U.S. patent application number 15/387279 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for preamble design aspects for high efficiency wireless local area networks.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Arjun Bharadwaj, Bin Tian, Lochan Verma, Sameer Vermani.
Application Number | 20170181129 15/387279 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59065293 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170181129 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bharadwaj; Arjun ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
PREAMBLE DESIGN ASPECTS FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY WIRELESS LOCAL AREA
NETWORKS
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for resource
allocation signaling in a high efficiency wireless local area
network (WLAN) are disclosed. A transmitter may identify a first
indicator identifying a number of multi-user
multiple-input/multiple-output (MU-MIMO) stations associated with a
first resource unit (RU) in a first content channel of a
transmission frame. The transmitter may generate a first common
portion of a WLAN signaling field in the first content channel. The
first common portion may include the first indicator. The
transmitter may identify a second indicator identifying an absence
of MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second content
channel of the transmission frame. The transmitter may generate a
second common portion of the WLAN signaling field in the second
content channel. The second common portion may include the second
indicator. The transmitter may transmit the transmission frame
including the WLAN signaling field.
Inventors: |
Bharadwaj; Arjun; (Poway,
CA) ; Tian; Bin; (San Diego, CA) ; Verma;
Lochan; (San Diego, CA) ; Vermani; Sameer;
(San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59065293 |
Appl. No.: |
15/387279 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62270562 |
Dec 21, 2015 |
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62299554 |
Feb 24, 2016 |
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62328602 |
Apr 27, 2016 |
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62344374 |
Jun 1, 2016 |
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62365329 |
Jul 21, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 7/0452 20130101;
H04W 84/12 20130101; H04W 72/042 20130101; H04W 74/002 20130101;
H04L 5/0053 20130101; H04W 72/0453 20130101; H04L 41/08 20130101;
H04W 72/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/04 20060101
H04W072/04; H04B 7/0452 20060101 H04B007/0452 |
Claims
1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: identifying a
first indicator identifying a number of multi-user multiple input
multiple output (MU-MIMO) stations associated with a first resource
unit (RU) in a first content channel of a transmission frame;
generating a first common portion of a wireless local area network
(WLAN) signaling field in the first content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the first common portion includes the
first indicator; identifying a second indicator identifying an
absence of MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second
content channel of the transmission frame; generating a second
common portion of the WLAN signaling field in the second content
channel of the transmission frame, wherein the second common
portion includes the second indicator; and transmitting the
transmission frame that includes the WLAN signaling field.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first common portion
comprises a first common block field and the second common portion
comprises a second common block field of the WLAN signaling
field.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the WLAN signaling field
comprises a high efficiency (HE) signaling B (HE-SIG-B) field.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a tone
plan for the transmission frame; allocating RUs for a plurality of
users for the transmission frame; determining that a RU of the tone
plan is unallocated; and generating, for the transmission frame, a
station identification in a user specific portion of the WLAN
signaling field that indicates that the RU is unallocated.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: generating a
predetermined bit sequence for the station identification that
indicates that the RU is unallocated.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating a first RU
allocation field in the first common portion of the WLAN signaling
field to convey the indication of the first indicator; and
generating a second RU allocation field in the first common portion
of the WLAN signaling field to convey the indication of the second
indicator.
7. A method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving a
transmission frame associated with a plurality of channels, the
transmission frame including a wireless local area network (WLAN)
signaling field; identifying a first number of stations associated
with the WLAN signaling field for a first channel of the plurality
of channels; identifying a second number of stations associated
with the WLAN signaling field for a second channel of the plurality
of channels; and determining whether a data portion of the
transmission frame contains multi-user multiple input multiple
output (MU-MIMO) content based at least in part on the identified
first number of stations and the identified second number of
stations.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining that a
combination of the first number of stations and the second number
of stations is greater than one; and determining that the data
portion of the transmission frame contains MU-MIMO content.
9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: determining that a
combination of the first number of stations and the second number
of stations is equal to one; and determining that the data portion
of the transmission frame contains single user (SU) content.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein: the WLAN signaling field
comprises a high efficiency (HE) signaling B (HE-SIG-B) field.
11. The method of claim 7, further comprising: receiving a first
content channel associated with the transmission frame, the first
content channel including the WLAN signaling field; and
identifying, based on at least in part on an indication in the WLAN
signaling field, a first number of users associated with the first
content channel and a second number of users associated with a
second content channel of the transmission frame.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: decoding a common
block field of the WLAN signaling field for the first channel to
identify the first number of users; and decoding the common block
field of the WLAN signaling field for the second channel to
identify the second number of users.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein: the common block field
comprises resource unit (RU) allocation field.
14. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory;
and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to: identify
a first indicator identifying a number of multi-user multiple input
multiple output (MU-MIMO) stations associated with a first resource
unit (RU) in a first content channel of a transmission frame;
generate a first common portion of a wireless local area network
(WLAN) signaling field in the first content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the first common portion includes the
first indicator; identify a second indicator identifying an absence
of MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second content
channel of the transmission frame; generate a second common portion
of the WLAN signaling field in the second content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the second common portion includes the
second indicator; and transmit the transmission frame that includes
the WLAN signaling field.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the first common portion
comprises a first common block field and the second common portion
comprises a second common block field of the WLAN signaling
field.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the WLAN signaling field
comprises a high efficiency (HE) signaling B (HE-SIG-B) field.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor and memory are
further configured to: identify a tone plan for the transmission
frame; allocate RUs for a plurality of users for the transmission
frame; determine that a RU of the tone plan is unallocated; and
generate, for the transmission frame, a station identification in a
user specific portion of the WLAN signaling field that indicates
that the RU is unallocated.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor and memory are
further configured to: generate a predetermined bit sequence for
the station identification that indicates that the RU is
unallocated.
19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor and memory are
further configured to: generate a first RU allocation field in the
first common portion of the WLAN signaling field to convey the
indication of the first indicator; and generate a second RU
allocation field in the first common portion of the WLAN signaling
field to convey the indication of the second indicator.
20. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: a memory;
and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to: receive
a transmission frame associated with a plurality of channels, the
transmission frame including a wireless local area network (WLAN)
signaling field; identify a first number of stations associated
with the WLAN signaling field for a first channel of the plurality
of channels; identify a second number of stations associated with
the WLAN signaling field for a second channel of the plurality of
channels; and determine whether a data portion of the transmission
frame contains multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO)
content based at least in part on the identified first number of
stations and the identified second number of stations.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processor and memory are
further configured to: determine that a combination of the first
number of stations and the second number of stations is greater
than one; and determine that the data portion of the transmission
frame contains MU-MIMO content.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processor and memory are
further configured to: determine that a combination of the first
number of stations and the second number of stations is equal to
one; and determine that the data portion of the transmission frame
contains single user (SU) content.
23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein: the WLAN signaling field
comprises a high efficiency (HE) signaling B (HE-SIG-B) field.
24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processor and memory are
further configured to: receive a first content channel associated
with the transmission frame, the first content channel including
the WLAN signaling field; and identify, based on at least in part
on an indication in the WLAN signaling field, a first number of
users associated with the first content channel and a second number
of users associated with a second content channel of the
transmission frame.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor and memory are
further configured to: decode a common block field of the WLAN
signaling field for the first channel to identify the first number
of users; and decode the common block field of the WLAN signaling
field for the second channel to identify the second number of
users.
26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein: the common block field
comprises resource unit (RU) allocation field.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES
[0001] The present application for patent claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/270,562 by Bharadwaj, et al.,
entitled "Preamble Design Aspects For High Efficiency Wireless
Local Area Networks," filed Dec. 21, 2015 and to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/299,554 by Bharadwaj, et al., entitled
"Preamble Design Aspects For High Efficiency Wireless Local Area
Networks," filed Feb. 24, 2016 and to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/328,602 by Bharadwaj, et al., entitled "Preamble
Design Aspects For High Efficiency Wireless Local Area Networks,"
filed Apr. 27, 2016, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/344,374 by Bharadwaj, et al., entitled "Preamble Design Aspects
For High Efficiency Wireless Local Area Networks, filed Jun. 1,
2016 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/365,329 by
Bharadwaj, et al., entitled "Preamble Design Aspects For High
Efficiency Wireless Local Area Networks filed Jul. 21, 2016 and
assigned to the assignee hereof.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure, for example, relates to wireless
communication systems, and more particularly to design aspects of
high efficiency wireless local area networks (WLANs).
[0004] Description of Related Art
[0005] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to
provide various types of communication content such as voice,
video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems
may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication
with multiple users by sharing the available system resources
(e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless network, for example
a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network (IEEE
802.11) may include an access point (AP) that may communicate with
one or more stations (STAs) or mobile devices. The AP may be
coupled to a network, such as the Internet, and enable a mobile
device to communicate via the network (and/or communicate with
other devices coupled to the access point).
[0006] A first signaling field and/or a second signaling field of a
preamble used for transmitting frames in high efficiency (HE)
wireless local area networks (WLANs) can be modified to improve
performance and efficiency of HE WLANs.
SUMMARY
[0007] Methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for
supporting preamble design aspects of high efficiency WLANs are
disclosed.
[0008] A method of wireless communication is described. The method
may include identifying a first indicator identifying a number of
multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) stations
associated with a first resource unit (RU) in a first content
channel of a transmission frame, generating a first common portion
of a WLAN signaling field in the first content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the first common portion includes the
first indicator, identifying a second indicator identifying an
absence of MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second
content channel of the transmission frame, generating a second
common portion of the WLAN signaling field in the second content
channel of the transmission frame, wherein the second common
portion includes the second indicator, and transmitting the
transmission frame that includes the WLAN signaling field.
[0009] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The
apparatus may include means for identifying a first indicator
identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations associated with a first RU
in a first content channel of a transmission frame, means for
generating a first common portion of a WLAN signaling field in the
first content channel of the transmission frame, wherein the first
common portion includes the first indicator, means for identifying
a second indicator identifying an absence of MU-MIMO stations
associated with a second RU in a second content channel of the
transmission frame, means for generating a second common portion of
the WLAN signaling field in the second content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the second common portion includes the
second indicator, and means for transmitting the transmission frame
that includes the WLAN signaling field.
[0010] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described.
The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic
communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the
memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to
identify a first indicator identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations
associated with a first RU in a first content channel of a
transmission frame, generate a first common portion of a WLAN
signaling field in the first content channel of the transmission
frame, wherein the first common portion includes the first
indicator, identify a second indicator identifying an absence of
MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second content
channel of the transmission frame, generate a second common portion
of the WLAN signaling field in the second content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the second common portion includes the
second indicator, and transmit the transmission frame that includes
the WLAN signaling field.
[0011] A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless
communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to
identify a first indicator identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations
associated with a first RU in a first content channel of a
transmission frame, generate a first common portion of a WLAN
signaling field in the first content channel of the transmission
frame, wherein the first common portion includes the first
indicator, identify a second indicator identifying an absence of
MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second content
channel of the transmission frame, generate a second common portion
of the WLAN signaling field in the second content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the second common portion includes the
second indicator, and transmit the transmission frame that includes
the WLAN signaling field.
[0012] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the first
common portion comprises a first common block field and the second
common portion comprises a second common block field of the WLAN
signaling field.
[0013] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the WLAN
signaling field comprises a HE signaling B (HE-SIG-B) field.
[0014] A method of wireless communication is described. The method
may include receiving, at a first station, a transmission frame
that includes a WLAN signaling field decodable by a plurality of
stations, identifying, in a station-specific portion of the WLAN
signaling field, an order for a plurality of station-specific
information blocks associated with the plurality of stations, and
determining a number of spatial streams allocated to the first
station based at least in part on the identified order for the
plurality of station-specific information blocks.
[0015] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The
apparatus may include means for receiving, at a first station, a
transmission frame that includes a WLAN signaling field decodable
by a plurality of stations, means for identifying, in a
station-specific portion of the WLAN signaling field, an order for
a plurality of station-specific information blocks associated with
the plurality of stations, and means for determining a number of
spatial streams allocated to the first station based at least in
part on the identified order for the plurality of station-specific
information blocks.
[0016] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described.
The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic
communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the
memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to
receive, at a first station, a transmission frame that includes a
WLAN signaling field decodable by a plurality of stations,
identify, in a station-specific portion of the WLAN signaling
field, an order for a plurality of station-specific information
blocks associated with the plurality of stations, and determine a
number of spatial streams allocated to the first station based at
least in part on the identified order for the plurality of
station-specific information blocks.
[0017] A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless
communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to
receive, at a first station, a transmission frame that includes a
WLAN signaling field decodable by a plurality of stations,
identify, in a station-specific portion of the WLAN signaling
field, an order for a plurality of station-specific information
blocks associated with the plurality of stations, and determine a
number of spatial streams allocated to the first station based at
least in part on the identified order for the plurality of
station-specific information blocks.
[0018] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying, in the
station-specific portion, an identifier associated with the first
station, wherein the identified order may be based at least in part
on the identifier associated with the first station.
[0019] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying, in a
common portion of the WLAN signaling field, a number of stations
associated with the plurality of stations. Some examples of the
method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
described above may further include processes, features, means, or
instructions for identifying, in the station-specific portion of
the WLAN signaling field of the transmission frame, a total number
of spatial streams value associated with the plurality of stations,
wherein the determined number of spatial streams allocated to the
first station may be based at least in part on the total number of
spatial stream value.
[0020] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the common
portion comprises a common block field of the WLAN signaling
field.
[0021] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying, in a
station-specific portion, a spatial configuration field indicating
the number of spatial streams allocated to each station of at least
a portion of the plurality of stations and a total number of
spatial streams, wherein the determined number of spatial streams
allocated to the first station may be based at least in part on the
spatial configuration field.
[0022] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the total
number of spatial streams may be associated with a MU-MIMO
allocation.
