SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACCOMMODATING FLEXIBILITY IN SENSING TRANSMISSIONS - Patent application

Abstract

A system and method are provided for accommodating flexibility in sensing transmission. The Wi-Fi sensing system includes a sensing device and a remote device configured to communicate via radio frequency signals. Initially, the sensing device transmits a sensing configuration message to the remote device. The sensing device receives a sensing configuration response message in response to the sensing configuration message. In one example, the sensing configuration response message may include a transmission capability indicator associated with the remote device. The transmission capability indicator includes a flexibility indicator that the remote device supports flexibility.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for Wi-Fi sensing. In particular, the present disclosure relates to configuring a Wi-Fi system and method to accommodate flexibility in sensing transmission during Wi-Fi sensing. [Background technology]

[0002] Motion detection systems are used, for example, to detect the movement of objects within a room or an outdoor area. In some exemplary motion detection systems, infrared or optical sensors are used to detect the movement of objects within the field of view of the sensor. Motion detection systems are used in security systems, automatic control systems, and other types of systems.

[0003] A Wi-Fi sensing system is one of the recent additions to motion detection systems. A Wi-Fi sensing system may include a sensing device and a remote device. According to an example, the sensing device may initiate a wireless local area network (WLAN) sensing session, and the remote device may join the WLAN sensing session initiated by the sensing device. The WLAN sensing session may refer to a period during which objects in a physical space may be probed, detected, and / or characterized. In an example, during the WLAN sensing session, the sensing device may communicate a requested transmission configuration to the remote device. The requested transmission configuration may describe requirements for Wi-Fi sensing. To provide the requirements for Wi-Fi sensing, a sensing transmission from the remote device requires that the provided transmission configuration matches the requested transmission configuration (i.e., the remote device must always accommodate all aspects of the requested sensing configuration when making a sensing transmission, regardless of whether the sensing transmission is combined with any existing data transmission).

[0004] In certain scenarios, the requested transmission configuration may be incompatible with an already scheduled non-sensing message. For example, if the minimum required data transmission configuration and the requested transmission configuration for a sensing transmission are incompatible, these two transmissions may not be aggregated, and the existing data transmission is sent and followed at the next opportunity by a dedicated sensing transmission made according to the requested sensing configuration. Lack of frame aggregation may result in inefficient channel bandwidth. Also, it may not be possible to send the transmission configuration from the remote device at the time expected by the sensing device, which may result in measurement time jitter. Summary of the Invention

[0005] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for Wi-Fi sensing, and more particularly to configuring Wi-Fi systems and methods to accommodate flexibility in sensing transmission during Wi-Fi sensing.

[0006] A system and method for Wi-Fi sensing is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method configured for Wi-Fi sensing is described. The method is performed by a sensing initiator device including at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna. The method includes transmitting a sensing measurement setup request message via the at least one transmit antenna, the sensing measurement setup request message including a requested sensing measurement parameter element, and receiving a sensing measurement setup response message via the at least one receive antenna. In one embodiment, the sensing measurement setup response message includes one or more of a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device and the delivered sensing measurement parameter element.

[0007] In some implementations, the requested sensing measurement parameters element includes a number of requested transmission parameters to be used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

[0008] In some implementations, the requested sensing measurement parameters element includes multiple fields that indicate that each transmission parameter of the multiple requested transmission parameters may be adjusted.

[0009] In some implementations, the multiple requested transmission parameters include one or more of a frequency band parameter, a bandwidth parameter, a channel parameter, a training field parameter, an index identifying a predefined steering matrix configuration, and a steering matrix configuration.

[0010] In some implementations, the distributed sensing measurement parameters element includes a number of distributed transmission parameters used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

[0011] In some implementations, the distributed sensing measurement parameters element includes a number of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the multiple distributed transmission parameters is adjusted.

[0012] In some implementations, the plurality of distributed transmission parameters include one or more of a frequency band parameter, a bandwidth parameter, a channel parameter, a training field parameter, a timing configuration, an index identifying a predefined steering matrix configuration, and a steering matrix configuration.

[0013] In some implementations, the delivered sensing measurement parameter element is different from the requested sensing measurement parameter element.

[0014] In some implementations, one or more of the sensing measurement setup request message and the sensing measurement setup response message are implemented as an IEEE 802.11 action frame.

[0015] In another exemplary embodiment, a method configured for Wi-Fi sensing is described. The method is performed by a sensing responder device including at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna. The method includes transmitting a sensing measurement setup request message via the at least one receive antenna, the sensing measurement setup request message including a requested sensing measurement parameter element, and transmitting a sensing measurement setup response message via the at least one transmit antenna. In one embodiment, the sensing measurement setup response message includes one or more of a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device and the delivered sensing measurement parameter element.

[0016] In another embodiment, a system for Wi-Fi sensing is provided, which may include a sensing initiator device having at least one transmit antenna, at least one receive antenna, and at least one processor, the at least one processor configured to transmit, via the at least one transmit antenna, a sensing measurement setup request message, the sensing measurement setup request message including requested sensing measurement parameter elements, and receive, via the at least one receive antenna, a sensing measurement setup response message, the sensing measurement setup response message including one or more of a transmission capability indicator associated with a sensing responder device and the delivered sensing measurement parameter elements.

[0017] In another embodiment, a system for Wi-Fi sensing is provided that may include a sensing responder device having at least one receive antenna, at least one transmit antenna, and at least one processor configured to receive, via the at least one receive antenna, a sensing measurement setup request message, the sensing measurement setup request message including requested sensing measurement parameter elements, and transmit, via the at least one transmit antenna, a sensing measurement setup response message, the sensing measurement setup response message including one or more of a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device and the delivered sensing measurement parameter elements.

[0018] Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] The above and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent and be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system. [Figure 2A-2B] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary wireless signals communicated between wireless communication devices. [Figure 3A-3B] 2C is a plot illustrating an example of a channel response calculated from a wireless signal communicated between the wireless communication devices of FIGS. 2A and 2B. [Figure 4A-4B] 1A-1C illustrate example channel responses associated with the movement of objects in distinct regions of space. [Fig. 4C-4D] 4C is a plot illustrating the example channel responses of FIGS. 4A and 4B overlaid on an example channel response associated with no motion occurring in space. [Diagram 5] 1 depicts an implementation of some of the architectures of a system for Wi-Fi sensing, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a management frame carrying a message according to some embodiments. [Figure 7] 13 depicts a flowchart for receiving a sensing configuration response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with a remote device, according to some embodiments. [Figure 8] 1 depicts a flowchart for generating a sensing configuration message including a requested transmission configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 9] 13 depicts a flowchart for transmitting a sensing trigger message to a remote device according to some embodiments. [Figure 10] 13 depicts a flowchart for generating a sensing configuration message including multiple pre-defined steering matrix configurations in accordance with some embodiments. [Figure 11] 1 depicts a flowchart for receiving a sensing transmission including a distributed transmission configuration, according to some embodiments. [Figure 12] 1 depicts a flowchart for applying a timestamp to a sensing transmission, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] A Wi-Fi sensing system (also referred to as a wireless sensing system) can measure the environment by transmitting a signal to a remote device and analyzing the response received from the remote device. A Wi-Fi sensing system can perform repeated measurements to analyze the environment and its changes. A Wi-Fi sensing system benefits from having a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer entity that can work with existing communication components and can be used to coordinate airtime resource usage among multiple devices based on a defined protocol.

[0022] One of the relevant standardization goals of Wi-Fi sensing systems is to reduce additional overhead on existing Wi-Fi networks so that overlaying Wi-Fi sensing capabilities on 802.11 networks does not impair the communication capabilities of the network. Currently, there is no known MAC protocol specifically defined for sensing in Wi-Fi sensing systems. One aspect of sensing in Wi-Fi sensing systems is the request for sensing transmissions from remote devices. Improvements to the MAC layer to enable the request for sensing transmissions from remote devices with characteristics optimized to enable the Wi-Fi sensing agent to detect presence, location, and motion can have a significant impact on existing system performance. In particular, a request or request for a remote device transmission (or sensing transmission) optimized for sensing can affect the uplink scheduler of the remote device. There are existing mechanisms for requesting or requesting a remote device to transmit a sensing transmission. However, such mechanisms were designed for different purposes. As a result, these mechanisms are not efficient, do not provide flexibility in control, and are not universally consistent between different vendors' implementations. Additionally, a channel sounding protocol may be considered to support Wi-Fi sensing, however, the channel sounding protocol is currently not flexible enough to support Wi-Fi sensing.

[0023] Protocols for Wi-Fi systems are designed with decisions made based on data transfer mechanisms versus sensing requirements. As a result, Wi-Fi sensing aspects are often not developed within typical Wi-Fi systems. With regard to antenna beamforming in Wi-Fi systems, digital signal processing directs high antenna gain beams toward transmitters or receivers for optimal data transfer purposes, but the resulting antenna patterns may not support or enhance sensing requirements.

[0024] In some aspects of what is described herein, the wireless sensing system may be used for various wireless sensing applications by processing wireless signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) transmitted through space between wireless communication devices. Exemplary wireless sensing applications include motion detection, which may include detection of object movement in space, motion tracking, respiration detection, respiration monitoring, presence detection, gesture detection, gesture recognition, human detection (moving human detection and stationary human detection), human tracking, fall detection, speed estimation, intrusion detection, walking detection, step counting, respiration rate detection, apnea estimation, posture change detection, activity recognition, gait rate classification, gesture decoding, sign language recognition, hand tracking, heart rate estimation, respiration rate estimation, room occupancy detection, human dynamics monitoring, and other types of motion detection applications. Other examples of wireless sensing applications include object recognition, speech recognition, keystroke detection and recognition, tamper detection, touch detection, attack detection, user authentication, driver fatigue detection, traffic monitoring, smoking detection, school violence detection, human counting, human recognition, bicycle localization, human cue estimation, Wi-Fi imaging, and other types of wireless sensing applications. For example, the wireless sensing system may operate as a motion detection system to detect the presence and location of motion based on Wi-Fi signals or other types of wireless signals. As described in more detail below, the wireless sensing system may be configured to control measurement rates, wireless connections, and device participation, for example, to improve system operation or achieve other technical advantages. The system improvements and technical advantages achieved when the wireless sensing system is used for motion detection are also achieved in examples where the wireless sensing system is used for another type of wireless sensing application.

[0025] In some exemplary wireless sensing systems, the wireless signal includes components (e.g., a synchronization preamble in a Wi-Fi PHY frame, or another type of component) that the wireless device can use to estimate the channel response or other channel information, and the wireless sensing system can detect motion (or another characteristic depending on the wireless sensing application) by analyzing changes in the collected channel information over time. In some examples, the wireless sensing system can operate similarly to a bistatic radar system, where a Wi-Fi access point (AP) plays the role of a receiver and each Wi-Fi device (station, node, or peer) connected to the AP plays the role of a transmitter. The wireless sensing system can trigger the connected devices to generate transmissions and generate channel response measurements at the receiver devices. This triggering process can be repeated periodically to obtain a series of time-varying measurements. The wireless sensing algorithm can then receive as input the time series of generated channel response measurements (e.g., calculated by the Wi-Fi receiver) and can then make a decision through a correlation or filtering process (e.g., determine whether there is motion or no motion in the environment represented by the channel response, e.g., based on changes or patterns in the channel estimates). In examples where a wireless sensing system detects motion, it may also be possible to identify the location of the motion within the environment based on motion detection results among multiple wireless devices.

[0026] Thus, wireless signals received at each of the wireless communication devices in a wireless communication network may be analyzed to determine channel information for various communication links (between respective pairs of wireless communication devices) in the network. The channel information may represent a physical medium that applies a transfer function to the wireless signals traversing the space. In some cases, the channel information includes a channel response. The channel response may characterize a physical communication path, e.g., representing the combined effects of scattering, fading, and power attenuation in the space between a transmitter and a receiver. In some cases, the channel information includes beamforming state information (e.g., feedback matrix, steering matrix, channel state information (CSI), etc.) provided by a beamforming system. Beamforming is a signal processing technique often used in multi-antenna (multiple-input / multiple-output (MIMO)) wireless systems for directional signal transmission or reception. Beamforming may be achieved by operating elements in an antenna array such that signals at certain angles experience constructive interference and other signals experience destructive interference.

[0027] The channel information for each of the communication links may be analyzed (e.g., by a hub device or other device in the wireless communication network, or a remote device communicatively coupled to the network) to, for example, detect whether motion has occurred within the space, determine the relative location of the detected motion, or both. In some aspects, the channel information for each of the communication links may be analyzed to detect, for example, if no motion is detected within the space, whether an object is present or absent.

[0028] In some cases, the wireless sensing system may control the node measurement rate. For example, a Wi-Fi motion system may configure a variable measurement rate (e.g., channel estimation / environment measurement / sampling rate) based on criteria provided by the current wireless sensing application (e.g., motion detection). In some implementations, for example, if no motion is present or detected for a period of time, the wireless sensing system may reduce the rate at which the environment is measured so that connected devices are triggered less frequently. In some implementations, for example, when motion is present, the wireless sensing system may increase the trigger rate to generate a time series of measurements with finer time resolution. Controlling the variable measurement rate may enable energy savings (through device triggering), reduce processing (less data to correlate or filter), and improve resolution during a specified time.

[0029] In some cases, the wireless sensing system may implement band steering or client steering of nodes across a wireless network, for example, in a Wi-Fi multi-AP or extended service set (ESS) topology, multiple cooperating wireless access points (APs) each occupy a different frequency band and provide a basic service set (BSS) that may enable devices to transparently move from one participating AP to another (e.g., mesh). For example, in a home mesh network, a Wi-Fi device may connect to any of the APs, but typically selects the one with good signal strength. The coverage footprints of mesh APs are generally overlapping, often placing each device within range or more than one AP. If an AP supports multi-band (e.g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), the wireless sensing system may instruct the device to remain connected to the same physical AP, but to use different frequency bands to obtain more diverse information to help improve the accuracy or results of wireless sensing algorithms (e.g., motion detection algorithms). In some implementations, the wireless sensing system may change the device from being connected to one mesh AP to being connected to another mesh AP. Such device steering can be performed, for example, during wireless sensing (e.g., motion detection) based on criteria detected in a particular area to improve detection coverage or to better localize motion within the area.

