Coordinated access point transmitters

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for sharing resources of a wireless medium. Specific implementations relate more specifically to CAP TDMA (coordinated AP (CAP) time-division-multiple-access) and OFDMA (orthogonal-frequency-division-multiple access) techniques for sharing time or frequency resources of a transmission opportunity (TXOP). According to these techniques, an AP that wins a contest and obtains access to the wireless medium for the duration of the TXOP may share its time or frequency resources with other selected APs. To share its resources, the winning AP may partition the TXOP into a plurality of time or frequency segments, each containing individual time or frequency resources representing a part of the TXOP, and allocate each of the time or frequency segments to itself or to one of the selected APs.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62 / 986,561 by Sun et al., filed on March 6, 2020, with the title "COORDINATED ACCESS POINT TRANSMISSIONS", and to U.S. regular patent application No. 17 / 249,070 by Sun et al., filed on February 18, 2021, with the title "COORDINATED ACCESS POINT TRANSMISSIONS", both of which have been assigned to the assignee of this application and are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication, and more specifically, to coordinated AP time-division multiple access and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access techniques for sharing resources of transmission opportunities. Background Technology

[0003] A wireless local area network (WLAN) can be formed by one or more access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium for use by multiple client devices, also referred to as stations (STAs). The basic building block of a WLAN compliant with the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard family is a Basic Service Set (BSS) managed by an AP. Each BSS is identified by a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) notified by the AP. The AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames to enable any STA within the AP's wireless range to establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN.

[0004] Access technologies in WLAN environments typically involve contention. APs or STAs wishing to transmit or receive data must compete for access to the wireless medium and win the competition before acquiring a transmission opportunity (TXOP). However, conventional access technologies can use the time or frequency resources of TXOPs inefficiently, which can lead to increased latency and reduced throughput fairness.

[0005] Each of the systems, methods, and devices of the present disclosure has several innovative aspects, and no single aspect among these aspects alone possesses the preferred attributes disclosed herein.

[0006] One innovative aspect of the gist described in the present disclosure may be implemented as a method for wireless communication by a first wireless station in a first basic service set (BSS) associated with a first wireless access point. The method comprises receiving from the first wireless access point a first packet containing scheduling information for a transmission opportunity acquired by a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS, wherein the scheduling information indicates a plurality of portions of the transmission opportunity, the scheduling information includes a plurality of access point identifiers associated with a plurality of wireless access points, and the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more portions of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each individual wireless access point in order to communicate with each individual BSS of each individual wireless access point of the plurality of wireless access points. The method also comprises determining that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier associated with the first wireless access point. The method additionally comprises receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point on a portion of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point. The method further includes the step of transmitting data to the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving a trigger frame based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier.

[0007] In some implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of time resources that do not overlap with any time resources of any other part of the plurality of parts. In some other implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of frequency resources that do not overlap with any frequency resources of any other part of the plurality of parts.

[0008] In some implementations, the method further comprises the steps of receiving a second packet from a second wireless access point before receiving a first packet—the second packet includes scheduling information and a duration field indicating the duration of a transmission opportunity—determining that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and suppressing updating a BSS-to-network allocation vector based on the determination that the scheduling information includes the first access point identifier, wherein transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to a trigger frame is further based on suppressing updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector. In some implementations, the method further comprises the step of updating a BSS-to-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the duration based on the determination that the scheduling information includes the first access point identifier, wherein the BSS-to-network allocation vector enables the first wireless station to transmit data to the first wireless access point only in response to receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point for a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point.

[0009] In some implementations, the method further comprises the steps of determining, in response to receiving a trigger frame, that a first packet or trigger frame indicates that carrier detection is not required for transmitting data to the first wireless access point in a portion of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point, and, based on the determination that scheduling information includes a first access point identifier and the determination that carrier detection is not required, ignoring a BSS-to-network allocation vector for one or more portions of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point, wherein transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to the trigger frame is additionally based on ignoring the BSS-to-network allocation vector.

[0010] In some implementations, the first packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of a transmission opportunity, and the method further includes the step of suppressing the updating of any network allocation vectors based on the duration based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to a trigger frame is further based on not updating any network allocation vectors.

[0011] In some implementations, the first packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of a transmission opportunity, and the method further includes the step of updating a BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and suppressing the updating of the duration and the BSS-to-network allocation vector, and transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to a trigger frame is further based on updating the BSS-in-network allocation vector and suppressing the updating of the BSS-to-network allocation vector.

[0012] In some implementations, the method further includes the step of updating a network allocation vector within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the second packet in response to the detection of the second packet during a transmission opportunity from the first wireless access point or from another wireless station within the first BSS.

[0013] In some implementations, the method further includes the step of suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of a second packet during a transmission opportunity from another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information, or from a wireless station within the BSS associated with the other wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information. In some such implementations, the method further includes the step of updating a BSS-to-network allocation vector based on the duration indicated in the second packet in response to the detection of the second packet. In some other such implementations, the method further includes the step of suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of the second packet.

[0014] Another innovative aspect of the gist described in this disclosure may be implemented as a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device comprises at least one modem, at least one processor coupled to communicate with at least one modem, and at least one memory coupled to communicate with at least one processor and storing processor-readable code, wherein when executed by at least one processor in conjunction with at least one modem, the processor-readable code is configured to operate in a first basic service set (BSS) associated with a first wireless access point. When executed by at least one processor in conjunction with at least one modem, the code is also configured to receive from the first wireless access point a first packet containing scheduling information for a transmission opportunity acquired by a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS, wherein the scheduling information indicates a plurality of portions of the transmission opportunity, the scheduling information includes a plurality of access point identifiers associated with a plurality of wireless access points, and the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more portions of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each individual wireless access point in order to communicate with each individual BSS of each individual wireless access point of the plurality of wireless access points. When executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is also configured to determine that scheduling information includes a first access point identifier associated with a first wireless access point. When executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is additionally configured to receive a trigger frame from the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point.When executed by at least one processor together with at least one modem, the code is further configured to transmit data to the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving a trigger frame based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier.

[0015] In some implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of time resources that do not overlap with any time resources of any other part of the plurality of parts. In some other implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of frequency resources that do not overlap with any frequency resources of any other part of the plurality of parts.

[0016] In some implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to receive a second packet from a second wireless access point before receiving a first packet—the second packet includes scheduling information and a duration field indicating the duration of a transmission opportunity—and to determine that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and based on the determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, to suppress updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector, and transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to a trigger frame is further based on suppressing updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector. In some implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to update a BSS-in-network allocation vector for a first BSS based on a duration, based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and the BSS-in-network allocation vector enables the first wireless station to transmit data to the first wireless access point in response only to receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point during a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point.

[0017] In some implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to determine that the scheduling information in the first packet contains the first access point identifier, to determine that the second packet or the trigger frame indicates that carrier detection is not required for transmitting data to the first wireless access point in a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame, and to ignore the BSS-to-network allocation vector for one or more portions of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point based on the determination that the scheduling information contains the first access point identifier and the determination that carrier detection is not required, and transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to the trigger frame is further based on ignoring the BSS-to-network allocation vector.

[0018] In some implementations, the first packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of the transmission opportunity, and when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to suppress updating any network allocation vectors based on the duration, based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to a trigger frame is further based on not updating any network allocation vectors.

[0019] In some implementations, the first packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of a transmission opportunity, and when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to update the BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and based on suppressing the updating of the duration and the BSS-to-network allocation vector, and transmitting data to the first wireless access point in response to a trigger frame is further based on updating the BSS-in-network allocation vector and suppressing the updating of the BSS-to-network allocation vector.

[0020] In some implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to update a network allocation vector within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the second packet in response to the detection of the second packet during a transmission opportunity from the first wireless access point or from another wireless station within the first BSS.

[0021] In some implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to suppress updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of a second packet during a transmission opportunity from another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information, or from a wireless station within the BSS associated with the other wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information. In some such implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to update the BSS-to-network allocation vector based on the duration indicated in the second packet in response to the detection of the second packet. In some other such implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to suppress updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of the second packet.

[0022] Another innovative aspect of the gist described in the present disclosure may be implemented as a method for wireless communication by a first wireless access point associated with a first basic service set (BSS). The method comprises the step of receiving a first packet from a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS, wherein the first packet comprises scheduling information for a transmission opportunity acquired by the second wireless access point, the scheduling information indicates a plurality of portions of the transmission opportunity, the scheduling information includes a plurality of access point identifiers associated with a plurality of wireless access points, and the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more portions of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each individual wireless access point in order to communicate with each individual BSS of each individual wireless access point of the plurality of wireless access points. The method also comprises the step of determining that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier associated with the first wireless access point, the first access point identifier is associated with a portion of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point from a plurality of portions. The method further comprises the step of transmitting a second packet to one or more wireless stations in a first BSS in response to receiving a first packet and based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, the second packet comprising at least a portion of scheduling information including a plurality of access point identifiers and an indication of a portion of transmission opportunities allocated to the first wireless access point. The method further comprises the step of transmitting data to one or more wireless stations in the first BSS or triggering the transmission of data from one or more wireless stations to a portion of transmission opportunities allocated to the first wireless access point based on the scheduling information.

[0023] In some implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of time resources that do not overlap with any time resources of any other part of the plurality of parts. In some other implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of frequency resources that do not overlap with any frequency resources of any other part of the plurality of parts.

[0024] In some implementations, the second packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of the transmission opportunity. In some implementations, the first packet includes a trigger frame configured to trigger the first wireless access point to transmit the second packet based on the inclusion of a first access point identifier.

[0025] In some implementations, the first packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of a transmission opportunity, and the method further includes the step of suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and the triggering of the transmission of data to one or more radio stations within the first BSS or the transmission of data from one or more radio stations is additionally based on suppressing the updating of the BSS-to-network allocation vector. In some implementations, the method further includes the step of updating a BSS-to-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the duration based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier. In some other such implementations, the method further includes the step of suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier.

[0026] In some implementations, the method further includes the step of suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of a third packet during a transmission opportunity from another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the second wireless access point or scheduling information, or from a wireless station within the BSS associated with the access point identifier included in the second wireless access point or scheduling information. In some implementations, the method further includes the step of updating a BSS-to-network allocation vector based on the duration indicated in the third packet in response to the detection of the third packet. In some other such implementations, the method further includes the step of suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of the third packet.

[0027] In some implementations, triggering the transmission of data from one or more wireless stations within the first BSS comprises transmitting a trigger frame to each of one or more wireless stations in a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point, and the second packet or trigger frame indicates that carrier detection is not required for transmitting data to the first wireless access point in a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame.

[0028] Another innovative aspect of the gist described in this disclosure may be implemented as a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device comprises at least one modem, at least one processor coupled to communicate with at least one modem, and at least one memory coupled to communicate with at least one processor and storing a processor-readable code, wherein when executed by at least one processor together with at least one modem, the processor-readable code is configured to operate as a first wireless access point associated with a first basic service set (BSS). When executed by at least one processor together with at least one modem, the code is also configured to receive a first packet from a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS, wherein the first packet includes scheduling information for a transmission opportunity acquired by the second wireless access point, the scheduling information indicates a plurality of portions of the transmission opportunity, the scheduling information includes a plurality of access point identifiers associated with a plurality of wireless access points, and the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more portions of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each individual wireless access point in order to communicate with each individual BSS of each individual wireless access point of the plurality of wireless access points. When executed by at least one processor together with at least one modem, the code is also configured to determine that scheduling information includes a first access point identifier associated with a first wireless access point, and the first access point identifier is associated with a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point from a plurality of portions.When executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is additionally configured to transmit a second packet to one or more wireless stations in the first BSS, in response to receiving the first packet and based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a plurality of access point identifiers and an indication of a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point. When executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is additionally configured to transmit data to one or more wireless stations in the first BSS or to trigger the transmission of data from one or more wireless stations to a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point based on the scheduling information.

[0029] In some implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of time resources that do not overlap with any time resources of any other part of the plurality of parts. In some other implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of the transmission opportunity comprises a set of frequency resources that do not overlap with any frequency resources of any other part of the plurality of parts.

[0030] In some implementations, the second packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of the transmission opportunity. In some implementations, the first packet includes a trigger frame configured to trigger the first wireless access point to transmit the second packet based on the inclusion of a first access point identifier.

[0031] In some implementations, the first packet includes a duration field indicating the duration of the transmission opportunity, and when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to suppress updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier, and the triggering of transmission of data to one or more radio stations within the first BSS or transmission of data from one or more radio stations is further based on suppressing updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector. In some such implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to update the BSS-to-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the duration based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier. In some other such implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to suppress updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on a determination that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier.

[0032] In some implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to suppress updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of a third packet during a transmission opportunity from a second wireless access point or another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information, or from a wireless station within the BSS associated with the second wireless access point or another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information. In some such implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to update the BSS-to-network allocation vector based on the duration indicated in the third packet in response to the detection of the third packet. In some other such implementations, when executed by at least one processor with at least one modem, the code is further configured to suppress updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector in response to the detection of the third packet.

[0033] In some implementations, triggering the transmission of data from one or more wireless stations within the first BSS comprises transmitting a trigger frame to each of one or more wireless stations in a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point, and the second packet or trigger frame indicates that carrier detection is not required for transmitting data to the first wireless access point in a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0034] Details of one or more embodiments of the gist described in this disclosure are described in the accompanying drawings and the description below. However, the accompanying drawings illustrate only some ordinary aspects of the disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims.

[0035] Figure 1 illustrates a pictorial diagram of an exemplary wireless communication network.

[0036] FIG. 2a illustrates an exemplary protocol data unit (PDU) that can be used for communications between an access point (AP) and one or more stations (STA).

[0037] FIG. 2b illustrates an exemplary field within the PDU of FIG. 2a.

[0038] FIG. 3a illustrates an exemplary PPDU (PLCP (PHY layer convergence protocol) protocol data unit) that can be used for communications between an AP and one or more STAs.

