Allocating multiple resource units for multi-user transmission to a single wireless station.

Abstract

Various aspects of this disclosure relate, in general, to wireless communications. In some aspects, a first wireless communications device may transmit a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) indicating that at least two resource units (RUs) associated with a multi-user (MU) transmission are allocated to a second wireless communications device. The first wireless communications device may communicate with the second wireless communications device at least in part on using the at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications)

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 492,753, filed on March 28, 2023, and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 607,025, filed on March 15, 2024, both entitled "ALLOCATING MULTIPLE RESOURCE UNITS OF A MULTI - USER TRANSMISSION TO A SINGLE WIRELESS STATION", which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002]

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication, and more particularly, to techniques and apparatus for allocating multiple resource units of a multi - user orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission to a single wireless station.

Background Art

[0003]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, and broadcast. These systems may be multiple access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network, WLAN, such as Wi-Fi (i.e., an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE) 802.11) network) may include one or more stations (STAs) or access points (APs) that can communicate with mobile devices. APs may be coupled to a network such as the Internet, enabling mobile devices to communicate over the network (or with other devices coupled to the access points). Wireless devices may communicate bidirectionally with network devices. For example, in a WLAN, STAs may communicate with associated APs via downlink and uplink. "Downlink" can refer to the communication link from the access point (AP) to the station (BAT), and "uplink" can refer to the communication link from the station to the AP.

[0004]

[0004] In some WLANs, APs and STAs may support multi-user orthogonal frequency division multiple access (MU-OFDMA) communication and / or multi-user (MU) communication such as MU-MIMO. In some embodiments, MU communication may be simultaneous transmission from one device to each of several devices and / or simultaneous transmission from several devices to a single device. In MU-OFDMA communication, simultaneous transmission may be based at least in part on the use of orthogonal frequency division multiple access, and in MU-MIMO communication, simultaneous transmission may be based at least in part on the spatial diversity of beam transmission. In MU communication schemes, the available frequency spectrum of a wireless channel may be divided into several resource units (RUs) based at least in part on several frequency subcarriers. Different RUs may be allocated or assigned by APs to different STAs at a given time. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0005]

[0005] Some embodiments described herein relate to methods of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device, such as an access point (AP) and / or a wireless station (STA). The method may include transmitting a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) indicating that a plurality of resource units (RUs) associated with a multi-user (MU) transmission are to be allocated to a second wireless communication device, such as another wireless station (STA). The method may include communicating with the second wireless communication device, at least in part, using at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission.

[0006]

[0006] Some embodiments described herein relate to methods of wireless communication performed by a second wireless communication device, such as a wireless station (STA). The method may include receiving a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with an MU transmission are to be allocated to the second wireless communication device. The method may include communicating with a first wireless communication device, such as another STA and / or access point (AP), at least in part, based on using at least two RUs associated with an MU transmission.

[0007]

[0007] Some embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for wireless communication in a first wireless communication device such as an AP and / or STA. The apparatus may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. One or more processors may be configured individually or collectively to cause the first wireless communication device to transmit a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions are allocated to a second wireless communication device such as another STA. One or more processors may be configured individually or collectively to cause the first wireless communication device to communicate with the second wireless communication device at least in part on the use of at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions.

[0008]

[0008] Some embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication in a second wireless communication device, such as an STA. The apparatus may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. One or more processors may be configured individually or collectively to cause the second wireless communication device to receive a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions are allocated to the second wireless communication device. One or more processors may be configured individually or collectively to cause the second wireless communication device to communicate with a first wireless communication device, such as another STA and / or AP, at least in part, using at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions.

[0009]

[0009] Some embodiments described herein relate to a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a first wireless communication device such as an AP and / or STA. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the first wireless communication device, can cause the first wireless communication device to transmit a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions are to be allocated to a second wireless communication device such as another STA. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the first wireless communication device, can cause the first wireless communication device to communicate with the second wireless communication device, at least in part, on the use of at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions.

[0010]

[0010] Some embodiments described herein relate to a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a second wireless communication device such as an STA. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the second wireless communication device, can cause the second wireless communication device to receive a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions are allocated to the second wireless communication device. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the second wireless communication device, can cause the second wireless communication device to communicate with a first wireless communication device such as another STA and / or AP, at least in part, on the use of at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions.

[0011]

[0011] Some embodiments described herein relate to devices for wireless communication. The device may include means for transmitting a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with an MU transmit are allocated to a second wireless communication device such as an STA. The device may include means for communicating with the second wireless communication device at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with an MU transmit.

[0012]

[0012] Some embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with an MU transmit are allocated to a second wireless communication device such as an STA. The apparatus may include means for communicating with a first wireless communication device such as another STA and / or AP, at least in part, based on using at least two RUs associated with an MU transmit.

[0013]

[0013] Some embodiments described herein relate to methods of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device. The method may include communicating with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device. The method may include transmitting an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. The method may include communicating with a second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0014]

[0014] Some embodiments described herein relate to methods of wireless communication performed by a second wireless communication device. The method may include communicating with a first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device. The method may include receiving a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. The method may include communicating with the first wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0015]

[0015] Some embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication in a first wireless communication device. The apparatus may include one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to one or more memories. One or more processors may communicate with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, wherein the single RU allocation is allocated to the second wireless communication device. One or more processors may be configured to transmit an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. One or more processors may communicate with a second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, wherein the M-RU communication comprises at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0016]

[0016] Some embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication in a second wireless communication device. The apparatus may include one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to one or more memories. One or more processors may communicate with a first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to a second wireless communication device. One or more processors may be configured to receive a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. One or more processors may communicate with the first wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part based on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication may be configured to include at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission being allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0017]

[0017] Some embodiments described herein relate to a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a first wireless communication device. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the first wireless communication device, can cause the first wireless communication device to communicate with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the first wireless communication device, can cause the first wireless communication device to transmit an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. When a set of instructions is executed by one or more processors of a first wireless communication device, it can cause the first wireless communication device to communicate with a second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the basis of activating M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0018]

[0018] Some embodiments described herein relate to a non-temporary computer-readable medium for storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a second wireless communication device. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the second wireless communication device, can cause the second wireless communication device to communicate with the first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device. The set of instructions, when executed by one or more processors of the second wireless communication device, can cause the second wireless communication device to receive a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. When the set of instructions is executed by one or more processors of the second wireless communication device, it can cause the second wireless communication device to communicate with the first wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the basis of activating M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0019]

[0019] Some embodiments described herein relate to devices for wireless communication. The device may include means for communicating with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device. The device may include means for transmitting an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. The device may include means for communicating with a second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0020]

[0020] Some embodiments described herein relate to apparatus for wireless communication by a second wireless communication device. The apparatus may include means for communicating with a first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device. The apparatus may include means for receiving a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. The apparatus may include means for communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least one of at least two RUs in a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0021]

[0021] Each of the systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein has several inventive aspects, and no single aspect thereof alone represents any of the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0022]

[0022] Embodiments are generally substantially described herein with reference to the drawings and herein and include methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, non-temporary computer-readable media, user equipment (UE), STA, AP, network node, network entity, wireless communication device, or processing system as shown in the drawings and herein.

[0023]

[0023] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described herein are described in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, embodiments, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Note that the relative dimensions in the following figures may not be drawn to exact scale. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0024] To better understand the features of the present disclosure listed above in detail, a more detailed description, briefly summarized above, can be obtained by referring to the aspects shown in part in the accompanying drawings. However, note that since the description may admit other equally valid aspects, the accompanying drawings show only some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting its scope. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. [Figure 1]

[0025] A block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication network is shown. [Figure 2]

[0026] An exemplary protocol data unit (PDU) that can be used for wireless communication between a wireless access point (AP) and one or more wireless stations (STAs) is shown. [Figure 3]

[0027] An exemplary physical layer PDU (PPDU) that can be used for wireless communication between a wireless AP and one or more wireless STAs is shown. [Figure 4]

[0028] A diagram showing an exemplary trigger frame according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5]

[0029] A diagram showing an example of a wireless communication process between an AP and a STA according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6]

[0030] Figures 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the first example and the second example of M-RU communication according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7]

[0031] A diagram showing an exemplary process, for example, implemented by an AP according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8]

[0032] A diagram showing an exemplary process, for example, implemented by a STA according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9]

[0033] This figure shows an exemplary process implemented, for example, by AP, as disclosed herein. [Figure 10]

[0034] This figure shows an exemplary process implemented by, for example, STA as described in this disclosure. [Figure 11]

[0035] This is a diagram of an exemplary device for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12]

[0036] This is a diagram of an exemplary device for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13]

[0037] This figure shows exemplary components of the device as disclosed herein. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025]

[0038] The following description applies to several specific examples for the purpose of illustrating innovative aspects of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in numerous different ways. Some or all of the examples described may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in accordance with, among other things, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard, the IEEE 802.15 standard, the Bluetooth® standard as defined by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group (SIG), or one or more of the Long Term Evolution (LTE®), 3G, 4G, or 5G (New Radio®) standards issued by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®). The examples described can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to one or more of the following technologies or techniques: code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), spatial division multiple access (SDMA), rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA), multi-user shared access (MUSA), single-user (SU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), and multiple-user MIMO (MU-MIMO).The examples described can also be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of the following networks: wireless personal area network (WPAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless wide area network (WWAN), wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), or Internet of Things (IoT) network.

[0026]

[0039] An access point (AP) operating in a WLAN may allocate and / or assign resource units (RUs) to different wireless stations (STAs) based at least in part on multi-user (MU) transmissions such as MU-OFDMA transmission and / or MU-MIMO transmission, with each resource unit (RU) being associated with a distinct segment of the frequency spectrum and a separate segment of time. Some protocol standards may instruct the AP to allocate a single RU (e.g., only one RU) to an STA in a given instance. An RU may be associated with one or more transmission parameters, such as the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and / or the target power level. Thus, in the case of downlink MU communication involving the occurrence of allocated RUs, the AP may send only one physical layer service data unit (PSDU) per physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) to the STA, and the STA may parse one PSDU per PPDU. Alternatively or additionally, in the case of uplink MU communication, each STA may be triggered to send a single PSDU for each PPDU (e.g., using an allocated RU). Based at least in part on the STA receiving a single RU allocation in a given instance, the PSDU associated with the STA may contain multiple medium access control (MAC) protocol data units (MPDUs).

[0027]

[0040] Including multiple MPDUs within a single PSDU (and subsequently, a PPDU) can result in the STA being unable to meet performance requirements such as data transfer latency and / or data throughput requirements. For example, each MPDU among multiple PDUs within a single PSDU may be associated with a separate data traffic stream, and each data traffic stream may have different performance requirements relative to other data traffic streams. However, allocating a single RU results in each MPDU within a single PSDU having the same transmit parameters, which can then result in the STA being unable to meet performance requirements (one or more).

[0028]

[0041] Several techniques and apparatus described herein provide for allocating at least two resource units of an MU transmission to a single STA. In some embodiments, a first wireless communication device, such as an AP and / or STA, may transmit a (single) PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with an MU transmission (e.g., a downlink MU transmission or an uplink MU transmission) are to be allocated to a second wireless communication device, such as another STA. Alternatively or additionally, the first wireless communication device may indicate the respective transmission parameters for each of the at least two RUs to be allocated to the second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device may communicate with the second wireless communication device, at least in part, based on transmitting a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs are to be allocated to the second wireless communication device, and at least in part, based on using the at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission.

[0029]

[0042] The ability of a wireless communication device (e.g., AP and / or STA) to allocate multiple RUs to a second wireless communication device (e.g., another STA) in a single instance, while varying the transmit parameters for each RU, can improve the reliability of communication with the second wireless communication device, at least in part, by demultiplexing the transmit parameters associated with each of the data traffic streams. For illustrative purposes, an AP may configure the transmit parameters associated with the use of each RU, at least in part, based on the respective performance requirements, as described below. The ability to allocate multiple RUs of MU transmissions to an STA, and / or configure each RU with different transmit parameters, allows the AP to configure each RU, and then configure transmissions using the RUs, at least in part, based on the performance requirements (one or more) in the STA. That is, the ability to allocate multiple RUs and configure the transmit parameters of each RU independently can allow the STA to meet performance requirements, increase the reliability of communication in the STA, and / or increase the robustness of communication in the STA, as described below.

[0030]

[0043] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication network 100. In some embodiments, the wireless communication network 100 can be an example of a WLAN, such as a Wi-Fi network (and will be referred to hereafter as WLAN100). For example, WLAN100 can be a network that implements at least one of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards (such as those specified in the IEEE 802.11-2020 specification or its revisions, including, but not limited to, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, 802.11bd, 802.11be, 802.11bf, and the 802.11 amendment associated with Wi-Fi 8). WLAN100 may include numerous wireless communication devices, such as a wireless AP102 and multiple wireless STA104s. Although only one AP102 is shown in Figure 1, WLAN100 can also include multiple AP102s. The AP102 shown in Figure 1 can represent various types of APs, including, but is not limited to, enterprise-level APs, single-frequency APs, dual-band APs, standalone APs, software-enabled APs (soft APs), and multi-link APs. The coverage area and capacity of cellular networks (LTE, 5G NR, etc.) may be further improved by small cells supported by APs acting as miniature base stations. Furthermore, private cellular networks may also be constructed through wireless area networks utilizing small cells.

[0031]

[0044] Each of the STA104 may also be called, among other examples, a mobile station (MS), a mobile device, a mobile handset, a wireless handset, an access terminal (AT), user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), or a subscriber unit. Among other examples, the STA104 may represent a variety of devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, Chromebooks, extended reality (XR) headsets, wearable devices, display devices (e.g., TVs (including smart TVs), computer monitors, navigation systems), music or other audio or stereo devices, remote control devices ("remote"), printers, kitchen appliances (including smart refrigerators) or other household appliances, key fobs (e.g., for passive keyless entry and start (PKES) systems), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and vehicles. Various STA104 units in the network can communicate with each other via AP102.

[0032]

[0045] A single AP102 and associated set of STA104 may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS) managed by each AP102. Figure 1 shows an exemplary coverage area 108 of AP102, which may additionally represent the basic service area (BSA) of WLAN100. The BSS may be identified or indicated to users by a service set identifier (SSID) and to other devices by a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which may be the media access control (MAC) address of AP102. AP102 may periodically broadcast beacon frames ("beacons") containing the BSSID so that any STA104 within AP102's wireless range can "associate" or reassociate with AP102 in order to establish a separate communication link 106 (hereinafter also referred to as a "Wi-Fi link") with AP102 or to maintain a communication link 106 with AP102. For example, a beacon may include identification information or indication of the primary channel used by each AP102, as well as a timing synchronization function to establish or maintain timing synchronization with the AP102. The AP102 may provide access to the external network to various STA104 in the WLAN via their respective communication links 106.

[0033]

[0046] To establish a communication link 106 with AP102, each STA104 is configured to perform either a passive scan operation or an active scan operation ("scan") on a frequency channel within one or more frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, or 60 GHz bands). To perform a passive scan, the STA104 listens for beacons transmitted by each AP102 at periodic time intervals called the Target Beacon Transmit Time (TBTT) (measured in time units (TUs), where one time unit (TU) may be equal to 1024 microseconds (μs)). To perform an active scan, the STA104 generates probe requests, transmits them sequentially on each channel to be scanned, and listens for probe responses from AP102. Each STA104 may identify, determine, confirm, or select an AP102 to associate with, based on scan information obtained through passive or active scanning, and may perform authentication and association operations to establish a communication link 106 with the selected AP102. Upon completion of the association operation, the AP102 assigns an association identifier (AID) to the STA104, which the AP102 uses to track the STA104.

[0034]

[0047] As a result of the increased ubiquity of wireless networks, STA104 may have the opportunity to select one of many BSSs within the STA's range, or to select from multiple AP102s that together form an extended service set (ESS) containing multiple connected BSSs. An extended network station associated with WLAN100 may be connected to a wired or wireless distributed system that allows multiple AP102s to be connected within such an ESS. As a result, STA104 may be covered by two or more AP102s and may be associated with different AP102s at different times for different transmissions. In addition, after association with an AP102, STA104 may also periodically scan its vicinity to find a more suitable AP102 to associate with. For example, STA104 working with its associated AP102 may perform a "roaming" scan to find another AP102 with more desirable network characteristics, such as a higher received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or reduced traffic load.

[0035]

[0048] In some cases, STA104s can form a network without AP102s or other equipment other than themselves. An example of such a network is an ad-hoc network (or wireless ad-hoc network). Ad-hoc networks are sometimes referred to as mesh networks or peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. In some cases, an ad-hoc network may be implemented within a larger wireless network such as a WLAN100. In such an example, STA104s may be able to communicate with each other through AP102s using communication link 106, but STA104s can also communicate with each other directly via a direct wireless communication link 110. Additionally, two STA104s may communicate via a direct wireless communication link 110, regardless of whether both STA104s are associated with and served by the same AP102. In such an ad-hoc system, one or more of the STA104s may take on the role that AP102s play in a BSS. Such an STA104 may be called a group owner (GO) and can coordinate transmissions within an ad-hoc network. Examples of direct wireless communication links 110 include Wi-Fi Direct connections, connections established using Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) links, and other P2P group connections.

