WO2018164711A1 - Appareil de négociation de paramètres pour groupe de réutilisation spatiale - Google Patents

Appareil de négociation de paramètres pour groupe de réutilisation spatiale Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018164711A1
WO2018164711A1 PCT/US2017/050712 US2017050712W WO2018164711A1 WO 2018164711 A1 WO2018164711 A1 WO 2018164711A1 US 2017050712 W US2017050712 W US 2017050712W WO 2018164711 A1 WO2018164711 A1 WO 2018164711A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
srg
obss
aps
ppdu
thresholds
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PCT/US2017/050712
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English (en)
Inventor
Laurent Cariou
Yaron Alpert
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Intel IP Corporation
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Publication of WO2018164711A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018164711A1/fr

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W24/00—Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
    • H04W24/02—Arrangements for optimising operational condition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Definitions

  • Embodiments pertain to wireless communications.
  • embodiments relate to wireless local area networks (WLANs) and Wi-Fi networks including networks operating in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, including but not limited to IEEE 802.1 lax. Some embodiments relate to spatial reuse (SR).
  • WLANs wireless local area networks
  • SR spatial reuse
  • Wireless communications have been evolving toward ever increasing data rates (e.g., from IEEE 802.1 la/g to IEEE 802.1 In to IEEE 802.1 lac and IEEE 802.11 ad).
  • overall system efficiency may become more important than higher data rates.
  • many devices competing for the wireless medium may have low to moderate data rate requirements (with respect to the very high data rates of IEEE 802.1 lac).
  • a recently -formed study group for Wi-Fi evolution referred to as the IEEE 802.11 High Efficiency WLAN (HEW) study group (SG) (i.e., IEEE 802.11 ax) is addressing these high-density deployment scenarios.
  • IEEE 802.11 High Efficiency WLAN (HEW) study group (SG) i.e., IEEE 802.11 ax
  • IEEE 802.11 ax IEEE 802.11 ax
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network in accordance with some embodiments
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an example machine in accordance with some embodiments
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a station (STA) in accordance with some embodiments and an access point (AP) in accordance with some embodiments;
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a radio architecture in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a front-end module circuitry for use in the radio architecture of FIG. 4 in accordance with some embodiments
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a radio IC circuitry for use in the radio architecture of FIG. 4 in accordance with some embodiments
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a baseband processing circuitry for use in the radio architecture of FIG. 4 in accordance with some embodiments
  • FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of a method of communication in accordance with some embodiments
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of another method of communication in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the operation of another method of communication in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of another method of communication in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates an example mapping between transmit power and received overlapping basic service set (OBSS) power in accordance with some embodiments
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an example spatial reuse (SR) information element (IE) in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates example frames in accordance with some embodiments.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the network 100 may be a High Efficiency (HE) Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) network.
  • the network 100 may be a WLAN or a Wi-Fi network.
  • HE High Efficiency
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
  • the network 100 may include a combination of such networks. That is, the network 100 may support MU operation (for example HE) devices in some cases, non MU operation devices in some cases, and a combination of MU operation devices and non MU operation devices in some cases. Accordingly, it is understood that although techniques described herein may refer to either a non MU operation device or to an MU operation device, such techniques may be applicable to both non MU operation devices and MU operation devices in some cases.
  • MU operation for example HE
  • the network 100 may include any or all of the components shown, and embodiments are not limited to the number of each component shown in FIG. 1.
  • the network 100 may include an access point (AP) and may include any number (including zero) of stations (STAs) 103 and/or HE devices 104.
  • the AP 102 may be a master STA, may operate as a master STA and/or may be configured to operate as a master STA, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the AP 102 may receive and/or detect signals from one or more STAs 103, and may transmit data packets to one or more STAs 103.
  • the AP 102 may be arranged to communicate with one or more of the components shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more IEEE 802.11 standards (including 802.11 ax and/or others), other standards and/or other communication protocols. It should be noted that embodiments are not limited to usage of an AP 102. References herein to the AP 102 are not limiting and references herein to a master station are also not limiting.
  • a STA 103, an MU operation device (device capable of MU operation), an HE device 104 and/or other device may be configurable to operate as a master station. Accordingly, in such embodiments, operations that may be performed by the AP 102 as described herein may be performed by the STA 103, an MU operation device, an HE device 104 and/or other device that is configurable to operate as the master station.
  • one or more of the STAs 103 may be legacy stations (for instance, a non MU operation device and/or device not capable of MU operation). These embodiments are not limiting, however, as the STAs 103 may be configured to operate as MU operation devices, HE devices 104 or may support MU operation or may support HE operation, in some embodiments.
  • the AP 102 may be arranged to communicate with the STAs 103 and/or the HE stations and/or the MU operation stations in accordance with one or more of the IEEE 802.11 standards, including 802.1 lax and/or others.
  • an access point may operate as a master station and may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium (e.g., during a contention period) to receive exclusive control of the medium for an 802.11 air access control period (i.e., a transmission opportunity (TXOP)).
  • the AP 102 may, for example, transmit a master-sync or control transmission at the beginning of the 802.11 air access control period (including but not limited to an HE control period) to indicate, among other things, which MU operation stations and/or HE stations 104 are scheduled for communication during the 802.11 air access control period.
  • the scheduled MU operation stations 104 may communicate with the AP 102 in accordance with a non- contention based multiple access technique. This is unlike conventional Wi-Fi communications in which devices communicate in accordance with a contention- based communication technique, rather than a non-contention based multiple access technique.
  • the AP 102 may communicate with HE stations 104 using one or more MU PPDUs.
  • STAs 103 not operating as MU operation devices may refrain from communicating in some cases.
  • the master-sync transmission may be referred to as a control and schedule transmission.
  • the multiple-access technique used during the 802.11 air access control period may be a scheduled orthogonal frequency - division multiple access (OFDMA) technique, although this is not a requirement.
  • the multiple access technique may be a time-division multiple access (TDMA) technique or a frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) technique.
  • the multiple access technique may be a space-division multiple access (SDMA) technique including a multi-user (MU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) (MU-MIMO) technique or combination of the above.
  • SDMA space-division multiple access
  • MU multi-user
  • MIMO multiple-input multiple-output
  • the AP 102 may also communicate with STAs 103 and/or other legacy stations in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques.
  • the AP 102 may also be configurable to communicate with the MU operation stations and/or HE stations 104 outside the 802.11 air access control period in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques, although this is not a requirement.
  • communications including but not limited to the MU communications
  • communications may be configurable to use one of 20MHz, 40MHz, or 80MHz contiguous bandwidths or an 80+80MHz (160MHz) non-contiguous bandwidth.
  • a 320MHz channel width may be used.
  • sub-channel bandwidths less than 20MHz may also be used.
  • each channel or sub- channel of a communications including but not limited to the MU
  • MU techniques may be used, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. As an example, techniques included in 802.1 lax standards and/or other standards may be used.
  • an AP 102, an STA 103, MU operation STAs and/or HE stations 104 may generate an MU packet in accordance with a short preamble format or a long preamble format.
  • the MU packet may comprise a legacy signal field (L-SIG) followed by one or more MU signal fields (HE- SIG) and an MU long-training field (MU -LTF).
  • L-SIG legacy signal field
  • HE- SIG MU signal fields
  • MU -LTF MU long-training field
  • the fields may be configured for shorter-delay spread channels.
  • the fields may be configured for longer-delay spread channels.
  • the AP 102 may operate as an STA
  • Some techniques, operations and/or methods may be described herein in terms of communication between two STAs 103, but such descriptions are not limiting. Some or all of those techniques, operations and/or methods may be applicable to scenarios in which an STA 103 and an AP 102 communicate. In addition, some techniques, operations and/or methods may be described herein in terms of communication between an STA 103 and an AP 102, but such descriptions are not limiting. Some or all of those techniques, operations and/or methods may be applicable to scenarios in which two or more STAs 103 communicate.
  • the STAs 103, AP 102, other mobile devices, other base stations and/or other devices may be configured to perform operations related to contention based communication.
  • the communication between the STAs 103 and/or AP 102 and/or the communication between the STAs 103 may be performed in accordance with contention based techniques.
  • the STAs 103 and/or AP 102 may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium (e.g., during a contention period) to receive exclusive control of the medium for a transmission period.
  • the transmission period may include a transmission opportunity (TXOP), which may be included in an 802.11 standard and/or other standard.
  • TXOP transmission opportunity
  • embodiments are not limited to usage of contention based techniques, however, as some communication (such as that between mobile devices and/or communication between a mobile device and a base station) may be performed in accordance with schedule based techniques. Some embodiments may include a combination of contention based techniques and schedule based techniques.
  • the communication between mobile devices and/or between a mobile device and a base station may be performed in accordance with single carrier techniques.
  • a protocol data unit (PDU) and/or other frame(s) may be modulated on a single carrier frequency in accordance with a single carrier modulation (SCM) technique.
  • SCM single carrier modulation
  • the communication between mobile devices and/or between a mobile device and a base station may be performed in accordance with any suitable multiple-access techniques and/or multiplexing techniques. Accordingly, one or more of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), code- division multiple access (CDMA), time-division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiplexing (FDMA), space-division multiple access
  • OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple access
  • OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexing
  • CDMA code- division multiple access
  • TDMA time-division multiple access
  • FDMA frequency division multiplexing
  • space-division multiple access space-division multiple access
  • SDMA multiple-input multiple-output
  • MU multiple-user multiple- input multiple-output
  • SDMA multiple-input multiple-output
  • MU-MIMO multiple- input multiple-output
  • circuitry may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality.
  • ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
  • the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules.
  • circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware. Embodiments described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the machine 200 is an example machine upon which any one or more of the techniques and/or methodologies discussed herein may be performed.
  • the machine 200 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines.
  • the machine 200 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments.
  • the machine 200 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment.
  • P2P peer-to-peer
  • the machine 200 may be an AP 102, STA 103, User Equipment (UE), Evolved Node-B (eNB), mobile device, base station, personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.
  • UE User Equipment
  • eNB Evolved Node-B
  • PC personal computer
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • machine shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations.
  • cloud computing software as a service
  • SaaS software as a service
  • Examples as described herein may include, or may operate on, logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms.
  • Modules are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner.
  • circuits may be arranged (e.g., internally or with respect to external entities such as other circuits) in a specified manner as a module.
  • the whole or part of one or more computer systems e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system
  • one or more hardware processors may be configured by firmware or software (e.g., instructions, an application portion, or an application) as a module that operates to perform specified operations.
  • the software may reside on a machine readable medium.
  • the software when executed by the underlying hardware of the module, causes the hardware to perform the specified operations.
  • module is understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, specifically configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g., transitorily) configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specified manner or to perform part or all of any operation described herein.
  • each of the modules need not be instantiated at any one moment in time.
  • the modules comprise a general-purpose hardware processor configured using software
  • the general-purpose hardware processor may be configured as respective different modules at different times.
  • Software may accordingly configure a hardware processor, for example, to constitute a particular module at one instance of time and to constitute a different module at a different instance of time.
  • the machine 200 may include a hardware processor 202 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 204 and a static memory 206, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 208.
  • the machine 200 may further include a display device 210, an alphanumeric input device 212 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 214 (e.g., a mouse).
  • the display device 210, input device 212 and UI navigation device 214 may be a touch screen display.
