HK1258330B - Methods and apparatus for selecting enhanced distributed channel access parameters for different stations - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for selecting enhanced distributed channel access parameters for different stations

Technical Field

The present application relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for selecting Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters for multi-user (MU) transmissions.

Background

Communication networks are used to exchange messages between devices. Wireless networks are generally preferred when the network elements are mobile and therefore have dynamic connection requirements, or if the network architecture is formed in an ad hoc rather than fixed topology. Devices in a wireless network may transmit/receive information based on a channel access protocol such as Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA). EDCA defines separate data traffic access classes that may include best effort, background, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) video and voice (VoWLAN). For example, a low priority class may be assigned to data traffic associated with the sending or receiving of email, and a high priority class may be assigned to VoWLAN. With EDCA, high priority data traffic has more transmission opportunities than low priority data traffic because, on average, stations with high priority data traffic wait less time before transmitting such data packets than stations with low priority data traffic.

Wireless networks are generally preferred when the network elements are mobile and therefore have dynamic connection requirements, or if the network architecture is formed in an ad hoc rather than fixed topology. Wireless networks use electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave, infrared, light, etc. frequency bands, employing intangible physical media in an unguided propagation mode. Wireless networks advantageously facilitate user mobility and rapid field deployment compared to fixed, wired networks.

To address the increasing bandwidth requirements for wireless communication system requirements, different schemes are being developed to allow multiple User Terminals (UTs) to communicate with a single access point by sharing channel resources while achieving higher data throughput. With limited communication resources, it is desirable to reduce the amount of traffic transmitted between an access point and multiple terminals. For example, when multiple terminals send uplink communications to an access point, it is desirable to minimize the amount of traffic to complete the uplink for all transmissions. Therefore, there is a need for an improved protocol for uplink transmissions from multiple terminals.

Disclosure of Invention

The system, method and apparatus of the present invention each have several aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the invention as expressed by the claims which follow, some features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled "detailed description of certain embodiments" one will understand how the features of this invention provide advantages that include: improved communication between an access point and a station in a wireless network.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for selecting channel access parameters for communication in a network, the method comprising: selecting, at a first wireless device, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters for communicating with a second wireless device, wherein the selecting the EDCA parameters is based on: the first wireless device's ability to receive scheduled uplink transmissions and the second wireless device's ability to send multi-user uplink transmissions.

For some embodiments, a method may comprise: an indication of the selection of the EDCA parameter is sent to the second wireless device. For some embodiments, the first wireless device is one of an access point and a station, and the second wireless device is the other of the access point and the station. For some embodiments, selecting the second EDCA parameter is based on a previous transmission from the second wireless device to the first wireless device. For some embodiments, selecting the EDCA parameter is based on receiving an immediate response to the indication sent to the second wireless device. For some embodiments, selecting the second EDCA parameter for communication with the second wireless device is based on a time elapsed since receiving an immediate response to the indication sent to the second wireless device. For some embodiments, a method may comprise: an information element is generated, the information element including variable length bits, wherein the variable length bits are based on at least one of a type of the signal and a service provider. For some embodiments, selecting EDCA parameters further comprises: the EDCA parameter is selected based on the type of the second wireless device. For some embodiments, a method may comprise: the second wireless device is classified into a subset of wireless devices, the subset of wireless devices being one of a plurality of subsets of wireless devices, wherein the classification is based on a type of the second wireless device and a multi-user uplink capability of the second wireless device. For some embodiments, a method may comprise: at a first wireless device, EDCA parameters are selected for communication with a second wireless device based on a subset of the wireless devices. For some embodiments, the EDCA parameter comprises at least one of: a minimum contention window (CWmin), a maximum contention window (CWmax), a transmission opportunity (TXOP), a transmission opportunity limit (TXOP limit), and an arbitration interframe space (AIFS). For some embodiments, the first wireless device attaches one or more rules for the first wireless device to the EDCA parameters. For some embodiments, the second wireless device is triggered by the first wireless device via a multi-user uplink transmission to send a single-user uplink transmission. For some embodiments, the second wireless device operates in at least one of a non-high throughput mode and a very-high throughput mode. For some embodiments, a method may comprise: advertising, by a first wireless device, EDCA parameters via an information element, wherein the information element comprises at least one of: an element identification field, a length field, another information field, and an extension field.

Another aspect of the disclosure is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a processing system configured to: selecting, at a first wireless device, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters for communicating with a second wireless device, wherein the selecting the EDCA parameters is based on: the first wireless device's ability to receive scheduled uplink transmissions, and the second wireless device's ability to send multi-user uplink transmissions.

For some embodiments, the apparatus may include a transmitter configured to transmit, to the second wireless device, an indication of the selection of the EDCA parameter. In some embodiments, the processing system is further configured to: the EDCA parameter is selected based on a capability of the first wireless device to receive scheduled uplink transmissions and a capability of the second wireless device to send multi-user uplink transmissions. In some embodiments, selecting EDCA parameters further comprises: the EDCA parameter is selected based on the type of the second wireless device. In some embodiments, the processing system is further configured to: the second wireless device is classified into a subset of wireless devices, the subset of wireless devices being one of a plurality of subsets of wireless devices, wherein the classification is based on a type of the second wireless device and a multi-user uplink capability of the second wireless device. In some embodiments, the EDCA parameter is selected based on a subset of the wireless devices. In some embodiments, the EDCA parameter comprises at least one of: a minimum contention window (CWmin), a maximum contention window (CWmax), a transmission opportunity (TXOP), a transmission opportunity limit (TXOP limit), and an arbitration interframe space (AIFS). In some embodiments, the first wireless device attaches one or more rules for the first wireless device to the EDCA parameters. In some embodiments, the second wireless device is triggered by the first wireless device via a multi-user uplink transmission to send a single-user uplink transmission. In some embodiments, the second wireless device operates in at least one of a non-high throughput mode and a very-high throughput mode. In some embodiments, the processing system may advertise EDCA parameters by the first wireless device via an information element, wherein the information element comprises at least one of: an element identification field, a length field, another information field, and an extension field.

Another aspect of the disclosure is a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to select, at a first wireless device, an Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameter for communicating with a second wireless device, wherein the selecting the EDCA parameter is based on: the first wireless device's ability to receive scheduled uplink transmissions and the second wireless device's ability to send multi-user uplink transmissions.