[0036]

[0049] AP102 and STA104 can function in accordance with one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards and communicate (via their respective communication links 106). These standards define WLAN radio protocols and baseband protocols for the physical layer (PHY) and MAC layer. AP102 and STA104 transmit and receive wireless communications (hereinafter also referred to as "Wi-Fi communications" or "wireless packets") to and from each other in the form of PHY protocol data units (PPDUs). AP102 and STA104 in WLAN 100 may transmit PPDUs over unlicensed spectrum, which may be a portion of the spectrum including frequency bands conventionally used by Wi-Fi technology, such as the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz), 5 GHz, 60 GHz, 3.6 GHz, and 900 megahertz (MHz) bands. Some examples of AP102 and STA104 described herein may also communicate in other frequency bands, such as the 5.9 GHz and 6 GHz bands, which may support both licensed and unlicensed communications. AP102 and STA104 may also communicate over other frequency bands, such as shared-license frequency bands, where multiple operators may have licenses to operate in one or more frequency bands that are the same or overlapping.

[0037]

[0050] Each frequency band may include multiple subbands or frequency channels. For example, PPDUs compliant with the IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and revised 802.11be standards may be transmitted over the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz band, each divided into multiple 20MHz channels. As a result, these PPDUs are transmitted over physical channels with a minimum bandwidth of 20MHz, although larger channels can be formed through channel bonding. For example, a PPDU may be transmitted over physical channels with bandwidths of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz by bonding multiple 20MHz channels together.

[0038]

[0051] Each PPDU is a composite structure containing a PHY preamble and payload in the form of a PHY service data unit (PSDU). Information provided within the preamble may be used by the receiving device to decode subsequent data within the PSDU. In instances where a PPDU is transmitted over bonded channels, the preamble fields may be duplicated and transmitted on each of the multiple component channels. A PHY preamble may contain both a legacy portion (or "legacy preamble") and a non-legacy portion (or "non-legacy preamble"). The legacy preamble may be used, among other applications, for packet detection, automatic gain control, and channel estimation. The legacy preamble may also generally be used to maintain compatibility with legacy devices. The format, coding, and information provided within the non-legacy portion of the preamble are associated with a specific IEEE 802.11 protocol to be used to transmit the payload.

[0039]

[0052] In some wireless communication environments, extremely high throughput (EHT) systems, or other systems compliant with the next generation of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards, may offer additional capabilities over other older systems (e.g., high efficiency (HE) systems or other legacy systems). EHT and newer wireless communication protocols can support flexible operating bandwidth expansion in APs and STAs, including wider operating bandwidths and / or finer-grained operation compared to legacy operation. For example, an EHT system may enable communication over operating bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 240 MHz, and 320 MHz. An EHT system may support multiple bandwidth modes, such as a continuous 240 MHz bandwidth mode, a continuous 320 MHz bandwidth mode, a discontinuous 160+160 MHz bandwidth mode, or a discontinuous 80+80+80+80 (or "4×80") MHz bandwidth mode.

[0040]

[0053] AP102 and STA104 can support MU communication, that is, simultaneous transmission from one device to multiple devices (e.g., multiple simultaneous downlink (DL) communications from AP102 to the corresponding STA104), or simultaneous transmission from multiple devices to a single device (e.g., multiple simultaneous uplink (UL) transmissions from the corresponding STA104 to AP102). To support MU transmission, AP102 and STA104 may utilize MU-MIMO techniques and multiple-user orthogonal frequency division multiple access (MU-OFDMA) techniques.

[0041]

[0054] In the MU-OFDMA scheme, the available frequency spectrum of a wireless channel can be divided into multiple resource units (RUs), each containing multiple frequency subcarriers (also called "tones"). Different RUs may be allocated or assigned by AP102 to different STA104 at a given time. The size and distribution of RUs are sometimes referred to as RU allocation. In some examples, RUs may be allocated at 2MHz intervals, so the smallest RU may contain 26 tones, consisting of 24 data tones and 2 pilot tones. As a result, a 20MHz channel may have up to 9 RUs allocated (e.g., a 2MHz, 26-tone RU), with some tones reserved for other purposes. Similarly, a 160MHz channel may have up to 74 RUs allocated. Larger RUs of 52, 106, 242, 484, and 996 tones may also be allocated. For example, to reduce interference between adjacent RUs, to reduce the DC offset of the receiver, and to avoid leakage of the transmit center frequency, adjacent RUs may be separated by null subcarriers (such as direct current (DC) subcarriers).

[0042]

[0055] In the case of UL MU transmission, AP102 may send a trigger frame to initiate and synchronize UL MU-OFDMA and / or UL MU-MIMO transmissions from multiple STA104 to AP102. Thus, such a trigger frame may enable multiple STA104 to transmit UL traffic to AP102 simultaneously. The trigger frame may address one or more STA104 via their respective AIDs and assign one or more RUs to each AID (and therefore each STA104) that can be used to transmit UL traffic to AP102. AP may also designate one or more random access (RA) RUs that unscheduled STA104s may compete for.

[0043]

[0056] In some examples, wireless communication devices operate in a continuous 320 MHz bandwidth mode or a 160 + 160 MHz bandwidth mode. The signal for transmission may be generated by two different transmit chains of devices, each having a 160 MHz bandwidth (and each coupled to a different power amplifier). In some other examples, the signal for transmission may be generated by four or more different transmit chains of devices, each having an 80 MHz bandwidth.

[0044]

[0057] In some other examples, wireless communication devices may operate in a continuous 240 MHz bandwidth mode or a discontinuous 160 + 80 MHz bandwidth mode. In some examples, the signal for transmission may be generated by three different transmit chains of the device, each having an 80 MHz bandwidth. In some other examples, the 240 MHz / 160 + 80 MHz bandwidth mode may also be formed by puncturing a 320 / 160 + 160 MHz bandwidth mode using one or more 80 MHz subchannels. For example, the signal for transmission may be generated by two different transmit chains of the device, each having a 160 MHz bandwidth, with one of the transmit chains outputting a signal that has an 80 MHz subchannel punctured within it.

[0045]

[0058] The operating bandwidth can also be adapted to simultaneous operation on portions of the spectrum that include other unlicensed frequency bands (such as the 6 GHz band) and frequency bands conventionally used by Wi-Fi technology. In discontinuous examples, the operating bandwidth may span one or more heterogeneous sets of subchannels. For example, a 320 MHz bandwidth may be continuous and located within the same 6 GHz band, or it may be discontinuous and located in different bands (e.g., partially within the 5 GHz band and partially within the 6 GHz band).

[0046]

[0059] In some cases, operational enhancements associated with newer generations of the IEEE 802.11 family of EHT and wireless communication protocols, particularly operation in increased bandwidth, may include improvements to carrier detection and signal reporting mechanisms. Such techniques may include modifications to existing rules, structures, or signaling implemented for legacy systems.

[0047]

[0060] APs and STAs with multiple antennas can support various diversity schemes. For example, spatial diversity may be used by one or both the transmitting and receiving devices to enhance transmission robustness. For instance, to implement a transmit diversity scheme, the transmitting device may redundantly transmit the same data through two or more antennas.

[0048]

[0061] APs and STAs with multiple antennas can also support space-time block coding (STBC). Using STBC, the transmitting device also transmits multiple copies of the data stream across multiple antennas to leverage different received versions of the data in order to increase the likelihood of decoding the correct data. More specifically, the data stream to be transmitted is coded into blocks, and these blocks are distributed over time across spaced-out antennas. Generally, STBC can be used when the number of transmitting antennas N_Tx exceeds the number of spatial streams N_SS. N_SS spatial streams may be mapped to several space-time streams (N_STS), which are then mapped to N_Tx transmission chains.

[0049]

[0062] APs and STAs with multiple antennas can also support spatial multiplexing, which can be used to increase the spectral efficiency of transmission and the resulting throughput. To implement spatial multiplexing, the transmitting device divides the data stream into a certain number of N_SS separate and independent spatial streams. The spatial streams are separately encoded and transmitted in parallel through multiple N_Tx transmitting antennas. APs and STAs with multiple antennas can also support beamforming. Beamforming generally refers to concentrating the energy of a transmission towards a target receiver. Beamforming can be used in both the context of SU beamforming to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), for example, and in the context of MU beamforming to enable MU-MIMO transmission (also known as SDMA), for example. In the context of MU-MIMO, beamforming may, as an addition or alternative, involve nulling out energy in the direction of other receiving devices. To implement SU beamforming or MU-MIMO, a transmitting device called a beamformer transmits signals from each of the multiple antennas. A beamformer is configured to sum the amplitude and phase shifts between signals transmitted from different antennas so that the signals reinforce each other along a specific direction toward the intended receiver (called the beamformer), or so that they cancel each other out along other directions toward other devices to mitigate interference in a MU-MIMO context. The way in which the beamformer constitutes the amplitude and phase shifts depends on the channel state information (CSI) associated with the wireless channel through which the beamformer intends to communicate with the beamformer.

[0050]

[0063] To obtain the CSI required for beamforming, the beamformer may perform a channel sounding procedure with the beamformer. For example, the beamformer may send one or more sounding signals to the beamformer (e.g., in the form of null data packets, NDPs). An NDP is a PPDU that does not contain a data field. The beamformer may then perform measurements for each of the N_Tx × N_Rx subchannels corresponding to all pairs of transmitting and receiving antennas associated with the sounding signals. The beamformer generates a feedback matrix associated with the channel measurements and typically compresses the feedback matrix before sending the feedback to the beamformer. The beamformer may then generate a precoding (or "steering") matrix for the beamformer associated with the feedback and use that steering matrix to precode the data stream and configure the amplitude and phase shifts for subsequent transmission to the beamformer. A beamformer may use a steering matrix to determine (e.g., identify, detect, verify, calculate, or compute) how signals should be transmitted on each of its antennas in order to perform beamforming. For example, the steering matrix may indicate the phase shift, power level, etc., used to transmit individual signals on each of the beamformer's antennas.

[0051]

[0064] The transmitting device may support the use of diversity schemes. When beamforming is performed, the transmit beamforming array gain is logarithmically proportional to the ratio of N_Tx to N_SS. Therefore, within other constraints, it is generally desirable to increase the number of transmitting antennas N_Tx when performing beamforming to increase gain. Increasing the number of transmitting antennas also makes it possible to direct the transmit or null more precisely. This is particularly advantageous in MU transmission contexts where reducing inter-user interference is especially important.

[0052]

[0065] To increase the spatial multiplexing capability of an AP, it may need to support an increased number of spatial streams (e.g., up to 16 spatial streams). However, supporting additional spatial streams can lead to an increase in CSI feedback overhead. Implicit CSI acquisition techniques can circumvent CSI feedback overhead by taking advantage of the assumption that UL and DL channels have reversible impulse responses (i.e., channel reversibility). For example, CSI feedback overhead can be mitigated using implicit channel sounding procedures such as BFR techniques (for example, when an STA transmits an NDP sounding packet on the UL while the AP measures the channel) because no implicit beamforming report (BFR) is transmitted. Upon receiving the NDP, the AP may implicitly evaluate the channel for each STA and use the channel evaluation to construct a steering matrix. To mitigate hardware mismatches that could break channel reversibility on the UL and DL (e.g., baseband-RF chains and RF-baseband chains are not reversible), the AP may implement calibration methods to compensate for mismatches between UL and DL channels. For example, the AP could select a reference antenna, transmit a pilot signal from each of those antennas, and estimate the baseband versus RF gain for each of the non-reference antennas relative to the reference antenna.

[0053]

[0066] In some examples, multiple APs may transmit to one or more STAs at a time using a distributed MU-MIMO scheme. Examples of such distributed MU-MIMO transmission include coordinated beamforming (CBF) and joint transmission (JT). Using CBF, a signal (such as a data stream) for a given STA may be transmitted by only a single AP. However, the coverage areas of neighboring APs may overlap, and a signal transmitted by a given AP may arrive as an OBSS signal at an STA in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) associated with the neighboring AP. CBF allows multiple neighboring APs to transmit simultaneously while minimizing or avoiding interference, which can provide more opportunities for space reuse. More specifically, using the CBF technique, an AP may beamform a signal to an STA in an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) while forming a null in the direction of the STA in the OBSS, such that any signal received at an OBSS STA is low enough power to limit interference at the STA. To achieve this, an inter-BSS coordination set containing the identifiers of all APs and STAs participating in CBF transmission may be defined among neighboring APs.

[0054]

[0067] Using JT, a signal for a given STA can be transmitted by multiple coordinated APs. For multiple APs to transmit data to the STA simultaneously, each AP may require a copy of the data to be transmitted to the STA. Therefore, APs may need to exchange data with each other for transmission to the STA. In JT, the combination of antennas of multiple APs transmitting to one or more STAs can be considered as one large antenna array (which may be represented as a virtual antenna array) used for beamforming and signal transmission. Combined with MU-MIMO techniques, multiple antennas of multiple APs may be able to transmit data through multiple spatial streams. Therefore, each STA may receive data through one or more of these spatial streams.

[0055]

[0068] Some wireless communication devices (including both APs and STAs) are capable of multi-link operation (MLO). In some examples, MLO supports establishing multiple different communication links between the STA and the AP (such as a first link on the 2.4 GHz band, a second link on the 5 GHz band, and a third link on the 6 GHz band). Each communication link may support one or more sets of channels or logical entities. In some cases, each communication link associated with a given wireless communication device may be associated with a separate radio of the wireless communication device, which may include one or more transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) chains, one or more physical antennas or be coupled to them, or signal processing components, among other components. MLO-enabled devices are sometimes called multi-link devices (MLDs). For example, an AP MLD may include multiple APs, each configured to communicate with a separate STA among multiple STAs of non-AP MLDs (also called "STA MLDs") on separate communication links. The STA MLD may communicate with the AP MLD via one or more of multiple communication links at a given time.

[0056]

[0069] One type of MLO is multi-link aggregation (MLA), where traffic associated with a single STA is transmitted simultaneously in parallel across multiple communication links to maximize the use of available resources to achieve higher throughput. That is, for at least some duration, transmission or a portion of transmission may occur simultaneously in parallel over two or more links. In some examples, parallel wireless communication links may support synchronous transmission. In some other examples, or for some other duration, transmissions over links may be parallel but not synchronous or simultaneous. In some examples or durations, two or more of the links may be used for communication between wireless communication devices in the same direction (such as all uplink or all downlink). In some other examples or durations, two or more of the links may be used for communication in different directions. For example, one or more links may support uplink communication, and one or more links may support downlink communication. In such examples, at least one of the wireless communication devices operates in full-duplex mode. Generally, full-duplex operation enables bidirectional communication in which at least one of the wireless communication devices can transmit and receive simultaneously.

[0057]

[0070] MLA can be implemented in several ways. In some examples, MLA may be packet-based. In packet-based aggregation, frames of a single traffic flow (such as all traffic associated with a given traffic identifier (TID)) may be transmitted simultaneously across multiple communication links. In some other examples, MLA may be flow-based. In flow-based aggregation, each traffic flow (such as all traffic associated with a given TID) may be transmitted using a single communication link out of several available communication links. As an example, a single STA MLD may access a web browser while simultaneously streaming video in parallel. Traffic associated with the web browser access may be transmitted over a first communication link, and traffic associated with the video stream may be transmitted in parallel over a second communication link (resulting in at least some of the data being transmitted on the first channel simultaneously with data being transmitted on the second channel).

[0058]

[0071] In some other examples, MLA can be implemented as a hybrid of flow-based and packet-based aggregation. For example, MLD may employ flow-based aggregation in situations where multiple traffic flows are created, and packet-based aggregation in other situations. The decision to switch between MLA techniques or modes may, additionally or alternatively, be associated with other metrics (among other factors or considerations, such as time of day, traffic load in the network, or battery power of wireless communication devices).

[0059]

[0072] To support MLO techniques, AP MLDs and STA MLDs may exchange supported MLO capability information (such as supported aggregation types or supported frequency bands, among other information). In some examples, the exchange of information may occur via beacon signals, probe requests or probe responses, association requests or association response frames, dedicated action frames, or operating mode indicators (OMIs), among other examples. In some examples, an AP MLD may designate a given channel in a given band as an anchor channel (such as the channel from which it transmits beacons and other management frames). In such examples, the AP MLD may also transmit beacons (which may contain less information, among other things) on other channels for discovery purposes.

[0060]

[0073] MLO techniques can offer several advantages to WLANs. For example, MLO can improve user-perceived throughput (UPT) by rapidly flushing per-user transmit queues. Similarly, MLO can improve throughput by improving the utilization of available channels and increase spectrum utilization by increasing the bandwidth-time product. Furthermore, MLO can enable smooth transitions between multiband radios (for example, when each radio can be associated with a given RF band) or allow the framework to set up separation of control and data channels. Other advantages of MLO include reducing modem on-time, which can benefit wireless communication devices in terms of power consumption. Another advantage of MLO is the increased multiplexing opportunities in the case of a single BSS. For example, multilink aggregation can increase the number of users per multiplexed transmit served by a multilink AP MLD.

[0061]

[0074] The mode of transmission may vary depending on the distance between the transmitter (e.g., AP102 or STA104) and the receiver (e.g., another AP102 or STA104). Wireless communication devices generally benefit from having information about the location or proximity of various STA104s within the coverage area. In some examples, the associated distance may be determined (e.g., calculated or computed) using a round-trip time (RTT) based ranging procedure. Additionally, in some examples, the AP102 and STA104 may perform ranging operations. Each ranging operation may involve the exchange of fine timing measurement (FTM) frames (such as those defined in the 802.11az revision for the IEEE family of wireless communication protocol standards) to obtain measurements of RTT transmissions between wireless communication devices.

