RANDOM ACCESS BASED ON DRIVING IN A MULTIPLE BSSIDS NETWORK

专利摘要:
this disclosure provides systems, methods and devices for allocating wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (bssid) including several bssids, each associated with a corresponding access point from several access points (aps). an ap can allocate random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple bssids using different association identifier (aid) values based on a group aid mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a traffic indication map element (tim). the ap can transmit a trigger frame that contains the number of aid values for the stations belonging to the set of multiple bssids.
公开号:BR112019021629A2
申请号:R112019021629-4
申请日:2018-04-11
公开日:2020-05-12
发明作者:Pramod Patil Abhishek；Asterjadhi Alfred；Cherian George
申请人:Qualcomm Incorporated；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

RANDOM ACCESS BASED ON DRIVING IN A MULTIPLE BSSID NETWORK
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure refers to wireless networks, and, specifically, units of allocation feature in wireless networks.
RELATED TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
[0002] A wireless local area network (WLAN) can be formed by one or more access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless medium for use by several client devices or stations (STAs). Each AP, which can correspond to a Basic Service Set (BSS), can periodically broadcast signaling frames to enable any STAs within the AP's wireless range to establish and maintain a communication link with the WLAN. WLANs that operate according to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards are commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks.
[0003] An AP can create and operate multiple BSSs at the same time, and can assign (or associate) multiple wireless devices to each of the BSSs. Each of the multiple BSSs can operate independently of one another and still use the same AP. Because different BSSs may include different numbers of wireless devices, it may have different security parameters and access privileges, and it may include different types of wireless devices (such as loT devices, Wi-Fi devices, and so on), it may be desirable for the AP to prioritize the allocation of resources between multiple BSSs.
SUMMARY
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[0004] The systems, methods and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, none of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes revealed in this document.
[0005] An innovative aspect of the subject described can be used as a method to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID) including several BSSIDs, each associated with a corresponding access point from several points access points (APs). In some implementations, the method can be performed by a first AP associated with a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx), and each of the other APs can be associated with a corresponding non-transmitted BSSID (non-Tx BSSID). The method may include allocating random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using different association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a traffic indication map element (TIM), and transmit a trigger frame that contains the number of AID values to the stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs. In some implementations, the number of AID values contained in the trigger frame can identify, for the allocation of random access resources, at least one among a group of stations, a specific BSSID, a group of BSSIDs and all stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.
[0006] When the drive frame is transmitted from the BSSID Tx, the transmitter address
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3/100 (TA) of the drive frame is set to the MAC address of the BSSID Tx. The allocation of random access resources may include allocating one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with a BSSID Tx selected from non-Tx BSSIDs by adjusting an AID value to a non-Tx BSSID BSSID index. selected. The trigger frame can contain the AID value adjusted for the BSSID index of the selected non-Tx BSSID to allocate the one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the selected non-Tx BSSID for uplink (UL) transmissions. In addition, or alternatively, the allocation of random access resources may include allocating one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with the BSSID Tx by setting an AID value to zero. The drive frame can contain the AID value set to zero to allocate one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the BSSID Tx for uplink (UL) transmissions. In addition, or alternatively, the allocation of random access resources may include allocating one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by all non-associated stations adjusted by setting an AID value to 2045. The trigger frame it can contain the AID value set to 2045 to be able to allocate one or more random RUs for use by all unassociated stations for uplink (UL) transmissions.
[0007] In other implementations, the first AP can be associated with a non-Tx BSSID, for example, so that the trigger frame is transmitted from the non-Tx BSSID. When the drive frame is transmitted
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4/100 from a non-Tx BSSID, ο ΤΑ of the drive frame is set to the non-Tx BSSID BSSID index. The allocation of random access resources may include allocating one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the non-Tx BSSID by setting an AID value to zero. The trigger frame can contain the AID value set to zero to allocate one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the non-Tx BSSID for UL transmissions. In addition, or alternatively, the allocation of random access resources may include allocating one or more random resource units (RUs) to all unassociated stations adjusted by adjusting an AID value to 2045. The trigger frame may contain the AID value adjusted to 2045 to be able to allocate one or more random RUs to all non-associated stations for UL transmissions.
[0008] In some implementations, the management framework may include an element of multiple BSSIDs that indicates that the first AP operates the set of multiple BSSIDs and is associated with the BSSID Tx. The element of multiple BSSIDs can also indicate a BSSID index for the first AP and a BSSID index for each of the number of other APs. In addition, or alternatively, the management board may include a random access parameter element (RAPS) that indicates values of the multiple access containment window by division and orthogonal frequency for stations associated with the first AP. The management framework may also include, for each of the number of other APs, a corresponding RAPS element
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5/100 that indicates OFDMA contention window values for stations associated with the respective AP of the other APs.
[0009] Another innovative aspect of the subject described in this disclosure can be implemented in a first access point (AP) to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID) including a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx ) and several non-transmitted BSSIDs (non-Tx BSSIDs). The BSSID Tx can be associated with the first AP, and each of the non-Tx BSSIDs can be associated with a corresponding AP from several other APs. In some implementations, the first AP can include one or more processors and a memory. The memory can store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the first AP to allocate random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using different association identifier (AID) values with based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a traffic indication map (TIM) element; and transmit a trigger frame that contains the number of AID values for the stations belonging to the multiple BSSID set. The execution of the instructions can also cause the first AP to transmit a management board that includes the partial virtual bitmap containing the group AID mapping.
[0010] Another innovative aspect of the subject described in this disclosure can be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The medium readable by
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6/100 non-transitory computers can store instructions that, when executed by one or more processors from a first access point (AP), cause the first AP to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers ( BSSID) including a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx) and several non-transmitted BSSIDs (non-Tx BSSIDs). The BSSID Tx can be associated with the first AP, and each of the non-Tx BSSIDs can be associated with a corresponding AP from several other APs. In some implementations, the execution of the instructions can cause the first AP to perform several operations including: allocating random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using different association identifier (AID) values based on in a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a traffic indication map (TIM) element, and may include transmitting a trigger frame containing the number of AID values to the stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, where the BSSID Tx is associated with the first AP and each of the non-Tx BSSIDs is associated with a corresponding AP from several other APs.
[0011] Another innovative aspect of the subject described in this disclosure in a first access point (AP) to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID) including a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx) and several BSSIDs not transmitted (BSSIDs not Tx). The BSSID Tx can be associated with the first AP, and each of the non-Tx BSSIDs can be associated with a corresponding AP and the
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7/100 several other APs. In some implementations, the first AP may include means to allocate random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using the various association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a traffic indication map (TIM) element; and means for transmitting a trigger frame containing the number of AID values to stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.
[0012] the details of one or more implementations of the subject described in this disclosure are presented in the accompanying drawings in the description below. Other features, aspects and advantages will become evident from the description, drawings and claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the figures below may not be scaled.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Figure IA shows a block diagram of a wireless system within which aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented.
[0014] Figure 1B shows a block diagram of another wireless system within which aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented.
[0015] Figure 2A shows an exemplary element of Multiple Basic Service Sets (BSSID).
[0016] Figure 2B shows an exemplary element of Basic Service Set Identification (BSSID) capabilities.
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[0017] Figure 2C shows an exemplary multiple BSSIDss index element.
[0018] Figure 2D shows an exemplary Flexible Multiple Diffusion Service (FMS) descriptor element.
[0019] Figure 2E shows an exemplary partial virtual bitmap field.
[0020] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an example wireless station.
[0021] Figure 4 shows an example access point block diagram.
[0022] Figure 5A shows an example subcarrier allocation diagram for 20 MHz bandwidth.
[0023] Figure 5B shows an example subcarrier allocation diagram for a 40 MHz bandwidth.
[0024] Figure 5C shows an exemplary subcarrier allocation diagram for a bandwidth of 80 MHz.
[0025] Figure 6A shows a sequence diagram that depicts an allocation of exemplary dedicated resource units (RUs) for various wireless stations.
[0026] Figure 6B shows a sequence diagram that depicts an allocation of exemplary random RUs to several wireless stations.
[0027] Figure 7 shows a sequence diagram that depicts an allocation of random RUs
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Example 9/100 for a selected Basic Service Set (BSS).
[0028] Figure 8 shows a sequence diagram that depicts an allocation of dedicated RUs and
Random RUs exemplary for diverse STAs belonging to a set of multiple BSS IDs.[0029] Figure 9 show a board in exemplary drive. [0030] Figure 10A show One field in Common Information exemplary. [0031] Figure 10B show One field in Information by example User. [0032] Figure 10C show an element in
Exemplary Set of Random Access Parameters (RAPS).
[0033] Figure 11A shows an illustrative flowchart that depicts an exemplary operation to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID).
[0034] Figure 11B shows an illustrative flowchart that depicts an exemplary operation to allocate random resource units (RUs) in a drive frame transmitted from a transmitted BSSID.
[0035] Figure 11C shows an illustrative flowchart that depicts an exemplary operation to allocate random resource units (RUs) in a drive frame transmitted from an untransmitted BSSID.
[0036] Figure 12 shows an illustrative flowchart that depicts another exemplary operation
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10/100 to allocate wireless resources from a set of multiple BSSIDs to multiple stations.
[0037] Figure 13 shows an illustrative flowchart that depicts an exemplary operation to operate a wireless station on a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID).
[0038] Similar reference numbers refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] The following description is intended for certain implementations for the purpose of describing the innovative aspects of this disclosure. However, an element having common skill in the art will readily recognize that the teachings in this document can be applied in a multitude of different ways. The implementations described can be implemented on any device, system or network that is capable of transmitting and receiving RE signals according to any of the IEEE 16.11 standards, or any of the IEEE 802.11 standards, the Bluetooth ® standard, multiple access by division code (CDMA), multiple frequency division access (FDMA), multiple moment division access (TDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), GSM / General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), GSM Environment Enhanced Data (EDGE), Terrestrial Truncated Radio (TETRA), Broadband CDMA (W-CDMA), Optimized Evolution Data (EVDO), IxEV-DO, EV-DO Rev A, EV-DO Rev B, Access High Speed Packet (HSPA), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), Access
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Evolved High Speed Package (HSPA +), Long Term Evolution (LTE), AMPS or other known signals that are used to communicate within a wireless, cellular or Internet of Things (IOT) network, as a system, which uses 3G, 4G or 5G, or additional implementations thereof, technology.
[0040] A set of multiple basic service set identifications (BSSID) can include a plurality of basic service sets (BSSs), each associated with or operated by an access point (AP) or corresponding virtual access point. All APs belonging to a set of multiple BSSIDs use a common operating class, a common channel, common channel access mechanisms and a common antenna connector. In addition, the BSSIDs assigned to the APs belonging to the multiple BSSIDss share the same 48-n MSBs, and the BSSIDs assigned to the APs are not available as MAC addresses for stations using different operating classes, channel connector or antenna. In a set of multiple BSSIDs, one of the APs and their associated BSSIDs can be designated as transmitted BSSID (or the BSSID Tx), and the other APs and their associated BSSs can be designated as non-transmitted BSSIDs (or the non-Tx BSSIDs). Thus, the terms transmitted BSSID and BSSID Tx can be used interchangeably in this document, and the terms BSSID not transmitted and BSSID non-Tx can be used interchangeably in this document.
[0041] Implementations of the subject described in this disclosure can be used to prioritize allocation
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12/100 resource units (RUs) between basic service sets (BSSs) in a set of multiple BSSIDs. In some implementations, an access point (AP) may prioritize the allocation of random RUs to each of a plurality of BSSs based on at least one of the number of STAs associated with each of the BSSs, types of traffic in each of the BSSs, traffic flow priority levels in each of the BSSs, security parameters associated with each of the BSSs, access privileges of wireless devices belonging to each of the BSSs, types of wireless devices belonging to each of the BSSs , quality of service (QoS) parameters associated with each of the BSSs, wireless device latency or delay requirements pertaining to each of the BSSs, and any other appropriate factors or parameters.
[0042] The particular implementations of the subject described in this disclosure can be implemented to realize one or more potential advantages to follow. The ability to allocate random RUs to one or more selected BSSs or to STAs associated with one or more specific BSSs (such as instead of allocating random RUs to all BSSs controlled or operated by the AP) can increase the utilization and efficiency of a medium wireless shared by BSSs. For an example, if a first BSS includes 100 wireless devices and a second BSS includes 3 wireless devices, then the AP can find more random RUs for the first BSS, for example, because more wireless devices belong to the first BSS than the second BSS and therefore the first BSS is likely to have a greater amount of wireless traffic than
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13/100 the second BSS. In this way, the AP can ensure that the 3 wireless devices belonging to the second BSS do not receive a disproportionate share of the random RUs associated with the shared wireless medium (as compared to conventional resource allocation techniques that allocate equal amounts of random RUs for the first and second BSSs). For another example, if a first BSS includes 4 smart phones that can often facilitate VoIP calls (or other high priority traffic) and a second BSS includes 10 smart sensors typically associated with low priority traffic, then the AP can allocate more random RUs for the first BSS, for example, due to the 4 smart phones belonging to the first BSS having higher traffic classes and lower latency tolerances than the 10 smart sensors belonging to the second BSS. In some implementations, aspects of the present disclosure can be used to coordinate the allocation of random RUs to different BSSs from a set of multiple BSSIDs in a way that can increase the fairness with which all devices (such as STAs) belonging to a set multiple BSSIDs can compete with each other to access random RUs.
[0043] As used in this document, the term associated STA refers to a STA that is associated with a given AP, and the term unassociated STA refers to a STA that is not associated with a given AP. In addition, as used in this document, the term directed drive frame can refer to a drive frame that directs each of several
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STAs identified in the trigger frame to transmit uplink (UL) multiple user (MU) data in a resource unit allocated to the STA, and the term random trigger frame can refer to a trigger frame that allows any Receiving STA transmits MU MU data on one or more shared resource units indicated on the trigger board. In addition, a Random Access Parameter Set (RAPS) element can also be called a Random Access Parameter Set element based on OFDMA of (UORA). Thus, the terms RAPS element and UORA Parameter Set element can be used interchangeably in this document.
[0044] Figure IA is a block diagram of a wireless system 100 within which aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented. Wireless system 100 is shown to include four wireless stations STA1 to STA4, a wireless access point (AP) 110 and a wireless local area network (WLAN) 120. WLAN 120 can be formed by a plurality of access points Wi-Fi access points (APs) that can operate according to the IEEE 802.11 family of standards (or according to other suitable wireless protocols). Thus, although only one AP 110 is shown in Figure IA for simplicity, it should be understood that WLAN 120 can be formed by any number of access points, such as AP 110. AP 110 can be assigned an address exclusive access control to the medium (MAC) that is programmed in it, for example, by the manufacturer of the access point. Similarly, each of the stations STA1 to STA4 can be
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15/100 also assigned to a unique MAC address. In some respects, the AP 110 can assign an identifying value
association (AID) a each one of stations STA1 to STA4, for example, in mode what the AP 110 can identify at STA1 stations The STA4 with the use of your values AID assigned. [0045] In some implementations, the WLAN 120
it can allow multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) communications between the AP 110 and stations STA1 to STA4. MIMO communications can include single user MIMO (SU-MIMO) and multiple user MIMO (MU-MIMO) communications. In some respects, WLAN 120 may use a multi-channel access mechanism, such as an orthogonal frequency and division multiple access mechanism (OFDMA). Although WLAN 120 is depicted in Figure IA as a set of basic infrastructure services (BSS), in other implementations, WLAN 120 can be a set of independent basic services (IBSS), an ad-hoc network or a point network to point (P2P) (how to operate according to Direct Wi-Fi protocols).