[0030] In some cases, beamforming may be performed between wireless communication devices based on some knowledge of the communication channel (e.g., through feedback properties generated by the receiver), which may be used to generate one or more steering properties (e.g., steering matrices) that are applied by the transmitter device to shape the transmission beam / signal in one or more specific directions. Thus, changes in the steering or feedback properties used in the beamforming process are indicative of changes that may be caused by a moving object in the space accessed by the wireless communication system. For example, movement may be detected by a substantial change in the communication channel, as indicated by, for example, the channel response, or steering or feedback properties, or any combination thereof, over a period of time.

[0031] In some implementations, for example, a steering matrix may be generated in a transmitter device (beamformer) based on a feedback matrix provided by a receiver device (beamformee) based on channel sounding. Because the steering matrix and feedback matrix are related to the propagation characteristics of the channel, these matrices change as an object moves in the channel. Thus, changes in channel characteristics are reflected in these matrices, and by analyzing the matrices, motion can be detected and different characteristics of the detected motion can be determined. In some implementations, a spatial map may be generated based on one or more beamforming matrices. The spatial map may indicate a general direction of an object in space relative to the wireless communication device. In some cases, many beamforming matrices (e.g., feedback matrices or steering matrices) may be generated to represent multiple directions in which an object may be located relative to the wireless communication device. These many beamforming matrices may be used to generate a spatial map. The spatial map may be used to detect the presence of motion in space or to detect the location of the detected motion.

[0032] In some cases, the motion detection system may control a variable device measurement rate in the motion detection process. For example, a feedback control system for a multi-node wireless motion detection system may adaptively change the sample rate based on environmental conditions. In some cases, such control may improve the operation of the motion detection system or provide other technical advantages. For example, the measurement rate may be controlled in a manner that optimizes or otherwise improves airtime usage versus detection capability suitable for a wide range of different environments and different motion detection applications. The measurement rate may be controlled to reduce redundant measurement data processed, thereby reducing processor load / power requirements. In some cases, the measurement rate is controlled to be adaptive, e.g., adaptive samples may be controlled individually for each participating device. The adaptive sample rate may be used in conjunction with tuning control loops for different use cases or device characteristics.

[0033] In some cases, the wireless sensing system may allow devices to dynamically indicate and communicate their wireless sensing capabilities or willingness to the wireless sensing system. For example, a device may not want to be periodically interrupted or triggered to transmit wireless signals that enable an AP to generate channel measurements. For example, if a device is asleep, waking the device frequently to transmit or receive wireless sensing signals may consume resources (e.g., drain a cell phone battery faster). These and other events may cause a device to be willing or unwilling to participate in the operation of the wireless sensing system. In some cases, a cell phone running on its battery may not want to participate, but may be willing to participate when the cell phone is plugged into a charger. Thus, if the cell phone is unplugged, it may indicate to the wireless sensing system to exclude the cell phone from participating, whereas if the cell phone is plugged in, it may indicate to the wireless sensing system to include the cell phone in the operation of the wireless sensing system. In some cases, if a device is under load (e.g., a device streaming audio or video) or is in the middle of performing a primary function, the device may not want to participate; if the load on that same device is reduced and participating would not interfere with the primary function, the device can indicate to the wireless sensing system that it is willing to participate.

[0034] An exemplary wireless sensing system is described below in the context of motion detection (detection of object movement in space, motion tracking, respiration detection, respiration monitoring, presence detection, gesture detection, gesture recognition, human detection (moving human detection and stationary human detection), human tracking, fall detection, speed estimation, intrusion detection, walking detection, step counting, respiration rate detection, apnea estimation, posture change detection, activity recognition, gait rate classification, gesture decoding, sign language recognition, hand tracking, heart rate estimation, respiration rate estimation, room occupancy detection, human dynamics monitoring, and other types of motion detection applications). However, the operation, system improvements, and technical advantages achieved when the wireless sensing system is operating as a motion detection system are also applicable in examples where the wireless sensing system is used for another type of wireless sensing application.

[0035] As disclosed in the embodiments herein, a wireless local area network (WLAN) sensing procedure allows a station (STA) to perform WLAN sensing. The WLAN sensing may include a WLAN sensing session. In examples, the WLAN sensing procedure, the WLAN sensing, and the WLAN sensing session may be referred to as a wireless sensing procedure, a wireless sensing, and a wireless sensing session, a Wi-Fi sensing procedure, a Wi-Fi sensing, and a Wi-Fi sensing session, or a sensing procedure, a sensing, and a sensing session.

[0036] WLAN sensing is a service that allows a STA to obtain sensing measurements of a channel between two or more STAs and / or a channel between a receiving antenna and a transmitting antenna of a STA or an access point (AP). A WLAN sensing procedure may consist of one or more of sensing session setup, sensing measurement setup, sensing measurement instance, sensing measurement setup termination, and sensing session termination.

[0037] In the examples disclosed herein, the sensing session setup and the sensing measurement setup may be referred to as sensing configuration and may be accomplished by a sensing configuration message and may be confirmed by a sensing configuration response message. A sensing measurement instance may be an individual sensing measurement and may be derived from a sensing transmission. In the examples, the sensing configuration message may be referred to as a sensing measurement setup request and the sensing configuration response message may be referred to as a sensing measurement setup response.

[0038] A WLAN sensing procedure may include multiple sensing measurement instances, which in examples may be referred to as a measurement campaign.

[0039] A sensing initiator may refer to a STA or AP that initiates a WLAN sensing procedure. A sensing responder may refer to a STA or AP that participates in a WLAN sensing procedure initiated by a sensing initiator. A sensing transmitter may refer to a STA or AP that transmits a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) used for sensing measurements in a WLAN sensing procedure. A sensing receiver may refer to a STA or AP that receives a PPDU transmitted by a sensing transmitter and performs sensing measurements in a WLAN sensing procedure.

[0040] In an example, a PPDU used for sensing measurements may be referred to as a sensing transmission.

[0041] A STA acting as a sensing initiator can participate in a sensing measurement instance as a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, both a sensing transmitter and a sensing receiver, or neither a sensing transmitter nor a sensing receiver. A STA acting as a sensing responder can participate in a sensing measurement instance as a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, and both a sensing transmitter and a sensing receiver.

[0042] In one example, the sensing initiator can be considered to control the WLAN sensing procedure or measurement campaign. The role of the sensing initiator may be taken over by the sensing device, a remote device, or a separate device that contains the sensing algorithm (e.g., a sensing algorithm manager).

[0043] In examples, the sensing transmitter may be referred to as a remote device and the sensing receiver may be referred to as a sensing device. In other examples, the sensing initiator may be a function of the sensing device or the remote device, and the sensing responder may be a function of the sensing device or the remote device.

[0044] IEEE P802.11-REVmd / D5.0 considers an STA to be a physical (PHY) and medium access controller (MAC) entity capable of supporting the features defined by the standard. A device that includes an STA may be referred to as a Wi-Fi device. A Wi-Fi device that manages a basic service set (BSS) (as defined by IEEE P802.11-REVmd / D5.0) may be referred to as an AP STA. A Wi-Fi device that is a client node in a BSS may be referred to as a non-AP STA. In some examples, an AP STA may be referred to as an AP and a non-AP STA may be referred to as an STA.

[0045] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, non-limiting definitions of one or more terms used herein are provided below.

[0046] The term "measurement campaign" may refer to a series of sensing transmissions in both directions between a sensing device (generally known as a wireless access point, Wi-Fi access point, access point, sensing initiator, or sensing receiver) and a remote device (generally known as a Wi-Fi device, sensing responder, or sensing transmitter) that allows a series of sensing measurements to be computed.

[0047] The term "message" may refer to any set of data transferred from a sensing device to a remote device (or vice versa) during a measurement campaign. A message may be carried in a frame, which may be a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) or an Aggregated MPDU (A-MPDU). A frame in the form of an MPDU or A-MPDU may be transferred from a sensing device to a remote device (or vice versa) as a sensing transmission. In one example, the transmission may be performed by the PHY layer and may be in the form of a PHY layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU).

[0048] The term "Null Data PPDU (NDP)" may refer to a PPDU that does not include a data field. In one example, an NDP may be used for sensing transmission if it is a MAC header that contains the required information.

[0049] The term "Quality of Service (QoS) Access Category" may refer to an identifier of a frame that classifies the transmission priority that the frame requires. In one example, four QoS access categories are defined: AC_VI: Video, AC_VO: Voice, AC_BE: Best Effort, and AC_BK: Background. Furthermore, each QoS access category may have different transmission opportunity parameters defined for it.

[0050] The term "Timing Synchronization Function (TSF)" may refer to a common timing reference within a set of associated stations, a BSS. In one example, the TSF may be kept synchronized by beacon messages transmitted from a shared access point of the BSS. In one example, the timing resolution of the TSF may be 1 millisecond.

[0051] The term "training field" may refer to a sequence of bits transmitted by a sensing device that is known by a remote device and used upon reception to measure the channel for purposes other than demodulating the data portion of the contained PPDU. In one example, the training field is included within the preamble of the transmitted PPDU. In some examples, future training fields may be defined within the preamble structure (cascading training fields with legacy support) or may replace existing training fields (non-legacy support).

[0052] The term "Transmission Opportunity (TXOP)" may refer to a time interval during which a sensing device or a remote device may have the right to initiate a frame exchange onto the wireless medium.

[0053] The term "transmit parameters" may refer to a set of IEEE 802.11 PHY transmitter configuration parameters that are defined as part of a transmit vector (TXVECTOR) corresponding to a particular PHY and are configurable for each PPDU transmission.

[0054] The term "requested transmission configuration" may refer to requested transmission parameters of a remote device to be used when sending a sensing transmission. In one example, the requested transmission configuration may include one or more components, such as IEEE 802.11 elements (IEEE P802.11-REVmd / D5.0, §9.4.2).

[0055] The term "distributed transmission configuration" may refer to transmission parameters applied by a remote device to a sensing transmission. In one example, the distributed transmission configuration may include transmission parameters supported by the remote device.

[0056] The term "sensing transmission" may refer to any transmission made from a remote device to a sensing device that may be used to make a sensing measurement. In one example, a sensing transmission may be referred to as a wireless sensing signal or a wireless signal.

[0057] The term "measurement time jitter" may refer to the inaccuracy introduced when the measurement time of a sensing measurement is either inaccurate or unavailable.

[0058] The term "non-sensing message" may refer to any message that is not related to Wi-Fi sensing. In one example, non-sensing messages may include data messages, management messages, and control messages.

[0059] The term "requested timing configuration" may refer to a set of timing requirements for sensing a transmission, for example, for a measurement campaign. In one example, the timing requirements may be periodic, semi-periodic, and once.

[0060] The term "sensing configuration message" may refer to a configuration message that may be used to pre-configure sensing transmissions from a remote device to a sensing device, for example, for a measurement campaign. In an example, the sensing configuration message may be referred to as a sensing measurement setup request.

[0061] The term "sensing configuration response message" may refer to a response message to a sensing configuration message that indicates which configuration options are supported by the remote device, e.g., the transmission capabilities of the remote device. In an example, the sensing configuration response message may be transmitted from a remote device to a sensing device in response to a sensing configuration message. In an example, the sensing configuration response message may be referred to as a sensing measurement setup response.

[0062] The term "sensing measurement" may refer to a measurement of the channel condition, i.e., a CSI measurement between a remote device and a sensing device derived from a sensing transmission. In one example, the sensing measurement may also be referred to as a channel response measurement.

[0063] The term "sensing response message" may refer to a message included in a sensing transmission from a remote device to a sensing device. In one example, a sensing transmission including a sensing response message may be used to perform a sensing measurement.

[0064] The term "sensing response announcement" may refer to a message included in a transmission from a remote device to a sensing device announcing that a sensing response NDP will follow after one short interframe space (SIFS). The duration of the SIFS may be, for example, 10 μs. In one example, the sensing response NDP may be transmitted using a requested transmission configuration. In an example, the term sensing response announcement may be referred to as a sensing NDP announcement or a sensing NDP announcement frame.

[0065] The term "steering matrix configuration" may refer to a matrix of complex values ​​that represent the real and complex phases required to precondition the antennas of a radio frequency (RF) transmit signal chain for each transmit signal. Application of the steering matrix configuration (e.g., by a spatial mapper) enables beamforming and beamsteering.

[0066] The term "spatial mapper" may refer to a signal processing element that adjusts the amplitude and phase of signals input to an RF transmit signal chain at a remote device. The spatial mapper may include elements for processing the signals to each RF transmit signal chain. The operations performed to adjust the amplitude and phase of the signals may be referred to as spatial mapping. The output of the spatial mapper is one or more spatial streams.

[0067] The term "sensing trigger message" may refer to a message sent from a sensing device to a remote device to trigger one or more sensing transmissions that may be used to perform a sensing measurement. In one example, the term sensing trigger message may be referred to as a sensing sounding trigger message or a sensing sounding trigger frame.

[0068] The term "transmission capability" may refer to one or more parameters that indicate the transmission capability of a remote device. For example, the transmission capability for a remote device may indicate the number of transmitting antennas in the remote device.

[0069] The term "broadcast message" may refer to a message transmitted by a sensing device to one or more remote devices associated with the sensing device. In one example, a broadcast message may be received and decoded by one or more remote devices.

[0070] The term "wireless local area network (WLAN) sensing session" may refer to a period of time during which objects in a physical space may be probed, detected, and / or characterized. In one example, during a WLAN sensing session, multiple devices participate, thereby contributing to the generation of sensing measurements.

[0071] In reading the following description of the various embodiments, the following description of the sections of this specification and their respective contents may be useful.

[0072] Section A describes wireless communication systems, wireless transmissions, and sensing measurements that may be useful in implementing the embodiments described herein.

[0073] Section B describes embodiments of systems and methods for Wi-Fi sensing. In particular, Section B describes Wi-Fi systems and methods for accommodating flexibility in sensing transmission during Wi-Fi sensing.

[0074] A. Wireless communication systems, wireless transmission, and sensing measurements 1 shows a wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 100 includes three wireless communication devices: a first wireless communication device 102A, a second wireless communication device 102B, and a third wireless communication device 102C. The wireless communication system 100 may include additional wireless communication devices and other components (e.g., additional wireless communication devices, one or more network servers, network routers, network switches, cables, or other communication links, etc.).

