Wireless communication method

Abstract

The present invention provides a wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a processor of a station (STA), an initial control frame (ICF) from an access point (AP), where the ICF allocates dynamic sub-channel / sub-band operation (DSO) sub-band resources to a plurality of DSO STAs for the plurality of DSO STAs to transmit ICF response frames; in response to receiving the ICF, the processor transmits an ICF response frame to the AP, where the ICF response frame is transmitted according to the DSO sub-band resource allocated to the STA.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to wide bandwidth transmission with dynamic subchannel / subband operation in wireless communications. Background Art

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

[0003] In wireless communications, such as Wi-Fi (or WiFi) and wireless local area networks (WLANs) under the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, as regulators approve more unlicensed spectrum, access points (APs) may support channel bandwidths up to 320 MHz. However, most non-AP stations (STAs), such as clients, may only support 20 MHz / 40 MHz / 80 MHz due to cost considerations, while a few high-end clients may support 160 MHz / 320 MHz bandwidths. Current Wi-Fi technology requires all clients associated with an AP to monitor the primary 20 MHz channel of the operating bandwidth to detect the preamble of packets on the medium, and all transmissions must include at least the primary 20 MHz channel.

[0004] For a wideband AP (e.g., 160 MHz or 320 MHz), when multi-user transmission is intended for non-AP STAs of mixed types and / or different bandwidth capabilities (e.g., High-Efficiency (HE), Extremely-High-Throughput (EHT), and / or Ultra-High-Reliability (UHR) devices), if at least one client supports wide bandwidth, such as 160 MHz or 320 MHz, the AP can utilize multi-user Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) to schedule Resource Units (RUs) in the secondary 80 MHz subband of the 160 MHz operating bandwidth to the wideband STA with 160 MHz operating bandwidth, or to schedule RUs in the secondary 160 MHz subband of the 320 MHz operating bandwidth to the wideband STA with 320 MHz operating bandwidth. However, if no such broadband clients exist, a large portion of the operating bandwidth will be inefficiently utilized due to the requirement that any transmission must include the primary 20 MHz channel, resulting in spectral inefficiency.

[0005] Next-generation wireless technologies aim to address this underutilized spectrum resource problem by allowing narrowband clients to use portions of the operating bandwidth during transmission opportunities (TXOPs) that may not include the primary 20 MHz channel, for example, in a TXOP with 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz bandwidth acquired by an AP. Associated non-AP STAs are not required to support wide bandwidths but may support dynamic subchannel / subband switching as directed by their AP. However, since the channel status of these subchannels / subbands is unknown prior to switching, one or more subchannels / subbands may experience undetected overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) interference. This means that how the AP efficiently allocates RUs to STAs to which the AP switches subchannels / subbands is a technical challenge that needs to be addressed. Furthermore, how to protect non-primary subband transmissions is another technical issue that also needs to be addressed. Therefore, wide-bandwidth transmission with dynamic subchannel / subband operation is needed in wireless communications. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The following summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary is intended to introduce the concepts, highlights, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious technologies described herein. Selected embodiments are further described in the detailed description below. Therefore, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] The present invention is directed to providing solutions, concepts, designs, techniques, methods, and apparatus related to wide bandwidth transmission and dynamic sub-channel / sub-band operation in wireless communications. It is believed that one or more of the solutions proposed herein may solve or otherwise alleviate the aforementioned problems.

[0008] In one aspect, a method may involve a station (STA) receiving an initial control frame (ICF) from an access point (AP), wherein the ICF allocates dynamic subchannel / subband operation (DSO) subband resources to a plurality of DSO STAs for the plurality of DSO STAs to transmit ICF response frames. The method may also involve the station (STA), in response to receiving the ICF, transmitting an ICF response frame to the access point (AP), wherein the ICF response frame is transmitted according to the DSO subband resources allocated to the STA.

[0009] In another aspect, a method may involve an access point (AP) transmitting an initial control frame (ICF) to a station (STA), wherein the ICF allocates dynamic subchannel / subband operation (DSO) subband resources to a plurality of DSO STAs for the plurality of DSO STAs to transmit ICF response frames. The method may also involve the access point (AP) receiving an ICF response frame from the station (STA), wherein the ICF response frame is transmitted according to the DSO subband resources allocated to the STA.

[0010] It is worth noting that although the description provided herein may be in the context of a specific wireless access technology, network and network topology such as Wi-Fi / WiFi, the concepts, schemes and any variants / derivatives thereof may be implemented in other types of wireless access technologies, networks and network topologies, such as but not limited to Bluetooth, ZigBee, Fifth Generation (5G) / New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, as some components may be shown out of proportion to their actual size in order to clearly illustrate the concepts of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1 An example network environment 100 is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 2 An example scenario 200 according to one proposed solution of the present invention is illustrated.

[0014] Figure 3 An example scenario 300 according to one proposed solution of the present invention is illustrated.

[0015] Figure 4 An example scenario 400 according to one proposed solution of the present invention is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 5 An example scenario 500 according to one proposed solution of the present invention is illustrated.

[0017] Figure 6 An example scenario 600 according to one proposed solution of the present invention is illustrated.

