WO2018194726A1 - Dynamic physical parameters and time slicing for a second band - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatuses, computer readable media, and methods are disclosed for physical (PHY) parameters and time slicing for a second band such as 6 GHz or 60 GHz. An apparatus is disclosed comprising processing circuitry configured to associate with a first access point (AP), the first AP configured to operate on a first band and decode a first frame comprising a booster link parameters element. The booster link parameters element may include indications of parameters for a second AP. The second AP may operate on a second band. The processing circuitry may be further configured to: receive a second frame from the second AP using the parameters for the second AP indicated by the booster link parameters element. The processing circuitry may be configure to refrain from associating with the second AP.

Description

DYNAMIC PHYSICAL PARAMETERS AND ΉΜΕ SLICING FOR A

SECOND BAND

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to United States

Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/487,712, filed April 20, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments pertain to wireless networks and wireless communications. Some embodiments relate to wireless local area networks

(WLANs) and Wi-Fi networks including networks operating in accordance with the IEEE 802.1 1 family of standards. Some embodiments relate to IEEE 802.1 lax. Some embodiments relate to methods, computer readable media, and apparatus for physical (PHY) parameters and time slicing for 6 GHz. Some embodiments relate to time slicing for multi-band non-concurrent wireless devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Efficient use of the resources of a wireless local-area network

(WLAN) is important to provide bandwidth and acceptable response times to the users of the WLAN. However, often there are many devices trying to share the same resources and some devices may be limited by the communication protocol they use or by their hardware bandwidth. Moreover, wireless devices may need to operate with both newer protocols and with legacy device protocols. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0005] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio architecture in accordance with some embodiments;

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a front-end module circuitry for use in the radio architecture of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a radio IC circuitry for use in the radio architecture of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a baseband processing circuitry for use in the radio architecture of FIG.1 in accordance with some embodiments;

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a WLAN in accordance with some

embodiments;

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may perform;

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless device upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies or operations) discussed herein may perform;

[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates multi-band operation (MBO) with dual connectivity in accordance with some embodiments;

[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a system for dynamic physical parameters for a 6 GHz band, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates a system for dynamic physical parameters for a

6 GHz band, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0015] FIG. 1 1 illustrates a booster link parameters element in accordance with some embodiments;

[0016] FIG. 12 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments;

[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments; [0018] FIG. 14 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 15 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 16 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 17 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 18 illustrates a method for time slicing for multi-band non- concurrent wireless devices in accordance with some embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 19 illustrates a service period element in accordance with some embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 20 illustrates a service period element in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 21 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0026] FIG. 22 illustrates a method of PHY design in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio architecture 100 in accordance with some embodiments. Radio architecture 100 may include radio front-end module (FEM) circuitry 104, radio IC circuitry 106 and baseband processing circuitry 108. Radio architecture 100 as shown includes both Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) functionality and Bluetooth (BT) functionality although embodiments are not so limited. In this disclosure, "WLAN" and "Wi-Fi" are used interchangeably.

[0029] FEM circuitry 104 may include a WLAN or Wi-Fi FEM circuitry 104A and a Bluetooth (BT) FEM circuitry 104B. The WLAN FEM circuitry 104A may include a receive signal path comprising circuitry configured to operate on WLAN RF signals received from one or more antennas 101, to amplify the received signals and to provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the WLAN radio IC circuitry 106A for further processing. The BT FEM circuitry 104B may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on BT RF signals received from one or more antennas 101, to amplify the received signals and to provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the BT radio IC circuitry 106B for further processing. FEM circuitry 104A may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify WLAN signals provided by the radio IC circuitry 106A for wireless transmission by one or more of the antennas 101. In addition, FEM circuitry 104B may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify BT signals provided by the radio IC circuitry 106B for wireless transmission by the one or more antennas. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, although FEM 104A and FEM 104B 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.

[0030] Radio IC circuitry 106 as shown may include WLAN radio IC circuitry 106A and BT radio IC circuitry 106B. The WLAN radio IC circuitry 106A may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down- convert WLAN RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 104A and provide baseband signals to WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108A. BT radio IC circuitry 106B may in turn include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down-convert BT RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 104B and provide baseband signals to BT baseband processing circuitry 108B. WLAN radio IC circuitry 106A may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert WLAN baseband signals provided by the WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108 A and provide WLAN RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 104A for subsequent wireless transmission by the one or more antennas 101. BT radio IC circuitry 106B may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert BT baseband signals provided by the BT baseband processing circuitry 108B and provide BT RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 104B for subsequent wireless transmission by the one or more antennas 101. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, although radio IC circuitries 106A and 106B 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.

[0031] Baseband processing circuity 108 may include a WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108A and a BT baseband processing circuitry 108B. The WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108A 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 108A. Each of the WLAN baseband circuitry 108A and the BT baseband circuitry 108B 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 106, and to also generate corresponding WLAN or BT baseband signals for the transmit signal path of the radio IC circuitry 106. Each of the baseband processing circuitries 108A and 108B may further include physical layer (PHY) and medium access control layer (MAC) circuitry, and may further interface with application processor 1 11 for generation and processing of the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the radio IC circuitry 106.

[0032] Referring still to FIG. 1, according to the shown embodiment,

WLAN-BT coexistence circuitry 113 may include logic providing an interface between the WLAN baseband circuitry 108A and the BT baseband circuitry 108B to enable use cases requiring WLAN and BT coexistence. In addition, a switch 103 may be provided between the WLAN FEM circuitry 104A and the BT FEM circuitry 104B to allow switching between the WLAN and BT radios according to application needs. In addition, although the antennas 101 are depicted as being respectively connected to the WLAN FEM circuitry 104A and the BT FEM circuitry 104B, 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 104A or 104B.

[0033] In some embodiments, the front-end module circuitry 104, the radio IC circuitry 106, and baseband processing circuitry 108 may be provided on a single radio card, such as wireless radio card 102. In some other embodiments, the one or more antennas 101, the FEM circuitry 104 and the radio IC circuitry 106 may be provided on a single radio card. In some other embodiments, the radio IC circuitry 106 and the baseband processing circuitry 108 may be provided on a single chip or integrated circuit (IC), such as IC 1 12.

[0034] In some embodiments, the wireless radio card 102 may include a

WLAN radio card and may be configured for Wi-Fi communications, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some of these embodiments, the radio architecture 100 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. The OFDM or OFDMA signals may comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers.

[0035] In some of these multicarrier embodiments, radio architecture 100 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. In some of these embodiments, radio architecture 100 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, IEEE 802.1 1n-2009, IEEE 802.1 1-2012, IEEE

802.1 1-2016, , IEEE 802.1 lac, and/or IEEE 802.1 lax standards and/or proposed specifications for WLANs, although the scope of embodiments is not limited in this respect. Radio architecture 100 may also be suitable to transmit and/or receive communications in accordance with other techniques and standards.

[0036] In some embodiments, the radio architecture 100 may be configured for high-efficiency (HE) Wi-Fi (HEW) communications in accordance with the IEEE 802.1 lax standard. In these embodiments, the radio architecture 100 may be configured to communicate in accordance with an OFDMA technique, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0037] In some other embodiments, the radio architecture 100 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.

[0038] In some embodiments, as further shown in FIG. 1, the BT baseband circuitry 108B 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. In embodiments that include BT functionality as shown for example in Fig. 1, the radio architecture 100 may be configured to establish a BT synchronous connection oriented (SCO) link and/or a BT low energy (BT LE) link. In some of the embodiments that include functionality, the radio architecture 100 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. In some of these embodiments that include a BT functionality, 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. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, 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 102, although embodiments are not so limited, and include within their scope discrete WLAN and BT radio cards [0039] In some embodiments, the radio-architecture 100 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).

[0040] In some IEEE 802.1 1 embodiments, the radio architecture 100 may be configured for communication over various channel bandwidths including bandwidths having center frequencies of about 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and bandwidths of 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). In some embodiments, a 320 MHz channel bandwidth may be used. The scope of the embodiments is not limited with respect to the above center frequencies however.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates FEM circuitry 200 in accordance with some embodiments. The FEM circuitry 200 is one example of circuitry that may be suitable for use as the WLAN and/or BT FEM circuitry 104A/104B (FIG. 1), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.

[0042] In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 200 may include a

TX/RX switch 202 to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry 200 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 200 may include a low -noise amplifier (LNA) 206 to amplify received RF signals 203 and provide the amplified received RF signals 207 as an output (e.g., to the radio IC circuitry 106 (FIG. 1)). The transmit signal path of the circuitry 200 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RF signals 209 (e.g., provided by the radio IC circuitry 106), and one or more filters 212, such as band-pass filters (BPFs), low-pass filters (LPFs) or other types of filters, to generate RF signals 215 for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the antennas 101 (FIG. 1))·

[0043] In some dual-mode embodiments for Wi-Fi communication, the FEM circuitry 200 may be configured to operate in either the 2.4 GHz frequency spectrum or the 5 GHz frequency spectrum. In these embodiments, the receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 200 may include a receive signal path duplexer

204 to separate the signals from each spectrum as well as provide a separate LNA 206 for each spectrum as shown. In these embodiments, the transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 200 may also include a power amplifier 210 and a filter 212, such as a BPF, a LPF or another type of filter for each frequency spectrum and a transmit signal path duplexer 214 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 101 (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, BT communications may utilize the 2.4 GHZ signal paths and may utilize the same FEM circuitry 200 as the one used for WLAN communications.

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates radio IC circuitry 300 in accordance with some embodiments. The radio IC circuitry 300 is one example of circuitry that may be suitable for use as the WLAN or BT radio IC circuitry 106A/106B (FIG. 1), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.

