Method and device for multiplexing transmission of partial bandwidth frequency spectrum in wireless communication

Abstract

One apparatus detects that a primary channel having an operating bandwidth of a plurality of channel segments is busy, the channel segments including the primary channel and at least one non-primary channel. In response to detecting that the primary channel is busy, the apparatus obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) over a first non-primary channel of the at least one non-primary channel. Then, during the TXOP, the apparatus performs a transmission on at least the first non-primary channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to transmission of fractional bandwidth spectrum multiplexing in wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not background to the claims listed below and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] In the context of wireless communications according to one or more Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, such as local area networks (WLANs), devices in a contention-based channel access system can access a medium in a wideband, including multiple narrowbands (or channels), by listening to a primary channel and transmitting when the primary channel is idle. Under a dynamic wideband transmission scheme, devices are allowed to transmit frames on an idle primary channel as well as one or more non-primary channels. In addition, by utilizing the aforementioned puncturing mechanism without puncturing the primary channel, the use of the spectrum is increased when there is radar signal, existing signal, or overlapping basic service set (OBSS) interference in one or more non-primary channels.

[0004] In the next generation wireless communication system, it supports wider operating bandwidth (e.g., 320MHz / 160+160MHz / 240MHz / 160+80MHz / 160MHz), allowing competition on the primary channel but not on the non-primary channel. When the primary channel is overloaded or busy due to channel competition, no transmission will be allowed to generate underutilized broadband spectrum. In addition, traditional devices need to be protected and fairness issues also need to be considered. Therefore, a solution for broadband transmission scheme is needed in wireless communication. Summary of the invention

[0005] The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce the concepts, brightness, benefits and advantages of the novel and non-obvious technologies described herein. Selected embodiments are further described in the detailed description. Therefore, the following summary is not intended to identify the essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide schemes, concepts, embodiments, techniques, methods and devices to solve the above-mentioned problems. Under the various schemes proposed in this article, partial bandwidth spectrum reuse transmission in wireless communication can be implemented to further increase spectrum reuse to allow multiple service sets to share broadband resources. For example, when the primary channel is busy and one or more non-primary channels are idle, the device can be allowed to transmit on an unoccupied non-primary channel in the broadband operating channel, thereby improving bandwidth utilization when the primary channel is unavailable.

[0007] In one aspect, a method may involve detecting that a primary channel of an operating bandwidth having a plurality of channel segments is busy, the channel segments comprising the primary channel and at least one non-primary channel. The method may also involve obtaining a transmission opportunity (TXOP) through a first non-primary channel of the at least one non-primary channel in response to detecting that the primary channel is busy. The method may further involve performing transmissions on at least the first non-primary channel during the TXOP.

[0008] On the other hand, the apparatus may include a transceiver and a processor coupled to the transceiver. In operation, the processor may be used to perform certain operations. For example, the processor may detect that a primary channel having an operating bandwidth of a plurality of channel segments is busy, the channel segments including the primary channel and at least one non-primary channel. In response to detecting that the primary channel is busy, the processor may obtain a TXOP through a first non-primary channel of the at least one non-primary channel. In addition, the processor may perform transmissions on at least the first non-primary channel during the TXOP.

[0009] It is worth noting that, although the description provided herein may be described in the context of certain wireless access technologies, networks, and network topologies (e.g., WLAN), the proposed concepts, solutions, and any variants / derivatives thereof may be implemented in or by other types of wireless access technologies, networks, and network topologies, such as, but not limited to, Bluetooth, ZigBee, 5G / New Radio (NR), LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT). Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the present invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description are used to explain the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that the drawings need not be drawn to scale because some elements may be shown out of proportion to the actual embodiments to clearly illustrate the scheme of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 1An exemplary network environment in which various solutions and schemes according to the present invention can be implemented is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0014] Figure 4 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0018] Figure 8 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0019] Fig. 9 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0020] Fig.10 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0021] Fig.11 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0022] Fig.12 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0023] Fig.13 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0024] Fig.14 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0025] Fig.15 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0026] Fig.16 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0027] Fig.17 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0028] Fig.18 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0029] Fig.19An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0030] Fig. 20 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0031] Fig.21 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0032] Fig. 22 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0033] Fig.23 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0034] Fig.24 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0035] Fig.25 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0036] Fig.26 An exemplary scenario according to the present invention is shown.

[0037] Fig. 27 A block diagram of an exemplary communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0038] Fig.28 A flow chart showing an exemplary process according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Specific embodiments and implementations of the claimed subject matter are disclosed herein. However, it will be understood that the disclosed embodiments and implementations are only illustrations of the claimed subject matter, which can be presented in various forms. However, the present invention can be presented in many different forms and will not be interpreted as being limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations given herein. On the contrary, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that the description of the present invention is thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the following description, the details of well-known features and technologies will be omitted to avoid unnecessary confusion of the presented embodiments and implementations.

[0040] Embodiments according to the present invention are relevant with various technologies, methods, schemes and / or solutions about wideband transmission scheme in wireless communication. According to the present invention, some possible solutions can be implemented individually or in combination. That is, although these possible solutions can be described respectively below, two or more of these possible solutions can be implemented in a combination or other combinations.

[0041] In the present invention, it is assumed that a basic service set (BSS) is set with a 320MHz or 160MHz operating bandwidth, a first access point (AP) of the BSS operates in a 320MHz bandwidth, and a non-AP device belonging to the BSS supports an operating bandwidth of 320MHz, 160+160MHz, 240MHz, 160+80MHz, 160MHz, 80+80MHz, or 80MHz. It is also assumed that an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) operates on an 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz bandwidth, and the BSS and the OBSS have the same or different primary 20MHz channels for channel contention. In addition, in the present invention, the term "primary channel" refers to a 20MHz channel that allows medium access through channel contention, and the term "non-primary channel" refers to a 20MHz channel in a wideband operating bandwidth that is not a primary channel. In addition, the term "channel segment" refers to a group of 20MHz channels (e.g., in a 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 240MHz bandwidth), and the term "primary channel segment" refers to a group of 20MHz channels that includes the primary 20MHz channel. It is worth noting that access points (APs) or AP stations (STAs) are interchangeably referred to as "APs" and "non-AP-STAs" are interchangeably referred to as STAs. The term "STA" is a generic name used to refer to "non-AP STAs" or "AP STAs."

[0042] Figure 1 An example network environment 100 is shown in which various solutions and approaches according to the present invention may be implemented. Figure 2 to Figure 26 An example of implementation of various proposed solutions in a network environment 100 according to the present invention is shown. Figure 1 to Figure 26 A subsequent description of the various proposed schemes is provided.

[0043] refer to Figure 1 , the network environment 100 may involve a STA 110 and another STA 120 that wirelessly communicate according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11be). STA 110 may act as an AP or as a non-AP STA. Similarly, STA 120 may act as an AP or as a non-AP STA. Each STA 110 and STA 120 may be associated with or otherwise belong to a BSS 130 having a wide operating bandwidth (e.g., 320 MHz or another bandwidth greater than 80 MHz). Under the proposed scheme according to the present invention, STA 110 and STA 120 may be used to perform transmission of partial bandwidth spectrum reuse in wireless communications according to various proposed schemes described below.

[0044] In the network environment 100, when a frame transmission from an OBSS or other system (not shown) with a signal strength equal to or greater than a certain level is detected, one of the STA 110 and STA 120 as an AP can obtain a partial bandwidth spectrum reuse transmission opportunity (PBSR TXOP) on a partial bandwidth of the operating bandwidth. The PBSR TXOP may not include a primary channel or a primary channel segment, and preamble puncturing may be applied in the PBSR TXOP on an idle channel within the operating bandwidth. One or more non-primary channels or channel segments within the operating bandwidth may be allocated to non-AP devices associated with the BSS 130 to reside thereon and monitor new transmissions. Non-AP devices residing on specific non-primary channels or channel segments may only receive downlink (DL) transmissions or be triggered for uplink (UL) transmissions. In addition, non-AP devices may switch to the primary channel or primary channel segment to compete for the medium.

[0045] Regarding the partial bandwidth transmission (PBT) process, when an AP device (e.g., STA 110 or STA 120) detects a frame transmission from an OBSS or a transmission from another system with a signal strength equal to or greater than a specific level (e.g., -82dBm of the preamble detection (PD) threshold, -72dBm of the spatial multiplexing PD threshold, -62dBm of the energy detection (ED) threshold), the AP may initiate a PBSR TXOP excluding the primary channel and one or more non-primary channels where the OBSS frame transmission or channel busy state is detected. The AP may operate on a bandwidth including a group of channels. The AP may invoke a channel contention backoff process on the primary channel to access the wireless medium of the primary channel, and once the backoff process has begun, the AP may suspend the ongoing backoff process when a frame transmission or channel busy is detected. When the AP detects an OBSS frame with a signal strength equal to or greater than a specific level, the AP may initiate a PBSR TXOP on one or more idle non-primary channels. The duration of the PBSR period may be set according to the TXOP duration information or the PPDU length information in the received OBSS frame.

