WO2018203979A1

WO2018203979A1 - Rate selection and wake-up radio beacon

Info

Publication number: WO2018203979A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/023374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Po-Kai Huang; Shahrnaz Azizi; Thomas J. Kenney; Minyoung Park
Original assignee: Intel Corporation
Priority date: 2017-05-04
Filing date: 2018-03-20
Publication date: 2018-11-08

Abstract

Disclosed are embodiments for accommodating a variety of communication environments utilizing a wake up radio architecture. Due to constraints of various devices, some wake up radios may be designed to receive wake up radio beacons at a first rate, while others may be designed to receive beacons at a different rate. The disclosed embodiments provide for transmission of wake up radio beacons at different rates. Because the number of each type of device may vary by communication environment, some aspects provide for varying the proportion of beacons transmitted at the first and second rates, for example, so as to be in proportion to an amount of each type of device present in the communication environment.

Description

RATE SELECTION AND WAKE-UP RADIO BEACON CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

100011 This application claims priority to U. S. Provisional Application

No. 62/501,533, filed May 4, 201 7, and entitled "RATE SELECTION AND WAKE-UP R ADIO (WUR) BEACON." The content of this prior application is considered part of this application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

100021 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 and/or a low power communications standards ( e.g., Bluetooth). Some embodiments relate to methods, computer readable media, and apparatus for a rate selection and WUR beacon.

BACKGROUND 100031 Efficient use of the resources of a WLAN is important to provide bandwidth and acceptable response times to the users of the WLAN. However, often there are many dev ices trying to share the same resources, and some dev ices 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 dev ice protocols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

100041 The present disclosure is il lustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in w hich like references indicate similar elements and in which: 100051 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio architecture, in accordance with some embodiments;

100061 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 wireless network, in accordance with some embodiments;

100101 FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine upon which any one or more of the operations/techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may perform;

[001 11 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 a block diagram of an example wireless dev ice upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies or operations ) discussed herein may perform.

[0013] FIG. 9 includes a timing diagram showing a WUR beacon transmitted at a single rate.

[0014] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment that supports transmission of the

WUR beacon at multiple rates.

[0015] FIG. 1 1 illustrates an embodiment that supports transmission of WU R beacons at two different rates.

[0016] FIG. 12 shows an example of a beacon frame.

[0017] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example method for transmitting timing information for a low power WUR beacon.

[0018] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method for receiving and/or decoding timing information for a low power WUR beacon.

[0019] FIG 1 is a flowchart of an example method for receiving and/or decoding timing information for a low power WUR beacon. [0020] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example method for receiving and/or decoding timing information for a low power WUR beacon.

[0021] FIG. 1 7 is an example of at least a portion of a WUR message.

[0022] FIG. 1 8 is an example of a frame body portion of a wake up frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] 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.

[0024] Low power wake up radio (LP-WUR) is a technique to enable ultra-low power operation for a Wi-Fi device. Generally, a device implementing a low power WUR architecture will operate in at least two modes. In a first mode, the device is fully operable, in that it is able to transmit and receive data on a wireless network in compliance with whatever ireless specification the device is designed to comply with. In a second mode, the device may consume less power and may be at least partial ly inoperable. For example, the device may be unable to transmit data on the network. Furthermore, the device may be unable to receive at least some information it could otherwise receive if in the fully operable mode. Because the device is able to depower its traditional Wi-Fi receiver and transmit capabilities, the device is able to save a relatively substantial amount of power while operating in this mode (compared to the fully operable mode).

[0025] In some aspects, the device implementing the low power wake up radio technique may include two physically separate receivers: a first, fully functional transceiver; and a second, low power receiv er optimized to receiv e the wake up signal and generate a signal, either to the fully functional

rece i ver/t ra n see i v er or to a hardware processor indicating the wake up signal has been received. In some aspects, messages received by the wake up radio 806 may be encoded differently than messages received by the fully functional receiver/transceiver. For example, the wake up radio 806 may receive signals encoded using on-off keying (OOK) in some aspects.

[0026] Wireless network- supported low power WUR implementations may provide for a wake up radio beacon. Implementations supporting a WUR beacon may also provide for a target WUR beacon transmission time (TWBTT), indicating a time when a next WUR beacon may be transmitted. Additionally, the WUR beacon may have a WUR interval or period, indicating a period of time between successive WUR beacons. This information describing the timing and periodicity of the WUR beacon may be included in a traditional 802.11 beacon frame in some aspects.

[0027] Devices implementing a low power wake up radio solution may be designed with receivers capable of supporting reception of signals having a variety of data rates. Some devices may be designed to receive a signal having a relative low data rate (LDR). For example, these devices may be configured to receive a wake-up signal transmitted at 62.5 kilobits/second in some aspects. Other devices may be designed to receive a wake up signal having a relatively high data rate (HDR). For example, in some aspects, these higher date rate capable devices may be configured to receive a wake up signal transmitted at 250 kilobits/second. The higher data rate beacons may provide for a shorter transmission time, consuming less of the available capacity of the wirel ess network. The lower data rate beacon may provide for a larger reception range than the higher data rate beacon. Thus, for devices looking to interoperate on a network including a low power wake up radio implementation, and in particular for controller devices such as access points, there may be a need to operate using multiple data rates to accommodate a variety of devices that may be present on the network.

[0028] A v ariety of netw ork env ironments could be encountered. For example, one environment could provide that every device implementing a low power wake up radio is implemented to receive a HDR beacon, but a set of devices may not be configured to receive a LDR beacon. This set of dev ices may have been designed to limit complexity and cost, for example.

Alternatively, an environment could be encountered where every device may receive a LDR beacon, but some devices may be unable to receiv e a HDR beacon. This environment may be encountered when devices are designed to ensure maximum range of the wake up signal . A third env ironment could find a mix of dev ices, some only able to support an HDR signal while others may only be able to support an LDR signal.

[0029] As a result of this variety of env ironments that may be

encountered, there is a need to design a wake up radio beacon that provides for some flexibility in terms of data rate selection. The present disclosure contemplates a variety of possible solutions to this technical problem. In one set of embodiments, a single data rate for a wake up radio beacon may be supported. The rate of the wake up radio beacon may be indicated, for example, in a traditional 802. 1 1 beacon frame. This solution does not support an environment consisting of dev ices capable of receiv ing disparate data rate wake up radio beacons. A second set of embodiments may provide for transmission of wake up radio beacons at different rates. In these embodiments, the beacons hav ing the different rates may be transmitted in an alternating pattern. For example, in some of these aspects, every other beacon may be at a first rate, and between those beacons, beacons may be transmitted at a different second rate.

Alternativ ely, two, three, or four beacons at the first rate may be transmitted followed by a single beacon at the second rate. Controller dev ices implementing such a solution could vary the pat tern of beacon rates based on, for example, a proportion of dev ices supporting each of the rates. Thus, if the controller dev ice detects, for example, that 80% of the devices it is supporting (for example, with which it is associated ) are able to receiv e the wake up signal at the first rate, the controller may set the repeating pattern to consist of -80% wake up radio beacons at the first rate.

100301 A third set of embodiments may also transmit wake up radio beacons at multiple rates. This third set of embodiments may prov ide for multiple separate target transmission times corresponding to the multiple rates, and multiple separate interval or period values for the multiple corresponding rates. Thus, in these implementations, each wake up radio beacon sent at a particular rate may be transmitted at a frequency and time completely

independent of a frequency and time of a wake up radio beacon transmitted at a different rate. As in the second set of embodiments, a controller device may vary the frequency or interval of each wake up radio beacon based on a sensing of the communication environment being supported by the controller device. If, for example, a majority of devices may receive only the lower rate beacon, then the controller may set the frequency or interval/period of that beacon to be higher than a beacon having a higher rate with fewer devices listening to/receiving it. Thus, by providing flexibility in wake up radio beacon transmission rates, a controller device may better accommodate a variety of communication environments to which it may be exposed, resulting in an overall improvement in communications efficiency and throughput.

