Apparatus, method and computer-readable medium for operating a wireless station or access point

Abstract

The present invention discloses antenna diversity for beacons. An access point device may include multiple antenna arrays. Each of the antenna arrays may be used sequentially to transmit a series of beacons. The beacons may include configuration information that can be used by wireless devices to determine when to respond to the beacons. The access point may use each of the antenna arrays to receive responses during a series of response periods.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments described herein relate to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly to systems, apparatus, and methods for broadcasting and responding to beacons in a directional wireless network.

[0002] Description of Related Art

[0003] The use of wireless communication systems is growing rapidly. In addition, wireless communication technology has evolved from voice-only communication to also include the transmission of data (such as the Internet and multimedia content). There are many different wireless communication technologies and standards. Some examples of wireless communication standards include GSM, UMTS (WCDMA), LTE, Advanced LTE (LTE-A), 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), IEEE 802.11 (WLAN or Wi-Fi and WiGig), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), Bluetooth, etc.

[0004] As the presence of wireless communication technologies increases, it is increasingly common for wireless devices to include multiple antennas and / or multiple radio components to implement various wireless communication technologies. Some standards (e.g., the latest versions of IEEE 802.11ad and 802.11ay) use directional wireless technologies to improve system performance. It is expected that improvements will be made in the field of transmitting and receiving beacons using antenna arrays in directional wireless networks. Summary of the invention

[0005] Disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, in particular, for access points to transmit beacons that specify response periods corresponding to antenna arrays used to transmit the beacons. In addition, disclosed herein are embodiments of methods, in particular, for wireless station (STA) devices to receive beacons from access points, determine response periods, and respond to the beacons. Disclosed herein are embodiments of devices and apparatuses, in particular, configured to implement the methods.

[0006] Note that the techniques described herein may be implemented in and / or used with a variety of different types of devices, including, but not limited to, cellular telephones, portable media players, tablet computers, wearable devices, and various other computing devices.

[0007] The present invention is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the themes described in this document. Therefore, it should be understood that the above features are only examples and should not be interpreted as narrowing the scope or essence of the themes described in this invention in any way. Other features, aspects and advantages of the themes described herein will become apparent through the following detailed description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] A better understanding of the present subject matter may be gained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary wireless communication system involving wireless devices performing wireless communications according to a plurality of wireless communication technologies is illustrated;

[0010] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary wireless device;

[0011] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary RF portion of a wireless device according to some embodiments;

[0012] Figure 5 is a communication flow diagram illustrating beacon transmission and response according to some embodiments;

[0013] Figure 6 is a timing diagram illustrating beacon transmissions by an access point (AP) and responses by stations using a single antenna array according to some embodiments;

[0014] Figure 7 An access point (AP) according to some embodiments is shown communicating with multiple stations using multiple antenna arrays;

[0015] Figure 8 is a timing diagram illustrating beacon transmissions by an access point (AP) using multiple antenna arrays and responses by multiple stations according to some embodiments; and

[0016] Fig. 9 An exemplary simplified block diagram of an access point (AP) is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0017] Although the features described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to limit this document to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the purpose is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] the term

[0019] The following are definitions of terms used in this disclosure:

[0020] Memory medium - any of various types of non-transitory memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include installation media, for example, CD-ROM, floppy disk or tape devices; computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory such as flash memory, magnetic media, for example, hard disk drive or optical storage device; registers or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may also include other types of non-transitory memory or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in the first computer system executing the program, or may be located in a different second computer system connected to the first computer system via a network such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term "memory medium" may include two or more memory media that may reside in different locations in different computer systems connected, for example, via a network. The memory medium may store program instructions (e.g., expressed as a computer program) that may be executed by one or more processors.

[0021] Carrier Medium—storage media as described above, and physical transmission media such as a bus, network, and / or other physical transmission media that transport signals such as electrical, electromagnetic or digital signals.

[0022] Programmable hardware element - includes various hardware devices that include multiple programmable function blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Examples include FPGA (field programmable gate array), PLD (programmable logic device), FPOA (field programmable object array), and CPLD (complex PLD). Programmable function blocks can vary from fine-grained (combinational logic unit or lookup table) to coarse-grained (arithmetic logic unit or processor core). Programmable hardware elements may also be referred to as "configurable logic units".

[0023] Computer System—Any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), a mainframe computer system, a workstation, a network appliance, an Internet appliance, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television system, a grid computing system, or other devices or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" may be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0024] User Equipment (UE) (or "UE device") - any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable and that perform wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone TM , based on Android TMphones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS TM , PlayStation Portable TM 、Gameboy Advance TM , iPhone TM ), laptop computers, wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart glasses), personal digital assistants, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices or other handheld devices, etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to cover any electronic device, computing device and / or telecommunication device (or combination of devices) that is convenient for a user to carry and capable of wireless communication.

[0025] Wireless Device—Any of various types of computer system devices that perform wireless communications. A wireless device may be portable (or mobile), or may be stationary or fixed at a certain location. A UE is an example of a wireless device.

[0026] Communication Device - Any of various types of computer systems or devices that perform communications, which may be wired or wireless. A communication device may be portable (or mobile), or may be stationary or fixed at a location. A wireless device is an example of a communication device. A UE is another example of a communication device.

[0027] Base Station - The term "base station" (also referred to as "eNB") has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless cellular communication system.

[0028] Link budget limited – includes the full breadth of its ordinary meaning and includes at least the characteristics of a wireless device (e.g., UE) that exhibits limited communication capabilities or limited power relative to a device that is not link budget limited or relative to a device for which a radio access technology (RAT) standard has been developed. A link budget limited wireless device may experience relatively limited reception capabilities and / or transmission capabilities, which may be due to one or more factors, such as device design, device size, battery size, antenna size or design, transmission power, reception power, current transmission medium conditions, and / or other factors. Such devices may be referred to herein as "link budget limited" (or "link budget constrained") devices. Due to the size of the device, battery power, and / or transmit / receive power, a device may be inherently link budget limited. For example, a smart watch that communicates with a base station via LTE or LTE-A may be inherently link budget limited due to its reduced transmit / receive power and / or antenna reduction. Wearable devices such as smart watches are generally link budget limited devices. Alternatively, a device may not be inherently link budget limited, e.g., may have sufficient size, battery power, and / or transmit / receive power for normal communication over LTE or LTE-A, but may be temporarily link budget limited due to current communication conditions, e.g., a smartphone at a cell edge, etc. It is noted that the term "link budget limited" includes or encompasses power limitations, and thus a link-limited device may be considered a link budget limited device.

[0029] Processing element (or processor) - refers to various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or larger portions of systems including multiple processors.

[0030] Automatically—refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by a computer system) or a device (e.g., a circuit, a programmable hardware element, an ASIC, etc.) without requiring user input to directly specify or perform the action or operation. Thus, the term "automatically" is in contrast to a user manually performing or specifying an action, wherein the user provides input to directly perform the action. An automatic process may be initiated by input provided by a user, but subsequent actions performed "automatically" are not specified by the user, i.e., are not performed "manually," wherein the user specifies each action to be performed. For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing in information, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.) is manually filling out the form, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user action. The form may be automatically filled out by a computer system, wherein the computer system (e.g., software executed on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills out the form without requiring any user input to specify the answers to the fields. As indicated above, a user may invoke automatic filling out of a form, but not participate in the actual filling out of the form (e.g., the user does not manually specify the answers to the fields but rather they are automatically completed). This specification provides various examples of operations that are automatically performed in response to actions taken by a user.

