Device coexistence for channel access

Abstract

This disclosure provides methods, components, devices and systems for device coexistence for channel access. In some examples, a wireless communication device may transmit channel access parameters for one or more wireless stations (STAs) in communication with the wireless communication device for accessing one or more additional primary channels supported by the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may determine the parameters based on network conditions at the wireless communication device. The one or more wireless STAs may perform channel access on the one or more additional primary channels in accordance with the channel access parameters. In some other examples, the wireless communication device may transmit rules for accessing the one or more additional primary channels for a first wireless STA and a second wireless STA. The rules may be based on a priority associated with each channel supported by the wireless communication device.

Description

DEVICE COEXISTENCE FOR CHANNEL ACCESSCROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This present Application for Patent claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 202441014545 by NAIK et al., entitled “DEVICE COEXISTENCE FOR CHANNEL ACCESS,” filed February 28, 2024, assigned to the assignee hereof, and expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to wireless communication and, more specifically, to device coexistence for channel access.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY

[0003] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. Some wireless communication networks may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (such as time, frequency, or power). Further, a wireless communication network may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM), among other examples. Wireless communication devices may communicate in accordance with any one or more of such wireless communication technologies, and may include wireless stations (STAs), wireless access points (APs), user equipment (UEs), network entities, or other wireless nodes.SUMMARY

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

[0005] One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method for wireless communications by a wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel. The method may include transmitting a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless station (STA) having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoring capability and monitoring the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0006] A wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel for wireless communications is described. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel may include a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code. The processing system may be configured to cause the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to transmit a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoring capability and monitor the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0007] Another wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel for wireless communications is described. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channelmay include means for transmitting a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoring capability and means for monitoring the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0008] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to transmit a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoring capability and monitor the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0009] Some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining access to the second wireless channel based on the monitoring and communicating, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0010] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a request to send (RTS) frame from the first wireless STA via the secondwireless channel and delaying responding to the RTS frame based on a presence of pending downlink traffic at the wireless communication device.

[0011] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more channel access parameters may be included of a switching delay, a defer duration, a limit associated with a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by the first wireless STA, one or more enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters associated with the first wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an arbitration interframe space (AIFS) duration for the second wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the first wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

[0012] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more channel access parameters indicate for the second wireless STA to include a switching delay as a part of an AIFS duration for the second wireless STA and the AIFS duration may be longer than the switching delay.

[0013] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more channel access parameters indicate a switching delay for accessing the second wireless channel by the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both and the indicated switching delay may be longer than a switching delay at the wireless communication device.

[0014] Some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for communicating with the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both in accordance with a defer duration, the defer duration based on a first switchingdelay for the first wireless STA, a second switching delay for the second wireless STA, and a third switching delay for the wireless communication device, where the defer duration may be longer than the first switching delay, the second switching delay, and the third switching delay.

[0015] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more channel access parameters instructs the first wireless STA to operate in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability during a reduced capability duration.

[0016] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device having a first type of channels monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channels and a second wireless channels, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the first wireless channel may be a primary channel and the second wireless channel may be an additional primary channel.

[0017] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method by a wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel. The method may include receiving, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on the wireless communication device supporting communications for the wireless STA, performing a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters, and communicating with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters.

[0018] A wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel is described. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channelmay include a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code. The processing system may be configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to receive, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on the wireless communication device supporting communications for the wireless STA, perform a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters, and communicate with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters.

[0019] Another wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel is described. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel may include means for receiving, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on the wireless communication device supporting communications for the wireless STA, means for performing a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters, and means for communicating with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters.

[0020] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to receive, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on thewireless communication device supporting communications for the wireless STA, perform a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters, and communicate with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters.

[0021] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining access to the second wireless channel based on performing the channel access procedure and communicating, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with a switching delay for the wireless communication device and a defer duration.

[0022] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting an RTS frame including a first PPDU via the second wireless channel, where the wireless STA transmits the first PPDU in accordance with a size limit for the first PPDU, and where the first PPDU may be shorter relative to a second PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA.

[0023] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for communicating with the wireless communication device during a reduced capability duration in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability.

[0024] In some examples of the method, (STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, performing the channel access procedure may include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing a clear channel access procedure in accordance with an AIFS duration, where the AIFS duration includes a switching delay of the wireless STA.

[0025] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, performing the channel access procedure mayinclude operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a first random backoff timer during a defer duration and selecting a second random backoff timer based on expiry of the first random backoff timer during the defer duration.

[0026] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, performing the channel access procedure may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a first random backoff timer during a defer duration and performing the channel access procedure based on expiry of the first random backoff timer outside of the defer duration.

[0027] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the one or more channel access parameters may be included of a switching delay, a defer duration, a size limit associated with a first PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA, one or more EDCA parameters associated with the wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an AIFS duration for the wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

[0028] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method by a method for wireless communications by a wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels. The method may include receiving capability information associated with a first wireless STA indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations, transmitting, based on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the set of multiple wireless channels for the first wireless STA and for a second wireless STA supported by the communication device, and communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the set of multiple wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0029] A wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels for wireless communications is described. The wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels may include a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code. The processing system may be configured to cause thewireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels to receive capability information associated with a first wireless STA indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations, transmit, based on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the set of multiple wireless channels for the first wireless STA and for a second wireless STA supported by the communication device, and communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the set of multiple wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0030] Another wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels for wireless communications is described. The wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels may include means for receiving capability information associated with a first wireless STA indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations, means for transmitting, based on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the set of multiple wireless channels for the first wireless STA and for a second wireless STA supported by the communication device, and means for communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the set of multiple wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0031] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to receive capability information associated with a first wireless STA indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations, transmit, based on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the set of multiple wireless channels for the first wireless STA and for a second wireless STA supported by the communication device, and communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the set of multiple wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0032] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA may include operations, features, means, orinstructions for receiving both a first PPDU including an indication of a start of the PPDU and a second PPDU including a short training field (STF) via a second wireless channel, where the first wireless channel may be associated with a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel and decoding the first PPDU based on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0033] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving an RTS frame via a first wireless channel and refraining from responding to the RTS frame based on receiving the RTS frame via the first wireless channel, where the first wireless channel may be associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that may be idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device receives the RTS frame.

[0034] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA may include operations, features, means, or instructions for monitoring a first wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels based on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels, where the first wireless channel may have a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel and transmitting, based on determining that an intra-basic service set (BSS) PPDU may be not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

[0035] In some examples of the method, wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the one or more rules include priority rules for communicating via the set of multiple wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the set of multiple wireless channels.

[0036] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method by a method for wireless communications by awireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels. The method may include transmitting, to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports nonprimary channel access operations, receiving a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based on the capability information and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications with the set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, and communicating with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0037] A wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels for wireless communications is described. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels may include a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code. The processing system may be configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to transmit, to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations, receive a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based on the capability information and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications with the set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, and communicate with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0038] Another wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels for wireless communications is described. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels may include means for transmitting, to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations, means for receiving a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based on the capability information and based on the wirelesscommunication device supporting communications with the set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, and means for communicating with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0039] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to transmit, to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports nonprimary channel access operations, receive a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based on the capability information and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications with the set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, and communicate with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0040] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the one or more rules include priority rules for communicating via the one or more wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the one or more wireless channels.

[0041] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels based on the wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability, where the second type indicates that the wireless STA may be configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel.

[0042] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels, where the wireless STA shares the wireless channel with a second wireless STA having a same type of channel monitoring capability as the wireless STA, the type indicating that the wireless STA may beconfigured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel and backing off a transmission via the wireless channel based on detecting a transmission from the second wireless STA via the wireless channel.

[0043] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for selecting a quantity of wireless channels from a set of multiple wireless channels based on the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability, where the first type indicates that the wireless STA may be configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via the set of multiple wireless channels, and where the quantity of wireless channels may be associated with a highest priority of the set of multiple wireless channels.

[0044] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, the wireless STA may be configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via a set of multiple wireless channels, and communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for monitoring a first wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels based on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels, where the first wireless channel may have a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel and transmitting, based on determining that an intra-BSS PPDU may be not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

[0045] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communication device may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving both a first PPDU including an STF via a first wireless channel and a second PPDU including the STF via a second wireless channel, where the first wireless channel may have a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel and decoding the first PPDU based on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0046] In some examples of the method, STAs, and non-transitory computer- readable medium described herein, communicating with the wireless communicationdevice may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting an RTS frame via a first wireless channel, where the first wireless channel may be associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that may be idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless STA transmits the RTS frame.

[0047] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Figure 1 shows a pictorial diagram of an example wireless communication network.

[0049] Figure 2 shows an example of a communications timeline that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0050] Figure 3 shows an example of a communications timeline that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0051] Figure 4 shows an example of a communications timeline that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0052] Figure 5 shows an example of a communications timeline that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0053] Figure 6 shows an example of a communications timeline that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0054] Figure 7 shows an example of a process flow that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0055] Figure 8 shows an example of a process flow that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0056] Figure 9 shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0057] Figure 10 shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0058] Figure 11 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process performable by or at a wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0059] Figure 12 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process performable by or at a wireless station (STA) having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0060] Figure 13 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process performable by or at a wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0061] Figure 14 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process performable by or at a wireless station (STA) configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels that supports device coexistence for channel access.

[0062] Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The following description is directed to some particular examples for the purposes of describing innovative aspects of this disclosure. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in a multitude of different ways. Some or all of the described examples may be implemented in any device, system or network that is capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to one or more of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, the IEEE 802.15 standards, the Bluetooth® standards as defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), or the Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G, 5G (New Radio (NR)) or 6G standards promulgated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), among others. The described examples can be implemented in any suitable device, component, systemor network that is capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to one or more of the following technologies or techniques: code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), spatial division multiple access (SDMA), rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA), multi-user shared access (MUSA), single-user (SU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and multi-user (MU)-MIMO (MU-MIMO). The described examples also can be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a nonterrestrial network (NTN), or an internet of things (IOT) network.

[0064] Various aspects relate generally to non-primary channel access (NPCA) operations. Some aspects more specifically relate to device coexistence in NPCA systems. In some wireless communications systems, devices may communicate over a large bandwidth divided into multiple channels (e.g., multiple 20 MHz channels) with one primary channel (e.g., a main primary channel). In some examples, Ultra High Reliability devices may support NPCA and may be capable of monitoring an additional primary channel (e.g., an opportunistic primary (O-Primary) channel) within the operating bandwidth. In some aspects, the UHR device may be a Type-1 device (e.g., may have additional monitoring hardware) and may perform parallel monitoring of the O-Primary channel (such as parallel monitoring of the M-Primary channel and O- Primary channel). In some other aspects, the UHR device may be a Type-2 device (e.g., may only have one radio) and may perform sequential monitoring of the O- Primary channel.

[0065] In some examples, to perform sequential monitoring, the Type-2 device may switch its radio to monitor and contend for the O-Primary channel. The Type-2 device may experience a switching delay when switching its radio. In some implementations, the Type-2 device may contend for the O-Primary channel with a Type-1 device. For example, both the Type-1 device and the Type-2 device may be a station (STA). Due to the switching delay of the Type-2 device, the Type-1 device is more likely to occupy a larger share of the O-Primary channel, which may lead to channel access unfairnesstowards Type-2 devices. In some other examples, the Type-1 device may be a STA and the Type-2 device may be an access point (AP). In such examples, if traffic between the AP and the STA is bidirectional (e.g., includes both uplink and downlink traffic), the STA may win access to the O-Primary channel more than the AP, which may limit downlink throughput. Additionally, in some implementations where there are multiple O-primary channels, performance (e.g., data throughput) of Type-2 devices may suffer due to the switching delay to accommodate the additional O-Primary channels. Conversely, Type-1 devices may not suffer performance degradation when communicating over multiple O-Primary channels.

[0066] Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to device coexistence for channel access. In some implementations, an AP capable of NPCA may transmit channel access parameters for accessing an additional primary channel (e.g., an opportunistic primary (O-Primary) channel) to one or more STAs in communication with the AP. The parameters may include a defer duration, a first PPDU size limit, a set of enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters for the O-Primary channel, a switching duration and an arbitration interframe space (AIFS) duration, a duration of reduced capability, or any combination thereof, that the STAs may follow when accessing the O-Primary channel. The AP may determine the parameters based on network conditions (e.g., a quantity of Type-1 devices, a quantity of Type-2 devices, a traffic profile) at the AP. The AP may communicate with the STAs based on the network conditions. For example, the AP may determine not to respond to frames sent from a STA over the O-Primary channel if the AP cannot flush pending downlink traffic due to frequent uplink transmissions from the STA.

[0067] In some other implementations where the AP supports multiple O-Primary channels (e.g., is a Type-1 device), the AP may determine one or more channel access rules for one or more STAs in communication with the AP. In some examples, the AP may indicate that all transmissions via the O-Primary must be trigger-based (e.g., must be triggered by the AP). In some other examples, the AP may indicate priority rules associated with each O-Primary channel. Each STA may select a channel for channel access based on the priority rules and a capability (e.g., device type) of the STA. For example, a Type-1 device may select a quantity of available O-Primary channelsassociated with a high priority. A Type-2 device may select the highest priority O- Primary channel.

[0068] Particular aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by defining channel access parameters for use in accessing an O-primary channel, the described techniques can be used to improve fairness in channel access between Type-1 and Type-2 devices. For example, the wireless AP may define a defer duration that the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA must follow when contending for access on an O-primary channel. By defining this defer duration, or by defining other channel access parameters, the wireless AP may reduce unfairness between Type-1 devices and Type-2 devices due to a switching delay.

[0069] In some other examples, by defining rules for accessing a plurality of supported O-primary channels, the described techniques can be used to improve device efficiency when operating over multiple primary channels. For example, the wireless AP may assign a priority to each of the plurality of supported O-primary channels, and the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA may select and transmit over an O- primary channel based on the priority. By defining these channel access rules, the wireless AP, the first wireless STA, and the second wireless STA may more efficiently communicate signaling. This improvement in device coexistence within the O-primary channels may result in improved network throughput and a better overall user experience.

