CN115715477A - Beacon and probe response frame type information for out-of-band discovery - Google Patents
Beacon and probe response frame type information for out-of-band discovery Download PDFInfo
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- CN115715477A CN115715477A CN202280005011.1A CN202280005011A CN115715477A CN 115715477 A CN115715477 A CN 115715477A CN 202280005011 A CN202280005011 A CN 202280005011A CN 115715477 A CN115715477 A CN 115715477A
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
- H04W48/08—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery
- H04W48/10—Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery using broadcasted information
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
- H04W48/16—Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
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- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
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Abstract
During operation, the electronic device may perform a scan of a frequency band using a scanning radio, where the scanning radio receives only frames. The electronic device may then receive, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with the second electronic device, wherein the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band. Next, the electronic device may perform a second scan of a second frequency band using a data radio based at least in part on the information, wherein the data radio transmits and/or receives a second frame, and wherein the second scan is performed at least in part while the scan is performed. Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device.
Description
Technical Field
The described embodiments relate generally to wireless communication between electronic devices, including communication techniques for out-of-band communication of beacon and probe response information.
Background
Many electronic devices communicate with each other using Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as those based on communication protocols that conform to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards, such as the IEEE802.11 standard (sometimes referred to as "Wi-Fi").
IEEE802.11 has proposed the use of multiple concurrent links between electronic devices, such as access points and associated clients or stations. These concurrent links may be in different frequency bands, such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and/or 6GHz frequency bands. However, the concurrent use of the proposed frequency bands raises challenges for electronic device and link discovery and setup or configuration of multi-link electronic devices and legacy (single-link) electronic devices.
Disclosure of Invention
In a first set of embodiments, an electronic device that performs scanning is described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; and a data radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, the data radio performs a frequency band scan in which the data radio transmits and/or receives frames. Further, the data radio receives a beacon frame associated with the second electronic device, wherein the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band.
Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device.
Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may include an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).
Further, the beacon frame may include a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR), and the RNR may include this information. In addition, the beacon frame may include a Multilink (ML) element, and the ML may include the information.
In some embodiments, the electronic device may include a second data radio and a scanning radio. The second data radio may transmit and/or receive the second frame and the scanning radio may receive only the third frame. Further, the electronic device can perform a second scan of a second frequency band using a second data radio or a scanning radio based at least in part on the information. Note that the second scan may be performed at least partially while the scan is performed. Further, the electronic device may be associated with a second electronic device while performing the second scan.
Additionally, the information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).
Other embodiments provide a second electronic device or a third electronic device that performs peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with the electronic device, a second electronic device, or a third electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a data radio, a second data radio, and/or a scanning radio that performs at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with the electronic device, the second electronic device, or a third electronic device. When the program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device, the program instructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device to perform at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or the third electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for performing a scan. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or a third electronic device.
In a second set of embodiments, an electronic device for performing scanning is described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; a second antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to a second antenna; a scanning radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node; and a data radio communicatively coupled to the second antenna node. During operation, the electronic device performs a scan of a frequency band using a scanning radio, wherein the scanning radio receives only frames. The electronic device then receives, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with the second electronic device, wherein the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band. Next, the electronic device performs a second scan of a second frequency band using the data radio based at least in part on the information, wherein the data radio transmits and/or receives a second frame, and wherein the second scan is performed at least in part while the scan is performed.
Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device.
Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may comprise access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD.
Further, the beacon frame may include the RNR, and the RNR may include the information. In addition, the beacon frame may include an ML element, and the ML may include the information.
Additionally, the electronic device may associate with (or establish a connection with) a third electronic device after the scan and the second scan are completed.
In some embodiments, the information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or an indication of whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate PPDU.
Other embodiments provide a second electronic device or a third electronic device that performs peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with the electronic device, a second electronic device, or a third electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a scanning radio and/or a data radio that performs at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with the electronic device, the second electronic device, or a third electronic device. When the program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device, the program instructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device to perform at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or the third electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for performing a scan. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or a third electronic device.
In a third set of embodiments, an electronic device that performs scanning is described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; a second antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to a second antenna; a data radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node; and a second data radio communicatively coupled to the second antenna node. During operation, the electronic device transmits a frame in a frequency band associated with a second electronic device using a data radio, wherein the data radio transmits and/or receives the frame. The electronic device then interrupts the transmission of the frame and performs a scan of the second frequency band using a second data radio, wherein the second data radio transmits and/or receives the second frame. Further, the electronic device receives, using the second data radio, a beacon frame associated with a third electronic device in a second frequency band. Next, after receiving the beacon frame, the electronic device resumes transmitting the third frame in the frequency band using the data radio.
Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have a connection to) a second electronic device.
Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may comprise access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD.
Further, the frame may include a frame having information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band, and the scanning is based at least in part on the information. Additionally, the frames may include group addressed frames. In some embodiments, the frame may include the RNR, and the RNR may include the information. Note that the frame may include an ML element, and the ML may include the information.
Further, the information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or an indication of whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate PPDU.
Other embodiments provide a second electronic device or a third electronic device that performs peer-to-peer operations corresponding to the aforementioned operations performed by the electronic device.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with the electronic device, a second electronic device, or a third electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a data radio and/or a second data radio that performs at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with the electronic device, the second electronic device, or a third electronic device. When the program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device, the program instructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device to perform at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or the third electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for performing a scan. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or a third electronic device.
In a fourth set of embodiments, an electronic device that performs scanning is described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; a second antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to a second antenna; a scanning radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node; and a data radio communicatively coupled to the second antenna node. During operation, the electronic device transmits a frame in a frequency band associated with a second electronic device using a data radio, wherein the data radio is configured to transmit and/or receive the frame. Then, the electronic device performs scanning of a second frequency band using a scanning radio, wherein the scanning radio receives only the second frame and performs scanning when transmitting the frame. Next, the electronic device receives, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with a third electronic device in a second frequency band.
Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have a connection to) a second electronic device.
Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may include access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD.
Further, the frame may include a frame having information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band, and the scanning is based at least in part on the information. Additionally, the frames may include group-addressed frames. In some embodiments, the frame may include the RNR, and the RNR may include the information. Note that the frame may include an ML element, and the ML may include the information.
Further, the information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or an indication of whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate PPDU.
Other embodiments provide a second electronic device or a third electronic device that performs peer-to-peer operations corresponding to the aforementioned operations performed by the electronic device.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with the electronic device, a second electronic device, or a third electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a scanning radio and/or a data radio that performs at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with the electronic device, the second electronic device, or a third electronic device. When the program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device, the program instructions may cause the electronic device, the second electronic device, or the third electronic device to perform at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or the third electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for performing a scan. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device or a third electronic device.
In a fifth set of embodiments, electronic devices that transmit beacons or group-addressed frames are described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, the interface circuit transmits a beacon or group addressing frame in the frequency band, wherein the beacon frame includes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or a beacon Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS), and wherein the group addressing frame includes second information specifying a group addressing frame type and/or a group addressing frame MCS.
Note that the electronic device may include an access point.
Further, the interface circuit may be associated with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD having a second access point in a second frequency band. Further, the electronic device may transmit a second beacon or a second set of addressing frames in the second frequency band, wherein the second beacon comprises third information specifying a second beacon frame type and/or a second beacon MCS, wherein the second set of addressing frames comprises third information specifying a second set of addressing frame types and/or a second set of addressing frames MCS, and wherein one of: the second beacon frame type is different from the beacon frame type; the second beacon MCS is different from the beacon MCS; the second group addressing frame type is different from the group addressing frame type; or the second group addressing frame MCS is different from the group addressing frame MCS.
Additionally, the information may include a beacon bandwidth and the second information may include a group addressing frame bandwidth.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with the electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the operations described previously.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with the electronic device. The program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium, when executed by the electronic device, may cause the electronic device to perform at least some of the operations previously described as being performed by the electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for transmitting beacons or group-addressed frames. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device.
In a sixth set of embodiments, a second electronic device that receives a beacon or group-addressed frame is described. The second electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, the interface circuit receives a beacon or group addressing frame associated with the electronic device in the frequency band, wherein the beacon frame includes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or a beacon MCS, and wherein the group addressing frame includes second information specifying a group addressing frame type and/or a group addressing frame MCS.
Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Further, the access point may be co-hosted or co-located or affiliated with the electronic device in the AP MLD.
Further, the second electronic device may receive a group-addressed frame using the data radio based at least in part on the second information, wherein the data radio transmits and/or receives the frame.
Additionally, the information may include a beacon bandwidth and the second information may include a group addressing frame bandwidth.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with a second electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the operations previously described.
Other embodiments provide a data radio that performs at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with a second electronic device. The program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium, when executed by the second electronic device, may cause the second electronic device to perform at least some of the operations previously described as being performed by the second electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for receiving a beacon or group addressed frame. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the second electronic device.
In a seventh set of embodiments, an electronic device that transmits frames is described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, the interface circuit transmits a frame addressed to the second electronic device, the frame including a Transmit Power Control (TPC) report, wherein the TPC report includes transmit power used by the electronic device for all frames in the 6GHz band.
Note that the electronic device may include an access point.
Further, the interface circuitry may be associated with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the APMLD.
Other embodiments provide a second electronic device that performs peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with an electronic device or a second electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with an electronic device or a second electronic device. When the program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device or a second electronic device, the program instructions may cause the electronic device or the second electronic device to perform at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for transmitting or receiving frames. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by a second electronic device.
In an eighth set of embodiments, electronic devices that transmit beacon frames are described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, the interface circuitry transmits a beacon frame including a critical capability update flag and an RNR, wherein the RNR includes a change sequence number, and wherein the critical capability update flag and the RNR indicate an update to one of: a transmit power of the electronic device, a beacon frame type of the electronic device, or a group addressing frame type of the electronic device.
Note that the electronic device may include an access point.
Further, the interface circuitry may be associated with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the APMLD.
Other embodiments provide a second electronic device that performs peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with an electronic device or a second electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with an electronic device or a second electronic device. When the program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device or a second electronic device, the program instructions may cause the electronic device or the second electronic device to perform at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for transmitting or receiving frames. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by a second electronic device.
In a ninth set of embodiments, an electronic device that transmits frames is described. The electronic device may include: an antenna node (or pad or connector) communicatively coupled to an antenna; and an interface circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna node. During operation, the interface circuit transmits a frame indicating that the electronic device supports a request for a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode. The interface circuit then receives a request associated with the second electronic device for information regarding beacon or group-addressed frame transmission modes. Next, the interface circuit transmits a response addressed to the second electronic device with information specifying a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode.
Further, the interface circuit may be associated with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the APMLD.
Further, the second electronic device may comprise a station in a non-access point multi-link device (non-AP MLD).
Additionally, the request may specify a proposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode.
In some implementations, the response may indicate acceptance of the proposed beacon or group addressed transmission mode, or may specify a second proposed beacon or group addressed transmission mode.
Other embodiments provide a second electronic device that performs peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide an integrated circuit (sometimes referred to as a "communication circuit") for use with an electronic device or a second electronic device. The integrated circuit may perform at least some of the foregoing operations or peer-to-peer operations corresponding to at least some of the foregoing operations.
Other embodiments provide a computer-readable storage medium for use with an electronic device or a second electronic device. When the program instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the electronic device or a second electronic device, the program instructions may cause the electronic device or the second electronic device to perform at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by the second electronic device.
Other embodiments provide methods for transmitting or receiving frames. The method includes at least some of the foregoing operations performed by the electronic device or peer-to-peer operations performed by a second electronic device.
This summary is provided to illustrate some exemplary embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Thus, it should be appreciated that the features described above are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.
Drawings
The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only to provide examples of possible structures and arrangements of the disclosed systems and techniques for intelligently and efficiently managing communications between a plurality of associated user devices. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the embodiments by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. This embodiment will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for performing a scan using the electronic device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for performing a scan using the electronic device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for performing a scan using the electronic device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for performing a scan using the electronic device of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.
Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for transmitting a beacon or group-addressed frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for receiving a beacon or group-addressed frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for transmitting a frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for receiving a frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for transmitting a beacon frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 18 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for receiving a beacon frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 20 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for transmitting a frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 21 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for receiving a frame using the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) communicated between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-link (ML) element transferred between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2.
Fig. 26 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 27 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 28 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a non-high throughput duplicate Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).
Fig. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a beacon frame.
Fig. 32 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 33 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 34 is a diagram showing an example of RNR.
Fig. 35 is a diagram showing an example of RNR.
Fig. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of RNR.
Fig. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of a beacon or discovery frame information subfield.
Fig. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of a Transmit Power Control (TPC) reporting element.
Fig. 39A is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 39B is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 40A is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 40B is a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 41 is a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices.
Fig. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example of beacon and framing type elements.
Fig. 43 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the electronic device of fig. 1 or 2.
It should be noted that like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Further, multiple instances of the same component are referred to by a common prefix separated from the instance number by a dashed line.
Detailed Description
An electronic device that performs scanning is described. During operation, the electronic device may perform a scan of a frequency band using a scanning radio, where the scanning radio receives only frames. The electronic device may then receive, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with the second electronic device, where the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band. Next, the electronic device may perform a second scan of a second frequency band using a data radio based at least in part on the information, wherein the data radio transmits and/or receives a second frame, and wherein the second scan is performed at least in part while the scan is performed. Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device. Further, it is noted that the second scan may be performed at least partially while the scan is performed.