[0031] Configured to - Various components may be described as being "configured to" perform one or more tasks. In such environments, "configured to" is a broad statement that generally means "having a structure" that performs one or more tasks during operation. Thus, a component can be configured to perform a task even when the component is not currently performing the task (e.g., a set of electrical conductors can be configured to electrically connect a module to another module even when the two modules are not connected). In some environments, "configured to" can be a broad statement that generally means "having a circuit system that performs one or more tasks during operation." Thus, the component can be configured to perform a task even when the component is not currently turned on. Typically, circuits that form the structure corresponding to "configured to" may include hardware circuits.

[0032] IEEE 802.11-refers to technologies based on IEEE 802.11 wireless standards, such as 802.11a, 802.11.b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11-2012, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11-2016, 802.11ax, 802.11ay, and / or other IEEE 802.11 standards. IEEE 802.11 technology may also be referred to as "Wi-Fi" or "wireless local area network (WLAN)" technology.

[0033] For ease of description, various components may be described as performing one or more tasks. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase "configured to". The description of a component being configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended to not invoke the interpretation of the sixth paragraph of Section 112 of Title 35 of the United States Code on that component.

[0034] Figure 1 and Figure 2 -Exemplary Communication System

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system is shown. Note that Figure 1 and Figure 2 The system is only one example of a possible system, and the embodiments may be implemented in any of a variety of systems as desired.

[0036] As shown, the exemplary wireless communication system includes an access point (AP) 102, which communicates with one or more user devices 106A, 106B, etc. 106N through a transmission medium. Each user device may be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE) or a "station" (STA) in this document. Therefore, a user device is referred to as a UE, a UE device, or a STA.

[0037] The access point 102 may be an access point that provides a wireless local area network (WLAN). The access point 102 may be configured to communicate with a network 100 (e.g., a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, among various possibilities). Thus, the access point 102 may facilitate communication between UEs 106 and / or between UEs 106 and the network 100. The access point 102 and the UE 106 may be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using a WLAN such as Wi-Fi, including any of the various versions of IEEE 802.11 (e.g., a, b, g, n, ac, ad, ay, wake-up radio (WUR), etc.).

[0038] In some embodiments, the WLAN may be an ad-hoc or ad-hoc-like network, for example, using a personal basic service set (PBSS) architecture, for example, as defined in IEEE 802.11ad and 802.11ay. PBSS may provide advantages for ad-hoc-like peer-to-peer networks. In this case, the role of access point 102 may be performed by a UE device (e.g., one of UE 106) acting as a PBSS control point (PCP). For convenience, the terms "access point" and "AP / PCP" may be used herein to include an access point or a PCP.

[0039] One or more of the UEs 106 (e.g., UEs 106A, 106B) may also or alternatively be configured to communicate with a base station 104. The base station 104 may be a base transceiver station (BTS) or a cell site (“cellular base station”), and may include hardware that enables wireless communications with the UEs 106 according to one or more cellular communication protocols. Such UEs 106 and cellular base stations 104 may communicate using any of a variety of cellular communication technologies such as GSM, UMTS (WCDMA, TDS-CDMA), LTE, Advanced LTE (LTE-A), 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), 5g / NR, etc.

[0040] As shown, the cellular base stations may be equipped to communicate with a network 110 (e.g., a core network of a cellular service provider, a telecommunication network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and / or the Internet, among other possibilities). Thus, the base stations 104 may facilitate communications between UEs 106 and / or between UEs 106 and the network 110. The cellular base stations 104 may provide the UEs 106 with various telecommunication capabilities, such as voice, SMS, and / or data services.

[0041] One or more of the UEs 106 (e.g., UE 106B) may also or alternatively be configured to communicate via a Bluetooth link with a Bluetooth (BT) device 108. The Bluetooth device 108 may be any of a variety of types of Bluetooth devices, including a headset, a car speaker system, a mouse, a keyboard or other input device, another wireless device, etc.

[0042] Thus, at least in some cases, UE 106 may be able to communicate using a variety of wireless communication technologies, such as Figure 1 In addition, or as an alternative to WLAN / Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and various cellular communication standards, UE 106 may also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), and / or any other wireless communication technology as needed. In addition, it should be noted that the UE may also be able to communicate using only a single wireless communication technology if desired.

[0043] Figure 2 UE device 106 (e.g., a UE-enabled device) is shown communicating with a Wi-Fi access point (e.g., a PCP) 102, a cellular base station 104, and a Bluetooth device 108 (e.g., a wireless headset as shown, but other types of Bluetooth devices are also contemplated). Figure 1106B). Thus, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using any of a number of wireless communication protocols. UE 106 may be any of a variety of possible devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as a mobile phone, a handheld device, a computer or a tablet computer, or virtually any type of wireless device.

[0044] UE 106 may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory. UE 106 may perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or in addition, UE 106 may include a programmable hardware element, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein or any portion of any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0045] UE 106 may include multiple antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In one embodiment, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using any one of multiple wireless communication technologies using a single shared radio component. The shared radio component may be coupled to a single antenna, or may be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., for multiple input multiple output (MIMO)) for performing wireless communications. Multiple antennas may be used for single or multiple spatial streams (e.g., directional streams or beams). Typically, the radio component may include any combination of a baseband processor, an analog radio frequency (RF) signal processing circuit (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or a digital processing circuit (e.g., for digital modulation and other digital processing). Similarly, the radio component may use the aforementioned hardware to implement one or more receive chains and transmit chains. For example, UE 106 may share one or more parts of a receive and / or transmit chain between multiple wireless communication technologies.

[0046] In some embodiments, UE 106 may include a separate transmit and / or receive chain for each wireless communication protocol with which UE 106 is configured to communicate. As another possibility, UE 106 may include one or more radio components shared between multiple wireless communication protocols, and one or more radio components used uniquely by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, UE 106 may include a shared radio component for communicating using any of LTE or 1xRTT (or LTE or GSM or 5G NR), and a separate radio component for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0047] In some cases, the coupling between some or all of the antennas and radio components of the UE 106 may be dynamically configured. For example, antenna switching logic may be provided in the UE 106 to dynamically determine and configure (or reconfigure) which antennas of the UE will be used for wireless communications via which radio components. If desired, one or more antennas and radio components of the UE 106 may alternatively or additionally be permanently (fixedly) coupled to each other.

[0048] BS 104 may be configured to communicate according to MIMO technology. For example, BS 104 may use multiple antennas to communicate with UE 106 using one or more transmit chains and / or receiver chains. Technical standards may describe various modes for communication between these devices, for example, LTE or 5G NR standards may describe various transmit modes (TMs), which may specify different transmission schemes for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) messages. For example, TM1 may utilize only a single antenna, while other (e.g., higher numbered) modes may utilize additional antennas. One or more physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) messages may include control information. The control information may include an assigned rank (e.g., a rank identifier or RI) and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). The nature of the control information may vary between different transmission modes. For example, according to TM3 and TM4, a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) may be included, but according to TM9, the PMI may not be included.

[0049] Figure 3 - Example block diagram of a wireless device

[0050] Figure 3 An exemplary block diagram of a UE 106 and / or AP 102 is shown. As shown, the UE 106 / AP 102 may include a system on a chip (SOC) 300, which may include parts for various purposes. For example, as shown, the SOC 300 may include a processor 302 that may execute program instructions for the UE 106 / AP 102, and a display circuit 304 that may perform graphics processing and provide display signals to a display 360. One or more processors 302 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340 and / or other circuits or devices such as display circuit 304, wireless communication circuit 330 (e.g., including one or more radio components), connector I / F 320, and / or display 360, which may be configured to receive addresses from one or more processors 302 and convert those addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 306, read-only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310). The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, MMU 340 may be included as part of processor 302 .