[0070] Figure 1 shows a pictorial diagram of an example wireless communication network 100. According to some aspects, the wireless communication network 100 can be an example of a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as a Wi-Fi network. For example, the wireless communication network 100 can be a network implementing at least one of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards (such as defined by the IEEE 802.11-2020 specification or amendments thereof including, but not limited to, 802.1 lay, 802.1 lax, 802.11 az, 802.11ba, 802.11bc, 802.1 Ibd, 802.1 Ibe, 802.1 Ibf, and 802.1 Ibn). In some other examples, the wireless communication network 100 can be an example of a cellular radio access network (RAN), such as a 5G or 6G RAN that implements one or more cellular protocols such as those specified in one or more 3GPP standards. In some other examples, the wirelesscommunication network 100 can include a WLAN that functions in an interoperable or converged manner with one or more cellular RANs to provide greater or enhanced network coverage to wireless communication devices within the wireless communication network 100 or to enable such devices to connect to a cellular network’s core, such as to access the network management capabilities and functionality offered by the cellular network core. In some other examples, the wireless communication network 100 can include a WLAN that functions in an interoperable or converged manner with one or more personal area networks, such as a network implementing Bluetooth or other wireless technologies, to provide greater or enhanced network coverage or to provide or enable other capabilities, functionality, applications or services.

[0071] The wireless communication network 100 may include numerous wireless communication devices including at least one wireless access point (AP) 102 and any number of wireless stations (STAs) 104. While only one AP 102 is shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication network 100 can include multiple APs 102. The AP 102 can be or represent various different types of network entities including, but not limited to, a home networking AP, an enterprise-level AP, a single-frequency AP, a dual-band simultaneous (DBS) AP, a tri -band simultaneous (TBS) AP, a standalone AP, a non- standalone AP, a software-enabled AP (soft AP), and a multi-link AP (also referred to as an AP multi-link device (MLD)), as well as cellular (such as 3GPP, 4G LTE, 5G or 6G) base stations or other cellular network nodes such as a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a gNB, a transmission reception point (TRP) or another type of device or equipment included in a radio access network (RAN), including Open-RAN (O-RAN) network entities, such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU) or a radio unit (RU).

[0072] Each of the STAs 104 also may be referred to as a mobile station (MS), a mobile device, a mobile handset, a wireless handset, an access terminal (AT), a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station (SS), or a subscriber unit, among other examples. The STAs 104 may represent various devices such as mobile phones, other handheld or wearable communication devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, Chromebooks, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR) or extended reality (XR) wireless headsets or other peripheral devices, wirelessearbuds, other wearable devices, display devices (for example, TVs, computer monitors or video gaming consoles), video game controllers, navigation systems, music or other audio or stereo devices, remote control devices, printers, kitchen appliances (including smart refrigerators) or other household appliances, key fobs (for example, for passive keyless entry and start (PKES) systems), Internet of Things (loT) devices, and vehicles, among other examples.

[0073] A single AP 102 and an associated set of STAs 104 may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS), which is managed by the respective AP 102. Figure 1 additionally shows an example coverage area 108 of the AP 102, which may represent a basic service area (BSA) of the wireless communication network 100. The BSS may be identified by STAs 104 and other devices by a service set identifier (SSID), as well as a basic service set identifier (BSSID), which may be a medium access control (MAC) address of the AP 102. The AP 102 may periodically broadcast beacon frames (“beacons”) including the BSSID to enable any STAs 104 within wireless range of the AP 102 to “associate” or re-associate with the AP 102 to establish a respective communication link 106 (hereinafter also referred to as a “Wi-Fi link”), or to maintain a communication link 106, with the AP 102. For example, the beacons can include an identification or indication of a primary channel used by the respective AP 102 as well as a timing synchronization function (TSF) for establishing or maintaining timing synchronization with the AP 102. The AP 102 may provide access to external networks to various STAs 104 in the wireless communication network 100 via respective communication links 106.

[0074] To establish a communication link 106 with an AP 102, each of the STAs 104 is configured to perform passive or active scanning operations (“scans”) on frequency channels in one or more frequency bands (for example, the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 45 GHz, or 60 GHz bands). To perform passive scanning, a STA 104 listens for beacons, which are transmitted by respective APs 102 at periodic time intervals referred to as target beacon transmission times (TBTTs). To perform active scanning, a STA 104 generates and sequentially transmits probe requests on each channel to be scanned and listens for probe responses from APs 102. Each STA 104 may identify, determine, ascertain, or select an AP 102 with which to associate in accordance with the scanning information obtained through the passive or active scans, and to perform authenticationand association operations to establish a communication link 106 with the selected AP 102. The selected AP 102 assigns an association identifier (AID) to the STA 104 at the culmination of the association operations, which the AP 102 uses to track the STA 104.

[0075] As a result of the increasing ubiquity of wireless networks, a STA 104 may have the opportunity to select one of many BSSs within range of the STA 104 or to select among multiple APs 102 that together form an extended service set (ESS) including multiple connected BSSs. For example, the wireless communication network 100 may be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system that may enable multiple APs 102 to be connected in such an ESS. As such, a STA 104 can be covered by more than one AP 102 and can associate with different APs 102 at different times for different transmissions. Additionally, after association with an AP 102, a STA 104 also may periodically scan its surroundings to find a more suitable AP 102 with which to associate. For example, a STA 104 that is moving relative to its associated AP 102 may perform a “roaming” scan to find another AP 102 having more desirable network characteristics such as a greater received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a reduced traffic load.

[0076] In some examples, STAs 104 may form networks without APs 102 or other equipment other than the STAs 104 themselves. One 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 peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. In some examples, ad hoc networks may be implemented within a larger network such as the wireless communication network 100. In such examples, while the STAs 104 may be capable of communicating with each other through the AP 102 using communication links 106, STAs 104 also can communicate directly with each other via direct wireless communication links 110. Additionally, two STAs 104 may communicate via a direct wireless communication link 110 regardless of whether both STAs 104 are associated with and served by the same AP 102. In such an ad hoc system, one or more of the STAs 104 may assume the role filled by the AP 102 in a BSS. Such a STA 104 may be referred to as a group owner (GO) and may coordinate transmissions within the ad hoc network. Examples of direct wireless communication links 110 include Wi-Fi Direct connections, connections established by using a Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) link, and other P2P group connections.

[0077] In some networks, the AP 102 or the STAs 104, or both, may support applications associated with high throughput or low-latency requirements, or may provide lossless audio to one or more other devices. For example, the AP 102 or the STAs 104 may support applications and use cases associated with ultra-low-latency (ULL), such as ULL gaming, or streaming lossless audio and video to one or more personal audio devices (such as peripheral devices) or AR / VR / MR / XR headset devices. In scenarios in which a user uses two or more peripheral devices, the AP 102 or the STAs 104 may support an extended personal audio network enabling communication with the two or more peripheral devices. Additionally, the AP 102 and STAs 104 may support additional ULL applications such as cloud-based applications (such as VR cloud gaming) that have ULL and high throughput requirements.

[0078] As indicated above, in some implementations, the AP 102 and the STAs 104 may function and communicate (via the respective communication links 106) according to one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards. These standards define the WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the physical (PHY) and MAC layers. The AP 102 and STAs 104 transmit and receive wireless communications (hereinafter also referred to as “Wi-Fi communications” or “wireless packets”) to and from one another in the form of PHY protocol data units (PPDUs).

[0079] Each PPDU is a composite structure that includes a PHY preamble and a payload that is in the form of a PHY service data unit (PSDU). The information provided in the preamble may be used by a receiving device to decode the subsequent data in the PSDU. In instances in which a PPDU is transmitted over a bonded or wideband channel, the preamble fields may be duplicated and transmitted in each of 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 also may generally be used to maintain compatibility with legacy devices. The format of, coding of, and information provided in the non-legacy portion of the preamble is associated with the particular IEEE 802.11 wireless communication protocol to be used to transmit the payload.

[0080] The APs 102 and STAs 104 in the wireless communication network 100 may transmit PPDUs over an unlicensed spectrum, which may be a portion of spectrum that includes frequency bands traditionally used by Wi-Fi technology, such as the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 45 GHz, and 60 GHz bands. Some examples of the APs 102 and STAs 104 described herein also may communicate in other frequency bands that may support licensed or unlicensed communications. For example, the APs 102 or STAs 104, or both, also may be capable of communicating over licensed operating bands, where multiple operators may have respective licenses to operate in the same or overlapping frequency ranges. Such licensed operating bands may map to or be associated with frequency range designations of FR1 (410 MHz - 7.125 GHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz), FR3 (7.125 GHz - 24.25 GHz), FR4a or FR4-1 (52.6 GHz - 71 GHz), FR4 (52.6 GHz - 114.25 GHz), and FR5 (114.25 GHz - 300 GHz).

[0081] Each of the frequency bands may include multiple sub-bands and frequency channels (also referred to as subchannels). The terms “channel” and “subchannel” may be used interchangeably herein, as each may refer to a portion of frequency spectrum within a frequency band (for example, a 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz portion of frequency spectrum) via which communication between two or more wireless communication devices can occur. For example, PPDUs conforming to the IEEE 802.1 In, 802.1 lac, 802.1 lax, 802.11be and 802.11bn standard amendments may be transmitted over one or more of the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz bands, each of which is divided into multiple 20 MHz channels. As such, these PPDUs are transmitted over a physical channel having a minimum bandwidth of 20 MHz, but larger channels can be formed through channel bonding. For example, PPDUs may be transmitted over physical channels having bandwidths of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 240 MHz, 320 MHz, 480 MHz, or 640 MHz by bonding together multiple 20 MHz channels.

[0082] An AP 102 may determine or select an operating or operational bandwidth for the STAs 104 in its BSS and select a range of channels within a band to provide that operating bandwidth. For example, the AP 102 may select sixteen 20 MHz channels that collectively span an operating bandwidth of 320 MHz. Within the operating bandwidth, the AP 102 may typically select a single primary 20 MHz channel on which the AP 102 and the STAs 104 in its BSS monitor for contention-based access schemes. In some examples, the AP 102 or the STAs 104 may be capable of monitoring only a singleprimary 20 MHz channel for packet detection (for example, for detecting preambles of PPDUs). Conventionally, any transmission by an AP 102 or a STA 104 within a BSS must involve transmission on the primary 20 MHz channel. As such, in conventional systems, the transmitting device must contend on and win a TXOP on the primary channel to transmit anything at all. However, some APs 102 and STAs 104 supporting ultra-high reliability (UHR) communications or communication according to the IEEE 802.1 Ibn standard amendment can be configured to operate, monitor, contend and communicate using multiple primary 20 MHz channels. Such monitoring of multiple primary 20 MHz channels may be sequential such that responsive to determining, ascertaining or detecting that a first primary 20 MHz channel is not available, a wireless communication device may switch to monitoring and contending using a second primary 20 MHz channel. Additionally, or alternatively, a wireless communication device may be configured to monitor multiple primary 20 MHz channels in parallel. In some examples, a first primary 20 MHz channel may be referred to as a main primary (M-Primary) channel and one or more additional, second primary channels may each be referred to as an opportunistic primary (O-Primary) channel. For example, if a wireless communication device measures, identifies, ascertains, detects, or otherwise determines that the M-Primary channel is busy or occupied (such as due to an overlapping BSS (OBSS) transmission), the wireless communication device may switch to monitoring and contending on an O-Primary channel. In some examples, the M-Primary channel may be used for beaconing and serving legacy client devices and an O-Primary channel may be specifically used by non-legacy (for example, UHR- or IEEE 802.1 Ibn- compatible) devices for opportunistic access to spectrum that may be otherwise underutilized.

[0083] Puncturing is a wireless communication technique that enables a wireless communication device (such as either an AP 102 or a STA 104) to transmit and receive wireless communications over a portion of a wireless channel exclusive of one or more particular subchannels (hereinafter also referred to as “punctured subchannels”). Puncturing specifically may be used to exclude one or more subchannels from the transmission of a PPDU, including the signaling of the preamble, to avoid interference from a static source, such as an incumbent system, or to avoid interference of a more dynamic nature such as that associated with transmissions by other wirelesscommunication devices in overlapping BSSs (OBSSs). The transmitting device (such as an AP 102 or a STA 104) may puncture the subchannels on which there is interference and in essence spread the data of the PPDU to cover the remaining portion of the bandwidth of the channel. For example, if a transmitting device determines (for example, detects, identifies, ascertains, or calculates), in association with a contention operation, that one or more 20 MHz subchannels of a wider bandwidth wireless channel are busy or otherwise not available, the transmitting device implement puncturing to avoid communicating over the unavailable subchannels while still utilizing the remaining portions of the bandwidth. Accordingly, puncturing enables a transmitting device to improve or maximize throughput, and in some instances reduce latency, by utilizing as much of the available spectrum as possible. Static puncturing in particular makes it possible to consistently use wideband channels in environments or deployments where there may be insufficient contiguous spectrum available, such as in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands.

[0084] In some examples, the AP 102 or the STAs 104 of the wireless communication network 100 may implement Extremely High Throughput (EHT) or other features compliant with current and future generations of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards (such as the IEEE 802.1 Ibe and 802.1 Ibn standard amendments) to provide additional capabilities over other previous systems (for example, High Efficiency (HE) systems or other legacy systems). For example, the IEEE 802.1 Ibe standard amendment introduced 320 MHz channels, which are twice as wide as those possible with the IEEE 802.1 lax standard amendment. Accordingly, the AP 102 or the STAs 104 may use 320 MHz channels enabling double the throughput and network capacity, as well as providing rate versus range gains at high data rates due to linear bandwidth versus log SNR trade-off. EHT and newer wireless communication protocols (such as the protocols referred to as or associated with the IEEE 802.1 Ibn standard amendment) may support flexible operating bandwidth enhancements, such as broadened operating bandwidths relative to legacy operating bandwidths or more granular operation relative to legacy operation. For example, an EHT system may allow communications spanning operating bandwidths of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 240 MHz, and 320 MHz. EHT systems may support multiple bandwidth modes such as a contiguous 240 MHz bandwidth mode, acontiguous 320 MHz bandwidth mode, a noncontiguous 160+160 MHz bandwidth mode, or a noncontiguous 80+80+80+80 (or “4x80”) MHz bandwidth mode.

