Communication apparatus and communication method for enhancing sensing by proxy

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication device and a communication method for sensing by a proxy, the communication device comprising: circuitry configured to generate a request frame indicating a condition to be used by a second communication device for selecting one or more links, each of the one or more links is attached to one or more third communication devices; a transmitter that transmits the request frame to the second communication device to request the second communication device to perform measurements on the one or more links; and a receiver that receives a report frame from the second communication device, the report frame carrying one or more reports of the measurements corresponding to the one or more links.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device and method for sensing, and more particularly to a communication device and method for sensing by proxy. Background Art

[0002] Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) sensing is being developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11bf task group. In the task group, Sensing by Proxy (SBP) is proposed, which enables the client to use multiple radio links to obtain sensing measurements, but the details of the protocol / process for selecting the best link / STA for the SBP process have not yet been discussed in the task group.

[0003] Although Wi-Fi coverage with multiple links is very common nowadays, blindly measuring and reporting all possible links during the SBP reporting phase will result in a large overhead of Wi-Fi links for reporting.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a communication apparatus and method for enhanced sensing by proxy, which provides a feasible technical solution to solve the problem, and more specifically, enables an SBP initiator and / or responder to select the best link / STA for the SBP process to reduce reporting overhead.

[0005] Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0006] Non-limiting and exemplary embodiments facilitate providing a communication apparatus and a communication method for a cooperative sensing process in a WLAN context.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a first communication device, comprising: a circuit configured to generate a request frame, the request frame indicating a condition to be used by a second communication device to select one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; a transmitter, which sends the request frame to the second communication device to request the second communication device to perform measurements on the one or more links; and a receiver, which receives a report frame from the second communication device, the report frame carrying one or more reports of the measurements corresponding to the one or more links.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a second communication device: a receiver, which receives a request frame from a first communication device, the request frame indicating a condition for selecting one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; a circuit, the circuit being configured to generate a report frame, the report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links; and a transmitter, which sends the report frame to the first communication device.

[0009] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a first communication device, comprising: generating a request frame, the request frame indicating conditions to be used by a second communication device to select one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; sending the request frame to the second communication device to request the second communication device to perform measurements on the one or more links; and receiving a report frame from the second communication device, the report frame carrying one or more reports of the measurements corresponding to the one or more links.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a second communication device, comprising: receiving a request frame from a first communication device, the request frame indicating a condition for selecting one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; generating a report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links; and sending the report frame to the first communication device.

[0011] It should be noted that the general or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any selective combination thereof.

[0012] Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the description and drawings. Benefits and / or advantages may be obtained individually from the various embodiments and features of the description and drawings, and these embodiments and features do not need to be provided in full in order to obtain one or more such benefits and / or advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Through the following written description, which is taken as an example only and is combined with the accompanying drawings, a person of ordinary skill in the art will better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure will be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 Depicted is a schematic diagram illustrating single-user (SU) communication between an access point (AP) and a station (STA) in a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) wireless network.

[0015] Figure 2Depicted is a schematic diagram illustrating downlink multi-user (MU) communication between an AP and multiple STAs in a MIMO wireless network.

[0016] Figure 3 Depicted is a schematic diagram illustrating trigger-based (TB) uplink MU communication between an AP and multiple STAs in a MIMO wireless network.

[0017] Figure 4 Depicted is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication between a STA (Client 0) and an AP for a basic SBP procedure.

[0018] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a floor plan and the devices located therein is shown.

[0019] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a communication device according to the present disclosure is depicted.

[0020] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a communication method implemented by a first communication device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a communication method implemented by a second communication device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Fig. 9 A flowchart illustrating an overview of a sensing process by proxy between an AP and three non-AP STAs according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0023] Fig.10 An example is shown Fig. 9 Flowchart of the detailed process flow of the proxy sensing process between the AP and three non-AP STAs in FIG.

[0024] Fig.11 An example is shown Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the connection between the AP and three non-AP STAs.

[0025] Fig.12 An example format of an extended capability element for basic discovery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Fig.13A An example format of an SBP request frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Fig. 13B An example format of a protected SBP request frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0028] Fig.14AAn example format of an SBP response frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Fig. 14B An example format of a protected SBP response frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Fig.15 Shows Figure 13A-Figure 14B Example format of the SBP Parameters element field in the SBP request / response frame in FIG.

[0031] Fig.16 Shows Fig.14A and Fig. 14B Example format of the SBP Link Information Element field in the SBP Response frame in FIG.

[0032] Fig.17 An example format of an SBP report frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Fig.18A An example format of an SBP termination frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Fig.18B An example format of a protected SBP termination frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Fig.19 A flow chart illustrating communication between an SBP initiator (non-AP STA) and an SBP responder (AP) for sensing through a proxy according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Fig. 20A A flowchart illustrating an overview of a sensing process by proxy between an AP and three non-AP STAs according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Fig. 20B An example is shown Fig. 20A Schematic diagram of the connection between the AP and three non-AP STAs.

[0038] Fig.21 An example is shown Fig. 20A Flowchart of the detailed process flow of the proxy sensing process between the AP and three non-AP STAs in FIG.

[0039] Fig. 22 An example visualization of enhanced client discovery results is shown.

[0040] Fig.23 An example format of the SBP parameter element field of the SBP request frame according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0041] Fig.24A An example format of an SBP response according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0042] Fig. 24B An example format of a protected SBP response according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0043] Fig.25 It shows that according to the embodiment Fig.24A and Fig. 24B Example format of the SBP Link Information Element field in the SBP Response frame in FIG.

[0044] Fig.26 An example format of an SBP report frame according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0045] Fig.27A A schematic diagram showing a planar arrangement and devices therein according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure and two example implementations of a sensing process by proxy is shown.

[0046] Fig.27B Another example format of the SBP request frame according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Fig.28 A flowchart illustrating an overview of a sensing process by proxy between an AP and three non-AP STAs according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0048] Fig.29 A flowchart illustrating a detailed process flow of a sensing process between an AP and two non-AP STAs through a proxy according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] Fig.30 is an example format of a sensing measurement setup request frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig.31 An example format of a protected authorization verification request frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0051] Fig.32 An example format of a protected authorization verification response frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0052] Fig.33A An example format of an SBP response frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0053] Fig.33B An example format of a protected SBP response frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0054] Fig.34An example format of an SBP request frame according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0055] Fig.35 An example configuration of a communication device is shown.

[0056] Fig.36 Another example configuration of a communication device is shown.

[0057] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements in the drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size of some elements in the diagrams, block diagrams or flow charts may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help accurately understand the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals and characters in the drawings represent like elements or equivalents.

[0059] In the following paragraphs, certain exemplary embodiments are explained with reference to access points (APs) and stations (STAs) for sensing by proxy, particularly in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless network.

[0060] In the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technology, a station, interchangeably referred to as a STA, is a communication device capable of using the 802.11 protocol. Based on the IEEE 802.11-2016 definition, a STA can be any device that includes an IEEE 802.11-compliant medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to a wireless medium (WM).

[0061] For example, a STA can be a laptop, desktop personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), access point, or Wi-Fi phone in a wireless local area network (WLAN) environment. A STA can be fixed or mobile. In a WLAN environment, the terms "STA", "wireless client", "user", "user equipment", and "node" are often used interchangeably.

[0062] Likewise, an AP (which may be interchangeably referred to as a wireless access point (WAP) in the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technology) is a communication device that allows STAs in a WLAN to connect to a wired network. An AP is typically connected to a router as a standalone device (via a wired network), but it may also be integrated with or implemented in a router.

[0063] As described above, a STA in a WLAN can be used as an AP at different times, and vice versa. This is because a communication device in the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technology can include both STA hardware components and AP hardware components. In this way, the communication device can switch between STA mode and AP mode based on actual WLAN conditions and / or requirements.

[0064] In a MIMO wireless network, "multiple" refers to multiple antennas used for transmission and multiple antennas used for reception simultaneously on a radio channel. In this regard, "multiple input" refers to multiple transmitter antennas that input radio signals into a channel, and "multiple output" refers to multiple receiver antennas that receive radio signals from a channel and enter a receiver. For example, in an N×M MIMO network system, N is the number of transmitter antennas, M is the number of receiver antennas, and N may or may not be equal to M. For simplicity, the respective numbers of transmitter antennas and receiver antennas are not further discussed in this disclosure.

[0065] In a MIMO wireless network, single-user (SU) communication and multi-user (MU) communication may be deployed for communication between communication devices such as APs and STAs. MIMO wireless networks have benefits such as spatial multiplexing and spatial diversity, which achieve higher data rates and robustness by using multiple spatial streams. According to various embodiments, the term "spatial stream" may be used interchangeably with the term "space-time stream" (or STS).

[0066] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating SU communication 100 between an AP 102 and a STA 104 in a MIMO wireless network is depicted. As shown, the MIMO wireless network may include one or more STAs (e.g., STA 104, STA 106, etc.). If the SU communication 100 in a channel is performed over the entire channel bandwidth, it is referred to as full-bandwidth SU communication. If the SU communication 100 in a channel is performed over a portion of the channel bandwidth (e.g., one or more 20 MHz sub-channels within the channel are punctured), it is referred to as punctured SU communication. In the SU communication 100, the AP 102 uses multiple antennas (e.g., Figure 1 104) to transmit multiple space-time streams, where all space-time streams are directed to a single communication device (i.e., STA 104). For simplicity, the multiple space-time streams directed to STA 104 are illustrated as packet data transmission arrows 108 directed to STA 104.

[0067] SU communication 100 may be configured for bidirectional transmission. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , in SU communication 100 , STA 104 may use multiple antennas (e.g., Figure 1 102) to transmit multiple space-time streams, where all space-time streams are directed to AP 102. For simplicity, the multiple space-time streams directed to AP 102 are illustrated as packet data transmission arrows 110 directed to AP 102.

[0068] therefore, Figure 1 The SU communication 100 depicted in FIG. 1 implements both uplink SU transmissions and downlink SU transmissions in a MIMO wireless network.

[0069] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating downlink MU (multi-user) communication 200 between an AP 202 and multiple STAs 204, 206, 208 in an exemplary MIMO wireless network is depicted. The MIMO wireless network may include one or more STAs (e.g., STA 204, STA 206, STA 208, etc.). MU communication 200 may be OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) communication or MU-MIMO communication. For OFDMA communication in a channel, the AP 202 simultaneously sends multiple streams to STAs 204, 206, 208 in the network at different resource units (RUs) within the channel bandwidth. For MU-MIMO communication in a channel, the AP 202 simultaneously sends multiple streams to STAs 204, 206, 208 at the same RU within the channel bandwidth using multiple antennas via spatial mapping or precoding techniques. If the RU where OFDMA or MU-MIMO communication occurs occupies the entire channel bandwidth, the OFDMA or MU-MIMO communication is referred to as full-bandwidth OFDMA or MU-MIMO communication. If the RU in which OFDMA or MU-MIMO communication occurs occupies a portion of the channel bandwidth (for example, one or more 20MHz subchannels within the channel are punctured), then OFDMA or MU-MIMO communication is referred to as punctured OFDMA or MU-MIMO communication. For example, two space-time streams may be directed to STA 206, another space-time stream may be directed to STA 204, and yet another space-time stream may be directed to STA 208. For simplicity, the two space-time streams directed to STA 206 are illustrated as packet data transmission arrows 212, the space-time stream directed to STA 204 is illustrated as data transmission arrows 210, and the space-time stream directed to STA 208 is illustrated as data transmission arrows 214.

