Patent Description:
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of wireless communications. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for coordinated operations of wireless access points for serving multiple wireless stations concurrently.

Modern electronic devices typically send and receive data with other electronic devices wirelessly using Wi-Fi based technology that includes a wireless access point (AP) servicing one or more wireless stations (STAs) in a basic service set (BSS). However, it may be advantageous in some circumstances for a wireless STA to connect to a different wireless device (e.g., a wireless STA) that is physically closer or subject to less interference than an available AP or an AP that the STA is currently connected to. For these reasons, an STA may be granted the ability to act as a wireless AP for a period of time (a "granted AP" or "coordinated AP") to service a BSS. However, an STA acting as an AP to service a different BSS concurrently can lead to adjacent channel interference that degrades performance of the wireless network.

Therefore, what is needed is an approach to wireless data transmission that allows a wireless AP to share bandwidth of a transmission opportunity (TXOP) so that a wireless STA can act as a wireless AP for coordinating data transmissions with one or more STAs in another BSS. Moreover, an approach is needed that is aware of adjacent channel interference (ACI) and that can synchronize transmission times of multiple BSSs to avoid this source of interference. <CIT> discloses a method according to the preamble portion of claim <NUM>. <CIT>, which is a document relevant to the question of novelty, discloses further that the frame that is sent from the coordinator wireless AP to the coordinated wireless AP might further comprise a maximum transmit power. <CIT> discloses a method for reserving at least one communication channel in a wireless network comprising nodes. <CIT> discloses systems, methods and apparatuses for allocating bandwidth resources to wireless network devices. IEEE document <NPL>, discloses considerations on high-level issues to be considered for multi-AP coordination.

Methods and apparatus according to the invention are defined in the independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments thereof. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for coordinated operations of wireless access points for serving multiple wireless stations concurrently including coordinated OFDMA operation and coordinated OFDMA channel selection. The preferred features of the "one embodiment" described below might also be combined with the "another embodiment" or the "different embodiment" described below.

According to one embodiment, a method of coordinating transmissions of a coordinated wireless access point (AP) using a coordinator wireless AP is disclosed according to claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the portion of bandwidth includes one or more <NUM> wireless channels.

Preferably, the first AP transmits data frames to a first basic service set (BSS), and the second wireless AP transmits data frames to a second BSS.

The frame includes a maximum transmit power, and the first wireless AP transmits data frames to the wireless station in the first BSS using the maximum transmit power.

Preferably, the method includes the second wireless AP scheduling an RU for downlink and uplink transmission of the first wireless AP, and the RU is within an allocated bandwidth indicated by the TXOP bandwidth.

Preferably, the second wireless AP schedules the RU using a Coordinated OFDMA Announcement (COA) control frame.

Preferably, the method further includes the first wireless AP performing a channel switch from a first primary channel to a second primary channel.

Preferably, the second primary channel is within an allocated bandwidth indicated by the TXOP bandwidth.

Preferably, the method further includes the second wireless AP reporting a DL buffer status and a UL buffer status of the second BSS.

Preferably, the method further includes performing a protection mechanism using the first wireless AP.

Preferably, performing the protection mechanism includes performing an RTS/CTS hand shake.

Preferably, the method further includes initiating a PIFS using the first wireless AP, performing a CCA during the PIFS using the first wireless AP, and sending an RTS frame when the CCA is idle during the PIFS.

Preferably, the method further includes synchronizing uplink and downlink transmissions of the first BSS and the second BSS, and the synchronizing mitigates adjacent channel interference of the first wireless AP and the second AP.

Preferably, the synchronizing includes the second wireless AP indicating an uplink duration and a downlink duration using an A-control subfield of the frame.

According to another embodiment, a coordinator wireless access point (AP) is disclosed according to claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the method includes the coordinator wireless AP scheduling an RU for downlink and uplink transmission of the coordinated wireless AP, and the RU is within an allocated bandwidth indicated by the TXOP bandwidth.

