RETRIEVAL OF BANDWIDTH SURVEY REPORTS

Abstract

Methods for wireless communication, which include the following: Transmitted, by means of an access point, a Bandwidth Query Report Poll Frame (BQRP frame) to a plurality of wireless stations, each of the plurality of wireless stations being assigned to one of a plurality of frequency channels, the BQRP frame comprising a bandwidth query for each of the plurality of wireless stations; Receiving, via the access point, a bandwidth query report from each of the multitude of wireless stations in response to the BQRP frame, each bandwidth query report indicating whether the frequency channel allocated to the corresponding wireless station is available to the corresponding wireless station; Allocate, via the access point, one or more resource units to each of the multitude of wireless stations assigned to a corresponding frequency channel indicated as available according to the bandwidth query reports; and Transmitting information or a message confirming the allocation of one or more resource units by the access point to each of the multitude of wireless stations as part of a data transmission from the access point.

Description

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems and methods for querying bandwidth in a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), including, but not limited to, systems and methods for resource allocation in a WLAN, and in particular a system and method for wireless communication, as well as a wireless station.

[0002] Wireless communication systems can be multi-accessible systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing resources available on a wireless network. A wireless network (for example, a WLAN, such as a Wi-Fi network compliant with one or more variants of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards) often includes an access point (AP) that communicates with one or more stations (STAs) or mobile devices. The AP may often be connected to a network, such as the internet, and it can allow a station or mobile device to communicate over the network (and / or communicate with other devices connected to the AP).

[0003] Document US 2016 / 0315738 A1 describes a method for wireless communication in which each of a multitude of wireless stations is assigned to one of a multitude of frequency channels.

[0004] Document US 2012 / 0087358 A1 describes a method for reserving a wireless medium when simultaneously transmitting multiple data streams to multiple wireless receiving stations.

[0005] According to the invention, methods for wireless communication, as well as a system for wireless communication, and a wireless station are provided according to the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] Conveniently, each of the multitude of frequency channels is associated with a channel bandwidth and comprises a multitude of resource units.

[0008] It is expedient to specify an initial bandwidth query for a first wireless station from the multitude of stations in a first user information field of the BQRP frame.

[0009] Conveniently, the first wireless station is identified via information in an Assignment Identification (AID) subfield of a first user information field of the BQRP frame.

[0010] Conveniently, the BQRP framework also includes an additional bandwidth query that is not directed to a specific wireless station, the additional bandwidth query corresponding to a user information field with an assignment identification subfield (AID subfield) set to zero.

[0011] Advantageously, the method further includes broadcasting, via the access point, a multi-user transmit request frame (MU-RTS) to silence one or more of the multitude of wireless stations operating in the multitude of frequency channels.

[0012] Advantageously, the procedure further includes, in response to the MU-RTS frame, receiving, via the access point, one or more ready-to-transmit frames (CTS frames) and transmitting the BQRP frame, via the access point, in response to receiving the one or more CTS frames.

[0013] Advantageously, the procedure also includes determining, by means of the access point, that a first frequency channel is unavailable and excluding the first frequency channel from allocation to the multitude of wireless stations.

[0014] Advantageously, the frequency channel is associated with a channel bandwidth and includes a large number of resource units.

[0015] It is convenient to specify the bandwidth query for the wireless station in a first user information field of the BQRP frame.

[0016] Advantageously, the procedure further includes determining that the wireless station is identified by information in an Assignment Identification (AID) subfield of a first User Information field of the BQRP frame.

[0017] The procedure also conveniently includes receiving, via the wireless station, a multi-user transmit request frame (MU-RTS frame).

[0018] The procedure also conveniently includes sending, via the wireless station, a ready-to-transmit frame (CTS frame) in response to the MU-RTS frame.

[0019] Conveniently, each of the multitude of frequency channels is associated with a channel bandwidth and comprises a multitude of resource units.

[0020] It is expedient to specify an initial bandwidth query for a first wireless station from the multitude of stations in a first user information field of the BQRP frame.

[0021] Conveniently, the first wireless station is identified via information in an Assignment Identification (AID) subfield of a first user information field of the BQRP frame.

[0022] Conveniently, the BQRP framework also includes an additional bandwidth query that is not directed to a specific wireless station, the additional bandwidth query corresponding to a user information field with an allocation ID subfield set to zero.

[0023] Advantageously, one or more processors are further configured to determine that a first frequency channel is unavailable and to exclude the first frequency channel from allocation to the multitude of wireless stations.

[0024] Various tasks, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure become even clearer when the detailed description is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which identical reference numerals consistently denote corresponding elements. In the drawings, identical reference numerals generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and / or structurally similar elements. Fig. Figure 1A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network environment with one or more wireless communication devices connected to one or more devices or stations; Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C are block diagrams that depict exemplary embodiments of computer devices that are useful in connection with the methods and systems described in this document; Fig. Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wireless communication system; Fig. Figure 2B is a diagram of a wireless communication system that uses BQRP to allocate resources according to an exemplary implementation; and Fig. 2C is a representation of a BQRP frame format according to an exemplary implementation. Fig. 2D is a flowchart of an exemplary implementation of a method for wireless communication. Fig. 2E is a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment of a method for wireless communication.

