Patent Description:
The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Enigneers) <NUM> Working Group is defining a physical (PHY) layer specification and modifications on medium access control (MAC) layer specification that enable operation of a wake-up radio (WUR) apparatus. The WUR apparatus is a companion radio apparatus to a primary connectivity radio (PCR) apparatus, e.g., IEEE <NUM>. 11a/b/g/n/ac/ax radio apparatus. The PCR apparatus included in a wireless communication device is used for user data transmission and reception; while the WUR apparatus included in the device is not used for user data transmission and reception. For the wireless communication device operating in WUR mode, when the PCR apparatus included in the device turns off, the WUR apparatus included in the device turns on or periodically turns on or off. Once the WUR apparatus of the device receives a wake-up signal alerting that there is traffic for the PCR apparatus of the device to receive, the device turns on the PCR apparatus.

<NPL>, relates to WUR mode signaling related to duty cycle operation. There are three operating nodes of the WUR STA: WUR normal mode where WUR is always ON, WUR duty cycle mode where WUR switches between ON and OFF, and Active mode where WUR is OFF. A management frame is used to indicate mode change in an explicit signaling where STA and AP exchange detail parameters of mode signaling using a management frame.

<NPL> relates to WUR MAC procedure. In particular, a STA requests entering WUR mode for low power operation by explicit WUR initiation procedure. WUR mode signaling includes a WUR negotiation procedure and a WUR mode initiation procedure.

<NPL>, relates to integrating WUR with existing power save protocols. It is proposed to consider design for signaling to enable WUR operation.

Studies are underway on how a wireless communication device is able to perform WUR mode operation in an efficient manner.

One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure facilitates performing WUR mode operation in an efficient manner.

Any reference to "embodiments" not falling under the scope of the independent claims should be understood as background art or examples which may be useful for understanding the invention.

By taking advantage of the communication apparatus and the communication method described in the present disclosure, a wireless communication device is able to perform WUR mode operation in an efficient manner.

The present disclosure can be better understood with the aid of following figures and embodiments. The embodiments described here are merely exemplary in nature and are used to describe some of the possible applications and uses of the present disclosure and should not be taken as limiting the present disclosure with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitely described herein.

In any wireless communication system, a wide variety of devices may be a part of the wireless network, each device differing in terms of traffic needs, device capabilities, power supply types and so on. Some class of devices may have less bandwidth requirements and also less stringent QoS (Quality of Service) requirements but may be relatively more concerned about power consumption (e.g., mobile phones). Another class of devices may have low bandwidth requirements as well as very low duty cycles but may be very sensitive to power consumption due to extremely small batteries or extremely long life expectancy (e.g., sensors for remote sensing).

In many wireless communication systems, there will be one or more central controllers which will determine the wireless network coverage area, the wireless frequency channels, the device admission policy, coordination with other neighboring wireless networks etc. and usually also act as a gateway to the backend infrastructure network. Examples of the central controllers are base stations or eNBs in cellular wireless networks or APs (Access Points) in WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks).

Even though the techniques described in the present disclosure may apply to many wireless communication systems, for the sake of example, the rest of the descriptions in this disclosure are described in terms of an IEEE <NUM> based WLAN system and its associated terminologies. This should not be taken as limiting the present disclosure with regard to alternative wireless communication systems. In IEEE <NUM> based WLANs, majority of networks operate in infrastructure mode, i.e., all or most of the traffic in the network need to go through the AP. As such, any STA (station) wishing to join the WLAN must first negotiate the network membership with the AP through a process called association and authentication.

<FIG> illustrates an example wireless network <NUM> including an AP <NUM> and a plurality of STAs. The AP <NUM> includes a PCR apparatus (hereinafter stated simply as "PCR") <NUM>. STA <NUM> represents a device class that may have less bandwidth requirements and also less stringent QoS requirements but may be relatively more concerned about power consumption. STA <NUM> represenst another class of devices that may have low bandwidth requirements but may be very sensitive to power consumption. In order to maximise energy efficiency, the STA <NUM> is equipped with a WUR apparatus <NUM> (hereinafter stated simply as "WUR") in addition to a PCR <NUM> and the STA <NUM> is equipped with a WUR <NUM> in addition to a PCR <NUM>. Both the STA <NUM> and the STA <NUM> are termed as WUR STAs thereafter.

According to the present disclosure, a WUR STA can operate in either of the two power management modes: active mode and PS (power save) mode. When the STA operates in PS mode, it is in either awake state or doze state. For the STA operating in PS mode, it is in awake state when its PCR is active and thus is able to receive DL (dowblink) traffic or transmit UL (uplink) traffic; and it is in doze state when its PCR is not active and thus is not able to transmit UL traffic or receive DL traffic. When the STA operates in active mode, it is always in awake state.

According to the present disclosure, a WUR STA operating in active mode or PS mode can also operate in WUR mode. When the STA operates in both PS mode and WUR mode, it is in either WUR awake state or WUR doze state. For the STA operating in both PS mode and WUR mode, it is in WUR awake state when its PCR is active and its WUR may not be active; and it is in WUR doze state when its PCR is not active and its WUR receiver follows the duty cycle schedule agreed between the AP <NUM> and the STA. When the STA operates in both active mode and WUR mode, it is always in WUR awake state.

According to the present disclosure, a duty cycle schedule is represented by three parameters: the starting point for the duty cycle schedule, the period of duty cycle, and the on duration in each duty cycle period. The period of duty cycle is a multiple of a WUR basic unit. The on duration in each duty cycle period is larger than or equal to a minimum wake-up duration. Notice that for the STA operating in both PS mode and WUR mode and being in doze state, when the on duration in each duty cycle period is equal to the period of duty cycle, its WUR receiver is always on.

According to the present disclosure, the WUR basic unit can be a multiple of time unit (<NUM>) defined in the IEEE Std <NUM>. 11TM-<NUM>. As a result, the implementation of a WUR STA can be simplified.

According to the present disclosure, the AP <NUM> shall keep track of the status of the STA operating in both PS mode and WUR mode. In other words, the AP <NUM> shall record whether the STA operating in both PS mode and WUR mode is in WUR awake state or WUR doze state.

According to the present disclosure, when DL data traffic for the STA in WUR doze state is coming, the AP <NUM> shall buffer DL data traffic for the STA and then transmit a wake-up frame to the STA, alerting there is buffered DL data traffic for the STA.