[0062]

[0075] In some embodiments, the AP (e.g., AP102) may include a communications manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere in this specification, the communications manager 150 may transmit a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are to be allocated to the STA, and may communicate with the STA at least in part on the use of at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission. In addition or alternatively, the communications manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0063]

[0076] In some embodiments, the STA (e.g., STA104) may include a communications manager 140. As described in more detail elsewhere in this specification, the communications manager 140 may receive a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are allocated to the STA, and may communicate with the AP at least in part on the basis of using at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission. In addition or alternatively, the communications manager 140 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0064]

[0077] In some embodiments, the first wireless communication device (e.g., AP102) may include a communication manager 150. As described in more detail elsewhere in this specification, the communication manager 150 may communicate with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device and transmitting an indication specifying the activation of multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication, and at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the communication manager 150 may communicate with the second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs in a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device. In addition or alternatively, the communication manager 150 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0065]

[0078] In some embodiments, the second wireless communication device (e.g., STA104) may include a communication manager 140. As described in more detail elsewhere in this specification, the communication manager 140 may communicate with the first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device and receiving a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication, and communicating with the first wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of the second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device. In addition or alternatively, the communication manager 140 may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0066]

[0079] As stated above, Figure 1 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described in relation to Figure 1.

[0067]

[0080] Figure 2 shows an exemplary protocol data unit (PDU) 200 that can be used for wireless communication between a wireless AP 102 and one or more wireless STAs 104. For example, the PDU 200 may be configured as a PPDU. As shown, the PDU 200 includes a PHY preamble 202 and a PHY payload 204. For example, the preamble 202 may include a legacy portion that itself includes a legacy short training field (L-STF) 206 which may include two symbols, a legacy long training field (L-LTF) 208 which may include two symbols, and a legacy signal field (L-SIG) 210 which may include two symbols. The legacy portion of the preamble 202 may be configured according to the IEEE 802.11a wireless communication protocol standard. The preamble 202 may also include a non-legacy portion containing one or more non-legacy fields 212 that conform to, for example, one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards.

[0068]

[0081] The L-STF 206 generally enables the receiving device to perform coarse timing and frequency tracking and automatic gain control (AGC). The L-LTF 208 generally enables the receiving device to perform fine timing and frequency tracking and also enables initial estimation of the wireless channel. The L-SIG 210 generally enables the receiving device to determine (e.g., acquire, select, identify, detect, verify, calculate, or compute) the duration of a PDU to avoid overlapping transmissions with the PDU, and to use the determined duration. The legacy portion of the preamble, including the L-STF 206, L-LTF 208, and L-SIG 210, may be modulated according to a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation scheme. The payload 204 may be modulated according to a BPSK modulation scheme, a quadrature BPSK (Q-BPSK) modulation scheme, a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation scheme, or another suitable modulation scheme. The payload 204 may also include a PSDU containing a data field (DATA) 214, which can carry upper-layer data in the form of, for example, MAC protocol data units (MPDUs) or aggregated MPDUs (A-MPDUs).

[0069]

[0082] As stated above, Figure 2 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described in relation to Figure 2.

[0070]

[0083] Figure 3 shows an exemplary PPDU350 that can be used for wireless communication between a wireless AP (e.g., AP102) and one or more wireless STAs (e.g., one or more STA104). The PPDU350 can be used for SU transmission, OFDMA transmission, and / or MU-MIMO transmission. The PPDU350 may be formatted as an EHT WLAN PPDU in accordance with the IEEE 802.11be revision to the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards, or as a PPDU conforming to any later (post-EHT) version of a new wireless communication protocol conforming to a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard such as the 802.11 revision associated with Wi-Fi 8, or another wireless communication standard. The PPDU350 includes a PHY preamble, which includes a legacy portion 352 and a non-legacy portion 354. The PPDU 350 may, for example, be in the form of a PSDU including a data field 374, and may further include a PHY payload 356 after the preamble.

[0071]

[0084] The legacy portion 352 of the preamble includes L-STF358, L-LTF360, and L-SIG362. The non-legacy portion 354 of the preamble includes a repetition of L-SIG, RL-SIG364 and several wireless communication protocol version-dependent signal fields following RL-SIG364. For example, the non-legacy portion 354 may include a general-purpose signal field 366 (referred to herein as "U-SIG366") and an EHT signal field 368 (referred to herein as "EHT-SIG368"). The presence of RL-SIG364 and U-SIG366 may indicate to an EHT or later version-compliant STA104 that PPDU350 is an EHT PPDU, or a PPDU compliant with any later (post-EHT) version of a new wireless communication protocol conforming to a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard. U-SIG366 and / or EHT-SIG368 may be configured as other wireless communication protocol versions associated with revisions of the IEEE standards family beyond EHT, and may carry version-dependent information about them. For example, U-SIG366 may be used by a receiving device to interpret bits in one or more of EHT-SIG368 or data field 374. In instances involving the use of bonded channels, such as L-STF358, L-LTF360, and L-SIG362, the information in U-SIG366 and EHT-SIG368 may be duplicated and transmitted over each of the 20 MHz component channels.

[0072]

[0085] The non-legacy portion 354 further includes an additional short training field 370 (referred herein to as “EHT-STF370”, which may be constructed as other wireless communication protocol versions after EHT and carry version-dependent information for them) and one or more additional long training fields 372 (referred herein to as “EHT-LTF372”, which may be constructed as other wireless communication protocol versions after EHT and carry version-dependent information for them). The EHT-STF370 may be used for timing and frequency tracking and AGC, and the EHT-LTF372 may be used for more refined channel estimation.

[0073]

[0086] EHT-SIG 368 may be used by an AP to identify and notify one or more STA104s that the AP has scheduled a UL or DL ​​resource. EHT-SIG368 may be decoded by each compatible STA104 served by AP102. EHT-SIG368 may generally be used by a receiving device to interpret bits in data field 374. For example, EHT-SIG368 may include, in particular, RU allocation information, spatial stream configuration information, and per-user (e.g., STA-specific) signaling information. Each EHT-SIG368 may include a common field and at least one user-specific field. In the context of OFDMA, the common field may, in particular, indicate the RU distribution across multiple STA104s, indicate RU allocation in the frequency domain, indicate which RUs are allocated to MU-MIMO transmissions, which RUs respond to OFDMA transmissions, and the number of users in the allocation. User-specific fields are assigned to specific STA104s and carry STA-specific scheduling information, such as user-specific modulation and coding scheme (MCS) values ​​and user-specific RU allocation information. Such information enables each STA104 to identify and decode the corresponding RU within its associated data field 374.

[0074]

[0087] As stated above, Figure 3 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described in relation to Figure 3.

[0075]

[0088] Figure 4 shows an exemplary trigger frame 400 according to this disclosure.

[0076]

[0089] In some embodiments, the trigger frame 400 may be a type of MAC control frame that a wireless communication device (e.g., AP102 and / or STA104) may transmit to another wireless communication device to request information. Alternatively or additionally, a wireless communication device may transmit the trigger frame 400 to allocate individual RUs to other wireless communication devices for communication (e.g., downlink communication or uplink communication). For illustrative purposes, an AP may transmit the trigger frame 400 to allocate individual RUs for communication (e.g., downlink communication or uplink communication) to one or more STAs. In MU communication, a wireless communication device may use a single trigger frame to indicate and / or allocate individual RUs to one or more of several wireless communication devices. As one non-limiting example, an AP may transmit the trigger frame 400 in a DL MU PPDU, and an STA may respond to the trigger frame by transmitting a trigger-based (TB) PPDU. For example, an STA may transmit a TB PPDU using the RU indicated in the trigger frame to generate a PSDU.

[0077]

[0090] As shown in Figure 4, the trigger frame 400 includes a MAC header 402, network data 404 (e.g., packet / frame body), and a frame / packet termination 406. The MAC header 402 includes a frame control field 408, a duration field 410, a receiver address (RA) field 412, and a transmitter address (TA) field 414. However, in alternative or additional examples, the MAC header may include an RA field 412 and / or a TA field 414 having any combination of a basic service set identifier (BSSID) field, a destination address (DA) field, and / or a source address (SA) field. The frame control field 408 may provide information about the frame, including, but not limited to, the frame protocol version, frame type (e.g., management frame type, control frame type, and / or data frame type), frame subtype, distributed system direction (e.g., to and from a distributed system), retry configuration information, power management information, data protection information, and / or further data information. The duration field 410 may indicate the duration of a timer (e.g., a network allocation vector (NAV) timer) and / or provide conflict timing information for wireless access to the network. The RA field 412 may indicate the first MAC address of a receiving STA (and / or a group of receiving STAs), and the TA field 414 may indicate the second MAC address of a transmitting STA. That is, the RA field 412 may indicate one or more intended recipients of the network data 404, and the TA field 414 may indicate the signaling STA (e.g., of the network data 404).

[0078]

[0091] The network data 404 includes a common information field 416, n user information fields (represented as user information fields 418-1 to 418-n, where n is an integer), and a padding field 420. The common information field 416 may, but not limited to, provide information common to all STAs receiving the trigger frame 400, such as trigger frame type information, uplink response frame length, uplink bandwidth, guard interval length and / or long training field (LTF) type, MU-MIMO LTF mode, the expected number of high-efficiency long training field (HE-LTF) symbols in the response frame, packet expansion duration of the response frame, Doppler mode, and / or downlink transmit power. Each user information field (e.g., user information field 418-1 and user information field 418-n) may indicate STA-specific information for one or more devices participating in MU transmission (e.g., MU-OFDMA transmission and / or MU-MIMO transmission), such as RU allocation information, AID information, and / or one or more transmission parameters (e.g., UL MCS and / or target UL target power level). For illustrative purposes, user information field 418-1 may indicate a first AID (e.g., assigned to a first STA) and a first RU allocation assigned to the first STA, and user information field 418-n may indicate an nth AID (e.g., assigned to the nth STA) and an nth RU allocation assigned to the nth STA. The padding field 420 may be a variable-length field that can be used to constitute the length of the trigger frame 400.

[0079]

[0092] The packet termination 406 may include a frame check sequence (FCS) field 422. In some embodiments, the FCS field 422 may include an error detection code that the receiving STA can use to detect when the trigger frame 400 contains an error.

[0080]

[0093] As described above, an AP may allocate and / or assign RUs to different STAs, at least in part, based on OFDMA, with each RU associated with a distinct segment of the frequency spectrum (e.g., a subcarrier) and a segment of time. For illustrative purposes, as described above, an AP may indicate downlink RU allocations (e.g., specific to an STA) in the preamble of the MU PPDU (e.g., in the EHT-SIG field 368 as described with respect to Figure 3). Alternatively or additionally, an AP may indicate uplink RU allocations (e.g., specific to an STA) in the user information of the trigger frame (e.g., user information field 418-1). Thus, an AP may multiplex data associated with different STAs by transmitting and / or receiving any combination of D communication L and / or UL communication, respectively. An STA may use its allocated RUs to transmit a PSDU to and / or receive a PSDU from an AP, respectively. As an example, an STA may receive a MU PPDU from an AP using its assigned RU and the transmission parameters(single or multiple) indicated by the AP in order to receive and / or decode the MU PPDU. As another example, an STA may transmit a TB PPDU using its assigned RU and transmission parameters(single or multiple) indicated by the AP in the trigger frame.

[0081]

[0094] Some protocol standards may specify that an AP may allocate only a single RU to an STA in a given instance, such as a single RU allocation to the STA per DL MU PPDU and / or a single RU allocation to the STA per trigger frame. Thus, in the case of a downlink MU transmission that includes the occurrence of an allocated RU, the AP may send only a single PSDU to the STA for each PPDU, and the STA may parse a single PSDU for each PPDU. Alternatively or additionally, in the case of an uplink MU transmission, each STA may be triggered to send only a single PSDU for each PPDU (e.g., using the allocated RU), and the AP may parse multiple PSDUs for each PPDU. Based at least in part on the STA receiving a single RU allocation in a given instance, the PSDU associated with the STA may include all MPDUs (e.g., MPDUs generated by the STA in an uplink transmission and / or MPDUs received by the STA in a downlink transmission).

[0082]

[0095] Including multiple MPDUs within a single PSDU (and subsequently, a PPDU) can result in the STA being unable to meet performance requirements (e.g., priority level requirements, data transfer latency requirements, and / or data throughput requirements). For illustrative purposes, each MPDU among multiple PDUs within a single PSDU may be associated with a separate data traffic stream, and each data traffic stream may have different performance requirements relative to other data traffic streams. For example, a first data traffic stream associated with a first MPDU may be associated with a first quality-of-service (QoS) flow, and a second data traffic stream associated with a second MPDU may be associated with a second QoS flow having one or more different performance requirements relative to the first QoS flow. However, a single RU allocation can result in each MPDU within a single PSDU having the same transmission parameters, which can then result in the STA being unable to meet performance requirements (one or more).

[0083]

[0096] Several techniques and apparatus described herein provide for allocating multiple resource units of an MU transmission to a single STA. In some embodiments, an AP may transmit a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with an MU transmission are allocated to the STA. For illustrative purposes, at least two RUs may be associated with an MU-OFDMA transmission and / or an MU-MIMO transmission. Alternatively or additionally, the AP may indicate the respective transmission parameters for each of the at least two RUs allocated to the STA. In some embodiments, at least two RUs may be associated with a downlink MU transmission, and in other embodiments, at least two RUs may be associated with an uplink MU transmission. Based at least in part on transmitting a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs are allocated to the STA, the AP may communicate with the STA based at least in part on using the at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission.

[0084]

[0097] The ability of an AP to allocate multiple RUs to an STA in a single instance, while varying the transmit parameters for each RU, can improve the reliability of communication with the STA, at least in part, by demultiplexing the transmit parameters associated with each of the data traffic streams. To illustrate, an AP may configure transmit parameters associated with the use of each RU (e.g., for transmitting and / or receiving individual MPDUs via individual PSDUs and / or individual PPDUs) at least in part on their respective performance requirements. As an example, an AP may configure a first RU allocation with first transmit parameters for narrowband RUs and a second RU allocation with second transmit parameters for wideband RUs in the same MU PPDU and / or the same trigger frame. Narrowband RUs may be assigned to a first data frame with higher priority, and wideband RUs may be assigned to a second data frame with lower priority than the first data frame, thus enabling the STA to meet priority requirements. Alternatively or additionally, the AP may configure a first RU allocation and a second RU allocation using different guard interval lengths, different MCS, and / or different numbers of spatial streams to enable the STA to meet performance requirements and improve the reliability of communication in the STA compared to when the performance requirements are not met.

[0085]

[0098] As another example, as will be further explained below, an AP may assign multiple RUs (e.g., at least two RUs within a single PPDU) to an STA and indicate a duplicate PSDU in each transmission associated with an individual RU among the multiple RUs. Thus, the STA may transmit and / or receive one or more copies and / or duplicates of the same PSDU in each transmission associated with each RU. The duplication improves the robustness of the STA's communication (e.g., sensitivity to interference and / or signal degradation) by enabling MPDU interleaving across multiple RUs, diversifying MPDU transmissions and / or mitigating corruption. In some embodiments, the duplication of the same PSDU in each transmission associated with each RU may improve the transmission range. For example, an AP may configure multiple narrowband RUs (e.g., within the same PPDU) and indicate that each transmission associated with an individual narrowband RU carries the same PSDU.

[0086]

[0099] Alternatively or additionally, the ability of the AP to allocate multiple RUs to STAs in a single instance, while varying the transmission parameters for each RU, can enable control channels within the PPDU. For example, the AP may configure at least one RU in the PPDU as a narrowband RU, and the transmission(s) associated with at least one RU may carry one or more broadcast frames. In some embodiments, broadcast frames may be decoded by all STAs, and an M-RU STA may be capable of decoded both broadcast frames and frames addressed to M-RU STAs in the same and / or other RUs in a single PPDU. Alternatively or additionally, at least a second RU in the PPDU may be configured as a broadband RU, and the transmission(s) associated with at least a second RU may carry one or more data frames. Thus, multiple RUs allocated by the PPDU for MU transmissions (e.g., MU-OFDMA transmissions and / or MU-MIMO transmissions) may be configured for simultaneous transmission of control data via the control channel and data frames via the data channel.

[0087]

[0100] As stated above, Figure 4 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described in relation to Figure 4.

[0088]

[0101] Figure 5 shows an example 500 of the wireless communication process between an AP (e.g., AP102) and an STA (e.g., STA104) according to this disclosure.

