Enhanced bandwidth perforation

Abstract

The invention provides a method, equipment and a system for enhanced bandwidth puncturing. Some implementations are more particularly directed to perforated channel indication that supports an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 be modified version according to the IEEE 802.11 standard and channel perforation over a bandwidth range achievable by future several generations. In some implementations, an access point (AP) may communicate static perforated channel information to each associated wireless station (STA) in its BSS. In some other implementations, a transmit opportunity (TXOP) owner may communicate dynamic perforated channel information to a TXOP responder with which it is intended to communicate. Yet further, in some implementations, the TXOP responder may communicate additional perforated channel information to the TXOP holder in response to the dynamic perforated channel information.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with a filing date of September 14, 2021, application number 202180062050.0 (international application number PCT / US2021 / 050178), and name “Enhanced Bandwidth Perforation”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 079,455, filed on September 16, 2020, entitled “ENHANCED BANDWIDTH PUNCTURING”, and U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17 / 473,186, filed on September 13, 2021, entitled “ENHANCED BANDWIDTH PUNCTURING”, both of which are assigned to the assignee of this application. The disclosures of all prior applications are considered part of and incorporated by reference into this patent application. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to enhanced bandwidth puncturing techniques for wireless communications.

[0005] Related technical description

[0006] A wireless local area network (WLAN) may be formed by one or more access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium for use by several client devices, also referred to as stations (STAs). The basic building block of a WLAN that complies with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards is a basic service set (BSS) managed by an AP. Each BSS is identified by a basic service set identifier (BSSID) announced by the AP. The AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames to enable any STA within the wireless range of the AP to establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN.

[0007] Channel puncturing is a wireless communication technology that enables a wireless communication device (such as an AP or STA) to transmit and receive wireless communications on a portion of a wireless channel that does not include a specific subchannel (referred to as a "punctured subchannel"). For example, if a wireless communication device detects that a 20MHz subchannel of a 160MHz wireless channel is occupied, the wireless communication device can use channel puncturing to avoid communicating on the occupied subchannel while still utilizing the remaining 140MHz bandwidth. Accordingly, channel puncturing allows a wireless communication device to improve or maximize its throughput by utilizing more available spectrum.

[0008] New WLAN communication protocols are being developed to implement enhanced WLAN communication features, such as, for example, an increase in communication bandwidth (up to at least 320 MHz). As the wireless channel bandwidth increases, the possibility of interference on one or more sub-channels also increases. For example, a wireless communication device in a given BSS may occupy one or more sub-channels in a 320 MHz channel used by a wireless communication device in an overlapping BSS (OBSS). Thus, since the new WLAN communication protocol can access a wider range of bandwidth, a new channel puncturing indication is needed to efficiently utilize the newly available spectrum. Overview

[0010] The systems, methods, and devices of the disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0011] One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by a wireless communication device and may include: transmitting a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel to a wireless station (STA); and communicating with the STA on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0012] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing multiple subchannels associated with the wireless channel, wherein the one or more first perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some implementations, each bit of the bitmap may represent a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel. In some implementations, the bitmap may be carried in a non-legacy operation element of the management frame.

[0013] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a perforated pattern indication indicating whether a transmit opportunity (TXOP) holder is permitted to indicate one or more second perforated subchannels to a TXOP responder, wherein the one or more second perforated subchannels are different from the one or more first perforated subchannels. In some implementations, the perforated pattern indication may be carried in a non-legacy capabilities element of the management frame. In some aspects, the perforated pattern indication may further indicate whether the TXOP responder is permitted to indicate one or more third perforated subchannels to the TXOP holder, wherein the third perforated subchannel is different from the first perforated subchannel and the second perforated subchannel.

[0014] In some aspects, the method may further include receiving, from the STA, a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels. In some other aspects, the method may further include: performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) operation indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels; and transmitting to the STA a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating the one or more second perforated subchannels, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0015] In some aspects, the packet may be a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU), and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in a universal signal field (U-SIG) of the PPDU. In some other aspects, the packet may be a control frame, and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in a service field of the control frame. In some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing multiple subchannels of the wireless channel, wherein the one or more second perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some other implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried on five bits of the service field having values ​​mapped to the one or more first perforated subchannels.

[0016] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented in a wireless communication device. In some implementations, the wireless communication device may include at least one processor and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code. In some implementations, execution of the processor-readable code by the at least one processor causes the wireless communication device to perform operations including: transmitting a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel to a STA; and communicating with the STA on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more perforated sub-channels.

[0017] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by a wireless communication device and may include: receiving a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel from an access point (AP); and communicating with the AP on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0018] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing multiple subchannels associated with the wireless channel, wherein the one or more first perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some implementations, each bit of the bitmap may represent a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel. In some implementations, the bitmap may be carried in a non-legacy operation element of the management frame.

[0019] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a perforation pattern indication indicating whether the TXOP holder is permitted to indicate one or more second perforated subchannels to the TXOP responder, wherein the one or more second perforated subchannels are different from the one or more first perforated subchannels. In some implementations, the perforation pattern indication may be carried in a non-legacy capabilities element of the management frame. In some aspects, the perforation pattern indication may further indicate whether the TXOP responder is permitted to indicate one or more third perforated subchannels to the TXOP holder, wherein the third perforated subchannel is different from the first perforated subchannel and the second perforated subchannel.

[0020] In some aspects, the method may further include receiving, from the AP, a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels. In some other aspects, the method may further include: performing a CCA operation indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels; and transmitting to the AP a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating the one or more second perforated subchannels, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0021] In some aspects, the packet may be a PPDU, and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in the U-SIG field of the PPDU. In some other aspects, the packet may be a control frame, and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in the service field of the control frame. In some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing multiple subchannels of the wireless channel, wherein the one or more second perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some other implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried on five bits of the service field having values ​​mapped to the one or more first perforated subchannels.

[0022] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in the present disclosure can be implemented in a wireless communication device. In some implementations, the wireless communication device may include at least one processor and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code. In some implementations, execution of the processor-readable code by the at least one processor causes the wireless communication device to perform operations including: receiving a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more perforated subchannels associated with a wireless channel from an AP; and communicating with the AP on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more perforated subchannels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. It should be noted that the relative sizes of the following drawings may not be drawn to scale.

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example wireless communication network is shown.

[0026] Figure 2A Example protocol data units (PDUs) that may be used for communications between an access point (AP) and one or more wireless stations (STAs) are shown.

[0027] Figure 2B Shows Figure 2A Example fields in a PDU.

[0028] Figure 3 An example physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) that may be used for communications between an AP and one or more STAs is shown.

[0029] Figure 4 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device is shown.

[0030] Figure 5A A block diagram of an example AP is shown.

[0031] Figure 5B A block diagram of an example STA is shown.

[0032] Figure 6 Shown is a sequence diagram illustrating an example message exchange between a transmit opportunity (TXOP) holder and a TXOP responder according to some implementations.

[0033] Fig. 7A An example configuration for a service field of a control frame is shown according to some implementations.

[0034] Figure 7BAnother example configuration for a service field of a control frame according to some implementations is shown.

[0035] Figure 7C Another example configuration for a Service field of a control frame according to some implementations is shown.

[0036] Fig. 8A Shown is a timing diagram illustrating example bandwidth negotiation operations between an AP and a STA according to some implementations.

[0037] Figure 8B Shown is a timing diagram illustrating another example bandwidth negotiation operation between an AP and a STA according to some implementations.

[0038] Fig. 9 Shown is a timing diagram illustrating another example bandwidth negotiation operation between an AP and a STA according to some implementations.

[0039] Fig. 10A A flow chart illustrating an example process for wireless communications supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations is shown.

[0040] Fig. 10B A flow chart illustrating an example process for wireless communications supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations is shown.

[0041] Fig.11A A flow chart illustrating an example process for wireless communications supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations is shown.

[0042] Fig. 11B A flow chart illustrating an example process for wireless communications supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations is shown.

[0043] Fig.12 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device is shown in accordance with some implementations.

[0044] Fig.13 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device is shown in accordance with some implementations.

[0045] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. Detailed Description

[0047] The following description is directed to certain implementations in order to describe the innovative aspects of the present disclosure. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in many different ways. The described implementations can be implemented in a manner that is capable of being implemented in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, the IEEE 802.15 standard, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), or the like. The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in accordance with one or more of the Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G, or 5G (New Radio (NR)) standards, or the like released by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals in accordance with one or more of the following technologies or techniques: code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), single user (SU) multiple input multiple output (MIMO), and multi-user (MU) MIMO. The described implementations may also be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), or an Internet of Things (IOT) network.

[0048] Implementations generally relate to channel perforation in wireless communications, and more specifically to perforated channel indications that support channel perforation over bandwidth ranges achievable according to the IEEE 802.11be amendment and future generations of the IEEE 802.11 standard. In some aspects, an AP may communicate "static" perforated channel information to each of its associated STAs. The static perforated channel information may indicate one or more channels or subchannels that may be busy or occupied in a relatively constant or consistent manner (such as occupied by devices in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS)). In some other aspects, a transmit opportunity (TXOP) holder may communicate "dynamic" perforated channel information to a TXOP responder. The dynamic perforated channel information may indicate one or more subchannels to be avoided or excluded from communications between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder (such as in addition to the subchannels indicated by the static perforated channel information). Still further, in some aspects, a TXOP responder may communicate additional perforated channel information to a TXOP holder in response to the dynamic perforated channel information. The additional punctured channel information may indicate one or more additional sub-channels to be avoided or excluded from communications between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder (such as in addition to the sub-channels indicated by the static or dynamic punctured channel information).