For some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to select, at a first wireless device, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters for communicating with a second wireless device, wherein selecting the EDCA parameters is based on: the first wireless device's ability to receive scheduled uplink transmissions and the second wireless device's ability to send multi-user uplink transmissions. For some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to advertise EDCA parameters by a first wireless device via an information element, wherein the information element comprises at least one of: an element identification field, a length field, another information field, and an extension field. For some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium includes code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to transmit an indication of a selection of EDCA parameters to a second wireless device. For some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to classify a second wireless device into a subset of wireless devices, the subset of wireless devices being one of a plurality of subsets of wireless devices, wherein the classification is based on a type of the second wireless device and a multi-user uplink capability of the second wireless device.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system in which aspects of the present disclosure may be used.

Fig. 2 illustrates various components that may be used in a wireless device that may be employed within the wireless communication system of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an information element.

Fig. 4 illustrates another exemplary implementation of an EDCA parameter set information element.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of an example method of wireless communication in a wireless communication system.

Detailed Description

Various aspects of the novel systems, devices, and methods are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the invention. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such apparatus or methods as may be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

Although specific aspects are described herein, many variations and permutations of these aspects are within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects are mentioned, the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific benefits, uses, or objects. Rather, aspects of the present disclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different wireless technologies, system configurations, networks, and transmission protocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in the figures and the following description of the preferred aspects. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Common wireless network technologies may include various types of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). WLANs may be used to interconnect nearby devices together using widely adopted networking protocols. The various aspects described herein may be applied to any communication standard (e.g., wireless protocol).

In some aspects, wireless signals may be transmitted according to a high efficiency 802.11 protocol using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) communications, a combination of OFDM and DSSS communications, or other schemes. In some aspects, the high efficiency 802.11 protocol may include an ieee802.11ax protocol or a future protocol. Implementations of the high efficiency 802.11 protocol may be used for internet access, sensors, metering, smart grid networks, or other wireless applications. Advantageously, aspects of certain devices implementing the high efficiency 802.11 protocol using the techniques disclosed herein may include: allowing increased peer-to-peer services (e.g., Miracast, WiFi direct services, social WiFi, etc.) in the same area, supporting increased minimum throughput requirements per user, supporting more users, providing improved outdoor coverage and robustness, and/or consuming less power than devices implementing other wireless protocols.

In some implementations, the WLAN includes various devices that are components of accessing the wireless network. For example, there may be two types of devices: an access point ("AP") and a client (also referred to as a station or "STA"). In general, an AP may serve as a hub or base station for a WLAN and a STA as a user of the WLAN. For example, the STA may be a laptop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, and so on. In an example, the STA connects to the AP via a wireless link that conforms to WiFi (e.g., IEEE802.11 protocol) to obtain a universal connection to the internet or other wide area network. In some implementations, the STA may also be used as an AP.

An access point ("AP") may also include, be implemented as, or known as a node B, a radio network controller ("RNC"), an evolved node B, a base station controller ("BSC"), a base transceiver station ("BTS"), a base station ("BS"), a transceiver function ("TF"), a wireless router, a wireless transceiver, or some other terminology.

A station "STA" may also include, be implemented as, or known as an access terminal ("AT"), a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote terminal, a user agent, a user device, user equipment, or some other terminology. In some implementations, an access terminal may comprise a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol ("SIP") phone, a wireless local loop ("WLL") station, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), a handheld device having wireless connection capability, or some other suitable processing device connected to a wireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein may be incorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smart phone), a computer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a headset, a portable computing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satellite radio), a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device configured to communicate via a wireless medium.

As discussed above, for example, some of the devices described herein may implement the high-efficiency 802.11 standard. These devices (whether used as STAs or APs or other devices) may be used for smart metering or in smart grid networks. Such devices may provide sensor applications, or for home automation. Alternatively or additionally, the device may be used in a healthcare context, for example for personal healthcare. They may also be used for surveillance, to enable extended distance internet connectivity (e.g., for use with hotspots), or to enable machine-to-machine communication.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system 100 in which aspects of the present disclosure may be used. The wireless communication system 100 may operate in accordance with a wireless standard, such as the high efficiency 802.11 standard. The wireless communication system 100 may include an AP104, the AP104 in communication with the STAs 106 a-d.

Various processes and methods may be used for transmissions between the AP104 and the STAs 106 in the wireless communication system 100. For example, signals may be transmitted and received between the AP104 and the STAs 106 according to OFDM/OFDMA or multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) techniques. If this is the case, the wireless communication system 100 may be referred to as an OFDM/OFDMA or MU-MIMO system. Alternatively, signals may be transmitted and received between the AP104 and the STAs 106 according to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) techniques. If this is the case, the wireless communication system 100 may be referred to as a CDMA system.

The communication link that facilitates transmissions from the AP104 to one or more of the STAs 106 may be referred to as a Downlink (DL)108, and the communication link that facilitates transmissions from one or more of the STAs 106 to the AP104 may be referred to as an Uplink (UL) 110. Alternatively, downlink 108 may be referred to as the forward link or forward channel, and uplink 110 may be referred to as the reverse link or reverse channel.

The AP104 may act as a base station and provide wireless communication coverage in a Basic Service Area (BSA) 102. The AP104, along with STAs 106 associated with the AP104 and using the AP104 for communication, may be referred to as a Basic Service Set (BSS). It should be noted that the wireless communication system 100 may not have a central AP104, but may function as a peer-to-peer network between STAs 106. Accordingly, the functions of the AP104 described herein may alternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs 106.

In some aspects, the STA106 may be required to associate with the AP104 in order to send communications to the AP104 and/or receive communications from the AP 104. In one aspect, the information for associating is included in a broadcast by the AP 104. To receive such broadcasts, for example, the STA106 may perform an extensive coverage search over the coverage area. For example, the STA106 may also perform a search by scanning the coverage area in a lighthouse manner. After receiving the information for associating, the STA106 may send a reference signal (such as an association probe or request) to the AP 104. In some aspects, the AP104 may use backhaul services, for example, to communicate with a larger network, such as the internet or the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

In an embodiment, the AP104 includes an AP high-efficiency wireless component (HEWC) 154. The AP HEWC154 may perform some or all of the operations described herein to enable communication between the AP104 and the STAs 106 using the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol. The functionality of some implementations of the AP HEWC154 is described in more detail below with reference to fig. 2, 3, and 4.

Alternatively or additionally, the STA106 may include the STA HEWC 156. The STA HEWC 156 may perform some or all of the operations described herein to enable communication between the STA106 and the AP104 using the high-efficiency 802.11 protocol.

