Methods, apparatus, and systems for improved directional multi-gigabit sensing

Abstract

Efficient and accurate sensing measurement and reporting by multiple responders in a 60 GHz WLAN is achieved by measuring and reporting on multiple sub-channels separated in the frequency domain, the spatial domain, or both. Measurements can be transmitted in parallel in time by multiple devices via sensing PPDUs. Messages related to communication of sensing report can also be transmitted in parallel in time by multiple devices. This parallelization is facilitated by the use of multiple sub-channels in the frequency or spatial domain.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of object detection using wireless signals in wireless local area networks such as IEEE 802.11 networks with directional multi-gigabit functionality, and in particular to improved methods, apparatuses and systems for directional multi-gigabit object detection in such scenarios.

Background Art

[0002] IEEE 802.11bf is an ongoing task group related to the development of the IEEE 802.11 standard. This task group works on amendments to the 802.11 standard for wireless local area network (WLAN) object detection. As stated in the document "IEEE 802.11-19 / 2103r12, 802.11 SENS SG proposed PAR" available from https: / / mentor.ieee.org, this amendment defines changes to the physical (PHY) layer for directional multi-gigabit (DMG) / enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) operation and to the IEEE 802.11 medium access control (MAC) layer in order to enhance WLAN sensing operation in unlicensed radio frequency bands between 1 GHz and 7.125 GHz (sub-7 GHz) and around 60 GHz. IEEE 802.11bf amends IEEE 802.11-2020, and for sensing applications, it also takes into consideration the high efficiency (HE) (see IEEE 802.11ax) and extremely high throughput (EHT) (see IEEE 802.11be) aspects of the IEEE 802.11 standard in the sub-7 GHz band, as well as DMG / EDMG (IEEE 802.11ad / 802.11ay) in the 60 GHz band.

[0003] As defined in the IEEE 802.11bf draft standard document titled “IEEE P802.11bf / D0.4”, available from https: / / standards.ieee.org, WLAN sensing uses the PHY and MAC radio signaling transmit / receive functions of an IEEE 802.11 station (STA) to obtain measurements that can be used to estimate features such as distance, velocity, and motion of objects within an area of ​​interest.

[0004] The HE and EHT aspects of IEEE 802.11 specify efficient multiplexing methods for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDMA). However, OFDMA is not specified in the DMG / EDMG. Therefore, the sensing procedures currently defined for sub-7GHz operation are not adequately applicable to 60GHz operation.

[0005] Furthermore, DMG sensing operating in the 60GHz band is classified into monostatic, coordinated monostatic, bistatic, coordinated bistatic, multistatic, and passive sensing. However, the sensing procedures proposed so far by the IEEE 802.11bf task group for coordinated monostatic, coordinated bistatic, and multistatic sensing only consider serial detection measurements and detection reports. As a result, when measurement reports obtained from multiple coordinated STAs are aggregated, the measurement results may become inaccurate and the reporting procedure may become inefficient. Therefore, there is room for various improvements in the currently proposed standards.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for methods, apparatus, and systems that remove or mitigate one or more limitations of the prior art.

[0007] This background information is provided to clarify information that the applicant believes may be relevant to the present invention. It is not necessarily intended, nor should it be interpreted, that any of the aforementioned information constitutes prior art to the present invention. [Overview of the project]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide methods, apparatus, and systems for improved directional multi-gigabit sensing that are compatible with, for example, sensing operations being developed by the IEEE 802.11bf task group, or more generally, conform to current or future versions of the IEEE 802.11 standard. The embodiments described herein relate to applying multiple subchannels, multiple antennas, or both to the 60 GHz WLAN sensing approach of IEEE 802.11bf for efficient and accurate sensing measurements, efficient sensing reporting by multiple responders, or both. The embodiments described herein may be applied additionally or alternatively to future extensions of IEEE 802.11bf, for example, to enable operation in the 59–64 GHz frequency band in China. Sensing measurements performed by different STAs can be performed simultaneously (in parallel). Sensing reports from different STAs can also be performed simultaneously (in parallel). Various embodiments relate to one, some, or all of coordinated monostatic, coordinated bistatic, and multistatic sensing approaches with multiple transmitters, multiple responders, or both.

