Multi-user edmg aggregate ppdu structure

Abstract

A PPDU structure and associated methods and apparatus are provided. In various embodiments, the PPDU structure can be characterized as a multi-user EDMG aggregated PPDU structure. That is, the PPDU can be transmitted to multiple users or destinations (e.g., STAs), be compliant with EDMG requirements, and exhibit the characteristics of an A-PPDU. The PPDU structure can be used for multi-base station sensing or can be used for other applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally belongs to the field of radio communication, and particularly relates to the IEEE 802.11 physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) structure, which is intended for use, for example, as a multi-user PPDU in data communication and / or a detection PPDU in multi-base sensing. Background Technology

[0002] The IEEE 802.11ay (Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit) standard specifies efficient physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) transmission characteristics called aggregated PPDU (A-PPDU). Multiple PPDUs are sequentially aggregated by sharing the legacy short training field (L-STF), legacy CEF (L-CEF), legacy header field (L-Header), EDMG-STF, EDMG-channel estimation field (CEF), and training (TRN) field. An A-PPDU in EDMG is a single-user (SU) PPDU sent from one station (STA) to another STA.

[0003] The IEEE 802.11bf standard aims to modify existing wireless local area network (WLAN) standards to enhance sensing capabilities through waveforms conforming to IEEE 802.11. Using IEEE 802.11bf, a station (STA) can use received Wi-Fi signals to detect characteristics (e.g., distance, speed, angle, motion, presence or proximity, attitude, etc.) of a target in the environment (e.g., a house, office, room, vehicle, enterprise).

[0004] The IEEE 802.11bf standard includes modifications to the medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) of the existing IEEE 802.11 standard to enhance WLAN awareness capabilities in the unlicensed frequency bands between 1 GHz and 7.125 GHz (sub-7 GHz) and in the 60 GHz band. WLAN awareness can include multi-base awareness, where probe PPDUs are transmitted from an initiating device to multiple responding devices. These probe PPDUs can be transmitted using directional beams and can be received by the responding devices.

[0005] However, existing MU-PPDU format schemes have potential problems related to backward compatibility and coexistence. Therefore, there is a need for a MU-PPDU structure that eliminates or reduces one or more of the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0006] This background information is provided to disclose information that the applicant believes may be relevant to the present invention. It is neither necessary nor appropriate to acknowledge that any of the foregoing information constitutes prior art for the present invention. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a PPDU structure (e.g., the term refers to an IEEE 802.11 PPDU) and associated methods and apparatus. In various embodiments, the PPDU structure can be characterized as a multi-user EDMG aggregated PPDU structure. That is, the PPDU can be sent to multiple users or destinations (e.g., STAs), conforms to EDMG requirements, and exhibits the characteristics of an A-PPDU. The PPDU structure can be used for multi-base sensing or may be used for other applications.

[0008] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: a device generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU includes a first continuous portion and a second continuous portion. The first continuous portion includes a first continuous sub-portion, which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF), a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), a first legacy header (L-Header), and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first continuous portion further includes a second continuous sub-portion, which includes a first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF), a first EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), and optionally a first data portion. The first continuous portion also includes a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA). The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuous portion also includes a fourth continuous sub-portion, which includes the second EDMG-STF, the second EDMG-CEF, and optionally a second data portion. The second continuous portion also includes a second synchronization field specific to a second station (STA).

[0009] It should be understood that a continuous portion or sub-portion can represent multiple fields of that portion or sub-portion that are adjacent to each other. Alternatively or concurrently, a portion or sub-portion can be continuous, for example, the portion or sub-portion is uninterrupted.

[0010] The method further includes: transmitting a PPDU by the device, wherein a first continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward a first STA, and a second continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward a second STA. The first and third continuous sub-parts are modulated using a conventional pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuous sub-parts are modulated using an EDMG modulation format. Additionally, a first synchronization field is included in the first continuous sub-part, and a second synchronization field is included in the third continuous sub-part; or the first synchronization field is included in the second continuous sub-part, and the second synchronization field is included in the fourth continuous sub-part.

[0011] In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes a padding field 542 modulated using EDMG format and located after the second consecutive portion, the padding field being transmitted oriented toward the first STA. In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes a first one or more training subfields 546 transmitted oriented toward the first STA and a second one or more training subfields 548 transmitted oriented toward the second STA.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield includes a first sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the first sequence being assigned to a first STA, and / or the second synchronization subfield includes a second sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the second sequence being assigned to a second STA. In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield further includes another first sequence allocated temporally prior to the first orthogonal sequence to facilitate a delay in the decoding of the first EDMG-Header-A, or the second synchronization subfield further includes another second sequence allocated temporally prior to the second orthogonal sequence to facilitate a delay in the decoding of the second EDMG-Header-A.

[0013] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: a device generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU includes a first continuous portion and a second continuous portion. The first continuous portion includes a first continuous sub-part, which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF), a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), a first legacy header (L-Header), and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first continuous portion further includes a second continuous sub-part and a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA), the second continuous sub-part including the first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF). The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuous portion also includes a fourth continuous sub-portion, which includes a second EDMG-STF and a second synchronization field specific to a second station (STA). The method further includes: transmitting a PPDU by the equipment, wherein the first continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the first STA, and the second continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the second STA. The first and third continuous sub-portions are modulated using a conventional pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuous sub-portions are modulated using an EDMG modulation format. Additionally, the first synchronization field is included in the first continuous sub-portion, and the second synchronization field is included in the third continuous sub-portion; or the first synchronization field is included in the second continuous sub-portion, and the second synchronization field is included in the fourth continuous sub-portion.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the second consecutive sub-part includes a first padding field, and / or the fourth consecutive sub-part includes a second padding field. According to an embodiment, the PPDU also includes a first one or more training sub-fields transmitted toward a first STA and a second one or more training sub-fields transmitted toward a second STA.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the first synchronization subfield includes a first sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the first sequence being assigned to a first STA, and / or the second synchronization subfield includes a second sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the second sequence being assigned to a second STA. According to an embodiment, the first synchronization subfield also includes another first sequence allocated temporally prior to the first orthogonal sequence to facilitate delays in decoding the first EDMG-Header-A, and / or the second synchronization subfield also includes another second sequence allocated temporally prior to the second orthogonal sequence to facilitate delays in decoding the second EDMG-Header-A.