Typically, wireless networks using conventional 802.11 protocols (e.g., 802.11ax, 802.11ah, 802.11ac, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, etc.) operate under a Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) mechanism for medium access. According to CSMA, a device senses the medium and transmits only when the medium is sensed to be idle. Thus, if AP104 and/or STAs 106a-d are operating according to the CSMA mechanism and a device in BSA 102 (e.g., AP 104) is transmitting data, in some aspects, APs and/or STAs that are outside BSA 102 may not be transmitting on the medium even though they are part of a different BSA.

Subsequently, the use of the CSMA mechanism creates inefficiency because some APs or STAs other than the BSA are able to transmit data without interfering with transmissions by the APs or STAs in the BSA. As the number of active wireless devices continues to grow, inefficiencies may begin to significantly impact network delay and throughput. For example, significant network delay issues may arise in apartment buildings where each apartment may include an access point and associated stations. In fact, each apartment may include multiple access points, as residents may own wireless routers, video game consoles with wireless media center capability, televisions with wireless media center capability, cellular telephones that may serve as personal hotspots, and so on. Subsequently, correcting the inefficiencies of the CSMA mechanism can be crucial to avoid latency and throughput problems and overall user dissatisfaction.

Such delay and throughput issues may not be limited to populated areas. For example, multiple access points may be located at airports, subway stations, and/or other densely populated public spaces. Currently, WiFi access may be provided in these public spaces, but for a fee. Without correcting for the inefficiencies created by the CSMA mechanism, the operator of the wireless network may lose customers because the cost and lower quality of service begin to outweigh any gains.

Accordingly, the high efficiency 802.11 protocol described herein may allow devices to operate under modified mechanisms that minimize these inefficiencies, as well as increase network throughput. This mechanism is described below with reference to fig. 3-5. Additional aspects of the high efficiency 802.11 protocol are described below with reference to fig. 3-5.

Fig. 2 illustrates various components that may be used in a wireless device 202, which wireless device 202 may be employed within the wireless communication system 100. The wireless device 202 is an example of a device that may be configured to implement various aspects described herein. For example, the wireless device 202 may include the AP104 or any of the wireless devices 106a-106 d.

The wireless device 202 may include a processor 204 that controls the operation of the wireless device 202. The processor 204 may also be referred to as a Central Processing Unit (CPU). Memory 206, which may include both read-only memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM), provides instructions and data to the processor 204. A portion of the memory 206 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). Generally, the processor 204 performs logical and arithmetic operations based on program instructions stored within the memory 206. The instructions in the memory 206 may be executable to implement the methods described herein.

The processor 204 may include, or may be a component of, a processing system implemented using one or more processors. The one or more processors may be implemented using any combination of the following: general purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicated hardware finite state machines, or any other suitable entity that can perform calculations or other operations on information.

The processing system may also include a non-transitory machine-readable medium for storing software. Software should be construed broadly to mean any type of instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. The instructions may include code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format, executable code format, or any other suitable code format). The instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processing system to perform the various functions described herein.

The wireless device 202 may also include a housing 208, which housing 208 may include a transmitter 210 and a receiver 212 to allow transmission and reception of data between the wireless device 202 and a remote location. The transmitter 210 and receiver 212 may be combined into a transceiver 214. An antenna 216 may be attached to the housing 208 and electrically coupled to the transceiver 214. The wireless device 202 may also include (not shown) multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers, and/or multiple antennas, which may be used during, for example, MIMO communications.

The wireless device 202 may also include a signal detector 218, which signal detector 218 may be used in operation to detect and quantify the level of signals received by the transceiver 214. The signal detector 218 may detect signals such as total energy, energy per subcarrier per symbol, power spectral density, and other signals. The wireless device 202 may also include a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)220 for use in processing signals. DSP 220 may be configured to generate a data unit for transmission. In some aspects, the data unit may comprise a Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU). In some aspects, the PPDU is referred to as a packet.

In some aspects, the wireless device 202 may also include a user interface 222. The user interface 222 may include a keypad, a microphone, a speaker, and/or a display. User interface 222 may include any element or component that conveys information to a user of wireless device 202 and/or receives input from the user.

In some aspects, the wireless device 202 may also include a high-efficiency wireless (HEW) component 250. The HEW components 250 may include the AP HEWC154 and/or the STA HEWC 156. As described herein, HEW component 250 can enable an AP and/or STA to use a modified mechanism that minimizes the inefficiency of the CSMA mechanism (e.g., enabling concurrent communications on the medium without interference). In some aspects, the AP HEWC154 may select EDCA parameters based on the type of STA and/or based on the UL-MU capabilities of the STA. For example, the AP HEWC154 may select one or more EDCA parameters for a first subset of STAs of a plurality of STAs capable of sending UL-MU transmissions (e.g., STAs operating under the 802.11ax standard), and may select a different set of one or more EDCA parameters for a second subset of STAs of a plurality of STAs not capable of sending UL-MU transmissions (e.g., STAs operating under the 802.11ac or earlier standard). In some embodiments, the first subset and the second subset may include one or more STAs.

The various components of the wireless device 202 may be coupled together by a bus system 226. For example, the bus system 226 may include a data bus, and in addition to the data bus, a power bus, a control signal bus, and a status signal bus. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the components of wireless device 202 may be coupled together or use some other mechanism to accept or provide input to each other.

While shown as separate components in fig. 2, one skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the components may be combined or implemented together. For example, the processor 204 may be used to implement not only the functionality described above with respect to the processor 204, but also to implement the functionality described above with respect to the signal detector 218 and/or the DSP 220. Further, each of the components shown in fig. 2 may be implemented using a plurality of separate elements.

In a wireless network, channel access parameters may be defined to control access to a transmission medium (e.g., a wireless network) by devices communicating via the wireless network. The transmission medium may also be referred to as a transmission channel. Examples of channel access parameters may include (but are not limited to): parameters described as part of Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters in the 802.11 industry standard (e.g., 802.11 ax). Other examples of channel access parameters may include (but are not limited to): a minimum contention window (CWmin), a maximum contention window (CWmax), a transmission opportunity (TXOP), a transmission opportunity limit (TXOP limit), and an arbitration interframe space (AIFS), which may also be part of EDCA parameters.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure support transmitting Uplink (UL) signals or packets 110 from multiple STAs 106 to an AP104 or other device. In some embodiments, UL signal 110 may be transmitted using multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). In some embodiments, UL signal 110 may be transmitted using UL-OFDMA. Alternatively, UL signal 110 may be transmitted in multi-carrier FDMA (MC-FDMA) or similar FDMA systems (e.g., OFDMA). In some aspects, the MU-MIMO/OFDMA and MC-FDMA transmissions include concurrent UL transmissions from multiple STAs 106 to the AP104, which may be more generally referred to as UL-MU communications or transmissions. In some embodiments, the AP104 may define EDCA parameters to facilitate UL-MU transmissions. The EDCA parameters may be selected and transmitted from the AP104 during association/reassociation (e.g., as data in an association/reassociation response message), or included in a beacon frame. In other aspects, the AP104 may choose to select EDCA parameters for MU transmission and not notify the STAs. In one embodiment, the EDCA parameter may be defined in an IEEE802.11 standard (e.g., 802.11 ax). In another embodiment, the EDCA parameters may be enhanced from those defined in the IEEE802.11 standard by appending one or more rules for the AP104, a subset of the STAs 106, or the type of STA 106.

