methods and devices for event coordination in multi-AP operation

Abstract

Proposed multi-AP (MAP) mechanisms allowing neighbouring APs to share resources, in terms of frequency, time and spatial resources, in a way which prevents interference from occurring. The scope of the MAP topic is extended to optimise coordination not only regarding shared transmissions but also regarding alternative mechanisms for overlapping basic service set (OBSS) interference reduction. Appropriate coordination requires reporting between the neighbouring APs. A first AP of a first basic service set (BSS) obtains multi-AP (MAP) related information about a MAP coordination set and sends, to a second AP of a second BSS, a frame including an Event Report element according to 802.11 standard family that comprises the obtained MAP-related information. A second AP of a second BSS, receives, from a first AP of a first BSS, a frame including an Event Report according to 802.11 standard family that comprises MAP-related information, and takes a MAP-related action based on the received MAP-related information to the effect of performing MAP coordination. Also disclosed is a frame comprising a neighbour report reporting about a neighbour AP, wherein the neighbour report includes a field to signal whether the neighbour AP supports multi-AP for AP-to-AP communication.