<FIG> illustrates example WUR mode operation related MAC procedures operated by a WUR STA (e.g., <NUM>) and the AP <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Assume the STA operates in PS mode after it is associated with the AP <NUM> via an association procedure. Prior to entering WUR mode, the STA shall initiate a WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM> to negotiate wake-up operating parameters which govern WUR mode operation performed by the STA and the AP <NUM>. The example wake-up operating parameters include.

During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed wake-up operating parameters.

After completing wake-up operating parameter negotiation, the STA may initiate a WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM> for entering WUR mode. During the WUR mode entry procedure <NUM>, the STA transmits a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for entering WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for entering WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for entering WUR mode is accepted, the STA enters WUR mode and stays in WUR doze state.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when the WUR of the STA in WUR doze state receives a unicast wake-up frame <NUM> from the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state as shown in <FIG>, and then initiates a DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM>, it may transmit a PS-Poll frame to the AP <NUM> via its PCR to retrieve buffered traffic and acknowledge successful receipt of the wake-up frame <NUM>. The AP <NUM> responds to the PS-Poll frame with a buffered Data frame or an ACK frame followed in a separate TXOP (Transmission Opportunity) by a buffered Data frame at the head of transmit queue. If there is more buffered traffic for the STA, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. Otherwise, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. The STA responds with an acknowledgement frame for acknowledging successful receipt of the Data frame. The acknoweldgement frame is either an ACK frame or a BlockAck frame. After transmitting the acknowledgement frame which acknowledges successful receipt of the Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM>, the STA transits to WUR doze state.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, the STA may transit to WUR awake state from WUR doze state even if no wake-up frame is received or no UL data traffic is buffered. For one example, when the STA intends to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters (e.g., duty cycle schedule of its WUR receiver) with the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates another WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed wake-up operating parameters and indicates when the agreed wake-up operating parameters will take effect. After completing new wake-up operating parameter negotiation, the STA transits to WUR doze state. For another example, when the STA intends to exit WUR mode, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates a WUR mode exit procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode exit procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for exiting WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for exiting WUR mode is accepted, the STA exits WUR mode and operates in PS mode only.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the STA operating in WUR mode is allowed to initiate a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters as illustrated in <FIG>, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, if the AP <NUM> intends to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters with the STA operating in WUR mode (e.g., WUR channel), it sends a wake-up frame to inform the STA operating in WUR mode that it intends to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters, as illustrated in <FIG>. After receiving such a wake-up frame, the STA operating in WUR mode initiates a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

According to the present disclosure, one of wake-up operating parameters which can be negotiated during WUR negotiation is so called WUR sleep interval. The WUR sleep interval indicates to the AP <NUM> how often the STA operating in WUR mode turns on its PCR to receive Beacon frames for the purpose of keeping synchronized with the AP <NUM>. The WUR sleep interval can be much larger than the WNM (Wireless Network Management) sleep interval defined in the IEEE Std <NUM>™-<NUM> since unlike the STA operating in WNM sleep mode, the STA operating in WUR mode need not to wake to receive Beacon frames to check if there is buffered data traffic.

According to the present disclosure, another of wake-up operating parameters which can be negotiated during WUR negotiation is so called data rate feedback request. If the STA supports multiple data rates and data rate feedback, the AP <NUM> may request the STA to report recommended data rate based on the quality of received wake-up measurement signal transmitted in a WUR channel. As a result, the AP <NUM> can make an informed decision on the data rate which is used to transmit wake-up signal to the STA in the WUR channel.

<FIG> illustrates example WUR mode operation related MAC procedures operated by a WUR STA and the AP <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Assume the STA operates in PS mode after it is associated with the AP <NUM> via an association procedure. The STA shall initiate an integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM> for negotiating wake-up operating parameters and requesting to enter WUR mode. During the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested wake-up operating parameters and a request for entering WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed wake-up operating parameters and indicates whether the STA's request for entering WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for entering WUR mode is accepted, the STA enters WUR mode and stays in WUR doze state.

According to the second embodiment of present disclosure, the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> implements the same functionality as the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> and the WUR mode entry procedure <NUM>. As a result, the second embodiment has better channel efficiency than the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment of present disclosure, when the WUR receiver of the STA in WUR doze state receives a unicast wake-up frame <NUM> from the AP <NUM>, it changes its power management mode to active mode as shown in <FIG>, and then initiate a DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM>, it may transmit a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM> via its PCR to retrieve buffered traffic and acknowledge successful receipt of the wake-up frame <NUM>. The AP <NUM> responds to the QoS Null frame with an ACK frame, followed by a buffered Data frame at the head of transmit queue. If there is more buffered traffic for the STA, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. Otherwise, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. The STA responds with an acknowledgement frame for acknowledging successful receipt of the Data frame. The acknoweldgement frame is either an ACK frame or a BlockAck frame.

After transmitting the acknowledgement frame which acknowledges successful receipt of the Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM>, the STA may initiate a power management mode change procedure <NUM> for changing back to PS mode. During the power management mode change procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM>, and then the AP <NUM> responds with an ACK frame. After receiving the ACK frame, the STA transits to operate in PS mode and stays in WUR doze state.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the STA may transit to WUR awake state from WUR doze state even if no wake-up frame is received or no UL data traffic is buffered. For one example, when the STA intends to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters (e.g., duty cycle schedule of its WUR receiver) with the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates another WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed wake-up operating parameters and indicates when the agreed wake-up operating parameters will take effect. After completing new wake-up operating parameter negotiation, the STA transits to WUR doze state. For another example, when the STA intends to exit WUR mode, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates a WUR mode exit procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode exit procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for exiting WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for exiting WUR mode is accepted, the STA exits WUR mode and operates in PS mode only.

According to the first aspect of present disclosure, the STA operating in WUR mode is allowed to initiate a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters as illustrated in <FIG>, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, if the AP <NUM> intends to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters with the STA operating in WUR mode, it sends a wake-up frame to inform the STA operating in WUR mode that it intends to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters, as illustrated in <FIG>. After receiving such a wake-up frame, the STA operating in WUR mode initiates a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

According to the first aspect of the present disclosure, all wake-up operating parameters can be carried in a WUR Mode element, as illustrated in <FIG>. The WUR Mode element can be included in a WUR Action frame as illustrated in <FIG>, e.g., WUR Mode Request frame or WUR Mode Response frame.

