Coordinated device-to-device communication

Abstract

Various aspects of the techniques, methods, and devices described in the present disclosure generally relate to enabling coexistence between a WLAN and a P2P network, and in particular to coordinated D2D communications. Some aspects specifically relate to extending the capability of TWT elements transmitted by an AP to support a periodic reservation access window during which a D2D-enabled wireless device is allowed to transmit direct wireless communications. Some other aspects relate to sharing time and frequency resources via CAP TDMA or CAP OFDMA techniques, and in particular to allocating at least some time and frequency resources exclusively for D2D communications. Some other aspects relate to a periodic coordinated access window during which an AP is scheduled for contention, but during which D2D devices are not allowed for contention, and in particular, a reserved access window within the periodic coordinated access window is scheduled during which the D2D devices are not allowed for contention, despite the permission associated with the periodic coordinated access window. The D2D device may still transmit direct communications to other D2D devices.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. 202080078230.3 (PCT / US2020 / 061196) titled "Coordinated Device-to-Device Communication" with a filing date of November 19, 2020. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication and, more particularly, to coordinated device-to-device communication. Background Art

[0003] A wireless local area network (WLAN) can 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 follows the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard family 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 so that any STA within the wireless range of the AP can establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN.

[0004] In addition to participating in a WLAN, an STA can also participate in a peer-to-peer (P2P), ad hoc, or mesh network. In such instances, STAs can communicate directly with each other via a P2P wireless link without using an intermediate AP. In some deployments, the regular infrastructure traffic going to and from the AP and a group of associated STAs may interfere with the P2P traffic between STAs, and vice versa. Techniques for achieving coexistence are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure each have several innovative aspects, none of which is solely responsible for the desired attributes disclosed herein.

[0006] The subject matter described generally relates to enabling coexistence between a WLAN and a P2P or ad-hoc network, and more particularly to coordinated device-to-device (D2D) communication. An innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by a wireless communication device operating in or as a first wireless access point, the wireless communication device including at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one modem and storing processor-readable code that is configured to perform the method when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem. The method includes transmitting a first wireless packet to at least a first group of wireless stations in a first basic service set (BSS) controlled by the first wireless access point, each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations, the first wireless packet including an indication of a periodic reservation access window, the indication of the periodic reservation access window indicating to the first group of wireless stations that the first group of wireless stations is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels during the periodic reservation access window. The method further includes suppressing the transmission of wireless communication during the periodic reservation access window.

[0007] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure may be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method may be performed by a wireless communication device operating in or as a first wireless station, the wireless communication device including at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one modem and storing processor-readable code that is configured to perform the method when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem. The method includes receiving a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point controlling a first BSS that includes a first group of wireless stations, the first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station, the first wireless station being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations, the first wireless packet including an indication of a periodic reservation access window, the indication of the periodic reservation access window indicating to the first wireless station that the first wireless station is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to one or more other wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels during the periodic reservation access window. The method further includes directly transmitting a second wireless packet to another wireless station during at least one of the periodic reservation access windows in the periodic reservation access window.

[0008] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a wireless communication device operating in or as a first wireless access point, the wireless communication device including at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one modem and storing processor-readable code that is configured to perform the method when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem. The method includes obtaining a transmission opportunity for wireless communication via one or more wireless channels. The method further includes selecting one or more other wireless access points to participate in the transmission opportunity. The method also includes allocating a corresponding set of time and frequency resources from a plurality of time and frequency resources of the transmission opportunity to each of the first wireless access point and the selected wireless access points. The method also includes allocating a first subset of time and frequency resources from the set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless access point to a first group of wireless stations in a BSS controlled by the first wireless access point for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The method also includes transmitting a first wireless packet to the one or more selected wireless access points, the first wireless packet including an indication of the set of time and frequency resources allocated to the corresponding wireless access point for each selected wireless access point. The method additionally includes transmitting a second wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the second wireless packet including an indication of the first subset of time and frequency resources. The method further includes suppressing wireless communication in the first subset of time and frequency resources.

[0009] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a wireless communication device operating in or as a first wireless access point, the wireless communication device including at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one modem and storing processor-readable code, the processor-readable code being configured to perform the method when executed by the at least one processor in combination with the at least one modem. The method includes receiving a first wireless packet from a second wireless access point, the first wireless packet indicating that a plurality of time and frequency resources of a transmission opportunity owned by the second wireless access point can be shared by the second wireless access point. The method further includes transmitting a second wireless packet to the second wireless access point, the second wireless packet indicating an expectation to participate in the transmission opportunity. The method further includes receiving a third wireless packet from the second wireless access point, the third wireless packet including an indication of a first set of time and frequency resources of the plurality of time and frequency resources, the first set of time and frequency resources being allocated to the first wireless access point and usable by the first wireless access point to transmit data to or receive data from a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by the first wireless access point during the transmission opportunity. The method further includes allocating a first subset of the first set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless access point to the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The method additionally includes transmitting a fourth wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the fourth wireless packet including an indication of the first subset of the first set of time and frequency resources. The method further includes suppressing wireless communication in the first subset of the first set of time and frequency resources.

[0010] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a wireless communication device operating in or as a first wireless station, the wireless communication device including at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one modem and storing processor-readable code, the processor-readable code being configured to perform the method when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem. The method includes receiving a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point controlling a first BSS including a first group of wireless stations, the first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station, the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations, the first wireless packet including an indication of a first time and frequency resource subset of a first time and frequency resource set allocated to the first BSS from among a plurality of time and frequency resources of a transmission opportunity owned by the first wireless access point or a second wireless access point, the first time and frequency resource subset being allocated for use by the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The method further includes directly transmitting a second wireless packet to another wireless station using the first time and frequency resource subset.

[0011] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a wireless communication device operating in or as a first wireless access point, the wireless communication device including at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one modem and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem, is configured to perform the method. The method includes exchanging one or more first wireless packets with a first group of wireless access points including the first wireless access point to coordinate scheduling of a periodic coordination access window during which the first group of wireless access points are scheduled to contend for access to one or more wireless channels. The method further includes transmitting a second wireless packet including a first indication of the periodic coordination access window. The method also includes determining that a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by the first wireless access point are operating a Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) network, each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations in the NAN network, and the first group of wireless stations not being permitted to contend for access to the one or more wireless channels during the periodic coordination access window. The method additionally includes transmitting a third wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the third wireless packet including a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more of the periodic coordination access windows in the periodic coordination access window, the second indication indicating that the first group of wireless stations are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network on the one or more wireless channels regardless of the first indication. The method further includes suppressing transmission of wireless communication during the reserved access window.

[0012] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented as a wireless communication method. The method can be performed by a wireless communication device operating in or as a first wireless station, the wireless communication device including at least one modem, at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one modem, and at least one memory communicatively coupled to the at least one modem and storing processor-readable code that, when executed by the at least one processor in conjunction with the at least one modem, is configured to perform the method. The method includes forming or joining a Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) network including a first group of wireless stations, the first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station, and each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations in the NAN network. The method further includes receiving a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point controlling a first Basic Service Set (BSS) including the first group of wireless stations, the first wireless packet including a first indication of a periodic coordination access window during which wireless access points including the first wireless access point are scheduled to contend for access to one or more wireless channels and during which wireless stations including the first group of wireless stations are not permitted to contend for access to the one or more wireless channels. The method additionally includes receiving a second wireless packet from the first wireless access point, the second wireless packet including a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more of the periodic coordination access windows, the second indication indicating that the first group of wireless stations is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network on the one or more wireless channels regardless of the first indication. The method further includes directly transmitting a third wireless packet to another wireless station during at least one of the reserved access windows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. However, the drawings illustrate only some typical aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not considered to limit its scope. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example wireless communication network is shown.

[0015] Figure 2A An example protocol data unit (PDU) that can be used for communication between an access point (AP) and several stations (STAs) is shown.

[0016] Figure 2B ShowsFigure 2A Example fields in the PDU.

[0017] Figure 3A Another example PDU that can be used for communication between an AP and several STAs is shown.

[0018] Figure 3B Another example PDU that can be used for communication between an AP and several STAs is shown.

[0019] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of another example wireless communication network is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device is shown.

[0021] Figure 6A A block diagram of an example access point (AP) is shown.

[0022] Figure 6B A block diagram of an example station (STA) is shown.

[0023] Figure 7 A flowchart showing an example process of wireless communication for supporting coordinated device-to-device (D2D) communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0024] Figure 8 A timing diagram showing an example periodic reservation access window for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0025] Figure 9 A flowchart showing an example process of wireless communication for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0026] Figure 10 A flowchart showing an example process of wireless communication for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0027] Figure 11 A timing diagram showing an example reservation of time resources for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0028] Figure 12 A timing diagram showing an example reservation of frequency resources for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0029] Figure 13 A flowchart showing an example process of wireless communication for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0030] Figure 14A flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0031] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0032] Figure 16 A timing diagram illustrating an example reserved access window for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0033] Figure 17 A flowchart illustrating an example process of wireless communication for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0034] Figure 18 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0035] Figure 19 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0036] Figure 20 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0037] Figure 21 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0038] Figure 22 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0039] Figure 23 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0040] Figure 24 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown.

[0041] Like reference numerals and designations in the various figures indicate like elements. Detailed Description

[0042] The following description is directed to certain specific implementations to describe the innovative aspects of the present disclosure. However, those 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 any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to one or more of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, IEEE 802.15 standards, standards defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), or Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G, or 5G (New Radio (NR)) standards released by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), etc. The described implementations can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to 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 can also be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Wide Area Networks (WWANs), or Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The various aspects of the technologies, methods, and devices disclosed herein generally relate to achieving coexistence between a WLAN and a peer-to-peer (P2P) or ad-hoc network, and more specifically to coordinated device-to-device (D2D) communication. Some aspects more specifically relate to the ability to extend the Target Wake Time (TWT) element transmitted by a wireless access point to support a periodic reservation access window during which D2D-enabled wireless devices are allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to other D2D-enabled wireless devices.

[0043] Some other aspects relate to sharing the time and frequency resources of a wireless medium, and more specifically, to Coordinated Access Point (CAP) Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) or CAP Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) techniques for sharing the time and frequency resources of a transmission opportunity. According to such techniques, a wireless access point that wins contention and obtains access to the wireless medium during a TXOP can share its time and frequency resources with other coordinated access points. The coordinated access points can then specifically allocate at least some of their respective time and frequency resources for D2D communication.

[0044]

[0045] ​In some other aspects, a D2D-enabled wireless device may form or join a P2P network that also includes a first group of other D2D-enabled wireless devices. The D2D-enabled wireless device may receive a first indication from a wireless access point indicating a periodic coordination access window during which the wireless access point is scheduled for contention access and during which the group of D2D-enabled wireless devices is not allowed to contend for access. The D2D-enabled wireless device may also receive a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more of the periodic coordination access windows during which at least some of the group of D2D-enabled wireless devices are allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to other D2D-enabled wireless device networks despite the permissions associated with the first indication.

[0046] Figure 1 FIG. shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication network 100. According to some aspects, 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 hereinafter as WLAN 100). For example, WLAN 100 may be a network that implements at least one of the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standards family (such as the standards defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be). WLAN 100 may include numerous wireless communication devices, such as access point (AP) 102 and multiple stations (STA) 104. Although only one AP 102 is shown, WLAN network 100 may also include multiple APs 102.

[0047] Each STA 104 may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), mobile device, mobile handset, wireless handset, access terminal (AT), user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), or subscriber unit, and other possibilities. STA 104 may represent various devices, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), other handheld devices, netbook, netbook computer, tablet computer, laptop device, display device (e.g., TV, computer monitor, navigation system, etc.), music or other audio or stereo device, remote control device (“remote control”), printer, kitchen or other household appliance, remote key fob (e.g., for a passive keyless entry and start (PKES) system), and other possibilities.

[0048] 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 1Additionally shown is an example coverage area 106 of the AP 102, which can represent the basic service area (BSA) of the WLAN 100. A BSS can be identified to users by a service set identifier (SSID) and can also be identified to other devices by a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which can be the media access control (MAC) address of the AP 102. The AP 102 periodically broadcasts beacon frames ("beacons") including the BSSID so that any STA 104 within the wireless range of the AP 102 can "associate" or re-associate with the AP 102 to establish a corresponding communication link 108 (also hereinafter referred to as a "Wi-Fi link") with the AP 102 or maintain the communication link 108 with the AP 102. For example, the beacon can include: an identification of the 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 can provide access to an external network to each STA 104 in the WLAN via the corresponding communication link 108.

[0049] To establish a communication link 108 with the AP 102, each STA 104 is configured to perform passive or active scanning operations ("scans") on frequency channels in one or more frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, or 60 GHz bands). To perform passive scanning, the STA 104 listens for beacons transmitted by the corresponding AP 102 at periodic time intervals called target beacon transmission times (TBTTs) (measured in time units (TUs), where one TU can be equal to 1024 microseconds (μs)). To perform active scanning, the STA 104 generates probe requests and sequentially transmits these probe requests on each channel to be scanned and listens for probe responses from the AP 102. Each STA 104 can be configured to: identify or select the AP 102 to associate with based on scan information obtained through passive or active scanning and perform authentication and association operations to establish a communication link 108 with the selected AP 102. The AP 102 assigns an association identifier (AID) to the STA 104 at the end of the association operation, and the AP 102 uses the AID to track the STA 104.

[0050] As wireless networks become increasingly prevalent, STA 104 may have the opportunity to select among many BSSs within the range of the STA or among multiple APs 102 that together form an extended service set (ESS) (including multiple connected BSSs). Extended network stations associated with the WLAN 100 can be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system that allows multiple APs 102 to be connected within such an ESS. Thus, STA 104 can be covered by more than one AP 102 and can associate with different APs at different times for different transmissions. Additionally, after associating with an AP 102, STA 104 can also be configured to periodically scan its surrounding environment to look for a more suitable AP 102 to associate with. For example, a STA 104 that is moving relative to its associated AP 102 can perform a "roaming" scan to look for another AP 102 with more favorable network characteristics (such as a greater received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or reduced traffic load).

[0051] In some cases, STA 104 can form a network without an AP 102 or other equipment other than the STA 104 itself. An example of such a network is an ad hoc network (or wireless ad hoc network). An ad hoc network may alternatively be referred to as a mesh network or a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. In some cases, an ad hoc network can be implemented within a larger wireless network (such as WLAN 100). In such an implementation, while STA 104 may be able to communicate with each other through an AP 102 using communication link 108, STA 104 can also communicate directly with each other via a direct wireless link 110. Additionally, two STA 104 can communicate via a direct communication link 110 regardless of whether the two STA 104 are associated with and served by the same AP 102. In such an ad hoc system, one or more STA 104 can assume the role that an AP 102 plays in a BSS. Such a STA 104 can be referred to as a group owner (GO) and can coordinate transmissions within the ad hoc network. Examples of direct wireless link 110 include Wi-Fi Direct connections, connections established by using Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) links, and other P2P group connections.

[0052] AP 102 and STA 104 can operate and communicate (via the respective communication links 108) according to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard family, such as the standards defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be. These standards define the WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the PHY and media access control (MAC) layers. AP 102 and STA 104 transmit and receive wireless communications (hereinafter also referred to as "Wi-Fi communications") with each other in the form of PHY protocol data units (PPDUs) (or physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) PPDUs). The AP 102 and STA 104 in the WLAN 100 can transmit PPDUs in the unlicensed spectrum, which can be a part of the spectrum including the frequency bands traditionally used by Wi-Fi technology, such as the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 60 GHz band, 3.6 GHz band, and 900 MHz band. Some implementations of the AP 102 and STA 104 described herein can also communicate in other frequency bands that support both licensed and unlicensed communications, such as the 6 GHz band. The AP 102 and STA 104 can also be configured to communicate in other frequency bands, such as shared licensed bands, where multiple operators may have licenses to operate in one or more identical or overlapping frequency bands.

[0053] Each frequency band can include multiple sub-bands or frequency channels. For example, PPDUs compliant with the IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be standard amendments can be transmitted in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz frequency bands, where each frequency band is divided into multiple 20 MHz channels. Thus, these PPDUs are transmitted on physical channels with a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz, but can form larger channels through channel bonding. For example, PPDUs can be transmitted on physical channels having a bandwidth of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz by bonding multiple 20 MHz channels together.

[0054] Each PPDU is a composite structure that includes a PHY preamble and a payload in the form of a PHY service data unit (PSDU). The information provided in the preamble can be used by the receiving device to decode the subsequent data in the PSDU. In instances where the PPDU is transmitted over a bonded channel, the preamble field can be replicated and transmitted in each of the multiple component channels. The PHY preamble can include both a legacy portion (or "legacy preamble") and a non-legacy portion (or "non-legacy preamble"). The legacy preamble can be used for packet detection, automatic gain control, and channel estimation, among other uses. The legacy preamble can also generally be used to maintain compatibility with legacy devices. The format, coding, and information provided in the non-legacy portion of the preamble are based on the specific IEEE 802.11 protocol to be used for transmitting the payload.

[0055] Figure 2A An example protocol data unit (PDU) 200 that can be used for wireless communication between an AP and several STAs is shown. For example, the PDU 200 can 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 can include a legacy portion that itself includes a legacy short training field (L-STF) 206 that can consist of two BPSK symbols, a legacy long training field (L-LTF) 208 that can consist of two BPSK symbols, and a legacy signal field (L-SIG) 210 that can consist of two BPSK symbols. The legacy portion of the preamble 202 can be configured according to the IEEE802.11a wireless communication protocol standard. The preamble 202 can also include a non-legacy portion that includes one or more non-legacy fields 212 that follow an IEEE wireless communication protocol such as IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, or a future wireless communication standard.

[0056] The L-STF 206 generally enables the receiving device to perform automatic gain control (AGC), coarse timing, and frequency estimation. The L-LTF 208 generally enables the receiving device to perform fine timing and frequency estimation and also to perform an initial estimation of the wireless channel. The L-SIG 210 generally enables the receiving device to determine the duration of the PDU and use the determined duration to avoid transmitting over the PDU. For example, the L-STF 206, L-LTF 208, and L-SIG 210 may be modulated according to a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation scheme. The payload 204 may be modulated according to a BPSK modulation scheme, a quadrature BPSK (Q-BPSK) modulation scheme, a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation scheme, or another suitable modulation scheme. The payload 204 may include a PSDU that contains a data field (DATA) 214, which in turn may carry higher layer data in the form of, for example, a media access control (MAC) protocol data unit (MPDU) or an aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU).

[0057] Figure 2B shows an Figure 2A example L-SIG 210 in the PDU 200. The L-SIG 210 includes a data rate field 222, a reserved (R) bit 224, a length field 226, a parity (P) bit 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 212 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 symbols or bytes. The parity bit 228 may be used to detect bit errors. The tail field 230 includes tail bits that may be used by the receiving device to terminate the operation of a decoder (e.g., a Viterbi decoder). The receiving device may 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.

