Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100111215 | Beamforming protocol for wireless communications - Beamforming protocol for wireless communications. Various communications are made between an originating communication device and a remote communication device to effectuate steered communications there between. The beamforming approach presented herein is applicable and adaptable to communication devices having any combination of omni-directional and directional transmit and receive functionality (e.g., the transmit functionality and the receive functionality both being omni-directional; the transmit functionality being directional and the receive functionality being omni-directional; or the transmit functionality and the receive functionality both being are directional). The beamforming protocol presented herein allows for all combinations of communication device types and also provides collision rules as may be performed in accordance with the beamforming configuration. | 05-06-2010 |
20100309779 | Carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In wireless communication systems that operate in supporting communications via one or more clusters, appropriate determination of when to begin making such transmissions on one or more clusters is made in accordance with intelligent carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) that may be performed in a number of different ways. In accordance with this, a cluster may be any combination composed of one or more channels among one or more bands. In supporting multi-cluster access, CSMA may be performed in selecting a primary cluster and performing backoff (e.g., countdown) thereon. After backoff is finished for the primary cluster, and the availability of one or more others clusters is checked, transmissions may be made using the available clusters. Alternatively, backoff may be made for each or multiple (a subset of) clusters or even individually for each respective cluster. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309834 | CHANNEL CHARACTERIZATION AND TRAINING WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Channel characterization and training within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within such communication systems, there can be a number of devices (e.g., STAs) that communicate with a single device (e.g., AP). A multi-cast sounding frame may be transmitted from a transmitting device to a number of receiving devices. Appropriate scheduling or ordering of feedback signals from some or all of the receiving devices may be performed explicitly (e.g., sounding frame sent from the transmitting device to a receiving device) or implicitly (e.g., control information sent from the transmitting device to the receiving device, sounding frame sent to the transmitting device from the receiving device). Such characterization and training is with respect to a channel or path in which data will subsequently follow. Such characterization and training can be performed in accordance with group membership (e.g., with respect to only some of the receiving devices). | 12-09-2010 |
20100309848 | TRANSMISSION COORDINATION WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Transmission coordination within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within wireless communication systems, there can be various wireless communication devices therein that are not all compliant with a common capability set, communication protocol, communication standard, recommended practice, etc. For example, some communication systems may have some wireless communication devices characterized as ‘legacy’ wireless communication devices, and other wireless communication devices therein may be newer and compliant with newer capability sets, communication protocols, communication standards, recommended practices, etc. In such instances, coordination of transmissions among the various wireless communication devices may be made, when performing simultaneous transmissions, by ensuring that transmissions of devices on different channels is made when aligned on a common boundary of an OFDM symbol. Alternatively, such simultaneous transmissions may be made when offset by some multiple of OFDM symbol duration. When performing non-simultaneous transmissions, transmissions may be made based on channel availability. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309871 | Scheduled Clear To Send (CTS) for Multiple User, Multiple Access, and/or MIMO Wireless Communications - Scheduled clear to send (CTS) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Before sending transmissions, a request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) exchange takes place between a transmitting wireless communication device and multiple receiving wireless communication devices may take place therein. The transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., an AP) may generate and transmit a multi-user request to send (mRTS) frame to a number of receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs). The mRTS frame can include information and instructions therein to direct the manner by which all or a subset of the receiving wireless communication devices are to provide CTS responses back to the transmitting wireless communication device. The mRTS frame may be an OFDMA frame, a MU-MIMO frame, or a combination thereof. The CTS responses may be received in accordance with any one or combination of OFDM signaling, OFDMA signaling, and MU-MIMO signaling. | 12-09-2010 |
20100309872 | Medium accessing mechanisms within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Medium accessing mechanisms within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A multi-user super-frame (MU-SF), as controlled by a MU-SF owner, is used to govern the manner by which various wireless communication devices have access to the communication medium. When various wireless communication devices operate within a wireless communication system, communication medium access can be handled differently for wireless communication devices having different capabilities. Per the MU-SF, those having a first capability may get medium access in accordance with a first operational mode (e.g., carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)), while those having a second capability may get medium access in accordance with a second operational mode (e.g., scheduled access). The respective durations for each of the first operational mode and the second operational mode within various MU-SFs need not be the same; the respective durations thereof may be adaptively modified based on any number considerations. | 12-09-2010 |
