Methods, systems, and apparatuses for interoperability between non-primary channel access (NPCA) and restricted target wake time (r-TWT)

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems provide recovery for interoperability between non- primary channel access (NPCA) and restricted target wake time (R-TWT). In the context of a method, the method includes identifying a first R-TWT service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the apparatus; and performing one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more NPCA capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

Description

METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUSES FOR INTEROPERABILITY BETWEEN NON-PRIMARY CHANNEL ACCESS (NPCA) AND RESTRICTED TARGET WAKE TIME (R-TWT)TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] Various aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to techniques for nonprimary channel access (NPCA) and, more particularly, to a framework for interoperability between NPCA and restricted target wake time (R-TWT).BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless communications systems, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, may support latency-sensitive applications at Wi-Fi stations (STAs). Some such applications include virtual reality (VR) applications, mixed reality (MR) applications, and augmented reality (XR) applications. In some cases, reliability and non-deterministic channel access, such as for wideband transmissions, may constrain a performance of latency-sensitive applications.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0003] Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for NPCA. In this regard, the methods, apparatuses, and systems are configured to support a framework for concurrent reception for interoperability between NPCA and R-TWT. For example, the methods, apparatuses, and systems are configured to support joint operation of NPCA and R-TWT. By providing for joint operation of NPCA and R-TWT, the methods, apparatuses, and systems may reduce latency and improve resource utilization within a wireless communications system.

[0004] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive a signal indicating a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); determine the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and perform one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on a status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS and the second BSS.

[0005] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise transmitting at least one frame during a transmission opportunity via a primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS based at least in part on the status including at least one of the following: NPCA being active within the second BSS or NPCA being inactive within the first BSS.

[0006] In at least one example embodiment, transmitting the at least one frame is further based at least in part on at least one of the following: a first operating bandwidth associated with the primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS overlapping with a second operating bandwidth associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission, wherein the OBSS transmission overlaps at least in part with the first R-TWT service period and the second R-TWT service period, a first bandwidth associated with a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS being non overlapping with a second bandwidth associated with the primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS, or a first bandwidth associated with the primary channel associated with NPCA for first BSS being non overlapping with a second bandwidth associated with a first reference primary channel associated with the second BSS.

[0007] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: terminate transmission of the at least one frame or the transmission opportunity in response to at least one of the following: the end of the second R-TWT service period or a switch by the apparatus from the primary channel to a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS.

[0008] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise: refraining from transmitting at least one frame via a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS during a portion of the second R-TWT service period that is overlapping with the first R TWT service period based at least in part on the status including at least one of the following: NPCA being active within the first BSS or NPCA being inactive within the second BSS.

[0009] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: monitor, during the portion of the second R-TWT service period, a bandwidth associated with the reference primary channel; and based at least in part on the monitoring, resume transmission of at least one frame via the reference primary channelassociated with the second BSS during the second R-TWT service period or terminate transmission of one or more subsequent frames.

[0010] In at least one example embodiment, the monitoring comprises: monitoring the bandwidth associated with the reference primary channel during one or more monitoring windows within the portion of the second R-TWT service period, wherein at least one monitoring window of the one or more monitoring windows is based at least in part on the start of the first R-TWT service period.

[0011] In at least one example embodiment, based at least in part on the status including NPCA being active within the second BSS and the first BSS, the one or more operations comprise: switching to a primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS, or transmitting at least one frame via a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS.

[0012] In at least one example embodiment, a first operating bandwidth of a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS is orthogonal to a second operating bandwidth of the primary channel.

[0013] In at least one example embodiment, a first protection bandwidth of a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS is orthogonal to a second protection bandwidth of the primary channel.

[0014] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise switching to the primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS based at least in part on an absence of a first one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS and an absence of a second one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the primary channel.

[0015] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise transmitting the at least one frame via the reference primary channel associated with the second BSS based at least in part on an absence of a first one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with a first primary channel associated with NPCA for the first BSS and an absence of a second one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the reference primary channel associated with the second BSS.

[0016] In at least one example embodiment, based at least in part on the status including NPCA being active within the second BSS and the first BSS, the one or more operations comprise: refraining from transmitting at least one frame via a primary channel associated withNPCA during a portion of the second R-TWT service period that is overlapping with the first R TWT service period; monitoring, during the portion of the second R-TWT service period, a bandwidth associated with the primary channel; and based at least in part on the monitoring: transmitting the at least one frame via the primary channel, terminate transmission of the at least one frame, terminate a transmission opportunity associated with transmission of the at least one frame, switch to a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS, or transition to an inactive state.

[0017] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive information pertaining to at least one OBSS transmission overlapping with the primary channel; and based at least in part on the information, transmit the at least one frame via the primary channel, terminate the transmission of the at least one frame, terminate a transmission opportunity associated with the transmission of the at least one frame, switch to the reference primary channel, or transition to the inactive state.

[0018] In at least one example embodiment, based at least in part on the status including NPCA being active within the second BSS and the first BSS, the one or more operations comprise: refraining from transmitting at least one frame via a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS during a portion of the second R-TWT service period that is overlapping with the first R TWT service period; monitoring, during the portion of the second R-TWT service period, a bandwidth associated with the reference primary channel; and based at least in part on the monitoring: resuming transmission of the at least one frame, terminate transmission of the at least one frame, terminate a transmission opportunity associated with the transmission of the at least one frame, or transition to an inactive state.

[0019] In at least one example embodiment, performing the one or more operations is in response to a trigger-based transmission from another apparatus associated with the first BSS.

[0020] In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus is a station (STA).

[0021] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive a request for a coordinated restricted target wake time (CR-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); receive, based at least in part on the request, a signal indicating scheduling information associated with a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with the first group of apparatuses within the first BSS and a first status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS; determine the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and perform one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the first status of NPCA at the first BSS and a second status of NPCA at the second BSS.

[0022] In at least one example embodiment, the signal is further indicative of at least one of the following: a frequency location of a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS, a frequency location of a first primary channel associated with NPCA for the first BSS, an operating bandwidth associated with the first reference primary channel, or an operating bandwidth associated with the first primary channel.

[0023] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise: receiving at least one frame during a transmission opportunity via a primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS based at least in part on the first status including NPCA being inactive within the first BSS and the second status including NPCA being active within the second BSS.

[0024] In at least one example embodiment, receiving the at least one frame is further based at least in part on at least one of the following: a first operating bandwidth associated with the primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS overlapping with a second operating bandwidth associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission, wherein the OBSS transmission overlaps at least in part with the first R-TWT service period and the second R-TWT service period, or a first bandwidth associated with a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS being non overlapping with a second bandwidth associated with the primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS.

[0025] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise: receiving, in response to a trigger, at least one frame via a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS during a portion of the second R-TWT service period that is overlapping with the first R TWT service period based at least in part on the first status including NPCA being active within the first BSS and the second status including NPCA being inactive within the second BSS.

[0026] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise: transmitting at least one frame over a duration, wherein the start of the duration corresponds tothe start of the first R-TWT service period or a time instance within a monitoring window associated with the second R-TWT service period.

[0027] In at least one example embodiment, a length of the monitoring window is based at least in part on an exchange of signaling between the apparatus and another apparatus associated with the first BSS.

[0028] In at least one example embodiment, based at least in part on the first status including NPCA being active within the first BSS and the second status including NPCA being active within the second BSS, the one or more operations comprise: receiving at least one frame via a primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS or a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS.

[0029] In at least one example embodiment, a first operating bandwidth of a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS is orthogonal to a second operating bandwidth of the primary channel.

[0030] In at least one example embodiment, a first protection bandwidth of a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS is orthogonal to a second protection bandwidth of the primary channel.

[0031] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise receiving at least one frame via a primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS based at least in part on an absence of a first one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with a first reference primary channel associated with the first BSS and an absence of a second one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS.

[0032] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit information pertaining to at least one OBSS transmission overlapping with a primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS.

[0033] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise receiving at least one frame via a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS based at least in part on an absence of a first one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with a first primary channel associated with NPCA for the first BSS and an absence of a second one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the reference primary channel associated with the second BSS.

[0034] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit a second signal indicating at least one of the following: second scheduling information associated with the second R-TWT service period, the second status of NPCA at the second BSS, a frequency location of a reference primary channel associated with the second BSS, a frequency location of a primary channel associated with NPCA for the second BSS, an operating bandwidth associated with the reference primary channel, or an operating bandwidth associated with the primary channel.

[0035] In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus is an access point (AP).

[0036] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: identify a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the apparatus; and perform one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0037] In at least one example embodiment, the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), and wherein the one or more operations comprise switching from a reference primary channel to a primary channel associated with NPCA based at least in part on the first R-TWT service period overlapping with the second R-TWT service period.

[0038] In at least one example embodiment, the switching to the primary channel occurs over a duration, and wherein the start of the duration corresponds to the start of the first R-TWT service period or a time instance within the first R-TWT service period.

[0039] In at least one example embodiment, switching to the primary channel is based at least in part on the one or more apparatuses comprising a capability to switch to the reference primary channel at the start of the first R-TWT service period.

[0040] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise: a first one or more operations unassociated with R-TWT based at least in part on at least one apparatus of the one or more apparatuses lacking an NPCA capability, or a second one or more operationsassociated with R-TWT based at least in part on each apparatus of the one or more apparatuses comprising the NPCA capability.

[0041] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, from an access point associated with the BSS, a signal indicating that one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT are not applicable to NPCA.

[0042] In at least one example embodiment, in accordance with at least one rule of the one or more rules, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: truncate a transmission opportunity within the first R-TWT service period at the start of a second R-TWT service period that is overlapping with the first R-TWT service period, transmit one or more frames within the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the apparatus being included the group of apparatuses, or refrain from transmitting outside of the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the apparatus being included in the group of apparatuses.

[0043] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: perform the one or more operations in accordance with one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT based at least in part on the apparatus including an NPCA capability and enabling the NPCA capability.

[0044] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations include operating in accordance with an inactive mode based at least in part on the apparatus lacking an NPCA capability or include the NPCA capability and disabling the NPCA capability.

[0045] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to operate in accordance with the inactive mode until the start of another R-TWT service period associated with the group of apparatuses.

[0046] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise switching from a reference primary channel to a primary channel associated NPCA, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: refrain from applying one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the switching; and apply the one or more rules during another R-TWT service period after the first R-TWT service period.

[0047] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive a signal indicating a second R-TWT service periodassociated with an OBSS; based at least in part on the second R-TWT service period, switch from a reference primary channel to a primary channel associated with NPCA during the first R-TWT service period; and switch from the primary channel to the reference primary channel after the second R-TWT service period or after the first R-TWT service period.

[0048] In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus is a station (STA).

[0049] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code (e.g., instructions) configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: identify a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including the apparatus; determine that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS); and perform one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0050] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise switching from a reference primary channel associated with the BSS to a primary channel associated with NPCA.

[0051] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit a signal to at least one apparatus included in the group of apparatuses based at least in part on the switch, wherein the signal indicates the second R-TWT service period associated with the OBSS; and switch from the primary channel to the reference primary channel after the second R-TWT service period or after the first R-TWT service period.

[0052] In at least one example embodiment, the first R-TWT service period includes a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) associated with the apparatus, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: refrain from scheduling a beacon transmission at the TBTT based at least in part on the switching.

[0053] In at least one example embodiment, the switching to the primary channel occurs over a duration, and wherein the start of the duration corresponds to the start of the first R-TWT service period or a time instance within the first R-TWT service period.

[0054] In at least one example embodiment, switching to the primary channel is based at least in part on the one or more apparatuses including a capability to switch to the reference primary channel at the start of the first R-TWT service period.

[0055] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit, to at least one apparatus included in the group of apparatuses, a signal indicating that one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT are not applicable to NPCA.

[0056] In at least one example embodiment, in accordance with at least one rule of the one or more rules, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: truncate a transmission opportunity at the start of the first R-TWT service period, receive one or more frames within the first R-TWT service period, or refrain from monitoring for one or more frames outside of the first R-TWT service period.

[0057] In at least one example embodiment, the one or more operations comprise truncating a transmission opportunity associated with the BSS at the start of the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the one or more NPCA capabilities of the one or more apparatuses.

[0058] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: obtain a transmission opportunity, wherein, based at least in part on the apparatus including an NPCA capability and enabling the NPCA capability, the one or more operations comprise truncating the transmission opportunity during a portion of the transmission opportunity that is overlapping with the second R-TWT service period.

[0059] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: obtain a transmission opportunity, wherein, based at least in part on the apparatus including an NPCA capability and enabling the NPCA capability, the one or more operations comprise refraining from truncating the transmission opportunity based at least in part on the transmission opportunity being associated with at least one of the following: at least one frame of at least one downlink R-TWT traffic identification, at least one frame of at least one uplink R-TWT traffic identification, at least one management frame, or at least one beacon transmission.

[0060] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit a signal to at least one apparatus included in thegroup of apparatuses, wherein the signal indicates the second R-TWT service period associated with the OBSS; and switch from a primary channel associated with NPCA to a reference primary channel associated with the BSS after the second R-TWT service period or after the first R-TWT service period.

[0061] In at least one example embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: obtain a transmission opportunity, wherein the apparatus is the holder of the transmission opportunity; and refrain from scheduling one or more beacon transmissions with a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) or a target short beacon transmission time (TSBTT) based at least in part on the TBTT or TSBTT being within a portion of the first R-TWT service period, the apparatus comprising an NPCA capability, the apparatus enabling the NPCA capability, and the apparatus operating on the primary channel associated with NPCA.

[0062] In at least one example embodiment, the apparatus is an access point (AP).

[0063] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising: receiving a signal indicating a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); determining the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and performing one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on a status of nonprimary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS and the second BSS.

[0064] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising: receiving a request for a coordinated restricted target wake time (CR-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); receiving, based at least in part on the request, a signal indicating scheduling information associated with a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with the first group of apparatuses within the first BSS and a first status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS; determining the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and performing one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the first status of NPCA at the first BSS and a second status of NPCA at the second BSS.

[0065] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising: identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the apparatus; and performing one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0066] In at least one example embodiment, a method is provided comprising: identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including the apparatus; determining that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS); and performing one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0067] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: receive a signal indicating a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); determine the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and perform one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on a status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS and the second BSS.

