Coordinated multi-user transmission with multiple access points

Abstract

A first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations generates a notification frame that notifies a coordinated multi-user (MU) transmission involving multiple APs, including the first AP and one or more second APs. Each of the second APs is associated with one or more corresponding second client stations. The notification frame indicates that one or more frequency resource elements (RUs) allocated to the one or more second APs are used for the coordinated MU transmission. The first AP transmits the notification frame to the one or more second APs to initiate and participate in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 821,936, filed March 21, 2019, entitled "Access Point (AP) Coordinated Orthogonal Frequency Multiple Access (OFDMA)"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 837,106, filed April 22, 2019, entitled "Access Point (AP) Coordinated Orthogonal Frequency Multiple Access (OFDMA)"; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 934,452, filed November 12, 2019, entitled "Access Point (AP) Coordinated Orthogonal Frequency Multiple Access (OFDMA)". All of the above-cited applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more specifically to the coordination of multiple access points in multiple wireless local area networks. Background Technology

[0004] Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) have developed rapidly over the past two decades, and advancements in WLAN standards such as the IEEE 802.11 series have increased peak data rates per user. One way to increase data rates is to increase the frequency bandwidth of the communication channels used in WLANs. For example, the IEEE 802.11n standard allows the aggregation of two 20MHz sub-channels to form a 40MHz aggregated communication channel, while the newer IEEE 802.11ax standard allows the aggregation of up to eight 20MHz sub-channels to form a 160MHz aggregated communication channel. Work has now begun on a new iteration of the IEEE 802.11 standard, known as the IEEE 802.11be standard, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) WLAN. The IEEE 802.11be standard may allow the aggregation of up to 16 20MHz sub-channels (or possibly more) to form a 320MHz aggregated communication channel (or even wider aggregated communication channels).

[0005] As the density of IEEE 802.11 WLANs increases over time, access points (APs) often find it more difficult to find several idle 20MHz sub-channels that can be aggregated to form larger aggregated channels. One way to increase the possibility of WLANs utilizing wider frequency bandwidth is to allow APs in adjacent networks to coordinate the use of sub-channels between WLANs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one embodiment, a method for wireless communication by a first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations includes: generating a notification frame at the first AP, the notification frame notifying coordinated multi-user (MU) transmission involving a plurality of APs, the plurality of APs including the first AP and one or more second APs, each of the second APs being associated with a corresponding one or more second client stations, wherein the notification frame is generated to indicate a corresponding one or more frequency resource elements (RUs) allocated to the one or more second APs for coordinated MU transmission; transmitting the notification frame from the first AP to the one or more second APs to initiate coordinated MU transmission; and the first AP participating in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission.

[0007] In another embodiment, a first AP associated with one or more first client stations includes: a wireless network interface device including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices. The one or more IC devices are configured to: generate a notification frame announcing a coordinated MU transmission involving a plurality of APs, including a first AP and one or more second APs, each of the second APs being associated with a corresponding one or more second client stations, wherein the notification frame is generated to indicate a corresponding one or more RUs assigned to the one or more second APs for the coordinated MU transmission; control the wireless network interface device to transmit the notification frame to the one or more second APs to initiate the coordinated MU transmission; and control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method for wireless communication by a first AP associated with one or more first client stations includes: receiving at the first AP a notification frame from a second AP associated with one or more second client stations, the notification frame notifying coordinated MU transmission involving at least the first AP and the second AP, wherein the notification frame includes an indicator of a frequency resource element (RU) allocated to the first AP for coordinated MU transmission; and using the frequency RU indicated by the notification frame, the first AP participates in the coordinated MU transmission, while the second AP also participates in the coordinated MU transmission.

[0009] In another embodiment, a first AP associated with one or more first client stations includes a wireless network interface device (NIC) comprising one or more IC devices. The one or more IC devices are configured to: receive a notification frame from a second AP associated with one or more second client stations, the notification frame notifying coordinated MU (Multi-Use Transport) transmission involving at least the first AP and the second AP, wherein the notification frame includes an indicator of a frequency RU assigned to the first AP for coordinated MU transmission; and control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission using the frequency RU indicated by the notification frame, while the second AP also participates in the coordinated MU transmission. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1A This is a block diagram of an example communication system according to one embodiment, including multiple access points (APs) participating in coordinating multi-user (MU) transmissions.

[0011] Figure 1B According to one embodiment Figure 1A A block diagram of an example AP in a communication system.

[0012] Figure 1C According to one embodiment Figure 1A A block diagram of an example client station in a communication system.

[0013] Figure 2 According to one embodiment, by Figure 1A A diagram illustrating an example of a communication system implementation coordinating MU downlink (DL) transmission.

[0014] Figure 3 According to another embodiment, by Figure 1A Another example of a communication system implementation is a diagram of coordinated MU DL transmissions.

[0015] Figure 4 According to another embodiment, by Figure 1A Another example of a communication system implementation is a diagram of coordinated MU DL transmissions.

[0016] Figure 5 According to one embodiment, in such Figures 2-4 A diagram illustrating an example acknowledgment process used in the coordinated MU DL transmission.

[0017] Figure 6 According to another embodiment, in such Figures 2-4 A diagram of another example acknowledgment process used in the coordinated MU DL transmission.

[0018] Figure 7 According to another embodiment, in such Figures 2-4 A diagram of another example acknowledgment process used in the coordinated MU DL transmission.

[0019] Figure 8 According to one embodiment, by Figure 1A A diagram illustrating an example of a communication system implementation coordinating MU uplink (UL) transmissions.

[0020] Figure 9 According to another embodiment, by Figure 1A Another example of a communication system implementation is a diagram of coordinated MU UL transmissions.

[0021] Figure 10 According to another embodiment, by Figure 1A Another example of a communication system implementation is a diagram of coordinated MU UL transmissions.

[0022] Figure 11 According to one embodiment, in such Figures 8-10 A diagram illustrating an example confirmation process used in the coordinated MU UL transmission.

[0023] Figure 12 This is a diagram illustrating coordinated MU DL transmission following an example coordinated MU UL transmission according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating coordinated MU UL transmission following an example coordinated MU DL transmission according to one embodiment.

[0025] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of an example method for coordinated wireless communication involving multiple access points, according to one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of another example method for coordinated wireless communication involving multiple APs, according to another embodiment.

[0027] Figure 16 This is a flowchart of another example method for coordinated wireless communication involving multiple APs, according to another embodiment.

[0028] Figure 17 This is a flowchart of another example method for coordinated wireless communication involving multiple APs, according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0029] In the various embodiments described below, access points (APs) of adjacent wireless local area networks (WLANs) coordinate the use of wireless sub-channels. For example, one AP may act as a "master AP," and one or more other APs may act as "slave APs," and the master AP may coordinate synchronization transmissions in the respective WLANs that use the corresponding frequency bands. Such synchronization transmissions are sometimes referred to as coordinated orthogonal frequency division multiple access (C-OFDMA).

[0030] According to some embodiments, as part of coordinating C-OFDMA transmissions, the master AP generates a C-OFDMA Advertisement (C-OFDMA-A) frame and transmits it to one or more slave APs. According to one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame announces the start of coordinated uplink or downlink OFDMA transmissions involving multiple WLANs. According to various embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame includes information about the coordinated OFDMA transmissions, such as one or any suitable combination of one or more of the following: i) the appropriate frequency bandwidth to be used in the respective WLAN; ii) the appropriate frequency resource element (RU) to be used in the respective WLAN; iii) the duration of the coordinated OFDMA transmission (in time); iv) the appropriate length of the corresponding OFDMA transmission in the respective WLAN (in bits, octets, words, etc.).

[0031] According to some embodiments, for C-OFDMA downlink (DL) transmissions, a C-OFDMA-A frame transmitted by the primary AP indicates that one or more secondary APs are transmitting a corresponding DL OFDMA transmission as part of a C-OFDMA transmission. According to some embodiments, for C-OFDMA uplink (UL) transmissions, a C-OFDMA-A frame transmitted by the primary AP indicates that one or more secondary APs are transmitting a corresponding trigger frame, which in turn indicates that the corresponding group of client stations is transmitting a corresponding UL OFDMA transmission as part of a C-OFDMA transmission.

[0032] Figure 1A This is a diagram of an example communication system 10 including multiple WLANs, including WLAN 20 and WLAN 30. Although Figure 1A Two WLANs are shown, but in various embodiments, the communication system 10 includes other suitable numbers of WLANs, such as three, four, five, etc.

[0033] WLAN 20 includes AP 34 and multiple client stations 38. As will be described in more detail below, AP 34 acts as the master AP coordinating synchronous transmissions in the various WLANs. For example, according to some embodiments, the master AP 34 transmits instructions, information, etc., regarding C-OFDMA transmissions to one or more slave APs.

[0034] WLAN 30 includes AP 44 and multiple client stations 48. AP 44 acts as a slave AP participating in C-OFDMA transmissions coordinated by the master AP 34. For example, in some embodiments, the slave AP 44 receives instructions, information, etc., from the master AP 34 regarding C-OFDMA transmissions, and the slave AP 44 participates in C-OFDMA transmissions based on the instructions, information, etc., received from the master AP 34.

[0035] According to various embodiments, the main AP 34 includes a C-OFDMA controller 60, which determines parameters for C-OFDMA transmission, generates data units for establishing C-OFDMA transmission, and controls the timing of transmissions of the main AP 34 during C-OFDMA transmission. The C-OFDMA controller 60 will be described in more detail below.

[0036] According to various embodiments, AP 44 includes a C-OFDMA controller 70, which receives parameters for C-OFDMA transmission from the master AP, generates data units for C-OFDMA transmission, and controls the timing of transmissions from AP 44 during C-OFDMA. The C-OFDMA controller 70 will be described in more detail below.

[0037] In some embodiments, one or more client stations 38, 48 include a C-OFDMA controller 80 that receives frames transmitted by a master AP 34 and / or from AP 44 as part of establishing a C-OFDMA transmission (or by another AP (not shown) as part of setting up another C-OFDMA transmission in another set of WLANs (not shown), and, according to various embodiments, uses information in such frames for purposes such as determining whether the communication medium is idle. The C-OFDMA controller 80 will be described in more detail below.

[0038] Figure 1B This is a block diagram of an example AP 114 that can be used as a master AP 34 and / or a slave AP 44 in various embodiments. In some embodiments, AP 114 is configured to operate as a master AP at some times and as a slave AP at other times. The master AP typically allocates frequency resource units (RUs) and / or space flows, etc., to the slave AP for C-OFDMA transmission and initiates C-OFDMA transmission. On the other hand, the slave AP typically participates in C-OFDMA transmission in response to a prompt from the master AP and uses the RUs and / or one or more space flows allocated to the slave AP by the master AP for C-OFDMA transmission.

[0039] AP 114 includes a host processor 118 coupled to a wireless network interface device 122. The wireless network interface device 122 includes one or more Media Access Control (MAC) processors 126 (sometimes referred to herein as "MAC processor 126" for simplicity) and one or more Physical Layer (PHY) processors 130 (sometimes referred to herein as "PHY processor 130" for simplicity). The PHY processor 130 includes multiple transceivers 134, and the transceivers 134 are coupled to multiple antennas 138. Although three transceivers 134 and three antennas 138 are shown in Figure 1, in other embodiments, AP 114 includes other suitable numbers of transceivers 134 and antennas 138 (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, etc.). In some embodiments, AP 114 includes more antennas 138 than transceivers 134 and utilizes antenna switching technology.

[0040] The wireless network interface device 122 is implemented using one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to operate as described below. For example, the MAC processor 126 may be implemented at least partially on a first IC, and the PHY processor 130 may be implemented at least partially on a second IC. As another example, at least a portion of the MAC processor 126 and at least a portion of the PHY processor 130 may be implemented on a single IC. For example, the wireless network interface device 122 may be implemented using a system-on-a-chip (SoC), wherein the SoC includes at least a portion of the MAC processor 126 and at least a portion of the PHY processor 130.

[0041] In one embodiment, the host processor 118 includes a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown) such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc. In one embodiment, the host processor 118 may be implemented at least partially on a first IC, and the wireless network device 122 may be implemented at least partially on a second IC. As another example, at least a portion of the host processor 118 and the wireless network interface device 122 may be implemented on a single IC.

[0042] In various embodiments, the MAC processor 126 and / or PHY processor 130 of AP 114 are configured to generate data units conforming to a WLAN communication protocol and process the received data units. For example, MAC processor 126 is used to implement MAC layer functions, including MAC layer functions of the WLAN communication protocol, and PHY processor 130 is used to implement PHY functions, including PHY functions of the WLAN communication protocol. For example, according to some embodiments, MAC processor 126 is configured to generate MAC layer data units, such as MAC Service Data Units (MSDUs), MAC Protocol Data Units (MPDUs), etc., and provide the MAC layer data units to PHY processor 130. According to some embodiments, PHY processor 130 is configured to receive MAC layer data units from MAC processor 126 and encapsulate the MAC layer data units to generate PHY data units such as PHY Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) for transmission via antenna 138. Similarly, according to some embodiments, PHY processor 130 is configured to receive PHY data units received via antenna 138 and extract the MAC layer data units encapsulated within the PHY data units. According to some embodiments, the PHY processor 130 provides the extracted MAC layer data units to the MAC processor 126 that processes the MAC layer data units.

[0043] PHY data units are sometimes referred to as “packets” in this paper, and MAC layer data units are sometimes referred to as “frames” in this paper.

[0044] According to one embodiment, regarding the generation of one or more RF signals for transmission, the PHY processor 130 is configured to process (which may include modulation, filtering, etc.) data corresponding to a PPDU to generate one or more digital baseband signals, and to convert the digital baseband signals(s) into one or more analog baseband signals. Additionally, the PHY processor 130 is configured to up-convert one or more analog baseband signals into one or more RF signals for transmission via one or more antennas 138.

[0045] Regarding receiving one or more RF signals, the PHY processor 130 is configured to down-convert one or more RF signals into one or more analog baseband signals, and to convert one or more analog baseband signals into one or more digital baseband signals. The PHY processor 130 is also configured to process (which may include demodulation, filtering, etc.) one or more digital baseband signals to generate a PPDU.

[0046] The PHY processor 130 includes amplifiers (e.g., low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), power amplifiers, etc.) not shown in Figure 1 for simplicity, an RF downconverter, an RF upconverter, multiple filters, one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs), one or more discrete Fourier transform (DFT) calculators (e.g., fast Fourier transform (FFT) calculators), one or more inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) calculators (e.g., inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) calculators), one or more modulators, one or more demodulators, etc.

[0047] The PHY processor 130 is configured to generate one or more RF signals, which are provided to one or more antennas 138. The PHY processor 130 is also configured to receive one or more RF signals from one or more antennas 138.

[0048] MAC processor 126 is configured to control PHY processor 130 to generate one or more RF signals, for example, by providing one or more MAC layer data units (e.g., MPDUs) to PHY processor 130, and optionally, according to some embodiments, to PHY processor 130 one or more control signals. In one embodiment, MAC processor 126 includes a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown) such as RAM, read-only ROM, flash memory, etc. In another embodiment, MAC processor 126 includes a hardware state machine.

[0049] MAC processor 126 includes Figure 1A The C-OFDMA controller 60 and / or C-OFDMA controller 70. In some embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the C-OFDMA controller 60 is configured to generate a C-OFDMA-A frame and prompt the PHY processor 130 to transmit the C-OFDMA-A frame. In some embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the C-OFDMA controller 70 is configured to receive a C-OFDMA-A frame from another AP and process the C-OFDMA frame.

[0050] Figure 1C It can be used in various embodiments Figure 1A A block diagram of one or more of the client stations 38 / 48, exemplified by client station 154. In other embodiments, one or more of the client stations 38 / 48 may have a different suitable structure than client station 154. For example, one or more of the client stations 38 / 48 may not include... Figure 1A The traditional client station of the C-OFDMA controller 80.

[0051] Client station 154 includes a host processor 158 coupled to network interface device 162. Network interface device 162 includes one or more MAC processors 166 (sometimes referred to herein as "MAC processor 166" for brevity) and one or more PHY processors 170 (sometimes referred to herein as "PHY processor 170" for brevity). PHY processor 170 includes multiple transceivers 174, and the transceivers 174 are coupled to multiple antennas 178. Although three transceivers 174 and three antennas 178 are shown in FIG1, in other embodiments client station 154 includes other suitable numbers of transceivers 174 and antennas 178 (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, etc.). In some embodiments, client station 154 includes more antennas 178 than transceivers 174 and utilizes antenna switching technology.

[0052] Network interface device 162 is implemented using one or more ICs, which are configured to operate as discussed below. For example, MAC processor 166 may be implemented on at least a first IC, and PHY processor 170 may be implemented on at least a second IC. As another example, at least a portion of MAC processor 166 and at least a portion of PHY processor 170 may be implemented on a single IC. For example, network interface device 162 may be implemented using a SoC, wherein the SoC includes at least a portion of MAC processor 166 and at least a portion of PHY processor 170.

[0053] In one embodiment, host processor 158 includes a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown) such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, etc. In one embodiment, host processor network device 162 may be implemented at least partially on a first IC, and network device 162 may be implemented at least partially on a second IC. As another example, at least a portion of host processor 158 and network interface device 162 may be implemented on a single IC.

[0054] In various embodiments, the MAC processor 166 and PHY processor 170 of the client station 154 are configured to generate data units conforming to a WLAN communication protocol or another suitable communication protocol, and to process the received data units. For example, the MAC processor 166 is configured to implement MAC layer functions, including MAC layer functions of a WLAN communication protocol, and the PHY processor 170 is configured to implement PHY functions, including PHY functions of a WLAN communication protocol. According to some embodiments, the MAC processor 166 is configured to generate MAC layer data units such as MSDUs, MPDUs, etc., and to provide the MAC layer data units to the PHY processor 170. According to some embodiments, the PHY processor 170 is configured to receive MAC layer data units from the MAC processor 166 and encapsulate the MAC layer data units to generate PHY data units, such as PPDUs, for transmission via antenna 178. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the PHY processor 170 is configured to receive PHY data units received via antenna 178 and extract the MAC layer data units encapsulated within the PHY data units. According to some embodiments, the PHY processor 170 provides the extracted MAC layer data units to the MAC processor 166 that processes the MAC layer data units.