20100310002 | ADAPTIVE AND SELECTIVE FRAME FORMATS WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Adaptive and selective frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communications. A reconfigurable channel circuitry, that may be implemented to communicate with one, a subset, or all of various blocks within a communication device provides for adaptive and selective frame formatting of communications between the communication device and other communication devices. In a wireless communication device context, and also in the context of multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO communications (e.g., multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) and/or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), etc.), frame formatting may be adapted in accordance with a number of parameters including: the one or more users with which communications are to be made, the clusters (e.g., channel, band, frequency, etc.) employed for such communications, the one or more antennae (e.g., within a multi-antenna architecture) employed for such communications, and/or any other parameters. | 12-09-2010 |
20100310003 | TRANSMISSION ACKNOWLEDGMENT WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Transmission acknowledgement within multi-user wireless communication systems. Within multi-access wireless communication systems such as those operating in accordance with multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), and/or MU-MIMO/OFDMA, acknowledgement of receipt (e.g., using ACKs) is provided back to the sending or transmitting wireless communication device from each (or a subset) of the intended recipient wireless communication devices. Appropriate coordination of these ACKs from the respective, receiving wireless communication devices may be performed using instructions embedded within a multi-user packet that is provided to the receiving wireless communication devices. Alternatively, polling as effectuated by the sending or transmitting wireless communication device may be used to give explicit direction to the respective, receiving wireless communication devices of the manner by which their respective ACKs should be provided to the transmitting wireless communication device. | 12-09-2010 |
20100316150 | Mixed mode operations within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Mixed mode operations within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Certain communication systems can include wireless communication devices of various capabilities therein (e.g., IEEE Task Group ac (TGac VHT), IEEE 802.11 amendment TGn, IEEE 802.11 amendment TGa, and/or other capabilities, etc.). In one manner of classification, wireless communication devices having legacy and newer/updated capabilities may inter-operate with one another, operate within a common region, and/or communicate via a common access point (AP). Coordination of such wireless communication devices (e.g., legacy and newer/updated) provides for their respective operation on a same set of clusters in accordance with various operational modes including: (1) time dividing medium access between the wireless communication devices of various capabilities, (2) assigning primary cluster(s) for a first capability set and assigning non-primary cluster(s) for a second capability set, etc., and/or (3) any combination of operational modes (1) and (2). | 12-16-2010 |
20100322219 | Management frame directed cluster assignment within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Management frame directed cluster assignment within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. From a first wireless communication device, a management frame may be transmitted to a number of other wireless communication devices to assign respective clusters (i.e., cluster being one or more channels within one or more bands) for use in communications by those other wireless communication devices. The first wireless communication device may be an access point (AP), and the others may be wireless stations (STAs); alternatively, all of the wireless communication devices in the communication system (e.g., including the first wireless communication device) may be STAs. The cluster assignment may be modified for any of a number of various reasons (e.g., periodically, after a certain number of packets being transmitted and/or received, communication system operating condition change, change in number, type, capabilities, etc. of the various wireless communication devices in the communication system, etc.). | 12-23-2010 |
20110002219 | GROUP IDENTIFICATION AND DEFINITION WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Group identification and definition within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A group identification definition field may be transmitted to a number of receiving devices for use in interpreting current or subsequently received packets that include a group identification field (group ID). The group ID can serve a number of functions such as indicating those receiving devices for which the packet is intended, the identification of fields within the packet corresponding to the various devices, certain parameters (e.g., code type, code rate, modulation type, etc.) associated with such fields within the packet, etc. The group identification definition field may be updated or modified to allow for modification of the manner in which subsequent packets, including respective group IDs, are processed. One of a variety of events may direct the group identification definition field may be updated or modified. | 01-06-2011 |
20110013616 | Management frame map directed operational parameters within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Management frame map directed operational parameters within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A management frame map may be generated within and transmitted from a first wireless communication device to a number of other wireless communication devices. Thereafter, certain subsequently transmitted packets may be analyzed and processed by the receiving wireless communication devices based on that earlier received management frame map. One or more operational parameters are determined for a subsequently transmitted packet based on the previously received management frame map; such operational parameters then govern the manner in which at least a portion of the subsequently transmitted packet is processed. Some examples of such operational parameters include a cluster on which a least a portion of the packet is transmitted, a modulation coding scheme (MCS), a forward error correction (FEC) coding scheme, space time block coding (STBC), an antenna configuration within the wireless communication device, etc. | 01-20-2011 |
20110032875 | Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In accordance with wireless communications, a signal (SIG) field employed within such packets is distributed or partitioned into at least two separate signal fields (e.g., SIG A and SIG B) that are located in different portions of the packet. A first of the SIG fields includes information that may be processed and decoded by all wireless communication devices, and a second of the SIG fields includes information that is specific to one or more particular wireless communication devices (e.g., a specific wireless communication device or a specific subset of the wireless communication devices). The precise locations of the at least first and second SIG fields within a packet may be varied, including placing a second of the SIG fields (e.g., including user-specific information) adjacent to and preceding a data field in the packet. | 02-10-2011 |
