Communication apparatus and communication method for feedback response transmission in indicated frequency domain

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication device and a communication method for feedback response transmission in an indicated frequency domain, the communication device comprising: circuitry that generates a signal requesting a feedback response; and a transmitter to transmit the generated signal to the one or more peer-to-peer communication devices, where the generated signal includes frequency domain information indicating a frequency domain for transmitting a feedback response within an operating channel of the one or more peer-to-peer communication devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to communication apparatus and methods for transmitting feedback responses, and more particularly to communication apparatus and methods for transmitting feedback responses in an indicated frequency domain. Background Technology

[0002] In the standardization of next-generation wireless local area networks (WLANs), a new radio access technology that must be backward compatible with IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax technologies has been discussed in the IEEE 802.11 working group and named IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT) WLAN.

[0003] In 802.11ax EHT WLANs, the Null Data Packet (NDP) feedback reporting process is used, and high-efficiency (HE) access points (APs) are allowed to collect non-channel probe feedback (e.g., buffer status, power status) from multiple non-AP HE stations (STAs) to improve 802.11ax efficiency, especially in high-density environments.

[0004] However, in some scenarios, such as non-subchannel selective transmission (non-SST) scenarios, where all non-AP STAs reside on the main frequency segment and listen to the main channel, some non-AP STAs may be unable to participate in feedback response transmissions if the bandwidth based on triggered feedback NDP is inappropriate. Furthermore, even if the number of STAs supported in 20MHz may be sufficient in 802.11ax, 802.11be, or future revisions, higher density environments will still be required.

[0005] Furthermore, in Subchannel Selective Transmission (SST) scenarios, non-AP STAs in the 20 / 80 / 160MHz channels can participate in transmission or reception with a larger bandwidth in the secondary 20 / 80 / 160MHz channels. Due to SST operational limitations, non-AP STAs may not be able to utilize any bandwidth available for trigger-based feedback NDP to participate in the NDP feedback reporting process.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for communication devices and methods that provide feasible technical solutions to address these issues, and more specifically, for feedback response transmission to be implemented in the frequency domain indicated within its operating channel to ensure that all non-AP STAs can participate in the feedback response.

[0007] Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the background art of this disclosure, in conjunction with the following detailed description and the appended claims. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Non-limiting and exemplary embodiments help to provide communication apparatus and communication methods for transmitting feedback response in an indicated frequency domain in the context of an EHT WLAN.

[0009] In a first aspect, this disclosure provides a communication apparatus comprising: circuitry that generates a signal requesting a feedback response; and a transmitter that transmits the generated signal to one or more peer communication devices, wherein the generated signal includes frequency domain information indicating a frequency domain for transmitting a feedback response within an operating channel of the one or more peer communication devices.

[0010] In a second aspect, this disclosure provides a peer-to-peer communication device comprising: a receiver that receives a signal requesting a feedback response, the signal including frequency domain information indicating a frequency domain for transmitting the feedback response within an operating channel of the peer-to-peer communication device; circuitry that processes the signal and generates a feedback response; and a transmitter that transmits the feedback response in the frequency domain.

[0011] In a third aspect, this disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a communication device, the communication method comprising: generating a signal requesting a feedback response; and sending the signal to one or more peer communication devices, the signal including frequency domain information indicating the frequency domain for transmitting a feedback response within an operating channel of the peer communication device.

[0012] In a fourth aspect, this disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a peer-to-peer communication device, the communication method comprising: receiving a signal requesting a feedback response, the signal including frequency domain information indicating a frequency domain for transmitting a feedback response within an operating channel of the peer-to-peer communication device; processing the signal and generating a feedback response; and transmitting the feedback response in the frequency domain.

[0013] It should be noted that general or specific embodiments may be implemented as systems, methods, integrated circuits, computer programs, storage media, or any alternative combination thereof.

[0014] Further benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and accompanying drawings. Benefits and / or advantages may be obtained individually from the various embodiments and features in the specification and drawings, and not all of these embodiments and features need to be provided to obtain one or more such benefits and / or advantages. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The embodiments of this disclosure will be better understood and apparent to those skilled in the art from the following written description, taken by way of example only, and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] Figure 1A schematic diagram depicts downlink multi-user (MU) communication between an access point (AP) and multiple stations (STAs).

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram depicts trigger-based uplink MU communication between the AP and multiple STAs.

[0018] Figure 3A The format of the HE PPDU 300 for downlink MU communication (e.g., OFDMA transmission) between an AP and multiple STAs in an HE WLAN is shown.

[0019] Figure 3B The format of the HE PPDU 320 for uplink MU communication between an AP and multiple STAs in an HE WLAN is shown.

[0020] Figure 4A The format of the EHT PPDU400 for downlink MU communication between an AP and multiple STAs in an EHT WLAN is shown.

[0021] Figure 4B The format of the EHT PPDU420 for uplink MU communication between an AP and multiple STAs in an EHT WLAN is described.

[0022] Figure 5 A diagram illustrating the feedback reporting process for Null Data Packet (NDP) is provided.

[0023] Figure 6 Depicting Figure 5 The format of the NFRP trigger frame in the document.

[0024] Figure 7 A diagram depicting the RU tone set mapping from different RU tone set indices to HE-LTF symbols of HE TB feedback NDP is shown.

[0025] Figure 8 A diagram depicts an example NDP feedback reporting process in a 40MHz channel in a non-SST scenario.

[0026] Figure 9 A diagram depicts more than one round of NDP feedback reporting in a 40MHz channel in a non-SST scenario.

[0027] Figure 10 A diagram illustrating an example NDP feedback reporting process in a 40MHz channel during an SST scenario is depicted.

[0028] Figure 11A 40MHz TB feedback NDP and a 20MHz TB feedback NDP for transmitting feedback responses in non-SST scenarios are described.

[0029] Figure 12 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device according to the present disclosure is depicted.

[0030] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a communication method implemented by a basic communication device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 14 A flowchart illustrating a communication method implemented by a peer-to-peer communication device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 15 An example format of EHT TB feedback NDP according to an embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0033] Figure 16 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to another embodiment of this disclosure is depicted.

[0034] Figure 17 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to a first embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0035] Figure 18 A diagram illustrating an example NDP feedback reporting process according to a first embodiment of this disclosure is depicted.

[0036] Figure 19 A diagram is depicting an example enhanced NDP feedback reporting process in a non-SST scenario according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 20 An example enhanced NDP feedback reporting process in an SST scenario according to a first embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0038] Figure 21 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the AP in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0039] Figure 22 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the STA in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0040] Figure 23 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described.

[0041] Figure 24A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the AP in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0042] Figure 25 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the STA in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0043] Figure 26 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to a third embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0044] Figure 27 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the AP in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0045] Figure 28 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the STA in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0046] Figure 29 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to a fourth embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0047] Figure 30 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the AP in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0048] Figure 31 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the STA in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0049] Figure 32 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 3200 according to a first example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure is depicted.

[0050] Figure 33 A flowchart illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, according to a first example of a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, is depicted.

[0051] Figure 34 A flowchart 3400 is depicted illustrating a process implemented by a STA in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, according to a first example of a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 35 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to a second example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure is depicted.

[0053] Figure 36A flowchart illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, according to a second example of a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, is depicted.

[0054] Figure 37 A flowchart illustrating a process implemented by STA in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, according to a second example of a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, is depicted.

[0055] Figure 38 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to a sixth embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0056] Figure 39 A diagram illustrating an example enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a sixth embodiment of this disclosure is depicted.

[0057] Figure 40 A flowchart illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, according to a second example of a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, is depicted.

[0058] Figure 41 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the STA in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0059] Figure 42 A flowchart illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, according to a second example of a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, is depicted.

[0060] Figure 43 A flowchart illustrating the process implemented by the STA in the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to the seventh embodiment of this disclosure is depicted.

[0061] Figure 44 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to an embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0062] Figure 45 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to an embodiment of this disclosure is described.

[0063] Figure 46 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame according to another embodiment of this disclosure is depicted.

[0064] Figure 47 Configurations of communication devices (e.g., APs) according to various embodiments of this disclosure are described.

[0065] Figure 48 The configuration of a communication device (e.g., STA) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is described.

[0066] Those skilled in the art will understand that the elements in the accompanying drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily depicted to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the illustrations, block diagrams, or flowcharts may be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid in an accurate understanding of this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0067] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals and characters in the drawings refer to the same elements or equivalents.

[0068] In the following paragraphs, certain exemplary embodiments are explained with reference to access points (APs) and stations (STAs) used for feedback response transmission in the indicated frequency domain.

[0069] In the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technology, a station (which is interchangeably referred to as a STA) is a communication device capable of using the 802.11 protocol. Based on the IEEE 802.11-2016 definition, a STA can be any device that includes IEEE 802.11-compliant Media Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) interfaces to the wireless medium (WM).

[0070] For example, an STA can be a laptop computer, desktop personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), access point, or Wi-Fi phone in a wireless local area network (WLAN) environment. STAs can be fixed or mobile. In a WLAN environment, the terms "STA," "wireless client," "user," "user equipment," and "node" are often used interchangeably.

[0071] Similarly, in the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technology, an AP, which can be interchangeably called a Wireless Access Point (WAP), is a communication device that allows STAs in a WLAN to connect to a wired network. An AP is typically connected to a router as a standalone device (via a wired network), but it can also be integrated with or used within a router.

[0072] As mentioned above, a STA in a WLAN can act as an AP at different times, and vice versa. This is because communication devices in the context of IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) technology can include both STA and AP hardware components. In this way, the communication device can switch between STA mode and AP mode based on the actual WLAN conditions and / or requirements.

[0073] Figure 1A schematic diagram 100 depicts downlink multi-user (MU) communication between AP 102 and multiple STAs 104, 106, and 108. The downlink communication is OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) communication. For OFDMA communication in the channel, AP 102 simultaneously transmits multiple streams to STAs 104, 106, and 108 in the network at different resource units (RUs) within the channel bandwidth. If the RUs conducting OFDMA communication occupy the entire channel bandwidth, the OFDMA communication is called full-bandwidth OFDMA communication. If the RUs conducting OFDMA communication occupy a portion of the channel bandwidth (e.g., one or more 20MHz sub-channels within the channel are truncated), the OFDMA communication is called truncated OFDMA communication. For example, two space-time streams may be directed to STA 106, another space-time stream may be directed to STA 104, and yet another space-time stream may be directed to STA 108. For simplicity, the two space-time streams pointing to STA 106 are shown as packet data transmission arrows 112, the space-time stream pointing to STA 104 is shown as data transmission arrows 110, and the space-time stream pointing to STA 108 is shown as data transmission arrows 114.

[0074] To enable uplink MU transmission, trigger-based communication is provided to the wireless network. In this regard, Figure 2 A schematic diagram depicts trigger-based uplink MU communication 200 between AP 202 and multiple STAs 204, 206, 208.

