Multi-user EDMG aggregated PPDU structure

Abstract

A PPDU structure and related methods and apparatus are provided. [Solution] In various embodiments, the PPDU structure can be characterized as a multi-user EDMG aggregated PPDU structure. That is, the PPDU can be sent to multiple users or destinations (e.g., STA), comply with EDMG requirements, and exhibit the characteristics of an A-PPDU. The PPDU structure can be used for multi-static sensing or potentially for other applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to an IEEE 802.11 physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) structure used, for example, as a multi-user PPDU in data communication and / or a sounding PPDU in multi-static sensing.

Background Art

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

[0003] The IEEE 802.11bf standard is intended to modify existing wireless local area network (WLAN) standards to enhance sensing capabilities through IEEE 802.11 compliant waveforms. Using IEEE 802.11bf, a station (STA) can detect characteristics (such as range, speed, angle, movement, presence or proximity, gesture, etc.) of an intended target (such as an object, a human, an animal, etc.) within an environment (such as a home, an office, a room, a vehicle, an enterprise, etc.) using the received Wi-Fi signal.

[0004] The IEEE 802.11bf standard includes modifications to the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) of the existing IEEE 802.11 standard to improve WLAN sensing capabilities in the unlicensed bands between 1 GHz and 7.125 GHz (sub-7 GHz) and the 60 GHz band. WLAN sensing may include multistatic sensing, in which a prospecting PPDU is transmitted from an initiator device to multiple responder devices. This prospecting PPDU can be transmitted using a directional beam and received by the responder devices.

[0005] However, existing proposals for the MU-PPDU format have potential problems regarding backward compatibility and coexistence. Therefore, a MU-PPDU structure is needed that eliminates or mitigates one or more defects of the prior art.

[0006] This background information is provided to clarify information that the applicant considers to be potentially relevant to the present invention. It is not necessarily intended, nor should it be interpreted, that any of the aforementioned pieces of information constitutes prior art to the present invention. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a PPDU structure, such as one whose terminology relates to IEEE 802.11 PPDU, along with related methods and apparatus. In various embodiments, the PPDU structure can be characterized as a multi-user EDMG aggregated PPDU structure. That is, the PPDU can be transmitted to multiple users or destinations (e.g., STA), comply with EDMG requirements, and exhibit the characteristics of an A-PPDU. The PPDU structure can be used for multi-static sensing or potentially for other applications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided which includes generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) by a device. The PPDU includes a first contiguous portion and a second contiguous portion. The first contiguous portion includes a first contiguous sub-port which includes a first Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), a first Legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF), a first Legacy Header (L-Header), and a first Upward Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first contiguous portion further includes a second contiguous sub-port which includes a first EDMG Short Training Field (EDMG-STF), a first EDMG Channel Estimation Field (EDMG-CEF), and optionally a first data portion. The first contiguous portion further includes a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA). The second continuum includes a third continuum sub-part which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuum further includes a fourth continuum sub-part which includes a second EDMG-STF, a second EDMG-CEF, and optionally a second data portion. The second continuum further includes a second synchronization field specific to the second station (STA).

[0009] It should be understood that a contiguous or sub-part may indicate that multiple fields within that part or sub-part are adjacent to each other. Additionally or alternatively, a part or sub-part may be contiguous, for example, in that there are no interruptions within that part or sub-part.

[0010] The method further includes, depending on the device, transmitting a PPDU, with the first contiguous portion transmitted directionally toward the first STA and the second contiguous portion transmitted directionally toward the second STA. The first and third contiguous sub-parts are modulated using the legacy pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth contiguous sub-parts are modulated using the EDMG modulation format. In addition, either the first synchronization field is included in the first contiguous sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the third contiguous sub-part, or the first synchronization field is included in the second contiguous sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the fourth contiguous sub-part.

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

[0012] In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield includes a first sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the first sequence being assigned to the first STA, or the second synchronization subfield includes a second sequence selected from the set of orthogonal sequences, the second sequence being assigned to the second STA, or both. In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield further includes another first sequence assigned chronologically earlier than the first orthogonal sequence to facilitate the implementation of a delay in decoding the first EDMG-Header-A, or the second synchronization subfield further includes another second sequence assigned chronologically earlier than the second orthogonal sequence to facilitate the implementation of a delay in decoding the second EDMG-Header-A.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided which includes generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) by a device. The PPDU includes a first contiguous portion and a second contiguous portion. The first contiguous portion includes a first contiguous sub-port which includes a first Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), a first Legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF), a first Legacy Header (L-Header), and a first Upward Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first contiguous portion further includes a second contiguous sub-port which includes a first EDMG Short Training Field (EDMG-STF), and a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA). The second contiguous portion includes a third contiguous sub-port which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuum further includes a fourth continuum sub-part containing a second EDMG-STF and a second synchronization field specific to the second station (STA). The method further includes the device transmitting the PPDU, with the first continuum being transmitted directionally toward the first STA and the second continuum being transmitted directionally toward the second STA. The first and third continuum sub-parts are modulated using the legacy pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuum sub-parts are modulated using the EDMG modulation format. In addition, either the first synchronization field is included in the first continuum sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the third continuum sub-part, or the first synchronization field is included in the second continuum sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the fourth continuum sub-part.