[0051] As shown, the SOC 300 may be coupled to various other circuits of the UE 106 / AP 102. For example, the UE 106 / AP 102 may include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash memory 310), a connector interface 320 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system, a docking station, a charging station, etc.), a display 360, and wireless communication circuitry 330 (e.g., for LTE, LTE-A, 5GNR, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0052] As described above, the UE 106 / AP 102 may be configured to wirelessly communicate using a variety of wireless communication technologies. Also as described above, in such cases, the wireless communication circuitry (one or more radio components) 330 may include radio components shared between multiple wireless communication standards and / or radio components specifically configured for use according to a single wireless communication standard. As shown, the UE 106 / AP 102 may include multiple antennas 335 (e.g., among various possibilities, for implementing different wireless communication technologies, for MIMO, for flexibility, etc.) for performing wireless communications with other devices (e.g., including APs, UEs / STAs, base stations, etc.).

[0053] UE 106 / AP 102 may also include and / or be configured for use with one or more user interface elements. User interface elements may include various elements such as a display 360 (which may be a touch screen display), a keyboard (which may be a separate keyboard or may be implemented as part of a touch screen display), a mouse, a microphone and / or speaker, one or more cameras, one or more buttons, and / or any of a variety of other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0054] UE 106 / AP 102 may include hardware and software components for implementing the features described herein. The processor 302 of UE 106 / AP 102 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 302 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or in addition), in combination with one or more of the other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 330, 335, 340, 350, 360, the processor 302 of UE 106 / AP 102 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0055] Figure 4 -Exemplary block diagram of the RF portion of a wireless device

[0056] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a wireless device (such as Figures 1 to 3 106 or AP / PCP 102). Figure 4 Shown in and about Figure 4 The exemplary details described are not intended to limit the present disclosure as a whole: Figure 4 Many variations and alternatives to the details provided are possible and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] As shown, the wireless device may include N antennas and M radio components. The N antennas may be grouped into any number of arrays; each array may have any number of antennas (e.g., the number of antennas in each array may be equal or unequal). For example, the AP 102 may include 30 antennas, grouped into 4 arrays as follows: Array 1: 8 antennas, Array 2: 6 antennas, Array 3: 9 antennas, and Array 4: 7 antennas. Note that other numbers of antennas and arrays are possible. Each antenna and each radio component may be coupled to one or more antenna switch blocks 402. The antenna switch block 402 may be capable of switching the coupling / connection between the antennas in the antenna array and the radio components in the radio component array to provide connections between various radio component / antenna combinations. Note that the number of antennas and radio components in each of the multiple arrays may be the same or different.

[0058] Any of a variety of algorithms may be used to determine how the antenna switch block 402 switches connections between various possible radio component / antenna / array combinations. When configured for a transmit function, the antenna switch block 402 may split the signal to various antennas (e.g., in one or more arrays) with different amplitudes and phases, split amplitude weighting vectors (AWVs). When configured for a receive function, the antenna switch block 402 may combine signals from various antennas (e.g., in one or more arrays) with different amplitudes and phases, combined AWVs. Among other possible beneficial effects, multiple antennas (and / or antenna arrays) and one or more antenna switch blocks 402 may enable the device to transmit and / or receive with control of the direction of the "beam". Thus, the wireless device may be able to communicate according to standards including directional multi-gigabit (DMG) or enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) functionality (such as IEEE 802.11ad and ay). The device may use multiple different antenna patterns (e.g., within a single array or possibly multiple antenna arrays) to transmit / receive different directional sectors / beams. For example, the AP 102 may scan all sectors across the first antenna array by activating a combination of antennas (and possibly radio components) of the first array to transmit or receive sequentially for each sector. After scanning all sectors of the first antenna array, the AP 102 may perform a scan of all sectors of the second antenna array, and so on. The sectors and arrays may be designed so that they combine to cover sites in all (e.g., all reachable) directions. However, the antenna array may have a limited field of view (e.g., less than 360° or less than a solid angle of 4π). For example, a planar antenna array with a ground plane may only reach sites in a hemisphere (e.g., an antenna grouping may not be able to transmit to sectors that are not in the hemisphere, and therefore may not be able to transmit to or receive from sites that are not in the hemisphere), even if each antenna element in the antenna array is designed to cover more than a hemisphere. Similarly, an antenna array mounted in the middle of a circuit board that typically has a ground plane may only be able to reach sites in a hemisphere.

[0059] In order to have a field of view of 360° (or a solid angle of 4π), multiple antenna arrays pointing in different directions may be required. More generally, multiple arrays may be used to achieve a field of view that is greater than the limit of each individual antenna. The number of desired antenna arrays may depend on the possible field of view of each individual antenna array. Each antenna array may have multiple antennas (e.g., multiple antenna elements), and the resulting directional control may improve the link budget of the wireless link (e.g., less energy may be required for effective transmission / reception). Sectors and antenna patterns may be designed with amplitude weighting vector (AWV) groups to focus the signal (or maximize receive sensitivity) to certain directions within the field of view of the antenna array. Note that Figure 7(discussed below) shows multiple sectors for each of the three antenna arrays. In some embodiments, the beams or sectors may be iteratively trained to point the antenna arrays of the AP 102 and STA 106 toward each other. In some embodiments, one device (e.g., STA 106) may try various AWV configurations of its own antenna array to determine the best of the various configurations to communicate with another device (e.g., AP 102).

[0060] In some embodiments, the AP 102 may have a single signal chain that may allow one signal to be received at a time. Thus, although the signals of many antenna elements (e.g., antennas) may be combined, only one signal processing unit may process the signal. In other words, although the same signal may be split among many antenna elements in an antenna array, one and only one signal may be carried. In some embodiments, the AP 102 may have a single signal chain for multiple antenna arrays. In other words, the AP 102 may switch between different antenna arrays for transmission and reception, but may not use multiple antenna arrays simultaneously.

[0061] Figure 5 - Beacon emission and response

[0062] Figure 5 A method for transmitting one or more beacons by a first wireless device (e.g., AP or PCP 102, hereinafter referred to as "AP" for convenience) is shown. In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed simultaneously in a different order than shown, may be replaced by other method elements, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as needed. Figure 5 Various aspects of the method may be implemented as desired by devices such as the STA 106 and AP 102 shown and described with respect to the figures herein.

[0063] A first wireless device (e.g., AP 102) may transmit a beacon using one or more antenna arrays in any number of directions or sectors. The beacon may include various fields to configure or describe one or more response periods, etc. A second wireless device (e.g., a STA 106 attempting to join the network of the first device) may determine a response period based on receiving the beacon, and may transmit a response during the response period (e.g., during the selected / determined response period). The second device may select a response period so that the first device can receive a response. In other words, the second device may determine a response period, wherein the first device may be configured to receive a signal using an antenna array corresponding to the second device during the response period (e.g., or possibly from a specific direction or sector). In addition, the processing and response of the beacon may allow both the AP 102 and the STA 106 to train their respective antenna arrays for effective communication between the two devices. In other words, the AP 102 and any STA 106 newly joining the network may attempt to identify which antenna array and receive / transmit beam / sector provides the best channel characteristics for each device (e.g., for both uplink and downlink directions). Due to channel reciprocity, a transmit beam from AP 102 to STA 106 (e.g., a transmit beam that provides the best channel characteristics) may correspond to a receive beam that AP 102 is to use to receive from STA 106. Thus, antennas and / or antenna arrays may be paired between STA 106 and AP 102.