[0025] The details of various embodiments of the methods and systems are set out in the accompanying drawings and in the following description. Detailed description

[0026] The following standard(s) and specification(s), including any draft versions of such standards and specifications, are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference into this document and form part of this disclosure for all purposes: Long-Term Evolution (LTE); LTE-Advanced (LTE-A); 3GPP; and IEEE 802.11. Although this disclosure may refer to these standard(s) and specification(s), the disclosure is by no means limited to these aspects. Various embodiments of these standard(s) and specification(s), such as LTE-U, sometimes referred to as LTE with LLA (License-Assisted Access), are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0027] The following descriptions of the sections of the specification and their respective contents may be helpful for reading the description of the various embodiments mentioned below: - Section A describes a network environment and a computer environment that may be helpful for implementing the examples described in this document; and Section B describes examples of systems and methods for WLAN operation. A. Computer and network environment

[0028] Before discussing specific implementation examples of the present solution, aspects of the operating environment and the associated system components (e.g., hardware elements) are described in connection with the methods and systems described in this document. With reference to Fig. Figure 1A shows an embodiment of a network environment. In short, the network environment comprises a wireless communication system with one or more base stations 106, one or more wireless communication devices 102, and a network hardware component 192. The wireless communication devices 102 may include, for example, laptop computers 102, tablets 102, PCs 102, and / or mobile phone devices 102. The details of an embodiment of each wireless communication device and / or base station are described with reference to Fig. 1B and Fig. 1C is described in more detail. In an exemplary implementation, the network environment could be an ad-hoc network environment, a wireless infrastructure network environment, a subnet environment, etc.

[0029] Terms such as “wireless communications device”, “user device”, “mobile station”, “mobile phone”, “mobile device”, “subscriber station”, “subscriber device”, “access terminal”, “terminal device”, “portable mobile device”, and similar terminology may refer to a wireless device used by a subscriber or user of a wireless communications service to receive or transmit data, control signals, voice, video, audio, games, or essentially any data or signal stream. The foregoing terms may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.Similarly, terms such as “access point (AP)”, “wireless access point (WAP)”, “base station”, “base transceiver station”, “Node B”, “Evolved Node B (eNode B or eNB)”, “Horne Node B (HNB)”, “home access point (HAP)” and similar terminology may be used interchangeably in the present disclosure and refer to a wireless network component or device that delivers or receives data, control signals, voice, video, audio, games or essentially any data or signal stream to or from a group of wireless devices.

[0030] With further reference to Fig. 1A The base stations 106 can be operationally coupled to the network hardware 192 via LAN network connections. The network hardware 192, which may include a router, gateway, switch, bridge, modem, system control unit, appliance, etc., can provide a local network connection for the communication system. Each of the base stations 106 can have an attached antenna or antenna array to communicate with the wireless communication devices 102 within its range. The wireless communication devices 102 can register with a specific access point 106 to receive services from the communication system (for example, via a SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO configuration). In direct connections (for example, in point-to-point communication), some wireless communication devices 102 can communicate directly over an allocated channel and communication protocol.Some of the wireless communication devices 102 may be mobile or relatively static with respect to the access point 106.

[0031] In some embodiments, a base station 106 comprises a device or module (including a combination of hardware and software) that allows wireless communication devices 102 to establish a connection to a wired network using LTE, WiFi, and / or other standards. A base station 106 may be implemented, designed, and / or constructed for operation in a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a cellular network. In some embodiments, a base station 106 may connect to a router as a standalone device (for example, via a wired network). In other embodiments, a base station may be a component of a router. A base station 106 may provide network access for multiple devices 102.For example, a base station 106 can establish a connection to a wired Ethernet connection and, using radio frequency links, provide wireless connections for other devices 102 that use this wired connection. A base station 106 can be built and / or implemented to support a standard for sending and receiving data using one or more radio frequencies. These standards and the frequencies they use can be defined, for example, by the IEEE or by 3GPP. A base station 106 can be implemented and / or used to support cellular coverage, public internet hotspots, and / or be implemented and / or used in an internal network to extend the signal range of the network (for example, WiFi).

[0032] In some embodiments, the base stations 106 (for example, in homes or buildings) can be used for wireless networks (for example, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular networks, any other types of radio frequency-based network protocols and / or variants thereof). Each of the wireless communication devices 102 can have a built-in radio device and / or be coupled with one. Such wireless communication devices 102 and / or base stations 106 can be operated according to the various aspects of the disclosure as presented in this document to achieve an improvement in performance, a reduction in cost and / or size, and / or an improvement in broadband applications.Any wireless communication device 102 can have the capability to function as a client node that wants to access resources (for example, data and a connection to network nodes, such as servers) via one or more base stations 106.

[0033] The network connections can comprise any type and / or form of network or network, and they can include any of the following elements: a point-to-point network, a broadcast network, a telecommunications network, a data communications network, or a computer network. The network topology can be a bus, star, or ring topology. The network can have any of these network topologies that are known to those skilled in the art with normal knowledge in this field and that are capable of supporting the operations described in this document. In some embodiments, different types of data can be transmitted using different protocols. In other embodiments, the same types of data can be transmitted using different protocols.

[0034] The communication device(s) 102 and the base station(s) 106 can be provided as any type and form of computer device, such as a computer, network device or appliance, capable of communicating in any type and form of network and performing the operations described in this document, or being operated as such. Fig. 1B and Fig. Figure 1C shows block diagrams of a computer device 100, which is helpful in implementing an embodiment of the wireless communication devices 102 or the base station 106. As in Fig. 1B and Fig. As shown in Figure 1C, each computer device 100 has a central processing unit (CPU) 121 and a main memory unit 122. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, a computer device 100 can comprise a storage device 128, an installation device 116, a network interface 118, an I / O controller 123, display devices 124a to 124n, a keyboard 126, and a pointing device 127, such as a mouse. The storage device 128 can include, but is not limited to, an operating system and / or software. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1C, each computer device 100 may also include additional optional elements, such as a memory port 103, a bridge 170, one or more input / output devices 130a to 130n (generally referred to as reference 130) and a cache memory 140 associated with the central processing unit 121.

[0035] The central processing unit 121 is any logic circuit arrangement that responds to and processes instructions retrieved from the main memory unit 122. In many embodiments, the central processing unit 121 is provided by a microprocessor unit, such as those manufactured by Intel Corporation of Mountain View, California (USA); those manufactured by International Business Machines of White Plains, New York (USA); those manufactured by ARM Holdings, plc of Cambridge, England; or those manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices of Sunnyvale, California (USA). The computer device 100 can be based on any of these processors or on any other processor capable of operating as described in this document.

