Methods for uplink channel access in wireless local area networks

An access point (AP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the AP comprising:

• at least one processor configured to configure a set of downlink (DL) queues and a set of uplink (UL) queues, wherein each DL and UL queues are identified based on an access category (AC);
• and
• a transceiver configured to:
• transmit a resource status request to a set of stations (STAs) communicating with the AP;
• receive, from the set of STAs, a resource status response including access category (AC) information of UL data from the set of STAs, wherein the AC information corresponds to the set of DL queues and the set of UL queues configured at the AP to schedule the set of STAs;
• and
• transmit a trigger frame to the set of STAs, wherein the trigger frame includes scheduling information of the UL data based on the AC information included in the received resource status response from the set of STAs.

A method for operating a station (STA) in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the method comprising:

• receiving a resource status request from an access point (AP) communicating with the STA;
• transmitting, to the AP, a resource status response including access category (AC) information of UL data that is identified using a traffic identifier, wherein the AC information corresponds to a set of DL queues and a set of UL queues configured at the AP to schedule the STA;
• receiving, from the AP, a trigger frame including scheduling information of the UL data based on the AC information;
• and
• processing the scheduling information included in the trigger frame to transmit the UL data to the AP.