[0075] The wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C can operate in a wireless network, for example, according to a wireless network communication protocol or another type of wireless standard. For example, the wireless network can be configured to operate as a wireless local area network (WLAN), a personal area network (PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or another type of wireless network. Examples of WLANs include networks configured to operate according to one or more of the 802.11 family of standards developed by the IEEE (e.g., Wi-Fi networks), etc. Examples of PANs include networks that operate according to short-range communication standards (e.g., Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (NFC), ZigBee), millimeter wave communications, and others.

[0076] In some implementations, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be configured to communicate over a cellular network, for example, according to a cellular network standard. Examples of cellular networks include networks configured according to 2G standards such as Global System for Mobile (GSM) and Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or EGPRS, 3G standards such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), 4G standards such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5G standards, and others.

[0077] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be or may include standard wireless network components. For example, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be commercially available Wi-Fi access points or another type of wireless access point (WAP) that performs one or more operations described herein embedded as instructions (e.g., software or firmware) on the WAP's modem. In some cases, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be nodes of a wireless mesh network, such as, for example, a commercially available mesh network system (e.g., Plume Wi-Fi, Google Wi-Fi, Qualcomm Wi-Fi SoN, etc.). In some cases, another type of standard or conventional Wi-Fi transmitter device may be used. In some cases, one or more of the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be implemented as a WAP in the mesh network, while other wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C are implemented as leaf devices (e.g., mobile devices, smart devices, etc.) that access the mesh network through one of the WAPs. In some cases, one or more of the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C is a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet, a laptop computer, etc.), a wireless-enabled device (e.g., a smart thermostat, a Wi-Fi enabled camera, a smart TV), or another type of device that communicates in a wireless network.

[0078] The wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be implemented without a Wi-Fi component, e.g., other types of standard or non-standard wireless communications may be used for motion detection. In some cases, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be or may be part of a dedicated motion detection system. For example, a dedicated motion detection system may include a hub device and one or more beacon devices (as remote sensor devices), and the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C may be either a hub device or a beacon device in the motion detection system.

[0079] 1, the wireless communication device 102C includes a modem 112, a processor 114, a memory 116, and a power unit 118, and any of the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, 102C in the wireless communication system 100 may include the same, additional, or different components, and the components may be configured to operate as shown in FIG. 1 or in another manner. In some implementations, the modem 112, processor 114, memory 116, and power unit 118 of a wireless communication device are housed together in a common housing or other assembly. In some implementations, one or more of the components of a wireless communication device may be housed separately, for example, in a separate housing or other assembly.

[0080] The modem 112 can communicate (receive, transmit, or both) wireless signals. For example, the modem 112 can be configured to communicate radio frequency (RF) signals formatted according to a wireless communication standard (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). The modem 112 can be implemented as the exemplary wireless network modem 112 shown in FIG. 1 or can be implemented otherwise, e.g., with other types of components or subsystems. In some implementations, the modem 112 includes a radio subsystem and a baseband subsystem. In some cases, the baseband subsystem and the radio subsystem can be implemented on a common chip or chipset, or they can be implemented in a card or another type of assembled device. The baseband subsystem can be coupled to the radio subsystem, e.g., by leads, pins, wires, or other types of connections.

[0081] In some cases, the radio subsystem in the modem 112 may include one or more antennas and radio frequency circuitry. The radio frequency circuitry may include, for example, circuitry for filtering, amplifying, or otherwise conditioning analog signals, circuitry for upconverting baseband signals to RF signals, circuitry for downconverting RF signals to baseband signals, etc. Such circuitry may include, for example, filters, amplifiers, mixers, local oscillators, etc. The radio subsystem may be configured to communicate radio frequency wireless signals over a wireless communication channel. As an example, the radio subsystem may include a radio chip, an RF front end, and one or more antennas. The radio subsystem may include additional or different components. In some implementations, the radio subsystem may be or include radio electronics (e.g., RF front end, radio chip, or similar components) from a traditional modem, for example, a Wi-Fi modem, a pico base station modem, etc. In some implementations, the antenna includes multiple antennas.

[0082] In some cases, the baseband subsystem in the modem 112 may include digital electronics configured to process, for example, digital baseband data. As an example, the baseband subsystem may include a baseband chip. The baseband subsystem may include additional or different components. In some cases, the baseband subsystem may include a digital signal processor (DSP) device or another type of processor device. In some cases, the baseband system includes digital processing logic for operating the radio subsystem, communicating wireless network traffic via the radio subsystem, detecting motion based on motion detection signals received via the radio subsystem, or performing other types of processes. For example, the baseband subsystem may include one or more chips, chip sets, or other types of devices configured to encode signals, deliver the encoded signals to the radio subsystem for transmission, or identify and analyze encoded data in signals from the radio subsystem (e.g., by decoding the signals according to a wireless communication standard, by processing the signals according to a motion detection process, or otherwise).

[0083] In some cases, the radio subsystem in modem 112 receives baseband signals from the baseband subsystem, upconverts the baseband signals in frequency (radio frequency (RF) signals, and transmits the radio frequency signals wirelessly (e.g., through an antenna). In some cases, the radio subsystem in modem 112 receives radio frequency signals wirelessly (e.g., through an antenna), downconverts the radio frequency signals to baseband signals, and transmits the baseband signals to the baseband subsystem. Signals exchanged between the radio subsystem and the baseband subsystem may be digital signals or analog signals. In some examples, the baseband subsystem includes conversion circuitry (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters) and exchanges analog signals with the radio subsystem. In some examples, the radio subsystem includes conversion circuitry (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, analog-to-digital converters) and exchanges digital signals with the baseband subsystem.

[0084] In some cases, the baseband subsystem of the modem 112 can communicate wireless network traffic (e.g., data packets) in a wireless communication network through the radio subsystem over one or more network traffic channels. The baseband subsystem of the modem 112 can also transmit or receive (or both) signals (e.g., motion search signals or motion detection signals) through the radio subsystem over a dedicated wireless communication channel. In some cases, the baseband subsystem generates a motion search signal for transmission, for example, to search a space for motion. In some cases, the baseband subsystem processes a received motion detection signal (a signal based on the motion search signal transmitted through the space), for example, to detect the motion of an object in the space.

[0085] The processor 114 may execute instructions, for example, to generate output data based on data input. The instructions may include programs, codes, scripts, or other types of data stored in memory. Additionally or alternatively, the instructions may be encoded as preprogrammed or reprogrammable logic circuits, logic gates, or other types of hardware or firmware components. The processor 114 may be or include a general-purpose microprocessor, as a dedicated coprocessor or another type of data processing device. In some cases, the processor 114 performs high-level operations of the wireless communication device 102C. For example, the processor 114 may be configured to execute or interpret software, scripts, programs, functions, executable files, or other instructions stored in the memory 116. In some implementations, the processor 114 may be included in the modem 112.

[0086] The memory 116 may include a computer-readable storage medium, such as a volatile memory device, a non-volatile memory device, or both. The memory 116 may include one or more read-only memory devices, random access memory devices, buffer memory devices, or a combination of these and other types of memory devices. In some cases, one or more components of the memory may be integrated with or otherwise associated with another component of the wireless communication device 102C. The memory 116 may store instructions executable by the processor 114. For example, the instructions may include instructions for time-aligning a signal using an interference buffer and a motion detection buffer, such as through one or more of the operations of the example processes described in any of FIGS. 7-12.

[0087] The power supply unit 118 provides power to other components of the wireless communication device 102C. For example, the other components may operate based on power provided by the power unit 118 through a voltage bus or other connection. In some implementations, the power unit 118 includes a battery or battery system, e.g., a rechargeable battery. In some implementations, the power unit 118 includes an adapter (e.g., an AC adapter) that receives an external power signal (from an external source) and converts the external power signal into an internal power signal conditioned for the components of the wireless communication device 102C. The power supply unit 118 may include other components or operate in another manner.

[0088] In the example shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B transmit wireless signals (e.g., in accordance with a wireless network standard, a motion detection protocol, or other method). For example, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B may broadcast wireless motion detection signals (e.g., reference signals, beacon signals, status signals, etc.) or may transmit wireless signals addressed to other devices (e.g., user equipment, client devices, servers, etc.), and the other devices (not shown) as well as the wireless communication device 102C may receive the wireless signals transmitted by the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B. In some cases, the wireless signals transmitted by the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B are repeated periodically, e.g., in accordance with a wireless communication standard or otherwise.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the wireless communication device 102C processes wireless signals from the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B to detect motion of objects in a space accessed by the wireless signals, determine a location of the detected motion, or both. For example, the wireless communication device 102C may perform one or more operations of the example processes described below with respect to any of FIGS. 7-12, or another type of process for detecting motion or determining a location of the detected motion. The space accessed by the wireless signals may be, for example, an indoor or outdoor space that may include one or more fully or partially enclosed areas, unenclosed open areas, etc. The space may be or may include within a room, multiple rooms, a building, etc. In some cases, the wireless communication system 100 may be modified such that, for example, the wireless communication device 102C can transmit wireless signals and the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B can process wireless signals from the wireless communication device 102C to detect motion or determine a location of the detected motion.

[0090] The wireless signals used for motion detection may include, for example, beacon signals (e.g., Bluetooth beacons, Wi-Fi beacons, other wireless beacon signals), other standard signals generated for other purposes according to a wireless network standard, or non-standard signals (e.g., random signals, reference signals, etc.) generated for motion detection or other purposes. In examples, motion detection may be performed by analyzing one or more training fields carried by the wireless signals, or by analyzing other data carried by the signals. In some examples, data is added for the explicit purpose of motion detection, or data used is nominally for another purpose and is reused or repurposed for motion detection. In some examples, the wireless signals propagate through objects (e.g., walls) before or after interacting with a moving object, which allows the movement of the moving object to be detected even without an optical line of sight between the moving object and the transmitting or receiving hardware. Based on the received signals, the wireless communication device 102C can generate motion detection data. In some cases, the wireless communication device 102C may communicate the motion detection data to another device or system, such as a security system, which may include a control center for monitoring movement within a space, such as a room, a building, an outdoor area, etc.

[0091] In some implementations, the wireless communication devices 102A, 102B may be modified to transmit a motion probing signal (which may include, for example, a reference signal, a beacon signal, or another signal used to probe the space for motion) on a wireless communication channel (e.g., a frequency channel or a coded channel) separate from the wireless network traffic signals. For example, the modulation applied to the payload of the motion probing signal and the type of data or data structure in the payload may be known by the wireless communication device 102C, which may reduce the amount of processing the wireless communication device 102C performs for motion sensing. The header may include additional information, such as, for example, an indication of whether motion has been detected by another device in the communication system 100, an indication of the modulation type, an identification of the device transmitting the signal, etc.

[0092] 1, the wireless communication system 100 is a wireless mesh network having wireless communication links between each of the wireless communication devices 102. In the illustrated example, the wireless communication link between the wireless communication device 102C and the wireless communication device 102A may be used to probe the motion detection field 110A, the wireless communication link between the wireless communication device 102C and the wireless communication device 102B may be used to probe the motion detection field 110B, and the wireless communication link between the wireless communication device 102A and the wireless communication device 102B may be used to probe the motion detection field 110C. In some cases, each wireless communication device 102 detects motion in the motion detection field 110 accessed by that device by processing a received signal based on a wireless signal transmitted by the wireless communication device 102 through the motion detection field 110. 1 moves in motion detection field 110A and motion detection field 110C, the wireless communication devices 102 can detect the motion based on signals they receive that are based on wireless signals transmitted through the respective motion detection fields 110. For example, wireless communication device 102A can detect the motion of person 106 in motion detection fields 110A, 110C, wireless communication device 102B can detect the motion of person 106 in motion detection field 110C, and wireless communication device 102C can detect the motion of person 106 in motion detection field 110A.

[0093] In some cases, the motion detection field 110 may include, for example, air, solid material, liquid, or another medium through which wireless electromagnetic signals may propagate. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the motion detection field 110A provides a wireless communication channel between the wireless communication device 102A and the wireless communication device 102C, the motion detection field 110B provides a wireless communication channel between the wireless communication device 102B and the wireless communication device 102C, and the motion detection field 110C provides a wireless communication channel between the wireless communication device 102A and the wireless communication device 102B. In some aspects of operation, wireless signals transmitted on a wireless communication channel (separate from or shared with a wireless communication channel for network traffic) are used to detect the movement of an object in space. The object may be any type of stationary or movable object, animate or inanimate. For example, the object may be a human (e.g., person 106 shown in FIG. 1), an animal, an inanimate object, or another device, apparatus, or assembly), an object that defines all or a portion of a boundary of a space (e.g., a wall, a door, a window, etc.), or another type of object. In some implementations, the motion information from the wireless communication devices may be analyzed to determine a location of the detected motion. For example, as described further below, one of the wireless communication devices 102 (or another device communicatively coupled to the wireless communication device 102) may determine that the detected motion is in the vicinity of a particular wireless communication device.

[0094] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating exemplary wireless signals communicated between wireless communication devices 204A, 204B, and 204C. The wireless communication devices 204A, 204B, and 204C may be, for example, wireless communication devices 102A, 102B, and 102C shown in FIG. 1, or other types of wireless communication devices. The wireless communication devices 204A, 204B, and 204C transmit wireless signals through a space 200. The space 200 may be fully or partially surrounded by one or more boundaries, or may be open. In one example, the space 200 may be a sensing space. The space 200 may be within or may include a room, multiple rooms, a building, an indoor area, an outdoor area, and the like. A first wall 202A, a second wall 202B, and a third wall 202C at least partially surround the space 200 in the illustrated example.

[0095] 2A and 2B, the wireless communication device 204A is operable to transmit a wireless signal repeatedly (e.g., periodically, intermittently, at scheduled, unscheduled, or random intervals, etc.). The wireless communication devices 204B, 204C are operable to receive a signal based on the signal transmitted by the wireless communication device 204A. The wireless communication devices 204B, 204C each have a modem (e.g., modem 112 shown in FIG. 1) configured to process the received signal to detect movement of an object in the space 200.

[0096] As shown, the object is at a first position 214A in Figure 2A, and the object has moved to a second position 214B in Figure 2B. Although the moving object in the space 200 is depicted as a human in Figures 2A and 2B, the moving object may be another type of object. For example, the moving object may be an animal, an inanimate object (e.g., a system, device, apparatus, or assembly), an object that defines all or part of the boundary of the space 200 (e.g., a wall, a door, a window, etc.), or another type of object.

