Apparatus, system and method for multiple access point operation over wide channel bandwidth

Abstract

For example, a first access point (AP) may be configured to: determine a joint restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service period (SP) for multi-AP (M-AP) operation with a second AP over a wide channel bandwidth (BW) including a primary channel of the first AP and a primary channel of the second AP; to obtain a transmit opportunity (TxOP) on at least the primary channel of the first AP, the TxOP covering at least the start of the joint r-TWT SP; suppressing transmission on a wide channel, BW, during a first predefined time period from the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP; and transmitting the M-AP trigger frame on the wide channel BW based on a determination that a clear channel assessment (CCA) state of a primary channel of the second AP is idle during the first predefined time period for a duration of the second predefined time period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects described herein generally relate to multiple access point (AP) (M-AP) operation over a wide channel bandwidth (BW). Background Art

[0002] Some wireless communication networks may support the communication of high throughput data for users of wireless communication devices.

[0003] There is a need for technical solutions that provide increased and / or efficient access to wireless communication media. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size of some of the elements may be enlarged relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. In addition, reference numerals may be repeated between the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements. The drawings are listed below.

[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system according to some exemplary aspects.

[0006] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a multiple access point (M-AP) operation scheme that may be implemented according to some exemplary aspects.

[0007] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of communication between a first AP and a second AP over a wide channel bandwidth (BW) according to some exemplary aspects demonstrating one or more technical problems that may be solved.

[0008] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of communication between a first AP and a second AP on a wide channel BW that demonstrates one or more technical problems that may be solved according to some exemplary aspects.

[0009] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a joint restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service period (SP) of a first AP and a second AP on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects.

[0010] Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a joint r-TWT SP of a first AP and a second AP on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects.

[0011] Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a joint r-TWT SP of a first AP and a second AP on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects.

[0012] Figure 8is a schematic illustration of a joint r-TWT SP of a first AP and a second AP on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects.

[0013] Fig. 9 is a schematic flow chart illustration of a method of M-AP operation on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects.

[0014] Fig.10 is a schematic flow chart illustration of a method of M-AP operation on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects.

[0015] Fig.11 are schematic illustrations of products of manufacture according to some exemplary aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the detailed description that follows, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some aspects. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that some aspects may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units, and / or circuits are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the discussion.

[0017] Discussions herein utilizing terms such as “process,” “compute,” “calculate,” “determine,” “create,” “analyze,” “examine,” and the like may refer to operations and / or processes of a computer, computing platform, computing system, or other electronic computing device that manipulate data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and / or memories and / or transform that data into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and / or memories or other information storage media that may store instructions to perform the operations and / or processes.

[0018] As used herein, the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” include, for example, “a plurality” or “two or more.” For example, “a plurality of items” includes two or more items.

[0019] References to "one aspect," "an aspect," "exemplary aspects," "various aspects," etc. indicate that the various aspects so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but not every aspect necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. In addition, repeated use of the phrase "in one aspect" does not necessarily refer to the same aspect, although it may.

[0020] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third," etc., to describe common objects indicates merely that different instances of similar objects are referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must conform to a given sequence in time, space, hierarchy, or in any other manner.

[0021] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, user equipment (UE), mobile devices (MD), wireless stations (STA), personal computers (PC), desktop computers, mobile computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, server computers, handheld computers, handheld devices, wearable devices, sensor devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, handheld PDA devices, vehicle-mounted devices, non-vehicle-mounted devices, hybrid devices, vehicle devices, non-vehicle devices, mobile or portable devices, consumer devices, non-mobile or non-portable devices, wireless communication stations, wireless communication devices, wireless access points (APs), wired or wireless routers, wired or wireless modems, video devices, audio devices, audio-video (A / V) devices, wired or wireless networks, wireless area networks, wireless video area networks (WVANs), local area networks (LANs), wireless LANs (WLANs), personal area networks (PANs), wireless PANs (WPANs), etc.

[0022] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with the following: in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (including IEEE 802.11-2020 (IEEE 802.11-2020, IEEE Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, December, 2020); IEEE 802.11ax (IEEE 802.11ax-2021, IEEE Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications; Amendment 1: Enhancements for High-Efficiency WLAN, February 2021); and / or IEEE 802.11be (IEEE P802.11be / D 3.1 Draft Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications; Amendment 8: Enhancements for extremely high throughput (EHT), March 2023; IEEE P802.11be / D3.1Draft Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications; Amendment 8: Enhancements for extremely high throughput (EHT), March 2023)) and / or its future versions and / or derivative versions of the device and / or network, according to the existing cellular specifications and / or protocols and / or their future versions and / or derivative versions of the device and / or network, as a part of the above network unit and / or device, etc. .

[0023] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with: one-way and / or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio telephone communication systems, mobile phones, cellular phones, wireless phones, personal communication system (PCS) devices, PDA devices incorporating wireless communication devices, mobile or portable global positioning system (GPS) devices, devices incorporating GPS receivers or transceivers or chips, devices incorporating RFID elements or chips, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transceivers or devices, single-input multiple-output (SIMO) transceivers or devices, multiple-input single-output (MISO) transceivers or devices, devices with one or more internal antennas and / or external antennas, digital video broadcasting (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, wired or wireless handheld devices such as smart phones, wireless application protocol (WAP) devices, etc.

[0024] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and / or systems, such as radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), frequency division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal FDM (OFDM), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), FDM time division multiplexing (TDM), time division multiple access (TDMA), multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), space division multiple access (SDMA), extended TDMA (E-TDMA), general packet radio service (GPRS), extended GPRS, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier modulation (MDM), discrete multi-tone (DMT), Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee TM , Ultra Wideband (UWB), 4G, fifth generation (5G) or sixth generation (6G) mobile networks, 3GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), etc. Other aspects may be used in various other devices, systems and / or networks.

[0025] As used herein, the term "wireless device" includes, for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communication device capable of wireless communication, a communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, etc. In some exemplary aspects, a wireless device may be or may include a peripheral device that can be integrated with a computer, or a peripheral device that can be attached to a computer. In some exemplary aspects, the term "wireless device" may optionally include a wireless service.

[0026] The term "communicating" as used herein with respect to a communication signal includes sending a communication signal and / or receiving a communication signal. For example, a communication unit capable of transmitting a communication signal may include a transmitter that sends a communication signal to at least one other communication unit, and / or a communication receiver that receives a communication signal from at least one other communication unit. The verb transmit may be used to refer to the action of sending or the action of receiving. In one example, the phrase "transmitting a signal" may refer to the action of sending a signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of receiving a signal by a second device. In another example, the phrase "transmitting a signal" may refer to the action of receiving a signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of sending a signal by a second device. The communication signal may be sent and / or received, for example, in the form of a radio frequency (RF) communication signal and / or any other type of signal.

[0027] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to, be part of, or include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and / or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some aspects, some functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by one or more software or firmware modules. In some aspects, the circuitry may include logic that is at least partially operable in hardware.

[0028] The term "logic" may refer to, for example, computing logic embedded in the circuit system of a computing device and / or computing logic stored in the memory of a computing device. For example, the logic may be accessed by a processor of a computing device to execute the computing logic to perform computing functions and / or operations. In one example, the logic may be embedded in various types of memory and / or firmware (e.g., silicon blocks of various chips and / or processors). The logic may be included in and / or implemented as part of the following various circuit systems: for example, radio circuit systems, receiver circuit systems, control circuit systems, transmitter circuit systems, transceiver circuit systems, processor circuit systems, etc. In one example, the logic may be embedded in volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory, including random access memory, read-only memory, programmable memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, permanent memory, etc. The logic may be executed by one or more processors using memory (e.g., registers, card blocks, buffers, etc.) coupled to one or more processors, for example, as necessary to execute the logic.

[0029] Some exemplary aspects may be used in conjunction with a WLAN (eg, a WiFi network). Other aspects may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network (eg, a wireless area network, a "piconet," a WPAN, a WVAN, etc.).

[0030] Some exemplary aspects may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network that communicates on a sub-10 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, such as the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, and / or any other frequency band below 10 GHz.

[0031] Some exemplary aspects may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network that communicates in an extremely high frequency (EHF) band (also referred to as a "millimeter wave (mmWave)" band), such as a band within a band between 20 GHz and 300 GHz, such as a band above 45 GHz, such as a 60 GHz band, and / or any other mmWave band. Some exemplary aspects may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network that communicates in a sub-10 GHz band and / or a mmWave band, for example, as described below. However, other aspects may be implemented using any other suitable wireless communication band, such as a 5G band, a band below 20 GHz, a Sub 1 GHz (S1G) band, a WLAN band, a WPAN band, etc.

[0032] Some exemplary aspects may be implemented by a mmWave STA (mSTA), which may include, for example, a STA having a radio transmitter capable of operating on a channel within the mmWave frequency band. In one example, mmWave communications may involve one or more directional links for communicating at a rate of multiple gigabits per second, such as at least 1 gigabit per second, such as at least 7 gigabits per second, at least 30 gigabits per second, or any other rate.

[0033] In some exemplary aspects, the mmWave STA may include a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) STA, which may be configured to communicate on a DMG band. For example, the DMG band may include a band where a channel start frequency is higher than 45 GHz.