[0070] To achieve uplink MU transmission, trigger-based communication is provided to the MIMO wireless network. In this regard, Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating trigger-based (TB) uplink MU communication 300 between an AP 302 and a plurality of STAs 304, 306, 308 in a MIMO wireless network is depicted.

[0071] Since there are multiple STAs 304 , 306 , 308 that respectively participate in the triggered uplink MU communication, the AP 302 needs to coordinate simultaneous transmissions of the multiple STAs 304 , 306 , 308 .

[0072] For this reason, Figure 3 As shown in FIG, AP 302 simultaneously sends trigger frames 310, 314, 318 to STAs 304, 306, 308, respectively, to indicate user-specific resource allocation information (e.g., the number of space-time streams, the starting STS number, and the allocated RUs) that each STA can use. In response to the trigger frames, STAs 304, 306, 308 can then simultaneously send their respective space-time streams to AP 302 according to the user-specific resource allocation information indicated in the trigger frames 310, 314, 318. For example, two space-time streams can be directed from STA 306 to AP 302, another space-time stream can be directed from STA 304 to AP 302, and yet another space-time stream can be directed from STA 308 to AP 302. For simplicity, two space-time flows directed from STA 306 to AP 302 are shown as packet data transmission arrows 316, the space-time flow directed from STA 304 to AP 302 is shown as data transmission arrow 312, and the space-time flow directed from STA 308 to AP 302 is shown as data transmission arrow 320.

[0073] Due to the packet / PPDU (physical layer protocol data unit) based transmission and distributed MAC (media access control) scheme in 802.11 WLAN, there is no time scheduling (e.g., TDMA (time division multiple access) type periodic time slot allocation for data transmission) in 802.11 WLAN. Frequency and space resource scheduling is performed on a packet basis. In other words, resource allocation information is based on PPDU.

[0074] According to various embodiments, WLAN supports Figure 1 The non-trigger based communication shown and Figure 2 In non-trigger-based communication, a communication device sends a PPDU to one or more other communication devices in an unsolicited manner. In trigger-based communication, a communication device sends a PPDU to one or more other communication devices only after receiving a solicitation trigger frame.

[0075] According to the present disclosure, the term "sensing initiator" refers to a device that initiates a sensing session with a STA (referred to herein as a "client") and requests sensing results from the STA. The term "sensing responder" is a STA that responds to the sensing initiator and participates in the sensing session. In the various embodiments below, unless otherwise specified, the terms "initiator" and "responder" are referred to as "sensing initiator" and "sensing responder", respectively. Typically (for example, in trigger-based (TB) sensing measurements), the initiator is the AP and the responder is a non-AP STA; however, this need not always be the case, and sometimes a non-AP STA may also be the initiator, and the AP may be the responder (for example, in non-TB sensing measurements or fine timing measurements (FTM) / ranging).

[0076] Compared with "sensing initiator" and "sensing responder", the term "sensing by proxy (SBP) initiator" refers to a STA that initiates the SBP process and requests a device (e.g., an AP or a sensing initiator) to initiate a sensing session as a proxy sensing initiator and request sensing results from another STA (e.g., a client of a device) on its behalf. The term "SBP responder" refers to a device that responds to the SBP initiator and agrees to participate in the SBP process to become a proxy sensing initiator. Note that the SBP initiator can be a sensing responder or one of multiple sensing responders of an SBP responder (sensing initiator).

[0077] As mentioned previously, SBP was introduced in IEEE 802.11bf, which enables a client to obtain sensing measurements using multiple radio links. Figure 4 A schematic diagram 400 illustrating the communication between a STA (Client 0) and an AP for a basic SBP process is depicted. According to the basic concept, the sensing process by proxy includes SBP process establishment, sensing measurements, SBP process reporting, and SBP process termination. During the SBP process establishment, a client (e.g., Client 0) requests the AP to obtain sensing measurements with other clients (e.g., Clients 1 and 2). The AP is configured to act as a proxy initiator for the requesting client. In the various embodiments shown in the present disclosure, such a requesting client is referred to as an SBP requesting STA or an SBP initiator, and the AP is referred to as a proxy AP or an SBP responder. The proxy is established by exchanging SBP request / response frames 412 between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder. The AP then performs sensing measurements with one or more clients (e.g., Clients 1 and 2), for example, by exchanging measurement establishment request / response frames to establish a session and / or measurement report frames 414a, 414b during (one or more) measurement instances. In Figure 4In the example of , the SBP initiator is one of the clients, and the AP may also perform sensing measurements with the SBP initiator by exchanging related frames 414c. During the SBP process report, the AP that obtains the measurement reports of the clients then reports them to the SBP initiator, for example, by sending an SBP report frame 416. After the SBP process report, the SBP process may be terminated at any time by the SBP initiator or the SBP responder by sending an SBP terminate frame (not shown).

[0078] As mentioned before, there is a client discovery problem during the SBP process. Since whole house / office / building / entity coverage with multi-AP Wi-Fi (e.g., with mesh Wi-Fi or enterprise Wi-Fi networks) is very common nowadays, blindly measuring and reporting all possible links during the SBP reporting phase will result in a large overhead for reported Wi-Fi links. Figure 5 A schematic diagram 500 illustrating a floor plan and the devices located therein is shown. In the figure, STA-8 is an SBP initiator 502, which is configured to perform people tracking of people entering the floor from door 504. As illustrated using the lines between the devices, there may be 15 possible links between the devices, but only a few links (such as links 506, 507, 508, 509, and 510 (between STA-5, phone-1, AP-1)) may be of interest to a people tracking sensing application whose task is people tracking near door 504.

[0079] Therefore, there is a need for a communication apparatus and method for enhanced sensing-by-proxy that enables an SBP initiator to select the best link / STA for the SBP process to reduce reporting overhead.

[0080] The present disclosure illustrates a sensing by proxy process that enables a non-AP STA to become an SBP initiator and select a STA or link for sensing measurements during the SBP negotiation phase. The link may be an AP to STA link (e.g., initiator to responder (I2R) or responder to initiator (R2I)) or a STA to STA link (e.g., responder to responder (R2R)). The present disclosure also seeks to propose related signaling and frame formats for sensing by proxy.

[0081] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a communication device 600 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The communication device 600 may also be implemented as a sensing initiator, a sensing responder, an SBP initiator, or an SBP responder.

[0082] like Figure 6As shown, the communication device 600 may include a circuit 614, at least one radio transmitter 802, at least one radio receiver 604, and at least one antenna 612 (for simplicity, for the purpose of illustration, Figure 6 Only one antenna is depicted in FIG. 1 ). The circuit 614 may include at least one controller 606 for software and hardware assistance to perform the tasks that the at least one controller 606 is designed to perform, including controlling communications with one or more other communication devices in the MIMO wireless network. The circuit 614 may also include at least one transmission signal generator 608 and at least one reception signal processor 610. At least one controller 606 can control at least one transmission signal generator 608 to generate MAC frames and PPDUs to be sent to one or more other communication devices through at least one radio transmitter 602, wherein the MAC frame can be, for example, a client discovery query / request / response frame, a sensing measurement establishment request / response frame, an SBP request / response frame, an SBP report frame, a sensing measurement report frame, a polling trigger frame, a detection trigger frame, an NFRP trigger frame, a sensing trigger frame, a sensing NDPA; and the PPDU can be, for example, a PPDU for non-trigger-based communication, a PPDU for a triggered-based detection / sensing measurement process, a non-trigger-based detection / sensing measurement process, a PPDU for triggered downlink transmission (if the communication device 600 is an AP), or a PPDU for triggered uplink transmission (if the communication device 600 is a STA). At least one controller 606 can control at least one receive signal processor 610 to process MAC frames and PPDUs received from one or more other communication devices through at least one radio receiver 604 under the control of at least one controller 606, wherein the MAC frame can be, for example, a client discovery query / request / response frame, a sensing measurement setup request / response frame, an SBP request / response frame, an SBP report frame, a sensing measurement report frame, a polling trigger frame, a detection trigger frame, an NFRP trigger frame, a sensing trigger frame, a sensing NDPA; and the PPDU can be, for example, a PPDU for non-trigger-based communication, a PPDU for a triggered detection / sensing measurement process, a PPDU for a triggered uplink transmission based on a non-trigger detection / sensing measurement process (if the communication device 600 is an AP), or a PPDU for a triggered downlink transmission (if the communication device 600 is a STA). At least one transmission signal generator 608 and at least one receive signal processor 610 can be independent modules of the communication device 600, which communicate with at least one controller 606 to implement the above functions, such as Figure 6As shown. Alternatively, at least one transmission signal generator 608 and at least one reception signal processor 610 may be included in at least one controller 606. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the arrangement of these functional modules is flexible and may vary according to actual needs and / or requirements. Data processing, storage and other related control devices may be provided on appropriate circuit boards and / or in chipsets. In various embodiments, in operation, at least one radio transmitter 802, at least one radio receiver 604 and at least one antenna 612 may be controlled by at least one controller 606.

[0083] The communication device 600 provides the functionality required for sensing by proxy when operating. For example, the communication device 600 can be an SBP initiator, and the circuit 614 (e.g., at least one transmission signal generator 608 of the circuit 614) can be configured to generate a request frame indicating the conditions to be used by the second communication device (e.g., SBP responder) to select one or more links, each of the one or more links is attached to one or more third communication devices (e.g., sensing responders), and the at least one radio transmitter 602 can then transmit the request frame to the second communication device to request the second communication device to perform measurements on the one or more links. The at least one radio receiver 604 can then receive a report frame from the second communication device, the report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links.

[0084] In one embodiment, prior to receiving from the second communication device a report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links, the at least one radio receiver 604 also receives from the second communication device a response frame carrying information identifying each of the one or more links.

[0085] In another embodiment, the at least one radio receiver 604 further receives a verification request frame to request verification information indicating that the communication device 600 is authorized to receive one or more reports. The circuit 614 (e.g., at least one receive signal processor 610 and at least one transmit signal generator 608 of the circuit 614, respectively) can be configured to process the verification request frame and generate a verification response frame including the verification information. Then, the at least one radio transmitter 602 can send the verification response frame.

[0086] The communication device 600 may be a sensing SBP responder, and the at least one radio receiver 604 receives a request frame from a first communication device (e.g., an SBP initiator). The circuit 614 (e.g., at least one transmission signal generator 608 of the circuit 614) may be configured to generate a report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to one or more links.

[0087] In one embodiment, the circuit 614 (e.g., at least one transmission signal generator 608 of the circuit 614) may be configured to generate a setup request frame for each of the one or more third communication devices to establish a measurement on each of the one or more third communication devices, the setup request frame including an identifier or address of the communication device 600. Then, the at least one radio transmitter 602 may send the setup request frame to the first communication device.