[0085] In some examples in which a wireless communication device (such as the AP 102 or the STA 104) operates in a contiguous 320 MHz bandwidth mode or a 160+160 MHz bandwidth mode, signals for transmission may be generated by two different transmit chains of the wireless communication device each having or associated with a bandwidth of 160 MHz (and each coupled to a different power amplifier). In some other examples, two transmit chains can be used to support a 240 MHz / 160+80 MHz bandwidth mode by puncturing 320 MHz / 160+160 MHz bandwidth modes with one or more 80 MHz subchannels. For example, signals for transmission may be generated by two different transmit chains of the wireless communication device each having a bandwidth of 160 MHz with one of the transmit chains outputting a signal having an 80 MHz subchannel punctured therein. In some other examples in which the wireless communication device may operate in a contiguous 240 MHz bandwidth mode, or a noncontiguous 160 + 80 MHz bandwidth mode, the signals for transmission may be generated by three different transmit chains of the wireless communication device, each having a bandwidth of 80 MHz. In some other examples, signals for transmission may be generated by four or more different transmit chains of the wireless communication device, each having a bandwidth of 80 MHz.

[0086] In noncontiguous examples, the operating bandwidth may span one or more disparate sub-channel sets. For example, the 320 MHz bandwidth may be contiguous and located in the same 6 GHz band or noncontiguous and located in different bands or regions within a band (such as partly in the 5 GHz band and partly in the 6 GHz band).

[0087] In some examples, the AP 102 or the STA 104 may benefit from operability enhancements associated with EHT and newer generations of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards. For example, the AP 102 or the STA 104 attempting to gain access to the wireless medium of the wireless communication network 100 may perform techniques (which may include modifications to existing rules, structure, or signaling implemented for legacy systems) such as clear channel assessment (CCA) operation based on EHT enhancements such as increased bandwidth, puncturing, or refinements to carrier sensing and signal reporting mechanisms.

[0088] The AP 102 and the STA 104 may communicate according to a supported operating bandwidth. In some examples (e.g., Extremely High Throughput (EHT) applications), the operating bandwidth may be up to 320 MHz. The operating bandwidth may include one main primary wireless channel (e.g., a primary 20 MHz channel) and the AP 102 and the STA 104 may contend for access on the main primary wireless channel. Additionally, the AP 102, the STA 104, or both, may support NPCA. For example, if at least one of the AP 102 or the STA 104 is an Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) device, the AP 102, the STA 104, or both may be capable of monitoring additional 20 MHz primary channels (e.g., opportunistic primary (O-primary) channels) within the operating bandwidth.

[0089] In some aspects, the UHR device may support sequential monitoring of the O-primary channels. For example, if the UHR device detects an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) on the main primary channel, the UHR device may switch the radio to the O-primary channel and contend for access. In such aspects, the UHR device may include one radio and may be classified as a Type-2 device. In some other aspects, the UHR device may support parallel monitoring of the O-primary channels. In such aspects, the UHR device may include multiple radios for monitoring the O-primary channels. For example, the UHR device may be equipped with hardware to detect a specific field of the PPDU (such as a short training field (STF) detector capable of detecting a legacy short training field (L-STF) of a PPDU). The UHR device may not be capable of decoding such PPDUs.

[0090] Alternatively, in some implementations, the AP 102 may be an Enhanced Multi -Link Single Radio (EMLSR) AP. In such implementations, the AP 102 may be configured with a primary link and one or more nonprimary links. If the AP 102 detects an OBSS on the primary link, the AP 102 and the STA 104 may switch to one of the one or more nonprimary links and may contend for access. In such implementations, the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel may not be within a same operating bandwidth (e.g., may not be on a same link). The techniques described herein may be applicable to both NPCA systems and EMLSR systems. For example, if the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel are on the same link, the AP 102 and the STA 104 may operate in accordance with NPCA protocol. Alternatively, if thefirst wireless channel and the second wireless channel are not on the same link, the AP 102 and the ST A 104 may operate in accordance with EML SR protocol.

[0091] Figure 2 shows an example of a communications timeline 200 that supports device coexistence for channel access. The communications timeline 200 may illustrate an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communication network 100. For example, the communications timeline 200 may depict or represent a flow of communications (such as signals, messages) between an AP 102-a and a STA 104-a. For example, the communications timeline 200 may include communications 205-a experienced by the AP 102-a and communications 205-b experienced by the STA 104-a. The AP 102-a may be an example of one or more aspects of an AP 102 as described herein, including with reference to Figure 1. The STA 104-a may be an example of one or more aspects of a STA 104 as described herein, including with respect to Figure 1. In some examples, the AP 102-a and the STA 104-a may communicate via a main primary 20 MHz (P20) channel 210-a and via an O-primary 20 MHz (O-P20) channel 210-b.

[0092] In the example of Figure 2, the AP 102-a may be a Type-2 device as described with reference to Figure 1. The STA 104-a may be a Type-1 device or a Type-2 device as described with reference to Figure 1. The AP 102-a may operate in accordance with a switching delay 215-a, and the STA 104-a may operate in accordance with a switching delay 215-b. In some aspects where the STA 104-a is a Type-1 device, the switching delay 215-b may be zero.

[0093] In some examples, the AP 102-a may indicate one or more parameters for channel access. For example, the AP 102-a may announce a defer duration 220 which must be honored by the STA 104-a when contending for access for the O-P20 channel 210-b. The AP 102-a may compute or otherwise determine a value of the defer duration 220 such that the AP 102-a has sufficient time to switch to the O-P20 channel 210-b and contend for transmission via the O-P20 channel 210-b. For example, the AP 102-a may determine the defer duration 220 based on the switching delay 215-a and the switching delay 215-b. The AP 102-a may announce the defer duration 220 and the switching delay 215-a via a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, a follow-up beacon frame). In some aspects where the AP 102-a supports communications via more than one O-P20channel 210-b, the AP 102-a may announce a defer duration 220 for each O-P20 channel 210-b. For example, the AP 102-a may announce a different defer duration 220 for each different O-P20 channel 210-b.

[0094] In some other examples, the AP 102-a may not announce (e.g., broadcast) the defer duration 220 and may instead announce (e.g., broadcast) an increased switching delay 215-a. The increased switching delay 215-a may be greater than an actual switching time at the AP 102-a and may accommodate both the actual switching time and time for contention on the O-P20 channel 210-b.

[0095] Honoring the defer duration 220 means that the STA 104-a may defer transmissions to the AP 102-a via the O-P20 channel 210-b until a time value advertised in the defer duration 220 (e.g., until expiration of the defer duration 320). The STA 104-a may honor the defer duration 220 regardless of whether the STA 104-a is a Type-1 device or a Type-2 device. If the management frame includes the switching delay 215-a, the STA 104-a may honor the switching delay 215-a in addition to the defer duration 220.

[0096] In some aspects, the AP 102-a may update the value of the defer duration 220 based on network conditions (e.g., a quantity of Type-1 devices in communication with the AP 102-a, a quantity of Type-2 devices in communication with the AP 102-a, a traffic profile for the AP 102-a, a traffic profile for the STA 104-a, or any combination thereof). For example, if the STA 104-a is a Type-2 device and has low-latency traffic, the AP 102-a may increase the defer duration 220 and announce the updated defer duration 220. The STA 104-a may indicate the low-latency traffic to the AP 102-a via a stream classification service (SCS) of communications from the STA 104-a. Similarly, the AP 102-a may reduce the defer duration 220 value if the low-latency traffic at the STA 104-a ends. Updates to the defer duration 220 may be classified as critical updates.

[0097] The AP 102-a and the STA 104-a may initiate a random backoff (RBO) timer 225 (e.g., begin RBO countdown) for the P20 channel 210-a before contending for the P20 channel 210-a. The AP 102-a and the STA 104-a may defer transmission via the P-20 channel 210-a until expiration of the RBO timer 225. Based on detecting an OBSS PPDU 230 transmitted via the P20 channel 210-a, the AP 102-a and the STA104-a may switch from contending for the P20 channel 210-a to the O-P20 channel 210-b. The AP 102-a may initiate an RBO timer 225 for the O-P20 channel 210-b after the switching delay 215-a has elapsed to contend for the O-P20 channel 210-b.

[0098] Similarly, the STA 104-a may initiate an RBO timer 225 for the O-P20 channel 210-b after the switching delay 215-b has elapsed to contend for the O-P20 channel 210-b. In some aspects where the STA 104-a is a Type-1 device, the STA 104-a may initiate the RBO timer 225 before the switching delay 215-b has elapsed. The STA 104-a may pick a new RBO timer 225 for the O-P20 channel 210-b if the previous RBO timer 225 expires during the switching delay 215-a, during the defer duration 220, or both. The STA 104-a may honor the switching delay 215-a and the defer duration 220 before transmitting a Request to Send (RTS) frame 235 via the O- P20 channel 210-b.

[0099] In the example of Figure 2, the AP 102-a may win access to the O-P20 channel 210-b. Accordingly, the AP 102-a may transmit the RTS frame 235 via the O- P20 channel 210-b. The STA 104-a may respond to the RTS frame 235 with a Clear to Send (CTS) frame 240 via the O-P20 channel 210-b. Based on receiving the CTS frame 240, the AP 102-a may transmit a PPDU 245 via the O-P20 channel 210-b. The STA 104-a may transmit a Block Acknowledgment (BA) frame 250 based on receiving the PPDU 245.

[0100] In some examples, the AP 102-a may refrain from responding to RTS frames 235 transmitted by the STA 104-a. For example, if the AP 102-a has pending downlink traffic that it is unable to flush due to frequent uplink traffic from the STA 104-a via the O-P20 channel 210-b, the AP 102-a may pause responding to RTS frames 235 received via the O-P20 channel 210-b. The AP 102-a may resume responding to the RTS frames 235 after flushing the downlink traffic. The AP 102-a may determine whether or not to respond to the RTS frames 235 dynamically (e.g., in response to network conditions) and for each transmission opportunity (TXOP), which may allow the AP 102-a to control medium access on the O-P20 channel 210-b.

[0101] Figure 3 shows an example of a communications timeline 300 that supports device coexistence for channel access. The communications timeline 300 may illustrate an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communicationnetwork 100. For example, the communications timeline 300 may depict or represent a flow of communications (such as signals, messages) between an AP 102-b, a first STA 104-b, and a second STA 104-c. For example, the communications timeline 300 may include communications 305-a experienced by the AP 102-a, communications 305-b experienced by the first STA 104-b, and communications 305-c experienced by the second STA 104-c. The AP 102-b may be an example of one or more aspects of an AP 102 as described herein, including with reference to Figure 1. The first STA 104-b and the second STA 104-c may be examples of one or more aspects of a STA 104 as described herein, including with respect to Figure 1. In some examples, the AP 102-b, the first STA 104-b, and the second STA 104-c may communicate via a main primary 20 MHz (P20) channel 310-a and via an O-primary 20 MHz (O-P20) channel 310-b.

[0102] In the example of Figure 3, the AP 102-b and the first STA 104-b may be Type-1 devices as described with reference to Figure 1. The second STA 104-c may be a Type-2 device as described with reference to Figure 1. The AP 102-b may operate in accordance with a switching delay 315-a, the first STA 104-b may operate in accordance with a switching delay 315-b, and the second STA 104-c may operate in accordance with a switching delay 315-c. In some aspects where the AP 102-b and the first STA 104-b are Type-1 devices, the switching delay 315-a and the switching delay 315-b may be zero.

[0103] In some examples, the AP 102-b may announce a defer duration 320 which must be honored by both the first STA 104-b and the second STA 104-c when contending for access for the O-P20 channel 310-b. The AP 102-b may compute a value of the defer duration 320 such that both the first STA 104-b and the second STA 104-c have sufficient time to switch to the O-P20 channel 310-b and contend for transmission via the O-P20 channel 310-b. For example, the AP 102-b may determine the defer duration 320 based on the switching delay 315-a, the switching delay 315-b, and the switching delay 315-c. The AP 102-b may announce the defer duration 320 and the switching delay 315-a via a management frame (e.g., a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a reassociation response frame, a followup beacon frame). In some aspects where the AP 102-b supports communications via more than one O-P20 channel 310-b, the AP 102-b may announce a defer duration 320for each O-P20 channel 310-b. For example, the AP 102-b may announce a different defer duration 320 for each different O-P20 channel 310-b.

[0104] In some other examples, the AP 102-b may not announce the defer duration 320 and may instead announce an increased switching delay 315-a. The increased switching delay 315-a may be greater than an actual switching time at the AP 102-b and may accommodate both the actual switching time and time for contention on the O-P20 channel 310-b.

[0105] Honoring the defer duration 320 means that the first STA 104-b and the second STA 104-c may defer transmissions to the AP 102-b via the O-P20 channel 310-b until a time value advertised in the defer duration 320 (e.g., until expiration of the defer duration 320). The STAs 104 (e.g., the first STA 104-b, the second STA 104-c) may honor the defer duration 320 regardless of whether the STA 104 is a Type-1 device or a Type-2 device. If the management frame includes the switching delay 315-a, the first STA 104-b and the second STA 104-c may honor the switching delay 315-a in addition to the defer duration 320.

[0106] In some aspects, the AP 102-b may update the value of the defer duration 320 based on network conditions (e.g., a quantity of Type-1 devices in communication with the AP 102-b, a quantity of Type-2 devices in communication with the AP 102-b, a traffic profile for the AP 102-b, a traffic profile for the first STA 104-b, a traffic profile for the second STA 104-c, or any combination thereof). For example, if the second STA has low-latency traffic, the AP 102-b may increase the defer duration 320 and announce the updated defer duration 320. The second STA 104-c may indicate the low- latency traffic to the AP 102-b via a SCS of communications from the second STA 104-c. Similarly, the AP 102-a may reduce the defer duration 320 value if the low- latency traffic at the second STA 104-c ends. Updates to the defer duration 320 may be classified as critical updates.

[0107] The AP 102-b may indicate additional channel access parameters via the management frame. For example, the AP 102-b may announce a limit for a length of a first PPDU transmitted by the first STA 104-b. The first STA 104-b may transmit a frame including a shortened first PPDU in accordance with the limit. Transmitting the shortened PPDU may assist the second STA 104-c in achieving mediumsynchronization on the O-P20 channel 310-b. Accordingly, both the first STA 104-b and the second STA 104-c may have an equal probability of accessing the O-P20 channel 310-b. Transmitting the first PPDU in accordance with the limit also may allow the first STA 104-b to flush short low-latency PPDUs.