[0049] Specific implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. By providing static perforated channel information to each device in a given BSS, aspects of the present disclosure can ensure that a TXOP holder (and a TXOP responder) avoids transmitting wireless communications on portions of a wireless channel that may encounter significant interference. For example, a TXOP holder may perforate one or more subchannels of a wireless channel when transmitting data to a TXOP responder, thereby avoiding interference with the perforated subchannels while still utilizing the remainder of the available spectrum. Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that some channel conditions may change over time, and that the channel conditions perceived by the TXOP holder may be different from the channel conditions perceived by the TXOP responder. For example, a TXOP holder and a TXOP responder may each detect which subchannels are occupied at any given time, for example, by performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) on the wireless channel. By providing dynamic perforated channel information to a TXOP responder, a TXOP holder may dynamically update the subchannels to be avoided based on the current channel conditions at the time of transmission. By providing the TXOP holder with additional punctured channel information, the TXOP responder may further update the sub-channels to avoid based on current channel conditions at either end of the communication link.

[0050] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example wireless communication network 100 is shown. According to some aspects, the wireless communication network 100 may be an example of a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as a Wi-Fi network (and will be referred to as WLAN 100 hereinafter). For example, the WLAN 100 may be a network that implements at least one of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards, such as the standards defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be. The WLAN 100 may include numerous wireless communication devices, such as an access point (AP) 102 and a plurality of stations (STAs) 104. Although only one AP 102 is shown, the WLAN network 100 may also include a plurality of APs 102.

[0051] Each STA 104 may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), a mobile device, a mobile handset, a wireless handset, an access terminal (AT), a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), or a subscriber unit, among other possibilities. STA 104 may represent a variety of devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, navigation systems, etc.), music or other audio or stereo equipment, remote control devices (“remote controls”), printers, kitchen or other home appliances, key fobs (e.g., for passive keyless entry and start (PKES) systems), and other possibilities.

[0052] A single AP 102 and the associated set of STAs 104 may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS), which is managed by the corresponding AP 102 . Figure 1 Additionally shown is an example coverage area 106 of the AP 102, which may represent a basic service area (BSA) of the WLAN 100. The BSS may be identified to users by a service set identifier (SSID) and may also be identified to other devices by a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which may be a media access control (MAC) address of the AP 102. The AP 102 periodically broadcasts a beacon frame (“beacon”) including the BSSID to enable any STA 104 within the wireless range of the AP 102 to “associate” or reassociate with the AP 102 to establish or maintain a corresponding communication link 108 (hereinafter also referred to as a “Wi-Fi link”) with the AP 102. For example, the beacon may include an identification of a primary channel used by the corresponding AP 102 and a timing synchronization function for establishing or maintaining timing synchronization with the AP 102. The AP 102 may provide access to external networks to various STAs 104 in the WLAN via corresponding communication links 108 .

[0053] The AP 102 and the STA 104 may function and communicate (via corresponding communication links 108) in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards, such as those defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or amendments thereof, including, but not limited to, 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be. These standards define WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the PHY and media access control (MAC) layers. The AP 102 and the STA 104 transmit and receive wireless communications (hereinafter also referred to as "Wi-Fi communications") to and from each other in the form of physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs). The AP 102 and the STA 104 in the WLAN 100 may transmit the PPDUs on an unlicensed spectrum, which may be a portion of a spectrum including frequency bands traditionally used by Wi-Fi technology, such as the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 60 GHz band, the 3.6 GHz band, and the 700 MHz band. Some implementations of the AP 102 and the STA 104 described herein may also communicate in other frequency bands, such as the 6 GHz band, that may support both licensed and unlicensed communications. The AP 102 and the STA 104 may also be configured to communicate on other frequency bands, such as shared licensed frequency bands, where multiple operators may have licenses to operate in one or more of the same or overlapping frequency bands.

[0054] Figure 2A An example protocol data unit (PDU) 200 that may be used for wireless communication between an AP 102 and one or more STAs 104 is shown. For example, the PDU 200 may be configured as a PPDU. As shown, the PDU 200 includes a PHY preamble 202 and a PHY payload 204. For example, the preamble 202 may include a legacy portion that itself includes a legacy short training field (L-STF) 206 that may consist of two BPSK symbols, a legacy long training field (L-LTF) 208 that may consist of two BPSK symbols, and a legacy signal field (L-SIG) 210 that may consist of two BPSK symbols. The legacy portion of the preamble 202 may be configured in accordance with the IEEE 802.11a wireless communication protocol standard. In some implementations, the preamble 202 may also include a non-legacy portion including, for example, one or more non-legacy fields 212 that comply with an IEEE wireless communication protocol, such as IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, or a later wireless communication protocol.

[0055] L-STF 206 generally enables the receiving device to perform automatic gain control (AGC) and coarse timing and frequency estimation. L-LTF 208 generally enables the receiving device to perform fine timing and frequency estimation, and can also perform initial estimation of the wireless channel. L-SIG 210 generally enables the receiving device to determine the duration of the PDU and use the determined duration to avoid transmitting on the PDU. For example, L-STF 206, L-LTF 208 and L-SIG 210 can be modulated according to a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation scheme. Payload 204 can be modulated according to a BPSK modulation scheme, an orthogonal BPSK (Q-BPSK) modulation scheme, an orthogonal amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation scheme, or another appropriate modulation scheme. Payload 204 may include a PSDU including a data field (DATA) 214, which in turn may carry, for example, a higher layer data in the form of a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) or an aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU).

[0056] Figure 2B Shows Figure 2A 2. Example L-SIG 210 in PDU 200 of FIG. L-SIG 210 includes a data rate field 222, reserved bits 224, a length field 226, parity bits 228, and a tail field 230. The data rate field 222 indicates the data rate (note that the data rate indicated in the data rate field 222 may not be the actual data rate of the data carried in the payload 204). The length field 226 indicates the packet length, for example, in units of symbols or bytes. The parity bits 228 can be used to detect bit errors. The tail field 230 includes tail bits, which can be used by a receiving device to terminate the operation of a decoder (e.g., a Viterbi decoder). The receiving device can use the data rate and length indicated in the data rate field 222 and the length field 226 to determine the packet duration, for example, in microseconds (μs) or other time units.

[0057] Figure 3An example PPDU 300 is shown that may be used for communication between an AP 102 and one or more STAs 104. As described above, each PPDU 300 includes a PHY preamble 302 and a PSDU 304. Each PSDU 304 may represent (or "carry") one or more MAC protocol data units (MPDUs) 316. For example, each PSDU 304 may carry an aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU) 306 that includes an aggregation of multiple A-MPDU subframes 308. Each A-MPDU subframe 306 may include an MPDU frame 310 that includes a MAC delimiter 312 and a MAC header 314 preceding an accompanying MPDU 316 that includes a data portion ("payload" or "frame body") of the MPDU frame 310. Each MPDU frame 310 may also include a frame check sequence (FCS) field 318 for error detection (e.g., the FCS field may include a cyclic redundancy check (CRC)) and padding bits 320. The MPDU 316 may carry one or more MAC service data units (MSDUs) 316. For example, the MPDU 316 may carry an aggregated MSDU (A-MSDU) 322, which includes multiple A-MSDU subframes 324. Each A-MSDU subframe 324 contains a corresponding MSDU 330, which is preceded by a subframe header 328 and, in some cases, followed by padding bits 332.

[0058] Referring back to the MPDU frame 310, the MAC delimiter 312 may be used as a marker for the start of an associated MPDU 316 and indicates the length of the associated MPDU 316. The MAC header 314 may include a plurality of fields containing information defining or indicating characteristics or attributes of the data encapsulated within the frame body 316. The MAC header 314 includes a duration field indicating a duration from the end of the PPDU to at least the end of an acknowledgment (ACK) or block ACK (BA) of the PPDU to be transmitted by the receiving wireless communication device. The use of the duration field is used to reserve the wireless medium for the indicated duration and enable the receiving device to establish its network allocation vector (NAV). The MAC header 314 also includes one or more fields indicating the address of the data encapsulated within the frame body 316. For example, the MAC header 314 may include a combination of a source address, a transmitter address, a receiver address, or a destination address. The MAC header 314 may further include a frame control field containing control information. The frame control field may specify a frame type, such as a data frame, a control frame, or a management frame.

[0059] Figure 4 4 shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 400. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 400 may be a STA (such as a Figure 1In some implementations, the wireless communication device 400 may be an example of a device in an AP (such as one of the STAs 104 described above). Figure 1 The wireless communication device 400 is an example of a device in the described AP 102. The wireless communication device 400 is capable of transmitting (or outputting for transmission) and receiving wireless communications (e.g., in the form of wireless packets). For example, the wireless communication device can be configured to: transmit and receive packets in the form of physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs) and media access control (MAC) protocol data units (MPDUs) that comply with the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standards (such as the standards defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ah, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be).

