Methods and apparatus for use in transmission opportunity sharing

Abstract

Methods apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for determining that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points; generating a control frame comprising at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier; transmitting the control frame to the one or more candidate access points; receiving, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses; and determining, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN TRANSMISSION OPPORTUNITY SHARINGTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to wireless network functionality related to prioritizing data traffic for a communication network.BACKGROUND

[0002] Wireless communication networks, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks, may support latency-sensitive applications at Wi-Fi stations (STAs). Such latency-sensitive applications may include virtual reality (VR) applications, mixed reality (MR) applications, augmented reality (AR) applications, extended reality (XR) applications, or applications that utilize sensors which detect events to be reported with low latency. However, in some cases, the default procedures for sharing transmission opportunities between multiple access points in a wireless communication network may constrain the performance of the latency-sensitive applications and / or the wireless communication network.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0003] In an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points, generate a control frame comprising at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier, transmit the control frame to the one or more candidate access points, receive, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, and determine, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared.

[0004] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is additionally or alternatively configured to, in an instance in which the one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses identify one or more traffic access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic, and wherein in order to determine a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared, determine, based on each transmission opportunitysharing poll response, that the one or more access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic are eligible for the transmission opportunity.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is additionally or alternatively configured to, in an instance in which the traffic access category identifier of the control frame identifies one or more traffic access categories, identify a candidate access point from among the one or more candidate access points that has available traffic of the one or more traffic access categories identified by the traffic access category identifier of the control frame.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the control frame is a buffer status report trigger frame.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the traffic access category identifier indicates a minimum traffic access category that can be accommodated by the transmission opportunity.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the control frame further comprises at least one of a starting position identifier provided as a time offset from a reference point or a bandwidth identifier.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is additionally or alternatively configured to transmit a trigger frame at least to the candidate access point with which the transmission opportunity will be shared, wherein the trigger frame comprises at least one of a Common Info Subfield or a User Info Subfield that includes at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the trigger frame dependent Common Info Subfield or the trigger frame dependent User Info Subfield comprises at least one of a starting position identifier or a bandwidth identifier.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is the sharing access point.

[0012] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive a control frame associated with a sharing access point, determine, based on the control frame, that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be claimed, determine, based on the control frame, whether available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, generate a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising, in an instance in which available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, at least a duration request identifier, and provide the transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume identifier for one traffic access category, atraffic volume identifier for multiple traffic access categories, or an indication of all available, or all eligible traffic access categories.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is additionally or alternatively configured to, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, generate an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a traffic access category request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that a candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a different traffic access category, and provide the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that the candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a requested traffic volume of the different traffic access category or a duration request identifier.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, no transmission opportunity sharing poll response is generated.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises a starting position request identifier.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response is included in a multi-station block acknowledgement frame.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is a candidate access point.

[0020] In another example embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points, generating a control frame comprising at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier, transmitting the control frame to the one or more candidate access points, receiving, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, and determining, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively comprises, in an instance in which the one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses identify one or more traffic access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic, and in order to determine a candidate access point for which the transmissionopportunity will be shared, determining, based on each transmission opportunity sharing poll response, that the one or more access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic are eligible for the transmission opportunity.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively comprises, in an instance in which the traffic access category identifier of the control frame identifies one or more traffic access categories, identifying a candidate access point from among the one or more candidate access points that has available traffic of the one or more traffic access categories identified by the traffic access category identifier of the control frame.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the control frame is a buffer status report poll trigger frame.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the traffic access category identifier indicates a minimum traffic access category that can be accommodated by the transmission opportunity.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the control frame further comprises at least one of a starting position identifier provided as a time offset from a reference point or a bandwidth identifier.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the method additionally or alternatively comprises transmitting a trigger frame at least to the candidate access point with which the transmission opportunity will be shared, wherein the trigger frame comprises at least one of a Common Info Subfield, a User Info Subfield, a trigger dependent Common Info Subfield, or a trigger dependent User Info Subfield that includes at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the Common Info Subfield or the User Info Subfield comprises at least one of a starting position identifier or a bandwidth identifier.

[0028] In another example embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a control frame associated with a sharing access point, determining, based on the control frame, that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be claimed, determining, based on the control frame, whether available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, generating a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising, in an instance in which available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, at least a duration request identifier, and providing the transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume identifier for one traffic access category, a traffic volume identifier for multiple traffic access categories, or an indication of all available,eligible traffic access categories.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the method comprises, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, generating an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a traffic access category request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that a candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a different traffic access category, and providing the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that the candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a requested traffic volume of the different traffic access category or a duration request identifier.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, no transmission opportunity sharing poll response is generated.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises a starting position request identifier.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response is included in a multi-station block acknowledgement frame.

[0035] In another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points, generate a control frame comprising at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier, transmit the control frame to the one or more candidate access points, receive, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, and determine, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to, in an instance in which the one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses identify one or more traffic access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic, and wherein in order to determine a candidate access point for which thetransmission opportunity will be shared, determine, based on each transmission opportunity sharing poll response, that the one or more access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic are eligible for the transmission opportunity.

[0037] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to, in an instance in which the traffic access category identifier of the control frame identifies one or more traffic access categories, identify a candidate access point from among the one or more candidate access points that has available traffic of the one or more traffic access categories identified by the traffic access category identifier of the control frame.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the control frame is a buffer status report trigger frame.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the traffic access category identifier indicates a minimum traffic access category that can be accommodated by the transmission opportunity.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the control frame further comprises at least one of a starting position identifier provided as a time offset from a reference point or a bandwidth identifier.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium additionally or alternatively includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to transmit a trigger frame at least to the candidate access point with which the transmission opportunity will be shared, wherein the trigger frame comprises at least one of a Common Info Subfield or a User Info Subfield that includes at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the Common Info Subfield or the User Info Subfield comprises at least one of a starting position identifier or a bandwidth identifier.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is the sharing access point.