  • the machine 200 may additionally include mass storage 216 (such as a storage device, drive unit and/or other), a signal generation device 218 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 220, and one or more sensors 221, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor.
  • the machine 200 may include an output controller 228, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).
  • a serial e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.).
  • the mass storage 216 may include a machine readable medium
  • the instructions 224 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 204, within static memory 206, or within the hardware processor 202 during execution thereof by the machine 200.
  • the hardware processor 202, the main memory 204, the static memory 206, or the mass storage 216 may constitute machine readable media.
  • the machine readable medium may be or may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
  • machine readable medium 222 is illustrated as a single medium, the term “machine readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 224.
  • the term “machine readable medium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 200 and that cause the machine 200 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions.
  • Non-limiting machine readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media.
  • Specific examples of machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable
  • machine readable media may include non-transitory machine readable media.
  • machine readable media may include machine readable media that is not a transitory propagating signal.
  • the instructions 224 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 226 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 220 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.).
  • transfer protocols e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.
  • Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) family of standards, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • POTS Plain Old Telephone
  • wireless data networks e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®
  • IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE
  • the network interface device 220 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 226.
  • the network interface device 220 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques.
  • SIMO single-input multiple-output
  • MIMO multiple-input multiple-output
  • MISO multiple-input single-output
  • the network interface device 220 may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MIMO techniques.
  • transmission medium shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 200, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a station (STA) in accordance with some embodiments and an access point (AP) in accordance with some embodiments.
  • STA station
  • AP access point
  • an STA or other mobile device may include one or more components shown in any of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 (as in 300) or FIGs. 4-7.
  • the STA 300 may be suitable for use as an STA 103 as depicted in FIG. 1, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • an AP or other base station may include one or more components shown in any of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 (as in 350) or FIGs. 4-7.
  • the AP 350 may be suitable for use as an AP 102 as depicted in FIG. 1, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the STA 300 may include physical layer circuitry 302 and a transceiver 305, one or both of which may enable transmission and reception of signals to and from components such as the AP 102 (FIG. 1), other STAs or other devices using one or more antennas 301.
  • the physical layer circuitry 302 may perform various encoding and decoding functions that may include formation of baseband signals for transmission and decoding of received signals.
  • the transceiver 305 may perform various transmission and reception functions such as conversion of signals between a baseband range and a Radio Frequency (RF) range. Accordingly, the physical layer circuitry 302 and the transceiver 305 may be separate components or may be part of a combined component.
  • RF Radio Frequency
  • the STA 300 may also include medium access control (MAC) layer circuitry 304 for controlling access to the wireless medium.
  • MAC medium access control
  • the STA 300 may also include processing circuitry 306 and memory 308 arranged to perform the operations described herein.
  • the AP 350 may include physical layer circuitry 352 and a transceiver 355, one or both of which may enable transmission and reception of signals to and from components such as the STA 103 (FIG. 1), other APs or other devices using one or more antennas 351.
  • the physical layer circuitry 352 may perform various encoding and decoding functions that may include formation of baseband signals for transmission and decoding of received signals.
  • the transceiver 355 may perform various transmission and reception functions such as conversion of signals between a baseband range and a Radio Frequency (RF) range. Accordingly, the physical layer circuitry 352 and the transceiver 355 may be separate components or may be part of a combined component.
  • RF Radio Frequency
  • the AP 350 may also include medium access control (MAC) layer circuitry 354 for controlling access to the wireless medium.
  • the AP 350 may also include processing circuitry 356 and memory 358 arranged to perform the operations described herein.
  • the antennas 301, 351, 230 may comprise one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals.
  • MIMO multiple-input multiple-output
  • the STA 300 may be configured to communicate using OFDM and/or OFDMA communication signals over a multicarrier communication channel.
  • the AP 350 may be configured to communicate using OFDM and/or OFDMA communication signals over a multicarrier communication channel.
  • the STA 300 and/or AP 350 may be configured to receive signals in accordance with specific communication standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including IEEE 802.11-2012, 802.1 ln- 2009, 802.11ac-2013 standards, 802.11ax standards (and/or proposed standards), 802.11 ay standards (and/or proposed standards) and/or other, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as they may also be suitable to transmit and/or receive communications in accordance with other techniques and standards.
  • IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • the AP 350 and/or the STA 300 may be configured to receive signals that were transmitted using one or more other modulation techniques such as spread spectrum modulation (e.g., direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and/or frequency hopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA)), time-division multiplexing (TDM) modulation, and/or frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) modulation, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • spread spectrum modulation e.g., direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and/or frequency hopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA)
  • TDM time-division multiplexing
  • FDM frequency-division multiplexing
  • the STA 300 and/or AP 350 may be a mobile device and may be a portable wireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a wearable device such as a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), or other device that may receive and/or transmit information wirelessly.
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a wearable device such as a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), or other device
  • Mobile devices or other devices in some embodiments may be configured to operate according to other protocols or standards, including other IEEE standards, Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards or other standards.
  • the STA 300 and/or AP 350 may include one or more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, and other mobile device elements.
  • the display may be an LCD screen including a touch screen.
  • the STA 300 and the AP 350 are each illustrated as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements.
  • DSPs digital signal processors
  • some elements may comprise one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein.
  • the functional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.
  • Embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware and software. Embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein.
  • a computer-readable storage device may include any non-transitory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).
  • a computer-readable storage device may include readonly memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices and media.
  • Some embodiments may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device.
  • STA 300 may include various components of the STA 300 as shown in FIG. 3 and/or the example machine 200 as shown in FIG. 2 and/or various components shown in FIGs. 4-7. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the STA 300 (or 103) may be applicable to an apparatus of an STA, in some embodiments. It should also be noted that in some embodiments, an apparatus of the AP 350 may include various components of the AP 350 as shown in FIG. 3 and/or the example machine 200 as shown in FIG. 2 and/or various components shown in FIGs. 4-7. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the AP 350 (or 102) may be applicable to an apparatus of an AP, in some embodiments.
  • an apparatus of a mobile device and/or base station may include one or more components shown in FIGs. 2-7, in some embodiments. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that refer to a mobile device and/or base station may be applicable to an apparatus of a mobile device and/or base station, in some embodiments.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a radio architecture 400 in accordance with some embodiments.
  • Radio architecture 400 may include radio front-end module (FEM) circuitry 404, radio IC circuitry 406 and baseband processing circuitry 408.
  • FEM radio front-end module
  • Radio architecture 400 as shown includes both Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) functionality and Bluetooth (BT) functionality although embodiments are not so limited.
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
  • BT Bluetooth
  • the radio architecture 400 and components shown in FIGs. 5-7 support WLAN and BT, but embodiments are not limited to WLAN or BT.
  • two technologies supported by the radio architecture 400 may or may not include WLAN or BT.
  • Other technologies may be supported.
  • WLAN and a second technology may be supported.
  • BT and a second technology may be supported.
  • two technologies other than WLAN and BT may be supported.
  • the radio architecture 400 may be extended to support more than two protocols, technologies and/or standards, in some embodiments. Embodiments are also not limited to the frequencies illustrated in FIGs. 4-7.
  • FEM circuitry 404 may include a WLAN or Wi-Fi FEM circuitry
  • the WLAN FEM circuitry 404A may include a receive signal path comprising circuitry configured to operate on WLAN RF signals received from one or more antennas 401, to amplify the received signals and to provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the WLAN radio IC circuitry 406A for further processing.
  • the BT FEM circuitry 404B may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on BT RF signals received from one or more antennas 401, to amplify the received signals and to provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the BT radio IC circuitry 406B for further processing.
  • FEM circuitry 404A may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify WLAN signals provided by the radio IC circuitry 406A for wireless transmission by one or more of the antennas 401.
  • FEM circuitry 404B may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify BT signals provided by the radio IC circuitry 406b for wireless transmission by the one or more antennas.
  • FIG. 40A may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify WLAN signals provided by the radio IC circuitry 406A for wireless transmission by one or more of the antennas 401.
  • FEM circuitry 404B may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify BT signals provided by the radio IC circuitry 406b for wireless transmission by the one or more antennas.
  • FEM 404A and FEM 404B are shown as being distinct from one another, embodiments are not so limited, and include within their scope the use of an FEM (not shown) that includes a transmit path and/or a receive path for both WLAN and BT signals, or the use of one or more FEM circuitries where at least some of the FEM circuitries share transmit and/or receive signal paths for both WLAN and BT signals.
  • Radio IC circuitry 406 as shown may include WLAN radio IC circuitry 406A and BT radio IC circuitry 406B.
  • the WLAN radio IC circuitry 406A may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down- convert WLAN RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 404A and provide baseband signals to WLAN baseband processing circuitry 408a.
  • BT radio IC circuitry 406B may in turn include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down-convert BT RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 404B and provide baseband signals to BT baseband processing circuitry 408B.
  • WLAN radio IC circuitry 406A may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert WLAN baseband signals provided by the WLAN baseband processing circuitry 408A and provide WLAN RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 404A for subsequent wireless transmission by the one or more antennas 401.
  • BT radio IC circuitry 406B may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert BT baseband signals provided by the BT baseband processing circuitry 408B and provide BT RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 404B for subsequent wireless transmission by the one or more antennas 401.
  • radio IC circuitries 406A and 406B are shown as being distinct from one another, embodiments are not so limited, and include within their scope the use of a radio IC circuitry (not shown) that includes a transmit signal path and/or a receive signal path for both WLAN and BT signals, or the use of one or more radio IC circuitries where at least some of the radio IC circuitries share transmit and/or receive signal paths for both WLAN and BT signals.
  • Baseband processing circuity 408 may include a WLAN baseband processing circuitry 408A and a BT baseband processing circuitry 408B.
  • the WLAN baseband processing circuitry 408A may include a memory, such as, for example, a set of RAM arrays in a Fast Fourier Transform or Inverse Fast Fourier Transform block (not shown) of the WLAN baseband processing circuitry 408A.
  • Each of the WLAN baseband circuitry 408 A and the BT baseband circuitry 408B may further include one or more processors and control logic to process the signals received from the corresponding WLAN or BT receive signal path of the radio IC circuitry 406, and to also generate corresponding WLAN or BT baseband signals for the transmit signal path of the radio IC circuitry 406.
  • PHY physical layer
  • MAC medium access control layer
  • WLAN-BT coexistence circuitry 413 may include logic providing an interface between the WLAN baseband circuitry 408A and the BT baseband circuitry 408B to enable use cases requiring WLAN and BT coexistence.
  • a switch 403 may be provided between the WLAN FEM circuitry 404A and the BT FEM circuitry 404B to allow switching between the WLAN and BT radios according to application needs.
  • the antennas 401 are depicted as being respectively connected to the WLAN FEM circuitry 404A and the BT FEM circuitry 404B, embodiments include within their scope the sharing of one or more antennas as between the WLAN and BT FEMs, or the provision of more than one antenna connected to each of FEM 404 A or 404B.
  • the front-end module circuitry 404, the radio IC circuitry 406, and baseband processing circuitry 408 may be provided on a single radio card, such as wireless radio card 402.
  • the one or more antennas 401, the FEM circuitry 404 and the radio IC circuitry 406 may be provided on a single radio card.
  • the radio IC circuitry 406 and the baseband processing circuitry 408 may be provided on a single chip or integrated circuit (IC), such as IC 412.