[0014] According to the embodiment, the second continuous sub-section includes the first padding field, or the fourth continuous sub-section includes the second padding field, or both. According to the embodiment, the PPDU further includes one or more first training sub-fields transmitted oriented toward the first STA, and one or more second training sub-fields transmitted oriented toward the second STA.

[0015] According to the embodiment, the first synchronization subfield includes a first sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the first sequence being assigned to a first STA, or the second synchronization subfield includes a second sequence selected from the set of orthogonal sequences, the second sequence being assigned to a second STA, or both. According to the embodiment, the first synchronization subfield further includes another first sequence allocated temporally before the first orthogonal sequence to facilitate the implementation of a delay in decoding the first EDMG-Header-A, or the second synchronization subfield further includes another second sequence allocated temporally before the second orthogonal sequence to facilitate the implementation of a delay in decoding the second EDMG-Header-A, or both.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided which includes generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) by a device. The PPDU includes a first contiguous portion and a second contiguous portion. The first contiguous portion includes a first contiguous sub-port which includes a first Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), a first Legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF), a first Legacy Header (L-Header), and a first Upward Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first contiguous portion further includes a second contiguous sub-port which includes a first EDMG Short Training Field (EDMG-STF) and a first EDMG Channel Estimation Field (EDMG-CEF), wherein the first EDMG-CEF is specific to a first station (STA). The second continuum includes a third continuum sub-part which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuum further includes a fourth continuum sub-part which includes a second EDMG-STF and a second EDMG-CEF different from the first EDMG-CEF, the second EDMG-CEF being specific to the second station (STA). The method further includes the device transmitting the PPDU, with the first continuum being transmitted directionally toward the first STA and the second continuum being transmitted directionally toward the second STA. The first and third continuum sub-parts are modulated using the legacy pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuum sub-parts are modulated using the EDMG modulation format.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the PPDU is modulated using the EDMG format and further includes a padding field located after a second continuous portion, the padding field being transmitted directionally toward the first STA. According to some embodiments, the second continuous sub-port includes a first data portion, or the fourth continuous sub-port includes a second data portion, or both. In some embodiments, the second continuous sub-port includes a first padding field, or the fourth continuous sub-port includes a second padding field, or both.

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

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided which includes a device generating a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a plurality of Legacy Short Training Fields (L-STFs). The method further includes the device transmitting the PPDU, each of the plurality of L-STFs being transmitted directionally toward a different respective Station (STA). Each of the plurality of L-STFs is modulated using a legacy Advanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) pre-modulation format.

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

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided which includes communicating between two or more devices to determine multi-user (MU), forward-directed multi-gigabit (EDMG), and aggregated physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (A-PPDU) capabilities. The method further includes generating a PPDU according to one of the methods described above, based on the determined MU A-PPDU capabilities.

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

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

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

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

[0026] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided that includes generating, by a device, a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU being formatted for use in multistatic sensing. The PPDU includes one or more synchronization (SYNC) fields and a synchronization pad (SYNC Pad) field. When the PPDU includes a data field, in an enhanced directivity multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A, the PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field is set to specify the total length of the data field, each of the one or more SYNC fields, and the SYNC pad field. When the PPDU excludes a data field, in an enhanced directivity multi-gigabit (EDMG) header-A, the PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field is set to specify the total length obtained by adding the SYNC pad field to each of the one or more SYNC fields. The method further includes transmitting, by the device, the PPDU such that at least two different portions of the PPDU are transmitted directionally towards different respective stations (STAs).

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

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

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

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

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

[0032] In another aspect, a computer program is provided, which includes instructions that, when the program is executed by a processor of a computer, cause the computer to execute one or more of the methods described herein.

[0033] In one aspect, a device is described that includes at least one processor and at least one machine-readable medium storing executable instructions that configure the device to execute one or more of the methods described herein when executed by the at least one processor.

[0034] The embodiments are described above in relation to aspects of the invention in which they may be implemented. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments may be implemented in relation to the aspect they describe, but may also be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments of that aspect. Where embodiments are mutually exclusive or otherwise incompatible, this will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects. This will be obvious to those skilled in the art. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

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

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of the Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) format for the Advanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) format.

[0037] [Figure 2] This is a diagram of the EDMG A-PPDU format.

[0038] [Figure 3] This is a diagram of a multistatic sensing setup having one transmitter and three receivers according to an embodiment.

[0039] [Figure 4] This is a diagram of the multistatic probe PPDU structure.

[0040] [Figure 5] This is a diagram of the MU EDMG A-PPDU format having a data field according to an embodiment.

[0041] [Figure 6] This is a diagram of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format having a data field, according to an embodiment.

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

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

[0044] [Figure 9] This is a diagram of the MU EDMG A-PPDU format having a data field according to an embodiment.

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

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

[0047] [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device capable of performing any or all of the operations of the methods and features described herein, according to different embodiments of this disclosure.

