Management of Hopping Target Wake Time for Wireless Networks

Abstract

A method, system, and device for wireless communication are described. A station (STA) may receive a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of target wake time (TWT) sessions that are repeated according to a service interval. In some examples, the first signal may indicate each frequency channel of a set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions. Each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions may have an associated service period during which the STA may be in an awake state. The STA may switch from a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel during a first TWT session. In some examples, based on the switch, the STA may communicate a signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 740,232, filed May 9, 2022, by Kuppa et al., titled "MANAGING HOPPING TARGET WAKE TIMES FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS", which has been assigned to the assignee of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The following relates to wireless communication, including managing the hopping of frequency channels over a Target Wake Time (TWT) session.

Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. These systems may be multi - access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless network, such as a WLAN like Wi - Fi (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11) network, may include an access point (AP) that can communicate with one or more stations (STAs) or mobile devices. The AP may be coupled to a network such as the Internet and may enable a mobile device to communicate over the network (or communicate with other devices coupled to the AP). A wireless device may communicate bi - directionally with a network device. For example, in a WLAN, an STA may communicate with an associated AP via a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL) direction. The DL (or forward link) may refer to a communication link from the AP to the station, and the UL (or reverse link) may refer to a communication link from the station to the AP.

[0004] In some cases, an AP operating in a self - managed network (e.g., a software - enabled AP (SoftAP), an infrastructure AP) may configure multiple STAs using a TWT session in which one or more associated STAs are expected to be in an awake state. A self - managed network can be an example of a wireless network in which multiple communication devices (e.g., multiple STAs, multiple SoftAPs) can form (e.g., self - organize) a PAN (e.g., without a centralized entity). As described herein, a self - managed network may be referred to as an extended personal area network (xPAN). In some cases, by configuring multiple STAs associated with an AP using a TWT session, the AP can manage the activities of the STAs associated with the AP within the self - managed network. In some cases, an increased number of STAs may be collocated (e.g., placed relatively close spatially) and operate within the self - managed network, which can lead to an increase in the congestion of the communication channel. To reduce congestion, some APs may employ channel switch announcements (CSAs) to instruct one or more STAs within the self - managed network to switch the operating frequency, such as switching the frequency channel. In some cases, by sending a CSA to instruct one or more STAs to switch the frequency channel, the current (e.g., active, previously negotiated) TWT session can be cancelled, and the AP can resume (e.g., restart, renegotiate) an additional (e.g., subsequent) TWT session for one or more STAs, which can lead to an increase in latency within the self - managed network, among other problems. In some cases, however, such techniques (e.g., techniques relying on CSAs to switch the operating frequency) may be stringent and inappropriate for STAs with strict latency requirements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure each have several innovative aspects, and no single one of those aspects alone bears the desirable attributes disclosed herein. The innovative aspects of the subject matter described in the present disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication. The method includes receiving a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of target wake time (TWT) sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each respective frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having a related service period during which a station (STA) is expected to be in an awake state; for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session; and communicating a second signal on the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switching.

[0006] Another inventive aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions causing the apparatus to receive a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state, for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session, and communicate a second signal via the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switch.

[0007] Another inventive aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus includes means for receiving a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state, means for switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and means for communicating a second signal on the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switch.

[0008] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores code for wireless communication. The code includes a first signal that contains an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval, where the first signal indicates each frequency channel in the set of frequency channels for each TWT session in the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session in the set of TWT sessions has an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. The code also includes instructions executable by a processor to receive the first signal, for a first TWT session in the set of TWT sessions, switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session, and communicate a second signal via the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switch.

[0009] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating the second signal can include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from an access point (AP), the second signal on the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switch.

[0010] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating the second signal can include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting the second signal to another STA on the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switch.

[0011] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communication. The method includes a first signal that includes an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval, where the first signal indicates each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions has an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state, transmitting the first signal; for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session; and communicating a third signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switching.

[0012] Another inventive aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus can include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions causing the apparatus to transmit a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state, for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, the first signal causing the apparatus to transmit a first signal having a service period according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session, for the first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, the apparatus to transmit a second signal instructing the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session, and based on the switching, communicate a third signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session.

[0013] Another inventive aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus includes means for transmitting a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state; means for transmitting, for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, a second signal instructing the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session; and means for communicating a third signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switching.

[0014] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication. The code includes instructions executable by a processor to transmit a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state; transmit a second signal instructing the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions; and communicate a third signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switching.

[0015] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described in this specification may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining a frequency hopping pattern based on monitoring channel congestion associated with a set of frequency channels, where transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel may be based on determining the frequency hopping pattern.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An access point (AP) operating in a self - managed network (e.g., an extended personal area network, a network without a centralized entity, an extended reality (XR) network) can configure a station (STA) (e.g., a client device) in a TWT session having an associated time interval (e.g., a service period) during which the STA is generally expected to be in an awake state. For example, the AP can configure the STAs served by the AP using one or more TWT sessions, each of which can be associated with respective service periods and frequencies. During the configured TWT sessions, the STA can transmit communications to, receive communications from, or both, (e.g.,) the AP or other STAs that can also be served by the AP. Thus, the AP can manage some activities within the self - managed network and reduce the likelihood of collisions among multiple STAs (e.g., the STAs served by the AP). In some cases, an increased number of STAs can be collocated (e.g., spatially arranged relatively close to each other) and thus operate within the self - managed network, which can lead to, among other problems, an increase in congestion of the frequency channels used for communication. To reduce congestion, the AP can adopt a channel switching announcement (CSA) scheme to instruct one or more STAs to switch the operating frequency. For example, the AP can transmit a CSA to one or more STAs, and the CSA can instruct one or more STAs to switch frequency channels (e.g., corresponding to different frequencies). However, in some cases, transmitting a CSA to instruct one or more STAs to switch frequency channels can cancel the current (e.g., active, previously negotiated) TWT session, and the AP can resume (e.g., restart, renegotiate) an additional (e.g., subsequent) TWT session for one or more STAs, increasing the latency within the network, among other problems.However, such techniques (e.g., techniques that rely on CSA to change the operating frequency within a self - managed network) can be inappropriate for STAs with strict and precise latency requirements.

[0018] Various aspects generally relate to techniques for managing hopping frequency channels over a TWT session, and more particularly to techniques for configuring a STA to switch between frequency channels for a TWT session. For example, an AP may configure a STA using a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions (e.g., TWT sessions negotiated between the AP and the STA) that are repeated according to a service interval. Each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions may be associated with a respective frequency channel of the set of frequency channels. The AP may monitor congestion (e.g., a latency metric, a threshold metric) for each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels. Additionally or alternatively, the STA may monitor congestion (e.g., a congestion metric) at the STA and report (e.g., indicate, convey) information related to the monitored congestion to the AP. In some examples, based on the congestion for each frequency channel (e.g., a channel state such as a channel state monitored at the AP or the STA, or both), the AP may determine a hopping pattern for the set of TWT sessions. In some examples, if the channel state of the frequency channel associated with a given TWT session is degraded (e.g., if the congestion for the frequency channel is relatively high), the AP may instruct the STA to switch the frequency channel associated with the TWT session from the current frequency channel to a second frequency channel according to the hopping pattern (e.g., for a subsequent service period of the TWT session during a subsequent service interval). In some examples, the AP may instruct the STA to switch the frequency channel associated with the TWT session via a beacon signal transmitted prior to the next service period of the TWT session. Additionally or alternatively, the AP may instruct the STA to switch the frequency channel associated with the next service period of the TWT session via a data signal, such as a quality of service (QoS) data signal, that may be transmitted between the AP and the STA during the current or previous service period of the TWT session.In some examples, the AP may instruct the STA to switch the frequency channel associated with the TWT session by transmitting an indication of the hopping pattern (e.g., via a data signal or a beacon signal). The STA may then communicate (e.g., transmit, or receive, or both) signals during the next service period associated with the TWT session on a second frequency channel based on switching the frequency channel according to the hopping pattern.

[0019] Certain aspects of the subject matter described in this specification may be implemented so as to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. The techniques employed by the described AP and STA may enable frequency channel switching for multiple TWT sessions based on the associated channel state within the wireless network. The AP may instruct the STA to switch the frequency channel to reduce the latency and congestion of the frequency channel used for communication during the TWT session. In some examples, by instructing the STA to switch the frequency channel for multiple TWT sessions, the AP may avoid restarting the TWT session for the STA and thus avoid an unnecessary increase in signaling overhead for the STA. In some implementations, the operations performed by the AP and STA can support improvements in power consumption, communication reliability, and throughput of the AP and STA.

[0020] Aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of wireless local area networks (WLANs). Aspects of the present disclosure are also described in the context of channel hopping schemes and process flows. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by, and described with reference to, apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts related to the management of hopping TWTs in wireless networks.

[0021] Figure 1 shows a WLAN 100 (also known as a Wi-Fi network) configured in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The WLAN 100 may include an AP 102 and a plurality of associated STAs 115, which may represent devices such as mobile stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors), or printers. The AP 102 and the associated stations 115 may represent a BSS or an ESS. The various STAs 115 within the network can communicate with each other through the AP 102. The coverage area 110 of the AP 102 is also shown, which may represent the BSA of the WLAN 100. An extended network station (not shown) associated with the WLAN 100 may be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system that enables a plurality of APs 105 to be connected in an ESS.

[0022] In the WLAN 100, a communication device (e.g., the AP 102) may configure other communication devices (e.g., one or more STAs 104) using a TWT session in which each STA 104 may be in an awake state. In some cases, an increased number of STAs 104 may be operating within the WLAN 100, which may lead to increased congestion of the communication channels within the WLAN 100. To reduce congestion, the AP 102 may employ a CSA to indicate that one or more STAs switch frequency channels and switch operating frequencies. However, in some cases, by transmitting a CSA to indicate that one or more STAs 104 switch frequency channels, the AP 102 may resume a TWT session for one or more STAs 104 that may lead to increased latency within the WLAN 100. Some techniques that rely on the CSA to change the operating frequency may be stringent and may not be suitable for STAs 104 with strict latency requirements.

[0023] In some examples, to reduce congestion within WLAN 100, AP 102 may transmit a first signal to STA 104 that includes an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval. In some examples, the first signal may indicate each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of target wake time sessions. Additionally or alternatively, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions may have an associated service period during which STA 104 may be in an awake state. In some examples, for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, AP 102 may transmit another signal to STA 104 instructing STA 104 to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern that may be associated with the first TWT session. In response, STA 104 may switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel for the first TWT session. In some examples, based on the switching, STA 104 may communicate signals during a service period associated with the first TWT session via the second frequency channel. In some examples, by switching the frequency channel for the first TWT session, STA 104 may reduce the likelihood of collisions occurring within WLAN 100.

[0024] Although not shown in FIG. 1, STA104 may be located at the intersection of two or more coverage areas 110 and may be associated with two or more APs 102. A set of a single AP 102 and an associated STA115 may be referred to as a BSS. An ESS is a set of connected BSSs. A distribution system (not shown) may be used to connect the APs 105 within an ESS. In some cases, the coverage area 110 of an AP 102 may be divided into sectors (also not shown). The WLAN 100 may include APs 105 of different types (e.g., metropolitan area, home network) along with various overlapping coverage areas 110. Two STAs 115 may also communicate directly via a direct wireless link 125 regardless of whether both STAs 115 are within the same coverage area 110. Examples of direct wireless links 120 may include Wi-Fi Direct connections, Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) links, and other group connections. The STAs 115 and APs 105 may communicate according to the WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the physical and MAC layers from IEEE 802.11 and versions including, but not limited to, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, 802.11ax. In other implementations, peer-to-peer connections or ad hoc networks may be implemented within the WLAN 100.