The number of wireless devices 202 within the wireless communication system 100 and contending for the same wireless medium may impact the performance of the CSMA mechanism. As the number of devices operating within a network increases, CSMA mechanisms may not be able to adequately support transmissions for dense networks. In some aspects, UL-MU-MIMO or UL-OFDMA transmissions sent simultaneously from multiple STAs 106 to the AP104 may yield efficiency in wireless communications. However, in some aspects, UL-MU-MIMO or UL-OFDMA transmissions may also contend with CSMA-based UL Single User (SU) transmissions. When there is a large number of UL-SU transmissions or access to the medium, the AP104 will need to contend with multiple UL-SU transmissions, which may result in potential unfairness, throughput degradation, reduced access (and starvation in some cases) for UL-MU transmissions. For example, referring to fig. 1, in some aspects, STAs 106a and 106b may transmit UL-SU signals 110a and 110b, and STAs 106c and 106d may transmit UL-MU signals 110c and 110 d. Each of the STAs 106a-d contends for channel access to transmit the UL signals 110 a-d. Such contention may be based on EDCA parameters and/or EDCA protocols as specified in IEEE802.11 standards (e.g., 802.11ah or 802.11 ac). In some embodiments, the UL-MU signals 110c and 110d (e.g., UL-MU-MIMO or UL-OFDMA transmissions) may be based on UL-MU trigger frames sent by the AP104 to the STAs 106c and 106 d.

In some aspects, when the AP104 is unable to access the channel/medium due to the UL-SU signals 110a and 110b, the STAs 106c and 106d may not be able to transmit High Efficiency (HE) UL-MU signals 110c and 110d for an extended period of time. Furthermore, if the same EDCA parameters are used for both STAs capable of sending UL-MU transmissions and STAs incapable of sending UL-MU transmissions, it may be unfair to STAs incapable of sending UL-MU transmissions (e.g., legacy STAs) since only STAs capable of sending UL-MU transmissions (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) benefit from UL-MU transmissions.

In some embodiments, the AP104 may limit UL SU transmissions by adjusting EDCA parameters for STAs that are capable of and willing to send UL MU transmissions. The AP104 may classify the STAs based on their ability to receive and/or transmit scheduled uplink transmissions or UL MU transmissions. For example, the AP104 may classify STAs 106 whose UL frames can be triggered by the AP104 (e.g., via MU-MIMO, UL OFDMA, or other UL-MU transmissions) and transmitted in a legacy manner into one subset, while classifying STAs 106 whose UL frames can only be transmitted in a legacy manner into a second subset. However, since the adjusted EDCA parameters broadcast in the beacon in the existing EDCA parameter set IE may affect STAs that are not able or willing to send UL MU transmissions, problems may still exist since the STAs are unable to identify the EDCA parameters carried for them that are not intended. In some aspects, STAs 106 whose UL frames can be triggered by the AP104 (e.g., via MU-MIMO, UL OFDMA, or other UL-MU transmissions) and transmitted in a conventional manner (e.g., CSMA-based UL SU frames) may be referred to as scheduling mode STAs. The STAs 106 whose UL frames can only be transmitted in SU CSMA-based transmissions may be referred to as legacy mode STAs. For example, a legacy mode STA may operate in a non-High Throughput (HT), HT, Very High Throughput (VHT) mode that does not support triggered (e.g., MU) UL transmissions, such as defined in the 802.11ax standard. In some aspects, an 802.11ax STA may operate in a scheduled mode or a legacy mode depending on its capabilities and/or wishes. In some aspects, non-802.11 ax STAs can only operate in legacy mode. In some aspects, the AP104 may select EDCA based on whether the AP104 is capable of receiving scheduled uplink transmissions or UL MU transmissions from the STAs 106.

Embodiments described herein relate to: a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) is selected for EDCA protocols and/or parameters that are different from a second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs). In some aspects, the different EDCA protocols and/or parameters may include: a shorter TXOP limit and/or a larger contention window (CWmin) is set for the scheduling mode STA compared to the TXOP limit and/or the CWmin set for the legacy mode STA. Embodiments described herein also relate to: an option for notifying EDCA parameters for a first subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs) relative to a second subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs).

In some embodiments, the AP104 may advertise EDCA parameters (e.g., CWs) for a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) in various ways. In some aspects, the AP104 may send a different Information Element (IE) than the existing EDCA parameter set to carry the scheduling mode EDCA parameters.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example implementation of an Information Element (IE)300 that may be used within the wireless communication system 100 of fig. 1. In various embodiments, any device described herein or another compatible device, such as, for example, AP104 (fig. 1), STAs 106a-106d (fig. 1), and/or wireless device 202 (fig. 2), may transmit information element 300. One or more messages in the wireless communication system 100, such as, for example, the downlink communication 108 and the uplink communication 110, may include the information element 300.

In the illustrated embodiment, the information element 300 includes an element Identification (ID) field 302, a length field 304, and another information field 310. The information element 300 may include additional fields, and fields may be rearranged, deleted, and/or resized.

In some aspects, an element Identifier (ID) field 302 identifies the type of element. The illustrated element ID field 302 may be one octet long. In some implementations, the element identifier field 302 can be two, five, or twelve octets long. In some implementations, the element identifier field 302 can have a variable length, e.g., a length that varies with the signal, or type of signal, and/or between and among service providers.

In some embodiments, IE300 may include an IE having a unique value in element ID field 302 (e.g., an IE different from existing IEs). The newly defined IE may provide a set of scheduling mode EDCA parameters to a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). In other aspects, the IE300 may have a non-unique element ID field 302, but may include an IE extension field (not shown), and the combination of the element ID field 302 and the IE extension field is unique, and the IE300 may be identified as a new definition or unique IE for carrying a scheduling mode EDCA parameter set for a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). For example, the element ID field 302 may have a value of 255, which may be shared by many IEs, while the IE extension field may have a value of 1. The combination of the 255 value in the element ID field 302 and the value of 1 in the IE extension field may be unique to the IE300 and indicate a unique IE that was not previously defined. In some aspects, the IE300 described above may be referred to as a scheduling mode EDCA parameter set IE.