[0039] FIG. 3b illustrates another exemplary PPDU that can be used for communications between an AP and one or more STAs.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device.

[0041] Figure 5a illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary AP.

[0042] FIG. 5b illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary STA.

[0043] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for coordinated wireless communication that supports resource sharing according to some implementations.

[0044] FIGS. 7a through 7d illustrate timing diagrams illustrating examples of transmissions of communications that support resource sharing according to some implementations.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary TXOP indication process for notifying the availability of time resources in a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

[0046] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for coordinated wireless communication that supports resource sharing according to some implementations.

[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for coordinated wireless communication that supports resource sharing according to some implementations.

[0048] FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device that supports resource sharing according to some implementations.

[0049] FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device that supports resource sharing according to some implementations.

[0050] In various drawings, the same reference numbers and designations indicate the same elements. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0051] The following description relates to some specific embodiments for the purpose of describing innovative aspects of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the teachings of this specification may be applied in a number of different ways. The described embodiments may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF (radio frequency) signals in accordance with one or more of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standards, IEEE 802.15 standards, Bluetooth® standards defined by the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group), or LTE (Long Term Evolution), 3G, 4G, or 5G (NR (New Radio)) standards published by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). The described implementations may be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to one or more of the following technologies or techniques: CDMA (code division multiple access), TDMA (time division multiple access), FDMA (frequency division multiple access), OFDMA (orthogonal FDMA), SC-FDMA (single-carrier FDMA), SU (single-user) MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) and MU (multi-user) MIMO.The described implementations may also be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of a WPAN (wireless personal area network), WLAN (wireless local area network), WWAN (wireless wide area network), or IoT (internet of things) network.

[0052] Various aspects generally relate to sharing resources of the wireless medium. Specific implementations relate more specifically to CAP-TDMA (coordinated AP(CAP)-TDMA) or CAP-OFDMA (CAP OFDMA) techniques for sharing time or frequency resources of a transmission opportunity (TXOP). Specific implementations disclosed herein also relate to network allocation vector (NAV) rules to be used by APs and STAs participating in CAP-TDMA or CAP-OFDMA transmissions. According to these techniques, an AP that wins the contention and obtains access to the wireless medium for the duration of the TXOP may share its time or frequency resources with other selected APs. To share its time or frequency resources, the winning AP may partition the TXOP into a plurality of time segments or frequency segments, each containing individual time or frequency resources representing a part of the TXOP, and allocate the time or frequency segments to itself or to one or more of the selected APs.

[0053] Specific implementations of the gist described in this disclosure may be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some implementations, the described techniques may be used to reduce latency, because the TXOP owner may share the TXOP with other APs, and thus other APs may not need to wait to win contention for the TXOP, which allows them to transmit and receive data as they would under conventional CSMA / CA or EDCA techniques. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations may achieve improvements in throughput fairness. Various implementations may achieve these and other advantages without requiring the TXOP owner or other APs selected to participate in the TXOP to recognize STAs associated with other BSSs (OBSSs), without requiring pre-allocated or dedicated master APs or pre-allocated groups of APs, and without requiring backhaul coordination among the APs participating in the TXOP.

[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication network (100). According to some aspects, the wireless communication network (100) may be an example of a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network (and will be referred to as WLAN (100) below). For example, the WLAN (100) may be a network implementing at least one of the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard family (such as defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 standard or revisions thereof, including (but not limited to) 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be). The WLAN (100) may include a number of wireless communication devices, such as an access point (AP) (102) and a number of stations (STA) (104). Although only one AP (102) is shown, the WLAN network (100) may also include multiple APs (102).

[0055] Each STA (104) may also be referred to as an MS (mobile station), mobile device, mobile handset, wireless handset, AT (access terminal), UE (user equipment), SS (subscriber station), or subscriber unit, among other examples. The STAs (104) may represent various devices such as mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, navigation systems), music or other audio or stereo devices, remote control devices (“remote controls”), printers, kitchen or other home appliances, and key fobs (e.g., for PKES (passive keyless entry and start) systems).

[0056] A set of a single AP (102) and associated STAs (104) may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS) managed by individual APs (102). FIG. 1 additionally illustrates an exemplary coverage area (106) of an AP (102) that can represent a basic service area (BSA) of a WLAN (100). The BSS may be identified to users by a service set identifier (SSID) as well as to other devices by a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which may be the medium access control (MAC) address of the AP (102). The AP (102) periodically broadcasts beacon frames ("beacons") containing a BSSID to enable any STA (104) within the wireless range of the AP (102) to be "associated" or re-associated with the AP (102) in order to establish an individual communication link (108) (hereinafter referred to as "Wi-Fi link") with the AP (102) or to maintain a communication link (108). For example, the beacons may include a timing synchronization function to establish or maintain timing synchronization with the AP (102), as well as identification of the main channel used by the individual AP (102). The AP (102) may provide access to external networks to various STAs (104) within the WLAN through each communication link (108).

[0057] To establish a communication link (108) with an AP (102), each STA (104) is configured to perform passive or active scanning operations (“scans”) on frequency channels within one or more frequency bands (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, or 60 GHz bands). To perform passive scanning, the STA (104) listens for beacons transmitted by individual APs (102) at periodic time intervals referred to as TBTT (target beacon transmission time) (measured in TUs (time units), where one TU may be equal to 1024 microseconds (μs)). To perform active scanning, the STA (104) generates and sequentially transmits probe requests on each channel to be scanned and listens for probe responses from the APs (102). Each STA (104) may be configured to perform authentication and association operations to identify or select an AP (102) to be associated based on scanning information obtained through a passive or active scan, and to establish a communication link (108) with the selected AP (102). The AP (102) assigns an association identifier (AID) to the STA (104) at the culmination of the association operations that the AP (102) uses to track the STA (104).

[0058] As a result of the increasing ubiquity of wireless networks, the STA (104) may have the opportunity to select one of many BSSs within the STA's range or to select among multiple APs (102) that together form an extended service set (ESS) containing multiple connected BSSs. An extended network station associated with a WLAN (100) may be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system that allows multiple APs (102) to be connected to this ESS. Thus, the STA (104) may be covered by more than one AP (102) and may be associated with different APs (102) at different times for different transmissions. Additionally, after associating with an AP (102), the STA (104) may also be configured to periodically scan around itself to find a more suitable AP (102) to be associated with. For example, a STA (104) moving toward its associated AP (102) may perform a “roaming” scan to find another AP (102) that has more desirable network characteristics, such as a larger RSSI (received signal strength indicator) or reduced traffic load.

[0059] In some cases, STAs (104) can form networks without any other equipment or APs (102) other than the STAs (104) themselves. An example of such a network is an ad hoc network (or wireless ad hoc network). Ad hoc networks may alternatively be referred to as mesh networks or P2P (peer-to-peer) networks. In some cases, ad hoc networks may be implemented within a larger wireless network such as a WLAN (100). In these implementations, STAs (104) can communicate with each other via an AP (102) using communication links (108), but STAs (104) can also communicate directly with each other via direct wireless links (110). Additionally, two STAs (104) can communicate via a direct communication link (110) regardless of whether both STAs (104) are associated with and served by the same AP (102). In such an ad hoc system, one or more of the STAs (104) may assume the role performed by the AP (102) in the BSS. These STAs (104) may be referred to as the group owner (GO) and may coordinate transmissions within the ad hoc network. Examples of direct wireless links (110) include Wi-Fi Direct connections, connections established using Wi-Fi TDLS (Tunneled Direct Link Setup) links, and other P2P group connections.

[0060] APs (102) and STAs (104) can function and communicate (through each communication link (108)) according to a family of IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standards (such as those defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 standard or revisions thereof, including (but not limited to) 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be). These standards define WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the PHY and MAC (medium access control) layers. APs (102) and STAs (104) transmit wireless communications (hereinafter also referred to as “Wi-Fi communications”) to each other in the form of PHY protocol data units (PPDUs) (or physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) PDUs) and receive wireless communications (hereinafter also referred to as “Wi-Fi communications”) from each other. APs (102) and STAs (104) within a 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 GHz band, 5 GHz band, 60 GHz band, 3.6 GHz band, and 900 MHz band. Some implementations of the APs (102) and STAs (104) described herein may also communicate in other frequency bands, such as the 6 GHz band, which may support both licensed and unlicensed communications. The APs (102) and STAs (104) may also be configured to communicate through other frequency bands, such as shared licensed frequency bands, where multiple operators may have licenses to operate in the same or overlapping frequency bands or bands.

[0061] Each of the frequency bands may include multiple subbands or frequency channels. For example, PPDUs conforming to the IEEE 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and 802.11be standard modifications may be transmitted through 2.4, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz bands, each of which is divided into multiple 20 MHz channels. Thus, these PPDUs are transmitted through physical channels having a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz, but larger channels may be formed through channel bonding. For example, PPDUs may be transmitted through physical channels having bandwidths of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160, or 320 MHz by bonding multiple 20 MHz channels together.

[0062] Each PPDU is a composite structure containing a PHY preamble and a payload in the form of a PSDU (PHY service data unit). The information provided in the preamble can be used by the receiving device to decode the subsequent data of the PSDU. In cases where PPDUs are transmitted over bonded channels, the preamble fields may be duplicated and transmitted on each of the multiple component channels. The PHY preamble may include both a legacy portion (or "legacy preamble") and a non-legacy portion (or "non-legacy preamble"). The legacy preamble may be used for packet detection, automatic gain control, and channel estimation, among other uses. The legacy preamble may also generally be used to maintain compatibility with legacy devices. The format, coding, and information provided in the non-legacy portion of the preamble are based on a specific IEEE 802.11 protocol to be used for transmitting the payload.

[0063] FIG. 2a illustrates an exemplary protocol data unit (PDU) (200) usable for wireless communication between an AP (102) and one or more STAs (104). For example, the PDU (200) may be configured as a PPDU. As illustrated, the PDU (200) includes a PHY preamble (202) and a PHY payload (204). For example, the preamble (202) may include a legacy portion comprising an L-STF (legacy short training field) (206) which may itself consist of two BPSK symbols, an L-LTF (legacy long training field) (208) which may consist of two BPSK symbols, and an L-SIG (legacy signal field) (210) which may consist of two BPSK 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 comprising one or more non-legacy fields (212) that follow, for example, IEEE wireless communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be or subsequent wireless communication protocols.

[0064] L-STF (206) generally enables the receiving device to perform rough timing and frequency tracking and automatic gain control (AGC). L-LTF (208) generally enables the receiving device to perform fine timing and frequency tracking and also perform initial estimation of the radio channel. L-SIG (210) generally enables the receiving device to determine the duration of the PDU and to use the determined duration to avoid transmitting on the top of the PDU. For example, L-STF (206), L-LTF (208), and L-SIG (210) can be modulated according to binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation. The payload (204) can be modulated according to BPSK modulation, quadrature BPSK (Q-BPSK) modulation, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulation, or other suitable modulation modulation. The payload (204) may include a PSDU containing DATA (data field) (214) that can return upper layer data in the form of, for example, MPDUs (medium access control (MAC) protocol data units) or A-MPDUs (aggregated MPDUs).

[0065] FIG. 2b illustrates an exemplary L-SIG (210) within the PDU (200) of FIG. 2a. The L-SIG (210) includes a data rate field (222), a spare bit (224), a length field (226), a parity bit (228), and a tail field (230). The data rate field (222) indicates the data rate (note that the data rate indicated in the data rate field (212) may not be the actual data rate of the data returned in the payload (204)). The length field (226) indicates the length of the packet in units, for example, of symbols or bytes. The parity bit (228) may be used to detect bit errors. The tail field (230) includes tail bits that may be used by a receiving device to terminate the operation of a decoder (e.g., a Viterbi decoder). The receiving device may utilize the data rate and length indicated in the data rate field (222) and length field (226) to determine the duration of the packet in units of microseconds (μs) or other time units.

[0066] FIG. 3a illustrates an exemplary PPDU (300) usable for wireless communication between an AP and one or more STAs. The PPDU (300) may be used for SU, OFDMA, or MU-MIMO transmissions. The PPDU (300) may be formatted as a High Efficiency (HE) WLAN PPDU in accordance with the IEEE 802.11ax revision to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard. The PPDU (300) includes a PHY preamble comprising a legacy portion (302) and a non-legacy portion (304). The PPDU (300) may further include a PHY payload (306) following the preamble, for example, in the form of a PSDU including a data field (324).

[0067] The legacy portion (302) of the preamble includes L-STF (308), L-LTF (310), and L-SIG (312). The non-legacy portion (304) includes a repetition of L-SIG (RL-SIG) (314), a first HE signal field (HE-SIG-A) (316), HE-STF (HE short training field) (320), and one or more HE long training fields (or symbols) (HE-LTFs) (322). For OFDMA or MU-MIMO communications, the second portion (304) further includes a second HE signal field (HE-SIG-B) (318) encoded separately from HE-SIG-A (316). HE-STF (320) can be used for timing and frequency tracking and AGC, and HE-LTF (322) can be used for improved channel estimation. As with L-STF (308), L-LTF (310), and L-SIG (312), the information of RL-SIG (314) and HE-SIG-A (316) can be duplicated and transmitted on each of the component 20 MHz channels in cases involving the use of bonded channels. In contrast, the content of HE-SIG-B (318) can be unique to each 20 MHz channel and target-specific STAs (104).

[0068] RL-SIG (314) can indicate to HE-compatible STAs (104) that the PPDU (300) is a HE PPDU. AP (102) can use HE-SIG-A (316) to identify multiple STAs (104) and notify multiple STAs (104) that AP has scheduled UL or DL ​​resources for multiple STAs (104). For example, HE-SIG-A (316) may include a resource allocation subfield indicating resource allocations for the identified STAs (104). HE-SIG-A (316) can be decoded by each HE-compatible STA (104) served by AP (102). In the case of MU transmissions, HE-SIG-A (316) further includes information available to each identified STA (104) for decoding the associated HE-SIG-B (318). For example, HE-SIG-A (316) may indicate a frame format including, among other examples, the locations and lengths of HE-SIG-Bs (318), available channel bandwidths, and modulation and coding schemes (MCS). HE-SIG-A (316) may also include HE WLAN signaling information available to the STAs (104) in addition to the identified STAs (104).