Preferably, the method includes the coordinated wireless AP performing a channel switch from a first primary channel to a second primary channel.

According to a different embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having embedded therein program instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of a device, causes the device to execute a process for coordinating transmissions of a coordinated wireless access point (AP) using a coordinator wireless AP is disclosed according to claim <NUM>.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments. While the subject matter will be described in conjunction with the alternative embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to these embodiments. On the contrary, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover alternative, modifications, and equivalents, which may be included within the scope of the claimed subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects and features of the subject matter.

Portions of the detailed description that follows are presented and discussed in terms of a method. Although steps and sequencing thereof are disclosed in a figure herein (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>) describing the operations of this method, such steps and sequencing are exemplary. Embodiments are well suited to performing various other steps or variations of the steps recited in the flowchart of the figure herein, and in a sequence other than that depicted and described herein.

Some portions of the detailed description are presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits that can be performed on computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer-executed step, logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout, discussions utilizing terms such as "accessing," "writing," "coordinating," "storing," "transmitting," "associating," "identifying," "encoding," or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

As used herein, the term "EHT" may refer to a recent generation of wireless communication (Wi-Fi) known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) and is defined according to the IEEE <NUM>. 11be standards. The term station (STA) may refer to an electronic device capable of sending and receiving data over Wi-Fi that is not operating as an access point (AP).

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for coordinated multi-AP channel access in a wireless network. A wireless AP that obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) (a "coordinator AP") can grant one or more STAs or APs under control of the coordinator AP the use of some of the bandwidth granted by the TXOP. The STAs or APs that are granted the use of the bandwidth are referred to as "coordinated APs. " Thereafter, a coordinator AP or a coordinated AP can create a new basic service set (BSS) of devices for coordinating data transmissions. For example, the coordinated AP may serve as a relay, where the coordinated AP services devices in a new BSS by sending and receiving data with a coordinator AP in a different BSS.

With regard to <FIG>, an exemplary wireless network <NUM> including a coordinator AP1 <NUM> that coordinates the wireless transmissions of a coordinated AP2 <NUM> and a coordinated AP3 <NUM> is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention. Coordinated AP2 <NUM> and coordinated AP3 <NUM> can be wireless STAs or APs. Coordinator AP1 <NUM> obtains a TXOP and can optionally grant the use a part of the bandwidth available under the TXOP (e.g., one or more <NUM> channels) to one or more APs under the control of the first AP (e.g., coordinated AP2 <NUM> and coordinated AP3 <NUM>). Coordinated AP2 <NUM> and coordinated AP3 <NUM> can be connected to coordinator AP1 <NUM> over a wired or wireless network.

Bandwidth allocated to coordinated AP2 <NUM> and/or coordinated AP3 <NUM> by AP1 <NUM> can be used to serve coordinated STA2 <NUM> and coordinated STA3 <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, coordinated AP2 <NUM> services STA2 <NUM> and coordinated AP3 <NUM> services STA3 <NUM> using the bandwidth allocated by coordinator AP1 <NUM>. Coordinator AP1 <NUM> can continue to serve STA1 <NUM> using the remaining bandwidth not allocated to coordinated AP2 or coordinated AP3. As described in more detail below with regard to <FIG>, STAs serviced by a coordinated AP (e.g., STA <NUM><NUM>, and STA3 <NUM>) can be members of the same or different BSSs.

With regard to <FIG>, an exemplary wireless network <NUM> including a coordinator AP1 <NUM> that coordinates the wireless transmissions of a coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention. Coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> is configured as a coordinated AP in BSS1 and can be a wireless STA or AP. As depicted in Figure 1B, STA1 <NUM> and coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> serviced by AP1 <NUM> are members of BSS1, and coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> and STA3 <NUM> are members of BSS2. STA3 <NUM> is serviced by coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> as a coordinated AP, and the coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> can serve as a relay. In this case, the coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> performs at least two main function. First, coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> acts as a non-AP STA for associating with the coordinator AP1 <NUM>; and second, coordinated AP2/STA2 <NUM> acts as an AP for serving its own BSS (BSS2). According to some embodiments of the present invention, each AP (a coordinator AP or a coordinated AP) can create its own BSS.