20110075607 | Multi-user null data packet (MU-NDP) sounding within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Multi-user null data packet (MU-NDP) sounding within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within communication systems including multiple wireless communication devices (e.g., one or more APs, STAs, etc.), channel sounding of the selected communication links between the various wireless communication devices is performed. A MU-NDP announcement frame is transmitted to and received by various wireless communication devices indicating which of those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded. Then, respective NDP sounding frames are transmitted via the communication links corresponding to those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded, and sounding feedback signals are subsequently sent back to the original transmitting wireless communication device. In some instances, after transmission of the MU-NDP announcement frame, a clear to send (CTS) is sent from at least one of the wireless communication devices thereby precipitating the transmission of the NDP sounding frames. | 03-31-2011 |
20110164597 | Multi-user uplink communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communication systems - Within such communication systems, uplink communications from various receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs) to a transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., AP) may occur in any of a number of various dimensions or combinations thereof including MU-MIMO dimension and frequency dimension (asynchronous FDM or synchronous FDM). In accordance with such uplink communications, various considerations such as time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and/or power control (including wireless communication device grouping). When performing uplink asynchronous FDM signaling, power control as grouping is used. When performing uplink synchronous FDM signaling, time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and power control (such as including wireless communication device grouping) is performed. | 07-07-2011 |
20110176472 | Multi-user uplink communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communication systems - Multi-user uplink communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communication systems. Within such communication systems, uplink communications from various receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs) to a transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., AP) may occur in any of a number of various dimensions or combinations thereof including MU-MIMO dimension and frequency dimension (asynchronous FDM or synchronous FDM). In accordance with such uplink communications, various considerations such as time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and/or power control (including wireless communication device grouping). When performing uplink asynchronous FDM signaling, power control as grouping is used. When performing uplink synchronous FDM signaling, time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and power control (such as including wireless communication device grouping) is performed. | 07-21-2011 |
20110194475 | Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g., a first field for a first wireless communication device, a second field for a second wireless communication device, etc.). | 08-11-2011 |
20110199968 | Beamforming feedback frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Beamforming feedback frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A transmitting wireless communication device (TX) transmits a sounding frame to one or more receiving wireless communication devices (RXs) using one or more antennae and one or more clusters. Any antenna/cluster combination may be employed in communications between TXs and RXs. The one or more RXs receive/process the sounding frame to determine a type of beamforming feedback frame to be provided to the TX. Any one of a variety of beamforming feedback frame types and a types of information may be contained within a respective beamforming feedback frame including various characteristics of the respective communication channel between the TX and each of the various RXs. A common beamforming feedback frame format may be supported and employed by all such wireless communication devices (e.g., TX and RXs) when performing MU-MIMO operation such as in accordance with IEEE 802.11ac/VHT. | 08-18-2011 |
20110222490 | Bandwidth mechanisms and successive channel reservation access within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Bandwidth mechanisms and successive channel reservation access within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A management frame, communicated from one wireless communication devices to one or more others, includes successive channel reservation assignment therein, and also indicates channel(s) within cluster(s) for use in respective communications (e.g., transmissions/receptions) of those wireless communication device(s) that receive the management frame. Subsequent management frames can modify or update such a channel assignment. Channel reservation for use in communications by respective wireless communication devices may be grown when additional channels may become available. Based on later determined information regarding the channel availability status, such channels that may become available can be used for subsequent, wider bandwidth communications. All communications include a primary channel (as indicated by a management frame, prior control frame, or other means) that may be located at a band edge or between respective channels (e.g., not at a band edge). | 09-15-2011 |
20120057471 | Acknowledgment and/or receiver recovery mechanisms for scheduled responses within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Acknowledgment and/or receiver recovery mechanisms for scheduled responses within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Explicit scheduling information is provided from a first wireless communication device (e.g., an access point (AP), a transmitting wireless communication device) to a number of other wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless stations (STAs), receiving wireless communication devices) directing those other wireless communication devices a manner by which responses (e.g., acknowledgments (ACKs), block acknowledgments (BACKs), training feedback frames, etc.) are to be provided to the first wireless communication device there from. Such direction may include the order, timing, cluster assignment, etc. by which each respective wireless communication device is to provide its respective response to the first wireless communication device. In the event of the first wireless communication device failing to receive at least one response from at least one of the other wireless communication devices, various communication medium recovery mechanisms may be performed. | 03-08-2012 |
