Communication apparatus and communication method for polling stas

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a first communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, generates a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

Description

DESCRIPTIONCOMMUNICATION APPARATUS AND COMMUNICATION METHOD FOR POLLING STASTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to communication apparatuses and communication methods, and more particularly, communication apparatuses and communication methods for polling stations (STAs).BACKGROUND

[0002] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard specifies the transmission of a Trigger frame, such as a multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) or buffer status report poll (BSRP), by an access point (AP) to solicit responses from multiple stations (STAs). The Trigger frame also allocates resource units (RUs) for each STA to use for transmitting a response.

[0003] Conventionally, a Trigger frame solicits responses from multiple STAs on allocated RUs. However, efficient use of frequency resources is crucial, particularly when an AP solicits responses from multiple STAs using a single frame.

[0004] In particular, IEEE P802.11-REVme / D7.0 defines an NDP feedback report procedure that allows an access point (AP) to send an NDP feedback report poll (NFRP) Trigger frame, to solicit NDP feedback report responses from one or more STAs. These NDP feedback report responses are trigger-based (TB) feedback NDPs. Each STA triggered by the NFRP Trigger frame may transmit a feedback status bit by modulating a set of subcarriers in the long training field (LTF) of the TB feedback NDP according to the assigned resource unit (RU) tone set index and feedback status.

[0005] However, in the current NDP feedback report procedure, an AP allocates a group of RU tone sets with contiguous indices to a group of STAs with association identifiers (AIDs) within a continuous range. This restricted resource allocation scheme may lead to issues including limited polling capability and inefficient utilisation of resources.

[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a novel communication apparatus and communication method for polling ST As that can address the above issues.

[0007] Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.SUMMARY

[0008] Non-limiting and exemplary embodiments facilitate providing communication apparatuses and communication methods for polling STAs.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a first communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, generates a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a second communication apparatus comprising: a receiver, which in operation, receives a trigger frame from a first communication apparatus for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response; and circuitry, which in operation, determines the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0011] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a first communication apparatus comprising: generating a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response; and transmitting the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a second communication apparatus comprising: receiving a trigger framefrom a first communication apparatus for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response; and determining the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0013] In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a first communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, generates a frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0014] In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a second communication apparatus comprising: a receiver, which in operation, receives a frame from a first communication apparatus, the frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting a response; and circuitry, which in operation, determines the frequency resource for transmitting a response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0015] In a seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a first communication apparatus comprising: generating a frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response; and transmitting the frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0016] In an eighth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a second communication apparatus comprising: receiving a frame from a first communication apparatus, the frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting a response; and determining the frequency resource for transmitting a response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0017] It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any selective combination thereof. Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and / oradvantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and / or advantages.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with present embodiments.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a sequence diagram illustrating an NDP feedback report procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs.

[0020] Figure 2 shows an exemplary format of an NFRP Trigger frame according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3 shows an exemplary format of a User Info field in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4 shows another exemplary format of a User Info field in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 5 shows an example of two User Info fields in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 6 shows another example of two User Info fields in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 7 shows yet another example of two User Info fields in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 8 shows an exemplary format of a User Info field in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a first implementation of a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 9 shows an exemplary format of a User Info field in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a second implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figures 10 and 11 show an exemplary frequency resource allocation according to the second implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 12 shows an exemplary format of a User Info field in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a third implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a process for calculating offset according to the third implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram illustrating allocation of different groups of RU tone sets to different groups of STAs according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram illustrating allocation of RU tone sets within nonpunctured subchannels to groups of STAs according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram illustrating allocation of frequency resources and spatial resources to different groups of STAs according to variations of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figures 17 to 19 show exemplary formats of a User Info field in an NFRP Trigger frame according to variations of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 20 shows a flowchart illustrating a process implemented by an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 21 shows a flowchart illustrating a process implemented by a STA according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 22 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 23 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figures 24 to 26 show exemplary formats of a BSRP Trigger frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 27 shows an exemplary format of a Basic Trigger frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 28 shows an exemplary format of an MU-RTS Trigger frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 29 shows a diagram illustrating an exemplary RU allocation encoding in an MU-RTS T rigger frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 30 shows an exemplary format of a Multi-User Block Acknowledgement Request (MU-BAR) Trigger frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 31 shows an exemplary format of a Conditional Report Poll (CRP) Trigger frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 32 shows an exemplary format of a CRP Parameter Set element according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 33 shows an exemplary format of a Null Data Packet (NDP) Feedback Report Poll (NFRP) Trigger frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 34 shows an exemplary format of a Multi-STA block acknowledgement (BlockAck) frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 35 shows an exemplary format of an Acknowledgment (Ack) frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 36 shows an exemplary format of a High Efficiency (HE) Trigger-Based (TB) Feedback NDP Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 37 shows an exemplary format of a Clear-to-Send (CTS) frame according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figures 38A and 38B show exemplary formats of a PHY sequence according to the first implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 39 shows a flowchart illustrating a process implemented by an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 40 shows a flowchart illustrating a process implemented by a STA according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 41 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a second implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 42 shows an exemplary format of a TB PPDU according to the second implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 43 shows an exemplary format of a Quality of Service (QoS) Null frame according to the second implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 44 shows an exemplary format of a QoS Data frame according to the second implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 45 shows an exemplary format of a Multi-STA BlockAck frame according to the second implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 46 shows a flowchart illustrating another process implemented by an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 47 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple ST As according to a third implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 48 shows an exemplary format of a PPDU with additional sequence according to the third implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 49 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 50 shows an exemplary format of an Association Response frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Figure 51 shows an exemplary format of a Beacon frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] Figure 52 shows an exemplary format of a Polling Response Resource Allocation frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0066] Figure 53 shows an exemplary format of a Trigger frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0067] Figure 54 shows an exemplary format of another Trigger frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0068] Figure 55 shows an exemplary format of a QoS Null frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] Figure 56 shows an exemplary format of a QoS Data frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] Figure 57 shows an exemplary format of a Multi-STA BlockAck frame according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0071] Figure 58 shows an exemplary format of a PPDU according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] Figure 59 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a fifth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Figure 60 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a sixth implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Figure 61 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a seventh implementation of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] Figure 62 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] Figure 63 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a first implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Figure 64 shows an exemplary format of a Trigger frame according to the first implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Figure 65 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a second implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] Figure 66 shows an exemplary format of an Association Response frame according to the second implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] Figure 67 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a third implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] Figure 68 shows a sequence diagram illustrating a polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a fourth implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] Figure 69 shows a sequence diagram illustrating another polling procedure involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the fourth implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0083] Figure 70 shows a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] Figure 71 shows a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0085] Figure 72 shows a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0086] Figure 73 shows a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0087] Figure 74 shows a schematic view of a communication apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0088] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been depicted to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention that the embodiments and examples herein are bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description.

[0090] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals and characters in the drawings refer to like elements or equivalents.

[0091] In the following paragraphs, certain exemplifying embodiments are explained with reference to an access point (AP) and one or more stations (STAs).

[0092] In the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technologies, a station, which is interchangeably referred to as a STA, is a communication apparatus that has the capability to use the IEEE 802.11 protocol. Based on the IEEE 802.11-2020 definition, a STA can be any device that contains an IEEE 802.11-conformant media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM).

[0093] For example, a STA may be any device such as laptop, a desktop personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), either an access point or not (e g., either an AP STA or a non-AP STA), or a Wi-Fi phone in a wireless local area network (WLAN) environment. The station may be fixed or mobile. In the WLAN environment, the terms "STA", "non-AP STA", "client", "wireless client", "user", "user device", and "mobile terminal" are often used interchangeably.

[0094] Likewise, an AP, which may be interchangeably referred to as a wireless access point (WAP) in the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technologies, is a communication apparatus that allows STAs in a WLAN to connect to a wired network. The AP usually connects to a router (via a wired network) as a standalone device, but it can also be integrated with or employed in the router. The AP may be a part of a basic service set (BSS), which consists of the AP and one or more STAs, facilitating communication between the STAs in the BSS.

[0095] As mentioned above, a STA in a WLAN may work as an AP at different occasions, and vice versa. This is because communication apparatuses in the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technologies may include both STA hardware components and AP hardware components. In this manner, the communication apparatuses may switch between a STA mode and an AP mode, based on actual WLAN conditions and / or requirements.

[0096] Unless explicitly indicated otherwise, it will be appreciated that, the disclosure should be applicable to various generations of IEEE 802.11 protocols and other standards and / or technologies in wireless communication involving similar features. In various embodimentsbelow, each of the terms "channel" and "subchannel" may be used interchangeably with any one of "band", "subband" and "frequency segments". The term "circuitry" may be used interchangeably with "module".

[0097] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram illustrating an NDP feedback report procedure 100 involving an AP and multiples STAs. The AP may transmit a trigger frame (e g., NFRP Trigger frame 102) to multiple STAs for obtaining a response (e.g., NDP feedback report response 104, 106) from the STAs, where the trigger frame may comprise information for allocating respective resources (e.g., spatial resources and frequency resources) to the STAs for transmitting the response. Then, the STAs may transmit the response to the AP using the respective resources allocated.

[0098] Figure 2 shows an exemplary format of an NFRP Trigger frame 200 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The NFRP Trigger frame 200 in Figure 2 may be an example of the NFRP Trigger frame 102 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the NFRP T rigger frame 200 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field, one or more User Info fields 202, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 204 and a UL BW subfield 206, where the Trigger Type subfield 204 is set to indicate that the trigger frame is an NFRP Trigger frame.

[0099] In various embodiments, an AP may transmit a trigger frame (e.g., NFRP Trigger frame 200) comprising one or more information fields (e.g., User Info fields 202) to solicit a response (e.g., NDP feedback report response 104) from one or more groups of associated STAs, where each User Info field 202 addresses a group of STAs and contains resource allocation information. Then, a STA that receives the NFRP Trigger frame 200 may identify the resource for transmitting an NDP feedback report response 104, 106 based on the information provided in the User Info field 202.

[0100] Advantageously, this approach allows an AP to flexibly allocate resources for STAs to transmit NDP feedback report responses.

[0101] According to a first embodiment, the User Info field may comprise a subfield that indicates the spatial stream index allocated to the group of STAs for transmitting NDP feedback report responses, thereby allowing an AP to allocate spatial resources to STAs.

[0102] Figure 3 shows an exemplary format of a User Info field 300 in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The User Info field 300 in Figure 3 may be an example of the User Info field 202 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, the User Info field 300 may comprise a Starting AID subfield, a Feedback Type subfield 302, a UL Target Receive Power subfield, a Spatial Stream Index subfield 304, in addition to Reserved subfields.

[0103] Table 1 shows an encoding of the Feedback Type subfield 302 in Figure 3.Table 1

[0104] Table 2 shows an encoding of the Spatial Stream Index subfield 304 in Figure 3.Table 2

[0105] In this embodiment, bit B39 may be used for the Spatial Stream Index subfield 304 to indicate the spatial stream index, while in IEEE 802.11, B39 is used for the Number Of Spatially Multiplexed Users subfield.

[0106] Additionally, bits B21 to B24 may be used for the Feedback Type subfield 302, which may indicate the feedback type, as well as the User Info field format. Value 'O' may indicate that the User Info field has the same format as defined in IEEE 802.11, i.e., B39 is the Number Of Spatially Multiplexed Users subfield, while values '1 '15' may indicate the new variant User Info field 300, where each value corresponds to a feedback type. In one example, value T may indicate buffer status for low-latency (LL) traffic, value '2' may indicate ranging request, and value '3' may indicate Internet of Things (loT) device status. In another example, one ofthe values from T to '15' may also indicate a resource request, similar to that indicated by value 'O'.

[0107] Figure 4 shows another exemplary format of a User Info field 400 in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The User Info field 400 in Figure 4 may be an example of the User Info field 202 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 4, the User Info field 400 may comprise a Starting AID subfield, a User Info Field Format subfield 402, a Feedback Type subfield 404, a UL Target Receive Power subfield, a Spatial Stream Index subfield 406 or a Number Of Spatially Multiplexed Users subfield 408, in addition to Reserved subfields.

[0108] In this implementation, 1 bit (e.g., B12) may be used to switch between the new variant User Info field 400 and the User Info field as defined in 802.11. For example, when B12 is set to 'O', the User Info field may follow the same format as in IEEE 802.11, and B39 is interpreted as the Number of Spatially Multiplexed Users subfield 408. On the hand, when B12 is set to T, the User Info field may be the new variant User Info field 400, and B39 may be interpreted as Spatial Stream Index subfield 406.

[0109] Bits B21-B24 may be used for Feedback Type subfield 404, which may indicate the feedback type.

[0110] To improve backwards compatibility, a further variation may set B12 to 'O' when the Feedback Type is set to 'O', such that the new variant User Info field is not allowed for Feedback Type 'O'. One of the values from T to '15' may also indicate a resource request, similar to that indicated by value 'O'.

[0111] Upon receiving the NFRP Trigger frame 200, the STA may identify the User Info field 300, 400 that addresses its AID. The STA may be addressed by the User Info field 300, 400 if its AID is greater than or equal to the Starting AID and less than the Starting AID + 18 x 2BW, where BW is the value of the UL BW subfield 206 in the Common Info field.

[0112] Table 3 shows an encoding of the UL BW subfield 206 in Figure 2.Table 3

[0113] After identifying the User Info field 300, 400 that addresses the STA's AID, the STA determines the RU tone set index and the spatial stream index for transmitting the NDP feedback report response. The RU tone set index may be determined using the equation: RU_Tone_Set_Index = 1 + (AID - Starting AID), while the spatial stream index is indicated by the Spatial Stream Index subfield 304, 406.

[0114] The STA may further determine the set of subcarriers in the LTF to be modulated according to the RU tone set index, feedback status, and the UL BW indicated in the Common Info field.

[0115] Figure 5 shows an example of two User Info fields in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, an AP may solicit NDP feedback report responses from two groups of STAs. The values of the Spatial Stream Index subfield 506, 512 in the first and second User Info fields 502, 508 are set to 'O' and T, respectively, indicating the first and second spatial streams.

[0116] In the example shown in Figure 5, the first User Info field 502 may allocate the first spatial stream to a first group of STAs, with an AID range starting from the value indicated in the Starting AID subfield 504. The second User Info field 508 may allocate the second spatial stream to a second group of STAs, with an AID range starting from the value indicated in the Starting AID subfield 510. The number of STAs in both the first and second groups may be 18, 36, 72 or 144 when the UL BW is 20, 40, 80 or 160 MHz, respectively.

[0117] The AP may also solicit NDP feedback report responses from more than two groups of STAs. In such implementations, more than 1 bit may be allocated to indicate spatial streamindex in each User Info field and more than two User Info fields may be included in the NFRP Trigger frame. Additionally, more than two LTF symbols may be used for the NDP feedback report.

[0118] Figure 6 shows another example of two User Info fields in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, an AP may solicit NDP feedback report responses from two groups of STAs, where one group of STAs includes legacy STAs such as High Efficiency (HE) STAs or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) STAs. The first User Info field 602 may use the format as defined in IEEE 802.11 and the second User Info field 608 may use the format of the User Info field 300 as shown in Figure 3.

[0119] The first User Info field 602 may address the group of STAs that includes legacy STAs. The value of the Feedback Type subfield 604 may be set to 'O', and bit B39 may be used for the Number Of Spatially Multiplexed Users subfield 606 and may be set to 'O'. The legacy STAs may transmit NDP feedback report responses on the first spatial stream.

[0120] The second User Info field 608 may address the other group of STAs. The value of the Feedback Type subfield 610 may be set to a value from T to '15' depending on the feedback type, and bit B39 may be used for the Spatial Stream Index subfield 612 and may be set to T.