[0044] In another example embodiment, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to receive a control frame associated with a sharing access point, determine, based on the control frame, that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be claimed, determine, based on the control frame, whether available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, generate a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising, in an instance in which available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, at least a duration request identifier, and provide thetransmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0045] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume identifier for one traffic access category, a traffic volume identifier for multiple traffic access categories, or an indication of all available, eligible traffic access categories.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes program instructions stored thereon that are configured to, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, generate an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a traffic access category request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that a candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a different traffic access category, and provide the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that the candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a requested traffic volume of the different traffic access category or a duration request identifier.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, no transmission opportunity sharing poll response is generated.

[0049] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises a starting position request identifier.

[0050] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response is included in a multi-station block acknowledgement frame.

[0051] In one or more embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is a candidate access point.

[0052] In yet another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for, determining that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points, generating a control frame comprising at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier, transmitting the control frame to the one or more candidate access points, receiving, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, and determining, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which thetransmission opportunity will be shared.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for, in an instance in which the one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses identify one or more traffic access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic, and wherein in order to determine a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared, determining, based on each transmission opportunity sharing poll response, that the one or more access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic are eligible for the transmission opportunity.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for, in an instance in which the traffic access category identifier of the control frame identifies one or more traffic access categories, identifying a candidate access point from among the one or more candidate access points that has available traffic of the one or more traffic access categories identified by the traffic access category identifier of the control frame.

[0055] In one or more embodiments, the control frame is a buffer status report trigger frame.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the traffic access category identifier indicates a minimum traffic access category that can be accommodated by the transmission opportunity.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the control frame further comprises at least one of a starting position identifier provided as a time offset from a reference point or a bandwidth identifier.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for transmitting a trigger frame at least to the candidate access point with which the transmission opportunity will be shared, wherein the trigger frame comprises at least one of a Common Info Subfield or a User Info Subfield that includes at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the Common Info Subfield or the User Info Subfield comprises at least one of a starting position identifier or a bandwidth identifier.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is the sharing access point.

[0061] In another example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for receiving a control frame associated with a sharing access point, determining, based on the control frame, that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be claimed, determining, based on the control frame, whether available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, generating a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising, in an instance in which available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity,at least a duration request identifier, and providing the transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume identifier for one traffic access category, a traffic volume identifier for multiple traffic access categories, or an indication of all available, eligible traffic access categories.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus additionally or alternatively provides means for, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, generating an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a traffic access category request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that a candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a different traffic access category, and providing the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of a traffic volume request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that the candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a requested traffic volume of the different traffic access category or a duration request identifier.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, no transmission opportunity sharing poll response is generated.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises a starting position request identifier.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response is included in a multi-station block acknowledgement frame.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the apparatus is a candidate access point.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0070] Figure 1 depicts an example communication system in which one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed;

[0071] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus configured in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0072] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example Coordinated Time-Division Multiple Access procedure in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0073] Figure 4 depicts an example control frame format in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0074] Figure 5 depicts an example transmission opportunity sharing poll response format in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0075] Figure 6 illustrates a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2, in order to facilitate transmission opportunity sharing between multiple access points in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure and

[0076] Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2, in order to generate transmission opportunity sharing poll responses in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] The following embodiments are exemplary. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”, or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection of an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. It shall be understood that although the terms “first,” “second” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0078] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrases “at least one of A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, and “A and / or B” means any, some or all of the following instances: (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “A, B, and / or C” means any, some or all of the following instances: (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C).

[0079] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the certain embodiments set forth herein; rather, these certain embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0080] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and / or other computing device.

[0081] As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0082] A communications system may be deployed in a wireless local area network (e.g., WLAN, Wi-Fi, etc.), for example, based on IEEE 802.11 standards and / or related drafts, such as 802.11-2020, 802.1 lac, 802.1 lax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and / or others. That is, the system may be an example of a WLAN system. The WLAN system may support wireless communications between one or more communications devices in accordance with one or more Wi-Fi protocols. In some examples, Wi-Fi communications may occur via one or more radio frequency bands, such as about a 2.4 GHz radio frequency band, a 5GHz radio frequency band, a 6GHz radio frequency band, and / or another radio frequency band. In some such examples,each radio frequency band may support one or more channels over which data may be communicated. In some examples, multiple devices may use multiple channels to communicate over the WLAN simultaneously.

[0083] A WLAN system may include one or more communications devices, such as one or more access points (APs) and / or one or more non-AP stations (STAs). That is, a device configured to support one or more Wi-Fi protocols may be an example of an AP (e.g., may operate in accordance with an AP mode) and / or may be an example of a STA (e.g., may operate in accordance with a non-AP STA mode). In some examples, an AP may control Wi-Fi communications for one or more non-AP STAs. For example, an AP may be (or may be connected to) a central entity used to establish (and / or control) one or more connections between one or more non-AP STAs and another network (e.g., the Internet). In other words, in some examples, the AP may connect a wired network (e.g., the Internet) to a wireless network (e.g., the WLAN). In some instances, a Wi-Fi network may be identified via one or more identifiers, such as a service set identifier (SSID).

[0084] A WLAN system may support one or more architectures (types of logical relationships between devices). For example, a WLAN system may support an autonomous architecture, a centralized architecture, a cooperative architecture, and / or other types of architectures. In some examples of an autonomous architecture, APs are stand-alone APs configured with features and capabilities to operate without any reliance on another device. In some examples of a centralized architecture, a centralized network manager may regulate the operation of the WLAN. In other words, the network manager may be the AP or may be connected to one or more APs within the WLAN. For example, APs may be connected (e.g., wirelessly and / or via a wired connection) to a central entity which may be configured to act as a network manager. In some examples, the network manager is an entity in cloud-based entity which may reside either in private cloud or in public cloud. In some examples of a cooperative architecture (also referred to as a network manager-less or controller-less architecture), a virtual management (e.g., cloud-based) system may be used to control a WLAN. For example, the virtual management system may employ a cooperative communication method between one or more APs to control the WLAN. In other examples, a centralized network manager may use a wireless system to provide local connection to clients (e.g., STAs). For example, the centralized network manager may be a controller configured to perform operations related to authentication, authorization, accounting (e.g., via an authentication, authorizing, and accounting (AAA) server), and / or other operations.