[0018] Figure 7An example system 700 including at least an example device 710 and an example device 720 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 8 An example process 800 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 9 An example process 900 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Specific embodiments and implementations are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments and implementations are merely exemplary manifestations of the invention, which may be embodied in a variety of forms. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided to make the description of the invention comprehensive and complete and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations.

[0022] Overview

[0023] Embodiments according to the present invention relate to various technologies, methods, schemes, and / or solutions related to wide-bandwidth transmission and dynamic subchannel / subband operation in wireless communications. According to the present invention, a variety of possible solutions can be implemented individually or in combination. That is, while these possible solutions may be described separately below, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one or more combinations. These various solutions and schemes are implemented between APs and non-AP STAs. Therefore, the various solutions and schemes presented herein may resolve or otherwise mitigate the issues described above.

[0024] Figure 1 An example network environment 100 is illustrated in which various solutions and approaches according to the present invention may be implemented. Figure 2-Figure 9 According to the present invention, examples of implementing various proposed solutions in the network environment 100 are described. The following description of various proposed solutions is based on the Figures 1-9 provided.

[0025] refer to Figure 1In part (A) of FIG. 1 , the network environment 100 may involve at least a first STA (STA 110) and a second STA (STA 120) in wireless communication. Either STA 110 or STA 120 may function as an AP STA, or alternatively, as a non-AP STA. In some cases, STA 110 and STA 120 may be associated with a Basic Service Set (BSS) that complies with one or more IEEE 802.11 standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11bn and future standards). Each of STA 110 and STA 120 may be configured to communicate with each other using a wide bandwidth transmission scheme according to various proposed schemes described below. For example, as Figure 1 As shown in part (B) of the present invention, dynamic subchannel / subband switching can be used to utilize unused resources by implementing one or more proposed solutions according to the present invention, thereby improving spectrum efficiency and enhancing overall system performance. It is worth noting that although various proposed solutions may be described separately or individually below, in actual implementation, some or all of the proposed solutions may be used in combination or implemented in other ways. Of course, each proposed solution can be used separately or individually or implemented in other ways.

[0026] Figure 2 An example scenario 200 is illustrated according to a proposed solution of the present invention. Under the proposed solution, an AP (e.g., STA 110) can use an Initial Control Frame (ICF) to trigger an associated non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120) that supports Dynamic Subchannel / Subband Operation (DSO) to switch to a specific DSO subband. Furthermore, the AP can identify or otherwise determine whether the non-AP STA triggered to switch to the specific DSO subband has responded to the ICF. Accordingly, the non-AP STA triggered to switch to the specific DSO subband can indicate its channel state / availability information and / or buffer status in a response frame (e.g., Clear-To-Send (CTS)) in response to the ICF. Furthermore, the AP can allocate one or more resources to the non-AP STA in a subsequent data frame exchange based on the channel state / availability information and / or buffer status received from the non-AP STA.

[0027] According to the proposed solution for DSO pre-negotiation of the present invention, a non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120) may indicate its DSO support capability in a capability element transmitted to an associated AP (e.g., STA 110). The AP and the non-AP STA may negotiate / exchange one or more DSO parameters, such as, but not limited to, the number of DSO anchor channels (e.g., preamble detection channels), the location (preferred) of one or more DSO anchor channels, the priority of each DSO anchor channel, and the location (preferred) of one or more resource units (RUs) for an ICF response (e.g., upper or lower channels).

[0028] For example, an access point (AP) may configure or otherwise establish a basic service set (BSS) that operates in a 320 MHz bandwidth. The AP may include one candidate DSO anchor channel for the non-primary 160 MHz DSO sub-band; three candidate DSO anchor channels for the 80 MHz DSO sub-band (one candidate DSO anchor channel for each non-primary 80 MHz DSO sub-band); seven candidate DSO anchor channels for the 40 MHz DSO sub-band (one candidate DSO anchor channel for each non-primary 40 MHz DSO sub-band); and fifteen candidate DSO anchor channels for the 20 MHz DSO sub-band (one candidate DSO anchor channel for each non-primary 20 MHz DSO sub-band). In an example where an associated non-AP station (STA) is capable of DS0 with an 80 MHz bandwidth, the non-AP STA may support up to three candidate DS0 anchor channels for the non-primary 80 MHz DS0 subband; up to seven candidate DS0 anchor channels for the non-primary 40 MHz DS0 subband; and / or up to fifteen candidate DS0 anchor channels for the non-primary 20 MHz DS0 subband. The non-AP STA may indicate to its associated AP a bitmap of its candidate DS0 anchor channels for each DS0 subband size. In addition, the non-AP STA may also indicate its preferred ICF response frame RU location (e.g., upper / lower 20 MHz / 40 MHz channels within the DS0 subband). In addition, the non-AP STA may select or otherwise choose its candidate DSO anchor channel and DSO subband size based on one or more of the following factors: (i) its OBSS interference or in-device coexistence interference on the DSO subband; and (ii) its DSO switching capability (e.g., the gap between DSO subbands and / or the maximum number of DSO subbands it supports).

