Closing the gap

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus are disclosed. A method implemented in a device configured to wirelessly communicate with another device in a wireless communication system is provided. The method comprises modifying an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device where the modified on-air gap is configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment, and transmitting to the other device according to the modified on-air gap.

Description

[0001] CLOSING THE GAP

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and in particular, to modifying at least one gap for communications between at least two devices.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Wi-Fi, also known as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), is a technology that currently mainly operates in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, or the 6 GHz band. There are specifications regulating an access points' or wireless terminals' physical (PHY) layer, medium access layer (MAC) layer and other aspects in order to secure compatibility and inter-operability between different WLAN entities, e.g., between an access point and mobile terminals, both of which may be referred to as stations (STAs) herein. Wi-Fi is generally operated in licenseexempt bands, and as such, communication over Wi-Fi may be subject to interference sources from any number of known and unknown devices. Wi-Fi is commonly used as wireless extensions to fixed broadband access, e.g., in domestic environments and hotspots, like airports, train stations and restaurants.

[0006] Further, as Bluetooth is entering the 6 GHz band, new procedures may be needed to properly co-exist with other radio technologies as well as to comply with a new set of spectrum regulations. The Bluetooth SIG has already agreed to let Bluetooth adopt a listen-before-talk based channel access mechanism, but additional changes may be needed in order to ensure that Bluetooth and other existing technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi) may both achieve good performance while operating on the same frequencies.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] Aspects are provided in the independent claims, and embodiments thereof are provided in the dependent claims.

[0009] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide configurations for modifying at least one gap for communications between at least two devices.

[0010] One or more embodiments described herein provide a method of adding padding, or packet extension, at both the receiver end and transmitter end to reduce the gap time between packets to the value required for coexistence with a Wi-Fi system while still giving both devices sufficient time for processing and receive / transmit transitioning. While Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are described herein, the teachings described below are applicable to any technology facing similar problems.

[0011] In accordance with the teachings herein, the system is able to make the gap short enough to “keep the channel,” thereby helping prevent another system using LBT from determining that the channel is free. Bluetooth will be used to exemplify the concept.

[0012] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram of Bluetooth communications with a 150 ps gap between transmissions;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a STA1 communicating with a STA2 over an at least partially wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example network architecture illustrating a communication system according to the principles in the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of STA1 and STA 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example process in a STA1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example process in a STA2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example packet extension;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagram of example packet extensions according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0022] FIG. 9 is a diagram of another example of packet extensions according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] For a Bluetooth system using listen before talk (LBT), it may be desirable that the devices of a Bluetooth link only perform a single clear channel assessment for multiple frame exchanges, which includes packets in both the uplink and downlink direction. In order for this to work, one aspect is that the devices may not leave any airtime gaps large enough for another technology's clear channel assessment to perceive the communication medium as idle. The current gap time in Bluetooth operating in 2.4 GHz is referred to as the T IFS in Bluetooth specifications and corresponds to 150 ps. The gap time needed to ensure that Wi-Fi will not transmit while a Bluetooth frame exchange sequence is ongoing is 16 ps. It is likely that Bluetooth could achieve values much lower than 150 ps, but it may be difficult to reach values as low as 16 ps without introducing technical complexity not suitable for Bluetooth. For Bluetooth devices, the gap between transmissions is used for processing the received packet and preparing a reply on the receiver device end, as well as to transition between transmitter and receiver state for both devices.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of Bluetooth operation with a 150 ps gap between transmissions. That is, a “long gap” as one might consider a 150 ps gap provides plenty of time for the RX processing and TX / RX switching.

[0026] Before describing in detail example embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to modifying an on-air gap. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0027] As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and / or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0028] In embodiments described herein, the joining term, “in communication with” and the like, may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be accomplished by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible of achieving the electrical and data communication.

[0029] In some embodiments described herein, the term “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, may be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily directly, and may include wired and / or wireless connections.