[0108] Additionally, or alternatively, the AP 102-b may announce a set of enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters for the O-P20 channel 310-b for the first STA 104-b to use when performing channel access. The set of EDCA parameters for the O-P20 channel 310-b may be different from a set of EDCA parameters for the P20 channel 310-a. In some examples, the set of EDCA parameters for the O-P20 channel 310-b for the first STA 104-b may be configured such that an access priority for the first STA 104-b is lower than an access priority for the second STA 104-c. For example, the set of EDCA parameters may indicate a higher value for an arbitration interframe space number (AIFSN) for the first STA 104-b. The lower access priority may offset benefits associated with the first STA 104-b compared to the second STA 104-c.

[0109] In some other examples, the AP 102-b may indicate that the second STA 104-c is allowed to use (e.g., is capable of using) the switching delay 315-c as a part of an arbitration interframe space (AIFS). Additionally, or alternatively, the AP 102-b may force the first STA 104-b to operate as a Type-2 device during certain time intervals. For example, the AP 102-b may force the first STA 104-b to stop parallel contention on both the P-20 channel 310-a and the O-P20 channel 310-b.

[0110] The AP 102-b, the first STA 104-b, and the second STA 104-c may initiate an RBO timer 325 for the P20 channel 310-a before contending for the P20 channel 310-a. The AP 102-b, the first STA 104-b, and the second STA 104-c may defer transmission via the P-20 channel 310-a until expiration of the RBO timer 325. Based on detecting an OBSS PPDU 330 transmitted via the P20 channel 310-a, the AP 102-b, the first STA 104-b, and the second STA 104-c may switch from contending for the P20 channel 310-a to the O-P20 channel 310-b.[OHl] In some examples where the AP 102-a has indicated that the second STA 104-c is allowed to use the switching delay 315-c as a part of an AIFS, the second STA 104-c may perform a clear channel access (CCA) energy detection (ED) procedure to sense the medium as soon as the second STA 104-c switches to monitoring the O-P20channel 310-b. If the CCA-ED procedure declares that the O-P20 channel 310-b is idle, then the second STA 104-c may initiate the RBO timer 325. Otherwise, if the CCA-ED procedure declares that the O-P20 channel 310-b is not idle, the second STA 104-c may freeze the RBO timer 325.

[0112] The first STA 104-b may initiate an RBO timer 325 for the O-P20 channel 310-b to contend for the O-P20 channel 310-b. The first STA 104-b may pick a new RBO timer 325 for the O-P20 channel 310-b if the previous RBO timer 325 expires during the switching delay 215-a, during the defer duration 220, or both. Because the first STA 104-b is a Type-1 device, the first STA 104-b may initiate the RBO timer 325 before the switching delay 315-b has elapsed. The second STA 104-c also may initiate an RBO timer 325 for the O-P20 channel 310-b to contend for the O-P20 channel 310-b. The second STA 104-c may initiate the RBO timer 325 for the O-P20 channel 310-b after the switching delay 315-c has elapsed. Both the first STA 104-b and the second STA 104-c may honor the defer duration 320 before transmitting an RTS frame 335 via the O-P20 channel 310-b.

[0113] In the example of Figure 3, the second STA 104-c may win access to the O-P20 channel 310-b. Accordingly, the second STA 104-c may transmit the RTS frame 335 via the O-P20 channel 310-b. The AP 102-b may respond to the RTS frame 335 with a CTS frame 340 via the O-P20 channel 310-b. Based on receiving the CTS frame 340, the second STA 104-c may transmit a PPDU 345 via the O-P20 channel 310-b. The AP 102-b may transmit a BA frame 350 based on receiving the PPDU 245.

[0114] In some examples, the AP 102-b may refrain from responding to RTS frames 235 transmitted by the first STA 104-b via the O-P20 channel 310-b. For example, if the AP 102-b has pending downlink traffic that it is unable to flush due to frequent uplink traffic from the first STA 104-b via the O-P20 channel 310-b, the AP 102-b may pause responding to RTS frames 335 received via the O-P20 channel 310-b. The AP 102-b may resume responding to the RTS frames 335 after flushing the downlink traffic. The AP 102-b may determine whether to respond to the RTS frames 335 dynamically (e.g., in response to network conditions) and for each TXOP, which may allow the AP 102-b to control medium access on the O-P20 channel 310-b.

[0115] Figure 4 shows an example of a communications timeline 400 that supports device coexistence for channel access. The communications timeline 400 may illustrate an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communication network 100. For example, the communications timeline 400 may depict or represent a flow of communications (such as signals, messages) between an AP (not shown), a first STA (not shown), and a second STA (not shown), which may be examples of one or more aspects of an AP 102 or a STA 104 as described herein, including with respect to Figure 1. In some examples, the AP, the first STA, and the second STA may communicate via a main primary 20 MHz (P20) channel 405, a first O-primary 20 MHz (O-l) channel 410-a, a second O-primary 20 MHz (O-2) channel 410-b, and a third O- primary 20 MHz (O-3) channel 410-c.

[0116] In the example of Figure 4, the AP and the first STA may be Type-1 devices as described with reference to Figure 1. The second STA may be a Type-2 device as described with reference to Figure 1. In some implementations, the second STA may be most efficient when communicating via one O-primary channel 410 (e.g., the O-l channel 410-a). The second STA may experience coordination loss due to asymmetric views caused by hidden nodes as the quantity of O-primary channels 410 increases. Additionally, switching between O-primary channels 410 by the second STA may be performed sequentially, further contributing to inefficiencies of the second STA. Conversely, the AP and the first STA may experience improved performance (e.g., data throughput) when communicating via multiple O-primary channels 410. The AP and the first STA may contend for multiple O-primary channels 410 in parallel, which may lead to a higher chance for successful channel access.

[0117] In some examples where the AP supports more than one O-primary channel 410 in a basic service set (BSS) that includes both Type-1 devices and Type-2 devices, the AP, the first STA, and the second STA may communicate via the more than one O- primary channel 410 in accordance with one or more channel access rules. In such examples, the AP may determine whether uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 410 is allowed. For example, if the first STA has not enabled an NPCA mode, the AP may allow uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 410. In another example, if the first STA has enabled the NPCA mode on one O-primary channel 410, the AP may allow uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 410. In some aspects, if the first STA enablesthe NPCA mode on more than one O-primary channel 410, the AP may limit uplink transmissions via the O-primary channel 410 to be trigger-based.

[0118] In some examples where the AP has limited uplink transmissions via the O- primary channels 410 to be trigger based, the first STA and the second STA may operate on any of the O-primary channels 410. The AP may recommend the first STA, the second STA, or both, to use one or more specific O-primary channels 410 based on a traffic profile for the first STA, the second STA, or both. The first STA (e.g., the Type-1 STA) may support a quantity of O-primary channels 410 and may be assigned the same or a smaller quantity of O-primary channels. The second STA (e.g., the Type-2 STA) may support one O-primary channel 410 and may be assigned one O- primary channel 410. For example, the second STA may be assigned to the O-3 channel 410-c based on traffic characteristics at the second STA.

[0119] In some other examples where the AP has allowed uplink EDCA on the O- primary channels 410, the first STA and the second STA may perform channel access in accordance with one or more priority rules indicated by the AP for selecting and transmitting on an O-primary channel 410. The AP may assign a priority order to each O-primary channel 410 supported by the AP. For example, the AP may assign a first priority to the O-l channel 410-a, a second priority to the O-2 channel 410-b, and a third priority to the O-3 channel 410-c, where the first priority is a highest priority, and where the third priority is a lowest priority.

[0120] The first STA and the second STA may select one or more O-primary channels 410 based on the priority rules. For example, the first STA (e.g., the Type-1 STA) may support a quantity of N O-primary channels 410 and may select the N highest priority O-primary channels 410. In the example of Figure 4, the first STA may support three O-primary channels 410 and may select the O-l channel 410-a, the O-2 channel 410-b, and the O-3 channel 410-c. The second STA (e.g., the Type-2 STA) may support one O-primary channel 410 and may select the supported O-primary channel with the highest priority.

[0121] The AP, the first STA, and the second STA may transmit signaling via the selected one or more O-primary channels. For example, if the AP or the first STA wins access to an O-primary channel 410 that is not a highest priority O-primary channel 410(e.g., the 0-2 channel 410-b), the AP or the first STA may determine whether a higher priority O-primary channel 410 (e.g., the 0-1 channel 410-a) is available before transmitting on the lower-priority O-primary channel 410 (e.g., the 0-2 channel 410-b). The AP or the first STA may determine that the 0-2 channel 410-b is available for transmission if no intra-BSS PPDU has been transmitted on the 0-1 channel 410-a. The 0-1 channel 410-a may still include an OBSS 420. If the AP or the first STA transmits signaling via the lower-priority O-primary channel 410, the transmission also may include the higher-priority O-primary channel 410. For example, if the AP or the first STA transmits signaling via the 0-2 channel 410-b, the AP or the first STA also may transmit signaling via the 0-1 channel 410-a. To include the higher-priority O-primary channels 410, the AP or the first STA may puncture the higher-priority O-primary channels 410.

[0122] In some examples, if a Type-1 device (e.g., the AP, the first STA) receives a PPDU including an STF simultaneously via multiple O-primary channels 410, the Type-1 device may decode the PPDU received via the higher-priority O-primary channel 410.

[0123] In some examples where the higher-priority O-primary channel 410 is idle at the AP, if the AP receives a RTS frame via a lower-priority O-primary channel 410, the AP may refrain from responding to the RTS frame. In some aspects where the RTS is received via multiple O-primary channels 410, the AP may decode the RTS received via the higher-priority O-primary channel.

[0124] The first STA may support communications via the 0-1 channel 410-a, the 0-2 channel 410-b, and the 0-3 channel 410-c, and may select the 0-1 channel 410-a, the 0-2 channel 410-b, and the 0-3 channel 410-c for communications. The second STA may support communications via the 0-1 channel 410-a and may select the 0-1 channel 410-a for communications. In the example of Figure 4, the second STA may win access to the 0-1 channel 410-a. Based on winning access to the 0-1 channel 410-a, the second STA may transmit signaling via the 0-1 channel 410-a in accordance with the priority rules.

[0125] For example, the second STA may initiate an RBO timer 425 for the 0-1 channel 410-a and transmit an RTS frame 430 via the 0-1 channel 410-a based ondetermining that the 0-1 channel 410-a is available for transmissions after expiration of the RBO timer 425. The second STA may receive a CTS frame 435 based on transmitting the RTS frame 430 and may transmit data 440 (e.g., a PPDU) based on receiving the CTS frame 435. In some examples, the transmission from the second STA may include (e.g., span) additional O-primary channels. For example, second STA may transmit a 160 MHz PPDU that spans both the 0-1 channel 410-a and the 0-2 channel 410-b. The second STA may receive a BA frame 445 based on transmitting the data 440.

[0126] The first STA may detect a STF in the 0-1 channel 410-a corresponding to the RTS frame 430. Based on decoding the STF, the first STA may determine that the RTS frame 430 is a part of an intra-BSS PPDU and that the 0-1 channel 410-a is busy. The first STA may count down an RBO timer 425 for the 0-2 channel 410-b, the 0-3 channel 410-c, or both, but may not transmit over the 0-2 channel 410-b or the 0-3 channel 410-c based on determining that the higher-priority 0-1 channel 410-a is busy.

[0127] Figure 5 shows an example of a communications timeline 500 that supports device coexistence for channel access. The communications timeline 500 may illustrate an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communication network 100. For example, the communications timeline 500 may depict or represent a flow of communications (such as signals, messages) between an AP (not shown), a first STA (not shown), and a second STA (not shown), which may be examples of one or more aspects of an AP 102 or a STA 104 as described herein, including with respect to Figure 1. In some examples, the AP, the first STA, and the second STA may communicate via a main primary 20 MHz (P20) channel 505, a first O-primary 20 MHz (0-1) channel 510-a, a second O-primary 20 MHz (0-2) channel 510-b, and a third O- primary 20 MHz (0-3) channel 510-c.

[0128] In the example of Figure 5, the AP and the first STA may be Type-1 devices as described with reference to Figure 1. The second STA may be a Type-2 device as described with reference to Figure 1. In some implementations, the second STA may be most efficient when communicating via one O-primary channel 510 (e.g., the 0-1 channel 510-a). The second STA may experience coordination loss due to asymmetric views caused by hidden nodes as the quantity of O-primary channels 510 increases. Additionally, switching between O-primary channels 510 by the second STA may beperformed sequentially, further contributing to inefficiencies of the second STA. Conversely, the AP and the first STA may experience improved performance (e.g., data throughput) when communicating via multiple O-primary channels 510. The AP and the first STA may contend for multiple O-primary channels 510 in parallel, which may lead to a higher chance for successful channel access.

[0129] In some examples where the AP supports more than one O-primary channel 510 in a basic service set (BSS) that includes both Type-1 devices and Type-2 devices, the AP, the first STA, and the second STA may communicate via the more than one O- primary channel 510 in accordance with one or more channel access rules. In such examples, the AP may determine whether uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 510 is allowed. For example, if the first STA has not enabled an NPCA mode, the AP may allow uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 510. Similarly, if the first STA has enabled the NPCA mode on one O-primary channel 510, the AP may allow uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 510. Conversely, if the first STA enables the NPCA mode on more than one O-primary channel 510, the AP may limit uplink transmissions via the O-primary channel 510 to be trigger-based.

[0130] In some examples where the AP has limited uplink transmissions via the O- primary channels 510 to be trigger based, the first STA and the second STA may operate on any of the O-primary channels 510. The AP may recommend the first STA, the second STA, or both, to use one or more specific O-primary channels 510 based on a traffic profile for the first STA, the second STA, or both. The first STA (e.g., the Type-1 STA) may support a quantity of O-primary channels 510 and may be assigned the same or a smaller quantity of O-primary channels. The second STA (e.g., the Type-2 STA) may support one O-primary channel 510 and may be assigned one O- primary channel 510. For example, the second STA may be assigned to the O-3 channel 510-c based on traffic characteristics at the second STA.