[0121] Figure 7 shows yet another example of two User Info fields in an NFRP Trigger frame according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, an AP may solicit NDP feedback report responses from two groups of STAs, where one group of STAs includes legacy STAs (e.g., HE / EHT STAs). The first User Info field 702 and the second User Info field 708 may use the format of the User Info field 400 as shown in Figure 4.

[0122] The first User Info field 702 may address the group of STAs that includes legacy STAs. The value of the Feedback Type subfield 704 may be set to 'O'. The legacy STAs may interpret bit B39 as the Number Of Spatially Multiplexed Users subfield, while the non-legacy STAs may interpret bit B39 as the Spatial Stream Index subfield 706 since the value of the User Info field format subfield is set to T. The legacy STAs may transmit NDP feedback report responses on the first spatial stream.

[0123] The second User Info field 708 may address the other group of STAs. The value of the Feedback Type subfield 710 may be set to a value from 'O' to '15' depending on the feedback type. The value of the Spatial Stream Index subfield 712 may be set to 'T.

[0124] According to a second embodiment, the User Info field may comprise one or more subfields that indicate the frequency resources allocated to the group of STAs for transmitting NDP feedback report responses, thereby allowing an AP to flexibly allocate frequency resources to STAs.

[0125] Figure 8 shows an exemplary format of a User Info field 800 in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a first implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The User Info field 800 in Figure 8 may be an example of the User Info field 202 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 8, the User Info field 800 may comprise a Starting AID subfield, an RU Tone Set Start Index subfield 802, a Feedback Type subfield 804, an RU Tone Set End Index subfield 806, a UL Target Receive Power subfield, in addition to a Reserved subfield.

[0126] Table 4 shows values of the RU Tone Set Start Index subfield 802 and RU Tone Set End Index subfield 806 in Figure 8 for different UL BW indicated in the Common Info field.Table 4

[0127] In the first implementation, the frequency resources may be indicated by the start and end of RU tone set index. For example, the values of the RU Tone Set Start Index subfield 802 and RU Tone Set End Index subfield 806 may indicate the start and end of RU tone set index, and may be based on the UL BW 206 indicated in the Common Info field.

[0128] The number of RU tone sets allocated to the group of STAs is given by the following equation: Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets = RU_Tone_Set_End_Index — RU_Tone_Set_Start_Index + 1, where RU_Tone_Set_StartJndex is the value indicated by the RU Tone Set Start Index subfield 802, and RU_Tone_Set_End_Index is the value indicated by the RU Tone Set End Index subfield 806.

[0129] Advantageously, this implementation allows frequency resources to be allocated accurately to STAs.

[0130] Figure 9 shows an exemplary format of a User Info field in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a second implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The User Info field 900 in Figure 9 may be an example of the User Info field 202 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 9, the User Info field 900 may comprise a Starting AID subfield, an RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902, a Feedback Type subfield 904, a UL Target Receive Power subfield, in addition to Reserved subfields.

[0131] Table 5 shows values of the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902 in Figure 9.Table 5

[0132] In the second implementation, the frequency resources may be indicated by a value that corresponds to a group of RU tone sets. For example, the value of the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902 may indicate a group of RU tone sets. Table 5 above shows example values of the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902 and their corresponding groups of RU tone sets. The group of RU tone sets may be specified by the RU Tone Set Start Index and the number of RU tone sets. For example, the minimum number of RU tone sets indicated by the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902 may be '18'. In other examples, the minimum number of RU Tone Sets indicated by the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902 may be adjusted by modifying the number of bits allocated to the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902.

[0133] Figures 10 and 11 show an exemplary frequency resource allocation 1000, 1100 according to the second implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, Figure 10 illustrates an example of the frequency resource allocation 1000 when the value of the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902 is from 'O' to 7', while Figure 11 illustrates an example of the frequency resource allocation 1100 when the value of the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902 is from '8' to '14'.

[0134] Advantageously, this implementation allows Frequency resources to be allocated to STAs using fewer bits.

[0135] Figure 12 shows an exemplary format of a User information field 1200 in an NFRP Trigger frame according to a third implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The User Info field 1200 in Figure 12 may be an example of the User Info field 202 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 12, the User Info field 1200 may comprise a Starting AID subfield, an RU Tone Set Group Bitmap subfield 1202, a Feedback Type subfield 1204, a UL Target Receive Power subfield, in addition to Reserved subfields.

[0136] Table 6 shows an example of the RU Tone Set Group Bitmap subfield 1202 in Figure 12.Table 6

[0137] In the third implementation, the frequency resources may be indicated by a bitmap where each bit corresponds to a group of RU Tone Sets. For example, each bit of the RU Tone Set Group Bitmap subfield 1202 may correspond to a group of RU Tone Sets. Table 6 above shows an example of a RU Tone Set Group Bitmap subfield 1202, which may be an 8-bit bitmap where the lowest numbered bit (BO) corresponds to a group of RU tone sets with indices from T to '18'. If UL BWis 20 MHz, B1 to B7 may be reserved and set to 'O'. If UL BW is 40 MHz, B2 to B7 may be reserved and set to 'O'. If UL BW is 80 MHz, B4 to B7 may be reserved and set to 'O'. If UL BW is 160 MHz, there may be no reserved bits in the RU Tone Set Group Bitmap subfield 1202.

[0138] For example, an unreserved bit in the bitmap (Bi) may be set to 'T to indicate that the corresponding RU tone sets are allocated to a group of STAs. The number of RU tone sets allocated to the group of STAs may be calculated using the following equation: Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets = 18 x £=0Bi, where i is the bit number.

[0139] Upon receiving the NFRP Trigger frame 200, the STA may identify the User Info field 800, 900, 1200 that addresses its AID. The STA may be addressed by the User Info field 800, 900, 1200 if its AID is greater than or equal to the Starting AID and less than the Starting AID + 2 x Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets.• For the first implementation, Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets = RU_Tone_Set_End_Index - RU_Tone_Set_Start_Index + 1• For the second implementation, Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets is indicated by the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 900.• For the third implementation, Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets = 18 xBi

[0140] After identifying the User Info field 800, 900, 1200 that addresses the STA's AID, the STA determines the RU tone set index and the spatial stream index for transmitting NDPfeedback report response. The RU tone set index may be determined using the equation: RU_Tone_Set_Index = RU_Tone_Set_Start_Index +((AID — Starting AID)mod(Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets))• For the first implementation, RU_Tone_Set_Start_Index is the value of the RU Tone Set Start Index subfield 802.• For the second implementation, RU_Tone_Set_Start_Index is indicated by the RU Tone Set Allocation subfield 902.• For the third implementation, RU_Tone_Set_Start_Index = 1 + 18 x Offset, where the offset calculation may be performed according to the flowchart shown in Figure 13.

[0141] The spatial stream index may be calculated using the equation: Spatial_Stream_Index = 1 + [(AID — Starting AID)mod(Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets)J

[0142] The STA may further determine the set of subcarriers in the LTF to be modulated according to the RU tone set index, feedback status, and the UL BW indicated in the Common Info field.

[0143] Figure 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a process 1300 for calculating offset according to the third implementation of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] In step 1302, an AP may first calculate a value of d , where d = (AID -Starting AID)mod(Number_Of_RU_Tone_Sets). Then, in step 1304, the AP may initialise the values of i, k, and Offset, setting them to 'O'. Next, the AP may check whether the value of a bit (Bi) in the bitmap is 'T in step 1306. If Bi = 1, the process proceeds to step 1308, where the AP increases the value of k by 1 (i.e. , k = k + 1). Otherwise, the AP may increase the value of both Offset and i by 1 (i.e., Offset = Offset + 1 and i = i + 1) in steps 1310 and 1312, respectively, and then repeats step 1306. In step 1314, the AP may then check whether the value of d is less than 18 x k. If d < 18 x k, the process ends. Otherwise, the AP proceeds to step 1312 and further increases the value of i by 1 before repeating step 1306.

[0145] In an example according to the second embodiment, an AP may solicit NDP feedback report responses from its associated STAs using one or more User Info fields 800, 900, 1200, where each User Info field 800, 900, 1200 may allocate a group of RU Tone Sets to a groupof STAs. The values of the Feedback Type subfield 804, 904, 1204 in each User Info field may depend on the specific type of feedback that the AP wants to collect from each group of STAs.

[0146] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram illustrating allocation of different groups of RU tone sets to different groups of STAs 1402, 1404, 1406 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0147] Table 7 shows an example of frequency resource allocation when UL BW is 80 MHz.Table 7

[0148] In another example according to the second embodiment, if one of the 20 MHz or 40 MHz subchannels is punctured, an AP may allocate the RU tone sets within the non-punctured subchannels to the STAs.

[0149] Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram illustrating allocation of RU tone sets within nonpunctured subchannels to groups of STAs according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] For example, given a 1 x 11 puncturing pattern in an 80 MHz BSS, where the second lowest 20 MHz subchannel is punctured, and the AP wants to solicit NDP feedback report responses from STAs with Al Ds from 1 to 108:• For the first and second implementations, two User Info fields may be needed. The first User Info field may allocate RU tone sets 1 to 18 (1502) to STAs with AIDs 1 to 36, and the second User Info field may allocate RU Tone Sets 37 to 72 (1504) to STAs with AIDs 37 to 108.• For the third implementation, one User Info field may be needed. The RU Tone Set Group Bitmap may be set to '10110000'. The STAs with AIDs 1 to 18 and 55 to 72 maybe allocated to RU Tone Sets 1 to 18 (1502), and the STAs with AIDs 19 to 54 and 73 to 108 may be allocated to RU Tone Sets 37 to 72 (1504).

[0151] In various implementations of the second embodiment, the User Info field may further comprise a Spatial Stream Index subfield.

[0152] Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram illustrating allocation of frequency resources (e.g., RU tone sets) and spatial resources (e.g., spatial streams) to different groups of STAs 1602, 1604, 1606 according to variations of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0153] Figures 17 to 19 show exemplary formats of a User Info field 1700, 1800, 1900 in an NFRP Trigger frame according to variations of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The User Info field 1700, 1800, 1900 in Figures 17 to 19 may be examples of the User Info field 202 in Figure 2 and may be variations of the User Info field 800, 900, 1200 according to the first, second, and third implementations, respectively, with additional Spatial Stream Index subfield 1702, 1802, 1902.• For the variation of the first implementation, bit B20 may be used for the Spatial Stream Index subfield 1702.• For the variations of the second and third implementations, bit B39 may be used for the Spatial Stream Index subfield 1802, 1902. Alternatively, other reserved bits may also be used for the Spatial Stream Index subfield 1802, 1902.

[0154] Advantageously, such variations allow an AP to allocate both frequency resources and spatial resources to STAs.

[0155] In various implementations of the first and second embodiments, instead of the Starting AID subfield, the User Info field may comprise a Group ID subfield that identifies a group of STAs. For example, an AP may negotiate with a group of STAs and assign them a Group ID. As shown in Table 8 below, each STA included in the group of STAs identified by the same Group ID may know its position within the group of STAs. The User Info field may similarly comprise resource allocation information for the STAs identified by the same Group ID. In such implementations, the STA may determine the allocated resource based on its position within the group of STAs.

[0156] Table 8 shows an example of the respective positions of each STA included in a group of STAs identified by the same Group ID.Table 8

[0157] Figure 20 shows a flowchart illustrating a process 2000 implemented by an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In step 2002, the AP may select one or more feedback types, and then select the STAs to be polled for each feedback type in step 2004, followed by allocating resources for the STAs in step 2006. After constructing an NFRP Trigger frame (e.g., NFRP Trigger frame 102, 200) in step 2008, the AP may then send the NFRP Trigger frame to one or more STAs in step 2010.

[0158] Figure 21 shows a flowchart illustrating a process 2100 implemented by a STA according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In response to receiving an NFRP Trigger frame (e.g., NFRP Trigger frame 102, 200) from an AP in step 2102, the STA may carry out step 2104 to check the User Info field (e.g., User Info field 300, 400, 502, 508, 602, 608, 702, 708, 800, 900, 1200, 1700, 1800, 1900) of the NFRP Trigger frame. The STA determines whether it is addressed by the User Info field in step 2106. If the STA is addressed by the User Info field, the process moves to step 2108, where the STA then determines the resource to send an NDP feedback report response (e.g., NDP feedback report response 104, 106). Finally, in step 2110, the STA may construct and send the NDP feedback report response to the AP.

[0001] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an AP may allocate a same frequency resource to one or more STAs for transmission of responses. A frame may be used to solicit the responses from the one or more STAs. Then, the AP may listen on the allocated frequency resource and may determine information about the one or more STAs based on the responses and non-responses of the one or more STAs.

[0002] Advantageously, this approach allows an AP to obtain information about one or more STAs using fewer frequency resources.

[0003] According to a first embodiment, the AP may allocate the same frequency resource for a single transmission time (TT) to one or more STAs. Responses using the frequency resource may be conditional and may be decoded at least in part during simultaneous transmissions.

[0004] Figure 22 illustrates a polling procedure 2200 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the first embodiment.

[0005] In the first embodiment, the AP may allocate frequency resources 2208, 2210 (e g., FR1, FR2) to multiple STAs (e.g., STA1 to STA4) for transmission of responses (e.g., Rsp 2204, 2206) by transmitting one or more resource allocation frames 2202. At least one same frequency resource may be allocated to a subset of the multiple STAs. For example, a first same frequency resource 2208 (FR1) may be allocated to a first subset comprising STA1 and STA2, while a second same frequency resource 2210 (FR2) may be allocated to a second subset comprising STA3 and STA4. The number of STAs in the subset may be fewer than or the same as the total number of STAs of the multiple STAs.

[0006] Each STA in the subset may determine whether to transmit a response based on one or more conditions associated with the poll. For example, STA1 and STA2 may determine to and transmit responses 2204, 2206, while STA3 and STA4 may determine not to respond. The one or more conditions may be related to such as link measurement (e.g., whether the STA has poor link quality), or traffic status (e.g., whether the STA has queued low-latency (LL) traffic). The one or more conditions may, herein, also be referred to as response conditions or conditions for responding. The response from each STA may be transmitted on the allocated frequency resource while using the same spatial domain resource. The AP may determine information about one or more STAs in the subset based on responses and non-responses on the allocated frequency resources. For example, based on the responses 2204, 2206 on allocated frequency resource FR1 2208, the AP may determine that at least one of STA1 and STA2 satisfied the response conditions, and, based on the non-response on allocated frequency resource FR22210, the AP may determine that none of STA3 and STA4 satisfied the response conditions.

[0007] Figure 23 illustrates a polling procedure 2300 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a first implementation of the first embodiment.

[0008] In this first implementation, a single frame (e.g., request (Req) frame 2302) may be used to both allocate frequency resources for response transmissions and solicit theresponses. The Req frame 2302 in Figure 23 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 2202 in Figure 22. The frame 2302 (e.g., Req frame) transmitted during a first poll (e.g., Poll1) to allocate frequency resources 2308, 2310 (e.g., RU1, RU2) to multiple STAs (e.g., STA1 to STA4) for transmission of responses may also solicit the responses. The frame 2302 may be a Trigger frame, such as a BSRP Trigger frame, a Basic Trigger frame, an MU-BAR Trigger frame, an MU-RTS Trigger frame, or a new Trigger frame.

[0009] The same RU 2308, 2310 (e.g., RU1 or RU2) may be allocated to each STA in a subset (e.g., STA1 and STA2 or STA3 and STA4 respectively), and responses (e.g., response (Rsp) 2304, 2306) transmitted on the same RU may be identical such that when simultaneous transmission of responses 2304, 2306 occurs on the same RU 2308 (e.g., RU1), the AP may still successfully decode the responses 2304, 2306. The response may be a TB PPDU (e.g., Multi-STA BlockAck, Ack), a TB Feedback NDP PPDU, a non-High Throughput (non-HT) PPDU (e.g., CTS, Multi-STA BlockAck), or a PHY sequence.