[0023] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the WLAN
signaling field comprises a HE-SIG-B field.
[0024] A method of wireless communication is described. The method
may include receiving a transmission frame associated with a
plurality of channels, the transmission frame including a WLAN
signaling field, identifying a first number of stations associated
with the WLAN signaling field for a first channel of the plurality
of channels, identifying a second number of stations associated
with the WLAN signaling field for a second channel of the plurality
of channels, and determining whether a data portion of the
transmission frame contains MU-MIMO content based at least in part
on the identified first number of stations and the identified
second number of stations.
[0025] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The
apparatus may include means for receiving a transmission frame
associated with a plurality of channels, the transmission frame
including a WLAN signaling field, means for identifying a first
number of stations associated with the WLAN signaling field for a
first channel of the plurality of channels, means for identifying a
second number of stations associated with the WLAN signaling field
for a second channel of the plurality of channels, and means for
determining whether a data portion of the transmission frame
contains MU-MIMO content based at least in part on the identified
first number of stations and the identified second number of
stations.
[0026] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described.
The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic
communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the
memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to
receive a transmission frame associated with a plurality of
channels, the transmission frame including a WLAN signaling field,
identify a first number of stations associated with the WLAN
signaling field for a first channel of the plurality of channels,
identify a second number of stations associated with the WLAN
signaling field for a second channel of the plurality of channels,
and determine whether a data portion of the transmission frame
contains MU-MIMO content based at least in part on the identified
first number of stations and the identified second number of
stations.
[0027] A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless
communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to
receive a transmission frame associated with a plurality of
channels, the transmission frame including a WLAN signaling field,
identify a first number of stations associated with the WLAN
signaling field for a first channel of the plurality of channels,
identify a second number of stations associated with the WLAN
signaling field for a second channel of the plurality of channels,
and determine whether a data portion of the transmission frame
contains MU-MIMO content based at least in part on the identified
first number of stations and the identified second number of
stations.
[0028] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for determining that a
combination of the first number of stations and the second number
of stations may be greater than one. Some examples of the method,
apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described
above may further include processes, features, means, or
instructions for determining that the data portion of the
transmission frame contains MU-MIMO content.
[0029] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for determining that a
combination of the first number of stations and the second number
of stations may be equal to one. Some examples of the method,
apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described
above may further include processes, features, means, or
instructions for determining that the data portion of the
transmission frame contains single user (SU) content.
[0030] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the WLAN
signaling field comprises a HE-SIG-B field.
[0031] A method of wireless communication is described. The method
may include identifying a tone plan to be used for a transmission
frame in a WLAN, allocating RUs for a plurality of users for the
transmission frame, determining that a RU of the tone plan is
unallocated, and generating, for the transmission frame, a station
identification in a user specific portion of a WLAN signaling field
that indicates that the RU is unallocated.
[0032] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The
apparatus may include means for identifying a tone plan to be used
for a transmission frame in a WLAN, means for allocating RUs for a
plurality of users for the transmission frame, means for
determining that a RU of the tone plan is unallocated, and means
for generating, for the transmission frame, a station
identification in a user specific portion of a WLAN signaling field
that indicates that the RU is unallocated.
[0033] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described.
The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic
communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the
memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to
identify a tone plan to be used for a transmission frame in a WLAN,
allocate RUs for a plurality of users for the transmission frame,
determine that a RU of the tone plan is unallocated, and generate,
for the transmission frame, a station identification in a user
specific portion of a WLAN signaling field that indicates that the
RU is unallocated.
[0034] A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless
communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to
identify a tone plan to be used for a transmission frame in a WLAN,
allocate RUs for a plurality of users for the transmission frame,
determine that a RU of the tone plan is unallocated, and generate,
for the transmission frame, a station identification in a user
specific portion of a WLAN signaling field that indicates that the
RU is unallocated.
[0035] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for generating a
predetermined bit sequence for the station identification that
indicates that the RU may be unallocated.
[0036] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the WLAN
signaling field comprises a HE-SIG-B field.
[0037] A method of wireless communication is described. The method
may include receiving a first content channel associated with a
transmission frame, the first content channel including a wireless
local area network (WLAN) signaling field and identifying, based on
at least in part on an indication in the WLAN signaling field, a
first number of users associated with the first content channel and
a second number of users associated with a second content channel
of the transmission frame.
[0038] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The
apparatus may include means for receiving a first content channel
associated with a transmission frame, the first content channel
including a WLAN signaling field and means for identifying, based
on at least in part on an indication in the WLAN signaling field, a
first number of users associated with the first content channel and
a second number of users associated with a second content channel
of the transmission frame.
[0039] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described.
The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic
communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the
memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to
receive a first content channel associated with a transmission
frame, the first content channel including a WLAN signaling field
and identify, based on at least in part on an indication in the
WLAN signaling field, a first number of users associated with the
first content channel and a second number of users associated with
a second content channel of the transmission frame.
[0040] A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless
communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to
receive a first content channel associated with a transmission
frame, the first content channel including a WLAN signaling field
and identify, based on at least in part on an indication in the
WLAN signaling field, a first number of users associated with the
first content channel and a second number of users associated with
a second content channel of the transmission frame.
[0041] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for decoding a common
block field of the WLAN signaling field for the first channel to
identify the first number of users. Some examples of the method,
apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described
above may further include processes, features, means, or
instructions for decoding the common block field of the WLAN
signaling field for the second channel to identify the second
number of users.
[0042] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the common
block field comprises RU allocation field.
[0043] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the WLAN
signaling field comprises a HE-SIG-B field.
[0044] A method of wireless communication is described. The method
may include identifying a first indicator identifying a number of
MU-MIMO stations associated with a first RU in a first content
channel of a transmission frame, generating a first common portion
of a WLAN signaling field in the first content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the first common portion includes the
first indicator, identifying a second indicator identifying an
absence of MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second
content channel of the transmission frame, generating a second
common portion of the WLAN signaling field in the second content
channel of the transmission frame, wherein the second common
portion includes the second indicator, and transmitting the
transmission frame that includes the WLAN signaling field.
[0045] An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The
apparatus may include means for identifying a first indicator
identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations associated with a first RU
in a first content channel of a transmission frame, means for
generating a first common portion of a WLAN signaling field in the
first content channel of the transmission frame, wherein the first
common portion includes the first indicator, means for identifying
a second indicator identifying an absence of MU-MIMO stations
associated with a second RU in a second content channel of the
transmission frame, means for generating a second common portion of
the WLAN signaling field in the second content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the second common portion includes the
second indicator, and means for transmitting the transmission frame
that includes the WLAN signaling field.
[0046] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described.
The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic
communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the
memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to
identify a first indicator identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations
associated with a first RU in a first content channel of a
transmission frame, generate a first common portion of a WLAN
signaling field in the first content channel of the transmission
frame, wherein the first common portion includes the first
indicator, identify a second indicator identifying an absence of
MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second content
channel of the transmission frame, generate a second common portion
of the WLAN signaling field in the second content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the second common portion includes the
second indicator, and transmit the transmission frame that includes
the WLAN signaling field.
[0047] A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless
communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to
identify a first indicator identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations
associated with a first RU in a first content channel of a
transmission frame, generate a first common portion of a WLAN
signaling field in the first content channel of the transmission
frame, wherein the first common portion includes the first
indicator, identify a second indicator identifying an absence of
MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a second content
channel of the transmission frame, generate a second common portion
of the WLAN signaling field in the second content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the second common portion includes the
second indicator, and transmit the transmission frame that includes
the WLAN signaling field.
[0048] In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the first
common portion comprises a first common block field and the second
common portion comprises a second common block field of the WLAN
signaling field. In some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the WLAN
signaling field comprises a HE-SIG-B field.
[0049] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying a tone
plan for the transmission frame. Some examples of the method,
apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described
above may further include processes, features, means, or
instructions for allocating RUs for a plurality of users for the
transmission frame. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and
non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further
include processes, features, means, or instructions for determining
that a RU of the tone plan may be unallocated. Some examples of the
method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
described above may further include processes, features, means, or
instructions for generating, for the transmission frame, a station
identification in a user specific portion of a WLAN signaling field
that indicates that the RU may be unallocated.
[0050] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for generating a
predetermined bit sequence for the station identification that
indicates that the RU may be unallocated.
[0051] Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for generating a first
RU allocation field in the first common portion of the WLAN
signaling field to convey the indication of the first indicator.
Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory
computer-readable medium described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for generating a second
RU allocation field in the first common portion of the WLAN
signaling field to convey the indication of the second
indicator.
[0052] A method of wireless communication is described. The method
may include receiving a transmission frame associated with a
plurality of channels, the transmission frame including a wireless
local area network (WLAN) signaling field, identifying a first
number of stations associated with the WLAN signaling field for a
first channel of the plurality of channels, identifying a second
number of stations associated with the WLAN signaling field for a
second channel of the plurality of channels, and determining
whether a data portion of the transmission frame contains MU-MIMO
content based at least in part on the identified first number of
stations and the identified second number of stations.
[0053] Another apparatus for wireless communication is described.
The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic
communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the
memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to
receive a transmission frame associated with a plurality of
channels, the transmission frame including a WLAN signaling field,
identify a first number of stations associated with the WLAN
signaling field for a first channel of the plurality of channels,
identify a second number of stations associated with the WLAN
signaling field for a second channel of the plurality of channels,
and determine whether a data portion of the transmission frame
contains MU-MIMO content based at least in part on the identified
first number of stations and the identified second number of
stations.
[0054] Some examples of the method and apparatus described above
may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for
determining that a combination of the first number of stations and
the second number of stations may be greater than one. Some
examples of the method and apparatus described above may further
include processes, features, means, or instructions for determining
that the data portion of the transmission frame contains MU-MIMO
content.
[0055] Some examples of the method and apparatus described above
may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for
determining that a combination of the first number of stations and
the second number of stations may be equal to one. Some examples of
the method and apparatus described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for determining that
the data portion of the transmission frame contains single user
(SU) content.
[0056] In some examples of the method and apparatus described
above, the WLAN signaling field comprises a HE-SIG-B field.
[0057] Some examples of the method and apparatus described above
may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for
receiving a first content channel associated with the transmission
frame, the first content channel including the WLAN signaling
field. Some examples of the method and apparatus described above
may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for
identifying, based on at least in part on an indication in the WLAN
signaling field, a first number of users associated with the first
content channel and a second number of users associated with a
second content channel of the transmission frame.
[0058] Some examples of the method and apparatus described above
may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for
decoding a common block field of the WLAN signaling field for the
first channel to identify the first number of users. Some examples
of the method and apparatus described above may further include
processes, features, means, or instructions for decoding the common
block field of the WLAN signaling field for the second channel to
identify the second number of users.
[0059] In some examples of the method and apparatus described
above, the common block field comprises RU allocation field.
[0060] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in
order that the detailed description that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages will be described
hereinafter. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the
scope of the appended claims. Characteristics of the concepts
disclosed herein, both their organization and method of operation,
together with associated advantages will be better understood from
the following description when considered in connection with the
accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a
definition of the limits of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0061] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present invention may be realized by reference to the following
drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0062] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications
system that supports preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0063] FIG. 2 shows an example of a WLAN protocol data unit (PDU)
(e.g., a physical layer convergence PDU (PPDU)) preamble design
aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure;
[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of aspects of a WLAN protocol
data unit for preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance
with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0065] FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate examples of aspects of a
WLAN protocol data unit for preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of aspects of a WLAN protocol
data unit for supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0067] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of aspects of a portion of a
lookup table for supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0068] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of aspects of a spatial
configuration lookup table for supporting preamble design aspects
for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0069] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of user specific sub-fields
split between two HE-SIG-B content channels, in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure; and
[0070] FIGS. 9A through 9C show block diagrams 900-a through 900-c
of example preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates a HE-SIG-B field for a primary HE-SIG-B
content channel and an HE-SIG-B field for a secondary HE-SIG-B
content channel in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0072] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate HE-SIG-B transmission formats
that support preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance
with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0073] FIGS. 11C and 11D illustrates examples of channels for
contiguous and non-contiguous channel bonding modes, in accordance
with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0074] FIG. 12 illustrates RU allocation table entries for
supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0075] FIGS. 13A and 13B show block diagrams of an example device
for supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance
with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0076] FIGS. 14A through 14D show a first HE-SIG-A field contents
for a HE SU PPDU and HE extended range SU PPDU for supporting
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure;
[0077] FIGS. 15A through 15C show a first HE-SIG-A field contents
for a HE MU PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects for HE
WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0078] FIGS. 16A through 16B show a first HE-SIG-A field contents
for a HE trigger-based PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects
for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0079] FIGS. 17A through 17D show a second HE-SIG-A field contents
for a HE SU PPDU and HE extended range SU PPDU for supporting
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure;
[0080] FIGS. 18A through 18C show a second HE-SIG-A field contents
for a HE MU PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects for HE
WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0081] FIGS. 19A through 19B show a second HE-SIG-A field contents
for a HE trigger-based PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects
for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure;
[0082] FIGS. 20A through 20C show a HE-SIG-A field contents for a
HE SU PPDU and HE Extended Range SU PPDU for supporting preamble
design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of
the present disclosure;
[0083] FIGS. 21A through 21C show a HE-SIG-A field contents for a
HE MU PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;
[0084] FIGS. 22A through 22B show a HE-SIG-A field contents for a
HE Trigger-based PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects for HE
WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure;
and
[0085] FIGS. 23 through 30 illustrate methods for preamble design
aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0086] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, a transmitter, for example an AP or station, identifies
a resource unit (RU) configuration for a wireless local area
network (WLAN) data field of a single user (SU) transmission frame
that has a fixed bandwidth. The transmitter generates a RU
indicator in a WLAN signaling field of a preamble of the SU
transmission frame, the RU indicator identifying a RU size and a RU
location within the WLAN data field. The transmitter then transmits
the SU transmission frame.