<FIG> illustrates WUR mode operation related state transition for the STA according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The STA may have four states related to WUR mode operation. In a first state, all wake-up operating parameters are not in place. In a second state, all wake-up operating parameters are in place but WUR mode is not operated. In a third state, WUR mode is operated with WUR doze state. In a fourth state, WUR mode is operated with WUR awake state. As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in the first state can transit to the second state after a WUR negotiation procedure is completed, transit to the third state after an integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in PS mode, or transit to the fourth state after an integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in active mode. The STA staying in the second state can transit to the third state after a WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in PS mode, transit to the fourth state after a WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in active mode, or update wake-up operating parameters after a WUR negotiation procedure is completed. The STA staying in the third state can transit to the fourth state for various reasons, e.g., when UL data traffic is buffered, or when a wake-up frame is received. The STA staying in the fourth state can transit to the second state after a WUR mode exit procedure is completed, or update wake-up operating parameters after a WUR negotiation procedure is completed. The STA staying in the fourth state can transit to the third state for various reasons, e.g., after transmitting an acknowledgement frame for acknowledging a DL Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM>, or receiving an acknowledgement frame which acknowledges an UL Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, wake-up operating parameters are classified into two categories: common wake-up operating parameters and user-specific wake-up operating parameters. The common wake-up operating parameters are applicable to all WUR STAs in the wireless network <NUM>. The user-specific wake-up operating parameter are only applicable to a particular WUR STA in the wireless network <NUM>. Example common wake-up operating parameters include.

Example user-specific wake-up operating parameters include.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, common wake-up operating parameters can be carried in a WUR Operation element, as illustrated in <FIG>. The WUR Operation element can be included in a Beacon frame, an Association Response frame, an Reassociation Response frame or a Probe Response frame. The formats of the Beacon frame, the Association Response frame, the Reassociation Response frame and the Probe Response frame are defined in the IEEE Std <NUM>™-<NUM>.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, user-specific wake-up operating parameters can be carried in a WUR Mode element, as illustrated in <FIG>. The WUR Mode element can be included in a WUR Action frame as illustrated in <FIG> (e.g., WUR Mode Request frame or WUR Mode Response frame), an Association Response frame or a Reassociation Response frame.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, common wake-up operating parameters can be obtained by the STA from the AP <NUM> via a synchronization procedure and/or an association procedure. User-specific wake-up operating parameters are negotiated between the STA and the AP <NUM> via a WUR negotiation procedure, an integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure, or an association procedure incorporating WUR negotiation. Since common wake-up operating parameters do not change as frequently as user-specific wake-up operating parameters, channel efficiency is maximized.

<FIG> illustrates example WUR mode operation related MAC procedures operated by a WUR STA and the AP <NUM> according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Before the STA is associated with the AP <NUM>, it shall operate in active mode and initiate a synchronization procedure <NUM> to acquire synchronization with the AP <NUM> via passive scanning or active scanning. During the synchronization procedure <NUM>, if active scanning is performed, the STA sends a Probe Request frame to the AP <NUM>, which may contain WUR capability information of the STA (e.g., time required for turning on its PCR and support of data rate feedback). And then the AP <NUM> responds with a Probe Response frame which contains common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information (e.g., TSF (Time Synchronization Function) timer). The Probe Response frame may contain WUR capability information of the AP <NUM> (e.g., support of frequency domain multiplexing transmission for multiple wake-up frames). If passive scanning is performed, the STA receives a Beacon frame from the AP <NUM> which contain common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information. The Beacon frame may contain WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>.

After the STA gets synchronized with the AP <NUM> via the synchronization procedure <NUM>, it may initiate an association procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the association procedure <NUM>, the STA sends an Association Request frame or a Reassociation Request frame to the AP <NUM>, which may contain WUR capability information of the STA. And then the AP <NUM> responds with an Association Response frame or a Reassociation Response frame which may contain common wake-up operating parameters and WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>.

The STA may initiate a power management mode change procedure <NUM> for changing its power management mode to PS mode after it is associated with the AP <NUM> via the association procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the power management mode change procedure <NUM>, the STA may transmit a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM>; and the AP <NUM> will respond with an ACK frame. After receiving the ACK frame, the STA transits to operate in PS mode. After that, the STA may initiate a WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM> to negotiate user-specific wake-up operating parameters. During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters. After completing user-specific wake-up operating parameter negotiation, the STA may initiate a WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode entry procedure <NUM>, the STA transmit a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for entering WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for entering WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for entering WUR mode is accepted, the STA enters WUR mode and stays in WUR doze state.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, when the WUR of the STA staying in WUR doze state receives a unicast wake-up frame <NUM> from the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state as shown in <FIG>, and then initiates a DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM>, it may transmit a PS-Poll frame to the AP <NUM> via its PCR to retrieve buffered traffic and acknowledge successful receipt of the wake-up frame <NUM>. The AP <NUM> responds to the PS-Poll frame with a buffered Data frame or an ACK frame followed in a separate TXOP by a buffered Data frame at the head of transmit queue. If there is more buffered traffic for the STA, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. Otherwise, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. The STA responds with an acknowledgement frame for acknowledging successful receipt of the Data frame. The acknoweldgement frame is either an ACK frame or a BlockAck frame. After transmitting the acknowledgement frame which acknowledges successful receipt of the Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM>, the STA transits to WUR doze state.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the STA may transit to WUR awake state from WUR doze state even if no wake-up frame is received or no UL data traffic is buffered. For one example, when the STA intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters (e.g., duty cycle schedule of its WUR receiver) with the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates another WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters and indicates when the agreed wake-up operating parameters will take effect. After completing new user-specific wake-up operating parameter negotiation, the STA transits to WUR doze state. For another example, when the STA intends to exit WUR mode, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates a WUR mode exit procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode exit procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for exiting WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for exiting WUR mode is accepted, the STA exits WUR mode and operates in PS mode only.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the STA operating in WUR mode is allowed to initiate a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters as illustrated in <FIG>, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

According to the second aspect of present disclosure, if the AP <NUM> intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters with the STA operating in WUR mode, it sends a wake-up frame to inform the STA operating in WUR mode that it intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters, as illutrated in <FIG>. After receiving such a wake-up frame, the STA operating in WUR mode initiates a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

<FIG> illustrates example WUR mode operation related MAC procedures operated by a WUR STA and the AP <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Before the STA is associated with the AP <NUM>, it shall operate in active mode and initiate a synchronization procedure <NUM> to acquire synchronization with the AP <NUM> via passive scanning or active scanning. During the synchronization procedure <NUM>, if active scanning is performed, the STA sends a Probe Request frame to the AP <NUM> which may contain WUR capability information of the STA. And then the AP <NUM> responds with a Probe Response frame which contains common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information. The Probe Response frame may contain WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>. If passive scanning is performed, the STA receives a Beacon frame from the AP <NUM> which contain common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information. The Beacon frame may contain WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>.

