Apparatus, system and method for transmitting packets including multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) training (TRN) fields

Abstract

For example, a millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication station (STA) may be configured to: transmit a preamble of a packet over a mmWave wireless communication channel via a plurality of antennas of the mmWave STA; and transmitting a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) training (TRN) field of the packet over the mmWave wireless communication channel, the MIMO TRN field after the preamble, the MIMO TRN field comprising a sequence of a plurality of MIMO TRN subfields transmitted via a plurality of antennas of the mmWave STA. For example, a MIMO TRN subfield of the plurality of MIMO TRN subfields may include a plurality of TRN sequences simultaneously transmitted via a plurality of antennas, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects described herein generally relate to transmitting a packet including a Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) training (TRN) field. Background Art

[0002] Devices in a wireless communication system may be configured to communicate via a millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication channel. A technical solution is needed to support beamforming communications over mmWave wireless communication channels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, for clarity of presentation, the size of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements. In addition, reference numerals may be repeated between the drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements. The drawings are listed below.

[0004] Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system according to some illustrative aspects.

[0005] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a multi-link communication scheme that can be implemented according to some illustrative aspects.

[0006] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a multi-link communication scheme that can be implemented according to some illustrative aspects.

[0007] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a beamforming training process over a millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication channel, according to some illustrative aspects.

[0008] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a packet according to some illustrative aspects.

[0009] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart illustration of a method of transmitting a packet including a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) training (TRN) field, according to some illustrative aspects.

[0010] Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart illustration of a method of transmitting a packet including a MIMO TRN field, according to some illustrative aspects.

[0011] Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a product of manufacture according to some illustrative aspects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following detailed description, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of some aspects. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that some aspects may be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, well-known methods, processes, components, units and / or circuits are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the discussion.

[0013] Discussion herein utilizing terms such as “process,” “compute,” “calculate,” “determine,” “establish,” “analyze,” “examine,” and the like may refer to operations (or operations) and / or processes (or processes) of a computer, computing platform, computing system, or other electronic computing device that manipulate and / or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and / or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and / or memories or other information processing media that may store instructions to perform the operations and / or processes.

[0014] As used herein, the terms "plurality" and "plurality" include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more." For example, "a plurality of items" includes two or more items.

[0015] References to "one aspect," "aspects," "illustrative aspects," "various aspects," etc. indicate that the aspect(s) described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every aspect necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. In addition, repeated use of the phrase "in one aspect" does not necessarily refer to the same aspect, although it may.

[0016] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the use of ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third," etc. to describe common objects simply indicates that different instances of similar objects are referenced and is not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence in time, space, ranking, or in any other manner.

[0017] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, user equipment (UE), mobile device (MD), wireless station (STA), personal computer (PC), desktop computer, mobile computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, server computer, handheld computer, handheld device, wearable device, sensor device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, personal digital assistant (PDA) device, handheld PDA device, on-board device, off-board device, hybrid device, vehicle-mounted device, non-vehicle-mounted device, mobile or portable device, consumer device, non-mobile or non-portable device, wireless communication station, wireless communication device, wireless access point (AP), wired or wireless router, wired or wireless modem, video device, audio device, audio-visual (A / V) device, wired or wireless network, wireless area network, wireless video area network (WVAN), local area network (LAN), wireless LAN (Wireless LAN) LAN, WLAN), Personal Area Network (PAN), Wireless PAN (WPAN), and so on.

[0018] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with the following: in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (including IEEE 802.11-2020 (IEEE 802.11-2020, IEEE Standard for Information Technology--Intersystem Telecommunications and Information Exchange for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks--Specific Requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, December 2020); and / or IEEE 802.11be (IEEE Draft P802.11be / D1.5 Information technology standard - Intersystem telecommunications and information exchange for local and metropolitan area networks - Specific requirements; Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications: Amendment 8: Enhancements for Very High Throughput (EHT), March 2022)) and / or its future versions and / or derivatives, devices and / or networks operating in accordance with existing cellular specifications and / or protocols and / or their future versions and / or derivatives, units and / or devices that are part of the above networks, etc.

[0019] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with: one-way and / or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radiotelephone communication systems, mobile phones, cellular phones, wireless phones, personal communication systems (PCS) devices, PDA devices including wireless communication devices, mobile or portable global positioning system (GPS) devices, devices including GPS receivers or transceivers or chips, devices including RFID elements or chips, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transceivers or devices, single input multiple output (SIMO) transceivers or devices, multiple input single output (MISO) transceivers or devices, devices with one or more internal antennas and / or external antennas, digital video broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, wired or wireless handheld devices (e.g., smart phones), wireless application protocol (WAP) devices, and the like.

[0020] Some aspects may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and / or systems, such as Radio Frequency (RF), Infra-Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), FDM Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), Spatial Divisional Multiple Access (SDMA), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Extended GPRS, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (CDMA), and other wireless communication signals and / or systems. CDMA, WCDMA), CDMA 2000, Single-carrier CDMA, Multi-carrier CDMA, Multi-carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth, Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee TM , Ultra-Wideband (UWB), 4G, Fifth Generation (5G), or Sixth Generation (6G) mobile networks, 3GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), etc. Other aspects can be used in various other devices, systems and / or networks.

[0021] As used herein, the term "wireless device" includes, for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communication device capable of wireless communication, a communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, and the like. In some illustrative aspects, a wireless device may be or may include a peripheral that can be integrated with a computer, or a peripheral that can be attached to a computer. In some illustrative aspects, the term "wireless device" may optionally include a wireless service.

[0022] The term "communication" used herein for communication signals includes sending communication signals and / or receiving communication signals. For example, a communication unit capable of communicating communication signals may include a transmitter that sends communication signals to at least one other communication unit, and / or a communication receiver that receives communication signals from at least one other communication unit. The verb communicate can be used to refer to the action of sending or the action of receiving. In one example, the phrase "performing signal communication" may refer to the action of sending a signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of receiving a signal by a second device. In another example, the phrase "performing signal communication" may refer to the action of receiving a signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of sending a signal by a second device. The communication signal may be sent and / or received, for example, in the form of a radio frequency (RF) communication signal and / or any other type of signal.

[0023] As used herein, the term "circuit" may refer to, be part of, or include an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and / or memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other appropriate hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some aspects, some functions associated with a circuit may be implemented by one or more software or firmware modules. In some aspects, a circuit may include logic that is at least partially operable in hardware.

[0024] The term "logic" may refer, for example, to computing logic embedded in the circuits of a computing device and / or computing logic stored in the memory of a computing device. For example, the logic may be accessed by a processor of a computing device to execute the computing logic to perform computing functions and / or operations. In one example, the logic may be embedded in various types of memory and / or firmware, such as silicon blocks of various chips and / or processors. The logic may be included in various circuits and / or implemented as part of various circuits, such as radio circuits, receiver circuits, control circuits, transmitter circuits, transceiver circuits, processor circuits, and the like. In one example, the logic may be embedded in volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory, including random access memory, read-only memory, programmable memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, persistent memory, and the like. The logic may be executed by one or more processors using memory, such as registers, storage devices, buffers, and the like, which are coupled to one or more processors as needed to execute the logic.

[0025] Some illustrative aspects may be used in conjunction with a WLAN, such as a WiFi network. Other aspects may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network, such as a wireless area network, a "piconet", a WPAN, a WVAN, and the like.

[0026] Some illustrative aspects may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network that communicates on a sub-10 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, such as a 2.4 GHz frequency band, a 5 GHz frequency band, a 6 GHz frequency band, and / or any other frequency band below 10 GHz.

[0027] Some illustrative aspects may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network that communicates in an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (also known as a “millimeter wave (mmWave)” band), for example, a band within the band between 20 GHz and 300 GHz, for example, a band above 45 GHz, for example, a 60 GHz band, and / or any other mmWave band.

[0028] Some illustrative aspects may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating on a sub-10 GHz band and / or a mmWave band, for example, as described below. However, other aspects may be implemented using any other suitable wireless communication band, for example, a 5G band, a band below 20 GHz, a sub-1 GHz (S1G) band, a WLAN band, a WPAN band, and the like.

[0029] Some illustrative aspects may be implemented by a mmWave STA (mSTA), which may, for example, include a STA having a radio transmitter capable of operating on a channel within a mmWave frequency band. In one example, mmWave communications may involve one or more directional links to communicate at a multi-gigabit per second rate, for example, at least 1 gigabit per second, for example, at least 7 gigabits per second, at least 30 gigabits per second, or any other rate.

[0030] In some exemplary aspects, the mmWave STA may include a Directional Multi-Gigabit (DMG) STA, which may be configured to communicate via a DMG band. For example, the DMG band may include a frequency band with a channel start frequency higher than 45 GHz.

[0031] In some exemplary aspects, the mmWave STA may include an Enhanced DMG (EDMG) STA, which may be configured to implement one or more mechanisms that may be configured to enable single-user (SU) and / or multi-user (MU) communications for downlink (DL) and / or uplink frames (UL) using a MIMO scheme. For example, the EDMG STA may be configured to implement one or more channel bonding mechanisms that may, for example, support communications over a channel bandwidth (BW) (also referred to as a "wide channel", "EDMG channel" or "bonded channel") comprising two or more channels (e.g., two or more 2.16 GHz channels). For example, the channel bonding mechanism may, for example, include a mechanism and / or operation by which two or more channels (e.g., 2.16 GHz channels) may be combined to, for example, obtain a higher bandwidth for packet transmission to, for example, enable a higher data rate, for example, when compared to transmission over a single channel. Some illustrative aspects are described herein for communication via a channel BW comprising two or more 2.16 GHz channels, however other aspects may be implemented for communication via a channel bandwidth (e.g., a "wide" channel) comprising any other number of two or more channels or formed by any other number of two or more channels, for example, an aggregated channel comprising an aggregation of two or more channels. For example, an EDMG STA may be configured to implement one or more channel bonding mechanisms that, for example, may support an increased channel bandwidth, for example, a channel BW of 4.32 GHz, a channel BW of 6.48 GHz, a channel BW of 8.64 GHz, and / or any other additional or alternative channel BW. The EDMG STA may perform other additional or alternative functions.

[0032] In other aspects, the mmWave STA may include any other type of STA and / or may perform other additional or alternative functions. Other aspects may be implemented by any other apparatus, device, and / or station.

[0033] As used herein, the term "antenna" may include any suitable configuration, structure, and / or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies, and / or arrays. In some aspects, an antenna may utilize separate transmit and receive antenna elements to implement transmit and receive functions. In some aspects, an antenna may utilize a common and / or integrated transmit / receive antenna element to implement transmit and receive functions. Antennas may include, for example, phased array antennas, single element antennas, a set of switched beam antennas, and the like.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 , which schematically illustrates a system 100 according to some illustrative aspects.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in some illustrative aspects, system 100 can include one or more wireless communication devices. For example, system 100 can include wireless communication device 102, wireless communication device 140, and / or one or more other devices.

[0036] In some illustrative aspects, devices 102 and / or 140 may comprise mobile devices or non-mobile (eg, stationary) devices.

[0037] For example, the devices 102 and / or 140 may include, for example, UE, MD, STA, AP, PC, desktop computer, mobile computer, laptop computer, Ultrabook TMcomputer, laptop computer, tablet computer, server computer, handheld computer, Internet of Things (IoT) device, sensor device, handheld device, wearable device, PDA device, handheld PDA device, airborne device, non-airborne device, hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionality with PDA device functionality), consumer device, in-vehicle device, non-in-vehicle device, mobile or portable device, non-mobile or non-portable device, mobile phone, cellular phone, PCS device, PDA device including wireless communication device, mobile or portable GPS device, DVB device, relatively small computing device, non-desktop computer, "Carry Small Live Large" (CSLL) device, Ultra Mobile Device (UMD), Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), Mobile Internet Device (MID), "Origami" device or computing device, dynamically composable computing (Dynamically Composable) Computing (DCC) devices, context-aware devices, video devices, audio devices, A / V devices, Set-Top-Box (STB), Blu-ray disc (BD) player, BD recorder, Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, High Definition (HD) DVD player, DVD recorder, HDDVD recorder, Personal Video Recorder (PVR), broadcast HD receiver, video source, audio source, video sink, audio sink, stereo tuner, broadcast radio receiver, flat panel display, personal media player (PMP), digital video camera (DVC), digital audio player, speaker, audio receiver, audio amplifier, gaming device, data source, data sink, digital still camera (DSC), media player, smart phone, television, music player, etc.