[0058] Figure 3AAnother example PDU 300 that can be used for wireless communication between an AP and several STAs is shown. PDU 300 can be used for MU-OFDMA or MU-MIMO transmission. PDU 300 includes a PHY preamble, and the PHY preamble includes a legacy part 302 and a non-legacy part 304. PDU 300 can further include a PHY payload 306 (e.g., in the form of a PSDU including a data field 324) after the preamble. The legacy part 302 of the preamble includes an L-STF 308, an L-LTF 310, and an L-SIG 312. According to the IEEE 802.11ax amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard, the non-legacy part 304 of the preamble, and the data field 374 can be formatted as a high-efficiency (HE) WLAN preamble and frame, respectively. The non-legacy part 304 includes a repeated legacy signal field (RL-SIG) 314, a first HE signal field (HE-SIG-A) 316, a second HE signal field (HE-SIG-B) 316 encoded separately from HE-SIG-A 318, an HE short training field (HE-STF) 320, and several HE long training fields (HE-LTF) 322. Similar to the L-STF 308, L-LTF 310, and L-SIG 312, in instances involving the use of bonded channels, the information in the RL-SIG 314 and HE-SIG-A 316 can be replicated and transmitted in each component 20MHz channel. In contrast, the HE-SIG-B 318 can be unique for each 20MHz channel and can be targeted at a specific STA 104.

[0059] The RL-SIG 314 can indicate to the HE-compatible STA 104 that the PPDU is an HE PPDU. The AP 102 can use the HE-SIG-A 316 to identify multiple STAs 104 and notify the multiple STAs 104 that the AP has scheduled UL or DL resources for them. The HE-SIG-A 316 can be decoded by each HE-compatible STA 104 served by the AP 102. The HE-SIG-A 316 includes information that can be used by each identified STA 104 to decode the associated HE-SIG-B 318. For example, the HE-SIG-A 316 can indicate the frame format (including the position and length of the HE-SIG-B 318), the available channel bandwidth, the modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and other possibilities. The HE-SIG-A 316 can also include HE WLAN signaling information that can be used by STAs 104 other than the several identified STAs 104.

[0060] The HE-SIG-B 318 may carry STA-dependent scheduling information, such as, for example, per-user MCS values and per-user RU allocation information. In the context of DL MU-OFDMA, such information enables the corresponding STA 104 to identify and decode the corresponding RU in the associated data field. Each HE-SIG-B 318 includes a common field and at least one STA-dependent ("user-dependent") field. The common field may indicate the RU distribution for multiple STAs 104, indicate the RU assignment in the frequency domain, indicate which RUs are allocated for MU-MIMO transmission and which RUs correspond to MU-OFDMA transmission, and the number of users in the allocation, etc. The common field may be encoded with common bits, CRC bits, and tail bits. The user-dependent fields are assigned to a specific STA 104 and may be used to schedule a specific RU and indicate the scheduling to other WLAN devices. Each user-dependent field may include a plurality of user block fields (followed by padding, if any). Each user block field may include two user fields that contain information for two corresponding STAs to decode their respective RU payloads in the data field 324.

[0061] Figure 3B An example PPDU 350 that can be used for wireless communication between an AP and multiple STAs according to some embodiments is shown. The PPDU 350 can be used for SU, MU-OFDMA, or MU-MIMO transmission. The PPDU 350 includes a PHY preamble that includes a legacy portion 352 and a non-legacy portion 354. The PPDU 350 may further include a PHY payload 356 after the preamble, e.g., in the form of a PSDU that includes a data field 376. The legacy portion 352 includes an L-STF 358, an L-LTF 360, and an L-SIG 362. The non-legacy portion 354 of the preamble and the data field 376 may be formatted as an IEEE 802.11be revised very high throughput (EHT) WLAN preamble and frame according to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard, or may be formatted as a preamble and frame of any higher version (post-HE) of a new wireless communication protocol that complies with a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard or other standards.

[0062] The non - traditional portion 354 of the preamble includes a second signal field (referred to herein as "Pre - SIG") 366, a third signal field (referred to herein as "EHT - SIG - A", but it can be configured to carry version - related information for other wireless communication protocol versions other than EHT) 368, and a fourth signal field (referred to herein as "EHT - SIG - B", but it can be configured to carry version - related information for other wireless communication protocol versions other than EHT) 370. The non - traditional portion 354 further includes an additional short training field (referred to herein as "EHT - STF", but it can be configured to carry version - related information for other wireless communication protocol versions other than EHT) 372, and a plurality of additional long training fields (referred to herein as "EHT - LTF", but they can be configured to carry version - related information for other wireless communication protocol versions other than EHT) 374. Similar to the L - STF 358, L - LTF 360, and L - SIG 362, the information in the Pre - SIG 366 and EHT - SIG - A 368 can be replicated and transmitted in each of the constituent 20 MHz channels in instances involving the use of bonded channels. In some embodiments, the EHT - SIG - A 368 can additionally or alternatively carry information different from the information carried in the primary 20 MHz channel in one or more non - primary 20 MHz channels. The EHT - SIG - B 370 can be unique for each 20 MHz channel and, as described above, can be specific to a particular STA 104. The non - traditional portion 354 of the preamble may or may not include a repeated legacy signal field (RL - SIG) 364 after the L - SIG 362 and before the Pre - SIG 366.

[0063] The EHT-SIG-A 368 may include one or more combined coded symbols and may be coded in a block different from the block coding the Pre-SIG366. The AP may use the EHT-SIG-A 368 to identify and notify multiple STAs 104 that the AP has scheduled UL or DL resources. The EHT-SIG-A 368 may be decoded by each compatible STA 104 served by the AP 102. The EHT-SIG-A 368 includes information that can be used by the identified STA 104 to decode the associated EHT-SIG-B 370. The EHT-SIG-A 368 is generally used by the receiving device to interpret bits in the EHT-SIG-B 370 or the data field 376. For example, the EHT-SIG-A 368 may indicate the location and length of the EHT-SIG-B 370 in various component channels, the available channel bandwidth, and the modulation and coding scheme (MCS), among other possibilities. The EHT-SIG-A 368 may further include a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) (e.g., four bits) and a tail (e.g., six bits) that can be used for a binary convolutional code (BCC).

[0064] The EHT-SIG-B 370 may include multiple symbols, which may be encoded in a block different from the block encoding the EHT-SIG-A 368. In some other embodiments, the EHT-SIG-A 368 may be jointly encoded with some or all of the EHT-SIG-B 370. For example, the EHT-SIG-A 368 may be jointly encoded with a first part of the EHT-SIG-B 370, and the first part includes information common to all users served by the PPDU 350. The EHT-SIG-B 370 may carry STA-specific scheduling information, such as, for example, per-user MCS values and per-user RU allocation information. The EHT-SIG-B 370 can generally be used by a receiving device to interpret bits in the data field 376. In the context of DL MU-OFDMA, such information enables each STA 104 to identify and decode the corresponding RU in the associated data field 376. Each EHT-SIG-B 370 includes a common field and at least one STA-specific (“user-specific”) field. The common field may indicate the RU distribution for multiple STAs 104, indicate the RU assignment in the frequency domain, indicate which RUs are allocated for MU-MIMO transmission and which RUs correspond to MU-OFDMA transmission, and the number of users in the assignment, among other possibilities. The common field may be encoded with common bits, CRC bits, and tail bits. The user-specific field is assigned to a specific STA 104 and may be used to schedule a specific RU and indicate the scheduling to other WLAN devices. Each user-specific field may include multiple user block fields (followed by padding, if any). Each user block field may include, for example, two user fields that contain information for two corresponding STAs to decode their respective RU payloads.

[0065] The Pre-SIG 366 and RL-SIG 364 (if present) may indicate to an EHT-compliant or later STA 104 that the PPDU 350 is an EHT PPDU or a PPDU compliant with another non-traditional wireless communication protocol version. For example, a receiving device may use the Pre-SIG 366 to interpret bits in one or more of the EHT-SIG-A 368, EHT-SIG-B 370, or data field 376. In some embodiments, the Pre-SIG 366 may include reserved bits that indicate whether the PPDU 350 complies with the EHT or later version of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards or other standards (e.g., after IEEE 802.11ax). In some embodiments, the Pre-SIG 366 includes a version field that includes at least one bit indicating the specific wireless communication protocol version with which the PPDU 350 complies.

[0066] Access to a shared wireless medium is typically governed by the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF). With DCF, there is generally no centralized master device that allocates the time and frequency resources of the shared wireless medium. Instead, before a wireless communication device (such as AP102 or STA 104) is permitted to transmit data, the wireless communication device must wait for a specific time and then contend for access to the wireless medium. In some implementations, a wireless communication device may be configured to implement DCF by using Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) techniques and timing intervals. Before transmitting data, the wireless communication device may perform a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) and determine that the appropriate wireless channel is idle. CCA includes physical (PHY-level) carrier sensing and virtual (MAC-level) carrier sensing. Physical carrier sensing is accomplished via measurement of the received signal strength of a valid frame, which is then compared to a threshold to determine whether the channel is busy. For example, if the received signal strength of the detected preamble is above the threshold, the medium is considered busy. Physical carrier sensing also includes energy detection. Energy detection involves measuring the total energy received by the wireless communication device regardless of whether the received signal represents a valid frame. If the detected total energy is above the threshold, the medium is considered busy. Virtual carrier sensing is accomplished via use of the Network Allocation Vector (NAV), which is an indicator of the time when the medium will next likely become idle. The NAV is reset each time a valid frame that is not addressed to the wireless communication device is received. The NAV effectively serves as the time duration that must elapse before the wireless communication device can contend for access, even in the absence of detected symbols or even if the detected energy is below the relevant threshold.

[0067] As described above, DCF is implemented by using time intervals. These time intervals include the slot time (or "slot interval") and the Inter-Frame Space (IFS). The slot time is the basic timing unit and can be determined based on one or more of the transmit-receive turnaround time, channel sensing time, propagation delay, and MAC processing time. Channel sensing measurements are made for each slot. All transmissions can start at slot boundaries. There are different types of IFS, including the Short IFS (SIFS), the Distributed IFS (DIFS), the Extended IFS (EIFS), and the Arbitration IFS (AIFS). For example, DIFS can be defined as the sum of SIFS and twice the slot time. The values of the slot time and IFS can be provided by an appropriate standard specification, such as one of the IEEE 802.11 series of wireless communication protocol standards (such as the standard defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be).

[0068] When the NAV reaches 0, the wireless communication device performs physical carrier sensing. If the channel remains idle within an appropriate IFS (e.g., DIFS), the wireless communication device initiates a backoff timer, which represents the time duration for which the device must sense the medium as idle before being allowed to transmit. Each time the medium is sensed as idle during the corresponding time slot interval, the backoff timer decrements by one time slot. If the channel remains idle until the backoff timer expires, the wireless communication device becomes the owner (or "owner") of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and can start transmitting. A TXOP is the time duration during which a wireless communication device can transmit frames on the channel after it has won contention for the wireless medium. On the other hand, if one or more carrier sensing mechanisms indicate that the channel is busy, the MAC controller within the wireless communication device will not allow transmission.

[0069] Each time the wireless communication device generates a new PPDU for transmission in a new TXOP, the wireless communication device randomly selects a new backoff timer duration. The available distribution of numbers that can be randomly selected for the backoff timer is referred to as the contention window (CW). When the backoff timer expires, if the wireless communication device transmits a PPDU but the medium is still busy, a collision may occur. Additionally, if there is too much additional energy on the wireless channel, resulting in a poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the communication may be corrupted or otherwise not successfully received. In such instances, the wireless communication device may not receive an acknowledgment communication for the transmitted PDU within a timeout interval. The MAC may then exponentially increase the CW (e.g., double it) and randomly select a new backoff timer duration from the CW before each retransmission attempt of the PPDU. Before each retransmission attempt, the wireless communication device may wait for the duration of the DIFS and, if the medium remains idle, proceed to initiate a new backoff timer. There are different CW and TXOP durations for each of the following four access categories (ACs): voice (AC_VO), video (AC_VI), background (AC_BK), and best effort (AC_BE). This enables prioritization of specific types of traffic in the network.

[0070] As described above, the AP 102 and STA 104 can support multi-user (MU) communication; that is, concurrent transmission from one device to each of multiple devices (e.g., multiple simultaneous downlink (DL) communications from the AP 102 to the corresponding STAs 104), or concurrent transmission from multiple devices to a single device (e.g., multiple simultaneous uplink (UL) transmissions from the corresponding STAs 104 to the AP 102). To support MU transmission, the AP 102 and STA 104 can utilize multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and multi-user orthogonal frequency division multiple access (MU-OFDMA) techniques.

[0071] In the MU-OFDMA scheme, the available spectrum of the wireless channel can be divided into multiple resource units (RUs), each of which includes several different frequency subcarriers ("tones"). Different RUs can be allocated or assigned by the AP 102 to different STAs 104 at a specific time. The size and distribution of the RUs can be referred to as RU allocation. In some implementations, RUs can be allocated in 2 MHz intervals, and thus, the smallest RU can include 26 tones consisting of 24 data tones and 2 pilot tones. Therefore, in a 20 MHz channel, up to 9 RUs (such as 26-tone RUs of 2 MHz) can be allocated (since some tones are reserved for other purposes). Similarly, in a 160 MHz channel, up to 74 RUs can be allocated. Larger 52-tone, 106-tone, 242-tone, 484-tone, and 996-tone RUs can also be allocated. Adjacent RUs can be separated by null subcarriers (such as the DC subcarrier), for example, to reduce interference between adjacent RUs, reduce the receiver DC offset, and avoid leakage of the transmit center frequency.

[0072] For UL MU transmission, the AP 102 can transmit a trigger frame to initiate and synchronize UL MU-OFDMA or UL MU-MIMO transmission from multiple STAs 104 to the AP 102. Such a trigger frame can thus enable multiple STAs 104 to concurrently send UL traffic to the AP 102 in time. The trigger frame can address one or more STAs 104 through corresponding association identifiers (AIDs), and one or more RUs can be assigned to each AID (and thus to each STA 104), and these RUs can be used to send UL traffic to the AP 102. The AP can also specify one or more random access (RA) RUs that unscheduled STAs 104 can contend for.

[0073] Figure 4FIG. shows a schematic diagram of another example wireless communication network. According to some aspects, wireless communication network 100 may be an example of a WLAN. For example, WLAN 100 may be a network that implements at least one of the IEEE 802.11 standard family. Wireless network 400 may include a plurality of STAs 404. As described above, each STA 104 may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), mobile device, mobile handset, wireless handset, access terminal (AT), user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), or subscriber unit, and other possibilities. STA 404 may represent various devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, netbook computers, tablet computers, laptop devices, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, navigation systems, etc.), music or other audio or stereo devices, remote control devices (“remote controls”), printers, kitchen or other household appliances, remote key fobs (e.g., for passive keyless entry and start (PKES) systems), and other possibilities.

[0074] Wireless network 400 is an example of a peer-to-peer (P2P), ad hoc, or mesh network. STAs 404 may communicate directly with each other via P2P wireless links 410 (without using an intermediate AP). In some embodiments, wireless network 400 is an example of a neighbor awareness networking (NAN) network. The NAN network operates according to the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) neighbor awareness networking (also known as NAN) standard specification. NAN-compliant STAs 404 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “NAN devices 404”) use data packet routing protocols such as the Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (HWMP) for path selection and transmit and receive NAN communications (e.g., in the form of Wi-Fi packets, including frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard, such as the wireless communication protocol standard defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its revisions, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be) via wireless P2P links 410 (hereinafter also referred to as “NAN links”).

[0075] A NAN network generally refers to a collection of NAN devices that share a common set of NAN parameters, which include: the time period between consecutive discovery windows, the duration of the discovery window, the NAN beacon interval, and the (multiple) NAN discovery channels. A NAN ID is an identifier that represents a specific set of NAN parameters used in a NAN network. The NAN network is dynamically self-organizing and self-configuring. NAN devices 404 in the network automatically establish an ad-hoc network with other NAN devices 404, thereby maintaining network connectivity. Each NAN device 404 is configured to relay data for the NAN network, enabling various NAN devices 404 to cooperate in distributing data within the network. Thus, a message can be transmitted from a source NAN device to a destination NAN device by propagating it along a path, hopping from one NAN device to the next until it reaches the destination.

[0076] Each NAN device 404 is configured to transmit two types of beacons: NAN discovery beacons and NAN synchronization beacons. When a NAN device 404 is powered on, or when the NAN function is enabled, the NAN device periodically transmits NAN discovery beacons (e.g., every 100 TUs, every 128 TUs, or another suitable period) and NAN synchronization beacons (e.g., every 512 TUs or another suitable period). The discovery beacons are management frames that are transmitted between discovery windows and are used to facilitate the discovery of NAN clusters. A NAN cluster is a collection of NAN devices in a NAN network that are synchronized to the same clock and discovery window schedule using the Time Synchronization Function (TSF). To join a NAN cluster, a NAN device 404 passively scans for discovery beacons from other NAN devices. When two NAN devices 404 come within each other's transmission range, they discover each other based on such discovery beacons. A corresponding primary preference value determines which of the NAN devices 404 will become the master device. If no NAN cluster is found, a NAN device 404 can initiate a new NAN cluster. When a NAN device 404 initiates a NAN cluster, it assumes the master role and broadcasts discovery beacons. Additionally, a NAN device can choose to participate in more than one NAN cluster in the NAN network.

[0077] The link between NAN devices 404 in a NAN cluster is associated with the discovery window - the time and channel on which the NAN devices converge. At the start of each discovery window, one or more NAN devices 404 can transmit NAN synchronization beacons, which are management frames used to synchronize the timing of NAN devices within the NAN cluster to the timing of the master device. The NAN devices 404 can then transmit multicast or unicast NAN service discovery frames directly to other NAN devices within the same NAN cluster and within the service discovery threshold during the discovery window. The service discovery frames indicate the services supported by the corresponding NAN device 404.

[0078] In some instances, the NAN device 404 may exchange service discovery frames to determine whether the two devices support ranging operations. The NAN device 404 may perform such ranging operations ( "ranging") during a discovery window. Ranging may involve the exchange of Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) frames (such as those defined in IEEE 802.11-REVmc). For example, the first NAN device 404 may transmit unicast FTM requests to multiple peer NAN devices 404. Then, the peer NAN devices 404 may transmit responses to the first NAN device 404. Then, the first NAN device 404 may exchange multiple FTM frames with each peer NAN device 404. Then, the first NAN device 404 may determine the range between itself and each peer device 404 based on the FTM frames and transmit a range indication to each peer NAN device 404. For example, the range indication may include a distance value or an indication as to whether the peer NAN device 404 is within the service discovery threshold (e.g., 3 meters (m)) of the first NAN device 404. The NAN link between NAN devices within the same NAN cluster may persist over multiple discovery windows as long as the NAN devices remain within each other's service discovery threshold and are synchronized to the anchor master device of the NAN cluster.

[0079] Some NAN devices 404 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with other networks such as Wi-Fi WLAN or wireless (e.g., cellular) wide area networks (WWANs), which in turn may provide access to external networks including the Internet. For example, the NAN device 404 may be configured to associate with and communicate with an AP or base station 202 of a WLAN or WWAN network via a Wi-Fi or cellular link 212, respectively. In such an instance, the NAN device 404 may include software-enabled access point (SoftAP) functionality that enables an STA to operate as a Wi-Fi hotspot to provide access to an external network to other NAN devices 404 via an associated WLAN or WWAN backhaul. Such a NAN device 404 (referred to as a NAN concurrent device) is capable of operating in a NAN network as well as another type of wireless network such as a Wi-Fi BSS. In some such embodiments, the NAN device 404 may advertise its ability to provide such access point services to other NAN devices 404 in a service discovery frame.

