Channel Puncturing

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for transmitting and receiving an indication of a puncturing event between an access point (AP) and one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the transmitting and receiving can use a non-legacy element configured to provide information about the puncturing event. In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for transmitting and receiving an indication of an operating band switch between an AP and one or more STAs. In some examples, the transmitting and receiving can use a non-legacy element configured to provide information about the operating band switch.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 455,414, entitled "CHANNEL PUNCTURING," filed Nov. 17, 2021, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this specification. [Technical field]

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, to signaling indications of channel puncturing. [Background technology]

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0003] A wireless local area network (WLAN) may be formed by one or more wireless access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium for use by multiple client devices, also called wireless stations (STAs). The basic building block of a WLAN conforming to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family is a Basic Service Set (BSS) managed by an AP. Each BSS is identified by a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) advertised by the AP. The AP periodically broadcasts a beacon frame to enable any STA within wireless range of the AP to establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN. As the demand for bandwidth-intensive applications increases, new protocols and technologies are developed to improve the performance or reliability of WLAN communication. As new designs are implemented in WLAN communication, improved signaling is desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0004]

[0004] The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single aspect of which is solely responsible for the desirable properties disclosed herein.

[0005]

[0005] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication comprising a memory including instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to output data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) over a first operating band including at least a first subchannel. In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to determine a puncturing event beginning in the future, the puncturing event being associated with the first subchannel. In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to output at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to initiation of the puncturing event, the at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel. In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to refrain from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs over the first subchannel upon initiation of the puncturing event.

[0006]

[0006] Some aspects relate to a method of wireless communication in an access point (AP). In some examples, the method includes outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) via a first operating band including at least a first subchannel. In some examples, the method includes determining a puncturing event starting in the future, the puncturing event being associated with the first subchannel. In some examples, the method includes outputting at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to a start of the puncturing event, the at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel. In some examples, the method includes refraining from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first subchannel upon a start of the puncturing event.

[0007]

[0007] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) over a first operating band including at least a first subchannel. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for determining a puncturing event beginning in the future, the puncturing event being associated with the first subchannel. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for outputting at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to initiation of the puncturing event, the at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for refraining from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs over the first subchannel upon initiation of the puncturing event.

[0008]

[0008] Some aspects relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a wireless device, cause the wireless device to perform operations. In some examples, the operations include outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) over a first operating band including at least a first subchannel. In some examples, the operations include determining a puncturing event that begins in the future, the puncturing event being associated with the first subchannel. In some examples, the operations include outputting at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to initiation of the puncturing event, the at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel. In some examples, the operations include refraining from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs over the first subchannel upon initiation of the puncturing event.

[0009]

[0009] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a memory including instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the instructions are configured to cause the apparatus to obtain, from an access point (AP) prior to initiation of a puncturing event, at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and a first subchannel of a plurality of subchannels of a first operating band used by the apparatus to communicate with the AP in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the instructions are configured to cause the apparatus to refrain from outputting data for transmission to the AP over the first subchannel upon initiation of the puncturing event.

[0010]

[0010] Some aspects relate to a method for wireless communication in a station (STA). In some examples, the method includes obtaining at least one management frame from an access point (AP) prior to a start of a puncturing event, the management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and a first subchannel of a plurality of subchannels of a first operating band used by the STA to communicate with the AP in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the method includes refraining from outputting data for transmission to the AP over the first subchannel upon start of the puncturing event.

[0011]

[0011] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for obtaining at least one management frame from an access point (AP) prior to initiation of a puncturing event, the management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and a first subchannel of a plurality of subchannels of a first operating band used by the apparatus to communicate with the AP in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the apparatus includes means for refraining from outputting data for transmission to the AP over the first subchannel upon initiation of the puncturing event.

[0012]

[0012] Some aspects relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a wireless device, cause the wireless device to perform an operation. In some examples, the operation includes obtaining at least one management frame from an access point (AP) prior to initiation of a puncturing event, the management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and a first subchannel of a plurality of subchannels of a first operating band used by the wireless device to communicate with the AP in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the operation includes refraining from outputting data for transmission to the AP over the first subchannel upon initiation of the puncturing event.

[0013]

[0013] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a memory including instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to determine to switch from a first operating band to a second operating band, the first operating band being used by the apparatus to communicate with one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to output a first indication regarding switching from the first operating band to the second operating band for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first operating band prior to the switch. In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to switch to the second operating band. In some examples, the instructions cause the apparatus to obtain information from each of the one or more STAs via the second operating band indicative of a capability of the second operating band of the corresponding one or more STAs.

[0014]

[0014] Some aspects relate to a method of wireless communication in an access point (AP). In some examples, the method includes determining to switch from a first operating band to a second operating band, the first operating band being used by the AP to communicate with one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the method includes outputting a first indication regarding switching from the first operating band to the second operating band for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first operating band prior to the switch. In some examples, the method includes switching to the second operating band. In some examples, the method includes obtaining information from each of the one or more STAs via the second operating band indicative of a capability of the second operating band of the corresponding one or more STAs.

[0015]

[0015] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for determining to switch from a first operating band to a second operating band, the first operating band being used by an AP to communicate with one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the apparatus includes means for outputting a first indication regarding switching from the first operating band to the second operating band for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first operating band prior to the switch. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for switching to the second operating band. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for obtaining information from each of the one or more STAs via the second operating band indicative of a capability of the second operating band of the corresponding one or more STAs.

[0016]

[0016] A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a wireless device, cause the wireless device to perform operations. In some examples, the operations include determining to switch from a first operating band to a second operating band, the first operating band being used by the wireless device to communicate with one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the operations include outputting a first indication regarding switching from the first operating band to the second operating band for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first operating band prior to the switch. In some examples, the operations include switching to the second operating band. In some examples, the operations include obtaining information from each of the one or more STAs via the second operating band indicative of a capability of the second operating band of the corresponding one or more STAs.

[0017]

[0017] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a memory including instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. In some examples, the instructions are configured to cause the apparatus to obtain a first indication regarding switching from a first operating band to a second operating band from an access point (AP) via the first operating band, the first operating band being used by the apparatus for communication within a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the instructions are configured to cause the apparatus to output information indicative of a capability of the second operating band of the apparatus for transmission to the AP via the second operating band.

[0018]

[0018] Some aspects relate to a method for wireless communication in a station (STA). In some examples, the method includes obtaining a first indication from an access point (AP) via a first operating band, the first operating band being used by the STA for communication within a basic service set (BSS), regarding switching from the first operating band to a second operating band. In some examples, the method includes outputting information indicating a capability of the second operating band of the device to transmit to the AP via the second operating band.

[0019]

[0019] Some aspects relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. In some examples, the apparatus includes means for obtaining a first indication regarding switching from a first operating band to a second operating band from an access point (AP) via a first operating band, the first operating band being used by the apparatus for communication within a basic service set (BSS). In some examples, the apparatus includes means for outputting information indicative of a capability of the second operating band of the apparatus for transmission to the AP via the second operating band.

[0020]

[0020] Some aspects relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a wireless device, cause the wireless device to perform operations. In some examples, the operations include obtaining a first indication from an access point (AP) via a first operating band, the first operating band being used by the wireless device for communication within a basic service set (BSS), regarding switching from the first operating band to a second operating band. In some examples, the operations include outputting information indicative of a capability of the second operating band of the device for transmitting to the AP via the second operating band. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021]

[0021] Details of one or more aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. However, the accompanying drawings illustrate only some typical aspects of the disclosure and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. [Figure 1]

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example wireless communication network. [Diagram 2]

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates the hardware aspects of an access point and two stations. [Diagram 3]

[0024] 1 is a channel map illustrating exemplary bonded wireless channels (eg, operating bands). [Figure 4]

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conceptual time-based diagram of an example punctured transmission in a basic service set (BSS) environment. [Diagram 5]

[0026] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a legacy information element (IE) that includes a non-legacy element (eg, a channel switch wrapper IE). [Figure 6]

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a legacy action frame that includes non-legacy elements. [Figure 7]

[0028] A block diagram showing a non-legacy action frame including a non-legacy IE. [Figure 8A]

[0029] 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing a first example of a legacy management frame and a second example of a legacy management frame. [Figure 8B] 1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating a first example of a legacy management frame and a second example of a legacy management frame. [Figure 9A]

[0030] 1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating a first example of a legacy management frame and a second example of a legacy management frame. [Figure 9B] 1A and 1B are block diagrams showing a first example of a legacy management frame and a second example of a legacy management frame. [Figure 10]

[0031] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example PPDU that can be used for communication between an AP and one or more STAs. [Figure 11]

[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conceptual time-based diagram of an example punctured transmission in a BSS environment from the perspective of an AP. [Figure 12]

[0033] 1 is a call flow diagram illustrating exemplary communications in a BSS between one or more STAs and an AP. [Figure 13]

[0034] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations for wireless communication in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 14]

[0035] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations for wireless communication in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 15]

[0036] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations for wireless communication in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 16]

[0037] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations for wireless communication in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 17]

[0038] 1 illustrates a communications device that may include various components (eg, corresponding to means-plus-function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein. [Figure 18]

[0039] 1 illustrates a communications device that may include various components (eg, corresponding to means-plus-function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein. [Figure 19]

[0040] 1 illustrates a communications device that may include various components (eg, corresponding to means-plus-function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein. [Figure 20]

[0041] 1 illustrates a communications device that may include various components (eg, corresponding to means-plus-function components) configured to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein.

[0022]

[0042] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023]

[0043] The following description is directed to some specific examples for the purpose of illustrating the innovative aspects of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in many different ways. Some or all of the described examples can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to one or more of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, the IEEE 802.15 standard, the Bluetooth® standard defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), or the Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G, or 5G (New Radio (NR)) standards promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), among others. The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to one or more of the following technologies or techniques: code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), single-user (SU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), and multi-user (MU)-MIMO.The described implementations may also be implemented using other wireless communications protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), or an internet of things (IOT) network.

[0024]

[0044] Signaling refers to control fields or information that may be used by a wireless communication device to interpret another field or portion of a packet. In some wireless communication techniques, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), a wireless channel may utilize multiple subchannels that may be divided or grouped in transmission to form different resource units (RUs). Signaling may indicate which RUs contain data for a particular receiver. Additionally or alternatively, signaling may be required in multi-user (MU) multiple-input multiple-output wireless communications. Other types of signaling include indicators regarding which subchannels carry further signaling or which subchannels are punctured. Still further, some signaling may indicate the length of one or more fields or subfields in a data packet. As new wireless communication protocols enable advanced features, new preamble designs are needed to support signaling for new features and packet formats.

[0025]

[0045] Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to signaling, including broadcast, multicast, or unicast transmissions, in support of new wireless communication protocols that indicate puncturing of one or more channels in an operating band used for communication within a Basic Service Set (BSS). For example, such communication protocols can include Extremely High Throughput (EHT) operation defined in the IEEE 802.11be amendment and future general standards in the IEEE 802.11 family of standards.

[0026]

[0046] In one example, a first access point (AP) communicating with one or more stations (STAs) in a BSS may communicate over an operating band including multiple subchannels (e.g., a 20 MHz subchannel). However, if a second AP or a non-WiFi device requires additional subchannel resources, the first AP may terminate communication in one of the multiple subchannels so that the second AP can use it. As used herein, a "punctured" subchannel refers to a subchannel in an operating band that the first AP and corresponding STAs of the BSS do not use to transmit or receive signaling. This is to allow the second AP or non-WiFi device to use the subchannel for a period of time. However, the subchannel may also be punctured for any other reason, including when the first AP or one or more of the STAs determine that the subchannel has degraded due to interference, etc.

[0027]

[0047] In some examples, the first AP may notify its BSS (e.g., one or more STAs) of a puncturing event (e.g., a particular subchannel in an operating band is to be punctured at a particular time). This notification may be sent to inform the STAs when the puncturing will occur and to prevent the STAs from using the subchannel after it has been punctured. In some examples, the AP may send an indication of the puncturing event and the subchannel being punctured to one or more STAs via a multi-bit bitmap. Each bit of the bitmap may correspond to a particular one of a plurality of subchannels of the operating band or channel. For example, if the operating band includes 16 subchannels, the bitmap may include 16 bits, each of which represents one of the 16 subchannels. Here, the AP may set the corresponding bit in the bitmap to "1" and send the bitmap to the STAs to refrain from using the subchannel corresponding to the set bit. The AP may transmit the bitmap to the STA in a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame, an action frame, a probe response frame (including an unsolicited probe response frame), a (re)association response frame (e.g., an association frame or a reassociation frame), etc.).

[0028]

[0048] However, problems may arise when the AP attempts to notify its BSS of the puncturing. For example, the transmitted indication of the puncturing event may not reach one or more STAs, such as when the STA is in a power saving (PS) mode or when there is interference (e.g., degraded channel conditions) that prevents the STA from properly decoding the indication. As a result, if the first STA is not notified of the latest puncturing event, the first STA is likely to continue communicating on the subchannel after it has been punctured. As a result, the continued use of the subchannel may result in interference, signal degradation, and packet errors from collisions with other packets transmitted by another device that is legitimately using the punctured subchannel. Furthermore, as long as the subchannel is punctured, any device that is the intended recipient of the transmission by the first STA may not be listening to the punctured subchannel, which may result in communication degradation and packet errors.

[0029]

[0049] Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to reliably transmitting an indication of a puncturing event from an AP to other devices (e.g., other APs and / or STAs). In some examples, the AP may transmit one or more beacon frames and / or one or more action frames conveying the indication of the puncturing event to other devices prior to the puncturing event. In one exemplary scenario, the AP may transmit the indication via multiple beacon frames at periodic intervals prior to the puncturing event. In this case, by transmitting the indication of the puncturing event multiple times, all STAs in the BSS are more likely to receive the indication, thereby reducing the likelihood that any of the STAs will continue to transmit on the punctured subchannel.