[0088] In another embodiment, the at least one receiver 604 receives a verification request frame from one of the one or more third communication devices to request verification information indicating that the first communication device is authorized to receive the measurement report from one of the one or more third communication devices. Then, the at least one radio transmitter 602 may send the verification request frame to the communication device 600. Subsequently, the at least one receiver 604 also receives a verification response frame including the verification information from the communication device 600, and the at least one radio transmitter 602 may then send the verification response frame to one of the one or more third communication devices.

[0089] In yet another embodiment, circuit 614 (e.g., at least one transmission signal generator 608 of circuit 614) may be configured to assign a different establishment identifier to each of the one or more links, and to generate a response frame after receiving a request frame including the different establishment identifier assigned to each of the one or more links, and the report frame carries information identifying the different establishment identifiers for each of the one or more links corresponding to the one or more measurement reports.

[0090] Figure 7 A flowchart 700 illustrating a communication method implemented by a first communication device, such as an SBP initiator, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In step 702, a step of generating a request frame is performed, the request frame indicating conditions to be used by a second communication device (e.g., an SBP responder) to select one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices (e.g., sensing responders). In step 704, a step of sending a request frame to the second communication device to request the second communication device to perform measurements on the one or more links is performed. In step 706, a step of receiving a report frame from the second communication device is performed, the report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links.

[0091] Figure 8A flow chart 800 illustrating a communication method implemented by a second communication device, such as an SBP responder, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In step 802, a step of receiving a request frame from a first communication device (e.g., an SBP initiator) is performed, the request frame indicating a condition for selecting one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices. In step 804, a step of receiving a report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links is performed. In step 806, a step of sending a report frame to the first communication device is performed.

[0092] In the following paragraphs, a first embodiment of the sensing by proxy process of the present disclosure is described, in which a non-AP STA indicates a condition for an AP to select one or more other non-AP STAs or links.

[0093] According to the first embodiment, during SBP establishment, the SBP initiator (non-AP STA) specifies basic sensing operation attributes (e.g., sampling rate, report type, etc.) and information as conditions to help the SBP responder (AP) select STA or link in the SBP request. Then, the SBP responder decides / selects the STA / link to be used for sensing measurement based on the conditions (i.e., attributes and information).

[0094] Fig. 9 A flowchart 900 illustrating an overview of a sensing-by-proxy process between an AP and three non-AP STAs ( STA1 , STA4 , STA3 ) according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.10 An example is shown Fig. 9 1000 is a flowchart of a detailed process flow of a sensing process through a proxy between an AP and three non-AP STAs in FIG. Fig.11 An example is shown Fig. 9 Schematic diagram 1100 of the connection between an AP and three non-AP STAs in FIG. First, the AP uses a beacon / probe response frame to advertise its ability to support enhanced client discovery and basic information about the associated non-AP STAs (e.g., the count / number of associated STAs, etc.). STA1 can perform basic SBP discovery and discover the AP's support for SBP functionality. STA1 can then select the AP as its SBP responder.

[0095] STA1 can then initiate an enhanced client discovery process by sending a protected client discovery query frame to request the AP to provide a list of non-AP STAs (associated non-AP STAs and optionally non-associated non-AP STAs). The AP then sends a protected client discovery response frame with the requested non-AP STA list and optionally their respective neighboring STAs, and the enhanced client discovery process ends. In this enhanced client discovery process, the SBP initiator discovers information about the AP and potential sensing responders. In particular, the AP already has basic information about the associated STAs, such as their operating channels, sensing capabilities, and R2R sensing capabilities, etc., and the SBP initiator (STA1) can obtain such information from the AP using a level 1 client discovery query. Although not shown in the figure, upon receiving a request from the SBP initiator (or even alone), the AP can collect other relevant information from its associated STAs, such as the location / positioning of their STAs, RSSI (or propagation loss) to / from the STA (to represent the distance between the STA and the AP), and information about the STA's neighboring STAs, including link metrics, etc. Thus, the SBP initiator can obtain such relevant information about the AP's associated STAs (and their neighboring STAs) from the AP using the level 2 client discovery query. Based on the above information, the SBP initiator can select one or more APs as SBP responders and select one or more non-AP STAs as target sensing responders for the SBP process. Alternatively, if, for example, the AP does not support enhanced client discovery, or in addition to the information collected via enhanced client discovery, the SBP initiator can also use information received via other means (e.g., IP / MAC addresses provided by upper layer applications, etc.) to select the SBP responder and sensing responder of the SBP process.

[0096] Alternatively, it is also possible that initially the SBP initiator requests measurements from "all / many" available links, but then selects a subset of links that are most suitable for the sensing application in subsequent SBP requests (one or more). Link selection may be based on a statistical analysis of the sensing measurement reports of the links; for example, links where CSI feedback is not sensitive to the needs of the sensing application may be omitted in later SBP requests.

[0097] Note that the SBP initiator (STA1) can associate with the AP (SBP responder), in which case it is assumed that it has completed the usual authentication / association process and establishment of a security association (SA) with the AP, for example, through a 4-way handshake prior to the initiation of the SBP request; or it can disassociate with the AP, in which case it is assumed that it has completed the establishment of security associated with the AP, for example, through a pre-association security negotiation (PASN) of a 3-way handshake prior to initiating the SBP request.

[0098] STA1 discovers AP through the client discovery process and selects it as the SBP responder. Then, it initiates the SBP process and requests the AP to become the initiator of sensing by proxy on its behalf by sending a protected SBP request frame, which carries link / measurement parameters and measurement attributes related to the SBP link, such as the minimum received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or received channel power indicator (RCPI) and the number of measurement links. Based on the link / measurement parameters, the AP then decides the 3 STAs / links that are more relevant to the sensing measurement (in this case, the I2R link attached to STA4, the I2R link attached to STA3, and the R2R link from STA4 to STA3), and initiates the sensing session establishment and sensing measurement establishment with the selected STAs (STA4, STA3) by sending them a protected sensing measurement establishment request frame. In this embodiment, the same measurement establishment identifier (ID) is assigned to all different measurement links (e.g., AP to STA I2R link and STA to STA3 R2R link) for the SBP process. Each of STA4, STA3 (sensing responders) receiving the protected sensing measurement setup request frame then sends a protected sensing measurement setup response frame back to the AP (SBP responder or sensing initiator by proxy), indicating a successful sensing measurement setup.

[0099] The AP then sends a protected SBP response frame to indicate the successful establishment with its sensing responder, and also indicates the measurement establishment ID selected for the SBP process back to the SBP initiator (STA1) to complete the SBP establishment.

[0100] Subsequently, the AP performs a sensing measurement instance with STA4 and STA3 by first sending an I2R measurement PPDU (e.g., sensing NDP) to STA4 and STA3. In response, STA4 and STA3 measure the corresponding channels based on receiving the I2R measurement PPDU and transmit their measurement reports if requested. The measurement report includes their assigned measurement establishment ID "1". After collecting the measurement reports on its links, the AP then merges the measurement reports and sends a protected SBP report frame to STA1, which includes a measurement report of its I2R link with STA4 and STA3. In the report frame, link information such as STA ID or other IDs that can be used to identify the I2R measurement link is included. Alternatively or additionally, R2R measurement and reporting of the R2R link can also be performed during the same measurement instance (measurement instance ID 1). In this case, STA4 sends an R2R measurement PPDU (e.g., sensing NDP) to STA3, and STA3 sends a measurement report to the AP in response. The measurement report includes the assigned measurement establishment ID "1". Upon receiving the measurement report, the AP then sends a protected SBP report frame to STA1, which includes a measurement report of the R2R link between STA4 and STA3. Similarly, link information such as STA ID or other IDs that can be used to identify the R2R measurement link is included in the SBP report frame.

[0101] Alternatively, if Fig. 9 As shown, the AP can perform measurements on different links / STAs at different measurement instances (different measurement instance IDs but the same measurement establishment ID), for example, performing sensing measurements with STA3 at the first measurement instance under measurement instance ID "1", and then performing sensing measurements with STA4 at the second measurement instance under measurement instance ID "2". Then, the AP sends an SBP report frame to STA1, which includes measurement reports of STA4 and STA3 received in different measurement instances. Similarly, in the report frame, link information such as STA ID or other IDs that can be used to identify the measurement link is included.

[0102] Finally, after the SBP process, STA1 may initiate SBP process termination by sending an SBP termination frame (not shown) to the AP. Then, the AP performs sensing measurement termination and sensing session termination with STA4 and STA3 for the sensing measurement establishment ID corresponding to the SBP process.

[0103] Fig.12An example format of an extended capability element 1200 for basic discovery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The extended capability element 1200 is used to indicate the (AP or non-AP) capabilities of the STA and support for certain services and communication features. It includes an element ID field, a length field, and an extended capability field. The extended capability field includes a WLAN sensing subfield, an SBP subfield, an SBP R2R subfield, a level enhanced client discovery subfield, and a level 2 enhanced client discovery subfield. The SBP subfield indicates that the AP can provide sensing to its associated STAs through a proxy service. SBP_R2R indicates that the AP can provide sensing for the R2R link of the STA associated with it through a proxy service. The level 1 and level 2 enhanced client discovery subfields indicate that the AP / non-AP STA can perform level 1 and level 2 enhanced client discovery. For level 1 enhanced client discovery, the AP is able to provide a list of non-AP STAs (associated non-AP STAs and optionally unassociated non-AP STAs), while for level 2 enhanced client discovery, the AP is able to provide detailed information of neighboring clients / devices within the radio range of a specific non-AP STA (associated or unassociated non-AP STA).

[0104] In the present disclosure, if there is no security association (SA) between the SBP initiator and the SBP responder, the SBP initiator and the SBP responder exchange SBP request / response / terminate frames to establish the SBP process; otherwise, they exchange protected SBP request / response frames. According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.13A and Fig. 13B Example formats of an SBP request frame 1300 and a protected SBP request frame 1310 are shown, respectively. The SBP request frame 1300 includes a MAC header (a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, and a sender address (TA) field), a category field set to "public", a public action field set to "SBP request", a dialog token field, an SBP parameter element field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The SBP protected frame 1310 includes a MAC header (a frame control field, a duration field, a RA field, and a TA field), a category field set to "public action with double protection", a public action field set to "protected SBP request", a dialog token field, an SBP parameter element field, and an FCS field.

[0105] According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.14A and 14BThe example formats of the SBP response frame 1400 and the protected response frame 1410 are shown respectively. The SBP response frame 1400 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "public", a public action field set to "SBP response", a dialog token field, a status code field, a measurement establishment ID field, an SBP parameter element field, an SBP link information element field, and an FCS field. The protected SBP response frame 1410 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "public action with dual protection", a public action field set to "protected SBP response", a dialog token field, a status code field, a measurement establishment ID field, an SBP parameter element field, an SBP link information element field, and an FCS field.

[0106] The Measurement Setup ID field is set to a Measurement Setup ID value that uniquely identifies the SBP process and all measurement links corresponding to the SBP process. The Measurement Setup ID field is present in the SBP response frame 1400, 1410 only when the Status Code field indicates "Success".

