Systems and methods related to enhanced broadcast services in multiple access point systems

Abstract

The present application relates to systems and methods related to enhanced broadcast services in multiple access point systems, as disclosed herein there are one or more methods, systems, and / or devices relating to enhanced broadcast services and network optimization. In one example, a wireless network node may send a consumer service discovery request to a station (STA) via an access network query protocol (ANQP), where the STA is not associated with the network node. The network node may receive a consumption service discovery response that includes a set of service IDs and a BSSID of an access point (AP) for each service ID in the set of service IDs, where each service ID in the set of service IDs is a service consumed by the STA. In some cases, the consumption service is an enhanced broadcast service (eBCS), the request is an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS broadcast message, and / or the request is an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS multicast message or a GAS unicast message.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 202180013751.5, filed on January 29, 2021, and entitled “Systems and methods related to enhanced broadcast services in multi-access point systems”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully presented.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 968,413, filed on January 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. Background Art

[0004] In future use cases of wireless communication systems, such as the Beyond 5G (B5G) future home, a wide range of innovative applications and services for people and devices may be needed, including: immersive mixed reality gaming, home security / surveillance (e.g., surveillance via autonomous drones, etc.), home healthcare and aging, holographic communications / holograms on lightweight XR glasses, etc. To realize these use cases, multiple devices with a wide range of capabilities are required, all wirelessly connected via a range of access technologies, cooperating with each other (e.g., using broadcast or multicast services to distribute video, sensor information, and other data). Summary of the invention

[0005] As disclosed herein, there are one or more methods, systems, and / or devices related to enhanced broadcast services and network optimization. In one example, a wireless network node may send a consumption service discovery request to a station (STA) via an access network query protocol (ANQP), wherein the STA is not associated with the network node. The network node may receive a consumption service discovery response, which includes a service ID set and a BSSID of an access point (AP) for each service ID in the service ID set, wherein each service ID in the service ID set is a service consumed by the STA. In some cases, the consumption service is an enhanced broadcast service (eBCS), the request is an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS broadcast message, and / or the request is an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS multicast message or a GAS unicast message. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A more detailed understanding may be obtained from the following description given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1A is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented;

[0008] Figure 1B It is shown that according to one embodiment, Figure 1A A system diagram of an exemplary wireless transmit / receive unit (WTRU) for use within the communication system shown;

[0009] Figure 1C It is shown that according to one embodiment, Figure 1A A system diagram of an exemplary radio access network (RAN) and an exemplary core network (CN) used within the illustrated communication system;

[0010] Figure 1D It is shown that according to one embodiment, Figure 1A A system diagram of another exemplary RAN and another exemplary CN used in the communication system shown;

[0011] Figure 1E is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary multi-AP communication system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented;

[0012] Figure 2 An example of a service query process is shown;

[0013] Figure 3 An example of a service query process is shown, where a broadcast destination address is used in ANQP;

[0014] Figure 4 An example of a service query process is shown, where a multicast address is used for a destination address;

[0015] Figure 5 An example of a service query process for a specific eBCS service is shown;

[0016] Figure 6 is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary multi-AP communication system using eBCS;

[0017] Figure 7 is an example of an optimization process. In one example, this process may optimize the number of APs transmitting a certain eBCS service; and

[0018] Figure 8 An example of an optimization algorithm is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1A1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary communication system 100 in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The communication system 100 may be a multiple access system that provides content such as voice, data, video, messaging, broadcast, etc. to multiple wireless users. The communication system 100 may enable multiple wireless users to access such content through sharing of system resources (including wireless bandwidth). For example, the communication system 100 may employ one or more channel access methods such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), zero tail unique word discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (ZT-UW-DFT-S-OFDM), unique word OFDM (UW-OFDM), resource block filtered OFDM, filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), etc.

[0020] like Figure 1A As shown, the communication system 100 may include wireless transmit / receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, a radio access network (RAN) 104, a core network (CN) 106, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110 and other networks 112, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and / or network elements. Each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to operate and / or communicate in a wireless environment. For example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d (any of which may be referred to as a station (STA)) may be configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals and may include user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a subscription-based unit, a pager, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a netbook, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, a hotspot or Mi-Fi device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a watch or other wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, medical equipment and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial equipment and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or automated process chain environment), a consumer electronic device, a device operating on a commercial and / or industrial wireless network, etc. Any of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d may be interchangeably referred to as a UE.

[0021] The communication system 100 may also include a base station 114a and / or a base station 114b. Each of the base stations 114a, 114b may be any type of device that is configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the CN 106, the Internet 110, and / or other networks 112. By way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS), a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a home NodeB, a home eNodeB, a next generation NodeB such as a gNodeB (gNB), a new radio (NR) NodeB, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless router, and the like. Although the base stations 114a, 114b are each depicted as a single element, it should be appreciated that the base stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base stations and / or network elements.

[0022] The base station 114a may be part of the RAN 104, which may also include other base stations and / or network elements (not shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), a relay node, etc. The base station 114a and / or the base station 114b may be configured to transmit and / or receive wireless signals on one or more carrier frequencies, which may be referred to as a cell (not shown). These frequencies may be in a licensed spectrum, an unlicensed spectrum, or a combination of licensed and unlicensed spectrums. A cell may provide coverage of wireless services to a specific geographic area, which may be relatively fixed or may change over time. The cell may be further divided into cell sectors. For example, a cell associated with the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Therefore, in one embodiment, the base station 114a may include three transceivers, i.e., one transceiver for each sector of the cell. In one embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology and may utilize multiple transceivers for each sector of the cell. For example, beamforming may be used to transmit and / or receive signals in a desired spatial direction.

[0023] The base stations 114a, 114b may communicate with one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d over an air interface 116, which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, centimeter wave, micrometer wave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, etc.). The air interface 116 may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

[0024] More specifically, as noted above, the communication system 100 may be a multiple access system and may employ one or more channel access schemes such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, etc. For example, the base station 114a in the RAN 104 and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), which may use Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) to establish the air interface 116. WCDMA may include communication protocols such as High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA) and / or Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High Speed ​​Downlink (DL) Packet Access (HSDPA) and / or High Speed ​​Uplink (UL) Packet Access (HSUPA).