[0080] There are two general NAN service discovery messages: the publish message and the subscribe message. Generally, publish is the mechanism by which an application on a NAN device provides selected information about the capabilities and services of the NAN device to other NAN devices, while subscribe is the mechanism by which an application on a NAN device collects selected types of information about the capabilities and services of other NAN devices. When requesting a specific service from other NAN devices running within the same NAN cluster, a NAN device can generate and transmit a subscribe message. For example, in the active subscribe mode, the subscribe function executed within a NAN device can transmit a NAN service discovery frame to actively seek the availability of a specific service. The publish function executed within a publishing NAN device that can provide the requested service can transmit a publish message to reply to the subscribing NAN device, for example, in response to meeting the criteria specified in the subscribe message. The publish message can include a range parameter indicating a service discovery threshold, which represents the maximum distance at which the subscribing NAN device itself can utilize the service of the publishing NAN device. NAN can also use the publish message in a spontaneous manner. For example, a publishing NAN device can generate and transmit a publish message to make its services discoverable by other NAN devices running within the same NAN cluster. In the passive subscribe mode, the subscribe function does not initiate the transmission of any subscribe messages, but instead the subscribe function looks for a match in the received publish message to determine the availability of the desired service.

[0081] Following the discovery window is the transmission opportunity period. This period includes a number of resource blocks. A NAN device link (NDL) refers to the resource blocks negotiated between NAN devices for NAN operation. An NDL can include more than one "hop". The number of hops depends on the number of devices between the device providing the service and the device consuming or subscribing to the service. An example of an NDL that includes two hops includes three NAN devices: a provider, a subscriber, and a proxy that relays information between the provider and the subscriber. In such a configuration, the first hop refers to the communication of information between the provider and the proxy, and the second hop refers to the communication of information between the proxy and the subscriber. An NDL can refer to a subset of NAN devices capable of single-hop service discovery, but an NDL may also be able to perform service discovery and subscription via multiple hops (multi-hop NDL).

[0082] There are two general types of NDL: paged NDL (P-NDL) and synchronous NDL (S-NDL). Each common resource block (CRB) of P-NDL includes a paging window (PW), followed by a transmission window (TxW). All NAN devices participating in P-NDL operate in the state of receiving frames during the paging window. Generally, the participating NAN devices wake up during the paging window to listen to the paging channel to determine if there is any traffic buffered for the corresponding device. For example, a NAN device having data to be transmitted to other NAN devices can transmit a traffic announcement message to other NAN devices during the paging window to notify other NAN devices of the buffered data. If there is data available, the NAN device remains awake during the transmission window to exchange data. If there is no data to send, the NAN device can transition back to the sleep state during the transmission window to save power. If a NAN device has buffered data available for a peer device, the NAN device transmits a paging message to its NDL peer during the paging window. The paging message includes, for example, the MAC address or identifier of the destination device for which the data is available. The NAN device listed as the recipient in the received paging message transmits a trigger frame to the transmitting device and remains awake during the subsequent transmission window to receive data. The NDL transmitter device transmits the buffered data to the receiving device from which it received the trigger frame during the transmission window. A NAN device that has established an S-NDL with a peer NAN device can transmit data frames to the peer device from the start of each S-NDL CRB without transmitting a paging message in advance.

[0083] Figure 5 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device 500 is shown. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 can be an example of a device for a STA (such as one of the STAs 104 described above with reference to Figure 1 ). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 can be an example of a device for an AP (such as the AP 102 described above with reference to Figure 1 ). The wireless communication device 500 is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications, for example, in the form of wireless packets. For example, the wireless communication device can be configured to transmit and receive physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units (PPDUs) and media access control (MAC) protocol data units (MPDUs) in the form of packets that comply with the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard (such as the standard defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be).

[0084] The wireless communication device 500 can be or can include a chip, a system-on-chip (SoC), a chipset, a package, or a device that includes one or more modems 502 (e.g., a Wi-Fi (compliant with IEEE 802.11) modem). In some implementations, one or more modems 502 (collectively referred to as "modems 502") additionally include a WWAN modem (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compliant modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 further includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 504 (collectively referred to as "processors 504") coupled to the modem 502. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 additionally includes one or more radios 506 (collectively referred to as "radios 506") coupled to the modem 502. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 400 further includes one or more memory blocks or elements 508 (collectively referred to as "memory 508") coupled to the processor 504 or the modem 502.

[0085] The modem 502 can include intelligent hardware blocks or devices, such as, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The modem 502 is generally configured to implement the PHY layer and, in some implementations, also implement a part of the MAC layer (e.g., the hardware part of the MAC layer). For example, the modem 502 is configured to modulate a packet and output the modulated packet to the radio 504 for transmission over the wireless medium. Similarly, the modem 502 is configured to obtain the modulated packet received by the radio 504 and demodulate the packet to provide the demodulated packet. In addition to the modulator and demodulator, the modem 502 may further include digital signal processing (DSP) circuitry, automatic gain control (AGC) circuitry, encoders, decoders, multiplexers, and demultiplexers. For example, when in the transmission mode, the data obtained from the processor 506 can be provided to an encoder, which encodes the data to provide encoded bits. Subsequently, the encoded bits can be mapped to several (N SS number) spatial streams for spatial multiplexing or several (N STSspace-time streams for space-time block coding (STBC). The encoded bits in each stream may then be mapped (using the selected MCS) to points in a modulation constellation to provide modulated symbols. The modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial or space-time stream may be multiplexed, transformed via an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block, and then provided to the DSP circuitry (e.g., 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 radio 504. In implementations involving beamforming, the modulated symbols in the corresponding spatial stream are precoded via a steering matrix before being provided to the IFFT block.

[0086] When in the receive mode, the DSP circuitry is configured to acquire a signal including the modulated symbols received from radio 504, e.g., by detecting the presence of the signal and estimating initial timing and frequency offset. The DSP circuitry is further configured to digitally condition the signal, e.g., using channel (narrowband) filtering and analog impairment conditioning (such as correcting I / Q imbalance), and by applying digital gain to ultimately obtain a narrowband signal. The output of the DSP circuitry may then be fed to an AGC, which is configured to determine an appropriate gain using information extracted from the digital signal (e.g., in one or more received training fields). The output of the DSP circuitry is also coupled to a demultiplexer that demultiplexes the modulated symbols when multiple spatial or space-time streams are received. The demultiplexed symbols may be provided to a demodulator, which is configured to extract the symbols from the signal and, e.g., compute the log-likelihood ratio (LLR) for each bit position of each subcarrier in each spatial stream. The demodulator is coupled to a decoder, which may be configured to process the LLRs to provide decoded bits. The encoded bits may then be descrambled and provided to the MAC layer (processor 506) for processing, evaluation, or interpretation.

[0087] The radio 504 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, each of the RF transmitter and receiver may include various analog circuitry systems, respectively including at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low noise amplifier (LNA). The RF transmitter and receiver may in turn be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some implementations, the wireless communication device 500 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 symbols output from the modem 502 are provided to the radio 504, which then transmits these symbols via the coupled antennas. Similarly, the symbols received via the antennas are obtained by the radio 504, which then provides these symbols to the modem 502.

[0088] The processor 506 may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices designed to perform the functions described herein, such as, by way of example, processing cores, processing blocks, central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The processor 506 processes the information received through the radio 504 and the modem 502, and processes the information to be output through the modem 502 and the radio 504 for transmission through the wireless medium. For example, the processor 506 may implement the control plane and at least a portion of the MAC layer, which is configured to perform various operations related to the generation, transmission, reception, and processing of MPDUs, frames, or packets. In some implementations, the MAC layer is configured to: generate MPDUs to be provided to the PHY layer for encoding, and receive decoded information bits from the PHY layer for processing as MPDUs. The MAC layer may be further configured to allocate time and frequency resources, for example, for OFDMA, or other operations or techniques. In some implementations, the processor 506 may generally control the modem 502 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0089] The memory 504 may include a tangible storage medium, such as random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM) or a combination thereof. The memory 504 may also store non-transitory processor or computer-executable software (SW) code containing instructions that, when executed by the processor 506, cause the processor to perform various operations for wireless communication described herein, including generation, transmission, reception, and interpretation of MDPUs, frames, or packets. For example, the various functions of the 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.

[0090] Figure 6A A block diagram of an example AP 602 is shown. For example, the AP 602 may be an example implementation of the AP 102 described with reference to Figure 1 The AP 602 includes a wireless communication device (WCD) 610 (but the AP 602 itself may generally also be referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, the wireless communication device 610 may be an example implementation of the wireless communication device 500 described with reference to Figure 5 The AP 602 also includes a plurality of antennas 620 coupled to the wireless communication device 610 to transmit and receive wireless communications. In some implementations, the AP 602 additionally includes an application processor 630 coupled to the wireless communication device 610, and a memory 640 coupled to the application processor 630. The AP 602 further includes at least one external network interface 650 that enables the AP 602 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 650 may include one or both of a wired (e.g., Ethernet) network interface and a wireless network interface (such as a WWAN interface). The components among the foregoing components may communicate directly or indirectly with other components among these components over at least one bus. The AP 602 further includes a housing that encloses the wireless communication device 610, the application processor 630, the memory 640, and encloses at least a portion of the antennas 620 and the external network interface 650.

[0091] Figure 6B A block diagram of an example STA 604 is shown. For example, the STA 604 may be an example implementation of the STA 104 described with reference to Figure 1 The STA 604 includes a wireless communication device 615 (but the STA 604 itself may generally also be referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, the wireless communication device 615 may be an example implementation of the wireless communication device described with reference to Figure 5Example implementation of the described wireless communication device 500. STA 604 also includes one or more antennas 625 coupled to wireless communication device 615 to transmit and receive wireless communications. STA 604 additionally includes an application processor 635 coupled to wireless communication device 615, and a memory 645 coupled to application processor 635. In some implementations, STA 604 further includes a user interface (UI) 655 (such as a touchscreen or keyboard) and a display 665, which may be integrated with the UI 655 to form a touchscreen display. In some implementations, STA 604 may further include one or more sensors 675 (by way of example, such as one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors). Components among the foregoing components may communicate directly or indirectly with other components among these components over at least one bus. STA 604 further includes a housing that encloses wireless communication device 615, application processor 635, memory 645 and encloses at least portions of antenna 625, UI 655, and display 665.

[0092] In addition to participating in a WLAN, a STA may also participate in a peer-to-peer (P2P), ad-hoc, or mesh network. In such an instance, STAs may communicate directly with each other via a P2P wireless link without using an intermediate AP. In some deployments, the regular infrastructure traffic going to and from an AP and a group of associated STAs may interfere with the P2P traffic between STAs, and vice versa. Techniques for coexistence need to be implemented.

[0093] The latest wireless communication protocols, including IEEE 802.11be, may support scheduling access techniques as a supplement or alternative to conventional DCF and EDCA techniques, enabling multiple APs and STAs to share and communicate over the wireless medium. Such wireless communication protocols may additionally or alternatively support the use of time and frequency resource sharing within a transmission opportunity.

[0094] Aspects of the techniques, methods, and devices disclosed herein generally relate to achieving coexistence between a WLAN and a peer-to-peer (P2P) or ad-hoc network, and specifically relate to coordinated device-to-device (D2D) communication. (Refer to Figures 7 to 9 、 Figure 18 and Figure 19 described) Some aspects specifically relate to the ability to extend the Target Wake Time (TWT) element transmitted by a wireless access point to support a periodic reserved access window during which D2D-enabled wireless devices are allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to other D2D-enabled wireless devices.

[0095] (Refer to Figures 10 to 14 、 Figures 20 to 22Some other aspects, as described, relate to sharing the time and frequency resources of a wireless medium, and more specifically, to a coordinated access point (CAP) time division multiple access (TDMA) or CAP orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technique for sharing the time and frequency resources of a transmission opportunity. According to such a technique, a wireless access point that wins contention and obtains access to the wireless medium during a TXOP can share its time and frequency resources with other coordinated access points. The coordinated access points can then specifically allocate at least some of their respective time and frequency resources for dedicated use in D2D communication.

[0096] (Refer to Figures 15 to 17 、 Figure 23 and Figure 24 described) In some other aspects, a D2D-enabled wireless device can form or join a P2P network that also includes a first group of other D2D-enabled wireless devices. The D2D-enabled wireless device can receive a first indication from a wireless access point indicating a periodic coordinated access window during which the wireless access point is scheduled to contend for access, and during which the group of D2D-enabled wireless devices is not permitted to contend for access. The D2D-enabled wireless device can also receive a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more of the periodic coordinated access windows, during which at least some of the group of D2D-enabled wireless devices are permitted to transmit direct wireless communications to other D2D-enabled wireless device networks despite the permissions associated with the first indication.

[0097] Figure 7 FIG. 700 is a flow chart illustrating an example process for supporting coordinated D2D communication in a wireless communication according to some embodiments. The operations of process 700 can be implemented by a wireless access point or its components as described herein. For example, process 700 can be performed by a wireless communication device such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 described. In some embodiments, process 700 can be performed by a wireless access point such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A described, respectively.

[0098] In block 702, the wireless communication device (hereinafter with respect to Figure 7A first wireless access point (referred to herein as the first wireless access point) transmits a first wireless packet to at least a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by the first wireless access point. Each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations is also configured to perform D2D communication (also commonly referred to herein as direct wireless communication) with other wireless stations. In some embodiments, the first wireless packet includes an indication of a periodic reservation access window. The indication of the periodic reservation access window indicates to the first group of wireless stations that the first group of wireless stations is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels. In some embodiments, at block 704, the first wireless access point inhibits the transmission of wireless communication during the periodic reservation access window.

[0099] Figure 8 A timing diagram showing an example periodic reservation access window 802 that illustrates coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown. For example, the periodic reservation access window 802 is an example of the periodic reservation access window described with reference to process 700. The periodic reservation access window 802 recurs according to a time interval τ Res which may be synchronized with the transmission of a beacon frame 806 by the first wireless access point according to a beacon interval τ 信标 of the beacon frame 806.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations is not permitted to transmit direct wireless data communication to other wireless stations outside the periodic reservation access window 802 (although they may be able to transmit other direct non-data wireless communication in a discovery window outside the reservation access window, for example). In some embodiments, the indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 indicates to the first group of wireless stations that the first group of wireless stations is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations outside the first group of wireless stations (e.g., in other BSSs managed by other wireless access points) during at least a portion of one or more periodic reservation access windows 802. In some embodiments, the indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 indicates to other wireless stations in other BSSs that these other wireless stations are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations that may include the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels during at least a portion of one or more reservation access windows 802.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first wireless access point periodically transmits wireless packets, such as a first wireless packet. For example, each of the first wireless packet and other periodic wireless packets may include a beacon frame, such as one of the beacon frames 806. In some such embodiments, each beacon frame includes one or more Target Wake Time (TWT) Information Elements (IEs). Each TWT IE includes an indication of the wake cycle schedule for one or more wireless stations in the first BSS. For example, each TWT IE may be a separate TWT addressed to a single wireless station or a broadcast TWT addressed to a group of wireless stations such as a first group of wireless stations. During each wake cycle, the wireless station or group of wireless stations identified in the corresponding TWT will be awakened to receive wireless communications from the first wireless access point. In some embodiments, the identified wireless stations may also contend for access to the wireless medium during the corresponding wake cycle. In some embodiments, at least one TWT IE includes an indication of the periodic reserved access window 802. For example, the indication of the periodic reserved access window 802 may include an indication for each wake cycle in the corresponding wake cycle schedule as to whether it is a reserved access window 802. In some other embodiments, the first wireless packet may be another type of frame, for example, another management frame, such as a probe response frame that includes an indication of the periodic reserved access window 802.

[0102] In some embodiments, process 700 further includes exchanging one or more wireless packets with one or more other wireless access points to coordinate the scheduling of the periodic reserved access window 802. For example, the exchange of one or more wireless packets may include transmitting beacons and receiving beacons from other wireless access points, each of which includes timing information for coordinating the scheduling of the periodic reserved access window 802.

[0103] In some embodiments, the TWT IE indicating the periodic reserved access window 802 includes one or more other parameters for the periodic reserved access window 802. In some embodiments, the one or more other parameters include a time slot schedule defining a series of time slots in the periodic reserved access window 802. For example, Figure 8An embodiment is shown in which each reserved access window 802 is divided into a plurality of time slots 804. In some embodiments, each time slot 804 may be separated from each other time slot 804 by an interframe space (IFS) (e.g., a short interframe space (SIFS)). In the illustrated example, each reserved access window 802 includes four time slots 8041 - 8044, but the number of time slots may be more or less than four and may be adjusted or distributed differently in different reserved access windows. In some such embodiments, process 700 further includes allocating each of one or more time slots 804 to a respective subset of a first group of wireless stations (e.g., two or more wireless stations) for direct wireless communication. For example, each subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may not be permitted to transmit direct wireless communication in another time slot assigned to a different subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations.

[0104] In some embodiments, during at least one time slot 804, at least some of the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may be permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to or receive direct wireless communication from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by other access points. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may not restrict direct wireless communication to any single BSS during at least one time slot 804. Additionally or alternatively, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may exchange one or more wireless packets to further coordinate the time slot scheduling of the time slots 804 within at least one reserved access window 802. In some such embodiments, the exchange includes transmitting the identifiers of one or more wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations to at least one wireless access point. The exchange further includes receiving from the wireless access point the identifiers of one or more wireless stations associated with the wireless access point that are configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The two wireless access points may coordinate which wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to the wireless stations associated with the other wireless access point during one or more time slots 804 assigned to the other wireless access point. Similarly, the coordination may include determining which wireless stations in the group of wireless stations associated with the other wireless access point are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations during one or more time slots 804 assigned to the first group of wireless stations.

[0105] In some embodiments, such as a simplex embodiment, a wireless station that receives direct wireless communication from another wireless station in a respective time slot 804 is permitted to transmit an acknowledgment of the direct wireless communication transmitted in the respective time slot 804 during the next time slot 804 in the respective reserved access window.

[0106] In some embodiments, one or more other parameters identified in the indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 may further include a frame type for allowing direct wireless communication to be transmitted during the periodic reservation access window 802 or any other control information for controlling direct wireless communication during the reservation access window 802.

[0107] In some embodiments, process 700 further includes transmitting a trigger frame to a first group of wireless stations at the start of the reservation access window 802, the trigger frame triggering or initiating direct wireless communication by the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations. For example, the trigger frame may indicate to the first group of wireless stations that the first group of wireless stations are allowed to contend for access during corresponding time slots within the reservation access window 802. In some other embodiments, process 700 may further include transmitting a Reverse Direction Grant (RDG) to one or more wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations to initiate direct wireless communication with other wireless stations.