[0048] Please note that throughout the attached drawings, similar features are identified by the same reference number. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0049] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a format for upward-directed multi-gigabit (EDMG as defined in the IEEE 802.11ay standard) physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs), as well as related methods and apparatus. PPDUs can be used, for example, as multi-user PPDUs in data communications and / or as probing PPDUs in multi-static sensing operations.

[0050] Multistatic sensing is considered in the IEEE 802.11bf standard for operation in the 60 GHz band. In multistatic sensing, a Prospect PPDU structure is proposed in which a single Prospect PPDU is transmitted from an initiator to multiple responders. A training field for sensing purposes is appended to the end of the PPDU and shared by multiple receivers. A PPDU structure, a type of multi-user PPDU, is proposed.

[0051] More specifically, in EDMG channel bonding mode (EDMG PPDU transmission at 4.32 GHz, 6.48 GHz, and 8.64 GHz), the EDMG PPDU is transmitted over two or more 2.16 GHz channels. In EDMG channel bonding mode, EDMG pre-modulated fields such as L-STF, L-CEF, and L-Header are transmitted over their respective 2.16 GHz using the EDMG pre-replication format. Synchronization and detection of the EDMG PPDU are based on the reception of the L-STF, L-CEF, and L-Header fields. However, this proposed EDMG multistatic sensing PPDU requires the EDMG multistatic sensing receiver to perform PPDU detection and synchronization using the synchronization fields transmitted over two or more 2.16 GHz channels directly. This forces the EDMG multistatic sensing receiver to operate by following a separate new receiving procedure in addition to the EDMG receiving procedure. For backward compatibility reasons, this requires that the EDMG multistatic sensing receiver be implemented to provide two different receiver procedures, which increases the complexity of the receiver.

[0052] Furthermore, in the EDMG multistatic PPDU format (as defined in reference IEEE802.11-22 / 0464r6, PDT EDMG multistatic PPDU structure), there is no transmitted PPDU length information except for the first receiving STA (STA1). For example, different parts of the PPDU are transmitted to corresponding STAs that may be in different directions compared to STA1. Therefore, legacy STAs not covered by transmissions in the direction addressed to STA1 may not be able to receive the L-STF field, L-CEF field, and the L-Header field where the length field is located. Consequently, legacy EDMG STAs cannot synchronize the transmitted PPDU and do not know how long the EDMG multistatic PPDU will last. This is another issue for coexistence.

[0053] According to the embodiments, the disclosure generalizes multi-user (MU) PPDU to MU EDMG A-PPDU to mitigate complexity and coexistence issues. These issues can be resolved by transmitting L-STF, L-CEF, L-Header, and EDMG-Header-A for each STA in a multi-user scenario. It will be readily apparent that the embodiments are applicable to both efficient EDMG data communication and sensing applications.

[0054] Figure 1 shows the PPDU format 100 for the Upward Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG or IEEE 802.11ay) standard. The EDMG multistatic prospecting PPDU may be based on the EDMG PPDU format 100 and may include many of the same fields described in the EDMG standard.

[0055] EDMG PPDUs may be transmitted over the 60 GHz band, and some of them are also recognized by directional multi-gigabit (DMG or IEEE 802.11ad) devices. To enable backward compatibility, the first three fields 110, 112, and 114 of the EDMG PPDU format 100 are defined to be recognizable by legacy DMG stations. The L-STF (Legacy Short Training Field) 110 and L-CEF (Legacy Channel Estimation Field) 112 are compatible with the preamble defined in IEEE 802.11ad. The L-STF field 110 allows for the discovery and synchronization of EDMG / DMG packets, and the L-CEF field 112 allows for channel estimation for demodulation of the L-Heaer field 116 and the EDMG-Header-A field 416. The L-Header field 114 contains information about the EDMG / DMG packets.

[0056] EDMG-Header-A field 116 contains information for the EDMG PPDU. For 4.32GHz, 6.48GHz, and 8.64GHz EDMG PPDU transmissions, each of the first four fields of the EDMG PPDU (110, 112, 114, and 116) may be transmitted redundantly on each 2.16GHz subchannel of the packet, as legacy devices may be configured to use only one subchannel. Each of the remaining fields of the EDMG PPDU may be transmitted across the entire bandwidth of the packet, such as on the 4.32GHz, 6.48GHz, or 8.64GHz channel.

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

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

[0059] Figure 3 shows a multistatic sensing setup 300 having one transmitter and three receivers, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The transmitter and receivers may each be STAs on a wireless communication network. Although the multistatic sensing setup 300 is shown with three receivers, it may be generalized to include more than three receivers.

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

[0061] A sensing instance may generally be directed to detect features of a given target, such as object 308. A sensing instance includes a sensing initiator 305 that transmits a Prospecting PPDU. A portion of the signal 320 from the sensing initiator 305, in particular one or more training (TRN) fields in the Prospecting PPDU, may be transmitted from the sensing initiator 305 and collide with object 308. A portion of this signal 323 may be reflected from object 308 and propagated toward a first responder 311, a portion of this signal 322 may be reflected from object 308 and propagated toward a second responder 312, and a portion of this signal 322 may be reflected from object 308 and propagated toward a third responder 313. After the sensing initiator 305 transmits the Prospecting PPDU, each of the responders 311, 312, and 313 may be polled and report feedback 341, 342, and 343, respectively. Feedbacks 341, 342, and 343 may relate to portions 321, 322, and 323 of the signal received by responders 311, 312, and 313 after being reflected from object 308. Feedbacks 341, 342, and 343 may be used by a sensing initiator 305 to detect features of object 308.