[0025] In one embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air interface 116 using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and / or Advanced LTE (LTE-A) and / or Advanced LTE Pro (LTE-A Pro).

[0026] In one embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement a radio technology such as NR radio access, which may establish the air interface 116 using NR.

[0027] In one embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement multiple radio access technologies. For example, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement LTE radio access and NR radio access together, for example using dual connectivity (DC) principles. Thus, the air interface utilized by the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be characterized by multiple types of radio access technologies and / or transmissions sent to / from multiple types of base stations (e.g., eNBs and gNBs).

[0028] In other embodiments, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement radio technologies such as IEEE 802.11 (i.e., Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GSM Enhanced Data Rates for Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), etc.

[0029] Figure 1A The base station 114b in the may be, for example, a wireless router, a home Node B, a home eNode B, or an access point (AP), and may utilize any suitable RAT to facilitate wireless connectivity in a local area, such as a business location, a home, a vehicle, a campus, an industrial facility, an air corridor (e.g., for use by drones), a road, and the like. In an embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In an embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment, the base station 114b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d may utilize a cellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR, etc.) to establish a picocell or a femtocell. As Figure 1A As shown, the base station 114 b may have a direct connection to the Internet 110. Therefore, the base station 114 b may not need to access the Internet 110 via the CN 106.

[0030] The RAN 104 may be in communication with the CN 106, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice, data, applications, and / or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. The data may have different quality of service (QoS) requirements, such as different throughput requirements, delay requirements, error tolerance requirements, reliability requirements, data throughput requirements, mobility requirements, etc. The CN 106 may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-based services, pre-paid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and / or perform high-level security functions, such as user authentication. Although not described in detail in the specification, the CN 106 may be configured to provide voice, data, applications, and / or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. Figure 1AAlthough not shown in the figure, it will be appreciated that the RAN 104 and / or the CN 106 may be in direct or indirect communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected to the RAN 104, which may utilize NR radio technology, the CN 106 may also be in communication with another RAN (not shown) that employs GSM, UMTS, CDMA 2000, WiMAX, E-UTRA, or WiFi radio technology.

[0031] The CN 106 may also act as a gateway for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d to access the PSTN 108, the Internet 110, and / or other networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include a circuit-switched telephone network that provides plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 110 may include a global system of interconnected computer networks and devices that use common communication protocols such as the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and / or the Internet Protocol (IP) in the TCP / IP Internet protocol suite. The networks 112 may include wired and / or wireless communication networks owned and / or operated by other service providers. For example, the networks 112 may include another CN connected to one or more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 104 or a different RAT.

[0032] Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the communication system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities (e.g., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may include multiple transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks via different wireless links). Figure 1A The illustrated WTRU 102c may be configured to communicate with the base station 114a, which may employ a cellular-based radio technology, and with the base station 114b, which may employ an IEEE 802 radio technology.

[0033] Figure 1B is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary WTRU 102. Figure 1B As shown, the WTRU 102 may include, among other things, a processor 118, a transceiver 120, a transmit / receive element 122, a speaker / microphone 124, a keypad 126, a display / touchpad 128, non-removable memory 130, removable memory 132, a power source 134, a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 136, and / or other peripherals 138. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may include any subcombination of the foregoing elements while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

[0034] The processor 118 may be a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors associated with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, etc. The processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input / output processing, and / or any other functionality that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be coupled to the transmit / receive element 122. Although Figure 1B The processor 118 and the transceiver 120 are shown as separate components, but it is understood that the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or chip.

[0035] The transmit / receive element 122 may be configured to transmit signals to or receive signals from a base station (e.g., base station 114a) via an air interface 116. For example, in one embodiment, the transmit / receive element 122 may be an antenna configured to transmit and / or receive RF signals. In one embodiment, the transmit / receive element 122 may be a transmitter / detector configured to transmit and / or receive, for example, IR, UV, or visible light signals. In another embodiment, the transmit / receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and / or receive both RF and optical signals. It should be appreciated that the transmit / receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and / or receive any combination of wireless signals.

[0036] Although the transmit / receive element 122 is Figure 1B 102 as a single element, but the WTRU 102 may include any number of transmit / receive elements 122. More specifically, the WTRU 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in one embodiment, the WTRU 102 may include two or more transmit / receive elements 122 (e.g., multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals over the air interface 116.

[0037] The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate signals to be transmitted by the transmit / receive element 122 and to demodulate signals received by the transmit / receive element 122. As noted above, the WTRU 102 may have multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 120 may include multiple transceivers to enable the WTRU 102 to communicate via multiple RATs such as NR and IEEE 802.11, for example.

[0038] The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to and may receive user input data from a speaker / microphone 124, a keypad 126, and / or a display / touchpad 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data to the speaker / microphone 124, the keypad 126, and / or the display / touchpad 128. In addition, the processor 118 may access information from and store data in any type of suitable memory, such as a non-removable memory 130 and / or a removable memory 132. The non-removable memory 130 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card, and the like. In other embodiments, the processor 118 may access information from and store data in a memory that is not physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or a home computer (not shown).

[0039] The processor 118 may receive power from the power source 134, and may be configured to distribute and / or control power to other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may be any suitable device for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the power source 134 may include one or more dry cell batteries (e.g., nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), etc.), solar cells, fuel cells, etc.

[0040] The processor 118 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset 136, which may be configured to provide location information (e.g., longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of the WTRU 102. In addition to or in lieu of the information from the GPS chipset 136, the WTRU 102 may receive location information from a base station (e.g., base stations 114a, 114b) over the air interface 116 and / or determine its location based on the timing of signals received from two or more nearby base stations. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire location information by any suitable location-determination method while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

[0041] The processor 118 may also be coupled to other peripherals 138, which may include one or more software modules and / or hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality, and / or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals 138 may include an accelerometer, an electronic compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera (for photos and / or video), a universal serial bus (USB) port, a vibration device, a television transceiver, a hands-free headset, Module, FM radio unit, digital music player, media player, video game player module, Internet browser, virtual reality and / or augmented reality (VR / AR) device, activity tracker, etc. Peripheral device 138 may include one or more sensors. The sensor may be one or more of the following: gyroscope, accelerometer, Hall effect sensor, magnetometer, orientation sensor, proximity sensor, temperature sensor, time sensor; geographic location sensor, altimeter, light sensor, touch sensor, magnetometer, barometer, gesture sensor, biometric sensor, humidity sensor, etc.