[0055] According to one embodiment, PHY processor 170 is configured to downconvert one or more RF signals received via one or more antennas 178 into one or more baseband analog signals, and to convert the analog baseband signals(s) into one or more digital baseband signals. PHY processor 170 is also configured to process the one or more digital baseband signals to demodulate the one or more digital baseband signals and generate a PPDU. PHY processor 170 includes amplifiers (e.g., LNAs, power amplifiers, etc.), RF downconverters, RF upconverters, multiple filters, one or more ADCs, one or more DACs, one or more DFT calculators (e.g., FFT calculators), one or more IDFT calculators (e.g., IFFT calculators), one or more modulators, one or more demodulators, etc., not shown in FIG1 for simplicity.

[0056] PHY processor 170 is configured to generate one or more RF signals, which are provided to one or more antennas 178. PHY processor 170 is also configured to receive one or more RF signals from one or more antennas 178.

[0057] MAC processor 166 is configured to control PHY processor 170 by, for example, providing one or more MAC layer data units (e.g., MPDUs) to PHY processor 170, and optionally, providing one or more control signals to PHY processor 170 according to some embodiments. In one embodiment, MAC processor 166 includes a processor (not shown) configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown) such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, etc. In one embodiment, MAC processor 166 includes a hardware state machine (not shown).

[0058] MAC processor 166 includes Figure 1A The C-OFDMA controller 80. In some embodiments, according to various embodiments, the C-OFDMA controller 80 is configured to receive frames transmitted as part of establishing a C-OFDMA transmission, and to use information in these frames for purposes such as determining whether the communication medium is idle.

[0059] Figure 2 According to embodiments, in such Figure 1A A diagram of an example C-OFDMA DL packet switching system 200 in communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C description Figure 2 However, in some embodiments, the C-OFDMA DL packet switching 200 is used in other suitable communication systems and / or utilizes different technologies. Figure 1B -C is an example of a suitable communication device for implementing communication.

[0060] The primary AP (e.g., primary AP 34) generates a C-OFDMA-A frame 204 and transmits it to one or more secondary APs (e.g., secondary AP 44). According to one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame announces the start of a DL C-OFDMA transmission involving multiple WLANs. According to various embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 includes information about the DL C-OFDMA transmission, such as any suitable combination of one or more of the following: i) any suitable combination of one or more indicators of one or more WLANs participating in the DL C-OFDMA transmission; ii) the appropriate frequency bandwidth to be used in the respective WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iii) the appropriate frequency RU to be used in the respective WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iv) the duration (duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission); v) the appropriate length (in bits, octets, words, etc.) of the respective OFDMA transmission in the respective WLAN (which is part of the DL C-OFDMA transmission).

[0061] According to some embodiments, C-OFDMA-A frame 204 is configured to prompt one or more corresponding DLOFDMA transmissions from AP 44 as part of a DL C-OFDMA transmission.

[0062] In one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 204 is... Figure 2 The MAC layer data unit transmitted within a PHY data unit (e.g., a packet) is not shown. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates (e.g., MAC processor 126 generates, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates, etc.) a C-OFDMA-A frame 204. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates and transmits (e.g., PHY processor 130 generates and transmits) a packet including a C-OFDMA-A frame. In one embodiment, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates C-OFDMA-A frame 204, provides C-OFDMA-A frame 204 to PHY processor 130, and controls PHY processor 130 to transmit C-OFDMA-A frame 204 in a packet.

[0063] During a defined time period following the completion of C-OFDMA-A frame 204 transmission (or including the completion of packet transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 204), the primary AP and one or more secondary APs transmit as part of DL C-OFDMA transmission 208. In one embodiment, the defined time period is the Short Interframe Space (SIFS) defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0064] In response to receiving C-OFDMA-A frame 204 and as part of a DL C-OFDMA transmission, one or more slave APs generate in the corresponding frequency RU and transmit the corresponding downlink orthogonal frequency division multiple access (DL OFDMA) transmission 212 to the corresponding set or more sets of client stations of one or more slave APs. Although Figure 2 The diagram shows a DL-OFDMA transmission 212 from a single slave AP for simplification, but in some scenarios, multiple slave APs transmit multiple DL-OFDMA transmissions 212 in corresponding frequency RUs.

[0065] As an illustrative embodiment, in response to receiving a C-OFDMA-A frame 204, AP 44 determines (e.g., network interface 122 is determined, MAC processor 126 is determined, C-OFDMA controller 70 is determined, etc.) whether it wants to participate in DL C-OFDMA transmission 208 by analyzing information in the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (such as one or more indicators of one or more WLANs (e.g., one or more Basic Service Set (BSS) identifiers) to participate in DL C-OFDMA transmission 208. In response to determining that AP 44 wants to participate in C-OFDMA transmission 208, AP 44 determines (e.g., network interface 122 is determined, MAC processor 126 is determined, C-OFDMA controller 70 is determined, etc.) the frequency band that AP 44 will use for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission 208 by analyzing information in the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 transmission 208 (such as indicators of the frequency band that AP 44 will use, frequency RU that AP 44 will use, etc.) to determine (e.g., network interface 122 is determined, MAC processor 126 is determined, C-OFDMA controller 70 is determined, etc.) the frequency band that AP 44 will use for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission 208.

[0066] Similarly, in response to determining that AP 44 intends to participate in C-OFDMA transmission 208, AP 44 generates DL-OFDMA transmission 212. In one embodiment, AP 44 generates DL-OFDMA transmission 212 based on one, two, or more parameters according to various embodiments, such as those in the C-OFDMA-A frame 204: an indicator of the duration (in time) of DL C-OFDMA transmission 208, an indicator of the length (in bits, octets, words, etc.) of DL OFDMA transmission 212 performed by AP 44, etc. AP 44 generates (e.g., network interface 122 generates, MAC processor 126 generates, etc.) multiple MAC data units for DL ​​OFDMA transmission 212 and provides the multiple MAC data units to PHY processor 130. In the WLAN, the multiple MAC data units for client station 48 are managed by AP 44. AP 44 also generates and transmits (e.g., network interface 122 generates and transmits, PHY processor 130 generates and transmits, etc.) DL OFDMA transmissions 212 to include multiple MAC data units. Therefore, DL OFDMA transmissions 212 include multiple MPDUs for client stations 48 in a WLAN managed from AP 44. In some embodiments, DL OFDMA transmissions 212 include multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmissions via multiple spatial streams to multiple client stations 48. In some embodiments, DL OFDMA transmissions 212 are replaced by MU-MIMO transmissions via multiple spatial streams to multiple client stations 48.

[0067] In one embodiment, the timing of DL OFDMA transmission 212 controlled by AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) is such that, according to one embodiment, DL OFDMA transmission 212 begins substantially simultaneously with the start of DL OFDMA transmission 216 by the master AP 34 (i.e., within 5%). For example, the timing of DL OFDMA transmission 212 controlled by AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) is such that DL OFDMA transmission 212 begins for a defined time period after the reception of C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (or after the reception of packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 204). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0068] Simultaneously with the multiple DL OFDMA transmissions 212 from AP 44, the master AP 34 transmits DL OFDMA transmission 216 in a frequency band different from the frequency bands used by the multiple slave APs 44, for use with the multiple DL OFDMA transmissions 212. The DL OFDMA transmission 216 is sent to multiple client stations 38 in the WLAN managed by the master AP 34. AP 34 generates (e.g., network interface 122 generates, MAC processor 126 generates, etc.) multiple MAC data units for the DL OFDMA transmission 216 and provides the multiple MAC data units to the PHY processor 130. The multiple MAC data units for the client stations 48 in the WLAN are managed by the master AP 34. AP 34 also generates and transmits (e.g., network interface 122 generates and transmits, PHY processor 130 generates and transmits, etc.) the DL OFDMA transmission 216 to include multiple MAC data units. Therefore, the DL OFDMA transmission 216 includes multiple MPDUs for the client stations 38 in the WLAN managed by the master AP 34. In some embodiments, DL OFDMA transmission 216 includes multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission to multiple client stations 38 via multiple spatial streams. In some embodiments, DL OFDMA transmission 216 is replaced by MU-MIMO transmission to multiple client stations 38 via multiple spatial streams.

[0069] In one embodiment, the timing of DL OFDMA transmission 216 controlled by the master AP 34 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) is such that, according to one embodiment, DL OFDMA transmission 216 begins substantially simultaneously with (i.e., within 5%) the start of DL OFDMA transmission 212 from AP 44. For example, the timing of DL OFDMA transmission 216 controlled by AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) is such that DL OFDMA transmission 216 begins within a defined time period after the end of transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (or after the end of packet transmission including C-OFDMA-A frame 204). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0070] In response to receiving DL OFDMA transmission 212, client station 48, managed by AP 44 in the WLAN, transmits acknowledgment (ACK) information and / or block acknowledgment (BA) information in UL transmission 232. In one embodiment, UL transmission 232 is transmitted in the same frequency band as DL OFDMA transmission 212.

[0071] UL transmission 232 is received from AP 44 (e.g., from network interface 122, MAC processor 126, PHY processor 130, etc.). In one embodiment, UL transmission 232 is received from AP 44 in the same frequency band as that transmitted via DL OFDMA transmission 212.

[0072] In response to receiving DL OFDMA transmission 216, client station 38, managed by master AP 34 in the WLAN, transmits ACK and / or BA information in UL transmission 236. In one embodiment, UL transmission 236 is transmitted in the same frequency band as DL OFDMA transmission 216.

[0073] The main AP 34 receives (e.g., network interface 122 receives, MAC processor 126 receives, PHY processor 130 receives, etc.) UL transmission 236. In one embodiment, the main AP 34 receives UL transmission 236 via the same frequency band as the transmission DL OFDMA transmission 216.

[0074] In one embodiment, UL transmissions 236 and UL transmissions 232 performed from AP 44 are transmitted simultaneously.

[0075] In one embodiment, the duration of the UL transmission 232 is specified in the C-OFDMA-A frame 204. For example, according to one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 includes an indication of the duration of the UL transmission 232.

[0076] In one embodiment, an indicator 212 for the duration of a UL transmission 232 is included from AP 44 in a DL OFDMA transmission (e.g., included by network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.), and client station 48 uses the indicator 212 for the duration of the UL transmission 232 (e.g., used by network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 80, etc.) to generate a UL transmission 232 with the specified duration. In another embodiment, client station 48 receives a C-OFDMA-A frame 204 and generates a UL transmission 232 with the indicated duration using the indicator 212 for the duration of the UL transmission 232 in the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (e.g., used by network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 80, etc.).

[0077] Figure 3 According to another embodiment, in such Figure 1A The diagram shows another example of a C-OFDMA DL packet switching system 300 in communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C describes Figure 3 However, in some embodiments, the C-OFDMA DL packet switching 300 utilizes other suitable communication systems and / or leverages... Figure 1B -C provides examples of communication devices that are different from suitable communication device implementations.

[0078] In packet switching 300, AP 44 generates and transmits an ACK 304 acknowledging C-OFDMA-A frame 204 in response to receiving C-OFDMA-A frame 204. In one embodiment, AP 44 generates and transmits a packet including ACK 304, the packet spanning the same frequency bandwidth as the C-OFDMA-A frame 204. In one embodiment, when C-OFDMA-A frame 204 is addressed to multiple APs 44, the multiple APs 44 transmit corresponding ACK 304 via different spatial streams using UL MU-MIMO, the corresponding transmissions spanning the same frequency bandwidth as the C-OFDMA-A frame 204. For example, in one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 204 indicates the corresponding spatial streams that the multiple APs 44 will use to transmit ACK 304.

[0079] In another embodiment, when the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 addresses multiple slave APs 44, the multiple slave APs 44 transmit corresponding ACKs 304 at different times, with each transmission spanning the same frequency bandwidth as the C-OFDMA-A frame 204. For example, in one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 indicates the order in which the multiple slave APs 44 transmit ACKs 304.

[0080] In one embodiment, the timing of ACK 304 transmission is controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) such that the transmission of ACK 304 (or packets including ACK 304) begins for a defined time period after the reception of C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (or after the reception of packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 204). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0081] In one embodiment, the timing of the DL OFDMA transmission 212 controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) is such that the transmission begins for a defined time period after the ACK 304 transmission ends (or after the packet transmission including ACK 304 ends). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS. When multiple ACK 304s are transmitted from AP 44 at different times, the timing of the DL OFDMA transmission 212 controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) is such that the transmission begins for a defined time period after the last ACK 304 transmission ends (or after the packet transmission including the last ACK 304 ends).

[0082] In one embodiment, the master AP 34 controls the timing of the DL OFDMA transmission 216 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) such that the transmission begins a defined time period after the ACK 304 transmission ends (or after the packet transmission including ACK 304 ends). When multiple slave APs 44 transmit multiple ACK 304s at different times, the master AP 34 controls the timing of the DL OFDMA transmission 216 such that the transmission begins a defined time period after the transmission of the last ACK 304 ends (or after the packet transmission including the last ACK 304 ends).

[0083] Figure 4 According to yet another embodiment, in such a case Figure 1A A diagram of a C-OFDMA DL packet switch 400, another example of a communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA DL packet switch 400 is useful in cases involving channel switching in one or more WLANs participating in C-OFDMA transmission.

[0084] For illustrative purposes, see reference. Figure 1A -C to Figure 4 The description is as follows. However, in some embodiments, the C-OFDMA DL packet switching 400 is used in other suitable communication systems and / or in conjunction with... Figure 1B -C is an example of a communication device implemented in different suitable communication devices.

[0085] In packet switching 400, a C-OFDMA-A frame 404 is generated and transmitted from AP 44 in response to a received C-OFDMA-A frame 204. In one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame 404 is a copy of the C-OFDMA-A frame 204. Packets including the OFDMA-A frame 404 are generated and transmitted from AP 44, the packets spanning the frequency band indicated in the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (e.g., according to one embodiment, the frequency band used by AP 44 for C-OFDMA transmission 208). When the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 addresses multiple slave APs 44, the multiple slave APs 404 transmit their respective C-OFDMA-A frames 404 in their respective frequency bands. Each respective C-OFDMA-A frame 404 is a copy of the C-OFDMA-A frame 204. For example, in one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 204 indicates a plurality of corresponding frequency bands from AP 44 for C-OFDMA transmission 208.

[0086] Additionally, the primary AP 34 generates a C-OFDMA-A frame 408 and transmits the C-OFDMA-A frame 408 simultaneously with the transmission of the C-OFDMA-A frame 404 (e.g., within a packet). In one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame 408 is a copy of the C-OFDMA-A frame 204.

[0087] In one embodiment, generating a packet including C-OFDMA-A frame 204 includes scrambling C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (e.g., via scrambler circuitry of PHY processor 130) according to a scrambling algorithm and using a first scrambling seed (e.g., an initial value for the seed provided by the scrambling algorithm implemented by the scrambling circuitry); and generating a packet including C-OFDMA-A frames 404 / 408 includes scrambling C-OFDMA-A frames 404 / 408 according to a scrambling algorithm and using a second scrambling seed (e.g., an initial value for the seed provided by the scrambling algorithm implemented by the scrambling circuitry) (e.g., via scrambling circuitry of PHY processor 130). In one embodiment, the first scrambling seed and the second scrambling seed are the same. In another embodiment, the first scrambling seed is different from the second scrambling seed. In one embodiment, generating packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 404 / 408 includes using one or more of the following: i) the same modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 204, ii) the same data rate for packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 204, iii) the same number of spatial streams for packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 204, iv) the same PPDU format for packets containing C-OFDMA-A frames 204, etc.

[0088] In one embodiment, the timing of the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 404 is controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) such that the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 404 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 404) begins after the reception of C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 204) for a defined time period. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0089] In one embodiment, the master AP34 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) the transmission timing of C-OFDMA-A frame 408, such that the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 408 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 408) begins after the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 204 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 204) has ended for a defined time period. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0090] After transmitting C-OFDMA-A frames 404 and 408, the master AP transmits a C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 to indicate that transmission(s) from AP 44 is to be performed as part of C-OFDMA transmission 208. In one embodiment, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 contains some or all of the information in the C-OFDMA-A frame 204, and according to various embodiments, includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following: i) an indicator of one or more WLANs to participate in the DL C-OFDMA transmission; ii) a corresponding frequency bandwidth to be used in the corresponding WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iii) a corresponding frequency RU to be used in the corresponding WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iv) the duration (duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission); v) the corresponding length (in bits, octets, words, etc.) of the corresponding OFDMA (part of the DL C-OFDMA transmission) in the corresponding WLAN.

[0091] According to some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 is configured to prompt one or more corresponding DL OFDMA transmissions from AP 44 as part of the DL C-OFDMA transmission 208.

[0092] In one embodiment, C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 is... Figure 2The MAC layer data unit transmitted within a PHY data unit (e.g., a packet) is not shown. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates (e.g., MAC processor 126 generates, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates, etc.) a C-OFDMA trigger frame 420. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates and transmits (e.g., PHY processor 130 generates and transmits) packets including the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420. In one embodiment, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420, provides the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 to PHY processor 130, and controls PHY processor 130 to transmit the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 within a packet.

[0093] During a defined time period following the completion of C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 (or a packet including C-OFDMA trigger frame 420), the primary AP and one or more secondary APs transmit as part of DL C-OFDMA transmission 208. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0094] Figure 5 According to an embodiment, it is illustrated in such a way Figure 1A The diagram illustrates the acknowledgment packet switching 500 for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission in communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C to Figure 5 The following description is provided. However, in some embodiments, it is confirmed that packet switching 500 utilizes other suitable communication systems and / or employs different methods. Figure 1B -C example communication device implementation of appropriate communication device.

[0095] Based on various embodiments, packet switching 500 and Figure 2-4 The DLC-OFDMA or other suitable DLC-OFDMA transmissions shown are used in conjunction.

[0096] In the acknowledgment packet switching 500, corresponding client stations of the corresponding WLAN transmit corresponding acknowledgment information at different times. In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 includes an indication from the AP 44 of the order in which the corresponding client stations transmit the corresponding acknowledgment information. When using the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 ( Figure 4 In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 additionally or alternatively includes an indication of the order in which the AP 44 prompts the corresponding client station to transmit corresponding acknowledgment information.

