Medium access control and channel access for access operations

A method for performing a ranging operation by a peripheral wireless device of a plurality of peripheral wireless devices communicating with a central wireless device, the method comprising:

• by the peripheral wireless device, during a selected ranging time slot of a first ranging frame comprising a plurality of non-overlapping, indexed ranging time slots:
• listening for a first ranging measurement message from the central wireless device;
• and
• responsive to receiving the first ranging measurement message:
• transmitting to the central wireless device, at a segment of the selected ranging time slot of the first ranging frame based at least in part on a time stamp value included in the first ranging measurement message, a ranging measurement response;
• listening for a second ranging measurement message and a ranging data message from the central wireless device;
• and
• responsive to receiving the second ranging measurement message and the ranging data message:
• extracting, from the ranging data message, measurement data obtained by the central wireless device that is based at least in part on one or more ranging measurement responses received from one or more peripheral wireless devices of the plurality of peripheral wireless devices, and
• selecting a ranging time slot for ranging in a subsequent ranging frame.

A central wireless device comprising:

• processing circuitry comprising one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the central wireless device to perform actions that include:
• during a selected ranging time slot of a first ranging frame comprising a plurality of non-overlapping, indexed ranging time slots:
• broadcasting a first ranging measurement message to a plurality of peripheral wireless devices;
• listening, during sequential non-overlapping segments of the selected ranging time slot, for ranging measurement responses from one or more peripheral wireless devices of the plurality of peripheral wireless devices;
• and
• responsive to receiving at least one ranging measurement response from at least one of the plurality of peripheral wireless devices:
• broadcasting a second ranging measurement message to the plurality of peripheral wireless devices;
• and
• broadcasting to the plurality of peripheral wireless devices a ranging data message that includes:
• measurement data obtained by the central wireless device based at least in part on the at least one ranging measurement response, and
• an indication of a ranging time slot selected for ranging in a subsequent ranging frame.