[0030] In some embodiments, the term “access point” or “AP” is used interchangeably and may comprise, or be, a network node. The AP may include any of base station (BS), radio base station, base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC), radio network controller (RNC), g Node B (gNB), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), Node B, multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, multi-cell / multicast coordination entity (MCE), relay node, integrated access and backhaul (IAB), donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, positioning node, MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., 3rd party node, a node external to the current network), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The AP may also comprise test equipment. The AP may comprise a radio router, a radio transceiver, WiFi access point, wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, a network controller, etc.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-limiting term “device” is used to describe a wireless device (WD) and / or user equipment (UE) that may be used to implement some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the device may be and / or comprise an access point (AP) station (STA). In some embodiments, the device may be and / or comprise a non-access point station (non-AP STA). In some embodiments, the device may be any type of device capable of communicating with a network node, such as an AP, over radio signals. The device may be any radio communication device, target device, a portable device, device-to-device (D2D) device, machine type device or device capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), low-cost and / or low-complexity device, a sensor equipped with a device, a computer, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, or a Narrowband loT (NB-IOT) device, Reduced Capability (RedCap) device, Bluetooth device, etc.

[0032] A device may be considered a network node and may include physical components, such as processors, allocated processing elements, or other computing hardware, computer memory, communication interfaces, and other supporting computing hardware. The network node may use dedicated physical components, or the node may be allocated use of the physical components of another device, such as a computing device or resources of a datacenter, in which case the network node is said to be virtualized. A network node may be associated with multiple physical components that may be located either in one location, or may be distributed across multiple locations.

[0033] Even though the descriptions herein may be explained in the context of one of a Downlink (DL) and an Uplink (UL) communication, it should be understood that the basic principles disclosed may also be applicable to the other of the one of the DL and the UL communication. In some embodiments in this disclosure, the principles may be considered applicable to a transmitter (e.g., STA1) and a receiver (e.g., STA2). For DL communication, a STA1 may be the transmitter and the receiver is the STA2. For the UL communication, the transmitter may be the STA2 and the receiver is the STA1. In some embodiments, the STA1 may be an AP or non-AP STA, and the STA2 may be an AP or a non-AP STA. The terms “STA1”, STA2”, STA3”, etc., as used herein are not intended to be limiting, but are merely intended refer to one or more of various types of stations and / or devices (e.g., APs, non-AP STAs, user equipment, wireless devices, mobile terminals, etc.).

[0034] Note also that some embodiments of the present disclosure may be supported by an Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard. IEEE 802.11 denotes a set of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) air interface standards developed by the IEEE 802.11 committee for short-range communications (e.g., tens of meters to a few hundred meters). Some embodiments may also be supported by standard documents disclosed in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) technical specifications. That is, some embodiments of the description can be supported by the above documents. In addition, all the terms disclosed in the present document may be described by the above standard documents.

[0035] Note that although terminology from one or more particular wireless system, such as, for example, IEEE 802.11, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th Generation (5G) and / or New Radio (NR), may be used in this disclosure, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including without limitation Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), other wireless device protocols, may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure.

[0036] Note further, that functions described herein as being performed by one or more of a first STA, second STA, transmitting STA, receiving STA, AP, non-AP STA, wireless device, network node, etc., may be distributed over a plurality of STAs, APs, non-AP STAs, wireless devices, network nodes, etc. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the devices described herein are not limited to performance by a single physical device and, in fact, can be distributed among several physical devices.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0038] Some embodiments provide configurations for supporting modifying at least one gap for communications between at least two devices.