[0046] Before initiating a PBSR TXOP, the AP may invoke a PBT backoff process or may resume a backoff process that was suspended during the PBSR period. In the absence of media status detection, a backoff counter (or timer) may count down at each time slot. When the backoff counter counts down to 0, the AP may perform media status detection during a specific time interval before transmission on each non-primary channel, and may initiate a PBSR TXOP on a non-primary channel that is detected as idle. The duration of the PBSRTXOP may be limited by the TXOP duration or the PPDU length information in the received OBSS frame. Preamble puncturing may be applied to non-idle non-primary channels. After the PBSR TXOP, a suspended backoff process may be resumed or a new backoff process may be called on the primary channel.

[0047] With respect to PBSR channel segments, an AP device (e.g., STA 110 or STA 120) may indicate one or more channel segments for PBSR operation. For example, in a 320 MHz operating bandwidth with four 80 MHz channel segments, each 80 MHz channel segment may include one or more channels, and a primary channel segment includes a primary 20 MHz channel. The AP device may allocate a channel segment for a non-AP device to reside on and monitor transmissions. The non-AP device may negotiate with the AP device on a channel segment for residing on and monitoring transmissions. In addition, the non-AP device may switch between a primary channel segment and a non-primary channel segment. For example, when residing on a non-primary channel segment, the non-AP device may switch to the primary channel segment. The non-AP device may: (1) based on an indication from an AP device; (2) by instructing the AP device to disable trigger-based UL transmissions, and / or (3) by an indication announced by a channel segment switch. In addition, when residing on a primary channel segment, the non-AP device may instruct it to switch to a non-primary channel segment. The non-AP device may enable the AP device to trigger UL transmission by signaling and / or request a channel segment switch by signaling a specific channel segment (eg, a channel segment switch announcement).

[0048] With respect to non-AP device operation in a PBSR TXOP, the non-AP device may reside and monitor a specific channel segment for PBSR operation. For example, a DL frame transmission may be within a specific channel segment allocated to a non-AP device. A control (trigger) frame may include individually addressed resource allocation information to trigger UL transmission addressed to the non-AP device. In the event that it receives a frame on the channel, the non-AP device may monitor the specific channel segment allocated and may update its network allocation vector (NAV). When responding to a trigger frame, the non-AP device may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to sense the state of the medium on the channel where resources are allocated and / or check the NAV value to decide whether to transmit on the medium. The non-AP device may use a channel contention mechanism to access the medium on the primary channel, and when the non-AP device resides on a non-primary channel segment, the non-AP device may be triggered by the AP device for UL transmission. When the non-AP device decides to contend for the medium, it may first switch back to the primary channel / primary channel segment. After switching to the primary channel / primary channel segment, the non-AP device may perform clear channel assessment (CCA) until it detects a frame in which the non-AP device may set a NAV or until a period of time expires. Figure 2 to Figure 5 In the various examples shown and described, EDCA-based channel contention may be enabled for AP devices on non-primary channels when the primary channel is unavailable.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary scenario 200 according to the present invention. In scenario 200, an AP device (e.g., STA 110 or STA 120) operates at a 320 MHz operating bandwidth and splits the 320 MHz bandwidth into four 80 MHz channel segments. One of the four 80 MHz channel segments is a primary 80 MHz channel segment 1 and the other three 80 MHz channel segments are allocated to different non-AP devices (e.g., STA1, STA2, and STA3) to camp on and monitor transmissions thereon. Each 80 MHz channel segment includes four 20 MHz channels, one of which is a primary 20 MHz channel. When the AP device detects a frame (e.g., PPDU) on the primary 20 MHz channel of the primary 80 MHz channel segment 1, the AP device can pause its ongoing backoff counter and obtain the duration information of the OBSS transmission in the physical layer (PHY) header of the received PPDU. Upon determining that the received frame is from an OBSS with a signal strength equal to or greater than a certain level (e.g., -62 dBm), the AP device may initiate a PBSR TXOP that does not include the primary 80 MHz channel segment 1, with the duration of the PBSR period limited by the duration information in the received OBSS PPDU. Before initiating a PBSR TXOP, without checking the medium status, the AP device may invoke a PBT backoff process for a PBT backoff counter to count down each time slot. The PBT backoff counter may be initialized with a random number selected from a uniform distribution in the range of 0 to M, where M is a positive integer (e.g., 10).

[0050] When the PBT backoff process counts down to 0, the AP device may perform medium status detection during a specific time interval (e.g., a point coordination function (PCF) interframe spacing (PIFS) interval) before transmission on each channel within the 320 MHz operating bandwidth except for the channels in the primary 80 MHz channel segment 1. During the PIFS interval after the PBT backoff counter counts down to 0, the AP device may initiate a PBSR TXOP on an idle channel. Preamble puncturing may be applied to non-idle channels. The PBSR TXOP may be limited by the duration information of the OBSS transmission in the received OBSS PPDU. Non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may monitor 80 MHz channel segments 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and may receive PPDUs transmitted on these channel segments. In response to the received respective PPDUs, each STA1, STA2, and STA3 may respond with a block acknowledgment (BA). After the end of the PBSR TXOP, the suspended backoff process may be resumed on the primary channel.

[0051] Figure 3An exemplary scenario 300 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 300, an AP device (e.g., STA 110 or STA 120) may initiate a PBSR TXOP to trigger UL transmission from a non-AP device. The non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may monitor 80 MHz channel segments 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and may respond to a trigger frame when the allocated resources in the channel are idle. For example, when the bandwidth of the STA is less than or equal to 80 MHz, the resource allocation of the non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may be within the monitored 80 MHz channel segments 2, 3, and 4, respectively. When the bandwidth of the STA is greater than 80 MHz, the resource allocation of the non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may not be limited to the respective monitored channel segments. Figure 3 In the illustrated example, each of the non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may receive a trigger accordingly, and each of the STA1, STA2, and STA3 may transmit a trigger-based (TB) PPDU and receive a BA from the AP device.

[0052] Figure 4 An exemplary scenario 400 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 400, after the received OBSS PPDU ends, the AP device (e.g., ST 110 or STA 120) can initiate a PBSR TXOP. The AP device can obtain duration information (e.g., the TXOP duration of the OBSS TXOP) in the media access control layer (MAC) header of the OBSS PPDU, and the AP device can call a PBT backoff process after the OBSS PPDU ends. After the PBT backoff process counts down to 0, the AP device can perform medium status detection during a specific time interval (e.g., a PIFS interval) before transmission on each channel within the 320 MHz operating bandwidth except for the channels in the main 80 MHz channel segment 1. The PBSR TXOP can be limited by the TXOP duration of the OBSS TXOP. Figure 4 In the illustrated example, after the OBSS PPDU ends, the AP device may transmit the PPDU on an idle channel in the channel segment monitored by STA1, STA2, and STA3. In response to receiving the respective PPDUs, each STA1, STA2, and STA3 may respond with a BA.

[0053] Figure 5An exemplary scenario 500 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 500, after the received OBSS PPDU ends, the AP device (e.g., STA 110 or STA 120) may initiate a PBSR TXOP to trigger UL transmission from a non-AP device. The AP device may obtain the TXOP duration of the OBSS TXOP in the MAC header of the received OBSS PPDU, and after the received OBSS PPDU ends, the AP device may invoke the PBT backoff process. Non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may monitor 80 MHz channel segments 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and may respond to a trigger frame when the resources allocated to the channel are idle. For example, when the bandwidth of the STA is less than or equal to 80 MHz, the resource allocations of the non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may be respectively within the monitored 80 MHz channel segments. When the bandwidth of the STA is greater than 80 MHz, the resource allocations of the non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may not be limited to the respective monitored channel segments. Figure 5 In the illustrated example, each non-AP STA1, STA2, and STA3 may receive a respective trigger accordingly, and each STA1, STA2, and STA3 may transmit a PPDU based on the trigger and receive a BA from the AP device.

[0054] Under the proposed scheme according to the present invention, in order to support EDCA based on PBSR, the device can maintain two fallback functional states, using a first fallback functional state on the primary channel and a second fallback functional state on one or more selected non-primary channels. Under the proposed scheme, when the primary channel is busy, the device performing EDCA on the primary channel can suspend the operation of its EDCA function (EDCAF), and the device can store the value of each fallback parameter (such as fallback count, contention window (CW[AC])), quality of service (QoS) STA retry count (QSRC[AC]), etc.) as the first fallback functional state. In order to obtain a PBSR TXOP on a non-primary channel, the EDCAF of the device can call a new PBT fallback process or restore the first fallback process as a PBT fallback for accessing the wireless medium on the selected non-primary channel. In the case where the device has a pending MAC protocol data unit (MPDU) for a target receiver on the selected non-primary channel, the EDCAF of the device can call a new PBT fallback process corresponding to the access category (AC) of the pending MPDU on the selected non-primary channel.

