CN113597003A

CN113597003A - Broadband transmission method

Info

Publication number: CN113597003A
Application number: CN202110468490.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吕开颖; 石镕豪; 王超群; 刘剑函; 易志熹; 皮尔二世汤姆士艾德华
Original assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte Ltd
Current assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2020-04-30
Filing date: 2021-04-28
Publication date: 2021-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2041-04-28
Also published as: DE102021110917A1; CN113597003B

Abstract

A device (e.g., an Access Point (AP)) announces one or more Preamble Detection (PD) channels in a frequency segment to one or more Stations (STAs) in a frame such that each of the one or more STAs monitors a respective one of the one or more PD channels to detect any transmission on the one or more PD channels. The device then wirelessly communicates with at least one of the one or more STAs on one of the one or more PD channels during a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

Description

Broadband transmission method

Related citations

The present disclosure is part of a non-provisional patent application claiming priority from U.S. provisional patent applications having application numbers 63/017,698 and 63/020,583, filed on days 4 and 30 of 2020 and 5 and 6 of 2020, respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly, to preamble puncturing support for broadband transmission in efficient wireless communications.

Background

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims set forth below and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

In a contention-based channel access wireless communication system, a device accesses a wireless medium in a wideband system including multiple narrowband (or multiple channels) by sensing a primary 20MHz channel (which cannot be punctured). A wideband system allows devices to transmit frames on a primary channel and one or more idle non-primary channels. The preamble puncturing mechanism is used to increase spectrum usage when radar signal, incumbent signal (incumbent signal) or Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) interference is present in one or more non-primary channels. In a wireless system under the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax specification, HE-SIG-a carries a Bandwidth (BW) field that indicates puncturing patterns (at the content channel level) in the primary 80MHz frequency band, and contains sufficient information about the intended recipient regarding how to decode the two SIG-B content channels within the [ 1212 ] coding structure in the primary 80MHz frequency band.

In next generation wireless systems, such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) under the IEEE 802.11be specification, they operate in wider bandwidths, e.g., 320MHz, 160+160MHz, 240MHz, 160+80MHz, 160MHz, and 80+80 MHz. Thus, there may be situations where some of the smaller bandwidth devices (e.g., 80MHz devices) are associated with a broadband Access Point (AP), such as a 320MHz AP. To support small bandwidth devices in a broadband system, some small bandwidth devices may stay on a non-primary channel to perform frame exchange. However, when the preamble is allowed to be punctured on a non-primary channel (i.e., preamble puncturing is allowed to be performed in any 20MHz channel that is not a primary 80MHz frequency segment), the problem of how the device detects the preamble or lack of detection needs to be addressed without causing significant power consumption. For example, when a 20MHz channel for preamble detection is punctured, data transmission on the unpunctured channel of a particular non-primary 80MHz frequency segment may not be detected by the device, and as a result resources may be wasted.

For very high throughput (EHT) broadband transmissions (e.g., in 160MHz or 320MHz), information on the punctured channel may be carried in a common signaling field (e.g., U-SIG) in each 80MHz frequency segment, and since the puncturing information in a given 80MHz is specific to only that particular 80MHz, the information in different 80MHz frequency segments may differ. For example, two U-SIG fields (U-SIG1 and U-SIG2) may be carried in the primary 80MHz and non-primary 80MHz, respectively, and since the puncturing patterns in the two 80MHz may be different, they may have different content. If a non-access point (non-AP) Station (STA) is about to or will stay on a non-primary 80MHz, the non-AP STA will need to detect the preamble on the unpunctured 20MHz channel in order to obtain U-SIG information for further decoding of its content. However, when a punctured 20MHz channel is dynamically changed from one 20MHz channel to another due to interference or other reasons, a problem arises as to how to perform efficient transmission.

Disclosure of Invention

The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce concepts, points, benefits and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. Selected implementations are further described in the detailed description below. Thus, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide schemes, concepts, designs, techniques, methods and arrangements related to preamble puncturing support for broadband transmission in wireless communication. It is believed that the foregoing problems may be solved or alleviated under various proposed solutions in accordance with the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a method of wideband transmission includes announcing one or more Preamble Detection (PD) channels in a frequency segment to one or more STAs in a frame such that each of the one or more STAs monitors a respective one of the one or more PD channels to detect any transmission on the one or more PD channels. The method may also include wirelessly communicating with at least one of the one or more STAs on one of the one or more PD channels during a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

In another aspect, a method of broadband transmission may include receiving a frame announcing one or more Preamble Detection (PD) channels in a frequency segment from an AP. The method may also include determining one of the one or more PD channels as a PD channel. The method may further include monitoring the PD channel to detect a transmission on the PD channel.

It is noted that although the description provided herein may be in the context of particular radio access technologies, networks and network topologies (e.g., Wi-Fi), the concepts, schemes and any variant (s)/derivative(s) presented may be implemented in and through other types of radio access technologies, networks and network topologies, such as, but not limited to, bluetooth, ZigBee, 5th Generation (5G/New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (Long-Term Evolution), LTE advanced Pro, Internet of Things (IoT)), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein.

Drawings

The following drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In order to clearly illustrate the concepts of the present disclosure, some elements may not be shown to scale compared to the dimensions in an actual implementation, and the illustrations are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram of an example network environment in which various solutions and schemes according to this disclosure may be implemented.

Fig. 2 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 illustrates a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 shows a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 shows a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 shows a diagram of an example scenario in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Detailed examples and implementations of the presently claimed subject matter are described below. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments and implementations are merely illustrative of the claimed subject matter, which can be embodied in various forms. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the following description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations.

SUMMARY

Embodiments according to the present disclosure relate to various techniques, methods, schemes and/or solutions related to preamble puncturing support for broadband transmission in wireless communications. A number of possible solutions may be implemented separately or in combination in accordance with the present disclosure. That is, although the possible solutions may be described separately below, two or more of the possible solutions may be implemented in one or another combination.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example network environment 100 in which various solutions and schemes according to this disclosure may be implemented. Fig. 2-15 illustrate examples of implementations of various proposed schemes in a network environment 100 according to the present disclosure. With reference to fig. 1-15, a description of various proposed schemes is provided below.

As shown in fig. 1, network environment 100 may involve at least STA110 and STA120, where STA110 and STA120 may communicate wirelessly with each other according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11 be). Each of STA110 (interchangeably referred to herein as "STA 1") and STA120 (interchangeably referred to herein as "STA 2") may be used as an AP STA or a non-AP STA. Further, each of STA110 and STA120 may perform broadband operations. Under various proposed schemes according to the present disclosure,

STAs

110 and 120 may be configured to perform preamble puncturing support for broadband transmissions in wireless communications according to various proposed schemes described below. It is noted that in the present invention, the term "primary 20MHz channel" refers to a 20MHz channel that can be used for channel access. In addition, the term segment refers to a channel segment that includes a plurality of 20MHz channels. Furthermore, the term "primary 80MHz frequency segment" refers to an 80MHz frequency segment that includes primary 20MHz channels. Furthermore, the term "non-primary 80MHz frequency segment" refers to an 80MHz frequency segment that does not include primary 20MHz channels. 20MHz and 80MHz of the "20 MHz channel", "primary 80MHz frequency segment", "non-primary 80MHz frequency segment", etc. of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting in scope, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that other frequencies are equally within the scope of the present invention.