[0046] Each of the stations STA1 to STA4 can be any suitable wireless device that includes, for example, a cell phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet type device, laptop type computer or similar. Each of the stations STA1 to STA4 can also be called a user equipment (UE), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device a wireless communication device, a remote device, a station
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16/100 mobile subscriber, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a customer or any other suitable terminology. In some implementations, each of the stations STA1 to STA4 can include one or more transceivers, one or more processing resources, one or more memory resources and a power supply (such as a battery). Memory resources may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as one or more non-volatile memory elements, such as EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, a hard drive, etc.) that stores instructions for performing operations described below in relation to Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13.
[0047] The AP 110 can be any suitable device that allows one or more wireless devices to connect to a network (such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN) or the Internet) via the AP 110 using wireless communications, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular communications. In some implementations, the AP 110 may include one or more transceivers, one or more processing resources, one or more memory resources and a power supply. Memory resources may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as one or more non-volatile memory elements, such as EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, a hard drive, etc.) that it stores to perform operations described below in relation to the Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13.
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[0048] For stations STA1 to STA4 and ο AP 110, the one or more transceivers may include Wi-Fi transceivers, Bluetooth transceivers, cellular transceivers and any other radio frequency (RF) transceivers (not shown for the sake of simplicity) to transmit and receive wireless communication signals. Each transceiver can communicate with other wireless devices in different operating frequency bands, using different communication protocols, or both. For example, the Wi-Fi transceiver may be communicating within a 900 MHz frequency band, a 2.4 GHz frequency band, a 5 GHz frequency band and a 60 MHz frequency band according to the IEEE 802.11 standards. The Bluetooth transceiver can communicate within the 2.4 GHz frequency band according to the standards provided by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (GIS), according to the IEEE 802.15 standards or both. The cellular transceiver can communicate with various RF frequency bands in accordance with any suitable cellular communications standard.
[0049] Figure 1B is a block diagram of an exemplary set of multiple BSSIDs 130 within which aspects of the present disclosure can be implemented. The set of multiple BSSIDs 130 includes a plurality of sets of basic services BSS0 to BSSk, each associated with or operated by a corresponding access point 140 (or virtual access point), such as AP 140. An AP can announce the existence of the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 and identify the sets of basic services BSS0 to individual BSSk that belong
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18/100 to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 in a single management framework (such as a signaling board or a probe response board). In some implementations, the management framework may include an element of multiple BSSIDss to disclose a multiple BSSIDss capability of the AP and the existence of multiple sets of basic services (BSSs) operated or controlled by the AP. The ability for multiple BSSIDss may indicate an ability to advertise information to multiple BSSIDs using a single signaling frame or probe response frame (instead of using multiple signaling frames or multiple probe response frames). In some implementations, the ability for multiple BSSIDss may indicate the ability to use a single traffic indication map (TIM) element to indicate a presence of group address traffic to deliver to any of the basic BSSO service sets to BSSk belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 and to indicate the presence of downlink data (DL) in queue for one or more individual STAs regardless of which of the sets of basic services BSSO to BSSk the individual STAs are associated with.
[0050] Each STA that receives the element of multiple BSSIDss can respond to the AP and indicate whether the STA is capable of supporting multiple BSSs. In some implementations, if an STA supports multiple BSSID capacities, then the STA can confirm a corresponding bit in an Extended Capacities IE that is transmitted to the AP in a frame or packet. In some respects, STA may provide the Extended Capabilities IE in a request
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19/100 probe (as during active scan operations). In other respects, STA can provide the Extended Capabilities IE in an association request (such as during passive scan operations). If the capabilities of multiple BSSIDss are supported, then the AP can transmit signaling frames using any basic transmission rate that is supported by all BSSs associated with or controlled by the AP.
[0051] Each of the sets of basic services BSSO to BSSk can be assigned a different index of BSSID, for example, so that the AP and each set of wireless stations STAs can distinguish between data transmissions corresponding to each one of the different sets of basic services BSSO to BSSk. In some implementations, the BSSID index assigned to each of the basic BSSO service sets to BSSk can be a unique identifier (such as a 48-bit unique identifier). In some respects, BSSID indexes can be used as filtering addresses, for example, so that only STAs wireless stations associated with a particular BSS can receive and decode frames or frames intended for reception by owned or associated wireless devices. to the given BSS.
[0052] For purposes of discussion in this document, the set of basic BSSO services is designated as the BSSID Tx, and can transmit management tables that contain the element of multiple BSSIDss. The other sets of basic services BSS1 to BSSk are designated as non-Tx BSSIDs, and do not transmit management frames that contain the element of multiple
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BSSIDss. In some implementations, the BSSID Tx is assigned an index of BSSID = 0, and can be used as a reference index on which the BSSID index indices of non-Tx BSSIDs are based. For example, the set of basic services BSS1 can be assigned to an index of BSSID = 1, the set of basic services BSS2 can be assigned to the index of BSSID = 2, the set of basic services BSS3 can be assigned to an index of BSSID = 3, and so on, and the set of basic services BSSk can be assigned an index of BSSID = k. Using a range of index values between 0 and k to identify each of the BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 may allow a TIM element in a management board to indicate the presence of group address traffic for each of the BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 as described in more detail below in relation to Figure 2E.
[0053] For the exemplary set of multiple BSSIDs 130 of Figure 1B, the BSSID Tx (corresponding to the set of basic services BSS0) is shown to include associated stations STA1 to STA9, the first non-Tx BSSID (corresponding to the set of basic services BSS 1) is shown to include stations STA10 to STA50 associated, the second non-Tx BSSID (corresponding to the basic service set BSS2) is shown to include stations STA51 to STA55, the third non-Tx BSSID (corresponding to the basic service set BSS3) is shown to include stations STA60 to STA70 associated, and so on, where k * BSSID not Tx (corresponding to the basic service set BSSk) is shown to include stations STA90 to STA99
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21/100 members. In other exemplary implementations, each of the basic BSSO to BSSk service sets can include other suitable station numbers.
[0054] An AP (such as AP 140) can assign a unique AID value to each of the stations STA1 to STA99 belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130, for example, so that each of the stations STA1 to STA99 can be identified and addressed individually by TIM elements that indicate a presence of downlink data (DL) from main memory and by drive frames that allocate resource units (RUs) for the transmission of uplink data (UL). In some implementations, a number of AID values may be reserved to indicate the presence of group address traffic to the BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSIDs 130, and may not be assigned to any of the stations STA1 through STA99.
[0055] A trigger frame can contain one or more fields of User Information (FIUs). In some implementations, a trigger frame transmitted by an AP can include multiple FIUs. Each of the FIUs can assign a resource unit (RU) in which a receiving STA can use to transmit uplink (UL) traffic to the AP. In some implementations, each FIU may include a subfield of AID12 that contains the AID of the STA to which a corresponding RU is allocated. In some respects, only the STA identified by the AID value in the FIU can transmit UL data in the allocated RU (hereinafter referred to as a dedicated RU). In addition, or alternatively, the IDA in a FIU of a staff of
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22/100 trigger can be set to a special value that allows the allocated RUs to be shared by multiple STAs. These shared RUs can be called random RUs. For an example, the AID can be set to zero (0) to allocate random RUs to a group of associated STAs that have not allocated any dedicated RUs. For another example, the AID can be set to 2045 to allocate random RUs to all unassociated STAs.
[0056] As depicted in the example in Figure 1B, AP 140 can operate the basic service sets BSS1 to BSSk associated with non-Tx BSSIDs using a corresponding number of virtual access points VAP1 to VAPk. Each of the virtual access points VAP1 to VAPk can manage a corresponding set of basic services from the sets of basic services BSS1 to BSSk, respectively, and can operate in a similar way to an independent access point. Although the VAP1 to VAPk virtual access points can be contained or physically integrated within a single access point or device (such as the AP 140), each of the VAP1 to VAPk virtual access points can use (or be assigned) one different transmitter (TA) address when transmitting frames to STAs belonging to a corresponding BSSS of the BSSs, and can use (or be assigned) a different receiver (RA) address when receiving frames from STAs belonging to a corresponding BSS from the BSSs. In this way, the various stations STA1 to STA99 belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 can distinguish between the BSSID Tx and the non-Tx BSSIDs corresponding to the basic service sets
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23/100 corresponding BSSO to BSSk, respectively, when transmitting and receiving data. The assignment of a different TA and a different RA to each of the VAP1 virtual access points to VAPk may also allow a new station (such as a station not yet associated with any AP) to identify the existence of the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 and identify each of the sets of basic services BSSO to BSSk which belong to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130.
[0057] The element of multiple BSSIDss may also allow an AP to indicate the presence of group address traffic to the BSSID Tx, to indicate the presence of group address traffic to each of the non-Tx BSSIDs, and to indicate the presence of downlink data (DL) queued for STAs associated with any of the different BSSs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 (regardless of whether the STAs are associated with the BSSID Tx or one of the non-Tx BSSIDs) using a single traffic indication map (TIM) element. The TIM element can be transmitted in a single management frame (such as a signaling frame or a probe response frame). In some implementations, the mappings between the bits contained in a partial virtual bitmap included in the TIM element and in the AID values corresponding to stations STA1 to STA99 and the BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 can be used by revealed trigger frames in this document to allocate not only dedicated resource units (RUs) for stations STA1 to STA99 in the set of multiple BSSIDs 130, but also random RUs for one or more BSSIDs
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Specific 24/100 in the set of multiple BSSIDs. The allocation of dedicated RUs and / or random RUs in drive frames is described in more detail in relation to Figures 8 and 11 to 12.
[0058] Figure 2A shows an exemplary multiple BSSIDss 200 element. The multiple BSSIDss element 200, which can be used by an AP to indicate that the AP belongs to a set of multiple BSSIDs (such as the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 that includes the basic service sets BSS0 to BSSk in Figure 1B), is shown to include an element ID field 201, a field of length 202, a maximum BSSID indicator field 203 and an optional Subelements field 204. The element ID field 201 can store a value indicating the type of element (as an element of multiple BSSIDss). The length field 202 can store a value indicating an element length of multiple BSSIDss 200. The maximum BSSID indicator field 203 can store a value indicating the maximum possible number of BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSIDs. In some ways, the actual number of BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSIDs may not be flagged explicitly. The Maximum BSSID 203 indicator field can store a value of n to indicate a maximum number of 2 ⁿ of BSSIDs supported by the AP. In some respects, a management framework (such as a signaling board or a probe response board) may include more than one element of multiple BSSIDss 210.
[0059] In some implementations, the BSSID Tx BSSID index may be referred to as the BSSID Tx index
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25/100 BSSID reference, and the BSSID indices of other non-Tx BSSIDs may be based on (or indexed against) the BSSID reference index. In some respects, the BSSID index (i) corresponding to the BSSID-th in the set of multiple BSSIDs can be derived from the reference BSSID index (BSSID REF) as shown below:
BSSID (i) = BSSID_A | BSSID_B,
Where BSSID A is a BSSID index with MSBs (48-n) equal to the MSBs (48-n) of the BSSID reference index and n LSBs equal to 0; BSSID_B is an index of BSSID with MSBs (48— n) equal to 0 n LSBs equal to [(n LSBs of REF BSSID) + i] mode 2. In these implementations, when the multiple element BSSIDss 200 is transmitted in a frame of signaling or in a probe response frame, the BSSID index of the frame
is adjusted to index reference BSSID (like the index of BSSID of the AP who transmitted the board in signaling ). [ 0060] 0 field Subelements optional 204
can store no or more additional sub-elements. For the example in Figure 2A, the Subelements 204 field is shown to include a non-Tx 205 BSSID profile. The non-Tx 205 BSSID profile can contain a list of elements for one or more APs (or virtual APs) associated with the BSSIDs not Tx. In some respects, the non-Tx 205 BSSID profile may contain at least one non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element, an SSID and BSSID 220 index element, and an FMS230 descriptor element. The non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element, the SSID and BSSID 220 index element, and the
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FMS230 are described below in relation to Figures 2B, 2C and 2D respectively.
[0061] Figure 2B shows an exemplary non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element. The non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element can be used by the BSSID Tx to publicize its support for multiple BSSs (such as the basic BSS0 to BSSk service sets). In some implementations, the non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element can be included in the entire broadcast of signaling frames by the BSSID Tx. In other implementations, the non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element can be included in the broadcast of signaling frames selected by the BSSID Tx. The non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element is shown to include an element ID 211 field, a length field 212, a non-Tx 213 BSSID capacity field, a BSS control field with Multiple Directional Gigabits (DMG) and a non-Tx BSSID capabilities field with DMG 215. The element ID field 211 can store one that indicates the type of element (such as a non-Tx BSSID capabilities element). The length field 212 can store a value indicating a length of the multi-capacity element BSSIDss 200.
[0062] The Non-Tx BSSID Capacity field
213 includes the contents of the Capacity Information field in signaling to the BSS when transmitted by a non-DMG STA DMG. The BSS Control field with DMG
214 and the Non-Tx BSSID Capabilities Element with DMG 215 may not be present when the transmission device is a non-DMG STA DMG.
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[0063] Figure 2C shows an exemplary multiple BSSIDss 220 index element. The multiple index element BSSIDss 220, which can be included in the multiple BSSIDss element and used by the BSSID Tx to identify a corresponding non-Tx BSSID and its DTIM parameters, is shown to include an element ID field 221, a field length 222, a BSSID index 223, an optional delayed traffic indication map (DTIM) period 224 and an optional DTIM count 225. Element ID field 221 can store a value indicating the type of element (as an index element of multiple BSSIDss). The length field 222 can store a value indicating an IE length of multiple index BSSIDss 220. The BSSID index field
223 can store a value between 1 and 2-l that identifies the corresponding non-Tx BSSID, where n is a non-zero and positive integer value that indicates the number of bits in the BSSID index (and 2 ⁿ indicates the maximum number of BSSIDs supported). In some respects, one or more index values may not be active, in which case, the multiple index element BSSIDss 220 may indicate which of the index values is active. The DTIM period field
224 indicates the DTIM period for the BSSID, for example, by storing a value that indicates how many signaling intervals occur between DTIM signaling frame transmissions. The DTIM 225 count field indicates the number of signaling intervals that remain until the next DTIM signaling frame is broadcast to the BSSID.
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[0064] In some implementations, the multiple index element BSSIDss220 can include both the DTIM Period field 224 and the DTIM count field 225 when transmitted in a signaling frame, and the multiple index element BSSIDss 220 can do not include the DTIM 224 Period field or the DTIM 225 count field when transmitted in a probe response frame. In other implementations, the BSSIDss220 multiple index element may include the DTIM Period field 224 or the DTIM count field 225 when transmitted in a probe response frame.
[0065] In some implementations, the SSID can be provided in all signaling frames, while the EMS Descriptor element can be provided in selected signaling frames based, for example, on the possibility of the TIM element of the signaling frame. signaling indicate the presence of DL data queued for STAs that are associated with one or more non-Tx BSSIDs. In some respects, the EMS Descriptor element may be included in the non-Tx BSSID Profile subelement of a particular signaling frame if the TIM field in the signaling frame indicates a presence of frames addressed to the main memory group for the BSSID no corresponding Tx. On the other hand, the EMS Descriptor element may not be included in the non-Tx BSSID Profile subelement of a particular signaling frame if the TIM field of the signaling frame does not indicate a presence of frames addressed to the main memory group for the corresponding non-Tx BSSID.