[0060] The wireless communication device 400 may be or may include a chip, system on chip (SoC), chipset, package, or device including one or more modems 402 (e.g., Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 compliant) modems). In some implementations, one or more modems 402 (collectively, “modems 402”) additionally include a WWAN modem (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compatible modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 400 also includes one or more radios 404 (collectively, “radios 404”). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 406 further includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 406 (collectively, “processors 406”) and one or more memory blocks or elements 408 (collectively, “memory 408”).

[0061] The modem 402 may include an intelligent hardware block or device (for example, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)). The modem 402 is generally configured to implement the PHY layer. For example, the modem 402 is configured to modulate packets and output the modulated packets to the radio 404 for transmission on the wireless medium. Similarly, the modem 402 is configured to obtain modulated packets received by the radio 404 and demodulate the packets to provide demodulated packets. In addition to the modulator and demodulator, the modem 402 may further include a digital signal processing (DSP) circuit system, an automatic gain control (AGC), an encoder, a decoder, a multiplexer, and a demultiplexer. For example, when in the transmission mode, the data obtained from the processor 406 is provided to a decoder, which encodes the data to provide coded bits. The coded bits are then mapped to points in the modulation constellation (using the selected MCS) to provide modulated symbols. Subsequently, the modulated symbols can be mapped to a number N SS spatial streams or the number N STS The modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial stream or space-time stream may then be multiplexed, transformed via an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block, and then provided to the DSP circuitry for Tx windowing and filtering. The digital signal may then be provided to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The resulting analog signal may then be provided to an upconverter and ultimately to the radio 404. In an implementation involving beamforming, the modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial stream may be precoded via a steering matrix before being provided to the IFFT block.

[0062] When in receive mode, a digital signal received from the radio 404 is provided to a DSP circuit system that is configured to acquire the received signal, for example, by detecting the presence of the signal and estimating the initial timing and frequency offset. The DSP circuit system is further configured to digitally condition the digital signal, for example, using channel (narrowband) filtering, analog impairment conditioning (such as correcting I / Q imbalance), and applying digital gain to ultimately obtain a narrowband signal. Subsequently, the output of the DSP circuit system may be fed to an AGC that is configured to use information extracted from the digital signal (e.g., in one or more received training fields) to determine an appropriate gain. The output of the DSP circuit system is also coupled to a demodulator that is configured to extract modulated symbols from the signal and, for example, calculate a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) for each bit position of each subcarrier in each spatial stream. The demodulator is coupled to a decoder that may be configured to process the LLRs to provide decoded bits. Subsequently, the decoded bits from all spatial streams are fed to a demultiplexer for demultiplexing. The demultiplexed bits may then be descrambled and provided to the MAC layer (processor 406) for processing, evaluation, or interpretation.

[0063] The radio 404 generally includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter (or "transmitter chain") and at least one RF receiver (or "receiver chain"), which may be combined into one or more transceivers. For example, the RF transmitter and receiver may include various DSP circuit systems, including at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low noise amplifier (LNA), respectively. The RF transmitter and receiver may in turn be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some implementations, the wireless communication device 400 may include or be coupled to multiple transmit antennas (each having a corresponding transmit chain) and multiple receive antennas (each having a corresponding receive chain). The codewords output from the modem 402 are provided to the radio 404, which then transmits the codewords via the coupled antenna. Similarly, the codewords received via the antenna are obtained by the radio 404, which then provides the codewords to the modem 402.

[0064] The processor 406 may include an intelligent hardware block or device designed to perform the functions described herein, such as, for example, a processing core, a processing block, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) (such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor 406 processes information received through the radio 404 and the modem 402, and processes information to be output by the modem 402 and the radio 404 for transmission over a wireless medium. For example, the processor 406 may implement a control plane and a MAC layer, which is configured to perform various operations related to the generation and transmission of MPDUs, frames, or packets. The MAC layer is configured to perform or facilitate coding and decoding of frames, spatial multiplexing, space-time block coding (STBC), beamforming, and OFDMA resource allocation, and other operations or techniques. In some implementations, the processor 406 may generally control the modem 402 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0065] The memory 408 may include a tangible storage medium, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read-only memory (ROM) or a combination thereof. The memory 408 may also store non-transient processor or computer executable software (SW) code containing instructions that, when executed by the processor 406, cause the processor to perform various operations for wireless communication described herein, including generation, transmission, reception, and interpretation of MPDUs, frames, or packets. For example, the various functions of the various components disclosed herein or the various blocks or steps of the methods, operations, processes, or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.

[0066] Figure 5A 5 shows a block diagram of an example AP 502. For example, the AP 502 may be a reference Figure 1 An example implementation of AP 102 is described. AP 502 includes a wireless communication device (WCD) 510 (although AP 502 itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device, as used herein). For example, wireless communication device 510 may be a wireless communication device (WCD) 510. Figure 4 An example implementation of the wireless communication device 400 described. The AP 502 also includes a plurality of antennas 520 coupled to the wireless communication device 510 to transmit and receive wireless communications. In some implementations, the AP 502 additionally includes an application processor 530 coupled to the wireless communication device 510, and a memory 540 coupled to the application processor 530. The AP 502 further includes at least one external network interface 550, which enables the AP 502 to communicate with a core network or a backhaul network to obtain access to an external network including the Internet. For example, the external network interface 550 may include one or both of a wired (e.g., Ethernet) network interface and a wireless network interface (such as a WWAN interface). Components in the aforementioned components may communicate directly or indirectly with other components in these components on at least one bus. The AP 502 further includes a housing that encloses the wireless communication device 510, the application processor 530, the memory 540, and encloses at least a portion of the antenna 520 and the external network interface 550.

[0067] Figure 5B 5 shows a block diagram of an example STA 504. For example, STA 504 may be a reference Figure 1 104. STA 504 includes a wireless communication device 515 (although STA 504 itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device, as used herein). For example, wireless communication device 515 may be a wireless communication device. Figure 4An example implementation of the wireless communication device 400 described. The STA 504 also includes one or more antennas 525 coupled to the wireless communication device 515 to transmit and receive wireless communications. The STA 504 additionally includes an application processor 535 coupled to the wireless communication device 515, and a memory 545 coupled to the application processor 535. In some implementations, the STA 504 further includes a user interface (UI) 555 (such as a touch screen or keyboard) and a display 565, which can be integrated with the UI 555 to form a touch screen display. In some implementations, the STA 504 may further include one or more sensors 575 (such as one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors, for example). Components in the aforementioned components can communicate directly or indirectly with other components in these components on at least one bus. The STA 504 further includes a housing that encloses the wireless communication device 515, the application processor 535, the memory 545, and at least portions of the antenna 525, the UI 555, and the display 565.

[0068] As described above, channel perforation is a wireless communication technology that enables a wireless communication device (such as an AP or STA) to transmit and receive wireless communications on a portion of a wireless channel that does not include a specific subchannel (referred to as a "perforated subchannel"). For example, if a wireless communication device detects that a 20MHz subchannel of a 160MHz wireless channel is occupied, the wireless communication device can use channel perforation to avoid communicating on the occupied subchannel while still utilizing the remaining 140MHz bandwidth. Accordingly, channel perforation allows wireless communication devices to improve or maximize their throughput by utilizing more available spectrum. As the bandwidth of a wireless channel increases, the possibility of interference on one or more subchannels also increases. Thus, since new WLAN communication protocols are able to access a wider range of bandwidths, new channel perforation indications are needed to efficiently utilize the new available spectrum.

[0069] Implementations generally relate to channel perforation in wireless communications, and more specifically to perforated channel indications that support channel perforation over bandwidth ranges achievable according to the IEEE 802.11be amendment and future generations of the IEEE 802.11 standard. In some aspects, an AP may communicate "static" perforated channel information to each of its associated STAs. The static perforated channel information may indicate one or more channels or subchannels that may be busy or occupied in a relatively constant or consistent manner (such as occupied by devices in an OBSS). In some other aspects, a transmit opportunity (TXOP) holder may communicate "dynamic" perforated channel information to a TXOP responder. The dynamic perforated channel information may indicate one or more subchannels to be avoided or excluded from communications between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder (such as in addition to the subchannels indicated by the static perforated channel information). Still further, in some aspects, a TXOP responder may communicate additional perforated channel information to a TXOP holder in response to the dynamic perforated channel information. The additional punctured channel information may indicate one or more additional sub-channels to be avoided or excluded from communications between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder (such as in addition to the sub-channels indicated by the static or dynamic punctured channel information).