[0042] The WTRU 102 may include a full-duplex radio component for which transmission and reception of some or all signals (e.g., associated with specific subframes used for UL (e.g., for transmission) and DL (e.g., for reception)) may be concurrent and / or simultaneous. The full-duplex radio component may include an interference management unit that is used to reduce and / or substantially eliminate self-interference via hardware (e.g., a choke) or via signal processing performed by a processor (e.g., a separate processor (not shown) or via processor 118). In one embodiment, the WTRU 102 may include a half-duplex radio component for which transmission and reception of some or all signals (e.g., associated with specific subframes used for UL (e.g., for transmission) or DL ​​(e.g., for reception)) may be concurrent and / or simultaneous.

[0043] Figure 1C 1 is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 104 and the CN 106 according to one embodiment. As described above, the RAN 104 may employ an E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also be in communication with the CN 106.

[0044] The RAN 104 may include eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of eNode-Bs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. In an embodiment, the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNode-B 160a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to and / or receive wireless signals from the WTRU 102a.

[0045] Each of the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in the UL and / or DL, etc. Figure 1C As shown, eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may communicate with each other via an X2 interface.

[0046] Figure 1C The illustrated CN 106 may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, a serving gateway (SGW) 164, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW) 166. Although the foregoing elements are depicted as part of the CN 106, it should be understood that any of these elements may be owned and / or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0047] The MME 162 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 162a, 162b, 162c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a control node. For example, the MME 162 may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, bearer activation / deactivation, selecting a particular serving gateway during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, etc. The MME 162 may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as GSM and / or WCDMA.

[0048] The SGW 164 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface. The SGW 164 may generally route and forward user data packets to / from the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. The SGW 164 may perform other functions, such as anchoring the user plane during inter-eNode-B handovers, triggering paging when DL data is available for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, managing and storing the context of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like.

[0049] The SGW 164 may be connected to the PGW 166, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices.

[0050] The CN 106 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications devices. For example, the CN 106 may include, or may be in communication with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the CN 106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to other networks 112, which may include other wired and / or wireless networks owned and / or operated by other service providers.

[0051] Although the WTRU Figures 1A to 1D Although described as a wireless terminal, it is contemplated that in certain representative embodiments, such a terminal may (eg, temporarily or permanently) use a wired communications interface with a communications network.

[0052] In a representative embodiment, the other network 112 may be a WLAN.

[0053] A WLAN in infrastructure basic service set (BSS) mode may have an access point (AP) for a BSS and one or more stations (STAs) associated with the AP. The AP may have access or an interface to a distribution system (DS) or another type of wired / wireless network that carries traffic to and / or carries traffic away from the BSS. Traffic originating from outside the BSS and leading to the STA may be reached by the AP and may be delivered to the STA. Traffic originating from the STA and leading to a destination outside the BSS may be sent to the AP to be delivered to the corresponding destination. Traffic between STAs within the BSS may be sent by the AP, for example, wherein the source STA may send traffic to the AP, and the AP may deliver traffic to the destination STA. Traffic between STAs within the BSS may be considered and / or referred to as point-to-point traffic. Point-to-point traffic may be sent between the source and destination STAs (e.g., directly between them) using a direct link setup (DLS). In certain representative embodiments, the DLS may use 802.11e DLS or 802.11z tunnel DLS (TDLS). A WLAN using an independent BSS (IBSS) mode may not have an AP, and STAs (eg, all STAs) within or using the IBSS may communicate directly with each other. The IBSS communication mode may sometimes be referred to herein as an "ad-hoc" communication mode.

[0054] When using the 802.11ac infrastructure operating mode or a similar operating mode, the AP may transmit a beacon on a fixed channel (such as a primary channel). The primary channel may be a fixed width (e.g., a 20 MHz wide bandwidth) or a dynamically set width. The primary channel may be an operating channel of the BSS and may be used by the STA to establish a connection with the AP. In certain representative embodiments, carrier sense multiple access / collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) may be implemented, for example, in an 802.11 system. For CSMA / CA, a STA (e.g., each STA) (including the AP) may sense the primary channel. If the primary channel is sensed / detected and / or determined to be busy by a particular STA, the particular STA may back off. One STA (e.g., only one station) may transmit at any given time in a given BSS.

[0055] High throughput (HT) STAs may communicate using a 40 MHz wide channel, for example, via a combination of a primary 20 MHz channel and adjacent or non-adjacent 20 MHz channels to form a 40 MHz wide channel.

[0056] Very high throughput (VHT) STA can support 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz and / or 160MHz wide channels. 40MHz and / or 80MHz channels can be formed by combining continuous 20MHz channels. A 160MHz channel can be formed by combining 8 continuous 20MHz channels, or by combining two non-continuous 80MHz channels (this can be called 80+80 configuration). For the 80+80 configuration, after channel coding, the data can pass through a segment parser that can divide the data into two streams. Each stream can be processed by inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) and time domain processing separately. These streams can be mapped to two 80MHz channels, and data can be transmitted by transmitting STA. At the receiver of the receiving STA, the above-mentioned operation for the 80+80 configuration can be reversed, and the combined data can be sent to the medium access control (MAC).

[0057] 802.11af and 802.11ah support operating modes below 1GHz. Channel operating bandwidths and carriers are reduced in 802.11af and 802.11ah relative to those used in 802.11n and 802.11ac. 802.11af supports 5MHz, 10MHz, and 20MHz bandwidths in the TV White Space (TVWS) spectrum, and 802.11ah supports 1MHz, 2MHz, 4MHz, 8MHz, and 16MHz bandwidths using non-TVWS spectrum. According to a representative embodiment, 802.11ah may support meter type control / machine type communication (MTC), such as MTC devices in macro coverage areas. MTC devices may have certain capabilities, such as limited capabilities, including support for (e.g., only support for) certain bandwidths and / or limited bandwidths. MTC devices may include batteries with battery life above a threshold (e.g., to maintain very long battery life).