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[0066] Figure 2D shows an FMS 230 descriptor element. The FMS 230 descriptor element can be used by the AP 110 to provide information about frames addressed to the main memory group in the BSSID Tx. The FMS230 descriptor element can be included within the broadcast of signaling frames from the BSSID Tx. In some implementations, the FMS descriptor element 230 may be included in the non-Tx BSSID Profile subelement and the multiple BSSIDss element is included in a signaling frame if the TIM field indicates that there are frames addressed to the main memory group for BSSID not Tx.
[0067] The descriptor element of FMS230 is shown to include an element ID field 231, a field of length 232, several fields of FSM counters 233, a field of FMS counters 234 and a field of FSM IDs 235 The element ID field 231 can store a value indicating the type of element (such as an FMS descriptor element). The length field 232 can store a value indicating a length of the descriptor element of FMS230. If no FMS stream is accepted by the BSSID Tx, then the length can be set to zero. Otherwise, the length can be adjusted to a value = 1 + m + n, where n is an integer that indicates the number of FMS counters and m is an integer that indicates the number of FMS IDs present in the IE of FMS descriptor 230. The FSM counter field number 233 can store a value that indicates the number of FMS counters contained in the FMS descriptor IE 230. A presence of the FSM ID field 235 in the
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30/100 FMS230 descriptor element can indicate that the BSSID Tx has main memory downlink data programmed for delivery to the addressed group immediately after the transmission of the next DTIM signaling frame.
[0068] In some implementations, the BSSID Tx can provide a partial list of non-Tx BSSID profiles in signaling frames when advertising non-Tx BSSID profiles. In other implementations, BSSID Tx can provide different sets of non-Tx BSSID profiles in different signaling frames when advertising non-Tx BSSID profiles. Similarly, in some implementations, BSSID Tx may provide a partial list of non-Tx BSSID profiles in probe response frames, and in other implementations, it may provide different sets of non-Tx BSSID profiles in different probe response frames. In some aspects, a STA can receive all profiles of signaling frames previously received (or response frames to the probe). In other respects, an STA can obtain all BSSID profiles by transmitting a probe request frame to the AP associated with the BSSID Tx, which in turn can provide the BSSID profiles to the STA in one or more frames response to the probe.
[0069] Figure 2E shows a portion 240 of a TIM element that includes an exemplary bitmap control field 241 and an exemplary partial virtual bitmap 242. In some implementations, portion 240 includes several octets of the traffic indication bitmap of the TIM element of a management frame transmitted from a BSSID Tx. The maximum number
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31/100 possible supported BSSIDs can be denoted as 2 ⁿ , and an integer k can indicate the number of non-Tx BSSIDs supported by the AP, where k <(2 ⁿ - 1). The group AID mapping (which can also be called AID mapping addressed to the group) in the TIM element of a management framework can be referenced (or indexed from) to the AP that transmitted the signaling framework. In some implementations, group AID mapping on the TIM element can also be used in trigger frames to allocate dedicated RUs for STAs and / or random RUs specific to individual sets of basic services (such as one or more selected BSSIDs belonging to a multiple BSSIDs) as described in more detail below in relation to Figures 8 and 11 to 12.
[0070] For the example in Figure 2E, bitmap control field 241 includes 2 ⁿ = 2 ³ = 8 bits (denoted by bit positions B0 to B7), and can be used for a set of multiple BSSIDs that includes up to eight BSSIDs. Bit B0 of bitmap control field 241 contains the traffic indication virtual bitmap bit associated with BSSID Tx, and the remaining 7 bits of bitmap control field 241 form the bitmap offset. . The bitmap offset can be used to identify the BSSID index assigned to each of the non-Tx BSSIDs in relation to the BSSID Tx BSSID index. For example, BSSID Tx can be assigned an index of BSSID = 0, a first non-Tx BSSID can be assigned an index of BSSID = 1, a second non-Tx BSSID can be assigned an index of BSSID = 2, and so on. In
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32/100 In some respects, bits BO to B7 of bitmap control field 241 correspond to AID values 0 to 8, respectively, so that BSSID Tx can be identified by an AID = 0, the first BSSID not Tx can be identified by an AID = 1, the second non-Tx BSSID can be identified by an AID = 2, and so on. In this way, bitmap control field 241 can provide a mapping between the BSSID index values and the AID values. Additionally, because AID values 0 to 7 are assigned to the eight BSSIDs in the set of multiple BSSIDs, an AID = 9 is the lowest possible AID value that can be assigned to an STA belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.
[0071] In some implementations, the partial virtual bitmap 242 can be described as including a portion of BSSID 242A and a portion of STA 242B. For the example in Figure 2E, the BSSID 242A portion includes eight bits (denoted as bit positions B0 to B7) that can
indicate a presence in traffic in Address in group for a corresponding BSSID of eights BSSIDs supported In some aspects, the bit B0 of the BSSID portion 242A can indicate a presence in traffic in Address in group for associated stations to BSSID Tx , θ the bits BI to B7 can indicate a presence in traffic in Address in group for
a corresponding non-Tx BSSID of the seven non-Tx BSSIDs. More specifically, with reference also to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 of Figure IB, bit B0 can indicate whether the AP corresponding to BSSID Tx (which has a BSSID index = 0 and AID = 0) has multi-diffusion DL data in queue for its associated stations, the BI bit can indicate whether the
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AP (or the virtual AP) corresponding to the non-Tx BSSID that has a BSSID index = 1 and AID = 1 has queued multicast DL data for its associated stations, bit B2 can indicate whether the AP (or AP virtual) corresponding to the non-Tx BSSID that has a BSSID = 2 and AID = 2 index has queued multicast DL data for its associated stations, the B3 bit can indicate whether the AP (or virtual AP) corresponding to the BSSID no Tx that has a BSSID index = 3 and AID = 3 has queued multicast DL data for its associated stations, and so on.
[0072] When the DTIM count field in a management frame has a value of zero for a BSS that includes a non-Tx BSSID, and one or more frames addressed to the group are stored in the main memory in the AP for the BSSID Tx , bits Bl to B7 in the BSSID portion 242A of partial virtual bitmap 242 can each be set to 1 to indicate the presence of queued multicast downlink (DL) data for each of the non-BSSIDs. Corresponding rates. For the example in Figure 2E, bit B3 in the BSSID portion 242A (denoted as reference circle 243A) is set to 1 to indicate that the non-Tx BSSID that has a BSSID index = 3 has multicast DL data in queue to be delivered.
[0073] For the example of Figure 2E, the portion of STA 242B includes bits starting at position 2 ⁿ = 8 of the partial virtual bitmap 242 (which also corresponds to an AID = 8). Each of the bits in the STA 242B portion can be used to indicate the presence of queued DL data for an individual STA belonging to the set of
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34/100 multiple BSSIDs. In some implementations, each of the bits in the STA 242B portion of the partial virtual bitmap 242 can correspond to the AID value assigned to the respective STA of the STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, and therefore can be used to indicate a presence of DL data in queue for the respective STA, regardless of the possibility of the respective STA being associated with the BSSID Tx or being associated with one of the non-Tx BSSIDs. In this way, partial virtual bitmap 242 can be used to indicate a presence of queued DL data for any one or more STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130.
[0074] For the example in Figure 2E, the partial virtual bitmap 242 indicates that the AP has DL data queued for the STA which has an AID value = 12 (as denoted as reference circle 243B), has data DL queued for STA that has an AID value = 17 (as denoted as a reference circle 243 C), has DL queued data for STA that has an AID value = 22 (as denoted as a reference circle 243D), and has DL data queued for STA which has an AID value = 24 (as denoted as reference circle 243E).
[0075] In some implementations, an STA can determine whether any of the APs in the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 have DL data queued to the STA by examining just two bits of a partial virtual bitmap 242 contained in a frame. management: one of the two bits is an AID value in the BSSID portion 242A that indicates a presence of group address traffic to the STA associated BSSID, and the other of the two bits is an AID value
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35/100 in the portion of STA 242B that indicates a presence of DL data queued for the STA in any of the APs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs. For example, with reference also to Figure 1B, if an STA is associated with a non-Tx BSSID that has a BSSID index = 3 and has an assigned AID value = 12, then the STA can examine the value stored in the bit position B3 (corresponding to an AID value and a BSSID index = 3) in the BSSID 242A portion to determine whether its associated AP has group address traffic to its BSSID, and can examine the value stored in the corresponding STA 242B portion to the value of AID = 12 to determine whether any of the APs (or virtual APs) belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 have DL data for the STA.
[0076] In this way, any STA contained in a set of multiple BSSIDs may be able to determine whether any of the APs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs have DL data for the STA based on (1) the BSSID index of their AP and (2) its own IDA value.
[0077] Figure 3 shows an exemplary STA 300. In some implementations, STA 300 can be an example of one or more wireless stations STA1 to STA4 of Figure IA or one or more wireless stations STA1 to STA99 of Figure IB. The STA 300 may include a display 302, input / output (I / O) components 304, a physical layer device (PHY) 310, a media access controller (MAC) 320, a processor 330, a memory 340 and several antennas 350 (1) to 350 (n). Display 302 can be any suitable display or screen on which items can be viewed.
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36/100 presented to a user (such as to view, read or watch). In some respects, the display 302 can be a touch sensitive display that allows user interaction with the STA 300 and that allows the user to control one or more STA 300 operations. I / O 304 components can be or include any mechanism, interface or device suitable for receiving input (such as commands) from the user and providing the output to the user. For example, I / O 304 components may include (but are not limited to
a) a graphical user interface, keyboard, mouse, microphone, speakers and so on.
[0078] PHY 310 can include at least several transceivers 311 and a baseband processor 312. Transceivers 311 can be coupled to antennas 350 (1) to 350 (n), directly or via an antenna selection circuit (not shown for simplicity). Transceivers 311 can be used to transmit signals and receive signals from the AP 110 and other STAs (see also Figures IA and 1B), and can be used to scan the surrounding environment to detect and identify access points and other STAs (such as within the wireless range of the STA 300). Although not shown in Figure 3 for simplicity, transceivers 311 can include any number of transmission chains for processing and transmitting signals to other wireless devices via antennas 350 (1) to 350 (n), and can include any number of receive strings to process antenna signals 350 (1) to 350 (n). In some implementations, the STA 300 can be configured for MIMO operations. MIMO operations
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37/100 may include SU-MIMO operations and MU-MIMO operations. The STA 300 can also be configured for OFDMA communications and other suitable multiple access mechanisms, for example, as it can be provided for IEEE 802.llax standards.
[0079] The baseband processor 312 can be used to process signals from processor 330 or memory 340 (or both) to route processed signals to transceivers 311 for transmission through one or more antennas 350 (1) to 350 (n), and can be used to process signals received from one or more antennas 350 (1) to 350 (n) through transceivers 311 and route processed signals to processor 330 or memory 340 (or both).
[0080] MAC 320 can include at least several containment tools 321 and set of circuitry forming circuit 322. Containment tools 321 can compete for access to one or more shared wireless media, and can also store packets for transmission over one or more shared wireless media. STA 300 may include one or more containment tools 321 for each of a plurality of different access categories. In other implementations, containment tools 321 can be separated from MAC 320. Still for other implementations, containment tools 321 can be implemented as one or more software modules (as stored in memory 340 or stored in memory provided within MAC 320) which contains instructions that, when executed by the
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38/100 processor 330, perform the functions of the 321 containment tools.
[0081] Frame forming circuitry 322 can be used to create and format frames received from processor 330 (such as by adding MAC headers to the PDUs provided by processor 330), and can be used to reformat frames received from PHY 310 (such as removing MAC headers from frames received from PHY 310). Although the example in Figure 3 depicts the MAC 320 coupled to the 340 memory via the 330 processor, in other implementations, the PHY 310, MAC 320, processor 330 and the 340 memory can be connected using one or more buses (not shown for simplicity).
[0082] Processor 330 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions from one or more software programs stored in STA 300 (as within memory 340). In some implementations, processor 330 may be or include one or more microprocessors that provide processor functionality and external memory that provide at least a portion of machine-readable media. In other implementations, processor 330 may be or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with the processor, bus interface, user interface, and at least a portion of the machine-readable media integrated on a single chip. In some other implementations, processor 330 may be or include one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs).
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[0083] Memory 340 may include a device database 341 that stores profile information for the STA 300 and for several other wireless devices, such as APs and other STAs. Profile information for the STA 300 can include, for example, its MAC address, its assigned AID value, the BSSID of the set of basic services to which the STA 300 belongs, bandwidth capabilities, channel access mechanisms supported, supported data rates, and so on. Profile information for a particular AP can include, for example, the AP's BSSID index, an indication that the AP matches the BSSID Tx or one of the non-Tx BSSIDs, MAC address, channel information, indicator values for received signal strength (RSSI), goodput values, channel status information (CSI), supported data rate, connection history with the AP, a confidence value of the AP (as indicating a level of confidence about the location of the AP, etc.), and any other appropriate information pertaining to or describing the operation of the AP.
[0084] Memory 340 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as one or more non-volatile memory elements, such as EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, a hard disk and so on) that can store at least the modules software (SW) below:
• a 342 switchboard software module to facilitate the creation and exchange of any suitable boards (such as data boards, action boards, control boards and management boards) between the STA 300 and other wireless devices, for example example as described
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• a 343 drive frame receiving software module for receiving drive frames, to determine whether the drive frames request a response from STA 300, to determine whether the drive frames allocate any dedicated RUs to the STA 300, and to determining whether the drive frames allocate any random RUs that can be used by STA 300, for example, as described above for one or more operations in Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13;
• a resource unit (RU) 344 decoding software module to determine which (if any) dedicated RUs are allocated to the STA 300, to determine which (if any) random RUs are allocated for use by the STA 300, and to determining the size, location and other parameters of any Rus allocated, for example, as described below for one or more operations in Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13; and • a BSSID 345 decoding software module to determine the capabilities of multiple BSSIDss from one or more APs and to determine whether one or more APs associated with a set of multiple BSSIDs have queued DL traffic to the STA 300, for example example, as described below for one or more operations of Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13.
Each software module includes instructions that, when executed by processor 330, cause the STA 300 to perform the corresponding functions. Thus, the non-transient computer readable medium of memory 340
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41/100 includes instructions for performing all operations or a portion of the operations described below in relation to Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13.
[0085] Processor 330 can run the 342 frame swap software module to facilitate the creation and exchange of any suitable frames (such as data frames, action frames, control frames and management frames) between the STA 300 and other wireless devices. Processor 330 can run drive frame receiving software module 343 to receive drive frames, to determine whether drive frames request a response from STA 300, to determine whether drive frames allocate any dedicated RUs to STA 300, and to determine whether the trigger frames allocate any random RUs that can be used by the STA 300. Processor 330 can run the RU 344 decoding software module to determine which (if any) dedicated RUs are allocated to the STA 300, to determine which (if any) random RUs are allocated for use by STA 300, and to determine the size, location and other parameters of any allocated RUs. Processor 330 can run the BSSID 345 decoding software module to determine the capabilities of multiple BSSIDss from one or more APs and to determine whether one or more APs associated with a set of multiple BSSIDs have queued DL traffic
for STA 300. In some aspects, The STA 300 can to determine if one or more APs have traffic in DL in row for the STA 300 per decoding from Camp in map in bits
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42/100 partial virtual TIM elements provided in signaling boards.