[0010] The AP, based on receiving a response on the same RU, may determine that at least one STA in the subset met the conditions for responding. The AP may then transmit another frame (e.g., Req frame 2312) to one or more STAs in the subset with at least one STA meeting the conditions for responding (e.g., STA1 and STA2). The frame 2312 may be used to trigger a second poll (e.g., Poll2) to solicit responses 2314, 2316 (e.g., containing STA-specific information) from individual STAs in the subset. For example, the second poll (e.g., Poll2) may solicit non-conditional responses (i.e., responses that are not based on specific conditions).

[0011] Advantageously, this approach allows the AP to efficiently allocate frequency resources and solicit responses within a single transmission. Furthermore, the AP may narrow down from multiple STAs to a subset, allowing it to identify one or more STAs that meet specific conditions.

[0012] In an example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) may be a Trigger frame, such as a BSRP Trigger frame.

[0013] Figures 24 to 26 show exemplary formats of a BSRP Trigger frame 2400, 2500, 2600 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The BSRP Trigger frame 2400, 2500, 2600 in Figures 24 to 26 may be examples of the Req frame 2302 in Figure 23. As shown in Figures 24 to 26, the BSRP Trigger frame 2400, 2500, 2600 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, a Receiver Address (RA) field, a Transmitter Address (TA) field,a Common Info field 2402, a User Info List field 2404, 2502, 2602, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The RA field may be set to the broadcast address, and the TA field may be set to the MAC address of the transmitting AP.

[0014] In the example shown in Figure 24, the Common Info field 2402 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 2406, a More TF subfield 2408, a UL BW subfield 2410, a CRP Type subfield 2412, and a CRP Parameters subfield 2414; while the User Info List field 2404 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 2416. Each User Info field 2416 may comprise an AID12 subfield 2418 and an RU Allocation subfield 2420. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0015] The Trigger Type subfield 2406 in the Common Info field 2402 may be set to a value of '4' to indicate a BSRP Trigger frame. The same frequency resource may be allocated to multiple STAs individually (e.g., based on each STA's AID). For example, the User Info List field 2404 may contain multiple User Info fields 2416, one for each STA, identified individually in the AID12 subfield 2418. The UL BW subfield 2410 and RU Allocation subfield 2420 may be set to indicate the size and location of the allocated RU respectively.

[0016] A poll with conditions for responding may, herein, also be referred to as a conditional report poll (CRP). A new field (e.g., Conditional Report Poll (CRP) Type subfield 2412) may be included to indicate the CRP type, which may be associated with one or more specific predetermined response conditions. Examples of the specific predetermined response conditions may include a presence of queued LL traffic or poor link quality. As an example, there may be only a single type of poll and the CRP type may be indicated by a single bit (e.g., value of 'O' indicates none, while value of T indicates the specific CRP type). The new field may use reserved bit(s) or reuse an existing field in the Common Info field 2402, e.g., reserved or existing in the IEEE 802.11be specification (e.g., based on IEEE P802.11be / D7.0). For example, the existing More TF subfield 2408 may be reused to indicate CRP type when transmitted outside a Target Wake Time (TWT) Service Period (SP).

[0017] Another new field (e.g., CRP Parameters subfield 2414) may be included to indicate additional parameters (e.g., relating to the response conditions), such as a threshold for delay bound (or expiration time) of the queued LL traffic or a threshold for link measurement to determine poor link quality (e.g., based on RSSI). The CRP Parameters subfield 2414 may use reserved bit(s) or reuse an existing field in the Common Info field, e.g., reserved or existingin the IEEE 802.11 be specification. For example, the More TF subfield 2408 may be reused to indicate CRP parameters when the BSRP frame 2400 is not transmitted during TWT SP or ranging. If additional CRP parameters (e g., CRP Parameters subfield 2414) are not included, the response conditions may be determined based on the type of CRP (e.g., indicated by the CRP Type subfield 2412).

[0018] Alternatively, one or both new fields (e.g., CRP Type subfield 2512 and CRP Parameters subfield 2514) may be included in a User Info field 2504, as shown in Figure 25.

[0019] In the example shown in Figure 25, the User Info List field 2502 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 2504. Each User Info field 2504 may comprise an AID12 subfield 2506, an RU Allocation subfield 2508, an SS Allocation( / RA-RU Information) subfield 2510, a CRP Type subfield 2512, and a CRP Parameters subfield 2514. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0020] Advantageously, this approach allows the Trigger frame to apply different response conditions for different subsets of STAs (e.g., in different RUs). The CRP Type subfield 2512, CRP Parameters subfield 2514 may use reserved bit(s) or reuse an existing field (e.g., SS Allocation( / RA-RU Information) subfield 2510), e.g., reserved or existing in the IEEE 802.11be specification. For example, SS Allocation( / RA-RU Information) subfield 2510 may be reused to indicate CRP parameters when used for CRP (e.g., when a specific CRP type is indicated).

[0021] As another example, one or both new fields (e.g., CRP Type subfield 2610 and CRP Parameters subfield 2612) may be included in a Special User Info field, which may be indicated by a User Info field 2604 with AID12 subfield 2606 set to '2007'. Alternatively, the value of the AID12 subfield 2614 in the User Info field 2604 may be set to another predetermined value (e.g., a reserved value such as '2047', e.g., reserved in the IEEE 802.11be specification) to indicate that it is used for CRP. Alternatively, specific AID12 values may be used for indicating different types of CRP instead of explicitly including a CRP Type subfield 2616.

[0022] In the example shown in Figure 26, the User Info List field 2602 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 2604. One or more User Info fields 2604 may comprise an AID12 subfield 2606, a PHY Version Identifier subfield 2608, a CRP Type subfield 2610, and a CRP Parameters subfield 2612. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters toinform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted). Alternatively, one or more User Info fields 2604 may comprise an AID12 subfield 2614, a CRP Type subfield 2616, and a CRP Parameters subfield 2618. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0023] Advantageously, use of special or predetermined AID12 values allows for conservation of the limited reserved bits in the Common Info and User Info general formats.

[0024] In another example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) may be a Trigger frame that includes a Trigger Dependent User Info field, such as a Basic Trigger frame.

[0025] Figure 27 shows an exemplary format of a Basic Trigger frame 2700 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The Basic Trigger frame 2700 in Figure 27 may be an example of the Req frame 2302 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 27, the Basic Trigger frame 2700 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field 2702, a User Info List field 2704, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 2702 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 2706, a More TF subfield, and a UL BW subfield; while the User Info List field 2704 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 2708. Each User Info field 2708 may comprise an AID12 subfield, an RU Allocation subfield, and a Trigger Dependent User Info subfield 2710. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0026] In this example, one or both new fields (e.g., CRP Type subfield 2712 and CRP Parameters subfield 2714) may be included in a Trigger Dependent User Info subfield 2710, which increases the available bits which may be used. The Trigger Type subfield 2706 in the Common Info field 2702 may be set to a value of 'O' to indicate a Basic Trigger frame.

[0027] In another example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) may be an MU-RTS Trigger frame.

[0028] Figure 28 shows an exemplary format of an MU-RTS Trigger frame 2800 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The MU-RTS Trigger frame 2800 in Figure 28 may be an example of the Req frame 2302 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 28, the MU-RTS Trigger frame 2800 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, aTA field, a Common Info field 2802, a User Info List field 2804, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 2802 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 2806, a More TF subfield, and a UL BW subfield 2808; while the User Info List field 2804 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 2808. Each User Info field 2810 may comprise an AID12 subfield and an RU Allocation subfield 2812. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0029] In this example, the Trigger Type subfield 2806 in the Common Info field 2802 may be set to a value of '3' to indicate the frame 2800 is an MU-RTS Trigger frame. The UL BW subfield 2808 may indicate the bandwidth of the PPDU carrying the MU-RTS Trigger frame, while the RU allocation subfield 2812 may indicate the channel to be used for transmission of the response. The RU allocation encoding may be modified from the current IEEE 802.11 specification (e g., based on IEEE P802.11-REVme / D7.0) to allow responses also on just nonprimary channels. For example, to solicit responses on a specific non-primary 20 MHz channel. The new fields, (e.g., CRP Type subfield and CRP Parameters subfield) (not depicted) may be included in a similar manner as the examples as shown in Figures 24 to 27.

[0030] Table 9 shows an encoding of the RU Allocation subfield 2812 in Figure 28.<< >< >Table 9

[0031] Figure 29 illustrates an exemplary RU allocation encoding 2900 in MU-RTS Trigger frame 2800 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment, modified to include non-primary 20 MHz channels for primary channel up to 80 MHz, based on the encoding shown in Table 9. In particular, Figure 29 illustrates the RU allocation when the value of the RU Allocation subfield 2812 is T, '2', '3', '6T or '10', '1 T, '12', '64'.

[0032] In another example, values for RU allocation of non-primary channels in the secondary 80 MHz channel may also be included. For example, the fifth to eighth lowest channel when the primary 20 MHz channel is the second to fourth lowest frequency 20 MHz channel in the primary 80 / 160 MHz channel. In another example, values for RU allocation of non-primary 40 MHz and non-primary 80 MHz channels may also be included.

[0033] In another example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) may be an MU-BAR Trigger frame.

[0034] Figure 30 shows an exemplary format of an MU-BAR Trigger frame 3000 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The MU-BAR Trigger frame 3000 in Figure 30 may be an example of the Req frame 2302 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 30, the MU-BAR Trigger frame 3000 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field 3002, a User Info List field 3004, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 3002 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 3006; while the User Info List field 3004 may comprise multiple (e g., N) User Info fields 3008. Each User Info field 3008 may comprise an AID12 subfield, an RU Allocation subfield, and a Trigger Dependent User Info subfield 3010. The Trigger Dependent User Info subfield 3010 may comprise BAR Control subfield 3012 and BAR Information subfield 3014, where the BAR Information subfield 3014 may further comprise a CRP Type subfield 3016 and a CRP Parameters subfield 3018. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0035] In this Example, the Trigger Type subfield 3006 in the Common Info field 3002 may be set to a value of '2' to indicate the frame is an MU-BAR Trigger frame. In the User Info field 3008, the BAR Control subfield 3012 may be set to a predetermined value (e.g., '11', which is a reserved value, e.g., reserved in the current IEEE 802.11 specification) to indicate it is used for CRP, and the BAR Information subfield 3014 may include CRP Type subfield 3016 and CRP Parameters subfield 3018. Alternatively, the predetermined value (e.g., '11') may be used to indicate a specific CRP type and the CRP Type subfield 3016 may not be present.

[0036] In another example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) may be a new type of Trigger frame used primarily for CRP, such as a CRP Trigger frame.

[0037] Figure 31 shows an exemplary format of a CRP Trigger frame 3100 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The CRP Trigger frame 3100 in Figure 31 may be an example of the Req frame 2302 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 31, the CRP Trigger frame 3100 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field 3102, a User Info List field 3104, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 3102 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 3106 and a UL BW subfield; while the User Info List field 3104 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 3108. Each User Info field 3108 may comprise an AID12 subfield and an RU Allocation subfield. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0038] The Trigger Type subfield 3106 in the Common Info subfield 3102 may be set to a predetermined value (e.g., '9', which is a reserved value, e.g., reserved in the IEEE 802.11be specification) to indicate a CRP Trigger frame. One or both CRP Type subfield 3110 and CRP Parameters subfield 3112 may be included in the Common Info field 3102 to provide information on the poll. Alternatively, the CRP Type subfield 3110 and the CRP Parameters subfield 3112 may be included in the User Info field 3108.

[0039] Alternatively, the CRP parameters may be informed in a separate frame using an element (e.g., a new CRP Parameter Set element) carried in an earlier transmitted frame (e.g., Beacon frame, Probe Response frame, or Association Response frame), in which case the CRP Parameters subfield may not be present in the resource allocation frame. Alternatively, some CRP parameters may still be included in the resource allocation frame.

[0040] Figure 32 shows an exemplary format of a CRP Parameter Set element 3200 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 32, the CRP Parameter Set element 3200 may comprise an Element ID field 3202, a Length field, an Element ID Extension field 3204, and CRP Parameters field 3206. The Element ID field 3202 may be set to a value of '255' to indicate that Element ID Extension is present and the Element ID Extension field 3204 may be set to a value of '144', which is a reserved value, e.g., reserved in the IEEE 802.11be specification, to indicate a CRP Parameter Set element.

[0041] As a variation, the allocation of the same frequency resource to one or more of the multiple STAs individually may be based on a secondary AID (or an additional identifier besides a STA’s AID). The AP may assign one or more secondary AIDs to a STA in addition to the STA's primary AID assigned during association. The same frequency resource may then be allocated to a STA by indicating its secondary AID, such as in the AID12 subfield within the User Info field of a Trigger frame. Alternatively, a same secondary AID may be assigned to multiple STAs, functioning as a group ID. The resource may be allocated using the secondary AID by indicating the AID individually (e.g., in the AID12 subfield) or by including the AID in a range of AIDs (e.g., based on an indication of a starting AID).

[0042] The secondary AID may be dynamically assigned in advance, for example, by means of a management frame exchange (e.g., via an Action frame or using an element) (not depicted). The CRP type, response conditions or CRP parameters may be indicated for a secondary AID by including the information during the frame exchange when assigning the secondary AID. Additionally or alternatively, the secondary Al D may be assigned for a specific CRP Type, such that polling using the secondary AID corresponds to specific response conditions (e.g., a presence of queued LL traffic).

[0043] Advantageously, use of a secondary AID enhances the flexibility of resource allocation schemes as compared to using only the STA's primary AID.

[0044] As a variation, the allocation of the same frequency resource to multiple STAs may be based on a predetermined grouping. In this approach, a subset of STAs may be automatically determined based on predefined classifications or capabilities of the STAs. For example, STAs may recognise their inclusion in a subset by their device type or advertised capabilities. The subset may be associated with a predetermined AID12 value (e.g., using a value that is a reserved value, e.g, reserved in the IEEE 802.11be specification) that corresponds to a predefined group. The AP may use this predetermined AID12 value in the AID12 subfield ofthe User Info field to address the subset. Additionally, the frequency resource allocated to the predetermined group may be predetermined or dynamically assigned (e.g., by indicating the frequency resource for the predetermined or dynamically assigned AID12 value for the group in the resource allocation frame).

[0045] Advantageously, the use of predefined subsets and allocations may simplify resource allocation.

[0046] As an alternative to allocating the same frequency resource to each STA in a subset individually (e g., based on each STA's AID (e.g., AID12 values)), resource allocation may be based on a range of AIDs. In an example, a set of frequency resources may be allocated based on the formula: Frequency resource index = 1 + <AID index> MOD (<number of allocated resources: ), where the AID index starts from value 'O' and may be derived from the position of a STA's AID relative to the range of AIDs (e.g., AID index may be determined using the formula (STA's AID - Starting AID), where the Starting AID is the lowest AID value of a STA in the range of AIDs and all the AIDs in the range are in a sequence of consecutive integers). For instance, given 11 AIDs with indexes 'O' through '10', and where the number of allocated resources is 2, a first resource may be allocated to AID indexes 'O', '2', '4', '6', '8', and '10', while a second resource may be allocated to AID indexes '1 ','3','5','7', and '9', resulting in two subsets. The frequency resource index may correspond to a predetermined frequency resource (e.g., an RU or an RU tone set). Alternatively, the resource allocation frame may indicate (e.g., in a User Info field of a Trigger frame) for each frequency resource index (e.g., in a new field indicating the index), corresponding frequency resource information (e.g., RU Allocation subfield in the User Info field) (not depicted).

[0047] Alternatively, the frequency resources may be allocated based on the formula: Frequency resource index = FLOOR (<AID index> I <maximum number of STAs in subset>). For example, given AID indexes 'O' through '10', for the maximum number of STAs in subset set to 6, a first resource may be allocated to AID indexes 'O' to '5', while a second resource may be allocated to AID indexes '6' to '10', resulting in two subsets.

[0048] In some implementations, the frequency resources index may be an RU tone set index based on use of the NFRP Trigger frame in NDP feedback reporting. The resource allocation signalling may indicate a starting AID (e.g., in a Starting AID subfield) instead of individual target Al D(s).