[0064] According to some wireless standards (e.g., 802.11ad), AP 102 may be configured to transmit beacons using multiple antenna arrays / elements, but to receive during a response period using only a single antenna in one antenna array (e.g., using a quasi-omnidirectional antenna pattern of the array). Due to this configuration, if the antenna array used by AP 102 for receiving during a response period does not correspond to the direction (e.g., location) of the STA, STAs in some locations may receive the beacon but may not be able to respond to the beacon (e.g., or AP 102 may not be able to receive the response). In addition, responses from multiple stations may cause collisions / interference if transmitted simultaneously. Figure 5 The method can improve this defect by, for example, configuring a response period for each of a plurality of antenna arrays, and possibly even for a specific direction / sector within each array.

[0065] Among other devices, Figure 5The method shown can be used with any of the computer systems or devices shown in the figure. As a specific example, the method can be implemented by a wireless user device device or site such as a UE 106 communicating with an AP or PCP (such as AP 102). As described above, in some embodiments, both devices can be user device devices such as UE 106, one of which acts as a PCP. Each of these devices may include multiple antennas and / or antenna arrays. In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown can be performed concurrently in an order different from the order shown, or can be omitted. Additional method elements can also be performed as needed. As shown in the figure, the method can be operated as follows.

[0066] AP 102 may transmit one or more beacons (502). AP 102 may be configured to periodically transmit beacons using at least one antenna array. Beacons may be transmitted during a beacon scan period (also referred to as a beacon transmission interval (BTI) or beacon transmission time). A beacon (e.g., a beacon frame) may be a type of management frame in a wireless network (e.g., according to the 802.11 standard) and may provide information about the network 100 (e.g., a basic service set or BSS, or a peer BSS or PBSS). The periodic transmission of beacons may be used to synchronize network members. The beacon transmission may broadcast common network configuration information to all stations within the network and / or attempting to join the network. During each periodic beacon scan period, AP 102 may broadcast beacons to all stations within the network range by rotating through its antenna array and / or transmitter sectors. In other words, in some embodiments, during a single BTI, the AP 102 may broadcast beacons in sequence (e.g., one beacon per sector per antenna array) until beacons have been broadcast from each sector (e.g., and to every direction). In some embodiments, beacons may be transmitted to only a subset of sectors and / or using only a subset of antenna arrays. In some embodiments, each antenna array may transmit only one beacon, for example, using a quasi-omni-directional beam configured to reach all directions that the antenna array is capable of reaching.

[0067] As described above, each beacon may include various information in one or more fields transmitted with the beacon (e.g., as part of the beacon or separate from the beacon). Specifically, the beacon may include information describing the configuration of one or more response periods, for example, according to the antenna array that rotates through the AP. In some embodiments, the configuration information (e.g., included in the field) may be used by the STA 106 receiving the beacon to determine the time of the response period during which the AP 102 will use the same antenna array used by the AP 102 to transmit the beacon (e.g., a particular beacon) for reception. Such configuration information may be indicated in various ways (e.g., in one or more fields), as described below. Each beacon may be approximately 25 μs long, but the duration may be configured as needed (e.g., according to a standard such as IEEE 802.11ad / ay). For example, the duration of the beacon may depend on the fields included in the beacon transmitted or transmitted with the beacon. Various forms of configuration information are described below. Any combination of these (and / or other) forms of configuration may be included.

[0068] One form of configuration information is that each beacon transmitted by the AP 102 may indicate the identity of the antenna array and / or sector / beam / antenna pattern used by the AP 102 to transmit the beacon. In some embodiments, the directional multi-gigabit (DMG) antenna ID subfield of the sector sweep (SSW) field transmitted in the beacon may specify the antenna ID used to transmit the beacon (e.g., a DMG beacon). This information may be used by the STA 106 for beam training and for responding to the beacon, for example, by enabling the STA 106 to determine a response period during which the AP 102 may receive a response from the STA 106 using an antenna array (e.g., and possibly a sector / beam / antenna pattern) corresponding to the location of the STA 106.

[0069] Another form of configuration information is that each beacon transmitted by the AP 102 may also indicate details of one or more response periods (e.g., associated beamforming training (A-BFT) periods). For example, a beacon may indicate one or more A-BFT periods, each of which may include one or more sector sweep (SSW) slots. Each A-BFT period may correspond to a different antenna array used by the AP 102. In other words, the beacon may indicate antenna reciprocity and response periods between beacons, thereby directing the receiving STA 106 to a dedicated response period for the antenna array in which the AP 102 will use the antenna array to receive transmissions from the STA in a quasi-omnidirectional mode or an optimal coverage pattern. The number of A-BFT periods may depend on the number of antenna arrays and / or sectors of the AP 102. The length / duration of each response / A-BFT period may be configured as desired, and the length / duration may vary from one response / A-BFT period to another, for example, the duration may depend on the antenna configuration / orientation and the number of sectors (which may be configured using a codebook or AWV).

[0070] Another form of configuration information is that the number of SSW time slots may be configured by the AP 102, and the number of SSW time slots may be indicated in / with the beacon. For example, a greater number of time slots may reduce the probability of collisions between multiple stations competing for access (e.g., by reducing the probability that two or more stations will select the same time slot for competition). Various wireless standards may allow different numbers of time slots, for example, 802.11ad may allow 8 time slots, and 802.11ay may allow 16 or more time slots. The length of each A-BFT cycle may depend on the number of SSW time slots, the antenna configuration / orientation of the sector, etc. Therefore, the STA 106 may use the knowledge of the number of time slots in each A-BFT cycle to determine the response time slot time for a particular A-BFT cycle.

[0071] Another form of configuration information is that each beacon transmitted by the AP 102 may also indicate or signal the time of the response period (or the time of multiple response periods). This indication may be implemented in various ways. In other possibilities, the time may be indicated based on the duration of the beacon scanning period. The beacon may include a duration field, which may be set to the remaining time until the end of the beacon transmission interval (BTI). For example, each beacon may indicate the end time of the BTI period, the duration of the BTI, the duration of any interval period after the BTI period and before the start of the first A-BFT period, the start time of the first A-BFT period, and / or the start time of any later A-BFT period. In some embodiments, the duration field may indicate (e.g., point to) the end of the beacon scanning period, including beacon scanning periods of the same antenna array and other antenna arrays, for example, the duration field may indicate the end of the beacon scanning period of the last antenna array. In some embodiments, the indication time of the end of the BTI (e.g., or the duration of the BTI that may be indicated in one or more fields of the beacon) may be adjusted to signal the start of the response period of the corresponding antenna array (e.g., or any specific antenna array). In other words, the indication of the end of the BTI may vary for different sets of beacons from different antenna arrays, so that STAs receiving those beacons are configured to respond after the end of the BTI. For example, an AP 102 with two antenna arrays may use the first array to transmit a beacon indicating the end of the BTI at time 1, so that time 1 is after the beacon transmitted using the second array (thereby configuring STAs receiving the beacon from the first array to respond during the first A-BFT starting at time 1), and the AP 102 may use the second array to transmit a beacon indicating the end of the BTI at time 2, so that time 2 is after the first A-BFT (thereby configuring STAs receiving the beacon from the second array to respond during the second A-BFT starting at time 2 after the first A-BFT). Such methods can be extended to any number of arrays and response periods. In some embodiments, the start time of the A-BFT from a received beacon may correspond to the exact (e.g., or approximate) time that the AP / PCP points its antenna array to the station receiving the beacon. The order of the response periods corresponding to the antenna arrays can be configured as desired. In some embodiments, the order of response cycles corresponding to different antenna arrays may be configured to reduce antenna switching.