[0016] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: a device generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU includes a first continuous portion and a second continuous portion. The first continuous portion includes a first continuous sub-part, which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF), a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), a first legacy header (L-Header), and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first continuous portion further includes a second continuous sub-part, which includes a first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF) and a first EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), wherein the first EDMG-CEF is specific to a first station (STA). The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuous portion also includes a fourth continuous sub-portion, which includes a second EDMG-STF and a second EDMG-CEF different from the first EDMG-CEF, wherein the second EDMG-CEF is specific to the second station (STA). The method further includes: transmitting a PPDU by the equipment, wherein the first continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the first STA, and the second continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the second STA. The first and third continuous sub-portions are modulated using a conventional pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuous sub-portions are modulated using an EDMG modulation format.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the PPDU also includes a padding field modulated using EDMG format and located after the second consecutive portion, the padding field optionally being transmitted oriented toward the first STA. According to embodiments, the second consecutive sub-portion includes a first data portion, and / or a fourth consecutive sub-portion includes a second data portion. In some embodiments, the second consecutive sub-portion includes the first padding field, and / or the fourth consecutive sub-portion includes the second padding field.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first EDMG-CEF includes a first orthogonal sequence selected from a set of EDMG-CEFs assigned to the first STA, and / or the second EDMG-CEF includes a second orthogonal sequence selected from the same set of EDMG-CEFs assigned to the second STA. In some embodiments, the first EDMG-CEF, the second EDMG-CEF, or both are also used to facilitate channel estimation.

[0019] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: a device generating a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU including a plurality of legacy short training fields (L-STFs). The method further comprises: the device transmitting the PPDU, each of the plurality of L-STFs being transmitted directionally toward a different corresponding station (STA). Each of the plurality of L-STFs is modulated using a conventional enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) modulation format.

[0020] In some embodiments, the PPDU also includes at least one portion modulated using the EDMG modulation format.

[0021] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: communicating between two or more devices to determine multi-user (MU), enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG), aggregated PPDU (A-PPDU) capabilities. The method further comprises: generating a PPDU based on the determined MU A-PPDU capabilities according to any of the methods described above.

[0022] In some embodiments, the two or more devices include one or more IEEE 802.11 access points (APs), two or more IEEE 802.11 stations (STAs), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, communication includes exchanging one or more EDMG capability elements carried in one or more frames. In some embodiments, one or more frames include one or more beacon frames, probe request frames, and probe response frames. In some embodiments, the generated PPDU is used for multi-base sensing.

[0023] In some embodiments, the generated PPDU includes at least one EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF) specific to the STA, at least one synchronization field, or both, which are transmitted oriented toward the STA.

[0024] In some embodiments, the method further includes: determining, during the communication between two or more devices or at a subsequent time prior to the generation of the PPDU, a value for each of the at least one synchronization field, at least one EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), or both specific to the STA.

[0025] In some embodiments, one or more EDMG-CEFs are also used to facilitate channel estimation. In some embodiments, the determination of the value of each of at least one synchronization field is performed during the association or sensing measurement setup phase prior to generating the PPDU for use in multi-base sensing.

[0026] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided, comprising: a device generating a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU being formatted for multi-base sensing. The PPDU includes one or more synchronization (SYNC) fields and synchronization pad (SYNC Pad) fields. If the PPDU includes data fields, then: in the enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Header-A, a PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field is set to specify the total length of the data fields plus each of the one or more SYNC fields plus the SYNC Pad field. If the PPDU does not include data fields, then: in the enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Header-A, a PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field is set to specify the total length of the data fields plus each of the one or more SYNC fields plus the SYNC Pad field. The method also includes: the device sending a PPDU such that at least two different parts of the PPDU are directed toward different corresponding stations (STAs).

[0027] In some embodiments, the method further includes: calculating the length of the PSDU data by the recipient of the PPDU based on the content of the PSDU length field in the EDMG-Header-A.

[0028] In some embodiments, the PPDU also includes a training length field and a length field within the PPDU's legacy header (L-Header). The length field is set to specify the total length of all fields of the PPDU, including the EDMG-Header-A and SYNC Pad fields, from the EDMG-Header-A to the SYNC Pad field. The length field and the training length field are also set to estimate the duration of the entire PPDU.

[0029] In some embodiments, the method further includes: calculating the length of the PSDU data by the recipient of the PPDU based on the content of the PSDU length field in the EDMG-Header-A.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the above method, the PPDU is an aggregated PPDU (A-PPDU). According to an embodiment of the above method, the PPDU is used for multi-base sensing.

[0031] According to another aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform one or more methods described herein.

[0032] On the other hand, a computer program is provided, comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer's processor, cause the computer to perform one or more of the methods described herein.

[0033] In one aspect, an apparatus is described, comprising at least one processor and at least one machine-readable medium storing executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, configure the apparatus to perform one or more methods described herein.

[0034] The foregoing has described embodiments that can be implemented based on various aspects of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments can be implemented in conjunction with the aspects described therein, but may also be implemented together with other embodiments of that aspect. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments are mutually exclusive or incompatible with each other. Some embodiments may be described in conjunction with one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) format in enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) format.

[0037] Figure 2 It is an illustration in EDMG A-PPDU format.

[0038] Figure 3 This is an illustration of a multi-base sensing setup with one transmitter and three receivers according to an embodiment.

[0039] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a multi-base detection PPDU.

[0040] Figure 5This is an illustration of a MU EDMG A-PPDU format with data fields according to an embodiment.

[0041] Figure 6 This is an illustration of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format with data fields according to an embodiment.

[0042] Figure 7 This is an illustration of a MU EDMG A-PPDU format without data fields according to an embodiment.

[0043] Figure 8 This is an illustration of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format without data fields, according to an embodiment.

[0044] Figure 9 This is an illustration of a MU EDMG A-PPDU format with data fields according to an embodiment.

[0045] Figure 10 This is an illustration of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format without data fields, according to an embodiment.

[0046] Figure 11 This is an illustration of the EDMG multi-base sensing PPDU format according to an embodiment.

[0047] Figure 12 These are schematic diagrams of electronic devices according to different embodiments of the present disclosure, which can perform any or all of the methods and features described herein, whether explicitly or implicitly.

[0048] It should be noted that the same features are identified by the same reference numerals in all the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to the format of Enhanced Directed Multi-Gigabit (EDMG, as specified in the IEEE 802.11ay standard) physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) and associated methods and apparatus. For example, PPDUs can be used as multi-user PPDUs in data communications and / or probe PPDUs in multi-base sensing operations.