[0029] Figure 3An example scenario 300 according to a proposed solution of the present invention is illustrated. The scenario 300 may involve a DSO initial control frame interaction. Figure 3 , the AP (e.g., STA 110) may initiate DSO by transmitting an Initial Control Frame (ICF). For example, the ICF may be a Multi-User Request-To-Send (MU-RTS) frame with a DSO mode indication, where the DSO mode indication is located in the Common Info field of the MU-RTS. The ICF may be a control frame (e.g., a trigger frame) with one or more user information fields (e.g., DSO variant user information fields) for allocating specific DSO subband resources to one or more predetermined DSO STAs. The DSO subband resources allocated to each DSO STA may include a DSO subband and one or more resource units (RUs) within the DSO subband for transmitting an ICF response frame of the DSO STA. For example, the ICF may indicate one or more RUs within the allocated DSO subband for the predetermined DSO STA to use to send a response frame (e.g., a CTS frame) in response to the ICF. Under the proposed scheme, each non-AP STA assigned a specific DS0 subband may indicate its channel status / availability information and / or buffer status to the AP through an ICF response frame.

[0030] In some implementations, the ICF response frame may carry a bitmap to indicate the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 subband allocated to the corresponding non-AP STA. In another embodiment, the ICF response frame carries a control field that indicates the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 subband allocated to the STA and / or the buffer status of the STA. Under the proposed scheme, the RU size (one or more RUs) used to transmit the ICF response frame may be less than or equal to the maximum allocated resources for subsequent data transmission with the non-AP STA.

[0031] As an example, refer to Figure 3, the AP may transmit an ICF in a non-high throughput (non-HT) repetition format on a 320MHz bandwidth. In this example, STA1 and STA2 may be 80MHz devices, while STA3 and STA4 may be 160MHz devices. The AP may allocate a primary 80MHz (P80) sub-band to STA1, a secondary 80MHz (S80) DS0 sub-band to STA2, and a secondary 160MHz (S160) DS0 sub-band to STA3 and STA4. In response to receiving the ICF, STA1 and STA2 may transmit corresponding ICF response frames on P80 or S80, respectively. Similarly, STA3 and STA4 may transmit corresponding ICF response frames on the lower 80MHz and upper 80MHz of the allocated S160, respectively. In addition, the ICF response frames transmitted by STA3 and STA4 may carry channel availability information to indicate that S160 is available. Therefore, the AP may perform multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission for STA3 and STA4 on S160.

[0032] Figure 4An example scenario 400 according to a proposed scheme of the present invention is illustrated. Scenario 400 may involve a first scheme (Scheme 1) for performing ICF response frame resource allocation. Under the proposed scheme, the ICF frame may be a trigger frame (e.g., MU-RTS) carrying a DSO mode indication in a Common Info field of the MU-RTS frame. Accordingly, the ICF response frame may be a CTS control frame with a non-HT / non-HT repeated PPDU format. Under the proposed scheme, the user information field for the DSO STA in the ICF frame MU-RTS (DSO) may be a DSO user information field. The DSO user information field may carry DSO subband allocation information to allocate a DSO subband to the DSO STA, and carry resource unit (RU) allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame of the DSO STA. For example, the DS0 User Information field may carry a DS0 Subband subfield that includes DS0 subband location / size information, such as a DS0 subband index (e.g., a secondary 80 MHz DS0 subband may be assigned an index of 2). The DS0 User Information field may further carry a RU Allocation subfield to indicate one or more 20 MHz channels or portions of 20 MHz channels within the DS0 subband indicated by the DS0 Subband Location / Size information. Thus, the RU Allocation subfield in the DS0 User Information field, together with the DS0 Subband subfield, may indicate a 20 MHz channel or a portion of a 20 MHz channel used to transmit an ICF response frame (e.g., a CTS frame) within the DS0 subband. In some embodiments, the bits of the DS0 Subband subfield and the RU Allocation subfield may overlap. For example, the first portion of the RU Allocation subfield may be used as part of the DS0 Subband subfield to allocate a DS0 subband to a DS0 STA, while the second portion of the RU Allocation subfield may be used to indicate one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel.

[0033] Under the proposed scheme, the DS0 subbands allocated to one or more DS0 STAs may overlap with each other (for example, STA1 and STA2 are allocated the same 80 MHz DS0 subband, while STA3 is allocated a 40 MHz DS0 subband that overlaps with the lower 40 MHz of the 80 MHz DS0 subband). Under the proposed scheme, non-overlapping 20 MHz channels are allocated to different DS0 STAs for ICF response frames. As an example, the RU Allocation subfield corresponding to STA3 may indicate that a 40 MHz RU in the 40 MHz DS0 subband is allocated to STA3. In addition, the RU Allocation subfield corresponding to STA1 may indicate that the lower 20 MHz RU of the secondary 40 MHz in the 80 MHz DS0 subband is allocated to STA1, while the RU Allocation subfield corresponding to STA2 may indicate that the upper 20 MHz RU of the secondary 40 MHz in the 80 MHz DS0 subband is allocated to STA2. As a DS0 ICF response frame, the service field of the CTS frame may carry one or more of the following information: (i) DS0 subband bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz / 40 MHz / 80 MHz / 160 MHz), which may be 2 bits of information; and (ii) a channel availability bitmap. The size of the channel availability bitmap may depend on the DS0 subband bandwidth. For example, the bitmap size for a 20 MHz DS0 subband may be 0 bits, the bitmap size for a 40 MHz DS0 subband may be 1 bit, the bitmap size for an 80 MHz DS0 subband may be 3 bits, or the bitmap size for a 160 MHz DS0 subband may be 7 bits.