[0025] In some cases, STA104 (or AP102) may be detectable by the central AP102, but may not be detectable by other STA115 within the coverage area 110 of the central AP102. For example, one STA104 may be at one end of the coverage area 110 of the central AP102, while another STA104 may be at the other end. Thus, while both STA115 can communicate with AP102, they cannot receive transmissions from the other. As a result, the two STA115 cannot refrain from transmitting preferentially with respect to each other, so that transmissions for the two STA115 may collide in a contention-based environment (e.g., CSMA / CA). A STA104 whose transmission is not identifiable but is within the same coverage area 110 may be known as a hidden node. CSMA / CA can be supplemented by the exchange of an RTS packet transmitted by the transmitting STA104 (or AP102) and a CTS packet transmitted by the receiving STA104 (or AP102). This can warn other devices within the range of the transmitter and receiver not to transmit for the duration of the most important transmission. Thus, RTS / CTS can help mitigate the hidden node problem.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows an example of a WLAN 200 that supports the management of hopping TWTs of a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. According to some aspects, the WLAN 200 can be an example of a WLAN. For example, the WLAN 200 can be a network that implements at least one of the IEEE 802.11 standard family. The WLAN 200 can include a plurality of STAs 204. As described above, each of the STAs 204 can be, among other things, a mobile station (MS), a mobile device, a mobile handset, a wireless handset, an access terminal (AT), a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), or a subscriber unit. The STA 204 can be, among other things, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), other handheld devices, a netbook, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a laptop, a display device (e.g., in particular, a TV, a computer monitor, a navigation system), a music device or other audio device or stereo device, a remote control device (“remote”), a printer, a kitchen appliance or other household appliance, a key fob (e.g., for a passive keyless entry and start (PKES) system), and can represent various devices.

[0027] WLAN 200 is an example of a peer-to-peer (P2P), ad-hoc, or mesh network. STAs 204 can communicate directly with each other via P2P wireless link 210 (without using an intermediate AP). In some implementations, WLAN 200 is an example of a Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN). A NAN operates according to the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) Neighbor Awareness Network (also referred to as NAN) standard specification. NAN-compliant STAs 204 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "NAN devices 204") use a data packet routing protocol such as the Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (HWMP) for routing, and via the wireless P2P link 210 (hereinafter also referred to as the "NAN link"), (for example, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be, in the form of Wi-Fi packets including frames compliant with the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard as defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments) send and receive NAN communications with each other.

[0028] A NAN network generally refers to a set of NAN devices that share a common set of NAN parameters including the time period between consecutive discovery windows, the duration of the discovery window, the NAN beacon interval, and the NAN discovery channel(s). A NAN ID is an identifier that indicates a specific set of NAN parameters for use within a NAN network. The NAN network is dynamically self-organizing and self-configuring. NAN devices 204 within the network automatically establish an ad-hoc network with other NAN devices 204 so that network connectivity can be maintained. Each NAN device 204 is configured to relay data for the NAN network so that various NAN devices 204 can cooperate in the delivery of data within the network. As a result, messages can be sent from a source NAN device to a destination NAN device by propagating along a path while hopping from one NAN device to the next until the destination is reached.

[0029] Each NAN device 204 is configured to transmit two types of beacons, namely, a NAN discovery beacon and a NAN synchronization beacon. When the NAN device 204 is turned on, or otherwise when the NAN function is enabled, the NAN device periodically transmits a NAN discovery beacon (e.g., every 100 TU, every 128 TU, or another suitable period) and a NAN synchronization beacon (e.g., every 512 TU, or another suitable period). The discovery beacon is a management frame transmitted between discovery windows that is used to facilitate the discovery of NAN clusters. A NAN cluster is a set of NAN devices within a NAN network that are synchronized to the same clock and discovery window schedule using a time synchronization function (TSF). To participate in a NAN cluster, the NAN device 204 passively scans for discovery beacons from other NAN devices. When two NAN devices 204 come within each other's transmission range, they discover each other based on such discovery beacons. Each master preference value determines which of the NAN devices 204 will become the master device. If a NAN cluster is not discovered, the NAN device 204 may start a new NAN cluster. When the NAN device 204 starts a NAN cluster, it assumes the role of the master and broadcasts discovery beacons. Additionally, the NAN device may choose to participate in more than one NAN cluster within the NAN network.

[0030] The links between NAN devices 204 within a NAN cluster are associated with a discovery window, i.e., the time during which the NAN devices converge and the channel. At the start of each discovery window, one or more NAN devices 204 may transmit a NAN synchronization beacon, which is a management frame used to synchronize the timing of the NAN devices within the NAN cluster to the timing of the master device. The NAN devices 204 may then directly transmit multicast or unicast NAN service discovery frames to other NAN devices within the same NAN cluster within the service discovery threshold and during the discovery window. The service discovery frames indicate the services supported by each NAN device 204.

[0031] In some cases, NAN devices 204 may exchange service discovery frames to confirm whether both devices support a ranging operation. The NAN devices 204 may perform such a ranging operation ( "ranging") during the discovery window. Ranging may involve the exchange of fine timing measurement (FTM) frames (such as those defined in IEEE 802.11-REVmc). For example, a first NAN device 204 may transmit unicast FTM requests to multiple peer NAN devices 204. The peer NAN devices 204 may then transmit responses to the first NAN device 204. The first NAN device 204 may then exchange several FTM frames with each of the peer NAN devices 204. The first NAN device 204 may then determine the range between itself and each of the peer devices 204 based on the FTM frames and transmit a range indication to each of the peer NAN devices 204. For example, the range indication may include a distance value or an indication as to whether the peer NAN device 204 is within the service discovery threshold (e.g., 3 meters (m)) of the first NAN device 204. The NAN links between NAN devices within the same NAN cluster may persist over multiple discovery windows as long as the NAN devices remain within each other's service discovery thresholds and are synchronized to the anchor master of the NAN cluster.

[0032] Some NAN devices 204 may also be configured for wireless communication with other networks, such as a Wi-Fi WLAN or a wireless (e.g., cellular) wide area network (WWAN), which can then provide access to an external network, including the Internet. For example, NAN device 204 may be configured to associate with and communicate with an AP or base station 202 of a WLAN or WWAN network, respectively, via a Wi-Fi or cellular link 212. In such cases, NAN device 204 may include a SoftAP function that enables the STA to operate as a Wi-Fi hotspot to provide other NAN devices 204 with access to an external network via the associated WLAN or WWAN backhaul. Such NAN devices 204 (referred to as NAN concurrent devices) can operate in both a NAN network and another type of wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi BSS. In some such implementations, NAN device 204 may advertise its ability to provide such AP services to other NAN devices 204 in a service discovery frame.

[0033] There are two common NAN service discovery messages, namely, the publish message and the subscribe message. Generally, publish is a mechanism for an application on a NAN device to make selected information about the capabilities and services of the NAN device available to other NAN devices, and subscribe is a mechanism for an application on a NAN device to collect selected types of information about the capabilities and services of other NAN devices. When a NAN device requests to provide a specific service to other NAN devices operating within the same NAN cluster, it can generate and send a subscribe message. For example, in the active subscriber mode, the subscribe function running within a NAN device can send a NAN service discovery frame to actively search for the availability of a specific service. The publish function running within a publish-side NAN device capable of providing the requested service can, for example, send a publish message in response to meeting the criteria specified in the subscribe message and reply to the subscribe-side NAN device. The publish message can include a range parameter indicating a service discovery threshold representing the maximum distance within which the subscribe-side NAN device can utilize the service of the publish-side NAN device. NAN can also use the publish message in a non-requested manner. For example, a publish-side NAN device can generate and send a publish message to make its service discoverable to other NAN devices operating within the same NAN cluster. In the passive subscriber mode, the subscribe function does not initiate the transfer of any subscribe messages. Instead, the subscribe function searches for matches within the received publish message to determine the availability of the desired service.

[0034] Following the discovery window, there is a transmission opportunity period. This period includes a number of resource blocks. A NAN Device Link (NDL) refers to the resource blocks negotiated between NAN devices for NAN operation. The NDL may include two or more "hops". The number of hops depends on the number of devices between the device providing the service and the device consuming the service or subscribing to the service. An example of an NDL with two hops includes three NAN devices, namely, a provider, a subscriber, and a proxy for relaying information between the provider and the subscriber. In such a configuration, the first hop refers to the communication of information between the provider and the proxy, and the second hop refers to the communication of information between the proxy and the subscriber. The NDL may refer to a subset of NAN devices capable of one-hop service discovery, but the NDL may also be capable of service discovery and subscription across multiple hops (multi-hop NDL).

[0035] There are two common NDL types, namely, paged NDL (P-NDL) and synchronized NDL (S-NDL). Each common resource block (CRB) of P-NDL includes a paging window (PW) followed by a transmission window (TxW). All NAN devices participating in P-NDL operate in a state of receiving frames during the paging window. Generally, participating NAN devices wake up during the paging window to listen on the paging channel to determine whether there is buffered traffic for each device. For example, a NAN device having data pending for transmission to another NAN device may send a traffic indication message to other NAN devices during the paging window to notify the buffered data to another NAN device. If there is available data, the NAN device remains awake during the transmission window for data exchange. If there is no data to be transmitted, the NAN device may transition back to the sleep state during the transmission window to save power. A NAN device sends a paging message to its NDL peer during the paging window if it has buffered data available for the peer. The paging message includes, for example, the MAC address or identifier of the destination device for which data is available. A NAN device listed as the receiving side in the received paging message sends a trigger frame to the transmitting device and remains awake during the subsequent transmission window to receive data. The NDL transmitter device transmits the data buffered during the transmission window to the receiving-side device that received the trigger frame. A NAN device establishing S-NDL with a peer NAN device may send a data frame to the peer from the beginning of each S-NDL CRB without previously sending a paging message.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of a WLAN 300 that supports the management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. According to some aspects, the WLAN 300 can be an example of a mesh network, an IoT network, or a sensor network. The WLAN 300 can include a plurality of wireless communication devices 314. The wireless communication devices 314 can represent various devices, among other possibilities, such as display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, navigation systems), music or other audio or stereo devices, remote control devices (“remotes”), printers, kitchen or other household appliances.

[0037] In some implementations, the wireless communication devices 314 sense, measure, collect, or otherwise acquire and process data and then transmit such raw or processed data to an intermediate device 312 for subsequent processing or distribution. Additionally or alternatively, the intermediate device 312 can transmit control information, digital content (e.g., audio data or video data), configuration information, or other instructions to the wireless communication devices 314. The intermediate device 312 and the wireless communication devices 314 can communicate with each other via a wireless link 316. In some implementations, the wireless link 316 includes a Bluetooth link or other PAN or short-range communication link.

[0038] In some examples, the intermediate device 312 may also be configured for wireless communication with other networks, such as a Wi-Fi WLAN or a wireless (e.g., cellular) wide area network (WWAN), which may then provide access to an external network including the Internet. For example, the intermediate device 312 may be configured to associate with and communicate with an AP 302 of a WLAN network that can also serve various STAs 304 via a Wi-Fi link 318. In some implementations, the intermediate device 312 is an example of a network gateway, such as an IoT gateway. In this way, the intermediate device 312 can act as an edge network bridge that provides a Wi-Fi core backhaul for an IoT network including a wireless communication device 314. In some implementations, the intermediate device 312 may be configured to locally analyze, preprocess, and aggregate at the edge the data received from the wireless communication device 314 before transmitting it to other devices or an external network via the Wi-Fi link 318. The intermediate device 312 may also be configured to provide additional security for the IoT network and the data it transports.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows an example of a WLAN 400 that supports management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The WLAN 400 may implement or may be implemented by one or more aspects of the WLAN 100, WLAN 200, and WLAN 300. For example, the WLAN 400 may include an AP 402 and one or more STAs 404 (e.g., STA 404-a and STA 404-b) that may be examples of corresponding devices as described with reference to FIGS. 1-3. In the example of FIG. 4, STA 404-a and STA 404-b may each be an example of a wearable device (e.g., a pair of earphones 406 or smart glasses 408) or a mobile device (e.g., a user equipment (UE) 407). Additionally or alternatively, in the example of FIG. 4, the AP 402 may be an example of a soft AP (e.g., a UE operating in mobile hot spot mode) or an infrastructure AP. In some examples, the communication between the AP 402 and the STA 404 may be an example of communication between peer communication devices that communicate via a TWT session. In some examples, the communication between the AP 402 and the STA 404 may be an example of communication between an infrastructure AP (e.g., the AP 402, a device capable of forming a wireless local area network (WLAN), a router) and a client (e.g., the STA 404, a UE) associated with the infrastructure AP and configured to communicate via a TWT session. Additionally or alternatively, the communication between the AP 402 and the STA 404 may be an example of communication between a soft AP (e.g., the AP 402, a device capable of operating in mobile hot spot mode, a UE) and a client (e.g., the STA 404, a wearable device) associated with the soft AP and a negotiated TWT session.