[0085] Additionally, or alternatively, a WLAN system may support one or more topologies (types of physical connections between various devices within the WLAN system). For example, the WLAN system may support an infrastructure topology which may include a combination of wired and wireless connections. In some examples of an infrastructure topology, the infrastructure topology may include one or more wired devices with a wired connection to a network (e.g., one or more APs that are each connected via a cable to a switch) and the one or more wired devices may support one or more wireless connections to one or more wireless devices (e.g., laptops, tablets, cell phones), such that the wireless devices may connect wirelessly to the network. In other words, the one or more wired devices may serve as a bridge between the wireless network and the wired network. Additionally, or alternatively, the WLAN system may support an ad hoc topology, which does not rely on infrastructure (e.g., cables, routers, servers, or APs). In some examples of an ad hoc network, one or more non-AP STAs (also referred to as clients) may wirelessly connect to other devices in a peer-to-peer network. Additionally, or alternatively, the WLAN system may support a mesh topology in which multiple network devices are interconnected with each other via wireless connections. For example, in accordance with a mesh topology, an AP (e.g., each AP), which may support one or more wireless connections with one or more STAs, may communicate wirelessly with one or more other APs.

[0086] In accordance with one or more Wi-Fi protocols, data may be transmitted wirelessly between two devices (e.g., an AP and a non-AP STA) via packets, referred to as protocol data units (PDUs). In other words, Wi-Fi communications may include transmission and reception of one or more PDUs. For example, data may be communicated via a frame (e.g., a medium access control (MAC) frame), which may include one or more PDUs. In some instances, multiple frames may include the same PDU. In some examples, a PDU may include data (referred to as a payload), as well as one or more headers (e.g., a sequence of one or more fields) and / or one or more trailers (e.g., a sequence of bits appended to the PDU, after the payload). In some examples, the data included in the PDU, may be user data, control data, management data, and / or other types of data. In some examples, frames may include data type frames, control type frames, management type frames, and / or other types of frames. At least one frame type (e.g., each frame type) may be included in a PDUs, wherein a payload of a PDU may comprise user data, control data, management data, and / or other data. In some examples, a WLAN system may implement one or more security protocols to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Wi-Fi communications.

[0087] A WLAN system may be configured with various types of services sets, for example, such as basic service set (BSS) and / or an extended service set (ESS). A BSS may be comprised of an AP and one or more client devices (e.g., non-AP STAs) associated with the AP. The one or more client devices may have one or more common PHY medium access characteristics (e.g., radio frequency, modulation scheme, security settings, and / or the like). A BSS identifier (BSSID) may define the BSS such that the one or more client devices of the BSS share the same BSSID.

[0088] A communication network such as a WLAN may support latency-sensitive applications at Wi-Fi stations (STAs). Such latency-sensitive applications may include virtual reality (VR) applications, mixed reality (MR) applications, augmented reality (AR) applications, and extended reality (XR) applications. Latency-sensitive applications may also include applications that utilize sensors which detect events to be reported with low latency. However, in some cases, default procedures for channel access of a communication network (e.g., a WLAN) may constrain performance of the latency-sensitive applications and / or the communication network. For example, low latency support may involve delivering frames with low latency for APs and non-AP STAs. To support low latency traffic, a channel access procedure for a communication network may be modified to provide higher priority access to STA(s) with low latency traffic. As an example, some Wi-Fi devices utilize a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA) protocol which relies on a backoff mechanism to manage access to a shared wireless channel. In some examples, a contention window (CW) may be utilized to support low latency traffic. For instance, when multiple devices request to transmit data at the same time, each device may select a random backoff time from a defined range called the contention window. Typically, for each access category (AC) there is a minimum Contention Window (CW min) and a maximum Contention Window (CW_max). For example, Access Category Voice (AC_VO) may be the highest priority access category and the CW min may be set to 1 / 4th of CW min for best effort traffic associated with data traffic where priority is not critical (e.g., web browsing, email, etc.) or background traffic associated with data traffic for low-priority background tasks (e.g., downloading content, etc.). In other examples, exponential backoff may be utilized. For instance, if a collision occurs (e.g., multiple devices transmit simultaneously), the contention window size may be increased exponentially (e.g., increased by 2x until CW max is reached) for each subsequent transmission attempt, thereby providing more time for other devices to transmit data and reducing the likelihood of further collisions. In other examples, randomization may be utilized. For instance, the random selection of the backoff time within the contention window may beutilized to minimize synchronized transmission attempts from multiple devices, further preventing collisions.

[0089] In some examples, a communication network such as a WLAN may utilize a Coordinated Time Division Multiple Access (C-TDMA) procedure to support low latency traffic. For example, a C-TDMA procedure may be utilized to provide multiple access points (APs) access to transmission opportunities (TxOPs) for voice data, video data, and / or other quality of service (QoS) data associated with low latency applications. Current C-TDMA procedures enables an AP to poll other APs to check whether they are interested in getting part of a TxOP via an initial control frame (ICF) sent at the beginning of the TxOP. Then, the other APs respond to the ICF to indicate interest to get part of the TxOP. However, in current known implementations, the details of the ICF and the poll response are not defined. As such, it may be desirable to improve current C-TDMA procedures to efficiently design the ICF sent by an AP with intention to share a TxOP and efficiently design the poll response sent by other APs to indicate interest in the TxOP.

[0090] Described herein are apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for efficiently designing an ICF and poll response to enable a C TDMA procedure for efficient sharing of TxOPs to resolve some or all of the described limitations of current communication networks and / or current network protocols. For example, the improved ICF and poll response design disclosed herein may enable an AP with an available TxOP to efficiently poll other APs and select an AP for sharing of the TxOP as compared to one or more other APs associated with another type of C-TDMA procedure. In some embodiments, data traffic (e.g., low-latency data traffic) transmitted during a shared TxOP may be associated with a particular type of application such as a virtual reality application, a mixed reality application, an augmented reality application, and / or an extended reality application. The improved ICF and poll response design disclosed herein may enhance traffic exchange using a C-TDMA procedure.