[0034] In some exemplary aspects, the mmWave STA may include an enhanced DMG (EDMG) STA, which may be configured to implement one or more mechanisms that may be configured to implement single-user (SU) and / or multi-user (MU) communications for downlink (DL) and / or uplink frames (UL) using a MIMO scheme. For example, the EDMG STA may be configured to implement one or more channel bundling mechanisms that may, for example, support communications over a channel bandwidth (BW) (also referred to as a "wide channel," "EDMG channel," or "bundled channel") comprising two or more channels (e.g., two or more 2.16 GHz channels). For example, the channel bundling mechanism may include, for example, the following mechanisms and / or operations, whereby two or more channels (e.g., 2.16 GHz channels) may be combined, for example, for higher bandwidth packet transmission, for example, to enable a higher data rate to be achieved, for example, when compared to transmission on a single channel. Some exemplary aspects are described herein with respect to communication on a channel BW comprising two or more 2.16 GHz channels, however, other aspects may be implemented with respect to communication on a channel bandwidth (e.g., a "wide" channel) comprising or formed by any other number of two or more channels (e.g., an aggregated channel comprising an aggregation of two or more channels). For example, an EDMG STA may be configured to implement one or more channel bonding mechanisms, which may, for example, support increased channel bandwidths, such as a channel BW of 4.32 GHz, a channel BW of 6.48 GHz, a channel BW of 8.64 GHz, and / or any other additional or alternative channel BW. The EDMG STA may perform other additional or alternative functions.

[0035] In other aspects, the mmWave STA may include any other type of STA and / or may perform other additional or alternative functions. Other aspects may be implemented by any other apparatus, device, and / or station.

[0036] As used herein, the term "antenna" may include any suitable configuration, structure, and / or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies, and / or arrays. In some aspects, an antenna may use separate transmit and receive antenna elements to implement transmit and receive functions. In some aspects, an antenna may use a common and / or integrated transmit / receive element to implement transmit and receive functions. An antenna may include, for example, a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and the like.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 , which schematically illustrates a system 100 according to some exemplary aspects.

[0038] like Figure 1As shown, in some demonstrative aspects, system 100 may include one or more wireless communication devices. For example, system 100 may include wireless communication device 102, wireless communication device 140, wireless communication device 160, and / or one or more other devices.

[0039] In some demonstrative aspects, devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may comprise mobile devices or non-mobile devices, such as stationary devices.

[0040] For example, the devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may include, for example, UE, MD, STA, AP, PC, desktop computer, mobile computer, laptop computer, Ultrabook, etc. TM Computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, server computer, handheld computer, Internet of Things (IoT) device, sensor device, handheld device, wearable device, PDA device, handheld PDA device, vehicle-mounted device, non-vehicle-mounted device, hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionality with PDA device functionality), consumer device, vehicle device, non-vehicle device, mobile or portable device, non-mobile or non-portable device, mobile phone, cellular phone, PCS device, PDA device incorporating a wireless communication device, mobile or portable GPS device, DVB device, relatively small computing device, non-desktop computer, "travel light, enjoy life" (CSLL) device, ultra mobile device (UMD), ultra mobile PC (UMPC), mobile Internet device (MID), "Origami" device or computing device, device supporting dynamic composable computing (DCC), context-aware device, video device, audio device, A / V device, set-top box (STB), Blu-ray disc (BD) player, BD recorder, digital video disc (DVD) player, high-definition (HD) DVD player, DVD recorder, HDDVD recorder, personal video recorder (PVR), broadcast HD receiver, video source, audio source, video receiver, audio receiver, stereo tuner, broadcast radio receiver, flat panel display, personal media player (PMP), digital video camera (DVC), digital audio player, speaker, audio receiver, audio amplifier, gaming device, data source, data receiver, digital still camera (DSC), media player, smart phone, television, music player, etc.

[0041] In some exemplary aspects, device 102 may include, for example, one or more of processor 191, input unit 192, output unit 193, memory unit 194, and / or storage unit 195; and / or device 140 may include, for example, one or more of processor 181, input unit 182, output unit 183, memory unit 184, and / or storage unit 185. Devices 102 and / or 140 may optionally include other suitable hardware components and / or software components. In some exemplary aspects, some or all of the components of one or more of devices 102 and / or 140 may be housed in a common housing or package and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other aspects, the components of one or more of devices 102 and / or 140 may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.

[0042] In some exemplary aspects, processor 191 and / or processor 181 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multi-core processor, a microprocessor, a main processor, a controller, multiple processors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits, circuit systems, logic units, integrated circuits (ICs), application specific ICs (ASICs), or any other suitable multi-purpose or special-purpose processors or controllers. Processor 191 may execute instructions of, for example, an operating system (OS) of device 102 and / or one or more suitable applications. Processor 181 may execute instructions of, for example, an operating system (OS) of device 140 and / or one or more suitable applications.

[0043] In some exemplary aspects, input unit 192 and / or input unit 182 may include, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen, a touch pad, a trackball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitable pointing device or input device. Output unit 193 and / or output unit 183 may include, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch screen, a flat panel display, a light emitting diode (LED) display unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers or headphones, or other suitable output devices.

[0044] In some exemplary aspects, memory unit 194 and / or memory unit 184 include, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), flash memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, cache memory, buffer, short-term memory unit, long-term memory unit, or other suitable memory unit. Storage unit 195 and / or storage unit 185 may include, for example, a hard disk drive, a disk drive, a solid-state drive (SSD), and / or other suitable removable or non-removable storage unit. For example, memory unit 194 and / or storage unit 195 may store data processed by device 102. For example, memory unit 184 and / or storage unit 185 may store data processed by device 140.

[0045] In some demonstrative aspects, wireless communication devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may be capable of communicating content, data, information, and / or signals via wireless medium (WM) 103. In some demonstrative aspects, wireless medium 103 may include, for example, a radio channel, an RF channel, a WiFi channel, a cellular channel, a 5G channel, an IR channel, a Bluetooth (BT) channel, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) channel, and / or the like.

[0046] In some exemplary aspects, WM 103 may include one or more wireless communication bands and / or channels. For example, WM 103 may include one or more channels in a sub-10Ghz wireless communication band (e.g., a 2.4GHz wireless communication band), one or more channels in a 5GHz wireless communication band, and / or one or more channels in a 6GHz wireless communication band. In another example, WM 103 may additionally or alternatively include one or more channels in a mmWave wireless communication band. In other aspects, WM 103 may include any other type of channel on any other frequency band.

[0047] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may include one or more radios including circuitry and / or logic for performing wireless communications between devices 102, 140, 160, and / or one or more other wireless communication devices. For example, device 102 may include one or more radios 114, and / or device 140 may include one or more radios 144.

[0048] In some demonstrative aspects, radio 114 and / or radio 144 may include one or more wireless receivers (Rx) including circuitry and / or logic for receiving wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and / or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one receiver 116, and / or radio 144 may include at least one receiver 146.

[0049] In some demonstrative aspects, radios 114 and / or 144 may include one or more wireless transmitters (Tx) including circuitry and / or logic for transmitting wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and / or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one transmitter 118, and / or radio 144 may include at least one transmitter 148.

[0050] In some exemplary aspects, radios 114 and / or 144, transmitters 118 and / or 148, and / or receivers 116 and / or 146 may include circuitry; logic; radio frequency (RF) components, circuitry, and / or logic; baseband components, circuitry, and / or logic; modulation components, circuitry, and / or logic; demodulation components, circuitry, and / or logic; amplifiers; analog-to-digital and / or digital-to-analog converters; filters; and / or the like. For example, radios 114 and / or 144 may include, or be implemented as part of, a wireless network interface card (NIC) or the like.

[0051] In some exemplary aspects, radio devices 114 and / or 144 may be configured to communicate in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, and / or any other frequency band, e.g., a directional band, e.g., a mmWave band, a 5G band, an S1G band, and / or any other frequency band.

[0052] In some demonstrative aspects, radios 114 and / or 144 may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas.

[0053] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102 may include one or more antennas 107 , and / or device 140 may include one or more antennas 147 .

[0054] Antennas 107 and / or 147 may include any type of antenna suitable for transmitting and / or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets, messages and / or data. For example, antennas 107 and / or 147 may include any suitable configuration, structure and / or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and / or arrays. In some aspects, antennas 107 and / or 147 may use separate transmit and receive antenna elements to implement transmit and receive functions. In some aspects, antennas 107 and / or 147 may use common and / or integrated transmit / receive elements to implement transmit and receive functions.

[0055] In some exemplary aspects, device 102 may include controller 124, and / or device 140 may include controller 154. Controller 124 may be configured to perform and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control device 102 to perform one or more communications to generate and / or transmit one or more messages and / or transmissions, and / or perform one or more functions, operations and / or procedures between devices 102, 140, 160 and / or one or more other devices; and / or controller 154 may be configured to perform and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control device 140 to perform one or more communications to generate and / or transmit one or more messages and / or transmissions, and / or perform one or more functions, operations and / or procedures between devices 102, 140, 160 and / or one or more other devices, for example, as described below.

[0056] In some demonstrative aspects, controllers 124 and / or 154 may include, or may be partially or fully implemented by, circuitry and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuitry and / or logic, memory circuitry and / or logic, medium access control (MAC) circuitry and / or logic, physical layer (PHY) circuitry and / or logic, baseband (BB) circuitry and / or logic, BB processor, BB memory, application processor (AP) circuitry and / or logic, AP processor, AP memory, and / or any other circuitry and / or logic configured to respectively perform the functions of controllers 124 and / or 154. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functions of controllers 124 and / or 154 may be implemented by logic that may be executed by a machine and / or one or more processors, such as described below.

[0057] In one example, the controller 124 may include circuitry and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuitry and / or logic, to cause, trigger, and / or control a wireless device (e.g., device 102) and / or a wireless station (e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 102) to perform one or more operations, communications, and / or functions, such as described herein. In one example, the controller 124 may include, for example, at least one memory coupled to one or more processors, which may be configured, for example, to at least temporarily store at least some of the information processed by the one or more processors and / or circuitry, and / or may be configured to store logic to be utilized by the processor and / or circuitry.

[0058] In one example, the controller 154 may include circuitry and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuitry and / or logic, to cause, trigger, and / or control a wireless device (e.g., device 140) and / or a wireless station (e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 140) to perform one or more operations, communications, and / or functions, such as described herein. In one example, the controller 154 may include, for example, at least one memory coupled to one or more processors, which may be configured, for example, to at least temporarily store at least some of the information processed by the one or more processors and / or circuitry, and / or may be configured to store logic to be utilized by the processor and / or circuitry.