[0131] In some other examples where the AP has allowed uplink EDCA on the O- primary channels 510, the first STA and the second STA may perform channel access in accordance with one or more priority rules indicated by the AP for selecting and transmitting on an O-primary channel 510. The AP may assign a priority order to each O-primary channel 510 supported by the AP. For example, the AP may assign a first priority to the O-l channel 510-a, a second priority to the O-2 channel 510-b, and a thirdpriority to the 0-3 channel 510-c, where the first priority is a highest priority, and where the third priority is a lowest priority.

[0132] The first STA and the second STA may select one or more O-primary channels 510 based on the priority rules. For example, the first STA (e.g., the Type-1 STA) may support a quantity of N O-primary channels 510 and may select the N highest priority O-primary channels 510. In the example of Figure 4, the first STA may support three O-primary channels 510 and may select the O-l channel 510-a, the O-2 channel 510-b, and the 0-3 channel 510-c. The second STA (e.g., the Type-2 STA) may support one O-primary channel 510 and may select the supported O-primary channel with the highest priority.

[0133] The AP, the first STA, and the second STA may transmit signaling via the selected one or more O-primary channels. For example, if the AP or the first STA wins access to an O-primary channel 510 that is not a highest priority O-primary channel 510 (e.g., the O-2 channel 510-b), the AP or the first STA may determine whether a higher priority O-primary channel 510 (e.g., the 0-1 channel 510-a) is available for transmissions before transmitting on the lower-priority O-primary channel 510 (e.g., the 0-2 channel 510-b). The AP or the first STA may determine that the 0-2 channel 510-b is available for transmissions if no intra-BSS PPDU has been transmitted on the 0-1 channel 510-a. The 0-1 channel 510-a may still include an OBSS 520. If the AP or the first STA transmits signaling via the lower-priority O-primary channel 510, the transmission also may include the higher-priority O-primary channel 510. For example, if the AP or the first STA transmits signaling via the 0-2 channel 510-b, the AP or the first STA also may transmit signaling via the 0-1 channel 510-a. To include the higher- priority O-primary channels 510, the AP or the first STA may puncture the higher- priority O-primary channels 510.

[0134] In some examples, if a Type-1 device (e.g., the AP, the first STA) receives a PPDU including an STF simultaneously via multiple O-primary channels 510, the Type-1 device may decode the PPDU received via the higher-priority O-primary channel 510.

[0135] In some examples where the higher-priority O-primary channel 510 is idle at the AP, if the AP receives a RTS frame via a lower-priority O-primary channel 510, theAP may refrain from responding to the RTS frame. In some aspects where the RTS is received via multiple O-primary channels 510, the AP may decode the RTS received via the higher-priority O-primary channel.

[0136] The first STA may support communications via the 0-1 channel 510-a, the 0-2 channel 510-b, and the 0-3 channel 510-c and may select the 0-1 channel 510-a, the 0-2 channel 510-b, and the 0-3 channel 510-c for communications. The second STA may support communications via the 0-1 channel 510-a and may select the 0-1 channel 510-a for communications. In the example of Figure 5, the first STA may win access to the 0-2 channel 510-b. Based on winning access to the 0-2 channel 510-b, the first STA may transmit signaling via both the lower-priority 0-2 channel and the higher-priority 0-1 channel 510-a in accordance with the priority rules.

[0137] For example, the first STA may initiate an RB0 timer 525 for the 0-2 channel 510-b and transmit an RTS frame 530 via the 0-2 channel 510-b based on determining that the 0-2 channel 510-b is available for transmissions after expiration of the RB0 timer 525. In some examples, the O-primary channels 510 may not be continuous. For example, the P20 channel 505 may be in between (e.g., separate) the 0-1 channel 510-a and the 0-2 channel 510-b. In such examples, to transmit on the 0-1 channel 510-a, the first STA may puncture the P20 channel 505 to transmit punctured data 540 (e.g., a punctured PPDU). The first STA may receive a CTS frame 535 based on transmitting the RTS frame 530 and may transmit data 540 (e.g., a PPDU) based on receiving the CTS frame 535. The first STA may receive a BA frame 545 based on transmitting the data 540.

[0138] The second STA may detect the PPDU in the 0-1 channel 510-a and may infer that the 0-1 channel 510-a is busy. In some examples, the second STA may freeze an RBO timer 525 for the 0-1 channel 510-a based on determining that the higher- priority 0-1 channel 410-a is busy. In some other examples, the second STA may count down the RBO timer 525 for the 0-1 channel 510-a but may not transmit over the 0-1 channel 510-a based on determining that the higher-priority 0-1 channel 410-a is busy.

[0139] In some examples, a third STA (not shown), which may be an example of a Type-1 device, may contend for access of the 0-3 channel 510-c. The third STA may detect the RTS frame 530 in the 0-1 channel 510-a and the 0-2 channel 510-b and maydetermine that the RTS frame 530 is a part of an intra-BSS PPDU and that the 0-1 channel 510-a is busy. The third STA may count down an RBO timer 525 for the 0-3 channel 510-c but may not transmit over the 0-3 channel 510-c based on determining that the higher-priority 0-1 channel 510-a is busy.

[0140] Figure 6 shows an example of a communications timeline 600 that supports device coexistence for channel access. The communications timeline 600 may illustrate an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communication network 100. For example, the communications timeline 600 may depict or represent a flow of communications (such as signals, messages) between an AP (not shown), a first STA (not shown), and a second STA (not shown), which may be examples of one or more aspects of an AP 102 or a STA 104 as described herein, including with respect to Figure 1. In some examples, the AP, the first STA, and the second STA may communicate via a main primary 20 MHz (P20) channel 605, a first O-primary 20 MHz (O-l) channel 610-a, a second O-primary 20 MHz (O-2) channel 610-b, and a third O- primary 20 MHz (O-3) channel 610-c.

[0141] In the example of Figure 6, the AP and the first STA may be Type-1 devices as described with reference to Figure 1. The second STA may be a Type-2 device as described with reference to Figure 1. In some implementations, the second STA may be most efficient when communicating via one O-primary channel 610 (e.g., the O-l channel 610-a). The second STA may experience coordination loss due to asymmetric views caused by hidden nodes as the quantity of O-primary channels 610 increases. Additionally, switching between O-primary channels 610 by the second STA may be performed sequentially, further contributing to inefficiencies of the second STA. Conversely, the AP and the first STA may experience improved performance (e.g., data throughput) when communicating via multiple O-primary channels 610. The AP and the first STA may contend for multiple O-primary channels 610 in parallel, which may lead to a higher chance for successful channel access.

[0142] In some examples where the AP supports more than one O-primary channel 610 in a BSS that includes both Type-1 devices and Type-2 devices, the AP, the first STA, and the second STA may communicate via the more than one O-primary channel 610 in accordance with one or more channel access rules. In such examples, the AP may determine whether uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 610 is allowed. Forexample, if the first STA has not enabled an NPCA mode, the AP may allow uplink EDCA on the O-primary channels 610. Similarly, if the first STA has enabled the NPCA mode on one O-primary channel 510, the AP may allow uplink EDCA on the O- primary channels 610. Conversely, if the first STA enables the NPCA mode on more than one O-primary channel 610, the AP may limit uplink transmissions via the O- primary channel 610 to be trigger-based.

[0143] In some examples where the AP has limited uplink transmissions via the O- primary channels 610 to be trigger based, the first STA and the second STA may operate on any of the O-primary channels 610. The AP may recommend the first STA, the second STA, or both, to use one or more specific O-primary channels 610 based on a traffic profile for the first STA, the second STA, or both. The first STA (e.g., the Type-1 STA) may support a quantity of O-primary channels 610 and may be assigned the same or a smaller quantity of O-primary channels. The second STA (e.g., the Type-2 STA) may support one O-primary channel 610 and may be assigned one O- primary channel 610. For example, the second STA may be assigned to the O-3 channel 610-c based on traffic characteristics at the second STA.

[0144] In some other examples where the AP has allowed uplink EDCA on the O- primary channels 610, the first STA and the second STA may perform channel access in accordance with one or more priority rules indicated by the AP for selecting and transmitting on an O-primary channel 610. The AP may assign a priority order to each O-primary channel 610 supported by the AP. For example, the AP may assign a first priority to the O-l channel 610-a, a second priority to the O-2 channel 610-b, and a third priority to the O-3 channel 610-c, where the first priority is a highest priority, and where the third priority is a lowest priority.

[0145] The first STA and the second STA may select one or more O-primary channels 610 based on the priority rules. For example, the first STA (e.g., the Type-1 STA) may support a quantity of N O-primary channels 610 and may select the N highest priority O-primary channels 610. In the example of Figure 4, the first STA may support three O-primary channels 610 and may select the O-l channel 610-a, the O-2 channel 610-b, and the O-3 channel 610-c. The second STA (e.g., the Type-2 STA) may support one O-primary channel 610 and may select the supported O-primary channel with the highest priority.

[0146] The AP, the first STA, and the second STA may transmit signaling via the selected one or more O-primary channels. For example, if the AP or the first STA wins access to an O-primary channel 510 that is not a highest priority O-primary channel 610 (e.g., the 0-2 channel 610-b), the AP or the first STA may determine whether a higher priority O-primary channel 610 (e.g., the O-l channel 610-a) is available for transmissions before transmitting on the lower-priority O-primary channel 610 (e.g., the 0-2 channel 610-b). The AP or the first STA may determine that the 0-2 channel 610-b is available for transmissions if no intra-BSS PPDU has been transmitted on the 0-1 channel 610-a. The 0-1 channel 610-a may still include an OBSS 620. If the AP or the first STA transmits signaling via the lower-priority O-primary channel 610, the transmission also may include the higher-priority O-primary channel 610. For example, if the AP or the first STA transmits signaling via the 0-2 channel 610-b, the AP or the first STA also may transmit signaling via the 0-1 channel 610-a. To include the higher- priority O-primary channels 610, the AP or the first STA may puncture the higher- priority O-primary channels 610.

[0147] In some examples, if a Type-1 device (e.g., the AP, the first STA) receives a PPDU including an STF simultaneously via multiple O-primary channels 610, the Type-1 device may decode the PPDU received via the higher-priority O-primary channel 610.

[0148] In some examples where the higher-priority O-primary channel 610 is idle at the AP, if the AP receives a RTS frame via a lower-priority O-primary channel 610, the AP may refrain from responding to the RTS frame. In some aspects where the RTS is received via multiple O-primary channels 610, the AP may decode the RTS received via the higher-priority O-primary channel.

[0149] The first STA may support communications via the 0-1 channel 610-a, the 0-2 channel 610-b, and the 0-3 channel 610-c and may select the 0-1 channel 610-a, the 0-2 channel 610-b, and the 0-3 channel 610-c for communications. The second STA may support communications via the 0-1 channel 610-a and may select the 0-1 channel 610-a for communications. In the example of Figure 6, the first STA may win access to the 0-2 channel 610-b. Based on winning access to the 0-2 channel 610-b, the first STA may transmit signaling via both the lower-priority 0-2 channel and the higher-priority 0-1 channel 610-a in accordance with the priority rules.

[0150] For example, the first STA may detect an OBSS 620 transmitted via the 0-1 channel 610-a. Based on determining that the 0-1 channel 610-a does not include an intra-BSS PPDU, the first STA may initiate an RBO timer 625 for the 0-2 channel 610-b and transmit an RTS frame 630 via the 0-2 channel 610-b based on determining that the 0-2 channel 610-b is available for transmissions after expiration of the RBO timer 625. The first STA may receive a CTS frame 635 based on transmitting the RTS frame 630 and may transmit data 640 (e.g., a PPDU) based on receiving the CTS frame 635. The first STA may receive a BA frame 645 based on transmitting the data 640.

[0151] In some examples, the second STA may detect the OBSS 620 in the 0-1 channel 610-a and may determine that the 0-1 channel 510-a is busy. The second STA may not transmit over the 0-1 channel 510-a based on determining that the 0-1 channel 410-a includes the OBSS 620. In some other examples, the second STA may not detect the OBSS 620 in the 0-1 channel 610-a and may transmit an RTS frame 630 via the O- 1 channel 610-a. The AP may not respond to the RTS frame based on the presence of the OBSS 620 in the 0-1 channel 610-a.

[0152] In some examples, a third STA (not shown), which may be an example of a Type-1 device, may contend for access of the 0-3 channel 610-c. The third STA may detect the RTS frame 630 in the 0-2 channel 610-b and may determine that the RTS frame 630 is a part of an intra-BSS PPDU and that the 0-2 channel 610-b is busy. The third STA may count down an RBO timer 625 for the 0-3 channel 610-c but may not transmit over the 0-3 channel 610-c based on determining that the higher-priority 0-2 channel 610-b is busy.

[0153] Figure 7 shows an example of a process flow 700 that supports device coexistence for channel access. The process flow 700 may implement or be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications network 100, the communications timeline 200, the communications timeline 300, the communications timeline 400, the communications timeline 500, or the communications timeline 600 as described with reference to Figures 1-6. For instance, in the example of Figure 7, a wireless communication device 702 may be in communication with a wireless STA 104-d, which may be examples of devices described herein with reference to Figures 1- 6. In the following description of the process flow 700, the operations between the wireless communication device 702 and the wireless STA 104-d may be performed in adifferent order than the example shown, or the operations between the wireless communication device 702 and the wireless STA 104-d may be performed in different orders at different times. Some operations also may be omitted form the process flow 700, and other operations may be added to the process flow 700.

[0154] The wireless communication device 702 may have a first type of channel monitoring capability and may be configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel. The wireless STA 104-d may have a second type of channel monitoring capability and may be configured to communicate via the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel. In some examples, the first wireless channel may be a primary channel (e.g., a main primary channel) and the second wireless channel may be an additional primary channel (e.g., an opportunistic primary channel).

[0155] At 704, the wireless communication device 702 may transmit a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel. In some examples, the one or more channel access parameters may be based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device 702 and based on the wireless communication device 702 supporting communications for at least one wireless station (STA) (e.g., the wireless STA 104-d, a second wireless STA (not shown)) having the second type of channel monitoring capability. The second type of channel monitoring capability may be different from the first type of channel monitoring capability.