[0075] Because there are multiple STAs 204, 206, and 208 participating in trigger-based uplink MU communication, AP 202 needs to coordinate the simultaneous transmission of multiple STAs 204, 206, and 208.

[0076] Therefore, such as Figure 2As shown, AP 202 simultaneously sends trigger frames 210, 214, and 218 to STAs 204, 206, and 208 to indicate user-specific resource allocation information available to each STA (e.g., the number of space-time streams (STS), the initial number of STS, and the allocated RU). In response to the trigger frames, STAs 204, 206, and 208 can then simultaneously send their respective space-time streams to AP 202 at different resource units (Rus) within the channel bandwidth, based on the user-specific resource allocation information indicated in trigger frames 210, 214, and 218. For example, two space-time streams can be sent from STA 206 to AP 202, another space-time stream can be sent from STA 204 to AP 202, and yet another space-time stream can be sent from STA 208 to AP 202. For simplicity, the two spatial-temporal flows from STA 206 to AP 202 are shown as packet data transmission arrows 316, the spatial-temporal flow from STA 204 to AP 202 is shown as data transmission arrow 212, and the spatial-temporal flow from STA 208 to AP 202 is shown as data transmission arrow 220.

[0077] Because 802.11 WLANs use packet / PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit)-based transmission and a distributed MAC (Media Access Control) scheme, there is no time scheduling (e.g., TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) type periodic time slot allocation for data transmission) in 802.11 WLANs. Frequency and spatial resource scheduling is performed on a packet-by-packet basis. In other words, resource allocation information is based on PPDUs. The terms "packet," "physical layer (PHY) frame," and "physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU)" are generally used interchangeably.

[0078] Figure 3AThe format of an HE PPDU 300 for downlink MU communication (e.g., OFDMA transmission) between an AP and multiple STAs in an HE WLAN is shown. Such an HE PPDU 300 is referred to as an HE MU PPDU 300. The HE MU PPDU 300 includes a non-high throughput (traditional) short training field (L-STF), a traditional long training field (L-LTF), a traditional signal (L-SIG) field, a repeating L-SIG (R-SIG) field, an HE signal A (HE-SIG-A) field, an HE short training field (HE-SIG-B) field, an HE short training field (HE-STF), an HE long training field (HE-LTF), a data field, and a packet extension (PE) field. In the HE MU PPDU, the HE-SIG-B field provides OFDMA resource allocation information to allow STAs to find the corresponding resource to use in the data field. The HE-SIG-A field contains the necessary information for decoding the HE-SIG-B field, such as the MCS for HE-SIG-B and the number of HE-SIG-B symbols.

[0079] Figure 3B The format of an HE PPDU 320 for uplink MU communication between an AP and multiple STAs in an HE WLAN is shown. Such an HE PPDU 320 is referred to as an HE TB (trigger-based) PPDU 320. The HE TB PPDU 320 includes L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG fields, RL-SIG field, HE-SIG-A field, HE-STF, HE-LTF, data field, and PE field. The HE-STF of the HETB PPDU 320 has a duration of 8 μs. The HE TB PPDU is used for uplink MU transmission in response to a trigger frame. Instead of using the HE-SIG-B field, the information required for uplink MU transmission from one or more STAs is carried by the trigger frame requesting the transmission. In a typical HE TB PPDU 320 transmission, HE-SIG-A related information is copied from the trigger frame request to the HE-SIG-A field of the HE TB PPDU 320.

[0080] Figure 4AThe format of an EHT PPDU 400 for downlink MU communication between an AP and multiple STAs in an EHT WLAN is shown. Such an EHT PPDU 400 is referred to as an HE MU PPDU 400. The EHT MU PPDU 400 includes L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG, EHT-SIG, EHT-STF, EHT-LTF, Data, and PE fields. The L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, U-SIG, and EHT-SIG fields can be grouped into pre-EHT modulation fields, while the EHT-STF, EHT-LTF, Data, and PE fields can be grouped into EHT modulation fields.

[0081] The U-SIG field includes a portion of the version-dependent bits used for the EHT MU PPDU. The U-SIG field has the duration of two OFDM symbols. The data bits in the U-SIG field are jointly encoded and modulated in the same manner as the HE-SIG-A field in 802.11ax. The modulated data bits in the U-SIG field are mapped to 52 data tones in each of the two OFDM symbols in the same manner as the HE-SIG-A field in 802.11ax.

[0082] Figure 4B The format of an EHT PPDU 420 for uplink MU communication between an AP and multiple STAs in an EHT WLAN is described. This EHT PPDU 420 is referred to as an EHT TB PPDU 420. The EHT TB PPDU 420 includes L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG fields, FIF, U-SIG field, EHT-STF, EHT-LTF, Data field, and PE field. The L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG, RL-SIG, and U-SIG fields can be grouped into pre-EHT modulation fields, while the EHT-STF, EHT-LTF, Data field, and PE field can be grouped into EHT modulation fields. The EHT TB PPDU can be used for trigger-based communication in response to a request-triggered frame.

[0083] According to various embodiments, EHT WLAN supports, for example... Figure 1 The non-trigger-based communication shown and such Figure 2The diagram illustrates trigger-based communication. In non-trigger-based communication, the communication device sends a PPDU to one or more other communication devices without prior request. In trigger-based communication, the communication device sends a PPDU to one or more other communication devices only after receiving a trigger request frame.

[0084] As described above, in 802.11ax EHT WLAN, the null data packet (NDP) feedback reporting process is used, and high-efficiency (HE) access points (APs) are allowed to collect non-channel probe feedback (e.g., buffer status, power status) from multiple non-AP HE stations (STAs) to improve 802.11ax efficiency, especially in high-density environments.

[0085] Figure 5 Figure 500 illustrates the NDP (Null Packet Data) feedback reporting process. The AP sends a signal including an NDP Feedback Reporting Polling (NFRP) trigger frame to request HE-triggered (TB)-based feedback NDPs from non-AP STAs. The HE TB feedback NDP may include a non-HE modulation preamble, a HE short training field (STF), and a HE long training field (LTF). Each non-AP STA selects one of the resource unit (RU) tone sets (e.g., RU tone sets 1, 2, and 3) in the HE-LTF and sends its feedback NDP to indicate its status.

[0086] Figure 6 Depicting Figure 5 The format of HE NFRP trigger frame 600 is as follows. HE NFRP trigger frame 600 includes a frame control field, duration field, receiver address (RA) field, transmitter address (TA) field, common information field, user information field, padding field, and FCS (Frame Check Sequence) field. The frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field can be grouped into a MAC header. The common fields include trigger type subfield, uplink (UL) length subfield, more TF subfield, CS required subfield, UL bandwidth (BW) subfield, guard interval (GI) and HE-LTF type subfield, MU-MIMO HE-LTF mode subfield, HE-LTF symbol count and preamble periodicity subfield, AP transmission (Tx) power subfield, and UL HE-SIG-A2 reserved subfield. The user information fields include start association identifier (AID) subfield, feedback type subfield, UL target received power subfield, and spatial multiplexing user count subfield.

[0087] If a non-AP STA receives an NFRP trigger frame and determines that it meets the feedback conditions, it will prepare a TB Feedback NDP, including an NDP Feedback Report response. An example feedback condition is that the non-AP STA's AID is greater than or equal to the starting AID and less than starting AID+N. STA , where N STA Use equation (1) to calculate.

[0088] Equation (1):

[0089] N STA =18×2 BW ×(value of the Number of Spatially Multiplexed Userssubfield+1)

[0090] The non-AP STA will send its feedback NDP RU tone set on it based on equation (2), where AID is the AID of the non-AP STA, the starting AID is the value indicated in the starting AID field of the user information field in the NFRP trigger frame, and BW is the value indicated in the UL BW subfield of the public information field in the NFRP trigger frame (starting from 0).

[0091] Equation (2):

[0092] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX=1+((AID-Starting AID)mod(18×2 BW ))

[0093] Once a non-AP STA sends its feedback NDP and the AP receives it, the AP can derive a list of AIDs from the resources to which the NDP feedback report response was sent and from the responses themselves.

[0094] Table 9, attached to the manual, summarizes the RU tone index and its corresponding RU tone set. As can be seen from Table 9, the RU tone set starting from index 1 will be mapped to the selected LTF symbols of the TB feedback NDP starting from the lowest 20MHz. Figure 7A diagram 700 depicts the RU tone set mapping from different RU tone set indices to the LTF symbols of the TB feedback NDP. RU tone set indices (RU_TONE_SET_INDEX) from 1 to 18 will be mapped to / correspond to RU tone sets in the lowest 20MHz frequency domain; RU tone set indices from 19 to 36 will be mapped to / correspond to RU tone sets in the second lowest 20MHz frequency domain; RU tone set indices from 37 to 54 will be mapped to / correspond to RU tone sets in the third lowest 20MHz frequency domain; and RU tone set indices from 55 to 72 will be mapped to / correspond to RU tone sets in the highest 20MHz frequency domain.

[0095] Using the standard NDP feedback reporting process, there are some scenarios where non-AP STAs may be unable to participate in the feedback.

[0096] Figure 8 A diagram illustrating an example NDP feedback reporting process in a 40MHz channel in a non-SST scenario is depicted. All non-APSTAs reside on the primary 20MHz frequency segment / domain (or primary channel or P20) and listen to the primary channel. In this example, the primary 20MHz channel (P20) is in the higher 20MHz frequency segment; the secondary 20MHz channel (S20) is in the lower 20MHz frequency segment; non-APSTA1 operates in the primary 20MHz channel, while non-AP STA2 operates in the 40MHz channel (P20 + secondary 20MHz channel (S20)). The AP sends an NFRP trigger frame to request feedback responses from both non-AP STA1 and non-AP STA2. However, if the bandwidth of the TB feedback NDP is inappropriate (e.g., the RU tone set allocated to non-AP STA1 is within S20 (index = 1)), non-AP STA1 operating in the primary channel will not be able to participate in the feedback.

[0097] To address this issue, when one or more assigned RU tone sets are outside the operating channels of one or more non-AP STAs, in which case the assigned RU tone set to non-AP STA1 is within S20 and outside its P20 operating channel, more than one round of NDP feedback process is required. Figure 9 Figure 900 depicts more than one round of NDP feedback reporting in a 40MHz channel in a non-SST scenario. Similar to... Figure 8In the example shown, all non-AP STAs reside on the primary 20MHz frequency segment / domain (or primary channel or P20) and listen to the primary channel; the primary 20MHz channel (P20) is in the higher 20MHz frequency band; the secondary 20MHz channel (S20) is in the lower 20MHz frequency band; non-AP STA1 operates in the primary 20MHz channel, while non-AP STA2 operates in the 40MHz channel (P20 + secondary 20MHz channel (S20)). The AP first sends a 20MHz NFRP trigger frame in P20 to request feedback from non-AP STA1, which has an operating channel in P20. Then, non-AP STA1 sends a 20MHz HE TB feedback NDP in P20, including its feedback response. Subsequently, the AP sends a 40MHz NFRP trigger frame in the 40MHz channel (P20 and S20), and then STA2 and the other STAs with the same operating channel will send 40MHz HE TB feedback NDPs in the 40MHz channel, including their respective feedback responses. This multi-round NDP feedback process introduces latency in dense environments. Therefore, a method is needed to keep the NDP feedback process in a single round.