[0059] In some demonstrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of controller 124 may be implemented as part of one or more elements of radio 114 and / or at least a portion of the functionality of controller 154 may be implemented as part of one or more elements of radio 144 .

[0060] In other aspects, the functionality of controller 124 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102 , and / or the functionality of controller 154 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140 .

[0061] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102 may include a message processor 128 configured to generate, process, and / or access one or more messages transmitted by device 102 .

[0062] In one example, the message processor 128 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be sent by the device 102, and / or the message processor 128 may be configured to access and / or process one or more messages received by the device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0063] In one example, the message processor 128 may include at least one first component configured to generate a message, for example, in the form of a frame, a field, an information element, and / or a protocol data unit (e.g., a MAC protocol data unit (MPDU)); at least one second component configured to convert the message into a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU), for example, by processing the message generated by the at least one first component, for example, by encoding the message, modulating the message, and / or performing any other additional or alternative processing on the message; and / or at least one third component configured to cause the message to be sent on a wireless communication medium (e.g., on a wireless communication channel in a wireless communication band), for example, by applying one or more transmit waveforms to one or more fields of the PPDU. In other aspects, the message processor 128 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative functions and / or may include any other additional or alternative components to generate and / or process the message to be sent.

[0064] In some demonstrative aspects, device 140 may include a message processor 158 configured to generate, process, and / or access one or more messages transmitted by device 140 .

[0065] In one example, message processor 158 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be sent by device 140, and / or message processor 158 may be configured to access and / or process one or more messages received by device 140, e.g., as described below.

[0066] In one example, the message processor 158 may include at least one first component configured to generate a message, for example, in the form of a frame, field, information element, and / or protocol data unit (e.g., MPDU); at least one second component configured to convert the message into a PPDU, for example, by processing the message generated by the at least one first component, for example, by encoding the message, modulating the message, and / or performing any other additional or alternative processing on the message; and / or at least one third component configured to cause the message to be sent on a wireless communication medium (e.g., on a wireless communication channel in a wireless communication frequency band), for example, by applying one or more transmit waveforms to one or more fields of the PPDU. In other aspects, the message processor 158 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative functions and / or may include any other additional or alternative components to generate and / or process the message to be sent.

[0067] In some demonstrative aspects, message processors 128 and / or 158 may include, or may be partially or fully implemented by, circuitry and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuitry and / or logic, memory circuitry and / or logic, MAC circuitry and / or logic, PHY circuitry and / or logic, BB circuitry and / or logic, BB processor, BB memory, AP circuitry and / or logic, AP processor, AP memory, and / or any other circuitry and / or logic configured to respectively perform the functions of message processors 128 and / or 158. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functions of message processors 128 and / or 158 may be implemented by logic that may be executed by a machine and / or one or more processors, such as, for example, as described below.

[0068] In some demonstrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of radio 114 and / or at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of radio 144 .

[0069] In some demonstrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of controller 124 , and / or at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of controller 154 .

[0070] In other aspects, the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102 , and / or the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140 .

[0071] In some demonstrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of the controller 124 and / or the message processor 128 may be implemented by an integrated circuit (e.g., a chip, such as a system on a chip (SoC)). In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functions of the one or more radio devices 114. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of the controller 124, one or more elements of the message processor 128, and / or one or more elements of the one or more radio devices 114. In one example, the controller 124, the message processor 128, and the one or more radio devices 114 may be implemented as part of a chip or SoC.

[0072] In other aspects, controller 124 , message processor 128 , and / or one or more radios 114 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 102 .

[0073] In some demonstrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of the controller 154 and / or the message processor 158 may be implemented by an integrated circuit (e.g., a chip, such as a SoC). In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functions of one or more radio devices 144. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of the controller 154, one or more elements of the message processor 158, and / or one or more elements of one or more radio devices 144. In one example, the controller 154, the message processor 158, and the one or more radio devices 144 may be implemented as part of a chip or SoC.

[0074] In other aspects, controller 154 , message processor 158 , and / or one or more radios 144 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 140 .

[0075] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may include, operate as, perform roles, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more STAs. For example, device 102 may include at least one STA, device 140 may include at least one STA, and / or device 160 may include at least one STA.

[0076] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may include, operate as, perform a role, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more extremely high throughput (EHT) STAs. For example, device 102 may include, operate as, perform a role, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more EHT STAs, and / or device 140 may include, operate as, perform a role, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more EHT STAs.

[0077] In some demonstrative aspects, for example, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may be configured to perform one or more operations and / or functions of a WiFi8 STA.

[0078] In other aspects, for example, devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may be configured to perform one or more operations and / or functions of an ultra-high reliability (UHR) STA.

[0079] In other aspects, for example, devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may be configured to perform one or more operations and / or functions of any other additional or alternative types of STAs.

[0080] In other aspects, device 102, device 140 and / or device 160 may include, operate as, perform a role of, and / or perform one or more functions of any other wireless device and / or station (eg, WLAN STA, WiFi STA, etc.).

[0081] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140 and / or device 160 may be configured to operate as an access point (AP) (e.g., a high throughput (HT) AP STA, a high efficiency (HE) AP STA, an EHT AP STA and / or a UHR AP STA), perform its role and / or perform one or more functions thereof.

[0082] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140 and / or device 160 may be configured to operate as a non-AP STA (e.g., a HT non-AP STA, a HE non-AP STA, an EHT non-AP STA and / or a UHR non-AP STA), perform its role and / or perform one or more functions thereof.

[0083] In other aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may operate as, perform roles, and / or perform one or more functions of, any other additional or alternative devices and / or stations.

[0084] In one example, a station (STA) may include a logical entity that is a single addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to a wireless medium (WM). A STA may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0085] In one example, an AP may include an entity that contains a station (STA) and provides access to distribution services to associated STAs via a wireless medium (WM). The AP may include a STA and a distributed system access function (DSAF). The AP may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0086] In some demonstrative aspects, devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may be configured to communicate in a HT network, a HE network, an EHT network, a UHR network, and / or any other network.

[0087] In some demonstrative aspects, devices 102, 140 and / or 160 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more specifications, including, for example, one or more IEEE 802.11 specifications, such as, for example, the IEEE 802.11-2020 specification, the IEEE 802.11ax specification, the IEEE 802.11be specification, and / or any other specifications and / or protocols.

[0088] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may include, operate, perform roles, and / or perform functions of one or more AP STAs. For example, device 102 may include, operate, perform roles, and / or perform functions of at least one AP STA, and / or device 140 may include, operate, perform roles, and / or perform functions of at least one AP STA.

[0089] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102 may include, operate as, perform a role, and / or perform functions of a first AP STA.

[0090] In some demonstrative aspects, device 140 may include, operate as, perform a role, and / or perform a function of a second AP STA.

[0091] In some demonstrative aspects, device 160 may include, operate as, perform a role, and / or perform a function of at least one non-AP STA.

[0092] In other aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may include, operate as, perform roles, and / or perform functions of any other additional or alternative types of STAs.

[0093] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functions of a restricted target wake time (r-TWT) mechanism, eg, as described below.

[0094] In some demonstrative aspects, the r-TWT mechanism may be configured to provide technical solutions such as improving latency and / or quality of service (QoS), e.g., as described below.

[0095] In one example, the r-TWT mechanism may be configured to define one or more rules that may force all STAs within a basic service set (BSS) to end an ongoing transmit opportunity (TxOP), for example, when the TxOP would overlap with the start of an r-TWT service period (SP).

[0096] Therefore, there may be a contention period at the beginning of the r-TWT SP. For example, the AP may have a higher chance to gain access to the wireless medium and schedule priority traffic, such as during the r-TWT SP.

[0097] In some exemplary aspects, one or more functions of the r-TWT mechanism may be extended, for example, to provide a technical solution such as to support one or more other key system features, which may not have been possible prior to r-TWT.

[0098] In some demonstrative aspects, one or more functionalities of the r-TWT mechanism may be extended, for example, to provide a technical solution that enhances the operation of fractional frequency reuse (FFR) techniques, for example, as described below.

[0099] In one example, the FFR technology may be configured to provide a technical solution, for example, for implementation in an enterprise scenario or the like.

[0100] In some exemplary aspects, the FFR technology may be configured to provide a technical solution that may be implemented to support spatial reuse (SR) across the BW, for example, for communicating with STAs that may be close to the center of the BSS of the AP, for example, where there is less interference from an adjacent overlapping BSS (OBSS), for example, as described below.

[0101] In some exemplary aspects, the FFR technology may be configured to provide technical solutions that support utilizing one or more frequency reuse mechanisms (e.g., frequency division multiple access (FDMA) and / or OFDMA) and / or time reuse mechanisms (e.g., TDMA) for communicating with STAs near the edge of a BSS (e.g., where interference from a neighboring OBSS is high), for example, to minimize interference from STAs of the neighboring OBSS, for example, as described below.

[0102] In some demonstrative aspects, the FFR techniques may be configured to provide a technical solution to support multi-AP operation, eg, as described below.

[0103] In some demonstrative aspects, a multi-AP operation mechanism may be implemented to support a first AP and a second AP to share one or more shared communication resources, for example, as described below.

[0104] In some exemplary aspects, FFR can be used to support multi-AP operation, eg, by a first AP and a second AP, which can operate on the same wide channel BW, eg, using different primary channels.

[0105] In some demonstrative aspects, the first AP and the second AP may use different primary channels, eg, to support frequency reuse and interference avoidance, eg, even in the presence of legacy STAs.

[0106] refer to Figure 2 , which schematically illustrates a multi-AP operation scheme 200 that may be implemented according to some exemplary aspects.

[0107] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 2 As shown, AP 202 (eg, provided by device 102 ( Figure 1 ) and / or AP204 (eg, by device 140 ( Figure 1) can be configured to share the same 40MHz channel. Figure 2 As shown, each of AP 202 and AP 204 may operate on a different 20 MHz primary channel in the shared 40 MHz channel.