20120087304 | Differential feedback within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Differential feedback within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. After full feedback signal(s) have been received by a communication device (e.g., one that is to be performing beamforming for use in subsequent signal transmission), differential feedback signal(s) are received. Those differential feedback signal(s) are employed to update the full feedback signal(s) thereby generating updated/modified full feedback signals. Over time, such updated/modified full feedback signals may subsequently be further updated based upon later received inferential feedback signal(s). Such differential feedback signaling takes advantage of time and/or frequency correlation in a communication channel to provide for reduced feedback overhead by feeding back a difference or delta (Δ) relative to a previous value. For example, instead of providing full feedback signals in each respective/successive communication, feedback overhead is reduced by providing a difference or delta (Δ). | 04-12-2012 |
20120263090 | Frequency selective transmission within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Frequency selective transmission within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Adaptation among different respective sub-channels and/or channels is effectuated within a wireless communication system. Such a wireless communication system may include an access point (AP) and one or more wireless stations (STAs). The respective channelization employed for various communications between the devices within such a wireless communication system may be adapted based upon any of a number of considerations. For example, a receiver communication device may indicate to a transmitter communication device one or more preferred sub-channels and/or channels on which subsequent communications are to be performed. Alternatively, a transmitter communication device may employ such information provided from one or more receiver communication devices as one of multiple respective considerations regarding which one or more sub-channels and/or channels on which subsequent communications are to be performed. | 10-18-2012 |
20120269069 | Device coexistence within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Device coexistence within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Different respective communication devices operating using different respective communication channels having different respective channel bandwidths may be implemented within a given communication system. For example, different respective communication devices may belong to different basic services sets (BSSs) (e.g., a 1 MHz BSS operating using channel bandwidths of 1 MHz, and a 2 MHz BSS operating using channel bandwidths of 2 MHz). To effectuate coexistence among different respective devices operating using different respective channel bandwidths, devices but longing to the 1 MHz BSS monitor for and listen for 2 MHz wide communication activity, and those 1 MHz BSS communication devices defer to any detected communication activity on any portion of the 2 MHz channel. | 10-25-2012 |
20130010844 | Response frame modulation coding set (MCS) selection within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Response frame modulation coding set (MCS) selection within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. With respect to any exchange between communication devices in which there is a response frame, a first frame (e.g., an eliciting frame) is a first transmitted from the eliciting communication device to the responding communication device, and a second frame (e.g., a response frame) is transmitted from the responding communication device to the eliciting communities device. Appropriate selection of MCS to be used within the response frame may be determined explicitly or implicitly. One or more parameters (e.g., a limit parameter, a reduction parameter, etc.) may be used to determine the MCS of the response frame. The MCS employed for a response frame may be selected from a basic MCS set that ensures all response frames from any responding communication device may be properly received by the eliciting communication device. | 01-10-2013 |
20130077608 | Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Various com systems may include smart meter stations (SMSTAs) and/or wireless stations (STAs). Appropriate coordination is made with respect to such communication devices to ensure appropriate uplink (and/or downlink) communications between a network manager or coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP)) and the SMSTAs and/or STAs. With respect to SMSTAs, the relative duration of time that such communication devices are awake and operative versus asleep (or in a reduced power and/or functionality state) can be significant. Certain implementations may include a relatively large number of such communication devices (e.g., 10s, 100a, 1000s, or more), and appropriate coordination and scheduling of such communications to/from them is made using one or more variations of TDMA signaling (e.g., including different respective service periods (SPs), communication medium access operational modes, adaptation thereof, etc.). | 03-28-2013 |
20130077610 | Smart meter media access control (MAC) for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Smart meter media access control (MAC) for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Different types of wireless communication devices may be implemented within various wireless communication systems. Some of these devices may be implemented to communicate sensing and/or measurement to one or more other devices. For example, certain devices may be implemented to perform monitoring associated with any of a number of services provided by service providers (e.g., electricity, natural gas, water, Internet access, telephone service, and/or any other service). In accordance with such sensing and/or measurement related applications, a given device need not necessarily be awake or at a fully operative state at all times. Appropriate coordination, scheduling, communication medium access, etc. among potentially many implemented devices ensures effective communication and gathering of such sensing and/or measurement related data (e.g., using one or more service period (SP) announcements, various communication medium access options, etc.). | 03-28-2013 |