[0040] In some examples, the WLAN 400 can be an example of a self - managed network (e.g., xPAN). In such examples, the AP 402 can configure a plurality of STAs (e.g., STA 404 - a and STA 404 - b) using TWT sessions, and each of the STAs 404 can communicate with the AP 402 (or with other STAs not shown). For example, the AP 402 can configure the STA 404 - a and STA 404 - b using TWT sessions that include a plurality of (e.g., non - overlapping) time intervals (e.g., TWT sessions) or frequencies (or both) in which the STA 404 - a and STA 404 - b can transmit and receive communications. For example, each TWT session can have an associated service period in which the STA 404 - a or STA 404 - b (or both) can be in an awake state. Thus, the AP 402 can manage the activities within the WLAN 400 and reduce the likelihood of collisions between devices operating within the WLAN 400 (e.g., between the STA 404 - a or STA 404 - b and other STAs not shown).

[0041] In some examples, WLAN 400 can be an exemplary xPAN or extended reality (XR) network in which devices operating within WLAN 400 (e.g., AP 402 and STA 404) can communicate via Wi-Fi. For example, in an xPAN, multiple devices (e.g., AP 402, STA 404, or other devices not shown) can act as sources of xPAN links that can be generated (e.g., generated, created) by a device operating within WLAN 400 (e.g., a single user, AP 402, STA 404-a, STA 404-b). In some examples, multiple devices operating with an xPAN (e.g., collocated devices) can lead to an increase in interference (e.g., collisions). Additionally or alternatively, multiple devices operating within WLAN 400 (e.g., AP 402 and STA 404) can have strict latency constraints (e.g., key performance indicator (KPI) latency constraints), performance constraints, and power constraints in a private area network. Thus, multiple devices may not be able to adapt to a collocated network (e.g., a collocated xPAN network) where Wi-Fi (e.g., one or more Wi-Fi communication links) may be congested. That is, devices with strict latency constraints may not be able to adapt to congested Wi-Fi environments such as, among other examples, airports, student lounges, game centers, and sports arenas.

[0042] For example, in a WLAN 400 (e.g., an xPAN or XR network), a mobile device (e.g., a phone, AP 402) can configure wearable devices (e.g., one or both of STAs 404, a pair of earphones 406, a pair of smart glasses 408) using individual TWT (iTWTs) sessions. In such an example, the iTWT session can be used for communication between the AP 402 and one or both of the STAs 404. That is, the iTWT session can be used for transmission between a phone and a wearable device within the xPAN (or between a phone and a wearable device within the XR network). In some examples, the iTWT session can assist in reducing the iTWT session (e.g., to a minimum value or otherwise a suitable value). Wi-Fi collisions within a basic service set (BSS), such as a single xPAN that includes a phone (e.g., AP 402) and an associated wearable device (e.g., STA 404), provide a flexible service period or interval configuration (e.g., for balancing transmit power and latency). In some examples, the iTWT session can reduce collisions (e.g., Wi-Fi collisions) by regulating collisions from devices operating within the BSS. However, in some examples, channel congestion from overlapping BSSs and non-Wi-Fi transmissions within the same band (e.g., the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band) can affect link quality. For example, an increased number of devices (e.g., STAs 404, APs 402, or both) may be operating within the WLAN 400, resulting in relatively high channel congestion and potentially reduced communication quality between the AP 402 and the STA 404 (or between STAs 404). In such examples, congestion avoidance techniques or detection and recovery techniques may be desirable.

[0043] In some examples, to reduce the likelihood of collisions within WLAN 400, AP 402 may send an indication to STA 404-a or STA 404-b (or both) to switch operating frequencies (e.g., switch to different channels associated with different operating frequencies). For example, a static frequency configuration for a network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network in which AP 402 and STA 404 may operate) can lead to the network becoming more sensitive (e.g., prone) to interference (e.g., collisions). Thus, some devices operating with the network, such as AP 402, may detect (e.g., determine) a frequency with increased congestion (e.g., a hot spot) so that the network can recover and network operation (e.g., the quality of communications within the network) can be maintained, and instruct other devices (e.g., STA 404) to switch frequencies. In some examples, AP 402 may instruct STA 404 to switch frequencies via CSA. For example, AP 402 may send a CSA to one or both of STA 404 indicating to change the frequency or bandwidth used for communications within WLAN 400. However, in some cases, CSA can result in AP 402 restarting a TWT session (e.g., an iTWT session) to STA 404, which can lead to an increase in latency. Techniques that rely on CSA to change operating frequencies may not be suitable and may not be suitable for STA 404 with strict latency constraints.

[0044] In some examples, techniques for managing TWT sessions may provide one or more extensions to the xPAN and XR networks. For example, some techniques for managing TWT sessions may provide frequency hopping for one or both of the STAs 404 across different channels based on channel congestion, thereby enabling the network to recover from (e.g., self-recover from) congestion and adapt to congestion (e.g., without relatively high control overhead). Some techniques for managing TWT sessions for a wireless network may be used with Wi-Fi, for example, among other examples, at airports, lecture halls, sports arenas, student lounges, or game rooms, to assist in congestion of the xPAN (e.g., one or more ad-hoc self-managing networks without a centralized entity). For example, such techniques may employ frequency hopping (e.g., in Wi-Fi), thereby providing one or more extensions to a congested or collocated network. Additionally or alternatively, techniques for managing TWT sessions for a wireless network may include flexible scheduling of TWT sessions, increased bandwidth for Wi-Fi (e.g., about 20 MHz, about 10 MHz, or about 5 MHz). Such techniques may provide for managing (e.g., handling) congestion in a collocated network.

[0045] In some examples of techniques for managing TWT sessions for a wireless network, the AP 402 may associate a channel (or frequency and bandwidth) tuple for one or more negotiated TWT sessions. Additionally or alternatively, some techniques for managing TWT sessions for a wireless network may provide a mechanism for the STA 404 or AP 402 (or both) to derive a hopping pattern with reduced overhead (e.g., due to reduced message exchange). For example, techniques for managing TWT sessions may provide a framework for identifying channels, bandwidths, and hopping patterns based on congestion metrics, thereby improving communication within the WLAN 400. In some examples, such techniques for managing TWT sessions may provide one or more extensions for low latency gaming and high resolution lossless audio in xPAN.

[0046] As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the AP 402 may configure one or both of the STAs 404 to switch between frequency channels according to a frequency hopping pattern. In some examples, the STAs 404-a and 404-b may each receive a first signal (e.g., a beacon) including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval. For example, the STA 404-a may receive a frequency channel indication 410-a, and the STA 404-b may receive a frequency channel indication 410-b. In some examples, the frequency channel indication 410-a and the frequency channel indication 410-b may indicate respective frequency channels of a set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions. Additionally or alternatively, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions may be associated with a service period during which the STA 404 may be in an awake state.

[0047] In some examples, STA404-a and STA404-b can each receive a first signal via a first frequency channel. For example, STA404-a can receive the first signal on the first frequency channel 420-a (e.g., including the frequency channel indication 410-a), and STA404-b can receive the first signal on the first frequency channel 420-b (e.g., including the frequency channel indication 410-b). In some examples, for the first TWT session, according to the hopping pattern, STA404-a can switch from the first frequency channel 420-a to the second frequency channel 421-a, and STA404-b can switch from the first frequency channel 420-b to the second frequency channel 421-b. In some examples, each of STA404 can communicate signals during a service period associated with the first TWT session via a second frequency channel. For example, STA404-a can communicate signal 415-a with AP402 on the second frequency channel 421-a (e.g., can transmit a signal to it or receive a signal from it), and STA404-b can communicate signal 415-b with AP402 on the second frequency channel 421-b (e.g., can transmit a signal to it or receive a signal from it). Additionally or alternatively, STA404-a and STA404-b can communicate signal 415-c with each other via the second frequency channel 421-c. In some examples, by switching the frequency channel, STA404 can reduce latency and the likelihood of collisions (e.g., and glitching in audio) occurring at multiple (e.g., different) congestion levels within WLAN400 (e.g., a Wi-Fi system).

[0048] FIG. 5 shows an example of a frequency channel hopping scheme 500 that supports management of a hopping TWT for a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The frequency channel hopping scheme 500 may implement or be implemented by one or more aspects of WLANs 100, 200, 300, and 400. For example, the frequency channel hopping scheme 500 may be implemented by an AP and one or more STAs, which may be examples of corresponding devices as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. Each of the one or more STAs may be an example of a wearable device (e.g., a pair of earphones or smart glasses) or a mobile device (e.g., a UE). Additionally or alternatively, the AP may be an example of a soft AP (e.g., a UE operating in mobile hotspot mode) or an infrastructure AP. Communication between the AP and the one or more STAs may be an example of communication between peer communication devices communicating via a TWT session. In some examples, communication between the AP and the one or more STAs may be an example of communication between an infrastructure AP (e.g., an AP, a device capable of forming a WLAN, a router) and a client (e.g., an STA, a UE) associated with the infrastructure AP and configured to communicate via a TWT session. Additionally or alternatively, communication between the AP and the one or more STAs may be an example of communication between a soft AP (e.g., an AP, a device capable of operating in mobile hotspot mode, a UE) and a client (e.g., an STA, a wearable device) associated with the soft AP and part of a negotiated TWT session.

[0049] In some examples, the AP may manage communications within a wireless network (e.g., an xPAN or XR network) via a TWT session. For example, the AP may configure the STA (or STAs) served by the AP using a plurality of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval 520 (e.g., indexed from 1 to 4). Each TWT session may have an associated (e.g., non-overlapping) time interval (e.g., service period 525) during which the STA (e.g., the STA may be in an awake state) may communicate with the AP. In some examples, an offset 530 may occur during the service period 525. Some TWT sessions may be negotiated between the AP and the STA to provide service periods for uplink and downlink communications with, for example, expected traffic. That is, the AP and the STA may negotiate a plurality of TWT sessions such that the AP may communicate with the STA (or other communication device) over a plurality of (e.g., different) time intervals and under a plurality of (e.g., different) traffic conditions. In some examples, the STA (e.g., the TWT request and response STA) may operate on the same (e.g., static) frequency channel and bandwidth for all negotiated sessions. In such examples, the STA may have an increased likelihood (e.g., may tend to experience) of experiencing channel interference.

[0050] In some examples, to reduce the likelihood that a STA experiences channel interference (e.g., to reduce the likelihood of collisions), the AP may configure the STA to switch operating frequencies (e.g., switch channels associated with different operating frequencies). For example, the AP can instruct the STA to switch frequencies via the CSA. That is, the CSA can be used (e.g., by the AP) to change the operating frequency or bandwidth. However, in some examples, the CSA can result in one or more TWT sessions being resumed, and thus can provide a coarse level of recovery for the network. For example, transmission of the CSA can lead to a breakdown (e.g., teardown) of a TWT session (e.g., negotiated between the AP and the STA), and other (e.g., subsequent) TWT sessions can be resumed on other (e.g., different) frequency channels. Additionally or alternatively, to reduce the likelihood that a STA experiences channel interference (e.g., to reduce the likelihood of collisions occurring within the network), the AP may employ one or more congestion avoidance schemes such as overlapping BSS (OBSS) coloring, spatial reuse protocols, energy (or packet) detection thresholds, or relatively aggressive backoff parameters (e.g., per packet). However, in some examples, the impact of such techniques on the network can be unclear (e.g., unknown).

[0051] In other examples, the AP may employ one or more techniques for managing TWT sessions. For example, the AP may associate a frequency (e.g., a frequency and bandwidth tuple) with each TWT session negotiated with the STA (e.g., for each TWT session indexed from 1 to 4). In some cases, the AP may define a frequency hopping pattern (e.g., at a time instance synchronized with the TWT session boundary). The AP can determine to apply the frequency hopping pattern based on a congestion metric. For example, the AP may use a congestion metric-based hopping algorithm to determine hopping for the STA (e.g., to instruct the STA to change the frequency (e.g., change the channel associated with a different frequency, change the frequency channel) according to the frequency hopping pattern) when the congestion condition is met. For example, the AP may determine a frequency hopping pattern based on monitoring channel congestion over a duration for a set of frequency channels that can range from a relatively low congestion (e.g., corresponding to color 515-b of the channel state trend 510) to a relatively high congestion (e.g., corresponding to color 515-a of the channel state trend 510). In some examples, in addition to the frequency channels included in the frequency hopping pattern, etc., the AP may maintain, among other things, a frequency channel for transmitting beacons and for other network operations.