In other embodiments, the IE300 may reuse an existing IE other than an existing EDCA parameter set IE (e.g., HE operation IE) that includes one or more new fields (not shown) to indicate that the existing IE carries EDCA parameters (e.g., scheduling mode EDCA parameters) for a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs).

The length field 304 may be used to indicate the length of the information element 300 or the total length of the subsequent fields. The length field 304 shown in fig. 3 may be one octet long. In some implementations, the length field 304 may be two, five, or twelve octets long in length. In some implementations, the length field 304 can have a variable length, such as a length that varies with the signal, or type of signal, and/or between and among service providers.

The other information field 310 may be used to indicate other information of the information element 300 than the element ID or length. In some aspects, the size and number of fields included in the other information field 310 may be based on the value of the element ID field 302 and/or the length field 304. For example, the element ID field 302 may indicate a Very High Throughput (VHT) information element, and the other information field 310 may include VHT operation information such as channel width and/or channel center frequency.

In some embodiments, AP104 may include IE300 in a management/action frame that can be sent in a broadcast/multicast/unicast transmission. In some aspects, the IE300 described above may be sent such that a second subset of STAs (i.e., non-11 ax legacy mode STAs) cannot understand the IE300 due to: an unidentified unique element ID field 302, a unique combination of the element ID field 302 and an element ID extension, or one or more fields that include EDCA parameters for a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). In some aspects, a first subset of STAs (i.e., scheduling mode STAs) are able to decode the IE300 and follow the new EDCA parameters included in the IE 300. In other aspects, a second subset of STAs (i.e., 11ax legacy mode STAs) may decode the IE300 and determine to ignore the undesired IE300 and may determine to continue operating in legacy mode and follow the legacy IE EDCA parameters.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary implementation of an EDCA parameter set information element 400. In some aspects, the AP104 may send the EDCA parameter set element 400 to advertise the EDCA parameters. The EDCA parameter set IE element 400 includes an element Identifier (ID) field 302, a length field 304, and an EDCA parameter field 410. In some aspects, the EDCA parameter field 410 indicates EDCA parameters from a scheduling mode STA for CSMA-based SU transmission. For example, the EDCA parameter field 410 may include an indication of the CW size for CSMA-based SU transmission from a scheduling mode STA.

In some embodiments, the AP104 may inform a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) of the scheduling mode EDCA parameters by transmitting the EDCA parameter set IE 400 in a Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU), which may only be decoded by the first subset of STAs. For example, the AP104 may send EDCA IEs in an 802.11ax PPDU to carry the scheduling mode EDCA parameters. The 802.11ax PPDU may be broadcast/multicast/unicast by the AP104 and may not be understood/decoded by a second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs). Subsequently, a second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs) may ignore the 802.11ax PPDU and only follow EDCA IEs sent in legacy or non-802.11 ax PDDUs.

In some aspects, the EDCA parameter set IE 400 included in the 802.11ax PPDU may carry only the scheduling mode EDCA parameter. In this embodiment, the EDCA parameters should only be used by a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). A second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs) should ignore it and only follow existing IEs in non-11 ax PPDUs. In other aspects, the EDCA parameter set IE 400 included in the 802.11ax PPDU may indicate a scheduling mode or a legacy mode EDCA parameter. In this embodiment, an indicator may be added in the EDCA parameter set IE 400 to indicate whether it is for the scheduling mode EDCA or the legacy mode EDCA, e.g., by using a reserved bit (not shown) in the EDCA parameter set IE 400.

In some embodiments, the AP104 may inform the first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) of the scheduling mode EDCA parameters by transmitting the EDCA parameter set IE 400 in a Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) that is decodable by both the first subset of STAs (scheduling mode STAs) and a second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs). For example, the AP104 may send an EDCA IE in an 802.11ac (or earlier) PPDU to carry the scheduling mode EDCA parameters. In these implementations, the AP104 may only multicast or unicast the EDCA parameter set IE 400 carrying the scheduling mode EDCA parameter to a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). Due to the receiver address, the second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs) will not receive the PPDU including the EDCA parameter set IE 400. In some aspects, the frame types that may be used for unicast or multicast to the EDCA parameter set IE 400 may be defined in the 802.11 standard (e.g., 802.11 ax).

In some aspects, the AP104 may also broadcast an EDCA parameter set IE 400 carrying EDCA parameters (e.g., legacy mode EDCA parameters) for a second subset of STAs. In these implementations, certain methods for preventing EDCA parameters for a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) from being overwritten by legacy mode EDCA parameters included in the EDCA parameter set IE 400 may be desirable. In some aspects, a first subset of STAs (e.g., schedule mode STAs) may be pre-programmed to know that the broadcasted EDCA is only targeted to legacy mode STAs (e.g., predefined in the 802.11 standard) and should be ignored by schedule mode STAs. In other aspects, an indicator may be added in the broadcasted EDCA parameter set IE 400 to inform a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) whether they should ignore the EDCA parameter set IE 400. For example, the indicator may include one or more reserved bits (not shown) in the EDCA parameter set IE 400.

In some embodiments, the STA106 may derive the scheduling mode EDCA parameter based on the legacy mode EDCA parameter. For example, the scheduling mode EDCA parameter (e.g., CWmin) may be a defined offset from the value of the EDCA parameter (CWmin) in the legacy mode. In some aspects, the derivation of legacy mode EDCA to scheduling mode EDCA may be based on a default relationship defined in the 802.11 standard. In some aspects, the AP104 may send out the updated relationship (such as in a beacon message).

In some embodiments, the AP104 may broadcast the EDCA parameter set IE 400 with encryption to carry EDCA parameters (e.g., scheduling mode EDCA parameters) for a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). The broadcasted EDCA parameter set IE 400 information is encrypted and may be carried in a non-802.11 ax PPDU. In some aspects, the AP104 may provide the encryption key to only a first subset of STAs (e.g., schedule mode STAs) which may then decrypt the EDCA parameter set IE 400, while a second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs) cannot.

In some embodiments, the AP104 may send the EDCA parameter set IE 400 in a dedicated resource to carry the scheduling mode EDCA parameter. For example, the AP104 may transmit the EDCA parameter set IE 400 in a dedicated resource (e.g., time/frequency/spatial stream) that can only be received by a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). In an aspect, the AP104 may reserve a frequency channel outside the non-802.11 ax STA operating frequency range and transmit an EDCA parameter set IE 400 carrying the scheduling mode EDCA parameters. Subsequently, a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) may tune to the reserved channel to receive the scheduling mode EDCA parameter.