[0049] Advantageously, this approach reduces signalling for resource allocation, thereby improving efficiency of resource allocation.

[0050] In an example of allocating frequency resources based on a range of AIDs, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) may be an NFRP Trigger frame.

[0051] Figure 33 shows an exemplary format of an NFRP Trigger frame 3300 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The NFRP Trigger frame 3300 in Figure 33 may be an example of the Req frame 2302 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 33, the NFRP Trigger frame 3300 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field 3302, a User Info List field 3304, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 3302 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 3306, a More TF subfield, and a UL BW subfield; while the User Info List field 3304 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 3308. Each User Info field 3308 may comprise a Starting AID subfield 3310 and a Feedback Type subfield 3312. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0052] In an example, the resource allocation signalling may be contained in a Special User Info field, such as User Info field with a special or predetermined AID12 value (e.g., using a value which is a reserved value, e.g., reserved in the IEEE 802.11be specification) (not depicted). The number of allocated resources or maximum number of STAs in a subset 3314 may be indicated in the Common Info field 3320 or User Info field 3308 (e.g., Special User Info field). Alternatively, this information may have been indicated in an earlier frame transmission. The CRP type may be indicated by the Feedback Type subfield 3312. Alternatively, an additional field may be used to indicate the CRP type or to indicate that the Feedback Type indicates the CRP type (not depicted). CRP parameters may be included (e.g., CRP Parameters field 3316) to provide conditions or parameters for responding. Alternatively, the parameters may be expressed in a new element (e.g., CRP Parameter Set element (e.g., 3200) as exemplified in Figure 32) sent separately from the resource allocation.

[0053] Alternatively, for allocating frequency resources based on a range of AIDs, the resource allocation frame may be another Trigger frame (e.g., BSRP Trigger frame) or a new Trigger frame (e.g., CRP Trigger frame) comprising an indication of a range of AIDs (e.g., by indicating a starting AID and related parameters, e.g., in a User Info field (e.g., a Special User Info field)) (not depicted).

[0054] In an example, the response transmitted from the STAs (e g., Rsp 2304, 2306) may be a TB PPDU, such as a Multi-STA BlockAck, which may be transmitted in response to a Trigger frame (e.g., BSRP, Basic, MU-BAR, or CRP Trigger frame).

[0055] Figure 34 shows an exemplary format of a Multi-STA BlockAck frame 3400 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The Multi-STA BlockAck frame 3400 in Figure 34 may be an example of the Rsp 2304, 2306 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 34, the Basic T rigger frame 3400 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a BA Control field 3402, a BA Information field 3404, and an FCS field. The BA Control field 3402 may comprise a BA Type subfield 3406; while the BA Information field 3404 may comprise a Per AID TID Info subfield 3408. The Per AID TID Info subfield 3408 may comprise an AID11 subfield, an Ack Type subfield, and a TID subfield.

[0056] The RA field may be set to the MAC address of the AP, and the TA field may be set to the MAC address of the AP or a predetermined address such as the broadcast address. The BA Type subfield 3406 in the BA Control field 3402 may be set to a value of '1 T to indicate a Multi-STA BlockAck frame. The Per AID TID Info subfield 3408 may include a single Per AID TID field with predetermined values (e.g., AID11 subfield 3410 set to 'O' or a predetermined value, such as '2046', which is an unused value, e.g, unused in the IEEE 802.11be specification, Ack Type subfield 3412 set to 'O', TID subfield 3414 set to '15'). Alternatively, it may contain zero Per AID TID fields. Alternatively, another predetermined value for BA Type subfield 3406 (e.g., '12', which is a reserved value, e.g., reserved in the current IEEE 802.11 specification) may be used to indicate a response to the CRP.

[0057] In another example, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306) may be an Ack frame (e.g., in a TB PPDU), which may be transmitted in response to a Trigger frame (e.g, BSRP, Basic, MU-BAR, or CRP Trigger frame).

[0058] Figure 35 shows an exemplary format of an Ack frame 3500 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The Ack frame 3500 in Figure 35 may be an example of the Rsp 2304, 2306 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 35, the Ack frame 3500 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field 3502, and an FCS field. The RA field 3502 may be set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0059] In another example, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306) may be a TB PPDU without a Data field, such as a high-efficiency (HE) TB Feedback NullData Packet (NDP), which may be transmitted in response to a Trigger frame (e.g., BSRP, Basic, MU-BAR, or CRP Trigger frame).

[0060] Figure 36 shows an exemplary format of an HE TB Feedback NDP PPDU 3600 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The HE TB Feedback NDP PPDU 3600 in Figure 36 may be an example of the Rsp 2304, 2306 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 36, the HE TB Feedback NDP PPDU 3600 may comprise an L-STF field, an L-LTF field, an L-SIG field, an RL-SIG field, an HE-SIG-A field, an HE-STF field, an HE-LTF field, and a PE field.

[0061] In another example, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306) may be a non-HT PPDU, such as a CTS frame or a Multi-STA BlockAck frame, which may be sent in response to an MU-RTS Trigger frame.

[0062] Figure 37 shows an exemplary format of a CTS frame 3700 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The CTS frame 3700 in Figure 37 may be an example of the Rsp 2304, 2306 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 37, the CTS frame 3700 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field 3702, and an FCS field. The RA field 3702 may be set to the MAC address of the AP.

[0063] Advantageously, the CTS frame offers better network allocation vector (NAV) protection of the channel.

[0064] In another example, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306) may be a PHY sequence, such as a part of a PPDU preamble (e.g., functioning as a chirp), which may be transmitted only on the allocated frequency resource. In an example, it may be a whole or part of a short training sequence (e.g., an HE-STF). Additionally, the response may begin with legacy preamble fields for medium protection over the full bandwidth.

[0065] Figures 38A and 38B show exemplary formats of a PHY sequence 3800, 3802 according to the first implementation of the first embodiment. The PHY sequence 3800, 3802 in Figures 38A and 38B may be an example of the Rsp 2304, 2306 in Figure 23. As shown in Figure 38A, the PHY sequence 3800 may consist of a Short HE-STF field. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 38B, the PHY sequence 3802 may comprise an L-STF field, an L-LTF field, an L-SIG field, an RL-SIG field, and a Short HE-STF field.

[0066] Table 10 shows the potential effects for different response scenarios when responses (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306) on the same frequency resource are identical according to the first implementation of the first embodiment.Table 10

[0067] In an example, the another frame (e.g., Req frame 2312) transmitted by the AP may be a frame (e.g., a BSRP Trigger frame or other Trigger frame) to solicit information individually from the STAs in the subset (e.g., STA1 and STA2 in Figure 23). In an alternative, the frame may poll a smaller subset of the first subset using a same RU. In another example, the transmission of the another frame (e.g., Req frame 2312) may initiate an action in response to the response conditions, such as initiating a radio measurement or link improvement procedure (e.g., beamforming) in response to an indication of poor link quality from STAs in the subset.

[0068] Figure 39 shows a flowchart illustrating a process 3900 implemented by an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In step 3902, the AP may transmit a Req frame (e.g., Req frame 2302), which allocates a same RU to a subset of STAs (e.g., RU1 allocated to STA1 and STA2 or RU2 allocated to STA3 and STA4). Then, the AP waits to receive responses (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306) on the RU allocated to the subset of STAs in step 3904. Next, the AP may carry out step 3906 to determine whether a response is received on the allocated RU. If a response is received, the process moves to step 3908, where the AP may transmit another frame (e.g., Req frame 2312) to one or more STAs in the subset of STA. Otherwise, the process ends.

[0069] Figure 40 shows a flowchart illustrating a process 4000 implemented by a STA according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In response to receiving a Req frame (e.g., Req frame 2302) from an AP in step 4002, the STA may carry out step 4004 to determine if there is a need to respond based on specific conditions. If the STA is to respond, the process moves to step 4006, where the STA then transmits the response to the AP on the allocated RU. Otherwise, the process ends.

[0070] As a variation, a second implementation of the first embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the first embodiment. In this second implementation, responses transmitted on the same frequency resource may be partially identical (e g., the responses comprise at least an identical part and a non-identical part). For example, a non-identical part of the responses may be information specific to the responding ST As.

[0071] Advantageously, this approach allows additional information about the responding STA or subset to be determined by the AP.

[0072] Figure 41 illustrates a polling procedure 4100 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the second implementation of the first embodiment.

[0073] Similar to polling procedure 2300, in polling procedure 4100, a single frame (e.g., Req frame 4102) may be used to both allocate frequency resources for response transmission and solicit responses in polling procedure 4100. The Req frame 4102 in Figure 41 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 2202 in Figure 22. The frame 4102 (e.g., Req frame) transmitted during a first poll (e g., Poll1) to allocate frequency resources 4108, 4112 (e.g., RU1, RU2) to multiple STAs (e.g., STA1 to STA4) for transmission of responses may also solicit the responses.

[0074] However, in polling procedure 4100, the responses (e.g., Rsp 4104, 4106) are only partially identical and may include information specific to the responding STAs.

[0075] When simultaneous transmission of responses occurs on the same RU, part of the response may be decoded by the AP, while another part of the response, e.g., the STA-specific information, cannot be decoded (e.g., Rsp 4104, 4106 on RU1 4108 from STA1 and STA2). When non-simultaneous transmission of response occurs on the same RU (e.g., Rsp 4110 on RU2 4112 from STA3), the whole response, including the STA-specific information,may be decoded by the AP. The response 4104, 4106, 4110 may be a TB PPDU (e.g., BSR, Multi-STA BlockAck).

[0076] The AP, based on receiving only a part of the response on the same RU (e g., RU1 4108), may partially decode the response and determine that at least two STAs in the subset met the conditions for responding. The AP may then transmit another frame (e.g., Req frame 4114) to one or more STAs in the subset (e.g., STA1 and STA2). The Req frame 4114 may be used to trigger a second poll (e.g., Poll2) to solicit additional (e.g., STA-specific) responses 4116, 4118 from STAs in the subset (e.g., STA1 and STA2). For example, the second poll (e.g., Poll2) may solicit non-conditional responses (i.e., responses that are not based on specific conditions).

[0077] The AP, based on receiving the whole of a response on the same RU (e.g., RU24112), may decode the whole response and determine specific information (e.g., presence of queued LL traffic) about the STA (e.g., STA3). Then, the AP may take corresponding action for the STA (not depicted), such as allocating time (e.g., before or after Poll2) for the STA (e.g., STA3) to transmit data after determining a STA has LL traffic queued. The AP may also determine based on receiving the whole response of a STA (e.g., STA3) that the other STAs in the subset (e.g., STA4) did not meet the response conditions.

[0078] Advantageously, the AP may obtain STA-specific information particularly when there is only one responding STA.

[0079] The format of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 4102) in the second implementation of the first embodiment may be the same as that of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) in the first implementation of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 3 to 33.

[0080] In an example, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110) may be a TB PPDU, such as a buffer status report (BSR) (e.g., a QoS Null or QoS Data frame with BSR Control), which may be transmitted in response to a Trigger frame (e.g., BSRP, Basic, MU-BAR, or CRP Trigger frame). The identical part of the response may be in the PHY preamble (e g., particularly the parts transmitted only on the allocated resource) and the STA-specific information may be in the Data field carrying the PHY layer convergence procedure (PLCP) service data unit (PSDU).

[0081] Figure 42 shows an exemplary format of a TB PPDU 4200 according to the second implementation of the first embodiment. The TB PPDU 4200 in Figure 42 may be an example of the Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110 in Figure 41. As shown in Figure 42, the TB PPDU 4200 may comprise a PHY Preamble field, a Data (e.g., comprising QoS Null / Data) field, and a PE field. The identical part of the response may be in the PHY Preamble field 4202 and the STA-specific information may be in the Data (e.g., comprising QoS Null / Data) field 4204.

[0082] Figure 43 shows an exemplary format of a QoS Null frame 4300 according to the second implementation of the first embodiment. The QoS Null frame 4300 in Figure 43 may be an example of the Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110 in Figure 41. As shown in Figure 43, the QoS Null frame 4300 may comprise a Frame Control field 4302, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, a QoS Control field, an HT Control field 4304, and an FCS field. The Frame Control field 4302 may comprise a Type subfield 4306 and a Subtype subfield 4308. The HT Control field 4304 may comprise an A-Control subfield, which further comprises a Control ID subfield 4312 and a Control Information subfield. The Type subfield 4306 may be set to a value of '10', the Subtype subfield 4308 may be set to a value of '1100' and the Control ID subfield 4312 may be set to a value of '3' to indicate a QoS Null frame with BSR Control. STA-specific information may be included in the Control Information subfield. Alternatively, the Control ID subfield 4312 may be set to another value to indicate a different type.

[0083] Figure 44 shows an exemplary format of a QoS Data frame 4400 according to the second implementation of the first embodiment. The QoS Data frame 4400 in Figure 44 may be an example of the Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110 in Figure 41. As shown in Figure 44, the QoS Data frame with 4400 may comprise a Frame Control field 4402, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, another Address field (Address 4 field), a QoS Control field, an HT Control field 4404, a Frame Body field, and an FCS field. The Frame Control field 4402 may comprise a Type subfield 4406 and a Subtype subfield 4408. The HT Control field 4404 may comprise an A-Control subfield, which further comprises a Control ID subfield 4412 and a Control Information subfield. The Type subfield 4406 may be set to a value of '10', the Subtype subfield 4408 may be set to a value of '1000' and the Control ID subfield 4412 may be set to a value of '3' to indicate a QoS Data frame with BSR Control. STA-specific information may be included in the Control Information subfield. Alternatively, the Control ID subfield 4412 may be set to another value to indicate a different type.

[0084] In another example, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110) may be a Multi-STA BlockAck, which may be transmitted in response to a Trigger frame (e.g., BSRP, Basic, MU-BAR, or CRP Trigger frame).

[0085] Figure 45 shows an exemplary format of a Multi-STA BlockAck frame 4500 according to the second implementation of the first embodiment. The Multi-STA BlockAck frame 4500 in Figure 45 may be an example of the Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110 in Figure 41. As shown in Figure 45, the Multi-STA BlockAck frame 4500 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a BA Control field 4502, a BA Information field 4504, and an FCS field. The BA Control field 4502 may comprise a BA Type subfield 4506; while the BA Information field 4504 may comprise a Per AID TID Info subfield 4508. The Per AID TID Info subfield 4508 may comprise an AID11 subfield 4510, and STA-specific information 4512.

[0086] The BA Type subfield 4506 may be set to a value of '11' to indicate a Multi-STA BlockAck frame, The AID11 subfield 4510 in the Per AID TID Info subfield 4508 may be set to a special value (e g., '2046', which is an unused value, e.g., unused in the current IEEE 802.11 specification) to indicate a CRP response. The STA-specific information 4512 may be contained in the remaining field(s). Alternatively, another predetermined value for BA Type subfield 4506 (e.g., '12', which is a reserved value, e.g., reserved in the current IEEE 802.11 specification) may be used to indicate a response to the CRP.

[0087] Table 11 shows the potential effects for different response scenarios when responses (e.g., Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110) on the same frequency resource are partially identical.Table 11

[0088] Figure 46 shows a flowchart illustrating another process implemented by an AP according to various embodiments. In step 4602, the AP may transmit a Req frame (e.g., Req frame 4102), which allocates a same RU to a subset of STAs (e.g., RU1 allocated to STA1 and STA2 or RU2 allocated to STA3 and STA4). Then, the AP waits to receive responses (e.g., Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110) on the RU allocated to the subset of STAs in step 4604. Next, the AP may carry out step 4606 to determine whether a response is received on the allocated RU. If a response is received, the process moves to step 4608, where the AP may determine whether the response contains STA-specific content. If so, the AP takes a corresponding action based on the STA-specific information in step 4610. Otherwise, the process moves to step 4612, where the AP may transmit another frame (e.g., Req frame 4114) to one or more STAs in the subset of STA. If no response is received in step 4606, the process ends.