[0052] As shown in the example of FIG. 5, the STA can support frequency hopping, and in frequency hopping, the STA can switch (e.g., hop, transition) between a plurality of frequency channels (e.g., a plurality of channels each of which can be associated with a respective frequency) according to a frequency hopping pattern (e.g., determined by the AP). For example, during a second session of service interval 520 (e.g., corresponding to an index of 2), the STA can be configured to operate on a second frequency channel 506. The AP can determine to send an indication for the STA to switch from the second frequency channel 506 to the first frequency channel 505 for the second session (e.g., based on the frequency hopping pattern). In response to the indication, the STA can switch from the second frequency channel 506 to the first frequency channel 505 during a subsequent (e.g., next) service interval for the second session. In some examples, the channel congestion associated with the first frequency channel 505 can be reduced compared to the channel congestion associated with the second frequency channel 506 for the second session of a subsequent (e.g., next) service interval. Thus, by switching to the first frequency channel 505 for the second session of a subsequent service interval, the STA can reduce the likelihood of collisions occurring within the WLAN.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows an example of a frequency channel hopping scheme 600 that supports the management of hopping TWTs for a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The frequency channel hopping scheme 600 may implement or be implemented by one or more aspects of WLANs 100, 200, 300, and 400. For example, the frequency channel hopping scheme 600 may be implemented by an AP and one or more STAs, which may be examples of corresponding devices as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. In the example of FIG. 6, each of the one or more STAs may be an example of a wearable device (e.g., a pair of earphones or smart glasses) or a mobile device (e.g., a UE). Additionally or alternatively, in the example of FIG. 6, the AP may be an example of a soft AP (e.g., a UE operating in mobile hotspot mode) or an infrastructure AP. For example, the communication between the AP and the one or more STAs may be an example of the communication between peer communication devices communicating via a TWT session. In some examples, the communication between the AP and the STA may be an example of the communication between an infrastructure AP (e.g., an AP, a device capable of forming a WLAN, a router) and a client (e.g., an STA, a UE) associated with the infrastructure AP and configured to communicate via a TWT session. Additionally or alternatively, the communication between the AP and the STA may be an example of the communication between a soft AP (e.g., an AP, a device capable of operating in mobile hotspot mode, a UE) and a client (e.g., an STA, a wearable device) associated with the soft AP and a negotiated TWT session.

[0054] In some examples, techniques for managing TWT sessions for a wireless network can enable an STA to hop (e.g., switch, transition) across different frequency channels for a TWT session negotiated with an AP. For example, such techniques can enable the STA to avoid congestion and converge (e.g., operate) on a frequency channel with relatively low congestion, thereby reducing the likelihood that the STA can incur unnecessary hopping overhead. For example, the frequency hopping behavior of the STA can be aligned with the service period 625 of the TWT session based on channel congestion. As shown in the example of FIG. 6, the AP can determine a hopping pattern 645 based on the channel congestion (e.g., channel congestion conditions) for a plurality of TWT sessions (e.g., the first session (S 1 and the second session (S 2 )) negotiated with the STA. In some examples, each TWT session can be repeated according to a service interval 620 (e.g., service interval 620-a, service interval 620-b, service interval 620-c, service interval 620-d, service interval 620-e, service interval 620-f) and can be associated with (e.g., occur over) each respective service period 625.

[0055] In some examples, the AP may monitor one or more channel congestion metrics (e.g., latency metric, throughput metric) of one or more frequency channels used for communication with the STA. Additionally or alternatively, the STA may monitor one or more channel congestion metrics (e.g., of one or more frequency channels), and report (e.g., send its indication) to the AP one or more channel metrics or information associated with the one or more channel metrics. That is, the STA can monitor one or more congestion metrics (e.g., determine its local view) to assist the AP in determining frequency channel congestion (e.g., a global view of frequency channel congestion) and such an appropriate frequency hopping pattern. In some examples, when determining degradation of a frequency channel (e.g., determining that channel congestion conditions are met for a frequency channel, receiving an indication from the SA that the channel state is met), a hopping sequence for the STA can be initiated (e.g., based on the determined hopping pattern). That is, when determining that channel congestion conditions associated with the frequency channel of a TWT session are met, the AP may instruct the STA to switch (e.g., hop, transition) from the frequency channel to another (e.g., different) frequency channel. In some examples, candidate frequency channels for hopping (e.g., included in a hopping sequence, included in a frequency hopping pattern) can be determined by the AP based on past results (e.g., past measurement results, past results of a hopping algorithm at the AP), scans (e.g., frequency scans), spectrum data, or any combination thereof. For example, hopping pattern 645 may be based on channel congestion diagram 640, and the hopping pattern may avoid (e.g., refrain from including) frequency channels with relatively high congestion (e.g., corresponding to color 615-f), and may include frequency channels with relatively low congestion (e.g., corresponding to color 615-e).In some examples, frequency hopping (e.g., to the next frequency channel) can be random (e.g., based on a pseudo-random seed) and can be triggered based on channel congestion conditions. That is, frequency hopping (e.g., of a frequency hopping sequence) can be opportunistic and can be conditioned on channel congestion.

[0056] In some examples, frequency hopping can be initiated for a STA via a beacon (e.g., can be coordinated with the beacon interval). For example, an AP can send an indication (e.g., an out-of-band trigger) for the STA to switch from one frequency channel (e.g., one of the first frequency channel 605, the second frequency channel 606, or the third frequency channel 607) to another frequency channel (e.g., another one of the first frequency channel 605, the second frequency channel 606, or the third frequency channel 607) via a beacon 635 (e.g., beacon 635-a, beacon 635-b, beacon 635-c, beacon 635-d, beacon 635-e, beacon 635-f, beacon 635-g). In some examples, the beacon can be sent on a Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) such as TBTT 630-a, TBTT 630-b, TBTT 630-c, TBTT 630-d, TBTT 630-e, TBTT 630-f, or TBTT 630-g during each service interval 620. As an example for illustration, the AP can send beacon 635-b on TBTT 630-b. Beacon 635-b can indicate that the STA switches (e.g., hops) from the first frequency channel 605 to the second frequency channel 606 for a second session (S 2 ) and the Channel Switch Announcement (CSA) (not shown) for service interval 620-b (e.g., a subsequent service interval, the next service interval). That is, the second frequency channel 606 can be selected for both the CSA (e.g., included in beacon 635-c sent on TBTT 630-c) and the second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-b.

[0057] In some examples, the second frequency channel 606 may be selected for a second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-b based on channel congestion conditions. For example, as shown according to the channel state trend 610, during service interval 620-a, the channel congestion associated with the first frequency channel 605 of the second session (S 2 ) (e.g., indicated by color 615-a) may be relatively low. However, the AP may determine that the channel congestion associated with the first frequency channel 605 of the second session (S 2 ) during service interval 620-b may become relatively high (or may increase compared to the first frequency channel 605 of the second session (S 2 ) during service interval 620-a) (e.g., based on monitoring the channel congestion over a certain duration). Thus, the AP may instruct the STA to switch from the first frequency channel 605 to the second frequency channel 606 for the second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-b.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, the AP may transmit a beacon 635-c via TBTT 630-c. The beacon 635-c may indicate that the STA should switch (e.g., hop) from the second frequency channel 606 to the third frequency channel 607 for the second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-c (e.g., a subsequent service interval, the next service interval) and for the CSA. That is, the third frequency channel 607 may be selected for both the CSA (e.g., included in the beacon 635-d transmitted on TBTT 630-d) and the second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-c. The third frequency channel 607 may be selected for the second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-c based on channel congestion conditions. For example, during service interval 620-b, for the second session (S 2) The channel congestion associated with the second frequency channel 606 (e.g., indicated by color 615-b) can be relatively low, but the AP can determine (e.g., based on monitoring the channel congestion over a certain duration) that the channel congestion associated with the second frequency channel 606 of the second session (S 2 ) can be relatively high (or can increase compared to the second frequency channel 606 of the second session (S 2 ). Accordingly, the AP can instruct the STA to switch from the second frequency channel 606 to the third frequency channel 607 for the second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-c.

[0059] In some examples, the AP can instruct the STA to refrain from switching (e.g., hopping) based on the channel congestion condition. For example, the AP can transmit beacon 635-d on TBTT 630-d to instruct the STA to refrain from switching (e.g., hopping). That is, the third frequency channel 607 can be selected for both the CSA (e.g., included in beacon 635-e transmitted on TBTT 630-e) and the first session (S 1 ) and the second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-d. The third frequency channel 607 can be selected for the second session (S 2 ) (e.g., CSA and the first session (S 1 )) of service interval 620-d based on the channel congestion condition. For example, during service interval 620-c and service interval 620-d, the channel congestion associated with the third frequency channel 607 of the second session (S 2 ) (e.g., indicated by colors 615-c and 615-d respectively) can be relatively low, and thus, the AP can instruct the STA to refrain from switching (e.g., hopping, transitioning) between frequency channels.

[0060] In some other examples, the AP may instruct the STA to switch (e.g., hop, transition) between frequency channels via a data signal such as a quality of service data signal. For example, the AP may indicate that the STA should switch (or refrain from switching) between frequency channels for another service interval (e.g., for the next TWT session period, for a subsequent TWT session period), in a session (e.g., the first session (S 1 ) or the second session (S 2 ), and may transmit a data signal during that session. For example, the AP may transmit an indication (e.g., an in-band trigger) for the STA to switch from a first frequency channel 605 to a second frequency channel 606 for a second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-b, on a second session (S 2 ) of service interval 620-a. In such examples, the AP may avoid unnecessarily increasing the overhead associated with channel hopping.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows an example of a process flow 700 that supports the management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the process flow 700 may include exemplary operations associated with an AP 702 and one or more STAs 704 (e.g., STA 704-a and STA 704-b), which may be examples of corresponding devices as described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. In the example of FIG. 7, each of the one or more STAs 704 may be an example of a wearable device (e.g., a pair of earphones or smart glasses) or a mobile device (e.g., a UE). Additionally or alternatively, in the example of FIG. 7, the AP 702 may be an example of a soft AP (e.g., a UE operating in mobile hotspot mode) or an infrastructure AP. For example, the communication between the AP 702 and the STA 704 may be an example of communication between peer communication devices that communicate via a TWT session.

[0062] In some examples, the communication between AP702 and STA704 can be an example of communication between an infrastructure AP (e.g., AP702, a device capable of forming a WLAN, a router) and a client (e.g., STA704, a UE) associated with the infrastructure AP and configured to communicate via a TWT session. Additionally or alternatively, the communication between AP702 and STA704 can be an example of communication between a soft AP (e.g., AP702, a device capable of operating in mobile hot spot mode, a UE) and a client (e.g., STA704, a wearable device) associated with the soft AP and part of a negotiated TWT session. The operations performed by AP702 and STA704 can support improvements to the communication between one or both of STA704 and AP702. In the following description of process flow 700, the operations between STA704 and AP702 can be performed in a different order or at different times than those illustrated. Some operations may also be omitted from process flow 700, and other operations may be added to process flow 700.

[0063] In some examples, an AP may serve multiple STAs (e.g., multiple clients) via multiple sessions and multiple channels (e.g., frequency channels). For example, AP 702 may serve STAs 704-a and 704-b (e.g., dual clients). In some examples, each of STAs 704 (e.g., dual clients) may be an example of a wearable device. For example, STA 704 may be an example of a pair of earphones (e.g., STA 704-a may be an example of the earphone to be worn on the user's left ear, and STA 704-b may be an example of the earphone to be worn on the user's right ear). In some examples, AP 702 may configure STAs 704-a and 704-b using one or more TWT sessions for communicating with AP 702 (or another AP, or another STA). As shown in the example of FIG. 7, AP 702 may transmit a beacon to STAs 704-a and 704-b at 710. In some examples, the beacon may include a list of channels to be used by STA 704, e.g., via a TWT session negotiated with AP 702. That is, AP 702 may announce the TWT channel list via one or more beacons. Additionally or alternatively, the TWT channel list may be negotiated between AP 702 and STA 704 via one or more frames used to establish a TWT session with STA 704 (e.g., via a session setup frame). For example, one or more packets including information elements (IEs) exchanged between AP 702 and STA 704 (e.g., over-the-air (OTA)) on a frame used to establish a TWT session (e.g., on a handshake for the TWT session) may include information associated with the TW channel list. That is, the OTA frame exchange sequence between one or both of AP 702 and STA 704 may include information regarding the TWT channel list, among other information related to the negotiated TWT session.