[0070] Specific implementations of the subject matter described in the present disclosure may be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. By providing static perforated channel information to each device in a given BSS, aspects of the present disclosure can ensure that the TXOP holder (and TXOP responder) avoids transmitting wireless communications on portions of a wireless channel that may encounter significant interference. For example, the TXOP holder may perforate one or more subchannels of a wireless channel when transmitting data to a TXOP responder, thereby avoiding interference with the perforated subchannels while still utilizing the remaining portion of the available spectrum. Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that some channel conditions may change over time, and that the channel conditions perceived by the TXOP holder may be different from the channel conditions perceived by the TXOP responder. For example, the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder may each detect which subchannels are occupied at any given time, for example, by performing CCA on the wireless channel. By providing dynamic perforated channel information to the TXOP responder, the TXOP holder can dynamically update the subchannels to be avoided based on the current channel conditions at the time of transmission. By providing the TXOP holder with additional punctured channel information, the TXOP responder may further update the sub-channels to avoid based on current channel conditions at either end of the communication link.

[0071] Figure 6A sequence diagram 600 is shown illustrating an example message exchange between a transmit opportunity (TXOP) holder and a TXOP responder according to some implementations. Figure 6 In the example of FIG. 6 , the TXOP holder is depicted as STA 610 and the TXOP responder is depicted as AP 620. In other words, STA 610 uses its TXOP to communicate with AP 620 on wireless channel 650. In some other implementations, AP 620 may be the TXOP holder and STA 610 may be the TXOP responder. In some implementations, STA 610 may be the TXOP holder and AP 620 may be the TXOP responder. Figure 1 and 5B An example of either STA 104 or 504, and AP 620 may be respectively Figure 1 and 5B An example of either AP 102 or 502.

[0072] The AP 620 may determine or identify one or more subchannels in the wireless channel 650 that are frequently used or otherwise occupied by devices outside its BSS (or other interference sources). For example, such subchannels may be constantly or continuously occupied by legacy or incumbent devices in the OBSS. Because these devices are beyond the control range of the AP, the AP 620 may require devices in its BSS to avoid using occupied subchannels. In some implementations, the AP 620 may transmit static perforated channel information 602 to each device in its BSS to indicate that the occupied subchannels are to be avoided or perforated when using the wireless channel 650. In some aspects, the static perforated channel information 602 may be carried in one or more management frames broadcast or transmitted by the AP 620 to the STA 610. Example suitable management frames include beacon frames, probe response frames, and association response frames, etc.

[0073] In some implementations, the static perforated channel information 602 may include a bitmap representing a number of subchannels associated with the wireless channel 650. For example, each bit of the bitmap may represent a corresponding subchannel of the wireless channel 650. A bit value of "1" may indicate that the associated subchannel is to be punctured or avoided, while a bit value of "0" may indicate that the associated subchannel may be used for wireless communication. In some aspects, each bit of the bitmap may represent a 20MHz subchannel. For example, a 16-bit bitmap may be used to indicate a puncturing pattern for any size of wireless channel up to and including 320MHz. In some other aspects, the granularity of the subchannels associated with the bitmap may vary based on the size of the wireless channel. For example, an 8-bit bitmap may be used to indicate a puncturing pattern for any size of wireless channel. When the size of the wireless channel is 160MHz or less, each bit of the bitmap may represent a 20MHz subchannel. When the size of the wireless channel is greater than 160MHz, each bit of the bitmap may represent a 40MHz subchannel.

[0074] In some implementations, the AP 620 may add a bitmap to a non-legacy (or extremely high throughput (EHT)) operation element of a management frame. Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that adding a bitmap to a non-legacy operation element may increase the overhead of a management frame. Such an increase in overhead may be undesirable when there are no perforated channels to indicate (such as when each bit of the bitmap has a value of "0"). Thus, in some aspects, when the AP 620 does not detect any constant or continuously occupied subchannels, the static perforated channel information 602 may be omitted from any management frame. For example, a bit may be added to a non-legacy operation element to indicate whether the non-legacy operation element carries the static perforated channel information 602. Alternatively or additionally, the static perforated channel information 602 may be added to a management frame as a new information element (IE). For example, the IE may be added to a management frame only when the static perforated channel information 602 is available.

[0075] In some implementations, the STA 610 may detect one or more additional occupied subchannels of the wireless channel 650 after receiving the static perforated channel information 602 from the AP 620. Aspects of the present disclosure further recognize that the conditions of the wireless channel 650 may change over time, and the static perforated channel information 602 may not account for such dynamic changes in the wireless channel 650. For example, at any given time, the STA 610 may detect interference on one or more subchannels of the wireless channel 650 other than those indicated by the static perforated channel information 602. The STA 610 may detect the additional occupied subchannels, for example, by performing CCA on the remaining subchannels of the wireless channel 650. In some implementations, the STA 610 may transmit the dynamic perforated channel information 604 to the AP 620 to indicate the additional subchannels to avoid or perforate when communicating on the wireless channel 650.

[0076] In some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in one or more non-legacy PPDUs transmitted by the STA 610 to the AP 620. As used herein, the term "non-legacy" may refer to frame formats and communication protocols that follow the IEEE 802.11be amendment to the 1EEE 802.11 standard and future generations. For example, the IEEE 802.11be amendment defines a non-legacy (or EHT) PPDU format with a PHY preamble, which includes a legacy portion and a non-legacy portion. The legacy portion of the PHY preamble includes L-STF, L-LTF, and L-SIG. The non-legacy portion of the PHY preamble includes new fields, such as a universal signal field (U-SIG), which can be used to carry signaling information. For example, the U-SIG may include a bandwidth and a perforated information subfield having a value representing a channel perforation mode associated with the PPDU. In some aspects, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in the U-SIG. For example, information in the bandwidth and puncturing information subfield of the U-SIG may be used to convey dynamic punctured channel information 604 .

[0077] In some other implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in one or more null data packet announcement (NDPA) frames transmitted by the STA 610 to the AP 620. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard defines a channel sounding procedure based on the transmission of null data packets (NDPs). The STA 610 may initiate a channel sounding operation by transmitting an NDPA frame to the AP 620, followed by an NDP. The NDPA frame format includes a MAC header, followed by a sounding conversation token, followed by several (n) STA information fields. Each STA information field includes a partial BW information subfield that carries information indicating the bandwidth associated with the request for sounding feedback (such as a starting resource unit (RU) index and an ending RU index). In some aspects, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in the STA information field of the NDPA. For example, information in the partial bandwidth information subfield of the STA information field may be used to convey the dynamic perforated channel information 604.

[0078] In an implementation where the TXOP holder is an AP 620, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in one or more trigger frames transmitted by the AP 620 to the STA 610. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard supports trigger-based uplink communications. The AP 620 may transmit a trigger frame to the STA 610 to request the transmission of a trigger-based PPDU. Example suitable trigger frames include a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, a multi-user block acknowledgment request (MU-BAR) frame, and a buffer status report polling (BSRP) frame, etc. The trigger frame format includes a MAC header, followed by a common information field, followed by a user information list that may include zero or more user information fields. The common information field includes an uplink bandwidth (UL BW) subfield that carries information indicating a bandwidth associated with the PPDU. Each user information field includes an RU allocation subfield that carries information indicating one or more RUs to be allocated to the PPDU. In some aspects, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in a common information field or a user information field of the trigger frame. For example, information in the UL BW subfield or the RU allocation subfield may be used to convey dynamic punctured channel information 604 .

[0079] Still further, in some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in one or more control frames transmitted by the STA 610 to the AP 620. Example suitable control frames include a request to send (RTS) frame, a power save poll (PS-POLL) frame, and a block acknowledgment request (BAR) frame, among others. The control frame format includes a PHY preamble followed by a data portion. The data portion includes a service field followed by a PSDU. The service field carries a scrambler initialization sequence that can be used to synchronize a descrambler of a receiving device (such as the AP 620). Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that the service field also includes a number of remaining bits that are not related to the scrambler initialization sequence. In existing versions of the IEEE 802.11 standard, the remaining bits in the service field are reserved. In some aspects, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in the service field of the control frame. For example, the remaining bits of the service field may be repurposed to convey the dynamic perforated channel information 604.

[0080] In some implementations, the AP 620 may detect one or more additional occupied subchannels of the wireless channel 650 after receiving the dynamic perforated channel information 604 from the STA 610. Aspects of the present disclosure further recognize that the channel conditions perceived by the STA 610 may be different from the channel conditions perceived by the AP 620. For example, at any given time, the AP 620 may be adjacent to an interference source that is not detected by the STA 610. Thus, the AP 620 may detect interference on one or more subchannels of the wireless channel 650 other than those indicated by the static perforated channel information 602 or the dynamic perforated channel information 604. The AP 620 may detect the additional occupied subchannels, for example, by performing CCA on the remaining subchannels of the wireless channel 650. In some implementations, the AP 620 may transmit additional perforated channel information 606 to the STA 610 to indicate the additional subchannels to avoid or perforate when communicating on the wireless channel 650.

[0081] In some implementations, the additional perforated channel information 606 may be carried in a clear to send (CTS) frame transmitted by the AP 620 to the STA 610. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard defines a control frame format that can be used for bandwidth negotiation between a requesting device (such as the STA 610) and a responding device (such as the AP 620). As used herein, the term "bandwidth negotiation frame" may refer to any control frame that can be used for bandwidth negotiation. Example suitable bandwidth negotiation frames include RTS frames and CTS frames, etc. During the bandwidth negotiation operation, the RTS frame may carry bandwidth information indicating the desired bandwidth on which the requesting device wants to transmit subsequent data frames, and the CTS frame may also carry bandwidth information indicating the available bandwidth of the requesting device for transmitting these data frames. Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that, similar to the bandwidth negotiation operation, perforated subchannels may also be negotiated between a TXOP holder and a TXOP responder. For example, a TXOP holder and a TXOP responder may reuse a bandwidth negotiation frame to negotiate perforated subchannels. In some aspects, the additional punctured channel information 606 may be carried in the service field of the CTS frame. For example, the remaining bits of the service field may be diverted to convey the additional punctured channel information 606 (similar to the dynamic punctured channel information 604).