[0055] Under the proposed scheme, the PBT fallback process can follow the EDCA parameters specific to the PBSR TXOP and the rules. For example, the EDCA parameters for the PBSR TXOP can have a smaller (truncated) contention window. In the case where the PBT fallback is a new fallback process, the CW can be truncated by a portion of the regular CW[AC] (e.g., half of the regular CW[AC] and rounded up to the nearest integer). In the case where the PBT fallback is a continuation of the first fallback process that is restored, the value of the PBT fallback counter can be copied from the value of the first fallback process or truncated by a portion of the value of the first fallback counter (e.g., half of the value and rounded up to the nearest integer). The EDCA fallback CCA-ED threshold can be adjusted within a certain range (e.g., -82dBm to -62dBm), for example, ΔdB less than the regular CCA-ED threshold. The TXOP limit of the PBSR TXOP may be dynamically limited by the signaling busyness status on the primary channel (eg, non-0 NAV, non-0 PPDU length, non-0 channel occupancy time (COT), or a specific value of PBT).

[0056] According to the proposed scheme of the present invention, the PBT backoff process can be called in parallel on multiple selected non-primary channels. In the case where multiple PBT backoff counters are initiated as parallel new PBT backoff processes, each PBT backoff counter can be initialized with a respective (different) random number based on the corresponding CW[AC] of the pending MPDU of the target receiver on the selected non-AP channel. Alternatively, each PBT backoff process can be initialized with the same random number within a specific CW[AC] of the PBSR, or it can be determined by the corresponding CW[AC] of the pending MPDU of the target receiver on all selected non-primary channels (e.g., Min(CW[AC]), MAX(CW[AC]), Average(CW[AC])). In the case where multiple PBT backoff counters are restored from the first backoff process to the parallel PBT backoff process, each PBT backoff counter can be initialized with a respective (different) random number based on the first backoff functional state of the pending MPDU of the target receiver on the selected non-primary channel. Alternatively, each PBT backoff counter may be initialized with the same random number within a particular CW[AC] of the PBSR, or it may be determined by the first backoff function state of pending MPDUs of the target receiver on all selected non-primary channels (e.g., Min(CW[AC]), MAX(CW[AC]), Average(CW[AC])). Under the proposed scheme, once the PBT backoff counter reaches 0, PBT may be performed on the non-primary channel of the acquired medium. In the event that PIFS idleness is detected before transmission begins, other non-primary channels within an 80 MHz channel segment or multiple 80 MHz channel segments may be used.

[0057] Under the proposed scheme according to the present invention, within a PBSR TXOP, a PBT backoff process may be sequentially called on multiple selected non-primary channels. In the case where multiple PBT backoff counters are sequentially initiated as new PBT backoff processes, each PBT backoff counter or timer may be initialized with a different random number based on the corresponding CW[AC] of the pending MPDU of the receiver of the selected non-primary channel. Alternatively, each PBT backoff counter may be initialized with the same random number within a specific CW[AC] of the PBSR. In the case where multiple PBT backoff counters are sequentially restored as PBT backoff processes from a first backoff process, each PBT process counter may be initialized with a different random number based on the first backoff functional state of the pending MPDU of the receiver of the selected non-primary channel. Alternatively, each PBT backoff process may be initialized with the same random number within a specific CW[AC] of the PBSR. Under the proposed scheme, in the case where the PBT backoff counter is suspended due to a busy channel on the selected non-primary channel, another PBT backoff may be initiated on another selected non-primary channel. In the event that PIFS idleness is detected before transmission begins, other non-primary channels within an 80 MHz channel segment or multiple 80 MHz channel segments may be used.

[0058] According to the scheme proposed in the present invention, a PBSR TXOP can be sequentially executed on multiple selected non-primary channels within a PBSR period. Once the PBSR TXOP on the selected non-primary channel ends, one or more other PBT backoff processes can be sequentially called to obtain another PBSR TXOP. Based on the corresponding CW[AC] of the pending MPDU of the receiver of the selected non-primary channel, the corresponding PBT backoff counter can be initialized with a different random number, or initialized with the same random number within a specific CW[AC] of the PBSR. Based on the first backoff function state of the pending MPDU of the receiver of the selected non-primary channel, the corresponding PBT backoff counter can be initialized with a different random number. Alternatively, each PBT backoff timer can be initialized with the same random number within a specific CW[AC] of the PBSR.

[0059] Figure 6 An exemplary scenario 600 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 600, before a PBSR TXOP begins, a new PBSR EDCA fallback process may be initiated on a non-primary channel when there are pending packets / frames for a target receiver on the non-primary channel. For example, the EDCA fallback process on the primary channel may be suspended due to a busy medium condition of the channel.

[0060] Figure 7An exemplary scenario 700 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 700, a suspended first EDCA fallback process may be resumed on a non-primary channel before a PBSR TXOP begins. For example, the suspended EDCA fallback process may be resumed on a non-primary channel in the event that the first fallback process corresponds to an access category (AC) of a pending packet / frame of a target receiver on the non-primary channel.

[0061] Figure 8 An exemplary scenario 800 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 800, one or more PBT fallback processes may be invoked on one or more non-primary channels before a PBSR TXOP is initiated. For example, one or more fallback processes may be invoked in parallel or sequentially, and a PBSR TXOP may be obtained on a non-primary channel that wins the medium as long as any PBT fallback counter reaches 0 first. Furthermore, after a successful PBT fallback, only one PBSR TXOP is initiated.

[0062] Fig. 9 An exemplary scenario 900 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 900, during a PBSR cycle, one or more PBT fallback processes and multiple PBTs may be invoked on one or more non-primary channels. For example, Fig. 9 As shown, one or more PBT fallback processes and TXOPs can be initiated sequentially. In the case where the device supports multiple parallel PBT fallback processes and supports multiple synchronous or asynchronous TXOPs on different segments in the wide operating bandwidth, one or more PBSRTXOPs can also be initiated in parallel within the PBSR period.

[0063] Fig.10 An exemplary scenario 1000 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1000, one or more PBT fallback processes may be invoked on one or more non-primary channels during a PBSR period, and once a PBT fallback counter reaches 0, a PBT may be performed. For example, Fig.10 As shown, one or more PBT backoff processes may be initiated in parallel. Once a PBT backoff is successful, other ongoing PBT backoffs may be suspended. Based on PISF idle detection, a PBSR TXOP may occupy idle non-primary channels, including the channel where the PBT backoff is suspended.

[0064] According to the proposed scheme of the present invention, at the end of the PBSR TXOP on the non-primary channel, the EDCA of the device can resume the suspended first fallback process on the primary channel or call a new fallback process. For example, in the case where the previously stored first fallback function state is empty, or in the case where the first fallback function state has a value of 0 for the fallback counter, then the EDCAF of the device can call a new fallback process on the primary channel. Otherwise, the EDCAF of the device can resume the first fallback process. Under the proposed scheme, at the end of the PBSR TXOP on the non-primary channel, in the case where the medium on the primary channel is idle (e.g., virtual carrier sensing (e.g., NAV, PPDU length and / or COT value) and physical CS mechanism (e.g., CCA-ED) both indicate that the medium is idle), the first fallback process can be resumed to decrement the fallback counter or a new fallback process can be initialized to decrement the fallback counter. In addition, at the end of the PBSR TXOP on the non-primary channel, if the medium on the primary channel is busy (e.g., any NAV, PPDU length, and COT value is non-zero or CCA-ED is busy), when the medium is idle, the first backoff process can be resumed to decrement the backoff counter or a new backoff process can be initiated to decrement the backoff counter.

[0065] Under the proposed scheme, a synchronization counter (e.g., synchronization timer) may be initiated immediately upon the end of a PBSR TXOP on a non-primary channel to start a synchronization period. For example, in the case where a virtual CS indicates that the medium on the primary channel is busy after the end of a PBSR TXOP on a non-primary channel (e.g., non-0 NAV, non-0 PPDU length, or non-0 COT), the counter may not be initiated. Alternatively, in the case where a physical CS mechanism indicates that the medium is busy after the end of a PBSR TXOP on a non-primary channel, the counter may not be initiated. Under the proposed scheme, the CCA-ED threshold may be adjusted, for example, by ΔdB less than a conventional CCA-ED threshold within a certain range (e.g., -82dBm to -62dBm), until a PPDU is received with valid TXOP duration information (for setting the NAV), or the synchronization counter expires in the case where the counter is initiated, whichever occurs first.