[0050] The IEEE 802.11bf standard considers multi-base sensing for operation in the 60 GHz band. In multi-base sensing, a probe PPDU structure has been proposed, in which a single probe PPDU is sent from an initiator to multiple responders. Training fields for sensing purposes are appended to the end of the PPDU and shared by multiple receivers. Such a PPDU structure has been proposed as a type of multi-user PPDU.

[0051] More specifically, in EDMG channel-bundling mode (4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz, and 8.64 GHz EDMG PPDU transmission), EDMG PPDUs are transmitted on more than one 2.16 GHz channel. In EDMG channel-bundling mode, pre-EDMG modulation fields such as L-STF, L-CEF, and L-Header are transmitted using a pre-EDMG copy format on each 2.16 GHz. Synchronization and detection of EDMG PPDUs are based on the reception of L-STF, L-CEF, and L-Header fields. However, this proposed EDMG multi-base sensing PPDU requires the EDMG multi-base sensing receiver to directly perform PPDU detection and synchronization using the Sync field transmitted on more than one 2.16 GHz channel. This forces the EDMG multi-base sensing receiver to operate by following a new reception procedure in addition to the EDMG reception procedure. For backward compatibility reasons, this requires implementing an EDMG multi-base sensing receiver to provide two different receiver procedures, which increases receiver complexity.

[0052] Furthermore, in the EDMG multi-base PPDU format (such as the PDT EDMG multi-base PPDU structure specified in reference document IEEE 802.11-22 / 0464r6), there is no PPDU length information to be transmitted except by the first receiving STA (STA1). For example, different parts of the PPDU are sent to corresponding STAs, which may be in different directions than STA1. Accordingly, conventional STAs not covered by transmissions in the direction sent to STA1 may not be able to receive the L-STF field, L-CEF field, and the L-Header field containing the length field. Therefore, conventional EDMG STAs cannot synchronize the transmitted PPDUs and do not know how long the EDMG multi-base PPDU lasts. This is another coexistence problem.

[0053] According to embodiments, this disclosure generalizes a multi-user (MU) PPDU as a MU EDMG A-PPDU to reduce complexity and mitigate coexistence issues that can be addressed by sending L-STF, L-CEF, L-Header, and EDMG-Header-A for each STA in a multi-user scenario. It will be readily understood that these embodiments can be applied to efficient EDMG data communication and sensing applications.

[0054] Figure 1This is a diagram of PPDU format 100 for the Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG or IEEE 802.11ay) standard. EDMG multi-base probe PPDUs can be based on EDMG PPDU format 100 and include many of the same fields described in the EDMG standard.

[0055] EDMG PPDUs can be transmitted in the 60 GHz band, and a portion of them are also recognizable by directional multi-gigabit (DMG or IEEE 802.11ad) devices. For backward compatibility, the first three fields 110, 112, and 114 of the EDMG PPDU format 100 are defined to be recognizable by traditional DMG sites. L-STF (Traditional Short Training Field) 110 and L-CEF (Traditional Channel Estimation Field) 112 are compatible with the preamble defined in IEEE 802.11ad. L-STF field 110 allows for the discovery and synchronization of EDMG / DMG messages, while L-CEF field 112 supports channel estimation for demodulating L-Header field 114 and EDMG-Header-A field 116. L-Header field 114 contains information about the EDMG / DMG message.

[0056] The EDMG-Header-A field 116 contains information about the EDMG PPDU. For 4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz, and 8.64 GHz EDMG PPDU transmissions, each of the first four fields 110, 112, 114, and 116 of the EDMG PPDU can be repeatedly transmitted on each 2.16 GHz sub-channel of the message, as legacy devices can be configured to use only one sub-channel. Each of the remaining fields of the EDMG PPDU can be transmitted over the full bandwidth of the message, for example, on the 4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz, or 8.64 GHz channels.

[0057] The EDMG-STF field 118 allows for the synchronization of EDMG PPDUs. The EDMG-CEF field 120 allows for channel estimation used to demodulate the EDMG-Header-B field 122 and the data field 124. The EDMG-Header-B field 122 includes information about the EDMG multi-user (MU) PPDU. The data field 124 includes the message payload data, padded with zeros if necessary for packetization. Finally, the PPDU format 100 includes a training (TRN) sequence field 126, which is used for beamforming training and beam tracking as part of the beam refinement protocol (BRP) process to allow STAs to improve their antenna configurations for transmission and / or reception. The TRN field 126 may consist of multiple TRN subfields, as described in the EDMG standard.

[0058] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the EDMG A-PPDU format 200 defined by 802.11ay. It should be understood that, according to current standard specifications, this format of EDMG A-PPDU will be sent to a single user (e.g., the responder STA), and not to multiple users. The first PPDU of an EDMG A-PPDU includes the L-STF field 210, L-CEF field 212, L-Header field 214, EDMG-Header-A field 216, EDMG-STF field 218, EDMG-CEF field 220, and a data field 222. A-PPDU can be considered an efficient transmission method, where the fields L-STF field 210, L-CEF field 212, L-Header field 214, EDMG-Header-A field 216, EDMG-STF field 218, and EDMG-CEF field 220 can be used by multiple PPDUs. Starting with the second PPDU, each subsequent PPDU includes the EDMG-Header-A field and the corresponding data field. For example, in... Figure 2In the EDMG A-PPDU, the EDMG-Header-A field 224 is followed by the associated data field 226, and then by the next EDMG-Header-A field 228 and the associated data field 230. The TRN field 232 (if present) is appended only once to the end of the EDMG A-PPDU. It should be noted that the advantage of the EDMG A-PPDU can be considered as efficient transmission of multiple PPDUs sharing the same preamble and training fields. A disadvantage of the EDMG A-PPDU format in 802.11ay is that it can only be applied to single-user (STA) PPDU transmissions. It should be noted that the physical layer (PHY) receives single-user (SU) EDMG PPDUs (e.g., NUM_STS=1, no TRN field), and the synchronization and detection of PPDUs begins in a state machine that starts upon detection of L-STF 210.

[0059] Figure 3 A multi-base sensing setup 300 with one transmitter and three receivers is shown according to one aspect of this disclosure. The transmitter and receivers can each be a STA in a wireless communication network. The multi-base sensing setup 300 is shown with three receivers, but it can also be generalized to include more than three receivers.

[0060] In a multi-base sensing setup 300, a sensing initiator 305 (e.g., an access point (AP)) initiates a sensing instance and acts as a transmitter, while three sensing responders 311, 312, and 313 act as receivers. A sensing instance can be set up by exchanging request and response 331 (handshake) with the first responder 311, similarly exchanging request and response 332 with the second responder 312, and similarly exchanging request and response 333 with the third responder 313.

