Access point (ap), station (sta) and methods for signaling of basic service set (bss) colors

A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform operations for communication by an access point (AP), the operations to configure the one or more processors to:

• contend for a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to obtain access to an operating channel;
• encode, for transmission in the operating channel during the TXOP, a downlink physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU) that includes a used basic service set (BSS) color that indicates communication between the AP and one or more associated stations (STAs);
• encode, for transmission, a color switch announcement (CSA) element configurable to indicate:
• whether the AP and the associated STAs are to switch from the used BSS color to an alternate BSS color for the communication between the AP and the associated STAs, and
• whether the AP and the associated STAs are to switch from the operating channel to an alternate channel for the communication between the AP and the associated STAs.

A method of communication at a station (STA), the method comprising:

• contending for a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to obtain access to an operating channel;
• encoding, for transmission in the operating channel during the TXOP, a first uplink physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU) that includes a predetermined used basic service set (BSS) color, wherein the STA is associated with an access point (AP), wherein the used BSS color indicates communication between the AP and one or more associated STAs;
• detecting another PPDU from another STA that is unassociated with the AP;
• if a header portion of the detected PPDU includes the used BSS color:
• determining an alternate BSS color to be used to indicate the communication between the AP and the associated STAs;
• encoding, for transmission, a message that indicates the alternate BSS color;
• and
• encoding, for transmission, a second uplink PPDU that includes the alternate BSS color.

An apparatus of a station (STA), the apparatus comprising:

• memory;
• and processing circuitry, configured to:
• decode a first downlink physical layer convergence procedure protocol data unit (PPDU) received in an operating channel from an access point (AP) during a transmission opportunity (TXOP) obtained by the AP;
• determine that the downlink PPDU is from the AP based on a used basic service set (BSS) color in a header of the downlink PPDU that indicates communication between the AP and one or more associated STAs;
• decode, from the AP, a color switch announcement (CSA) element that indicates:
• whether the STA is to switch from the used BSS color to an alternate BSS color for the communication between the AP and the associated STAs, and
• whether the STA is to switch from the operating channel to an alternate channel for the communication between the AP and the associated STAs;
• and
• decode a second downlink PPDU from the AP in accordance with the CSA element.