[0108] In some exemplary aspects, for example, a different primary channel can be utilized to support the possibility for the AP to fall back to the primary 20 MHz channel, for example, only when the secondary channel is busy, which may not allow use of the full 20 MHz bandwidth, for example.

[0109] For example, Figure 2 As shown, AP 202 may operate on a first primary channel (eg, first 20 MHz channel 203) in a shared 40 MHz channel. Figure 2 As shown, AP 204 may operate on a second primary channel (eg, 20 MHz channel 205 ) of the shared 40 MHz channels that is different from the first primary channel.

[0110] For example, in some cases, AP 202 and AP 204 may end up (e.g., may very likely end up) out of sync. This may lead to a situation where contention periods on 20 MHz channel 203 and 20 MHz channel 205 may not be aligned. For example, such misalignment of the two 20 MHz channels may lead to a situation where AP 202 and AP 204 may not actually have a chance to operate on a wide 40 MHz bandwidth and / or have multi-AP coordination between AP 202 and AP 204, e.g., as described below.

[0111] refer to Figure 3 , which schematically illustrates communication between a first AP and a second AP on a wide channel BW according to one or more technical problems that can be solved by demonstration according to some exemplary aspects.

[0112] like Figure 3 As shown, the first AP and the second AP may share the same 40 MHz channel.

[0113] For example, Figure 3 As shown, each of the first AP and the second AP may operate on a different 20 MHz primary channel in the shared 40 MHz channel.

[0114] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the first AP may operate on a first primary channel (eg, a first 20 MHz channel) in the shared 40 MHz channel.

[0115] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the second AP may operate on a second primary channel (eg, a second 20 MHz channel) in the shared 40 MHz channel that is different from the first primary channel.

[0116] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the first AP may be able to transmit frame 310 on a shared 40 MHz channel, for example, when the first AP and the second AP are substantially synchronized.

[0117] For example, Figure 3 As shown, in some cases, the first AP and the second AP may eventually (eg, likely eventually) be out of sync. This may lead to a situation where the contention periods on the first 20 MHz channel and the second 20 MHz channel may not be aligned.

[0118] For example, Figure 3 As shown, such misalignment of the two 20 MHz channels may result in a situation where the first AP and the second AP may not actually have a chance to operate over the wide 40 MHz bandwidth, eg, after transmitting frame 310 .

[0119] For example, Figure 3 As shown, there may be two contention domains on two 20 MHz primary channels. Therefore, the opportunity to operate on a wide 40 MHz bandwidth may be very limited. For example, this situation may highly restrict AP coordination schemes.

[0120] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the use of FFR techniques for multi-AP operation may result in a reduction in overall throughput, for example, when there is no coordination between the first AP and the second AP.

[0121] Return to reference Figure 2 In some exemplary aspects, AP 202 and / or AP 204 may be configured to communicate according to a multi-AP operation mechanism, which may be configured to utilize one or more TWT periods (e.g., r-TWT periods) to support multi-AP coordination between AP 202 and AP 204, for example, as described below.

[0122] In some demonstrative aspects, a multi-AP operation mechanism may be configured to utilize TWT periods to support coordination of spatial reuse of communication resources, eg, in a relatively easy and / or efficient manner, eg, as described below.

[0123] In some demonstrative aspects, a multi-AP operation mechanism may be configured to utilize TWT periods to support spatial reuse, e.g., based on transmit power control, e.g., as described below.

[0124] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 2As shown, the 40MHz TWT period 207 (e.g., the 40MHz r-TWT period) can be used to coordinate the sharing of the 40MHz channel, for example, according to the spatial reuse technique. For example, the 40MHz TWT period 207 can be used by AP 202 and / or AP 204 to serve one or more clients that are relatively close to its serving AP, for example, STAs in the area 219 around AP 202 and / or in the area 229 around AP 204.

[0125] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 2 As shown, a 20 MHz TWT period 209 (e.g., a 20 MHz r-TWT period) may be used to coordinate communications on a primary 20 MHz channel, for example, for STAs that may not be suitable for spatial reuse. For example, the 20 MHz TWT period 209 may be used by AP 202 and / or AP 204 to serve one or more clients that are relatively far from their serving APs and may not benefit from spatial reuse STAs in area 231 around AP 202 and / or area 233 around AP 204.

[0126] In some use cases, scenarios, deployments, and / or implementations, ensuring the ability of AP 202 and / or AP 204 to obtain access to the wide 40 MHz BW during r-TWT may be more complex and / or difficult, e.g., as described below. For example, in some realistic deployments, there may be a relatively large amount of contention with STAs and / or other third-party APs, which may affect multi-AP coordination, e.g., as described below.

[0127] refer to Figure 4 , which schematically illustrates communication between a first AP and a second AP on a wide channel BW according to one or more technical problems that can be solved by demonstrations of some exemplary aspects.

[0128] like Figure 4 As shown, the first AP and the second AP may share the same 40 MHz channel.

[0129] For example, Figure 4 As shown, each of the first AP and the second AP may operate on a different 20 MHz primary channel in the shared 40 MHz channel.

[0130] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the first AP may operate on a first primary channel (eg, a first 20 MHz channel) in the shared 40 MHz channels.

[0131] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the second AP may operate on a second primary channel (eg, a second 20 MHz channel) in the shared 40 MHz channel that is different from the first primary channel.

[0132] For example, the start and contention period of a TxOP can be aligned between the BSSs of a group of coordinated APs, for example, by using coordinated r-TWTs. For example, the announcement of a group of coordinated APs by overlapping r-TWTs can greatly increase the chances that a group of coordinated APs can obtain channel access on a wide channel BW.

[0133] For example, Figure 4 As shown, the start of TxOP and the contention period can be aligned between the BSS of the first AP and the BSS of the second AP, for example, by using coordinated r-TWT. Therefore, the chances of the first AP and the second AP obtaining channel access on the 40 MHz wide channel BW can be greatly increased.

[0134] For example, the first AP and the second AP may perform one or more operations of a multi-AP operation mechanism to coordinate r-TWT, for example, as described below.

[0135] For example, a multi-AP operation mechanism may be configured to define a time period during which M-AP coordination may be possible.

[0136] For example, a multi-AP operation mechanism may be configured to define a time period during which cooperative SR (C-SR) and / or other modes, such as a more advanced coordinated PHY mode, may be used over the entire channel BW.

[0137] For example, a multi-AP operation mechanism may be configured to define time periods during which operation will be restricted to a lower bandwidth, eg, for interference avoidance.

[0138] In one example, if Figure 4 As shown, multi-AP operation may work well, for example, when there is a contention period at the beginning of the r-TWT SP (eg, exactly at the start of the r-TWT SP).

[0139] However, this requirement may not be explicitly enforced, for example, because a STA may be forced to end its TxOP before the start of the r-TWT SP, but not exactly at the start of the r-TWT SP, for example, according to the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0140] For example, there may be some probability, such as a high probability, that the STA will end its TxOP a little before the start of the r-TWT SP. According to this example, the AP may try and obtain a TxOP for the r-TWT SP shortly before the start of the r-TWT SP.

[0141] For example, two APs to participate in M-AP operation may access the channel on their primary channels, e.g., instead of on a wide channel BW, e.g., before the start of the r-TWT SP. For example, the first AP may access the wide channel BW on its own 20 MHz primary channel, and / or the second AP may access the wide channel BW on its own 20 MHz primary channel, e.g., before the start of the r-TWT SP, e.g., instead of on a wide 40 MHz channel BW. For example, this situation may lead to a situation where it cannot be guaranteed that one of the two APs will be able to obtain a TxOP on a wide 40 MHz channel BW.

[0142] Return to reference Figure 1 In some demonstrative aspects, devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may be configured to implement a multi-AP operation mechanism, which may be configured to utilize r-TWT, for example, to coordinate multi-AP operations, for example, as described below.

[0143] In some exemplary aspects, r-TWT may be used by a multi-AP operation mechanism, for example, to provide a technical solution supporting improved multi-AP performance, e.g., as described below.

[0144] In some demonstrative aspects, a multi-AP operation mechanism may be implemented as a technical solution to provide improved system throughput and / or provide any other additional or alternative gains.

[0145] In some demonstrative aspects, devices 102, 140, and / or 160 may be configured to implement a multi-AP operation mechanism, which may be configured to address one or more issues when utilizing r-TWT, for example, to coordinate multi-AP operations, e.g., as described below.

[0146] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functions of a joint r-TWTSP mechanism, e.g., as described below.

[0147] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to provide a technical solution to one or more issues of r-TWT, such as coordinating multi-AP operations, e.g., as described below.

[0148] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to provide a technical solution to support multi-AP (M-AP) operations on a wide channel BW, e.g., as described below.

[0149] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to provide a technical solution to support M-AP operation of the first AP and the second AP on a wide channel BW, e.g., as described below.

[0150] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to provide a technical solution to support M-AP operation on a wide channel BW including a primary channel of a first AP and a primary channel of a second AP, e.g., as described below.

[0151] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to provide a technical solution to support channel access to a wide channel BW during r-TWT SP, e.g., as described below.

[0152] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to provide a technical solution that guarantees, for example, with a high probability level, that the AP in the first and second APs may be able to obtain TxOP on a wide channel BW, for example, at the start of or after the r-TWT SP, for example, as described below.

[0153] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 102 to determine a joint r-TWT SP for M-AP operation with a second AP (e.g., an AP implemented by device 140) on a wide channel BW, for example, as described below.

[0154] In some demonstrative aspects, wide channel BW may include a primary channel of a first AP implemented by device 102 and a primary channel of a second AP implemented by device 140, eg, as described below.

[0155] In some demonstrative aspects, a primary channel of a first AP implemented by device 102 may include a channel BW of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), e.g., as described below.