[0061] A perception instance can typically be directed to detect features of a given target, such as object 308. A perception instance includes a perception initiator 305 that sends a probe PPDU. A portion 320 of the signal from perception initiator 305—specifically one or more training (TRN) fields from the probe PPDU—can be sent from perception initiator 305 and reach object 308. A portion 321 of this signal can be reflected from object 308 and propagated toward a first responder 311, a portion 322 of this signal can be reflected from object 308 and propagated toward a second responder 312, and a portion 323 of this signal can be reflected from object 308 and propagated toward a third responder 313. After perception initiator 305 sends the probe PPDU, each of responders 311, 312, and 313 can be polled and report feedback 341, 342, and 343, respectively. Feedbacks 341, 342, and 343 can be associated with portions 321, 322, and 323 of the signal, which are received by responders 311, 312, and 313 after being reflected from object 308. Feedbacks 341, 342, and 343 can be used by perception initiator 305 to detect features of object 308.

[0062] The multi-base sensing setup 300 includes a sensing initiator 305, which also acts as a transmitter during the detection phase of the sensing instance.

[0063] Figure 4 This is an illustration of a proposed multi-base detection PPDU structure 400. The PPDU structure shown assumes three receivers or responders (STAs) (e.g., such as...). Figure 3 (As shown). Here and elsewhere in this document, the number of STAs associated with a PPDU may be three, more than three, or less than three (e.g., two). The PPDU structure includes an L-STF field 410, an L-CEF field 412, an L-Header field 414, an EDMG-Header A field 416, and an EDMG-STF field 418.

[0064] Figure 4The illustrated EDMG multi-base sensing PPDU structure allows PPDU transmission from one transmitter to a multi-base sensing receiver sharing the same training field (TTRN 428). P TRN subfields 430, 432, and 434 are transmitted in different directions and can be received by multi-base sensing receivers (e.g., STA1, STA2, and STA3 in this illustration). As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, different portions of the PPDU can be transmitted in different directions toward different STAs (i.e., directional transmission), for example, by using beamforming or directional antenna switching techniques. Each multi-base sensing STA (receiver) is synchronized with a corresponding Sync field 420, 422, or 424 transmitted in the multi-base sensing PPDU; the Sync field is an EDMG modulation field. For example, STA1 is associated with Sync1 420, STA2 with Sync2 422, and STA3 with Sync3 424. After the first P TRN field is transmitted to each of the corresponding STAs, the M TRN field 436 is transmitted. This field is followed by retransmissions of the P TRN fields (438, 440, 442) for each of the corresponding STAs, and a repeat of the MTRN field 444.

[0065] In EDMG channel-bundled modes (i.e., 4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz, and 8.64 GHz EDMG PPDU transmissions), the Sync field is transmitted using a wideband signal. This form of transmission requires the receiver (e.g., STA) to perform synchronization over the wideband, which differs from the EDMG reception procedure currently specified in 802.11ay.

[0066] Figure 4 The illustrated multi-base sensing PPDU structure has potential problems. Based on current or traditional EDMG receive procedures, EDMG receivers are specified to initiate PPDU detection by receiving the transmitted PHY preamble (i.e., receiving L-STF field 410, L-CEF field 412, L-Header field 414, and EDMG-Header A field 416) on the primary 2.16 GHz channel. Since backward compatibility is a requirement for STAs configured according to 802.11bf, this backward compatibility necessitates that EDMG multi-base sensing STAs implement two different receiver procedures to perform PPDU synchronization separately on the primary 2.16 GHz band and the broadband.

[0067] To mitigate the aforementioned potential problems, or more generally to provide alternatives to communication and sensing methods, embodiments of this disclosure provide various PPDU formats, as described below. Devices such as APs can generate and transmit such formatted PPDUs. Such PPDUs can be characterized as MU EDMG A-PPDUs, which are sent to multiple receivers and include multiple connected portions for use by multiple receivers. For sensing (or other) purposes, the training fields at the end of the PPDU can include different training fields for use by different receivers. For example, Figures 5 to 10 The PPDU specifies fields corresponding to two different receivers (STA1 and STA2), but this PPDU can be extended to specify similar fields corresponding to other receivers. Fields corresponding to a specific receiver can be sent in the direction of that receiver.

[0068] According to various embodiments, for each intended receiving STA that sends a portion of a PPDU toward it, the PPDU includes a copy of the conventional (DMG) header or at least some of its fields. Because of this, and upon receiving these fields, the receiving STA can perform the required operations (e.g., synchronization) without necessarily requiring a separate broadband (e.g., EDMG) process.

[0069] For example, methods and associated apparatuses are provided according to various embodiments. A device generates a PPDU having multiple traditional fields (i.e., fields initially specified for IEEE directional multigigabit (DMG), such as, but not necessarily limited to, a legacy short training field (L-STF), a legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), and an L-Header. In some embodiments, the L-CEF can assist in performing fine-grained PPDU synchronization. In some embodiments, the L-Header may include a length field that can be used to estimate the duration of the PPDU. Each of the multiple traditional fields corresponds to a different receiver STA. The device then transmits the PPDU such that different portions of the PPDU are transmitted directionally toward different receiver STAs. Each of these different portions includes a different traditional field from the multiple traditional fields. It will be understood that the traditional fields are modulated using a conventional pre-EDMG modulation format. For example, the traditional fields can be modulated using a DMG modulation format.

[0070] like Figures 5 to 10 Each embodiment shown represents a specific example of the above embodiments, whose PPDU includes multiple conventional fields L-STF, L-CEF, and L-Header. Furthermore, and similarly, as... Figures 5 to 10 Each embodiment shown includes multiple instances of the EDMG-Header-A field, multiple instances of the EDMG-STF field, and in some cases, multiple instances of the EDMG-CEF field. Each of these instances is also directed to different receiving STAs. Other fields may be provided similarly, as described elsewhere in this document.

[0071] Figure 5 The PPDU format provided according to some embodiments is shown. Figure 6 This is an illustration of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format with data fields according to an embodiment. The PPDU format includes a first continuous portion, which includes a first continuous sub-partition, which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF) 510, 610, a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF) 512, 612, a first legacy header field (L-Header) 514, 614, and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A field (EDMG-Header-A) 516, 616. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the first continuous sub-part further includes a first synchronization field 618 specific to the first STA. The first continuous sub-part also includes a second continuous sub-part, which includes first EDMG short training fields (EDMG-STF) 518 and 620, first EDMG channel estimation fields (EDMG-CEF) 520 and 622, first data portion fields 524 and 624, and fields specific to the first station (STA). Figure 5 The first synchronization field 522 of the illustrated embodiment. The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes second L-STFs 526, 626, second L-CEFs 528, 628, second L-Header 530, 630, and second EDMG-Header-A 532, 632. Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, the third contiguous sub-part further includes a second synchronization field 634 specific to the second STA. The second contiguous part also includes a fourth contiguous sub-part, which includes second EDMG-STF fields 534 and 636, second EDMG-CEF fields 536 and 638, second data portion fields 540 and 640, and fields specific to the second station (STA). Figure 5 The second synchronization field 538 of the embodiment shown.