[0089] As a variation, a third implementation of the first embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the first embodiment. In this third implementation, responses transmitted on the same frequency resource may include an additional part which may be included by the responding STAs based on one or more additional conditions.

[0090] Advantageously, this approach allows additional information about the responding STA or subset to be determined by the AP.

[0091] Figure 47 illustrates a polling procedure 4700 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the third implementation of the first embodiment.

[0092] Similar to polling procedure 2300, in polling procedure 4700, a single frame (e.g., Req frame 4702) may be used to both allocate frequency resources for response transmission and solicit responses in polling procedure 4700. The Req frame 4702 in Figure 47 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 2202 in Figure 22. The frame 4702 (e.g., Req frame) transmitted during a first poll (e.g., Poll1) to allocate frequency resources 4708, 4712 (e.g.,RU1, RU2) to multiple STAs (e.g., STA1 to STA4) for transmission of responses may also solicit the responses.

[0093] However, in polling procedure 4700, the responses (e.g., Rsp 4704, 4706) may include an additional part which may be included by the STAs based on additional conditions. For example, the response 4706 may include an additional part 4707 when additional conditions are met, such as presence of queued LL traffic and additionally, it is very urgent, or has poor link quality and additionally, needs immediate attention.

[0094] The additional part may be added to an identical (e g., according to examples of the response frame to the AP (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306) in the first implementation as described in Figures 34 to 38), or to a partially identical (e g., according to examples of the response frame to the AP (e.g., Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110) in the second implementation as described in Figures 42 to 45). The additional part of the response may be a PHY sequence.

[0095] The AP, based on receiving, or partially receiving, a response (e.g., Rsp 4706) including an additional part (e.g., 4707) on the same RU (e.g., RU1 4708), may determine that at least one STA in the subset met additional conditions for responding. Then, the AP may take a corresponding action for the STA, such as prioritising polling towards the STAs in the subset that was allocated the RU on which the response with additional part was received. For example, transmitting another frame (e.g., Req frame 4714) to trigger a second poll (e.g., Poll2) to solicit STA-specific responses 4716, 4718 from individual STAs in the subset. For example, the second poll (e.g., Poll2) may solicit non-conditional responses (i.e., responses are not based on specific conditions). Alternatively, if the response does not include an additional part, the AP may determine the corresponding action based on whether the response is received in part or whole as described for the first and second implementation.

[0096] Advantageously, the AP may prioritise or take appropriate action for a STA or subset based on the meeting of additional response conditions.

[0097] The format of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 4702) in the third implementation of the first embodiment may be the same as that of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 2302) in the first implementation of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 3 to 33. Support or enablement of responses with an additional part may be indicated in the resource allocation frame (e.g., Req frame 4702)(e.g., in the CRP parameters or based on the CRP type) or in a prior exchange (e g., advertised in a Beacon frame as a capability).

[0098] The format of the response (e.g., Rsp 4704, 4706) may the same as any one of the exemplary formats described Figures 34 to 38 and 42 to 45, including (e.g., followed by) an additional sequence.

[0099] As an example, the additional sequence may be a PHY sequence, such as a part of a PPDU preamble (e.g., HE-STF). As another example, the additional sequence may be the packet extension (PE) field of the PPDU.

[0100] Figure 48 shows an exemplary format of a PPDU with additional sequence 4800 according to the third implementation of the first embodiment. The PPDU with additional sequence 4800 in Figure 48 may be an example of the Rsp 4704, 4706 in Figure 47. As shown in Figure 48, the PPDU 4800 may comprise a PHY Preamble field, a Data field, and an additional sequence 4802. The additional sequence 4802 may be in a PE subfield 4804 or a Short HE-STF subfield 4806. A Short HE-STF may comprise a short training sequence similar to or based on an STF field (e g., HE-STF).

[0101] Alternatively, more than one additional part (e.g., PHY sequence 4802) that may be added to a response and the number of additional sequences received may provide further information about the STA or subset to the AP (e.g., including two sequences may indicate higher priority than a single sequence) and the AP may determine a corresponding action based on the number of additional parts received (not depicted).

[0102] As a variation, a fourth implementation of the first embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the first embodiment. In this fourth implementation, the AP may transmit a separate frame to solicit responses.

[0103] Figure 49 illustrates a polling procedure 4900 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment.

[0104] In the fourth implementation, a frame (e.g., allocation (Alloc) frame 4902) is first transmitted to allocate frequency resources 4910, 4912 (e.g., RU1 and RU2) for response transmission. The frame may be a Management frame, such as an Association Responseframe, a Beacon frame, or an Action frame. The frame may be transmitted individually or group / broadcast to the multiple STAs. The Alloc frame 4902 in Figure 49 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 2202 in Figure 22. The AP may then send a separate frame (e.g., Req frame 4904) to solicit the responses. The separate frame 4904 may be a QoS Data frame, a QoS Null frame, a Multi-STA BlockAck frame, an Ack frame, a Trigger frame (e.g., a BSRP Trigger frame, Basic Trigger frame, MU-BAR Trigger frame, MU-RTS Trigger frame, or new Trigger frame), an NDP or a PHY sequence. The frame 4904 may be addressed to all, some, one or none of the STAs from which the response is being solicited. For example, a non-addressee STA may be a responder.

[0105] Advantageously, this approach allows the AP to allocate resources in advance, thereby reducing signalling overhead when soliciting responses.

[0106] In an example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 4902) may be an individually-addressed Management frame, such as an Association Response frame.

[0107] Figure 50 shows an exemplary format of an Association Response frame 5000 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The Association Response frame 5000 in Figure 50 may be an example of the Alloc frame 4902 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 50, the Association Response frame 5000 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, an HT Control field, a Frame Body field 5002, and an FCS field. The Frame Body field 5002 may comprise an element with an Element ID subfield 5004, a Length subfield 5006, a CRP Type subfield 5008, a CRP Parameters subfield 5010, a Resource Allocation ID subfield 5012, a UL BW subfield 5014, an RU Allocation subfield 5016, and transmit parameters 5018.

[0108] The Address 1 field may be set to the receiver's address, the Address 2 field may be set to the transmitter's address, and the Address 3 field may be set to the BSS identifier (BSSID) of the AP's BSS. Similar to the resource allocation frame described in Figures 3 to 33, the same frequency resource may be allocated based on individual AID, secondary AID, predetermined group or based on a range of Al Ds. The Frame Body field 5002 may comprise an element (e.g., a new Polling Response Resource Allocation element) which indicates the allocated resource for the STA's response. The Element ID subfield 5004 may indicate the element (e.g., using a reserved value for the element, e.g., reserved in the IEEE 802.11bespecification), the Length subfield 5006 may indicate the size of the element following the Length subfield 5006.

[0109] The CRP type may be included (e.g., CRP Type subfield 5008) to indicate the type of poll for which the resources are being allocated. Alternatively, the element ID may indicate the CRP type and the CRP Type subfield 5008 may not be present. Alternatively, a Resource Allocation ID subfield 5012 may be included to identify this resource allocation. The AP may subsequently reference this identifier when soliciting a response to apply this resource allocation.

[0110] CRP parameters may be included (e.g., CRP Parameters subfield 5010) to indicate conditions or parameters for responding, such as a threshold for delay bound of the LL traffic or a threshold for poor link quality.

[0111] The UL BW subfield 5014 and RU Allocation subfield 5016 may be set to indicate the size and location of the allocated resource unit (RU) respectively. Transmit parameters 5018 may be included to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response.

[0112] In another example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 4902) may be a group-addressed Management frame such as a Beacon frame.

[0113] Figure 51 shows an exemplary format of a Beacon frame 5100 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The Beacon frame 5100 in Figure 51 may be an example of the Alloc frame 4902 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 51, the Beacon frame 5100 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, a Frame Body field 5102, and an FCS field. The Frame Body field 5102 may comprise an element with an Element ID subfield, a Length subfield, a CRP Type subfield, a CRP Parameters subfield, a Resource Allocation ID subfield, a UL BW subfield, a User Info List field 5104. The User Info List field may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 5106. Each User Info field 5106 may comprise an AID12 subfield 5108, and an RU Allocation subfield 5110. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0114] The Address 1 field may be set to the broadcast address, the Address 2 field may be set to the transmitter's address, and the Address 3 field may be set to the BSSID of the AP'sBSS. The Frame Body field 5202 may comprise an element (e.g., a new Polling Response Resource Allocation element) which indicates the allocated resource for the STA's response. The Element ID subfield may indicate the element (e.g., using a reserved value for the element, e.g., reserved in the IEEE 802.11be specification), the Length subfield may indicate the size of the element following the Length subfield.

[0115] The CRP type may be included (e.g., CRP Type subfield) to indicate the type of poll for which the resources are being allocated. Alternatively, the element ID may indicate the CRP type and the CRP Type subfield may not be present. Alternatively, a Resource Allocation ID subfield may be included to identify this resource allocation. The AP may subsequently reference this identifier when soliciting a response to apply this resource allocation.

[0116] CRP parameters may be included (e.g., CRP Parameters subfield) to indicate conditions or parameters for responding, such as a threshold for delay bound of the LL traffic or a threshold for poor link quality.

[0117] The User Info List field 5104 may contains multiple User Info fields 5106, one for each STA, identified individually in the AID12 subfield 5108. The UL BW subfield and RU Allocation subfield may be set to indicate the size and location of the allocated resource unit (RU) respectively for the STA(s) identified by the AID12.

[0118] In another example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 4902) may be a new frame (e g., Polling Response Resource Allocation frame), which may be an Action or Action No Ack frame.

[0119] Figure 52 shows an exemplary format of a Polling Response Resource Allocation frame 5200 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The Polling Response Resource Allocation frame 5200 in Figure 52 may be an example of the Alloc frame 4902 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 52, the Polling Response Resource Allocation frame 5200 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, an HT Control field, a Frame Body field 5202, and an FCS field. The Frame Body field 5202 may comprise a CRP Type subfield, a CRP Parameters subfield, a Resource Allocation ID subfield, a UL BW subfield, and an RU Allocation subfield. The Frame Body field may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted). Alternatively, the Frame Body field 5202 may comprise a CRP Type subfield, a CRPParameters subfield, a Resource Allocation ID subfield, a UL BW subfield, and a User Info List field. The User Info List field may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields. Each User Info field may comprise AID12 subfield, and RU Allocation subfield. Each User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0120] The Polling Response Resource Allocation frame 5200 may be addressed to individual or group (e.g., broadcast). The content of the example elements from the exemplary frames illustrated in Figures 50 and 51 may be included in the body of the frame directly. The User Info List may be included for group-addressed case.

[0121] In another example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 4902) may be a new frame (e.g., a new Polling Response Resource Allocation Trigger frame) or an existing Trigger frame (e.g., Basic Trigger frame, NFRP Trigger frame) with added indication that the resource is to be used for the future poll.

[0122] Figure 53 shows an exemplary format of a Trigger frame 5300 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The Trigger frame 5300 in Figure 53 may be an example of the Alloc frame 4902 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 53, the T rigger frame 5300 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field 5302, a User Info List field 5304, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 5302 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield 5306, while the User Info List field 5304 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 5308. The Trigger frame 5300 may also include indication that the resource is to be used for the future poll 5310.

[0123] In an example, the separate frame from the AP to solicit the response (e.g., Req frame 4904) may be a Trigger frame, such as a BSRP Trigger frame, a Basic Trigger frame, an MU-BAR Trigger frame, an MU-RTS Trigger frame, or a new Trigger frame.

[0124] Figure 54 shows an exemplary format of another Trigger frame 5400 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The Trigger frame 5400 in Figure 54 may be an example of the Req frame 4904 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 54, the Trigger frame 5400 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field 5402, a User Info List field 5404, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 5402 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield; while the User Info List field 5404 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 5406. Each User Info field 5406 may comprise anAID12 subfield. The Trigger frame 5400 may also include indication of use of a prior resource allocation.

[0125] The frame may indicate use of prior allocated resources for the response (e g., indicated by one or more fields in the Common Info field 5402 or User Info field 5406). The T rigger Type field is set to indicate the type of T rigger frame, which may also indicate the CRP type.

[0126] A field may be used to indicate use of a prior resource allocation. For example, a bit in the Common Info field 5402 or in a User Info field (e g., a User Info field with a special or predetermined AID12 value) may be used to indicate use of a prior resource allocation. In another example, the indication may be implicit (e g., based on the frame soliciting a CRP response). In another example, the field may indicate use of one of one or more prior resource allocations identified by a resource allocation ID, such as a Resource Allocation ID field (not depicted). Alternatively, the indication of which prior resource allocation to use may be implicitly informed (e g., based on the frame soliciting a CRP response (e.g., soliciting a preemption request based on a preemption allowed indication)). Alternatively, CRP parameters may be included in the separate frame (e.g., Req frame 4904) instead of in the resource allocation frame (e.g., Req frame 4902).

[0127] In another example, the separate frame (e.g., Req frame 4904) from the AP to solicit the response may be a QoS Data frame or a QoS Null frame. The soliciting of responses using the prior allocated resources may be indicated within the A-Control field. In another example, the indication may be implicit (e.g., based on the frame soliciting a CRP response (e.g., soliciting a preemption request based on a preemption allowed indication)). In another example, the field may indicate use of one of one or more prior resource allocations identified by a resource allocation ID value.

[0128] Figure 55 shows an exemplary format of a QoS Null frame 5500 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The QoS Null frame 5500 in Figure 55 may be an example of the Req frame 4904 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 55, the QoS Null frame 5500 may comprise a Frame Control field 5502, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, a QoS Control field, an HT Control field 5504, and an FCS field. The Frame Control field 5502 may comprise a Type subfield 5506 and a Subtype subfield 5508. The HT Control field 5504 may comprise an A-Control subfield 5510 (e.g., for BSR Control), which may indicate use of a prior resourceallocation. The Type subfield 5506 may be set to a value of '10', and the Subtype subfield 5508 may be set to a value of '1100' to indicate a QoS Null frame.

[0129] Figure 56 shows an exemplary format of a QoS Data frame 5600 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The QoS Null frame 5600 in Figure 56 may be an example of the Req frame 4904 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 56, the QoS Null frame 5600 may comprise a Frame Control field 5602, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, another Address field (Address 4 field), a QoS Control field, an HT Control field 5604, a Frame Body field, and an FCS field. The Frame Control field 5602 may comprise a Type subfield 5606 and a Subtype subfield 5608. The HT Control field 5604 may comprise an A-Control subfield 5610 (e g., for BSR Control), which may indicate use of a prior resource allocation. The Type subfield 5606 may be set to a value of '10', and the Subtype subfield 5608 may be set to a value of '1000' to indicate a QoS Data frame.

[0130] In another example, the separate frame from the AP to solicit the response (e.g., Req frame 4904) may be a Multi-STA BlockAck. The soliciting of responses using the prior allocated resources may be indicated in the frame body. For a Multi-STA BlockAck, the indication may consist of setting the AID11 subfield in a Per AID TID Info subfield to a predetermined value (e.g., '2046', which is an unused value, e.g., unused in the current IEEE 802.11 specification). In another example a CRP type may also be indicated (e.g., CRP Type subfield). In another example, a field may be included to indicate use of one of one or more prior resource allocations identified by a resource allocation ID value.

[0131] Figure 57 shows an exemplary format of a Multi-STA BlockAck frame 5700 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The Multi-STA BlockAck frame 5700 in Figure 57 may be an example of the Req frame 4904 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 57, the Multi-STA BlockAck frame 5700 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a BA Control field 5702, a BA Information field 5704, and an FCS field. The BA Control field 5702 may comprise a BA Type subfield 5706; while the BA Information field 5704 may comprise a Per AID TID Info subfield 5708. The Per AID TID Info subfield 5708 may comprise an AID11 subfield 5710, a CRP Type subfield, and an indication of use of a prior resource allocationsubfield. The BA Type subfield 5706 in the BA Control field 5702 may be set to a value of '11' to indicate a Multi-STA BlockAck frame and the AID11 subfield 5710 in a Per AID TID Info subfield 5708 may be set to a predetermined value (e.g., '2046', which is an unused value, e.g., unused in the current IEEE 802.11 specification).