[0068] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: receive a request for a coordinated restricted target wake time (CR-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); receive, based at least in part on the request, a signal indicating scheduling information associated with a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with the first group of apparatuses within the first BSS and a first status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS; determine the first R-TWTservice period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and perform one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the first status of NPCA at the first BSS and a second status of NPCA at the second BSS.

[0069] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: identify a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the apparatus; and perform one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0070] In at least one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises computer instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to: identify a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including the apparatus; determine that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS); and perform one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0071] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for: receiving a signal indicating a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); determining the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and performing one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on a status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS and the second BSS.

[0072] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for: receiving a request for a coordinated restricted target wake time (CR-TWT) service periodassociated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS); receiving, based at least in part on the request, a signal indicating scheduling information associated with a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with the first group of apparatuses within the first BSS and a first status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS; determining the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus; and performing one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the first status of NPCA at the first BSS and a second status of NPCA at the second BSS.

[0073] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for: identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the apparatus; and performing one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0074] In at least one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises means for: identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including the apparatus; determining that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS); and performing one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0075] The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing at least some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope of the disclosure in any way. It will also be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those summarized here, some of which will be further described below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0077] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0078] FIG. 2A illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0079] FIGs. 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate example timing diagrams to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0080] FIG. 3A illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0081] FIG. 3B illustrates an example timing diagram to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0082] FIG. 4A illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0083] FIG. 4B illustrates an example timing diagram to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0084] FIG. 5A illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0085] FIG. 5B illustrates an example timing diagram to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0086] FIG. 6 illustrates an example timing diagram to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0087] FIG. 7A illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0088] FIG. 7B illustrates an example timing diagram to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0089] FIG. 8A illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0090] FIGs. 8B and 8C illustrate example timing diagrams to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0091] FIG. 9A illustrates an example communications system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0092] FIGs. 9B and 9C illustrate example timing diagrams to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied;

[0093] FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied; and

[0094] FIGs. 11 through 14 illustrate example flowcharts of methods to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0096] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, and “A and / or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0097] Embodiments described may be implemented in a communications system (e.g., a communication network), such as any of the following radio access technologies (RATs): wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), BLUETOOTH, Worldwide Interoperability for Micro-wave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications system (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LIE), LTE-Advanced, and enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G (also called NR), or any future radio accesstechnology (RAT) such as 6G. Moreover, communication within the communication network may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and / or Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM).

[0098] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example, a terminal device may be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Mobile Station (MS). The terminal device may include a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehiclemounted wireless terminal devices, universal serial bus (USB) USB dongles, an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like.

[0099] A term “resource”, as used herein, may refer to radio resources in time domain, in frequency domain, in space domain, and / or in code domain. Some examples of resources include e.g. a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a subband, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. The term “transmission” and / or “reception” may refer to wirelessly transmitting and / or receiving via a wireless propagation channel on radio resources.

[0100] In some examples, a communications system may be deployed in a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network. That is, in some examples, a communications system may be an example of a WLAN system. The WLAN system may support wireless communications between one or more communications devices in accordance with one or more Wi-Fi protocols, such as protocols based on institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards and / or related drafts, such as 802.11-2020, 802.1 lac, 802.1 lax,802.1 Ibe, 802.1 Ibn, and / or others.

[0101] In some examples, Wi-Fi communications may occur via one or more radio frequency bands, such as 2.4 gigahertz (GHz), 3.6 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 60 GHz, and / or the like. In some such examples, each radio frequency band may support one or more channels (e.g., 20 megahertz (MHz) channels) over which data may be communicated. In some examples, multiple devices may use multiple channels to communicate over the WLAN simultaneously.

[0102] A WLAN system may include one or more communications devices, such as an access points (APs) and / or a station (STA), which is also referred to herein as a non-AP STA. For example, a device configured to support one or more Wi-Fi protocols may be an example of an AP (e.g., may operate in accordance with an AP mode) and / or may be an example of a non-AP STA (e.g., may operate in accordance with a non-AP STA mode). In some examples, an AP may control Wi-Fi communications for one or more non-AP STAs. For example, an AP may be (or may be connected to) a central entity used to establish (and / or control) one or more connections between one or more STAs and another network (e.g., the Internet). In other words, in some examples, the AP may connect a wired network (e.g., the Internet) to a wireless network (e.g., the WLAN). In some instances, a Wi-Fi network may be identified via one or more identifiers, such as a service set identifier (SSID) or a basic service set identifier (BSSID).

[0103] In some examples, an AP of a WLAN system includes at least one distribution system access function configured to facilitate data communication beyond the AP. Additionally, or alternatively, STAs may be configured to be end devices, which rely on association with an AP to communicate with devices other than the AP. An AP may be configured to connect to a wired local area network (LAN) (e.g., via Ethernet). The AP may allow one or more client devices (e.g., STAs) to access wireless connections via WLAN. The client devices may also be referred to as “WLAN clients”. WLAN clients may comprise various devices and / or types of devices, including laptops, tablets, cell phones, and / or other devices.

[0104] A WLAN system may support one or more architectures (types of logical relationships between devices). For example, a WLAN system may support an autonomous architecture, a centralized architecture, a cooperative architecture, and / or other types of architectures. In some examples of an autonomous architecture, APs are stand-alone APs configured with features and capabilities to operate without any reliance on another device. In some examples of a centralized architecture, a centralized network manager may regulate theoperation of the WLAN. In other words, the network manager may be the AP or may be connected to one or more APs within the WLAN. For example, APs may be connected (e.g., wirelessly and / or via a wired connection) to a central entity, which may be configured to act as a network manager. In some examples, the network manager is a cloud-based entity, which may reside either in a private cloud or in a public cloud. In some examples of a cooperative architecture (also referred to as a network manager-less or controller-less architecture), a virtual management (e.g., cloud-based) system may be used to control a WLAN. For example, the virtual management system may employ a cooperative communication method between one or more APs to control the WLAN. In other examples, a centralized network manager may use a wireless system to provide local connection to clients (e.g., STAs). For example, the centralized network manager may be a controller configured to perform operations related to authentication, authorization, accounting (e.g., via an authentication, authorizing, and accounting (AAA) server), and / or other operations.

[0105] Additionally, or alternatively, a WLAN system may support one or more topologies (types of physical connections between various devices within the WLAN system). For example, the WLAN system may support an infrastructure topology which may include a combination of wired and wireless connections. In some examples of an infrastructure topology, the infrastructure topology may include one or more wired devices with a wired connection to a network (e.g., one or more APs that are each connected via a cable to a switch) and the one or more wired devices may support one or more wireless connections to one or more wireless devices (e.g., laptops, tablets, cell phones), such that the wireless devices may connect wirelessly to the network. In other words, the one or more wired devices may serve as a bridge between the wireless network and the wired network. Additionally, or alternatively, the WLAN system may support an ad hoc topology, which does not rely on infrastructure (e.g., cables, routers, servers, or APs). In some examples of an ad hoc network, one or more STAs (also referred to as clients or client devices) may wirelessly connect to other devices in a peer-to-peer network.Additionally, or alternatively, the WLAN system may support a mesh topology in which multiple network devices are interconnected with each other via wireless connections. For example, in accordance with a mesh topology, an AP (e.g., each AP), which may support one or more wireless connections with one or more STAs, may communicate wirelessly with one or more other APs.

[0106] In accordance with one or more Wi-Fi protocols, data may be transmitted wirelessly between two devices (e.g., an AP and a STA) via packets, referred to as protocol data units (PDUs). In other words, Wi-Fi communications may include transmission and reception of one or more PDUs. For example, data may be communicated via a frame (e.g., a medium access control (MAC) frame), which may include one or more PDUs. In some instances, multiple frames may include the same PDU. In some examples, a PDU may include data (referred to as a payload), as well as one or more headers (e.g., a sequence of one or more fields) and / or one or more trailers (e.g., a sequence of bits appended to the PDU, after the payload). In some examples, the data included in the PDU, may be user data, control data, management data, and / or other types of data. In some examples, frames may include data type frames, control type frames, management type frames, and / or other types of frames. At least one frame type (e.g., each frame type) may be included in a PDU, wherein a payload of a PDU may comprise user data, control data, management data, and / or other data. In some examples, a WLAN system may implement one or more security protocols to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Wi-Fi communications.

[0107] In some examples, a WLAN system may support transmission opportunities (TXOPs) to increase throughput, such as for high priority data, by providing contention-free channel access for a period of time. A TXOP may be available in a quality of service (QoS) mode as part of Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA), and / or may be a limited time period of contention-free channel access available to the channel-owning station (e.g., the TXOP holder). During such a period a TXOP holder, which may be a STA or an AP, may send multiple frames that satisfy criteria, which may have been determined for the use of TXOP. In some examples, the criteria may allow transmission of frames belonging to an access category (AC) other than the AC for which the TXOP has been obtained. In some examples, a TXOP may increase throughput and / or reduce delay of QoS data frames by eliminating contention periods between transmissions. In some examples, a TXOP may be used in combination with frame aggregation and block acknowledgement to further increase throughput.

[0108] In some examples, access categories have different channel access parameters, such as Arbitration Interframe Spacing (AIFS), duration, contention window size, and TXOP limit. In some examples, values of these parameters may be set in a manner that increases a likelihood of higher priority packets being prioritized over lower priority packets. For example, the values ofthe parameters may be set that a STA (typically) waits for a shorter duration before sending the higher priority packets compared to a duration that the STA may wait before sending the lower priority packets. Additionally, or alternatively, the values of the parameters may be set so that the contention window for higher priority packets is smaller than that of lower priority packets and / or so that multiple packets may be sent in a TXOP. In some examples, a TXOP holder, which may be either a STA or an AP, may send frames to multiple recipients during a TXOP. In addition to QoS data frames, other frames may be exchanged during the TXOP, such as an acknowledgement (ACK), BlockAckReq / BlockAck frames, and / or other control and management frames.

[0109] In some examples, a WLAN system uses multi-link operation (MLO) to improve data transmission (e.g., via using multiple frequency bands for transmissions). In some examples, MLO further comprises various features, including simultaneous transmit and receive (STR), multi-channel multi-radio (MCMR), enhanced multi-AP roaming (E-MAR), non-simultaneous transmit and receive (NSTR), multi-link multi-radio (MLMR), and / or other features.

[0110] An AP that supports MLO may be referred to as an AP multi-link device (MLD). An MLO-capable client, for example, such as a STA, may be referred to as a non-AP MLD. Such a client device may have two or more STAs with which it may establish links to an AP MLD. A connection between a STA and AP may represent a link between an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD. In some examples, APs which do not support MLO may be multi-band APs which have two or more APs operating in different bands and / or channels. An AP may operate in one or more bands and / or channels and a client device may connect to the AP via one or more of the bands and / or channels. For example, a client device may associate with the AP in one of the channels. An AP MLD may operate as a multi-band AP, while providing means for a multi-link capable client (non-AP MLD) to simultaneously use two or more of its radios and / or APs for communication with a single association. An AP MLD may be an MLMR, which is configured to communicate simultaneously with its APs with associated non-AP MLDs. Non-AP MLDs may have constraints (e.g., NSTR), which may indicate that simultaneous communication over established links is not possible. Therefore, in some such instances, a non-AP MLD may associate to an AP MLD. Accordingly, the non-AP MLD may be associated over two or more bands and / or channels and may communicate with the APs affiliated to the AP MLD over the established links.

[0111] WLAN devices configured with STR may be configured to allow simultaneous transmission and / or reception via different respective frequency bands, which may reduce latency. WLAN devices configured with MCMR may be configured to allow data transmission via two or more radios and / or channels, which may increase efficiency, reduce congestion, and / or increase network speeds. WLAN devices configured with enhanced multilink single-radio (EMLSR) may be configured to allow client devices to switch between multiple respective APs while maintaining their connections, which may allow more consistent connectivity. WLAN devices configured with NSTR may be configured to allow client devices to non-simultaneous transmission and / or reception via different respective frequency bands, which may reduce latency (particularly in comparison with single-link operation). WLAN devices configured with MLMR may be configured to allow different respective radios and / or channels to be used for managing respective links, which may reduce interference and / or improve network performance.

[0112] A WLAN system may be configured with various types of services sets, for example, such as basic service set (BSS) and / or an extended service set (ESS). A BSS may be comprised of an AP and one or more client devices (e.g., ST As) associated with the AP. The one or more client devices may have one or more common physical layer (PHY) medium access characteristics (e.g., radio frequency, modulation scheme, security settings, and / or the like). A BSSID may define the BSS such that the one or more client devices of the BSS share the same BSSID.

[0113] In some examples, two or more BSSs may have overlapping coverage areas, and they may operate with either partially or entirely same radio frequency channels. In such examples of overlapping BSSs (OBSSs), a client device may transmit frames from the area of overlap, and one or more other client devices may sense the transmission. Responsive to sensing the transmission, the one or more other client devices may cease their own transmissions. In some examples, if the other client devices do not sense the transmission, the other client devices may become hidden terminals with respect to the client device which is transmitting.

[0114] FIG. 1 illustrates an example communications system 100 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 100 may include a cloud network 105, one or more APs (e.g., an AP 110-a, an AP 110-b), and one or more client devices, also referred to herein as STAs, connected to the one or more APs. For example, the communications system 100 may include a STA 115-a and a STA 115-b connected to the AP1110-a, as well as a STA 115-c and a STA 115-d connected to the AP 110-b. In some examples, the APs 110 may be mobile access points (mAPs) with constrained functionality. In some such examples, a configuration comprising an mAP and a STA may be implemented as part of a peer-to-peer connection, for example, as in Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi Aware. In some examples, a device may simultaneously operate as a STA and as an AP. One such an example case is in a multi-AP network, which includes two or more devices that may act as APs and use Wi-Fi for the wireless backhaul connectivity based on a STA-AP connection model.

[0115] In some wireless communications systems, APs may provide wireless connectivity for one or more STAs according to the Wi-Fi standards, such as those that are a subset of the IEEE 802 family of standards. For example, the MAC and PHY specifications for Wi-Fi access points are defined by IEEE 802.11 for transmitting and receiving data in frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 60 GHz, and / or the like. APs and STAs may communicate through the transmission of frames, including data frames, management frames, and / or control frames, which may be transmitted in unicast messages, broadcast messages, or multicast messages. The 802.11 standards define an inter-frame space (IFS) as the nominal time (in microseconds (pts)) that the MAC and PHY use to receive the last symbol of a frame, process the frame, and respond with the first symbol of a response frame (e.g., the earliest possible response frame).