[0098] Figure 10 Figure 1000 depicts an example NDP feedback reporting process in a 40MHz channel within an SST scenario. In this example, the primary 80MHz channel (P80) is in the lower 80MHz frequency band; the secondary 80MHz channel (S80) is in the higher 80MHz frequency band; non-AP STA1 operates in the primary 80MHz channel, while non-AP STA2 operates in the secondary 80MHz channel (S80). According to the 802.11 specification, a non-AP STA operating at 20MHz can participate in transmit / receive with a larger bandwidth in the secondary 20MHz channel. Note that in 802.11be or future revisions, non-AP STAs operating at 80 / 160MHz (such as non-AP STA2) residing on the secondary 80 / 160MHz channel will be supported. The assigned RU tone set of such a non-AP STA residing on the secondary 80 / 160MHz channel may fall on a subchannel outside its operating frequency range / domain. Therefore, based on SST operational restrictions, AP will not initiate NDP feedback reporting processes for non-AP STAs.

[0099] refer to Figure 10The AP sends an NFRP trigger frame to request feedback from non-AP STA1 and STA2. At P80, the RU tone set for non-AP STA1 is allocated within its operating channel, so non-AP STA1 can send its feedback response back to the AP. However, based on AID2 and UL BW 160MHz, the RU tone set for non-AP STA2 is allocated within P80, so non-AP STA2 cannot generate a feedback response. The AP can anticipate this situation and therefore will not initiate an NDP feedback report for STA2.

[0100] Typically, for issues in non-SST scenarios, the AP can select appropriate parameters (e.g., 20MHz TB feedback NDP) to ensure that the assigned RU tone is within the operating channel of the non-AP STA. Figure 11 The 40MHz TB Feedback NDP 1100 and 20MHz TB Feedback NDP 1110 are described for transmitting feedback responses in non-SST scenarios. In this case, the non-AP STA resides on the higher 20MHz (main channel), while the RU tone set allocated to the non-AP STA is in the lower 20MHz frequency band (RU tone set index value = 3). If the AP instructs to transmit a feedback response in the 40MHz TB Feedback NDP 1100, the non-AP STA cannot transmit its feedback response because the allocated RU tone set does not correspond to the non-AP STA's operating channel on the higher 20MHz channel; however, if the AP instructs to transmit a feedback response in the 20MHz TB Feedback NDP 1110, the frequency domain corresponding to the RU tone set allocated to the non-AP STA will fall within the non-AP STA's operating channel, thus enabling the non-AP STA to transmit its feedback response.

[0101] However, note that in 802.11ax, the number of STAs supported (up to 36) may be sufficient even at 20MHz, but in 11be or future revisions, higher density environments will need to be supported. Therefore, by selecting appropriate parameters (e.g., ... Figure 11 The conventional approach of using 20MHz TB feedback NDP to ensure that the assigned RU tone is within the operating subchannel of a non-AP STA may not be applicable. In this case, if the number of STAs in the Basic Service Set (BSS) exceeds the appropriate bandwidth selected by the AP, more than one round of NDP feedback reporting may still be required.

[0102] According to this disclosure, an enhanced NDP feedback reporting procedure is performed to address these issues. More specifically, the AP sends a downlink (DL) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) carrying one or more Very High Throughput (EHT) Null Data Packet (NDP) Feedback Reporting Polling (NFRP) trigger frames to request an EHT TB feedback NDP from the associated non-AP STA. The EHTNFRP trigger frame contains frequency domain indication / information instructing the non-AP STA to transmit on its assigned RU tone set within its own operating channel. This indication / information may include new parameters used during the RU tone set calculation phase, as well as new frequency information in the frequency domain indicating the frequency domain used to transmit its feedback response within its own operating channel. After a short interframe interval (SIFS), a non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will simultaneously send its EHT TB feedback NDP and its feedback response to the associated AP. Note that when the number of associated non-AP STAs is no greater than the number of non-AP STAs supported by TB feedback NDP with basic service set (BSS) bandwidth, this enhanced NDP feedback reporting can be completed in a single round, thereby reducing latency in dense environments.

[0103] Figure 12 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 1200 according to this disclosure is depicted. The communication device 1200 may also be implemented as an AP or a STA.

[0104] like Figure 12 As shown, the communication device 1200 may include circuitry 1214, at least one radio transmitter 1202, at least one radio receiver 1204, and at least one antenna 1212 (for simplicity and for illustrative purposes, in...). Figure 12(Only one antenna is depicted in the image). Circuit 1214 may include at least one controller 1206 for software and hardware-assisted execution of tasks including controlling communication with one or more other communication devices in a wireless network. Circuit 1214 may also include at least one transmit signal generator 1208 and at least one receive signal processor 1210. At least one controller 1206 can control at least one transmit signal generator 1208 and at least one receive signal processor 1210. The at least one transmit signal generator 1208 is used to generate MAC frames (e.g., NFRP triggered frames) and PPDUs (e.g., PPDUs for non-triggered communication or for triggered probing processes, or PPDUs for triggered downlink transmissions when the communication device 1200 is an AP, and PPDUs for triggered uplink transmissions, for example, when the communication device 1200 is a STA) to be transmitted via at least one radio transmitter 1202 to one or more other communication devices. The at least one receive signal processor 1210 is used to process MAC frames (e.g., NFRP triggered frames) and PPDUs (e.g., PPDUs for non-triggered communication or for triggered probing processes, or PPDUs for triggered uplink transmissions, and PPDUs for triggered downlink transmissions, for example, when the communication device 1200 is a STA) received from one or more other communication devices via at least one radio receiver 1204. At least one transmitting signal generator 1208 and at least one receiving signal processor 1210 may be independent modules of the communication device 1200, which communicate with at least one controller 1206 for the above functions, such as Figure 12 As shown. Alternatively, at least one transmit signal generator 1208 and at least one receive signal processor 1210 may be included in at least one controller 1206. Those skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of these functional modules is flexible and can vary according to actual needs and / or requirements. Data processing, storage, and other related control devices may be located on appropriate circuit boards and / or chipsets. In various embodiments, when in operation, at least one radio transmitter 1202, at least one radio receiver 1204, and at least one antenna 1212 may be controlled by at least one controller 1206.

[0105] Communication device 1200, during operation, provides the functionality required for feedback response transmission in the indicated frequency domain. For example, communication device 1200 may be an access point (AP), and circuitry 1214 (e.g., at least one transmit signal generator 1208 of circuitry 1214) may generate a signal requesting a feedback response, wherein the signal includes frequency domain information indicating the frequency domain for transmitting the feedback response within the operating channel of one or more other communication devices. Radio transmitter 1202 may transmit signals to one or more other communication devices.

[0106] The communication device 1200 may be a STA, and at least one radio receiver 1204 may receive a signal requesting a feedback response, wherein the signal includes frequency domain information indicating the frequency domain for transmitting the feedback response within its operating channel. Circuit 1214 (e.g., at least one receive signal processor 1210 of circuit 1214) may process the signal and generate a feedback response, and the radio transmitter 1202 may transmit the feedback response in the frequency domain.

[0107] In an embodiment, the frequency domain information includes adjustments to the resource unit (RU) tone sets allocated to the communication device 1200 to correspond to the frequency domain, and the feedback response includes a trigger-based (TB) feedback null data packet (NDP), and the circuit 1214 (e.g., at least one transmit signal generator 1208 of the circuit 1214) generates a TB feedback NDP carrying the feedback response.

[0108] Alternatively, frequency domain information is a parameter, and circuit 1214 (e.g., at least one receive signal processor 1210 of circuit 1214) is configured to calculate the adjustment to the assigned RU tone set during the calculation phase.

[0109] Figure 13 A flowchart 1300 illustrating a communication method implemented by a basic communication device such as an AP according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In step 1302, a step of generating a signal requesting a feedback response is performed, the signal including frequency domain information indicating the frequency domain for transmitting the feedback response within the operating channel of one or more peer communication devices (such as STAs). In step 1304, a step of transmitting the signal to one or more peer communication devices is performed.

[0110] Figure 14A flowchart 1400 illustrating a communication method implemented by a peer-to-peer communication device such as a STA according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In step 1402, a step of receiving a signal requesting a feedback response is performed, the signal including frequency domain information indicating the frequency domain for transmitting the feedback response within the operating channel of the peer-to-peer communication device. In step 1404, a step of processing the signal and generating a feedback response is performed. In step 1406, a step of transmitting the feedback response in the frequency domain is performed.

[0111] In one embodiment of this disclosure, to support more non-AP STAs with the same bandwidth as the HE TB Feedback NDP, more EHT-LTF symbols (e.g., 4 or 6) may be included. In this way, two or three times the number of non-AP STAs can be supported compared to the HE TB Feedback NDP with the same bandwidth.

[0112] Figure 15 An example format of an EHT TB feedback NDP 1500 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is described. The EHT TB feedback NDP 1500 includes L-STF, L-LTF, L-SIG field, RL-SIG field, U-SIG field, EHT-STF, and EHT-LTF. In this embodiment, the EHT-LTF contains four EHT-LTF symbols, allowing support for twice the number of non-AP STAs.

[0113] The number of EHT-LTF symbols contained in the EHT-LTF can be indicated in the HE / EHT-LTF symbol count subfield of the public information field. Therefore, the number of STAs multiplexed on the same tone set within the same RU is increased. Accordingly, the spatial multiplexing user count subfield (which indicates the number of STAs multiplexed on the same tone set within the same RU and is encoded as the number of STAs minus 1) should include more bits. The position of the spatial multiplexing user count subfield can be shifted to a reserved subfield to utilize more bits.

[0114] For each non-AP STA, the number of EHT-LTF symbols that it can send on can be calculated using equation (3).

[0115] Equation (3):

[0116]

[0117] Figure 16An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 1600 according to another embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 1600 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a starting AID field, a feedback type field, a spatial multiplexing user number field, a UL target received power field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The AID of a non-AP STA is greater than or equal to the starting AID and less than starting AID+N. STA , where N STA Equation (1) is used for calculation. According to Equation (4), the allocation of spatial streams (i.e., EHT-LTF symbols) is similar to the allocation in 802.11ax. Non-APSTAs will be allocated from the STARTING_STS_NUM to the (STARTING_STS_NUM)th 10 ... th +N LTFperSTA Transmission is performed on -1) EHT-LTF symbols.