[0036] The main memory unit 122 can consist of one or more memory chips capable of storing data and allowing direct access to any memory location by the microprocessor 121, such as any type or variant of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM), NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, and SSD (Solid State Drives). The main memory 122 can be based on any of the memory chips described above or on any other available memory chips capable of operating as described in this document. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in 1B, the processor 121 communicates with the main memory 122 via a system bus 150 (this is described in more detail below). Fig. Figure 1C depicts an embodiment of a computer device 100 in which the processor communicates directly with the main memory 122 via a memory port 103. Fig. 1C could, for example, refer to the main memory 122 as DRDRAM.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1C illustrates an embodiment in which the main processor 121 communicates directly with the cache memory 140 via a secondary bus, sometimes also referred to as a backside bus. In other embodiments, the main processor 121 communicates with the cache memory 140 using the system bus 150. The cache memory 140 typically has a shorter response time than the main memory 122 and is provided, for example, using SRAM, BSRAM, or EDRAM. In the embodiment shown in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1C, the processor 121 communicates with various I / O devices 130a to 130n via a local system bus 150. Various buses can be used to connect the central processing unit 121 to any of the I / O devices 130, for example, a VESA VL bus, an ISA bus, an EISA bus, an MCA bus (Micro-Channel Architecture), a PCI bus, a PCI-X bus, a PCI Express bus, or a NuBus. In embodiments where the I / O device is a video display 124, the processor 121 can use an AGP (Advanced Graphics Port) to communicate with the display 124. Fig. Figure 1C represents an embodiment of a computer 100 in which the main processor 121 can communicate directly with the I / O device 130b, for example via a HYPERTRANSPORT, RAPIDIO or INFINIBAND communication technology. Fig. Figure 1C also shows an embodiment in which local buses and direct communication are mixed: The processor 121 communicates with the I / O device 130a using a local interconnect bus, while it communicates directly with the I / O device 131.

[0038] The computer device 100 can contain a wide variety of I / O devices 130a to 130n and 131. Input devices include keyboards, mice, trackpads, trackballs, microphones, dial devices, touchpads, touchscreens, and drawing tablets. Output devices include video displays, speakers, inkjet printers, laser printers, projectors, and sublimation printers. The I / O devices 130a to 130n can be configured as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the computer device 100 can be controlled by means of an I / O controller 123. The I / O controller can control one or more I / O devices, such as a keyboard 126 and a pointing device 127, for example, a mouse or an optical pen. Furthermore, an I / O device can also provide memory and / or an installation medium 116 for the computer device 100. In further embodiments, the computer device 100 can provide USB ports (not shown) to accommodate handheld USB storage devices, such as the USB flash drive series manufactured by Twintech Industry, Inc. of Los Alamitos, California (USA).

[0039] With further reference to Fig. 1B The computer device 100 can support any suitable installation device 116, such as a disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a CD-R / RW drive, a DVD-ROM drive, a flash memory drive, tape drives of various formats, a USB device, a hard disk drive, a network interface, or any other device suitable for installing software and programs. The computer device 100 can also include a storage device, such as one or more hard disk drives or RAIDs (Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks), for storing an operating system and other related software and for storing application software programs, such as any program or software 120 for implementing (for example, integrated into and / or designed for) the systems and procedures described in this document.Optionally, any of the installation devices 116 could also be used as a storage device. Additionally, the operating system and software can be run from a bootable medium.

[0040] Furthermore, the computer device 100 may have a network interface 118 for forming an interface with the network 104 via a variety of connections, including, but not limited to, standard telephone lines, LAN or WAN connections (for example, 802.11, T1, T3, 56kb, X.25, SNA, DECNET), broadband connections (for example, ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM, Gigabit Ethernet, Ethernet-over-SONET), wireless connections, or some combination of any or all of the above. Connections can be established using a variety of communication protocols (for example, TCP / IP, IPX, SPX, NetBIOS, Ethernet, ARCNET, SONET, SDH, FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), RS232, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11ad, CDMA, GSM, WiMax, LTE, LTE-A and asynchronous direct connections).In one embodiment, the computer device 100 communicates with other computer devices 100' via any type and / or form of gateway or tunneling protocol, such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security). The network interface 118 can comprise a built-in network adapter, a network interface card, a PCMCIA network card, a CardBus network adapter, a wireless network adapter, a USB network adapter, a modem, or any other device suitable for providing an interface between the computer device 100 and any other type of network capable of communication and performing the operations described in this document.

[0041] In some embodiments, the computer device 100 may include or be connected to one or more display devices 124a to 124n. In such a way, any of the I / O devices 130a to 130n and / or the I / O controller 123 may include any type and / or form of suitable hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software to support, enable, or provide for the computer device 100 to connect to and use the display device(s) 124a to 124n. For example, the computer device 100 may include any type and / or form of video adapter, video card, driver, and / or library to interface with, communicate with, connect to, or otherwise use the display device(s) 124a to 124n. In one embodiment, a video adapter may have multiple ports to interface with the display device(s).to form the display device(s) 124a to 124n. In other embodiments, the computer device 100 may have multiple video adapters, each video adapter being connected to the display device(s) 124a to 124n. In some embodiments, any part of the operating system of the computer device 100 may be implemented to use multiple display devices 124a to 124n. A person skilled in the art with normal knowledge in the field will recognize and understand the various possibilities and embodiments by which a computer device 100 may be implemented to have one or more display devices 124a to 124n.

[0042] In further embodiments, an I / O device 130a to 130n can be a bridge between the system bus 150 and an external communication bus, such as a USB bus, an Apple Desktop bus, a serial RS-232 connection, a SCSI bus, a FireWire bus, a FireWire-800 bus, an Ethernet bus, an AppleTalk bus, a Gigabit Ethernet bus, an ATM bus (Asynchronous Transfer Mode), a FibreChannel bus, a SAS bus (Serial Attached SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)), a USB connection or an HDMI bus.