In other embodiments, the default EDCA parameters may be normalized for a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs). In some aspects, if the scheduling mode STA does not receive any EDCA parameters for them based on any rules, the scheduling mode STA will use these default EDCA parameters. In some aspects, default scheduling mode EDCA parameters may be defined as those of the background access type (AC) for legacy mode EDCA parameters.

In some embodiments, the EDCA parameter set IE 400 may carry an indicator that CSMA-based SU UL transmissions are prohibited. In some aspects, the indicator may be a reserved EDCA parameter value (e.g., CWmin 1023 means CSMA-based SU UL Tx is prohibited for the corresponding Access Category (AC)). In some aspects, the indicator may use a new bit in addition to the indicated EDCA parameter. In other aspects, the indicator may also specify additional conditions that it will apply (e.g., barring is only applied to certain Traffic Identifiers (TIDs), Access Categories (ACs), information types (e.g., buffer status reports), frame types (e.g., control frames), operating modes (e.g., SU UL MIMO Tx), STA status (e.g., unassociated or associated)).

In some aspects, the AP104 may decide to use the EDCA parameter set IE 400 for both the legacy and scheduling mode STAs, even though a new IE may be defined and used to inform the scheduling mode EDCA (as described above with reference to fig. 3). For example, to save signaling overhead, when the system 100 is lightly loaded, the AP104 may decide to use the same EDCA parameters for two groups of STAs (e.g., both scheduled mode STA types and legacy mode STA types). In this case, an indicator may be added in the EDCA parameter set IE 400 to inform the scheduling mode STAs whether they should ignore the EDCA parameter set IE 400. For example, the indicator may include a reserved bit (not shown) in the EDCA parameter set IE 400. Alternatively, as long as the EDCA parameter set IE 400 is present in certain frame types (e.g., beacon, probe/association response), predefined rules may be used in 802.11 to tell the scheduling mode STA to use the EDCA parameter set IE 400. If a unique IE (e.g., IE 300) with EDCA parameters for the first group is decoded in these frame types, a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) should update their EDCA parameters based on the EDCA parameters for the first group.

Embodiments described herein also relate to selecting whether the STA106 should operate in a scheduled mode or a legacy mode. Generally, if a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduling mode STAs) can be scheduled by the AP104 for UL transmission (e.g., UL-MU capable), they should use the scheduling mode EDCA parameter. In some aspects, the EDCA selection Decision Maker (DM) may be either the STA106 or the AP104, which DM will decide whether the STA106 should use the scheduling mode EDCA parameter or the legacy mode EDCA parameter. The DM may decide to use the scheduling mode EDCA parameter for the STA106 based on a number of criteria options. For example, the DM may make its decision based on the capabilities of the STA 106. In these aspects, the DM decides to use the scheduling mode EDCA parameter if both the AP104 and the STA106 have the capability to perform certain types of scheduled UL transmissions (e.g., UL MU-MIMO, UL OFDMA). In some aspects, the STA106 may be aware of the AP104 capabilities based on information in the broadcast or probe/association response of the AP 104. In some aspects, the AP104 may know the capabilities of the STA106 based on information in the STA 106's probe/association request.

In other embodiments, the DM may make its decision based on whether the legacy mode transmission results satisfy the performance characteristics. For example, if the legacy mode transmission of the STA106 already has poor performance, the DM decides to use the scheduling mode EDCA parameter. In one example, if the STA106 transmits less than X frames in Y seconds, the STA106 using legacy mode EDCA may switch to scheduling mode EDCA and terminate the backoff for legacy mode transmissions.

In some embodiments, the DM may make its decision based on whether the scheduled mode transmission result satisfies the performance characteristic. In some aspects, a DM decides to use the scheduling mode EDCA parameter only after a successfully scheduled UL transmission (e.g., a DL ACK is sent or received for the corresponding scheduled UL transmission). This process can verify that both parties do have dispatch mode capability. In some aspects, the STA106 may use the legacy mode EDCA parameters prior to a successful scheduled mode transmission.

If the STA106 is a DM, it may inform the AP104 of its EDCA selection decision in a number of ways. In some aspects, the STA106 may use implicit signaling. For example, rules may be defined in the standard such that both the AP104 and the STA106 will run the same EDCA selection criteria. In this implementation, the AP104 will know the STA 106's decisions without being notified by the STA 106. In some aspects, the 802.11 standard defines the following rules: if both the AP104 and the STA106 support scheduled mode UL transmissions, the STA106 should use the scheduled mode EDCA parameter. Thus, the AP104 may implicitly know the STA 106's decision by checking the STA 106's capabilities without additional signaling. In some aspects, if there are multiple options, the EDCA selection criteria may be standardized or broadcast by the AP104 such that both the AP104 and the STA106 will use the same criteria.

In some embodiments, the STA106 may use explicit signaling to inform the AP104 of its EDCA selection decision. For example, the STA106 may send an indicator to explicitly inform the AP104 of the EDCA selection decision of the STA 106. In an aspect, the indicator may comprise a 1-bit indicator in: in an existing Receiver Operation Mode Indicator (ROMI) HE control field, in a defined EDCA operation HE control field, in an uplink multi-user disable field in an Operation Mode Indicator (OMI) a control field included in a frame transmitted to an access point, or in some management frame (e.g., a probe/association request). In some aspects, the indicator may be a buffer status report of the STA106 that implies that it wants to use the scheduling mode EDCA parameter. In other aspects, the indicator may also specify additional conditions for using the selected EDCA parameters (e.g., only for certain TIDs, information type (e.g., buffer status report), frame type (e.g., control frame), operating mode (e.g., SU UL MIMO Tx), STA status (e.g., unassociated or associated)). In some aspects, upon receiving the indicator, the AP104 may approve/reject/modify the EDCA selection decision and/or additional conditions.

If the AP104 is a DM, it may inform the STAs 106 of its EDCA selection decision in a number of ways. In some aspects, the AP104 may notify the STAs 106 using implicit signaling. For example, the AP104 may transmit only EDCA IEs (e.g., not both) designated for a first subset of STAs (e.g., schedule mode STAs) or a second subset of STAs (e.g., legacy mode STAs) to the STAs 106 in certain frame types. In some aspects, the AP104 may send the EDCA IE for the scheduling mode STA only in the probe/association response or action frame to implicitly inform the STA106 to use the scheduling mode EDCA parameters.