  • the wireless radio card 402 may include a
  • the radio architecture 400 may be configured to receive and transmit orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication signals over a multicarrier communication channel.
  • OFDM orthogonal frequency division multiplexed
  • OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple access
  • the OFDM or OFDMA signals may comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.
  • radio architecture 400 may be part of a Wi-Fi communication station (STA) such as a wireless access point (AP), a base station or a mobile device including a Wi-Fi device.
  • STA Wi-Fi communication station
  • AP wireless access point
  • radio architecture 400 may be configured to transmit and receive signals in accordance with specific communication standards and/or protocols, such as any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards including, 802.11n-2009, IEEE 802.11-2012, 802.11n-2009, 802.11ac, and/or 802.11ax standards and/or proposed specifications for WLANs, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • Radio architecture 400 may also be suitable to transmit and/or receive communications in accordance with other techniques and standards.
  • the radio architecture 400 may be configured for high-efficiency (HE) Wi-Fi (HEW) communications in accordance with the IEEE 802.1 lax standard.
  • the radio architecture 400 may be configured to communicate in accordance with an OFDMA technique, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the radio architecture 400 may be configured to transmit and receive signals transmitted using one or more other modulation techniques such as spread spectrum modulation (e.g., direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and/or frequency hopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA)), time-division multiplexing (TDM) modulation, and/or frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) modulation, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • spread spectrum modulation e.g., direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) and/or frequency hopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA)
  • TDM time-division multiplexing
  • FDM frequency-division multiplexing
  • the BT baseband circuitry 408B may be compliant with a Bluetooth (BT) connectivity standard such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth 4.0 or Bluetooth 5.0, or any other iteration of the Bluetooth Standard.
  • BT Bluetooth
  • the radio architecture 400 may be configured to establish a BT synchronous connection oriented (SCO) link and/or a BT low energy (BT LE) link.
  • SCO BT synchronous connection oriented
  • BT LE BT low energy
  • the radio architecture 400 may be configured to establish an extended SCO (eSCO) link for BT communications, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the radio architecture may be configured to engage in a BT Asynchronous Connection-Less (ACL) communications, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • ACL Asynchronous Connection-Less
  • the functions of a BT radio card and WLAN radio card may be combined on a single wireless radio card, such as single wireless radio card 402, although embodiments are not so limited, and include within their scope discrete WLAN and BT radio cards.
  • the radio-architecture 400 may include other radio cards, such as a cellular radio card configured for cellular (e.g., 3GPP such as LTE, LTE-Advanced or 5G communications).
  • the radio architecture 400 may be configured for communication over various channel bandwidths including bandwidths having center frequencies of about 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz.
  • the bandwidths may be about 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 4 MHz, 5MHz, 8 MHz, 10 MHz, 16 MHz, 20 MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz (with contiguous bandwidths) or 80+80MHz (160MHz) (with non-contiguous bandwidths).
  • a 320 MHz channel bandwidth may be used.
  • the bandwidths may be about 2.16 GHz, 4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz, 8.72 GHz and/or other suitable value.
  • the scope of the embodiments is not limited with respect to the above center frequencies or bandwidths, however.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates FEM circuitry 500 in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the FEM circuitry 500 is one example of circuitry that may be suitable for use as the WLAN and/or BT FEM circuitry 404A/404B (FIG. 4), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.
  • the FEM circuitry 500 may include a
  • the FEM circuitry 500 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path.
  • the receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 500 may include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 506 to amplify received RF signals 503 and provide the amplified received RF signals 507 as an output (e.g., to the radio IC circuitry 406 (FIG. 4)).
  • LNA low-noise amplifier
  • the transmit signal path of the circuitry 500 may include a power amplifier (PA) 510 to amplify input RF signals 509 (e.g., provided by the radio IC circuitry 406), and one or more filters 512, such as band-pass filters (BPFs), low-pass filters (LPFs) or other types of filters, to generate RF signals 515 for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the antennas 401 (FIG. 4)).
  • PA power amplifier
  • filters 512 such as band-pass filters (BPFs), low-pass filters (LPFs) or other types of filters
  • the FEM circuitry 500 may be configured to operate in either the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum or the 5 GHz frequency spectrum.
  • the receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 500 may include a receive signal path duplexer 504 to separate the signals from each spectrum as well as provide a separate LNA 506 for each spectrum as shown.
  • the transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 500 may also include a power amplifier 510 and a filter 512, such as a BPF, a LPF or another type of filter for each frequency spectrum and a transmit signal path duplexer 514 to provide the signals of one of the different spectrums onto a single transmit path for subsequent transmission by the one or more of the antennas 401 (FIG. 4).
  • BT communications may utilize the 2.4 GHZ signal paths and may utilize the same FEM circuitry 500 as the one used for WLAN communications.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates radio IC circuitry 600 in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the radio IC circuitry 600 is one example of circuitry that may be suitable for use as the WLAN or BT radio IC circuitry 406A/406B (FIG. 4), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.
  • the radio IC circuitry 600 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path.
  • the receive signal path of the radio IC circuitry 600 may include at least mixer circuitry 602, such as, for example, down-conversion mixer circuitry, amplifier circuitry 606 and filter circuitry 608.
  • the transmit signal path of the radio IC circuitry 600 may include at least filter circuitry 612 and mixer circuitry 614, such as, for example, up- conversion mixer circuitry.
  • Radio IC circuitry 600 may also include synthesizer circuitry 604 for synthesizing a frequency 605 for use by the mixer circuitry 602 and the mixer circuitry 614.
  • the mixer circuitry 602 and/or 614 may each, according to some embodiments, be configured to provide direct conversion functionality.
  • Fig. 6 illustrates only a simplified version of a radio IC circuitry, and may include, although not shown, embodiments where each of the depicted circuitries may include more than one component.
  • mixer circuitry 602 and/or 614 may each include one or more mixers
  • filter circuitries 608 and/or 612 may each include one or more filters, such as one or more BPFs and/or LPFs according to application needs.
  • mixer circuitries when mixer circuitries are of the direct-conversion type, they may each include two or more mixers.
  • mixer circuitry 602 may be configured to down-convert RF signals 507 received from the FEM circuitry 404 (FIG. 4) based on the synthesized frequency 605 provided by synthesizer circuitry 604.
  • the amplifier circuitry 606 may be configured to amplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuitry 608 may include a LPF configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to generate output baseband signals 607.
  • Output baseband signals 607 may be provided to the baseband processing circuitry 408 (FIG. 4) for further processing.
  • the output baseband signals 607 may be zero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement.
  • mixer circuitry 602 may comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the mixer circuitry 614 may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals 611 based on the synthesized frequency 605 provided by the synthesizer circuitry 604 to generate RF output signals 509 for the FEM circuitry 404.
  • the baseband signals 61 1 may be provided by the baseband processing circuitry 408 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 612.
  • the filter circuitry 612 may include a LPF or a BPF, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the mixer circuitry 602 and the mixer circuitry 614 may each include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature down-conversion and/or up-conversion respectively with the help of synthesizer 604.
  • the mixer circuitry 602 and the mixer circuitry 614 may each include two or more mixers each configured for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection).
  • the mixer circuitry 602 and the mixer circuitry 614 may be arranged for direct down- conversion and/or direct up-conversion, respectively.
  • the mixer circuitry 602 and the mixer circuitry 614 may be configured for superheterodyne operation, although this is not a requirement.
  • Mixer circuitry 602 may comprise, according to one embodiment: quadrature passive mixers (e.g., for the in-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) paths).
  • RF input signal 507 from Fig. 6 may be down- converted to provide I and Q baseband output signals to be sent to the baseband processor.
  • Quadrature passive mixers may be driven by zero and ninety degree time-varying LO switching signals provided by a quadrature circuitry which may be configured to receive a LO frequency (fco) from a local oscillator or a synthesizer, such as LO frequency 605 of synthesizer 604 (FIG. 6).
  • the LO frequency may be the carrier frequency, while in other embodiments, the LO frequency may be a fraction of the carrier frequency (e.g., one-half the carrier frequency, one-third the carrier frequency).
  • the zero and ninety degree time-varying switching signals may be generated by the synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the LO signals may differ in duty cycle
  • each branch of the mixer circuitry e.g., the in-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) path
  • the RF input signal 507 may comprise a balanced signal, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the I and Q baseband output signals may be provided to low-nose amplifier, such as amplifier circuitry 606 (FIG. 6) or to filter circuitry 608 (FIG. 6).
  • the output baseband signals 607 and the input baseband signals 611 may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternate
  • the output baseband signals 607 and the input baseband signals 611 may be digital baseband signals.
  • the radio IC circuitry may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry.
  • ADC analog-to-digital converter
  • DAC digital-to-analog converter
  • a separate radio IC circuitry may be provided for processing signals for each spectrum, or for other spectrums not mentioned here, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the synthesizer circuitry 604 may be a fractional -N synthesizer or a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable.
  • synthesizer circuitry 604 may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.
  • the synthesizer circuitry 604 may include digital synthesizer circuitry.
  • frequency input into synthesizer circuity 604 may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement.
  • VCO voltage controlled oscillator
  • a divider control input may further be provided by either the baseband processing circuitry 408 (FIG. 4) or the application processor 411 (FIG. 4) depending on the desired output frequency 605.
  • a divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table (e.g., within a Wi-Fi card) based on a channel number and a channel center frequency as determined or indicated by the application processor 411.
  • synthesizer circuitry 604 may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency 605, while in other embodiments, the output frequency 605 may be a fraction of the carrier frequency (e.g., one-half the carrier frequency, one-third the carrier frequency). In some embodiments, the output frequency 605 may be a LO frequency (fLo).
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a functional block diagram of baseband processing circuitry 700 in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the baseband processing circuitry 700 is one example of circuitry that may be suitable for use as the baseband processing circuitry 408 (FIG. 4), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.
  • the baseband processing circuitry 700 may include a receive baseband processor (RX BBP) 702 for processing receive baseband signals 609 provided by the radio IC circuitry 406 (FIG. 4) and a transmit baseband processor (TX BBP) 704 for generating transmit baseband signals 611 for the radio IC circuitry 406.
  • RX BBP receive baseband processor
  • TX BBP transmit baseband processor
  • the baseband processing circuitry 700 may also include control logic 706 for coordinating the operations of the baseband processing circuitry 700.
  • the baseband processing circuitry 700 may include ADC 710 to convert analog baseband signals received from the radio IC circuitry 406 to digital baseband signals for processing by the RX BBP 702. In these embodiments,
  • the baseband processing circuitry 700 may also include DAC 712 to convert digital baseband signals from the TX BBP 704 to analog baseband signals.
  • the transmit baseband processor 704 may be configured to generate OFDM or OFDMA signals as appropriate for transmission by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT).
  • IFFT inverse fast Fourier transform
  • the receive baseband processor 702 may be configured to process received OFDM signals or OFDMA signals by performing an FFT.
  • the receive baseband processor 702 may be configured to detect the presence of an OFDM signal or OFDMA signal by performing an autocorrelation, to detect a preamble, such as a short preamble, and by performing a cross-correlation, to detect a long preamble.
  • the preambles may be part of a predetermined frame structure for Wi-Fi communication.
  • the antennas 401 are identical to the antennas 401 .
  • FIG. 4 may each comprise one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals.