[0082] In some other implementations, the TXOP responder may not negotiate the perforated subchannels with the TXOP holder. In such implementations, the AP 620 may not transmit additional perforated channel information 606 to the STA 610. However, in some instances (such as during a bandwidth negotiation operation), the AP 620 may still transmit a response (such as a CTS frame) to the STA 610 after receiving the dynamic perforated channel information 604. In the case where the AP 620 cannot support the full range of subchannels requested by the STA 610 (due to interference detected on one or more additional subchannels), the AP 620 may indicate in its response to the STA 610 that only specific sub-bands within the wireless channel 650 are available for use. For example, in the case where the STA 610 transmits an RTS frame requesting a 320MHz channel, the AP 620 may respond with a CTS frame indicating that only a 160MHz channel is available. In some aspects, the response from the AP 620 may include the dynamic perforated channel information 604 received from the STA 610. For example, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may be carried in a CTS frame transmitted by the AP 620 to the STA 610. In some other aspects, the response from the AP 620 may not include any perforated channel information. For example, when operating in the 5 GHz band, the dynamic perforated channel information 604 may not be present in a CTS frame transmitted by the AP 620 to the STA 610.

[0083] The STA 610 determines a portion of the wireless channel 650 to be used for subsequent communications with the AP 620 based on the perforated subchannels indicated in the static perforated channel information 602, the dynamic perforated channel information 604, and the additional perforated channel information 606 (if any). In some aspects, the portion of the wireless channel 650 available to the STA 610 may include the full range of subchannels associated with the wireless channel 650, contiguous or non-contiguous, excluding any perforated subchannels determined by the AP 620 or the STA 610. In some other aspects, the portion of the wireless channel 650 available to the STA 610 may include only a subset of contiguous subchannels across the sub-band of the wireless channel 650 (such as indicated by the AP 620 during a bandwidth negotiation operation). The STA 610 may continue to transmit data 608 to the AP 620 on the determined portion of the wireless channel 650.

[0084] In some implementations, the BSS may support at least one of a plurality of modes of perforated channel control. In the first mode, the perforated subchannel cannot be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder. In other words, only the TXOP holder can determine the perforated subchannel to be used for subsequent communication with the TXOP responder. For example, in the first mode, the STA 610 may transmit dynamic perforated channel information 604 to the AP 620, but the AP 620 may not transmit additional perforated channel information 606 to the STA 610. In the second mode, the perforated subchannel may be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder. In other words, the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder may jointly determine the perforated subchannel to be used for subsequent communication between each other. For example, in the second mode, the STA 610 may transmit dynamic perforated channel information 604 to the AP 620, and the AP 620 may transmit additional perforated channel information 606 to the STA 610.

[0085] In some implementations, the AP 620 may transmit a perforated mode indication 603 to each device in its BSS indicating which (if any) perforated channel control mode the BSS supports. For example, the perforated mode indication 603 may include two or more bits that can be used to indicate whether the BSS supports the first mode, the second mode, or neither (the BSS does not support perforated channel control). In some aspects, the perforated mode indication 603 may be carried in one or more management frames broadcast or transmitted by the AP 620 to the STA 610. Example suitable management frames include beacon frames, probe response frames, and association response frames, among others. In some implementations, the AP 620 may add these two or more bits to the non-legacy (or EHT) capability element of the management frame. Thus, as Figure 6As shown in FIG. 6 , the puncturing mode indication 603 may be transmitted together with the static punctured channel information 602 in the same management frame.

[0086] In some other implementations, the STA 610 may dynamically select one of the modes supported by the AP 620. For example, the STA 610 may transmit a perforation mode selection 605 to the AP 620 indicating whether the AP 620 may provide additional perforated channel information 606 to the STA 610. In some configurations, the STA 610 may support receiving additional perforated channel information 606 from the AP 620, such as, for example, to ensure the highest quality of communication with the AP 620. In some other configurations, the STA 610 may not support receiving additional perforated channel information 606 from the AP 620, such as, for example, when trying to maximize its bandwidth utilization. In some aspects, the perforation mode selection 605 may be carried in a service field of a control frame, such as an RTS frame or other bandwidth negotiation frame. For example, one or more of the remaining bits of the service field of the control frame may be diverted to convey the perforation mode selection 605. Thus, as Figure 6 As shown in , the puncturing mode selection 605 may be transmitted along with the dynamic punctured channel information 602 in the same management frame.

[0087] Fig. 7A An example configuration of a service field 700 for a control frame according to some implementations is shown. The service field 700 includes a sequence of scrambler initialization bits 702 and a number of remaining bits 704. Fig. 7A As shown in , the length of the service field 700 is 2 octets (16 bits), however, the scrambler initialization sequence 702 only represents the first 7 bits of the service field 700 (corresponding to bit positions B0-B6). Figure 6 As described, the scrambler initialization sequence 702 may be used to synchronize a descrambler of a receiving device.

[0088] Aspects of the present disclosure recognize that the remaining bits 704 of the service field 700 are reserved in the existing (non-HT) PPDU format. More specifically, each of the remaining bits 704 is set to a value of "0" in legacy control frames (such as RTS, CTS, PS-POLL, and BAR frames). As used herein, the term "legacy" may refer to a frame format and communication protocol that complies with the IEEE 802.11ax amendment to the IEEE 802.11 standard. In some implementations, at least eight of the remaining bits 704 may be repurposed to convey perforated channel information (such as Figure 6 dynamic perforated channel information 604 or additional perforated channel information 606). Fig. 7AIn the example of , the punctured channel information is carried on the last eight remaining bits 704 (coincident with bit positions B8-B15 of the service field 700). However, in actual implementations, any of the remaining bits 704 may be repurposed to convey the punctured channel information.

[0089] In some implementations, the perforated channel information may be represented by a perforated subchannel bit map. For example, each of bit positions B8-B15 may represent a corresponding subchannel of a wireless channel (wherein bit position B8 represents the lowest subchannel of the wireless channel and bit position B15 represents the highest subchannel of the wireless channel). A bit value of "1" may indicate that the associated subchannel is to be perforated or avoided, while a bit value of "0" may indicate that the associated subchannel may be used for wireless communication. In some aspects, the granularity of each subchannel may depend on the size of the wireless channel. For example, when the perforated subchannel bit map represents a wireless channel greater than 160 MHz, each bit may represent a corresponding 40 MHz subchannel. On the other hand, when the perforated subchannel bit map represents a wireless channel of 160 MHz or less, each bit may represent a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel.

[0090] Figure 7B Another example configuration of a service field 710 for a control frame according to some implementations is shown. The service field 710 includes a sequence of scrambler initialization bits 712 and a number of remaining bits 714. Figure 7B As shown in , the length of the service field 710 is 2 octets (16 bits), however, the scrambler initialization sequence 712 only represents the first 7 bits of the service field 710 (corresponding to bit positions B0-B6). Figure 6 As described, the scrambler initialization sequence 712 may be used to synchronize a descrambler of a receiving device.

[0091] As mentioned above Fig. 7A As described, the remaining bits 714 of the service field 710 are reserved in the existing (non-HT) PPDU format. Aspects of the present disclosure further recognize that, according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, primary subchannels cannot be punctured. Thus, only 7 bits may be needed to represent each of the subchannels of the wireless channel that may be punctured. In some implementations, seven of the remaining bits 714 may be repurposed to convey punctured channel information (such as Figure 6 dynamic perforated channel information 604 or additional perforated channel information 606). Figure 7B In the example of , the punctured channel information is carried on the last seven remaining bits 714 (coincident with bit positions B9-B15 of the service field 710). However, in actual implementations, any of the remaining bits 714 may be diverted to convey the punctured channel information.

[0092] In some implementations, the perforated channel information may be represented by a perforated subchannel bit map. For example, each of bit positions B9-B15 may represent a corresponding subchannel of a wireless channel (wherein bit position B9 represents the lowest subchannel of the wireless channel and bit position B15 represents the highest subchannel of the wireless channel). A bit value of "1" may indicate that the associated subchannel is to be perforated or avoided, while a bit value of "0" may indicate that the associated subchannel may be used for wireless communication. In some aspects, the granularity of each subchannel may depend on the size of the wireless channel. For example, when the perforated subchannel bit map represents a wireless channel greater than 160 MHz, each bit may represent a corresponding 40 MHz subchannel. On the other hand, when the perforated subchannel bit map represents a wireless channel of 160 MHz or less, each bit may represent a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel.