[0072] As another example of configuration information, the correspondence between each A-BFT period and the corresponding antenna array (e.g., and / or receive sector / beam) used by the AP 102 may be indicated in any desired manner. In some embodiments, the signaling may be accomplished by using one or more existing reserved fields in the beacon interval control of the beacon. Some bits of the reserved field may be used to indicate that multiple antenna arrays are used for the beacon and that multiple corresponding response periods are configured. In some embodiments, the A-BFT multiplier subfield of the beacon control interval (e.g., as included in 802.11ay) may be used to indicate the number of A-BFT periods before the A-BFT period with the corresponding antenna array (e.g., and / or receive sector / beam), and thus may indicate the start time of the A-BFT period that the STA 106 should use to respond to the corresponding beacon. In some embodiments, the beacon may include cluster information (e.g., corresponding to a station in a particular direction, e.g., corresponding to an antenna array). The cluster information field may be used to signal the attributes of the stations that may be associated with the AP. When beacons broadcast with different antenna arrays specify different attributes, stations with the specified attributes may respond in a particular A-BFT time slot. Additionally, the configuration information may include any information about the motion of the AP 102 or other factors that may affect beamforming.

[0073] The STA 106 may receive one or more of the beacons transmitted by the AP 102 in 502. The STA 106 may perform various measurements (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), etc.) on any received beacon in order to determine the channel characteristics of the beacon. Thus, any STA 106 that receives at least one beacon may determine information including the antenna array, antenna ID, sector ID, and channel characteristics of each received beacon, as well as configuration information related to a response period. For example, the STA 106 may determine which specific antenna array (e.g., of a plurality of antenna arrays of the AP 102) is used to transmit the beacon, and may further determine the channel characteristics and response period associated with the beacon.

[0074] After transmitting the last beacon, the AP 102 and the STA 106 may wait for an interval period. The interval period may be a medium beamforming frame interval (MBIFS) (eg, as defined in 802.11ad), although other period lengths are also contemplated.

[0075] Based on the received beacon, the STA 106 may determine a response period (504). The response period may be A-BFT. The STA 106 may select a response period based on information included in the received beacon and / or the measurement results of the beacon. In some embodiments, if the STA 106 receives multiple beacons, it may select a response period associated with (e.g., corresponding to) the antenna array (e.g., or possible sector / beam) of the beacon with the best measured channel characteristics (e.g., based on the measurement results, such as the highest SNR and / or RSSI, etc.). If the STA 106 receives a single beacon, it may determine a response period associated with the AP 102 antenna array (e.g., or possible sector / beam) that transmitted the beacon. More generally, the STA 106 may determine a response period based on information about when the AP 102 will use the antenna array (e.g., and / or receive beam / sector) corresponding to the beacon received by the STA 106 (e.g., or the received beacon with the best channel characteristics) for reception. In other words, the response period may be an A-BFT corresponding to the antenna array of the AP 102 that corresponds to the best channel between the STA 106 and the AP 102. In some embodiments, the STA 106 may choose to respond to only the first received beacon instead of selecting one of the beacons. In other embodiments, the station may choose to respond only to the last received beacon. In some embodiments, the station may choose to respond to the first received beacon or the last received beacon with certain (e.g., acceptable) performance characteristics (e.g., based on comparing one or more measurements to one or more thresholds).

[0076] The STA 106 may also determine how and when (e.g., within a response period) to respond to the beacon. For example, the STA 106 may select the SSW time slot of the A-BFT period according to any desired method (e.g., randomly, pseudo-randomly, or as specified in the 802.11 standard). The response may be or include a request to join the network 100 provided by the AP 102. The STA 106 may also implement a contention process such as a backoff timer to reduce the probability of collisions with responses from other devices. For example, the STA 106 may implement a distributed coordination function (DCF), etc.

[0077] The STA 106 may format the response in any desired manner (e.g., as specified by the 802.11 standard). For example, the response may include any fields specified by such standards and / or other information. In some embodiments, the response may provide / include information that can be used by the AP 102 for beamforming (e.g., responder transmitter sector sweep or R-TXSS). For example, the response may indicate the antenna array, beam, or sector used by the STA 106 and / or may indicate measurement results of channel characteristics that the STA 106 has measured. In addition, the response may indicate the transmit power used by the STA 106.

[0078] STA 106 may transmit a response to AP 102 (506). STA 106 may transmit the response at the determined time and manner. For example, STA 106 may use time and frequency resources (e.g., within a determined / selected response period) to transmit a response as specified in the beacon and / or based on WLAN standard specifications. AP 102 may measure channel characteristics (e.g., SNR, SINR, RSSI, etc.) of the response.

[0079] Based on receiving the response from the STA 106, the AP 102 may transmit feedback (508). The feedback may indicate that the STA 106 is allowed to join the network. The feedback may be sector sweep (SSW) feedback. The feedback may provide beamforming information including channel characteristics, antenna pattern / sector, etc. The feedback may be transmitted during or after the response period, for example, in a specific SWW time slot of the A-BFT.

[0080] After transmitting the feedback, the STA 106 and the AP 102 (eg, and possible additional devices on the network) may exchange data as needed. For example, a data transmission interval (DTI) may follow the A-BFT.

[0081] Figure 6 -Beacon transmission and response using a single antenna array

[0082] Figure 6 Beacon transmissions by access point / PCP 102 and responses by stations 106 are shown using a single antenna array.

[0083] During a beacon scanning period 602 (e.g., BTI), the AP 102 transmits a series of beacons. For example, as shown, the AP 102 may transmit beacons 602a-602n. One (or possibly multiple) beacons may be transmitted using each beam / sector / antenna pattern of the antenna array of the AP 102. Thus, these beacons combined may point to all directions that the antenna of the AP 102 can reach. The beacons may include various types of information in any combination of desired fields. The beacons may be formatted in any desired manner. For example, the beacons may be structured according to various standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11ad / ay). The STA 106 may receive and decode one or more of the beacons, and may measure the received beacons (e.g., signal strength, quality, etc.).

[0084] The AP 102 and the STA 106 may wait for an interval period 604. The interval period may be a medium beamforming frame interval (MBIFS), but other period lengths are possible.

[0085] The response period (606) may be an associated beamforming time (A-BFT). The response period may include one or more sector sweep (SSW) time slots, such as a first sector sweep time slot and a second sector sweep time slot (606a and 606b). The STA 106 may respond during one of the time slots (e.g., as shown in sector sweep time slot 606b) to synchronize with the network 100 and join the network 100. The STA 106 may randomly select which time slots to contend for access to the network. The number of time slots may be configured as desired.

[0086] During the response period, AP 102 may receive using the antenna pattern (e.g., and / or antenna array) indicated in the beacon. For example, a standard such as 802.11ad may specify that AP 102 receive using the same DMG antenna indicated in the DMG Antenna ID subfield of the beacon with a quasi-omnidirectional antenna pattern.

