Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Wireless stations (STAs) may have traffic to exchange between one another. Through establishing a direct connection with another STA, communications may flow directly from one STA to the other STA, without occupying resources of the network at the access point (AP). This may make the network more efficient, as the AP may direct those unused resources to other communication needs. When establishing a direct connection between STAs, the STAs may be unable or have difficulty determining a signal strength because different signals may be based on different transmission powers. In some examples, it may be beneficial to use a ranging frame, such as a fine timing measurement (FTM) frame, for determining a signal strength between two STAs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a wireless station (STA) to an access point (AP). The STA initiates a wireless connection exchange with the AP and offloads at least a portion of the wireless connection exchange to a peripheral device. The STA receives a message from the peripheral device, and enables secure data communications with the AP based at least in part on the message received from the peripheral device.