[0064] In some examples, in response to receiving the beacon transmitted at 710, STA704 may establish (e.g., set up, negotiate) respective TWT sessions with AP702. In some examples, as part of negotiating a TWT session with AP702, STA704 (e.g., a dual client, an earphone to be worn on the left ear, and an earphone to be worn on the right ear) may be aligned at the session boundary. That is, AP702 may align the TWT session configured for STA704-a with each respective TWT session configured for STA704-b. In some examples, AP702 may align the TWT sessions for STA704 by applying the same service period offset, the same service period duration, or the same service interval, or any combination thereof. Thus, AP702 may achieve synchronization between STA704-a and STA704-b. In some examples, STA704 and AP702 may negotiate a default channel for communication through each session. For example, at 715, AP702 and STA704 may determine a default channel (S 1 )(e.g., the channel indicated via an index of 4) for the first session. At 720, AP702 and STA704 may determine a default channel (S 2 )(e.g., the channel indicated via an index of 2) for the second session. In some examples, the default channel may be included in the TWT channel list (e.g., indicated to STA704 via the beacon transmitted at 710). That is, each channel in the TWT channel list may be associated with an index that can be used by AP702 (or STA704, or both) to identify (or indicate) a channel for communication.

[0065] At 725, AP702 is the first session (S 1 ) and the second session (S 2During a service interval that may include ), a second beacon (e.g., a different beacon) may be transmitted to STA704 (e.g., via TBTT). In some examples, the beacon may include a TWT channel list (e.g., the same or a different list that may be included in the beacon transmitted at 710). In some examples, AP702 may instruct STA704 to switch (or refrain from switching) from a default channel (e.g., the frequency of the default channel) for each session to another channel (e.g., another frequency) via the beacon transmitted at 725. In other examples, AP702 may instruct STA704 to switch (or refrain from switching) from a default channel (e.g., the frequency of the default channel) associated with a first session (S 1 ) via a data signal transmitted to STA704 on each session. For example, at 730, AP702 may transmit a data signal, such as a QoS data signal, to STA704 via the first session (S 1 ). QoS may be transmitted via a default frequency (S 1 ) associated with the first session (e.g., the channel corresponding to index 4). In some examples, the QoS data signal may indicate that STA704 should switch from the default channel to another channel (e.g., the channel index corresponding to index 3). For example, the QoS data signal may include an indication of the next (e.g., subsequent) channel to be used by STA704 for a subsequent (e.g., next) occurrence of the first session (S 1 ) (e.g., over a subsequent service interval).

[0066] Additionally or alternatively, at 735, AP702 may transmit another data signal, such as another QoS data signal, to STA704 via a second session (S 2 ). QoS may be transmitted via a default frequency (S 2)(e.g., the channel corresponding to the index of 2) can be transmitted via. In some examples, the QoS data signal indicates that STA704 switches (or refrains from switching) from the default channel associated with the second session (S 2 ) to another channel (e.g., the channel index corresponding to the index of 1). For example, the QoS data signal may include an indication of the next (e.g., subsequent) channel to be used by STA704 for a subsequent (e.g., next) occurrence of the first session (S 1 ). In some examples, the next channel (e.g., the next channel index, the next channel indicator) may be indicated via one or more bits (e.g., unused bits, null frames) in the QoS data signal (e.g., the QoS data control signal). The QoS data signal may be an example of a downlink QoS data signal (e.g., including audio data) or a QoS null signal (e.g., for early termination of the session period). In such examples, AP702 may not incur additional overhead by transmitting the next channel indication via the QoS data signal.

[0067] AP702 is for the first session (S 1 ) and the second session (S 2Based on the congestion conditions of each channel (e.g., the default channel) for , it may be determined to trigger frequency hopping for STA704 (e.g., for each session). In some examples, in cases such as a relatively clean environment (e.g., an environment with relatively low, no congestion, or otherwise an appropriate amount of congestion), the AP702 may determine the next channel via a random seed (e.g., via a pseudo-random seed). In other examples, in cases such as a relatively congested environment (e.g., an environment with relatively high, or otherwise an appropriate amount of congestion), the AP702 may determine the next channel based on the channel congestion associated with each channel over a certain duration (e.g., based on a channel congestion counter, a pseudo-random seed, or both). For example, the AP702 may determine candidate channels for hopping based on data previously collected for the channel. In some examples, the AP702 may determine the next channel based on a hopping pattern that may be determined by the AP702 (or the STA704, or both) based on monitoring one or more channel congestion metrics for the channel over a duration. In some examples, the AP702 may send an indication of a hopping pattern (e.g., a frequency hopping pattern, a dynamic channel list) to the STA704 (e.g., via a second beacon transmitted at 725) to indicate the next channel.

[0068] In some examples, in response to receiving QoS data signals at 730 and 735, the STA704, during a subsequent service interval, etc., for the first session (S 1 ) and the second session (S 2For subsequent occurrences of [[ID=]], the channel (e.g., frequency channel) can be changed (e.g., switched, hopped). In some examples, by instructing the STA704 to switch the channel (e.g., hop), the signal strength (e.g., signal strength measurement value) of the signal received by the STA704 can vary (e.g., fluctuate) across the channels (e.g., across the frequency range associated with the channel) that the STA704 may be switching (e.g., hopping) to.

[0069] At 740, the AP702 can send a third beacon (e.g., another beacon) to the STA704 (e.g., via the TBTT) during another (e.g., subsequent) service interval that may include a first session (S 1 ) and a second session (S 2 ). The third beacon can include a TWT channel list (e.g., a dynamic channel list, a frequency hopping pattern) that can be the same channel list or a different channel list as that included in the second beacon sent at 725. In some examples, the AP702 can instruct the STA704, via the third beacon sent at 740, to switch (or refrain from switching) from a second channel (e.g., the frequency of the second channel) to another channel (e.g., another frequency channel) for each session. In other examples, the AP702 can instruct the STA704, via the QoS data signal sent to the STA704 across each session, to switch (or refrain from switching) from the second channel. For example, at 745, the AP702 can send a QoS data signal to the STA704 via the first session (S 1 ). The QoS data signal is for the first session (S 1) can be transmitted via a second channel associated with (e.g., the channel corresponding to the index of 3). In some examples, the QoS data signal may indicate that STA704 refrains from switching from the second channel to another channel. For example, the QoS data signal may include an indication of the channel index of 0 (e.g., AP702 may set the field of the IE used to indicate the next channel to 0), and thus, STA704 may determine to refrain from switching between channels for a subsequent occurrence of the first session (S 1 )).

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, at 750, AP702 may transmit another QoS data signal to STA704 via a second session (S 2 ). The QoS data signal can be transmitted via a second frequency associated with the second session (S 2 ), e.g., the channel corresponding to the index of 1. In some examples, the QoS data signal may indicate that STA704 refrains from switching from the second channel (S 2 ) associated with the second session to another channel. For example, the QoS data signal may include an indication of the channel index of 0 (e.g., AP702 may set the field used to indicate the next channel to 0), and thus, STA704 may determine to refrain from switching between channels for a subsequent occurrence of the second session (S 2 ).

[0071] In some examples, by enabling STA704 to switch between channels (e.g., hopping frequencies), AP702 may provide one or more extensions for packet exchange over a TWT service period (e.g., a session) between STA704 (e.g., a pair of earphones or smart glasses) and AP702 (e.g., a UE) within an xPAN and an XR network. That is, techniques for managing a TWT session can provide one or more extensions for a point-to-point xPAN or XR network topology (e.g., including a headset inventory unit, a headset hardware platform).

[0072] FIG. 8 shows an example of a process flow 800 that supports the management of hopping TWT in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process flow 800 may include examples of operations associated with an AP802 and an STA804, which may be examples of corresponding devices as described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. In the example of FIG. 8, STA804 may be an example of a wearable device (e.g., earphones or a pair of earphones or smart glasses) or a mobile device (e.g., a UE). Additionally or alternatively, in the example of FIG. 8, AP802 may be an example of a soft AP (e.g., a UE operating in a mobile hotspot mode) or an infrastructure AP. For example, the communication between AP802 and STA804 may be an example of communication between peer communication devices that communicate via a TWT session.

[0073] In some examples, the communication between AP802 and STA804 can be an example of communication between an infrastructure AP (e.g., AP802, a device capable of forming a WLAN, a router) and a client (e.g., STA804, a UE) associated with the infrastructure AP and configured to communicate via a TWT session. Additionally or alternatively, the communication between AP802 and STA804 can be an example of communication between a soft AP (e.g., AP802, a device capable of operating in mobile hotspot mode, a UE) and a client (e.g., STA804, a wearable device) associated with the soft AP and part of a negotiated TWT session. Operations performed by AP802 and STA804 can support improvements to communication between one or both of STA804 and AP802. In the following description of process flow 800, the operations between STA804 and AP802 can be performed in a different order or at different times than shown. Some operations may also be omitted from process flow 800, and other operations may be added to process flow 800.

[0074] In some examples, AP802 can configure STA804 to switch between frequency channels according to a frequency hopping pattern. For example, at 810, STA804 can receive a first signal (e.g., a beacon signal) that includes an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval. In some examples, the first signal (e.g., received by STA804 at 810) can indicate each frequency channel of a set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions. In some examples, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions can be associated with a service period during which STA804 can be (e.g., can be expected to be) in an awake state.

[0075] At 815, for the first TWT session of a set of TWT sessions, STA804 can switch from a first frequency channel indicated by a first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session. At 820, based on the switching (e.g., at 815), STA804 can communicate a second signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session via the second frequency channel. For example, STA804 can receive the second signal from AP802 via the second frequency channel. Additionally or alternatively, STA804 can transmit the second signal to another STA (not shown). In some examples, by switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel, AP802 can provide one or more extensions to an xPAN or XR network.

[0076] FIG. 9 shows an example of a wireless communication device 900 that supports hopping TWT management of a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 can be an example of a device used in a STA such as one of the STAs 104 described above with reference to FIG. 1. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 can be an example of a device used in an AP such as the AP 102 described above with reference to FIG. 1. The wireless communication device 900 can transmit and receive wireless communications, for example, in the form of wireless packets. For example, the wireless communication device can be configured to transmit and receive packets in the form of physical layer convergence protocol (PCLP) protocol data units (PPDUs) and medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (MPDUs) compliant with an IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard, such as those defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 specification or its amendments, including but not limited to 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be.

[0077] The wireless communication device 900 may be a chip, a system on chip (SoC), a chipset, a package, or a device that includes one or more modems 902, such as a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 compliant) modem, or may include them. In some implementations, one or more modems 902 (collectively referred to as "modems 902") additionally include a WWAN modem (e.g., a 3GPP (registered trademark) 4G LTE or 5G compliant modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 further includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements 904 (collectively "processors 904") coupled to the modem 902. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 additionally includes one or more radios 906 (collectively "radios 906") coupled to the modem 902. In some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 further includes one or more memory blocks or elements 908 (collectively "memory 908") coupled to the processor 904 or the modem 902.

[0078] The modem 902 can include intelligent hardware blocks or devices, such as, among other things, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The modem 902 is generally configured to implement the PHY layer and, in some implementations, also a portion of the MAC layer (e.g., the hardware portion of the MAC layer). For example, the modem 902 is configured to modulate packets and output the modulated packets to the radio 904 for transmission over the wireless medium. The modem 902 is similarly configured to obtain the modulated packets received by the radio 904 and demodulate the packets to provide the demodulated packets. In addition to the modulator and demodulator, the modem 902 may further include a digital signal processing (DSP) circuit, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit, an encoder, a decoder, a multiplexer, and a demultiplexer. For example, during the transmit mode, data obtained from the processor 906 may be provided to the encoder, and the encoder encodes the data to provide the coded bits. The coded bits are then N SS for N spatial streams for spatial multiplexing, or N STScan be mapped to individual spatio-temporal streams. Then, the coded bits in the stream can be mapped (using the selected MCS) to points in a modulation constellation to provide modulated symbols. The modulated symbols in each spatial or spatio-temporal stream are multiplexed, converted via an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block, and subsequently provided to a DSP circuit (e.g., for Tx windowing and filtering). The digital signal can then be provided to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The resulting analog signal can then be provided to a frequency up-converter and ultimately to the radio 904. In implementations involving beamforming, the modulated symbols in each spatial stream are precoded via a steering matrix before being provided to the IFFT block.