[0066] Fig.11 An exemplary scenario 1100 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1100, after the PBSR TXOP ends, the EDCA fallback process on the primary channel that was suspended can be resumed immediately after the PBSR TXOP ends. In scenario 1100, the EDCA fallback process on the primary channel can be suspended because the medium status is busy. In addition, the PBSR ECA fallback process on the non-primary channel can be invoked.

[0067] Fig.12An exemplary scenario 1200 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1200, in the case where the PBT fallback process is suspended due to a busy channel, the suspended EDCA fallback process on the primary channel can be resumed at the end of the TXOP on the primary channel. In scenario 1200, the EDCA fallback process on the primary channel can be suspended due to a medium condition of a busy channel. In addition, the PBSR EDCA fallback process on the non-primary channel can be invoked or suspended because the channel is busy.

[0068] Fig.13 An exemplary scenario 1300 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1300, after the PBSR TXOP ends, a new EDCA fallback process on the primary channel may be invoked immediately after the PBSR TXOP ends, even if no additional transmissions are currently queued. In scenario 1300, the EDCA fallback process on the primary channel may be suspended due to a busy medium condition of the channel. In addition, the suspended EDCA fallback process may be resumed on the non-primary channel during the busy time on the primary channel.

[0069] Fig.14 An exemplary scenario 1400 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1400, after the PBSR TXOP ends, a new EDCA fallback procedure can be invoked on the primary channel even if there are no additional transmissions currently queued. In scenario 1400, when the primary channel is occupied (busy), the PBSR EDCA fallback procedure can be invoked on the non-primary channel.

[0070] According to the proposed scheme of the present invention, at the end of the PBSR TXOP on the non-primary channel, the device having the second backoff counter (PBT backoff counter) can be reset and the second backoff functional state can be discarded. In the case where the PBT backoff process is a newly initiated backoff process, the second backoff functional state can be reset on the selected non-primary channel, and the previously stored first backoff functional state can be restored on the primary channel. In the case where the PBT backoff process is the restoration of the first backoff process on the primary channel, the second backoff functional state can be reset on the selected non-primary channel, and the previously stored first backoff functional state can be restored on the primary channel. Alternatively, the new backoff functional state can replace the first backoff functional state on the primary channel.

[0071] According to the scheme proposed by the present invention, when a device leaves the primary channel and starts a PBSR cycle on a non-primary channel, the device can always start transmission with a control frame to request confirmation of the required channel status on the response side to obtain and protect the PBSR TXOP on the non-primary channel. For example, a request to send (RTS) and a clear to send frame (CTS) exchange can be used for PBSR TXOP protection. The target receiver residing on a non-primary channel or a channel segment can record the virtual channel status of the channel through a network allocation vector (NAV) on the corresponding non-primary channel. Once the target receiving device detects that the medium is idle (e.g., NAV is 0 and / or CCA-ED is empty), the receiving device can respond to the received control frame. The PBSR cycle can be a cycle in which the primary channel is estimated to be busy. For example, the PBSR cycle can be determined based on the TXOP duration information of the ongoing transmission detected on the primary channel. Alternatively, the PBSR cycle can be determined based on the length of the PPDU being transmitted detected on the primary channel. Alternatively, the PBSR cycle can be determined based on the COT of another system. The maximum allowed number of transmissions initiated with a control frame exchange before the PBSR period expires or the PBSR period is brought to an end may be specified.Multiple PBTs may be allowed within a PBSR period on the same or different non-primary channels / channel segments.

[0072] Fig.15 An exemplary scenario 1500 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1500, when the PBT backoff counter reaches 0, a control frame exchange may be initiated to obtain a PBSR TXOP on a non-primary channel. For example, an RTS / CTS frame exchange is necessary for a PBSRTXOP. In addition, a multi-user (MU)-RTS / CTS frame exchange is necessary for multi-user TXOP protection.

[0073] Under the proposed scheme according to the present invention, when the PBSR period on the non-primary channel ends or the device decides to end the PBSR period early, when the backoff counter reaches 0, the device can resume or call the backoff process on the primary channel and obtain the TXOP on the primary channel. Under the proposed scheme, when the channel state on the responding side is idle, a control frame can be used to start transmission to request confirmation to protect the TXOP, unless the virtual CS state (NAV) is updated by the received PPDU or the synchronization counter (or synchronization timer) expires when it is initiated (whichever occurs first). For example, once the target receiver detects that the medium is idle (e.g., NAV is 0 and / or CCA-ED is idle), it can respond to the received control frame (e.g., RTS / CTS frame exchange can be used for TXOP protection). The target receiver residing on the primary channel / channel segment can maintain the virtual channel state (NAV) for the primary channel. The maximum allowed number of transmissions started with the control frame exchange before the NAV is updated or the synchronization counter (if any) expires can be specified.

[0074] Fig.16 An exemplary scenario 1600 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1600, when a device is switched to a primary channel after the end of PBT, a TXOP initiated by the device on the primary channel may be protected by a control frame exchange unless the NAV is updated or the synchronization counter (if any) expires, whichever occurs first. For example, before the NAV is updated or the synchronization counter expires (if any), an RTS / CTS frame exchange is necessary for TXOP protection on the primary channel. Additionally, a MU-RTS / CTS frame exchange is necessary for multi-user TXOP protection.

[0075] Therefore, in regard to Figure 6 to Figure 16Under the proposed scheme for supporting EDCA-based PBT described, the device can maintain two fallback functional states, one (first fallback functional state) for the primary channel and the other (second fallback functional state) for the selected non-primary channel. In order to obtain a PBSR TXOP on the non-primary channel, the EDCAF of the device can invoke a new PBT fallback process or restore the first fallback process as a PBT fallback for accessing the wireless medium on the selected non-primary channel. Under the proposed scheme, EDCA parameters for PBT fallback may include (for example but not limited to) (1) a contention window (CW) truncated by a portion of a regular CW, (2) a PBT fallback counter set to an initial value based on the value of the first backoff counter, (3) an EDCA fallback CCA-ED threshold that can be adjusted, and (4) a TXOP limit that can be limited by the state of the primary channel. In addition, under the proposed scheme, the PBT fallback process can be invoked in parallel or sequentially on multiple selected non-primary channels. In addition, under the proposed scheme, at the end of the PBSR on the non-primary channel, the EDCAF of the device can resume the suspended first fallback process or call a new fallback process on the primary channel. For example, a synchronization timer can be initiated to start the synchronization period immediately after the end of PBT. In addition, in the case where the synchronization timer has not expired, the CCA-ED threshold for fallback on the primary channel can be adjusted after PBT, unless a PPDU is received before the synchronization timer expires. In addition, in the case where the synchronization timer has not expired, TXOP protection can be enabled for transmission on the primary channel, unless a PPDU is received before the synchronization timer expires. TXOP protection can be enabled for PBT (e.g., RTS / CTS frame exchange before PBT).

[0076] Fig.17An exemplary scenario 1700 according to the present invention is shown. Under scenario 1700, an AP device (e.g., STA 110 or STA 120) operates on a 320 MHz operating bandwidth and splits the 320 MHz bandwidth into four 80 MHz channel segments. One of the four 80 MHz channel segments serves as a primary 80 MHz channel segment and the other three 80 MHz channel segments are labeled as 80 MHz bandwidth portion 1, portion 2, and portion 3, respectively. Each 80 MHz channel segment includes four 20 MHz channels, one of which is designated / preconfigured for contention-based channel access. When the AP device detects a frame transmission (e.g., PPDU) from an OBSS with a signal strength equal to or greater than a certain level (e.g., -62 dBm), the AP device may initiate a PBT TXOP in the preconfigured bandwidth portion. For example, the AP device may invoke a channel contention backoff process on the primary channel to access the medium. In addition, when a frame transmission is detected, the AP device may suspend its ongoing backoff process. When the AP device detects an OBSS frame with a signal strength equal to or greater than a certain level (eg, -62dBm), the AP device may initiate a PBT TXOP in a preconfigured bandwidth portion. In the present invention, the PBT period refers to a period set by the TXOP duration information in the received OBSS frame.

[0077] As indicated above, before initiating a PBT TXOP, the AP device may reference a specific bandwidth portion (e.g., Fig.17 A PBT fallback process on the bandwidth portion 4) shown in FIG, for example, using EDCA channel access. Based on the CCA performance on the pre-configured 20 MHz channel of the specific bandwidth portion, the backoff timer corresponding to the backoff process can count down. When the backoff timer counts down to 0, the AP device can obtain the PBT TXOP in the bandwidth portion. It is worth noting that the foregoing perforation can be applied to non-idle non-primary channels (e.g., based on PIFS idle detection before transmission). In addition, under the proposed scheme, the PBT TXOP can be limited by the TXOP duration information in the received OBSS frame.