[0034] Figure 5An example scenario 500 according to a proposed scheme of the present invention is illustrated. Scenario 500 may involve a second scheme (Scheme 2) for resource allocation of an ICF response frame. Scheme 2 may use an ICF and ICF response frame similar to Scheme 1. In Scheme 2, a DSO user information field for a DSO STA may carry DSO subband RU allocation information to allocate at least a portion of a DSO subband to the DSO STA, and carry RU allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the portion of the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame of the DSO STA. For example, the DSO user information field may carry a DSO subband RU allocation subfield, which includes DSO subband position / size information and RU allocation within the DSO subband, such as a DSO subband index and a RU index (e.g., a secondary 80 MHz DSO subband may be assigned index 2, and further includes an RU allocation of RU 65 (indicating the primary 40 MHz of the 80 MHz DSO subband, which is 80 MHz A portion of the DSO subband). The DSO user information field may carry a RU allocation subfield to further indicate one or more 20MHz channels or a portion of a 20MHz channel within that portion of the DSO subband (e.g., the main 40MHz) indicated by the DSO subband position / size information and the RU allocation. Therefore, the RU allocation subfield in the DSO user information field together with the DSO subband RU allocation subfield may indicate a 20MHz channel or a portion of a 20MHz channel used for transmitting an ICF response frame (CTS frame). In a second scheme (Scheme 2), the ICF response frame (e.g., the CTS frame) may not explicitly carry a channel availability bitmap. For example, the CTS frame is transmitted only when all 20MHz channels indicated by the DSO subband RU allocation subfield are detected to be idle during the short frame interval (SIFS) between the ICF and ICF response frames. For example, the DSO subband RU allocation subfield may indicate the main 40MHz of the 80MHz DSO subband as a potential resource for subsequent data transmission of DSO STA1. The RU allocation subfield corresponding to STA1 may indicate 80MHz The lowest 20 MHz and second lowest 20 MHz RUs in the DS0 subband are allocated to STA1. The DS0 Subband RU Allocation subfield may indicate that all 80 MHz of the 80 MHz DS0 subband are potential resources for subsequent data transmission by DS0 STA2. The RU Allocation subfield corresponding to STA2 may indicate that the third lowest 20 MHz and fourth lowest 20 MHz RUs in the 80 MHz DS0 subband are allocated to STA2. For example, STA1 may send its CTS on the lowest 20 MHz and second lowest 20 MHz RUs after a SIFS following the ICF only if it detects that the primary 40 MHz of the 80 MHz DS0 subband is idle during the SIFS. (i.e., the CTS is sent after a SIFS following the ICF).Similarly, STA2 may send its CTS on the third lowest 20 MHz and fourth lowest 20 MHz RUs after the SIFS after the ICF only when it is detected that all 80 MHz DS0 subbands are idle during the SIFS (i.e., the CTS is sent after the SIFS after the ICF). In addition, under the proposed scheme 2, different DS0 STAs are allocated non-overlapping 20 MHz channels for the ICF response frame. In some embodiments, the bits of the DS0 subband RU allocation subfield and the RU allocation subfield may overlap with each other. For example, the first part of the RU allocation subfield may be used as part of the DS0 subband RU allocation subfield to allocate a portion of the DS0 subband to the DS0 STA, and the second part of the RU allocation subfield may be used to indicate one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within that portion of the DS0 subband.

[0035] Figure 6 An example scenario 600 according to one proposed solution of the present invention is illustrated. Scenario 600 may involve a third solution (Scheme 3) for resource allocation of an ICF response frame. Scheme 3 may include different ICF and ICF response frames than Schemes 1 and 2. In Scheme 3, the ICF may be a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) + Bandwidth Query Report Poll (BQRP) trigger frame, which may poll buffer status / channel availability information from a DS0 STA. The BSRP+BQRP trigger frame is a BSRP trigger frame, and the user information field in the BSRP trigger frame may include a bit for indicating whether a bandwidth query report is requested. The ICF response frame may be a Quality of Service (QoS) Null frame that carries buffer status / channel availability information in the A-Control field of a Medium Access Control (MAC) header. The QoS Null frame may be transmitted in a triggered Physical-layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) format. The A-Control field in the MAC header of the QoS Null Frame ICF response frame may include buffer status / channel availability information.

[0036] Under the proposed scheme, different DS0 STAs may be allocated non-overlapping 20MHz channels for ICF response frames. For example, only when STA1 detects SIFS idleness on the main 40MHz of the 80MHz DS0 subband, STA1 may send its QoS empty frame on the lowest 20MHz and second lowest 20MHz RU SIFS after ICF (i.e., send QoS empty frame after SIFS after ICF). Similarly, only when STA2 detects SIFS idleness on all 80MHz DS0 subbands, STA2 may send its QoS empty frame on the third lowest 20MHz and fourth lowest 20MHz RU SIFS after ICF (i.e., send QoS empty frame after SIFS after ICF).