[0108] As described above, in some embodiments, for example, to reduce congestion caused by direct wireless communication outside the reservation access window 802, the first wireless access point may indicate that the first group of wireless stations do not transmit direct wireless communication outside the periodic reservation access window 802 (except for direct wireless communication during the discovery window). In some such embodiments, the first wireless packet or another wireless packet may include one or more silent elements. Each silent element may indicate to any wireless station within range (including the first group of wireless stations) that they are not allowed to transmit on one or more wireless channels during a silent period associated with the silent element. For example, each silent element may include a plurality of fields, including an Element Identifier (ID), length, silent count, silent period, silent duration, and silent offset, as defined, for example, in the IEEE 802.11 specification. Additionally or alternatively, to reduce congestion caused by direct wireless communication outside the reservation access window 802, the first wireless access point may include an indication to the first group of wireless stations in the first wireless packet to follow one or more Multi-User (MU) Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters outside the periodic reservation access window 802.

[0109] In some embodiments, a first group of wireless stations may be enabled to perform NAN operations, and direct wireless communication may include NAN communication. In some such embodiments, a first wireless access point may allow only wireless stations in a NAN network to access one or more wireless channels in a periodic reservation access window 802. For example, an indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 transmitted in block 702 may include an indication of a NAN cluster ID identifying the wireless stations assigned access to one or more wireless channels during the reservation access window 802. In some embodiments, in addition to direct wireless communication in a NAN discovery window, the first group of wireless stations may not be permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations outside of the periodic reservation access window 802 (i.e., not permitted to perform direct wireless data communication outside of the periodic reservation access window 802). The first group of wireless stations may operate the NAN network individually or in combination with other NAN-enabled wireless stations, which may be associated with other BSSs controlled by other wireless access points.

[0110] In some such embodiments, process 700 may further include receiving, from at least one wireless station in the first group of wireless stations, a wireless packet including an action frame, the wireless packet indicating one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of a periodic NAN discovery window. In some other embodiments, process 700 may further include scanning one or more NAN discovery channels and determining that the first group of wireless stations is operating a NAN network. The first wireless access point may then identify one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of the NAN discovery window.

[0111] In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point may transmit a wireless packet to each of one or more other wireless access points, the wireless packet including an indication of one or more parameters associated with the NAN network. The first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may then schedule the periodic reservation access window 802 based on the one or more parameters associated with the NAN network (including the timing of the NAN discovery window). In some such embodiments, scheduling the periodic reservation access window 802 includes synchronizing the periodic reservation access window with the periodic NAN discovery window.

[0112] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating an example process 900 for supporting coordinated D2D communication in wireless communication in accordance with some embodiments is shown. Operations of process 900 may be implemented by a wireless station or components thereof as described herein. For example, process 900 may be performed by a wireless station such as the one described above with reference to Figure 5performed by a wireless communication device such as the described wireless communication device 500. In some embodiments, process 900 may be performed by a wireless communication device operating as or within a wireless station, such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively.

[0113] In block 902, a wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as a first wireless station with reference to Figure 9 receives a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point that controls a first BSS including a first group of wireless stations, the first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station. The first wireless station is also configured for direct (D2D) wireless communication with other wireless stations. The first wireless packet includes an indication of a periodic reservation access window 802 during which the first wireless station is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to one or more other wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels. In block 904, the first wireless station directly transmits a second wireless packet to another wireless station during at least one periodic reservation access window 802.

[0114] As described above with reference to Figure 7 process 700, in some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station is not permitted to transmit direct wireless data communication to other wireless stations outside the periodic reservation access window 802 (but they may be able to transmit other direct non-data wireless communication in a discovery window, for example, outside the reservation access window 802). In some embodiments, the indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 indicates to the first group of wireless stations that the first group of wireless stations is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations outside the first group of wireless stations (e.g., in other BSSs managed by other wireless access points) during at least a portion of one or more periodic reservation access windows 802. In some embodiments, the indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 indicates to other wireless stations in other BSSs that these other wireless stations are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations that may include the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels during at least a portion of one or more reservation access windows 802.

[0115] As described above, in some embodiments, the first wireless station periodically receives wireless packets such as the first wireless packet. For example, each of the first wireless packet and other periodic wireless packets may include a beacon frame, such as one of the beacon frames 806. In some such embodiments, each beacon frame includes one or more TWT IEs. As referenced Figure 7As described in process 700, in some embodiments, at least one TWT IE includes an indication of a periodic reserved access window 802. For example, the indication of the periodic reserved access window 802 can include an indication for each wake cycle in the corresponding wake cycle schedule that it is a reserved access window 802.

[0116] In some embodiments, the TWT IE indicating the periodic reserved access window 802 includes one or more other parameters for the periodic reserved access window 802. As described above, in some embodiments, the one or more other parameters include a time slot schedule defining a series of time slots in the periodic reserved access window 802. In some such embodiments, process 900 further includes receiving an indication that at least one of these time slots is allocated to a first wireless station or a group of wireless stations including the first wireless station in a first group of wireless stations.

[0117] In some embodiments, the one or more other parameters identified in the indication of the periodic reserved access window 802 can further include a frame type for allowing direct wireless communication to be transmitted during the periodic reserved access window 802 or any other control information for controlling direct wireless communication during the reserved access window 802.

[0118] In some embodiments, process 900 further includes, at block 904, receiving a trigger frame from a first wireless access point at the start of the reserved access window 802, the trigger frame triggering or initiating the transmission of a second wireless packet by the first wireless station. For example, the trigger frame can indicate to the first wireless station that it is allowed to contend for access during one or more time slots within the reserved access window 802. In some other embodiments, process 900 further includes, at block 904, receiving an RDG frame from the first wireless access point, the RDG frame triggering or initiating the transmission of a second wireless packet by the first wireless station.

[0119] In some embodiments, a first group of wireless stations may be enabled to perform NAN operations, and direct wireless communication may include NAN communication. In some such embodiments, only the wireless stations in the NAN network are allowed to access one or more wireless channels in the periodic reservation access window 802. For example, the indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 received at block 902 may include an indication of the NAN cluster ID identifying the wireless stations assigned access to one or more wireless channels during the reservation access window 802. In some embodiments, in addition to the direct wireless communication in the NAN discovery window, the first group of wireless stations may not be allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations outside the periodic reservation access window 802 (i.e., not allowed to perform direct wireless data communication outside the periodic reservation access window 802). The first group of wireless stations may operate the NAN network individually or in combination with other NAN-enabled wireless stations, which may be associated with other BSSs controlled by other wireless access points.

[0120] In some embodiments, the first wireless station may form or join a NAN network including the first group of wireless stations prior to the execution of process 900. In some such embodiments, the first wireless station transmits a wireless packet including an action frame to the first wireless access point, the wireless packet indicating one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of the NAN discovery window. In some other embodiments, the first wireless station may periodically broadcast a wireless packet including an action frame, the wireless packet indicating one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of the NAN discovery window.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first wireless station transmits a wireless packet including an indication of the periodic reservation access window 802 to one or more wireless stations in the NAN network in each NAN discovery window of the one or more NAN discovery windows. In some embodiments, the first wireless station exchanges one or more wireless packets with at least one other wireless station in the NAN network to establish a NAN data link (NDL) during at least one access window in the periodic reservation access window 802. In such an embodiment, the first wireless station directly transmits a second wireless packet to the other wireless station via the NDL at block 904.

[0122] In some other embodiments, the first wireless station may establish a tunnel direct link setup (TDLS) link with each of one or more other wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations. In such an embodiment, the first wireless station may directly transmit a second wireless packet to the other wireless station via the TDLS link.

[0123] Various other aspects generally relate to sharing the time or frequency resources of a wireless medium. The detailed implementation more specifically relates to coordinated AP (CAP) time division multiple access (TDMA) or CAP orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) techniques for sharing the time and frequency resources of a transmission opportunity. According to such techniques, a wireless access point that wins contention and obtains access to the wireless medium during a TXOP can share its time and frequency resources with other coordinated access points. To share its time resources, the winning access point can divide the TXOP into multiple TXOP segments or bandwidth segments. For example, the winning access point can assign, grant, or allocate (used interchangeably hereinafter) one or more time periods and bandwidth segments to itself, and also allocate each of one or more remaining time or frequency segments to one or more other coordinated access points among the coordinated access points. In some embodiments, the wireless access points can further allocate at least some of the time and frequency resources in their respective time periods and bandwidth segments for dedicated D2D communication.

[0124] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating an example process 1000 of wireless communication for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown. The operations of process 1000 can be implemented by a wireless access point or its components as described herein. For example, process 1000 can be performed by a wireless communication device such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 In some embodiments, process 1000 can be performed by a wireless access point such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively.

[0125] In block 1002, the wireless communication device (hereinafter with respect to Figure 10A first wireless access point (also referred to as a first wireless access point or TXOP owner) obtains a TXOP for wireless communication via one or more wireless channels. In block 1004, the first wireless access point selects one or more other wireless access points to participate in the TXOP. In block 1006, the first wireless access point allocates a corresponding set of time and frequency resources from among the multiple time and frequency resources of the TXOP to itself and each of the selected wireless access points. In block 1008, the first wireless access point allocates a first subset of time and frequency resources of the set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless access point to a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by the first wireless access point for direct (D2D) wireless communication with other wireless stations. In block 1010, the first wireless access point transmits a first wireless packet to one or more selected wireless access points, the first wireless packet including an indication of the set of time and frequency resources allocated to the corresponding wireless access point for each selected wireless access point. In block 1012, the first wireless access point transmits a second wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the second wireless packet including an indication of the first subset of time and frequency resources. In block 1014, the first wireless access point inhibits the transmission of wireless communication in the first subset of time and frequency resources.

[0126] Figure 11 FIG. shows a timing diagram illustrating an example reserved time resource for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments. For example, a first wireless access point and neighboring access points may be configured for coordinated access point (CAP) TDMA. The first wireless access point (AP1) obtains TXOP 1102 in block 1002 and shares the TXOP using TDMA with one or more other coordinated access points (e.g., AP2 and AP3). As Figure 11 illustrated, in some embodiments, TXOP 1102 includes multiple phases or epochs, including a first TXOP indication phase 1104, a second scheduling allocation phase 1106, and a third data transmission phase 1108.

[0127] In some embodiments, to obtain TXOP 1102 in block 1002, the first wireless access point contends for access to the wireless medium on one or more channels using, for example, CSMA / CA and enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) techniques, the one or more channels including a primary operating channel (e.g., a primary 20 MHz channel and one or more secondary 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz channels). TXOP 1102 may obtain a broadband wireless channel at time t0, e.g., a bonded channel formed by a primary channel and one or more secondary channels. For example, the broadband wireless channel may be a 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz channel.

[0128] In some embodiments, after obtaining TXOP 1102 and to ensure interference-free communication during TXOP 1102, the first wireless access point may further reserve the wireless channel by transmitting a Request to Send (RTS) frame (not shown) to one or more of its associated wireless stations. The RTS frame is configured to cause at least one station to transmit a Clear to Send (CTS) frame. Any other wireless communication device that receives one or both of the RTS or CTS frames, including wireless access points AP2 and AP3 and their associated wireless stations, may set their respective Network Allocation Vector (NAV) to the duration indicated in the RTS or CTS frame.

[0129] In some embodiments, to select one or more other coordinating wireless access points to participate in TXOP 1102 in block 1004, the first wireless access point performs a TXOP availability indication process during the TXOP indication phase 1104, during which the first wireless access point learns about the desire or intention of other access points to participate in TXOP 1102. For example, process 1000 may further include advertising the availability of time resources in TXOP 1102 during the TXOP indication phase 1104. Specifically, at time t1, the first wireless access point transmits a CAP TXOP Indication (CTI) frame 1110 indicating that the TXOP 1102 time resources can be shared by the first wireless access point to other wireless access points, e.g., to other access points in its Extended Service Set (ESS). For example, the first wireless access point may have previously known about other neighboring access points in its vicinity based on information in beacons or other management frames received from other access points.

[0130] After transmitting CTI frame 1110, the first wireless access point may receive, at time t2, from each of one or more candidate APs a CAP TXOP Request (CTR) frame 1112 indicating that the corresponding access point wishes to participate in TXOP 1102. In Figure 11 the example shown, AP2 and AP3 are among the candidate APs that transmit respective CTR frames 11122 and 11123 to the first wireless access point. Based on the receipt of CTR frames 1112, the first wireless access point may then select one or more candidate APs to participate in TXOP 1102.

[0131] In some embodiments, the CTI frame 1110 includes at least one trigger frame configured to trigger one or more candidate access points to transmit corresponding CTR frames 1112. To transmit the CTI frame 1110, a first wireless access point may transmit a PPDU including the same CTI trigger frame in each of a plurality of sub-channels of a wireless channel (e.g., in each of a plurality of 20 MHz channels). For example, the CTI frame 1110 may include a non-high throughput (non-HT) repeating trigger frame in each 20 MHz channel. In this way, other access points do not need to operate on the same 20 MHz primary channel to receive and process the CTI frame 1110. In some embodiments, the source address field and the BSSID field associated with the CTI frame 1110 (e.g., in the MAC header) are set to the MAC address of the first wireless access point, and the destination address field associated with the CTI frame 1110 (e.g., in the MAC header) is set to a broadcast address.

[0132] For each of the plurality of access points that may participate in the TXOP 1102, each repeating trigger frame of the CTI frame 1110 may include an indication of one or both of the frequency resources or spatial resources that can be used by the corresponding access point to transmit its corresponding CTR frame 1112. For example, each trigger frame of the CTI frame 1110 may include a user information field for each access point, the user information field including a corresponding indication of the frequency resource or spatial resource that the access point will use to transmit its CTR frame 1112. Each user information field may include a corresponding AP identifier (APID) of the corresponding access point. For example, the APID may be the MAC address of the access point, the BSSID associated with the access point, or the BSS color associated with the access point. In some other embodiments in which the first wireless access point may not know some or all of the neighboring access points, the CTI frame 1110 may include an indication of the random access resources that can be used by the access points to transmit their corresponding CTR frames 1112.

[0133] In response to the CTI frame 1110, the CTR frame 1112 may be received from a candidate access point in a corresponding trigger-based PPDU using the frequency or spatial resources allocated by the CTI frame 1110. For example, the CTR frame 1112 may be transmitted via MU OFDMA or MU MIMO techniques and may be received at time t4 (i.e., the SIFS duration after the CTI frame 1110). It is noted that for access points with CAP TDMA capabilities, the CTI frame 1110 is configured to cause the access points to respond with the corresponding CTR frame 1112 regardless of their respective NAVs.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first wireless access point may transmit multiple CTI frames 1110 on a per-AP sequential basis, with each frame being transmitted to a respective access point. An access point desiring to participate in the TXOP 1102 may transmit a CTR frame 1112 in response to receiving a respective CTI frame 1110 before transmitting the next CTI frame 1110 to the next AP. For example, each CTI frame 1110 may be a polling frame and each CTR frame 1112 may be a polling response frame. Such CTI frames 1110 and CTR frames 1112 may be transmitted as single-user (SU) transmissions. In some other embodiments, the first wireless access point may transmit a single CTI frame 1110 and then, before polling the next access point, transmit polling frames (polls) on a per-AP sequential basis to each access point requesting to receive a response CTR frame 1112 from the respective access point.

[0135] In some embodiments, each of the CTR frames 1112 may include an indication of the buffer state of the respective AP or an indication of the duration of the time resources requested by the respective AP. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point may select candidate access points to participate in the TXOP 1102 in block 1004 based on the indication of the buffer state or the indication of the desired duration of the time resources received in the CTR frames 1112.

[0136] As described above, in block 1006, the first wireless access point may allocate a respective set of time and frequency resources of the TXOP 1102 to itself and each selected access point. In some embodiments, the frequency resources in each set of time and frequency resources fully overlap across the bandwidth, while the time resources do not overlap at all within the time duration of the TXOP 1202. In some other embodiments or instances, the frequency resources may also not overlap in at least some portions of the bandwidth. Thus, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point may allocate different frequency resources in addition to allocating different time resources.

[0137] For example, the first wireless access point may divide the available time resources of the TXOP 1102 into multiple time periods 1120, each time period including one or more time resources for itself or one of the selected access points, and each time resource not overlapping with any of the other time periods 1120. For example, each time period may include one or more symbols or time slots or other time units. In some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the TXOP 1102 into equal time periods 1120, where the number of equal time periods 1120 is equal to the number of access points sharing the TXOP 1102. For example, as Figure 11As explained, the first wireless access point may divide TXOP 1102 into three equal time periods 1120, one time period 11201 for the first wireless access point, one time period 11202 for the selected access point AP2, and one time period 11203 for the third access point AP3. In some other embodiments or instances, the first wireless access point may divide the time resources into unequal time periods 1120. For example, the first wireless access point may select a longer time period 11201 of TXOP 1102 for itself, which includes more time resources than the time resources in the other time periods 1120 allocated to other selected access points. In some embodiments in which the CTR frame 1112 includes an indication of the buffer state or an indication of the desired duration of the time resources, the first wireless access point may allocate the time resources to the selected access points based on the respective buffer states or requested time resources of the selected access points.

[0138] As described above, in block 1008, the first wireless access point may allocate a subset of the time and frequency resources of TXOP 1102 to at least a first group of wireless stations in the BSS controlled by the first wireless access point for direct wireless communication. For example, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the available time resources of time period 11201 into multiple parts, including a part 11221 that it reserves for normal infrastructure BSS traffic from itself to the first group of wireless stations or from the first group of wireless stations to itself. Time period 11201 further includes a part that contains a subset of the time resources, which may be reserved for direct wireless communication between the first group of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs. In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations is not allowed to transmit direct wireless data communication to other wireless stations outside the subset of time and frequency resources reserved for direct wireless communication.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the part reserved for direct wireless communication into one or more time slots 11241, each time slot including one or more time resources. For example, each time slot may represent one symbol, multiple symbols, or other time units. In some embodiments, each time slot 11241 may be separated from each other time slot 11241 by an IFS (e.g., SIFS). In some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the part reserved for direct wireless communication into time slots 11241 of equal length. In some other embodiments or instances, the first wireless access point may divide the time resources into unequal time slots 1124. In the illustrated example, time period 11201 includes three time slots 1124 1A , 1124 2B and 1124 3C, but the number of time slots may be more or less than three, and different adjustments or distributions can be made during different time periods 1120 within the same TXOP 1102 or subsequent TXOP 1102.

[0140] In some such embodiments, block 1008 of process 1000 may further include allocating each of one or more time slots 11241 to a respective subset of a first group of wireless stations (e.g., two or more wireless stations) for direct wireless communication. For example, each subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may not be allowed to transmit direct wireless communication in another time slot 11241 assigned to a different subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations. In some embodiments, during at least one time slot 11241, e.g., during the last time slot 1124 1C during, at least some (or all) of the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may be allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to or receive direct wireless communication from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by other access points including AP2 and AP3. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may not restrict direct wireless communication to any single BSS in time slot 1124 1C in.