[0097] Following the DL C-OFDMA transmission 208, the primary AP 34 generates and transmits a Multi-User Block Acknowledgment Request (MU-BAR) frame 504. In one embodiment, the MU-BAR frame 504 is included in a packet (not shown). In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates (e.g., MAC processor 126 generates) the MU-BAR frame 504, and network interface device 122 generates and transmits (e.g., PHY processor 130 generates and transmits) packets including the MU-BAR frame 504. The MU-BAR frame 504 is configured to prompt client stations 38 of the WLAN managed by the primary AP 34 to transmit acknowledgment information regarding the DL OFDMA transmission 216 to the primary AP 34 in a UL transmission 508 (e.g., UL OFDMA transmission, UL MU-MIMO transmission, etc.). In response to the MU-BAR frame 504, client stations 38 of the WLAN managed by the primary AP 34 transmit acknowledgment information regarding the DL OFDMA transmission 216 in a UL transmission 508.

[0098] In one embodiment, packets including MU-BAR frame 504 and UL transmission 508 are transmitted in the same frequency band as transmission DL OFDMA transmission 216.

[0099] Following UL transmission 508, MU-BAR frame 520 is generated and transmitted from AP 44. In one embodiment, MU-BAR frame 520 is included in a packet (not shown). In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates (e.g., MAC processor 126 generates) MU-BAR frame 520, and network interface device 122 generates and transmits (e.g., PHY processor 130 generates and transmits) MU-BAR frame 520. MU-BAR frame 520 is configured to prompt client station 48 of the WLAN managed from AP 44 to transmit acknowledgment information regarding DL OFDMA transmission 212 (e.g., UL OFDMA transmission, UL MU-MIMO transmission, etc.) to AP 44 in UL transmission 524. In response to MU-BAR frame 520, client station 48 of the WLAN managed from AP 44 transmits acknowledgment information regarding DL OFDMA transmission 212 in UL transmission 524.

[0100] In one embodiment, packets including MU-BAR frame 520 and UL transmission 524 are transmitted in the same frequency band as transmission DL OFDMA transmission 212.

[0101] Figure 6 According to another embodiment, it is illustrated in such a way Figure 1A The diagram illustrates the acknowledgment packet switching 600 for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission in communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C to Figure 6 The following description is provided. However, in some embodiments, it is confirmed that packet switching 600 utilizes other suitable communication systems and / or employs different methods. Figure 1B -C example communication device implementation of appropriate communication device.

[0102] Based on various embodiments, packet switching 600 and Figure 2-4 The DLC-OFDMA or other suitable DLC-OFDMA transmissions shown are used in conjunction.

[0103] In the acknowledgment packet switching 600, the corresponding client station of the corresponding WLAN simultaneously transmits the corresponding acknowledgment information as part of the UL C-OFDMA transmission.

[0104] Following DL C-OFDMA transmission 208, the master AP34 and(multiple) slave AP44 transmit MU-BAR frames as part of a further DL C-OFDMA transmission 604. In one embodiment, packets including MU-BAR frame 504 and UL transmission 508 are transmitted in the same frequency band as DL C-OFDMA transmission 216; and packets including MU-BAR frame 520 and UL transmission 524 are transmitted in the same frequency band as DL C-OFDMA transmission 212.

[0105] In one embodiment, the master AP34 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) the timing of the transmission of MU-BAR frame 504, such that the transmission of MU-BAR frame 504 (or packets including MU-BAR frame 504) begins for a defined time period after the completion of DL OFDMA transmission 216. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS. In one embodiment, the master AP44 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) the timing of the transmission of MU-BAR frame 520, such that the transmission of MU-BAR frame 520 (or packets including MU-BAR frame 520) begins for a defined time period after the completion of DL OFDMA transmission 212. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0106] Figure 7 According to another embodiment, it is illustrated in such a way Figure 1AThe diagram illustrates the acknowledgment packet switching 700 for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission in communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C to Figure 7 The following description is provided. However, in some embodiments, it is confirmed that packet switching 700 utilizes other suitable communication systems and / or employs different methods. Figure 1B -C example communication device implementation of appropriate communication device.

[0107] Based on various embodiments, the packet switching 700 and Figure 2-4 The DLC-OFDMA or other suitable DLC-OFDMA transmissions shown are used in conjunction.

[0108] Confirmation packet switching 700 is similar Figure 6 The confirmation packet exchange shown is 600, but the former main AP 34, combined with DL C-OFDMA transmission 604, further generates and transmits C-OFDMA-A frames 704.

[0109] Figure 8 A communication system according to one embodiment, such as Figure 1A A schematic diagram of an example C-OFDMA uplink (UL) packet switch 800 in communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C to Figure 8 The description is as follows. However, in some embodiments, the C-OFDMA uplink (UL) packet switching 800 utilizes other suitable communication systems and / or employs different methods. Figure 1B -C example communication device implementation of appropriate communication device.

[0110] The primary AP (e.g., primary AP 34) generates a C-OFDMA-A frame 804 and transmits it to one or more secondary APs (e.g., secondary AP 44). According to one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame announces the start of a UL C-OFDMA transmission involving multiple WLANs. According to various embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame 804 includes information about the UL C-OFDMA transmission, such as any suitable combination of one or more of the following: i) any suitable combination of one or more indicators of one or more WLANs to participate in the UL C-OFDMA transmission; ii) the corresponding frequency bandwidth used in the respective WLAN for the UL C-OFDMA transmission; iii) the corresponding frequency RU used in the respective WLAN for the UL C-OFDMA transmission; iv) the duration (time of the UL C-OFDMA transmission); v) the corresponding length (in bits, octets, words, etc.) of the corresponding OFDMA transmission in the respective WLAN (which is part of the UL C-OFDMA transmission), etc.

[0111] According to some embodiments, C-OFDMA-A frame 804 is configured to prompt one or more corresponding trigger frames to be transmitted from AP44 to prompt the corresponding client station to transmit as part of a UL C-OFDMA transmission.

[0112] In one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 804 is... Figure 8 The MAC layer data unit transmitted within a PHY data unit (e.g., a packet) is not shown. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates (e.g., MAC processor 126 generates, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates, etc.) a C-OFDMA-A frame 804. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates and transmits (e.g., PHY processor 130 generates and transmits) a packet including C-OFDMA-A frame 804. In one embodiment, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates C-OFDMA-A frame 804, provides C-OFDMA-A frame 804 to PHY processor 130, and controls PHY processor 130 to transmit C-OFDMA-A frame 804 in a packet.

[0113] During a defined time period following the completion of C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (or including C-OFDMA-A frame 204), the primary AP and one or more secondary APs transmit as part of DL C-OFDMA transmission 808. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0114] In response to receiving a C-OFDMA-A frame 804 and as part of a DL C-OFDMA transmission 808, one or more slave APs generate and transmit a corresponding trigger frame 824 to one or more sets of client stations of the corresponding slave APs in the corresponding frequency RU. Although Figure 8 The diagram shows a trigger frame 824 from a single slave AP for simplification, but in some scenarios, multiple slave APs transmit multiple trigger frames in corresponding frequency RUs.

[0115] As an illustrative embodiment, in response to receiving a C-OFDMA-A frame 804, AP 44 determines (e.g., network interface 122 determines, MAC processor 126 determines, C-OFDMA controller 70 determines, etc.) whether to participate in DL C-OFDMA transmission 808 by analyzing information in the C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (e.g., one or more indicators (such as one or more BSS identifiers) of one or more WLANs that want to participate in DL C-OFDMA announced by UL C-OFDMA transmission 808). In response to determining that AP 44 is to participate in DLC-OFDMA transmission 808, AP 44 determines (e.g., network interface 122 determined, MAC processor 126 determined, C-OFDMA controller 70 determined, etc.) the frequency band to be used for DLC-OFDMA transmission 808 by analyzing information transmitted in C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (e.g., an indicator of the frequency band to be used by AP 44, the frequency RU to be used by AP 44, etc.).

[0116] Similarly, in response to determining that AP 44 will participate in UL C-OFDMA transmission 808, AP 44 generates (e.g., network interface 122 generates, MAC processor 126 generates, etc.) a trigger frame 824. In one embodiment, AP 44 generates the trigger frame 824 according to one, two, or more of the following, according to various embodiments: an indicator of the frequency RU to be used for UL C-OFDMA transmission, an indicator of the duration (in time) of the UL C-OFDMA transmission, etc. For example, according to one embodiment, the trigger frame 824 is generated to specify the corresponding frequency RU that the client station from 44 will use for UL C-OFDMA transmission within the frequency RU indicated by the C-OFDMA frame 804. As another example, according to one embodiment, the trigger frame 824 is generated to specify the duration of the UL C-OFDMA transmission indicated by the C-OFDMA-A frame 804.

[0117] Similarly, in response to determining that AP 44 is to participate in DL C-OFDMA transmission 808, AP 44 generates and transmits (e.g., network interface 122 generates and transmits, PHY processor 130 generates and transmits, etc.) packets including trigger frame 824.

[0118] In one embodiment, the timing of the transmission of trigger frame 824 (or packets including trigger frame 824) is controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.), such that, according to one embodiment, the transmission of trigger frame 824 (or packets including trigger frame 824) begins substantially simultaneously with the transmission of trigger frame 820 from master AP 34 (i.e., the start times differ by less than 5%). For example, the timing of the packets including trigger frame 824 is controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.), such that the packets begin a defined time period after the reception of C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 804) has ended. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0119] While multiple trigger frames 824 are being transmitted from AP 44, master AP 34 transmits trigger frames 820 (or packets including trigger frames 824) in frequency bands different from those used by AP 44 for trigger frames 824. In one embodiment, master AP 34 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) the timing of the transmission of trigger frames 820 (or packets including trigger frames 820), according to one embodiment, such that the transmission of trigger frames 820 (or packets including trigger frames 820) begins substantially simultaneously with the transmission of trigger packets 824 (or packets including trigger frames 824) from AP 44 (i.e., the start times differ by less than 5%). For example, the master AP 34 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) the timing of trigger frame 820, such that trigger frame 820 (or packets including trigger frame 820) begins within a defined time period after the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 804) has ended. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0120] Trigger frame 820 from master AP 34 and trigger frame 824 from (multiple) slave APs 44 prompt client stations 34 / 38 in the WLAN managed by master AP 34 and (multiple) slave APs 44 to perform UL C-OFDMA transmission 812. UL C-OFDMA transmission 812 includes UL OFDMA transmission 840 performed by client station 38 in the WLAN managed by master AP 34, and one or more UL OFDMA transmissions 844 in one or more corresponding WLANs managed by one or more slave APs 44.

[0121] For example, in response to trigger frame 820, client stations 38 in the WLAN managed by master AP 34 transmit as part of UL OFDMA transmission 840. For example, trigger frame 820 transmitted by master AP 34 is configured to prompt at least a subset of client stations 38 to transmit as part of UL OFDMA transmission 840. In various embodiments, trigger frame 820 is generated by master AP 34 indicating one or any suitable combination of two or more of the following: i) which client stations 38 will participate in UL OFDMA transmission 840, ii) the corresponding frequency RU for which client stations 38 will use UL OFDMA transmission 840, iii) the corresponding spatial stream for which client stations 38 will use UL OFDMA transmission, and iv) the duration of UL OFDMA transmission 840.

[0122] Similarly, in response to trigger frame 824, client stations 48 in the WLAN managed from AP 44 transmit as part of ULOFDMA transmission 844. For example, trigger frame 824 transmitted from AP 44 is configured to prompt at least a subset of client stations 48 to transmit as part of UL OFDMA transmission 844. In various embodiments, trigger frame 824 is generated from AP 44 and indicates one or any suitable combination of two or more of the following: i) which client stations 38 will participate in UL OFDMA transmission 844, ii) the corresponding frequency RU that client stations 38 will use for UL OFDMA transmission 844, iii) the corresponding spatial stream that client stations 38 will use for UL OFDMA transmission, iv) the duration of UL OFDMA transmission 844.

[0123] According to one embodiment, client station 38 participating in UL OFDMA transmission 840 is configured to transmit simultaneously with client station 48 participating in UL OFDMA transmission 844 as part of UL OFDMA transmission 840, and vice versa. For example, client station 38 participating in UL OFDMA transmission 840 is configured to begin transmission as part of UL OFDMA transmission 840 within a defined time period (e.g., SIFS or other suitable time period) after the reception of trigger frame 820 (or a packet including trigger frame 820) ends. Similarly, according to one embodiment, client station 48 participating in UL OFDMA transmission 844 is configured to begin transmission as part of UL OFDMA transmission 844 within a defined time period (e.g., SIFS or other suitable time period) after the reception of trigger frame 824 (or a packet including trigger frame 824) ends.

[0124] Figure 9 A communication system according to another embodiment, such as Figure 1A A diagram of communication system 10 or another suitable communication system, such as C-OFDMA UL packet switching 900. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C to Figure 9 The description is as follows. However, in some embodiments, the C-OFDMA uplink (UL) packet switching 900 utilizes other suitable communication systems and / or employs different methods. Figure 1B -C example communication device implementation of appropriate communication device.

[0125] In packet switching 900, an ACK 904 is generated and transmitted from AP 44 to acknowledge the C-OFDMA-A frame 804 in response to the receipt of C-OFDMA-A frame 804. In one embodiment, a packet including ACK 904 is generated and transmitted from AP 44, the packet spanning the same frequency bandwidth as the C-OFDMA-A frame 804. According to one embodiment, when C-OFDMA-A frame 804 is addressed to multiple slave APs 44, the multiple slave APs 44 transmit corresponding ACK 904 via different spatial streams using UL MU-MIMO, the corresponding spatial streams spanning the same frequency bandwidth as the C-OFDMA-A frame 804. For example, in one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 804 indicates the corresponding spatial streams that the multiple slave APs 44 will use to transmit ACK 904.

[0126] In another embodiment, when a C-OFDMA-A frame 804 is addressed to multiple slave APs 44, the multiple slave APs 44 transmit corresponding ACKs 904 at different times, with each transmission spanning the same frequency bandwidth as the C-OFDMA frame 804. For example, in one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame 804 indicates the order in which the multiple slave APs 44 transmit ACKs 904.

[0127] In one embodiment, the timing of ACK904 transmission is controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) such that the transmission of ACK904 (or packets including ACK904) begins for a defined time period after the reception of C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0128] In one embodiment, AP44 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) to trigger frame 824 (or a packet including trigger frame 824) such that transmission begins within a defined time period after the transmission of ACK 904 (or a packet including ACK 904). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS. When multiple ACK 904s are transmitted from AP 44 at different times, the timing of the transmission of trigger frame 824 (or a packet including trigger frame 824) controlled by AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) is such that transmission begins within the defined time period after the transmission of the last ACK 904 (or a packet including the last ACK 904).

[0129] In one embodiment, the master AP 34 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) the timing of the transmission of trigger frame 820 (or packets including trigger frame 820) such that transmission begins after the transmission of ACK 904 (or packets including ACK 904). When multiple slave APs 44 transmit multiple ACK 904s at different times, the master AP 34 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) the timing of the transmission of trigger frame 820 such that transmission begins after the transmission of the last ACK 904 (or packets including the last ACK 304) ends.

[0130] Figure 10 According to yet another embodiment, in such a case Figure 1A A diagram of a C-OFDMA DL packet switch 1000, another example of a communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA DL packet switch 1000 is useful in cases involving channel switching in one or more WLANs participating in C-OFDMA transmission.

[0131] For illustrative purposes, see reference. Figure 1A -C to Figure 10 The description is as follows. However, in some embodiments, the C-OFDMADL packet switching 1000 utilizes other suitable communication systems and / or leverages... Figure 1B -C is an example of a communication device implemented in different suitable communication devices.

[0132] In packet switching 1000, AP 44 generates and transmits C-OFDMA-A frame 1004 in response to receiving C-OFDMA-A frame 804. In one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 1004 is C-OFDMA-A frame 804. AP 44 generates and transmits packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 1004, which span the frequency band indicated in C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (e.g., the frequency band used by the WLAN managed by AP 44 for UL OFDMA transmission 844). In one embodiment, when C-OFDMA-A frame 804 addresses multiple AP 44, the multiple AP 44 transmit corresponding C-OFDMA-A frames 1004 in their respective frequency bands, where each C-OFDMA-A frame 1004 is a copy of C-OFDMA-A frame 804. For example, in one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 804 indicates a plurality of corresponding frequency bands from AP 44 to be used for C-OFDMA transmission 1004.

[0133] Additionally, the primary AP 34 generates C-OFDMA-A frame 1008 and transmits C-OFDMA-A frame 1008 simultaneously with C-OFDMA-A frame 1004 (e.g., within a packet). In one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 1008 is a copy of C-OFDMA-A frame 804.

[0134] In one embodiment, generating a packet including C-OFDMA-A frame 804 includes scrambling (e.g., via the scrambler circuitry of PHY processor 130) C-OFDMA-A frame 804 according to a scrambling algorithm and using a first scrambling seed (e.g., providing an initial value for the scrambling algorithm implemented by the scrambling circuitry); and generating a packet including C-OFDMA-A frames 1004 / 1008 includes scrambling (e.g., via the scrambling circuitry of PHY processor 130) C-OFDMA-A frames 1004 / 1008 according to a scrambling algorithm and using a second scrambling seed (e.g., providing an initial value for the scrambling algorithm implemented by the scrambling circuitry). In one embodiment, the first scrambling seed is the same as the second scrambling seed. In another embodiment, the first scrambling seed is different from the second scrambling seed. In one embodiment, generating packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 1004 / 1008 includes using one or more of the following: i) the same MCS-frame 804 for packets including C-OFDMA-A frames; ii) the same data rate for packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 804; iii) the same number of spatial streams for packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 804; iv) the same PPDU format for packets including C-OFDMA-A frames 804, etc.

[0135] In one embodiment, the timing of the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 1004 is controlled from AP 44 (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 70, etc.) such that the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 1004 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 1004) begins for a defined time period after the reception of C-OFDMA-A frame 804 (or after the reception of packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 804). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0136] In one embodiment, the master AP 34 controls (e.g., network interface 122, MAC processor 126, C-OFDMA controller 60, etc.) the timing of the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 1008, such that the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 1008 (or packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 1008) begins for a defined time period after the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 804 ends (or after the transmission of packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 804 ends). In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0137] Following the transmission of C-OFDMA-A frames 1004 and 1008, the master AP transmits a C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 to indicate that it is being transmitted from AP 44 as part of a C-OFDMA transmission 808. In one embodiment, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 includes some or all of the same information included in the C-OFDMA-A frame 804, such as any suitable combination of one or more of the following according to various implementations: i) an indicator of one or more WLANs to participate in the DL C-OFDMA transmission; ii) the corresponding frequency bandwidth to be used in the corresponding WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iii) the corresponding frequency RU to be used in the corresponding WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iv) the duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission (in time); v) the corresponding length of the corresponding OFDMA transmission (which is part of the DL C-OFDMA transmission in the corresponding WLAN, etc.) (in bits, octets, words, etc.).