[0009] Rather than being limited to serial detection measurement and detection reporting (for coordinated monostatic, coordinated bistatic, and multistatic sensing), the embodiments provide alternative, less restrictive detection and reporting approaches. The technical effect of such embodiments is that, when channel conditions, the object to be detected, or both change, measurement results can be more easily and accurately aggregated, corresponding to measurements at the same (or closer or overlapping) point in time obtained by coordinated measurement by the STAs. Another technical effect is that parallel reporting procedures can be implemented, which may be more efficient than conventional serial reporting procedures.

[0010] According to embodiments of the present invention, a system, apparatus, and method for detecting an object using a wireless signal are provided.

[0011] Some embodiments provide a system which may include a detection initiator and a plurality of detection responders. The detection initiator and detection responders of the system may be configured to communicate wirelessly to set up an object detection measurement, to cooperate to transmit a plurality of sensing physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) on a plurality of subchannels after the object detection measurement is set up, and to acquire measurements on the plurality of subchannels to estimate one or more physical properties of an object based on the reception of the sensing PPDUs. In this system, different subchannels of the plurality of subchannels are different from each other with respect to carrier frequencies and do not overlap in the frequency domain, or in space, or do not overlap in the frequency domain and space. Each sensing PPDU may be transmitted in parallel in time. Some other embodiments disclose a system which may include a detection initiator and a plurality of detection responders. The detection initiator and detection responders may be configured to communicate wirelessly to set up an object detection measurement, to cooperate to transmit one or more sensing PPDUs after the object detection measurement is set up, and to acquire measurements to estimate one or more physical properties of an object. After acquiring a measurement, each detection responder may report the information obtained from the measurement (also referred to here as the measurement instruction) to the detection initiator, and the reporting of each piece of information may be performed in parallel in time by each detection responder. A measurement may be acquired based on the reception of one or more sensing PPDUs.

[0012] Embodiments include wireless communication between a detection initiator and a plurality of detection responders to set up an object detection measurement. Wireless communication between a detection initiator and a plurality of detection responders to set up an object detection measurement may include the detection initiator communicating with each of the detection responders using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The method may further include the cooperation of the detection initiator and each of the plurality of detection responders to transmit each of the detection responders a different sensing PPDU frame on each of a plurality of subchannels. Each of the different subchannels is different from one another with respect to carrier frequencies and does not overlap in the frequency domain. The method may further include obtaining measurements of the plurality of subchannels to estimate one or more physical properties of an object based on the reception of the sensing PPDU frames. Each of the plurality of detection responders may transmit one or more sensing PPDU frames. Each of the multiple sensing responders may also measure one of its different subchannels to receive a corresponding one of the sensing PPDUs as part of the measurement acquisition. In some embodiments, a sensing initiator may transmit one of each sensing PPDU, and each of the multiple sensing responders may measure one of its different subchannels to receive its respective sensing PPDU as part of the measurement acquisition described above. In some embodiments of the system, apparatus, and method, each of the different sensing PPDUs is transmitted in parallel. Transmitting each of the different sensing PPDUs in parallel may include transmitting each of the different sensing PPDUs at a timing that at least partially overlaps with at least one other sensing PPDU among the different sensing PPDUs.

[0013] Some embodiments of the system, apparatus, and method may further include each detection responder reporting to a detection initiator the respective information obtained from the aforementioned monitoring (or measurement).

[0014] A detection initiator may measure each of the different subchannels to receive the sensing PPDU as part of the acquisition of the aforementioned measurements. Each detection responder may also report its respective information using one of several subchannels. To report subchannel measurements, different detection responders may use different subchannels from several subchannels, or they may all use a single subchannel, particularly the primary channel. Each piece of information may be reported in parallel or sequentially by each detection responder. Reporting each piece of information in parallel by each detection responder may include reporting each piece of information at a time that at least partially overlaps with the reporting of each piece of information by at least one other detection responder. A detection initiator may send a poll requesting the reporting of each piece of information, an acknowledgment (ACK) for the reporting of each piece of information, or both, to each of the different detection responders, with each poll, each acknowledgment, or both being transmitted in parallel using one of several subchannels used by that particular detection responder to report the information. In other embodiments, each poll, each acknowledgment, or both are transmitted sequentially using a single subchannel, in particular the primary channel, among several subchannels.