Under proposed schemes for preamble detection channel selection according to the present disclosure, an AP (e.g., STA110 as an AP STA) may announce a preamble puncturing pattern for non-primary channels in a management frame (e.g., a beacon, a probe response, an association response, or other frame) indicating which channels are not punctured during transmission. Fig. 2 illustrates an example scenario 200 in accordance with this disclosure. In scenario 200, a bitmap pattern of "1" may be used to indicate which 20MHz channels in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment are not punctured during transmission. Referring to part (a) of fig. 2, for a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment, a bitmap "1100" indicates that two 20MHz channels with lower channel numbers are not punctured. Referring to part (B) of fig. 2, for a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment, a bitmap "1001" indicates that the first and last 20MHz channels ordered in the channel number are not punctured.

Under the proposed scheme, the AP may periodically or optionally aperiodically change the preamble puncturing pattern triggered by one or more predetermined events (e.g., detection of radar signals, load control, avoidance of reaching one or more power limits, interference caused by legacy device detection and/or other system coexistence). Further, under the proposed scheme, an update indication of the preamble puncturing pattern may be carried in a management frame (e.g., beacon, probe response, or other frame).

Under the proposed scheme, a non-AP STA (e.g., STA120 as a non-AP STA) may request or negotiate a dwell period and preamble puncturing pattern of a non-primary frequency band through a management frame (e.g., association request/response, dwell period request/response, etc.). A non-AP STA staying in a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment may select one 20MHz channel, which is an unpunctured channel indicated in the preamble puncturing pattern, as a Preamble Detection (PD) channel to perform preamble detection. non-AP STAs camped on non-primary 80MHz may also periodically switch back to the primary 20MHz channel via management frames (e.g., beacons, probe responses, camped segment switch requests/responses, or other management frames) to receive updated preamble puncturing patterns for the camped non-primary 80MHz frequency segment and other non-primary 80MHz frequency segments. Fig. 3 illustrates an example scenario 300 in accordance with this disclosure. In part (a) of the figure, referring to fig. 3, in a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment having a bitmap of "1100" as a preamble puncturing pattern, a non-AP STA may select one of two non-punctured 20MHz channels as a PD channel. In part (B) of fig. 2, referring to fig. 3, in a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment having a bitmap of "0100" as a preamble puncturing pattern, a non-AP STA may select only one non-punctured 20MHz channel as a PD channel.

Under the proposed scheme for transmission with preamble puncturing according to the present disclosure, all 20MHz channels that are indicated as unpunctured in the preamble puncturing pattern of the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment are Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) idle state, and then an AP (e.g., STA 110) may transmit in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment. Other 20MHz channels in the preamble puncturing pattern of the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment that are not indicated as not punctured may be punctured if the CCA status is busy. The AP may not transmit on the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment if at least one 20MHz channel indicated as unpunctured in the preamble puncturing pattern of the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment is CCA busy.

Under the proposed scheme for preamble detection channel switching according to the present disclosure, a non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120) staying on a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment may perform PD channel switching when a preamble puncturing pattern of the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment is updated and a current PD channel does not overlap with the updated non-puncturing channel pattern. Otherwise, the non-AP STA may not perform PD channel switching (since it is not required to do so) in case the current PD channel overlaps with the updated unpunctured channel pattern. Fig. 4 illustrates an example scenario 400 in accordance with this disclosure. Referring to part (a) of fig. 4, when the bitmap of the leading hole pattern is "1001", the PD channel of the non-AP STA is indicated. Referring to part (B) of fig. 4, when the preamble puncturing pattern is changed from "1001" to "1100", the non-AP STA may maintain the current PD channel since the current PD channel overlaps with the updated unpunctured channel pattern. Referring to part (C) of fig. 4, when the preamble puncturing pattern is further changed from "1100" to "0011", the non-AP STA may switch its PD channel to a different channel, which is not punctured, according to the new preamble puncturing pattern.

Under the proposed scheme, a non-AP STA parked on a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment may switch its PD channel and parked segment through management frames (e.g., parked segment switching announcement, parked segment switching request/response exchange, or other frames) when one or more of a plurality of predetermined conditions are satisfied. Such predetermined conditions may include, for example, but are not limited to: (a) when the preamble puncturing pattern for the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment is updated; (b) when the non-AP STA does not detect any preamble from its AP on the PD channel of the parked non-primary 80MHz frequency segment within the timeout period; and (c) when the non-AP STA is subject to strong interference (e.g., above an interference threshold) in the currently parked non-primary 80MHz frequency segment. Under the proposed scheme, the stay handover announcement or request/response frame may indicate the segment number and the target handover time. Fig. 5 illustrates an example scenario 500 in accordance with this disclosure. Referring to part (a) of fig. 5, initially, a PD channel of a non-AP STA may be one of unpunctured channels of a first non-primary 80MHz frequency segment (referred to as "non-primary 80MHz frequency segment 1" in fig. 5) before the PD channel is switched. Referring to part (B) of fig. 5, after the PD channel switching, a new PD channel of the non-AP STA is switched to one of the unpunctured channels of the second non-primary 80MHz frequency segment (referred to as "non-primary 80MHz frequency segment 2" in fig. 5). In this example, the non-AP STA changes not only its PD channel but also its dwell segment (where the new PD channel is located).

Under a proposed scheme for preamble puncturing support in an EHT Basic Service Set (BSS) according to the present disclosure, when puncturing channel information carried in a U-SIG transmitted in an 80MHz frequency segment is specific to only the 80MHz frequency segment, an AP (e.g., STA 110) may determine a preamble detection channel for each 80MHz frequency segment and announce the preamble detection channel to its associated STAs. Assuming that the punctured channel information carried by the U-SIG in each 80MHz frequency segment is specific only to that 80MHz frequency segment, at least one 20MHz channel in each 80MHz frequency segment cannot be punctured, and thus the 20MHz channel is determined to be a PD channel of that 80MHz frequency segment. Fig. 6 illustrates an example scenario 600 in accordance with this disclosure. In scheme 600, in each of the primary 80MHz frequency segment and the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment, one of the 20MHz channels is used as the corresponding PD channel. Further, in the primary 80MHz frequency segment, the PD channels may also be primary 20MHz channels.

Under the proposed scheme, the AP may announce the PD channel for each 80MHz frequency segment (e.g., in a beacon, probe response, association (or reassociation) response frame, or other management frame). In addition, the AP may switch the PD channel for each 80MHz frequency segment by attaching a preamble detection channel switch element (e.g., in an extended channel switch announcement frame or dwell segment switch announcement/request/response frame or other management frame). The value of the preamble detection switch element may indicate the channel location (e.g., 0 indicates the lowest 20MHz channel, 1 indicates the second lowest 20MHz channel, 2 indicates the third lowest 20MHz channel, 3 indicates the second lowest 20MHz channel, the fourth lowest 20MHz channel of the PD channels of each 80MHz frequency segment). Fig. 7 illustrates an example scenario 700 in accordance with this disclosure. In scenario 700, a preamble detection channel switch element is appended to an announcement frame or management frame announced by the AP.