[0107] Fig.15 Shows Figure 13A-Figure 14B 1400, 1410 in the SBP request / response frames 1300, 1310, 1400, 1410. The SBP parameter element field includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and an SBP parameter field. The SBP parameter field includes a link parameter subfield, a measurement parameter subfield, and a report parameter subfield, which specify attributes related to the link to be measured, the measurement PPDU, and the SBP report, respectively.

[0108] The link parameter subfield includes an Include SBP Initiator bit, an Include R2R bit, a Minimum RSSI / RCPI subfield, and the number of measured link subfields. The Include SBP Initiator bit is set to 1, indicating that the request includes the SBP initiator as one of the sensing responders, so the measurement report on the link attached to the SBP initiator will also be measured and included in the SBP report frame. The Include R2R bit is set to 1 to indicate that the R2R link can also be considered. The Minimum RSSI / RCPI subfield indicates that the average RSSI or RCPI observed for frames sent on the selected link is expected to be higher than the indicated level. The number of link subfields indicates the number of links to be used for sensing measurements.

[0109] The measurement parameter subfield includes an NDP type subfield, an NDP bandwidth subfield, and a sampling rate subfield. The NDP type subfield indicates the NDP type or format to be used to measure the channel (e.g., high efficiency (HE), extremely high throughput (EHT), or ranging, etc.). The NDP bandwidth subfield indicates the channel bandwidth of the NDP to be used to measure the channel. The sampling rate subfield indicates the frequency at which the measurement is performed, that is, the frequency at which the sensing measurement is performed, in Hz or the number of measurements per second.

[0110] The Report Parameters subfield includes a Measurement Report Type subfield, a Report Frequency subfield, and a Channel State Information (CSI) Change Threshold subfield. The Measurement Report Type subfield indicates the type of sensing measurement report to be used during the SBP reporting process. The Report Frequency subfield indicates the frequency at which the SBP report is sent, i.e., how often the SBP report is sent, in Hz or the number of times per second. The CSI Change Threshold subfield indicates a number between 0 and 1, which corresponds to a threshold used to determine whether the change in the measured CSI is significant enough for the AP to generate an SBP report.

[0111] Fig.16 It shows that according to the embodiment Fig.14A and Fig. 14B 1400, 1410 in the SBP response frame 1400. The SBP link information element field includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and an SBP link information field. The SBP link information field includes a link information count (N) subfield and one or more link information fields corresponding to one or more links. The link information count (N) subfield indicates the number of links present in the SBP link information field (link information subfield). Each link information subfield includes a STA2 presence subfield, a STA1 ID subfield, and a STA2 ID subfield (if the STA2 presence subfield is set to 1). For an I2R or R2I link to which the SBP responder itself is attached, the STA2 presence subfield is set to 0, and the STA1 ID subfield indicates the STA ID (e.g., MAC address or associated identifier (AID)) of the STA attached to the other end of the link. For an R2R link, the STA2 presence subfield is set to 1, and the STA1 and STA2 ID subfields indicate the STA IDs (e.g., MAC addresses or AIDs) of the two STAs attached to both ends of the R2R link. Alternatively, instead of STA ID, a unique link ID for each measured link (assigned during the sensing measurement setup of the SBP procedure) may be included in the Link Information subfield. The SBP initiator will use the link ID to identify the measured link in subsequent frames.

[0112] Regarding SBP reporting, the SBP responder reports the sensing measurement results obtained during the WLAN sensing process generated by the SBP request to the SBP initiator in a protected SBP report frame, which is constructed by the SBP responder (AP) itself (if the AP is also the sensing receiver) or by adding a link information field (such as Fig.16 As shown) and updating the report length field in each sensing measurement report field obtained in the sensing measurement report frame sent by the sensing responder on the link.

[0113] Fig.17 An example format of an SBP report frame 1700 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The SBP report frame 1700 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "protected sensing", an action field set to "protected SBP report", a dialog token field, a sensing measurement report list field, and an FCS field. The sensing measurement report list field includes one or more sensing measurement report fields corresponding to one or more links. Each sensing measurement report field includes a report length field, a measurement establishment ID field, a measurement instance ID field, a sensing measurement time field, a sensing measurement report type field, a sensing measurement control field, a sensing measurement feedback field, and a link information field. The report length field indicates the length of the sensing measurement report field. If the link information field is added, the report length field should also be updated accordingly. The measurement establishment ID field indicates the measurement establishment ID value corresponding to the SBP process. The measurement instance ID field identifies the measurement instance in which the sensing measurement is performed. The sensing measurement time field indicates the measurement timestamp at which the measurement is performed by the sensing receiver (responder). The sensing measurement control field includes an Nc index subfield, an Nr index subfield, a bandwidth (BW) subfield, an NG (number of groups) subfield, a remaining feedback segment subfield, and a first feedback segment subfield. The sensing measurement feedback includes sensing measurement results, such as CSI or partial CSI. Fig.16 The link information described in the STA2 exists subfield, the STA1ID subfield, and the STA2ID subfield (if the STA2 exists subfield is set to 1 to indicate an R2R link). The STA1 and STA2ID subfields carry the ID (e.g., MAC address or AID) of the sensing responder to identify the link corresponding to the sensing measurement report. Alternatively, instead of the STA ID, a unique link ID for each measured link can be assigned and included in the link information subfield.

[0114] According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.18A and Fig.18BExample formats of an SBP termination frame 1800 and a protected SBP termination frame 1810 are shown, respectively. The SBP termination frame 1800 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "public", a public action field set to "SBP termination", a measurement establishment ID field, and an FCS field. The protected SBP termination frame 1810 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "double-protected public action", a public action field set to "protected SBP termination", a measurement establishment ID field, and an FCS field. The measurement establishment ID field is set to a measurement establishment ID value assigned by the SBP responder (AP) corresponding to the SBP process to be terminated.

[0115] Fig.19 A flowchart 1900 illustrating communication between an SBP initiator (non-AP STA) and an SBP responder (AP) for proxy sensing according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, such as communication between the station management entity (SME) and the MAC sublayer management entity (MLME) of the SBP initiator and the SBP responder. The MLME-SBP.request primitive is issued by the SME of the SBP initiator by the MAC sublayer to request that an SBP request frame be sent to the peer STA (SBP responder). Upon receiving the primitive, the MLME of the SBP initiator constructs an SBP request frame and sends it to the MAC address of the peer STA (SBP responder). The MLME-SBP.request primitive and its primitive parameters are shown below.

[0116]

[0117]

[0118] Table 1 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBP.request primitive.

[0119]

[0120] The MLME-SBP.indication primitive is sent by the MAC sublayer to the SME of the SBP responder to notify the receipt of the SBP request frame from the peer STA (SBP initiator). Upon receiving this primitive, the SME initiates the SBP process on behalf of the peer STA. The MLME-SBP.indication primitive and its primitive parameters are shown below.

[0121]

[0122] Table 2 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBP.indication primitive.

[0123]

[0124] The MLME-SBP.response primitive is sent by the SME of the SBP responder to the MAC sublayer in response to the MLME-SBP.indication and the request to send an SBP response frame to the peer STA (SBP initiator). Upon receiving the primitive, the MLME of the SBP responder constructs an SBP response frame and sends it to the MAC address of the peer STA. The MLME-SBP.response primitive and its primitive parameters are shown below.

[0125]

[0126] Table 3 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBP.response primitive.

[0127]

[0128]

[0129] The MLME-SBP.confirm primitive is issued to the MAC sublayer to the SME of the SBP initiator to notify the result of the SBP request upon receiving the SBP response from the peer STA (SBP responder). The MLME-SBP.confirm primitive and its primitive parameters are shown below.

[0130]

[0131] Table 4 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBP.confirm primitive.

[0132]

[0133]

[0134] The SME of the SBP responder sends the MLME-SBPREPORT.request primitive to the MAC sublayer to request that the SBP report frame be sent to the peer STA (SBP initiator). Upon receiving the primitive, the MLME of the SBP responder constructs the SBP report frame and sends it to the MAC address of the peer STA. The MLME-SBPREPORT.request primitive and its primitive parameters are shown below.

[0135]

[0136] Table 5 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBPREPORT.request primitive.

[0137]

[0138] The MLME-SBRREPORT.indication primitive is sent by the MAC sublayer to the SME of the SBP initiator to notify the receipt of the SBP report frame from the peer STA (SBP responder). The MLME-SBRREPORT.indication primitive and its primitive parameters are shown below.

[0139]

[0140]

[0141] Table 6 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBPREPORT.request primitive.

[0142]

[0143] The MLME-SBPREPORT.confirm primitive is sent by the MAC sublayer to the SME of the SBP responder to notify the result of the transmission request of the SBP report frame. The MLME-SBPREPORT.confirm primitive and its primitive parameters are as follows.

[0144]

[0145] Table 7 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBPREPORT.confirm primitive.

[0146]

[0147]

[0148] The SME sends the MLME-SBPTERMINATION.request primitive to the MAC sublayer to request that the SBP termination frame be sent to the peer STA. Upon receiving the primitive, the MLME constructs the SBP termination frame and sends it to the peer MAC address.

[0149] MLME-SBPTERMINATION.request(

[0150] PeerSTAAddress, )

[0152] Table 8 shows details of primitive parameters included in the MLME-SBPTERMINATION.request primitive.

[0153]

[0154] The MLME-SBPTERMINATION.indication primitive is issued by the MAC sublayer to the SME to notify the receipt of the SBP termination frame from the peer STA.

[0155] MLME-SBPTERMINATION.indication(

[0156] PeerSTAAddress, )

[0158] Table 9 shows the details of the primitive parameters included in MLME-SBPTERMINATION.

[0159]

[0160]

[0161] The MAC sublayer issues the MLME-SBPTERMINATION.confirm primitive to the SME to notify the result of the request to send the SBP termination frame.

[0162]

[0163] Table 10 shows the details of the primitive parameters included in MLME-SBPTERMINATION Confirmation primitive.

[0164]

[0165] Despite Fig.19 In , the SBP Termination frame is sent by the SBP initiator, but it can also be sent by the SBP responder, in which case the direction of the corresponding MLME primitive will be reversed.

[0166] In the following paragraphs, a second embodiment of the present disclosure for sensing by proxy is described, in which a non-AP STA indicates conditions and target STA or link information for an AP to select one or more other non-AP STAs or links.

[0167] Fig. 20A A flowchart 2000 illustrating an overview of a sensing-by-proxy process between an AP and three non-AP STAs ( STA1 , STA2 , STA3 ) according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.21 An example is shown Fig. 20A 2100 is a flowchart of the detailed process flow of the proxy sensing process between the AP and three non-AP STAs in FIG. First, the AP uses a beacon / probe response frame to advertise its ability to support enhanced client discovery and basic information about the associated non-AP STAs (e.g., the count / number of associated STAs, etc.). STA1 can perform basic SBP discovery and discover the AP's support for SBP functionality. STA1 can then select the AP as its SBP responder.