[0086] Figure 4 shows an exemplary AP 400. In some implementations, the AP 400 may be an example of the AP 110 in Figure 1 A or the AP 140 in Figure 1B. The AP 400 may include a PHY 410, a MAC 420, a 430 processor, a virtual AP management controller 435, a memory 440, a network interface 450 and several antennas 460 (1) to 460 (n). The PHY 410 can include at least several transceivers 411 and a baseband processor 412. Transceivers 411 can be coupled to antennas 460 (1) to 460 (n), either directly or via an antenna selection circuit (not shown) for simplicity). The 411 transceivers can be used to communicate wirelessly with one or more STAs, with one or more other APs, and with other suitable devices. Although not shown in Figure 4 for simplicity, 411 transceivers can include any number of transmission chains for processing and transmitting signals to other wireless devices via antennas 460 (1) to 460 (n), and can include any number of receive strings to process signals received from antennas 460 (1) to 460 (n). In some implementations, the AP 400 can be configured for MIMO operations, such as SU-MIMO operations and MU-MIMO operations. The AP 400 can also be configured for OFDMA communications and other suitable multiple access mechanisms, for example, as can be provided in the IEEE 802.11ax standards.
[0087] The baseband processor 412 can be used to process signals received from the processor
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430 or memory 440 (or both) to route processed signals to transceivers 411 for transmission through one or more antennas 460 (1) to 460 (n), and can be used to process signals received from one or more antennas 460 (1) to 460 (n) via transceivers 411 and to route processed signals to processor 430 or memory 440 (or both).
[0088] The network interface 450 can be used to communicate with a WLAN server (not shown for simplicity), directly or through one or more interposed networks and to transmit signals. The virtual AP management controller 435 can be used to control and coordinate the operations of several virtual APs (such as the virtual access points VAP1 to VAPk in Figure 1B).
[0089] MAC 420 can include at least several containment tools 421 and the boarding circuitry set 422. Containment tools 421 can compete for access to the shared wireless medium, and can also store packages for transmission over of the shared wireless medium. In some implementations, the AP 400 may include one or more containment tools 421 for each of a plurality of different access categories. In other implementations, containment tools 421 can be separated from MAC 420. Still for other implementations, containment tools 421 can be implemented as one or more software modules (as stored in memory 440 or contained in the memory provided within the MAC 420) that
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44/100 contain instructions that, when executed by the 430 processor, perform the functions of the 421 containment tools.
[0090] Frame forming circuitry 422 can be used to create and format frames received from the 430 processor (such as by adding MAC headers to the PDUs provided by the 430 processor), and can be used to reformat frames received from the PHY 410 (such as removing MAC headers from frames received from PHY 410). Although the example in Figure 4 depicts MAC 420 coupled to memory 440 through processor 430, in other implementations, PHY 410, MAC 420, processor 430 and memory 440 can be connected using one or more buses (not shown for simplicity).
[0091] Processor 430 can be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions from one or more software programs stored in the AP 400 (as in the 440 memory). In some implementations, the 430 processor may include one or more microprocessors that provide processor functionality and external memory that provide at least a portion of machine-readable media. In other implementations, the 430 processor may be or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) with the processor, the bus interface, the user interface and at least a portion of the machine-readable media integrated on a single chip. In some other implementations, the 430 processor may be or include one or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs).
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[0092] The memory 440 can include a base in Dice 441A device what stores information in profile for a plurality in STAs. At information in
profiles for a particular STA may include, for example, its MAC address, its assigned AID value, supported data rates, connection history with the AP 400, one or more RUs allocated to the STA, the BSS to which the STA is associated, the set of multiple BSSIDs to which the STA belongs and any other appropriate information belonging to or describing the STA's operation.
[0093] Memory 440 can also include a BSSID mapping table 441B that can store mapping information between AID values and BSSID indexes, information that indicates which wireless devices are part of or belong to each of several BSSs different, related information or describing a set of multiple BSSIDs to which the AP 400 belongs, one or more characteristics or parameters of each of the different BSSs, and any other appropriate information pertaining to or describing the operation of one or more BSSs that may be created, operated or otherwise associated with the AP 400. In some respects, the BSSID 441B mapping table can also store information that indicates mapping information between several virtual APs and their corresponding BSSIDs.
[0094] Memory 440 may also include a non-transitory computer-readable medium (such as one or more elements of non-volatile memory, such as EPROM, EEPROM, Flash memory, a hard disk and so on) that can store at least the modules (SW) below:
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46/100 • a 442 frame switching software module to facilitate the creation and exchange of any suitable frames (such as data frames, action frames, control frames and management frames) between the AP 400 and other devices without yarn, for example, as described below for one or more operations of Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13;
• a BSS 443 configuration software module to establish, configure and operate multiple BSSs and to assign multiple wireless devices to each of the BSSs operated by the AP 400, for example, as described below for one or more operations in Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13;
• a 444 virtual AP management software module to manage or otherwise coordinate the operations of multiple virtual APs associated with a corresponding number of different BSSs, for example, as described below for one or more operations in Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13;
• a 445 resource unit allocation (RU) software module to allocate multiple dedicated RUs to multiple wireless devices identified by a trigger frame, to allocate multiple random RUs to be shared by multiple wireless devices that receive a frame of trigger, and to allocate one or more random RUs for each of the various sets of selected basic services (such as one or more selected BSSIDs belonging to a set of multiple BSSIDs), for example, as described below for one or more operations in Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13; and
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47/100 • a 446 drive frame software module to facilitate transmission of drive frames to one or more wireless devices, for example, as described below for one or more operations in Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13.
Each software module includes instructions that, when executed by the 430 processor, cause the AP 400 to perform the corresponding functions. Thus, the non-transient, computer-readable medium of memory 440 includes instructions for performing all operations or a portion of the operations described in relation to Figures 7 to 8 and 11 to 13.
[0095] The 430 processor can run the 442 frame switching software module to facilitate the creation and exchange of any suitable frames (such as data frames, action frames, control frames and management frames) between the AP 400 and other wireless devices. The 430 processor can run the BSS 443 configuration software module to establish, configure and operate multiple BSSs and to assign multiple wireless devices to each of the BSSs operated by the AP 400. The 430 processor can run the management software module 444 virtual AP to manage or otherwise coordinate the operations of multiple virtual APs associated with a corresponding number of different BSSs. In some respects, running the 444 virtual AP management software module can be used to coordinate the allocation of random RUs by different BSSs based on one or more parameters, for example, which can increase the impartiality with which
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48/100 all STAs belonging to a set of multiple BSSIDs can compete with each other for access to random RUs.
[0096] The 430 processor can run the RU 445 allocation software module to allocate multiple dedicated RUs to multiple wireless devices identified by a trigger frame, to allocate multiple random RUs to be shared by multiple wireless devices that receive a trigger frame, and to allocate one or more random RUs for each of several sets of selected basic services (such as one or more selected BSSIDs belonging to a set of multiple BSSIDs). The 430 processor can run drive frame software module 446 to facilitate transmission of drive frames to one or more wireless devices. In some respects, the execution of the switchboard software module 446 can be used to allocate dedicated RUs to one or more identified STAs and to allocate random RUs to a selected group of STAs or to a selected group of BSSs in the same frame. drive.
[0097] The IEEE 802.11ax specification can introduce multiple access mechanisms, such as an orthogonal frequency and division multiple access mechanism (OFDMA), to allow multiple STAs to transmit and receive data on a shared wireless medium at the same time. For a wireless network using OFDMA, the available frequency spectrum can be divided into a plurality of resource units (RUs), each including several different frequency subcarriers,
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49/100 and different RUs can be allocated or assigned (as per an AP) to different wireless devices (such as STAs) at a given point in time. In this way, multiple wireless devices can simultaneously transmit data over the wireless medium using their assigned RUs or frequency subcarriers.
[0098] Figure 5A shows an exemplary subcarrier allocation diagram 500 for a bandwidth of 20 MHz according to the IEEE 802.11ax standards. As shown in Figure 5A, a 20 MHz bandwidth can be divided into several resource units (RUs), and each RU can include several subcarriers. In some respects, a first subcarrier 501 allocation may include multiple RUs, each including 26 subcarriers, a second subcarrier 502 allocation may include several RUs, each including 52 subcarriers, a third subcarrier 503 allocation may include several RUs, each including 106 subcarriers , and a fourth subcarrier allocation 504 may include a RU that includes 242 subcarriers (with the left half of the channel for single user (SU) operations). For each of the exemplary subcarrier allocations 501 to 504 depicted in Figure 5A, adjacent RUs can be separated by a null subcarrier (such as a DC subcarrier), for example, to reduce loss between adjacent RUs.
[0099] Figure 5B shows an exemplary 510 subcarrier allocation diagram for a 40 MHz bandwidth according to IEEE 802.11ax standards. As shown in Figure 5B, a width of
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50/100 40 MHz band can be divided into several RUs, and each RU can include several subcarriers. In some respects, a first subcarrier allocation 511 may include multiple RUs, each including 26 subcarriers, a second subcarrier allocation 512 may include multiple RUs, each including 52 subcarriers, a third subcarrier allocation 513 may include multiple RUs, each one including 106 subcarriers, a fourth subcarrier allocation 514 may include multiple RUs, each including 242 subcarriers, and a fifth subcarrier allocation 515 may include an RU including 484 subcarriers (with the left half of the channel for SU operations). For each of the exemplary subcarrier allocations 511 to 515 depicted in Figure 5B, adjacent RUs can be separated by a null subcarrier, for example, to reduce loss between the adjoining RUs.
[0100] Figure 5C shows an exemplary subcarrier allocation diagram 520 for a bandwidth of 80 MHz according to IEEE 802.11ax standards. As shown in Figure 5C, a bandwidth of 80 MHz can be divided into several resource units (RUs), and each RU can include several subcarriers. In some respects, a first subcarrier allocation 521 may include multiple RUs, each including 26 subcarriers, a second subcarrier allocation 522 may include multiple RUs, each including 52 subcarriers, a third subcarrier allocation 523 may include multiple RUs, each including 106 subcarriers , a fourth allocation
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51/100 subcarrier 524 may include multiple RUs, each including 242 subcarriers, a fifth subcarrier allocation 525 may include multiple RUs, each including 484 subcarriers, and a sixth subcarrier allocation 526 may include one RU including 996 subcarriers (with the left half of the channel for SU operations). For each of the exemplary subcarrier allocations 521 to 526 depicted in Figure 5C, adjacent RUs can be separated by a null subcarrier, for example, to reduce loss between the adjoining RUs.
[0101] An AP can allocate specific or dedicated RUs to several STAs associated with the use of a trigger frame. In some implementations, the trigger frame can identify multiple STAs associated with the AP, and can request data from multiple uplink users (MU) (UL transmissions from the STAs identified using their allocated RUs. The trigger frame can use association identification values (AID), assigned by the AP to its associated STAs, to identify which STAs should transmit UL data to the AP in response to the trigger frame. In some ways, the trigger frame can indicate the size and the RU location, the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) and the power level for UL transmissions to be used by each of the STAs identified in the drive frame. As used in this document, the RU size can indicate the bandwidth of the UK, and the location of the UK can indicate which frequency subcarriers are allocated to the UK.
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52/100 drive frame that allocates dedicated RUs to several associated STAs identified in the drive frame can be called the directed drive frame in this document.
[0102] Figure 6A shows a 600A sequence diagram that depicts an exemplary dedicated resource unit (RU) allocation for multiple wireless stations. The AP in Figure 6A can be any suitable AP that includes, for example, AP 110 in Figure IA, AP 140 in Figure 1B or AP 400 in Figure 4. Each of the wireless stations STA1 to STAn can be any suitable wireless station which includes, for example, stations STA1 to STA4 of Figure IA, stations STA1 to STA99 of Figure 1B or STA 300 of Figure 3.
[0103] In some implementations, the AP can compete for access to the medium during a period of indentation or a duration of space between frames (PIES) of point coordination function (PCF) (as between moments ti and t2). In other implementations, the AP can compete for access to the medium with the use of another mechanism to access the appropriate channel. In some other implementations, the AP may use a mechanism for accessing multiple channels, for example, and may not compete for access to the medium.
[0104] The AP obtains access to the wireless medium at time t2, and can transmit a drive frame directed 602 to stations STA1 to STAn on a downlink channel (DL). Moment t2 can indicate a start of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) 608. Targeted drive frame 602 can allocate a dedicated RU for each of several STA1 stations to STAn
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53/100 identified by the directed drive frame 602 for uplink transmissions (UL). In some aspects, the dedicated RUs allocated by the directed drive frame 602 may be exclusive, for example, so that the identified stations can transmit UL data to the AP at the same time (or substantially at the same time). The directed drive frame 602 can also request MU data from UL transmissions from stations identified by the directed drive frame 602.
[0105] The stations STA1 to STAn can receive the directed drive frame 602 at the moment (or about) ts. Each of the stations STA1 to STAn can decode a portion of the directed drive frame 602 to determine if the station is identified by the directed drive frame 602. In some respects, the directed drive frame 602 can use AID values assigned to the STA1 stations STAn to identify which of the STA1 stations STAn has allocated dedicated RUs and to indicate which of the STA1 stations STAn should transmit UL data based on the reception of the directed drive frame 602. Each of the STA1 stations to STAn that is not identified by the directed drive frame 602 may not transmit UL data during TXOP 608, for example, because they do not allocate dedicated RUs for UL transmissions during TXOP 608.
[0106] Each of the stations STA1 to STAn that is not identified by the directed drive frame 602 can decode additional portions of the directed drive frame 602 to determine the size and the
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54/100 location of the dedicated UK allocated to it. In some respects, the directed drive frame 602 can schedule UL data transmissions from the identified STA1 to STAn stations to begin at a frame spacing duration (xIFS) after receiving the directed drive frame 602, for example, as depicted in Figure 6A.
[0107] Currently, stations STA1 to STAn identified by the directed drive frame 602 can begin transmitting MU data from UL 604 in their respective dedicated RUs. In some respects, each of the stations STA1 to STAn identified by the directed drive frame 602 can determine whether the frequency band associated with its allocated RU is inactive for a duration (such as a PIES duration) before transmitting UL MU data for the AP. For the example in Figure 6A, all STA1 to STAn stations are allocated to a dedicated RU by the directed drive frame 602, and all STA1 to STAn stations transmit MU MU data to the AP using their respective dedicated RUs . In other implementations, a subset (as smaller than all) of the STA1 to STAn stations can be allocated to dedicated RUs by the directed drive frame 602.
[0108] The AP can receive the MU 604 MU data from the STA1 to STAn stations identified at the time ts, and can confirm receipt of the UL 604 MU data from the STA1 to STAn stations by frame acknowledgment transmission (ACK) at the moment- In some respects, the AP can confirm receipt of the MU MU data by transmitting an ACK MU framework to the STA1 to STAn stations. In
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55/100 other aspects, the AP can confirm receipt of MU MU data by transmitting a multi-station block confirmation frame (M-BA) 606 to stations STA1 to STAn, for example, as described in Figure 6A.
[0109] In some implementations, the AP can transmit to the M-BA 606 frame a short frame spacing duration (SIFS) after receiving the MU MU data transmitted from the STA1 to STAn stations (as shown in Figure 6A). In other implementations, the AP can transmit the M-BA 606 frame after another suitable duration.
