource units to nodes for data uplink communication to the access points. To make more effective the usage of the network, the access point may design the trigger frame to force the nodes to send some categories of data. Resource units may be defined in trigger frames to be dedicated to small packets or to some access category data. Adjusting the time length of the resource units helps restricting the type of data that can be conveyed by the resource units. Also, using various frequency widths for resource units in the same trigger frame helps reducing padding in the resource units when various traffic types coexist.

Abstract: A physical AP manages a plurality of BSSs through VAPs. The AP sends a trigger frame to reserve a TXOP including resource units the nodes access to transmit data during the reserved TXOP. To improve channel utilization, the trigger frame identifies a plurality of groups, nodes of which are allowed to access the resources units to transmit data during the reserved TXOP. Thus, the AP receives, during the reserved TXOP, data from one node of a first group identified in the trigger frame and data from one node (separate from the first one) of a second and separate group identified in the trigger frame. A single access by the AP to the medium is thus required, reducing the channel occupation due to control frames. In some embodiments, the number of trigger frames can be drastically reduce, while offering resource units to several BSSs.

Abstract: A network adopts Low Latency Reliable Service measures to ensure LLRS traffic has priority over not-LLRS traffic. Active measures are applied by stations exchanging LLRS traffic in the network. Passive measures are applied by stations not participating in the LLRS traffic exchange, to reduce use of the medium for exchange of not-LLRS traffic. The LLRS traffic is thus prioritized. The AP declares the LLRS requirements for the non-AP stations to join the BSS, such as the LL measures. A non-AP station wishing to join the BSS declares its LL capabilities to implement LL measures, during an association procedure. The AP decides whether to authorize or refuse the association based on the declared capabilities, thereby building a BSS with non-AP stations that are capable of applying passive LL measures when LLRS traffic is to be exchanged between stations. Achievement of low latency, PDR and jitter requirements is consequently eased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication method in a wireless network comprising an access point and stations. The method comprises, at a station: receiving a trigger frame from the access point, the trigger frame reserving a transmission opportunity on at least one communication channel of the wireless network, the transmission opportunity including a random resource unit that the stations may access using a contention scheme; receiving parameters of the contention scheme in management frames from the access point, the parameters comprising a contention window range; contending access to the random resource unit of the transmission opportunity reserved by the received trigger frame, using a contention window value; and updating the contention window value based on the success or failure of the access to the random resource unit. The updated contention window value remains within the contention window range obtained from the most recently received contention scheme parameters.

Abstract: A NFRP trigger frame schedules multiple RU tone sets for wireless stations to declare resource needs. The AP schedules data RUs in MU UL transmissions for the responding stations. Stations relying on different technologies for scheduling the data RUs can coexist. The AP needs to know precisely which responding station accepts which technology in order to efficiently schedule them with subsequent RUs using the appropriate RU scheduling technology. The AP signals various technologies in the NFRP trigger frame, using a bitmap where each bit corresponds to a possible technology. A polled station responds when it is compatible with a signaled technology and indicates resource needs and the technologies supported. Groups of tones corresponding to respective compatible signaled technologies may be activated within the RU tone set used for the NDP feedback report response. The AP thus schedules the various responding stations using simultaneous or consecutive subsequent MU UL transmissions.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is a proposed a frame for advertising a Target Wake Time, TWT, service period designed to be sent by an access point, AP, of a first Basic Service Set, BSS, to one or more stations of the BSS, the frame including a field, wherein the field indicates whether the TWT service period is dedicated for low-latency traffic transmission. According to other aspects of the invention, there is a proposed a method and an apparatus for generating and transmitting the above defined advertisement frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication method in a wireless communication network comprising at least one network cell (BSS), each cell comprising at least one station (non-AP) managed by an access point (AP), the method comprising, at the access point: transmitting a Wake-Up radio (WUR) frame to at least one station of the network cell of the access point; transmitting a primary channel radio (PCR) frame including update information, the PCR frame being transmitted to said at least one station of the network cell of the access point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new trigger frame dedicated to NDP feedback procedure. This NDP feedback trigger frame comprises a specific field allowing stations (non-AP nodes) receiving this trigger frame to identify it as being a dedicated NDP feedback trigger frame. Thanks to this specific field, a receiving station knows that a NDP feedback procedure has started and that a NDP feedback is expected by the access point. The present invention also provides for communication methods using this NDP feedback trigger frame, communication device station and access point configured to implement these methods, and also a wireless communication network comprising such devices.

Abstract: To make effective the usage of network resources and timely handling of low latency traffic, and in particular IEEE 802.11 networks, it is described according to an aspect of the invention a method of communication comprising, at an access-point, AP: contending for access to a wireless medium, a provision period prior a start of a low latency, LL, service period, SP, dedicated for transmitting LL traffic; and upon gaining access to the wireless medium, reserving an AP transmission opportunity encompassing the LL SP, thereby allowing transmission of LL traffic during the LL SP.

Abstract: A physical AP manages a plurality of BSSs through VAPs. The AP sends a trigger frame to reserve a TXOP including resource units the nodes access to transmit data during the reserved TXOP. To improve channel utilization, the trigger frame identifies a plurality of groups, nodes of which are allowed to access the resources units to transmit data during the reserved TXOP. Thus, the AP receives, during the reserved TXOP, data from one node of a first group identified in the trigger frame and data from one node (separate from the first one) of a second and separate group identified in the trigger frame. A single access by the AP to the medium is thus required, reducing the channel occupation due to control frames. In some embodiments, the number of trigger frames can be drastically reduce, while offering resource units to several BSSs.