[0031] 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 WLAN functionality and Bluetooth (BT) functionality although embodiments are not so limited. In this disclosure, ^"WLAN^" and "Wi-Fi" are used interchangeably. 100321 FEM circuitry 104 may include a WL AN or Wi-Fi FEM circuitry

104 A and a Bluetooth (BT) FEM circuitry 104B. The WLA FEM circuitry 104 A may include a receive signal path comprising circuitry configured to operate on WL AN RF signals receiv ed from one or more antennas 10 1 , to amplify the receiv ed signals and to provide the amplified versions of the receiv ed signals to the WL AN radio IC circuitry 1 06 A for further processing. The BT FEM circuitry I 04B may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on BT RF signals receiv ed from one or more antennas 101, to amplify the received signals and to prov ide the amplified versions of the receiv ed signals to the BT radio IC circuitry 106B for further processing. FEM circuitry 1 04 A may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify WLAN signals prov ided by the radio IC circuitry 1 06. A for wireless transmission by one or more of the antennas 1 0 1 . In addition, FEM circuitry 104B may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify BT signals prov ided by the radio IC circuitry 106B for wireless transmission by the one or more antennas. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, although FEM 104 A and FEM 104 B 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.

[0033] Radio IC circuitry 106 as shown may include WLA radio IC circuitry 106 A and BT radio IC circuitry 106B. The WL A radio IC circuitry 106 A may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down- convert WLAN RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 104 A and provide baseband signals to WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108 A. 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 106 A may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert WLAN baseband signals provided by the WLAN baseband processing circuitry 1 08 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 1 06B 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 106 A 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.

[0034] Baseband processing circuity 108 may include a WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108 A and a BT baseband processing circuitry

108B. The WLAN baseband processing circuitry 108 A 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 108 A. Each of the WLAN baseband circuitry 108 A 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 108 A 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 ba seband signals and for controlling operations of the radio IC circuitry 106. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the wireless radio card 102 may include separate baseband circuitry 109 for one or more of the WL AN baseband processing circuitry 108 A and Bluetooth baseband processing circuity 108B, shown as baseband memories 109A and 109B respectively.

[0035] 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 108 A and the BT baseband circuitrv 108B to enable use cases requiring WLAN and BT coexistence. In addition, a switch 103 may be provided between the WLAN FEM circuitry 104 A 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 104 A and the BT FEM circuitry 104B, embodiments include within their scope the sharing of one or more antennas as between the WL AN and BT FEMs, or the provision of more than one antenna connected to each of F EM 104 A or 104 B.

[0036] 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 112. [0037] 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.

[0038] 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 protocol s, such as any of the Insti tute of Electrical and Electronics Engi neers (IEEE) standards including, IEEE 802.1 ln-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 ith other techniques and standards.

[0039] 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 w ith an OFDMA technique, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0040] 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 div ision multiple access (FH-CDM A)), time-division multiplexing (T DM ) modulation, and/or frequency-div ision multiplexing (FDM) modulation, although the scope of the embodiment s is not limited in this respect . [0041] 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 establi sh 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

[0042] In some embodiments, the radio-architecture 100 may include other radio cards, such as a cellular radio card configured for cellular (e.g., GPP such as LTE, LTE- Advanced or G communications).

100431 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 bandw idths of about 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 4 MHz, 5 MHz, 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 bandw idth may be used. The scope of the embodiments is not limited with respect to the above center frequencies however.

[ 00441 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 WL AN and/or BT FEM circuitry 104A/ 104B (FIG. 1 ), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable. [0045] 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)).

[0046] 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 spectmm 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.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates radio I 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 WL AN or BT radio IC circuitry I 06A/ 106B (FIG. 1 ), although other circuitry configurations may also be suitable.

100481 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 3 12 and mixer circuitry 314, such as, for example, up- conversion mixer circuitry. Radio IC circuitry 300 may also include synthesizer circuitry 04 for synthesizing a frequency 305 for use by the mixer circuitry 302 and the mixer circuitry 3 14. The mixer circuitry 302 and/or 3 14 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 3 14 may each include one or more mixers, and filter circuitries 308 and/or 3 1 2 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.

[0049] 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.

100501 In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 3 14 may be configured to up-con vert input baseband signals 3 1 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 3 I 1 may be provided by the baseband processing circuitry 108 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 312. The filter circuitry 3 12 may include a LPF or a BPF, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0051] 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 circuitry 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 3 14 may be configured for superheterodyne operation, although this is not a requirement.

[0052] 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 1 and Q baseband output signals to be sent to the baseband processor

[0053] 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 (fLo) from a local oscillator or a synthesizer, such as LO frequency 305 of synthesizer circuitry 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 embodiment s is not limited in this respect.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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).

100561 In some embodiments, the output baseband signals 307 and the input baseband signals 3 1 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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 div ider 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 11 1.

100591 In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 304 may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency 305, while in other embodiment s, the output frequency 305 may be a fraction of the carri er 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). 100601 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 311 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] In some embodiments that communicate OFDM signals or

OFDM A signals, such as through baseband processor 108 A, the transmit baseband processor 404 may be configured to generate OFDM or OFDM A 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 OFDM A 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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, fi el d-program m able 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.

100651 FIG. 5 illustrates a WLAN 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The WLA may comprise a basis service set (BSS) 100 that may include one or more HE AP 502, which may be A s, one or more high efficiency (HE) wireless stations (HE stations) (e.g. , IEEE 802. 1 l ax) HE stations 104, a plurality of legacy (e.g., IEEE 802. 1 ln/ac) devices 506, a plurality of IoT devices 508 (e.g., IEEE 802. 1 lax), and one or more sensor hubs 510.

[0066] 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 I I E 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 l ax. The IEEE 802.1 1 protocol may include using orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA), time division multiple access (TDM A ), and/or code division multiple access (CDMA). The IEEE 802. 1 I protocol may include a multiple ciCCCSS technique. For example, the IEEE 802.1 1 protocol may include space-division multiple access (SDM A) and/or multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO). The HE AP 502 may be a virtual HE AP 502 shares hardware resources with another wireless device such as another HE AP 502,

[0067] 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/ab, or another legacy wireless communication standard. The legacy devices 506 may be STAs or IEEE STAs. The HE stations 504 may be wireless transmit and receive devices such as cellular telephone, smart telephone, handheld wireless device, wireless glasses, wireless watch, wireless personal device, tablet, a portable wireless device, 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 stations 504 may be termed high efficiency wireless local- area network (HEW) stations.

[0068] 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 stations 504 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802. 1 1 communication techniques.

[0069] The IoT devices 508 may operate in accordance with IEEE

802. 1 lax, IEEE 802.1 Iba, or another standard of 802. 1 1 . The loT devices 508 may be, in some embodiments, narrow band devices that operate on a smaller sub-channel than the HE stations 504. For example, the IoT devices 508 may operate on 2.03 MHz or 4.06 MHz sub-channels. In some embodiments, the IoT devices 508 are not able to transmit on a full 20 MHz sub-channel to the HE AP 502 with sufficient power for the HE AP 502 to receive the transmission. In some embodiments, the IoT devices 508 are not able to receive on a 20 MHz sub-channel and may use a small sub-channel such as 2.03 MHz or 4.06 MHz sub-channel. In some embodiments, the IoT devices 508 may operate on a sub- channel with exactly 26 or 52 data sub-carriers. The IoT devices 508, in some embodiments, may be short-range, low-power devices.

[0070] The IoT devices 508 may be battery constrained. The loT devices 508 may be sensors designed to measure one or more specific parameters of interest such as temperature sensor, pressure sensor, humidity- sensor, light sensor, etc. The IoT devices 508 may be location-specific sensors. Some IoT devices 508 may be connected to a sensor hub 510. The IoT devices 508 may upload measured data from sensors to the sensor hub 510. The sensor hubs 510 may upload the data to an access gateway 512 that connects several sensor hubs 510 and can connect to a cloud sever or the Internet (not illustrated). The HE AP 502 may act as the access gateway 512 in accordance with some embodiments. The HE AP 502 may act as the sensor hub 510 in accordance with some embodiments. The IoT device 508 may have identifiers that identify a type of data that is measured from the sensors. In some embodiments, the IoT device 508 may be able to determine a location of the IoT device 508 based on received satellite signals or received terrestrial wireless signals.