[0087] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, an AP identifies a first indicator identifying a number
of multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) stations
associated with a first RU in a first content channel of a
transmission frame. The AP also generates a first common portion of
a WLAN signaling field in the first content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the first common portion includes the
first indicator. The AP identifies a second indicator identifying
an absence of MU-MIMO stations associated with a second RU in a
second content channel of the transmission frame. The AP generates
a second common portion of the WLAN signaling field in the second
content channel of the transmission frame, wherein the second
common portion includes the second indicator. The AP then transmits
the transmission frame that includes the WLAN signaling field.
[0088] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, a first station receives a transmission frame that
includes a WLAN signaling field decodable by a plurality of
stations. The first station identifies, in a station-specific
portion of the WLAN signaling field, an order for a plurality of
station-specific information blocks associated with the plurality
of stations. The station then determines a number of spatial
streams allocated to the first station based at least in part on
the identified order for the plurality of station-specific
information blocks.
[0089] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, a transmitter, for example an AP or station, receives a
transmission frame associated with a plurality of channels, the
transmission frame including a WLAN signaling field. The
transmitter identifies a first number of stations associated with
the WLAN signaling field for a first channel of the plurality of
channels. The transmitter identifies a second number of stations
associated with the WLAN signaling field for a second channel of
the plurality of channels. The transmitter then determines whether
a data portion of the transmission frame contains MU-MIMO content
based at least in part on the identified first number of stations
and the identified second number of stations.
[0090] In accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, a transmitter, for example an AP or station, generates
an indication that a first channel of a plurality of channels
associated with a transmission frame has been punctured, the
transmission frame including a WLAN signaling field. The
transmitter identifies information associated with the WLAN
signaling field corresponding to the punctured first channel. The
transmitter then transmits the indication that the first channel
has been punctured and the information associated with the WLAN
signaling field in a second channel of the plurality of
channels.
[0091] These and other aspects of the disclosure are further
illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams,
system diagrams, and flowcharts.
[0092] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications
system 100 that supports preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. For
simplicity, the wireless communications system 100 is referred to
as WLAN 100 in the following discussion.
[0093] The WLAN 100 includes an AP 105 and wireless stations (STAs)
110 labeled as STA_1 through STA_7. The STAs 110 can be mobile
handsets, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet
computers, laptops, desktop computers, display devices (e.g., TVs,
computer monitors, etc.), printers, etc. While only one AP 105 is
illustrated, the WLAN 100 can have multiple APs 105. STAs 110, can
also be referred to as a mobile stations (MS), mobile devices,
access terminals (ATs), user equipment (UEs), subscriber stations
(SSs), or subscriber units. The STAs 110 associate and communicate
with the AP 105 via a communication link 115. Each AP 105 has a
coverage area 125 such that STAs 110 within that area are within
range of the AP 105. The STAs 110 are dispersed throughout the
coverage area 125. Each STA 110 is stationary, mobile, or a
combination thereof.
[0094] Although not shown in FIG. 1, a STA 110 can be covered by
more than one AP 105 and can therefore associate with multiple APs
105 at different times. A single AP 105 and an associated set of
STAs 110 is referred to as a basic service set (BSS). An extended
service set (ESS) is a set of connected BSSs. A distribution system
(DS) (not shown) is used to connect APs 105 in an extended service
set. A coverage area 125 for an AP 105 can be divided into sectors
making up only a portion of the coverage area (not shown). The WLAN
100 includes APs 105 of different types (e.g., metropolitan area,
home network, etc.), with varying sizes of coverage areas and
overlapping coverage areas for different technologies. Although not
shown, other devices can communicate with the AP 105.
[0095] While the STAs 110 are capable of communicating with each
other through the AP 105 using communication links 115, STAs 110
can also communicate directly with each other via direct wireless
communication links 120. Direct wireless communication links can
occur between STAs 110 regardless of whether any of the STAs is
connected to an AP 105. Examples of direct wireless communication
links 120 include Wi-Fi Direct connections, connections established
by using a Wi-Fi Tunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS) link, and other
peer-to-peer (P2P) group connections.
[0096] The STAs 110 and APs 105 shown in FIG. 1 communicate
according to the WLAN radio and baseband protocol including
physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers from IEEE
802.11, and its various versions including, but not limited to,
802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah,
802.11z, 802.11ax, etc.
[0097] Transmissions to/from STAs 110 and APs 105 oftentimes
include control information within a header that is transmitted
prior to data transmissions. The information provided in a header
is used by a device to decode the subsequent data. High efficiency
(HE) WLAN preambles can be used to schedule multiple devices, such
as STAs 110, for single-user simultaneous transmission (e.g.,
single-user orthogonal frequency division multiple access
(SU-OFDMA)) and/or MU-MIMO transmissions (e.g.,
multiple-input/multiple-output MU-MIMO). In one example a HE WLAN
signaling field is used to signal a resource allocation pattern to
multiple receiving STAs 110. The HE WLAN signaling field includes a
common user field that is decodable by multiple STAs 110, the
common user field including a resource allocation field. The
resource allocation field indicates resource unit distributions to
the multiple STAs 110 and indicates which resource units in a
resource unit distribution correspond to MU-MIMO transmissions and
which resource units correspond to OFDMA single-user transmissions.
The HE WLAN signaling field also includes, subsequent to the common
user field, dedicated user fields that are assigned to certain STAs
110. The order in which the dedicated user fields are generated
corresponds to the allocated resource units (e.g., the first
dedicated user field corresponds to the first allocated resource
unit). The HE WLAN signaling field is transmitted with a WLAN
preamble to the multiple STAs 110.
[0098] FIG. 2 shows an example of a WLAN protocol data unit (PDU)
200 (e.g., a physical layer convergence PDU (PPDU)) preamble design
aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure. WLAN PDU 200 illustrates aspects of a
transmission between a STA 110 and an AP 105, as described above
with reference to FIG. 1.
[0099] In this example, the WLAN PDU 200 includes a physical (PHY)
layer header 205 and a data field 220 (e.g., a MAC PDU (MPDU) or
physical layer service data unit (PSDU)). The PHY layer header 205
includes a legacy WLAN preamble 210 and a high efficiency WLAN
preamble 215. The preambles and data field are transmitted in the
following order: legacy WLAN preamble 210, high efficiency WLAN
preamble 215, data field 220.
[0100] The WLAN PDU 200 is transmitted over a radio frequency
spectrum band, which in some examples may include a plurality of
sub-bands. In some examples, the radio frequency spectrum band may
have a bandwidth of 80 MHz, and each of the sub-bands may have a
bandwidth of 20 MHz. The legacy WLAN preamble 210 includes legacy
short training field (STF) (L-STF) information, legacy long
training field (LTF) (L-LTF) information, and legacy signaling
(L-SIG) information. When the radio frequency spectrum band
includes multiple sub-bands, the L-STF, L-LTF, and L-SIG
information is duplicated and transmitted in each of the plurality
of sub-bands. The legacy preamble is used for packet detection,
automatic gain control, channel estimation, etc. The legacy
preamble is also used to maintain compatibility with legacy
devices.
[0101] The high efficiency WLAN preamble 215 includes any of: a
repeated legacy WLAN field (e.g., an RL-SIG field), a first WLAN
signaling field (e.g., a first HE WLAN signaling field such as
HE-SIG-A), a second WLAN signaling field (e.g., a second HE WLAN
signaling field such as HE-SIG-B), a WLAN STF (e.g., a HE WLAN
STF), and at least one WLAN LTF (e.g., at least one HE WLAN LTF).
The HE WLAN preamble 215 enables an AP to simultaneously transmit
to multiple stations (e.g., MU-MIMO) and also enables an AP to
allocate resources to multiple stations for uplink/downlink
transmissions (e.g., SU-OFDMA). The HE WLAN preamble 215 uses a
common signaling field and one or more dedicated (e.g.,
station-specific) signaling fields to schedule resources and to
indicate the scheduling to other WLAN devices. A device uses the
scheduling to determine which resource units associated with the
frequency spectrum utilized by data field 220 have been allocated
to the device for forthcoming communications.
[0102] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of aspects of a WLAN PDU 300
for preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. WLAN PDU 300 illustrates aspects
of a transmission between a STA 110 and an AP 105, as described
above with reference to FIGS. 1-2. WLAN PDU 300 includes a first
WLAN signaling field 305, a second WLAN signaling field 310, a high
efficiency STF 315, a high efficiency LTF 320, and a data field
325. The first WLAN signaling field 305 includes an HE-SIG-A 330
that is repeated across multiple subbands. The data field 325
includes data portions 335 that have been allocated to different
devices. For instance, data portion 335-a is allocated to a first
device, data portion 335-b to a second device, data portion 335-c
to a first group of devices, and data portion 335-d to a second
group of devices.
[0103] The first WLAN signaling field 305 includes high efficiency
WLAN signaling information usable by APs and stations other than a
number of APs or stations identified to receive or transmit
communications in the WLAN PDU 300. The first WLAN signaling field
305 also includes information usable by the identified number of
APs or stations to decode the second WLAN signaling field 310. When
the radio frequency spectrum band includes a plurality of
sub-bands, the information (e.g., HE-SIG-A 330-a) included in the
first WLAN signaling field 305 is duplicated and transmitted in
each sub-band of the first WLAN signaling field 305, (e.g.,
HE-SIG-A 330-b to 330-d).
[0104] The second WLAN signaling field 310 includes high efficiency
WLAN signaling information usable by a number of APs or stations
identified to transmit or receive communications in the WLAN PDU
300. More specifically, the second WLAN signaling field 310
includes information usable by the number of APs or stations to
transmit/encode or receive/decode data in the data field 220. The
second WLAN signaling field 310 can be encoded separately from the
first WLAN signaling field 305. The second WLAN signaling field 310
includes a common block field 340 that signals information to a
group of devices, such as high efficiency STAs within range of an
AP, and user blocks 345-a to 345-c that signal information specific
to specific high efficiency STAs. The common block includes a
resource allocation field 350 that signals to the high efficiency
device how the data field 325 is partitioned amongst devices (e.g.,
partitions the data field into resource units), which of the
resource units are associated with SU-OFDMA and which are
associated with MU-MIMO. Furthermore, the order of the user blocks
345 provides a link between the device associated with the user
block 345 and the resource unit that has been allocated to the
device. As an example, the resource allocation field 350 partitions
the data field into nine regions (e.g., 20 MHz data region is
partitioned into nine sub-regions that each span 26 tones). The STA
addressed in the first user block corresponds to the first 26
tones, the second STA addressed in the second user block
corresponds to the next 26 tones, etc. The common block may also
include other fields, such as a LTF.
[0105] FIG. 4A illustrates an example of aspects of a WLAN PDU 400
for preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. WLAN PDU 400 illustrates aspects
of a transmission between a STA 110 and an AP 105, as described
above with reference to FIGS. 1-2. WLAN PDU 400 includes a first
WLAN signaling field 305-a, a high efficiency STF 315-a, a high
efficiency LTF 320-a, and a data field 325-a. The first WLAN
signaling field 305-a includes an HE-SIG-A 330 that is repeated
across multiple subbands. The data field 325 may include data
portions that have been allocated to different devices.
[0106] A transmission sent in the HE extended range PPDU format may
be sent in environments where using a longer range transmission is
desirable, e.g. this format may be used for communication with
internet of thing (IoT) devices, sensors, etc. A HE extended range
PPDU may also have a simpler structure and be more robust as
compared to one or more other HE PPDU formats that may be used for
SU transmissions. For example, a HE extended range PPDU format may
use a repeated HE-SIG-A field in its preamble to provide for more
robust reception. A HE extended range PPDU may also be configured
to allow for the signaling of smaller resource units.
[0107] In contrast to a generic SU HE PPDU that may select among
several different bandwidths or have a varying bandwidth (as
signaled in the HE preamble), a HE extended range PPDU for SU
transmissions may use a fixed bandwidth, e.g. 20 MHz, that may be
smaller than the bandwidth available for the generic SU HE PPDU,
e.g. where the SU HE PPDU bandwidth is 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz.
Using a smaller, fixed bandwidth may allow for transmissions to be
sent with a higher power than if the same amount of power were
spread across a larger bandwidth, e.g. 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz,
increasing range and robustness for the transmissions. For example,
the power for the preamble of the HE extended range PPDU may be
increased or boosted 3 dB above the transmission power of a generic
SU HE PPDU. In some case, just the power of the preamble may be
boosted by the transmitter to increase the likelihood of successful
reception and decoding. In other examples, the entire PPDU may be
boosted, e.g. by 3 dB. In other examples, the HE extended range
PPDU may also boost the power of the transmitted preamble when
using a larger bandwidth, such as a 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz
bandwidth.
[0108] FIG. 4B illustrates an example 401 of aspects of a WLAN PDU
for preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. In the SU HE extended range PPDU
in a 20 MHz band illustrated in FIG. 4B, transmissions to
individual users may be allocated to one or more RUs within a tone
unit of a PPDU. A size of a RU may be constrained to be one of 106
or 242 tones. In one example of a PPDU, all 242 tones may be
allocated to a user for a SU transmission as a single 242-tone RU
435. In another PPDU, 106 tones may be allocated as a first
106-tone RU 430 to a first user for SU transmission, which may be
located in one of two positions. 106 tones may also be allocated as
a second 106-tone RU 430 in this example. Thus, 3 different RU
positions may be available for RU allocation, which may be
indicated by a minimum of 2 bits of an RU allocation field 415.