[0069] HE-SIG-B (318) may return STA-specific scheduling information, such as STA-specific (or "user-specific") MCS values ​​and STA-specific RU assignment information. In the context of DL MU-OFDMA, this information enables individual STAs (104) to identify and decode corresponding resource units (RUs) in the associated data field (324). Each HE-SIG-B (318) includes a common field and at least one STA-specific field. The common field may indicate RU assignments to multiple STAs (104), including RU assignments in the frequency domain, among other examples, which RUs are assigned to MU-MIMO transmissions and which RUs correspond to MU-OFDMA transmissions, and the number of users within the assignments. The common field may be encoded with common bits, CRC bits, and tail bits. User-specific fields are assigned to specific STAs (104) and can be used to schedule specific RUs and to indicate scheduling to other WLAN devices. Each user-specific field may include multiple user block fields. Each user block field may include two user fields containing information for two individual STAs to decode their individual RU payloads within the data field (324).

[0070] FIG. 3b illustrates another exemplary PPDU (350) available for wireless communication between an AP and one or more STAs. The PPDU (350) may be used for SU, OFDMA, or MU-MIMO transmissions. The PPDU (350) may be formatted as an Extreme High Throughput (EHT) WLAN PPDU according to the IEEE 802.11be amendment to the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard, or as a PPDU according to any post-EHT version of a new wireless communication protocol that follows a future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard or another wireless communication standard. The PPDU (350) includes a PHY preamble containing a legacy portion (352) and a non-legacy portion (354). The PPDU (350) may further include a PHY payload (356) following the preamble, for example, in the form of a PSDU containing a data field (374).

[0071] The legacy portion (352) of the preamble includes L-STF (358), L-LTF (360), and L-SIG (362). The non-legacy portion (354) of the preamble includes RL-SIG (364) and a number of wireless communication protocol version-dependent signal fields following RL-SIG (364). For example, the non-legacy portion (354) may include a universal signal field (366) (referred to herein as "U-SIG (366)") and an EHT signal field (368) (referred to herein as "EHT-SIG (368)"). One or both of U-SIG (366) and EHT-SIG (368) may be structured as other wireless communication protocol versions beyond EHT and may return version-dependent information for other wireless communication protocol versions beyond EHT. The non-legacy portion (354) further includes an additional short training field (370) (referred to herein as “EHT-STF (370)”, but structured as other wireless communication protocol versions beyond EHT and capable of returning version-dependent information for other wireless communication protocol versions beyond EHT) and one or more additional long training fields (372) (referred to herein as “EHT-LTFs (372)”, but structured as other wireless communication protocol versions beyond EHT and capable of returning version-dependent information for other wireless communication protocol versions beyond EHT). The EHT-STF (370) may be used for timing and frequency tracking and AGC, and the EHT-LTF (372) may be used for improved channel estimation. Like L-STF (358), L-LTF (360) and L-SIG (362), information from U-SIG (366) and EHT-SIG (368) can be duplicated and transmitted on each of the component 20 MHz channels in cases involving the use of bonded channels.In some implementations, EHT-SIG (368) may additionally or alternatively transmit information different from that transmitted on the primary 20 MHz channel on one or more non-primary 20 MHz channels.

[0072] The EHT-SIG (368) may contain one or more co-encoded symbols and may be encoded in a different block from the block in which the U-SIG (366) is encoded. The AP may use the EHT-SIG (368) to identify multiple STAs (104) and notify the multiple STAs (104) that the AP has scheduled UL or DL ​​resources for the multiple STAs (104). The EHT-SIG (368) may be decoded by each compatible STA (104) served by the AP (102). The EHT-SIG (368) may generally be used by a receiving device to interpret bits of the data field (374). For example, the EHT-SIG (368) may include user-per-user signaling information, such as RU allocation information, spatial stream configuration information, and MCSs, among other examples. EHT-SIG (368) may further include a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) (e.g., 4 bits) and a tail (e.g., 6 bits) that can be used for a binary convolutional code (BCC). In some implementations, EHT-SIG (368) may include one or more code blocks, each containing a CRC and a tail. In some aspects, each of the code blocks may be encoded individually.

[0073] The EHT-SIG (368) may return STA-specific scheduling information, such as user-specific MCS values ​​and user-specific RU assignment information. The EHT-SIG (368) may generally be used by a receiving device to interpret bits in the data field (374). In the context of DL MU-OFDMA, this information enables individual STAs (104) to identify and decode corresponding RUs in the associated data field (374). Each EHT-SIG (368) may include a common field and at least one user-specific field. The common field may, among other examples, indicate RU distributions to multiple STAs (104), indicate RU assignments in the frequency domain, indicate which RUs are assigned to MU-MIMO transmissions and which RUs correspond to MU-OFDMA transmissions, and indicate the number of users within the assignments. The common field may be encoded with common bits, CRC bits, and tail bits. User-specific fields may be assigned to specific STAs (104) and used to schedule specific RUs and to indicate scheduling to other WLAN devices. Each user-specific field may include a plurality of user block fields. Each user block field may include two user fields containing information for two individual STAs to decode their individual RU payloads.

[0074] The presence of RL-SIG (364) and U-SIG (366) may indicate to EHT- or later-version-compliant STAs (104) that the PPDU (350) is an EHT PPDU or PPDU that follows any later (post-EHT) version of a new wireless communication protocol that follows the future IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard. For example, U-SIG (366) may be used by a receiving device to interpret bits within one or more of the EHT-SIG (368) or data fields (374).

[0075] As previously described, APs (102) and STAs (104) can support multi-user (MU) communications; that is, simultaneous transmissions from one device to each of multiple devices (e.g., multiple simultaneous downlink (DL) communications from AP (102) to the corresponding STAs (104)), or simultaneous transmissions from multiple devices to a single device (e.g., multiple simultaneous uplink (UL) transmissions from the corresponding STAs (104) to AP (102). To support MU transmissions, APs (102) and STAs (104) can utilize MU-MIMO (multi-user multiple-input, multiple-output) and MU-OFDMA (multi-user orthogonal frequency division multiple access) techniques.

[0076] In MU-OFDMA schemes, the available frequency spectrum of a wireless channel can be divided into multiple resource units (RUs), each containing multiple frequency subcarriers (also referred to as "tones"). Different RUs can be assigned or allocated to different STAs (104) by the AP (102) at specific times. The sizes and distributions of the RUs may be referred to as RU allocations. In some implementations, RUs can be allocated in 2 MHz intervals, and thus, a minimum RU can contain 26 tones consisting of 24 data tones and 2 pilot tones. Consequently, in a 20 MHz channel, up to 9 RUs (e.g., 2 MHz, 26-tone RUs) can be allocated (since some tones are reserved for other purposes). Similarly, in a 160 MHz channel, up to 74 RUs can be allocated. Larger 52-tone, 106-tone, 242-tone, 484-tone, and 996-tone RUs may also be allocated. Adjacent RUs may be separated by a null subcarrier (e.g., a DC subcarrier) to reduce interference between adjacent RUs, reduce receiver DC offset, and avoid transmit center frequency leakage.

[0077] In the case of UL MU transmissions, the AP (102) may transmit a trigger frame to initiate and synchronize UL MU-OFDMA or UL MU-MIMO transmissions from multiple STAs (104) to the AP (102). Thus, such trigger frames may enable multiple STAs (104) to transmit UL traffic to the AP (102) simultaneously in time. The trigger frame may address one or more STAs (104) through individual association identifiers (AIDs) and may assign one or more RUs to each AID (and accordingly each STA (104)) that can be used to transmit UL traffic to the AP (102). The AP may also designate one or more random access (RA) RUs that unscheduled STAs (104) may compete for.

[0078] Access to the shared radio medium is generally managed by a distributed coordination function (DCF). In the case of a DCF, there is generally no centralized master device that allocates the time and frequency resources of the shared radio medium. Conversely, before a radio communication device, such as an AP (102) or STA (104), is allowed to transmit data, the radio communication device must wait for a specific time and then compete for access to the radio medium. In some implementations, the radio communication device may be configured to implement the DCF through the use of carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) with collision avoidance (CA) (CSMA / CA) techniques and timing intervals. Before transmitting data, the radio communication device may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) and determine that the appropriate radio channel is idle. CCA includes both physical (PHY-level) carrier sense and virtual (MAC-level) carrier sense. Physical carrier sense is achieved by measuring the received signal strength of a valid frame, which is then compared to a threshold to determine whether the channel is busy. For example, if the received signal strength of a detected preamble exceeds a threshold, the medium is considered busy. Physical carrier detection also includes energy detection. Energy detection involves measuring the total energy received by the radio communication device, regardless of whether the received signal represents a valid frame. If the detected total energy exceeds a threshold, the medium is considered busy. Virtual carrier detection is achieved through the use of a network allocation vector (NAV), which is an indicator of the time when the medium may next be idle. The NAV is reset whenever a valid frame not addressed to the radio communication device is received.NAV effectively serves as the duration of time that must elapse before a wireless communication device can compete for access, even in the absence of a detected symbol or when the detected energy is below a relevant threshold.

[0079] As described above, DCF is implemented through the use of time intervals. These time intervals include slot time (or "slot interval") and inter-frame space (IFS). Slot time is the fundamental unit of timing and can be determined based on one or more of transmit-receive turnaround time, channel detection time, propagation delay, and MAC processing time. Measurements for channel detection are performed for each slot. All transmits can begin at slot boundaries. There are various types of IFS, including short IFS (SIFS), distributed IFS (DIFS), extended IFS (EIFS), and arbitrated IFS (AIFS). For example, DIFS can be defined as the sum of SIFS and twice the slot time. Values ​​for slot time and IFS may be provided by one of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards, such as those defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 standard or revisions thereof, including (but not limited to) 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be.

[0080] When NAV reaches 0, the radio communication device performs physical carrier detection. If the channel remains idle for an appropriate IFS (e.g., DIFS), the radio communication device initiates a backoff timer indicating the duration of time the device must detect that the medium is idle before being allowed to transmit. The backoff timer is decremented by one slot each time the medium is detected to be idle for a corresponding slot interval. If the channel remains idle until the backoff timer expires, the radio communication device becomes the holder (or "owner") of the transmit opportunity (TXOP) and can begin transmitting. The TXOP is the duration of time the radio communication device can transmit frames over the channel after winning contention for the radio medium. Conversely, if one or more of the carrier detection mechanisms indicate that the channel is busy, the MAC controller within the radio communication device will not allow transmission.

[0081] Whenever wireless communication devices generate a new PPDU for transmission in a new TXOP, the wireless communication device randomly selects a new backoff timer duration. The available distribution of numbers that can be randomly selected for the backoff timer is referred to as the contention window (CW). When the backoff timer expires, if the wireless communication device transmits the PPDU but the medium is still busy, a collision may occur. Additionally, if there is otherwise too much energy on the wireless channel resulting in a poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the communication may be corrupted or otherwise not successfully received. In such cases, the wireless communication device may not receive a communication acknowledging the transmitted PDU within the timeout interval. Subsequently, the MAC may exponentially increase the CW, for example, doubling it, and randomly select a new backoff timer duration from the CW before each retransmission of the PPDU is attempted. Before each attempted retransmission, the wireless communication device may wait for the duration of the DIFS, and if the medium remains idle, it may proceed to start a new backoff timer. Different CW and TXOP durations exist for each of the four access categories: voice (AC_VO), video (AC_VI), background (AC_BK), and best effort (AC_BE). This allows specific types of traffic to be prioritized in the network.

[0082] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device (400). In some implementations, the wireless communication device (400) may be an example of a device for use in a STA, such as one of the STAs (104) described above with reference to FIG. 1. In some implementations, the wireless communication device (400) may be an example of a device for use in an AP, such as the AP (102) described above with reference to FIG. 1. The wireless communication device (400) may transmit and receive wireless communications, for example, in the form of wireless packets. For example, a wireless communication device may be configured to transmit and receive packets in the form of PPDU (physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data units) and MPDU (medium access control (MAC) protocol data units) that follow the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol standard defined by the IEEE 802.11-2016 standard or revisions thereof, including (but not limited to) 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, and 802.11be.

[0083] A wireless communication device (400) may be or may include a chip, system on chip (SoC), chipset, package, or device including one or more modems (402), such as a Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 compliant) modem. In some implementations, one or more modems (402) (collectively “modem (402)”) additionally include a WWAN modem (e.g., a 3GPP 4G LTE or 5G compliant modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device (400) also includes one or more processors, processing blocks, or processing elements (404) (collectively “processor (404)”) coupled to the modem (402). In some implementations, the wireless communication device (400) additionally includes one or more radios (406) (collectively “radio (406)”) coupled to the modem (402). In some implementations, the wireless communication device (400) further includes one or more memory blocks or elements (408) (collectively “memory (408)”) coupled to a processor (404) or a modem (402).

[0084] The modem (402) may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), among other examples. The modem (402) is generally configured to implement a PHY layer, and in some implementations, also a part of the MAC layer (e.g., a hardware part of the MAC layer). For example, the modem (402) is configured to modulate packets and output the modulated packets to the radio (406) for transmission over a wireless medium. The modem (402) is similarly configured to acquire the modulated packets received by the radio (406), demodulate the packets, and provide the demodulated packets. In addition to the modulator and demodulator, the modem (402) may further include a digital signal processing (DSP) circuit, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit, a coder, a decoder, a multiplexer, and a demultiplexer. For example, while in transmission mode, data acquired from the processor (404) may be provided to the encoder, and the encoder encodes the data to provide coded bits. Next, the coded bits can be mapped to the number of spatial streams for spatial multiplexing (NSS) or the number of spatial-time streams for spatial-time block coding (STBC) (NSTS). Next, the coded bits within the streams can be mapped to points in a modulation constellation diagram (using a selected MCS) to provide modulated symbols. The modulated symbols of individual spatial or spatial-time streams are multiplexed, transformed through an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block, and subsequently provided to a DSP circuit (e.g., for Tx windowing and filtering). Next, the digital signals can be provided to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Then, the resulting analog signals can be provided to a frequency upconverter and ultimately to a radio (406).In implementations involving beamforming, the modulated symbols of individual spatial streams are precoded through a steering matrix before being provided to the IFFT block.