[0097] 2A and 2B, multiple exemplary paths of a wireless signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A are indicated by dashed lines. Along a first signal path 216, the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A and reflected from the first wall 202A towards the wireless communication device 204B. Along a second signal path 218, the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A and reflected from the second wall 202B and the first wall 202A towards the wireless communication device 204C. Along a third signal path 220, the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A and reflected from the second wall 202B towards the wireless communication device 204C. Along a fourth signal path 222, the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A and reflected from the third wall 202C towards the wireless communication device 204B.

[0098] In FIG. 2A, along the fifth signal path 224A, the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A and is reflected from an object at the first position 214A toward the wireless communication device 204C. Between FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the surface of the object moves from the first position 214A to the second position 214B in the space 200 (e.g., a distance away from the first position 214A). In FIG. 2B, along the sixth signal path 224B, the wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A and is reflected from an object at the second position 214B toward the wireless communication device 204C. The sixth signal path 224B depicted in FIG. 2B is longer than the fifth signal path 224A depicted in FIG. 2A due to the movement of the object from the first position 214A to the second position 214B. In some examples, the signal paths can be added, removed, or otherwise modified due to the movement of the object in the space.

[0099] 2A and 2B may be attenuated, frequency shifted, phase shifted, or otherwise affected along their respective paths, and may have portions that propagate in different directions through the first wall 202A, the second wall 202B, and the third wall 202C, for example. In some examples, the wireless signal is a radio frequency (RF) signal. The wireless signal may include other types of signals.

[0100] In the example shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the wireless communication device 204A may repeatedly transmit a wireless signal. In particular, Figure 2A shows a wireless signal being transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A at a first time, and Figure 2B shows the same wireless signal being transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A at a second, later time. The transmission signal may be transmitted continuously, periodically, at random or intermittent times, etc., or combinations thereof. The transmission signal may have multiple frequency components within a frequency bandwidth. The transmission signal may be transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A omnidirectionally, directional, or otherwise. In the illustrated example, the wireless signal traverses multiple respective paths in the space 200, and the signal along each path may be attenuated due to path loss, scattering, reflection, etc., and may have a phase or frequency offset.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, signals from the first through sixth paths 216, 218, 220, 222, 224A, and 224B are combined at the wireless communication device 204C and the wireless communication device 204B to form a received signal. Due to the effect of multiple paths in the space 200 on the transmitted signal, the space 200 may be represented as a transfer function (e.g., a filter) where the transmitted signal is input and the received signal is output. When an object moves in the space 200, the attenuation or phase offset affecting the signal in the signal path may change, and thus the transfer function of the space 200 may change. Assuming the same wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A, if the transfer function of the space 200 changes, the output of that transfer function (the received signal) will also change. The change in the received signal can be used to detect the movement of the object.

[0102] Mathematically, a transmit signal f(t) transmitted from the first wireless communication device 204A may be described according to equation (1).

number

[0103] In the formula, ω n represents the frequency of the nth frequency component of the transmission signal, and c n represents the complex coefficient of the n-th frequency component, and t represents time. Using a transmission signal f(t) transmitted from the first wireless communication device 204A, an output signal r from a path k is k (t) can be written according to equation (2).

number

[0104] In the formula, α n,k represents the attenuation factor for the nth frequency component along path k (or, for example, the channel response due to scattering, reflection, and path loss), and φ n,krepresents the phase of the signal for the nth frequency component along path k. The received signal R at the wireless communication device is then calculated as the sum of all the output signals r from all the paths to the wireless communication device, as shown in equation (3). k (t) can be written as the sum of

number

[0105] By substituting equation (2) into equation (3), we obtain the following equation (4).

number

[0106] The received signal R at the wireless communication device may then be analyzed. The received signal R at the wireless communication device may be transformed into the frequency domain, for example, using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or another type of algorithm. The transformed signal may be divided into n frequencies ω n The received signal R can be represented as a sequence of n complex values, one for each of the respective frequency components (at frequencies ω n For frequency components in the complex value H n can be expressed in equation (5) as follows:

number

[0107] For a given frequency component ω n Complex value H for n is the frequency component ω n , and the relative magnitude and phase offset of the received signal at n,k By changing the complex value H nchanges. Thus, a detected change in the channel response can indicate the movement of an object in the communication channel. In some cases, noise, interference, or other phenomena can affect the channel response detected by the receiver, and the motion detection system can reduce or isolate such effects to improve the accuracy and quality of the motion detection capability. In some implementations, the overall channel response can be expressed in equation (6) as follows:

number

[0108] In some cases, the spatial channel response h ch can be determined based on, for example, a mathematical estimation theory. For example, the reference signal R ef is the candidate channel response (h ch ) and then the received signal (R cvd A maximum likelihood approach can be used to select the candidate channel that provides the best match for the estimated received signal

number

number

number

[0109] The optimization criterion is

number

[0110] The minimization or optimization process may utilize adaptive filtering techniques such as least mean squares (LMS), recursive least squares (RLS), batch least squares (BLS), etc. The channel response may be a finite impulse response (FIR) filter, an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter, etc. As shown in the above equation, the received signal may be considered as a convolution of a reference signal and a channel response. The convolution operation means that the channel coefficients have some correlation with each of the delayed replicas of the reference signal. Thus, the convolution operation shown in the above equation indicates that the received signal appears at different delay points, and each delayed replica is weighted by a channel coefficient.

[0111] 3A and 3B are plots illustrating example channel responses 360 and 370 calculated from wireless signals communicated between wireless communication devices 204A, 204B, 204C in FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIGS. 3A and 3B also show a frequency domain representation 350 of an initial wireless signal transmitted by wireless communication device 204A. In the illustrated example, channel response 360 ​​in FIG. 3A represents a signal received by wireless communication device 204B when there is no motion in space 200, and channel response 370 in FIG. 3B represents a signal received by wireless communication device 204B in FIG. 2B after an object has moved in space 200.

[0112] In the example shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, for illustrative purposes, the wireless communication device 204A transmits a signal having a flat frequency profile (the magnitude of each frequency component f1, f2, and f3 is the same), as shown in the frequency domain representation 350. Due to the interaction of the signal with the space 200 (and objects therein), the signal received at the wireless communication device 204B based on the signal transmitted from the wireless communication device 204A is different from the transmitted signal. In this example where the transmitted signal has a flat frequency profile, the received signal represents the channel response of the space 200. As shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the channel response 360 ​​channel response 370 is different from the frequency domain representation 350 of the transmitted signal. When motion occurs in the space 200, a variation in the channel response also occurs. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the channel response 370 associated with the motion of an object in the space 200 is different from the channel response 360 ​​associated with no motion in the space 200.

[0113] Furthermore, as an object moves within the space 200, the channel response may vary from the channel response 370. In some cases, the space 200 may be divided into distinct regions, and the channel responses associated with each region may share one or more characteristics (e.g., shape), as described below. Thus, the movement of objects within different distinct regions may be distinguished, and the location of the detected movement may be determined based on an analysis of the channel responses.

[0114] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating example channel responses 401 and 403 associated with the movement of an object 406 in distinct regions of a space 400, a first region 408, and a third region 412. In the illustrated example, the space 400 is a building, and the space 400 is divided into multiple distinct regions, namely, a first region 408, a second region 410, a third region 412, a fourth region 414, and a fifth region 416. The space 400 may include additional or fewer regions in some cases. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the regions in the space 400 may be defined by walls between rooms. In addition, the regions may be defined by ceilings between floors of the building. For example, the space 400 may include additional floors with additional rooms. In addition, in some cases, the multiple regions of the space may be or include multiple floors in a high-rise building, multiple rooms in a building, or multiple rooms on a particular floor of a building. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the object located in the first region 408 is represented as a person 406, although the moving object may be another type of object, such as an animal or an inanimate object.

[0115] In the illustrated example, the wireless communication device 402A is located in a fourth region 414 of the space 400, the wireless communication device 402B is located in a second region 410 of the space 400, and the wireless communication device 402C is located in a fifth region 416 of the space 400. The wireless communication device 402 may operate in the same or similar manner as the wireless communication device 102 of FIG. 1. For example, the wireless communication device 402 may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals and detect whether motion has occurred in the space 400 based on the received signals. As an example, the wireless communication device 402 may periodically or repeatedly transmit a motion probing signal through the space 400 and receive a signal based on the motion probing signal. The wireless communication device 402 may analyze the received signals to detect whether an object has moved within the space 400, such as by analyzing a channel response associated with the space 400 based on the received signals. Additionally, in some implementations, the wireless communication device 402 may analyze the received signals to identify a location of the detected motion within the space 400. For example, the wireless communication device 402 may analyze the characteristics of the channel response to determine whether the channel response shares the same or similar characteristics as channel responses known to be associated with the first through fifth regions 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 of the space 400.

[0116] In the illustrated example, one (or more) of the wireless communication devices 402 repeatedly transmits a motion search signal (e.g., a reference signal) through the space 400. The motion search signal may have a flat frequency profile in some cases, with the magnitudes of f1, f2, and f3 being the same or nearly the same. For example, the motion search signal may have a frequency response similar to the frequency domain representation 350 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. The motion search signal may have a different frequency profile in some cases. Due to the interaction of the reference signal with the space 400 (and objects therein), a signal received at another wireless communication device 402 based on a motion search signal transmitted from another wireless communication device 402 differs from the transmitted reference signal.

[0117] Based on the received signals, the wireless communication device 402 can determine a channel response for the space 400. When motion occurs in distinct regions in the space, distinct characteristics may be seen in the channel response. For example, the channel response may be slightly different for motion in the same region of the space 400, but the channel responses associated with motion in distinct regions may generally share the same shape or other characteristics. For example, the channel response 401 in FIG. 4A represents an exemplary channel response associated with motion of an object 406 in a first region 408 of the space 400, and the channel response 403 in FIG. 4B represents an exemplary channel response associated with motion of an object 406 in a third region 412 of the space 400. The channel response 401 and the channel response 403 are associated with signals received by the same wireless communication device 402 in the space 400.

[0118] 4C and 4D are plots showing the channel response 401 and the channel response 403 of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B superimposed on a channel response 460 associated with no motion occurring in the space 400. In the illustrated example, the wireless communication device 402 transmits a motion probing signal having a flat frequency profile as shown in the frequency domain representation 450. When motion occurs in the space 400, a variation in the channel response occurs relative to the channel response 460 in the absence of motion, and thus, by analyzing the variation in the channel response, motion of an object in the space 400 can be detected. In addition, the relative location of the detected motion in the space 400 can be identified. For example, the shape of the channel response associated with the motion can be compared to reference information (e.g., using a trained AI model) to classify the motion as occurring in a distinct region of the space 400.

[0119] When there is no motion in the space 400 (e.g., no object 406 is present), the wireless communication device 402 may calculate a channel response 460 associated with no motion. Although multiple factors may cause slight variations in the channel response, multiple channel responses 460 associated with different time periods may share one or more characteristics. In the illustrated example, the channel response 460 associated with no motion has a decreasing frequency profile (the magnitude of each frequency component f1, f2, and f3 is smaller than the previous frequency component). The profile of the channel response 460 may differ in some cases (e.g., based on different room layouts or placements of the wireless communication device 402).

[0120] When motion occurs in the space 400, variations in the channel response occur. For example, in the example shown in Figures 4C and 4D, the channel response 401 associated with the movement of the object 406 in the first region 408 is different from the channel response 460 associated with no motion, and the channel response 403 associated with the movement of the object 406 in the third region 412 is different from the channel response 460 associated with no motion. The channel response 401 has a concave parabolic frequency profile (the magnitude of the middle frequency component f2 is smaller than the outer frequency components f1 and f3), and the channel response 403 has a convex asymptotic frequency profile (the magnitude of the middle frequency component f2 is larger than the outer frequency components f1 and f3). The profiles of the channel responses 401, 403 may be different in some cases (e.g., based on different room layouts or placements of the wireless communication devices 402).

[0121] Analyzing a channel response can be considered similar to analyzing a digital filter. The channel response can be formed through reflections of objects in space as well as reflections created by moving or stationary humans. When a reflector (e.g., a human) moves, the channel response changes. This can be translated into changes in the equivalent taps of a digital filter that can be considered to have poles and zeros (poles amplify frequency components of the channel response and appear as peaks or high points in the response, while zeros attenuate frequency components of the channel response and appear as troughs, low points or nulls in the response). A changing digital filter can be characterized by the location of its peaks and troughs, and the channel response can be characterized by its peaks and troughs as well. For example, in some implementations, nulls and peaks in the frequency components of the channel response can be analyzed (e.g., by marking their location on the frequency axis and their magnitude) to detect motion.

[0122] In some implementations, time series aggregation can be used to detect motion. Time series aggregation can be performed by observing the characteristics of the channel response over a moving window and aggregating the windowed results by using statistical measures (e.g., mean, variance, principal components, etc.). During an instance of motion, the characteristic digital filter features are displaced in terms of location and flip-flop between some values ​​due to the continuous changes of the scattering scene. That is, the equivalent digital filter shows a range of values ​​for its peaks and nulls (due to motion). By looking at this range of values, a unique profile (in an example, the profile may be referred to as a signature) can be identified for a distinct region in space.

[0123] In some implementations, artificial intelligence (AI) models can be used to process the data. AI models can be of various types, such as linear regression models, logistic regression models, linear discriminant analysis models, decision tree models, naive Bayes models, K-nearest neighbor models, learning vector quantization models, support vector machines, bagging and random forest models, and deep neural networks. Generally, all AI models aim to learn a function that provides the most accurate correlation between input and output values, and are trained using a historical set of inputs and outputs that are known to be correlated. In an example, artificial intelligence may be referred to as machine learning.

[0124] In some implementations, a profile of channel response associated with movement in distinct regions of the space 400 may be learned. For example, machine learning may be used to categorize channel response characteristics with movement of objects in distinct regions of the space. In some cases, a user associated with the wireless communication device 402 (e.g., an owner or other occupant of the space 400) may assist in the learning process. For example, with reference to the example shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the user may move within each of the first through fifth regions 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 during the learning phase and may indicate (e.g., through a user interface on a mobile computing device) that the user is moving within one of the particular regions in the space 400. For example, while the user is moving through the first region 408 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4A), the user may indicate on the mobile computing device that he or she is within the first region 408 (and may name the region as a "bedroom," "living room," "kitchen," or another type of room in the building, if desired). Channel responses may be obtained as the user moves through the region, and the channel responses may be "tagged" with the user's indicated location (region). The user may repeat the same process for other regions of the space 400. As used herein, the term "tagged" may refer to marking and identifying the channel response with the user's indicated location or any other information.