<FIG> is a data transmission timing diagram for performing a multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> in a wireless network according to embodiments of the present invention. As depicted in <FIG>, a single TXOP obtained by an AP1 can be shared with AP2 and/or AP3. AP1 is referred to as a "coordinator AP," and AP2 and AP3 are referred to as "coordinated APs". AP1 sends data frames <NUM> and <NUM> to STA1 and STA2, and STA1 and STA2 respond with corresponding ACK frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Thereafter, AP2 acting as a coordinated AP sends a data frame <NUM> to STA3, and STA3 responds with a corresponding ACK frame <NUM>. Multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> occurs within a single TXOP assigned to AP1.

<FIG> is a data transmission timing diagram for performing a multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> in a wireless network to grant partial bandwidth of a TXOP to a coordinated AP according to embodiments of the present invention. As depicted in <FIG>, a single TXOP obtained by AP1 can be shared with AP2 and/or AP3 by allocating part of the available bandwidth to a coordinated AP and using remaining bandwidth to serve a wireless STA. AP1 is referred to as a coordinator AP, and AP2 and AP3 are referred to as coordinated APs. AP1 sends data frames <NUM> and <NUM> to STA1 and STA2, and STA1 and STA2 respond with corresponding ACK frames <NUM> and <NUM>. Thereafter, AP1 continues to serve STA1, and AP2 acts as a coordinated AP to send a data frame <NUM> to STA3. STA3 responds with a corresponding ACK frame <NUM>. AP1 sends a data frame <NUM> to STA1, and STA1 response with a corresponding ACK frame <NUM>. Multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> occurs within a single TXOP assigned to AP1.

As depicted in Table I, an A-Control subfield of an HE variant HT Control field can be used to indicated which portion of the TXOP duration is granted to a coordinated AP, as well as the granted bandwidth, and the granted maximum transmit power. The granted TXOP duration indicates the maximum TXOP duration that can be used by the coordinated AP; the granted bandwidth indicates the maximum bandwidth that can be used by the coordinated AP; and the granted maximum transmit power information indicates the maximum transmit power that can be used by the BSS associated with the coordinated AP.

<FIG> is an exemplary data transmission timing diagram for performing a multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> in a wireless network for exchanging RTS/CTS frames according to embodiments of the present invention. The granted bandwidth field <NUM> and granted TXOP duration field <NUM> may be signaled in an A-Control field of an HE variant HT Control field, for example. The granted TXOP duration <NUM> indicates the maximum TXOP duration that can be used by the coordinated AP2, and the granted bandwidth <NUM> indicates the maximum bandwidth that can be used by the coordinated AP2.

If the coordinated AP needs to perform a protective mechanism, such as an RTS/CTS handshake, the AP uses a Point Coordination Function (PCF) Interframe Space (PIFS) after being granted a shared TXOP. RTS/CTS frames are used to implement virtual carrier sensing for carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance. To provide guaranteed reservation of the common medium and uninterrupted data transmission, an STA will use RTS/CTS message exchange. Specifically, according to some embodiments, the coordinated AP2 uses the PIFS before sending the RTS frame, and the CCA performed during the PIFS can detect ACI caused by the coordinator AP1. Otherwise, STA3 is unable to send the CTS frame because the channel is busy immediately prior to the PIFS of the RTS reception.

<FIG> is an exemplary data transmission timing diagram for performing a multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> in a wireless network for performing a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) during a PIFS <NUM> according to embodiments of the present invention. The coordinated AP2 that was granted some or all of a TXOP on a secondary channel can perform CCA during the PIFS <NUM>. Thereafter, when the CCA is idle during the PIFS <NUM>, the AP2 sends an RTS frame <NUM> and STA3 responds with a CTS frame <NUM>. Otherwise, the coordinator AP1 indicates if the AP2 is required to perform the protection mechanism. For example, the protection requirement field can be carried in an A-Control subfield.

