Simultaneous transmission in multiple frequency bands

Abstract

A communication device determines whether simultaneous transmissions in a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time. In response to determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time, the communication device transmits a first packet in the first frequency segment starting at a first time, and transmits a second packet in the second frequency segment starting at the first time. In response to determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be asynchronous in time, the communication device transmits a third packet in the first frequency segment starting at a second time, and transmits a fourth packet in the second frequency segment starting at a third time different from the second time.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 832,757, filed April 11, 2019, and entitled “Extra High Throughput (EHT) Aggregated PLCP Protocol Data Unit (PPDU),” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to the transmission and reception of data over multiple communication channels. Background Art

[0004] Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have grown rapidly over the past two decades, and the development of WLAN standards such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series of standards has increased single-user peak data rates. One way to increase data rates is to increase the frequency bandwidth of the communication channels used in WLANs. For example, the IEEE 802.11n standard allows for the aggregation of two 20 MHz subchannels to form a 40 MHz aggregate communication channel, while the newer IEEE 802.11ax standard allows for the aggregation of up to eight 20 MHz subchannels to form an aggregate communication channel of up to 160 MHz. A new iteration of the IEEE 802.11 standard has now begun, known as the IEEE 802.11be standard, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT) WLAN. The IEEE 802.11be standard may allow for the aggregation of up to 16 20 MHz subchannels (or potentially even more) to form an aggregate communication channel of up to 320 MHz (or potentially even wider aggregate communication channels). Additionally, the IEEE 802.11be standard may allow for the aggregation of 20 MHz subchannels in different frequency segments (e.g., separated by a frequency gap) to form a single aggregate channel. Additionally, the IEEE 802.11be standard may allow for the aggregation of 20 MHz subchannels in different radio frequency (RF) bands to form a single aggregate channel.

[0005] The current draft of the IEEE 802.11ax standard (referred to herein as the "IEEE 802.11ax standard" for simplicity) defines an "80+80" transmission mode, in which a communication device transmits simultaneously in two 80 MHz channel segments within a single radio frequency (RF) band. The two 80 MHz channel segments can be separated in frequency within the single RF band. Transmissions in the two 80 MHz channel segments are synchronized, meaning they begin at the same start time and end at the same end time. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one embodiment, a method for simultaneous transmission in multiple frequency segments includes: determining at a communication device whether the simultaneous transmission in a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment is to be synchronized in time; in response to the communication device determining that the simultaneous transmission in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is to be synchronized in time, transmitting a first packet in the first frequency segment starting from a first time, and transmitting a second packet in the second frequency segment starting from the first time; and in response to the communication device determining that the simultaneous transmission in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is to be unsynchronized in time, transmitting a third packet in the first frequency segment starting from a second time, and transmitting a fourth packet in the second frequency segment starting from a third time different from the second time.

[0007] In another embodiment, a communication device includes a wireless network interface device, the wireless network interface device including one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices and a plurality of radio frequency (RF) radios, including at least a first RF radio and a second RF radio, wherein the plurality of RF radios are at least partially implemented on the one or more IC devices. The one or more IC devices are configured to: determine whether simultaneous transmissions in a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment are to be synchronized; and in response to the communication device determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized, control the first RF radio to transmit a first packet in the first frequency segment starting at a first time, and control the second RF radio to transmit a second packet in the second frequency segment starting at the first time. The one or more IC devices are further configured to: in response to the communication device determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are not to be synchronized, control the first RF radio to transmit a third packet in the first frequency segment starting at a second time, and control the second RF radio to transmit a fourth packet in the second frequency segment starting at a third time different from the second time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an example wireless local area network (WLAN) in which respective RF signals are simultaneously transmitted in respective frequency segments.

[0009] Figure 2A is a diagram of example synchronous transmissions on different channel segments, according to an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2B is a diagram of example asynchronous transmissions on different channel segments, according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3A is a diagram of an example synchronous downlink multi-user (MU) orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission on different channel segments, according to an embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3Bis a diagram of example asynchronous MU OFDMA transmissions on different channel segments, according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 4 is a flow chart of an example method for transmitting via multiple frequency segments in a wireless communication network according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 5 is a diagram of an example network interface device configured for multi-channel segment operation, according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 6A is a diagram of example packets transmitted in corresponding frequency segments according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6B is included in some embodiments Figure 6A Figure 2 shows an example non-legacy preamble in an example packet of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) protocols (e.g., the IEEE 802.11be standard, sometimes referred to as the Extremely High Throughput (EHT) WLAN standard) may allow simultaneous transmission in different channel segments. The different channel segments may be in a single radio frequency (RF) band or in different RF bands. The different channel segments may have the same bandwidth or different bandwidths.

[0018] The IEEE 802.11ax standard allows simultaneous transmissions (i.e., transmissions starting at the same start time and ending at the same end time) in two 80 MHz channel segments (referred to as "80+80" transmissions) and requires that both 80 MHz channel segments be idle at the same time for simultaneous transmissions to occur. However, for many Wi-Fi deployments, finding a time when both 80 MHz channel segments are idle is often difficult, limiting the practicality of the 80+80 transmission mode.

[0019] In some embodiments described below, a communication device is configured to transmit synchronously in different channel segments in some scenarios (e.g., transmissions start at the same start time), and to transmit asynchronously in different channel segments in other scenarios (e.g., transmissions do not need to start at the same start time). In at least some embodiments, transmitting asynchronously in different channel segments does not require the different channel segments to be idle at the same time, thereby allowing more frequent simultaneous use of different channel segments, at least in some embodiments and / or scenarios, compared to a communication system that always requires transmissions in different channel segments to be synchronized (e.g., transmissions start at the same start time) and the different channel segments to be idle at the same time.

[0020] Figure 11 is a block diagram of an example wireless local area network (WLAN) 110 according to an embodiment. The WLAN 110 includes an access point (AP) 114, which includes a host processor 118 coupled to a network interface device 122. The network interface device 122 includes one or more medium access control (MAC) processors 126 (sometimes referred to herein as "MAC processors 126" for brevity) and one or more physical layer (PHY) processors 130 (sometimes referred to herein as "PHY processors 130" for brevity). The PHY processor 130 includes multiple transceivers 134, and the transceivers 134 are coupled to multiple antennas 138. Although Figure 1 134 and three antennas 138, but in other embodiments, the AP 114 includes other suitable numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, etc.) of transceivers 134 and antennas 138. In some embodiments, the AP 114 includes a greater number of antennas 138 than transceivers 134 and utilizes antenna switching techniques.

[0021] The network interface device 122 is implemented using one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to operate as described below. For example, the MAC processor 126 may be implemented at least partially on a first IC, and the PHY processor 130 may be implemented at least partially on a second IC. As another example, at least a portion of the MAC processor 126 and at least a portion of the PHY processor 130 may be implemented on a single IC. For example, the network interface device 122 may be implemented using a system on a chip (SoC), where the SoC includes at least a portion of the MAC processor 126 and at least a portion of the PHY processor 130.

[0022] In one embodiment, host processor 118 comprises a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown), such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, etc. In one embodiment, host processor 118 may be implemented at least in part on a first IC, and network device 122 may be implemented at least in part on a second IC. As another example, host processor 118 and at least a portion of network interface device 122 may be implemented on a single IC.

[0023] In various embodiments, the MAC processor 126 and / or the PHY processor 130 of the AP 114 are configured to generate data units and process received data units that conform to a WLAN communication protocol, such as a communication protocol conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard or other suitable wireless communication protocol. For example, the MAC processor 126 can be configured to implement MAC layer functions, including MAC layer functions of the WLAN communication protocol, and the PHY processor 130 can be configured to implement PHY functions, including PHY functions of the WLAN communication protocol. For example, the MAC processor 126 can be configured to generate MAC layer data units, such as MAC service data units (MSDUs), MAC protocol data units (MPDUs), aggregated MPDUs (A-MPDUs), etc., and provide the MAC layer data units to the PHY processor 130. The MPDUs and A-MPDUs exchanged between the MAC processor 126 and the PHY processor 130 are sometimes referred to as physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) (or simply "PHY") service data units (PSDUs).

[0024] The PHY processor 130 may be configured to receive MAC layer data units (or PSDUs) from the MAC processor 126 and encapsulate the MAC layer data units (or PSDUs) to generate PHY data units, such as PLCP (or "PHY") protocol data units (PPDUs), for transmission via the antenna 138. Similarly, the PHY processor 130 may be configured to receive PHY data units received via the antenna 138 and extract the MAC layer data units encapsulated within the PHY data units. The PHY processor 130 may provide the extracted MAC layer data units to the MAC processor 126, which processes the MAC layer data units.