[0141] Additionally or alternatively, the first wireless access point and the selected wireless access points including AP2 and AP3 may exchange one or more wireless packets to further coordinate the time slot scheduling of time slots 1124 in time period 1120. For example, the exchange may include transmitting the identifiers of one or more wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations to at least one of the selected access points. For example, each wireless station may be uniquely identified by a combination of a BSS color and an associated identifier (AID). The exchange may further include receiving from the wireless access point the identifiers of one or more wireless stations associated with the wireless access point, the one or more wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may coordinate which wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations are allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to wireless stations associated with the other wireless access points during one or more time slots (e.g., time slots 11242 and 11243) respectively assigned to the other wireless access points AP2 and AP3. Similarly, the coordination may include determining which wireless stations in the group of wireless stations associated with the other wireless access points are allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations during one or more time slots in time slot 11241 assigned to the first group of wireless stations.

[0142] Similarly, each selected access point AP2 and AP3 can respectively divide its allocated time period 11202 or 11203 into portions 11222 or 11223 that it reserves for regular infrastructure BSS traffic with the associated wireless stations in its BSS. As described above, each of the time periods 11202 and 11203 further includes a portion that contains a subset of time resources that can be reserved for direct wireless communication between the corresponding wireless station or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs including the first group of wireless stations. As further described above, each access point AP2 and AP3 can divide the portion reserved for direct wireless communication into one or more time slots 11242 or 11243, each time slot including one or more time resources. In some embodiments, as further described below, the first wireless access point and the selected access points AP2 and AP3 can be configured to synchronize the timing of at least the overlapping time slots among the time slots 11241, 11242, and 11243.

[0143] Each access point AP2 and AP3 can respectively assign each of one or more time slots 11242 and 11243 to a corresponding subset of the wireless stations associated with the respective access point for direct wireless communication. In some embodiments, at least some of the time slots 1124 can be coordinated or corresponding to each other. For example, during at least one of the time slots 11241, 11242, and 11243, such as during the corresponding common time slots 1124 1C , 1124 2B and 1124 3A respectively in each of the time periods 11201, 11202, and 11203, at least some (or all) of the wireless stations associated with the respective access point can be allowed to transmit or receive direct wireless communication to or from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by other access points. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point and the selected access points AP2 and AP3 can not restrict direct wireless communication to any single BSS during the common time slot.

[0144] After an access point is selected in block 1004 to participate in TXOP 1102 and a set of time (and in some embodiments, frequency) resources is allocated in blocks 1004 and 1006, the first wireless access point then grants, schedules, or otherwise actually allocates (e.g., indicates the allocation of) the corresponding time resources to the selected access points in the scheduling allocation phase 1106. For example, the first wireless access point may transmit a CAP TXOP AP Scheduling (CTAS) frame 1114 at time t3, which for each selected access point includes an indication of the time (and in some embodiments, frequency) resources that are allocated to the corresponding access point and that are available for the corresponding access point and its BSS to transmit data to or receive data from one or more corresponding associated wireless stations during TXOP 1102. For example, the CTAS frame 1114 may be transmitted at time t3 (i.e., the SIFS duration after the CTR frame 1112). In such an embodiment, the first wireless packet transmitted by the first wireless access point in block 1010 of process 1000 includes the CTAS frame 1114.

[0145] To transmit the CTAS frame 1114, the first wireless access point may transmit a PPDU including the same CTAS trigger frame in each of a plurality of subchannels of the wireless channel (e.g., in each of a plurality of 20 MHz channels). For example, the CTAS frame 1114 may include a non-HT repetition trigger frame in each 20 MHz channel. In this way, other access points do not need to operate on the same 20 MHz primary channel to receive and process the CTAS frame 1114. In some embodiments, the source address field and the BSSID field associated with the CTAS frame 1114 (e.g., in the MAC header) are set to the MAC address of the first wireless access point, and the destination address field associated with the CTAS frame 1114 (e.g., in the MAC header) is set to a broadcast address.

[0146] For each selected access point, each repeated trigger frame of the CTAS frame 1114 may include an indication of the time resources allocated to the corresponding access point and its BSS. For example, each trigger frame of the CTAS frame 1114 may include a user information field for each selected access point. Each user information field may include the corresponding APID of the corresponding access point. For example, the APID may be the MAC address of the access point, the BSSID associated with the access point, or the BSS color associated with the access point. For the corresponding access point, each user information field includes an indication of the start time of the corresponding allocated time resources. For example, the user information field may include an indication of a symbol, a time slot, or an absolute or relative time at which the allocated time resources begin. The user information field may further include the time duration of the corresponding allocated time resources, for example, in symbols, time slots, or milliseconds (ms). In some embodiments, the CTAS frame 1114 further includes an indication of time slot scheduling, for example, in one or more user information fields, and in some instances, further includes an identifier of the wireless station allocated to use the corresponding time slot. For the corresponding selected access point, each user information field may further include an indication of the frequency resources available for use by the corresponding access point when using the corresponding allocated time resources. For example, the user information field may indicate one or more channels or sub-channels (e.g., one or more 20 MHz channels) or one or more resource units (RUs) that may be used by the corresponding access point and its BSS when using the allocated time resources. As described elsewhere herein, in some embodiments or instances, the first wireless access point and one or more of AP2 and AP3 may be configured to communicate simultaneously via CAP TDMA as well as CAP OFDMA. As described above, in other embodiments or instances, the CTAS frame 1114 may allocate all available frequency resources to each selected access point for use when using its corresponding allocated time resources.

[0147] After transmitting the CTAS frame 1114, the first wireless access point transmits a CAP TXOP Local Scheduling (CTLS) frame 11161 to the first group of wireless stations in its BSS at time t4. Similarly, each of the selected access points AP2 and AP3 can also transmit corresponding CTLS frames 11162 and 11163 to the associated wireless stations in their respective BSSs at time t4. In some embodiments, the CTAS frame 1114 includes at least one trigger frame configured to trigger the selected access points AP2 and AP3 to transmit corresponding CTLS frames 11162 and 11163 to their associated BSSs while the first wireless access point transmits the CTLS frame 11161 to its associated BSS at time t4 (e.g., after a SIFS time duration from the CTAS frame 1114). Each CTLS frame 1116 can identify the time (and frequency) resources assigned to the corresponding access point and its associated BSS, and can indicate that the identified time resources are reserved for use by or otherwise allocated to the corresponding BSS. Notably, for access points with CAP TDMA capabilities, the CTAS frame 1114 is configured to cause the selected access points to transmit the corresponding CTLS frames 1116 regardless of their respective NAVs.

[0148] In some embodiments, the second wireless packet transmitted by the first wireless access point in block 1012 of process 1000 includes the CTLS frame 11161. In such an embodiment, the CTLS frame 11161 includes an indication of a subset of the time and frequency resources assigned to the first group of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs for direct wireless communication. As described above, for each of one or more stations in the first group of wireless stations, the indication can include an indication of one or more specific time slots 11241 assigned to the corresponding wireless station for direct wireless communication. For example, in some embodiments, the CTLS frame 11161 includes a time slot schedule that defines the time slots and the identifiers of the associated wireless stations assigned to use the corresponding time slots 11241 (e.g., based on BSS color and AID). In some other embodiments, the second wireless packet can include an indication of a subset of the time and frequency resources assigned for direct wireless communication in another frame, and can be transmitted, for example, after transmitting the wireless packet including the CTLS frame 12161. In some embodiments, the CTLS frame 11161 or other frame can include one or more other parameters of the time slot 11241, such as, for example, the frame types of direct wireless communication allowed during the time slot 11241 or any other control information for controlling direct wireless communication during the time slot.

[0149] In some embodiments, the CTLS frames 1116 transmitted by the first wireless access point and the selected access points AP2 and AP3 are non-HT duplicate frames. That is, in some embodiments, each CTLS frame 1116 is the same as the other frames. Additionally, each CTLS frame 1116 transmitted by the first wireless access point and the selected access points can be transmitted simultaneously via all available frequency resources of the wireless channel. In this way, the CTLS frames 1116 will not interfere destructively with each other, and stations receiving the CTLS frames 1116 can correctly decode them. In some embodiments, the source address field (e.g., in the MAC header) associated with each CTLS frame 1116 is set to the same multicast address or other predefined address associated with the CAP TDMA transmission. Wireless stations supporting CAP TDMA can be configured such that when they receive a frame with a multicast address, they decode and parse the corresponding frame. In some embodiments, the BSSID field (e.g., in the MAC header) associated with each CTLS frame 1116 is set to the BSSID of the first wireless access point. In some such embodiments, the destination address field (e.g., in the MAC header) associated with each CTLS frame 1116 is set to the same broadcast address.

[0150] In some embodiments, each CTLS frame 1116 transmitted by the first wireless access point and the selected access points AP2 and AP3 includes information elements (IEs) for each of the access points AP1, AP2, and AP3, and for a corresponding access point, the information element includes an indication of the start time of the corresponding allocated time resource. For example, each IE can include an indication of the symbol, time slot, or absolute or relative time at which the allocated time resource starts. The IE can also include the duration of the corresponding allocated time resource, e.g., in symbols, time slots, or ms. In some embodiments, each CTLS frame 1116 further includes, for example, in one or more IEs, an indication of a subset of the time and frequency resources allocated for direct wireless communication. For example, the IE can include a time slot schedule and an identifier of the wireless stations allocated to use the corresponding time slots. As described elsewhere herein, each IE can further include an indication of the frequency resources (e.g., one or more channels, sub-channels, or RUs) available for use when using the corresponding allocated time resource. Since stations associated with the selected access points may not be within the range of the CTAS frames 1114 or for other reasons cannot receive and process the CTAS frames, the use of CTLS frames 1116 ensures that these stations know the allocated time (and frequency) resources.

[0151] After the access point and local scheduling during the scheduling assignment phase 1106, the data transmission phase 1108 can begin. During the data transmission phase 1108, the BSSs controlled by the first wireless access point and the selected access points AP2 and AP3 can share the time and frequency resources of the TXOP 1102 as described above. For example, in the first part 11221 of the first time period 11201, the first wireless access point can transmit downlink (DL) communications to or receive uplink (UL) communications from the first group of wireless stations using either of the single-user (SU) or multi-user (MU) techniques described above (e.g., MU MIMO or MU OFDMA) during the first part 11221.

[0152] During the time slot 11241, the first group of wireless stations can transmit direct wireless communications to or receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations within the BSS controlled by the first wireless access point, and in some embodiments or instances, transmit direct wireless communications to or receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by, for example, the access points AP2 and AP3. In some embodiments, the first wireless access point avoids transmitting on one or more wireless channels associated with the TXOP 1102 during the time slot 11241. However, as an exception, in some such embodiments, the first wireless access point can transmit a trigger frame at the start of one or more time slots 11241, and the trigger frame initiates direct wireless communications by the wireless stations assigned to use the corresponding time slots 11241. For example, the trigger frame can indicate to the first group of wireless stations that they are allowed to contend for access during the corresponding time slots 11241. In some other such embodiments, the first wireless access point can transmit an RDG frame at the start of one or more time slots 11241, and the RDG frame initiates direct wireless communications by the wireless stations assigned to use the corresponding time slots 11241.

[0153] In some embodiments, there may be a guard (or "non-transmission") interval (e.g., SIFS duration) between the time periods 1120 assigned to the respective access points to buffer and prevent interference caused by overlapping communications that may result from timing errors.

[0154] To ensure that the first wireless access point and the selected access points AP2 and AP3 or their respective wireless stations transmit or receive their respective data communications only during their allocated time resources (such that they do not interfere with each other), the first wireless access point can synchronize the selected access points in time and, in some instances, synchronize their respective wireless stations. For example, in some embodiments, at the beginning of the data transmission phase 1108, the first wireless access point transmits a trigger frame (referred to herein as a CAP TXOP trigger (CTTRIG) frame) at time t5 after transmitting the CTLS frame 1116 to synchronize the selected access points with the first wireless access point in time. In some embodiments, the data communication can begin after a SIFS duration following the CTTRIG frame. It is noted that access points with CAP TDMA capabilities are configured to transmit and receive data communications, acknowledgement (ACK) frames, and trigger frames during their allocated time resources, regardless of their respective NAVs. Additionally, wireless stations compatible with CAP TDMA can be configured to be in an active listening mode at least during the corresponding allocated time resources and such that they can transmit and receive data communications, ACK frames, and trigger frames, regardless of their respective NAVs.

[0155] As described above, in some embodiments, such as a simplex embodiment, a wireless station that is allowed to receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations in a corresponding time slot transmits an acknowledgement of the direct wireless communication transmitted in the corresponding time slot during the next time slot.

[0156] Figure 12 A timing diagram showing an example reserved frequency resource for supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown. For example, the first wireless access point and neighboring access points can be configured for coordinated access point (CAP) OFDMA. Still referring to the process 1000 described Figure 10 The first wireless access point (AP1) obtains a TXOP 1202 in block 1002 and shares the TXOP with one or more other coordinated access points (e.g., AP2) using OFDMA. As Figure 12 Illustrated, in some embodiments, the TXOP 1202 includes multiple phases or epochs, including a first TXOP indication phase 1204, a second scheduling allocation phase 1206, and a third data transmission phase 1208.

[0157] As referenced above Figure 11As described above, to obtain the TXOP 1202 in the block 1002, the first wireless access point contends for access to the wireless medium on one or more channels using, for example, CSMA / CA and EDCA techniques. The TXOP 1202 can obtain a broadband wireless channel at time t0, such as a bonded channel formed by a primary channel and one or more secondary channels. For example, the broadband wireless channel can be a 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz channel. After obtaining the TXOP 1202, and to ensure interference-free communication during the TXOP 1202, the first wireless access point can further reserve the wireless channel by transmitting an RTS frame (not shown) to one or more of its associated wireless stations. The RTS frame is configured to cause at least one station to transmit a CTS frame.

[0158] As described above with reference to Figure 11 As described above, in some embodiments, to select one or more other coordinating wireless access points to participate in the TXOP 1202 in the block 1004, the first wireless access point performs a TXOP availability indication process in the TXOP indication phase 1204, during which the first wireless access point learns about the desire or intention of other access points to participate in the TXOP 1202. For example, the process 1000 can further include advertising the availability of frequency resources in the TXOP 1202 during the TXOP indication phase 1204. Specifically, at time t1, the first wireless access point transmits a CTI frame 1210 indicating that the TXOP 1202 frequency resources can be shared by the first wireless access point to other wireless access points, for example, to other access points in its ESS. For example, the first wireless access point may have previously known about other neighboring access points in its vicinity based on information in beacons or other management frames received from other access points.

[0159] As further described above, after transmitting the CTI frame 1210, the first wireless access point can receive, at time t2, a CTR frame 1212 from each of one or more candidate APs indicating that the corresponding access point wishes to participate in the TXOP 1202. In Figure 12 the example shown, AP2 and AP3 are among the candidate APs that transmit the corresponding CTR frames 12122 and 12123 to the first wireless access point. Based on the reception of the CTR frames 1212, the first wireless access point can then select one or more candidate APs to participate in the TXOP 1202.

[0160] As described above, in reference to Figure 10In block 1006 of the described process 1000, the first wireless access point may allocate a corresponding set of time and frequency resources of TXOP 1202 to itself and each selected access point. In some embodiments, the time resources in each set of time and frequency resources fully overlap over the time duration of the entire TXOP 1202, while the frequency resources do not overlap over at least a portion of the bandwidth. In some other embodiments or instances, the time resources may also not overlap in at least some portions of the time duration. Thus, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point may allocate different time resources in addition to allocating different frequency resources.

[0161] For example, the first wireless access point may divide the available frequency resources of TXOP 1202 into multiple bandwidth segments 1220, each bandwidth segment including one or more frequency resources for itself or for one of the selected access points, and each frequency resource not overlapping with any of the other bandwidth segments 1220. For example, each bandwidth segment 1220 may include one or more channels (e.g., 20 MHz sub-channels) or resource units (RUs) within a bound wireless channel. In some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides TXOP 1202 into equal bandwidth segments 1220, where the number of equal bandwidth segments 1220 is equal to the number of access points sharing TXOP 1202. For example, as Figure 12 illustrated, the first wireless access point may divide TXOP 1202 into two equal bandwidth segments 1220, one bandwidth segment 12201 for the first wireless access point, and one bandwidth segment 12202 for the selected access point AP2. In some other embodiments or instances, the first wireless access point may divide the frequency resources into unequal bandwidth segments 1220. For example, the first wireless access point may select a wider bandwidth segment 12201 of TXOP 1202 for itself, which includes more frequency resources than the frequency resources in the other bandwidth segments 1220 allocated to the other selected access points. In some embodiments in which the CTR frame 1212 includes an indication of buffer state or an indication of a desired amount of frequency resources, the first wireless access point may allocate the frequency resources to the selected access points based on the respective buffer states or requested frequency resources of the selected access points.

[0162] As described above, in block 1008, the first wireless access point may allocate a subset of the time and frequency resources of TXOP 1202 to at least a first group of wireless stations in the BSS controlled by the first wireless access point for direct wireless communication. For example, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the available frequency resources of bandwidth segment 12201 into multiple parts, including part 12221 that it reserves for normal infrastructure BSS traffic from itself to the first group of wireless stations or from the first group of wireless stations to itself. Bandwidth segment 12201 further includes a part that contains a subset of frequency resources, which may be reserved for direct wireless communication between the first group of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs. In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations is not allowed to transmit direct wireless data communication to other wireless stations outside the subset of time and frequency resources reserved for direct wireless communication.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the part reserved for direct wireless communication into one or more frequency slots 12241, each frequency slot including one or more frequency resources. For example, each frequency slot may represent a group of subcarriers (or tones), a RU, or other frequency units. In some embodiments, each frequency slot 12241 may be separated from each other frequency slot 12241 by a guard band. In some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the part reserved for direct wireless communication into equally wide frequency slots 12241. In some other embodiments or instances, the first wireless access point may divide the frequency resources into unequal frequency slots 1224. In the illustrated example, frequency segment 12201 includes two frequency slots 1224 1A and 1224 2B , but the number of frequency slots 12241 may be more or less than two, and may be adjusted or distributed differently within the same TXOP 1202 or different bandwidth segments 1220 within a subsequent TXOP 1202.

[0164] In some such embodiments, block 1008 of process 1000 may further include allocating each of one or more frequency slots 12241 to a corresponding subset (e.g., two or more wireless stations) of the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless communication. For example, each wireless station subset in the first group of wireless stations may not be allowed to transmit direct wireless communication in another frequency slot 12241 allocated to a different wireless station subset in the first group of wireless stations. In some embodiments, during at least one of the frequency slots 12241, e.g., in frequency slot 1224 1BDuring this period, at least some (or all) of the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may be allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to or receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by other access points including AP2 and AP3. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may not be restricted to direct wireless communications for any single BSS in frequency slot 1224 1B for direct wireless communications within any single BSS.

[0165] As described above with respect to Figure 11 Similarly described, the first wireless access point and the selected access point including AP2 may exchange one or more wireless packets to further coordinate the frequency slot scheduling of frequency slot 1224 in frequency band 1220. For example, the exchange may include transmitting the identifiers of one or more wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations to the selected access point. The exchange may further include receiving from wireless access point AP2 the identifiers of one or more wireless stations associated with the wireless access point that are configured for direct wireless communications with other wireless stations. The first wireless access point and the selected wireless access point may coordinate which wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations are allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to wireless stations associated with other wireless access points during one or more frequency slots (e.g., frequency slot 12242) allocated to the selected wireless access point AP2. Similarly, the coordination may include determining which wireless stations in the group of wireless stations associated with access point AP2 are allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations during one or more frequency slots allocated to the first group of wireless stations in time slot 12241.