By providing beacon frames, these communication techniques may facilitate discovery of out-of-band electronic devices. Notably, these communication techniques may facilitate faster or more efficient scanning by allowing an electronic device to alert each other electronic device in a frequency band of different frequencies. These capabilities may improve the efficiency of spectrum usage and/or communication performance when using the electronic device and/or a third electronic device to communicate in the WLAN. For example, these communication techniques may simplify and improve discovery operations, electronic device settings, and/or configurations. Thus, these communication techniques may improve user experience and customer satisfaction.
It is noted that communication techniques may be used during wireless communication between electronic devices according to communication protocols, such as communication protocols compatible with the IEEE802.11 standard (which is sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi). In some embodiments, the communication techniques are used with IEEE802.11be, which is used as an illustrative example in the following discussion. However, the communication technology may also be used with a wide variety of other communication protocols, and may also be used in electronic devices, such as portable electronic devices or mobile devices, that may incorporate a variety of different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to provide connectivity through different wireless networks that offer different services and/or capabilities.
The electronic device may include hardware and software to support Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) communication protocols such as those standardized by the bluetooth special interest group and/or those developed by apple (cupertino, california) known as Apple Wireless Direct Link (AWDL). Further, the electronic device may be enabled via: a Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), a Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN), a WLAN, near Field Communication (NFC), a cellular telephone or data network, such as to communicate using a third generation (3G) communication protocol, a fourth generation (4G) communication protocol (e.g., long term evolution or LTE, LTE-advanced (LTE-a)), a fifth generation (5G) communication protocol, or other advanced cellular communication protocol currently or later developed), and/or another communication protocol. In some embodiments, the communication protocol comprises peer-to-peer communication technology.
In some embodiments, the electronic device may also operate as part of a wireless communication system that may include a set of client devices, which may also be referred to as stations or client electronic devices, interconnected to an access point, e.g., as part of a WLAN, and/or to each other, e.g., as part of a WPAN and/or an "ad hoc" wireless network, such as Wi-Fi direct. In some embodiments, the client device may be any electronic device capable of communicating via WLAN technology (e.g., according to a WLAN communication protocol). Further, in some embodiments, the WLAN technology may include a Wi-Fi (or more generally, WLAN) wireless communication subsystem or radio, and the Wi-Fi radio may implement IEEE802.11 technology, such as one or more of: IEEE802.11 a; IEEE802.11 b; IEEE802.11 g; IEEE 802.11-2007; ieee802.11n; IEEE 802.11-2012; IEEE 802.11-2016; IEEE802.11 ac; IEEE802.11ax, IEEE802.11 ba, IEEE802.11be, IEEE802.11 me, or other IEEE802.11 technology currently or later developed.
In some embodiments, the electronic device may act as a communication hub that provides access to the WLAN and/or to the WWAN and, thus, to a wide variety of services that may be supported by various applications executing on the electronic device. Thus, an electronic device may include an "access point" that wirelessly communicates with other electronic devices (such as using Wi-Fi) and provides access to another network (such as the internet) via IEEE 802.3 (which is sometimes referred to as "ethernet"). However, in other embodiments, the electronic device may not be an access point. As an illustrative example, in the following discussion, the electronic device is or includes an access point.
In addition, it should be understood that the electronic devices described herein may be configured as multi-mode wireless communication devices capable of communicating via different 3G and/or second generation (2G) RATs. In these scenarios, the multi-mode electronic device or UE may be configured to prefer to attach to an LTE network that gives faster data rate throughput compared to other 3G legacy networks that give lower data rate throughput. For example, in some implementations, the multi-mode electronic device is configured to fall back to a 3G legacy network, such as an evolved high speed packet access (HSPA +) network or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 evolution data only (EV-DO) network, when LTE and LTE-a networks are otherwise unavailable. More generally, the electronic devices described herein are capable of communicating with other currently or future developed cellular telephone technologies.
The terms "wireless communication device," "electronic device," "mobile station," "wireless access point," "station," "access point," and "User Equipment (UE)" may be used herein to describe one or more consumer electronic devices that may be capable of performing processes associated with various embodiments of the present disclosure, in accordance with various embodiments described herein.
Fig. 1 presents a block diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device for wireless communication. Notably, one or more electronic devices 110 (such as a smartphone, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, or another such electronic device) and the access point 112 can wirelessly communicate in the WLAN using an IEEE802.11 communication protocol. Thus, electronic device 110 may be associated with access point 112 or may have one or more connections with the access point. For example, the electronic device 110 and the access point 112 may communicate wirelessly if: detect each other by scanning wireless channels, transmit and receive beacons or (equivalently) beacon frames over wireless channels, establish connections (e.g., by transmitting connection requests), and/or transmit and receive packets or frames (which may include requests and/or additional information such as data as payloads). It is noted that the access point 112 may provide access to a network, such as the internet, via an ethernet protocol, and may be a physical access point or a virtual or "software" access point implemented on a computer or electronic device. In the discussion that follows, the electronic device 110 is sometimes referred to as a "recipient electronic device.
As described further below with reference to fig. 43, the electronic device 110 and the access point 112 may include subsystems such as a networking subsystem, a memory subsystem, and a processor subsystem. Further, electronic device 110 and access point 112 may include a radio 114 in the networking subsystem. More generally, electronic device 110 and access point 112 may include (or may be included within) any electronic device with a networking subsystem that enables electronic device 110 and access point 112, respectively, to wirelessly communicate with another electronic device. This may include transmitting a beacon frame over a wireless channel to enable electronic devices to make initial contact with or detect each other, and then exchanging subsequent data/management frames (such as connection requests) to establish a connection, configuring security options (e.g., IPSec), transmitting and receiving packets or frames via the connection, and so on.
As can be seen in FIG. 1, wireless signals 116 (represented by the jagged lines) are transmitted by one or more radios 114-1 and 114-2 in electronic device 110-1 and access point 112, respectively. For example, as previously mentioned, electronic device 110-1 and access point 112 may exchange packets or frames using a Wi-Fi communication protocol in a WLAN. As further shown below with reference to fig. 2-42, one or more radios 114-1 may receive wireless signals 116 transmitted by one or more radios 114-2 via one or more links between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. Alternatively, the one or more radios 114-1 may transmit the wireless signals 116 received by the one or more radios 114-2.
In some embodiments, the wireless signals 116 are transmitted by one or more radios 114 in the electronic device 110 and the access point 112, respectively. For example, one or more radios 114-1 and 114-3 may receive wireless signals 116 transmitted by one or more radios 114-2 via one or more links between electronic devices 110-1 and 110-2 and access point 112.
Note that the one or more radios 114-1 may consume additional power in the higher power mode. If the one or more radios 114-1 remain in a higher power mode even when not transmitting or receiving packets or frames, power consumption of electronic device 110-1 may be unnecessarily increased. As a result, the electronic device 110 may include a Wake Up Radio (WUR) 118 that listens and/or receives wake up frames (and/or other wake up communications) from, for example, the access point 112. WUR 118-1 may selectively wake up radio 114-1 when a particular electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1, receives a wake-up frame, for example, by providing a wake-up signal that selectively transitions at least one of the one or more radios 114-1 from a low-power mode to a high-power mode.
IEEE802.11 has proposed the use of multiple concurrent links between electronic devices, such as access point 112 and one or more electronic devices 110. For example, as shown in fig. 2, which presents a block diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device for wireless communication, access point 112 may be an AP MLD that includes multiple access points 210 that are co-hosted or co-located within access point 112. In this discussion, "co-hosting" or "co-locating" means that the access points 210 are physically or virtually implemented in, or attached to, the same AP MLD. Note that this meaning of "co-hosting" does not mean that the access points 210 have the same primary 20MHz channel. The access point 210 may have an associated Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) 212 and Media Access Control (MAC) and Physical (PHY) layers (including separate radio components that may be included in the same or different integrated circuits). It is noted that access point 112 may have an ML entity 214 having an MLD MAC address, an ML identifier, a Service Set Identifier (SSID), and may provide security for access point 210.
Further, access point 210 may have different concurrent links 216 with at least stations 218 in electronic device 110-1 (which is a non-AP MLD) in different frequency bands (such as link 216-1 in the 2.4GHz band with link identifier 1, link 216-2 in the 5GHz band with link identifier 2, and link 216-3 in the 6GHz band with link identifier 3). These stations may have associated lower MAC and PHY layers (including separate radios that may be included in the same or different integrated circuits). In addition, the electronic device 110-1 may have an ML entity 220 with an MLD MAC address.
For example, the AP MLD may have three radios. One radio may operate on the 2.4GHz band and the other radio may operate on the 5/6GHz band. The APMLD may form three access points 210 that operate on 2.4GHz channels, 5GHz channels, and 6GHz channels, respectively. Three access points 210 may operate independently, each having at least one BSS with different BSSIDs 212. (although fig. 2 shows an AP MLD with three access points 210, more generally, an AP MLD may include up to 15 access points, with one or more in a given frequency band.) furthermore, each access point 210 may accommodate legacy non-access point stations as well as non-AP MLD stations 218. In addition, each access point 210 may transmit its own beacon frame using its own BSSID. Additionally, the AP MLD may have a ML entity 214 identified by a MLD address (such as a MLD MAC address). The MAC address may be used to pair with the ML entity 220 of the associated non-AP MLD station 218.
Further, a non-AP MLD site (e.g., electronic device 110-1) may have two or three radios. One radio may operate on the 2.4GHz band and the other radio may operate on the 5/6GHz band. When the non-AP MLD establishes an ML association with the AP MLD, it can create up to three stations 218, each associated with one access point 210 within the AP MLD. Each station 218 may have a different air interface MAC address 222. The non-AP MLD may also have an ML entity 220 identified by another MLD address, such as another MLD MAC address. The MLD MAC address may be used to pair with the ML entity 214 of the associated AP MLD.
However, using multiple links 216 presents link discovery and setup or configuration challenges. To address these challenges, in some embodiments of the disclosed communication techniques, an access point (such as access point 210-1) may provide or transmit a beacon frame in a frequency band that includes information (e.g., in RNR or ML elements) associated with operation of a third electronic device (such as access point 210-2 or 210-3) in a second frequency band, as described below with reference to fig. 3-6. The beacon or group-addressed frame may be received by a second electronic device (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1) while the second electronic device is performing a scan of the frequency band, e.g., using a data radio that transmits and/or receives frames or a scanning radio that only receives frames. Further, the second electronic device can optionally perform a second scan of the second frequency band based at least in part on the information (e.g., using a second data radio that transmits and/or receives frames or a scanning radio that only receives frames). Note that the second scan may be performed at least partially while the scan is performed. Using this information, the second electronic device may associate with (or establish a connection with) a third electronic device, for example, when performing the second scan or after the scan and the second scan are completed.
Further, as described below with reference to fig. 7 and 8, in some embodiments of the disclosed communication techniques, an electronic device (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1) may transmit a frame in a frequency band associated with a second electronic device (such as access point 210-1) using a data radio, where the data radio transmits and/or receives the frame. The electronic device may then interrupt the transmission of the frame and may perform a scan of the second frequency band using a second data radio, where the second data radio transmits and/or receives the second frame. Further, the electronic device can receive, using the second data radio, a beacon frame associated with a third electronic device (such as access point 210-2 or 210-3) in the second frequency band. Note that the frame may comprise a frame (such as a group-addressed frame) having information (e.g., in RNR or ML elements) associated with operation of the third electronic device in the second frequency band, and the scanning is based at least in part on the information. Next, after receiving the beacon frame, the electronic device may resume transmitting the third frame in the frequency band using the data radio.
Alternatively, as described below with reference to fig. 9 and 10, instead of interrupting communication and performing scanning of the second frequency band and receiving the beacon frame using the second data radio, the electronic device may perform scanning of the second frequency band using the scanning radio that receives only the second frame when transmitting the frame, and may receive the beacon frame associated with a third electronic device.
Further, as described below with reference to fig. 11-13, in some embodiments of the disclosed communication techniques, an electronic device (such as access point 210-1) may transmit a beacon or group addressing frame in a frequency band, wherein the beacon frame includes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or a beacon MCS, and wherein the group addressing frame includes second information specifying a group addressing frame type and/or a group addressing frame MCS. Additionally, an electronic device (such as access point 210-2) may transmit a second beacon or a second set of addressing frames in a second frequency band, wherein the second beacon frame includes third information specifying a second beacon frame type and/or a second beacon MCS, wherein the second set of addressing frames includes third information specifying the second set of addressing frame types and/or the second set of addressing frames MCS, and wherein one of: the second beacon frame type is different from the beacon frame type; the second beacon MCS is different from the beacon MCS; the second group addressing frame type is different from the group addressing frame type; or the second group addressing frame MCS is different from the group addressing frame MCS. A second electronic device (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1 or 218-2) may then receive the beacon frame, the group addressed frame, the second beacon frame, or the second group addressed frame, e.g., using a data radio that transmits and/or receives the frame. Note that the information may include a beacon bandwidth and the second information may include a group addressing frame bandwidth.
As described below with reference to fig. 14-16, in some embodiments of the disclosed communication techniques, an electronic device (such as access point 210-1, 210-2, or 210-3) may transmit a frame addressed to a second electronic device (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1, 218-2, or 218-3) that includes a TPC report, where the TPC report includes transmit power used by the electronic device for all frames in the 6GHz band. The second electronic device may then receive the frame.