<FIG> is an exemplary data transmission timing diagram depicting adjacent channel interference (ACI) of downlink (DL) transmissions and uplink (UL) transmissions when performing a multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> in a wireless network according to embodiments of the present invention. Coordinator AP1 <NUM> sends a data frame <NUM> to STA1 <NUM> over a first wireless channel, and coordinated AP2 <NUM> sends a data frame <NUM> to STA3 <NUM>. STA1 <NUM> and STA3 <NUM> respond with corresponding ACK frames <NUM> and <NUM>. ACI from concurrent transmissions from multiple BSSs transmissions is depicted, including the DL-DL ACI caused by the data frames and the UL-DL/Ul-UL ACI caused by the ACK frames. When the UL-DL ACI is significant, the UL and DL transmission time of multiple BSSs can be synchronized to mitigate ACI. <FIG> is an exemplary data transmission timing diagram depicting synchronized UL and DL transmissions for mitigating ACI when performing a multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> in a wireless network according to embodiments of the present invention. An AP (AP1) can indicate the DL Duration <NUM> and UL Duration <NUM> information using an A-Control subfield, for example.

The BSS Colors of the AP and the coordinating APs are typically the same color. Otherwise, the non-AP STAs associated with the coordinated AP cannot send the UL frame to the coordinated AP because of the Network Allocation Vector (NAV). Typically the primary channel of the BSS operated by the coordinating AP and the primary channel of the BSS operated by the coordinated should be different; otherwise, the non-AP STA can report the BSS Color collision to an associated coordinated AP and an associated coordinating AP.

Preferably, before sending a grant signal to share a TXOP with a coordinated AP, an MU-RTS/CTS exchange between the coordinating AP and the coordinated APs can instruct a non-AP STAs associated with the coordinated AP to set the inter-BSS NAV according to the CTS frame. Because the RA field of the CTS frame is different than the BSSID of the coordinated AP, in order to avoid the inter-BSS NAV setting of the non-AP STAs, the CTS frame sent by the coordinated uses the CTS-to-self frame, and the USER Info field of the MU-RTS frame included in the CTS type field. When the CTS type field is set to <NUM>, the non-AP STA identified by corresponding USER Info field responds with the CTS frame in which the RA field is set to the transmitted address (TA) of the MU-RTS frame. When the CTS type field is set to <NUM>, the non-AP STA identified by corresponding USER Info field responds with the CTS-to-self frame in which the RA field is set to the BSSID of the coordinated AP co-located with the non-AP STA.

<FIG> is an exemplary data transmission timing diagram <NUM> for sending a CTS-to-self frame with an RA field set to the BSSID of a coordinated AP when performing a multi-AP frame exchange sequence <NUM> in a wireless network according to embodiments of the present invention. After receiving an MU-RTS frame <NUM>, the STA2 (a non-AP STA associated with the AP1 and co-located with the coordinated AP2) sends a CTS-to-self frame <NUM> in which the RA field is set to the BSSID of the AP2. In the MU-RTS frame <NUM>, the USER Info field addressed to the STA2 indicates the granted bandwidth of a TXOP on which the STA2 sends the CTS-to-self frame <NUM>. After receiving the MU-RTS <NUM>, the STA1 (a non-AP STA is associated with the coordinating AP1) sends a CTS frame <NUM> in which the RA field is set to the BSSID of the AP1. In the MU-RTS frame <NUM>, the RU Allocation of the USER Info field addressed to the STA1 does not overlapped with the granted bandwidth of the STA2 because the RA field of the CTS frame <NUM> sent by the STA2 is different with the RA field of the CTS frame <NUM> sent by the STA1.