[0138] According to some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 is configured to prompt one or more corresponding DL OFDMA transmissions from AP 44 as part of the DL C-OFDMA transmission 808.

[0139] In one embodiment, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 is... Figure 2The MAC layer data unit transmitted within a PHY data unit (e.g., a packet) is not shown. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates (e.g., MAC processor 126 generates, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates, etc.) a C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates and transmits (e.g., PHY processor 130 generates and transmits) a packet including the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020. In one embodiment, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020, provides the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 to PHY processor 130, and controls PHY processor 130 to transmit the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 within a packet.

[0140] During a defined time period following the completion of the transmission of C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 (or the completion of the transmission of packets including C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020), the primary AP and one or more secondary APs transmit as part of a DL C-OFDMA 808 transmission. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0141] Figure 11 According to one embodiment, it is used for, such as Figure 1A An illustration of an exemplary acknowledgment packet exchange 1100 for UL C-OFDMA transmission in a communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, see the diagram. Figure 1A -C describes Figure 11 However, in some embodiments, it is confirmed that packet switching 1100 is used in other suitable communication systems and / or utilizes [other technologies / methods]. Figure 1B -C is an example of a communication device implemented in different suitable communication devices.

[0142] According to various embodiments, packet switching 1100 has been confirmed to be used with Figure 8-10 It can be connected to any UL C-OFDMA transmission or used together with other suitable UL C-OFDMA transmissions.

[0143] Within a defined time period following the completion of UL C-OFDMA transmission 812, the primary AP 34 begins transmitting packets including C-OFDMA-A frame 1104. In one embodiment, the defined time period is the SIFS IEEE 802.11 standard as defined by the following formula. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0144] The master AP 34 generates a C-OFDMA-A frame 1104, and after the end of the UL C-OFDMA transmission 812, the master AP 34 transmits the C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 to one or more slave APs (e.g., slave AP 44). According to one embodiment, the C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 announces the start of the DL C-OFDMA transmission 856. C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 includes information about DL C-OFDMA transmission 856, such as any suitable combination of one or more of the following according to various embodiments: i) an indicator of one or more WLANs to participate in the DL C-OFDMA transmission; ii) a corresponding frequency bandwidth to be used in the corresponding WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iii) a corresponding frequency RU to be used in the corresponding WLAN for the DL C-OFDMA transmission; iv) the duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission (in time); v) the corresponding length (in bits, octets, words, etc.) of the corresponding OFDMA transmission in the corresponding WLAN (which is part of the DL C-OFDMA transmission), etc. In some embodiments, the RU for DLC-OFDMA transmission 856 is the same as the RU for UL C-OFDMA transmission 812.

[0145] According to some embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 is configured to prompt one or more corresponding ACK or BA frames from AP 44 to transmit information about the UL C-OFDMA transmission 812.

[0146] In one embodiment, C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 is... Figure 11 The MAC layer data unit transmitted within a PHY data unit (e.g., a packet) is not shown. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates (e.g., MAC processor 126 generates, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates, etc.) a C-OFDMA-A frame 1104. In one embodiment, network interface device 122 generates and transmits (e.g., PHY processor 130 generates and transmits) a packet including the C-OFDMA-A frame 1104. In one embodiment, C-OFDMA controller 60 generates the C-OFDMA-A frame 1104, provides the C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 to PHY processor 130, and controls PHY processor 130 to transmit the C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 within a packet.

[0147] In one embodiment, the transmission of packets including C-OFDMA-A frames begins after the end of the UL C-OFDMA transmission 812 for a defined time period. In one embodiment, the defined time period is the SIFS standard defined by IEEE 802.11. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0148] In response to the receipt of C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 and as part of DL C-OFDMA transmission 856, one or more slave APs generate in the corresponding frequency RU and transmit corresponding ACK or BA frames 860 / 864 to one or more groups of client stations of the corresponding one or more slave APs. In one embodiment, DL C-OFDMA transmission 856 begins after the end of transmission of C-OFDMA-A frame 1104 (or after the end of packet transmission including C-OFDMA-A frame 1104) for a defined time period. In one embodiment, the defined time period is SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0149] Figure 12 According to one embodiment, it relates to, in, such as Figure 1A A diagram of an example packet switching 1200 for UL C-OFDMA transmission in communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C describes Figure 12 However, in some embodiments, packet switching 1200 is used in other suitable communication systems and / or utilizes different technologies. Figure 1B -C is an example of a suitable communication device to implement.

[0150] According to various embodiments, packet switching 1200 and Figure 8-10 It can be used in combination with any of the UL C-OFDMA transmissions, or in combination with other suitable UL C-OFDMA transmissions.

[0151] As with Figure 8-10A variant of UL C-OFDMA packet switching, DL C-OFDMA transmission 1204 immediately follows UL C-OFDMA transmission 812, wherein DL C-OFDMA transmission 1204 contains not only the ACK / BA information for UL C-OFDMA transmission 812. During a defined time period after the end of UL C-OFDMA transmission 812, master AP 34 initiates DL-OFDMA transmission 1220, and AP 44 initiates DL-OFDMA transmission 1224. DL-OFDMA transmission 1220 contains not only the ACK / BA information for UL C-OFDMA transmission 812, and DL-OFDMA transmission 1224 also contains not only the ACK / BA information for UL C-OFDMA transmission 812. For example, according to one embodiment, DL-OFDMA transmission 1220 includes user data from client station 38, and DL-OFDMA transmission 1224 includes user data from client station 48.

[0152] In one embodiment, the defined time period is the SIFS defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0153] In various embodiments, the DL C-OFDMA transmission 1204 is performed by the client station 38 / 48 using, for example, a reference... Figure 2-7 The verification technique described in any of the accompanying drawings, or the use of other suitable verification techniques, may be used for verification (in... Figure 12 (Not indicated in the text).

[0154] Figure 13 According to one embodiment, it relates to a communication system such as Figure 1A A diagram of an exemplary packet switching 1300 for DLC-OFDMA transmission in a communication system 10 or another suitable communication system. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 1A -C description Figure 13 However, in some embodiments, packet switching 1300 is used in other suitable communication systems and / or utilizes different technologies. Figure 1B -C is an example of a suitable communication device to implement.

[0155] According to various embodiments, packet switching 1300 and Figure 2-7 It can be used in combination with any of the DL C-OFDMA transmissions, or in combination with other suitable DL C-OFDMA transmissions.

[0156] As with Figure 2-7A variant of DL C-OFDMA packet switching, UL C-OFDMA transmission 1304 follows DL C-OFDMA transmission 208, wherein UL C-OFDMA transmission 1304 contains more than just the ACK / BA information of DL C-OFDMA transmission 208. During a defined time period following the completion of DL C-OFDMA transmission 208, client station 38 of master AP 34 initiates UL-OFDMA transmission 1320, and client station 44 of AP 44 initiates DL-OFDMA transmission 1324. UL-OFDMA transmission 1320 contains more than just the ACK / BA information of DL C-OFDMA transmission 216, and UL-OFDMA transmission 1324 contains more than just the ACK / BA information of DL C-OFDMA transmission 212. For example, according to one embodiment, UL-OFDMA transmission 1320 includes user data from client station 38, and UL-OFDMA transmission 1324 includes user data from client station 48.

[0157] In some embodiments, DL C-OFDMA transmission 216 includes a trigger frame prompting client station 38 to transmit UL C-OFDMA transmission 1320, and DL C-OFDMA transmission 212 includes a trigger frame prompting client station 48 to transmit UL C-OFDMA transmission 1324.

[0158] In one embodiment, the defined time period is the SIFS as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. In other embodiments, the defined time period is a suitable time period different from SIFS.

[0159] In various embodiments, the UL C-OFDMA transmission 1304 is performed by the master AP 34 and the slave AP 44 using references such as... Figure 8-11 The verification techniques described in any of the accompanying drawings, or other suitable verification techniques, can be used to verify (in...) Figure 13 (Not indicated in the text).

[0160] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 2-13 The C-OFDMA-A frames discussed include control frames. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard defines a frame header with a type subfield and a subtype field. In one embodiment, the type subfield of the C-OFDMA-A frame is set to indicate the value of a control type frame, and the subtype subfield of the C-OFDMA-A frame is set to indicate that the control frame is a C-OFDMA-A frame.

[0161] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 2-13The C-OFDMA-A frames discussed include trigger frames, which are subtypes of control frames. For example, the type subfield of a C-OFDMA-A frame is set to a value indicating a control type frame, and the subtype subfield of a C-OFDMA-A frame is set to a value indicating that the control frame is a trigger frame. The current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard defines a trigger frame format with a trigger type subfield, and the trigger type subfield can be set to one of several values ​​to indicate one of several different types of trigger frames. In one embodiment, a C-OFDMA-A frame includes a trigger type subfield set to a value indicating that the trigger frame is a C-OFDMA-A frame.

[0162] As discussed above, a C-OFDMA-A frame includes information about the announced C-OFDMA transmission, such as any suitable combination of one or two or more of the following according to various implementations: i) the identifiers of (multiple) WLANs (multiple) from the AP participating in the C-OFDMA transmission; ii) the corresponding frequency bandwidth to be used in the corresponding WLAN; iii) the corresponding WLAN to be used in the corresponding frequency RU; iv) the duration of the coordinated OFDMA transmission (in time); v) the corresponding length of the corresponding OFDMA transmission in the corresponding WLAN (in bits, octets, words, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame additionally or alternatively includes one or any suitable combination of two or more of the following: an indication of the type of long training field (LTF) to be included in the PHY preamble of the C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., where the communication protocol provides multiple different types of LTFs), an indication of the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., where the communication protocol provides different numbers of LTFs), an indication of the length of the signal field to be included in the PHY preamble of the C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., where the signal field is a variable-length signal field), etc.

[0163] Regarding references such as the above Figures 2-7 The described DL C-OFDMA transmission, C-OFDMA-A frame additionally or alternatively includes one or both of the following: i) UL acknowledgment type (e.g., whether client station 38 / 48 acknowledges the DL C-OFDMA transmission via immediate acknowledgment (e.g., by a trigger frame request in the DLC-OFDMA transmission, such as...) Figure 2-4 As shown; whether client stations 38 / 48 confirm DL C-OFDMA transmission via a BA request separated from MU-BAR transmission, such as Figure 5-7(i) the duration of UL ACK / BA (e.g., if client station 38 / 48 acknowledges the DL C-OFDMA transmission by immediate acknowledgment); according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, multiple indicators of the duration of UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 are included elsewhere, such as in the trigger frame included in the DL C-OFDMA transmission (212 / 216), in MU-BAR frames 504 / 520, etc.

[0164] In some embodiments, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU are indicated in 20MHz units in the C-OFDMA-A frame. In some embodiments, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU are indicated in 40MHz units in the C-OFDMA-A frame. In some embodiments, when the frequency bandwidth allocated to a particular WLAN for C-OFDMA transmission is less than or equal to 160MHz, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU allocated to the WLAN are represented in 20MHz units in the C-OFDMA-A frame, while when the frequency bandwidth allocated to a particular WLAN for C-OFDMA transmission is greater than 160MHz, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU allocated to the WLAN are represented in 40MHz units in the C-OFDMA-A frame.

[0165] In one embodiment, a C-OFDMA-A frame includes one or more resource allocation fields corresponding to one or more corresponding WLANs participating in C-OFDMA transmission. As an illustrative example, each resource allocation field of a C-OFDMA-A frame includes: i) an identifier for the BSS (e.g., a 48-bit MAC address from the AP, the BSS color ID, a 5-bit hash of the MAC address from the MAC address and the 6-bit color ID of the BSS, or other suitable identifier); ii) the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band used for C-OFDMA transmission; and iii) the initial 20MHz sub-channel of the frequency band according to the illustrative embodiment. In some embodiments where DL C-OFDMA transmission immediately follows ULC-OFDMA transmission (such as...) Figure 12 As shown), the C-OFDMA-A frame includes: i) an indication of frequency bandwidth and starting sub-channel for UL C-OFDMA transmission; and ii) an indication of frequency bandwidth and starting sub-channel for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission. In other embodiments where DL C-OFDMA transmission immediately follows UL C-OFDMA transmission (such as...), Figure 12 As shown), the C-OFDMA-A frame includes only an indication of the frequency bandwidth and the starting sub-channel for both UL C-OFDMA and DL C-OFDMA transmissions, meaning that UL C-OFDMA and DL C-OFDMA transmissions use the same frequency band.

[0166] For DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission, each resource allocation field of the C-OFDMA-A frame also includes any suitable combination of one, two, or more of the following according to various embodiments: an indicator of the LTF type to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indicator of the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indicator of the length or duration of the signal field to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indicator of the duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc. Some embodiments of DL C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., C-OFDMA trigger frame 420) are further transmitted at the main AP 34 to indicate the DL C-OFDMA transmission. Figure 4 In the example shown), the C-OFDMA-A frame does not include an LTF type indicator, an LTF number indicator, the length or duration of the signal field, or the length or duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission. For example, this information is included in the C-OFDMA trigger frame. Other embodiments (such as C-OFDMA trigger frame 420) that further transmit C-OFDMA trigger frames (e.g., C-OFDMA trigger frame 420) to indicate DL C-OFDMA transmission are also included. Figure 4 As shown, a C-OFDMA-A frame includes one or more of the following: an indicator of the LTF type, an indicator of the number of LTFs, the length or duration of the signal field, and the length or duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission.

[0167] For UL C-OFDMA transmissions, each resource allocation field of a C-OFDMA-A frame also includes any suitable combination of one, two, or more of the following, according to various embodiments: an indication of the LTF type to be included in the PHY preamble of the UL C-OFDMA transmission; an indication of the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the UL C-OFDMA transmission; an indication of the duration of the UL C-OFDMA transmission; etc. In other embodiments where DL C-OFDMA transmissions immediately follow UL C-OFDMA transmissions (such as...) Figure 12 As shown), for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission, the C-OFDMA-A frame also includes one or any suitable combination of two or more of the following according to various embodiments: indicating the LTF type to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, indicating the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, indicating the length or duration of the signal field to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, indicating the duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.

[0168] In some embodiments (such as) Figure 10 As shown), the master AP 34 further transmits a C-OFDMA trigger frame (e.g., C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020) to indicate the transmission of the trigger frame from the AP to trigger UL C-OFDMA transmission. The C-OFDMA-A frame does not include an LTF type indication, an LTF number indication, or a UL C-OFDMA transmission length or duration indication. For example, this information is included in the C-OFDMA trigger frame. Other embodiments in which the master AP 34 further transmits a C-OFDMA trigger frame (e.g., C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020) to indicate UL C-OFDMA transmission (e.g.) Figure 10 In the example shown, a C-OFDMA-A frame includes one or any suitable combination of two or more of the following: an indicator of LTF type, an indicator of LTF number, and an indicator of the length or duration of the UL C-OFDMA transmission.

[0169] In some embodiments, C-OFDMA-A frames are transmitted in 20MHz wide conventional PPDUs (sometimes referred to as "non-HT PPDUs" in the IEEE 802.11 standard), and copies of the PPDUs are transmitted in every 20MHz subchannel (sometimes referred to as "non-HT repeated PPDUs" in the IEEE 802.11 standard) to generate a full-bandwidth C-OFDMA-A transmission. As an illustrative example, eight copies of the C-OFDMA-A frame are transmitted in eight non-HT copy PPDUs in eight 20MHz subchannels to generate a 160MHz transmission. In some embodiments where C-OFDMA-A frames are transmitted in non-HT PPDUs (i.e., conventional PPDUs), the data rate for transmitting the C-OFDMA-A frame is limited to a set of mandatory data rates defined by the communication protocol (e.g., the IEEE 802.11 standard). In some embodiments of C-OFDMA-A frame transmission in non-HT PPDU (i.e., conventional PPDU), the data rate for transmitting C-OFDMA-A frames is limited to a set of common data rates supported by both the master AP 34 and one or more slave APs 44 to participate in C-OFDMA transmission.

[0170] In other embodiments, C-OFDMA-A frames are transmitted in another suitable 20MHz wide PPDU (e.g., a PPDU conforming to the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard, a PPDU conforming to the IEEE 802.11be standard under development, etc.), and copies of the PPDU are transmitted in each 20MHz subchannel to generate full-bandwidth C-OFDMA-A transmission. In some embodiments where C-OFDMA-A frames are transmitted in PPDUs conforming to the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard or the IEEE 802.11be standard under development, the number of MCS and spatial streams used for transmitting C-OFDMA-A frames is limited to the MCS / spatial stream combinations defined as mandatory by the IEEE 802.11ax / IEEE 802.11be standards. In other embodiments of C-OFDMA-A frame transmission in PPDUs conforming to the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard or the currently developing IEEE 802.11be standard, the MCS and multiple spatial stream frames used for C-OFDMA-A transmission are limited to a number of MCS / spatial stream combinations selected from a common set of MCS / spatial stream combinations supported by the master AP34 and one or more AP44s to participate in C-OFDMA transmission.

[0171] In other embodiments, C-OFDMA-A frames are transmitted in a single PPDU spanning the full bandwidth of the C-OFDMA-A transmission.

[0172] Now for reference Figure 4 and 10 C-OFDMA trigger frames (such as C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 and C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020) include a trigger frame that is a control frame subtype. For example, the type subfield of the C-OFDMA trigger frame is set to a value to indicate a control type frame, and the subtype subfield of the C-OFDMA trigger frame is set to a value to indicate that the control frame is a trigger frame. The current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard defines a trigger frame format with a trigger type subfield, and the trigger type subfield can be set to one of a plurality of values ​​to indicate a trigger frame of one of a plurality of different types of trigger frames. In one embodiment, a C-OFDMA trigger frame includes a trigger type subfield set to a value to indicate that the trigger frame is a C-OFDMA trigger frame.