[0089]

[0102] As indicated by reference number 510, AP102 may transmit one or more requests, and STA104 may receive one or more requests. In some embodiments, as indicated by reference number 520, STA104 may transmit a response to a request(s), and AP102 may receive a response to a request(s). However, in other examples, STA104 may transmit one or more requests, and AP102 may receive one or more requests (and AP102 may transmit a response that may be received by STA104). For illustrative purposes, AP102 may transmit a request (e.g., implicitly or explicitly) for multiple-resource unit (M-RU) capability information associated with the STA. For example, M-RU capability information may indicate whether STA104 includes support for duplicate transmissions in uplink MU transmissions and / or downlink MU transmissions (e.g., MU-OFDMA transmissions and / or MU-MIMO transmissions), the maximum number of PSDUs and / or MU PPDUs in a single downlink MU transmission that STA104 supports decoding, the maximum number of TB PPDUs in a single uplink MU transmission that STA104 supports transmitting, a set of traffic identifiers (TIDs) and / or restrictions, and / or a preferred access class (AC) associated with one or more RUs that the AP may assign to STA in the basic trigger frame. That is, TID restrictions and / or preferred ACs may be associated with the basic trigger frame. The set of TIDs may specify which TIDs STA intends to use one or more RUs assigned by the AP for. In some embodiments, if the set of TIDs specified for each of several RUs overlap, duplication of RUs for the overlapping TIDs may be expected. The TID limit may specify the maximum number of TIDs that the STA is expected to include in a TB PPDU that should be sent along with a specific allocated RU from among multiple RUs, and which is capable of generating a data frame. The preferred AC may indicate an access category queue.

[0090]

[0103] As another example, AP102 may demonstrate (e.g., via a broadcast message) its ability to assign multiple RUs within a (single) PPDU to the STA. Thus, STA104 may send a request that multiple RUs be assigned within the PPDU, and AP102 may respond to the request (e.g., implicitly or explicitly).

[0091]

[0104] In some embodiments, AP102 and / or STA104 may indicate one or more performance conditions associated with AP102 and / or STA104, respectively, such as operating range conditions (e.g., operating distance between AP102 and STA104), robustness conditions (e.g., sensitivity to interference and / or signal degradation), and / or reliability conditions (e.g., bit errors and / or successful transmission and reception of data). That is, AP102 and / or STA104 may indicate target performance and / or performance indicators for operation associated with other devices.

[0092]

[0105] Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may request device-preferred transmit configuration information (e.g., STA-preferred transmit configuration information) associated with M-RU MU communication (e.g., MU communication that assigns at least two RUs of an MU transmit to a single STA). For illustrative purposes, as described above, each RU associated with M-RU transmits and / or MU transmits (e.g., MU-OFDMA transmits and / or MU-MIMO transmits) may be associated with a separate transmit configuration (e.g., MCS transmit parameters and / or target power level transmit parameters). In some embodiments, AP102 may request one or more device-preferred transmit parameters (e.g., STA-preferred transmit parameters) from STA104, and STA104 may respond with one or more device-preferred transmit parameters. As an example, STA104 may respond with transmit parameters (one or more) that are at least partially based on the application layer in STA104, such as the application layer requiring high robustness and / or the application layer requiring high data throughput. Therefore, to satisfy the robustness requirement, the first device-preferred MCS and / or the first STA-preferred MCS may be a first MCS that is robust to other MCSs (e.g., a lower MCS). To satisfy the data throughput requirement, the second device-preferred MCS and / or the second STA-preferred MCS may be a second MCS that increases data throughput (e.g., a higher MCS than a robust MCS). The MCSs are provided as examples, and other non-limiting examples of parameters that may affect performance may include RU bandwidth, guard interval, use of low-density parity check (LDPC), use of binary convolutional code (BCC) coding, and / or use of mid-amble. In some embodiments, STA104 may represent the respective device-preferred transmit parameters and / or STA-preferred transmit parameters for each RU and / or each MPDU transmitted using each RU. For example, the STA-preferred transmit parameters may be based at least in part on performance requirements associated with the MPDU.Alternatively or additionally, STA104 may indicate device-preferred transmission parameters and / or STA-preferred transmission parameters, at least partially based on the frame type, such as by indicating a robust MCS for I frames transmitted using a first RU and a less robust MCS for other frames transmitted using other RUs.

[0093]

[0106] In some embodiments, STA104 may specify alternative or additional device-preferred MU communication configuration parameters and / or STA-preferred MU communication configuration parameters, such as a number of RUs different from the maximum number of RUs supported by STA, and / or enabling or disabling M-RU MU communication. For example, at least in part, based on the battery level not meeting a power threshold, STA104 may request a number of RUs less than the maximum number of RUs supported by STA104 as an STA-preferred MU communication configuration parameter to reduce processing in STA104 and conserve battery life. As another example, STA104 may request to disable and / or enable M-RU MU communication as an STA-preferred MU communication configuration parameter. Thus, AP102 and STA104 (and / or the application layer of STA104) may negotiate one or more M-RU MU communication configuration parameters and / or transmission parameters (one or more) associated with one or more RUs allocated to STA104. In other words, the application layer of STA104 may request and / or control the number of RUs assigned to STA104, the size of each RU, one or more transmit parameters (e.g., MCS) (and subsequently a PSDU transmitted to the RU, at least partially) assigned to each RU, and / or the number of spatial streams (NSS) assigned to each RU, as M-RU MU communication configuration parameters and / or transmit parameters (one or more). Alternatively or additionally, the application layer may request and / or control one or more M-RU MU communication configuration parameters and / or transmit parameters (one or more) associated with each RU assigned to STA104 independently of each other. Negotiation (one or more) may allow STA104 to request and / or AP102 to configure RUs, and subsequently each wireless channel associated with each RU, using different transmit parameters to satisfy one or more performance requirements.

[0094]

[0107] In some embodiments, AP102 may indicate to activate M-RU MU communication (e.g., MU-OFDMA communication and / or MU-MIMO communication). Alternatively or additionally, in other examples, AP102 may indicate to deactivate M-RU MU communication. That is, AP102 may dynamically activate and / or deactivate M-RU MU communication. For illustrative purposes, AP102 may determine to activate M-RU MU communication with STA104 based at least in part on one or more factors such as MU capability information (e.g., carried in device capability information and / or STA capability information) indicating that STA104 supports M-RU MU communication, the number of available air interface resources that satisfy a quantity threshold, and / or intra-device coexistence. The STA may dynamically adapt the number of M-RUs (or operating parameters that manage transmission and / or reception for each of these RUs) that it can transmit / receive at a given time, at least in part, based on the availability of internal resources (for example, some resources may be shared within the device using Bluetooth and / or modems and may not always be available).

[0095]

[0108] AP102 may repeatedly perform the operation identified by reference number 530. For example, AP102 may repeatedly send one or more requests in 510, and / or STA104 may repeatedly send one or more responses to requests in 520, examples of which are given above. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may initiate a request in example 500, but other examples and / or other iterations may include STA104 initiating a request and / or AP102 sending a response to a request. That is, AP102 and / or STA104 may repeatedly send and / or receive various requests and / or responses to obtain and / or provide information.

[0096]

[0109] As shown by reference number 540, AP102 may select an M-RU MU communication configuration for uplink MU transmissions and / or downlink MU transmissions between AP102 and STA104 (e.g., uplink M-RU MU transmissions and / or downlink M-RU MU transmissions where multiple RUs are assigned to a single STA). In some embodiments, AP102 may select an M-RU MU communication configuration at least in part on indicating the activation of M-RU MU communication, as described with respect to reference number 510. As an example of selecting an M-RU MU communication configuration, AP102 may select the number of RUs for MU transmissions (e.g., uplink and / or downlink M-RU MU transmissions) to be assigned to the STA. In some embodiments, AP102 may select the number of RUs at least in part on any combination of device capability information (e.g., STA capability information), M-RU capability information, and / or STA priority information. For example, the first number of RUs associated with a downlink MU transmission (e.g., a downlink MU-OFDMA transmission and / or a MU-MIMO transmission) may be based at least in part on the maximum number of PSDUs that STA104 supports decoding in a single MU transmission. Alternatively or additionally, the second number of RUs associated with an uplink MU transmission (e.g., an uplink MU-OFDMA transmission and / or a MU-MIMO transmission, which may be an M-RU MU transmission) may be based at least in part on the maximum number of PSDUs that STA104 supports transmitting and / or the maximum number of TB PPDUs. In some embodiments, AP102 may select the number of RUs to allocate to STA104 based at least in part on the TID limits indicated by STA104 and / or the preferred AC indicated by STA104. In some embodiments, AP102 may, at least in part, change the number of RUs assigned to STA104, and / or one or more transmission parameters associated with the MU communication (e.g., one or more transmission parameters associated with the RUs assigned to STA104).

[0097]

[0110] In some embodiments, AP102 may identify that STA104 supports decoding fewer downlink signals (and / or RUs associated with receiving downlink signals) for downlink MU transmissions than AP102 is capable of transmitting. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may identify that STA104 supports transmitting fewer uplink signals (and / or RUs associated with transmitting uplink signals) for uplink MU transmissions than AP102 is capable of decoding. That is, AP102 may identify an imbalance between AP M-RU capabilities and STA M-RU capabilities. AP102 may then select the number of RUs to allocate to STA104, at least in part, based on the lowest common factor between the devices.

[0098]

[0111] In some embodiments, AP102 may select individual subchannels associated with each RU as at least part of the M-RU MU communication configuration. That is, AP102 may select which RUs to assign to STA104 for MU transmissions (e.g., uplink and / or downlink M-RU MU transmissions) based at least partially on the individual subchannels of each RU. For illustrative purposes, AP102 may select RUs with non-adjacent subchannels to spectrally diversify the assigned RUs. However, in other examples, AP102 may select RUs with adjacent subchannels. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may select RUs to assign to STA104 based at least partially on the signal quality associated with the RU, such as a signal metric (e.g., RSSI) generated based at least partially on the RU and satisfying a quality threshold. In some embodiments, AP102 may select RUs to assign to STA104 based at least partially on the amount of observed traffic in the RU (e.g., traffic load). For example, the amount of observed traffic that meets or falls short of a traffic threshold may indicate the availability status of an RU (e.g., available or unavailable, respectively), and AP102 may choose to select an available RU and / or refrain from selecting an unavailable RU.

[0099]

[0112] AP102 may select one or more transmit parameters for each assigned RU based at least in part on one or more performance conditions and / or STA priority transmit configuration information. For example, AP102 may configure one or more first transmit parameters associated with a first RU assigned to STA104 using a first MCS and / or a first target transmit power level to satisfy robustness performance conditions. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may configure one or more second transmit parameters associated with a second RU assigned to STA104 using a second MCS and / or a second target transmit power level to satisfy data throughput performance conditions. Thus, in some examples, AP102 may configure each subchannel and / or each RU with different transmit parameters, while in other examples, AP102 may configure each RU assigned to STA104 with the same and / or corresponding transmit parameters.

[0100]

[0113] As part of the M-RU MU communication configuration, AP102 may enable and / or disable (e.g., disable and / or refrain from enabling) duplicate transmissions on multiple RUs assigned to STA104. AP102 may determine to enable and / or disable duplicate transmissions based at least in part on any combination of factors such as STA-preferred MU communication configuration parameters and / or performance conditions. For example, AP102 may enable duplicate transmissions to satisfy (high) robustness performance conditions and / or disable duplicate transmissions to satisfy data throughput performance conditions. In some embodiments, AP102 may enable and / or disable duplicate transmissions based at least in part on signal quality metrics, such as enabling duplicate transmissions based at least in part on signal quality metrics (e.g., RSSI) that do not meet a quality threshold, and disabling (and / or refraining from enabling) duplicate transmissions based at least in part on signal quality metrics that do meet a quality threshold.

[0101]

[0114] In some embodiments, AP102 may communicate with a second AP (e.g., another AP102) associated with STA104. For example, STA104 may maintain multiple connections to multiple APs (e.g., AP102 and the second AP) that may or may not be jointed. That is, STA104 may be a multilink device (MLD) capable of maintaining multiple links with multiple jointed and / or non-jointed APs. In some embodiments, AP102 may communicate with the second AP using a backhaul link to coordinate RU allocation to STA104 (e.g., for downlink M-RU MU transmission and / or uplink M-RU MU transmission). That is, AP102 and the second AP may communicate with each other to coordinate uplink and / or downlink M-RU allocation for STA104 for uplink M-RU MU transmission and / or downlink M-RU MU transmission. For illustrative purposes, AP102 may select one or more RUs associated with uplink M-RU MU transmissions for uplink communication to a second AP. That is, AP102 may select a first set of RUs associated with uplink M-RU MU transmissions (one or more) for a first uplink communication between AP102 and STA104, and a second set of RUs associated with uplink M-RU MU transmissions for a second uplink communication (one or more) between the second AP and STA104. However, in other examples, AP102 and the second AP may share and / or coordinate RU allocations over a backhaul link, such that AP102 allocates the first set of RUs associated with uplink M-RU MU transmissions (as shown in STA104), and the second AP102 allocates the second set of RUs associated with uplink MU transmissions (as shown in STA104). Therefore, AP102 may indicate RU allocations for multiple APs communicating with STA104, and / or may indicate only a portion of the RU allocations to STA104.

[0102]

[0115] In some embodiments, AP102 and the second AP may coordinate replication transmissions. For example, AP102 may receive a request from the second AP to send replication control information and / or user data to STA104. Thus, AP102 may select one or more RUs to send replication information (e.g., replication information as the second AP) to STA104. By sending replication information as the second AP, AP102 may enable STA104 to selectively decode replication transmissions having higher signal metrics (e.g., RSSI and / or SNR) and / or combine the decoded data from the replication transmissions to improve the robustness and / or reliability of the communication. As an example, the channel state with one of the APs (e.g., AP102 or the second AP) may be better (e.g., have a higher SNR) than with the other APs (e.g., the second AP or AP102, respectively). Therefore, transmitting replication information (e.g., via replication transmission) based at least partially on using both APs may increase the likelihood of a successful exchange with STA104 based at least partially on the spatial diversity associated with using at least two APs for better channel conditions and / or replication transmissions of one of the APs.

[0103]

[0116] As shown in reference number 550, AP102 may transmit an indication of an M-RU MU communication configuration, and STA104 may receive an indication of an M-RU MU communication configuration. For illustrative purposes, AP102 may transmit a PPDU indicating that multiple RUs associated with an MU transmission (e.g., an M-RU MU transmission) are allocated to STA104. In some embodiments, AP102 may transmit an indication that multiple RUs are allocated to STA104, at least in part on indicating the activation of M-RU MU communication, as described above. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may indicate that multiple RUs are allocated to STA104, at least in part on constituting one or more information fields (e.g., a user information field in the trigger frame and / or an STA information field in the PPDU preamble).

[0104]

[0117] For example, in the case of an RU associated with an uplink MU transmission (e.g., an M-RU MU transmission), AP102 may transmit a trigger frame (e.g., carried by a single PPDU) which may indicate that multiple RUs are assigned to the STA for uplink M-RU MU transmissions. For example, as described above with respect to Figure 4, the trigger frame may contain multiple user information fields (e.g., user information field 418-1 and / or user information field 418-n), and AP102 may configure individual user information fields among the multiple user information fields so that for each RU assigned to the STA104, it contains the device identifier (e.g., AID) assigned to the STA. That is, each user information field associated with an individual RU assigned to the STA104 may contain the same AID such that two or more of the user information fields are addressed to the same STA104.

[0105]

[0118] As another example, in the case of a RU associated with a downlink M-RU MU transmission, AP102 may indicate that multiple RUs are assigned to STA104 within the signal field of the PPDU (e.g., the EHT-SIG field 368 in the non-legacy portion 354 of the preamble). For illustrative purposes, the signal field may include multiple STA information fields, and AP102 may configure each STA information field associated with the individual RU assigned to STA104 to include the device identifier (e.g., AID) assigned to the STA.

[0106]

[0119] In some embodiments, AP102 may indicate the respective transmission information (e.g., one or more transmission parameters) for each RU assigned to STA104. For example, AP102 may include the respective transmission information in separate information fields associated with each RU (e.g., the trigger frame user information field and / or STA information field in the signaling field of the PPDU preamble). Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may indicate that MU transmissions (e.g., uplink and / or downlink M-RU MU transmissions) are expected to include duplicate transmissions (e.g., transmissions based at least partially on the RUs assigned to STA104). To illustrate, AP102 may duplicate all information (e.g., except RU configuration information) in each information field addressed to STA to indicate that M-RU MU transmissions (e.g., downlink M-RU MU transmissions and / or uplink M-RU MU transmissions) are expected to include duplicate transmissions. Thus, all information fields associated with STA104 may contain duplicate information, or only some of the information fields associated with STA104 may contain duplicate information.

[0107]

[0120] As shown by reference number 560, AP102 and STA104 may communicate with each other at least in part on an M-RU MU communication configuration. In some embodiments, AP102 and STA104 may communicate with each other at least in part on using multiple RUs associated with MU transmissions (e.g., M-RU MU transmissions). Communicating with each other may involve processing each individual signal of an MU transmission (e.g., TB PPDU and / or DL ​​PPDU) and / or an MU transmission associated with STA104, at least in part on the transmission information associated with each individual RU used to transmit the individual signals. That is, AP102 and / or STA104 may transmit each individual signal of an MU transmission at least in part on the respective transmission information and / or receive each individual signal at least in part on the respective transmission information and / or the RU assigned to STA104.

[0108]

[0121] As an example, AP102 may transmit one or more downlink MU PPDUs directed to STA104 (which STA104 may receive) based at least in part on multiple RUs assigned to STA104. That is, AP102 may transmit individual downlink signals for downlink MU transmissions based at least in part on using individual RUs assigned to STA104, each individual downlink signal may carry individual downlink MU PPDUs containing one or more PSDUs directed to STA104. Each PSDU may contain one or more MPDUs addressed to STA104 and / or a null data packet addressed to STA104. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may transmit each individual downlink signal based at least in part on the respective transmission information as described above. In some embodiments, at least some of the respective PSDUs carried by each downlink signal may be duplicates of each other. In other words, AP102 may transmit a duplicate PSDU in each downlink signal using multiple RUs of downlink MU transmissions allocated to STA104. By transmitting the duplicate information, AP102 may enable STA104 to selectively decode duplicate transmissions having a higher signal metric (e.g., RSSI), and / or combine the decoded data from the duplicate transmissions to improve the robustness and / or reliability of the communication.