[0116] In the example of FIG. 1, the STAs 115 may be configured to be in a wireless connection with at least one Wi-Fi AP (e.g., the APs 110). Functionalities of the at least one WiFi AP may be implemented by various entities and / or types of entities, for example, such as APs, mAPs, access nodes, nodes, hosts, servers, base stations, and / or other entities suitable for such usage. Functionalities of the at least one client device may be implemented by various entities and / or types of entities, for example, such as clients-side user devices, STAs, UEs, and / or other entities suitable for such usage. For example, the communications system 100 may support radio frequency sensing during IFS.

[0117] The communications system 100 may support latency-sensitive applications at Wi-Fi devices (e.g., APs, STAs). Some such applications may include for example virtual reality applications, mixed reality applications, and augmented reality (XR) applications. In some cases, reliability and non-deterministic channel access, such as for wideband transmissions, may constrain a performance of latency-sensitive applications. For example, for a widebandtransmission (or channel bonding), a devices may use a primary 20 MHz channel to communicate control frames and management frames and may communicate data frames by bonding a BSS primary channel (also referred to herein as a reference primary channel or, more simply, a primary channel) with one or more other available 20 MHz channels, which are referred to as secondary channels. Channel bonding was introduced to provide for transmissions over multiple contiguous 20 MHz channels. In some instances, channel bonding may support transmissions over a total bandwidth of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

[0118] In some examples, if the device assesses the BSS primary channel to be idle, the device may perform a wideband transmission across a bandwidth including the BSS primary channel or the BSS primary channel and one or multiple contiguous secondary channels (e.g., totaling 40 MHz, 80MHz, or 160 MHz or 320MHz). In some instances, however, an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission may overlap (partially or fully) with the BSS primary channel. In some such instances, the device may determine that the BSS primary channel is busy and, as such, may defer the wideband transmission. Consequently, the secondary channels may sit idle until the BSS primary channel is available, which may lead to reduced performance, for example, for latency-sensitive applications.

[0119] Some wireless communications systems may employ one or more protocols to reduce latency for devices, such as STAs running latency-sensitive applications (e.g., VR, MR, and / or XR applications). In some cases, however, a wireless communications system may experience constrained reliability and non-deterministic channel access, such as for wideband transmissions. For example, when a device uses wideband transmission (or channel bonding), the device may perform a listen-before-talk (LBT) procedure on each 20 MHz channel comprising the overall bandwidth used in the transmission. When operating in this mode, the device may select one of the 20 MHz channels as the primary channel. The selected channel may then be used as the primary channel (e.g., a reference primary channel) to communicate control frames (e.g., critical control frames) and management frames, as well as to support various types of STAs (e.g., legacy STAs, modern STAs), while data frames may be transmitted across the entire bandwidth (BW) by bonding the primary 20 MHz channel with other available channels (e.g., all other available 20 MHz channels), which are referred to herein as secondary channels. For a device, such as an AP or non-AP STA (referred to herein as a STA), to acquire a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and perform a wideband transmission, the device first gains access to (e.g.,“wins”) the primary channel via an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) procedure. In some instances, the device may perform the EDCA procedure (e.g., to “win” the primary channel) irrespective of whether one or more secondary channels are idle. In some cases, the device may perform a separate check (e.g., via a point coordination function (PCF) interframe space (PIFS) Clear Channel Assessment (CCA)) to determine whether a secondary channel is idle.

[0120] A procedure, such as may be defined in IEEE 802.1 lac, may enable a device, such as a STA, to adjust a transmission bandwidth of the STA per TXOP to include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz based on channel availability. In some examples, however, the adjustment to the transmission bandwidth may be contingent upon the resulting bandwidth being contiguous, and the primary channel was assessed to be idle. For example, the STA may adjust the transmission bandwidth of the STA per TXOP to include 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz based on channel availability so long as the resulting bandwidth is contiguous, and the primary channel was assessed to be idle. In some cases, however, such constraint may result in a substantial amount of unused spectrum, as some non-contiguous 20 MHz channels may be available, but sit idle due to the STA being constrained to using contiguous channels.

[0121] To reduce a likelihood of unused spectrum, a wireless communications system may support preamble puncturing, in which a STA may create bandwidth out of non-contiguous idle (e.g., CCA clear) channels. In some cases, however, the STA first captures the primary 20 MHz channel via EDCA. Given an increasing amount of spectrum available for wireless transmissions (e.g., 802.11 transmissions), necessitating that the STA first capture the primary 20 MHz may lead to relatively large portions of the spectrum going unused. Consequently, the primary channel may represent a bottleneck in terms of system performance and spectrum utilization.

[0122] For instance, a 20 MHz OBSS transmission (e.g., a transmission from neighboring AP / STAs or any other device utilizing the same frequency carrier) may overlap with a reference 160 MHz In-Basic Service Set (In-BSS) transmission (e.g., a transmission from a reference AP / STA). In some examples, an OBSS transmission may overlap one of the reference secondary channels. In some such examples, puncturing may be applied to the 20 MHz channel used by the OBSS from the reference transmission bandwidth, and the reference In-BSS transmission may proceed over a reduced bandwidth. In some other examples, however, an OBSS transmission may overlap the reference primary 20 MHz channel. In some such examples, the transmissionmay be deferred, due to the primary channel being busy. As a result, some channels (e.g., all but the first 20 MHz used by the OBSS) may sit idle until the primary channel becomes available.

[0123] In some instances, due to such constraints, some Wi-Fi deployments may assign neighboring BSSs orthogonal primary channels and may preclude high bandwidth support (as higher bandwidths may have an increased likelihood of overlapping a neighbor’s primary channel), which may lead to inefficient use of spectrum resources and lower effective system throughput compared to what could be supported. In some instances, inefficient spectrum use may be exacerbated by increases in the operating bandwidth (e.g., the maximum operating bandwidth).

[0124] Channel bonding may be used to support transmissions over a contiguous 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz. In some instances, such as instances in which the bandwidth includes 160 MHz, in a first transmission period, no OBSS transmission may occur and, as such, a BSS may transmit over the entire 160 MHz bandwidth. In a second transmission period, however, an OBSS transmission may occur in the last 20 MHz of the bandwidth. In such an example, the BSS may use preamble puncturing to transmit over the first 140 MHz, leaving the last 20 MHz to the OBSS. Thus, in such instances, no spectrum goes unused. However, in a third transmission period, the OBSS may use the first 20 MHz, which corresponds to (e.g., includes) the primary channel of the BSS. In such instances, the BSS may be precluded from performing a transmission (e.g., may not transmit anything), leaving 140 MHz of the bandwidth unused.

[0125] Moreover, some wireless communications systems may support R-TWT, which extends a Target Wake Time (TWT) feature to improve (e.g., optimize) power consumption. For example, the TWT feature enables devices to negotiate specific time intervals, referred to herein as service periods (SPs), during which the devices may (e.g., are expected to) transmit or receive frames so that the device may (safely) operate in an inactive mode (e.g., a sleep / idle mode) outside of the service periods. The R-TWT feature provides stricter control over TWT scheduling to satisfy constraints of high-performance applications, such as AR applications, VR applications, and / or real-time gaming, and to provide for a more deterministic scheduling for devices with time-sensitive data, thereby providing predictable latency and jitter for latencysensitive traffic and improving network efficiency by reducing a likelihood of overlapping TWT schedules for different devices. In some examples, R-TWT includes prioritizing and allowing a group of participating devices to operate within a predefined service period within which thedevices are contending for access to one or more channels (e.g., the devices within the group are the only in-BSS devices contending for access). In other words, during a predefined service period, channel access is restricted to devices within the group. By restricting access to the service period (e.g., a specific time window) to a group of selected devices, R-TWT provides for reduced latency and reduced (e.g., minimal) interruptions (e.g., since the contention is constrained to the R-TWT participating devices). Additionally, as with TWT, R-TWT assists devices with energy saving by enabling the devices to operate in an active mode during the predefined service periods (e.g., to wake up only during assigned time slots), which may be beneficial for some applications or battery-operated devices for which prolonged energy consumption may be constrained (e.g., for loT sensors and smartphones).

[0126] In some examples of R-TWT, a first STA (STA1) and a second STA (STA2) may become part of a restricted group of devices that contend and use a specific (e.g., predefined) R-TWT SP through a solicited procedure or an unsolicited procedure with a first AP (API). The solicited procedure may include a TWT negotiation established through an exchange of TWT elements between a STA and an AP using TWT setup frames, in which a STA sends a TWT Request and the AP may respond with a TWT accept. The unsolicited procedure may include an AP sending (directly to a STA) an unsolicited TWT setup frame to establish a TWT agreement by implementing the TWT accept command in the setup frame. In some such examples, once at least two STAs are associate with the restricted group, the STAs may operate in an active mode (only) during one or more R-TWT service periods, and may operate in an inactive mode (e.g., a sleep / idle mode) otherwise.

[0127] While R-TWT may mitigate congestion within a BSS, R-TWT may not account for an OBSS, which may have one or more service periods that overlap with one or more service periods of the BSS and, as such, may impact the performance of R-TWT. For example, an OBSS including another AP (AP2) and another STA (STA3) may have an R-TWT SP that (at least partially) overlaps with the R-TWT SP of the BSS and, as such, may impact transmission between API and STA2 (or STA1).

[0128] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a framework for interoperability between NPCA and R-TWT, which accounts for overlapping transmissions (or service periods) of an OBSS. For example, the framework may provide for improved resource utilization with the communications system 100 when, for example, a device enables NPCA and / or R-TWT. In someexamples, the framework may reduce unused spectrum resulting from OBSS activity on a primary channel of a BSS, and from the other impact devices with low-latency traffic to be properly served since the OBSS may have an R-TWT SP overlapping with the R-TWT SP of the BSS.

[0129] In some examples, in accordance with the framework, a STA (e.g., STA2) may identify a first R-TWT SP associated with a group of apparatuses within a first BSS, including the STA. In some such examples, the STA may perform one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based one or more NPCA capabilities of one or more STAs (e.g., the STA and / or one or more other STAs) included in a restricted group associated with the first R-TWT SP. In other words, the behavior of the STA during the R-TWT SP may be based on whether or not the STA and / or one or more other STAs within the restricted group support and / or have enabled NPCA. In some examples, by performing operations within the R-TWT SP based on one or more NPCA capabilities of one or more STAs within the restricted group, the STA may jointly operate NPCA and R-TWT, which may lead to improved resource utilization and reduced latency within the communications system 100.

[0130] In some examples, the communications system 100 may additionally or alternatively support coordinated restricted target wake time (CR-TWT). In some such examples, an AP in a BSS (e.g., API) may use CR-TWT to protect R-TWT service of an OBSS AP (e.g., AP2). For example, in accordance with one or more rules for CR-TWT, the AP and one or more associated STAs may terminate a TXOP prior to the start of an R-TWT SP scheduled by the OBSS AP. In some cases, however, the one or more rules may result in overprotecting the OBSS R-TWT SPs when NPCA is used. For example, the reference AP (API) may terminate the TXOP so as to provide better protection to the frame exchange of the OBSS AP (AP2). However, in some cases, the OBSS may support NPCA and may switch from a reference primary channel of the OBSS (which overlaps at least a portion of a reference primary channel of the BSS) to an NPCA primary channel that is non-overlapping with the reference primary channel. In some such cases, terminating a TXOP prior to the start of an R-TWT SP may be unnecessary. In other words, overprotecting the OBSS R-TWT SP by terminating the TXOP prior to the start of the OBSS R-TWT SP may be unnecessary for cases in which both NPCA and CR-TWT are enabled.

[0131] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a framework for interoperability between NPCA and CR-TWT. For example, the framework may provide for improved resourceutilization with the communications system 100 when, for example, a device enables NPCA and / or CR-TWT. In some examples, the framework may reduce unused spectrum resulting from overprotection of R-TWT SPs when NPCA is used.

[0132] In some examples, in accordance with the framework, a STA (e.g., STA2) may receive a signal indicating a first R-TWT service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first BSS (e.g., an OBSS). In some such examples, the STA may determine the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses (e.g., a restricted group) within a second BSS including the STA. The STA may then perform one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based on a status of NPCA at the first BSS and the second BSS. That is, the behavior of the STA may be based on whether the first BSS and / or the second BSS have NPCA enabled. For example, the status of NPCA at a BSS (e.g., the first BSS and / or the second BSS) may correspond to NPCA being active in the BSS (e.g., based on one or more devices within the BSS having an NPCA capability and enabling the NPCA capability). Alternatively, the status of NPCA at a BSS (e.g., the first BSS and / or the second BSS) may correspond to NPCA being inactive in the BSS (e.g., due to one or more devices within the BSS lacking an NPCA capability or having the NPCA capability but not enabling the NPCA capability). In some examples, by performing operations within the R-TWT SP based on the status of NPCA within the first BSS and the second BSS, the STA may jointly operate NPCA and CR-TWT, which may lead to improved resource utilization and reduced latency within the communications system 100.

[0133] FIG. 2A illustrates an example communications system 200 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 200 may be an example of a communications system illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 1. For example, the communications system 200 may include one or more APs, and one or more client devices (e.g., non-AP STAs, referred to herein as STAs) connected to the one or more APs. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 2 A, the communications system 200 may include an AP 210-a (denoted API) providing a coverage area 212-a and an AP 210-b (denoted AP2) providing a coverage area 212-b. The APs 210 may be examples of an AP illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 1. The communications system 200 may also include a STA 215-a (denoted STA1), a STA 215-b (denoted STA2), and a STA 215-c (denoted STA3). The STAs 215 may be examples of a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0134] The communications system 200 may support one or more latency-sensitive applications at Wi-Fi STAs. Some such applications include VR applications, MR applications, XR applications. In some cases, reliability and non-deterministic channel access, such as for wideband transmissions, may constrain a performance of latency-sensitive applications.