[0072] In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes padding fields 542, 642 modulated using EDMG format and located after the second consecutive portion, the padding fields being transmitted oriented toward the first STA. In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes a first one or more training subfields 546, 646 transmitted oriented toward the first STA and a second one or more training subfields 548, 648 transmitted oriented toward the second STA.

[0073] According to the embodiments, reference is also made to Figure 5 L-STF 510, 526, L-CEF 512, 528, L-Header 514, 530, and EDMG-Header A 516, 532 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, which constitutes pre-EDMG modulation. EDMG-STF 518, 534, EDMG-CEF 520, 536, data fields 524, 540, and TRN subfields 544, 546, 548, 550 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, which constitutes EDMG modulation. STA Sync1 522, STA Sync2 538, and padding field 542 are also EDMG modulated.

[0074] According to an embodiment, Figure 5 A potential advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the MU EDMG A-PPDU format can include the efficient transmission of multiple PPDUs for multiple STAs, and the synchronization and detection of PPDUs specified during EDMG reception can be reused. Furthermore, additional STA synchronization using the Sync field is STA-specific, identifying the portion of the MU EDMG A-PPDU sent to that STA. Additional potential benefits involve coexistence with traditional EDMG STAs.

[0075] According to the embodiments, reference is also made to Figure 6L-STF 610, 626, L-CEF 612, 628, L-Header 614, 630, and EDMG-Header A 616, 632 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-EDMG modulation. STASync1 618 and STA Sync2 634 are also pre-EDMG modulated. EDMG-STF 620, 636, EDMG-CEF 622, 638, data 624, 640, and TRN subfields 644, 646, 648, 650 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulation. The padding field 642 is also EDMG modulated. It should be noted that in... Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, when with Figure 5 Compared to the illustrated embodiment, the STA Sync 1618 and STA Sync2 634 fields have been moved to be closer to their respective EDMG-Header A fields 616 and 632.

[0076] According to an embodiment, Figure 6 The potential benefit of the MU EDMG A-PPDU format shown is that it allows for STA synchronization operations to be performed on a 2.16 GHz channel, which reduces implementation complexity.

[0077] According to an embodiment, STASync i includes orthogonal sequences specifically allocated for STA i. For example, a set of orthogonal sequences is a sequence with good autocorrelation and orthogonal pairwise cross-correlation properties. In some embodiments, for the sake of delay implementation in EDMG-Header-A decoding, another sequence may be allocated temporally before the orthogonal sequences.

[0078] According to an embodiment, each EDMG-Header-A field of a specific STA includes an indicator bit for indicating the MU EDMG A-PPDU. In some embodiments, the PHYlayer service data unit (PSDU) length field defined in the EDMG-Header-A of a specific STA can indicate the length of the STA-Sync+ data field of the corresponding STA in the MU EDMG A-PPDU. In some embodiments, a length field and a training length field can be defined in the L-Header, and the length field and the training length field can be set to estimate the duration of the entire PPDU.

[0079] According to an embodiment, a method is provided including generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) by a device. The PPDU includes a first continuous portion and a second continuous portion. The first continuous portion includes a first continuous sub-part comprising a first legacy short training field (L-STF), a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), a first legacy header (L-Header), and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first continuous portion also includes a second continuous sub-part comprising a first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF), a first EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), and an optional first data portion. The first continuous portion also includes a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA). The second continuum includes a third continuum sub-part, which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuum also includes a fourth continuum sub-part, which includes the second EDMG-STF, the second EDMG-CEF, and an optional second data portion. The second continuum also includes a second synchronization field specific to the second station (STA).

[0080] The method also includes transmitting a PPDU by the device, wherein a first continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward a first STA, and a second continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward a second STA. The first and third continuous sub-portions are modulated using a conventional pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuous sub-portions are modulated using an EDMG modulation format. Additionally, a first synchronization field is included in the first continuous sub-portion, and a second synchronization field is included in the third continuous sub-portion; or a first synchronization field is included in the second continuous sub-portion, and a second synchronization field is included in the fourth continuous sub-portion.

[0081] In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes a padding field 542 modulated using EDMG format and located after the second consecutive portion, the padding field being transmitted oriented toward the first STA. In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes a first one or more training subfields 546 transmitted oriented toward the first STA and a second one or more training subfields 548 transmitted oriented toward the second STA.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield includes a first sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the first sequence being assigned to a first STA; and / or the second synchronization subfield includes a second sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the second sequence being assigned to a second STA. In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield further includes another first sequence allocated temporally prior to the first orthogonal sequence to facilitate a delay in the decoding of the first EDMG-Header-A; or the second synchronization subfield further includes another second sequence allocated temporally prior to the second orthogonal sequence to facilitate a delay in the decoding of the second EDMG-Header-A.

[0083] Figure 7 This is an illustration of a MU EDMG A-PPDU format without data fields according to an embodiment. Figure 8This is an illustration of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format without a data field according to an embodiment. The PPDU format includes a first continuous portion, which includes a first continuous sub-part, which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF) 710, 810, a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF) 712, 812, a first legacy header field (L-Header) 714, 814, and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A field (EDMG-Header-A) 716, 816. It should be noted that this PPDU format does not include either the EDMG-CEF field or the data field. The first continuous portion further includes a second continuous sub-portion and a first synchronization field 720, 818 specific to the first station (STA). The second continuous sub-portion includes a first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF) 718, 820. The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes a second L-STF 724, 824, a second L-CEF 726, 826, a second L-Header 728, 828, and a second EDMG-Header-A 730, 830. The second continuous portion also includes a fourth continuous sub-portion, which includes a second EDMG-STF 732, 834 and a second synchronization field 538, 634 specific to the second station (STA).

[0084] In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes first padding fields 722, 822 modulated in EDMG format and located after a first contiguous portion, the padding fields being transmitted oriented toward a first STA. In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes second padding fields 736, 836 modulated in EDMG format and located after a second contiguous portion, the padding fields being transmitted oriented toward a second STA. In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes first one or more training subfields 740, 840 transmitted oriented toward the first STA and second one or more training subfields 742, 842 transmitted oriented toward the second STA.