[0085] While in receive mode, the DSP circuit is configured to acquire a signal containing modulated symbols received from the radio (406) by, for example, detecting the presence of a signal and estimating initial timing and frequency offsets. The DSP circuit is further configured to digitally condition the signal by, for example, using channel (narrowband) filtering and analog damage conditioning (e.g., correction for I / Q imbalance), and ultimately applying a digital gain to acquire the narrowband signal. Then, the output of the DSP circuit may be fed to an AGC configured to use information extracted from digital signals, for example, in one or more received training fields, to determine an appropriate gain. The output of the DSP circuit is also coupled to a demultiplexer that demultiplexes the modulated symbols when multiple spatial streams or space-time streams are received. Demultiplexed symbols may be provided to a demodulator, which is configured to extract symbols from the signal and, for example, compute LLRs (logarithm opportunity ratios) for each bit position of each subcarrier within each spatial stream. The demodulator is coupled to a decoder which may be configured to process the LLRs to provide decoded bits. Then, the decoded bits may be descrambled and provided to a MAC layer (processor (404)) for processing, evaluation, or interpretation.

[0086] The radio (406) generally comprises at least one RF (radio frequency) transmitter (or "transmitter chain") and at least one RF receiver (or "receiver chain") that can be combined into one or more transceivers. For example, each of the RF transmitters and receivers may comprise various analog circuits, each comprising at least one power amplifier (PA) and at least one low-noise amplifier (LNA). The RF transmitters and receivers may, in turn, be coupled to one or more antennas. For example, in some embodiments, the wireless communication device (400) may comprise or be coupled to a plurality of transmitting antennas (each having a corresponding transmitting chain) and a plurality of receiving antennas (each having a corresponding receiving chain). Symbols output from the modem (402) are provided to the radio (406), and the radio (406) then transmits the symbols through the coupled antennas. Similarly, symbols received through the antennas are acquired by the radio (406), and then the radio (406) provides the symbols to the modem (402).

[0087] The processor (404) may include intelligent hardware blocks or devices, such as, for example, a processing core, a processing block, a CPU (central processing unit), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a DSP (digital signal processor), an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit), a PLD (programmable logic device), for example, a FPGA (field programmable gate array), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor (404) processes information received through the radio (406) and the modem (402), and processes information to be output through the modem (402) and the radio (406) for transmission over a wireless medium. For example, the processor (404) may implement at least part of a control plane and a MAC layer configured to perform various operations related to the generation, transmission, reception, and processing of MPDUs, frames, or packets. In some implementations, the MAC layer is configured to generate MPDUs to be provided to the PHY layer for coding and to receive decoded information bits from the PHY layer for processing as MPDUs. The MAC layer may be further configured to allocate time and frequency resources for, among other operations or techniques, for example, OFDMA. In some implementations, the processor (404) can generally control the modem (402) to cause the modem to perform the various operations described above.

[0088] Memory (408) may include storage media of the type, such as RAM (random-access memory) or ROM (read-only memory), or a combination thereof. Memory (408) may also store non-transient processor- or computer-executable software (SW) code that includes instructions that, when executed by the processor (404), cause the processor to perform various operations described herein for wireless communication, including the generation, transmission, reception, and interpretation of MPDUs, frames, or packets. For example, various functions of the components disclosed herein, or various blocks or steps of the methods, operations, processes, or algorithms disclosed herein may be implemented as one or more modules of one or more computer programs.

[0089] FIG. 5a illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary AP 502. For example, the AP (502) may be an exemplary implementation of the AP (102) described with reference to FIG. 1. The AP (502) includes a wireless communication device (WCD) (510) (however, the AP (502) itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, the wireless communication device (510) may be an exemplary implementation of the wireless communication device (400) described with reference to FIG. 4. The AP (502) also includes a plurality of antennas (520) coupled to the wireless communication device (510) to transmit and receive wireless communications. In some implementations, the AP (502) additionally includes an application processor (530) coupled to the wireless communication device (510), and a memory (540) coupled to the application processor (530). The AP (502) further includes at least one external network interface (550) that enables the AP (502) to communicate with a core network or a backhaul network to obtain access to external networks, including the Internet. For example, the external network interface (550) may include one or both of a wired (e.g., Ethernet) network interface and a wireless network interface (e.g., a WWAN interface). A plurality of the aforementioned components may communicate indirectly or directly with other components through at least one bus. The AP (502) further includes a housing that encloses at least a portion of a wireless communication device (510), an application processor (530), a memory (540), antennas (520), and the external network interface (550).

[0090] FIG. 5b illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary STA 504. For example, the STA (504) may be an exemplary implementation of the STA (104) described with reference to FIG. 1. The STA (504) includes a wireless communication device (515) (although the STA (504) itself may also be generally referred to as a wireless communication device as used herein). For example, the wireless communication device (515) may be an exemplary implementation of the wireless communication device (400) described with reference to FIG. 4. The STA (504) also includes one or more antennas (525) coupled to the wireless communication device (515) to transmit and receive wireless communications. The STA (504) additionally includes an application processor (535) coupled to the wireless communication device (515), and a memory (545) coupled to the application processor (535). In some implementations, the STA (504) further includes a UI (user interface) (555) (e.g., a touchscreen or keypad) and a display (565) that can be integrated with the UI (555) to form a touchscreen display. In some implementations, the STA (504) may further include one or more sensors (575), such as one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors. A plurality of the aforementioned components may communicate indirectly or directly with other components through at least one bus. The STA (504) further includes a housing that encloses at least portions of a wireless communication device (515), an application processor (535), memory (545), antennas (525), the UI (555), and the display (565).

[0091] Various aspects generally relate to sharing resources of the wireless medium. Specific implementations relate more specifically to CAP-TDMA (coordinated AP(CAP)-TDMA) or CAP-OFDMA (CAP OFDMA) techniques for sharing time or frequency resources of a transmission opportunity (TXOP). Specific implementations disclosed herein also relate to NAV rules for use by APs and STAs participating in CAP-TDMA or CAP-OFDMA transmissions. According to these techniques, an AP that wins a contest and acquires access to the wireless medium for the duration of the TXOP may share its time or frequency resources with other selected APs. To share its time or frequency resources, the winning AP may partition the TXOP into a plurality of time segments or frequency segments, each containing individual time or frequency resources representing a part of the TXOP, and allocate the time or frequency segments to itself or to one of the selected APs.

[0092] Specific implementations of the gist described in this disclosure may be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some implementations, the described techniques may be used to reduce latency, because the TXOP owner may share the TXOP with other APs, and thus other APs may not need to wait to win contention for the TXOP, which allows them to transmit and receive data as they would under conventional CSMA / CA or EDCA techniques. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations may achieve improvements in throughput fairness. Various implementations may achieve these and other advantages without requiring the TXOP owner or other APs selected to participate in the TXOP to recognize STAs associated with other BSSs (OBSSs), without requiring pre-allocated or dedicated master APs or pre-allocated groups of APs, and without requiring backhaul coordination among the APs participating in the TXOP.

[0093] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process (600) for coordinated wireless communication that supports resource sharing according to some implementations. The operations of the process (600) may be implemented by the AP or its components described herein. For example, the process (600) may be performed by a wireless communication device such as the wireless communication device (400) described above with reference to FIG. 4. In some implementations, the process (600) may be performed by an AP, such as one of the APs (102 and 502) described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5a, respectively.

[0094] In block (602), a wireless communication device (hereinafter referred to as the first AP or TXOP owner) acquires a TXOP for wireless communication over a wireless channel. The TXOP owner manages or is otherwise associated with a BSS (hereinafter referred to as the "first BSS" in relation to FIG. 6) comprising one or more wireless STAs. In block (604), the TXOP owner selects one or more other wireless APs to participate in the TXOP. In block (606), the first AP transmits a first packet containing scheduling information for the TXOP to one or more other wireless APs. The scheduling information indicates multiple parts of the TXOP. The scheduling information also includes multiple AP identifiers (APIDs) associated with one or more wireless APs. The scheduling information further indicates which or more parts of the transmission opportunity are allocated to each individual wireless AP of the one or more wireless APs to communicate with their respective BSSs. In block (608), the TXOP owner transmits data from their BSS to one or more wireless stations or triggers data transmission from them in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to them.

[0095] In some implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of a transmission opportunity comprises a set of time resources that do not overlap with any time resources of any other part of the plurality of parts. In these implementations, scheduling information may include a representation of the time resources associated with each part of the TXOP among the plurality of time resources of the TXOP. For example, scheduling information may include a representation of the time segment of the TXOP, such as a representation of one or more slots or sets of symbol periods associated with each part of the TXOP for, for example, MU CAP-TDMA (coordinated AP(CAP) TDMA). In some other implementations, each part of a plurality of parts of a transmission opportunity comprises a set of frequency resources that do not overlap with any frequency resources of any other part of the plurality of parts. In these implementations, scheduling information may include a representation of the frequency resources associated with each part of the TXOP among the plurality of frequency resources of the TXOP. For example, scheduling information may include an indication of a portion of the bandwidth of a wireless channel, such as for MU CAP OFDMA (CAP-OFDMA), and an indication of one or more subchannels or RUs (resource units) associated with each portion of a TXOP.

[0096] FIGS. 7a through 7d illustrate timing diagrams illustrating examples of transmissions of communications supporting resource sharing according to some implementations. For example, the timing diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 7a through 7d may illustrate aspects of the process (600) of FIG. 6. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 7a through 7d, a TXOP owner (AP1) acquires a TXOP (702) in block (602) and shares multiple time portions or segments (716) of the TXOP (702) with multiple other coordinated APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4). As further illustrated, in some implementations of the process (600), the TXOP (702) includes multiple phases or stages, including a schedule allocation phase (706) and a data transmission phase (708) following the schedule allocation phase (706). Although FIGS. 7a through 7d illustrate examples of CAP TDMA implementations, aspects of the present disclosure are also applicable to CAP OFDMA implementations.

[0097] In some implementations, to acquire the TXOP (702) in block (602), the TXOP owner (AP1) competes for access to the radio medium on one or more subchannels including a primary operating channel (e.g., a primary 20 MHz channel and one or more secondary 20 MHz channels, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz channels) using, for example, CSMA / CA and EDCA (enhanced distributed channel access) techniques. The TXOP (702) may be acquired at time t0 for a broadband radio channel, such as a bonded channel formed by bonding a primary channel and one or more auxiliary channels. For example, the broadband radio channel may be a 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz channel.

[0098] In some implementations, to select one or more other coordinated APs to participate in the TXOP (702) in block (604), the TXOP owner (AP1) optionally performs a TXOP availability indication process during the resource poll phase (704), and during the resource poll phase (704), the TXOP owner (AP1) becomes aware of the requests or intentions of other APs to participate in the TXOP (702). For example, FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary TXOP indication process (800) for notifying the availability of time resources in the TXOP (702). In block (802), at time t1, the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits a packet (710) (also referred to herein as a CRP (CAP Resource Poll) packet or frame) to other wireless APs, e.g., other APs in its extended service set (ESS), which indicates that the time resources of the TXOP (702) may be shared by the TXOP owner (AP1). For example, the TXOP owner (AP1) may have previously recognized other neighboring APs in its vicinity based on information in beacons, other management frames, or other packets previously received from other APs (e.g., previously received CRRs (712) (described below)).

[0099] In block (804), after transmitting the CRP (710), the TXOP owner (AP1) may receive, at time t2, a packet (also referred to herein as a CRR (CAP Resource Response) packet or frame) (712) from each of one or more candidate APs indicating a request by each AP to participate in the TXOP (702). In the example illustrated in FIG. 7a, AP2, AP3, and AP4 are among the candidate APs that transmit their respective CRRs (7122, 7123, and 7124) to the TXOP owner (AP1). Referring again to process (600), based on the reception of the CRRs (712), the TXOP owner (AP1) may then select one or more of the candidate APs to participate in the TXOP (702) in block (604).

[0100] In some implementations, the CRP (710) includes at least one trigger frame configured to trigger one or more candidate APs to transmit their respective CRRs (712). To transmit the CRP (710), the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit a PPDU containing the same CRP trigger frame on each of the multiple subchannels of the wireless channel (e.g., on each of the multiple 20 MHz channels). For example, the CRP (710) may include a non-high-throughput (non-HT) duplicate trigger frame on each 20 MHz channel. In this way, other APs do not need to operate on the same primary 20 MHz channel to receive and process the CRP (710). In some implementations, the BSSID field and source address field associated with the CRP (710) (e.g., in the MAC header) are set to the MAC address of the TXOP owner (AP1), and the destination address field associated with the CRP (710) (e.g., in the MAC header) is set to the broadcast address.

[0101] Each replica trigger frame of the CRP (710) may include a designation of time, frequency, or spatial resources available to each individual AP to transmit its individual CRR (712) for each of the multiple APs that can participate in the TXOP (702). For example, each trigger frame of the CRP (710) may include one or more user information fields for the candidate APs, which include individual designations of time, frequency, or spatial resources that the candidate APs will use to transmit the CRRs (712). In some implementations, each user information field may include the individual APID of the individual AP. For example, the APID may be the MAC address of the AP, the BSSID associated with the AP, or the BSS color associated with the AP. In some other implementations where the TXOP owner (AP1) may not be aware of some or all of the neighboring APs, the CRP (710) may include a designation of random access resources available to the APs to transmit the individual CRRs (712). Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the CRP (710) may also include information on the operating channel of the TXOP owner (AP1), such as the center frequency and system bandwidth, so that individual candidate APs can clearly identify the frequency resources or spatial resources to be used to transmit their individual CRRs (712).

