Variable response interframe space in communication systems

An apparatus comprising:

• a receiver for coupling to a communications medium, the receiver configured to:
• send a first configuration message via the communications medium, the first configuration message indicating a maximum quantity of physical layer (PHY) blocks that can be included in a final modulation symbol associated with a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU), and
• receive, via the communications medium, the PPDU that includes multiple PHY blocks, the PPDU received as a series of modulation symbols;
• a response interframe space (RIFS) determination module configured to determine a RIFS time period based, at least in part, on a quantity of PHY blocks that end in the final modulation symbol of the PPDU;
• and
• a transmitter configured to send an acknowledgment message responsive to receiving the PPDU after the RIFS time period following the final modulation symbol.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to:

• send a first configuration message via a communications medium, the first configuration message indicating a maximum quantity of physical layer (PHY) blocks that can be included in a final modulation symbol associated with a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU);
• receive, via the communications medium, the PPDU that includes multiple PHY blocks, the PPDU received as a series of modulation symbols;
• determine a response interframe space (RIFS) time period based, at least in part, on a quantity of PHY blocks that end in the final modulation symbol of the PPDU;
• and
• send, via the communications medium, an acknowledgment message responsive to receiving the PPDU after the RIFS time period following the final modulation symbol.

A communication device comprising:

• means for sending a first configuration message via a communications medium, the first configuration message indicating a maximum quantity of physical layer (PHY) blocks that can be included in a final modulation symbol associated with a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU);
• means for receiving, via the communications medium, the PPDU that includes multiple PHY blocks, the PPDU received as a series of modulation symbols;
• means for determining a response interframe space (RIFS) time period based, at least in part, on a quantity of PHY blocks that end in the final modulation symbol of the PPDU;
• and
• means for sending, via the communications medium, an acknowledgment message responsive to receiving the PPDU after the RIFS time period following the final modulation symbol.