[0039] Referring to the drawing figures, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 2 a block diagram of the communication system 10, according to one embodiment, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The communication system 10 in FIG. 2 is a non-limiting example and other embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more other systems and / or networks. Referring to FIG. 2, system 10 may comprise a wireless local area network (WLAN) 12 that may support standards such as, for example, IEEE 802.11 and / or Bluetooth and / or other non-cellular standards / specifications, which comprises an access network 12, such as a radio access network. In some embodiments, the devices in the system 10 may communicate over one or more spectrums, such as, for example, an unlicensed spectrum, which may include frequency bands typically used by Wi-Fi technology. One or more of the devices may be further configured to communicate over other frequency bands, such as shared licensed frequency bands, etc. The WLAN 12 includes a STA1 14 and a STA2 16 that may be in communication with each other via communication link and / or channel(s) forming wireless connection 21. Note that although a single STA1 14 and a single STA2 16 are shown for convenience, the communication system 10 may include many more STA1 14 and STA2 16. Each STA1 14 may connect to / serve / configure / schedule / etc. one or more STA2 16 (or vice-versa). In some embodiments, STA1 may include identical hardware and / or software as STA2. For example, STA1 and STA2 may be similar models of non-AP STAs, such as a user equipment or mobile terminals, or both STA1 and STA 2 may be APs, such as base stations, etc. In some embodiments, STA1 may include one or more different hardware and / or software components compared to STA2. For example, STA1 may be an AP or a non-AP STA, whereas STA2 may be a different type of device, such as a non-AP STA or an AP, respectively.

[0040] It should be understood that the system 10 may include additional nodes / devices not shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the system 10 may include many more connect! ons / interfaces than those shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the elements shown in FIG. 2 are presented for ease of understanding.

[0041] Also, it is contemplated that a STA1 14 and / or a STA2 16 can be in communication and / or configured to separately communicate with more than one STA2 16 and / or more than one type of STA1 14, e.g., for coordination of scheduling, transmission of data or control signaling, etc., which may be via wired and / or wireless communication channels.

[0042] A STA1 14 is configured to include a transmitting unit 18, which is configured to perform one or more STA1 functions described herein, such as modifying an on-air gap, as described herein. A STA2 16 is configured to include a receiving unit 19, which is configured to perform one or more STA2 16 functions described herein, such as modifying an on-air gap as described herein. In some embodiments, STA1 14 may also include a receiving unit 19 (e.g., for use in scenarios where STA1 14 acts as a receiving STA), and STA2 16 may also include a transmitting unit 18 (e.g., for use in scenarios where STA2 16 acts as a transmitting STA).

[0043] In FIG. 2, the connection between the devices STA1 14 and the STA2s 16 is shown without explicit reference to any intermediary devices or connections. However, it should be understood that intermediary devices and / or connections may exist between these devices, although not explicitly shown.

[0044] Although FIG. 2 shows transmitting unit 18 and receiving unit 19, as being within a respective processor, it is contemplated that this element may be implemented such that a portion of the element is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the element may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 3, STA1 14 and STA2s 16 may be similar to those of the example of FIG. 2, described herein. In some embodiments, STA1 14 may be an access point (AP) and STA2 16 may be a non-AP STA, but are not limited to these types of devices. For example, STA1 14 may be a non-AP STA, and STA2 16 may be an AP, or both may be APs, both may be non-AP STAs, etc. Further, the classification of a device as an AP and / or as a non-AP STA may depend on the context or configuration. Additionally, in the example of FIG. 3, one or more STAls 14 and / or STA2s 16 may form and / or be part of a service set network 44 (e.g., a basic service set, or any other network, set, and / or grouping of STAls 14 and STA2s 16). The communication system 10 and / or service set network 44 may itself be connected to one or more other entities, which may be embodied in the hardware and / or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The intermediate network 52 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network. The intermediate network 52, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet. In some embodiments, the intermediate network 52 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[0046] Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the STA2 16 and STA1 14 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 4, the STA1 14 and the STA2 16 may have similar features and components as the STA1 14 and STA2 16 depicted in FIG. 2.