[0156] The one or more channel access parameters may include a switching delay, a defer duration, a limit associated with a first PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA 104-d, one or more EDC A parameters associated with the wireless STA 104-d for accessing the second wireless channel, an AIFS duration for a second wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the wireless STA 104-d, or any combination thereof.

[0157] In some examples, the one or more channel access parameters may indicate for the second wireless STA to include the switching delay as a part of the AIFS duration for the second wireless STA. In such examples, the AIFS duration may be longer than the switching delay. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more channel access parameters may indicate the switching delay for accessing the second wirelesschannel by the wireless STA 104-d, the second wireless STA, or both. In such examples, the indicated switching delay may be longer than a switching delay at the wireless communication device 702. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more channel access parameters may instruct the wireless STA 104-d to operate in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability during the reduced capability duration.

[0158] At 706, the wireless communication device 702 may monitor the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0159] At 708, the wireless STA 104-d may select a first RBO timer during the defer duration.

[0160] In some examples, at 710, the wireless STA 104-d may select a second RBO timer based on expiry of the first RBO timer during the defer duration.

[0161] In some other examples, at 712, the wireless STA 104-d may perform a channel access procedure based on expiry of the first RBO timer outside of the defer duration. In some examples, the wireless STA 104-d may perform a clear channel access procedure in accordance with the AIFS duration. In such examples, the AIFS duration may include the switching delay of the wireless STA 104-d.

[0162] At 714, the wireless communication device 702 may obtain access to the second wireless channel based at least in part on the monitoring. At 716, the wireless STA 104-d may obtain access to the second wireless channel based at least in part on performing the channel access procedure.

[0163] At 718, the wireless communication device 702 may communicate, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with one or both of the wireless STA 104-d and the second wireless STA via the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters. For example, the wireless STA 104-d may communicate, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with the wireless communication device 702 via the second wireless channel in accordance with the switching delay for the wireless communication device 702 and the defer duration. In some examples, the wireless STA 104-d may communicate with the wirelesscommunication device 702 during the reduced capability duration in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability.

[0164] At 720, the wireless STA 104-d may transmit an RTS frame including a first PPDU via the second wireless channel. In some examples, the wireless STA 104-d may transmit the first PPDU in accordance with the size limit for the first PPDU. In such examples, the first PPDU may be shorter relative to a second PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA.

[0165] At 722, the wireless communication device 702 may delay responding to the RTS frame based on a presence of pending downlink traffic at the wireless communication device 702.

[0166] Figure 8 shows an example of a process flow 800 that supports device coexistence for channel access. The process flow 800 may implement or be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications network 100, the communications timeline 200, the communications timeline 300, the communications timeline 400, the communications timeline 500, or the communications timeline 600 as described with reference to Figures 1-6. For instance, in the example of Figure 8, a wireless communication device 802 may be in communication with a wireless STA 104-e, which may be examples of devices described herein with reference to Figures 1- 6. In the following description of the process flow 800, the operations between the wireless communication device 802 and the wireless STA 104-e may be performed in a different order than the example shown, or the operations between the wireless communication device 802 and the wireless STA 104-e may be performed in different orders at different times. Some operations also may be omitted form the process flow 800, and other operations may be added to the process flow 800.

[0167] At 804, the wireless communication device 802 may receive capability information associated with the wireless STA 104-e indicating that the wireless STA 104-e supports NPCA operations. The wireless communication device 802 may be configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels.

[0168] At 806, the wireless communication device 802 may transmit, based on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the plurality of wireless channels for the wireless STA 104-e and for a second wireless STA (notshown) supported by the wireless communication device 802. In some examples, the one or more rules may include priority rules for communicating via the plurality of wireless channels. For example, priority rules may indicate a priority associated with each of the plurality of wireless channels.

[0169] At 808, the wireless STA 104-e may select at least one wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels based on a type of channel monitoring capability of the wireless STA 104-e.

[0170] For example, at 808-a, the wireless STA 104-e may select a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels based at least in part on the wireless STA 104-e having a second type of channel monitoring capability. In some examples, the second type indicates that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device 802 via one wireless channel.

[0171] In some other examples, the wireless STA 104-e may share the wireless channel with a second wireless STA having a same type of channel monitoring capability as the wireless STA 104-e. In such examples, the type may indicate that the wireless STA 104-e is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device 802 via one wireless channel. The wireless STA 104-e may back off a transmission via the wireless channel based on detecting a transmission from the second wireless STA via the wireless channel.

[0172] Alternatively, at 808-b, the wireless STA 104-e may select a quantity of wireless channels from a plurality of wireless channels based at least in part on the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability. In such examples, first type may indicate that the wireless STA 104-e is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device 802 via the plurality of wireless channels. The quantity of wireless channels may be associated with a highest priority of the plurality of wireless channels.

[0173] At 810, the wireless communication device 802 may monitor a first wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels based on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels. In some examples, the first wireless channel may have a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel.

[0174] At 812, the wireless STA 104-e may monitor the first wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels based on gaining access to the second wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels. In some examples, the first wireless channel may have a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel.

[0175] At 814, the wireless communication device 802 may communicate with one or both of the wireless STA 104-e and the second wireless STA via the plurality of wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules. For example, the wireless communication device 802 may transmit, based on determining that an intra-BSS PPDU is not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel. Similarly, the wireless STA 104-e may transmit, based on determining that an intra-basic service set PPDU is not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

[0176] At 816, the wireless communication device 802 may receive an RTS frame via the first wireless channel. In some examples, the wireless communication device 802 may refrain from responding to the RTS frame based on receiving the RTS frame via the first wireless channel. In such examples, the first wireless channel may be associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that is idle at the wireless communication device 802 when the wireless communication device 802 receives the RTS frame.

[0177] At 818, the wireless communication device 802 may receive both a first PPDU including an indication of a start of the PPDU and a second PPDU comprising a short training field via a second wireless channel. In some examples, the first wireless channel may be associated with a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel. At 820, the wireless communication device 802 may decode the first PPDU based on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0178] At 822, the wireless STA 104-e may receive both a first PPDU including a short training field via a first wireless channel and a second PPDU comprising the short training field via a second wireless channel. In some examples, the first wireless channel may have a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel. At 824, thewireless STA 104-e may decode the first PPDU based on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0179] Figure 9 shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 900 that supports device coexistence for channel access. In some examples, the wireless communication device 900 is configured to perform the processes 1100 and 1300 described with reference to Figures 11 and 13, respectively. The wireless communication device 900 may include one or more chips, SoCs, chipsets, packages, components or devices that individually or collectively constitute or include a processing system. The processing system may interface with other components of the wireless communication device 900, and may generally process information (such as inputs or signals) received from such other components and output information (such as outputs or signals) to such other components. In some aspects, an example chip may include a processing system, a first interface to output or transmit information and a second interface to receive or obtain information. For example, the first interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip and a transmission component, such that the wireless communication device 900 may transmit the information output from the chip. In such an example, the second interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip and a reception component, such that the wireless communication device 900 may receive information that is then passed to the processing system. In some such examples, the first interface also may obtain information, such as from the transmission component, and the second interface also may output information, such as to the reception component.

[0180] The processing system of the wireless communication device 900 includes processor (or “processing”) circuitry in the form of one or multiple processors, microprocessors, processing units (such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DLPs)), or digital signal processors (DSPs)), processing blocks, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry (all of which may be generally referred to herein individually as “processors” or collectively as “the processor” or “the processor circuitry”). One or more of the processors may be individually or collectivelyconfigurable or configured to perform various functions or operations described herein. The processing system may further include memory circuitry in the form of one or more memory devices, memory blocks, memory elements or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry, each of which may include tangible storage media such as randomaccess memory (RAM) or ROM, or combinations thereof (all of which may be generally referred to herein individually as “memories” or collectively as “the memory” or “the memory circuitry”). One or more of the memories may be coupled with one or more of the processors and may individually or collectively store processor-executable code that, when executed by one or more of the processors, may configure one or more of the processors to perform various functions or operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, one or more of the processors may be preconfigured to perform various functions or operations described herein without requiring configuration by software. The processing system may further include or be coupled with one or more modems (such as a Wi-Fi (for example, IEEE compliant) modem or a cellular (for example, 3GPP 4G LTE, 5G or 6G compliant) modem). In some implementations, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more of the modems. The processing system may further include or be coupled with multiple radios (collectively “the radio”), multiple RF chains or multiple transceivers, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more of multiple antennas. In some implementations, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more of the radios, RF chains or transceivers.

[0181] In some examples, the wireless communication device 900 can be configurable or configured for use in an AP, such as the AP 102 described with reference to Figure 1. In some other examples, the wireless communication device 900 can be an AP that includes such a processing system and other components including multiple antennas. The wireless communication device 900 is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications in the form of, for example, wireless packets. For example, the wireless communication device 900 can be configurable or configured to transmit and receive packets in the form of physical layer PPDUs and MPDUs conforming to one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards. In some other examples, the wireless communication device 900 can be configurable or configured to transmit and receive signals and communicationsconforming to one or more 3GPP specifications including those for 5G NR or 6G. In some examples, the wireless communication device 900 also includes or can be coupled with one or more application processors which may be further coupled with one or more other memories. In some examples, the wireless communication device 900 further includes at least one external network interface coupled with the processing system that enables communication with a core network or backhaul network that enables the wireless communication device 900 to gain access to external networks including the Internet.

[0182] The wireless communication device 900 includes a frame transmitter 925, a channel monitor 930, a capability information receiver 935, a communication component 940, an access manager 945, a decoder 950, and a response manager 955. Portions of one or more of the frame transmitter 925, the channel monitor 930, the capability information receiver 935, the communication component 940, the access manager 945, the decoder 950, and the response manager 955 may be implemented at least in part in hardware or firmware. For example, one or more of the frame transmitter 925, the channel monitor 930, the capability information receiver 935, the communication component 940, the access manager 945, the decoder 950, and the response manager 955 may be implemented at least in part by at least a processor or a modem. In some examples, portions of one or more of the frame transmitter 925, the channel monitor 930, the capability information receiver 935, the communication component 940, the access manager 945, the decoder 950, and the response manager 955 may be implemented at least in part by a processor and software in the form of processor-executable code stored in memory.

[0183] The wireless communication device 900 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The frame transmitter 925 is configurable or configured to transmit a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoringcapability. The channel monitor 930 is configurable or configured to monitor the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0184] In some examples, the access manager 945 is configurable or configured to obtain access to the second wireless channel based on the monitoring. In some examples, the communication component 940 is configurable or configured to communicate, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0185] In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the channel monitor 930 is configurable or configured to receive an RTS frame from the first wireless STA via the second wireless channel. In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the response manager 955 is configurable or configured to delay responding to the RTS frame based on a presence of pending downlink traffic at the wireless communication device.

[0186] In some examples, the one or more channel access parameters are included of a switching delay, a defer duration, a limit associated with a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by the first wireless STA, one or more enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters associated with the first wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an arbitration interframe space (AIFS) duration for the second wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the first wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

[0187] In some examples, the one or more channel access parameters indicate for the second wireless STA to include a switching delay as a part of an AIFS duration for the second wireless STA. In some examples, the AIFS duration is longer than the switching delay.

[0188] In some examples, the one or more channel access parameters indicate a switching delay for accessing the second wireless channel by the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both. In some examples, the indicated switching delay is longer than a switching delay at the wireless communication device.

[0189] In some examples, the communication component 940 is configurable or configured to communicate with the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both in accordance with a defer duration, the defer duration based on a first switching delay for the first wireless STA, a second switching delay for the second wireless STA, and a third switching delay for the wireless communication device, where the defer duration is longer than the first switching delay, the second switching delay, and the third switching delay.

[0190] In some examples, the one or more channel access parameters instructs the first wireless STA to operate in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability during a reduced capability duration.

[0191] In some examples, the first wireless channel is a primary channel and the second wireless channel is an additional primary channel.

[0192] Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device 900 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The capability information receiver 935 is configurable or configured to receive capability information associated with a first wireless STA indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations. In some examples, the frame transmitter 925 is configurable or configured to transmit, based on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the set of multiple wireless channels for the first wireless STA and for a second wireless STA supported by the communication device. The communication component 940 is configurable or configured to communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the set of multiple wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0193] In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the communication component 940 is configurable or configured to receive both a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) including an indication of a start of the PPDU and a second PPDU including the short training field via a second wireless channel, where the first wireless channel is associated with a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel. In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and thesecond wireless STA, the decoder 950 is configurable or configured to decode the first PPDU based on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0194] In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the channel monitor 930 is configurable or configured to receive an RTS frame via a first wireless channel. In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the response manager 955 is configurable or configured to refrain from responding to the RTS frame based on receiving the RTS frame via the first wireless channel, where the first wireless channel is associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that is idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device receives the RTS frame.

[0195] In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the channel monitor 930 is configurable or configured to monitor a first wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels based on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels, where the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel. In some examples, to support communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the frame transmitter 925 is configurable or configured to transmit, based on determining that an intra-basic service set physical protocol data unit (PPDU) is not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

[0196] In some examples, the one or more rules include priority rules for communicating via the set of multiple wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the set of multiple wireless channels.

[0197] Figure 10 shows a block diagram of an example wireless communication device 1000 that supports device coexistence for channel access. In some examples, the wireless communication device 1000 is configured to perform the processes 1200 and 1400 described with reference to Figures 12 and 14, respectively. The wireless communication device 1000 may include one or more chips, SoCs, chipsets, packages, components or devices that individually or collectively constitute or include a processing system. The processing system may interface with other components of thewireless communication device 1000, and may generally process information (such as inputs or signals) received from such other components and output information (such as outputs or signals) to such other components. In some aspects, an example chip may include a processing system, a first interface to output or transmit information and a second interface to receive or obtain information. For example, the first interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip and a transmission component, such that the wireless communication device 1000 may transmit the information output from the chip. In such an example, the second interface may refer to an interface between the processing system of the chip and a reception component, such that the wireless communication device 1000 may receive information that is then passed to the processing system. In some such examples, the first interface also may obtain information, such as from the transmission component, and the second interface also may output information, such as to the reception component.