[0109] FIG. 4C illustrates an example 402 of aspects of a WLAN PDU
for preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. In the SU HE extended range PPDU
in a 20 MHz band illustrated in FIG. 4C, transmissions to
individual users may be allocated to one or more RUs within a tone
unit of a PPDU. A size of a RU may be constrained to be one of 52,
106, or 242 tones. In one example of a PPDU, all 242 tones may be
allocated to a user for a SU transmission as a single 242-tone RU
450. In another PPDU, 106 tones may be allocated as a first
106-tone RU 445 to a first user for SU transmission, which may be
located in one of two positions. 106 tones may also be allocated as
a second 106-tone RU 445 in this example. In yet another PPDU, 52
tones may be allocated as a first 52-tone RU 440 to a first user
for SU transmission, which may be located in one of four positions.
52 tones may also be allocated as a second 52-tone RU 440, as a
third 52-tone RU 440, and as a fourth 52-tone RU 440 in this
example, for up to 4 different users. Thus, 7 different RU
positions may be available for RU allocation, which may be
indicated by a minimum of 3 bits of an RU allocation field 415.
[0110] Thus, to maintain simplicity and reduce overhead, the number
of combinations of RU sizes and locations may be limited to a
maximum of 4 possibilities (for a 2 bit allocation as described
above in reference to FIG. 4B) or a maximum of 8 possibilities (for
a 3 bit allocation as described above in reference to FIG. 4C) for
the HE extended range PPDU, meaning that 2 or 3 bits in the SIG-A
field of the PPDU preamble may be used to identify, for a given RU,
which of 3 or 7, respectively, possible RU sizes and locations are
allocated. Where the bandwidth is fixed, for example to 20 MHz,
additional bits are not needed in the SIG-A field of the PPDU
preamble to identify the bandwidth used, simplifying the
preamble.
[0111] In some examples, the RU allocation field 415 may only be
used in an example where the bandwidth of PPDU is indicated by the
BW field 410 to be 20 MHz. The 2 bits of the BW field 410 may be
used to indicate that the PPDU uses one of four different
bandwidths. Where the BW field 410 indicates a bandwidth of 20 MHz
(or another predetermined bandwidth according to other examples),
the recipient of the PPDU may assume that the HE-SIG-A field 305-a
contains the RU allocation field 415 following the BW field 410,
and the RU allocation field 415 may be followed by an MCS field 420
and a Nsts field 425, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. Where the BW field
410 indicates a bandwidth other than 20 MHz (or the other
predetermined bandwidth), for example 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz,
then the recipient of the PPDU may assume that the HE-SIG-A field
305-a contains MCS field 420 following the BW field 410, and that
the RU allocation field 415 has been omitted. Although the BW field
410, RU allocation field 415, MCS field 420, and Nsts field 425 are
illustrated as falling one immediately after the other,
intermediate fields may exist, or the fields may be rearranged to
occur at differing positions.
[0112] In some instances, the HE-SIG-A field 305-a where the BW
field 410 indicates a higher bandwidth, e.g. 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160
MHz, the HE-SIG-A field for the SU HE extended range PPDU may have
the same format as for a non-extended range format PPDU, e.g. the
HE-SIG-A field for the SU HE PPDU. Maintaining a similar format for
the HE-SIG-A field for certain bandwidths of the SU extended range
HE PPDU as the SU HE PPDU may increase simplicity of
implementation.
[0113] Where an RU allocation field 415 in the HE-SIG-A field 305-a
(e.g. in the case where BW field 410 indicates a 20 MHz bandwidth),
then additional bits in the HE-SIG-A field may be needed. For
example, the size of the HE-SIG-A field 305-a may be constrained,
such that introducing bits in an RU allocation field 415 may push
the size of the field over that constraint. As described above, the
size of the RU allocation field 415 may be 2 bits in some examples.
In such case, the size of the MCS field may be limited to 2 bits,
for example where the size of the MCS field 420 in the absence of
an RU allocation field 415 would otherwise be 4 bits. Thus, the MCS
values indicated by the MCS field 420 may be MCS0, MCS1, MCS2, and
MCS3. In an example the four MCSs may correspond to a BPSK 1/2 MCS,
a QPSK 1/2 MCS, a QPSK 3/4 MCS, and a 16-QAM 1/2 MCS,
respectively.
[0114] As also described above, the size of the RU allocation field
415 may be 3 bits in some examples. In such case, the size of the
MCS field may be limited to 1 bit. Thus, in one example, the MCS
values indicated by the MCS field 420 may be MCS0 and MCS1. In an
example the two MCSs may correspond to a BPSK 1/2 MCS and a QPSK
1/2 MCS, respectively. Thus, 1 bit may be used in the SIG-A field
of the preamble to identify whether a first MCS or a second MCS is
used to modulate and code the PPDU data; and 2 bits may be used in
the SIG-A field of the preamble to identify whether a first, a
second, a third, or a fourth MCS is used to modulate and code the
PPDU data. In other examples, the MCS field may be omitted, such
that MCS0 is used where the BW is indicated to be 20 MHz.
[0115] In other example, the number of spatial streams (Nsts) may
also be limited so that the RU allocation field 415 may be used, or
to provide further reserved bits to be used for other purposes.
Thus, Nsts may be limited to two options, e.g. Nsts=0 or Nsts=1,
and the SIG-A field may have a Nsts field 425 that may contain a
single bit to indicate the number of spatial streams, Nsts. In
other examples the Nsts field 425 may have 2 bits to indicate up to
4 spatial streams, or 3 bits to indicate up to 8 spatial streams.
In other examples, the Nsts field 425 may be omitted, such that a
single stream is used where the BW is indicated to be 20 MHz.
[0116] As described above, limiting the number of bits used for MCS
field 420 and Nsts field 425 may also decrease the complexity that
a receiver needs to handle and decoding, thus decreasing the power
consumption at the receiver and decreasing the amount of testing
that may need to be performed, even if the extra reserved bits
created by limiting the size of such fields are not used for
implementing other features.
[0117] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of aspects of a WLAN PDU 500
for supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance
with various aspects of the present disclosure. WLAN PDU 500
illustrates aspects of a transmission between a STA 110 and an AP
105, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1-2. WLAN PDU 500
includes an HE-SIG-B field 310-a, which is an example of a second
WLAN signaling field 310. HE-SIG-B field 310-a includes two content
channels 405-a and 405-b including control information. In one
example, a device decodes both channels to acquire all of the
content signaled in the HE-SIG-B field 310-a. Furthermore, a device
that receives a user block within a frequency band associated with
a stream 405 also received data within the same frequency band. The
common portion (e.g. the information in common block fields 340-a
and 340-b) and dedicated portion (e.g., user blocks 345-d and
345-e) for every other 20 MHz channel are signaled together. User
blocks 345-d and 345-e each include per user information for
MU-MIMO users in user blocks and per-user information for SU users
in user blocks. The dedicated portion, which includes per user
information, including user blocks 345-d and 345-e, may be
dynamically allocated between channels during load balancing.
[0118] For example, 8 MU-MIMO users may be allocated RUs in channel
405-a and channel 405-b. RUs may be allocated by the common portion
340-a of the HE-SIG-B field 310-a to 5 MU-MIMO users of the 8
MU-MIMO users. The dedicated portion 345-d of the HE-SIG-B field
310-a may then provide information, once decoded by a station that
is one of the 5 MU-MIMO users, that identifies where data for that
station is found in the data portion associated with the channel
405-a of the transmission frame. Similarly, RUs may be allocated by
the common portion 340-b of the HE-SIG-B field 310-a to 5 MU-MIMO
users of the 8 MU-MIMO users. The dedicated portion 345-e of the
HE-SIG-B field 310-a may then provide information, once decoded by
a station that is one of the 3 MU-MIMO users, that identifies where
data for that station is found in the data portion associated with
the channel 405-b of the transmission frame (e.g. PPDU).
[0119] To perform load balancing, a transmitter, e.g. an AP or
station, may split up a number of MU-MIMO users in different ways.
For WLAN PDU 500, 8 MU-MIMO users are split with 5 MU-MIMO users,
which are allocated RUs of 484 tones associated with the first
channel 405-a, and 3 MU-MIMO, which are allocated RUs of 484 tones
associated with the second channel 405-b. In other examples, a user
may be allocated RUs that are larger than the maximum RU size for a
single channel. For example where the maximum RU size for a channel
is 242 tones, an allocated RU for 1 or more MU-MIMO users may be
484 tones spanning two channels (e.g., two 20 MHz channels making a
40 MHz allocation). For these larger allocations, e.g. where the RU
size is 484 tones or larger, a number of MU-MIMO users may be split
between a first channel and a second channel, for example from 1 to
8 MU-MIMO users. However, for purposes of load balancing, where it
may be desirable to balance RU allocations between a first channel
and a second channel, it may assist load balancing to provide the
ability to allocate zero or no MU-MIMO users to a channel. For
example, where a first channel already has a number of blocks
allocated to SU transmissions for a number of users, and a second
channel has no such blocks allocated to SU transmissions, for
purposes of load balancing, the transmitter may then allocate zero
or no MU-MIMO blocks to the first channel, and each of the
remaining MU-MIMO blocks for MU-MIMO users to the second
channel.
[0120] FIG. 12 illustrates RU allocation table entries 1200 for
supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples for
load balancing, a receiving station receive a downlink transmission
including multiple channels, according to preamble design aspects
for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure. The downlink transmission may include WLAN signaling
field 310. The signaling field may include a common portion in a
first channel, e.g. channel 405-a for a first number of users, and
a common portion in a second channel, e.g. channel 405-b for a
second number of user. In some examples, the receiving station may
need to successfully decode the common portions of both SIG-B
content channels to determine the total number of users so that a
total number of user blocks may be determined. So that a station
may decode one of the channels, but not necessarily the second
channel, a total number of users may be indicated in RU allocation
table 1200.
[0121] RU allocation table 1200 includes a number of entries 1205,
an RU size 1210, and a user indication 1215. A brief explanation
1220 is also included in RU allocation table 1200. In this example,
the RU size 1210 is 484 tones, but additional RU sizes may also be
accommodated, for example 996 tones. In addition, the RU allocation
table may have additional entries that are not shown in the RU
allocation table portion shown in FIG. 12.
[0122] In the example illustrated in FIG. 12, 8 entries 1225 may be
provided to indicate the number of users where load balancing is
not being performed. Additional entries 1230 may be added to
indicate the distribution of users between channels for load
balancing. For example a first entry 1230 may indicate that there
are no user blocks transmitted. A second entry 1225 indicates a
user indication of "1+1" where the primary channel contains a first
user block and the secondary channel contains a second user block.
A third entry 1230 indicates "2+1" where that the primary channel
contains two user blocks and the secondary channel contains one
user block. And so on to the user indication of "4+4" indicating
that the primary channel contains four user blocks and the
secondary channel contains four user blocks.
[0123] In other examples, additional combinations may be added to
the RU allocation table to provide further load balancing
capabilities, e.g. entries 1230 for a "7+1" combination for the
primary and secondary channels, or "2+4" for the primary and
secondary channels, and so on. In other examples, each combination
may be included in the RU allocation table. In addition, the RU
allocation table may be needed for larger RU sizes, e.g. 996 tones,
996*2 tones, and so on.
[0124] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of aspects of a portion of a
lookup table 600 for supporting preamble design aspects for HE
WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.
Lookup table 600 is a portion of a lookup table, specifically rows
that contain RU allocations of at least 102 tones, that may be used
to signal RU allocation signaling in a common block field of a
HE-SIG-B field of a HE PPDU as described above. Lookup table 600
may indicate the location of the SIG-B dedicated content for large
SU allocations, and allows for load balancing in the case of large
RU sizes, e.g. 484 tones or larger. To provide the ability to
transmit no or zero MU-MIMO blocks for a RU size of 484 tones or
larger, a lookup table that indicates a number of MU-MIMO users
associated with a RU may be modified by adding rows to the table.
In particular a row 605 may be added so that, in addition to
signaling that there are 1 through 8 MU-MIMO user blocks
transmitted in a particular SIG-B content channel associated with
the 484 tone RU allocation, that an indication of an absence of a
MU-MIMO user block transmitted in the said SIG-B content channel
with the 484 tone allocation, i.e. there is no MU-MIMO user block
transmitted with the 484 tone allocation for that channel.
Similarly, a row 610 may be added so that, in addition to signaling
that there are 1 through 8 MU-MIMO user blocks transmitted with a
SIG-B content channel with the 996 tone RU allocation, that an
indication of an absence of a MU-MIMO user block in the said SIG-B
content channel associated with the 996 tone allocation, i.e. there
is no MU-MIMO user block transmitted with the 996 tone allocation
for that channel. In other examples, the RU size may vary, such
that the additional rows may be used where a RU allocation span
multiple channels and an indication of zero or an absence of
MU-MIMO user blocks may be indicated for a large RU allocation. It
should be noted that where the allocation size is less than 484
tones, according to this example, additional rows may not be needed
in the lookup table 600 because only a single channel will be used,
and load balancing between 2 or more channels will not take
place.
[0125] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of aspects of a spatial
configuration lookup table 700 for supporting preamble design
aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure. A user field for an MU-MIMO allocation, e.g. in
a HE-SIG-B field, may include a spatial configuration subfield of 4
bits indicating the number of spatial streams for each multiplexed
STA, the index of the spatial stream, and the total number of
spatial streams. Column Nuser indicates the number of users; Nuser
may be indicated in the common portion (e.g. common block 340) of a
HE-SIG-B field. Given Nuser, index of the spatial stream, the total
number of spatial stream allocated, and an index of the
user/station as determined by an order that the user/station
appears in a dedicated portion of a second WLAN signaling field 310
(e.g. a HE-SIG-B field), the number of spatial stream associated
with the particular user/station may be determined. The index of
the spatial stream and total number of spatial streams allocated
may be communicated explicitly. However, the index of the
user/station needs to be determined based on the order in which it
appears in the dedicated portion, as explained further below. Thus,
the index may be implicitly determined based on the order, reducing
overhead for explicit communication of the index.