The STA may initiate a power management mode change procedure <NUM> for changing its power management mode to PS mode after it is associated with the AP <NUM> via the association procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the power management mode change procedure <NUM>, the STA may transmit a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM>; and the AP <NUM> will respond with an ACK frame. After receiving the ACK frame, the STA transits to operate in PS mode. After that, the STAmay initiate an integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM> for negotiating user-specific wake-up operating parameters and requesting to enter WUR mode. During the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters and a request for entering WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters and indicates whether the STA's request for entering WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for entering WUR mode is accepted, the STA enters WUR mode and stays in WUR doze state.

According to the fourth embodiment of present disclosure, the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> implements the same functionality as the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> and the WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> in the third embodiment. As a result, the fourth embodiment has better channel efficiency than the third embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, when the WUR receiver of the STA staying in WUR doze state receives a unicast wake-up frame <NUM> from the AP <NUM>, it may change its power management mode to active mode from PS mode as shown in <FIG>, and then initiate a DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM>, it may transmit a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM> via its PCR to retrieve buffered traffic and acknowledge successful receipt of the wake-up frame <NUM>. The AP <NUM> responds to the QoS Null frame with an ACK frame, followed by a buffered Data frame at the head of transmit queue. If there is more buffered traffic for the STA, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. Otherwise, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. The STA responds with an acknowledgement frame for acknowledging successful receipt of the Data frame. The acknoweldgement frame is either an ACK frame or a BlockAck frame.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the STA may transit to WUR awake state from WUR doze state even if no wake-up frame is received or no UL data traffic is buffered. For one example, when the STA intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters (e.g., duty cycle schedule of its WUR receiver) with the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates another WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters and indicates when the agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters will take effect. After completing new user-specific wake-up operating parameter negotiation, the STA transits to WUR doze state. For another example, when the STA intends to exit WUR mode, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates a WUR mode exit procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode exit procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for exiting WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for exiting WUR mode is accepted, the STA exits WUR mode and operates in PS mode only.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, if the AP <NUM> intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters with the STA operating in WUR mode, it sends a wake-up frame to inform the STA operating in WUR mode that it intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters, as illustrated in <FIG>. After receiving such a wake-up frame, the STA operating in WUR mode initiates a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

<FIG> illustrates example WUR mode operation related MAC procedures operated by a WUR STA and the AP <NUM> according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. Before the STA is associated with the AP <NUM>, it shall operate in active mode and initiate a synchronization procedure <NUM> to acquire synchronization with the AP <NUM> via passive scanning or active scanning. During the synchronization procedure <NUM>, if active scanning is performed, the STA sends a Probe Request frame to the AP <NUM>, which contains WUR capability information of the STA. And then the AP <NUM> responds with a Probe Response frame which contains common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information. The Probe Response frame also contains WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>. If passive scanning is performed, the STA receives a Beacon frame from the AP <NUM> which contain common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information. The Beacon frame also contains WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>.

After the STA gets synchronized with the AP <NUM> via the synchronization procedure <NUM>, it may initiate an association procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>, which incorporates WUR negotiation. During the association procedure <NUM>, the STA sends an Association Request frame or a Reassociation Request frame to the AP <NUM>, which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters. And then the AP <NUM> responds with an Association Response frame or a Reassociation Response frame, which contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters.

According to the fifth embodiment of present disclosure, the association procedure <NUM> implements the same functionality as the association procedure <NUM> and the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> in the third embodiment. As a result, the fifth embodiment has better channel efficiency than the third embodiment.

The STA may initiate a power management mode change procedure <NUM> for changing its power management mode to PS mode after it is associated with the AP <NUM> via the association procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the power management mode change procedure <NUM>, the STA may transmit a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM>; and the AP <NUM> will respond with an ACK frame. After receiving the ACK frame, the STA transits to operate in PS mode. After that, the STA may initiate a WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode entry procedure <NUM>, the STA transmit a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for entering WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for entering WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for entering WUR mode is accepted, the STA enters WUR mode and stays in WUR doze state.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, when the WUR of the STA staying in WUR doze state receives a unicast wake-up frame <NUM> from the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state as shown in <FIG>, and then initiates a DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM>, it may transmit a PS-Poll frame to the AP <NUM> via its PCR to retrieve buffered traffic and acknowledge successful receipt of the wake-up frame <NUM>. The AP <NUM> responds to the PS-Poll frame with a buffered Data frame or an ACK frame followed in a separate TXOP by a buffered Data frame at the head of transmit queue. If there is more buffered traffic for the STA, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. Otherwise, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. The STA responds with an acknowledgement frame for acknowledging successful receipt of the Data frame. The acknoweldgement frame is either an ACK frame or a BlockAck frame. After transmitting the acknowledgement frame which acknowledges successful receipt of the Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM>, the STA transits to WUR doze state.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the STA may transit to WUR awake state from WUR doze state even if no wake-up frame is received or no UL data traffic is buffered. For one example, when the STA intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters (e.g., duty cycle schedule of its WUR receiver) with the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates a WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame, the STA transits to WUR doze state. For another example, when the STA intends to exit WUR mode, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates a WUR mode exit procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode exit procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for exiting WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for exiting WUR mode is accepted, the STA exits WUR mode and operates in PS mode only.

According to the second aspect of present disclosure, if the AP <NUM> intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters with the STA operating in WUR mode, it sends a wake-up frame to inform the STA operating in WUR mode that it intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters, as illustrated in Figrue <NUM>. After receiving such a wake-up frame, the STA operating in WUR mode initiates a WUR negotiation procedure with the AP <NUM> to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters, with no need of exiting WUR mode. As a result, channel efficiency is maximized.

<FIG> illustrates example WUR mode operation related MAC procedures operated by a WUR STA and the AP <NUM> according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. Before the STA is associated with the AP <NUM>, it shall operate in active mode and initiate a synchronization procedure <NUM> to acquire synchronization with the AP <NUM> via passive scanning or active scanning. During the synchronization procedure <NUM>, if active scanning is performed, the STA sends a Probe Request frame to the AP <NUM>, which contains WUR capability information of the STA. And then the AP <NUM> responds with a Probe Response frame which contains common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information. The Probe Response frame also contains WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>. If passive scanning is performed, the STA receives a Beacon frame from the AP <NUM> which contain common wake-up operating parameters as well as necessary synchronization information. The Beacon frame also contains WUR capability information of the AP <NUM>.