Further, as described below with reference to fig. 17-19, in some embodiments of the disclosed communication technology, an electronic device (such as access point 210-1, 210-2, or 210-3) may transmit a beacon frame addressed to a second electronic device (e.g., electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1, 218-2, or 218-3) that includes a key capability update flag and an RNR, wherein the RNR includes a change sequence number, and wherein the key capability update flag and the RNR indicate an update to one of: a transmission power of the electronic device, a beacon frame type of the electronic device, or a group addressing frame type of the electronic device. The second electronic device may then receive the beacon frame.
Further, as described below with reference to fig. 20-22, in some embodiments of the disclosed communication techniques, an electronic device (such as access point 210-1, 210-2, or 210-3) may transmit a frame indicating that the electronic device (such as electronic device 110-1, e.g., station 218-1, 218-2, or 218-3) supports a request for a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode. The electronic device may then receive a request for information about beacon or group-addressed frame transmission modes associated with a second electronic device. Next, the electronic device may transmit a response addressed to the second electronic device with information specifying a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode. For example, the request may specify a proposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode, and the response may indicate acceptance of the proposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode, or may specify a second proposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode.
In general, these communication techniques may be used to facilitate discovery of out-of-band electronic devices, electronic device settings, and/or configurations. These capabilities may improve the efficiency of spectrum usage and/or communication performance when communicating in a WLAN using electronic devices such as access point 112, electronic device 110-1, and/or legacy electronic devices.
Referring back to FIG. 1, access point 112 and one or more electronic devices (such as electronic device 110-1 and/or 110-2) may be compatible with an IEEE802.11 standard that includes trigger-based channel access (such as IEEE802.11 ax). However, the access point 112 and one or more electronic devices may communicate with one or more legacy electronic devices that are not compatible with the IEEE802.11 standard (i.e., do not use multi-user trigger-based channel access). In some embodiments, the access point 112 and the one or more electronic devices use multi-user transmission (such as orthogonal frequency division multiple access or OFDMA). For example, the one or more radios 114-2 may provide one or more trigger frames for one or more electronic devices. Further, in response to receiving the one or more trigger frames, the one or more radios 114-1 may provide one or more group or block acknowledgements to the one or more radios 114-2. For example, the one or more radios 114-1 may provide one or more group acknowledgements during the associated assigned time slot and/or in an assigned channel of the one or more group acknowledgements. However, in some embodiments, one or more of the electronic devices 110 may provide confirmation to the one or more radios 114-2 separately. Thus, the one or more radios 114-1 (and more generally radios 114 in electronic devices 110-1 and/or 110-2) may provide one or more acknowledgements to the one or more radios 114-2.
In the depicted embodiment, processing a packet or frame in one of the electronic device 110 and the access point 112 includes: receiving a wireless signal 116 encoding a packet or frame; decoding/extracting a packet or frame from the received wireless signal 116 to obtain a packet or frame; and processing the packet or frame to determine information contained in the packet or frame, such as data in the payload.
Generally, communications via a WLAN in a communication technology may be characterized by a variety of communication performance metrics. For example, the communication performance metrics may include any/all of the following: RSSI, data rate of successful communication (sometimes referred to as "throughput"), delay, error rate (such as retry or retransmission rate), mean square error of the equalized signal relative to the equalization target, intersymbol interference, multipath interference, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), eye diagram width, the ratio of the number of successfully transmitted bytes during a time interval (such as a time interval between, for example, 1 second and 10 seconds) to the estimated maximum number of bytes that can be transmitted within the time interval (where the latter is sometimes referred to as the "capacity" of the communication channel or link), and/or the ratio of the actual data rate to the estimated data rate (sometimes referred to as "utilization").
Although we have described the network environment shown in fig. 1 as an example, in alternative embodiments, there may be a different number and/or type of electronic devices. For example, some embodiments may include more or fewer electronic devices. As another example, in other embodiments, different electronic devices may transmit and/or receive packets or frames. In some embodiments, multiple links may be used during communication between electronic devices 110. Thus, one of the electronic devices 110 may perform operations in the communication technology.
Fig. 3 presents a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 300 for performing a scan. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1. It is noted that the communication with the second electronic device may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, a data radio in the electronic device may perform a scan of a frequency band (operation 310), where the data radio transmits and/or receives frames. Further, the data radio may receive a beacon frame associated with the second electronic device (operation 312), where the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band.
Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device. Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may include access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD. Further, the beacon frame may include the RNR, and the RNR may include the information. In addition, the beacon may include an ML element, and the ML may include the information. In some embodiments, the information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or an indication of whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate PPDU.
In some embodiments, the electronic device optionally performs one or more additional operations (operation 314). For example, the electronic device may include a second data radio and a scanning radio. The second data radio may transmit and/or receive the second frame and the scanning radio may receive only the third frame. Further, the electronic device can perform a second scan of a second frequency band using a second data radio or a scanning radio based at least in part on the information. Note that the second scan may be performed at least partially while the scan is performed. Further, the electronic device may be associated with a second electronic device while performing the second scan.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 4 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one or more Interface Circuits (ICs) 410 in access point 210-1 may transmit one or more beacon frames 414, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD with access point 210-2 (in access point 112). The one or more beacon frames 414 can be received by a data radio 416 in one or more interface circuits 418 in the electronic device 110-1 that performs the scanning 412 of the frequency band. It is noted that one or more beacon frames 414 can include information 420 associated with operation of the access point 210-2 in the second frequency band.
Based at least in part on the information 420, a data radio 422 or a scan radio 424 component in the one or more interface circuits 418 may perform a scan 426 in the second frequency band. Note that scan 426 may be performed, at least in part, while scan 412 is performed. Further, one or more interface circuits 428 in access point 210-2 can transmit one or more beacon frames 430 with information 432 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in the second frequency band. One or more beacon frames 430 may then be received by either data radio 422 or scanning radio 424. Next, based at least in part on the information 432, the data radio 422, when performing the scan 426, associates 434 with the access point 210-2.
Fig. 5 presents a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 500 for performing a scan. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1. It is noted that the communication with the second electronic device may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, a scanning radio in the electronic device may perform a scan of a frequency band (operation 510), where the scanning radio receives only frames. The scanning radio may then receive a beacon frame associated with the second electronic device (operation 512), where the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band. Next, a data radio in the electronic device may perform a second scan of a second frequency band based at least in part on the information (operation 514), wherein the data radio transmits and/or receives a second frame, and wherein the second scan is performed at least in part while the scan is performed.
Note that the electronic device may not be associated with (or may not have a connection with) the second electronic device and/or the third electronic device. Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may comprise access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD. Further, the beacon frame may include the RNR, and the RNR may include the information. In addition, the beacon frame may include an ML element, and the ML may include the information. In some embodiments, the information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or an indication of whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate PPDU.
In some embodiments, the electronic device optionally performs one or more additional operations (operation 516). For example, the electronic device may associate with (or establish a connection with) a third electronic device after the scan and the second scan are completed.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 6 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one or more interface circuits 610 in access point 210-1 can transmit one or more beacon frames 614, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD with access point 210-2 (in access point 112). The one or more beacon frames 614 can be received by a scanning radio 616 in one or more interface circuits 618 in the electronic device 110-1 that performs a scan 612 of the frequency band. It is noted that one or more beacon frames 614 may include information 620 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in the second frequency band.
Based at least in part on information 620, data radio 622 in one or more interface circuits 618 may perform scan 624 in the second frequency band. Note that scan 624 may be performed, at least in part, when scan 612 is performed. Further, the one or more interface circuits 626 in the access point 210-2 can transmit one or more beacon frames 628 with information 630 associated with operation of the access point 210-2 in the second frequency band. One or more beacon frames 628 may then be received 622 by the data radio. Next, based at least in part on information 630, data radio 622 may associate 632 with access point 210-2 after scan 612 and scan 624 are complete.
Fig. 7 presents a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 700 for performing a scan. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1. It is noted that the communication with the second electronic device may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, a data radio in an electronic device may transmit a frame in a frequency band associated with a second electronic device (operation 710), where the data radio transmits and/or receives the frame. The electronic device may then interrupt transmission of the frame (operation 712), and may perform a scan of the second frequency band using a second data radio in the electronic device (operation 714), where the second data radio transmits and/or receives the second frame. Further, the second data radio may receive a beacon frame associated with a third electronic device in a second frequency band (operation 716). Next, after receiving the beacon frame (operation 716), the electronic device may resume transmitting the third frame in the frequency band using the data radio (operation 718).
Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have a connection to) a second electronic device. Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may include access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD. Further, the frame may include a frame having information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band, and the scanning is based at least in part on the information. Additionally, the frames may include group-addressed frames. In some embodiments, the frame may include the RNR, and the RNR may include the information. Alternatively or additionally, the frame may include ML elements, and the ML may include the information. Note that this information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or an indication of whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate PPDU.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 8 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one or more interface circuits 810 in access point 210-1 can transmit one or more frames 812, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD (in access point 112) with access point 210-2. The frames may be received by a data radio 814 in one or more interface circuits 816 in electronic device 110-1, where the frames 812 are transmitted in a frequency band. Note that at least one of the frames 812 includes information 818 associated with operation of the access point 210-2 in the second frequency band, where the access point 210-2 is included in the AP MLD with the access point 210-1.
The data radio 814 may then interrupt 820 the transmission of the frame 812 and the data radio 822 in the one or more interface circuits 816 may perform a scan 824 of the second frequency band. Further, one or more interface circuits 826 in access point 210-2 can transmit one or more beacon frames 828. One or more beacon frames 828 may be received 822 by the data radio. It is noted that one or more beacon frames 828 can include information 830 associated with operation of the access point 210-2 in the second frequency band.
Next, the data radio 814 may recover 832 to transmit the frame 834 in the frequency band.
Fig. 9 presents a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 900 for performing a scan. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1. It is noted that the communication with the second electronic device may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, a data radio in an electronic device may transmit a frame in a frequency band associated with a second electronic device (operation 910), where the data radio is configured to transmit and/or receive the frame. Then, the scanning radio in the electronic device may perform scanning of the second frequency band (operation 912), where the scanning radio receives only the second frame and performs scanning when the frame is transmitted. Next, the scanning radio may receive a beacon frame associated with a third electronic device in a second frequency band (operation 914).
Note that the electronic device may be associated with (or may have a connection to) a second electronic device. Further, the second electronic device and the third electronic device may include access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD. Further, the frame may include a frame having information associated with operation of a third electronic device in the second frequency band, and the scanning is based at least in part on the information. Additionally, the frames may include group addressed frames. In some embodiments, the frame may include the RNR, and the RNR may include the information. Alternatively or additionally, the frame may include ML elements, and the ML may include the information. Note that this information may include: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, and/or whether the third electronic device receives an 80MHz wide non-high throughput duplicate PPDU.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 10 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one or more interface circuits 1010 in access point 210-1 can transmit a frame 1012, where access point 210-1 is included in an AP MLD (in access point 112) with access point 210-2. The frames may be received by a data radio 1014 in one or more interface circuits 1016 in electronic device 110-1, where the frames 1012 are transmitted in a frequency band. Note that at least one of frames 1012 includes information 1018 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in the second frequency band, where access point 210-2 is included in an AP MLD with access point 210-1.
Then, a scanning radio 1020 in the one or more interface circuits 1016 may perform a scan 1022 of the second frequency band when the frame 1012 is transmitted. Further, one or more interface circuits 1024 in access point 210-2 may transmit one or more beacon frames 1026. One or more beacon frames 1026 may be received by scanning radio 1020. Note that one or more beacon frames 1026 can include information 1028 associated with operation of access point 210-2 in the second frequency band.
Fig. 11 presents a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 1100 for transmitting a beacon or group-addressed frame. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as access point 112 in fig. 1.
During operation, the electronic device may transmit a beacon or group addressing frame in the frequency band (operation 1110), wherein the beacon frame includes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or beacon MCS, and wherein the group addressing frame includes second information specifying a group addressing frame type and/or group addressing frame MCS.
Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Further, the information may include a beacon bandwidth, and the second information may include a group addressing frame bandwidth.
In some embodiments, the electronic device optionally performs one or more additional operations (operation 1112). For example, the electronic device may associate with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with an AP MLD having a second access point in a second frequency band. Further, the electronic device may transmit a second beacon or a second set of addressing frames in the second frequency band, wherein the second beacon frame includes third information specifying a second beacon frame type and/or a second beacon MCS, wherein the second set of addressing frames includes third information specifying the second set of addressing frame types and/or the second set of addressing frames MCS, and wherein one of: the second beacon frame type is different from the beacon frame type; the second beacon MCS is different from the beacon MCS; the second group addressing frame type is different from the group addressing frame type; or the second group addressing frame MCS is different from the group addressing frame MCS.
Fig. 12 presents a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 1200 for receiving a beacon or group-addressed frame. The method may be performed by a second electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1.
During operation, the second electronic device may receive a beacon or group addressing frame in the frequency band (operation 1210), wherein the beacon frame includes information specifying a beacon frame type and/or a beacon MCS, and wherein the group addressing frame includes second information specifying a group addressing frame type and/or a group addressing frame MCS. Note that the second electronic device may receive the group-addressed frame using the data radio based at least in part on the second information, wherein the data radio transmits and/or receives the frame.