[0043] A computer device 100 of the type used in Fig. 1B and Fig. The computer device 1C, as depicted, can be operated under the control of an operating system that handles task scheduling and access to system resources. The computer device 100 can run any operating system, such as any version of Microsoft Windows, the various releases of Unix and Linux, any version of Mac OS for Macintosh computers, any embedded operating system, any real-time operating system, any open-source operating system, any proprietary operating system, any operating system for mobile computing devices, or any other operating system capable of running on the computer device and performing the operations described in this document. Typical operating systems include, but are not limited to, Android, manufactured by Google Inc.; WINDOWS 7 and 8, manufactured by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington (USA); MAC OS, manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, California (USA); WebOS, manufactured by Research In Motion (RIM); OS / 2, manufactured by International Business Machines of Armonk, New York (USA); and Linux, a freely available operating system distributed by Caldera Corp. of Salt Lake City, Utah (USA), or any type and / or form of Unix operating system, as well as others.

[0044] Computer System 100 can be any workstation, telephone, sensor, desktop computer, laptop or notebook computer, server, handheld computer, mobile phone or other portable telecommunications device, media player, gaming system, mobile computing device, or any other type and / or form of computer, telecommunications, or media device capable of communication. Computer System 100 has sufficient processing power and memory capacity to perform the operations described in this document.

[0045] In some embodiments, the computer device 100 can have different processors, operating systems, and input devices that are consistent with the device. For example, in one embodiment, the computer device 100 is a smartphone, a mobile device, a tablet, or a digital personal assistant. In still other embodiments, the computer device 100 is an Android-based mobile device, an iPhone smartphone manufactured by Apple Computer of Cupertino, California (USA), or a handheld device or smartphone based on Blackberry or WebOS, such as the devices manufactured by Research In Motion Limited.Furthermore, the computer device 100 can be any workstation, any desktop computer, any laptop or notebook computer, any server, any handheld computer, any mobile phone, any other computer or any other form of computer or telecommunications device capable of communication and possessing sufficient processing power and memory capacity to perform the operations described in this document.

[0046] Aspects of the operating environments and components described above become clear in the context of the systems and procedures disclosed in this document. B. WLAN operation

[0047] In a WLAN system where a central control unit decides which device accesses the medium, resources are allocated in one or more embodiments based on competing resource requests from participating stations (STAs). The central control unit (e.g., the access point) allocates resource units for each specific phase of data exchange, with each phase of data exchange allocating resource units for more than one participating STA according to a single time window in one or more embodiments. The resource units for different STAs are orthogonal in various ways in one or more embodiments (e.g., frequency orthogonal, spatial orthogonal, etc.).In one or more embodiments, for each of the allocated resource units, an access point (AP) or a non-AP-functioning access point (STA) transmits an A-MPDU (Aggregated Media Access Point Protocol Data Unit) in a single-user PLCP protocol data unit (PPDU) or a multi-user PPDU to the designated receiving STA to improve efficiency. In one or more embodiments, the allocated resource unit is the entire operating channel of the AP or a portion thereof.

[0048] A non-AP-functioning STA (where, for example, an A-BQR-Support subfield of its HE-Capabilities (High Efficiency) element is equal to 1) provides bandwidth query reports (BQRs) in one or more embodiments to efficiently assist a corresponding AP in allocating multi-user downlink (MU-DL) resources and / or multi-user uplink (MU-UL) resources. In one or more embodiments, the non-AP-functioning STA either implicitly provides BQRs in the A-Control field of the BQR of any frame transmitted to the AP (unsolicited BQR), or, in response to a trigger frame received from the AP, it explicitly provides BQRs in any frame sent to the AP.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, a STA not acting as an AP reports its channel availability information (unsolicited BQR) to the AP to which it is connected using the A-Control field of the BQR of frames it transmits. The STA reports the channel availability information in the A-Control subfield of the BQR of frames transmitted by the STA if the AP has specified support for the AP (for example, in the A-BQR-Support subfield of its HE-Capabilities element); otherwise, in one or more embodiments, the STA reports the channel availability information in the A-Control subfield of the BQR.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, an HE-AP requests BQR(s) from one or more HE-STAs not acting as APs (where, for example, the A-BQR-Support subfield of their HE-Capabilities element is equal to 1) by sending a trigger frame. The present disclosure provides, in one or more embodiments, for the retrieval of bandwidth query reports (BQRPs) as a trigger frame to cause one or more STAs to send BQRs to an AP. In one or more embodiments, the AP transmits the BQRP to one or more STAs that are to communicate with the AP. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame includes resource allocation information specifying the resource units allocated (or proposed / intended for allocation) to each STA, and trigger information requiring the STA to respond with a BQR upon receiving the BQRP.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame has different frame formats, such as 9.3.1.23 (trigger frame format). In one or more embodiments, the STA not acting as an AP (where, for example, the A-BQR support subfield of its HE capabilities element is equal to 1) responds (requested BQR) as defined below: The STA receiving a BQRP frame follows the rules defined in 25.5.2.3 (STA Behavior) to generate the trigger-driven PPDU if the BQRP frame contains the STA's Assignment Identification (AID) in any of the Per-User Info fields; otherwise, in one or more embodiments, the STA follows the rules defined in 25.5.2.6 (UL-OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) based random access) to access a random RU and generate the trigger-driven PPDU if the BQRP frame contains one or more random RU(s).

[0052] In one or more embodiments of the trigger-driven HE-PPDU, the STA includes one or more QoS zero frames (Quality of Service) that contain the A-Control field of the BQR with the STA's channel availability information, provided the AP has indicated its support in the A-BSR-Support subfield of its HE-Capabilities element. In one or more embodiments, the HE-STA does not request an immediate response for the frames included in the trigger-driven PPDU (for example, by setting the frame's Ack Policy subfield to Normal Ack or Implicit BAR).