[0045] In some embodiments, the radio IC circuitry 300 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the radio IC circuitry 300 may include at least mixer circuitry 302, such as, for example, down-conversion mixer circuitry, amplifier circuitry 306 and filter circuitry 308. The transmit signal path of the radio IC circuitry 300 may include at least filter circuitry 312 and mixer circuitry 314, such as, for example, up- conversion mixer circuitry. Radio IC circuitry 300 may also include synthesizer circuitry 304 for synthesizing a frequency 305 for use by the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 314. The mixer circuitry 302 and/or 314 may each, according to some embodiments, be configured to provide direct conversion functionality. The latter type of circuitry presents a much simpler architecture as compared with standard super-heterodyne mixer circuitries, and any flicker noise brought about by the same may be alleviated for example through the use of OFDM modulation. Fig. 3 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. For instance, mixer circuitry 320 and/or 314 may each include one or more mixers, and filter circuitries 308 and/or 312 may each include one or more filters, such as one or more BPFs and/or LPFs according to application needs. For example, when mixer circuitries are of the direct-conversion type, they may each include two or more mixers. [0046] In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 302 may be configured to down-convert RF signals 207 received from the FEM circuitry 104 (FIG. 1) based on the synthesized frequency 305 provided by synthesizer circuitry 304. The amplifier circuitry 306 may be configured to amplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuitry 308 may include a LPF configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to generate output baseband signals 307. Output baseband signals 307 may be provided to the baseband processing circuitry 108 (FIG. 1) for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals 307 may be zero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 302 may comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0047] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 314 may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals 31 1 based on the synthesized frequency 305 provided by the synthesizer circuitry 304 to generate RF output signals 209 for the FEM circuitry 104. The baseband signals 31 1 may be provided by the baseband processing circuitry 108 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 312. The filter circuitry 312 may include a LPF or a BPF, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0048] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 314 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 304. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 314 may each include two or more mixers each configured for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 314 may be arranged for direct down- conversion and/or direct up-conversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 314 may be configured for superheterodyne operation, although this is not a requirement.

[0049] Mixer circuitry 302 may comprise, according to one embodiment: quadrature passive mixers (e.g., for the in-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) paths). In such an embodiment, RF input signal 207 from Fig. 3 may be down- converted to provide I and Q baseband output signals to be sent to the baseband processor

[0050] 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 (fro) from a local oscillator or a synthesizer, such as LO frequency 305 of synthesizer 304 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, 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). In some embodiments, 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.

[0051] In some embodiments, the LO signals may differ in duty cycle

(the percentage of one period in which the LO signal is high) and/or offset (the difference between start points of the period). In some embodiments, the LO signals may have a 25% duty cycle and a 50% offset. In some embodiments, each branch of the mixer circuitry (e.g., the in-phase (I) and quadrature phase (Q) path) may operate at a 25% duty cycle, which may result in a significant reduction is power consumption.

[0052] The RF input signal 207 (FIG. 2) 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 306 (FIG. 3) or to filter circuitry 308 (FIG. 3).

[0053] In some embodiments, the output baseband signals 307 and the input baseband signals 31 1 may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternate

embodiments, the output baseband signals 307 and the input baseband signals 31 1 may be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, the radio IC circuitry may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry.

[0054] In some dual-mode embodiments, 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.

[0055] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 304 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. For example, synthesizer circuitry 304 may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider. According to some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 304 may include digital synthesizer circuitry. An advantage of using a digital synthesizer circuitry is that, although it may still include some analog components, its footprint may be scaled down much more than the footprint of an analog synthesizer circuitry. In some embodiments, frequency input into synthesizer circuity 304 may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement. A divider control input may further be provided by either the baseband processing circuitry 108 (FIG. 1) or the application processor 1 1 1 (FIG. 1) depending on the desired output frequency 305. In some embodiments, 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 1 1 1.

[0056] In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 304 may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency 305, while in other embodiments, the output frequency 305 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 305 may be a LO frequency (fLo).

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of baseband processing circuitry 400 in accordance with some embodiments. The baseband processing circuitry 400 is one example of circuitry that may be suitable for use as the baseband processing circuitry 108 (FIG. 1), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable. The baseband processing circuitry 400 may include a receive baseband processor (RX BBP) 402 for processing receive baseband signals 309 provided by the radio IC circuitry 106 (FIG. 1) and a transmit baseband processor (TX BBP) 404 for generating transmit baseband signals 31 1 for the radio IC circuitry 106. The baseband processing circuitry 400 may also include control logic 406 for coordinating the operations of the baseband processing circuitry 400.

[0058] In some embodiments (e.g., when analog baseband signals are exchanged between the baseband processing circuitry 400 and the radio IC circuitry 106), the baseband processing circuitry 400 may include ADC 410 to convert analog baseband signals received from the radio IC circuitry 106 to digital baseband signals for processing by the RX BBP 402. In these

embodiments, the baseband processing circuitry 400 may also include DAC 412 to convert digital baseband signals from the TX BBP 404 to analog baseband signals.

[0059] In some embodiments that communicate OFDM signals or

OFDMA signals, such as through baseband processor 108A„ the transmit baseband processor 404 may be configured to generate OFDM or OFDMA signals as appropriate for transmission by performing an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT). The receive baseband processor 402 may be configured to process received OFDM signals or OFDMA signals by performing an FFT. In some embodiments, the receive baseband processor 402 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.

[0060] Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the antennas 101

(FIG. 1) 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. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result.

Antennas 101 may each include a set of phased-array antennas, although embodiments are not so limited.

[0061] Although the radio-architecture 100 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. For example, 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. In some embodiments, the functional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[0062] FIG. 5 illustrates a WLAN 500 in accordance with some embodiments. The WLAN 500 may comprise a basis service set (BSS) that may include a HE access point (AP) 502, which may be an AP, a plurality of high- efficiency wireless (e.g., IEEE 802.1 lax) (HE) stations 504, and a plurality of legacy (e.g., IEEE 802.1 1n/ac) devices 506.

[0063] The HE AP 502 may be an AP using the IEEE 802.1 1 to transmit and receive. The HE AP 502 may be a base station. The HE AP 502 may use other communications protocols as well as the IEEE 802.1 1 protocol. The IEEE 802.1 1 protocol may be IEEE 802.1 lax. The IEEE 802.1 1 protocol may include using orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and/or code division multiple access (CDMA). The IEEE 802.1 1 protocol may include a multiple access technique. For example, the IEEE 802.11 protocol may include space-division multiple access (SDMA) and/or multiple-user multiple-input multiple -output (MU-MIMO). There may be more than one HE AP 502 that is part of an extended service set (ESS). A controller (not illustrated) may store information that is common to the more than one HE APs 502.

[0064] The legacy devices 506 may operate in accordance with one or more of IEEE 802.1 1 a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af/ah/aj/ay, or another legacy wireless communication standard. The legacy devices 506 may be STAs or IEEE STAs. The HE STAs 504 may be wireless transmit and receive devices such as cellular telephone, portable electronic wireless communication devices, smart telephone, handheld wireless device, wireless glasses, wireless watch, wireless personal device, tablet, or another device that may be transmitting and receiving using the IEEE 802.1 1 protocol such as IEEE 802.1 lax or another wireless protocol. In some embodiments, the HE STAs 504 may be termed high efficiency (HE) stations.

[0065] The HE AP 502 may communicate with legacy devices 506 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.1 1 communication techniques. In example embodiments, the HE AP 502 may also be configured to communicate with HE STAs 504 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.1 1 communication techniques.

[0066] In some embodiments, a HE frame may be configurable to have the same bandwidth as a channel. The HE frame may be a physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). In some embodiments, there may be different types of PPDUs that may have different fields and different physical layers and/or different media access control (MAC) layers.

[0067] The bandwidth of a channel may be 20MHz, 40MHz, or 80MHz, 160MHz, 320MHz contiguous bandwidths or an 80+80MHz ( 160MHz) noncontiguous bandwidth. In some embodiments, the bandwidth of a channel may be 1 MHz, 1.25MHz, 2.03MHz, 2.5MHz, 4.06 MHz, 5MHz and 10MHz, or a combination thereof or another bandwidth that is less or equal to the available bandwidth may also be used. In some embodiments the bandwidth of the channels may be based on a number of active data subcarriers. In some embodiments the bandwidth of the channels is based on 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, 996, or 2x996 active data subcarriers or tones that are spaced by 20 MHz. In some embodiments the bandwidth of the channels is 256 tones spaced by 20 MHz. In some embodiments the channels are multiple of 26 tones or a multiple of 20 MHz. In some embodiments a 20 MHz channel may comprise 242 active data subcarriers or tones, which may determine the size of a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). An allocation of a bandwidth or a number of tones or sub- carriers may be termed a resource unit (RU) allocation in accordance with some embodiments.

[0068] In some embodiments, the 26-subcarrier RU and 52-subcarrier

RU are used in the 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA HE PPDU formats. In some embodiments, the 106-subcarrier RU is used in the 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA and MU-MIMO HE PPDU formats. In some embodiments, the 242-subcarrier RU is used in the 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA and MU- MIMO HE PPDU formats. In some embodiments, the 484-subcarrier RU is used in the 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA and MU-MIMO HE PPDU formats. In some embodiments, the 996-subcarrier RU is used in the 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDMA and MU-MIMO HE PPDU formats.

[0069] A HE frame may be configured for transmitting a number of spatial streams, which may be in accordance with MU-MIMO and may be in accordance with OFDMA. In other embodiments, the HE AP 502, HE STA 504, and/or legacy device 506 may also implement different technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) 2000, CDMA 2000 IX, CDMA 2000 Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), IEEE 802.16 (i.e.,

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), BlueTooth®, or other technologies.