[0025] PHY data units are sometimes referred to herein as "packets," and MAC layer data units are sometimes referred to herein as "frames."

[0026] According to one embodiment, with respect to generating one or more radio frequency (RF) signals for transmission, the PHY processor 130 is configured to process (which may include modulation, filtering, etc.) data corresponding to the PPDU to generate one or more digital baseband signals and convert the digital baseband signal(s) into one or more analog baseband signals. Furthermore, the PHY processor 130 is configured to up-convert the one or more analog baseband signals into one or more RF signals for transmission via one or more antennas 138.

[0027] With respect to receiving one or more RF signals, the PHY processor 130 is configured to down-convert the one or more RF signals into one or more analog baseband signals and convert the one or more analog baseband signals into one or more digital baseband signals. The PHY processor 130 is also configured to process (which may include demodulating, filtering, etc.) the one or more digital baseband signals to generate a PPDU.

[0028] The PHY processor 130 includes an amplifier (e.g., a low noise amplifier (LNA), a power amplifier, etc.), a radio frequency (RF) downconverter, an RF upconverter, multiple filters, one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs), one or more discrete Fourier transform (DFT) calculators (e.g., a fast Fourier transform (FFT) calculator), one or more inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) calculators (e.g., an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) calculator), one or more modulators, one or more demodulators, etc.

[0029] The PHY processor 130 is configured to generate one or more RF signals, which are provided to the one or more antennas 138. The PHY processor 130 is also configured to receive one or more RF signals from the one or more antennas 138.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the MAC processor 126 is configured to control the PHY processor 130 to generate one or more RF signals by, for example, providing one or more MAC layer data units (e.g., MPDUs) to the PHY processor 130 and, optionally, providing one or more control signals to the PHY processor 130. In one embodiment, the MAC processor 126 comprises a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown), such as a RAM, a read-only ROM, a flash memory, or the like. In another embodiment, the MAC processor 126 comprises a hardware state machine.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the MAC processor 126 includes or implements a multi-channel segment transmission controller 142 that is configured to determine when transmissions in different channel segments are to be transmitted synchronously (e.g., the transmissions begin at the same start time) and when transmissions in different channel segments may be transmitted asynchronously (e.g., the transmissions do not need to begin at the same start time). According to some embodiments, when transmissions in different channel segments are to be transmitted synchronously, the multi-channel segment transmission controller 142 prompts the PHY processor 130 to start transmissions in the different channel segments at the same time. According to some embodiments, when transmissions in different channel segments are to be transmitted asynchronously, the multi-channel segment transmission controller 142 prompts the PHY processor 130 to start transmissions in the different channel segments at different times.

[0032] In one embodiment, the multi-channel segmented transmission controller 142 is implemented by a processor executing machine-readable instructions stored in a memory, wherein the machine-readable instructions cause the processor to perform actions described in more detail below. In another embodiment, the multi-channel segmented transmission controller 142 additionally or alternatively includes hardware circuitry configured to perform the actions described in more detail below. In some embodiments, the hardware circuitry includes one or more hardware state machines configured to perform the actions described in more detail below.

[0033] WLAN 110 includes a plurality of client stations 154. Figure 1 1 , but in various embodiments, the WLAN 110 includes other suitable numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, etc.) of client stations 154. The client station 154-1 includes a host processor 158 coupled to a network interface device 162. The network interface device 162 includes one or more MAC processors 166 (sometimes referred to herein as "MAC processors 166" for brevity) and one or more PHY processors 170 (sometimes referred to herein as "PHY processors 170" for brevity). The PHY processor 170 includes a plurality of transceivers 174, and the transceivers 174 are coupled to a plurality of antennas 178. Although Figure 1 1 and 2. Three transceivers 174 and three antennas 178 are shown in FIG. 3 , but in other embodiments, client station 154-1 includes other suitable numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 5, etc.) of transceivers 174 and antennas 178. In some embodiments, client station 154-1 includes a greater number of antennas 178 than transceivers 174 and utilizes antenna switching techniques.

[0034] The network interface device 162 is implemented using one or more integrated circuits configured to operate as described below. For example, the MAC processor 166 may be implemented on at least a first integrated circuit, and the PHY processor 170 may be implemented on at least a second integrated circuit. As another example, at least a portion of the MAC processor 166 and at least a portion of the PHY processor 170 may be implemented on a single integrated circuit. For example, the network interface device 162 may be implemented using a system-on-chip (SoC), where the SoC includes at least a portion of the MAC processor 166 and at least a portion of the PHY processor 170.

[0035] In one embodiment, host processor 158 comprises a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown) such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, etc. In one embodiment, host processor network device 162 may be implemented at least partially on a first IC, and network device 162 may be implemented at least partially on a second IC. As another example, host processor 158 and at least a portion of network interface device 162 may be implemented on a single IC.

[0036] In various embodiments, the MAC processor 166 and the PHY processor 170 of the client device 154-1 are configured to generate data units and process received data units that conform to a WLAN communication protocol or another suitable communication protocol. For example, the MAC processor 166 can be configured to implement MAC layer functions, including MAC layer functions of a WLAN communication protocol, and the PHY processor 170 can be configured to implement PHY functions, including PHY functions of a WLAN communication protocol. The MAC processor 166 can be configured to generate MAC layer data units, such as MSDUs and MPDUs, and provide the MAC layer data units to the PHY processor 170. The PHY processor 170 can be configured to receive MAC layer data units from the MAC processor 166 and encapsulate the MAC layer data units to generate PHY data units, such as PPDUs, for transmission via the antenna 178. Similarly, the PHY processor 170 can be configured to receive PHY data units received via the antenna 178 and extract the MAC layer data units encapsulated within the PHY data units. The PHY processor 170 may provide the extracted MAC layer data unit to the MAC processor 166 , which processes the MAC layer data unit.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the PHY processor 170 is configured to down-convert one or more RF signals received via one or more antennas 178 into one or more baseband analog signals and convert the analog baseband signal(s) into one or more digital baseband signals. The PHY processor 170 is also configured to process the one or more digital baseband signals to demodulate the one or more digital baseband signals and generate a PPDU. The PHY processor 170 includes an amplifier (e.g., an LNA, a power amplifier, etc.), an RF down-converter, an RF up-converter, multiple filters, one or more ADCs, one or more DACs, one or more DFT calculators (e.g., an FFT calculator), one or more IDFT calculators (e.g., an IFFT calculator), one or more modulators, one or more demodulators, etc.

[0038] The PHY processor 170 is configured to generate one or more RF signals, which are provided to the one or more antennas 178. The PHY processor 170 is also configured to receive one or more RF signals from the one or more antennas 178.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the MAC processor 166 is configured to control the PHY processor 170 to generate one or more RF signals by, for example, providing one or more MAC layer data units (e.g., MPDUs) to the PHY processor 170 and, optionally, providing one or more control signals to the PHY processor 170. In one embodiment, the MAC processor 166 comprises a processor configured to execute machine-readable instructions stored in a memory device (not shown), such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, etc. In one embodiment, the MAC processor 166 comprises a hardware state machine.

[0040] In some embodiments, MAC processor 166 includes a multi-channel segment transmit controller (not shown) that is the same as or similar to multi-channel segment transmit controller 142 of AP 114. For example, according to some embodiments, client station 154-1 is configured to transmit synchronously in different channel segments (e.g., transmissions begin at the same start time) in some scenarios and asynchronously in different channel segments (e.g., transmissions do not need to begin at the same start time) in other scenarios.

[0041] In one embodiment, each of client stations 154-2 and 154-3 has the same or similar structure as client station 154-1. Each of client stations 154-2 and 154-3 has the same or different number of transceivers and antennas. For example, according to one embodiment, client station 154-2 and / or client station 154-3 each has only two transceivers and two antennas (not shown).

[0042] In one embodiment, multiple different frequency bands within the RF spectrum are used for signal transmission within WLAN 110. In one embodiment, different communication devices (i.e., AP 114 and client stations 154) can be configured for operation in different frequency bands. In one embodiment, at least some communication devices within WLAN 110 (e.g., AP 114 and client stations 154) can be configured for operation in multiple different frequency bands. Exemplary frequency bands include a first frequency band of the RF spectrum corresponding to a frequency range of approximately 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz (the "2 GHz band"), and a second frequency band corresponding to a frequency range of approximately 5 GHz to 5.9 GHz (the "5 GHz band"). In one embodiment, one or more communication devices within the WLAN can also be configured for operation in a third frequency band within the range of 6 GHz to 7 GHz (the "6 GHz band"). As described above, each frequency band includes multiple component channels that can be combined within the respective frequency bands to generate a wider bandwidth channel. In embodiments corresponding to multi-channel segment operation on a first channel segment and a second channel segment, the first channel segment and the second channel segment can be in different frequency bands or in the same frequency band. In some embodiments, at least one communication device in WLAN 110 (e.g., at least AP 114) is configured to operate simultaneously on any two of the 2 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 7 GHz band. In some embodiments, at least one communication device in WLAN 110 (e.g., at least AP 114) is configured to operate simultaneously on all three of the 2 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 7 GHz band.

