Multicast-based group communications in ad hoc arrangements of wireless devices

1. A device, for User Equipment (UE), for proximity-based direct communications in a communication channel with one or more other UEs of a group, comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more device-readable media having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to:

obtain information related to the group including:

a layer-2 group identifier (ID), and

a group security key;

encrypt user data using the group security key;

generate a first frame having:

a destination layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication, wherein the destination layer-2 address is based on the layer-2 group ID and identifies the one or more other UEs of the group, and

a layer-3 identifier for the group; and

transmit the first frame to UEs on the communication channel, including at least one UE that is not a member of the group; and

generate a second frame having:

the layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication, and

the encrypted user data; and

transmit the second frame to the one or more other UEs affiliated with the layer-2 group ID based on the destination layer-2 address.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first frame further comprises a source layer-2 ID indicating a source layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the layer-2 group ID is a media access control (MAC) value.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the group security key is a symmetric encryption key for the group.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first frame comprises a floor request signaling message to take control of a communication channel from another UE of the group.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to:

transmit a third frame comprising a floor release signaling message to release the a communication channel after transmitting the second frame to the one or more other UEs.

7. The device of claim 5 , wherein the instructions further cause the device to:

transmit the floor request signaling message for a plurality of times, based on current quality of the communication channel.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing program instructions for causing one or more processors of a UE to:

obtain information related to proximity-based direct communications in a communication channel with one or more other UEs of a group of UEs, the information including:

a layer-2 group identifier (ID), and

a group security key;

encrypt user data using the group security key;

generate a first frame having:

a destination layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication, wherein the destination layer-2 address is based on the layer-2 group ID and identifies the one or more other UEs of the group, and

a layer-3 identifier for the group; and

transmit the first frame to UEs in the communication channel, including at least one UE that is not a member of the group; and

generate a second frame having:

the destination layer-2 address for the proximity-based communication, and

the encrypted user data; and

transmit the second frame to the one or more other UEs affiliated with the layer-2 group ID based on the destination layer-2 address.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the first frame further comprises a source layer-2 ID indicating a source layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the layer-2 group ID is a media access control (MAC) value.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the group security key is a symmetric encryption key for the group.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the first frame comprises transmit a floor request signaling message to take control of a communication channel from another UE of the group.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

transmit a third frame comprising a floor release signaling message to release a communication channel after transmitting the second frame to the one or more other UEs.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to:

transmit the floor request signaling message for a plurality of times, based on current quality of the communication channel.

15. A method, implemented by User Equipment (UE), for proximity-based direct communications in a communication channel with one or more other UEs of a group, comprising:

obtaining information related to the group including:

a layer-2 group identifier (ID), and

a group security key;

encrypting user data using the group security key;

generating a first frame having:

a destination layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication, wherein the destination layer-2 address is based on the layer-2 group ID and identifies the one or more other UEs of the group, and

a layer-3 identifier for the group;

transmitting the first frame to UEs in the communication channel, including at least one UE that is not a member of the group; and

generating a second frame having:

the destination layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication, and

the encrypted user data; and

transmitting the second frame to the one or more other UEs affiliated with the layer-2 group ID based on the destination layer-2 address.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first and second frames further comprise a source layer-2 ID indicating a source layer-2 address for the proximity-based direct communication.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the layer-2 group ID is a media access control (MAC) value.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the group security key is a symmetric encryption key for the group.