[0047] The STA1 14 includes hardware 20 including a communication interface 22, processing circuitry 24, a processor 26, and memory 28. The communication interface 22 may be configured to communicate with any of the nodes / devices in the system 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, such as with one or more other STAls 14 and / or one or more STA2s 16. In some embodiments, the communication interface 22 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more radio frequency (RF) transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers, and / or may be considered a radio interface. In some embodiments, the communication interface 22 may also include a wired interface. In one or more embodiments, STA1 14 and STA2 16 communicate with each other via Bluetooth signaling.

[0048] The processing circuitry 24 may include one or more processors 26 and memory, e.g., memory 28. In addition to a processor 26 and memory 28, the processing circuitry 24 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 26 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) the memory 28, which may comprise any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0049] The STA1 14 may further include software 30 stored internally in, for example, memory 28, or stored in external memory (e.g., database) accessible by the STA1 14 via an external connection. The software 30 may be executable by the processing circuitry 24. The processing circuitry 24 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., STA1 14. The memory 28 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 30 may include instructions stored in memory 28 that, when executed by the processor 26 and / or transmitting unit 18 causes the processing circuitry 24 and / or configures the STA1 14 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the STA1 14 (e.g., processes described with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and / or any of the other figures herein). In some embodiments, STA1 14 may also include a receiving unit 19, e.g., for scenarios where STA1 14 acts as a receiving STA.

[0050] Referring still to FIG. 4, the STA2 16 includes hardware 32, which may include a communication interface 34, processing circuitry 36, a processor 38, and memory 40. The communication interface 34 may be configured to communicate with one or more STA1 14, such as via wireless connection 35, and / or with other elements in the system 10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the communication interface 34 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more radio frequency (RF) transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and / or one or more RF transceivers, and / or may be considered a radio interface.

[0051] The processing circuitry 36 may include one or more processors 38 and memory, such as, the memory 40. Furthermore, in addition to a traditional processor and memory, the processing circuitry 36 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and / or control, e.g., one or more processors and / or processor cores and / or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 38 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and / or read from) the memory 40, which may comprise any kind of volatile and / or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and / or buffer memory and / or RAM (Random Access Memory) and / or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and / or optical memory and / or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

[0052] Thus, the STA2 16 may further include software 42 stored internally in, for example, memory 40, or stored in external memory (e.g., database) accessible by the STA2 16 via an external connection. The software 42 may be executable by the processing circuitry 36. The processing circuitry 36 may be configured to control any of the methods and / or processes described herein and / or to cause such methods, and / or processes to be performed, e.g., by the STA2 16. The memory 40 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and / or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software may include instructions stored in memory 40 that, when executed by the processor 38 and / or receiving unit 19, causes the processing circuitry 36 and / or configures the STA2 16 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the STA2 16 (e.g., processes described with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and / or any of the other figures herein). In some embodiments, STA2 16 may also be configured with transmitting unit 18, e.g., for scenarios where STA2 16 acts as a transmitting STA.

[0053] In some embodiments, the inner workings of the STA1 14 and STA2 16 may be as shown in FIG. 4 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 3.

[0054] The wireless connection 21 between the STA2 16 and the STA1 14 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. More precisely, the teachings of some of these embodiments may improve the data rate, latency, and / or power consumption and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc.

[0055] In some embodiments, the wireless network and / or cellular network also includes the STA1 14 with a communication interface 22. In some embodiments, the STA1 14 is configured to, and / or the STA1 14 processing circuitry 24 is configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / ending a transmission to the STA2 16, and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / ending in receipt of a transmission from the STA2 16.