[0071] In some embodiments, at least some of the IoT devices 508 need to consume very low average power in order to perform a packet exchange with the sensor hub 510 and/or access gateway 512, The IoT devices 508 may be densely deployed.

[0072] The IoT devices 508 may enter a power save mode and may exit the power save at intervals to gather data from sensors and/or to upload the data to the sensor hub 510 or access gateway 512.

[0073] In some embodiments, the HE AP 502 HE stations 504, legacy stations 506, IoT devices 508, access gateways 512, Bluetooth™ devices, and/or sensor hubs 510 enter a power save mode and exit the power save mode periodical ly or at a pre-scheduled times to see if there is a packet for them to be received. In some embodiments, the HE AP 502, HE stations 504, legacy stations 506, IoT devices 508, access gateways 512, Bluetooth™ devices, and/or sensor hubs 5 1 0 may remain in a power save mode until receiving a wake-up packet.

[0074] The bandwidth of a channel may be 20MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz,

160MHz, 320MHz contiguous bandwidths or an 8Q+80MHz (160MHz) non- contiguous bandwidth. In some embodiments, the bandwidth of a channel may be 1 MHz, 1.25MHz, 2.03MHz, 2 5 MHz, 4.06 MHz, 5 MHz and lOMHz, or a combination thereof or another bandwidth that is less or equal to the avai lable 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.

[0075] 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 1 06-subcarrier RU is used in the 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDM A and MU-M I MO 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 OFDM A and MU-MIMO HE PPDU formats. In some embodiments, the 996-subcarrier RU is used in the 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz OFDM A and MU-MIMO HE PPDU formats.

100761 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 dev ice 506 may also implement different technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) 2000, CDMA 2000 I X, CDMA 2000 Evolution-Data Optimized ( EV-DO), Interim Standard 2000 ( IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 ( IS-95 ), Interim Standard 856 ( IS-856), Long Term Ev olution (LTE), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Ev olution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERA ), IEEE 802.16 (i.e.. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi MAX)), BlueTooth®, or other technologies.

[0077] Some embodiments relate to HE communications. In accordance with some IEEE 802.1 lax embodiments, a HE AP 502 may operate as a HE AP 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 trigger frame, which may be a trigger packet or HE control and schedule transmission, at the beginning of the HEW control period. The HE AP 502 may transmit a time duration of the TXOP and sub-channel information. During the HE control period, HEW stations 504 may communicate with the HE AP 502 in accordance with a non-contention based multiple access technique such as OFDM A or MU- MIMO.

[0078] This is unlike conventional wireless local-area network (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, legacy stations refrain from

communicating.

[0079] In some embodiments, the multiple-access technique used during the HE control period may be a scheduled OFDM A technique, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be a time-division multiple access (TDM A) technique or a frequency division multiple J3.CCCSS ( FDMA) technique. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be a space-division multiple access ( SDMA) technique.

[0080] In some embodiments, the HE station 504 and/or HE AP 502 may be configured to operate in accordance with IEEE 802. 1 1 mc. 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. 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 functions herein described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 1 8.

[0081] In example embodiments. The HE AP 502 may also communicate with legacy stations 506, sensor hubs 510, access gateway 512, and/or HE stations 504 and 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 base-band processing circuitry of FIG 4.

[0082] The HE AP 502 may also communicate with legacy stations 506, sensor hubs 510, access gateway 5 1 2, and/or HE stations 504 in accordance with legacy IEEE 802. 1 1 communication techniques. In example embodiments, a HE AP 502, access gateway 5 12, HE station 504, legacy station 506, loT devices 508, and/or sensor hub 5 10 may be configured to perform the methods and functions herein described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 1 8. In example embodiments, an apparatus of a HE AP 502, an apparatus of an access gateway 5 12, an apparatus of a HE station 504, an apparatus of a legacy station 506, apparatus of an IoT devices 508, and/or an apparatus of a sensor hub 5 10 may be configured to perform the methods and functions herein described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-18.

[0083] The term Wi-Fi may refer to one or more of the IEEE 802.1 I communication standards. AP and STA may refer to HE access point 502 and/or HE station 504 as well as legacy devices 506.

[0084| In some embodiments, a HE AP 502 or a HE STA 504

performing at least some functions of an HE AP 502 may be referred to as HE AP STA. In some embodiments, a HE STA 504 may be referred to as a HE non- AP ST A. In some embodiments, a HE ST A 504 may be referred to as either a HE AP STA and/or HE non-AP.

100851 FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine 600 upon which any one or more of the operations/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.

[0086] The machine 600 may be a HE ST As 504 (FIG. 5), HE AP 502,

IoT device 508, sensor hub 510, access gateway 512, or wireless device 700. The machine 600 may be 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.

100871 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 hich may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 608.

[0088] 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-RO disks.

[0089] The machine 600 may further include a display device 610, an input device 6 1 2 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device

6 14 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display device 610, input device 6 12 and UI navigation device 6 14 may be a touch screen display. The machine 600 may additionally include a mass storage (e g , drive unit ) 6 16, a signal generation device 618 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 620, and one or more sensors 62 1 , 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 ( II ), 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.

[0090] The storage device 6 16 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 6 16 may constitute machine readable media.

[0091] 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.

100921 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.

[0093] 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 62 1 , network interface device 620, antennas 660, a display device 610, an input device 6 12, 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 di sclosed 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.

[0094] 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 transitoiy propagating signal.

100951 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. 1 1 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802. 16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.1 5.4 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.

[0096] 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 (M l MO), or multiple-input single-output ( MI SO) techniques. In some examples, the network interface device 620 may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MI MO 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.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

1001001 FIG. 7 il lustrates a block diagram of an example w ireless device 700 upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies or operations) discussed herein may perform. The w ireless device 700 may be a HE dev ice. The wireless device 800 may be one or more of HE STAs 504 (FIG. 5), HE AP 502, IoT device 508, sensor hub 5 10, example machine 600, or access gateway 5 1 2.

[00101] HE STAs 504 (FIG. 5), HE AP 502, IoT device 508, sensor hub 5 10, machine 600, or access gateway 5 1 2 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. [00102] 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 ST As 504 (FIG. 5), HE AP 502, legacy device 506, loT device 508, sensor hub 510, machine 600, or access gateway 512) 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.

[00103] 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 w ireless device 700 may also include memory 7 10 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.

[00104] The antennas 7 1 2 (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, micro strip antennas or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas 7 1 2 may be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result. 1001051 One or more of the memory 710, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MAC circuitry 706, the antennas 7 12, and/or the processing circuitry 708 may be coupled with one another. Moreover, although memory 710, the transceiv er 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.

[00106] 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 and/or Bluetooth). 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 6 12, etc. ) Although the wireless device 700 is illustrated as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the funct ional 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.

[00107] In some embodiments, an apparatus of or used by the wireless device 700 may include various components of the wireless dev ice 700 as shown in FIG. 7 and/or components from FIGS. 1 -6. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the wireless dev ice 700 may be applicable to an apparatus for a wireless device 700 (e.g., HE ST As 504 ( FIG. 5), HE AP 502, legacy device 506, IoT device 508, sensor hub 510, machine 600, or access gateway 5 1 2 ), 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.

[00108] 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).

[00109] 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 7 12, the transceiver 702, the PHY circuitry 704, the MA circuitry 706, and/or the memory 7 10. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 708 may be configured to perform one or more of the fu n ct i o n s/operat ions and/or methods described herein.

[00110] FIG. 8 il lustrates a block diagram of an example wireless device 800 upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies or operations) discussed herein may perform. The wireless device 800 may be a HE device. The wireless device 800 may be one or more of HE STAs 504 (FIG. 5), HE AP 502, loT device 508, sensor hub 5 10, example machine 600, or access gateway 512.