[0015] Each piece of information may be reported by each detection responder at different times. Each detection responder may report each piece of information using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. Each piece of information may be reported in parallel by each detection responder. In some embodiments of the system and method, reporting each piece of information in parallel may include each detection responder reporting each piece of information at a time that at least partially overlaps with the reporting of each piece of information by at least one other detection responder. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a detection initiator may send each prompt (each poll) for reporting each piece of information, each acknowledgment (ACK) for the reporting of each piece of information, or both, to each of the multiple detection responders. Each of the prompts (polls), each of the acknowledgments, or both, are transmitted in parallel using spatially separated radio communication streams in different directions, which are used by each of the multiple detection responders to report the respective information described above. Each detection responder may also communicate with the detection initiator as part of the object detection measurement setup described above, using spatially separated radio communication streams in different directions.

[0016] A further embodiment of a system and method for detecting an object using wireless communication signals may include wireless communication between a detection initiator and a plurality of detection responders to set up an object detection measurement. The system and method may further include the cooperation of the detection initiator and the plurality of detection responders to transmit one or more sensing PPDUs and to acquire measurements to estimate one or more physical properties of an object. Measurements are acquired by interaction with one or more sensing PPDU frames. Each detection responder reports to the detection initiator the respective information obtained from monitoring. The reporting of each piece of information may be done in parallel by each detection responder or sequentially by each one. Reporting each piece of information in parallel may include each detection responder reporting each piece of information at a timing that at least partially overlaps with, or mutually exclusive, the reporting of each piece of information by at least one other detection responder.

[0017] Each detection responder may report its information to the detection initiator using a single subchannel or one of several different subchannels, where the subchannels are distinct with respect to the carrier frequency. Each detection responder may use one of several subchannels to perform its portion of transmitting one or more of the aforementioned sensing PPDUs, its portion of monitoring the aforementioned radio signatures, or both.

[0018] Some embodiments of the present invention disclose a device operating as a detection initiator or detection responder, and related methods. The device may communicate wirelessly with one or more other devices to set up an object detection measurement, and the device and one or more other devices constitute the detection initiator and one or more detection responders, including the detection responder. The device may further transmit a sensing PPDU, or monitor a wireless signature indicating the physical properties of an object due to the sensing PPDU, or both. The device may work with one or more other devices to transmit different sensing PPDUs, including the sensing PPDU, to each of the detection responders on one different subchannel each. The subchannels are different with respect to carrier frequencies that do not overlap in the frequency domain, and measurements of the subchannels may be taken to estimate one or more physical properties of an object based on the reception of the sensing PPDU. Each detection responder may report its respective information obtained from the aforementioned measurements to the detection initiator, and each of the different sensing PPDUs may be transmitted in parallel in time.

[0019] Some other embodiments disclose a device operating as a detection initiator or detection responder, and related methods. The device may communicate wirelessly with one or more other devices to set up object detection measurements. The device and one or more other devices constitute the detection initiator and one or more detection responders, including the detection responder. The device may transmit a sensing PPDU or acquire measurements to estimate one or more physical properties of an object based on the reception of a sensing PPDU. The device may both transmit a sensing PPDU and acquire measurements. The device may further report information obtained from monitoring to the detection initiator or monitor reports containing information. Reporting of information may be done in parallel or sequentially by each of the detection responders. Each of the detection responders may report each piece of information to the detection initiator using one different subchannel from a plurality of subchannels, the subchannels being different from each other with respect to carrier frequencies, or the detection responders may all use a single subchannel, in particular the primary channel. Each detection responder may also report its information to the detection initiator using a spatially separated wireless communication path in a different direction.

[0020] Several embodiments provide a method for detecting an object using radio signals, performed by a detection initiator. The method includes radio communication with a plurality of detection responders to set up an object detection measurement. The method further includes transmitting to or receiving from each of the detection responders a different sensing PPDU on each of several different subchannels. Each different sensing PPDU is transmitted in parallel in time. Each different subchannel is different from one another with respect to carrier frequencies and does not overlap in the frequency domain. The method includes obtaining instructions for measurements on the multiple subchannels based on the reception of sensing PPDUs by the detection initiator or based on the reception of reports from the plurality of detection responders. The reports are generated based on the reception of sensing PPDUs. The measurement instructions can be used to estimate one or more physical properties of an object. Detection initiator devices are also provided that are configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods described above.