[0173] The C-OFDMA trigger frame includes information about the C-OFDMA transmission, such as any suitable combination of one or more of the following according to various embodiments: i) identifiers of the multiple WLANs from the AP participating in the C-OFDMA transmission; ii) an indicator of the corresponding frequency bandwidth to be used in the corresponding WLAN; iii) a corresponding indicator of the frequency RU to be used in the corresponding WLAN; iv) an indicator of the duration (in time) of the coordinated OFDMA transmission; v) an indicator of the corresponding length (in bits, octets, words, etc.) of the corresponding OFDMA transmission in the corresponding WLAN, etc. In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame additionally or alternatively includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following: an indicator of the type of long training field (LTF) to be included in the PHY preamble of the C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., when the communication protocol provides multiple different types of LTFs), an indicator of the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., the communication protocol provides different numbers of LTFs), an indicator of the length of the signal field included in the PHY preamble of the C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., where the signal field is a variable-length signal field), etc.

[0174] In some embodiments, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU are indicated in 20MHz units in the C-OFDMA trigger frame. In some embodiments, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU are indicated in 40MHz units in the C-OFDMA trigger frame. In some embodiments, when the frequency bandwidth allocated to a particular WLAN for C-OFDMA transmission is less than or equal to 160MHz, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU allocated to the WLAN are indicated in 20MHz units in the C-OFDMA trigger frame; while when the frequency bandwidth allocated to a particular WLAN for C-OFDMA transmission is greater than 160MHz, the frequency bandwidth and / or RU allocated to the WLAN are indicated in 40MHz units in the C-OFDMA trigger frame.

[0175] In one embodiment, the C-OFDMA trigger frame includes one or more resource allocation fields corresponding to one or more corresponding WLANs participating in C-OFDMA transmission. As an example, each resource allocation field of the C-OFDMA trigger frame, according to one embodiment, includes: i) an identifier of the BSS (e.g., a 48-bit MAC address from the AP, the BSS color ID, a 5-bit hash of the MAC address and a 6-bit color ID from the MAC address, or another suitable identifier); ii) the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band to be used for C-OFDMA transmission; and iii) the initial 20MHz sub-channel of that frequency band. DL C-OFDMA transmission immediately follows UL C-OFDMA transmission (such as...). Figure 12In some embodiments (as shown), the C-OFDMA trigger frame includes: i) an indication of the frequency bandwidth and starting sub-channel for UL C-OFDMA transmission, and ii) an indication of the frequency bandwidth and starting sub-channel for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission. In other embodiments where DL C-OFDMA transmission immediately follows UL C-OFDMA transmission (such as...) Figure 12 As shown), the C-OFDMA trigger frame only includes an indication of the frequency bandwidth and the starting sub-channel, for both UL C-OFDMA and DL C-OFDMA transmissions, meaning that UL C-OFDMA and DL C-OFDMA transmissions use the same frequency band.

[0176] For DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission, each resource allocation field of the C-OFDMA trigger frame also includes any suitable combination of one or two or more of the following according to various embodiments: an indicator of the LTF type to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indicator of the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, the length or duration of the signal field to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indicator of the duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.

[0177] For UL C-OFDMA transmissions, each resource allocation field of the C-OFDMA trigger frame also includes any suitable combination of one or two of the following, according to various embodiments: an indication of the LTF type to be included in the PHY preamble of the UL C-OFDMA transmission, an indication of the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the UL C-OFDMA transmission, an indication of the duration of the UL C-OFDMA transmission, etc. In other embodiments where DL C-OFDMA transmissions immediately follow UL C-OFDMA transmissions (such as...) Figure 12 As shown), for DL ​​C-OFDMA transmission, the C-OFDMA trigger frame also includes any suitable combination of one or two or more of the following according to various embodiments: an indication of the LTF type to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indication of the number of LTFs to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indication of the signal field length or duration to be included in the PHY preamble of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, an indication of the duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.

[0178] In various embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame does not include one or both of the following: i) a BSS identifier; ii) a frequency band indicator; iii) an indicator of the frequency bandwidth of the frequency band used for C-OFDMA transmission; iv) the starting 20MHz subchannel of that frequency band; v) an LTF type indicator; vi) an LTF number indicator; vii) a signal field length or duration indicator; vii) an indication of the length or duration of the DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc. For example, this information is instead included in the C-OFDMA-A frame.

[0179] In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame is transmitted in a conventional PPDU (sometimes referred to as a "non-HT PPDU" in the IEEE 802.11 standard) within a 20MHz range, with copies of the PPDU transmitted in each 20MHz subchannel (sometimes referred to as a "non-HT repeated PPDU" in the IEEE 802.11 standard) to generate a full-bandwidth C-OFDMA trigger transmission. As an illustrative example, eight copies of the C-OFDMA trigger frame are transmitted in eight non-HT repeated PPDUs across eight 20MHz subchannels to generate a 160MHz transmission. In some embodiments where the C-OFDMA trigger frame is transmitted in non-HT PPDUs (i.e., conventional PPDUs), the data rate of the C-OFDMA trigger frame transmission is limited to a set of mandatory data rates defined by the communication protocol (e.g., the IEEE 802.11 standard). In some embodiments where C-OFDMA trigger frames are transmitted in non-HT PPDUs (i.e., conventional PPDUs), the data rate of the C-OFDMA trigger frame transmission is limited to a set of common data rates supported by the master AP 34 and one or more slave APs 44 to participate in the C-OFDMA transmission.

[0180] In other embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame is transmitted in another suitable PPDU (e.g., a PPDU conforming to the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard, a PPDU conforming to the currently developing IEEE 802.11be standard, etc.), a copy of which is transmitted in each 20MHz subchannel to generate a full-bandwidth C-OFDMA trigger transmission. In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame is transmitted in a PPDU conforming to the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard or the currently developing IEEE 802.11be standard, and the number of MCS and spatial streams used to transmit the C-OFDMA trigger frame is limited to the MCS / spatial stream combination defined as mandatory by the IEEE 802.11ax / IEEE 802.11be standard. In other embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame is transmitted in a PPDU conforming to the current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard or the currently developing IEEE 802.11be standard. The number of MCS and spatial streams used to transmit the C-OFDMA trigger frame is limited to the number of MCS / spatial streams from the master AP 34 and one or more common MCS / spatial stream combinations supported by AP 44 to participate in the C-OFDMA transmission.

[0181] In other embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame is transmitted in a single PPDU spanning the full bandwidth of the C-OFDMA trigger transmission.

[0182] Now for reference Figure 2-4 In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame 204 includes an indicator of the duration of UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236. According to some embodiments, client stations 38 / 48 use the indicator of the duration of UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 to generate UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 according to the indicated duration, such that UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 end substantially simultaneously (e.g., within 5%). Reference now... Figure 2 In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 includes an indicator of the duration of UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236. According to some embodiments, client stations 38 / 48 use the indicator of the duration of UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 to generate UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 based on the indicated duration.

[0183] In other embodiments, C-OFDMA-A frame 204 and C-OFDMA trigger frame 420 do not include indicators of the duration of UL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and / or 864. For example, UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 are allowed to have different durations. In some embodiments, indicators of the duration of UL ACK / BA transmissions 232 and 236 are included elsewhere, such as in trigger frames included in DL C-OFDMA transmissions (212 / 216), in MU-BAR frames 504 / 520, etc.

[0184] Now for reference Figure 8-10 In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame 804 includes an indicator of the duration of DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864. According to some embodiments, multiple APs use the indicator of the duration of DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864 to generate DL ACK / BA transmission 864 based on the indicated duration, such that DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864 end substantially simultaneously (e.g., within 5%). Reference now... Figure 10 In some embodiments, the C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 includes an indicator of the duration of DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864. According to some embodiments, multiple APs 44 use the indicator of the duration of DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864 to generate DL ACK / BA transmission 864 based on the indicated duration, such that DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864 end substantially simultaneously (e.g., within 5%).

[0185] In other embodiments, C-OFDMA-A frame 804 and C-OFDMA trigger frame 1020 do not include indicators of the duration of DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and / or 864(s). For example, the master AP 34 and(s) slave APs 44 select appropriate durations for DL ​​ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864, for example, allowing DL ACK / BA transmissions 860 and 864 to have different durations.

[0186] In some embodiments, RUs allocated from AP 44 for C-OFDMA transmissions need to include the primary channel from AP 44. In one embodiment, if an RU allocated from AP 44 for C-OFDMA transmissions spans a frequency bandwidth of 160 MHz or less, the RU needs to include a 20 MHz primary channel from AP 44; if an RU allocated from AP 44 for C-OFDMA transmissions spans a frequency bandwidth greater than 160 MHz, the RU needs to include a 40 MHz primary channel from AP 44. In other embodiments, RUs allocated from AP 44 for C-OFDMA transmissions do not need to include the primary channel from AP 44.

[0187] In some embodiments, the master AP 34 and slave AP 44 have the same master channel. When the master AP 34 and slave AP 44 have the same master channel, according to one embodiment, Target Wake Time (TWT) subchannel selection transmission (SST) is used, where the AP advertises the channel for client stations to receive trigger frames or for downlink multi-user signaling fields for C-OFDMA operation. In another embodiment, the master AP 34 advertises scheduling information for the master AP 34 and(multiple) slave APs 44.

[0188] In other embodiments, the master AP 34 and the slave AP 44 have different master channels. According to one embodiment, when the master AP 34 and the slave AP 44 have different master channels, the client station 38 of the master AP 34 listens to the master channel of the master AP 34 to obtain RU allocation information for C-OFDMA transmission; and the client station 48 of the slave AP 44 listens to the master channel of the slave AP 44 to obtain RU allocation information for C-OFDMA transmission.

[0189] In some embodiments, the aggregated communication channel for C-OFDMA transmission needs to be included within the operating channel of the primary AP 34. In some embodiments, the aggregated communication channel for C-OFDMA transmission needs to be included within the operating channel of either the primary AP 34 or the operating channel of the secondary AP 44. In other embodiments, the aggregated communication channel for C-OFDMA transmission needs to include the operating channel of the primary AP 34. In one embodiment, the aggregated communication channel for C-OFDMA transmission needs to include both the operating channel of the primary AP 34 and the operating channel of the secondary AP 44.

[0190] In some embodiments, the primary AP 34 is permitted to transmit C-OFDMA-A frames in 20MHz subchannels that the primary AP 34 determines to be idle. In one embodiment, the primary AP 34 determines (e.g., network interface 122 determines, MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) that a set of subchannels is idle by: i) determining that the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) timer (e.g., implemented using energy measurement circuitry included in network interface 122, PHY processor 130, etc.) is zero; ii) determining that the PHY Idle Channel Assessment (CCA) indicates that the primary subchannels (e.g., 20MHz primary channel, 40MHz primary channel, etc.) of the primary AP 34 are idle; and iii) determining that the PHY CCA is idle for a defined time period (e.g., the Point Coordination Function (PCF) Inter-Frame Space (PIFS) as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard, or other suitable time period) of non-primary subchannels (e.g., 20MHz channel, 40MHz channel, etc.).

[0191] In some embodiments, AP 44 is permitted to transmit in response to a C-OFDMA-A frame in any subchannel of AP 44 that is determined to be idle by AP 44 (e.g., trigger frame, DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.). In one embodiment, determining from AP 44 that a set of subchannels is idle includes i) determining that the NAV timer is zero; ii) determining that a primary subchannel from AP 44 is idle, including one of the following: a) determining that C-OFDMA-A frames will begin transmission before a predetermined period of time (e.g., PIFS or another suitable period of time) indicated by the PHY CCA; or b) determining that transmission (e.g., trigger frame, DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.) will begin from AP 44 before a predetermined period of time (e.g., SIFS or another suitable period of time) indicated by the PHY CCA; and iii) determining that one or more non-primary subchannels are idle, including one of the following: a) determining that C-OFDMA-A frames will begin transmission before a predetermined period of time (e.g., PIFS or another suitable period of time) indicated by the PHY CCA; or b) determining that transmission (e.g., trigger frame, DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.) will begin from AP 44 before a predetermined period of time (e.g., SIFS or another suitable period of time) indicated by the PHY CCA; and iii) determining that one or more non-primary subchannels are idle, including one of the following: a) determining that C-OFDMA-A frames will begin transmission before a predetermined period of time (e.g., PIFS or another suitable period of time) indicated by the PHY CCA; or b) determining that transmission (e.g., trigger frame, DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.) will begin from AP 44 before a predetermined period of time (e.g., trigger frame, DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.) indicated by the PHY CCA. The scheduled time period (e.g., SIFS or another suitable time period) prior to C-OFDMA transmission is idle.

[0192] In other embodiments, the AP 44 responds to the C-OFDMA-A frame for transmission in a subchannel assigned to the AP 44 by the C-OFDMA-A frame (e.g., trigger frame, DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.), without the AP 44 first checking whether any subchannel is idle. In other embodiments, the C-OFDMA-A frame includes information indicating whether the AP 44 should determine whether the subchannel is idle before responding to the C-OFDMA-A frame for transmission in the subchannel.

[0193] In some embodiments, the primary AP 34 sets a duration subfield in the C-OFDMA-A frame to indicate the duration of the C-OFDMA transmission. In other embodiments where the C-OFDMA-A frame indicates a DL C-OFDMA transmission followed by a UL C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., such as...),... Figure 2-4 and Figure 13 (For example), the master AP 34 sets a duration subfield in the C-OFDMA-A frame to indicate the duration to end before the end of the DL C-OFDMA transmission 208, such as when the trigger frame in the DL C-OFDMA transmission 208 includes information instructing client stations 38 / 48 to check if the subchannel is idle before transmitting as part of the UL C-OFDMA transmission. In other embodiments where the C-OFDMA-A frame indicates that the DL C-OFDMA transmission is followed by the UL C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., such as...), Figure 2-4 and Figure 13 (Example) The master AP 34 sets the duration subfield in the C-OFDMA-A frame to indicate the duration to end before the UL C-OFDMA transmission, such as when the trigger frame in the DL C-OFDMA transmission 208 includes information instructing the client station 38 / 48 to check whether the subchannel is idle before transmitting as part of the UL C-OFDMA transmission.

[0194] In other embodiments, client stations 38 / 48 are configured to ignore the NAV counter set by a C-OFDMA-A frame when transmitting a UL C-OFDMA transmission in response to a DL C-OFDMA transmission, which is associated with a C-OFDMA-A frame. In other embodiments, client station 48 is configured to ignore the NAV counter set by a C-OFDMA-A frame when C-OFDMA-A addressing is performed on a slave AP 44 associated with client station 48.

[0195] In other embodiments where C-OFDMA-A frames indicate UL C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., such as...) Figure 2-4(and example 13), the master AP 34 sets the duration subfield in the C-OFDMA-A frame to indicate the duration of the frame that ends before the end of the DL C-OFDMA transmission 208, such as when the trigger frame in the DL C-OFDMA transmission 208 includes information instructing client stations 38 / 48 to check if the subchannel is idle before transmitting as part of the UL C-OFDMA transmission. In other embodiments where the C-OFDMA-A frame indicates that the DL C-OFDMA transmission is followed by the UL C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., such as...), Figure 8-12 (Example), the master AP 34 sets a duration subfield in the C-OFDMA-A frame to indicate the duration to end before the UL C-OFDMA transmission. In one embodiment, the master AP 34 sets a duration subfield in the C-OFDMA-A frame to indicate the duration to end before the DL OFDMA transmission ends, including a trigger frame that prompts the UL C-OFDMA transmission.

[0196] In other embodiments, client stations 38 / 48 are configured to ignore the NAV counter set by the C-OFDMA-A frame when transmitting UL C-OFDMA transmission in response to a C-OFDMA-A frame. In other embodiments, client station 48 is configured to ignore the NAV counter set by the C-OFDMA-A frame when C-OFDMA-A is transmitted for a slave AP 44 associated with client station 48.

[0197] In some embodiments, client stations 38 / 48 maintain a first NAV counter (inter-BSS NAV counter) for intra-BSS transmissions (e.g., for transmissions within the WLAN or BSS to which client station 38 / 48 belongs) and a second NAV counter (inter-BSS NAV counter) for inter-BSS transmissions (e.g., for transmissions from WLANs or BSSs to which client station 38 / 48 does not belong). In one embodiment, when client station 48 receives a C-OFDMA-A frame from master AP 34 (and the client station is not associated with master AP 34), client station 48 determines (e.g., network interface 162 determines, MAC processor 166 determines, etc.) whether the C-OFDMA-A frame includes the network identifier of the slave AP 44 associated with the client station 48 (e.g., MAC address, BSS ID, or another suitable identifier) ​​in a set of network identifiers indicating that the slave AP 44 is to participate in C-OFDMA transmission; and when the C-OFDMA-A frame includes the network identifier of the slave AP 44 associated with the client station 48, client station 48 sets (e.g., network interface 162 sets, MAC processor 166 sets, etc.) the NAV counter in the BSS using the duration information in the C-OFDMA-A frame.

[0198] In some embodiments, prior to C-OFDMA transmission, resource request information regarding the C-OFDMA transmission is transmitted from AP 44 to master AP 34. In various embodiments, the resource request information includes any suitable combination of one, two, or more of the following: an indication of the requested frequency bandwidth; an indication of the requested duration of a PPDU to be transmitted during the C-OFDMA transmission; an indication of the LTF(types) to be included in the PPDU; an indication of the number of LTFs to be included in the PPDU; an indication of the requested duration of a signal field to be included in the PPDU (when the PPDU will become part of the DL C-OFDMA transmission); etc. In one embodiment, AP 44 is configured (e.g., network interface 122 is configured, MAC processor 126 is configured, C-OFDMA controller is configured, etc.) to generate a frame including the resource request information, and AP 44 is configured (e.g., network interface 122 is configured, PHY processor 130 is configured, etc.) to transmit that frame to the main AP 34 as a packet.

[0199] In some embodiments, AP 44 is configured to compete for the wireless communication medium and, in response to receiving a resource request information transmitted by the wireless communication medium to the master AP 34.

[0200] In other embodiments, the master AP 34 is configured to poll the slave AP 44 for resource request information. For example, the master AP 34 generates and sends a trigger frame (e.g., a resource request trigger) to the slave AP 44, the trigger frame being configured to prompt the slave AP 44 to transmit resource request information to the master AP 34. In one embodiment, for each of one or more slave APs 44, the resource request trigger includes the network identifier of the slave AP 44. According to one embodiment, when a slave AP 44 receives a resource request trigger, the slave AP 44 determines whether its network ID is included in the resource request trigger, and if the resource request trigger includes the network ID of the slave AP 44, the slave AP 44 transmits the resource request information to the master AP 34.