  • the antennas may be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result.
  • Antennas 401 may each include a set of phased-array antennas, although embodiments are not so limited.
  • radio-architecture 400 is illustrated as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements.
  • processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements.
  • some elements may comprise one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein.
  • the functional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.
  • Embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware and software. Embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein.
  • a computer-readable storage device may include any non-transitory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer).
  • a computer-readable storage device may include readonly memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices and media.
  • Some embodiments may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device.
  • the AP 102 may receive one or more signal quality report messages from one or more other APs 102 that are based on signal quality measurements of STAs 103 associated with the other APs 102.
  • the AP 102 may determine, based at least partly on the signal quality report message, an initial set of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) thresholds to be proposed for spatial reuse (SR) within an SR group (SRG) that includes the AP 102 and the other APs 102.
  • OBSS overlapping basic service set
  • SRG SR group
  • the AP 102 may transmit, as part of a negotiation of the SRG, an SRG formation request message that proposes the initial set of OBSS thresholds.
  • the AP 102 may receive an SRG formation response message from one of the other APs 102.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of a method of communication in accordance with some embodiments. It is important to note that embodiments of the method 800 may include additional or even fewer operations or processes in comparison to what is illustrated in FIG. 8. Some embodiments of the method 800 may not necessarily include all operations shown in FIG. 8. In addition, embodiments of the method 800 are not necessarily limited to the chronological order that is shown in FIG. 8. In describing the method 800, reference may be made to FIGs. 1-7 and 9-14, although it is understood that the method 800 may be practiced with any other suitable systems, interfaces and components.
  • the method 800 and other methods described herein may refer to STAs 103 or APs 102 operating in accordance with an 802.11 standard, protocol and/or specification and/or WLAN standard, protocol and/or specification, in some cases. Embodiments of those methods are not limited to just those STAs 103 or APs 102 and may also be practiced on other devices, such as a User Equipment (UE), an Evolved Node-B (eNB) and/or other device.
  • UE User Equipment
  • eNB Evolved Node-B
  • the method 800 and other methods described herein may be practiced by wireless devices configured to operate in other suitable types of wireless communication systems, including systems configured to operate according to various Third Generation Partnership Protocol (3GPP) standards, including but not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE).
  • 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Protocol
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • the method 800 may also be practiced by an apparatus of an STA 103 and/or AP 102 and/or other device, in some embodiments.
  • embodiments are not limited by references herein (such as in descriptions of the methods 800, 900, 1000 and 1100 and/or other descriptions herein) to transmission, reception and/or exchanging of elements such as frames, messages, requests, indicators, signals or other elements.
  • an element may be generated, encoded or otherwise processed by processing circuitry (such as by a baseband processor included in the processing circuitry) for transmission.
  • the transmission may be performed by a transceiver or other component, in some cases.
  • such an element may be decoded, detected or otherwise processed by the processing circuitry (such as by the baseband processor).
  • the element may be received by a transceiver or other component, in some cases.
  • the processing circuitry and the transceiver may be included in a same apparatus. The scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect, however, as the transceiver may be separate from the apparatus that comprises the processing circuitry, in some embodiments.
  • an STA 103 may perform operations of an originator STA 103 and may also perform operations of a responder STA 103. In some embodiments, an STA 103 may perform one or more operations described herein without explicit operation as an originator STA 103 or explicit operation as a responder STA 103.
  • references to an AP 102 are not limiting.
  • One or more operations, techniques and/or methods described herein may be applicable to a BSS, in some embodiments.
  • the AP 102 may determine one or more other
  • the AP 102 may determine one or more other APs 102 to propose for a spatial reuse group (SRG), such as in a negotiation.
  • the AP 102 may determine the APs 102 for the SRG and/or the APs 102 to propose for the SRG based on one or more factors, including but not limited to the following.
  • the AP 102 may use signal quality measurements from STAs 103 associated with the AP 102.
  • the AP 102 may use signal quality reports from other APs 102. The measurement reports may be based on signal quality measurements of STAs 103 associated with the other APs 102.
  • the APs 102 of the SRG may be predetermined. In some embodiments, the APs 102 of the SRG may be communicated to the AP 102 from another device, such as another AP 102 or other device of the network (like a controller device).
  • spatial reuse may include concurrent transmissions by two or more devices in same and/or overlapping channel resources. For instance, a first device may perform a first transmission and a second device may perform a second transmission. A first time period in which the first transmission is performed may be the same as and/or may overlap a second time period in which the second transmission is performed.
  • the two devices may be APs 102, STAs 103 or one AP 102 and one STA 103.
  • the second device may detect the first transmission, and may determine whether to perform the second transmission using techniques including but not limited to techniques described herein.
  • SR within the SRG may include concurrent transmissions by: two APs 102 of the SRG, an AP 102 of the SRG and an STA 103 associated with one of the APs 102 of the SRG, or two STAs associated with one or more APs 102 of the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may contend for access to channel resources.
  • the AP 102 may contend for access to the channel resources multiple times. For instance, a first contention may be performed before a first transmission and a second contention may be performed before a second transmission.
  • a first contention may be performed before a first transmission and a second contention may be performed before a second transmission.
  • Embodiments are not limited to contention based transmissions, however.
  • the AP 102 may transmit one or more messages to the other APs 102 (the APs 102 of the SRG) to request signal quality measurements of STAs 103 associated with the other APs 102.
  • the messages may be unicast, multicast or broadcast messages.
  • the AP 102 may receive one or more signal quality report messages from the other APs 102.
  • the signal quality report messages may be based at least partly on the signal quality measurements from the other APs 102.
  • each of the other APs 102 may transmit a signal quality report message.
  • the AP 102 may request signal quality measurements from all of the other APs 102, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 may not necessarily request signal quality measurements from all of the APs 102, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 may receive signal quality report messages from all of the other APs 102, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 may not necessarily receive signal quality report messages from all of the APs 102, in some cases.
  • the signal quality report messages may include and/or may be based on one or more of: signal quality measurements, an average of signal quality measurements, minimum signal quality measurements, maximum signal quality measurements, RSSIs at the STAs 103 and/or APs 102, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) at the STAs 103 and/or APs 102 and other measurement(s).
  • signal quality measurements an average of signal quality measurements, minimum signal quality measurements, maximum signal quality measurements, RSSIs at the STAs 103 and/or APs 102, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) at the STAs 103 and/or APs 102 and other measurement(s).
  • the signal quality report message of a particular AP 102 may include and/or may be based on signal quality measurements of signals exchanged between the particular AP 102 and STAs 103 associated with the particular AP 102, an average of signal quality measurements of signals exchanged between the particular AP 102 and STAs 103 associated with the particular AP 102, a minimum of signal quality measurements of signals exchanged between the particular AP 102 and STAs 103 associated with the particular AP 102, a maximum of signal quality measurements of signals exchanged between the particular AP 102 and STAs 103 associated with the particular AP 102, RSSIs based on signals exchanged between the particular AP 102 and STAs 103 associated with the particular AP 102, SNRs based on signals exchanged between the particular AP 102 and STAs 103 associated with the particular AP 102 and other measurement(s).
  • one or more of operations 815 and 820 may be performed before operation 805, and the signal quality report messages may be used, by the AP 102, to determine which APs 102 are to be included in and/or proposed for the SRG.
  • the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect, however.
  • the AP 102 may transmit one or more messages
  • the AP 102 may receive one or more messages (including but not limited to OBSS measurement response messages) based on the signal quality
  • the AP 102 may transmit one or more
  • the AP 102 may receive, from one or more of the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102, one or more OBSS measurement response messages that are based on signal quality measurements from one or more of the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102.
  • the OBSS measurement request message may indicate that the signal quality measurements are to be performed, at the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102, are to be performed for signals received from: other APs 102, STAs 103 associated with other APs 102, or other APs 102 and the STAs 103 associated with the other APs 102.
  • the other APs 102 may be the APs 102 of the SRG and/or the APs 102 proposed for the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may transmit an OBSS measurement request message to each of the STAs 103.
  • an OBSS measurement request message may be a broadcast or multicast message to multiple STAs 103.
  • the AP 102 may request signal quality measurements from all of the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102, in some cases. However, the AP 102 may not necessarily request signal quality measurements from all of the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 may receive OBSS measurement response messages from all of the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102, in some cases. However, the AP 102 may not necessarily receive OBSS measurement response messages from all of the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102, in some cases.
  • the OBSS measurement response messages may include and/or may be based on one or more of: signal quality measurements, an average of signal quality measurements, minimum signal quality measurements, maximum signal quality measurements, RSSIs at the STAs 103, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) at the STAs 103 and other measurement(s).
  • signal quality measurements an average of signal quality measurements, minimum signal quality measurements, maximum signal quality measurements, RSSIs at the STAs 103, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) at the STAs 103 and other measurement(s).
  • the OBSS measurement response message of a particular STA 103 may include and/or may be based on signal quality measurements of signals received at the particular STA 103, an average of signal quality measurements of signals received at the particular STA 103, a minimum of signal quality measurements of signals received at the particular STA 103, a maximum of signal quality measurements of signals received at the particular STA 103, an RSSI based on signals received at the particular STA 103, an SNR based on signals received at the particular STA 103 and other measurement(s).
  • one or more of operations 825 and 830 may be performed before operation 805, and the OBSS measurement response message(s) may be used, by the AP 102, to determine which APs 102 are to be included in and/or proposed for the SRG.
  • the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect, however.
  • the AP 102 may determine an initial set of threshold(s) to propose for the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may determine an OBSS minimum threshold and an OBSS maximum threshold for the initial set.
  • the AP 102 may determine an initial set of OBSS thresholds to be proposed for SR within the SRG.
  • the scope of embodiments is not limited to determination of the OBSS minimum threshold and the OBSS maximum threshold, however, as the AP 102 may determine one or more threshold(s) and/or parameter(s) for proposal for the SRG, which may or may not include one or both of the OBSS minimum threshold and the OBSS maximum threshold. For instance, the AP 102 may determine one or more APs 102 to be proposed for the SRG, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 may determine one or more of the initial set of threshold(s), the OBSS minimum threshold, the OBSS maximum threshold, the APs 102 to be proposed for the SRG, other threshold(s) and/or other parameter(s) based at least partly on information included in one or more of the signal quality report messages (such as those received at operation 810) and/or one or more of the OBSS measurement response messages (such as those received at operation 820).
  • the AP 102 may transmit one or more SRG formation request messages.
  • the AP 102 may receive one or more SRG formation response messages.
  • the SRG formation request message(s) and the SRG formation response message(s) may be exchanged as part of a negotiation of the SRG and/or the parameters to be used for SR within the SRG, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • messages such as an SRG formation request message or an SRG formation response message may be used. Such references are not limiting, however, as one or more of those operations, techniques and/or methods may be performed using any suitable message(s).
  • the AP 102 may transmit an SRG formation request message to each of the other APs 102. In some embodiments, the AP 102 may transmit an SRG formation request message to two or more of the other APs 102. However, the AP 102 may not necessarily transmit SRG formation request messages to all of the other APs 102, in some cases. In some embodiments, an SRG formation request message may be a broadcast or multicast message to multiple STAs 103.
  • the AP 102 may receive an SRG formation response message from each of the other APs 102.