[0091] Accordingly, with the improved ICF and poll response design for C-TDMA procedures disclosed herein, resource utilization associated with a communication network may be improved and / or latency associated with a data channel may be reduced, thereby improving performance of STAs and / or latency-sensitive applications. The improved ICF and poll response design for C-TDMA procedures disclosed herein may also provide improved performance, accuracy, and / or functionality for an AP associated with a communication network. In various embodiments, a number of computing resources and / or processing tasks for a STA to access and / or utilize a data channel of communication network can be reduced. Efficiency and / or network connectivity for a communication network can also be improved.For example, overall network signaling and / or data load of a data channel can be reduced to provide improved resiliency, network latency, and / or network speeds provided by a communication network. Moreover, tail latency associated with a communication network may also be reduced or minimized by utilizing the improved ICF and poll response design for C-TDMA procedures disclosed herein.

[0092] Referring now to Figure 1, an example communication system 100 is illustrated according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication system 100 is a communication system to which one or more examples disclosed herein may be applied. The depiction of the communication system 100 in Figure 1 is not intended to limit or otherwise confine the example embodiment described and contemplated herein to any particular configuration of elements or systems, nor is it intended to exclude any alternative configurations or systems for the set of configurations and systems that can be used in connection with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Rather, Figure 1, and the communication system 100 disclosed therein is merely presented to provide an example basis and context for the facilitation of some of the features, aspects, and uses of the methods, apparatuses, and computer program products disclosed and contemplated herein. It will be understood that while many of the aspects and components presented in Figure 1 are shown as discrete, separate elements, other configurations may be used in connection with the methods, apparatuses, and computer programs described herein, including configurations that combine, omit, and / or add aspects and / or components.

[0093] The communication system 100 includes a communication network 105, one or more access points (APs) 110 (e.g., an AP 110-a and an AP 110-b), and one or more stations (STAs) 115 (e.g., STA 115-a, STA 115-b, STA 115-c, and STA 115-d). The communication system 100 is a type of network where at least one link is wireless, and provides voice, video, and / or data services to a plurality of devices. The communication network 105 may be a wireless communication network, a wireless local area network, a Wi-Fi network, or another type of communication network. The communication network 105 is illustrated as providing communication services to the one or more STA 115 via the one or more APs 110. The one or more STA 115 may be enabled for voice services, video services, data services, VR services, MR services, AR services, XR services, Internet of Things (loT) services, and / or one or more other services. In some embodiments, the communication system 100 or components thereof can be configured to communicate with the one or more STA 115 and / or the one or more APs 110 over multiple different frequency bands, sub-bands thereof, and / or the like.

[0094] The one or more STAs 115 may be one or more client devices, such as one or morenon-AP STAs, connected to the one or more APs 110. For example, the STA 115-a and the STA 115-b may be connected to the AP 110-a. Additionally, the STA 115-c and the STA 115-d may be connected to the AP 110-b. In some examples, the one or more APs 110 may be mobile access points (mAPs) with controlled network functionality. In such examples, a configuration comprising a mAP and a STA may be implemented based on Wi-Fi Direct or another type of network connection. In some examples, a device may simultaneously operate as a non-AP STA and as an AP. One such an example case is in a multi-AP network, which includes two or more devices that may act as APs and use Wi-Fi for the wireless backhaul connectivity based on a non-AP STA-AP connection model. In some examples, a device may simultaneously operate as part of a peer-to-peer connection based on Wi-Fi Direct or Wi-Fi Aware.

[0095] In some embodiments, communication between the one or more STAs 115 and the one or more APs 110 may provide the one or more STAs 115 access to the communication network 105 and / or may enable communication therewith. In some embodiments, the one or more APs 110 may provide wireless connectivity for the one or more STAs 115 according to the Wi-Fi standards, such as those that are a subset of the IEEE 802 family of standards. For example, the one or more APs 110 may provide wireless connectivity for the one or more STAs 115 according to the MAC and PHY specifications for Wi-Fi access points defined by IEEE 802.11 for transmitting and receiving data in frequency bands such as 2.4 GHz, 3.6 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 60 GHz, and / or the like. The one or more APs 110 and the one or more STAs 115 may communicate through the transmission of frames, including data frames, beacon frames, management frames, and / or control frames, which may be transmitted in unicast messages, broadcast messages, or multicast messages. The 802.11 standards define an interframe space (TFS) as the nominal time (in microseconds (ps)) that the MAC and PHY use to receive the last symbol of a frame, process the frame, and respond with the first symbol of a response frame (e.g., the earliest possible response frame). In some embodiments, one or more STAs 115 may be configured to be in a wireless connection with at least one Wi-Fi AP (e.g., AP 110). It is to be appreciated that a Wi-Fi AP may be implemented by various entities and / or types of entities, for example, such as APs, mAPs, access nodes, nodes, hosts, servers, base stations, and / or other entities suitable for such usage.

[0096] In some examples, the communication system 100 may support radio frequency sensing during IFS. In some examples, the communication system 100 may include a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving signals. The transceiver may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (e.g., using a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) orfield-programmable gate array (FPGA)) or as a system-on-a-chip (SOC) that includes different modules for implementing the functionality of the transceiver. In some embodiments, the transceiver may include a processor and / or a memory (e.g., such as processor 205 and / or memory 210, further described with respect to Figure 2). The processor 205 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 210 and / or to store information in the memory 210, for example, such as the results of the executed instructions.

[0097] The one or more APs 110 may include transceivers for transmitting and / or receiving signals, for example, over a backbone and / or over an access interface. A transceiver may be implemented as a single integrated circuit (e.g., using a single ASIC or FPGA) or as a SOC that includes different modules for implementing the functionality of the transceiver. In some embodiments, the transceiver of an AP 110 may include a processor and / or a memory (e.g., such as processor 205 and / or memory 210, further described with respect to Figure 2).

[0098] An STA of the one or more STAs 115 may be a client device such as, for example, a client-side user device, a non-AP STA, user equipment (UE), and / or another type of entity configured to communicate with the one or more APs 110. A UE may be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a pager, a mobile television, a gaming device, a laptop computer, a computer with a mobile broadband adapter, a camera, a tablet computer, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a communicator, pad, a wearable device, a headset, a touch surface, a video recorder, an audio / video player, radio, an electronic book, a positioning device (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) device), a virtual reality device, an augmented reality device, or any combination of the aforementioned. In some embodiments, an AP 110 may include a processor and / or a memory (e.g., such as processor 205 and / or memory 210, further described with respect to Figure 2).