[0043] Figure 2A is a diagram of an example synchronous transmission 200 on different channel segments according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the transmission 200 is generated and transmitted by the network interface device 122 ( Figure 1 ) is transmitted to one or more client stations 154 (e.g., client station 154-1). In another embodiment, transmission 200 is generated and transmitted by network interface device 162 ( Figure 1 ) is transmitted to AP114.

[0044] In one embodiment, transmission 200 corresponds to a single-user (SU) transmission generated and transmitted to a single communication device. In another embodiment, transmission 200 corresponds to a multi-user (MU) transmission, which includes data for multiple communication devices (e.g., multiple client stations 154). For example, in one embodiment, MU transmission 200 is an OFDMA transmission. In another embodiment, MU transmission 200 is a MU-MIMO transmission.

[0045] Transmission 200 includes a first RF signal 204 in a first channel segment 208 and a second RF signal 212 in a second channel segment 216. According to one embodiment, first RF signal 204 corresponds to a first PPDU and second RF signal 212 corresponds to a second PPDU. The first signal includes a PHY preamble 220 and a PHY data portion 224. The second signal 212 includes a PHY preamble 228, a data portion 232, and optional padding 236. Transmission 200 is synchronized such that transmissions of first signal 204 and second signal 212 begin at the same time t1. In some embodiments, first signal 204 and second signal 212 also end at the same time t2.

[0046] In some embodiments, PHY preamble 220 and PHY preamble 228 need not have the same duration and / or end at the same time. In other embodiments, PHY preamble 220 and PHY preamble 228 need to have the same duration and / or end at the same time.

[0047] In embodiments where the second RF signal 212 will have a shorter duration than the first RF signal 204, the PHY data portion 232 is appended with a packet extension field 236 such that transmission of the signal 212 ends at t2. In one embodiment, the packet extension field 236 includes arbitrary data that is ignored by the receiver.

[0048] In another embodiment in which the second RF signal 212 has a shorter duration than the first RF signal 204, duration information in a MAC header (not shown) within the PHY data portion 232 is set to indicate that transmission of the signal 212 ends at t2, which causes the other communication device to set a network allocation vector (NAV) timer of the other communication device to a value indicating that transmission of the signal 212 will end at t2.

[0049] In another embodiment where the second RF signal 212 is to have a shorter duration than the first RF signal 204 , padding information is included in the PHY data portion 232 such that transmission of the signal 212 ends at t 2 .

[0050] Example formats of the PHY preamble 220 and the PHY preamble 228 are described in greater detail below. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the PHY preamble 220 and at least a portion of the PHY preamble 228 include different information. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the PHY preamble 220 and at least a portion of the PHY preamble 228 have the same structure and / or include the same information. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the PHY preamble 220 and at least a portion of the PHY preamble 228 are identical.

[0051] In embodiments where the first channel segment 208 includes multiple component channels (e.g., 20 MHz sub-channels), at least a portion (e.g., a legacy portion) of the PHY preamble 220 is generated by generating a field corresponding to one component channel and duplicating the field on one or more other component channels corresponding to the first channel segment 208. In embodiments where the second channel segment 216 includes multiple component channels (e.g., 20 MHz sub-channels), at least a portion (e.g., a legacy portion) of the PHY preamble 228 is generated by generating a field corresponding to one component channel and duplicating the field on one or more other component channels corresponding to the second channel segment 216.

[0052] In various embodiments, the first channel segment 208 and the second channel segment 216 are in different RF frequency bands or are co-located in the same RF frequency band. In one embodiment, the RF frequency band(s) correspond to the 2 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band, as described above. The first channel segment 208 and the second channel segment 216 can each include one or more component channels. In one embodiment, the frequency bandwidth of the first channel segment 208 (i.e., the frequency bandwidth of the first signal 204) is different from the frequency bandwidth of the second channel segment 216 (i.e., the frequency bandwidth of the second signal 212). In another embodiment, the frequency bandwidth of the first channel segment 208 is the same as the frequency bandwidth of the second channel segment 216.

[0053] In one embodiment, the first channel segment 208 and the second channel segment 216 are separated in frequency. For example, there is a frequency gap between the first channel segment 208 and the second channel segment 216. In various embodiments, the gap is at least 500 kHz, at least 1 MHz, at least 5 MHz, at least 20 MHz, etc.

[0054] In some embodiments, first signal 204 is transmitted via a first number of spatial streams or space-time streams (hereinafter referred to as "spatial streams" for simplicity), and second signal 212 is transmitted via a second number of spatial streams different from the first number of spatial streams. In one such embodiment, PHY preamble 220 includes a first number of LTFs corresponding to the first number of spatial streams, and PHY preamble 228 includes a second number of LTFs corresponding to the second number of spatial streams (different from the first number of LTFs). In another such embodiment, PHY preamble 220 and PHY preamble 228 include the same number of LTFs, even when first signal 204 is transmitted via the first number of spatial streams and second signal 212 is transmitted via the second number of spatial streams different from the first number of spatial streams. In one embodiment, the same number of LTFs corresponds to the one of first signal 204 and second signal 212 having the greater number of spatial streams. In other embodiments, first signal 204 and second signal 212 are transmitted via the same number of spatial streams.

[0055] In one embodiment, at least the PHY data portion 224 and at least the PHY data portion 232 utilize different coding schemes and / or modulation schemes. For example, in one embodiment, the PHY data portion 224 is generated using a first MCS, while the PHY data portion 232 is generated using a different second MCS. In other embodiments, the PHY data portion 224 and the PHY data portion 232 are generated using the same MCS.

[0056] In one embodiment, transmission 200 corresponds to a single PPDU, wherein a first frequency portion of the single PPDU is transmitted via a first channel 208 and a second frequency portion of the single PPDU is transmitted via a second channel 216. In another embodiment, first signal 204 corresponds to a first PPDU and second signal 212 corresponds to a second PPDU. In one embodiment, each of PHY preambles 220 and 228, and PHY data portions 224 and 232, consists of one or more OFDM symbols.

[0057] Figure 2B is a diagram of an example asynchronous transmission 250 on different channel segments according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the transmission 250 is generated and transmitted by the network interface device 122 ( Figure 1 ) is transmitted to one or more client stations 154 (e.g., client station 154-1). In another embodiment, transmission 250 is generated and transmitted by network interface device 162 ( Figure 1 ) is transmitted to AP114.

[0058] Asynchronous transmission 250 is similar to Figure 2A200, and for the sake of brevity, the same numbered elements are not described in detail. Figure 2A Unlike the synchronous transmission 200, the transmission of the signal 204 and the transmission of the signal 212 start at different times. In addition, according to some embodiments, the transmission of the signal 204 and the transmission of the signal 212 end at different times. In addition, according to some embodiments, the signal 212 does not include Figure 2A The group extension field 236.

[0059] Now refer to Figure 1 and Figures 2A to 2B According to some embodiments, a communication device (e.g., AP 114, client station 154-1, etc.) is configured to generate and transmit at some times (and / or in some scenarios) a message such as transmission 200 ( Figure 2A ) and at other times (and / or in other scenarios) generate and transmit such as transmission 250 ( Figure 2B ) and other asynchronous transmissions. For example, at least in some embodiments, transmitting asynchronous transmissions in different channel segments does not require the different channel segments to be idle at the same time, thereby allowing, at least in some embodiments and / or scenarios, simultaneous use of different channel segments when synchronous transmission may not be possible (e.g., when synchronous transmission requires the different channel segments to be idle at the same time). On the other hand, in some scenarios, asynchronous transmissions in different channel segments may not be allowed, at least in some embodiments and / or scenarios, such as when the different channel segments are relatively close in frequency.

[0060] Figure 3A is a diagram of an example synchronous downlink MU OFDMA transmission 300 on different channel segments according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the transmission 300 is generated and transmitted by the network interface device 122 ( Figure 1 ) is transmitted to multiple client stations 154.