  • the AP 102 may receive SRG formation response messages from all of the other APs 102, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 may not necessarily receive SRG formation request messages from all of the other APs 102, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 may transmit one or more SRG formation request messages that propose the initial set of OBSS thresholds. Embodiments are not limited to the initial set of OBSS thresholds, however, as the SRG formation request messages may propose other parameter(s) in some embodiments, in addition to or instead of the initial set of OBSS thresholds. In some embodiments, the AP 102 may transmit the SRG formation request message(s) as part of a negotiation of the SRG, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the AP 102 may encode the SRG formation request message(s) to indicate one or more parameters proposed for the SRG. In some embodiments, the AP 102 may encode the SRG formation request message(s) to indicate the APs 102 of the SRG and/or the APs 102 proposed for the SRG. In some embodiments, the AP 102 may encode the SRG formation request message(s) to include basic service set (BSS) colors mapped to the other APs 102.
  • BSS basic service set
  • the SRG formation response message(s) may include information related to the SRG, the negotiation of parameters for the SRG, the APs 102 to be included in the SRG and/or other.
  • an SRG formation response message may include a status field.
  • an SRG formation response message received from a particular AP 102 may include the status field, wherein: a first value of the status field indicates that the particular AP 102 accepts the initial set of OBSS thresholds, a second value of the status field indicates that the particular AP 102 requests to modify the initial set of OBSS thresholds, and a third value of the status field indicates that the particular AP 102 rejects the initial set of OBSS thresholds.
  • the status field may be configurable to indicate a second set of OBSS thresholds (such as a new set or a modified version of the first set) proposed by the particular AP 102.
  • the AP 102 may determine a final set of OBSS thresholds to be used for the SR within the SRG. In some embodiments, the AP 102 may determine the final set of OBSS thresholds based at least partly on received SRG formation response message(s). Embodiments are not limited to the determination of the final set of OBSS thresholds, however, as the AP 102 may determine other parameter(s) based at least partly on received SRG formation response message(s). The AP 102 may determine one or more of the OBSS thresholds of the final set and/or one or more other parameters, in some embodiments. For instance, the APs 102 to be included in the SRG may be determined based at least partly on received SRG formation response message(s).
  • one or more of operations 840-850 and/or other operations may be performed as part of an explicit negotiation of the SRG and/or parameters of the SRG. Such operations may be performed any number of times (including zero) as part of the explicit negotiation.
  • the AP 102 may transmit a first SRG formation request message, may receive one or more SRG formation response messages, and may determine a modified set of parameters based at least partly on information included in the SRG formation response message(s).
  • the modified set of parameters may be the final set, and the AP 102 may send one or more messages to indicate the final set.
  • the AP 102 may also transmit the modified parameters as another proposed set, and may decide to further modify the modified set to a second modified set based on additional feedback (such as additional SRG formation response messages). This process may continue, in some cases, until the final set has been determined. A limit on the number of times a modification/feedback exchange may be performed may also be used, in some cases. Embodiments are not limited by this example, as any suitable techniques for negotiation of the final set may be used.
  • the AP 102 may transmit, to the STAs 103 associated with the AP 102, an SR information element (IE) that indicates the final set of OBSS thresholds.
  • the SR IE may include additional information related to the SRG, in some embodiments. Some embodiments may include information related to the SRG but may not necessarily include one or both of the OBSS thresholds of the final set.
  • the SR IE may be included in a beacon frame and/or other frame. It should be noted that the final set of OBSS thresholds and/or other information related to the SRG may be transmitted to the STA(s) 103 in any suitable IE, frame, PPDU and/or other element, and embodiments are not limited to usage of the SR IE.
  • the final set of OBSS thresholds may include an OBSS minimum threshold for the SRG and an OBSS maximum threshold for the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may encode the SR IE to include: another OBSS minimum threshold for SR transmissions concurrent to transmissions by APs 102 not included in the SRG and STAs 103 associated with APs 102 not included in the SRG, or another OBSS maximum threshold for SR transmissions concurrent to transmissions by APs 102 not included in the SRG and STAs 103 associated with APs 102 not included in the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may transmit one or more messages to the other APs 102 to indicate one or more of the OBSS thresholds of the final set of OBSS thresholds and/or other information related to the SRG.
  • the SR IE or a similar IE may be used, in some cases, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the AP 102 may detect an OBSS PPDU.
  • the AP 102 may determine an RSSI (and/or other signal quality measurement) of the OBSS PPDU.
  • the AP 102 may determine whether the OBSS PPDU is from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may use the final set of OBSS thresholds to determine whether to perform an SR transmission.
  • the AP 102 may use other thresholds and/or other parameter(s) to determine whether to perform the SR transmission.
  • operation 875 may be performed if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • Operation 880 may be performed if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is not from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG. Accordingly, in some cases, both of operations 875 and 880 may not necessarily performed. In some cases, one or the other, but not both, may be performed depending on result(s) of operation 870.
  • the AP 102 may detect an OBSS PPDU.
  • the AP 102 may determine, based on the final set of OBSS thresholds, whether SR is permissible if the OBSS PPDU is from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may determine, based on another set of OBSS thresholds, whether SR is permissible if the OBSS PPDU is not from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may decode a header of a received OBSS PPDU.
  • the AP 102 may determine, based at least partly on the header, whether the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs 102 of the SRG or an STA 103 associated with one of the APs 102 of the SRG. If it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs 102 of the SRG or an STA 103 associated with one of the APs 102 of the SRG, the AP 102 may determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based at least partly on the final set of OBSS thresholds.
  • the AP 102 may determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based on one or more other OBSS thresholds different from the OBSS thresholds of the final set. [00122] In some embodiments, the AP 102 may determine whether the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs 102 of the SRG or an STA 103 associated with one of the APs 102 of the SRG based on a BSS color field in the header of the OBSS PPDU.
  • Embodiments are not limited to usage of the BSS color field, however, as other identifiers may be used, including but not limited to one or more of: identifier(s) of the APs 102, an identifier of the SRG, identifier(s) of BSS(s) and/or other.
  • the final set of OBSS thresholds may include an OBSS minimum threshold and an OBSS maximum threshold.
  • the AP 102 may determine an RS SI of an OBSS PPDU from one of the APs 102 of the SRG or an STA 103 associated with one of the APs 102 of the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may determine that an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS PPDU is permissible if the RSSI is greater than or equal to the OBSS minimum threshold and less than the OBSS maximum threshold.
  • the AP 102 may determine that the SR transmission is not permissible if the RSSI is less than the OBSS minimum threshold or greater than or equal to the OBSS maximum threshold.
  • an apparatus of an AP 102 may comprise memory.
  • the memory may be configurable to store the final set of OBSS thresholds.
  • the memory may store one or more other elements and the apparatus may use them for performance of one or more operations.
  • the apparatus of the AP 102 may include a transceiver to transmit one or more SRG formation request messages and to receive one or more SRG formation response messages.
  • the transceiver may transmit and/or receive other frames, PPDUs, messages and/or other elements.
  • the apparatus may include processing circuitry, which may perform one or more operations (including but not limited to operation(s) of the method 800 and/or other methods described herein).
  • the processing circuitry may include a baseband processor.
  • the baseband circuitry and/or the processing circuitry may perform one or more operations described herein, including but not limited to determination of the initial set of OBSS thresholds and/or determination of the final set of OBSS thresholds.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates the operation of another method of
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the operation of another method of communication in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of another method of communication in accordance with some embodiments.
  • embodiments of the methods 900, 1000, 1100 may include additional or even fewer operations or processes in comparison to what is illustrated in FIGs. 9-11 and embodiments of the methods 900, 1000, 1100 are not necessarily limited to the chronological order that is shown in FIGs. 9-11.
  • embodiments of the methods 900, 1000, 1100 may be applicable to STAs 103, APs 102, UEs, eNBs and/or other wireless or mobile devices.
  • the methods 900, 1000, 1100 may also be applicable to an apparatus of an STA 103, AP 102 and/or other device, in some embodiments.
  • a method may include one or more operations.
  • the method may include one or more (or none) of the operations of any of the methods 800, 900, 1000, 1100.
  • the method may include one or more operations that may be similar to and/or reciprocal to any of the operation(s) of any of the methods 800, 900, 1000, 1100.
  • the method may include one or more (or zero) additional operation(s) not shown in FIG. 8, 9, 10 and/or 11.
  • one or more of methods 800, 900, 1000 may be practiced by an AP 102 and may include exchanging of elements, such as frames, signals, messages and/or other elements with an STA 103.
  • the method 1100 may be practiced by an STA 103 and may include exchanging of elements, such as frames, signals, messages and/or other elements with an AP 102.
  • operations and techniques described as part of any of the methods 800, 900, 1000 may be relevant to the method 1100.
  • embodiments of the method 1100 may include one or more operations that may be the same as, similar to or reciprocal to one or more operations of any of the methods 800, 900, 1000 (and/or other operation(s) described herein).
  • an operation of the method 1100 may include reception of a message by an STA 103 and one or more of the methods 800, 900, 1000 may include transmission of a same or similar message by the AP 102.
  • one or more operations included in one of the methods 800, 900 and/or 1000 may be the same as, or similar to, one of more operations included in one of the other methods 800, 900 and/or 1000.
  • the AP 102 may determine one or more other APs to propose for a spatial reuse group (SRG).
  • the AP 102 may determine a proposed set of thresholds (OBSS and/or other) for the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may set a status field to indicate that a formation of the SRG is incomplete.
  • the AP 102 may transmit an outbound beacon frame that includes an SR IE that indicates the status field, the other APs 102 and the proposed set of threshold.
  • the AP 102 may receive one or more inbound beacon frames from one or more of the other APs 102.
  • the AP 102 may compare the SR IE of the outbound beacon frame with SR IEs of the inbound beacon frame(s).
  • the AP 102 may determine whether the proposed set of thresholds is accepted by the other APs 102 of the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may set the status field to indicate that the formation of the SRG is complete.
  • the AP 102 may transmit a second outbound beacon frame that includes an SR IE that indicates the status field.
  • the AP 102 may transmit an outbound beacon frame that includes an SR IE that indicates one or more of: proposed APs 102 for an SRG, a proposed OBSS minimum threshold for the SRG and a proposed OBSS maximum threshold for the SRG, and an SRG formation field that indicates that a formation of the SRG is incomplete.
  • the AP 102 may receive inbound beacon frame(s) from one or more of the APs proposed for the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may determine whether the formation of the SRG is complete based at least partly on a comparison of the proposed APs 102, proposed OBSS minimum threshold, and proposed OBSS minimum threshold of the SR IE of the outbound beacon frame with corresponding proposed values included in SR IEs of the inbound beacon frames.
  • the AP 102 may determine that the formation of the SRG is complete if the proposed APs 102, proposed OBSS minimum threshold, and proposed OBSS minimum threshold of the SR IE of the outbound beacon frame match the corresponding proposed values included in SR IEs of the inbound beacon frames.
  • the AP 102 may determine that the formation of the SRG is incomplete if the proposed APs 102, proposed OBSS minimum threshold, and proposed OBSS minimum threshold of the SR IE of the outbound beacon frame do not match the corresponding proposed values included in SR IEs of the inbound beacon frames.
  • the AP 102 may transmit a second outbound beacon frame that includes a second SR IE. If it is determined that the formation of the SRG is complete, the second SR IE may indicate that the formation of the SRG is complete. If it is determined that the formation of the SRG is incomplete, the second SR IE may indicate that the formation of the SRG is incomplete.