[0085] According to the embodiments, reference is also made to Figure 7L-STF 710, 724, L-CEF 712, 726, L-Header 714, 728, and EDMG-Header A 716, 730 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-EDMG modulation. EDMG-STF 718, 732, padding fields 722, 736, and TRN subfields 738, 740, 742, 744 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulation. STA Sync1 720 and STA Sync2 734 are also EDMG modulated.

[0086] According to an embodiment, Figure 7 A potential advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the MU EDMG A-PPDU format does not include EDMG-CEF and a data field, allowing for more efficient sensing applications where the data field typically only includes virtual bits. The EDMG-CEF field can also be removed from the PPDU, as it is used to detect data within the data field.

[0087] According to the embodiments, reference is also made to Figure 8 L-STF 810, 824, L-CEF 812, 826, L-Header 814, 828, and EDMG-Header A 816, 830 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-EDMG modulation. EDMG-STF 820, 834 and TRN subfields 838, 840, 842, 844 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulation. STA Sync1 818 and STA Sync2 832 are pre-EDMG modulated. Padding fields 822 and 836 are EDMG modulated. Note that in Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, when with Figure 7 Compared to the illustrated embodiment, the STA Sync1 818 and STA Sync2 832 fields have been moved to be closer to their respective EDMG-Header A fields 816 and 830, respectively.

[0088] According to an embodiment, Figure 8 The potential benefits of the MU EDMG A-PPDU format shown can be considered at least similar to those elsewhere in this paper, such as those concerning... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The benefits presented by the PPDU format discussed.

[0089] According to an embodiment, STA Sync i includes orthogonal sequences specifically allocated for STA i. For example, a set of orthogonal sequences is a sequence with good autocorrelation and orthogonal pairwise cross-correlation properties. In some embodiments, for the sake of delay implementation in EDMG-Header-A decoding, another sequence may be allocated temporally before the orthogonal sequences.

[0090] According to embodiments, each EDMG-Header-A field of a specific STA includes an indicator bit for indicating the MU EDMG A-PPDU. In some embodiments, by taking into account the removal of the EDMG-CEF, the PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field defined in the EDMG-Header-A of a specific STA can indicate the length of the STA-Sync+ padding field of the corresponding STA in the MU EDMG A-PPDU. In some embodiments, a length field and a training length field can be defined in the L-Header, and the length field and the training length field can be set to estimate the duration of the entire PPDU.

[0091] According to an embodiment, a method is provided including generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) by a device. The PPDU includes a first continuous portion and a second continuous portion. The first continuous portion includes a first continuous sub-part, which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF), a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), a first legacy header (L-Header), and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first continuous portion also includes a second continuous sub-part and a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA), the second continuous sub-part including the first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF). The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuous portion also includes a fourth continuous sub-portion, which includes the second EDMG-STF and a second synchronization field specific to the second station (STA). The method further includes transmitting a PPDU by the device, wherein the first continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the first STA, and the second continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the second STA. The first and third continuous sub-portions are modulated using a conventional pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuous sub-portions are modulated using an EDMG modulation format. Additionally, the first synchronization field is included in the first continuous sub-portion, and the second synchronization field is included in the third continuous sub-portion; or the first synchronization field is included in the second continuous sub-portion, and the second synchronization field is included in the fourth continuous sub-portion.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the second consecutive sub-part includes a first padding field, and / or the fourth consecutive sub-part includes a second padding field. According to an embodiment, the PPDU also includes a first one or more training sub-fields transmitted toward a first STA and a second one or more training sub-fields transmitted toward a second STA.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the first synchronization subfield includes a first sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the first sequence being assigned to a first STA; and / or the second synchronization subfield includes a second sequence selected from the set of orthogonal sequences, the second sequence being assigned to a second STA. According to an embodiment, the first synchronization subfield further includes another first sequence allocated temporally prior to the first orthogonal sequence to facilitate a delay in the decoding of the first EDMG-Header-A; and / or the second synchronization subfield further includes another second sequence allocated temporally prior to the second orthogonal sequence to facilitate a delay in the decoding of the second EDMG-Header-A.

[0094] Figure 9 This is an illustration of a MU EDMG A-PPDU format with data fields according to an embodiment. Figure 10 This is an illustration of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format without a data field according to an embodiment. The PPDU format includes a first continuous portion, which includes a first continuous sub-part, which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF) 910, 1010, a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF) 912, 1012, a first legacy header field (L-Header) 914, 1014, and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A field (EDMG-Header-A) 916, 1016. The first continuous portion also includes a second continuous sub-part, which includes the first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF) 918, 1018 and the EDMG channel estimation field 1 (EDMG-CEF1) 920, 1020. For Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the first continuous portion further includes a first data portion field 922. For Figure 10In the illustrated embodiment, the first continuous portion further includes a padding field 1022. The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes second L-STF 924, 1024, second L-CEF 926, 1026, second L-Header 928, 1028, and second EDMG-Header-A 930, 1030. The second continuous portion also includes a fourth continuous sub-portion, which includes second EDMG-STF 932, 1032, and EDMG-CEF2 934, 1034. For Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, the second continuous portion further includes a second data portion field 936. For Figure 10 In the embodiment shown, the second continuous portion also includes a padding field 1036.

[0095] In some embodiments, the PPDU further includes first one or more training subfields 940, 942, 1038, 1040 transmitted toward a first STA and second one or more training subfields 944, 1042 transmitted toward a second STA. For Figure 9 In the embodiment shown, the second continuous portion also includes a padding field 938 that is oriented toward the first STA.

[0096] According to the embodiments, reference is also made to Figure 9 and Figure 10 L-STF 910, 924, 1010, 1024, L-CEF 912, 926, 1012, 1026, L-Header 914, 928, 1014, 1028, and EDMG-Header A 916, 930, 1016, 1030 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-EDMG modulation is performed. EDMG-STF 918, 932, 1018, 1032, EDMG-CEF1 920, 1020, EDMG-CEF2 934, 1034, and TRN subfields 940, 942, 944, 946, 1038, 1040, 1042, 1044 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulation is performed. (See reference...) Figure 9 Data fields 922 and 936, and padding field 938 are also defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulation is performed. (See reference...) Figure 10 The padding fields 1022 and 1036 are also defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulation is performed.