In static preamble puncturing, a PD channel may not be used even when the PD channel is not idle when the other 60MHz channels in the 80MHz frequency segment are idle. Under the proposed scheme for dynamic preamble puncturing support in EHT BSSs according to the present disclosure, in order to support dynamic preamble puncturing to accommodate dynamic interference on some 20MHz channels, an AP may announce a PD channel set for each non-primary frequency band in a management frame (e.g., beacon, probe response, (re) association response or other frame) and stay on the PD channel set being used by devices on a particular non-primary frequency band to select PD channels for preamble detection.

Under the proposed scheme, the position of each of PD channels (e.g., 20MHz channels) set in a non-primary frequency band (e.g., a non-primary 80MHz frequency band) may be indicated using a PD channel set bitmap. Fig. 8 illustrates an example scenario 800 in accordance with this disclosure. In scenario 800, each "0" in the bitmap may represent a punctured (and therefore not allowed) channel. For example, "1111" may indicate that all four 20MHz channels in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment are in the PD channel set. As another example, "1001" may indicate that the first and fourth 20MHz channels in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment are in the PD channel set. As yet another example, "0000" may indicate that there are no PD channels in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment. As shown in fig. 8, PD channel set information may be carried in a PD channel set element. The PD channel set information may include, for example but not limited to, a PD channel set number, a PD channel set bitmap, a change count, and the like.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example scenario 900 in accordance with this disclosure. Scenario 900 illustrates an example regarding the use of PD channel sets for dynamic preamble puncturing support in EHT BSSs. Referring to part (a) of fig. 9, a bitmap pattern "1111" may indicate that all four 20MHz channels in an 80MHz frequency segment are used for preamble detection. Referring to part (B) of fig. 9, a bitmap pattern "1001" may indicate that a 20MHz channel corresponding to "1" in an 80MHz frequency segment is available for preamble detection.

Under a proposed scheme for PD channel set update according to the present disclosure, an AP may periodically or optionally aperiodically update a PD channel set under one or more triggers of a plurality of predetermined events in a management frame (e.g., a beacon, a probe response, (re) association response, or other frame). The predetermined events may include, for example and without limitation, detection of radar signals, load control, avoidance of power limits being reached, detection of existing equipment, and/or interference caused by coexistence of other systems. By default, the AP may configure all 20MHz channels as PD channels in each non-primary 80MHz frequency segment without signaling. In this way, in the case where the AP does not include any PD channel set information in the management frame, a default PD channel set can be used.

Under the proposed scheme for PD channel allocation or selection for non-AP STAs according to the present disclosure, when a non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120) decides to stay in a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment, the non-AP STA may be allocated or select one PD channel from a set of PD channels. Under the proposed scheme, the PD channel selected/allocated/by the non-AP STA may be determined by a specific rule. For example, the remainder of the mathematical operation x mod y may be obtained first, where x is an Association Identifier (AID) of the non-AP STA, and y is the number of channels in the PD channel set in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment. This remainder may then be used to allocate PD channels from the PD channel set of the non-AP STA. For example, in the case where the number of channels in the PD channel set is 2, according to a mathematical operation of x mod y, when the remainder is 0, the first channel (e.g., the channel having the lowest channel number) is selected as the PD channel. Similarly, according to the mathematical operation of x mod y, when the remainder is 1, the second channel will be selected as the PD channel. Under the proposed scheme, the PD channel selected/allocated by the non-AP STA may also be negotiated through a management frame (e.g., (re) association request/response, PD channel request/response, etc.) and an < AID, PD channel > pair (< AID, PD channel > pair). The selected/allocated PD channel may then be indicated by the AP in the broadcast.

Under the proposed scheme, multiple non-AP STAs staying on the same non-primary 80MHz frequency segment may be allocated to or may select different PD channels in order to extend the use of a PD channel set in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment. Fig. 10 illustrates an example scenario 1000 in accordance with this disclosure. Scenario 1000 shows an example regarding PD allocation/selection on a PD channel set for dynamic preamble puncturing support in an EHT BSS. Referring to part (a) of fig. 10, indicating that all four 20MHz channels in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment are available for preamble detection by bitmap pattern "1111," each of the four STAs (e.g., STA1, STA2, STA3, and STA4) may be allocated to or may select one of the four 20MHz channels as its corresponding PD channel. Referring to part (B) of fig. 10, by indicating that a 20MHz channel corresponding to "1" in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment is available for preamble detection by bitmap pattern "1001", two STAs may be allocated to or may select the respective STAs. One of the two available 20MHz channels serves as their respective PD channel. In the example shown in part (B) of fig. 10, STA1 and STA3 are allocated to one of two available 20MHz channels, and STA2 and STA4 are allocated to the other 20MHz channel.

Under the proposed scheme for preamble puncturing support for wideband transmission in EHT according to the present disclosure, an AP (e.g., STA 110) supporting a wide operating bandwidth (e.g., 320MHz) may transmit in a primary 80MHz frequency segment and one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments. Under the proposed scheme, an AP may transmit on a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment if at least one PD channel in a set of PD channels of the non-primary frequency segment is CCA-idle. On the other hand, if all PD channels in the PD channel set of the non-primary frequency segment are in CCA busy state, the AP may not transmit on the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment. Under the proposed scheme, for non-AP STAs (e.g., STA 120) whose selected/allocated PD channels are not punctured, the AP may send Downlink (DL) frames or may trigger Uplink (UL) transmissions. On the other hand, for a non-AP STA, the AP may not send a DL frame or trigger an UL transmission to the non-AP STA if its selected/allocated PD channel is punctured.

Fig. 11 illustrates an example scenario 1100 in accordance with this disclosure. In particular, scenario 1100 illustrates an example of a punctured TXOP. In scenario 1100, the AP obtains the TXOP by performing preamble puncturing on some non-primary channels. Specifically, in scheme 1100, all four 20MHz channels of the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment are PD channels. Four STAs including STA1, STA2, STA3, and STA4 reside on the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment, and each STA selects one of the four 20MHz channels in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment as its PD channel. When the PD channel of STA3 is punctured and the AP obtains a punctured TXOP, the AP will transmit to STA1, STA2, and STA4 (except STA 3).

Under the proposed scheme for preamble puncturing support for PD channel switching in EHT according to the present disclosure, a non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120) may monitor its PD channel to detect transmissions in a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment. The non-AP STA may also monitor or request updates to the PD channel set of the non-primary frequency band (e.g., via beacons, probe responses, (re) association requests/responses, PD channel switch requests/responses, etc.). If and when an update is received, the non-AP STA may switch its PD channel based on the updated PD channel set. Under the proposed scheme, in certain cases, the non-AP STAs may switch back to the primary 20MHz channel to update their PD channels through a PD channel switch request or monitoring a beacon (or other frame) indicating a PD channel set update (e.g., the non-AP STAs may switch back to the primary 20MHz channel to update their respective PD channels by monitoring the beacon (where the AP indicates an update of the PD channel set). For example, a non-AP STA may switch back to the primary 20MHz channel to update its PD channel in the following cases: (a) the non-AP STA does not detect any preamble detection channel from its associated AP on the selected/allocated PD channel and/or (b) the non-AP STA experiences strong interference (e.g., above an interference threshold) in its current PD channel. Additionally, a PD channel switch may be transmitted using < AID, PD channel > pairs (< AID, PD channel > pair) based on a current or updated PD channel set.