[0058] WLAN systems that can support multiple channels and channel bandwidths such as 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11af, and 802.11ah include channels that can be designated as primary channels. The primary channel may have a bandwidth equal to the maximum common operating bandwidth supported by all STAs in the BSS. The bandwidth of the primary channel may be set and / or limited by a STA (which supports the minimum bandwidth operating mode) from all STAs operating in the BSS. In the example of 802.11ah, for STAs (e.g., MTC-type devices) that support (e.g., only support) 1MHz mode, the primary channel may be 1MHz wide, even if the AP and other STAs in the BSS support 2MHz, 4MHz, 8MHz, 16MHz, and / or other channel bandwidth operating modes. Carrier sensing and / or network allocation vector (NAV) settings may depend on the state of the primary channel. If the primary channel is busy, for example, because a STA (supporting only the 1MHz operating mode) is transmitting to the AP, all available frequency bands may be considered busy even if most of the available frequency bands remain idle.

[0059] In the United States, the available frequency band for 802.11ah is 902MHz to 928MHz. In South Korea, the available frequency band is 917.5MHz to 923.5MHz. In Japan, the available frequency band is 916.5MHz to 927.5MHz. The total bandwidth available for 802.11ah is 6MHz to 26MHz, depending on the country code.

[0060] Figure 1D 1 is a system diagram illustrating the RAN 104 and the CN 106 according to one embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104 may employ NR radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also be in communication with the CN 106.

[0061] The RAN 104 may include gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of gNBs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. In an embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement MIMO technology. For example, the gNBs 180a, 180b may utilize beamforming to transmit signals to and / or receive signals from the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c. Thus, the gNB 180a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to and / or receive wireless signals from the WTRU 102a. In an embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement carrier aggregation techniques. For example, the gNB 180a may transmit multiple component carriers (not shown) to the WTRU 102a. A subset of these component carriers may be on an unlicensed spectrum, while the remaining component carriers may be on a licensed spectrum. In an embodiment, the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may implement coordinated multi-point (CoMP) techniques. For example, the WTRU 102a may receive coordinated transmissions from the gNB 180a and the gNB 180b (and / or the gNB 180c).

[0062] The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using transmissions associated with scalable parameter sets. For example, OFDM symbol spacing and / or OFDM subcarrier spacing may vary for different transmissions, different cells, and / or different portions of the wireless transmit spectrum. The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using subframes or Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs) of varying or scalable lengths (e.g., containing varying numbers of OFDM symbols and / or varying absolute time lengths over time).

[0063] The gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be configured to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c in a standalone configuration and / or a non-standalone configuration. In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c while also not accessing other RANs (e.g., such as the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c). In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may use one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c as mobility anchor points. In a standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c using signals in an unlicensed band. In a non-standalone configuration, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may communicate or be connected with the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c while also communicating or being connected with other RANs, such as the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c. For example, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may implement the DC principle to communicate with one or more gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c and one or more eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c substantially simultaneously. In a non-standalone configuration, the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may serve as mobility anchors for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may provide additional coverage and / or throughput for serving the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c.

[0064] Each of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c may be associated with a specific cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in UL and / or DL, support of network slicing, interworking between DC, NR, and E-UTRA, routing of user plane data towards a user plane function (UPF) 184a, 184b, routing of control plane information towards an access and mobility management function (AMF) 182a, 182b, etc. Figure 1D As shown, gNBs 180a, 180b, and 180c may communicate with each other via an Xn interface.

[0065] Figure 1DThe illustrated CN 106 may include at least one AMF 182a, 182b, at least one UPF 184a, 184b, at least one session management function (SMF) 183a, 183b, and possible data networks (DNs) 185a, 185b. Although the aforementioned elements are depicted as part of the CN 106, it should be understood that any of these elements may be owned and / or operated by an entity other than the CN operator.

[0066] The AMF 182a, 182b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c via the N2 interface in the RAN 104 and may serve as a control node. For example, the AMF 182a, 182b may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c, support of network slicing (e.g., handling of different protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with different requirements), selecting a specific SMF 183a, 183b, management of registration areas, termination of non-access stratum (NAS) signaling, mobility management, etc. The AMF 182a, 182b may use network slicing in order to customize CN support for the WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c based on the type of services used by the WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c. For example, different network slices may be established for different use cases, such as services relying on ultra-reliable low latency (URLLC) access, services relying on enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) access, services for MTC access, etc. The AMF 182a, 182b may provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, and / or non-3GPP access technologies, such as WiFi.

[0067] The SMF 183a, 183b may be connected to the AMF 182a, 182b in the CN 106 via the N11 interface. The SMF 183a, 183b may also be connected to the UPF 184a, 184b in the CN 106 via the N4 interface. The SMF 183a, 183b may select and control the UPF 184a, 184b, and configure traffic routing through the UPF 184a, 184b. The SMF 183a, 183b may perform other functions such as managing and allocating UE IP addresses, managing PDU sessions, controlling policy enforcement and QoS, providing DL data notifications, etc. The PDU session type may be IP-based, non-IP-based, Ethernet-based, etc.

[0068] The UPF 184a, 184b may be connected to one or more of the gNBs 180a, 180b, 180c in the RAN 104 via the N3 interface, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices. The UPF 184, 184b may perform other functions, such as routing and forwarding packets, enforcing user plane policies, supporting multi-homed PDU sessions, handling user plane QoS, buffering DL packets, providing mobility anchoring, etc.

[0069] The CN 106 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the CN 106 may include or may communicate with an IP gateway (e.g., an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the CN 106 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the CN 106 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to other networks 112, which may include other wired and / or wireless networks owned and / or operated by other service providers. In one embodiment, the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c may be connected to the DNs 185a, 185b via the UPFs 184a, 184b via the N3 interfaces to the UPFs 184a, 184b and the N6 interfaces between the UPFs 184a, 184b and the local DNs 185a, 185b.