After the STA gets synchronized with the AP <NUM> via the synchronization procedure <NUM>, it may initiate an association procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>, which incorporates WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry. During the association procedure <NUM>, the STA sends an Association Request or a Reassociation Request frame to the AP <NUM>, which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters and a request for entering WUR mode. And then the AP <NUM> responds with an Association Response frame or a Reassociation Response frame, which indicates whether the STA's request for entering WUR mode is accepted or rejected and contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters. After receiving the Association Response frame or the Reassociation Response frame indicating the request for entering WUR mode is accepted, the STA enters WUR mode and stays in WUR awake state.

According to the sixth embodiment of present disclosure, the association procedure <NUM> implements the same functionality as the association procedure <NUM> and the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure <NUM> in the fourth embodiment. As a result, the sixth embodiment has better channel efficiency than the fourth embodiment.

The STA may initiate a power management mode change procedure <NUM> for changing its power management mode to PS mode after it is associated with the AP <NUM> via the association procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the power management mode change procedure <NUM>, the STA may transmit a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM>; and the AP <NUM> will respond with an ACK frame. After receiving the ACK frame, the STA transits to operate in PS mode and stays in WUR doze state.

According to the present disclosure, when the WUR receiver of the STA staying in WUR doze state receives a unicast wake-up frame <NUM> from the AP <NUM>, it may change its power management mode to active mode as shown in <FIG>, and then initiate a DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the DL data transmission and acknowledgement procedure <NUM>, it may transmit a QoS Null frame with the Power Management subfield set to <NUM> to the AP <NUM> via its PCR to retrieve buffered traffic and acknowledge successful receipt of the wake-up frame <NUM>. The AP <NUM> responds to the QoS Null frame with an ACK frame, followed by a buffered Data frame at the head of transmit queue. If there is more buffered traffic for the STA, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. Otherwise, the More Data field in the delivered Data frame is set to <NUM>. The STA responds with an acknowledgement frame for acknowledging successful receipt of the Data frame. The acknoweldgement frame is either an ACK frame or a BlockAck frame.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the STA may transit to WUR awake state from WUR doze state even if no wake-up frame is received or no UL data traffic is buffered. For one example, when the STA intends to negotiate new user-specific wake-up operating parameters (e.g., duty cycle schedule of its WUR receiver) with the AP <NUM>, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates another WUR negotiation procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR negotiation procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> which contains requested user-specific wake-up operating parameters, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which contains agreed user-specific wake-up operating parameters. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame, the STA transits to WUR doze state. For another example, when the STA intends to exit WUR mode, it transits to WUR awake state from WUR doze state and initiates a WUR mode exit procedure <NUM> with the AP <NUM>. During the WUR mode exit procedure <NUM>, the STA sends a WUR Mode Request frame to the AP <NUM> with a request for exiting WUR mode, and then the AP <NUM> responds with a WUR Mode Response frame which indicates whether the STA's request for exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. After receiving the WUR Mode Response frame indicating the request for exiting WUR mode is accepted, the STA exits WUR mode and operates in PS mode only.

<FIG> illustrates WUR mode operation related state transition for the STA according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The STA has five states related to WUR mode operation. In a first state, all wake-up operating parameters are not in place. In a second state, common wake-up operating parameters are in place but user-specific wake-up operating parameters are not in place. In a third state, all wake-up operating parameters are in place but WUR mode is not operated. In a fourth state, WUR mode is operated with WUR doze state. In a fifth state, WUR mode is operated with WUR awake state. As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in the first state can transit to the second state after a synchronization procedure and/or an association procedure is completed, transit to the third state after a synchronization procedure and an association procedure incorporating WUR negotiation is completed, transit to the fourth state after a synchronization procedure and an association procedure incoporating WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry is completed and if the STA also operates in PS mode, or transit to the fifth state after a synchronization procedure and an association procedure incoporating WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry is completed and if the STA also operates in active mode. The STA staying in the second state can transit to the third state after a WUR negotiation procedure is completed, transit to the fourth state after an integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in PS mode, or transit to the fifth state after an integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in active mode. The STA staying in the third state can transit to the fourth state after a WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in PS mode, transit to the fifth state after a WUR mode entry procedure is completed and if the STA also operates in active mode, update user-specific wake-up operating parameters after a WUR negotiation procedure is completed, or update common wake-up operating parameters after a Beacon frame is received from the AP <NUM>. The STA staying in the fourth state can transit to the fifth state for various reasons, e.g., when UL data traffic is buffered, or when a wake-up frame is received. The STA staying in the fifth state can transit to the third state after a WUR mode exit procedure is completed, update user-specific wake-up operating parameters after a WUR negotiation procedure is completed, or update common wake-up operating parameters after a Beacon frame is received from the AP <NUM>. The STA staying in the fifth state can transit to the fourth state for various reasons, e.g., after acknowledging a DL Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM> or receiving an acknowledgement frame which acknowledges an UL Data frame with the More Data field set to <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example format of wake-up frame <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The wake-up frame <NUM> comprises a Type field <NUM>, a BSS Color field <NUM>, a STA ID field <NUM>, and a Parameter Negotiation Request field <NUM>. The Type field <NUM> indicates the type of the wake-up frame <NUM>, e.g., unicast wake-up frame, multicast wake-up frame or WUR Beacon frame. The BSS Color field <NUM> indicates the identifier of the network <NUM>. The STA ID field <NUM> indicates the identifier of intended STA. When the wake-up frame <NUM> is not a unicast wake-up frame, the STA ID field <NUM> is not present. The Parameter Negotiation Request field <NUM> indicates whether the AP <NUM> intends to negotiate new wake-up operating parameters or new user-specific wake-up operating parameters.

<FIG> illustrates an example format of WUR Action frame <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The WUR Action frame <NUM> comprises a MAC Header portion <NUM> and a Frame Body portion <NUM>. The Frame Body portion <NUM> comprises a WUR Action field <NUM> and a WUR Mode element <NUM>. The WUR Action field <NUM> indicates the type of the WUR Action frame <NUM>, e.g., WUR Mode Request frame or WUR Mode Response frame.

<FIG> illustrates an example format of WUR Mode element <NUM> according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. The WUR Mode element <NUM> comprises an Action Type field <NUM>, a WUR Mode Response Status field <NUM>, a Common Parameters field <NUM>, a User-Specific Parameters field <NUM> and a Parameter Change Interval field <NUM>. The Action Type field <NUM> indicates which one of the WUR negotiation procedure, the WUR mode entry procedure, the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure and the WUR mode exit procedure the WUR Action frame <NUM> containing the WUR Mode element <NUM> involves, as illustrated in <FIG>. The WUR Mode Response Status field <NUM> indicates whether the request for entering or exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. The Common Parameters field <NUM> contains common wake-up operating parameters such as the WUR Beacon interval, the WUR time unit and the minimum wake-up duration, etc. The User-Specific Parameters field <NUM> contains user-specific wake-up operating parameters such as the WUR sleep interval, the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, the data rate feedback request, the WUR channel and the STA ID, etc. The Parameter Change Interval field <NUM> indicates when new wake-up operating parameters take effect.