[00111] HE STAs 504 (FIG. 5), HE AP 502, loT device 508, sensor hub

5 10, machine 600, or access gateway 5 12 may include some or all of the components shown in FIGS. 1 -8. The wireless device 800 may be an example machine 600 as disclosed in conjunction with FIG. 6.

[00112] The wireless device 800 may include processing circuitry 802. The processing circuitry 802 may be operably coupled to one or more high power radios 804. The high power radio 804 may be operable to transmit and receive data over a wireless network via one or more antennas 8 1 2. The high power radio 804 may enable communication with one or more other wireless devices 700 or 800 (e.g., HE STAs 504 (FIG. 5), HE AP 502, legacy device 506, IoT device 508, sensor hub 510, machine 600, or access gateway 512) using the one or more antennas 8 1 2. Some combination of the processing circuitry 802 and high power radio 804 may include PHY circuitry to perform various encoding and decoding functions that may include formation of baseband signals for transmission and decoding of received signals. As another example, the high power radio 804 may perform various transmission and reception functions such as conversion of signals between a baseband range and a RF range.

[00113] The wireless device 800 may also include memory 810 arranged to perform the operations described herein (e.g., some of the operations described herein may be performed by instructions stored in the memory 810).

[00114] The antennas 812 (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 (MI MO) embodiments, the antennas 8 12 may be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result.

[00115] The wireless device also includes a wake up radio 806. The wake up radio 806 may be configured to operate at a substantially reduced power consumption relative to the high power radio 804. The wake up radio 806 may be configured to receive a wake up signal and to transmit an indication 820 to the high power radio 804 and/or the processing circuitry 802. For example, in some aspects, one or more of the processing circuitry 802 and high power radio 804 may enter a power save state, resulting in an inability for the device 800 to receive information via the high power radio 804. The wake up radio 806 may remain operable during this power save state, and may receive low power wake up signals from another device, such as an access point. Upon receiving a wake up signal, the wake up radio 806 may signal the high power radio 804 and/or the processing circuitry 802 to transition from the power save state to a higher power, fully operable state.

[00116] One or more of the memory 810, the processing circuitry 802, high power radio 804, and wake up radio 806 may be coupled with one another. Moreover, although memory 810, processing circuitry 802, high power radio 804, wake up radio 806, and antennas 812 are illustrated as separate

components, one or more of memory 810, processing circuitry 802, high power radio 804, wake up radio 806, and antennas 812 may be integrated in an electronic package or chip,

[00117] In some embodiments, the wireless device 800 may be a mobile device as described in conjunction with FIG. 6. In some embodiments, the wireless device 800 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 and/or Bluetooth ). In some embodiments, the wireless device 800 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 800 is illustrated as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the functional element s may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing elements including DSPs, and/or other hardware elements. For example, some elements may comprise one or more

microprocessors, DSPs, FPGAs, ASICs, 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.

[00118] In some embodiments, an apparatus of or used by the wireless device 800 may include various components of the wireless device 800 as shown in FIG. 8 and/or components from FIGS. 1-6. Accordingly, techniques and operations described herein that refer to the wireless device 800 may be applicable to an apparatus for a wireless device 800 (e.g., HE STAs 504 (FIG. 5), FIE AP 502, legacy device 506, IoT device 508, sensor hub 510, machine 600, or access gateway 512), in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the wireless device 800 is configured to decode and/or encode signals, packets, and/or frames as described herein (e.g., PPDUs).

[00119] In some embodiments, the MAC circuitry 706 of FIG. 7 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).

[00120] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 802 may include one or more processors. The processing circuitry 802 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 802 may include a processor such as a general puipose processor or special purpose processor. The processing circuitry 802 may implement one or more functions associated with antennas 812, the high power radio 804, wake up radio (WIJR) 806, and/or the memory 810. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 802 may be configured to perform one or more of the functions/operations and/or methods described herein.

[00121] A wake up signal for the wake up radio 806 may be transmitted using either a HDR or a LDR, with, of course, the low data rate being lower than the high data rate. The higher date rate provides for a relatively shorter transmission time and may be decodable by most if not all devices. The lower date rate may not be decodable by all devices, and may require a longer transmission time. The lower data rate signal may also provide range advantages when compared to the high data rate signal.

[00122] The disclosed embodiments provide for a variety of

configurations of wake up signals. In some embodiments, virtually all of the wake up receivers ( VVLJRx) can receive and decode a high data rate signal, while fewer can receive and decode a LDR wake up signal. This may be due to the additional processing circuitry which may be necessary to decode a LDR signal. In other embodiments, the opposite may be true, with virtually all dev ices able to decode LDR but not HDR signals. These embodiments may fav or the maximum range av ai lable from the LDR signal. In still other embodiments, the dev ices may be a mix of LDR and HDR capable. This may result from a lack of a data rate indication in a wake up radio physical layer preamble, which prev ents a low power receiv er from tuning to receive either a LDR or HDR signal. Thus, a giv en receiver may be designed or configured to only decode either a LDR or HDR signal. [00123] As can be seen from the various possible configurations that may need to be supported, there may be a corresponding need for data rate selection for a wake up radio beacon. The wake up radio beacon may function as a wake up signal for one or more devices.

[00124] FIG. 9 includes a timing diagram showing a wake up radio beacon transmitted at a single rate. The single rate may be the high data rate or the low data rate. The timing diagram 950 shows a series of beacons 902a-f transmitted at an interval/period 904. The TW BT T is shown as 906.

[00125] Above the timing diagram 950 is a message portion 900 showing fields that may be included in the message portion 900 when implementing a single rate wake up radio beacon. The message portion 900 may be included in an information element, such as a wake up radio information element. The message portion 900 may be included in a management frame, such as a beacon frame, association frame, or a re-association frame. The message portion 900 includes a field indicating a TWBTT 912, which identifies the TWBTT 906. A beacon interval field 9 14 identifies the interval 904. A beacon rate field 9 16 may indicate a rate at which the beacon is transmitted. For example, the beacon rate field 9 16 may indicate whether the beacon is transmitted at a HDR or a LDR.

[00126] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment that supports transmission of the wake up radio beacon at multiple rates. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, a single TWBTT 10 12 is provided in a portion of a message 1000. The message portion 1000 may be included in an information element, such as a wake up radio information element. The message portion 1000 may be included in a management frame, such as a beacon message, association message, or re- association message.

[00127] The TWBTT 10 12 may indicate TWBT T 1006. A next beacon rate field 1014 may indicate a rate at hich the beacon transmitted at the TWBTT (i.e., indicated by field 10 12) will be sent. A first predetermined value in the next beacon rate field 1014 may indicate the next beacon w il l be sent at a first rate (e.g., LDR) and a second predetermined value in the next beacon rate field 1014 may indicate the next beacon will be sent at a second rate (e.g.,

HDR). A wake up radio beacon interval field 10 16 is also included in the message 1000. The wake up radio beacon interval field 1016 may indicate an interval 1004. Because the embodiment of FIG. 10 supports beacons transmitted at multiple rates, a fourth field, a rate interval field 1018, indicates at what interval a second rate is interleaved with a first rate. In other words, the rate interval fiel d 1018 indicates a ratio between a number of wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first rate relative to a number of wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second rate. For example, if the rate interval is one, then beacons transmitted at two different rates will alternate at the interval defined in the beacon interval field 1014. As shown, a timeline 1050 shows beacons 1002a-f alternating with HDR and LDR, as would be the case if the rate interval field 1016 was set to a value of one (I). If the rate interval is two (2), then there will be two transmissions of a first rate beacon for every one transmission of a second rate beacon. If the rate interval is three (3), then there may be three transmissions of the first rate beacon for every one transmission of the second rate beacon. The first rate may be a high date rate and the second rate may be a low data rate, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the first rate may be the low date rate beacon and the second rate may be the high data rate beacon.