[0109]

[0122] As another example, STA104 may transmit one or more TB PPDUs based at least partially on multiple RUs assigned to STA104 (and AP102 may receive multiple TB PPDUs). That is, STA104 may transmit individual uplink signals for uplink MU transmissions based at least partially on the use of individual RUs, and each individual uplink signal may carry an individual TB PPDU directed to AP102. Alternatively or additionally, STA104 may transmit each individual uplink signal based at least partially on the respective transmission information as described above. In some embodiments, each TB PPDU may carry an individual PSDU, and in other embodiments, at least some of the TB PPDUs may include a duplicate payload (e.g., a duplicate PSDU). Alternatively or additionally, STA104 may transmit one or more MPDUs (e.g., in each TB PPDU). In some embodiments, an MPDU(s) may be based at least in part on TID restrictions and / or TID sets and / or preferred ACs specified in each user information field that carries a particular RU and is addressed to the STA. The TID restrictions and preferred ACs may help the AP instruct, request, and / or recommend that the STA send only data frames from a given TID set, and / or help the AP specify TID restrictions that belong to a preferred AC or an AC with a higher priority than a preferred AC.

[0110]

[0123] In some embodiments, STA104 may utilize fewer RUs than those allocated by AP102. For illustrative purposes, AP102 may select and / or allocate M RUs to STA104, as described with respect to reference numbers 540 and 550, and STA104 may transmit using N RUs for uplink MU transmissions (e.g., for N TB PPDUs), where M is a first integer and N is a second integer, and N may be less than or equal to M. For example, STA104 may select (and use) a first allocated RU to transmit a first TB PPDU, at least in part on the signal quality associated with the RU (e.g., the RSSI meets the quality threshold). Alternatively or additionally, STA104 may refrain from using a second allocated RU to transmit a second TB PPDU, at least in part on the fact that the signal quality associated with the second allocated RU does not meet the quality threshold. In some embodiments, STA104 may select RUs that increase the likelihood of reception, such as RUs with less observed interference, RUs with less observed traffic, and / or RUs associated with a higher SNR. For illustrative purposes, STA104 may select RUs at least in part on the quality of the RU, which may be indicated by the amount of observed traffic in the RU (e.g., traffic load), the availability status associated with the RU (e.g., available or unavailable, respectively), and / or any combination of the signal metrics associated with the RU, as described above. Thus, for uplink transmission, STA104 may utilize fewer RUs than those allocated to STA104.

[0111]

[0124] AP102 and STA104 can iteratively perform and / or iteratively reconfigure MU communication (e.g., MU-OFDMA communication and / or MU-MIMO communication, which may or may not be M-RU MU communication) as indicated by reference number 570. That is, AP102 and STA104 can iteratively perform MU communication by reusing the same M-RU MU communication configuration parameters and / or by using updated M-RU MU communication configuration parameters. In some embodiments, after the completion of MU communication, AP102 may send an indication to deactivate M-RU MU communication, and STA104 may receive an indication to deactivate M-RU MU communication. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may dynamically switch from communicating with STA104 using M-RU MU to using MLO communication. That is, AP102 may enable MLO communication with STA, at least in part, based on deactivating M-RU MU communication. Therefore, AP102 may iteratively activate and / or deactivate M-RU MU communication. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may change the number of RUs assigned to STA104, and / or one or more transmit parameters associated with MU communication (e.g., one or more transmit parameters associated with the RUs assigned to STA104), at least in part, based on the activation and / or deactivation of M-RU MU communication.

[0112]

[0125] The ability of an AP to allocate multiple RUs to an STA in a single instance, while varying the transmit parameters for each RU, may enable the AP to configure transmits with different transmit properties (e.g., MCS, guard interval, and / or transmit power level). The ability to configure transmits with different characteristics may enable the STA to request a transmit and / or enable the AP to configure a transmit, and enable the STA to meet the performance requirements, at least in part, based on performance requirements associated with the data traffic carried by the transmit. Alternatively or additionally, the ability to configure transmits with different characteristics may enable the AP and / or STA to increase the reliability and / or robustness of communication between the AP and / or STA.

[0113]

[0126] As stated above, Figure 5 is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from those described in relation to Figure 5.

[0114]

[0127] Figures 6A and 6B show the first example 600 and the second example 602 of M-RU communication according to the present disclosure.

[0115]

[0128] The first example 600 shown in Figure 6A includes a downlink MU PPDU transmission 604 transmitted by AP102, where the downlink MU PPDU 604 is at least partially based on n RUs, where n is an integer. In some embodiments, the downlink MU PPDU 604 may be a MU transmission at least partially based on MU-OFDMA and / or MU-MIMO. Thus, the horizontal axis of the downlink MU PPDU 604 represents time, and the vertical axis of the downlink MU PPDU 604 may represent any combination of frequency and / or signal diversity (e.g., spatial diversity and / or polarization diversity). That is, the vertical axis may represent subcarrier bands, beams with different spatial diversity, and / or beams with polarization diversity. For illustrative purposes, the downlink MU PPDU 604 may be divided into n RUs, where n is an integer. Each segment may be characterized at least partially on a time segment (e.g., duration) and / or a frequency segment (e.g., each frequency span and / or each subcarrier). In some embodiments, each segment may be further characterized at least partially on individual signal diversity. Thus, the MU PPDU 604 may be based at least partially on n signal transmissions, and each signal transmission may be based at least partially on individual RUs. Each signal transmission may carry different information (and / or duplicate information as described above), and some of the n signal transmissions may be directed to the (same) STA 104. That is, multiple RUs associated with the downlink MU PPDU 604, and subsequently the signal transmissions associated with the multiple RUs, may be assigned to the STA 104. For example, as described above, one or more STA information fields in the preamble (not shown in Figure 6A) associated with the MU PPDU 604 may be set to the same AID associated with the STA 104.

[0116]

[0129] In some embodiments, the MU PPDU 604 shown in Figure 6A contains information carried in the data field 374, as described with respect to Figure 3, and each of the n signal transmissions may carry its respective information (and / or duplicate information) at least partially based on individual signal diversity. Alternatively or additionally, each signal transmission may be at least partially based on its respective transmission parameters. In Example 600, n-1 RUs of the downlink MU PPDU 604 are assigned to STA104. Thus, the first signal transmission of the MU PPDU 604 may carry first information 606-1, such as an MPDU containing trigger information and data frames, directed to and / or assigned to STA104 (shown as STA1). Alternatively or additionally, the n-1th signal transmission of the MU PPDU 604 may carry the n-1st) information 606-(n-1) (e.g., the (n-1)th MPDU containing trigger information and data frames) directed to and / or assigned to STA104. The first piece of information 606-1 and the (n-1) piece of information 606-(n-1) may be distinct pieces of information or duplicate pieces of information. At least one RU of the MU PPDU 604 may be assigned to a second different STA (not shown in Figure 6A or Figure 6B) at least in part on the basis that the MU PPDU 604 is associated with an MU transmission. For illustrative purposes, the nth signal transmission of the MU PPDU 604 may carry the nth piece of information 606-(n) (e.g., the nth MPDU, including trigger information and a data frame) directed to and / or assigned to a second STA (shown as STA2).

[0117]

[0130] In some embodiments, STA104 may respond to downlink MU PPDU604 by transmitting one or more TB PPDUs, as indicated by reference no. 608. In some embodiments, STA104 may transmit separate TB PPDUs to MU PPDU604 for each MPDU received based at least partially. For illustrative purposes, STA104 may transmit a first TB PPDU610-1 carrying a compressed block acknowledgement (C-BA) and / or a (n-1)th TB PPDU610-(n-1) carrying a multi-STA block acknowledgement (M-BA). Alternatively or additionally, a second different STA may transmit a nnth TB PPDU610-n carrying a C-BA (for example, from the second STA).

[0118]

[0131] A second example 602, shown in Figure 6B, includes an uplink MU transmit 612 that is at least partially transmitted by STA 104. As shown in Figure 6B, the uplink MU transmit 612 may be a MU transmit that is at least partially based on n RUs and at least partially based on MU-OFDMA and / or MU-MIMO. Similar to the downlink MU PPDU 604, the horizontal axis of the uplink MU transmit 612 represents time, and the vertical axis of the uplink MU transmit 612 may represent any combination of frequency and / or signal diversity.

[0119]

[0132] In some embodiments, AP102 may assign two or more of the n RUs to STA104. For example, as shown by reference no. 614, AP102 may set one or more user information fields of a trigger frame to the same AID associated with STA104, such as setting the first user information field 616-1 of the trigger frame to the AID of STA104 and setting the (n-1)th user information field 616-(n-1) to the AID of STA104. Alternatively or additionally, AP102 may set the nth user information field 616-n to a second AID associated with a second different STA (not shown in Figure 6B).

[0120]

[0133] Based at least in part on receiving the allocation of two or more (uplink)RUs, STA104 may generate and transmit a plurality of uplink signal transmissions that are at least part of the uplink MU transmission 612. STA104 may transmit a first uplink signal transmission carrying a first TB PPDU 618-1 (indicated as HE TB PPDU) and a second (n-1) uplink signal transmission carrying the (n-1)th TB PPDU 618-(n-1). Each uplink signal transmission may carry different information and / or duplicate information, as described above. Alternatively or additionally, each uplink signal transmission may be based at least in part on different transmission parameters. In Example 602, the nth signal transmission of the uplink MU transmission 612 may be generated and transmitted by a second different STA and may carry the nth TB PPDU 618-n.

[0121]

[0134] Example 602 does not include block acknowledgements (BAs), but other examples may include STA104 transmitting one or more BAs in a manner such as that shown in and described with respect to Figure 6A. For example, STA104 may transmit one or more C-BAs and / or one or more M-BAs to AP102.

[0122]

[0135] As stated above, Figures 6A and 6B are provided as examples. Other examples may differ from those described with respect to Figures 6A and 6B.

[0123]

[0136] Figure 7 shows an exemplary process 700 performed by a first wireless communication device, such as an AP (e.g., AP102), according to the present disclosure. The exemplary process 700 is an example in which the first wireless communication device performs an operation associated with allocating multiple resource units of MU transmission to a second wireless communication device (e.g., a single STA104).

[0124]

[0137] As shown in Figure 7, in some embodiments, process 700 may include sending a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are allocated to a second wireless communication device (e.g., STA104) (block 710). For example, the first wireless communication device (using, for example, the communication interface 1335 shown in Figure 13 and / or the communication manager 150 shown in Figure 1) may send a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are allocated to a second wireless communication device, for example, as described above in relation to reference number 550.

[0125]

[0138] As further shown in Figure 7, in some embodiments, process 700 may include communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions (block 720). For example, the first wireless communication device (using, for example, the communication interface 1335 shown in Figure 13 and / or the communication manager 150 shown in Figure 1) may communicate with the second wireless communication device (using, for example, the communication interface 1335 shown in Figure 13 and / or the communication manager 150 shown in Figure 1) based at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions, as described above (for example, in relation to reference no. 560 in Figure 5).

[0126]

[0139] Process 700 may include additional embodiments, such as any single embodiment or any combination of embodiments, described below and / or with respect to one or more other processes described elsewhere in this Specified Specification.

[0127]

[0140] In the first embodiment, the MU transmission includes at least one of MU-OFDMA transmission or MU-MIMO transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0128]

[0141] In a second embodiment, at least two RUs are associated with an uplink MU transmission, and process 700 includes transmitting an indication in a trigger frame (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5) that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0129]

[0142] In a third embodiment, communicating with the STA based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes receiving one or more MPDUs (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0130]

[0143] In a fourth embodiment, the trigger frame includes at least one user information field indicating at least one of the TID limit associated with the base trigger frame or the preferred AC associated with the base trigger frame, and the reception of one or more MPDUs is at least partially based on at least one of the TID limit or preferred AC (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0131]

[0144] In a fifth embodiment, communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes receiving one or more MPDUs based at least in part on at least one of TID restriction or preferred AC (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0132]

[0145] In the sixth aspect, at least two RUs are associated with a downlink MU transmission, and process 700 includes transmitting an indication in the signal field of the PPDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5) that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0133]

[0146] In the seventh embodiment, the signal field includes a separate STA information field for each of the at least two RUs, and the indication includes each separate STA information field including a device identifier (e.g., an STA identifier) ​​assigned to the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0134]

[0147] In the eighth aspect, the process 700 includes indicating the respective transmission information for each of the at least two RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0135]

[0148] In the ninth aspect, the process 700 includes replicating all the contents of each of the at least two information fields, excluding RU configuration information, in at least two information fields carried by the PPDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5), wherein each of the at least two information fields is addressed to a second wireless communication device and associated with individual RUs of at least two RUs.

[0136]

[0149] In the tenth embodiment, each of the at least two information fields is at least one of either a trigger frame user information field (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5) or an STA information field of a signal field included in the PPDU.

[0137]

[0150] In the eleventh aspect, the duplicated content in at least two information fields indicates that the MU transmission is expected to carry the duplicated transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0138]

[0151] In a twelfth aspect, communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes receiving a duplicate PSDU based at least in part on using at least two RUs, using MU transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0139]

[0152] In the 13th embodiment, communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes transmitting a duplicate PSDU as at least part of an MU transmission based at least in part on using at least two RUs (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0140]

[0153] In the fourteenth embodiment, each of the at least two RUs is configured using a separate subchannel associated with MU transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0141]

[0154] In a 15th embodiment, communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes receiving at least one TB PPDU based at least in part on at least two RUs using MU transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0142]

[0155] In the sixteenth aspect, (for example, as described in relation to Figure 5) at least two RUs contain M RUs, at least one TB PPDU contains N TB PPDUs, where M is a first integer, N is a second integer, and N is less than or equal to M.

[0143]

[0156] In the 17th aspect, each of the at least one TB PPDU is associated with a separate PSDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5). In the 18th aspect, communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes transmitting an MU PPDU to at least two RUs based at least in part on using MU transmission, the MU PPDU comprising one or more Physical Layer Service Data Units (PSDUs), and each of the one or more PSDUs comprising at least one of one or more MPDUs addressed to the second wireless communication device, or a null data packet addressed to the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0144]

[0157] In the 19th aspect, the process 700 includes selecting one of at least two RUs to transmit the MU PPDU based at least in part on at least one of the signal quality associated with the RU or the availability status associated with the RU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0145]

[0158] In the 20th aspect, the process 700 includes selecting a number of RUs associated with MU transmissions to be allocated to a second wireless communication device, at least in part on device capability information (e.g., STA capability information as described in relation to Figure 5).

[0146]

[0159] In the 21st embodiment, communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with an MU transmission includes processing individual signals of the MU transmission for each of the at least two RUs based at least in part on the transmission information associated with each RU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0147]

[0160] In the 22nd aspect, processing individual signals associated with each RU includes at least one of transmitting an individual signal for each RU as part of an MU transmission based at least in part on each transmission information (as described in relation to Figure 5, for example), or receiving an individual signal for each RU as at least part of an MU transmission based at least in part on each transmission information.

[0148]

[0161] In the 23rd embodiment, the MU transmission includes an uplink TB PPDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0149]

[0162] In the 24th aspect, the MU transmission includes a downlink MU PPDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0150]

[0163] In the 25th aspect, the process 700 includes communicating with the second wireless communication device to obtain M-RU capability information associated with the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5), and selecting, at least in part, the number of RUs associated with MU transmissions to be allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0151]

[0164] In the 26th aspect, the M-RU capability information indicates a device capability (e.g., STA capability) associated with at least one of the following: replica transmission support, the maximum number of decryptable PSDUs, or performance conditions (e.g., as described in relation to Figure 5, for example).

[0152]

[0165] In the 27th aspect, the process 700 includes communicating with a second wireless communication device to obtain device-priority transmit configuration information (e.g., STA-priority transmit configuration information) associated with M-RU MU communication (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5), and selecting respective transmit information associated with each of at least two RUs, at least in part, based on the device-priority transmit configuration information.

[0153]

[0166] In the 28th aspect, the device priority transmission configuration information is at least partially based on the application layer in the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0154]

[0167] In the 29th aspect, the process 700 includes indicating to a second wireless communication device (for example, as described in relation to Figure 5) the activation of M-RU MU communication, and transmitting a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs are to be allocated to the second wireless communication device, which is at least partially based on the activation of M-RU MU communication.

[0155]

[0168] In the 30th aspect, the process 700 includes, at least in part, changing the number of RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device, or at least one of the one or more transmission parameters associated with MU communication (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0156]

[0169] In the 31st aspect, process 700 includes indicating to a second wireless communication device that M-RU MU communication has been deactivated (for example, as described in relation to Figure 5).

[0157]

[0170] In the 32nd aspect, the process 700 includes enabling multilink operation with a second wireless communication device, at least in part, based on the deactivation of M-RU MU communication (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0158]

[0171] In the 33rd aspect, the process 700 includes changing the number of RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device, or at least one of the one or more transmission parameters associated with MU communication, at least in part on the basis of deactivation (for example, as described in relation to Figure 5).