[0056] In some embodiments, the STA2 16 is configured to, and / or comprises a communication interface 34 and / or processing circuitry 36 configured to perform the functions and / or methods described herein for preparing / initiating / maintaining / supporting / ending a transmission to the STA1 14, and / or preparing / terminating / maintaining / supporting / ending in receipt of a transmission from the STA1 14.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example process in STA1 14 (e.g., a transmitting STA, such as an AP or a non-AP STA) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments, STA1 14 and STA2 16 are in communication with each other via Bluetooth signaling. Thus, one or more Blocks and / or functions and / or methods performed by the STA1 14 may be performed by one or more elements of STA1 14, such as by transmitting unit 18 in processing circuitry 24, memory 28, processor 26, communication interface 22, etc. The STA1 14 (i.e., device 14) is configured to modify (Block S100) an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device (e.g., STA2 16) where the modified on-air gap is configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment, as described herein. The STA1 14 (i.e., device 14) is configured to transmit to the other device according to the modified on-air gap, as described herein. According to some embodiments, the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

[0058] According to some embodiments, the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

[0059] According to some embodiments, the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

[0061] According to some embodiments, the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

[0062] According to some embodiments, the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels, and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

[0063] According to some embodiments, the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

[0064] According to some embodiments, modifying the on-air gap time comprises adding a first packet extension to a packet where the transmission to the other device including the first packet with the first packet extension, and receiving a transmission including a second packet extension.

[0065] According to some embodiments, the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

[0066] According to some embodiments, the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

[0067] According to some embodiments, the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

[0068] According to some embodiments, the signaling comprises reference signal.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the first STA1 14 is one of an access point (AP) and a non- AP STA, and the second STA2 16 is one of an AP and a non-AP STA.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example process in a STA2 16 according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure. In one or more embodiments, STA1 14 and STA2 16 are in communication with each other via Bluetooth signaling. Thus, one or more Blocks and / or functions and / or methods performed by the STA2 16 may be performed by one or more elements of STA2 16 such as by receiving unit 19 in processing circuitry 36 memory 40, processor 38, communication interface 34, etc. according to the example process / method. The STA2 16 is configured to modify (Block SI 04) an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device (e.g., STA1 14) where the modified on-air gap is configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment, as described herein. The STA2 16 is configured to receive (Block SI 06), from the other device, a transmission according to the modified on-air gap, as described herein.

[0071] According to some embodiments, the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

[0072] According to some embodiments, the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

[0073] According to some embodiments, the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

[0074] According to some embodiments, the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

[0075] According to some embodiments, the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

[0076] According to some embodiments, the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels, and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

[0077] According to some embodiments, the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

[0078] According to some embodiments, modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet, transmitting the first packet with the first packet extension, and the received transmission including a second packet extension.

[0079] According to some embodiments, the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

[0082] According to some embodiments, the signaling comprises reference signal.

[0083] In one or more embodiments, the first STA2 16 is one of an access point (AP) and a non- AP STA, and the second STA1 14 is one of an AP and a non-AP STA.

[0084] Having described the general process flow of arrangements of the disclosure and having provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the disclosure, the sections below provide details and examples of arrangements for supporting configurations for modifying an on-air gap associated with communications between STA1 14 and STA2 16.

[0085] One or more functions described below may be performed by STA1 14 (e.g., device 14) via one or more of communication interface 22, processing circuitry 24, transmitting unit 18, processor 26, etc. One or more functions described below may be performed by STA2 16 (e.g., device 16) via one or more of communication interface 34, processing circuitry 36, receiving unit 19, processor 38, etc.

[0086] One solution to the problem described herein by adding a packet extension to the end of each transmitted packet as shown in the example of FIG. 7. This arrangement provides the receiving device with enough time to receive the packet, process it, and prepare a response to transmit. However, with the needed gap (e.g., on-air gap or communication channel gap) is as short as it is, this will not provide enough time for the transmitting device to transition from transmitting to receiving.

[0087] One or more embodiments described herein provides a solution by adding a packet extension at the end of a transmitted packet and also creating an additional packet extension at the beginning of the response. This provides enough time to the receiver (e.g., STA2 16) to perform all operations needed before transmitting a response, while the transmitting device (e.g., STA1 14) is also provided enough time to transition to a receiving state before receiving the response.

