PROTOCOLS FOR ENABLING MODE 1 AND MODE 2 DEVICES IN TV WHITE SPACE NETWORKS

• US 20120282959A1
• Filed: 11/01/2011
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Abraham, Santosh Paul, Jain, Avinash, Shellhammer, Stephen J., Sampath, Hemanth
• Granted Patent: US 9,173,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/500
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0096 Indication of changes in allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for operating in a television white space (TVWS) network. One example method generally includes receiving, at an apparatus, a message with a field indicating a current version of an unused frequency spectrum map (e.g., a white space map (WSM)), the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for wireless communications; determining whether the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than a previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map; and using a channel for wireless communications based on the determination. Another example method generally includes accessing a database of available channels for a current location of an apparatus via a neighboring portable or fixed enabling apparatus and enabling one or more portable dependent apparatuses for the wireless communications via one or more of the available channels.

Claims

1. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a message with a field indicating a current version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications; and

a processing system configured to;

determine whether the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than a previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map; and

use a channel for the wireless communications based on the determination.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the previous version comprises a version of the unused frequency spectrum map received during enablement of the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the request message comprises:

at least one of an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the apparatus;

a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, wherein the RLQP message comprises at least one of an information ID field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map or a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the request message;

or

at least one of a category field indicating that the request message is a Public Action message or an action field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the request message comprises at least one of an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the apparatus, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a response message with the updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the updated unused frequency spectrum map comprises the current operating channel of the apparatus if the current operating channel is still available, and wherein the apparatus continues using the current operating channel for the wireless communications based on the received updated unused frequency spectrum map.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a response message comprising:

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, a category field indicating that the response message is a Public Action message, an action field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, or an enablement ID.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit a request message for re-enablement to an enabling apparatus if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus uses one of the usable channels for the wireless communications if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is the same as the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the message comprises at least one of:

an indication that the message is a contact verification signal (CVS), wherein the indication comprises an information element (IE) identifier (ID);

a length field indicating a length of the field indicating the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map;

a beacon frame or a broadcast management frame, wherein the beacon frame or the broadcast management frame comprises a Management Message Integrity Check (MIC) Information Element (MMIE);

or

a frame with at least one of a first field indicating that the message is a Public Action message or a second field indicating that the message comprises the first field indicating the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

10. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

receiving, at an apparatus, a message with a field indicating a current version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications;

determining whether the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than a previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map; and

using a channel for the wireless communications based on the determination.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the previous version comprises a version of the unused frequency spectrum map received during enablement of the apparatus.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the request message comprises:

at least one of an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the apparatus;

a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, wherein the RLQP message comprises at least one of an information ID field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map or a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the request message;

or

at least one of a category field indicating that the request message is a Public Action message or an action field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a response message with the updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the request message comprises at least one of an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the apparatus, wherein the updated unused frequency spectrum map comprises the current operating channel of the apparatus if the current operating channel is still available, and wherein the apparatus continues using the current operating channel for the wireless communications based on the received updated unused frequency spectrum map.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a response message comprising:

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, a category field indicating that the response message is a Public Action message, an action field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, or an enablement ID.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmitting a request message for re-enablement to an enabling apparatus if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the apparatus uses one of the usable channels for the wireless communications if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is the same as the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the message comprises at least one of:

an indication that the message is a contact verification signal (CVS), wherein the indication comprises an information element (IE) identifier (ID);

a length field indicating a length of the field indicating the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map;

a beacon frame or a broadcast management frame, wherein the beacon frame or the broadcast management frame comprises a Management Message Integrity Check (MIC) Information Element (MMIE);

or

a frame with at least one of a first field indicating that the message is a Public Action message or a second field indicating that the message comprises the first field indicating the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

19. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for receiving a message with a field indicating a current version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications;

means for determining whether the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than a previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map; and

means for using a channel for the wireless communications based on the determination.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the previous version comprises a version of the unused frequency spectrum map received during enablement of the apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for transmitting a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the request message comprises:

at least one of an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the apparatus;

a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, wherein the RLQP message comprises at least one of an information ID field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map or a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the request message;

or

at least one of a category field indicating that the request message is a Public Action message or an action field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the request message comprises at least one of an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the apparatus, wherein the means for receiving is configured to receive a response message with the updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the updated unused frequency spectrum map comprises the current operating channel of the apparatus if the current operating channel is still available, and wherein the apparatus continues using the current operating channel for the wireless communications based on the received updated unused frequency spectrum map.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for receiving is configured to receive a response message comprising:

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, a category field indicating that the response message is a Public Action message, an action field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, an address of the apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, or an enablement ID.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for transmitting a request message for re-enablement to an enabling apparatus if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus uses one of the usable channels for the wireless communications if the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is the same as the previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the message comprises at least one of:

an indication that the message is a contact verification signal (CVS), wherein the indication comprises an information element (IE) identifier (ID);

a length field indicating a length of the field indicating the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map;

a beacon frame or a broadcast management frame, wherein the beacon frame or the broadcast management frame comprises a Management Message Integrity Check (MIC) Information Element (MMIE);

or

a frame with at least one of a first field indicating that the message is a Public Action message or a second field indicating that the message comprises the first field indicating the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

28. A computer-program product for wireless communications, comprising a computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable to:

receive, at an apparatus, a message with a field indicating a current version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications;

determine whether the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than a previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map; and

use a channel for the wireless communications based on the determination.

29. A wireless node, comprising:

at least one antenna;

a receiver configured to receive, via the at least one antenna, a message with a field indicating a current version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for wireless communications; and

a processing system configured to;

determine whether the current version of the unused frequency spectrum map is different than a previous version of the unused frequency spectrum map; and

use a channel for the wireless communications based on the determination.

30. A first apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processing system configured to determine a version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications; and

a transmitter configured to transmit a message with a field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

31. The first apparatus of claim 30, wherein the unused frequency spectrum map indicates the usable channels in a television white space (TVWS).

32. The first apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a receiver configured to receive a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the request message comprises:

at least one of an address of a second apparatus that transmitted the request message, an address of the first apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the second apparatus;

a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, wherein the RLQP message comprises at least one of an information ID field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map or a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the request message;

or

at least one of a category field indicating that the request message is a Public Action message or an action field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map.

33. The first apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a receiver configured to receive a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a response message comprising:

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of a second apparatus that transmitted the request message, an address of the first apparatus, or an enablement ID.

34. The first apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a receiver configured to receive a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a response message comprising:

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of a category field indicating that the response message is a Public Action message, an action field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, an address of the first apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, or an enablement identifier (ID).

35. The first apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a receiver configured to receive a request message for re-enablement to the first apparatus from a second apparatus.

36. The first apparatus of claim 30, wherein the message comprises an indication that the message is a contact verification signal (CVS).

37. The first apparatus of claim 30, wherein the message comprises a beacon frame or a broadcast management frame, the beacon frame or the broadcast management frame comprising a Management Message Integrity Check (MIC) Information Element (MMIE).

38. The first apparatus of claim 37, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the beacon frame comprising an indication of a time at which the message with the MMIE and the field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map will arrive.

39. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

determining, at a first apparatus, a version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications; and

transmitting a message with a field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the unused frequency spectrum map indicates the usable channels in a television white space (TVWS).

41. The method of claim 39, further comprising receiving a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the request message comprises:

at least one of an address of a second apparatus that transmitted the request message, an address of the first apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the second apparatus;

a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, wherein the RLQP message comprises at least one of an information ID field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map or a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the request message;

or

at least one of a category field indicating that the request message is a Public Action message or an action field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map.

42. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

receiving a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

transmitting a response message comprising;

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of a second apparatus that transmitted the request message, an address of the first apparatus, or an enablement ID.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising:

receiving a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

transmitting a response message comprising;

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of a category field indicating that the response message is a Public Action message, an action field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, an address of the first apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, or an enablement identifier (ID).

44. The method of claim 39, further comprising receiving a request message for re-enablement to the first apparatus from a dependent apparatus.

45. The method of claim 39, wherein the message comprises an indication that the message is a contact verification signal (CVS).

46. The method of claim 39, wherein the message comprises a beacon frame or a broadcast management frame, the beacon frame or the broadcast management frame comprising a Management Message Integrity Check (MIC) Information Element (MMIE).

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising transmitting the beacon frame comprising an indication of a time at which the message with the MMIE and the field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map will arrive.

48. A first apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for determining a version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications; and

means for transmitting a message with a field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

49. The first apparatus of claim 48, wherein the unused frequency spectrum map indicates the usable channels in a television white space (TVWS).

50. The first apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for receiving a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the request message comprises:

at least one of an address of a second apparatus that transmitted the request message, an address of the first apparatus, an enablement identifier (ID), or a field indicating a current operating channel of the second apparatus;

a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, wherein the RLQP message comprises at least one of an information ID field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map or a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the request message;

or

at least one of a category field indicating that the request message is a Public Action message or an action field indicating that the request message is for requesting the updated unused frequency spectrum map.

51. The first apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for receiving a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a response message comprising:

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of a second apparatus that transmitted the request message, an address of the first apparatus, or an enablement ID.