[0078] Fig.18An exemplary scenario 1800 according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1800, an AP device (e.g., STA 110 or STA 120) operates on a 320 MHz operating bandwidth and splits the 320 MHz bandwidth into four 80 MHz channel segments. One of the four 80 MHz channel segments serves as a primary 80 MHz channel segment and the other three 80 MHz channels are labeled as 80 MHz bandwidth part 1, part 2, and part 3, respectively. Each 80 MHz channel segment contains four 20 MHz channels, one of which is preconfigured for contention-based channel access. In scenario 1800, a PBT backoff process may be called in bandwidth part 1 and bandwidth part 2, respectively, and the backoff timer of each backoff process may be initiated by the same random number or a different randomizer. For example, each backoff process may be performed using EDCA channel access. In scenario 1800, the backoff process on bandwidth part 2 may be suspended due to a busy state. Based on channel 1 of bandwidth part 1 (e.g., Fig.18 When the backoff timer on bandwidth part 1 counts down to 0, the AP device can initiate a PBT TXOP on bandwidth part 1. It is worth noting that the foregoing puncturing can be applied to non-idle non-primary channels in bandwidth part 1. In addition, in the case where the TXOP period is indicated, the PBT TXOP can be limited by the duration information in the received OBSS frame (e.g., PPDU).

[0079] It is worth noting that in a wide bandwidth system with an operating bandwidth of 240MHz, 160+80MHz, 320MHz and 160+160MHz, in the case where most user devices only support narrower bandwidths (such as 80MHz, 160MHz or 80+80MHz), the wide bandwidth may not be fully utilized due to the fact that the channel contention mechanism operates only on the primary channel. Under the scheme proposed according to the present invention, a primary channel and one or more secondary channels can be configured in a BSS (such as BSS130). Under the proposed scheme, a 20MHz channel can be designated as a primary channel of the BSS for a specific duration for contention-based channel access (such as EDCA) operation. In addition, when the primary 20MHz channel is blocked / busy, one or more 20MHz channels of different segments of the BSS operating bandwidth can be designated as secondary primary channels for channel access. For a specific time interval or duration, secondary primary channels of different channel segments can be designated as primary channels of the BSS. The AP device can send a signal when the following occurs: the secondary primary channel becomes the primary channel and the current primary channel becomes the secondary primary channel.

[0080] Under the proposed scheme, the wideband system can apply a dynamic primary channel scheme to control channel access. For example, the AP device can specify a primary 20MHz channel for a specific duration of contention-based channel access (EDCA). The AP device can also specify one or more 20MHz channels of different channel segments of the BSS operating bandwidth as auxiliary primary channels for accessing the channel when the primary 20MHz channel is blocked / busy. The AP device can control and signal the primary channel for different durations in multiple auxiliary primary 20MHz channels located in different bandwidth parts / segments. Non-AP devices residing on the primary 20MHz channel can use EDCA to compete for the channel, and non-AP devices associated with the AP device can reside on the auxiliary primary 20MHz channel of the bandwidth part / segment. The AP device controls the channel access mode of the non-AP device residing on the auxiliary primary 20MHz channel to restrict it from performing contention-based channel access. For example, the AP device can change the EDCA parameter to a low priority parameter or only allow trigger-based UL, or the AP device can change the MU-EDCA counter set to a specific value to not allow EDCA.

[0081] Fig.19 An example scenario 1900 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 1900, within each interval, a primary 20 MHz channel may be designated in an 80 MHz bandwidth portion / segment. Alternatively, only one 20 MHz channel may be used for channel contention. Furthermore, different intervals may have different primary 20 MHz channels located in different 80 MHz bandwidth portions / segments. Furthermore, changes in the primary channel may be indicated by the AP device, and the duration of such changes may also be indicated by the AP device.

[0082] Under the proposed scheme according to the present invention, within a specific duration, a main channel and a secondary main channel can be used by the AP device for channel access. For example, within a specific duration, the main 20MHz channel can be designated for channel access and one or more 20MHz channels can be designated as secondary main channels for channel access when the main channel is blocked / busy. The secondary main channel can be located in different bandwidth parts / segments. When the AP device signals the switch of the main channel to the corresponding bandwidth part / segment, the secondary main channel can become the default main channel. Based on EDCA channel contention when the main channel is blocked / busy, the secondary main channel can be dynamically accessed by the AP device. When the main channel is blocked / busy, the AP device can uniformly perform random selection of one or more secondary main channels. When multiple secondary main channels are selected for channel access, an secondary main channel that first falls back to 0 can be used for channel access.

[0083] Fig. 20An exemplary scenario 2000 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 2000, in each interval, a primary 20 MHz channel is designated in an 80 MHz bandwidth portion / segment and multiple 20 MHz channels are designated as secondary primary channels in other bandwidth portions / segments. In a particular interval, a secondary primary 20 MHz channel may be a primary channel in another interval. For example, Fig. 20 As shown, the secondary primary 20 MHz channel of 80 MHz segment 2 in interval 1 can become the primary 20 MHz channel of 80 MHz segment 2 in interval 2.

[0084] According to the proposed scheme of the present invention, an AP device operating in a wide bandwidth can use a dynamic main channel scheme to provide flexible channel access opportunities. The AP device can divide the wide bandwidth into multiple bandwidth parts (or segments) and configure the 20MHz channel as a main channel or a secondary main channel for each bandwidth part. The AP device can activate the main channel of a bandwidth part for contention-based channel access within a specific duration. Within a specific duration, the secondary main channel located in other bandwidth parts can be used for the AP device to access the channel when the main 20MHz channel is blocked / busy. When the main channel is blocked / busy, the secondary main channel can be dynamically accessed based on EDCA channel contention. When the main channel is blocked / busy, the AP device can select one or more secondary main channels for channel access. When multiple secondary main channels are selected for channel access, multiple fallback processes can be executed on the secondary main channels, and the first process whose fallback counter reaches 0 can be used for channel access. When the AP device indicates a change of the main channel to the corresponding bandwidth part / segment, the secondary main channel can become the main channel.

[0085] Fig.21 An exemplary scenario 2100 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 2100, when the primary channel is blocked due to interference, the AP device may select a secondary primary channel for channel access. Based on the CCA detection on the selected secondary primary channel, a backoff counter may begin counting down. ED detection (e.g., PIFS check before transmission) may be performed on other channels within the bandwidth portion / segment.

[0086] Fig. 22An exemplary scenario 2200 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 2200, when the primary channel is blocked, the AP device can select a secondary primary channel for channel access. Based on the CCA detection on the selected secondary primary channel, the backoff counter can start counting down. In the event that the selected secondary primary channel is also blocked, the AP device can then select another secondary primary channel for channel access. In the event that the primary 20MHz channel is not blocked (e.g., NAV is equal to 0 or the physical CS indicates idle), the AP device can then switch back to the primary channel for channel access.

[0087] Fig.23 An exemplary scenario 2300 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 2300, when the primary channel is blocked, the AP device may select a secondary primary channel for channel access. Based on the CCA detection on the selected secondary primary channel, a backoff counter may begin counting down. ED detection (e.g., PIFS check before transmission) may be performed on other channels within multiple bandwidth portions / segments.

[0088] Fig.24 An exemplary scenario 2400 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 2400, when the primary channel is blocked, the AP device can select multiple secondary primary channels for channel access. An EDCA backoff process can be performed with an initial value on each selected secondary primary channel. The initial value of each backoff counter can be the same or different. Based on the CCA detection on the selected secondary primary channel, the backoff counter can start counting down. ED detection (e.g., PIFS check before transmission) can be performed on other channels within the bandwidth portion / segment.

[0089] Fig.25 An exemplary scenario 2500 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 2500, when the primary channel is blocked, the AP device may select multiple secondary primary channels for channel access. An EDCA backoff process may be performed on each selected secondary primary channel with its own initial value. Based on CCA detection on the multiple selected secondary primary channels, respectively, a backoff counter may start counting down. In scenario 2500, after the backoff on segment 3 counts down to 0, the backoff on segment 4 may be suspended.

[0090] Fig.26An exemplary scenario 2600 of a dynamic primary channel scheme according to the present invention is shown. In scenario 2600, when the primary channel is blocked, the AP device can select multiple secondary primary channels for channel access. The EDCA backoff process can be performed on each selected secondary primary channel with its own initial value. Based on the CCA detection on the selected secondary primary channel, the backoff counter can start counting down. In scenario 2600, after the backoff on segment 3 counts down to 0, the backoff on segment 4 can be suspended. In addition, ED detection (e.g., PIFS check before transmission) can be performed on other channels including the secondary primary channel of segment 4.