[0135] FIG. 2B illustrates an example timing diagram 201 -a to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 201 -a may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 2A. For example, API and STA1 illustrated in the example of FIG. 2A, may be associated with a first BSS (BSS1) having a BSS bandwidth 245 (also referred to as reference bandwidth). The BSS bandwidth 245 may include multiple channels (e.g., multiple 20 MHz channels). To perform a wideband transmission using some (or all) of the BSS bandwidth 245, STA1 may perform an LBT procedure (e.g., an EDCA or CCA procedure) on one or more of the multiple channels (e.g., on each 20 MHz channel). In some instances, one of the channels may be selected as a BSS primary channel, which is used by API and STA1 as the reference channel to communicate control frames (e.g., critical control frames) and management frames between STA1 and API. As illustrated in the example of FIG 2B, a first 20 MHz channel (BSS primary channel 205) may be selected as the BSS primary channel. In some such examples, STA1 may transmit data frames across multiple channels (e.g., the entire bandwidth) by bonding the BSS primary channel 205 with one or more other available secondary channels 207. In some examples, however, for STA1 to acquire a TXOP and perform a wideband transmission, STA1 may first gain access to the BSS primary channel 205 (e.g., via an EDCA procedure). That is, if STA1 fails to capture the BSS primary channel 205, STA1 may refrain from performing the wideband transmission irrespective of whether one or more secondary channels 207 are idle. In some instances, STA1 may gain access to a channel (e.g., the BSS primary channel 205 and / or one or more of the secondary channels 207) via a PIFS CCA procedure. In other words, STA1 may perform an EDCA and / or CCA procedure to gain access to one or more channels of the BSS bandwidth for an In-BSS transmission. For example, if an EDCA / CCA outcome 240 for a channel is positive (illustrated with a thumbs-up icon), STA1 may determine that the channel is available (e.g., idle). Additionally, if an EDCA / CCA outcome 240 for a channel is negative (illustrated with a thumbs-down icon), STA1 may determine that the channel is unavailable (e.g., busy).

[0136] In some examples, a device (e.g., STA1 or API) may determine to transmit a wideband transmission across a transmission bandwidth of 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, and 320 MHz, formed from a 20 MHz channel or multiple contiguous 20 MHz channels. In some such instances, the device may assess the BSS primary channel to be idle and, as such, may transmit the wideband transmission using one 20 MHz channel (e.g., the BSS primary channel) or multiple contiguous 20 MHz channels (e.g., the BSS primary channel plus one or more secondary channels having a total bandwidth of 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz). In some other instances, however, the device may determine that an OBSS transmission overlaps (partially or fully) with the wideband transmission (e.g., a reference wideband transmission). For example, the device may determine that the one or more secondary channels are idle, but the BSS primary channel is busy due to the OBSS transmission. In such an example, the device may refrain from transmitting the wideband transmission and, as such, the one or more secondary channels may sit idle (e.g., go unused).

[0137] In some examples, during a first transmission period, the device may determine that there is no OBSS transmission and, as such, the device may transmit the In-BSS transmission over the entire 160 MHz band. In some examples, during a second transmission period, the device may determine that there is an OBSS transmission in the last 20 MHz of the 160 MHz band. In some such examples, transmissions may be constrained to a contiguous 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz bands. Consequently, based on the OBSS transmission using part of the 160 MHz band (e.g., the last 20 MHz of the 160 MHz band), the In-BSS transmission may be constrained to the first contiguous 80 MHz. Thus, 60 MHz of available spectrum may go unused. In some examples, during a third transmission period, the device may determine that there is an OBSS transmission in the first 20 MHz of the 160 MHz band, which collides with the BSS primary channel. In some such examples, the device may fail to gain access to the BSS primary channel and, as such, may refrain from transmitting the In-BSS transmission and 140 MHz of available spectrum may go unused.

[0138] In some cases, to improve resource utilization and reduce a likelihood of unused channels, a device (e.g., an AP or STA) may use preamble puncturing to create bandwidth out of one or more idle channels (e.g., any CCA clear channels). That is, in some cases, the device may use preamble puncturing to transmit a wideband transmission across non-contiguous 20MHz channels. In some such cases, however, the wideband transmission may depend on the devicefirst gaining access to the BSS primary channel (e.g., via EDCA). Given the increasing amount of spectrum available for Wi-Fi transmissions, necessitating that the device first gain access to the BSS primary channel may lead to relatively large unused portions of the spectrum. In other words, necessitating that the device first gain access to the BSS primary channel may cause a bottleneck in terms of system performance and spectrum utilization.

[0139] For example, a device (e.g., API and STA1) in a BSS may be configured with a BSS bandwidth, which may include a BSS primary channel and one or more secondary channels. In some examples, an OBSS transmission (e.g., 20 MHz OBSS transmission) from a neighboring AP and / or STA (or any other device utilizing the same frequency carrier) may overlap with the BSS bandwidth. In other words, the 20 MHz OBSS transmission may overlap with a reference 160 MHz In-BSS transmission (e.g., a transmission from a reference AP and / or a STA included in the BSS). In some examples, the OBSS transmission may overlap with a secondary channel, such that the device may gain access to the BSS primary channel. Accordingly, the device may use puncturing to remove the secondary channel used by the OBSS transmission from the BSS bandwidth and may proceed to transmit the In-BSS transmission over a reduced, non-contiguous bandwidth (e.g., including the BSS primary channel). In some other examples, an OBSS transmission may overlap with the BSS primary channel. In some such examples, the device may determine to defer the In-BSS transmission due to the BSS primary channel being busy.Consequently, due to the device deferring the In-BSS transmission, the secondary channels (e.g., all but the first 20 MHz of the BSS bandwidth used by the OBSS transmission) may sit idle until the BSS primary channel becomes available. Thus, necessitating that the device first gain access to the BSS primary channel may lead to increased latency, reduced system performance, and reduced spectrum utilization.

[0140] In some examples, during a first transmission period, the device may determine that there is no OBSS transmission. In such an example, the device may determine to transmit the In-BSS transmits over the entire 160 MHz bandwidth. In some other examples, during a second transmission period, the device may determine that there is an OBSS transmission in the last 20 MHz of the 160 MHz bandwidth. In some such examples, the device may use preamble puncturing to transmit the In-BSS transmission over the first 140 MHz, leaving the last 20 MHz to the OBSS transmission. In such examples, no portion of the spectrum goes unused. In some examples, however, during a third transmission period, the device may determine that there is anOBSS transmission in the first 20 MHz of the 160 MHz band, which collides with the primary channel of the BSS (e.g., the BSS primary channel). Thus, in such examples, the device may determine to defer the In-BSS transmission due to the BSS primary channel being busy.Consequently, due to the device deferring the In-BSS transmission, the remaining 140 MHz of available spectrum may go unused. In other words, all but the first 20 MHz of the BSS bandwidth used by the OBSS transmission may sit idle until the BSS primary channel becomes available. Thus, necessitating that the device first gain access to the BSS primary channel may lead to increased latency, reduced system performance, and reduced spectrum utilization.

[0141] Constraints caused from necessitating the device first gain access to the BSS primary channel, may increase a complexity associated with provisioning resource and assigning neighboring BSSs non-overlapping primary channels in Wi-Fi deployments. Additionally, in some instances, such constraints may preclude a device from having relatively high bandwidth support (as relatively high bandwidths may have an increased likelihood of overlapping a neighboring primary channel). Such constraints may therefore result is an inefficient use of the available spectrum resources and an ineffective system throughput. Constraints caused from necessitating the device first gain access to the BSS primary channel, may be exacerbated by increases in an operating bandwidth (e.g., a maximum operating bandwidth) with subsequent Wi-Fi generations.

[0142] To address these primary channel constraints, the communications system 200 may support NPCA. NPCA may enable a device to temporarily utilize an alternative channel as a primary channel, referred to herein as a NPCA primary channel, when the BSS primary channel is occupied by OBSS or otherwise unavailable. In other words, to increase spectrum utilization, a device (e.g., STA1, API) may be configured to support NPCA. For example, NPCA may enable the device to utilize an secondary channel as an alternative primary channel (referred to herein as an NPCA primary channel) for instances in which the BSS primary channel is occupied due to OBSS traffic or is otherwise unavailable. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 2B, an OBSS transmission 220 may occupy the BSS primary channel 205 and, as such, the device may use an NPCA primary channel 206 (e.g., an secondary channel 207) as an alternative primary channel 225 for an In-BSS transmission 230. For example, the device may access a secondary channel when the BSS primary channel is known to be busy due to OBSS traffic or other conditions and determine that the secondary channel is idle and may be used as the alternative primary channel225. The device may (or may not) be capable of detecting or decoding a frame to obtain network allocation vector (NAV) information on secondary channels concurrently with the BSS primary channel. In some examples, a BSS may (only) have a single NPCA primary channel on which the STA contends while the primary channel of the BSS is known to be busy due to OBSS traffic or other conditions. Additionally, in some examples, the wireless communications system may support R-TWT.

[0143] FIG. 2C illustrates an example timing diagram 201-b to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 201-b may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 2A. In some examples, the TWT feature may enable one or more devices (e.g., API, AP2, STA1, STA2, STA3) to negotiate specific time intervals (e.g., service periods (SPs)), during which the devices may (e.g., are expected to) transmit or receive frames so that the device may (safely) operate in an inactive mode (e.g., a sleep / idle mode) outside of the service periods. The R-TWT feature may provide stricter control over TWT scheduling to satisfy constraints of high-performance applications, AR applications, VR applications, and real-time gaming, and provide for a more deterministic scheduling for devices with time-sensitive data, thereby providing predictable latency and jitter for latencysensitive traffic and improving network efficiency by reducing a likelihood of overlapping TWT schedules for different devices. For example, R-TWT may include prioritizing and allowing a group of participating devices to operate within a predefined SP within which they are contending for access to one or more channels (e.g., they are the only in-BSS devices contending). In other words, during the predefined SP, access is restricted to devices within the group. By restricting access in the SP to a group of selected devices, R-TWT provides for reduced latency and reduced (e.g., minimal) interruptions due to contention being constrained to the R-TWT participating devices. Additionally, as with TWT, R-TWT assists devices with energy saving by enabling the devices to wake up (only) during assigned time slots (e.g., SPs), which may be beneficial for some applications and / or battery-operated devices for which prolonged energy consumption may be constrained, such as loT sensors and smartphones.

[0144] In some examples of R-TWT, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 2C, STA1 and a STA2 may become part of a restricted group of devices that contend and use an R-TWT SP 260-a through a solicited TWT procedure 250 (e.g., TWT negotiation established through an exchange of TWT elements between a STA and an AP using TWT setup frames: a STA sends aTWT Request and the AP may respond with a TWT Accept) or an unsolicited TWT procedure 251 (e.g., an AP to sends directly an unsolicited TWT setup frame to a STA to establish a TWT agreement by implementing the TWT Accept command in the setup frame) with API. In some such examples, once the two STAs are associate with the restricted group, the STAs may operate in an active mode (only) during configured R-TWT SPs (e.g., including R-TWT SP 260-a), and may operate in an inactive mode (e.g., a sleep / idle mode) otherwise.

[0145] While R-TWT may mitigate congestion within a BSS, R-TWT may not account for an OBSS, which may have one or more overlapping R- TWT SPs that impact the performance of R-TWT at STA2 or STA1. For example, an OBSS including a AP2 and STA3 may have an R-TWT SP 260-b, which partially overlaps with the R-TWT SP 260-a of BSS 1 and, as such, may impact transmission between API and STA2 (or STA1).

[0146] To address one or more R-TWT constraints, such the R-TWT procedure not accounting for the OBSS interference when a target and OBSS TWT SP may overlap with each other, the communications system 200 may support CR-TWT. CR-TWT includes coordination between at least two APs (e.g., API and AP2), such that when there are overlapping R-TWT SPs between the two APs, a first one of the APs may provide protection of the R-TWT schedule(s) of a second one of the APs, and the first AP may terminate a TXOP before the start of the OBSS R-TWT SP of the second AP. In some examples, if the first AP has at least one associated STA that is capable of R-TWT, the first AP may advertise (e.g., in one or more beacon frames it transmits, such as a beacon 252) the OBSS R-TWT schedule of the second AP so that one or more associated STAs supporting R-TWT may follow one or more R-TWT rules for the OBSS R-TWT schedule.

[0147] It is to be understood that, while some examples described herein are described in the context of a TXOP termination occurring when two R-TWT SPs of two coordinating APs overlap, the examples may also be applied and extended to scenarios in which a TXOP of a coordinating AP may be terminated before the start of an R-TWT SP of another coordinating AP. For example, in scenarios in which BSS1 and BSS2 both support R-TWT, BSS1 and / or BSS2 may have one or more R-TWT SPs. In other words, for scenarios in which two BSSs support R-TWT, one or both of the two BSSs may have an R-TWT SP. In such an example, the BSSs may support the CR-TWT to respect each other’s R-TWT SPs. For example, if BSS1 and BSS2 are coordinating as part of CR-TWT, and (only) BSS1 has one or more RT-TWTs, BSS2 mayrefrain from communicating during the R-TWT SP(s) of BSS1 when CR-TWT is applied. For example, BSS2 may terminate a TXOP (or TWT SP) that overlaps with an R-TWT SP of BSS1 irrespective of whether the TXOP is within an R-TWT SP of BSS1.

[0148] FIG. 2D illustrates an example timing diagram 201-c to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 201-c may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 2A. As illustrated in the example of FIG.2D, BSS1 may have an R-TWT SP 260-c and BSS2 may have an R-TWT SP 260-d, which may partially overlap with the R-TWT SP 260-c of BSS1 and, as such, may impact transmission within BSS1 (e.g., between API and STA2 or STA1). For example, the overlap between R-TWT SP 260-c and R-TWT SP 260-d may result in collision 265. To reduce a likelihood of the collision 265, BSS1 and BSS2 may utilize CR-TWT, such that when there are overlapping R-TWT SPs between the BSS1 and BSS2, one BSS (e.g., the AP of a BSS) may provide protection of the R-TWT schedule(s) of the other BSS (e.g., the AP of the other BSS), and the AP may terminate a TXOP before the start of the overlapping R-TWT SP (e.g., the OBSS R-TWT SP). As illustrated in the example of FIG. 2D, the AP of BSS2 (AP2) may perform TXOP truncation 270-a so that the R-TWT SP 260-d (and thus any TXOP included in R-TWT SP 260-d) terminates before the start of R-TWT SP 260-c.