[0125] The tagged channel response can then be processed (e.g., by machine learning software) to identify unique characteristics of the channel response associated with motion in distinct regions. Once identified, the identified unique characteristics can be used to determine the location of the detected motion for the newly calculated channel response. For example, an AI model can be trained using the tagged channel response, and once trained, the newly calculated channel response can be input into the AI ​​model, which can output the location of the detected motion. For example, in some cases, the mean, range, and absolute values ​​are input into the AI ​​model. In some cases, the magnitude and phase of the complex channel response itself can also be input. These values ​​allow the AI ​​model to design any front-end filters to pick up the features that are most relevant to making accurate predictions regarding motion in different regions of space. In some implementations, the AI ​​model is trained by performing stochastic gradient descent. For example, channel response variations that are most active during certain zones may be monitored during training, and certain channel variations may be weighted heavily (by training and adapting weights in the first layer to correlate with their shape, trend, etc.). The weighted channel variation can be used to create a metric that activates when a user is within a particular region.

[0126] For extracted features such as channel response nulls and peaks, a time series (of nulls / peaks) can be created using aggregation in a moving window, taking snapshots of some features in the past and present, and using the aggregated values ​​as input to the network. Thus, the network tries to aggregate values ​​in a particular region in order to cluster them while adapting its weights, which can be done by creating a logistic classifier-based decision surface. The decision surface separates the different clusters, and subsequent layers can form categories based on a single cluster or a combination of clusters.

[0127] In some implementations, the AI ​​model includes two or more layers of inference. The first layer acts as a logistic classifier that can split values ​​of different cardinality into separate clusters, and the second layer combines some of these clusters together to create a category of separate regions. Additional subsequent layers can help extend the separate regions across more than two categories of clusters. For example, a fully connected input layer model may include an AI that corresponds to the number of tracked features, an intermediate layer that corresponds to the number of valid clusters (through iterations between selections), and a final layer that corresponds to the different regions. If full channel response information is input to the AI ​​model, the first layer may act as a shape filter that can correlate specific shapes. Thus, the first layer may lock onto specific shapes, the second layer may generate a measure of the variations that occur in those shapes, and the third and subsequent layers may create combinations of those variations and map them to different regions in space. The outputs of the different layers may then be combined through a fusion layer.

[0128] B. SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCOMMODATING FLEXIBILITY IN SENSING TRANSMISSIONS FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for Wi-Fi sensing, and more particularly to configuring Wi-Fi systems and methods to accommodate flexibility in sensing transmission during Wi-Fi sensing.

[0129] The present system and method provides a solution in which sensing transmissions can be configured and triggered that allows a defined level of flexibility in the resulting sensing transmissions so that they can be aggregated with data transmissions and have a lower impact. In one example, complete flexibility is allowed, effectively enabling sensing transmissions from any non-sensing message via aggregation.

[0130] The systems and methods of the present disclosure utilize a sensing device that may be configured to control a measurement campaign. In one implementation, the systems and methods also utilize one or more remote devices. The one or more remote devices may be configured to perform sensing transmissions, and the sensing devices may be configured to calculate sensing measurements based on the sensing transmissions. In one implementation, the sensing measurements may be further processed to achieve the objectives of the measurement campaign.

[0131] According to one implementation, a sensing device can initiate a WLAN sensing session, and one or more remote devices can participate in the WLAN sensing session initiated by the sensing device. In some implementations, the one or more remote devices can transmit PPDUs used for sensing measurements in the WLAN sensing session. In one implementation, the sensing device can receive PPDUs in the WLAN sensing session and process the PPDUs into sensing measurements.

[0132] FIG. 5 illustrates an implementation of part of the architecture of an implementation of a system 500 for Wi-Fi sensing, according to some embodiments.

[0133] The system 500 (alternatively referred to as a Wi-Fi sensing system 500) may include a sensing device 502, a number of remote devices 504-(1-N), and a network 560 that enables communication between the system components for information exchange. The system 500 may be an example or instance of the wireless communication system 100, and the network 560 may be an example or instance of a wireless network or a cellular network connection, details of which are provided with reference to FIG. 1 and the accompanying description.

[0134] According to some embodiments, the sensing device 502 may be configured to receive sensing transmissions and perform one or more measurements (e.g., CSI) useful for Wi-Fi sensing. These measurements may be known as sensing measurements. In one embodiment, the sensing device 502 may be an access point (AP). In some embodiments, the sensing device 502 may be, for example, a station (STA) in a mesh network scenario. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 may be implemented by a device such as the wireless communication device 102 shown in FIG. 1. In some implementations, the sensing device 502 may be implemented by a device such as the wireless communication device 204 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. The sensing device 502 may be implemented by a device such as the wireless communication device 402 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. In one implementation, the sensing device 502 may coordinate and control communications between multiple remote devices 504-(1-N). According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 can control the measurement campaign to ensure that the necessary sensing transmissions occur at the necessary times and to ensure accurate determination of the sensing measurements. In some embodiments, the sensing device 502 can process the sensing measurements. The sensing measurements can be processed to achieve the sensing goals of the system 500.

[0135] Referring again to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the remote device 504-1 may be configured to transmit a sensing transmission to the sensing device 502, based on which one or more sensing measurements (e.g., CSI) may be performed for Wi-Fi sensing. In one embodiment, the remote device 504-1 may be a STA. In some embodiments, the remote device 504-1 may be an AP for Wi-Fi sensing, for example, in a scenario in which the sensing device 502 operates as a STA. According to one implementation, the remote device 504-1 may be implemented by a device such as the wireless communication device 102 shown in FIG. 1. In some implementations, the remote device 504-1 may be implemented by a device such as the wireless communication device 204 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. Furthermore, the remote device 504-1 may be implemented by a device such as the wireless communication device 402 shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. In some implementations, communications between the sensing device 502 and the remote device 504-1 may be controlled via a Station Management Entity (SME) and MAC Layer Management Entity (MLME) protocol. According to one embodiment, each of the multiple remote devices 504-(1-N) may be configured to send a sensing transmission to the sensing device 502.

[0136] 5 in more detail, the sensing device 502 may include a processor 508 and a memory 510. For example, the processor 508 and memory 510 of the sensing device 502 may be the processor 114 and memory 116, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the sensing device 502 may further include a transmit antenna 512, a receive antenna 514, and a sensing agent 516. In some embodiments, the antennas may be used to both transmit and receive signals in a half-duplex format. When an antenna is transmitting, it may be referred to as a transmit antenna 512, and when an antenna is receiving, it may be referred to as a receive antenna 514, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the same antenna may be a transmit antenna 512 in some cases and a receive antenna 514 in other cases. In the case of an antenna array, one or more antenna elements may be used to transmit or receive signals, for example, in a beamforming environment. In some examples, a group of antenna elements used to transmit the composite signal may be referred to as a transmit antenna 512, and a group of antenna elements used to receive the composite signal may be referred to as a receive antenna 514. In some examples, each antenna may have its own transmit and receive paths that may be alternately switched to connect to the antenna depending on whether the antenna is operating as a transmit antenna 512 or a receive antenna 514.

[0137] In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 may be responsible for receiving sensing transmissions and associated transmission parameters, calculating sensing measurements, and processing the sensing measurements for Wi-Fi sensing. In some implementations, receiving the sensing transmissions and associated transmission parameters and calculating the sensing measurements may be performed by algorithms operating in a medium access control (MAC) layer of the sensing device 502, and processing the sensing measurements for Wi-Fi sensing purposes may be performed by algorithms operating in an application layer of the sensing device 502. In examples, algorithms running in the application layer of the sensing device 502 are known as Wi-Fi sensing agents, sensing applications, or sensing algorithms. In some implementations, algorithms running in the MAC layer of the sensing device 502 and algorithms running in the application layer of the sensing device 502 may run separately on the processor 508. In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 can pass physical layer parameters (e.g., CSI, etc.) from the MAC layer of the sensing device 502 to the application layer of the sensing device 502. In one example, the application layer can operate on the physical layer parameters to form services or features that can be presented to an end user. According to one implementation, communication between the MAC layer and other layers or components of the sensing device 502 can be based on communication interfaces such as an MLME interface and a data interface. According to some implementations, the sensing agent 516 can include / execute sensing algorithms. In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 can process and analyze sensing measurements using the sensing algorithms. In one example, the sensing agent 516 can be configured to determine the number and timing of sensing transmissions and sensing measurements for Wi-Fi sensing purposes.

[0138] In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 may be configured to cause at least one transmit antenna of the transmit antennas 512 to transmit a message to the remote device 504-1. In one example, the sensing agent 516 may be configured to receive a message from the remote device 504-1 via at least one receive antenna of the receive antennas 514. In one example, the sensing agent 516 may be configured to make a sensing measurement based on a sensing transmission received from the remote device 504-1.

[0139] In some embodiments, the sensing device 502 may include a sensing configuration message storage 518 and a sensing trigger message storage 520. The sensing configuration message storage 518 may store sensing configuration messages transmitted by the sensing device 502 to the remote device 504-1. The sensing trigger message storage 520 may store sensing trigger messages transmitted by the sensing device 502 to the remote device 504-1. Information about the sensing configuration messages stored in the sensing configuration message storage 518 and the sensing trigger messages stored in the sensing trigger message storage 520 may be updated periodically or dynamically as needed. In one implementation, the sensing configuration message storage 518 and the sensing trigger message storage 520 may include any type or form of storage, such as a database or file system, or coupled to the memory 510.

[0140] Referring again to FIG. 5, the remote device 504-1 may include a processor 528-1 and a memory 530-1. For example, the processor 528-1 and the memory 530-1 of the remote device 504-1 may be the processor 114 and the memory 116, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the remote device 504-1 may further include a transmit antenna 532-1, a receive antenna 534-1, a sensing agent 536-1, and a scheduler 538-1. In one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 may be a block that passes physical layer parameters to and from the MAC of the remote device 504-1 to an application layer program. The sensing agent 536-1 may be configured to cause at least one transmit antenna of the transmit antennas 532-1 and at least one receive antenna of the receive antennas 534-1 to exchange messages with the sensing device 502. In some embodiments, the antennas may be used to both transmit and receive in a half-duplex format. When an antenna is transmitting, it may be referred to as a transmitting antenna 532-1, and when an antenna is receiving, it may be referred to as a receiving antenna 534-1. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the same antenna may be a transmitting antenna 532-1 in some cases and a receiving antenna 534-1 in other cases. In the case of an antenna array, one or more antenna elements may be used to transmit or receive signals, for example, in a beamforming environment. In some examples, a group of antenna elements used to transmit a composite signal may be referred to as a transmitting antenna 532-1, and a group of antenna elements used to receive a composite signal may be referred to as a receiving antenna 534-1. In some examples, each antenna has its own transmitting and receiving paths, which may be alternately switched to connect to the antenna depending on whether the antenna is operating as a transmitting antenna 532-1 or a receiving antenna 534-1.

[0141] In one implementation, scheduler 538-1 may be coupled to processor 528-1 and memory 530-1. In some embodiments, scheduler 538-1 may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that may perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types, among other units. Scheduler 538-1 may also be implemented as a signal processor, state machine, logic circuit, and / or any other device or component that manipulates signals based on operational instructions.

[0142] In some embodiments, the scheduler 538-1 may be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by a processing unit, or a combination thereof. The processing unit may comprise a computer, a processor, a state machine, a logic array, or any other suitable device capable of processing instructions. The processing unit may be a general-purpose processor that executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the necessary tasks, or the processing unit may be dedicated to perform the necessary functions. In some embodiments, the scheduler 538-1 may be machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor / processing unit, perform any of the desired functions. The machine-readable instructions may be stored on an electronic memory device, a hard disk, an optical disk, or other machine-readable storage medium or non-transitory medium. In one implementation, the machine-readable instructions may also be downloaded to the storage medium via a network connection. In one example, the machine-readable instructions may be stored in the memory 530-1. In one implementation, the scheduler 538-1 may be configured to determine when and how messages are exchanged with the sensing device 502.

[0143] In some embodiments, the remote device 504-1 may include a transmission configuration storage 540-1 and a steering matrix configuration storage 542-1. The transmission configuration storage 540-1 may store a requested transmission configuration to be delivered by the sensing device 502 to the remote device 504-1 or a delivered transmission configuration to be delivered by the remote device 504-1 to the sensing device 502. The steering matrix configuration storage 542-1 may store one or more predefined steering matrix configurations. Information about the transmission configurations stored in the transmission configuration storage 540-1 and the one or more predefined steering matrix configurations stored in the steering matrix configuration storage 542-1 may be updated periodically or dynamically as needed. In one implementation, the transmission configuration storage 540-1 and the steering matrix configuration storage 542-1 may include any type or form of storage, such as a database or file system, or be coupled to the memory 530-1.

[0144] According to one or more implementations, communications in network 560 may be governed by one or more of the 802.11 family of standards developed by the IEEE. Some example IEEE standards may include IEEE P802.11-REVmd / D5.0, IEEE P802.11ax / D7.0, and IEEE P802.11be / D0.1. In some implementations, communications may be governed by other standards (other or additional IEEE standards or other types of standards). In some embodiments, portions of network 560 that do not require system 500 to be governed by one or more of the 802.11 family of standards may be implemented by instances of any type of network, including wireless or cellular networks.

[0145] According to one or more implementations, for the purpose of Wi-Fi sensing, the sensing device 502 can initiate a measurement campaign. The measurement campaign can involve an exchange of transmissions between the sensing device 502 and the remote device 504-1. In one example, the control of these transmissions can be by the MAC (medium access control) layer of the IEEE 802.11 stack. In one implementation, the remote device 504-1 can be unknown to the sensing device 502. Thus, the sensing device 502 can inquire of the remote device 504-1 about the transmission capabilities with respect to the transmission parameters that the remote device 504-1 can support for the measurement campaign. In another example, the sensing device 502 can inquire of the remote device 504-1 about the transmission capabilities with respect to the transmission parameters that the remote device 504-1 can support for the measurement campaign without providing any pre-configuration information.