[0079] While in the receive mode, the DSP circuit is configured to obtain a signal containing modulated symbols received from the radio 904, for example, by detecting the presence of the signal and estimating the initial timing and frequency offset. The DSP circuit is further configured to condition the signal digitally, for example, using channel (narrowband) filtering and analog impairment conditions (such as correcting I / O imbalance), and by applying digital gain to finally obtain the narrowband signal. The output of the DSP circuit may then be supplied to the AGC, which is configured to use information extracted from the digital signal within one or more received training fields, for example, to determine an appropriate gain. The output of the DSP circuit is also coupled to a demultiplexer that demultiplexes the modulated symbols when multiple spatial streams or space-time streams are received. The demultiplexed symbols may be provided to a demodulator, which is configured to extract symbols from the signal and calculate log-likelihood ratios (LLRs), for example, for each bit position of each subcarrier in each spatial stream. The demodulator is coupled to a decoder, which may be configured to process the LLRs to provide decoded bits. The decoded bits may then be descrambled and provided to the MAC layer (processor 906) for processing, evaluation, or interpretation.

[0080] The radio 904 generally includes at least one radio frequency (RF) transmitter (or, “transmitter chain”) and at least one RF receiver (or, “receiver chain”), which may be combined in one or more transceivers. For example, each of the RF transmitter and receiver may include various analog circuits including at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low noise amplifier (LNA), respectively. Next, the RF transmitter and RF receiver may be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some implementations, the wireless communication device 900 may include or be coupled to a plurality of transmit antennas (each with a corresponding transmit chain) and a plurality of receive antennas (each with a corresponding receive chain). Symbols output from the modem 902 are provided to the radio 904, which then transmits the symbols via the coupled antennas. Similarly, symbols received via the antennas are acquired by the radio 904, which then provides the symbols to the modem 902.

[0081] Processor 906 can include intelligent hardware blocks or devices such as, for example, a processing core, a processing block, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices (PLDs) such as individual gates or transistor logic, individual hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Processor 906 processes information received via radio 904 and modem 902 and processes information to be output via modem 902 and radio 904 for transmission over a wireless medium. For example, processor 906 may implement at least a portion of a control plane and a MAC layer configured to perform various operations related to the generation, transmission, reception, and processing of MPDUs, frames, or packets. In some implementations, the MAC layer is configured to generate MPDUs for provision to the PHY layer for coding and to receive information bits decoded from the PHY layer for processing as MPDUs. The MAC layer may further be configured to allocate time and frequency resources, for example, for OFDMA among other operations or techniques. In some implementations, processor 906 can generally control modem 902 to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0082] Memory 904 may include a tangible storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or a combination thereof. Memory 904 may also store non-transitory processor or computer-executable software (SW) code that, when executed by processor 906, causes the processor to perform various operations described herein for wireless communication, including generation, transmission, reception, and interpretation of MPDUs, frames, or packets. For example, the various functions of the components disclosed herein, or the various blocks or steps of the methods, operations, processes, or algorithms disclosed herein, may be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.

[0083] FIG. 10A shows an example of a wireless communication device that supports the management of a hopping TWT of a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. For example, AP1002 may be an exemplary implementation of AP102 described with reference to FIG. 1. AP1002 includes a wireless communication device (WCD) 1010 (although AP1002 itself may also be commonly referred to as the wireless communication device used herein). For example, wireless communication device 1010 may be an exemplary implementation of wireless communication device 900 described with reference to FIG. 9. AP1002 also includes a plurality of antennas 1020 coupled to wireless communication device 1010 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication. In some implementations, AP1002 additionally includes an application processor 1030 coupled to wireless communication device 1010 and a memory 1040 coupled to application processor 1030. AP1002 further includes at least one external network interface 1050 that enables AP1002 to communicate with a core network or a backhaul network to access an external network including the Internet. For example, external network interface 1050 may include one or both of a wired (e.g., Ethernet) network interface and a wireless network interface (such as a WWAN interface). Some of the components described above can communicate directly or indirectly with some of the other components via at least one bus. AP1002 further includes a housing that includes at least a portion of wireless communication device 1010, application processor 1030, memory 1040, and antennas 1020 and external network interface 1050.

[0084] FIG. 10B shows an example of a wireless communication device that supports the management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. For example, STA1004 may be an exemplary implementation of STA104 described with reference to FIG. 1. STA1004 includes a wireless communication device 1015 (although STA1004 itself may also be commonly referred to as the wireless communication device used herein). For example, wireless communication device 1015 may be an exemplary implementation of wireless communication device 900 described with reference to FIG. 9. STA1004 also includes one or more antennas 1025 coupled to wireless communication device 1015 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication. Additionally, STA1004 includes an application processor 1035 coupled to wireless communication device 1015 and a memory 1045 coupled to application processor 1035. In some implementations, STA1004 further includes a user interface (UI) 1055 (such as a touch screen or keypad) and a display 1065, and display 1065 may be integrated with UI1055 to form a touch screen display. In some implementations, STA1004 may further include one or more sensors 1075, such as one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors. Some of the above-described components can communicate directly or indirectly with some of the other components via at least one bus. STA1004 further includes a housing that encompasses at least a portion of wireless communication device 1015, application processor 1035, memory 1045, and antennas 1025, UI1055, and display 1065.

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a device 105 that supports management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 105 can be an example of an STA aspect. The device 105 can include a receiver 110, a transmitter 115, and a communication manager 120. The communication manager 1120 can be at least partially implemented by one or both of a modem and a processor. Each of these components can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0086] The receiver 110 can provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to management of hopping TWTs for a wireless network). The information can be passed to other components of the device 105. The receiver 110 can utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0087] The transmitter 115 can provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 105. For example, the transmitter 115 can transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to management of hopping TWTs for a wireless network). In some examples, the transmitter 115 can be collocated with the receiver 110 within a transceiver module. The transmitter 115 can utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0088] The communication manager 120, the receiver 110, the transmitter 115, or various combinations or various components thereof can be examples of means for performing various aspects of managing the hopping TWT of a wireless network. For example, the communication manager 120, the receiver 110, the transmitter 115, or various combinations or components thereof can support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0089] In some examples, the communication manager 120, the receiver 110, the transmitter 115, or various combinations or components thereof can be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware can be configured as means for performing the functions described in this disclosure, or support such means in other ways, and can include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. In some examples, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor can be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor executing instructions stored in the memory).

[0090] In some examples, the communication manager 120 can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, acquiring, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using, or otherwise cooperating with, the receiver 110, the transmitter 115, or both. For example, the communication manager 120 can receive information from the receiver 110, transmit information to the transmitter 115, or be integrated with the receiver 110, the transmitter 115, or both, to acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations.

[0091] Communication manager 120 may support wireless communication in a STA (e.g., device 105) according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, communication manager 120 may be configured as means for receiving a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, or otherwise support it, where the first signal indicates each frequency channel of a set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions has an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. Communication manager 120 may be configured as means for switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session for a first target wake time session of the set of TWT sessions, or optionally support it. Communication manager 120 may be configured as means for communicating a second signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching, or optionally support it.

[0092] By including or configuring communication manager 120 according to the examples described herein, device 105 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to receiver 110, transmitter 115, communication manager 120, or combinations thereof) can support techniques for reduced processing and more efficient utilization of communication resources.

[0093] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a device 205 that supports the management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device 205 may be an example of an aspect of device 105 or STA 104. Device 205 may include a receiver 210, a transmitter 215, and a communication manager 220. Communication manager 1220 may be implemented at least partially by one or both of a modem and a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0094] Receiver 210 may provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to the management of hopping TWTs for a wireless network). The information may be passed to other components of device 205. Receiver 210 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0095] Transmitter 215 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 205. For example, transmitter 215 may be able to transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to the management of hopping TWTs for a wireless network). In some examples, transmitter 215 may be collocated with receiver 210 within a transceiver module. Transmitter 215 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0096] Device 205 or its various components can be an example of means for performing various aspects of managing the hopping TWT of a wireless network. For example, communication manager 220 can include frequency channel indication component 225, switching component 230, second frequency channel component 235, or any combination thereof. In some examples, communication manager 220, or its various components, can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using, or otherwise in cooperation with, receiver 210, transmitter 215, or both. For example, communication manager 220 can receive information from receiver 210, transmit information to transmitter 215, or be integrated with receiver 210, transmitter 215, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations.

[0097] The communication manager 220 may support wireless communication in a STA (e.g., device 205) according to the examples disclosed herein. The frequency channel indication component 225 is configured as or may otherwise support means for receiving a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. The switching component 230 may be configured as or may in some cases support means for switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session for the first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions. The second frequency channel component 235 may be configured as or may in some cases support means for communicating a second signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching.

[0098] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a communication manager 320 that supports the management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 320 or its various components may be an example of means for performing various aspects of managing hopping TWTs in a wireless network. For example, the communication manager 320 may include a frequency channel indication component 325, a switching component 330, a second frequency channel component 335, a frequency hopping pattern indication component 340, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0099] According to the examples disclosed herein, communication manager 320 may support wireless communication in the STA. Frequency channel indication component 325 is configured as means for receiving a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, or may otherwise support it, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. Switching component 330 may be configured as means for switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, or may optionally support it. Second frequency channel component 335 may be configured as means for communicating a second signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching, or may optionally support it.

[0100] In some examples, to support communicating the second signal, second frequency channel component 335 may be configured as means for receiving the second signal from an AP during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching, or may optionally support it. In some examples, to support communicating the second signal, second frequency channel component 335 may be configured as means for transmitting the second signal to another STA during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching, or may optionally support it.

[0101] In some examples, the switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on congestion conditions associated with the first frequency channel. In some examples, the congestion conditions include a threshold latency metric or a threshold throughput metric. In some examples, the switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on a threshold latency metric or a threshold throughput metric.

[0102] In some examples, the frequency hopping pattern indication component 340 is configured as or otherwise supports means for receiving a third signal that includes an indication of the frequency hopping pattern, and the switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on receiving the indication. In some examples, the third signal includes a beacon signal that includes an indication of the frequency hopping pattern. In some examples, the beacon signal is received by the STA prior to a service period associated with the first TWT session.

[0103] In some examples, the third signal includes a data signal that includes an indication of the frequency hopping pattern. In some examples, the data signal is received by the STA during a previous service period associated with a first TWT session prior to the service period. In some examples, the data signal includes a quality of service data signal that includes one or more bits that direct the STA to switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel.

[0104] In some examples, the second frequency channel component 335 is configured as or may otherwise support means for receiving an indication of the second frequency channel, and the switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on the received indication of the second frequency channel. In some examples, the indication of the second frequency channel includes a channel index corresponding to the second frequency channel. In some examples, the switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on the channel index.

[0105] In some examples, the second frequency channel is based on data collected over a duration prior to the first TWT session associated with a set of frequency channels. In some examples, the second frequency channel is based on a pseudo-random seed.

[0106] In some examples, the switching component 330 is configured as or may in some cases support means for receiving a third signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching, and the third signal instructs the STA to refrain from switching from the second frequency channel during a subsequent service period associated with the first TWT session after the service period.

[0107] In some examples, each TWT session of a set of TWT sessions is aligned with a respective TWT session of a second set of TWT sessions associated with a different STA. In some examples, at least one TWT session of the set of TWT sessions corresponds to a Wi-Fi connection between the STA and a different STA. In some examples, the STA is operating within an extended personal area network or an extended reality network.

[0108] Figure 4 shows a diagram of a system including a device 405 that supports the management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device 405 may be an example of, or include, components of device 105, device 205, or an STA as described herein. Device 405 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communication, such as communication manager 420, I / O controller 410, transceiver 415, antenna 425, memory 430, code 435, and processor 440. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 445) or may be otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically).

[0109] I / O controller 410 may manage input and output signals for device 405. I / O controller 410 may also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated with device 405. In some cases, I / O controller 410 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 410 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. In some other cases, I / O controller 410 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, I / O controller 410 may be implemented as part of a processor such as processor 440. In some cases, a user may interact with device 405 via I / O controller 410 or via hardware components controlled by I / O controller 410.

