Abstract:
Time division multiple access (TDMA) media access control (MAC) adapted for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Various com systems may include smart meter stations (SMSTAs) and/or wireless stations (STAs). Appropriate coordination is made with respect to such communication devices to ensure appropriate uplink (and/or downlink) communications between a network manager or coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP)) and the SMSTAs and/or STAs. With respect to SMSTAs, the relative duration of time that such communication devices are awake and operative versus asleep (or in a reduced power and/or functionality state) can be significant. Certain implementations may include a relatively large number of such communication devices (e.g., 10s, 100s, 1000s, or more), and appropriate coordination and scheduling of such communications to/from them is made using one or more variations of TDMA signaling (e.g., including different respective service periods (SPs), communication medium access operational modes, adaptation thereof, etc.).
Abstract:
Session recovery after network coordinator or AP restart for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Restart or reset of a network coordinator (e.g., an access point (AP) or other network coordinator type device) may occur for various reasons (e.g., a power cycle or power failure, inadequate failover protection, scheduled or planned power outages such as for including network maintenance, software upgrades, etc.). Upon determination of network coordinator restarted or reset, a singular bit within a communication from the network coordinator indicates synchronization or not of the its timing synchronization function (TSF) (e.g., with other devices in the communication system, such as wireless stations (STAs), smart meter stations (SMSTAs), etc.). A given device (e.g., STA, SMSTA, etc.) can provide its current TSF to the network coordinator so that it can resynchronize, re-establish its scheduled for wake times of those devices (e.g., target wake times (TWTs)), etc.
Abstract:
A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device generates and transmits a resource and association poll frame (ra-poll frame) to other device(s). The contents of ra-poll frame direct which of the other device(s) is authorized to respond to the device (e.g., authorized device(s)) and the manner in which they are authorized to respond. Authorized device(s) transmit responses that may include association request(s) and/or a resource request(s), among other types of communications. The device then generates and transmits acknowledgement(s) (ACK(s)) indicates successful receipt of any responses from the authorized device(s).
Abstract:
A wireless communication device is configured to generate frames based on any of a number of different frame formats for transmission to one or more other recipient wireless communication devices. The frame may be implemented to include data intended for two or more recipient devices. The device encodes first data intended for a first recipient device using first one or more coding parameters and encodes second data intended for a second recipient device using second one or more coding parameters. The manner by which the first and second data have been encoded is indicated within one or more other fields within the frames based on the selected frame format. In one example, a single preamble specifies the first and second one or more coding parameters. In another example, an initial preamble and one or more respective sub-preambles specify the first and second one or more coding parameters.
Abstract:
Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In accordance with wireless communications, a signal (SIG) field employed within such packets is distributed or partitioned into at least two separate signal fields (e.g., SIG A and SIG B) that are located in different portions of the packet. A first of the SIG fields includes information that may be processed and decoded by all wireless communication devices, and a second of the SIG fields includes information that is specific to one or more particular wireless communication devices (e.g., a specific wireless communication device or a specific subset of the wireless communication devices). The precise locations of the at least first and second SIG fields within a packet may be varied, including placing a second of the SIG fields (e.g., including user-specific information) adjacent to and preceding a data field in the packet.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a receiver to receive a first signal from at least one additional apparatus including a data frame including a FACK request in a signal (SIG) field. A baseband processor generates feedback information for use to perform channel estimation. A transmitter transmits a second signal that includes the feedback information to the at least one additional apparatus.
Abstract:
Transmission coordination within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within wireless communication systems, there can be various wireless communication devices therein that are not all compliant with a common capability set, communication protocol, communication standard, recommended practice, etc. For example, some communication systems may have some wireless communication devices characterized as ‘legacy’ wireless communication devices, and other wireless communication devices therein may be newer and compliant with newer capability sets, communication protocols, communication standards, recommended practices, etc. In such instances, coordination of transmissions among the various wireless communication devices may be made, when performing simultaneous transmissions, by ensuring that transmissions of devices on different channels is made when aligned on a common boundary of an OFDM symbol. Alternatively, such simultaneous transmissions may be made when offset by some multiple of OFDM symbol duration. When performing non-simultaneous transmissions, transmissions may be made based on channel availability.
Abstract:
A wireless communication device includes communication interface configured to receive and transmit signals and a processor configured to generate and process such signals. The communication interface of the wireless communication device is configured to receive a first signal from a first other wireless communication device, and the processor of the wireless communication device is configured to process the first signal to determine one or more concurrent transmission parameters. The processor of the wireless communication device is configured to generate the second signal based on the one or more concurrent transmission parameters and direct the communication interface to transmit the second signal to a second other wireless communication device during receipt of the first signal from the first other wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be configured to make such concurrent transmissions based on one or more considerations such as the power level of the first signal.
Abstract:
Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g., a first field for a first wireless communication device, a second field for a second wireless communication device, etc.).
Abstract:
A wireless communication device (alternatively, device) includes a processor configured to support communications with other wireless communication device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. In some examples, the device includes a communication interface and a processor, among other possible circuitries, components, elements, etc. to support communications with other device(s) and to generate and process signals for such communications. A device generates and transmits a resource and association poll frame (ra-poll frame) to other device(s). The contents of ra-poll frame direct which of the other device(s) is authorized to respond to the device (e.g., authorized device(s)) and the manner in which they are authorized to respond. Authorized device(s) transmit responses that may include association request(s) and/or a resource request(s), among other types of communications. The device then generates and transmits acknowledgement(s) (ACK(s)) indicates successful receipt of any responses from the authorized device(s).