[0159]

[0172] In the 34th embodiment, the first wireless communication device is a first AP, and the process 700 includes communicating with a second AP that is communicating with a second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5), selecting at least one of at least two RUs for second wireless device communication (e.g., STA communication) with the second AP, and showing the configuration of at least one RU to the second AP.

[0160]

[0173] In the 35th embodiment, (for example, as described in relation to Figure 5) the first wireless communication device is an AP (e.g., AP102) and the second wireless communication device is an STA (e.g., STA104).

[0161]

[0174] Figure 7 shows an exemplary block of process 700, but in some embodiments, process 700 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks configured differently from those shown in Figure 7. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of process 700 may be executed in parallel.

[0162]

[0175] Figure 8 shows an exemplary process 800 performed by, for example, a second wireless communication device (e.g., STA104) according to the present disclosure. The exemplary process 800 is an example in which the second wireless communication device performs an operation associated with being allocated multiple RUs for MU transmission.

[0163]

[0176] As shown in Figure 8, in some embodiments, process 800 may include receiving a single Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are allocated to a second wireless communication device (block 810). For example, the second wireless communication device (using, for example, the communication interface 1335 shown in Figure 13 and / or the communication manager 140 shown in Figure 1) may receive a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are allocated to the second wireless communication device, for example, as described above in relation to reference number 550.

[0164]

[0177] As further shown in Figure 8, in some embodiments, process 800 may include communicating with an access point (AP) on at least in part using at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions (block 820). For example, a second wireless communication device (using, for example, the communication interface 1335 shown in Figure 13, and / or the communication manager 140 shown in Figure 1) may communicate with an AP on at least in part using at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions, as described above, for example, in relation to reference number 560.

[0165]

[0178] Process 800 may include additional embodiments, such as any single embodiment or any combination of embodiments, described below and / or with respect to one or more other processes described elsewhere in this Specified Specification.

[0166]

[0179] In the first embodiment, the MU transmission includes at least one of MU-OFDMA transmission or MU-MIMO transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0167]

[0180] In a second embodiment, at least two RUs are associated with an uplink MU transmission, and process 800 includes receiving an indication in the trigger frame (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5) that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0168]

[0181] In a third embodiment, the trigger frame includes a separate user information field for each of the at least two RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device, and the indication includes each separate user information field including a device identifier (e.g., STA identifier) ​​assigned to the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5). In a fourth embodiment, communicating with the first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes transmitting one or more MPDUs (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0169]

[0182] In a fifth aspect, the trigger frame includes at least one user information field indicating at least one of the TID limit associated with the base trigger frame or the preferred AC associated with the base trigger frame, and the transmission of one or more MPDUs is at least partially based on at least one of the TID limit or the preferred AC (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0170]

[0183] In the sixth aspect, at least two RUs are associated with a downlink MU transmission, and process 800 includes receiving an indication in the signal field of the PPDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5) that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0171]

[0184] In the seventh embodiment, the signal field includes a separate STA information field for each of the at least two RUs, and the indication includes each separate STA information field including a device identifier (e.g., an STA identifier) ​​assigned to the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0172]

[0185] In the eighth aspect, the process 800 includes receiving, at least in part, transmission information for each of the at least two RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device, based on the PPDU (as described in relation to, for example, Figure 5).

[0173]

[0186] In the ninth aspect, the PPDU includes at least two information fields, each of which is addressed to a second wireless communication device and associated with individual RUs of at least two RUs, each of which includes duplicated content, the duplicated content includes all the content of each of the at least two information fields that are duplicated, except for the RU configuration information (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0174]

[0187] In the tenth embodiment, each of the at least two information fields is at least one of either a trigger frame user information field (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5) or an STA information field of a signal field included in the PPDU.

[0175]

[0188] In the eleventh aspect, the duplicated content within each of at least two information fields is an indication that the MU transmission is expected to carry a duplicate transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0176]

[0189] In a twelfth aspect, communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes transmitting a duplicate PSDU based at least in part on using at least two RUs, using MU transmissions (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0177]

[0190] In a thirteenth aspect, communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes receiving a duplicate PSDU as at least part of an MU transmission based at least in part on using at least two RUs (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0178]

[0191] In the fourteenth embodiment, each of the at least two RUs is configured using a separate subchannel associated with MU transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0179]

[0192] In a 15th embodiment, communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes transmitting at least one TB PPDU to at least two RUs based at least in part as part of an MU transmission (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0180]

[0193] In the sixteenth aspect, (for example, as described in relation to Figure 5) at least two RUs contain M RUs, at least one TB PPDU contains N TB PPDUs, where M is a first integer, N is a second integer, and N is less than or equal to M.

[0181]

[0194] In the 17th embodiment, each of the at least one TB PPDU is associated with an individual PSDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0182]

[0195] In the 18th aspect, process 800 includes selecting an RU from at least two RUs to transmit a TB PPDU from at least one based at least in part on at least one of the signal quality associated with the RU or the availability state associated with the RU (as described in relation to, for example, Figure 5). In the 19th aspect, communicating with the first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes receiving an MU PPDU from at least two RUs as at least part of an MU transmission, the MU PPDU comprising one or more PSDUs, each PSDU from the one or more PSDUs comprising at least one of one or more MPDUs addressed to the second wireless communication device, or a null data packet addressed to the second wireless communication device (as described in relation to, for example, Figure 5).

[0183]

[0196] In the 20th embodiment, communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with an MU transmission includes processing individual signals of the MU transmission for each of the at least two RUs, based at least in part on the transmission information associated with each RU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0184]

[0197] In the 21st aspect, processing individual signals includes at least one of transmitting an individual signal for each RU as part of an MU transmission based at least in part on each transmission information (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5), or receiving an individual signal for each RU as part of an MU transmission based at least in part on each transmission information.

[0185]

[0198] In the 22nd aspect, the MU transmission includes an uplink TB PPDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0186]

[0199] In the 23rd aspect, the MU transmission includes a downlink MU PPDU (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0187]

[0200] In the 24th aspect, the process 800 includes communicating M-RU capability information associated with the second wireless communication device to the first wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0188]

[0201] In the 25th aspect, the M-RU capability information indicates a device capability (e.g., STA capability) associated with at least one of the following: replication transmission support, the maximum number of decryptable PSDUs, or performance conditions (e.g., as described in relation to Figure 5, for example).

[0189]

[0202] In the 26th aspect, the process 800 includes communicating device preferred transmit configuration information (e.g., STA preferred transmit configuration information) associated with M-RU MU communication to a first wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5), and selecting respective transmit information associated with each of at least two RUs, at least in part, based on the device preferred transmit configuration information.

[0190]

[0203] In the 27th aspect, the device priority transmission configuration information is at least partially based on the application layer in the second wireless communication device (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0191]

[0204] In the 28th aspect, process 800 includes receiving an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0192]

[0205] In the 29th aspect, process 800 includes receiving an indication specifying the deactivation of M-RU MU communication (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0193]

[0206] In the 30th aspect, process 800 includes switching to multilink operation with a first wireless communication device, at least in part, based on deactivating M-RU MU communication (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0194]

[0207] In the 31st aspect, the first wireless communication device is a first AP, and the process 800 includes communicating with a second AP at least in part on using at least one of at least two RUs (as described, for example, in relation to Figure 5).

[0195]

[0208] In the 32nd embodiment, (for example, as described in relation to Figure 5) the first wireless communication device is an AP (e.g., AP102) and the second wireless communication device is an STA (e.g., STA104).

[0196]

[0209] Figure 8 shows an exemplary block of process 800, but in some embodiments, process 800 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks configured differently from those shown in Figure 8. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of process 800 may be executed in parallel.

[0197]

[0210] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary process 900 performed in, for example, a first wireless communication device or apparatus of a first wireless communication device according to the present disclosure. The exemplary process 900 is an example in which the apparatus or first wireless communication device (e.g., AP102) performs an operation associated with allocating multiple RUs of MU transmission to a single STA.

[0198]

[0211] As shown in Figure 9, in some embodiments, process 900 may include communicating with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from multiple RUs in a first MU transmission, where the single RU allocation is assigned to the second wireless communication device (block 910). For example, the first wireless communication device (using, for example, the receiving component 1102, transmitting component 1104, and / or communication manager 1106 shown in Figure 11) may communicate with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from multiple RUs in a first MU transmission, as described above with respect to Figure 4, where the single RU allocation is assigned to the second wireless communication device.

[0199]

[0212] As further shown in Figure 9, in some embodiments, process 900 may include sending an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication (block 920). For example, the first wireless communication device (using, for example, the transmitting component 1106 and / or communication manager 1106 shown in Figure 11) may send an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication, for example, as described above in relation to reference numbers 510 and 540.

[0200]

[0213] As further shown in Figure 9, in some embodiments, process 900 may include communicating with a second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the basis of activating M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device (block 930). For example, the first wireless communication device (using, for example, the receiving component 1102, transmitting component 1104, and / or communication manager 1106 shown in Figure 11) may communicate with the second wireless communication device, at least in part on the basis of using at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device, for example, as described above in relation to reference numbers 550 and 560.

[0201]

[0214] Process 900 may include additional embodiments, such as any single embodiment or any combination of embodiments, described below and / or with respect to one or more other processes described elsewhere in this Specified Specification.

[0202]

[0215] Figure 9 shows an exemplary block of process 900, but in some embodiments, process 900 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks configured differently from those shown in Figure 9. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of process 900 may be executed in parallel.

[0203]

[0216] Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary process 1000 performed in, for example, a second wireless communication device or a device of a second wireless communication device according to the present disclosure. The exemplary process 1000 is an example in which the device or the second wireless communication device (e.g., STA 104) performs an operation associated with allocating multiple RUs of MU transmission to a single STA.

[0204]

[0217] As shown in Figure 10, in some embodiments, process 1000 may include communicating with a first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from multiple RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to a second wireless communication device (block 1010). For example, the second wireless communication device (using, for example, the receiving component 1202, transmitting component 1204, and / or communication manager 1206 shown in Figure 12) may communicate with the first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from multiple RUs in a first MU transmission, as described above with respect to Figure 4, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0205]

[0218] As further shown in Figure 10, in some embodiments, process 1000 may include receiving an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication (block 1020). For example, a second wireless communication device (using, for example, the receiving component 1202 and / or communication manager 1206 shown in Figure 12) may receive a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication, for example, as described above in relation to reference numbers 510 and 540.

[0206]

[0219] As further shown in Figure 10, in some embodiments, process 1000 may include communicating with a first wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the basis of activating M-RU MU communication, the M-RU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device (block 1030). For example, the second wireless communication device (using, for example, the receiving component 1202, transmitting component 1204, and / or communication manager 1206 shown in Figure 12) may communicate with the first wireless communication device, at least in part on the basis of using at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device, for example, as described above in relation to reference numbers 550 and 560.

[0207]

[0220] Process 1000 may include additional embodiments, such as any single embodiment or any combination of embodiments, described below and / or with respect to one or more other processes described elsewhere in this specification.

[0208]

[0221] Figure 10 shows an exemplary block of process 1000, but in some embodiments, process 1000 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks configured differently from those shown in Figure 10. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks of process 1000 may be executed in parallel.

[0209]

[0222] Figure 11 shows an exemplary apparatus 1100 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. Apparatus 1100 may be a first wireless communication device (e.g., AP), or a first wireless communication device (e.g., AP) may include apparatus 1100. In some embodiments, apparatus 1100 includes a receiving component 1102, a transmitting component 1104, and / or a communication manager 1106 that can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). In some embodiments, the communication manager 1106 is the communication manager 150 described in relation to Figure 1. As shown, apparatus 1100 may use the receiving component 1102 and the transmitting component 1104 to communicate with another apparatus 1108, such as an STA or another AP.

[0210]

[0223] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in relation to Figures 4 to 8. Alternatively, the apparatus 1100 may be configured to perform one or more processes, or combinations thereof, described herein, such as process 700 in Figure 7. In some embodiments, the apparatus 1100 and / or one or more components shown in Figure 11 may include one or more components of device 1300 described in relation to Figure 13. Alternatively, one or more components shown in Figure 11 may be implemented within one or more components described in relation to Figure 13. Alternatively, one or more components of a set of components may be implemented at least partially as software stored in memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium, which can be executed by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of that component.

[0211]

[0224] The receiving component 1102 may receive communications from the device 1108, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. The receiving component 1102 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 1100. In some embodiments, the receiving component 1102 may perform signal processing on the received communications (e.g., filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding), and provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 1100. In some embodiments, the receiving component 1102 may be a communication interface 1335 as described with respect to Figure 13. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving component 1102 may include one or more components of the device 1300 as described in relation to Figure 13.

[0212]

[0225] The transmitting component 1104 can transmit communications such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof to the device 1108. In some embodiments, one or more other components of the device 1100 may generate communications and provide these generated communications to the transmitting component 1104 for transmission to the device 1108. In some embodiments, the transmitting component 1104 may perform signal processing (in particular, filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or coding) on ​​the generated communications and transmit these processed signals to the device 1108. In some embodiments, the transmitting component 1104 may be a communication interface 1335 as described with respect to Figure 13. Alternatively or additionally, the transmitting component 1104 may include one or more components of the device 1300 as described in relation to Figure 13. In some embodiments, the transmitting component 1104 may be placed together with the receiving component 1102 in a transceiver.

[0213]

[0226] The communication manager 1106 may support the operation of the receiving component 1102 and / or the transmitting component 1104. For example, the communication manager 1106 may receive information associated with configuring the receiving component 1102 to receive communications and / or the transmitting component 1104 to transmit communications. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 1106 may generate and / or provide control information to the receiving component 1102 and / or the transmitting component 1104 to control the receiving and / or transmission of communications.

[0214]

[0227] The transmitting component 1104 may transmit a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are allocated to a second wireless communication device (e.g., STA104). The receiving component 1102 and / or the transmitting component 1104 may communicate with the second wireless communication device at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission.

[0215]

[0228] The communication manager 1106 may indicate the respective transmission information for each of the at least two RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device.

[0216]

[0229] The communication manager 1106 may replicate all the contents of each of the at least two information fields, excluding the RU configuration information, in the at least two information fields carried by the PPDU, and each of the at least two information fields is addressed to a second wireless communication device and associated with individual RUs of at least two RUs.

[0217]

[0230] The communications manager 1106 may select one of at least two RUs to transmit one or more downlink MU PPDUs based at least partially on at least one of the signal quality associated with the RU or the availability status associated with the RU.

[0218]

[0231] The communication manager 1106 may select, at least in part, the number of RUs associated with MU transmissions to be allocated to the second wireless communication device, based on device capability information (e.g., STA capability information).

[0219]

[0232] The communication manager 1106 may communicate with the second wireless communication device to obtain M-RU capability information associated with the second wireless communication device.

[0220]

[0233] The communications manager 1106 may select, at least in part, the number of RUs associated with MU transmissions to be allocated to the second wireless communications device, based on M-RU capability information.

[0221]

[0234] The communication manager 1106 may communicate with a second wireless communication device to obtain STA priority transmission configuration information associated with M-RU MU communication.

[0222]

[0235] The communication manager 1106 may select the respective transmission information associated with each of the at least two RUs based at least in part on device priority transmission configuration information (e.g., STA priority transmission configuration information).

[0223]

[0236] The communication manager 1106 may indicate to the second wireless communication device via the transmission component 1104 that M-RU MU communication has been activated, and transmitting a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs are allocated to the second wireless communication device is at least partially based on the activation of M-RU MU communication.

[0224]

[0237] The communication manager 1106 may indicate to the second wireless communication device, via the transmission component 1104, that the M-RU MU communication has been deactivated.

[0225]

[0238] The communication manager 1106 may enable MLO with a second wireless communication device, at least in part, based on the deactivation of M-RU MU communication.

[0226]

[0239] The receiving component 1102 and / or the transmitting component 1104 may communicate with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device. The transmitting component 1104 may transmit an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. The receiving component 1102 and / or the transmitting component 1104 may communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) with the second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the M-RU MU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0227]

[0240] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 11 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or components configured differently from those shown in Figure 11. Furthermore, two or more components shown in Figure 11 may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown in Figure 11 may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown in Figure 11 may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by another set of components shown in Figure 11.

[0228]

[0241] Figure 12 is a diagram of an exemplary apparatus 1200 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. Apparatus 1200 may be a second wireless communication device (e.g., STA 104), or the second wireless communication device (e.g., STA 104) may include apparatus 1200. In some embodiments, apparatus 1200 includes a receiving component 1202, a transmitting component 1204, and / or a communications manager 1206 that can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). In some embodiments, the communications manager 1206 is the communications manager 140 described in relation to Figure 1. As shown, apparatus 1200 may use the receiving component 1202 and the transmitting component 1204 to communicate with another apparatus 1208, such as a UE or network node (e.g., a CU, DU, RU, or another base station).

[0229]

[0242] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1200 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein in relation to Figures 4 to 8. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 1200 may be configured to perform one or more processes, or combinations thereof, described herein, such as process 800 in Figure 8. In some embodiments, the apparatus 1200 and / or one or more components shown in Figure 12 may include one or more components of device 1300 described in relation to Figure 13. Additionally or alternatively, one or more components shown in Figure 12 may be implemented within one or more components described in relation to Figure 13. Additionally or alternatively, one or more components of a set of components may be implemented at least partially as software stored in memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or code stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium, which can be executed by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of that component.