  • One or more of the above operations may be repeated until a final set of OBSS thresholds (and/or parameters of the SRG) is determined.
  • the AP 102 and/or other APs 102 may modify the content of SR IEs based on feedback. For instance, a first AP 102 may decide to modify its proposed SRG parameters based on a suggestion from a second AP 102, and the first AP 102 may modify subsequent SR IEs to include the modified SRG parameters.
  • One or more of operations 905-940 may be part of an implicit negotiation, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the AP 102 may contend for access to channel resources. This operation may be performed multiple times, in some cases. For instance, the AP 102 may contend for channel resources before any transmission, in some embodiments.
  • the AP 102 may transmit a final set of thresholds for the SRG to STAs 103 associated with the AP 102.
  • the AP 102 may detect an OBSS PPDU.
  • the AP 102 may determine an RSSI of the OBSS PPDU.
  • the AP 102 may determine whether the OBSS PPDU is from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may use a final set of thresholds for the SRG to determine whether to perform a spatial reuse (SR) transmission.
  • the AP 102 may use different thresholds to determine whether to perform the SR transmission. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the AP 102 may perform either operation 975 or 980 (but not both) depending at least partly on result(s) from operation 970.
  • the method 1000 may be performed by an AP 102.
  • the AP 102 may receive messages from another AP 102 that intends to form an SRG.
  • the AP 102 that performs the operations of the method 1000 will be referred to as a "responder AP” and the other AP that intends to form the SRG will be referred to as an "initiator AP.”
  • an AP 102 may be configurable to operate as either the initiator AP or as the responder AP, although the AP 102 may serve as one or the other with respect to a particular SRG.
  • the AP 102 may intend to form the SRG (in which case it may perform one or more operations of the "initiator AP") or may be contacted by another AP 102 to join the SRG (in which case it may perform one or more operations of the "responder AP").
  • the responder AP 102 may receive a message from an initiator AP 102 that requests signal quality measurements of STAs 103 associated with the responder AP 102.
  • the responder AP 102 may contend for access to channel resources.
  • the responder AP 102 may transmit a message to one or more of the STAs 103 associated with the responder AP 102 to request the signal quality measurement.
  • the responder AP 102 may
  • the responder AP 102 may receive one or more messages from one or more of the STAs associated with the AP to request the signal quality measurements.
  • the responder AP 102 may transmit a signal quality report message to the initiator AP 102 that is based at least partly on the received signal quality measurements.
  • the responder AP 102 may receive an SRG formation request message from the initiator AP 102 for an SRG.
  • the responder AP 102 may determine one or more modified parameters for the SRG. It should be noted that the responder AP 102 may not necessarily perform operation 1035, in some cases. For instance, the responder AP 102 may accept the parameters proposed in the SRG formation request message from the initiator AP 102.
  • the responder AP 102 may transmit an SRG formation response message.
  • the responder AP 102 may receive a final set of thresholds for the SRG from the initiator AP 102.
  • the responder AP 102 may detect an OBSS PPDU.
  • the responder AP 102 may determine an RSSI of the OBSS PPDU.
  • the responder AP 102 may determine whether the OBSS PPDU is from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • the responder AP 102 may use the final set of OBSS thresholds to determine whether to perform an SR transmission.
  • the responder AP 102 may use different thresholds to determine whether to perform the SR transmission. It should be noted that in some cases, the responder AP 102 may perform either operation 1065 or 1070 (but not both), depending at least partly on result(s) of operation 1060.
  • the responder AP 102 may receive an
  • the SRG formation request message may indicate one or more APs 102 proposed for the SRG and may further indicate proposed SRG parameter values.
  • the responder AP 102 may transmit an SRG formation response message that includes a status field, wherein: a first value of the status field indicates that the responder AP 102 intends to join the SRG, a second value of the status field indicates a request, by the responder AP 102, to modify the APs 102 proposed for the SRG or to modify the proposed SRG parameter values, and a third value of the status field indicates that the responder AP 102 rejects the request to join the SRG.
  • the responder AP 102 may receive a confirmation message, from the initiator AP 102, that may indicate one or more APs 102 of the SRG determined by the negotiation and may further indicate the SRG parameter values determined by the negotiation.
  • the method 1100 may be practiced by an STA 103, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the STA 103 may receive a message from the AP that request signal quality measurements by the STA 103.
  • the STA 103 may determine the signal quality measurements.
  • the STA 103 may transmit the signal quality measurements to the AP 102.
  • the STA 103 may receive, from the AP 102, a final set of thresholds for the SRG. In some embodiments, the final set of thresholds may be included in an SR IE, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the STA 103 may detect an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) PPDU.
  • the STA 103 may determine an RSSI of the OBSS PPDU.
  • OBSS overlapping basic service set
  • the STA 103 may determine whether the OBSS PPDU is from an AP 102 of the SRG or from an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • the STA 103 may decode a header of the OBSS PPDU, which may include a BSS color or other identifier.
  • the STA 103 may use the BSS color or other identifier in operation 1135.
  • the SR IE or other message from the AP 102 may include a list of BSS colors of APs 102 of the SRG or may otherwise indicate the APs 102 of the SRG.
  • the STA 103 may use the final set of thresholds for the SRG to determine whether to perform a spatial reuse (SR) transmission.
  • the STA 103 may use different thresholds to determine whether to perform the SR transmission. It should be noted that in some cases, the STA 103 may perform either operation 1140 or 1145 (but not both), depending at least partly on result(s) of operation 1135.
  • the STA 103 may decode a message (including but not limited to an OBSS measurement request message) from an AP 102 that indicates one or more APs 102 for which the STA 103 is to determine signal quality measurements for usage, by the AP 102, for a negotiation of a spatial reuse group (SRG).
  • the STA 103 may determine the signal quality measurements.
  • the STA 103 may transmit a message (including but not limited to an OBSS measurement response message) that includes the signal quality measurements.
  • the STA 103 may receive a spatial reuse (SR) information element (IE) from the AP 102 that indicates one or more APs 102 of the SRG and one or more OBSS thresholds (such as an OBSS minimum threshold, OBSS maximum threshold and/or other) for the SRG that are based at least partly on the signal quality measurements.
  • the STA 103 may decode a header of an OBSS PPDU.
  • the STA 103 may determine, based on the header, whether the OBSS PPDU is from an AP 102 of the SRG or an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG.
  • the STA 103 may determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS PPDU based on the OBSS threshold for the SRG. If it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is not from an AP 102 of the SRG or an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG, the STA 103 may determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS PPDU based on a different OBSS threshold.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates an example mapping between transmit power and received overlapping basic service set (OBSS) power in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an example spatial reuse (SR) information element (IE) in accordance with some embodiments.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates example frames in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the examples shown in FIGs. 12-14 may illustrate some or all of the concepts and techniques described herein in some cases, but embodiments are not limited by the examples. For instance, embodiments are not limited by the name, number, type, size, ordering, arrangement and/or other aspects of the operations, packets, frames, headers, data portions, fields, plots, curves and other elements as shown in FIGs. 12-14.
  • some of the elements shown in the examples of FIGs. 12-14 may be included in a standard, such as 802.11, 802.1 lax, WLAN and/or other, embodiments are not limited to usage of such elements that are included in standards.
  • an example mapping 1200 between transmit power 1205 and OBSS power 1220 is shown.
  • Embodiments are not limited to the shape of the plot or to any of the example values.
  • the OBSS maximum threshold 1222 is shown as -62 dBm (indicated by 1212) and the OBSS minimum threshold 1226 is shown as -82 dBm (indicated by 1216), but these values are not limiting.
  • the example SR IE 1300 includes an element ID 1305, a length 1310, an element ID extension field 1315, an SR control field 1320, a non-SRG OBSS PD Max Offset field 1325 (which may be an OBSS maximum threshold used for OBSS PPDUs from APs 102 not included in the SRG and STAs 103 associated with APs 102 not included in the SRG), an SRG OBSS PD Min Offset field 1330 and an SRG OBSS PD Max Offset field 1330 (which may be an OBSS maximum threshold used for OBSS PPDUs from APs 102 included in the SRG and STAs 103 associated with APs 102 that are included in the SRG), an SRG BSS color bitmap 1340 (which may indicate APs 102 of the SRG), and an SRG partial BSSID bitmap (which may indicate APs 102 of the SRG).
  • Embodiments are not limited to the above parameters.
  • Embodiments are not
  • the example SRG Formation Request Frame 1400 may include one or more of the following: BSS colors and/or an SRG BSS color bitmap (as indicated by 1405), partial BSSIDs and/or an SRG partial
  • BSSID bitmap (as indicated by 1410), one or more proposed parameters (such as an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold and/or other(s)), an identifier 1420 of the SRG.
  • proposed parameters such as an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold and/or other(s)
  • an identifier 1420 of the SRG Embodiments are not limited to the above parameters.
  • one or more of the parameters shown in the SRG Formation Request Frame 1400 in FIG. 14 may not necessarily be included. In some embodiments, one or more additional parameters may be included.
  • the example SRG Formation Response Frame 1430 may include one or more of the following: a status field 1435, proposed modified BSS colors and/or proposed modified partial BSSIDs (as indicated by 1440), one or more proposed modified parameters (such as an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold and/or other(s)).
  • a status field 1435 proposed modified BSS colors and/or proposed modified partial BSSIDs (as indicated by 1440), one or more proposed modified parameters (such as an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold and/or other(s)).
  • a status field 1435 may include one or more of the above parameters.
  • proposed modified parameters such as an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold and/or other(s)
  • Embodiments are not limited to the above parameters.
  • one or more of the parameters shown in the SRG Formation Response Frame 1430 in FIG. 14 may not necessarily be included.
  • one or more additional parameters may be included.
  • Embodiments are not limited to the ordering of the fields as shown
  • the example SRG Formation Teardown Frame 1460 may include one or more of the following: BSS colors and/or SRG BSS color bitmap (as indicated by 1465), partial BSSIDs and/or SRG partial BSSID bitmap (as indicated by 1470), an identifier 1475 of the SRG and/or other(s)).
  • BSS colors and/or SRG BSS color bitmap as indicated by 1465
  • partial BSSIDs and/or SRG partial BSSID bitmap as indicated by 1470
  • an identifier 1475 of the SRG and/or other(s) Embodiments are not limited to the above parameters.
  • one or more of the parameters shown in the SRG Formation Teardown Frame 1460 in FIG. 14 may not necessarily be included.
  • one or more additional parameters may be included.
  • an AP 102 or STA 103 may determine an operating point, based on a proportional rule, including but not limited to the example mapping 1200 shown in FIG. 12. For instance, the AP 102 or STA 103 may decide to reduce its transmit power (TxPower) to increase OBSS PD. As the proportional rule may be different depending on the environments (managed or unmanaged networks, dense or less dense), an adaptation of this rule may be performed, in some cases. For instance, one or more parameters may be tuned and/or defined by the AP 102.
  • the management entity may tune one or more parameters, including but not limited to an OBSS minimum threshold (such as OBSS PDmin), an OBSS minimum threshold (such as OBSS PDmax), a ratio between the OBSS thresholds (ratio of OBSS PDmin and
  • OBSS PDmax a maximum transmit power (TxPower) and/or other parameter(s).