In some embodiments, the AP104 may use explicit signaling to inform the STAs 106 of their EDCA selection decision. For example, the AP104 sends an indicator to explicitly inform the STA106 of the AP104 EDCA selection decision. In some aspects, the indicator may include a 1-bit indicator in the potential EDCA configuration HE control field. In other aspects, the indicator may also specify additional conditions for using the selected EDCA parameters (e.g., only for certain TIDs, information type (e.g., buffer status report), frame type (e.g., control frame), operating mode (e.g., SU UL MIMO Tx), STA status (e.g., unassociated or associated)). Upon receiving the indicator, the STA106 may approve/reject/modify the EDCA selection decision and/or additional conditions.

Additionally, embodiments described herein also relate to an option to allow a first subset of STAs (e.g., scheduled mode STAs) to transition from operating in a scheduled mode to operating in a legacy mode. In some aspects, the scheduling mode STA106 may revert to the legacy mode EDCA parameter if selecting the scheduling mode EDCA parameter gives poor performance. In these aspects, fallback to legacy mode may then provide better performance and increased throughput for the scheduled mode STA 106. In some aspects, poor performance may be determined by determining that the STA106 (with buffered data) is not scheduled for UL transmission after "X" seconds. For example, if the AP104 does not receive an immediate response from the STA106 to an indicator informing the STA106 of the AP104 EDCA selection decision, the AP104 may change the previously selected EDCA parameter or select a second EDCA parameter. In either case, the AP104 may send an indicator to explicitly inform the STA106 of the AP 104's subsequent EDCA selection decision. In some aspects, an immediate response may refer to a time window lasting "X" seconds. In another example, the second EDCA parameter may be selected based on an elapsed time since receiving an immediate response from the STA106 in response to the indication sent from the AP104 to the STA 106. In some aspects, poor performance may be determined by determining that the unscheduled transmission by the STA106 failed "Y" attempts. For example, the AP104 may change the previously selected EDCA parameter or select the second EDCA parameter based on a failed previous transmission from the second wireless device to the first wireless device. In some aspects, poor performance may be determined by determining that none of the STAs 106 are scheduled after transmitting the "Z" number of indicators, which may refer to the number of times the indicators are transmitted, or UL scheduling requests (e.g., buffer status reports). For example, if the AP104 sends an indicator to the STA106 "Z" times and the STA106 does not provide a response, the AP104 may select a new EDCA or change the current EDCA.

In some aspects, the values of X, Y and Z described above may be determined in a variety of ways. In some aspects, the values of X, Y and Z may be defined in a standard (e.g., an 802.11 standard). In some aspects, the values of X, Y and Z are determined by the AP104 and sent by the AP104 to the STA 106. The AP104 may determine X/Y/Z based on the estimated scheduling delay for the target STA106, e.g., X may increase for higher loads. In some aspects, the AP104 may broadcast/multicast/unicast X/Y/Z to the target STAs 106. In some aspects, the values of X, Y and Z are determined by STA 106. In some embodiments, the STA106 may determine and update X/Y/Z based on the delay requirements of its traffic. In some aspects, the STA106 may piggyback (piggyback) the X/Y/Z onto its frame (e.g., buffer status report). In some aspects, the values of X, Y and Z are determined based on negotiations between the AP104 and the STA 106. For example, one party may send a suggested X/Y/Z to another party, which may further accept/reject/modify it.

In some embodiments, a first subset of STAs (e.g., schedule mode STAs) may have a timer/counter to count X/Y/Z. In some aspects, the STA106 may reset the timer/counter to zero based on one or more conditions. For example, after the STA106 knows to use the scheduling mode EDCA (e.g., a decision made by the AP104 or the STA 106), the STA106 may reset the timer/counter to zero. In other aspects, the STA106 may reset the timer/counter to zero after the STA106 wakes up. In other aspects, the STA106 may reset the timer/counter to zero after the STA106 receives the trigger frame schedule for its UL transmission. In other aspects, the STA106 may reset the timer/counter to zero after the STA106 triggers frame scheduling for any UL transmissions. The trigger frame may be a trigger frame that triggers UL OFDMA random access. In other aspects, the STA106 may reset the timer/counter to zero after the STA106 sends the scheduled UL transmission, or after sending the scheduled UL transmission and getting the ACK message. In other aspects, the STA106 may reset the timer/counter to zero after the STA106 sends the non-scheduled UL transmission, or after sending the non-scheduled UL transmission and getting the ACK message. In addition, the AP104 may send a "fallback disable" indicator to disable fallback to legacy mode EDCA. The AP104 may broadcast/multicast/unicast the indicator to the target STAs 106. The STA106 receiving the indicator may not revert to the legacy mode EDCA parameter after receiving the indicator.

In some embodiments, fallback to legacy mode EDCA may be limited to certain traffic. For example, the STA106 may use the legacy mode EDCA for some traffic and other traffic may still use the scheduling mode EDCA. In some aspects, traffic restrictions may only apply for certain traffic/information types or TIDs. For example, only voice and buffer status reports can be sent in the legacy mode EDCA. In some aspects, traffic restrictions may apply only to certain frame types. For example, only a control frame can be transmitted in the conventional mode EDCA. In certain aspects, traffic restrictions may only apply for TIDs that are not scheduled for up to X seconds. In this case, the backoff decision is per TID and the STA106 needs a timer per TID to decide whether backoff should occur for each TID.

Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram of an implementation of a method 500 of wireless communication in a wireless communication system. The method 500 may be used to generate and/or transmit any of the EDCA parameters, information elements 300, or EDCA parameter set IEs 400 described in connection with fig. 3-4. In some aspects, the EDCA parameters, the information element 300, or the EDCA parameter set IE 400 may be transmitted by the AP 104. Further, the wireless device 202 shown in fig. 2 may represent a more detailed view of the AP104 or STA106, as described above. Thus, in one implementation, one or more steps of the method 500 may be performed by or in conjunction with a processor and/or transmitter (e.g., the processor 204, the transmitter 210, and the HEW component 250 of fig. 2), although those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other components may be used to implement one or more of the steps described herein. Although the method steps may be described as occurring in a certain order, the steps may be reordered, omitted, and/or additional steps may be added.

At block 502, the method 500 may include: at an access point, Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) parameters are selected for a first subset of stations of a plurality of stations, the first subset of stations capable of transmitting multi-user uplink transmissions. Such selection may be performed by the processor 204 or HEW component 250 of the wireless device 202 shown in fig. 2. At block 504, the method 500 may include: an information element is generated that includes EDCA parameters. For example, the AP104 may generate the information element 300 or the EDCA parameter set IE 400. Such generation may be performed by the processor 204 or HEW component 250 of the wireless device 202 shown in fig. 2. At block 506, the method 500 may include: the information element is transmitted such that the information element is decodable by the first subset of stations and not decodable by the second subset of stations of the plurality of stations. Such transmission may be performed by the transmitter 210 of the wireless device 202 shown in fig. 2.