[0097] According to an embodiment, EDMG-CEF i is one of the EDMG-CEFs specified in the EDMG and specifically assigned to STA i. For example, refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 EDMG-CEF1 is associated with STA1, while EDMG-CEF2 is associated with STA2. It should be noted that EDMG-CEF i and EDMG-CEF j can be selected from a set of EDMG-CEFs specified in the EDMG, where the sequences have good autocorrelation properties and can be orthogonal in terms of cross-correlation.

[0098] According to an embodiment, each EDMG-Header-A field of a specific STA includes an indicator bit for indicating the MU EDMG A-PPDU. In some embodiments, the PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field defined in the EDMG-Header-A of a specific STA can indicate the data field (in... Figure 9 In the case of) or the length of the padding field, taking into account the EDMG-CEF field of the same STA in the MU EDMG A-PPDU (in Figure 10 Removal (in the case of...). In some embodiments, a length field and a training length field can be defined in the L-Header, and the length field and the training length field can be set to estimate the duration of the entire PPDU.

[0099] According to an embodiment, Figure 9 and Figure 10 A potential advantage of the illustrated embodiment is that the Sync field associated with STA i can be replaced with EDMG-CEF i. The reception process associated with EDMG-CEF in the EDMG can be reused.

[0100] According to an embodiment, a method is provided including generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) by a device. The PPDU includes a first continuous portion and a second continuous portion. The first continuous portion includes a first continuous sub-part comprising a first legacy short training field (L-STF), a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), a first legacy header (L-Header), and a first enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first continuous portion further includes a second continuous sub-part comprising a first EDMG short training field (EDMG-STF) and a first EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), wherein the first EDMG-CEF is specific to a first station (STA). The second continuous portion includes a third continuous sub-portion, which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuous portion also includes a fourth continuous sub-portion, which includes a second EDMG-STF and a second EDMG-CEF different from the first EDMG-CEF, wherein the second EDMG-CEF is specific to the second station (STA). The method also includes transmitting a PPDU by the equipment, wherein the first continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the first STA, and the second continuous portion is transmitted oriented toward the second STA. The first and third continuous sub-portions are modulated using a conventional pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuous sub-portions are modulated using an EDMG modulation format.

[0101] According to some embodiments, the PPDU also includes a padding field modulated using EDMG format and located after the second consecutive portion, the padding field being transmitted oriented toward the first STA. According to embodiments, the second consecutive sub-portion includes a first data portion, and / or a fourth consecutive sub-portion includes a second data portion. In some embodiments, the second consecutive sub-portion includes the first padding field, and / or the fourth consecutive sub-portion includes the second padding field.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first EDMG-CEF includes a first orthogonal sequence selected from a set of EDMG-CEFs assigned to the first STA, and / or the second EDMG-CEF includes a second orthogonal sequence selected from the same set of EDMG-CEFs assigned to the second STA. In some embodiments, the first EDMG-CEF, the second EDMG-CEF, or both are also used to facilitate channel estimation.

[0103] According to various embodiments, one or more setup operations may be performed prior to the transmission of one of the aforementioned PPDUs. Setup operations may involve discovering or transmitting the device's MU EDMG A-PPDU capability. Setup operations may also involve assigning Sync or EDMG-CEF field content to a device (STA).

[0104] In some such embodiments, device capabilities, such as MU EDMG A-PPDU capabilities, are exchanged via EDMG capability elements carried in frames such as IEEE 802.11 beacon frames, probe request frames, or probe response frames. The exchange may involve one-way, two-way, or multi-way information exchange between two or more devices.

[0105] Accordingly, embodiments may involve: communicating between devices (e.g., APs, STAs, or combinations thereof) to determine multi-user (MU), enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG), and aggregated PHY protocol data unit (A-PPDU) capabilities; and generating PPDUs based on the determined MU A-PPDU capabilities, such as as described elsewhere herein. PPDUs can be used for multi-base sensing.

[0106] As in other parts of this article, for example, regarding Figure 7 and Figure 8 As described above, a PPDU may include one, two, or more synchronization fields (720, 734, 818, 832) specific to different STAs. Also, as elsewhere in this document, for example, regarding... Figure 9 and Figure 10The PPDU may include one, two, or more STA-specific EDMG-CEF fields (920, 932, 1020, 1032). These fields can be used for pre-existing synchronization or channel estimation purposes, as well as for additional identification purposes. Identification purposes may involve identifying a portion of the PPDU associated with a field that is expected to be received by a specific STA. If a field includes a value specific to a given STA (via pre-assignment), the given STA (or another device with the information) can conclude, after reading the value, that the associated portion of the PPDU is expected to be received by the given STA. Notably, the orthogonality of the values ​​can be used to facilitate such identification. The embodiments described herein may involve necessary pre-assignment via pre-communication and configuration to support such identification functionality.

[0107] Therefore, in the embodiment, before the sensing measurement phase of sending the associated MU EDMG A-PPDU, during the association or sensing measurement setup phase, the Sync i or EDMG-CEF i value is negotiated between the initiator and the responder STA i and assigned to the responder STA i.

[0108] More specifically, in some embodiments, the PPDU will include at least one SYNC field, at least one EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), or both. Such fields are specific to the STA to which the at least one SYNC field, at least one EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), or both are directed. The fields can be used for identification purposes of the receiving STA. In such embodiments, a setup operation can occur when communication is being conducted between devices to exchange device capabilities, or at a subsequent time before the PPDU is sent. During the setup operation, a value is determined for each associated SYNC.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the method further includes determining a value for each associated SYNC field, EDMG-CEF, or both, during the communication between two or more devices, or at a subsequent time before the generation of the PPDU. For example, the value may be determined during an association or sensing measurement setup phase. These determined values, when used in the PPDU, make the SYNC field or EDMG-CEF, or both, specific to the associated STA. Accordingly, devices such as potential transmitters (e.g., APs) and potential receivers (e.g., STAs) of the PPDU may be pre-configured with one or more specific values ​​identifying a particular STA, and these values ​​may be used in the aforementioned fields to identify a portion of the PPDU intended for a particular STA.

[0110] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to PPDUs, for example... Figure 4 and Figure 11 The multi-base sensing probe PPDU is shown. Specifically, certain fields of such a PPDU are configured to indicate certain lengths, as described below. It should be noted that... Figure 4 The PPDU in the document does not include data fields, while Figure 11 The PPDU in the document includes a data field. In various embodiments, such as when the PPDU is used for multistatic sensing (detection) and data is not required, a data field may be omitted. For example, a data field may be included when the PPDU is used for multistatic sensing or other purposes. For instance, a reconfigured multistatic sensing PPDU without the currently described feature is described in IEEE 802.11-22 / 781r2, Changes in EDMG Multistatic PPDU.