[0110] In some cases, device 405 may include a single antenna 425. However, in some other cases, device 405 may have two or more antennas 425 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 415 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more of the antennas 425, wired links, or wireless links described herein. For example, transceiver 415 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 415 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 425 for transmission and for demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 425. Transceiver 415, or transceiver 415 and one or more antennas 425, may be an example of transmitter 115, transmitter 215, receiver 110, receiver 210, or any combination thereof or components thereof described herein.

[0111] Memory 430 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 430 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 435 that, when executed by processor 440, causes device 405 to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 430 may include, in particular, BIOS that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or peripheral devices.

[0112] Processor 440 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 440 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated with processor 440. Processor 440 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 430) to cause the device 405 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support management of hopping TWT of a wireless network). For example, device 405 or components of device 405 may include processor 440 and memory 430 coupled to or coupled with processor 440, and processor 440 and memory 430 are configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0113] The communication manager 420 may support wireless communication in a STA (e.g., device 405) according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 420 may be configured as means for receiving a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, or may otherwise support it, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of a set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. The communication manager 420 may be configured as means for switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session for a first target wake time session of the set of TWT sessions, or may in some cases support it. The communication manager 420 may be configured as means for communicating a second signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching, or may in some cases support it.

[0114] By including or configuring the communication manager 420 according to the examples described herein, the device 405 may support techniques for improving the user experience regarding reduction of processing, reducing power consumption, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improving the utilization rate of processing capabilities.

[0115] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a device 505 that supports management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device 505 can be an example of an aspect of an AP as described herein. Device 505 can include a receiver 510, a transmitter 515, and a communication manager 520. Communication manager 1520 can be implemented at least in part by one or both of a modem and a processor. Each of these components can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0116] Receiver 510 can provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to management of hopping TWTs for a wireless network). The information can be passed to other components of device 505. Receiver 510 can utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0117] Transmitter 515 can provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 505. Transmitter 515 can utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0118] Communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof can be examples of means for performing various aspects of managing hopping TWTs in a wireless network. For example, communication manager 520, receiver 510, transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof can support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.

[0119] In some examples, the communication manager 520, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may comprise a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, configured as means for performing the functions described in this disclosure or otherwise supporting such means. In some examples, a processor and a memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor executing instructions stored in the memory).

[0120] In some examples, the communication manager 520 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using, or otherwise in cooperation with, the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or both. For example, the communication manager 520 may receive information from the receiver 510, transmit information to the transmitter 515, or be integrated with the receiver 510, the transmitter 515, or both, to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations.

[0121] Communication manager 520 may support wireless communication in an AP (e.g., device 505) according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, communication manager 520 may be configured as means for transmitting a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, or otherwise may support it, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. Communication manager 520 may be configured as means for transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session for the first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, or may support it in some cases. Communication manager 520 may be configured as means for communicating a third signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel, or may support it in some cases.

[0122] By including or configuring communication manager 520 according to the examples described herein, device 505 (e.g., a processor that controls receiver 510, transmitter 515, communication manager 520, or a combination thereof, or is otherwise coupled thereto) can support techniques for reducing processing, reducing power consumption, and more efficiently utilizing communication resources.

[0123] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a device 605 that supports management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device 605 may be an example of an aspect of device 505 or AP 102 as described herein. Device 605 may include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communication manager 620. Communication manager 1620 may be implemented at least in part by one or both of a modem and a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0124] Receiver 610 may provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof related to various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to management of hopping TWTs for a wireless network). The information may be passed to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0125] Transmitter 615 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 605. Transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.

[0126] Device 605 or its various components can be an example of means for performing various aspects of managing the hopping TWT of a wireless network. For example, communication manager 620 can include frequency channel set indication component 625, switching component 630, frequency channel component 635, or any combination thereof. In some examples, communication manager 620, or its various components, can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, acquire, monitor, output, transmit) using, or otherwise in cooperation with, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both. For example, communication manager 620 can receive information from receiver 610, transmit information to transmitter 615, or be integrated with receiver 610, transmitter 615, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations.

[0127] The communication manager 620 may support wireless communication in an AP (e.g., device 605) according to the examples disclosed herein. The frequency channel set indication component 625 is configured as or may otherwise support means for transmitting a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of a set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. The switching indication component 630 may be configured as or may in some cases support means for transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session for the first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions. The frequency channel component 635 may be configured as or may in some cases support means for communicating a third signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel.

[0128] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a communication manager 720 that supports management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 720 or its various components may be an example of means for performing various aspects of managing hopping TWTs in a wireless network. For example, the communication manager 720 may include a frequency channel set indication component 725, a switching component 730, a frequency channel component 735, a hopping pattern component 740, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0129] The communication manager 720 may support wireless communication at the AP according to the examples disclosed herein. The frequency channel set indication component 725 is configured as, or may otherwise support, means for transmitting a first signal that includes an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. The switching indication component 730 may be configured as, or may in some cases support, means for transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions. The frequency channel component 735 may be configured as, or may in some cases support, means for communicating a third signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel.

[0130] In some examples, the hopping pattern component 740 may be configured as, or may otherwise support, means for determining a frequency hopping pattern based on monitoring channel congestion associated with a set of frequency channels, and transmitting the second signal to instruct the STA to switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on determining the frequency hopping pattern.

[0131] In some examples, the second signal includes a beacon signal that includes an indication of a frequency hopping pattern. In some examples, the beacon signal is transmitted prior to a service period associated with the first TWT session. In some examples, the second signal includes a data signal that includes an indication of a frequency hopping pattern. In some examples, the data signal is transmitted during a previous service period associated with a first TWT session prior to the service period. In some examples, the data signal includes a quality of service data signal that includes one or more bits that direct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel.

[0132] In some examples, to support transmitting a second signal that directs the STA to switch from a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel, the frequency channel component 735 is configured as, or may otherwise support, means for transmitting an indication of the second frequency channel based on a congestion condition associated with the first frequency channel, and transmitting the second signal is based on transmitting the indication.

[0133] In some examples, the indication of the second frequency channel includes a channel index corresponding to the second frequency channel. In some examples, the second frequency channel is based on data collected over a duration prior to the first TWT session associated with a set of frequency channels. In some examples, the second frequency channel is based on a pseudo-random seed.

[0134] In some examples, the switching indication component 730 is configured as, or may in some cases support, means for transmitting a fourth signal on the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switching, and the third signal directs the STA to refrain from switching from the second frequency channel during a subsequent service period associated with the first TWT session after the service period.

[0135] In some examples, transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel is based on a congestion condition. In some examples, the congestion condition includes a threshold latency metric or a threshold throughput metric. In some examples, each TWT session of a set of TWT sessions is associated with an STA and is coordinated with each respective TWT session of a second set of TWT sessions associated with a second STA.

[0136] In some examples, at least one TWT session of a set of TWT sessions corresponds to a Wi-Fi connection between an STA and another STA. In some examples, the AP operates within an extended personal area network or an extended reality network.

[0137] FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a system including a device 805 that supports management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 may be or may include an example of a component of a device 505, a device 605, or an AP as described herein. The device 805 may include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communication, such as a communication manager 820, a network communication manager 810, a transceiver 815, an antenna 825, a memory 830, a code 835, a processor 840, and an AP - to - AP communication manager 845. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 850) or may be otherwise (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) coupled.

[0138] The network communication manager 810 may manage communication with a core network (e.g., via one or more wired backhaul links). For example, the network communication manager 810 may manage the transfer of data communication for client devices such as one or more STAs 115.

[0139] In some cases, device 805 may include a single antenna 825. However, in some other cases, device 805 may have two or more antennas 825 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. Transceiver 815 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more of the antennas 825, wired links, or wireless links described herein. For example, transceiver 815 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. Transceiver 815 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 825 for transmission and for demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 825. Transceiver 815, or transceiver 815 and one or more antennas 825, may be an example of a transmitter 515, transmitter 615, receiver 510, receiver 610, or any combination thereof or components thereof described herein.

[0140] Memory 830 may include RAM and ROM. Memory 830 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 835 that, when executed by processor 840, causes device 805 to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 830 may include, in particular, a BIOS that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or peripheral devices.

[0141] Processor 840 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 840 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated with processor 840. Processor 840 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 830) to cause the device 805 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support the management of hopping TWT of a wireless network). For example, device 805 or a component of device 805 may include processor 840 and memory 830 coupled to or coupled with processor 840, and processor 840 and memory 830 are configured to perform the various functions described herein.

[0142] The inter-station communication manager 845 may manage communication with other APs 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communication with the STA 115 in cooperation with other APs 105. For example, the inter-station communication manager 845 may adjust scheduling for transmission to the AP 105 for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, the inter-station communication manager 845 may provide an X2 interface within the LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology for communicating between APs 105.

[0143] According to the examples disclosed herein, communication manager 820 may support wireless communication in an AP (e.g., device 805). For example, communication manager 820 may be configured as means for transmitting a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, or may otherwise support it, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. Communication manager 820 may be configured as means for transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, or may support it in some cases. Communication manager 820 may be configured as means for communicating a third signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel based on the switching, or may support it in some cases.

[0144] By including or configuring communication manager 820 according to the examples described herein, device 805 may support techniques for improving communication reliability, reducing latency, improving the user experience regarding reduced processing, reducing power consumption, and improving the utilization rate of processing capabilities.

[0145] FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 900 for supporting management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 900 may be implemented by a STA or components thereof. For example, the operations of method 900 may be performed by a STA as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. In some examples, the STA may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the STA to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the STA may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0146] At 905, the method may include receiving a first signal that includes an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval, where the first signal indicates each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions has an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. The operation of 905 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 905 may be performed by a frequency channel indication component 325 as described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0147] At 910, the method may include, for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session. The operation of 910 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 910 may be performed by a switching component 330 as described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0148] At 915, the method may include communicating a second signal during a service period associated with a first TWT session via a second frequency channel based on a switch. The operation of 915 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 3, aspects of the operation of 915 can be performed by a second frequency channel component 335.

[0149] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1000 for supporting the management of a hopping TWT of a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1000 may be implemented by a STA or components thereof. For example, the operations of method 1000 may be performed by a STA as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. In some examples, the STA may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the STA to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the STA may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0150] At 1005, the method may include receiving a first signal that is an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. The operation of 1005 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 3, aspects of the operation of 1005 can be performed by a frequency channel indication component 325.

[0151] At 1010, the method may include receiving a third signal that includes an indication of a frequency hopping pattern. The operation of 1010 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 3, aspects of the operation of 1010 can be performed by a frequency hopping pattern indication component 340.

[0152] At 1015, for a first TWT session of a set of TWT sessions, the method may include switching from a first frequency channel indicated by a first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session, and switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on receiving an indication. The operation of 1015 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 3, aspects of the operation of 1015 can be performed by a switching component 330.

[0153] At 1020, the method may include communicating a second signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session via the second frequency channel based on the switching. The operation of 1020 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 3, aspects of the operation of 1020 can be performed by a second frequency channel component 335.

[0154] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1100 for supporting the management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1100 may be implemented by an AP or its components. For example, the operations of method 1100 may be performed by an AP as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 5-8. In some examples, the AP may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the AP to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the AP may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0155] At 1105, the method includes a first signal for an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state, and may include transmitting the first signal. The operation of 1105 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 7, an aspect of the operation of 1105 can be performed by the frequency channel set indication component 725.

[0156] At 1110, the method may include transmitting a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session among the set of TWT sessions. The operation of 1110 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 7, an aspect of the operation of 1110 can be performed by the switching indication component 730.

[0157] At 1115, the method may include communicating a third signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switching. The operation of 1115 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 7, an aspect of the operation of 1115 can be performed by the frequency channel component 735.

[0158] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a method 1200 for supporting management of hopping TWTs in a wireless network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Operations of method 1200 may be implemented by an AP or its components. For example, operations of method 1200 may be performed by an AP as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 and FIGS. 5-8. In some examples, the AP may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the AP to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the AP may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.

[0159] At 1205, the method may include transmitting a first signal that includes an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions that are repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, and each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. Operations at 1205 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1205 may be performed by a frequency channel set indication component 725 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0160] At 1210, the method may include determining a frequency hopping pattern based on monitoring channel congestion associated with the set of frequency channels. Operations at 1210 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1210 may be performed by a hopping pattern component 740 as described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0161] At 1215, the method may include transmitting, for a first TWT session of a set of TWT sessions, a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by a first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session. Transmitting the second signal to instruct the STA to switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based on determining the frequency hopping pattern. The operation of 1215 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the manner of operation of 1215 can be performed by the switching indication component 730.