52. The first apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for receiving a request message for an updated unused frequency spectrum map, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a response message comprising:

the updated unused frequency spectrum map; and

at least one of a category field indicating that the response message is a Public Action message, an action field indicating that the response message is in response to the request message for the updated unused frequency spectrum map, an address of the first apparatus, an address of an enabling apparatus, or an enablement identifier (ID).

53. The first apparatus of claim 48, further comprising means for receiving a request message for re-enablement to the first apparatus from a second apparatus.

54. The first apparatus of claim 48, wherein the message comprises an indication that the message is a contact verification signal (CVS).

55. The first apparatus of claim 48, wherein the message comprises a beacon frame or a broadcast management frame, the beacon frame or the broadcast management frame comprising a Management Message Integrity Check (MIC) Information Element (MMIE).

56. The first apparatus of claim 55, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit the beacon frame comprising an indication of a time at which the message with the MMIE and the field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map will arrive.

57. A computer-program product for wireless communications, comprising a computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable to:

determine, at an apparatus, a version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications; and

transmit a message with a field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

58. An access point, comprising:

at least one antenna;

a processing system configured to determine a version of an unused frequency spectrum map, the unused frequency spectrum map indicating channels usable for the wireless communications; and

a transmitter configured to transmit, via the at least one antenna, a message with a field indicating the version of the unused frequency spectrum map.

59. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

access a database of available channels for a current location of the apparatus via a neighboring apparatus; and

enable one or more other apparatuses for the wireless communications via one or more of the available channels.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the available channels comprise available channels in a television white space (TVWS).

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the processing system is configured to access the database without association.

62. The apparatus of claim 59, further comprising a transmitter, wherein the processing system is configured to access the database by obtaining enablement to operate as a portable apparatus from the neighboring apparatus and wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a query message to the database of the available channels via the neighboring apparatus.

63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the query message is included in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) frame.

64. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein the query message comprises a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) query message.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the RLQP query message comprises at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the RLQP query message is for querying the database, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the RLQP query message, an address of the apparatus, an address of the neighboring apparatus, an enablement ID, or a database ID field identifying the database.

66. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the RLQP query message comprises a security encapsulated database query message.

67. The apparatus of claim 62, further comprising a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a response message with the available channels, wherein the response message comprises an indication of the available channels and at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the query message, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of the apparatus, or an address of the neighboring apparatus, and wherein the indication of the available channels comprises a security encapsulated database response message.

68. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the processing system is configured to query the neighboring apparatus for access capabilities to the database.

69. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

accessing, at an apparatus, a database of available channels for a current location of the apparatus via a neighboring apparatus; and

enabling one or more other apparatuses for the wireless communications via one or more of the available channels.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the available channels comprise available channels in a television white space (TVWS).

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the accessing comprises accessing the database without association.

72. The method of claim 69, further comprising transmitting a query message to the database of the available channels via the neighboring apparatus, wherein the accessing comprises accessing the database by obtaining enablement to operate as a portable apparatus from the neighboring apparatus.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the query message is included in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) frame.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the query message comprises a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) query message.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the RLQP query message comprises at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the RLQP query message is for querying the database, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the RLQP query message, an address of the apparatus, an address of the neighboring apparatus, an enablement ID, or a database ID field identifying the database.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein the RLQP query message comprises a security encapsulated database query message.

77. The method of claim 72, further comprising receiving a response message with the available channels, wherein the response message comprises an indication of the available channels and at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the query message, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of the apparatus, or an address of the neighboring apparatus and wherein the indication of the available channels comprises a security encapsulated database response message.

78. The method of claim 69, further comprising querying the neighboring apparatus for access capabilities to the database.

79. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for accessing a database of available channels for a current location of the apparatus via a neighboring apparatus; and

means for enabling one or more other apparatuses for the wireless communications via one or more of the available channels.

80. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the available channels comprise available channels in a television white space (TVWS).

81. The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the means for accessing is configured to access the database without association.

82. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising means for transmitting, wherein the means for accessing is configured to access the database by obtaining enablement to operate as a portable apparatus from the neighboring apparatus and wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a query message to the database of the available channels via the neighboring apparatus.

83. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the query message is included in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) frame.

84. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein the query message comprises a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) query message.

85. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the RLQP query message comprises at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the RLQP query message is for querying the database, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the RLQP query message, an address of the apparatus, an address of the neighboring apparatus, an enablement ID, or a database ID field identifying the database.

86. The apparatus of claim 84, wherein the RLQP query message comprises a security encapsulated database query message.

87. The apparatus of claim 82, further comprising means for receiving a response message with the available channels, wherein the response message comprises an indication of the available channels and at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the query message, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of the apparatus, or an address of the neighboring apparatus and wherein the indication of the available channels comprises a security encapsulated database response message.