Under the proposed scheme, the PD channels in each non-primary 80MHz frequency segment may be dynamically switched during each TXOP by exchanging EHT (multi user) -)/request-to-send (RTS)/clear-to-send (CTS) frames before sending the Physical Layer Conformance Procedure (PLCP) Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) for preamble puncturing. Under the proposed scheme, an EHT (MU-) RTS frame may contain PD channel information for each non-primary 80MHz frequency segment, indicating a 20MHz channel that is not punctured during a TXOP. The non-AP STA may monitor the primary 20MHz channel in the primary 80MHz frequency segment to receive an EHT (MU-) RTS frame, which may indicate a resource allocation (e.g., by indicating that the resources in which the non-primary frequency segment is located are allocated to the intended recipient and a PD channel indicating the non-primary frequency segment). Thus, after receiving the EHT (MU-) RTS frame, the non-AP STA may switch its PD channel from the master 20MHz channel to the particular channel indicated in the EHT (MU-) RTS frame during the TXOP.

Fig. 12 illustrates an example scenario 1200 in accordance with this disclosure. In particular, scenario 1200 shows an example of dynamic PD channel switching in TXOP. In scheme 1200, initially, the PD channel of the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment is the lowest 20MHz channel. However, since the PD channel of the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment is busy, the TXOP holder (e.g., AP) dynamically switches the PD channel to the fourth lowest 20MHz channel in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment by sending PD channel switch information to indicate such a change in the EHT RTS frame. For the intended recipient of the EHT RTS frame (e.g., a non-AP STA), when decoding the EHT RTS on the primary 20MHz channel in the primary 80MHz frequency segment, it may switch to the new PD channel (e.g., the fourth lowest 20MHz channel in the non-primary 80MHz frequency segment), as shown in the EHT RTS frame.

According to the proposed scheme for CCA reset on PD channel of the present disclosure, a non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120) staying on a non-primary channel (e.g., in a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment) may detect a preamble on its PD channel. When the detected preamble is an OBSS PPDU, in a specific case, a medium access control layer (MAC) entity of the non-AP STA may issue a CCA reset request to a physical layer (PHY) entity (e.g., PHY-c reseset. For example, a MAC entity of a non-AP STA may issue a CCA reset request to its PHY entity in response to one or more of: (a) an OBSS PPDU having a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) less than an energy detection threshold, (b) a carrier loss indication (e.g., PHY-rxend.indication (CarrierLost) primitive) generated by the PHY entity before the end of a given time period, and (c) a format violation indication (e.g., PHY-rxend.indication (format vision) primitive) generated by the PHY entity before the end of this period. After the MAC entity issues the PHY-c holder request primitive to reset the PHY entity to a state suitable for the end of the received frame (e.g., PPDU) and to initiate a new CCA evaluation period, the non-AP STA may detect a new preamble on its PD channel to receive the PPDU transmitted by its associated AP.

Under the proposed scheme for PD channel switching delay according to the present disclosure, a non-AP STA (e.g., STA 120) may perform CCA after switching to a new PD channel or a new stay period until detecting a frame (e.g., PPDU) by which the non-AP STA can set its Network Allocation Vector (NAV) to synchronize with the new PD channel. Under the proposed scheme, the AP may perform DL transmissions after a switching delay to a non-AP STA that is switching to its new PD channel or new dwell segment. Further, the AP may trigger UL transmissions after the handoff delay and/or NAV synchronization delay to the non-AP STA, which is switching to its new PD channel or new dwell segment.

Illustrative embodiments

Fig. 13 illustrates an example system 1300 having at least an example apparatus 1310 and an example apparatus 1320 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320 may perform various functions to implement the schemes, techniques, processes and methods described herein relating to preamble puncturing support for wideband transmissions in wireless communications, including the various schemes described with respect to the various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods described above and the processes described below. For example, apparatus 1310 may be implemented in STA110 and apparatus 1320 may be implemented in STA120, or vice versa.

Each of the device 1310 and the device 1320 may be part of an electronic device, which may be a STA or AP, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. When implemented in a non-AP STA, each of the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320 may be implemented in a smartphone, a smart watch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing device such as a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a notebook computer. Each of the device 1310 and the device 1320 may also be part of a machine type device, which may be an IoT device such as a stationary or fixed device, a home device, a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of the device 1310 and the device 1320 may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. When implemented in or as a network device, apparatus 1310 and/or apparatus 1320 may be implemented in a network node, such as an AP in a WLAN.

In some embodiments, each of the devices 1310 and 1320 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated-circuit (IC) chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced-instruction-set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex-instruction-set computing (CISC) processors. In the various aspects described above, each of the means 1310 and the means 1320 may be implemented as a non-AP STA or an AP STA. Each of the apparatus 1310 and 1320 may include at least some of those elements shown in fig. 13, such as the processor 1312 and the processor 1322, respectively, for example. Each of the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320 may further include one or more other elements (e.g., an internal power source, a display device, and/or a user interface device) not relevant to the proposed solution of the present disclosure, and thus, such elements in both the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320 are not shown in fig. 13, nor are they described below for the sake of simplicity and brevity.

In an aspect, each of the processors 1312 and 1322 may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more RISC processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, even though the singular term "processor" is used herein to refer to both processor 1312 and processor 1322, each of processor 1312 and processor 1322 may include multiple processors in some embodiments and a single processor in other embodiments in accordance with the present invention. In another aspect, each of the processor 1312 and the processor 1322 may be implemented in hardware (and optionally firmware) with electronic components including, for example and without limitation, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and/or one or more varactors configured and arranged to achieve certain objectives in accordance with this disclosure. In other words, in at least some embodiments, each of processor 1312 and processor 1322 is a dedicated machine specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks, including tasks supported by preamble puncturing for broadband transmissions in wireless communications in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some implementations, the apparatus 1310 can also include a transceiver 1316 coupled to the processor 1312. The transceiver 1316 may include a transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting data and a receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data. In some implementations, the device 1320 can also include a transceiver 1326 coupled to the processor 1322. The transceiver 1326 may include a transmitter capable of wirelessly transmitting data and a receiver capable of wirelessly receiving data.

In some implementations, the apparatus 1310 may further include a memory 1314 coupled to the processor 1312 and accessible by the processor 1312 and storing data therein. In some implementations, the apparatus 1320 may further include a memory 1324 coupled to the processor 1322 and accessible to the processor 1322 and storing data therein. Each of memory 1314 and memory 1324 may include a random-access memory (RAM), such as Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and/or zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively or additionally, each of memory 1314 and memory 1324 may include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), and/or Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively or additionally, each of memory 1314 and memory 1324 may include a non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (feram), Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), and/or phase-change memory.

