Qualcomm Incorporated

Abdel Karim Ajami

George Cherian

Alfred Asterjadhi

Abhishek Pramod Patil

Sai Yiu Duncan Ho

Yanjun Sun

Gaurang Naik

Lin Yang

Maarten Menzo Wentink

Srinivas Katar

Xiaolong Huang

Sandip HomChaudhuri

Raamkumar Balamurthi

Nitin Ravinder

Varshini Rajesh

Qiang Fan

Venkata Savitri Pravallika Tallapragada

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for protecting latency-sensitive communications among multi-link devices (MLDs). An access point (AP) MLD may establish multiple communication links with a non-AP MLD and schedule a restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service period (SP) on one of the links (the 'r-TWT link'). In some aspects, when a transmit opportunity (TXOP) acquired on a non-r-TWT link overlaps the r-TWT SP, the TXOP may be extended to support an exchange of latency-sensitive traffic on the non-r-TWT link. In some other aspects, any TXOPs occurring on non-r-TWT links may be terminated prior to the start of the r-TWT SP so that latency-sensitive traffic can be exchanged on the r-TWT link during the SP. An AP MLD also may schedule SPs on multiple communication links. In some aspects, the AP MLD may transfer a TWT agreement between the communication links.

Low latency solutions for restricted target wake time (R-TWT) during multi-link operation (MLO)

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication at a multi-link device are described. A first multi-link device (MLD) may communicate with a second MLD in accordance with the techniques depicted herein. For instance, the second MLD may transmit an indication of at least a portion of a beacon interval timeline for communications between the second MLD and one or more first MLDs on a first radio frequency link. In some examples, the beacon interval timeline may include at least one of a beacon transmit interval, and one or more service periods, channel access over a second radio frequency link being via the one or more service periods. A service period may be scheduled for communications on the second radio frequency link. The second MLD may then communicate in accordance with at least one of the beacon transmit interval and the one or more service periods.

Techniques for channel access in wireless communications systems

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A first wireless device (e.g., station (STA), access point (AP)) may transmit to a second wireless device during a service period, an initiating frame using a transmit beam that is based on a first beam training procedure performed between the devices prior to the service period. The first wireless device may perform a second beam training procedure during the service period based on an absence of a response frame from the second wireless device, based on an indication within the response frame received from the second wireless device, or based on identification of a change in a wireless channel relative to a previous beam training interval or previous service period. The first wireless device may then communicate one or more messages with the second wireless device using one or more beams that are based on the second beam training procedure.

Beam training techniques in WiFi frequency bands

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for wireless communication at a station, generally including obtaining signaling indicating a resolution of a target wake time (TWT) field, determining a start time of a TWT service period (SP) based on the indicated resolution, and taking action based on the determined start time of the TWT SP.

Synchronization of target wakeup times

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for high frequency multi-link support systems operation. In some aspects, an access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) and a non-AP MLD may use a first radio frequency link to support and facilitate communications using a second radio frequency link, where such a second radio frequency link may otherwise be associated with access constraints or difficulties. For example, the first radio frequency link may be a sub-7 gigahertz (GHz) link and the second radio frequency link may be a 3.5 GHz, 45 GHz, or 60 GHz link. The AP MLD may transmit, to the non-AP MLD via the first radio frequency link, identifying and control information associated with the second radio frequency link. The non-AP MLD and the AP MLD may use the identifying and control information to communicate data via the second radio frequency link.

High frequency multi-link support systems operation

An apparatus has a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The processor(s) is configured to transmit a first message indicating a first machine learning capability of the first wireless device. The processor(s) is also configured to receive, from a second wireless device, a second message indicating a second machine learning capability of the second wireless device. The processor(s) is further configured to communicate information associated with a machine learning model for use between the first wireless device and the second wireless device based at least in part on the second machine learning capability and the first machine learning capability. The processor(s) is also configured to communicate with the second wireless device based at least in part on the machine learning model.

Machine learning framework for wireless local area networks (WLANs)

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Described techniques relate to a soft access point (AP) in a multi-link operation including a first radio frequency link for control communications and a second radio frequency link for data communications. Described techniques further relate to a transfer of an AP role in a wireless local area network operating in accordance with an multi-link operation. Described techniques further provide for assisting, at an AP (which may be a soft AP), peer to peer communications between non-AP multi-link devices (MLDs) in a WLAN operating in accordance with an MLO.

Soft access point and peer to peer operation

This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for transmitting and receiving, between an access point (AP) and one or more stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS), within a 3.5 GHz bandwidth. In some examples, the AP may generate a first advertisement frame comprising information configured to enable one or more communication devices to associate with the apparatus for wireless communications via a first channel in a first operating band. In some examples, the AP may output the first advertisement frame for transmission according to a first periodic interval.