[0087] STA 106 competing during the time slot (e.g., by responding to beacon 602 to access the network of AP 102) may send a response (606c) back to AP 102 in response to the beacon, which may be a short packet (e.g., sector scan or SSW frame) response. In some embodiments, STA 106 may use a backoff counter (e.g., a timer) to determine when to transmit a short packet (e.g., what time during an SSW time slot such as 606b). The duration of an SSW frame may be about 9s or 15s (e.g., as in IEEE 802.11ad / ay), etc. Short packets may be structured as needed. The duration of a short packet may depend on the fields included. A short packet may include information identifying STA 106 and information that can be used for beamforming. In some embodiments, STA 106 may transmit responses multiple times. For example, STA 106 may use each sector / beam of its antenna to transmit short packets in sequence (e.g., STA 106 may transmit a response once in each direction that its antenna can reach). In some implementations, the STA 106 may transmit multiple short packets.

[0088] In response to receiving the short packet, the AP 102 may transmit SSW feedback (606d). The SSW feedback may indicate that the STA 106 is temporarily allowed to enter the network and may include beamforming information. The SSW feedback may also include, for example, scheduling information identifying time and / or frequency resources for future data exchanges between the AP 102 and the STA 106.

[0089] During the data exchange period (e.g., beginning at 608), the STA 106 and the AP 102 may exchange data, such as data related to any application executed on the STA 106. The data exchange may include uplink and / or downlink transmissions. The data exchange period may be, for example, a data transmission interval (DTI) in the 802.11 standard. Any number of data exchange periods may occur. The duration of the data exchange period may be configured as desired. The parameters of the data exchange period (e.g., duration, resources, etc.) may be included in the SSW feedback and / or may be negotiated at other times (e.g., during or before the data exchange period).

[0090] Figure 7 -Multiple antenna arrays

[0091] Figure 7AP 102 is shown exchanging data with STAs 106a-d using antenna arrays 710a-c. Antenna arrays 710a-c may be configured to cover some or all angles / directions in combination. The directions covered by the antenna arrays may be configured as desired. A different number of antenna arrays may be used. AP 102 may rotate (e.g., sequentially) past antenna arrays 710a-c transmitting beacons, and the beacons may (e.g., indirectly) describe the rotation of the antenna arrays during one or more corresponding response periods. Note that the term "rotation" is used to describe the sequential use of antenna arrays (e.g., or more generally, the order and timing of use of antenna arrays). Physical rotation (or other movement) of the antenna arrays may or may not occur.

[0092] Each antenna array in antenna arrays 710a-c has seven beams / sectors / antenna patterns that can be used to exchange transmissions with one or more stations (e.g., STA106). For example, STA 106a may be in the coverage area of ​​array 710b (e.g., may be in a cluster of 710b). AP 102 may use a beamforming process to select a specific beam for each STA to be used for communication with it. AP 102 may periodically / continuously update the selection (e.g., the selected beam for the STA) when the state and position of the device changes. For example, AP 102 may initially select one of the beams / sectors of array 710b for communication with STA 106a, and may select a second beam / sector in response to a change (e.g., a change in channel conditions and / or device location). The second beam / sector may or may not be one of the beams / sectors of array 710b, for example, the second beam / sector may be one of arrays 710a or 710b. Different numbers of beams / sectors may be used.

[0093] In some embodiments, there is an overlapping area, in which the beam of one antenna array reaches the same or similar area as the beam of another antenna array. As shown, the beams of arrays 710a and 710b cover overlapping area 720a. For example, STA 106d may be in overlapping area 720a, and the beams of arrays 710a and 710b may be able to reach STA 106d (for example, STA 106d may be included in a cluster associated with both arrays 710a and 710b). Therefore, STA 106d may use a response cycle associated with array 710a or 710b, for example, based on channel characteristic measurements, the order of received beacons, etc. Similarly, the beams of arrays 710a and 710c cover overlapping area 720b, and the beams of arrays 710b and 710c cover overlapping area 720c. In some embodiments, there may be no overlapping area between antenna arrays.

[0094] It should be understood that the examples illustrated are exemplary only, and other numbers / arrangements of sites, antenna arrays, and beams / sectors / antenna patterns for each array are possible. Although the examples illustrated are two-dimensional, it should be understood that three-dimensional implementations are included within the scope of this patent application. For example, antenna arrays that provide coverage to sites in three dimensions are contemplated, and the methods, processes, devices, and apparatus disclosed herein may be applied to wireless networks operating in three dimensions.

[0095] Figure 8 -Beacon transmission and response using multiple antenna arrays

[0096] Figure 8 A beacon transmission by the access point / PCP 102 using three antenna arrays and responses by four stations (106a-d) are shown. Figure 8 and Figure 7 The geometric shapes correspond to those described below.

[0097] The AP 102 may perform beacon scans (602a-c) in sequence using each of its antenna arrays. During beacon scan 602a, the AP 102 may transmit beacons using (e.g., all) sectors / beams of antenna array 710a in sequence. Similarly, during scans 602b and 602c, the AP / PCP may transmit beacons using arrays 710b and 710c. Among other included information, the beacon may indicate which antenna array corresponds to the respective beacon. In addition, the beacon may indicate the timing of the response period for each antenna array. For example, in the illustrated example, the A-BFT multiplier field may range from "0" (for beacons of beacon scan 602a) to "2" (for 602c) to indicate the number of previous response periods before the response period having the same antenna array as the respective beacon. In some embodiments, the timing of the response period may not be included in the beacon, and may instead be transmitted separately (e.g., after the beacon, etc.).

[0098] AP 102 may wait for an interval period (604).

[0099] There may be one or more response periods (806) for each antenna array of AP 102. In some embodiments, each response period may be A-BFT and may include one or more time slots (e.g., SSW time slots). As shown, response period 806a may correspond to antenna array 710a, response period 806b may correspond to antenna array 710b, and response period 806c may correspond to antenna array 710c. Each response period 806 may consist of one or more time slots, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, each response period 806 may consist of two SSW time slots.

[0100] Each STA 106 may determine a response period based at least in part on the beacons received during the beacon scan 602. For example, the STA 106 may use any configuration information included in the beacon and / or measurements of the channel characteristics of the beacon. This determination may occur at any time, for example, during the beacon scan 602, during the interval period 604, and / or during the response period 806.

[0101] STA 106b (Re-reference Figure 7 , it should be noted that STA 106b is in the direction corresponding to array 710a) can determine the response period 806a, can randomly select a response during the second time slot of the response period 806a and can transmit a response (e.g., short packet 810) during this time. Short packet 810 can be an SSW frame and can include any desired information / fields / format. Short packet 810 can be transmitted multiple times, for example, as shown. Based on receiving short packet 810, AP 102 can transmit sector scan feedback 851a, for example, in the same period and / or time slot as receiving the transmission from the STA.

[0102] STA 106b and STA 106d (refer to Figure 7 , noting that STAs 106a and 106d may be in a direction corresponding to array 710b) may (e.g., each independently) determine to respond during response period 806b. Both STA 106b and STA 106d may (e.g., each independently) randomly choose to respond during the first time slot of 806b (e.g., the third sector scan time slot), and may each attempt to transmit a response (e.g., a short packet) during that time. Because their responses (e.g., 820 and 830) collide, AP 102 may not decode either response. Therefore, AP 102 may not send feedback to either STA 106a and 106d. STAs 106a and 106d may determine that the medium is not clear and may back off until a later response period (e.g., A-BFT after another beacon scan).

[0103] During the response period 806c, the STA 106c may transmit a response 840. The AP 102 may transmit feedback 851b to the STA 106c.

[0104] The AP 102 may exchange data with the STAs 106a-d during a data exchange period (eg, beginning at 608).