[0053] With reference to Fig. Figure 2A shows a wireless communication system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. The wireless communication system 200 comprises, according to one or more embodiments, a wireless access point (AP) 202 and several stations (for example, STA1 to STA5). According to one or more embodiments, the AP 202 communicates with the several stations via a wireless network (for example, a WLAN). According to one or more embodiments, the AP 202 assigns an AID value to each of the stations STA1 to STA5 and identifies the stations STA1 to STA5 using their assigned AID values.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, each of the AP 202 and the stations can be any suitable wireless device, including, for example, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet, a laptop computer, etc. In one or more embodiments, each of the AP 202 and the stations comprises one or more transceivers, one or more processors, and / or one or more memory resources. In one or more embodiments, the one or more memory resources comprise a persistent, computer-readable medium that stores instructions for performing operations described in this disclosure.In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 can be any suitable device that allows one or more wireless devices to connect to a network (for example, LAN, WAN, MAN, Internet) via the AP 202 using wireless communication such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular communication.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 determines a bandwidth in the wireless network and / or allocates resource units within the bandwidth to multiple stations. In one or more embodiments, the bandwidth determination and / or resource allocation includes the AP 202 assigning each STA to a frequency channel and determining channel availability for the corresponding channel. In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 generates a BQRP frame including resource allocation information and / or a bandwidth query, which requests a bandwidth query report (BQR) from a receiving station as a response. In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 transmits, relays, or broadcasts the BQRP frame to each of the stations.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, each station receives the BQRP frame from the AP 202 and, using information in the BQRP frame, determines a channel assigned to the station. In one or more embodiments, each station determines the availability of the assigned channel. In one or more embodiments, each station generates its own BQR frame, including information about the availability of the assigned channel. In one or more embodiments, each station transmits the BQR to the AP 202 in response to the BQRP.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 receives a BQR from each station and allocates resource units to each station based on the BQRs. If, in one or more embodiments, the AP 202 receives a BQR from a station indicating that an assigned channel is unavailable, the AP does not allocate any resource units to that station. In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 assigns a different channel to the station and sends another BQRP frame indicating the updated channel assignment.

[0058] With reference to Fig. Figure 2B now shows a diagram of a wireless communication system according to an exemplary embodiment that uses BQRP for resource allocation. In one or more embodiments, the wireless communication system comprises an access point (AP) (not shown) and eight stations (STA1 to STA8). In one or more embodiments, the AP communicates with the stations over a network with a predetermined bandwidth (for example, a 160 MHz band). In one or more embodiments, the network is based on IEEE 802.11 standards (for example, a Wi-Fi or WLAN network). In one or more embodiments, the network is based on IEEE 802.15 standards (for example, a Bluetooth network). In one or more embodiments, the network is based on any suitable cellular or wireless communication standard.In one or more embodiments, the network has a bandwidth suitable for any corresponding network standards and allows the AP and the stations to communicate within the network.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the AP divides the network bandwidth into a multitude of channels (or bands or subbands) and assigns each station to a channel. For example, as in Fig. Figure 2B shows the network, according to an exemplary embodiment, with a bandwidth of 160 MHz. The access point (AP) divides this 160 MHz bandwidth into multiple channels with the same or different bandwidths, for example, eight channels of 20 MHz each, according to one or more embodiments. The AP determines the channel availability for each channel, for example, independently of the stations, according to one or more embodiments. The AP determines channel availability by ascertaining whether the channel is free for new communication. If the AP determines that one or more channels are not free, it avoids assigning these channels to the station-based access points (STAs).

[0060] For example, the AP indicates how in Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, channels are assigned to stations STA1 through STA8. In one or more embodiments, the AP initially assigns one channel to each station (for example, channel 1 to STA1, channel 2 to STA2, etc.). The AP determines, according to one or more embodiments, whether each of channels 1 through 8 is available for the assigned STA. In one or more embodiments, the AP determines that channels 3 and 5 are not free, based on the findings. In one or more embodiments, the AP (again) assigns channel 4 to STA3 (and STA4) and channel 6 to STA5 (and STA6), so that STA3 and STA4 share the resources of channel 4, and STA5 and STA6 share the resources of channel 6. In one or more embodiments, each channel comprises a set of resource units (RUs).For example, in one or more implementations, the 160 MHz network bandwidth is divided into eight channels, and each channel has 20 MHz and / or 242 resource units. If a channel is assigned to a single STA, that STA can use all of the channel's RUs (for example, 242 RUs from channel 1 assigned to STA1). If a channel is assigned to more than one STA, the channel's RUs are divided among the multiple STAs (for example, 106 RUs from channel 4 are assigned to STA3, and the other 106 RUs from channel 4 are assigned to STA4).

[0061] In one or more embodiments, the AP can operate in any suitable network with any bandwidth (for example, 80 MHz, 80+80 MHz, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the AP can divide the network bandwidth into any suitable number of channels (for example, dividing the network into multiple 5 MHz channels).