[0099] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 may support latencysensitive applications at Wi-Fi devices such as the one or more APs 110 and the one or more STAs 115. Such latency-sensitive applications may include virtual reality applications, mixed reality applications, augmented reality applications, and extended reality applications.

[0100] In one or more embodiments, an EDCA procedure for prioritized data traffic associated with the communication system 100 and / or the communication network 105 may be enabled by employing an apparatus 200 as depicted in Figure 2. The apparatus 200 may be embodied by and / or incorporated into an AP (e.g., the one or more APs 110) and / or another device discussed with respect to Figure 1.

[0101] Regardless of the manner in which the apparatus 200 is embodied, the apparatus 200 includes, is associated with, and / or is in communication with: at least one processor 205,at least one memory 210, and a communication interface 215. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 200 comprises, for example, the at least one processor 205 and the at least one memory 210 storing instructions 215 that, when executed by the at least one processor 205, cause the apparatus 200 at least to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. In an example, the at least one memory 210 and the instructions 215 (e.g., a computer program code, software), are configured, with the at least one processor 205, to cause the apparatus 200 to perform the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof.

[0102] In some embodiments, the processor 205 may be in communication with the memory 210 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 200. The memory 210 may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory 210 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processor). The memory 210 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory 210 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor. Additionally or alternatively, the memory 210 may be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 205.

[0103] The processor 202 may comprise circuitry, or be constituted as circuitry or circuitries, the circuitry or circuitries being configured to perform phases of methods in accordance with example embodiments described herein. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as, as applicable: (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a user equipment, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely ahardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0104] The memory 210 may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology. The memory may comprise a database for storing data. The memory 210 may be at least in part external to apparatus 200 but accessible to apparatus 200.

[0105] The instructions 215 may be comprised in a computer readable medium or a non-transitory computer readable medium. A term non-transitory, as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., random access memory, RAM, vs. read only memory, ROM).

[0106] The apparatus 200 comprises a radio interface 206. The radio interface 206 may provide the apparatus 200 with communication capabilities. The radio interface 206 may comprise a receiver configured to receive information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The radio interface 206 may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The receiver may comprise more than one receiver. The transmitter may comprise more than one transmitter. The radio interface 206 may comprise a transceiver configured to receive and transmit information in accordance with at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transceiver may comprise more than one transceiver.

[0107] The apparatus 200 may optionally comprise a user interface 208 comprising, for example, at least one of a keypad, a microphone, a touch display, a display, a speaker, etc. The user interface 208 may be used to control the apparatus by the user. The user interface 208 may be external to the apparatus 200. For example, the apparatus 200 may be connected to another device, such as a computer, either via wireless or wired connection, and the apparatus 200 is controlled by the user via the computer.

[0108] Alternatively, the apparatus 200 may be embodied by or otherwise associated with an access point. As another example, the apparatus is comprised in such an access point, e.g. as a chipset configured to control the access point. The apparatus 200 embodied by or otherwise associated with an access point may be caused or configured to perform at least the method of Figure 6, Figure 7, and / or any one or more of the embodiments described.

[0109] In an embodiment, at least some of the processes described herein may be carried out by an apparatus comprising means for carrying out at least some of the described processes.Means for performing method steps as disclosed herein may include software and / or hardware components of the apparatus 200. For example, the at least one processor 205, the memory 210, and instructions, such as for example the computer program code form means for carrying out the method or methods as disclosed herein, and any of the embodiments thereof. As used herein the term “means” is to be construed in singular form, e.g., referring to a single element, or in plural form, e.g., referring to a combination of single elements. Therefore, terminology “means for [performing A, B, C]”, is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C. Further, terminology “means for performing A, means for performing B, means for performing C” is to be interpreted to cover an apparatus in which there is only one means for performing A, B and C, or where there are separate means for performing A, B and C, or partially or fully overlapping means for performing A, B, C.

[0110] Figure 3 illustrates an example Coordinated Time-Division Multiple Access (C-TDMA) procedure associated with multiple access points (APs) connected via a network, such as communication network 105. Figure 3 illustrates a timeline of actions between a sharing access point 302, a candidate access point 304, and an additional candidate access point 306. It should be appreciated that any number of candidate access points may be involved a C-TDMA procedure in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0111] In the depicted embodiment, sharing access point 302 has a transmission opportunity (TxOP) that is available to be shared with a candidate access point. In this regard, the sharing access point 302 to which the TxOP is assigned may determine that it will not utilize the entirety of the TxOP such that the sharing access point is able to share the portion of the TxOP that will otherwise be unutilized with one or more candidate access points as described herein. During polling phase duration 314, sharing access point 302 generates control frame 308 for transmission to candidate access point 304 and candidate access point 306.

[0112] In the depicted embodiment, control frame 308 comprises at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier. The traffic access category identifier is configured to inform the candidate APs of the traffic access category (AC) that can be accommodated by the TxOP. In various embodiments, the traffic access category identifier may identify one or more ACs. In various embodiments, the traffic access category identifier may identify a minimum AC that can be accommodated by the TxOP. By way of example, four access categories may be defined and prioritized or ordered as follows: voice (AC VO), video(AC VI), best effort (AC BE) and backup (AC BK). Progressively shorter contention windows are utilized for the lower traffic classes, such as AC BE and AC BK, than for the higher traffic claims, such as AC VO and AC VI such that a TxOP obtained with contention parameters for an access category can, in some embodiments, be utilized by a higher access category, but not for a lower access category. The traffic access category identifier may identify a particular access category such that only traffic of the particular access category may use the TxOP. Alternatively, the traffic access category identifier may identify a minimum access category that may use the TxOP such that the traffic of the designated access category as well as traffic of higher access categories will satisfy the minimum access category and be considered for using the TxOP.

[0113] The traffic access category identifier may identify the one or more access categories that are supported in various manners. For example, the traffic access category identifier may include a field, such as a two bit or three bit field, that identifies either the particular access category that can use the TxOP or the minimum access category that can use the TxOP. Alternatively, the traffic access category identifier may include a field, such as a four bit field, that serves as a bitmap to identify the one or more particular access categories that can use the TxOP.