[0091] Therefore, in the above Figures 19 to 26 Under the proposed scheme described, one primary channel and multiple secondary primary channels may be designated for a BSS (e.g., BSS130) within a time interval or specified by system information. For example, for a BSS with a 320 MHz operating bandwidth, the 320 MHz bandwidth may be split into four 80 MHz bandwidth segments, with a 20 MHz primary channel designated for each 80 MHz bandwidth segment, for a total of four primary channels for the 320 MHz operating bandwidth. Of the four primary channels, one primary channel may be a designated primary channel for the entire 320 MHz bandwidth, and the other three primary channels may be secondary primary channels. During certain time intervals or as explicitly indicated, the AP device of the BSS may change the designated primary channel to a secondary primary channel.

[0092] In addition, regarding Figure 19 to Figure 26 Under the proposed scheme described, flexible channel access rules can be applied based on the status of the designated primary channel and the secondary primary channel. For example, the AP device can perform EDCA-based channel contention on the currently designated primary channel. When the designated primary channel is blocked / busy, secondary primary channels in other 80MHz bandwidth segments can be used by the AP device to perform EDCA-based channel contention. When multiple secondary primary channels are selected for channel access, one or more fallback processes can be executed on the secondary primary channels. The first fallback process among these fallback processes whose fallback counter counts down to 0 can be used for channel access. Therefore, similar to the Figures 2 to 18 The non-primary channels described in Figures 19 to 26 In the example shown, when the primary channel is blocked / busy, the secondary primary channel can be used for channel contention, thereby improving bandwidth utilization when the primary channel is unavailable.

[0093] Fig. 27An exemplary system 2700 having at least one exemplary device 2710 and an exemplary device 2720 according to the present invention is shown. Each device 2710 and device 2720 can perform various functions to implement the schemes, technologies, processes and methods for transmission of partial bandwidth spectrum reuse in wireless communication, including the various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods described above and the processes described below. For example, the device 2710 can be implemented in one of the STA 110 or the STA 120 and the device 2720 can be implemented in the other of the STA 110 or the STA 120, and vice versa.

[0094] Each device 2710 and device 2720 may be part of an electronic device, which may be a STA or AP, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. When implemented in a STA, each device 2710 and device 2720 may be implemented in a smartphone, a smart watch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing device such as a tablet, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer. Each device 2710 and device 2720 may also be part of a machine-type device, which may be an IoT device, such as a stationary or fixed device, a home device, a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, each device 2710 and device 2720 may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. When implemented in or as a network device, device 2710 and / or device 2720 may be implemented in a network node, such as an AP in a WLAN.

[0095] In some embodiments, each device 2710 and device 2720 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, for example but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex instruction set computing (CISC) processors. In the various schemes described above, each device 2710 and device 2720 may be implemented in or as a STA or an AP. Each device 2710 and device 2720 may include Fig. 27 At least some of the components shown in the figure, such as processor 2712 and processor 2722, respectively. Each device 2710 and device 2720 further includes one or more other components not related to the solution proposed by the present invention (such as an internal power supply, a display device and / or a user interface device), so for simplicity, such components of device 2710 and device 2720 may not be included in the figure. Fig. 27 It is not shown in the figure nor described below.

[0096] On the one hand, each processor 2712 and processor 2722 can be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more RISC processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, although the singular term "a processor" is used herein to refer to processor 2712 and processor 2722, each processor 2712 and processor 2722 may include multiple processors in some embodiments and a single processor in other embodiments. On the other hand, each processor 2712 and processor 2722 may be implemented in the form of hardware (optionally, firmware) having electronic components, for example but not limited to, including one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors and / or one or more varactors configured and used to achieve a specific purpose according to the present invention. In other words, in at least some embodiments, each processor 2712 and processor 2722 is a special-purpose machine specially designed, arranged, and used to perform specific tasks, including transmission of partial bandwidth spectrum reuse in wireless communications according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0097] In some embodiments, the device 2710 may also include a transceiver 2716 coupled to the processor 2712. The transceiver 2716 may include a transmitter capable of wireless transmission and a receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data. In some embodiments, the device 2720 may also include a transceiver 2726 coupled to the processor 2722. The transceiver 2726 may include a transmitter capable of wireless transmission and a receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data.

[0098] In some embodiments, the device 2710 may further include a memory 2714 coupled to the processor 2712, which can be accessed by the processor 2712 and store data therein. In some embodiments, the device 2720 may further include a memory 2724 coupled to 2722, which can be accessed by the processor 2722 and store data therein. Each memory 2714 and memory 2724 may include a type of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), transistor RAM (T-RAM) and / or zero capacitor RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively, each memory 2714 and memory 2724 may include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as shadow ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM) and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, each memory 2714 and memory 2724 may include a type of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) and / or phase change memory.

[0099] Each device 2710 and device 2720 may be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using the scheme proposed according to the present invention. For the purpose of illustration and not limitation, the performance description is provided below with device 2710 as one of STA 110 and STA 120 and device 2720 as the other of STA 110 and STA 120. It is worth noting that although the description of the exemplary embodiment is provided in the context of a WLAN, the same situation can also be implemented in other types of networks.

[0100] Under the transmission scheme for partial-band spectrum reuse in wireless communication according to the present invention, the processor 2712 of the device 2710 can detect that the main channel is busy (e.g., by receiving a frame on the main channel) via the transceiver 2716 for an operating bandwidth having multiple channel segments, the channel segment including the main channel and at least one non-main channel. In addition, in response to detecting that the main channel is busy, the processor 2712 can obtain a TXOP (e.g., a PBSR TXOP) through a first non-main channel of at least one non-main channel via the transceiver 2716. In addition, during the TXOP, the processor 2712 can perform transmission on at least the first non-main channel via the transceiver 2716.

[0101] In some embodiments, when the primary channel is detected to be busy, the processor 2712 may perform certain operations. For example, the processor 2712 may perform channel contention fallback contention on the primary channel to access the medium of the primary channel. In addition, in response to detecting that the primary channel is busy, the processor 2712 may suspend the fallback process.

[0102] In some embodiments, upon detecting that the primary channel is busy, the processor 2712 may receive a frame from a transmission on the primary channel by the OBSS. Alternatively, the processor 2712 may detect that the signal energy on the primary channel is above a detection threshold.

[0103] In some embodiments, upon obtaining a TXOP, the processor 2712 may perform additional operations. For example, the processor 2712 may resume a suspended backoff process or initiate a new backoff process so that the backoff counter counts down on the first non-primary channel. In addition, in response to the backoff counter counting down to 0 on the first non-primary channel, the processor 2712 may initiate a TXOP on the first non-primary channel. In addition, during a specific time interval before the start of the TXOP, based on the medium status of each at least one non-primary channel other than the first non-primary channel. The processor 2712 may determine the bandwidth of the TXOP. In some embodiments, the specific time interval may include a PIFS interval.

[0104] In some embodiments, when resuming a suspended fallback process or initiating a new fallback process, the processor 2712 may execute the fallback process on the first non-primary channel in the selected channel segment. Alternatively, the processor 2712 may execute multiple fallback processes on multiple non-primary channels of at least one non-primary channel in each channel segment.

[0105] In some embodiments, when initiating a TXOP, the processor 2712 may set the duration of the TXOP according to the duration information obtained from the duration of the TXOP or the PPDU length information transmitted by the OBSS in the received frame. Alternatively, the processor 2712 may set the duration of the TXOP to a specific value.

[0106] In some embodiments, while performing transmission on the first non-primary channel, the processor 2712 may perform DL transmission to at least one non-AP device on at least one non-primary channel. Alternatively, the processor 2712 may trigger UL transmission from at least one non-AP device on at least one non-primary channel.

[0107] In some embodiments, upon obtaining a TXOP, the processor 2712 may perform certain operations. For example, the processor 2712 may maintain a first fallback functional state for the primary channel and maintain a second fallback functional state for the first non-primary channel. In addition, the processor 2712 may perform EDCA fallback on the primary channel. In addition, once the primary channel is detected to be busy, the processor 2712 may suspend the EDCA fallback on the primary channel. Moreover, the processor 2712 may store the value of each of the multiple fallback parameters for EDCA fallback on the primary channel as the first fallback functional state. In this case, the multiple fallback parameters may include at least a fallback count, a contention window, and a QoS STA retry count.

[0108] In some embodiments, at least one non-primary channel may include multiple non-primary channels, including a first non-primary channel. In this case, when obtaining a TXOP, the processor 2712 may perform additional operations. For example, by calling a fallback process of at least one fallback process on a corresponding one of the multiple non-primary channels, the processor 2712 may call at least one fallback process. In addition, in response to the respective fallback processes on the first non-primary channel that first counts down to 0 among the multiple non-primary channels, the processor 2712 may select the first non-primary channel to initiate a TXOP thereon.