[0146] According to one implementation, following authentication of the remote device 504-1 and association with the network 560, the sensing agent 516 can discover the remote device 504-1 and the transmission (or sensing) capabilities of the remote device 504-1. In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 can transmit a message to the remote device 504-1 via the transmit antenna 512 to inquire about the transmission capabilities of the remote device 504-1. In one example, the sensing agent 516 can inquire about the transmission capabilities of the remote device 504-1 by transmitting a sensing configuration message to the remote device 504-1 via the transmit antenna 512.

[0147] In one implementation, the sensing configuration message may include data elements. In one example, the sensing configuration message may include a configuration query indicator. The configuration query indicator may indicate a request or query for the transmission capabilities of the remote device 504-1. In some examples, the sensing configuration message may include a requested transmission configuration corresponding to the requirements of the measurement campaign (or sensing transmission). For example, the sensing configuration message may include a requested transmission configuration corresponding to a plurality of requested transmission parameters required in the sensing transmission and a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of requested transmission parameters may be adjusted. A field among the plurality of fields may indicate a type or degree of adjustment allowed. In one example, a field associated with the transmission parameters may indicate that the remote device 504-1 may make any adjustments to the transmission parameters that may be required. For example, the field may provide an indication as to what degree of adjustment the remote device 504-1 may make to the transmission parameters. The multiple fields can indicate which of the multiple requested transmission parameters can be modified or adjusted by the remote device 504-1 while determining various schemes for aggregating sensing transmissions with existing queued non-sensing messages. In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 can store the sensing configuration message transmitted to the remote device 504-1 in the sensing configuration message storage 518.

[0148] According to one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 may receive a sensing configuration message from the sensing device 502 via the receiving antenna 534-1. In one implementation, in response to receiving the sensing configuration message including the configuration query indicator, the sensing agent 536-1 may analyze the configuration query indicator and create a sensing configuration response message. The sensing configuration response message may include a delivered transmission configuration. In one example, the delivered transmission configuration may include a transmission capability indicator associated with the remote device 504-1. The transmission capability indicator may include a flexibility indicator that the remote device 504-1 supports flexibility. In one example, the flexibility indicator may indicate that flexibility is supported in the timing of the sensing transmission. For example, the sensing agent 536-1 may report that the scheduler 538-1 supports flexibility in the timing of the sensing transmission. In some examples, the flexibility indicator may indicate that flexibility is supported in one or more transmission parameters. Examples of the one or more transmission parameters include a sensing frequency band parameter, a sensing bandwidth parameter, a sensing channel parameter, a sensing training field parameter, an index into a table of steering matrix configurations, and a steering matrix configuration. Details of the transmission parameters are provided in Table 1, Table 5, and other referenced tables. [Table 1-1] [Table 1-2] [Table 1-3] [Table 2]

[0149] In one example, the use of one of the values ​​representing flexibility (5..8) indicates that any band lower in frequency than the selected value may be used. For example, "6 GHz flexible" indicates that if the remote device 504-1 determines that the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band is suitable, it may be used. Other examples of flexibility parameters not shown here may also be defined. Furthermore, "any band flexible" indicates that the remote device 504-1 may respond with a sensing transmission (e.g., a sensing configuration response message) in any band. [Table 3]

[0150] In one example, the use of one of the values ​​representing flexibility (6..10) indicates that any bandwidth less than the selected value may be used. For example, "80MHz flexible" indicates that if the remote device 504-1 determines that a 20MHz or 40MHz bandwidth is suitable, it may be used. Other examples of flexibility parameters not shown here may also be defined. Furthermore, "any bandwidth flexible" indicates that the remote device 504-1 may respond with a sensing transmission (e.g., a sensing configuration response message) in any bandwidth. [Table 4] [Table 5-1] [Table 5-2]

[0151] In one example, the data provided in Tables 1-5 may be encoded into elements as described in IEEE P802.11 for inclusion in sensing messages between the sensing device 502 and the remote device 504-1, or vice versa. In a measurement campaign involving multiple remote devices (e.g., multiple remote devices 504-(1-N)), these transmission parameters may be defined for all remote devices 504-(1-N) (i.e., for each remote device). In one example, when transmitted from the sensing device 502 to the remote device 504-1, these transmission parameters may configure the remote device sensing transmission, and when transmitted from the remote device 504-1 to the sensing device 502, these transmission parameters may report the configuration used by the remote device 504-1 for the sensing transmission. In one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 may transmit a sensing configuration response message including the delivered transmission configuration to the sensing device 502 via the transmission antenna 532-1. In one example, the sensing agent 536-1 can store the delivered transmission configuration in the transmission configuration storage 540-1.

[0152] According to one implementation, upon initial association of the remote device 504-1 with the sensing device 502, upon determining the transmission capabilities of the remote device 504-1, or at any other time, the sensing agent 516 may transmit a sensing configuration message including a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of each of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations. In one example, each of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations may include at least one of a transmit antenna count, a minimum transmit antenna count, and a sensing antenna steering vector.

[0153] In an example implementation, the sensing agent 516 may pre-configure n steering matrix configurations. The sensing agent 516 may assign a preference ranking to one or more of each of the n steering matrix configurations. In one example, the sensing agent 516 may assign a first preference ranking, a second preference ranking, and optionally up to the nth preference ranking to the steering matrix configurations. According to one example, the multiple pre-defined steering matrix configurations may be identifiable by an index. In one example, the sensing agent 516 may store the multiple pre-defined steering matrix configurations, for example, as a look-up table, and the index may enable the remote device 504-1 to access a single selected pre-defined steering matrix configuration.

[0154] According to some implementations, the steering vector components for the steering matrix configuration lookup table are set forth in Table 6. [Table 6-1] [Table 6-2]

[0155] In one example, the data provided in Table 6 may be encoded into elements as described by IEEE P802.11 for inclusion in messages between the sensing device 502 and the remote device 504-1. In a measurement campaign involving multiple remote devices (e.g., multiple remote devices 504-(1-N)), steering matrix configurations may be defined for all remote devices. When transmitted from the sensing device 502 to the remote device 504-1, the steering matrix configurations fill a lookup table (which may be accessed via an index).

[0156] According to one implementation, the sensing agent 516 may transmit a sensing configuration message including a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of each of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations to the remote device 504-1 via the transmit antenna 512. In one example, the sensing agent 516 may transmit the sensing configuration message to the remote device 504-1 using a broadcast message.

[0157] In one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 may receive a sensing configuration message including a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations from the sensing device 502 via the receive antenna 534-1. In one example, the sensing agent 536-1 may receive the sensing configuration message as a broadcast message. The sensing agent 536-1 may then decode the sensing configuration message to determine the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of each of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations. In response to receiving the sensing configuration message including the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of each of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations, the sensing agent 536-1 may create a sensing configuration response message. The sensing configuration response message may include a selected steering matrix configuration from among the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations. In one example, the selected steering matrix configuration may have the highest preference ranking and may enable aggregation of sensing transmissions with existing queued non-sensing messages. For example, the sensing agent 536-1 may select the steering matrix configuration assigned a first preference ranking by the sensing device 502. In one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 may transmit a sensing configuration response message to the sensing device 502 via the transmit antenna 532-1. In one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 may store a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations in the steering matrix configuration storage 542-1.

[0158] According to one or more implementations, the sensing agent 516 can initiate a sensing transmission with a specification of a steering matrix configuration that the sensing device 502 requests the remote device 504-1 to use. In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 can generate a sensing trigger message that includes the specification of the steering matrix configuration. In one implementation, the sensing trigger message can include an indication that use of the steering matrix configuration is optional. In some implementations, the sensing trigger message can include an indication that use of the steering matrix configuration provided via a previous sensing configuration message may be required. In some implementations, the sensing trigger message can include an indication that any steering matrix configuration may be used or that a unity steering matrix configuration may be used.

[0159] In some implementations, the sensing agent 516 can generate a sensing trigger message that includes a requested transmission configuration that the sensing device 502 requests the remote device 504-1 to use. In an example, the requested transmission configuration in the sensing trigger message may override a configuration previously made by the sensing device 502 and acknowledged by the remote device 504-1, and may modify any parameters in the requested transmission configuration and any flexibility indicators associated with any parameters. In an example, the requested transmission configuration provided by the sensing device 502 in the sensing trigger message can give the remote device 504-1 greater flexibility to modify transmission parameters for sensing transmissions and can improve the chances that the remote device 504-1 has to aggregate sensing transmissions with non-sensing messages.

[0160] In some implementations, the sensing agent 516 may generate a sensing trigger message including a requested timing configuration. The requested timing configuration may indicate timing requirements for a measurement campaign including a series of sensing transmissions from the remote device 504-1 to the sensing device 502. In one example, the sensing agent 516 may initiate a periodic series of sensing transmissions via the sensing trigger message. Thus, a single sensing trigger message may trigger two or more sensing transmissions by the remote device 504-1. In some examples, the sensing agent 516 may initiate a semi-periodic series of sensing transmissions via the sensing trigger message. The requested timing configuration may include at least one of a sensing measurement type, a time between sensing transmissions, a time flexibility window, and a number of sensing transmissions of the measurement campaign.

[0161] For example, example parameters that may be defined as part of a measurement campaign for a periodic or semi-periodic sensing transmission from remote device 504-1 to sensing device 502 are provided in Table 7. [Table 7] [Table 8]

[0162] In one example, the parameters defined in Tables 7 and 8 are encoded into elements as described by IEEE P802.11 for inclusion in sensing messages between the sensing device 502 and the remote device 504-1. According to one implementation, in the case of a measurement campaign involving multiple remote devices (e.g., multiple remote devices 504-(1-N)), these parameters may be defined for all remote devices.

[0163] In some examples, the time of the first sensing transmission may be specified in a timing component. One example of a suitable common time reference is the TSF. In an example, a value of the TSF representing a future time may be specified as part of a requested timing configuration, and the first sensing transmission made by the remote device 504-1 is delivered by the scheduler 538-1 at the specified time. In one example, the resolution of the TSF may be reduced to reduce the number of bits of data that must be transferred to specify the time of the first sensing transmission.

[0164] In one implementation, the requested timing configuration may include a flexibility indicator that the requested timing configuration is flexible. In one example, the flexibility indicator may indicate a degree of adjustment allowed for the requested timing configuration. In some examples, the flexibility indicator may indicate an extended time window for a particular time within which the sensing transmission may be transmitted. In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 may transmit a sensing trigger message including the requested timing configuration to the remote device 504-1 via the transmit antenna 512.

[0165] According to one or more implementations, the sensing agent 536-1 can receive a sensing trigger message from the sensing device 502 via the receiving antenna 534-1, the sensing trigger message including a requested transmission configuration corresponding to the plurality of requested transmission parameters. According to one or more implementations, the sensing agent 536-1 can generate a sensing response message as a sensing transmission in response to the sensing trigger message. In one example, the sensing response message can include a delivered transmission configuration. In one example, the delivered transmission configuration can indicate the plurality of applied transmission parameters. For example, the delivered transmission configuration can describe the delivered transmission parameters by application of the transmission parameters that are flexible. In some examples, the delivered transmission configuration can indicate adjustments made to the plurality of requested transmission parameters. The delivered transmission configuration can also describe how the plurality of requested transmission parameters are adjusted thereby. In an example, the sensing agent 536-1 can determine the delivered transmission parameters that enable the remote device 504-1 to aggregate the sensing response message with existing non-sensing messages.

[0166] According to one or more implementations, the sensing agent 536-1 may receive a sensing trigger message including a requested timing configuration from the sensing device 502 via the receive antenna 534-1. In response to receiving the sensing trigger message, the sensing agent 536-1 may generate one or more sensing transmissions.

[0167] In some implementations, when a sensing transmission is required from the remote device 504-1, for example in response to receiving a sensing trigger message from the sensing device 502, the scheduler 538-1 may determine whether there are any non-sensing messages queued for transmission to the sensing device 502 that are scheduled to be transmitted at the requested time of the sensing transmission. Upon determining that there are queued non-sensing messages, the scheduler 538-1 may incorporate the sensing transmission into the queued non-sensing messages to create an aggregate message. In one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 may transmit a sensing transmission to the sensing device 502 via the transmit antenna 532-1. In one implementation, the sensing agent 536-1 can transmit a sensing transmission to the sensing device 502 using a highest-ranked steering matrix configuration from a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations in the steering matrix configuration storage 542-1, which can enable the scheduler 538-1 to incorporate the sensing transmission with queued non-sensing messages to create an aggregated message. According to one implementation, since the sensing transmission is aggregated with the queued non-sensing messages, dedicated sensing response messages and sensing response announcements that the remote device 504-1 may need to generate are significantly reduced.

[0168] In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 may receive a sensing transmission from the remote device 504-1 via the receive antenna 514. In response to receiving the sensing transmission, the sensing agent 516 may apply a timestamp to the sensing transmission.

[0169] In one implementation, the sensing device 502 and the remote device 504-1 may form part of a BSS. According to the IEEE 802.11 standard, the TSF timer (also referred to as the system clock) of each individual device in the BSS is synchronized within a predefined tolerance using the TSF with a synchronization beacon frame. In one example, the predefined tolerance is ±100 ppm. In one implementation, the values ​​of the TSF timers of the sensing device 502 and the remote device 504-1 may be identical within the predefined tolerance of the TSF. According to one example, the values ​​of the TSF timers may be associated with a reference time in real time, such as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), Global Positioning System (GPS) time, or a network time derived from a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server.

[0170] In one implementation, the sensing agent 516 can generate a timestamp associated with the sensing transmission. In one example, the sensing agent 516 can generate a timestamp according to a timing index indicating when the sensing transmission was valid from the time value of the TSF timer, i.e., determined during the identification of the timing index. Other examples of timestamp generation not described are contemplated herein. The sensing agent 516 can then apply the timestamp to the sensing transmission. According to one implementation, the system 500 can compensate / remove measurement time jitter, and the application of the timestamp to the sensing transmission can allow much greater flexibility in the time variation of the sensing transmission.