[0037] Illustrative Embodiments

[0038] Figure 7 An example system 700 including at least an example apparatus 710 and an example apparatus 720 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Each of apparatus 710 and apparatus 720 can perform various functions to implement the schemes, techniques, processes, and methods described herein regarding wide bandwidth transmission and dynamic subchannel / subband operation in wireless communications, including the various schemes described above regarding various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems, and methods, as well as the processes described below. For example, apparatus 710 can be implemented in an AP (e.g., STA 110), while apparatus 720 can be implemented in an associated non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120, such as STA 1, STA 2, STA 3, or STA 4 in any of the above examples), or vice versa.

[0039] Each of device 710 and device 720 can be part of an electronic device, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. When implemented in a STA, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing device, such as a tablet, a laptop, or a notebook computer. Each of device 710 and device 720 can also be part of a machine-type device, which may be an Internet of Things device, such as a stationary or fixed device, a home device, a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of device 710 and device 720 can be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. When implemented in or as a network device, device 710 and / or device 720 can be implemented in a network node, such as an AP or mesh device in a WLAN.

[0040] In some embodiments, each of the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex instruction set computing (CISC) processors. In the various schemes described above, each of the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720 may be implemented in or as a STA or AP. Each of the apparatus 710 and the apparatus 720 may include at least some of the Figure 7 Components shown in FIG, for example, include processor 712 and processor 722, respectively. Device 710 and device 720 may also include one or more other components not related to the solution proposed by the present invention (e.g., internal power supply, display device and / or user interface device). Therefore, for the sake of simplicity and brevity, these other components of device 710 and device 720 not related to the solution proposed by the present invention are not shown in FIG. Figure 7 It is not shown in the figure and is not described below.

[0041] In one aspect, processor 712 and processor 722 can each be implemented as one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more RISC processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, even though the singular term "a processor" is used herein to refer to processor 712 and processor 722, in some embodiments, processor 712 and processor 722 can each comprise multiple processors, while in other implementations, they can comprise a single processor. In another aspect, processor 712 and processor 722 can each be implemented in hardware (and, optionally, firmware) with electronic components including, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memory resistors, and / or one or more varactors, configured and arranged to achieve the specific purposes consistent with the present invention. In other words, in at least some implementations, processor 712 and processor 722 are special-purpose machines specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks, including wide-bandwidth transmission and dynamic subchannel / subband operation in wireless communications consistent with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] In some embodiments, the device 710 may further include a transceiver 716 connected to the processor 712. The transceiver 716 may include a transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting data and a receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data. In some embodiments, the device 720 may further include a transceiver 726 connected to the processor 722. The transceiver 726 may include a transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting data and a receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data. It is worth noting that although the transceiver 716 and the transceiver 726 are shown as being external to and separate from the processor 712 and the processor 722, in some embodiments, the transceiver 716 may be part of the processor 712 (as a system on a chip (SoC)) and / or the transceiver 726 may be part of the processor 722 (as a SoC).

[0043] In some embodiments, device 710 may further include a memory 714 connected to processor 712 and accessible to and storing data by processor 712. In some embodiments, device 720 may further include a memory 724 connected to processor 722 and accessible to and storing data by processor 722. Memory 714 and memory 724 may each include a type of random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and / or zero-capacitance RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively, memory 714 and memory 724 may each include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, memory 714 and memory 724 may each include a type of non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), and / or phase-change memory.

[0044] Each of device 710 and device 720 may be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various schemes proposed by the present invention. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation of scope, the following provides a description of the capabilities of device 710 and device 720 as an AP and an associated non-AP STA, respectively, in the context of example processes 800 and 900. It is worth noting that while detailed descriptions of the capabilities, functions, and / or technical features of device 710 and device 720 are provided below, the same descriptions may also apply to the other of device 710 and device 720, although a detailed description is not provided for the sake of brevity. It is also worth noting that while the example embodiments described below are provided in the context of a WLAN, the same embodiments may be implemented in other types of networks.

[0045] Example Process

[0046] Figure 8 An example process 800 according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Process 800 may represent one aspect of implementing the various designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods proposed above. More specifically, process 800 may represent one aspect of proposed concepts and schemes related to wide bandwidth transmission and dynamic subchannel / subband operation in wireless communications. Process 800 may include one or more operations, actions or functions, as shown in one or more blocks 810 and 820. Although shown as discrete blocks, various blocks of process 800 may be divided into more blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated depending on the desired embodiment. In addition, the blocks / sub-blocks of process 800 may be arranged in accordance with Figure 8 800 may be performed in the order shown, or, alternatively, in a different order. Furthermore, one or more blocks / subblocks of process 800 may be repeated or iteratively performed. Process 800 may be implemented by apparatus 710 and apparatus 720, as well as variations thereof. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation of scope, process 800 is described below in the context of apparatus 710 implemented as a non-AP STA and apparatus 720 implemented as an AP in a WLAN within network environment 100 in accordance with one or more IEEE 802.11 standards. Process 800 may begin at block 810.