  • TxPower a maximum transmit power
  • Such tuning may enable STAs 103 to be more aggressive in spatial reuse, in some cases.
  • APs 102 belonging to an SRG may define one or more parameters, including but not limited to an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold, an OBSS threshold to transmit power proportional rule (such as an OBSS PD/TxPower proportional rule), a ratio of the OBSS minimum threshold and the OBSS maximum threshold, an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold, an OBSS threshold to transmit power proportional rule (such as an OBSS PD/TxPower proportional rule), a ratio of the OBSS minimum threshold and the OBSS maximum threshold, an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS threshold to transmit power proportional rule (such as an OBSS PD/TxPower proportional rule), a ratio of the OBSS minimum threshold and the OBSS maximum threshold, an OBSS threshold to transmit power proportional rule (such as an OBSS PD/TxPower proportional rule), a ratio of the OBSS minimum threshold and the OBSS maximum threshold, an OBSS threshold to transmit power proportional rule (such
  • Such parameters may be used for the list of BSSs (APs 102) that belong to the SRG.
  • an 802.1 lax specification/protocol may support such a feature.
  • APs 102 not included in the SRG different parameters may be used, in some cases.
  • the AP 102 and associated STAs 103 from a BSS belonging to the SRG may use a spatial reuse proportional rule with specific parameters, but such usage may be restricted to spatial reuse over OBSS PPDUs belonging to OBSSs from the SRG.
  • the AP 102 and STAs 103 from the BSS belonging to the SRG may use a spatial reuse proportional rule with default parameters (one or more of which may be different than the parameters of the SRG), when they perform spatial reuse over OBSS PPDUs belonging to OBSSs that are not part of the SRG.
  • the parameters may be communicated and/or displayed by the APs 102 from the SRG (such as in one or more messages), along with a list of BSSIDs or BSS colors that belong to the SRG.
  • the STAs 103 may use the BSS color information in SIG-A of an OBSS PPDU that they receive to determine if the OBSS PPDU is from the SRG (for instance, determine whether the BSS color is in the list of BSS colors from the SRG) or not from the SRG. If the OBSS PPDU is from the SRG, parameters of the SRG (such as an OBSS minimum threshold and an OBSS maximum threshold and/or other(s)) may be used.
  • an SR information element may be used by the AP 102 to announce, to its associated STAs 103, the parameters to use for the SRG.
  • the OBSS minimum threshold such as OBSS-PDmin
  • the OBSS maximum threshold such as OBSS-PDmax
  • OBSS PPDU is from the SRG (such as from an AP 102 of the SRG or an STA 103 associated with an AP 102 of the SRG).
  • An AP 102 or STA 103 that receives a PPDU may determine whether the PPDU is from the SRG by comparison of the BSS color in the PPDU to the BSS color bitmap field in the SR info element.
  • multiple BSS colors may be mapped to indexes in the bitmap, which may be set to a first value (such as 1) if the BSS color is from the SRG and to a second value (such as 0) if not from the SRG. If the BSS color is not present, the PPDU may be classified as SRG by using the partial BSSID bitmap.
  • an explicit or implicit negotiation protocol may be used between APs 102, neighboring APs 102, BSSs, neighboring BSSs, ESSs, neighboring ESSs (group of managed APs 102) and/or other elements to form/create a spatial reuse group (SRG) that includes the APs 102 that are part of the negotiation.
  • the negotiation may also define and/or establish SRG parameters to be used.
  • SRG formation request frame(s) and SRG formation response frame(s) may be exchanged to enable an explicit negotiation.
  • SR IEs Spatial Reuse Information Element
  • the AP 102 may collect, from its associated STAs 103, measurement reports that are based on signal levels of OBSS PPDUs received at the STAs 103. This information may be used, by the
  • AP 102 to determine parameters, such as OBSS thresholds, OBSS PD parameters and/or other(s).
  • spatial reuse may be optimized (or may attempt to optimize and/or improve) in unmanaged deployments or in deployments that are not fully managed.
  • multiple operators may have overlapping deployments in a venue, and coordination may be performed to optimize spatial reuse.
  • an explicit negotiation may be performed between two APs 102 (such negotiation may be extended to more than two APs 102).
  • An initiator AP 102 may send an action frame to a responder AP 102.
  • the frame may be an SRG formation request frame, although the scope of embodiments is not limited to this particular type of frame or to this particular nomenclature.
  • the SRG formation request frame may include one or more of: a list of BSS colors, an SRG BSS color bitmap, partial BSSIDs, an SRG partial BSSID bitmap, proposed parameters (such as OBSS minimum threshold, OBSS maximum threshold, OBSS-PDmin, OBSS-PDmax and/or other), an identifier
  • the SRG formation request frame may not necessarily include all parameters given above.
  • the SRG formation request frame may include one (but not more than one) of the list of BSS colors, the SRG BSS color bitmap, the partial BSSIDs or the SRG partial BSSID bitmap to indicate the APs 102 and/or BSSs proposed for the SRG.
  • the SRG formation request frame may include more than one of the following, in some embodiments: the list of BSS colors, the SRG BSS color bitmap, the partial BSSIDs and the SRG partial BSSID bitmap.
  • the responder AP 102 may respond by sending an SRG formation response, which may include a status field.
  • the status field may indicate a first value (such as SUCCESS) to indicate that the group formation as proposed by the initiator AP 102 is accepted.
  • the status field may indicate a second value (such as MODIFICATION) to indicate that the group formation as proposed by the initiator AP 102 would be accepted with proposed changes.
  • the frame may also include one or more additional fields, such as a modified list of BSS colors or partial BSSIDs that are proposed (by the responder AP 102) to be part of the SRG and/or modified parameters proposed by the responder AP 102 for the SRG.
  • the initiator AP 102 may send another request for change or a response to accept the proposed changes, in some embodiments.
  • the status field may indicate a third value (such as REJECT) to indicate that the SRG formation as proposed by the initiator AP 102 is not accepted.
  • both APs 102 may include, in their beacons, an SR information element (IE) that indicates the definition of the SRG with one or more parameters, such as an OBSS minimum threshold, an OBSS maximum threshold, an SRG BSS color bitmap, an SRG Partial BSSID bitmap and/or other.
  • the parameters may have been negotiated.
  • the parameters may be identical to the parameters included in a particular SRG formation request/response exchange that resulted in a success, in some cases.
  • an SRG formation tear down frame may be sent by an AP 102 of the SRG to exit from the SRG.
  • the BSS color of the AP 102 (or multiple colors if more BSS colors are included in the tear down frame) may be removed from the SRG color bitmap and its partial BSSID may also be removed.
  • an implicit negotiation may be used for formation of the SRG.
  • the initiator AP 102 may intend to form an SRG with one or more APs (such as neighbor AP(s)).
  • the initiator AP 102 may analyze the environment and may determine one or more parameters to propose for the SRG, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect.
  • the initiator AP 102 may include, in one or more beacon frames, an SR IE that may include one or more of: a proposed OBSS minimum threshold (such as OBSS- PDmin), a proposed OBSS minimum threshold for the SRG (such as SRG OBSS-PDmin), a proposed OBSS maximum threshold (such as OBSS-PDmax), a proposed OBSS maximum threshold for the SRG (such as SRG OBSS- PDmax), a proposed SRG BSS color bitmap, a partial BSSID bitmap that includes the BSS color of the initiator AP 102 and a proposed list of other BSSID (from the neighboring APs 102 that the initiator AP 102 detected), an SRG formation field or similar.
  • a proposed OBSS minimum threshold such as OBSS- PDmin
  • a proposed OBSS minimum threshold for the SRG such as SRG OBSS-PDmin
  • a proposed OBSS maximum threshold such as OBSS-PDmax
  • the SRG formation field may be set to a first value (such as one) to indicate that the SRG group defined in the SR info element is a tentative group (under formation) which can be applied when approved by other APs 102 (and/or BSSs) in the group.
  • the SRG formation field may be set to a second value (such as zero) if the group has been formed already.
  • the STAs 103 that decode an SR info element that indicates that the SRG is under formation may be restricted from usage of the SRG parameters.
  • Other APs 102 that decode the SR info element and identify that their BSS color is in the BSS color bitmap or if their Partial BSSID is in the Partial BSSID bitmap, may include in their beacons an SR IE that includes the same SRG fields (such as OBSS minimum threshold, OBSS maximum threshold, SRG OBSS-PDmin, SRG OBSS-PDmax, bitmap(s) and/or other(s)). If all APs 102 listed in the SRG group included in their beacons the same SR IE with the same SRG parameters, they all may set the SRG formation field to the second value (such as zero) to indicate that the SRG group is formed.
  • the STAs 103 that decode the SR IE from their serving AP 102 with the SRG formation field set to the second value (such as zero) may use the SRG parameters for spatial reuse.
  • OBSS measurement reports may be used to enable the AP 102 to define parameters for the SRG.
  • the AP 102 may trigger a response from one or all associated STAs 103 on OBSS.
  • the AP 102 may send a measurement request for OBSS.
  • One or more of the following may be included and/or indicated.
  • the measurement request may include the BSSID, partial BSSID or BSS color that is to be measured and for which the measurement report will be applied.
  • the measurement request may indicate how the measurements are to be performed. For instance, an observation period may be indicated.
  • the measurement report may indicate whether the STAs 103 are to send measurements for the AP 102, measurements for all APs 102 and STAs 103 together in a single report, or separate reports for each of the APs 102 and all associated STAs.
  • the measurement request may also indicate which of the following measurements are to be performed: 1) an AP only case: a maximum RSSI from the AP 102, optionally a modulation coding scheme (MCS) used by this transmission, 2) an average of the APs 102 (BSSs), a maximum RSSI received from multiple STAs 103 and AP 102 and a minimum MCS received, 3) a per STA 103 report: a maximum RSSI, optionally the minimum MCS used.
  • MCS modulation coding scheme
  • a multi-user feedback protocol may be applied to this mechanism to improve the efficiency.
  • a trigger frame may be sent by the AP 102 to collect multiple responses together.
  • the TF may be sent after the request for measurements.
  • the measurements may be performed between the request and the trigger for response, and the target time for the trigger may be indicated in the request.
  • an apparatus of an access point may comprise memory.
  • the apparatus may further comprise processing circuitry.
  • the processing circuitry may be configured to decode one or more signal quality report messages from one or more other APs that are based on signal quality measurements of stations (STAs) associated with the other APs.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine, based at least partly on the signal quality report message, an initial set of overlapping basic service set (OBSS) thresholds to be proposed for spatial reuse (SR) within an SR group (SRG) that includes the AP and the other APs.
  • OBSS overlapping basic service set
  • SRG SR group
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to encode, for transmission as part of a negotiation of the SRG, an SRG formation request message that proposes the initial set of OBSS thresholds.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to decode an SRG formation response message from one of the other APs.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine, based at least partly on the SRG formation response message, a final set of OBSS thresholds to be used for the SR within the SRG.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to store the final set of OBSS thresholds in the memory.
  • Example 2 the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the SR within the SRG includes concurrent transmissions by: two APs of the SRG, an AP of the SRG and a station (STA) associated with one of the APs of the SRG, or two STAs associated with one or more APs of the SRG.
  • STA station
  • Example 3 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-2, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to detect an OBSS physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine, based on the final set of OBSS thresholds, whether SR is permissible if the OBSS PPDU is from an AP of the SRG or from a station (STA) associated with an AP of the SRG.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine, based on another set of OBSS thresholds, whether SR is permissible if the OBSS PPDU is not from an AP of the SRG or from an STA associated with an AP of the SRG.
