Abstract: Systems, methods, and mechanisms for a privacy enhanced basic service set (BSS), including privacy enhancements for both access points and wireless stations as well as privacy enchantments for authentication, association, and discovery operations. Further, the systems, methods, and mechanisms disclosed may continue to support legacy wireless stations and are thus, backward compatible. A non-associated PE station may receive, from a PE access point, one or more discovery beacons advertising PE BSSs hosted by the PE access point and transmit, to the PE access point, a request to setup pre-association security protection. The non-associated PE station may, upon setup of pre-association security protection, transmit, to the PE access point, a protected request frame and receive, from the PE access point, a protected response that includes PE access point parameters.

Abstract: An electronic device may transmit beacons associated with multiple access points that are cohosted by the electronic device, and that provide concurrent links in different bands of frequencies. The electronic device may include an access-point multi-link device (AP MLD). Moreover, the beacons may include: a basic service set identifier (BSSID) associated with the access points in the AP MLD, a service set identifier (SSID) associated with the access points in the AP MLD, and a MLD media access control (MAC) address associated with the access points in the AP MLD. Furthermore, a given beacon may be associated with a given access point and may include: information specifying a channel of a given link, a reduced neighbor report (RNR) providing information about at least the access points in the AP MLD, and a field that indicates when the given access point is included in the AP MLD.

Abstract: An electronic device (such as an access point) is described. This electronic device transmits an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frame to a recipient electronic device (such as a client or a station). The OFDMA frame includes multiple predefined resource units (RUs) allocated to the recipient electronic device in a set of predefined RUs having associated frequency bandwidths. Moreover, the multiple predefined RUs include two or more first predefined RUs having a first number of tones less than a predefined amount, or two or more second predefined RUs having a second number of tones greater than or equal to the predefined amount. For example, the predefined amount may include 242 tones. Note that the multiple predefined RUs may have the same or different numbers of tones. Moreover, the electronic may receive an acknowledgment or a block acknowledgment from the recipient electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device that communicates frames is described. During operation, the electronic device may transmit the frames addressed to a recipient electronic device and associated with multiple links between the electronic device and the recipient electronic device. Then, the electronic device may receive block acknowledgments for at least a subset of the frames, where a given block acknowledgment is associated with the recipient electronic device and indicates received frames on a given link in the links. Moreover, the electronic device may control an amount of traffic conveyed on the links based at least in part on the block acknowledgments. Next, the electronic device may store a remainder of the frames based at least in part on the block acknowledgments, where the frames include the subset of the frames and the remainder of the frames. Note that the frames may have a common traffic identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for address changing schemes in a wireless communications system. Some embodiments include an access point (AP) that can establish two or more address profiles with a station (STA), establish a schedule for switching from a first address profile to a second address profile, where the first and second address profiles are of the two or more address profiles, and transmit a first data transmission using the first address profile. Some embodiments include switching from the first address profile to the second address profile based on the schedule, and transmitting a second data transmission using the second address profile. The schedule can be based on a randomized time synchronization function (TSF). The AP can establish a joint algorithm with the STA, and use the joint algorithm determine the first and the second address profiles as well as transition times for the schedule.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for address changing schemes for a multi-link device in a wireless communications system. Some embodiments include a privacy enhanced (PE) access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) that includes one or more affiliated APs operating on different links. The PE AP MLD can generate a first randomized OTA MLD address based at least on the MLD address of the PE AP MLD for a first affiliated PE AP (PE AP1). The PE AP MLD can transmit a first data transmission using the first OTA MLD address where the first data transmission includes an encrypted aggregated MAC service data unit (A-MSDU) subframe that includes the MLD address. The PE AP MLD can correlate the MLD address of the PE AP MPL with multiple addresses comprising: the first OTA MLD, a unique MLD address, and a Media Access Control (MAC) service access point (SAP) MLD address.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for implementing address and parameter modifications for an access point (AP) and/or a station (STA). Some aspects of this disclosure relate to an electronic device. The electronic device includes a transceiver and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to communicate, using the transceiver, with a second electronic device that is associated with the electronic device using a first address and a first parameter of the electronic device. The processor is further configured to determine a second address and a second parameter for the electronic device, where the second address is different from the first address and the second parameter is different from the first parameter. The processor is further configured to communicate with the second electronic device using the second address and the second parameter.

Abstract: Some embodiments enable secure time of flight (SToF) measurements for wireless communication packets that include secure ranging packets with zero padded random sequence waveforms, including at higher frequency bands (e.g., 60 GHz) and in non-line of sight (NLOS) scenarios. Some embodiments provide a flexible protocol to allow negotiation of one or more security parameters and/or SToF operation parameters. For example, some embodiments employ: phase tracking and signaling to support devices with phase noise constraints to mitigate phase noise at higher frequencies; determining a number of random sequences (RSs) used for SToF to support consistency checks and channel verification; additional rules supporting sub-phases of the SToF operation; and/or determining First Path (FP), Sub-Optimal, and/or Hybrid path AWV modes and the pre-conditioning usage of these modes.

Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for implementing block acknowledgment (BA) operations for multi-link wireless communication networks. For example some embodiments relate to an electronic device including a transceiver and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the transceiver. The one or more processors transmit, using the transceiver and to a second electronic device, a first set of one or more frames on a first link and a second set of one or more frames on a second link. The one or more processors receive, using the transceiver and from the second electronic device, a first block acknowledgment (BA) frame on the first link and a second BA frame on the second link. The one or more processors further determine, based on received first BA frame and the second BA frame, a failed or missing frame of the first set of one or more frames transmitted on the first link.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for group cast with retries (GCR) in a multi-link wireless communications system. In some embodiments, an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) can exchange information with a non-AP MLD to establish a GCR-multi-link operation (MLO) agreement corresponding to a group address, wherein the information includes, but is not limited to: a GCR primary link or a GCR primary link set of the AP MLD, an association identifier (AID) that corresponds to the group address. In some embodiments, the AP MLD can transmit a GCR frame subject to the GCR-MLO agreement, where the GCR frame includes a sequence number assigned from sequence number space (SNS)_GCR_MLO defined at a MLD level, and generate a Group Temporal Key (GTK)_GCR_ML at the MLD level, where the GTK_GCR_ML enables encryption and decryption of the GCR frame.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure are directed to implementing a discovery procedure including one or more of single channel publish phases, multi-channel publish phases, and single channel subscribe phases. For example, a method includes determining, by a publisher device, a first time period for a single channel publish phase and determining, by the publisher device, a second time period for a multi-channel publish phase. The method further includes transmitting, by the publisher device, one or more frames during at least one of the first time period of the single channel publish phase or the second time period of the multi-channel publish phase. The method further includes receiving, by the publisher device, a service specific message from a subscriber device during the at least one of the first time period of the single channel publish phase or the second time period of the multi-channel publish phase.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for group cast with retries (GCR) in a multi-link wireless communications system. In some embodiments, an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) can exchange information with a non-AP MLD to establish a GCR-multi-link operation (MLO) agreement corresponding to a group address, wherein the information includes, but is not limited to: a GCR primary link or a GCR primary link set of the AP MLD, an association identifier (AID) that corresponds to the group address. In some embodiments, the AP MLD can transmit a GCR frame subject to the GCR-MLO agreement, where the GCR frame includes a sequence number assigned from sequence number space (SNS)_GCR_MLO defined at a MLD level, and generate a Group Temporal Key (GTK)_GCR_ML at the MLD level, where the GTK_GCR_ML enables encryption and decryption of the GCR frame.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for performing a channel validation by an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) and non-AP MLD are described. An AP MLD may transmit information about multiple affiliated APs. A non-AP MLD and AP MLD may validate multiple links for communication.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for performing a channel switch by an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) and non-AP MLD are described. An AP MLD may transmit information about parameters of an AP that will be implemented following an upcoming channel switch. The non-AP MLD may use the information to implement the channel switch.

Abstract: During operation, an electronic device may perform, using a scanning radio, a scan of a band of frequencies, where the scanning radio only receives frames. Then, the electronic device may receive, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with a second electronic device, where the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in a second band of frequencies. Next, the electronic device may perform, using a data radio, a second scan of the second band of frequencies based at least in part on the information, where the data radio transmits and/or receives second frames, and where the second scan is performed, at least in part, while the scan is performed. Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device that communicates frames is described. During operation, the electronic device may transmit the frames addressed to a recipient electronic device and associated with multiple links between the electronic device and the recipient electronic device. Then, the electronic device may receive block acknowledgments for at least a subset of the frames, where a given block acknowledgment is associated with the recipient electronic device and indicates received frames on a given link in the links. Moreover, the electronic device may control an amount of traffic conveyed on the links based at least in part on the block acknowledgments. Next, the electronic device may store a remainder of the frames based at least in part on the block acknowledgments, where the frames include the subset of the frames and the remainder of the frames. Note that the frames may have a common traffic identifier.

Abstract: One or more wireless stations operate to configure direct communication with neighboring mobile stations, e.g., direct communication between the wireless stations without utilizing an intermediate access point. A wireless station may enter an unsynchronized discovery mode, transmit, in response to receiving a subscribe message from a neighboring device, a publish message to the neighboring device, perform authentication and trusted device cluster provisioning with the neighboring wireless device, and protect transmissions using the security credentials. In the unsynchronized discovery mode, the wireless device may monitor a discovery channel for subscribe messages, e.g., from neighboring peer devices. Additionally, the trusted device cluster provisioning may provide security credentials to the wireless device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to support scheduled access control for an electronic lock are described herein. An initiating central wireless device obtains an ephemeral identity resolving key (IRK) to use in resolving an ephemeral resolvable private address (RPA) of a peripheral wireless device. The initiating central wireless device can subsequently connect securely to the peripheral wireless device in order to unlock an electronic lock controlled by the peripheral wireless device to gain access during a scheduled time period. The ephemeral IRK and ephemeral RPA can be used for a limited period of time and/or for a predetermined number of usages during the scheduled time period.

Abstract: An interface circuit in an electronic device (such as an access point) may receive a setup request associated with the recipient electronic device. The setup request may specify a group address for which the recipient electronic device wants to receive associated frames and a proposed transmission interval. Based at least in part on the proposed transmission interval, the electronic device may determine a transmission schedule and/or may assign, based at least in part on the group address, the recipient electronic device to an aggregated group having a flexible multicast service identifier (FMSID). Then, the electronic device may provide a wake-up frame for the recipient electronic device, where the wake-up frame includes an identifier of the aggregated group for which a group-addressed frame will subsequently be transmitted by the electronic device. Moreover, the wake-up frame may be provided at a transmission time based at least in part on the transmission schedule.

Abstract: A wireless local area network (WLAN) station (STA) reports, with a medium access control (MAC) frame, a buffer status of an urgent traffic identifier (TID) to a second STA. In some embodiments, the second STA is also an access point (AP). The delay in reporting is reduced by providing a buffer status report for the urgent TID in a data frame being transmitted to carry data for a current TID. The buffer status report, in some embodiments, provides the value of the urgent TID. In some embodiments, the buffer status report provides an indication of the amount of data in a buffer corresponding to the urgent TID. In some embodiments, the buffer status report is based on an aggregated measure of more than one buffer with data awaiting transmission. The transmission of the MAC frame, in some embodiments, is unsolicited.