[0230]

[0243] The receiving component 1202 may receive communications from the device 1208, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof. The receiving component 1202 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 1200. In some embodiments, the receiving component 1202 may perform signal processing on the received communications (e.g., filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding), and provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 1200. In some embodiments, the receiving component 1202 may be a communication interface 1335 as described with respect to Figure 13. Alternatively or additionally, the receiving component 1202 may include one or more components of the device 1300 described in relation to Figure 13.

[0231]

[0244] The transmitting component 1204 can transmit communications such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof to the device 1208. In some embodiments, one or more other components of the device 1200 may generate communications and provide these generated communications to the transmitting component 1204 for transmission to the device 1208. In some embodiments, the transmitting component 1204 may perform signal processing (in particular, filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or coding) on ​​the generated communications and transmit these processed signals to the device 1208. In some embodiments, the transmitting component 1204 may be a communication interface 1335 as described with respect to Figure 13. Alternatively or additionally, the transmitting component 1204 may include one or more components of the device 1300 as described in relation to Figure 13. In some embodiments, the transmitting component 1204 may be placed together with the receiving component 1202 in a transceiver.

[0232]

[0245] The communication manager 1206 may support the operation of the receiving component 1202 and / or the transmitting component 1204. For example, the communication manager 1206 may receive information associated with configuring the receiving component 1202 to receive communications and / or the transmitting component 1204 to transmit communications. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager 1206 may generate and / or provide control information to the receiving component 1202 and / or the transmitting component 1204 to control the receiving and / or transmission of communications.

[0233]

[0246] The receiving component 1202 may receive a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission are allocated to a second wireless communication device. The receiving component 1202 and / or the transmitting component 1204 may communicate with the first wireless communication device (e.g., AP102) at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission.

[0234]

[0247] The receiving component 1202 can receive, at least in part, transmission information for each of the at least two RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device, based on the PPDU.

[0235]

[0248] The communications manager 1206 may select one of at least two RUs to transmit a TB PPDU from at least one TB PPDU, at least partially based on at least one of the signal quality associated with the RU or the availability status associated with the RU.

[0236]

[0249] The communication manager 1206 can communicate M-RU capability information associated with the second wireless communication device to the first wireless communication device via the transmission component 1204.

[0237]

[0250] The communication manager 1206 may communicate device priority transmission configuration information (e.g., STA priority transmission configuration information) associated with M-RU MU communication to the first wireless communication device via the transmission component 1204.

[0238]

[0251] The communication manager 1206 may select the respective transmission information associated with each of the at least two RUs based at least partially on the device priority transmission configuration information.

[0239]

[0252] The receiving component 1202 may receive an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication.

[0240]

[0253] The receiving component 1202 may receive an indication specifying the deactivation of M-RU MU communication.

[0241]

[0254] The communication manager 1206 may switch to multilink operation with the AP, at least partially based on the deactivation of M-RU MU communication.

[0242]

[0255] The receiving component 1202 and / or the transmitting component 1204 may communicate with a first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to a second wireless communication device. The receiving component 1202 may receive a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication. The receiving component 1202 and / or the transmitting component 1204 may communicate with the first wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part based on the activation of M-RU MU communication, the M-RU MU communication comprising at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to a second wireless communication device.

[0243]

[0256] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 12 are provided as an example. In practice, there may be additional components, fewer components, different components, or components configured differently from those shown in Figure 12. Furthermore, two or more components shown in Figure 12 may be implemented within a single component, or a single component shown in Figure 12 may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, a set of (one or more) components shown in Figure 12 may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by another set of components shown in Figure 12.

[0244]

[0257] Figure 13 shows exemplary components of device 1300 according to the present disclosure. Device 1300 may respond to a first wireless communication device (e.g., AP102 and / or STA104) and / or a second wireless communication device (e.g., STA104). In some embodiments, the first wireless communication device and / or the second wireless communication device may include one or more devices 1300 and / or one or more components of device 1300. As shown in Figure 13, device 1300 may include a bus 1305, a processor 1310, a memory 1315, a storage component 1320, an input component 1325, an output component 1330, and / or a communication interface 1335.

[0245]

[0258] Bus 1305 includes components that enable communication between components of device 1300. The processor 1310 is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The processor 1310 is a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an accelerated processing unit (APU), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another type of processing component. In some embodiments, the processor 1310 includes one or more processors that can be programmed to perform functions. The memory 1315 includes random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), and / or other types of dynamic or static storage devices (e.g., flash memory, magnetic memory, and / or optical memory) for storing information and / or instructions for use by the processor 1310.

[0246]

[0259] The storage component 1320 stores information and / or software related to the operation and use of device 1300. For example, the storage component 1320 may include a hard disk (e.g., magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and / or solid-state disk), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, a cartridge, magnetic tape, and / or another type of non-temporary computer-readable media, along with a corresponding drive.

[0247]

[0260] The input component 1325 includes components that enable the device 1300 to receive information via user input or the like (e.g., a touchscreen display, keyboard, keypad, mouse, buttons, switches, and / or microphone). Additionally or alternatively, the input component 1325 may include components for determining the position or location of the device 1300 (e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) component or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) component), and / or sensors for detecting information (e.g., an accelerometer, gyroscope, actuator, or another type of position sensor or environmental sensor). The output component 1330 includes components that provide output information from the device 1300 (e.g., a display, speaker, haptic feedback component, and / or audio or visual indicators).

[0248]

[0261] The communication interface 1335 includes transceiver-like components (e.g., transceivers, and / or separate receivers and transmitters) that enable device 1300 to communicate with other devices via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The communication interface 1335 may also enable device 1300 to receive information from and / or provide information to other devices. For example, the communication interface 1335 may include an Ethernet interface, an optical interface, a coaxial interface, an infrared interface, a radio frequency interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a wireless local area interface (e.g., a Wi-Fi interface), and / or a cellular network interface.

[0249]

[0262] Device 1300 may perform one or more processes described herein. These processes may be performed based on the execution of software instructions stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium, such as memory 1315 and / or storage component 1320, by the processor 1310. Computer-readable medium is defined herein as a non-temporary memory device. A memory device includes a memory space within a single physical storage device or a memory space that extends across multiple physical storage devices.

[0250]

[0263] Software instructions may be read into memory 1315 and / or storage component 1320 from another computer-readable medium or another device via the communication interface 1335. When executed, the software instructions stored in memory 1315 and / or storage component 1320 can cause the processor 1310 to execute one or more processes described herein. In addition or alternatively, hardwired circuits may be used instead of or in combination with software instructions to execute one or more processes described herein. Thus, the embodiments described herein are not limited to any particular combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0251]

[0264] In some embodiments, device 1300 may include means for transmitting a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions are allocated to a second wireless communication device (e.g., STA), and / or means for communicating with the second wireless communication device at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions. In some embodiments, means for device 1300 to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of a communication manager 150, a bus 1305, a processor 1310, a memory 1315, a storage component 1320, an input component 1325, an output component 1330, and / or a communication interface 1335.

[0252]

[0265] In some embodiments, device 1300 may include means for receiving a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions are allocated to device 1300, and / or means for communicating with a first wireless communication device (e.g., AP) at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with MU transmissions. In some embodiments, means for device 1300 to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of the communication manager 140, bus 1305, processor 1310, memory 1315, storage component 1320, input component 1325, output component 1330, and / or communication interface 1335.

[0253]

[0266] In some embodiments, device 1300 includes means for communicating with a wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to the second wireless communication device, means for transmitting an indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication, and / or means for communicating with the second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, means for device 1300 to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of a communication manager 140, a bus 1305, a processor 1310, a memory 1315, a storage component 1320, an input component 1325, an output component 1330, and / or a communication interface 1335.

[0254]

[0267] In some embodiments, device 1300 includes means for communicating with a wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of RUs in a first MU transmission, the single RU allocation being allocated to a second wireless communication device, means for receiving a first indication specifying the activation of M-RU MU communication, and / or means for communicating with the first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device. In some embodiments, means for device 1300 to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of a communication manager 140, a bus 1305, a processor 1310, a memory 1315, a storage component 1320, an input component 1325, an output component 1330, and / or a communication interface 1335.

[0255]

[0268] The number and arrangement of components shown in Figure 13 are provided as an example. In practice, device 1300 may include additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged differently compared to those shown in Figure 13. As an addition or alternative, a set of components of device 1300 (e.g., one or more components) may perform one or more functions that are described as being performed by another set of components of device 1300.

[0256]

[0269] The following provides an overview of some aspects of this disclosure.

[0257]

[0270] Embodiment 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device, comprising: transmitting a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) indicating that at least two resource units (RUs) associated with a multi-user (MU) transmission are allocated to a second wireless communication device; and communicating with the second wireless communication device at least in part on using the at least two resource units (RUs) associated with the MU transmission.

[0258]

[0271] Embodiment 2: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the MU transmission includes at least one of MU orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission or MU multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission.

[0259]

[0272] Embodiment 3: Any of Embodiments 1 to 2, wherein at least two RUs are associated with an uplink MU transmission, and the method includes transmitting an indication in the trigger frame that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0260]

[0273] Embodiment 4: The method of Embodiment 3, wherein the trigger frame includes a separate user information field for each of at least two RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device, and the indication includes a separate user information field for each of the device identifiers assigned to the second wireless communication device.

[0261]

[0274] Embodiment 5: The method of Embodiment 3, wherein communicating with the STA, at least in part, based on using at least two RUs, includes receiving one or more medium access control protocol data units (MPDUs).

[0262]

[0275] Embodiment 6: The trigger frame includes at least one user information field indicating at least one of the traffic identifier (TID) restrictions associated with the base trigger frame or the preferred access class (AC) associated with the base trigger frame, and receiving one or more MPDUs is at least partially based on at least one of the TID restrictions or preferred ACs, in the manner of Embodiment 5.

[0263]

[0276] Embodiment 7: Any embodiment of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein at least two RUs are associated with a downlink MU transmission, and the method includes transmitting an indication in the signaling field of the PPDU that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0264]

[0277] Embodiment 8: The method of Embodiment 7, wherein the signal field includes a separate wireless station (STA) information field for each of at least two RUs, and the indication includes a separate STA information field containing a device identifier assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0265]

[0278] Embodiment 9: Any method of Embodiments 1 to 8, further comprising indicating the respective transmission information for each RU among at least two RUs assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0266]

[0279] Embodiment 10: A method of any embodiment 1 to 9, further comprising replicating all the contents of each of the at least two information fields, excluding RU configuration information, in at least two information fields carried by the PPDU, wherein each of the at least two information fields is addressed to a second wireless communication device and associated with individual RUs of at least two RUs.

[0267]

[0280] Embodiment 11: The method of Embodiment 10, wherein each of the at least two information fields is at least one of a trigger frame user information field or a wireless station (STA) information field of a signal field included in the PPDU.

[0268]

[0281] Embodiment 12: The method of Embodiment 10, wherein the duplicated content in at least two information fields indicates that the MU transmission is expected to carry the duplicated transmission.

[0269]

[0282] Embodiment 13: The method of Embodiment 10, wherein communicating with a second wireless communication device, at least in part, based on using at least two RUs, includes receiving replicated physical layer service data units (PSDUs) using MU transmissions, at least in part, based on using at least two RUs.

[0270]

[0283] Embodiment 14: The method of Embodiment 10, wherein communicating with a second wireless communication device on at least part of using at least two RUs includes transmitting replicated physical layer service data units (PSDUs) on at least part of using at least two RUs as at least part of an MU transmission.

[0271]

[0284] Embodiment 15: Any method from Embodiments 1 to 14, wherein each of at least two RUs consists of a separate subchannel associated with MU transmission.

[0272]

[0285] Embodiment 16: Communicating with a second wireless communication device at least in part on using at least two RUs, comprising using MU transmissions to receive at least one trigger-based (TB) PPDU at least in part on at least two RUs, according to any method of Embodiments 1 to 15.

[0273]

[0286] Embodiment 17: The method of Embodiment 16, wherein at least two RUs contain M RUs, and at least one TB PPDU contains N TB PPDUs, where M is a first integer and N is a second integer, and N is less than or equal to M.

[0274]

[0287] Embodiment 18: The method of Embodiment 17, wherein each of the at least one TB PPDUs is associated with a separate Physical Layer Service Data Unit (PSDU).

[0275]

[0288] Embodiment 19: Communicating with an STA on at least in part using at least two RUs includes using MU transmission to transmit an MU PPDU on at least in part to at least two RUs, the method of any Embodiments 1 to 18, wherein each of the one or more PSDUs includes at least one of the following: one or more Medium Access Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) addressed to the STA, or a null data packet addressed to the STA.

[0276]

[0289] Embodiment 20: The method of Embodiment 19, further comprising selecting one of at least two RUs to transmit an MU PPDU based at least in part on at least one of the signal quality associated with the RU or the availability status associated with the RU.

[0277]

[0290] Embodiment 21: The method of Embodiment 19, further comprising selecting a number of RUs associated with MU transmissions to be allocated to a second wireless communication device, based at least in part on device capability information.

[0278]

[0291] Aspect 22: Communicating with a second wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two resource units (RUs) associated with MU transmission includes processing an individual signal for MU transmission for each of the at least two RUs based at least in part on respective transmission information associated with the RUs, according to any of the methods of Aspects 1 to 21.

[0279]

[0292] Aspect 23: Processing an individual signal associated with each RU includes at least one of transmitting an individual signal for each RU as part of the MU transmission based at least in part on the respective transmission information, or receiving an individual signal for each RU as at least part of the MU transmission based at least in part on the respective transmission information, according to the method of Aspect 22.

[0280]

[0293] Aspect 24: The MU transmission includes an uplink trigger-based (TB) PPDU, according to the method of Aspect 22.

[0281]

[0294] Aspect 25: The MU transmission includes a downlink MU PPDU, according to the method of Aspect 22.

[0282]

[0295] Aspect 26: Further includes communicating with a second wireless communication device to obtain multi-RU (M-RU) capability information associated with the second wireless communication device, and selecting the number of RUs associated with the MU transmission to be allocated to the second wireless communication device based at least in part on the M-RU capability information, according to any of the methods of Aspects 1 to 25.

[0283]

[0296] Aspect 27: The M-RU capability information indicates device capabilities associated with at least one of duplicate transmission support, the maximum number of decodable physical layer service data units (PSDUs), or performance conditions, according to the method of Aspect 26.

[0284]

[0297] Aspect 28: Communicating with a second wireless communication device to obtain device priority transmission configuration information associated with multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication, and selecting respective transmission information associated with each of at least two RUs based at least in part on the device priority transmission configuration information, the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 27, further comprising.

[0285]

[0298] Aspect 29: The method according to Aspect 28, wherein the device priority transmission configuration information is based at least in part on an application layer in the second wireless communication device.

[0286]

[0299] Aspect 30: Informing the second wireless communication device of the activation of multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication, and transmitting a PPDU indicating that at least two RUs are allocated to the second wireless communication device, the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 29, further comprising being based at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication.

[0287]

[0300] Aspect 31: The method according to Aspect 30, further comprising changing at least one of the number of RUs allocated to the second wireless communication device or at least one of one or more transmission parameters associated with MU communication, based at least in part on the activation.

[0288]

[0301] Aspect 32: The method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 31, further comprising informing the second wireless communication device of the deactivation of M-RU MU communication.

[0289]

[0302] Aspect 33: The method according to Aspect 32, further comprising enabling multi-link operation with the second wireless communication device, based at least in part on the deactivation of M-RU MU communication.

[0290]

[0303] Embodiment 34: The method of Embodiment 32, further comprising changing the number of RUs assigned to a second wireless communication device, or at least one of the one or more transmission parameters associated with MU communication, at least in part, based on deactivation.

[0291]

[0304] Embodiment 35: Any embodiment of 1 to 34, wherein the first wireless communication device is a first access point (AP) and the second wireless communication device is a wireless station (STA), and the method further comprises communicating with a second AP that is communicating with the STA, selecting at least one RU from at least two RUs for second wireless communication device communication with the second AP, and showing the configuration of at least one RU to the second AP.

[0292]

[0305] Embodiment 36: A method of wireless communication performed by a second wireless communication device, comprising: receiving a single physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) indicating that at least two resource units (RUs) associated with a multi-user (MU) transmission are allocated to the second wireless communication device; and communicating with a first wireless communication device at least in part on using the at least two RUs associated with the MU transmission.

[0293]

[0306] Embodiment 37: The method of Embodiment 36, wherein the MU transmission includes at least one of MU orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission or MU multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission.

[0294]

[0307] Embodiment 38: Any of embodiments 36 to 37, wherein at least two RUs are associated with an uplink MU transmission, and the method includes receiving an indication in the trigger frame that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0295]

[0308] Embodiment 39: The method of Embodiment 38, wherein the trigger frame includes a separate user information field for each of at least two RUs assigned to the second wireless communication device, and the indication includes a separate user information field for each of which includes a device identifier assigned to the second wireless communication device.

[0296]

[0309] Embodiment 40: The method of Embodiment 38, wherein communicating with a first wireless communication device, at least in part, based on using at least two RUs, includes transmitting one or more Medium Access Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs).

[0297]

[0310] Embodiment 41: The trigger frame includes at least one user information field indicating at least one of the traffic identifier (TID) restrictions associated with the base trigger frame or the preferred access class (AC) associated with the base trigger frame, and the transmission of one or more MPDUs is at least partially based on at least one of the TID restrictions or preferred ACs, in the manner of Embodiment 40.