[0114] The duration identifier is configured to inform the candidate APs of the duration of the portion of the TxOP to be shared. For example, the duration identifier may define the duration of the TxOP to be shared in predefined steps, such as steps of 16 or 100 microseconds.

[0115] In various embodiments, the control frame additionally comprises a starting position identifier and / or a bandwidth identifier. The starting position identifier is configured to inform the candidate APs of the starting position of the portion of the TxOP to be shared. In various embodiments, the starting position identifier is provided as a specific staring position time value or as a time offset from a reference point, such as the start or end of the control frame or the polling phase in which this information is shared. The starting position identifier may be defined in predefined steps, sch as steps of 16 or 100 microseconds, or in terms of a number of point coordination function (PCF) interframe spaces (PIFS) and / or short interframe spaces (SIFS). The bandwidth identifier is configured to inform the candidate APs of the bandwidth that the portion of the TxOP to be shared is able to accommodate.

[0116] In various embodiments, the control frame may be embodied by a buffer status report poll (BSRP) trigger frame, an ultra high reliability variant BSRP trigger frame, an initial control frame (ICF), the format defined by IEEE Standard 802.1 Irevme, or other formats, such as the format depicted in Figure 4.

[0117] In the depicted embodiment, each candidate AP receives and evaluates control frame 308 to determine if their respective available traffic is eligible for the TxOP and that the TxOP is available to be claimed. This determination is made based at least on the traffic access category identifier, the duration identifier, and the AC of the available traffic for a candidate AP. In this regard, the availability of traffic at a candidate AP includes data stored by the candidate AP, such as in its buffer, for transmission and / or data that one or more stations in communication with the candidate AP have stored, such as in the buffers of the one or more stations, for transmission.

[0118] In an instance in which a candidate AP’s available traffic is determined to be eligible for the TxOP such as by having traffic of the access category identified by the control frame, the respective candidate AP generates a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a duration request identifier configured to inform sharing access point 302 of the total duration of the TxOP that the candidate AP intends to utilize. The transmission opportunity sharing poll response may take various forms, but in one embodiment, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprises only an indication that the candidate AP intends to utilize the TxOP.

[0119] In various embodiments, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response may additionally comprise a traffic volume identifier configured to inform sharing access point 302 of the amount of available traffic. The traffic volume identifier may be associated with one or more ACs. The transmission opportunity sharing poll response may also comprise an indication of all available and eligible ACs associated with the available traffic and / or a starting position request identifier configured to inform sharing access point 302 of the time at which the candidate AP is able to begin utilizing the TxOP, either as a specific time value or as a relative time value as noted above, e.g., as an offset value from a reference point. For example, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response may identify each type of access category for which the candidate AP intends to use the TxOP, such as by including a bitmap with each bit representing a different access category or by providing a list of the access categories that the candidate AP intends to use the TxOP. Alternatively, the transmission opportunity sharing poll response can include a buffer status report including the buffer status for each access category indicated to be allowed by the control frame.

[0120] In regards to the time (e.g., the starting position) at which the candidate AP is able to being utilizing the TxOP, the candidate AP of some embodiments may be required, such as by the sharing AP, to begin transmissions using the TxOP for the first available resource unit (RU) of the TxOP shared by the sharing AP. In an embodiment in which the candidate APdoes not indicate the starting position, the total duration that is provided by the candidate AP may include the sum of not only the period of time that the candidate AP intends to use the TxOP but also any time between the actual start of the shared TxOP and the time at which the candidate AP begins transmissions via the shared TxOP.

[0121] In an instance in which a candidate access point’s available traffic is determined to not be eligible for the TxOP, such as in an instance in which the candidate AP has only traffic of a different access category than that allowed by the control frame, the respective candidate AP generates an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response configured to inform sharing access point 302 that the candidate AP has available traffic of a different AC, the duration required to transmit the available traffic, the volume of the available traffic, and / or the bandwidth required to transmit the available traffic. The alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprises at least a traffic category request identifier configured to inform sharing access point 302 that the candidate AP requests a TxOP for a different AC and identifying the different AC.

[0122] In various embodiments, the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response additionally comprises a traffic volume request identifier configured to inform sharing access point 302 that the candidate AP requests a TxOP for a requested traffic volume of the different AC or a duration request identifier.

[0123] In alternative embodiments, in an instance in which a candidate AP’s available traffic is determined to not be eligible for the TxOP, the respective candidate AP may not generate an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response. Or, the respective candidate AP may generate a negative response informing the sharing AP that the respective candidate AP does not intend to utilize the TxOP. In some embodiments, the negative response may provide additional information, such as the access category for which the respective candidate AP would request to use a portion of the TxOP.

[0124] In various embodiments, the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response is embodied by a multi-station block acknowledgment frame or by another frame, such as a frame of the format depicted in Figure 5.

[0125] In the depicted embodiment, candidate access point 304 does not have available traffic eligible for the TxOP described by control frame 308. Therefore, candidate access point 304 generates alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response 310. In the depicted embodiment, candidate access point 306 does have available traffic eligible for the TxOP described by control frame 308. Therefore, candidate access point 306 generates transmissionopportunity sharing poll response 312. Each candidate AP provides the respective transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to sharing access point 302.

[0126] In the depicted embodiment, during the TxOP allocation phase duration 322, sharing access point 302 receives alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response 310 and transmission opportunity sharing poll response 312. Sharing access point 302 then determines a candidate AP for which the TxOP will be shared (illustrated by TxOP allocation 318). In the depicted embodiment, sharing access point 302 determines that candidate access point 306 should utilize the TxOP in that the candidate access point 306 has traffic of the access category that was identified by the control frame to be acceptable for transmission by the TxOP.

[0127] In various embodiments, the TxOP is allocated to the selected candidate AP via a multi-user request-to-send TxOP sharing (MU-RTS TXS) trigger frame. However, other types of frames, such as other trigger frames, may be utilized in other embodiments. In response to receiving the TxOP, the selected candidate AP responds, such as with a clear to send (CTS) frame, to allow the available traffic to be transmitted via a network.