20130089054 | MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATION GREENFIELD PREAMBLE FORMATS - A method for multiple input multiple output wireless communication begins by determining protocols of wireless communication devices within a proximal region. The method continues by determining whether the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of a like protocol. The method continues by determining the number of transmit antennas. The method continues, when the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of the like protocol, formatting a preamble of a frame of the wireless communication utilizing at least one of cyclic shifting of symbols, cyclic shifting of tones, sparse tone allocation, and sparse symbol allocation based on the number of transmit antennas. | 04-11-2013 |
20130100945 | REDUCED INTERFRAME SPACING IN A WIRELESS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM - Providing wireless transmission, where in a first transmission mode, transmitting a plurality of frames using a first interframe spacing interval. When in a second transmission mode, transmitting the plurality of frames using a second interframe spacing interval, wherein the second interframe spacing is less than the first interframe spacing. | 04-25-2013 |
20130109422 | Localized Dynamic Channel Time Allocation | 05-02-2013 |
20130137385 | TRANSCEIVER WITH PLURAL SPACE HOPPING ARRAY ANTENNAS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH - A wireless transceiver includes an antenna array that transmits an outbound RF signal containing outbound data to remote transceivers and that receives an inbound RF signal containing inbound data from the remote RF transceivers, wherein the antenna array is configurable based on a control signal. An antenna configuration controller generates the control signal to configure the antenna array to hop among a plurality of radiation patterns based on a hopping sequence. An RF transceiver section generates the outbound RF signal based on the outbound data and that generates the inbound data based on the inbound RF signal. In one configuration, a switching section selectively couples a selected one of the antennas in the array to the RF transceiver section, based on the control signal. In another configuration, the RF transceiver section includes an RF section for each antenna in the array. | 05-30-2013 |
20130188541 | Target wake time (TWT) within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Target wake time (TWT) within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within communication systems including different respective devices therein (e.g., wireless stations (STAs), smart meter stations (SMSTAs), etc.), coordination is made with respect to those devices awakening from less than full power state (e.g., from sleep, reduce functionality, power saving state, etc.). A TWT information element (IE) may be included within a frame or a signal corresponding to or based on that frame that is transmitted from one device to other device(s). One or more respective future targeted times (e.g., which may be based on a timing synchronization function (TSF) reference time) at which device(s) may awaken from less than full power state may be included within the TWT IE. Over time, different respective TWT IEs may be provided from various devices, such that respective targeted awake times may be modified dynamically for any given device. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188610 | One or multiple bit restricted access window (RAW) end point determination within for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - One or multiple bit restricted access window (RAW) end point determination within for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A RAW is defined in which only devices of the particular class (e.g., low power class, Z class, smart meter station (SMSTA) class, etc.) are allowed access to the communication medium. Indication of the end of such a RAW may be included within one or more bits set within a signal field (SIG) field of a framer packet generated by a given device within the system and transmitted to one or more other devices. After completion of the RAW, other respective devices of at least one other type of class may be provided access to the communication medium. The manner of access to the communication media outside of the RAW may be varied (e.g., scheduled, based on carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), etc.). | 07-25-2013 |
20130194992 | Backoff snooze wake power consumption within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Backoff snooze wake power consumption within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. If a communication (e.g., transmission) attempt fails (e.g., by a wireless station (STA), smart meter station (SMSTA), etc.), then a backoff snooze countdown may be performed before a subsequent communication is attempted. Also, if communication activity is detected on the communication medium, then such a backoff snooze countdown may be performed before monitoring the communication medium or a subsequent communication attempt is made. Such a backoff snooze countdown may be based on a codeword value (e.g., such as provided within a beacon received from an access point (AP)), and different respective backoff snooze countdowns may be made based on different respective codeword values. Such backoff snooze countdowns are performed outside of a restricted access window (RAW) in which only devices of a particular class (e.g., low-power, Z, etc.) have access to the communication medium. | 08-01-2013 |
20130215878 | Method and system for medium access control (MAC) layer specialization for voice and multimedia data streams - Aspects of a method and system for medium access control (MAC) layer specialization for voice and multimedia data streams are presented. Aspects of the method include determining a number of attempts for transmitting one or more medium access control (MAC) frames. Aspects of the system may include a processor that enables determination of a number of attempts for transmitting one or more MAC frames. A maximum number for such attempts may be determined based on one or more priority levels associated with different portions of multimedia information being communicated via a wireless medium and contained within the one or more MAC frames. | 08-22-2013 |
20130258928 | Session recovery after network coordinator or AP restart for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Session recovery after network coordinator or AP restart for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Restart or reset of a network coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP) or other network coordinator type device) may occur for various reasons (e.g., a power cycle or power failure, inadequate failover protection, scheduled or planned power outages such as for including network maintenance, software upgrades, etc.). Upon determination of network coordinator restarted or reset, a singular bit within a communication from the network coordinator indicates synchronization or not of the its timing synchronization function (TSF) (e.g., with other devices in the communication system, such as wireless stations (STAs), smart meter stations (SMSTAs), etc.). A given device (e.g., STA, SMSTA, etc.) can provide its current TSF to the network coordinator so that it can resynchronize, re-establish its scheduled for wake times of those devices (e.g., target wake times (TWTs)), etc. | 10-03-2013 |