[0118] Equation (4):

[0119] STARTING_STS_NUM=(AID-STARTING AID) / 18×2 Bw

[0120] By utilizing more EHT-LTF symbols, a 20MHz EHT TB feedback NDP can support more non-AP STAs. For example, in an SST scenario, using a 20MHz EHT TB feedback NDP in the main channel can support 72 (4 EHT-LTF symbols) or 144 (6 EHT-LTF symbols) non-AP STAs. This is sufficient for some high-density situations, such as when the number of associated STAs is less than 72 or 144, respectively. This feedback response process using an EHT TB feedback NDP with more EHT-LTF symbols provides a simple solution in high-density environments, such as those with multiple APs.

[0121] However, this feedback response process has limited applicability. For example, in higher-density environments, such as where the AP can support IoT applications with thousands of STAs, or in SST scenarios, such a feedback response process cannot address the issue of some STAs not being able to participate in the feedback response.

[0122] The following paragraphs describe a first embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a parameter of the RU tone set index offset value is used as frequency domain information to indicate the frequency domain in which the STA transmits its feedback response within the operating channel.

[0123] Figure 17An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 1700 according to a first embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 1700 includes a frame control field, a duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field can be grouped into a MAC header. The common fields include a trigger type subfield, an uplink (UL) length subfield, a more TF subfield, a CS required subfield, a UL bandwidth (BW) subfield, a guard interval (GI) and HE-LTF type subfield, a HE / EHT-LTF symbol count subfield, an AP transmission (Tx) power subfield, a HE / EHT P160 subfield, and an EHT reserved subfield. The user information field includes a start AID subfield, an index offset field, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user count subfield.

[0124] The EHT format is indicated in the Public Information field. The Index Offset subfield carries 8 bits and indicates the RU tone set index offset value between 0 and 144. The maximum value is determined based on the maximum number of non-AP STAs that can be supported. For example, a value of 144 is determined based on the maximum number of non-AP STAs that an 80MHz EHT TB feedback NDP can support.

[0125] Upon receiving EHT NFRP trigger frame 1700, the associated non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will calculate its RU tone set index based on the values ​​of AID, start AID, UL BW and index offset subfield, and use equation (5) to determine the RU tone set to be sent.

[0126] Equation (5):

[0127] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX=1+((AID-Starting AID)mod(18×2 BW ))+Index Offset

[0128] By adding the index offset value to the equation, the index of the assigned RU tone set for non-AP STA settings can be controlled and set to a higher value, falling on a 20MHz sub-channel in the higher frequency domain, for example, within the non-AP STA's operating channel. Similarly, the index of the assigned RU tone set can be controlled and set to a lower value by adjusting the value of the starting AID.

[0129] Note that APs should carefully determine such index offsets to avoid assigning the same RU tone set index to more than one non-AP STA.

[0130] In an embodiment, the AP may use multi-user (MU) transport (MU-MIMO and / or OFDMA) to send more than one EHT NFRP trigger frame to different non-AP STAs in a PPDU or in a Polymer Layer Protocol Data Unit (A-PPDU). Each EHT NFRP trigger may include a different starting AID value and index offset value.

[0131] Figure 18 Figure 1800 illustrates an example NDP feedback reporting process according to a first embodiment of this disclosure. The AP transmits a DL PPDU comprising two EHT NFRP trigger frames (TFs) (e.g., EHT NFRP TFs 1 and 2) to STA1 and STA2 using OFDMA communication, and two additional EHT NFRP TFs (e.g., EHT NFRP TFs 3 and 4) to STA3 and STA4 using MU-MIMO communication. Each of the EHT NFRP TFs may include a different starting AID value and an index offset value. STA1, STA2, STA3, and STA4 receive the DL PPDUs, then calculate their respective adjusted / offset RU tone set indices and determine the corresponding RU tone sets and frequency domains to transmit their feedback responses. In this case, the adjusted / offset RU tone set indices of STA1, STA2, STA3, and STA4 are mapped to the EHT-LTF symbols of the TB feedback NDP at the lowest frequency domain, the second lowest frequency domain, the third lowest frequency domain, and the highest frequency domain, respectively. Subsequently, STA1, STA2, STA3, and STA4 transmit their TB feedback NDP and feedback response in their respective frequency domains.

[0132] Figure 19 Figure 1900 depicts an example enhanced NDP feedback reporting process in a non-SST scenario according to a first embodiment of this disclosure. An 80MHz BSS exists, where the primary channel is the highest 20MHz. Of the total 40 non-AP STAs associated with the AP within the BSS (P20), there is a 20MHz operational STA (STA1 with AID 1) residing on P20 and an 80MHz operational STA (STA2 with AID 2) on the 80MHz channel.

[0133] The AP transmits a DL PPDU carrying two EHT NFRP trigger frames via OFDMA, requesting a 40MHz EHT TB feedback NDP. In the EHT NFRP trigger frame sent to STA1, the start AID subfield is set to 1 and the index offset subfield is set to 40; while in the EHT NFRP trigger frames sent to STA2 and other STAs, the start AID subfield is set to 1 and the index offset subfield is set to 0.

[0134] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, STA1 transmits on the RU tone set with index #41 of the EHT TB Feedback NDP, while STA2 transmits on the RU tone set with index #2 of the EHT TB Feedback NDP. Therefore, all non-AP STAs can be supported during a single round of enhanced NDP feedback reporting.

[0135] Figure 20 Figure 2000 depicts an example enhanced NDP feedback reporting process in an SST scenario according to a first embodiment of this disclosure. There is a 160MHz BSS, within which the primary channel is the lowest 80MHz (P80). Of the total 40 non-AP STAs associated with the AP within the BSS, there is an 80MHz operational STA residing on P80 (STA1 with AID 1), and another 80MHz operational STA residing on the secondary 80MHz (STA2 with AID 2).

[0136] The AP sends two EHT NFRP trigger frames requesting a 160MHz EHT TB feedback NDP. In the EHT NFRP trigger frames sent to STA1 and some other STAs, the start AID subfield is set to 1 and the index offset subfield is set to 0; while in the EHT NFRP trigger frames sent to STA2 and some other STAs, the start AID subfield is set to 1 and the index offset subfield is set to 72.

[0137] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, STA1 transmits on the RU tone set with index #1 of the EHT TB Feedback NDP, while STA2 transmits on the RU tone set with index #72 of the EHT Feedback NDP. Therefore, all non-AP STAs residing on different sub-channels can be supported during a single round of enhanced NDP feedback reporting.

[0138] Figure 21 A flowchart 2100 is depicted illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins at step 2102. In step 2102, it is determined whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, determining whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 2102 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0139] If it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 2104 is executed; otherwise, step 2112 is executed. In step 2104, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 2106, the step of determining the starting AID value and index offset value for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 2108, the step of preparing and generating an EHT NFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 2110, the step of preparing and sending DLPPDUs carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame to multiple non-AP STAs is performed, and the process can end thereafter. Returning to step 2102, if it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the regular NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 2112, and the process can end thereafter.

[0140] Figure 22 A flowchart 2200 illustrates a process implemented by a STA during enhanced NDP feedback reporting according to a first embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 2202. In step 2202, an EHT NFRP trigger frame is received. In step 2204, a step is performed to calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, start AID, UL BW, and index offset subfield indicated in the trigger frame. In step 2206, a step is performed to prepare, generate, and transmit the EHT feedback TB NDP in the frequency domain corresponding to the calculated RU tone set index.

[0141] Using this simple parameter indicated in the trigger frame, the AP can control each assigned RU tone set to any higher 20MHz sub-channel.

[0142] The following paragraphs describe a second embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a parameter of bandwidth offset value used as frequency domain information to indicate the frequency domain in which the STA transmits its feedback response within its operating channel.

[0143] Figure 23 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 2300 according to a second embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 2300 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The user information field includes a start AID subfield, a BW offset subfield, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatially multiplexed user number subfield. The BW offset subfield also includes a BW subfield for calculation and a subchannel indication subfield.

[0144] The BW subfield used for calculation in the BW offset field indicates the new value of BW used in the calculation phase, and the subchannel resolution indicated in the subchannel indication subfield of the subchannel indication field and the subchannel indication subfield of the BW offset field indicates the location of the assigned RU tone set in the subchannel. The encoding of the BW subfield and the subchannel indication subfield used for calculation are shown in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively.

[0145] Table 1 shows the various indications / meanings corresponding to the different values ​​of BW used to calculate the subfield.

[0146] value meaning 0 Standard NFRP TF 1 20MHz 2 80MHz 3 160MHz

[0147] Table 2 shows the various indications / meanings corresponding to different values ​​of the sub-channel indication sub-field.

[0148] value meaning 0 First lowest sub-channel 1 Second lowest sub-channel … … 7 8th Lowest Subchannel

[0149] Additionally or alternatively, the HE / EHT P160 subfield of the Public Information field (see...) Figure 17 This can be used to indicate on which 160MHz subchannel the EHT TB feedback NDP is transmitted, so the subchannel indication subfield only needs to indicate the location within the 160MHz range.

[0150] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, the associated non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, Start AID, UL BW, and BW Offset subfields. If the value of the BW subfield used for calculation is 0, a regular NDP feedback report is indicated, and the process implemented by the non-AP STA will be the same as that defined in the 802.11ax specification; while if the value of the BW subfield used for calculation is greater than 0, the non-AP STA will calculate its RU tone set index according to equation (6) and determine its corresponding RU tone set and frequency domain to send its feedback response, where NewBW is the value of the BW subfield used for calculation, and N... subchanne It is the value of the sub-channel indicator sub-field.

[0151] Equation (6):

[0152] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX=1+((AID-Starting AID)mod(18×2 NewBW ))+N subchannel

[0153] Note that the AP should carefully determine such BW offsets to avoid assigning the same RU tone set index to more than one non-AP STA.

[0154] Figure 24A flowchart 2400 is depicted illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins at step 2402. In step 2402, it is determined whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, determining whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 2402 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0155] If it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 2404 is executed; otherwise, step 2412 is executed. In step 2404, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 2406, the step of determining the starting AID value and BW offset value for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 2408, the step of preparing and generating an EHT NFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 2410, the step of preparing and sending DLPPDUs carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame to multiple non-AP STAs is performed, and the process can end thereafter. Returning to step 2402, if it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the regular NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 2412, and the process can end thereafter.