According to some embodiments, for coordinated OFDMA link setup, an AP that wants to participate in a coordinated OFDMA operation as a coordinator AP announces to neighbor APs the desired coordinator AP role and includes the coordinated OFDMA operation parameters in the Beacon or Probe Response frames. An AP that wants to participate in the coordinated OFDMA operation as the coordinated AP establishes the coordinated OFDMA link with the AP that announced the coordinator AP role. Moreover, the coordinated AP can report the DL and UL buffer status of its serving BSS to the AP with which it has set up the coordinated OFDMA link. For example, the DL and UL buffer status for the coordinated AP's serving BSS can be encoded in either an A-Control field (e.g., a variation of BSR) of a QoS Null frame or in a new Action frame. In most cases, the DL and UL buffer status should be sent in an SU PPDU. If the coordinated AP supports an UL MU operation, it can send the DL and UL buffer status in an HE TB PPDU.

The coordinator AP allocates the bandwidths, lengths, and additional TXVECTOR parameters for DL and UL transmission. The allocation can be announced using a Coordinated OFDMA Announcement (COA) control frame sent to one or more coordinated APs. The DL TXVECTOR parameter can include FORMAT, GI+LTF Size, Number Of HE-SIG-B Symbols Or MU-MIMO Users, Number of HE-LTF Symbols and Midamble Periodicity, Pre-FEC Padding Factor, and PE Disambiguity. The UL TXVECTOR parameter can include GI and LTF Type, Number Of HE-LTF Symbols and Midamble Periodicity, Pre-FEC Padding Factor, and PE Disambiguity.

The coordinator AP does not allocate the RUs for the STAs associated with the coordinated APs. Instead, the coordinated AP schedules the DL and UL transmissions to its associated STAs subject to the constrained parameters from the received COA frame. For example, when the coordinated AP schedules the RU for the DL and UL transmission, the allocated RU should be within the allocated bandwidth from the coordinator AP.

With regard to <FIG>, an exemplary transmission schedule <NUM> for coordinated OFDMA operation is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention. In the example of <FIG>, COA frame <NUM> indicates the allocated bandwidths for the coordinated AP1 and the coordinated AP2 for the lower <NUM> and the upper <NUM>, respectively. The coordinated AP1 schedules the RU for STA1 within the lower <NUM>. The coordinated AP2 schedules the RU for STA2 within the upper <NUM>. The Coordinated AP1 and Coordinated AP2 then send Data and Trigger frames <NUM> and <NUM> to STA1 and STA2, respectively. The STA1 associated with Coordinated AP1 sends UL frame <NUM> to Coordinated AP1 responsive to Data and Trigger frames <NUM>, and STA2 associated with Coordinated AP2 sends UL frame <NUM> to Coordinated AP2 responsive to Data and Trigger frames <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts an exemplary transmission schedule <NUM> for coordinated OFDMA primary channel selection according to embodiments of the present invention. COA frame <NUM> indicates the allocated bandwidths for the coordinated AP1 and the coordinated AP2 for the lower <NUM> and the upper <NUM> channels, respectively. Data and Trigger frames <NUM> and <NUM> sent to STA1 and STA2, respectively, are used for primary channel selection. UL frames <NUM> and <NUM> sent by STA1 and STA2 are sent over the selected primary channel.

As depicted in the exemplary transmission schedule <NUM> of <FIG>, according to embodiments of the present invention, when the AP or APs that participated in the coordinated OFDM operation select the same primary channel <NUM>, the coordinated AP (along with its associated STAs) whose allocated bandwidth does not cover its own primary channel can switch the selected primary channel to another channel <NUM> which is within the allocated bandwidth. STA2 associated with AP2 also switches from a first primary channel <NUM> to a second primary channel <NUM> accordingly.

As depicted in the exemplary transmission schedule <NUM> of <FIG>, because the STAs associated with the coordinated APs may not be visible to the coordinator AP ("hidden nodes"), the associated STAs may not listen to COA frame <NUM>. Therefore, the coordinator AP and the coordinated AP can may exchange a primary channel switch (PCS) request frame <NUM> and a primary channel switch response frame <NUM> over each <NUM> channel before the coordinated OFDAM transmissions.