[0038] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 may include, for example, one or more of processor 191, input unit 192, output unit 193, memory unit 194, and / or storage unit 195; and / or device 140 may include, for example, one or more of processor 181, input unit 182, output unit 183, memory unit 184, and / or storage unit 185. Devices 102 and / or 140 may optionally include other suitable hardware components and / or software components. In some illustrative aspects, some or all components of one or more of devices 102 and / or 140 may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other aspects, components of one or more of devices 102 and / or 140 may be distributed between multiple or separate devices.

[0039] In some illustrative aspects, processor 191 and / or processor 181 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multi-core processor, a microprocessor, a host processor, a controller, multiple processors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits, a circuit system, a logic unit, an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose or special-purpose processor or controller. Processor 191 may execute instructions of, for example, an operating system (OS) of device 102 and / or one or more suitable applications. Processor 181 may execute instructions of, for example, an operating system (OS) of device 140 and / or one or more suitable applications.

[0040] In some exemplary aspects, input unit 192 and / or input unit 182 may include, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen, a touch pad, a trackball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitable pointing devices or input devices. Output unit 193 and / or output unit 183 may include, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch screen, a flat panel display, a light emitting diode (LED) display unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers or headphones, or other suitable output devices.

[0041] In some illustrative aspects, the memory unit 194 and / or the memory unit 184 may include, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short-term memory unit, a long-term memory unit, or other suitable memory units. The storage unit 195 and / or the storage unit 185 may include, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a compact disk (CD) drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable or non-removable storage units. The memory unit 194 and / or the storage unit 195 may, for example, store data processed by the device 102. The memory unit 184 and / or the storage unit 185 may, for example, store data processed by the device 140.

[0042] In some exemplary aspects, wireless communication devices 102 and / or 140 may be capable of transmitting content, data, information and / or signals via a wireless medium (WM) 103. In some exemplary aspects, the wireless medium 103 may include, for example, a radio channel, an RF channel, a WiFi channel, a cellular channel, a 5G channel, an IR channel, a Bluetooth (BT) channel, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) channel, and the like.

[0043] In some illustrative aspects, WM 103 may include one or more wireless communication bands and / or channels. For example, WM 103 may include one or more channels in a sub-10 GHz wireless communication band, such as one or more channels in a 2.4 GHz wireless communication band, one or more channels in a 5 GHz wireless communication band, and / or one or more channels in a 6 GHz wireless communication band. For example, WM 103 may additionally or alternatively include one or more channels in a mmWave wireless communication band.

[0044] In other aspects, WM 103 may include any other type of channels on any other frequency bands.

[0045] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may include one or more radios including circuitry and / or logic to perform wireless communications between devices 102, 140, and / or one or more other wireless communication devices. For example, device 102 may include one or more radios 114, and / or device 140 may include one or more radios 144.

[0046] In some illustrative aspects, radios 114 and / or 144 may include one or more wireless receivers (Rx) that include circuitry and / or logic to receive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and / or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one receiver 116, and / or radio 144 may include at least one receiver 146.

[0047] In some illustrative aspects, radios 114 and / or 144 may include one or more wireless transmitters (Tx) that include circuitry and / or logic to transmit wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transport streams, packets, messages, data items, and / or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one transmitter 118, and / or radio 144 may include at least one transmitter 148.

[0048] In some illustrative aspects, radios 114 and / or 144, transmitters 118 and / or 148, and / or receivers 116 and / or 146 may include circuits; logic; radio frequency (RF) components, circuits, and / or logic; baseband components, circuits, and / or logic; modulation components, circuits, and / or logic; demodulation components, circuits, and / or logic; amplifiers; analog-to-digital and / or digital-to-analog converters; filters; etc. For example, radios 114 and / or 144 may include or may be implemented as part of a wireless network interface card (NIC), etc.

[0049] In some illustrative aspects, radios 114 and / or 144 may be configured to communicate on sub-10 GHz bands, e.g., 2.4 GHz bands, 5 GHz bands, 6 GHz bands, and / or any other sub-10 GHz bands; and / or mmWave bands, e.g., 45 GHz bands, 60 GHz bands, and / or any other mmWave bands; and / or any other bands, e.g., 5G bands, S1G bands, and / or any other bands.

[0050] In some illustrative aspects, radios 114 and / or 144 may include or be associated with one or more (eg, multiple) antennas.

[0051] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 may include one or more (eg, multiple) antennas 107 and / or device 140 may include one or more (eg, multiple) antennas 147 .

[0052] Antennas 107 and / or 147 may include any type of antenna suitable for transmitting and / or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets, messages, and / or data. For example, antennas 107 and / or 147 may include any suitable configuration, structure, and / or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies, and / or arrays. In some aspects, antennas 107 and / or 147 may utilize separate transmit and receive antenna elements to implement transmit and receive functions. In some aspects, antennas 107 and / or 147 may utilize common and / or integrated transmit / receive elements to implement transmit and receive functions.

[0053] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 may include controller 124, and / or device 140 may include controller 154. Controller 124 may be configured to perform and / or trigger, cause, instruct, and / or control device 102 to perform one or more communications to generate and / or transmit one or more messages and / or transmissions, and / or perform one or more functions, operations, and / or processes between devices 102, 140, and / or one or more other devices; and / or controller 154 may be configured to perform and / or trigger, cause, instruct, and / or control device 140 to perform one or more communications to generate and / or transmit one or more messages and / or transmissions, and / or perform one or more functions, operations, and / or processes between devices 102, 140, and / or one or more other devices, for example, as described below.

[0054] In some illustrative aspects, controllers 124 and / or 154 may include or may be partially or fully implemented by, for example, the following circuits and / or logic: one or more processors including circuits and / or logic, memory circuits and / or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuits and / or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuits and / or logic, baseband (BB) circuits and / or logic, BB processors, BB memories, Application Processor (AP) circuits and / or logic, AP processors, AP memories, and / or any other circuits and / or logic configured to respectively perform the functions of controllers 124 and / or 154. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functions of controllers 124 and / or 154 may be implemented by logic that may be executed by a machine and / or one or more processors, for example, as described below.

[0055] In one example, the controller 124 may include circuits and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuits and / or logic, to cause, trigger, and / or control a wireless device (e.g., device 102) and / or a wireless station (e.g., a wireless STA implemented by the device 102) to perform one or more operations, communications, and / or functions, such as described herein. In one example, the controller 124 may include at least one memory, such as coupled to one or more processors, which may be configured to, for example, at least temporarily store at least some information processed by one or more processors and / or circuits, and / or may be configured to store logic to be utilized by the processors and / or circuits.

[0056] In one example, the controller 154 may include circuits and / or logic, such as one or more processors including circuits and / or logic, to cause, trigger, and / or control a wireless device (e.g., device 140) and / or a wireless station (e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 140) to perform one or more operations, communications, and / or functions, such as described herein. In one example, the controller 154 may include at least one memory, such as coupled to one or more processors, which may be configured to, for example, at least temporarily store at least some information processed by one or more processors and / or circuits, and / or may be configured to store logic to be utilized by the processors and / or circuits.

[0057] In some illustrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of controller 124 may be implemented as part of one or more elements of radio 114 and / or at least a portion of the functionality of controller 154 may be implemented as part of one or more elements of radio 144 .

[0058] In other aspects, the functionality of controller 124 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102 , and / or the functionality of controller 154 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140 .

[0059] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 may include a message processor 128 configured to generate, process, and / or access one or more messages transmitted by device 102 .

[0060] In one example, the message processor 128 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be sent by the device 102 and / or the message processor 128 may be configured to access and / or process one or more messages received by the device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0061] In one example, the message processor 128 may include at least one first component configured to generate a message, for example, in the form of a frame, a field, an information element, and / or a protocol data unit, for example, a MAC protocol data unit (MAC Protocol Data Unit, MPDU); at least one second component configured to convert the message into a PHY protocol data unit (PHY Protocol Data Unit, PPDU), for example, by processing the message generated by the at least one first component, for example, by encoding the message, modulating the message, and / or performing any other additional or alternative processing on the message; and / or at least one third component configured to cause the message to be transmitted on a wireless communication medium, for example, on a wireless communication channel in a wireless communication frequency band, for example, by applying one or more transmit waveforms to one or more fields of the PPDU. In other aspects, the message processor 128 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative functions and / or may include any other additional or alternative components to generate and / or process the message to be transmitted.

[0062] In some illustrative aspects, device 140 may include a message processor 158 configured to generate, process, and / or access one or more messages transmitted by device 140 .

[0063] In one example, message processor 158 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be sent by device 140 and / or message processor 158 may be configured to access and / or process one or more messages received by device 140, e.g., as described below.

[0064] In one example, the message processor 158 may include at least one first component configured to generate a message, for example, in the form of a frame, field, information element, and / or protocol data unit, such as an MPDU; at least one second component configured to convert the message into a PPDU, for example, by processing the message generated by the at least one first component, for example, by encoding the message, modulating the message, and / or performing any other additional or alternative processing on the message; and / or at least one third component configured to cause the message to be transmitted on a wireless communication medium, for example, on a wireless communication channel in a wireless communication frequency band, for example, by applying one or more transmit waveforms to one or more fields of the PPDU. In other aspects, the message processor 158 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative functions and / or may include any other additional or alternative components to generate and / or process the message to be transmitted.

[0065] In some illustrative aspects, message processors 128 and / or 158 may include or may be partially or fully implemented by, for example, circuits and / or logic such as one or more processors including circuits and / or logic, memory circuits and / or logic, MAC circuits and / or logic, PHY circuits and / or logic, BB circuits and / or logic, BB processors, BB memories, AP circuits and / or logic, AP processors, AP memories, and / or any other circuits and / or logic configured to respectively perform the functions of message processors 128 and / or 158. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functions of message processors 128 and / or 158 may be implemented by logic that may be executed by a machine and / or one or more processors, for example, as described below.

[0066] In some illustrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of radio 114 and / or at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of radio 144 .

[0067] In some illustrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of controller 124 , and / or at least a portion of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of controller 154 .

[0068] In other aspects, the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102 , and / or the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140 .

[0069] In some illustrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of the controller 124 and / or the message processor 128 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, such as a chip, such as a system on chip (SoC). In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functions of one or more radios 114. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of the controller 124, one or more elements of the message processor 128, and / or one or more elements of one or more radios 114. In one example, the controller 124, the message processor 128, and the one or more radios 114 may be implemented as part of a chip or SoC.

[0070] In other aspects, controller 124 , message processor 128 , and / or one or more radios 114 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 102 .

[0071] In some illustrative aspects, at least a portion of the functionality of controller 154 and / or message processor 158 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, such as a chip, such as a SoC. In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functions of one or more radios 144. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller 154, one or more elements of message processor 158, and / or one or more elements of one or more radios 144. In one example, controller 154, message processor 158, and one or more radios 144 may be implemented as part of a chip or SoC.

[0072] In other aspects, controller 154 , message processor 158 , and / or one or more radios 144 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 140 .

[0073] In some illustrative aspects, the device 102 and / or the device 140 may include one or more STAs, operate as one or more STAs, perform one or more roles of STAs, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more STAs. For example, the device 102 may include at least one STA, and / or the device 140 may include at least one STA.