Each of the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320 may be a communication entity capable of communicating with each other using various proposed schemes according to the present disclosure. For illustrative purposes and not limitation, a description of the functionality of device 1310 as STA110 (e.g., AP STA) and device 1320 as STA120 (e.g., non-AP STA) is provided below, as is STA110 (STA 1). It is noted that although the example embodiments described below are provided in the context of a WLAN, the same embodiments may be implemented in other types of networks.

Under proposed schemes involving preamble puncturing support for wideband transmissions in wireless communications according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards in a network environment 100, the apparatus 1310 is implemented in or as STA110 and the apparatus 1320 is implemented in or as STA120, the processor 1312 of the apparatus 1310 may announce, via the transceiver 1316, to one or more STAs (e.g., including the apparatus 1320 as a STA) in a frame (e.g., a management frame) of one or more PD channels (e.g., one or more channels that are not punctured during a TXOP) in a frequency segment to each of the one or more STAs to listen to a respective one of the one or more PD channels to detect any transmission on the one or more PD channels. In addition, processor 1312 may wirelessly communicate with at least one of the one or more STAs during the TXOP on one of the one or more PD channels via transceiver 1316.

In some embodiments, in announcing the one or more PD channels, processor 1312 may announce a preamble puncturing pattern indicating one or more channels in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments that are not punctured during the TXOP such that each of the one or more STAs monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel. Optionally, the processor 1312, when announcing the one or more PD channels, may announce a PD channel set indicating one or more channels dedicated to one or more STAs during the TXOP in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments such that each of the one or more STAs monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel.

In some embodiments, the one or more non-primary frequency bands may include one or more 80MHz non-primary frequency bands that do not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access. In such cases, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, the processor 1312 may perform one or more of the following: (a) transmitting on one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments if at least one PD channel in the set of PD channels of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments is CCA-clear; (b) if all PD channels in the PD channel set of one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments are CCA busy, no transmission is made on one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments; (c) transmitting a DL frame to or triggering UL transmission from at least one of the one or more STAs in the event that the PD channel of the at least one of the one or more STAs is not punctured; or (d) not transmitting a DL frame to or triggering an UL transmission from at least one of the one or more STAs in the event that the PD channel of the at least one of the one or more STAs is punctured.

In some embodiments, the frequency segment may include a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment that does not include a 20MHz primary channel for performing channel access. In such a case, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, processor 1312 may transmit on a frequency segment if all of a plurality of 20MHz channels (indicated as not punctured in the preamble puncturing pattern) in the frequency segment are idle. In some cases, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, processor 1312 may transmit on a frequency segment if at least one of a plurality of 20MHz channels (indicated as unpunctured in the preamble puncturing pattern) in the frequency segment is idle. Optionally, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, processor 1312 may refrain from transmitting on a frequency segment if at least one of a plurality of 20MHz channels (indicated as not punctured in the preamble puncturing pattern) in the frequency segment is busy.

In some embodiments, the frequency segment may include a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment that does not include a 20MHz primary channel for performing channel access. Further, the management frame may include a beacon, a probe response, an association response, or a reassociation response.

In some embodiments, processor 1312, in announcing one or more PD channels, may exchange control frames (e.g., EHT RTS and CTS frames) with one or more STAs at the start of a TXOP to dynamically update one or more PD channels of a frequency segment for the TXOP. In such cases, the processor 1312 may transmit the one or more preamble punctured PPDUs to one or more STAs in the wireless communication.

In some implementations, in wirelessly communicating with at least one of the one or more STAs, the processor 1312 may perform at least one of the following operations: (a) performing a DL transmission to at least one of the one or more STAs after the at least one of the one or more STAs switches to a different PD channel in the same or a different frequency segment; and (b) triggering an UL transmission from at least one of the one or more STAs after the at least one of the one or more STAs switches to a different PD channel in the same or a different frequency segment.

In some implementations, processor 1312 may perform additional operations. For example, processor 1312 may update the preamble puncturing pattern to a new preamble puncturing pattern indicating that one or more different channels in the frequency segment are not punctured during a subsequent transmission. Further, processor 1312 may send an update indicating a new preamble puncturing pattern on a primary channel performing channel access.

In some embodiments, processor 1312 may periodically update the preamble puncturing pattern in updating the preamble puncturing pattern. Alternatively, processor 1312 may update the preamble puncturing pattern aperiodically, triggered by one or more of detection of radar signals, load control, avoidance of power limits, detection of one or more legacy devices, and interference caused by coexistence of one or more other systems.

Under another proposed scheme in accordance with the present disclosure related to preamble puncturing support for wideband transmissions in wireless communications, in a network environment 100 in accordance with one or more IEEE 802.11 standards, a device 1310 is implemented in or as STA110 and a device 1320 is implemented in or as STA120, a processor 1322 of the device 1320 may receive a frame (e.g., a management frame) from an AP (e.g., device 1310) via a transceiver 1326 announcing one or more PD channels (e.g., one or more channels that are not punctured in the transmission) in a frequency segment. In addition, the processor 1322 may determine one of the one or more PD channels as a PD channel. Further, processor 1322 may monitor the PD channel to detect transmissions on the PD channel.

In some embodiments, upon receiving a frame announcing one or more PD channels, processor 1322 may receive a preamble puncturing pattern indicating one or more channels that are not punctured during a TXOP in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments, such that each of the one or more STAs to which the frame is transmitted monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel. Alternatively, upon receiving the frame announcing the one or more PD channels, processor 1322 may receive a set of PD channels indicating one or more channels dedicated to the one or more STAs during the TXOP in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments, such that each of the one or more STAs monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel.

In some embodiments, the one or more non-primary frequency segments may include one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments that do not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access.

In some embodiments, the frequency segment may include a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment that does not include a 20MHz primary channel for performing channel access. Further, the frame may include a beacon, a probe response, an association response, or a reassociation response.

In some embodiments, processor 1322 may perform additional operations. For example, processor 1322 may receive an update from the AP indicating a new preamble puncturing pattern indicating that one or more different channels in the frequency segment are not punctured during a subsequent transmission. Further, in response to the received update, processor 1322 may switch to one of the one or more different channels as a new PD channel to monitor the new PD channel to detect any transmission on the new PD channel.

In some embodiments, processor 1322 may perform additional operations. For example, processor 1322 may switch to a different frequency segment that does not include a main channel for performing channel access.

In some embodiments, processor 1322 may perform additional operations in handoff. For example, processor 1322 may receive a frame (e.g., an EHT RTS frame) from an AP at the beginning of a TXOP that indicates a different frequency segment for which resources are allocated and a different PD channel in the different frequency segment. In addition, processor 1322 may switch to a different PD channel in a different frequency segment in response to receiving the frame.

In some implementations, processor 1322 may perform other operations. For example, processor 1322 may send an indication of the handoff via transceiver 1326 by way of a parked segment handoff advertisement or via a parked segment handoff request and response exchange. In such a case, processor 1322 may switch to a different frequency segment in response to one or more of a plurality of conditions when switching to a different frequency segment. The plurality of conditions may include: (a) the AP has updated the preamble puncturing pattern, (b) no preamble from the AP on the PD channel is detected within the timeout period, and (c) there is interference in the frequency bin above the interference threshold.