[0126] In a transmission frame, e.g. a HE MU PPDU transmission
frame using MU-MIMO RU allocations, the order of the dedicated
portions 345 of a second WLAN signaling field 310 may be used to
determine a number of spatial streams (Nsts) allocated to a
particular user/station that has received the transmission frame. A
station may receive a transmission frame that includes a second
WLAN signaling field 310. The station may then decode the dedicated
portions 345 of the second WLAN signaling field 310 and determine
an order for the various stations or users in the MU-MIMO
allocation along with the station that has received the
transmission frame. The order may be predetermined for the station.
For example, the station (when an AP is the transmitter) may
determine that the order is based on the identity of the station
according to the order that it appears in the dedicated portion 345
based on frequency, e.g. proceeding from the lowest subcarrier
frequency to the highest subcarrier frequency (or vice-versa). In
one example, the station may determine the order of stations
appearing in the dedicated portion 345 without regard to whether a
particular channel is dedicated as a primary channel (e.g. the
primary 20 MHz channel) or a secondary channel (e.g. the secondary
20 MHz channel). In another example, the station may determine the
order based on frequency, but first for the primary channel,
followed by the secondary channel. For example, the station may
proceed from the lowest subcarrier frequency to the highest
subcarrier frequency (or vice-versa) for the primary channel,
followed by the lowest subcarrier frequency to the highest
subcarrier frequency (or vice-versa) for the secondary channel.
Thus, the station may determine the order of stations having data
communicated in the dedicated portion 345.
[0127] Having determined the order for each station in the
dedicated portion, a user/station may determine its own index based
on where the station appears in the order. That index may then be
used in conjunction with spatial configuration lookup table 700 to
determine the number of spatial streams for that station. For
example, if Nuser=3, there are a total number of spatial streams
equal to 8, and the station has determined that its index is equal
to 2, then the number of spatial streams associated with the
user/station is 3, corresponding to entry 705.
[0128] In some examples for supporting preamble design aspects for
HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, a station may differentiate between SU and MU-MIMO
allocations. Decoding and combining both SIG-B content channels may
be used to distinguish between SU and MU-MIMO allocations. Due to
load balancing as described above with reference to FIG. 5, Nuser
may be one as indicated by a common portion 340 in a HE-SIG-B field
for a large MU-MIMO allocation. Because the content of the SU and
MU dedicated portions of a HE-SIG-B field may be different, Nuser
indications in a first SIG-B content channel need to be combined
with the content in a second SIG-B content channel. Through
combining, if Nuser for the first content channel plus Nuser for
the second content channel is greater than 1 (for the same RU),
then the content is MU-MIMO dedicated content. If Nuser for the
first content channel plus Nuser for the second content channel is
not greater than 1 (for the same RU), the content is SU dedicated
content.
[0129] In other examples for supporting preamble design aspects for
HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, HE-SIG-B compressed mode 800 may be used. The
compressed mode may be used for MU-MIMO utilizing a full bandwidth.
In such case, no RU signal information is transmitted in a HE_SIG-B
filed. Instead, user specific sub-fields are split between the two
HE-SIG-B content channels, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In the
compressed mode, a number of MU-MIMO users need to be indicated. To
accomplish this, a field in the SIG-A field corresponding to the
number of SIG-B symbols may be re-interpreted or repurposed, and
the number of SIG-B symbols derived from the number of MU-MIMO
users. The number of MU-MIMO users may be computer from the number
of SIG-B symbols, which could lead to ambiguity in the case where a
high MCS is used. Thus, the number of MU-MIMO users may instead be
indicated in a common portion of a HE-SIG-B field. This increases
overhead because CRC and tail bits are also added to the common
portion of the HE-SIG-B field.
[0130] In other examples for supporting preamble design aspects for
HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, an HE-SIG-B design may use channel bonding. According
to an example, SIG-B may not be transmitted in a channel that has
been punctured, for example a 20 MHz channel. This may be
regardless of whether the preamble in the transmission frame prior
to the SIG-B field has been transmitted or not. The SIG-B
transmission format may be determined for secondary 20 MHz channels
that are not transmitted, or other such channels that are not
transmitted. When a second 20 MHz channel is not transmitted, there
may be multiple options to transmit such information.
[0131] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate HE-SIG-B transmission formats
1100 that support preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In these
examples, the 2nd 20 MHz channel of an 80 MHz bandwidth has been
punctured, either in whole or in part. For example, there may be
excessive interference that causes the channel not to be received a
station. In some examples, the SIG-B field may have been punctured,
but the SIG-A field or other portions of the preamble for the
channel has not been punctured. A common portion 1105 for a primary
HE-SIG-B content channel is transmitted in the 1st 20 MHz channel
and the 3rd 20 MHz channel in duplicate. A dedicated portion 1115
for the primary HE-SIG-B content channel is also transmitted in the
1st 20 MHz channel and the 3rd 20 MHz channel in duplicate. A
common portion 1110 for a secondary HE-SIG-B content channel would
otherwise be transmitted in the 2nd 20 MHz channel and the 4th 20
MHz channel in duplicate, but as shown, the 2nd 20 MHz channel has
been punctured. Likewise, a dedicated portion 1120 for a secondary
HE-SIG-B content channel would otherwise be transmitted in the 2nd
20 MHz channel and the 4th 20 MHz channel in duplicate, but the 2nd
20 MHz channel has been punctured. When the secondary 20 MHz
channel is punctured, for example the 2nd 20 MHz channel, the
information that would otherwise be contained in the SIG-B field
310-g may be determined from other channels or other
mechanisms.
[0132] In a first example, illustrated in FIG. 11B,
information/contents of the SIG-B that was found in the secondary
20 MHz channel may be transmitted on the primary 20 MHz channel. In
such case an indication of the puncturing of the 20 MHz channel may
be signaled in the SIG-A field, for example by including an
indicator, which in some examples may be a 1 bit indicator. This
increases overhead on the primary channels, e.g. the 1st 20 MHz and
the 3rd 20 MHz as illustrated in FIG. 11, since the SIG-B content
from the secondary channels is transmitted on the primary channels,
in addition to the SIG-B content on the primary channel. As
illustrated for the primary HE-SIG-B content channel for both the
1st 20 MHz and the 3rd 20 MHz, common portion 1110 is followed by
dedicated portion 1120 followed by common portion 1105 followed by
dedicated portion 1115. In another example, for the primary
HE-SIG-B content channel for both the 1st 20 MHz and the 3rd 20
MHz, common portion 1110 is followed by common portion 1105
followed by dedicated portion 1120 followed by dedicated portion
1115. Whether the common portion of the primary channel SIG-B
content is transmitted first, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, or the
secondary channel common portion is transmitted first, or whether
another order of the common and dedicated portions may be
transmitted, may be predetermined so that upon receiving an
indication in the SIG-A field the receiving station may know the
order to decode the SIG-B field in the primary channel.
[0133] As described above, an indicator (e.g., a 1 bit indicator)
in the SIG-A field may be used to indicate puncturing of a 20 MHz
channel and the location of the SIG-B content channel (e.g., the
HE-SIG-B content channel in a particular 20 MHz channel of the
bandwidth for a PPDU). In some examples, the BW field of the SIG-A
field may include the indication (e.g., the 1 bit indicator). In
other examples, the BW field 410 described above with reference to
FIG. 4, may be used to indicate a bandwidth used by a PPDU as well
as a location of a SIG-B content channel. In some examples, various
combinations of PPDU bandwidths and SIG-B content channel locations
may be indicated by the BW field 410.
[0134] Table 1 below shows example values for a 3-bit BW field in a
HE-SIG-A field of a HE MU PPDU. Where a BW field in a HE-SIG-A
field has a value of 0 or 1, the BW field indicates a PPDU
bandwidth of 20 MHz or 40 MHz, respectively. Where a BW field in a
HE-SIG-A field has a value of 2, the BW field indicates that the
bandwidth for the PPDU carrying the HE-SIG-A field has a bandwidth
of 80 MHz, and that both a first (primary) 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content
channel and a second (secondary) 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channel
are present in the primary 40 MHz. Where a BW field in a HE-SIG-A
field has a value of 3, the BW field indicates that the bandwidth
for the PPDU carrying the HE-SIG-A field has a bandwidth of 160 MHz
or 80+80 MHz, and that both a first (primary) 20 MHz HE-SIG-B
content channel and a second (secondary) 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content
channel are in the primary 40 MHz, respectively. Where a BW field
in a HE-SIG-A field has a value of 4, the BW field indicates that
the bandwidth for the PPDU carrying the HE-SIG-A field has a
bandwidth of 80 MHz, and that the secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content
channel is absent from the primary 40 MHz, and the counterpart
secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channel is absent from the
secondary 40 MHz. Where a BW field in a HE-SIG-A field has a value
of 5, the BW field indicates that the bandwidth for the PPDU
carrying the HE-SIG-A field has a bandwidth of 80 MHz, and that
there is a secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channel absent from
the primary 40 MHz, and the counterpart secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B
content channel is present in the secondary 40 MHz. Where a BW
field in a HE-SIG-A field has a value of 6, the BW field indicates
that the bandwidth for the PPDU carrying the HE-SIG-A field has a
bandwidth of 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz, and that the secondary 20 MHz
HE-SIG-B content channel is absent from the primary 40 MHz, and the
counterpart secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channel is absent
from the secondary 40 MHz. Where a BW field in a HE-SIG-A field has
a value of 7, the BW field indicates that the bandwidth for the
PPDU carrying the HE-SIG-A field has a bandwidth of 160 MHz or
80+80 MHz, and that there is a secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content
channel absent from the primary 40 MHz, and the counterpart
secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channel is present in the
secondary 40 MHz.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Value of BW (3 bit) in HE-SIG-A field of HE
MU PPDU Value Description 0 20 MHz 1 40 MHz 2 80 MHz with both
primary and secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channels present in
the primary 40 MHz 3 160/80 + 80 with both primary and secondary 20
MHz HE-SIG-B content channels present in the primary 40 MHz 4 80
MHz with the secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channel absent from
the primary 40 MHz, and its HE-SIG-B counterpart absent from the
secondary 40 MHz 5 80 MHz with the secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B
content channel absent from the primary 40 MHz, and its HE-SIG-B
counterpart present in the secondary 40 MHz 6 160/80 + 80 MHz with
the secondary 20 MHz HE-SIG-B content channel absent from the
primary 40 MHz, and its HE-SIG-B counterpart absent from the
secondary 40 MHz 7 160/80 + 80 MHz with the secondary 20 MHz
HE-SIG-B content channel absent from the primary 40 MHz, but its
HE-SIG-B counterpart present in the secondary 40 MHz
[0135] In some examples, a 2-bit BW field in a SIG-A (e.g.,
HE-SIG-A) field may be used to indicate a fewer number of
combinations of bandwidth and SIG-B (e.g., HE-SIG-B) content
channel, or a 4-bit (or more) BW field in a HE-SIG-A field may be
used to indicate a greater number of combinations. In other
examples, the BW field may be used to indicate different
combinations of bandwidth and SIG-B content channel locations.
[0136] FIG. 11C illustrates an example of channels 1100-c for a
contiguous channel bonding mode, in accordance with various aspects
of the present disclosure. Channels 1100-c include a primary 20 MHz
channel, a secondary 20 MHz channel, a secondary 40 MHz channel,
and a secondary 80 MHz channel for a 160 MHz bandwidth. Channels
1100-c include a primary 20 MHz channel, a secondary 20 MHz
channel, and a secondary 40 MHz channel for a 80 MHz bandwidth.
Channels 1100-c include a primary 20 MHz channel and a secondary 20
MHz channel for a 40 MHz bandwidth. Channels 1100-c may be examples
of the corresponding channels described with reference to Table
1.
[0137] FIG. 11D illustrates an example of channels 1100-d for a
non-contiguous channel bonding mode, in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. Channels 1100-d include a
primary 20 MHz channel, a secondary 20 MHz channel, a secondary 40
MHz channel, and a secondary 80 MHz channel for a 80+80 MHz
bandwidth configuration, where the secondary 80 MHz channel is not
contiguous with the primary 20 MHz channel, secondary 20 MHz
channel, and secondary 40 MHz channel. Channels 1100-d may be
examples of the corresponding channels described with reference to
Table 1 for a non-contiguous 80+80 MHz bandwidth, for example
specifically with reference to BW values 3, 6, and/or 7.
[0138] In a second example, for example for an 80 MHz bandwidth as
illustrated in FIG. 11A, or a 160 MHz bandwidth containing
duplicated SIG-B content, information and/or contents of the SIG-B
filed that was found in the punctured secondary 20 MHz channel
corresponding to the 2nd 20 MHz may be decoded from a 4th 20 MHz
channel. In such case an indication of the SIG-B decoding may be
signaled in the SIG-A field, for example by including an indicator
in the SIG-A field. In this example, there may a limitation that
the 4th 20 MHz is not also punctured.
[0139] In other examples for supporting preamble design aspects for
HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure, an HE-SIG-B design may be different when other 20 MHz
channels are punctured. In such case, a common portion of a SIG-B
field may be affected since one or more 20 MHz channels are
absent.
[0140] In a first example, RU allocation for the punctured 20 MHz
channels are not transmitted. A size of the common portion of the
SIG-B field may be modified depending on the number and location of
the punctured channels. In addition, a common portion size may be
different between the two SIG-B content channels. An explicit
indication of punctured channels may be indicated in the SIG-A
field.
[0141] In a second example, a special or dedicated RU allocation
bit sequence may be used to indicate that a 20 MHz channel is
punctured. The indication may be made by adding an additional entry
in a RU allocation table. A size of the common portion may be
unchanged for either content channel. According to this example an
explicit indication of the punctured 20 MHz channel may not be
needed, though the additional RU allocation bit sequence may result
in additional overhead in the common portion of the SIG-B
field.