[0070] Some embodiments relate to HE communications. In accordance with some IEEE 802.1 1 embodiments, e.g, IEEE 802.1 lax embodiments, a HE AP 502 may operate as a master station which may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium (e.g., during a contention period) to receive exclusive control of the medium for an HE control period. In some embodiments, the HE control period may be termed a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The HE AP 502 may transmit a HE master-sync transmission, which may be a trigger frame or HE control and schedule transmission, at the beginning of the HE control period. The HE AP 502 may transmit a time duration of the TXOP and sub-channel information. During the HE control period, HE STAs 504 may communicate with the HE AP 502 in accordance with a non-contention based multiple access technique such as OFDMA or MU-MIMO. This is unlike conventional WLAN communications in which devices communicate in accordance with a contention- based communication technique, rather than a multiple access technique. During the HE control period, the HE AP 502 may communicate with HE stations 504 using one or more HE frames. During the HE control period, the HE STAs 504 may operate on a sub-channel smaller than the operating range of the HE AP 502. During the HE control period, legacy stations refrain from communicating. The legacy stations may need to receive the communication from the HE AP 502 to defer from communicating.

[0071] In accordance with some embodiments, during the TXOP the HE

STAs 504 may contend for the wireless medium with the legacy devices 506 being excluded from contending for the wireless medium during the master-sync transmission. In some embodiments the trigger frame may indicate an uplink (UL) UL-MU-MIMO and/or UL OFDMA TXOP. In some embodiments, the trigger frame may include a DL UL-MU-MIMO and/or DL OFDMA with a schedule indicated in a preamble portion of trigger frame.

[0072] In some embodiments, the multiple-access technique used during the HE TXOP may be a scheduled OFDMA technique, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be a time-division multiple access (TDMA) technique or a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) technique. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be a space-division multiple access (SDMA) technique. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be a Code division multiple access (CDMA).

[0073] The HE AP 502 may also communicate with legacy stations 506 and/or HE stations 504 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.1 1 communication techniques. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may also be configurable to communicate with HE stations 504 outside the HE TXOP in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.1 1 communication techniques, although this is not a requirement.

[0074] In some embodiments the HE station 504 may be a "group owner" (GO) for peer-to-peer modes of operation. A wireless device may be a HE station 502 or a HE AP 502.

[0075] In some embodiments, the HE station 504 and/or HE AP 502 may be configured to operate in accordance with IEEE 802.1 lmc. In example embodiments, the radio architecture of FIG. 1 is configured to implement the HE station 504 and/or the HE AP 502. In example embodiments, the front-end module circuitry of FIG. 2 is configured to implement the HE station 504 and/or the HE AP 502. In example embodiments, the radio IC circuitry of FIG. 3 is configured to implement the HE station 504 and/or the HE AP 502. In example embodiments, the base-band processing circuitry of FIG. 4 is configured to implement the HE station 504 and/or the HE AP 502.

[0076] In example embodiments, the HE stations 504, HE AP 502, an apparatus of the HE stations 504, and/or an apparatus of the HE AP 502 may include one or more of the following: the radio architecture of FIG. 1, the front- end module circuitry of FIG. 2, the radio IC circuitry of FIG. 3, and/or the baseband processing circuitry of FIG. 4.

[0077] In example embodiments, the radio architecture of FIG. 1, the front-end module circuitry of FIG. 2, the radio IC circuitry of FIG. 3, and/or the base-band processing circuitry of FIG. 4 may be configured to perform the methods and operations/functions herein described in conjunction with FIGS. 1- 22.

[0078] In example embodiments, the HE station 504 and/or the HE AP

502 are configured to perform the methods and operations/functions described herein in conjunction with FIGS. 1-22. In example embodiments, an apparatus of the HE station 504 and/or an apparatus of the HE AP 502 are configured to perform the methods and functions described herein in conjunction with FIGS. 1-22. The term Wi-Fi may refer to one or more of the IEEE 802.1 1

communication standards. AP and STA may refer to HE access point 502 and/or HE station 504 as well as legacy devices 506.

[0079] In some embodiments, a HE AP STA may refer to a HE AP 502 and a HE STAs 504 that is operating a HE APs 502. In some embodiments, when an HE STA 504 is not operating as a HE AP, it may be referred to as a HE non-AP STA or HE non-AP. In some embodiments, HE STA 504 may be referred to as either a HE AP STA or a HE non-AP.

[0080] In some embodiments, the HE STA 504 is configured to operate on multiple bands, e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and/or 60 GHz. HE STA 504 may be non-concurrent, in accordance with some embodiments. For example,

HE STA 504 may be able to be active on only one band at a time. HE STA 504 may be non-concurrent, in accordance with some embodiments. For example,

HE STA 504 may be able to be active on only one band at a time. [0081] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine 600 upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may perform. In alternative embodiments, the machine 600 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 600 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 600 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The machine 600 may be a HE AP 502, HE station 504, personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable communications device, 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. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "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.

[0082] Machine (e.g., computer system) 600 may include a hardware processor 602 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 604 and a static memory 606, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 608.

[0083] Specific examples of main memory 604 include Random Access Memory (RAM), and semiconductor memory devices, which may include, in some embodiments, storage locations in semiconductors such as registers.

Specific examples of static memory 606 include non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only

Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; RAM; and CD-ROM and

DVD-ROM disks. [0084] The machine 600 may further include a display device 610, an input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 614 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display device 610, input device 612 and UI navigation device 614 may be a touch screen display. The machine 600 may additionally include a mass storage (e.g., drive unit) 616, a signal generation device 618 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 620, and one or more sensors 621, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 600 may include an output controller 628, 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.). In some embodiments the processor 602 and/or instructions 624 may comprise processing circuitry and/or transceiver circuitry.

[0085] The storage device 616 may include a machine readable medium 622 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 624 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 624 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 604, within static memory 606, or within the hardware processor 602 during execution thereof by the machine 600. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 602, the main memory 604, the static memory 606, or the storage device 616 may constitute machine readable media.

[0086] Specific examples of machine readable media may include: nonvolatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., EPROM or EEPROM) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; RAM; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

[0087] While the machine readable medium 622 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 624.

[0088] An apparatus of the machine 600 may be one or more of a hardware processor 602 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 604 and a static memory 606, sensors 621, network interface device 620, antennas 660, a display device 610, an input device 612, a UI navigation device 614, a mass storage 616, instructions 624, a signal generation device 618, and an output controller 628. The apparatus may be configured to perform one or more of the methods and/or operations disclosed herein. The apparatus may be intended as a component of the machine 600 to perform one or more of the methods and/or operations disclosed herein, and/or to perform a portion of one or more of the methods and/or operations disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a pin or other means to receive power. In some embodiments, the apparatus may include power conditioning hardware.

[0089] The term "machine readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 600 and that cause the machine 600 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 Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; Random Access Memory (RAM); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, machine readable media may include non-transitory machine readable media. In some examples, machine readable media may include machine readable media that is not a transitory propagating signal.

[0090] The instructions 624 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 626 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 620 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.). 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.

[0091] In an example, the network interface device 620 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 626. In an example, the network interface device 620 may include one or more antennas 660 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. In some examples, the network interface device 620 may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MIMO techniques. The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 600, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

[0092] 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. In an example, circuits may be arranged (e.g., internally or with respect to external entities such as other circuits) in a specified manner as a module. In an example, the whole or part of one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or 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. In an example, the software may reside on a machine readable medium. In an example, the software, when executed by the underlying hardware of the module, causes the hardware to perform the specified operations. [0093] Accordingly, the term "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. Considering examples in which modules are temporarily configured, each of the modules need not be instantiated at any one moment in time. For example, where 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.

[0094] Some embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in software and/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form of instructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by one or more processors to enable performance of the operations described herein. The instructions may be in any suitable form, such as but not limited to source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such a computer-readable medium may include any tangible non- transitory medium for storing information in a form readable by one or more computers, such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory, etc.

[0095] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example wireless device

700 upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies or operations) discussed herein may perform. The wireless device 700 may be a HE device. The wireless device 700 may be a HE STA 504 and/or HE AP 502 (e.g., FIG. 5). A HE STA 504 and/or HE AP 502 may include some or all of the components shown in FIGS. 1-7. The wireless device 700 may be an example machine 600 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 6.

[0096] The wireless device 700 may include processing circuitry 708.

The processing circuitry 708 may include a transceiver 702, physical layer circuitry (PHY circuitry) 704, and MAC layer circuitry (MAC circuitry) 706, one or more of which may enable transmission and reception of signals to and from other wireless devices 700 (e.g., HE AP 502, HE STA 504, and/or legacy devices 506) using one or more antennas 712. As an example, the PHY circuitry 704 may perform various encoding and decoding functions that may include formation of baseband signals for transmission and decoding of received signals. As another example, the transceiver 702 may perform various transmission and reception functions such as conversion of signals between a baseband range and a Radio Frequency (RF) range.

[0097] Accordingly, the PHY circuitry 704 and the transceiver 702 may be separate components or may be part of a combined component, e.g., processing circuitry 708. In addition, some of the described functionality related to transmission and reception of signals may be performed by a combination that may include one, any or all of the PHY circuitry 704 the transceiver 702, MAC circuitry 706, memory 710, and other components or layers. The MAC circuitry 706 may control access to the wireless medium. The wireless device 700 may also include memory 710 arranged to perform the operations described herein, e.g., some of the operations described herein may be performed by instructions stored in the memory 710. The memory 710 may be configured to store and retrieve the fames as disclosed in conjunction with FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0098] The antennas 712 (some embodiments may include only one antenna) 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. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas 712 may be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result.

[0099] One or more of the memory 710, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MAC circuitry 706, the antennas 712, and/or the processing circuitry 708 may be coupled with one another. Moreover, although memory 710, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MAC circuitry 706, the antennas 712 are illustrated as separate components, one or more of memory 710, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MAC circuitry 706, the antennas 712 may be integrated in an electronic package or chip.