[0110] In addition, or alternatively, the AP can transmit a trigger frame that allocates random RUs for stations STA1 to STAn for UL data transmissions. In some implementations, random RUs can be contention-based resources that are shared by all STAs that receive the trigger frame. Random RUs can be used by any STA that receives the trigger frame, including STAs that are not associated with the AP. The allocation of random RUs may allow STAs that have not been identified in the directed drive frame 602 to transmit UL data to the AP (as by using the random RUs instead of the dedicated RUs allocated by the directed drive frame 602). The exclusion of a given STA from UL data transmissions on dedicated RUs allocated by the targeted drive frame 602 can be based on a variety of factors including, for example, a failure of the AP to receive a main memory status report ( BSR) of the given STA, a
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56/100 limited number of dedicated RUs that can be allocated for MU data from UL transmissions, or the absence of an AID assigned to a particular STA (as due to the particular STA not being associated with the AP). A trigger frame that allocates random RUs (as for OFDMA-based random channel access) to all receiving STAs can be called a wildcard trigger frame in this document.
[0111] Figure 6B shows a 600B sequence diagram that depicts an exemplary allocation of random RUs. The AP in Figure 6B can be any suitable AP, for example, AP 110 in Figure IA, AP 140 in Figure 1B or AP 400 in Figure 4. Each of the wireless stations STA1 to STAn can be any wireless station including, for example, stations STA1 to STA4 of Figure IA, stations STA1 to STA99 of Figure IB or STA 300 of Figure 3.
[0112] In some implementations, the AP may compete for access to the medium during a period of retreat or a duration of PIES. In other implementations, the AP can compete for access to the medium with the use of another mechanism to access the appropriate channel. In some other implementations, the AP may use a mechanism to access multiple channels.
[0113] The AP gains access to the wireless medium at time t2, and can transmit a 612 wildcard drive frame to stations STA1 to STAn on the DL channel. Moment t2 can indicate a start of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) 618. The wildcard drive frame 612 can allocate one or more random RUs in which stations
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STA1 to STAn can transmit MU data from UL to ο AP. Trigger frame 612 can allocate random RUs using ο using predefined AID values, for example, where an AID value = 0 indicates the allocation of random RUs to associated STAs and an AID value = 2045 indicates allocation of random RUs for unassociated STAs.
[0114] Stations STA1 to STAn can receive ο drive frame 612 wildcard at (or about) moment ts, and can compete with each other for access to the allocated random RUs. In some respects, the wildcard 612 drive frame may be a broadcast frame that allows any wireless receiving device to compete for access to the random RUs allocated by the wildcard 612 drive frame. In other respects, the wildcard drive frame 612 can be a multicast frame that allows a selected subset of stations STA1 to STAn to compete for access to the random RUs allocated by the wildcard drive frame 612.
[0115] In some implementations, STA1 to STAn stations can use the DCF or PCF setback procedure to compete for access to random RUs. In other implementations, stations STA1 to STAn can use an opportunistic backout procedure (OBO) to compete for access to random RUs, for example, as shown in Figure 6B. The OBO procedure is a mechanism for accessing the distributed random channel for which each STA selects a random indentation number that can be used to select one of the random RUs allocated by the wildcard drive frame 612. For example, if the AP allocates four random RUs to be
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58/100 shared as a resource based on contention, and a given STA selects an OBO value of 3, then the given STA can transmit MU MU data using the third random RU. On the other hand, if a given STA selects an OBO value of 5, then the given STA may not use random RUs to transmit UL data during TXOP 618 (as due to random RUs being able to be used by STAs that have selected values OBO from 1 to 4). After TXOP 618 expires, a given STA can update its OBO value from 5 to 1, and then
to transmit Dice of MU of UL with the use from the first UK Random during the next TXOP. [0116] To example gives Figure 6B, the seasons STA1 and STA2 get access at Random RUs
currently allocated by the wildcard drive frame 612, and begins transmitting MU data from UL 614 to the AP during TXOP 618. The other stations (such as STA3 through STAn stations) may not use the random RUs allocated by the drive frame 612 wildcard to transmit UL data during TXOP 618, for example, because their initial OBO values may be greater than the number of RUs
random allocated[0117] fur0 AP drive frame 612in wildcard.UL MU can receive the data 614 of seasons STA1 and STA2 at the time t ₅ , and can Confirm receiving data in Change it UL 614 by
transmission of confirmation (ACK) of frames at time t6. In some respects, the AP can confirm receipt of the MU 614 MU data by transmitting a MU ACK frame to STA1 and STA2 stations. In other respects, the AP can confirm receipt of UL 614 MU data by
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59/100 transmission of a multi-station block confirmation frame (M-BA) 616 to stations STA1 and STA2, for example, as shown in Figure 6B.
[0118] With reference again to Figure 1B, AP 140 can independently create and operate a plurality of sets of basic services BSSO to BSSk (as per the use of virtual access points VAP1 to VAPk), and each of the sets of basic services BSSO to BSSk may include a different number of wireless devices or stations. In some implementations, the AP 140 can assign each of the STA1 stations to STA99 exemplary in Figure IB to a particular basic service set of the basic BSSO to BSSk service sets based on various parameters of one or more basic BSSO service sets. the BSSk. In some respects, the number of parameters for a given set of basic services from the basic service sets BSSO to BSSk may include one or more of: security parameters of the given BSS, access privileges of the wireless devices associated with or belonging to the given BSS , the types of wireless devices (such as loT devices, Wi-Fi devices, and so on) associated with or belonging to the given BSS, quality of service (QoS) parameters for the given BSS, delay requirements (such as relatively short delays for voice traffic relatively long delays for background traffic or with better effort) from the wireless devices associated or belonging to the given BSS, bandwidth capabilities of the wireless devices associated or belonging to the given BSS (such as bandwidth capabilities
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60/100 narrow and broadband capabilities) and any other appropriate metric or feature that can be used to prioritize the allocation of random RUs to the plurality of basic BSSO service sets to BSSk.
[0119] Figure 7 shows a sequence diagram 700 that depicts an exemplary allocation of random RUs to a specific set of basic services (BSS). The AP in Figure 7 can be any suitable AP including, for example, AP 110 in Figure IA, AP 140 in Figure 1B or AP 400 in Figure 4. The exemplary operation in Figure 7 is described below in relation to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 of Figure 1B, and the AP of Figure 7 is associated with BSSID Tx. Thus, for the exemplary operation of Figure 7, the set of basic services BSSO in Figure 1B is designated as the BSSID Tx, and each of the other sets of basic services BSS1 to BSSk in Figure 1B is designated as a non-Tx BSSID. Although not shown for simplicity, each of the non-Tx BSSIDs can be operated by an associated AP (or an associated virtual AP as one of the virtual access points VAP1 to VAP7 in Figure 1B).
[0120] In some implementations, the AP can compete for access to the medium during a period of indentation or a duration of a space between frames (PIES) of point coordination function (PCF) (as between moments ti and t2). In other implementations, the AP can compete for access to the medium with the use of another mechanism to access the appropriate channel. In some other implementations, the AP may use a mechanism for accessing multiple channels, for example, and may not compete for access to the medium.
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[0121] The AP obtains access to the wireless medium at time t2, and can transmit a trigger frame 712 on a DL channel to stations STA1 to STA99 belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130. The moment ti can indicate a beginning of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) 701. The trigger frame 712 can allocate one or more random RUs to each of a number selected from the plurality of basic BSSO service sets to BSSk, for example, so that stations (or others wireless devices) associated with the selected BSSs can transmit UL data to the AP (or other devices) using the random RUs allocated by the 712 drive board. In some implementations, the 712 drive board may contain one or more values that identify the selected BSSs, and can indicate the size and location of the random RUs allocated to each of the selected BSSs. The selected number of BSSs can be a subset of the BSSs operated or controlled by the AP, for example, so that the random RUs allocated by the AP are not available to all BSSs operated or controlled by the AP.
[0122] In some implementations, the trigger frame 712 can allocate one or more random RUs to a selected BSS, instead of to specific stations, by adjusting one of its AID values to the BSSID index assigned to the selected BSS. In some respects, the random RUs allocated to the BSS selected by the drive frame 712 can be shared by any number of stations associated with the selected BSS. So, instead of identifying a particular station for which
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62/100 one or more random RUs are allocated, each AID value provided in the trigger frame 712 can identify a particular BSS to which one or more random RUs are allocated.
[0123] In some respects, the 712 drive frame can be a broadcast frame that allows any stations (or other wireless devices) associated with the selected BSSs to compete for access to the random RUs allocated by the 712 drive frame. In other aspects , the drive frame 712 can be a multicast frame that allows a group of stations associated with the selected BSSs to compete for access to the random RUs allocated by the drive frame 712.
[0124] Stations within the AP 110 range can receive drive frame 712 at (or about) time t3 _A. Each station receiving the frame 712 can decode the AID value (or values) included in the frame 712 to determine whether the BSS to which the station belongs has allocated random RUs. In some implementations, if a given station determines that an AID value included in drive frame 712 matches the BSSID index of its associated BSS, then the given station can compete for access to the random RUs allocated by drive frame 712. On the other hand, if a given station determines that the drive frame 712 does not include an AID value that matches the BSSID index of its associated BSS, then the given station may not compete
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63/100 for access to the random RUs allocated by the 712 drive board.
[0125] For the example in Figure 7, the AP selects the set of basic services BSS1 to allocate the random RUs, and an AID value contained in the trigger frame 712 is adjusted to the BSSID index of the basic service set BSS1 ( as AID = BSSID index = 1). Because stations STA10 to STA50 are associated with the set of basic services BSS1 assigned to an index of BSSID = 1, stations STA10 to STA50 can compete with each other for access to the random RUs allocated by drive frame 712 at time t3 _B ( which can be a duration of xIFS after the moment t _3A ). Stations that are not associated with the selected BSS (such as stations STA51 to STA99 in Figure 1B) may not compete for access to the random RUs allocated by drive frame 712. In some respects, stations that are not associated with the selected BSS may return to an energy-saving state.
[0126] The first STA10 station associated with the selected set of basic services BSS1 is depicted as obtaining access to the wireless medium (after a period of retreat between moments t _3B and tU, and begins to transmit UL data in the randomly allocated RU drive frame 712 at the moment. In some respects, the first STA10 station can use the random RU to transmit UL data within its associated BSS1 basic service set. In other aspects, the first STA10 station can use the random RU to transmit UL data to
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64/100 wireless devices associated with other sets of basic services.
[0127]
The AP can receive MU MU data
714 from the first STA10 station at time ts, and can confirm receipt of MU data from UL 714 by transmitting a frame of M-BA 716 to the first STA10 station at time t- In other respects, the AP can confirm receipt of UL 714 MU data by transmitting an ACK MU frame to the first STA10 station.
[0128]
The ability to allocate random RUs for use by stations associated with a set of basic services specific to a set of multiple BSSIDs using a trigger frame can increase average utilization and efficiency (compared to allocating random RUs to all stations in the set of multiple BSSIDs). For an example, if a first BSS includes 100 wireless devices and a second BSS includes 3 wireless devices, then allocating random RUs to all wireless devices associated with the AP can result in the wireless devices belonging to the second BSS that receives a disproportionate share of the random RUs allocated by the AP. Thus, when allocating random RUs to wireless devices belonging to the first BSS (instead of to wireless devices belonging to all BSSs operated or controlled by the AP), the AP can prioritize the allocation of random RUs based on the number of wireless devices that belongs to the first BSS. In other words, due to more wireless devices belonging to the first BSS than to the
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65/100 second BSS, the AP can allocate more random RUs to the first BSS than to the second BSS (or it can allocate random RUs to the first BSS more often than to the second BSS).
[0129] For another example, if a first BSS includes 4 smart phones that frequently implement VoIP calls and a second BSS includes 10 loT devices (such as smart sensors), then allocating random RUs to all wireless devices associated with the AP using conventional RU allocation techniques can result in random RU allocations to sensor devices (which typically do not have critical delay traffic) that might otherwise be available to facilitate VoIP and other calls real-time traffic corresponding to the first BSS. Thus, by allocating random RUs to the 4 smart phones belonging to the first BSS (and not to the 10 loT devices belonging to the second BSS), the AP can prioritize the allocation of random RUs based on traffic classes and delay requirements and latency.
[0130] In some other implementations, a trigger frame can be defined that can allocate dedicated RUs to one or more identified STAs, can allocate random RUs to one or more specific basic service sets for a set of multiple BSSIDs (and allows, thereby, that several STAs share the allocated random RUs regardless of whether the STAs can be associated with the BSSID Tx or one of the non-Tx BSSIDs and / or can allocate random RUs to unassociated STAs. In other words, an AP corresponding to the BSSID Tx of one
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66/100 set of multiple BSSIDs can use trigger frames disclosed in this document to allocate dedicated RUs to STAs belonging to the BSSID Tx, to allocate dedicated RUs to STAs belonging to any of the non-Tx BSSIDs, to allocate random RUs to be shared by STAs belonging to BSSID Tx, to allocate random RUs to be shared by STAs belonging to any of the non-Tx BSSIDs, to allocate random RUs to be shared by all STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, to allocate random RUs to be shared by all unassociated STAs or any combination thereof.
[0131] In some respects, STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs may indicate their ability to receive control frames from multiple BSSs by setting the Control Frame bit of multiple RX BSSs in an HE Capacity element, for example , during discovery operations (as in a probe request board) or during association operations (as in an association request board). In other respects, STAs can indicate their ability to receive control frames from multiple BSSs on any other suitable element.
[0132] The ability of an AP associated with the BSSID Tx to request UL data transmissions from individual STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, regardless of which BSSID the STAs belong to, can allow the AP to coordinate the allocation of not only dedicated RUs , but also random RUs in both a BSS per base and an STA per base. This can allow the AP
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67/100 increase the impartiality with which STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs have the opportunity to compete for access to random RUs. In some implementations, the AP may use trigger frames disclosed in this document to adjust the allocation of random RUs between STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs based on several factors including, for example, the number of STAs associated with each of the BSSs, the types of traffic for each of the SSs, the priority levels of traffic flows in each of the SSs, congestion in each of the BSSs, and so on.
[0133] Figure 8 shows a sequence diagram depicting an exemplary operation 800 to allocate dedicated RUs and random RUs for use by several STAs belonging to a set of multiple BSSIDs. The exemplary operation 800 is described below in relation to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 of Figure 1B, and can be performed by an AP that operates the BSS corresponding to the BSSID Tx. Although not shown in Figure 8 for simplicity, the set of multiple BSSIDs includes one BSSID Tx and seven non-Tx BSSIDs. With reference also to Figure 1B, the AP that transmits drive frames in the exemplary operation 800 is associated with the BSSID Tx, and can be called the AP Tx. Each of the non-Tx BSSIDs can be associated with another AP (such as a respective access point for AP7 API access points or a respective virtual access point for VAP1 to VAP7 virtual access points). The APs (or virtual APs) associated with the non-Tx BSSID can be called non-Tx APs.
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[0134] For the example in Figure 8, station STA1 is associated with BSSID Tx (which has an index of BSSID = 0) and is assigned to AID = 14, station STA2 is associated with a non-Tx BSSID which has an index of BSSID = 1 and is assigned to AID = 17, station STA3 is associated with a non-Tx BSSID that has a BSSID index = 2 and is assigned to AID = 8, station STA4 is associated with a non-Tx BSSID that has an index of BSSID = 3 and is assigned to AID = 16, station STA5 is associated with a BSSID Tx = 0 and is assigned to AID = 9, and station STA6 is associated with a non-Tx BSSID that has an index of BSSID = 2 and is assigned to AID = 15.