With regard to <FIG>, an exemplary transmission schedule <NUM> for establishing NAV protection for coordinated OFDMA operation is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention. The NAV is used to protect access to the transmission medium for a frame exchange sequence. Access to the medium is restricted for the time specified by the NAV. Because other third-party STAs associated with the coordinated APs can access the medium during the COA frame transmission <NUM> if they are hidden from the coordinator AP, the coordinator AP may need to trigger the MU-RTS and CTS frames exchange before the coordinated OFDAM transmissions. After receiving CTS frames <NUM> and <NUM> over a respective <NUM> channel, STAs associated with the coordinated APs may configure Basic NAVs <NUM> and <NUM>. In this case, the STAs cannot send a UL frame when the CS Required field of the trigger frame sent by the coordinated AP is set to <NUM>.

With regard to <FIG>, as by depicted exemplary transmission schedule <NUM>, when the PCS request and the PCS response frames are exchanged before the MU-RTS frame transmission, the Duration fields of the PCS Request and PCS Response frames may only cover a single transaction and not the remaining TXOP duration. Specifically, as depicted in <FIG>, according to some embodiments, the coordinated APs transmits CTS-to-self frames <NUM> and <NUM> on its primary channel after receiving the MU-RTS frames <NUM> and <NUM> from the coordinator AP. The MU-RTS frames <NUM> and <NUM> indicate the CTS frame type (e.g., CTS frame or CTS-to-self frame). However, when the coordinator AP allocates to the coordinated AP the bandwidth that does not cover the coordinated AP's own primary channel, the coordinator AP and the coordinated AP exchange PCS request and the primary channel switch PCS response frames before the transmission of CTS-to-self frames <NUM> and <NUM>. The coordinated APs can then transmit the respective CTS-to-self frame frames on the switched temporary primary channel.

Alternatively, according to other embodiments as depicted in exemplary transmission schedule <NUM> of <FIG>, in order to reduce the protocol overhead, the NAV protection of the MU-RTS and CTS procedure can be replaced by the primary channel switch (PCS) request and response procedure using PCS request frames <NUM> and PCS response frames <NUM>. In this case, the Duration fields of the PCS Request and PCS Response frames are set to the NAV protection times <NUM> or <NUM>.

With regard to <FIG>, a flow chart of an exemplary sequence of computer implemented steps <NUM> for establishing coordinated multi-AP operation is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention.

At step <NUM>, a frame is received at a wireless AP (coordinator AP) granting a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to the coordinator AP.

At step <NUM>, the coordinator AP sends a frame having a control subfield to a different wireless AP or STA (coordinated AP). The control subfield includes a TXOP duration and a TXOP bandwidth, and a maximum transmission power.

At step <NUM>, the coordinator AP grants a portion of bandwidth allocated by the TXOP to the coordinated AP according to the TXOP duration and the TXOP bandwidth.

With regard to <FIG>, a flow chart of an exemplary sequence of computer implemented steps <NUM> for coordinated multi-AP operation including a protection mechanism and a primary channel switch is depicted according to embodiments of the present invention.

At step <NUM>, a frame is received at a wireless AP (coordinator AP) granting a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to the wireless AP.

At step <NUM>, the coordinator AP sends a frame having an A-Control subfield to a different wireless AP or STA (coordinated AP). The A-Control subfield includes a TXOP duration and a TXOP bandwidth, and a maximum transmission power.

At step <NUM>, the coordinator AP grants a portion of a bandwidth allocated by the TXOP to the coordinated AP according to the TXOP duration and the TXOP bandwidth.

At step <NUM>, a protective mechanism is performed by the coordinator AP. For example, other <NUM>rd party STAs associated with the coordinated APs may have access to the medium during the COA frame transmission if they are the hidden from the coordinator AP ("hidden nodes"). Therefore, the coordinator AP may trigger a MU-RTS and CTS frames exchange before the coordinated OFDAM transmissions for coordinated OFDMA NAV protection. After receiving a CTS frame, STAs associated with the coordinated AP may set the Basic NAV. According to some embodiments, step <NUM> includes the coordinated AP transmitting a CTS-to-self frame on its primary channel after receiving an MU-RTS frame from the coordinator AP. The MU-RTS frame can indicate the CTS frame type (e.g., CTS frame or CTS-to-self frame).