[0061] OFDMA transmission 300 includes a first RF signal 304 in a first channel segment 308 and a second RF signal 312 in a second channel segment 316. In various embodiments, first channel segment 308 and second channel segment 316 are similar to those described above with reference to FIG. Figure 2A The first channel segment 208 and the second channel segment 216 are shown. The transmission 300 is synchronized such that the first RF signal 304 and the second RF signal 312 begin at the same time t1. In some embodiments, the first RF signal 304 and the second RF signal 312 end at the same time t2.

[0062] First signal 304 includes a PHY preamble 320 and a PHY data portion 324. Second signal 312 includes a PHY preamble 328 and a data portion 332. In some embodiments, PHY preamble 320 and PHY preamble 328 need not have the same duration and / or end at the same time. In other embodiments, PHY preamble 320 and PHY preamble 328 need have the same duration and / or end at the same time.

[0063] In embodiments where the second RF signal 312 would otherwise have a shorter duration than the first RF signal 304, the PHY data portion 332 is appended with a packet extension field 336 such that transmission of the signal 312 ends at t2. In one embodiment, the packet extension field 336 includes arbitrary data that is ignored by the receiver.

[0064] In another embodiment in which the second RF signal 312 has a shorter duration than the first RF signal 304, duration information in a MAC header (not shown) within the PHY data portion 332 is set to indicate that transmission of the signal 312 ends at t2, which causes the other communications device to set the NAV timer of the other communications device to a value indicating that transmission of the signal 212 will end at t2.

[0065] In another embodiment where the second RF signal 312 is to have a shorter duration than the first RF signal 304 , padding information is included in the PHY data portion 332 such that transmission of the signal 312 ends at t 2 .

[0066] In one embodiment, PHY preamble 320 and PHY preamble 328 are formatted in a manner similar to PHY preamble 204. Example formats of PHY preamble 320 and PHY preamble 328 are described in more detail below. In one embodiment, at least a portion of PHY preamble 320 and at least a portion of PHY preamble 328 include different information. In another embodiment, at least a portion of PHY preamble 320 and at least a portion of PHY preamble 328 have the same structure and / or include the same information. In some embodiments, at least a portion of PHY preamble 320 and at least a portion of PHY preamble 328 are identical.

[0067] In embodiments where the first channel segment 308 includes multiple component channels (e.g., 20 MHz sub-channels), at least a portion (e.g., a legacy portion) of the PHY preamble 320 is generated by generating a field corresponding to one component channel and replicating the field on one or more other component channels corresponding to the first channel segment 308. In embodiments where the second channel segment 316 includes multiple component channels, at least a portion (e.g., a legacy portion) of the PHY preamble 328 is generated by generating a field corresponding to one component channel and replicating the field on one or more other component channels corresponding to the second channel segment 316.

[0068] In various embodiments, the first channel segment 308 and the second channel segment 316 are in different RF frequency bands or are co-located in the same RF frequency band. In one embodiment, the RF frequency band(s) correspond to the 2 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band, as described above. The first channel segment 308 and the second channel segment 316 can each include one or more component channels. In one embodiment, the frequency bandwidth of the first channel segment 308 (i.e., the frequency bandwidth of the first signal 304) is different from the frequency bandwidth of the second channel segment 316 (i.e., the frequency bandwidth of the second signal 212). In another embodiment, the frequency bandwidth of the first channel segment 308 is the same as the frequency bandwidth of the second channel segment 316.

[0069] In one embodiment, the first communication channel 308 and the second communication channel 316 are separated in frequency. For example, there is a frequency gap between the first communication channel 308 and the second communication channel 316. In various embodiments, the gap is at least 500 kHz, at least 1 MHz, at least 5 MHz, at least 20 MHz, etc.

[0070] In some embodiments, first signal 304 is transmitted via a first number of spatial streams, and second signal 312 is transmitted via a second number of spatial streams that is different from the first number of spatial streams. In one such embodiment, PHY preamble 320 includes a first number of LTFs corresponding to the first number of spatial streams, and PHY preamble 328 includes a second number of LTFs corresponding to the second number of spatial streams (different from the first number of LTFs). In another such embodiment, PHY preamble 320 and PHY preamble 328 include the same number of LTFs, even when first signal 304 is transmitted via the first number of spatial streams and second signal 312 is transmitted via the second number of spatial streams that is different from the first number of spatial streams. In one embodiment, the same number of LTFs corresponds to the one of first signal 304 and second signal 312 having the greater number of spatial streams. In other embodiments, first signal 304 and second signal 312 are transmitted via the same number of spatial streams.

[0071] In one embodiment, at least the PHY data portion 324 and at least the PHY data portion 332 employ different coding schemes and / or modulation schemes.

[0072] In one embodiment, transmission 300 corresponds to a single PPDU, wherein a first frequency portion of the single PPDU is transmitted via a first channel 308 and a second frequency portion of the single PPDU is transmitted via a second channel 316. In another embodiment, first signal 304 corresponds to a first PPDU and second signal 312 corresponds to a second PPDU. In one embodiment, each of PHY preambles 320 and 328, and PHY data portions 324 and 332, consists of one or more OFDM symbols.

[0073] PHY data portion 324 and PHY data portion 332 include corresponding frequency multiplexed data for corresponding client stations 154. Individual data within data portion 324 is transmitted to corresponding client stations 154 in corresponding allocated frequency resource units (RUs) 340. Individual data within data portion 332 is transmitted to corresponding client stations 154 in corresponding allocated RUs 344. In various embodiments, the transmission signals corresponding to some or all of RUs 340 / 344 use different coding schemes and / or modulation schemes. For example, the transmission signals corresponding to RU 340-1 and RU 344-1 are generated using different MCSs and / or different numbers of spatial streams / space-time streams, etc. In embodiments where the duration of the data in RU 344 is shorter than the duration of the PHY data portion 324, padding is added to the data in RU 344 to ensure that the duration of the PHY data portions in both communication channels is the same.

[0074] In at least some embodiments, at least some client stations 154 are configured to operate in only one RF band. In such embodiments, RUs are assigned to client stations 154 only within the RF band in which the client stations 154 are configured to operate. As an illustrative example, STA2 and STA3 are configured to operate only in the first RF band. Therefore, in one embodiment, data corresponding to STA2 and STA3 is transmitted on RUs within the first channel segment 308, which is within the first RF band. Similarly, STA4 is configured to operate only in the second RF band. Therefore, in one embodiment, data corresponding to STA4 is transmitted on RUs within the second channel segment 316, which is within the second RF band. On the other hand, STA1 is configured to operate in both the first RF band and the second RF band. Therefore, data corresponding to STA1 can be transmitted in RUs located in one or both of the first channel segment 308 and the second channel segment 316.

[0075] Figure 3B is a diagram of an example asynchronous MU OFDMA transmission 350 on different channel segments according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, the transmission 350 is generated and transmitted by the network interface device 122 ( Figure 1 ) is transmitted to one or more client stations 154 (e.g., client station 154-1). In another embodiment, transmission 350 is generated and transmitted by network interface device 162 ( Figure 1 )transmission.

[0076] Asynchronous transmission 350 is similar to Figure 2A 300, and for the sake of brevity, the same numbered elements are not described in detail. Figure 3A Unlike the synchronous transmission 300, the transmission of signal 304 and the transmission of signal 312 start at different times. In addition, according to some embodiments, the transmission of signal 304 and the transmission of signal 312 end at different times. In addition, according to some embodiments, signal 312 does not include Figure 3A The group extension field 336.

[0077] Now refer to Figure 1 and Figures 3A to 3B According to some embodiments, a communication device (e.g., AP 114, client station 154-1, etc.) is configured to generate and transmit, at some times (and / or in some scenarios), a signal such as transmission 300 ( Figure 3A ) and generates and transmits at other times (and / or in other scenarios) such as transmission 350 ( Figure 3B ) and other asynchronous transmissions.

[0078] Figure 4 is a flow chart of an example method 400 for transmitting via multiple frequency segments in a wireless communication network according to an embodiment. According to some embodiments, Figure 1 The AP 114 is configured to implement the method 400. According to other embodiments, Figure 1 The client station 154-1 is additionally or alternatively configured to implement the method 400. The method 400 is described in the context of the AP 114 for illustration purposes only, and in other embodiments, the method 400 is implemented by the client station 154-1 or other suitable communication devices according to various embodiments.