In some embodiments, the second electronic device optionally performs one or more additional operations (operation 1212). For example, the second electronic device may receive a second beacon or a second set of addressing frames in the second frequency band, wherein the second beacon frame includes third information specifying a second beacon frame type and/or a second beacon MCS, wherein the second set of addressing frames includes third information specifying the second set of addressing frame types and/or the second set of addressing frames MCS, and wherein one of: the second beacon frame type is different from the beacon frame type; the second beacon MCS is different from the beacon MCS; the second group addressing frame type is different from the group addressing frame type; or the second group addressing frame MCS is different from the group addressing frame MCS.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 13 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, one of the one or more interface circuits 1310 in access point 210-1 may transmit a beacon frame 1312 or a Group Addressed Frame (GAF) 1314 in the frequency band, where access point 210-1 is included in the APMLD with access point 210-2 (in access point 112). The beacon or group-addressed frame may be received by a data radio 1316 in one or more interface circuits 1318 in electronic device 110-1.
Further, the one or more interface circuits 1320 in the access point 210-2 may transmit the beacon frames 1322 or the group-addressed frames 1324 in the second frequency band. The beacon or group-addressed frame may be received by the data radio 1326 in one or more of the interface circuits 1318 in the electronic device 110-1. For example, the beacon frame 1322 may be received while the data radio 1326 performs the scan 1328.
Fig. 14 presents a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 1400 for transmitting a frame. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as access point 112 in fig. 1. It is noted that the communication with the second electronic device may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, the electronic device may transmit a frame addressed to a second electronic device that includes a TPC report (operation 1410), where the TPC report includes transmit power used by the electronic device for all frames in the 6GHz band.
Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Further, the electronic device can associate with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD.
Fig. 15 presents a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 1500 for receiving a frame. The method may be performed by a second electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1. It is noted that communication with the electronic device may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, the second electronic device may receive a frame associated with the electronic device that includes a TPC report (operation 1510), where the TPC report includes transmit power used by the electronic device for all frames in the 6GHz band.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 16 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, interface circuitry 1610 in access point 112 may transmit a frame 1612, where frame 1612 includes a TPC report 1614. The frame may be received by the interface circuitry 1616 in the electronic device 110-1.
Fig. 17 presents a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 1700 for transmitting beacon frames. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as access point 112 in fig. 1.
During operation, the electronic device may transmit a beacon frame including a key capability update flag and an RNR (operation 1710), wherein the RNR includes a change sequence number, and wherein the key capability update flag and the RNR indicate an update to one of: a transmission power of the electronic device, a beacon frame type of the electronic device, or a group addressing frame type of the electronic device.
Note that the electronic device may include an access point. Further, the electronic device can associate with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the AP MLD.
Fig. 18 presents a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 1800 for receiving beacon frames. The method may be performed by a second electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1.
During operation, the second electronic device may receive a beacon frame including a key capability update flag and an RNR (operation 1810), wherein the RNR includes a change sequence number, and wherein the key capability update flag and the RNR indicate an update to one of: a transmit power of the electronic device, a beacon frame type of the electronic device, or a group addressing frame type of the electronic device.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 19 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, interface circuitry 1910 in access point 112 may transmit a beacon frame 1912, where beacon frame 1912 includes Critical Capability Update Flags (CCUF) 1914. The beacon frame may be received by the interface circuit 1916 in the electronic device 110-1.
Fig. 20 presents a flowchart illustrating an example method 2000 for transmitting a frame. The method may be performed by an electronic device, such as access point 112 in fig. 1. It is noted that the communication with the second electronic device may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, the electronic device may transmit a frame indicating that the electronic device supports a request for a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode (operation 2010). The electronic device may then receive a request for information regarding a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode associated with a second electronic device (operation 2012). Next, the electronic device may transmit a response addressed to the second electronic device with information specifying a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode (operation 2014).
Further, the interface circuit may be associated with an access point that is co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with the APMLD. Further, the second electronic device may comprise a station in a non-AP MLD. Additionally, the request may specify a proposed beacon or group-addressed transmission mode. In some implementations, the response may indicate acceptance of the proposed beacon or group addressed transmission mode, or may specify a second proposed beacon or group addressed transmission mode.
Fig. 21 presents a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 2100 for receiving a frame. The method may be performed by a second electronic device, such as electronic device 110-1 in fig. 1. It is noted that communications with electronic devices may be compatible with the IEEE802.11 communication protocol.
During operation, the second electronic device may receive a frame indicating that the electronic device supports a request for a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode (operation 2110). The second electronic device may then provide a request addressed to the electronic device for information regarding beacon or group-addressed frame transmission modes (operation 2112). Next, the second electronic device may receive a response associated with the electronic device with information specifying a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode (operation 2114).
In some embodiments of method 300 (fig. 3), method 5 (fig. 5), method 7 (fig. 7), method 9 (fig. 9), method 11 (fig. 11), method 12 (fig. 12), method 14 (fig. 14), method 15 (fig. 15), method 17 (fig. 17), method 18 (fig. 18), method 20 (fig. 20), and/or method 21, there may be more or fewer operations. In addition, one or more different operations may be included. Further, the order of the operations may be changed, and/or two or more operations may be combined into a single operation or performed at least partially in parallel.
Additionally illustrated in fig. 22 is a communication technique that presents a flow diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic device 110-1 and access point 112. During operation, interface circuitry 2210 in access point 112 may transmit a frame 2212, where frame 2212 indicates that access point 112 supports a request for a beacon or group-addressed frame transmission mode. The frame may be received by the interface circuit 2214 in the electronic device 110-1.
Although communication between components in fig. 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 16, 19, and 22 is illustrated as unidirectional communication or bidirectional communication (e.g., lines with single arrows or double arrows), a given communication operation may generally be unidirectional or bidirectional.
In some embodiments, the communication techniques facilitate the use of multiple frequency bands by, for example, an AP MLD, a non-AP MLD, or a legacy station. Discovery operations (e.g., of an access point) typically vary in different frequency bands, such as 2.4GHz and 5GHz versus 6GHz, and may include in-band active scanning (e.g., probe requests and probe responses), in-band passive scanning (e.g., using beacons or unsolicited frames), and/or out-of-band (OoB) discovery (e.g., probe requests and probe responses in different frequency bands).
For example, there are 20MHz less channels in the 2.4GHz band than there are channels in the 5GHz band and/or the 6GHz band. In addition, these channels typically have better coverage. Thus, the WLAN may include an ob discovery mechanism to signal access point information in another frequency band and/or using a different channel. For example, a non-access point station or client (sometimes referred to as a "receiving electronic device") may begin a scan from the 2.4GHz band to discover in-band legacy access points as well as OoB legacy access points. Additionally, based at least in part on the OoB discovery from the 2.4GHz band, the non-access point stations may scan a subset of channels in the 5GHz band and/or the 6GHz band for the access point of interest. Note that the ob signaling may be transmitted by an access point (sometimes referred to as a "transmitting electronic device") in a beacon frame, a probe response, and/or an ML probe response.
Further, referring back to fig. 2, the access point 112 can be an AP MLD hosting multiple access points 210 in different frequency bands. Further, as shown in fig. 23, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices, each access point 210 may transmit beacon frames in these different frequency bands. Additionally, each beacon frame may include an ML element and/or an RNR having information about other access points that are co-hosted or co-located in the same AP MLD (with the same SSID).
For example, in the 2.4GHz band, each beacon frame may include an ML element and/or an RNR with information about other access points (such as access point 210-2 and access point 210-3). Similarly, in the 5GHz band, each beacon frame may include an ML element and/or RNR with information about other access points (such as access point 210-1 and access point 210-3), and in the 6GHz band, each beacon frame may include an ML element and/or RNR with information about other access points (such as access point 210-1 and access point 210-2). Note that the ML element may include ML level information and per-site parameters for access point 210 in the AP MLD.
A legacy station or non-AP MLD (such as electronic device 110-1) may be associated with the AP MLD based at least in part on information included in the beacon frame. For example, a legacy station may associate with access point 210-1 in the 2.4GHz band. Alternatively, the non-AP MLD may include an ML entity having an ML address and a plurality of stations 218 in different frequency bands, including station 218-1 having address 1 in the 2.4GHz band, station 218-2 having address 2 in the 5GHz band, and station 218-3 having address 3 in the 6GHz band. The AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may establish multiple concurrent links 216 between the access point 210 and the station 218 in different frequency bands.
Fig. 24 presents a diagram illustrating an example of RNR 2410 (with ML element 2412) transmitted between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2, e.g., in a beacon frame or probe response. Notably, the beacon frame or probe response can include an Information Element (IE) (with SSID, BSSID, legacy capabilities, operational elements of the transmitting access point, very high throughput capabilities and operation for the transmitting access point) and RNR 2410.RNR 2410 may include legacy information (which may be received by all stations), information for IEEE-802.11ax or "Wi-Fi 6E" compatible stations (which cannot be received by legacy stations), and information for IEEE-802.11be compatible stations (which can only be received by IEEE-802.11be compatible stations). Note that if the access point: co-hosted in a 6GHz access point or in an AP MLD as a reporting access point providing RNR 2410, information about that access point may be included in the RNR 2410. Alternatively or in addition, the RNR 2410 may include information about one or more neighboring access points operating in the 2.4GHz band and/or the 5GHz band.
Legacy information in the RNR information may include: neighboring access point information (one per reporting channel), such as co-located or co-hosted access points, operating category, channel number, or number of Target Beacon Transmit Time (TBTT) information sets (for BSSIDs in the same channel). Further, legacy information in the RNR may include TBTT information sets (one per reporting access point or virtual access point), such as: TBTT offsets (e.g., TBTT offsets in units of 1 ms), BSSIDs, short SSIDs, and/or 20MHz power spectral density or PSD (for access points operating in the 6GHz band). Further, the IEEE-802.11be compliant information in the TBTT information set may include: a Change Sequence (CS), an MLD identifier (identifying the MLD in the AP MLD), and a link identifier (such as four bits identifying a given access point in the AP MLD). Additionally, the IEEE-802.11ax compatible information in the TBTT information set may include BSS parameters such as: turn on channel tunneling or OCT (e.g., using 1 bit), the same SSID (e.g., using 1 bit), multiple BSSIDs (e.g., using 1 bit), a transmitted BSSID (e.g., using 1 bit), a co-hosted or co-located extended service set or ESS (e.g., using 1 bit), and an unsolicited broadcast probe response transmission (e.g., using 1 bit) at least once every 20 milliseconds. Note that if Security Authentication (SAE) is being used, the beacon frame or probe response may include an ML element 2412, as well as a per-site profile with the ML element.
Further, as shown in fig. 25, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of ML element 2510 transferred between the electronic devices of fig. 1 or 2, for IEEE802.11be, ML element 2510 may include two levels of parameters: common information common to the AP MLD or to all attached access points; and per-site parameters (for a given attached access point). Note that ML element 2510 can include a full profile that signals whether the selected parameters or the full profile are present.
For example, ML element 2510 may include: an element identifier field (e.g., using 1 octet); a length field (e.g., using 1 octet); an element identifier extension field (e.g., using 1 octet); a ML control field (e.g., using 1 octet); a common information field (e.g., using 1 octet); and a link information field (e.g., using 1 octet). Further, the ML control field may include: a type subfield (e.g., using 3 bits); the ML capability present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit); the ML address presence subfield (e.g., using 1 bit); and a presence bitmap field (e.g., using 11 bits). Further, the common information field may include: a simultaneous link maximum number subfield (e.g., using 4 bits); an SRS support subfield (e.g., using 1 bit); STR frequency interval subfield (e.g., using 5 bits) and reserved subfield (e.g., using 6 bits). In addition, the link information may include: a link identifier subfield (e.g., using 4 bits); a full profile subfield (e.g., using 1 bit); and a reserved subfield. Note that the full profile subfield indicates that there is a selected parameter or a full profile.
In some embodiments, there may be different types of ML elements: basic variants and ML probe request variants. Basic variants may be included in a beacon frame, ML probe response, associated request, or associated response, and may include: MLD MAC addresses, optional sub-elements (such as per-site profiles), and/or vendor specific information. Alternatively, an ML probe request variant can be included in the ML probe request and can include request parameters from all or a particular access point.
Furthermore, there may be different types of beacon frames in different frequency bands. For example, in the 2.4GHz band, the beacon PPDU type may include Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), the beacon MCS may include 1Mbps, 2Mbps, 5,5mbps, or 11Mbps, and the beacon bandwidth may be 20MHz. Alternatively, in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz frequency band, the beacon frame may include: a beacon PPDU type of non-High Throughput (HT) PPDU, a beacon MCS with a basic rate set, and a beacon bandwidth of 20 MHz; or an extended range single user (ER SU) PPDU, a beacon MCS with a High Efficiency (HE) MCS 1 and a Number of Spatial Streams (NSS) of 1, and a beacon bandwidth of 20MHz (or 242 resource units or RUs). In the 6GHz band, the beacon frame may include: a beacon PPDU type of a non-HT repeated PPDU with a beacon MCS of a basic rate set, and a beacon bandwidth up to a BSS bandwidth; or a beacon PPDU type of HE SU PPDU with a beacon MCS of the basic HE MCS set, and a bandwidth of 20MHz.
In addition, there may be another mode for the probe response, the HE multi-user (MU) PPDU mode. Notably, in the 6GHz band, the probe response PPDU type may include a hema PPDE or broadcast RU probe (with an association identifier or AID of 2045), an MCS of HE-MCS 1 and NSS 1, and a probe response bandwidth less than or equal to 106RU in a primary 20MHz, preferably scanning channel or Subchannel Selective Transmission (SST) Station (STA) 20MHz channel.