[0070] Figure 1E is a system diagram illustrating an exemplary multi-AP communication system in which one or more disclosed embodiments may be implemented. Figure 1E As shown, the multi-AP system 191 may include multiple base stations, such as access points (APs). The access point may also include additional functions, such as a gateway or a router. One or more APs of the multi-AP system 191 may be part of a mesh WiFi network or include a mesh WiFi network. WTRU 102a and / or 102b may communicate with one or more APs of the multi-AP system 191. For example, WTRU 102a may communicate with AP 190a and / or AP 190b; WTRU 102b may communicate with AP 190b and / or AP 190c. WTRU 102a / 102b may be associated with one or more APs of the multi-AP system 191, and / or WTRU 102a / 102b may not be associated with one or more APs of the multi-AP system 191. APs of a multi-AP system may provide other network access to other APs and / or WTRUs, where the other network may be the Internet, a closed-loop local network, etc. Although Figure 1EA limited number of WTRUs and APs are shown, but it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base stations, APs, networks, and / or other network elements. Each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be any type of device configured to operate and / or communicate in a wireless environment. For example, the WTRUs 102a / 102b may be referred to as stations (STAs) in an 802.11 wireless network. Each AP of the multi-system AP may communicate with each other wirelessly or wired.

[0071] Given that Figures 1A to 1E as well as Figures 1A to 1E Corresponding to the description of the present invention, one or more or all of the functions described herein with reference to one or more of the following may be performed by one or more simulation devices (not shown): WTRU102a-d, base station 114a-b, eNode-B 160a-c, MME 162, SGW 164, PGW 166, gNB 180a-c, AMF 182a-b, UPF 184a-b, SMF 183a-b, DN 185a-b, AP 190a-c and / or any other device described herein. The simulation device may be one or more devices configured to emulate one or more or all of the functions described herein. For example, the simulation device may be used to test other devices and / or simulate network and / or WTRU functions.

[0072] The simulation device may be designed to implement one or more tests of other devices in a laboratory environment and / or an operator network environment. For example, the one or more simulation devices may perform one or more or all functions while being fully or partially implemented and / or deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network in order to test other devices within the communication network. The one or more simulation devices may perform one or more functions or all functions while being temporarily implemented / deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. The simulation device may be directly connected to another device for testing purposes and / or perform testing using over-the-air wireless communications.

[0073] The one or more simulation devices may perform one or more (including all) functions without being implemented / deployed as part of a wired and / or wireless communication network. For example, the simulation device may be used in a test scenario in a test lab and / or a non-deployed (e.g., testing) wired and / or wireless communication network to implement testing of one or more components. The one or more simulation devices may be test equipment. Direct RF coupling and / or wireless communication via RF circuits (e.g., which may include one or more antennas) may be used by the simulation device to transmit and / or receive data.

[0074] IEEE 802.11bc specifies modifications to the IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) specification that enable enhanced transmission and reception of broadcast data in infrastructure BSSs where there is an association between transmitters and receivers, and in situations where there is no association between transmitters and receivers. This scenario may be referred to as enhanced broadcast service (eBCS).

[0075] IEEE 802.11bc use cases extend to B5G future homes, such as: stadium video distribution, low-power sensor UL broadcast, smart traffic broadcast, broadcast services for event production, multi-language and emergency broadcast, VR e-sports video distribution, multi-channel data distribution, lecture room slide distribution, area-based broadcast TV services, and AP-tagged UL forwarding.

[0076] Stadium video distribution may be used to provide enhanced broadcast service (eBCS) of video to a large number of densely located WTRUs. These WTRUs may or may not be associated with an AP, or may be non-transmitting WTRUs.

[0077] Low-power sensor uplink (UL) broadcasts can be used to pre-configure IoT devices to automatically connect to end servers through eBCS APs without any setup operations. This feature includes low-power IoT devices on the move reporting to their servers through eBCS APs without the need for scanning and association.

[0078] Intelligent traffic broadcasting can be used in connected vehicle roadside equipment (RSE), connected vehicles (OBE) and / or personal information devices (PID) to provide eBCS services for traffic-related information at railway crossings or RSE to provide eBCS services for local traveler information.

[0079] Broadcast services for event production may be used to provide eBCS for multiple data streams suitable for different client WTRUs. The number of WTRUs may be large and these WTRUs may be static or mobile.

[0080] Multi-language services and / or emergency broadcast services may be provided to a large number of densely located WTRUs using eBCS. These WTRUs may or may not be associated with an AP, or may be non-transmitting WTRUs. These WTRUs may be static or mobile.

[0081] VR eSports video distribution can be used in VR eSports gaming locations, such as arenas, where eBCS can distribute player-perspective video to viewers.

[0082] eBCS can make it possible to use multi-channel data distribution in APs that broadcast the same information in different languages ​​each in a dedicated channel. The user can select one of the channels.

[0083] Lecture Room Slide Distribution can be used to distribute the slides on the screen to the audience PCs, tablets, etc. at the same time. The audience does not need to download the audio-visual teaching materials and change the pages. The slides are distributed synchronously to all students or audience members.

[0084] Area-based broadcast TV services are available for local news and TV content to be distributed to consumer BYOD devices (non-TV receivers) by small local TV companies. In the event of a disaster, evacuation information will be distributed without complex customer operations.

[0085] AP-tagged UL forwarding can be used for pre-configured low-cost, low-power tracker devices to automatically connect to eBCS APs in the neighborhood through eBCS APs without setup operations. Tracker devices periodically report to their servers through eBCS APs without scanning and association. eBCS APs append metadata (e.g., such as IP, date / time, location, RSSI, etc.) to packets before forwarding them to the destination server. Metadata from eBCS APs may be protected.

[0086] In order to manage the network, given that the network may be serving both associated and non-associated WTRUs, a mechanism is needed to query the WTRUs for the services being consumed.

[0087] There is also a need for a mechanism to facilitate discovery of WTRUs consuming a particular broadcast service.In some cases, a WTRU may or may not be associated with a querying entity.

[0088] An IEEE 802.11bc network may include one or more APs that broadcast one or more services in an area (e.g., a stadium or a B5G home). These services may include, for example, sensor and context information for the area. In order to optimize the network and not consume unnecessary resources, an 802.11bc network requires a mechanism that can determine which services a WTRU is consuming, regardless of whether they are associated with the network. Therefore, non-associated WTRU information may not be provided directly to the AP.