[0142] In these examples, the SIG-B dedicated portion, as opposed
to the common portion, may be relatively unaffected. SIG-B
duplicated structure may be maintained, while the dedicated content
for punctured channels are not transmitted.
[0143] In other examples, other 20 MHz channels are punctured. For
example, a data portion for a user may be punctured in a secondary
channel corresponding to the 4th 20 MHz. SIG-B information for a
1st user and 2nd user may be transmitted in a primary channel, and
SIG-B information for a 3rd user and 4th user may be transmitted in
the secondary channel. If the channel carrying data for the 4th
user is punctured, for example the 4th 20 MHz as shown in FIG. 11A,
then the receiving station may expect data for the 4th user because
of the presence of an RU allocation in the SIG-B field for the 4th
user. Two examples to address this situation are described
below.
[0144] In a first example, the RU allocation for the punctured 20
MHz channel may be not transmitted. The size of the common portion,
e.g. common portion 1105, may then be changed depending on the
number and location of the punctured channels. The common portion
size may also be different between the two SIG-B content channels.
An explicit indication of which channels are punctured may then be
communicated in the SIG-A field. In this example a number of
channels that may be punctured may be limited by the number of bits
allocated in the SIG-A field to communicate which, if any, of the
channels are punctured to the receiving station. For example, 2
bits in the SIG-A field may allow for the indication of 4 possible
combinations of punctured channels.
[0145] In a second example, an RU allocation bit sequence may be
used to indicate that a 20 MHz channel is punctured. An additional
entry in an RU allocation table, for example using an otherwise
reserved entry in the RU allocation table, may be used to indicate
that a RU is not allocated, e.g. because the 20 MHz channel is
punctured. By inserting an additional entry in the RU allocation
table, the size of the common portion may be unchanged in the
content channel. Furthermore, an explicit indication of the
punctured 20 MHz channel may not be needed. According to this
second example, the dedicated portion may remain unchanged, while
the SIG-B duplicated structure is maintained.
[0146] FIGS. 9A through 9C show block diagrams 900-a through 900-c
of example preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure.
[0147] RU allocation signaling, e.g. using an RU allocation table,
may be used to indicate the allocation plan for each 20 MHz channel
of a bandwidth. The size of each allocation and a number of users
in each resource unit (RU) may be indicated in the RU allocation
table. There may not be adequate numbers of entries available in an
RU allocation table to indicate center tones (e.g. the
above-described center 26 tones), for example, because the size of
the RU allocation table is limited to minimize an amount of
overhead. Such overhead may include the number or size of dedicated
portions or blocks to be sent in the HE-SIG-B field 310-b.
[0148] An RU allocation table may provide for the allocation plan
for channels. Such allocation plans may not provide a provision to
account for all the tones in a bandwidth. In some examples, a tone
plan may not provide the ability to allocate a 26 tone resource
unit that falls in the center of the tone plan. For example, with
reference to FIG. 4B, a 26 tone RU may fall between the 2 106 tone
RUs in the allocation plan 430. Similarly, with reference to FIG.
4C, a 26 tone RU may fall between the 2 106 tone RUs in the
allocation plan 445, and/or between the second and third 52 tone
RUs in the allocation plan 440. In other allocation plans, the
tones may not be indicated in the tone plan, but fall between 26
tone, 52 tone, or 106 tone RUs elsewhere within an allocation plan.
Each such RU may be referred to herein as a center 26 tone RU.
[0149] According to some examples, that a center 26 RU is not
allocated may be indicated in a station ID of a user block in the
HE-SIG-B field. A certain sequence for the station ID may be used
to indicate that center 26 tone RUs are not allocated, e.g. a
station ID indicating an RU is unallocated, for example a sequence
of 0's or a sequence of 1's for the station ID used to indicate
that a corresponding center 26 tone RU is not allocated to any
station.
[0150] In some examples, sending a station ID indicating that an RU
is unallocated may require additional overhead. In some examples or
implementations, certain of the RUs are more likely to be
unallocated than other RUs. For example, the center 26 tone RUs may
be the most likely to be unallocated. In some examples, the station
ID indicating that an RU is unallocated may be transmitted if there
is room in a pad field 925, but otherwise are not transmitted.
[0151] FIG. 9A illustrates the HE-SIG-B field 310-b, including a
common block 905-a, user blocks for n users 910-a through 910-e,
CRC+tail fields 915-a through 915-c, an RU allocation for the
center 26 tone RU 920-a, and pad bits in a pad field 925-a. In this
example, a single channel 930-a is shown. According to this
example, that an RU is not allocated may be indicated in a station
ID of a user block 910. A certain sequence for the station ID may
be used to indicate that center 26 tone RUs are not allocated, for
example a sequence of 0's or a sequence of l's. The sequence of 0's
or 1's may also be used to indicate for other of the RUs that they
are unallocated in other examples. Thus, the station ID may be used
to indicate that an RU is unallocated. For HE-SIG-B field 310-b, a
center 26 tone RU is not allocated, and the indication is provided
by block 920-a.
[0152] FIG. 9B illustrates the HE-SIG-B field 310-c, including a
common block 905-b, user blocks for n users 910-f through 910-j,
CRC+tail fields 915-d through 915-f, and pad bits in a pad field
925-b. In this example, a single channel 930-a is shown, where a
center 26 tone RU is not allocated. In this example, there is not
adequate space available in the pad field 925-b, and as a result, a
block including the station ID (e.g. an AID) that indicates that
the center 26 RU is unallocated is not transmitted in the HE-SIG-B
field 310-c.
[0153] FIG. 9C illustrates the HE-SIG-B field 310-d, including a
common block 905-c, user blocks for n users 910-k through 910-o,
CRC+tail fields 915-g through 915-j, and pad bits in a pad field
925-c. In this example, the SIG-B field for a single channel 930-b
is shown. In this example, there is adequate space available in the
pad 925-b, and as a result, a blocks including the station ID that
indicates that center 26 RUs are or are not allocated are
transmitted in the HE-SIG-B field 310-c. In one example, the SIG-B
field may relate to RU allocations for an 80 MHz or 160 MHz
bandwidth, which there may be five center 26 RUs to be indicated.
In this example, pad field 925 provide room for only three of the
five center 26 RUs to be transmitted, center 26 RU [0] block 925-a
for a first RU position, center 26 RU [1] block 925-b for a second
RU position, and center 26 RU [2] block 925-c for a third RU
position. Indications that the other two center 26 tone RUs are
unallocated are not sent.
[0154] Upon receipt of the HE-SIG-B field 310-d by a station, the
station may decode the center 26 RU blocks 925 and determine that
the corresponding center 26 RUs are not allocated. The station may
also determine that it has reached the end of the HE-SIG-B field
310-d, and thereby determine that the remaining two center 26 RUs
are also not allocated.
[0155] In accordance with preamble design aspects described above,
the order of dedicated (user) content of the user specific subfield
of the SIG-B field may be ordered according to a number of possible
combinations. In one example, the content may be ordered in the
user specific subfield the same as the order used in the common
portion of the SIG-B field. In some examples, the content of both
the common portion and the user specific subfield (e.g. the
dedicated portion) may be ordered in ascending or descending
frequency allocated to the user. In other examples, the primary
channel may be ordered first, followed by ascending frequency. In
still other examples, the primary channel may be ordered first,
followed by descending frequency.
[0156] FIG. 10 illustrates an HE-SIG-B field 310-f for a primary
HE-SIG-B content channel and an HE-SIG-B field 310-e for a second
HE-SIG-B content channel in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure. In some examples, the location of the user
specific field for the center 26 tone RUs may be at the end of the
user block 1020 of the SIG-B field, despite the center 26 tone RUs
themselves generally falling in the middle of a channel. The
example shown in FIG. 10 includes user specific SIG-B content for
the center 26 tone RU SIG-B content for the user specific portions
of center 26 tone RUs. Specifically, the primary HE-SIG-B content
channel 1005 includes center 26 tone RU content for the 1st 20 MHz
at block 1065, for the 3rd 20 MHz at block 1070, for the 5th 20 MHz
at block 1075, and for the 7th 20 MHz at block 1080, and also
includes the center 26 tone RU content for the center 26 tones for
the primary 80 MHz channel. Specifically, the primary HE-SIG-B
content channel 1010 includes center 26 tone RU content for the 2nd
20 MHz at block 1035, for the 4th 20 MHz at block 1040, for the 6th
20 MHz at block 1045, and for the 8th 20 MHz at block 1050. For the
example of 160 MHz bandwidth, the HE-SIG-B content channel 1010
also includes the center 26 tone RU content for the center 26 tones
for the secondary 80 MHz channel in block 1055. For the example of
80 MHz bandwidth, the HE-SIG-B content channel 1010 may not include
block 1055.
[0157] The center 26 tone RU content blocks of the HE-SIG-B field
described above may indicate that the center 26 tone RUs are
allocated. In other example fewer or none of the center 26 tone RUs
may be allocated. In such example, the station ID (AID) described
above with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C may be used to indicate that
they are not allocated, or the user specific blocks for the center
26 tone RUs may not be transmitted due to a lack of padding, also
as described with reference to FIGS. 9A-9C above.
[0158] In some example, overhead may be further reduced by
reordering the transmission order of the center 26 tone RU blocks.
For example, if only the 7th 20 MHz at block 1080 of the secondary
HE-SIG-B content channel will indicate that a center 26 tone RU is
allocated, and the remaining 26 tone RUs will be unallocated, then
the scheduling that is done by the transmitting AP may performed
such that, if any of the center 26 tone RUs are to be allocated,
that they are allocated starting from the 1st 20 MHz, not starting
with or for only the 7th 20 MHz. Thus, the transmitting AP may
transmit user specific content in the SIG-B field for the allocated
center 26 tone RU first, then cease transmitting, and not transmit
additional center 26 tone RUs. Similarly, the station may cease
decoding the SIG-B once it encounters an AID value indicating that
a center 26 tone RU is not allocated.
[0159] In other examples, the order of the center 26 tone RUs may
be reordered according to a predetermined order that may be known
to both a transmitting AP and a receiving station.
[0160] FIGS. 14A through 14D show a first HE-SIG-A field contents
1401-1404 for a HE SU PPDU and HE extended range SU PPDU for
supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field
contents 1401 and HE-SIG-A field contents 1402 together represent a
first part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and the HE-SIG-A field
contents 1403 and HE-SIG-A field contents 1404 together represent a
second part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A2. One or more of HE-SIG-A
field contents 1401-1404 may be part of HE WLAN preamble 215 with
reference to FIG. 2, and/or HE-SIG-A field 305 with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4A. Where HE-SIG-A field contents 1401-1404 are
implemented for a HE SU PPDU, the HE-SIG-A field contents
1401-1404, in aggregate, may be 8 .mu.s. Where HE-SIG-A field
contents 1401-1404 are implemented for a HE extended range PPDU,
the HE-SIG-A field contents 1401-1404, in aggregate, may be 16
.mu.s. In some examples, the HE-SIG-A field contents 1401-1404 in
the HE extended range PPDU may be 8 .mu.s, but repeated twice
making the total length 16 .mu.s.
[0161] FIGS. 15A through 15C show a first HE-SIG-A field contents
1501-1503 for a HE MU PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects
for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field contents 1501 represents a first
part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and the HE-SIG-A field
contents 1502 and HE-SIG-A field contents 1503 together represent a
second part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A2. One or more of HE-SIG-A
field contents 1501-1503 may be part of HE WLAN preamble 215 with
reference to FIG. 2, and/or HE-SIG-A field 305 with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4A. Where HE-SIG-A field contents 1501-1503 are
implemented for a HE MU PPDU, the HE-SIG-A field contents
1501-1503, in aggregate, may be 8 .mu.s.
[0162] FIGS. 16A through 16B show a first HE-SIG-A field contents
1601-1602 for a HE trigger-based PPDU for supporting preamble
design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of
the present disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field contents 1601 represents
a first part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and the HE-SIG-A field
contents 1602 represents a second part of a HE-SIG-A field,
HE-SIG-A2. One or more of HE-SIG-A field contents 1601-1602 may be
part of HE WLAN preamble 215 with reference to FIG. 2, and/or
HE-SIG-A field 305 with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A. Where HE-SIG-A
field contents 1601-1602 are implemented for a HE trigger-based
PPDU, the HE-SIG-A field contents 1601-1602, in aggregate, may be 8
.mu.s.
[0163] FIGS. 17A through 17D show a second HE-SIG-A field contents
1701-1704 for a HE SU PPDU and HE extended range SU PPDU for
supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with
various aspects of the present disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field
contents 1701 and HE-SIG-A field contents 1702 together represent a
first part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and the HE-SIG-A field
contents 1703 and HE-SIG-A field contents 1704 together represent a
second part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A2. One or more of HE-SIG-A
field contents 1701-1704 may be part of HE WLAN preamble 215 with
reference to FIG. 2, and/or HE-SIG-A field 305 with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4A. Where HE-SIG-A field contents 1701-1704 are
implemented for a HE SU PPDU, the HE-SIG-A field contents
1701-1704, in aggregate, may be 8 .mu.s. Where HE-SIG-A field
contents 1701-1704 are implemented for a HE extended range PPDU,
the HE-SIG-A field contents 1701-1704, in aggregate, may be 16
.mu.s. In some examples, the HE-SIG-A field contents 1701-1704 in
the HE extended range PPDU may be 8 .mu.s, but repeated twice
making the total length 16 .mu.s.