[0074] In some illustrative aspects, the device 102 and / or the device 140 may include one or more Extremely High Throughput (EHT) STAs, operate as one or more EHT STAs, perform one or more roles of EHT STAs, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more EHT STAs. For example, the device 102 may include one or more EHT STAs, operate as one or more EHT STAs, perform one or more roles of EHT STAs, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more EHT STAs, and / or the device 140 may include one or more EHT STAs, operate as one or more EHT STAs, perform one or more roles of EHT STAs, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more EHT STAs.

[0075] In some illustrative aspects, the device 102 and / or the device 140 may include one or more mmWave STAs, operate as one or more mmWave STAs, perform one or more roles of mmWave STAs, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more mmWave STAs, where the mmWave STAs are, for example, DMG STAs, EDMG STAs, and / or any other mmWave STAs. For example, the device 102 may include one or more mmWave STAs, operate as one or more mmWave STAs, perform one or more roles of mmWave STAs, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more mmWave STAs, and / or the device 140 may include one or more mmWave STAs, operate as one or more mmWave STAs, perform one or more roles of mmWave STAs, and / or perform one or more functions of one or more mmWave STAs.

[0076] In other aspects, devices 102 and / or 140 may include any other wireless device and / or station, operate as any other wireless device and / or station, fulfill the role of any other wireless device and / or station, and / or perform one or more functions of any other wireless device and / or station, where any other wireless device and / or station is, for example, a WLAN STA, a WiFi STA, etc.

[0077] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to operate as an access point (AP), fulfill a role of an AP, and / or perform one or more functions of an AP, where the AP is, for example, an EHT AP STA.

[0078] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to operate as a non-AP STA, fulfill a role of a non-AP STA, and / or perform one or more functions of a non-AP STA, where the non-AP STA is, for example, an EHT non-AP STA.

[0079] In other aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may operate as, fulfill the role of, and / or perform one or more functions of any other additional or alternative devices and / or stations.

[0080] In one example, a station (STA) may include a logical entity that is a single addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to a wireless medium (WM). A STA may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0081] In one example, an AP may include an entity that includes a station (STA) and provides access to a distribution service for associated STAs via a wireless medium (WM). The AP may include a STA and a distribution system access function (DSAF). The AP may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0082] In some illustrative aspects, devices 102 and / or 140 may be configured to communicate in an EHT network and / or any other network.

[0083] In some illustrative aspects, devices 102 and / or 140 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more specifications, including, for example, one or more IEEE 802.11 specifications, such as the IEEE 802.11-2020 specification, the IEEE 802.11be specification, the IEEE 802.11ay specification, and / or any other specifications and / or protocols.

[0084] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may include one or more multi-link logical entities, operate as one or more multi-link logical entities, fulfill the roles of one or more multi-link logical entities, and / or perform the functions of one or more multi-link logical entities, for example, as described below.

[0085] In other aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may include, operate as, fulfill the role of, and / or perform the functionality of any other entity that is, for example, not a multi-link logical entity.

[0086] For example, a multi-link logical entity may include a logical entity including one or more STAs. The logical entity may have a MAC data service interface and primitives to a logical link control (LLC), and a single address associated with the interface, which can be used to communicate on a distribution system medium (DSM). For example, the DSM may include a medium or a set of media used by a distribution system (DS) to communicate between an AP, a meshgate, and a portal of an extended service set (ESS). For example, a DS may include a system for interconnecting a set of basic service sets (BSS) and a comprehensive local area network (LAN) to create an extended service set (ESS). In one example, a multi-link logical entity may allow STAs within a multi-link logical entity to have the same MAC address. The multi-link entity may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0087] In some illustrative aspects, the device 102 and / or the device 140 may include a multi-link device (MLD), operate as an MLD, perform the role of an MLD, and / or perform the functions of an MLD. For example, the device 102 may include at least one MLD, operate as at least one MLD, perform the role of at least one MLD, and / or perform the functions of at least one MLD, and / or the device 140 may include at least one MLD, operate as at least one MLD, perform the role of at least one MLD, and / or perform the functions of at least one MLD, for example, as described below.

[0088] For example, the MLD may include a device that is a logical entity and has more than one attached STA and has a single MAC service access point (SAP) to the LLC, including one MAC data service. The MLD may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0089] In some illustrative aspects, for example, an infrastructure framework may include, for example, on one side, a multi-link AP logical entity including APs, and, for example, on another side, a multi-link non-AP logical entity including non-APs.

[0090] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to operate as an AP MLD, fulfill the role of an APMLD, and / or perform one or more functions of an AP MLD.

[0091] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to operate as a non-AP MLD, fulfill a role of a non-AP MLD, and / or perform one or more functions of a non-AP MLD.

[0092] In other aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may operate as, fulfill the role of, and / or perform one or more functions of any other additional or alternative devices and / or stations.

[0093] For example, the AP MLD may include an MLD, wherein each STA attached to the MLD is an AP. In one example, the AP MLD may include a multi-link logical entity, wherein each STA within the multi-link logical entity is an EHT AP. The AP MLD may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0094] For example, the non-AP MLD may include an MLD, wherein each STA attached to the MLD is a non-AP STA. In one example, the non-AP MLD may include a multi-link logical entity, wherein each STA within the multi-link logical entity is a non-AP EHT STA. The non-AP MLD may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0095] In one example, the multi-link infrastructure framework may be configured as an extension of one link operation between two STAs (eg, an AP and a non-AP STA).

[0096] In some illustrative aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to control, execute and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control the device 102 to operate as an AP MLD 131, perform the role of the AP MLD 131, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of the AP MLD 131, which includes multiple STAs 133, for example, including AP STA 135, AP STA 137, AP STA 139 and / or mmWave STA 141. In some aspects, such as Figure 1 As shown, AP MLD 131 may include four STAs. In other aspects, AP MLD 131 may include any other number of STAs.

[0097] In one example, AP STA 135, AP STA 137, AP STA 139, and / or mmWave STA 141 may operate as an EHT AP STA, perform the role of an EHT AP STA, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of an EHT AP STA. In other aspects, AP STA 135, AP STA 137, AP STA 139, and / or mmWave STA 141 may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0098] In some illustrative aspects, the mmWave STA 141 may operate as a mmWave AP STA, fulfill the role of a mmWave AP STA, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of a mmWave AP STA. In other aspects, the mmWave STA 141 may operate as a mmWave network controller, fulfill the role of a mmWave network controller, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of a mmWave network controller to control communications on a mmWave wireless communication network.

[0099] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 114 may include, for example, a radio for communicating by AP STA 135 over a first wireless communication frequency channel and / or band (eg, 2.4 GHz band), as described below.

[0100] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 114 may include, for example, a radio for communicating by AP STA 137 over a second wireless communication frequency channel and / or band (eg, a 5 GHz band), as described below.

[0101] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 114 may include, for example, a radio for communicating by AP STA 139 over a third wireless communication frequency channel and / or band (eg, 6 GHz band), as described below.

[0102] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 114 may include a radio for communicating by mmWave STA 141 on a fourth wireless communication frequency channel and / or band, e.g., a mmWave band, e.g., a wireless communication band above 45 GHz, e.g., a 60 GHz band, or any other mmWave band, e.g., as described below.

[0103] In some exemplary aspects, the radio 114 utilized by the STA 133 can be implemented as a separate radio. In other aspects, the radio 114 utilized by the STA 133 can be implemented by one or more shared and / or common radios and / or radio components.

[0104] In other aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to control, execute and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control the device 102 to operate as any other additional or alternative entity and / or STA (e.g., a single STA, multiple STAs and / or non-MLD entity), perform its role, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions thereof.

[0105] In some illustrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to control, execute and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control device 140 to operate as MLD 151, perform the role of MLD 151, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of MLD 151, which includes multiple STAs 153, such as STA 155, STA 157, STA 159, and / or STA 161. In some aspects, such as Figure 1 As shown, MLD 151 may include four STAs. In other aspects, MLD 151 may include any other number of STAs.

[0106] In one example, STA 155, STA 157, STA 159, and / or STA 161 may operate as an EHT STA, perform the role of an EHT STA, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of an EHT STA. In other aspects, STA 155, STA 157, STA 159, and / or STA 161 may perform any other additional or alternative functions.

[0107] In some illustrative aspects, STA 161 may be configured to operate as a mmWave STA, fulfill the role of a mmWave STA, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of a mmWave STA, e.g., as described below. For example, mmWave STA 161 may be configured to operate as a non-AP mmWave STA, fulfill the role of a non-AP mmWave STA, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of a non-AP mmWave STA, e.g., as described below.

[0108] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 144 may include, for example, a radio for communicating by STA 155 over a first wireless communication frequency channel and / or band (eg, a 2.4 Ghz band), as described below.

[0109] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 144 may include, for example, a radio for communicating by STA 157 over a second wireless communication frequency channel and / or band (eg, a 5 GHz band), as described below.

[0110] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 144 may include, for example, a radio for communicating by STA 159 over a third wireless communication frequency channel and / or band (eg, 6 GHz band), as described below.

[0111] In some illustrative aspects, for example, one or more radios 144 may include, for example, a radio for communicating by mmWave STA 161 on a fourth wireless communication frequency channel and / or band (eg, mmWave band), as described below.

[0112] In some exemplary aspects, the radio 144 utilized by the STA 153 can be implemented as a separate radio. In other aspects, the radio 144 utilized by the STA 153 can be implemented by one or more shared and / or common radios and / or radio components.

[0113] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to control, execute and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control the MLD 151 to operate as a non-AP MLD, perform the role of a non-AP MLD, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of a non-AP MLD. For example, STA 155, STA 157, STA 159 and / or mmWave STA 161 may operate as a non-AP STA, perform the role of a non-AP STA, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of a non-AP STA, where the non-AP STA is, for example, a non-AP EHT STA.

[0114] In some exemplary aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to control, execute and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control the MLD 151 to operate as an AP MLD, perform the role of an AP MLD, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of an AP MLD. For example, the STA 155, the STA 157, the STA 159 and / or the mmWave STA 161 may operate as an AP EHTSTA, perform the role of an AP EHTSTA, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions of an AP EHTSTA.

[0115] In other aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to control, execute and / or trigger, cause, instruct and / or control the device 140 to operate as any other additional or alternative entity and / or STA (e.g., a single STA, multiple STAs and / or non-MLD entity), perform its role, and / or perform one or more operations and / or functions thereof.

[0116] refer to Figure 2 , which schematically illustrates a multi-link communication scheme 200 that may be implemented according to some illustrative aspects.

[0117] like Figure 2 As shown, the first multi-link logical entity 202 ("multi-link logical entity 1"), for example, the first MLD, may include multiple STAs, for example, including STA 212, STA 214, STA 216, and STA 218. In one example, AP MLD131 ( Figure 1 ) can perform one or more operations, one or more functions, fulfill its roles and / or perform its functions of the multi-link logical entity 202.

[0118] like Figure 2 As shown, the second multi-link logical entity 240 ("multi-link logical entity 2"), for example, a second MLD, may include a plurality of STAs, for example, including STA 252, STA 254, STA 256, and STA 258. In one example, MLD 151 ( Figure 1 ) can perform one or more operations, one or more functions, fulfill its roles and / or perform its functions of the multi-link logical entity 240.

[0119] like Figure 2As shown, the multi-link logical entity 202 and the multi-link logical entity 240 can be configured to form multiple links, set up multiple links and / or communicate through multiple links, for example, including link 272 between STA 212 and STA 252, link 274 between STA 214 and STA 254, link 276 between STA 216 and STA 256, and / or link 278 between STA 218 and STA258.

[0120] refer to Figure 3 , which schematically illustrates a multi-link communication scheme 300 that may be implemented according to some illustrative aspects.