[0135] Before operation 800, the AP Tx can announce that it belongs to a set of multiple BSSIDs and disclose its capabilities of multiple BSSIDss using a multiple BSSID element contained in a management framework (such as a management framework). signaling or a probe response board). Nearby STAs can indicate their support for the Multiple BSSIDs capability with the use of a one-bit adjustment on the Extended Capabilities element of the appropriate response frame. In addition, or alternatively, nearby STAs may include the Extended Capacities element in a probe request frame transmitted to the AP. Although non-Tx APs corresponding to non-Tx BSSIDs may not transmit management frames that contain an element of multiple BSSIDs, the multiple BSSIDss capabilities of non-Tx APs can be advertised or disseminated in one or more elements of multiple BSSIDss transmitted by the AP Tx. In some respects, one or more management boards (such as signaling boards or probe response boards)
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69/100 transmitted by the AP Tx may contain several non-Tx 205 BSSID profiles that indicate that multiple BSSIDss capabilities of the non-Tx BSSIDs.
[0136] According to the aspects of the present disclosure, each of the APs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs can announce or disclose their own element of the set of random access parameters (RAPS). The RAPS element can signal one or more metrics from a random access mechanism based on OFDMA. Each RAPS element can include an OFDMA Containment Window (OCW) range field that stores a minimum OCW value and a maximum OCW value for a corresponding AP. During random access channel operations, each receiving station can select an OBO count value that is between the minimum OCW value and the maximum OCW value indicated in the corresponding RAPS element. For example, when a trigger frame allocates random RUs for use by STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, an STA receiving the trigger frame can select an OBO count value that is between the minimum OCW value and the maximum value of OCW flagged for its corresponding BSSID. In some respects, each of the non-Tx BSSIDs can select their own RAPS value based, for example, on the number of associated STAs. In other implementations, a particular non-Tx BSSID can be configured (such as by a user or a network administrator) to not allocate random RUs to their associated STAs. In some respects, the particular non-Tx BSSID may indicate that it does not support the access feature
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70/100 random and does not allocate random RUs by disclosing a RAPS element that includes a special value or an explicitly dedicated field that indicates that the particular non-Tx BSSID does not allocate random RUs. In other respects, the particular non-Tx BSSID may indicate that it does not allocate random RUs by disclosing a null RAPS element. For example, the null RAPS element can be a RAPS element that includes only one element ID field and one length field (which can be set to 1). The elements of null RAPS are described in more detail in relation to Figure 10C.
[0137] In some implementations, the RAPS element of non-Tx BSSIDs can be advertised in management boards transmitted by the AP Tx. In some respects, the RAPS element can be provided in the non-Tx 205 BSSID profiles of the multiple BSSIDss 200 element contained in the management framework. In this way, all STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs can determine their minimum and maximum OCW values from the management boards. If the RAPS element of a particular non-Tx BSSID is not included in management frames transmitted by the BSSID Tx, or if the particular non-Tx BSSID does not disclose or otherwise provide its RAPS element to its associated STAs, then STAs associated with the particular non-Tx BSSID can use the RAPS element of the BSSID Tx to determine the minimum and maximum OCW values for random access channel operations. In this way, STAs that do not receive a RAPS element from their associated APs can inherit the RAPS element from the BSSID Tx. In other respects, if the BSSID is not Tx
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71/100 transmit a RAPS element that is different from RAPS (if your AP transmits it, follow it; if it does not, then inherit the RAPS from the BSSID Tx).
[0138] At the moment ti, the AP Tx transmits a management frame 810. The management frame 810 is shown to include a transmitter address (TA) field, a multiple BSSID element, several non-Tx BSSID profiles and a RU allocation bitmap. The TA field can store the transmitter address of the AP Tx, for example, to indicate that the AP Tx corresponds to the BSSID Tx. Thus, for the example in Figure 8, the TA field in management table 810 can store a BSSID index = 0. The non-Tx BSSID profiles, which may be an implementation of the non-Tx 205 BSSID profile in Figure 2A, may contain a list of elements for one or more other AP7 API access points corresponding to non-Tx BSSIDs. In some respects, the non-Tx BSSID profile contained in management board 810 may contain a non-Tx 210 BSSID capabilities element, an SSID and BSSID 220 index element, and an FMS230 descriptor element. The RU allocation bitmap can store a bitmap that indicates the allocation of dedicated RUs to one or more identified STAs and the allocation of random RUs to individual BSSIDs or groups of STAs (such as the STAs associated with a selected number BSSIDs) belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.
[0139] Each STA receiving the painting in management 81 0 can to examine one of the bits B0 to B7 at BSSID portion 2 42A of map in virtual bits partial 242 to determine a presence in traffic from Address in
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72/100 group for a corresponding BSSID of the BSSIDs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, and can examine one of the bits in the STA portion 242B of the partial virtual bitmap 242 to determine a presence of DL data for the STA. More specifically, a particular STA receiving the management frame 810 can determine whether any of the BSSIDs have DL data for the STA by examining two bits in the partial virtual bitmap of the TIM element: the bit in the BSSID portion of the partial virtual bitmap corresponding to the BSSID to which the particular STA is associated, and the bit in the STA portion of the partial virtual bitmap corresponding to the AID value assigned to the particular STA.
[0140] After gaining access to the wireless medium, the AP Tx transmits a first 812A drive frame at time t2 (which may indicate the beginning of a first TXOP 801). When the first 812A drive frame is transmitted from the BSSID Tx, the transmitter (TA) address of the first 812A drive frame is set to the MAC address of the BSSID Tx. The first 812A drive frame can allocate dedicated RUs to one or more identified STAs and / or can allocate random RUs to individual BSSIDs or groups of STAs (such as the STAs associated with each of a selected number of BSSIDs). According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the AP Tx can allocate random RUs to individual BSSIDs and / or groups of STAs using the AID values contained in one or more User Information fields of the first 812A drive frame. In some implementations, the first 812A drive frame can
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73/100 group AID mappings in the partial virtual bitmap contained in management frame 810 to identify specific BSSIDs and / or specific groups of stations using AID values.
[0141] In some respects, the first 812A trigger frame can allocate random RUs to be shared by the STAs associated with the BSSID Tx can adjust an AID value = 0, for example, based on the BSSID Tx which has a BSSID index = 0. Each STA that receives the first 812A drive frame can determine whether any random RUs are allocated to all STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs by determining the possibility that the first 812A drive frame will adjust an AID value = 0.
[0142] In some respects, the first 812A trigger frame can allocate random RUs to be shared by the STAs associated with a selected non-Tx BSSID by adjusting an AID for the selected non-Tx BSSID BSSID index (based on mappings between the non-Tx BSSID index and a corresponding AID value in the partial virtual bitmap). For example, the first 812A trigger frame can allocate random RUs to be shared by all STAs associated with the first non-Tx BSSID by setting a value of AID = 1, it can allocate random RUs to be shared by all STAs associated with the second Non-Tx BSSID by setting a value of AID = 2, you can allocate random RUs to be shared by all STAs associated with the third non-Tx BSSID by setting a value of AID = 3 and so on. Each STA that receives the first frame of
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74/100 drive 812A can determine if any random RUs are allocated to the basic STA service set by determining the possibility that the first 812A drive frame contains an AID adjusted to the BSSID of its associated AP.
[0143] In some respects, the first 812A trigger frame can also allocate dedicated RUs for an individual associated STA to any of the basic service sets belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs by adjusting an AID value for the AID assigned to the STA individual. For example, the first drive frame 812A can allocate dedicated RUs for STA5 in Figure 8 by setting an AID value = 9 (which is the AID value assigned to STA5). Each STA receiving the first 812A drive frame can determine whether any random RUs are allocated for use by the STA by determining whether the first 812A drive frame can set an AID value for its associated AP's BSSID. In some respects, the first 812A trigger frame can allocate random RUs to unassociated STAs by setting an AID value = 2045.
[0144] In other implementations, the first 812A trigger frame can be transmitted by a non-Tx BSSID (as by an access point of the other API access points to AP7). When transmitted by a non-Tx BSSID, the first 812A trigger frame can include a TA adjusted for the non-Tx BSSID BSSID index, and can allocate random RUs to be shared by STAs associated with that non-Tx BSSID, for example, by adjustment an AID value = 0. In addition, or alternatively, the
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75/100 first 812A drive frame can allocate random RUs for use by all unassociated stations by setting an AID value to 2045.
[0145] Because each STA in the set of multiple BSSIDs stores the BSSID index of its associated AP and also stores its assigned AID value, each STA in the set of multiple BSSIDs can readily determine whether the first 812A trigger frame allocates random RUs for use by STA based on two AIDs contained in the first 812A trigger frame: the corresponding AID for the BSSID index of the associated STA AP, and the corresponding AID for the AID value assigned to the STA.
[0146] As depicted in the exemplary operation 800 of Figure 8, the first 812A drive frame allocates a first RUI resource unit as a random RU for use by all unassociated STAs by setting an AID value = 2045, allocates a second resource unit RU2 as a random RU for use by the STAs associated with the set of basic services that has a BSSID index = 3 by setting a value of AID = 3, allocates a third unit of resource RU3 as a random RU for use by STAs associated with the set of basic services that have a BSSID index = 2 by adjusting a value of AID = 2, allocate a fourth unit of resource RU4 as a random RU for use by STAs associated with the set of basic services that have a BSSID index = 1 by setting a value of AID = 1, allocates a fifth unit of resource RU5 as a random RU for use by STAs associated with BSSID Tx by setting a value of AID = 0, and
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76/100 allocates a sixth resource unit RU6 as a dedicated RU for STA5 by setting a value of AID = 9.
[0147] STAs can receive the first 812A drive frame at (or about) moment ts. Each STA receiving the first 812A drive frame can decode the RU allocation bitmap included in the first 812A drive frame to determine whether any RUs are allocated or are otherwise available to the STA. More specifically, each receiving STA can decode the AID values provided in the RU allocation bitmap to determine whether the 812A drive frame has allocated a dedicated RU for the STA or has allocated one or more random RUs for which the STA can compete (as per use of the OBO procedure).
[0148] At the moment, STAs that have allocated a dedicated RU or that have gained access to one of the random RUs start transmitting UL 814A data to the AP Tx. For the example in Figure 8, one of the non-associated STAs transmits UL data in the first RUI resource unit, one of the STAs associated with BSSID = 3 transmits UL data in the second RU2 resource unit, one of the STAs associated with BSSID = 2 transmits UL data on the third resource unit RU3, one of the STAs associated with the BSSID = 1 transmits UL data on the fourth resource unit RU4, one of the STAs associated with the BSSID Tx transmits UL data on the fifth resource unit RU5, and the STA5 transmits UL data on the sixth resource unit RU6.
[0149] The AP Tx receives data transmissions from UL 814A at time ts, and can confirm receipt by transmission of an M-BA frame (not shown as
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77/100 simplicity). After that, the AP Tx can transmit a second 812B drive frame at the moment t (which can indicate a start of a second TXOP 802). In the exemplary operation 800 of Figure 8, the second drive frame 812B allocates the first RUI resource unit as a random RU for the STAs associated with BSSID = 2 by setting AID = 0, allocates the second RU2 resource unit as a RU random for STAs associated with BSSID = 2 by setting a corresponding AID = 0, allocates the third resource unit RU3 as a dedicated RU for STA6 by setting a corresponding AID = 5, and allocates the fourth resource unit RU4 as a dedicated RU for STA5 by setting a corresponding AID = 8.
[0150] Each of the STAs can receive the second 812B drive frame at (about) ti time, and can decode the RU allocation bitmap included in the second 812B drive frame to determine whether any RUs are allocated or, otherwise, they are available to STA. STAs that have allocated dedicated resources or that have gained access to random RUs begin transmitting UL 814B data at time tg. In the exemplary operation 800 in Figure 8, one of the STAs associated with BSSID = 2 transmits UL data in the first RUI resource unit based on the value AID = 0 in the RU allocation bitmap, one of the STAs associated with BSSID = 2 transmits UL data in the second RU2 resource unit based on the AID = 0 value in the RU allocation bitmap, STA6 transmits UL data in the third RU3 resource unit based on the AID value = 5 in the bitmap allocation plan, and STA4 transmits UL data on the fourth
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78/100 resource unit RU4 based on AID value = 6 in the RU allocation bitmap. The AP Tx can receive data transmissions from UL 814B at time tg, and can confirm receipt by transmission of an M-BA frame (not shown for simplicity.
[0151] By allowing the AP Tx to allocate random RUs to STAs that are associated with the BSSID Tx and to STAs that are associated with one or more non-Tx BSSIDs, aspects of the present disclosure can isolate collisions in the wireless medium within each different BSSs that make up the set of multiple BSSIDs. In addition, because STAs already track their associated BSSID index value, STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs can determine whether trigger frames disclosed in this document allocate random RUs to their own BSSID or to one of the non-Tx BSSIDs without storing Additional Information.
[0152] In some other implementations, each of the APs (or virtual access points) in the set of multiple BSSIDs can advertise or disclose their own RAPS element, for example, using the non-Tx BSSID Profile contained in the multiple BSSIDss. For such implementations, the BSSID Tx can advertise or disclose its own RAPS element in one or more signaling frames, and each of the non-Tx BSSIDs can select their RAPS values based on the number of STAs associated with it. If a given non-Tx BSSID does not disclose its own RAPS value, then the STAs associated with the given non-Tx BSSID can obtain the RAPS value from the BSSID Tx RAPS element.
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[0153] In some respects, a trigger frame that has a transmitter address set to a specific non-Tx BSSID can allocate random RUs only to STAs that are associated with the specific non-Tx BSSID. In some respects, a random RU may have an AID 12 = 0. In addition, or alternatively, a random RU allocated to a trigger frame that has a transmitter address set to the BSSID Tx can be used only by STAs associated with the BSSID Tx. For these implementations, collisions can remain isolated for each of the APs (or virtual APs).
[0154] In some other implementations, each AP (or virtual AP) discloses its own RAPS element, and the AP associated with the BSSID Tx transmits the signaling frames. Non-Tx BSSIDs disclose their RAPS values using the Non-Tx BSSID Profile contained in the multiple BSSIDss element. Non-Tx BSSIDs can select their RAPS values based on the number of STAs associated with them. If a given non-Tx BSSID does not disclose its own RAPS value, then the STAs associated with the given non-Tx BSSID can use a RAPS element provided by the BSSID Tx. A random RU in a drive frame with a transmitter address set to the non-Tx BSSID can be used only by STAs associated with that non-Tx BSSID. In some respects, a random RU can have an AID12 = 0, and a random RU allocated in a drive frame that has a transmitter address set to the BSSID Tx can be used by STAs associated with the set of multiple BSSIDs.
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[0155] In some respects, STAs belonging to the non-Tx BSSID can use the RAPS element disclosed by the BSSID Tx. In other respects, STAs belonging to one of the non-Tx BSSIDs can apply a scaling factor to explain differences between the RAPS element of the BSSID Tx and the RAP value of its own BSSID. These implementations can increase collisions between STAs because a large number of STAs can attempt to access random RUs, and can increase complexity because STAs need to track two RAPS values (instead of a RAPS value).
[0156] In some other implementations, only the BSSID Tx discloses its RAPS element. In some respects, the non-Tx BSSID can use the RAPS element provided by the BSSID Tx. When a trigger frame with a transmitter address set to the BSSID Tx allocates random RUs, then (1) only STAs associated with the BSSID Tx can use the random RUs or (2) any STA belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs can use the RUs random. Only STAs associated with a non-Tx BSSID can use random RUs when the trigger frame has a transmitter address set to a non-BSSID
Tx. In other respects, only trigger frames sent by BSSID Tx can allocate random RUs.