[0030]

[0050] In another exemplary scenario, the AP may transmit an indication via one or more action frames at a dynamic interval before or after the puncturing event. For example, the AP may listen to the punctured subchannel for a certain period of time after the puncturing event to determine whether any of the STAs in the BSS continue to transmit on the punctured subchannel. If the STA is still transmitting on the punctured channel, the AP may transmit an action frame (e.g., unicast) to the STA to stop the STA from using the punctured subchannel for future transmissions. Furthermore, since beacon frames can only be sent at pre-configured beacon intervals, transmitting an action frame may reduce latency since the action frame can be sent at any time. For example, if puncturing is scheduled to occur before the next beacon interval (e.g., there is not enough time for multiple beacons before puncturing), the AP may rely on the action frame instead.

[0031]

[0051] In some examples, the transmission including the indication of the puncturing event may include an indication of the time at which the puncturing event begins. For example, the AP may transmit a management frame including the indication of the puncturing event (e.g., including a bitmap identifying the subchannels to be punctured) and an integer value indicating the number of time window(s) (e.g., target beacon transmit times (TBTTs), such as beacon intervals, or any other suitable time unit (TU)) or duration that must elapse before the puncturing event. For example, an integer value of "1" may indicate that the use of the punctured subchannel may end at the next TBTT, which indicates the start of a puncturing event for the subchannel. Thus, at the next TBTT, the AP and STAs may begin communicating over the operating band according to the puncturing pattern provided by the bitmap (e.g., using all other subchannels not punctured in the operating band).

[0032]

[0052] Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to new (e.g., non-legacy) elements (e.g., frames, fields, information elements, etc.) for communicating an indication of a puncturing event, as well as other elements such as timing information or countdown information. Some aspects relate to non-legacy elements used within a legacy frame. The non-legacy elements may include, for example, one or more non-legacy fields that conform to an IEEE wireless communication protocol, such as an 802.11be or later wireless communication protocol.

[0033]

[0053] In some aspects, the AP may transmit the puncturing event information to the STA via one or more of a physical (PHY) layer header or a medium access control (MAC) header of the PPDU. For example, the AP may use the PHY or MAC header to indicate the particular sub-channels that are subject to the puncturing event. In this example, the STA refrains from transmitting over the indicated sub-channels in subsequent frame exchanges in response to the PPDU.

[0034]

[0054] In some aspects, a STA may not receive an indication of a puncturing event from the AP even though one or more subchannels are punctured. In such a case, the STA may continue to listen to the punctured subchannel or subchannels for valid symbols transmitted by the AP. If no valid symbols are detected and / or if the detected energy level of the punctured subchannel or subchannels is below a preset threshold, the STA may determine that the subchannel is punctured.

[0035]

[0055] As described, an AP may communicate with one or more STAs in a BSS via an operating band that includes multiple sub-channels. Although the above describes a scenario for continuing to communicate on the same operating band when one or more of the multiple sub-channels are punctured, some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for switching from a first operating band (e.g., a first plurality of sub-channels) to a second operating band (e.g., a second plurality of sub-channels). For example, if the AP detects sufficient channel degradation or noise on the first operating band, the AP may decide to switch to the second operating band. The operating band may include the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, or any other suitable band for BSS communication.

[0036]

[0056] However, each operating band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) may require a different set of AP and / or STA capabilities to communicate on these bands. Although the STA may indicate its capabilities to the AP via a reassociation request, reassociation in the new operating band may erase all existing associations between the AP and the STA (e.g., security context, block acknowledgment (ACK) context, and any other state machines or associations the STA maintains). Thus, a smoother and more seamless transition may improve BSS communications.

[0037]

[0057] In one example, a STA may perform a switch from a first operating band to a second operating band together with an AP. However, if the communication capability of the STA does not match the capability required to communicate on the second operating band (e.g., the capability of the first operating band is different from that of the second operating band, or the capability of the second operating band was not advertised on the first operating band), the STA may send a probe request frame to the AP using the second operating band. In some examples, the probe request frame indicates the capability to the AP. However, in some examples, when the AP switches to a new operating band, a probe storm may occur when multiple STAs send probe requests to the AP at the same time. Therefore, to prevent packet errors and signal collision problems caused by a probe storm, the AP may use one or more of the following techniques.

[0038]

[0058] In a first technique, the AP may increase enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters to provide a longer contention window (CW) on the new operating band so that STAs have a longer period of time to switch to the new operating band. The AP may advertise the increased EDCA to the STAs before switching to the second operating band (e.g., over the first operating band), after switching to the second operating band (e.g., over the second operating band), or both (e.g., advertising over the first operating band before the switch and advertising over the second operating band after the switch).

[0039]

[0059] In a second technique, an AP may transmit trigger frames to one or more STAs to solicit probe requests from one or more STAs at different times for the purpose of preventing probe storms. Each trigger frame may address one or more STAs via their respective association identifiers (AIDs) and schedule one or more resource units (RUs) for each AID (and thus each STA) that the corresponding STAs can use to send probe requests to the AP. In some examples, the AP may transmit an indication of the operating band switch (e.g., via a management frame) before switching from the first operating band to the second operating band, and the indication includes a field indicating whether the AP will transmit trigger frames to the STAs over the second operating band after the switch. The set field may be configured to prevent the STAs from sending probe requests to the AP after switching to the second operating band.

[0040]

[0060] In a third technique, the AP may transmit an indication of the operating band switch (e.g., via a management frame) before switching from the first operating band to the second operating band. In response to the indication of the switch, the STAs may determine a back-off period (e.g., an amount of time) that each STA waits after switching to the second operating band before sending a probe request to the AP. Thus, because each STA determines the back-off period, the STAs may all send probe requests at different times, reducing the possibility of collisions due to probe storms.

[0041]

[0061] In some examples, one or more STAs may randomly generate a backoff period based on the size of the CW. For example, the AP may provide the STAs with an EDCA parameter indicating the duration of the CW. In response, each STA may generate a random backoff period that falls between the time of switching to the second operating band and the end of the CW. In some examples, the AP may pre-configure the backoff period for one or more STAs via a management frame transmitted over the first operating band and / or the second operating band. It should be noted that to prevent a probe storm after switching to a new operating band, the AP and the STAs may use one or more of the first technique, the second technique, and the third technique.

[0042]

[0062] FIG. 1 is a network schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless communication network 100. According to some aspects, the wireless communication network 100 may be an example of a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network (and hereinafter referred to as WLAN 100). For example, the WLAN 100 may be a network implementing at least one of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards (as defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or amendments thereof, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be). The WLAN 100 may include multiple wireless communication devices, such as an access point (AP) 102 and multiple stations (STAs) 104. Although only one AP 102 is shown, the WLAN network 100 may include multiple APs 102.

[0043]

[0063] Each of the STAs 104 may be referred to as a mobile station (MS), mobile device, mobile handset, wireless handset, access terminal (AT), user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), or subscriber unit, among other examples. The STAs 104 may represent a variety of devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, navigation systems, among others), music or other audio or stereo devices, remote control devices ("remotes"), printers, kitchen or other home appliances, key fobs (e.g., for passive keyless entry and start (PKES) systems), among other examples.

[0044]

[0064] A single AP 102 and the associated set of STAs 104 may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS) managed by each AP 102. FIG. 1 additionally illustrates an example coverage area 106 of the AP 102, which may represent a basic service area (BSA) of the WLAN 100. The BSS may be identified to users by a service set identifier (SSID) and to other devices by a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which may be a media access control (MAC) address of the AP 102. The AP 102 periodically broadcasts a beacon frame containing the BSSID to allow any STAs 104 within wireless range of the AP 102 to "associate" or reassociate with the AP 102 to establish a respective communication link 108 (hereinafter also referred to as a "Wi-Fi link") with the AP 102 or to maintain a communication link 108 with the AP 102. For example, the beacon may include an identification of the primary channel used by each AP 102 and a timing synchronization function to establish or maintain timing synchronization with the AP 102. The APs 102 may provide access to external networks to various STAs 104 in the WLAN via respective communication links 108.

[0045]

[0065] To establish a communication link 108 with an AP 102, each of the STAs 104 is configured to perform passive or active scanning operations ("scans") on frequency channels within one or more frequency bands (e.g., the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, or 60 GHz bands). To perform passive scanning, the STAs 104 listen for beacons transmitted by the respective APs 102 at periodic time intervals called target beacon transmission times (TBTTs) (measured in time units (TUs), where one TU may equal 1024 microseconds (μs)). To perform active scanning, the STAs 104 generate probe requests and transmit them continuously on each channel to be scanned, and listen for probe responses from the APs 102. Each STA 104 may be configured to perform an authentication and association operation to identify or select an AP 102 to associate with based on scan information obtained through passive or active scanning, and establish a communication link 108 with the selected AP 102. Upon completing the association operation, the AP 102 assigns an association identifier (AID) to the STA 104, which the AP 102 uses to track the STA 104.

[0046]

[0066] As a result of the increasing ubiquity of wireless networks, a STA 104 may have the opportunity to select one of many BSSs within range of the STA, or among multiple APs 102 that together form an extended service set (ESS) that includes multiple connected BSSs. The extended network stations associated with the WLAN 100 may be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system that may allow multiple APs 102 to be connected in such an ESS. Thus, a STA 104 may be covered by more than one AP 102 and may associate with different APs 102 at different times for different transmissions. Additionally, after association with an AP 102, the STA 104 may also be configured to periodically scan its surroundings to find a more suitable AP 102 to associate with. For example, a STA 104 moving with respect to its associated AP 102 may perform a "roaming" scan to find another AP 102 with more desirable network characteristics, such as a greater received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or reduced traffic load.

[0047]

[0067] In some cases, the STAs 104 may form a network without involving the AP 102 or any other device other than the STAs 104 themselves. One example of such a network is an ad-hoc network (or wireless ad-hoc network). An ad-hoc network may alternatively be referred to as a mesh network or a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. In some cases, the ad-hoc network may be implemented within a larger wireless network, such as the WLAN 100. In such an implementation, the STAs 104 may be able to communicate with each other via the AP 102 using the communication link 108, but the STAs 104 may also communicate with each other directly via a direct wireless link 110. Additionally, two STAs 104 may communicate via the direct communication link 110 regardless of whether both STAs 104 are associated with and served by the same AP 102. In such an ad-hoc system, one or more of the STAs 104 may assume the role filled by the AP 102 in the BSS. Such STAs 104 may be referred to as group owners (GOs) and may coordinate transmissions within the ad-hoc network. Examples of direct wireless links 110 include Wi-Fi direct connections, connections established by using Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) links, and other P2P group connections.

[0048]

[0068] The AP 102 and the STAs 104 may function and communicate (via their respective communication links 108) in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards (as defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or amendments thereto, including, but not limited to, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be). These standards define WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the PHY layer and medium access control (MAC) layer. The AP 102 and the STAs 104 send and receive wireless communications (hereinafter also referred to as "Wi-Fi communications") between one another in the form of PHY protocol data units (PPDUs) (or physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) PDUs). The AP 102 and the STAs 104 in the WLAN 100 may transmit PPDUs over an unlicensed spectrum, which may be a portion of a spectrum that includes frequency bands traditionally used by Wi-Fi technology, such as the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, the 60 GHz band, the 3.6 GHz band, and the 900 MHz band. Some implementations of the AP 102 and the STAs 104 described herein may also communicate in other frequency bands, such as the 6 GHz band, that may support both licensed and unlicensed communications. The AP 102 and the STAs 104 may also be configured to communicate over other frequency bands, such as shared licensed frequency bands, in which multiple operators may have authorization to operate in the same or overlapping frequency bands.

[0049]

[0069] Each of the frequency bands may include multiple sub-channels or frequency channels. For example, PPDUs conforming to IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be standard amendments may be transmitted over 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz bands, each of which is divided into multiple 20 MHz channels. Thus, these PPDUs are transmitted over physical channels with a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz, but larger channels may be formed through channel bonding. For example, PPDUs may be transmitted over physical channels with bandwidths of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz by bonding together multiple 20 MHz channels.

[0050]

[0070] Each PPDU is a composite structure that includes a PHY preamble and a payload in the form of a PHY service data unit (PSDU). Information provided in the preamble may be used by a receiving device to decode subsequent data in the PSDU. In instances where a PPDU is transmitted over bonded channels, the preamble field may be replicated and transmitted in each of the multiple constituent channels. The PHY preamble may include both a legacy portion (or "legacy preamble") and a non-legacy portion (or "non-legacy preamble"). The legacy preamble may be used for packet detection, automatic gain control, and channel estimation, among other applications. The legacy preamble may also generally be used to maintain compatibility with legacy devices. The format, coding, and information provided therein of the non-legacy portion of the preamble is based on the particular IEEE 802.11 protocol that will be used to transmit the payload.

[0051]

[0071] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an AP 102 and two STAs 104a and 104x in a BSS. t The STA120m is equipped with N antennas 224a to 224t. ut,mEquipped with 252ma~252mu antennas, the STA120x can ut,x The AP 102 is equipped with antennas 252xa-252xu. The AP 102 is a transmitting entity for the downlink and a receiving entity for the uplink. Each STA 104 is a transmitting entity for the uplink and a receiving entity for the downlink. As used herein, a "transmitting entity" is an independently operating apparatus or device capable of transmitting data over a wireless channel, and a "receiving entity" is an independently operating apparatus or device capable of receiving data over a wireless channel. In the following description, the subscript "dn" stands for downlink, the subscript "up" stands for uplink, and the subscript "n" stands for downlink. up user terminals are selected for simultaneous transmission on the uplink, and N dn user terminals are selected for simultaneous transmission on the downlink, but N up is N dn may or may not be equal to N up and N dn , may be a static value or may vary for each scheduling interval. Beam-steering, or some other spatial processing technique, may be used at the access point and user terminal.

[0052]

[0072] On the uplink, at each STA 104 selected for uplink transmission, a transmit (TX) data processor 288 receives traffic data from a data source 286 and control data from controller 280. The TX data processor 288 processes (e.g., encodes, interleaves, and modulates) the traffic data for the user terminal based on a coding and modulation scheme associated with a rate selected for the user terminal and provides a data symbol stream. A TX spatial processor 290 performs spatial processing on the data symbol stream and provides N ut,m N transmit symbol streams ut,mEach transmitter unit (TMTR) 254 receives and processes (e.g., converts to analog, amplifies, filters, and frequency upconverts) a respective transmit symbol stream to generate an uplink signal. ut,m The transmitter units 254 are ut,m N for transmission from antennas 252 to AP 102 ut,m uplink signals.