In some implementations, there may be different transmission alternatives for group-addressed frames transmitted to some or all of the electronic devices. Note that the group addressing frame may be scheduled or periodic and/or may be used for service discovery (after beacon frames) or network maintenance. For example, in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz or 6GHz band, there may be: a non-HT PPDU having a MCS of a basic rate set, and a bandwidth of 20 MHz; an ER SU PPDU having an MCS of HE MCS 1, and a bandwidth of 20MHz (242 RU); or HE SUPPDU with MCS of the basic HE MCS set, and up to the bandwidth supported by all associated stations or 20MHz. Alternatively, in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band, there may be: an HT PPDU having an MCS of a basic HT MCS set, and a bandwidth up to a bandwidth supported by all associated stations; or a Very High Throughput (VHT) PPDU with an MCS of a basic VHT MCS set, and a bandwidth up to a bandwidth supported by all associated stations. In the 6GHz band, there may be: a non-HT MU PPDU with a MCS of a basic rate set, and a bandwidth up to a BSS bandwidth; or an HE MU PPDU broadcast RU with an MCS of the basic HE MCS set, and a bandwidth of less than or equal to 106RU subcarriers or 20MHz within a bandwidth of the receiver station.
Referring back to fig. 2, the above-described functionality and capabilities may be used or modified to enable the disclosed communication techniques. Notably, the beacon frame type information and/or framing type information can be modified to include additional or modified signaling, additional or modified elements, and/or additions to RNR and/or ML elements. For example, beacon frame type information may be used to scan and/or select a scanning radio versus a data radio and a receive bandwidth. These capabilities may allow more capable data radios to be used for scanning instead of scanning radios and/or may be used to plan adjunct access point coverage and transmission patterns. In addition, the framing type information may be used to select the scanning radio versus the data radio and the link for receiving framing (sometimes referred to as group addressed frames). These capabilities may allow for a more capable data radio to be used for scanning instead of scanning radios and/or may allow for access point improvement or optimization of framing transmissions for associated non-AP MLDs. In some implementations, the beacon frame type information and/or framing type information may facilitate reducing transmission rates because beacon frames and/or framing may be received (e.g., via OoB communications) utilizing any one of a plurality of concurrent links. This may allow, for example, for receiving beacon frames and/or framing without prior association in the 2.4GHz band.
The station and access point may signal a complete set of per-station parameters, such as the operating parameters of each link it sets in the association. The non-AP MLD may signal affiliated station parameters for each link and the access point may signal some or all of the affiliated access point parameters for each link that it accepts. The AP MLD may signal the beacon and group parameters for each link it sets in the ML association. This may ensure that the non-AP MLD is aware of the operating parameters of these links.
Further, in the disclosed communication techniques, signaling to support setup of beacon and/or framing types is disclosed. For example, current and next parameter values for beacon and/or framing types may be provided. Alternatively or in addition, stations may request additional or modified transmit frame types and may provide measurement reports for beacons and/or framing. In some embodiments, the AP MLD may configure access points that may modify beacon and/or framing types.
The data radio and the scanning radio may have different characteristics. Notably, there may be different radios in the non-AP MLD, including: a data radio part (radio part 1) in the 2.4GHz band, a data radio part (radio part 2) in the 5GHz or 6GHz frequency band, and a scanning radio part (radio part 3) in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz or 6GHz band. The data radio may: is capable of transmitting; receive up to 160MHz and most PPDU types using all relevant MCSs; has availability dependent on a data transmission schedule and has high power consumption; and receive all beacon types (but may need to be configured for greater reception bandwidth). The scanning radio may: cannot transmit; receiving only 20MHz bandwidth with up to MCS 4 and receiving only non-HT PPDUs; is always available and has less power consumption; not all beacon types are received.
In the disclosed communication techniques, ooB discovery of another access point may occur during scanning of beacon frames and/or during use of group addressing frames. For example, the data radio may perform a scan in a first frequency band and may receive a beacon frame associated with a first access point, the beacon frame having information about a second access point in a second, different frequency band. Alternatively, the data radio may receive a group addressed frame associated with a first access point in a first frequency band, the group addressed frame having information about a second access point in a second, different frequency band.
Further, in these communication technologies, various ML scan operations are disclosed. For example, as shown in fig. 26, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices, ob discovery may occur during an initial scan when a station is not currently associated with an access point. Notably, the link may be established after scanning all frequency bands. Thus, the scanning radio may perform scanning in the 2.4GHz frequency band and the one or more data radios may perform additional scanning in the 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands, which may find more detailed information than the initial scanning. The link with the AP MLD may then be established, for example, in the 5GHz band.
Alternatively, as shown in fig. 27, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices, a link may be established after an initial scan in a first frequency band, while (or concurrently) having additional scans in other frequency bands, which may find more detailed information than the initial scan. Thus, the data radio may perform scanning in the 2.4GHz band and scanning may be initiated by the scanning radio in the 5GHz band and by another data radio in the 6GHz band, while the link with the AP MLD is established in the 2.4GHz band.
Further, as shown in fig. 28, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices, scanning may occur after a site is associated. For example, the data radio may switch from transmitting/receiving in the 5GHz band (e.g., based at least in part on the OoB information) to scanning channels in the 6GHz band to receive a particular beacon frame type. This may allow the non-AP MLD to use the data radio to discover one or more other access points, but may cause data communication interruptions in the 5GHz band.
Conversely, as shown in fig. 29, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices, in some embodiments, the data radio can initiate (e.g., based at least in part on the OoB information) a scan of the scanning radio in the 6GHz band when the data radio is transmitting or receiving in the 5GHz band. For example, the non-AP MLD may know the type of beacon transmitted so it can use the scanning radio. Accordingly, the scanning radio may be used to receive non-HT beacon frame types without disconnecting or interrupting data communications in the 5GHz band.
The use of the OoB information may address the challenge of non-HT repeated PPDU beacon reception in the 6GHz band. Notably, as shown in fig. 30, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of a non-HT duplicate PPDU, a station may not be aware of the primary channel of an access point. For example, a station may receive a beacon frame transmitted as a non-HT duplicate PPDU. In other beacon frame types, the beacon frame may be received only in the primary channel of the access point, but in this case, the station may receive the beacon frame on other channels. However, because the beacon frame does not signal the access point's primary channel, and because the access point may only receive frames in its primary channel, the scanning station may need to test a different channel to locate the access point's primary channel.
Alternatively or additionally, the station may not be aware of the non-HT repeated PPDU beacon bandwidth. Notably, as shown in fig. 31, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of a beacon frame, the RNR may provide: primary 20MHz (P20) channels and bands; and the maximum power spectral density of P20. However, the RNR may not signal: whether the access point transmits an 80MHz wide non-HT repeated beacon frame; and/or whether the access point received an 80MHz wide non-HT duplicate PPDU. If the scanning station has this information, it may increase network Uplink (UL) and Downlink (DL) coverage by, for example, scanning 80MHz wide beacon frames, and/or transmitting 80MHz wide link setup frames.
To facilitate these capabilities in communication technologies, an access point may transmit modified beacon frame type information. Notably, the PPDU type and MCS of the beacon and group addressing frames affect BSS range. For example, the access point may narrow the BSS by using a higher transmission rate. It is noted that enterprise access points and access points in public places can increase access point density and transmission rates in the network by transmitting beacon frames only at high data rates. Furthermore, FCC regulations for the 6GHz band allow access points to extend BSS range by transmitting beacon frames in non-HT repeated PPDUs with transmission bandwidths greater than 20MHz. If a scanning station receives a packet or frame using a large reception bandwidth, the scanning station can receive a beacon frame over a long distance. However, as previously mentioned, the current signaling does not indicate when the scanning station should use a large reception bandwidth. When the scanning station is aware of the beacon frame and/or probe response frame transmission format, the scanning station may improve or optimize the scanning radio component of the beacon frame or probe response frame it is attempting to receive. This may reduce scanning station power consumption and/or may ensure reliable reception. Alternatively, in high density deployments, reduced range may be more helpful and may provide improved communication performance (such as higher throughput). In some embodiments, an AP MLD with a maximized range may: transmitting a beacon frame at 1Mbps in the 2.4GHz band from the access point 210-1; transmitting beacon frames from access point 210-2 at 6Mbps in the 5GHz band; and transmitting beacon frames at 6Mbps and/or 160MHz non-HT duplicate PPDUs from access point 210-3 in the 6GHz band.
Further, to facilitate these capabilities in communication technologies, the access point may transmit modified group addressing frame type information (such as after association and authentication). Notably, the subordinate access points may transmit framing at different data rates and PPDU types. Group-addressed frame transmission parameter signaling may help the associated non-AP MLD: receiving a group-addressed frame from a dependent access point having the most appropriate transmission rate (e.g., for reliable reception, for small or reduced reception time to save power, and/or using an optimal reception mode to receive frames with minimal power consumption); and/or detecting a change in group-addressed frame transmission rate. Further, the associated AP MLD may use the group-addressed frame transmission parameters to: receiving framing with the scanning radio (framing may be transmitted at a low rate, but reduced or small power consumption by the scanning radio may justify this operation); and/or receive framing with the data radio (framing may be transmitted with high modulation in a reduced or small amount of time, and/or reduced operating length of the data radio may not increase overall power consumption). In some embodiments, access point 210-1 in the AP MLD may transmit the framing at 6Mbps in the 2.4GHz band, access point 210-2 in the AP MLD may transmit the framing at 24Mbps in the 5GHz frequency, and access point 210-3 in the AP MLD may transmit the framing at HE SU MCS 6 in the 6GHz band. In addition, station 218-1 in non-AP MLD may use the data radio in the 2.4GHz band, station 218-2 in non-AP MLD may use the data radio in the 5GHz or 6GHz band, and station 218-3 in non-AP MLD may use the scanning radio in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz or 6GHz band.
An example of a scanning radio and a data radio for receiving framing is shown in fig. 32, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices. Note that the non-APMLD may have three concurrent links with the AP MLD. Initially, there may be no active data transfer in progress. A station may use a scanning radio and receive a data pending indication message (DTIM) beacon and framing in a non-HT PPDU at 6Mbps via a link in a 2.4GHz band. Further, a station may receive DTIM beacons and framing in a non-HT PPDU at 6Mbps not via a link in the 5GHz band. Further, a station may receive DTIM beacons and framing in the HE SU PPDU at 65Mbps not via a link in the 6GHz band.
Alternatively, as shown in fig. 33, which presents a diagram showing an example of communication between electronic devices, a station may receive DTIM beacons and framing in a non-HT PPDU at 6Mbps without passing through a link in a 2.4GHz band when data transmission or reception is in progress. Further, a station may receive DTIM beacons and framing in a non-HT PPDU at 6Mbps not via a link in the 5GHz band. Further, a station may receive DTIM beacons and framing in HE SUPPDU at 65Mbps using the data radio and link in the 6GHz band.
Thus, if a station is in a long term power save mode and is not actively transmitting data, then scanning the radio may be relevant. In these embodiments, the scanning radio may only wake up periodically to receive DTIM beacons and framing. Alternatively, during an ongoing data exchange, framing may be received similar to the data. Thus, a station can perform discovery of group-addressed frames even when another radio in the station is actively transmitting or performing discovery in a different frequency band.
Embodiments of signaling for beacon frame information and/or framing type information in communication technologies are now described. In signaling for legacy (non-IEEE 802.11 be) stations, legacy access points do not have any beacon frame type elements and/or framing transmission type signaling. For legacy (non-ieee 802.11 be) stations, the signaling for beacon frames and probe responses may include: an RNR to indicate co-located or co-hosted access points (so that stations can detect beacon transmission parameters of other access points); and/or elements may be added to the frame body to signal the transmitting access point parameters (so the station can know whether the access point sends a beacon frame greater than 20MHz and the access point's primary channel). Further, the signaling for the association response may include elements in the frame body for signaling the transmitting access point parameters (so the station may know whether the access point sent a beacon frame greater than 20MHz in the framing transmission parameters). Further, the signaling for BSS transition management may include: the access point may request that the station transition to the candidate access and provide beacon and framing parameters for the candidate access point (such that the station may detect the candidate access point beacon transmission pattern, which may aid or facilitate access point discovery).
In contrast, additional or modified information in these communication techniques may be included in the AP MLD beacon frame and/or the ML probe response frame. Notably, elements in the body of an association request or response, beacon frame, or probe response can use a complete set of information elements (which can have a size in octets) to report information of the transmitting access point. Further, the RNR may include information of co-located or co-hosted (in the same physical access point) or neighboring access points. Note that the access points in the AP MLDS may be present in the RNR. In addition, a very short format size (e.g., in bits) may be used to transmit: operating channel, BSSID, SSID, TBTT, etc. Further, the ML element may include common parameters, such as ML-level common information for access points in the AP MLD. Note that the ML element may include parameters for each access point in the AP MLD or ML level parameters. In addition, the ML element may include per-station parameters, such as information of other access points in the AP MLD, using information elements similar to those in the beacon body. In some embodiments, per-site parameters in RNR and/or ML elements may be used to convey beacon frame type information.
In some embodiments of the disclosed communication technology, additional or modified information fields and elements may include: RNR, beacon frame type information element, framing type information element, beacon frame type subfield in per-site profile in ML element, and/or framing type information in per-site profile in ML element. It is noted that in the RNR of the reporting device, the co-located or co-hosted and neighboring access point parameters may include one reserved bit for legacy (IEEE 802.11 ax) support and up to four additional bits to indicate IEEE802.11be support.