[0111] According to such an embodiment, the length of the data field (if present) and the length of the synchronization (SYNC) field of the PPDU can be indicated using the PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field present in the EDMG-Header A of the PPDU. The length of the synchronization pad (SYNC Pad) field can also be included in this indication.

[0112] In various such embodiments, for a given STA, the PSDU length field defined in EDMG-Header-A as defined in standards such as IEEE 802.11ay can indicate the total length (as a sum) of the data, Sync, and Sync Pad fields. The actual PSDU length value of the PSDU data can be calculated from the value specified in the PSDU length field and should be non-negative.

[0113] Accordingly, and referring to Figure 11 When the PPDU includes data field 1122, the PSDU field of EDMG-Header-A 1116 can be set to specify the following total length: data field 1122, plus one or more SYNC fields 1124, 1126, 1128, plus SYNC Pad field 1130.

[0114] Similarly, and referring to Figure 4When the PPDU excludes (does not include) data fields, the PSDU field of EDMG-Header-A 416 can be set to specify the following total length: one or more SYNC fields 420, 422, 424, plus the SYNC Pad field 426.

[0115] It should be noted that, in the PDT EDMG multibase PPDU structure, as referenced in IEEE 802.11-22 / 0464r6, the "PSDU length" field defined in the EDMG-Header-A of a specific STA can indicate the length of the Sync+Sync Pad field, taking into account the removal of the EDMG-CEF field. In the EDMG, the EDMG-CEF appears, followed by the data fields. The PSDU length indicates the length of the field located after the EDMG-CEF and before the TRN field. In an embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, EDMG-CEF is removed, and therefore, in this embodiment, the length of the field (Sync+Sync Pad) is equal to the length of EDMG-CEF+PSDU.

[0116] In some other embodiments, the length field defined in the L-Header (e.g., 414 or 1114) and the training length field can be used to indicate the total PPDU duration.

[0117] As described elsewhere, a PPDU can be sent such that at least two distinct parts are directed toward at least two distinct corresponding STAs.

[0118] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 1200 according to different embodiments of the present disclosure, which can perform any or all of the methods and features described herein, whether explicitly or implicitly. For example, a computer equipped with network capabilities may be configured as electronic device 1200. In some embodiments, electronic device 1200 may be a user equipment (UE), AP, STA, etc., as understood by those skilled in the art. An AP (or STA) may be operable to transmit or receive PPDUs as described herein, for example, to support multi-base sensing.

[0119] As shown in the figure, electronic device 1200 may include processor 1210, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a dedicated processor, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or other such processor unit; memory 1220; non-transitory mass storage device 1230; input-output interface 1240; network interface 1250; and transceiver 1260, all of which are communicatively coupled via bidirectional bus 1270. According to some embodiments, any or all of the described elements may be used, or only a subset of those elements. Furthermore, electronic device 1200 may include multiple instances of certain elements, such as multiple processors, memories, or transceivers. Additionally, elements of the hardware device may be directly coupled to other elements without a bidirectional bus. Other electronic devices, such as integrated circuits, may be employed to perform the required logical operations, in addition to or in place of processors and memory.

[0120] Memory 1220 may include any type of non-transitory memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or any combination thereof. Mass storage element 1230 may include any type of non-transitory storage device, such as a solid-state drive, hard disk drive, disk drive, optical disk drive, USB drive, or any computer program product configured to store data and machine-executable program code. According to some embodiments, memory 1220 or mass storage device 1230 may have statements and instructions recorded thereon that can be executed by processor 1210 to perform any of the above-described methods.

[0121] Embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented using electronic hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, this disclosure is implemented by one or more computer processors that execute program instructions stored in memory. In some embodiments, this disclosure is implemented in part or in whole in hardware, for example using one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to rapidly perform processing operations.

[0122] It will be understood that although specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the technology. In particular, computer program products, program elements, program storage devices, or memory devices, such as magnetic wires, magnetic tapes, or disks, or light rays, optical tapes, or optical discs, are provided within the scope of the technology for storing machine-readable signals, for controlling the operation of a computer according to the methods of the present technology, and / or for constructing some or all of their components according to the systems of the present technology.

[0123] The actions associated with the methods described herein can be implemented as coded instructions in a computer program product. In other words, a computer program product is a computer-readable medium in which software code is recorded to execute the method when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on the microprocessor of a wireless communication device.

[0124] Furthermore, each operation of the method can be executed in any computing device (e.g., personal computer, server, personal digital assistant, etc.) based on one or more program elements, modules, or objects generated from any programming language (e.g., C++, Java, etc.). Additionally, each operation, or the file or object implementing each operation, can be executed by dedicated hardware or a circuit module designed for this purpose.

[0125] Based on the description of the above embodiments, this disclosure can be implemented using only hardware, or it can be implemented using software and necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product. The software product can be stored in a non-volatile or non-transitory storage medium, such as a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), USB, flash drive, or removable hard disk. The software product includes instructions that enable a computer device (personal computer, server, or network device) to perform the methods provided in the embodiments of the present invention. For example, such performance may correspond to the simulation of the logical operations described herein. According to embodiments of this disclosure, additionally or alternatively, the software product may include instructions that enable a computer device to perform operations for configuring or programming digital logic devices.

[0126] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations thereof can be made without departing from the invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded merely as an illustration of the invention as defined in the appended claims and are intended to cover any modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The device generates a Physical Layer PHY Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) for multi-static sensing. The PPDU includes one or more SYNC fields and a SYNC Pad field. The PPDU also includes a data field. In Enhanced Directed Multi-Gigabit (EDMG-Header-A), a PHY Service Data Unit (PSDU) length field is set to specify the total length of the data field plus each of the one or more SYNC fields plus the SYNC Pad field. The PSDU length field indicates the length of the data field, the length of the SYNC field, and the length of the SYNC Pad field of the PPDU. The device sends the PPDU.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the PSDU data is calculated based on the content of the PSDU length field in the EDMG-Header-A.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The PPDU also includes a training length field and a length field within the conventional header L-Header of the PPDU. The length field is set to specify the total length of all fields of the PPDU from the EDMG-Header-A to the SYNC Pad field, including the EDMG-Header-A and the SYNC Pad field. The length field and the training length field are set to estimate the duration of the entire PPDU.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The PPDU is an aggregated multi-user PPDU.

5. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor of a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A wireless communication device, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one machine-readable medium storing executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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