[0088] FIG. 8 is a diagram that shows an overview of how the packets may be extended by both the device A and device B in a BLE connection. That is, in FIG. 8, sharing the burden between device A and device B provides a small enough gap, while still giving enough time for both devices A, B to process received packets and switch transmitter / receiver states. In one or more embodiments, the gap time is 16 ps or substantially corresponds to 16 ps.

[0089] In one or more embodiments, the gap time is configured based on the LBT and clear channel assessment procedures of another radio access technology or wireless communication protocol different from the RAN or wireless communication protocol being used for device A and device B to communicate with each other. For example, the gap time may be configured based on LBT and / or clear channel assessment procedures of Wi-Fi even though device A and device B are communicating using Bluetooth and the gap time occurs in and / or for the Bluetooth communication.

[0090] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a packet extension scheme that may be extended to any number of consecutive packets, i.e., applies the same principles as described in FIG. 8 but extended to a packet exchange of an arbitrary length.

[0091] Further, in one or more embodiments, STA1 14 could be aware of STA2 16 sending “padding” before the actual message. In some other embodiment, STA1 14 could treat the padding as noise, e.g., ignore the padding.

[0092] Short gap when switching frequencies Further, one or more embodiments described herein may also be used to switch frequencies where the packet extension is used to also allow for channel switching. In this embodiment, the operation is very similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, but the TX / RX or RX / TX switch may also involve moving to another channel. This could, for instance, be useful when contending for resources with both wideband (Wi-Fi) and other narrow band (Bluetooth) devices. In this embodiment, the device could hold on to the same wideband channel, while switching to another narrowband channel, within the same wideband channel, to avoid narrow band interference.

[0093] Packet extension content

[0094] According to one or more embodiments, the packet extension could correspond to transmitting padding, but it could contain data, information, signaling or content that is useful. One constraint may be that the content needs to be such that the devices would also function properly when ignoring it. One example would be to use the padding for transmitting reference signals, which a device with more processing power and hence having to use a shorter time to process or switch, could use to obtain more detailed channel estimates or positioning information. For the receiving device padding, one embodiment could also be to repeat the preamble a number of times until the desired length is achieved.

[0095] Accordingly, one or more embodiments relate to packet extension at both the beginning and the end of packets for a Bluetooth (or other technology or RAN) device operating in 6 GHz, to allow for a reduced on-air gap time, while still leaving devices sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

[0096] One or more embodiments described herein provides benefits to the co-existence between narrow band and wideband systems operating in, for example, the 6 GHz band by preventing on- air collisions between transmissions. One or more embodiments provides these advantages while taking into account the nature of a Bluetooth device (or other technology device) that is a low cost device that may need significant time for operations like receiver processing and transitioning between transmitting and receiving.

[0097] As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system, computer program product and / or computer storage media storing an executable computer program. Accordingly, the concepts described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Any process, step, action and / or functionality described herein may be performed by, and / or associated to, a corresponding module, which may be implemented in software and / or firmware and / or hardware. Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

[0098] Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer (to thereby create a special purpose computer), special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0099] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function / act specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0100] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions / acts specified in the flowchart and / or block diagram block or blocks.

[0101] It is to be understood that the functions / acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality / acts involved. Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[0102] Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Python, Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0103] Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and / or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

[0104] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0105] Embodiments:

[0106] Al . A method implemented in a device configured to wirelessly communicate with another device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: modifying an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and transmitting to the other device according to the modified on-air gap.

[0107] A2. The method of Embodiment Al, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

[0108] A3. The method of any one of Embodiments A1-A2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel. A4. The method of any one of Embodiments A1-A2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

[0109] A5. The method of any one of Embodiments A4, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

[0110] A6. The method of any one of Embodiments A4-A5, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

[0111] A7. The method of Embodiment A6, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

[0112] A8. The method of Embodiment A6, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

[0113] A9. The method of any one of Embodiments A1-A9, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet, the transmission to the other device including the first packet with the first packet extension; and receiving a transmission including a second packet extension.