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the AP sends a Multi-User Transmit Request Frame (MU-RTS frame) to silence one or more of the many wireless stations operating in the vicinity and / or the many frequency channels. For example, the AP sends an MU-RTS to STAs 1 through 8. In one or more embodiments, the AP designates one or more channels as primary channels and sends the MU-RTS frame over these primary channels. In one or more embodiments, the MU-RTS is addressed (or transmitted or broadcast) to all STAs participating in wireless communication with the AP, for example, by including the STAs' names in the frame. In one or more embodiments, the MU-RTS does not include or specify the STAs' names.In one or more embodiments, a set of RUs (for example, 26 RUs from an 80 MHz channel) is configured as a broadcast RU, so that all other STAs around the AP do not respond to the MU-RTS. In one or more embodiments, the AP receives, for example, in response to the MU-RTS, at least one ready-to-transmit frame (CTS frame) from the one or more STAs.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the AP generates a BQRP frame and transmits the BQRP frame independently of the MU-RTS and CTS frames. In one or more embodiments, the AP can transmit the BQRP frame to the STAs before or after sending the MU-RTS. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP includes resource allocation information (for example, channel and / or RU assignments) and causes an STA to respond with a BQR upon receiving the BQRP frame. In one or more embodiments, each STA receives the BQRP from the AP. In one or more embodiments, the STA receives information indicating that a channel and / or a plurality of RUs within the channel are assigned to the STA. In one or more embodiments, the STA determines the channel availability of the channel assigned to it, for example, by determining whether the assigned channel is occupied or free.In one or more embodiments, the STA generates a BQR (for example, in response to the BQRP) that includes channel availability information and transmits the BQR to the AP. In one or more embodiments, the STA determines whether the assigned RUs are available to the STA. For example, in one or more embodiments, STA3 determines, as in [reference to relevant example]. Fig. Figure 2B shows that 106 RUs of channel 4, which are assigned to STA3, are occupied. STA3 generates a report as feedback to the AP (for example, a BQR) indicating that the assigned RUs are not available for STA3 to transmit or communicate data. Another example illustrates how this works in Fig. Figure 2B shows that the STA7 is initially assigned channel 7 with all 242 RUs of channel 7. After receiving the BQRP, the STA7 determines the channel availability of channel 7 and determines that channel 7 is occupied and therefore unavailable for the STA7 to communicate data with the AP. The STA7 then reports this determined channel availability back to the AP in response to the BQRP.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the use of a BQRP frame allows all recipients of the BQRP frame to respond with a corresponding BQR, including the corresponding resource / channel availability. In one or more embodiments, the AP receives BQRs from some or all of the STAs and modifies / updates resource allocations to the STAs based on the BQRs. In one or more embodiments, after receiving the BQRs, the AP begins transmitting data to the STAs that have reported or confirmed resource availability. In one or more embodiments, the AP does not send data packets to STAs that have reported a lack of sufficient channel resources. For example, STA3 and STA7, as shown in Fig. Figure 2B shows BQRs sent to the AP indicating that the assigned channels 4 and 7 are occupied. In this case, according to one or more embodiments, the AP does not transmit any data to STA3 and STA7. In one or more embodiments, after receiving the BQRs indicating that the assigned channels are available, the AP transmits data to STAs 1, 2, 4 through 6, and 8. In one or more embodiments, STAs 1, 2, 4 through 6, and 8 transmit block acknowledgments (BAs) back to the AP, confirming receipt of the data.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, the STAs include an available BQR support subfield (A-BQR support subfield) including an HE capability element. If, in one or more embodiments, the HE capability element is equal to 1, the STA provides a BQR to the AP to efficiently assist the AP in allocating downlink multi-user resources and / or uplink multi-user resources. In one or more embodiments, the STAs provide BQRs in an available channel bit mapping field (A-control field) of any frame transmitted to the AP (unsolicited BQR), or, in response to a variant of a BQRP trigger frame (requested BQR), they explicitly provide BQRs in any frame sent to the AP.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, a STA, using the A-Control field of the BQR of a frame it transmits, can only deliver its channel availability information to the AP to which it is connected if the AP has indicated its support in the A-BQR-Support subfield of its HE-Capability element. Otherwise, the STAs cannot report the channel availability information in the A-Control subfield of the BQR.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the BQRP described in this document allows the AP to request STAs (where, for example, the A-BQR Support subfield of their HE Capabilities element is equal to 1) to transmit their BQRs. In one or more embodiments, the STAs receiving the BQRP frame operate according to the rules defined in IEEE 25.5.2.3 (STA behavior) to generate the trigger-driven PPDU when the BQRP frame contains the STA's AID in any of the user information fields of the BQRP. In one or more embodiments, the STAs operate according to the rules defined in IEEE 25.5.2.6 (UL-OFDMA-based random access) to gain access to a random RU and generate the trigger-driven PPDU when the BQRP contains one or more random RUs.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, each STA includes one or more QoS zero frames in the trigger-based HE-PPDU, which contain the A-Control field of the BQR with the STA's channel availability information, provided the AP has indicated its support in the A-BSR-Support subfield of its HE-Capabilities element. In one or more embodiments, the HE-STA does not request an immediate response for the frames included in the trigger-based PPDU (for example, by setting the frame's Ack Policy subfield to Normal Ack or Implicit BAR).

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the A-Control field comprises eight bits. In one or more embodiments, the first four bits of the A-Control field indicate the channel availability of a primary channel. For example, for a 20 MHz channel, the first bit of the A-Control field is set to 1 if the channel is available; otherwise, it is set to 0. For a 40 MHz channel, the first bit of the A-Control field is set to 1 if the 20 MHz tone [-244:-3] is available; otherwise, it is set to 0. The second bit of the A-Control field is set to 1 if the 20 MHz tone [3:244] is available; otherwise, it is set to 0. In one or more embodiments, the last four bits of the A-Control field indicate the channel availability of the secondary channel.For example, the fifth bit is set to 1 if the 20 MHz covering tone [-500:-259] is available, and otherwise it is set to 0; the sixth bit of the A-Control field is set to 1 if the 20 MHz covering tone [-258:-17] is available, and otherwise it is set to 0; the seventh bit is set to 1 if the 20 MHz covering tone [17:258] is available, and otherwise it is set to 0; the eighth bit is set to 1 if the 20 MHz covering tone [259:500] is available, and otherwise it is set to 0.

[0070] With reference to Fig. Figure 2C shows a diagram of a BQRP frame format according to an exemplary embodiment. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame includes 300 features similar to those described above, including resource allocation information and the ability to cause a receiving STA to report or respond with a BQR. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame is a trigger frame with any suitable format used to cause an STA to respond with a BQR. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame has a format as defined in Fig. 2C, including a general information field 302 and one or more user information fields 304.

[0071] In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame comprises a first set of user information fields dedicated to a specific set of STAs, containing or specifying an identifier (for example, an STA ID) of the respective corresponding STA. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame comprises a second set of user information fields (for example, intended for a different set of STAs) that do not identify specific STA IDs.