[0166] Similarly, the selected access point AP2 may divide its allocated frequency band 12202 into a portion 12222 that it reserves for normal infrastructure BSS traffic with the associated wireless stations in its BSS. As described above, bandwidth segment 12202 further includes a portion that contains a subset of frequency resources that may be reserved for direct wireless communications between the corresponding wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs including the first group of wireless stations. As further described above, the selected access point AP2 may divide the portion reserved for direct wireless communications into one or more frequency slots 12242, each frequency slot including one or more frequency resources.

[0167] As described above, the selected access point AP2 may allocate each of one or more frequency slots 12242 to a corresponding subset of the wireless stations associated with the corresponding access point for direct wireless communications. In some embodiments, at least some of the frequency slots 1224 may be coordinated or corresponding to each other. For example, in the corresponding common frequency slots 1224 1B and 1224 2BAmong them, at least some (or all) of the wireless stations associated with the corresponding access points may be allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to or receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by other access points. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point and the selected access points may not restrict direct wireless communications to any single BSS in a common frequency gap.

[0168] As described above with reference to Figure 11 After selecting access points to participate in TXOP 1202 in block 1004 and allocating a set of frequency (and in some embodiments, time) resources in blocks 1004 and 1006 as described above, the first wireless access point then grants, schedules, or otherwise actually allocates (e.g., indicates the allocation of) the corresponding frequency resources to the selected access points in the scheduling allocation phase 1206. For example, the first wireless access point may transmit a CTAS frame 1214 at time t3, which for each selected access point includes an indication of the frequency (and in some embodiments, time) resources that are allocated to the corresponding access point and that can be used by the corresponding access point and its BSS to transmit data to or receive data from one or more corresponding associated wireless stations during TXOP 1202. In such an embodiment, the first wireless packet transmitted by the first wireless access point in block 1010 of process 1000 includes the CTAS frame 1214.

[0169] As similarly described above, for each selected access point, the CTAS frame 1214 may include an indication of the frequency resources allocated to the corresponding access point and its BSS. For example, each trigger frame of the CTAS frame 1214 may include a user information field for each selected access point. For the corresponding access point, each user information field includes an indication of the allocated frequency resources. For example, the user information field may include an indication of a set of subcarriers, RUs, or channels allocated to the corresponding access point. In some embodiments, the CTAS frame 1214 further includes an indication of frequency gap scheduling in one or more user information fields, for example, and in some instances, further includes an identifier of the wireless station allocated to use the corresponding frequency gap. As indicated above, for the corresponding selected access point, each user information field may further include an indication of the time resources that the corresponding access point can use when using the corresponding allocated frequency resources. In other embodiments or instances, the CTAS frame 1214 may allocate all available time resources to each selected access point for use when using its corresponding allocated frequency resources.

[0170] After transmitting the CTAS frame 1214, the first wireless access point transmits a CTLS frame 12161 to the first group of wireless stations in its BSS at time t4. Similarly, the selected access point AP2 can also transmit a corresponding CTLS frame 12162 to the associated wireless stations in its corresponding BSS at time t4. Each CTLS frame 1216 can identify the frequency (and time) resources assigned to the corresponding access point and its associated BSS, and can indicate that the identified frequency resources are reserved for use by the corresponding BSS or otherwise allocated to the corresponding BSS.

[0171] In some embodiments, the second wireless packet transmitted by the first wireless access point in block 1012 of process 1000 includes a CTLS frame 12161. In such an embodiment, the CTLS frame 12161 includes an indication of a subset of the time and frequency resources assigned to the first group of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs for direct wireless communication. As described above, for each of one or more stations in the first group of wireless stations, the indication can include an indication of one or more specific frequency bands 12241 assigned to the corresponding wireless station for direct wireless communication. For example, in some embodiments, the CTLS frame 12161 includes a frequency band schedule that defines the frequency bands and the identifiers of the associated wireless stations assigned to use the corresponding frequency bands 12241 (e.g., based on BSS color and AID). In some other embodiments, the second wireless packet can include an indication of a subset of the time and frequency resources assigned for direct wireless communication in another frame, and can be transmitted, for example, after transmitting the wireless packet including the CTLS frame 12161. In some embodiments, the CTLS frame 12161 or other frame can include one or more other parameters of the frequency band 12241, such as, for example, the frame types of direct wireless communication allowed to be transmitted in the frequency band 12241 or any other control information for controlling direct wireless communication in the frequency band.

[0172] In some embodiments, each CTLS frame 1216 transmitted by the first wireless access point and the selected access point AP2 includes an IE for each access point, and for the corresponding access point, the IE includes an indication of subcarriers, RUs, or channels in its allocated frequency resources. In some embodiments, each CTLS frame 1216 further includes an indication of a subset of the time and frequency resources assigned for direct wireless communication, for example, in one or more IEs. For example, the IE can include a frequency band schedule and the identifiers of the wireless stations assigned to use the corresponding time slots. As described elsewhere herein, each IE can further include an indication of the time resources (e.g., one or more symbols or time slots) available for use when using the corresponding allocated frequency resources.

[0173] After the access point and local scheduling during the scheduling assignment phase 1206, the data transmission phase 1208 can begin. During the data transmission phase 1208, the BSSs controlled by the first wireless access point and the selected access points AP2 and AP3 can share the time and frequency resources of the TXOP 1202 as described above. For example, in the first part 12221 of the first bandwidth segment 12201, the first wireless access point can transmit DL communications to or receive UL communications from the first group of wireless stations using either of the SU or MU techniques described above (e.g., MUMIMO or MU OFDMA) in the first part 12221.

[0174] Within the frequency gap 12241, the first group of wireless stations can transmit direct wireless communications to or receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations within the BSS controlled by the first wireless access point, and in some embodiments or instances, transmit direct wireless communications to or receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by, for example, the selected access point AP2 or other selected or non - selected access points. In some embodiments, the first wireless access point avoids transmitting in one or more of the frequency gaps 12241.

[0175] As described above, the first wireless access point can synchronize the selected access points in time and, in some instances, their respective wireless stations. For example, in some embodiments, in the beginning part of the data transmission phase 1208, the first wireless access point transmits a CTTRIG frame at a time t5 after transmitting the CTLS frame 1216 to synchronize the selected access points with the first wireless access point in time. In some embodiments, data communication can begin after a SIFS duration following the CTTRIG frame.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations can be enabled to perform NAN operations, and the direct wireless communications can include NAN communications. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point can only allow the wireless stations in the NAN network to access one or more wireless channels in the time slots 1124 or frequency gaps 1224 allocated for direct wireless communications. For example, the indication of the subset of time and frequency resources transmitted in block 1012 can include an indication of the NAN cluster ID identifying the wireless stations allocated to access one or more wireless channels in the time slots 1124 or frequency gaps 1224. In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations may not be allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to other wireless stations outside the time slots 1124 or frequency gaps 1224. The first group of wireless stations can operate the NAN network individually or in combination with other NAN - enabled wireless stations, which can be associated with other BSSs controlled by other wireless access points.

[0177] In some such embodiments, process 1000 may further include receiving, from at least one wireless station of the first group of wireless stations, a wireless packet including an action frame, the wireless packet indicating one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, including the timing of a periodic NAN discovery window. In some other embodiments, process 1000 may further include scanning one or more NAN discovery channels and determining that the first group of wireless stations is operating a NAN network. Then, the first wireless access point may identify one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, including the timing of the NAN discovery window. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point may transmit, to each of one or more other wireless access points, a wireless packet including an indication of one or more parameters associated with the NAN network. Then, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may synchronize or schedule time slot 1124 or frequency slot 1224 based on one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, including the timing of the NAN discovery window.

[0178] Figure 13 FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an example process 1300 for wireless communication to support coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments. Operations of process 1300 may be implemented by a wireless access point or components thereof as described herein. For example, process 1300 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 In some embodiments, process 1300 may be performed by a wireless access point such as one of AP 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively.

[0179] In some embodiments, at block 1302, a wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as Figure 13A first wireless access point (referred to as the first wireless access point) receives a first wireless packet from a second wireless access point that has obtained a TXOP (TXOP owner). The first wireless packet indicates that multiple time resources and frequency resources of the TXOP can be shared by the TXOP owner. In block 1304, the first wireless access point may transmit a second wireless packet indicating a desire to participate in the TXOP to the TXOP owner. In block 1306, the first wireless access point may receive a third wireless packet from the TXOP owner, the third wireless packet including an indication of a first set of time and frequency resources of the TXOP that have been allocated to the first wireless access point and its BSS and can be used by the first wireless access point to transmit data to or receive data from a first group of wireless stations associated with the first wireless access point during the TXOP. In block 1308, the first wireless access point allocates a first subset of the time and frequency resources of the first set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless access point to the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. In block 1310, the first wireless access point transmits a fourth wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the fourth wireless packet including an indication of the first subset of time and frequency resources. Subsequently, in block 1312, the first wireless access point may refrain from transmitting wireless communication in the first subset of time and frequency resources.

[0180] As described above with reference to Figure 11 and 12 In the TXOP availability indication process during the TXOP indication phase of the TXOP, in block 1302, the first wireless access point may receive a first wireless packet from the second wireless access point. The first wireless packet may advertise the availability of time and frequency resources in the TXOP. For example, the first wireless packet may include a CTI frame as described above. After receiving the CTI frame, the first wireless access point may transmit a second wireless packet indicating a desire to participate in the TXOP in 1304. For example, the second wireless packet may include a CTR frame as described above. In block 1306, the first wireless access point receives a third wireless packet, the third wireless packet including an indication of a first set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless access point by the second wireless access point. For example, the third wireless packet may include a CTAS frame as described above.

[0181] As described above, in block 1308, a first wireless access point may allocate a subset of time and frequency resources of a first set of time and frequency resources to at least a first group of wireless stations in a BSS controlled by the first wireless access point for direct wireless communication. For example, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides one or both of the available time resources and available frequency resources allocated to it into multiple parts, including a part reserved for normal infrastructure BSS traffic and a part including a subset of time and frequency resources reserved for direct wireless communication between the first group of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs. As referred to above Figure 11 and 12 described, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the part reserved for direct wireless communication into one or more time slots or frequency slots.

[0182] As further described above, after transmitting a CTAS frame, the first wireless access point may transmit a CTLS frame to the first group of wireless stations in its BSS. The CTLS frame identifies the time and frequency resources allocated to the corresponding access point and its associated BSS, and may indicate that the identified time and frequency resources are reserved for use by the corresponding BSS or otherwise allocated to the corresponding BSS. In some embodiments, the fourth wireless packet transmitted by the first wireless access point in block 1310 includes a CTLS frame. In such an embodiment, the CTLS frame includes an indication of a subset of time and frequency resources allocated to the first group of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs for direct wireless communication. As described above, for each of one or more of the first group of wireless stations, the indication may include an indication of one or more specific time slots or frequency slots allocated to the corresponding wireless station for direct wireless communication. The first wireless access point and other wireless access points may refrain from transmitting in the indicated time slots and frequency slots.

[0183] As described above, the first group of wireless stations may be enabled for NAN operation, and the direct wireless communication may include NAN communication. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point may only allow wireless stations in the NAN network to access one or more wireless channels in the time slots or frequency slots allocated for direct wireless communication. In some such embodiments, process 1300 may further include receiving a wireless packet from a second wireless access point, the wireless packet including an indication of one or more parameters associated with the NAN network. Then, the first wireless access point and the second wireless access point may synchronize or schedule time slots or frequency slots based on one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, including the timing of the NAN discovery window.

[0184] Figure 14A flow chart illustrating an example process 1400 for wireless communication to support coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown. The operations of process 1400 may be performed by a wireless station or components thereof as described herein. For example, process 1400 may be performed by a wireless station such as described above with reference to Figure 5 In some embodiments, the process 1400 may be performed by a wireless communication device such as the wireless communication device 500 described above. Figure 1 and Figure 6B The description is performed by a wireless station such as one of STAs 104 and 604.

[0185] In some implementations, in block 1402, a wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as Figure 14 A first wireless station (referred to as a first wireless station) receives a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point controlling a first BSS including a first group of wireless stations, the first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station. The first group of wireless stations is configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The first wireless packet includes an indication of a first subset of time and frequency resources of a first set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first BSS. As described above with reference to Figure 11 and Figure 12 As described above, the first set of time and frequency resources may be one of a plurality of sets of time and frequency resource sets of a TXOP owned by the first wireless access point or a second wireless access point controlling a second BSS. As further described above, the first wireless access point may allocate a subset of time and frequency resources to a first group of wireless stations for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. In block 1402, the first wireless station transmits a second wireless packet directly to another wireless station using one or more time and frequency resources of the first subset of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless station. For example, the second wireless packet may be a SU PPDU that may be transmitted in accordance with 802.11be or a higher revision of the IEEE 802.11 specification.

[0186] As mentioned above Figure 11 and Figure 12 As described above, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides one or both of a first set of available time resources and available frequency resources allocated to the first BSS into a plurality of portions, including a portion thereof reserved for regular infrastructure BSS traffic and a portion comprising a subset of time and frequency resources reserved for direct wireless communications between the first set of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs. As further described above, in some embodiments, the first wireless access point divides the portion reserved for direct wireless communications into one or more time slots or frequency slots.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first wireless packet may be a wireless packet carrying a CTLS frame and destined for a first group of wireless stations. As described above, the CTLS frame may include a first identification of a first set of time and frequency resources allocated to a corresponding BSS and a second indication of a subset of time and frequency resources allocated to the first group of wireless stations or other wireless stations associated with other BSSs for direct wireless communication. As described above, for the first wireless station, the indication may include an indication of one or more specific time slots or frequency slots allocated to the first wireless station and other wireless stations inside or outside the first BSS for direct wireless communication. The first wireless station may then contend for access to the wireless medium during the corresponding time slots.

[0188] As described above, the first group of wireless stations may be enabled for NAN operation, and the direct wireless communication may include NAN communication. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point may only allow wireless stations in the NAN network to access one or more wireless channels in the time slots or frequency slots allocated for direct wireless communication. The first wireless station may form or join a NAN network before or after being associated with the first wireless access point. In some embodiments, the first wireless station is configured to transmit a wireless packet including an action frame to the first wireless access point, the wireless packet indicating one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of a NAN discovery window. In some other embodiments, the first wireless station may periodically broadcast a wireless packet indicating one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of a NAN discovery window. In some embodiments, except for direct wireless communication in the NAN discovery window, the first group of wireless stations is not allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations outside the first subset of time and frequency resources allocated to the first group of wireless stations. In other words, the first group of wireless stations is not allowed to transmit direct wireless data communication outside the allocated time slots and frequency slots.

[0189] In some embodiments, in one or more allocated time slots and frequency slots, the first wireless station may exchange one or more wireless packets with at least one other wireless station in the NAN network to establish a NAN data link (NDL) in the allocated time slots and frequency slots. In such embodiments, the first wireless station may directly transmit a second wireless packet to the other wireless station via the NDL.

[0190] Some wireless communication protocols, including wireless communication protocols that support the IEEE 802.11 standard, support the use of silent periods. Each silent period refers to the indicated duration of time during which generally no wireless communication devices (including APs and STAs) are permitted to access the shared frequency band on one or more wireless channels. An initial motivation for supporting silent periods is to permit an AP to perform measurements without interference, such as measurements for dynamic frequency selection (DFS) purposes. In some implementations, the silent period can recur, for example, based on a given beacon interval. Additionally, more than one silent period can be defined for each beacon interval.

[0191] Various other aspects generally relate to synchronized channel access techniques. Each synchronized coordinated access window can include a scheduled contention period during which multiple synchronized access points contend for access, followed by a communication period during which a successful AP has a TXOP. In some embodiments, the synchronized access points can schedule periodically recurring synchronized coordinated access windows by periodically transmitting silent elements. The silent elements establish recurring silent periods during which traditional devices are not permitted to transmit. The wireless access point can also transmit one or more silent override elements associated with the respective silent elements. The silent override elements indicate to the synchronized access points and, in some instances, to their associated wireless stations, that the silent periods established by the respective silent elements will be used for synchronized channel access and, thus, permit the synchronized APs to contend for access during the respective contention periods 1604. In some embodiments, the wireless access point can schedule a reserved access window within the coordinated access window during which D2D-enabled wireless devices are permitted to transmit direct wireless communications to other D2D-enabled wireless devices.

[0192] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating an example process 1500 for wireless communication to support coordinated D2D communication in accordance with some embodiments is shown. The operations of process 1500 can be implemented by a wireless access point or components thereof as described herein. For example, process 1500 can be performed by a wireless communication device such as the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 In some embodiments, process 1500 can be performed by a wireless access point such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively.

[0193] In block 1502, the wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as Figure 15referred to as the first wireless access point) exchanges one or more first wireless packets with a first group of wireless access points including the first wireless access point to coordinate the scheduling of a periodic coordination access window, during which the first group of wireless access points is scheduled to contend for access to one or more wireless channels. In block 1504, the first wireless access point transmits a second wireless packet including a first indication of the periodic coordination access window. In block 1506, the first wireless access point determines that a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by the first wireless access point is operating in a NAN network, and each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations is configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations in the NAN network. In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations is not allowed to contend for access to one or more wireless channels during the periodic coordination access window. In block 1508, the first wireless access point transmits a third wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the third wireless packet including a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more periodic coordination access windows. The second indication indicates that the first group of wireless stations is allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network on one or more wireless channels regardless of the first indication. Then, in block 1510, the first wireless access point may inhibit transmitting wireless communication during the reserved access window.

[0194] Figure 16 FIG. shows a timing diagram illustrating an example reserved access window supporting coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments. For example, Figure 16 shows synchronized, recurring coordination access windows 1602 (e.g., including a first coordination access window 16021, a second coordination access window 16022, and a third coordination access window 16023). The coordination access windows 1602 recur periodically according to a time interval τ 接入 indicated. Each coordination access window 1602 includes a corresponding contention period 1604 (e.g., contention periods 16041, 16042, and 16043) having a duration τ Cntd at the start of the coordination access window. Each coordination access window 1602 also includes a corresponding communication period 1606 (e.g., communication periods 16061, 16062, and 16063) having a duration τ Comm In some embodiments, only during the contention period 1604 at the start of the scheduled coordination access window 1602 do a first group of wireless access points that enable synchronized channel access and wish to communicate over the wireless medium contend for access. The first group of wireless stations is not allowed to contend for access to one or more wireless channels during any part of the periodic coordination access window 1602. In some embodiments, there may be a period having a duration τ 开放During the open period, the wireless medium is open for contention-based regular access by other wireless communication devices (and optionally also by the synchronization AP) as controlled by, for example, CSMA / CA and EDCA techniques.