20130265965 | Medium accessing mechanisms within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - A multi-user super-frame (MU-SF), as controlled by a MU-SF owner, is used to govern the manner by which various wireless communication devices have access to the communication medium. When various wireless communication devices operate within a wireless communication system, communication medium access can be handled differently for wireless communication devices having different capabilities. Per the MU-SF, those having a first capability may get medium access in accordance with a first operational mode (e.g., carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)), while those having a second capability may get medium access in accordance with a second operational mode (e.g., scheduled access). The respective durations for each of the first operational mode and the second operational mode within various MU-SFs need not be the same; the respective durations thereof may be adaptively modified based on any number considerations. | 10-10-2013 |
20130286925 | CHANNEL CHARACTERIZATION AND TRAINING WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Channel characterization and training within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within such communication systems, there can be a number of devices (e.g., STAs) that communicate with a single device (e.g., AP). A multi-cast sounding frame may be transmitted from a transmitting device to a number of receiving devices. Appropriate scheduling or ordering of feedback signals from some or all of the receiving devices may be performed explicitly (e.g., sounding frame sent from the transmitting device to a receiving device) or implicitly (e.g., control information sent from the transmitting device to the receiving device, sounding frame sent to the transmitting device from the receiving device). Such characterization and training is with respect to a channel or path in which data will subsequently follow. Such characterization and training can be performed in accordance with group membership (e.g., with respect to only some of the receiving devices). | 10-31-2013 |
20130294428 | MAC HEADER BASED TRAFFIC CLASSIFICATION AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH - A transceiver of an apparatus supports communication with at least one additional apparatus. A processing module processes at least a portion of media access control (MAC) header content of a MAC frame within a signal received via the at least one transceiver or generated internally. In particular, the MAC header content, and optionally the MAC payload content, is processed based on a filter and classification agreement between the apparatus and the at least one additional apparatus to classify the MAC frame. | 11-07-2013 |
20130294429 | FILTER AND CLASSIFICATION AGREEMENT FOR MAC HEADER BASED TRAFFIC CLASSIFICATION AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH - A transceiver of an apparatus supports communication with at least one additional apparatus. A baseband processing module indicates that first frame classification information includes at least a portion of MAC header content of a MAC frame via a filter and classification agreement included in the communication between the apparatus and the at least one additional apparatus. | 11-07-2013 |
20130336245 | Multiple delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) per device within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Communications are coordinated between different respective wireless communication device groups in a multiple delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) per device signaling scheme. Different respective wireless communication devices (e.g., wireless stations (STAs)) may communicate with a manager/coordinator wireless communication device (e.g., access point (AP)) at different times and for different reasons. The manager/coordinator wireless communication device generates and transmits beacons to the wireless communication devices specifying times during which communications may be supported with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device. A restricted access window (RAW) information element (IE) within a beacon includes at least one restricted access window (RAW) to specify a wireless communication device authorized to communicate with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device. Different wireless communication device groups may communicate with the manager/coordinator wireless communication device at different periodicities, and any one wireless communication device may be included in more than one wireless communication device group. | 12-19-2013 |
20140029543 | SCHEDULED CLEAR TO SEND (CTS) FOR MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Scheduled clear to send (CTS) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Before sending transmissions, a request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) exchange takes place between a transmitting wireless communication device and multiple receiving wireless communication devices may take place therein. The transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., an AP) may generate and transmit a multi-user request to send (mRTS) frame to a number of receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs). The mRTS frame can include information and instructions therein to direct the manner by which all or a subset of the receiving wireless communication devices are to provide CTS responses back to the transmitting wireless communication device. The mRTS frame may be an OFDMA frame, a MU-MIMO frame, or a combination thereof. The CTS responses may be received in accordance with any one or combination of OFDM signaling, OFDMA signaling, and MU-MIMO signaling. | 01-30-2014 |
20140050211 | Beamforming feedback frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Beamforming feedback frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A transmitting wireless communication device (TX) transmits a sounding frame to one or more receiving wireless communication devices (RXs) using one or more antennae and one or more clusters. Any antenna/cluster combination may be employed in communications between TXs and RXs. The one or more RXs receive/process the sounding frame to determine a type of beamforming feedback frame to be provided to the TX. Any one of a variety of beamforming feedback frame types and a types of information may be contained within a respective beamforming feedback frame including various characteristics of the respective communication channel between the TX and each of the various RXs. A common beamforming feedback frame format may be supported and employed by all such wireless communication devices (e.g., TX and RXs) when performing MU-MIMO operation such as in accordance with IEEE 802.11ac/VHT. | 02-20-2014 |