[0171] As mentioned above, some embodiments of the present disclosure define four sensing message types for Wi-Fi sensing: sensing configuration message, sensing configuration response message, sensing trigger message, and sensing response message. In one example, all message types are carried in a new extension to management frames 600 of the type described in IEEE 802.11. FIG. 6 illustrates management frames 600 carrying messages. In one example, the system 500 can operate with acknowledgement frames and the management frames carrying the sensing messages are implemented as action frames, and in another example, the system 500 can operate without acknowledgement frames and the management frames carrying the sensing messages are implemented as Action No Ack frames. In some examples, all message types are carried in a new extension to IEEE 802.11 control frames. In some examples, a combination of management frames and control frames can be used to realize these sensing message types.

[0172] In some examples, the transmit configurations in the form of requested and delivered transmit configurations, the timing configurations in the form of requested timing configurations, and the steering matrix configurations are implemented as IEEE 802.11 elements, as described in FIG. 6. In one or more embodiments, according to some embodiments, the sensing message types may be identified by a message type field, and each sensing message type may or may not carry other identified elements. Examples of sensing message types and components are shown in Table 9. In one example, one or more components included in the management frame 600 may be referred to as sensing measurement parameter elements. [Table 9-1] [Table 9-2] [Table 9-3] [Table 9-4]

[0173] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the configuration and triggering of the sensing transmission (i.e., the requested transmission configuration included in the sensing trigger message) may be performed to allow a defined level of flexibility in the resulting sensing transmission (i.e., how much variation the delivered transmission configuration of the sensing transmission may have from the requested transmission configuration of the sensing transmission) so that the sensing transmission may be aggregated more frequently with data transmissions (i.e., non-sensing messages), resulting in a lower impact of the sensing transmission on the IEEE 802.11 data network. As explained above, aspects of the sensing transmission that may be subject to flexibility include the band of the transmission (SensingFrequencyBand as described in Table 2), the channel bandwidth (SensingBandwidth as described in Table 3), the antenna steering matrix (SensingSpatialConfSteeringMatrix as described in Table 5), and the timing (requested timing configuration as described in Table 7).

[0174] FIG. 7 depicts a flowchart 700 for receiving a sensing configuration response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with a remote device, according to some embodiments.

[0175] In an overview of an implementation of the flowchart 700, a sensing configuration message is transmitted to a remote device in step 702. In step 704, a sensing configuration response message is received from the remote device, the sensing configuration response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with the remote device. The transmission capability indicator includes a flexibility indicator that the remote device supports flexibility.

[0176] Step 702 includes transmitting a sensing configuration message to the remote device. The sensing configuration response message may include the requested transmission configuration. In one implementation, the sensing device 502 may transmit the sensing configuration message to the remote device 504-1.

[0177] Step 704 includes receiving a sensing configuration response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with the remote device. The transmission capability indicator may include a flexibility indicator that the remote device supports flexibility. In one example, the flexibility indicator may indicate that flexibility is supported in one or more transmission parameters. The one or more transmission parameters may include one or more of a sensing frequency band parameter, a sensing bandwidth parameter, a sensing channel parameter, a sensing training field parameter, an index into a table of steering matrix configurations, and a steering matrix configuration. In some examples, the flexibility indicator may indicate that flexibility is supported in timing of sensing transmissions. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 may receive a sensing configuration response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with the remote device 504-1.

[0178] FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart 800 for generating a sensing configuration message including a requested transmission configuration according to some embodiments.

[0179] In an overview of an implementation of the flowchart 800, in step 802, a sensing configuration message is generated. The sensing configuration message includes a requested transmission configuration and a flexibility indicator of the requested transmission configuration. In step 804, the sensing configuration message is transmitted to the remote device. In step 806, a sensing configuration response message is received from the remote device. The sensing configuration response message includes a delivered transmission configuration indicating a number of applied transmission parameters.

[0180] Step 802 includes generating a sensing configuration message including a requested transmission configuration corresponding to a plurality of requested transmission parameters requested in the sensing transmission and a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of requested transmission parameters may be adjusted. A field in the plurality of fields may indicate a type or degree of adjustment allowed. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 may generate the sensing configuration message.

[0181] Step 804 includes transmitting the sensing configuration message to the remote device. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 can transmit the sensing configuration message to the remote device 504-1.

[0182] Step 806 includes receiving a sensing configuration response message from the remote device. The sensing configuration response message may include a distributed transmission configuration indicating a plurality of applied transmission parameters. In one implementation, the sensing device 502 may receive the sensing configuration response message from the remote device 504-1.

[0183] FIG. 9 depicts a flowchart 900 for transmitting a sensing trigger message to a remote device, according to some embodiments.

[0184] In an overview of an implementation of flowchart 900, a sensing trigger message is transmitted to a remote device in step 902. A sensing response message transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message is received in step 904. The sensing response message includes a delivered transmission configuration indicating a number of applied transmission parameters.

[0185] Step 902 includes transmitting a sensing trigger message to the remote device. In one example, the sensing trigger message may include a requested transmission configuration. In one implementation, the sensing device 502 may transmit the sensing trigger message to the remote device 504-1.

[0186] Step 904 includes receiving a sensing response message transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message. In one example, the sensing response message may include a distributed transmission configuration indicating a plurality of applied transmission parameters. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 may receive a sensing response message from the remote device 504-1 transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message.

[0187] FIG. 10 depicts a flowchart 1000 for generating a sensing configuration message including multiple predefined steering matrix configurations according to some embodiments.

[0188] In an overview of an implementation of flowchart 1000, in step 1002, a sensing configuration message is generated. The sensing configuration message includes a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations. In step 1004, the sensing configuration message is transmitted to the remote device. In step 1006, a sensing configuration response message is received from the remote device. The sensing configuration response message includes a selected steering matrix configuration. The selected steering matrix configuration has a highest preference ranking among the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations that enable aggregation of sensing transmissions with existing non-sensing messages.

[0189] Step 1002 includes generating a sensing configuration message including a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations. In one example, each of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations may include at least one of a transmit antenna count, a minimum transmit antenna count, and a sensing antenna steering vector. In one implementation, the sensing device 502 may generate a sensing configuration message including a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations.

[0190] Step 1004 includes transmitting a sensing configuration message to a remote device. In one implementation, the sensing device 502 can transmit the sensing configuration message to the remote device 504-1. In some implementations, the sensing device 502 can transmit a sensing trigger message to the remote device 504-1 that includes an indication that use of the predefined steering matrix configuration is optional.

[0191] Step 1006 includes receiving a sensing configuration response message from the remote device. The sensing configuration response message may include a selected steering matrix configuration. The selected steering matrix configuration has a highest preference ranking among a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations that enable aggregation of sensing transmissions with existing non-sensing messages. In some implementations, the sensing device 502 can receive the sensing configuration response message from the remote device 504-1.

[0192] FIG. 11 depicts a flowchart 1100 for receiving sensing transmissions that allows for flexible timing configurations, according to some embodiments.

[0193] In an overview of an implementation of the flowchart 1100, in step 1102, a sensing configuration message is transmitted to a remote device. The sensing trigger message includes a requested timing configuration. The requested timing configuration includes a flexibility indication that the requested timing configuration is flexible. In step 1104, a sensing transmission transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message is received. The sensing transmission includes the delivered transmission configuration.

[0194] Step 1102 includes transmitting a sensing trigger message including a requested timing configuration. The requested timing configuration may include a flexibility indicator that the requested timing configuration is flexible. In one example, the requested timing configuration may indicate a timing requirement for a measurement campaign including a series of sensing transmissions from a remote device to the sensing device. In one example, the requested timing configuration may include at least one of a sensing measurement type, a time between sensing transmissions, a time flexibility window, and a number of sensing transmissions of the measurement campaign. In one example, the flexibility indicator may indicate a degree of adjustment allowed for the requested timing configuration. In some examples, the flexibility indicator indicates an extended time window in which the sensing transmissions may be transmitted. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 may transmit a sensing trigger message including the requested timing configuration to the remote device 504-1.

[0195] Step 1104 includes receiving a sensing transmission transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message. The sensing transmission may include a distributed transmission configuration. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 can receive a sensing transmission from the remote device 504-1 transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message.

[0196] FIG. 12 depicts a flowchart 1200 for applying a timestamp to a sensing transmission, according to some embodiments.

[0197] To summarize one implementation of the flowchart 1200, in step 1202, a sensing trigger message is transmitted that includes a requested timing configuration. The requested timing configuration includes a flexibility indication that the requested timing configuration is flexible. In step 1204, a sensing transmission transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message is received. The sensing transmission includes the delivered transmission configuration. In step 1206, a timestamp is applied to the sensing transmission.

[0198] Step 1202 includes transmitting a sensing trigger message including a requested timing configuration. The requested timing configuration may include a flexibility indicator that the requested timing configuration is flexible. In one example, the requested timing configuration may indicate a timing requirement for a measurement campaign including a series of sensing transmissions from a remote device to the sensing device. In one example, the requested timing configuration may include at least one of a sensing measurement type, a time between sensing transmissions, a time flexibility window, and a number of sensing transmissions of the measurement campaign. In one example, the flexibility indicator may indicate a degree of adjustment allowed for the requested timing configuration. In some examples, the flexibility indicator indicates an extended time window in which the sensing transmissions may be transmitted. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 may transmit a sensing trigger message including the requested timing configuration to the remote device 504-1.

[0199] Step 1204 includes receiving a sensing transmission transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message. The sensing transmission may include a distributed transmission configuration. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 can receive a sensing transmission from the remote device 504-1 transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message.

[0200] Step 1206 includes applying a timestamp to the sensing transmission. According to one implementation, the sensing device 502 can apply a timestamp to the sensing transmission.

[0201] Further specific embodiments include the following:

[0202] Embodiment 1 is a system for Wi-Fi sensing, the system comprising: a sensing device having a transmit antenna, a receive antenna, and at least one processor configured to execute instructions to transmit a sensing configuration message via the transmit antenna of the sensing device and receive a sensing configuration response message via the receive antenna of the sensing device, the sensing configuration response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with a remote device, the transmission capability indicator including a flexibility indicator that the remote device supports flexibility.

[0203]

[0023] Example 2 is the system of Example 1, wherein the flexibility indicator indicates that flexibility is supported in one or more transmission parameters.

[0204] Embodiment 3 is the system of embodiment 2, wherein the one or more transmission parameters include one or more of a sensing frequency band parameter, a sensing bandwidth parameter, a sensing channel parameter, a sensing training field parameter, an index into a table of steering matrix configurations, and a steering matrix configuration.

[0205] A fourth embodiment is a system according to any one of the first to third embodiments, in which the flexibility index indicates that flexibility is supported in timing of the sensing transmission.

[0206] Embodiment 5 is a system of any of embodiments 1 to 4, in which the sensing configuration message includes a requested transmission configuration corresponding to multiple requested transmission parameters requested in the sensing transmission, and multiple fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the multiple requested transmission parameters can be adjusted.

[0207] Example 6 is the system of Example 5, wherein one field of the plurality of fields indicates a type or degree of adjustment allowed.

[0208] A seventh embodiment is a system according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, in which the sensing configuration response message includes a distributed transmission configuration indicating a plurality of transmission parameters to be applied.

[0209] Embodiment 8 is a system of any of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions for transmitting a sensing trigger message by a transmitting antenna and receiving a sensing response message transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message via a receiving antenna, and the sensing response message includes a distributed transmission configuration indicating a plurality of applied transmission parameters.

[0210] A ninth embodiment is a system according to any one of the first to eighth embodiments, in which the delivered transmission configuration indicates adjustments made in the requested transmission parameters.

[0211] Embodiment 10 is a system of any of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the sensing configuration message includes a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations and an indication of a preference ranking of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations.

[0212] Example 11 is the system of example 10, wherein one of the plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations includes at least one of a transmit antenna count, a minimum transmit antenna count, and a sensing antenna steering vector.

[0213] Embodiment 12 is a system of any of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the sensing configuration response message includes a selected steering matrix configuration, and the selected steering matrix configuration has the highest preference ranking among a plurality of predefined steering matrix configurations that enable aggregation of sensing transmissions with existing non-sensing messages.

[0214] Embodiment 13 is a system of any of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the sensing configuration message includes a predefined steering matrix configuration, and the processor is further configured to execute instructions for transmitting, by the transmitting antenna, a sensing trigger message including an indication that use of the predefined steering matrix configuration is optional.

[0215]

[0043] Embodiment 14 is the system of embodiment 13, wherein the indicator indicates that any steering matrix configuration may be used or that a unity steering matrix configuration may be used.

[0216] Embodiment 15 is a system for Wi-Fi sensing comprising a sensing device having a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to execute instructions to transmit, via the transmitting antenna, a sensing trigger message including a requested timing configuration, the requested timing configuration including a flexibility indication that the requested timing configuration is flexible, and to receive, via the receiving antenna, a sensing transmission transmitted in response to the sensing trigger message, the sensing transmission including the delivered transmission configuration.

[0217]

[0043] Example 16 is the system of Example 15, wherein the flexibility index indicates a degree of adjustment allowed for the requested timing configuration.

[0218] Example 17 is the system of example 15 or example 16, wherein the flexibility index indicates an extended time window during which the sensing transmission may be transmitted.

[0219] An eighteenth embodiment is a system according to any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth embodiments, in which the requested timing configuration indicates a timing requirement for a measurement campaign including a series of sensing transmissions from the remote device to the sensing device.

[0220] An embodiment 19 is a system according to any one of embodiments 15 to 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute an instruction to apply a timestamp to the sensing transmission.

[0221] Embodiment 20 is a system of any of embodiments 15 to 19, wherein the requested timing configuration includes at least one of a sensing measurement type, a time between sensing transmissions, a time flexibility window, and a number of sensing transmissions in the measurement campaign.

[0222] Embodiment 21 is a method for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: transmitting a sensing measurement setup request message via at least one transmit antenna of a sensing initiator device, the sensing measurement setup request message including requested sensing measurement parameter elements; and receiving a sensing measurement setup response message via at least one receive antenna of the sensing initiator device, the sensing measurement setup response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device and one or more of the delivered sensing measurement parameter elements.

[0223]

[0046] Example 22 is the method of example 21, wherein the requested sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of requested transmission parameters to be used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

[0224]

[0071] Example 23 is the method of example 22, wherein the requested sensing measurement parameters element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of requested transmission parameters may be adjusted.