In some embodiments, processor 1322 may perform additional operations. For example, processor 1322 may switch back to the primary channel. In addition, processor 1322 may select a PD channel to a different non-primary channel as the different PD channel. Further, processor 1322 may send an indication to the AP via transceiver 1326 indicating the different PD channel selected. For example, the non-AP STA may select a PD channel based on the non-puncturing channel pattern or PD channel set announced by the AP, and each non-AP STA may indicate its selected PD channel to the AP. Alternatively, each non-AP STA may switch to a different PD channel and may indicate an updated PD channel to the AP.

In some embodiments, processor 1322 may transmit the updated PD channel via a PD channel switch request when transmitting the updated PD channel. Further, processor 1322 may update the PD channel in updating the PD channel in response to at least one of: (a) no preamble from the AP on the PD channel is detected within the timeout period, and (b) interference is present in the PD channel above an interference threshold.

In some implementations, processor 1322 may perform additional operations. For example, the processor 1322 may detect a preamble of an OBSS PPDU on the PD channel. Further, the MAC of processor 1322 may issue a CCA reset request to the PHY of apparatus 1320 in response to at least one of a plurality of conditions being satisfied. In some embodiments, the plurality of conditions may include the following: (a) an OBSS PPDU having an RSSI less than an energy detection threshold (b) a carrier loss indication generated by the PHY before the end of the given time period, and (c) a format violation indication generated by the PHY before the end of the given time period.

In some implementations, processor 1322 may perform additional operations. For example, processor 1322 may switch to a different PD channel or a different frequency bin. Further, processor 1322 may perform at least one of: (a) receiving a DL transmission from the AP after a switching delay when switching to a different PD channel or a different frequency segment; and (b) performing UL transmission to the AP after a switching delay or a NAV synchronization delay when switching to a different PD channel or a different frequency segment.

Illustrative Process

Fig. 14 illustrates an example process 1400 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Process 1400 may represent an aspect of implementing various proposed designs, concepts, schemes, systems and methods described above. More specifically, process 1400 may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and schemes related to preamble puncturing for broadband transmissions in wireless communications in accordance with the present disclosure. Process 1400 may include one or more of the operations, actions, or functions illustrated by one or more of

blocks

1410, 1420. Although shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 1400 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or omitted, depending on the desired implementation. Further, the blocks/sub-blocks of process 1400 may be performed sequentially as shown in fig. 15 or in other orders. Further, one or more blocks/sub-blocks of process 1400 may be performed repeatedly or iteratively. The process 1400 may be implemented by or in the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320, or by any variation thereof. For illustrative purposes only and without limiting scope, process 1400 is described below in the context of an apparatus 1310 implemented in or as STA110 (e.g., an AP STA) and an apparatus 1320 implemented in or as STA120 (e.g., a non-AP STA) in a wireless network (e.g., a WLAN) of network environment 100 according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards. Process 1400 begins at block 1410.

At 1410, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 of device 1310 announcing, via transceiver 1316, one or more PD channels (e.g., one or more channels that are not punctured during the TXOP) in a frame (e.g., a management frame) to one or more STAs (e.g., device 1320 included as a STA) in a frequency segment (e.g., a management frame) such that each of the one or more STAs monitors a respective one of the one or more PD channels to detect any transmission on the one or more PD channels. Process 1400 may proceed from 1410 to 1420.

At 1420, process 1400 may include processor 1312 communicating wirelessly with at least one of the one or more STAs during the TXOP on one of the one or more PD channels via transceiver 1316.

In some embodiments, in announcing one or more PD channels, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 announcing a preamble puncturing pattern indicating one or more channels that are not punctured during the TXOP in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments such that each of the one or more STAs monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel. Optionally, in announcing the one or more PD channels, process 1400 may include processor 1312 announcing a PD channel set indicating one or more channels dedicated to one or more STAs during the TXOP in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments, such that each of the one or more STAs monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel.

In some embodiments, the one or more non-primary frequency segments may include one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments that do not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access. In such a case, process 1400 may involve processor 1312, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, performing one or more of the following: (a) transmitting on one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments if at least one PD channel in the set of PD channels in the one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments is in a CCA idle state; (b) in the event that all PD channels in the set of PD channels in one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments are CCA busy, not transmitting on one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments; (c) transmitting a DL frame to or triggering UL transmission from at least one of the one or more STAs in the event that the PD channel of the at least one of the one or more STAs is not punctured; or (d) in the event that the PD channel of at least one of the one or more STAs is punctured, not transmitting a DL frame to or triggering an UL transmission from the at least one of the one or more STAs.

In some embodiments, the frequency segment may include a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment that does not include a 20MHz primary channel for performing channel access. In such a case, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 transmitting on the frequency segment if all 20MHz channels (indicated as unpunctured in the preamble puncturing pattern) in the frequency segment are CCA idle. In some cases, when in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 transmitting on the frequency segment if at least one of the plurality of 20MHz channels (indicated as unpunctured in the preamble puncturing pattern) in the frequency segment is CCA idle. Alternatively, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 refraining from transmitting on the frequency segment if at least one of the plurality of 20MHz channels (indicated as not punctured in the preamble puncturing pattern) in the frequency segment is CCA busy.

In some embodiments, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 exchanging control frames with one or more STAs at the beginning of a TXOP to dynamically update one or more PD channels in a frequency segment for the TXOP when announcing one or more PD channels. In this case, in wireless communications, process 1400 may include processor 1312 transmitting one or more preamble punctured PPDUs to one or more STAs. In some embodiments, the control frames may include EHT RTS and CTS frames.

In some embodiments, in wireless communication with at least one of the one or more STAs, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 performing at least one of the following operations: (a) performing a DL transmission to at least one of the one or more STAs after the at least one of the one or more STAs switches to a different PD channel in the same or a different frequency segment; and (b) triggering an UL transmission from at least one of the one or more STAs after the at least one of the one or more STAs switches to a different PD channel in the same or a different frequency segment.

In some implementations, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 performing additional operations. For example, process 1400 may include processor 1312 updating the preamble puncturing pattern to a new preamble puncturing pattern indicating that one or more different channels in the frequency segment are not punctured during a subsequent transmission. Further, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 sending an update indicating a new preamble puncturing pattern on a primary channel performing channel access.

In some embodiments, in updating the preamble puncturing pattern, process 1400 may include processor 1312 periodically updating the preamble puncturing pattern. Alternatively, process 1400 may involve processor 1312 updating the preamble puncturing pattern aperiodically as triggered by one or more of detection of radar signals, load control, avoidance of power limits, detection of interference caused by coexistence of one or more legacy devices and one or more other systems.