In addition, beacon frame type information elements and/or framing type information elements in beacon frames, probe responses, and/or association frames may signal the transmitting access point parameters of the reporting device. For example, these information elements may include an additional 6 octet length element to indicate legacy (IEEE 802.11 ax) support and IEEE802.11be support. Alternatively, the beacon frame type information element and/or the group frame type information element in the BSS transition management frame may signal the candidate access point parameters. For example, these information elements may include an additional 5 octet length element to indicate legacy (IEEE 802.11 ax) support and IEEE802.11be support.
Further, the beacon frame type information subfield in the per-station profile in the ML element and/or the framing type information in the per-station profile in the ML element may include the dependent access point parameters in the AP MLD of the reporting device. In these embodiments, there may be no legacy (IEEE 802.11 ax) support and an indication that IEEE802.11be support may be included in the per-station profile for the affiliated station.
Additionally, in some embodiments, there may be additional or modified RNR fields for reported AP beacon frames or discovery information elements. This is shown in fig. 34 and 35, which illustrate examples of RNRs. Notably, the RNR element may use several reserved bits to signal the beacon frame type of the reported access point. For example, one or more additional subfields may use a reserved bit in the BSS parameter subfield 3410 to indicate to IEEE802.11ax compatible stations that the beacon frame is not a non-HT beacon frame, and/or one or more additional subfields may use a reserved bit in the MLD parameter subfield 3510 to indicate to IEEE802.11be compatible stations that a PPDU greater than 20MHz and/or a pre-associated long distance. More generally, one or more additional subfields may use a reserved bit in the BSS parameter subfield 3410 to indicate the beacon frame type. These changes to the RNR may help select either the scanning radio or the data radio for access point scanning; and/or may assist in selecting probe request and/or association request frame formats.
In some embodiments, when the access point transmits a beacon frame in a non-HT PPDU format or a non-HT repeated PPDU (which may have a beacon transmission data rate less than or equal to 24 Mbps), the non-HT beacon bit may be set to, for example, "1"; and/or may be set to, for example, "0" in other cases (such as when the beacon transmission data rate is greater than 24 Mbps). Further, if the access point receives UL type 1 and type 2 frames (e.g., frames that may be transmitted in the pre-association state) from non-associated stations on any supported MCS and PPDU type, the pre-association long distance bit may be set to "1". Further, if the beacon frame is transmitted using a bandwidth greater than 20MHz, the more than 20MHz PPDU bit may be set to, for example, "1".
Further, fig. 36, which summarizes elements of the RNR 3610 for addition or modification of beacon frames, probe responses, and group addressing frame information, presents an example illustration showing the RNR 3610. Notably, the information in the RNR 3610 specifying beacon frames and probe responses can include, as discussed further below in tables 1-4: an element identifier subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), a length subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), an element identifier extension subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), and a beacon information subfield (e.g., using 3 octets). The beacon information subfield may include: beacon PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits), beacon MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), broadcast RU with AID of 2045 (e.g., using 1 bit), beacon bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits), all PPDU formats received from non-associated stations (e.g., using 1 bit), an indication that the access point will change the beacon transmission pattern (e.g., using 3 bits), and/or primary channel number (e.g., using 8 bits). Note that the primary channel number of the reported access point may be defined by the operation class. Alternatively or additionally, the information in the RNR 3610 specifying the group-addressed frame may include: an element identifier subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), a length subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), an element identifier extension subfield (e.g., using 1 octet), and a framing information subfield (e.g., using 2 octets). The framing information subfield may include: a group PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits), a group MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), a broadcast RU with an AID of 2046 or 2047 (e.g., using 1 bit), a group bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits), an indication of no group frame buffering (e.g., using 1 bit), a group frame transmission amount (e.g., using 2 bits), and/or an access point changing to a group transmission mode (e.g., using 1 bit).
Further, fig. 37, which summarizes the per-site profile fields used for the addition or modification of beacon and framing information, presents a diagram showing an example of beacon or discovery frame information subfields. Notably, for each per-site profile, the ML element can signal the reported beacon and framing transmission parameters of the access point. In some embodiments, the site control field 3712 in the RNR 3710 can include: a link identifier subfield (e.g., using 4 bits), a complete configuration file subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a MAC address present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a beacon interval present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a DTIM information present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), an NSTR link pair present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), an NSTR bitmap size subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a beacon frame information present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), a group frame information present subfield (e.g., using 1 bit), and a reserved subfield (e.g., using 4 bits). As described further below, the beacon frame information present subfield can indicate whether beacon frame information is present, and the framing information present subfield can indicate whether framing information is present.
Referring back to fig. 36, the beacon frame information subfield may include reported transmission parameters of the beacon frame of the access point, including: beacon PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits), which defines the beacon frame PPDU type of the reported access point; beacon MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), which is discussed further in tables 1-4 below; a broadcast RU with AID 2045 (e.g., using 1 bit) that indicates whether the reported access point transmits a probe response or a Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) discovery frame in the broadcast RU of the DL HE MU PPDU; beacon bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits), which indicates the bandwidth of the beacon PPDU; all PPDU formats received from non-associated stations (e.g., using 1 bit), which indicates whether the reporting access point received all PPDU formats from the non-associated stations; and/or the access point will change the beacon transmission mode (e.g., using 3 bits), which contains multiple beacon intervals when the access point will change its beacon value.
For the beacon PPDU type: a value of "0" may indicate a non-HT PPDU; a value of "1" may indicate an ER SU PPDU; a value of "2" may indicate an HE SU PPDU; a value of "3" may indicate a non-HT duplicate PPDU; and values "4" to "7" may be reserved. Further, for the beacon bandwidth: a value of "0" may indicate a 20MHz bandwidth; a value of "1" may indicate a 40MHz bandwidth; a value of "2" may indicate an 80MHz bandwidth; a value of "3" may indicate a 160MHz bandwidth; a value of "4" may indicate a 320MHz bandwidth; and values "4" to "7" may be reserved. In addition, the beacon transmission pattern will change for the access point: a value of "0" may signal that there is no change; and if the value is greater than "0", the access point may include two beacon information elements, where the first beacon information element includes the current parameter and the second beacon information element includes the new value.
Further, tables 1 and 2 show the number of spatial streams, modulation, and/or coding of HT, VHT, HE, and/or EHT MCS for different beacon PPDU types. Further, tables 3 and 4 show the modulation and/or coding of IEEE802.11be DSSS data rate and non-HT OFDMA MCS for different beacon PPDU types.
TABLE 1
TABLE 2
| IEEE802.11be (DSSS) data rates | Modulation |
| Basic rate | 1Mbps DBPSK |
| Enhancing rate | 2Mbps |
| HR Rate | |
| 1 | 5.5Mbps |
| HR Rate | |
| 2 | 11Mbps CCK |
TABLE 3
| non-HT OFDM | Modulation | Encoding | |
| 0 | |
1/2 | |
| 1 | |
3/4 | |
| 2 | |
1/2 | |
| 3 | |
3/4 | |
| 4 | |
1/2 | |
| 5 | |
3/4 | |
| 6 | |
2/3 | |
| 7 | |
3/4 |
TABLE 4
Referring back to fig. 36, the framing information subfield may specify the reported framing transmission parameters of the access point, including: a group PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits) and a group MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), which define a group frame MCS for the reported access point; a broadcast RU with AID of 2046 or 2047 (e.g., using 1 bit), which indicates whether the reported access point transmits a group frame in the broadcast RU of the DL HEMU PPDU; group bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits), which indicates the bandwidth of the transmitted group of frames; no framing buffer (e.g., using 1 bit), this parameter may be set to "1" if the access point transmits an incoming framing immediately (in which operation the access point may not transmit framing after the DTIM beacon frame); a framing transmission amount (e.g., using 2 bits) that signals to the access point whether to send all, none, or a partial set of framing; and the access point changing the group transmission mode (e.g., using 1 bit), it signals the number of DTIM beacon frames before the group frame transmission parameters change.
For group PPDU types: a value of "0" may indicate a non-HT PPDU; a value of "1" may indicate an ER SU PPDU; a value of "2" may indicate an HE SU PPDU; a value of "3" may indicate a non-HT duplicate PPDU; a value of "4" may indicate HE MU PPDU; and values "5" to "7" may be reserved. Further, for group bandwidth: a value of "0" may indicate a 20MHz bandwidth; a value of "1" may indicate a 40MHz bandwidth; a value of "2" may indicate an 80MHz bandwidth; a value of "3" may indicate a 160MHz bandwidth; a value of "4" may indicate a 320MHz bandwidth; and values "5" to "7" may be reserved. Further, for a framing transmission amount: a value of "0" may indicate that all frames are transmitted; a value of "1" may indicate that no framing is transmitted; and a value of "2" may indicate that some frames are multicast only by a transmission retry (GRC). In addition, the group transmission mode is changed for the access point: a value of "0" may signal that there is no change; and if the value is greater than "0", the access point may include two group information subfields/elements, where the first beacon information element includes the current parameters and the second beacon information element includes the new value.
An embodiment of configurable transmit power is now described. In the 6GHz band, the specified maximum transmit power of the access point and non-AP stations may vary. Typically, the same transmit power is used for all frames. Note that the access point transmit power and the station transmit power affect the BSS range and interfere with neighboring electronic devices. As further described below, in the disclosed communication techniques, the transmit power envelope for an access point in an AP MLD operating in the 6GHz band may be included in a per-site profile in the RNR.
Notably, in the 6GHz band, the RNR may include the maximum site transmit power of the primary 20MHz channel for link establishment or probe requests. Furthermore, in the 6GHz band, the transmitting access point may signal its transmit power and device type in the transmit power envelope and country element.
In some implementations of these communication techniques, a station receiving beacon frames from a Low Power Indoor (LPI) access point may use a higher LPI client transmit power in the 6GHz band. Beacon frames may also be received on other channels or in other frequency bands. Furthermore, the OoB information associated with the LPI access point may simplify the LPI station power level used by the station in the 6GHz band.
To facilitate these embodiments (and to support, for example, the regulations of the U.S. federal communications commission), additional 6GHz device types may be defined. Notably, in addition to an indoor access point (which may be indicated by a value of "0"), a low-power indoor access point (which may be indicated by a value of "0"), and a standard power access point (which may be indicated by a value of "1"), there may be: a very low power access point (which may be indicated by a value of "2"), a client-to-client device (which may be indicated by a value of "3"), and/or an indoor standard power access point (which may be indicated by a value of "4"). Note that a very low power access point may be an access point that does not require control from an external system for operation (such as an automated frequency coordination or AFC system), is not constrained by additional regulatory requirements that make outdoor operation difficult or prohibitive, and is typically limited to very low transmit power. Further, the client-to-client device may be an access point that is operationally dependent upon being able to successfully receive an enabling signal (defined by regulatory rules) from an indoor access point or an indoor standard power access point. Furthermore, an indoor standard power access point may be an access point whose operation requires control from an external system (such as an AFC system) and is subject to additional regulatory requirements that make outdoor operation difficult or prohibited.
In addition, table 5 provides maximum power levels (e.g., maximum effective isotropic radiated power or EIRP) for different access point device classes and channel sizes.
TABLE 5
Further, in these communication technologies, the transmission power or the access point may be updated. Notably, unless the access point transmits at a specified maximum transmit power, the access point may use the TPC report element to signal its transmit power level. The TPC report element may signal the transmit power level of the access point for all frames. Thus, the access point may use the transmit power level to transmit all of its frames (e.g., at least in the 6GHz band), including its beacons and framing. Thus, it may not be necessary to add a separate field for beacon transmit power.
As shown in fig. 38, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of a TPC report element 3810, the TPC report element 3810 may include: an element identifier (e.g., using 1 octet), a length (e.g., using 1 octet), a transmit power (e.g., using 1 octet), and/or a link margin (e.g., using 1 octet). The transmit power field may be set to the transmit power used to transmit the frame containing the TPC report element 3810. This field may be encoded as a 2's complement signed integer in decibels with respect to 1 mW. The tolerance of the reported transmit power value in TPC report element 3810 may be ± 5dB. The tolerance may be defined as the decibel difference between the reported power value and the actual EIRP of the station (whichever is smaller when transmitting a 1500 octet frame or a frame of maximum MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) size).
In addition, the link margin field may include a link margin for a reception time and a reception rate for a frame including the TPC request element or a link measurement request frame. This field may be encoded as a 2's complement signed integer in decibels. Note that the link margin field may be reserved when the TPC report element is included in a beacon frame or a probe response frame.
In these communication technologies, various signaling may be used to communicate the associated configuration parameters. Notably, as previously described, the AP MLD may signal the group beacon and/or framing transmission parameters it transmits. These capabilities may allow stations to detect current beacon and/or group transmission parameter values and may provide signaling for legacy (non-IEEE 802.11 be) stations and IEEE802.11be compliant stations. In addition, as described further below, the AP MLD may signal changed or upcoming beacon and/or framing transmission parameter change times and transmission parameter values after transitions. These capabilities may allow stations to detect upcoming parameter changes or prepare for, which may provide more reliable BSS operation. Further, as described further below, the AP MLD may request a transmission mode for beacons and/or framing. These capabilities may allow a station to specify how an access point should transmit beacons and/or group addressed frames and thus improve or optimize beacon and/or group frame transmission parameters. Additionally, as described further below, the AP MLD may configure allowed beacon frame and/or group transmission parameter changes and may set reporting schemes or techniques for beacon and/or group frame reception by one or more stations. These capabilities may allow the AP MLD to change beacon and/or framing transmission parameters to only change for some dependent access points. Note that the non-AP MLD may also report its operational link.