[0198] The processing system of the wireless communication device 1000 includes processor (or “processing”) circuitry in the form of one or multiple processors, microprocessors, processing units (such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DLPs)), or digital signal processors (DSPs)), processing blocks, application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry (all of which may be generally referred to herein individually as “processors” or collectively as “the processor” or “the processor circuitry”). One or more of the processors may be individually or collectively configurable or configured to perform various functions or operations described herein. The processing system may further include memory circuitry in the form of one or more memory devices, memory blocks, memory elements or other discrete gate or transistor logic or circuitry, each of which may include tangible storage media such as randomaccess memory (RAM) or ROM, or combinations thereof (all of which may be generally referred to herein individually as “memories” or collectively as “the memory” or “the memory circuitry”). One or more of the memories may be coupled with one or more of the processors and may individually or collectively store processor-executable code that, when executed by one or more of the processors, may configure one or moreof the processors to perform various functions or operations described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, one or more of the processors may be preconfigured to perform various functions or operations described herein without requiring configuration by software. The processing system may further include or be coupled with one or more modems (such as a Wi-Fi (for example, IEEE compliant) modem or a cellular (for example, 3GPP 4G LTE, 5G or 6G compliant) modem). In some implementations, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more of the modems. The processing system may further include or be coupled with multiple radios (collectively “the radio”), multiple RF chains or multiple transceivers, each of which may in turn be coupled with one or more of multiple antennas. In some implementations, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more of the radios, RF chains or transceivers.

[0199] In some examples, the wireless communication device 1000 can be configurable or configured for use in a STA, such as the STA 104 described with reference to Figure 1. In some other examples, the wireless communication device 1000 can be a STA that includes such a processing system and other components including multiple antennas. The wireless communication device 1000 is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications in the form of, for example, wireless packets. For example, the wireless communication device 1000 can be configurable or configured to transmit and receive packets in the form of physical layer PPDUs and MPDUs conforming to one or more of the IEEE 802.11 family of wireless communication protocol standards. In some other examples, the wireless communication device 1000 can be configurable or configured to transmit and receive signals and communications conforming to one or more 3GPP specifications including those for 5GNR or 6G. In some examples, the wireless communication device 1000 also includes or can be coupled with one or more application processors which may be further coupled with one or more other memories. In some examples, the wireless communication device 1000 further includes a user interface (UI) (such as a touchscreen or keypad) and a display, which may be integrated with the UI to form a touchscreen display that is coupled with the processing system. In some examples, the wireless communication device 1000 may further include one or more sensors such as, forexample, one or more inertial sensors, accelerometers, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, or altitude sensors, that are coupled with the processing system.

[0200] The wireless communication device 1000 includes a frame receiver 1025, a channel access component 1030, a communication component 1035, a capability information transmitter 1040, an RTS transmitter 1045, a channel selection manager 1050, a channel monitor 1055, a transmission component 1060, and a decoder 1065. Portions of one or more of the frame receiver 1025, the channel access component 1030, the communication component 1035, the capability information transmitter 1040, the RTS transmitter 1045, the channel selection manager 1050, the channel monitor 1055, the transmission component 1060, and the decoder 1065 may be implemented at least in part in hardware or firmware. For example, one or more of the frame receiver 1025, the channel access component 1030, the communication component 1035, the capability information transmitter 1040, the RTS transmitter 1045, the channel selection manager 1050, the channel monitor 1055, the transmission component 1060, and the decoder 1065 may be implemented at least in part by at least a processor or a modem. In some examples, portions of one or more of the frame receiver 1025, the channel access component 1030, the communication component 1035, the capability information transmitter 1040, the RTS transmitter 1045, the channel selection manager 1050, the channel monitor 1055, the transmission component 1060, and the decoder 1065 may be implemented at least in part by a processor and software in the form of processorexecutable code stored in memory.

[0201] The frame receiver 1025 is configurable or configured to receive, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on the wireless communication device supporting communications for the wireless STA. The channel access component 1030 is configurable or configured to perform a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters. The communication component 1035 is configurable or configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters.

[0202] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the channel access component 1030 is configurable or configured to obtain access to the second wireless channel based on performing the channel access procedure. In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the communication component 1035 is configurable or configured to communicate, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with a switching delay for the wireless communication device and a defer duration.

[0203] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the RTS transmitter 1045 is configurable or configured to transmit an RTS frame including a first PPDU via the second wireless channel, where the wireless STA transmits the first PPDU in accordance with a size limit for the first PPDU, and where the first PPDU is shorter relative to a second PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA.

[0204] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the communication component 1035 is configurable or configured to communicate with the wireless communication device during a reduced capability duration in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability.

[0205] In some examples, to support performing the channel access procedure, the channel access component 1030 is configurable or configured to perform a clear channel access procedure in accordance with an AIFS duration, where the AIFS duration includes a switching delay of the wireless STA.

[0206] In some examples, to support performing the channel access procedure, the channel access component 1030 is configurable or configured to select a first random backoff timer during a defer duration. In some examples, to support performing the channel access procedure, the channel access component 1030 is configurable or configured to select a second random backoff timer based on expiry of the first random backoff timer during the defer duration.

[0207] In some examples, to support performing the channel access procedure, the channel access component 1030 is configurable or configured to select a first random backoff timer during a defer duration. In some examples, to support performing thechannel access procedure, the channel access component 1030 is configurable or configured to perform the channel access procedure based on expiry of the first random backoff timer outside of the defer duration.

[0208] In some examples, the one or more channel access parameters are included of a switching delay, a defer duration, a size limit associated with a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by the wireless STA, one or more enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters associated with the wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an arbitration interframe space (AIFS) duration for the wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

[0209] Additionally, or alternatively, the wireless communication device 1000 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The capability information transmitter 1040 is configurable or configured to transmit, to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations. In some examples, the frame receiver 1025 is configurable or configured to receive a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based on the capability information and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications with the set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities. In some examples, the communication component 1035 is configurable or configured to communicate with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0210] In some examples, the one or more rules include priority rules for communicating via the one or more wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the one or more wireless channels.

[0211] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the channel selection manager 1050 is configurable or configured to select a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels based on the wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability, where thesecond type indicates that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel.

[0212] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the channel selection manager 1050 is configurable or configured to select a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels, where the wireless STA shares the wireless channel with a second wireless STA having a same type of channel monitoring capability as the wireless STA, the type indicating that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel. In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the communication component 1035 is configurable or configured to back off a transmission via the wireless channel based on detecting a transmission from the second wireless STA via the wireless channel.

[0213] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the channel selection manager 1050 is configurable or configured to select a quantity of wireless channels from a set of multiple wireless channels based on the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability, where the first type indicates that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via the set of multiple wireless channels, and where the quantity of wireless channels is associated with a highest priority of the set of multiple wireless channels.

[0214] In some examples, the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via a set of multiple wireless channels and, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the channel monitor 1055 is configurable or configured to monitor a first wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels based on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the set of multiple wireless channels, where the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel. In some examples, the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via a set of multiple wireless channels and, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the transmission component 1060 is configurable or configured to transmit, based on determining that an intra-basic service set physical protocol data unit (PPDU) is nottransmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

[0215] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the frame receiver 1025 is configurable or configured to receive both a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) including a short training field via a first wireless channel and a second PPDU including the short training field via a second wireless channel, where the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel. In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the decoder 1065 is configurable or configured to decode the first PPDU based on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0216] In some examples, to support communicating with the wireless communication device, the RTS transmitter 1045 is configurable or configured to transmit an RTS frame via a first wireless channel, where the first wireless channel is associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that is idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless STA transmits the RTS frame.

[0217] Figure 11 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process 1100 performable by or at a wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel that supports device coexistence for channel access. The operations of the process 1100 may be implemented by a wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel or its components as described herein. For example, the process 1100 may be performed by a wireless communication device, such as the wireless communication device 900 described with reference to Figure 9, operating as or within a wireless AP. In some examples, the process 1100 may be performed by a wireless AP, such as one of the APs 102 described with reference to Figure 1.

[0218] In some examples, in 1105, the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel may transmit a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one ormore channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoring capability. The operations of 1105 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1105 may be performed by a frame transmitter 925 as described with reference to Figure 9.

[0219] In some examples, in 1110, the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel may monitor the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters. The operations of 1110 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1110 may be performed by a channel monitor 930 as described with reference to Figure 9.

[0220] Figure 12 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process 1200 performable by or at a wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel that supports device coexistence for channel access. The operations of the process 1200 may be implemented by a wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel or its components as described herein. For example, the process 1200 may be performed by a wireless communication device, such as the wireless communication device 1000 described with reference to Figure 10, operating as or within a wireless STA. In some examples, the process 1200 may be performed by a wireless STA, such as one of the STAs 104 described with reference to Figure 1.

[0221] In some examples, in 1205, the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel may receive, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on the wireless communication device supportingcommunications for the wireless STA. The operations of 1205 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1205 may be performed by a frame receiver 1025 as described with reference to Figure 10.

[0222] In some examples, in 1210, the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel may perform a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters. The operations of 1210 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1210 may be performed by a channel access component 1030 as described with reference to Figure 10.

[0223] In some examples, in 1215, the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel may communicate with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters. The operations of 1215 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1215 may be performed by a communication component 1035 as described with reference to Figure 10.

[0224] Figure 13 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process 1300 performable by or at a wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels that supports device coexistence for channel access. The operations of the process 1300 may be implemented by a wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels or its components as described herein. For example, the process 1300 may be performed by a wireless communication device, such as the wireless communication device 900 described with reference to Figure 9, operating as or within a wireless AP. In some examples, the process 1300 may be performed by a wireless AP, such as one of the APs 102 described with reference to Figure 1.

[0225] In some examples, in 1305, the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels may receive capability information associated with a first wireless STA indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations. The operations of 1305 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1305 may be performed by a capability information receiver 935 as described with reference to Figure 9.

[0226] In some examples, in 1310, the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels may transmit, based on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the set of multiple wireless channels for the first wireless STA and for a second wireless STA supported by the communication device. The operations of 1310 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1310 may be performed by a frame transmitter 925 as described with reference to Figure 9.

[0227] In some examples, in 1315, the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a set of multiple wireless channels may communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the set of multiple wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules. The operations of 1315 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1315 may be performed by a communication component 940 as described with reference to Figure 9.

[0228] Figure 14 shows a flowchart illustrating an example process 1400 performable by or at a wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels that supports device coexistence for channel access. The operations of the process 1400 may be implemented by a wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels or its components as described herein. For example, the process 1400 may be performed by a wireless communication device, such as the wireless communication device 1000 described with reference to Figure 10, operating as or within a wireless STA. In some examples, the process 1400 may be performed by a wireless STA, such as one of the STAs 104 described with reference to Figure 1.

[0229] In some examples, in 1405, the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels may transmit, to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a set of multiple wireless STAs with different channelmonitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations. The operations of 1405 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1405 may be performed by a capability information transmitter 1040 as described with reference to Figure 10.

[0230] In some examples, in 1410, the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels may receive a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based on the capability information and based on the wireless communication device supporting communications with the set of multiple wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities. The operations of 1410 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a frame receiver 1025 as described with reference to Figure 10.

[0231] In some examples, in 1415, the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels may communicate with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules. The operations of 1415 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some implementations, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed by a communication component 1035 as described with reference to Figure 10.

[0232] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0233] Clause 1 : A method for wireless communications at a wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel, comprising: transmitting a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based at least in part on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and based at least in part on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoring capability; and monitoring the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0234] Clause 2: The method of clause 1, further comprising: obtaining access to the second wireless channel based at least in part on the monitoring; and communicating, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

[0235] Clause 3 : The method of clause 2, wherein communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA further comprises: receiving an RTS frame from the first wireless STA via the second wireless channel; and delaying responding to the RTS frame based at least in part on a presence of pending downlink traffic at the wireless communication device.

[0236] Clause 4: The method of any of clauses 1 through 3, wherein the one or more channel access parameters are comprised of a switching delay, a defer duration, a limit associated with a first PPDU transmitted by the first wireless STA, one or more EDCA parameters associated with the first wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an AIFS duration for the second wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the first wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

[0237] Clause 5: The method of any of clauses 1 through 4, wherein the one or more channel access parameters indicate for the second wireless STA to include a switching delay as a part of an AIFS duration for the second wireless STA, and wherein the AIFS duration is longer than the switching delay.

[0238] Clause 6: The method of any of clauses 1 through 5, wherein the one or more channel access parameters indicate a switching delay for accessing the second wireless channel by the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both, and wherein the indicated switching delay is longer than a switching delay at the wireless communication device.

[0239] Clause 7: The method of any of clauses 1 through 6, further comprising: communicating with the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both in accordance with a defer duration, the defer duration based at least in part on a first switching delay for the first wireless STA, a second switching delay for the second wireless STA, and a third switching delay for the wireless communication device,wherein the defer duration is longer than the first switching delay, the second switching delay, and the third switching delay.

[0240] Clause 8: The method of any of clauses 1 through 7, wherein the one or more channel access parameters instructs the first wireless STA to operate in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability during a reduced capability duration.

[0241] Clause 9: The method of any of clauses 1 through 8, wherein the first wireless channel is a primary channel and the second wireless channel is an additional primary channel.

[0242] Clause 10: A method for wireless communications at a wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel, comprising: receiving, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based at least in part on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on the wireless communication device supporting communications for the wireless STA; performing a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters; and communicating with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters.

[0243] Clause 11 : The method of clause 10, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: obtaining access to the second wireless channel based at least in part on performing the channel access procedure; and communicating, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with a switching delay for the wireless communication device and a defer duration.

[0244] Clause 12: The method of any of clauses 10 through 11, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: transmitting an RTS frame comprising a first PPDU via the second wireless channel, wherein the wireless STA transmits the first PPDU in accordance with a size limit for the firstPPDU, and wherein the first PPDU is shorter relative to a second PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA.

[0245] Clause 13: The method of any of clauses 10 through 12, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: communicating with the wireless communication device during a reduced capability duration in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability.

[0246] Clause 14: The method of any of clauses 10 through 13, wherein performing the channel access procedure further comprises: performing a clear channel access procedure in accordance with an AIFS duration, wherein the AIFS duration comprises a switching delay of the wireless STA.