[0298]

[0311] Embodiment 42: Any of embodiments 36 to 41, wherein at least two RUs are associated with a downlink MU transmission, and the method includes receiving an indication in the signaling field of the PPDU that at least two RUs are assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0299]

[0312] Embodiment 43: The method of Embodiment 42, wherein the signal field includes a separate wireless station (STA) information field for each of at least two RUs, and the indication includes a separate STA information field containing a device identifier assigned to a second wireless communication device.

[0300]

[0313] Embodiment 44: Any method of Embodiments 36 to 43, further comprising receiving respective transmission information for each of at least two RUs assigned to a second wireless communication device, at least in part, based on the PPDU.

[0301]

[0314] Embodiment 45: The PPDU comprises at least two information fields, each of the at least two information fields being addressed to a second wireless communication device and associated with individual RUs of at least two RUs, each of the at least two information fields comprising duplicated content, the duplicated content comprising all the content of each of the at least two information fields being duplicated, except for RU configuration information, in any manner of Embodiments 36 to 44.

[0302]

[0315] Embodiment 46: The method of Embodiment 45, wherein each of the at least two information fields is at least one of a trigger frame user information field or a wireless station (STA) information field of a signal field included in the PPDU.

[0303]

[0316] Embodiment 47: The method of Embodiment 45, wherein the duplicated content in each of at least two information fields is an indication that the MU transmission is expected to carry a duplicate transmission.

[0304]

[0317] Embodiment 48: The method of Embodiment 45, wherein communicating with a first wireless communication device, at least in part, based on using at least two RUs, includes transmitting replicated physical layer service data units (PSDUs) at least in part, based on using at least two RUs, using MU transmissions.

[0305]

[0318] Aspect 49: Communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes receiving replicated physical layer service data units (PSDUs) based at least in part on using at least two RUs as at least part of a MU transmission, the method of Aspect 45.

[0306]

[0319] Aspect 50: Each of the at least two RUs is composed of an individual subchannel associated with a MU transmission, the method of any of Aspects 36 to 49.

[0307]

[0320] Aspect 51: Communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs includes transmitting at least one trigger-based (TB) PPDU based at least in part on the at least two RUs as part of a MU transmission, the method of any of Aspects 36 to 50.

[0308]

[0321] Aspect 52: The at least two RUs include M RUs, the at least one TB PPDU includes N TB PPDUs, M is a first integer, N is a second integer, and N is less than or equal to M, the method of Aspect 51.

[0309]

[0322] Aspect 53: Each of the at least one TB PPDUs is associated with an individual physical layer service data unit (PSDU), the method of Aspect 51.

[0310]

[0323] Aspect 54: Further includes selecting one of the at least two RUs for transmitting a TB PPDU of the at least one TB PPDUs based at least in part on at least one of a signal quality associated with the RU or an availability state associated with the RU, the method of Aspect 51.

[0311]

[0324] Embodiment 55: Communicating with a first wireless communication device on at least in part using at least two RUs, comprising receiving a MU PPDU on at least in part to at least two RUs as at least part of an MU transmission, wherein the MU PPDU comprises one or more Physical Layer Service Data Units (PSDUs), and each of the one or more PSDUs comprises at least one of one or more Medium Access Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) addressed to the second wireless communication device, or a null data packet addressed to the second wireless communication device, the method of Embodiment 34.

[0312]

[0325] Embodiment 56: Communicating with a first wireless communication device based at least in part on using at least two RUs associated with an MU transmission, the method of any embodiment 36 to 55, comprising processing individual signals of the MU transmission for each of the at least two RUs, based at least in part on the transmission information associated with each RU.

[0313]

[0326] Embodiment 57: The method of Embodiment 56, wherein processing individual signals includes at least one of transmitting an individual signal for each RU as part of an MU transmission, based at least in part on the respective transmission information, or receiving an individual signal for each RU as part of an MU transmission, based at least in part on the respective transmission information.

[0314]

[0327] Embodiment 58: MU transmission is performed by the method of Embodiment 56, including an uplink trigger-based (TB) PPDU.

[0315]

[0328] Embodiment 59: The method of Embodiment 54, wherein MU transmission includes a downlink MU PPDU.

[0316]

[0329] Embodiment 60: Any method of Embodiments 36 to 59, further comprising communicating multi-RU (M-RU) capability information associated with a second wireless communication device to a first wireless communication device.

[0317]

[0330] Embodiment 61: The method of Embodiment 60, wherein the M-RU capability information indicates a device capability associated with at least one of the following: replication transmission support, the maximum number of decryptable physical layer service data units (PSDUs), or performance requirements.

[0318]

[0331] Embodiment 62: Any method of Embodiments 36 to 61, further comprising communicating device-priority transmit configuration information associated with multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication to a first wireless communication device, and selecting respective transmit information associated with each of at least two RUs, at least in part, based on the device-priority transmit configuration information.

[0319]

[0332] Embodiment 63: The method of Embodiment 65, wherein the device priority transmission configuration information is at least partially based on the application layer in the second wireless communication device.

[0320]

[0333] Embodiment 64: Any method of Embodiments 36 to 63, further comprising receiving an indication specifying the activation of multi-RU (M-RU)MU communication.

[0321]

[0334] Embodiment 65: Any method of Embodiments 36 to 64, further comprising receiving an indication specifying the deactivation of multi-RU (M-RU)MU communication.

[0322]

[0335] Embodiment 66: The method of Embodiment 65, further comprising switching to multilink operation with a first wireless communication device, at least in part, based on deactivating M-RU MU communication.

[0323]

[0336] Embodiment 67: Any embodiment of embodiments 36 to 66, wherein the first wireless communication device is a first access point (AP), and the method further comprises communicating with a second AP, at least in part on using at least one of two RUs.

[0324]

[0337] Embodiment 68: A device for wireless communication in a device, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the device to perform one or more of the methods of Embodiments 1 to 67.

[0325]

[0338] Embodiment 69: A device for wireless communication, comprising a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory, wherein the one or more processors are configured individually or collectively to implement one or more of the methods of Embodiments 1 to 67.

[0326]

[0339] Embodiment 70: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one means for carrying out one or more methods from Embodiments 1 to 67.

[0327]

[0340] Embodiment 71: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, wherein the code comprises instructions that can be executed by a processor to implement one or more of the methods of Embodiments 1 to 67.

[0328]

[0341] Embodiment 72: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, wherein the set of instructions comprises one or more instructions, and when one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors of the device, the device causes the device to perform one or more of the methods of Embodiments 1 to 67.

[0329]

[0342] Embodiment 73: A method of wireless communication performed by a first wireless communication device, comprising: communicating with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of resource units (RUs) in a first multi-user (MU) transmission, wherein the single RU allocation is allocated to the second wireless communication device; transmitting an indication specifying the activation of multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication; and communicating with the second wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, wherein the M-RU communication comprises at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0330]

[0343] Embodiment 74: A method of wireless communication performed by a second wireless communication device, comprising: communicating with a first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from a plurality of resource units (RUs) in a first multi-user (MU) transmission, wherein the single RU allocation is allocated to the second wireless communication device; receiving a first indication specifying the activation of multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication; and communicating with the first wireless communication device using M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of M-RU MU communication, wherein the M-RU communication comprises at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device.

[0331]

[0344] Apparatus 75: Apparatus for wireless communication in a device, the apparatus comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories coupled to one or more processors; and instructions stored in one or more memories, which are executable by one or more processors to cause the apparatus to perform one or more methods of Apparatus 73.

[0332]

[0345] Apparatus 76: Apparatus for wireless communication in a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors being configured to cause the device to implement one or more methods of Apparatus 73.

[0333]

[0346] Embodiment 77: An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising at least one means for carrying out one or more methods of Embodiment 73.

[0334]

[0347] Embodiment 78: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions that can be executed by one or more processors to implement one or more of the methods of Embodiment 73.

[0335]

[0348] Embodiment 79: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, wherein the set of instructions comprises one or more instructions, and when one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors of the device, the device causes the device to perform one or more methods of Embodiment 73.

[0336]

[0349] Embodiment 80: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising a processing system including one or more processors and one or more memories coupled with one or more processors, the processing system being configured to cause the device to implement one or more methods of Embodiment 73.

[0337]

[0350] Apparatus 81: Apparatus for wireless communication in a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors being configured individually or collectively to cause the device to implement one or more methods of Apparatus 73.

[0338]

[0351] Apparatus 82: Apparatus for wireless communication in a device, the apparatus comprising: one or more processors; one or more memories coupled to one or more processors; and instructions stored in one or more memories, which are executable by one or more processors to cause the apparatus to perform one or more methods of Apparatus 74.

[0339]

[0352] Apparatus 83: Apparatus for wireless communication in a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors being configured to cause the device to implement one or more methods of Apparatus 74.

[0340]

[0353] Embodiment 84: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising at least one means for carrying out one or more methods of Embodiment 74.

[0341]

[0354] Embodiment 85: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing a code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions that can be executed by one or more processors to implement one or more methods of Embodiment 74.

[0342]

[0355] Embodiment 86: A non-temporary computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication, wherein the set of instructions comprises one or more instructions, and when one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors of the device, the device causes the device to perform one or more methods of Embodiment 74.

[0343]

[0356] Embodiment 87: A device for wireless communication, the device comprising a processing system including one or more processors and one or more memories coupled with one or more processors, the processing system configured to cause the device to implement one or more methods of Embodiment 74.

[0344]

[0357] Apparatus 88: Apparatus for wireless communication in a device, the apparatus comprising one or more memories, and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories, the one or more processors being configured individually or collectively to cause the device to implement one or more methods of Apparatus 74.

[0345]

[0358] The foregoing disclosures are illustrative and explanatory, but are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the forms to those disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the foregoing disclosures or derived from the practice of the forms.

[0346]

[0359] When used herein, the term “Components” shall be broadly interpreted as hardware or a combination of hardware and software. “Software” shall be broadly interpreted as instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, or functions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, among other examples. When used herein, “Processor” is implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. It will be apparent that the systems or methods described herein may be implemented in different forms of hardware or combinations of hardware and software. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems or methods is not limited to any particular form. Therefore, a person skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement a system or method based at least in part on the descriptions herein, so the operation and behavior of a system or method are described herein without reference to specific software code.

[0347]

[0360] As used herein, “meeting a threshold” may, depending on the context, mean, in the examples, that a value is greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, or not equal to a threshold.

[0348]

[0361] Where particular combinations of features are described in the claims or disclosed herein, those combinations do not limit the disclosure of various embodiments. Many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically enumerated in the claims or disclosed herein. Disclosure of various embodiments includes each dependent claim in combination with any other claim in the set of claims. Where used herein, the phrase “at least one of” the list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single component. For example, “at least one of a, b, or c” shall include a, b, c, a+b, a+c, b+c, and a+b+c, as well as any combination having multiple identical elements (e.g., a+a, a+a+a, a+a+b, a+a+c, a+b+b, a+c+c, b+b, b+b+b, b+b+c, c+c, and c+c+c, or any other order of a, b, and c).

[0349]

[0362] None of the elements, actions, or commands used herein should be construed as essential or mandatory unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Additionally, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referred to in relation to the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” When only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar words should be used. Also, as used herein, terms such as “has,” “have,” and “having” and similar terms are open-ended terms that do not limit the elements they modify (for example, an element that “has” A may also have B). Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based at least partially on." Also, as used herein, the term "or" is inclusive when used consecutively and may be used interchangeably with "and / or" unless otherwise specified (for example, when used in combination with "either" or "only one of").

Claims

1. A device for wireless communication in a first wireless communication device, One or more memory devices, The system comprises one or more processors coupled to the one or more memory, and the one or more processors are individually or Collectively, the first wireless communication device, A first multi-user (MU) transmission uses a single RU allocation from multiple resource units (RUs) to communicate with a second wireless communication device, and the single RU allocation is assigned to the second wireless communication device. Send an indication to activate multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication. Based at least in part on the activation of the M-RU MU communication, the M-RU MU communication is used to communicate with the second wireless communication device, wherein the M-RU communication comprises at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission assigned to the second wireless communication device. A device configured in such a way.

2. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the first wireless communication device. Based at least in part on the aforementioned activation, The number of RUs allocated to the second wireless communication device, or One or more transmission parameters associated with the M-RU MU communication The apparatus according to claim 1, further configured to modify at least one of the following.

3. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the first wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 1, further configured to cause the second wireless communication device to indicate the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication.

4. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the first wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 3, further configured to enable multilink operation with the second wireless communication device, at least in part, based on the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication.

5. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the first wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least two RUs associated with the second MU transmission are further configured to transmit a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) indicating that it is to be allocated to the second wireless communication device.

6. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the first wireless communication device. It is further configured to acquire M-RU capability information associated with the second wireless communication device, The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein transmitting the indication specifying the activation of the M-RU MU communication is at least partially based on the M-RU capability information.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the M-RU capability information indicates that the second wireless communication device supports the M-RU MU communication.

8. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the first wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 6, further configured to select, at least in part, the number of RUs associated with the second MU transmission to be allocated to the second wireless communication device, based on the M-RU capability information.

9. The aforementioned MRU capability information is, Support for duplicate transmission, The maximum number of decryptable Physical Layer Service Data Units (PSDUs), or performance conditions, The apparatus according to claim 6, which shows the device capability associated with at least one of the following.

10. A device for wireless communication in a second wireless communication device, One or more memory devices, The second wireless communication device comprises one or more processors coupled to one or more of the aforementioned memories, and the one or more processors are connected to the second wireless communication device. A first wireless communication device is made to communicate using a single RU allocation from multiple resource units (RUs) included in a first multi-user (MU) transmission, and the single RU allocation is then allocated to the second wireless communication device. A first indication is received that specifies the activation of multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication. Based at least in part on the activation of the M-RU MU communication, the M-RU MU communication is used to communicate with the first wireless communication device, wherein the M-RU communication comprises at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device. A device configured in such a way.

11. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the second wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 10, further configured to receive a second indication specifying the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication.

12. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the second wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 11, further configured to enable multilink operation with the first wireless communication device, at least in part, based on the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication.

13. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the second wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the at least two RUs associated with the second MU transmission are further configured to receive a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) indicating that it is to be allocated to the second wireless communication device.

14. The one or more processors mentioned above are connected to the second wireless communication device. The apparatus according to claim 10, further configured to transmit M-RU capability information indicating support for the aforementioned M-RU MU communication.

15. The aforementioned MRU capability information is, Support for duplicate transmission, The maximum number of decryptable Physical Layer Service Data Units (PSDUs), or performance conditions, The apparatus according to claim 14, which shows the device capability associated with at least one of the following.

16. A method of wireless communication carried out by a first wireless communication device, Communicating with a second wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from multiple resource units (RUs) in a first multi-user (MU) transmission, wherein the single RU allocation is allocated to the second wireless communication device. Sending an indication to activate multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication, Communicating with the second wireless communication device using the M-RU-MU communication, at least in part on the activation of the M-RU-MU communication, wherein the M-RU communication comprises at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device. Methods that include...

17. Based at least in part on the aforementioned activation, The number of RUs allocated to the second wireless communication device, or One or more transmission parameters associated with the M-RU MU communication The method according to claim 16, further comprising modifying at least one of the following.

18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising indicating the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication to the second wireless communication device.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising enabling multilink operation with the second wireless communication device based at least in part on the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising transmitting a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) indicating that the at least two RUs associated with the second MU transmission are to be allocated to the second wireless communication device.

21. Further includes obtaining M-RU capability information associated with the second wireless communication device, The method according to claim 16, wherein transmitting the indication specifying the activation of the M-RU MU communication is at least partially based on the M-RU capability information.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the M-RU capability information indicates that the second wireless communication device supports the M-RU MU communication.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising selecting a number of RUs associated with the second MU transmission to be allocated to the second wireless communication device, based at least in part on the M-RU capability information.

24. The aforementioned MRU capability information is, Support for duplicate transmission, The maximum number of decryptable Physical Layer Service Data Units (PSDUs), or performance conditions, The method according to claim 22, which indicates a device capability associated with at least one of the following.

25. A method for wireless communication in a second wireless communication device, Communicating with a first wireless communication device using a single RU allocation from multiple resource units (RUs) included in a first multi-user (MU) transmission, wherein the single RU allocation is allocated to the second wireless communication device, Receiving a first indication that specifies the activation of multi-RU (M-RU) MU communication, Communicating with the first wireless communication device using the M-RU MU communication, at least in part on the activation of the M-RU MU communication, wherein the M-RU communication comprises at least one of at least two RUs of a second MU transmission allocated to the second wireless communication device. Methods that include...

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising receiving a second indication specifying the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising enabling multilink operation with the first wireless communication device based at least in part on the deactivation of the M-RU MU communication.

28. The method according to claim 25, further comprising the at least two RUs associated with the second MU transmission receiving a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) indicating that they are to be allocated to the second wireless communication device.

29. The method according to claim 25, further comprising transmitting M-RU capability information indicating support for the aforementioned M-RU MU communication.

30. The aforementioned MRU capability information is, Support for duplicate transmission, The maximum number of decryptable Physical Layer Service Data Units (PSDUs), or performance conditions, The method according to claim 29, which indicates a device capability associated with at least one of the following.

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