[0047] At 810, process 800 may involve processor 712 of device 710 (acting as a STA) receiving an ICF from an AP (e.g., device 720) via transceiver 716. The ICF allocates dynamic subchannel / subband operation (DSO) subband resources to a plurality of DSO STAs for the plurality of DSO STAs to transmit ICF response frames. Process 800 may proceed from 810 to 820.

[0048] At 820, process 800 may involve, in response to the received ICF, the processor 712 transmitting an ICF response frame to the AP via the transceiver 716. The ICF response frame is transmitted based on the DS0 subband resources allocated to the STA.

[0049] In some embodiments, the ICF may include a control frame that indicates a DS0 subband or a portion of a DS0 subband using at least one of an RU allocation indication or a DS0 subband indication, or both, in a user information field for one or more DS0 STAs.

[0050] In some embodiments, the ICF includes a trigger frame having one or more user information fields to allocate DSO subband resources to the DSO STA, wherein the DSO subband resources allocated to each DSO STA include a DSO subband and one or more resource units (RUs) within the DSO subband for transmitting an ICF response frame of the DSO STA.

[0051] In some embodiments, the DS0 sub-bands allocated to different DS0 STAs overlap with each other, while one or more RUs allocated to different DS0 STAs within the DS0 sub-band do not overlap with each other.

[0052] In some embodiments, the ICF may carry a DSO mode indication. For example, the DSO mode indication may be carried in a common information field in the ICF, which is common to all intended recipients.

[0053] In some embodiments, the ICF may include a channel availability information and / or buffer status information request to request feedback of the STA's channel availability information and / or buffer status information in the ICF response frame.

[0054] In some embodiments, the DS0 User Information field in the ICF may carry a DS0 Subband subfield and an RU Allocation subfield, which together indicate one or more 20 MHz channels used to transmit the ICF response frame.

[0055] In some embodiments, the DS0 User Information field in the ICF may carry a DS0 Subband RU Allocation subfield and an RU Allocation subfield, which together indicate the primary 40 MHz channel of the 80 MHz DS0 subband used for transmitting the ICF response frame.

[0056] In some embodiments, a DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband allocation information to allocate a DSO subband to the STA, and carries resource unit (RU) allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame.

[0057] In certain embodiments, the RU allocation information indicates one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 sub-band allocated by the DS0 sub-band allocation information.

[0058] In some embodiments, a DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband RU allocation information to allocate at least a portion of the DSO subband to the STA, and carries RU allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the portion of the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame.

[0059] In certain embodiments, the RU allocation information indicates one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the portion of the DS0 subband allocated by the DS0 subband RU allocation information.

[0060] In some embodiments, in the process of transmitting the ICF response frame, process 800 may involve the processor 712 transmitting the ICF response frame in response to detecting that all 20 MHz channels indicated by the DSO subband RU allocation information are idle during the short frame interval (SIFS) between the ICF and the ICF response frame.

[0061] In some embodiments, in the process of transmitting the ICF response frame, process 800 may involve the processor 712 transmitting the ICF response frame in response to detecting that the primary 40 MHz channel of the 80 MHz DS0 subband is idle during a short frame interval (SIFS) between the ICF and the ICF response frame.

[0062] In some embodiments, the ICF response frame may carry a bitmap indicating the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 sub-band allocated to the STA.

[0063] In certain embodiments, the ICF response frame carries a control field that indicates the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 subband allocated to the STA and / or the buffer status of the STA.

[0064] In some embodiments, the size of one or more RUs used to transmit the ICF response frame may be less than or equal to the maximum allocated resource for subsequent data transmission between the STA and the AP.

[0065] In some embodiments, the ICF response frame includes channel availability information and / or buffer status information to instruct the AP to allocate resources to the STA in subsequent data frame exchanges based on the channel availability information and / or buffer status information.

[0066] In certain embodiments, the ICF includes a Multi-User Request to Send (MU-RTS) frame or a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) frame.

[0067] In some embodiments, the ICF response frame includes a Clear to Send (CTS) frame or a Quality of Service (QoS) Null frame.

[0068] In some embodiments, the process 800 may further involve the processor 712 transmitting a capability element to the AP to indicate the STA's capability in supporting DS0.

[0069] In some embodiments, process 800 may further involve processor 712 negotiating one or more DSO parameters with the AP. These DSO parameters may include the number of one or more DSO anchor channels, the location of one or more DSO anchor channels, the priority of each DSO anchor channel, and the location of one or more RUs of the ICF response frame.

[0070] In some embodiments, in a process of negotiating one or more DSO parameters, process 800 may involve processor 712 selecting one or more candidate DSO anchor channels and DSO subband sizes by selecting one or more of: (1) OBSS interference or in-device coexistence interference on the one or more DSO subbands; and (2) the DSO switching capability of the STA based on a gap between the one or more DSO subbands and a maximum number of one or more DSO subbands supported by the STA.