  • Example 4 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-3, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to decode a header of a received OBSS physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU). The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine, based at least partly on the header, whether the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG.
  • PPDU physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG, determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based at least partly on the final set of OBSS thresholds.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is not from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG, determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based on one or more other OBSS thresholds different from the OBSS thresholds of the final set.
  • Example 5 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to encode the SRG formation request message to include basic service set (BSS) colors mapped to the other APs.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine whether the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG based on a BSS color field in the header of the OBSS PPDU.
  • BSS basic service set
  • Example 6 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-5, wherein the final set of OBSS thresholds may include an OBSS minimum threshold and an OBSS maximum threshold.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of an OBSS physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU) from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine that an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine that the SR transmission is not permissible if the RSSI is less than the OBSS minimum threshold or greater than or equal to the OBSS maximum threshold.
  • Example 7 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-6, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to encode, for transmission to STAs associated with the AP, an SR information element (IE) that indicates the final set of OBSS thresholds.
  • IE SR information element
  • Example 8 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-7, wherein the OBSS minimum threshold may be an OBSS minimum threshold for the SRG.
  • the OBSS maximum threshold may be an OBSS maximum threshold for the SRG.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to encode the SR IE to include: another OBSS minimum threshold for SR transmissions concurrent to transmissions by APs not included in the SRG and STAs associated with APs not included in the SRG, or another OBSS maximum threshold for SR transmissions concurrent to transmissions by APs not included in the SRG and STAs associated with APs not included in the SRG.
  • Example 9 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-8, wherein the SRG formation response message may be received from a particular AP.
  • the SRG formation response message may include a status field, wherein: a first value of the status field may indicate that the particular AP accepts the initial set of OBSS thresholds, a second value of the status field may indicate that the particular AP requests to modify the initial set of OBSS thresholds, and a third value of the status field may indicate that the particular AP rejects the initial set of OBSS thresholds.
  • Example 10 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-9, wherein the initial set of OBSS thresholds may be a first set.
  • the status field may be configurable to indicate a second set of OBSS thresholds proposed by the particular AP.
  • Example 11 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-10, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine the final set of OBSS thresholds based at least partly on multiple SRG formation response messages from two or more of the other APs.
  • Example 12 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-11, wherein the signal quality measurements of the STAs associated with the other APs may be first signal quality measurements.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to encode, for transmission, one or more OBSS measurement request messages to request that one or more STAs associated with the AP determine second signal quality measurements.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to decode, from the STAs associated with the AP, one or more OBSS measurement response messages that are based on the second signal quality measurements.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine the initial set of OBSS thresholds further based at least partly on the second signal quality measurements.
  • Example 13 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-12, wherein the OBSS measurement request message may indicate that the second signal quality measurements are to be performed for signals received from: the other APs, STAs associated with the other APs, or the other APs and the STAs associated with the other APs.
  • Example 14 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-13, wherein the apparatus may further include a transceiver to transmit the SRG formation request message and to receive the SRG formation response message.
  • Example 15 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-14, wherein the processing circuitry may include a baseband processor to determine the initial set of OBSS thresholds and to determine the final set of OBSS thresholds.
  • a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may store instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform operations for communication by an access point (AP).
  • the operations may configure the one or more processors to decode a spatial reuse group (SRG) formation request message from an initiator AP as part of a negotiation for creation of an SRG and determination of SRG parameter values that are to be used for spatial reuse (SR) within the SRG.
  • the SRG formation request message may indicate one or more APs proposed for the SRG and further indicates proposed SRG parameter values.
  • the operations may further configure the one or more processors to encode, for transmission, an SRG formation response message that includes a status field.
  • a first value of the status field may indicate that the AP intends to join the SRG.
  • a second value of the status field may indicate a request, by the AP, to modify the APs proposed for the SRG or to modify the proposed SRG parameter values.
  • a third value of the status field may indicate that the AP rejects the request to join the SRG.
  • Example 17 the subject matter of Example 16, wherein the operations may further configure the one or more processors to decode a confirmation message, from the initiator AP, that indicates one or more APs of the SRG determined by the negotiation and further indicates the SRG parameter values determined by the negotiation.
  • Example 18 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 16-17, wherein the operations may further configure the one or more processors to decode a header of a received overlapping basic service set (OBSS) physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU).
  • OBSS overlapping basic service set
  • PPDU physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit
  • the operations may further configure the one or more processors to determine, based at least partly on the header, whether the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG.
  • the operations may further configure the one or more processors to, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG, determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based on the negotiated SR parameter values.
  • the operations may further configure the one or more processors to, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is not from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG, determine whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based on other SR parameter values.
  • Example 19 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 16-18, wherein the SRG parameter values may include an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) minimum threshold and an OBSS maximum threshold.
  • the operations may further configure the one or more processors to determine a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of an OBSS physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU) from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG.
  • the operations may further configure the one or more processors to determine that an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS PPDU is permissible if the RSSI is greater than or equal to the OBSS minimum threshold and less than the OBSS maximum threshold.
  • the operations may further configure the one or more processors to determine that the SR transmission is not permissible if the RSSI is less than the OBSS minimum threshold or greater than or equal to the OBSS maximum threshold.
  • a method of communication at a station may comprise decoding an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) measurement request message from an access point (AP) that indicates one or more APs for which the STA is to determine signal quality measurements for usage, by the AP, for a negotiation of a spatial reuse group (SRG).
  • the method may further comprise determining the signal quality measurements.
  • the method may further comprise encoding, for transmission, an OBSS measurement response message that includes the signal quality measurements.
  • the method may further comprise decoding a spatial reuse (SR) information element (IE) from the AP that indicates one or more APs of the SRG and further indicates one or more OBSS thresholds for the SRG that are based at least partly on the signal quality measurements.
  • SR spatial reuse
  • IE information element
  • Example 21 the subject matter of Example 20, wherein the method may further comprise decoding a header of an OBSS physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU).
  • the method may further comprise determining, based on the header, whether the OBSS PPDU is from an AP of the SRG or an STA associated with an AP of the SRG.
  • the method may further comprise, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is from an AP of the SRG or an STA associated with an AP of the SRG, determining whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS PPDU based on the OBSS threshold for the SRG.
  • the method may further comprise, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is not from an AP of the SRG or an STA associated with an AP of the SRG, determining whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS PPDU based on a different OBSS threshold.
  • an apparatus of an access point may comprise memory.
  • the apparatus may further comprise processing circuitry.
  • the processing circuitry may be configured to encode, for transmission, an outbound beacon frame that includes a spatial reuse (SR) information element (IE) that indicates: proposed APs for a spatial reuse group (SRG), a proposed overlapping basic service set (OBSS) minimum threshold for the SRG and a proposed OBSS maximum threshold for the SRG, and an SRG formation field that indicates that a formation of the SRG is incomplete.
  • SR spatial reuse
  • IE information element
  • SRG spatial reuse group
  • OBSS proposed overlapping basic service set
  • SRG formation field that indicates that a formation of the SRG is incomplete.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to decode inbound beacon frames from the APs proposed for the SRG.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine whether the formation of the SRG is complete based at least partly on a comparison of the proposed APs, proposed OBSS minimum threshold, and proposed OBSS minimum threshold of the SR IE of the outbound beacon frame with corresponding proposed values included in SR IEs of the inbound beacon frames.
  • Example 23 the subject matter of Example 22, wherein the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine that the formation of the SRG is complete if the proposed APs, proposed OBSS minimum threshold, and proposed OBSS minimum threshold of the SR IE of the outbound beacon frame match the corresponding proposed values included in SR IEs of the inbound beacon frames.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to determine that the formation of the SRG is incomplete if the proposed APs, proposed OBSS minimum threshold, and proposed OBSS minimum threshold of the SR IE of the outbound beacon frame do not match the corresponding proposed values included in SR IEs of the inbound beacon frames.
  • Example 24 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 22-23, wherein the outbound beacon frame may be a first outbound beacon frame.
  • the processing circuitry may be further configured to encode, for transmission, a second outbound beacon frame that includes a second SR IE. If it is determined that the formation of the SRG is complete, the second SR IE may indicate that the formation of the SRG is complete. If it is determined that the formation of the SRG is incomplete, the second SR IE may indicate that the formation of the SRG is incomplete.
  • an apparatus of an access point may comprise means for decoding a spatial reuse group (SRG) formation request message from an initiator AP as part of a negotiation for creation of an SRG and determination of SRG parameter values that are to be used for spatial reuse (SR) within the SRG.
  • the SRG formation request message may indicate one or more APs proposed for the SRG and further indicates proposed SRG parameter values.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for encoding, for transmission, an SRG formation response message that includes a status field.
  • a first value of the status field may indicate that the AP intends to join the SRG.
  • a second value of the status field may indicate a request, by the AP, to modify the APs proposed for the SRG or to modify the proposed SRG parameter values.
  • a third value of the status field may indicate that the AP rejects the request to join the SRG.
  • Example 26 the subject matter of Example 25, wherein the apparatus may further comprise means for decoding a confirmation message, from the initiator AP, that indicates one or more APs of the SRG determined by the negotiation and further indicates the SRG parameter values determined by the negotiation.
  • Example 27 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 25-26, wherein the apparatus may further comprise means for decoding a header of a received overlapping basic service set (OBSS) physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU).
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for determining, based at least partly on the header, whether the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG.
  • OBSS overlapping basic service set
  • PPDU physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG, determining whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based on the negotiated SR parameter values.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for, if it is determined that the OBSS PPDU is not from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG, determining whether to perform an SR transmission concurrent to a transmission of the OBSS PPDU based on other SR parameter values.
  • Example 28 the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 25-27, wherein the SRG parameter values may include an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) minimum threshold and an OBSS maximum threshold.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for determining a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of an OBSS physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU) from one of the APs of the SRG or an STA associated with one of the APs of the SRG.
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for determining that an SR transmission concurrent to a time period of the OBSS
  • the apparatus may further comprise means for determining that the SR transmission is not permissible if the RSSI is less than the OBSS minimum threshold or greater than or equal to the OBSS maximum threshold.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne de manière générale des modes de réalisation d'un point d'accès (AP), d'une station (STA) et d'un procédé de réutilisation spatiale (SR). L'AP peut recevoir des messages de rapport de qualité de signal provenant d'un ou de plusieurs autres AP qui sont fondés sur des mesures de qualité de signal de STA associées aux autres AP. L'AP peut déterminer, sur la base au moins en partie du message de rapport de qualité de signal, un ensemble initial de seuils d'ensemble de services de base se chevauchant (OBSS) devant être proposés pour une SR dans un groupe SR (SRG) qui comprend l'AP et les autres AP. L'AP peut envoyer un message de requête de formation de SRG qui propose l'ensemble initial des seuils OBSS. L'AP peut déterminer, sur la base au moins en partie d'un message de réponse de formation de SRG provenant de l'un des autres AP, un ensemble final de seuils OBSS à utiliser pour la SR dans le SRG.
PCT/US2017/050712 2017-03-07 2017-09-08 Appareil de négociation de paramètres pour groupe de réutilisation spatiale WO2018164711A1 (fr)

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