[0102] CRRs (712) can be received from candidate APs as individual trigger-based PPDUs in response to the CRP (710) using time, frequency, or spatial resources allocated by the CRP (710). For example, CRRs (712) can be transmitted via MU OFDMA or MU MIMO techniques and can be received at time t4, which is the SIFS duration after the CRP (710).

[0103] In some implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits multiple CRPs (710), and can transmit each CRP to each individual AP among the APs sequentially. An AP wishing to participate in the TXOP (702) may transmit a CRR (712) before transmitting the next CRP (710) to the next AP among the APs in response to receiving each CRP among the CRPs (710). For example, each CRP (710) may be a poll frame, and each CRR (712) may be a poll response frame. These CRPs (710) and CRRs (712) may be transmitted as single-user (SU) transmissions. In some other implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit a single CRP (710) and subsequently transmit a polling frame (pol) to each AP sequentially, requesting a response CRR (712) from each AP before transmitting a poll to the next AP among the APs.

[0104] In some implementations, each of the CRRs (712) may include a buffer state of an individual candidate AP, or an indication of the duration or bandwidth of time resources requested by an individual candidate AP. In some of these implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) may select candidate APs to participate in the TXOP (702) in the block (604) based on indications of the desired durations or buffer states of time resources received in the CRRs (712).

[0105] Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) may already recognize the requests or intentions of other APs to participate in TXOPs owned (or to be owned in the future) by AP1 when AP1 acquires the current TXOP (702). For example, the TXOP owner (AP1) may determine that other APs will participate in the current TXOP (702) based on information previously acquired as a result of the previous execution of the TXOP indication process (800) in the resource pole phase (704) of the previous TXOP, or based on the detection of other transmissions from other APs or their individual BSSs. For example, FIGS. 7b through 7d illustrate timing diagrams illustrating examples where the TXOP (702) does not include a resource pole phase (704). In some of these implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) may select candidate APs to participate in the TXOP (702) in block (604) before or after acquiring the TXOP (702) in block (602).

[0106] The TXOP owner (AP1) can determine the amount of time resources of the TXOP (702) to be allocated to each of the selected APs, along with the selection of APs in block (604). In the example illustrated in FIGS. 7a through 7d, the TXOP owner (AP1) divides the available time resources of the TXOP (702) into a number of time parts or segments (716) (also referred to herein as “TXOP parts (716)”), each of which includes one or more time resources. For example, each time resource may represent a symbol, a slot, or another time unit. In some implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) divides the TXOP into identical parts (716), wherein the number of identical parts (716) is equal to the number of APs sharing the TXOP (702). For example, the TXOP owner (AP1) may partition the TXOP (702) into four equal parts (716), one for the TXOP owner (AP1) and one for each selected AP (AP2, AP3, and AP4). In some other implementations or instances, the TXOP owner (AP1) may partition the time resources into unequal parts (716). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7a, the TXOP owner (AP1) may choose for each AP (AP2, AP3, and AP4) a longer part (7161) of the TXOP (702) that contains more time resources than the time resources in the other parts (7162, 7163, and 7164). In some implementations where the CRRs (712) include indications of desired durations or buffer states of time resources, the TXOP owner (AP1) can perform allocations of time resources to the selected APs based on the buffer states or requested time resources of each selected AP.

[0107] After selecting the APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) to participate in the TXOP (702) during the resource poll phase (704), the TXOP owner (AP1) grants, schedules, or otherwise actually allocates (e.g., indicates the allocations) the TXOP portions (716) to the selected APs during the schedule allocation phase (706). For example, at time t3, the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits a packet (referred to herein as a CSA (CAP Schedule Announcement) packet or frame) (714) containing an indication of the TXOP portion (716) allocated to the individual AP, which includes an indication of the associated time resources available to the individual AP to transmit data to one or more individual associated radio STAs from its BSS or to receive data from one or more individual associated radio STAs during the subsequent data transmission phase (708) of the TXOP (702). For example, the CSA (714) may be transmitted at time t3, which is the SIFS duration after the CRRs (712). In some other implementations, the inter-frame interval between the CRRs (712) and the CSA (714) may be greater than the SIFS duration. In some implementations, such as those shown in FIGS. 7b through 7d which do not include a resource poll phase (704), a random backoff may precede the CSA (714). In some of these implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) may reserve a wireless channel by exchanging RTS and CTS frames with selected APs prior to the start of the schedule allocation phase (706) or otherwise before transmitting the CSA (714).

[0108] To transmit the CSA (714), the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit a PPDU containing the same CSA trigger frame on each of the multiple subchannels of the wireless channel (e.g., on each of the multiple 20 MHz channels). For example, the CSA (714) may contain a non-HT replica trigger frame on each 20 MHz channel. In this way, the selected APs do not need to operate on the same primary 20 MHz channel to receive and process the CSA (714). In some implementations, the BSSID field and source address field associated with the CSA (714) (e.g., in the MAC header) are set to the TXOP owner's MAC address, and the destination address field associated with the CSA (714) (e.g., in the MAC header) is set to the broadcast address.

[0109] Each replication trigger frame of the CSA (714) may include, for each of the selected APs, an indication of the APID associated with each AP and an indication of the TXOP portion (716) assigned to each APID, and thus may include an indication of the TXOP portion (716) assigned to each AP. For example, each trigger frame of the CSA (714) may include one or more user information fields for the selected APs. In some implementations, each user information field may include the APID of each AP among the selected APs. For example, the APID may be the MAC address of the AP, the BSSID associated with the AP, or the BSS color associated with the AP. Each user information field may include an indication of each TXOP portion (716) for each AP. For example, the user information field may include the start time of each allocated time resource, such as a symbol, slot, or an indication of the absolute or relative time at which the allocated time resources begin. The user information field may also include the duration of individual allocated time resources, for example, in units of symbols, slots, or milliseconds (ms).

[0110] Each user information field may further include an indication of the frequency resources available for use by each AP during the use of each allocated time resource for each selected AP. For example, the user information field may indicate one or more subchannels (e.g., one or more 20 MHz channels) or one or more RUs (resource units) available to each AP during each TXOP portion (716). In some implementations or instances, the TXOP owner (AP1) and one or more of AP2, AP3, and AP4 may be configured simultaneously for communication via CAP OFDMA as well as CAP TDMA. In other implementations or instances, the CSA (714) may allocate all available frequency resources to each selected AP for use during each selected AP's TXOP portion (716). The CSA (714) may also include information on the operating channel of the TXOP owner (AP1), such as the center frequency and system bandwidth, so that individual selected APs can unambiguously induce frequency resources or spatial resources to be used in the data transmission phase (708).

[0111] As further illustrated in FIGS. 7a through 7d, the schedule allocation phase (706) may additionally include the transmission of local schedule frames (718). As illustrated, after the CSA (714) is received, the selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) may transmit packets (referred herein to as CSF (CAP Schedule Forwarding) packets or frames) (7182, 7183, or 7184, respectively) at time t4 to the associated radio STAs of these individual BSSs. As further illustrated in FIG. 7a, in some implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) may also transmit the CSF (7181). In some other implementations, such as in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 7b through 7d, the TXOP owner (AP1) may not transmit the CSF (7181). Each of the CSFs (718) identifies the TXOP portion (716) assigned to the individual AP and its associated BSS, and can indicate whether the individual time resources are reserved for use by the individual BSS or otherwise assigned to the individual BSS.

[0112] In some implementations, the CSA (714) includes at least one trigger frame configured to trigger selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) to transmit individual CSFs (7182, 7183, and 7184) to their associated BSSs during the SIFS duration following the CSA (714) at time t4. In these implementations, the CSFs (718) transmitted by the selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) may be trigger-based PPDUs. In these implementations, each of the CSFs (718) is identical to the others. Additionally, each of the CSFs (718) transmitted by the selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) (and in some examples also the TXOP owner (AP1)) may be transmitted simultaneously over some or all of the available frequency resources of the wireless channel. In this way, the CSFs (718) will not interfere with each other, and STAs receiving the CSFs (718) can properly decode them. In some implementations, the source address field (e.g., in the MAC header) associated with each of the CSFs (718) is set to the same multicast address or another predefined address associated with CAP TDMA transmits. STAs supporting CAP TDMA may be configured to decode and analyze individual frames when they receive frames having multicast addresses. In some implementations, the BSSID field (e.g., in the MAC header) associated with each of the CSFs (718) is set to the BSSID of the TXOP owner (AP1). In some of these implementations, the destination address field (e.g., in the MAC header) associated with each of the CSFs (718) is set to the same broadcast address.

[0113] In some implementations, each of the CSFs (718) transmitted by the selected APs AP2, AP3, and AP4 (and in some examples also the TXOP owner (AP1)) includes, for each of the selected APs, an indication of the APID associated with the individual AP and an indication of the TXOP portion (716) assigned to the individual APID, and accordingly, an indication of the TXOP portion (716) assigned to the individual AP. For example, each CSF (718) may include one or more user information fields or information elements for the selected APs. In some implementations, each user information field or information element may include the APID of the individual AP among the selected APs. For example, the APID may be the MAC address of the AP, the BSSID associated with the AP, or the BSS color associated with the AP. Each user information field or information element may include an indication of the individual TXOP portion (716) for the individual AP. For example, a user information field or information element may include the start time of individual allocated time resources, such as a symbol, slot, or an indication of the absolute or relative time at which the allocated time resources begin. The user information field or information element may also include the duration of individual allocated time resources, for example, in symbols, slots, or in units of milliseconds.

[0114] Each user information field or information element may further include an indication of the frequency resources available for use by each AP during the use of each allocated time resource for each selected AP. For example, the user information field or information element may indicate one or more subchannels (e.g., one or more 20 MHz channels) or one or more RUs available to each AP during each TXOP portion (716). In some implementations or instances, the TXOP owner (AP1) and one or more of AP2, AP3, and AP4 may be configured simultaneously for communication via CAP OFDMA as well as CAP TDMA. In other implementations or instances, the CSA (714) may allocate all available frequency resources to each selected AP for use during each selected AP's TXOP portion (716). The CSA (714) may also include information on the operating channel of the TXOP owner (AP1), such as the center frequency and system bandwidth, so that individual selected APs can unambiguously induce frequency resources or spatial resources to be used in the data transmission phase (708).

[0115] Because the STAs associated with the selected APs are not within the range of the CSA (714) or cannot receive and process the CSA (714), the use of CSFs (718) can ensure that the STAs associated with the selected APs become aware of the allocated time (and frequency) resources for these individual BSSs. The CSFs (718) can also serve to reserve a radio channel to prevent the OBSS APs and STAs from transmitting during the time duration indicated by the CSFs (718). In some examples, the individual APs and STAs within their BSS need to be in an awake state to transmit or receive radio communications only during individual TXOP portions (716) of the data transmission phase assigned to each of the selected APs AP2, AP3, or AP4. In these examples, each of the selected APs and associated STAs may be switched to a sleep or inactive state or remain in a sleep or inactive state during the TXOP portions (716) assigned to other APs (AP1, AP2, AP3 or AP4), because the selected APs and associated STAs are not expected to transmit or receive wireless communications during the TXOP portions (716) assigned to other APs and associated BSSs of the selected APs, and therefore do not need to be in an awake state.

[0116] After the schedule allocation phase (706), the data transmission phase (708) may begin. As previously described, in block (608), the TXOP owner (AP1) and the selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) may share the resources of the TXOP (702) to perform or enable DL (downlink) or UL (uplink) communications with these individual STAs by dividing the data transmission phase (708) of the TXOP (702) into a number of parts or time segments (716). STAs compatible with CAP TDMA within the BSSs associated with the selected APs may be configured to be in an active listening mode for at least the TXOP parts (716) allocated to their individual APs.

[0117] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7a (and similarly illustrated in FIG. 7b through 7d), during the data transmission phase (708), the TXOP owner (AP1) may use its own and its BSS-allocated time resources during the first TXOP portion (7161) to transmit one or more data communications to or to one or more STAs of its BSS starting at time t5, or receive one or more data communications from one or more STAs. For example, the start of the data transmission phase (708) and the data communications therein may start the SIFS duration after the transmission of the CSA (714). In some examples, the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit DL data communications (e.g., PPDU) containing data frames to multiple STAs using MU (multi-user) OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) or MU MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) techniques. Additionally or alternatively, the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit data frames using single-user (SU) techniques. In some of these implementations where the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits one or more DL data communications, the associated STAs may also respond with ACK frames (e.g., Block ACKs (BAs)) using one or more of the time resources allocated to the TXOP owner (AP1) and its BSS in the first TXOP portion (7161). Thus, the first TXOP portion (7161) allocated to the TXOP owner (AP1) may include time resources sufficient for the associated STAs to transmit ACKs, as well as time resources for transmitting DL communications, and the ACKs may be transmitted during the SIFS duration after the reception of the DL communications.

[0118] In addition to transmitting DL data communications, or as an alternative thereto, the TXOP owner (AP1) may also receive one or more UL data communications from one or more STAs of its BSS during the first TXOP portion (7161). For example, the TXOP owner (AP1) may trigger UL data communications containing multiple data frames from multiple STAs using one or more of MU OFDMA or MU MIMO in the form of MU PPDUs, or transmit trigger frames during the first TXOP portion (7161) that sequentially trigger UL data communications from each of one or more single STAs in the form of individual SU PPDUs. In some of these implementations where the TXOP owner (AP1) receives one or more UL data communications, the TXOP owner (AP1) may also respond with ACK frames (e.g., BAs) by using one or more of the time resources allocated to the TXOP owner (AP1) and his BSS in the first TXOP portion (7161). Thus, the first TXOP portion (7161) allocated to the TXOP owner (AP1) includes time resources for transmitting trigger frames and receiving UL communications, as well as time resources for transmitting ACKs that may be transmitted during the SIFS duration after the reception of the UL communications.