[0072] In one or more embodiments, the general information field 302 includes a trigger-type subfield 308. In one or more embodiments, the trigger-type subfield 308 is configured with any suitable bit configuration or representation to carry the trigger-type information (for example, 4 bits, as in Fig. (2C shown). In one or more embodiments, the trigger type subfield 308 is used to instruct a receiver of the BQRP frame to respond with a BQR. In one or more embodiments, the general information field 302 includes a CS required subfield 310. In one or more embodiments, the CS required subfield is set to 1, which is a request or instruction to the receiving STA to consider, in response to the BQRP frame prior to UL-MU transmission, the status of the free channel analysis (CCA) (using the energy detect parameter defined in 21.3.18.5.2, CCA Sensitivity for Classes of Operation Requiring CCA-ED) and the virtual carrier detection (NAV).

[0073] In one or more embodiments, the user information field 304 includes an AID12 subfield 312 that identifies a participating STA. In one or more embodiments, the user information field 304 includes a RU allocation subfield 314 that contains resource allocation information for the corresponding STA.

[0074] With reference to Fig. Section 2F now presents an exemplary embodiment of a wireless communication method. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises transmitting, by means of an access point, a BQRP frame to one of a plurality of wireless stations (step 402). The AP receives, in response to the BQRP frame, a BQR from each of the plurality of wireless stations (step 404). The AP allocates one or more resource units to each of the plurality of wireless stations using the received BQR (step 406).

[0075] Referring to step 402 and in one or more embodiments, an AP (for example, with features similar to those described above) now generates a BQRP frame including resource allocation information and a query / request for a BQR. In one or more embodiments, the AP transmits or sends the BQRP to a plurality of STAs, or broadcasts it to them. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of STAs is assigned (or initially assigned) to one of a plurality of frequency channels for communication. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of frequency channels is associated with a channel bandwidth and comprises a plurality of resource units. In one or more embodiments, each of the plurality of STAs is assigned to a set of RUs within the assigned frequency channel.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame includes resource allocation information for channel assignments and / or RU assignments. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame includes resource allocation information for initial / proposed channel assignments and / or RU assignments, which are to be confirmed via feedback provided by BRQs. In one or more embodiments, an initial bandwidth query for a first wireless station from the plurality of wireless stations is specified in a first user information field of the BQRP frame. In one or more embodiments, the first wireless station is identified by information in an allocation ID subfield of the first user information field.In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame further includes an additional bandwidth query that is not directed to a specific wireless station, wherein the additional bandwidth query corresponds to a user information field with a subfield for the mapping ID that is set to zero.

[0077] Referring to step 404, the AP, according to one or more embodiments, receives a BQR from each of the multiple wireless stations in response to the BQRP frame. According to one or more embodiments, each BQR indicates whether the frequency channel allocated to the corresponding wireless station is available to that station. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame allows each of the STAs to respond with a BQR to assist the AP, allocate resources, and / or efficiently conduct data transmission / communication.

[0078] Referring to step 406, the AP, according to one or more embodiments, now uses the BQRs received from the plurality of STAs to allocate resource units to each STA (or to confirm the initial / proposed allocation of such). In one or more embodiments, allocating resources to a station constitutes or is equivalent to using or providing the resources (or resource units) for transmitting data to the station. According to one or more embodiments, the AP does not allocate resource units to an STA that reports a BQR indicating that the allocated channel is busy and unavailable for data transmission. According to one or more embodiments, the AP re-allocates resource units to an STA that reports a BQR indicating that the allocated (or proposed) channel is busy and unavailable for data transmission.According to one or more embodiments, the AP allocates resource units within the assigned channel to a STA when the STA reports a BQR indicating that the assigned (or proposed) channel is available. According to one or more embodiments, the AP then transmits data to the STA about the allocated resource units.

[0079] With reference to Fig.Section 2E now presents an exemplary embodiment of a wireless communication method. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises receiving, by means of a wireless station, a Bandwidth Query Report (BQRP) frame from an access point (AP) (step 502). The STA generates a Bandwidth Query Report in response to the BQRP frame (step 504). The STA transmits the BQRP to the access point (step 506). The STA receives information indicating one or more resource units allocated to the wireless stations when the frequency channel is available (step 508).

[0080] Referring to step 502 and in one or more embodiments, a STA receives a BQRP frame similar to the BQRP frame described above. In one or more embodiments, the STA uses the BQRP frame to determine resource allocation information. In one or more embodiments, the BQRP frame specifies, indicates, or proposes the allocation of a channel to the STA and / or the allocation of resource units of the allocated channel to the STA. In one or more embodiments, the STA is associated with a unique identifier. In one or more embodiments, the STA uses the identifier to locate resource allocation information contained in a user information field of the BQRP frame.

[0081] Referring to steps 504 and 506, and in one or more embodiments, the STA determines the channel availability of the assigned channel, for example, by determining or detecting (for example, by energy detection) whether the assigned channel is free. In one or more embodiments, the STA generates a BQR report (including the determined channel availability information) in response to the BQRP. In one or more embodiments, the STA transmits the BQR to the AP in response to the BQRP.

[0082] Referring to step 508, in response to the transmission of the BQR to the AP, the STA receives an allocation of one or more resource units via the access point to the STA when the appropriate frequency channel is available. In one or more embodiments, the STA receives the allocation of resource units according to the allocation previously proposed or specified in the BQRP. In one or more embodiments, the STA receives the allocation of resource units by receiving a data transmission from the AP. In one or more embodiments, the STA receives the allocation of one or more resource units when the frequency channel is determined to be available.In one or more embodiments, the STA receives the same resource allocation information as contained or specified in the BQRP frame when the STA transmits a BQR indicating that the allocated channel is available. In one or more embodiments, the STA receives information or a message from the BQRP confirming or acknowledging the allocation of one or more resource units to the STA by the access point. In one or more embodiments, the STA receives this information as part of a transmission of data from the AP, for example, in a header of a received frame. In one or more embodiments, an STA does not receive a resource allocation when the STA transmits a BQR indicating that the allocated channel is unavailable.