[0109] In some embodiments, when calling at least one fallback process, the processor 2712 may call at least one fallback process in parallel or sequentially by initiating at least one new fallback process on the primary channel.

[0110] In some embodiments, in the case where the invocation of at least one fallback process involves resuming a suspended fallback process, the respective fallback counter of each at least one fallback process may be initialized based on the first fallback functional state of the primary channel. In some embodiments, in the case where the invocation of at least one fallback process involves initializing a new fallback process for a first non-primary channel, the respective fallback counter of each at least one fallback process may be initialized based on an access category. In some embodiments, the second fallback functional state for the first non-primary channel may be reset. In addition, the previously stored first fallback functional state may be restored on the primary channel.

[0111] In some embodiments, upon obtaining a TXOP, the processor 2712 may perform an exchange of RTS and CTS frames prior to any data or management frame transmission within the TXOP.

[0112] In some embodiments, after the TXOP, the processor 2712 may (1) resume a previously suspended backoff process on the primary channel in response to detecting that the primary channel is busy; or (b) invoke a new backoff process on the primary channel.

[0113] In some embodiments, after the TXOP, when the TXOP on the primary channel is obtained, the processor 2712 may perform an RTS and CTS frame exchange before any data or management frame transmission. In some embodiments, when performing the RTS and CTS frame exchange, the processor 2712 may perform the RTS and CTS frame exchange in response to at least one of the following: (1) the synchronization timer has not expired (if any), and (2) the NAV is not updated by the received PPDU.

[0114] In some embodiments, the processor 2712 may perform additional operations. For example, for each of the plurality of channel segments each having a plurality of channels, the processor 2712 may designate one of the plurality of channels as the primary channel of the respective channel segment to generate a plurality of primary channels of the plurality of channel segments. In addition, the processor 2712 may designate a first primary channel of the plurality of primary channels as the current primary channel of the operating bandwidth, wherein the remaining one or more of the plurality of primary channels are one or more secondary primary channels. In addition, the processor 2712 may detect that the current primary channel of the operating bandwidth is busy. In response, the processor 2712 may obtain another TXOP through the first secondary primary channel of the one or more secondary primary channels.

[0115] In some embodiments, upon obtaining another TXOP through the first auxiliary primary channel, the processor 2712 may perform certain operations. For example, the processor 2712 may perform a respective fallback process on one or more auxiliary primary channels. In addition, the processor 2712 may obtain another TXOP through one of the one or more auxiliary primary channels, which channel first counts down to 0 in the respective fallback process among all one or more auxiliary primary channels. In addition, the processor 2712 may perform transmission on at least one first auxiliary primary channel.

[0116] In some embodiments, the processor 2712 may perform additional operations. For example, for a specific duration, the processor 2712 may designate one of the one or more auxiliary primary channels as a new primary channel for the operating bandwidth. In addition, the processor 2712 may change the current primary channel of the operating bandwidth to one of the one or more auxiliary primary channels.

[0117] Fig.28 An exemplary process 2800 according to the present invention is shown. Process 2800 may represent an aspect of implementing the various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods described above. More specifically, process 2800 may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and schemes for transmission of partial bandwidth spectrum reuse in wireless communications according to the present invention. Process 2800 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions illustrated by one or more blocks 2810, 2820, and 2830. Although shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 2800 may be split into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. In addition, the blocks / sub-blocks of process 2800 may be in Fig.28 The process 2800 may be performed in the order shown or in a different order. In addition, one or more blocks / sub-blocks of the process 2800 may be performed repeatedly or iteratively. The process 2800 may be implemented in or by any variant of the device 2710 and the device 2720. For purposes of illustration only and not limitation, the process 2800 is described in the context of the device 2710 being implemented in or as the STA 110 of the wireless network and the device 2720 being implemented in or as the STA 120, and the wireless network may be a WLAN in the network environment 100 according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards. The process 2800 begins at block 2810.

[0118] At 2810, process 2800 may involve processor 2712 of device 2710 detecting, via transceiver 2716, that a primary channel of an operating bandwidth having a plurality of channel segments including the primary channel and at least one non-primary channel is busy. Process 2800 may proceed from 2810 to 2820.

[0119] At 2820, in response to detecting that the primary channel is busy, process 2800 may involve processor 2712 obtaining a TXOP (eg, a PBSR TXOP) over a first non-primary channel of at least one non-primary channel via transceiver 2716. Process 2800 may proceed from 2820 to 2830.

[0120] At 2830 , process 2800 may involve processor 2712 performing, via transceiver 2712 , transmissions on at least the first non-primary channel during a TXOP.

[0121] In some embodiments, upon detecting that the primary channel is busy, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing certain operations. For example, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing a channel contention fallback process on the primary channel to access the medium on the primary channel. In addition, in response to detecting that the primary channel is busy, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 suspending the fallback process.

[0122] In some embodiments, upon detecting that the primary channel is busy, process 2800 may involve processor 2712 receiving a frame from a transmission by the OBSS on the primary channel. Alternatively, process 2800 may involve processor 2712 detecting that signal energy on the primary channel is above an energy detection threshold.

[0123] In some embodiments, upon obtaining a TXOP, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing additional operations. For example, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 resuming a suspended backoff process or initiating a new backoff process so that the backoff counter counts down to 0 on the first non-primary channel. In addition, in response to the backoff counter counting down to 0 on the first non-primary channel, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 initiating a TXOP on the first non-primary channel. In addition, during a specific time interval before the TXOP starts, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 determining a bandwidth of the TXOP based on a medium state of each of at least one non-primary channel except the first non-primary channel. In some embodiments, the specific time interval may include a PIFS interval.

[0124] In some embodiments, when resuming a suspended fallback process or initiating a new fallback process, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 executing a fallback process on the first non-primary channel in the selected channel segment. Alternatively, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 executing multiple fallback processes on multiple non-primary channels of at least one non-primary channel in the respective channel segment.

[0125] In some embodiments, when initiating a TXOP, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 setting the duration of the TXOP according to the duration of the TXOP or the length information of the PPDU transmitted by the OBSS of the received frame. Alternatively, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 setting the duration of the TXOP to a specific value.

[0126] In some embodiments, while performing transmission on the first non-primary channel, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing a DL transmission to the at least one non-AP device on the at least one non-primary channel. Alternatively, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 triggering a UL transmission from the at least one non-AP device on the at least one non-primary channel.

[0127] In some embodiments, upon obtaining a TXOP, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing certain operations. For example, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 maintaining a first fallback functional state for a primary channel and maintaining a second fallback functional state for a first non-primary channel. In addition, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing EDCA fallback on the primary channel. In addition, once it is detected that the primary channel is busy, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 suspending EDCA fallback on the primary channel. In addition, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 storing the value of each of a plurality of fallback parameters for EDCA fallback on the primary channel as a first fallback functional state. In this case, the plurality of fallback parameters may include at least a fallback count, a contention window, and a QoS retry count.

[0128] In some embodiments, the at least one non-primary channel may include multiple non-primary channels (including a first non-primary channel). In this case, when obtaining a TXOP, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 to perform additional operations. For example, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 to call at least one fallback process by calling the respective fallback process of at least one fallback process on a channel corresponding to the multiple non-primary channels. In addition, in response to the respective fallback process on the first non-primary channel of the multiple non-primary channels first counting down to 0, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 to select the first non-primary channel to initiate the TXOP on it.

[0129] In some embodiments, when invoking at least one fallback process, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 invoking at least one fallback process in parallel or sequentially by initializing at least one new fallback process or resuming a suspended fallback process on the primary channel.

[0130] In some embodiments, in the case where the invocation of at least one fallback process involves resuming a suspended fallback process, the respective fallback counter of each at least one fallback process can be initialized based on the first fallback functional state of the primary channel. In some embodiments, in the case where the invocation of at least one fallback process involves initializing a new fallback process for a first non-primary channel, the respective fallback counter of each at least one fallback process can be initialized based on the access category. In some embodiments, the second fallback functional state for the first non-primary channel can be reset. In addition, the previously stored first fallback functional state can be restored on the primary channel.

[0131] In some embodiments, upon obtaining a TXOP, process 2800 may involve processor 2712 performing RTS and CTS frame exchanges prior to any data or management frame transmissions within the TXOP.

[0132] In some embodiments, after the TXOP, process 2800 may involve processor 2712 (1) resuming a previously suspended fallback process on the primary channel in response to detecting that the primary channel is busy; or (b) invoking a new fallback process on the primary channel.