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

[0063] Figure 4 is a diagram of the proposed multistatic prospecting PPDU structure 400. The illustrated PPDU structure is assumed to have three receiver or responder STAs (as shown, for example, in Figure 3). Here, and elsewhere in this specification, the number of STAs associated with the PPDU may be three, more than three, or fewer than three (e.g., two). The PPDU structure includes an L-STF field 410, an L-CEF field 412, an L-Header field 414, an EDMG-Header-A field 416, and an EDMG-STF field 418.

[0064] The EDMG multistatic sensing PPDU structure shown in Figure 4 allows PPDU transmission from one transmitter to multistatic sensing receivers sharing the same training field (T TRN 428). The P TRN subfields 430, 432, and 434 can be transmitted in different directions and received by multistatic sensing receivers (e.g., STA1, STA2, and STA3 in this figure). As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the different portions of the PPDU can be transmitted in different directions toward different STAs (i.e., transmitted directionally), for example, by the use of beamforming or directional antenna switching techniques. Each multistatic sensing STA (receiver) is synchronized with its respective synchronization fields 420, 422, and 424 transmitted in the multistatic sensing PPDU, which are the EDMG modulation fields. For example, STA1 is associated with Sync1 420, STA2 with Sync2 422, and STA3 with Sync3 424. Following the transmission of the first P TRN field to each STA, the M TRN field 436 is transmitted. This field is followed by retransmissions of the P TRN field for each of the respective STAs (438, 440, 442) and a repetition of the M TRN field (444).

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

[0066] The multistatic sensing PPDU structure shown in Figure 4 has potential problems. Based on current or legacy EDMG receiving procedures, the EDMG receiver is specified to initiate PPDU detection by receiving the transmitted PHY preamble through the primary 2.16 GHz channel, i.e., by receiving the L-STF field 410, the L-CEF field 412, the L-Header field 414, and the EDMG-Header-A field 416. Since backward compatibility is a requirement for STAs configured according to 802.11bf, this backward compatibility requires the EDMG multistatic sensing STA to implement two different receiver procedures to perform PPDU synchronization over the primary 2.16 GHz band and the broadband, respectively.

[0067] To mitigate the potential problems described above, or more generally, to provide alternative methods for communication and sensing, embodiments of this disclosure provide various PPDU formats, as detailed below. Devices such as APs can generate and transmit such formatted PPDUs. Such a PPDU may be characterized as a MU EDMG A-PPDU, containing multiple concatenated portions addressed to and used by multiple recipients. For sensing (or other) purposes, the training field at the end of the PPDU may include different training fields for use by different recipients. As an example, the PPDUs in Figures 5–10 specify fields corresponding to two different receivers (STA1 and STA2), but such PPDUs may be extended to specify similar fields corresponding to additional recipients. Fields corresponding to a particular recipient may be transmitted directionally toward that recipient.

[0068] According to various embodiments, for each intended recipient STA to which a portion of the PPDU is directionally transmitted, the PPDU includes a legacy (DMG) header, or a copy of at least some of its fields. Therefore, upon receiving these fields, the recipient STA can perform necessary actions, such as synchronization, without necessarily requiring a separate broadband (e.g., EDMG) procedure.

[0069] For example, according to various embodiments, methods and associated apparatuses are provided. The device generates a PPDU having multiple legacy fields (i.e., fields originally designated for IEEE Directed Multi-Gigabit (DMG)) such as a legacy short training field (L-STF), a legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF), and an L-Header. In some embodiments, the L-CEF may assist in performing fine PPDU synchronization. In some embodiments, the L-Header may include a length field that can be used to estimate the PPDU duration. Each of the multiple legacy fields corresponds to a different receiver STA. The device then transmits the PPDU so that different portions of the PPDU are transmitted directionally towards one of the different receiver STAs. Each of these different portions includes one of the multiple legacy fields. As understood, the legacy fields are modulated using the legacy pre-EDMG modulation format. For example, the legacy fields may be modulated using the DMG modulation format.

[0070] Each of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 10 represents a specific example of the embodiments described above, and its PPDU includes multiple legacy fields L-STF, L-CEF, and L-Header. Furthermore, each of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 10 also includes multiple instances of the EDMG-Header-A field, multiple instances of the EDMG-STF field, and optionally multiple instances of the EDMG-CEF field. Each of these instances is also transmitted oriented toward a different recipient STA. Other fields may be provided in the same manner, as described elsewhere in this specification.

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

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

[0073] Furthermore, according to the embodiment related to Figure 5, L-STF 510, 526, L-CEF 512, 528, L-Header 514, 530, EDMG-Header-A 516, 532 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-modulated in the EDMG. EDMG-STF 518, 534, EDMG-CEF 520, 536, data fields 524, 540, and TRN subfields 544, 546, 548, 550 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG-modulated. STA Sync 1, 522, STA Sync 2 538, and padding field 542 are also EDMG-modulated.