[0225]

[0036] Embodiment 24 is the method of embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the plurality of requested transmission parameters includes one or more of a frequency band parameter, a bandwidth parameter, a channel parameter, a training field parameter, an index identifying a predefined steering matrix configuration, and a steering matrix configuration.

[0226]

[0046] Embodiment 25 is a method of any of embodiments 21 to 24, wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of distributed transmission parameters used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

[0227] Example 26 is the method of example 25, wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters is adjusted, for example, relative to a plurality of requested transmission parameters.

[0228]

[0046] Example 27 is the method of example 25, wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters may be adjusted.

[0229]

[0046] Embodiment 28 is the method of embodiment 25, in which the plurality of distributed transmission parameters include one or more of a frequency band parameter, a bandwidth parameter, a channel parameter, a training field parameter, a timing configuration, an index identifying a predefined steering matrix configuration, and a steering matrix configuration.

[0230]

[0081] Example 29 is the method of any of Examples 21-28, wherein the delivered sensing measurement parameter element is different from the requested sensing measurement parameter element.

[0231]

[0081] An embodiment 30 is the method of any of embodiments 21 to 29, in which one or more of the sensing measurement setup request message and the sensing measurement setup response message are implemented as an IEEE 802.11 action frame.

[0232] Embodiment 31 is a method for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: receiving a sensing measurement setup request message via at least one receive antenna of a sensing responder device, the sensing measurement setup request message including requested sensing measurement parameter elements; and transmitting a sensing measurement setup response message via at least one transmit antenna of the sensing responder device, the sensing measurement setup response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device and one or more of the delivered sensing measurement parameter elements.

[0233] Embodiment 32 is a system for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising a sensing initiator device having at least one transmit antenna, at least one receive antenna, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to transmit a sensing measurement setup request message via the at least one transmit antenna, the sensing measurement setup request message including requested sensing measurement parameter elements, and to receive a sensing measurement setup response message via the at least one receive antenna, the sensing measurement setup response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device and one or more of the delivered sensing measurement parameter elements.

[0234]

[0046] Example 33 is the system of example 32, wherein the requested sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of requested transmission parameters to be used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

[0235] Example 34 is the system of example 33, wherein the requested sensing measurement parameters element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of requested transmission parameters can be adjusted.

[0236] Embodiment 35 is the system of embodiment 33, wherein the multiple requested transmission parameters include one or more of a frequency band parameter, a bandwidth parameter, a channel parameter, a training field parameter, an index identifying a predefined steering matrix configuration, and a steering matrix configuration.

[0237] Embodiment 36 is a system of any of embodiments 32 to 35, wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of distributed transmission parameters used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

[0238] Embodiment 37 is the system of embodiment 36, in which the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters is adjusted, for example, relative to a plurality of requested transmission parameters.

[0239] Example 38 is the system of example 36, wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters may be adjusted.

[0240] Embodiment 39 is the system of embodiment 36, wherein the plurality of distributed transmission parameters include one or more of a frequency band parameter, a bandwidth parameter, a channel parameter, a training field parameter, a timing configuration, an index identifying a predefined steering matrix configuration, and a steering matrix configuration.

[0241] An embodiment 40 is a system according to any one of embodiments 32 to 39, in which the distributed sensing measurement parameter element is different from the requested sensing measurement parameter element.

[0242] Embodiment 41 is the system of any of embodiments 32 to 40, in which one or more of the sensing measurement setup request message and the sensing measurement setup response message are implemented as an IEEE 802.11 action frame.

[0243] Embodiment 42 is a system for Wi-Fi sensing comprising a sensing responder device having at least one receive antenna, at least one transmit antenna, and at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to receive a sensing measurement setup request message via the at least one receive antenna, the sensing measurement setup request message including requested sensing measurement parameter elements, and to transmit a sensing measurement setup response message via the at least one transmit antenna, the sensing measurement setup response message including a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device and one or more of the delivered sensing measurement parameter elements.

[0244] Although various embodiments of the methods and systems have been described, these embodiments are exemplary and in no way limit the scope of the described methods or systems. Those skilled in the art may make changes in form and detail of the described methods and systems without departing from the broadest scope of the described methods and systems. Thus, the scope of the methods and systems described herein should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments, but should be defined according to the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A method for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: transmitting, via at least one transmitting antenna of the sensing initiator device, a sensing measurement setup request frame to a sensing responder device, requesting that a sensing measurement setup be used in a corresponding sensing measurement instance of a WLAN sensing session for performing sensing measurements for one or more sensing transmissions to monitor motion within a sensing space, the sensing measurement setup request frame including requested sensing measurement parameter elements; receiving a sensing measurement setup response frame via at least one receive antenna of the sensing initiator device, the sensing measurement setup response frame comprising: a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device, the transmission capability indicator indicating whether the sensing responder device is capable of participating in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; and a distributed sensing measurement parameter element for use in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; transmitting, via the at least one transmit antenna of the sensing initiator device, or receiving, via the at least one receive antenna of the sensing initiator device, a first frame of a first corresponding sensing measurement instance configured according to the sensing measurement setup response frame; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the requested sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of requested transmission parameters to be used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the requested sensing measurement parameters element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of requested transmission parameters may be adjusted.

4. The plurality of requested transmission parameters include: Frequency band parameters, Bandwidth parameters, Channel parameters, Training field parameters, an index that identifies a predefined steering matrix configuration; and A steering matrix configuration.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the index that identifies the predefined steering matrix configuration configures a spatial stream to be applied by the sensing responder device for a corresponding sensing measurement instance.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element comprises a plurality of distributed transmission parameters used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters is adjusted.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters may be adjusted.

9. The plurality of distributed transmission parameters include: Frequency band parameters, Bandwidth parameters, Channel parameters, Training field parameters, Timing configuration, an index that identifies a predefined steering matrix configuration; and A steering matrix configuration.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the index that identifies the predefined steering matrix configuration configures a spatial stream to be applied by the sensing responder device for a corresponding sensing measurement instance.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the sensing measurement setup request frame and the sensing measurement setup response frame are implemented as an IEEE 802.11 action frame.

12. 1. A method for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: receiving, via at least one receive antenna of a sensing responder device, a sensing measurement setup request frame requesting that a sensing measurement setup be used in a corresponding sensing measurement instance of a WLAN sensing session for performing sensing measurements for one or more sensing transmissions to monitor motion within a sensing space, the sensing measurement setup request frame including a requested sensing measurement parameter element; transmitting, via at least one transmit antenna of the sensing responder device, a sensing measurement setup response frame, the sensing measurement setup response frame comprising: a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device, the transmission capability indicator indicating whether the sensing responder device is capable of participating in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; and a distributed sensing measurement parameter element for use in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; transmitting via the at least one transmit antenna of the sensing responder device or receiving via the at least one receive antenna of the sensing responder device a first frame of a first corresponding sensing measurement instance configured according to the sensing measurement setup response frame; A method comprising:

13. A system for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: a sensing initiator device having at least one transmitting antenna, at least one receiving antenna, and at least one processor; The at least one processor transmitting, via the at least one transmitting antenna, a sensing measurement setup request frame to a sensing responder device requesting that a sensing measurement setup be used in a corresponding sensing measurement instance of a WLAN sensing session for performing sensing measurements for one or more sensing transmissions to monitor motion within a sensing space, the sensing measurement setup request frame including requested sensing measurement parameter elements; receiving a sensing measurement setup response frame via the at least one receive antenna, the sensing measurement setup response frame comprising: a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device, the transmission capability indicator indicating whether the sensing responder is capable of participating in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; and a distributed sensing measurement parameter element for use in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; transmitting, via the at least one transmit antenna of the sensing initiator device, or receiving, via the at least one receive antenna of the sensing initiator device, a first frame of a first corresponding sensing measurement instance configured according to the sensing measurement setup response frame; A system configured to:

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the requested sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of requested transmission parameters to be used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

15. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the requested sensing measurement parameters element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of requested transmission parameters may be adjusted.

16. The plurality of requested transmission parameters include: Frequency band parameters, Bandwidth parameters, Channel parameters, Training field parameters, an index that identifies a predefined steering matrix configuration; and A steering matrix configuration.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the index that identifies the predefined steering matrix configuration configures a spatial stream to be applied by the sensing responder device for a corresponding sensing measurement instance.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element comprises a plurality of distributed transmission parameters used for one or more sensing transmissions from the sensing responder device.

19. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters is adjusted.

20. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the distributed sensing measurement parameter element includes a plurality of fields indicating that each transmission parameter of the plurality of distributed transmission parameters may be adjusted.

21. The plurality of distributed transmission parameters include: Frequency band parameters, Bandwidth parameters, Channel parameters, Training field parameters, Timing configuration, an index that identifies a predefined steering matrix configuration; and A steering matrix configuration.

22. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the index that identifies the predefined steering matrix configuration configures a spatial stream to be applied by the sensing responder device for a corresponding sensing measurement instance.

23. The system of claim 13 , wherein one or more of the sensing measurement setup request frame and the sensing measurement setup response frame are implemented as an IEEE 802.11 action frame.

24. A system for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: a sensing responder device having at least one receive antenna, at least one transmit antenna, and at least one processor; The at least one processor receiving, via the at least one receive antenna, a sensing measurement setup request frame requesting that a sensing measurement setup be used in a corresponding sensing measurement instance of a WLAN sensing session for performing sensing measurements for one or more sensing transmissions to monitor motion within a sensing space, the sensing measurement setup request frame including a requested sensing measurement parameter element; Transmitting a sensing measurement setup response frame via the at least one transmit antenna, the sensing measurement setup response frame comprising: a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device, the transmission capability indicator indicating whether the sensing responder device is capable of participating in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; and a distributed sensing measurement parameter element for use in the corresponding sensing measurement instance; transmitting via the at least one transmit antenna of the sensing responder device or receiving via the at least one receive antenna of the sensing responder device a first frame of a first corresponding sensing measurement instance configured according to the sensing measurement setup response frame; A system configured to:

25. 1. A method for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: Transmitting a sensing measurement setup request frame via at least one transmitting antenna of a sensing initiator device to a sensing responder device, requesting that a sensing measurement setup be used in a corresponding sensing measurement instance of a WLAN sensing session for performing sensing measurements for one or more sensing transmissions to monitor motion within a sensing space, the sensing measurement setup request frame including a requested sensing measurement parameters element indicating a requested sensing measurement parameter; receiving, via at least one receive antenna of the sensing initiator device, a sensing measurement setup response frame, the sensing measurement setup response frame including a transmission capability indication associated with the sensing responder device indicating that the sensing responder device supports the requested sensing measurement parameter; transmitting, via the at least one transmit antenna, a sensing sounding trigger frame for a corresponding sensing measurement instance, the sensing sounding trigger frame being configured for a sensing transmission configured according to the requested sensing measurement parameter element included in the sensing measurement setup request frame; A method comprising:

26. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising receiving, via the at least one receive antenna, the sensing transmission configured according to the requested sensing measurement parameter element included in the sensing measurement setup request frame.

27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the sensing transmission comprises an NDP.

28. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising performing, by at least one processor of the sensing initiator device, a sensing measurement on the sensing transmission.

29. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising associating a timestamp with the sensing transmission.

30. The method of claim 25 , wherein the sensing measurement setup request frame is transmitted to establish a sensing measurement session with the sensing responder device.

31. The requested sensing measurement parameters include: Frequency band parameters, Bandwidth parameters, Channel parameters, Training field parameters, an index that identifies a predefined steering matrix configuration; and A steering matrix configuration.

32. A system for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: a sensing initiator device including at least one transmitting antenna, at least one receiving antenna, and at least one processor; The at least one processor transmitting, via the at least one transmitting antenna, a sensing measurement setup request frame to a sensing responder device requesting that a sensing measurement setup be used in a corresponding sensing measurement instance of a WLAN sensing session for performing sensing measurements for one or more sensing transmissions to monitor motion within a sensing space, the sensing measurement setup request frame including a requested sensing measurement parameters element indicating a requested sensing measurement parameter; receiving, via the at least one receive antenna, a sensing measurement setup response frame, the sensing measurement setup response frame including a transmission capability indicator associated with the sensing responder device indicating that the sensing responder device supports the requested sensing measurement parameter; transmitting, via the at least one transmit antenna, a sensing sounding trigger frame for a corresponding sensing measurement instance, the sensing sounding trigger frame being configured for a sensing transmission configured according to the requested sensing measurement parameter element included in the sensing measurement setup request frame; 23. A system configured to execute instructions to:

33. 33. The system of claim 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive, via the at least one receive antenna, the sensing transmission configured in accordance with the requested sensing measurement parameter element included in the sensing measurement setup request frame.

34. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the sensing transmission comprises an NDP.

35. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to perform, by at least one processor of the sensing initiator device, a sensing measurement on the sensing transmission.

36. 34. The system of claim 33, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to associate a timestamp with the sensing transmission.

37. The system of claim 32 , wherein the sensing measurement setup request frame is transmitted to establish a sensing measurement session with the sensing responder device.

38. The requested sensing measurement parameters include: Frequency band parameters, Bandwidth parameters, Channel parameters, Training field parameters, an index that identifies a predefined steering matrix configuration; and A steering matrix configuration.

39. 1. A method for Wi-Fi sensing, comprising: Transmitting a sensing measurement setup request frame via at least one transmitting antenna of a sensing initiator device to a sensing responder device, requesting that a sensing measurement setup be used in a corresponding sensing measurement instance of a WLAN sensing session for performing sensing measurements for one or more sensing transmissions to monitor motion within a sensing space, the sensing measurement setup request frame including a requested sensing measurement parameters element indicating a requested sensing measurement parameter; receiving, via at least one receive antenna of the sensing initiator device, a sensing measurement setup response frame, the sensing measurement setup response frame including a transmission capability indication associated with the sensing responder device indicating that the sensing responder device supports the requested sensing measurement parameter; transmitting a sensing NDP announcement frame of a corresponding sensing measurement instance via the at least one transmitting antenna; transmitting, via the at least one transmitting antenna of the sensing initiator device, a sensing transmission configured in accordance with the requested sensing measurement parameter element included in the sensing measurement setup request frame following transmission of the sensing NDP announcement frame.

40. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the sensing transmission comprises an NDP.

41. The requested sensing measurement parameters include: Frequency band parameters, Bandwidth parameters, Channel parameters, Training field parameters, an index that identifies a predefined steering matrix configuration; and a steering matrix configuration.

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