[0201] In one embodiment, the network ID from AP 44 includes the MAC address from AP 44. In another embodiment, the network ID from AP 44 includes a BSS ID corresponding to AP 44. In yet another embodiment, the network ID from AP 44 includes a hash value generated by applying a known hash function to the MAC address from AP 44. In various embodiments, the hash value has a length of 11 bits, or other suitable number of bits.

[0202] In another embodiment, the network ID from AP 44 includes: i) the BSS color ID from AP 44 (or a subset of the bits of the BSS color ID, such as 6 bits of the BSS color ID); and ii) bits (such as 5 bits, 6 bits, etc.) obtained or generated from the MAC address of AP 44 (e.g., by applying a hash function to the MAC address).

[0203] The master AP 34 analyzes resource request information received from (multiple) slave APs 44 and determines frequency band allocation 44 for the master AP 34 and slave APs 44 based on the resource request information received from (multiple) slave APs 44. In some embodiments, the master AP 34 analyzes resource request information received from (multiple) slave APs 44 and determines the duration of C-OFDMA transmission (e.g., DL C-OFDMA transmission, UL C-OFDMA transmission) based on the resource request information received from (multiple) slave APs 44.

[0204] In some embodiments, the master AP 34 analyzes resource request information received from (or more) slave APs 44 and determines whether a cascaded C-OFDMA operation should be allocated based on the resource request information received from (or more) slave APs 44 (e.g., as...). Figure 13 After DL C-OFDMA transmission, it becomes UL C-OFDMA transmission, such as Figure 12 (The UL C-OFDMA transmission in the middle is followed by DL C-OFDMA transmission, etc.).

[0205] In some embodiments, the AP announces (e.g., in a management frame such as a beacon frame or probe response frame (or another suitable management frame), in a frame addressing a neighboring AP, etc.) whether the AP supports C-OFDMA transmission. In some embodiments, the AP also announces (e.g., in the same frame or different frames) whether the AP supports the master role, and / or whether the AP supports the slave role.

[0206] In some embodiments, APs negotiate which AP(s) will be the master AP and which AP(s) will be the slave AP by exchanging frames (e.g., common action frames or other suitable frames); and APs retain the same role until renegotiation.

[0207] In other embodiments, the AP that gains access to the channel medium automatically becomes the master AP and notifies other APs (e.g., via (multiple) common action frames, management frames (e.g., beacon frames, probe response frames, etc.) or other suitable frames) that other APs can participate in C-OFDMA transmission as slave APs.

[0208] In embodiments where the primary AP 34 and (multiple) secondary APs 44 are part of an Extended Service Set (ESS), the primary AP 34 is configured to schedule one or more APs 44 (capable of C-OFDMA transmissions) for C-OFDMA transmissions. In other embodiments, the first AP notifies the second AP (e.g., via a management frame or another suitable frame) whether the second AP is permitted to schedule the first AP for C-OFDMA transmissions.

[0209] In one embodiment, APs are configured to form a static group of APs configured to participate in C-OFDMA transmissions. For example, according to one embodiment, APs in an ESS and configured to participate in C-OFDMA transmissions implicitly form the group. In other embodiments, APs negotiate the formation of the group by, for example, exchanging management frames. According to one embodiment, once the group is formed, any AP in the group can act as a master AP 34, for example by initiating C-OFDMA transmissions and allocating frequency RUs to other APs (acting as slave APs 44) for C-OFDMA transmissions.

[0210] While the examples above involve transmission from an AP to multiple client stations or transmission from multiple client stations to an AP as part of a C-OFDMA transmission, in some embodiments, transmission from an AP to a single client station or transmission from a single client station to an AP is part of a C-OFDMA transmission.

[0211] While the examples described above relate to coordinated OFDMA transmissions, in other embodiments, the packet switching, techniques, etc., described above alternatively or additionally utilize coordinated MU-MIMO transmissions. For example, as part of a coordinated DL transmission, the primary AP 34 may transmit in a frequency band using one or more first spatial streams, while the secondary AP 44 may transmit in the same frequency band using one or more second spatial streams. As another example, as part of a coordinated UL transmission, one or more client stations 38 of the primary AP 34 may transmit in a frequency band using one or more first spatial streams, while one or more client stations 48 of the secondary AP 44 transmit in the same frequency band using one or more second spatial streams. Therefore, the examples of C-OFDMA packet switching, techniques, etc., described above are merely illustrative embodiments of coordinated multi-user (MU) transmissions and related techniques. In other embodiments, coordinated MU transmissions include coordinated MU-MIMO transmissions. Similarly, the C-OFDMA-A frames described above are merely illustrative examples of advertisement frames for coordinated multi-user (MU) transmissions, which may be used in conjunction with C-OFDMA and coordinated MU-MIMO transmissions. Similarly, the C-OFDMA trigger frame described above is merely an illustrative example of a trigger frame used to coordinate MU transmissions; for example, it can be used in conjunction with C-OFDMA transmissions and coordinated MU-MIMO transmissions. Similarly, the C-OFDMA controllers 60 / 70 / 80 described above are merely illustrative examples of controllers used to coordinate MU transmissions; for example, they can be used in conjunction with C-OFDMA transmissions and coordinated MU-MIMO transmissions.

[0212] While the above examples involve synchronous transmissions to or from multiple APs that begin substantially at the same time, in other embodiments, example packet switching, techniques, etc., are modified to allow transmissions to or from different APs to begin at different times. Similarly, although the above examples involve synchronous transmissions performed by multiple APs that end substantially simultaneously, in other embodiments, example packet switching, techniques, etc., are modified to allow transmissions to or from different APs to end at different times. For example, in the illustrative embodiments, transmissions to or from different APs overlap in time and occur within the same time window, but do not necessarily begin at substantially the same time and / or do not necessarily end at substantially the same time.

[0213] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of an example method 1400 for wireless communication involving multiple access points according to an embodiment. Method 1400 is implemented by a master access point, which has features such as a reference... Figure 1B The structure is described, and for ease of explanation, refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1B describe Figure 14 However, in other embodiments, method 1400 is performed by having with Figure 1B The different suitable AP structures shown are implemented.

[0214] In various embodiments, method 1400 is combined with Figure 2-13 Any frame exchange discussed in the above and / or any technique used in combination with the above discussion.

[0215] Method 1400 is implemented by a master AP associated with one or more first client stations.

[0216] At block 1404, the master AP generates (e.g., network interface 122 generates, MAC processor 126 generates, controller 60 generates, etc.) announcing coordinated MU transmissions (e.g., C-OFDMA transmissions, coordinated MU-MIMO transmissions, etc.) involving multiple APs, including a master AP and one or more slave APs, each slave AP being associated with one or more corresponding second client stations. In one embodiment, the announcement frame generated at block 1404 indicates one or more corresponding frequency RUs allocated to one or more slave APs for coordinated MU transmissions.

[0217] At box 1408, the master AP transmits an advertisement frame (e.g., via network interface 122, via PHY processor 130, etc.) to one or more slave APs to initiate a coordinated MU transmission.

[0218] In box 1412, the primary AP participates in coordinating MU transmission, while one or more secondary APs participate in coordinating MU transmission.

[0219] In some embodiments, coordinating MU transmissions at block 1412 includes: a primary AP transmitting a first DL transmission (e.g., transmission via network interface 122, transmission via PHY processor 130, etc.) to at least one of a plurality of first client stations, while a secondary AP transmitting a second DL transmission to at least one of one or more second client stations.

[0220] In some embodiments, generating a notification frame includes generating a notification frame to indicate that a slave AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and transmitting a first DL transmission at block 1412 as part of coordinating MU transmissions includes transmitting the first DL transmission in a second frequency RU, while a slave AP transmits a second DL transmission in the first RU, wherein the second RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0221] In some embodiments, generating an announcement frame at block 1404 includes generating an announcement frame to indicate that a slave AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and transmitting a first DL transmission as part of coordinating MU transmissions at block 1412 includes transmitting the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial streams, while a slave AP transmits a second DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more first spatial streams.

[0222] In some embodiments, generating an announcement frame at block 1404 includes generating an announcement frame to include an indication of the duration of a signal field to be included in the PHY header of the second DL transmission; and method 1400 further includes the primary AP generating a first DL transmission to include a signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission, the signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission having the duration of the signal field in the PHY header of the second DL transmission.

[0223] In some embodiments, coordinating UL transmission at block 1412 includes: a primary AP transmitting a first trigger frame to at least one of one or more first client stations, while a secondary AP transmits a second trigger frame to at least one of one or more second client stations; and receiving a first UL transmission from at least one first client station, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission to a secondary AP in response to the second trigger frame.

[0224] In some embodiments, generating an announcement frame at block 1404 includes generating an announcement frame to indicate that a second AP is assigned a first frequency RU; and participating in coordinating MU transmission at block 1412 includes receiving a first UL transmission in the second frequency RU while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU, wherein the second RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0225] In some embodiments, generating an announcement frame at block 1404 includes generating an announcement frame to indicate that a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams are allocated from an AP; and participating in coordinating MU transmission at block 1412 includes receiving a first UL transmission in the first frequency RU via one or more second spatial streams, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU via one or more first spatial streams.

[0226] In some embodiments, generating a notification frame at block 1404 includes generating a notification frame to include an indication of the duration of the second trigger frame; and participating in the coordinated MU transmission at block 1412 includes the primary AP generating a first trigger frame to have the duration of the second trigger frame.

[0227] In some embodiments, method 1400 further includes: a primary AP receiving resource request information from one or more secondary APs; and the primary AP allocating one or more frequencies RU to one or more secondary APs for coordinating MU transmissions based on the resource request information from one or more secondary APs.

[0228] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of another example method 1500 for wireless communication involving multiple access points according to another embodiment. Method 1500 is implemented by a slave access point, which has, for example, a reference... Figure 1B The structure is described, and for ease of explanation, refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1B describe Figure 15 However, in other embodiments, method 1500 is performed by a method having a... Figure 1B The different suitable AP structures shown are implemented.

[0229] In various embodiments, method 1500 is combined with Figure 2-13 Any frame switching discussed in any of the accompanying figures may be used in combination with, and / or in combination with, any of the techniques discussed above.

[0230] Method 1500 is implemented by a slave AP associated with one or more first client stations.

[0231] At block 1504, the slave AP receives an advertisement frame from the master AP associated with one or more second client stations (e.g., received by network interface 122, MAC processor 126, controller 70, etc.). In one embodiment, the advertisement frame advertises at least coordinated MU transmissions (e.g., C-OFDMA transmissions, coordinated MU-MIMO transmissions, etc.) between the slave AP and the master AP. In one embodiment, the advertisement frame includes an indicator of a frequency RU assigned to the slave AP for coordinated MU transmissions.

[0232] At box 1508, the AP participates in the coordinated MU transmission using the frequency RU indicated by the announcement frame, while the AP also participates in the coordinated MU transmission.

[0233] In one embodiment, coordinating MU transmission at block 1508 includes: transmitting a first DL transmission from the AP to at least one of one or more first client stations (e.g., transmission from network interface device 122, transmission from PHY processor 130, etc.) while the main AP transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of one or more second client stations.

[0234] In some embodiments, method 1500 further includes: determining a first frequency RU from the AP based on an indicator assigned to the RU in the advertisement frame (e.g., determined by network interface device 122, MAC processor 126, controller 70, etc.); and participating in coordinating MU transmission at block 1508 includes transmitting a first DL transmission in the first frequency RU while the second AP transmits a second DL transmission in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0235] In some embodiments, method 1500 further includes: determining a first frequency RU from the AP based on an indicator assigned to the RU in an advertisement frame (e.g., determined by network interface device 122, MAC processor 126, controller 70, etc.); determining one or more first spatial flows from the AP based on an indicator assigned to the first AP for coordinating MU transmissions (e.g., determined by network interface device 122, MAC processor 126, controller 70, etc.); and participating in coordinating MU transmissions at block 1508 includes transmitting a first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more first spatial flows, while the second AP transmits a second DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial flows.

[0236] In some embodiments, method 1500 further includes: determining, from the AP, the duration of a signal field (e.g., determined by network interface device 122, MAC processor 126, controller 70, etc.) based on an indicator of the duration of a signal field used for coordinating MU transmission in an advertisement frame, the signal field to be included in the physical layer (PHY) header in the first DL transmission; and participating in coordinating MU transmission at block 1508 includes generating, from the AP (e.g., generated by network interface device 122, PHY processor 130, etc.), the first DL transmission to include the signal field having the duration in the PHY header of the first DL transmission.

[0237] In some embodiments, coordinating UL transmissions at block 1508 includes: transmitting a first trigger frame (e.g., transmitted by network interface device 122, PHY processor 130, etc.) from an AP to at least one of one or more first client stations, while the main AP transmits a second trigger frame to at least one of one or more second client stations; and receiving a first UL transmission from at least one first client station from an AP (e.g., received by network interface device 122, received by PHY processor 130, etc.), while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission to the main AP in response to the second trigger frame.

[0238] In some embodiments, the method 1500 further includes determining a first frequency RU from the AP based on an indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame (e.g., determined by network interface device 122, MAC processor 126, controller 70, etc.); and participating in coordinating MU transmission at block 1508 includes: transmitting a first trigger frame in the first frequency RU while the master AP transmits a second trigger frame in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency; and receiving a first UL transmission in the first frequency RU while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the second RU.

[0239] In some embodiments, method 1500 further includes: determining (e.g., network interface device 122 determines, MAC processor 126 determines, controller 70 determines, etc.) a first frequency RU from the AP based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in an advertisement frame; determining (e.g., network interface device 122 determines, MAC processor 126 determines, controller 70 determines, etc.) one or more first spatial flows from the AP based on an indicator of one or more spatial flows assigned to the first AP for coordinating MU transmissions in an advertisement frame; and generating (e.g., network interface device 122 generates, MAC processor 126 generates, etc.) a first trigger frame from the AP to instruct one or more first client stations to transmit via one or more first spatial flows in the first frequency RU during a first UL transmission. In some embodiments, participating in coordinating MU transmissions at block 1508 includes: receiving a first UL transmission from the AP via one or more first spatial flows in the first frequency RU, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission via one or more second spatial flows in the first RU.

[0240] In some embodiments, method 1500 further includes: determining (e.g., network interface device 122 determines, MAC processor 126 determines, controller 70 determines, etc.) the duration of the first trigger frame from the AP based on an indicator of the duration of the first trigger frame in the announcement frame; and generating (e.g., network interface device 122 generates, MAC processor 126 generates, etc.) the first trigger frame from the AP to have the determined duration.

[0241] In some embodiments, method 1500 further includes, before receiving the notification frame: generating resource request information from the AP (e.g., generated by network interface device 122, generated by MAC processor 126, etc.) to request the RU for coordinating MU transmission; and transmitting resource request information from the AP to a second AP (e.g., transmitted by network interface device 122, transmitted by PHY processor 130, etc.).

[0242] Figure 16This is a flowchart of another example method 1600 for wireless communication involving multiple APs according to another embodiment. Method 1600 is implemented by a master AP, which has, for example, a reference... Figure 1B The structure is described, and for ease of explanation, refer to [reference needed]. Figure 1B describe Figure 16 However, in other embodiments, method 1600 is performed by a method having a... Figure 1B The different suitable AP structures shown are implemented.

[0243] In various embodiments, method 1600 and its combination Figure 2-13 Any frame exchange discussed in any of the accompanying figures may be used in combination with, and / or in combination with any of the techniques discussed above.

[0244] At box 1604, the first AP is determined (e.g., network interface 122 is determined, MAC processor 126 is determined, controller 60 is determined, etc.). The first AP will be the master AP for coordinating MU transmissions (e.g., C-OFDMA transmissions, coordinating MU-MIMO transmissions, etc.). Coordinating MU transmissions involves multiple APs, including the first AP and one or more second APs that act as slave APs.

[0245] At box 1608, the first AP receives (e.g., network interface 122 receives, MAC processor 126 receives, controller 60 receives, etc.) resource request information from one or more second APs, the resource request information relating to access to the wireless communication medium by one or more second APs used to coordinate MU transmissions.

[0246] At box 1612, the first AP allocates (e.g., network interface 122 allocation, MAC processor 126 allocation, controller 60 allocation, etc.) frequency RU to the first AP and one or more second APs based on the resource request information received at box 1608, for the purpose of coordinating MU transmission.

[0247] At block 1616, the first AP generates (e.g., network interface 122 generates, MAC processor 126 generates, controller 60 generates, etc.) an announcement frame regarding the coordination of MU transmissions. In one embodiment, the announcement frame includes allocation information about RUs assigned to one or more second APs for coordinating MU transmissions.

[0248] At box 1620, the first AP transmits (e.g., network interface 122 transmission, PHY processor 130 transmission, etc.) an advertisement frame to provide one or more second APs with allocation information about the RUs assigned to one or more second APs.

[0249] At box 1624, the first AP participates in coordinating MU transmission, while one or more second APs participate in coordinating MU transmission.

[0250] In some embodiments, receiving resource request information from one of the second APs at block 1608 includes: the first AP receiving a packet from a second AP that was sent in response to the second AP competing for the wireless communication medium to transmit the packet, and acquiring the wireless communication medium. In one embodiment, the packet includes resource request information from a second AP.

[0251] In some embodiments, method 1600 further includes: a first AP generating (e.g., network interface 122 generating, MAC processor 126 generating, controller 60 generating, etc.) a trigger frame configured to prompt at least one of one or more second APs to transmit resource request information; and a trigger frame transmitted by the first AP (e.g., network interface 122 transmitting, PHY processor 130 transmitting, etc.) to prompt at least one second AP to transmit resource request information. In one embodiment, receiving resource request information at block 1608 includes receiving resource request information from at least one second AP in response to a transmission trigger frame.

[0252] In some embodiments, generating a trigger frame includes: including an identifier of a second AP in the trigger frame; wherein receiving resource request information at block 1608 includes receiving resource request information from a second AP.

[0253] In some embodiments, the identifier of a second AP in the trigger frame includes: the MAC address of a second AP. In other embodiments, the identifier of a second AP in the trigger frame includes: a first set of bits from a BSS color identifier of a second AP; and a second set of bits generated from the MAC address of a second AP. In one embodiment, the second set of bits generated from the MAC address of a second AP includes: a set of bits generated by applying a hash function to the MAC address of a second AP.