[0156] In some demonstrative aspects, the wide channel BW may include a channel BW of at least 40 MHz, e.g., as described below.

[0157] In other aspects, the primary channel and / or wide channel BW of the first AP implemented by the device 102 may include any other channel BW.

[0158] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause, and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 102 to obtain a TxOP on at least a primary channel of a first AP implemented by device 102, eg, as described below.

[0159] In some demonstrative aspects, a TxOP may cover at least the beginning of a joint r-TWT SP, eg, as described below.

[0160] In some demonstrative aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by the device 102 to refrain from transmitting on the wide channel BW, e.g., during a first predefined time period from the start of a joint r-TWT SP, e.g., as described below.

[0161] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause, and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 102 to send an M-AP trigger frame 115 on a wide channel BW, eg, as described below.

[0162] In some demonstrative aspects, the M-AP trigger frame 115 may be configured to trigger M-AP operation on a wide channel BW, e.g., as described below.

[0163] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by the device 102 to send an M-AP trigger frame 115 on a wide channel BW, for example, based on criteria related to a clear channel assessment (CCA) status of a primary channel of a second AP, for example, as described below.

[0164] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by the device 102 to send an M-AP trigger frame 115 on a wide channel BW, for example, based on a determination that a CCA state of a primary channel of a second AP is idle during a first predefined time period for a duration of a second predefined time period, for example, as described below.

[0165] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by the device 102 to obtain a TxOP, for example based on a determination that a contention period (CP) is to occur on a primary channel of a first AP implemented by the device 102, for example, prior to an r-TWT, for example, as described below.

[0166] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 102 to end transmission on a primary channel of a first AP implemented by device 102 at the beginning of a joint r-TWT SP, e.g., as described below.

[0167] In some exemplary aspects, controller 124 may be configured to: control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by device 102 to ensure that: a frame in transmission on a primary channel of a first AP implemented by device 102 does not request an immediate response from a receiver of the frame, for example, as described below.

[0168] In some demonstrative aspects, the first predefined time period may include a point coordination function (PCF) interframe space (PIFS), during which the first AP implemented by the device 102 will refrain from transmitting on the wide channel BW, e.g., as described below.

[0169] In other aspects, the first predefined time period may include any other time period.

[0170] In some demonstrative aspects, the second predefined time period may be shorter than the first predefined time period, during which the first AP implemented by device 102 will determine that the CCA state of the primary channel of the second AP is idle, for example, as described below.

[0171] In some demonstrative aspects, the second predefined time period may be equal to the first predefined time period, eg, as described below.

[0172] In some demonstrative aspects, the second predefined time period may comprise a short interframe space (SIFS), eg, as described below.

[0173] In some demonstrative aspects, the second predefined time period may comprise a PIFS, eg, as described below.

[0174] In other aspects, the second predefined time period may include any other time period.

[0175] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to allow an AP implemented by device 102 to send an M-AP trigger frame 115, e.g., based on a determination that the first AP implemented by device 102 will perform the role of a shared AP for a joint r-TWT SP, e.g., as described below.

[0176] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by the device 102 to determine, for example, based on AP role negotiation between the first AP implemented by the device 102 and the second AP implemented by the device 140, that the first AP implemented by the device 102 will perform the role of a shared AP for the joint r-TWT SP, for example, as described below.

[0177] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause, and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 102 to coordinate a joint r-TWT SP with a second AP implemented by device 140, e.g., as described below.

[0178] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to control, trigger, cause, and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 102 to perform M-AP operation on a wide channel BW, e.g., based on the FFR of the wide channel BW, e.g., as described below.

[0179] In other aspects, M-AP operation on a wide channel BW may be configured according to any other additional or alternative mechanisms.

[0180] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to: control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by the device 102 to perform M-AP operations on the wide channel BW, for example, by enabling the first AP implemented by the device 102 to communicate with one or more first STAs on the wide channel BW, and limiting the communication between the first AP implemented by the device 102 and one or more second STAs to the primary channel of the first AP implemented by the device 102, for example, as described below.

[0181] In some demonstrative aspects, the one or more first STAs may be within a particular range from a first AP implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0182] In some demonstrative aspects, one or more second STAs may not be within a particular range from a first AP implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0183] In other aspects, the one or more first STAs and / or the one or more second STAs may be defined, identified, and / or selected based on any other additional or alternative criteria.

[0184] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to: control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by the device 140 to determine a joint r-TWT SP for operating with the M-AP of another AP on a wide channel BW including the primary channel of the other AP and the primary channel of the AP implemented by the device 140, for example, as described below.

[0185] In some exemplary aspects, controller 154 may be configured to: control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by device 140 to determine a joint r-TWT SP for operating with the M-AP of the AP implemented by device 102 on a wide channel BW including the primary channel of the AP implemented by device 102 and the primary channel of the AP implemented by device 140, for example, as described below.

[0186] In some demonstrative aspects, a primary channel of an AP implemented by device 140 may include a channel BW of at least 20 MHz, e.g., as described below.

[0187] In other aspects, the primary channel of the AP implemented by device 140 may include any other channel BW.

[0188] In some demonstrative aspects, the wide channel BW may include a channel BW of 40 MHz, eg, as described above.

[0189] In other aspects, wide channel BW may include any other channel BW.

[0190] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to control, trigger, cause, and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 140 to obtain a TxOP on at least a primary channel of the AP implemented by device 140, eg, as described below.

[0191] In some demonstrative aspects, a TxOP on a primary channel of an AP implemented by device 140 may cover at least the start of a joint r-TWT SP, e.g., as described below.

[0192] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 140 to refrain from transmitting on wide channel BW, e.g., during a predefined time period from the start of a joint r-TWT SP, e.g., as described below.

[0193] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to, for example, control, trigger, cause and / or instruct a second AP implemented by the device 140 to trigger M-AP operation on a wide channel BW based on receiving an M-AP trigger frame 115 from an AP implemented by the device 102 on a wide channel BW, for example, as described below.

[0194] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to, for example, control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by the device 140 to obtain a TxOP on a primary channel of the AP implemented by the device 140 based on a determination that a CP is to occur on a primary channel of the AP implemented by the device 140, e.g., prior to an r-TWT, e.g., as described below.

[0195] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by device 140 to end transmission on the primary channel of the AP implemented by device 140, such as at the beginning of a joint r-TWT SP, e.g., as described below.

[0196] In some exemplary aspects, controller 154 may be configured to: control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by device 140 to ensure that frames in transmission on a primary channel of the AP implemented by device 140 do not request an immediate response from a receiver of the frame, for example, as described below.

[0197] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to, for example, control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by device 140 to determine, based on a determination that the AP implemented by device 140 will perform a role of a shared AP for a joint r-TWT SP, that the AP implemented by device 140 attempts to receive an M-AP trigger frame 115 from an AP implemented by device 102, for example, as described below.

[0198] In some exemplary aspects, controller 154 may be configured to, for example, control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by device 140 to determine, based on AP role negotiation between the AP implemented by device 140 and the AP implemented by device 102, that the AP implemented by device 140 will perform the role of a shared AP for a joint r-TWT SP, for example, as described below.

[0199] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to control, trigger, cause, and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 140 to coordinate a joint r-TWT SP with an AP implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0200] In some demonstrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct an AP implemented by device 140 to perform M-AP operation on a wide channel BW, e.g., based on the FFR of the wide channel BW, e.g., as described below.

[0201] In other aspects, M-AP operation on a wide channel BW may be configured according to any other additional or alternative mechanisms.

[0202] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to control, trigger, cause and / or instruct the AP implemented by the device 140 to perform M-AP operations on a wide channel BW, for example, by enabling the AP implemented by the device 140 to communicate with one or more first STAs on a wide channel BW, and / or limiting communication between the AP implemented by the device 140 and one or more second STAs to a primary channel of the AP implemented by the device 140, for example, as described below.

[0203] In some demonstrative aspects, the one or more first STAs may be within a particular range from an AP implemented by device 140, e.g., as described below.

[0204] In some demonstrative aspects, one or more second STAs may not be within a particular range from an AP implemented by device 140, e.g., as described below.

[0205] In other aspects, the one or more first STAs and / or the one or more second STAs may be defined, identified, and / or selected based on any other additional or alternative criteria.

[0206] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functions of a joint r-TWTSP mechanism, which may be configured to provide a technical solution to support multi-AP operation, e.g., as described below.

[0207] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define shared APs and shared APs for multi-AP operation, eg, as described below.

[0208] In one example, the AP implemented by device 102 may perform the role of a shared AP, and the AP implemented by device 140 may perform the role of a shared AP for multi-AP operation, eg, as described below.

[0209] In another example, the AP implemented by device 140 may perform the role of a shared AP, and the AP implemented by device 102 may perform the role of a shared AP for multi-AP operation.

[0210] In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140, and / or device 160 may be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functions to coordinate joint r-TWT SPs for multi-AP operations, e.g., as described below.

[0211] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define one or more methods to negotiate the role of each AP.

[0212] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define one or more operations and / or functions for sharing APs and shared APs, for example, as described below.

[0213] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define a subset of shared APs and / or shared AP selectable channels, for example, when contention occurs.

[0214] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define a shared AP and / or the shared AP may terminate the TxOP prior to the start of the joint r-TWT SP, eg, even if there is no immediate response to the request.

[0215] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that transmission may be suspended for a predefined interval, eg, starting from the start of the joint r-TWT.

[0216] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that the shared AP and / or the shared AP may check the CCA on the wide channel BW, for example, for each CCA on its auxiliary channel during a predefined interval. For example, the shared AP and / or the shared AP may use the auxiliary channel, for example, if it is idle, for example, for M-AP operation.

[0217] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that, for example, in a case where both APs check for CCA on a wide channel BW, a specific AP (eg, only a shared AP) may access the wide channel BW.

[0218] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define PIFS access on the secondary channel, for example, instead of backing off, for example, with some restrictions on the duration of the TxOP duration.