[0119] In some implementations, before transmitting any communications to any of its associated STAs, the TXOP owner (AP1) may perform CCA operations at the beginning of its allocated time resources. For example, in some implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) may perform EDCA operations to determine whether the radio medium is idle before transmitting any data, trigger, management, or control frames in the first TXOP portion (7161). If the TXOP owner (AP1) detects that the radio medium is idle, the TXOP owner (AP1) may begin transmitting communications in the first TXOP portion (7161).

[0120] Similar to the TXOP owner (AP1), the second AP (AP2) may use time resources within the second TXOP portion (7162) allocated to the second AP (AP2) to transmit or receive one or more data communications to or from one or more STAs of its BSS, starting at time t6. Similarly, the third AP (AP3) may use time resources within the third TXOP portion (7163) allocated to the third AP (AP3) to transmit or receive one or more data communications to or from one or more STAs of its BSS, starting at time t7. Similarly, the fourth AP (AP4) may use time resources within the fourth TXOP portion (7164) allocated to the fourth AP (AP4) to transmit or receive one or more data communications to or from one or more STAs of its BSS, starting at time t8. STAs compatible with CAP TDMA can be configured to be in an active listening mode for at least individual TXOP portions (716) and to transmit and receive data communications, ACK frames, and trigger frames. In some implementations, a guard (or "non-transmit") interval may exist between adjacent TXOP portions (716) (e.g., during the SIFS duration) to buffer and guard against interference that may result from overlapping communications that may result from timing errors.

[0121] Additionally, similar to the TXOP owner (AP1), each of the selected APs may perform CCA operations at the beginning of their respective TXOP portion (716) before transmitting any communications to any of their associated STAs. For example, as previously described with reference to the TXOP owner (AP1), each of the selected APs may perform EDCA operations to determine whether the wireless medium is idle before transmitting any data, trigger, management, or control frames during their allocated time resources.

[0122] FIG. 7c illustrates a timing diagram illustrating an example in which a TXOP owner (AP1) additionally transmits a single trigger frame (720) to selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) that can indicate the start of a data transmission phase (708). The trigger frame (720) can also synchronize the selected APs in time, which can ensure that all APs (AP1, AP2, AP3, and AP4) transmit or receive their individual data communications to or from these individual STAs only within their assigned TXOP portions (716) (e.g., that they do not interfere with each other). For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7c, at the beginning of the data transmission phase (708), the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits a trigger frame (720) (referred herein to as a CAP TXOP trigger (CTTRIG) frame) to selected APs at time t3 after the transmission of the CSA (714) and CSFs (718). For example, the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit the trigger frame (720) during the SIFS duration after the CSFs (718). In some of these implementations, the data communications may begin the SIFS duration after the CTTRIG frame (720). FIG. 7d illustrates a timing diagram illustrating another example in which, in addition to or as an alternative to transmitting a single trigger frame (720) at the start of the data transmission phase (708), the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits individual trigger frames to each of the selected APs before or at the start of the TXOP portion (716) assigned to each AP. For example, after transmitting the CSA (714) and CSFs (718), the first TXOP portion (7161) may begin at time t3. As previously described, during the first TXOP portion (7161), the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits or receives data communications to or from the STAs of its BSS. In order to ensure that all APs (AP1, AP2, AP3, and AP4) transmit or receive their respective data communications to or from their respective STAs only during the TXOP portions (716) assigned to them (thus so that they do not interfere with each other), the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit individual triggers (722) to each of the selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) before or at the start of the TXOP portion (716) assigned to each AP.

[0123] For example, in the implementation illustrated in FIG. 7d, after transmitting or receiving data communications to or from one or more STAs of its BSS using the time resources of the first TXOP portion (7161), the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits a trigger (7222) to the second AP (AP2) at time t4 to indicate the start of the second TXOP portion (7162). For example, the trigger (7222) may trigger the second AP (AP2) to initiate data communications or otherwise provide the second AP (AP2) with an indication of the start of the time resources allocated to the second AP (AP2). In some implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits the trigger (7222) to the second AP (AP2) at the scheduled start of the second TXOP portion (7162). In some implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) sends a trigger (7222) to the second AP (AP2) at the scheduled start of the second TXOP portion (7162). In some other implementations, the TXOP owner (AP1) sends a trigger (7222) to the second AP (AP2) during the SIFS period (or other appropriate duration) after the TXOP owner (AP1) and his BSS have completed their data communication (including any associated ACKs).

[0124] Similarly, at the scheduled start of the third TXOP portion (7163), or during the SIFS (or other) duration after the second AP (AP2) and its BSS have completed their data communications (including any associated ACKs), the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits a trigger (7223) to the third AP (AP3) to trigger the third AP (AP3) to initiate data communications to the third AP (AP3) or otherwise to provide the third AP (AP3) with an indication of the start of time resources allocated to the third AP (AP3). Similarly, at the scheduled start of the fourth TXOP portion (7164), or at the SIFS (or other) duration after the fourth AP (AP4) and its BSS have completed their data communications (including any associated ACKs), the TXOP owner (AP1) transmits a trigger (7224) to the fourth AP (AP4) to trigger the fourth AP (AP4) to initiate data communications to the fourth AP (AP4) or otherwise to provide the fourth AP (AP4) with an indication of the start of time resources allocated to the fourth AP (AP4).

[0125] To reduce overhead, the triggers (722) may have short durations and contain only limited information. In some implementations, each trigger (722) is a modified Null Data Packet (NDP) or a modified Clear-to-Send (CTS) frame. In these implementations, the non-legacy signal field of the NDP (e.g., the EHT-SIG field) or the Receiver Address (RA) field of the CTS frame may indicate to the device receiving the NDP or CTS that each NDP or CTS is a trigger for CAP TDMA communications. In some of these implementations, for example, to further reduce overhead or complexity, the signal field may include an indication of an index corresponding to each TXOP part (716) rather than, for example, an identifier of each AP or other identification or assignment information. For example, as previously described, by receiving schedule assignments from the CSA (714), each of the selected APs (AP2, AP3 and AP4) recognizes its associated assigned TXOP portion (716). Thus, when one of the selected APs receives and decodes a trigger (722) having a signal field indicating an index associated with the assigned TXOP portion (716) to each AP, it knows that its individual time resources have started and can initiate data communications.

[0126] As previously described, in some examples, triggers (722) may be transmitted according to a schedule determined in the schedule allocation phase (706), and thus, selected APs can expect to receive individual triggers (722) according to the schedule. However, even if the AP knows the start time of the associated TXOP portion (716), the AP may still wait to receive the trigger (722) before transmitting a communication (e.g., a trigger frame to trigger UL data communication from the associated STA or DL ​​data communication). In some other examples, the use of triggers (722) also enables the TXOP owner (AP1) to reclaim or otherwise utilize the remaining time resources not used by the selected APs (AP2, AP3, or AP4) in the individual TXOP portions (716) of the selected APs (AP2, AP3, or AP4). In some examples, the use of triggers (722) allows the TXOP owner (AP1) to reallocate unused resources or dynamically adjust the start times of time resources allocated to individual selected APs.

[0127] For example, the associated STAs of the third AP (AP3) and its BSS may complete their data communications (and transmit or receive any associated ACKs) before the scheduled termination of the TXOP portion (7163) assigned to AP3 and its BSS. In some examples, the TXOP owner (AP1) may fill the remaining time resources originally assigned to the TXOP portion (7163) with null data to maintain control of the channel, for example, by ensuring that no OBSSs outside the selected APs detect that the channel is clear and do not start transmitting. However, in some other examples, to avoid wasting the remaining time resources originally assigned to the TXOP portion (7163), the TXOP owner (AP1) may use the remaining time resources for additional data communications with its BSS. In some other examples, the TXOP owner (AP1) may reallocate the remaining time resources to another of the selected APs and (and in some cases, even if the other selected AP is also allocated time resources in a different part of the TXOP portion (716)) transmit a trigger (722) to the other selected AP to initiate data communications with its BSS. In some other examples, the TXOP owner (AP1) may transmit a trigger (722) to the next of the selected APs, e.g., the fourth AP (AP4), earlier than the originally scheduled start of the TXOP portion (7164) allocated to AP4.

[0128] In some of these dynamic implementations, the STAs of the selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) and their associated BSSs may be configured to remain awake throughout the duration of the data transmission phase (708) so that they may listen for and perform actions in response to individual triggers (722) of the triggers (722). In contrast, without dynamic allocation (or reallocation), the STAs of the selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) and their associated BSSs may switch to or remain in a sleep or inactive state to reduce power consumption until the scheduled start of the time resources allocated to the individual APs.

[0129] In order for the TXOP owner (AP1) to utilize any remaining unused time resources originally allocated to the selected APs (AP2, AP3, or AP4), the TXOP owner (AP1) needs to identify instances where the selected APs (AP2, AP3, or AP4) and their individual BSSs have completed or otherwise terminated their transmissions. The TXOP owner (AP1) can identify when one of the APs (AP2, AP3, or AP4) and its associated BSS have completed a communication based on decoding the preamble of the data communication transmitted by the individual AP. For example, the TXOP owner (AP1) can determine the termination of the data communications based on decoding the length of the legacy portion of the preamble and the data rate fields, or based on decoding the TXOP duration field within the non-legacy signal fields, such as the HE-SIG-A or EHT-SIG fields.

[0130] As previously described, before transmitting any communications to any of their associated STAs, each of the APs (AP1, AP2, AP3, and AP4) may perform CCA operations at the beginning of their respective TXOP portion (716). For example, each of the APs may perform EDCA operations to determine whether the radio medium is idle before transmitting any data, trigger, management, or control frame during its assigned TXOP portion (716). In some implementations, if one of the coordinated APs detects energy during its respective TXOP portion (716), one of the coordinated APs may delay transmission until it detects that the radio channel is clear, and when it is clear, one of the coordinated APs may immediately initiate data communications with its BSS without contention. In some implementations, one or more parameters for carrier detection may also be indicated on the triggers (722).

[0131] As previously described, the TXOP owner (AP1) may allocate all or a subset of the frequency resources of the wireless channel to each of the selected APs for use during individual TXOP portions (716) of the selected APs. In some instances where the selected AP does not use all of the frequency resources of the entire wireless channel (e.g., because less than all of the frequency resources were allocated to the selected AP, or because the selected AP decided to use only a subset of the frequency resources), it may be possible for an OBSS AP or STA to contest for unused frequency resources and determine that the wireless channel is clear. In some implementations, to mitigate the possibility of OBSS device transmissions during the TXOP portions (716), each of the coordinated APs (AP1, AP2, AP3, and AP4) may transmit a CTS-to-Self frame at the beginning of their allocated time resources to reserve the medium. The CTS-to-Self frame may be duplicated over each 20 MHz portion of the wireless channel. Additionally or alternatively, the TXOP owner (AP1) may schedule or otherwise allocate the TXOP parts (716) such that the TXOP parts (716) are in a decreasing order of frequency resources. In other words, the coordinated APs that will perform data communications with the largest bandwidths are first. For example, assume that both coordinated APs (AP1 and AP2) will transmit through the 80 MHz channel, AP3 will transmit through the 40 MHz channel, and AP4 will transmit through the 20 MHz channel. Such ordering minimizes the possibility of OBSS interference.

[0132] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process (900) for coordinated wireless communication that supports resource sharing according to some implementations. The operations of the process (900) may be implemented by the AP or its components described herein. For example, the process (900) may be performed by a wireless communication device such as the wireless communication device (400) described above with reference to FIG. 4. In some implementations, the process (900) may be performed by an AP, such as one of the APs (102 and 502) described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5a, respectively. The AP may manage a BSS comprising one or more wireless STAs.

[0133] In some implementations, in block (902), a wireless communication device receives a first packet from a wireless AP associated with another BSS. The first packet contains scheduling information for a TXOP obtained by the wireless AP associated with the other BSS. For example, the first packet may be a CSA such as the CSA (714) described with reference to FIGS. 7a through 7d. In some examples, the wireless communication device may be a selected AP (AP2) (and will be referred to as AP2 below with reference to the description in FIG. 9) or may operate as such, and the wireless AP associated with the other BSS may be a TXOP owner (AP1). Although the process (900) is described in terms of AP2, the operations of the process (900) are also similarly performed by other selected APs (AP3 and AP4).

[0134] As previously described, the scheduling information indicates multiple parts (716) of the TXOP (702). The scheduling information also includes multiple APIDs associated with selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) and, in some examples, also with the TXOP owner (AP1). The scheduling information further indicates whether any one or more parts (716) of the TXOP (702) are assigned to each individual wireless AP to communicate with each individual BSS of the wireless AP.

[0135] In block (904), AP2 determines that the scheduling information includes an APID associated with AP2 (hereinafter referred to as APID2), and APID2 is associated with a portion of the TXOP (7162) assigned to AP2 from a plurality of portions (716) of the TXOP (702). In block (906), AP2 transmits a second packet to one or more radio STAs within its BSS, in response to receiving the CSA (714) and based on the determination that the scheduling information includes APID2, the second packet including at least a portion of the scheduling information including a representation of the plurality of APIDs and the portions of the TXOP (716) assigned to individual APs. For example, the second packet may be a CSF such as the CSF (7182) described with reference to FIGS. 7a through 7d. In block (908), AP2 can transmit data to one or more wireless STAs within its BSS or trigger the transmission of data from them in the TXOP portion (7162) assigned to AP2 based on scheduling information.

[0136] As described above with reference to FIGS. 7a through 7d, in some CAP TDMA implementations, each part (716) of the plurality of parts (716) of the TXOP (702) corresponds to a time segment composed of a set of time resources that do not overlap with any time resources of any other part of the plurality of parts, such as non-overlapping slots or symbols. In some other CAP OFDMA implementations, each part of the plurality of parts of the TXOP corresponds to a bandwidth segment composed of a set of frequency resources that do not overlap with any frequency resources of any other part of the plurality of parts, such as non-overlapping subchannels or RUs.