[0195] The second wireless packet transmitted in block 1504 includes channel access information for establishing one or more recurring synchronization coordination access windows 1602. In some embodiments, the channel access information is conveyed by one or more silent elements and one or more silent override elements included within the first wireless packet. Each silent element indicates to a second group of wireless communication devices (which may include the first group of wireless access points and the first group of wireless stations) that they are not permitted to transmit on the wireless channel during a silent period defined by the silent element. In some embodiments, the silent override element indicates to the first group of wireless access points whether, for each of the one or more silent elements, the first group of wireless access points is permitted to contend for access to the wireless channel during the contention period of the silent period defined by the corresponding silent element. In this way, the first group of wireless access points can schedule periodically recurring synchronization coordination access windows by establishing periodic silent periods, as described for the synchronization coordination access window 1602 with reference to Figure 16 the synchronization coordination access window 1602.

[0196] If the silent override element indicates that the first group of wireless access points is permitted to contend for access during the corresponding contention periods 1604 of each of the one or more upcoming silent periods, then each of the first group of wireless access points can contend for access to the wireless channel during the one or more contention periods 1604 indicated by the corresponding silent element and silent override element. If a first wireless access point wins the contention during one of the contention periods 1604, it is the owner of the TXOP on the wireless channel during the corresponding communication period 1606 of the corresponding coordination access window 1602. The first wireless access point can then exchange one or more wireless data packets on the wireless channel during the TXOP.

[0197] As described above, the silent element establishes recurring silent periods during which compatible devices that receive the silent element are generally not allowed to transmit. In this way, synchronized channel access can be protected. For example, the compatible devices can include a first group of wireless access points and a first group of wireless stations. The first group of wireless access points are access points that support synchronized channel access (synchronized access points). However, while no device is generally allowed to contend for access during the silent period, the silent override element indicates to the first group of wireless access points (and the first group of wireless stations) that the silent period established by the corresponding silent element is for synchronized channel access, and thus, allows the first group of wireless access points to contend for access during the corresponding contention period 1604. Additionally, the first group of wireless stations that support synchronized channel access can also understand the silent override element and thus, can be configured to receive DL communications from the first wireless access point during the silent period and transmit UL communications to the first wireless access point during the silent period in response to receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point.

[0198] The second group of wireless communication devices can also include legacy devices that can be configured to operate according to an earlier revision or version of the IEEE 802.11ax or IEEE 802.11 series of standards but not configured to operate according to a subsequent revision or version of the IEEE 802.11be or IEEE 802.11 series of standards. The second group of wireless communication devices can also include devices that otherwise do not support or have disabled or not implemented synchronized channel access. The second group of wireless communication devices can be configured to interpret the silent element but may not be configured to interpret the silent override element.

[0199] For example, exchanging one or more first wireless packets including channel access information in block 1502 can include broadcasting, multicasting, otherwise transmitting or receiving frames including or indicating the silent element and the silent override element, such as management frames. For example, the channel access information including the silent element and the silent override element can be shared in a beacon 1608 (including beacons 16081, 16082, and 16083) or a probe response frame. For example, beacon 16081 can include a first silent element and a silent override element that identify the first silent period to be used by the first group of wireless access points as the coordination access window 16021.

[0200] In some embodiments or instances where the first wireless access point may or may not be the master (or control) access point (or is configured to operate therein), at block 1502, the first wireless access point may transmit a first wireless packet including channel access information to other synchronized access points in the first group of wireless access points. Alternatively, also in some other embodiments or instances where the first wireless access point may or may not be the master (or control) access point (or is configured to operate therein), at block 1502, the first wireless access point may receive a first wireless packet including channel access information from at least one other synchronized access point in the first group of wireless access points.

[0201] The channel access information exchanged at block 1502 may include various channel access parameters associated with the recurring coordinated access window 1602, such as, for example, one or more of the following: one or more associated wireless channels defining scheduled channel access, the start time of the next coordinated access window 1602, the time interval τ between the starts of successive coordinated access windows 1602 接入 , the duration τ of each contention period 1604 Cntd , the duration τ of each communication period 1606 Comm , or the total duration of each coordinated access window 1602. As described above, each silent period and thus the coordinated access window 1602 may recur according to the TBTT or other time intervals.

[0202] However, while it is generally not allowed for a device to contend for access during a silent period, the silent override element indicates to the first group of wireless access points (and in some instances to the first group of wireless stations) that the silent period established by the corresponding silent element is for synchronized channel access, and thus, allows the first group of wireless access points to contend for access during the corresponding contention period 1604 of the corresponding synchronized coordination access window 1602. The silent override element can include multiple fields, including an element ID, a length, and a silent override map, and in some embodiments, includes a duration field or a reserved field. The silent override map can include a bitmap in which each bit is associated with a corresponding silent element. The value of each bit in the bitmap can indicate whether the silent period defined by the corresponding silent element is used as a synchronized coordination access window 1602, and thus, whether the first group of wireless access points is allowed to contend for access during the contention period 1604 defined by the silent element associated with that bit in the corresponding coordination access window 1602. The duration field can indicate the duration of each contention period 1604. For example, the duration field can include a 4-bit value indicating the duration to be used for all contention periods (in some other embodiments, the duration field can include multiple sub-fields, each sub-field indicating the duration of the corresponding contention period of the corresponding silent period). In some other examples, another field in a beacon or other management frame shared by the synchronized access points can be used to signal the duration of the contention period.

[0203] As described above, if the first wireless access point wins the contention during one of the contention periods 1604, it is the owner of the TXOP on the wireless channel during the corresponding communication period 1606 of the corresponding coordination access window 1602. Then, the first wireless access point can exchange one or more wireless data packets with the first group of wireless stations on the wireless channel during the TXOP. For example, the first wireless access point can transmit DL data to one or more of the first group of wireless stations. Additionally or alternatively, the first wireless access point can receive UL data from one or more of the first group of wireless stations.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first group of wireless access points can signal their support for synchronized channel access to other wireless access points (and associated wireless stations) in the first group of wireless access points in management frames such as beacon frames and probe response frames or in other frames transmitted between the synchronized access points. For example, the first group of wireless access points can signal their support for synchronized channel access in an operating element included in a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or other frames. The first group of wireless access points can also receive management frames indicating the support of these stations for synchronized channel access from associated wireless stations including the first group of wireless stations, such as probe requests. For example, wireless stations can signal their support for synchronized channel access in a capabilities element included in a probe request frame.

[0205] In some embodiments, the first set of wireless access points may receive one or more explicit synchronization signals from a dedicated controller or another access point operating as a master (or control) access point. The first set of wireless access points may synchronize their respective clocks based on the synchronization signals to facilitate the implementation of recurring coordinated access windows. In some other embodiments, the first set of wireless access points may synchronize their clocks based on various frames (e.g., beacon frames or other management frames, control frames, or data frames) received from other wireless access points in the first set of wireless access points participating in the recurring coordinated access windows.

[0206] As described above, each wireless station in the first set of wireless stations is also configured to perform D2D communication with other wireless stations (also commonly referred to herein as direct wireless communication). In a particular embodiment, the first set of wireless stations operates a NAN network either alone or in combination with other NAN-enabled wireless stations associated with other wireless access points. As further described above, in block 1506, the first wireless access point determines that the first set of wireless stations is operating a NAN network. For example, in some embodiments, the determination in block 1506 includes scanning one or more NAN discovery channels to determine whether the first set of wireless stations is operating a NAN network. Additionally or alternatively, the determination in block 1506 may be based on receiving a wireless packet including an action frame from one or more wireless stations in the first set of wireless stations, the wireless packet indicating one or more parameters associated with the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of the NAN discovery window.

[0207] In some embodiments, in response to determining that the first set of wireless stations is operating a NAN network, the first wireless access point, in block 1508, transmits a third wireless packet to the first set of wireless stations, for example, during a portion of a corresponding communication period 1606 (e.g., the ending portion of the communication period 1606 as shown), the third wireless packet including a second indication of a reserved access window 1610 within one or more periodic coordinated access windows 1602. In some embodiments, the second packet and the third wireless packet may be the same packet; that is, a single wireless packet may include both the first indication of the coordinated access window 1602 and the second indication of the reserved access window 1610. The second indication indicates that, despite the first indication, the first set of wireless stations is allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network over one or more wireless channels. Then, the first set of wireless stations may contend for access to the wireless medium during one or more portions of the reserved access window 1610. The first wireless access point may avoid transmitting wireless communication during the reserved access window 1610.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations is not permitted to transmit direct wireless data communications to other wireless stations outside the reserved access window 1610 (however, they may be able to transmit other direct non-data wireless communications in a discovery window outside, for example, the coordinated access window 1602). In some embodiments, an indication of the periodic reserved access window 1610 indicates to the first group of wireless stations that they are permitted to transmit direct wireless communications to other wireless stations outside the first group of wireless stations (e.g., in other BSSs managed by other wireless access points) during at least a portion of one or more reserved access windows 1610. In some embodiments, an indication of the reserved access window 1610 indicates to other wireless stations in other BSSs that they are permitted to transmit direct wireless communications to other wireless stations that may include the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels during at least a portion of one or more reserved access windows 1610.

[0209] In some embodiments, process 1600 further includes exchanging one or more wireless packets with one or more other access points among the first group of wireless access points to coordinate the scheduling of the periodic reserved access window 1610. For example, the exchange of one or more wireless packets may include transmitting beacons and receiving beacons from other wireless access points, each of which includes timing information for coordinating the scheduling of the periodic reserved access window 1610.

[0210] In some embodiments, an indication of the reserved access window 1610 includes one or more other parameters of the reserved access window 1610. In some embodiments, the one or more other parameters include a time slot schedule that defines a series of time slots in the reserved access window 1610. In some embodiments, each time slot may be separated from each other time slot by an IFS (e.g., SIFS). The number of time slots may vary and may be adjusted or distributed differently in different reserved access windows 1610 in different coordinated access windows 1602. In some such embodiments, process 1500 further includes allocating each of one or more time slots to a corresponding subset (e.g., two or more wireless stations) of the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless communications. For example, each subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may not be permitted to transmit direct wireless communications in another time slot allocated to a different subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations.

[0211] In some embodiments, during at least one time slot, at least some of the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may be allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to or receive direct wireless communications from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by other access points in the NAN network. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may not restrict direct wireless communications to any single BSS during at least one time slot. Additionally or alternatively, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may exchange one or more wireless packets to further coordinate the time slot scheduling of the time slots within at least one reserved access window. In some such embodiments, the exchange includes transmitting the identifiers of one or more wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations to at least one wireless access point. The exchange further includes receiving from the wireless access point the identifiers of one or more wireless stations associated with the wireless access point that are configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The two wireless access points may coordinate which of the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations are allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to the wireless stations associated with the other wireless access point during one or more time slots assigned to the other wireless access point. Similarly, the coordination may include determining which of the wireless stations in the group associated with the other wireless access point are allowed to transmit direct wireless communications to the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations during one or more time slots assigned to the first group of wireless stations.

[0212] In some embodiments, one or more other parameters identified in the indication of the reserved access window 1610 may further include a frame type for allowing direct wireless communications transmitted during the reserved access window 1610 or any other control information for controlling direct wireless communications during the reserved access window 1610.

[0213] In some embodiments, process 1500 further includes transmitting a trigger frame to the first group of wireless stations at the start of the reserved access window 1610, the trigger frame triggering or initiating direct wireless communications by the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations. For example, the trigger frame may indicate to the first group of wireless stations that the first group of wireless stations are allowed to contend for access during the corresponding time slots within the reserved access window 1610. In some other embodiments, process 1500 may further include transmitting an RDG frame to one or more wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations to initiate direct wireless communications with other wireless stations.

[0214] Figure 17 A flowchart illustrating an example process 1700 for supporting coordinated D2D communication of wireless communications according to some embodiments is shown. The operations of process 1700 may be implemented by a wireless station or its components as described herein. For example, process 1700 may be performed by a wireless station such as the one described above with reference to Figure 5performed by a wireless communication device such as the described wireless communication device 500. In some embodiments, process 1700 may be performed by a wireless station such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6B respectively.

[0215] In block 1702, a wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as the first wireless station with reference to Figure 17 ) forms or joins a NAN network including a first group of wireless stations, the first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station. Each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations is configured to perform direct wireless communication with other wireless stations in the NAN network. In block 1704, the first wireless station receives a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point that controls a first BSS including the first group of wireless stations. The first wireless packet includes a first indication of a periodic coordination access window during which wireless access points including the first wireless access point are scheduled to contend for access to one or more wireless channels, and during which wireless stations including the first group of wireless stations are not permitted to contend for access to one or more wireless channels. In block 1706, the first wireless station receives a second wireless packet from the first wireless access point, the second wireless packet including a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more of the periodic coordination access windows, the second indication indicating that the first group of wireless stations is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network on one or more wireless channels regardless of the first indication. In block 1708, the first wireless station directly transmits a third wireless packet to another wireless station during at least one reserved access window within the periodic coordination access window.

[0216] As described above with reference to Figure 16As described, the first wireless packet received in block 1704 includes channel access information for establishing one or more recurring synchronous coordination access windows 1602. During any portion of the periodic coordination access window 1602, the first group of wireless stations is not permitted to contend for access to one or more wireless channels. As described above, in some embodiments, the channel access information is conveyed by one or more silence elements and one or more silence override elements included within the first wireless packet. Each silence element indicates to a group of wireless communication devices that may include a first group of wireless access points and a first group of wireless stations that they are not permitted to transmit on a wireless channel during a silence period defined by the silence element. In some embodiments, the silence override element indicates to the first group of wireless access points whether, for each of one or more silence elements, the first group of wireless access points is permitted to contend for access to the wireless channel during a contention period of the silence period defined by the corresponding silence element. In this manner, the first group of wireless access points can schedule the periodically recurring synchronous coordination access window by establishing periodic silence periods, as referenced Figure 16 to the synchronous coordination access window 1602 described.

[0217] As described above, the silence element establishes a recurring silence period during which compatible devices that receive the silence element are generally not permitted to transmit. In this manner, synchronous channel access can be protected. For example, the compatible devices may include a first group of wireless access points and a first group of wireless stations. The first group of wireless access points are access points that support synchronous channel access (synchronous access points). However, while generally no device is permitted to contend for access during the silence period, the silence override element indicates to the first group of wireless access points (and the first group of wireless stations) that the silence period established by the corresponding silence element is for synchronous channel access and, thus, permits the first group of wireless access points to contend for access during the corresponding contention period 1604. Additionally, the first group of wireless stations that support synchronous channel access can also understand the silence override element and, thus, can be configured to receive DL communications from the first wireless access point during the silence period and transmit UL communications to the first wireless access point during the silence period in response to receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point.

[0218] As described above, each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations is also configured to perform D2D communication with other wireless stations. In a particular embodiment, the first group of wireless stations operates the NAN network either alone or in combination with other NAN-enabled wireless stations associated with other wireless access points. In some such embodiments, the first wireless station transmits a wireless packet to the first wireless access point, the wireless packet including one or more parameters of the NAN network, the one or more parameters including the timing of the NAN discovery window. In some other embodiments, the first wireless station may schedule the NAN discovery window of the NAN network to start periodically after a fixed time duration following each periodic coordination access window 1602. In some embodiments, the first wireless station may also transmit an indication of the periodic coordination access window 1602 to other wireless stations in the NAN network within the NAN discovery window.

[0219] As described above, in block 1706, the first wireless station receives a second wireless packet from the first wireless access point, the second wireless packet including a second indication of the reserved access window 1610 within one or more periodic coordination access windows 1602. As further described above, the second indication indicates that the first group of wireless stations is permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network over one or more wireless channels, regardless of the first indication. In some embodiments, the second packet and the third wireless packet may be the same packet; that is, a single wireless packet may include both the first indication of the coordination access window 1602 and the second indication of the reserved access window 1610.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations is not permitted to transmit direct wireless data communication to other wireless stations outside of the reserved access window 1610 (but they may be able to transmit other direct non-data wireless communication, for example, in a discovery window outside of the coordination access window 1602). In some embodiments, the second indication of the reserved access window 1610 received in block 1706 indicates to the first group of wireless stations that they are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations outside of the first group of wireless stations (e.g., in other BSSs managed by other wireless access points) during at least a portion of one or more reserved access windows 1610. In some embodiments, the indication of the reserved access window 1610 received in block 1706 indicates to other wireless stations in other BSSs that they are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations, which may include the first group of wireless stations, over one or more wireless channels during at least a portion of one or more reserved access windows 1610.

[0221] In some embodiments, the indication of the reserved access window 1610 received in block 1706 includes one or more other parameters of the reserved access window 1610. In some embodiments, the one or more other parameters include a time slot schedule defining a series of time slots in the reserved access window 1610. In some embodiments, each time slot may be separated from each other time slot by an IFS (e.g., SIFS). The number of time slots may vary and may be adjusted or distributed differently in different reserved access windows 1610 in different coordinated access windows 1602. In some such embodiments, each of one or more time slots may be assigned to a respective subset of a first group of wireless stations (e.g., two or more wireless stations) for direct wireless communication. For example, each subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may not be permitted to transmit direct wireless communication in another time slot assigned to a different subset of wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations. In some embodiments, during at least one time slot, at least some of the wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations may be permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to or receive direct wireless communication from other wireless stations associated with other BSSs controlled by other access points in the NAN network. In some such embodiments, the first wireless access point and the other wireless access points may not restrict direct wireless communication to any single BSS during at least one time slot.

[0222] In some embodiments, the one or more other parameters identified in the indication of the reserved access window 1610 may further include a frame type for permitting direct wireless communication transmitted during the reserved access window 1610 or any other control information for controlling direct wireless communication during the reserved access window 1610.

[0223] In some embodiments, process 1700 further includes receiving, at the start of the reserved access window 1610, a trigger frame from the first wireless access point, the trigger frame triggering or initiating direct wireless communication by the first wireless station. For example, the first wireless station may contend for access during a respective time slot within the reserved access window 1610 based on the receipt of the trigger frame. In some other embodiments, process 1700 may further include receiving an RDG frame from the first wireless access point to initiate direct wireless communication with other wireless stations.

[0224] Figure 18 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device 1800 that supports coordinated D2D communication in accordance with some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 1800 is configured to perform process 1100 described above with reference to Figure 11 described. The wireless communication device 1800 may be the one described above with reference to Figure 5Example embodiments of the described wireless communication device 500. For example, the wireless communication device 1800 can be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem such as modem 502), at least one processor (such as processor 504), and at least one memory (such as memory 508). The wireless communication device 1800 can further include at least one radio (such as radio 506). In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 1800 can be a device used in an AP such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively. In some other embodiments, the wireless communication device 1800 can be an AP that includes such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device and at least one antenna (such as antenna 620).

[0225] The wireless communication device 1800 includes a receiving component 1810, a communication manager 1820, and a transmitting component 1830. The communication manager 1820 further includes a coordinated access component 1822. A part of the coordinated access component 1822 can be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 1822 is at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a part of the coordinated access component 1822 can be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or “code”) that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding component.