[00100] In some embodiments, the wireless device 700 may be a mobile device as described in conjunction with FIG. 6. In some embodiments the wireless device 700 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more wireless communication standards as described herein (e.g., as described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6, IEEE 802.1 1). In some embodiments, the wireless device 700 may include one or more of the components as described in conjunction with FIG. 6 (e.g., display device 610, input device 612, etc.) Although the wireless device 700 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. For example, 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. In some embodiments, the functional elements may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[00101] In some embodiments, an apparatus of or used by the wireless device 700 may include various components of the wireless device 700 as shown in FIG. 7 and/or components from FIGS. 1-6. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the wireless device 700 may be applicable to an apparatus for a wireless device 700 (e.g., HE AP 502 and/or HE STA 504), in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless device 700 is configured to decode and/or encode signals, packets, and/or frames as described herein, e.g., PPDUs.

[00102] In some embodiments, the MAC circuitry 706 may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium during a contention period to receive control of the medium for a HE TXOP and encode or decode an HE PPDU. In some embodiments, the MAC circuitry 706 may be arranged to contend for the wireless medium based on channel contention settings, a transmitting power level, and a clear channel assessment level (e.g., an energy detect level).

[00103] The PHY circuitry 704 may be arranged to transmit signals in accordance with one or more communication standards described herein. For example, the PHY circuitry 704 may be configured to transmit a HE PPDU. The PHY circuitry 704 may include circuitry for modulation/demodulation, upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 708 may include one or more processors. The processing circuitry 708 may be configured to perform functions based on instructions being stored in a RAM or ROM, or based on special purpose circuitry. The processing circuitry 708 may include a processor such as a general purpose processor or special purpose processor. The processing circuitry 708 may implement one or more functions associated with antennas 712, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MAC circuitry 706, and/or the memory 710. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 708 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions/operations and/or methods described herein.

[00104] In mmWave technology, communication between a station (e.g., the HE stations 504 of FIG. 5 or wireless device 700) and an access point (e.g., the HE AP 502 of FIG. 5 or wireless device 700) may use associated effective wireless channels that are highly directionally dependent. To accommodate the directionality, beamforming techniques may be utilized to radiate energy in a certain direction with certain beamwidth to communicate between two devices. The directed propagation concentrates transmitted energy toward a target device in order to compensate for significant energy loss in the channel between the two communicating devices. Using directed transmission may extend the range of the millimeter-wave communication versus utilizing the same transmitted energy in omni-directional propagation.

[00105] FIG. 8 illustrates multi-band operation (MBO) with dual connectivity in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 8 is HE

AP 502, HE stations 504, HE stations 504, and communications 810. The HE

AP 502 may be the same or similar as HE AP 502 as illustrated in FIG. 5. HE

AP 502 may be configured to operate on multiple bands, e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and band 3, which may be another band, e.g., 60 GHz or 6 GHz. The different bands may be divided between different APs, e.g., referring to FIG. 9, HE AP 502 may be configured to operate on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and 6 GHz AP 902 may be configured to operate on 6 GHz.

[00106] The HE stations 504 may be the same or similar as HE stations

504 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The HE stations 504 may be configured to operate on multiple bands, e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, band 3, which may be another band, e.g., 60 GHz or 6 GHz. The HE stations 504 may be configured to operate on different bands than the HE AP 502.

[00107] Communication 810 may be communication between the HE AP

502 and one or more HE stations 504. The communication 810 may include a type of traffic 808 and band 806. In some embodiments, the type of traffic 808 may be a management frame, a control frame, or data frame. The band 806 may be a frequency band, e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 60 GHz, etc. In some embodiments, the type of traffic 808 may be limited for some bands 806, e.g., only data for 6 GHz and 60 GHz.

[00108] In some embodiments, the HE stations 504 may maintain two or more connections with two different APs, which may be co-located or non co- located. For example, HE AP 502 may be two or co-located APs with one AP operating on band 3 and another AP operating on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. In some embodiments, different data streams may be steered independently from the others. For example, HE station 504.1 may be connected with two AP that are co-located at EH AP 502. Communication 810.1 may be a first data stream and connection 810.2 may be a second data stream, where the communication 810.1 is between a first AP of HE AP 502 and the HE station 504, and communication 810.1 is between a second AP of HE AP 502 and the HE station 504.

[00109] In some embodiments, HE AP 502 may perform a fast session transfer (FST) where a stream of data is transferred to band 3, e.g., the stream of data may be voice over internet protocol (VoIP) or a stream of video from an Internet site. For example, HE AP 502 may determine booster link parameters 1 100 and send them to the HE station 504 and/or the co-located secondary AP (band 3), 6 GHz AP 902, and/or HE AP 502 (FIG. 10). [00110] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502, HE station 504, and/or secondary-AP may exchange multi-band capabilities. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may advise/request that the HE station 504 and/or secondary-AP switch streams (i.e., to or from the secondary AP).

[00111] FIG. 9 illustrates a system for dynamic physical parameters for a

6 GHz band, in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 9 is HE AP 502, signal area of HE AP 806, 6 GHz APs 802, signal area of 6 GHz APs 804, HE stations 504, and controller 808.

[00112] The HE AP 502 may be the same or similar to the HE AP 502 of FIG. 5. HE stations 504 may be the same or similar as HE stations 504 of FIG. 5. HE AP 502 and/or HE station 504 may be configured to operate on multi- bands, e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 6-7 GHz, and/or 60 GHz. For example, HE AP 502 may be the same or similar as HE AP 502 of FIG. 8.

[00113] The signal area of HE AP 806 indicates an area where the radio- frequency signals (e.g., 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz) received from the HE AP 502 are above a threshold level where the threshold level may be level that would enable a station (e.g., HE stations 504) to communicate with the HE AP 502. The signal area of 6 GHz APs 804 indicates an area where the radio-frequency signals received from the G GHz APs 802 are above a second threshold level where the second threshold level may be a level that would enable a station (e.g., HE stations 504) to communicate with the 6 GHz AP 802. For example, HE station 504.3 is within the signal area of 6 GHz AP 902.1 and the signal area of HE AP 806, and thus may be able to communicate with 6 GHz AP 902 and HE AP 502. HE station 504.2 is outside the signal area of 6 GHz AP 902.1 and thus may not be able to communicate with 6 GHz AP 902.1 ; however, HE station 504.2 is within the signal area of HE AP 806 and thus may be able to communicate with HE AP 502. HE station 504.4 may be outside signal area of HE AP 806 and thus may not be able to communicate with HE AP 502.

[00114] The controller 908 may be a controller that has access to the internet and may provide one or more services to HE AP 502 and/or 6 GHz AP 902.2. The controller 908 may be co-located with HE AP 502 and/or 6 GHz AP 902.2. The controller 908 may be connected via a wireless or wired connection 942 to HE AP 502 and 6 GHz AP 902.2. In some embodiments, HE station 504.1 may be associated with HE AP 502. In some embodiments, the controller 908 may control the access of HE station 504.1 to 6 GHz AP 902.2. For example, HE station 504.1 may associate with HE AP 502, and then the parameters needed for HE station 504.1 to communicate with 6 GHz AP 902.2 may be transmitted via communication 940.1, e.g., booster link parameters 1 100. In some embodiments, the HE station 504.1 does not associate with 6 GHz AP 902.2.

[00115] In some embodiments, HE AP 502, 6 GHz AP 902.2, and the controller 908 are all co-located. In some embodiments, the 6 GHz APs 902 operate in Greenfield mode without being able to operate with legacy devices, e.g., IEEE 802.1 lac.

[00116] In some embodiments, other devices, which may be termed incumbents, may be transmitting on one of the bands being used by the HE AP 502 and/or 6 GHz APs 902, e.g., 6 GHz. For example, uplink (UL) satellites applications may be using 6 GHz. The bandwidth of the incumbents may vary between 200 KHz to 35- 100 MHz in accordance with some embodiments.

[00117] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 comprises a database (DB) 903 that includes information regarding the incumbents. For example, the bandwidth and frequency used by the incumbents.

[00118] In some embodiments, the link between the HE station 504.1 and the HE AP 502 is termed an anchor interface. In some embodiments, all the management frames are transmitted across the anchor interface (e.g., using communication 940). In some embodiments, most of the management frames are transmitted across the anchor interface (e.g., using communication 940).

[00119] In some embodiments, HE station 504.1 cannot associate with 6

GHz APs 902. In some embodiments, the PHY layer of the 6 GHz APs 902 is not compatible with the PHY layer of the HE AP 502 (2.4 GHz band and/or 5 GHz band). In some embodiments, the HE stations 504 cannot scan for the 6 GHz APs 902 and directly associate with the 6 GHz AP 902. In some embodiments, the HE stations 504 associates with the 6 GHz AP 902 via the HE AP 502.

[00120] In some embodiments, the PHY design used to communicate with

6 GHz AP 902 is flexible and changes based on the incumbents. In some embodiments, a center frequency and/or a bandwidth used to communicate with the 6 GHz AP 902 by the HE stations 504 may depend on the incumbents. In some embodiments, some part of the bandwidth of the 6 GHz band used to communicate with the 6 GHz AP 902 may be muted or not modulated (or modulated with a lower transmit power, TxP) in order to avoid incumbents. In some embodiments, when OFDM is used, the subcamers are not modulated. In some embodiments, a description of the tones or subcamers that are to be muted (e.g., to avoid incumbents) is included in the booster link parameters 1 100.

[00121] FIG. 10 illustrates a system for dynamic physical parameters for a 6 GHz band, in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 10 is a HE AP 502, signal area of 6 GHz HE AP 1004, signal area of 2.5/5 GHz HE AP 502, and HE stations 504. HE AP 502 may be the same or similar to HE AP 502 of FIG. 5. HE AP 502 may be a multi-band AP. HE AP 502 may be a co- located anchor/booster AP. Signal area of 6 GHz HE AP 1004 may indicate the area where signals from a 6 GHz band of HE AP 502 are above a threshold level. For example, HE station 504.2 may be within signal area of 6 GHz HE AP 1004 and may communicate with the HE AP 502 using the 6 GHz band. HE station 504.3 may be outside the signal area of 6 GHz HE AP 1004 and may not be able to communicate with the HE AP 502 over the 6 GHz band.