[00128] Embodiments such as the one illustrated in FIG. 10 may be advantageous if a sizable portion of devices targeted by the solution are unable to decode LDR and a second sizable portion of devices are unable to decode HDR,

[00129] FIG. 1 1 illustrates an embodiment that supports transmission of wake up radio beacons at two different rates. The embodiment of FIG. 1 1 differs from that of the embodiment of FIG. 10 in that the embodiment of FIG. 11 provides for two independent beacons having independent target wake up radio beacon transmission times and intervals. As shown by a portion of a message 1100 for this embodiment, the message 1100 includes a TWBTT field 1 1 12 for a first data rate beacon (e.g., LDR) and a separate TWBTT field 1116 for a beacon sent at a different rate (e.g., HDR). The TWBTT LDR field 1112 may indicate a TWBTT 1106 within a timeline 1150, while the TWBTT HDR field 1 1 16 may indicate a TWBTT 1110 within the timeline 1 150. The portion of the message 1100 shown in FIG. 1 1 may also include separate fields indicating intervals for a LDR beacon interval 1114 and a HDR beacon interval 1 1 18. The LDR beacon interval 1114 may indicate a LDR beacon interval field 1102 while the interval field 1 1 18 may indicate an interval 1 108. The message portion 1 100 may be included in an information element, such as a wake up radio information element. The message portion 1100 may be included in a management message, such as a beacon message, association message, or re- association message.

1001301 The embodim ent of FIG. 1 1 provi des complete flexibility between the timing of the beacons sent at different rates, since they each are able to define their own target wake time and interval duration. These embodiments may also be advantageous in configurations where some of the targeted devices are unable to decode wake up signals sent at a first rate and other of the targeted devices are unable to decode wake up signals sent at a different second rate. Moreover, the embodiment of FIG. 1 1 may provide flexibility to adjust beacon intervals based on a number of devices decoding each of the first and second rate beacons. For example, if a relatively small number of devices is present that is decoding the beacons sent at a first rate, the interval for first rate beacons may be increased and the frequency of second beacons may be decreased, balancing the frequency of beacons with the number of devices present to receive and process information included in said beacons.

[00131] FIG. 12 shows an example of a beacon frame/message. A beacon frame 1200 includes a frame control field 1202, duration field 1204, destination address field 1206, source address field 1208, basic service set (BSS) identifier (ID) field 1210, sequence/control field 1212, frame body 1214, and frame check sequence field 1216. The beacon frame may be a management frame. In other words, the frame control field 1202 may include a type field (not shown) that has a predetermined value indicating the frame 1200 is a management frame. The frame control field 1202 may have a subtype field (also not shown) that has a value indicating the frame 1200 is a beacon frame.

[00132] The frame body field 1214 may include one or more of a timestamp field 1218, beacon interval field 1220, capability info field 1222, SS ID field 1224, frequency hopping (FH) parameter set field 1226, direct sequence (DS) parameter set field 1228, contention free (CF) parameter set field 1230, independent basic service set (IBSS) parameter set field 1232, and traffic information map (TIM) field 1234. Additional fields may follow the TIM 1234 (not shown). The beacon frame 1200 also may include at least one information element 1240a. Multiple information elements may be included in up to "n" information element fields, as shown by information element field 1240n. In some aspects, one or more fields indicating wake up radio beacon timing information may be included in a beacon frame, such as beacon frame 1200 discussed above. For example, one or more of the fields 912, 914, 916, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018, 1112, 1 1 14, 1116, 1 118 may be included in the beacon frame, such as beacon frame 1200. In some aspects wake up radio beacon timing information may be included in a wake up radio beacon information element, which may be included in one of the information elements 1240a-n discussed above.

[00133] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example method for transmitting timing information for a low power wake up radio beacon. As discussed above, in some aspects, a low power wake up beacon may be transmitted at two or more rates, in order to accommodate various devices that may be able to receive a wake up signal at disparate rates. By transmitting the wake up radio beacon at multiple rates, a controller device, such as an access point, may be able to accommodate a communication environment including a mix of device capabilities. Furthermore, the controller device may be able to vary a frequency of one rate versus another rate. For example, if more devices are able to receive wake up radio beacons having a first rate when compared to a second rate, the controller device may send wake up radio beacons at the first rate more frequently than it sends wake up radio beacons at the second rate. The controller may dynamically adjust the proportion or frequency of each type of beacon as the mix of communication devices to which it is communicating changes.

[00134] In some aspects, process 1300 discussed below with respect to FIG. 13 may be performed by the application processor 1 1 1 or the control logic 406. In some aspects, process 1300 is performed by an access point. In the discussion below with respect to FIG. 13, a device performing process 1300 may be referred to as an "executing device."

[00135] In block 1305, a message is encoded to indicate timing information fo a first wake up radio beacon transmitted at a first rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second rate. In some aspects, the timing information may include the information shown in message portion 1000. For example, the timing information may include a TWBTT field 1012, indicating a time of a next beacon to be transmitted. The timing information may also include a next beacon rate field 1014, indicating at what rate the next beacon will be transmitted. For example, field 10 1 4 may indicate whether the beacon is transmitted at a HDR or a LDR. The timing information may also include a wake up radio beacon interval field 1016, indicating an elapsed time between beacons. The elapsed time indicated in the field 1 0 16 would be an elapsed time between any two wake up radio beacons, regardless of their rate. Thus, if a first beacon was transmitted at a first rate and a second beacon was transmitted at a second rate, the interval field 1016 would indicate the amount of time between the first and second beacons. The timing information may also include an indication of a ratio between a number of beacons transmitted at the first rate relative to a number of beacons transmitted at a second rate. For example, in some aspects, the field 10 18 may indicate a ratio of a beacon sent at a first higher rate relative to a number of beacons sent at a second lower rate. Alternatively, the field 10 1 8 may indicate a ratio of a number of beacons sent at a lower rate relative to a number of beacons sent at a higher rate. In some aspects, a positive number may indicate a positive ratio, while a negative number may indicate a ratio that is less than one. For example, a negative value in the rate interval field 10 1 8 may indicate in some aspects a ratio that is one (1) divided by an absolute value of the rate interval field 1018. In some aspects, the rate interval field may be a floating point number to indicate ratios that are less than one (1).

[00136] In some aspects, the timing information indicates two or more separate TWBTT for two or more corresponding beacons transmitted at different rates. For example, an example of such timing information is shown in message portion 1 100, discussed above with respect to FIG. 1 1 . In these aspects, the timing information may indicate two separate intervals for the two wake up radio beacons transmitted at the two or more rates, such as wake up radio beacon interval fields 1 1 14 and 1 1 18 shown in FIG. 1 1. In some aspects, the message encoded in block 1305 may be encoded to include one or more of the fields discussed above with respect to the example beacon message 1200.

[00137] Some aspects of block 1305 include determining wake up radio beacon receive characteristics for a plurality of devices. For example, the plurality of devices may include devices with which an access point is associated. The characteristics may include one or more rates at which each of the devices may receive wake up radio beacons. In some aspects, the timing information may be encoded based on the characteristics. For example, in some aspects, a percentage of devices able to receive beacons at a first rate may be used to determine a percentage of beacons transmitted by the executing device at the first rate. In some aspects, the executing device may determine the timing information such that the capabi lities of the dev ices to which the access point is associated is proportionate to the characteristics of the beacons transmitted by the access point. In some aspects, the percentage of beacons transmitted at the first rate versus a second rate may be based on a volume of traffic being sent and/or received by dev ices having receive characteristics compatible with the beacons. In some other aspects, the wake up radio beacons may be transmitted at multiple rates in proportion to receiv e capabilities of dev ices in a low power state. Thus, for example, if a particular percentage of dev ices in a low power state are devices that may receive wake up radio beacons of a first rate, then the executing device may adjust the percentage of wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first rate to approximate the particular percentage.

[00138] In block 1310, a wireless dev ice, such as the executing device, is configured to transmit the message. In some aspects, block 1 3 10 includes notifying the baseband circuitry 109 or 404 that the message is av ailable for transmission.