[0079] At block 404, the communication device determines (e.g., the AP 114 determines, the network interface 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, the multi-channel segment transmission controller 142 determines, etc.) whether simultaneous corresponding transmissions in the plurality of frequency segments are to be synchronized (e.g., whether the simultaneous corresponding transmissions are to start at the same time). In various embodiments, the plurality of frequency segments are contiguous in frequency, or pairs of one or more adjacent frequency segments are separated in frequency by corresponding frequency gaps. In various embodiments, each frequency segment in the plurality of frequency segments spans the same frequency bandwidth, or the frequency segments in the plurality of frequency segments span different frequency bandwidths. In various embodiments, two or more frequency segments in the plurality of frequency segments are in the same RF frequency band (e.g., a 2 GHz band, a 5 GHz band, a 6 GHz band, etc.), or two or more frequency segments in the plurality of frequency segments are in different RF frequency bands.

[0080] In various embodiments, determining whether the simultaneous corresponding transmissions are to be synchronized at block 404 is based on various parameters and / or factors. For example, in one embodiment, determining whether the simultaneous corresponding transmissions are to be synchronized at block 404 is based on the bandwidth of a frequency gap between adjacent frequency segments in the plurality of frequency segments. For example, according to an illustrative embodiment, when the frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is less than a threshold, the communication device determines (e.g., the AP 114 determines, the network interface 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) at block 404 that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized (e.g., the simultaneous corresponding transmissions are to start at the same time); and when the frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is greater than the threshold, the communication device determines (e.g., the AP 114 determines, the network interface 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) at block 404 that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are not to be synchronized. According to an illustrative embodiment, when the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are relatively close in frequency (for example, the frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is less than a threshold), the amount (or probability) of inter-channel interference is relatively high, and therefore synchronous transmission is required to improve performance (for example, total throughput); and when the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are far apart in frequency (for example, the frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is greater than a threshold), the amount (or probability) of inter-channel interference is relatively low, and therefore synchronous transmission is not required.

[0081] As another example, in another embodiment, the determination of whether the simultaneous corresponding transmissions are to be synchronized is additionally or alternatively based on the bandwidth capabilities of the one or more other communication devices that are to receive the simultaneous corresponding transmissions at block 404. For example, according to the illustrative embodiment, in response to the AP 114 determining (e.g., the network interface 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) that the one or more other communication devices are unable to receive unsynchronized transmissions, the AP 114 determines at block 404 that the simultaneous corresponding transmissions in the plurality of frequency segments are to be synchronized.

[0082] As another example, determining whether the simultaneous corresponding transmissions are to be synchronized is based on a total frequency bandwidth of the plurality of frequency segments in the plurality of frequency segments at block 404. For example, according to an illustrative embodiment, when the total bandwidth is less than a threshold, the communication device determines (e.g., the AP 114 determines, the network interface 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized (e.g., the simultaneous corresponding transmissions are to start at the same time); and when the total bandwidth is greater than the threshold, the communication device determines (e.g., the AP 114 determines, the network interface 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are not to be synchronized. According to an illustrative embodiment, when the total bandwidth is relatively narrow (e.g., the total bandwidth is less than a threshold), the probability of finding a time when all of the multiple frequency segments are idle is relatively high, and the benefits of synchronous transmission can improve performance (e.g., total throughput); while when the total bandwidth is relatively wide (e.g., the total bandwidth is greater than a threshold), the probability of finding a time when all of the multiple frequency segments are idle is relatively low, and the benefits of synchronous transmission do not outweigh the performance degradation caused by the increased failure to find a time when all of the frequency segments are idle.

[0083] When it is determined at block 404 that the simultaneous respective transmissions in the multiple frequency segments are to be synchronized, flow proceeds to block 408. At block 408, the AP 114 transmits simultaneously (e.g., the network interface device 122 transmits simultaneously, the PHY processor 130 transmits simultaneously, etc.) via the multiple frequency segments in a synchronized manner. According to one embodiment, the simultaneous transmissions at block 408 include transmitting a first signal via a first frequency segment at a first time and transmitting a second signal via a second frequency segment at a first time.

[0084] In some embodiments, before simultaneously transmitting in a synchronized manner at block 408, the AP 114 determines (e.g., the network interface device 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) when the multiple frequency segments are simultaneously idle, and after determining that the multiple frequency segments are simultaneously idle, the simultaneous synchronized transmission begins at block 408. In some embodiments, before simultaneously transmitting in a synchronized manner at block 408, the AP 114 waits (e.g., the network interface device 122 waits, the MAC processor 126 waits, etc.) until the multiple frequency segments are all determined to be simultaneously idle, and then begins the simultaneous synchronized transmission at block 408.

[0085] In some embodiments, the simultaneous transmission at block 408 includes transmitting a signal such as that referenced above. Figure 2A In other embodiments, the simultaneous transmission at block 408 includes transmitting signals such as those described above with reference to Figure 3A In other embodiments, simultaneously transmitting at block 408 includes transmitting other suitable signals having other suitable formats.

[0086] In some embodiments, transmitting simultaneously at block 408 includes the multi-channel segment transmit controller 142 prompting the PHY processor 130 to begin a first transmission in a first frequency segment at a first time and to begin a second transmission in a second frequency segment at a first time.

[0087] On the other hand, when it is determined at block 404 that the simultaneous corresponding transmissions in the plurality of frequency segments are to be desynchronized, the flow proceeds to block 412. According to one embodiment, the simultaneous transmissions at block 412 include: transmitting a third signal at a second time via a third time period, and transmitting a fourth signal at a third time via a fourth frequency segment. In some embodiments, according to one embodiment, the third frequency segment is the first frequency segment (block 408), and the fourth frequency segment is the second frequency segment (block 408).

[0088] In some embodiments, unlike the synchronous transmission at block 408, the AP 114 does not need to determine when the multiple frequency segments are simultaneously idle or wait for a time when the multiple frequency segments are simultaneously idle before transmission in one of the frequency segments can begin at block 412. For example, according to one embodiment, when the AP 114 determines (e.g., the network interface device 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) that a first frequency segment of the multiple frequency segments is idle, the AP 114 may begin transmitting in the first frequency segment (at block 412), even if the AP 114 determines (e.g., the network interface device 122 determines, the MAC processor 126 determines, etc.) that a second frequency segment of the multiple frequency segments is not simultaneously idle. When the AP 114 later determines that the second frequency segment has also become idle, the AP 114 may begin transmitting in the second frequency segment (at block 412) simultaneously with the transmission in the first frequency segment (at block 412).

[0089] In some embodiments, the simultaneous transmission at block 412 includes transmitting a signal such as that referenced above. Figure 2B In other embodiments, the simultaneous transmission at block 412 includes transmitting signals such as those described above with reference to Figure 3B In other embodiments, simultaneously transmitting at block 412 includes transmitting other suitable signals having other suitable formats.

[0090] In some embodiments, transmitting simultaneously at block 412 includes the multi-channel segment transmit controller 142 prompting the PHY processor 130 to begin a third transmission in a third frequency segment at a second time and to begin a fourth transmission in a fourth frequency segment at a third time.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first frequency segment is the same as the third frequency segment, and the second frequency segment is the same as the fourth frequency segment. In other embodiments, the first frequency segment is different from the third frequency segment, and / or the second frequency segment is different from the fourth frequency segment.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first group is identical to the third group, and the second group is identical to the fourth group. In other embodiments, the first group is different from the third group, and / or the second group is different from the fourth group.

[0093] Figure 5 is a diagram of an example network interface device 500 configured for multi-channel segment operation according to an embodiment. For example, in one embodiment, the network interface device 500 is configured for synchronous and / or asynchronous transmission / reception on multiple frequency segments. In one embodiment, the network interface device 500 corresponds to Figure 1 In another embodiment, the network interface device 500 corresponds to the network interface device 122 of the AP 114. Figure 1The network interface device 162 of the client station 154-1.

[0094] The network interface device 500 is configured for operation on two frequency bands. The network interface device 500 includes a MAC processor 508 coupled to a PHY processor 516. The MAC processor 508 exchanges frames (or PSDUs) with the PHY processor 516.

[0095] In one embodiment, the MAC processor 508 corresponds to Figure 1 In another embodiment, the MAC processor 508 corresponds to Figure 1 MAC processor 166. In one embodiment, the PHY processor 516 corresponds to Figure 1 In another embodiment, the PHY processor 516 corresponds to Figure 1 PHY processor 170.

[0096] The PHY processor 516 includes a single baseband signal processor 520. The single baseband signal processor 520 is coupled to a first RF radio (Radio-1) 528 and a second RF radio (Radio-2) 536. In one embodiment, the RF radio 528 and the RF radio 536 correspond to Figure 1 In another embodiment, the RF radio 528 and the RF radio 536 correspond to Figure 1 In one embodiment, the RF radio 528 is configured to operate on a first RF frequency band, and the RF radio 536 is configured to operate on a second RF frequency band. In another embodiment, both the RF radio 528 and the RF radio 536 are configured to operate on the same RF frequency band.