[0074] According to the embodiment, a potential advantage of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is that this MU EDMG A-PPDU format may include multiple PPDUs for efficient transmission for multiple STAs, and the synchronization and detection of PPDUs specified in the EDMG reception procedure can be reused. Additionally, the use of the Sync field for STA synchronization allows a particular STA to identify the portion of the MU EDMG A-PPDU transmitted to it. An additional potential benefit relates to coexistence with legacy EDMG STAs.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the embodiment related to Figure 6, L-STF 610, 626, L-CEF 612, 628, L-Header 614, 630, EDMG-Header-A 616, 632 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-modulated in the EDMG. STA Sync 1 618, STA Sync 2 634 are also pre-modulated in the EDMG. EDMG-STF 620, 636, EDMG-CEF 622, 638, data 624, 640, and TRN subfields 644, 646, 648, 650 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-modulated in the EDMG. Padding field 642 is also pre-modulated in the EDMG. Note that in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the STA Sync 1 field 618 and the STA Sync 2 field 634 have been moved to be closer to the respective EDMG-Header-A fields 616 and 632.

[0076] According to the embodiment, a potential benefit of the MU EDMG A-PPDU format shown in Figure 6 is the consideration that STA synchronization operation can be performed on a single 2.16 GHz channel, which can reduce implementation complexity.

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

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

[0079] According to the embodiment, a method is provided in which a device generates a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU includes a first contiguous portion and a second contiguous portion. The first contiguous portion includes a first contiguous sub-port which includes a first Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), a first Legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF), a first Legacy Header (L-Header), and a first Upward Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first contiguous portion further includes a second contiguous sub-port which includes a first EDMG Short Training Field (EDMG-STF), a first EDMG Channel Estimation Field (EDMG-CEF), and optionally a first data portion. The first contiguous portion further includes a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA). The second continuum includes a third continuum sub-part which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuum further includes a fourth continuum sub-part which includes a second EDMG-STF, a second EDMG-CEF, and optionally a second data portion. The second continuum further includes a second synchronization field specific to the second station (STA).

[0080] The method further includes, depending on the device, transmitting a PPDU, with the first contiguous portion transmitted directionally toward the first STA and the second contiguous portion transmitted directionally toward the second STA. The first and third contiguous sub-parts are modulated using the legacy pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth contiguous sub-parts are modulated using the EDMG modulation format. In addition, either the first synchronization field is included in the first contiguous sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the third contiguous sub-part, or the first synchronization field is included in the second contiguous sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the fourth contiguous sub-part.

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

[0082] In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield includes a first sequence selected from a set of orthogonal sequences, the first sequence being assigned to the first STA, or the second synchronization subfield includes a second sequence selected from the set of orthogonal sequences, the second sequence being assigned to the second STA, or both. In some embodiments, the first synchronization subfield further includes another first sequence assigned chronologically earlier than the first orthogonal sequence to facilitate the implementation of a delay in decoding the first EDMG-Header-A, or the second synchronization subfield further includes another second sequence assigned chronologically earlier than the second orthogonal sequence to facilitate the implementation of a delay in decoding the second EDMG-Header-A.

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

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

[0085] Furthermore, according to the embodiment relating to Figure 7, L-STF 710, 724, L-CEF 712, 726, L-Header 714, 728, EDMG-Header-A 716, 730 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-modulated in the EDMG. EDMG-STF 718, 732, padding fields 722, 736, and TRN subfields 738, 740, 742, 744 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG-modulated. STA Sync 1 720 and STA Sync 2 734 are also EDMG-modulated.

[0086] According to the embodiment, a potential advantage of the embodiment shown in Figure 7 is that this MU EDMG A-PPDU format does not include the EDMG-CEF and data fields, for more efficient sensing applications where the data field generally contains only dummy bits. The EDMG-CEF field can also be removed from the PPDU, as it is used for detecting data within the data field.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown in Figure 8, L-STF 810, 824, L-CEF 812, 826, L-Header 814, 828, EDMG-Header-A 816, 830 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-modulated in the EDMG. EDMG-STF 820, 834, and TRN subfields 838, 840, 842, 844 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., pre-modulated in the EDMG. STA Sync 1 818, STA Sync 2 832 are pre-modulated in the EDMG. Padding fields 822, 836 are pre-modulated in the EDMG. Note that in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the STA Sync 1 field 818 and STA Sync 2 field 832 are moved to be closer to their respective EDMG-Header-A fields 816, 830.

[0088] According to the embodiment, the potential benefits of the MU EDMG A-PPDU format shown in Figure 8 can be considered to be at least similar to those presented elsewhere in this specification with respect to the PPDU format discussed with respect to Figures 6 and 7.