[0149] In some examples, a TXOP truncation may be applied when the R-TWT SPs of BSSs (e.g., including two coordinating APs) overlap and / or when a TXOP from one of the coordinating APs (e.g., for non-latency critical traffic which may not be performed within an R-TWT SP) overlaps with the R-TWT SP of the other AP. For example, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 2D, BSS2 may have a TXOP 261 that overlaps with the R-TWT SP 260-c of BSS1. In such an example, BSS2 (e.g., AP2 or an associated STA) may perform TXOP truncation 270-b so that the TXOP 261 terminates before the start of R-TWT SP 260-c. In some examples, TXOP truncation may be applied irrespective of whether the TXOP holder is an AP or an associated STA.

[0150] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 2D, CR-TWT may provide one or more mechanisms that enable APs to coordinate R-TWT schedule(s) and / or to ensure that protection of the R-TWT schedule(s) of the other AP are provided. In some examples, one AP provides the protection of the R-TWT schedule(s) of the other AP. For example, if an AP extends the protection of the R-TWT schedule of another AP (e.g., following some negotiation or throughother means), the AP (or an associated STA) may end a TXOP (e.g., through TXOP truncation) before the start time of the corresponding OBSS R-TWT SP(s). Additionally, or alternatively, the AP may have at least one associated STA that is capable of R-TWT and, as such, may advertise the OBSS R-TWT schedule so that the associated STA(s) supporting R-TWT follow one or more R-TWT rules for the OBSS R-TWT schedule.

[0151] In some examples, while NPCA and CR-TWT (or R-TWT) may provide some enhancements when individually enabled, a device (e.g., an AP, a STA) may lack a mechanism for interoperability between NPCA and CR-TWT or R-TWT (e.g., between NPCA and (C)R-TWT), such that these features may be enabled together (e.g., concurrently).

[0152] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT. For example, when an NPCA-capable AP and one or more associated NPCA-capable STAs jointly operate R-TWT, and the NPCA-capable STA(s) are part of a restricted group of STAs that can operate in a particular R-TWT SP, the AP and the STA(s) may follow a set of rules, in accordance with the framework, that indicate how the AP and the STA(s) may behave when an NPCA switch is performed, for example, at an R-TWT start boundary (e.g., at the start of an R-TWT SP). The framework may additionally, or alternatively, provide a set of rules for when the NPCA switch occurs within an R-TWT SP and / or generally for when the AP and / or the STA(s) are operating individual or broadcasting TWTs.

[0153] In some non-limiting examples, the set of rules (e.g., one or more rules within the set) may indicate for the AP and / or the STA(s) to stop a TXOP from overlapping with an R-TWT SP of another BSS at the start of the R-TWT SP. Additionally, or alternatively, the set of rules may indicate for the AP and / or the STA(s) to refrain from transmitting within the R-TWT SP, for example, in cases in which the AP and / or the STA(s) are not part of a restricted group.Additionally, or alternatively, the set of rules may indicate for the AP and / or the STA(s) to refrain from monitoring for (e.g., to not expect) a transmission or to transmit outside of the R-TWT SP, for example, in cases in which the AP and / or STA(s) are part of the restricted group.

[0154] In some examples, when a pair of APs operate CR-TWT, these APs, together with one or more associated STA(s) may follow a set of rules, in accordance with the framework, on how to terminate one or more respective TXOPs, and the restricted group of STAs may follow a set of rules on how to transition to an inactive state (e.g., go to sleep) when, for example, the R-TWT SPs of the two APs overlap and one or both of the APs enables NPCA. In some examples,various rules provided by the framework may be based on the length of an OBSS transmission that overlaps with the primary channel and that triggers the NPCA switching of one or both BSSs. Additionally, or alternatively, various rules provided by the framework may be based on whether an OBSS transmission received at one BSS is the same as or different from an OBSS transmission received at another BSS (e.g., whether the OBSS received at both BSS is the same or different) Additionally, or alternatively, various rules provided by the framework may be based on whether the NAV information of the OBSS transmission is available or not. In some examples, one or more rules provided by the framework for overlapping R-TWT SPs may be applied when a TXOP of an AP, which does not necessarily occur within one an R-TWT SP associated with the AP, overlaps with the R-TWT SP of another coordinating AP and either both or one of the APs enables NPCA.

[0155] FIG. 3 A illustrates an example communications system 300 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 300 may be an example of a communications system illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2A. For example, the communications system 300 may include one or more APs, and one or more client devices (e.g., non-AP STAs, referred to herein as STAs) connected to the one or more APs. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 3 A, the communications system 300 may include an AP 310-a (denoted API) providing a coverage area 312-a, an AP 310-b (denoted AP2) providing a coverage area 312-b, and an AP 310-c (denoted AP3) providing a coverage area 312-c. The APs 310 may be examples of an AP illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D. The communications system 300 may also include a STA 315-a (denoted STA1), a STA 315-b (denoted STA2), and a STA 315-c (denoted STA3). The STAs 315 may be examples of a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D.

[0156] The communications system 300 may support NPCA and one or more R-TWT features (e.g., R-TWT and / or CR-TWT). While NPCA and (C)R-TWT) may provide some enhancements when individually enabled, a device (e.g., an AP, a STA) may lack a mechanism for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, such that these features may be enabled together. For example, CR-TWT may protect the R-TWT service of an OBSS AP. In some examples, in accordance with one or more rules for CR-TWT, an AP and one or more associated STA(s) may terminate one or more TxOPs prior to the start of an R-TWT SP scheduled by the OBSS AP (e.g., prior to the start of an OBSS R-TWT SP). However, the one or more rules may,in some cases, result in overprotecting the OBSS R-TWT SP when, for example, NPCA is also used.

[0157] FIG. 3B illustrates an example timing diagram 301 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 301 may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 3A. In some examples, a reference AP may terminate a TXOP so as to provide better protection to the frame exchange of the AP belonging to the OBSS (e.g., BSS3). However, this may be unnecessary in some cases, such as cases in which both BSS1 and BSS2 are cooperating with each other and have enabled NPCA and CR-TWT. For example, as illustrated in the example of FIG. 3B, an R-TWT SP 320-a of BSS1 is overlapping with an R-TWT SP 320-b of BSS2. In such an example, since the R-TWT SP 320-b of BSS2 starts before the R-TWT SP 320-a of BSS1, AP2 and one or more associated STA(s) may terminate a TXOP prior to the start of the R-TWT SP 320-a (e.g., at time 335). That is, AP2 and STA2 may perform TXOP truncation 325 such that R-TWT SP 320-b (and thus any TXOPs included in R-TWT SP 320-b) terminates before the start of R-TWT SP 320-a.

[0158] In some examples, due to an OBSS transmission 330 originating from BSS3 and overlapping with the primary channel of BSS1, API and associated STA1 may switch to the NPCA primary channel when operating in the R-TWT SP 320-a (e.g., may switch to the NPCA primary channel at time 335). In some such examples, however, since the OBSS transmission originating from BSS3 is hidden to BSS2, both AP2 and STA2 may continue to operate on the primary channel and perform the TXOP truncation 325. If the NPCA bandwidth used by BSS1 is non-overlapping with the bandwidth over which AP2 and STA2 are operating (e.g., if the NPCA primary channel for BSS1 is non-overlapping with the primary channel of BSS2), the TXOP truncation 325 may be unnecessary and lead to a loss of resources and overprotection by BSS2 in regards to BSS1, since both BSS1 and BSS2 may be able to operate concurrently during the portion of the R-TWT SP 320-a and R-TWT SP 320-b that overlap with each other (e.g., as they are using orthogonal resources in the frequency domain).

[0159] Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, which may provide for improved resource utilization with the communications system 100 when, for example, a device enables NPCA and / or CR-TWT. For example, the framework may reduce unused spectrum resulting from overprotection of R-TWT SPs when NPCA is used. In some examples, in accordance with the framework, BSS2 (e.g., anAP and / or STA within BSS2) may perform one or more operations (e.g., functions, such as the TXOP truncation 325) within an R-TWT SP based on a status of NPCA at BSS1 and / or BSS2, which may improve resource utilization and lead to improved performance for latency-sensitive applications.

[0160] FIG. 4A illustrates an example communications system 400 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 400 may be an example of a communications system illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3A, and 3B. For example, the communications system 400 may include one or more APs, and one or more client devices (e.g., STAs) connected to the one or more APs. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 4A, the communications system 400 may include an AP 410-a (denoted API) providing a coverage area 412-a, an AP 410-b (denoted AP2) providing a coverage area 412-b, and an AP 410-c (denoted AP3) providing a coverage area 412-c. The APs 410 may be examples of an AP illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, and 3B. The communications system 400 may also include a STA 415-a (denoted STA1), a STA 415-b (denoted STA2), and a STA 415-c (denoted STA3). The STAs 415 may be examples of a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, and 3B.

[0161] The communications system 400 may support NPCA and one or more R-TWT features (e.g., R-TWT and / or CR-TWT). While NPCA and (C)R-TWT) may provide some enhancements when individually enabled, a device (e.g., an AP, a STA) may lack a mechanism for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, such that these features may be enabled together. For example, the CR-TWT may protect the R-TWT service of an OBSS AP. In some examples, in accordance with one or more rules for CR-TWT, an AP and related STAs may terminate one or more TXOPs prior to the start of an R-TWT SP scheduled by the OBSS AP. The one or more rules may, in some cases, result in overprotecting R-TWT SPs and, in some cases, may result in further overprotection when NPCA is also used.

[0162] FIG. 4B illustrates an example timing diagram 401 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 401 may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 4A. As illustrated in the example of FIG.4B, BSS1 and BSS 2 (e.g., API of BSS1 and AP2 of BSS2) may coordinate R-TWT SPs 420 (e.g., a R-TWT SP 420-a and an R-TWT SP 420-b) in accordance with CR-TWT. In some such examples, reduced resource utilization may occur when both BSSs and BB2 use CR-TWT, butonly BSS1 or BSS2 have NPCA enabled. For example, both BSS1 and BSS2 may be impacted (e.g., experience interference from) an OBSS transmission 430 originating from BSS3. While BSS2 may avoid interference by switching to (and operating on) a NPCA primary channel, BSS1 may be impacted by the OBSS transmission 430 and, as such, may refrain from performing a transmission during a portion of the R-TWT SP 420-a that overlaps with the OBSS transmission 430 in the primary channel (e.g., the portion of R-TWT SP 420-a that occurs between time 435-a and time 435-b). Based on the OBSS transmission 430 overlapping with R-TWT SP 420-a and R-TWT SP 420-b, no transmission will be performed by BSS1 during a portion of the R-TWT SP 420-a that overlaps with the OBSS transmission 430 and the R-TWT SP 420-b. In such an example, despite BSS1 not transmitting in the overlapping part of R-TWT SP 420-a and R-TWT SP 420-b (and the OBSS transmission 430), BSS2 may perform TXOP truncation 425 to truncate a TXOP (e.g., included in the R-TWT SP 420-b) before the start of the R-TWT SP 420-a (e.g., at time 435-a), which would result in overprotection and loss of resources. That is, despite BSS1 not transmitting in the overlapping part of R-TWT SP 420-a and R-TWT SP 420-b, BSS may use the TXOP truncation 425 so that the R-TWT SP 420-b terminates at time 435-a.

[0163] The present disclosure provides one or more rules to define the STA (and AP) behavior when NPCA switching occurs, for example, at the start of an R-TWT SP. In other words, various aspects of the present disclosure provide a framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, which provides one or more rules to define the STA (and AP) behavior when NPCA switching occurs. In some examples, the framework provides for improved resource utilization with the communications system 100 when, for example, a device enables NPCA and / or CR-TWT. In some examples, the framework may reduce unused spectrum resulting from overprotection of R-TWT SPs when NPCA is used. In some examples, in accordance with the framework, BSS2 (e.g., an AP and / or STA within BSS2) may perform one or more operations (e.g., e.g., functions, such as the TXOP truncation 425 and / or the switch to the NPCA primary channel) within an R-TWT SP based on a status of NPCA at BSS1 and / or BSS2, which may improve resource utilization and lead to improved performance for latencysensitive applications.

[0164] FIG. 5 A illustrates an example communications system 500 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 500 may be an example of a communications system illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B. For example, the communications system 500 may include one or more APs, and one or more client devices (e.g., STAs) connected to the one or more APs. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 5 A, the communications system 500 may include an AP 510-a (denoted API) providing a coverage area 512-a and an AP 510-b (denoted AP2) providing a coverage area 512-b. The APs 510 may be examples of an AP illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, 3B, 4A, and 4B. The communications system 500 may also include a STA 515-a (denoted STA1) and a STA 515-b (denoted STA2. The STAs 515 may be examples of a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, 3B, 4 A, and 4B.

[0165] The communications system 500 may support a framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT. For example, one or more devices within the communications system 500 may individually enable both (C)R-TWT and NPCA and the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, may provide for improved performance of NPCA and (C)R-TWT when NPCA and (C)R-TWT are used together (e.g., concurrently). In some examples, the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT provides one or more rules to establish the behavior of STAs (and APs) when the STAs (and APs) operate jointly both features and NPCA switching may occur at the R-TWT start boundary or within an R-TWT SP. Furthermore, when CR-TWT is operated in combination with NPCA some overprotection may occur, and the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, provides one or more rules to mitigate such overprotection.

[0166] FIG. 5B illustrates an example timing diagram 501 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 501 may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 5 A. As illustrated in the example of FIG.5B, the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, provides one or more rules for the behavior that a STA (or AP) may follow for scenarios in which the STA (or AP) is an NPCA capable and enables, jointly, NPCA and R-TWT. In some examples, the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, provides one or more rules for the behavior that a STA (or AP) may follow for scenarios in which switching to NPCA primary channel occurs either at the start boundary of one of the R-TWT SPs (e.g., a time 525-a) or within one of the R-TWT SPs (e.g., a time 525-b).

[0167] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 5B, BSS1 (e.g., a STA within BSS1) may perform one or more operations at (or within) the R-TWT SP 520. For example, BSS1 may switch to an NPCA primary channel associated with BSS1 at the start of an R-TWT SP 520 (e.g., at the time 525-a) due to an overlapping OBSS R-TWT SP 521.