[0156] Figure 25 A flowchart 2500 illustrates a process implemented by a STA during an enhanced NDP feedback report according to a second embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 2502. In step 2502, an EHT NFRP trigger frame is received. In step 2504, a step is performed to determine whether the value of the BW offset field is 0. If the BW offset field is determined not to be 0, step 2506 is executed; otherwise, step 2510 is executed. In step 2506, a step is performed to calculate the RU tone set index based on the AID, start AID, UL BW, and the value of the BW offset field indicated in the trigger frame. In step 2508, a step is performed to prepare, generate, and transmit the EHT feedback TB NDP in the frequency domain corresponding to the calculated RU tone set index. Returning to step 2504, if the BW offset field is determined to be 0, step 2510 is executed, where the conventional calculation method for determining the RU tone set index is performed.

[0157] Using this simple parameter indicated in the trigger frame, the AP can control each assigned RU tone set to any higher 20 / 80 / 160MHz sub-channel. The enhanced NDP feedback process described in the second embodiment requires fewer bits than in the first embodiment.

[0158] The following paragraphs describe a third embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a sub-channel offset value parameter used as frequency domain information to indicate the frequency domain in which the STA transmits its feedback response within its operating channel.

[0159] Figure 26 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 2600 according to a third embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 2600 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The user information field includes a start AID subfield, a subchannel offset subfield, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user number subfield.

[0160] The subchannel offset field indicates the location of the assigned RU tone set in the 20MHz subchannel of the EHT TB feedback NDP. The encoding of the subchannel offset field is shown in Table 3.

[0161] Table 3 shows the various indications / meanings corresponding to different values ​​of the sub-channel offset field.

[0162] value meaning 0 The lowest MHz 1 The second lowest is 20MHz. 2 The third lowest is 20MHz. 3 The 4th lowest 20MHz 4 The 5th lowest frequency is 20MHz. 5 6th lowest 20MHz 6 7th lowest 20MHz 7 8th lowest 20MHz

[0163] Additionally or alternatively, the HE / EHT P160 subfield of the Public Information field (see...) Figure 17 This can be used to indicate on which 160MHz subchannel the EHT TB feedback NDP is transmitted, so the subchannel offset subfield only needs to indicate the location within the 160MHz range.

[0164] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, the associated non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of AID, starting AID, and sub-channel offset sub-field, and determine its corresponding RU tone set and frequency domain according to equation (7) to send its feedback response, where N subchannel It is the value of the sub-channel offset sub-field.

[0165] Equation (7):

[0166] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX=1+((AID-Starting AID)mod18)+18×N subchannel

[0167] In an embodiment, the AP may use multi-user (MU) transmission (e.g., MU-MIMO and / or OFDMA) to send more than one EHT NFRP trigger frame to different non-AP STAs in a PPDU or an A-PPDU. Each EHT NFRP trigger frame may include a different starting AID value and a sub-channel offset value.

[0168] Note that the AP should carefully determine such subchannel offsets to avoid assigning the same RU tone set index to more than one non-AP STA.

[0169] Figure 27 A flowchart 2700 illustrates a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins at step 2702. Step 2702 involves determining whether a conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, determining whether a conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 2702 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0170] If it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 2704 is executed; otherwise, step 2712 is executed. In step 2704, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 2706, the step of determining the starting AID value and sub-channel offset value for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 2708, the step of preparing and generating an EHTNFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 2710, the step of preparing and sending a DL PPDU carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame to multiple non-AP STAs is performed, and the process can end thereafter. Returning to step 2702, if it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the regular NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 2712, and the process can end thereafter.

[0171] Figure 28 A flowchart 2800 illustrates a process implemented by a STA during enhanced NDP feedback reporting according to a third embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 2802. In step 2802, an EHT NFRP trigger frame is received. In step 2804, a step is performed to calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, start AID, UL BW, and sub-channel offset sub-field indicated in the trigger frame. In step 2806, a step is performed to prepare, generate, and transmit the EHT feedback TB NDP in the frequency domain corresponding to the calculated RU tone set index.

[0172] Using this simple parameter indicated in the trigger frame, the AP can control each assigned RU tone set to any higher 20MHz sub-channel. The enhanced NDP feedback process described in the third embodiment requires fewer bits than in the first and second embodiments.

[0173] The following paragraphs describe a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein an instruction is provided to instruct a STA to adjust its RU tone set index to correspond to the frequency domain within the STA's operating channel in order to transmit its feedback response.

[0174] Figure 29 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 2900 according to a fourth embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 2900 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The user information field includes a start AID subfield, an adaptation flag subfield, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user number subfield.

[0175] The adaptive flag subfield indicates whether the scheduled non-AP STA should be adapted to the RU tone set index. The encoding of the adaptive flag subfield is shown in Table 4.

[0176] Table 4 shows the indications / meanings of the two different values ​​corresponding to the adaptive flag subfield.

[0177] value meaning 0 Standard NFRP TF 1 Adaptive NDP Feedback Report

[0178] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, the associated non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, Initial AID, and UL BW subfields, as well as their resident subchannels. If the value of the Adaptive Flag subfield is 0, a regular NDP feedback report is indicated, and the process implemented by the non-AP STA will be the same as that defined in the 802.11ax specification; while if the value of the Adaptive Flag subfield is 1, the non-AP STA will use equation (8) to determine the initial RU tone set index.

[0179] Equation (8):

[0180] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX_Initial=1+((AID-Starting AID)mod(18×2 BW ))

[0181] If the initial RU tone set corresponds to a frequency domain outside the operating frequency range of a non-AP STA, then the non-AP STA will transmit on the RU tone set of the EHT TB feedback NDP, i.e., RU_TONE_SET_INDEX = RU_TONE_SET_INDEX_Initial.

[0182] If the initial RU tone set corresponds to a frequency domain outside the operating frequency range of the non-AP STA, the non-AP STA will shift the index from the initial RU tone set index to the closest index corresponding to the frequency domain within the operating frequency range of the non-AP STA and the bandwidth of the requested EHTTB feedback NDP. The shifted RU tone set index is shown in Equation (9), where OffsetValue is the offset value determined by the non-AP STA.

[0183] Equation (9):

[0184] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX=RU_TONE_SET_INDEX_Initial±OffsetValue

[0185] Using the indicated adaptive flag subfield, non-AP STAs can control the assigned RU tone set index to fall on a certain frequency segment.

[0186] In one embodiment, the AP may use multi-user (MU) transport (e.g., MU-MIMO and / or OFDMA) to send more than one EHT NFRP trigger frame to different non-AP STAs in a PPDU or an A-PPDU. Each EHT NFRP trigger frame may include a different start AID value and an adaptive flag value.

[0187] Note that if the shifted RU tone set index will conflict with other RU tone set indexes, the AP should send an EHT NFRP trigger frame to the non-AP STA with the adaptive flag subfield set to "1".

[0188] Figure 30 A flowchart 3000 is depicted illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins at step 3002. In step 3002, it is determined whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, determining whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 3002 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0189] If it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 3004 is executed; otherwise, step 3012 is executed. In step 3004, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 3006, the step of determining the initial AID value and adaptive flag value for each non-AP STA is executed. In step 3008, the step of preparing and generating an EHTNFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is executed. In step 3010, the step of preparing and sending a DL PPDU carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame to multiple non-AP STAs is executed, and the process can end thereafter. Returning to step 3002, if it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the regular NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 3012, and the process can end thereafter.

[0190] Figure 31 A flowchart 3100 illustrates a process implemented by a STA in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a fourth embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 3102. In step 3102, an EHT NFRP trigger frame is received. In step 3104, a step is performed to determine whether the value of the adaptive flag subfield is 0. If the value of the adaptive flag subfield is determined to be non-0, step 3106 is executed; otherwise, step 3114 is executed. In step 3106, a step is performed to calculate the initial RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, starting AID, and UL BW subfields indicated in the trigger frame. In step 3108, a step is performed to determine whether the initial RU tone set index is within the operating frequency range of the STA. If the initial RU tone set index is determined to fall within the operating frequency range of the STA, step 3112 is executed; otherwise, step 3110 is executed. In step 3110, a step is performed to determine the RU tone set index that is closest to the initial RU tone set index within its operating frequency range. In step 3112, the steps of preparing, generating, and transmitting the EHT feedback TB NDP in the frequency domain corresponding to the RU tone set index are performed. Returning to step 3104, if it is determined that the adaptive flag subfield is 0, step 3114 is performed, in which the conventional calculation method for determining the RU tone set index is performed.

[0191] Using this adaptive flag subfield and indication, non-AP STAs can adjust the RU tone set index themselves. However, careful scheduling is required on the AP side. Compared to the first, second, and third embodiments, the enhanced NDP feedback process described in this fourth embodiment is less flexible.

[0192] The following paragraphs describe a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes a parameter of a new modulus or modulation value being used as frequency domain information to indicate the frequency domain in which the STA transmits its feedback response within the operating channel.

[0193] Figure 32 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 3200 according to a first example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 3200 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The user information field includes an initial AID subfield, a new mode field, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user number subfield.

[0194] The new Mod field indicates the modulus or modulation value used in the calculation phase. The encoding of the new Mod subfield is shown in Table 5.

[0195] Table 5 shows the various indications / meanings corresponding to different values ​​of the new model field.

[0196] value meaning 0 Modulus = 18 1 Modulus = 36 2 Modulus = 72 3 Modulus = 144 4 Modulus = 288 5 Modulus = 576 6 Modulus = 1152 7 Modulus = 2304

[0197] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, the associated non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of AID, starting AID, and the new modifier field, and use equation (10) to determine the RU tone set to be sent, where NewMod is the modulus value indicated in the new modifier field.

[0198] Equation (10):

[0199] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX=1+((AID-Starting AID)mod(NewMod))

[0200] In addition, non-AP STAs use equation (11) to determine the allocated spatial flow.

[0201] Equation (11):

[0202] STARTING_STS_NUM=(AID-STARTING AID) / NewMod

[0203] For example, the AP requests a 40MHz EHT TB feedback NDP from all non-AP STAs starting with AID 1 and where non-AP STAs are below AID 26. If the value of the new modulus field is set to 18×2... BW If the value of the new modulus field is set to 18, then the non-AP STA will calculate the RU tone set index as 26 on spatial stream #0.

[0204] By using this new modulus field value added to the equation, the AP can control each assigned RU tone set to a lower value, causing the assigned RU set call to fall on another 20MHz subchannel. However, the location of the RU tone set within the 20MHz subchannel cannot be controlled.

[0205] In an embodiment, the AP may use multi-user (MU) transmission (e.g., MU-MIMO and / or OFDMA) to send more than one EHT NFRP trigger frame to different non-AP STAs in a PPDU or an A-PPDU. Each EHT NFRP trigger frame may include a different starting AID value and a new modulus value.

[0206] Note that APs should carefully determine new Mods to avoid assigning the same RU tone set index to more than one non-APSTA.