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

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

[0091] According to the embodiment, a method is provided in which a device generates a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU includes a first contiguous portion and a second contiguous portion. The first contiguous portion includes a first contiguous sub-port which includes a first Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), a first Legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF), a first Legacy Header (L-Header), and a first Upward Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header-A (EDMG-Header-A). The first contiguous portion further includes a second contiguous sub-port which includes a first EDMG Short Training Field (EDMG-STF) and a first synchronization field specific to a first station (STA). The second contiguous portion includes a third contiguous sub-port which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuum further includes a fourth continuum sub-part which includes a second EDMG-STF and a second synchronization field specific to the second station (STA). The method further includes the device transmitting the PPDU, with the first continuum being transmitted directionally toward the first STA and the second continuum being transmitted directionally toward the second STA. The first and third continuum sub-parts are modulated using the legacy pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuum sub-parts are modulated using the EDMG modulation format. In addition, either the first synchronization field is included in the first continuum sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the third continuum sub-part, or the first synchronization field is included in the second continuum sub-part and the second synchronization field is included in the fourth continuum sub-part.

[0092] According to the embodiment, the second continuous sub-section includes the first padding field, or the fourth continuous sub-section includes the second padding field, or both. According to the embodiment, the PPDU further includes one or more first training sub-fields transmitted oriented toward the first STA, and one or more second training sub-fields transmitted oriented toward the second STA.

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

[0094] Figure 9 is a diagram of the MU EDMG A-PPDU format having a data field according to an embodiment. Figure 10 is a diagram of another MU EDMG A-PPDU format without a data field according to an embodiment. The PPDU format includes a first contiguous portion which includes a first contiguous sub-part which includes a first legacy short training field (L-STF) 910, 1010, a first legacy channel estimation field (L-CEF) 912, 1012, a first legacy header field (L-Header) 914, 1014, and a first upward-directed multi-gigabit (EDMG) header A field (EDMG-Header-A) 916, 1016. The first continuum further includes a second continuum sub-part which includes first EDMG short training fields (EDMG-STF) 918, 1018 and EDMG channel estimation fields 1 (EDMG-CEF 1) 920, 1020. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the first continuum further includes a first data portion field 922. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the first continuum further includes a padding field 1022. The second continuum further includes a third continuum sub-part which includes second L-STF 924, 1024, second L-CEF 926, 1026, second L-Header 928, 1028 and second EDMG-Header-A 930, 1030. The second continuum further includes a fourth continuum sub-part which includes the second EDMG-STF 932, 1032 and the EDMG-CEF 2 934, 1034. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the second continuum further includes the second data portion field 936. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the second continuum further includes the padding field 1036.

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

[0096] Furthermore, according to embodiments related to Figures 9 and 10, L-STF 910, 924, 1010, 1024, L-CEF 912, 926, 1012, 1026, L-Header 914, 928, 1014, 1028, EDMGHeader-A 916, 930, 1016, 1030 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG pre-modulated. EDMG-STF 918, 932, 1018, 1032, EDMG-CEF 1 920, 1020, EDMG-CEF 2 934, 1034, and TRN subfields 940, 942, 944, 946, 1038, 1040, 1042, 1044 are defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulated. Referring to Figure 9, data fields 922, 936 and padding field 938 are also defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulated. Referring to Figure 10, padding fields 1022, 1036 are also defined and transmitted as specified in the EDMG, i.e., EDMG modulated.

[0097] According to the embodiment, EDMG-CEF i is one of the EDMG-CEFs designated in EDMG and specifically assigned for STA i. For example, referring to Figures 9 and 10, EDMG-CEF 1 is associated with STA1, and EDMG-CEF 2 is associated with STA2. EDMG-CEF i and EDMG-CEF j can be selected from a set of EDMG-CEFs designated in EDMG, where it should be noted that their sequences may retain good autocorrelation properties and be orthogonal with respect to their cross-correlation with respect to each other.

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

[0099] According to the embodiment, a potential advantage of the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 10 is the use of EDMG-CEF i to replace the synchronization field associated with STA i. The receiving process associated with EDMG-CEF in EDMG can be reused.

[0100] According to the embodiment, a method is provided in which a device generates a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU). The PPDU includes a first contiguous portion and a second contiguous portion. The first contiguous portion includes a first contiguous sub-part which includes a first Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), a first Legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF), a first Legacy Header (L-Header), and a first Upward Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header A (EDMG-Header-A). The first contiguous portion further includes a second contiguous sub-part which includes a first EDMG Short Training Field (EDMG-STF) and a first EDMG Channel Estimation Field (EDMG-CEF), wherein the first EDMG-CEF is specific to a first station (STA). The second continuum includes a third continuum sub-part which includes a second L-STF, a second L-CEF, a second L-Header, and a second EDMG-Header-A. The second continuum further includes a fourth continuum sub-part which includes a second EDMG-STF and a second EDMG-CEF different from the first EDMG-CEF, the second EDMG-CEF being specific to the second station (STA). The method further includes the device transmitting the PPDU, with the first continuum being transmitted directionally toward the first STA and the second continuum being transmitted directionally toward the second STA. The first and third continuum sub-parts are modulated using the legacy pre-EDMG modulation format. The second and fourth continuum sub-parts are modulated using the EDMG modulation format.