[0097] In one embodiment, the MAC processor 508 generates data corresponding to MAC layer data units (e.g., frames) and provides these frames (or PSDUs) to the baseband signal processor 520. The baseband signal processor 520 is configured to receive the frames (or PSDUs) from the MAC processor 508, encapsulate the frames (or PSDUs) into corresponding packets, and generate corresponding baseband signals corresponding to the corresponding packets. The baseband signal processor 520 provides the corresponding baseband signals to Radio-1 528 and Radio-2 536. Radio-1 528 and Radio-2 536 upconvert the corresponding baseband signals to generate corresponding RF signals for transmission via a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment, respectively. Radio-1 528 transmits a first RF signal via the first frequency segment, and Radio-2 536 transmits a second RF signal via the second frequency segment.

[0098] In some embodiments, the MAC processor 508 determines whether a frame is to be transmitted synchronously or asynchronously, and informs the baseband signal processor 520 of whether the frame is to be transmitted synchronously or asynchronously when providing the frame to the baseband signal processor 520. In some embodiments, the MAC processor 508 determines in which frequency segment the frame is to be transmitted, and informs the baseband signal processor 520 of the frequency segment in which the frame is to be transmitted when providing the frame to the baseband signal processor 520.

[0099] When the first RF signal and the second RF signal are to be synchronized, the baseband signal processor 520 is configured to ensure that the corresponding transmission signals on the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are synchronized. For example, the baseband signal processor 520 begins providing the corresponding baseband signals to Radio-1 528 and Radio-2 536 at the same time.

[0100] Radio-1 528 and Radio-2 536 are further configured to receive corresponding RF signals via a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment, respectively. Radio-1 528 and Radio-2 536 generate corresponding baseband signals corresponding to the corresponding received signals. The generated corresponding baseband signals are provided to baseband signal processor 520. Baseband signal processor 520 generates corresponding PSDUs corresponding to the corresponding received signals and provides the PSDUs to MAC processor 508. MAC processor 508 processes the PSDUs received from baseband signal processor 520.

[0101] Figure 6A 6 is a diagram of example PPDUs 604 and 608 transmitted in respective frequency segments, according to an embodiment. For example, PPDU 604 is transmitted in a first frequency segment, and PPDU 608 is transmitted in a second frequency segment. In some embodiments and / or scenarios, the first frequency segment is separated from the second frequency segment in frequency by a frequency gap. In other embodiments and / or scenarios, the first frequency segment is adjacent to the second frequency segment in frequency, and the first frequency segment is not separated from the second frequency segment in frequency.

[0102] In some embodiments, the PHY processor 130 ( Figure 1 ) is configured to generate and transmit PPDUs 604 and 608. In some embodiments, the PHY processor 170 ( Figure 1 ) is configured to generate and transmit PPDUs 604 and 608. In some embodiments, the baseband processor 520 ( Figure 5 ) is configured to generate PPDUs 604 and 608, and the radios 528, 536 ( Figure 5 ) is configured to transmit PPDUs 604 and 608.

[0103] PPDU 604 includes a legacy PHY preamble 612 (sometimes referred to as legacy preamble 612), a non-legacy PHY preamble (e.g., EHT preamble) 616, and a PHY data portion 620. Legacy preamble 612 includes a legacy short training field (L-STF) 624, a legacy long training field (L-LTF) 628, and a legacy signal field (L-SIG) 632. L-SIG 632 includes a rate subfield (not shown) and a length subfield (not shown) that collectively indicate the duration of PPDU 604. In some embodiments, EHT preamble 616 includes PHY parameters regarding PPDU 604 for use by a receiver device to correctly process PPDU 604, such as a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) subfield indicating the MCS used for PHY data portion 620. When the PPDU 604 is an MU PPDU, the EHT preamble 616 includes allocation information indicating frequency resource unit (RU) allocation information, spatial stream allocation information, etc. In some embodiments, the EHT preamble 616 includes one or more long training fields, and the number of long training fields depends on the number of spatial streams used to transmit the PHY data portion 620.

[0104] The PPDU 608 includes a legacy preamble 642, a non-legacy PHY preamble (e.g., an EHT preamble) 646, and a PHY data portion 650. The legacy preamble 642 includes an L-STF 654, an L-LTF 658, and an L-SIG 632. The L-SIG 632 includes a rate subfield (not shown) and a length subfield (not shown) that collectively indicate the duration of the PPDU 608. In some embodiments, the EHT preamble 646 includes PHY parameters regarding the PPDU 608 for use by a receiver device to correctly process the PPDU 608, such as an MCS subfield indicating the MCS used for the PHY data portion 650. When the PPDU 608 is an MU PPDU, the EHT preamble 646 includes allocation information indicating frequency RU allocation information, spatial stream allocation information, and the like. In some embodiments, the EHT preamble 646 includes one or more long training fields, with the number of long training fields depending on the number of spatial streams used to transmit the PHY data portion 650 .

[0105] In some embodiments where the transmission of PPDU 604 and PPDU 608 is synchronized, PPDU 608 includes a packet extension field 668 such that the duration of PPDU 608 is the same as the duration of PPDU 604. In some embodiments, PHY data portion 650 additionally or alternatively includes padding as described above. In other embodiments, signal extension is additionally or alternatively used for PPDU 608 such that the receiver device sets its NAV counter to a value indicating a duration corresponding to the duration of PPDU 604 as described above. In some embodiments where the transmission of PPDU 604 and PPDU 608 is asynchronous, PPDU 608 does not include a packet extension field 668.

[0106] In some embodiments, the duration of the EHT preamble 616 is different from (or need not be the same as) the duration of the EHT preamble 646. In other embodiments, the duration of the EHT preamble 616 needs to be the same as the duration of the EHT preamble 646 (e.g., padding bits are added (if necessary) to the EHT preamble 646 so that the duration of the EHT preamble 646 is the same as the duration of the EHT preamble 616).

[0107] In embodiments where PPDU 604 has a different duration than PPDU 608, L-SIG 632 includes different information than L-SIG 662. For example, the length subfield in L-SIG 632 indicates a different length than the length subfield in L-SIG 662.

[0108] Figure 6B is a diagram of an example non-legacy preamble (eg, an EHT preamble) 674 for use as the non-legacy preamble 616 or the non-legacy preamble 646 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0109] In some embodiments, the PHY processor 130 ( Figure 1 ) is configured to generate a non-legacy preamble 674. In some embodiments, the PHY processor 170 ( Figure 1 ) is configured to generate a non-legacy preamble 674. In some embodiments, the baseband processor 520 ( Figure 5 ) is configured to generate a non-legacy preamble 674.

[0110] The non-legacy preamble 674 includes a first signal field (EHT-SIGA) 678, a second signal field (EHT-SIGB) 682, a short training field (EHT-STF) 686, and one or more long training fields (EHT-LTFs) 690. In one embodiment, when the PHY data portion corresponding to the non-legacy preamble 674 is to be transmitted via n spatial streams (where n is a suitable positive integer), the non-legacy preamble 674 includes no more than n EHT-LTFs 690. In another embodiment, when the PHY data portion corresponding to the non-legacy preamble 674 is to be transmitted via n spatial streams, the non-legacy preamble 674 includes at least n EHT-LTFs 690.

[0111] In some embodiments, the EHT-SIGB 682 is included for a MU PPDU, but not for a single-user (SU) PPDU.

[0112] In various embodiments, the EHT-SIGA 678 and / or EHT-SIGB 682 indicates the MCS (or multiple MCSs for the MU PPDU) used for the PHY data portion corresponding to the non-legacy preamble 674. Therefore, when different MCSs are used for different frequency segments, the content of the EHT-SIGA 678 in the different frequency segments is different.

[0113] Similarly, in at least some embodiments, when different numbers of spatial streams are used for different frequency bins, the number of EHT-LTFs 690 in the different frequency bins is different.

[0114] Now refer to Figures 6A to 6B In embodiments where L-SIG 632 and L-SIG 662 include different information, a copy of L-SIG 632 is transmitted in each subchannel of the first frequency segment (e.g., each 20 MHz subchannel), and a copy of L-SIG 662 is transmitted in each subchannel of the second frequency segment (e.g., each 20 MHz subchannel). In embodiments where one or more subchannels in the frequency segment are punctured (e.g., not used for transmission), copies of L-SIG 632 / 662 are not transmitted in the punctured subchannels.