[0207] Figure 33 A flowchart 3300 is depicted illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a first example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 3302. In step 3302, a step is taken to determine whether a conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, the step of determining whether a conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 3302 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0208] If it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 3304 is executed; otherwise, step 3312 is executed. In step 3304, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 3306, the step of determining the initial AID value and new modulus value for each non-AP STA is executed. In step 3308, the step of preparing and generating an EHT NFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is executed. In step 3310, the step of preparing and sending DL PPDUs carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame to multiple non-AP STAs is executed, and the process can end thereafter. Returning to step 3302, if it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the regular NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 3312, and the process can end thereafter.

[0209] Figure 34A flowchart 3400 illustrates a process implemented by a STA during an enhanced NDP feedback reporting procedure, according to a first example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 3402. In step 3402, an EHTNFRP trigger frame is received. In step 3404, a step is performed to calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, starting AID, and new modulus field indicated in the trigger frame. In step 3406, a step is performed to prepare, generate, and transmit the EHT feedback TB NDP in the frequency domain corresponding to the RU tone set index.

[0210] Using this simple parameter indicated in the trigger frame, the AP can control some allocated RU tone sets to different 20MHz sub-channels. Compared to the first, second, and third embodiments, the enhanced NDP feedback process described in this example of the fifth embodiment is less flexible.

[0211] Instead of indicating a new Mod value, a new Mod flag is used. Figure 35 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 3500 according to a second example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 3500 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The user information field includes a start AID subfield, a new Mod flag subfield, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user number subfield.

[0212] The NEW_MOD_FLAG field indicates whether the new 2007 base module rule is applied. Note that instead of 2007, other predefined / fixed values ​​that are reasonably large enough, such as the 5005 base module rule, can be used. Furthermore, if the 2007 base module rule (or other rules) is used, the value of starting_aid should be set appropriately to support that rule. Table 6 shows the encoding of the NEW_MOD_FLAG subfield.

[0213] Table 6 shows the various indications / meanings corresponding to different values ​​of the new model field.

[0214] value meaning 0 Standard NDP Feedback Report 1 2007 - Application of Basic Schema Rules

[0215] If the NEW_MOD_FLAG subfield value is 0, the normal NDP feedback reporting procedure is indicated, and the non-AP STA determines that it is scheduled to respond to the EHT NFRP trigger frame in the same manner as defined according to the 802.11ax specification. If the New Mod Flag subfield value is 1, the 2007-based module is applied, and the non-AP STA determines whether it is scheduled to respond to the EHT NFRP trigger frame using the feedback condition that the non-AP STA's AID is less than starting AID+N. STA -2007 (using the starting AID subfield in the triggered frame), where N STA It is the total number of non-AP STAs scheduled to respond to NFRP trigger frames, calculated in the same manner as defined in accordance with the 802.11ax specification.

[0216] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, the associated non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID subfield and the starting AID subfield, as well as the modulus 2007, and determine its corresponding RU tone set and frequency domain according to equation (12) to send its feedback response.

[0217] Equation (12):

[0218] RU_TONE_SET_INDEX=1+((AID-(Starting AID-2007))mod(2007))

[0219] For example, the AP requests a 40MHz EHT TB feedback NDP from some non-AP STAs, and one of the non-AP STAs is a non-AP STA with AID 7. If the value of the NEW_MOD_FLAG subfield is 0, i.e., the 2007 fundamental pattern rule is not applied, and the starting AID subfield is set to 1, then the non-AP STA will calculate the RU tone set index as 7. If the value of the NEW_MOD_FLAG subfield is 1, i.e., the 2007 fundamental pattern rule is applied, and the starting AID subfield is set to 1990, then the non-AP STA will calculate the RU tone set index as 24.

[0220] By utilizing this new Mod flag subfield that indicates the 2007 fundamental modulus rule, the AP can control each assigned RU tone set to a higher value, so that the assigned RU set calls fall on a higher 20MHz subchannel.

[0221] In an embodiment, the AP may use multi-user (MU) transmission (e.g., MU-MIMO and / or OFDMA) to send more than one EHT NFRP trigger frame to different non-AP STAs in a PPDU or an A-PPDU. Each EHT NFRP trigger frame may include a different starting AID value and a new Mod flag value.

[0222] Note that the AP should carefully schedule the target receiver of the EHT NFRP trigger frame that indicates the 2007 fundamental mode rule to avoid assigning the same RU tone set index to more than one non-AP STA.

[0223] Figure 36 A flowchart 3600 is depicted illustrating a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, according to a second example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 3602. In step 3602, a step is taken to determine whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, determining whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 3602 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0224] If it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 3604 is executed; otherwise, step 3612 is executed. In step 3604, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 3606, the step of determining the initial AID value and new modulus value for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 3608, the step of preparing and generating an EHT NFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 3610, the step of preparing and sending DL PPDUs carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame to multiple non-AP STAs is performed, and the process can end thereafter. Returning to step 3602, if it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the regular NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 3612, and the process can end thereafter.

[0225] Figure 37A flowchart 3700 illustrates a process implemented by an STA during an enhanced NDP feedback reporting procedure, according to a second example of a fifth embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 3702. In step 3702, an EHTNFRP trigger frame is received. In step 3704, a step is taken to determine whether the value of the new Mod flag subfield is 0. If the new Mod flag subfield value is determined not to be 0, step 3706 is executed; otherwise, step 3710 is executed. In step 3706, the following steps are performed: determining whether the STA is scheduled to respond based on the 2007 fundamental modulus rule, and calculating the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID and starting AID subfields indicated in the trigger frame and the modulus value 2007. In step 3708, steps are performed to prepare, generate, and transmit the EHT feedback TB NDP in the frequency domain corresponding to the RU tone set index. Returning to step 3704, if the new Mod flag subfield value is determined to be 0, step 3710 is executed, where the regular calculation method used to determine whether the STA is scheduled to respond and to calculate the RU tone set index is performed.

[0226] Using this simple parameter indicated in the trigger frame, the AP can control some allocated RU tone sets to different 20MHz sub-channels using different rules. The enhanced NDP feedback process described in this example of the fifth embodiment has the same performance as the first, second, and third embodiments.

[0227] The following paragraphs describe a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein bandwidth and location information in the signal field are used as frequency domain information to indicate the frequency domain in which the STA transmits its feedback response within the operating channel.

[0228] Similar to requesting a TB A-PPDU, an AP can send one or more EHT NFRP trigger frames to request an aggregated TB feedback NDP from a non-AP STA. The EHT NFRP trigger frame indicates the bandwidth information for each HE / EHT TB feedback NDP in the aggregated TB feedback NDP.

[0229] Figure 38An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 3800 according to a sixth embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 3800 includes a frame control field, a duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field can be grouped into a MAC header. The common fields include a trigger type subfield, a UL length subfield, a more TF subfield, a CS required subfield, a UL BW subfield, a GI and HE-LTF type subfield, a HE / EHT-LTF symbol quantity subfield, an AP Tx power subfield, a HE / EHTP160 subfield, and an EHT reserved subfield. The user information field includes a start AID subfield, a BW extension field, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user quantity subfield.

[0230] The UL BW subfield of the Public Information field indicates the bandwidth of the requested HE / EHT TB feedback NDP that overlaps with the main channel. The BW extended subfield of the User Information field indicates the bandwidth and location of the requested EHT TB feedback NDP that does not overlap with the main channel. The encoding of the BW extended subfield is shown in Table 7.

[0231] Table 7 shows the various indications / meanings corresponding to different values ​​of the BW extended subfield.

[0232]

[0233] Additionally or alternatively, the HE / EHT P160 subfield of the Public Information field (see...) Figure 38 This can be used to indicate on which 160MHz subchannel the EHT TB feedback NDP is transmitted, so the BW extended subfield only needs to indicate the location within the 160MHz range.

[0234] According to the sixth embodiment, if the AID of a non-AP STA is greater than or equal to the starting AID and less than starting AID+N STA The starting AID value is the value of the starting AID subfield, and N STA If N is the total number of non-AP STAs scheduled to respond to NFRP trigger frames, then non-AP STAs are scheduled to respond to EHT NFRP trigger frames. STA Use equations (13)-(15) to calculate, where N STA 1 is the total number of non-AP STAs scheduled to respond to the primary NDP, and N is the total number of STAs scheduled to respond to the primary NDP. STA2 is the total number of non-AP STAs scheduled to respond on the secondary NDP, BW1 is the value of the UL BW subfield, BW2 is the value of the BW extension subfield, and MultuplexingFlag is the value of the spatial multiplexing user number subfield.

[0235] Equation (13):

[0236] N STA 1 = 18 × 2 BW1 ×(MultiplexingFlag+1)

[0237] Equation (14):

[0238] N STA 2 = 18 × 2 BW2 ×(MultiplexingFlag+1)

[0239] Equation (15):

[0240] N STA =N STA 1+N STA 2

[0241] In an embodiment, if permitted, the AP may use full-bandwidth transmission to send a single EHT NFRP trigger frame to all non-AP STAs in a DL PPDU. In an alternative embodiment, the AP may use multi-user (MU) transmissions (e.g., MU-MIMO and / or OFDMA) to send more than one EHT NFRP trigger frame to different non-AP STAs in a PPDU or an A-PPDU. Each EHT NFRP trigger frame may include a different BW extended subfield value.

[0242] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, the associated non-AP STA that meets the feedback conditions will calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, Start AID, UL BW, and BW Extension subfields. The non-AP STA first determines which EHT TB Feedback NDP it can transmit. If only one EHT TB Feedback NDP overlaps with its operating frequency range, the non-AP STA will calculate its RU tone set index in the same manner as defined in the 802.11ax specification and transmit on the assigned RU tone set of the EHT TB Feedback NDP.

[0243] If two or more EHT TB feedback NDPs overlap with their operating frequency range, the non-AP STA will determine the RU tone set. The steps for determining the RU tone set include a first step of using equation (8) to calculate the initial RU tone set index that overlaps with the main channel based on the UL BW subfield.

[0244] If the initial RU tone set corresponds to a frequency domain outside the operating frequency range of a non-AP STA, the non-AP STA will transmit on the RU tone set that overlaps with the main channel in the EHT TB feedback NDP, i.e., RU_TONE_SET_INDEX = RU_TONE_SET_INDEX_Initial.

[0245] If the initial RU tone set corresponds to a frequency domain outside the operating frequency range of a non-AP STA, then the non-AP STA will use equation (16) to calculate the index of the second RU tone set that does not overlap with the main channel based on the BW extended subfield, where BW Extension It is the bandwidth indicated in the BW extended subfield.

[0246] Equation (16):

[0247]

[0248] If the second RU tone set corresponds to the frequency domain within the operating frequency range of a non-AP STA, then the non-AP STA will transmit on the RU tone set in the EHT TB feedback NDP that does not overlap with the main channel, i.e., U_TONE_SET_INDEX = RU_TONE_SET_INDEX_Second.

[0249] Using the BW extended subfield, AP can control which RU tone set index is assigned to fall on a certain EHT TB feedback NDP.

