Broadcast ranging messages for WLAN RTT measurements

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

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one processor and the at least one memory being configured to direct the access point to:
• receive a first ranging request message from a first device on a channel of the WLAN, wherein the first ranging request message includes a device identifier of the first device;
• monitor the channel of the WLAN for a second ranging request message from a second device, wherein the second ranging request message includes a device identifier of the second device;
• in response to receiving the second ranging request message from the second device during a response time period, combine the device identifier of the first device, first timing information associated with the first ranging request message, the device identifier of the second device, and second timing information associated with the second ranging request message into a single ranging response message, wherein the first and second timing information are for determining round trip time (RTT) measurements, by the first and second devices, respectively;
• and
• in response to an end of the response time period, broadcast the single ranging response message on the channel of the WLAN.

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

• means for receiving, by the access point, a first ranging request message from a first device on a channel of the WLAN, wherein the first ranging request message includes a device identifier of the first device;
• means for monitoring, by the access point, the channel of the WLAN for a second ranging request message from a second device, wherein the second ranging request message includes a device identifier of the second device;
• means for combining, by the access point, the device identifier of the first device, first timing information associated with the first ranging request message, the device identifier of the second device, and second timing information associated with the second ranging request message into a single ranging response message in response to receiving the second ranging request message from the second device during a response time period, wherein the first and second timing information are for determining round trip time (RTT) measurements, by the first and second devices, respectively;
• and
• means for broadcasting, by the access point, the single ranging response message on the channel of the WLAN in response to an end of the response time period.

A method performed by a device in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the method comprising:

• transmitting, by the device, a first ranging request message on a channel of the WLAN, wherein the first ranging request message includes a device identifier of the device;
• receiving, by the device, a first broadcast ranging response messages broadcast on the channel by a first access point of the WLAN in response to an end of a response time period, wherein the first broadcast ranging response message comprises:
• the device identifier of the device,
• first timing information associated with the first ranging request message,
• a device identifier of a second device in the WLAN, and
• second timing information associated with a second ranging request message transmitted on the channel of the WLAN by the second device;
• and
• determining a round trip time (RTT) measurement for the first access point based on the first ranging request message and the first timing information included in the first broadcast ranging response messages.