[0132] In another example, the separate frame from the AP to solicit the response (e.g., Req frame 4904) may be a PPDU (e.g., a QoS Null, QoS Data, Ack, or Multi-STA BlockAck) and the indication of using a prior resource allocation may be in the PHY preamble.

[0133] Figure 58 shows an exemplary format of a PPDU 5800 according to the fourth implementation of the first embodiment. The PPDU 5800 in Figure 58 may be an example of the Req frame 4904 in Figure 49. As shown in Figure 58, the PPDU 5800 may comprise a PHY Preamble field 5802, a Data field (e.g., comprising a QoS Null, QoS Data, Ack, or Multi-STA BlockAck), and a PE field.

[0134] The PHY Preamble field 5802 may include indication of use of a prior resource allocation. The indication may be a field in a signal (SIG) field. In another example, the indication may be implicit (e.g., based on the frame soliciting a CRP response (e.g., soliciting a preemption request based on a preemption allowed indication)). In another example, the indication may be based on the use of a specific predetermined PHY sequence in the PHY preamble.

[0135] In another example, the separate frame from the AP to solicit the response (e.g., Req frame 4904) may be an NDP or a PHY sequence (e.g., a part of an STF) (not depicted) and may be associated with soliciting for a specific (e.g., predetermined) CRP type or implying a specific resource allocation.

[0136] The format of the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 4906, 4908) in the fourth implementation of the first embodiment may be the same as that of the response from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306 and Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110 and 4704, 4706, 4710) in the first, second, and third implementations of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 34 to 38, 42 to 45, and 48.

[0137] As a variation, a fifth implementation of the first embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the first embodiment. In this fifth implementation, a STA may transmit a separate frame to solicit responses.

[0138] Advantageously, this approach allows the responses to be solicited by an uplink or peer to peer transmission.

[0139] Figure 59 illustrates a polling procedure 5900 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the fifth implementation of the first embodiment.

[0140] Similar to polling procedure 4900, in polling procedure 5900, a frame (e.g., Alloc frame 5902) is first transmitted to allocate frequency resources 5910, 5912 (e.g., RU1 and RU2) for response transmission. The frame may be a Management frame, such as an Association Response frame, a Beacon frame, or an Action frame. The frame may be transmitted individually or group / broadcast to the multiple STAs. The Alloc frame 5902 in Figure 59 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 2202 in Figure 22.

[0141] However, in polling procedure 5900, the separate frame (e.g., Req frame 5904) is sent by another STA (e.g., STAG), instead of the AP, to solicit the responses. The separate frame 5904 may be a QoS Data frame, a QoS Null frame, a Multi-STA BlockAck frame, or an Ack frame. The frame 5904 may be addressed to all, some, one or none of the STAs from which the response is being solicited. For example, a non-addressee STA may be a responder. The frame 5904 may also be addressed to the AP. In another example, the STA may transmit the separate frame based on instruction from the AP, such as receiving a frame with a preemption indication (not depicted). In another example, the STA (e.g., STA0) transmitting the separate frame (e.g., Req frame 5904) may also be allocated a same RU (e.g., RU1 5910) and may also transmit a response (e.g., Rsp frame) during the poll (not depicted).

[0142] The format of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 5902) in the fifth implementation of the first embodiment may be the same as that of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 4902) in the fourth implementation of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 50 to 53.

[0143] The format of the separate frame from the AP to solicit the response (e.g., Req frame 5904) in the fifth implementation of the first embodiment may be the same as that of the separate frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 4904) in the fourth implementation of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 54 to 58, except that the separate frame is sent by the STA (e.g., STA0).

[0144] The format of the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 5906, 5908) in the fifth implementation of the first embodiment may be the same as that of the response from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306 and Rsp 4104, 4106, 4110 and 4704, 4706, 4710) in the first,second, and third implementations of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 34 to 38, 42 to 45, and 48.

[0145] As a variation, a sixth implementation of the first embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the first embodiment. In this sixth implementation, the AP may allocate another RU (e.g., RU2) to a STA (e.g., STA4) included in the subset., in addition to the same RU (e.g., RU1).

[0146] Figure 60 illustrates a polling procedure 6000 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the sixth implementation of the first embodiment.

[0147] In this sixth implementation, a single frame (e.g., Req frame 6002) may be used to both allocate frequency resources for response transmission and solicit responses. The Req frame 6002 in Figure 60 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 2202 in Figure 22. The frame 6002 (e.g., Req frame) transmitted during a first poll (e.g., PolH) to allocate frequency resources 6006, 6008 (e.g., RU1, RU2) to multiple STAs (e.g., STA1 to STA4) for transmission of responses may also solicit the responses. Additionally, the AP may allocate an RU (e.g., RU2) dedicated to a STA (e.g., STA4) included in the subset, in addition to the same RU.

[0148] In an example, the same RU (e.g., RU1) may have been allocated such as based on a group ID, device capability or an AID range. The STA may determine to send a response in the dedicated RU and not the same RU. Additionally, the response transmitted on the dedicated RU may include STA-specific information.

[0149] Advantageously, this approach allows the response of a specific STA of the subset to be prioritised.

[0150] In another example, the AP may allocate another same RU of another subset of STAs to a STA (e.g., a STA may be in multiple subsets) and the STA may determine to respond in only one of the same RUs (e.g., based on determining a priority of the subset such as by the grouping or information related to the CRP or resource allocation).

[0151] As a variation, a seventh implementation of the first embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the first embodiment. In this seventh implementation, an AP may determine that no response is beingtransmitted for a certain time period (e.g., a priority interframe space (PIFS)) after a poll is solicited, and may proceed with another action (e.g., to transmit another frame).

[0152] Figure 61 illustrates a polling procedure 6100 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the seventh implementation of the first embodiment.

[0153] In this seventh implementation, a frame (e.g., Req frame 6102) may be used to both allocate frequency resources for response transmission and solicit responses. The Req frame 6102 in Figure 61 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 2202 in Figure 22. The frame 6102 (e.g., Req frame) transmitted during a first poll (e.g., Poll1) to allocate frequency resources 6104, 6106 (e.g., RU1, RU2) to multiple STAs (e.g., STA1 to STA4) for transmission of responses may also solicit the responses. The responses may be transmitted after a certain time period (e.g., a short interframe space (SIFS) 6108) following the Req frame 6102.

[0154] After the poll is solicited, if the AP determines that no response is being transmitted for a certain time period 6110 (e.g., priority interframe space (PIFS)), the AP may proceed to transmit another frame (e.g., Data frame 6112).

[0155] Advantageously, this approach allows the AP to reduce the chance of losing medium control to another STA when no responses are transmitted on the allocated resource.

[0156] As a variation, an eighth implementation of the first embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the first embodiment. In this eighth implementation, one or more STAs (e.g., STA1 and STA2 or STA3 and STA4) being allocated the same frequency resource (e.g., RU1 or RU2, respectively) for responding may be an AP (e.g., of an overlapping BSS). The AID (e.g., in the AID12 subfield in the User Info field) used for allocating the resource may indicate an ID of the target AP, such as an AP ID which can be used to uniquely identify an AP among a plurality of APs. Alternatively, the AP may be contained in an alternative ID subfield (e.g., in addition to or in replacement of the AID12 subfield, e.g., an AP ID subfield).

[0157] Advantageously, this approach allows polling multiple APs, such as for multiple AP coordination, with fewer resources.

[0158] According to a second embodiment, the AP may allocate the same frequency resource for multiple transmission times to one or more STAs.

[0159] Figure 62 illustrates a polling procedure 6200 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a second embodiment.

[0160] In the second embodiment, the AP may allocate frequency resources 6208, 6210 (e g., FR1, FR2) over multiple transmission times 6216, 6218 (e.g., TT1, TT2) to multiple STAs (e.g., STA1 to STA4) for transmission of responses 6204, 6206, 6212, 6214 by transmitting one or more resource allocation frames 6202. At least one same frequency resource may be allocated to a subset of the multiple STAs over multiple transmission times. The number of STAs in the subset may be fewer than or the same as the total number of STAs of the multiple STAs.

[0161] For example, a first frequency resource 6208 (FR1) may be allocated to a subset comprising STA1 and STA2 during a first transmission time 6216 (TT1) and a second transmission time 6218 (TT2), while a second frequency resource 6210 (FR2) may be allocated to another subset comprising STA3 and STA4 during the first transmission time 6216 (TT1) and the second transmission time 6218 (TT2). The response from each STA may be sent on the allocated frequency resource and transmission time and using the same spatial domain resource. The AP may determine information about STAs in the subset based on the responses received on the allocated frequency resource and transmission time.

[0162] Figure 63 illustrates a polling procedure 6300 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to a first implementation of the second embodiment.

[0163] In this first implementation, a single frame (e.g., Req frame 6302) may be used to both allocate frequency resources (e.g., RU1 6308, or RU2 6310) and transmission times 6316, 6318 for response transmission, and also solicit responses. The Req frame 6302 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 6202 in Figure 62. The frame 6302 may be a Trigger frame, such as a BSRP Trigger frame, a Basic Trigger frame, an MU-BAR Trigger frame, an MU-RTS Trigger frame, or a new Trigger frame.

[0164] The RUs and TTs for responses may be allocated to each STA of the subset based on individually AIDs (e.g., AID12s). Responses allocated the same RU may be allocated different transmission times 6316, 6318. For example, Rsp 6304, 6312 by STA1 and STA2 in RU1 for TT1 6316 and TT26318 respectively, or Rsp 6306, 6314 by STA3 and STA4 in RU2 for TT1 6316 and TT2 6318 respectively. Each transmission time 6316, 6318 may be separated by a predetermined time interval, which may be determined such as based on atransmit duration of the response frame and a short interframe space (SIFS). Responses may include STA-specific information. The response may be a TB PPDU (e.g., BSR, Multi-STA BlockAck), a TB feedback NDP PPDU, a non-HT PPDU (e g., Multi-STA BlockAck), or a PHY sequence.

[0165] The AP, based on the responses received, may determine information about each responding STA.

[0166] Advantageously, this approach allows the AP to efficiently allocate resources and solicit the response within a single transmission. The AP may obtain multiple responses with a single request with fewer frequency resources.

[0167] In an example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e g., Req frame 6302) may be a T rigger frame according to examples of the resource allocation frame from the AP in the first implementation of the first embodiment as described in Figures 3 to 33. The frame additionally includes TT allocation information.

[0168] Figure 64 shows an exemplary format of a Trigger frame 6400 according to the first implementation of the second embodiment. The Trigger frame 6400 in Figure 64 may be an example of the Req frame 6302 in Figure 63. As shown in Figure 64, the Trigger frame 6400 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a Common Info field 6402, a User Info List field 6404, a Padding field, and an FCS field. The Common Info field 6402 may comprise a Trigger Type subfield, a More TF subfield, and a UL BW subfield; while the User Info List field 6404 may comprise multiple (e.g., N) User Info fields 6406. Each User Info field 6406 may comprise an AID12 subfield, and an RU Allocation subfield. Additionally, each User Info field includes a TT Allocation subfield. The User Info field(s) may also comprise transmit parameters to inform parameters for transmission of the CRP response (not depicted).

[0169] The RUs and TTs may be allocated to each STA individually (e.g., based on each STA's AID). Similar to the first embodiment as described in Figures 3 to 33, the RU and TT may also be allocated based on a secondary AID, predetermined group or based on a range of AIDs. An additional field (e.g., transmission time (TT) Allocation) may be included in the User Info field and may indicate a transmission time for the response. This field may consist of a single bit indicating a first or second TT (e.g., 'O' for the first TT and 'T for the second TT). Alternatively, the field may consist of multiple bits indicating an index of the TT (e.g., 'O', ' 1 ','2', for first TT, second TT, and third TT respectively). In another variation, the field may indicate a time (i.e., actual or relative time (e.g., part of a time synchronization function (TSF))) or delay (i.e., a duration until the transmission time (e.g., in microseconds ora multiple of some unit of time) for the response.

[0170] As an alternative to using the TT Allocation subfield, the transmission time may be indicated by repetition of an allocated RU (not depicted). For example, a first instance of User Info field for an RU (e.g., RU1) allocation may be determined to be for TT1 , while a second instance of User Info field for the same RU, (e.g., RU1) allocation may be determined to be for TT2. Further, to reduce complexity of implementation, the same RUs may be allocated consecutively, such as in the sequence RU1-TT1 (e.g., first instance of RU1, for TTI), RU1-TT2 (e.g., second instance of RU1, for TT2), RU2-TT1 (e.g., first instance of RU2, for TT1), RU2-TT2 (e.g., first instance of RU2, forTT2).

[0171] As an alternative to allocating the same frequency resource for different TTs to each STA of the subset individually (e g., based on each STA's AID (e.g., AID12)), resource allocation may be based on a range of Al Ds. The resource allocation signalling may indicate a starting AID (e.g., in a Starting AID subfield) instead of individual target AID(s). In an example, a set of frequency resources and transmission times may be allocated based on the following formula which are based on formula from the current IEEE 802.11 specification:• Frequency resource index = 1 + <AID index> MOD (18 x 2ABW / <number of transmission times>)• TT index = 1 + FLOOR (<AID index> / 18 * 2ABW / <number of transmission times>) • Where the AID index starts from value 'O' and may be derived from the position of a STA's AID relative to the range of AIDs (e.g., AID index may be determined using the formula (STA's AID - Starting AID), where the Starting AID is the lowest AID value of a STA in the range of AIDs and all the AIDs in the range are in a sequence of consecutive integers).

[0172] For example, given AIDs 'O' to '17' and the number of transmission times as 2, for a first transmission time (e.g., TT 1), frequency resource index 'T to '9' may be allocated to AIDs 'O' to '8', while for a second transmission time (e.g., TT2), frequency resource index T to '9' may be allocated to AIDs '9' to '17'. The frequency resource index may correspond to a predetermined frequency resource (e.g., an RU or an RU tone set). Alternatively, the resource allocation frame may indicate (e.g., in a User Info field of a Trigger frame) for each frequencyresource index (e.g., in a new field indicating the index), corresponding frequency resource information (e.g., RU Allocation subfield in the User Info field) (not depicted). In this example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 6302) may be an NFRP Trigger frame and the frequency resource index may be the RU tone set index.

[0173] In an example, the resource allocation signalling may be contained in a Special User Info field, such as a User Info field 6406 with a predetermined AID12 value (e.g., using a value that is a reserved value, e.g., reserved in the IEEE 802.11 be specification) (not depicted). The number of transmission times may be signalled in the Common Info field 6402 or User Info field 6406 (e.g., Special User Info field). Alternatively, it may have been indicated in an earlier frame transmission.

[0174] Alternatively, for allocating resources based on a range of AIDs, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 6302) may be another Trigger frame (e.g., BSRP Trigger frame or a new Trigger frame (e.g., CRP Trigger frame)) comprising an indication of a range of AIDs (e.g., by indicating a starting AID and related parameters in a User Info field 6406 (e.g., a Special User Info field)).

[0175] Advantageously, this approach reduces signalling required for allocation of resources and transmission times, thereby improving efficiency of resource allocation.

[0176] The format of the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 6304, 6306, 6312, 6314) in the first implementation of the second embodiment may be the same as that of the response from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306, 4104, 4106, 4110, 4704, 4706, 4710, 4716, 4718) in the first, second, and third implementations of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 34 to 38, 42 to 45, and 48. For instance, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 6304, 6306, 6312, 6314) may be a TB PPDU (e.g., BSR, Multi-STA BlockAck), a TB Feedback NDP PPDU, or a non-HT PPDU (e.g., Multi-STA BlockAck).

[0177] As a variation, a second implementation of the second embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the second embodiment. In this second implementation, the AP may transmit a separate frame to solicit responses.