[0053]

[0073] N up STAs may be scheduled for simultaneous transmission on the uplink, each of which performs spatial processing on its data symbol stream and transmits its set of transmit symbol streams on the uplink to the AP 102.

[0054]

[0074] In AP102, N ap The antennas 224a through 224ap transmit on the uplink. up STAs. Each antenna 224 provides a received signal to a respective receiver unit (RCVR) 222. Each receiver unit 222 performs processing complementary to that performed by the transmitter unit 254 and provides a received symbol stream. The RX spatial processor 240 receives uplink signals from N ap N from the receiver units 222 ap Receiver spatial processing is performed on the N received symbol streams. upThe Rx data processor 242 provides recovered uplink data symbol streams. The receiver spatial processing is performed in accordance with channel correlation matrix inversion (CCMI), minimum mean square error (MMSE), soft interference cancellation (SIC), or some other technique. Each recovered uplink data symbol stream is an estimate of the data symbol stream transmitted by a respective STA. The Rx data processor 242 processes (e.g., demodulates, deinterleaves, and decodes) each recovered uplink data symbol stream in accordance with the rate used for that stream to obtain decoded data. The decoded data for each user terminal may be provided to a data sink 244 for storage and / or to controller 230 for further processing.

[0055]

[0075] On the downlink, at the AP 102, a TX data processor 210 processes N dn The TX data processor 210 receives traffic data for the N STAs from a data source 208, control data from a controller 230, and possibly other data from a scheduler 234. Various types of data may be sent on different transport channels. The TX data processor 210 processes (e.g., encodes, interleaves, and modulates) the traffic data for each STA based on a rate selected for that STA. The TX data processor 210 processes (e.g., encodes, interleaves, and modulates) the traffic data for the N STAs based on a rate selected for that STA. dn For STAs, N dn TX spatial processor 220 provides N downlink data symbol streams. dn performing spatial processing (such as precoding or beamforming, as described in this disclosure) on the N downlink data symbol streams; ap N transmit symbol streams apEach transmitter unit 222 receives and processes a respective transmit symbol stream to generate a downlink signal. ap The transmitter units 222 are N ap N for transmission from antennas 224 to the STAs ap The downlink signal is provided by

[0056]

[0076] At each STA120, N ut,m The antennas 252 are connected to the AP102 via N ap Each receiver unit 254 processes a received signal from an associated antenna 252 and provides a received symbol stream. The RX spatial processor 260 receives N ut,m N from receiver units 254 ut,m The RX data processor 270 performs receiver spatial processing on the received symbol streams and provides a recovered downlink data symbol stream for the STA. The receiver spatial processing may be performed in accordance with CCMI, MMSE, or some other technique. The RX data processor 270 processes (e.g., demodulates, deinterleaves, and decodes) the recovered downlink data symbol stream to obtain decoded data for the STA.

[0057]

[0077] At each STA 120, a channel estimator 278 estimates the downlink channel response and provides a downlink channel estimate, which may include a channel gain estimate, an SNR estimate, a noise variance, and so on. Similarly, a channel estimator 228 estimates the uplink channel response and provides an uplink channel estimate. The controller 280 for each STA typically calculates a spatial filter matrix for the user terminal as a downlink channel response matrix H dn,m The controller 230 derives the effective uplink channel response matrix H up,effThe controller 230 and 280 may also control the operation of various processing units at the AP 102 and the STAs 104, respectively.

[0058]

[0078] FIG. 3 is a channel map 300 illustrating an exemplary bonded wireless channel (e.g., an operating band 306) including a group of four sub-channels (e.g., a first sub-channel 304a, a second sub-channel 304b, a third sub-channel 304c, and a fourth sub-channel 304d, collectively referred to as “sub-channels 304”). In this example, a channel map for a frequency band (such as the 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz frequency band) may define multiple sub-channels 304. Each sub-channel 304 has a uniform channel width 302 (e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz, among other examples). Some WLAN devices (e.g., APs and STAs) are capable of transmitting at higher bandwidths using a wireless channel composed of multiple channels (which may be referred to as sub-channels when used as part of a larger wireless channel). In the example of FIG. 3, the operating band 306 may be used to transmit an 80 MHz transmission by bonding together four sub-channels. Although shown as contiguous subchannels in the channel map 300, in some implementations the operating band 306 may include subchannels 304 that are not contiguous in the channel map 300. Additionally, in some implementations larger groups of subchannels 304 may be used. For example, IEEE 802.11ax provides for the use of eight subchannels, and later versions of IEEE 802.11 may provide for the use of 16 (or more) subchannels for higher bandwidth transmissions. In some aspects, smaller groups of subchannels 304 may be used, for example, if multiple subchannels within a group are punctured.

[0059] Subchannel Puncturing Example

[0079] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conceptual time-based diagram of an example punctured transmission in a basic service set (BSS) environment. FIG. 4 includes a first time-based communication diagram 400a illustrating transmission by an AP (e.g., AP 102 of FIG. 1) over an operating band 402 and a second time-based communication diagram 400b illustrating transmission by a STA (e.g., STA 104 of FIG. 1) over the same operating band 402. The AP and the STAs can transmit and receive communications using the operating band 402, which includes six bonded sub-channels 404a-f.

[0060]

[0080] In this example, the AP may transmit a first data signal 406 to the STA, which may transmit a first block acknowledgement (ACK) 408 in response to receiving the first data signal 406. The AP may then determine a future puncturing event 414. For example, another AP or wireless device may notify the AP that it requires additional wireless resources for communication. In this example, the AP may provide an indication to the other device of a particular subchannel that the other device may use to transmit and receive data.

[0061]

[0081] Thus, the AP may transmit (e.g., broadcast) a management frame 410 to a BSS that includes the STA, where the management frame includes a field configured to indicate the puncturing event and the subchannel to be punctured. In this example, the management frame indicates that the fourth subchannel 404d is to be punctured. However, as shown, the STA does not receive the management frame 410 and is therefore unaware of the puncturing event. The AP then transmits a second data signal 412 over the operating band 402 using all subchannels except the fourth subchannel 404d. In this case, the AP and its BSS may refrain from transmitting over the fourth subchannel 404d and / or from listening to signaling transmitted over the fourth subchannel 404d because the fourth subchannel 404d has been punctured by another device. Thus, the puncturing pattern of the operating band 402 is defined by the punctured fourth subchannel 404d and the five remaining subchannels of the operating band 402 that remain in use for communication (e.g., the first subchannel 404a, the second subchannel 404b, the third subchannel 404c, the fifth subchannel 404e, and the sixth subchannel 404f).

[0062]

[0082] However, since the STA did not receive the management frame 410, the STA may respond with a second Block ACK 416 using all subchannels 404a-f of the operating band 402. By transmitting over the punctured fourth subchannel 404d, the second Block ACK may interfere with communications by another device using the fourth subchannel 404d. Furthermore, since the AP is not listening to the fourth subchannel, any transmissions by the STA over the fourth subchannel 404d may not be received by the AP. Thus, those communications may experience packet errors due to the entire transmission not being received at the AP. Thus, a technique for efficiently and reliably updating the BSS regarding the puncturing pattern may prevent communication collisions and errors between the AP and the STA.

[0063] Exemplary Techniques for Signaling and Updating Puncturing Patterns in a BSS

[0083] 5 is a block diagram illustrating a legacy information element (IE) 500 (e.g., a channel switching wrapper IE) that includes a non-legacy element 512. The legacy IE 500 may be formatted as an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN IE according to the IEEE 802.11be amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communications protocol standard, or as an IE that complies with any later (post-EHT) version of a new wireless communications protocol that complies with a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communications protocol standard or other wireless communications standards. In some implementations, the legacy IE 500 may convey information in one or more 20 MHz subchannels of an operating band (e.g., the operating band 402 shown in FIG. 4).

[0064]

[0084] Legacy IE 500 includes several legacy elements (e.g., element ID 502, length 504, and optional legacy elements including new country 506, wide bandwidth channel switching 508, and new transmit power envelope 510). Non-legacy elements 512 of IE 500 can include element ID 514, length 516, element ID extension 518, and can optionally include EHT operation information 520 and disabled subchannel bitmap 522.

[0065]

[0085] In some aspects, an AP (e.g., AP 102 of FIG. 1) may transmit the legacy IE 500 with the non-legacy element 512 to a BSS (e.g., multiple STAs) over one or more subchannels of an operating band. In some examples, the disabled subchannel bitmap 522 may be configured to indicate which subchannels of the operating band are subject to a future puncturing event. For example, the disabled subchannel bitmap 522 may include a multi-bit bitmap, where each bit may be mapped to one of multiple subchannels in the operating band used by the BSS. Thus, using the example of FIG. 4, the AP may set the multi-bit bitmap such that the bit corresponding to the fourth subchannel 404d is set to "1" and the remaining bits (e.g., corresponding to the first subchannel 404a, the second subchannel 404b, the third subchannel 404c, the fifth subchannel 404e, and the sixth subchannel 404f) are all "0". Thus, the multi-bit bitmap of the disabled subchannel bitmap 522 element may be used to inform the BSS which subchannels are subject to a puncturing event, and thus the bitmap may be used to indicate the puncturing pattern for the AP and STAs to apply to communications within the BSS.

[0066]

[0086] Note that if the puncturing event subsequently ends (e.g., the AP and its BSS can resume transmission over the previously punctured subchannels), the AP can send a legacy IE 500 to the BSS with the bits in the bitmap corresponding to the previously punctured subchannels set to '0.' In some cases, if none of the subchannels are punctured, the AP can send a legacy IE 500 with the disabled subchannel bitmap 522 elements omitted.

[0067]

[0087] In some examples, an AP may include the legacy IE 500 when transmitting a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an extended channel switch announcement frame, etc.) to one or more STAs in a BSS. The AP and the STAs may apply the puncturing pattern indicated in the disabled subchannel bitmap 522 one TBTT after the TBTT at which the legacy IE 500 is transmitted in the management frame.

[0068]

[0088] The disabled subchannel bitmap 522 elements may include any suitable number of bits to represent the number of subchannels in the operating band. For example, in a 16 subchannel operating band, the disabled subchannel bitmap 522 elements may include 16 bits. In an 8 subchannel operating band, the disabled subchannel bitmap 522 elements may include 8 bits.

[0069]

[0089] In some aspects, the legacy IE 500 can include an invalidation subchannel bitmap switch countdown element (not shown), which can provide a countdown timer so that devices (e.g., APs and STAs) of a BSS can simultaneously switch communications to a new puncture pattern indicated by the invalidation subchannel bitmap element 522, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0070]

[0090] 6 is a block diagram illustrating a legacy action frame 600 (e.g., an extended channel switch announcement frame) including a legacy IE 500 having non-legacy elements. The legacy action frame 600 may be formatted as an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN action frame according to the IEEE 802.11be amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard, or as an action frame conforming to any later (post-EHT) version of a new wireless communication protocol conforming to a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard or other wireless communication standard. In some implementations, the legacy action frame 500 may convey information in one or more 20 MHz subchannels of an operating band (e.g., the operating band 402 shown in FIG. 4).

[0071]

[0091] The legacy action frame 600 includes several legacy elements (e.g., a category element 602, as well as other optional legacy elements, namely, public action 604, channel switch mode 606, new operating class 608, and new channel number 610). Note that, depending on the implementation, the legacy action frame may include additional elements. The legacy IE 500 of the action frame 600 may include one or more of the elements of the legacy IE 500 of FIG. 5 (e.g., a channel switch wrapper IE), including the non-legacy element 512. Using an example of an extended channel switch announcement frame, if the AP decides to change only the puncturing pattern of the operating band, instead of changing both the operating band (e.g., switching to another operating band) and the puncturing pattern, the AP may set the new channel number 610 field in the frame 600 to indicate that the new puncturing pattern is applied to the current operating channel. For example, the AP may set the new channel field to be equal to a number identifying the current operating band. If a receiving STA associated with the AP detects that the new channel number 610 field indicates its current operating channel, the receiving STA may decide to transmit to the AP using only the primary subchannel (e.g., one 20 MHz subchannel) until the receiving STA obtains an updated disabled subchannel bitmap 522 from one or more beacons transmitted by the AP after the scheduled puncturing event. In other words, the receiving STA may start using the latest puncturing pattern (including full bandwidth operation with no subchannels punctured) only after seeing the puncturing pattern in the beacon transmission.

[0072]

[0092] In some implementations, the legacy IE 500 of the legacy action frame 600 of Figure 6 may be omitted. In such examples, the non-legacy element 512 may include the non-legacy element 512 of Figure 5 (e.g., may include element ID 514, length 516, element ID extension 518, and may optionally include EHT operation information 520, and disabled subchannel bitmap 522).

[0073]

[0093] In some aspects, an invalidation subchannel bitmap switch countdown element or field (not shown, e.g., a channel switch count field in an extended channel switch announcement element) may be provided in the action frame 600 or the legacy IE 500. The invalidation subchannel bitmap switch countdown element or field may provide a countdown timer such that devices (e.g., APs and STAs) of a BSS can simultaneously switch communications to a new puncture pattern indicated by the invalidation subchannel bitmap element 522, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

[0074]

[0094] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a non-legacy action frame 700 (e.g., an invalidation subchannel bitmap change announcement frame) that includes a non-legacy IE (e.g., a channel switch wrapper IE that includes an invalidation subchannel bitmap change announcement element 708). The non-legacy action frame 700 may be formatted as an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN action frame in accordance with the IEEE 802.11be amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communications protocol standard, or as an IE that complies with any later (post-EHT) version of a new wireless communications protocol that complies with a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communications protocol standard or other wireless communications standards. In some implementations, the non-legacy action frame 700 may convey information in one or more 20 MHz subchannels of an operating band (e.g., the operating band 402 shown in FIG. 4).