[0121] like Figure 3 As shown, the multi-link AP logical entity 302, for example, AP MLD, may include multiple AP STAs, for example, including AP STA 312, AP STA 314, AP STA 316, and mmWave STA 318. In one example, AP MLD 131 ( Figure 1 ) can perform one or more operations, one or more functions, fulfill its roles and / or perform its functions of the multi-link AP logical entity 302.

[0122] like Figure 3 As shown, the multi-link non-AP logical entity 340, for example, the non-AP MLD, may include a plurality of non-AP STAs, for example, including a non-AP STA 352, a non-AP STA 354, a non-AP STA 356, and a mmWave STA 358. In one example, the MLD 151 ( Figure 1 ) may perform one or more operations, one or more functions, fulfill its roles and / or perform its functions of the multi-link non-AP logical entity 340.

[0123] like Figure 3 As shown, the multi-link AP logical entity 302 and the multi-link non-AP logical entity 340 may be configured to form multiple links, set up multiple links and / or communicate through multiple links, including, for example, a link 372 between an AP STA 312 and a non-AP STA 352, a link 374 between an AP STA 314 and a non-AP STA 354, a link 376 between an AP STA 316 and a non-AP STA 356, and / or a link 378 between an mmWave STA 318 and an mmWave STA 358.

[0124] For example, Figure 3 As shown, the multi-link AP logical entity 302 may include a multi-band AP MLD, which may be configured to communicate on multiple wireless communication bands. Figure 3 As shown, AP STA 312 may be configured to communicate on the 2.4 GHz band, AP STA 314 may be configured to communicate on the 5 GHz band, AP STA 316 may be configured to communicate on the 6 GHz band, and / or mmWave STA 318 may be configured to communicate on the mmWave band. In other aspects, AP STA 312, AP STA 314, AP STA 316, and / or mmWave STA 318 may be configured to communicate on any other additional or alternative wireless communication bands.

[0125] Return to reference Figure 1 In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support technical solutions for communication between mmWave STAs (e.g., mmWave STA 141 and mmWave STA 161) on the mmWave frequency band, for example, as described below.

[0126] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support a technical scheme to utilize communications on frequency bands below 10 GHz, for example, to assist a mmWave STA (e.g., mmWave STA 141 and / or mmWave STA 161) in performing one or more operations on mmWave frequency bands, for example, as described below.

[0127] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support a technical scheme to utilize communications on frequency bands below 10 GHz, for example, to assist a beamforming training process to be performed by a mmWave STA (e.g., mmWave STA 141 and / or mmWave STA 161) on a mmWave frequency band, for example, as described below.

[0128] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to provide a technical solution to support mmWave operation, for example, operation in the 60 GHz band, in conjunction with, and / or as part of, sub-10 GHz functionality of, for example, mainstream Wi-Fi protocols, for example, as described below.

[0129] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support a technical solution that may be based on and / or may take advantage of cost reductions in a wireless communication architecture that may allow at least some components (e.g., as many components as possible) of the same baseband to be reused for communications between sub-10 GHz radios (e.g., conventional Wi-Fi radios) and mmWave radios (e.g., 60 GHz radios).

[0130] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support a technical solution that may be based on and / or may utilize the enhanced throughput supported by mmWave technology, for example, compared to bands below 10 GHz (lower bands), the latter of which may have less throughput enhancement potential.

[0131] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support a technical solution that may be based on and / or may utilize a multi-link framework, such as according to an MLD architecture, such as described above.

[0132] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to utilize a multi-link framework, for example, to improve operations on multiple links. In one example, a multi-link framework may be utilized to allow compensation for the vulnerability of a mmWave link (e.g., a 60 GHz link), for example, by falling back to sub-10 GHz band (lower band) operation.

[0133] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support a technical scheme to utilize a beamforming (BF) training process, such as a Basic Beamforming Training (BBT) process, which may allow two or more STAs to train their simulated smart antennas, for example, to determine the best sectors for pointing in the direction of each other, for example, in the transmit and / or receive directions, for example, as described below.

[0134] In some illustrative aspects, a basic beamforming training procedure may include sector scanning by an initiator device to transmit training symbols and / or training frames multiple times, e.g., using different sectors, e.g., as described below.

[0135] In some illustrative aspects, a recipient device (responder) can perform a receive sector scanning procedure, eg, during a sector scanning of an initiator device, eg, as described below.

[0136] In other aspects, the receiver device may operate in an omni-directional receive mode to receive the training frame from the initiator device.

[0137] In some illustrative aspects, a recipient device may measure one or more values, such as a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), based on training frames that the recipient device is able to receive from an initiator device.

[0138] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to perform one or more operations of a beamforming training process to perform sector scanning (also known as a “sounding phase”) on a mmWave wireless communication channel and on multiple transmit and / or receive antennas, for example, as described below.

[0139] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to perform one or more phases of a beamforming training process on a sub-10 GHz band and / or to perform one or more phases of a beamforming training process on a 60 GHz band, e.g., as described below.

[0140] In some illustrative aspects, a first phase of a beamforming training process may include communication of a trigger / discovery frame, eg, as described below.

[0141] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to transmit a trigger / discovery frame over a sub-10 GHz link, for example, to initiate a sector scan, for example, as described below.

[0142] For example, the trigger / discovery frame may include an NDP, a beamforming training frame, a sounding advertisement frame, and / or any other type of frame that may be configured to negotiate, set up, and / or trigger a sector scan, e.g., as described below.

[0143] In some illustrative aspects, the second phase of the beamforming training process may include sector scanning, eg, as described below.

[0144] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to perform a sector scan on a 60 GHz channel, for example, in the form of a probing phase, for example, as described below.

[0145] In some illustrative aspects, a third phase of the beamforming training process may include a feedback phase for transmitting feedback information.

[0146] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to transmit feedback information, e.g., as part of a sounding frame, a beamforming training feedback frame, and / or any other frame configured to transmit feedback information, e.g., after a sector sweep, e.g., as described below.

[0147] In some illustrative aspects, the feedback information may be transmitted, for example, via a sub-10 GHz link. In other aspects, the feedback information may be transmitted, for example, via a mmWave channel.

[0148] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to perform one or more stages, e.g., portions, of a beamforming training process over a sub-10 GHz link and / or to perform one or more stages, e.g., portions, of a beamforming training process over a 60 GHz channel, e.g., as described above.

[0149] In other aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to perform communications for all phases of the beamforming training process over mmWave channels. In one example, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to transmit announcement / trigger frames, sounding phase frames, and / or any required feedback frames over the 60 GHz band.

[0150] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to coordinate, configure, and / or exchange information to establish a link in the 60 GHz band, for example, while simultaneously using a lower band, for example, a sub-10 GHz band.

[0151] In some illustrative aspects, operation on a mmWave band (eg, a 60 GHz band) may require relatively higher device power, for example, compared to operation in lower bands (eg, sub-10 GHz bands).

[0152] In some illustrative aspects, sub-10 GHz bands may be used to coordinate, setup, and / or exchange information to support establishing a link in a 60 GHz band, e.g., to provide a technical solution to reduce time and / or device power for sector scanning performed, for example, on mmWave bands.

[0153] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to support a technical scheme for performing beamforming training on a mmWave wireless communication channel assisted by communication on a sub-10 GHz wireless communication channel, such as a basic beamforming training process and / or any other beamforming and / or beam tracking process, for example, as described below.

[0154] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to perform one or more operations of a process (also referred to as a “sub-10 GHz assistance process”) that may utilize an existing sub-10 GHz link (e.g., a sub-7 GHz link) between two STAs that intend to establish a mmWave link (e.g., a 60 GHz link) to exchange discovery and / or beamforming training related information, for example, as described below.

[0155] In some illustrative aspects, the sub-10 GHz assistance process may be configured to be implemented by a first STA (e.g., a STA implemented by device 102) and a second STA (e.g., a STA implemented by device 140) to perform discovery and / or initial beamforming training in a mmWave band (e.g., a 60 GHz band), for example, by exchanging relevant information over an existing sub-10 GHz link (e.g., a sub-7 GHz link), as described below.

[0156] In some illustrative aspects, the sub-10 GHz assistance process may be configured to be implemented by two STAs that have established a sub-7 GHz link to perform 60 GHz discovery and / or initial beamforming, for example, as described below.

[0157] In some illustrative aspects, for example, the sub-10 GHz assistance process may include a first phase (Phase 1) that may be configured to support 60 GHz discovery and initial beamforming processes. For example, the first phase may be initiated by exchanging BF assistance information over an existing sub-7 GHz link. For example, the BF assistance information may include system parameters and / or system configuration information, such as the number of sectors, location information, and / or target start time, which may assist in configuring BF over mmWave bands.

[0158] In some illustrative aspects, for example, the sub-10 GHz assistance process may include a second phase (Phase 2) that may be configured to support discovery and / or initial beamforming training on the mmWave band. For example, the second phase may include a transmit sector scan by the AP, for example, using different sectors, and possibly other beamforming training procedures.

[0159] For example, during Phase 2, sector scanning by the AP may include transmitting a training (TRN) signal in a MAC frame, PPDU, and / or Null Data Packet (NDP). For example, the AP may provide information to the STA in the PHY and / or MAC, such as a sector identifier (ID) and / or a basic service set identifier (BSSID).

[0160] For example, the TRN signal may be configured in accordance with the IEEE 802.11ad / ay specification. In another example, the TRN signal may have any other additional or alternative configurations.

[0161] For example, the TRN signal may be configured to include a long training field (LTF) / training sequence, which may be transmitted multiple times, for example, X times. For example, the receiver STA may lock reception in an omni-directional reception mode, for example, based on the first part of the PPDU from the AP, and may use different Rx sectors (e.g., using a different Rx sector for each LTF / training sequence) to, for example, perform Rx training.

[0162] In some illustrative aspects, for example, the sub-10 GHz assistance process may include a third phase (Phase 3) that may be configured to support feedback for discovery and initial beamforming processes, for example, over an existing sub-7 GHz link.

[0163] For example, the STA may be configured to send a feedback frame including feedback information to the AP, for example, based on measurements performed by the STA on the TRN signal received by the STA. For example, the feedback information may include an indication of one or more sectors, for example, the best sector, which may be identified based on the measurements. For example, the feedback information may include some or all measurement information corresponding to one or more sectors, for example, the RSSI corresponding to the best sector, and / or any other additional or alternative information.

[0164] In some illustrative aspects, sub-10 GHz auxiliary processes may be implemented to provide a technical solution to support enhanced performance of beamforming processes, for example, from a throughput and / or power consumption perspective.

[0165] In some illustrative aspects, device 102 and / or device 140 may be configured to perform MIMO beamforming training sequences on a mmWave wireless communication channel (e.g., 60 GHz), e.g., during a sector sweep process, e.g., as described below.

[0166] In some illustrative aspects, a MIMO beamforming training sequence may be configured to provide a technical solution to support performing a sector scanning process on multiple transmit and / or receive antennas in a mmWave band, for example, as described below.

[0167] In some illustrative aspects, the MIMO beamforming training sequence may be configured to provide a technical solution to assist device 102 and / or device 140 in performing a sector scanning process on multiple transmit and / or receive antennas, e.g., as described below. For example, an antenna (e.g., each antenna) may include multiple sectors to train, e.g., as described below.

[0168] In some illustrative aspects, the MIMO beamforming training sequence may be configured to provide a technical solution to support device 102 and / or device 140 in determining one or more sectors, e.g., the best sector. For example, the MIMO beamforming training sequence may be configured to provide a technical solution to support device 102 and / or device 140 in determining the best sector for a transmit and / or receive antenna, e.g., even determining the best sector for each transmit and / or receive antenna, e.g., as described below.

[0169] In some illustrative aspects, the MIMO beamforming training sequence can be configured to provide a technical solution to support sector scanning on multiple transmit and / or receive antennas, for example, while allowing MIMO detection on one or more combinations of transmit sectors (e.g., on each combination), for example, as described below.