[0089] In one or more embodiments, there may be systems and processes for discovering eBCS services consumed by unassociated / associated WTRUs using the Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP). In order to use ANQP to discover services provided by unassociated / associated STAs, a legacy ANQP element may include a query type and a response type. For example, see Table 1. For reference, the Q element is an ANQP request, the SQ element is an ANQP response, the T element may be transmitted by a MAC entity, the R element may be received by a MAC entity, and the G is a group-addressed ANQP request / response that may be transmitted and received by a MAC entity.

[0090]

[0091] Table 1

[0092] Once the ANQP elements are defined, elements are needed to be carried in the Generic Advertisement Service (GAS) frame. Thus, the eBCSWTRU Consumption Discovery Request can be used by an AP to query nearby unassociated and associated WTRUs to discover the services they are consuming. An example of this is shown in Table 2 below.

[0093]

[0094] Table 2

[0095] The Service ID List contains a list of service identifiers of the identified services that the AP requests the WTRU to report. Table 3 shows an example format.

[0096] Number of elements eBCS ID List Octet 1 variable

[0097] Table 3

[0098] The number of elements field may indicate the number of elements in the eBCS ID List. For example, the eBCS ID List field contains a list of identifiers of eBCS services that may be mapped to actual packets received by the WTRU. Each eBCS ID List element may follow the format indicated in Table 4.

[0099] type element Octet 1 variable

[0100] Table 4

[0101] The Type field may indicate the type of ID used in this element of the eBCS ID List and may take the form

[0102] The values ​​specified in Table 5.

[0103] type describe Element length (bits) 0 UDP / IPv4 Address 48 (32 bits for IPv4 + 16 bits for UDP port) 1 UDP / IPv6 Address 144 (128 bits for IPv6 + 16 bits for UDP port) 2 MPEG Transport Stream Identifier 32 3 MAC Address 48 4-15 reserve -

[0104] Table 5

[0105] The element field may include the actual identifier of type and length as defined in Table 5. In case of types 0 and 1, the format of the element includes a first element with the IP address and a 2-byte second element containing the UDP port used.

[0106] Using a service ID list enables the AP to periodically query the station for consumption of a particular service. This enables the AP to stop the service if there is no WTRU listening for the service.

[0107] For the request message, there may be a corresponding eBCS WTRU Consumed Services Discovery Response message. This ANQP element may correspond to the response to the previous frame's "eBCS STA Consumed Services Discovery Request" and may provide a mechanism for the WTRU to provide information to the AP about the eBCS services that the WTRU is consuming, including associated and unassociated STAs.

[0108] The format of this ANQP element is shown in Table 6:

[0109]

[0110] Table 6

[0111] The Per-AP Service ID List may contain a list of service identifiers that the WTRU consumes based on requests from the AP. Its format is shown in Table 7.

[0112]

[0113] Table 7

[0114] The Number of Elements field may indicate the number of elements in the per-AP eBCS ID list.

[0115] The Per-AP eBCS ID List field may contain a list of identifiers for eBCS services that may be mapped to actual packets received by the WTRU. The list of identifiers is preceded by the BSSID of the AP providing the eBCS service. Each eBCS ID List element follows the format indicated in Table 8.

[0116] BSSID type element Octet 6 1 variable

[0117] Table 8

[0118] The Type field may indicate the type of ID used in this element of the eBCS ID List and may take the form

[0119] The values ​​specified in Table 9 are:

[0120] type describe Element length (bits) 0 UDP / IPv4 Address 48 (32 bits for IPv4 + 16 bits for UDP port) 1 UDP / IPv6 Address 144 (128 bits for IPv6 + 16 bits for UDP port) 2 MPEG Transport Stream Identifier 32 3 MAC Address 48 4-15 reserve -

[0121] Table 9

[0122] The element field may include the actual identifier of type and length as defined in Table 3. In case of types 0 and 1, the format of the element includes a first element with the IP address and a 2-byte second element containing the UDP port used.

[0123] A predefined multicast address for communicating with pre-associated eBCS WTRUs may be used in some scenarios. Using ANQP over the GAS transport protocol may have some limitations, such as all frames are transmitted over a broadcast address. Therefore, all WTRUs in the area (e.g., unassociated or associated) may need to process the message.

[0124] To address this issue, a predefined groupcast address (eg, multicast) may be used for control messages of the eBCS sites in both the associated and pre-associated states.

[0125] In this way, all eBCS control and management frames may address this specific address using the GAS based on the multicast address.

[0126] Specific queries for associated WTRUs known to the AP may use the same message sent to a specific unicast address for the WTRU.

[0127] Figure 2 An example of a service query process is shown. In a wireless communication system, there may be one or more network nodes, such as one or more APs (e.g., 211Ap), which need to determine the service capabilities of sites (e.g., 202WTRU) in an area. This determination can be performed using a query process. Typically, a query request can be sent via an access network query protocol (ANQP). The ANQP can be encapsulated in a general announcement service (GAS). Typically, a GAS exchange may include a query request and a query response. Typically, in the examples discussed herein, the WTRU may be an unassociated STA or an associated STA.

[0128] refer to Figure 2 In an example, 211AP may send 221 a query message 221, such as a service request, to 202WTRU, which in turn may respond to 211AP with a message 222, such as a service response. As discussed herein, one or more processes may use this request / response dialogue to obtain eBCS service consumption information from a STA. Although Figure 2Not shown in the example of , but there may be more than one AP and more than one WTRU. For example, 211 the AP may send a request to multiple WTRUs. Additionally / alternatively, 201 the WTRU may receive request messages from multiple APs.