[0247] Clause 15: The method of any of clauses 10 through 14, wherein performing the channel access procedure further comprises: selecting a first random backoff timer during a defer duration; and selecting a second random backoff timer based at least in part on expiry of the first random backoff timer during the defer duration.

[0248] Clause 16: The method of any of clauses 10 through 15, wherein performing the channel access procedure further comprises: selecting a first random backoff timer during a defer duration; and performing the channel access procedure based at least in part on expiry of the first random backoff timer outside of the defer duration.

[0249] Clause 17: The method of any of clauses 10 through 16, wherein the one or more channel access parameters are comprised of a switching delay, a defer duration, a size limit associated with a first PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA, one or more EDCA parameters associated with the wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an AIFS duration for the wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

[0250] Clause 18: A method for wireless communications at a wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels, comprising: receiving capability information associated with a first wireless STA indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations; transmitting, based at least in part on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the plurality of wireless channels for the first wireless STAand for a second wireless STA supported by the communication device; and communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the plurality of wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0251] Clause 19: The method of clause 18, wherein communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA further comprises: receiving both a first PPDU comprising an indication of a start of the PPDU and a second PPDU comprising an STF via a second wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel is associated with a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and decoding the first PPDU based at least in part on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0252] Clause 20: The method of any of clauses 18 through 19, wherein communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA further comprises: receiving an RTS frame via a first wireless channel; and refraining from responding to the RTS frame based at least in part on receiving the RTS frame via the first wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel is associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that is idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device receives the RTS frame.

[0253] Clause 21 : The method of any of clauses 18 through 20, wherein communicating with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA further comprises: monitoring a first wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels based at least in part on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels, wherein the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and transmitting, based at least in part on determining that an intra-BSS PPDU is not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

[0254] Clause 22: The method of any of clauses 18 through 21, wherein the one or more rules comprise priority rules for communicating via the plurality of wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the plurality of wireless channels.

[0255] Clause 23 : A method for wireless communications at a wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels, comprising: transmitting,to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a plurality of wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations; receiving a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based at least in part on the capability information and based at least in part on the wireless communication device supporting communications with the plurality of wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities; and communicating with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules.

[0256] Clause 24: The method of clause 23, wherein the one or more rules comprise priority rules for communicating via the one or more wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the one or more wireless channels.

[0257] Clause 25: The method of any of clauses 23 through 24, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: selecting a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels based at least in part on the wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability, wherein the second type indicates that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel.

[0258] Clause 26: The method of any of clauses 23 through 25, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: selecting a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels, wherein the wireless STA shares the wireless channel with a second wireless STA having a same type of channel monitoring capability as the wireless STA, the type indicating that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel; and backing off a transmission via the wireless channel based at least in part on detecting a transmission from the second wireless STA via the wireless channel.

[0259] Clause 27: The method of any of clauses 23 through 28, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: selecting a quantity of wireless channels from a plurality of wireless channels based at least in part on the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability, wherein the first type indicates that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via the plurality of wireless channels, and wherein thequantity of wireless channels is associated with a highest priority of the plurality of wireless channels.

[0260] Clause 29: The method of any of clauses 23 through 30, wherein the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via a plurality of wireless channels and communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: monitoring a first wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels based at least in part on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels, wherein the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and transmitting, based at least in part on determining that an intra-BSS PPDU is not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

[0261] Clause 31 : The method of any of clauses 23 through 29, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: receiving both a first PPDU comprising an STF via a first wireless channel and a second PPDU comprising the STF via a second wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and decoding the first PPDU based at least in part on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

[0262] Clause 32: The method of any of clauses 23 through 31, wherein communicating with the wireless communication device further comprises: transmitting an RTS frame via a first wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel is associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that is idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless STA transmits the RTS frame.

[0263] Clause 33: A wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel for wireless communications, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to perform a method of any of clauses 1 through 9.

[0264] Clause 34: A wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel for wireless communications, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of clauses 1 through 9.

[0265] Clause 35: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of clauses 1 through 9.

[0266] Clause 36: A wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to perform a method of any of clauses 10 through 17.

[0267] Clause 37: A wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of clauses 10 through 17.

[0268] Clause 38: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of clauses 10 through 17.

[0269] Clause 39: A wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels for wireless communications, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels to perform a method of any of clauses 18 through 22.

[0270] Clause 40: A wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels for wireless communications, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of clauses 18 through 22.

[0271] Clause 41 : A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of clauses 18 through 22.

[0272] Clause 42: A wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels for wireless communications, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to perform a method of any of clauses 23 through 32.

[0273] Clause 43 : A wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels for wireless communications, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of clauses 23 through 32.

[0274] Clause 44: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of clauses 23 through 32.

[0275] As used herein, the term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, estimating, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database, or another data structure), inferring, ascertaining, or measuring, among other possibilities. Also, “determining” can include receiving (such as receiving information), accessing (such as accessing data stored in memory) or transmitting (such as transmitting information), among other possibilities. Additionally, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, obtaining, choosing, establishing and other such similar actions.

[0276] As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of’ or “one or more of’ a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.As used herein, “or” is intended to be interpreted in the inclusive sense, unless otherwise explicitly indicated. For example, “a or b” may include a only, b only, or a combination of a and b. Furthermore, as used herein, a phrase referring to “a” or “an” element refers to one or more of such elements acting individually or collectively to perform the recited function(s). Additionally, a “set” refers to one or more items, and a “subset” refers to less than a whole set, but non-empty.

[0277] As used herein, “based on” is intended to be interpreted in the inclusive sense, unless otherwise explicitly indicated. For example, “based on” may be used interchangeably with “based at least in part on,” “associated with,” “in association with,” or “in accordance with” unless otherwise explicitly indicated. Specifically, unless a phrase refers to “based on only ‘a,’” or the equivalent in context, whatever it is that is “based on ‘a,’” or “based at least in part on ‘a,’” may be based on “a” alone or based on a combination of “a” and one or more other factors, conditions, or information.

[0278] The various illustrative components, logic, logical blocks, modules, circuits, operations, and algorithm processes described in connection with the examples disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, firmware, software, or combinations of hardware, firmware, or software, including the structures disclosed in this specification and the structural equivalents thereof. The interchangeability of hardware, firmware and software has been described generally, in terms of functionality, and illustrated in the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits and processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware, firmware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0279] Various modifications to the examples described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the examples shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein.

[0280] Additionally, various features that are described in this specification in the context of separate examples also can be implemented in combination in a singleimplementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation also can be implemented in multiple examples separately or in any suitable subcombination. As such, although features may be described above as acting in particular combinations, and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some aspects be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0281] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Further, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of a flowchart or flow diagram. However, other operations that are not depicted can be incorporated in the example processes that are schematically illustrated. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the illustrated operations. In some circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.Moreover, the separation of various system components in the examples described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all examples, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel, comprising: a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: transmit a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based at least in part on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communications device and based at least in part on the wireless communication device supporting communications for at least one wireless station (STA) having a second type of channel monitoring capability different from the first type of channel monitoring capability; and monitor the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

2. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: obtain access to the second wireless channel based at least in part on the monitoring; and communicate, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters.

3. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 2, wherein, to communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: receive a request to send (RTS) frame from the first wireless STA via the second wireless channel; and delay responding to the RTS frame based at least in part on a presence of pending downlink traffic at the wireless communication device.

4. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 1, wherein the one or more channel access parameters are comprised of a switching delay, a defer duration, a limit associated with a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by the first wireless STA, one or more enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters associated with the first wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an arbitration interframe space (AIFS) duration for the second wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the first wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

5. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 1, wherein: the one or more channel access parameters indicate for the second wireless STA to include a switching delay as a part of an AIFS duration for the second wireless STA, and the AIFS duration is longer than the switching delay.

6. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 1, wherein:the one or more channel access parameters indicate a switching delay for accessing the second wireless channel by the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both, and the indicated switching delay is longer than a switching delay at the wireless communication device.

7. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: communicate with the first wireless STA, the second wireless STA, or both in accordance with a defer duration, the defer duration based at least in part on a first switching delay for the first wireless STA, a second switching delay for the second wireless STA, and a third switching delay for the wireless communication device, wherein the defer duration is longer than the first switching delay, the second switching delay, and the third switching delay.

8. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 1, wherein the one or more channel access parameters instructs the first wireless STA to operate in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability during a reduced capability duration.

9. The wireless communication device having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 1, wherein the first wireless channel is a primary channel and the second wireless channel is an additional primary channel.

10. A wireless station (STA) having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel, comprising:a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: receive, from a wireless communication device having a second type of channel monitoring capability, a frame indicating one or more channel access parameters for accessing the second wireless channel, the one or more channel access parameters based at least in part on one or more network conditions associated with the wireless communication device and on the wireless communication device supporting communications for the wireless STA; perform a channel access procedure on the second wireless channel in accordance with the one or more channel access parameters; and communicate with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with the parameters.

11. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 10, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: obtain access to the second wireless channel based at least in part on performing the channel access procedure; and communicate, after obtaining access to the second wireless channel, with the wireless communication device via the second wireless channel in accordance with a switching delay for the wireless communication device and a defer duration.

12. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 10, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to:transmit a request to send (RTS) frame comprising a first PPDU via the second wireless channel, wherein the wireless STA transmits the first PPDU in accordance with a size limit for the first PPDU, and wherein the first PPDU is shorter relative to a second PPDU transmitted by the wireless STA.

13. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 10, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: communicate with the wireless communication device during a reduced capability duration in accordance with the second type of channel monitoring capability.

14. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 10, wherein, to perform the channel access procedure, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: perform a clear channel access procedure in accordance with an AIFS duration, wherein the AIFS duration comprises a switching delay of the wireless STA.

15. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 10, wherein, to perform the channel access procedure, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: select a first random backoff timer during a defer duration; and select a second random backoff timer based at least in part on expiry of the first random backoff timer during the defer duration.

16. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 10, wherein, to perform the channel access procedure, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel to: select a first random backoff timer during a defer duration; and perform the channel access procedure based at least in part on expiry of the first random backoff timer outside of the defer duration.

17. The wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability and configured to communicate via a first wireless channel and a second wireless channel of claim 10, wherein the one or more channel access parameters are comprised of a switching delay, a defer duration, a size limit associated with a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) transmitted by the wireless STA, one or more enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) parameters associated with the wireless STA for accessing the second wireless channel, an arbitration interframe space (AIFS) duration for the wireless STA, a reduced capability duration for the wireless STA, or any combination thereof.

18. A wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels, comprising: a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels to: receive capability information associated with a first wireless station (STA) indicating that the first wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations; transmit, based at least in part on the capability information, a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the plurality of wireless channels for the first wireless STA and for a second wireless STA supported by the wireless communication device; andcommunicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA via the plurality of wireless channels in accordance with the one or more rules.

19. The wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels of claim 18, wherein, to communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels to: receive both a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) comprising an indication of a start of the PPDU and a second PPDU comprising a short training field via a second wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel is associated with a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and decode the first PPDU based at least in part on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

20. The wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels of claim 18, wherein, to communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels to: receive a request to send (RTS) frame via a first wireless channel; and refrain from responding to the RTS frame based at least in part on receiving the RTS frame via the first wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel is associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that is idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless communication device receives the RTS frame.

21. The wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels of claim 18, wherein, to communicate with one or both of the first wireless STA and the second wireless STA, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels to:monitor a first wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels based at least in part on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels, wherein the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and transmit, based at least in part on determining that an intra-basic service set physical protocol data unit (PPDU) is not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

22. The wireless communication device configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless channels of claim 18, wherein the one or more rules comprise priority rules for communicating via the plurality of wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the plurality of wireless channels.

23. A wireless station (STA) configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels, comprising: a processing system that includes processor circuitry and memory circuitry that stores code, the processing system configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to: transmit, to a wireless communication device that supports communications with a plurality of wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities, capability information indicating that the wireless STA supports non-primary channel access operations; receive a frame indicating one or more rules for accessing the one or more wireless channels based at least in part on the capability information and based at least in part on the wireless communication device supporting communications with the plurality of wireless STAs with different channel monitoring capabilities; and communicate with the wireless communication device in accordance with the one or more rules.

24. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels of claim 23, wherein the one or more rules comprise priority rules for communicating via the one or more wireless channels, the priority rules indicating a priority associated with each of the one or more wireless channels.

25. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels of claim 23, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to: select a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels based at least in part on the wireless STA having a second type of channel monitoring capability, wherein the second type indicates that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel.

26. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels of claim 23, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to: select a wireless channel from the one or more wireless channels, wherein the wireless STA shares the wireless channel with a second wireless STA having a same type of channel monitoring capability as the wireless STA, the type indicating that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via one wireless channel; and back off a transmission via the wireless channel based at least in part on detecting a transmission from the second wireless STA via the wireless channel.

27. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels of claim 23, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to: select a quantity of wireless channels from a plurality of wireless channels based at least in part on the wireless STA having a first type of channel monitoring capability, wherein the first type indicates that the wireless STA is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via the plurality of wireless channels, and wherein the quantity of wireless channels is associated with a highest priority of the plurality of wireless channels.

28. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels of claim 23, wherein the wireless STA is configured to communicatewith the wireless communication device via a plurality of wireless channels, and, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to: monitor a first wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels based at least in part on gaining access to a second wireless channel of the plurality of wireless channels, wherein the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and transmit, based at least in part on determining that an intra-basic service set physical protocol data unit (PPDU) is not transmitted via the first wireless channel, signaling via both the first wireless channel and the second wireless channel.

29. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels of claim 23, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to: receive both a first physical protocol data unit (PPDU) comprising a short training field via a first wireless channel and a second PPDU comprising the short training field via a second wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel has a higher priority relative to the second wireless channel; and decode the first PPDU based at least in part on the first wireless channel having the higher priority.

30. The wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels of claim 23, wherein, to communicate with the wireless communication device, the processing system is further configured to cause the wireless STA configured to communicate via one or more wireless channels to: transmit a request to send (RTS) frame via a first wireless channel, wherein the first wireless channel is associated with a lower priority relative to a second wireless channel that is idle at the wireless communication device when the wireless STA transmits the RTS frame.

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