[0178] Figure 65 illustrates a polling procedure 6500 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the second implementation of the second embodiment.

[0179] In the second implementation the frame (e.g., Alloc frame 6502) is first transmitted to allocate frequency resources 6510, 6512 (e.g., RU1 and RU2) for transmission times 6518, 6520 (e.g., TT1, TT2) to multiple STAs (e g., STA1 to STA4). In an example, the frame may be a Management frame, such as an Association Response frame, a Beacon frame, an Action frame, or a Trigger frame. The frame may be transmitted individually or group / broadcast to the multiple STAs. The Alloc frame 6502 in Figure 65 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 6202 in Figure 62. The AP may then send a separate frame (e g., Req frame 6504) to solicit the responses. The separate frame 6504 may be a QoS Data frame, a QoS Null frame, a Multi-STA BlockAck frame, an Ack frame, a Trigger frame, (e.g., a BSRP Trigger frame, Basic Trigger frame, MU-BAR Trigger frame, MU-RTS Trigger frame, or new Trigger frame), an NDP or a PHY sequence. The frame 6504 may be addressed to all, some, one or none of the STAs from which the response is being solicited. For example, a non-addressee STA may be a responder.

[0180] In an alternative, the transmission times 6518, 6520 may be allocated in the separate frame 6504 (e.g., Trigger frame) instead of the frame 6502. For example, RU allocated by frame 6502 may be assigned a resource allocation ID and the separate frame 6504 allocates transmission times 6518, 6520 for the specific resource allocation ID (not depicted).

[0181] Advantageously, this approach allows the AP to allocate resources in advance, thereby reducing signalling overhead when soliciting responses.

[0182] In an example, the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 6502) may be an individual or group addressed Management frame, such as an Association Response frame, a Beacon frame, an Action frame, a Trigger frame, similar to the description for the resource allocation frame 4902 as described in Figures 50 to 53, with the frame additionally comprising TT allocation information in the frame, and alternative formula for determining the frequency resource index and TT index when allocating for a range of Al Ds.

[0183] Figure 66 shows an exemplary format of an Association Response frame 6600 according to the second implementation of the second embodiment. The Association Response frame 6600 in Figure 66 may be an example of the Alloc frame 6502 in Figure 65. As shown in Figure 66, the Association Response frame 6600 may comprise a Frame Control field, a Duration field, three Address fields (Address 1 field, Address 2 field, and Address 3 field), a Sequence Control field, an HT Control field, a Frame Body field 6602, and an FCS field. The Frame Body field 6602 may comprise an element with an Element ID subfield, aLength subfield, a CRP Type subfield, a CRP Parameters subfield, a Resource Allocation ID subfield, a UL BW subfield, an RU Allocation subfield, transmit parameters, and a TT Allocation subfield.

[0184] As an example, the format of Association Response frame 6600 is similar to that of Association Response frame 5000. Additionally, the frame may include a TT Allocation subfield in the Frame Body field 6602 to indicate a transmission time. This additional field may consist of a single bit indicating a first or second TT (e.g., 'O' for the first TT and T for the second TT). Alternatively, the additional field may consist of multiple bits indicating an index of the TT index (e.g., 'O', 'T, '2', for first TT, second TT, and third TT respectively). In another variation, the field may indicate a time (i.e., actual or relative time (e.g., part of a time synchronization function (TSF))) or delay (i.e., a duration until the transmission time (e.g., in microseconds or a multiple of some unit of time) for the response. A similar description of the adding of TT allocation information may be applied for other examples of the Alloc frame 6502.

[0185] The format of the separate frame from the AP to solicit the response (e.g., Req frame 6504) in the second implementation of the second embodiment may be the same as that of the separate frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 4904) in the fourth implementation of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 54 to 58.

[0186] The format of the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 6506, 6508, 6514, 6516) in the second implementation of the second embodiment may be the same as that of the response from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306, 4104, 4106, 4110, 4704, 4706, 4710) in the first, second, and third implementations of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 34 to 38, 42 to 45, and 48. For instance, the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 6506, 6508, 6514, 6516) may be a TB PPDU (e.g., BSR, Multi-STA BlockAck), a TB Feedback NDP PPDU, or a non-HT PPDU (e.g., Multi-STA BlockAck).

[0187] As a variation, a third implementation of the second embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the second embodiment. In this third implementation, a STA may transmit a separate frame to solicit responses.

[0188] Advantageously, this approach allows the responses to be solicited by an uplink or peer to peer transmission.

[0189] Figure 67 illustrates a polling procedure 6700 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the third implementation of the second embodiment.

[0190] Similar to polling procedure 6300, in polling procedure 6700, a frame (e.g., Alloc frame 6702) is first transmitted to allocate frequency resources 6710, 6712 (e.g., RU1 and RU2) and transmission times 6718, 6720 (e.g., TT1, TT2) for response transmission. The frame may be a Management frame, such as an Association Response frame, a Beacon frame, or an Action frame. The frame may be transmitted individually or group / broadcast to the multiple STAs. The Alloc frame 6702 in Figure 67 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 6502 in Figure 65.

[0191] However, in polling procedure 6700, the separate frame (e.g., Req frame 6704) is sent by another STA (e.g., STAG), instead of the AP, to solicit the responses. The separate frame 6704 may be a QoS Data frame, a QoS Null frame, a Multi-STA BlockAck frame, or an Ack frame. The frame 6704 may be addressed to all, some, one or none of the STAs from which the response is being solicited. For example, a non-addressee STA may be a responder. The frame 6704 may also be addressed to the AP. In another example, the STA may transmit the separate frame based on instruction from the AP, such as receiving a frame with a preemption indication (not depicted). In another example, the STA (e.g., STA0) transmitting the separate frame (e.g., Req frame 6704) may also be allocated a TT and RU (e.g., TT1 6718 and RU1 6710) and may also transmit a response (e.g., Rsp frame) during the poll (not depicted).

[0192] The format of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 6702) in the third implementation of the second embodiment may be the same as that of the resource allocation frame from the AP (e.g., Alloc frame 6502) in the second implementation of the second embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 65 and 66.

[0193] The format of the separate frame from the AP to solicit the response (e.g., Req frame 6704) in the third implementation of the second embodiment may be the same as that of the separate frame from the AP (e.g., Req frame 4904) in the fourth implementation of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 54 to 58, except that the separate frame is sent by a STA (e.g., STAG).

[0194] The format of the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 6706, 6708, 6714, 6716) in the third implementation of the second embodiment may be the same as that of the response from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306, 4104, 4106, 4110, 4704, 4706, 4710, 4716,4718) in the first, second, and third implementations of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 34 to 38, 42 to 45, and 48.

[0195] As a variation, a fourth implementation of the second embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the second embodiment. In this fourth implementation, a same frequency resource for a same transmission time (e.g., TT1-RU1 or TT2-RU1) may be allocated to a subset of STAs (e.g., STA1 and STA3 or STA2 and STA4). The subset of STAs may respond based on specific conditions.

[0196] Figure 68 illustrates a polling procedure 6800 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the fourth implementation of the second embodiment.

[0197] In this fourth implementation, a single frame (e.g., Req 6802) may be used to both allocate frequency resource 6808 and transmission times 6812, 6814 for response transmission and also solicit responses in polling procedure 6800. The Req frame 6802 in Figure 68 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 6202 in Figure 62.

[0198] The responses sent on the same RU and TT (e.g., responses (e.g., Rsp) by STA1 and STA3 or by STA2 and STA4) may be identical (similar to the first implementation of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 24) or partially identical (similar to the second implementation of the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 41 and 47).

[0199] When simultaneous transmission of responses occurs on the same RU, the whole or part of the response may be successfully decoded by the AP. The AP, based on receiving a whole or part of the response on the same RU (e.g., RU1, RU2), may determine information about one or more STAs in the subset. The AP may then transmit another frame to one or more STAs in the subset whose response was received. The another frame (e.g., Req in Poll2 in the first embodiment) may be used to trigger a second poll (e.g., Poll2 in the first embodiment) to solicit STA-specific responses from individual STAs in the subset (not depicted). For example, the second poll (e.g., Poll2 in the first embodiment) may solicit nonconditional responses (i.e., responses are not based on specific conditions)

[0200] Advantageously, the AP may can poll multiple STAs by using fewer frequency resources over multiple transmission times.

[0201] Figure 69 illustrates another polling procedure 6900 involving an AP and multiple STAs according to the fourth implementation of the second embodiment

[0202] Similar to polling procedure 6800, in polling procedure 6900, a single frame (e.g., Req 6902) may be used to both allocate frequency resources 6908, 6910 and transmission times 6914, 6916 for response transmission and also solicit responses. The Req frame 6902 in Figure 69 may be an example of a resource allocation frame 6202 in Figure 62.

[0203] The responses transmitted from the STAs on the same frequency resource and transmission time may be according to the first and second implementations of the first embodiment. For example, the response is transmitted based on specific conditions. Also, in certain implementations, the response may be identical or partially identical to the responses in the subset, allowing the whole or partial reception of the response by the AP in different transmission scenarios as has been described in the present disclosure.

[0204] Alternatively, in polling procedure 6900, the allocation with same frequency resource and transmission time (e.g., RU1-TT2) only occurs in the latest allocated transmission time 6916 (e.g., TT2). In an example, similar to the eighth implementation of the first embodiment, the AP may transmit another frame (e.g., Data frame) if no response is received for a certain duration (e.g., (PIFS - SIFS) value, based on a (response frame transmit duration + SIFS) time interval between TT) from the start of the TT 6916 (e.g., TT2) with the same allocation responses (not depicted). The response may further comprise an additional part according to the third implementation of the first embodiment. Support or enablement of responses with an additional part may be indicated in the resource allocation frame (e.g., Req frame 6902) (e.g., in the CRP parameters or based on the CRP type) or in a prior exchange (e.g., advertised in a Beacon frame as a capability).

[0205] The format of the response transmitted from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 6804, 6806, 6810, 6904, 6906, 6912) in the fourth implementation of the second embodiment may be the same as that of the response from the STAs (e.g., Rsp 2304, 2306, 4104, 4106, 4110, 4704, 4706, 4710, 4716, 4718) in the first, second, and third implementations of the first embodiment and as exemplified in Figures 34 to 38, 42 to 45, and 48.

[0206] Advantageously, the AP may maintain control of medium even when there are no responses transmitted on the allocated resource.

[0207] As a variation, a fifth implementation of the second embodiment may be applied independently or in combination with one or more other implementations of the second embodiment. In this fifth implementation, one or more STAs (e.g., STA1 and STA2 or STA3 and STA4) being allocated the same frequency resource (e.g., RU1 or RU2, respectively) for responding may be an AP (e.g., of an overlapping BSS). The AID (e.g., in the AID12 subfield in the User Info field) used for allocating the resource may indicate an ID of the target AP, such as an AP ID which can be used to uniquely identify an AP among a plurality of APs. Alternatively, the AP may be contained in an alternative ID subfield (e.g., in addition to or in replacement of the AID12 subfield, e.g., an AP ID subfield).

[0208] Advantageously, this approach allows to polling multiple APs, such as for multiple AP coordination, with fewer resources.

[0209] Figure 70 shows a flowchart illustrating a communication method 7000 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication method 7000 may be implemented by a first communication apparatus (e.g., an AP). At step 7002, the first communication apparatus may generate a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response. At step 7004, the first communication apparatus may transmit the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0210] Figure 71 shows a flowchart illustrating another communication method 7100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication method 7100 may be implemented by a second communication apparatus (e.g., a STA). At step 7102, the second communication apparatus may receive a trigger frame from a first communication apparatus for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response. At step 7104, the second communication apparatus may determine the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0211] Figure 72 shows a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication method 7200 may be implemented by a first communication apparatus (e.g., an AP). At step 7202, the first communication apparatus may generate a frame comprising information for allocating afrequency resource to one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response. At step 7204, the first communication apparatus may transmit the frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0212] Figure 73 shows a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication method 7300 may be implemented by a second communication apparatus (e.g., a STA). At step 7302, the second communication apparatus may receive a frame from a first communication apparatus, the frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting a response. At step 7304, the second communication apparatus may determine the frequency resource for transmitting a response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0213] Figure 74 shows a schematic view of a communication apparatus 7400 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication apparatus 7400 may be implemented as an AP or a STA.

[0214] Various functions and operations of the communication apparatus 7400 are arranged into layers in accordance with a hierarchical model. In the model, lower layers report to higher layers and receive instructions therefrom in accordance with IEEE specifications. For the sake of simplicity, details of the hierarchical model are not discussed in the present disclosure.

[0215] As shown in Figure 74, the communication apparatus 7400 may include circuitry 7414, at least one radio transmitter 7402, at least one radio receiver 7404, and at least one antenna 7412 (for the sake of simplicity, only one antenna is depicted in Figure 74 for illustration purposes). The circuitry 7414 may include at least one controller 7406 for use in software and / or hardware aided execution of tasks that the at least one controller 7406 is designed to perform, including control of communications with one or more other devices in a wireless network. The circuitry 7414 may further include at least one transmission signal generator 7408 and at least one receive signal processor 7410. The at least one controller 7406 may control the at least one transmission signal generator 7408 for generating frames (e.g., NFRP Trigger frame, NDP feedback report response frame) to be sent through the at least one radio transmitter 7402 to one or more other communication apparatuses (e.g., STAs or APs). The at least one controller 7406 may control the at least one receive signal processor 7410 for processing frames received through the at least one radio receiver 7404 from the one or more other communication apparatuses. The at least one transmission signal generator 7408 andthe at least one receive signal processor 7410 may be stand-alone modules of the communication apparatus 7400 that communicate with the at least one controller 7406 for the above-mentioned functions. Alternatively, the at least one transmission signal generator 7408 and the at least one receive signal processor 7410 may be included in the at least one controller 7406. It is appreciable to those skilled in the art that the arrangement of these functional modules is flexible and may vary depending on the practical needs and / or requirements. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets.

[0216] In various embodiments, when in operation, the at least one radio transmitter 7402, at least one radio receiver 7404, and at least one antenna 7412 may be controlled by the at least one controller 7406. Furthermore, while only one radio transmitter 7402 is shown, it will be appreciated that there can be more than one of such transmitters.

[0217] In various embodiments, when in operation, the at least one radio receiver 7404, together with the at least one receive signal processor 7410, forms a receiver of the communication apparatus 7400. The receiver of the communication apparatus 7400, when in operation, provides functions required for processing an information container. While only one radio receiver 7404 is shown, it will be appreciated that there can be more than one of such receivers.

[0218] The communication apparatus 7400, when in operation, provides functions required for resource allocation for NDP feedback report response and for polling STAs.

[0219] In a first example, the communication apparatus 7400 may be a first communication apparatus (e.g., an AP), and the circuitry 7414 may, in operation, generate a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses (e.g., one or more STAs), the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response. The transmitter 7402 may, in operation, transmit the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0220] Additionally or alternatively, the one or more second communication apparatuses may be grouped into one or more groups, the trigger frame for obtaining a response from the one or more groups, and the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to each of the one or more groups for transmitting the response. The trigger framemay comprise one or more information fields, each information field corresponding to a respective group of the one or more groups and comprising information for allocating a respective resource to the respective group for transmitting the response. The information in each information field may indicate a type of response to be obtained from the respective group.

[0221] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 7414 may determine the type of response to be obtained from the respective group prior to generating the trigger frame. The information in each information field may indicate an information field format. The information in each information field may indicate a spatial stream allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response. The information in each information field may indicate a frequency resource allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.

[0222] Additionally or alternatively, the information in each information field may comprise a start index and an end index, the start index and the end index being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response. The information in each information field may comprise a value, the value being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response. The information in each information field may comprise a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.

[0223] Additionally or alternatively, the information in each information field may comprise a starting association identifier. The information in each information field may comprise a group identifier corresponding to the respective group.