[0075]

[0095] The non-legacy action frame 700 includes several elements, such as a category element 702, a protected EHT element 704, and an invalidation subchannel bitmap change announcement element 708. As shown, the invalidation subchannel bitmap change announcement element 708 includes an element ID element 710, a length element 712, an element ID extension element 714, an invalidation subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716, and an invalidation subchannel bitmap element 522, which were described above with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0076]

[0096] In one example, an AP may transmit a non-legacy action frame 700 to STAs of a BSS in response to determining that a subchannel used for communication in the BSS will be punctured in the future. Similar to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 above, the AP may set the disabled subchannel bitmap element 522 to indicate a puncture pattern for continuing communication in the BSS without using the punctured subchannel. In some aspects, the disabled subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716 may provide a countdown timer such that devices (e.g., APs and STAs) of the BSS can simultaneously switch communication to the new puncture pattern indicated by the disabled subchannel bitmap element 522. For example, the disabled subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716 may include an integer value configured to indicate a time at which a puncturing event begins. The start time may be indicated relative to TBTT or time units (TUs).

[0077]

[0097] Thus, the integer value may indicate the number of TBTTs or TUs after which the AP and STAs switch communications to the puncturing pattern. For example, if the invalidation subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716 is "2", the AP and STAs may switch to the puncturing pattern upon the second TBTT or TU that occurs after the transmission of the non-legacy action frame 700. In another example, if the invalidation subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716 is "1", the AP and STAs may switch to the puncturing pattern upon the next TBTT or TU that occurs after the transmission of the non-legacy action frame 700. In some examples, if the STA determines that the integer satisfies an equality condition (e.g., the integer value is equal to "1"), the STA may determine that the integer value indicates the start of a puncturing event. The STA may then apply the puncturing pattern for subsequent frame exchanges.

[0078]

[0098] In some examples, the disabled subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716 and the disabled subchannel bitmap element 522 may be omitted from the disabled subchannel bitmap change announcement element 708. For example, the AP may determine that a subchannel of an operating band used for communication within a BSS is no longer punctured. In such a case, the AP may notify the STAs that they may resume using the previously punctured subchannel for communication by transmitting a non-legacy action frame 700 and omitting the disabled subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716 and the disabled subchannel bitmap element 522. In another example, the disabled subchannel bitmap switch countdown element 716 may be included to provide the STAs with a countdown timer indicating when the AP and the STAs may resume communication with the previously punctured subchannel. In this manner, the AP and the STAs may resume communication simultaneously.

[0079]

[0099] It should be noted that although FIG. 7 illustrates a non-legacy action frame 700, one or more of the elements in the action frame 700 and the invalidation subchannel bitmap change notification element 708 may alternatively or additionally be included in other management frames (e.g., beacon frames, probe response frames, association or reassociation frames, etc.).

[0080]

[0100] 8A is a block diagram illustrating a first example of a legacy management frame 800a (e.g., a beacon frame) including a non-legacy IE 808a (e.g., an operational mode notification IE). The legacy management frame 800a may be formatted as an extremely high throughput (EHT) WLAN action frame according to the IEEE 802.11be amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communications protocol standard, or as an IE conforming to any later (post-EHT) version of a new wireless communications protocol conforming to a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communications protocol standard or other wireless communications standard. In some implementations, the legacy management frame 800a may convey information in one or more 20 MHz subchannels of an operating band (e.g., operating band 402 shown in FIG. 4).

[0081]

[0101] The legacy management frame 800a includes several elements, such as an element ID 802, a length 804, and an operation mode 806. As shown, the legacy management frame 800a also includes a non-legacy IE 808a, which includes the disabled subchannel bitmap switching countdown 716 of FIG. 6, an element ID 812, a length 814, an optional element ID extension 816, an EHT operation information 818, and a disabled subchannel bitmap 522.

[0082]

[0102] In the example of Figure 8A, the non-legacy portion of the legacy management frame 800a is an information element. However, as shown in Figure 8B, the non-legacy portion may be two additional elements added to the legacy management frame. For example, Figure 8B is a block diagram illustrating a second example of a legacy management frame 800b (e.g., a beacon frame) that includes a non-legacy element 808b that includes an invalidation subchannel bitmap switching countdown 716 and an invalidation subchannel bitmap 522.

[0083]

[0103] 9A and 9B are block diagrams illustrating a first example of a legacy management frame 900a (e.g., an action frame) and a second example of a legacy management frame 900b. The first example 900a includes the non-legacy IE 808a of FIG. 8A, and the second example 900b includes the non-legacy element 808b of FIG. 8B. The legacy management frames 900a and 900b may include a category element 902, a VHT action element 904, an operational mode 906, and any other elements according to the implementation.

[0084]

[0104] It should be noted that the AP may repeatedly transmit the non-legacy elements described in FIG. 5-FIG. 9. For example, the AP may repeat transmission of the non-legacy elements between the time the AP determines the puncturing event and the time the puncturing event occurs. In one example, the AP may transmit a beacon frame including the non-legacy elements at each TBTT before the puncturing event if there are multiple TBTTs. The AP may also dynamically transmit the non-legacy elements in the action frame. In one example, if there is no TBTT between the time the AP determines the puncturing event and the time the puncturing event occurs, the AP may instead transmit the non-legacy elements in the action frame. However, it should be noted that the AP may transmit the non-legacy elements multiple times using both the beacon frame and the action frame.

[0085]

[0105] 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example PPDU 1000 that can be used for communication between an AP (e.g., AP 102 of FIG. 1) and one or more STAs (e.g., STA 104 of FIG. 1). Each PPDU 1000 may include a PHY preamble 1002, a PHY header 1016, and a Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) Service Data Unit (PSDU) 1004. Each PSDU 1004 may carry one or more MAC protocol data units (MPDUs). For example, each PSDU 1004 may carry an aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU) (e.g., a first A-MPDU 1006a, a second A-MPDU 1006b, and an i-th A-MPDU 1006i), where the A-MPDU includes an aggregation of A-MPDU subframes 1006. Each A-MPDU subframe 1006 may include a MAC delimiter 1010 and a MAC header 1012 prior to the associated MPDU 1014 that contains the data portion (the “payload” or “frame body”) of the A-MPDU subframe 1006 .

[0086]

[0106] Referring again to the PPDU 1000, the PHY header 1016 may include information provided in one or more of the invalidation subchannel bitmap switching countdown 716 of Figure 7 and the invalidation subchannel bitmap 522 of Figure 5. Referring again to the A-MPDU subframe 1006, additionally or alternatively, the MAC header 1012 may include information provided in one or more of the invalidation subchannel bitmap switching countdown 716 of Figure 7 and the invalidation subchannel bitmap 522 of Figure 5. That is, the PHY header 1016 and / or the MAC header 1012 may provide an indication of a puncturing event, an identification of one or more subchannels affected by the puncturing event, and / or an indication of the time when the puncturing event will occur.

[0087]

[0107] Thus, an AP may transmit a PPDU 1000 to one or more STAs of a BSS, where the PPDU 1000 is configured to provide puncturing information to the STAs via one or more of the PHY header 1016 or the MAC header 1012. Depending on the puncturing information, the STAs may apply a puncturing pattern to subsequent frame exchanges.

[0088]

[0108] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conceptual time-based view of an exemplary punctured transmission in a basic service set (BSS) environment from the perspective of an AP (e.g., AP 102 in FIG. 1). In this example, the AP may transmit first data 1106 to a STA (e.g., STA 104 in FIG. 1) using the entire operating band 1102 of six bonded subchannels 1104a-f. The AP may then determine that the fourth subchannel 1104d is to be punctured 1110 during a future transmission of the second data 1108. Thus, the AP may transmit the second data using subchannels of the operating band 1102 except for the fourth subchannel 1104d. Note that the AP may not transmit any indication of the puncturing event (e.g., a countdown, or the particular subchannels affected by the puncturing event 1110).

[0089]

[0109] Thus, a STA receiving the second data 1108 may still be listening to the entire operating band 1102, including the punctured subchannels. However, in some aspects, the STA may be configured to determine whether signaling from the AP is transmitted in each of the subchannels 1104a-f. In this example, the STA may determine that the transmission of the second data 1108 by the AP did not include the transmission of any data in the fourth subchannel 1104d. Thus, the STA may mirror the transmission pattern of the AP by omitting the transmission of signaling on the fourth subchannel following the reception of the second data 1108. In some examples, the STA may continue to listen to the fourth subchannel 1104d for energy levels or valid symbols that indicate that the AP is resuming transmission over the fourth subchannel 1104d. In this case, the STA may again mirror the transmission pattern of the AP and resume transmission over the fourth subchannel 1104d.

[0090]

[0110] 12 is a call flow diagram 1200 illustrating an example communication in a BSS between one or more STAs 1204 and an AP 1202. Initially, in a first communication 1218, the AP 1202 and the STA 1204 can communicate data over a first operating band 1206 that includes at least a first sub-channel 1216a, a second sub-channel 1216b, and a third sub-channel 1216c.

[0091]

[0111] In the first process 1208, the AP 1202 can determine a puncturing event 1212 beginning in the future, the puncturing event being associated with a second subchannel 1216b.

[0092]

[0112] In the second communication 1220, the AP 1202 may output at least one management frame for transmission to one or more STAs prior to the start of the puncturing event, the management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event 1212 and the second sub-channel 1216b. The AP 1202 may transmit information over the first sub-channel 1216a, the second sub-channel 1216b, and the third sub-channel 1216c. Note that the management frame may include any combination of the IEs, elements, frames, and information described above with reference to Figures 5-10.

[0093]

[0113] In a third communication 1222, the AP 1202 and the STA 1204 can communicate over the first operating band 1206 using the first sub-channel 1216a and the third sub-channel 1216c based on the management frame of the second communication 1220, while refraining from outputting data for transmission over the first sub-channel.

[0094] Exemplary Techniques for Signaling Capabilities in a BSS

[0114] As described, an AP may communicate with one or more STAs in a BSS via an operating band that includes multiple sub-channels. Although examples for continuing to communicate via the same operating band when one or more of the multiple sub-channels are punctured are described above, some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for switching from a first operating band (e.g., a first plurality of sub-channels) to a second operating band (e.g., a second plurality of sub-channels). For example, an AP may decide to switch from a 2.4 GHz operating band to a 5 GHz or 6 GHz operating band, or any other pair or combination of operating bands, if it detects sufficient channel degradation or noise.

[0095]

[0115] However, each operating band (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) may require a different set of AP and / or STA capabilities to communicate in these operating bands. The AP may gather the necessary capabilities for a particular operating band using a beacon or probe response on the new operating band. Although the STA may indicate its capabilities to the AP via a reassociation request, reassociation in the new operating band may erase all existing associations between the AP and the STA (e.g., security context, block acknowledgement (ACK) context, and any other state machines or associations that the STA maintains). Thus, a smoother and more seamless transition may improve BSS communication.

[0096]

[0116] In one example, a STA may perform a switch from a first operating band to a second operating band together with an AP. However, if the communication capabilities of the STA do not match the capabilities required to communicate on the second operating band (e.g., the capabilities of the first operating band are different from those of the second operating band, or the capabilities of the second operating band were not advertised on the first operating band), the STA may send a probe request frame to the AP on the second operating band. In some examples, the probe request frame indicates the capabilities to the AP. However, in some examples, when the AP switches to a new operating band, a probe storm may occur when multiple STAs simultaneously send probe requests to the AP. Therefore, to prevent packet errors and signal collision problems caused by a probe storm, the AP may use one or more of the following techniques.

[0097]

[0117] First, the AP may notify one or more STAs of the AP's decision to switch operating bands. In one example, the AP may notify one or more STAs of the switch via a management frame. The management frame may include any one or more of the non-legacy elements described above with respect to Figures 4-9. In this example, the non-legacy elements may include an indication of the operating band to which the AP is switching. The non-legacy elements may also include an indication of the Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters determined by the AP (as described below in a first technique), an indication that the AP will send a trigger frame to the STAs after switching to the new operating band (as described below in a second technique), and / or an indication of a backoff period (as described below in a third technique).

[0098]

[0118] In a first technique, the AP may increase an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameter to provide a longer contention window (CW) on the new operating band so that multiple STAs have a longer period of time to switch to the new operating band. By providing the STAs with a longer CW duration, the AP reduces the likelihood of a probe storm. For example, the STAs are not required to simultaneously transmit their respective probe requests within a relatively small CW. Instead, the probe requests can be distributed over a longer duration.

[0099]

[0119] In this example, the AP may advertise the higher EDCA parameters to the STAs via management frames (e.g., beacon frames, probe response frames, action frames, etc.). The AP may advertise the higher EDCA parameters on one or more of the first operating band before switching, or the second operating band after switching. For example, by advertising the higher EDCA parameters on the first operating band before switching, the AP gives the STAs an opportunity to update their respective EDCA parameters before switching to the second operating band. Thus, when one or more of the STAs switch to the second operating band, the STAs do not need to update their respective EDCA parameters, thereby reducing the latency between the time the STAs join the second operating band and the time the STAs transmit their capabilities to the AP.

[0100]

[0120] In some examples, the AP may advertise higher EDCA parameters on the second operating band after switching. In such examples, the AP advertises only to one or more STAs that follow the AP to the new operating band. For example, not all STAs in the BSS may switch operating bands with the AP. In such cases, not all of the STAs will use the higher EDCA parameters advertised on the first operating band. Thus, by not advertising higher EDCA parameters on the first operating band before switching, the AP may preserve communication resources on the first operating band and more efficiently communicate the higher EDCA parameters only to STAs that need the information (e.g., one or more STAs that follow the AP to the second operating band). In some examples, the AP may determine the length of the CW based on the number of STAs in the BSS or the number of STAs that expect to switch to the second operating band. For example, the CW may increase as the number of STAs increases.

[0101]

[0121] However, it should be noted that in some examples, the AP may advertise higher EDCA parameters in both the first operating band before the switch and the second operating band after the switch. In such examples, STAs that switch to the second operating band with the AP may update their EDCA parameters according to the advertised higher EDCA parameters, but if one or more STAs do not receive the advertisement on the first operating band (e.g., due to interference, etc.), the AP may advertise the higher EDCA parameters on the second operating band after the switch to give one or more STAs an opportunity to update their EDCA parameters.

[0102]

[0122] In the second technique, an AP may transmit a trigger frame to one or more STAs to solicit probe requests from one or more STAs at different times in order to prevent probe storms. Each trigger frame may address one or more STAs through their respective association identifiers (AIDs) and may schedule one or more resource units (RUs) for each AID (and thus each STA) that may be used by the corresponding STA to send a probe request to the AP. For example, the one or more RUs may indicate specific RUs assigned to the STAs through which the STAs may transmit probe requests. The AP may also specify one or more random access (RA) RUs through which non-scheduled STAs may contend. In either example, the STAs may transmit their respective probe requests to the AP using the assigned RUs or RA RUs in response to the trigger frame. This provides the AP with the ability to schedule STAs such that their transmitted probe requests do not collide.