[00122] Signal area of 2.5/5 GHz HE AP 1006 may indicate the area where signals from a 2.5/5 GHz band of HE AP 502 are above a threshold level. For example, HE stations 504.2 and 504.3 may be within signal area of 2.5/5 GHz HE AP 1006 and may communicate with the HE AP 502 using the 2.5/5 GHz band. HE station 504.1 may be outside the signal area of 2.5/5 GHz HE AP 1006 and may not be able to communicate with the HE AP 502 over the 2.5/5 GHz band (or the 6 GHz band).

[00123] HE stations 504 may associate with HE AP 502 via a 2.5/5 GHz band and receive parameters (e.g., booster link parameters 1 100) to receive and/or transmit to a 6 GHz band of the HE AP 502 or a co-located AP. The HE AP 502 may be configured to communicate with the co-located AP to determine a configuration for the co-located AP and/or receive a configuration from the co- located AP and communicate the configuration to the HE stations 504. [00124] FIG. 1 1 illustrates a booster link parameters element 1 100 in accordance with some embodiments. Booster link parameters element 1 100 may include booster link PHY parameters 1 102 and/or booster link MAC parameters 1 104. Booster link PHY parameters 1 102 may include PHY parameters for the operation of a booster link (e.g., band 3 of FIG. 8, 6 GHz APs 902, 6 GHz band of HE AP 502). Booster link PHY parameters 1 102 may include one or more of: a band, a resource unit (RU), a transmit power, a time, a center frequency, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, transmit power regulatory limit, and/or fast Fourier transform (FFT) size. Booster link MAC parameters 1 104 may include MAC parameters for the operation of a booster link (e.g., band 3 of FIG. 8, 6

GHz APs 902, 6 GHz band of HE AP 502). Booster link MAC parameters 1 104 may include one or more of: acknowledgement rules, packet format, and/or retransmit rules. Booster link parameters element 1 100 may be the same or similar as booster link parameters element 1200.

[00125] FIGS. 12-17 will be disclosed in conjunction with one another.

FIG. 12 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments.

Illustrated in FIG. 12 is HE AP 502, DB 903, associated stations 1218, predetermined channel information 1220, and booster link parameters 1200. The HE AP 502 may be configured to generate booster link parameters 1200 based on one or more of predetermined channel information 1220, associated stations 1218, and DB 903. Associated stations 1218 may be stations that are associated with the HE AP 502, e.g., HE station 504.2 may be associated with HE AP 502 of FIG. 9.

[00126] DB 903 may comprise incumbents 1202. The incumbents 1202 may be indicated by one or more of the following: a frequency range 1204 and signal strength 1206. The frequency range 1204 may be a range of a frequency. The signal strength 1206 may be a signal strength 1206 of the incumbent 1202. In some embodiments, signal strength 1206 is a measure of a transmit power (TxP) that a station (e.g., HE station 504) may use to avoid interfering with the incumbent 1202. In some embodiments, the signal strength 1206 is measured by the HE AP 502 and, in some embodiments, is adjusted for a position of the station. Example incumbents 1202 include incumbents 1310 (FIG. 13), 1410 (FIG. 14), 1510 (FIG. 15), 1610 (FIG. 16), and 1710 (FIG. 17). [00127] Predetermined channel information 1220 may include frequency range 1222 and predetermined channels 1224. Frequency range 1222 may be a range for resource unit (RU), which may be a frequency range assigned for a transmission to or from a secondary AP, e.g., 6 GHz band of the HE AP 502 or a co-located AP (FIG. 10), 6 GHz APs 902, and band 3 of HE AP 502 (of FIG. 8).

[00128] Predetermined channels 1224 may be channel or frequency ranges that have been predetermined. For example, RUs 1506, 160 MHz channel 1602, and 160 MHz channel 1702 are predetermined channels 1224.

[00129] Booster link parameters 1200 may include RU 1208, transmit power 1210, service period 1212, center frequency 1214, band 1215, and additional parameters 1216. Booster link parameters 1200 may be the same or similar as booster link parameters 1 100.

[00130] RU 1208 may be frequency band to receive or transmit frames.

For example, 1308 (FIG. 13), 1408 (FIG. 14), 1508 (FIG. 15), 1608 (FIG. 16), and 1708, 1710 (FIG. 17) may be RUs 1208.

[00131] TxP 1210 may indicate a transmit power that may be used on the

RU 1208. TxP 1210 may be a value in mWs or mW / IMHz, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, TxP 1210 may be a value indicating a power spectral density (PSD) that may be used for the RU 1208.

[00132] Service period 1212 may be a value that indicates when a station (e.g., HE station 504) is to receive or may transmit a transmission in accordance with the other booster link parameters 1200. For example, service period 1212 may be service period 1902 and/or service period 2002. Center frequency 1214 may be a center frequency of a RU 1208 or frequency band to transmit or receive frames.

[00133] Additional parameters may include one or more additional parameters. For example, one or more of the parameters as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 11. In some embodiments, there booster link parameters element 1200 may include booster link PHY parameters and/or booster link MAC parameters as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 1 1. Band 1215 may indicate a band, e.g., 6 GHz or 60 GHz. In some embodiments, band 1215 may be a base and RU 1208 a base for a frequency range. One or more of the parameters disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 12 may be part of booster link PHY parameters and/or booster link MAC parameters. Booster link parameters 1200 may be a resource allocation that allocates resources to transmit to or receive from a secondary AP.

[00134] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may receive a frame from an incumbent. The frame from the incumbent may include an indication of a maximum interference the incumbent can tolerate and an indication of a transmit power used to transmit the frame. The HE AP 502 may determine the transmit power 1210 based on the transmit power used to transmit the frame and the maximum interference, e.g., by assuming the attenuation for transmitting the frame is the same as for receiving the frame.

[00135] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 configures both the HE station 504 and the secondary AP, e.g., HE AP 502 (FIG. 10), 6 GHz AP 902, and HE AP 502 (FIG. 8) band 3, with one or more parameters of the booster link parameters 1200. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 configures the secondary AP using a non-wireless communication, e.g., co-located

communication for HE AP 502 of FIGS. 8 and 1 1, and via the controller 908 for FIG. 9.

[00136] FIG. 13 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 13 is frequency 1302 along a vertical axis, transmit power 1304 along a horizontal axis, RUs 1208, incumbents 1310, and regulatory limit 1306. RUs 1308 may have a frequency range 1312. The transmit power 1314.1, 1314.2 may indicate a power that may be used to transmit frames using the RUs 1308.1, 1308.2, respectively. In some embodiments, the booster link parameters 1200 for the PHY design of FIG. 13 may include may include a RU 1208 and an indication of a TxP 1210 that may be used. In some embodiments, the resource allocation may indicate a maximum power spectral density (PSD) that may be used to transmit on the RU 1208.

[00137] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may be configured to determine booster link parameters 1200 as follows. RU 1308.1 may be determined to include the frequency range 1312.2 because the TxP 1314.1 is sufficient for a station to use to communicate with a secondary AP and is not greater than the signal strength 1316 of incumbents 1310. In some embodiments, HE AP 502 may divide frequency range 1312.2 into multiple RUs.

[00138] HE AP 502 may determine frequency range 1312.1 based on TxP

1314.2 being greater than signal strength 1316.1 of incumbent 1310. And, TxP 1314.2 being less than the signal strength 1316.2 so that transmitting on RU

1308.2 will not interfere with incumbent 1310.1. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may determine a received signal strength 1316 based on received signals of the incumbents 1310. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may adjust the transmit power 1314 that the HE stations 504 may use to transmit on the RU 1308 based on a position of the HE stations 504. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may be configured to determine the frequency ranges 1312 based on the incumbents 1310. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may be configured to determine the frequency ranges 1312 based on a transmit power 1304 that the HE stations 504 need to use to communicate with the HE AP 502 and/or a secondary AP or band.

[00139] The frequency range 1312 may be 320 MHz in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the frequency range 1312 may be a different value, e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 640 MHz, 1.280 GHz, etc. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may adjust the frequency ranges 1312 to a predefined frequency range or channel size, e.g., 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, or 320 MHz.

[00140] In some embodiment, the RU 1308 may be termed overlapping

RUs 1308 because they overlap with the incumbents 1310. In some

embodiments, overlapping RUs 1308 with incumbents 1310 is permitted if the PSD and/or TxP that will be used on the RU 1308 is below a threshold. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may determine to mute one or more subcarriers of RU 1312.1 so there is a buffer between RU 1312.1 and incumbent 1310.2, e.g. 1 to 100 subcarriers.

[00141] FIG. 14 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 14 is frequency 1402 along a vertical axis, transmit power 1404 along a horizontal axis, RUs 1408, incumbents 1410, and regulatory limit 1406. RUs 1408 may have a frequency range 1412. The transmit power 1414 may indicate a power that may be used to transmit frames using the RUs 1408.1, 1408.2, respectively. In some embodiments, the booster link parameters 1200 for the PHY design of FIG. 13 may include may include a RU 1208 and an indication of a TxP 1210 that may be used. In some embodiments, the resource allocation may indicate a maximum PSD that may be used to transmit on the RU 1208.