[0219] In some demonstrative aspects, it may be defined that two APs (e.g., an AP implemented by device 102 and an AP implemented by device 140) may be configured to coordinate joint r-TWT SPs, which may overlap in time, e.g., for M-AP coordination, e.g., as described below.

[0220] In some demonstrative aspects, two APs may be configured to negotiate that one AP may operate in the role of a shared AP and the other AP may operate in the role of a shared AP.

[0221] In some demonstrative aspects, negotiation of a shared AP / shared AP role may be performed between two APs, eg, using the negotiation between the two APs to coordinate one or more r-TWT SPs.

[0222] In some exemplary aspects, the management entity may assign a shared AP or a role of a shared AP to each AP, for example, when the two APs are part of the same administrative domain. According to these aspects, negotiation between the two APs may not be required.

[0223] In one example, for example, when a contention period occurs before the start of the r-TWT SP, the AP (eg, each AP) may attempt to access the wireless medium.

[0224] For example, the first AP may obtain channel access and initiate a TxOP, eg, only on a subset of the wide channel BW, eg, only on the primary channel, eg, if the secondary channel is busy.

[0225] According to this example, M-AP operation may not be possible during r-TWT SP. For example, in this case, another primary channel of the second AP, such as the secondary channel of the first AP, may not be part of the channels of this TxOP.

[0226] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that the AP is to ensure that one of the PPDUs in a TxOP ends, for example, exactly at the start of the r-TWT SP.

[0227] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define: the AP is to ensure that the PPDU does not request an immediate response from the receiver of the PPDU and / or includes a management frame, control frame or A-control information for a small contention for TxOP channel extension.

[0228] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that the AP will not transmit on the medium (eg, in its primary channel) for a certain duration (eg, after transmission of a PPDU).

[0229] In some exemplary aspects, the length of the particular duration may be equal to the PIFS, eg, because there may be regions that do not allow transmission pauses longer than the PIFS.

[0230] In some demonstrative aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define a specific duration to include a duration longer than PIFS.

[0231] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that during a PIFS in a coordinated r-TWT SP (e.g., a first PIFS of the coordinated r-TWT SP), there may be no transmissions from the TxOP holder and responder on the wide channel BW.

[0232] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that: during a specific duration (e.g., a PIFS duration), an AP (e.g., a TxOP holder) will check for CCA on one or more remaining auxiliary channels corresponding to a wide channel BW for coordinating r-TWT SP, for example, for multi-AP operation with another AP.

[0233] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that if an AP observes CCA idleness on a secondary channel during a predefined duration (e.g., SIFS), then the AP may be deemed to have obtained channel access on the secondary channel and the AP's TxOP may be extended to incorporate the new AP.

[0234] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that, for example, when two APs perform the same operation, for example, to avoid conflicts between the two APs, only the shared AP is allowed to check the CCA and extend its TxOP. For example, the definition that only the shared AP is allowed to check the CCA and extend its TxOP may provide a technical solution that increases the chance that the shared AP can extend its TxOP to a wide channel BW and may be able to trigger a shared AP for multi-AP operation.

[0235] refer to Figure 5 , which schematically illustrates a joint r-TWT SP 510 of a first AP 502 and a second AP 540 on a wide channel BW according to some demonstrative aspects.

[0236] For example, device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions, and / or roles of AP 502, and / or device 140 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions and / or roles of AP 540.

[0237] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the wide channel BW may include a primary channel 503 of the first AP 502 and a primary channel 505 of the second AP 540. For example, the first AP 502 may process the channel 505 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW, and / or the second AP 540 may process the channel 503 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW.

[0238] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the AP 502 may obtain a TxOP 522 on the primary channel 503 of the first AP 502 .

[0239] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the TxOP 522 may extend to and / or cover the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 510 .

[0240] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, AP 540 may obtain TxOP 542 on primary channel 505 of second AP 540 .

[0241] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the TxOP 542 may extend to and / or cover the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 510 .

[0242] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5As shown, the AP 502 may refrain from transmitting for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS), for example, from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 510 .

[0243] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the AP 502 may check the CCA status of the channel 505 (eg, the secondary channel of the AP 502) for a predefined duration (eg, for a duration of SIFS) during the PIFS.

[0244] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, AP 540 may refrain from transmitting for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS) from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 510.

[0245] In one example, PIFS may include a predefined duration of 25 microseconds (us), and / or SIFS may include a predefined duration of 16 us.

[0246] In other aspects, PIFS and SIFS may include any other predefined time durations.

[0247] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, for example, based on a determination that the CCA state of the channel 505 is idle during the SIFS duration, the AP 502 may send an M-AP trigger frame 514 on the wide channel BW to trigger the M-AP operation 512 .

[0248] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, for example, when the CCA state of the channel 505 is idle during the PIFS, the AP 502 acting as a shared AP, for example, may be able to extend its TxOP for the M-AP operation 512 over the wide channel BW.

[0249] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, for example, according to a coordinated SR (C-SR) mode, M-AP operation 512 may support communication of a first PPDU of AP 502 and a second PPDU of AP 540 over a wide channel BW including channels 503 and 505 .

[0250] refer to Figure 6 , which schematically illustrates a joint r-TWT SP 610 of a first AP 602 and a second AP 640 on a wide channel BW according to some demonstrative aspects.

[0251] For example, device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions, and / or roles of AP 602, and / or device 140 ( Figure 1) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions and / or roles of AP 640.

[0252] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, the wide channel BW may include a primary channel 603 of the first AP 602 and a primary channel 605 of the second AP 640. For example, the first AP 602 may process the channel 605 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW, and / or the second AP 640 may process the channel 603 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW.

[0253] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, AP 602 may obtain TxOP 622 on primary channel 603 .

[0254] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, the TxOP 622 may extend to and / or cover the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 610 .

[0255] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, AP 640 may obtain TxOP 642 on primary channel 605 .

[0256] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, the TxOP 642 may extend to and / or cover the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 610 .

[0257] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, the AP 602 may refrain from transmitting for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS), for example, from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 610 .

[0258] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, the AP 602 may check the CCA status of the channel 605 (eg, the secondary channel of the AP 602 ) for a predefined duration (eg, for a duration of a SIFS) during the PIFS.

[0259] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, the AP 640 may refrain from transmitting for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS) from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 610.

[0260] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, for example, AP 602 acting as a shared AP cannot extend its TxOP for M-AP operation over a wide channel BW.

[0261] In one example, for example, based on a determination that the CCA state of the secondary channel (eg, channel 605) of the first AP 602 is not idle during the SIFS period, for example due to interference from one or more other STAs, the AP 602 cannot extend its TxOP for M-AP operation.

[0262] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, for example, when the AP 602 is unable to extend its TxOP for M-AP operation, the AP 602 may send a first PPDU 624 on the primary channel 603 during the r-TWT SP 610 .

[0263] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 6 As shown, for example, when AP 602 is unable to extend its TxOP for M-AP operation, AP 640 may send a second PPDU 644 on the primary channel 605 during r-TWT SP 610.

[0264] Return to reference Figure 1 In some demonstrative aspects, device 102, device 140 and / or device 160 may be configured to implement one or more operations and / or functions of a joint r-TWT SP mechanism, which may define one or more behaviors for a shared AP and a shared AP, for example, as described below.

[0265] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that a shared AP may check the CCA status of a secondary channel for a duration of PIFS (e.g., instead of SIFS) before allowing the shared AP to expand its TxOP to a wide channel BW. For example, according to the IEEE 802.11 specification, a duration of PIFS may currently be a condition for secondary channel access.

[0266] In some exemplary aspects, the definition of a shared AP checking the CCA status of a secondary channel for the duration of PIFS before allowing the shared AP to extend its TxOP to a wide channel BW may be equivalent to allowing an AP member of a coordinated r-TWTSP having the role of a shared AP to access the medium at the beginning of the r-TWT SP with PIFS access, for example, instead of performing a full back off (BO).

[0267] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define an additional condition that an AP that is a TxOP holder of a previous TxOP on the same channel is to define a TxOP with a duration below a certain threshold (eg, below a TxOP limit).

[0268] For example, these definitions of a joint r-TWT SP mechanism may provide a technical solution that may not be interpreted as an actual increase in BW, such as during a TxOP, but may enable two TxOPs back-to-back using PIFS (eg, or aggressive channel access).

[0269] In some exemplary aspects, the joint r-TWT SP mechanism may be configured to define that a shared AP that has obtained a TxOP prior to the start of the r-TWT SP will have to terminate its TxOP exactly at the start of the r-TWT SP, e.g., creating a contention period exactly then.

[0270] For example, a shared AP may check the CCA idle state of its secondary channel for PIFS, for example, to extend its TxOP over a wide channel BW. For example, this may provide a higher chance that the shared AP may obtain channel access over the entire wide channel BW.

[0271] refer to Figure 7 , which schematically illustrates a joint r-TWT SP 710 of a first AP 702 and a second AP 740 on a wide channel BW according to some demonstrative aspects.

[0272] For example, device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions, and / or roles of AP 702, and / or device 140 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions and / or roles of AP 740.

[0273] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, the wide channel BW may include a primary channel 703 of the first AP 702 and a primary channel 705 of the second AP 740. For example, the first AP 702 may process the channel 705 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW, and / or the second AP 740 may process the channel 703 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW.

[0274] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, AP 702 may obtain TxOP 722 on primary channel 703 of first AP 702 .

[0275] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, the TxOP 722 may extend to and / or cover the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 710 .

[0276] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, AP 740 may obtain TxOP 742 on primary channel 705 of second AP 740 .

[0277] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, the TxOP 742 may extend to and / or cover the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 710 .

[0278] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, the AP 702 may be suppressed for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS) from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 710 .

[0279] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, AP 740 may refrain from transmitting for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS) from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 710.

[0280] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, the AP 702 may check the CCA status of the channel 705 (eg, the secondary channel of the AP 702 ) within a predefined duration (eg, within a duration of the PIFS).