[00139] In block 1 3 1 5, the wireless dev ice is configured to transmit the first wake up radio beacon at the first rate in accordance with the timing information. For example, block 13 1 5 may transmit the first wake up radio beacon at a target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the beacon of the first rate, as indicated in the timing information. Configuring the wireless device to transmit the first wake up radio beacon at the first rate may include notifying the baseband circuitry 109 or 404 that the first wake up radio beacon is available for transmission. Block 1315 may also include indicating to the baseband circuitry 109 or 404 that the first beacon is to be transmitted at the first rate.

[00140] In block 1320, the wireless device is configured to transmit the second wake up radio beacon at the second rate in accordance with the timing information. For example, block 1 320 may transmit the second wake up radio beacon at a target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the beacon of the second rate, as indicated in the timing information. Configuring the w ireless device to transmit the second wake up radio beacon at the second rate may include notifying the baseband circuitrv 109 or 404 that the second wake up radio beacon is available for transmission. Block 13 1 5 may also include indicating to the baseband circuitry 109 or 404 that the second beacon is to be transmitted at the second rate.

[00141] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method for receiving and/or decoding timing information for a low power wake up radio beacon. As discussed above, in some aspects, a low power wake up beacon may be transmitted at two or more rates, in order to accommodate various devices that may be able to receive a wake up signal at disparate rates. By transmitting the wake up radio beacon at multiple rates, a controller device, such as an access point, may be able to accommodate a communication environment including a mix of device capabilities.

[00142] In some aspects, process 1400 discussed below with respect to FIG. 14 may be performed by the application processor 1 1 1 or the control logic 406. In some aspects, process 1400 is performed by a station implementing a low power wake up receiver architecture. In the discussion below with respect to FIG. 14, a device performing process 1400 may be referred to as an

"executing device ^"

[00143] In block 1405, a message is received and/or decoded to determine timing information for a first beacon transmitted at a first rate and a second beacon transmitted at a second rate. In some aspects, the message may include one or more of the fields discussed above with respect to the example beacon message 1200. In some aspects, the decoded message may be a management message, such as a beacon, association, or re-association message. One or more of these fields may be decoded in block 1405. In some aspects, block 1405 may include decoding wake up radio beacon timing information such as any of that discussed above with respect to message portions 1000 or 1 100. For example, in embodiments utilizing information included in the example message portion 1000, the executing device may determine a TWBTT (e.g., via field 1012), a wake up radio beacon interval (e.g., via field 1016, and a ratio between beacons transmitted at a first rate and beacons transmitted at a second rate (e.g., via field 1018). in some aspects, the executing device may determine a rate at which the next beacon will be sent based on an indication in the beacon (e.g., 1014).

[00144] In some other embodiments, the executing device may determine two or more separate TWBTT (e.g., 11 12, 1 1 16) for two or more beacons transmitted at two or more different rates. The executing device may further decode the beacon to determine two separate intervals for the two types of beacons (e.g., 1 1 14, 1 1 18).

[00145] In block 1410, a beacon is selected based on the respective rates of each of the first and second beacons. For example, in some aspects, the selection may be made based on known hardware characteristics of the executing device. For example, the executing device may be configured to operate based on a known capability of its low power receiver hardware, which may restrict reception of wake up radio beacons to particular rates (i.e., rates receivable by the particular wake up radio hardware used by the executing device). The beacon may be selected based on these capabilities.

[00146] In block 14 1 , the selected wake up radio beacon is monitored. In some aspects, the wake up radio beacon may be monitored to determine whether the access point is still present. For example, if an access point were to stop functioning, the wake up radio may wake up the WUR station based on inacti vity of the access point (e.g. an absence of the selected wake up beacon). In some aspects, the wake up radio beacon may indicate a duty cycle for the access point with respect to when wake up signals may be transmitted. For example, in some aspects, the access point may indicate in the wake up radio beacon a time period when the access point will transmit wake up signals, and another time period when wake up signals may not be transmitted. This may provide for turning off the wake up radio during the time period when no wake up signals may be sent. By powering down not only the high power radio but also the wake up radio during at least some portion of time, the power consumption of a WUR S I A may be reduced further.

[00147] In some aspects, block 14 1 5 may include selecting wake up radio beacon timing information based on the beacon rate determined in block 1410. In other words, based on the timing information for the multiple beacons determined in block 1405, and the type of beacon the executing device is capable of receiving, block 14 1 5 may determine at what time a next wake up radio beacon will be received that it can also decode. Block 14 1 5 may then enter a low power state based on this determination. For example, if the executing device may receive the first beacon at the first rate, a target beacon transmission time applicable to the first beacon may be selected, along with a corresponding interval for this beacon. In embodiments utilizing the information discussed above with respect to FIG. 10, block 14 1 5 may further determine where in the alternating pattern of beacons a compatible wake up radio beacon will fall, and may determine to enter a low power state for a period of time that is derived from the timing of the next compatible wake up radio beacon. Block 14 1 5 may further include receiving the wake up radio beacon at the determined time.

[00148] F IG. 1 5 is a flowchart of an example method for receiv ing and/or decoding timing information for a low power wake up radio beacon. As discussed above, in some aspects, a wake up radio beacon may be transmitted at a single rate in some embodiments. Since some devices may be capable of receiving the wake up radio beacon at only a single rate or at multiple rates, it may be necessary for dev ices to understand at what rate a wake up radio beacon from a particular access point is transmitted. To that end, FIG. 1 5 provides a message that indicates a rate at which the wake up radio beacon is transmitted. The message encoded and transmitted in process 1 500, discussed below, may also include timing information for the wake up radio beacon, such as a target wake up radio beacon transmission time and an interval for the wake up radio beacon.

[00149] In some aspects, process 1500 discussed below with respect to

FIG. 1 5 may be performed by the application processor 1 1 1 or the control logic

406. In some aspects, process 1500 is performed by an access point supporting one or more stations implementing a low power wake up receiver architecture. In the discussion below with respect to FIG. 15, a device performing process 1500 may be referred to as an "executing device."

[00150] In block 1 505, a message is encoded to indicate a rate at which a separate wake up radio beacon is transmitted. In some aspects, the message may be encoded as a management message, such as a beacon message, an association message, or a re-association message. In some aspects, the message may be encoded to include one or more of the fields discussed above with respect to the example beacon message 1200. Furthermore, the message may be encoded to include at least a portion of the information discussed above with respect to message portion 900. For example, the message may be encoded to indicate a TWBTT (e.g., 912), a wake up radio beacon interval (e.g., 914), and, as discussed above, a rate of the wake up radio beacon (e.g., 916).

[00151] In block 1510, an access point is configured to transmit the message. Block 1510 may include notifying the baseband processor 190 or 404 that the beacon is available for transmission.

1001521 FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an example method for receiving and/or decoding timing information for a low power wake up radio beacon. As discussed above, in some aspects, a wake up radio beacon may be transmitted at a single rate in some embodiments. Since some devices may be capable of receiving the wake up radio beacon at only a single rate or at multiple rates, it may be necessary for devices to understand at what rate a wake up radio beacon from a particular access point is transmitted. To that end, FIG. 16 describes a process 1600 which may provide for reception and/or decoding of a message indicating a rate at which a wake up radio beacon is transmitted. Based on this rate information, a device receiving the beacon may determine whether the wake up radio beacon is compatible with low power receiver hardware included with the device, and/or whether the low power receiver can be turned to receive data at the rate indicated, given operational considerations of the executing device. The beacon received and/or decoded n process 1600, discussed below, may also include timing information for the beacon, such as a target wake up radio beacon transmission time and an interval for the wake up radio beacon. This information may be used by the executing device, if the wake up radio beacon is deemed compatible, to coordinate a time when the executing device is available to receive the low power wake up radio beacon.