[0128] In the depicted embodiment, upon the conclusion of utilization of the TxOP by a candidate access point 306, candidate access point 306 returns the remainder (if any) of the TxOP to sharing access point 302 during TxOP return phase duration 326.

[0129] Figure 4 illustrates an example control frame format 400 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Control frame format 400 comprises a frame control 402, a duration 404, a receiver address 406, a transmitter address 408, a common info subfield 410, a trigger dependent common info subfield 411, a user info subfield 412, a trigger dependent user info subfield 413, padding 414, and frame check sequence 416.

[0130] In the depicted embodiment, one or a combination of common info subfield 410, trigger dependent common info subfield 411, user info subfield 412, and trigger dependent user info subfield 413 are used to convey traffic access category identifier 418 and duration identifier 420.

[0131] In various embodiments, one or a combination of common info subfield 410, trigger dependent common info subfield 411, user info subfield 412, and trigger dependent user info subfield 413 are additionally used to convey starting position identifier 422 and / or bandwidth identifier 424.

[0132] Figure 5 illustrates an example transmission opportunity sharing poll response format 500 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Transmission opportunity sharing poll response format 500 comprises an AP identifier 502 (commonly known as AID 11), an acknowledgement type 504, and a traffic identifier (TID)506. Transmission opportunity sharing poll response format 500 may also optionally include fields for a feedback type 516 and poll response 518.

[0133] In the depicted embodiment, AID11 502 is used to convey an identifier associated with the candidate AP. In one embodiment, the identifier is assigned to the candidate AP by the sharing AP from which the TxOP originated. Acknowledgement type 504 is use to convey that the candidate AP’s available traffic is eligible for the TxOP. For example, acknowledgement type 504 may indicate if the transmission opportunity sharing poll response is an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response. TID 506 is leveraged to convey duration request identifier 508.

[0134] In various embodiments, TID 506 is additionally used to convey traffic volume identifier 510, available traffic access category identifier 512, and / or starting position request identifier 514. Based on the information provided by one or more candidate APs, the sharing AP can determine which one, if any, of the candidate APs to share in a portion of the TxOP. The sharing AP may also determine to resume its own transmissions via the TxOP or to truncate the TxOP early, such as in an instance in which none of the candidate APs wish to use the remainder of the TxOP. Although the AID 11 502, acknowledgement type 504, and TID 506 may be provided by various types of frames, the AID11 502, acknowledgement type 504, and TID 506 are subfields of the BA information field of a multi-station block acknowledgement frame in one example embodiment.

[0135] In various embodiments, TID 506 is set to a predetermined value, such as 13 bits, and additional fields feedback type 516 and poll response 518 are utilized to convey traffic volume identifier 510, available traffic access category identifier 512, and / or starting position request identifier 514.

[0136] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate flowcharts depicting a method 600 as implemented by a sharing AP and a method 700 implemented by a candidate AP, respectively, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts and combination of blocks in the flowcharts can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including instructions, for example one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above can be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above can be stored, for example, by the memory 210 of the apparatus 200 employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by the processor 205. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructionscan be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0137] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0138] Referring now to Figure 6, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus 200 of Figure 2, in order to facilitate transmission opportunity sharing between multiple access points, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the method 600 is associated with the functionality of sharing access point such as sharing access point 302.

[0139] As shown in block 602 of Figure 6, the apparatus 200 includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to determine that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points, such as in an instance in which the sharing access point concludes its use of the TxOP prior to the end of the TxOP.

[0140] As shown in block 604 of Figure 6, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to generate a control frame comprising at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

[0141] As shown in block 606 of Figure 6, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, the radio interface 206, or the like, configured to transmit the control frame to the one or more candidate access points.

[0142] As shown in block 608 of Figure 6, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, the radio interface 206, or the like, configured to receive, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses.

[0143] As shown in block 610 of Figure 6, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to determine, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared.

[0144] In various embodiments, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to, in order to determine a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared and wherein the one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses identify one or more traffic access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic, determine, based on each transmission opportunity sharing poll response, that the one or more access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic are eligible for the transmission opportunity.

[0145] In various embodiments, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to, in an instance in which the traffic access category identifier of the control frame identifies one or more traffic access categories, identify a candidate access point from among the one or more candidate access points that has available traffic of the one or more traffic access categories identified by the traffic access category identifier of the control frame.

[0146] In various embodiments, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, the radio interface 206, or the like, configured to cause the apparatus to transmit a trigger frame at least to the candidate access point with which the transmission opportunity will be shared, wherein the trigger frame comprises at least one of a Common Info Subfield or a User Info Subfield that includes at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

[0147] Referring now to Figure 7, the operations performed, such as by the apparatus 200 of Figure 2, in order to facilitate transmission opportunity sharing between multiple access points, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the method 700 is associated with the functionality of a candidate access point such as candidate access point 304 or candidate access point 306.

[0148] As shown in block 702 of Figure 7, the apparatus 200 includes means, such as the processor 205, the radio inteface 206, or the like, configured to receive a control frame associated with a sharing access point.

[0149] As shown in block 704 of Figure 7, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to determine, based on the control frame, that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be claimed.

[0150] As shown in block 706 of Figure 7, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to determine, based on the control frame, whether available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, such as based on the access category(ies) that the control frame indicates can use the TxOP and the access category(ies) of the data available for transmission by the candidate access point.

[0151] As shown in block 708 of Figure 7, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, or the like, configured to generate a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising, in an instance in which available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, at least a duration request identifier.

[0152] As shown in block 710 of Figure 7, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, the radio interface 206, or the like, configured to provide the transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point. In various embodiments, the apparatus 200 additionally or alternatively includes means, such as the processor 205, the radio interface 206, or the like, configured to, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity such as in an instance in which the available traffic is of an access category that is different than the access category identified by the control frame to be eligible for use of the TxOP, generate an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a traffic access category request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that a candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a different traffic access category (in an instance in which the candidate access point has data to transmit of a different access category) and provide the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

[0153] As described above, Figures 6 and 7 are flowcharts of various methods that can be carried out by, e.g., the apparatus 200, and / or according to a computer program product, according to an example embodiment of the disclosure. A computer program product is therefore defined in those instances in which the computer program instructions, such ascomputer-readable program code portions, are stored by at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with the computer program instructions, such as the computer-readable program code portions, being configured, upon execution, to perform the functions described above, such as, e.g., in conjunction with the flowchart of Figure 6, the flowchart of Figure 7, as part of the communication system of Figure 1, and / or as part of the signal exchange of Figure 3. In other embodiments, the computer program instructions, such as the computer-readable program code portions, need not be stored or otherwise embodied by a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, but may, instead, be embodied by a transitory medium with the computer program instructions, such as the computer-readable program code portions, still being configured, upon execution, to perform the functions described above.