[0168] In some examples, in accordance with the framework, a STA within BSS1 may refrain from applying one or more rules for R-TWT during the R-TWT SP 520. For example, the STA may refrain from jointly enabling (e.g., is not allowed to jointly enable) NPCA and R-TWT within the R-TWT SP 520.

[0169] In some other examples, such as examples in which the STA (e.g., an NPCA capable STA) enables jointly NPCA and R-TWT, and an OBSS transmission overlaps with the primary channel (e.g., an OBSS transmission within the OBSS R-TWT SP 521), the switch to the NPCA primary channel may be triggered at the R-TWT SP start boundary(e.g., at the time 525-a). In some such examples, the STA may perform one or more actions in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein. For example, in accordance with the framework, the STA may reuse one or more rules defined for R-TWT (e.g., legacy R-TWT) when the NPCA primary channel is used. In such an example, NPCA and R-TWT may be enabled together when (e.g., only when) restricted R-TWT members are NPCA capable, and are able to perform the switch at the start of the R-TWT SP.

[0170] In some examples, an NPCA capable AP may announce (e.g., through a beacon frame, probe frame, or other management frame in the form of an element or field information) that the R-TWT rules are not applicable while the NPCA feature is enabled. In some such examples, if, for instance, one or more restricted R-TWT members are not NPCA capable, the STAs associated with the NPCA capable AP (e.g., the restricted R-TWT members) may act in accordance with the AP announcement. For example, the NPCA capable STAs (e.g., only the NPCA capable STAs) or the STAs which have enabled NPCA may follow the one or more rules defined for R-TWT (e.g., legacy R-TWT), while other STAs that belong to the restricted group (e.g., STAs that are not NPCA capable or are NPCA capable but have not enabled NPCA) may operate, during the remainder of the R-TWT SP 520, as if no R-TWT was imposed (e.g., may refrain from applying the one or more rules within the remainder of the R-TWT SP 520).

[0171] Additionally, or alternatively, the NPCA capable STAs (e.g., only the NPCA capable STAs) or the STAs which have enabled NPCA may follow the one or more rules defined for R-TWT (e.g., legacy R-TWT), while the other STAs within BSS1 (irrespective of whether they belong to the restricted group) may operate, during the remainder of the R-TWT SP, as if no R-TWT was imposed (e.g., may refrain from applying the one or more rules within the remainder of the R-TWT SP 520).

[0172] Additionally, or alternatively, the NPCA capable STAs (e.g., only the NPCA capable STAs) or the STAs which have enabled NPCA may follow the one or more rules defined for R-TWT (e.g., legacy R-TWT), while the other STAs (irrespective of whether they belong to the restricted group) may operate in accordance with an inactive mode (e.g., may transition to a sleep or idle mode) until the start of a next R-TWT SP.

[0173] Additionally, or alternatively, none of the associated STAs may follow the one or more rules defined for R-TWT (e.g., legacy R-TWT). In such an example, once switching to the NPCA primary channel occurs, the devices that are NPCA capable and have switched to the NPCA primary channel may follow one or more rules for NPCA (independently from the R-TWT SP) and may resume following the one or more rules defined for R-TWT (e.g., legacy R-TWT) at the start of the next R-TWT SP.

[0174] In some examples, an AP with a TXOP that overlaps an R-TWT SP may refrain from stopping non-low latency traffic frame exchanges (e.g., may refrain from terminating the TXOP) at the start time of the R-TWT SP if, for example, no member of the R-TWT restricted group support an NPCA switch, which may occur when the bandwidth used for NPCA (e.g., when the NPCA primary channel is operated) fully overlaps with and is composed by a subset of channels of the operating bandwidth when a primary channel is used. In other words, the AP may act as if the R-TWT SP is transparent, and may therefore overlap one or more transmissions with the R-TWT SP without terminating the TXOP before the start boundary of the R-TWT SP.

[0175] In some examples, a primary channel may be blocked by an OBSS R-TWT SP. In some such examples, a BSS may switch to a NPCA primary channel to access the medium during a R-TWT SP once the OBSS transmission is detected and may switch back when the OBSS R-TWT SP may end. For example, as illustrated in the example of FIG 5B, a primary channel may be blocked by the OBSS R-TWT SP 521. In some such examples, BSS1 may switch to the NPCA primary channel to access the medium during the R-TWT SP 520 once the OBSS transmission is detected (e.g., at the time 525-a) and may switch back to the primary channel when the OBSS R-TWT SP 521 ends (e.g., at the time 525-b). In some such examples,upon announcement of OBSS R-TWT information (e.g., reception of an OBSS beacon or information exchanged among multiple APs) the AP and STA(s) in BSS1 may switch from the primary channel to the NPCA-primary channel until the end of the OBSS R-TWT SP 521 (e.g., until the time 525-b).

[0176] In some examples, upon switching to an NPCA primary channel an AP may convey, to one or more NPCA capable STAs OBSS R-TWT information. The OBSS R-TWT information may be carried within a dedicated information element or in field information inside a control frame, such as an enhanced request to send (RTS) or multi-user request to send (MU-RTS), or an action frame, or other dedicated frames, or as part of the data transmission carried in a UHR PPDU. Upon reception of the OBSS R-TWT information, an NPCA capable STA may utilize the OBSS R-TWT information in accordance with one or more examples of the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein.

[0177] In some other examples in which a primary channel is blocked by an OBSS R-TWT SP, a BSS may switch to a NPCA primary channel to access the medium during the R-TWT SP and may switch back at the end the R-TWT SP (e.g., its own R-TWT SP). For example, BSS1 may switch to the NPCA primary channel to access the medium during the R-TWT SP 520 and may switch back to the primary channel when the R-TWT SP 520 ends. It is to be understood that the examples disclosed herein with respect to an NPCA switch occurring at the start of an R-TWT SP may be applicable to scenarios in which an NPCA switch occurs within the R-TWT SP or for the general case of individual or broadcasting TWT.

[0178] In some examples, within an R-TWT SP, no switching may be allowed from a primary channel to an NPCA primary channel. In some such examples, switching from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel may be allowed (e.g., is only allowed) at the start boundary of an R-TWT SP.

[0179] In some examples, such as examples in which an AP as the TXOP holder has a TXOP within an R-TWT SP that covers a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) or a target short beacon transmission time (TSBTT) and is using an NPCA primary channel, the AP may not schedule one or more beacon transmissions (e.g., from the AP) at the TBTT or TSBTT.

[0180] In some examples, an AP may truncate a TXOP during an overlapping (quiet) interval of an R-TWT SP if, for example, the AP operates as the TXOP holder and is operating on the NPCA primary channel. In some such examples, the AP may refrain from truncating the TXOP,if the TXOP is used to transmit one or more downlink (DL) frames of R-TWT DL traffic identifier(s) (TID(s)), to solicit one or more uplink (UL) frames of R-TWT UL TID(s), or to transmit one or more management frames, including beacon transmissions.

[0181] FIG. 6 illustrates an example timing diagram 601 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 601 may be implemented by one or more APs and / or one or more client devices (e.g., STAs) connected to the one or more APs. For example, the timing diagram 601 may be implemented by one or more APs and / or one or more STAs illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B.

[0182] In some examples, a STA may perform one or more actions in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, when the STA is an NPCA capable STA and jointly enables NPCA and CR-TWT. For example, BSSA and BSSB may include two coordinating APs (e.g., BSSA and BSSB may each include an AP, and the two APs may coordinate as part of CR-TWT). In the example of FIG. 6, BSSA may have an R-TWT SP 620-a and BSSB may have an R-TWT SP 620-b that overlaps with the R-TWT SP 620-a. In some examples, the AP of BSSB may use the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, to determine whether to perform TXOP truncation 625 (e.g., during the overlapping portion of R-TWT SP 620-a and R-TWT SP 620-b).

[0183] The framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, may support multiple scenarios in which an NPCA capable STA jointly enables NPCA and CR-TWT. Some such scenarios include a first scenario in which BSSA is either not NPCA capable or is NPCA capable, but it does not have NPCA enabled and BSSB is NPCA capable and has NPCA enabled. Some such scenarios may also include a second scenario in which BSSA is NPCA capable and has NPCA enabled and BSSB is either not NPCA capable or it is NPCA capable, but it does not have NPCA enabled. Some such scenarios may also include a third scenario in which BSSA and BSSB are both NPCA capable and have NPCA enabled.

[0184] It is to be understood that, while some examples described herein are described in the context of a TXOP termination occurring when two R-TWT SPs of two coordinating APs overlap, the examples may also be applied and extended to scenarios in which a TXOP of a coordinating AP may be terminated before the start of an R-TWT SP of another coordinating AP (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2D). Furthermore, some examples described herein may be appliedwhen the NPCA primary channel between the two cooperating APs are the same and may also be applied when the NPCA primary channels of the two coordinating APs are different (e.g., as long as when one BSS switches from operating on a primary channel to the related NPCA primary channel, the bandwidth used between the two BSSs is orthogonal). In other words, between two BSSs, there may be orthogonality between a reference primary channel of one BSS and an NPCA primary channel of the other BSS.

[0185] In some examples, in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, an AP may inform one or more other coordinating APs of one or more of types of information. The one or more types of information may include R-TWT schedule information including, for instance, a start time of an R-TWT SP (e.g., a target wake time), a duration of an R-TWT SP (e.g., a nominal minimum TWT wake duration), a periodicity of an R-TWT SP, and / or a time between the start of two consecutive R-TWT SPs (e.g., a TWT wake interval mantissa and TWT wake interval exponent). Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more types of information may include information indicative of whether the AP is NPCA capable and / or whether NPCA is enabled for the BSS. In other words, the information may be indicative of a status of NPCA within the BSS. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more types of information may include information indicative of a primary channel frequency location and / or an NPCA primary channel frequency location.Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more types of information may include information indicative of an operating bandwidth and / or a protection bandwidth (e.g., an operating bandwidth and one or more guard bands) when either a primary channel or an NPCA primary channel is used. In some examples, such information may be provided during negotiation between the two coordinated APs and / or via other mean through a dedicated frame or via a beacon frame, probe frame, association frame or any other management frame within a dedicated information element or field information.

[0186] FIG. 7A illustrates an example communications system 700 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 700 may be an example of a communications system illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and 6. For example, the communications system 700 may include one or more APs, and one or more client devices (e.g., STAs) connected to the one or more APs. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 7A, the communications system 700 may include an AP 710-a(denoted APA) providing a coverage area 712-a, an AP 710-b (denoted APB) providing a coverage area 712-b, and an AP 710-c (denoted OBSS AP) providing a coverage area 712-c. The APs 710 may be examples of an AP illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and. The communications system 700 may also include a STA 715-a (denoted STAA), a STA 715-b (denoted STAB), and a STA 715-c (denoted OBSS STA). The STAs 715 may be examples of a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, and.

[0187] In some examples of the communications system 700, BSSA is either not NPCA capable or is NPCA capable, but it does not have NPCA enabled and BSSB is NPCA capable and has NPCA enabled. In some such examples, when an AP belonging to BSSB, called APB, receives a request for CR-TWT by another AP belonging to BSSA, called APA, or when a STA associated with APB, called STAB, has received (e.g., through a beacon frame, probe frame, association frame or any other management frame) the R-TWT information from APA, and STAB may determine that the R-TWT SP of APA starts at a later time than the R-TWT SP (e.g., its own R-TWT SP), but the two R-TWT SPs are overlapping. In some examples, based on the determination, STAB may determine to continue transmission of one or more frames in the overlapped portion between the two R-TWT SPs, for example, if one or more conditions are satisfied. The one or more conditions may include APA not being NPCA capable or being NPCA capable, but not having NPCA enabled. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more conditions may include APB being NPCA capable and having NPCA enabled. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more conditions may include the primary channel of STAB overlapping with an OBSS transmission that extends fully or partially into the overlapped portion of the two R-TWT SPs. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more conditions may include, when the switch from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel occurs, the operating bandwidth or protection bandwidth (e.g., guard bands) of APA not overlapping with the operating bandwidth or protection bandwidth of STAB.

[0188] Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, STAB may terminate a TXOP and / or a transmission within the TXOP upon switching back to the primary channel or at the end of the R-TWT SP (e.g., whichever occurs first). In some examples, upon switching back to the primary channel or at the end of the R-TWT SP (e.g., its own R-TWT SP), STAB may operate in an inactive state (e.g., go to sleep) until the start of a next R-TWT SP. In some such examples,APA and associated STA(s) may determine that their transmission may start from the start boundary of their own R-TWT SP.

[0189] In some other examples of the communications system 700, BSSA is NPCA capable and has NPCA enabled and BSSB is either not NPCA capable or it is NPCA capable, but it does not have NPCA enabled. In some such examples, STAB may stop a transmission for a window of time to, for example, monitor for one or more other transmissions.

[0190] FIG. 7B illustrates an example timing diagram 701 for interoperability between NPCA and CR-TWT to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 701 may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 7A. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 7B, when APB receives request for CR-TWT by APA, or when STAB has received (e.g., through beacon frame, probe frame, association frame or any other management frame) the R-TWT information from APA, STAB may determine that the R-TWT SP 720-a of APA starts at a later time than R-TWT SP 720-b (e.g., its own R-TWT SP) and that R-TWT SP 720-a and R-TWT SP 720-b are overlapping. In some such examples, when APA is NPCA capable and has NPCA enabled and STAB is either not NPCA capable or is NPCA capable but does not have NPCA enabled, STAB may stop transmission of one or more frames at the start of the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 720-a and R-TWT SP 720-b (e.g., at time 725) for a window of time, which may be pre-defined, configured, or dynamically chang ed / negotiated among the two coordinating APs (e.g., among APA and APB). STAB may monitor, during the window of time, for transmissions (e.g., any transmission) occurring within that window of time. In some examples, if no transmission from BSSA is detected or no other transmission (e.g., no other OBSS transmission) may overlap with the primary channel of BSSB (e.g., its own primary channel), then STAB may resume the transmission s) until the end of the R-TWT SP 720-b. Otherwise, if a transmission from BSSA is detected, STAB may terminate a TXOP and / or a transmission within the TXOP and STAB may operate in an inactive state (e.g., go to sleep) until a next R-TWT SP occurs. In some examples, the window of time is greater than or equal to about 100 microseconds (jis). In some such examples, APA and associated STA(s) may determine that their transmission(s) may start from the start boundary of the R-TWT SP 720-a (e.g., at the start of their own R-TWT SP, at the time 725) irrespective of whether APA and associated STA(s) switch to an NPCA primary channel.