[0170] In some illustrative aspects, a MIMO beamforming training sequence can be configured to provide a technique to support sector scanning (eg, to identify the best sector), for example, in addition to jointly obtaining a digital beamforming matrix for the best sector, for example, as described below.

[0171] In some illustrative aspects, an initiator device (eg, an initiator device implemented by device 102) may communicate a MIMO beamforming training sequence with a responder device (eg, a responder device implemented by device 140) over a mmWave wireless communication channel.

[0172] In some illustrative aspects, a responder device (eg, implemented by device 140) may test different combinations of MIMO sectors and compare them.

[0173] In some illustrative aspects, a responder device (e.g., a responder device implemented by device 140) can perform channel estimation for one or more combinations of MIMO sectors (e.g., for each combination of MIMO sectors), for example, according to a sounding protocol for a lower band (e.g., a band below 10 GHz).

[0174] In some illustrative aspects, a responder device (eg, a responder device implemented by device 140) may compute MIMO beamforming feedback, which may be provided to an initiator device, eg, to perform digital beamforming.

[0175] In some illustrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to cause a mmWave STA (eg, mmWave STA 141 ) implemented by device 102 to transmit a preamble of a packet on a mmWave wireless communication channel via multiple antennas of the mmWave STA, eg, as described below.

[0176] In some illustrative aspects, the mmWave channel may include a 60 GHz channel. In other aspects, the mmWave channel may include any other mmWave channel.

[0177] In some illustrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to cause a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 to transmit a MIMO TRN field of a packet via a mmWave wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

[0178] In some illustrative aspects, a packet may be configured to include a MIMO TRN field following a preamble, eg, as described below.

[0179] In some illustrative aspects, the MIMO TRN field may include a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields, which may be transmitted, for example, via multiple antennas of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0180] In some illustrative aspects, a MIMO TRN subfield in a plurality of MIMO TRN subfields may include a plurality of TRN sequences, which may be simultaneously transmitted, for example, respectively, via a plurality of antennas of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, for example, as described below.

[0181] In some illustrative aspects, controller 124 may be configured to cause a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 to transmit a preamble of a packet, e.g., by transmitting a sequence of preamble fields, which may be replicated, e.g., via multiple antennas, e.g., as described below.

[0182] In some illustrative aspects, a preamble of a packet may include a signal (SIG) field, eg, as described below.

[0183] In some exemplary aspects, the SIG field may include identifier (ID) information to indicate multiple IDs corresponding to multiple antennas of the mmWave STA, via which the MIMO TRN subfield is to be transmitted, e.g., as described below.

[0184] In some illustrative aspects, a packet sent by a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 may include an NDP, e.g., as described below.

[0185] In some illustrative aspects, a packet sent by a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 may include a PPDU, e.g., as described below.

[0186] In some illustrative aspects, the PPDU may include a data field following the SIG field, and the MIMO TRN field may follow the data field, e.g., as described below.

[0187] In some illustrative aspects, the controller 124 may be configured to cause a mmWave STA implemented by the device 102 to transmit a sequence of multiple sector sweep packets, for example, via corresponding multiple antenna sector combinations, for example, during a Transmit Sector Sweep (TXSS), for example, as described below.

[0188] In some illustrative aspects, sending a sector-sweep packet via an antenna sector combination may include sending a preamble of the packet and a MIMO TRN field of the packet via multiple antennas, e.g., according to the antenna sector combination, e.g., as described below.

[0189] In some illustrative aspects, antenna sector combining may include combining sectors of multiple antennas of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0190] In some illustrative aspects, the multiple antennas of the mmWave STA implemented by device 102 may include a first antenna and a second antenna, eg, as described below.

[0191] In some illustrative aspects, the plurality of antenna sector combinations can include a plurality of different combinations of antenna sectors for a first antenna and antenna sectors for a second antenna, eg, as described below.

[0192] In some illustrative aspects, the MIMO TRN subfield may include a first TRN sequence and a second TRN sequence, which may be simultaneously transmitted, e.g., via a first antenna and a second antenna, respectively, e.g., as described below.

[0193] In some illustrative aspects, a MIMO TRN subfield may include a plurality of long training fields (LTFs), e.g., as described below.

[0194] In some exemplary aspects, the plurality of LTFs may include a plurality of permutated repetitions of the LTFs, eg, as described below.

[0195] In some exemplary aspects, the plurality of LTFs may include a plurality of permutations of the LTFs according to a permutation matrix (P matrix), eg, as described below.

[0196] In some illustrative aspects, a plurality of TRN sequences may be configured to include a corresponding plurality of different LTF sequences, e.g., as described below.

[0197] In some illustrative aspects, an LTF sequence in a plurality of different LTF sequences can be configured to include a plurality of permuted repetitions of the LTF, e.g., as described below.

[0198] In some exemplary aspects, multiple different LTF sequences can be configured to be orthogonal to each other, eg, as described below.

[0199] In some exemplary aspects, the MIMO TRN subfield may include a Short Training Field (STF), eg, preceding a plurality of LTFs, eg, as described below.

[0200] In some illustrative aspects, a preamble of a packet including a MIMO TRN field may be configured to include an STF. For example, the MIMO TRN subfield may include the same STF as the STF in the preamble of the packet, for example, as described below.

[0201] In some exemplary aspects, a preamble of a packet including a MIMO TRN field may be configured to include an LTF.

[0202] In some exemplary aspects, the multiple LTFs in the MIMO TRN field can be based on the LTFs in the preamble of the packet, eg, as described below.

[0203] In some illustrative aspects, multiple MIMO TRN subfields may be configured to be identical, eg, as described below.

[0204] In other aspects, multiple MIMO TRN subfields may be configured to be different and / or partially identical. In other aspects, some or all of the MIMO TRN subfields may be different from each other.

[0205] In some exemplary aspects, controller 154 may be configured to cause a first mmWave STA (e.g., an mmWave STA implemented by device 140, e.g., mmWave STA 153) to process a preamble of a packet to identify that the packet includes a MIMO TRN field after the preamble, e.g., as described below.

[0206] In some illustrative aspects, a first mmWave STA implemented by device 140 may receive a packet from a second mmWave STA over a mmWave wireless communication channel, eg, as described below.

[0207] For example, the mmWave STA implemented by device 140 may be configured to receive packets sent by the mmWave STA implemented by device 102 via the mmWave wireless communication channel.

[0208] For example, the mmWave STA implemented by device 140 may be configured to process a preamble of a packet from the mmWave STA implemented by device 102 , for example, to recognize that the packet includes a MIMO TRN field after the preamble.

[0209] In some illustrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to cause a mmWave STA implemented by device 140 to perform measurements on one or more received MIMO TRN subfields of a packet's MIMO TRN field, eg, as described below.

[0210] In some illustrative aspects, the MIMO TRN field may include a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields transmitted via multiple antennas of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0211] In some illustrative aspects, a MIMO TRN subfield in the plurality of MIMO TRN subfields may include a plurality of TRN sequences transmitted simultaneously via a plurality of antennas of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0212] In some illustrative aspects, controller 154 may be configured to cause a first mmWave STA implemented by device 140 to send feedback information to a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 , eg, as described below.

[0213] In some illustrative aspects, the feedback information may be based on measurements of one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields, e.g., as described below.

[0214] In some exemplary aspects, a preamble of a packet transmitted between a first mmWave STA (e.g., an mmWave STA implemented by device 140) and a second mmWave STA (e.g., an mmWave STA implemented by device 102) may include ID information to indicate multiple IDs corresponding to multiple antennas of the mmWave STA implemented by device 102, for example, as described above.

[0215] In some exemplary aspects, feedback information sent from a mmWave STA implemented by device 140 to a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 may include one or more of these IDs in a packet, e.g., as described below.

[0216] In some exemplary aspects, controller 124 may be configured to cause a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 to process feedback information, such as may be received in a packet from a mmWave STA implemented by device 140 , eg, as described below.

[0217] In some illustrative aspects, feedback information sent from a mmWave STA implemented by device 140 to a mmWave STA implemented by device 102 may be based on, for example, measurements corresponding to a MIMO TRN field in a packet sent from the mmWave STA implemented by device 102 to the mmWave STA implemented by device 140, e.g., as described below.

[0218] In some illustrative aspects, the feedback information can be based on a MIMO channel estimate, eg, based on a MIMO TRN field, eg, as described below.

[0219] In some illustrative aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to cause the mmWave STA implemented by the device 140 to generate feedback information, for example, based on a MIMO channel estimate, which may be based on, for example, one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields received by the mmWave STA implemented by the device 140.

[0220] In some illustrative aspects, the feedback information may include digital beamforming feedback information, eg, as described below.

[0221] In some illustrative aspects, the feedback information may be configured to include an indication of an identified combination of transmit sectors of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0222] In some illustrative aspects, the controller 154 may be configured to cause a first mmWave STA implemented by the device 140 to identify an identified combination of transmit sectors of a mmWave STA implemented by the device 102, e.g., based on measurements corresponding to a MIMO TRN field received from the mmWave STA implemented by the device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0223] In some illustrative aspects, the feedback information may include a beamforming report corresponding to an identified combination of transmit sectors of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, which is identified by a mmWave STA implemented by device 140, e.g., based on measurements corresponding to a MIMO TRN field, e.g., as described below.

[0224] In some illustrative aspects, the feedback information may include measurement information corresponding to an identified combination of transmit sectors of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, which is identified by a mmWave STA implemented by device 140, e.g., based on measurements corresponding to a MIMO TRN field, e.g., as described below.

[0225] In other aspects, the feedback information may be configured to include any other additional or alternative information corresponding to an identified combination of transmit sectors of a mmWave STA implemented by device 102, as identified by a mmWave STA implemented by device 140, e.g., based on measurements corresponding to a MIMO TRN field, e.g., as described below.

[0226] refer to Figure 4 , which schematically illustrates a beamforming training process on a mmWave wireless communication channel according to some illustrative aspects.

[0227] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 One or more operations and / or communications of the process may be performed between AP devices (e.g., including sub-10 GHz APs and mmWave APs) and non-AP devices (e.g., including sub-10 GHz non-AP STAs and mmWave non-AP STAs). For example, the controller 124 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to control, trigger and / or enable device 102 ( Figure 1 ) performs the role of an AP device (including an AP below 10 GHz and an mmWave AP), performs one or more operations of the AP device and / or one or more functions of the AP device; and / or controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to control, trigger and / or enable device 140 ( Figure 1 ) performs the role of a non-AP device (including non-AP STA below 10Ghz and mmWave non-AP STA), performs one or more operations of the non-AP device and / or one or more functions of the non-AP device.

[0228] In some illustrative aspects, an AP device and a non-AP device may have established a link in a sub-7 GHz band, and may intend to also establish a 60 GHz link.

[0229] In some illustrative aspects, AP devices and non-AP devices may perform one or more operations configured to trigger 60 GHz discovery and initial beamforming, e.g., as described below.

[0230] In some exemplary aspects, an AP device (eg, provided by device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented AP device) can operate as an initiator device, fulfill the role of an initiator device, and perform one or more functions and / or operations of an initiator device, and the initiator device can be configured to send a MIMO beamforming training sequence via a mmWave wireless communication channel, for example, as described below.

[0231] In some exemplary aspects, a non-AP device (eg, a non-AP device (eg, a non-AP device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implemented as a non-AP device) can operate as a responder device, fulfill the role of a responder device, and perform one or more functions and / or operations of a responder device, which responder device can be configured to process a MIMO beamforming training sequence received from an initiator device via a mmWave wireless communication channel, for example, as described below.

[0232] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, a frame exchange may be exchanged between an AP device and a non-AP device, for example, including one or more discovery and / or beamforming training setup frames 402, for example, over a sub-10 GHz band exchange, for example, as described above. For example, during this frame exchange, capabilities and / or operating parameters related to 60 GHz operation may be exchanged, setup, and / or negotiated between the AP device and the non-AP device.