[0137] In some implementations, each of the CSFs (718) includes a duration field indicating the duration of the TXOP (702). For example, the duration field may be the duration field of the L-SIG or the TXOP duration field within the MAC header. In some implementations, the CSA (714) includes a trigger frame configured to trigger AP2 to transmit the CSF (7182) based on the inclusion of APID2.

[0138] In some implementations, the CSA (714) also includes a duration field indicating the duration of the TXOP (702). In some implementations, based on a determination that the scheduling information includes APID2, the AP2 suppresses updating the bss-to-NAV. In these examples, the triggering of the transmission of data from one or more radio stations to or from the AP2's BSS is additionally based on suppressing the updating of the bss-to-NAV. In some of these implementations, based on a determination that the scheduling information includes APID2, the AP2 also updates the bss-to-NAV for its BSS based on the duration. In some other of these implementations, the AP2 suppresses the updating of the BSS-to-NAV.

[0139] In some implementations, in response to detecting a third packet (e.g., a data packet) during a TXOP (702) from the TXOP owner (AP1) or the other of the selected APs (AP3 and AP4) associated with the APID included in the scheduling information, or from the STA of the BSS associated with the TXOP owner (AP1) or the other of the selected APs (AP3 and AP4) associated with the APID included in the scheduling information, AP2 suppresses updating the NAV between the BSS. In some of these implementations, in response to detecting the third packet, AP2 updates the NAV within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the third packet. In some other of these implementations, in response to detecting the third packet, AP2 also suppresses updating the NAV within the BSS.

[0140] In the case of UL communications, triggering the transmission of UL data from a wireless STA in the BSS of AP2 involves transmitting a trigger frame to the wireless station in the TXOP portion (7162) assigned to AP2. In some other implementations other than those just described, the CSF (7182) or the trigger frame may indicate to the STAs in the BSS of AP2 that no carrier detection is required for the transmission of data to AP2 in the TXOP portion (7162) assigned to AP2 in response to receiving the trigger frame.

[0141] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process (1000) for coordinated wireless communication that supports resource sharing according to some implementations. The operations of the process (1000) may be implemented by a STA or components of a STA as described herein. For example, the process (1000) may be performed by a wireless communication device such as the wireless communication device (400) described above with reference to FIG. 4. In some implementations, the process (1000) may be performed by a STA, such as one of the STAs (104 and 504) described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5b, respectively. The STA may be associated with a first wireless AP that manages a first BSS comprising one or more other wireless STAs.

[0142] In some implementations, in block (1002), a wireless communication device receives from the first wireless AP a first packet containing scheduling information for a TXOP obtained by the second wireless AP associated with the second BSS. For example, the first packet may be a CSF such as the CSF (718) described with reference to FIGS. 7a through 7d. For example, for the purposes of illustration, the wireless communication device may be a STA of the BSS associated with one of the selected APs (AP2, AP3, or AP4), such as AP2, or may operate as a STA (and will be referred to as STA2 below with reference to the description of FIG. 10). In these examples, the second wireless AP may be a TXOP owner (AP1). Although the process (1000) is described in terms of a single STA2, the operations of the process (1000) are similarly performed by STAs capable of performing CAP TDMA or OFDMA in other BSSs associated with the TXOP owner (AP1) or selected APs (AP3 and AP4).

[0143] As previously described, the scheduling information indicates multiple parts (716) of the TXOP (702). The scheduling information also includes multiple APIDs associated with selected APs (AP2, AP3, and AP4) and, in some examples, also with the TXOP owner (AP1). The scheduling information further indicates whether any one or more parts (716) of the TXOP (702) are assigned to each individual wireless AP to communicate with each individual BSS of the wireless AP.

[0144] In block (1004), STA2 determines that the scheduling information includes an APID (APID2) associated with AP2. In block (1006), STA2 receives a trigger frame from AP2 in part (7162) of the TXOP (702) assigned to AP2. In block (1008), STA2 transmits data to AP2 in part (7162) of the TXOP in response to receiving the trigger frame based on the determination that the scheduling information includes APID2.

[0145] As described above with reference to FIGS. 7a through 7d, in some CAP TDMA implementations, each part (716) of the plurality of parts (716) of the TXOP (702) corresponds to a time segment composed of a set of time resources that do not overlap with any time resources of any other part of the plurality of parts, such as non-overlapping slots or symbols. In some other CAP OFDMA implementations, each part of the plurality of parts of the TXOP corresponds to a bandwidth segment composed of a set of frequency resources that do not overlap with any frequency resources of any other part of the plurality of parts, such as non-overlapping subchannels or RUs.

[0146] In some implementations, the process (1000) further includes receiving a second packet from the TXOP owner (AP1) before receiving the CSF (2182). For example, the second packet may be a CSA such as the CSA (714) described with reference to FIGS. 7a through 7d. As previously described, the CSA (714) also includes scheduling information as well as a duration field indicating the duration of the TXOP (702). In some of these implementations of the process (1000), AP2 determines that the scheduling information includes APID2 and, based on the determination that the scheduling information includes APID2, may suppress updating the bss-to-NAV. In these examples, sending data to AP2 in response to the trigger frame is additionally based on suppressing updating the bss-to-NAV. In some of these implementations, AP2 may update the BSS-in-NAV based on duration, based on the determination that the scheduling information includes APID2. For example, as used herein, the BSS-in-NAV allows the radio STAs in the BSS associated with the AP to transmit data to the individual AP only in response to receiving a trigger frame from the individual AP in the TXOP portion (716) assigned to the individual AP.

[0147] In some other implementations, in response to a decision that the scheduling information includes APID2, STA2 may determine that the CSA (714), CSF (7182), or trigger frame indicates that carrier detection is not required for the transmission of data from the TXOP part (7162) to AP2 in response to receiving the trigger frame in the TXOP part (7162). In some of these implementations, based on the decision that the scheduling information includes APID2 and the decision that carrier detection is not required, STA2 may ignore the bss-to-NAV in the TXOP part (7162) and thus allow itself to transmit data to AP2 in response to the trigger frame.

[0148] In some implementations, CSF (718) includes a duration field indicating the duration of the TXOP, and based on the determination that the scheduling information includes APID2, STA2 suppresses updating any NAVs based on the duration. In these examples, sending data to AP2 in response to the trigger frame in the TXOP part (7162) is additionally based on not updating any NAVs.

[0149] In some other implementations, based on the decision that scheduling information includes APID2, STA2 updates the NAV within the BSS based on duration and suppresses the update of the NAV between BSSs. In these examples, sending data to AP2 in response to a trigger frame is additionally based on updating the NAV within the BSS but suppressing the update of the NAV between BSSs.

[0150] In some implementations, in response to the detection of a second packet (e.g., a data packet) from AP2 or from another wireless STA within its BSS during TXOP (702), STA2 updates the NAV within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the second packet. In contrast, in some implementations, in response to the detection of a second packet (e.g., a data packet) from another wireless AP associated with the APID included in the scheduling information during TXOP (702) or from a wireless STA within the BSS associated with the wireless AP associated with the APID included in the scheduling information, STA2 refrains from updating the NAV within the BSS. In some of these implementations, in response to the detection of the second packet, STA2 may only update the NAV within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the second packet. In some other of these implementations, STA2 may refrains from updating the NAV within the BSS in response to the detection of the second packet.

[0151] FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device (1100) that supports resource sharing according to some implementations. In some implementations, the wireless communication device (1100) is configured to perform one or more of the processes (600, 800, and 900) described above with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, respectively. The wireless communication device (1100) may be an exemplary implementation of the wireless communication device (400) described above with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the wireless communication device (1100) may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device comprising at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or cellular modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device (1100) may be a device for use in an AP such as one of the APs (102 or 502) described earlier with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5a, respectively. In some other implementations, the wireless communication device (1100) may be an AP including at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and at least one antenna, as well as such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device.

[0152] A wireless communication device (1100) includes a channel access module (1102), a candidate selection module (1104), a resource allocation module (1106), and a transmit and receive (TX / RX) module (1108). One or more of the modules (1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108) may be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. For example, the channel access module (1102) and the TX / RX module (1108) may be implemented at least partially by a modem (e.g., a modem (402)). In some implementations, at least some of the modules (1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108) are implemented at least partially as software stored in memory (e.g., memory (408)). For example, parts of one or more of the modules (1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108) may be implemented as non-transient instructions (or "code") executable by a processor (e.g., processor (406)) to perform the functions or operations of the individual modules.

[0153] A channel access module (1102) is configured to acquire a TXOP for wireless communication over a wireless channel comprising a plurality of time and frequency resources. For example, the channel access module (1102) may be configured to perform a block (602) of the process (600) described with reference to FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7a through 7d. In some implementations, to acquire a TXOP, the channel access module (1102) competes for access to a wireless medium on one or more channels comprising a primary operating channel (e.g., a primary 20 MHz channel and one or more secondary 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz channels) using, for example, CSMA / CA and EDCA (enhanced distributed channel access) techniques. The channel access module (1102) is further configured to determine whether to update the NAV within the BSS or the NAV between the BSS (e.g., by updating the NAV table within the BSS or the NAV table between the BSS) and subsequently update it accordingly, based on whether the schedule allocation packet received from the TXOP owner AP contains the APID of the wireless communication device.

[0154] The candidate selection module (1104) is configured to select one or more other candidate APs to participate in the TXOP. For example, the candidate selection module (1104) may be configured to perform blocks (604) of the process (600) described with reference to FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7a through 7d. In some examples, to facilitate selection, the TX / RX module (1108) is configured to transmit a CRP to other wireless APs, e.g., other APs within its ESS, indicating that the time or frequency resources of the TXOP may be shared by the TXOP owner (AP1). After transmitting the CRP, the TX / RX module (1108) may receive a CRR from each of the one or more candidate APs indicating a request by the individual AP to participate in the TXOP. For example, the TX / RX module (1108) may be configured to perform blocks (802 and 804) of the process (800) described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0155] The resource allocation module (1106) is configured to determine the amount of time or frequency resources of the TXOP to be allocated to each of the selected APs. In some implementations, the resource allocation module (1106) divides the available time resources of the TXOP into two or more parts or segments of time, each containing one or more time resources. For example, each time segment may represent the number of symbols, the number of slots, the number of milliseconds, or other time units. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the resource allocation module (1106) divides the available frequency resources of the TXOP into two or more parts or segments of bandwidth, each containing associated frequency resources. For example, each bandwidth segment may represent one or more subchannels or one or more RUs, among other examples. In some implementations or instances, the resource allocation module (1106) may partition the time or frequency resources into unequal parts, for example, based on buffer states, resource requests, or other factors.

[0156] The TX / RX module (1108) is configured to generate a packet (e.g., CSA (714)) containing scheduling information for a TXOP and transmit it to selected APs. The scheduling information includes multiple APIDs associated with the selected APs. The scheduling information further indicates whether one or more parts of the TXOP are assigned to each individual wireless AP to communicate with each individual BSS of the individual wireless AP. The channel access module (1102) may update or suppress the updating of the bss-to-NAV based on the scheduling information as previously described with reference to FIG. 9. In some implementations, after transmitting the packet, the TX / RX module (1108) may transmit another packet (e.g., CSF (718)) to the associated STAs of the BSS, which includes at least a portion of the scheduling information, such as the APIDs and indications of the associated TXOP parts assigned to the APIDs (and accordingly assigned to the individual APs). For example, the TX / RX module (1108) may be configured to perform blocks (606) of the process (600) and blocks (906) of the process (900) described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, respectively.

[0157] In the data transmission phase of the TXOP, if the wireless communication device (1100) is the TXOP owner, the TX / RX module (1108) may transmit or receive one or more DL or UL data communications to or from one or more STSs of the BSS in part of the TXOP assigned to it by the wireless communication device. If the wireless communication device (1100) is not the TXOP owner, the TX / RX module (1108) may transmit or receive one or more DL or UL data communications to or from one or more STAs within its BSS in part of the TXOP assigned to it as indicated in the scheduling information. For example, the TX / RX module (1108) may transmit or receive data communications containing data frames to or from a number of STAs using MU OFDMA, MU MIMO, or SU techniques. For example, the TX / RX module (1108) may be configured to perform blocks (608) of the process (600) and blocks (908) of the process (900) described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9, respectively.

[0158] During the data transmission phase, in response to the detection of packets from other APs or STAs, the channel access module (1102) may update or suppress the updating of the bss-to-NAV or bss-in-NAV based on the scheduling information described above with reference to FIG. 9.

[0159] In some implementations, at the beginning of the data transmission phase, the TX / RX module (1108) transmits a CTTRIG frame to the selected APs to synchronize the selected APs and the wireless communication device (1100) in time, as described with reference to FIG. 7c. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the TX / RX module (1108) is further configured to transmit triggers before the TXOP portions assigned to each of the selected APs participate in the shared TXOP, as described with reference to FIG. 7d. In some implementations, the TX / RX module (1108) is further configured to receive a CTTRIG frame from the TXOP owner to synchronize the wireless communication device (1100) in time. Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, the TX / RX module (1108) is further configured to receive a trigger before the TXOP portion assigned to itself, as described with reference to FIG. 7d.

[0160] The TX / RX module (1108) is further configured to receive a CRP from another AP that has acquired the TXOP (TXOP owner), indicating that multiple time resources of the TXOP can be shared by the TXOP owner. The TX / RX module (1108) is further configured to send a CRR to the TXOP owner indicating that they wish to participate in the TXOP. The TX / RX module (1108) is further configured to receive a CSA containing scheduling information from the TXOP owner. For example, the TX / RX module (1108) may be configured to perform a block (902) of the process (900) described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0161] FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication device (1200) that supports resource sharing according to some implementations. In some implementations, the wireless communication device (1200) is configured to perform the processes (1000) described above with reference to FIG. 10. The wireless communication device (1200) may be an exemplary implementation of the wireless communication device (400) described above with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the wireless communication device (1200) may be a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device comprising at least one processor and at least one modem (e.g., Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) modem or cellular modem). In some implementations, the wireless communication device (1200) may be a device for use in a STA such as one of the STAs (104 or 504) described above with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5b, respectively. In some other implementations, the wireless communication device (1200) may be a STA including at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and at least one antenna, as well as such a chip, SoC, chipset, package, or device.