[0281] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, for example, based on a determination that the CCA state of the channel 705 is idle during the PIFS duration, the AP 702 may send an M-AP trigger frame 714 on the wide channel BW to trigger the M-AP operation 712 .

[0282] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, for example, when the CCA state of the channel 705 is idle during the PIFS, the AP 702 acting as a shared AP, for example, may be able to extend its TxOP for the M-AP operation 712 over the wide channel BW.

[0283] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 7 As shown, for example, according to the C-SR mode, the M-AP operation 712 may support communication of a first PPDU of the AP 702 and a second PPDU of the AP 740 on a wide channel BW including channels 703 and 705 .

[0284] refer to Figure 8 , which schematically illustrates a joint r-TWT SP 810 of a first AP 802 and a second AP 840 on a wide channel BW according to some demonstrative aspects.

[0285] For example, device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions, and / or roles of AP 802, and / or device 140 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to perform one or more operations, functions and / or roles of AP 840.

[0286] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, the wide channel BW may include a primary channel 803 of the first AP 802 and a primary channel 805 of the second AP 840. For example, the first AP 802 may process the channel 805 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW, and / or the second AP 840 may process the channel 803 as a secondary channel of the wide channel BW.

[0287] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, AP 802 may obtain TxOP 822 on primary channel 803 .

[0288] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, the TxOP 822 may extend to and / or overlap the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 810 .

[0289] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, AP 840 may obtain TxOP 842 on primary channel 805.

[0290] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, the TxOP 842 may extend to and / or cover the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP 810 .

[0291] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, AP 802 may refrain from transmitting for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS) from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 810.

[0292] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, AP 802 may check the CCA status of channel 805 (eg, a secondary channel of AP 802 ) within a predefined duration (eg, within a duration of PIFS).

[0293] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, AP 840 may refrain from transmitting for a predefined duration (eg, PIFS) from the start of the joint r-TWT SP 810.

[0294] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, for example, AP 802 acting as a shared AP cannot extend its TxOP for M-AP operation over a wide channel BW.

[0295] In one example, for example, based on a determination that the CCA state of the secondary channel (eg, channel 805) of the first AP 802 is not idle during the PIFS, for example due to interference from one or more other STAs, the AP 802 cannot extend its TxOP for M-AP operation.

[0296] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 8 As shown, for example, when AP 802 is unable to extend its TxOP for M-AP operation, AP 802 may send PPDU 824 on primary channel 803 during r-TWT SP 810.

[0297] refer to Fig. 9 , which schematically illustrates a method of M-AP operation on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects. For example, Fig. 9 One or more of the operations of the method may be performed by a system (e.g., system 100 ( Figure 1 )) is performed by one or more elements of, for example, one or more wireless devices (e.g., device 102 ( Figure 1 )、device 140( Figure 1 ) and / or device 160( Figure 1 )), a controller (e.g., controller 124 ( Figure 1 ) and / or controller 154 ( Figure 1 )), a radio device (e.g., a radio device 114 ( Figure 1 ) and / or radio device 144 ( Figure 1 )) and / or a message processor (e.g., message processor 128 ( Figure 1 ) and / or message processor 158 ( Figure 1 )).

[0298] As indicated at block 902, the method may include, at a first AP, determining a joint r-TWT SP for M-AP operation with a second AP on a wide channel BW including a primary channel of the first AP and a primary channel of the second AP. Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control the operation of device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the AP, including the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the primary channel of the first AP and by the device 140 ( Figure 1 ) is implemented on a wide channel BW of the primary channel of the second AP, determining the channel for communication with the device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implements a joint r-TWT SP of the M-AP operation of the second AP, for example, as described above.

[0299] As indicated at block 904, the method may include obtaining a TxOP on at least a primary channel of the first AP. For example, the TxOP may cover at least the beginning of the r-TWT SP. For example, the controller 124 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control the operation of device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) obtains TxOP on the primary channel of the first AP implemented, for example, as described above.

[0300] As indicated at block 906, the method may include refraining from transmitting on the wide channel BW during a first predefined time period from the start of the r-TWT SP. Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control the operation of device 102 ( Figure 1 )The AP implemented by refrains from transmitting on the wide channel BW during a first predefined time period from the start of the r-TWT SP, for example, as described above.

[0301] As indicated at block 908, the method may include, for example, sending an M-AP trigger frame on a wide channel BW based on a determination that a CCA state of a primary channel of the second AP is idle during a first predefined time period for a duration of a second predefined time period. For example, the M-AP trigger frame may be configured to trigger M-AP operation on the wide channel BW. For example, the controller 124( Figure 1 ) may be configured to: for example, based on the device 140 ( Figure 1 ) is idle during the first predefined time period for a duration of the second predefined time period, thereby causing, triggering and / or controlling the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implements the AP to send the M-AP trigger frame 115 on the wide channel BW ( Figure 1 ), for example, as described above.

[0302] refer to Fig.10 , which schematically illustrates a method of M-AP operation on a wide channel BW according to some exemplary aspects. For example, Fig.10 One or more of the operations of the method may be performed by a system (e.g., system 100 ( Figure 1 )) is performed by one or more elements of, for example, one or more wireless devices (e.g., device 102 ( Figure 1 )、device 140( Figure 1 ) and / or device 160( Figure 1 )), a controller (e.g., controller 124 ( Figure 1 ) and / or controller 154 ( Figure 1 )), a radio device (e.g., a radio device 114 ( Figure 1 ) and / or radio device 144 ( Figure 1 )) and / or a message processor (e.g., message processor 128 ( Figure 1 ) and / or message processor 158 ( Figure 1 )).

[0303] As indicated at block 1002, the method may include, at a first AP, determining a joint r-TWT SP for M-AP operation with a second AP on a wide channel BW including a primary channel of the first AP and a primary channel of the second AP. Figure 1 ) may be configured to: cause, trigger and / or control the operation of device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the AP, including the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the AP's primary channel and by device 140 ( Figure 1 ) is implemented on the wide channel BW of the primary channel of the AP, determining the channel used for communication with the device 102 ( Figure 1 )'s joint r-TWT SP of the M-AP operation of the AP implemented, for example, as described above.

[0304] As indicated at block 1004, the method may include obtaining a TxOP on at least a primary channel of the first AP. For example, the TxOP may cover at least the beginning of the r-TWT SP. For example, the controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control the operation of device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the device 140 ( Figure 1 ) obtains TxOP on the primary channel of the AP implemented, for example, as described above.

[0305] As indicated at block 1006, the method may include refraining from transmitting on the wide channel BW during a predefined time period from the start of the r-TWT SP. Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control the operation of device 140 ( Figure 1 )The AP implemented by refrains from transmitting on the wide channel BW during a predefined time period from the start of the r-TWT SP, for example, as described above.

[0306] As indicated at block 1008, the method may include, for example, triggering M-AP operation on the wide channel BW based on receiving an M-AP trigger frame from a second AP on the wide channel BW. For example, the controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured, for example, based on a signal received from the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) receives the M-AP trigger frame 115 ( Figure 1 ) causes, triggers and / or controls the device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implements an AP that triggers M-AP operation on a wide channel BW, for example, as described above.

[0307] refer to Fig.11 , which schematically illustrates an article of manufacture 1100 according to some exemplary aspects. Article 1100 may include one or more tangible computer-readable ("machine-readable") non-transitory storage media 1102, which may include computer-executable instructions implemented, for example, by logic 1104, which, when executed by at least one computer processor, may be operable to enable at least one computer processor to perform operations on a device 102 ( Figure 1 )、device 140( Figure 1 )、Device 160( Figure 1 )、Controller 124( Figure 1 )、Controller 154( Figure 1 )、Message processor 128( Figure 1 )、Message processor 158( Figure 1 )、Radio device 114( Figure 1 )、Radio Device 144( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 118( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 148( Figure 1 )、Receiver 116( Figure 1 ) and / or receiver 146 ( Figure 1 ) to implement one or more operations; so that the device 102 ( Figure 1 )、device 140( Figure 1 )、Device 160( Figure 1 )、Controller 124( Figure 1 )、Controller 154( Figure 1 )、Message processor 128( Figure 1 )、Message processor 158( Figure 1 )、Radio device 114( Figure 1 )、Radio Device 144( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 118( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 148( Figure 1 )、Receiver 116( Figure 1 ) and / or receiver 146 ( Figure 1 ) execute, trigger and / or implement one or more operations and / or functions; and / or execute, trigger and / or implement reference Figure 1 , 2 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, and / or one or more operations described herein. The phrases "non-transitory machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable non-transitory storage medium" may be intended to include all machine and / or computer-readable media, with the only exception of transitory propagating signals.

[0308] In some exemplary aspects, the product 1100 and / or the machine-readable storage medium 1102 may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writable or rewritable memory, etc. For example, the machine-readable storage medium 1102 may include RAM, DRAM, double data rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase change memory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, magnetic disk, hard drive, etc. The computer-readable storage medium may include any suitable medium involved in downloading or transmitting a computer program from a remote computer to a requesting computer via a communication link (e.g., a modem, a radio device, or a network connection), the computer program being carried by a data signal embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium.

[0309] In some exemplary aspects, logic 1104 may include instructions, data, and / or code that, if executed by a machine, may cause the machine to perform methods, processes, and / or operations as described herein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, etc., and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, etc.

[0310] In some exemplary aspects, logic 1104 may include or may be implemented as software, a software module, an application, a program, a subroutine, an instruction, an instruction set, a computing code, a word, a value, a symbol, etc. Instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, etc. Instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner, or syntax for instructing a processor to perform a specific function. Instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and / or interpreted programming language, machine code, etc.

[0311] Example

[0312] The following examples relate to further aspects.