[0021] Several embodiments provide a method for detecting an object using a radio signal via a detection responder. The method includes radio communication with a detection initiator to set up an object detection measurement. The object detection measurement involves a detection initiator, a detection responder, and one or more other detection responders. The method includes transmitting a sensing PPDU on one of several subchannels. The sensing PPDU is transmitted in temporal parallel with one or more other sensing PPDUs transmitted by each of the other detection responders on one of the other subchannels. The subchannels are different from each other with respect to carrier frequencies and do not overlap in the frequency domain. In some embodiments, the method further includes acquiring a measurement on one of the subchannels to estimate one or more physical properties of an object based on the reception of the sensing PPDU and reporting instructions for such measurement to the detection initiator. Detection responder devices are also provided that are configured to perform operations corresponding to the methods described above.

[0022] Embodiments have been described above in relation to aspects of the present invention in which they may be implemented. Those skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments may be implemented with respect to the aspects in which they are described, but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art if embodiments are mutually exclusive or otherwise incompatible with each other. While some embodiments may be described with respect to one aspect, they may be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0023] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] [Figure 1] It shows coordinated monostatic sensing with one initiator and two responders in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It shows a procedure for coordinated monostatic sensing. [Figure 3] It shows coordinated bistatic sensing with one initiator and two responders. [Figure 4] It shows a procedure for coordinated bistatic sensing. [Figure 5-1] It is an example of multistatic sensing with one transmitter (initiator) and two receivers (responders). [Figure 5-2] It shows an example of multistatic sensing with two transmitters (responders) and one receiver (initiator). [Figure 6] It shows a procedure for multistatic sensing. [Figure 7] It is an example of multi-subchannel operation in IEEE 802.11ay. [Figure 8] It shows a procedure for coordinated monostatic sensing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This describes a procedure for coordinated monostatic sensing, according to other embodiments. [Figure 10] Another embodiment describes a procedure for coordinated monostatic sensing. [Figure 11] A procedure for coordinated monostatic sensing is represented according to a further embodiment. [Figure 12] The procedures for coordinated bistatic sensing are shown according to each embodiment. [Figure 13] This is another example of coordinated bistatic sensing, according to several embodiments. [Figure 14] This represents yet another procedure for coordinated bistatic sensing, according to several other embodiments. [Figure 15] Here is another example of a bistatic sensing procedure. [Figure 16] This is an example of a multi-static sensing procedure according to several embodiments. [Figure 17] This is another example of a multistatic sensing procedure according to other embodiments. [Figure 18] This represents a multistatic sensing procedure according to a further embodiment. [Figure 19] This is a multi-static sensing procedure according to yet another embodiment. [Figure 20] This describes an electronic device that operates as a detection initiator or detection responder according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] Embodiments of this disclosure represent another aspect of an electronic device operating as a detection initiator or detection responder. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Please note that the same features are identified by the same reference number in the attached drawings.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as they would ordinarily be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Numbers and numbers combined with letters correspond to component labels in all drawings.

[0027] As used here, the term “in parallel” refers to two events that occur in parallel in time, such as at least partially simultaneously, overlapping, or occurring concurrently (e.g., transmissions). Two events occurring in parallel (in time) may be substantially exactly simultaneous, such that their start and end times are roughly exactly aligned. However, it is also intended that two events occurring in parallel (in time) do not necessarily occur exactly the same way. Rather, the two events may instead occur at times that overlap at least partially, such that both events occur at a given point in time, but their start, end, or both are not necessarily aligned in time.

[0028] In the various embodiments described later (except for the embodiments in Figures 16 and 17 in which only one sensing PPDU is transmitted), the sensing PPDUs are transmitted in parallel (in time). In some embodiments, reporting-related frames, such as Poll, Report, and / or ACK frames, are also transmitted in parallel (in time) by more than one device.