[0103]

[0123] In some examples, the AP may send an indication of the operating band switch (e.g., via a management frame) before switching from the first operating band to the second operating band, the indication including a field indicating whether the AP will transmit a trigger frame to the STA over the second operating band after the switch. In some examples, the field is a 1-bit field. The AP may set the field to indicate that it will transmit a trigger frame to the STA after the switch, in which case the STA may refrain from transmitting a probe request on the second operating band until after receiving the trigger frame. If the AP does not set the field, the STA may assume that the AP will not transmit a trigger frame in the second operating band, and the STA may transmit a probe request before receiving the trigger frame.

[0104]

[0124] In a third technique, the AP may transmit an indication of the operating band switch (e.g., via a management frame) before switching from the first operating band to the second operating band. In response to the indication of the switch, the STAs may determine a back-off period (e.g., an amount of time) that each STA may wait after switching to the second operating band before sending a probe request to the AP. Thus, because each STA determines the back-off period, the STAs may all transmit probe requests at different times, reducing the likelihood of collisions due to probe storms.

[0105]

[0125] In some examples, one or more STAs may randomly generate backoff periods based on the size of the CW. For example, the AP may provide the STAs with EDCA parameters indicating the duration of the CW. In response, each STA may generate a random backoff period that falls between the time of switching to the second operating band and the end of the CW. In some examples, the AP may preconfigure the backoff period for one or more STAs via management frames transmitted over the first operating band and / or the second operating band.

[0106]

[0126] It should be noted that in order to prevent probe storms after switching to a new operating band, one or more of the first technique, the second technique, and the third technique may be used by the AP and the STA.

[0107]

[0127] 13 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations 1300 for wireless communication. The operations 1300 may be performed by an AP (e.g., AP 102 of FIG. 1). The operations 1300 may be implemented as software components executing and operating on one or more processors (e.g., controller 230 of FIG. 2). Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the AP in the operations 1300 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 224 of FIG. 2). In some aspects, the transmission and / or reception of signals by the AP may be implemented via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller 230) that acquire and / or output the signals.

[0108]

[0128] The operations 1300 begin in a first block 1310 by outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) over a first operating band including at least a first subchannel. For example, the AP and the STAs may use the first operating band for WLAN communications.

[0109]

[0129] The operations 1300 may proceed to a second block 1320 by determining a puncturing event beginning in the future that is associated with the first subchannel. For example, the AP may determine that another device requires the first subchannel for communication.

[0110]

[0130] The operations 1300 may proceed to a third block 1330 by outputting at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel to one or more STAs for transmission prior to the start of the puncturing event. For example, the AP may transmit a management frame including the non-legacy elements shown in Figures 5-9 or including data for the non-legacy element in a PHY header or MAC header.

[0111]

[0131] The operations 1300 may proceed to a fourth block 1340 by refraining from outputting data for transmission to one or more STAs over the first subchannel upon the onset of a puncturing event. For example, in response to a management frame from an AP indicating a punctured first subchannel, a STA may cease receiving and transmitting data over the punctured first subchannel.

[0112]

[0132] The operations 1300 may optionally include a fifth block 1350 of determining an end of another puncturing event associated with the second subchannel. In a first subblock 1352, the operations 1300 may proceed to setting a first bit of a signaling field to indicate a start of a puncturing event associated with the first subchannel, and in a second subblock 1354, the operations 1300 may proceed to setting a second bit of a signaling field to indicate an end of another puncturing event associated with the second subchannel. For example, the AP may determine that the first subchannel is to be punctured, but that the second subchannel (which is currently punctured) will no longer be punctured. Thus, the AP may transmit the bitmap described and shown in Figures 5-9 such that the bit corresponding to the first subchannel is set to "1" and the bit corresponding to the second subchannel is set to "0". Thus, the bitmap indicates that the first subchannel is punctured and the second subchannel is no longer punctured.

[0113]

[0133] The operations 1300 may optionally include a sixth block 1360 of obtaining signaling from a first STA of the one or more STAs via the first subchannel after the start of the puncturing event. In the first subblock 1362, the operations 1300 may output a first signaling field for transmission via a management frame to the first STA in response to the obtained signaling. For example, if one of the STAs does not receive a management frame due to PS or interference, the STA may continue to transmit via the punctured first subchannel. Thus, the AP may continue to listen to the first subchannel after puncturing to determine whether any of the STAs of the BSS are still transmitting on the punctured first subchannel. If the AP detects that the STA is still transmitting on the first subchannel after puncturing, it may send a unicast message to the STA informing the STA that the first subchannel has been punctured. The STA may stop transmitting on the first subchannel in response to the unicast message.

[0114]

[0134] The operations 1300 may optionally include a seventh block 1370 of determining an end of a puncturing event associated with the first subchannel. In a first subblock 1372, the operations 1300 may output another management frame for transmission to one or more STAs in response to determining an end of the puncturing event, the management frame omitting the non-legacy elements. In a second subblock 1374, the operations 1300 may resume outputting data for transmission to one or more STAs via at least the first subchannel. For example, if the AP determines that a previously punctured subchannel is no longer punctured, the AP may transmit one or more of the legacy and / or non-legacy elements shown in Figures 5-9, but omit the bitmap (e.g., such that all bits in the bitmap are set to "0" to indicate that no subchannels have been punctured).

[0115]

[0135] In some aspects, the management frame is a probe response frame, a beacon frame, a unicast action frame, a broadcast action frame, an operating mode announcement frame, a channel switch announcement frame, or a (re)association response frame.

[0116]

[0136] In some aspects, the non-legacy element includes a first signaling field including a plurality of bits, each bit of the plurality of bits configured to identify a corresponding subchannel of the first operating band. For example, one signaling field (e.g., the disabled subchannel bitmap element) of FIG. 5 may include a bitmap having a plurality of bits. Each bit in the bitmap may correspond to a particular subchannel and may be used to identify whether the particular channel is to be punctured or not.

[0117]

[0137] In some aspects, the non-legacy element includes a second signaling field that includes an integer value, the integer value configured to indicate a time when the puncturing event begins. For example, an AP may provide a countdown as to when the puncturing event begins so that APs and STAs of a BSS can simultaneously tune their respective communications to the same puncturing pattern.

[0118]

[0138] In some aspects, at least one of the first signaling field or the second signaling field is repeated in multiple transmissions before the puncturing event. In some examples, the AP may transmit the indication of the puncturing event multiple times before the puncturing actually occurs to ensure that all STAs receive the indication. The multiple indications may also function as a countdown where an integer value is changed with each repeated transmission of the indication.

[0119]

[0139] In some aspects, each of the multiple transmissions is spaced apart in time according to a periodic time interval or a dynamic time interval. In some examples, the repeated transmissions may occur every TBTT (e.g., periodically) or dynamically.

[0120]

[0140] In some aspects, the integer value is further configured to indicate a countdown time until the start of a puncturing event, for example, multiple transmissions of the indication may act as a countdown where the integer value changes with each repeated transmission of the indication.

[0121]

[0141] In some aspects, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to determine that the integer value satisfies an equality condition, where the equality condition indicates a start of a puncturing event. For example, if the integer value received by the AP or STA is a particular value, the AP or STA may determine that a puncturing event has started. For example, if the STA receives a management frame with an integer value of "1", the STA may determine that the value of "1" is equal to a value indicating a start of a puncturing event (e.g., also "1"). In some examples, the "1" may indicate that the puncturing event will start in the next time unit (e.g., TBTT).

[0122]

[0142] In some aspects, the another management frame is configured to inform one or more STAs that the device resumes outputting data for transmission over the first subchannel. For example, the AP may transmit another management frame with a bitmap indicating that a previously punctured subchannel is no longer punctured and that the BSS may resume transmission over that subchannel again.

[0123]

[0143] In some aspects, the management frame includes a plurality of elements, one or more of which are non-legacy elements. For example, the management frame may include one or more of the fields, elements, and / or information elements (IEs) shown in FIGS.

[0124]

[0144] In some aspects, the operations 1300 support a transceiver configured to transmit data and at least one management frame, the device being configured as an access point (AP).

[0125]

[0145] 14 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations 1400 for wireless communication according to some aspects of the disclosure. The operations 1400 may be performed, for example, by a station (e.g., STA 104 of FIG. 1). The operations 1400 may be implemented as software components executing and operating on one or more processors (e.g., controller 280 of FIG. 2). Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the STA in the operations 1400 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 252 of FIG. 2). In some aspects, the transmission and / or reception of signals by the STA may be implemented via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller 280) that acquires and / or outputs the signals.

[0126]

[0146] The operations 1400 begin in a first block 1410 by obtaining at least one management frame including a non-legacy element from an access point (AP) prior to the start of a puncturing event, the non-legacy element being configured to indicate the puncturing event and a first subchannel of a plurality of subchannels of a first operating band used by a device to communicate with the AP in a basic service set (BSS). For example, the AP may send an indication to a STA informing the STA that a particular subchannel used by the AP and the STA will be punctured in the future. The non-legacy element may include any one or more of the non-legacy elements shown in FIGS. 5-9.

[0127]

[0147] The operations 1400 may proceed in a second block 1420 by refraining from outputting data for transmission to the AP over the first subchannel upon the onset of the puncturing event. For example, the STA may decide to no longer transmit data over the punctured subchannel.

[0128]

[0148] The operations 1400 may optionally include a third block 1430 for obtaining another management frame from the AP that omits the non-legacy elements. In subblock 1432, the operations 1400 may resume outputting data for transmission to the AP over at least the first subchannel. For example, the AP may determine that the subchannel is no longer punctured, and the AP may notify the STAs of the BSS. For example, if the AP determines that a previously punctured subchannel is no longer punctured, the AP may transmit one or more of the legacy and / or non-legacy elements shown in Figures 5-9, but omit the bitmap (e.g., such that all bits in the bitmap are set to "0" to indicate that no subchannels are to be punctured).

[0129]

[0149] The operations 1400 may optionally include a fourth block 1440 for obtaining signaling from the AP including at least one of a physical (PHY) header or a medium access control (MAC) header after the start of another puncturing event, the PHY header and the MAC header being configured to indicate another puncturing event and a second subchannel of the plurality of subchannels. In subblock 1452, the operations may also refrain from outputting data for transmission to the AP in response to the signaling including at least one of a PHY header or a MAC header. For example, the AP may transmit a management frame including the non-legacy elements shown in Figures 5-9 or including data of the non-legacy elements in the PHY header or the MAC header.

[0130]

[0150] The operations 1400 may optionally include a fifth block 1450 for determining that the second subchannel is punctured based on a determination that a valid signal from the AP cannot be obtained from the second subchannel. In subblock 1452, the operations 1400 may refrain from outputting data for transmission to the AP over the second subchannel in response to the determination that the second subchannel is punctured. For example, if the STA does not receive an indication from the AP informing the STA that a particular subchannel has been or will be punctured, the STA may continue to transmit on that subchannel. However, the STA may listen to the subchannel and if it does not receive a valid symbol or does not sense a required amount of energy over the subchannel, the STA may determine that the subchannel is punctured. In such a case, the STA may stop transmitting over that subchannel.

[0131]

[0151] In some aspects, the management frame is a probe response frame, a beacon frame, a unicast action frame, a broadcast action frame, an operating mode announcement frame, a channel switch announcement frame, or a (re)association response frame.

[0132]

[0152] In some aspects, the non-legacy element includes a first signaling field including a plurality of bits, each bit of the plurality of bits configured to identify a corresponding subchannel of the first operating band. For example, one signaling field (e.g., the disabled subchannel bitmap element) of FIG. 5 may include a bitmap having a plurality of bits. Each bit in the bitmap may correspond to a particular subchannel and may be used to identify whether the particular channel is to be punctured or not.

[0133]

[0153] In some aspects, the non-legacy element includes a second signaling field including an integer value, the integer value configured to indicate a time when the puncturing event starts. For example, if the AP or STA receives an integer value of a particular value, the AP or STA can determine that the puncturing event has started. For example, if the STA receives a management frame with an integer value of "1", the STA can determine that the value of "1" is equal to a value indicating the start of the puncturing event (e.g., also "1"). In some examples, the "1" can indicate that the puncturing event starts in the next time unit (e.g., TBTT).

[0134]

[0154] In some aspects, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to obtain from the AP via the first subchannel repeated transmissions of the first signaling field or the second signaling field prior to the puncturing event. In some examples, the AP may transmit the indication of the puncturing event multiple times before the puncturing actually occurs to ensure that all STAs receive the indication. The multiple indications may also function as a countdown where an integer value is changed for each repeated transmission of the indication.

[0135]

[0155] In some aspects, each of the multiple transmissions is spaced apart in time according to a periodic time interval or a dynamic time interval. In some examples, the repeated transmissions may occur every TBTT (e.g., periodically) or dynamically.

[0136]

[0156] In some aspects, the non-legacy element includes an integer value that indicates a countdown to the start of a puncturing event. For example, the instructions may also function as a countdown where the integer value changes with each repeated transmission of the instructions.

[0137]

[0157] In some aspects, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the apparatus to determine that the integer value satisfies an equality condition, where the equality condition satisfies the equality condition indicates a start of a puncturing event. For example, if the integer value received by the AP or STA is a particular value, the AP or STA may determine that a puncturing event has started. For example, if the STA receives a management frame with an integer value of "1", the STA may determine that the value of "1" is equal to a value indicating a start of a puncturing event (e.g., also "1"). In some examples, the "1" may indicate that the puncturing event will start in the next time unit (e.g., TBTT).

[0138]

[0158] In some aspects, the other management frame is configured to inform the device that the AP resumes transmitting data over the first subchannel. For example, the AP may determine that the subchannel is no longer punctured, and the AP may inform the STAs of the BSS. For example, if the AP determines that a previously punctured subchannel is no longer punctured, the AP may transmit one or more of the legacy and / or non-legacy elements shown in Figures 5-9, but may omit the bitmap (e.g., such that all bits in the bitmap are set to "0" to indicate that no subchannels have been punctured).