[0083] Although the disclosure may refer to one or more “users,” such “users” may refer to devices associated with a user, for example, consistent with the terms “user” and “multi-user,” which are typically used, for instance, in the context of a MU-MIMO environment. While examples of the communication systems described above may include devices and access points operating according to one of the IEEE 802.11, 3GPP, or LTE standards, it should be understood that embodiments of the described systems and methods may operate according to other standards and may utilize wireless communication devices other than those implemented as devices and base stations. For example, cellular networks, satellite communications, vehicle communication networks, wireless networks according to 802.11, and other wireless networks not specified in 802.11 may be used.11 connected communication interfaces that utilize the systems and procedures described in this document to achieve improved overall capacity and / or connection quality, without deviating from the scope of the systems and procedures described in this document.

[0084] It should be noted that in certain passages of this disclosure, reference may be made to terms such as "first" and "second" in connection with devices, arrays, direction, etc., to identify these elements and to distinguish one of these elements from another or from others. It is not intended that these terms merely temporarily relate units to one another or according to a sequence (for example, a first device and a second device), although in some cases these units may involve such a relationship. Nor do these terms limit the number of possible units (for example, devices) that can operate within a system or environment.

[0085] It should be understood that the systems described above can incorporate several or all of these components, and that these components can be located either on a standalone machine or, in some embodiments, on multiple machines in a distributed system. Additionally, the systems and methods described above can be implemented as one or more computer-readable programs or executable instructions implemented on or in one or more products. The product can be a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a flash memory card, a PROM, RAM, ROM, or magnetic tape. Generally, the computer-readable programs can be implemented in any programming language, such as LISP, PERL, C, C++, C#, PROLOG, or in any bytecode language, such as JAVA.The software programs or executable instructions can be stored in or on one or more products as object code.

Claims

[1] Method of wireless communication comprising: Transmitted, by means of an access point, a Bandwidth Query Report Poll Frame (BQRP frame) to a plurality of wireless stations, each of the plurality of wireless stations being assigned to one of a plurality of frequency channels, the BQRP frame comprising a bandwidth query for each of the plurality of wireless stations; Receiving, via the access point, a bandwidth query report from each of the multitude of wireless stations in response to the BQRP frame, each bandwidth query report indicating whether the frequency channel allocated to the corresponding wireless station is available to the corresponding wireless station; Allocate, via the access point, one or more resource units to each of the multitude of wireless stations assigned to a corresponding frequency channel indicated as available according to the bandwidth query reports; and Transmitting information or a message confirming the allocation of one or more resource units by the access point to each of the multitude of wireless stations as part of a data transmission from the access point. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of frequency channels is connected to a channel bandwidth and comprises a plurality of resource units. [3] Method according to claim 1, wherein a first bandwidth query for a first wireless station is specified from the plurality of stations in a first user information field of the BQRP frame. [4] Method according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless station is identified via information in an Assignment Identification Subfield (AID Subfield) of a first User Information Field of the BQRP frame. [5] Method according to claim 1, wherein the BQRP frame further comprises an additional bandwidth query that is not directed to a specific wireless station, wherein the additional bandwidth query corresponds to a user information field with an assignment identification subfield (AID subfield) set to zero. [6] Method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises broadcasting, by means of the access point, a multi-user transmit request frame (MU-RTS) to silence one or more of the plurality of wireless stations operating in the plurality of frequency channels. [7] Method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises receiving, by means of the access point, one or more ready-to-transmit frames (CTS frames) and transmitting the BQRP frame, by means of the access point, in response to receiving the one or more CTS frames. [8] The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, by means of the access point, that a first frequency channel is not available and excluding the first frequency channel from the allocation to the plurality of wireless stations. [9] Methods for wireless communication in a wireless network comprising: Receiving, by means of a wireless station from a plurality of wireless stations, a Bandwidth Query Report (BQRP) frame from an access point, wherein the BQRP frame includes a bandwidth query for each of the plurality of wireless stations, each of the plurality of wireless stations being assigned to one of a plurality of frequency channels; Sending, by means of the wireless station, a bandwidth query report to the access point in response to the BQRP frame, the bandwidth query report indicating whether the corresponding frequency channel assigned to the wireless station is available to the wireless station; Receiving, via the wireless station, an allocation of one or more resource units to the wireless station via the access point, if the bandwidth query report indicates that the corresponding frequency channel allocated to the wireless station is available for the wireless station; and Receiving, via the wireless station, information or a message confirming the allocation of one or more resource units to the wireless station via the access point as part of a data transmission from the access point. [10] Wireless communication system comprising one or more processors configured to: Transmitting a Bandwidth Query Report Poll (BQRP) frame to a plurality of wireless stations, wherein each of the plurality of wireless stations is assigned to one of a plurality of frequency channels, and wherein the BQRP frame includes a bandwidth query for each of the plurality of wireless stations; Receiving a bandwidth query report from each of the multitude of wireless stations in response to the BQRP frame, each bandwidth query report indicating whether the frequency channel allocated to the corresponding wireless station is available for that wireless station; Allocating one or more resource units to each of the multitude of wireless stations assigned to a corresponding frequency channel indicated as available according to the bandwidth query reports; and Transmitting information or a message confirming the allocation of one or more resource units by the access point to each of the multitude of wireless stations as part of a data transmission from the system. [11] Wireless station comprising one or more processors configured to perform the following functions: Receiving a Bandwidth Query Report (BQRP) frame from an access point, wherein the BQRP frame includes a bandwidth query for each of a plurality of wireless stations, each of the plurality of wireless stations being assigned to one of a plurality of frequency channels; Sending a bandwidth query report to the access point in response to the BQRP frame, the bandwidth query report indicating whether the appropriate frequency channel assigned to the wireless station is available for the wireless station; Receiving an allocation from one or more resource units to the wireless station via the access point, when the bandwidth query report indicates that the corresponding frequency channel allocated to the wireless station is available for the wireless station; and Receiving information or a message confirming the allocation of one or more resource units to the wireless station via the access point as part of a data transmission from the access point.

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