1001531 In some aspects, process 1600 discussed below with respect to FIG. 16 may be performed by the application processor 1 I 1 or the control logic 406. In some aspects, process 1600 is performed by an access point supporting one or more stations implementing a low power wake up receiver architecture. In the discussion below with respect to FIG. 1 6, a device performing process 1600 may be referred to as an "executing device.^"

[00154] In block 1605, a message is decoded to determine a rate at which a wake up radio beacon is transmitted. In some aspects, the message may be a management message, such as a beacon, association, or re-association message. For example, in some aspects, a type field in the frame control field 1 202 may, via a predetermined value, indicate the type of message. In some aspects, the message may include one or more of the fields discussed abov e with respect to the example beacon message 1200. Furthermore, the message may be decoded to determine at least a portion of the information discussed abov e with respect to message portion 900. For example, the message may be decoded to determine a TWBTT (e.g., 912), a wake up radio beacon interv al (e.g. 914), and, as discussed abov e, a rate of the wake up radio beacon (e.g., 916).

[00155] In block 1610, a determination is made whether to enter a low power or doze state based on the rate at which the wake up radio beacon is transmitted. For example, if the executing device includes a low power wake up radio capable of receiving the wake up radio beacon at the indicated rate, then a determination may be made to enter the low power state. Otherwise, a determination may be made not to enter the doze state, since the wake up radio beacon may be unable to be received, given the incompatibility.

[00156| In block 16 1 5, a doze power state is entered based on the determination. In other words, if the wake up receiver is compatible with the indicated rate, then the low power state may be entered, otherwise, the low power state may not be entered in some aspects.

[00157] FIG 1 7 is an example of a wake up radio frame. The wake up radio frame 1700 includes a MAC header 1 702, a frame body 1704, and a frame check sequence field 1 706. The MAC header 1 702 includes a frame control field 1710, an address field 1 7 1 2, and a TD control field 1 7 14. The frame control field 1 7 10 includes a type field 1720. The type field 1 720 may indicate a type of the wake up radio frame 1700. For example, if the type field 1720 holds a first predetermined value (e.g., zero (0)), it may indicate the wake up radio frame 1700 is a wake up radio beacon frame. If the type field 1 720 holds a second predetermined value (e.g., one (1)), it may indicate the wake up radio frame 1700 is a wake up frame. A wake up frame may be a message that causes a wake up radio (e.g. , 806) to generate a wake up signal (e.g., 806).

[00158] The address field 1 7 12 may hold a variety of values depending on the type of the wake up radio frame 1700. For example, if the frame 1700 is a wake up frame as defined by the type field 1 720, the address field may hold a wake up radio identifier for a unicast wake up radio frame 1700. Some aspects of the multicast wake up radio frame 1700 may store a group identifier in the address field 1 7 1 2. These aspects may be identified via a predetermined value in the type field 1 720. If the wake up radio frame 1700 is a beacon or a broadcast wake up frame, the address field 1 71 2 may store a TXID.

1001591 FIG. 1 8 is an example of a frame body 1704 for a wake up frame

1700 that may be transmitted and/or received by one or more of the disclosed embodiments. The wake up frame 1700 of FIG. 1 7 that has a frame body 1704 as illustrated in FIG. 1 8 may be transmitted by an access point to wake up a station that is in a low power state. The frame body 1704 of FIG. 1 8 includes a wake up radio identifier 1 804 that identifies both a transmitter of the frame (e.g., access point ) and a receiver of the frame (e.g., station in low power state). The wake up radio identifier 1 804 may not be a media acc ss control address, at least in some aspects.

[00160] 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 w ith 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.

[00161] Example 1 is an apparatus of an access point (AP), the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuity configured to: encode a management message to indicate timing information for a first wake up radio (WUR) beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate.

[00162] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the timing information to indicate a single target transmission time and a single interval for both wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate and wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

[00163| In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 optionally includes wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the beacon to indicate a ratio of a number of beacons transmitted at the first data rate w ithin a time period relative to a number of beacons transmitted at the second data rate within the time period.

1001641 In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

1-3 optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the timing information to include first timing information indicating a first target transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon, and also indicating a first beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate, and to include second timing information indicating a second target transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon, and al o indicating a second wake up radio beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

1001651 In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

1 -4 optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine wake up radio receiver characteristics for each of a plurality of associated devices; and determine the timing information based on the characteristics.

[00166] In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

1-5 optionally include wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the management message as a beacon message, an association message, or a re-association message.

[00167] In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples

I -6 optional ly include transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry.

[00168| In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 optionally includes one or more antennas coupled to the transceiv er circuitry.

[00169| Example 9 is a method for an access point (AP), the method comprising encoding a management message to indicate timing information for a first wake up radio (WUR) beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate.

[00170] In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 9 optionally includes encoding the timing information to indicate a single target transmission time and a single interval for both wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate and wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

[00171] In Example I 1 , the subject matter of Example 10 optionally includes encoding the beacon to indicate a ratio of a number of beacons transmitted at the first data rate within a time period relativ e to a number of beacons transmitted at the second data rate within the time period.

[00172] In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 9-1 1 optionally include encoding the timing information to include first timing information indicating a first target transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon; and indicating a first beacon interv al for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate, and to include second timing information indicating a second target transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon and also indicating a second wake up radio beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

[00173] In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 9-12 optionally include determining wake up radio receiv er characteristics for each of a plurality of associated devices; and determining the timing information based on the characteristics.

1001741 In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 9-13 optionally include encoding the management message as a beacon message, an association message, or a re-association message.

[00175] Example 15 is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed by one or more hardware processors of an access point (AP), cause the access point to perform operations comprising encoding a management message to indicate timing information for a first wake up radio ( VVLJR) beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate.

[00176] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 optionally includes the operations further comprising encoding the timing information to indicate a single target transmission time and a single interval for both wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate and wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

[001771 In Example 1 7, the subject matter of Example 1 6 optionally includes the operations further comprising encoding the beacon to indicate a ratio of a number of beacons transmitted at the first data rate within a time period relative to a number of beacons transmitted at the second data rate within the time period.

[00178] In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 1 5- 1 7 optional ly include the operations further comprising encoding the timing information to include first timing information indicating a first target transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon; and indicating a first beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate, and to include second timing information indicating a second target transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon and also indicating a second wake up radio beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

[00179] In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 15-18 optionally include the operations further comprising

determining wake up radio receiver characteristics for each of a plurality of associated devices; and determining the timing information based on the characteristics.

1001801 In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 15-19 optionally include the operations further comprising encoding the management message as a beacon message, an association message, or a re- association message.

[001811 Example 21 is an apparatus of an access point (AP), the apparatus comprising: means for encoding a management message to indicate timing information for a first wake up radio (WUR) beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate; means for configuring the access point to transmit the management message; means for configuring the access point to transmit the first wake up radio beacon at the first data rate in accordance ith the timing information; and means for configuring the access point to transmit the second wake up radio beacon at the second data rate in accordance with the timing information.

[00182] In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 2 1 optionally includes means for encoding the timing information to indicate a single target transmission time and a single interval for both wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate and wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

1001831 In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 22 optionally includes means for encoding the beacon to indicate a ratio of a number of beacons transmitted at the first data rate within a time period relative to a number of beacons transmitted at the second data rate within the time period. 1001841 In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 21-23 optionally include means for encoding the timing information to include first timing information indicating a first target transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon; and indicating a first beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate, and to include second timing information indicating a second target transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon and also indicating a second wake up radio beacon interv al for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate. [00185] In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 2 1 -24 optionally include means for determining wake up radio receiver characteristics for each of a plurality of associated devices; and means for determining the timing information based on the characteristics.

[00186] In Example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 2 1 -25 optionally include means for encoding the management message as a beacon message, an association message, or a re-association message.

[00187| Example 27 is an apparatus of a wake up radio (WUR) station (STA), the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuity configured to: decode a management message from an access point to determine timing information for a first wake up radio beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate; select either the first wake up radio beacon or the second wake up radio beacon based on a compatibility of the wake up radio with the first data rate and a compatibility of the wake up radio with the second data rate; monitor the selected wake up radio beacon based on the timing information to determine whether the access point is active; and decode signaling, by a WUR of the WUR STA, to exit a doze state based on a wake up frame from the access point or a determination that the access point is not active. 1001881 In Example 28, the subject matter of Example 27 optionally includes the processing circuitry further configured to decode the selected beacon to determine a duty cycle for receiving the wake up signal from the access point, and to operate the wake up radio in accordance with the duty cycle. 10018 1 In Example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 27-28 optionally include the processing circuitry further configured to determine a first target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon and a second target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon; and wherein the monitoring of the selected wake up radio beacon is based on the first target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the first wake up radio beacon was selected and based on the second target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the second wake up radio beacon was selected. [00190] In Example 30, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 27-29 optionally include the processing circuitry further configured to determine a single target wake up radio beacon transmission time for at least the first and second wake up radio beacons; and wherein the monitoring of the selected radio beacon is based on the single target wake up radio beacon transmission time.