[0093] and Fig. 7A Compared with the punctured subchannel bitmap, Figure 7B The punctured subchannel bitmap leaves one unused bit (such as in bit position B8) among the remaining bits 704. In some implementations, this unused bit can be repurposed to convey puncturing pattern information (such as Figure 6 For example, a bit value of "0" may indicate that the TXOP holder supports only the first punctured channel control mode (where punctured subchannels cannot be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder), and a bit value of "1" may indicate that the TXOP holder supports the second punctured channel control mode (where punctured subchannels can be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder). In some other implementations, unused bits may be reserved for future use.

[0094] Figure 7C Another example configuration of a service field 720 for a control frame according to some implementations is shown. The service field 720 includes a sequence of scrambler initialization bits 722 and a number of remaining bits 724. Figure 7C As shown in , the length of the service field 720 is 2 octets (16 bits), however, the scrambler initialization sequence 722 only represents the first 7 bits of the service field 720 (corresponding to bit positions B0-B6). Figure 6 As described, the scrambler initialization sequence 722 may be used to synchronize a descrambler of a receiving device.

[0095] As mentioned above Fig. 7A As described, the remaining bits 720 of the service field 724 are reserved in the existing (non-HT) PPDU format. In some implementations, five of the remaining bits 724 may be repurposed to convey punctured channel information (such as Figure 6dynamic perforated channel information 604 or additional perforated channel information 606). Figure 7C In the example of , the punctured channel information is carried on the five remaining bits 724 that coincide with bit positions B9-B13 of the service field 720. However, in actual implementations, any of the remaining bits 724 may be repurposed to convey the punctured channel information.

[0096] In some implementations, the perforated channel information may be represented by a perforated subchannel value (rather than a bitmap). In other words, the combined value of the bits in bit positions B9-B13 may represent a known pattern of perforated subchannels (similar to how perforated channel information is communicated in the bandwidth and perforated information subfields of the U-SIG). For example, each 5-bit pattern may be mapped to a unique set of perforated subchannels for a given bandwidth (which may also be indicated by the service field 720). Thus, after determining the bandwidth associated with the perforated channel information, the receiving device may use a lookup table to determine the specific perforated subchannel represented by the perforated subchannel value.

[0097] and Fig. 7A Compared with the punctured subchannel bitmap, Figure 7C The punctured subchannel value leaves three unused bits in the remaining bits 704 (such as in bit positions B8, B14, and B15). In some implementations, one of these unused bits (such as the bit in bit position B8) can be repurposed to convey punctured pattern information (such as Figure 6 The puncturing mode selection 605 of the embodiment of the present invention is as follows. For example, a bit value of "0" may indicate that the TXOP holder only supports the first punctured channel control mode (where punctured subchannels cannot be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder), and a bit value of "1" may indicate that the TXOP holder supports the second punctured channel control mode (where punctured subchannels can be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder). The remaining unused bits (in bit positions B14 and B15) may be reserved for future use. In some other implementations, all three unused bits may be reserved for future use.

[0098] Fig. 8A A timing diagram illustrating example bandwidth negotiation operations 800 between an AP and a STA according to some implementations is shown. The APs may be Figure 1 and 5A STAs may be respectively Figure 1 and 5B An example of a STA 104 or 504. Fig. 8AIn the example of FIG, the STA is described as a TXOP holder and the AP is described as a TXOP responder. However, in other implementations, the AP may be a TXOP holder and the STA may be a TXOP responder. In some implementations, the STA and the AP may operate according to a first perforated channel control mode (where the perforated sub-channels cannot be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder).

[0099] At time t0, the STA transmits a replicated RTS frame to the AP on a 320 MHz channel excluding several punctured sub-channels. Fig. 8A In the example of , the perforated subchannels may represent one or more occupied subchannels detected by the AP and one or more additional occupied subchannels detected by the STA. In some implementations, the RTS frame may carry perforated channel information indicating perforated subchannels to be avoided or perforated when communicating on the 320 MHz channel. For example, the perforated channel information may be carried by one or more remaining bits after the scrambler initialization sequence in the service field of the RTS frame (such as referring to Figures 7A-7C described).

[0100] The AP receives the RTS frame and may interpret one or more bits of the service field as carrying punctured channel information. The AP may further determine the punctured sub-channel represented by the received punctured channel information. Fig. 8A In the example of , the AP may not detect any additional occupied subchannels within the 320 MHz channel. Thus, at time t1, the AP transmits a duplicated CTS frame to the STA on the 320 MHz channel excluding the perforated subchannel indicated by the STA. In some implementations, the CTS frame may also carry perforated channel information identifying the same perforated subchannel as indicated in the RTS frame. In some other implementations, the CTS frame may not carry any perforated channel information.

[0101] exist Fig. 8A In the example of FIG. 1 , the CTS frame may indicate that the AP supports the 320 MHz channel (and the punctured subchannel) requested by the STA. The STA receives the CTS frame and continues to transmit data PPDUs to the AP on a portion of the 320 MHz channel (which excludes the punctured subchannel) at time t2. At time t3, the AP acknowledges receipt of the data PPDU by transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK) frame back to the STA. Fig. 8A As shown in , the ACK frame may also be replicated on the 320 MHz channel excluding the punctured sub-channels.

[0102] Figure 8B A timing diagram illustrating another example bandwidth negotiation operation 810 between an AP and a STA according to some implementations is shown. The APs may be Figure 1and 5A STAs may be respectively Figure 1 and 5B An example of a STA 104 or 504. Figure 8B In the example of FIG, the STA is described as a TXOP holder and the AP is described as a TXOP responder. However, in other implementations, the AP may be a TXOP holder and the STA may be a TXOP responder. In some implementations, the STA and the AP may be in operation according to the first perforated channel control mode (where the perforated sub-channel cannot be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder).

[0103] At time t0, the STA transmits a replicated RTS frame to the AP on a 320 MHz channel excluding several punctured sub-channels. Figure 8B In the example of , the perforated subchannels may represent one or more occupied subchannels detected by the AP and one or more additional occupied subchannels detected by the STA. In some implementations, the RTS frame may carry perforated channel information indicating perforated subchannels to be avoided or perforated when communicating on the 320 MHz channel. For example, the perforated channel information may be carried by one or more remaining bits after the scrambler initialization sequence in the service field of the RTS frame (such as referring to Figures 7A-7C described).

[0104] The AP receives the RTS frame and may interpret one or more bits of the service field as carrying punctured channel information. The AP may further determine the punctured sub-channel represented by the received punctured channel information. Figure 8B In the example of , the AP may detect several additional occupied subchannels in the upper 160 MHz subband of the 320 MHz channel. Because the STA does not support perforated channel negotiation, the AP may prevent the STA from using the upper 160 MHz subband of the 320 MHz channel. Thus, at time t1, the AP transmits a duplicated CTS frame to the STA on the lower 160 MHz subband. In some implementations, the CTS frame may also carry perforated channel information that identifies the same perforated subchannel as indicated in the RTS frame. In some other implementations, the CTS frame may not carry any perforated channel information.

[0105] exist Figure 8BIn the example of FIG. 1 , the CTS frame may indicate that the AP does not support the 320 MHz channel requested by the STA. For example, the CTS frame may indicate that only the lower 160 MHz subband may be used for subsequent communications on the wireless channel. The STA receives the CTS frame and continues to transmit the data PPDU to the AP on the lower 160 MHz subband of the 320 MHz channel at time t2. At time t3, the AP confirms receipt of the data PPDU by transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK) frame back to the STA. Figure 8B As shown in , the ACK frame may also be duplicated on the lower 160 MHz sub-band of the 320 MHz channel.

[0106] Fig. 9 A timing diagram illustrating another example bandwidth negotiation operation 900 between an AP and a STA according to some implementations is shown. The APs may be Figure 1 and 5A STAs may be respectively Figure 1 and 5B An example of a STA 104 or 504. Fig. 9 In the example of FIG, the STA is described as a TXOP holder and the AP is described as a TXOP responder. However, in other implementations, the AP may be a TXOP holder and the STA may be a TXOP responder. In some implementations, the STA and the AP may operate according to a second perforated channel control mode (where the perforated sub-channels may be negotiated between the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder).

[0107] At time t0, the STA transmits a replicated RTS frame to the AP on a 320 MHz channel excluding several punctured sub-channels. Fig. 9 In the example of , the perforated subchannels may represent one or more occupied subchannels detected by the AP and one or more additional occupied subchannels detected by the STA. In some implementations, the RTS frame may carry perforated channel information indicating perforated subchannels to be avoided or perforated when communicating on the 320 MHz channel. For example, the perforated channel information may be carried by one or more remaining bits after the scrambler initialization sequence in the service field of the RTS frame (such as referring to Figures 7A-7C described).

[0108] The AP receives the RTS frame and may interpret one or more bits of the service field as carrying punctured channel information. The AP may further determine the punctured sub-channel represented by the received punctured channel information. Fig. 9In the example of , the AP may detect several additional occupied subchannels in the upper 160 MHz subband of the 320 MHz channel. Because the STA supports perforated channel negotiation, the AP may allow the STA to use any portion of the 320 MHz channel that does not include occupied subchannels. Thus, at time t1, the AP transmits a duplicated CTS frame to the STA on the 320 MHz channel excluding the perforated subchannels indicated by the STA and the additional perforated subchannels determined by the AP. In some implementations, the CTS frame may also carry perforated channel information identifying the perforated subchannels indicated in the RTS frame and the additional perforated subchannels determined by the AP. In some other implementations, the CTS frame may not carry any perforated channel information.