Abstract: 802.11ac networks define an operating band made of an ordered series of 20 MHz channels and authorize a restricted number of possible composite channel configurations to be used for data transmission. A method of transmitting data between a source and a receiver in such a wireless network may comprise, at the source: sending, to the receiver, RTS fames to request reservation of a composite channel, the RTS frames including a flag signalling the source supports transmission over un-authorized composite channels, for instance over sub-channels not contiguous within the operating band; receiving, from the receiver in response to the RTS frames, CTS frames acknowledging reservation of un-authorized composite channel configuration, for instance of non-contiguous sub-channels; and then transmitting, to the receiver, data frames on the reserved sub-channels of the un-authorized configuration, for instance on the reserved non-contiguous sub-channels within the operating band.

Abstract: In an 802.11ax network with an access point, a trigger frame offers scheduled and random resource units to nodes for data uplink communication to the access point. To avoid the overall energy level seen by legacy nodes for a communication channel to drop below a detection threshold, the invention provides two tools. First, the scheduled and random resource units may be interleaved over communication channels. Second, unused resource units may be detected, and a node or the access point may send a padding signal on them to increase the overall energy level. The latter may be evaluated during a monitoring period before deciding to emit the signal. As the overall energy level seen by legacy nodes is increased, the risk that such legacy nodes do not detect activity on a 20 MHz channel having only a subpart of its RUs used is reduced. And risks of collisions are consequently reduced.

Abstract: An access point, AP, is granted a transmission opportunity to schedule multi user transmissions with non-AP stations. The AP can provide resource units to peer stations for direct link transmission, within the TxOP. The DiL resource units are allocated for a duration. However, the duration may not match the peer needs and be too long. It results that bandwidth is lost. To give back the resource unit to the AP, a peer station sends, upon finishing the DiL transmission, a resource releasing frame, such as a QoS Null frame, to the AP over the allocated DiL resource unit. The AP may then reuse the time saved to offer more transmission time to other stations within the TxOP.

Abstract: The present invention provides according to one of its aspects a method of communication in a wireless network comprising an access point and a plurality of stations, the method comprising, at one of the stations: receiving a trigger frame from the access point, the trigger frame reserving a transmission opportunity on at least one communication channel of the wireless network, the transmission opportunity including random resource units that the stations may access using a contention scheme, wherein the trigger frame includes a first indicator specifying a traffic type of data allowed to be sent on at least one of the random resource units; determining, based on the first indicator, eligible resource units, among the resource units in the reserved transmission opportunity, for the station to contend for access for transmitting data; and transmitting data on a determined eligible resource unit using a contention scheme.

Abstract: An 802.11ax access point, AP, manage a granted transmission opportunity to schedule multi user uplink and downlink transmissions with non-AP stations. Resource units may also be allocated to non-AP stations for direct link, DiL, transmissions. To efficiently arbitrate between scheduling new MU UL transmissions or DiL transmissions, the AP must know the needs of the non-AP stations. The buffer status report, BSR, either solicited or unsolicited, provides an ACI Bitmap subfield and a Delta TID subfield to signal a number of TIDs for which buffered uplink traffic is declared. The BSR is amended so that these two subfields further signal, in addition to the buffered UL traffic, when there is buffered DiL traffic. Other subfields may provide more information on the amount of buffered DiL traffic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless communication method in a wireless network comprising an access point and stations. The method comprises, at a station: receiving a trigger frame from the access point, the trigger frame reserving a transmission opportunity on at least one communication channel of the wireless network, the transmission opportunity including a random resource unit that the stations may access using a contention scheme; receiving parameters of the contention scheme in management frames from the access point, the parameters comprising a contention window range; contending access to the random resource unit of the transmission opportunity reserved by the received trigger frame, using a contention window value; and updating the contention window value based on the success or failure of the access to the random resource unit. The updated contention window value remains within the contention window range obtained from the most recently received contention scheme parameters.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to enhanced multi-user (MU) uplink (UL) protocols in wireless networks that allow non-UL transmissions to be performed simultaneously with triggered MU UL transmissions. A station may send a trigger frame triggering MU transmissions with an appropriate signaling to allow non-UL transmissions, i.e. transmission to another station, in a resource unit of the MU transmission. Examples of non-UL transmissions include Direct Link transmissions as well as downlink (DL) transmissions. The present disclosure regards how acknowledgment of or response to such transmissions can be efficiently performed. A response resource unit to be used within a MU transmission by the DiL/DL destination station to send a response to the (DiL/DL) data transmission may be signaled in the trigger frame triggering the DiL/DL transmissions in appropriate resource units.

Abstract: The invention relates to improve use of resource units in MU transmissions of an 802.11 ax network. An un-associated station may receive data frames over a downlink resource unit, RU, assigned to an AID, e.g. 2045, reserved for stations not associated with the AP, The AP may use a downlink RU sharing an allocation scheme feature of an uplink RU previously used by the un-associated station. The AP may also aggregated data frames addressed to several stations within the same downlink RU, for instance to acknowledge frames previously received from the stations. The aggregated data frames may signal which respective response RUs the addressee stations should use for a next multi-user uplink transmission to respond to the AP. These approaches particularly applies to the exchange of management frames for instance to speed up the association procedure of un-associated stations.