[0114] A10. The method of Embodiment A9, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

[0115] Al l. The method of any one of Embodiments A9-A10, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

[0116] Al l. The method of any one of Embodiments A9-A10, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

[0117] A12. The method of Embodiment Al l, wherein the signaling comprises reference signal.

[0118] Bl. A device configured to wirelessly communicate with another device in a wireless communication system, the device configured to, and / or comprising a radio interface and / or comprising processing circuitry configured to: modify an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and transmit to the other device according to the modified on-air gap. B2. The device of Embodiment Bl, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

[0119] B3. The device of any one of Embodiments B1-B2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

[0120] B4. The device of any one of Embodiments B1-B2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

[0121] B5. The device of any one of Embodiments B4, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

[0122] B6. The device of any one of Embodiments B4-B5, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

[0123] B7. The device of Embodiment B6, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

[0124] B8. The device of Embodiment B6, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

[0125] B9. The device of any one of Embodiments B1-B9, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet, the transmission to the other device including the first packet with the first packet extension; and receiving a transmission including a second packet extension.

[0126] BIO. The device of Embodiment B9, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

[0127] Bl 1. The device of any one of Embodiments B9-B10, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

[0128] Bl 1. The device of any one of Embodiments B9-B10, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

[0129] B12. The device of Embodiment Bl 1, wherein the signaling comprises reference signal.

[0130] Cl . A method implemented in a device configured to wirelessly communicate with another device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: modifying an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and receive, from the other device, a transmission according to the modified on-air gap.

[0131] C2. The method of Embodiment Cl, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

[0132] C3. The method of any one of Embodiments C1-C2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

[0133] C4. The method of any one of Embodiments C1-C2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

[0134] C5. The method of any one of Embodiments C4, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

[0135] C6. The method of any one of Embodiments C4-C5, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

[0136] C7. The method of Embodiment C6, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

[0137] C8. The method of Embodiment C6, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

[0138] C9. The method of any one of Embodiments C1-C8, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet; transmitting the first packet with the first packet extension; and the received transmission including a second packet extension.

[0139] CIO. The method of Embodiment C9, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

[0140] Cl 1. The method of any one of Embodiments C9-C10, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

[0141] C12. The method of any one of Embodiments C9-C10, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

[0142] C13. The method of Embodiment Cl 1, wherein the signaling comprises a reference signal. DI . A device configured to wirelessly communicate with another device in a wireless communication system, the device configured to, and / or comprising a radio interface and / or comprising processing circuitry configured to: modify an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and receive, from the other device, a transmission according to the modified on-air gap.

[0143] D2. The device of Embodiment DI, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

[0144] D3. The device of any one of Embodiments D1-D2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

[0145] D4. The device of any one of Embodiments D1-D2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

[0146] D5. The device of any one of Embodiments D4, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

[0147] D6. The device of any one of Embodiments D4-D5, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

[0148] D7. The device of Embodiment D6, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

[0149] D8. The device of Embodiment D6, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

[0150] D9. The device of any one of Embodiments D1-D9, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet; transmitting the first packet with the first packet extension; and the received transmission including a second packet extension.

[0151] DIO. The device of Embodiment D9, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

[0152] Dl l. The device of any one of Embodiments D9-D10, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits. D12. The device of any one of Embodiments D9-D10, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

[0153] D 13. The device of Embodiment Dl l, wherein the signaling comprises reference signal.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method implemented in a device configured to wirelessly communicate with another device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: modifying (SI 00) an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and transmitting (SI 02) to the other device according to the modified on-air gap.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

3. The method of any one of Claims 1-2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

4. The method of any one of Claims 1-2, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

5. The method of Claim 4, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

6. The method of any one of Claims 4-5, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

7. The method of Claim 6, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

8. The method of Claim 6, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

9. The method of any one of Claims 1-8, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet, the transmission to the other device including the first packet with the first packet extension; and receiving a transmission including a second packet extension.