[0129] Figure 3 An example of a service query process is shown, where a broadcast destination address is used in ANQP. As previously described, there is a message exchange: a query request and a query response. 311AP may send a message 321 requesting that an eBCS WTRU consume service discovery. In one example, the request message 321 may be an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS. The request message 321 may be received by all WTRUs in the channel. Also in this example, the request message 321 may be sent to all STAs, but the message is targeted to STAs that consume eBCS (e.g., 301WTRU) and not to STAs that do not consume eBCS (e.g., 302WTRU). If the receiving WTRU consumes eBCS (e.g., 301WTRU), the 301WTRU may process the message 321 and send a message 322 of an eBCS STA consumption service discovery request response. In one example, the response message 322 may be an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS. Note that the 302WTRU does not consume eBCS, and therefore, the 302WTRU may determine that it does not need to respond to the 311AP. In this example, the 311AP may not include any specific eBCS service (e.g., eBCS ID) in the request message 321; in this case, the 301WTRU may report all eBCS services (e.g., eBCS IDs) that it is consuming. The response message 322 may also include the BSSID of the AP associated with the eBCS service being consumed by the 301WTRU; although not shown, in a multi-AP system, there may be multiple APs providing eBCS services to the 301WTRU.

[0130] Figure 4 An example of a service query process is shown in FIG, where a multicast address is used for the destination address. This may be similar to Figure 3 In the example of , there is an AP 411 that sends a request message 421, and at least two WTRUs, namely a WTRU 401 that consumes eBCS and a WTRU 402 that does not consume eBCS. Figure 4 In the example of 401, the request message 421 is sent using a multicast address for WTRUs consuming eBCS (e.g., 401 WTRU). Therefore, only eBCS WTRUs may listen to this address, and ANQP queries do not need to be processed by all WTRUs in the channel (e.g., 402 WTRU), thereby reducing overhead. Therefore, 401 WTRU may send a message similar to Figure 3 A response message 422 of a response message (e.g., 322) is sent. Similarly, Figure 3 For example, 411 the AP may not include any specific eBCS services in the request. Therefore, the WTRU may report all eBCS services that it may be consuming.

[0131] Figure 5 An example of a service query process for a specific eBCS service is shown. This can be similar to Figure 3 In the example of , there is an AP 511 sending a request message 521, and at least two WTRUs, namely a WTRU 501 that consumes eBCS and a WTRU 502 that does not consume eBCS. Figure 5 In the example of 511, the AP may specify a specific eBCS service in the request message 521. For example, the request message 521 may include an eBCS STA consumption service discovery request that specifies each service using its corresponding eBCS ID (e.g., via an ANQP query encapsulated in GAS). In response, the WTRU consuming the eBCS service may process the message and send a response message 522. For example, the response message 522 may include an eBCS STA consumption service discovery response that specifies the eBCS ID and the associated BSSID of the AP that sent the service of the specific eBCS ID (e.g., via an ANQP query encapsulated in GAS). In this way, in the case of a multi-AP eBCS system scenario, the eBCS system (e.g., 511AP) can learn / determine which WTRUs are consuming a certain service (e.g., eBCS ID) and which AP (e.g., BSSID) the service is from.

[0132] Figure 6 6 is a system diagram showing an exemplary multi-AP communication system using eBCS. Specifically, the multi-AP system 691 may include multiple APs (e.g., 611, 612, and 613). These APs may each communicate with one or more WTRUs (e.g., 601 and 602). Figure 6 In FIG. 6 , there is an example of an eBCS multi-AP system / network 691. Each AP may send the same or different services, each service having an identifier (e.g., eBCS-ID 660). One or more services are broadcast by three APs 611, 612, 613, and two WTRUs 601, 602 are consuming the one or more services.

[0133] In one or more embodiments, there may be techniques for optimizing wireless networks such as eBCS multi-AP systems / networks using one or more of the query response / request eBCS related processes discussed herein. The optimization of the network may be based on an understanding of the services consumed by the WTRU and the APs that provide the services.

[0134] Figure 7 is an example of an optimization process. In one example, this process may optimize the number of APs that send a certain eBCS service. As discussed herein, an AP may consume a service discovery request using an eBCS WTRU to gather information about the eBCS services consumed by the eBCS WTRU. Once the request reaches the WTRU, the WTRU may respond with a response that includes a list of eBCS services / eBCS service sets consumed and the AP from which the consumed services originated. Although this is presented from the perspective of an AP network node, Figure 7 example, but the same process can be performed by WTRU for the purpose of optimization.

[0135] As shown, the optimization process 700 may begin by sending 701 a request from a network node (e.g., an AP) to one or more eBCS WTRUs to request information about the eBCS (e.g., the request may be specific to an eBCS ID, or may be a non-specific search for all eBCS IDs consumed by the WTRU). At 702, the network node may receive a response with information about the WTRUs consuming the eBCS IDs and their corresponding source APs (e.g., BSSIDs). At 703, the network node may evaluate whether all responding WTRUs may be served using fewer APs. At 704, the network node may send an instruction to reconfigure the network based on the evaluation, or may perform an operation to reconfigure the network based on the evaluation. In some cases, the optimization may be repeated periodically or aperiodically.

[0136] Figure 8 An example of an optimization algorithm is shown. Based on the collected information (e.g., such as response messages or evaluations as discussed herein), an optimization algorithm can be used to best balance the services distributed by each AP belonging to the eBCS multi-AP system. This optimization is related to energy efficiency and optimizes the time when the channel is busy.

[0137] according to Figure 8 In an example, in the algorithm, the AP and eBCS variables may be binary. The AP variable may represent the use of the AP. If the AP is always active, the AP variable may be set to 1, and if it is not used to broadcast any eBSC services, it may take a value of 0. The eBCS variable may be set to contain a binary variable representing the consumption of service i sent by AP j and consumed by STA k. The exemplary algorithm may be a binary linear optimization problem, and a heuristic may be found to produce near-optimal results in an online manner.

[0138] In one example, again referring to Figure 6In the case shown, if, after an optimization process as discussed herein, the network has been optimized such that service 660d is no longer needed, then eBCS ID 660d may be stopped and 613Ap will not provide service 660d to 602WTRU. As mentioned, optimization may be performed again, and in one example, 660d may be restarted, or another service may be stopped. In general, after an optimization process has been performed, there may be information about what each AP sends to each STA in a given area (e.g., because this information may be collected from STAs that are not necessarily associated with the querying device); based on this information, a network node (e.g., an AP or WTRU) may be able to perform one or more actions related to network management (e.g., shutting down one AP and sending services previously sent through the now-shutdown AP through another AP).