[0115] In embodiments where the non-legacy signal field 678 includes different information for different frequency segments, a copy of the non-legacy signal field 678 including information for the first frequency segment is transmitted in each subchannel of the first frequency segment (e.g., each 20 MHz subchannel), and a copy of the non-legacy signal field 678 including information for the second frequency segment is transmitted in each subchannel of the second frequency segment (e.g., each 20 MHz subchannel). In embodiments where one or more subchannels in a frequency segment are punctured (e.g., not used for transmission), a copy of the non-legacy signal field 678 is not transmitted in the punctured subchannels.

[0116] Similarly, in embodiments where the non-legacy signal field 682 includes different information in different frequency segments, a copy of the non-legacy signal field 682 including information about the first frequency segment is transmitted in each subchannel of the first frequency segment (e.g., each 20 MHz subchannel), and a copy of the non-legacy signal field 682 including information about the second frequency segment is transmitted in each subchannel of the second frequency segment (e.g., each 20 MHz subchannel). In embodiments where one or more subchannels in a frequency segment are punctured (e.g., not used for transmission), a copy of the non-legacy signal field 682 is not transmitted in the punctured subchannels.

[0117] In some embodiments (e.g., where PPDU 604 is a MU PPDU and PPDU 608 is a SU PPDU), a copy of the non-legacy signal field 682 including information for the first frequency segment is transmitted in each subchannel of the first frequency segment (e.g., each 20 MHz subchannel), and the non-legacy signal field 682 is not transmitted in the second frequency segment.

[0118] In some embodiments, the non-legacy signal field 678 includes a bandwidth subfield 694 that indicates the total bandwidth of the frequency segment in which the PPDU 604 / 608 is transmitted. For example, when the PPDU 604 is transmitted in a first frequency segment having a total bandwidth of 160 MHz and the PPDU 608 is transmitted in a second frequency segment having a total bandwidth of 40 MHz, the bandwidth subfield 694 in the PPDU 604 indicates a bandwidth of 160 MHz, while the bandwidth subfield 694 in the PPDU 608 indicates a bandwidth of 40 MHz.

[0119] In some embodiments, the non-legacy signal field 678 includes a frequency segment identifier (ID) subfield 698 that indicates the frequency segment in which the PPDU 604 / 608 is transmitted. For example, when the PPDU 604 is transmitted in a first frequency segment and the PPDU 608 is transmitted in a second frequency segment, the frequency segment ID subfield 698 in the PPDU 604 indicates the first frequency segment, while the frequency segment ID subfield 698 in the PPDU 608 indicates the second frequency segment.

[0120] In some embodiments, the non-legacy signal field 678 also includes one or more other subfields (not shown) that indicate one or more of: i) whether simultaneous transmission occurs in any other frequency segment(s), ii) the number of multiple other frequency segments in which simultaneous transmission occurs, iii) the corresponding total frequency bandwidth(s) of the (multiple) other frequency segments, and iv) the cumulative frequency bandwidth of all frequency segments in which simultaneous transmission occurs.

[0121] In some embodiments, the legacy preamble and the non-legacy preamble have, for example, Figures 6A to 6B The format discussed above is similar to the Figures 2A to 2B and Figures 3A to 3B Used together with the discussed transport.

[0122] Although some ordering of fields and subfields is Figures 6A to 6B , but in other embodiments, other suitable orderings of fields and subfields are used. Figures 6A to 6B The PHY preamble may also include one or more other suitable fields / subfields. Similarly, in some embodiments, Figures 6A to 6B One or more of the fields / subfields shown are omitted.

[0123] Embodiment 1: A method for simultaneous transmission in multiple frequency segments, comprising: determining at a communication device whether simultaneous transmission in a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment is to be synchronized in time; in response to the communication device determining that simultaneous transmission in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is to be synchronized in time, transmitting a first packet in the first frequency segment starting from a first time, and transmitting a second packet in the second frequency segment starting from the first time; and in response to the communication device determining that simultaneous transmission in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment is to be asynchronous in time, transmitting a third packet in the first frequency segment starting from a second time, and transmitting a fourth packet in the second frequency segment starting from a third time different from the second time.

[0124] Example 2. A method according to Example 1, wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time includes: determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time based on the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment.

[0125] Example 3. A method according to Example 2, wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time includes: comparing the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap with a threshold at the communication device; in response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is less than the threshold, determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time; and in response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is greater than the threshold, determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be unsynchronized in time.

[0126] Embodiment 4. A method according to any one of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time includes: determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time based on the capabilities of one or more other communication devices to receive the simultaneous transmissions.

[0127] Example 5. A method according to Example 4, wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time includes: determining whether any other communication device among the one or more other communication devices is capable of processing asynchronous transmissions in multiple frequency segments; in response to determining that at least one other communication device among the one or more other communication devices cannot process asynchronous transmissions in multiple frequency segments, determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time; and in response to determining that all other communication devices among the one or more other communication devices are capable of processing asynchronous transmissions in multiple frequency segments, determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be asynchronous in time.

[0128] Embodiment 6. A method according to any one of embodiments 1, 2 or 4, wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized includes: determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized based on one or more of the following: i) the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment, ii) the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment, and iii) the cumulative frequency bandwidth of the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment and the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment.

[0129] Embodiment 7. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6 further includes: generating the first packet having a first physical layer (PHY) preamble code, the first physical layer (PHY) preamble code having a first duration; and generating the second packet having a second PHY preamble code, the second PHY preamble code having a second duration different from the first duration.

[0130] Embodiment 8. The method of embodiment 7, further comprising generating the first PHY preamble to include different information than the second PHY preamble.

[0131] Embodiment 9. According to the method of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, generating the second packet includes: generating the second packet to include a packet extension field so that transmission of the second packet ends when transmission of the first packet ends.

[0132] Example 10. A method according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein: when the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: a first medium access control (MAC) layer data unit is generated at the communication device, the first packet is generated to include the first MAC layer data unit, a second MAC layer data unit is generated at the communication device, and the second packet is generated to include the second MAC layer data unit; and when the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: a third MAC layer data unit is generated at the communication device, the third packet is generated to include the third MAC layer data unit, a fourth MAC layer data unit is generated at the communication device, and the second packet is generated to include the fourth MAC layer data unit.

[0133] Embodiment 11. The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 10, wherein: when the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: the first packet is transmitted via a first number of spatial streams, and the second packet is transmitted via a second number of spatial streams different from the first number of spatial streams; and when the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: the third packet is transmitted via a third number of spatial streams, and the fourth packet is transmitted via a fourth number of spatial streams different from the third number of spatial streams.

[0134] Embodiment 12. A communication device, comprising: a wireless network interface device, comprising: one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, and a plurality of radio frequency (RF) radio devices, including at least a first RF radio device and a second RF radio device, wherein the plurality of RF radio devices are at least partially implemented on the one or more IC devices; wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to implement a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11.

[0135] Embodiment 13. A communications device, comprising: a wireless network interface device, comprising: one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, and a plurality of radio frequency (RF) radios, including at least a first RF radio and a second RF radio, wherein the plurality of RF radios are at least partially implemented on the one or more IC devices. The one or more IC devices are configured to: determine whether simultaneous transmissions in a first frequency segment and a second frequency segment are to be synchronized, and, in response to the communications device determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized, control the first RF radio to transmit a first packet in the first frequency segment starting at a first time, and control the second RF radio to transmit a second packet in the second frequency segment starting at the first time. The one or more IC devices are further configured to: control the first RF radio to transmit a third packet in the first frequency segment starting at a second time, and control the second RF radio to transmit a fourth packet in the second frequency segment starting at a third time different from the second time, in response to the communications device determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are not to be synchronized.

[0136] Embodiment 14. A communication device according to embodiment 13, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to determine whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized based on the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment.

[0137] Embodiment 15. A communication device according to embodiment 14, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: compare the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap with a threshold; in response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is less than the threshold, determine that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized; and in response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is greater than the threshold, determine that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be desynchronized.

[0138] Embodiment 16. A communication device according to any one of embodiments 13 to 15, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to determine whether the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized based on the capabilities of one or more other communication devices to receive the simultaneous transmissions.

[0139] Embodiment 17. A communication device according to any one of embodiments 13 to 16, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: determine whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized based on one or more of the following: i) the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment, ii) the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment, and iii) the cumulative frequency bandwidth of the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment and the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment.

[0140] Embodiment 18. A communication device according to any one of embodiments 13 to 17, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: generate the first packet having a first physical layer (PHY) preamble code, the first physical layer (PHY) preamble code having a first duration; and generate the second packet having a second PHY preamble code, the second PHY preamble code having a second duration different from the first duration.

[0141] Embodiment 19. The communication device of claim 18, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to generate the first PHY preamble to include different information than the second PHY preamble.