[0154] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by special purpose hardwarebased computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0155] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0156] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments presented herein and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least:determine that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points;generate a control frame comprising at least:a traffic access category identifier; anda duration identifier;transmit the control frame to the one or more candidate access points;receive, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses; anddetermine, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses identify one or more traffic access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic, and wherein in order to determine a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:determine, based on each transmission opportunity sharing poll response, that the one or more access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic are eligible for the transmission opportunity.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the traffic access category identifier of the control frame identifies one or more traffic access categories, and wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to:identify a candidate access point from among the one or more candidate access points that has available traffic of the one or more traffic access categories identified by the traffic access category identifier of the control frame.

4. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the control frame is a buffer status report poll trigger frame.

5. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the traffic access category identifier indicates a minimum traffic access category that can be accommodated by the transmission opportunity.

6. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the control frame further comprises at least one of:a starting position identifier provided as a time offset from a reference point; or a bandwidth identifier.

7. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one processor, and the at least one memory store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to transmit a trigger frame at least to the candidate access point with which the transmission opportunity will be shared, wherein the trigger frame comprises at least one of a Common Info Subfield or a User Info Subfield that includes at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

8. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the Common Info Subfield or the User Info Subfield comprises at least one of:a starting position identifier; ora bandwidth identifier.

9. The apparatus of any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the apparatus is the sharing access point.

10. A method comprising:determining that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be shared with one or more candidate access points;generating a control frame comprising at least:a traffic access category identifier; anda duration identifier;transmitting the control frame to the one or more candidate access points; receiving, from one or more candidate access points, one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses; anddetermining, based on the transmission opportunity sharing poll responses, a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared.

11. The method of Claim 10, wherein the one or more transmission opportunity sharing poll responses identify one or more traffic access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic, and wherein in order to determine a candidate access point for which the transmission opportunity will be shared, the method further comprises:determining, based on each transmission opportunity sharing poll response, that the one or more access categories for which a respective candidate access point has available traffic are eligible for the transmission opportunity.

12. The method of Claim 10 or 11, wherein the traffic access category identifier of the control frame identifies one or more traffic access categories, the method further comprises:identifying a candidate access point from among the one or more candidate access points that has available traffic of the one or more traffic access categories identified by the traffic access category identifier of the control frame.

13. The method of any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the control frame is a buffer status report poll trigger frame.

14. The method of any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the traffic access category identifier indicates a minimum traffic access category that can be accommodated by the transmission opportunity.

15. The method of any one of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the control frame further comprises at least one of:a starting position identifier provided as a time offset from a reference point; or a bandwidth identifier.

16. The method of any one of Claims 10 to 15, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting a trigger frame at least to the candidate access point with which the transmission opportunity will be shared, wherein the trigger frame comprises at least one of a Common Info Subfield or a User Info Subfield that includes at least a traffic access category identifier and a duration identifier.

17. The method of any one of Claims 10 to 16, wherein the Common Info Subfield or the User Info Subfield comprises at least one of:a starting position identifier; ora bandwidth identifier.

18. An apparatus comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:receive a control frame associated with a sharing access point;determine, based on the control frame, that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be claimed;determine, based on the control frame, whether available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity;generate a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising, in an instance in which available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, at least a duration request identifier; andprovide the transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

19. The apparatus of Claim 18, wherein the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of:a traffic volume identifier for one traffic access category; ora traffic volume identifier for multiple traffic access categories; oran indication of all available, eligible traffic access categories.

20. The apparatus of Claim 18 or 19, wherein, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, the at least one processor, and the at least one memory store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:generate an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a traffic access category request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that a candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a different traffic access category; andprovide the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

21. The apparatus of any one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of:a traffic volume request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that the candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a requested traffic volume of the different traffic access category; ora duration request identifier.

22. The apparatus of any one of Claims 18 to 21, wherein in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, no transmission opportunity sharing poll response is generated.

23. The apparatus of any one of Claims 18 to 22, wherein the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises a starting position request identifier.

24. The apparatus of any one of Claims 18 to 23, wherein the transmission opportunity sharing poll response is included in a multi-station block acknowledgement frame.

25. The apparatus of any one of Claims 18 to 24, wherein the apparatus is a candidate access point.

26. A method comprising:receiving a control frame associated with a sharing access point;determining, based on the control frame, that a transmission opportunity of a sharing access point is available to be claimed;determining, based on the control frame, whether available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity;generating a transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising, in an instance in which available traffic is eligible for the transmission opportunity, at least a duration request identifier; andproviding the transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

27. The method of Claim 26, wherein the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of:a traffic volume identifier for one traffic access category; ora traffic volume identifier for multiple traffic access categories; oran indication of all available, eligible traffic access categories.

28. The method of Claim 26 or 27, wherein, in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, the method further comprises:generating an alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response comprising at least a traffic access category request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that a candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a different traffic access category; andproviding the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response for transmission to the sharing access point.

29. The method of any one of Claims 26 to 28, wherein the alternative transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises at least one of:a traffic volume request identifier configured to inform the sharing access point that the candidate access point requests a transmission opportunity for a requested traffic volume of the different traffic access category; ora duration request identifier.

30. The method of any one of Claims 26 to 29, wherein in response to a determination that available traffic is not eligible for the transmission opportunity, no transmission opportunity sharing poll response is generated.

31. The method of any one of Claims 26 to 30, wherein the transmission opportunity sharing poll response further comprises a starting position request identifier.

32. The method of any one of Claims 26 to 31, wherein the transmission opportunity sharing poll response is included in a multi-station block acknowledgement frame.

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