[0101] According to some embodiments, the PPDU is modulated using the EDMG format and further includes a padding field located after a second continuous portion, the padding field being transmitted directionally toward the first STA. According to some embodiments, the second continuous sub-port includes a first data portion, or the fourth continuous sub-port includes a second data portion, or both. In some embodiments, the second continuous sub-port includes a first padding field, or the fourth continuous sub-port includes a second padding field, or both.

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

[0103] According to various embodiments, one or more setup operations are performed, for example, prior to the transmission of one of the PPDUs described above. The setup operations may involve discovering or communicating the device's MU EDMG A-PPDU capability. The setup operations may further involve assigning the contents of the Sync or EDMG-CEF fields to the device (STA).

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

[0105] Therefore, embodiments may involve communicating between devices (e.g., APs, STAs, or a combination thereof) to determine multi-user (MU), forward-directed multi-gigabit (EDMG), and aggregated physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (A-PPDU) capabilities; and generating PPDUs according to the determined MU A-PPDU capabilities, as described elsewhere herein. PPDUs may be used for multi-static sensing.

[0106] As described elsewhere in this specification, for example with respect to Figures 7 and 8, a PPDU may include one, two, or more synchronization fields (720, 734, 818, 832) specific to different STAs. Also, as described elsewhere in this specification, for example with respect to Figures 9 and 10, a PPDU may include one, two, or more EDMG-CEF fields (920, 932, 1020, 1032) specific to different STAs. These fields can be used for both existing synchronization or channel estimation purposes and additional identification purposes. Identification purposes may involve identifying that a portion of the PPDU associated with a field is intended for reception by a particular STA. If a field contains a value specific to a given STA (via pre-assignment), then a given STA (or another device possessing that information) can read that value and conclude that the relevant portion of the PPDU is intended for reception by the given STA. In particular, the orthogonality properties of the values ​​can be used to facilitate such identification. The embodiments described herein may involve necessary pre-assignments to support such identification functions through prior communication and configuration.

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

[0108] More specifically, in some embodiments, the PPDU will include at least one synchronization field, at least one EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), or both. Such fields are specific to the receiving STA to which the at least one SYNC field, at least one EDMG channel estimation field (EDMG-CEF), or both are directionally transmitted. The fields may be used by the receiving STA for identification purposes. In such embodiments, a setup operation may occur when devices communicate to exchange device capabilities, or at a later time before transmitting the PPDU. In the setup operation, a value is determined for each relevant SYNC.

[0109] According to the embodiment, the method further includes the possibility that values ​​may be determined for each associated SYNC field, EDMG-CEF, or both, during the communication between two or more devices, or at a later time before generating the PPDU. These values ​​may be determined, for example, during the association or sensing measurement setup phase. When these determined values ​​are used in the PPDU, they make the SYNC field or EDMG-CEF, or both, specific to the associated STA. Thus, devices such as a potential transmitter (e.g., AP) and a potential receiver (e.g., STA) of the PPDU can be pre-configured with one or more specific values ​​that identify a particular STA, and these values ​​may be used in the fields described above to identify that a portion of the PPDU is intended for a particular STA.

[0110] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to PPDUs such as multistatic sensing exploration PPDUs as shown in Figures 4 and 11. In particular, certain fields of such PPDUs are configured to indicate a certain length, as will be discussed later. Note that the PPDU in Figure 4 excludes the data field, while the PPDU in Figure 11 includes the data field. The data field may be excluded in various embodiments, for example, when the PPDU is used for multistatic sensing (exploration) and data is not required. The data field may be included, for example, when the PPDU is used for multistatic sensing or other purposes. The multistatic sensing PPDU without reconstruction described herein is described, for example, in reference IEEE 802.11-22 / 781r2, Changes in EDMG Multistatic PPDU.

[0111] In such embodiments, the lengths of the PPDU's data fields (if any) and the SYNC field may be indicated using the PHY layer service data unit (PSDU) length field present in the PPDU's EDMG-Header-A. The length of the SYNC pad field may also be included in this indication.

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

[0113] Therefore, referring to Figure 11, when the PPDU includes a data field 1122, the PSDU field of the EDMG-Header-A 1116 may be set to specify the total length of the data field 1122, one or more SYNC fields 1124, 1126, 1128, and the SYNC pad field 1130.

[0114] Similarly, referring to Figure 4, when the PPDU excludes (does not include) data fields, the PSDU field in EDMG-Header-A 416 may be configured to specify the total length of one or more SYNC fields 420, 422, 424 plus the SYNC pad field 426.

[0115] Reference IEEE 802.11-22 / 0464r6, PDT EDMG multistatic PPDU structure, note that the “PSDU length” field defined in EDMG-Header-A for a particular STA may indicate the length of the Sync+Sync Pad field, taking into account the removal of the EDMG-CEF field. In the EDMG, the EDMG-CEF is present, followed by the data field. The PSDU length indicates the length of the field located after the EDMG-CEF and before the TRN field. In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the EDMG-CEF is removed, and therefore, in this embodiment, the length of the field (Sync+Sync Pad) is equal to the length EDMG-CEF + PSDU Length.

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

[0117] As described elsewhere, the PPDU may be transmitted such that at least two different parts are directed toward at least two different respective STAs.