[0233] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, for example, in the 60 GHz band, the start of discovery and initial beamforming may be “triggered” by an AP device, for example, using a trigger frame 402 .

[0234] In some exemplary aspects, an AP device (eg, provided by device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented device) may be configured to generate and / or send the beamforming training trigger frame 402. For example, the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to communicate with the device 102 ( Figure 1 )'s sub-10 GHz AP sends a beamforming training trigger frame 402.

[0235] In some illustrative aspects, a non-AP device (e.g., device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implemented device) may be configured to receive and / or process the beamforming training trigger frame 402. For example, the device 140 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to communicate with device 140 ( Figure 1 ) receives the beamforming training trigger frame 402 at a non-AP STA below 10 GHz.

[0236] In some illustrative aspects, the beamforming training trigger frame 402 can be configured to transmit configuration information, for example, over a sub-10 GHz link, to configure a beamforming training process on a mmWave wireless communication channel, for example, as described below.

[0237] In some illustrative aspects, the beamforming training trigger frame 402 may be configured to indicate, notify, set, and / or negotiate one or more parameters to configure a beamforming training process on a mmWave wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

[0238] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, the configuration information may include a transmit sector number N (e.g., a transmit sector number N to be used by an AP device), a receive sector number M (e.g., a receive sector number M to be used by a non-AP device), and / or a start time (e.g., an exact start time) of the beginning of a plurality of sector scan packets 405 to be sent by an AP device (e.g., in the role of a BF initiator device).

[0239] In some exemplary aspects, device 102 ( Figure 1 )'s mmWave AP may be configured to access the mmWave wireless communication channel to send multiple sector-sweep packets 405, for example, based on timing information indicating a target sequence start time at the beginning of the multiple sector-sweep packets 405.

[0240] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, the device 102 ( Figure 1 )'s mmWave AP may be able to access the mmWave wireless communication channel to send multiple sector-sweep packets 405, for example, at an exact start time, for example, without delay.

[0241] In some exemplary aspects, device 102 ( Figure 1 ) of the mmWave AP may be configured via device 102 ( Figure 1 )'s multiple antennas send multiple sector scan packets 405 through the mmWave wireless communication channel, for example, after the beamforming training trigger frame 402.

[0242] In some exemplary aspects, device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to send multiple sector-sweep packets 405 via corresponding multiple antenna sector combinations, for example, during TXSS.

[0243] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, the sector-scan packet 407 among the plurality of sector-scan packets 405 may include a preamble 401 and a MIMO TRN field 403 after the preamble 401 .

[0244] In some exemplary aspects, sending the sector-sweep packet 407 via the antenna sector combination may include sending a preamble 401 of the sector-sweep packet 407 and a MIMO TRN field 403 of the sector-sweep packet 407 via multiple antennas according to the antenna sector combination.

[0245] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, the MIMO TRN field 403 may include a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields 409 .

[0246] In some exemplary aspects, MIMO TRN subfield 411 in multiple MIMO TRN subfields 409 may include multiple TRN sequences that are respectively transmitted simultaneously via multiple antennas.

[0247] In some exemplary aspects, an AP device (eg, provided by device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented AP device) may be configured to act as an initiator of BF training, for example, by sending sector scan packets 407 (also known as "probe frames" / "PPDUs") from both a first transmit antenna ("antenna 1") of the AP device and a second transmit antenna ("antenna 2") of the AP device.

[0248] In some exemplary aspects, an AP device (eg, provided by device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the AP device) can be configured to communicate with the device 102 ( Figure 1 )'s multiple antennas of a mmWave STA and sends a preamble 401 of a sector scan packet 407 through a mmWave wireless communication channel.

[0249] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, a non-AP device (eg, a device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implemented as a non-AP device) may be configured to receive the first portion of the sector-scan packet 407, for example, the preamble 401, in an omni-directional reception manner.

[0250] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, a non-AP device (eg, a device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implemented non-AP device) may be configured to receive a first portion of sector scan packet 407, eg, preamble 401, using a previous best Rx sector, which may have been determined by the non-AP device based on a previous sector scan.

[0251] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, a non-AP device (eg, a device 140 ( Figure 1) implemented non-AP device) may be configured to receive a first portion of the sector-scan packet 407, such as the preamble 401, for example, using a larger Rx sector for reception.

[0252] In some illustrative aspects, an AP device (e.g., device 102 ( Figure 1 )'s mmWave AP) may be configured to replicate preamble 401 on two transmit antennas of the AP device.

[0253] In some illustrative aspects, an AP device (e.g., device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to send a preamble 401 of a sector-sweep packet 407, for example, using a first combination of sectors of the AP device. For example, the first combination of sectors may include a combination of a Tx sector for a first Tx antenna (e.g., Tx sector 1-1) and a Tx sector for a second Tx antenna (e.g., Tx sector 2-1).

[0254] In some exemplary aspects, the second portion of the sector-sweep packet 407 (eg, the MIMO TRN field 403) can be configured to provide a technical solution to support training of different MIMO Rx combinations of a sector, for example, at a responder device.

[0255] For example, the MIMO TRN field 403 may include a plurality of MIMO TRN subfields (eg, including X MIMO TRN subfields), and the subfields may be configured to support, for example, training of X combinations of Rx sectors.

[0256] In some illustrative aspects, an AP device (e.g., device 102 ( Figure 1 ) of the mmWave AP) may be configured to transmit one or more MIMO TRN subfields (e.g., each MIMO TRN subfield) of the multiple MIMO TRN subfields 409, for example, while simultaneously using a combination of Tx sectors of the AP device.

[0257] For example, an AP device (e.g., device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to transmit one or more MIMO TRN subfields 409 (e.g., each MIMO TRN subfield 409), for example, simultaneously using the same combination of Tx sectors that the AP device used to transmit the preamble 401. In one example, the AP device may transmit one or more of the MIMO TRN subfields 409 of the sector-sweep packet 407, for example, using a first combination of sectors of the AP, e.g., Tx sector 1-1 and Tx sector 2-1.

[0258] In some illustrative aspects, a non-AP device (e.g., device 140 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to receive one or more of the MIMO TRN subfields 409 of the sector-sweep packet 407 using a second sector combination (e.g., different from the sector combination used to receive the preamble 401). For example, a non-AP device (e.g., device 140 ( Figure 1 ) may use a second combination of sectors to attempt to receive each MIMO TRN subfield in the plurality of MIMO TRN subfields 409. For example, the second combination of sectors may include a combination of an Rx sector for a first Rx antenna (e.g., Rx sector 1-1) and an Rx sector for a second Rx antenna (e.g., Rx sector 2-1).

[0259] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, the AP device (eg, the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the device 140 () may be configured to optionally send a feedback trigger frame 408, for example, to trigger a feedback trigger frame 408 from a non-AP device (e.g., Figure 1 ) implemented by a non-AP device) feedback frame 410. In one example, the feedback trigger frame 408 can be sent by the AP device via a band below 10 GHz, for example, Figure 4 In another example, the feedback trigger frame 408 may be sent by the AP device via the mmWave band.

[0260] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, the non-AP device may be configured to send the feedback frame 410 via a sub-10 GHz wireless communication channel. In other aspects, the non-AP device may be configured to send the feedback frame 410 via a mmWave band.

[0261] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 4 As shown, the AP device (eg, the device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the AP device) can be configured to receive the feedback frame 410 from the non-AP device, for example, through a wireless communication channel below 10 GHz. In other aspects, the AP device can be configured to receive the feedback frame 410 through the mmWave band.

[0262] In some exemplary aspects, device 102 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to process data from device 140 ( Figure 1 ) to identify feedback information, for example, based on measurements corresponding to the MIMO TRN subfield 409.

[0263] In some exemplary aspects, a non-AP device (eg, a non-AP device (eg, a non-AP device 140 ( Figure 1) implemented by the non-AP device) may be configured to include feedback information based on measurements performed on the sector-sweep packet 405 in the feedback frame 410. For example, the feedback information may include some or all of the following information and / or any other additional or alternative feedback information:

[0264] Sector identification information, used to indicate one or more identified sectors of the AP device. For example, the sector identification information may include a Figure 1 ) of the mmWave AP, for example, may be provided by device 140 ( Figure 1 ) is determined based on a measurement of the MIMO TRN subfield 409. In another example, the sector identification information may optionally include a description of the device 140 ( Figure 1 ) of the mmWave STA, which may be provided by device 140 ( Figure 1 ) is determined based on measurements of the MIMO TRN subfield 409.

[0265] Beamforming reports, e.g., pursuant to a digital beamforming protocol in a lower band. For example, a beamforming report may include beamforming information corresponding to an optimal combination of transmit and / or receive sectors. For example, a beamforming report may include a compressed (e.g., "Wi-Fi 8 compressed") beamforming / Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) report.

[0266] RSSI / CQI and / or compressed beamforming reporting for some or even all combinations of transmit / receive sectors (e.g., including one or more combinations of transmit / receive sectors other than the best Tx sector and the best Rx sector). For example, such reporting may have higher overhead.

[0267] refer to Figure 5 , which schematically illustrates a packet 500 according to some illustrative aspects.

[0268] For example, by device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by STA and / or by device 140 ( Figure 1 ) implemented STA may be configured to generate, send and / or process packet 500, for example, as a sounding frame for MIMO beamforming training on the mmWave band.

[0269] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5As shown, the preamble 501 of the packet 500 may include an STF 502, an LTF 504 following the STF 502, and a SIG field 506 (also referred to as a “Wi-Fi 8 SIG” or “W8-SIG”) (e.g., following the LTF 504). For example, the SIG field 506 may follow a non-high throughput SIG (L-SIG) field 505.

[0270] In some illustrative aspects, packet 500 may include an NDP, which may not include a data field after preamble 501, for example. In other aspects, packet 500 may include any other type of packet and / or PPDU that may include a data field after preamble 501.

[0271] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, a STA (eg, a STA provided by device 102 ( Figure 1 ) implemented by the STA) can be configured to send the preamble 501 of the packet 500 on the mmWave wireless communication channel via multiple antennas of the STA.

[0272] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the STA may transmit the packet 500 via the first antenna 520 and the second antenna 522 of the STA.

[0273] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the SIG field 506 may include ID information 507, which is configured to indicate multiple IDs corresponding to multiple antennas of the STA. For example, the ID information 507 may be configured to indicate a first ID corresponding to the first antenna 520, and / or a second ID corresponding to the second antenna 522.

[0274] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, packet 500 may include a MIMO TRN field 508 after preamble 501 .

[0275] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the MIMO TRN field 508 may include a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields 510. In one example, the multiple MIMO TRN subfields 510 may be identical. In other aspects, the MIMO TRN subfield 510 may include two or more MIMO TRN fields that may be different from each other.

[0276] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the MIMO TRN subfield 512 in the multiple MIMO TRN subfields 510 may include multiple TRN sequences 513, and these TRN sequences may be simultaneously transmitted via multiple antennas of the STA.

[0277] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the plurality of TRN sequences 513 may include a first TRN sequence 530 and a second TRN sequence 535 .

[0278] In some exemplary aspects, the first TRN sequence 530 and the second TRN sequence 535 may be transmitted simultaneously via the first antenna 520 and the second antenna 522, respectively.

[0279] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the MIMO TRN subfield 512 may include an STF 514. For example, the STF 514 may include the STF 502, or may be the same as the STF 502.

[0280] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the MIMO TRN subfield 512 may include a plurality of LTFs 516 following the STF 514 in the first TRN sequence 530. For example, the plurality of LTFs 516 may be based on the LTF 504.

[0281] In some exemplary aspects, plurality of LTFs 516 may include permuted repetitions of LTF 518 .