[0254] In some embodiments, receiving resource request information at block 1608 includes receiving from a second AP an indicator of frequency bandwidth for coordinating MU transmissions, requested by the second AP.

[0255] In some embodiments, receiving resource request information at block 1608 includes receiving from a second AP an indicator of the duration of packets to be transmitted during coordinated MU transmission.

[0256] In some embodiments, receiving resource request information at block 1608 includes receiving from a second AP: an indicator of the duration of the signal field in the PHY header of a packet to be transmitted during a coordinated MU transmission.

[0257] Figure 17This is a flowchart of another example method 1700 for wireless communication involving multiple access points according to another embodiment. Method 1700 is implemented by a client station, which has features such as reference... Figure 1C The structure described, and for ease of explanation, refer to Figure 1C To describe Figure 17 However, in other embodiments, method 1700 is performed by having with Figure 1C The following are examples of client-side implementations with different suitable structures.

[0258] In various embodiments, method 1700 is combined with Figure 2-13 Any frame switching discussed in any of the accompanying figures may be used in combination with, and / or in combination with, any of the techniques discussed above.

[0259] Method 1700 is implemented by a client station associated with the first AP.

[0260] At box 1704, the client station receives (e.g., network interface 162 receives, MAC processor 166 receives, controller 80 receives, etc.) an advertisement frame transmitted by a second AP not associated with the client station. The advertisement frame advertises a coordination MU transmission involving the second AP and one or more other APs. The advertisement frame includes one or more corresponding network identifiers of the one or more other APs, and also includes a duration field indicating the duration corresponding to the coordination MU transmission.

[0261] At box 1708, in response to receiving an announcement frame, the client station sets (e.g., network interface 162, MAC processor 166, controller 80 settings, etc.) the client station's NAV counter based on the value of the duration field in the announcement frame.

[0262] At frame 1712, the client station determines (e.g., network interface 162 is determined, MAC processor 166 is determined, controller 80 is determined, etc.) that the advertisement frame includes the network identifier of the first AP.

[0263] At box 1716, the client station determines (e.g., network interface 162 is determined, MAC processor 166 is determined, controller 80 is determined, etc.) that the client station will transmit to the first AP in the communication channel as part of the coordinated MU transmission.

[0264] At box 1720, the client station determines (e.g., network interface 162 determines, MAC processor 166 determines, controller 80 determines, etc.) that the communication channel is idle, including ignoring the NAV counter in response to determining that the NAV counter is set in response to an announcement frame including the network identifier of the first AP; and

[0265] At box 1724, the client station responds to determining that the communication channel is idle by transmitting as part of the coordinated MU transmission (e.g., network interface 162 transmission, PHY processor 170 transmission, etc.).

[0266] In some embodiments, the coordinated MU transmission includes corresponding downlink transmissions of the first AP and the second AP; and in block 1724, transmission as part of the coordinated MU transmission includes transmission to the first AP after the corresponding downlink transmissions of the first AP and the second AP.

[0267] In some embodiments, method 1700 further includes: client station maintaining (e.g., network interface 162 maintenance, MAC processor 166 maintenance, etc.) a first NAV counter for transmissions in a basic service set (BSS) managed by the first AP; and client station maintaining (e.g., network interface 162 maintenance, MAC processor 166 maintenance, etc.) a second NAV counter for transmissions not managed by the first AP; wherein setting the client station's NAV counter based on the value of a duration field in an advertisement frame includes: the client station setting the first NAV counter to include the network identifier of the first AP in response to determining that an advertisement frame transmitted by the second AP is used.

[0268] Example 1: A method for wireless communication by a first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the method comprising: generating a notification frame at the first AP, the notification frame notifying coordinated multi-user (MU) transmission involving a plurality of APs, the plurality of APs including the first AP and one or more second APs, each of the second APs being associated with a corresponding one or more second client stations, wherein the notification frame is generated to indicate a corresponding one or more frequency resource elements (RUs) allocated to the one or more second APs for coordinated MU transmission; transmitting the notification frame from the first AP to the one or more second APs to initiate coordinated MU transmission; and the first AP participating in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission.

[0269] Example 2: According to the method of Example 1, the participation in coordinating MU transmission includes: transmitting a first downlink (DL) transmission from a first AP to at least one of one or more first client stations, while a second AP transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of one or more second client stations.

[0270] Example 3: According to the method of Example 2, wherein: generating a notification frame includes generating a notification frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and transmitting a first DL transmission includes transmitting a first DL transmission in a second frequency RU, while a second AP transmits a second DL transmission in the first RU, wherein the second RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0271] Example 4: According to the method of Example 2, wherein: generating a notification frame includes generating a notification frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and transmitting a first DL transmission includes transmitting a first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial streams, while a second AP transmits a second DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more first spatial streams.

[0272] Example 5: The method according to any one of Examples 2-4, wherein generating a notification frame includes: generating a notification frame to include an indication of the duration of a signal field to be included in the physical layer (PHY) header of a second DL transmission; and generating a first DL transmission at a first AP to include the signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission, the signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission having the duration of the signal field in the PHY header of the second DL transmission.

[0273] Example 6: According to the method of Example 1, the participation in coordinating MU transmission includes: transmitting a first trigger frame from a first AP to at least one of one or more first client stations, while a second AP transmits a second trigger frame to at least one of one or more second client stations; and receiving a first uplink (UL) transmission from at least one first client station at the first AP, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission to a second AP in response to the second trigger frame.

[0274] Example 7: According to the method of Example 6, wherein: generating a notification frame includes generating a notification frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and receiving a first UL transmission includes receiving the first UL transmission in a second frequency RU, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU, wherein the second RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0275] Example 8: According to the method of Example 6, wherein: generating a notification frame includes generating a notification frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and receiving a first UL transmission includes receiving a first UL transmission in the first frequency RU via one or more second spatial streams, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU via one or more first spatial streams.

[0276] Example 9: The method according to any one of Examples 6-8, wherein: generating a notification frame includes generating a notification frame to include an indication of the duration of the second trigger frame; and participating in the coordination MU includes generating a first trigger frame at a first AP to have the duration of the second trigger frame.

[0277] Example 10: The method according to any one of Examples 1-9 further includes: receiving resource request information from one or more second APs at a first AP; and allocating one or more frequencies RU at the first AP to one or more second APs based on the resource request information from one or more second APs for coordinating MU transmission.

[0278] Example 11: The method according to any one of Examples 1-9 further includes: after transmitting the announcement frame, receiving at the first AP one or more corresponding copies of the announcement frame from one or more second APs; and while receiving one or more corresponding copies of the announcement frame, transmitting another copy of the announcement frame by the first AP.

[0279] Example 12: The method according to Example 11 further includes: after receiving one or more corresponding copies of the notification frame, the first AP transmits a trigger frame to one or more second APs to further initiate coordinated MU transmission.

[0280] Example 13: A first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the first AP comprising: a wireless network interface device including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices. The one or more IC devices are configured to: generate a notification frame that notifies a coordinated multiple user (MU) transmission involving a plurality of APs, including a first AP and one or more second APs, each of the second APs being associated with a corresponding one or more second client stations, wherein the notification frame is generated to indicate a corresponding one or more frequency resource elements (RUs) allocated to one or more second APs for coordinated MU transmission P; control the wireless network interface device to transmit the notification frame to the one or more second APs to initiate a coordinated MU transmission; and control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission.

[0281] Example 14: According to the first AP of Example 13, one or more IC devices are configured to control the wireless network interface device to participate in coordinating MU transmission by at least the following means: controlling the wireless network interface device to transmit a first downlink (DL) transmission to at least one of one or more first client stations, while a second AP transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of one or more second client stations.

[0282] Example 15: According to the first AP of Example 14, one or more IC devices are configured to: generate an advertisement frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and control a wireless network interface device to transmit a first DL transmission in the second frequency RU, while a second AP transmits a second DL transmission in the first RU, wherein the second RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0283] Example 16: According to the first AP of Example 14, one or more IC devices are configured to: generate a notification frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and control a wireless network interface device to use one or more second spatial streams to transmit a first DL transmission in the first frequency RU, while a second AP uses one or more first spatial streams to transmit a second DL transmission in the first frequency RU.

[0284] Example 17: According to any one of Examples 14-16, one or more IC devices are configured to: generate a notification frame to include an indication of the duration of a signal field to be included in the physical layer (PHY) header of a second DL transmission; and generate a first DL transmission to include the signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission, the signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission having the duration of the signal field in the PHY header of the second DL transmission.

[0285] Example 18: According to the first AP of Example 13, one or more IC devices are configured to control a wireless network interface device to participate in coordinating MU transmissions by at least the following means: controlling the wireless network interface device to transmit a first trigger frame to at least one of one or more first client stations, while a second AP transmits a second trigger frame to at least one of one or more second client stations; and receiving a first uplink (UL) transmission from at least one first client station, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission to a second AP in response to the second trigger frame.

[0286] Example 19: According to the first AP of Example 18, one or more IC devices are configured to: generate a notification frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and receive a first UL transmission in the second frequency RU, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU, wherein the second RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0287] Example 20: According to the method of Example 18, one or more IC devices are configured to: generate a notification frame to indicate that a second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and receive a first UL transmission in the first frequency RU via one or more second spatial streams, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU via one or more first spatial streams.

[0288] Example 21: According to any one of Examples 18-20, one or more IC devices are configured to: generate a notification frame to include an indication of the duration of a second trigger frame; and generate a first trigger frame to have the duration of the second trigger frame.

[0289] Example 22: According to any one of Examples 13-21, one or more IC devices are further configured to: receive resource request information from one or more second APs; and allocate one or more frequency RUs to one or more second APs based on the resource request information from one or more second APs for coordinating MU transmission.

[0290] Example 23: According to any one of Examples 13-22, one or more IC devices are further configured to: after transmitting an advertisement frame, receive one or more corresponding copies of an advertisement frame from one or more second APs; and while receiving one or more corresponding copies of an advertisement frame from one or more second APs, control the wireless network interface device to transmit another copy of the advertisement frame.

[0291] Example 24: According to the method of Example 23, one or more IC devices are further configured to: upon receiving one or more corresponding copies of the announcement frame, control the wireless network interface device to transmit a trigger frame to one or more second APs to further initiate coordinated MU transmission.

[0292] Example 25: A method for wireless communication by a first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the method comprising: receiving at the first AP a notification frame from a second AP associated with one or more second client stations, the notification frame notifying coordinated multi-user (MU) transmissions involving at least the first AP and the second AP, wherein the notification frame includes an indicator of a frequency resource element (RU) allocated to the first AP for coordinated MU transmissions; and using the frequency RU indicated by the notification frame, the first AP participating in coordinated MU transmissions, while the second AP also participates in coordinated MU transmissions.

[0293] Example 26: According to the method of Example 25, the participation in coordinating MU transmission includes: transmitting a first downlink (DL) transmission from a first AP to at least one of one or more first client stations, while a second AP transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of one or more second client stations.

[0294] Example 27: The method according to Example 26 further includes: determining a first frequency RU at the first AP based on an indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame; wherein transmitting the first DL transmission includes transmitting the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU, while the second AP transmits the second DL transmission in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0295] Example 28: The method according to Example 26 further includes: determining a first frequency RU at the first AP based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in a notification frame; determining one or more spatial streams at the first AP based on an indicator of one or more spatial streams assigned to the first AP in a notification frame for coordinating MU transmissions; and transmitting the first DL transmission includes transmitting the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more first spatial streams, while the second AP transmits the second DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial streams.

[0296] Example 29: The method according to any one of Examples 26-28 further includes: determining the duration of a signal field at a first AP based on an indicator of the duration of a signal field used to coordinate MU transmission in a notification frame, the signal field being included in the physical layer (PHY) header of a first DL transmission; and generating a first DL transmission at the first AP to include the signal field having the duration in the PHY header of the first DL transmission.

[0297] Example 30: According to the method of Example 25, the participation in coordinating MU transmission includes: transmitting a first trigger frame from a first AP to at least one of one or more first client stations, while a second AP transmits a second trigger frame to at least one of one or more second client stations; and receiving a first uplink (UL) transmission from at least one first client station at the first AP, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission to the second AP in response to the second trigger frame.

[0298] Example 31: The method according to Example 30 further includes: determining a first frequency RU at the first AP based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in a notification frame; wherein transmitting the first trigger frame includes transmitting the first trigger frame in the first frequency RU, while the second AP transmits a second trigger frame in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency; and wherein receiving the first UL transmission includes receiving the first UL transmission in the first frequency RU, while at least one second client station transmits the second UL transmission in the second RU.

[0299] Example 32: The method according to Example 30 further includes: determining a first frequency RU at the first AP based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in a notification frame; determining one or more spatial streams at the first AP based on an indicator of one or more spatial streams assigned to the first AP for coordinating MU transmissions in a notification frame; and generating a first trigger frame at the first AP to instruct one or more first client stations to transmit in the first frequency RU via one or more first spatial streams during a first UL transmission; wherein receiving the first UL transmission includes receiving the first UL transmission in the first frequency RU via one or more first spatial streams, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU via one or more second spatial streams.

[0300] Example 33: The method according to any one of Examples 30-32 further includes: determining the duration of the first trigger frame at the first AP based on an indicator of the duration of the first trigger frame in the notification frame; and generating the first trigger frame at the first AP to have the determined duration.

[0301] Example 34: The method according to any one of Examples 25-33 further includes, before receiving the notification frame: generating resource request information at the first AP to request the RU for coordinating MU transmission; and transmitting the resource request information from the first AP to the second AP.

[0302] Example 35: The method according to any one of Examples 25-34 further includes: after receiving the notification frame, the first AP transmits a copy of the notification frame.

[0303] Example 36: The method according to Example 35 further includes: after transmitting a copy of the announcement frame, receiving at the first AP a trigger frame from the master AP associated with the coordinated MU transmission; wherein participation in the coordinated MU transmission is in response to the trigger frame.

[0304] Example 37: A first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the first AP comprising: a wireless network interface device including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices. The one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices are configured to: receive a notification frame from a second AP associated with one or more second client stations, the notification frame notifying coordinated multiple user (MU) transmissions involving at least the first AP and the second AP, wherein the notification frame includes an indicator of a frequency resource element (RU) allocated to the first AP for coordinated MU transmissions; and control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmissions using the frequency RU indicated by the notification frame, while the second AP also participates in the coordinated MU transmissions.

[0305] Example 38: According to the first access point of Example 37, one or more IC devices are further configured to control the wireless network interface device to participate in coordinating MU transmissions by at least the following: controlling the wireless network interface device to transmit a first downlink (DL) transmission to at least one of one or more first client stations, while the second AP transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of one or more second client stations.

[0306] Example 39: According to the first AP of Example 38, one or more IC devices are further configured to: determine a first frequency RU based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in an advertisement frame; control a wireless network interface device to transmit a first DL transmission in the first frequency RU, while the second AP transmits a second DL transmission in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

[0307] Example 40: According to the first AP of Example 38, one or more IC devices are further configured to: determine a first frequency RU based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in an advertisement frame; determine one or more spatial streams based on an indicator of one or more spatial streams assigned to the first AP for coordinating MU transmissions in an advertisement frame; and control a wireless network interface device to transmit a first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more first spatial streams, while the second AP transmits a second DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial streams.

[0308] Example 41: According to any one of Examples 38-40, in the first AP, one or more IC devices are further configured to: determine the duration of a signal field based on an indicator in the announcement frame for coordinating the duration of a signal field for MU transmission, the signal field being to be included in the physical layer (PHY) header of the first DL transmission; and generate the first DL transmission to include the signal field having the duration in the PHY header of the first DL transmission.

[0309] Example 42: According to the first access point of Example 37, one or more IC devices are further configured to control the wireless network interface device to participate in coordinating MU transmissions at least by: controlling the wireless network interface device to transmit a first trigger frame to at least one of one or more first client stations, while the second AP transmits a second trigger frame to at least one of one or more second client stations; and receiving a first uplink (UL) transmission from at least one first client station, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission to the second AP in response to the second trigger frame.

[0310] Example 43: According to the first AP of Example 42, one or more IC devices are further configured to: determine a first frequency RU based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in an advertisement frame; control a wireless network interface device to transmit a first trigger frame in the first frequency RU, while a second AP transmits a second trigger frame in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency; and receive a first UL transmission in the first frequency RU, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the second RU.

[0311] Example 44: According to the first AP of Example 42, one or more IC devices are further configured to: determine a first frequency RU based on an indicator of an RU assigned to the first AP in a notification frame; determine one or more spatial streams based on an indicator of one or more spatial streams assigned to the first AP for coordinating MU transmission in a notification frame; generate a first trigger frame to instruct one or more first client stations to transmit in the first frequency RU via one or more first spatial streams during a first UL transmission; and receive the first UL transmission in the first frequency RU via one or more first spatial streams, while at least one second client station transmits a second UL transmission in the first RU via one or more second spatial streams.

[0312] Example 45: According to any one of Examples 42-44, one or more IC devices are further configured to: determine the duration of the first trigger frame based on an indicator of the duration of the first trigger frame in the announcement frame; and generate the first trigger frame to have the determined duration.

[0313] Example 46: According to any one of Examples 37-45, in the first AP, one or more IC devices are further configured to: generate resource request information to request an RU for coordinating MU transmissions before receiving a notification frame; and control the wireless network interface device to transmit the resource request information to the second AP.

[0314] Example 47: According to any one of Examples 37-46, one or more IC devices are further configured to: control the wireless network interface device to transmit a copy of the advertisement frame after receiving the advertisement frame.

[0315] Example 48: According to the first AP of Example 47, one or more IC devices are further configured to: receive a trigger frame from the master AP related to the coordinated MU transmission after transmitting a copy of the announcement frame; and control the network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission in response to receiving the trigger frame.

[0316] Example 49: A method for coordinating transmission in multiple wireless communication networks, the method comprising: determining at a first access point (AP) that a first AP will be a master AP for coordinating multi-user (MU) transmission, the coordination of MU transmission involving multiple APs including the first AP and one or more second APs; receiving resource request information from one or more second APs regarding access to a wireless communication medium by one or more second APs for coordinating MU transmission; allocating frequency resource elements (RUs) at the first AP to the first AP and one or more second APs for coordinating MU transmission based on the resource request information received from the one or more second APs; generating at the first AP a notification frame regarding the coordinated MU transmission, the notification frame including allocation information regarding the RUs allocated to the one or more second APs for coordinating MU transmission; transmitting the notification frame by the first AP to provide the one or more second APs with the allocation information regarding the RUs allocated to the one or more second APs; the first AP participating in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission.