[0105] Fig. 9 -Access Point Block Diagram

[0106] Fig. 9 An exemplary block diagram of an access point (AP) 102 is shown. Note that Fig. 9The block diagram of the AP 102 is only one example of a possible system. As shown, the AP 102 may include a processor 204 that may execute program instructions for the AP 102. The processor 204 may also be coupled (directly or indirectly) to a memory management unit (MMU) 240 or other circuit or device, which may be configured to receive addresses from the processor 204 and convert these addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 260 and read-only memory (ROM) 250).

[0107] AP 102 may include at least one network port 270. Network port 270 may be configured to couple to a wired network and provide access to the Internet for multiple devices such as wireless device 106. For example, network port 270 (or an additional network port) may be configured to couple to a local network, such as a home network or an enterprise network. For example, port 270 may be an Ethernet port. The local network may provide a connection to an additional network such as the Internet.

[0108] The AP 102 may include at least one antenna 234, which may be configured to operate as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured to communicate with the wireless device 106 via the wireless communication circuit 230. The antenna 234 communicates with the wireless communication circuit 230 via a communication chain 232. The communication chain 232 may include one or more receive chains, one or more transmit chains, or both. The wireless communication circuit 230 may be configured to communicate via Wi-Fi or WLAN (e.g., 802.11). For example, when the AP is co-located with a base station in the case of a small cell, or in other situations where it may be desirable for the AP 102 to communicate via a variety of different wireless communication technologies, the wireless communication circuit 230 may also or alternatively be configured to communicate via various other wireless communication technologies, including, but not limited to, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Global System for Mobile (GSM), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), CDMA2000, etc.

[0109] The AP 102 may be configured to act as an access point to provide an infrastructure mode 802.11 network to wireless stations in the vicinity of the AP 102. Additionally or alternatively, the AP 102 may be configured to act as a peer station to perform peer-to-peer communications with nearby wireless stations. In some embodiments, as further described below, for example, when communicating with one or more other wireless stations as peer entities, the AP 102 may be configured to perform methods for using revocable and non-revocable additional availability windows in conjunction with NAN communications.

[0110] In the following, exemplary embodiments are provided.

[0111] In at least one set of embodiments, a method for operating a wireless site may include: receiving at least one beacon from an access point, wherein each of the at least one beacon indicates an antenna array used by the access point to transmit the beacon; determining a response period, wherein the determination of the response period is based at least in part on the antenna array used to transmit at least one of the at least one beacon; and transmitting a response to the access point.

[0112] In some embodiments, the method may further include: performing at least one measurement of a channel characteristic of the at least one beacon, wherein the determining the response period is further based at least in part on the at least one measurement.

[0113] In some implementations, the response period may correspond to the antenna array used by the access point to transmit the beacon having the best channel characteristics.

[0114] In some implementations, the response period may correspond to a first beacon received among the at least one beacon.

[0115] In some implementations, the response period may correspond to a last beacon received among the at least one beacon.

[0116] In some embodiments, the response period may include information that can be used by the access point for beamforming.

[0117] In some embodiments, the response may include a request to join a wireless local area network provided by the access point.

[0118] In another set of embodiments, a method for operating an access point may include: providing a wireless network; and sequentially for each corresponding antenna array in a plurality of antenna arrays: transmitting at least one beacon using the corresponding antenna array during a beacon scan period, wherein each beacon indicates an identity of the corresponding antenna array; and receiving using the corresponding antenna array during at least one corresponding response period associated with the corresponding antenna array.

[0119] In some embodiments, transmitting at least one beacon using the respective antenna array may include transmitting a beacon in every direction that the respective antenna array can reach.

[0120] In some implementations, each beacon may also indicate the antenna pattern of the antenna array used to transmit the beacon.

[0121] In some embodiments, the wireless network may be a wireless local area network, wherein the beacon scanning period may be a beacon transmission interval, and wherein the at least one corresponding response period may be an association beamforming training period.

[0122] In some embodiments, the method may further include: receiving a response, wherein the response is from the first site; and transmitting feedback to the first site, wherein the feedback is based on the response.

[0123] In some embodiments, the feedback may include beamforming information, and

[0124] The method may also include exchanging data with the first station over the wireless network.

[0125] In some embodiments, the method may further include indicating a time of the at least one respective response period associated with each respective antenna array.

[0126] In some implementations, each beacon may indicate the time of the corresponding response period.

[0127] In some implementations, the duration of the beacon scan period may be indicative of the time of the corresponding response period.

[0128] In some implementations, the associated beamforming training multiplier subfield may indicate the time of the corresponding response period.

[0129] In another set of embodiments, an apparatus may include: one or more processing elements, wherein the one or more processing elements are configured to cause an access point to: rotate through multiple antenna arrays; transmit multiple beacons, wherein each corresponding antenna array of the multiple antenna arrays is used to transmit a corresponding subset of the multiple beacons; and receive one or more responses from one or more wireless devices during multiple response periods, wherein each corresponding antenna array of the multiple antenna arrays is used to receive a corresponding subset of the multiple response periods.

[0130] In some embodiments, each respective subset of the plurality of beacons may indicate the rotation of the antenna array, wherein the indication comprises a beacon interval control field.

[0131] In some embodiments, the processing element may be further configured to cause the access point to: measure channel characteristics of any responses received from a station during the plurality of response periods; and transmit the feedback to the station, wherein the feedback provides beamforming information.

[0132] Another exemplary embodiment may include a wireless device comprising: an antenna; a radio component coupled to the antenna; and a processing element operably coupled to the radio component, wherein the device is configured to implement any or all of the foregoing examples.

[0133] Another exemplary set of embodiments may include a non-transitory computer-accessible storage medium including program instructions that, when executed at a device, cause the device to implement any or all portions of any of the foregoing examples.

[0134] Another exemplary set of embodiments may include a computer program comprising instructions for performing any or all portions of any of the foregoing examples.

[0135] Another exemplary set of embodiments may include an apparatus including means for performing any or all of the elements of any of the preceding examples.

[0136] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments may be implemented as computer-implemented methods, computer-readable storage media, or computer systems. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0137] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, wherein if the program instructions are executed by a computer system, the computer system is caused to perform a method, such as any one of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein or any combination of such subsets.

[0138] In some embodiments, a device (e.g., STA 106, AP 102, etc.) may be configured to include a processor (or a group of processors) and a memory medium, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions, wherein the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The device may be implemented in any of a variety of forms.

[0139] Although the above embodiments have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to encompass all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. An apparatus (106) for operating a wireless station, the apparatus comprising: One or more processing elements (302), wherein the one or more processing elements are configured to cause the wireless station to: receiving at least one beacon (602) from an access point (102), wherein each respective beacon of the at least one beacon indicates a duration of a beacon scan period and a respective antenna array (710) used by the access point to transmit the respective beacon, wherein each respective antenna array is one of a plurality of antenna arrays of the access point; determining an identity of a particular antenna array used by the access point to transmit at least one of the at least one beacon; determining a specific response period among a plurality of response periods (806), wherein the specific response period corresponds to a dedicated response period for the specific antenna array, the dedicated response period being a period in which the access point is configured to receive signals using a quasi-omni-directional mode of the specific antenna array, wherein the determining the specific response period is based at least in part on the duration of the beacon scan period and the identity of the specific antenna array; as well as A response is transmitted to the access point, wherein the response is transmitted during the particular response period.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more processing elements are further configured to cause the wireless station to: At least one measurement is made of a channel characteristic of the at least one beacon, wherein the determining the specific response period is also based at least in part on the at least one measurement.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one measurement indicates that the particular antenna array is associated with the best channel characteristics for the at least one beacon.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the response includes information that can be used by the access point for beamforming, wherein the information includes an indication of a transmit power used by the wireless station.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the response comprises a request to join a wireless local area network provided by the access point.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the duration is adjusted to signal a start of a response period corresponding to the particular antenna array.