[0164] FIGS. 18A through 18C show a second HE-SIG-A field contents
1801-1803 for a HE MU PPDU for supporting preamble design aspects
for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field contents 1801 represents a first
part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and the HE-SIG-A field
contents 1802 and HE-SIG-A field contents 1803 together represent a
second part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A2. One or more of HE-SIG-A
field contents 1801-1803 may be part of HE WLAN preamble 218 with
reference to FIG. 2, and/or HE-SIG-A field 305 with reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4A. Where HE-SIG-A field contents 1801-1803 are
implemented for a HE MU PPDU, the HE-SIG-A field contents
1801-1803, in aggregate, may be 8 .mu.s.
[0165] FIGS. 19A through 19B show a second HE-SIG-A field contents
1901-1902 for a HE trigger-based PPDU for supporting preamble
design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of
the present disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field contents 1901 represents
a first part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and the HE-SIG-A field
contents 1902 represents a second part of a HE-SIG-A field,
HE-SIG-A2. One or more of HE-SIG-A field contents 1901-1902 may be
part of HE WLAN preamble 215 with reference to FIG. 2, and/or
HE-SIG-A field 305 with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A. Where HE-SIG-A
field contents 1901-1902 are implemented for a HE trigger-based
PPDU, the HE-SIG-A field contents 1901-1902, in aggregate, may be 8
.mu.s.
[0166] FIGS. 20A through 20C show an example of a HE-SIG-A field
contents 2001-2003 for a HE SU PPDU and HE Extended Range SU PPDU
for supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance
with various aspects of the present disclosure. The HE-SIG-A1 field
contents 2001-2002 represent a first part of a HE-SIG-A field,
HE-SIG-A1, and HE-SIG-A2 field contents 2003 represent a second
part of the HE-SIG-A field. The HE-SIG-A field contents 2001-2003
represents aspects of a re-ordering of various HE-SIG-A fields. One
or more of HE-SIG-A field contents 2001-2003 may be part of HE WLAN
preamble 218 with reference to FIG. 2, and/or HE-SIG-A field 305
with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A.
[0167] The HE-SIG-A field contents 2001-2003 provide improved PAPR
performance for HE-SIG-A. In certain aspects, the HE-SIG-A field
contents 2001-20003 moves the beam change, MCS, DCM, LTE+CP, and
Nsts fields to HE-SIG-A1 and moves the Txop duration to HE-SIG-A2.
For the BSS color description, "0" may indicate public action
frames; "63" may indicate IBSS/MBSS/TDLS frames (e.g., when the AP
does not provide a color); and "1:62" may indicate HE BSS color.
For the Txop duration description, "127" may indicate that the Txop
duration is not set. For the Doppler description, "1" may indicate
that Doppler procedure is used, and "0" may indicate otherwise.
[0168] In certain aspects, the format field may differentiate
between HE SU PPDU and HE Trigger-based PPDU. Having this field
first (e.g., "B0") may support early detection and therefore may be
beneficial. Having the Beam Change field as second field may be
useful to determine better channel estimation, e.g., the receiver
becomes aware of spatial mapping of pre-HE STF and HE LTF very
early in reception. The MCS field in the beginning helps to
determine MCS of the incoming data payload, e.g., early detect of
1024 QAM MCS enables receiver to enable special power save mode of
reception. The DCM field follows MCS immediately, which may impacts
the code rate used to calculate data rate for the MCS field.
[0169] In some aspects, the BSS Color field supports identifying to
which BSS the packet belongs. The Spatial Reuse field conveys
knowledge in conjunction with BSS Color field to help determine if
STA can do spatial reuse transmission. In HE SU PPDU and HE
Extended Range SU PPDU, the HE LTFs may follow the HE_SIG-A2
format. Hence early knowledge of LTF+CP helps in HE_SIG-A1 to
prepare receiver better for channel estimation.
[0170] In some aspects, the benefits of HE-SIG-A field contents
2001-2003 studied by the PAPR performance of HE-SIG-A for various
PPDU formats considering meaningful worst cases. For worst cases
(e.g., all 0's and all 1's in HE_SIG A) the sequence of the
HE-SIG-A field contents 2001-2003 may support PAPR better than PAPR
of MCS0 data.
[0171] FIGS. 21A through 21C show an example of a HE-SIG-A field
contents 2101-2103 for a HE MU PPDU for supporting preamble design
aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various aspects of the
present disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field contents 2101-2102 represent
a first part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and the HE-SIG-A field
contents 2103 represent a second part of the HE-SIG-A field,
HE-SIG-A2. The HE-SIG-A field contents 2101-2103 represents aspects
of a re-ordering of various HE-SIG-A fields. One or more of
HE-SIG-A field contents 2101-2103 may be part of HE WLAN preamble
218 with reference to FIG. 2, and/or HE-SIG-A field 305 with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A.
[0172] In certain aspects, the HE-SIG-A field contents 2101-2103
moves the MCS, DCM, LTE+CP, and SIGB # of symbols fields to
HE-SIG-A1 and moves the Txop duration to HE-SIG-A2. For the BSS
color description, "0" may indicate public action frames; "63" may
indicate IBSS/MBSS/TDLS frames (e.g., when the AP does not provide
a Color); and "1:62" may indicate HE BSS color. For the Txop
duration description, "127" may indicate that the Txop duration is
not set. For the Doppler description, "1" may indicate that Doppler
procedure is used, and "0" may indicate otherwise.
[0173] FIGS. 22A through 22B show an example of a HE-SIG-A field
contents 2201-2202 for a HE Trigger-based PPDU for supporting
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The HE-SIG-A field contents 2201
represents a first part of a HE-SIG-A field, HE-SIG-A1, and
HE-SIG-A field contents 2202 represents a second part of the
HE-SIG-A, HE-SIG-A2. The HE-SIG-A field contents 2201-2202
represents aspects of a re-ordering of various HE-SIG-A fields. One
or more of HE-SIG-A field contents 2201-2202 may be part of HE WLAN
preamble 218 with reference to FIG. 2, and/or HE-SIG-A field 305
with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A.
[0174] With reference to FIGS. 14A through 22B, one or more the
HE-SIG-A field contents 1401-2202 may include one or more reserved
fields. In some examples, these reserved fields are each set to
"1". Setting the reserved fields to "1", for example instead of
some or all to "0", may ameliorate issues resulting from large
peak-to-average-power (PAPR) ratios that may otherwise be present,
and/or assist with binary convolutional code (BCC) encoder state
setting.
[0175] In other examples, the reserved fields, for example bit B0
with reference to HE-SIG-A field contents 1401, 1501, and/or 1601,
may be interpreted differently for a transmitter and a receiver. In
one example, the reserved field may be set to "1" or "0" by the
transmitter, and ignored by the receiver. In a second example, the
reserved field may be set to "1" or "0" by the transmitter, and
checked by the receiver for fidelity, such that the receiver may
discard the associated PPDU if the field is set incorrectly. In a
third example, the reserved field may be used to indicate a Wi-Fi
version associated with the PPDU, such that the meaning of the
HE-SIG-A bit fields may be different based on the indicated version
of the field. For example, the reserved field, used as a version
field, may be set to "0" to indicate IEEE 802.11ax is used, and may
be set to "1" to indicate some future version of IEEE 802.11 is
used.
[0176] In some examples, a bit associated with the "Format" field
shown with reference to RE-SIG-A field contents 1401, 1601, 1701,
1901, 2001, 2101, and/or 2201 may be aligned to a B1 bit in a HE SU
PPDU and HE trigger-based PPDU, and used to differentiate between a
HE SU PPDU and HE trigger-based PPDU.
[0177] In some examples, the "BSS Color" field shown with reference
to HE-SIG-A field contents 1401, 1601, 1701, 1901, 2001, 2101,
and/or 2201 may contain six bits to identify a BSS. In some
examples, the six bits of the BSS Color filed are each set to "1"
to indicate no BSS color. Setting the "BSS Color" field to all "1"
to indicate no BSS color rather than all "0" to indicate no BSS
color can avoid providing a trail of "0" bits.
[0178] In other examples, combinations of bit fields for the one or
more the HE-SIG-A field contents 1401-2202 may be disallowed. These
disallowed combinations of bit fields may be used to indicate
vendor-specific modes. For example, for a contention period (CP) of
0.4 .mu.s that is indicated to a receiver, a DCM value set to "1"
and MCS greater than 4 may be a disallowed combination (e.g.,
because in some circumstances DCM may be allowed to be applied only
for HE-MCSs with indices of 0, 1, 3, or 4). This disallowed
combination may still be indicated, but for the transmitter to
indicate a vendor specific mode of operation to the receiver rather
than for the receiver to operate in the otherwise disallowed
combination.
[0179] In some examples, and with reference to FIGS. 14A through
22B, the bit fields may be arranged to avoid violating symbol
boundaries. For example, each of the two reserved bits for a HE SU
PPDU and HE extended range SU PPDU, "Reserved" field B25 shown in
HE-SIG-A field contents 1702 and "LDPC extra symbol" field B3 shown
in HE-SIG-A field contents 1703 may be arranged to be adjacent by
swapping "Reserved" field B25 shown in HE-SIG-A field contents 1702
with "Coding" field B2 shown in HE-SIG-A field contents 1703. In
still other examples, the HE trigger-based PPDU bit fields may be
rearranged such that spatial reuse (SR) and transmit opportunity
(TXOP) duration bit fields occur consecutively. For example,
HE-SIG-A field contents 1901-1902 may be arranged as follows:
"Format" field B0, "SR" field B1:B16, "TXOP" field B17:B23, and
"Bandwidth" field B:24:B25 for the HE-SIG-A1 part of the HE-SIG-A
field, followed by "BSS Color" field B0:B5, "Reserved" field
B6:B15, CRC field B16:B19, and "Tail" field B20:B25 for the
HE-SIG-A2 part of the HE-SIG-A field. Such arrangement may enable
the extension of the TXOP duration bit field for improved
resolution if SR is unused.
[0180] FIGS. 13A and 13B show block diagrams of an example device
for supporting preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance
with various aspects of the present disclosure.
[0181] FIG. 13A shows a block diagram 1300-a of an example wireless
device 1390 that supports preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in
accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, and with
respect to FIGS. 1-12 and 14A-22B. The wireless device 1390, which
may be an example of a STA 110 or an AP 105, includes a resource
unit signaling manager 1330, a MU-MIMO load balancer 1335, a
spatial stream determiner 1340, a content type determiner 1345, and
a punctured channel manager 1350. The processor 1305, memory 1310,
transceiver(s) 1320, the resource unit signaling manager 1330,
MU-MIMO load balancer 1335, spatial stream determiner 1340, content
type determiner 1345, and punctured channel manager 1350 are
communicatively coupled with a bus 1355, which enables
communication between these components. The antenna(s) 1325 are
communicatively coupled with the transceiver(s) 1320.
[0182] The processor 1305 is an intelligent hardware device, such
as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an
application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor
1305 processes information received through the transceiver(s) 1320
and information to be sent to the transceiver(s) 1320 for
transmission through the antenna(s) 1325.
[0183] The memory 1310 stores computer-readable,
computer-executable software (SW) code 1315 containing instructions
that, when executed, cause the processor 1305 or another one of the
components of the wireless device 1390 to perform various functions
described herein.
[0184] The transceiver(s) 1320 communicate bi-directionally with
other wireless devices, such as APs 105, STAs 110, or other
devices. The transceiver(s) 1320 include a modem to modulate
packets and frames and provide the modulated packets to the
antenna(s) 1325 for transmission. The modem is additionally used to
demodulate packets received from the antenna(s) 1325.
[0185] The resource unit signaling manager 1330, MU-MIMO load
balancer 1335, spatial stream determiner 1340, content type
determiner 1345, and punctured channel manager 1350 implement the
features described with reference to FIGS. 1-12 and 14A-22B, as
further explained below.
[0186] The resource unit signaling manager 1330 can identify a
resource unit (RU) configuration for a WLAN data field of a SU
transmission frame that has a fixed bandwidth. The resource unit
signaling manager 1330 can then generate a RU indicator in a WLAN
signaling field of a preamble of the SU transmission frame, where
the RU indicator identifies a RU size and a RU location within the
WLAN data field. The resource unit signaling manager 1330 can, in
some examples together with transceivers 1320 and/or antenna(s)
1325, transmit the SU transmission frame.
[0187] The MU-MIMO load balancer 1335 can identify a first
indicator identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations associated with
a first RU in a first content channel of a transmission frame. The
MU-MIMO load balancer 1335 can also identify a second indicator
identifying an absence of MU-MIMO stations associated with a second
RU in a second content channel of the transmission frame. The
MU-MIMO load balancer 1335 may then generate a first common portion
of a WLAN signaling field in the first content channel of the
transmission frame, wherein the first common portion includes the
first indicator, and generate a second common portion of the WLAN
signaling field in the second content channel of the transmission
frame, wherein the second common portion includes the second
indicator. The MU-MIMO load balancer 1335 can, in some examples
together with transceivers 1320 and/or antenna(s) 1325, transmit
the SU transmission frame that includes the WLAN signaling
field.
[0188] The spatial stream determiner 1340 can receive a
transmission frame that includes a WLAN signaling field decodable
by a plurality of stations. In some examples the spatial stream
determiner 1340 receives the transmission frame together with
transceivers 1320 and/or antenna(s) 1325. The spatial stream
determiner 1340 may identify, in a station-specific portion of the
WLAN signaling field, an order for a plurality of station-specific
information blocks associated with the plurality of stations. The
spatial stream determiner 1340 may then determine a number of
spatial streams allocated to the first station based at least in
part on the identified order for the plurality of station-specific
information blocks.
[0189] The content type determiner 1345 may receive a transmission
frame associated with a plurality of channels, the transmission
frame including a WLAN signaling field. In some examples the
content type determiner 1345 receives the transmission frame
together with transceivers 1320 and/or antenna(s) 1325. The content
type determiner 1345 can identify a first number of stations
associated with the WLAN signaling field for a first channel of the
plurality of channels, and identify a second number of stations
associated with the WLAN signaling field for a second channel of
the plurality of channels. The content type determiner 1345 may
then determine whether a data portion of the transmission frame
contains MU-MIMO content based at least in part on the identified
first number of stations and the identified second number of
stations.