[0133] In some embodiments, after the TXOP, when the TXOP on the primary channel is obtained, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing RTS and CTS frame exchanges before any data or management frame transmission. In some embodiments, when performing the RTS and CTS frame exchanges, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing the RTS and CTS frame exchanges in response to one of the following situations: (11) an unexpired synchronization timer (if any); and (2) a PPDU update that the NVA is not received

[0134] In some embodiments, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing additional operations. For example, for each of a plurality of channel segments having a plurality of channels per channel segment, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 designating one of the plurality of channels as a primary channel for the respective channel segment to generate a plurality of primary channels for the plurality of channel segments. In addition, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 designating a first primary channel of the plurality of primary channels as a current primary channel for an operating bandwidth, and the remaining one or more of the plurality of primary channels being one or more secondary primary channels. In addition, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 detecting that the current primary channel for the operating bandwidth is busy. In response, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 obtaining another TXOP via a first secondary primary channel of the one or more secondary primary channels.

[0135] In some embodiments, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing certain operations when obtaining another TXOP through the first secondary primary channel. For example, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing respective backoffs on one or more secondary primary channels. In addition, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 obtaining another TXOP through one of the one or more secondary primary channels for which the respective backoff process first counts down to 0. In addition, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing transmissions on at least one first secondary primary channel.

[0136] In some embodiments, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 performing additional operations. For example, for a specific duration, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 designating one of the one or more secondary primary channels as a new primary channel for the operating bandwidth. In addition, the process 2800 may involve the processor 2712 changing the current primary channel of the operating bandwidth to one of the one or more secondary primary channels.

[0137] The subject matter described herein sometimes shows different elements included in or connected to different other elements.It can be understood that the architecture of this depiction is only an example, and in fact many other architectures that realize the same function can be implemented.Conceptually, any arrangement of elements that realize the same function is effectively "associated" so as to realize the desired function.Therefore, any two elements that are combined to realize a specific function herein can be regarded as "associated" to each other so as to realize the desired function, regardless of the architecture or intermediate elements.Similarly, any two elements so associated can also be regarded as "operably connected" or "operably coupled" to each other to realize the desired function, and any two elements that can be so associated can also be regarded as "operably coupled" to each other to realize the desired function.Specific examples of operably coupling include but are not limited to physically matchable and / or physically interactive elements and / or wirelessly understandable and / or wirelessly interactive elements and / or logically interactive and / or logically interactive elements.

[0138] In addition, with respect to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those skilled in the art may appropriately convert from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural, depending on the context and application. For clarity, various singular / plural permutations may be explicitly described herein.

[0139] In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that, in general, the terms used herein, especially the terms used in the appended claims (such as the body of the appended claims), are generally intended to be "open" terms, such as, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to", the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least", the term "includes" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to", etc. Those skilled in the art will further understand that if a specific number of the recited claim statements is intended, such intent will be clearly listed in the claim, and in the absence of such a statement, such intent does not exist. For example, to aid understanding, the subsequent appended claims may include the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim statements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as implying that a claim recitation introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a" or "an", "a" and / or "an" should be construed to mean "at least one" or "one or more", and the same applies to the definite article introducing the claim recitation. In addition, even if a specific number of introduced claim recitations is explicitly recited, a person skilled in the art will recognize that such a recitation should be construed to mean at least one of the recited number, such as the bare recitation of "two recitations" without other modifications means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations. In addition, where a convention similar to "at least one A, B, and C, etc." is used, generally such construction is intended to be understood by a person skilled in the art as "a system having at least one A, B, and C" would include, but is not limited to, a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. In those cases where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, or C" is used, generally such construction is intended to be understood by those skilled in the art, such that "a system has at least one of A, B, or C" will include, but is not limited to, a system having A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. Those skilled in the art will further understand that in fact any separator and / or phrase in the description, claims, or drawings indicating two or more alternative terms will be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both of the terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibility of "A or B" or "A and B".

[0140] It can be understood from the above that various embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for illustrative purposes, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the various embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited, and the true scope and spirit are indicated by the subsequent claims.

Claims

1. A method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission, characterized in that: The method comprises: detecting, by a processor of a device, that a primary channel is busy, wherein the primary channel is part of a basic service set (BSS) operating bandwidth having a plurality of channels including the primary channel and at least one non-primary channel; acquiring, by the processor, a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a first non-primary channel of the at least one non-primary channel in response to the detecting using a backoff procedure; and performing, by the processor, transmission on at least the first non-primary channel during the TXOP, Wherein obtaining the TXOP comprises: In response to a backoff counter of the backoff procedure counting down to zero on the first non-primary channel, initiating the TXOP on the first non-primary channel; and The bandwidth of the TXOP is determined according to a medium status of each of at least one non-primary channel except the first non-primary channel within a specific time interval before the TXOP starts.

2. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: in, Acquiring the TXOP includes: The suspended backoff procedure is resumed or a new backoff procedure is started, so that the backoff counter counts down on the first non-primary channel.

3. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The specific time interval includes a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS) interval.

4. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: in, The resuming of the suspended rollback procedure or starting a new rollback procedure includes: performing a fallback procedure on said first non-primary channel; or A plurality of fallback procedures are performed on a plurality of non-primary channels of the at least one non-primary channel.

5. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: Initiating the TXOP includes: setting the duration of the TXOP according to physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) length information obtained in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) frame received on the primary channel; or The duration of the TXOP is set according to the TXOP duration information obtained in the OBSS frame received on the primary channel.

6. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Acquiring the TXOP further includes: Maintaining a first fallback functional state of the primary channel; Maintain the second fallback function state of the first non-primary channel.

7. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: Acquiring the TXOP further includes: suspending an enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) backoff on the primary channel when the primary channel is detected to be busy; and storing the value of each backoff parameter of a plurality of backoff parameters of EDCA backoff on the primary channel as the first backoff function state, The multiple backoff parameters include at least: a backoff counter, a contention window, and a quality of service (QoS) station (STA) retry counter.

8. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The processor uses the backoff procedure to obtain a new backoff procedure including initializing the first non-primary channel based on an access category and a corresponding backoff counter.

9. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: The second fallback function state of the first non-primary channel is reset after the TXOP acquired on the first non-primary channel ends.

10. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that: At the end of the TXOP acquired on the first non-primary channel, restoring the previously stored first fallback functionality state on the primary channel.

11. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Acquiring the TXOP includes performing an exchange of control frames at a first frame exchange at the beginning of the TXOP.

12. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission according to claim 11, characterized in that: The performing the exchange of control frames comprises performing the exchange of control frames in response to at least one of the following: The synchronization timer has not expired, and The Network Allocation Vector (NAV) is not updated by receiving a Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU).

13. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The channel access mode of the non-AP device on the first non-primary channel is controlled by the AP device to limit contention-based channel access.

14. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that: The EDCA parameters use low priority parameters or the AP device only allows uplink transmission based on triggering.

15. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The device leaves the primary channel and starts a specific time period on the first non-primary channel, wherein the specific time period is determined based on TXOP duration information or PPDU length information obtained from OBSS transmission detected on the primary channel.

16. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that: After the specific time period on the first non-primary channel expires or the device determines that the specific time period is terminated early, the device may resume or initiate contention-based channel access on the primary channel.

17. An apparatus for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission, comprising: a transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly; as well as A processor, coupled to the transceiver, configured to perform operations via the transceiver, including: detecting that the primary channel is busy, the primary channel being a portion of an operating bandwidth having a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels including the primary channel and at least one non-primary channel; In response to the detecting, acquiring a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on a first non-primary channel of the at least one non-primary channel by using a backoff procedure; and performing transmissions on at least the first non-primary channel during the TXOP, Wherein, obtaining the TXOP includes: Resuming a suspended backoff procedure or starting a new backoff procedure so that the backoff counter counts down on the first non-primary channel; and In response to the backoff counter counting down to zero on the first non-primary channel, the TXOP is initiated on the first non-primary channel.

18. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that: Acquiring the TXOP further includes: determining a bandwidth of the TXOP according to a medium state of each of the at least one non-primary channel except the first non-primary channel within a specific time interval before the start of the TXOP, The specific time interval includes a point coordination function (PCF) inter-frame space (PIFS) interval.

19. The method for partial bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that: The resuming of the suspended rollback procedure or starting a new rollback procedure includes: performing a fallback procedure on said first non-primary channel; or A plurality of backoff procedures are respectively performed on a plurality of non-primary channels of the at least one non-primary channel in respective channel segments.

20. The method for fractional bandwidth spectrum multiplexing transmission as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that: Initiating the TXOP includes: The duration of the TXOP is set according to physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) length information or TXOP duration information obtained in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) frame received on the primary channel.

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