[0139]

[0159] In some aspects, the management frame includes a plurality of elements, one or more of which are non-legacy elements. For example, the management frame may include one or more of the fields, elements, and / or information elements (IEs) shown in FIGS.

[0140]

[0160] In some aspects, the transceiver may be configured to support the operations 1400 by receiving at least one management frame and refraining from transmitting data, where the device is configured as a station (STA).

[0141]

[0161] 15 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations 1500 for wireless communication. The operations 1500 may be performed by an AP (e.g., such as AP 102 of FIG. 1). The operations 1500 may be implemented as software components executing and operating on one or more processors (e.g., controller 230 of FIG. 2). Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the AP in the operations 1500 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 224 of FIG. 2). In some aspects, the transmission and / or reception of signals by the AP may be implemented via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller 230) that acquire and / or output the signals.

[0142]

[0162] The operations 1500 begin in a first block 1510 by determining to switch from a first operating band, used by the device to communicate with one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS), to a second operating band. For example, the AP may decide to switch to another operating band due to interference on the current band or to implement a capability that is only provided on the other band.

[0143]

[0163] The operations 1500 may proceed in a second block 1520 by outputting a first indication regarding switching from the first operating band to the second operating band for transmission to one or more STAs over the first operating band prior to the switch. For example, the AP may notify the STAs that the AP intends to switch to the new operating band. This provides the STAs an opportunity to decide whether to follow the AP to the new operating band.

[0144]

[0164] The operations 1500 may proceed in a third block 1530 by switching to a second operating band.

[0145]

[0165] The operations 1500 may proceed in a fourth block 1540 by obtaining information from each of the one or more STAs over the second operating band indicating the capabilities of the corresponding one or more STAs for the second operating band. For example, a STA that switches to a new operating band with the AP may transmit its capabilities to the AP so that the AP may determine whether the STA is able to communicate over the new operating band.

[0146]

[0166] The operations 1500 may optionally include a fifth block 1550 for outputting a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW) for transmission to one or more STAs over the second operating band after the switch. For example, after the AP switches to the second operating band, the AP may transmit an indication of the duration of the CW to the STAs that followed the AP to the second operating band. In another example, the AP may communicate the duration of the CW before switching to the second operating band by including the duration of the CW in an indication over the first operating band.

[0147]

[0167] The operations 1500 may optionally include a sixth block 1560 for outputting a trigger frame indicating uplink resources to the corresponding one or more STAs for transmission to the one or more STAs via the second operating band after the switch, where the information indicating the capability of the second operating band is obtained via one or more probe request frames from the corresponding one or more STAs using the uplink resources. For example, the AP may transmit a trigger frame to one or more STAs to solicit probe requests from the one or more STAs at different times for the purpose of preventing a probe storm. Each trigger frame may address one or more STAs via a respective association identifier (AID) and schedule one or more resource units (RUs) for each AID (and thus each STA) that the corresponding STA can use to send a probe request to the AP. In some examples, the AP may transmit an indication of the operating band switch (e.g., via a management frame) before switching from the first operating band to the second operating band, where the indication includes a field indicating whether the AP will transmit a trigger frame to the STA via the second operating band after the switch. The set field may be configured to prevent the STA from sending a probe request to the AP after switching to the second operating band.

[0148]

[0168] The operation 1500 may optionally include a seventh block 1570 for sending the first instruction and obtaining information indicating the capabilities of the second operating band, the device being configured as an access point (AP).

[0149]

[0169] In some aspects, the first indication includes a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW). For example, the AP can provide an indication of the CW duration during which the STA can transmit a probe response frame to the AP. In some examples, the AP can extend the CW duration to prevent a probe storm. In some aspects, the CW duration can be transmitted by the AP in both the first operating band and the second operating band.

[0150]

[0170] In some aspects, the uplink resources include at least one of random access uplink resources or assigned uplink resources, for example, the AP can directly assign specific resources to STAs individually or can assign resources using random access.

[0151]

[0171] In some aspects, the first instruction includes communication parameters configured to prevent one or more STAs from transmitting information indicative of the capabilities of the second operating band prior to the transmission of a trigger frame. For example, the AP can prevent the STAs from causing a probe storm when they switch to the new operating band by transmitting an instruction over the original operating band telling the STAs to wait for a trigger frame from the AP before making any transmissions on the new operating band.

[0152]

[0172] In some aspects, the first indication is output for transmission via a non-legacy element of the management frame. For example, the first indication can include the non-legacy elements shown in Figures 5-9, or can include data of the non-legacy element in a PHY header or a MAC header.

[0153]

[0173] 16 is a flow diagram illustrating example operations 1600 for wireless communication according to some aspects of the disclosure. The operations 1600 may be performed, for example, by a station (e.g., STA 104 of FIG. 1). The operations 1600 may be implemented as software components executing and operating on one or more processors (e.g., controller 280 of FIG. 2). Furthermore, the transmission and reception of signals by the STA in the operations 1600 may be enabled, for example, by one or more antennas (e.g., antenna 252 of FIG. 2). In some aspects, the transmission and / or reception of signals by the STA may be implemented via a bus interface of one or more processors (e.g., controller 280) that acquires and / or outputs the signals.

[0154]

[0174] The operations 1600 begin in a first block 1610 by obtaining a first indication from an access point (AP) over a first operating band related to switching from the first operating band to a second operating band used by the device for communication within a basic service set (BSS). For example, the AP may notify a STA that the AP is planning to switch to the new operating band.

[0155]

[0175] The operations 1600 may include outputting information indicative of the second operating band capabilities of the device for transmission over the second operating band to the AP in a second block 1620. For example, the STA may switch to a new operating band with the AP and provide an indication of the STA's capabilities on the new operating band to the AP.

[0156]

[0176] The operation 1600 may optionally include a third block 1630 for determining a back-off period based on one of a preset duration or random duration generation, and information indicative of the device's second operating band capability is output for transmission after the back-off period. For example, the STA may randomly generate a back-off period, during which the STA waits until the end of the back-off period to transmit a probe to the AP on the new bandwidth. In one example, the AP may provide the STA with an EDCA parameter indicative of the duration of the CW. In response, each STA may generate a random back-off period that falls between the time of switching to the second operating band and the end of the CW. In some examples, the AP may preset a back-off period for one or more STAs via a management frame transmitted over the first operating band and / or the second operating band. It should be noted that the AP and the STA may use one or more of the first technique, the second technique, and the third technique to prevent a probe storm after switching to the new operating band.

[0157]

[0177] The operations 1600 may optionally include a fourth block 1640 for obtaining communication parameters indicating a contention window (CW) duration from the AP over the second operating band after the switch. For example, the AP may send an indication of the CW duration to the STA after the STA switches to the new operating band. In another example, the AP may communicate the CW duration before switching to the second operating band by including the CW duration in an indication over the first operating band.

[0158]

[0178] The operations 1600 may optionally include a fifth block 1650 for obtaining a trigger frame indicating uplink resources to the device from the AP via the second operating band after the switch, and information indicating the capability of the second operating band is output for transmission via a probe request frame using the uplink resources. For example, the AP may transmit a trigger frame to one or more STAs to solicit probe requests from one or more STAs at different times for the purpose of preventing probe storms. The trigger frame may address one or more STAs via their respective association identifiers (AIDs) and may schedule one or more resource units (RUs) for each AID (and thus each STA) that may be used by the corresponding STA to send a probe request to the AP. In some examples, the AP may transmit an indication of the operating band switch (e.g., via a management frame) before switching from the first operating band to the second operating band, the indication including a field indicating whether the AP will transmit a trigger frame to the STA via the second operating band after the switch. The set field may be configured to prevent the STA from transmitting a probe request to the AP after switching to the second operating band.

[0159]

[0179] In some aspects, the first instruction includes a management frame including the preset duration, for example, the AP may broadcast the preset duration to multiple STAs.

[0160]

[0180] In some aspects, the first indication includes a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW). For example, the AP can send an indication of the CW to one or more STAs before, after, or both, switching from the original operating band to the new operating band.

[0161]

[0181] In some aspects, the uplink resources include one or more of random access uplink resources or assigned uplink resources, for example, the AP can directly assign specific resources to STAs individually or can assign resources using random access.

[0162]

[0182] In some aspects, the first instruction includes communication parameters configured to prevent the device from outputting information indicating the capabilities of the second operating band for transmission before obtaining the trigger frame. For example, the AP can transmit a trigger frame to one or more STAs to solicit probe requests from one or more STAs at different times for the purpose of preventing a probe storm. Each trigger frame can address one or more STAs through a respective association identifier (AID) and can schedule one or more resource units (RUs) for each AID (and thus each STA) that can be used by the corresponding STA to send a probe request to the AP. In some examples, the AP can transmit an indication of the operating band switch (e.g., via a management frame) before switching from the first operating band to the second operating band, the indication including a field indicating whether the AP will transmit a trigger frame to the STA over the second operating band after the switch. The set field can be configured to prevent the STA from sending a probe request to the AP after switching to the second operating band.

[0163]

[0183] In some aspects, information indicating the capability of the second operating band of the device is output for transmission to the AP via the second operating band in response to the trigger frame. For example, the AP can prevent the STA from switching the operating band and immediately transmitting a probe to the AP. Instead, the STA can be assigned resources for probe transmission by the AP via the trigger frame.

[0164]

[0184] In some aspects, the first indication is obtained via a management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate a switch from the first operating band to the second operating band. For example, the first indication can include the non-legacy elements illustrated in Figures 5-9 or can include data of the non-legacy element in a PHY header or a MAC header.

[0165] Exemplary Wireless Communication Device

[0185] Figure 17 illustrates an example communications device 1700 including various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein, such as those illustrated and described with respect to Figure 13. In some examples, the communications device 1700 may be an AP 102, for example, as described with respect to Figures 1 and 2.

[0166]

[0186] The communications device 1700 includes a processing system 1702 coupled to a transceiver 1708 (e.g., a transmitter and / or receiver). The transceiver 1708 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device 1700 via an antenna 1710, such as various signals as described herein. The processing system 1702 can be configured to perform processing functions for the communications device 1700, including processing signals received and / or transmitted by the communications device 1700.

[0167]

[0187] The processing system 1702 includes one or more processors 1720 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1730 via a bus 1706. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1730 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 1720, cause the one or more processors 1720 to perform the operations illustrated in FIG. 13 or other operations for performing various techniques described herein.

[0168]

[0188] In the illustrated example, computer readable medium / memory 1730 stores code 1731 for outputting data, code 1732 for determining a puncturing event, code 1733 for outputting a management frame, code 1734 for determining to switch operating bands, code 1735 for determining the end of another puncturing event, code 1736 for setting a first bit of a signaling field, and code 1738 for setting a second bit of the signaling field.

[0169]

[0189] In the illustrated example, the one or more processors 1720 include circuitry configured to execute code stored in a computer-readable medium / memory 1730, the circuitry including a circuit 1721 for outputting data, a circuit 1722 for determining a puncturing event, a circuit 1723 for outputting a management frame, a circuit 1724 for determining to switch operating bands, a circuit 1725 for determining the end of another puncturing event, code 1726 for setting a first bit of a signaling field, and code 1728 for setting a second bit of the signaling field.

[0170]

[0190] The various components of the communications device 1700 may provide means for performing the methods described herein, including those with respect to FIG.

[0171]

[0191] In some examples, the means for transmitting, outputting, or sending (or the means for outputting for transmission) may include the transceiver 232 and / or the antenna(s) 224 of the AP 102 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1708 and antenna 1710 of the communication device 1700 in FIG. 17.

[0172]

[0192] In some examples, the means for receiving (or the means for obtaining) may include the transceiver 222 and / or antenna(s) 224 of the AP shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1708 and antenna 1710 of the communication device 1700 in FIG.

[0173]

[0193] In some cases, a device may have an interface (means for outputting) for outputting signals and / or data for transmission, e.g., without actually transmitting the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may output signals and / or data to a radio frequency (RF) front end for transmission via a bus interface. Similarly, a device may have an interface (means for acquiring) for acquiring signals and / or data received from another device, without actually receiving the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may acquire (or receive) signals and / or data from an RF front end for reception via a bus interface. In various aspects, the RF front end may include various components, including transmit and receive processors, transmit and receive MIMO processors, modulators, demodulators, etc., such as those shown in the example of FIG. 2.

[0174]

[0194] In some examples, the means for determining, the means for obtaining, the means for sending, the means for refraining from outputting, the means for switching, the means for setting, and the means for selecting may include various processing system components, such as one or more processors 1720 of FIG. 17, including receive processor 240, transmit processor 220, TX data processor 210, and / or controller 230, or aspects of AP 102 shown in FIG. 2.

[0175]

[0195] Notably, FIG. 17 is one example and many other examples and configurations of communications device 1700 are possible.

[0176]

[0196] Figure 18 illustrates an example communications device 1800 including various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein, such as those illustrated and described with respect to Figure 14. In some examples, the communications device 1800 may be, for example, a STA 104 as described with respect to Figures 1 and 2.

[0177]

[0197] The communications device 1800 includes a processing system 1802 coupled to a transceiver 1808 (e.g., a transmitter and / or receiver). The transceiver 1808 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device 1800 via an antenna 1810, such as various signals as described herein. The processing system 1802 can be configured to perform processing functions for the communications device 1800, including processing signals received and / or transmitted by the communications device 1800.

[0178]

[0198] The processing system 1802 includes one or more processors 1820 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1830 via a bus 1806. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1830 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 1820, cause the one or more processors 1820 to perform the operations illustrated in FIG. 14 or other operations for performing various techniques described herein.

[0179]

[0199] In the illustrated example, computer readable medium / memory 1830 stores code 1831 for obtaining a management frame, code 1832 for refraining from outputting data for transmission, code 1833 for obtaining a repeated transmission, code 1834 for determining that the integer value satisfies an equality condition, code 1835 for obtaining another management frame, and code 1836 for resuming outputting data for transmission.

[0180]

[0200] In the illustrated example, the one or more processors 1820 include circuitry configured to implement code stored in computer readable medium / memory 1830, the circuitry including circuitry 1821 for obtaining a management frame, circuitry 1822 for refraining from outputting data for transmission, circuitry 1823 for obtaining a repeated transmission, code 1824 for determining that the integer value satisfies an equality condition, code 1825 for obtaining another management frame, and code 1826 for resuming outputting data for transmission.