In addition, the access point may use the Change Sequence Number (CSN) to communicate critical BSS parameter updates to the station. Notably, the non-AP MLD may receive beacon frames on any link. To reduce non-AP MLD power consumption, the sequence of changes in the RNR and/or ML elements in the beacon frame may be a counter for the affiliated AP-specific critical operating parameter updates. The additional or modified value may indicate that the link-specific parameter value has changed. In some embodiments, if the critical capability update flag subfield is set to "1" to indicate that the change sequence value or ML element parameter of any attached access point of the AP MLD has changed. Note that each transmitting and non-transmitting BSS may have its own critical capability update flag.
For example, as shown in fig. 39A and 39B, which present diagrams illustrating examples of communications between electronic devices, access point 210-1 operating in the 2.4GHz band may transmit a Traffic Indication Message (TIM) beacon frame indicating that access point 210-1 has a critical capability update value of "1", access point 210-2 has a changed sequence number of 21, and access point 210-3 has a changed sequence number of 65. Further, access point 210-2 operating in the 5GHz band may transmit a TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-2 has a critical capability update value of "1", that access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and that access point 210-3 has a changed sequence number of 65. Thus, these beacon frames may indicate a change in a parameter value of the change sequence number of the access point 210-1. Further, access point 210-3 operating in the 6GHz band may transmit a critical capability update indicating that access point 210-2 has a value of "0", access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and access point 210-2 has a first TIM beacon frame with a changed sequence number of 20. Access point 210-3 operating in the 6GHz band may then transmit a critical capability update indicating that access point 210-2 has a value of "1", access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and access point 210-2 has a second TIM beacon frame with a changed sequence number of 21.
In addition, an access point 210-1 operating in the 2.4GHz band may transmit a TIM beacon frame with a key capability update flag of "0". Then, when a parameter change of the access point 210-2 occurs, the access point 210-1 may transmit a TIM beacon frame and a DTIM beacon frame with a key update flag of "1". Subsequently, the access point 210-1 may transmit TIM beacon frames and DTIM beacon frames with a key update flag of "0".
Further, in these communication techniques, the modified beacon and/or framing type information values may increase the change sequence number. Notably, if the AP updates its transmit power, beacon frame type information, and/or framing type information elements, the AP-specific change sequence number may be increased. When the associated non-APMLD detects that the change sequence number value has changed, it may receive the updated AP-specific parameters.
This is illustrated in fig. 40A and 40B, which present diagrams illustrating examples of communication between electronic devices. Notably, access point 210-2 operating in the 5GHz band may transmit a TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-2 has a key capability update value of "1", that access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and that access point 210-3 has a changed sequence number of 65. Accordingly, these beacon frames may indicate a change in the beacon transmission parameter value of the access point 210-1 that changes the sequence number.
In addition, the AP MLD may signal an upcoming beacon and/or group transmission model change. Notably, updated information elements can be added to beacon frames and/or probe responses transmitted by the access point. Other dependent access points may include updated beacon and/or framing transmission parameters into their beacon frames. Note that this information may be added or included before the actual transmission mode change occurs. In some embodiments, the access point may update the framing transmission parameters in the TIM beacon frame a plurality of beacon intervals before the next DTIM. This may provide the associated station with the time to select the DTIM beacon frame it receives. A station may signal that it cannot receive in the update mode by requesting a lower transmission mode. In response, the access point may cancel the transmission mode change if many stations signal that they cannot receive transmissions on the updated mode.
For example, access point 210-1 operating in the 2.4GHz band may transmit a first TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-1 has a beacon transmission mode change and a critical capability update value of "0", that access point 210-2 has a changed sequence number of 20, and that access point 210-3 has a changed sequence number of 65. Access point 210-1 may then transmit a second TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-1 has a key capability update value of "1", that access point 210-2 has a changed sequence number of 20, and that access point 210-3 has a changed sequence number of 66. Further, access point 210-2 operating in the 5GHz band may transmit a first TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-2 has a beacon transmission mode change and a critical capability update value of "0", that access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and that access point 210-3 has a changed sequence number of 65. Access point 210-2 may then transmit a second TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-2 has a critical capability update value of "1", that access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and that access point 210-3 has a changed sequence number of 66. Further, access point 210-3 operating in the 6GHz band may transmit a first TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-3 has a beacon transmission mode change, that access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and that access point 210-2 has a changed sequence number of 20. Access point 210-3 may then transmit a second TIM beacon frame indicating that access point 210-3 has a critical capability update value of "1", that access point 210-1 has a changed sequence number of 102, and that access point 210-2 has a changed sequence number of 20. Thus, the second TIM beacon frame transmitted by access point 210-3 may indicate a beacon transmission parameter change.
In addition, an access point 210-3 operating in the 6GHz band may transmit TIM beacon frames and DTIM beacon frames with upcoming beacon and/or group addressed frame transmission parameter changes. The access point 210-3 may then transmit TIM beacon frames and DTIM beacon frames with a key capability update flag of "1".
As shown in fig. 41, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of communication between electronic devices, in some embodiments a station may request a beacon and/or framing transmission mode. Notably, an access point (such as access point 210-1) can signal support for a beacon and/or framing transmission mode request. For example, in an association response (when the station has not associated), the access point in the AP MLD may transmit the reporting condition and the maximum/minimum range of beacons and/or framing to the station (such as electronic device 110-1) in the non-AP MLD. Alternatively, the access point in AP MLD may inform the stations of the reporting conditions and maximum/minimum ranges in the beacon and group addressed frames when the stations are already associated. In some embodiments, a station may optionally transmit beacon and framing transmission mode requests, including: link, minimum transmit mode, maximum transmit mode, and/or reception history of the link with the number of beacons and/or framing received and the frames received. In addition, the AP MLD may transmit beacon and framing transmission mode responses, including: success, reporting conditions, number of links, and a table with information specifying the link, minimum transmission mode, and maximum transmission mode.
Thus, the access point may signal the subordinate access points to: which beacon and/or framing transmission mode may be changed based on station requests. Further, the access point may: signaling to it that maximum and minimum transmission modes and data rates are allowed for framing and beacon frames of the link; and/or signaling to the access point whether some or all of the framing may be sent as unicast frame copies for the station requesting the unicast copy and/or the non-AP MLD. Note that the access point may request autonomous measurement setup (e.g., signaling the access point to receive beacon frames and group reception quality report frames). The access point may specify conditions when stations report the appropriate beacon and/or framing transmission patterns and/or provide a reception history of frames to the access point. For example, consecutive failed/successful beacon reception operations or DTIM beacon frames without any group addressing frames may trigger the transmission of reports to the access point. In some embodiments, a station may transmit unsolicited or solicited reception statistics for beacon frames and/or framing.
In some embodiments, configurable link parameters may be included in the association response or beacon and group addressing frame notification of fig. 41. Notably, beacon and framing type elements may be added to the association response and beacon frame. For example, as shown in fig. 42, which presents a diagram illustrating an example of a beacon and framing type element 4210, the beacon and framing type element 4210 may include: an element identifier (e.g., using 1 octet), a length (e.g., using 1 octet), an element identifier extension (e.g., using 1 octet), a beacon frame substitution (e.g., using 5-11 octets), a framing substitution (e.g., using 5-11 octets), and a beacon maximum bandwidth (e.g., using 3 octets). Further, for beacon frames, the beacon and framing type element 4210 may include: a configurable link identifier of the beacon bitmap (e.g., using 16 bits), a number of beacon types (e.g., using 2 bits), 6 reserved bits, and one or more instances of the following parameters (depending on the number of beacon frame types): beacon PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits), minimum beacon MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), maximum beacon MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), and beacon maximum bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits). Alternatively, for group addressed frames, the beacon and group frame type elements 4210 may include: a configurable link identifier for framing bitmap (e.g., using 16 bits), a number of framing types (e.g., using 2 bits), 6 reserved bits, and one or more instances of the following parameters (depending on the number of beacon framing types): a framing PPDU type (e.g., using 3 bits), a minimum MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), a maximum MCS (e.g., using 5 bits), and a maximum bandwidth (e.g., using 3 bits).
Thus, the beacon and framing type elements may specify allowable beacon frames and/or framing configurations for the link. Note that the link identifier bitmap may have a value of "1" if the link can be configured. Further, examples of elements for a group addressing frame may include one or more instances of a group framing PPDU type, a minimum group framing MCS, a maximum group framing MCS, and a maximum group framing bandwidth. Thus, the number of beacon and/or framing types may define the number of PPDU types, minimum MCS, and maximum MCS, and bandwidth fields that may be configured for the AP MLD. In some embodiments, the non-AP station may propose an MCS that is within the minimum MCS and the maximum MCS.
Referring back to fig. 41, for beacon and group frame transmission modes from a station, a non-AP MLD or station may request a beacon and/or group addressed frame transmission mode from an access point. The request may include a minimum transmission mode and a maximum transmission mode for beacons and/or framing individually. Note that the request may be for one particular link or for any link. The request may specify a plurality of alternative transmission modes for beacons and/or framing. The access point may select one transmission mode for beacon frames and one transmission mode for framing. Multiple transmission modes may allow a station to specify a range of transmission rates that it can accept. In some embodiments, the request may include a non-AP MLD reception history for beacon frames and/or framing. Each reception history may list the links that the station has received beacons and/or framed and the number of successful receptions in the last X seconds, where X is an integer or real number (such as a time interval between 0.1s and 10 s). For group-addressed frames, a station may request a Directed Multicast Service (DMS) where the multicast frame transmissions are unicast to the station.
In addition, the AP MLD may respond to the station request in a beacon and framing transmission mode response from the access point. In this response, the AP MLD may accept, reject, or propose alternate parameters for the requested beacon and/or framing transmission mode of the access point. The AP MLD may decide the transmission rate of the subordinate access point based at least in part on the station request. In addition, the AP MLD may dedicate some dependent access points to have a higher rate. Note that the access point may delay beacon and/or framing transmission parameter changes. In particular, if the modified beacon and/or framing transmission parameters cause difficulties in receiving frames, the access point may transmit a BSS transition management frame to the selected associated station to request a transition to another access point or AP MLD. Alternatively or in addition, the access point may transmit upcoming beacon and/or framing transmission parameter changes for the non-AP MLD to allow them to select a link for beacon and/or framing reception.
In summary, the disclosed communication techniques provide an information element to signal a beacon frame transmission mode and/or a framing transmission mode. Furthermore, the use of information elements is shown for stations operating the data radio and the scanning radio. The disclosed communication techniques allow stations to request beacon and/or group-addressed frame transmission parameter changes. This capability may be used to improve or optimize standby power consumption and/or network reliability for the station.
It is noted that the format of packets or frames transmitted during a communication technique may include more or fewer bits, subfields, or fields. Alternatively or additionally, the location of the information in the packets or frames may be changed. Thus, the order of the sub-fields or fields may change.
While the foregoing embodiments illustrate embodiments of communication techniques using sub-bands, in other embodiments, the communication techniques may involve the simultaneous use of different time slots, and/or combinations of different sub-bands, different frequency bands, and/or different time slots. In some embodiments, these communication techniques may use OFDMA.
Further, while the foregoing embodiments show the use of Wi-Fi during communication technologies, in other embodiments of these communication technologies, at least a portion of the information in these communication technologies is communicated using bluetooth or bluetooth low energy. Further, information conveyed in a communication technology may be conveyed in one or more frequency bands, including: 900MHz, 2.4GHz band, 5GHz band, 6GHz band, 60GHz band, citizen broadband radio component services (CBRS) band, band used by LTE or other data communication protocols, and the like.
As described above, various aspects of the present technology may include collecting and using data available from various sources, for example, to improve or enhance functionality. The present disclosure contemplates that, in some instances, such collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or may be used to contact or locate a particular person. Such personal information data may include demographic data, location-based data, phone numbers, email addresses, twitter IDs, home addresses, data or records related to the user's health or fitness level (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present technology may be useful to benefit the user.
The present disclosure contemplates that entities responsible for collecting, analyzing, disclosing, transmitting, storing, or otherwise using such personal information data will comply with established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should enforce and adhere to the use of privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be easily accessible to users and should be updated as data is collected and/or used. Personal information from the user should be collected for legitimate and legitimate uses by the entity and not shared or sold outside of these legitimate uses. Furthermore, such acquisition/sharing should only be done after receiving users informed consent. Furthermore, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to defend and secure access to such personal information data, and to ensure that others who have access to the personal information data comply with their privacy policies and procedures. In addition, such entities may subject themselves to third party evaluations to prove compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adjusted to the particular type of personal information data collected and/or accessed, and to applicable laws and standards including specific considerations of jurisdiction. For example, in the united states, the collection or acquisition of certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the health insurance transfer and accountability act (HIPAA); while other countries may have health data subject to other regulations and policies and should be treated accordingly. Therefore, different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.
Regardless of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which a user selectively prevents use or access to personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and/or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, the present technology may be configured to allow a user to selectively engage in "opt-in" or "opt-out" of collecting personal information data at any time, e.g., during or after a registration service. In addition to providing "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications related to accessing or using personal information. For example, the user may be notified that their personal information data is to be accessed when the application is downloaded, and then be reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.
Further, it is an object of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use. Once the data is no longer needed, the risk can be minimized by limiting data collection and deleting data. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health-related applications, data de-identification may be used to protect the privacy of the user. De-identification may be facilitated by removing particular identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of stored data (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data among users), and/or other methods, as appropriate.
Thus, while the present disclosure may broadly cover the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that various embodiments may also be implemented without the need to access such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology do not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data.