[0226] The receiving component 1810 is configured to receive an RX signal representing uplink communication from a wireless station or communication from another AP. The transmitting component 1830 is configured to transmit a TX signal representing downlink communication to a wireless station or communication to another AP. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 1822 is configured to generate and cause the transmitting component 1830 to transmit a first wireless packet to at least a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by a first wireless access point, where each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations is configured to perform direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The first wireless packet can include an indication of a periodic reservation access window that indicates to the first group of wireless stations that they are allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels during the periodic reservation access window. The coordinated access component 1822 is further configured to cause the transmitting component 1830 to suppress the transmission of wireless communication during the periodic reservation access window.

[0227] Figure 19FIG. shows a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device 1900 that supports coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 1900 is configured to perform the process 1200 described above with reference to Figure 12 The wireless communication device 1900 may be an exemplary embodiment of the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 For example, the wireless communication device 1900 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem such as modem 502), at least one processor (such as processor 504), and at least one memory (such as memory 508). The wireless communication device 1900 may further include at least one radio (such as radio 506). In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 1900 may be a device used in a STA such as one of the STAs 104 and 604 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively. In some other embodiments, the wireless communication device 1900 may be a STA that includes such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device and at least one antenna (such as antenna 625).

[0228] The wireless communication device 1900 includes a receiving component 1910, a communication manager 1920, and a transmitting component 1930. The communication manager 1920 further includes a coordinated access component 1922. A portion of the coordinated access component 1922 may be implemented at least in part in hardware or firmware. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 1922 is at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a portion of the coordinated access component 1922 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or “code”) that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding component.

[0229] The receiving component 1910 is configured to receive an RX signal representing downlink communication from a wireless access point or communication directly from other wireless stations. The transmitting component 1930 is configured to transmit a TX signal representing uplink communication to a wireless access point or communication directly to other wireless stations. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 1922 is configured to receive a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point that controls a first BSS including a first group of wireless stations via the receiving component 1910, the first group of wireless stations including a first wireless station that is configured to perform direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The first wireless packet may include an indication of a periodic reservation access window that indicates to the first wireless station that it is allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to one or more other wireless stations in the first group of wireless stations on one or more wireless channels during the periodic reservation access window. The coordinated access component is further configured to generate a second wireless packet during at least one periodic reservation access window and cause the transmitting component 1930 to transmit the second wireless packet directly to another wireless station.

[0230] Figure 20 FIG. shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 2000 that supports coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2000 is configured to perform the process 1300 described above with reference to Figure 13 The wireless communication device 2000 may be an example implementation of the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 For example, the wireless communication device 2000 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem such as modem 502), at least one processor (such as processor 504), and at least one memory (such as memory 508). The wireless communication device 2000 may further include at least one radio (such as radio 506). In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2000 may be a device used in an AP such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A described. In some other embodiments, the wireless communication device 2000 may be an AP that includes such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device and at least one antenna (such as antenna 620).

[0231] The wireless communication device 2000 includes a receiving component 2010, a communication manager 2020, and a transmitting component 2030. The communication manager 2020 further includes a coordinated access component 2022. A portion of the coordinated access component 2022 may be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2022 is at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a portion of the coordinated access component 2022 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or “code”) executable by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding component.

[0232] The receiving component 2010 is configured to receive an RX signal representing uplink communication from a wireless station or communication from another AP. The transmitting component 2030 is configured to transmit a TX signal representing downlink communication to a wireless station or communication to another AP. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2022 is configured to contend for access to the medium to obtain a transmission opportunity for wireless communication via one or more wireless channels. The coordinated access component 2022 is further configured to select one or more other wireless access points to participate in the transmission opportunity. The coordinated access component 2022 is also configured to allocate a corresponding set of time and frequency resources of a plurality of time and frequency resources of the transmission opportunity to each of a first wireless access point and the selected wireless access points. The coordinated access component 2022 is further configured to allocate a first subset of time and frequency resources of the set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless access point to a first group of wireless stations in a BSS controlled by the first wireless access point for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The coordinated access component 2022 is also configured to generate a first wireless packet and cause the transmitting component 2030 to transmit the first wireless packet to one or more selected wireless access points, the first wireless packet including an indication of the set of time and frequency resources allocated to the corresponding wireless access point for each selected wireless access point. The coordinated access component 2022 is additionally configured to generate a second wireless packet and cause the transmitting component 2030 to transmit the second wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the second wireless packet including an indication of the first subset of time and frequency resources. The coordinated access component 2022 is further configured to cause the transmitting component 1030 to refrain from transmitting wireless communication in the first subset of time and frequency resources.

[0233] Figure 21 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device 2100 that supports coordinated D2D communication in accordance with some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2100 is configured to perform the process 1400 described above with reference to Figure 14 described. The wireless communication device 2100 may be the one described above with reference to Figure 5Example embodiments of the described wireless communication device 500. For example, the wireless communication device 2100 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem such as modem 502), at least one processor (such as processor 504), and at least one memory (such as memory 508). The wireless communication device 2100 may further include at least one radio (such as radio 506). In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2100 may be a device used in an AP such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively. In some other embodiments, the wireless communication device 2100 may be an AP that includes such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device and at least one antenna (such as antenna 620).

[0234] The wireless communication device 2100 includes a receiving component 2110, a communication manager 2120, and a transmitting component 2130. The communication manager 2120 further includes a coordinated access component 2122. A portion of the coordinated access component 2122 may be implemented at least in part in hardware or firmware. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2122 is at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a portion of the coordinated access component 2122 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or "code") that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding component.

[0235] The receiving component 2110 is configured to receive an RX signal representing uplink communication from a wireless station or communication from another AP. The transmitting component 2130 is configured to transmit a TX signal representing downlink communication to a wireless station or communication to another AP. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2122 is configured to receive, via the receiving component 2110, a first wireless packet from a second wireless access point, the first wireless packet indicating that multiple time and frequency resources of a transmission opportunity owned by the second wireless access point can be shared by the second wireless access point. The coordinated access component 2122 is further configured to generate a second wireless packet indicating a desire to participate in the transmission opportunity and cause the transmitting component 2130 to transmit the second wireless packet to the second wireless access point. The coordinated access component 2122 is further configured to receive, via the receiving component 2110, a third wireless packet from the second wireless access point, the third wireless packet including an indication of a first set of time and frequency resources in a plurality of time and frequency resource sets, the first set of time and frequency resources being allocated to the first wireless access point and available for the first wireless access point to transmit data to or receive data from a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by the first wireless access point during a transmission opportunity. The coordinated access component 2122 is further configured to allocate a first subset of the time and frequency resources of the first set of time and frequency resources allocated to the first wireless access point to the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The coordinated access component 2122 is additionally configured to generate a fourth wireless packet and cause the transmitting component 2130 to transmit the fourth wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the fourth wireless packet including an indication of the first subset of time and frequency resources. The coordinated access component 2122 is further configured to cause the transmitting component 2130 to suppress transmitting wireless communication in the first subset of time and frequency resources.

[0236] Figure 22 FIG. shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 2200 that supports coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2200 is configured to perform the process 1500 described above with reference to Figure 15 described. The wireless communication device 2200 may be an example implementation of the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 described. For example, the wireless communication device 2200 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem such as modem 502), at least one processor (such as processor 504), and at least one memory (such as memory 508). The wireless communication device 2200 may further include at least one radio (such as radio 506). In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2200 may be in a device such as those described above with reference to Figure 1 andFigure 6A Devices used in STAs such as one of the described STAs 104 and 604. In some other embodiments, the wireless communication device 2200 can be an STA that includes such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device and at least one antenna (such as antenna 625).

[0237] The wireless communication device 2200 includes a receiving component 2210, a communication manager 2220, and a transmitting component 2230. The communication manager 2220 further includes a coordination access component 2222. A part of the coordination access component 2222 can be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. In some embodiments, the coordination access component 2222 is at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a part of the coordination access component 2222 can be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or "code") that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding component.

[0238] The receiving component 2210 is configured to receive an RX signal representing downlink communication from a wireless access point or communication directly from another wireless station. The transmitting component 1930 is configured to transmit a TX signal representing uplink communication to a wireless access point or communication directly to another wireless station. In some embodiments, the coordination access component 2222 is configured to receive a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point that controls a first BSS including a first group of wireless stations via the receiving component 2210, the first group of wireless stations including a first wireless station, the first group of wireless stations being configured to perform direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The first wireless packet can include an indication of a first time and frequency resource subset of a first time and frequency resource set allocated to the first BSS among a plurality of time and frequency resources of a transmission opportunity owned by the first wireless access point or a second wireless access point, the first time and frequency resource subset being allocated for the first group of wireless stations to perform direct wireless communication with other wireless stations. The coordination access component 2222 is further configured to generate a second wireless packet and cause the transmitting component 2230 to directly transmit the second wireless packet to another wireless station using the first time and frequency resource subset.

[0239] Figure 23 A block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device 2300 that supports coordinated D2D communication according to some embodiments is shown. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2300 is configured to perform the process 1600 described above with reference to Figure 16 described. The wireless communication device 2300 can be the one described above with reference to Figure 5Example embodiments of the described wireless communication device 500. For example, the wireless communication device 2300 can be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem such as modem 502), at least one processor (such as processor 504), and at least one memory (such as memory 508). The wireless communication device 2300 can further include at least one radio (such as radio 506). In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2300 can be a device used in an AP such as one of the APs 102 and 602 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 6A respectively. In some other embodiments, the wireless communication device 2300 can be an AP that includes such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device and at least one antenna (such as antenna 620).

[0240] The wireless communication device 2300 includes a receiving component 2310, a communication manager 2320, and a transmitting component 2330. The communication manager 2320 further includes a coordinated access component 2322. A part of the coordinated access component 2322 can be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2322 is at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a part of the coordinated access component 2322 can be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or "code") that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding component.

[0241] The receiving component 2310 is configured to receive an RX signal representing uplink communication from a wireless station or communication from another AP. The transmitting component 2330 is configured to transmit a TX signal representing downlink communication to a wireless station or communication to another AP. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2322 is configured to exchange one or more first wireless packets with a first group of wireless access points including the first wireless access point via the receiving component 2310 and the transmitting component 2330 to coordinate the scheduling of a periodic coordinated access window during which the first group of wireless access points are scheduled to contend for access to one or more wireless channels. The coordinated access component 2322 is further configured to generate a second wireless packet and cause the transmitting component 2330 to transmit the second wireless packet, the second wireless packet including a first indication of the periodic coordinated access window. The coordinated access component 2322 is further configured to determine that a first group of wireless stations in a first BSS controlled by the first wireless access point are operating a NAN network, each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations in the NAN network. In some embodiments, the first group of wireless stations are not permitted to contend for access to one or more wireless channels during the periodic coordinated access window. The coordinated access component 2322 is additionally configured to generate a third wireless packet and cause the transmitting component 2330 to transmit the third wireless packet to the first group of wireless stations, the third wireless packet including a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more periodic coordinated access windows, the second indication indicating that the first group of wireless stations are permitted to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network on the one or more wireless channels regardless of the first indication. The coordinated access component 2322 is further configured to cause the transmitting component 2330 to suppress the transmission of wireless communication during the reserved access window.

[0242] Figure 24 FIG. shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 2400 that supports coordinated D2D communication in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2400 is configured to perform the process 1700 described above with reference to Figure 17 described above. The wireless communication device 2400 may be an example implementation of the wireless communication device 500 described above with reference to Figure 5 described above. For example, the wireless communication device 2400 may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device that includes at least one modem (e.g., a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or a cellular modem such as modem 502), at least one processor (such as processor 504), and at least one memory (such as memory 508). The wireless communication device 2400 may further include at least one radio (such as radio 506). In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 2400 may be one of the devices described above with reference toFigure 1 and Figure 6A Devices used in STAs such as one of STAs 104 and 604 described Figure 6A . In some other embodiments, the wireless communication device 2400 may be an STA including such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device and at least one antenna (such as antenna 625).

[0243] The wireless communication device 2400 includes a receiving component 2410, a communication manager 2420, and a transmitting component 2430. The communication manager 2420 further includes a coordinated access component 2422. A part of the coordinated access component 2422 may be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2422 is at least partially implemented as software stored in a memory. For example, a part of the coordinated access component 2422 may be implemented as non-transitory instructions (or "code") that can be executed by a processor to perform the functions or operations of the corresponding component.

[0244] The receiving component 2410 is configured to receive an RX signal representing downlink communication from a wireless access point or communication directly from another wireless station. The transmitting component 2430 is configured to transmit a TX signal representing uplink communication to a wireless access point or communication directly to another wireless station. In some embodiments, the coordinated access component 2422 is configured to form or join a NAN network including a first group of wireless stations, the first group of wireless stations including a first wireless station, and each wireless station in the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations in the NAN network. The coordinated access component 2422 is further configured to receive a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point controlling a first BSS including the first group of wireless stations via the receiving component 2410. The first wireless packet may include a first indication of a periodic coordinated access window during which wireless access points including the first wireless access point are scheduled to contend for access to one or more wireless channels, and during which wireless stations including the first group of wireless stations are not allowed to contend for access to one or more wireless channels. The coordinated access component 2422 is additionally configured to receive a second wireless packet from the first wireless access point via the receiving component 2410, the second wireless packet including a second indication of a reserved access window within one or more periodic coordinated access windows, the second indication indicating that the first group of wireless stations is allowed to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations in the NAN network on the one or more wireless channels regardless of the first indication. The coordinated access component 2422 is further configured to generate a third wireless packet during at least one reserved access window and cause the transmitting component 2430 to directly transmit the third wireless packet to another wireless station.

[0245] As used herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, "or" is intended to be interpreted in an inclusive sense. For example, "a or b" can include only a, only b, or a combination of a and b. As used herein, a phrase that recites "at least one" or "one or more" of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. For example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to cover the 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.

[0246] The various illustrative components, logics, logic blocks, modules, circuits, operations, and algorithmic processes described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, firmware, software, or any 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 described generally in terms of their functionality and illustrated in the various illustrative components, boxes, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Such functionality is implemented in hardware, firmware, or software depending on the particular application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0247] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but should be accorded the broadest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles disclosed herein, and the novel features.

[0248] In addition, the various features described in the context of separate implementations in this specification can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple implementations. Thus, although the features may have been described above as acting in a particular combination and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from the claimed combination can in some cases be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination can be directed to a sub-combination or a variant of a sub-combination.

[0249] Similarly, although the operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be construed as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed to achieve the desired result. Additionally, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart or flow diagram. However, other operations 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 of the illustrated operations. In some environments, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Further, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems generally may be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication by a first wireless station, the method comprising: Receiving a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point that controls a first basic service set (BSS), the first BSS including a first group of wireless stations including the first wireless station, the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations, the first wireless packet including an indication of a first time and frequency resource subset of a first time and frequency resource set allocated to the first BSS from among a plurality of time and frequency resource sets of a transmission opportunity owned by the first wireless access point or a second wireless access point, the first time and frequency resource subset being allocated for use by the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless data communication with other wireless stations; And Using the first time and frequency resource subset to directly transmit a second wireless packet including data to another wireless station.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The frequency resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets overlap with the frequency resources in other time and frequency resource sets; The time resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets do not overlap with any of the time resources in other time and frequency resource sets; The time resources in the time and frequency resource set allocated to the first BSS include a plurality of time slots, and the first time and frequency resource subset includes one or more of the plurality of time slots; and The indication of the first time and frequency resource subset includes an indication of a time slot schedule for the plurality of time slots.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, During at least one of the one or more time slots included in the first time and frequency resource subset, the first wireless station is allowed to contend for access to transmit direct wireless communication to or receive direct wireless communication from other wireless stations associated with one or more other BSSs.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the first wireless packet includes a trigger frame that indicates the time slot schedule and initiates direct wireless communication by the first wireless station, wherein the transmission of the second wireless packet is responsive to the trigger frame.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The time resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets overlap with the time resources in other time and frequency resource sets; The frequency resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets do not overlap with any of the frequency resources in other time and frequency resource sets; The frequency resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets of the transmission opportunity include a plurality of frequency slots, and the first time and frequency resource subset includes one or more of the plurality of frequency slots; and The corresponding indication of the time and frequency resource set includes an indication of a bandwidth schedule for the plurality of frequency slots.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein In at least one of the one or more frequency gaps included in the first time and frequency resource subset, the first wireless station is allowed to contend for access to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations associated with one or more other BSSs or receive direct wireless communication from other wireless stations associated with the one or more other BSSs.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first wireless packet includes a trigger frame that indicates the bandwidth scheduling and initiates direct wireless communication by the first wireless station, and wherein the transmission of the second wireless packet is responsive to the trigger frame.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first time and frequency resource subset is only available for contention-based use by the first group of wireless stations to perform direct wireless data communication with other wireless stations.

9. A wireless communication device, the wireless communication device comprising: at least one memory; and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the at least one memory and operative to cause the wireless communication device to: receive a first wireless packet from a first wireless access point that controls a first basic service set (BSS), the first BSS including a first group of wireless stations including a first wireless station, the first group of wireless stations being configured for direct wireless communication with other wireless stations, the first wireless packet including an indication of a first time and frequency resource subset of a first time and frequency resource set of a plurality of time and frequency resource sets of transmission opportunities owned by the first wireless access point or a second wireless access point and allocated to the first BSS, the first time and frequency resource subset being allocated for use by the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless data communication with other wireless stations; and use the first time and frequency resource subset to directly transmit a second wireless packet including data to another wireless station.

10. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein: the frequency resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets overlap with the frequency resources in other time and frequency resource sets; the time resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets do not overlap with any of the time resources in other time and frequency resource sets; the time resources in the time and frequency resource set allocated to the first BSS include a plurality of time slots, and the first time and frequency resource subset includes one or more of the plurality of time slots; and the indication of the first time and frequency resource subset includes an indication of a time slot scheduling for the plurality of time slots.

11. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein, During at least one of the one or more time slots included in the first time and frequency resource subset, the first wireless station is allowed to contend for access to transmit direct wireless communication to other wireless stations associated with one or more other BSSs or receive direct wireless communication from other wireless stations associated with the one or more other BSSs.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 10, wherein the first wireless packet includes a trigger frame, the trigger frame indicating the time slot scheduling and initiating direct wireless communication by the first wireless station, and wherein the transmission of the second wireless packet is responsive to the trigger frame.

13. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein: the time resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets overlap with the time resources in other time and frequency resource sets; the frequency resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets do not overlap with any of the frequency resources in other time and frequency resource sets; the frequency resources in each of the plurality of time and frequency resource sets of the transmission opportunities include a plurality of frequency slots, and the first time and frequency resource subset includes one or more of the plurality of frequency slots; and the corresponding indication of the time and frequency resource set includes an indication of the bandwidth scheduling for the plurality of frequency slots.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein, In at least one of the one or more frequency slots included in the first time and frequency resource subset, the first wireless station is allowed to contend for access to transmit direct wireless communication to or receive direct wireless communication from other wireless stations associated with one or more other BSSs.

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 13, wherein the first wireless packet includes a trigger frame, the trigger frame indicating the bandwidth scheduling and initiating direct wireless communication by the first wireless station, and wherein the transmission of the second wireless packet is responsive to the trigger frame.

16. The wireless communication device according to claim 9, wherein the first time and frequency resource subset is only available for contention-based use by the first group of wireless stations for direct wireless data communication with other wireless stations.

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