[0250] Figure 39 Figure 3900 depicts an example enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a sixth embodiment of this disclosure. A 160MHz BSS exists. Of the total 40 non-AP STAs associated with the AP within the BSS, 36 non-AP STAs reside on the primary 80MHz (P80); 4 non-AP STAs reside on the secondary 80MHz (S80). STA1, with AID 1, is one of the 36 non-AP STAs residing on P80, and STA2, with AID 2, is one of the 4 non-AP STAs residing on S80.

[0251] The AP sends an EHT NFRP trigger frame requesting the aggregation of EHT TB feedback NDP, which has a 40MHz NDP on P80 and a 20MHz NDP on S80. The EHT NFRP trigger frame is sent to all STAs, with the start AID subfield set to 1; the UL BW subfield set to 80MHz; and the BW extension subfield set to 0 to indicate the 20MHz NDP on the 5th lowest 20MHz.

[0252] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, STA1 calculates its assigned RU tone set index on 40MHz as 1, and therefore transmits on P80 at RU tone set index #1 of the 40MHz EHT TB feedback NDP. STA2, on the other hand, calculates its assigned RU tone set index as 2, and therefore transmits on S80 at RU tone set index #2 of the 20MHz EHT TB feedback. Therefore, all non-AP STAs residing on different sub-channels can be supported during a single round of NDP feedback reporting.

[0253] Figure 40 A flowchart 4000 depicts a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, illustrating a second example according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins at step 4002. Step 4002 involves determining whether a conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, determining whether a conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 4002 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0254] If it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 4004 is executed; otherwise, step 4012 is executed. In step 4004, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 4006, the step of determining the initial AID value and bandwidth extension value for each non-AP STA is executed. In step 4008, the step of preparing and generating an EHT NFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is executed. In step 4010, the step of preparing a DL PPDU carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame for transmission using full bandwidth or MU-MIMO / OFDMA and sending it to multiple non-AP STAs is executed, and this process can end. Returning to step 4002, if it is determined that the regular NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the regular NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 4012, and this process can end thereafter.

[0255] Figure 41A flowchart 4100 illustrates a process implemented by a STA during an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process according to a sixth embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 4102. In step 4102, an EHT NFRP trigger frame is received. In step 4104, a step is performed to determine whether a non-AP STA is scheduled to respond based on the UL BW and BW extension subfields. If it is determined that a non-AP STA is scheduled to respond, step 4106 is executed; otherwise, the process may end. In step 4106, a step is performed to determine whether both TB feedback NDPs overlap with the operating frequency range of the STA. If it is determined that the two TB feedback NDPs do not overlap with their operating frequency ranges, step 4108 is executed; otherwise, step 4114 is executed. In step 4108, a step is performed to calculate an initial RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, starting AID, and UL BW subfields indicated in the trigger frame. In step 4110, a step is performed to determine whether the initial RU tone set index is within the operating frequency range of the STA. If it is determined that the initial RU tone set index falls within the operating frequency range of the STA, then step 4112 is executed; otherwise, step 4114 is executed. In step 4112, the second tone set index is calculated based on the values ​​of the AID, starting AID, and BW extension subfield indicated in the trigger frame. In step 4114, the EHT feedback TB NDP is prepared, generated, and transmitted in the frequency domain corresponding to the RU tone set index. In step 4116, the RU tone set index is calculated based on the bandwidth of the TB feedback NDP overlapping with the operating frequency range of the STA.

[0256] In the case of requesting aggregated TB NDP, non-AP STAs residing on any sub-channel can be supported, and the AP can generate a single NFRP trigger frame for all non-AP STAs.

[0257] The following paragraphs describe a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, in which bandwidth and location information in two different signal fields are used as frequency domain information to indicate the frequency domain in which the STA transmits its feedback response within its operating channel.

[0258] refer to Figure 38 Unlike the sixth embodiment, the UL BW subfield of the public information field can indicate the bandwidth of the requested HE / EHT TB feedback NDP, whether it overlaps with or does not overlap with the main channel, and the BW extended subfield of the user information field indicates the location of the requested EHT TB feedback NDP. The encoding of the BW extended subfield is shown in Table 8, and the resolution of the subchannel is the bandwidth indicated in the UL BW subfield.

[0259] Table 8 shows the various indications / meanings corresponding to different values ​​of the BW extended subfield.

[0260] value meaning 0 First lowest sub-channel 1 Second Lowest Subchannel 2 Third Lowest Subchannel 3 4th Lowest Subchannel 4 Fifth lowest sub-channel 5 6th Lowest Subchannel 6 7th Lowest Subchannel 7 8th Lowest Subchannel

[0261] Upon receiving an EHT NFRP trigger frame, the associated non-AP STAs that meet the feedback conditions will calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, the starting AID, and the UL BW subfield. The non-AP STAs use equation (2) to calculate their RU tone set index based on the UL BW subfield and transmit on the assigned RU tone set of the indicated EHT TB feedback NDP.

[0262] Non-AP STAs also use the AID, initial AID, and UL BW values ​​indicated in the NFRP trigger frame received on the operational channel to calculate the total number of non-AP STAs scheduled to respond and the RU tone set index (i.e., applying an implicit offset based on the SST setting to control the index to a higher frequency).

[0263] Using the BW extended field, the AP can control which RU tone set index is assigned to fall on a certain EHT TB feedback NDP.

[0264] In an embodiment, the AP may use multi-user (MU) transmission (e.g., MU-MIMO and / or OFDMA) to send more than one EHT NFRP trigger frame to different non-AP STAs in a PPDU or an A-PPDU. Each EHT NFRP trigger frame may include different UL BW and BW extension subfield values.

[0265] Figure 42 A flowchart 4200 depicts a process implemented by an AP in an enhanced NDP feedback reporting process, illustrating a second example according to a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure. The process begins at step 4202. In step 4202, a step is taken to determine whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation. In an embodiment, determining whether the conventional NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient in step 4202 includes determining whether all non-AP STAs can be supported in a single round of NDP feedback reporting in non-SST or SST scenarios.

[0266] If it is determined that the standard NDP feedback reporting process is insufficient, step 4204 is executed; otherwise, step 4212 is executed. In step 4204, the process proceeds to the enhanced NDP feedback reporting process. In step 4206, the step of determining the UL BW subfield value for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 4208, the step of preparing and generating an EHT NFRP trigger frame for each non-AP STA is performed. In step 4210, the step of preparing and sending a DL PPDU carrying the EHT NFRP trigger frame to multiple non-AP STAs is performed, and the process can terminate. Returning to step 4204, if it is determined that the standard NDP feedback reporting process is sufficient for the current situation, the standard NDP feedback reporting process is performed in step 4212, and the process can terminate thereafter.

[0267] Figure 43 A flowchart 4300 illustrates a process implemented by an STA during an enhanced NDP feedback report according to a seventh embodiment of this disclosure. The process begins at step 4302. In step 4302, an EHT NFRP trigger frame is received. In step 4304, a step is performed to calculate the RU tone set index based on the values ​​of the AID, start AID, and UL BW subfield indicated in the trigger frame. In step 4310, the steps of preparing, generating, and sending the EHT feedback TB NDP based on the UL BW and BW extension subfield indicated in the trigger frame can end, and the process can terminate.

[0268] Advantageously, the solution provided by the seventh embodiment requires fewer changes and is more flexible compared to the solution of the sixth embodiment. However, the AP needs to generate different NFRP trigger frames for different non-AP STAs.

[0269] The following paragraphs describe embodiments involving two other variations of the NFRP trigger frame, which include frequency domain information to indicate the frequency domain in which the STA transmits its feedback response within the operating channel.

[0270] Figure 44 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 4400 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 4400 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The user information field includes an initial AID subfield, a new AID subfield, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user number subfield. In this variant, the new AID subfield in the user information field indicates a new AID assigned to a non-AP STA.

[0271] The new AID may take effect only during the NDP feedback reporting process, or it may take effect until the association / reassignment. The non-AP STA receiving the EHT NFRP trigger frame indicating the new AID value will determine if it meets the feedback conditions and will use the new AID value instead of the old AID value to calculate the RU tone set index. Alternatively, the AP may send an AID switching response frame to indicate this new AID. The AP will determine that the new AID assignment is successful only if it receives a feedback response from the non-AP STA in the EHT-LTF field of the EHT TB feedback NDP sent by the non-AP STA.

[0272] On the other hand, note that during the NDP feedback reporting process, the BSS AIDs may be discontinuous. Such continuous BSS AIDs can be accidental. For example, initially there are 8 STAs associated with the BSS with AIDs 1-8; the STA with AID 3 leaves and becomes unassociated, and then the position in the BSS with AID 3 becomes empty. Continuous BSS AIDs can also be non-accidental. For example, in multi-link transmission, AIDs are assigned discontinuously. The first group of STAs operating at 2.4 GHz is assigned AIDs 1-50, while the second group of STAs operating at 5 GHz is assigned AIDs 1001-1050.

[0273] In high-density environments, there may be many empty AIDs in the BSS and cause holes in the EHT-LTF field of the EHT TB feedback NDP.

[0274] Therefore, instead of simply indicating the starting AID, the AP can also specifically indicate the scheduled AID in the NFRP trigger frame (e.g., provide a list of AIDs scheduled to respond). There are two options to achieve this: (i) Option 1: include multiple user information fields in the NFRP trigger frame; and Option 2: a bitmap indicating the starting AID and the AIDs used for scheduling.

[0275] Figure 45An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 4500 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT trigger frame 4500 is used for the above-described variant option 1 to include multiple user information fields. The EHT trigger frame 4500 includes a frame control field, a duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a common information field, a user information list field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field can be grouped into a MAC header. The common fields include a trigger type subfield, a UL length subfield, a more TF subfield, a CS required subfield, a UL BW subfield, a GI and HE-LTF type subfield, a HE / EHT-LTF symbol quantity subfield, an AP Tx power subfield, a user quantity subfield, a HE / EHT P160 subfield, and an EHT reserved subfield. The user information list field includes multiple user information fields, each user information field including an AID list field subfield, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatially multiplexed user quantity subfield. The user quantity subfield in the common information field indicates the number of user information fields included in the user information list field. The AID list subfield in each user information field includes several AID fields, such as a first AID subfield and a second AID subfield. This is because there are not enough bits in a single user information field (40 bits). The AID list subfield can be used to indicate the STA AID scheduled to respond to an NFRP trigger frame.

[0276] Figure 46 An example format of an EHT NFRP trigger frame 4600 according to another embodiment of this disclosure is depicted. The EHT trigger frame 4600 is used for the above variant option 2 to include a starting AID and a bitmap for other AIDs. The EHT NFRP trigger frame 4600 includes a MAC header (frame control field, duration field, RA field, and TA field), a common information field, a user information field, a padding field, and an FCS field. The user information field includes a starting AID subfield, an AID bitmap subfield, a feedback type subfield, a UL target received power subfield, and a spatial multiplexing user number subfield. The (AID-StartingAID) bit in the AID bitmap subfield indicates whether a non-AP with the corresponding AID is scheduled to respond and the RU tone index.