[0118] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 1200 capable of performing any or all of the operations of the methods and features described herein, either expressly or implicitly, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a computer with network capabilities may be configured as the electronic device 1200. In some embodiments, the electronic device 1200 may be a user equipment (UE), AP, STA, etc., as understood by those skilled in the art. The AP (or STA) may, for example, support multistatic sensing and operate to transmit or receive PPDUs as described herein.

[0119] As illustrated, the electronic device 1200 may include a processor 1210 such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a specialized processor such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or other such processor unit, memory 1220, non-temporary mass storage 1230, input / output interface 1240, network interface 1250, and transceiver 1260, all of which are communicatively coupled via a bidirectional bus 1270. According to certain embodiments, any or all of the illustrated elements, or only a subset thereof, may be used. Furthermore, the electronic device 1200 may include multiple instances of certain elements, such as multiple processors, memories, or transceivers. Also, elements of the hardware device may be directly coupled to other elements without a bidirectional bus. In addition to the processor and memory, or instead, other electronic devices such as integrated circuits may be used to perform the required logical operations.

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

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

[0122] While specific embodiments of the Art are described herein for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the Art. In particular, providing computer program products or program elements, or program storage or memory devices such as magnetic or optical wires, tapes or disks, for storing machine-readable signals, for controlling the operation of a computer in accordance with the methods of the Art, and / or for constructing some or all of its components in accordance with the systems of the Art, is within the scope of the Art.

[0123] The operations related to the methods described herein may be implemented as coded instructions within a computer program product. In other words, a computer program product is a computer-readable medium on which software code for performing the methods is recorded when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on the microprocessor of a wireless communication device.

[0124] Furthermore, each operation of the method may be executed on any computing device such as a personal computer, server, or personal digital assistant (PDA) according to one or more program elements, modules, or objects, or parts thereof, generated from any programming language such as C++ or Java®. In addition, each operation, or the files or objects that implement each said operation, may be executed by dedicated hardware or circuit modules designed for that purpose.

[0125] Throughout the description of the embodiments described herein, the Disclosure may be implemented by using hardware alone or by using software and the necessary general-purpose hardware platform. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the Disclosure may be embodied in the form of a software product. The software product may be stored on a non-volatile or non-temporary storage medium which may be a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB flash disk, or a removable hard disk. The software product includes instructions that enable a computer device (a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform the methods provided in embodiments of the Disclosure. For example, such execution may correspond to the simulation of logical operations as described herein. The software product may additionally or alternatively include instructions that enable a computer device to perform operations for configuring or programming a digital logic device in accordance with embodiments of the Disclosure.

[0126] Although the present invention has been described with reference to its specific features and embodiments, it is evident that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered merely illustrative examples of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and are intended to cover any modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. The device receives a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), the PPDU being used for multistatic sensing, and the PPDU is: Two or more SYNC fields; and Includes the SYNC Pad field, The PPDU includes a data field, and in the Upward-Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header-A, the PHY Service Data Unit (PSDU) Length field is set to specify the total length of the data field, each of the one or more SYNC fields, and the SYNC Pad field. Including stages, method.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the length of the data field, the lengths of the two or more SYNC fields, and the length of the SYNC Pad field of the PPDU are indicated by the PSDU length field present in the EDMG-Header-A of the PPDU.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the length of the PSDU data is calculated based on the contents of the PSDU length field in EDMG-Header-A.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the PPDU further includes a length field and a training length field in the legacy header (L-Header) of the PPDU, the length field being configured to specify the total length of all fields of the PPDU, including the EDMG-Header-A and the SYNC Pad field, from the EDMG-Header-A to the SYNC Pad field, and the length field being configured together with the training length field to estimate the entire duration of the PPDU.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the PPDU is an aggregated multi-user PPDU (A-PPDU).

6. A computer-readable medium containing instructions, when executed by the processor of the device, causing the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A computer program, which, when executed by the processor of a computer, includes instructions causing the computer to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. At least one processor; At least one machine-readable medium storing executable instructions and A device having, where the executable instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, to the device: The step involves receiving a Physical Layer (PHY) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), the PPDU being used for multistatic sensing, and the PPDU being: One or more SYNC fields; and Includes the SYNC Pad field, The PPDU includes a data field, and in the Upward-Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) Header-A, the PHY Layer Service Data Unit (PSDU) Length field is configured to specify the total length of the data field, each of the one or more SYNC fields, and the SYNC Pad field. This involves carrying out the steps. Device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the length of the data field of the PPDU, the lengths of the two or more SYNC fields, and the length of the SYNC Pad field are indicated by the PSDU length field present in the EDMG-Header-A of the PPDU.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the length of the PSDU data is calculated based on the contents of the PSDU length field in EDMG-Header-A.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the PPDU further includes a length field and a training length field in the legacy header (L-Header) of the PPDU, the length field being configured to specify the total length of all fields of the PPDU, including the EDMG-Header-A and the SYNC Pad field, from the EDMG-Header-A to the SYNC Pad field, and the length field being configured together with the training length field to estimate the entire duration of the PPDU.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the PPDU is an aggregated multi-user PPDU (A-PPDU).

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