[0168] STA1 (SBP initiator) can then initiate an enhanced client discovery process by sending a protected client discovery query frame to request the AP (SBP responder) to provide a list of non-AP STAs (associated non-AP STAs and optionally non-associated non-AP STAs). The AP then sends a protected client discovery response frame with the requested non-AP STA list and optionally their respective neighboring STAs, and the enhanced client discovery process ends.

[0169] Note that the SBP initiator (STA1) can associate with the AP (SBP responder), in which case it is assumed that it has completed the usual authentication / association process and establishment of a security association (SA) with the AP, for example, through a 4-way handshake prior to the initiation of the SBP request; or it can disassociate with the AP, in which case it is assumed that it has completed the establishment of security associated with the AP, for example, through a pre-association security negotiation (PASN) of a 3-way handshake prior to initiating the SBP request.

[0170] STA1 discovers AP, STA2, and STA3 through the discovery process, and selects AP as the SBP responder. It then initiates the SBP process and requests the AP to become the proxy sensing initiator on its behalf by sending a protected SBP request frame, which carries link / measurement parameters and information related to the SBP links and measurement attributes, such as the minimum RSSI / RCPI and the number of measured links. Unlike the SBP process described in the first embodiment, in this second embodiment, the SBP request frame also includes information of target device parameters, such as the location, coverage information, and STA ID of one or more specific target sensing responders. Based on the link / measurement parameters and target device parameters, the AP then decides the 3 STAs / links that are more relevant to the sensing measurement based on the parameters and information of the target sensing responders (in this case, the I2R link attached to STA2, the I2R link attached to STA3, and the R2R link from STA2 to STA3), as shown in FIG. Fig. 20BAs shown, the sensing session establishment and sensing measurement establishment with the selected STAs (STA2, STA3) are initiated by sending protected sensing measurement establishment request frames to them.

[0171] In this second embodiment, a unique measurement setup ID (MSID) is assigned to each measurement link used for the SBP process. For example, the AP to STA3 I2R link is assigned to MSID "1"; the AP to STA2 link is assigned to MSID "2"; and the STA2 to STA3 R2R link is assigned to MSID "3". STA2, STA3 (sensing responder) receiving the protected sensing measurement setup request frame then sends a protected sensing measurement setup response frame back to the AP (SBP responder or sensing initiator by proxy), indicating a successful sensing measurement setup.

[0172] The AP then sends a protected SBP response frame indicating the successful establishment of its sensing responder and the measurement establishment ID selected and assigned to the measurement link for the SBP process back to the SBP initiator (STA1) to complete the SBP establishment.

[0173] Subsequently, the AP performs a sensing measurement instance with STA2 and STA3 by first sending an I2R measurement PPDU (e.g., sensing NDP) to STA2 and STA3. In response, STA2 and STA3 measure the corresponding channels based on receiving the I2R measurement PPDU and transmit their measurement reports if requested. The measurement reports include their respective measurement establishment IDs "1" and "2". After collecting the measurement reports on its links, the AP then merges the measurement reports and sends a protected SBP report frame to STA1, which includes the measurement report of its I2R link with STA2 and STA3. The measurement establishment ID is included in the measurement report in the SBP report frame to identify the measurement links respectively. Alternatively or additionally, R2R measurement and reporting of the R2R link can also be performed during the same measurement instance (measurement instance ID 1). In this case, STA2 sends an R2R measurement PPDU (e.g., sensing NDP) to STA3, and STA3 sends a measurement report to the AP in response. The measurement report includes its measurement establishment ID "3". Upon receiving the measurement report, the AP then sends a protected SBP report frame to STA1, the SBP report frame including the measurement report of the R2R link between STA2 and STA3. A measurement setup ID is included in the measurement report in the SBP report frame for respectively identifying the measurement links.

[0174] Alternatively, if Fig. 20AAs shown, the AP can perform measurements on different links / STAs at different measurement instances (different measurement instance IDs but the same measurement establishment ID), for example, performing sensing measurements with STA3 at the first measurement instance under measurement instance ID "1", and then performing sensing measurements with STA2 at the second measurement instance under measurement instance ID "2". Then, the AP sends an SBP report frame to STA1, which includes measurement reports of its I2R links with STA2 and STA3 received in different measurement instances. The measurement establishment ID is included in the measurement report in the SBP report frame to identify the I2R and R2R measurement links respectively.

[0175] Finally, after the SBP process, STA1 may initiate SBP process termination by sending an SBP termination frame (not shown) to the AP. Then, the AP performs sensing measurement termination and sensing session termination with STA2 and STA3 for the sensing measurement establishment ID corresponding to the SBP process.

[0176] Fig. 22 An example visualization of enhanced client discovery results is shown. The enhanced client discovery results match the client located at Figure 5Links between devices in the floor plan shown. This visualization can be displayed on the screen of a laptop, smartphone, or any electronic device. In this example, the SBP initiator (STA8) can perform level 1 client discovery and only display a list of APs / AP MLDs (in this case, four different APs (AP1, AP2, AP3, and AP4) are displayed. Each AP then sends their discovery results to the SBP initiator, which includes a list of STAs associated with the AP and their basic information. The results can be sorted in descending order according to their link quality. Optionally, the AP also provides a list of unassociated STAs (and / or MLDs) that the AP knows about. In this example, AP1 provides information for STA8, STA5, and phone 1; AP2 provides information for STA7 and STA1; AP4 provides information for STA4 and STA6; and AP3 provides information for STA2 and STA3. The SBP initiator can additionally or alternatively perform level 2 client discovery. It can be performed when selecting specific STAs or non-AP The level 2 client discovery is triggered when MLD is reached. In this example, STA-5 is selected and the SBP initiator performs level 2 client discovery with AP1 for STA-5. A client discovery query frame including the ID (e.g., MAC address) of STA-5 is sent to AP1. Thus, AP1 provides information of STA-5 and its neighboring APs, STAs (in this case, STA5, STA8 (SBP initiator itself), Phone 1, STA1, AP2, AP4, and STA4) that are within the radio range of STA-5, as shown in box 2202. The results can then be used to select a sensing responder for SBP process measurement.

[0177] As part of enhanced client discovery, the SBP initiator can also discover the location of the AP (in addition to the location of non-AP STAs). The location information can be obtained via GPS (when outdoors) or via fine time measurement and / or ranging (when indoors), etc. The location information of the AP (together with other information such as supported capabilities, etc.) can be used by the SBP initiator to select the correct AP to act as the SBP responder. When the STA information field in the client discovery response frame carries the information of DMG (directional multi-gigabit, i.e., 802.11ad) or EDMG (enhanced directional multi-gigabit, i.e., 802.11ay) STA, the STA information field can also carry a sector selection subfield, which contains the value of the sector ID subfield of the SSW field in the frame received with the best quality in the immediately preceding sector scan. The sector ID subfield indicates the sector number, and the frame containing the SSW field is sent by this sector number. When selecting a sensing responder STA in a DMG / EDMG STA, the AP can use information that takes into account the sector number.

[0178] Fig.23 FIG. 2300 shows an example format of the SBP parameter element field of the SBP request frame according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The SBP parameter element field 2300 includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and an SBP parameter field. Fig.15 Different from the SBP parameter element field described in the first embodiment, the SBP parameter field includes an additional target device parameter subfield, a link parameter subfield, a measurement parameter subfield, and a report parameter subfield, which respectively specify attributes related to the target STA / link, the link to be measured, the measurement PPDU, and the SBP report.

[0179] The Link Parameters subfield, the Measurement Parameters subfield, and the Report Parameters subfield may be used with Fig.15 The target device parameter subfield includes a target device control field, a device location information field, a coverage information field, and one or more target device information fields. The target device control field includes a device type subfield, a device location information presence subfield, a coverage information presence subfield, and a target device count (N) subfield. The device type subfield specifies the device type restrictions of the sensing responder.

[0180] Table 11 shows various device types corresponding to the device type subfield values.

[0181] Device Type subfield value significance 0 Includes all types 1 Non-mobile devices only 2 Desktop PC 3 Laptop 4 Smartphone 5 Internet of Things

[0182] The Device Location Information Presence and Coverage Information Presence subfields indicate the presence of corresponding fields in the Target Device Parameters subfield. The Target Device Count (N) subfield indicates the number of target device information fields in the Target Device Parameters subfield.

[0183] The device location information field specifies the location of the device, which is then used as the center to determine the coverage area or radio range extending from that location. The coverage information field includes a coverage radius subfield and a coverage sector bitmap subfield. The coverage radius subfield specifies the radius (e.g., represented by RSSI / RCPI level (dBm) or distance (m)) of the coverage area with the device location specified in the device location information field. The coverage sector bitmap subfield indicates a segment or area relative to the location of the device.

[0184] The device location information field carries information about the location where the target STA should be located. For example, this field may carry the device location information body field as described in 9.4.1.56 of 802.11-2020. The device location information body field includes location configuration information (LCI), which contains latitude, longitude, and altitude information. Together with the coverage information field, the SBP initiator can specify the coverage area (with the location indicated in the device location information field) for its requesting AP (SBP responder) to select the target sensing responder. If the device location information field does not exist, but the coverage information field exists, the location of the SBP responder (AP) will be considered to be the center of the target coverage area.

[0185] Table 12 shows the various sectors indicated by the coverage sector bitmap bits.

[0186] Overwrite Sector Bitmap Bit Indicator sector 0 north 1 South 2 East 3 West

[0187] Each target device information field in the target device parameter subfield specifies the target link and includes a STA2 presence subfield, a STA1 ID subfield, and a STA2 ID subfield. For an I2R or R2I link, the STA2 presence subfield is set to 0, and the STA1 ID subfield indicates the STA ID (e.g., MAC address, association identifier (AID), or unassociated ID (UID)) of the STA attached to the link, while the SBP responder is understood to be attached to the other end of the link. For an R2R link, the STA2 presence subfield is set to 1, and the STA1 and STA2 ID subfields indicate the STA IDs (e.g., MAC addresses or AIDs) of the two STAs attached to the R2R link. Alternatively, instead of a STA ID, a unique link ID for each measured link may be assigned and included in the link information subfield.

[0188] Although not shown in the figure, other information about the target device may also be included in the target device parameter field, such as device name, PHY version (HT / VHT / HE / EHT, etc.), supported capabilities (support for WLAN sensing, support for fine time measurement (FTM)), etc.).

[0189] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to the link / measurement parameters of the SBP parameter element field in the SBP request, the SBP initiator also provides the target device parameters specified in the target device parameter subfield frame to the SBP responder (AP), and the SBP responder (AP) uses the provided target device parameters and link parameters to select the STA / link to be used for SBP sensing measurement. For example, if the device location information field and the coverage information field are included, the AP can select a STA that is located within a specified sector of the coverage area and satisfies the link parameters (e.g., minimum RSSI / RCPI). Additionally or alternatively, if the target device information field is included, the AP directly selects the indicated STA that satisfies other parameters (such as link parameters). Then, the SBP responder (AP) continues to act as a sensing initiator and uses the unique measurement establishment ID for each measurement link to perform sensing session establishment and sensing measurement establishment with the selected STA (sensing responder).