[0282] In some exemplary aspects, plurality of LTFs 516 may include a plurality of permutations of LTFs 518 according to a P-matrix. In other aspects, any other permutation may be implemented.

[0283] In some exemplary aspects, such as Figure 5 As shown, the plurality of TRN sequences 513 may include corresponding plurality of different LTF sequences. For example, the plurality of TRN sequences 513 may include a first LTF sequence (including a plurality of LTFs 516 in the first TRN sequence 530) and a second LTF sequence (including a plurality of LTFs 517 in the second TRN sequence 535).

[0284] In some exemplary aspects, multiple LTF sequences can be orthogonal to each other.

[0285] In some illustrative aspects, a first portion of packet 500 (e.g., preamble 501) may include one or more fields, e.g., STF 502 and / or LTF 504, which may be configured to detect, synchronize, and / or estimate a channel (e.g., a mmWave wireless communication channel) to receive one or more SIG fields (e.g., L-SIG 505 and / or SIG field 506).

[0286] In some exemplary aspects, SIG field 506 may include information about packet 500 .

[0287] For example, the SIG field 506 may include some or all of the following information and / or any other additional or alternative information:

[0288] The address of the sender of packet 500.

[0289] The address of the receiver of packet 500. In some use cases, this information may be optional.

[0290] MIMO sector combination information corresponding to a combination of MIMO sectors to be trained by the MIMO TRN field 508 of the packet 500. In one example, the SIG field 506 may include MIMO sector combination information in the form of at least one sector ID field 507 for at least one antenna, e.g., an ID field 507 for each transmit antenna used for transmission of the MIMO TRN field 508 of the packet 500. In another example, the SIG field 506 may include MIMO sector combination information in the form of a sector combination ID field 507, which may be configured to point to a combination of sectors used for transmission of the MIMO TRN field 508 of the packet 500. For example, such an implementation of the sector combination ID field 507 may be utilized in situations where a recipient device may map a sector combination ID to an exact sector ID (e.g., for each transmit antenna of the STA that transmits the packet 500).

[0291] In some exemplary aspects, the second portion of the packet 500 (eg, the MIMO TRN field 508) may include a plurality of MIMO TRN subfields 510, which may be configured, for example, to train different combinations of Rx sectors of the recipient STAs.

[0292] In some illustrative aspects, a MIMO TRN subfield 512 in the plurality of MIMO TRN subfields 510 may include an STF field 514 followed by a plurality of LTFs 516, eg, as described above.

[0293] In other aspects, the MIMO TRN subfield 512 may include an STF field, an LTF field, and / or any other additional or alternative combination of any other training fields and / or training sequences, which may support multi-antenna training.

[0294] In some exemplary aspects, MIMO TRN subfield 512 may be configured to include multiple LTF symbols in time, eg, to support multiplication of the LTF symbols with a P matrix (eg, a P matrix compliant with a sounding protocol in a lower band).

[0295] In some exemplary aspects, MIMO TRN subfield 512 may include one LTF symbol for each antenna utilized by the sender STA that sent packet 500 .

[0296] In one example, the MIMO TRN subfield 512 may include two LTF symbols, eg, when the transmitter STA utilizes two antennas for the transmission of two TRN sequences.

[0297] In one example, the MIMO TRN subfield 512 may include four LTF symbols, eg, when the transmitter STA utilizes four antennas for the transmission of four TRN sequences.

[0298] In some exemplary aspects, the P matrix can be configured as an orthogonal P matrix, for example, to provide a technical solution to support a receiver device to extract sounding information from each antenna, for example, separately.

[0299] In some illustrative aspects, the orthogonality of the P matrix can provide a technical solution to support receiver devices using different sector combinations (eg, one sector for each Rx antenna), for example, for each MIMO TRN subfield 512.

[0300] In some illustrative aspects, the orthogonality of the P matrix can provide a technical solution to support a receiver device performing MIMO channel estimation, e.g., in accordance with a sounding phase protocol in a lower band. For example, the receiver device can derive channel estimates (e.g., for one or more antennas, e.g., on each antenna), and / or can calculate beamforming feedback estimates (e.g., to support digital beamforming).

[0301] refer to Figure 6 , which schematically illustrates a method of transmitting a packet including a MIMO TRN field according to some illustrative aspects. For example, Figure 6 One or more operations of the method may be performed by a system (e.g., system 100 ( Figure 1 )) is performed by one or more elements, such as: one or more wireless devices (such as device 102 ( Figure 1 ) and / or device 140( Figure 1 )), MLD (e.g. MLD 131( Figure 1 ) and / or MLD 151( Figure 1 )), a controller (e.g., controller 124 ( Figure 1 ) and / or controller 154 ( Figure 1 )), radio stations (such as radio station 114 ( Figure 1 ) and / or Radio 144 ( Figure 1 )), and / or a message processor (e.g., message processor 128 ( Figure 1) and / or message processor 158 ( Figure 1 )).

[0302] As shown at block 602, the method may include sending a preamble of a packet from the mmWave STA via multiple antennas of the mmWave STA over the mmWave wireless communication channel. For example, the controller 124 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control device 102 ( Figure 1 ) Packet 500 is sent through the mmWave wireless communication channel via multiple antennas of the mmWave STA ( Figure 5 ) leading to 501 ( Figure 5 ), for example, as described above.

[0303] As shown at block 604, the method may include: transmitting a MIMO TRN field of the packet via the mmWave wireless communication channel. For example, the MIMO TRN field may be after the preamble and may include a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields transmitted via multiple antennas of the mmWave STA. For example, a MIMO TRN subfield in the multiple MIMO TRN subfields may include multiple TRN sequences, for example, multiple TRN sequences transmitted simultaneously via multiple antennas, respectively. For example, the controller 124( Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control device 102 ( Figure 1 )Send packet 500 via mmWave wireless communication channel ( Figure 5 ) of the MIMOTRN field 508 ( Figure 5 ), for example, as described above.

[0304] refer to Figure 7 , which schematically illustrates a method of transmitting a packet including a MIMO TRN field according to some illustrative aspects. For example, Figure 7 One or more operations of the method may be performed by a system (e.g., system 100 ( Figure 1 )) is performed by one or more elements, such as one or more wireless devices (e.g., device 102 ( Figure 1 ) and / or device 140( Figure 1 )), MLD (e.g. MLD 131( Figure 1 ) and / or MLD 151( Figure 1 )), a controller (e.g., controller 124 ( Figure 1 ) and / or controller 154 ( Figure 1 )), radio stations (such as radio station 114 ( Figure 1 ) and / or Radio 144 ( Figure 1 )), and / or a message processor (e.g., message processor 128 ( Figure 1) and / or message processor 158 ( Figure 1 )).

[0305] As shown at block 702, the method may include: processing a preamble of a packet at a first mmWave STA to identify that the packet includes a MIMO TRN field after the preamble. For example, the packet may be received from a second mmWave STA via an mmWave wireless communication channel. For example, the controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control device 140 ( Figure 1 ) processes, for example, from device 102 ( Figure 1 ) Received Packet 500( Figure 5 ) leading to 501 ( Figure 5 ) to identify packet 500 ( Figure 5 ) in the leading 501( Figure 5 ) followed by a MIMO TRN field 508 ( Figure 5 ), for example, as described above.

[0306] As shown at block 704, the method may include: performing measurements on one or more received MIMO TRN subfields of the MIMO TRN field of the packet. For example, the MIMO TRN field may include a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields transmitted via multiple antennas of the second mmWave STA. For example, a MIMO TRN subfield in the multiple MIMO TRN subfields may include multiple TRN sequences transmitted simultaneously via multiple antennas, respectively. For example, the controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control device 140 ( Figure 1 ) for packet 500( Figure 5 ) of the MIMO TRN field 508 ( Figure 5 ) of one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields 510 ( Figure 5 ) performs measurements, for example, as described above.

[0307] As shown at block 706, the method may include sending feedback information to the second mmWave STA. For example, the feedback information may be based on measurements of one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields. For example, the controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) may be configured to cause, trigger and / or control device 140 ( Figure 1 ) to device 102( Figure 1 ) to send feedback information, for example, as described above.

[0308] refer to Figure 8, which schematically illustrates a product 800 manufactured according to some illustrative aspects. The product 800 may include one or more tangible computer-readable ("machine-readable") non-transitory storage media 802, which may include computer-executable instructions, such as instructions implemented by logic 804, which, when executed by at least one computer processor, are operable to cause the at least one computer processor to perform operations in a device 102 ( Figure 1 )、device 140( Figure 1 )、MLD 131( Figure 1 )、MLD151( Figure 1 )、Radio 114( Figure 1 )、Radio 144( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 118( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 148( Figure 1 ), receiver 116 ( Figure 1 )、Receiver 146( Figure 1 )、Message processor 128( Figure 1 ), message processor 158 ( Figure 1 )、Controller 124( Figure 1 ) and / or controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) to implement one or more operations; so that device 102 ( Figure 1 )、device 140( Figure 1 )、MLD131( Figure 1 )、MLD 151( Figure 1 )、Radio 114( Figure 1 )、Radio 144( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 118( Figure 1 )、Transmitter 148( Figure 1 ), receiver 116 ( Figure 1 )、Receiver 146( Figure 1 )、Message processor 128( Figure 1 ), message processor 158 ( Figure 1 )、Controller 124( Figure 1 ) and / or controller 154 ( Figure 1 ) execute, trigger and / or implement one or more operations and / or functions; and / or execute, trigger and / or implement reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and / or Figure 7One or more operations and / or functions described herein, and / or one or more operations described herein. The phrases "non-transitory machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable non-transitory storage medium" may be directed to include all machine- and / or computer-readable media, with the only exception being transitory propagating signals.

[0309] In some illustrative aspects, the product 800 and / or the machine-readable storage medium 802 may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writable or rewritable memory, etc. For example, the machine-readable storage medium 802 may include RAM, DRAM, Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory (e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase change memory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, disk, hard drive, etc. Computer-readable storage media may include any appropriate media that participates in downloading or transferring a computer program carried in a data signal embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium from a remote computer to a requesting computer via a communication link (e.g., a modem, radio, or network connection).

[0310] In some illustrative aspects, logic 804 may include instructions, data, and / or code that, if executed by a machine, may cause the machine to perform methods, processes, and / or operations as described herein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, etc., and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, etc.

[0311] In some illustrative aspects, logic 804 may include or may be implemented as software, a software module, an application, a program, a subroutine, an instruction, an instruction set, a computing code, a word, a value, a symbol, and the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. The instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner, or syntax for instructing a processor to perform a specific function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and / or interpreted programming language, machine code, and the like.

[0312] Example

[0313] The following examples relate to further aspects.

[0314] Example 1 includes a device comprising logic and circuits configured to enable a millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication station (STA) to send a preamble of a packet through a mmWave wireless communication channel via multiple antennas of the mmWave STA; and to send a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) training (TRN) field of the packet through the mmWave wireless communication channel, wherein the MIMO TRN field follows the preamble, and the MIMO TRN field includes a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields sent via multiple antennas of the mmWave STA, wherein a MIMO TRN subfield in the multiple MIMO TRN subfields includes multiple TRN sequences that are simultaneously sent via the multiple antennas, respectively.

[0315] Example 2 includes the subject matter as described in Example 1, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the mmWave STA to send a sequence of multiple sector-sweep packets via corresponding multiple antenna sector combinations during a transmit sector sweep (TXSS), wherein sending the sector-sweep packet via the antenna sector combination includes sending a preamble of the packet and a MIMO TRN field of the packet via the multiple antennas according to the antenna sector combination, wherein the antenna sector combination includes a combination of sectors of the multiple antennas.

[0316] Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 2, and optionally, wherein the multiple antennas of the mmWave STA include a first antenna and a second antenna, and wherein the multiple antenna sector combinations include multiple different combinations of antenna sectors of the first antenna and antenna sectors of the second antenna.