[00142] The HE AP 502 may be configured to determine RU 1412.1 and

RU 1412.2 based on the TxP 1414 to be used for communication on the RUs 1412 being too great for incumbent 1410.2 with a signal strength 1416.1. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 determines to mute some subcarriers, e.g., the subcarriers used by incumbent 1410.2. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 determines to not include some subcarriers between the incumbent 1410.2 and RUs 1412.2 and 1412.1 so as not lower the interference caused between the incumbent 1410.2 and the RUs 1412.1, 1412.2. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 determines to include the subcarriers of incumbent 1410.1 with RU 1412.1 because the signal strength or TxP of incumbent 1416.2 is greater than the TxP 1414 to be used for transmissions on RU 1408.1. Muting or not using subcarriers used by the incumbent 1410.2 may be termed notching in accordance with some embodiments.

[00143] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 may be configured to determine the RUs 1412 based on expanding the frequency range 1412 to lower the PSD or TxP 1414 to use on the RU 1408.1 below the signal strength 1416 (or interference level) of incumbent 1410.1.

[00144] In some embodiments, the booster link parameters 1200 for the

PHY design of FIG. 14 may include may include a RU 1208 and an indication of a TxP 1210 that may be used. In some embodiments, the resource allocation may indicate a maximum power spectral density (PSD) that may be used to transmit on the RU 1208.

[00145] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 and/or HE station 504 mute tones in the whole bandwidth. In some embodiments, the number of subcarriers per OFDM symbol (Nb) is variable and determined by the HE AP 502 and/or HE station 504.

[00146] FIG. 15 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 15 is transmit power 1504, predefined channels 1580, RUs 1582, and frames 1584. The predefined channels 1580 may be 16 10 MHz RUs 1506 over a 160 MHz channel 1502.

[00147] The RU 1582 may be RU 1508.1, RU 1508.6 through 1508.10, and RU 1508.13 through 1508.16. The HE AP 502 may determine RU 1582 based on excluding predefined channels 1580 that may interfere with the incumbents 1510. In some embodiments, a threshold number of subcarriers on either side of the incumbents 1510 are muted to lower the possibility of interference with the incumbents 1510. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 determines whether the predefined channels 1580 may interfere with the incumbents 1510 based on determining a TxP to use on the predefined channels 1580 (which may be lowered by using larger RUs 1582).

[00148] In some embodiments, the frames 1584 may be 1512. The stations and/or secondary AP or band, may transmit frames 1512 with a short training field (STF), a long training field (LTF), and a signal field (SIG) on each 10 MHz RU 1506. In some embodiments, the stations and/or secondary AP or band, may transmit frames 1512 with a full bandwidth (BW) SIG, e.g., the full BW SIG and a STF and LTF that are transmitted across using the full BW.

[00149] In some embodiments, the booster link parameters 1200 for the

PHY design of FIG. 15 may include may include a RU 1208 by indicating a number of predefined channels 1508. In some embodiments, the booster link parameters 1200 may include an indication of a TxP 1210 that may be used. In some embodiments, the booster link parameters 1200 may indicate a maximum PSD that may be used to transmit on the RU 1208.

[00150] Some embodiments provide a technical solution to improving the utilization of the 6 GHz band by providing different PHY designs to the HE station 504. Some embodiments provide a technical solution to transmitting and/or receiving data from a second AP by providing PHY and/or MAC parameters via a first AP.

[00151] FIG. 16 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 16 predefined channels 1650, incumbents

1652, and dynamic RUs 1654. The predefined channels 1650 may include 160

MHz channels 1602. Incumbents 1652 may include incumbents 1610. The dynamic RU 1654 (or frequency ranges) may be RUs 1608 that are occupy the portions of the predefined channels 1650 that are not occupied by the incumbents 1610. The RUs 1608 may be as large as possible that still avoid the incumbents 1610. In some embodiments, subcarriers (e.g., 1 to 30) are mute beside the incumbents 1610 to lower the interference between the incumbents 1610 and the transmissions on the RU 1608.

[00152] FIG. 17 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments. Illustrated in FIG. 17 predefined channels 1750, incumbents 1752, non-interfered RU 1754, and interfered RU 1756. and dynamic RUs 1654. The predefined channels 1750 may include 160 MHz channels 1702.

Incumbents 1752 may include incumbents 1710. The non-interfered RUs 1754 may be RUs where a predefined channel 1750 is not interfered with by an incumbent, e.g., 160 MHz channel 1702.1 is not interfered with by an incumbent 1710.

[00153] The interfered RUs 1756 may include RUs 1710 where a predefined channel 1750 is interfered with by an incumbent 1710. For example, RU 1710.1 is part of predefined channel 160 MHz channel 1702.2 that is interfered with by incumbent 1710.1. The RUs 1710 may be the largest portion of the predefined channels 1750 that are not interfered with by an incumbent 1710. In some embodiments, subcarriers (e.g., 1 to 30) are mute beside the incumbents 1710 to lower the interference between the incumbents 1710 and the transmissions on the RU 1710.

[00154] FIGS. 18-20 will be disclosed in conjunction with one another.

FIG. 18 illustrates a method 1800 for time slicing for multi -band non-concurrent wireless devices in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 18 illustrates secondary AP 1802, HE AP 502, HE station 504, co-located 1804, time 1806, negotiate parameters 1850, and re-negotiate parameters 1852.

[00155] The HE station 504 may be a HE station 504 as disclosed herein.

The HE AP 502 may be a HE AP 502 as disclosed herein, e.g., HE AP 502 of

FIGS. 5 and 8. HE station 504 may be a multi-band station that operates on a single band at a time. Secondary AP 1802 may be an AP as disclosed herein, e.g., 6 GHz AP 902

[00156] Co-located 1804 indicates that the secondary AP 1802 and the HE

AP 502 may be co-located 1804 in accordance with some embodiments. For example, HE AP 502 of FIG. 10 and HE AP 502 of FIG. 8 have different bands that are co-located. HE AP 502 of FIG. 9 and 6 GHz AP 902 illustrate different bands that are not co-located.

[00157] FIG. 19 illustrates a service period element 1902 in accordance with some embodiments. Service period element 1902 may include one or more of start time field 1904, duration field 1906, interval between service periods field 1908, and band field 1910. A service period 1902 may be a period of time when a HE station 504 operates with a secondary AP 1802 on a second band. The start time period 1904 may indicate a time when the service period 1902 begins. The duration field 1906 may indicate a duration of the service period 1902. The interval between service periods field 1908 may indicate an interval between service periods 1908. In some embodiments, interval between service periods field 1908 may indicate whether the service period 1902 is periodic or a single service period. The band field 1910 may indicate a band on which the service period 1902 is applicable, e.g., 6 GHz or 60 GHz. In some

embodiments, service period 1902 may be included in the booster link parameters, e.g., 1100 or 1200. In some embodiments, service period 1902 may include one or more additional fields. For example, service period 1902 may include one or more fields to enable a negotiation of parameters between a HE AP 502 and HE station 504, and/or between a HE AP 502 and secondary AP 1802.

[00158] FIG. 20 illustrates a service period element 2002 in accordance with some embodiments. Service period element 2002 may include one or more of start time from target beacon transmit time (TBTT) field 2004, duration field 2006, interval between TBTT periods field 2008, and band field 2010. A service period 2002 may be a period of time when a HE station 504 operates with a secondary AP 1802 on a second band. The start time from TBTT 2004 may indicate a time from a TBTT time when the service period 2002 begins. The duration field 2006 may indicate a duration of the service period 1902. The interval between TBTTs field 2008 may indicate an interval between TBTTs, e.g., every fifth TBTT, etc. In some embodiments, interval between TBTTs field

1908 may indicate whether the service period 2002 is periodic or a single service period. The band field 2010 may indicate a band on which the service period 2002 is applicable, e.g., 6 GHz or 60 GHz. In some embodiments, service period 2002 may be included in the booster link parameters, e.g., 1 100 or 1200. In some embodiments, service period 2002 may include one or more additional fields. For example, service period 2002 may include one or more fields to enable a negotiation of parameters between a HE AP 502 and HE station 504, and/or between a HE AP 502 and secondary AP 1802.

[00159] Returning to the method 1800, the method 1800 may begin with section negotiate parameters 1850, which may include operations 1810 and 1814. For example, method 1800 may begin with operation 1810 with negotiate parameters 1810. Negotiate parameters 1810 may include the HE station 504 associating with the HE AP 502, which may assign an association identification (AID) to the HE station 504 and update associated stations 1219 (FIG. 12). Negotiate parameters 1810 may include transmitting an element 1808, which may be service period 1902 or service period 2002. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 transmits element 1808 to the HE station 504 to notify the HE station 502 of the service period 1902 or 2002 and there is no negotiation. In some embodiments, the HE station 504 transmits element 1808 to the HE AP 502 to notify the HE AP 502 of the service period 1902 or 2002 and there is no negotiation.

[00160] In some embodiments, the HE station 504 transmits a request to operate on a secondary band and HE AP 502 transmits element 1808 to HE station 504 indicating one or more service periods 1902 or 2002 for the HE station 504 to operate on the secondary band. The HE station 504 may return the element 1808 with changes that may be proposed changes are may indicate the HE AP 502 must accept the changes. The HE station 504 and HE AP 502 may transmit one or more additional frames to negotiate a service period 1902 or 2002.

[00161] In some embodiments, operation 1810 may be part of a fast initial link setup procedure. In some embodiments, service period 1902 and/or 2002 may be target wake time (TWT) elements, or may include a TWT element. In some embodiments, operation 1810 may be part of a unscheduled automatic power save delivery (U-APSD) procedure. The service period 1902 and/or 2002 may be part of a U-APSD element. [00162] In some embodiments, dual connectivity with the secondary AP

1802 and HE AP 502 is not negotiated and element 1808 is sent from the HE station 504 to the HE AP 504 to advertise the service periods 1902 or 2002.