Fig. 15 shows an example process 1500 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Process 1500 may represent one aspect of a design, concept, scheme, system, and method that implements the various proposals described above. More specifically, process 1500 may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and schemes related to preamble puncturing support in connection with broadband transmission in wireless communications in accordance with the present disclosure. Process 1500 may include one or more of the operations, acts or functions illustrated by one or more of

blocks

1510, 1520 and 1530. Although shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 1500 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Further, the blocks/sub-blocks of process 1500 may be performed in the order shown in fig. 15 or in other orders. Further, one or more blocks/sub-blocks of process 1500 may be performed repeatedly or iteratively. The process 1500 may be implemented by the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320 or any variation thereof or within the apparatus 1310 and the apparatus 1320. For illustrative purposes only and without limiting scope, process 1500 is described below in the context of a device 1310 implemented in or with STA110 (e.g., an AP STA) and a device 1320 implemented in or with STA120 (e.g., a non-AP STA) in a wireless network of network environment 100 according to one or more IEEE 802.11 standards. Process 1500 may begin at block 1510.

At 1510, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 of apparatus 1320 receiving a frame (e.g., a management frame) from an AP (e.g., apparatus 1310) via transceiver 1326 that announces one or more PD channels in a frequency segment (e.g., one or more channels that are not punctured in a transmission). Process 1500 may proceed from 1510 to 1520.

At 1520, process 1500 may include processor 1322 determining one of the one or more PD channels as a PD channel. Process 1500 may proceed from 1520 to 1530.

At 1530, process 1500 can include processor 1322 monitoring the PD channel to detect a transmission on the PD channel.

In some embodiments, upon receiving the frame announcing the one or more PD channels, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 receiving a preamble puncturing pattern indicating one or more channels in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments that are not punctured during the TXOP, such that each of the one or more STAs to which the frame is transmitted monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel. Optionally, upon receiving the frame announcing the one or more PD channels, process 1500 may include processor 1322 receiving a PD channel set indicating one or more channels dedicated to one or more STAs during the TXOP in each of the one or more non-primary frequency segments such that each of the one or more STAs monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency segments as a respective PD channel to detect any transmission on the respective PD channel.

In some embodiments, the frequency segment may include a non-primary 80MHz frequency segment that does not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access. Further, the frame may include a beacon, a probe response, an association response, or a reassociation response.

In some implementations, the process 1500 may involve the processor 1322 performing additional operations. For example, process 1500 may include processor 1322 receiving an update from the AP indicating a new preamble puncturing pattern indicating that one or more different channels in the frequency segment are not punctured during a subsequent transmission. Further, in response to receiving the update, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 switching to one of the one or more different channels as a new PD channel to monitor the new PD channel to detect any transmission on the new PD channel.

In some implementations, the process 1500 may involve the processor 1322 performing additional operations. For example, process 1500 may include processor 1322 switching to a different frequency segment that does not include a primary channel for performing channel access.

In some implementations, the process 1500 may involve the processor 1322 performing additional operations. For example, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 receiving a frame (e.g., an EHT RTS frame) from an AP at the start of a TXOP, the frame indicating a different frequency segment for which resources are allocated and a different PD channel in the different frequency segment. Additionally, process 1500 may include processor 1322 switching to a different PD channel in a different frequency segment in response to receiving the frame.

In some implementations, the process 1500 may involve the processor 1322 performing additional operations. For example, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 sending, via transceiver 1326, a handoff indication via a dwell segment handoff advertisement or via a dwell segment handoff request and response exchange. In such a case, in switching to a different frequency segment, process 1500 may include processor 1322 switching to a different frequency segment in response to one or more of a plurality of conditions. The plurality of conditions may include: (a) the preamble puncturing pattern has been updated by the AP (b) no preamble from the AP on the PD channel has been detected within a timeout period, and (c) there is interference in the frequency bin above an interference threshold.

In some implementations, the process 1500 may involve the processor 1322 performing additional operations. For example, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 switching back to the primary channel. Additionally, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 selecting a PD channel to a different non-primary channel as the different PD channel. Further, process 1500 may include processor 1322 sending the selected PD channel to the AP via transceiver 1326, the selected PD channel indicating a different PD channel.

In some embodiments, in sending the updated PD channel, process 1500 may include processor 1322 sending the updated PD channel via a PD channel switch request. Further, in updating the PD channel, process 1500 may include processor 1322 updating the PD channel in response to at least one of: (a) no preamble from the AP on the PD channel is detected within the timeout period, and (b) there is interference in the PD channel above an interference threshold.

In some implementations, the process 1500 may involve the processor 1322 performing additional operations. For example, process 1500 may include processor 1322 detecting a preamble of an OBSS PPDU on a PD channel. Further, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 issuing a CCA reset request to a PHY of apparatus 1320 in response to at least one of a plurality of conditions being satisfied. In some implementations, the plurality of conditions may include the following: (a) an OBSS PPDU having an RSSI less than an energy detection threshold, (b) a carrier loss indication generated by the PHY before the end of the given time period, and (c) a format violation indication generated by the PHY before the end of the given time period.

In some implementations, the process 1500 may involve the processor 1322 performing additional operations. For example, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 switching to a different PD channel or a different frequency bin. Further, process 1500 may involve processor 1322 performing at least one of: (a) receiving a DL transmission from the AP after a switching delay when switching to a different PD channel or a different frequency segment; and (b) performing UL transmission to the AP after a switching delay or a NAV synchronization delay when switching to a different PD channel or a different frequency segment.

Additional description

The subject matter described herein sometimes represents different elements, which are included in or connected to other different elements. It will be understood that the architectures depicted are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality, or conceptually, any arrangement of elements which achieve the same functionality is "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components combined to achieve a particular functionality, regardless of structure or intermediate components, are considered to be "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved. Likewise, any two associated elements are considered to be "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the particular functionality. Any two components capable of being associated with each other are also considered to be "operably coupled" to each other to achieve a particular function. Any two components capable of being associated with each other are also considered to be "operably coupled" to each other to achieve a particular function. Specific examples of operably linked include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting elements, and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting elements, and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable elements.

Furthermore, with respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. Various singular/plural permutations are expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

Furthermore, those of skill in the art will understand that, in general, terms used in the present disclosure, and especially in the claims, as the subject matter of the claims, are generally employed as "open" terms, e.g., "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," "having" should be interpreted as "at least," "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," and the like. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific amount of claim material is intended, it will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such material, it will not be displayed. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following claims may contain usage of the phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of these phrases should not be construed to imply that the use of "a" or "an" is the introduction to the claims but rather is to be limited to any specific patent application. Even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one," the indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" should be construed to mean at least one or more, as such is true for use of the explicit description for introducing a claim. Furthermore, even if a specific number of an introduced context is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such context should be interpreted as indicating the recited number, e.g., "two references" without other modifications, meaning at least two references, or two or more references. Moreover, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B and C" is used, the convention is generally such that those skilled in the art will understand the convention, e.g., "a system includes at least one of A, B and C" would include but not be limited to a system having a alone, a system having B alone, a system having C alone, a system having a and B, a system having a and C, a system having B and C, and/or a system having A, B and C, etc. It will be further understood by those within the art that any isolated word and/or phrase represented by two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, the claims, or the drawings, should be understood to include one of those terms, or both terms as possible. For example, "a or B" is to be understood as the possibility of "a", or "B", or "a and B".