<FIG> illustrates an example format of WUR Mode element <NUM> according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The WUR Mode element <NUM> comprises an Action Type field <NUM>, a WUR Mode Response Status field <NUM>, a User-Specific Parameters field <NUM> and a Parameter Change Interval field <NUM>. The Action Type field <NUM> indicates which one of the WUR negotiation procedure, the WUR mode entry procedure, the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure and the WUR mode exit procedure the WUR Action frame <NUM> containing the WUR Mode element <NUM> involves, as illustrated in <FIG>. The WUR Mode Response Status field <NUM> indicates whether the request for entering or exiting WUR mode is accepted or rejected. The User-Specific Parameters field <NUM> contains user-specific wake-up operating parameters such as the WUR sleep interval, the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, the data rate feedback request, the WUR channel and the STA ID, etc. The Parameter Change Interval field <NUM> indicates when new user-specific wake-up operating parameters take effect.

<FIG> illustrates an example format of WUR Operation element <NUM> according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. The WUR Operation element <NUM> comprises a Common Parameters field <NUM>. The Common Parameters field <NUM> contains common wake-up operating parameters such as the WUR Beacon interval, the WUR time unit and the minimum wake-up duration, etc..

<FIG> is a simple block diagram of an example WUR <NUM> which is capable of receiving wake-up signal. The WUR <NUM> may be the WUR <NUM> in the STA <NUM> or the WUR <NUM> in the STA <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. The WUR <NUM> comprises a receiver <NUM> and a receive signal processing circuitry <NUM>. The receiver <NUM> is responsible for reception of wake-up signal, and the receive signal processing circuitry <NUM> is responsible for processing the received wake-up signal.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of the example WUR <NUM>. The WUR <NUM> further comprises control circuitry <NUM>, which is used to control general MAC protocol operations. The receiver <NUM> of the WUR <NUM> comprises PHY processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for converting PPDUs received through antennas into MAC frames (e.g., wake-up frames or WUR Beacon frames). The receive signal processing circuitry <NUM> of the WUR <NUM> comprises a message processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for processing the received MAC frames (e.g., parsing MAC Header, etc.) under the control of the control circuitry <NUM> according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure and passing the corresponding MAC information to the control circuitry <NUM>.

The WUR <NUM> may comprise many other components that are not illustrated, for sake of clarity, in <FIG> and <FIG>. Only those components that are most pertinent to the present disclosure are illustrated.

<FIG> is a simple block diagram of an example PCR <NUM> which is capable for transmitting and receiving standard IEEE <NUM> signal. The PCR <NUM> may be the PCR <NUM> in the AP <NUM>, the PCR <NUM> in the STA <NUM> or the PCR <NUM> in the STA <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. In particular, the PCR <NUM> in the AP <NUM> is also capable for transmitting wake-up signal. The PCR <NUM> comprises transmission signal generating circuitry <NUM>, a transceiver <NUM> and receive signal processing circuitry <NUM>. The transmission signal generating circuitry <NUM> is responsible for generating standard IEEE <NUM> signal and wake-up signal if applicable, the transceiver <NUM> is responsible for transmitting the generated standard IEEE <NUM> signal and wake-up signal if applicable as well as receiving the standard IEEE <NUM> signal, and the receive signal processing circuitry <NUM> is responsible for processing the received standard IEEE <NUM> signal.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of the example PCR <NUM>. The PCR <NUM> further comprises control circuitry <NUM>, which is used to control general MAC protocol operation. The transmission signal generating circuitry <NUM> comprises message generating circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for generating MAC frames (e.g., Beacon frame, Probe Request/Response frame, Association Reqeust/Response frame, Reassociation Request/Response frame, Data frame, acknowledgement frame, WUR Action frame, wake-up frame and WUR Beacon frame) under the control of the control circuitry <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The transceiver <NUM> comprises PHY processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for formulating the generated MAC frames into PPDUs and transmitting them through antennas as well as converting PPDUs received through the antennas into MAC frames. The receive signal processing circuitry <NUM> comprises message processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for processing the received MAC frames (e.g., parsing MAC Header, etc.) under the control of the control circuitry <NUM> and passing the corresponding MAC information to the control circuitry <NUM>.

The PCR <NUM> may comprise many other components that are not illustrated, for sake of clarity, in <FIG> and <FIG>. Only those components that are most pertinent to the present disclosure are illustrated.