[00163] In some embodiments, dual connectivity with the secondary AP 1802 and HE AP 502 is negotiated and element 1808 may include a TWT element which may be used to indicate the state of the negotiation, e.g., parameters changed, acceptance of negotiation, proposed parameters, etc. In some embodiments,

[00164] As an example, HE station 504 may indicate a dual connectivity with HE AP 502 and secondary AP 1802. The element 1808 may indicate HE station 504 is available the first 50 ms of every beacon interval (BI), which begin at a TBTT, and that the HE station 504 is not available for the last 50 ms of every BI. However, the HE AP 502 and HE station 504 may negotiate additional agreements other than service period 1902 or 2002, e.g., a TWT agreement and/or UAPSD power save mode. The HE station 504 may then not be available the first 50 ms if one or the other agreement indicates the HE station 504 will not be available. In some embodiments, the service period 1902 or 2002 will take precedence over one or both of a TWT agreement and UAPSD power save mode.

[00165] The method 1800 may continue with operation 1814 with the secondary AP 1802 and HE AP 502 negotiating service period 1902 or 2002 for HE station 504 by transmitting element 1812. The HE AP 502 and secondary AP 1802 may negotiate the service period 1902 or 2002 as disclosed in conjunction with operation 1810. Operation 1814 may be performed before or concurrently with operation 1810.

[00166] The method 1800 may continue at operation 1818 with the HE station 504 and secondary AP 1810 transmitting frame 1816 in accordance with service period 1902 or 2002. The frame 1816 may be a data or control frame. The frame 1816 may be transmitted or received in accordance with booster link parameters 1200.

[00167] The method 1800 may continue with section re-negotiate parameters 1852, which may include operations 1822 and 1826. Operation 1822 may be the same or similar as operation 1810. Element 1820 may be the same or similar to element 1808. Element 1820 may include an indication that the HE AP 502 and/or HE station 504 wants to re-negotiate the service period 1902 or 2002.

[00168] Operation 1926 may be the same or similar to operation 1814. Element 1824 may be the same or similar to element 1812. Element 1824 may include an indication that the HE AP 502 and/or secondary AP 1802 wants to renegotiate the service period 1902 or 2002.

[00169] The method 1800 may continue at operation 1828 with the HE station 504 and secondary AP 1810 transmitting frame 1828 in accordance with a re-negotiated service period 1902 or 2002. The frame 1828 may be a data or control frame. The frame 1828 may be transmitted or received in accordance with booster link parameters 1200.

[00170] In some embodiments, method 1800 may include the HE station

504 or secondary AP 1802 transmitting a trigger frame to initiate communication with the secondary AP 1802 or HE station 504, respectively. In some embodiments, method 1800 may include one or more additional operations.

[00171] FIG. 21 illustrates a PHY design in accordance with some embodiments. The method 2100 may begin at operation with associating with a first AP, the first AP configured to operate on a first band. For example, associating may include encoding a first frame, the first frame comprising a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band; and, decode a second frame from the first AP, the second frame comprising an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP. In some embodiments, the second frame may include an AID assigned to the HE station 504 by the HE AP 502 and stored in associated stations 1218.

[00172] In an example, HE station 504.2 may associate with HE AP 502 of FIG. 8. In another example, HE station 504.2 may associate with HE AP 502 of FIG. 9. In another example, HE station 504.2 may associate with HE AP 502 of FIG. 10. In another example, HE station 504 may associate with HE AP 502 of FIG. 18.

[00173] The method 2100 may continue at operation 2106 with decoding a third frame from the first AP, the third frame comprising a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element comprising indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, wherein the first band is different than the second band. The first band is different than the second band. In some embodiments, the third frame comprises the AID (e.g., associated stations 1218) assigned to the HE station 504 by the HE AP 502, and the HE station 504 may use the AID to identify that the frame or a MAC portion of the frame is addressed to the HE station 504.

[00174] In an example, HE station 504.2 may receive a booster link parameters element 1200 from HE AP 502 of FIG. 8. In another example, HE station 504.2 may receive a booster link parameters element 1200 from HE AP 502 of FIG. 9. In another example, HE station 504.2 may receive a booster link parameters element 1200 from HE AP 502 of FIG. 10. In another example, HE station 504.2 may receive a booster link parameters element 1200 from HE AP 502 of FIG. 18 at operation 1810.

[00175] The method 2100 may continue at operation 2108 with causing the HE station to receive the second frame from the second AP using the parameters for the second AP indicated by the booster link parameters element. In an example, HE station 504.2 may receive a frame from band 3 of HE AP 502 of FIG. 8. In another example, HE station 504.2 may receive a frame from HE AP 502 of FIG. 9. In another example, HE station 504.2 may receive a frame from HE AP 502 of FIG. 10. In another example, HE station 504.2 may receive a frame 1816, 1828 from HE AP 502 of FIG. 18 at operations 1818, 1830.

[00176] The method 2100 may continue at operation 21 10 with decoding the second frame using the parameters. In an example, HE station 504.2 may decode a frame from band 3 of HE AP 502 of FIG. 8 in accordance with parameters from a booster link parameters element 1200. In another example, HE station 504.2 may decode a frame from band 3 of HE AP 502 of FIG. 9 in accordance with parameters from a booster link parameters element 1200. In another example, HE station 504.2 may decode a frame from band 3 of HE AP 502 of FIG. 10 in accordance with parameters from a booster link parameters element 1200. In another example, HE station 504.2 may decode frame 1816, 1828 from HE AP 502 of FIG. 18 at operations 1818, 1830 using parameters from a booster link parameters element 1200. In some embodiments, the HE station 504 cannot associate with the second AP because the second AP does not support a protocol for the HE station 504 to associate with the second AP.

[00177] In accordance with some embodiments, method 2100 may include one or more additional steps. In accordance with some embodiments, operations of method 2100 may be performed in a different order. In accordance with some embodiments, one or more operations of method 2100 may not be performed. Method 2100 may be performed by a HE station 504, an apparatus of a HE station 504, a HE access point 502, or an apparatus of a HE access point.

[00178] FIG. 22 illustrates a method 2200 of PHY design in accordance with some embodiments. The method may begin at operation 2202 with associating with a station using a first band. In an example, AP 502 may associate with HE station 504 of FIG. 8. In another example, AP 502 may associate with HE station 504 of FIG. 9. In another example, AP 502 may associate with HE station 504 of FIG. 10. In another example, AP 502 may associate with HE station 504 of FIG. 18, e.g. at operation 1810.

[00179] The method 2200 may continue at operation 2204 with encoding a first frame including a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element comprising parameters for a second AP and the HE station to communicate on a second band, where the first band is different than the second band.

[00180] In an example, AP 502 may encode a booster link parameters element 1200 for HE station 504 of FIG. 8 to communicate with band 3. In another example, AP 502 may encode a booster link parameters element 1200 for HE station 504 of FIG. 9 to communicate with 6 GHz AP 902.2. In another example, AP 502 may encode a booster link parameters element 1200 for HE station 504 of FIG. 10 to communicate with a second band of HE AP 903. In another example, AP 502 may encode a booster link parameters element 1200 for HE station 504 at operation 1810 of FIG. 18 to communicate with the secondary AP 1802.

[00181] The method 2200 may continue at operation 2206 with configuring the first AP to transmit the first frame to the station. For example, an apparatus of the HE AP 502 may configure the HE AP 502 (of FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 18) to transmit the booster link parameters element.

[00182] In accordance with some embodiments, method 2200 may include one or more additional steps. In accordance with some embodiments, operations of method 2200 may be performed in a different order. In accordance with some embodiments, one or more operations of method 2200 may not be performed. Method 2200 may be performed by a HE station 504, an apparatus of a HE station 504, a HE access point 502, or an apparatus of a HE access point.

[00183] The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 is an apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) station (STA)(HE STA) including memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuity configured to: encode a first frame, the first frame including a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band; decode a second frame from the first AP, the second frame including an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP; decode a third frame from the first AP, the third frame including a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element including indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, where the first band is different than the second band; cause the HE station to receive a fourth frame from the second AP using the parameters; and decode the fourth frame using the parameters.

[00184] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes where the first band is a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, and where the second band is a 6 GHz band.

[00185] In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

1-2 optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: encode a fifth frame including data; and cause the HE station to transmit the fifth frame in accordance with the parameters.

[00186] In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

1-3 optionally include where the booster link parameters element includes a booster link physical (PHY) parameters element and a booster link media access control (MAC) element. [00187] In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

1-4 optionally include where the parameters indicated by the booster link parameters element comprise: an indication of a frequency range.

[00188] In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 optionally includes where the parameters further comprise: an indication of a service period to receive the fourth frame.

[00189] In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

5-6 optionally include where the parameters further comprise one or more of the following: a subcarrier spacing, and a Fast Fourier Transform size.

[00190] In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

5-7 optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine an incumbent frequency range based on a database of incumbents, where the parameters further comprise an indication of an incumbent frequency range.

[00191] In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 optionally includes where the parameters further comprise an indication of a maximum transmit power the HE station is to use transmitting on the incumbent frequency range.

[00192] In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 5-9 optionally include where the parameters further comprise an indication of a maximum transmit power or an indication of a power spectral density (PSD) for the HE station to use transmitting on the frequency range.

[00193] In Example 1 1, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 5-10 optionally include where the indication of the frequency range is one of the following group: an indication of a bandwidth and a center frequency, an indication of a portion of a predetermined frequency band not to transmit on, and an indication of one or more predetermined channels to be aggregated for the frequency range.

[00194] In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 1-1 1 optionally include where the processing circuitry is configured to: refrain from associating with the second AP.

[00195] In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 1-12 optionally include where the fourth frame is a data frame or control frame. [00196] In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13 optionally includes where the processing circuitry is further configured to: receive management frames from the first AP and refrain from receiving management frames from the second AP.

[00197] In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 1-14 optionally include where the HE station, the first AP, and the second AP are each one of the following group: an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 lax access point, an IEEE 802.1 lax station, an IEEE 802.1 1 station, and an IEEE 802.1 1 access point.

[00198] In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 1-15 optionally include transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry; and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry, and where the memory is configured to store the first frame, the second frame, the third frame, and the fourth frame.