[00191] In Example 31, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 27-30 optionally include transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry.

[00192] In Example 32, the subject matter of Example 31 optionally includes one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.

[00193] Example 33 is a method for a wake up radio (WUR.) station

( ST A), the method comprising: decoding a management message from an access point to determine timing information for a first wake up radio beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate; selecting either the first wake up radio beacon or the second wake up radio beacon based on a compatibility of the wake up radio with the first data rate and a compatibility of the wake up radio with the second data rate; monitoring the selected wake up radio beacon based on the timing information to determine whether the access point is active; and decoding signaling, by a WUR of the WUR. ST A, to exit a doze state based on a wake up frame from the access point or a determination that the access point is not active.

[00194] In Example 34, the subject matter of Example 33 optionally includes decoding the selected beacon to determine a duty cycle for receiving the wake up signal from the access point, and to operate the wake up radio in accordance with the duty cycle.

[00195] In Example 35, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 33- 34 optional ly include determining a first target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon and a second target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon; and wherein the monitoring of the selected wake up radio beacon is based on the first target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the first wake up radio beacon was selected and based on the second target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the second wake up radio beacon was selected.

1001961 In Example 36, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 33-35 optionally include determining a single target wake up radio beacon transmission time for at least the first and second wake up radio beacons, and to wherein the monitoring of the selected radio beacon is based on the single target wake up radio beacon transmission time.

[00197] Example 37 is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed by one or more hardware processors of a wake up radio (WUR ) station ( ST A) cause the WUR ST A to perform operations comprising: decoding a management message from an access point to determine timing information for a first wake up radio beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate; selecting either the first wake up radio beacon or the second wake up radio beacon based on a compatibility of the wake up radio with the first data rate and a compatibility of the wake up radio with the second data rate; monitoring the selected wake up radio beacon based on the timing information to determine whether the access point is active; and decoding signaling, by a WUR of the WUR ST A, to exit a doze state based on a wake up frame from the access point or a determination that the access point is not active.

1001981 In Example 38, the subject matter of Example 37 optionally includes the operations further comprising decoding the selected beacon to determine a duty cycle for receiv ing the wake up signal from the access point, and to operate the wake up radio in accordance with the duty cycle.

1001991 In Example 39, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 37-38 optionally include the operations further comprising

determining a first target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon and a second target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon; and wherein the monitoring of the selected wake up radio beacon is based on the first target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the first wake up radio beacon was selected and based on the second target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the second wake up radio beacon was selected. 1002001 In Example 40, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 37-39 optionally include the operations further comprising determining a single target wake up radio beacon transmission time for at least the first and second wake up radio beacons, and to wherein the monitoring of the selected radio beacon is based on the single target wake up radio beacon transmission time.

[00201] Example 41 is an apparatus of a wake up radio (WUR) station

(STA), the apparatus comprising: means for decoding a management message from an access point to determine timing information for a first wake up radio beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate; means for selecting either the first wake up radio beacon or the second wake up radio beacon based on a compatibility of the wake up radio with the first data rate and a compatibility of the wake up radio with the second data rate; means for monitoring the selected wake up radio beacon based on the timing information to determine whether the access point is active; and means for decoding signaling, by a WUR of the WUR STA, to exit a doze state based on a wake up frame from the access point or a determination that the access point is not active.

[00202] In Example 42, the subject matter of Example 4 1 optionally includes means for decoding the selected beacon to determine a duty cycle for receiving the wake up signal from the access point, and means for operating the wake up radio in accordance with the duty cycle.

1002031 In Example 43, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 4 1 -42 optionally include means for determining a first target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon and a second target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon; and wherein the monitoring of the selected wake up radio beacon is based on the first target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the first wake up radio beacon was selected and based on the second target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the second wake up radio beacon was selected.

[00204] In Example 44, the subject matter of any one or more of

Examples 41-43 optionally include means for determining a single target wake up radio beacon transmission time for at least the first and second wake up radio beacons; and wherein the monitoring of the selected radio beacon is based on the single target wake up radio beacon transmission time.

[00205] 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 modul e at a different instance of time.

1002061 Various 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 ROM; RAM; magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory and the like.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

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

encode a management message to indicate timing information for a first wake up radio (WUR) beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate.

configure the access point to transmit the management message;

configure the access point to transmit the first wake up radio beacon at the first data rate in accordance with the timing information; and

configure the access point to transmit the second wake up radio beacon at the second data rate in accordance w ith the timing information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the timing information to indicate a single target transmission time and a single interval for both wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate and wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the beacon to indicate a ratio of a number of beacons transmitted at the first data rate within a time period relative to a number of beacons transmitted at the second data rate within the time period.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the timing information to include first timing information indicating a first target transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon, and also indicating a first beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate, and to include second timing information indicating a second target transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon, and also indicating a second wake up radio beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

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

determine wake up radio receiver characteristics for each of a plurality of associated devices; and

determine the timing information based on the characteristics.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode the management message as a beacon message, an association message, or a re-association message.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.

9. A method for an access point (AP), the method comprising encoding a management message to indicate timing information for a first wake up radio (WUR) beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate.

configuring the access point to transmit the management message;

configuring the access point to transmit the first wake up radio beacon at the first data rate in accordance with the timing information; and

configuring the access point to transmit the second wake up radio beacon at the second data rate in accordance with the timing information.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising encoding the timing information to indicate a single target transmission time and a single interval for both wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate and wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

1 1 . The method of claim 10, further comprising encoding the beacon to indicate a ratio of a number of beacons transmitted at the first data rate within a time period relative to a number of beacons transmitted at the second data rate w ithin the time period.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising encoding the timing information to include first timing information indicating a first target transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon; and indicating a first beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the first data rate, and to include second timing information indicating a second target transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon and also indicating a second wake up radio beacon interval for wake up radio beacons transmitted at the second data rate.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising

determining wake up radio receiver characteristics for each of a plurality of associated dev ices; and

determining the timing information based on the characteristics.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising encoding the management message as a beacon message, an association message, or a re- association message.

15. An apparatus of a wake up radio (WUR) station ( ST A), the apparatus comprising: memory; and processing circuitry coupled to the memory, the processing circuity configured to:

decode a management message from an access point to determine timing information for a first wake up radio beacon transmitted at a first data rate and a second wake up radio beacon transmitted at a second data rate;

select either the first wake up radio beacon or the second wake up radio beacon based on a compatibility of the wake up radio with the first data rate and a compatibility of the wake up radio with the second data rate;

monitor the selected wake up radio beacon based on the timing information to determine whether the access point is active; and

decode signaling, by a W UR of the W UR ST A, to exit a doze state based on a wake up frame from the access point or a determination that the access point is not active.

1 6. The apparatus of claim 1 , the processing circuitry further configured to decode the selected beacon to determine a duty cycle for receiving the wake up signal from the access point, and to operate the wake up radio in accordance with the duty cycle.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, the processing circuitry further configured to determine a first target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the first wake up radio beacon and a second target wake up radio beacon transmission time for the second wake up radio beacon; and

wherein the monitoring of the selected wake up radio beacon is based on the

first target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the first wake up radio beacon was selected and based on the second target wake up radio beacon transmission time if the second wake up radio beacon was selected.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, the processing circuitry further configured to determine a single target wake up radio beacon transmission time for at least the first and second wake up radio beacons; and

wherein the monitoring of the selected radio beacon is based on the single

target wake up radio beacon transmission time.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.