<FIG> illustrates simplified WUR mode operation related state machine for the STA according to the present disclosure. The STA has three states related to WUR mode operation. The first state is called "no WUR" in which wake-up operating parameters are not in place. In the first state, negotiating wake-up operating parameters between the AP <NUM> and the STA has not been completed or the negitiated wake-up operating parameters are discarded after the STA exits from the WUR mode. The first state as illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to the first state as illustrated in <FIG> or the first and second states as illustrated in <FIG>. The second state is called "WUR Mode Suspend" in which wake-up operating parameters are in place but WUR mode is not operated. In the second state, negotiating wake-up operating parameters between the AP <NUM> and the STA has been completed or the negitiated wake-up operating parameters are maintained after the STA exits from the WUR mode. The second state as illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to the second state as illustrated in <FIG> or the third state as illustrated in <FIG>. The third state is called "WUR Mode" in which the STA operates in the WUR mode according to the negotiated wake-up operating parameters. The third state as illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to the third and fourth states as illustrated in <FIG> or the fourth and fifth states as illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in "no WUR" can transit to operate in "WUR Mode Suspend" after a two-way setup procedure initiated by the STA is completed. <FIG> illustrates a first example two-way setup procedure according to the present disclsoure. The first example two-way setup procedure has the same functionality as the association procedure incorporating WUR negotiation as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits an Association Request frame or a Reassociation Request frame to the AP <NUM>. The Association Request frame or the Reassociation Request frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Request" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the preferred duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the Association Request frame or the Reassociation Request frame. After that, the AP <NUM> transmits an Association Response frame or a Reassociation Response frame to the STA. The Association Response frame or the Reassociation Response frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Response" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Accept" or "Denied" (as illustrated in <FIG>). If the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Accept", the Common Parameters field contains the WUR Beacon interval, etc and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, WID and WUR operating channel, etc. If the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Denied", the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present. <FIG> illustrates a second example two-way setup procedure according to the present disclosure. The second example two-way setup procedure has the same functionality as the WUR negotiation procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits a WUR Mode Setup frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Setup frame is a WUR Action frame (as illustrated in <FIG>) with the WUR Action field set to "WUR Mode Setup" (as illustrated in <FIG>). The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Request" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the preferred duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Setup frame. After that, the AP <NUM> transmits an WUR Mode Setup frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Response" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Accept" or "Denied" (as illustrated in <FIG>). If the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend Accept", the Common Parameters field contains the WUR Beacon interval, etc and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, WID and WUR operating channel, etc. If the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Denied", the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in the "WUR Mode Suspend" can transit to operate in the "No WUR" after a one-way teardown procedure initiated by the AP <NUM> or the STA is completed. <FIG> illustrates a first example one-way teardown procedure initiated by the STA. The STA transmits a WUR Mode Teardown frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Teardown frame is a WUR Action frame (as illustrated in <FIG>) with the WUR Action field set to "WUR Mode Teardown" (as illustrated in <FIG>). The WUR Mode Teardown frame does not include a WUR Mode element. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Teardown frame. After receiving the Ack frame, the STA discards the negotiated wake-up operating parameters. <FIG> illustrates a second example one-way teardown procedure initiated by the AP <NUM>. The AP <NUM> transmits an WUR Mode Teardown frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Teardown frame does not include a WUR Mode element. The STA responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Teardown frame. After transmitting the Ack frame, the STA discards the negotiated wake-up operating parameters.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in the "No WUR" can transit to operate in the "WUR Mode" after a two-way setup procedure initiated by the STA is completed. <FIG> illustrates a first example two-way setup procedure. The first example two-way setup procedure has the same functionality as the association procedure incorporatig integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits an Association Request frame or a Reassociation Request frame to the AP <NUM>. The Association Request frame or the Reassociation Request frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Request" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the preferred duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the Association Request frame or the Reassociation Request frame. After that, the AP <NUM> transmits an Association Response frame or a Reassociation Response frame to the STA. The Association Response frame or the Reassociation Response frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Response" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Accept" or "Denied" (as illustrated in <FIG>). If the WUR Mode Response Status field is "Enter WUR Mode Accept", the Common Parameters field contains the WUR Beacon interval, etc and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, WID and WUR operating channel, etc. If the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Denied", the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present. <FIG> illustrates a second example two-way setup procedure. The second example two-way setup procedure has the same functionality as the integrated WUR negotiation and WUR mode entry procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits an WUR Mode Setup frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Request" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the preferred duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Setup frame. After that, the AP <NUM> transmits an WUR Mode Setup frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Response" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Accept" or "Denied" (as illustrated in <FIG>). If the WUR Mode Response Status field is "Enter WUR Mode Accept", the Common Parameters field contains the WUR Beacon interval, etc and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, WID and WUR operating channel, etc. If the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Denied", the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in the "WUR Mode" can transit to operate in the "No WUR" after a one-way teardown procedure initiated by the STA or the AP <NUM> is completed. <FIG> illustrates a first example one-way teardown procedure initiated by the STA. The STA transmits a WUR Mode Teardown frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Teardown frame is a WUR Action frame (as illustrated in <FIG>) with the WUR Action field set to "WUR Mode Teardown" (as illustrated in <FIG>). The WUR Mode Teardown frame does not include a WUR Mode element. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Teardown frame. After receiving the Ack frame, the STA exits from the WUR mode and discards the negotiated wake-up operating parameters. <FIG> illustrates a second example one-way teardown procedure initiated by the AP <NUM>. The AP <NUM> transmits an WUR Mode Teardown frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Teardown frame does not include a WUR Mode element. The STA responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Teardown frame. After transmitting the Ack frame, the STA exits from the WUR mode and discards the negotiated wake-up operating parameters.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in the "WUR Mode Suspend" can transit to the "WUR Mode" after a one-way or two-way setup procedure initiated by the STA is completed. <FIG> illustrates an example one-way setup procedure initiated by the STA. The example one-way setup procedure has the same functionality as the WUR mode entry procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits a WUR Mode Setup frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Setup frame. After receiving the Ack frame, the STA operates in the WUR mode according to the existing wake-up operating parameters. <FIG> illustrates an example two-way setup procedure initiated by the STA. The example two-way setup procedure has the same functionality as the integrated WUR mode entry and WUR negotiation procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits a WUR Mode Setup frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Request" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the preferred duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Setup frame. After that, the AP <NUM> transmits a WUR Mode Setup frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Response" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Accept" or "Denied" (as illustrated in <FIG>). If the WUR Mode Response Status field is "Enter WUR Mode Accept", the Common Parameters field contains the WUR Beacon interval, etc and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, WID and WUR operating channel, etc. If the WUR Mode Response Status field is set to "Denied", the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the STA staying in the "WUR Mode" can transit to the "WUR Mode Suspend" after a one-way setup procedure initiated by the STA or the AP <NUM> is completed. <FIG> illustrates a first example one-way setup procedure initiated by the STA. The first example one-way setup procedure has the same functionality as the WUR mode exit procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits a WUR Mode Setup frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Setup frame. After receiving the Ack frame, the STA exits from the WUR mode and maintains the negotiated wake-up operating parameters. <FIG> illustrates a second example one-way setup procedure initiated by the AP <NUM>. The AP <NUM> transmits a WUR Mode Setup frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Setup frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Enter WUR Mode Suspend" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the Common Parameters field and the User-Specific Parameters field are not present. The STA responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Setup frame. After transmitting the Ack frame, the STA exits from the WUR mode and maintains the negotiated wake-up operating parameters.