[0109] exist Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 1 , the CTS frame may indicate that the AP supports the 320 MHz channel (and the punctured subchannels) requested by the STA. The STA receives the CTS frame and continues to transmit data PPDUs to the AP on the portion of the 320 MHz channel (which excludes the punctured subchannels determined by the STA and the additional punctured subchannels determined by the AP) at time t2. At time t3, the AP confirms receipt of the data PPDU by transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK) frame back to the STA. Fig. 9 As shown in , the ACK frame may also be replicated on the lower 320 MHz channel excluding the punctured sub-channel determined by the STA and the additional punctured sub-channel determined by the AP.

[0110] Fig. 10A 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 1000 for wireless communication supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations. In some implementations, the process 1000 may be performed by a wireless communication device as an AP (such as a wireless communication device, such as a wireless communication device, and a wireless communication device, respectively). Figure 1 and 5A The method may be performed by a wireless communication device operating with or within the AP (one of APs 102 or 502).

[0111] In some implementations, process 1000 may begin by transmitting a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel to a STA in block 1002. In block 1004, process 1000 continues by communicating with the STA on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0112] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing a plurality of subchannels associated with the wireless channel, wherein one or more first perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some implementations, each bit of the bitmap may represent a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel. In some implementations, the bitmap may be carried in a non-legacy operation element of a management frame.

[0113] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a perforation pattern indication indicating whether the TXOP holder is permitted to indicate one or more second perforated subchannels to the TXOP responder, wherein the one or more second perforated subchannels are different from the one or more first perforated subchannels. In some implementations, the perforation pattern indication may be carried in a non-legacy capabilities element of a management frame. In some aspects, the perforation pattern indication may further indicate whether the TXOP responder is permitted to indicate one or more third perforated subchannels to the TXOP holder, wherein the third perforated subchannel is different from the first perforated subchannel and the second perforated subchannel.

[0114] In some aspects, a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information may be received from a STA. In some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may indicate one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0115] Fig. 10B 1010 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 1010 for wireless communication supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations. In some implementations, the process 1010 can be performed by an AP (such as Figure 1 and 5A The method may be performed by a wireless communication device operating with or within the AP (one of APs 102 or 502).

[0116] Reference Fig. 10A In an example of, process 1010 may begin in block 1012 after transmission of a management frame in block 1002 and before communication with the STA in block 1004. In some implementations, process 1010 may begin in block 1012 with performing a CCA operation indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels. At block 1014, process 1010 continues with transmitting a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating the one or more second perforated subchannels to the STA, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0117] In some aspects, the packet may be a PPDU, and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in the U-SIG field of the PPDU. In some other aspects, the packet may be a control frame, and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in the service field of the control frame. In some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing multiple subchannels of a wireless channel, wherein one or more second perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some other implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried on five bits of the service field having values ​​mapped to one or more first perforated subchannels.

[0118] Fig.11A 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 1100 for wireless communication supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations. In some implementations, the process 1100 may be performed by a STA (such as a STA, respectively Figure 1 and 5B The method may be performed by a wireless communication device operating by or within a STA (one of STAs 104 or 504).

[0119] In some implementations, process 1100 may begin by receiving a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel from an AP in block 1102. In block 1104, process 1100 continues by communicating with the AP on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0120] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing a plurality of subchannels associated with the wireless channel, wherein one or more first perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some implementations, each bit of the bitmap may represent a corresponding 20 MHz subchannel. In some implementations, the bitmap may be carried in a non-legacy operation element of a management frame.

[0121] In some aspects, the perforated channel information may include a perforation pattern indication indicating whether the TXOP holder is permitted to indicate one or more second perforated subchannels to the TXOP responder, wherein the one or more second perforated subchannels are different from the one or more first perforated subchannels. In some implementations, the perforation pattern indication may be carried in a non-legacy capabilities element of a management frame. In some aspects, the perforation pattern indication may further indicate whether the TXOP responder is permitted to indicate one or more third perforated subchannels to the TXOP holder, wherein the third perforated subchannel is different from the first perforated subchannel and the second perforated subchannel.

[0122] In some aspects, a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information may be received from an AP. In some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may indicate one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0123] Fig. 11B 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example process 1110 for wireless communication supporting enhanced bandwidth puncturing according to some implementations. In some other implementations, the process 1110 may be performed by a STA (such as a STA, respectively Figure 1 and 5B The method is performed by a wireless communication device operating (one of STA104 or 504) or within a STA.

[0124] Reference Fig.11A In an example of, process 1110 may begin in block 1112 after reception of a management frame in block 1102 and before communication with the AP in block 1104. In some implementations, process 1110 may begin in block 1112 with performing a CCA operation indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels. At block 1114, process 1110 continues with transmitting a packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating the one or more second perforated subchannels to the AP, wherein the portion of the wireless channel further excludes the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0125] In some aspects, the packet may be a PPDU, and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in the U-SIG field of the PPDU. In some other aspects, the packet may be a control frame, and the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried in the service field of the control frame. In some implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may include a bitmap representing multiple subchannels of a wireless channel, wherein one or more second perforated subchannels are indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively. In some other implementations, the dynamic perforated channel information may be carried on five bits of the service field having values ​​mapped to one or more first perforated subchannels.

[0126] Fig.12 1 shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 1200 according to some implementations. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 1200 is configured to perform the above-mentioned Fig. 10A and 10B In some implementations, the wireless communication device 1200 may be the wireless communication device 1200 described above. Figure 4Example implementations of the described wireless communication device 400. For example, the wireless communication device 1200 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem).

[0127] The wireless communication device 1200 includes a receiving component 1210, a communication manager 1220, and a transmission component 1230. The communication manager 1220 may further include a perforated channel indication component 1222 and a perforated channel avoidance component 1224. Portions of one or more of the components 1222 and 1224 may be implemented at least in part in hardware or firmware. In some implementations, at least one of the components 1222 or 1224 is implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory, such as the memory 408. For example, portions of one or more of the components 1222 and 1224 may be implemented as non-transient instructions or codes that may be executed by a processor, such as the processor 406, to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding components.

[0128] The receiving component 1210 is configured to receive RX signals from one or more other wireless communication devices on a wireless channel; the transmitting component 1230 is configured to transmit TX signals to the one or more other wireless communication devices on the wireless channel; and the communication manager 1220 is configured to manage communications with the one or more other wireless communication devices. In some implementations, the perforated channel indicating component 1222 transmits a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more perforated sub-channels associated with the wireless channel to the STA; and the perforated channel avoiding component 1224 communicates with the STA on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more perforated sub-channels.

[0129] Fig.13 1 shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 1300 according to some implementations. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 1300 is configured to perform the above-mentioned Fig.11A and 11B Any of the processes 1100 or 1110 described above. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 1300 can be the Figure 4 Example implementations of the described wireless communication device 400. For example, the wireless communication device 1300 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem).

[0130] The wireless communication device 1300 includes a receiving component 1310, a communication manager 1320, and a transmission component 1330. The communication manager 1320 may further include a perforated channel determination component 1322 and a perforated channel avoidance component 1324. Portions of one or more of the components 1322 and 1324 may be implemented at least in part in hardware or firmware. In some implementations, at least one of the components 1322 or 1324 is implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory, such as the memory 408. For example, portions of one or more of the components 1322 and 1324 may be implemented as non-transient instructions or codes that may be executed by a processor, such as the processor 406, to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding components.

[0131] The receiving component 1310 is configured to receive RX signals from one or more other wireless communication devices on a wireless channel; the transmitting component 1330 is configured to transmit TX signals to the one or more other wireless communication devices on the wireless channel; and the communication manager 1320 is configured to manage communications with the one or more other wireless communication devices. In some implementations, the perforated channel determining component 1322 receives a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with the wireless channel from an AP; and the perforated channel avoiding component 1324 communicates with the AP on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0132] Various implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses.

[0133] 1. A method for wireless communication by a wireless communication device, comprising:

[0134] transmitting, to a wireless station (STA), a management frame carrying punctured channel information indicating one or more first punctured sub-channels associated with a wireless channel; and

[0135] Communicating with the STA on a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more first punctured sub-channels.

[0136] 2. The method of clause 1, wherein the punctured channel information comprises a bitmap representing a plurality of subchannels associated with the wireless channel, the one or more first punctured subchannels being indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively.

[0137] 3. A method as in any of clauses 1 or 2, wherein each bit of the bitmap represents a corresponding 20 MHz sub-channel.

[0138] 4. The method of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the bitmap is carried in a non-legacy operations element of the management frame.

[0139] 5. A method as described in any of clauses 1-4, wherein the perforated channel information includes a perforation mode indication indicating whether a transmit opportunity (TXOP) holder is permitted to indicate to a TXOP responder one or more second perforated sub-channels, the one or more second perforated sub-channels being different from the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0140] 6. The method of any of clauses 1-5, wherein the puncturing mode indication further indicates whether the TXOP responder is permitted to indicate one or more third punctured subchannels to the TXOP holder, the third punctured subchannels being different from the first punctured subchannel and the second punctured subchannel.

