Channel Access Coordination for TXOP Sharing

A method of controlling wireless transmissions in a wireless communication system that comprises at least first and second access points configured to respectively operate on first and second links, the method performed by the second access point, the method comprising:

• operating, by the second access point, on the second link, said operating on the second link being based on carrier sensing to gain access to the second link;
• in response to gaining access to the second link, reserving, by the second access point, a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the second link;
• sending, on the first link, a control message for initiating sharing of the TXOP with the first access point operating on the first link, wherein the first link and the second link utilize at least some different frequency channels, different bandwidth parts, or different bands;
• and
• based on the control message, sharing the TXOP with the first access point.

A first access point for a wireless communication system that comprises at least the first access point and a second access point, the first access point comprising:

• one or more radio interfaces;
• one or more processors coupled to the one or more radio interfaces;
• and
• a memory coupled to the one or more processors and containing program code executable by the one or more processors whereby the first access point is configured to:
• operate on a first link based on carrier sensing to gain access to the first link;
• scan a second link to detect control messages transmitted on the second link, without performing carrier sensing to gain access to the second link, wherein the first link and the second link utilize at least some different frequency channels, different bandwidth parts, or different bands;
• detect a control message indicating that a second access point reserved a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the second link;
• and
• based on the control message, share the TXOP with the second access point.

A second access point for a wireless communication system that comprises at least a first access point and the second access point, the second access point comprising:

• one or more radio interfaces;
• one or more processors coupled to the one or more radio interfaces;
• and
• a memory coupled to the one or more processors and containing program code executable by the one or more processors whereby the second access point is configured to:
• operate on the second link based on carrier sensing to gain access to the second link;
• in response to gaining access to the second link, reserve a transmission opportunity (TXOP) on the second link;
• send, on the first link, a control message for initiating sharing of the TXOP with the first access point operating on the first link, wherein the first link and the second link utilize at least some different frequency channels, different bandwidth parts, or different bands;
• and
• based on the control message, share the TXOP with the first access point.