As illustrated in <FIG>, for the STA staying in the "WUR Mode Suspend" or "WUR Mode", the wake-up operating parameters can be updated via a one-way procedure initiated by the AP <NUM> or a two-way update procedure initiated by the STA. <FIG> illustrates an example one-way update procedure initiated by the AP <NUM>. The AP <NUM> transmits a WUR Mode Update frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Update frame is a WUR Action frame (as illustrated in <FIG>) with the WUR Action field set to "WUR Mode Update" (as illustrated in <FIG>). The WUR Mode Update frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Update WUR Parameters" (as illustrated in <FIG>), the Common Parameters field contains the WUR Beacon interval, etc., the User-Specific Parameters field contains the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, WID and WUR operating channel, etc., and the Parameter Change Interval field indicates when new wake-up operating parameters take effect. The STA responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Update frame and updates the wake-up operating parameters accordingly. <FIG> illustrates an example two-way update procedure initiated by the STA. The example two-way update procedure has the same functionality as the WUR negotiation procedure as illustrated in <FIG>. The STA transmits a WUR Mode Update frame to the AP <NUM>. The WUR Mode Update frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Update WUR Parameters Request" (as illustrated in <FIG>) and the User-Specific Parameters field contains the preferred duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver. The AP <NUM> responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Update frame. After that, the AP <NUM> transmits a WUR Mode Update frame to the STA. The WUR Mode Update frame contains a WUR Mode element (as illustrated in <FIG>) in which the Action Type field is set to "Update WUR Parameters Response" (as illustrated in <FIG>), the Common Parameters field contains the WUR Beacon interval, etc, the User-Specific Parameters field contains the duty cycle schedule of the STA's WUR receiver, WID and WUR operating channel, etc., and the Parameter Change Interval field indicates when new wake-up operating parameters take effect. The STA responds with an Ack frame upon the successful receipt of the WUR Mode Update frame and updates the wake-up operating parameters accordingly.

According to the present disclosure, if the AP <NUM> intends to change wake-up operating parameters for the STA in the "WUR Mode Suspend" or the "WUR Mode", the one-way update procedure as illustrated in <FIG> is preferable since it results in less channel overhead than the two-way update procedure as illustrated in <FIG>.

According to the present disclosure, if the STA in the "WUR Mode Suspend" intends to transits to operate in the "WUR Mode" with new wake-up operating parameters, the two-way setup procedure as illustrated in <FIG> is preferable since it results in less channel overhead than the two-way update procedure as illustrated in <FIG> followed by the one-way setup procedure as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates another example format of the WUR Action field <NUM> of the WUR Action frame <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The WUR Action field <NUM> indicates the type of the WUR Action frame <NUM>, e.g., WUR Mode Setup frame, WUR Mode Teardown frame or WUR Mode Update frame.

<FIG> illustrates another example format of the Action Type field <NUM> of the WUR Mode element <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The Action Type field <NUM> indicates the WUR mode operation related action for the Association Request frame, the Association Response frame, the Reassociation Request frame, the Reassociation Response frame, the WUR Mode Setup frame or the WUR Mode Update frame containing the WUR Mode element <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another example format of the WUR Mode Response Status <NUM> of the WUR Mode element <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The WUR Mode Response Status <NUM> indicates the STA's request for operating in the "WUR Mode" or "WUR Mode Suspend" is accepted or rejected.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of another example WUR <NUM>. The WUR <NUM> further comprises control circuitry <NUM> and a WUR memory <NUM>. The control circuitry <NUM> is used to control general MAC protocol operations. The receiver <NUM> comprises PHY processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for converting PPDUs received through antennas into MAC frames (e.g., wake-up frames or WUR Beacon frames). The receive signal processing circuitry <NUM> comprises message processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for processing the received MAC frames under the control of the control circuitry <NUM> according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure and passing the corresponding MAC information to the control circuitry <NUM>. The WUR memory <NUM> is responsible for storing the negotiated wake-up operating parameters between the WUR STA (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>) containing the WUR <NUM> and the AP <NUM>, especially when the WUR STA operates in the "WUR Mode Suspend".

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of another example PCR <NUM>. The PCR <NUM> further comprises control circuitry <NUM>. The control circuitry <NUM> is used to control general MAC protocol operation. The transmission signal generating circuitry <NUM> comprises message generating circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for generating MAC frames (e.g., Beacon frame, Probe Request/Response frame, Association Reqeust/Response frame, Reassociation Request/Response frame, Data frame, acknowledgement frame, WUR Action frame, wake-up frame and WUR Beacon frame) under the control of the control circuitry <NUM> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The transceiver <NUM> comprises PHY processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for formulating the generated MAC frames into PPDUs and transmitting them through antennas as well as converting PPDUs received through the antennas into MAC frames. The receive signal processing circuitry <NUM> comprises message processing circuitry <NUM>, which is responsible for processing the received MAC frames (e.g., parsing MAC Header, etc.) under the control of the control circuitry <NUM> and passing the corresponding MAC information to the control circuitry <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, when the PCR <NUM> is used in the AP <NUM>, it further comprises a WUR memory <NUM>, which is responsible for storing the negotiated wake-up operating parameters between the WUR STAs (e.g., <NUM> and <NUM>) and the AP <NUM>, especially when the WUR STAs operate in the "WUR Mode Suspend".

The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment described above can be partly or entirely realized by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in the each embodiment may be controlled partly or entirely by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be individually formed as chips, or one chip may be formed so as to include a part or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include a data input and output coupled thereto. The LSI here may be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on a difference in the degree of integration. However, the technique of implementing an integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI and may be realized by using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a special-purpose processor. In addition, a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the manufacture of the LSI or a reconfigurable processor in which the connections and the settings of circuit cells disposed inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be used. The present disclosure can be realized as digital processing or analogue processing, as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or other derivative technology.

Should a circuit integration technology replacing LSI appear as a result of advancements in semiconductor technology or other technologies derived from the technology, the functional blocks could be integrated using the future integrated circuit technology. Another possibility is the application of biotechnology and/or the like.

Claim 1:
A station (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
circuitry (<NUM>; <NUM>) which, in operation, is configured to negotiate Wake-Up Radio, WUR, parameters with an access point (<NUM>), AP, and switch from WUR mode suspend to WUR mode by initiating and completing a WUR mode setup frame exchange; and
a transmitter (<NUM>) which, in operation, is configured to transmit a WUR mode setup frame to an the AP (<NUM>) in the WUR mode setup frame exchange,
wherein the circuitry (<NUM>; <NUM>) is configured to maintain WUR parameters negotiated with the AP (<NUM>) after entering the WUR mode suspend from the WUR mode,
wherein the circuitry (<NUM>; <NUM>) is configured to switch from WUR mode suspend to WUR mode after negotiation of WUR power management service,
wherein an action type field of a WUR mode element contained in the WUR mode setup frame is configured to indicate that the station (<NUM>, <NUM>) enters the WUR mode,
characterized in that
the WUR mode element is used to negotiate a first set of parameters related to WUR operation, and the station (<NUM>, <NUM>) further comprises a receiver which, in operation, is configured to receive a beacon frame containing a WUR operation element which contains a second set of parameters necessary to support WUR operation,
wherein each of the parameters in the first set is different from each of the parameters in the second set.