20140078966 | Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In accordance with wireless communications, a signal (SIG) field employed within such packets is distributed or partitioned into at least two separate signal fields (e.g., SIG A and SIG B) that are located in different portions of the packet. A first of the SIG fields includes information that may be processed and decoded by all wireless communication devices, and a second of the SIG fields includes information that is specific to one or more particular wireless communication devices (e.g., a specific wireless communication device or a specific subset of the wireless communication devices). The precise locations of the at least first and second SIG fields within a packet may be varied, including placing a second of the SIG fields (e.g., including user-specific information) adjacent to and preceding a data field in the packet. | 03-20-2014 |
20140119186 | Buffer relay management within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - A relay wireless communication device is implemented to perform buffer management and coordination with a source wireless communication device. A relay wireless communication device (generally, a relay) informs a source wireless communication device (source) of the status of memory therein to store messages intended for a destination wireless communication device (destination). For example, the source transmits information to the relay, which buffers information before forwarding it on to the destination. This buffering may be a function of the source having additional information intended for the relay and/or destination. The relay performs appropriate signaling, such as suspend transmission requests and resume transmission requests, to inform other devices in the system of its memory storage status (e.g., such as when having an actual or anticipated overflow). In one implementation, a suspend transmission request may be implemented by setting a particular bit within a communication from the relay to the source. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119271 | Relay within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - A relay receives a frame from a source, and based on state of a relayed frame bit within the frame, the relay selects an operational mode: implicit acknowledgement mode, first explicit acknowledgement mode, or second explicit acknowledgement mode. The relay sets the relayed frame bit in subsequent transmissions to indicate transmission opportunity (TXOP) control of the communication medium (e.g., whether under control of the relay or the source). The source may receive acknowledgement of the relay's successful receipt of the frame implicitly via the relay transmitting a relayed frame to the destination. Alternatively, the source may receive acknowledgement of the relay's successful receipt of the frame explicitly in a response frame from the relay. State of a more data bit in the frame receive from the source may indicate the source has one or more additional frames intended for the destination. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119272 | Probe request for relay discovery within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - A relay wireless communication device is discovered using probe request. A source device that intends to transmit one or more frames to a destination device transmits the probe request to request a probe response from one or more potential relay devices. A relay device transmits a probe response to the source device when the relay device may operate to forward the one or more frames from the source device to the destination device. The relay device employs one or more considerations to determine its eligibility to serve as relay for the source and destination devices. The source device selects one of the potential relay devices based on their provided probe responses. The source device may select an optimal relay device based upon two or more received probe responses. | 05-01-2014 |
20140126398 | CHANNEL ESTIMATION FOR PHASE-ONLY FEEDBACK AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH - An apparatus includes a receiver to receive a first signal from at least one additional apparatus including a data frame including a FACK request in a signal (SIG) field. A baseband processor generates feedback information for use to perform channel estimation. A transmitter transmits a second signal that includes the feedback information to the at least one additional apparatus. | 05-08-2014 |
20140126450 | PREAMBLE AND HEADER BIT ALLOCATION FOR POWER SAVINGS WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g., a first field for a first wireless communication device, a second field for a second wireless communication device, etc.). | 05-08-2014 |
20140185473 | Speed frame exchange within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - A signaling protocol allows for speed frame exchange between different wireless communication devices within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communication system. A listening wireless communication device analyzes state of speed frame indicator bits within frames transmitted from a first other wireless communication device to determine the entire radio frame exchanges between that first other wireless communication device and a second other wireless communication device. The second other wireless communication device may be a hidden node relative to the listening wireless communication device such that all or less than all transmissions from the hidden node are received by the listening device. The listening wireless communication device determines the status of the communication medium (e.g., the air in the context of a wireless communication system), so that it can transmit successfully without interfering with any ongoing communications between the first and second other wireless communication devices. | 07-03-2014 |
20140213273 | Localized Dynamic Channel Time Allocation - Techniques for localized dynamic channel allocation help meet the challenges of latency, memory size, and channel time optimization for wireless communication systems. As examples, advanced communication standards, such as the WiGig standard, may support wireless docking station capability and wireless streaming of high definition video content between transmitting and receiving stations, or engage in other very high throughput tasks. The techniques help to deliver the desired user experience in such an environment and support desired performance levels for latency and throughput while controlling memory footprint. | 07-31-2014 |