10. The method of Claim 9, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

11. The method of any one of Claims 9-10, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

12. The method of any one of Claims 9-10, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

13. The method of Claim 12, wherein the signaling comprises reference signal.

14. A device (14) configured to wirelessly communicate with another device (16) in a wireless communication system (10), the device configured to, and / or comprising a radio interface (22) and / or comprising processing circuitry (24) configured to: modify an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and transmit to the other device according to the modified on-air gap.

15. The device (14) of Claim 14, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

16. The device (14) of any one of Claims 14-15, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

17. The device (14) of any one of Claims 14-15, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

18. The device (14) of any one of Claims 17, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

19. The device (14) of any one of Claims 17-18, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

20. The device (14) of Claim 19, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

21. The device (14) of Claim 19, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

22. The device (14) of any one of Claims 14-21, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet, the transmission to the other device including the first packet with the first packet extension; and receiving a transmission including a second packet extension.

23. The device (14) of Claim 22, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

24. The device (14) of any one of Claims 22-23, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

25. The device (14) of any one of Claims 22-23, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

26. The device (14) of Claim 25, wherein the signaling comprises reference signal.

27. A method implemented in a device configured to wirelessly communicate with another device in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:modifying (SI 04) an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and receive (SI 06), from the other device, a transmission according to the modified on-air gap-28. The method of Claim 27, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

29. The method of any one of Claims 27-28, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

30. The method of any one of Claims 27-28, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

31. The method of any one of Claims 30, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

32. The method of any one of Claims 30-31, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

33. The method of Claim 32, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

34. The method of Claim 32, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

35. The method of any one of Claims 27-34, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet; transmitting the first packet with the first packet extension; andthe received transmission including a second packet extension.

36. The method of Claim 35, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

37. The method of any one of Claims 35-36, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

38. The method of any one of Claims 35-36, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

39. The method of Claim C38, wherein the signaling comprises a reference signal.

40. A device (16) configured to wirelessly communicate with another device (14) in a wireless communication system (10), the device configured to, and / or comprising a radio interface (34) and / or comprising processing circuitry (36) configured to: modify an on-air gap time associated with communications between the device and the other device, the modified on-air gap being configured to prevent the communications between the device and the other device from satisfying a clear channel assessment; and receive, from the other device, a transmission according to the modified on-air gap.

41. The device (16) of Claim 40, wherein the modified on-air gap is configured to provide the device and the other device with sufficient time for processing and state transitions.

42. The device (16) of any one of Claims 40-41, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a channel.

43. The device (16) of any one of Claims 40-41, wherein the communications between the device and the other device occur in a first channel and a second channel different from the first channel.

44. The device (16) of any one of Claims 43, wherein the first and second channels are narrowband channels.

45. The device (16) of any one of Claims 43-44, wherein the narrowband channels are within a wideband channel.

46. The device (16) of Claim 45, wherein the first and second channels are Bluetooth channels; and the wideband channel is a Wi-Fi channel.

47. The device (16) of Claim 45, wherein the first and second channels are channels of a first radio access technology, RAT, and the wideband channel is a channel of a second RAT different from the first RAT.

48. The device (16) of any one of Claims 40-47, wherein modifying the on-air gap time comprises: adding a first packet extension to a packet; transmitting the first packet with the first packet extension; and the received transmission including a second packet extension.

49. The device (16) of Claim 48, wherein the second packet extension is shorter, in time, than the first packet extension.

50. The device (16) of any one of Claims 48-49, wherein the first packet extension comprises padding bits.

51. The device (16) of any one of Claims 48-49, wherein the first packet extension comprises one of signaling or data for performing at least one device function.

52. The device (16) of Claim 51, wherein the signaling comprises reference signal.

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