Any STA in the set of multiple BSSIDs can use RUs for random access.
[0157] In some implementations, unassociated STAs that have not received RAPS information from an AP can use a standard RAPS parameter value (or value
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81/100 OBO counter) when initially communicating with ο AP using random access channel mechanisms.
[0158] Figure 9 shows an exemplary drive frame 900. The drive frame 900 can be used as the driven drive frame 602 in Figure 6A, the drive frame 612 wildcard in Figure 6B, the drive frame 712 in Figure 7 or drive frames 812A through 812B in Figure 8. O drive frame 900 is shown to include a frame control field 901, a duration field 902, a receiver (RA) address field 903, a transmitter (TA) address field 904, a Common Information field 905 , several User Information fields 906 (1) to 906 (n) and a frame check sequence (FCS) 907 field.
[0159] The 901 frame control field includes a Type 901A field and a Subtype 901B field. The Type 901A field can store a value to indicate that the drive frame 900 is a control frame, and the Subtype field 901B can store a value that indicates a type of the drive frame 900. The duration field 902 can store information indicating a duration or length of the drive frame 900. The field of RA 903 can store the address of a receiving device (such as one of the wireless stations STA1 to STAn of Figures 6A, 6B and 7). The TA 904 field can store the address of a transmission device (such as the AP in Figures 6A, 6B, 7 and 8). The Common Information field 905 can store information common to one or more receiving devices as described in more detail below in relation to Figure 10A. Each of the Information by User fields
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906 (1) to 906 (n) can store information for a particular receiving device that includes, for example, the AID of the receiving device. FCS 907 fields can store a frame check sequence (as for error detection).
[0160] In some respects, the switchgear 900 may allocate dedicated RUs to identified STAs associated with AID values stored in corresponding User Information fields in the User Information fields 906 (1) to 906 (n). In other respects, the trigger frame 900 can allocate random RUs to one or more groups of STAs using predefined AID values stored in the User Information fields 906 (1) to 906 (n). For example, as described above, setting AID = 0 in a trigger frame can allocate random RUs for STAs associated with the AP Tx, while setting an AID = 2045 in a trigger frame can allocate random RUs for unassociated STAs. .
[0161] Figure 10A shows an example Common Information 1000 field. The Common Information field 1000 can be an implementation of the Common Information field 905 of drive frame 900. The Common Information field 1000 is shown to include a subfield of length 1001, a cascading indication subfield 1002, a subfield of information high-efficiency A signaling system (HE-SIG-A) 1003, a cyclic prefix (CP) and a legacy training field type (LTF) subfield, a drive type 1005 subfield and a dependent common information subfield actuation
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1006. The subfield of length 1001 can indicate the length of a legacy signaling field from the UL data frames to be transmitted in response to drive frame 900. Cascading subfield 1002 can indicate whether a subsequent drive frame follows the current trigger frame. The HE-SIG-A 1003 Information subfield can indicate the contents of an HE-SIG-A field of the UL data frames to be transmitted in response to drive frame 900. The CP and LTF type subfield 004 can indicate the cyclic prefix and the HE-LTF type of the UL data frames to be transmitted in response to the drive frame 900. The drive type field 1005 can indicate the type of drive frame. The trigger dependent common information subfield 1006 can indicate trigger dependent information.
[0162] Figure 10B shows an example Information by User 1010 field. The Information by User field 1010 can be an implementation of the Information by User fields 906 (1) to 906 (n) of the trigger frame 900. The Information by User field 1010 is shown to include a subfield of User Identifier 1011 , a RU 1012 Allocation subfield, a Coding Type 1013 subfield, an MCS subfield
1014, a double carrier modulation (DCM) subfield
1015, a Space Flow Allocation (SS) subfield 1016 and a trigger dependent User information subfield 1017. The User Identifier 1011 subfield can indicate the STA identification of association (AID) for which a dedicated RU is allocated to transmit
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84/100 MU data from UL. The RU 1012 Allocation subfield can identify the dedicated RU allocated to the corresponding STA (such as the STA identified by the User Identifier 1011 subfield). The Coding Type subfield 1013 can indicate the type of coding to be used by the corresponding STA when transmitting UL data using the allocated RU. The subfield of MCS 1014 can indicate the MCS to be used by the corresponding STA when transmitting UL data using the allocated RU. The DCM 1015 subfield can indicate the dual carrier modulation to be used by the corresponding STA when transmitting UL data using the allocated RU. The SS 1016 Allocation subfield can indicate the number of spatial streams to be used by the corresponding STA when transmitting UL data using the allocated RU.
[0163] In some implementations, the AID value stored in the User Identifier 1011 subfield of the User Information 1010 field of the switchboard 900 can indicate or identify the selected BSS for which random RUs identified in the RU Allocation subfield 1012 are allocated. In some respects, the AID stored in the User Identifier 1011 subfield can be one of several (N) values, for example, to identify a corresponding BSS of N different BSSs for which one or more random RUs are allocated by the trigger frame 900. For an example in which the AP operates an N = 8 number of independent BSSs, AID values from 0 to 7 can be used by the switchboard 900 to identify a BSS selected from eight (8) BSSs for which the Random RUs are allocated by the
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85/100 trigger frame 900. So, if trigger frame 900 sets AID = 1, then all wireless devices associated with or belonging to a BSS that has a BSSID index = 1 (as the first set of basic services BSS1 of Figure 1B) can compete for access to the random RUs allocated by the drive frame 900; if the switchgear 900 sets AID = 2, then all wireless devices associated with or belonging to a BSS that have a BSSID index = 2 (such as the second set of basic services BSS2 in Figure 1B) can compete for access to RUs random numbers allocated by drive frame 900 and so on.
[0164] The mappings between BSSID index values and AID values can be stored in the AP, for example, as described above in relation to Figure 4. The AP can share the mappings between BSSID index values and AID values with their associated wireless devices. In some implementations, the AP can transmit one or more elements from multiple BSSIDs in the management frame (such as signaling frame or probe response frame). The one or more elements of multiple BSSIDs can be included in an information element (IE), a supplier-specific information element (VSIE), a package extension, or any other appropriate portion or field of a management framework .
[0165] Figure 10C shows an exemplary RAPS 1020 element (which can also be called an element of Random Access Parameter based on UL OFDMA (UORA)). The RAPS 1020 element is
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86/100 shown to include an element ID field 1021, a field of length 1022, an element ID extension field 1023 and an OCW range field 1024. The element ID field 1021 can store a value ( for example, 255) which indicates that the element is an extended type element and the element ID extension field 1023 can indicate the element type (as a RAPS element). The length field 1022 can store a value that indicates a length of the RAPS element 1020. The OCW range field 1024 can indicate the minimum and maximum values of the OCW (OFDMA containment window).
[0166] As described above, a particular non-Tx BSSID may not allocate random RUs to its associated STAs. In some implementations, the particular non-Tx BSSID may indicate that it does not allocate random RUs by including, in the RAPS 1020 element, a special value or explicitly dedicated field (not shown for simplicity) which indicates that the non-Tx BSSID does not allocate random RUs. In other implementations, the particular non-Tx BSSID may indicate that it does not allocate random RUs by disclosing a null RAPS element. In some respects, the particular non-Tx BSSID may include a null RAPS element by default of the Information field in the element (i.e., the OCW 1024 range field of the RAPS 1020 element), for example, so that the element of RAPS 1020 include only the element ID 1021 field, the element ID 1023 extension field and the 1022 length field (which can be set to 1). Stations receiving a null RAPS element may determine that the transmitting AP or the
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AP corresponding to the null RAPS element does not allocate random RUs.
[0167] Figure 11A shows an illustrative flowchart that depicts an exemplary 1100 operation for allocating wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID). The set of multiple BSSIDs can include multiple BSSIDs, each associated with a corresponding access point access point (AP). The exemplary 1100 operation is performed by a first access point (AP). The first AP can be AP 110 of Figure IA, AP 140 of Figure 1B, AP 400 of Figure 4 or any other suitable AP.
[0168] The first AP can allocate random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using different association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a bitmap partial virtual of a traffic indication map element (TIM) (1101). The drive frame can request uplink (UL) transmissions from stations in the allocated random access resources. In some respects, the number of AID values contained in the trigger frame can identify, for the allocation of random access resources, at least one from a group of stations, a specific BSSID, a group of BSSIDs and all stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs. For example, when the drive frame is transmitted by BSSID Tx (as the transmitter (TA) address is set to the MAC address of the BSSID Tx), a resource unit in the drive frame corresponding to a
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88/100 AID value of zero (0) may indicate that random access resources are available for STAs associated with BSSID Tx, a resource unit in the trigger frame corresponding to an AID value of n (where 0 <k < 2 ⁿ ) can indicate that random access resources are available for STAs associated with the non-Tx BSSID assigned to an index of BSSID = k, a resource unit in the trigger frame corresponding to an AID value adjusted to a first special value ( as AID = 2047) may indicate that the random access feature is available for all STAs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, and a resource unit in the trigger frame corresponding to an AID value adjusted to a second special value (such as AID = 2045) can indicate what random access features are available for unassociated STAs. In other respects, the first and second special values can be other suitable integer values.
[0169] In some implementations, the first AP can be associated with a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx), and each of the other APs is associated with a corresponding non-transmitted BSSID (non-Tx BSSID). When a drive frame is transmitted from the BSSID Tx (as from the first AP that operates as the AP Tx), the transmitter (TA) address of the drive frame is set to the MAC address of the BSSID Tx. With reference also to the exemplary operation 1110 of Figure 11B, the first AP can allocate one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with a non-Tx BSSID selected from the non-Tx BSSIDs by adjusting an AID value.
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89/100 for a BSSID index of the selected non-Tx BSSID (1111). In addition, or alternatively, the first AP can allocate one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the BSSID Tx by setting an AID value to zero (1112). In addition, or alternatively, the first AP can allocate one or more random RUs for use by all unassociated stations by setting an AID value to 2045 (1113).
[0170] In other implementations, the first AP can be associated with a non-Tx BSSID. When a
drive is transmitted starting on one Non-Tx BSSID ( like starting of first AP what operates as one AP not Tx ) , The Address in transmitter (OK) of painting in drive is adjusted to the address MAC of BSSID not Tx. With
Also referring to the exemplary operation 1120 of Figure 11C, the first AP can allocate one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the non-Tx BSSID by setting an AID value to zero (1121). In addition, or alternatively, the first AP can be allocated one or more random RUs for use by all unassociated stations by setting an AID value to 2045 (1122).
[0171] The first AP can transmit a trigger frame that contains the number of AID values for stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs (1102). In some respects, the trigger frame may contain the AID value adjusted to the BSSID index of the selected non-Tx BSSID, for example, to allocate the one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the selected non-Tx BSSID for transmission of UL. In other respects, the drive frame may contain the value of
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AID set to zero, for example, to allocate one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the BSSID Tx for UL transmissions. In other respects, the trigger frame may contain the AID value adjusted for 2045, for example, to allocate the one or more random RUs for use by all non-associated stations for UL transmissions.
[0172] The first AP can transmit a management board that includes the partial virtual bitmap that contains the group AID mapping (1103). In some implementations, the partial virtual bitmap indicates at least one of a group address traffic presence for the BSSID Tx, a group address traffic presence for one or more non-Tx BSSIDs, and a DL data presence queued for non-associated stations. The management board may also contain an element of multiple BSSIDs that includes an indication that the first AP operates the set of multiple BSSIDs and is associated with the BSSID Tx. The element of multiple BSSIDs can also include BSSID values for BSSID Tx and non-Tx BSSIDs.
[0173] In some implementations, the management board may advertise multiple BSSIDss capabilities from the first AP. The management framework may also include the multiple BSSIDss capabilities of APs associated with non-Tx BSSIDs. In some respects, the management framework may include a random access parameter element (RAPS) that indicates values of the multiple access containment window by division and orthogonal frequency for stations associated with the first AP (1104). In some respects, the management framework includes
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91/100 also, for each of the other APs, a corresponding RAPS element that indicates OFDMA containment window values for stations associated with the respective AP of the other APs (1105).
[0174] Figure 12 shows an illustrative flowchart depicting another exemplary 1200 operation to allocate wireless resources from a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID) to several stations (STAs). The set of BSSIDs can include a first set of basic services (BSS) associated with a first access point (AP) and several other BSSs, each associated with a corresponding AP from several other APs. In some implementations, the first AP can operate the set of BSSIDs and can perform the exemplary 1200 operation. In some respects, the first AP may be the AP 110 in Figure IA, the AP in Figure 1B or the AP 400 in Figure 4. In other aspects, the first AP may be another suitable AP.
[0175] The first AP can transmit a signaling frame that includes a partial virtual bitmap that indicates a presence or absence of downlink data (DL) in queue for each of a plurality of stations, regardless of the particular BSS at the which any of the stations belong (1201). In some implementations, a first bit of the partial virtual bitmap indicates the presence or absence of DL data for stations associated with the first AP, each of several second bits of the partial virtual bitmap indicates the presence or absence of DL data. for stations associated with a corresponding AP out of the number of other APs,
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92/100 and a third bit of the partial virtual bitmap indicates the presence or absence of DL data for stations not associated with any of the APs.
[0176] The signaling frame may include an element of multiple BSSIDs that indicates that the first AP operates the set of multiple BSSIDs and is associated with the first BSS. In some respects, the element of multiple BSSIDs can indicate a BSSID index for the first AP and indicates a BSSID index for each of the number of other APs. The signaling frame may also indicate capabilities of multiple BSSIDss of the first AP and indicates capabilities of multiple BSSIDss of each of the number of other APs. In addition, or alternatively, the signaling board may include a random access parameter element (RAPS) that indicates values of the multiple access containment window by division and orthogonal frequency for stations associated with the first AP. In some respects, the signaling table may also include, for each of the number of other APs, a corresponding RAPS element that indicates OFDMA containment window values for stations associated with the respective AP of the other APs.
[0177] The first AP can allocate a first number of random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with the first BSS (1202), and can allocate a second number of RUs for use by stations associated with one or more other BSSs (1203).
[0178] The first AP can transmit a trigger frame that indicates the allocation of the first number of RUs for use by stations associated with the first BSS and the
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93/100 allocation of the second number of RUs for use by stations associated with one or more other BSSs (1204).
[0179] The first AP can allocate a dedicated RU for a selected station associated with the first AP, and the trigger frame can indicate the allocation of the dedicated RU for the selected station (1205). In this way, a single trigger frame can allocate dedicated RUs to one or more selected stations associated with the first AP while also allocating random RUs to multiple stations, regardless of whether the stations are associated with the AP that transmitted the trigger frame.
[0180] Figure 13 shows an illustrative flowchart that depicts an exemplary 1300 operation that operates a wireless station on a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID). The set of multiple BSSIDs can include a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx) and several non-transmitted BSSIDs (non-Tx BSSIDs). In some implementations, the wireless station can be one of the stations STA1 to STA4 of Figure IA, one of the stations STA1 to STA99 of Figure IB or STA 300 of Figure 3. In other respects, the wireless station can be another device suitable wireless.