Embodiments of the electronic device will now be described. Fig. 43 presents a block diagram of an electronic device 4300 (which may be a cellular phone, a smart watch, an access point, a wireless speaker, an IoT device, another electronic device, etc.), according to some embodiments. The electronic device includes a processing subsystem 4310, a memory subsystem 4312, and a networking subsystem 4314. Processing subsystem 4310 includes one or more devices configured to perform computing operations. For example, processing subsystems 4310 may include one or more microprocessors, application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), microcontrollers, graphics Processing Units (GPUs), programmable logic devices, and/or one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs).
Memory subsystem 4312 includes one or more devices for storing data and/or instructions for processing subsystem 4310 and/or networking subsystem 4314. For example, memory subsystem 4312 may include Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), static Random Access Memory (SRAM), read Only Memory (ROM), flash memory, and/or other types of memory. In some implementations, instructions for processing subsystem 4310 in memory subsystem 4312 include: program instructions or sets of instructions (such as program instructions 4322 or operating system 4324) that may be executed by processing subsystem 4310. For example, ROM may store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner, and DRAM may provide volatile data storage and may store instructions related to the operation of electronic device 4300. Note that the one or more computer programs may constitute a computer program mechanism, a computer-readable storage medium, or software. Further, the instructions in the various modules in memory subsystem 4312 may be implemented in the following languages: a high-level programming language, an object-oriented programming language, and/or an assembly or machine language. Further, the programming language may be compiled or interpreted, e.g., configurable or configured (both used interchangeably in this discussion) to be executed by the processing subsystem 4310. In some embodiments, one or more computer programs are distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the one or more computer programs are stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
Further, memory subsystem 4312 may include mechanisms for controlling access to memory. In some embodiments, memory subsystem 4312 includes a memory hierarchy that includes one or more caches coupled to memory in electronic device 4300. In some of these embodiments, one or more of the caches are located in the processing subsystem 4310.
In some embodiments, the memory subsystem 4312 is coupled to one or more high capacity mass storage devices (not shown). For example, the memory subsystem 4312 may be coupled to a magnetic or optical disk drive, a solid state drive, or another type of mass storage device. In these embodiments, the memory subsystem 4312 may be used by the electronic device 4300 as fast-access storage for frequently used data, while the mass storage device is used to store less frequently used data.
The networking subsystem 4314 includes one or more devices configured to couple to and communicate (i.e., perform network operations) over wired and/or wireless networks, such as: control logic 4316, one or more interface circuits 4318, and a selection signal selectable by control logic 4316A group of antennas 4320 (or antenna elements) in an adaptive array are switched on and/or off to produce a variety of selectable antenna patterns or "beam patterns". Alternatively, instead of the set of antennas, in some embodiments, the electronic device 4300 includes one or more nodes 4308, e.g., pads or connectors, which may be coupled to the set of antennas 4320. Thus, the electronic device 4300 may or may not include the set of antennas 4320. For example, networking subsystem 4314 may include bluetooth TM A networking system, a cellular networking system (e.g., a 3G/4G/5G network, such as UMTS, LTE, etc.), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) networking system, a networking system based on the standards described in IEEE 802.12 (e.g.,
a networked system), an ethernet networked system, and/or another networked system.
In some embodiments, networking subsystem 4314 includes one or more radios, such as a wake-up radio to receive wake-up frames and wake-up beacons, and a main radio to transmit and/or receive frames or packets during a normal operating mode. The wake-up radio and the main radio may be implemented separately (such as using discrete components or separate integrated circuits) or in a common integrated circuit.
Networking subsystem 4314 includes a processor, controller, radio/antenna, jack/plug, and/or other devices for coupling to, communicating over, and processing data and events of each supported networking system. It is noted that the mechanisms for coupling to, communicating over, and processing data and events on the network of each network system are sometimes collectively referred to as a "network interface" for that network system. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a "network" or "connection" between electronic devices does not yet exist. Thus, the electronic device 4300 may use mechanisms in the networking subsystem 4314 for performing simple wireless communication between electronic devices, such as transmitting announcement frames and/or scanning announcement frames transmitted by other electronic devices.
Within the electronic device 4300, a processing subsystem 4310, a memory subsystem 4312, and a networking subsystem 4314 are coupled together using a bus 4328 that facilitates data transfer between these components. Bus 4328 may include electrical, optical, and/or electro-optical connections that subsystems may use to transfer commands and data between each other. Although only one bus 4328 is shown for clarity, different embodiments may include different numbers or configurations of electrical, optical, and/or electro-optical connections between subsystems.
In some embodiments, the electronic device 4300 includes a display subsystem 4326 for displaying information on a display, which may include a display driver and a display, such as a liquid crystal display, multi-touch screen, or the like. The display subsystem 4326 may be controlled by the processing subsystem 4310 to display information (e.g., information related to incoming, outgoing, or active communication sessions) to a user.
Further, the electronic device 4300 may also include a user input subsystem 4330 that allows a user of the electronic device 4300 to interact with the electronic device 4300. For example, the user input subsystem 4330 may take a variety of forms, such as: buttons, keypads, dials, touch screens, audio input interfaces, visual/image capture input interfaces, input in the form of sensor data, and the like.
The electronic device 4300 may be (or may be included in) any electronic device having at least one network interface. For example, the electronic device 4300 may include: a cellular or smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, a notebook, a personal or desktop computer a netbook computer, a media player device wireless speakers, ioT devices, electronic book devices,
Devices, smart watches, wearable computing devices, portable computing devices, consumer electronics devices, vehicles, doors, windows, portals, access points, routers, switches, communication devices, testing devices, and systems having a communication interface that may include a wireless interfaceAny other type of electronic computing device with wireless communication capabilities that communicate by one or more wireless communication protocols.
Although the electronic device 4300 is described using particular components, in alternative embodiments, different components and/or subsystems may be present in the electronic device 4300. For example, the electronic device 4300 may include one or more additional processing subsystems, memory subsystems, networking subsystems, and/or display subsystems. Additionally, one or more of the subsystems may not be present in the electronic device 4300. Further, in some embodiments, the electronic device 4300 may include one or more additional subsystems not shown in fig. 43. In some embodiments, an electronic device may include an analysis subsystem that performs at least some operations in a communication technology. Further, while separate subsystems are shown in fig. 43, in some embodiments, some or all of a given subsystem or component may be integrated into one or more of the other subsystems or components in the electronic device 4300. For example, in some embodiments, program instructions 4322 are included in operating system 4324 and/or control logic 4316 is included in one or more interface circuits 4318.
Further, the circuitry and components in the electronic device 4300 may be implemented using any combination of analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry, including: bipolar, PMOS and/or NMOS gates or transistors. Further, the signals in these embodiments may include digital signals having approximately discrete values and/or analog signals having continuous values. In addition, the components and circuits may be single-ended or differential, and the power supply may be unipolar or bipolar.
The integrated circuit may implement some or all of the functionality of networking subsystem 4314. The integrated circuit may include hardware and/or software mechanisms for transmitting wireless signals from the electronic device 4300 and receiving signals at the electronic device 4300 from other electronic devices. Radios other than the mechanisms described herein are well known in the art and, as such, are not described in detail. In general, networking subsystem 4314 and/or integrated circuit may include any number of radios. Note that the radios in the multiple radio implementation function in a similar manner to the single radio implementation.
In some embodiments, networking subsystem 4314 and/or the integrated circuit include a configuration mechanism (such as one or more hardware mechanisms and/or software mechanisms) that configures the radio to transmit and/or receive on a given communication channel (e.g., a given carrier frequency). For example, in some embodiments, the configuration mechanism may be used to switch the radio from monitoring and/or transmitting on a given communication channel to monitoring and/or transmitting on a different communication channel. (Note that "monitoring," as used herein, includes receiving signals from other electronic devices, and possibly performing one or more processing operations on the received signals.)
In some embodiments, the output of a process for designing an integrated circuit or a portion of an integrated circuit including one or more of the circuits described herein may be a computer-readable medium, such as, for example, magnetic tape or a compact or magnetic disk. The computer-readable medium may be encoded with data structures or other information that describes circuitry that may be physically instantiated as an integrated circuit or as part of an integrated circuit. While various formats may be used for such encoding, these data structures are typically written in the following formats: caltech Intermediate Format (CIF), calma GDS II data stream format (GDSII), electronic design exchange format (EDIF), open Access (OA), or open original image system exchange standard (OASIS). Such data structures may be developed by those skilled in the art of integrated circuit design from schematic diagrams and corresponding descriptions of the types detailed above, and encoded on computer-readable media. One skilled in the art of integrated circuit fabrication may use such encoded data to fabricate integrated circuits that include one or more of the circuits described herein.
While the foregoing discussion uses Wi-Fi communication protocols as an illustrative example, in other embodiments a wide variety of communication protocols may be used, and more generally wireless communication techniques may be used. Thus, the communication techniques may be used in a variety of network interfaces. Further, while some of the operations in the foregoing embodiments are implemented in hardware or software, in general, the operations in the foregoing embodiments may be implemented in a wide variety of configurations and architectures. Thus, some or all of the operations in the foregoing implementations may be performed in hardware, software, or both. For example, at least some of the operations in the communication technologies may be implemented using program instructions 4322, an operating system 4324 (such as drivers for interface circuits in the networking subsystem 4314), or in firmware in interface circuits in the networking subsystem 4314. Alternatively or additionally, at least some of the operations in the communication technology may be implemented in a physical layer (such as hardware in interface circuitry in networking subsystem 4314). In some embodiments, the communication techniques are implemented at least in part in the MAC layer and/or the physical layer in the interface circuitry in networking subsystem 4314.
It is noted that, in one or more embodiments, use of the phrases "capable," "operable" or "configured to" refer to designing some apparatus, logic, hardware, and/or element such that the apparatus, logic, hardware, and/or element can be used in a specified manner.
While examples of values are provided in the foregoing discussion, different values are used in other embodiments. Accordingly, the numerical values provided are not intended to be limiting.
Further, while the foregoing embodiments illustrate the use of wireless signals in one or more frequency bands, in other embodiments of the communication technology, electromagnetic signals in one or more different frequency bands are used. For example, these signals may be transmitted in one or more frequency bands, including: microwave band, radar band, 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, 60GHz, and/or band used by citizen broadband radio service or LTE.
Reference has been made in the foregoing description to "some embodiments". It is noted that "some embodiments" describe a subset of all possible embodiments, but do not always specify the same subset of embodiments.
The previous description is intended to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the forms disclosed. Thus, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In addition, the discussion of the preceding embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
Claims (20)
1. An electronic device, comprising:
an antenna node configured to be communicatively coupled to an antenna;
a scanning radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node;
a second antenna node configured to be communicatively coupled to a second antenna; and
a data radio communicatively coupled to the second antenna node, wherein the electronic device is configured to:
performing a scan of a frequency band using the scanning radio, wherein the scanning radio is configured to receive only frames;
receiving, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with a second electronic device, wherein the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in a second frequency band; and
performing, using the data radio, a second scan of the second frequency band based on the beacon frame and at least partially concurrently with the scan, wherein the data radio is configured to transmit and receive second frames.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is not associated with the second electronic device or the third electronic device.
3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device and the third electronic device comprise access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).
4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the beacon frame includes a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR), and the RNR includes the information.
5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the beacon frame comprises a Multilink (ML) element, and the ML comprises the information.
6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to associate with the third electronic device after the scanning and the second scanning are completed.
7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the information comprises: a primary channel of the third electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, or whether the third electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide indication of a non-high throughput repeated Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).
8. An integrated circuit, comprising:
an antenna node configured to be communicatively coupled to an antenna;
a scanning radio communicatively coupled to the antenna node;
a second antenna node configured to be communicatively coupled to a second antenna; and
a data radio communicatively coupled to the second antenna node, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to:
performing a scan of a frequency band using the scanning radio, wherein the scanning radio is configured to receive only frames;
receiving, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with an electronic device, wherein the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a second electronic device in a second frequency band; and
performing, using the data radio, a second scan of the second frequency band based on the beacon frame and at least partially concurrently with the scan, wherein the data radio is configured to transmit and receive second frames.
9. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the integrated circuit is not associated with the electronic device or the second electronic device.
10. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the electronic device and the second electronic device comprise access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).
11. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the beacon frame includes a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR), and the RNR includes the information.
12. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the beacon frame comprises a Multilink (ML) element, and the ML comprises the information.
13. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to be associated with the second electronic device after the scan and the second scan are completed.
14. The integrated circuit of claim 8, wherein the information comprises: a primary channel of the second electronic device, a bandwidth of the beacon frame, or whether the second electronic device is capable of receiving an 80MHz wide indication of a non-high throughput repeated Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).
15. A method for performing a scan, the method comprising:
by an electronic device:
performing the scanning of a frequency band using a scanning radio in the electronic device, wherein the scanning radio is configured to receive only frames;
receiving, using the scanning radio, a beacon frame associated with a second electronic device, wherein the beacon frame includes information associated with operation of a third electronic device in a second frequency band; and
performing, using a data radio in the electronic device, a second scan of the second frequency band based on the beacon frame and at least partially concurrently with the scan, wherein the data radio is configured to transmit and receive second frames.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is not associated with the second electronic device or the third electronic device.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second electronic device and the third electronic device comprise access points that are co-hosted or co-located in or affiliated with an access point multi-link device (AP MLD).
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the beacon frame includes a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR), and the RNR includes the information.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the beacon frame comprises a Multilink (ML) element, and the ML comprises the information.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the method comprises associating with the third electronic device after the scanning and the second scanning are completed.
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