[0071] Figure 9 An example process 900 according to one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Process 900 may represent one aspect of implementing the various designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods proposed above. More specifically, process 900 may represent one aspect of the proposed concepts and schemes regarding wide bandwidth transmission and dynamic subchannel / subband operation in wireless communications. Process 900 may include one or more operations, actions or functions, as shown in one or more blocks 910 and 920. Although shown as separate blocks, various blocks of process 900 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated depending on the desired embodiment. In addition, the blocks / sub-blocks of process 900 may be arranged as follows: Figure 9 The steps of process 900 may be performed in the order shown, or may be performed in a different order. Furthermore, one or more blocks / subblocks of process 900 may be repeated or iteratively performed. Process 900 may be implemented by apparatus 710 and apparatus 720, as well as any variations thereof. For illustrative purposes only and without limiting the scope, process 900 is described below in the context of apparatus 710 implemented as a non-AP STA and apparatus 720 implemented as an AP in a WLAN within network environment 100 in accordance with one or more IEEE 802.11 standards. Process 900 may begin at block 910.

[0072] At 910, process 900 may involve processor 722 of device 720 (acting as an AP) transmitting an ICF to a STA (e.g., device 710) via transceiver 726. The ICF allocates dynamic subchannel / subband operation (DSO) subband resources to a plurality of DSO STAs for the plurality of DSO STAs to transmit ICF response frames. Process 900 may proceed from 910 to 920.

[0073] At 920, process 900 may involve the processor 722 receiving an ICF response frame from the STA via the transceiver 726. The ICF response frame is transmitted according to the DS0 subband resources allocated to the STA.

[0074] In some embodiments, the ICF may include a control or trigger frame that indicates a DSO subband or a portion of a DSO subband in a user information field, and the user information field uses at least one of an RU allocation indication or a DSO subband indication, or both, to indicate the DSO subband or a portion of a DSO subband for one or more DSO STAs.

[0075] In some embodiments, the ICF includes a trigger frame having one or more user information fields to allocate DSO subband resources to the DSO STA, wherein the DSO subband resources allocated to each DSO STA include a DSO subband and one or more resource units (RUs) within the DSO subband for transmitting an ICF response frame of the DSO STA.

[0076] In some embodiments, the DS0 sub-bands allocated to different DS0 STAs overlap with each other, while one or more RUs allocated to different DS0 STAs within the DS0 sub-band do not overlap with each other.

[0077] In some embodiments, the ICF may carry a DSO mode indication. For example, the DSO mode indication may be carried in a common information field of the ICF, which is common to all intended recipients.

[0078] In some embodiments, the ICF may include a channel availability information and / or buffer status information request to request feedback of the STA's channel availability information and / or buffer status information in the ICF response frame.

[0079] In some embodiments, the DS0 User Information field in the ICF may carry a DS0 Subband subfield and an RU Allocation subfield, which together indicate one or more 20 MHz channels used to transmit the ICF response frame.

[0080] In some embodiments, the DS0 User Information field in the ICF may carry a DS0 Subband RU Allocation subfield and an RU Allocation subfield, which together indicate the primary 40 MHz channel of the 80 MHz DS0 subband used for transmitting the ICF response frame.

[0081] In some embodiments, a DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband allocation information to allocate a DSO subband to a STA, and carries resource unit (RU) allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the allocated DSO subband for transmitting an ICF response frame.

[0082] In certain embodiments, the RU allocation information indicates one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 subband allocated by the DS0 subband allocation information.

[0083] In some embodiments, a DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband RU allocation information to allocate at least a portion of the DSO subband to the STA, and carries RU allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the portion of the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame.

[0084] In some embodiments, the ICF response frame may carry a bitmap indicating the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the allocated DS0 sub-band allocated to the STA.

[0085] In certain embodiments, the ICF response frame carries a control field that indicates the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the allocated DS0 sub-band allocated to the STA and / or the buffer status of the STA.

[0086] In some embodiments, the size of one or more RUs used to transmit the ICF response frame may be less than or equal to the maximum allocated resource for subsequent data transmission between the STA and the AP.

[0087] In some embodiments, the ICF response frame includes channel availability information and / or buffer status information to instruct the AP to allocate resources to the STA in subsequent data frame exchanges based on the channel availability information and / or buffer status information.

[0088] In certain embodiments, the ICF includes a Multi-User Request to Send (MU-RTS) frame or a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) frame.

[0089] In certain embodiments, the ICF response frame includes a Clear to Send (CTS) frame or a Quality of Service (QoS) Null frame.

[0090] In some embodiments, the process 900 may further involve the processor 722 receiving a capability element from the STA, where the capability element indicates the STA's ability to support DSO.

[0091] In some embodiments, process 900 may further involve processor 722 negotiating one or more DS0 parameters with the STA. The one or more DS0 parameters may include the number of one or more DS0 anchor channels, the location of one or more DS0 anchor channels, the priority of each DS0 anchor channel, and the location of one or more RUs of the ICF response frame.

[0092] Additional Notes

[0093] The subject matter described herein sometimes illustrates different components contained within or connected to different other components. It will be understood that the architectures so depicted are merely examples, and that many other architectures can actually be implemented to achieve the same functionality. Conceptually, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is actually "associated" so as to achieve the desired functionality. Therefore, any two components combined herein to achieve a particular functionality can be considered to be "associated" with each other so as to achieve the desired functionality, regardless of the architecture or intermediate components. Similarly, any two components so associated can also be considered to be "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably coupled include, but are not limited to, physically matable and / or physically interactive components and / or wirelessly interactable and / or wirelessly interactive components and / or logically interactive and / or logically interactive components.