At step <NUM>, a primary channel switch is performed by the coordinated AP. When the coordinator AP allocates to the coordinated AP bandwidth that does not cover the coordinated AP's own primary channel, the coordinated AP can request to transfer to a temporary primary channel. For example, the coordinator AP and the coordinated AP can exchange a primary channel switch (PCS) request and a primary channel switch (PCS) response frame before MU-RTS frame transmission. The coordinated AP then transmits a CTS-to-self frame on the switched temporary primary channel.

At step <NUM>, the coordinated AP services a different wireless station using the portion of the bandwidth.

Embodiments of the present invention are drawn to electronic systems for performing coordinated multi-AP channel access in a wireless network. The following discussion describes one such exemplary electronic system or computer system can be used as a platform for implementing embodiments of the present invention.

In the example of <FIG>, the exemplary computer system <NUM> (e.g., a multi-band cooperative wireless access point AP or a multi-band cooperative wireless station STA) includes a central processing unit (such as a processor or a CPU) <NUM> for running software applications and optionally an operating system. Random access memory <NUM> and read-only memory <NUM> store applications and data for use by the CPU <NUM>. Data storage device <NUM> provides non-volatile storage for applications and data and may include fixed disk drives, removable disk drives, flash memory devices, and CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical storage devices. The optional user inputs <NUM> and <NUM> comprise devices that communicate inputs from one or more users to the computer system <NUM> (e.g., mice, joysticks, cameras, touch screens, and/or microphones).

A communication or network interface <NUM> includes one or more transceivers and allows the computer system <NUM> to communicate with other computer systems, networks, or devices via an electronic communications network, including wired and/or wireless communication and including an Intranet or the Internet (e.g., <NUM> wireless standard). The communication or network interface <NUM> can transmit frames for performing coordinated OFDMA link setup, for performing a primary channel switch, and for granting partial bandwidth of a TXOP to a coordinated AP over a wireless network according to embodiments of the present invention.

The optional display device <NUM> may be any device capable of displaying visual information in response to a signal from the computer system <NUM> and may include a flat panel touch sensitive display, for example, and may be remotely disposed. The components of the computer system <NUM>, including the CPU <NUM>, memory <NUM>/<NUM>, data storage <NUM>, user input devices <NUM>, and graphics subsystem <NUM> may be coupled via one or more data buses.

Some embodiments may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices.

Claim 1:
A method of coordinating transmissions of a coordinated wireless access point, in the following also referred to as AP, using a coordinator wireless AP, the method comprising:
obtaining a transmission opportunity, in the following also referred to as TXOP, at the coordinator wireless AP (<NUM>);
sending a frame comprising an A-Control subfield from the coordinator wireless AP to the coordinated wireless AP, the A-Control subfield comprising a TXOP duration and a TXOP bandwidth (<NUM>); and
signaling the coordinated wireless AP, by the coordinator wireless AP, to grant a portion of a bandwidth allocated by the TXOP to the coordinated wireless AP according to the TXOP duration and the TXOP bandwidth (<NUM>),
wherein the coordinated wireless AP services a wireless station using the portion of the bandwidth,
wherein
performing an RTS/CTS handshake with the coordinated wireless AP, wherein the RTS/CTS handshake comprises a CTS-to-self frame, and the CTS-to-self frame comprises a CTS type field and a user info field that identifies a non-AP wireless station, in the following also referred to as STA, serviced by the coordinated wireless AP, and in that
the frame that is sent from the coordinator wireless AP to the coordinated wireless AP further comprises a maximum transmit power, and wherein the coordinated wireless AP transmits data frames to the wireless station in a first basic service set, in the following also referred to as BSS, using the maximum transmit power.