[0142] Embodiment 20. A communication device according to any one of embodiments 13 to 19, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: generate the second packet to include a packet extension field so that when the transmission of the first packet ends, the transmission of the second packet ends.

[0143] Embodiment 21. A communications device according to any one of Embodiments 13 to 20, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: when the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: generate a first medium access control (MAC) layer data unit, generate the first packet to include the first MAC layer data unit, generate a second MAC layer data unit, and generate the second packet to include the second MAC layer data unit. The one or more IC devices are further configured to: when the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: generate a third MAC layer data unit, generate the third packet to include the third MAC layer data unit, generate a fourth MAC layer data unit, and generate the second packet to include the fourth MAC layer data unit.

[0144] Embodiment 22. A communication device according to embodiment 21, wherein the wireless network interface device includes: a single medium access control (MAC) layer processor implemented on the one or more IC devices; a baseband signal processor implemented on the one or more IC devices, wherein the baseband signal processor is coupled to the single MAC processor and the multiple RF radio devices; and wherein when the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: the single MAC layer processor is configured to generate the first MAC layer data unit and the second MAC layer data unit, and the baseband processor is configured to generate the first packet and the second packet; wherein when the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: the single MAC layer processor is configured to generate the third MAC layer data unit and the fourth MAC layer data unit, and the baseband processor is configured to generate the third packet and the fourth packet.

[0145] Embodiment 23. A communication device according to any one of embodiments 13 to 122, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: when the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: control the first RF radio device to transmit the first packet via a first number of spatial streams, and control the second RF radio device to transmit the second packet via a second number of spatial streams different from the first number of spatial streams; and when the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: control the first RF radio device to transmit the third packet via a third number of spatial streams, and control the second RF radio device to transmit the fourth packet via a fourth number of spatial streams different from the third number of spatial streams.

[0146] At least some of the various blocks, operations, and techniques described above may be implemented using hardware, a processor executing firmware instructions, a processor executing software instructions, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a processor executing software or firmware instructions, the software or firmware instructions may be stored in any computer-readable memory, such as on a disk, optical disk, or other storage medium, in RAM or ROM or flash memory, a processor, a hard drive, an optical drive, a tape drive, or the like. The software or firmware instructions may include machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform various actions.

[0147] When implemented in hardware, the hardware may include one or more of discrete components, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), and the like.

[0148] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, these examples are intended to illustrate and not limit the invention. Changes, additions and / or deletions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for simultaneous transmission in multiple frequency bands, comprising: determining, at the communication device, whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time based on capabilities of one or more other communication devices to receive the simultaneous transmissions; In response to the communications device determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time, transmitting a first packet in the first frequency segment starting at a first time, and transmitting a second packet in the second frequency segment starting from the first time; as well as In response to the communication device determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be asynchronous in time, transmitting a third packet and a fourth packet simultaneously, comprising: transmitting the third packet in the first frequency segment starting from a second time, and The fourth packet is transmitted in the second frequency segment starting from a third time different from the second time.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time comprises: Whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time is determined based on a frequency bandwidth of a frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time comprises: comparing, at the communication device, the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap with a threshold; In response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is less than the threshold, determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time; as well as In response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is greater than the threshold, simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are determined to be unsynchronized in time.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time comprises: determining whether any other communication device of the one or more other communication devices is unable to process unsynchronized transmissions in the plurality of frequency segments; In response to determining that at least one of the one or more other communication devices is unable to handle unsynchronized transmissions in the plurality of frequency segments, determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized in time; as well as In response to determining that all other of the one or more other communication devices are capable of handling unsynchronized transmissions in the plurality of frequency segments, determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first and second frequency segments are to be unsynchronized in time.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized comprises: Whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized is further determined based on one or more of: i) the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment, ii) the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment, and iii) the cumulative frequency bandwidth of the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment and the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: generating the first packet having a first physical layer (PHY) preamble having a first duration; as well as The second packet is generated with a second PHY preamble having a second duration different from the first duration.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: The first PHY preamble is generated to include information different from that of the second PHY preamble.

8. The method according to claim 1, generating the second packet comprises: The second packet is generated to include a packet extension field so that transmission of the second packet ends when transmission of the first packet ends.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 6 to 8, wherein: When the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: generating a first medium access control (MAC) layer data unit at the communication device, generating the first packet to include the first MAC layer data unit, generating a second MAC layer data unit at the communication device, generating the second packet to include the second MAC layer data unit; as well as When the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: generating a third MAC layer data unit at the communication device, generating the third packet to include the third MAC layer data unit, generating a fourth MAC layer data unit at the communication device, The fourth packet is generated to include the fourth MAC layer data unit.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or 6 to 8, wherein: When the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: transmitting the first packet via a first number of spatial streams, and transmitting the second packet via a second number of spatial streams, the second number of spatial streams being different than the first number of spatial streams; as well as When the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: transmitting the third packet via a third number of spatial streams, and The fourth packet is transmitted via a fourth number of spatial streams, the fourth number of spatial streams being different from the third number of spatial streams.

11. A communication device comprising: Wireless network interface equipment, including: one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices, and a plurality of radio frequency (RF) radios, including at least a first RF radio and a second RF radio, wherein the plurality of RF radios are at least partially implemented on the one or more IC devices; wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to: determining whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized based on capabilities of one or more other communication devices that are to receive the simultaneous transmissions, and In response to the communications device determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized, controlling the first RF radio to transmit a first packet in the first frequency segment starting at a first time, and controlling the second RF radio to transmit a second packet in the second frequency segment starting from the first time; and wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: In response to the communication device determining that the simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be out of synchronization, controlling the wireless network interface device to simultaneously transmit a third packet and a fourth packet, comprising: controlling the first RF radio device to transmit the third packet in the first frequency segment starting from a second time, and The second RF radio is controlled to transmit the fourth packet in the second frequency segment starting from a third time different from the second time.

12. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: Whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized is determined based on a frequency bandwidth of a frequency gap between the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment.

13. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: comparing the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap with a threshold; In response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is less than the threshold, determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized; and In response to determining that the frequency bandwidth of the frequency gap is greater than the threshold, determining that simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be desynchronized.

14. The communication device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: Whether simultaneous transmissions in the first frequency segment and the second frequency segment are to be synchronized is further determined based on one or more of: i) the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment, ii) the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment, and iii) the cumulative frequency bandwidth of the total frequency bandwidth of the first frequency segment and the total frequency bandwidth of the second frequency segment.

15. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: generating the first packet having a first physical layer (PHY) preamble having a first duration; and The second packet is generated with a second PHY preamble having a second duration different from the first duration.

16. The communication device of claim 15, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The first PHY preamble is generated to include information different from that of the second PHY preamble.

17. The communication device of claim 11, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: The second packet is generated to include a packet extension field so that transmission of the second packet ends when transmission of the first packet ends.

18. The communication device according to any one of claims 11 to 13 or 15 to 17, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: When the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: generating a first medium access control (MAC) layer data unit, generating the first packet to include the first MAC layer data unit, generating a second MAC layer data unit, and generating the second packet to include the second MAC layer data unit; and When the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: Generate a third MAC layer data unit, generating the third packet to include the third MAC layer data unit, generating a fourth MAC layer data unit, and The fourth packet is generated to include the fourth MAC layer data unit.

19. The communication device according to claim 18, wherein the wireless network interface device comprises: a single medium access control (MAC) layer processor implemented on the one or more IC devices; a baseband signal processor implemented on the one or more IC devices, wherein the baseband signal processor is coupled to the single MAC layer processor and the plurality of RF radios; as well as When the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: The single MAC layer processor is configured to generate the first MAC layer data unit and the second MAC layer data unit, and The baseband signal processor is configured to generate the first packet and the second packet; Wherein, when the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: The single MAC layer processor is configured to generate the third MAC layer data unit and the fourth MAC layer data unit, and The baseband signal processor is configured to generate the third packet and the fourth packet.

20. The communication device according to any one of claims 11 to 13 or 15 to 17, wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to: When the first packet and the second packet are transmitted: controlling the first RF radio to transmit the first packet via a first number of spatial streams, and controlling the second RF radio to transmit the second packet via a second number of spatial streams, the second number of spatial streams being different from the first number of spatial streams; and When the third packet and the fourth packet are transmitted: controlling the first RF radio to transmit the third packet via a third number of spatial streams, and The second RF radio is controlled to transmit the fourth packet via a fourth number of spatial streams, the fourth number of spatial streams being different from the third number of spatial streams.

Images