[00199] Example 17 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors of an apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) station (STA)(HE STA), the instructions to configure the one or more processors to: encode a first frame, the first frame including a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band; decode a second frame from the first AP, the second frame including an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP; decode a third frame from the first AP, the third frame including a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element including indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, where the first band is different than the second band; cause the HE station to receive a fourth frame from the second AP using the parameters; and decode the fourth frame using the parameters.

[00200] In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 optionally includes where the parameters indicated by the booster link parameters element comprise: an indication of a frequency range.

[00201] Example 19 is a method performed by an apparatus of a high- efficiency (HE) station (STA)(HE STA), the method including: encoding a first frame, the first frame including a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band; decoding a second frame from the first AP, the second frame including an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP; decoding a third frame from the first AP, the third frame including a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element including indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, where the first band is different than the second band; causing the HE station to receive a fourth frame from the second AP using the parameters; and decoding the fourth frame using the parameters.

[00202] In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 optionally includes where the parameters indicated by the booster link parameters element comprise: an indication of a frequency range.

[00203] Example 21 is an apparatus of a first access point (AP) including memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuity configured to: associate with a station using a first band; encode a first frame including a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element including parameters for a second AP and a high-efficiency (HE) station to communicate on a second band, where the first band is different than the second band; and configure the first AP to transmit the first frame to the HE station.

[00204] In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 optionally includes where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine a service period for the HE station and the second AP to communicate on the second band; encode a second frame including an information element, the information element including an indication of the service period; and configure the first AP to transmit the second frame to the HE station.

[00205] In Example 23, the subject matter of Examples 21 or 22 optionally include where the first band is a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, and where the second band is a 6 GHz band.

[00206] In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 21-23 optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine a frequency range for the second AP and the station to operate on; and encode the first frame including the booster link parameters element to comprise an indication of the determination of the frequency range.

[00207] In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 21-24 optionally include transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry; and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.

[00208] Example 26 is an apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) station

(STA)(HE STA), the apparatus including: means for encoding a first frame, the first frame including a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band; means for decoding a second frame from the first AP, the second frame including an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP; means for decoding a third frame from the first AP, the third frame including a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element including indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, where the first band is different than the second band; means for causing the HE station to receive a fourth frame from the second AP using the parameters; and means for decoding the fourth frame using the parameters.

[00209] In Example 27, the subject matter of Examples 25 or 26 optionally includes where the first band is a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, and where the second band is a 6 GHz band.

[00210] In Example 28, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 25-27 optionally include where the apparatus further includes: means for encoding a fifth frame including data; and means for causing the HE station to transmit the fifth frame in accordance with the parameters.

[00211] In Example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 25-28 optionally include where the booster link parameters element includes a booster link physical (PHY) parameters element and a booster link media access control (MAC) element.

[00212] In Example 30, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 25-29 optionally include where the parameters indicated by the booster link parameters element comprise: an indication of a frequency range. [00213] In Example 31, the subject matter of Example 30 optionally includes where the parameters further comprise: an indication of a service period to receive the fourth frame.

[00214] In Example 32, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 29-31 optionally include where the parameters further comprise one or more of the following: a subcarrier spacing, and a Fast Fourier Transform size.

[00215] In Example 33, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 29-32 optionally include where the apparatus further includes: means for determining an incumbent frequency range based on a database of incumbents, where the parameters further comprise an indication of an incumbent frequency range.

[00216] In Example 34, the subject matter of Example 33 optionally includes where the parameters further comprise an indication of a maximum transmit power the HE station is to use transmitting on the incumbent frequency range.

[00217] In Example 35, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 29-34 optionally include where the parameters further comprise an indication of a maximum transmit power or an indication of a power spectral density (PSD) for the HE station to use transmitting on the frequency range.

[00218] In Example 36, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 29-35 optionally include where the indication of the frequency range is one of the following group: an indication of a bandwidth and a center frequency, an indication of a portion of a predetermined frequency band not to transmit on, and an indication of one or more predetermined channels to be aggregated for the frequency range.

[00219] In Example 37, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 25-36 optionally include where the apparatus further includes: means for refraining from associating with the second AP.

[00220] In Example 38, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 25-37 optionally include where the fourth frame is a data frame or control frame. [00221] In Example 39, the subject matter of Example 38 optionally includes where the apparatus further includes: means for receiving management frames from the first AP and means for refraining from receiving management frames from the second AP.

[00222] In Example 40, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 25-39 optionally include where the HE station, the first AP, and the second AP are each one of the following group: an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 lax access point, an IEEE 802.1 lax station, an IEEE 802.11 station, and an IEEE 802.11 access point.

[00223] In Example 41, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 25-40 optionally include the apparatus further including: means for processing radio-frequency waves; and, means for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency waves coupled to the means for processing the radio-frequency waves.

[00224] Example 42 is an apparatus of a first access point (AP), the apparatus including: means for associating with a station using a first band; means for encoding a first frame including a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element including parameters for a second AP and a high-efficiency (HE) station to communicate on a second band, where the first band is different than the second band; and means for configuring the first AP to transmit the first frame to the HE station.

[00225] In Example 43, the subject matter of Example 42 optionally includes where the apparatus further includes: means for determining a service period for the HE station and the second AP to communicate on the second band; means for encoding a second frame including an information element, the information element including an indication of the service period; and means for configuring the first AP to transmit the second frame to the HE station.

[00226] In Example 44, the subject matter of Examples 43 optionally includes where the first band is a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, and where the second band is a 6 GHz band.

[00227] In Example 45, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 41-44 optionally include where the apparatus further includes: means for determining a frequency range for the second AP and the station to operate on; and means for encoding the first frame including the booster link parameters element to comprise an indication of the determination of the frequency range.

[00228] In Example 46, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 41-45 optionally include the apparatus further including: means for processing radio-frequency waves; and, means for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency waves coupled to the means for processing the radio-frequency waves.

[00229] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section

1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) station (STA)(HE STA) comprising memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuity configured to:

encode a first frame, the first frame comprising a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band;

decode a second frame from the first AP, the second frame comprising an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP;

decode a third frame from the first AP, the third frame comprising a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element comprising indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, wherein the first band is different than the second band;

cause the HE station to receive a fourth frame from the second AP using the parameters; and

decode the fourth frame using the parameters.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first band is a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, and wherein the second band is a 6 GHz band.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

encode a fifth frame comprising data; and

cause the HE station to transmit the fifth frame in accordance with the parameters.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the booster link parameters element comprises a booster link physical (PHY) parameters element and a booster link media access control (MAC) element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the parameters indicated by the booster link parameters element comprise: an indication of a frequency range.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the parameters further comprise: an indication of a service period to receive the fourth frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the parameters further comprise one or more of the following: a subcarrier spacing, and a Fast Fourier Transform size.

8 The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

determine an incumbent frequency range based on a database of incumbents, wherein the parameters further comprise an indication of an incumbent frequency range.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the parameters further comprise an indication of a maximum transmit power the HE station is to use transmitting on the incumbent frequency range.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the parameters further comprise an indication of a maximum transmit power or an indication of a power spectral density (PSD) for the HE station to use transmitting on the frequency range.

1 1. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the indication of the frequency range is one of the following group: an indication of a bandwidth and a center frequency, an indication of a portion of a predetermined frequency band not to transmit on, and an indication of one or more predetermined channels to be aggregated for the frequency range.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: refrain from associating with the second AP.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fourth frame is a data frame or control frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

receive management frames from the first AP and refrain from receiving management frames from the second AP.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the HE station, the first AP, and the second AP are each one of the following group: an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 lax access point, an IEEE 802.1 lax station, an IEEE 802.11 station, and an IEEE 802.11 access point.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry; and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry, and wherein the memory is configured to store the first frame, the second frame, the third frame, and the fourth frame..

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors of an apparatus of a high- efficiency (HE) station (STA)(HE STA), the instructions to configure the one or more processors to:

encode a first frame, the first frame comprising a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band;

decode a second frame from the first AP, the second frame comprising an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP;

decode a third frame from the first AP, the third frame comprising a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element comprising indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, wherein the first band is different than the second band;

cause the HE station to receive a fourth frame from the second AP using the parameters; and

decode the fourth frame using the parameters.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the parameters indicated by the booster link parameters element comprise: an indication of a frequency range.

19. A method performed by an apparatus of a high-efficiency (HE) station (STA)(HE STA), the method comprising:

encoding a first frame, the first frame comprising a request to associate with a first access point (AP) over a first band;

decoding a second frame from the first AP, the second frame comprising an association response from the first AP, the association response indicating that the HE station is associated with the first AP;

decoding a third frame from the first AP, the third frame comprising a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element comprising indications of parameters for communicating with a second AP over a second band without associating with the second AP, wherein the first band is different than the second band;

causing the HE station to receive a fourth frame from the second AP using the parameters; and

decoding the fourth frame using the parameters.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the parameters indicated by the booster link parameters element comprise: an indication of a frequency range.

21. An apparatus of a first access point (AP) comprising memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuity configured to:

associate with a station using a first band; encode a first frame comprising a booster link parameters element, the booster link parameters element comprising parameters for a second AP and a high-efficiency (HE) station to communicate on a second band, wherein the first band is different than the second band; and

configure the first AP to transmit the first frame to the HE station.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

determine a service period for the HE station and the second AP to communicate on the second band;

encode a second frame comprising an information element, the information element comprising an indication of the service period; and

configure the first AP to transmit the second frame to the HE station

23. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first band is a 2.4 GHz band or a 5 GHz band, and wherein the second band is a 6 GHz band.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

determine a frequency range for the second AP and the station to operate on; and

encode the first frame comprising the booster link parameters element to comprise an indication of the determination of the frequency range.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry; and, one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.