Standalone and supplemental spectrum operations

This disclosure provides methods and devices for introducing a power save protocol (for example, a lower power mode) for a multi-link devices (MLDs). Some aspects more specifically relate to reducing power consumption in an access point (AP) MLD, and more particularly, to a power save protocol (or a lower power mode) for an AP MLD. In some aspects, an AP MLD may initiate a lower power mode to save power for as long as possible while still maintaining minimal receive (RX) and transmit (TX) functionality. When requested by an associated station (STA), the AP MLD may then transition from the lower power mode to a higher power mode with full RX and TX functionality with a minimal delay. The described techniques may also account for trade-offs and constraints which arise due to different use cases and scenarios as well as different device configurations.

Power save protocols for multi-link devices

This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for protecting latency-sensitive communications during restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service periods (SPs). Some implementations more specifically relate to coordinated scheduling of r-TWT SPs between OBSSs. In some aspects, a first AP may coordinate with a second AP in scheduling r-TWT SPs so that latency-sensitive traffic in a first BSS does not interfere or collide with latency-sensitive traffic in a second BSS overlapping the first BSS. In some implementations, the first and second APs may schedule their respective r-TWT SPs to be orthogonal in time. In some other implementations, the first and second APs may schedule their r-TWT SPs to overlap in time, while allocating coordinated resources to concurrent or overlapping latency-sensitive traffic in the first and second BSSs (such as in accordance with one or more multi-AP coordination techniques).

Coordinated scheduling and signaling of restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service periods

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A first device may receive signaling associated with a traffic class from a second device. The first device may determine that the traffic class is included in a set of known traffic classes based on a set of features associated with the signaling. In response to determining that the traffic class is included in the set of known traffic classes, the first device may use a machine learning model to obtain a prediction of an application associated with the signaling. The prediction may be based on the set of features. The machine learning model may be trained at the first device or the second device. The first device may receive information associated with the machine learning model from the second device.

Traffic identification using machine learning

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for managing data traffic in restricted target wake time (TWT) service periods (SPs). In some aspects, an access point (AP) may transmit a packet, at the beginning of a restricted TWT SP, that signals all non-member wireless stations (STAs) to defer access to the wireless medium for at least a threshold duration. Upon receiving the packet, any non-member STAs that are associated with the AP may set their network allocation vectors (NAVs) according to the duration indicated by a duration field of the received packet. In some implementations, low-latency STAs that are members of the TWT SP may not set their NAVs according to the duration field of the received packet. Instead, the low-latency STAs may access the wireless medium before the NAVs associated with the non-member STAs expire.

Traffic management in restricted target wake time (TWT) service periods

This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for protecting latency-sensitive communications, during restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service periods (SPs), from non-legacy STAs that do not support r-TWT operation. Some implementations more specifically relate to preventing STAs that are not members of an r-TWT SP from acquiring transmit opportunities (TXOPs) that would otherwise overlap with the start of the r-TWT SP. In some implementations, the AP may require all non-legacy STAs associated with its basic service set (BSS) to support r-TWT operation. In some other implementations, the AP may attempt to capture a wireless channel associated with the r-TWT SP within a fixed period preceding the r-TWT SP. In some other implementations, the AP may require all associated STAs to transmit a request-to-send (RTS) frame when attempting to acquire a TXOP. Still further, in some implementations, the AP may limit the duration of TXOPs acquired by non-member STAs.

Traffic management for wireless stations (STAs) that do not support restricted target wake time (r-TWT) operation

A transmitting (Tx) access point (AP) multi-link device (MLD) may be configured to designate a parent ML element and at least one child ML element in the network management frame, e.g., the beacon frame or probe response frame, and at least one non-AP MLD may be configured to receive the network management frame and apply the parent ML element to the child ML element.

Network management frame for MLO and MBSSID

This disclosure provides methods and devices for managing the allocation of resources for uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions associated with a scheduled time period. In some implementations, a wireless station (STA) transmits, to an access point (AP), a request frame indicating a bandwidth or a quantity of spatial streams (or both) for the UL transmissions, and indicating a bandwidth or a quantity of spatial streams (or both) for the DL transmissions. In some instances, the request frame also may indicate the STA's intention to transmit UL data as duplicates carried on different communication links. The STA receives a trigger frame indicating that the STA is scheduled to transmit or receive data during the time period. The STA transmits data to, or receives data from, one or more other devices during the time period.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Abdel Karim Ajami