The various operations of the methods described above may be performed by any suitable means (e.g., various hardware and/or software components, circuits, and/or modules) capable of performing the operations. Generally, any operations shown in the figures may be performed by corresponding functional units capable of performing the operations.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the disclosure may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array signal (FPGA) or other Programmable Logic Device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any commercially available processor, controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

In one or more aspects, the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Thus, in some aspects, computer-readable media may comprise non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., tangible media). Further, in some aspects, computer readable media may include transitory computer readable media (e.g., signals). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. Method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions on a computer-readable medium. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or can be used to carry or store data having instructionsAny other medium which can be accessed by a computer and which can contain desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discOptical disks, where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while lasers reproduce data optically.

Accordingly, certain aspects may comprise a computer program product for performing the operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may include a computer-readable medium having instructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. For certain aspects, a computer program product may include packaging materials.

The software or instructions may also be transmitted over a transmission medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of transmission medium.

Further, it should be understood that modules and/or other suitable means for performing the methods and techniques described herein may be downloaded and/or obtained by a user terminal and/or base station, if applicable. For example, such a device may be coupled to a server to facilitate communicating means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can be provided via a storage unit (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a Compact Disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a user terminal and/or base station can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing the storage unit to the device. Further, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a device may be used.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise configuration and components shown above. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methods and apparatus described above without departing from the scope of protection of the claims.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure, other and further aspects of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims (17)

1. A method for selecting channel access parameters for communication in a network, the method comprising:

selecting, at a first wireless device, a first enhanced distributed channel access, EDCA, parameter for communication by a first subset of wireless devices, the first subset of wireless devices not having a capability to send multi-user uplink transmissions, the first EDCA parameter comprising at least one of: a first minimum contention window CWmin, a first maximum contention window CWmax, a first transmission opportunity limit TXOP limit, or a first arbitration interframe space AIFS;

selecting, at the first wireless device, a second EDCA parameter for communication by a second subset of wireless devices, the second EDCA parameter comprising at least one of: a second CWmin different from the first CWmin, a second CWmax different from the first CWmax, a second TXOP limit different from the first TXOP limit, or a second AIFS different from the first AIFS, wherein selecting the second EDCA parameter is based on:

an ability of the first wireless device to receive scheduled uplink transmissions, an

A capability of the second subset of wireless devices to transmit multi-user uplink transmissions; and outputting a message indicating the second EDCA parameter for the second subset sent to wireless devices, wherein the message is addressed to only the second subset of wireless devices, and wherein the message is not decodable by the first subset of wireless devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless device is an access point and the first subset of wireless devices and the second subset of wireless devices are stations.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the second EDCA parameter satisfies a performance characteristic, an

Selecting a third EDCA parameter in response to determining that the second EDCA does not meet the performance characteristic.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein selecting the third EDCA parameter is based on a previous transmission from a second wireless device in the second subset of wireless devices to the first wireless device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein selecting the third EDCA parameter is based on: an immediate response to the message sent to the second subset of wireless devices is received.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein selecting the third EDCA parameter is based on: after sending the indication of the selection of the second EDCA parameter to the second subset of wireless devices a number of times, no response is received from a second wireless device in the second subset of wireless devices.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an information element for inclusion in the message, the information element comprising variable length bits, wherein the variable length bits are based on at least one of a type of signal and a service provider.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the second EDCA parameter further comprises: selecting the second EDCA parameter based on a type of the second subset of wireless devices.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless device attaches one or more rules for communicating with the first wireless device to the indication of the second EDCA parameter.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the message comprises an information element, wherein the information element comprises the indication of the second EDCA parameter and at least one of: an element identification field, a length field, another information field, or an extension field.

11. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a processing system configured to:

selecting, at a first wireless device, a first enhanced distributed channel access, EDCA, parameter for communication by a first subset of wireless devices, the first subset of wireless devices not having a capability to send multi-user uplink transmissions, the first EDCA parameter comprising at least one of: a first minimum contention window CWmin, a first maximum contention window CWmax, a first transmission opportunity limit TXOP limit, or a first arbitration interframe space AIFS;

selecting, at the first wireless device, a second EDCA parameter for communication by a second subset of wireless devices, the second EDCA parameter comprising at least one of: a second CWmin different from the first CWmin, a second CWmax different from the first CWmax, a second TXOP limit different from the first TXOP limit, or a second AIFS different from the first AIFS, wherein selecting the second EDCA parameter is based on:

an ability of the first wireless device to receive scheduled uplink transmissions, an

A capability of the second subset of wireless devices to transmit multi-user uplink transmissions; and

outputting a message indicating the second EDCA parameter for the second subset sent to wireless devices, wherein the message is addressed to only the second subset of wireless devices, and wherein the message is not decodable by the first subset of wireless devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit the message to the second subset of wireless devices.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein selecting the second EDCA parameter comprises: selecting the second EDCA parameter based on a type of the second subset of wireless devices.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first wireless device attaches one or more rules for communicating with the first wireless device to the indication of the second EDCA parameter.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the message comprises an information element, wherein the information element comprises the indication of the second EDCA parameter and at least one of: an element identification field, a length field, another information field, or an extension field.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to:

selecting a first enhanced distributed channel access, EDCA, parameter for communication by a first subset of wireless devices, the first subset of wireless devices not having a capability to send multi-user uplink transmissions, the first EDCA parameter comprising at least one of: a first minimum contention window CWmin, a first maximum contention window CWmax, a first transmission opportunity limit TXOP limit, or a first arbitration interframe space AIFS;

selecting a second EDCA parameter for communication by a second subset of wireless devices, the second EDCA parameter comprising at least one of: a second CWmin different from the first CWmin, a second CWmax different from the first CWmax, a second TXOP limit different from the first TXOP limit, or a second AIFS different from the first AIFS, wherein selecting the second EDCA parameter is based on:

the wireless device's ability to receive scheduled uplink transmissions, an

A capability of the second subset of wireless devices to transmit multi-user uplink transmissions; and

outputting a message indicating the second EDCA parameter for the second subset sent to wireless devices, wherein the message is addressed to only the second subset of wireless devices, and wherein the message is not decodable by the first subset of wireless devices.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the message comprises an information element, wherein the information element comprises the indication of the second EDCA parameter and at least one of: an element identification field, a length field, another information field, or an extension field.