[0139] In one example, there may be an 802.11 network, method, and process for providing information related to eBCS services. The process may begin with a WTRU receiving a request from an access point (AP) for information related to an eBCS service that the WTRU is consuming. The WTRU may then send a response that includes an indication of the eBCS service that the WTRU is consuming. The response may include an indication of at least one AP from which the eBCS that the WTRU is consuming originates. The request may be an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS broadcast message. The request may be an ANQP query encapsulated in a GAS multicast message. The eBCS service may include at least one of the following: a stadium video distribution service, a low power sensor UL broadcast service, an intelligent traffic broadcast service, a broadcast service for event production services, a multi-language and emergency broadcast service, a VR e-sports video distribution service, a multi-channel data distribution service, a lecture room slide distribution service, a region-based broadcast TV service, and an AP-tagged UL forwarding service. The network may use the response to reconfigure which APs provide eBCS services to the WTRU.

[0140] In one example, a wireless network node (e.g., an AP, a STA, a WTRU, a virtual entity, etc.) may perform a method for investigating services being consumed in an area. The network node may send a consumption service discovery request to a station (STA), where the STA is not associated with the network node. The network node may then receive a consumption service discovery response, which includes a service ID set and a BSSID of an access point (AP) for each service ID in the service ID set, where each service ID in the service ID set is a service consumed by the STA. In some cases, the consumed service may be an enhanced broadcast service (eBCS). In some cases, the consumption service discovery request is an access network query protocol (ANQP) query encapsulated in a general advertising service (GAS) broadcast message. In some cases, the consumption service discovery request is an access network query protocol (ANQP) query encapsulated in a general advertising service (GAS) multicast message or a GAS unicast message. In some cases, the consumption service discovery request includes a specific service ID set, and the service ID set received in the consumption service discovery response includes only the services consumed by the STA indicated in the specific service ID set. In some cases, the service ID set received in the consumption service discovery response includes the service IDs and associated BSSIDs of all services consumed by the STA. In some cases, the consumption service discovery request is sent to a multicast address. In some cases, the multicast address is specific to any STA that consumes eBCS. In some cases, the network node can optimize the resources of a wireless network, which includes an AP that provides eBCS services based on the consumption service discovery response, wherein the wireless network node is an AP of a multi-AP system. The optimization can be performed by sending instructions and / or control signaling to the AP providing the service. In some cases, the eBCS service includes at least one of the following: a stadium video distribution service, a low-power sensor uplink broadcast service, an intelligent traffic broadcast service, a broadcast service for event production services, a multilingual and emergency broadcast service, a virtual reality e-sports video distribution service, a multi-channel data distribution service, a lecture room slide distribution service, a regional-based broadcast TV service, and an uplink forwarding service tagged by an AP.

[0141] In one example, a wireless network node (e.g., an AP, a STA, a WTRU, a virtual entity, etc.) may perform a method for providing survey information about services consumed by a network node in an area. In some cases, the method may be implemented by an enhanced broadcast service (eBCS) station (STA). The STA may receive a consumption service discovery request from a network node, wherein the STA is not associated with the network node. The STA may send a consumption service discovery response, which includes a service ID set and a BSSID of an access point (AP) for each service ID in the service ID set, wherein each service ID in the service ID set is a service consumed by an eBCSSTA. In some cases, the consumed service may be an enhanced broadcast service (eBCS). In some cases, the consumption service discovery request is an access network query protocol (ANQP) query encapsulated in a general announcement service (GAS) broadcast message. In some cases, the consumption service discovery request is an access network query protocol (ANQP) query encapsulated in a general announcement service (GAS) multicast message or a GAS unicast message. In some cases, the consumption service discovery request includes a specific service ID set, and the service ID set received in the consumption service discovery response includes only the services consumed by the STA indicated in the specific service ID set. In some cases, the service ID set received in the consumption service discovery response includes the service IDs and associated BSSIDs of all services consumed by the STA. In some cases, the consumption service discovery request is sent to a multicast address. In some cases, the multicast address is specific to any STA consuming the eBCS. In some cases, the eBCS service includes at least one of the following: stadium video distribution service, low power sensor uplink broadcast service, intelligent traffic broadcast service, broadcast service for event production service, multilingual and emergency broadcast service, virtual reality e-sports video distribution service, multi-channel data distribution service, lecture room slide distribution service, regional broadcast TV service and AP tagged uplink forwarding service.

[0142] Although features and elements are described above in specific combinations, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that each feature or element may be used alone or in any combination with other features and elements. In addition, the methods described herein may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted via a wired or wireless connection) and computer-readable storage media. Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), registers, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media (such as built-in hard disks and removable disks), magneto-optical media, and optical media (such as CD-ROM disks and digital versatile disks (DVDs)). A processor associated with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for a WTRU, UE, terminal, base station, RNC, or any host computer.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a wireless network node, the method comprising: Sending a consumption service discovery request to a station (STA), wherein the STA is not associated with the network node; as well as A consumed service discovery response is received, the consumed service discovery response including a service ID set and a BSSID of an access point (AP) for each service ID in the service ID set, wherein each service ID in the service ID set is a service consumed by the STA.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the consumer service is an enhanced broadcast service (eBCS).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the consumer service discovery request is an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query encapsulated in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) broadcast message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the consumer service discovery request is an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) query encapsulated in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) multicast message or a GAS unicast message.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the consumed service discovery request includes a specific service ID set, and the service ID set received in the consumed service discovery response includes only services consumed by the STA indicated in the specific service ID set.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the service ID set received in the consumed service discovery response includes service IDs and associated BSSIDs of all services consumed by the STA. The method of claim 2 , wherein the consumer service discovery request is sent to a multicast address.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the multicast address is specific to any STA consuming the eBCS.

9. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The resources of the wireless network node are optimized based on the consumed service discovery response, wherein the wireless network node is an AP of the multi-AP system.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the eBCS service includes at least one of the following: stadium video distribution service, low power sensor uplink broadcast service, intelligent traffic broadcast service, broadcast service for event production service, multi-language and emergency broadcast service, virtual reality e-sports video distribution service, multi-channel data distribution service, lecture room slide distribution service, area-based broadcast TV service and AP-tagged uplink forwarding service.

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