[0277] Figure 47 The configuration of a communication device (e.g., an access point) according to various embodiments of this disclosure is depicted. Similar to... Figure 12 The schematic example of the communication device 1200 shown includes a circuit 4700, at least one radio transmitter 4710, at least one radio receiver 4712, and at least one antenna 4714 (for simplicity). Figure 47(Only one antenna is depicted in the diagram). Circuit 4702 may include at least one controller 4708 for software and hardware-assisted execution of tasks designed to perform communications for feedback response transmissions in the indicated frequency domain. Circuit 4702 may also include a transmit signal generator 4704 and a receive signal processor 4706. At least one controller 4708 may control the transmit signal generator 4704 and the receive signal processor 4706. The transmit signal generator 4704 may include a frame generator 4722, a control signaling generator 4724, and a PPDU generator 4726. The frame generator 4722 may generate MAC frames, such as HE / EHT Null Data Packet (NDP) Feedback Report Polling (NFRP) triggered frames described in various embodiments of this disclosure. The control signaling generator 4724 may generate control signaling fields (e.g., the HE / EHT-SIG field of the HE / EHT PPDU of the HE / EHT NFRP triggered frame) to be generated. PPDU generator 4726 can generate PPDUs (e.g., HE / EHT PPDUs including HE / EHT NFRP trigger frames).

[0278] The receive signal processor 4706 may include a data demodulator and a decoder 4734, which can demodulate and decode the data portion of the received signal (e.g., the HE / EHT-LTF of HE / EHT TB Feedback NDP). The receive signal processor 4706 may also include a control demodulator and a decoder 4734, which can demodulate and decode the control signaling portion of the received signal (e.g., the HE-SIG-A / U-SIG field of HE / EHT TB Feedback NDP). At least one controller 4708 may include a control signal resolver 4742 and a scheduler 4744. The scheduler 4744 can determine RU information and user-specific allocation information for allocating downlink SU or MU transmissions, as well as triggering information for allocating uplink MU transmissions. The control signal parser 4742 can analyze the control signaling portion of the received signal and the triggering information for allocating uplink MU transmissions shared by the scheduler 4744, and assist the data demodulator and decoder 4732 in demodulating and decoding the data portion of the received signal (e.g., HE / EHT-LTF of HE / EHT TB feedback NDP).

[0279] Figure 48 The configuration of a communication device (e.g., a STA) according to various embodiments of this disclosure is depicted. Similar to... Figure 12 The schematic example of the communication device 1200 shown includes a circuit 4800, at least one radio transmitter 4810, at least one radio receiver 4812, and at least one antenna 4814 (for simplicity). Figure 48(Only one antenna is depicted in the diagram). Circuit 4802 may include at least one controller 4808 for software and hardware-assisted execution of tasks designed to perform communications for feedback response transmissions in the indicated frequency domain. Circuit 4802 may also include a receive signal processor 4804 and a transmit signal generator 4806. At least one controller 4808 may control the receive signal processor 4804 and the transmit signal generator 4806. The receive signal processor 4804 may include a data demodulator and decoder 4832 and a control demodulator and decoder 4834. The control demodulator and decoder 4834 may demodulate and decode the control signaling portion of the received signal (e.g., the HE / EHT NFRP trigger frame described in various embodiments of this disclosure). The data demodulator and decoder 4832 may demodulate and decode the data portion of the received signal (e.g., the data field of the HE / EHT PPDU including the HE / EHT NFRP trigger frame) based on RU information and its own assigned user-specific allocation information.

[0280] At least one controller 4808 may include a control signal parser 4842, a scheduler 4844, and a trigger information parser 4826. The control signal parser 4842 may analyze the control signaling portion of the received signal (e.g., the HE / EHT-SIG field of an HE / EHT NFRP trigger frame) and assist the data demodulator and decoder 4832 in demodulating and decoding the data portion of the received signal (e.g., the data field of an HE / EHT PPDU including an HE / EHT NFRP trigger frame). The trigger information parser 4848 may analyze trigger information for its own uplink allocation based on the received trigger frame contained in the data portion of the received signal. The transmit signal generator 4804 may include a control signaling generator 4824, which may generate the control signaling fields of the PPDU to be generated (e.g., the HE / EHT-SIG field of an HE / EHT PPDU including an HE / EHT TB feedback NDP). The transmit signal generator 4804 may also include a PPDU generator 4826 that generates PPDUs (e.g., HE / EHT TB feedback NDP). The transmit signal generator 4804 may also include a frame generator 4822 that can generate MAC frames.

[0281] As described above, embodiments of this disclosure provide an advanced communication system, communication method, and communication apparatus for transmitting feedback responses in an indicated frequency domain in a MIMO WLAN network, and improve spectral efficiency in the MIMO WLAN network.

[0282] This disclosure can be implemented in software, hardware, or software cooperating with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each of the above embodiments can be implemented partially or completely by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment can be controlled partially or completely by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. An LSI can be formed as a single chip, or it can be formed as a single chip to include some or all of the functional blocks. An LSI can include data inputs and outputs coupled thereto. Depending on the level of integration, the LSI herein can be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra-LSI. However, the technology for implementing integrated circuits is not limited to LSIs and can be implemented using dedicated circuits, general-purpose processors, or special-purpose processors. Furthermore, FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) capable of being programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or reconfigurable processors capable of reconfiguring the connections and settings of circuit cells disposed within the LSI, can be used. This disclosure can be implemented as digital or analog processing. If future integrated circuit technology replaces LSIs due to advancements in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, future integrated circuit technology can be used to integrate functional blocks. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0283] This disclosure can be implemented by any kind of device, apparatus or system having communication function, referred to as a communication device.

[0284] Some non-limiting examples of such communication devices include telephones (e.g., cellular phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, netbooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, remote health / telemedicine (remote health and medical) devices, and vehicles that provide communication capabilities (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships), and various combinations thereof.

[0285] Communication devices are not limited to portable or mobile devices, and may also include any type of non-portable or fixed device, equipment or system, such as smart home devices (e.g., appliances, lighting, smart meters, control panels), vending machines and any other “thing” in an “Internet of Things (IoT)” network.

[0286] Communication can include exchanging data through, for example, cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, and various combinations thereof.

[0287] The communication device may include devices such as controllers or sensors coupled to a communication device that performs the communication functions described in this disclosure. For example, the communication device may include a controller or sensor that generates control signals or data signals used by the communication device performing the communication functions of the communication device.

[0288] The communication apparatus may also include infrastructure facilities such as base stations, access points, and any other apparatus, devices, or systems that communicate with or control such apparatuses as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0289] It should be understood that although some features of various embodiments have been described with reference to the device, the corresponding features are also applicable to the methods of various embodiments, and vice versa.

[0290] Those skilled in the art will understand that many changes and / or modifications can be made to the present disclosure as illustrated in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as broadly described. Therefore, the embodiments are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive in all respects.

[0291]

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: circuitry that generates a signal requesting a feedback response; as well as a transmitter that transmits the generated signal to one or more peer communication devices, The generated signal includes frequency domain information, wherein the frequency domain information indicates a frequency domain used to send the feedback response within an operating channel of the one or more peer communication devices.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The feedback response is carried in a feedback null data packet NDP based on a triggering TB, and the frequency domain information includes an adjustment of a resource unit RU tone set index allocated to the one or more peer communication devices to correspond to the frequency domain.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein: The frequency domain information includes parameters used in a calculation phase during which adjustments to the assigned RU tone set index are calculated.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein: The parameters include an offset value used to adjust the allocated RU tone set index to correspond to the frequency domain.

5. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein: The parameters include an adaptive process indicator indicating that the one or more peer communications devices are allowed to self-adjust the allocated RU tone set index to correspond to the frequency domain within the operating channel of the one or more peer communications devices or another frequency domain close to the frequency domain.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The feedback response is carried in more than one TB feedback NDP, and the generated signal includes a field indicating information for determining which one of the more than one TB feedback NDP is used to send the feedback response.

7. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein: The field indicates a bandwidth of one TB feedback NDP among the more than one TB feedback NDPs that overlaps with the primary channel.

8. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein: The field indicates the bandwidth and location of one TB feedback NDP among the more than one TB feedback NDPs that does not overlap with the primary channel.

9. The communication device according to claim 6, wherein: The field indicates a bandwidth of one of the more than one TB feedback NDPs, and the generated signal includes another signal field indicating a location of the one of the more than one TB feedback NDPs.

10. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The generated signal includes a new identifier assigned to the one or more peer communications devices.

11. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: The generated signal includes an identifier or an identifier bitmap for identifying only the one or more peer communications devices scheduled to send the feedback response.

12. A peer-to-peer communication device, comprising: a receiver that receives a signal requesting a feedback response, the signal including frequency domain information indicating a frequency domain for transmitting the feedback response within an operating channel of the peer communications device; circuitry that processes the signal and generates the feedback response; and A transmitter transmits the feedback response in the frequency domain.

13. The peer-to-peer communication device according to claim 12, wherein: The feedback response includes a feedback null data packet NDP based on a triggering TB, and the frequency domain information includes an adjustment of a resource unit RU tone set index allocated to the peer communication device to correspond to the frequency domain.

14. The peer-to-peer communication device according to claim 13, wherein: The frequency domain information is a parameter; and during a calculation phase of calculating the allocated RU tone set, the circuit is configured to use the parameter to calculate the adjustment to the allocated RU tone set index.

15. The peer-to-peer communication device according to claim 14, wherein: The parameters include an offset value used for the adjustment of the allocated RU tone set index to correspond to the frequency domain.

16. The peer-to-peer communication device according to claim 14, wherein: The parameters include an adaptive process indicator indicating that self-adjustment of the allocated RU tone set index is allowed, and the circuit is configured to adjust the allocated RU tone set index to correspond to the frequency domain.

17. The peer-to-peer communication device according to claim 13, wherein: The signal includes a field indicating a bandwidth; and the circuit is further configured to determine whether the peer communications device is scheduled to send the feedback response based on the bandwidth.

18. A communication method implemented by a communication device, comprising: generating a signal requesting a feedback response; The signal is sent to one or more peer communications devices, the signal including frequency domain information indicating a frequency domain for sending the feedback response within an operating channel of the peer communications device.

19. A communication method implemented by a peer communication device, comprising: receiving a signal requesting a feedback response, the signal comprising frequency domain information indicating a frequency domain for transmitting the feedback response within an operating channel of the peer communications device; processing the signal and generating the feedback response; and The feedback response is sent in the frequency domain.

Images