[0029] Before describing embodiments of this disclosure in detail, a brief overview of the various sensing modalities of IEEE 802.11bf is provided. Each modality uses a radio signal, for example in the form of a sensing PPDU, to detect an object, which may include detecting the physical properties of the object. Physical properties may include, for example, size, shape, orientation, movement, material, posture, etc., or a combination thereof. The sensing PPDU is transmitted wirelessly in a specific frequency band according to the IEEE 802.11 protocol. The object absorbs, reflects, or otherwise acts on the radio signal carrying the sensing PPDU, thereby modifying the sensing PPDU. The sensing PPDU is then received and processed to determine the presence and characteristics of such modification. Based on this, the physical properties of the object are estimated. Note that the general sensing setups in Figures 1, 3, 5-1, and 5-2 apply to the sensing setups according to embodiments of this disclosure. In monostatic sensing, bistatic sensing, and some forms of multistatic sensing, each responder acquires channel or subchannel measurements by receiving and processing at least one sensing PPDU. In other forms of multistatic sensing, the initiator acquires the measurements, as shown, for example, in Figures 18 and 19. This allows the initiator to estimate the physical properties of the object.

[0030] A monostatic sensing device may be a device in which a sensing PPDU transmitter and a sensing PPDU receiver coexist within the same station (STA). Figure 1 shows coordinated monostatic sensing by one initiator 101 and two responders 102 and 103 for detecting an object 100. Responders 102 and 103, upon request from initiator 101, perform detection by transmitting and receiving their respective sensing PPDUs, and respond to initiator 101 based on the detection results. Reception of a sensing PPDU may include measuring the characteristics of a specified channel or subchannel using a receiver.

[0031] Figure 2 illustrates a coordinated monostatic sensing procedure, including the transmission and reception of Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) and detection reports, as described in IEEE 802.11-22 / 0243r06. The procedure includes a measurement setup phase 201 and a detection phase 202. During the measurement setup phase 201, initiator 101 communicates wirelessly with several detection responders (102 and 103) to set up an object detection measurement. Initiator 101 sequentially transmits request frames 108 and 109 to responders 102 and 103, respectively. Upon receiving request frames 108 and 109, responders 102 and 103 complete the handshake procedure by responding to initiator 101 with response frames 110 and 111, respectively. Request and response frames are exchanged sequentially between initiator 101 and responders 102 and 103 via a single subchannel. During the detection phase 202, responders 102 and 103 perform measurements on object 100 by transmitting and receiving sensing PPDUs 104 and 105, respectively. In Figures 1 and 2, sensing PPDUs 104 and 105 are transmitted at different times. After completing the transmission and reception of sensing PPDUs 104 and 105, responders 102 and 103 issue measurement reports 106 and 107, respectively, to initiator 101. In Figures 1 and 2, measurement reports 106 and 107 are transmitted at different times, for example, following their respective sensing PPDUs. As described above, responders 102 and 103 perform measurements in different time instances. This could result in inaccurate measurement results when initiator 101 combines measurement reports 106 and 107 from responders 102 and 103, for example, due to different channel conditions during the transmission of different sensing PPDUs. Furthermore, sequentially sending measurement reports takes time.

[0032] In Figure 2 and similar drawings, frame transmission is represented by a corresponding rectangle drawn on a line extending horizontally from the transmitting device. For example, initiator 101 transmits request 108. Reception of the same frame is represented by a corresponding rectangle drawn below a line extending horizontally from the receiving device. For example, responder 102 receives request 108. In the case of monostatic sensing, since the sensing PPDU is transmitted and received by the same device (STA), such a sensing PPDU is represented using a rectangle extending both above and below a horizontal line, as shown for PPDU 104, for example.

[0033] A bistatic sensing device may be one in which a sensing PPDU is transmitted by one station (STA) and received by another station. In some cases, one station may transmit multiple sensing PPDUs, each received by a different station. Coordinated bistatic sensing involves the coordination of multiple bistatic responders. Figure 3 shows coordinated bistatic sensing with one initiator 301 and two responders 302 and 303 for detecting an object 100. Following the measurement setup, responders 302 and 303 each receive a sensing PPDU transmitted by initiator 301 and respond to initiator 101 based on the results of such reception.