[0181]

[0201] The various components of the communications device 1800 may provide means for performing the methods described herein, including those with respect to FIG.

[0182]

[0202] In some examples, the means for transmitting, outputting, or sending (or the means for outputting for transmission) may include the transceiver 254 and / or antenna 254(s) of the STAs 104a and 104x shown in FIG. 2, and / or the transceiver 1808 and antenna 1810 of the communication device 1800 of FIG. 18.

[0183]

[0203] In some examples, the means for receiving (or the means for obtaining) may include the transceiver 254 and / or antenna(s) 252 of the STA shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1808 and antenna 1810 of the communication device 1800 of FIG. 18.

[0184]

[0204] In some cases, a device may have an interface (means for outputting) for outputting signals and / or data for transmission, e.g., without actually transmitting the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may output signals and / or data as frames to a radio frequency (RF) front end for transmission via a bus interface. Similarly, a device may have an interface (means for acquiring) for acquiring signals and / or data received from another device, without actually receiving the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may acquire (or receive) signals from an RF front end for reception via a bus interface. In various aspects, the RF front end may include various components, including transmit and receive processors, transmit and receive MIMO processors, modulators, demodulators, etc., such as those shown in the example of FIG. 2.

[0185]

[0205] In some examples, the means for determining, the means for obtaining, the means for sending, the means for refraining from outputting, the means for switching, the means for setting, and the means for selecting may include various processing system components, such as one or more processors 1820 of FIG. 18, including the receive processor 260, the transmit processor 290, the TX data processor 288, and / or the controller 280, or aspects of the STA 104 shown in FIG. 2.

[0186]

[0206] Notably, FIG. 18 is one example and many other examples and configurations of communications device 1800 are possible.

[0187]

[0207] Figure 19 illustrates an example communications device 1900 including various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein, such as those illustrated and described with respect to Figure 15. In some examples, the communications device 1900 may be, for example, an AP 102 as described with respect to Figures 1 and 2.

[0188]

[0208] The communications device 1900 includes a processing system 1902 coupled to a transceiver 1908 (e.g., a transmitter and / or receiver). The transceiver 1908 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device 1900 via an antenna 1910, such as various signals as described herein. The processing system 1902 can be configured to perform processing functions for the communications device 1900, including processing signals received and / or transmitted by the communications device 1900.

[0189]

[0209] The processing system 1902 includes one or more processors 1920 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 1930 via a bus 1906. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 1930 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 1920, cause the one or more processors 1920 to perform the operations illustrated in FIG. 15 or other operations for performing various techniques described herein.

[0190]

[0210] In the illustrated example, computer readable medium / memory 1930 stores code 1931 for deciding to switch operating bands, code 1932 for outputting a switching instruction, code 1933 for switching operating bands, code 1934 for obtaining information, code 1935 for outputting communication parameters, and code 1936 for outputting a trigger frame.

[0191]

[0211] In the illustrated example, the one or more processors 1920 include circuitry configured to execute code stored in a computer-readable medium / memory 1930, including a circuit 1921 for determining to switch operating bands, a circuit 1922 for outputting a switching instruction, a circuit 1923 for switching operating bands, a circuit 1924 for acquiring information, a circuit 1925 for outputting communication parameters, and a circuit 1926 for outputting a trigger frame.

[0192]

[0212] The various components of the communications device 1900 may provide means for performing the methods described herein, including those with respect to FIG.

[0193]

[0213] In some examples, the means for transmitting, outputting, or sending (or the means for outputting for transmission) may include the transceiver 232 and / or antenna(s) 224 of the AP 102 shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1908 and antenna 1910 of the communication device 1900 in FIG. 19.

[0194]

[0214] In some examples, the means for receiving (or the means for obtaining) may include the transceiver 222 and / or antenna(s) 224 of the AP shown in FIG. 2 and / or the transceiver 1908 and antenna 1910 of the communication device 1900 in FIG.

[0195]

[0215] In some cases, a device may have an interface (means for outputting) for outputting signals and / or data for transmission, e.g., without actually transmitting the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may output signals and / or data to a radio frequency (RF) front end for transmission via a bus interface. Similarly, a device may have an interface (means for acquiring) for acquiring signals and / or data received from another device, without actually receiving the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may acquire (or receive) signals and / or data from an RF front end for reception via a bus interface. In various aspects, the RF front end may include various components, including transmit and receive processors, transmit and receive MIMO processors, modulators, demodulators, etc., such as those shown in the example of FIG. 2.

[0196]

[0216] In some examples, the means for determining, the means for obtaining, the means for sending, the means for refraining from outputting, the means for switching, the means for setting, and the means for selecting may include various processing system components, such as one or more processors 1920 of FIG. 19, including the receive processor 240, the transmit processor 220, the TX data processor 210, and / or the controller 230, or aspects of the AP 102 shown in FIG. 2.

[0197]

[0217] Notably, FIG. 19 is one example and many other examples and configurations of communications device 1900 are possible.

[0198]

[0218] Figure 20 illustrates an example communications device 2000 including various components operable, configured, or adapted to perform operations for the techniques disclosed herein, such as those illustrated and described with respect to Figure 16. In some examples, the communications device 2000 may be, for example, a STA 104 as described with respect to Figures 1 and 2.

[0199]

[0219] The communications device 2000 includes a processing system 2002 coupled to a transceiver 2008 (e.g., a transmitter and / or a receiver). The transceiver 2008 is configured to transmit and receive signals for the communications device 2000 via an antenna 2010, such as various signals as described herein. The processing system 2002 may be configured to perform processing functions for the communications device 2000, including processing signals received and / or transmitted by the communications device 2000.

[0200]

[0220] The processing system 2002 includes one or more processors 2020 coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory 2030 via a bus 2006. In some aspects, the computer-readable medium / memory 2030 is configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that, when executed by the one or more processors 2020, cause the one or more processors 2020 to perform the operations illustrated in FIG. 16 or other operations for performing various techniques described herein.

[0201]

[0221] In the illustrated example, computer readable medium / memory 2030 stores code 2031 for obtaining a first instruction, code 2032 for outputting information, code 2033 for determining a backoff period, code 2034 for obtaining communication parameters, and code 2035 for obtaining a trigger frame.

[0202]

[0222] In the illustrated example, the one or more processors 2020 include circuitry configured to execute code stored in a computer-readable medium / memory 2030, including a circuit 2021 for obtaining a first instruction, a circuit 2022 for outputting information, a circuit 2023 for determining a backoff period, code 2024 for obtaining communication parameters, and code 2025 for obtaining a trigger frame.

[0203]

[0223] The various components of the communications device 2000 may provide means for performing the methods described herein, including those with respect to FIG.

[0204]

[0224] In some examples, the means for transmitting, outputting, or sending (or the means for outputting for transmission) may include the transceiver 254 and / or antenna 254(s) of the STAs 104 and 104x shown in FIG. 2, and / or the transceiver 2008 and antenna 2010 of the communication device 2000 of FIG. 20.

[0205]

[0225] In some examples, the means for receiving (or the means for obtaining) may include the transceiver 254 and / or antenna(s) 252 of the STA shown in FIG. 2, and / or the transceiver 2008 and antenna 2010 of the communication device 2000 of FIG. 20.

[0206]

[0226] In some cases, a device may have an interface (means for outputting) for outputting signals and / or data for transmission, e.g., without actually transmitting the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may output signals and / or data to a radio frequency (RF) front end for transmission via a bus interface. Similarly, a device may have an interface (means for acquiring) for acquiring signals and / or data received from another device, without actually receiving the signals and / or data. For example, a processor may acquire (or receive) signals and / or data from an RF front end for reception via a bus interface. In various aspects, the RF front end may include various components, including transmit and receive processors, transmit and receive MIMO processors, modulators, demodulators, etc., such as those shown in the example of FIG. 2.

[0207]

[0227] In some examples, the means for determining, the means for obtaining, the means for sending, the means for refraining from outputting, the means for switching, the means for setting, and the means for selecting may include various processing system components, such as one or more processors 2020 of FIG. 20, including the receive processor 260, the transmit processor 290, the TX data processor 288, and / or the controller 280, or aspects of the STA 104 shown in FIG. 2.

[0208]

[0228] Notably, FIG. 20 is one example and many other examples and configurations of communications device 2000 are possible.

[0209] Exemplary Aspects

[0229] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication in an access point (AP), comprising: outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) via a first operating band including at least a first subchannel; determining a puncturing event beginning in the future, the puncturing event being associated with the first subchannel; outputting at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to start of the puncturing event, the at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel; and refraining from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first subchannel upon start of the puncturing event; A method comprising:

[0210]

[0230] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein the management frame is a probe response frame, a beacon frame, a unicast action frame, a broadcast action frame, an operating mode notification frame, a channel switch announcement frame, or a (re)association response frame.

[0211]

[0231] Aspect 3: A method as described in any of aspects 1 and 2, wherein the non-legacy element includes a first signaling field including a plurality of bits, each bit of the plurality of bits configured to identify a corresponding subchannel of the first operating band.

[0212]

[0232] Aspect 4: The method of any of aspects 1-3, wherein the first operating band includes at least a first subchannel and a second subchannel, a first bit of the signaling field corresponds to the first subchannel and a second bit of the signaling field corresponds to the second subchannel, the method further including: determining an end of another puncturing event associated with the second subchannel; setting the first bit of the signaling field to indicate a start of a puncturing event associated with the first subchannel; and setting the second bit of the signaling field to indicate an end of another puncturing event associated with the second subchannel.

[0213]

[0233] Aspect 5: The method of aspect 3, further comprising: acquiring signaling from a first STA of one or more STAs via a first subchannel after initiation of a puncturing event; and outputting a first signaling field for transmission to the first STA via a management frame in response to the acquired signaling.

[0214]

[0234] Aspect 6: The method of aspect 3, wherein the non-legacy element includes a second signaling field including an integer value, the integer value configured to indicate a time at which a puncturing event begins.

[0215]

[0235] Aspect 7: The method of any of aspects 1 to 6, wherein at least one of the first signaling field or the second signaling field is repeated in multiple transmissions before a puncturing event.

[0216]

[0236] Aspect 8: The method of any of aspects 1-7, wherein each of the multiple transmissions is spaced apart in time according to a periodic time interval or a dynamic time interval.

[0217]

[0237] Aspect 9: The method of any one of aspects 1 to 8, wherein the integer value is further configured to indicate a countdown time until the start of a puncturing event.

[0218]

[0238] Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1-9, further comprising determining that the integer value satisfies an equality condition, where satisfying the equality condition indicates the start of a puncturing event.

[0219]

[0239] Aspect 11: determining an end of a puncturing event associated with a first subchannel; and in response to determining the end of the puncturing event, outputting another management frame for transmission to one or more STAs, the management frame omitting non-legacy elements; and resuming outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs via at least the first subchannel. 11. The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, further comprising:

[0220]

[0240] Aspect 12: The method of aspect 11, wherein another management frame is configured to notify one or more STAs that the AP resumes outputting data for transmission over the first subchannel.

[0221]

[0241] Aspect 13: The method of any one of aspects 1 to 12, wherein the management frame includes a plurality of elements, and one or more of the plurality of elements is a non-legacy element.

[0222]

[0242] Aspect 14: A method for wireless communication in a station (STA), comprising: obtaining, from an access point (AP) prior to initiation of a puncturing event, at least one management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate the puncturing event and a first subchannel of a plurality of subchannels of a first operating band used by the STA to communicate with the AP in a basic service set (BSS); and, upon initiation of the puncturing event, refraining from outputting data for transmission to the AP via the first subchannel; A method comprising:

[0223]

[0243] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, wherein the management frame is a probe response frame, a beacon frame, a unicast action frame, a broadcast action frame, an operating mode notification frame, a channel switch announcement frame, or a (re)association response frame.

[0224]

[0244] Aspect 16: A method as described in any of aspects 14 and 15, wherein the non-legacy element includes a first signaling field including a plurality of bits, each bit of the plurality of bits configured to identify a corresponding subchannel of the first operating band.

[0225]

[0245] Aspect 17: The method of any of aspects 14 to 16, wherein the non-legacy element includes a second signaling field including an integer value, the integer value configured to indicate a time at which the puncturing event starts.

[0226]

[0246] Aspect 18: The method of any of aspects 14 to 17, further comprising obtaining a repeated transmission of the first signaling field or the second signaling field prior to the puncturing event from the AP via the first subchannel.

[0227]

[0247] Aspect 19: The method of any of aspects 14-18, wherein each of the multiple transmissions is spaced apart in time according to a periodic time interval or a dynamic time interval.

[0228]

[0248] Aspect 20: The method of any of aspects 14-19, wherein the non-legacy element includes an integer value indicating a countdown to the start of a puncturing event.

[0229]

[0249] Aspect 21: The method of any of aspects 14-20, further comprising determining that the integer value satisfies an equality condition, where satisfying the equality condition indicates the start of a puncturing event.

[0230]

[0250] Aspect 22: A method as described in any of aspects 14 to 21, further comprising: obtaining another management frame from the AP that omits the non-legacy elements; and resuming outputting data for transmission to the AP via at least the first subchannel.

[0231]

[0251] Aspect 23: The method of any of aspects 14 to 22, wherein the other management frame is configured to notify the STA that the AP resumes transmitting data via the first subchannel.

[0232]

[0252] Aspect 24: The method of any of aspects 14 to 23, wherein the management frame includes a plurality of elements, and one or more of the plurality of elements is a non-legacy element.

[0233]

[0253] Aspect 25: A method according to any of aspects 14 to 24, further comprising: after initiation of another puncturing event, obtaining signaling from the AP including at least one of a physical (PHY) header or a medium access control (MAC) header, the PHY header and the MAC header being configured to indicate another puncturing event and a second subchannel of the plurality of subchannels; and in response to the signaling including at least one of the PHY header or the MAC header, refraining from outputting data for transmission to the AP.

[0234]

[0254] Aspect 26: The method of any of aspects 14 to 25, wherein the plurality of subchannels includes a second subchannel, the method further including: determining that the second subchannel is punctured based on a determination that a valid signal from the AP cannot be obtained from the second subchannel; and refraining from outputting data for transmission to the AP via the second subchannel in response to a determination that the second subchannel is punctured.