88. The apparatus of claim 79, further comprising means for querying the neighboring apparatus for access capabilities to the database.

89. A computer-program product for wireless communications, comprising a computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable to:

access, at an apparatus, a database of available channels for a current location of the apparatus via a neighboring apparatus; and

enable one or more other apparatuses for the wireless communications via one or more of the available channels.

90. An access point, comprising:

at least one antenna; and

a processing system configured to;

access a database of available channels for a current location of the access point via a neighboring apparatus; and

enable one or more other apparatuses for the wireless communications via one or more of the available channels.

91. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processing system configured to;

enable a neighboring apparatus as a dependent apparatus; and

access a database of available channels for the enabled neighboring apparatus; and

a transmitter configured to transmit an indication of the available channels to the neighboring apparatus.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the available channels comprise available channels in a television white space (TVWS).

93. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the indication of the available channels comprises an unused frequency spectrum map.

94. The apparatus of claim 91, further comprising a receiver configured to receive, from the neighboring apparatus, a query message to the database of the available channels, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a response message in response to the query message and wherein the response message comprises the indication of the available channels.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the query message is included in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) frame or comprises a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) query message.

96. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the response message comprises the indication of the available channels and at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the query message, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of the neighboring apparatus, or an address of the apparatus and wherein the indication of the available channels comprises a security encapsulated database response message.

97. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a beacon or a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, indicating that the apparatus is database access capable (DBAC).

98. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message with vendor-specific information elements (IEs) indicating a database access parameter or protocol for one or more database vendors.

99. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

enabling, at an apparatus, a neighboring apparatus as a dependent apparatus;

accessing a database of available channels for the enabled neighboring apparatus; and

transmitting an indication of the available channels to the neighboring apparatus.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein the available channels comprise available channels in a television white space (TVWS).

101. The method of claim 99, wherein the indication of the available channels comprises an unused frequency spectrum map.

102. The method of claim 99, further comprising receiving, from the neighboring apparatus, a query message to the database of the available channels, wherein transmitting the indication comprises transmitting a response message in response to the query message and wherein the response message comprises the indication of the available channels.

103. The method of claim 102, wherein the query message is included in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) frame or comprises a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) query message.

104. The method of claim 102, wherein the response message comprises the indication of the available channels and at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the query message, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of the neighboring apparatus, or an address of the apparatus and wherein the indication of the available channels comprises a security encapsulated database response message.

105. The method of claim 99, further comprising transmitting a beacon or a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, indicating that the apparatus is database access capable (DBAC).

106. The method of claim 99, further comprising transmitting a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message with vendor-specific information elements (IEs) indicating a database access parameter or protocol for one or more database vendors.

107. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for enabling a neighboring apparatus as a dependent apparatus;

means for accessing a database of available channels for the enabled neighboring apparatus; and

means for transmitting an indication of the available channels to the neighboring apparatus.

108. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the available channels comprise available channels in a television white space (TVWS).

109. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the indication of the available channels comprises an unused frequency spectrum map.

110. The apparatus of claim 107, further comprising means for receiving, from the neighboring apparatus, a query message to the database of the available channels, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a response message in response to the query message and wherein the response message comprises the indication of the available channels.

111. The apparatus of claim 110, wherein the query message is included in a General Advertisement Service (GAS) frame or comprises a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) query message.

112. The apparatus of claim 110, wherein the response message comprises the indication of the available channels and at least one of an information identifier (ID) field indicating that the response message is in response to the query message, a length field indicating a length of a remaining portion of the response message, an address of the neighboring apparatus, or an address of the apparatus and wherein the indication of the available channels comprises a security encapsulated database response message.

113. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a beacon or a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message, indicating that the apparatus is database access capable (DBAC).

114. The apparatus of claim 107, wherein the means for transmitting is configured to transmit a Registered Location Query Protocol (RLQP) message with vendor-specific information elements (IEs) indicating a database access parameter or protocol for one or more database vendors.

115. A computer-program product for wireless communications, comprising a computer-readable medium comprising instructions executable to:

enable, at an apparatus, a neighboring apparatus as a dependent apparatus;

access a database of available channels for the enabled neighboring apparatus; and

transmit an indication of the available channels to the neighboring apparatus.

116. An access point, comprising:

at least one antenna;

a processing system configured to;

enable a neighboring apparatus as a dependent apparatus; and

access a database of available channels for the enabled neighboring apparatus; and

a transmitter configured to transmit, via the at least one antenna, an indication of the available channels to the neighboring apparatus.