[0317] Example 4 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-3, and optionally, wherein the MIMO TRN subfield comprises a plurality of long training fields (LTFs).

[0318] Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 4, and optionally, wherein the MIMO TRN subfield comprises a short training field (STF) preceding the plurality of LTFs.

[0319] Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 5, and optionally, wherein the preamble of the packet includes the STF.

[0320] Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 4-6, and optionally, wherein the plurality of LTFs comprises a plurality of permuted repetitions of the LTFs.

[0321] Example 8 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 4-7, and optionally, wherein the plurality of LTFs comprises a plurality of permutations of the LTFs according to a permutation matrix (P-matrix).

[0322] Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 4-8, and optionally, wherein the plurality of TRN sequences comprises a corresponding plurality of different LTF sequences, the LTF sequence comprising a plurality of permuted repetitions of the LTF.

[0323] Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 9, and optionally, wherein the plurality of different LTF sequences are orthogonal to each other.

[0324] Example 11 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 4-10, and optionally, wherein the preamble of the packet comprises an LTF, wherein the plurality of LTFs are based on the LTF.

[0325] Example 12 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the mmWave STA to transmit a preamble of the packet by transmitting a sequence of preamble fields replicated via the multiple antennas.

[0326] Example 13 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-12, and optionally, wherein the plurality of MIMOTRN subfields are identical.

[0327] Example 14 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-13, and optionally, wherein the preamble of the packet includes a signal (SIG) field, the SIG field including identifier (ID) information to indicate multiple IDs corresponding to the multiple antennas.

[0328] Example 15 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-14, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the mmWave STA to process feedback information in other packets from other STAs, the feedback information being based on measurements corresponding to the MIMO TRN field.

[0329] Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 15, and optionally, wherein the feedback information is based on a MIMO channel estimate based on the MIMO TRN field.

[0330] Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 15 or 16, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes digital beamforming feedback information.

[0331] Example 18 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-17, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes an indication of an identified combination of transmit sectors of the mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the other STAs based on measurements corresponding to the MIMO TRN field.

[0332] Example 19 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-18, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes a beamforming report corresponding to an identified combination of transmit sectors of the mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the other STA based on measurements corresponding to the MIMO TRN field.

[0333] Example 20 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 15-19, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes measurement information corresponding to an identified combination of transmit sectors of the mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the other STA based on measurements corresponding to the MIMO TRN field.

[0334] Example 21 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-20, and optionally, wherein the multiple antennas of the mmWaveSTA include a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the MIMO TRN subfield includes a first TRN sequence and a second TRN sequence transmitted simultaneously via the first antenna and the second antenna, respectively.

[0335] Example 22 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-21, and optionally, wherein the packet comprises a Null Data Packet (NDP).

[0336] Example 23 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-21, and optionally, wherein the packet includes a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU including a data field following the SIG field, wherein the MIMO TRN field follows the data field.

[0337] Example 24 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-23, and optionally, wherein the mmWave wireless communication channel comprises a 60 GHz channel.

[0338] Example 25 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-24, and optionally, includes a radio station to send the packet via the mmWave wireless communication channel.

[0339] Example 26 includes the subject matter of Example 25, and optionally, includes one or more antennas coupled to the radio station, and a processor to execute instructions of an operating system of the mmWave STA.

[0340] Example 27 includes a device comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a first millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication station (STA) to process a preamble of a packet to identify that the packet includes a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) training (TRN) field after the preamble, and the packet is received from a second mmWave STA via an mmWave wireless communication channel; perform measurements on one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields of the MIMO TRN field of the packet, wherein the MIMO TRN field includes a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields sent via multiple antennas of the second mmWave STA, wherein the MIMO TRN subfields in the multiple MIMO TRN subfields include multiple TRN sequences sent simultaneously via the multiple antennas, respectively; and send feedback information to the second mmWave STA, wherein the feedback information is based on the measurements of the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

[0341] Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 27, and optionally, wherein the feedback information is based on a MIMO channel estimate based on the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

[0342] Example 29 includes the subject matter of Example 27 or 28, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes digital beamforming feedback information.

[0343] Example 30 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-29, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes an indication of an identified combination of transmit sectors of the second mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the first mmWave STA based on measurements corresponding to the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

[0344] Example 31 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-30, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes a beamforming report corresponding to an identified combination of transmit sectors of the second mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the first mmWave STA based on measurements corresponding to the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

[0345] Example 32 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-31, and optionally, wherein the feedback information includes measurement information corresponding to an identified combination of transmit sectors of the second mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the first mmWave STA based on measurements corresponding to the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

[0346] Example 33 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-32, and optionally, wherein the MIMOTRN subfield comprises a plurality of long training fields (LTFs).

[0347] Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 33, and optionally, wherein the MIMO TRN subfield comprises a short training field (STF) preceding the plurality of LTFs.

[0348] Example 35 includes the subject matter of Example 34, and optionally, wherein the preamble of the packet includes the STF.

[0349] Example 36 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 33-35, and optionally, wherein the plurality of LTFs comprises a plurality of permuted repetitions of the LTFs.

[0350] Example 37 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 33-36, and optionally, wherein the plurality of LTFs comprises a plurality of permutations of the LTFs according to a permutation matrix (P-matrix).

[0351] Example 38 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 33-37, and optionally, wherein the plurality of TRN sequences comprises a corresponding plurality of different LTF sequences, the LTF sequence comprising a plurality of permuted repetitions of the LTF.

[0352] Example 39 includes the subject matter of Example 38, and optionally, wherein the plurality of different LTF sequences are orthogonal to each other.

[0353] Example 40 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 33-39, and optionally, wherein the preamble of the packet comprises an LTF, wherein the plurality of LTFs are based on the LTF.

[0354] Example 41 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-40, and optionally, wherein the multiple MIMO TRN subfields are the same.

[0355] Example 42 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-41, and optionally, wherein the preamble of the packet includes a signal (SIG) field, the SIG field including identifier (ID) information to indicate multiple IDs corresponding to the multiple antennas, and wherein the feedback information includes one or more of the IDs.

[0356] Example 43 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-42, and optionally, wherein the multiple antennas of the second mmWave STA include a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the MIMO TRN subfield includes a first TRN sequence and a second TRN sequence transmitted simultaneously via the first antenna and the second antenna, respectively.

[0357] Example 44 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-43, and optionally, wherein the packet comprises a Null Data Packet (NDP).

[0358] Example 45 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-44, and optionally, wherein the packet comprises a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) comprising a data field following the SIG field, wherein the MIMO TRN field follows the data field.

[0359] Example 46 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-45, and optionally, wherein the mmWave wireless communication channel comprises a 60 GHz channel.

[0360] Example 47 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 27-46, and optionally, includes a radio station to receive the packet and send the feedback information via the mmWave wireless communication channel.

[0361] Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 47, and optionally, includes one or more antennas coupled to the radio station, and a processor to execute instructions of an operating system of the first mmWave STA.

[0362] Example 49 includes a wireless communication device comprising an apparatus as described in any of Examples 1-48.

[0363] Example 50 includes an apparatus comprising means for performing any of the described operations of any of Examples 1-48.

[0364] Example 51 includes a product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media, the media comprising computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor, are operable to cause the at least one processor to cause a wireless communication device to perform any operations described in any of Examples 1-48.

[0365] Example 52 includes an apparatus comprising: a memory interface; and a processing circuit configured to: perform any operations described in any of Examples 1-48.

[0366] Example 53 includes a method comprising any of the described operations of any of Examples 1-48.

[0367] The functions, operations, components and / or features described herein with reference to one or more aspects may be combined with or utilized in conjunction with one or more other functions, operations, components and / or features described herein with reference to one or more other aspects, and vice versa.

[0368] While certain features have been illustrated and described herein, numerous modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication station (STA): Sending a preamble of a packet via a plurality of antennas of the mmWave STA over a mmWave wireless communication channel; and A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) training (TRN) field of the packet is transmitted through the mmWave wireless communication channel, the MIMO TRN field follows the preamble, and the MIMO TRN field includes a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields transmitted via the multiple antennas of the mmWave STA, wherein: The MIMO TRN subfields in the plurality of MIMO TRN subfields include a plurality of TRN sequences that are simultaneously transmitted via the plurality of antennas, respectively.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, configured to cause the mmWave STA to transmit a sequence of multiple sector-sweep packets via corresponding multiple antenna sector combinations during a transmit sector sweep (TXSS), wherein: Sending a sector-scan packet via an antenna sector combination includes sending a preamble of the packet and a MIMO TRN field of the packet via the multiple antennas according to the antenna sector combination, wherein the antenna sector combination includes a combination of sectors of the multiple antennas.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The multiple antennas of the mmWave STA include a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the multiple antenna sector combinations include multiple different combinations of antenna sectors of the first antenna and antenna sectors of the second antenna.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The MIMO TRN subfield includes a plurality of long training fields (LTFs).

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The MIMO TRN subfield includes a short training field (STF) preceding the plurality of LTFs.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The preamble of the packet includes the STF.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein: The plurality of LTFs includes a plurality of permuted repetitions of the LTFs.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein: The plurality of LTFs includes a plurality of permutations of the LTFs according to a permutation matrix (P-matrix).

9. The device of claim 4, wherein: The plurality of TRN sequences include a corresponding plurality of different LTF sequences, and the LTF sequence includes a plurality of permuted repetitions of LTF.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein: The multiple different LTF sequences are orthogonal to each other.

11. The device of claim 4, wherein: The preamble of the packet includes an LTF, wherein the plurality of LTFs are based on the LTF.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, configured to cause the mmWave STA to transmit a preamble of the packet by transmitting a sequence of preamble fields replicated via the multiple antennas.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein: The multiple MIMO TRN subfields are the same.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein: The preamble of the packet includes a signal (SIG) field including identifier (ID) information to indicate a plurality of IDs corresponding to the plurality of antennas.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-14, configured to cause the mmWave STA to process feedback information in other packets from other STAs, the feedback information being based on measurements corresponding to the MIMO TRN field.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein: The feedback information is based on a MIMO channel estimation, and the MIMO channel estimation is based on the MIMO TRN field.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein: The feedback information includes digital beamforming feedback information.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein: The feedback information includes an indication of an identified combination of transmit sectors of the mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the other STA based on measurements corresponding to the MIMO TRN field.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein: The feedback information includes measurement information corresponding to the identified combination of transmission sectors of the mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the other STA based on the measurement corresponding to the MIMO TRN field.

20. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The multiple antennas of the mmWave STA include a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the MIMO TRN subfield includes a first TRN sequence and a second TRN sequence simultaneously transmitted via the first antenna and the second antenna, respectively.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-14, comprising a radio station for transmitting the packet via the mmWave wireless communication channel.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, comprising: one or more antennas connected to said radio station; and a processor for executing instructions of an operating system of the mmWave STA.

23. An apparatus comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a first millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communication station (STA): processing a preamble of a packet to identify that the packet includes a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) training (TRN) field after the preamble, the packet being received from a second mmWave STA via a mmWave wireless communication channel; performing measurements on one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields of a MIMO TRN field of the packet, wherein: The MIMO TRN field includes a sequence of multiple MIMO TRN subfields transmitted via multiple antennas of the second mmWave STA, wherein a MIMO TRN subfield in the multiple MIMO TRN subfields includes multiple TRN sequences transmitted simultaneously via the multiple antennas, respectively; and Feedback information is sent to the second mmWave STA, the feedback information being based on measurements of the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein: The feedback information is based on a MIMO channel estimate based on the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

25. The device of claim 23 or 24, wherein: The feedback information includes an indication of an identified combination of transmit sectors of the second mmWave STA, the identified combination being identified by the first mmWave STA based on measurements corresponding to the one or more receive MIMO TRN subfields.

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