[0235]

[0255] Aspect 27: A method for wireless communication in an access point (AP), comprising: determining to switch from a first operating band to a second operating band, the first operating band being used by the AP to communicate with one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS); outputting a first instruction regarding switching from the first operating band to the second operating band for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first operating band prior to switching; switching to the second operating band; and obtaining information from each of the one or more STAs via the second operating band indicating capabilities of the second operating band for the corresponding one or more STAs.

[0236]

[0256] Aspect 28: The method of aspect 27, wherein the first instruction includes a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW).

[0237]

[0257] Aspect 29: A method as described in any of aspects 27 and 28, further comprising outputting a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW) for transmission to one or more STAs via the second operating band after switching.

[0238]

[0258] Example 30: The method of any of examples 27 to 29, wherein the first instruction includes a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW).

[0239]

[0259] Aspect 31: A method described in any of aspects 27 to 30, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the AP to output a trigger frame indicating uplink resources to the corresponding one or more STAs for transmission to the one or more STAs via the second operating band after switching, and information indicating the capabilities of the second operating band is obtained via one or more probe request frames from the corresponding one or more STAs using the uplink resources.

[0240]

[0260] Example 32: The method of any of examples 27 to 31, wherein the uplink resources include at least one of random access uplink resources or assigned uplink resources.

[0241]

[0261] Aspect 33: A method as described in any of aspects 27 to 32, wherein the first instruction includes communication parameters configured to prevent one or more STAs from transmitting information indicating capabilities of the second operating band prior to transmitting the trigger frame.

[0242]

[0262] Aspect 34: The method of any of aspects 27 to 33, wherein the first indication is output for transmission via a non-legacy element of the management frame.

[0243]

[0263] Aspect 35: A method for wireless communication in a station (STA), comprising: obtaining a first instruction regarding switching from the first operating band to a second operating band from an access point (AP) via a first operating band, the first operating band being used by the STA for communication within a basic service set (BSS); and outputting information indicating capabilities of the second operating band of the STA for transmission to the AP via the second operating band.

[0244]

[0264] Aspect 36: The method of aspect 35, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the STA to determine a backoff period based on one of a pre-set duration or a random generation of a duration, and information indicating the capability of the STA's second operating band is output for transmission after the backoff period.

[0245]

[0265] Aspect 37: A method as described in any of aspects 35 and 36, wherein the first instruction includes a management frame including a preset duration.

[0246]

[0266] Aspect 38: The method of any of aspects 35 to 37, wherein the first instruction includes a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW).

[0247]

[0267] Aspect 39: The method of any of aspects 35 to 38, further comprising obtaining communication parameters, indicative of a duration of a contention window (CW), from the AP via the second operating band after the switching.

[0248]

[0268] Aspect 40: The method of any of aspects 35 to 39, wherein the first instruction includes a communication parameter indicating a duration of a contention window (CW).

[0249]

[0269] Aspect 41: A method described in any of aspects 35 to 40, further comprising obtaining a trigger frame indicating uplink resources to the STA from the AP via the second operating band after the switching, wherein information indicating the capabilities of the second operating band is output for transmission via the probe request frame using the uplink resources.

[0250]

[0270] Example 42: The method of any of examples 35 to 41, wherein the uplink resources include one or more of random access uplink resources or assigned uplink resources.

[0251]

[0271] Aspect 43: A method as described in any of aspects 35 to 42, wherein the first instruction includes communication parameters configured to prevent the STA from outputting information indicating the capabilities of the second operating band for transmission before obtaining the trigger frame.

[0252]

[0272] Aspect 44: A method according to any one of aspects 35 to 43, wherein information indicating the capability of the STA in the second operating band is output for transmission to the AP via the second operating band in response to the trigger frame.

[0253]

[0273] Aspect 45: The method of any of aspects 35 to 44, wherein the first instruction is obtained via a management frame including a non-legacy element configured to indicate a switch from the first operating band to the second operating band.

[0254]

[0274] Aspect 46: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13.

[0255]

[0275] Aspect 47: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 14 to 26.

[0256]

[0276] Aspect 48: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 27 to 34.

[0257]

[0277] Aspect 49: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory including instructions; and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 35 to 45.

[0258]

[0278] Aspect 50: An access point (AP) comprising at least one transceiver, a memory containing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the AP to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to receive a frame or transmit at least a portion of a frame.

[0259]

[0279] Aspect 51: An access point (AP) comprising at least one transceiver, a memory containing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the AP to perform a method according to any one of aspects 27 to 34, wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to receive a frame or transmit at least a portion of a frame.

[0260]

[0280] Aspect 52: A station (STA) comprising at least one transceiver, a memory containing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the STA to perform a method according to any one of aspects 14 to 26, wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to output a frame for transmission.

[0261]

[0281] Aspect 53: A station (STA) comprising at least one transceiver, a memory containing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions and cause the STA to perform a method according to any one of aspects 35 to 45, wherein the at least one transceiver is configured to output a frame for transmission.

[0262]

[0282] Example 54: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising means for performing the method according to any one of examples 1 to 13.

[0263]

[0283] Example 55: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising means for performing the method according to any one of examples 14 to 26.

[0264]

[0284] Example 56: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising means for performing the method according to any one of examples 27 to 34.

[0265]

[0285] Example 57: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising means for performing the method according to any one of examples 35 to 45.

[0266]

[0286] Aspect 58: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13.

[0267]

[0287] Aspect 59: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 14 to 26.

[0268]

[0288] Aspect 60: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 27-34.

[0269]

[0289] Aspect 61: A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform a method according to any one of aspects 35 to 45.

[0270] Additional Considerations

[0290] The above description provides examples of techniques for enhancing local area network (LAN) device privacy in a communication system. The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The embodiments discussed herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or aspects described in the claims. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may also be applied to other aspects. For example, changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements discussed without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For example, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to some embodiments may be combined in some other embodiments. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects described herein. Additionally, the scope of the disclosure is intended to encompass such apparatus or methods practiced using other structures, functions, or structures and functions in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure described herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

[0271]

[0291] The various example logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, a system on a chip (SoC), or any other such configuration.

[0272]

[0292] When implemented in hardware, an exemplary hardware configuration may comprise a processing system in a wireless node. The processing system may be implemented using a bus architecture. The bus may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, depending on the particular application of the processing system and the overall design constraints. The bus may link various circuits together, including the processor, the machine-readable medium, and the bus interface. The bus interface may be used to connect a network adapter to the processing system via the bus, among other things. The network adapter may be used to implement the signal processing functions of the PHY layer. In the case of user equipment (see FIG. 1), the user interface (e.g., keypad, display, mouse, joystick, touch screen, biometric sensor, proximity sensor, light emitting element, etc.) may also connect to the bus. The bus may also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, etc., which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further. The processor may be implemented using one or more general-purpose and / or special-purpose processors. Examples include microprocessors, microcontrollers, DSP processors, and other circuits capable of executing software. Those skilled in the art will recognize how to best implement the described functionality for a processing system depending on the particular application and the overall design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0273]

[0293] If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Software shall be broadly construed to mean instructions, data, or any combination thereof, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A processor may be responsible for general processing, including managing a bus and executing software modules stored on a machine-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may be coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. By way of example, a machine-readable medium may include a transmission line, a carrier wave modulated by data, and / or a computer-readable storage medium having stored instructions separate from a wireless node, all of which may be accessed by a processor through a bus interface. Alternatively or additionally, the machine-readable medium, or any portion thereof, may be integrated into the processor, such as may be the case for a cache and / or general purpose register file. Examples of machine-readable storage media may include, by way of example only, a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a register, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a hard drive, or any other suitable storage medium, or any combination thereof. The machine-readable medium may be embodied in a computer program product.

[0274]

[0294] A software module may comprise a single instruction or many instructions, and may be distributed across several different code segments, among different programs, and across several storage media. A computer-readable medium may comprise several software modules. A software module includes instructions that, when executed by a device such as a processor, cause a processing system to perform various functions. A software module may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. Each software module may reside in a single storage device or may be distributed across several storage devices. As an example, a software module may be loaded into RAM from a hard drive when a trigger event occurs. During execution of a software module, a processor may load some of the instructions into a cache to increase access speed. One or more cache lines may then be loaded into a general-purpose register file for execution by the processor. When referring to a function of a software module below, it will be understood that such function is implemented by a processor upon executing instructions from that software module.

[0275]

[0295] As used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "at least one of a, b, or c" is intended to encompass a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc, as well as any combination having multiples of the same element (e.g., aa, aaa, aab, aac, abb, acc, bb, bbb, bbc, cc, and ccc, or any other permutation of a, b, and c).

[0276]

[0296] As used herein, the term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, database, or another data structure), ascertaining, and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and the like. Also, "determining" can include resolving, selecting, electing, establishing, and the like.

[0277]

[0297] The methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for achieving the method. The steps and / or actions of those methods may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and / or use of specific steps and / or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims. Furthermore, various operations of the methods described above may be performed by any suitable means capable of performing the corresponding functions. Those means may include various hardware component(s) and / or software component(s), including but not limited to circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or processors, and / or various hardware module(s) and / or software module(s). In general, when operations are illustrated in figures, those operations may have corresponding equivalent means-plus-function components that are similarly numbered.

[0278]

[0298] The following claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims. Within the claims, reference to an element by the singular is not intended to mean "the only one," unless specifically recited as such, but rather "one or more." The term "several," unless specifically recited otherwise, refers to one or more. No element of a claim is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means of," or, in the case of a method claim, unless the element is recited using the phrase "step of." All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those of skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made public, regardless of whether such disclosure is expressly recited in the claims.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory containing instructions; Executing the instructions, the device outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) over a first operating band including at least a first subchannel; outputting at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to a start of a puncturing event associated with the first subchannel, the at least one management frame including a first element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel and a second element configured to indicate a time at which the puncturing event starts; refraining from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first subchannel when the puncturing event begins. one or more processors configured to An apparatus comprising:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the management frame is a probe response frame, a beacon frame, a unicast action frame, a broadcast action frame, an operating mode notification frame, a channel switch announcement frame, or a (re)association response frame.

3. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first element comprises a plurality of bits, each bit of the plurality of bits configured to identify a corresponding subchannel of the first operating band.

4. the first operating band includes at least the first sub-channel and a second sub-channel, a first bit of the plurality of bits corresponds to the first sub-channel, and a second bit of the plurality of bits corresponds to the second sub-channel, and the one or more processors cause the apparatus to: setting the first bit to indicate the start of the puncturing event associated with the first subchannel; causing the second bit to be set to indicate an end of another puncturing event associated with the second subchannel; further configured as follows:

4. The apparatus of claim 3.

5. The one or more processors may configure the device: obtaining signaling from a first STA of the one or more STAs via the first subchannel after the initiation of the puncturing event; outputting the plurality of bits via a management frame to the first STA for transmission after the signaling is acquired; further configured as follows:

4. The apparatus of claim 3.

6. The device described in claim 1, wherein the time at which the puncturing event begins is indicated via an integer value of the second element.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the integer value is further configured to indicate a countdown time until the initiation of the puncturing event.

8. The device described in claim 6, wherein the second element is repeated in multiple transmissions before the puncturing event, each of the multiple transmissions being separated in time according to a periodic time interval or a dynamic time interval.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein satisfying an equality condition associated with the integer value indicates the onset of the puncturing event.

10. The one or more processors may configure the device: outputting another management frame for transmission to the one or more STAs after the puncturing event associated with the first subchannel has ended, the management frame omitting the first element to notify the one or more STAs that the device will resume outputting data for transmission over the first subchannel; resuming outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs over at least the first sub-channel. further configured as follows:

10. The apparatus of claim 1.

11. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the data and the at least one management frame, the device being configured as an access point (AP).

12. 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory containing instructions; Executing the instructions, the device outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) over a first operating band including at least a first subchannel; outputting at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to a start of a puncturing event associated with the first subchannel, wherein the at least one management frame includes a first element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel and a second element configured to indicate a time at which the puncturing event starts, the first element including a signaling field including a plurality of bits, each bit of the plurality of bits configured to identify a corresponding subchannel of the first operating band; refraining from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs via the first subchannel when the puncturing event begins. one or more processors configured to An apparatus comprising:

13. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the management frame is a probe response frame, a beacon frame, a unicast action frame, a broadcast action frame, an operating mode notification frame, a channel switch announcement frame, or a (re)association response frame.

14. The first operating band includes at least the first sub-channel and a second sub-channel, a first bit of the signaling field corresponds to the first sub-channel, a second bit of the signaling field corresponds to the second sub-channel, and the one or more processors cause the device to: setting the first bit of the signaling field to indicate the start of the puncturing event associated with the first subchannel; causing the second bit of the signaling field to be set to indicate the end of another puncturing event associated with the second subchannel. further configured as follows:

13. The apparatus of claim 12.

15. The one or more processors in the device: obtaining signaling from a first STA of the one or more STAs via the first subchannel after the initiation of the puncturing event; outputting the signaling field via a management frame to the first STA for transmission after the signaling is acquired; further configured as follows:

13. The apparatus of claim 12.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the time at which the puncturing event begins is indicated via an integer value of the second element.

17. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the integer value is further configured to indicate a countdown to the initiation of the puncturing event.

18. The one or more processors in the device: outputting, in response to an end of the puncturing event associated with the first subchannel, another management frame for transmission to the one or more STAs, the management frame omitting the first element to notify the one or more STAs that the device will resume outputting data for transmission over the first subchannel; resuming outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs over at least the first sub-channel. further configured as follows:

13. The apparatus of claim 12.

19. The device of claim 12, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit the data and the at least one management frame, the device being configured as an access point (AP).

20. A method for wireless communication in an access point (AP), comprising: outputting data for transmission to one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS) over a first operating band including at least a first subchannel; outputting at least one management frame to the one or more STAs for transmission prior to a start of a puncturing event associated with the first subchannel, the at least one management frame including a first element configured to indicate the puncturing event and the first subchannel and a second element configured to indicate a time at which the puncturing event starts; refraining from outputting data for transmission to the one or more STAs over the first subchannel when the puncturing event begins; A method for providing

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