[0317] Example 50: According to the method of Example 49, receiving resource request information from one of the second APs includes: receiving a packet from a second AP by a first AP, the packet being sent in response to: the second AP competing for the wireless communication medium to transmit the packet, and obtaining the wireless communication medium, wherein the packet includes resource request information from a second AP.

[0318] Example 51: The method according to Example 49 further includes: generating a trigger frame at a first AP, the trigger frame being configured to prompt at least one of the one or more second APs to transmit resource request information; and transmitting the trigger frame by the first AP to prompt at least one second AP to transmit resource request information; and wherein receiving resource request information includes receiving resource request information from at least one second AP in response to transmitting the trigger frame.

[0319] Example 52: According to the method of Example 51, generating the trigger frame includes: including an identifier of a second AP in the trigger frame; wherein receiving resource request information includes receiving resource request information from a second AP.

[0320] Example 53: According to the method described in Example 52, the identifier of a second AP in the trigger frame includes the MAC address of the second AP.

[0321] Example 54: The method of claim 52, wherein the identifier of a second AP in the trigger frame includes: a first set of bits from a basic service set (BSS) color identifier of a second AP; and a second set of bits generated from a media access control (MAC) address of a second AP.

[0322] Example 55: According to the method of Example 54, the second set of bits generated from the MAC address of a second AP includes: a set of bits generated by applying a hash function to the MAC address of the second AP.

[0323] Example 56: The method according to any one of Examples 49-55, wherein receiving resource request information includes receiving from a second AP: an indicator of frequency bandwidth for coordinating MU transmission requested by the second AP.

[0324] Example 57: The method according to any one of Examples 49-56, wherein receiving resource request information includes receiving from a second AP: an indicator of the duration of a packet to be transmitted during a coordinated MU transmission.

[0325] Example 58: The method according to any one of Examples 49-57, wherein receiving resource request information includes receiving from a second AP: an indicator of the duration of the signal field in the PHY header of the packet to be transmitted during the coordinated MU transmission.

[0326] Example 59: A communication device comprising: a wireless network interface device implemented on one or more ICs, the one or more ICs being configured to implement the method of any one of Examples 49-58.

[0327] Example 60: A method for wireless communication by a client station associated with a first access point (AP), the method comprising: receiving at the client station an announcement frame transmitted by a second AP not associated with the client station, the announcement frame announcing a coordinated MU transmission involving the second AP and one or more other APs, the announcement frame including one or more corresponding network identifiers of the one or more other APs, and wherein the announcement frame further includes a duration field indicating a duration corresponding to the coordinated MU transmission; in response to receiving the announcement frame, setting a network allocation vector (NAV) counter of the client station based on a value of the duration field in the announcement frame; determining at the client station that the announcement frame includes a network identifier of the first AP; determining at the client station that the client station intends to transmit to the first AP in a communication channel as part of the coordinated MU transmission; determining at the client station that the communication channel is idle, including ignoring the NAV counter in response to determining that the NAV counter was set in response to the announcement frame including the network identifier of the first AP; and in response to determining that the communication channel is idle, transmitting by the client station as part of the coordinated MU transmission.

[0328] Example 61: According to the method described in Example 60, the coordinated MU transmission includes the corresponding downlink transmissions of the first AP and the second AP; the transmission by the client station as part of the coordinated MU transmission includes transmission to the first AP after the corresponding downlink transmissions of the first AP and the second AP.

[0329] Example 62: The method according to any one of Examples 60 or 61 further includes: maintaining a first NAV counter at the client station for transmissions in a basic service set (BSS) managed by the first AP; and maintaining a second NAV counter at the client station for transmissions not in a BSS managed by the first AP; wherein setting the NAV counter of the client station based on the value of a duration field in an advertisement frame includes: setting the first NAV counter to include the network identifier of the first AP in response to determining that an advertisement frame transmitted by the second AP is used.

[0330] Example 63: A communication device comprising: a wireless network interface device implemented on one or more ICs, the one or more ICs being configured to implement the method described in any one of Examples 60-62.

[0331] At least some of the aforementioned frameworks, operations, and techniques can be implemented using hardware, a processor executing firmware instructions, a processor executing software instructions, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a processor executing software or firmware instructions, the software or firmware instructions can be stored in any suitable computer-readable storage medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc. The software or firmware instructions may include machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform various actions.

[0332] When implemented in hardware, the hardware may include one or more of discrete components, integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), etc.

[0333] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are for illustration only and not for limiting the invention. Changes, additions and / or deletions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication by a first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the method comprising: A notification frame is generated at the first AP, the notification frame notifying a coordinated multi-user MU transmission involving synchronous transmission by a plurality of APs, the plurality of APs including the first AP and one or more second APs, each of the second APs being associated with one or more corresponding second client stations, wherein the notification frame is generated to indicate one or more corresponding frequency resource units (RUs) allocated to the one or more second APs for the coordinated MU transmission; The first AP transmits a notification frame to the one or more second APs to initiate the coordinated MU transmission; After transmitting the notification frame, the first AP transmits a trigger frame to the one or more second APs to initiate the coordinated MU transmission; as well as The first AP participates in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission, including the one or more second APs transmitting synchronously with one or more other corresponding transmissions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein participating in the coordinating MU transmission comprises: The first AP transmits a first downlink DL transmission to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and a second AP synchronously transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of the one or more second client stations.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Generating the notification frame includes generating the notification frame to indicate that the second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and Transmitting the first DL transmission includes transmitting the first DL transmission in a second frequency RU, and transmitting the second DL transmission synchronously by the second AP in the first frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Generating the notification frame includes generating the notification frame to indicate that the one second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and Transmitting the first DL transmission includes transmitting the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial streams, and synchronously transmitting the second DL transmission in the first frequency RU by the second AP using the one or more first spatial streams.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein generating the notification frame comprises: The notification frame is generated to include an indication of the duration of a signal field, which is to be included in the physical layer PHY header of the second DL transmission; as well as The first DL transmission is generated at the first AP to include a signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission, the signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission having the duration of the signal field in the PHY header of the second DL transmission.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger frame is a first trigger frame, and wherein participating in the coordinated MU transmission includes: A second trigger frame is transmitted from the first AP to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and a third trigger frame is synchronously transmitted from a second AP to at least one of the one or more second client stations. as well as A first uplink UL transmission is received at the first AP from the at least one first client station, and a second UL transmission is synchronously transmitted to the second AP in response to the third trigger frame by the at least one second client station.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein: Generating the notification frame includes generating the notification frame to indicate that the second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and Receiving the first UL transmission includes receiving the first UL transmission in a second frequency RU, and the second UL transmission being synchronously transmitted by the at least one second client station in the first frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein: Generating the notification frame includes generating the notification frame to indicate that the one second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and Receiving the first UL transmission includes receiving the first UL transmission in the first frequency RU via one or more second spatial streams, and synchronously transmitting the second UL transmission by the at least one second client station in the first frequency RU via the one or more first spatial streams.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein: Generating the notification frame includes generating the notification frame to include an indication of the duration of the third trigger frame; and Participating in the coordination MU includes generating a second trigger frame at the first AP with the duration of the third trigger frame.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive resource request information from one or more second APs at the first AP; Based on the resource request information from the one or more second APs, the one or more frequency RUs are allocated at the first AP to the one or more second APs for the purpose of coordinating MU transmission.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: After transmitting the announcement frame, one or more corresponding copies of the announcement frame from the one or more second APs are received at the first AP; as well as In sync with the transmission of one or more corresponding copies of the announcement frame, the first AP transmits an additional copy of the announcement frame.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: Upon receiving one or more corresponding copies of the notification frame, the first AP transmits the trigger frame to one or more second APs.

13. A first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the first AP comprising: A wireless network interface device, comprising one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: A notification frame is generated, the notification frame notifying a coordinated multi-user MU transmission involving synchronous transmission by a plurality of APs, the plurality of APs including a first AP and one or more second APs, each of the second APs being associated with one or more corresponding second client stations, wherein the notification frame is generated to indicate one or more corresponding frequency resource units (RUs) allocated to the one or more second APs for the coordinated MU transmission; The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit an advertisement frame to the one or more second APs to initiate the coordinated MU transmission. After transmitting the announcement frame, the wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit a trigger frame to the one or more second access points to initiate the coordinated MU transmission; Controlling the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission, while the one or more second APs also participate in the coordinated MU transmission, including transmission synchronized by the one or more second APs and one or more corresponding other transmissions.

14. The first AP of claim 13, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission at least by: The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit a first downlink DL transmission to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and a second AP synchronously transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of the one or more second client stations.

15. The first AP of claim 14, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: Generate the notification frame to indicate that the second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit the first DL transmission in the second frequency RU, and the second DL transmission is synchronously transmitted by the second AP in the first frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

16. The first AP according to claim 14, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: Generate the notification frame to indicate that the second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial streams, and the second AP synchronously transmits the second DL transmission in the first frequency RU using the one or more first spatial streams.

17. The first AP of claim 14, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: Generate the notification frame to include an indication of the duration of a signal field, which is to be included in the physical layer PHY header of the second DL transmission; and The first DL transmission is generated to include a signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission, the signal field in the PHY header of the first DL transmission having the duration of the signal field in the PHY header of the second DL transmission.

18. The first access point of claim 13, wherein the trigger frame is a first trigger frame, and wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission at least by: Controlling the wireless network interface device to transmit a second trigger frame to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and synchronously transmitting a third trigger frame from a second AP to at least one of the one or more second client stations; and A first uplink UL transmission is received from the at least one first client station, and a second UL transmission is synchronously transmitted by the at least one second client station to the second AP in response to the third trigger frame.

19. The first AP of claim 18, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: Generate the notification frame to indicate that the second AP is allocated a first frequency RU; and The first UL transmission is received in a second frequency RU, and the second UL transmission is synchronously transmitted by the at least one second client station in the first frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

20. The first AP of claim 18, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: Generate the notification frame to indicate that the second AP is allocated a first frequency RU and one or more first spatial streams; and The first UL transmission is received in the first frequency RU via one or more second spatial streams, and the second UL transmission is synchronously transmitted by the at least one second client station in the first frequency RU via the one or more first spatial streams.

21. The first AP of claim 18, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: Generate the notification frame to include an indication of the duration of the third trigger frame; and Generate a second trigger frame having the duration of the third trigger frame.

22. The first AP according to claim 13, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: Receive resource request information from one or more second APs; Based on the resource request information from the one or more second APs, the one or more frequency RUs are allocated to the one or more second APs for the purpose of coordinating MU transmission.

23. The first AP of claim 13, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: After transmitting the notification frame, receive one or more corresponding copies of the notification frame from the one or more second APs; and In synchronization with the transmission of one or more corresponding copies of the announcement frame by the one or more second APs, the wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit additional copies of the announcement frame.

24. The first AP according to claim 23, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: Upon receiving one or more corresponding copies of the notification frame, the wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit the trigger frame to one or more second APs to further initiate the coordinated MU transmission.

25. A method for wireless communication by a first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the method comprising: At the first AP, a notification frame is received from a second AP associated with one or more second client stations. The notification frame notifies a coordinated multi-user MU transmission that is synchronously transmitted by at least the first AP and the second AP. The notification frame includes an indicator of a frequency resource unit (RU) allocated to the first AP for the coordinated MU transmission. After receiving the notification frame, the first AP receives a trigger frame from the second AP, and the trigger frame initiates the coordinated MU transmission; as well as In response to receiving the trigger frame, the first AP participates in the coordinated MU transmission using the frequency RU indicated by the notification frame, while the second AP also participates in the coordinated MU transmission, including transmission synchronized by the second AP.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein participating in the coordinating MU transmission comprises: The first AP transmits a first downlink DL transmission to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and the second AP synchronously transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of the one or more second client stations.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: Based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame, a first frequency RU is determined at the first AP; The transmission of the first DL transmission includes transmitting the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU, and the second AP synchronously transmitting the second DL transmission in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising: Based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame, a first frequency RU is determined at the first AP; Based on the indicator in the announcement frame that is assigned to the first AP for the coordinated MU transmission of one or more spatial streams, one or more spatial streams are determined at the first AP; and Transmitting the first DL transmission includes transmitting the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more first spatial streams, and synchronously transmitting the second DL transmission in the first frequency RU by the second AP using the one or more second spatial streams.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising: Based on the indicator in the announcement frame for the duration of the signal field used for the coordinated MU transmission, the duration of the signal field is determined at the first AP, and the signal field is to be included in the physical layer PHY header in the first DL transmission; as well as The first DL transmission is generated at the first AP to include the signal field having the duration in the PHY header of the first DL transmission.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the trigger frame is a first trigger frame, and wherein participating in the coordinated MU transmission includes: The first AP transmits a second trigger frame to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and the second AP synchronously transmits a third trigger frame to at least one of the one or more second client stations. as well as The first uplink UL transmission is received at the first AP from the at least one first client station, and the at least one second client station synchronously transmits a second UL transmission to the second AP in response to the third trigger frame.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising: Based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame, a first frequency RU is determined at the first AP; The transmission of the second trigger frame includes transmitting the second trigger frame in the first frequency RU, and the third trigger frame being synchronously transmitted by the second AP in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency; and Receiving the first UL transmission includes receiving the first UL transmission in the first frequency RU, and synchronously transmitting the second UL transmission by the at least one second client station in the second frequency RU.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising: Based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame, a first frequency RU is determined at the first AP; Based on the indicator in the announcement frame that is assigned to the first AP for the coordinated MU transmission of one or more spatial streams, one or more spatial streams are determined at the first AP; as well as A second trigger frame is generated at the first AP to instruct the one or more first client stations to transmit in the first frequency RU via the one or more first spatial streams during the first UL transmission; Receiving the first UL transmission includes receiving the first UL transmission in the first frequency RU via one or more first spatial streams, and synchronously transmitting the second UL transmission by the at least one second client station in the first frequency RU via one or more second spatial streams.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising: The duration of the second trigger frame is determined at the first AP based on the indicator of the duration of the second trigger frame in the notification frame; as well as A second trigger frame with the determined duration is generated at the first AP.

34. The method of claim 25, further comprising, before receiving the notification frame: Generate resource request information at the first AP to request a RU for the coordinated MU transmission; and The resource request information is transmitted from the first AP to the second AP.

35. The method of claim 25, further comprising: Upon receiving the notification frame, the first AP transmits a copy of the notification frame.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: After transmitting the copy of the notification frame, the trigger frame from the second AP associated with the coordinated MU transmission is received at the first AP; The coordination MU transmission is initiated in response to the trigger frame.

37. A first access point (AP) associated with one or more first client stations, the first AP comprising: A wireless network interface device, comprising one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: Receive a notification frame from a second AP associated with one or more second client stations, the notification frame notifying a coordinated multi-user MU transmission involving synchronous transmission by at least the first AP and the second AP, wherein the notification frame includes an indicator of a frequency resource unit (RU) allocated to the first AP for the coordinated MU transmission; After receiving the notification frame, a trigger frame is received from the second AP, which initiates the coordination MU transmission. In response to receiving the trigger frame, the wireless network interface device is controlled to participate in the coordinated MU transmission using the frequency RU indicated by the announcement frame, while the second AP also participates in the coordinated MU transmission, including transmission synchronized by the second AP.

38. The first access point of claim 37, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission at least by: The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit a first downlink DL transmission to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and the second AP synchronously transmits a second DL transmission to at least one of the one or more second client stations.

39. The first AP according to claim 38, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The first frequency RU is determined based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame; The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU, and the second AP synchronously transmits the second DL transmission in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency.

40. The first AP of claim 38, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The first frequency RU is determined based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame; Based on the indicator in the announcement frame assigned to the first AP for one or more spatial streams used for the coordinated MU transmission, one or more spatial streams are determined; and The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit the first DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more first spatial streams, and the second AP synchronously transmits the second DL transmission in the first frequency RU using one or more second spatial streams.

41. The first AP of claim 38, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The duration of the signal field is determined based on the indicator in the announcement frame used for the duration of the coordinated MU transmission; the signal field is to be included in the physical layer PHY header in the first DL transmission; and The first DL transmission is generated to include the signal field having the duration in the PHY header of the first DL transmission.

42. The first access point of claim 37, wherein the trigger frame is a first trigger frame, and wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to control the wireless network interface device to participate in the coordinated MU transmission at least by: The second AP controls the wireless network interface device to transmit a second trigger frame to at least one of the one or more first client stations, and synchronously transmits a third trigger frame to at least one of the one or more second client stations; and The first uplink UL transmission is received from the at least one first client station, and the second UL transmission is synchronously transmitted to the second AP by the at least one second client station in response to the third trigger frame.

43. The first AP according to claim 42, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The first frequency RU is determined based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame; The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit the second trigger frame in the first frequency RU, and the second AP synchronously transmits the third trigger frame in the second frequency RU, wherein the second frequency RU does not overlap with the first frequency RU in frequency; and The first UL transmission is received in the first frequency RU, and the second UL transmission is synchronously transmitted by the at least one second client station in the second frequency RU.

44. The first AP according to claim 42, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The first frequency RU is determined based on the indicator of the RU assigned to the first AP in the announcement frame; One or more spatial streams are determined based on the indicator in the announcement frame that is assigned to the first AP for the coordinated MU transmission; Generate a second trigger frame to instruct the one or more first client stations to transmit in the first frequency RU via the one or more first spatial streams during the first UL transmission; as well as The first UL transmission is received in the first frequency RU via one or more first spatial streams, and the second UL transmission is synchronously transmitted by the at least one second client station in the first frequency RU via one or more second spatial streams.

45. The first AP of claim 42, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The duration of the second trigger frame is determined based on the indicator of the duration of the second trigger frame in the notification frame; and Generate a second trigger frame having the determined duration.

46. ​​The first AP of claim 37, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: before receiving the notification frame: Generate resource request information to request an RU for the coordinated MU transmission; and The wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit the resource request information to the second AP.

47. The first AP of claim 37, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: Upon receiving the notification frame, the wireless network interface device is controlled to transmit a copy of the notification frame.

48. The first AP of claim 47, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: After transmitting the copy of the notification frame, the trigger frame related to the coordinated MU transmission is received from the second AP.

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