[0191] In some examples, multiple monitoring windows may be defined within the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 720-a and R-TWT SP 720-b. Additionally, or alternatively, within the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 720-a and R-TWT SP 720-b, NPCA may occur at a different times. In other words, BSSA may switch to the NPCA primary channel at one or more times within the R-TWT SP 720-a and, as such, one or multiple monitoring windows (e.g., windows of time for monitoring) may be used to monitor for transmissions from BSSA.

[0192] As illustrated in the example of 7B, an OBSS transmission 745 (e.g., a hidden OBSS transmission to BSSB) may overlap with the primary channel of BSSA, which is NPCA capable. In some examples, one or more STAs belonging to BSSB may stop (e.g., pause) transmissions within a monitoring window (e.g., starting at time 725, the boundary of the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 720-a and R-TWT SP 720-b) and may monitor the primary channel to determine whether a transmission (e.g., any transmission) occurs in the monitoring window. In some examples, such as is illustrated in the example of FIG. 7B, BSSA may switch to a different bandwidth and may operate on the NPCA primary channel. In such examples, no activities (e.g., transmissions) may be detected by BSSB during the monitoring window and, as such, BSSB may resume transmission of one or more frames within R-TWT SP 720-b (e.g., during the remainder of R-TWT SP 720-b).

[0193] In some examples, to reduce a likelihood of a STA associated with BSSB, which is hidden from BSSA, continuing a transmission while BSSA may not have switched to the NPCA primary channel (e.g., while BSSA operates on the primary channel), BSSB may perform one or more operations (e.g., in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein) for trigger-based transmissions. That is, in some examples, STAB may perform one or more operations in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, in response to a triggerbased transmission. In some examples, APA may trigger STAB to perform one or more operations in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein. For example, the trigger-based transmission may be from APA. In some other examples, STAB may be autonomously triggered to perform one or more operations in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein.

[0194] In some examples, to reduce a likelihood of a STA associated with BSSB, which is hidden from BSSA, continuing a transmission while BSSA may not have switched to the NPCA primary channel, APA may perform a transmission at the start of the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 720-a and R-TWT SP 720-b (e.g., at the time 725) or at least within the monitoring window. In some examples, the length of the monitoring window may be negotiated between the APA and APB (e.g., two coordinating APs).

[0195] FIG. 8A illustrates an example communications system 800 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 800 may be an example of a communications system illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, and 7B. For example, the communications system 800 may include one or more APs, and one or more client devices (e.g., STAs) connected to the one or more APs. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 8A, the communications system 800 may include an AP 810-a (denoted API) providing a coverage area 812-a and an AP 810-b (denoted AP2) providing a coverage area 812-b. The APs 810 may be examples of an AP illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5 A, 5B, 6, 7A, and 7B. The communications system 800 may also include a STA 815-a (denoted STA1) and a STA 815-b (denoted STA2). The STAs 815 may be examples of a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5 A, 5B, 6, 7A, and 7B.

[0196] In some examples of the communications system 800, both BSSA and BSSB may be NPCA capable and have the NPCA enabled. Additionally, in some examples, an R-TWT SP of BSSA may overlap with at least a portion of an R-TWT SP of BSSB. In some such examples, the operating bandwidths when one BSS (e.g., BSSA or BSSB) operates on the primary channel and the other BSS operates on the NPCA primary channel are orthogonal.

[0197] FIG. 8B illustrates an example timing diagram 801 -a to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 801 -a may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 8A. As illustrated in the example of FIG.8B, APA of BSSA and APB of BSSB may coordinate R-TWT SPs, for example, as part of CR-TWT. In some such examples, through means of coordination, BSSB may switch to the NPCA primary channel either at the start of an SP (e.g., R-TWT SP 820-a) or at the start of the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 820-a and R-TWT SP 820-b (e.g., at a time 825-a). For example, in the absence of one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the primarychannel of BSSA, and in the absence of one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the NPCA primary channel of BSSB, BSSB may switch to the NPCA primary channel either at the start an SP (e.g., R-TWT SP 820-a) or at the start of the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 820-a and R-TWT SP 820-b (e.g., at a time 825-a), while BSSA may operate using the primary channel. In such an example, BSSB may not terminate a TXOP at the start of the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 820-a and R-TWT SP 820-b (e.g., at a time 825-a), and may instead continue the TXOP, together with an associated STA(s) transmission, within the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 820-a and R-TWT SP 820-b (e.g., until the end of R-TWT SP 820-b at time 825-b).

[0198] FIG. 8C illustrates an example timing diagram 801 -b to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 801 -b may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 8A. As illustrated in the example of FIG.8C, APA of BSSA and APB of BSSB may coordinate R-TWT SPs, for example, as part of CR-TWT. In some such examples, through means of coordination, BSSB may operate on the primary channel and transmit (e.g., continue to transmit, together with one or more associated STAs) until the end of R-TWT SP 820-d (e.g., until time 825-d). For example, in absence of one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the primary channel of BSSB, and in absence of one or more OBSS transmissions overlapping with the NPCA primary channel of BSSA, BSSB may operate on the primary channel and continue to transmit, together with one or more associated STAs, until the end of R-TWT SP 820-d (e.g., until time 825-d), while BSSA may switch to the NPCA primary channel at the start of the overlapping area between the R-TWT SP 820-c and R-TWT SP 820-d (e.g., at time 825-c).

[0199] FIG. 9A illustrates an example communications system 900 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The communications system 900 may be an example of a communications system illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, and 8C. For example, the communications system 900 may include one or more APs, and one or more client devices (e.g., STAs) connected to the one or more APs. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 9A, the communications system 900 may include an AP 910-a (denoted APA) providing a coverage area 912-a, an AP 910-b (denoted APB) providing a coverage area 912-b, an AP 910-c (denoted AP3) providing a coverage area 912-c, and an AP 910-d (denoted AP4) providing a coverage area 912-d. The APs 910 may beexamples of an AP illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, and 8C. The communications system 900 may also include a STA 915-a (denoted STAA), a STA 915-b (denoted STAB), a STA 915-c (denoted STA3), and a STA 915-d (denoted STA4). The STAs 915 may be examples of a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5 A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8 A, 8B, and 8C.

[0200] In some examples of the communications system 900, BSSA and BSSB may be NPCA capable and have the NPCA enabled. Additionally, in some examples, an R-TWT SP of BSSA may overlap with at least a portion of an R-TWT SP of BSSB. In some such examples, the operating bandwidths when one BSS (e.g., BSSA or BSSB) operates on the primary channel and the other BSS operates on the NPCA primary channel are orthogonal.

[0201] FIG. 9B illustrates an example timing diagram 901 -a to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 901 -a may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 9A. As illustrated in the example of FIG.9B, APA of BSSA and APB of BSSB may coordinate R-TWT SPs, for example, as part of CR-TWT. In some such examples, when APB receives a request for CR-TWT by APA, or when STAB has received (e.g., through beacon frame, probe frame, association frame or any other management frame) R-TWT information from APA, STAB may determine that R-TWT SP 920-a may start later than R-TWT SP 920-b and that R-TWT SP 920-a and R-TWT SP 920-b may be overlapping. In some such examples, when both APA and STAB are NPCA capable and have NPCA enabled, STAB may refrain from transmitting (e.g., may stop one or more transmissions) at the start of the overlapping area between the two R-TWT SPs for a window of time (e.g., a monitoring window), which may be pre-defined, configured, or dynamically changed / negotiated among the two coordinating APs (e.g., APA and APB), and may monitor for one or more transmissions that occur within the window of time on one or more channels in which STAB has operated on up to that point (e.g., on the primary channel and / or the NPCA primary channel if an NPCA switching has occurred). If no transmission from BSSA is detected on that channel or no other (OBSS) transmission may overlap with the one or more channels, STAB may resume the transmission(s) until the end of R-TWT SP 920-b or until STAB switches back to the primary channel (e.g., if STAB was previously operating on the NPCA primary channel). Otherwise, if a transmission is detected on the one or more channels, STAB mayterminate a TXOP and / or transmission(s) within the TXOP. In some examples, STAB may switch back to the primary channel, for example, if STAB was previously operating on the NPCA primary channel. In some examples, STAB may determine to operate in an inactive state (e.g., may go to sleep) until the start of a next R-TWT SP.

[0202] In some examples, APA and associated STA(s) may determine that their transmission(s) may start from the start boundary of R-TWT SP 920-a (e.g., at a time 925-a) irrespective of whether APA and associated STA(s) switch to an NPCA primary channel. In some examples, multiple monitoring windows may be defined within the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 920-a and R-TWT SP 920-b. In some examples, multiple monitoring windows may be defined within the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 920-a and R-TWT SP 920-b. Additionally, or alternatively, within the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 920-a and R-TWT SP 920-b, NPCA may occur at a different times. In other words, BSSA may switch to the NPCA primary channel at one or more times within the R-TWT SP 920-a and, as such, one or multiple monitoring windows (e.g., windows of time for monitoring) may be used to monitor for transmissions from BSSA.

[0203] In some examples, to reduce a likelihood of a STA associated with BSSB, which is hidden from BSSA, continuing a transmission while BSSA may not have switched to the NPCA primary channel (e.g., while BSSA operates on the primary channel), BSSB may perform one or more operations (e.g., in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein) for trigger-based transmissions. That is, in some examples, STAB may perform one or more operations in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein, in response to a triggerbased transmission, such as from APA. In some examples, APA or APB may trigger STAB to perform one or more operations in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein. In some other examples, STAB may be autonomously triggered to perform one or more operations in accordance with the framework for interoperability between NPCA and (C)R-TWT, as described herein.

[0204] In some examples, to reduce a likelihood of a STA associated with BSSB, which is hidden from BSSA, continuing a transmission while BSSA may not have switched to the NPCA primary channel (e.g., while BSSA operates on the primary channel), APA may perform a transmission at the start of the overlapping area between R-TWT SP 920-a and R-TWT SP 920-b(e.g., at the time 925-a) or at least within the monitoring window, whose length may be negotiated between the APA and APB (e.g., two coordinating APs).

[0205] In some examples, STAB may resume transmission(s) if a switch back to the primary channel occurs prior to the end of R-TWT SP 920-b (e.g., prior to time 925-c, such as at time 925-b), while an OBSS transmission on the other AP (e.g., an OBSS transmission 930-a and / or an OBSS transmission 930-b) may continue. For example, upon switching to an NPCA primary channel an AP may convey, to the other coordinating AP and the associated STAs of the other coordinating AP, one or more type of information. The one or more types of information may include an AP OBSSID (e.g., a BSSID of the OBSS overlapping with the primary channel) and / or an AP OBSS Basic NAV Timer (e.g., basic NAV timer information of the OBSS overlapping with the primary channel). In some examples, the information may be carried within a dedicated information element or field information inside a control frame such as an enhanced RTS or MU-RTS, or an action frame, or other dedicated frames, or as part of the data transmission carried in a UHR PPDU. In some examples, upon reception of the information, an NPCA capable STA that has also switched to NPCA primary channel may compare theAP OBSSID with the BSSID of the OBSS that overlaps with a primary channel of the BSS (e.g., its own primary channel) and which led the STA to switch to the NPCA primary channel. In some such examples, the STA may resume transmission(s). For example, the STA may resume transmission(s) if the AP OBSSID includes a different BSSID than that of the OBSS that overlaps with the primary channel. Additionally, or alternatively, the STA may resume transmission(s) if the AP OBSS Basic NAV Timer is different than that retrieved from the OBSS that overlaps with the primary channel. Additionally, or alternatively, the STA may resume transmission(s) if during the monitoring window the STA determines that a transmission is occurring (e.g., that both BSSA and BSSB are operating on a NPCA primary channel).Additionally, or alternatively, the STA may resume transmission(s) if either the OBSS transmission that led APA or APB to switch to NPCA primary channel ends before the end of corresponding R-TWT while the other OBSS may stop at a later time.

[0206] In some examples, the STA (e.g., STAB) may resume transmission(s) under one or more conditions. The one or more conditions may include the AP OBSS Basic NAV Timer of APA being prolonged past the end of the R-TWT SP of APB. In some examples, however, the AP OBSS Basic NAV Timer of APB may end earlier than the R-TWT APB. In some suchexamples, STAB may switch back to the primary channel and use the rest of the R-TWT SP of APB, as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

[0207] FIG. 9C illustrates an example timing diagram 901-b to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The timing diagram 901-b may be implemented at an AP or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 9A. As illustrated in the example of FIG.9C, APA of BSSA and APB of BSSB may coordinate R-TWT SPs (e.g., an R-TWT SP 920-c and / or an R-TWT SP 920-d), for example, as part of CR-TWT. In some such examples, upon switching to an NPCA primary channel an AP may convey, to the other coordinating AP and the associated STAs of the other coordinating AP, one or more type of information. The one or more types of information may include an AP OBSSID (e.g., a BSSID of the OBSS overlapping with the primary channel) and / or an AP_OBSS_Basic_NAV_Timer (e.g., basic NAV timer information of the OBSS overlapping with the primary channel). For example, the information may include an AP OBSSID corresponding to an OBSS transmission 930-c and / or anAP OBSSID corresponding to an OBSS transmission 930-d. In some examples, the OBSS transmission 930-c and / or the OBSS transmission 930-d may cause BSSA to switch to an NPCA primary channel at the start of the R-TWT SP 920-c (e.g., at time 925-d).

[0208] In some examples, AP OBSS Basic NAV Timer of APA may end earlier than the R-TWT of APB. For example, the OBSS transmission 930-c may end at time 925-e, prior to the end of the R-TWT SP 920-d. In some such examples, the AP OBSS Basic NAV Timer of APA may be prolonged until the end the R-TWT of APA. In some examples, the STA (e.g., STAB) may resume transmission(s) within the R-TWT of APB (e.g., its own R-TWT) until the end of the R-TWT starting from when AP OBSS Basic NAV Timer of APA expires, as illustrated in FIG. 9C. For example, STAB may resume transmissions until a time 925-f.

[0209] In some examples, if one or more conditions are not satisfied, STAB may terminate a TXOP and / or transmission. Additionally, or alternatively, STAB may switch back to the primary channel (e.g., if STAB was previously operating on a NPCA primary channel). Additionally, or alternatively, STAB may operate in an inactive mode (e.g., go to sleep) until the start of a next R-TWT SP.