[0094] Furthermore, with respect to substantially any plural and / or singular terms used herein, those skilled in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural as appropriate to the context and / or application. Various singular / plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for clarity.

[0095] Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the terms used herein, particularly in the appended claims (e.g., the bodies of the appended claims), are generally considered to be "open" terms. For example, the term "comprising" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," and the term "including" should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," etc. Furthermore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that if a specific number of a claim recitation is intended, such intent will be explicitly stated in the claim, and in the absence of such a statement, such intent is absent. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that any particular claim introducing a claim recitation with the indefinite article "a" only includes one implementation of such recitation, even if the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article such as "a." For example, "a" should be interpreted as "at least one" or "one or more"; the same is true for claim recitations introduced with definite articles. Furthermore, even if a specific number of expressions introduced into a claim is explicitly recited, one skilled in the art will recognize that such a statement should be interpreted as including at least the recited number, e.g., simply reciting "two expressions," without other modifiers, means at least two expressions, or two or more expressions. Furthermore, where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, such a construction is generally intended to be understood by one skilled in the art, e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include, but is not limited to, only A, only B, only C, including A and B, including A and C, including B and C, and / or including A, B, and C together, etc. Where a convention similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, such a construction is generally intended to be understood by one skilled in the art, e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include, but is not limited to, only A, only B, only C, including A and B, including A and C, including B and C, and / or including A, B, and C, etc. Furthermore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, should be understood to include the possibility of one, either, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0096] From the foregoing, it will be understood that various embodiments of the present invention have been described herein for illustrative purposes and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: include: Receiving, by a processor of the station STA, an initial control frame ICF from an access point AP, wherein the ICF allocates dynamic subchannel / subband operation DS0 subband resources to a plurality of DS0 STAs for the plurality of DS0 STAs to transmit ICF response frames; In response to receiving the ICF, the processor transmits an ICF response frame to the AP, wherein the ICF response frame is transmitted according to the DS0 sub-band resources allocated to the STA.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ICF includes a trigger frame having one or more user information fields, which allocate the DSO subband resources to the multiple DSO STAs, wherein the DSO subband resources allocated to each DSO STA include a DSO subband and one or more resource units RU within the DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame of the corresponding DSO STA.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The DS0 subbands allocated to different DS0 STAs overlap with each other, while one or more RUs allocated to different DS0 STAs in the DS0 subband do not overlap.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ICF carries the DSO mode indication.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ICF includes a channel availability information and / or a buffer status information request to request the STA to feed back the channel availability information and / or the buffer status information in the ICF response frame.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein A DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband allocation information to allocate a DSO subband to the STA, and carries resource unit RU allocation information to indicate one or more RUs in the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The RU allocation information indicates one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 subband allocated by the DS0 subband allocation information.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein A DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband resource unit RU allocation information to allocate at least a portion of the DSO subband to the STA, and carries RU allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the portion of the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The RU allocation information indicates one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the portion of the DS0 subband allocated by the DS0 subband RU allocation information.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein The steps of transmitting the ICF response frame include: In response to detecting that all 20 MHz channels indicated by the DS0 sub-band RU allocation information are idle during the short frame interval SIFS between the ICF and the ICF response frame, the ICF response frame is transmitted.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ICF response frame carries a bitmap indicating the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 sub-band allocated to the STA; or The ICF response frame carries a control field that indicates the availability of one or more 20 MHz channels or a portion of a 20 MHz channel within the DS0 subband allocated to the STA and / or the buffer status of the STA.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein The size of one or more RUs used to transmit the ICF response frame is less than or equal to the maximum allocated resource for subsequent data transmission between the STA and the AP.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ICF response frame includes channel availability information and / or buffer status information to instruct the AP to allocate resources to the STA in subsequent data frame exchanges according to the channel availability information and / or buffer status information.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ICF includes a Multi-User Request to Send (MU-RTS) frame or a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) frame.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein The ICF response frame includes a Clear to Send (CTS) frame or a Quality of Service (QoS) Null frame.

16. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: include: The processor of the access point AP transmits an initial control frame ICF to the station STA, wherein the ICF allocates dynamic subchannel / subband operation DS0 subband resources to multiple DS0 STAs for the multiple DS0 STAs to transmit ICF response frames; And the processor receives an ICF response frame from the STA, wherein the ICF response frame is transmitted according to the DS0 sub-band resources allocated to the STA.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The ICF includes a trigger frame having one or more user information fields, which allocate the DSO subband resources to the multiple DSO STAs, wherein the DSO subband resources allocated to each DSO STA include a DSO subband and one or more resource units RU within the DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame of the corresponding DSO STA.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein The ICF includes a channel availability information and / or a buffer status information request to request the STA to feed back the channel availability information and / or the buffer status information in the ICF response frame.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein A DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband allocation information to allocate a DSO subband to the STA, and carries resource unit RU allocation information to indicate one or more RUs in the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein: A DSO user information field in the ICF carries DSO subband resource unit RU allocation information to allocate at least a portion of the DSO subband to the STA, and carries RU allocation information to indicate one or more RUs within the portion of the allocated DSO subband for transmitting the ICF response frame.

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