[0224] Additionally or alternatively, the receiver 7404 may, in operation, receive the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0225] In a second example, the communication apparatus 7400 may be a second communication apparatus (e g., a STA). The receiver 7404 may, in operation, receive a trigger frame from a first communication apparatus (e.g., an AP) for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response. The circuitry 7414 may, in operation, determine the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0226] Additionally or alternatively, the second communication apparatus may be in a group of second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame for obtaining a response from the group of second communication apparatuses, and the trigger frame comprising information for allocating the resource to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response. The trigger frame may comprise an information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses, and the trigger frame comprising the information for allocating the resource to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.

[0227] Additionally or alternatively, the information may comprise a starting association identifier, and wherein the circuitry determines the information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses based on an association identifier of the second communication apparatus and the starting association identifier. The information may comprise a group identifier corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses, and wherein the circuitry determines the information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses based on the group identifier.

[0228] Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 7402 may, in operation, transmit the response to the first communication apparatuses using the resource allocated to the second communication apparatus.

[0229] Additionally or alternatively, the information may indicate a type of response to be obtained from the group of second communication apparatuses. The information may indicate an information field format. The information may indicate a spatial stream allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.

[0230] Additionally or alternatively, the information may indicate a frequency resource allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response. The information may comprise a start index and an end index, the start index and the end index being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response. The information may comprise a value, the value being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response. The information may comprise a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.

[0231] In a third example, the communication apparatus 7400 may be a first communication apparatus (e.g., an AP), and the circuitry 7414 may, in operation, generate a frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to one or more second communication apparatuses(e.g., one or more STAs) for transmitting a response. The transmitter 7402 may, in operation, transmit the frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0232] Additionally or alternatively, the information may indicate the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response during a single time interval. The information may indicate the frequency resource allocated to each of the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response. The information may indicate the frequency resource allocated to each of the one or more second communication apparatuses based on a range of identifiers. The information may indicate an additional frequency resource allocated to at least one of the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response.

[0233] Additionally or alternatively, the information may indicate the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response during a plurality of time intervals. The information may indicate the frequency resource allocated the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response during one of the plurality of time intervals.

[0234] Additionally or alternatively, the one or more second communication apparatuses may belong to a predetermined group, and the information may indicate the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses for the predetermined group.

[0235] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 7414 may assign an identifier to at least one of the one or more second communication apparatuses and the information may indicate the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses based on the identifier. The identifier may be a unique identifier corresponding to a second communication apparatus or may be a group identifier corresponding to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0236] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 7414 may determine a condition associated with the one or more second communication apparatuses based on whether a response is received from the one or more second communication apparatuses. The transmitter 7402 may transmit another frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses based on thecondition. The condition may include at least one of: a link quality, a traffic status, and a traffic priority level of the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0237] Additionally or alternatively, the response received from the one or more second communication apparatuses may comprise information based on the one or more second communication apparatuses. The response received from at least one of the one or more second communication apparatuses may comprise an additional component indicative of another condition associated with the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0238] Additionally or alternatively, the frame may request for the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0239] Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 7402 may transmit another frame to request for the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0240] Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 7402 may transmit an indication to a third communication apparatus to transmit another frame requesting the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0241] Additionally or alternatively, the one or more second communication apparatuses may include an access point.

[0242] Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 7402 may transmit another frame when no response is received within a predetermined time period after transmission of the frame.

[0243] Additionally or alternatively, the frame may further comprise information for allocating another frequency resource to another one or more second communication apparatuses.

[0244] In a fourth example, the communication apparatus 7400 may be a second communication apparatus (e g., a STA). The receiver 7404 may, in operation, receive a frame from a first communication apparatus (e.g., an AP), the frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting a response. The circuitry 7414 may, in operation, determine the frequency resource for transmitting a response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

[0245] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 7414 may determine whether to transmit the response based on one or more conditions associated with the second communication apparatus. The one or more conditions may include at least one of: a link quality, a traffic status, and a traffic priority level of the second communication apparatus.

[0246] The present disclosure can be realised by software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment described above can be partly or entirely realised by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment may be controlled partly or entirely by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be individually formed as chips, or one chip may be formed so as to include a part or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include a data input and output coupled thereto. The LSI here may be referred to as an IC, a system on a chip (SoC), a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on a difference in the degree of integration. However, the technique of implementing an integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI and may be realised by using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a special-purpose processor. In addition, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the manufacture of the LSI or a reconfigurable processor in which the connections and the settings of circuit cells disposed inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be used. The present disclosure can be realised as digital processing or analogue processing. If future integrated circuit technology replaces LSIs as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or other derivative technology, the functional blocks could be integrated using the future integrated circuit technology. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0247] The present disclosure can be realised by any kind of apparatus, device or system having a function of communication, which is referred to as a communication apparatus.

[0248] Some non-limiting examples of such a communication apparatus include a phone (e.g., cellular (cell) phone, smart phone), a tablet, a personal computer (PC) (e.g., laptop, desktop, netbook), a camera (e.g., digital still / video camera), a digital player (digital audio / video player), a wearable device (e.g., wearable camera, smart watch, tracking device), a game console, a digital book reader, a telehealth / telemedicine (remote health and medicine) device, and a vehicle providing communication functionality (e.g., automotive, airplane, ship), and various combinations thereof.

[0249] The communication apparatus is not limited to be portable or movable, and may also include any kind of apparatus, device or system being non-portable or stationary, such as asmart home device (e g., an appliance, lighting, smart meter, control panel), a vending machine, and any other "things" in a network of an "Internet of Things (loT)".

[0250] The communication may include exchanging data through, for example, a cellular system, a wireless LAN system, a satellite system, etc., and various combinations thereof.

[0251] The communication apparatus may comprise a device such as a controller or a sensor which is coupled to a communication device performing a function of communication described in the present disclosure. For example, the communication apparatus may comprise a controller or a sensor that generates control signals or data signals which are used by a communication device performing a communication function of the communication apparatus.

[0252] The communication apparatus also may include an infrastructure facility, such as a base station, an access point, and any other apparatus, device or system that communicates with or controls apparatuses such as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0253] It will be understood that while some properties of the various embodiments have been described with reference to a device, corresponding properties also apply to the methods of various embodiments, and vice versa.

[0254] In the following paragraphs, certain exemplifying embodiments are explained with reference to terms related to wireless communication and the present disclosure regarding communication apparatuses and communication methods for resource allocation for NDP feedback report response and for polling STAs, namely:Example 1. A first communication apparatus comprising:circuitry, which in operation, generates a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response; anda transmitter, which in operation, transmits the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 2. The first communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the one or more second communication apparatuses are grouped into one or more groups, the trigger frame for obtaining a response from the one or more groups, and the trigger frame comprisinginformation for allocating respective resources to each of the one or more groups for transmitting the response.Example 3. The first communication apparatus of example 2, wherein the trigger frame comprises one or more information fields, each information field corresponding to a respective group of the one or more groups and comprising information for allocating a respective resource to the respective group for transmitting the response.Example 4. The first communication apparatus of example 3, wherein the information in each information field indicates a type of response to be obtained from the respective group.Example 5. The first communication apparatus of example 4, wherein the circuitry determines the type of response to be obtained from the respective group prior to generating the trigger frame.Example 6. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 3 to 5, wherein the information in each information field indicates an information field format.Example 7. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 3 to 6, wherein the information in each information field indicates a spatial stream allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.Example 8. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 3 to 7, wherein the information in each information field indicates a frequency resource allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.Example 9. The first communication apparatus of example 8, wherein the information in each information field comprises a start index and an end index, the start index and the end index being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.Example 10. The first communication apparatus of example 8, wherein the information in each information field comprises a value, the value being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.Example 11. The first communication apparatus of example 8, wherein the information in each information field comprises a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.Example 12. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 3 to 11, wherein the information in each information field comprises a starting association identifier.Example 13. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 3 to 11 , wherein the information in each information field comprises a group identifier corresponding to the respective group.Example 14. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 13, further comprising:a receiver, which in operation, receives the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 15. A second communication apparatus comprising:a receiver, which in operation, receives a trigger frame from a first communication apparatus for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response; andcircuitry, which in operation, determines the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.Example 16. The second communication apparatus of example 15, wherein the second communication apparatus is in a group of second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame for obtaining a response from the group of second communication apparatuses, and the trigger frame comprising information for allocating the resource to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.Example 17. The second communication apparatus of example 16, wherein the trigger frame comprises an information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses, and the trigger frame comprising the information for allocating the resource to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.Example 18. The second communication apparatus of example 16 or 17, wherein the information comprises a starting association identifier, and wherein the circuitry determines the information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses based on an association identifier of the second communication apparatus and the starting association identifier.Example 19. The second communication apparatus of example 16 or 17, wherein the information comprises a group identifier corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses, and wherein the circuitry determines the information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses based on the group identifier.Example 20. The second communication apparatus of any one of examples 15 to 19, further comprising:a transmitter, which in operation, transmits the response to the first communication apparatuses using the resource allocated to the second communication apparatus.Example 21. The second communication apparatus of any one of examples 16 to 20, wherein the information indicates a type of response to be obtained from the group of second communication apparatuses.Example 22. The second communication apparatus of any one of examples 16 to 21, wherein the information indicates an information field format.Example 23. The second communication apparatus of any one of examples 16 to 22, wherein the information indicates a spatial stream allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.Example 24. The second communication apparatus of any one of examples 16 to 23, wherein the information indicates a frequency resource allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.Example 25. The second communication apparatus of example 24, wherein the information comprises a start index and an end index, the start index and the end index being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.Example 26. The second communication apparatus of example 24, wherein the information comprises a value, the value being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.Example 27. The second communication apparatus of example 24, wherein the information comprises a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.Example 28. A communication method implemented by a first communication apparatus comprising:generating a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response; andtransmitting the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 29. A communication method implemented by a second communication apparatus comprising:receiving a trigger frame from a first communication apparatus for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response; anddetermining the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.Example 30. A first communication apparatus comprising:circuitry, which in operation, generates a frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response; anda transmitter, which in operation, transmits the frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 31. The first communication apparatus of example 30, wherein the information indicates the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response during a single time interval.Example 32. The first communication apparatus of example 30, wherein the information indicates the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response during a plurality of time intervals.Example 33. The first communication apparatus of example 32, wherein the information indicates the frequency resource allocated the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response during one of the plurality of time intervals.Example 34. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 33, wherein the information indicates the frequency resource allocated to each of the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response.Example 35. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 34, wherein the one or more second communication apparatuses belong to a predetermined group, and wherein the information indicates the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses for the predetermined group.Example 36. The first communication apparatus of any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the circuitry assigns an identifier to at least one of the one or more second communication apparatuses and the information indicates the frequency resource allocated to the one or more second communication apparatuses based on the identifier.Example 37. The first communication apparatus of example 36, wherein the identifier is a unique identifier corresponding to a second communication apparatus or is a group identifier corresponding to the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 38. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 37, wherein the information indicates the frequency resource allocated to each of the one or more second communication apparatuses based on a range of identifiers.Example 39. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 38, wherein the circuitry determines a condition associated with the one or more second communication apparatuses based on whether a response is received from the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 40. The first communication apparatus of example 39, wherein the transmitter transmits another frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses based on the condition.Example 41. The first communication apparatus of example 39 or 40, wherein the condition includes at least one of: a link quality, a traffic status, and a traffic priority level of the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 42. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 41 , wherein the response received from the one or more second communication apparatuses comprises information based on the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 43. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 42, wherein the response received from at least one of the one or more second communication apparatuses comprises an additional component indicative of another condition associated with the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 44. The first communication apparatus of any one or examples 30 to 43, wherein the frame requests for the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 45. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 43, wherein the transmitter transmits another frame to request for the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 46. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 43, wherein the transmitter transmits an indication to a third communication apparatus to transmit another frame requesting the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 47. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 46, wherein the one or more second communication apparatuses include an access point.Example 48. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 47, wherein the information indicates an additional frequency resource allocated to at least one of the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response.Example 49. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 48, wherein the transmitter transmits another frame when no response is received within a predetermined time period after transmission of the frame.Example 50. The first communication apparatus of any one of examples 30 to 49, wherein the frame further comprises information for allocating another frequency resource to another one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 51. A second communication apparatus comprising:a receiver, which in operation, receives a frame from a first communication apparatus, the frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting a response; andcircuitry, which in operation, determines the frequency resource for transmitting a response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.Example 52. The second communication apparatus of example 51, wherein the circuitry determines whether to transmit the response based on a condition associated with the second communication apparatus.Example 53. The second communication apparatus of example 52, wherein the condition includes at least one of: a link quality, a traffic status, and a traffic priority level of the second communication apparatus.Example 54. A communication method implemented by a first communication apparatus comprising:generating a frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting a response; and transmitting the frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.Example 55. A communication method implemented by a second communication apparatus comprising:receiving a frame from a first communication apparatus, the frame comprising information for allocating a frequency resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting a response; anddetermining the frequency resource for transmitting a response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0255] The communication apparatuses and communication methods as disclosed herein may be applicable to various generations of IEEE 802.11 protocols and other standards and / or technologies in wireless communication involving similar features.

[0256] While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the present embodiments, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should further be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, operation, or configuration of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing exemplary embodiments, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of steps and method of operation described in the exemplary embodiments and modules and structures of devices described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the subject matter as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A first communication apparatus comprising:circuitry, which in operation, generates a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response; anda transmitter, which in operation, transmits the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

2. The first communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more second communication apparatuses are grouped into one or more groups, the trigger frame for obtaining a response from the one or more groups, and the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to each of the one or more groups for transmitting the response.

3. The first communication apparatus of claim 2, wherein the trigger frame comprises one or more information fields, each information field corresponding to a respective group of the one or more groups and comprising information for allocating a respective resource to the respective group for transmitting the response.

4. The first communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information in each information field indicates a type of response to be obtained from the respective group.

5. The first communication apparatus of claim 4, wherein the circuitry determines the type of response to be obtained from the respective group prior to generating the trigger frame.

6. The first communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information in each information field indicates an information field format.

7. The first communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information in each information field indicates a spatial stream allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.

8. The first communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information in each information field indicates a frequency resource allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.

9. The first communication apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information in each information field comprises a start index and an end index, the start index and the end index being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.

10. The first communication apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information in each information field comprises a value, the value being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.

11. The first communication apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information in each information field comprises a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits being indicative of a group of resource unit tone sets allocated to the respective group for transmitting the response.

12. The first communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information in each information field comprises a starting association identifier.

13. The first communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the information in each information field comprises a group identifier corresponding to the respective group.

14. The first communication apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:a receiver, which in operation, receives the response from the one or more second communication apparatuses.

15. A second communication apparatus comprising:a receiver, which in operation, receives a trigger frame from a first communication apparatus for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response; andcircuitry, which in operation, determines the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

16. The second communication apparatus of claim 15, wherein the second communication apparatus is in a group of second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame for obtaining a response from the group of second communication apparatuses, and the trigger frame comprising information for allocating the resource to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.

17. The second communication apparatus of claim 16, wherein the trigger frame comprises an information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses, and the trigger frame comprising the information for allocating the resource to the group of second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response.

18. The second communication apparatus of claim 16, wherein the information comprises a starting association identifier, and wherein the circuitry determines the information field corresponding to the group of second communication apparatuses based on an association identifier of the second communication apparatus and the starting association identifier.

19. A communication method implemented by a first communication apparatus comprising:generating a trigger frame for obtaining a response from one or more second communication apparatuses, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating respective resources to the one or more second communication apparatuses for transmitting the response; andtransmitting the trigger frame to the one or more second communication apparatuses.

20. A communication method implemented by a second communication apparatus comprising:receiving a trigger frame from a first communication apparatus for obtaining a response from the second communication apparatus, the trigger frame comprising information for allocating a resource to the second communication apparatus for transmitting the response; anddetermining the resource for transmitting the response to the first communication apparatus based on the information.

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