[0181] The wireless station receives a management board that includes a partial virtual bitmap and various elements of the random access parameter set (RAPS) (1302). Each RAPS element can indicate multiple access contention window values by division and orthogonal frequency for stations associated with a corresponding BSSID of the BSSIDs. In some ways,
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94/100 each RAPS element can include an OFDMA Containment Window (OCW) range field that stores a minimum OCW value and a maximum OCW value for a corresponding BSSID. During random channel access operations, each receiving station can select an OBO count value that is between the minimum OCW value and the maximum OCW value indicated in the corresponding RAPS element.
[0182] In some implementations, the management framework is transmitted by the BSSID Tx and may include a RAPS element for the BSSID Tx. If the wireless station belongs to a respective non-Tx BSSID from the non-Tx BSSIDs and has not received a RAPS element corresponding to the respective non-Tx BSSID, the wireless station can inherit the BSSID Tx RAPS element based on the absence of any RAPS element corresponding to the respective non-Tx BSSID (1302A).
[0183] In other implementations, the wireless station may belong to the respective non-Tx BSSID of the non-Tx BSSIDs that do not allocate random RUs to their associated stations. The respective non-Tx BSSID may indicate that it does not allocate random RUs to its associated stations in a corresponding RAPS element. In some implementations, the wireless station may receive a RAPS element that indicates that the respective non-Tx BSSID does not allocate random RUs to its associated stations (1302B). In some respects, the RAPS element may include a special value or explicitly dedicated field that indicates that the respective non-Tx BSSID does not allocate random RUs. Wireless stations that receive an element of
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RAPS that includes the special value or the dedicated field may determine that the non-Tx BSSID corresponding to the received RAPS element does not allocate random RUs to wireless stations.
[0184] On other aspects, the RAPS element can include One field in adjusted length for one or can be missing one track field Window Containment of OFDMA (OCW) to indicate that the respective
Non-Tx BSSID does not allocate random RUs. Wireless stations that receive a RAPS element that includes a length field set to one or that does not include an OFDMA contention window (OCW) field may determine that the non-Tx BSSID corresponding to the received RAPS element does not allocates random RUs to wireless stations.
[0185] The wireless station can determine a downlink data (DL) presence in one or more BSSIDs based on the partial virtual bitmap (1304). In some implementations, the partial virtual bitmap may allow an AP to indicate the presence of group address traffic to the BSSID Tx, to indicate the presence of group address traffic to each of the non-Tx BSSIDs, and to indicate the presence queued downlink (DL) data for STAs associated with any of the different BSSs belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs 130 (regardless of whether the STAs are associated with the BSSID Tx or one of the non-Tx BSSIDs) with the use of a single traffic indication map (TIM) element as described above.
[0186] The wireless station can receive a trigger frame that contains various values of
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96/100 association identifier (AID) based on a group AID mapping contained in the partial virtual bitmap of a traffic indication map (TIM) element (1306). In some implementations, the trigger frame is received from an access point (AP) corresponding to the BSSID Tx and includes a transmitter (TA) address set to a MAC address of the BSSID Tx. In other implementations, the trigger frame is received from an access point (AP) corresponding to a respective BSSID of the non-Tx BSSIDs and includes a transmitter (TA) address set to a MAC address of the respective non-Tx BSSID.
[0187] The wireless station can determine whether the trigger frame allocates one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by the station based on one or more AID values contained in the trigger frame (1308). When the trigger frame is received from an AP corresponding to the BSSID Tx and the wireless station is associated with the BSSID Tx, the wireless station can determine whether the trigger frame allocates one or more random RUs for use by the station by identification, in the trigger frame, an AID value set to zero. When the trigger frame is received from an AP corresponding to the BSSID Tx and the wireless station is associated with the respective non-Tx BSSID of the non-Tx BSSIDs, the wireless station can determine whether the trigger frame allocates one or more random RUs for use by the station by identifying, in the drive frame, an AID value adjusted to a BSSID index of the respective non-Tx BSSID. When the wireless station is not associated with any of the BSSIDs, the wireless station can determine whether the trigger frame allocates one or
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97/100 plus random RUs for use by the station by identifying, in the trigger frame, an AID value adjusted to 2045.
[0188] When the trigger frame is received from an AP corresponding to the respective non-Tx BSSID of the non-Tx BSSIDs and the wireless station is associated with the respective non-Tx BSSID, the wireless station can determine whether the trigger frame allocates a or more random RUs for use by the station by identifying, in the drive frame, an AID value set to zero. When the trigger frame is received from an AP corresponding to the respective non-Tx BSSID of the non-Tx BSSIDs and the wireless station is not associated with any of the BSSIDs, the wireless station can determine whether the trigger frame allocates one or more Random RUs for use by the station by identifying, on the drive board, an AID value set to 2045.
[0189] As used herein, an expression that refers to at least one of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including unique members. As an example, it is intended that at least one of: a, b or c covers a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c and a-b-c.
[0190] The various illustrative logics, logic blocks, modules, circuits and algorithm processes described together with the implementations disclosed in this document can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or combinations of both. The interchangeability of hardware and software has, in general, been described in terms of functionality, and illustrated in
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98/100 various components, blocks, modules, circuits and illustrative processes described above. Whether such functionality is implemented in hardware or software depends on the particular application and design restrictions imposed on the general system.
[0191] The hardware and data processing apparatus used to implement the various illustrative logics, logic blocks, modules and circuits described together with the aspects revealed in this document can be implemented or carried out with a single general purpose processor or multiple chips, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable port arrangement (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete or transistor logic port element, hardware components discrete or any combination of them designed to perform the functions described in this document. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices such as, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other configuration. In some implementations, particular processes and methods can be performed by a set of circuits that is specific to a particular function.
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[0192] In one or more aspects, the functions described in hardware, digital electronic circuitry, computer software, firmware, including structures revealed in this specification and their structural equivalents or any combination thereof. Implementations of the subject described in this specification can also be implemented as one or more computer programs, that is, one or more computer program instruction modules, encoded on a computer storage medium for execution by, or to control the operation of, data data processing apparatus.
[0193] If implemented in software, functions can be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes in a computer-readable medium. The processes of a method or algorithm disclosed in this document can be implemented in a processor executable software module that resides in a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any means that may be made possible to transfer a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and without limitation, such computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used. used to store desired program code in the
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100/100 form of instruction or data structures and which can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, any connection can be called a computer-readable medium. The magnetic disc or optical disc, as used in this document, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc DVD), floppy disc and blu-ray disc in which the magnetic discs usually reproduce data magnetically , while optical discs optically reproduce data with lasers. Combinations of the above must also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. In addition, the operations of a method or algorithm can reside as an operation or any combination or set of codes and instructions in a machine-readable medium and a computer-readable medium, which can be incorporated into a computer program product.
[0194] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles defined in this document can be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown in this document, but must be in accordance with the broader scope consistent with this disclosure, with the innovative principles and resources disclosed in this document.

权利要求:
Claims (10)
[1]
1. Wireless resource allocation method for a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) that include multiple BSSIDs, each associated with an access point corresponding to several access points (APs), the method performed by a first AP and comprising:
allocate random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs as use of multiple association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a map element. traffic indication (TIM); and transmitting a trigger frame containing the number of AID values to the stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.
[2]
2. Method according to claim 1, in which the drive frame requests uplink (UL) transmissions from stations in the random access resources allocated based on the number of AID values.
[3]
3. Method, according to claim 1, in which the number of AID values contained in the trigger frame identifies, for the allocation of random access resources, at least one of a group of stations, a specific BSSID, a group of BSSIDs and all stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs
[4]
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first AP is associated with a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx), and each of the other APs is associated with a corresponding non-transmitted BSSID (non-Tx BSSID).
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2/10
[5]
5. Method according to claim 4, in which the allocation of random access resources comprises: allocating one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with a non-Tx BSSID selected from non-Tx BSSIDs by adjustment of an AID value for a selected non-Tx BSSID BSSID index, where the trigger frame contains the adjusted AID value for the selected non-Tx BSSID BSSID index and allocates the one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the selected non-Tx BSSID for uplink (UL) transmissions.
[6]
6. Method according to claim 4, in which the allocation of random access resources comprises: allocating one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with the BSSID Tx by setting an AID value to zero , where the drive frame contains the value of
AID adjusted for zero and allocates the one or more RUs random for use per stations associated with BSSID Tx for transmissions uplink (UL). 7. Method, in according to claim 4, in
that the allocation of random access resources comprises: allocating one or more random resource units (RUs) to all unassociated stations adjusted by setting an AID value to 2045, where the trigger frame contains the adjusted AID value for 2045 and allocates one or more random RUs to all unassociated stations for uplink (UL) transmissions.
8. Method according to claim 4, which
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3/10 additionally comprises:
to transmit one painting management system that includes the map virtual bit partial containing the mapping in AID in group.9. Method, in wake up with claim 8, in what The bitmap partial virtual indicates at least one
among:
a presence of group address traffic to the BSSID Tx;
a presence of group address traffic to one or more of the non-Tx BSSIDs; and a presence of downlink data (DL) in queue for unassociated stations.
10. Method according to claim 8, wherein the management framework includes an element of multiple BSSIDs comprising:
an indication that the first AP operates the set of multiple BSSIDs and is associated with the BSSID Tx; and BSSID values assigned to BSSID Tx and non-Tx BSSIDs.
11. Method according to claim 8, in which the management board includes a random access parameter element (RAPS) that indicates values of the multiple access containment window by division and orthogonal frequency for stations associated with the first AP.
12. Method according to claim 11, in which the management framework includes, for each of the other APs, a corresponding RAPS element indicating OFDMA containment window values for stations
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4/10 associated with the respective AP of the other APs.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a RAPS element having a length field set to 1 indicates that a corresponding BSSID does not allocate random RUs.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the OFDMA containment window values are based, at least in part, on the number of stations associated with the first AP.
15. Method, according to claim 1, in which the first AP is associated with a non-transmitted BSSID (non-Tx BSSID), and allocates the random access resources comprising:
allocate one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with the non-Tx BSSID by setting an AID value to zero, where the trigger frame contains the AID value set to zero and allocates the one or more Random RUs for use by stations associated with the non-Tx BSSID for uplink transmissions (UL).
16. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the number of APs comprises a virtual access point.
17. First access point (AP) configured to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) including several BSSIDs, each associated with a corresponding AP of several APs, the first AP comprising:
one or more processors; and
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5/10 a memory that stores instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the first AP:
allocate random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using multiple association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a map element traffic indication (TIM); and transmitting a trigger frame that contains the number of AID values to stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.
18. First AP, according to claim 17, in which the number of AID values contained in the trigger frame identifies, for the allocation of random access resources, at least one of a group of stations, a specific BSSID, a group of BSSIDs and all stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.
19. The first AP according to claim 17, wherein the first AP is associated with a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx), and each of the other APs is associated with a corresponding non-transmitted BSSID (non-Tx BSSID).
20. First AP, according to claim
19, in which the execution of instructions to allocate random access resources causes the first AP:
allocate one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with a selected non-Tx BSSID from the non-Tx BSSIDs by adjusting an AID value for a selected non-Tx BSSID BSSID index, where the trigger frame contains the value of
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6/10
AID adjusted to the BSSID index of the selected non-Tx BSSID and allocates the one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the selected non-Tx BSSID for uplink (UL) transmissions.
21. First AP, according to claim
19, in which the execution of instructions to allocate random access resources causes the first AP:
allocate one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with the BSSID Tx by setting an AID value to zero, where the trigger frame contains the AID value set to zero and allocates the one or more RUs for use by stations associated with the BSSID Tx for uplink (UL) transmissions.
22. First AP, according to claim
21, in which the execution of instructions to allocate random access resources causes the first AP:
allocate one or more random resource units (RUs) to all unassociated stations adjusted by setting an AID value to 2045, where the trigger frame contains the AID value adjusted to 2045 and allocates the one or more random RUs for all non-associated stations for uplink (UL) transmissions.
23. First AP, according to claim
21, in which the execution of the instructions additionally causes the first AP to:
transmit a management board that includes the partial virtual bitmap that contains the group AID mapping, where the partial virtual bitmap indicates
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[7]
7/10 at least one of:
a presence of group address traffic to the BSSID Tx;
a presence of group address traffic to one or more of the non-Tx BSSIDs; and a presence of downlink data (DL) in queue for unassociated stations.
24. First AP, according to claim
23, in which the management framework includes an element of multiple BSSIDs comprising:
an indication that the first AP operates the set of multiple BSSIDs and is associated with the BSSID Tx; and BSSID values assigned to BSSID Tx and non-Tx BSSIDs.
25. First AP, according to claim 24 in that the picture of management includes:one element ace parameter this is random (RAPS) what indicates window values of containment of
multiple access by division and orthogonal frequency for stations associated with the first AP; and for each of the other APs, a corresponding RAPS element that indicates OFDMA containment window values for stations associated with the respective AP of the other APs.
26. First AP, according to claim 17, in which the first AP is associated with an untranslated BSSID (non-Tx BSSID), and in which execution of instructions to allocate random access resources causes the first AP to :
allocates one or more random resource units
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[8]
8/10 (RUs) for use by stations associated with the non-Tx BSSID by setting an AID value to zero, where the trigger frame contains the AID value set to zero and allocates the one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the non-Tx BSSID for uplink transmissions (UL).
27. Non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions that, when executed by one or more processors from a first access point (AP), cause the first AP to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple service set identifiers basic (BSSID) including a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx) and several non-transmitted BSSIDs (non-Tx BSSIDs) by performing operations that comprise:
allocate random access resources for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using multiple association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a map element traffic indication (TIM); and transmit a trigger frame that contains the number of AID values for stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs, where the BSSID Tx is associated with the first AP and each of the non-Tx BSSIDs is associated with a corresponding AP of several others APs.
28. Non-transitory computer-readable medium, according to claim 27, in which the execution of instructions to allocate random access resources causes the first AP to perform operations that additionally comprise:
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[9]
9/10 allocate one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by stations associated with a selected non-Tx BSSID from non-Tx BSSIDs by adjusting an AID value to a selected non-Tx BSSID BSSID index, where the drive frame contains the AID value adjusted for the BSSID index of the selected non-Tx BSSID and allocates the one or more random RUs for use by stations associated with the selected non-Tx BSSID for uplink (UL) transmissions.
29. Non-transitory computer-readable medium, according to claim 27, in which the execution of instructions to allocate random access resources causes the first AP to perform operations that additionally comprise:
allocate one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by unassociated stations by setting an AID value to 2045,
in which the framework actuation contains the value of AID adjusted to 2045 and allocate at one or more RUs random for use by seasons no associated for
uplink (UL) transmissions.
30. First access point (AP) configured to allocate wireless resources to a set of multiple basic service set identifiers (BSSID) including a transmitted BSSID (BSSID Tx) and several non-transmitted BSSIDs (non-Tx BSSIDs), the BSSID Tx associated with the first AP and each of the non-Tx BSSIDs associated with a corresponding AP from several other APs, the first AP comprising:
means to allocate random access resources
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[10]
10/10 for use by stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs using different association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of an indication map element traffic (TIM); and means for transmitting a trigger frame containing the number of AID values to stations belonging to the set of multiple BSSIDs.

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法律状态:
2021-10-19| B350| Update of information on the portal [chapter 15.35 patent gazette]|

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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US201762486451P| true| 2017-04-17|2017-04-17|

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US62/486,451|2017-04-17|

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US15/949,190|2018-04-10|

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US15/949,190|US10849159B2|2017-04-17|2018-04-10|Trigger-based random access in a multiple BSSID network|

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PCT/US2018/027094|WO2018194891A1|2017-04-17|2018-04-11|Trigger-based random access in a multiple bssid network|

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