[0313] Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a first access point (AP) to: determine a joint restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service period (SP) for multi-AP (M-AP) operation with a second AP on a wide channel bandwidth (BW) including a primary channel of the first AP and a primary channel of a second AP; obtain a transmit opportunity (TxOP) on at least the primary channel of the first AP, the TxOP covering at least the start of the joint r-TWT SP; suppress transmission on the wide channel BW during a first predefined time period from the start of the joint r-TWT SP; and send an M-AP trigger frame on the wide channel BW based on a determination that a clear channel assessment (CCA) state of the primary channel of the second AP is idle for a duration of a second predefined time period during the first predefined time period, wherein the M-AP trigger frame is configured to trigger the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW.

[0314] Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to obtain the TxOP based on a determination that a contention period (CP) will occur on the primary channel of the first AP prior to the joint r-TWT SP.

[0315] Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 1 or 2, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to end transmission on the primary channel of the first AP at the start of the joint r-TWT SP.

[0316] Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 3, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to ensure that the frames being transmitted on the primary channel of the first AP do not request an immediate response from a receiver of the frames.

[0317] Example 5 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-4, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to: based on a determination that the first AP will perform a role of a shared AP for the joint r-TWT SP, allow the first AP to send the M-AP trigger frame.

[0318] Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 5, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to determine, based on AP role negotiation between the first AP and the second AP, that the first AP will perform the role of the shared AP for the joint r-TWT SP.

[0319] Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6, and optionally, wherein the first predefined time period comprises a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS).

[0320] Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7, and optionally, wherein the second predefined time period is shorter than the first predefined time period.

[0321] Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7, and optionally, wherein the second predefined time period is equal to the first predefined time period.

[0322] Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7, and optionally, wherein the second predefined time period comprises a short interframe space (SIFS).

[0323] Example 11 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7, and optionally, wherein the second predefined time period includes a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS).

[0324] Example 12 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to coordinate the joint r-TWT SP with the second AP.

[0325] Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to: cause the first AP to perform the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW according to fractional frequency reuse (FFR) of the wide channel BW.

[0326] Example 14 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-13, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to enable the first AP to perform the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW by enabling the first AP to communicate with one or more first STAs on the wide channel BW and limiting the communication of the first AP with one or more second STAs to the primary channel of the first AP, wherein the one or more first STAs are within a specific range from the first AP, and wherein the one or more second STAs are not within the specific range from the first AP.

[0327] Example 15 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-14, and optionally, wherein the primary channel of the first AP comprises a channel BW of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), wherein the wide channel BW comprises a channel BW of at least 40 MHz.

[0328] Example 16 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-15, and optionally, includes at least one radio device sending the M-AP trigger frame.

[0329] Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 16 and optionally includes one or more antennas connected to the radio, and a processor executing instructions of an operating system of the first AP.

[0330] Example 18 includes a device comprising logic and circuitry configured to: cause a first access point (AP) to determine a joint restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service period (SP) for multi-AP (M-AP) operation with a second AP on a wide channel bandwidth (BW) including a primary channel of the first AP and a primary channel of a second AP; obtain a transmit opportunity (TxOP) on at least the primary channel of the first AP, the TxOP covering at least the start of the joint r-TWT SP; suppress transmission on the wide channel BW during a predefined time period from the start of the joint r-TWT SP; and trigger the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW based on receiving an M-AP trigger frame from the second AP on the wide channel BW.

[0331] Example 19 includes the subject matter of Example 18, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to obtain the TxOP based on a determination that a contention period (CP) will occur on the primary channel of the first AP prior to the joint r-TWT SP.

[0332] Example 20 includes the subject matter of Example 18 or 19, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to end transmission on the primary channel of the first AP at the start of the joint r-TWT SP.

[0333] Example 21 includes the subject matter of Example 20, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to ensure that the frames being transmitted on the primary channel of the first AP do not request an immediate response from a receiver of the frames.

[0334] Example 22 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 18-21, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to determine that the first AP will attempt to receive the M-AP trigger frame from the second AP based on a determination that the first AP will perform a role of a shared AP for the joint r-TWT SP.

[0335] Example 23 includes the subject matter of Example 22, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to determine, based on AP role negotiation between the first AP and the second AP, that the first AP will perform the role of the shared AP for the joint r-TWT SP.

[0336] Example 24 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 18-26, and optionally, wherein the predefined time period includes a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS).

[0337] Example 25 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 18-24, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to coordinate the joint r-TWT SP with the second AP.

[0338] Example 26 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 18-25, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to perform the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW according to fractional frequency reuse (FFR) of the wide channel BW.

[0339] Example 27 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 18-26, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first AP to perform the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW by enabling the first AP to communicate with one or more first STAs on the wide channel BW and limiting the first AP's communication with one or more second STAs to the primary channel of the first AP, wherein the one or more first STAs are within a specific range from the first AP, and wherein the one or more second STAs are not within the specific range from the first AP.

[0340] Example 28 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 18-27, and optionally, wherein the primary channel of the first AP comprises a channel BW of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), wherein the wide channel BW comprises a channel BW of at least 40 MHz.

[0341] Example 29 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 18-28, and optionally, includes at least one radio device receiving the M-AP trigger frame.

[0342] Example 30 includes the subject matter of Example 29 and optionally comprising one or more antennas connected to the radio, and a processor executing instructions of an operating system of the first AP.

[0343] Example 31 includes a wireless communication device comprising an apparatus according to any of Examples 1-30.

[0344] Example 32 includes a mobile device comprising an apparatus according to any of Examples 1-30.

[0345] Example 33 includes an apparatus comprising means for performing any of the operations described in any of Examples 1-30.

[0346] Example 34 includes a product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media, the storage media comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, are operable to enable the at least one processor to cause a wireless communication device to perform any of the operations described in any of Examples 1-30.

[0347] Example 35 includes an apparatus comprising: a memory interface; and a processing circuit system configured to: perform any of the operations according to any of Examples 1-30.

[0348] Example 36 includes a method comprising any of the operations according to any of Examples 1-30.

[0349] The functions, operations, components, and / or features described herein with reference to one or more aspects may be combined with or used in conjunction with one or more other functions, operations, components, and / or features described herein with reference to one or more other aspects, and vice versa.

[0350] While certain features have been illustrated and described herein, numerous modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a controller, the controller being configured to cause a first access point (AP): determining, over a wide channel bandwidth (BW) including a primary channel of the first AP and a primary channel of a second AP, a joint restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service period (SP) for multi-AP (M-AP) operation with the second AP; obtaining a transmit opportunity (TxOP) on at least the primary channel of the first AP, the TxOP covering at least a start of the joint r-TWT SP; refraining from transmitting on the wide channel BW during a first predefined time period from said start of the joint r-TWT SP; and Based on a determination that a clear channel assessment (CCA) state of the primary channel of the second AP is idle for a duration of a second predefined time period during the first predefined time period, an M-AP trigger frame is sent on the wide channel BW, wherein the M-AP trigger frame is configured to trigger the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, configured to cause the first AP to obtain the TxOP based on a determination that a contention period (CP) will occur on the primary channel of the first AP prior to the joint r-TWT SP.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, configured to cause the first AP to end transmission on the primary channel of the first AP at the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, configured to cause the first AP to ensure that the frames being transmitted on the primary channel of the first AP do not request an immediate response from a receiver of the frames.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, configured to allow the first AP to send the M-AP trigger frame based on a determination that the first AP will perform a role of a shared AP for the joint r-TWTSP. 6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , configured to cause the first AP to determine, based on AP role negotiation between the first AP and the second AP, that the first AP will perform the role of the shared AP for the joint r-TWT SP.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first predefined time period comprises a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second predefined time period is shorter than the first predefined time period.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second predefined time period is equal to the first predefined time period.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the second predefined time period comprises a Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS).

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the second predefined time period comprises a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS).

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, configured to: cause the first AP to coordinate the joint r-TWT SP with the second AP.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1-6, configured to: cause the first AP to perform the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW according to fractional frequency reuse (FFR) of the wide channel BW.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1-6 is configured to enable the first AP to perform the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW by enabling the first AP to communicate with one or more first STAs on the wide channel BW and limiting the communication between the first AP and one or more second STAs to the main channel of the first AP, wherein the one or more first STAs are within a specific range from the first AP, and wherein the one or more second STAs are not within the specific range from the first AP.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the primary channel of the first AP comprises a channel BW of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), wherein the wide channel BW comprises a channel BW of at least 40 MHz.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, comprising at least one radio device that transmits the M-AP trigger frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, comprising one or more antennas connected to the radio, and a processor to execute instructions of an operating system.

18. A method performed at a first access point (AP), the method include: determining, over a wide channel bandwidth (BW) including a primary channel of the first AP and a primary channel of a second AP, a joint restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service period (SP) for multi-AP (M-AP) operation with the second AP; obtaining a transmit opportunity (TxOP) on at least the primary channel of the first AP, the TxOP covering at least a start of the joint r-TWT SP; refraining from transmitting on the wide channel BW during a first predefined time period from the start of the joint r-TWT SP; and Based on a determination that a clear channel assessment (CCA) state of the primary channel of the second AP is idle for a duration of a second predefined time period during the first predefined time period, an M-AP trigger frame is sent on the wide channel BW, wherein the M-AP trigger frame is configured to trigger the M-AP operation on the wide channel BW.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein include: The first AP is caused to obtain the TxOP based on a determination that a contention period (CP) will occur on the primary channel of the first AP prior to the joint r-TWT SP.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein include: Cause the first AP to end transmission on the primary channel of the first AP at the beginning of the joint r-TWT SP.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein include: Based on a determination that the first AP will perform a role of a shared AP for the joint r-TWT SP, the first AP is allowed to send the M-AP trigger frame.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the first predefined time period comprises a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS).

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein include: Coordinate the joint r-TWTSP with the second AP.

24. A product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media, the storage media comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, are operable to cause the at least one processor to cause a first access point (AP) to perform a method according to any one of claims 18-23.

25. An apparatus comprising means for causing a first access point (AP) to perform the method according to any one of claims 18-23.

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