[0190] The punctured channel manager 1350 can generate an
indication that a first channel of a plurality of channels
associated with a transmission frame has been punctured, the
transmission frame including a WLAN signaling field. The punctured
channel manager 1350 can identify information associated with the
WLAN signaling field corresponding to the punctured first channel,
then transmit the indication that the first channel has been
punctured and the information associated with the WLAN signaling
field in a second channel of the plurality of channels. In some
examples, the punctured channel manager 1350 operates together with
transceivers 1320 and/or antenna(s) 1325 to transmit the indication
and the information associated with the WLAN signaling field in the
second channel.
[0191] Again, FIG. 13A shows only one possible implementation of a
device executing the features of FIGS. 1-12 and 14A-22B. While the
components of FIG. 13A are shown as discrete hardware blocks (e.g.,
ASICs, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), semi-custom
integrated circuits, etc.) for purposes of clarity, it will be
understood that each of the components may also be implemented by
multiple hardware blocks adapted to execute some or all of the
applicable features in hardware. Alternatively, features of two or
more of the components of FIG. 13A may be implemented by a single,
consolidated hardware block. For example, a single transceiver 1320
chip may implement the processor 1305, memory 1310, resource unit
signaling manager 1330, MU-MIMO load balancer 1335, spatial stream
determiner 1340, content type determiner 1345, and punctured
channel manager 1350.
[0192] In still other examples, the features of each component may
also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions
embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more
general or application-specific processors. For example, FIG. 13B
shows a block diagram 1300-b of another example of a wireless
device 1390-a in which the features of the resource unit signaling
manager 1330-a, MU-MIMO load balancer 1335-a, spatial stream
determiner 1340-a, content type determiner 1345-a, and punctured
channel manager 1350-a are implemented as computer-readable code
stored on memory 1310-a and executed by one or more processors
1305-a. Other combinations of hardware/software may be used to
perform the features of one or more of the components of FIGS.
13A-13B.
[0193] FIG. 23 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2300 for
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 2300
may be implemented by a wireless device 1390 or its components as
described herein, e.g., an AP 105 and/or a STA 110. In some
examples, an wireless device 1390 may execute a set of codes to
control the functional elements of the device to perform the
functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the
wireless device may perform aspects of the functions described
below using special-purpose hardware.
[0194] At block 2305 the wireless device 1310 may identify a first
indicator identifying a number of MU-MIMO stations associated with
a first RU in a first content channel of a transmission frame. The
operations of block 2305 may be performed according to the methods
described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain
examples, aspects of the operations of block 2305 may be performed
by a component of the wireless device 1390 as described with
reference to FIG. 13.
[0195] At block 2310 the wireless device 1390 may generate a first
common portion of a WLAN signaling field in the first content
channel of the transmission frame, wherein the first common portion
includes the first indicator. The operations of block 2310 may be
performed according to the methods described with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations
of block 2310 may be performed by a component of the wireless
device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0196] At block 2315 the wireless device 1390 may identify a second
indicator identifying an absence of MU-MIMO stations associated
with a second RU in a second content channel of the transmission
frame. The operations of block 2315 may be performed according to
the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In
certain examples, aspects of the operations of block 2315 may be
performed by a component of the wireless device 1390 as described
with reference to FIG. 13.
[0197] At block 2320 the wireless device 1390 may generate a second
common portion of the WLAN signaling field in the second content
channel of the transmission frame, wherein the second common
portion includes the second indicator. The operations of block 2320
may be performed according to the methods described with reference
to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the
operations of block 2320 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0198] At block 2325 the AP 105 may transmit the transmission frame
that includes the WLAN signaling field. The operations of block
2325 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 2325 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0199] FIG. 24 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2400 for
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 2400
may be implemented by a wireless device 1390 or its components as
described herein, e.g., an AP 105 and/or a STA 110. In some
examples, a wireless device 1390 may execute a set of codes to
control the functional elements of the device to perform the
functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the
wireless device 1390 may perform aspects of the functions described
below using special-purpose hardware.
[0200] At block 2405 the wireless device 1390 may receive, at a
first station, a transmission frame that includes a wireless local
area network (WLAN) signaling field decodable by a plurality of
stations. The operations of block 2405 may be performed according
to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In
certain examples, aspects of the operations of block 2405 may be
performed by a component of the wireless device 1390 as described
with reference to FIG. 13.
[0201] At block 2410 the wireless device 1390 may identify, in a
station-specific portion of the WLAN signaling field, an order for
a plurality of station-specific information blocks associated with
the plurality of stations. The operations of block 2410 may be
performed according to the methods described with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations
of block 2410 may be performed by a component of the wireless
device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0202] At block 2415 the wireless device 1390 may determine a
number of spatial streams allocated to the first station based at
least in part on the identified order for the plurality of
station-specific information blocks. The operations of block 2415
may be performed according to the methods described with reference
to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the
operations of block 2415 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0203] FIG. 25 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2500 for
Preamble Design Aspects For High Efficiency Wireless Local Area
Networks in accordance with various aspects of the present
disclosure. The operations of method 2500 may be implemented by a
wireless device 1390 or its components as described herein, e.g.,
an AP 105 and/or a STA 115. In some examples, a wireless device
1390 may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements
of the device to perform the functions described below.
Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device 1390 may perform
aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose
hardware.
[0204] At block 2505 the wireless device 1390 may receive a
transmission frame associated with a plurality of channels, the
transmission frame including a wireless local area network (WLAN)
signaling field. The operations of block 2505 may be performed
according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1
through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block
2505 may be performed by a component of the wireless device 1390 as
described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0205] At block 2510 the wireless device 1390 may identify a first
number of stations associated with the WLAN signaling field for a
first channel of the plurality of channels. The operations of block
2510 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 2510 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0206] At block 2515 the wireless device 1390 may identify a second
number of stations associated with the WLAN signaling field for a
second channel of the plurality of channels. The operations of
block 2515 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 2515 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0207] At block 2520 the wireless device 1390 may determine whether
a data portion of the transmission frame contains multi-user
multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) content based at least in
part on the identified first number of stations and the identified
second number of stations. The operations of block 2520 may be
performed according to the methods described with reference to FIG.
1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of
block 2520 may be performed by a component of the wireless device
1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0208] FIG. 26 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2600 for
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 2600
may be implemented by a wireless device 1390 or its components as
described herein, e.g., an AP 105 and/or a STA 110. In some
examples, a wireless device 1390 may execute a set of codes to
control the functional elements of the device to perform the
functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the
wireless device 1390 may perform aspects of the functions described
below using special-purpose hardware.
[0209] At block 2605 the wireless device 1390 may identify a tone
plan to be used for a transmission frame in a wireless local area
network (WLAN). The operations of block 2605 may be performed
according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1
through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block
2605 may be performed by a component of the wireless device 1390 as
described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0210] At block 2610 the wireless device 1390 may allocate resource
units (RUs) for a plurality of users for the transmission frame.
The operations of block 2610 may be performed according to the
methods described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain
examples, aspects of the operations of block 2610 may be performed
by a component of the wireless device 1390 as described with
reference to FIG. 13.
[0211] At block 2615 the wireless device 1390 may determine that a
resource unit (RU) of the tone plan is unallocated. The operations
of block 2615 may be performed according to the methods described
with reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects
of the operations of block 2615 may be performed by a component of
the wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG.
13.
[0212] At block 2620 the wireless device 1390 may generate, for the
transmission frame, a station identification in a user specific
portion of a WLAN signaling field that indicates that the RU is
unallocated. The operations of block 2620 may be performed
according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1
through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block
2620 may be performed by a component of the wireless device 1390 as
described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0213] FIG. 27 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2700 for
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 2700
may be implemented by a wireless device 1390 or its components as
described herein, e.g., an AP 105 and/or a STA 110. In some
examples, a wireless device 1390 may execute a set of codes to
control the functional elements of the device to perform the
functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the
wireless device 1390 may perform aspects of the functions described
below using special-purpose hardware.
[0214] At block 2705 the wireless device 1390 may receive a first
content channel associated with a transmission frame, the first
content channel including a wireless local area network (WLAN)
signaling field. The operations of block 2705 may be performed
according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1
through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block
2705 may be performed by a component of the wireless device 1390 as
described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0215] At block 2710 the wireless device 1390 may identify, based
on at least in part on an indication in the WLAN signaling field, a
first number of users associated with the first content channel and
a second number of users associated with a second content channel
of the transmission frame. The operations of block 2710 may be
performed according to the methods described with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations
of block 2710 may be performed by a component of the wireless
device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0216] FIG. 28 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2800 for
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 2800
may be implemented by a wireless device 1390 or its components as
described herein, e.g., an AP 105 and/or a STA 110. In some
examples, a wireless device 1390 may execute a set of codes to
control the functional elements of the device to perform the
functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the
wireless device 1390 may perform aspects of the functions described
below using special-purpose hardware.
[0217] At block 2805 the wireless device 1390 may generate an
indication that a first channel of a plurality of channels
associated with a transmission frame has been punctured, the
transmission frame including a wireless local area network (WLAN)
signaling field. The operations of block 2805 may be performed
according to the methods described with reference to FIGS. 1
through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block
2805 may be performed by a component of the wireless device 1390 as
described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0218] At block 2810 the wireless device 1390 may identify
information associated with the WLAN signaling field corresponding
to the punctured first channel. The operations of block 2810 may be
performed according to the methods described with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations
of block 2810 may be performed by a component of the wireless
device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0219] At block 2815 the wireless device 1390 may transmit the
indication that the first channel has been punctured and the
information associated with the WLAN signaling field in a second
channel of the plurality of channels. The operations of block 2815
may be performed according to the methods described with reference
to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the
operations of block 2815 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0220] FIG. 29 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 2900 for
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 2900
may be implemented by a wireless device 1390 or its components as
described herein, e.g., an AP 105 and/or STA 110. In some examples,
a wireless device 1390 may execute a set of codes to control the
functional elements of the device to perform the functions
described below. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device
1390 may perform aspects of the functions described below using
special-purpose hardware.
[0221] At block 2905 the wireless device 1390 may generate an
indication that a first channel of a plurality of channels
associated with a transmission frame has been punctured, the
transmission frame including a first wireless local area network
(WLAN) signaling field. The operations of block 2905 may be
performed according to the methods described with reference to
FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of the operations
of block 2905 may be performed by a component of the wireless
device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0222] At block 2910 the wireless device 1390 may identify
information associated with the first WLAN signaling field
corresponding to the punctured first channel. The operations of
block 2910 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 2910 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0223] At block 2915 the wireless device 1390 may transmit the
indication that the first channel has been punctured in a second
WLAN signaling field of the transmission frame. The operations of
block 2915 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 2915 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0224] At block 2920 the wireless device 1390 may transmit the
information associated with the first WLAN signaling field in a
second channel of the plurality of channels. The operations of
block 2920 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 2920 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0225] FIG. 30 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 3000 for
preamble design aspects for HE WLANs in accordance with various
aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 3000
may be implemented by a wireless device 1390 or its components as
described herein, e.g., an AP 105 and/or STA 110. In some examples,
a wireless device 1390 may execute a set of codes to control the
functional elements of the device to perform the functions
described below. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device
1390 may perform aspects of the functions described below using
special-purpose hardware.
[0226] At block 3005 the wireless device 1390 may identify a
bandwidth associated with a transmission frame. The operations of
block 3005 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 3005 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0227] At block 3010 the wireless device 1390 may identify a
location for one or more content channels within the bandwidth. The
operations of block 3010 may be performed according to the methods
described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain
examples, aspects of the operations of block 3010 may be performed
by a component of the wireless device 1390 as described with
reference to FIG. 13.
[0228] At block 3015 the wireless device 1390 may transmit the
transmission frame including a WLAN signaling field indicating both
the bandwidth and the location for the one or more content channels
within the bandwidth of the transmission frame. The operations of
block 3015 may be performed according to the methods described with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22. In certain examples, aspects of
the operations of block 3015 may be performed by a component of the
wireless device 1390 as described with reference to FIG. 13.
[0229] The detailed description set forth above in connection with
the appended drawings describes examples and does not represent the
only examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope
of the claims. The terms "example" and "exemplary," when used in
this description, mean "serving as an example, instance, or
illustration," and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other
examples." The detailed description includes specific details for
the purpose of providing an understanding of the described
techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without
these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures
and apparatuses are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid
obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
[0230] Information and signals may be represented using any of a
variety of different technologies and techniques. For example,
data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols,
and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description
may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves,
magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any
combination thereof.
[0231] The various illustrative blocks and components described in
connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or
performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal
processor (DSP), an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic
device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware
components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the
functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a
microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any
conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state
machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of
computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration.
[0232] The functions described herein may be implemented in
hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any
combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a
processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as
one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit
of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the
nature of software, functions described above can be implemented
using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware,
hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing
functions may also be physically located at various positions,
including being distributed such that portions of functions are
implemented at different physical locations. As used herein,
including in the claims, the term "and/or," when used in a list of
two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be
employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed
items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described
as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can
contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C
in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in
combination. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, "or" as
used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a
phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates a
disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of "at least one of
A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and
B and C).
[0233] Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media
and communication media including any medium that facilitates
transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage
medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a
general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and
not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, flash memory, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program
code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that
can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer,
or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any
connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For
example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or
other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,
twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless
technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless
technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in
the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include
compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc
(DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce
data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with
lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the
scope of computer-readable media.
[0234] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to
enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope
of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the
examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the
broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features
disclosed herein.
* * * * *