[0141] 7. The method of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the puncturing mode indication is carried in a non-legacy capabilities element of the management frame.

[0142] 8. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising:

[0143] A packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels is received from the STA, the portion of the wireless channel further excluding the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0144] 9. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 8, further comprising:

[0145] performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) operation indicating one or more second punctured sub-channels different from the one or more first punctured sub-channels; and

[0146] A packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating the one or more second perforated sub-channels is transmitted to the STA, the portion of the wireless channel further excluding the one or more second perforated sub-channels.

[0147] 10. The method of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the packet is a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU), and the dynamic perforated channel information is carried in a universal signal field (U-SIG) of the PPDU.

[0148] 11. The method of any of clauses 1-9, wherein the packet is a control frame and the dynamic perforated channel information is carried in a service field of the control frame.

[0149] 12. A method as in any one of clauses 1-9 or 11, wherein the dynamic perforated channel information comprises a bit map representing a plurality of sub-channels of the wireless channel, and the one or more second perforated sub-channels are respectively indicated by one or more bits of the bit map.

[0150] 13. The method of any of clauses 1-9 or 11, wherein the dynamic punctured channel information is carried on five bits of the service field having values ​​mapped to the one or more first punctured sub-channels.

[0151] 14. A wireless communication device, comprising:

[0152] at least one processor; and

[0153] At least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor, is configured to perform the method of any one or more of clauses 1-13.

[0154] 15. A method for wireless communication by a wireless communication device, comprising:

[0155] receiving, from an access point (AP), a management frame carrying perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel; and

[0156] Communicating with the AP over a portion of the wireless channel excluding at least the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0157] 16. The method of clause 15, wherein the punctured channel information comprises a bitmap representing a plurality of subchannels associated with the wireless channel, the one or more first punctured subchannels being respectively indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap.

[0158] 17. The method of any of clauses 15 or 16, wherein each bit of the bitmap represents a corresponding 20 MHz sub-channel.

[0159] 18. The method of any of clauses 15-17, wherein the bitmap is carried in a non-legacy operations element of the management frame.

[0160] 19. A method as described in any of clauses 15-18, wherein the perforated channel information includes a perforation mode indication indicating whether a transmit opportunity (TXOP) holder is permitted to indicate to a TXOP responder one or more second perforated sub-channels, the one or more second perforated sub-channels being different from the one or more first perforated sub-channels.

[0161] 20. The method of any of clauses 15-19, wherein the puncturing mode indication further indicates whether the TXOP responder is permitted to indicate one or more third punctured subchannels to the TXOP holder, the third punctured subchannels being different from the first punctured subchannel and the second punctured subchannel.

[0162] 21. The method of any of clauses 15-20, wherein the puncturing pattern indication is carried in a non-legacy capabilities element of the management frame.

[0163] 22. The method of any one of clauses 15-21, further comprising:

[0164] A packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating one or more second perforated subchannels different from the one or more first perforated subchannels is received from the AP, the portion of the wireless channel further excluding the one or more second perforated subchannels.

[0165] 23. The method of any one of clauses 15-22, further comprising:

[0166] performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) operation indicating one or more second punctured sub-channels different from the one or more first punctured sub-channels; and

[0167] A packet carrying dynamic perforated channel information indicating the one or more second perforated sub-channels is transmitted to the AP, the portion of the wireless channel further excluding the one or more second perforated sub-channels.

[0168] 24. The method of any of clauses 15-23, wherein the packet is a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU), and the dynamic perforated channel information is carried in a universal signal field (U-SIG) of the PPDU.

[0169] 25. The method of any of clauses 15-23, wherein the packet is a control frame and the dynamic perforated channel information is carried in a service field of the control frame.

[0170] 26. The method of any one of clauses 15-23 or 25, wherein the dynamic perforated channel information comprises a bitmap representing a plurality of subchannels of the wireless channel, the one or more second perforated subchannels being respectively indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap.

[0171] 27. The method of any of clauses 15-23 or 25, wherein the dynamic punctured channel information is carried on five bits of the service field having values ​​mapped to the one or more first punctured sub-channels.

[0172] 28. A wireless communication device, comprising:

[0173] at least one processor; and

[0174] At least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor, is configured to perform the method of any one or more of clauses 15-27.

[0175] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" or "one or more of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover the following possibilities: only a, only b, only c, a combination of a and b, a combination of a and c, a combination of b and c, and a combination of a, b, and c.

[0176] The various illustrative components, logic, logic blocks, modules, circuits, operations, and algorithmic processes described in conjunction with the implementations disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, firmware, software, or a combination of hardware, firmware, or software, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents. This interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software has been generally described in terms of their functionality and is illustrated in the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware, firmware, or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0177] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the universal principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the disclosure, the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0178] In addition, various features described in this specification in the context of separate implementations may also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Thus, while features may be described above as functioning in a particular combination and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be removed from the combination, and a claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination, or a variation of a subcombination.

[0179] Similarly, although operations are depicted in a particular order in the accompanying drawings, this should not be understood as requiring such operations to be performed in the particular order shown or in a sequential order, or to perform all the illustrated operations to achieve the desired result. In addition, the accompanying drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flow chart or a flow diagram. However, other operations that are not depicted may be incorporated into the example processes schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously or between any illustrated operations. In some environments, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. In addition, the separation of various system components in the implementation described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; as well as one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, and the one or more processors, when executing the code, are configured to cause the wireless communication device to: transmitting or receiving a management frame including an information element including first perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel; After transmitting or receiving the management frame, performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) operation on one or more remaining subchannels of the wireless channel excluding the one or more first punctured subchannels; determining, based on the CCA operation, that one or more second subchannels of the wireless channel, different from the one or more first punctured subchannels, are associated with interference; as well as In accordance with the performance of the CCA operation, a packet is transmitted on a portion of the wireless channel excluding the one or more first punctured subchannels and excluding the one or more second subchannels, the packet including a field containing punctured channel information indicating that one or more subchannels are punctured.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the information element comprises: indicating whether the information element omits a bit of an octet indicating a bitmap associated with the first punctured channel information; as well as The octet of the bitmap associated with the first punctured channel information indicating the one or more first punctured sub-channels associated with the wireless channel is indicated according to the bit indicating the information element carries the octet.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the bitmap represents a plurality of subchannels associated with the wireless channel, and the one or more first punctured subchannels are respectively indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 3, wherein the bitmap is a 16-bit bitmap and each bit of the bitmap represents a corresponding 20 megahertz (MHz) subchannel.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 3, wherein a first bit value of each of the one or more bits of the bitmap indicates that the corresponding 20 MHz sub-channel is punctured.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the packet comprises a Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), and the punctured channel information is carried in a signal field of the PPDU.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the punctured channel information is carried in a universal signal field (U-SIG) of the PPDU.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the PPDU is an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) PPDU.

9. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the management frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

10. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the packet comprises a non-legacy PPDU, a Null Data Packet Announcement (NDPA) frame, a trigger frame, a Request to Send (RTS) frame, a Power Save Poll (PS-POLL) frame, or a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR) frame.

11. A method for wireless communication by a wireless communication device, comprising: transmitting or receiving a management frame including an information element including first perforated channel information indicating one or more first perforated sub-channels associated with a wireless channel; After transmitting or receiving the management frame, performing a clear channel assessment (CCA) operation on one or more remaining subchannels of the wireless channel excluding the one or more first punctured subchannels; determining, based on the CCA operation, that one or more second subchannels of the wireless channel, different from the one or more first punctured subchannels, are associated with interference; as well as In accordance with the performance of the CCA operation, a packet is transmitted on a portion of the wireless channel excluding the one or more first punctured subchannels and excluding the one or more second subchannels, the packet including a field containing punctured channel information indicating that one or more subchannels are punctured.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the information element comprises: indicating whether the information element omits a bit of an octet indicating a bitmap associated with the first punctured channel information; as well as The octet of the bitmap associated with the first punctured channel information indicating the one or more first punctured sub-channels associated with the wireless channel is indicated according to the bit indicating the information element carries the octet.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the bitmap represents a plurality of subchannels associated with the wireless channel, the one or more first punctured subchannels being indicated by one or more bits of the bitmap, respectively.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the bitmap is a 16-bit bitmap and each bit of the bitmap represents a corresponding 20 megahertz (MHz) subchannel.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein a first bit value of each of the one or more bits of the bitmap indicates that the corresponding 20 MHz sub-channel is punctured.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the packet comprises a Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), and the punctured channel information is carried in a signal field of the PPDU.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the punctured channel information is carried in a universal signal field (U-SIG) of the PPDU.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the PPDU is an Extremely High Throughput (EHT) PPDU.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the management frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or an association response frame.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the packet comprises a non-legacy PPDU, a Null Data Packet Announcement (NDPA) frame, a trigger frame, a Request to Send (RTS) frame, a Power Save Poll (PS-POLL) frame, or a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR) frame.

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