[0190] Fig.24A and Fig. 24B The example formats of the SBP response frame 2400 and the protected response frame 2410 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure are respectively shown. The SBP response frame 2400 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "public", a public action field set to "SBP response", a dialog token field, a status code field, an SBP parameter element field, an SBP link information element field, and an FCS field. The protected SBP response frame 2410 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "public action with double protection", a public action field set to "protected SBP response", a dialog token field, a status code field, an SBP parameter element field, an SBP link information element field, and an FCS field. Note that since different measurement links are assigned to different measurement establishment IDs for the SBP procedure according to the second embodiment, the measurement establishment IDs are included in the SBP Link Element field of the SBP response frames 2400, 2410, which are identical to the measurement links in the SBP response frames 2400, 2410. Fig.14A and 14B Alternatively, the measurement establishment ID field may also be carried in the SBP response frame itself, and a unique measurement establishment ID may be allocated to indicate the SBP process.

[0191] Fig.25 It shows that according to the embodiment Fig.24A and Fig. 24B2400, 2410 in the SBP response frame 2400. The SBP link information element field includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and an SBP link information field. The SBP link information field includes a link information count (N) subfield and one or more link information fields corresponding to one or more links. The link information count (N) subfield indicates the number of links (link information subfields) present in the SBP link information field. Each link information subfield includes a STA2 presence subfield, a STA1 ID subfield, a STA2 ID subfield (if the STA2 presence subfield is set to 1), and a measurement establishment ID subfield. For an I2R or R2I link, the STA2 presence subfield is set to 0, and the STA1 ID subfield indicates the STA ID (e.g., MAC address, AID, or UID) of the STA attached to the link. For an R2R link, the STA2 presence subfield is set to 1, and the STA1 and STA2 ID subfields indicate the STA IDs (e.g., MAC addresses, AIDs, or UIDs) of the two STAs attached to the R2R link. A unique link ID for each measurement link is assigned and included in the Measurement Setup ID subfield of the Link Information subfield.

[0192] If the establishment is successful, the AP proceeds to perform sensing measurement instances on the selected links based on the attributes indicated in the SBP request and, if applicable, collects sensing measurement reports from the sensing responders.

[0193] Regarding SBP reporting, the SBP responder reports the sensing measurements obtained during the WLAN sensing process generated by the SBP request to the SBP initiator in a protected SBP report frame, which is constructed by the SBP responder (AP) itself (if the AP is also a sensing receiver) or by adding a link information field (such as Fig.16 As shown) and updating the report length field in each sensing measurement report field obtained in the sensing measurement report frame sent by the sensing responder on the link.

[0194] Fig.26An example format of an SBP report frame 2600 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The SBP report frame 2600 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "protected sensing", an action field set to "protected SBP report", a dialog token field, a sensing measurement report list field, and an FCS field. The sensing measurement report list field includes one or more sensing measurement report fields corresponding to one or more links. Each sensing measurement report field includes a report length field, a measurement establishment ID field, a measurement instance ID field, a sensing measurement time field, a sensing measurement report type field, a sensing measurement control field, a sensing measurement feedback field, and a link information field. The report length field indicates the length of the sensing measurement report field. If the link information field is added, the report length field should also be updated accordingly. The measurement establishment ID field indicates a measurement establishment ID value corresponding to the measurement establishment assigned and initiated by the AP. The measurement establishment ID uniquely identifies the link corresponding to the sensing measurement report from other sensing measurement reports. The measurement instance ID field identifies the measurement instance in which the sensing measurement is performed. The sensing measurement time field indicates the measurement timestamp at which the measurement is performed by the sensing receiver (responder). The sensing measurement control field includes an Nc index subfield, an Nr index subfield, a bandwidth (BW) subfield, an NG (number of groups) subfield, a remaining feedback segment subfield, and a first feedback segment subfield. The sensing measurement feedback includes sensing measurement results, such as CSI or partial CSI. Fig.25 The link information described in the STA2 presence subfield includes a STA2 presence subfield, a STA1 ID subfield, and a STA2 ID subfield (if the STA2 presence subfield is set to 1 to indicate an R2R link). The STA1 and STA2 ID subfields carry the ID of the sensing responder (e.g., a MAC address, AID, or UID) to identify the link corresponding to the sensing measurement report. Alternatively, instead of the STA ID, a unique link ID for each measurement link may be assigned and included in the link information subfield. In this embodiment, since a unique measurement establishment ID is assigned to identify each measurement link, the link information field may be omitted. It is also possible that, in this case, instead of using a protected SBP report frame, the SBP responder may directly forward the protected sensing measurement report frame received from the STA (correctly modifying the MAC header as needed) or the protected sensing measurement report frame generated by itself to the SBP initiator, that is, the sensing measurement report frame is also used as an SBP report frame.

[0195] Fig.27AA schematic diagram 2700 illustrating a floor plan and devices located therein and two example implementations of a proxy sensing process according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In one example, a motion detection sensing application runs on an SBP initiator (STA8) to detect any human motion at an office entrance / lobby area 2704. The SBP initiator performs basic and enhanced client discovery and selects AP1 and AP2 as its two SBP responders, for example, based on their capabilities (e.g., SBP support) and locations, etc., as well as the capabilities and locations of their associated STAs, etc. In this example, the SBP initiator includes the following target device parameters and link parameters as its target selection criteria to AP1:

[0196] Device Type = "Non-mobile devices only"

[0197] Device location information exists = 0

[0198] Coverage radius = -62dBm; Coverage sectors = North and East

[0199] Target device count (N) = 0

[0200] Include SBP Initiator Bit = 1

[0201] Include R2R bit = 1

[0202] Number of measurement links = 3.

[0203] Based on the specified target selection criteria, the target coverage area 2706 can be determined from the coverage radius parameter (because the device location information does not exist, the location of AP-1 is considered as the center of the target coverage area), and AP1 selects 3 links (AP1-STA8 link 2706, AP1-STA9 link 2707 and STA8-STA9 link 2708) for SBP measurement. Similarly, the SBP initiator can also include similar parameters as AP2 as its target selection criteria, and use one link (AP2-STA1 link 2708) for SBP measurement with AP2 to set up SBP.

[0204] In another example that can be implemented as a continuation of the first example, STA8 can be implemented as a motion detection sensor and obtains sensing measurements from 3 selected SBP links (AP1-STA8 link, AP1-STA9 link, and STA8-STA9 link) by, for example, the SBP process implemented according to the first example, but determines that the sensing measurements on the AP1-STA9 link and the STA8-STA9 link do not show much disturbance (e.g., because people entering the entrance / hall area are away from the links). The SBP initiator (STA8) can then decide that STA5 would be a better choice for SBP measurement than STA9. STA8 then (re)initiates a new SBP establishment with AP1, for example, after terminating the earlier SBP establishment.

[0205] The SBP initiator includes the following target device parameters and link parameters in the new SBP request frame as its target selection criteria to AP1:

[0206] Device Type = "Include all types"

[0207] Device location information exists = Overlay information exists = 0

[0208] Target device count (N) = 3

[0209] Include SBP Initiator Bit = 1

[0210] Include R2R bit = 1

[0211] Number of measurement links = 3

[0212] Target device information 1, 2, 3 = STA8, STA5; STA5, STA8 (R2R link).

[0213] The SBP initiator directly specifies the target STA to be used as the sensing responder of the SBP process. Based on the specified target selection criteria (i.e., target device information), AP1 selects 3 links (AP1-STA8 link 2706, AP1-STA5 link 2709 and STA8-STA5 link 2710) for SBP measurement.

[0214] Fig.27BAnother example format of an SBP request frame 2750 according to a second embodiment is shown. In the above second example, after the SBP initiator (STA8) decides that STA5 would be a better choice than STA9 for SBP measurement, the SBA initiator may also choose to make changes to the existing SBP process and send an SBP request frame 2750 in which the re-establishment bit field 2752 is set to 1 to indicate that this is not a new SBP request but a request to change SBP parameters. When the re-establishment bit field 2752 is equal to 1, the measurement establishment ID field is present in the SBP request frame and indicates the measurement establishment ID corresponding to the SBP process to be re-established. The SBP initiator includes the following target device parameters and link parameters in the SBP request frame as its target selection criteria for AP1 for SBP re-establishment:

[0215] Device Type = "Include all types"

[0216] Device location information exists = Overlay information exists = 0

[0217] Target device count (N) = 3

[0218] Include SBP Initiator Bit = 1

[0219] Include R2R bit = 1

[0220] Number of measurement links = 3

[0221] Target device information 1, 2, 3 = STA8, STA5; STA5, STA8 (R2R link).

[0222] Upon receiving the SBP request frame, the SBP responder (AP-1) compares the STA specified in the target device information and determines that the SBP initiator is requesting to remove the sensing responder STA-9 from the current SBP process, and instead intends to use STA-5 as the second sensing responder for the SBP process. Based on the specified target device information, AP1 sends a sensing termination frame to STA-9 to terminate its sensing measurement establishment with STA-9 for the MSID corresponding to the SBP process. AP1 also performs a sensing measurement establishment with STA-5 to add it as a new sensing responder for the SBP process corresponding to the MSID. This use of the SBP request re-establishment has the advantageous effect of modifying the SBP parameters without terminating the SBP process and performing a new SBP establishment.

[0223] In the following paragraphs, a third embodiment of the present disclosure of a sensing process by proxy is described, in which a non-AP STA negotiates one SBP process for one measurement link at a time. Different measurement establishment IDs are assigned to different measurement links for the SBP process. The measurement establishment ID can then be used to identify the measurement link corresponding to the sensing measurement report.

[0224] Fig.28 A flowchart 2800 illustrating an overview of a sensing process by proxy between an AP and three non-AP STAs (STA1, STA2, STA3) according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. First, a basic SBP discovery is performed to discover the AP's support for the SBP function. STA1 can then select the AP as its SBP responder. STA1 can then initiate an enhanced client discovery process to request the AP to provide a list of non-AP STAs (associated non-AP STAs and optionally non-associated non-AP STAs), and discover basic information of the AP and potential sensing responders.

[0225] STA1 discovers the AP through the client discovery process and selects it as the SBP responder. It then initiates the SBP process and requests the AP to perform sensing measurements on its behalf with a specific target sensing responder (in this case, STA3) by sending a protected SBP request frame carrying target device parameters (such as location, coverage information, and the STA ID of the target sensing responder). Based on the target device parameters, the AP decides STA3 for the sensing measurement and initiates the sensing session establishment and sensing measurement establishment with the selected STA / link (STA3) by sending a protected sensing measurement establishment request frame to STA3. The AP assigns a unique sensing measurement establishment ID (MSID "1") to the STA / link. The AP then sends a protected SBP response frame back to STA1 to indicate the successful establishment with the sensing responder, the link information of the sensing responder, and its measurement establishment ID ("2") to complete the SBP establishment.

[0226] Subsequently, the AP performs sensing measurement with STA3 and sends an SBP report after collecting measurement reports on the link. In the report frame, a measurement establishment ID ("1") of a link / STA is included for identifying the measurement link.