7. A method for operating a wireless station (106), comprising: receiving at least one beacon (602) from an access point (102), wherein each respective beacon of the at least one beacon indicates a duration of a beacon scan period and a respective antenna array (710) used by the access point to transmit the respective beacon, wherein each respective antenna array is one of a plurality of antenna arrays of the access point; determining an identity of a particular antenna array used by the access point to transmit at least one of the at least one beacon; determining a specific response period among a plurality of response periods (806), wherein the specific response period corresponds to a dedicated response period for the specific antenna array, the dedicated response period being a period in which the access point is configured to receive signals using a quasi-omni-directional mode of the specific antenna array, wherein the determining the specific response period is based at least in part on the duration of the beacon scan period and the identity of the specific antenna array; as well as A response is transmitted to the access point, wherein the response is transmitted during the particular response period.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising: At least one measurement is made of a channel characteristic of the at least one beacon, wherein the determining the specific response period is also based at least in part on the at least one measurement.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one measurement indicates that the particular antenna array is associated with the best channel characteristics for the at least one beacon.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the response includes information that can be used by the access point for beamforming, wherein the information includes an indication of a transmit power used by the wireless station.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the response comprises a request to join a wireless local area network provided by the access point.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the duration is adjusted to signal the start of a response period corresponding to the particular antenna array.

13. A computer readable medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

14. An apparatus for operating a wireless station (106), comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

15. An apparatus for operating an access point, comprising: One or more processing elements (302), wherein the one or more processing elements are configured to cause the access point (102): Provide wireless internet access; as well as For each respective antenna array (710) in the plurality of antenna arrays, in order: transmitting a plurality of beacons using the respective antenna array during a beacon scan period (602), wherein each beacon indicates an identity of the respective antenna array, wherein at least two different beams of the respective antenna array are used to transmit a different respective beacon in the plurality of beacons, wherein each of the different respective beacons in the plurality of beacons indicates the identity of the respective antenna array; indicating a time of at least one respective response period (806) associated with the respective antenna array using the duration of the beacon scan period; as well as Receiving is performed using a quasi-omnidirectional pattern of the respective antenna array during the at least one respective response period associated with the respective antenna array, wherein the at least one respective response period associated with the respective antenna array corresponds to a dedicated response period for the respective antenna array.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processing elements are further configured to cause the access point to: transmit a beacon in every direction that is reachable using the corresponding antenna array.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein each beacon further indicates an antenna pattern of the antenna array used to transmit the beacon.

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network, wherein the beacon scanning period is a beacon transmission interval, and Wherein the at least one corresponding response period is an associated beamforming training period.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more processing elements are further configured to cause the access point to: receiving a response, wherein the response is from the first site; and Feedback is transmitted to the first site, wherein the feedback is based on the response.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the feedback includes beamforming information, and The one or more processing elements are further configured to cause the access point to: Data is exchanged with the first station via the wireless network.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein an associated beamforming training multiplier subfield indicates the time of the corresponding response period.

22. A method for operating an access point (102), comprising: Provide wireless internet access; as well as For each respective antenna array (710) in the plurality of antenna arrays, in order: transmitting a plurality of beacons using the respective antenna array during a beacon scan period (602), wherein each beacon indicates an identity of the respective antenna array, wherein at least two different beams of the respective antenna array are used to transmit a different respective beacon in the plurality of beacons, wherein each of the different respective beacons in the plurality of beacons indicates the identity of the respective antenna array; indicating a time of at least one respective response period (806) associated with the respective antenna array using the duration of the beacon scan period; as well as Receiving is performed using a quasi-omnidirectional pattern of the respective antenna array during the at least one respective response period associated with the respective antenna array, wherein the at least one respective response period associated with the respective antenna array corresponds to a dedicated response period for the respective antenna array.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein transmitting at least one beacon using the respective antenna array comprises transmitting a beacon in every direction that the respective antenna array can reach.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein each beacon also indicates an antenna pattern of the antenna array used to transmit the beacon.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the wireless network is a wireless local area network, wherein the beacon scanning period is a beacon transmission interval, and Wherein the at least one corresponding response period is an associated beamforming training period.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving a response, wherein the response is from the first site; as well as Feedback is transmitted to the first site, wherein the feedback is based on the response.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the feedback includes beamforming information, and The method further includes exchanging data with the first station via the wireless network.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein an associated beamforming training multiplier subfield indicates the time of the corresponding response period.

29. A computer readable medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 22 to 28.

30. An apparatus for an access point (102), comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 22 to 28.

31. An apparatus for operating an access point, comprising: One or more processing elements (204), wherein the one or more processing elements are configured to cause the access point (102): transmitting a plurality of beacons using a plurality of antenna arrays (710), wherein a respective subset of the plurality of beacons is transmitted in sequence using each respective antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays; indicating a respective response cycle of a plurality of response cycles (806) associated with each respective antenna array; indicating said association between each respective antenna array and each respective response period; as well as One or more responses are received from one or more wireless devices during the plurality of response cycles, wherein the quasi-omnidirectional pattern of each respective one of the plurality of antenna arrays is used to receive a respective subset of the plurality of response cycles corresponding to a dedicated response cycle for the respective antenna array.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a beacon interval control field indicates the association between each respective antenna array and each respective response period.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the one or more processing elements are further configured to cause the access point to: measuring channel characteristics of any responses received from the wireless device during the plurality of response periods; and Feedback is transmitted to the wireless device, wherein the feedback provides beamforming information, wherein the beamforming information is based at least in part on the measured channel characteristics.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein an associated beamforming training multiplier subfield is used to indicate the respective one of the plurality of response cycles associated with each respective antenna array.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one or more responses include information that can be used for beamforming, wherein the information includes an indication of a transmit power of a wireless device among the one or more wireless devices.

36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein indicating the association between each respective antenna array and each respective response period comprises indicating different respective durations in different respective ones of the plurality of beacons.

37. A method for operating an access point, comprising: transmitting a plurality of beacons using a plurality of antenna arrays (710), wherein a respective subset of the plurality of beacons is transmitted in sequence using each respective antenna array of the plurality of antenna arrays; indicating a respective response cycle of a plurality of response cycles (806) associated with each respective antenna array; indicating said association between each respective antenna array and each respective response period; as well as One or more responses are received from one or more wireless devices during the plurality of response cycles, wherein the quasi-omnidirectional pattern of each respective one of the plurality of antenna arrays is used to receive a respective subset of the plurality of response cycles corresponding to a dedicated response cycle for the respective antenna array.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein a beacon interval control field indicates the association between each respective antenna array and each respective response period.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising: measuring channel characteristics of any responses received from the wireless device during the plurality of response periods; as well as Feedback is transmitted to the wireless device, wherein the feedback provides beamforming information, wherein the beamforming information is based at least in part on the measured channel characteristics.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein an associated beamforming training multiplier subfield is used to indicate the respective one of the plurality of response cycles associated with each respective antenna array.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the one or more responses include information that can be used for beamforming, wherein the information includes an indication of a transmit power of a wireless device among the one or more wireless devices.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein indicating the association between each respective antenna array and each respective response period comprises indicating different respective durations in different respective ones of the plurality of beacons.

43. A computer readable medium storing a computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 37 to 42.

44. An apparatus for operating an access point (102), comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 37 to 42.

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