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the true scope is indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of broadband transmission, comprising:

announcing one or more preamble detection channels in a frequency segment to one or more stations in a frame such that each of the one or more stations monitors a respective one of the one or more preamble detection channels to detect any transmission of the one or more preamble detection channels;

wirelessly communicating with at least one of the one or more stations on the one or more preamble detection channels during a transmission opportunity.

2. The broadband transmission method of claim 1, wherein the step of announcing the one or more preamble detection channels comprises:

declaring a preamble puncturing pattern indicating one or more channels in each of one or more non-primary frequency bands that are not punctured during the transmission opportunity such that each of the one or more stations monitor one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency bands as a respective preamble detection channel to detect any transmission on the respective preamble detection channel; or

Announcing a preamble detection channel set indicating one or more channels dedicated to the one or more stations during the transmission opportunity in each of the one or more non-primary frequency bands such that each of the one or more stations monitors one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency bands as the respective preamble detection channel to detect any transmission on the respective preamble detection channel.

3. The wideband transmission method of claim 2, wherein the one or more non-primary frequency bands include one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency bands that do not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access, and wherein the step of wirelessly communicating with at least one of the one or more stations includes performing one or more of:

transmitting on one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments if at least one of the preamble detection channels in the preamble detection channel set of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments is a clear channel assessment clear state;

not transmitting on the one of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments if all of the preamble detection channels in the preamble detection channel set of the one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments evaluate idle channels as busy;

transmitting a downlink frame to or triggering an uplink transmission from the at least one of the one or more stations if the preamble detection channel of the at least one of the one or more stations is not punctured; or

Not transmitting the downlink frame to or triggering the uplink transmission from the at least one of the one or more stations if the preamble detection channel of the at least one of the one or more stations is punctured.

4. The wideband transmission method of claim 2, wherein the frequency bins include non-primary 80MHz frequency bins that do not include primary 20MHz channels for performing channel access, and wherein the step of wirelessly communicating with at least one of the one or more stations includes:

transmitting on the frequency segment in the frequency segment if all 20MHz channels in the frequency segment are clear channel assessment clear status, indicated as not punctured in the preamble puncturing pattern;

in the frequency segment, not transmitting on the frequency segment if at least one of a plurality of 20MHz channels is assessed busy for a clear channel, indicated as not punctured in the preamble puncturing pattern.

5. The wideband transmission method of claim 1, wherein the frequency segments comprise non-primary 80MHz frequency segments that do not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access, and wherein the frames include beacons, probe responses, association responses, or reassociation responses.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the announcing the one or more preamble detection channels comprises exchanging a plurality of control frames with the one or more stations at a beginning of the transmission opportunity period to dynamically update one or more preamble detection channels in the frequency segment for the transmission opportunity, and wherein wirelessly communicating comprises sending one or more preamble punctured physical layer coherence procedure protocol data units to the one or more stations.

7. The wideband transmission method of claim 6, wherein said plurality of control frames includes a plurality of ultra-high throughput request to send and clear to send frames.

8. The broadband transmission method of claim 1, wherein the step of wirelessly communicating with at least one of the one or more STAs comprises at least one of:

performing a downlink transmission to the at least one of the one or more stations after the at least one of the one or more stations switches to a different preamble detection channel in the same or a different frequency segment; and

triggering an uplink transmission from the at least one of the one or more stations after the at least one of the one or more stations switches to the different preamble detection channel in the same or different frequency segment.

9. A broadband transmission method comprises

Receiving a frame from an access point announcing one or more preamble detection channels in a frequency segment;

determining one of the one or more preamble detection channels as the preamble detection channel; and

monitoring the preamble detection channel to detect transmissions on the preamble detection channel.

10. The broadband transmission method of claim 9, wherein the step of receiving the frame announcing the one or more preamble detection channels comprises:

receiving a preamble puncturing pattern indicating one or more channels in each of one or more non-primary frequency bands that are not punctured during a transmission opportunity such that each of the one or more stations to which the frame is transmitted monitors one of the one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency bands as a respective preamble detection channel to detect any transmission on the respective preamble detection channel; or

Receiving a preamble detection channel set indicating one or more channels dedicated to the one or more stations during the transmission opportunity in each of the one or more non-primary frequency bands such that each of the one or more stations monitors one or more channels in one of the one or more non-primary frequency bands as the respective preamble detection channel to detect any transmission on the respective preamble detection channel.

11. The wideband transmission method of claim 10, wherein the one or more non-primary frequency segments include one or more non-primary 80MHz frequency segments that do not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access.

12. The wideband transmission method of claim 9, wherein the frequency segments comprise non-primary 80MHz frequency segments that do not include a primary 20MHz channel for performing channel access, and wherein the frames include beacons, probe responses, association responses, or reassociation responses.

13. The broadband transmission method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving an update from the access point, the update indicating a new preamble puncturing pattern indicating one or more different channels in the frequency segment that are not punctured during a subsequent transmission; and

in response to receiving the update, switching to one of the one or more different channels as a new preamble detection channel to monitor the new preamble detection channel to detect any transmission on the new preamble detection channel.

14. The broadband transmission method of claim 9, further comprising:

switching to a different frequency band that does not include a main channel for performing channel access.

15. The broadband transmission method of claim 14, wherein a frame is received from the access point at a beginning of a transmission opportunity, the frame indicating different frequency segments in which resources are allocated and different preamble detection channels in the different frequency segments; and

switching to the different preamble detection channels in the different frequency bins in response to receiving the frame.

16. The broadband transmission method of claim 14, further comprising:

the handover indication is sent by means of a stay segment handover announcement or a stay segment handover request and response exchange,

wherein the step of switching to the different frequency bin comprises: switching to the different frequency segment in response to one or more of a plurality of conditions, the plurality of conditions including:

the preamble puncturing pattern has been updated by the access point,

not detecting any preamble from the access point on a preamble detection channel within a timeout period, an

Interference above an interference threshold is present in the frequency bin.

17. The broadband transmission method of claim 14, further comprising:

switching back to the primary channel;

selecting a preamble detection channel to a different non-primary channel as a different preamble detection channel; and

transmitting the selected preamble detection channel indicating the different preamble detection channels to the access point.

18. The broadband transmission method of claim 17, wherein the step of transmitting the updated preamble detection channel comprises: transmitting the updated preamble detection channel via a preamble detection channel switch request.

19. The broadband transmission method of claim 9, further comprising:

detecting a preamble of an overlapping basic service set physical layer coherence procedure protocol data unit on the preamble detection channel; and

in response to at least one of a plurality of conditions being met, issuing a clear channel assessment reset request to the physical layer,

wherein the plurality of conditions includes:

an overlapping basic service set physical layer coherence procedure protocol data unit with a received signal strength indication, the received signal strength indication being less than an energy detection threshold,

a carrier loss indication generated by the physical layer before the end of a given time period, an

A format violation indication generated by the physical layer before the end of a given time period.

20. The broadband transmission method of claim 9, further comprising:

switching to a different preamble detection channel or a different frequency segment; and

performing at least one of:

receiving a downlink transmission from the access point after a switching delay in switching to the different preamble detection channel or the different frequency segment; and

performing an uplink transmission to the access point after a handover delay or a network allocation vector synchronization delay when switching to a different preamble detection channel or the different frequency segment.