[0227] Next, STA1 initiates the second SBP process and requests the AP to perform sensing measurements on its behalf with another specific target sensing responder (in this case, STA2) by sending a protected SBP request frame carrying target device parameters (such as location, coverage information, and STA ID of the target sensing responder). Based on the target device parameters, the AP decides STA2 for the sensing measurement and initiates the sensing session establishment and sensing measurement establishment with the selected STA / link (STA2) by sending a protected sensing measurement establishment request frame to STA2. The AP assigns a unique sensing measurement establishment ID (MSID "2") to the STA / link. The AP then sends a protected SBP response frame indicating the successful establishment with the sensing responder, the link information of the sensing responder, and its measurement establishment ID ("2") back to STA1 to complete the SBP establishment.

[0228] Subsequently, the AP performs sensing measurement with STA2, and sends an SBP report after collecting measurement reports on the link. In the report frame, a measurement establishment ID ("2") of the link / STA is included for identifying the measurement link.

[0229] In this third embodiment, the selected sensing responder (e.g., STA2) may also need to verify whether the SBP initiator (e.g., STA1) is authorized to obtain a sensing measurement report related to itself. In this way, during the sensing measurement establishment phase after receiving the SBP request frame from the SBP initiator, the sensing measurement establishment request frame sent to the sensing responder (e.g., STA2) carries the ID (e.g., MAC address) of the SBP initiator, so that the selected sensing responder can verify whether the SBP initiator is so authorized.

[0230] Additional authorization verification frames (e.g., requesting / carrying passwords) may also be exchanged between the sensing responder and the SBP initiator (via the AP). If the authorization verification succeeds, the sensing responder accepts the measurement setup request and the SBP is successfully established. If the authorization verification fails, the sensing responder rejects the measurement setup request and the SBP fails to be established.

[0231] Fig.29A flowchart 2900 illustrating a detailed procedure flow of sensing by proxy between an AP as an SBP responder and two non-AP STAs (STA1 is an SBP initiator and STA2 is a sensing responder) according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. After the basic and enhanced client discovery processes (not shown), STA1 initiates the SBP process and requests the AP to become a sensing by proxy initiator on its behalf by sending a protected SBP request frame. Based on the specific target device parameters in the SBP request frame, the AP selects two STAs / links that are more relevant to the sensing measurement (in this case, the AP to STA1 I2R link attached to itself (STA1), the AP-STA2 I2R link).

[0232] Note that the SBP initiator (STA1) can associate with the AP (SBP responder), in which case it is assumed that it has completed the usual authentication / association process and establishment of a security association (SA) with the AP, for example, through a 4-way handshake prior to the initiation of the SBP request; or it can disassociate with the AP, in which case it is assumed that it has completed the establishment of security associated with the AP, for example, through a pre-association security negotiation (PASN) of a 3-way handshake prior to initiating the SBP request.

[0233] In this third embodiment, similar to the second embodiment, a unique measurement setup ID (MSID) is assigned to each measurement link. For example, the AP to STA1 I2R link is assigned to MSID "1"; the AP to STA2 link is assigned to MSID "2". Unlike the second embodiment, the SBP responder performs separate sensing processes for different STAs / links.

[0234] Fig.30It is an example format of a sensing measurement setup request frame 3000 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing measurement setup request frame 3000 includes a MAC header, a category field set to "public", a public action field set to "sensing measurement setup request", a dialog token field, a re-establishment bit field, a measurement setup ID field, a sensing measurement parameter element field, and an FCS field. The sensing measurement parameter element field includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and a sensing measurement parameter field. The sensing measurement parameter field includes a sensing transmitter subfield, a sensing receiver subfield, a sensing measurement report subfield, a measurement report type subfield, an SBP procedure subfield, an SBP initiator ID presence subfield, and an SBP initiator ID subfield. The SBP procedure subfield indicates that the sensing measurement setup request frame is used for the SBP procedure, and the SBP initiator ID subfield indicates the ID of the SBP initiator. If the sensing initiator chooses to make changes to the attributes (parameters) of an existing sensing measurement setup, it sends a sensing measurement setup request frame 3000 with the re-establish bit field 3052 set to 1 to indicate that this is not a new sensing measurement setup request, but a request to change the sensing measurement setup parameters. When the re-establish bit field 3052 is equal to 1, the measurement setup ID field in the sensing measurement setup request frame indicates the measurement setup ID corresponding to the sensing measurement setup to be re-established. This use of the sensing measurement setup request re-establishment has the advantageous effect of modifying the sensing measurement setup without terminating the sensing measurement setup and performing a new sensing measurement setup.

[0235] Return to Fig.29 , the SBP responder may first perform a sensing establishment with STA1, and then perform another sensing establishment with STA2. For the sensing establishment with STA2, upon receiving the sensing measurement establishment request frame 3000, the sensing responder STA2 receiving the request may perform authorization verification to pass through the SBP responder ( Fig.29 The AP) transmits the protected authorization verification request frame to the SBP initiator ( Fig.29 The SBP initiator (STA1) verifies whether the SBP initiator (STA1) is authorized for the SBP process. Upon receiving the protected authorization verification request frame, the SBP initiator transmits a protected authorization verification response frame carrying verification information (e.g., a shared password) in the requested format back to the sensing responder via the SBP responder.

[0236] If the authorization verification is successful, the steps shown in box 2902 are executed; otherwise, the steps shown in box 2904 are executed. In particular, if the authorization verification is successful, the sensing responder accepts the sensing measurement establishment request and sends a measurement establishment response frame including its measurement establishment ID "2" assigned by the SBP responder back to the SBP responder to indicate that the SBP establishment is successful. Then, the SBP responder sends a protected SBP response frame to the SBP initiator to indicate that the SBP establishment with the STA / link under the measurement establishment ID "2" is successful.

[0237] If the authorization verification is unsuccessful, the sensing responder sends a measurement setup response frame including its measurement setup ID "2" assigned by the SBP responder back to the SBP responder to indicate that the SBP setup failed. The SBP responder then sends a protected SBP response frame to the SBP initiator to indicate that the SBP setup with the STA / link under the measurement setup ID "2" failed. However, even if the AP cannot perform sensing measurements on STA2 by proxy on behalf of STA1, I2R measurements and reports between STA1 and the AP can still be performed.

[0238] In one embodiment, the authorization verification request / response may be skipped if the AP has other means to verify the authorization of the STA to obtain information about other STAs; for example, the AP may maintain a list of authorized devices, or it may consult a list of authorized devices from a database on a server, etc.

[0239] For STA1, upon receiving the sensing measurement setup request 3000, STA1 accepts the sensing measurement setup without exchanging the authorization verification frame, and sends a protected sensing measurement setup response frame including its measurement setup ID "1" assigned by the SBP responder for the SBP process back to the SBP responder to indicate that the SBP setup is successful. Then, the SBP responder sends a protected SBP response frame to the SBP initiator to indicate that the SBP setup with the STA / link under the measurement setup ID "1" is successful.

[0240] Fig.31 An example format of a protected authorization verification request frame 3100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The protected authorization verification request frame 3100 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "protected discovery", an action field set to "protected authorization verification request frame", a dialog token field, a requesting STA ID field, a target STA ID field, a verification mode field, and an FCS field.

[0241] Fig.32An example format of a protected authorization verification response frame 3200 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The protected authorization confirmation response frame 3200 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "protected discovery", an action field set to "protected authorization confirmation response frame", a dialog token field, a request ID field, a target ID field, a confirmation mode field, a confirmation information field, and an FCS field. The request STA ID of the authorization verification frame 3100, 3200 indicates the ID (e.g., MAC address) of the STA requesting verification. The target ID of the authorization verification frame 3100, 3200 indicates the ID (e.g., MAC address) of the SBP initiator STA. The verification mode is set to 0 to indicate a plain text password, and is set to 1 to indicate a hashed password. The confirmation information of the authorization confirmation response frame 3200 includes a PN / TSF field, a length subfield, and a confirmation text subfield. The PN / TSF field carries a packet number or a time synchronization function used as a salt to prevent replay attacks. The Length subfield indicates the length of the text in the Verification Text subfield. The Verification Text subfield carries either the plain text password or the hashed password depending on the Verification Mode field.

[0242] For example, the hash password is SHA-256(key, PN / TSF||plaintext password), where the key is a public private secret key known to both parties, such as a PTK generated during a security association, or it can be a dedicated secret key provided by the AP / upper layer application for sensing. "||" is a cascade action, and PN / TSF is the value of the PN / TSF field, and the sender should ensure that the same value is never used twice to prevent replay attacks. For example, it can be a monotonically increasing number, or it can contain the current value of the sender's time synchronization function (TSF).

[0243] According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.33A and Fig.33B Example formats of an SBP response frame 3300 and a protected SBP response frame 3310 are shown respectively. The SBP response frame 3300 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "public", a public action field set to "SBP response", a dialog token field, a status code field, a measurement establishment ID field, an SBP parameter element field, and an FCS field. The protected SBP response frame 3310 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a category field set to "public action with dual protection", a public action field set to "protected SBP response", a dialog token field, a status code field, a measurement establishment ID field, an SBP parameter element field, and an FCS field. The SBP parameter element field may be similar to Fig.15 Described in .

[0244] In this third embodiment, the SBP initiator requests two separate SBP processes, and therefore sends two SBP response frames for different STAs / links, respectively. The measurement establishment ID field of each SBP response frame identifies the measurement establishment ID value corresponding to the sensing measurement link assigned by the SBP responder, and therefore the additional link information field is not included in the SBP response frame.

[0245] In addition, in one implementation of the third embodiment according to the present disclosure, when the SBP initiator is one of the sensing responders (and sensing receivers), it already knows the results of the sensing measurements performed by itself, so the measurement report of the I2R or R2R link to which the SBP initiator is attached does not need to be sent to the SBP responder, and the SBP report does not need to include the measurement report of such I2R or R2R link. This can be indicated by setting the "Do not report SBP initiator link" field in the SBP request frame.

[0246] Fig.34 An example format of an SBP request frame 3400 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The SBP request frame 3400 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, TA field, RA field), a category field set to "public", a public action field set to "SBP request", a dialog token field, an SBP parameter element field, and an FCS field. The SBP parameter element field includes an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, and an SBP parameter field. The SBP parameter field includes a target device parameter subfield, a link parameter subfield, a measurement parameter subfield, and a report parameter subfield, which respectively specify attributes related to the target STA / link, the link to be measured, the measurement PPDU, and the SBP report.

[0247] In particular, the reporting parameter subfield includes a measurement report type subfield, a reporting frequency subfield, a channel state information (CSI) change threshold subfield, and an additional no report subfield for the SBP initiator link subfield. If the SBP initiator link subfield no report is set to 1, the SBP responder (AP) assigns the SBP initiator as a sensing receiver in any R2R link or I2R link involving the SBP initiator, and may not request sensing measurement reports from the SBP initiator on these links. For the link with the SBP initiator, the SBP responder also does not include a measurement report in the SBP report frame.