20140286203 | Channel sharing within wireless communications - A wireless communication device includes communication interface configured to receive and transmit signals and a processor configured to generate and process such signals. The communication interface of the wireless communication device is configured to receive a first signal from a first other wireless communication device, and the processor of the wireless communication device is configured to process the first signal to determine one or more concurrent transmission parameters. The processor of the wireless communication device is configured to generate the second signal based on the one or more concurrent transmission parameters and direct the communication interface to transmit the second signal to a second other wireless communication device during receipt of the first signal from the first other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be configured to make such concurrent transmissions based on one or more considerations such as the power level of the first signal. | 09-25-2014 |
20140286238 | Shared PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) within wireless communications - A wireless communication device is configured to generate frames based on any of a number of different frame formats for transmission to one or more other recipient wireless communication devices. The frame may be implemented to include data intended for two or more recipient devices. The device encodes first data intended for a first recipient device using first one or more coding parameters and encodes second data intended for a second recipient device using second one or more coding parameters. The manner by which the first and second data have been encoded is indicated within one or more other fields within the frames based on the selected frame format. In one example, a single preamble specifies the first and second one or more coding parameters. In another example, an initial preamble and one or more respective sub-preambles specify the first and second one or more coding parameters. | 09-25-2014 |
20140307653 | Multiple narrow bandwidth channel access and MAC operation within wireless communications - A wireless communication device is implemented to include a communication interface and a processor. The processor is configured to process communications associated with the other wireless communication devices within the wireless communication system to determine one or more traffic characteristics of those communications as well as one or more class characteristics of the other wireless communication devices. The processor is configured to classify the communications into one or more access categories based on the one or more traffic characteristics and is configured to classify the other devices into one or more device class categories based on the one or more class characteristics. The processor is then configured to generate one or more channel access control signals based on these classifications. The communication interface of the device is configured to transmit the one or more channel access control signals to one or more of the other devices. | 10-16-2014 |
20140362840 | Inter-AP coordination and synchronization within wireless communications - Coordination and synchronization is performed between two or more wireless network managers (e.g., access points (APs)). A first wireless network manager supports first communications with first other wireless communication devices, and a second wireless network manager supports second communications with those first and/or second other wirelessly case devices. The first and second wireless network managers also support communications with one another to coordinate the first and second communications supported with the first and/or second other wireless communication devices. Examples of coordination include selection of which other wireless communication devices are serviced or in communication with which of the first and second wireless network managers, selection of operational parameters (e.g., modulation coding set (MCS), beamforming, frequency band assignment, channel assignment, scheduling information, transmit power, etc.) for the first and second wireless communication devices, synchronization to a common clock (e.g., using timing synchronization function (TSF)). | 12-11-2014 |
20140369276 | Flexible OFDMA packet structure for wireless communications - A communication device includes a processor configured to generate OFDMA packets using various OFDMA packet structures and to transmit such OFDMA packets, via a communication interface, to at least one other communication device. The processor is also configured to receive, interpret, and process such OFDMA packets. One example of an OFDMA packet includes common SIG for two or more other wireless communication devices modulated across all sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. The common SIG is followed by first SIG and first data for a first other wireless communication device modulated across first subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet and is also followed by second SIG and second data for a second other wireless communication device modulated across second subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. Another example of an OFDMA packet includes the common SIG followed directly by first data and second data modulated as described above. | 12-18-2014 |
20150016332 | MANAGEMENT FRAME MAP DIRECTED OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS WITHIN MULTIPLE USER, MULTIPLE ACCESS, AND/OR MIMO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Management frame map directed operational parameters within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A management frame map may be generated within and transmitted from a first wireless communication device to a group of other wireless communication devices. Thereafter, certain subsequently transmitted packets may be analyzed and processed by the receiving wireless communication devices based on that earlier received management frame map. One or more operational parameters are determined for a subsequently transmitted packet based on the previously received management frame map. The operational parameters govern the manner in which at least a portion of the subsequently transmitted packet is processed. | 01-15-2015 |
20150043549 | One or multiple bit restricted access window (RAW) end point determination for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications - One or multiple bit restricted access window (RAW) end point determination within for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A RAW is defined in which only devices of the particular class (e.g., low power class, Z class, smart meter station (SMSTA) class, etc.) are allowed access to the communication medium. Indication of the end of such a RAW may be included within one or more bits set within a signal field (SIG) field of a framer packet generated by a given device within the system and transmitted to one or more other devices. After completion of the RAW, other respective devices of at least one other type of class may be provided access to the communication medium. The manner of access to the communication media outside of the RAW may be varied (e.g., scheduled, based on carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), etc.). | 02-12-2015 |