[0162] A wireless communication device (1200) includes a channel access module (1202) and a TX / RX module (1204). One or more parts of the modules (1202 and 1204) may be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. For example, the channel access module (1202) and the TX / RX module (1208) may be implemented at least partially by a modem (e.g., modem (402)). In some implementations, at least some parts of the modules (1202 and 1204) may be implemented at least partially as software stored in memory (e.g., memory (408)). For example, parts of one or more of the modules (1202 and 1204) may be implemented as non-transient instructions (or "code") executable by a processor (e.g., processor (406)) to perform the functions or operations of the individual modules.

[0163] The TX / RX module (1204) is configured to receive from the first wireless AP a first packet (e.g., CSF (718)) containing scheduling information for a TXOP acquired by the second wireless AP associated with the second BSS. The first wireless AP manages the first BSS, which includes a wireless communication device (1200). The scheduling information includes a plurality of APIDs associated with the APs participating in the TXOP. The scheduling information further indicates whether one or more parts of the TXOP are assigned to each individual wireless AP to communicate with each individual BSS of each individual wireless AP. The channel access module (1102) may update or suppress the updating of the bss-to-bss NAV or bss-in-bss NAV based on the scheduling information as previously described with reference to FIG. 10. The channel access module (1202) is further configured to determine whether the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier associated with the first wireless AP.

[0164] The TX / RX module (1202) is also configured to receive a trigger frame from the first wireless AP in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point, and to determine whether to transmit data to the first wireless access point in part of the TXOP allocated to the first wireless AP in response to receiving the trigger frame based on a set of NAV rules, and specifically based on a determination that the scheduling information includes the first APID.

[0165] As used herein, "or" is used with the intent to be interpreted in a comprehensive sense unless otherwise explicitly indicated. For example, "a or b" may include only a, only b, or a combination of a and b. As used herein, a phrase referred to as "at least one of" or "one or more of" a list of items refers to any combination of items, including single members. For example, "at least one of a, b or c" is intended to cover the possibilities of only a, only b, only c, a combination of a and b, a combination of a and c, a combination of b and c, and a combination of a, b, and c.

[0166] The various exemplary components, logic, logic blocks, modules, circuits, operations, and algorithmic processes described in connection with the implementations disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, as firmware, as software, or as combinations of hardware, firmware, or software, comprising the structures and their structural equivalents disclosed herein. The interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software has generally been described in terms of functionality and has been illustrated in the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware, firmware, or software depends on the design constraints imposed on the overall system and the specific application.

[0167] Various variations of the embodiments described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but will be consistent with the broadest scope of this disclosure, the principles disclosed herein, and the novel features.

[0168] Additionally, various features described in this specification in the context of individual implementations may also be combined and implemented in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation may also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Thus, even though features are described above as acting as specific combinations and even initially claimed as such, in some cases, one or more features from the claimed combination may be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may be related to a sub-combination or a change in the sub-combination.

[0169] Similarly, although operations are depicted in the drawings in a specific order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the specific order depicted or sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, in order to achieve desired results. Additionally, the drawings may schematically depict one or more exemplary processes in the form of flowcharts or flow diagrams. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the schematically illustrated exemplary processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or in between any of the illustrated operations. In some situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various system components in the implementations described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated together into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Claims

Claim 1 A method for wireless communication by a first wireless station within a first basic service set (BSS) associated with a first wireless access point, comprising the step of receiving from the first wireless access point a first packet containing scheduling information for a transmission opportunity acquired by a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS — wherein the scheduling information indicates one or more portions of the transmission opportunity, and the scheduling information includes one or more access point identifiers associated with one or more individual wireless access points, and the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more portions of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each of the individual wireless access points in order to communicate with each of the individual BSSs of each of the one or more wireless access points, wherein the one or more portions do not overlap and each portion of the transmission opportunity is assigned to a different wireless access point —; and the step of receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point at the portion of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point.and based on the fact that the scheduling information includes a first access point identifier associated with the first wireless access point, the method comprises the step of transmitting data to the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame, wherein transmitting the data to the first wireless access point in response to the trigger frame comprises: suppressing the updating of the inter-BSS network allocation vector in connection with receiving a second packet including the first access point identifier during the transmission opportunity from the second wireless access point, from another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information, or from a wireless station within the BSS associated with another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information; or ignoring the inter-BSS network allocation vector in connection with the first packet or the trigger frame indicating that carrier detection is not required to transmit data to the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame; A method for wireless communication, additionally based on not updating the inter-BSS network allocation vector and not updating the intra-BSS network allocation vector in association with the scheduling information including the first access point identifier.; Claim 2 A method for wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of updating a BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the scheduling information including the first access point identifier, and wherein the BSS-in-network allocation vector allows the first wireless station to transmit data to the first wireless access point in response only to receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point. Claim 3 A method for wireless communication according to claim 1, further comprising the step of updating a network allocation vector within the BSS based on a duration indicated in the third packet in response to detecting a third packet during the transmission opportunity from the first wireless access point or from another wireless station within the first BSS. Claim 4 A method for wireless communication according to claim 1, further comprising the step of updating a network allocation vector within a BSS based on a duration indicated in the second packet in response to detecting the second packet. Claim 5 A method for wireless communication according to claim 1, further comprising the step of suppressing updating a network allocation vector within the BSS in response to detecting the second packet. Claim 6 A wireless communication device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to communicate with the at least one processor and storing processor-readable code, wherein the processor-readable code, when executed by the at least one processor: operates in a first basic service set (BSS) associated with a first wireless access point; and receives from the first wireless access point a first packet comprising scheduling information for a transmission opportunity obtained by a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS — the scheduling information indicates one or more portions of the transmission opportunity, the scheduling information includes one or more access point identifiers associated with one or more individual wireless access points, the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more portions of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each of the individual wireless access points in order to communicate with each of the individual BSSs of each of the one or more wireless access points, wherein the one or more portions do not overlap, and each portion of the transmission opportunity is assigned to a different wireless access point —; Receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point in the portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point;And based on the fact that the above scheduling information includes a first access point identifier associated with the first wireless access point, the data is configured to be transmitted to the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame, and transmitting the data to the first wireless access point in response to the trigger frame is: suppressing the updating of the BSS-to-network allocation vector in connection with receiving a second packet including the first access point identifier during the transmission opportunity from the second wireless access point, from another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information, or from a wireless station within the BSS associated with another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information; or ignoring the BSS-to-network allocation vector in connection with the first packet or the trigger frame indicating that carrier detection is not required to transmit data to the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame; A wireless communication device, additionally based on not updating the BSS-to-network allocation vector and not updating the BSS-in-network allocation vector in association with the scheduling information including the first access point identifier.; Claim 7 In claim 6, the code is further configured to update a BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the scheduling information including the first access point identifier, and the BSS-in-network allocation vector allows the wireless communication device to transmit data to the first wireless access point in response only to receiving a trigger frame from the first wireless access point in part of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point. Claim 8 A wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the code is further configured to update a network allocation vector within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the third packet in response to detecting a third packet during the transmission opportunity from the first wireless access point or from another wireless station within the first BSS when executed by the at least one processor. Claim 9 A wireless communication device according to claim 6, wherein the code is additionally configured to update a network allocation vector within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the second packet in response to detecting the second packet when executed by the at least one processor. Claim 10 A wireless communication device, wherein, in claim 6, the code is additionally configured to suppress updating a network allocation vector within the BSS in response to detecting the second packet when executed by the at least one processor. Claim 11 A method for wireless communication by a first wireless access point associated with a first basic service set (BSS), comprising the step of receiving a first packet from a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS — the first packet includes scheduling information for a transmission opportunity obtained by the second wireless access point, wherein the scheduling information indicates one or more parts of the transmission opportunity, wherein the scheduling information includes one or more access point identifiers associated with one or more wireless access points, wherein the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more parts of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each of the respective wireless access points in order to communicate with each of the respective BSSs of each of the one or more wireless access points, wherein the one or more parts do not overlap, and each part of the transmission opportunity is assigned to a different wireless access point —; and, in response to receiving the first packet and based on the scheduling information including a first access point identifier associated with the first wireless access point, the method comprises the step of transmitting data to one or more wireless stations within the first BSS or triggering the transmission of data from the one or more wireless stations in a portion of the transmission opportunities allocated to the first wireless access point based on the scheduling information, wherein transmitting data to the one or more wireless stations or triggering the transmission of data from the one or more wireless stations is additionally based on suppressing the updating of a network allocation vector within the BSS and suppressing the updating of a network allocation vector between BSSs in response to receiving the first packet in connection with the scheduling information including the first access point identifier;A method for wireless communication, wherein transmitting data to one or more wireless stations or triggering the transmission of data from one or more wireless stations is additionally based on suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector in connection with detecting a second packet containing the first access point identifier during the transmission opportunity from the second wireless access point, from another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information, or from a wireless station in the BSS associated with the second wireless access point or another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information; or triggering the transmission of data from one or more wireless stations in the first BSS comprises transmitting a trigger frame to each of the one or more wireless stations in a portion of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point, wherein the second packet or the trigger frame indicates that carrier detection is not required to transmit data to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame. Claim 12 A method for wireless communication according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises the step of transmitting a second packet to the one or more wireless stations in the first BSS, the second packet comprising at least a portion of the scheduling information including an indication of one or more portions of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point and the one or more access point identifiers, and the second packet comprises a duration field indicating the duration of the transmission opportunity. Claim 13 A method for wireless communication according to claim 12, wherein the first packet includes a trigger frame, and the trigger frame is configured to trigger the first wireless access point to transmit the second packet based on the inclusion of the first access point identifier. Claim 14 A method for wireless communication according to claim 11, further comprising the step of updating a BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the duration of the transmission opportunity, based on the scheduling information including the first access point identifier. Claim 15 A method for wireless communication according to claim 11, further comprising the step of suppressing the updating of a BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the fact that the scheduling information includes the first access point identifier. Claim 16 A method for wireless communication according to claim 11, further comprising the step of updating a network allocation vector within a BSS based on a duration indicated in the third packet in response to detecting the third packet. Claim 17 A method for wireless communication according to claim 11, further comprising the step of suppressing updating a network allocation vector within the BSS in response to detecting a third packet. Claim 18 A wireless communication device comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory coupled to communicate with the at least one processor and storing a processor-readable code, wherein the processor-readable code, when executed by the at least one processor: operates as a first wireless access point associated with a first basic service set (BSS); and receives a first packet from a second wireless access point associated with a second BSS — the first packet includes scheduling information for a transmission opportunity obtained by the second wireless access point, the scheduling information indicates one or more portions of the transmission opportunity, the scheduling information includes one or more access point identifiers associated with one or more wireless access points, the scheduling information further indicates whether one or more portions of the transmission opportunity are assigned to each of the respective wireless access points in order to communicate with each of the respective BSSs of each of the one or more wireless access points, wherein the one or more portions do not overlap and each portion of the transmission opportunity is assigned to a different wireless access point —;And, in response to receiving the first packet and based on the scheduling information including a first access point identifier associated with the first wireless access point, configured to transmit data to one or more wireless stations within the first BSS or trigger transmission of data from the one or more wireless stations in a portion of the transmission opportunities allocated to the first wireless access point based on the scheduling information, and transmitting data to the one or more wireless stations or triggering transmission of data from the one or more wireless stations is additionally based on suppressing updating a network allocation vector within the BSS and suppressing updating a network allocation vector between the BSS in response to receiving the first packet in association with the scheduling information including the first access point identifier; or transmitting data to the one or more wireless stations or triggering the transmission of data from the one or more wireless stations is additionally based on suppressing the updating of a BSS-to-network allocation vector in connection with detecting a second packet containing the first access point identifier during the transmission opportunity from the second wireless access point, from another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information, or from a wireless station within the BSS associated with the second wireless access point or another wireless access point associated with the access point identifier included in the scheduling information;A wireless communication device, wherein triggering the transmission of data from one or more wireless stations within the first BSS comprises transmitting a trigger frame to each of the one or more wireless stations in a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point, and wherein the second packet or the trigger frame indicates that carrier detection is not required to transmit data to the first wireless access point in a portion of the transmission opportunity allocated to the first wireless access point in response to receiving the trigger frame. Claim 19 A wireless communication device according to claim 18, wherein the code is further configured to transmit to the one or more wireless stations in the first BSS a second packet comprising at least a portion of the scheduling information, including an indication of one or more portions of the transmission opportunity assigned to the first wireless access point and one or more access point identifiers, and the second packet comprises a duration field indicating the duration of the transmission opportunity. Claim 20 A wireless communication device according to claim 19, wherein the first packet includes a trigger frame, and the trigger frame is configured to trigger the first wireless access point to transmit the second packet based on the inclusion of the first access point identifier. Claim 21 A wireless communication device according to claim 18, wherein the code is further configured to update a BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the duration of the transmission opportunity, based on the scheduling information including the first access point identifier, when executed by the at least one processor. Claim 22 A wireless communication device according to claim 18, wherein the code is further configured to suppress updating a BSS-in-network allocation vector for the first BSS based on the scheduling information including the first access point identifier when executed by the at least one processor. Claim 23 A wireless communication device according to claim 18, wherein the code is further configured to update a network allocation vector within the BSS based on the duration indicated in the third packet in response to detecting the third packet when executed by the at least one processor. Claim 24 In claim 18, the wireless communication device is further configured such that when the code is executed by the at least one processor: in response to detecting a third packet, updating the network allocation vector within the BSS is suppressed. Claim 25 delete Claim 26 delete Claim 27 delete Claim 28 delete Claim 29 delete Claim 30 delete Claim 31 delete Claim 32 delete Claim 33 delete Claim 34 delete Claim 35 delete Claim 36 delete Claim 37 delete Claim 38 delete Claim 39 delete Claim 40 delete

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