[0162] At 1220, the method may include communicating a third signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session based on the switching. The operation of 1220 may be performed according to the examples disclosed herein. In some examples, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the manner of operation of 1220 can be performed by the frequency channel component 735.

[0163] Note that the methods described herein are illustrative of possible implementations, that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects in two or more of the above methods may be combined.

[0164] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure.

[0165] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication at a STA, comprising: receiving a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state; for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, switching from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session; and communicating a second signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session, at least partially based on the switching.

[0166] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, wherein communicating the second signal includes receiving, from an access point, the second signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session, at least partially based on the switching.

[0167] Aspect 3: The method according to aspect 1, wherein communicating the second signal includes transmitting, at least partially based on the switching, the second signal to another STA via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session.

[0168] Aspect 4: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on a congestion condition associated with the first frequency channel.

[0169] Aspect 5: The method according to aspect 4, wherein the convergence condition includes a threshold latency metric or a threshold throughput metric, and the switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on the threshold latency metric or the threshold throughput metric.

[0170] Aspect 6: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, further comprising receiving a third signal including an indication of a frequency hopping pattern, wherein switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on receiving the indication.

[0171] Aspect 7: The method according to aspect 6, wherein the third signal includes a beacon signal including an indication of a frequency hopping pattern, and the beacon signal is received by the STA before a service period associated with the first TWT session.

[0172] Aspect 8: The method according to aspect 6, wherein the third signal includes a data signal including an indication of a frequency hopping pattern, and the data signal is received by the STA during a previous service period associated with a first TWT session before the service period.

[0173] Aspect 9: The method according to aspect 8, wherein the data signal includes a service quality data signal including one or more bits instructing the STA to switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel.

[0174] Aspect 10: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, further comprising receiving an indication of the second frequency channel, wherein switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on the received indication of the second frequency channel.

[0175] Aspect 11: The method according to aspect 10, wherein the indication of the second frequency channel includes a channel index corresponding to the second frequency channel, and the switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on the channel index.

[0176] Aspect 12: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, wherein the second frequency channel is at least partially based on data collected over a duration prior to the first TWT session, associated with a set of frequency channels.

[0177] Aspect 13: The method according to aspect 12, wherein the second frequency channel is at least partially based on a pseudo-random seed.

[0178] Aspect 14: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, further comprising receiving a third signal during a service period associated with the first TWT session on the second frequency channel, at least partially based on the switching, wherein the third signal instructs the STA to refrain from switching from the second frequency channel during a subsequent service period associated with a subsequent TWT session after the service period.

[0179] Aspect 15: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 14, wherein each TWT session of a set of TWT sessions is aligned with each TWT session of a second set of TWT sessions associated with another STA.

[0180] Aspect 16: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 15, wherein at least one TWT session of a set of TWT sessions corresponds to a Wi-Fi connection between the STA and another STA.

[0181] Aspect 17: The method according to any one of aspects 1 to 16, wherein the STA operates within an xPAN or XR network.

[0182] Aspect 18: A method for wireless communication in an AP, comprising transmitting a first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of TWT sessions repeated according to a service interval, the first signal indicating each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, each TWT session of the set of TWT sessions having an associated service period during which the STA is expected to be in an awake state; for a first TWT session of the set of TWT sessions, transmitting a second signal instructing the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to a frequency hopping pattern associated with the first TWT session; and communicating a third signal via the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first TWT session.

[0183] Aspect 19: The method according to aspect 18, further comprising determining a frequency hopping pattern at least partially based on monitoring channel congestion associated with a set of frequency channels, and transmitting the second signal instructing the STA to switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel being at least partially based on determining the frequency hopping pattern.

[0184] Aspect 20: The method according to aspect 18 or 19, wherein the second signal includes a beacon signal including an indication of the frequency hopping pattern, and the beacon signal is transmitted before a service period associated with the first TWT session.

[0185] Aspect 21: The method according to aspect 18 or 19, wherein the second signal includes a data signal, and the data signal is transmitted during a previous service period associated with the first TWT session before the service period.

[0186] Aspect 22: The method according to aspect 21, wherein the data signal includes a quality of service data signal including one or more bits instructing the STA to switch from a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel.

[0187] Aspect 23: Transmitting a second signal instructing the STA to switch from a first frequency channel to a second frequency channel includes transmitting an indication of the second frequency channel based at least in part on a congestion condition associated with the first frequency channel, and transmitting the second signal is based at least in part on transmitting the indication, the method according to any of aspects 18 to 22.

[0188] Aspect 24: The method according to aspect 23, wherein the indication of the second frequency channel includes a channel index corresponding to the second frequency channel.

[0189] Aspect 25: The method according to any of aspects 18 to 24, wherein the second frequency channel is based at least in part on data collected over a duration prior to a first TWT session associated with a set of frequency channels.

[0190] Aspect 26: The method according to aspect 25, wherein the second frequency channel is based at least in part on a pseudo-random seed.

[0191] Aspect 27: The method according to any of aspects 18 to 26, further comprising transmitting a fourth signal during a service period associated with a first TWT session on the second frequency channel, and the third signal instructs the STA to refrain from switching from the second frequency channel during a subsequent service period associated with the first TWT session after the service period.

[0192] Aspect 28: Sending a second signal to instruct the STA to switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based at least in part on a congestion condition, the congestion condition including a threshold latency metric or a threshold throughput metric, the method according to any of aspects 18 to 27.

[0193] Aspect 29: Each TWT session of a set of TWT sessions is associated with an STA and is coordinated with each TWT session of a second set of TWT sessions associated with a second STA, the method according to any of aspects 18 to 28.

[0194] Aspect 30: At least one TWT session of a set of TWT sessions corresponds to a Wi-Fi connection between an STA and another STA, the method according to any of aspects 18 to 29.

[0195] Aspect 31: The AP operates within an xPAN or XR network, the method according to any of aspects 18 to 30.

[0196] Aspect 32: An apparatus for wireless communication at an STA, comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions causing the apparatus to execute the method according to any of aspects 1 to 17.

[0197] Aspect 33: An apparatus for wireless communication at an STA, comprising at least one means for executing the method according to any of aspects 1 to 17.

[0198] Aspect 34: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at an STA, the code including instructions executable by a processor to execute the method according to any of aspects 1 to 17.

[0199] Aspect 35: An apparatus for wireless communication in an AP, comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions causing the apparatus to execute the method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 31.

[0200] Aspect 36: An apparatus for wireless communication in an AP, comprising at least one means for executing the method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 31.

[0201] Aspect 37: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in an AP, the code including instructions executable by a processor for executing the method according to any one of Aspects 18 to 31.

[0202] The techniques described herein may be used in various wireless communication systems such as code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems, and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. A code division multiple access (CDMA) system may implement a wireless technology such as CDMA2000 or Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA). CDMA2000 covers the IS-2000 standard, the IS-95 standard, and the IS-856 standard. A release of IS-2000 may generally be referred to as CDMA2000 1X, or 1X for short. IS-856 (TIA-856) is generally referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, or High Rate Packet Data (HRPD). UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA (registered trademark)) and other variants of CDMA. A time division multiple access (TDMA) system may implement a wireless technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system may implement a wireless technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, or Flash-OFDM.

[0203] One or more of the wireless communication systems described herein may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. In the case of synchronous operation, STAs may have similar frame timings, and transmissions from different STAs may be approximately time-aligned. In the case of asynchronous operation, STAs may have different frame timings, and transmissions from different STAs may not be time-aligned. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous or asynchronous operation.

[0204] The downlink transmission described in this specification may also be referred to as forward link transmission, and the uplink transmission may also be referred to as reverse link transmission. For example, each communication link described in this specification, including the WLANs 100 and 200 in FIGS. 1 and 2, may include one or more carriers, and each carrier may be a signal composed of a plurality of sub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies).

[0205] The descriptions provided in this specification with respect to the accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary configurations and do not necessarily represent all examples that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used in this specification means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for facilitating an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the example being described.

[0206] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference labels. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by attaching a dash and a second label that differentiates similar components after the reference label. When only the first reference label is used in this specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label regardless of the second reference label.

[0207] The information and signals described in this specification may be represented using any of a variety of techniques and technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0208] The various exemplary blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure of this specification may be implemented or executed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0209] The functions described in this specification may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. The features that perform the functions may also be physically located in various places, including being distributed such that parts of the functions are executed at different physical locations. Also, as used herein within the scope of the claims, "or" as used within a listing of items (e.g., a listing of items ending with phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive listing such that, for example, a listing of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (e.g., A and B and C). Also, the phrase "based on" as used herein should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, a step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, when used herein, the phrase "based on" shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".

[0210] A computer-readable medium includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can facilitate transfer of a computer program from one location to another. The non-transitory storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose computer or a dedicated computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory media that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose computer or a dedicated computer or a general purpose processor or a dedicated processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of the medium. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, where disk typically magnetically reproduces data and disc optically reproduces data using a laser. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0211] The description in this specification is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication at a station (STA), A first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of target waketime sessions repeated according to a service interval, wherein the first signal indicates each of the set of frequency channels for each target waketime session in the set of target waketime sessions, and each target waketime session in the set of target waketime sessions receives the first signal, having an associated service period in which the STA is expected to be in an awake state. Receiving a second signal instructing the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel indicated by the first signal, in accordance with the frequency hopping pattern associated with the first target waketime session, among the set of target waketime sessions, With respect to the first target waketime session among the set of target waketime sessions, switching from the first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to the second frequency channel according to the frequency hopping pattern associated with the first target waketime session, A method comprising, at least in part, communicating a third signal over the second frequency channel during a service period associated with the first target waketime session, based on the aforementioned switching.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein communicating the third signal includes receiving the third signal from an access point during the service period associated with the first target waketime session on the second frequency channel, at least in part on the basis of switching.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein communicating the third signal includes transmitting the third signal to another STA during the service period associated with the first target waketime session on the second frequency channel, at least in part on the basis of switching.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on congestion conditions associated with the first frequency channel.

5. The congestion conditions include a threshold latency metric or a threshold throughput metric, The method according to claim 4, wherein switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on the threshold latency metric or the threshold throughput metric.

6. The second signal includes a beacon signal that includes the indication of the frequency hopping pattern, The beacon signal is received by the STA before the service period associated with the first target waketime session. The second signal includes a data signal that includes the indication of the frequency hopping pattern, The method according to claim 1, wherein the data signal is received by the STA during a previous service period associated with the first target waketime session prior to the service period.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the data signal includes a quality of service data signal that includes one or more bits instructing the STA to switch from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel.

8. The further step of receiving an indication of the second frequency channel, wherein switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is based at least in part on the received indication of the second frequency channel. The indication of the second frequency channel includes a channel index corresponding to the second frequency channel. The method according to claim 1, wherein switching from the first frequency channel to the second frequency channel is at least partially based on the channel index.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second frequency channel is at least partially based on data collected over a duration prior to the first target waketime session associated with the set of frequency channels.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second frequency channel is at least partially based on a pseudo-random seed.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a third signal on the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first target waketime session, at least in part on the basis of switching, wherein the third signal instructs the STA to refrain from switching off the second frequency channel during subsequent service periods associated with the first target waketime session after the service period.

12. An apparatus for wireless communication comprising means configured to carry out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for wireless communication at an access point (AP), A first signal including an indication of a set of frequency channels for a set of target waketime sessions repeated according to a service interval, wherein the first signal indicates each frequency channel of the set of frequency channels for each target waketime session in the set of target waketime sessions, and each target waketime session in the set of target waketime sessions transmits the first signal, having an associated service period in which the station (STA) is expected to be in an awake state. With respect to a first target waketime session among the set of target waketime sessions, a second signal is transmitted to instruct the STA to switch from a first frequency channel indicated by the first signal to a second frequency channel according to the frequency hopping pattern associated with the first target waketime session. A method comprising communicating a third signal via the second frequency channel during the service period associated with the first target waketime session.

14. An apparatus for wireless communication comprising means configured to carry out the method described in Claim 13.

15. A computer program comprising program instructions that, when executed by a computer, perform all methods of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or claim 13.

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