[0210] FIG. 10 illustrates an example block diagram of an apparatus 10 to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The apparatus 10 comprises, for example, at least one processor 12 and at least one memory 14 storing instructions 15 that, when executed by the atleast one processor, cause the apparatus 10 at least to perform one or more methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. In an example, the at least one memory and the instructions (e.g. a computer program code, software), are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus 10 to perform one or more methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof.

[0211] A processor 12 may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with one or more example embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a user equipment, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0212] The memory 14 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory may comprise a database for storing data. The memory 14 may be at least in part external to apparatus 10 but accessible to apparatus 10.

[0213] The instructions 15 may be comprised in a computer readable medium or a non-transitory computer readable medium. A term non-transitory, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g. random access memory, RAM, vs. read only memory, ROM).

[0214] For example, the apparatus 10 may be an AP, such as an AP of FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, and 9C. As another example, the apparatus may be comprised in such an AP, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the AP. The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of FIG. 12 and 14 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0215] As another example, the apparatus 10 may be a STA of FIGs. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, and 9C. In another example, the apparatus may be comprised in such a STA, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the STA The apparatus 10 may be caused or configured to perform at least the methods of FIGs. 11 and 13 and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0216] In some examples, the apparatus 10 may be a UE, or another type of terminal device.

[0217] The apparatus may comprise one or more entities of any of protocol layers, such as a MAC entity, a radio resource control (RRC) entity, a radio link control (RLC) entity, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity or a PHY entity. In at least one embodiment, the entity is configured to perform at least the methods of FIGs. 11 through 14, and / or any one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0218] In some examples, the apparatus 10 may include a radio interface 16. The radio interface 16 may provide the apparatus 10 with communication capabilities. The radio interface 16 may comprise a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may comprise more than one receiver. The transmitter may comprise more than one transmitter. The radio interface 16 may comprise a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may comprise more than one transceiver.

[0219] The apparatus 10 may comprise a user interface 18 comprising, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 18 may be used to control the apparatus by the user. The user interface 18 may be external to the apparatus 10. For example, the apparatus 10 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 10 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0220] In some examples, the apparatus 10 may include a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving signals. The transceiver may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (e.g., using a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field-programmable gate array (FPGA)) or as a system-on-a-chip (SOC) that includes different modules for implementing the functionality of the transceiver. The apparatus 10 may also include the at least one processor 12 and / or the at least one memory 14. The at least one processor 12 may be used to execute instructions stored in the at least one memory 14 and / or to store information in the at least one memory 14, for example, such as the results of the executed instructions.

[0221] In some examples, the at least one processor 12 may be in communication with the at least one memory 14 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 10. The at least one memory 14 may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. For example, the at least one memory 14 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processor). The at least one memory 14 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0222] In some examples, the apparatus 10 includes one or more transceivers for transmitting and / or receiving signals, for example, over a backbone and / or over an access interface. A transceiver may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (e.g., using a single ASIC or FPGA) or as a SOC that includes different modules for implementing the functionality of the transceiver. In some examples, the apparatus 10 is implemented in or by a user device to which resources on an access interface may be allocated and assigned.

[0223] In some examples, the apparatus 10 is embodied in a chip or chip set. For example, the apparatus 10 may include one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus 10 may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip or as a single system on a chip (SOC). As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0224] In some examples, the at least one processor 12 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the at least one processor 12 may be implemented by processing circuitry. For example, the at least one processor 12 may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, and / or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the at least one processor 12 may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally, or alternatively, the at least one processor 12 may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading.

[0225] In an example embodiment, the at least one processor 12 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the at least one memory 14 or otherwise accessible to the at least one processor 12. Alternatively, or additionally, the at least one processor 12 may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the at least one processor 12 may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the at least one processor 12 is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, and / or the like, the at least one processor 12 may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein.Alternatively, or additionally, as another example, when the at least one processor 12 is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the at least one processor 12 may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processor by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The at least one processor 12 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), and / or logic gates configured to support operation of the at least one processor 12.

[0226] The radio interface 16 (e.g., a communication interface) may be a device and / orcircuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data, including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks, and / or the like. In this regard, the radio interface 16 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally, or alternatively, the radio interface 16 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), USB or other mechanisms.

[0227] In some examples, the apparatus 10 may be an AP or a STA (e.g., such as a client device) usable in a Wi-Fi network capable of operating in accordance with wireless standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11 standards).

[0228] In at least one embodiment, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for carrying out at least some of the described processes. Means for performing methods as disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 10. For example, the at least one processor 12, the memory 14, and the computer program code form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. The term “means” as used in the description and in the claims may refer to one or more individual elements configured to perform the corresponding recited functionality or functionalities, or it may refer to several elements that perform such functionality or functionalities. Furthermore, several functionalities recited in the claims may be performed by the same individual means or the same combination of means. For example, performing such functionality or functionalities may be caused in an apparatus by a processor that executes instructions stored in a memory of the apparatus.

[0229] FIG. 11 illustrates an example flowchart 1100 of a method to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The method may be computer-implemented. The method may be performed by a device, such as a UE or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5 A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, and 9C.In some examples, the STA may be an example of an apparatus 10 illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0230] As shown in FIG. 11, the STA at block 1110 identifies a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the STA (e.g., the apparatus 10). For example, the STA may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14) for identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the apparatus.

[0231] As shown in FIG. 11, the STA at block 1112 performs one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period. For example, the STA may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14, a radio interface 16) for performing one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0232] FIG. 12 illustrates an example flowchart 1200 of a method to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The method may be computer-implemented. The method may be performed by a device, such as a UE or an AP illustrated by and described with reference to 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5 A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, and 9C. In some examples, the AP may be an example of an apparatus 10 illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0233] As shown in FIG. 12, the AP at block 1210 identifies a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including the AP (e.g., the apparatus 10). For example, the AP may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14) for identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including the apparatus.

[0234] As shown in FIG. 12, the AP at block 1212 determines that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basicservice set (OBSS). For example, the AP may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14) for determining that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS).

[0235] As shown in FIG. 12, the AP at block 1214 performs one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more nonprimary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period. For example, the AP may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14, a radio interface 16) for performing one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

[0236] FIG. 13 illustrates an example flowchart 1300 of a method to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The method may be computer-implemented. The method may be performed by a device, such as a UE or a STA illustrated by and described with reference to 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, and 9C. In some examples, the STA may be an example of an apparatus 10 illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0237] As shown in FIG. 13, the STA at block 1310 receives a signal indicating a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS). For example, the STA may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14, a radio interface 16) for receiving a signal indicating a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS).

[0238] As shown in FIG. 13, the STA at block 1312 determines the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the STA (e.g., the apparatus 10). For example, the STA may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14) for determining the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus.

[0239] As shown in FIG. 13, the STA at block 1314 performs one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on a status of non-primary channel access(NPCA) at the first BSS and the second BSS. For example, the STA may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14, a radio interface 16) for performing one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on a status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS and the second BSS.

[0240] FIG. 14 illustrates an example flowchart 1400 of a method to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The method may be computer-implemented. The method may be performed by a device, such as a UE or an AP illustrated by and described with reference to 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 3 A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5 A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 9A, 9B, and 9C. In some examples, the AP may be an example of an apparatus 10 illustrated by and described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0241] As shown in FIG. 14, the AP at block 1410 receives a request for a coordinated restricted target wake time (CR-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS). For example, the AP may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14, a radio interface 16) for receiving a request for a coordinated restricted target wake time (CR-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS).

[0242] As shown in FIG. 14, the AP at block 1412 receives, based at least in part on the request, a signal indicating scheduling information associated with a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within the first BSS and a first status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS. For example, the AP may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14, a radio interface 16) for receiving, based at least in part on the request, a signal indicating scheduling information associated with a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a first group of apparatuses within the first BSS and a first status of non-primary channel access (NPCA) at the first BSS.

[0243] As shown in FIG. 14, the AP at block 1414 determines the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the AP (e.g., the apparatus 10). For example, the AP may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14) for determining the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with a second group of apparatuses within a second BSS including the apparatus.

[0244] As shown in FIG. 14, the AP at block 1416 performs one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the first status of NPCA at the first BSS and a second status of NPCA at the second BSS. For example, the AP may include the means (e.g., a processor 12, a memory 14, a radio interface 16) for performing one or more operations during the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the first status of NPCA at the first BSS and a second status of NPCA at the second BSS.

[0245] Even though the present disclosure has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the present disclosure is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly, and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:identify a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses includes at least the apparatus; andperform one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), and wherein the one or more operations comprise switching from a reference primary channel to a primary channel associated with NPCA based at least in part on the first R-TWT service period overlapping with the second R-TWT service period.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switching to the primary channel occurs over a duration, and wherein the start of the duration corresponds to the start of the first R-TWT service period or a time instance within the first R-TWT service period.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein switching to the primary channel is based at least in part on the one or more apparatuses comprising a capability to switch to the reference primary channel at the start of the first R-TWT service period.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the one or more operations comprise:a first one or more operations unassociated with R-TWT based at least in part on at least one apparatus of the one or more apparatuses lacking an NPCA capability, ora second one or more operations associated with R-TWT based at least in part on each apparatus of the one or more apparatuses comprising the NPCA capability.

6. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:receive, from an access point associated with the BSS, a signal indicating that one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT are not applicable to NPCA.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, in accordance with at least one rule of the one or more rules, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:truncate a transmission opportunity within the first R-TWT service period at the start of a second R-TWT service period that is overlapping with the first R-TWT service period, transmit one or more frames within the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the apparatus being included the group of apparatuses, orrefrain from transmitting outside of the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the apparatus being included in the group of apparatuses.

8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:perform the one or more operations in accordance with one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT based at least in part on the apparatus including an NPCA capability and enabling the NPCA capability.

9. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the one or more operations include operating in accordance with an inactive mode based at least in part on the apparatus lacking an NPCA capability or include the NPCA capability and disabling the NPCA capability.6710. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to operate in accordance with the inactive mode until the start of another R-TWT service period associated with the group of apparatuses.

11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 10, wherein the one or more operations comprise switching from a reference primary channel to a primary channel associated NPCA, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:refrain from applying one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the switching; andapply the one or more rules during another R-TWT service period after the first R-TWT service period.

12. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:receive a signal indicating a second R-TWT service period associated with an OBSS; based at least in part on the second R-TWT service period, switch from a reference primary channel to a primary channel associated with NPCA during the first R-TWT service period; andswitch from the primary channel to the reference primary channel after the second R-TWT service period or after the first R-TWT service period.

13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 through 12, wherein the apparatus is a station (STA).

14. An apparatus, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:identify a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including the apparatus;68determine that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R- TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS); and perform one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the one or more operations comprise switching from a reference primary channel associated with the BSS to a primary channel associated with NPCA.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:transmit a signal to at least one apparatus included in the group of apparatuses based at least in part on the switch, wherein the signal indicates the second R-TWT service period associated with the OBSS; andswitch from the primary channel to the reference primary channel after the second R-TWT service period or after the first R-TWT service period.

17. An apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first R-TWT service period includes a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) associated with the apparatus, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:refrain from scheduling a beacon transmission at the TBTT based at least in part on the switching.

18. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 through 17, wherein the switching to the primary channel occurs over a duration, and wherein the start of the duration corresponds to the start of the first R-TWT service period or a time instance within the first R-TWT service period.6919. An apparatus according to any one of claims 15 through 18, wherein switching to the primary channel is based at least in part on the one or more apparatuses including a capability to switch to the reference primary channel at the start of the first R-TWT service period.

20. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 through 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:transmit, to at least one apparatus included in the group of apparatuses, a signal indicating that one or more rules for operations associated with R-TWT are not applicable to NPCA.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, in accordance with at least one rule of the one or more rules, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:truncate a transmission opportunity at the start of the first R-TWT service period, receive one or more frames within the first R-TWT service period, orrefrain from monitoring for one or more frames outside of the first R-TWT service period.

22. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 through 21, wherein the one or more operations comprise truncating a transmission opportunity associated with the BSS at the start of the second R-TWT service period based at least in part on the one or more NPCA capabilities of the one or more apparatuses.

23. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 through 22, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:obtain a transmission opportunity, wherein, based at least in part on the apparatus including an NPCA capability and enabling the NPCA capability, the one or more operations comprise truncating the transmission opportunity during a portion of the transmission opportunity that is overlapping with the second R-TWT service period.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 through 22, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:70obtain a transmission opportunity, wherein, based at least in part on the apparatus including an NPCA capability and enabling the NPCA capability, the one or more operations comprise refraining from truncating the transmission opportunity based at least in part on the transmission opportunity being associated with at least one of the following: at least one frame of at least one downlink R-TWT traffic identification, at least one frame of at least one uplink R-TWT traffic identification, at least one management frame, or at least one beacon transmission.

25. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 through 24, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:transmit a signal to at least one apparatus included in the group of apparatuses, wherein the signal indicates the second R-TWT service period associated with the OBSS; andswitch from a primary channel associated with NPCA to a reference primary channel associated with the BSS after the second R-TWT service period or after the first R-TWT service period.

26. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 through 25, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:obtain a transmission opportunity, wherein the apparatus is the holder of the transmission opportunity; andrefrain from scheduling one or more beacon transmissions with a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) or a target short beacon transmission time (TSBTT) based at least in part on the TBTT or TSBTT being within a portion of the first R-TWT service period, the apparatus comprising an NPCA capability, the apparatus enabling the NPCA capability, and the apparatus operating on the primary channel associated with NPCA.

27. An apparatus according to any one of claims 14 through 26, wherein the apparatus is an access point (AP).

28. A method, comprising:identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS), wherein the group of apparatuses71includes at least an apparatus; andperforming one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

29. A method, comprising:identifying a first restricted target wake time (R-TWT) service period associated with a group of apparatuses within a first basic service set (BSS) including an apparatus;determining that the first R-TWT service period is overlapping with a second R-TWT service period associated with an overlapping basic service set (OBSS); andperforming one or more operations during the first R-TWT service period based at least in part on the determination and one or more non-primary channel access (NPCA) capabilities of one or more apparatuses included in the group of apparatuses associated with the first R-TWT service period.

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