[0248] Return to Fig.29In the SBP request frame, the No Initiator Link subfield of the SBP Parameters field is set to 1, indicating that the SBP responder may not request a sensing measurement report from the SBP initiator on the link attached to the SBP initiator. Therefore, during the measurement instance, upon receiving an I2R measurement PPDU (e.g., sensing NDP) from the AP, STA1, as the SBP initiator, does not transmit its measurement report to the AP on the I2R link. The SBP responder also does not include a measurement report on the link on which STA1 is attached to the SBP initiator.

[0249] Fig.35 An example configuration of a communication device 3500 is shown. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the communication device 3500 is implemented as a STA for sensing by a proxy. The communication device may include at least one antenna 3522 for sending and receiving signals (for simplicity, Fig.35 Only one antenna is shown). The communication device 5200 also includes an 802.11 MAC / PHY sublayer 3504, which includes a sensing module 3506 for channel measurement; layer management service interfaces such as MLME SAP 3508 and MAC SAP 3510, through which defined primitives are exchanged to transfer information and layer management functions such as WLAN sensing can be called; and higher layer applications (e.g., WLAN sensing abstraction layer 3514) that communicate with the 802.11 MAC / PHY 3504 through the MLME SAP 3508.

[0250] In addition, the 802.11 MAC / PHY sublayer 3504 can communicate with a WLAN data application (not shown) via the MAC SAP 5210. In this example, the sensing module 3506 performs channel measurements and provides raw results to the WLAN sensing abstraction layer 3514 via the WLAN sensing API. The WLAN abstraction layer 3514 collects and merges channel measurement results from 802.11 devices, and can process the results (e.g., smooth compression, etc.) before passing the processed results to the WLAN sensing client applications (e.g., WLAN sensing client application 1 (vital sign detection) 3516 and WLAN sensing client application 2 (motion detection) 3516). The WLAN sensing client applications (e.g., 3516, 3518) can perform WLAN sensing based on the channel measurements (e.g., using application-specific machine learning algorithms, etc.) and provide results of the WLAN sensing, in this case, providing presence / absence of human detection and human motion detection.

[0251] The communication device also includes a layer-dependent entity Station Management Entity (SME) (not shown) that performs functions on behalf of the general system management entity and will implement standard management protocols, such as to ensure correct MAC operation. The layer-dependent entities provide interfaces such as MLME SAP 3508 and PLME SAP (not shown) for exchanging primitives and communicating with MLME and PLME respectively.

[0252] In one embodiment, the communication device may be an SBP initiator, and a higher layer application may issue an MLME primitive (not shown), for example using an MLME-SBP.request primitive, to initiate the SBP process.

[0253] The MAC / PHY sublayer 3504 may be configured to receive information or WLAN sensing related MAC / PHY parameters to form an SBP request frame. Then, the trigger frame or PPDU is sent to one or more communication devices (e.g., AP or SBP responder) via at least one radio transmitter (not shown) via antenna 3522.

[0254] The MAC / PHY sublayer 3504 may also be configured to unpack a response or measurement PPDU (eg, an SBP response frame and an SBP report frame received from another communication device) and pass information related to the received PPDU to the sensing module 3506 .

[0255] The sensing module 3506 also includes a CSI feedback encoding / decoding module, which is configured to decode and encode CSI information, such as information of CSI subcomponents (e.g., amplitude, phase, I, and Q) indicated by a report type indicator according to the above various embodiments in the present disclosure.

[0256] Fig.36Another example configuration of the communication device 3600 is shown. According to the present disclosure, the communication device 3600 is implemented as an AP or SBP responder for sensing by proxy. The communication device 3600 includes a power supply 3602, a memory 3604, a CPU 3606 including at least one processor, an auxiliary memory 3608, a wired I / F 3610, and a wireless I / F 3612. The memory 3604 can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, in which data representing instructions that can be executed by at least one processor of the CPU 3606 to communicate with the wireless I / F 3612 to perform multi-generation random access according to various embodiments in the present disclosure are stored. The wireless I / F 3612 includes a MAC layer 3614 and a PHY layer 3616. The PHY layer 3616 is connected to a radio transmitter (not shown), a radio receiver (not shown), and an antenna 3622 for sending / receiving signals to / from other (base station) communication devices. Alternatively, the communication device 3600 may transmit / receive signals to / from other communication devices via the wired I / F 3610 .

[0257] The MAC layer 3614 also includes a link / STA selection module 3618, and stores information of the non-AP STA 3620. The link / STA selection module 3618 may be configured to generate and process frames (e.g., SBP request / response frames, sensing measurement setup request / response frames, authorization verification request / response frames, measurement reports, SBP report frames), and act as a sensing-by-proxy initiator of the SBP initiator, and perform sensing-by-proxy of the SBP initiator using information of the non-AP STA 3520 according to the various embodiments described above.

[0258] As described above, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an advanced communication system, a communication method, and a communication device for sensing by a proxy in a MIMO WLAN network.

[0259] The present disclosure can be implemented by software, hardware or software in collaboration with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each of the above embodiments can be implemented in part or in whole by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment can be controlled in part or in whole by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. LSI can be formed as a chip alone, or a chip can be formed to include a part or all of the functional blocks. LSI can include data input and output coupled thereto. According to the difference in integration, the LSI here can be referred to as IC, system LSI, super LSI or ultra LSI. However, the technology for implementing integrated circuits is not limited to LSI, and can be implemented by using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor. In addition, an FPGA (field programmable gate array) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of the circuit unit arranged inside the LSI can be used. The present disclosure can be implemented as digital processing or analog processing. If, as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, future integrated circuit technology replaces LSI, future integrated circuit technology can be used to integrate functional blocks. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0260] The present disclosure may be implemented by any kind of equipment, device, or system having a communication function, which is referred to as a communication device.

[0261] Some non-limiting examples of such communication devices include phones (e.g., cellular (cell) phones, smart phones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, netbooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smart watches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telemedicine / telemedicine (remote health and medicine) devices, and vehicles providing communication capabilities (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships), and various combinations thereof.

[0262] Communication devices are not limited to portable or movable, and may also include any kind of device, equipment, or system that is non-portable or fixed, such as smart home devices (e.g., appliances, lighting, smart meters, control panels), vending machines, and any other "things" in the network of the "Internet of Things (IoT)".

[0263] Communications may include exchanging data via, for example, cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, etc., and various combinations thereof.

[0264] The communication device may include a device such as a controller or a sensor that is coupled to the communication device that performs the communication functions described in the present disclosure. For example, the communication device may include a controller or a sensor that generates a control signal or a data signal used by the communication device that performs the communication functions of the communication device.

[0265] The communication devices may also include infrastructure such as base stations, access points, and any other devices, equipment, or systems that communicate with or control devices such as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0266] It shall be understood that, although some properties of the various embodiments have been described with reference to an apparatus, corresponding properties also apply to the method of the various embodiments, and vice versa.

[0267] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes and / or modifications may be made to the disclosure shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as broadly described. Therefore, the present embodiments are to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A first communication device, comprising: circuitry configured to generate a request frame indicating conditions to be used by a second communication device to select one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; a transmitter, the transmitter sending the request frame to the second communication device to request the second communication device to perform measurement on the one or more links; as well as A receiver is provided to receive a report frame from the second communication device, the report frame carrying one or more reports of the measurements corresponding to the one or more links.

2. A first communication device according to claim 1, wherein the condition involves at least one of link-related parameters, device-related parameters, the number of links to be selected, a condition whether a responder-to-responder (R2R) link can be selected, and a condition whether a link attached to the first communication device can be selected.

3. The first communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the link-related parameter is at least one of a received signal strength indication and a received channel power indication received on the link, and the device-related parameter is at least one of a device type, a device location, a device identifier, and a device address. 4 . The first communication device of claim 1 , wherein the reporting frame carries information identifying each of the one or more links corresponding to the one or more reports of the measurements. 5 . The first communication device of claim 4 , wherein before receiving the report frame, the receiver receives a response frame from the second communication device, the response frame carrying the information identifying each of the one or more links.

6. The first communication device of claim 1, wherein the request frame further indicates whether the one or more reports carried in the report frame include a report of measurements of a link to which the first communication device is attached.

7. A first communication device according to claim 1, wherein before receiving the report frame, the receiver also receives a verification request frame to request verification information, and the verification information indicates that the first communication device is authorized to receive the one or more reports; the circuit is configured to process the verification request frame and generate a verification response frame including the verification information; and the transmitter sends the verification response frame.

8. The first communication device of claim 1, wherein the request frame is a sensing by proxy (SBP) request frame; the response frame is an SBP response frame, and the measurement is a sensing measurement; and the report frame is an SBP report frame.

9. The first communication device of claim 1, wherein the first communication device and the third communication device are non-access point (non-AP) stations, and the second communication device is an access point.

10. A second communication device, comprising: a receiver that receives a request frame from a first communication device, the request frame indicating a condition for selecting one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; circuitry configured to generate a report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links; as well as A transmitter is configured to transmit the report frame to the first communication device.

11. The second communication device of claim 10, wherein the circuit is configured to select the one or more links based on the condition and perform the measurement on the one or more links to obtain the one or more reports.

12. A second communication device according to claim 10, wherein before generating the report frame, the circuit is configured to generate a setup request frame for each of the one or more third communication devices to establish the measurement on each of the one or more third communication devices, the setup request frame including an identifier or address of the first communication device; and the transmitter sends the setup request frame to each of the one or more third communication devices.

13. A second communication device according to claim 10, wherein the receiver receives a verification request frame from one of the one or more third communication devices to request verification information, the verification information indicating that the first communication device is authorized to receive measurement reports from the one of the one or more third communication devices, and the transmitter sends the verification request frame to the first communication device; subsequently, the receiver also receives a verification response frame including the verification information from the first communication device; and the transmitter sends the verification response frame to the one of the one or more third communication devices. 14 . The second communication device according to claim 13 , wherein the authentication request frame and the authentication response frame carry an identifier or an address of each of the first communication device and the one or more third communication devices.

15. The second communication device of claim 10, wherein the reporting frame carries information identifying each of the one or more links corresponding to the one or more reports of the measurements.

16. A second communication device according to any one of claim 15, wherein the circuit is configured to assign a different establishment identifier to each of the one or more links, and to generate a response frame after receiving the request frame including the different establishment identifier assigned to each of the one or more links; and the information carried in the report frame includes the different establishment identifier assigned to each of the one or more links.

17. The second communication device of claim 10, wherein the request frame is a sensing by proxy (SBP) request frame; the response frame is an SBP response frame, and the measurement is a sensing measurement; and the report frame is an SBP report frame.

18. The second communication device of claim 10, wherein the first communication device and the third communication device are non-access point (non-AP) stations, and the second communication device is an access point.

19. A communication method implemented by a first communication device, comprising: generating a request frame indicating conditions to be used by the second communication device to select one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; sending the request frame to the second communication device to request the second communication device to perform measurement on the one or more links; as well as A report frame is received from the second communications device, the report frame carrying one or more reports of the measurements corresponding to the one or more links.

20. A communication method implemented by a second communication device, comprising: receiving a request frame from the first communication device, the request frame indicating a condition for selecting one or more links, each of the one or more links being attached to one or more third communication devices; generating a report frame carrying one or more reports of measurements corresponding to the one or more links; as well as A report frame is sent to the first communication device.

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