[0034] Figure 4 illustrates a coordinated bistatic sensing procedure, including sequential detection measurement and detection reporting, as described in IEEE 802.11-22 / 0243r06. The procedure includes a measurement setup phase 201 and a detection phase 202. The measurement setup phase 201 in Figure 4 is formatted the same as the measurement setup phase 201 disclosed in Figure 2, except for frame numbering. During the detection phase 202, initiator 301 transmits multiple sensing PPDUs 304 at different time points. Responders 302 and 303 measure the PPDUs and return measurement reports 306 and 307, respectively, to initiator 301. Measurement reports 306 and 307 are transmitted sequentially. Because responders 302 and 303 perform measurements at different time instances, inaccurate measurement results may occur when initiator 301 aggregates the measurement reports from responders 302 and 303. Sequential reporting is also time-consuming.

[0035] Multistatic sensing can be defined as a system including three STAs, for example, one receiver and two transmitters, or two receivers and one transmitter. A multistatic sensing system may also include multiple receivers and multiple transmitters. This can be considered a generalization of a bistatic sensing system. For example, Figure 5-1 represents a multistatic sensing system including one transmitter (initiator 501) and two receivers 502 and 503 for detecting object 100. Various messages (frames) are described in more detail in relation to other drawings.

[0036] Figure 5-2 shows another multistatic sensing system for detecting object 100, including two transmitters 502a and 503a and a receiver (initiator 501a). Various frames are described in more detail in relation to other drawings. Responders 502a and 503a may transmit sensing PPDUs 504a and 505a, respectively, in different time instances. As mentioned above, this can lead to inaccurate measurement results when initiator 501a aggregates the received measurements.

[0037] Figure 6 illustrates the procedure for multistatic sensing and sequential detection reporting. The measurement setup phase 201 of this procedure is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 2. During the detection phase 202, initiator 501 transmits a sensing PPDU 504. Responders 502 and 503 both receive the same sensing PPDU 504. Following the receipt of the sensing PPDU 504, responders 502 and 503 may issue measurement reports 506 and 507 to initiator 501, respectively. Even if initiator 501 transmits a single sensing PPDU 504, measurement reports 506 and 507 may still be transmitted sequentially, as shown in Figure 6. Therefore, since time-parallel reporting is not used in this procedure, reporting may take longer than necessary. The initiator 501 can time the issuance of measurement reports 506 and 507 by dispatching poll frames 512 and 513 to responders 502 and 503, respectively.

[0038] Under IEEE 802.11.ay, an EDMG STA should support 4.32 GHz (two consecutive 2.16 GHz subchannels) for PPDU transmission using EDMG control mode (MCS0) and SC mode (MCS1-5 and 7-10). An EDMG station (STA) may support 2.16 + 2.16 GHz subchannels (i.e., two consecutive or discontinuous subchannels) for PPDU transmission using EDMG control mode MCS0, SC mode, and OFDM mode (all MCS). An EDMG access point (AP) may transmit DMG beacon frames using a quasi-omnidirectional antenna pattern. An EDMG AP may assign A-BFT on the primary channel and also on the secondary channel. Thus, two non-AP STAs may transmit sector sweep (SSW) frames and SSW feedback frames in parallel in time via the primary and secondary channels, respectively.

[0039] Under IEEE 802.11ay, access point (AP) 701 can communicate in parallel with non-AP STA1 702 and non-AP STA2 703 via primary channel 704 and secondary channel 705, respectively, as shown in Figure 7. The IEEE 802.11ay standard specifies multi-user, multi-input, multi-output (MU-MIMO) downlink (DL). The implementation of MU-MIMO DL characteristics allows an access point (AP) to transmit N PPDU frames in parallel to N users via N spatial streams. Both multi-subchannel and DL MU-MIMO characteristics enable the implementation of efficient and accurate coordinated monostatic, bistatic, and multistatic sensing, as disclosed in subsequent embodiments. In other words, embodiments of this disclosure utilize multiple channels (in different frequency subchannels) for communication between a sensing initiator and a sensing responder. These subchannels may be described as being different with respect to carrier frequencies and not overlapping in the frequency domain. The use of multiple channels is supported by IEEE standards, as mentioned above, and allows for parallel transmission of multiple sensing PPDUs, parallel reporting of detection reports, or a combination thereof.

[0040] In addition to, or instead of, using multiple channels in the frequency domain, spatially separated radio communication streams in different directions (also called spatially non-overlapping radio communication streams) can be used to support the parallel transmission of multiple sensing PPDUs, the parallel reporting of detection reports, or a combination thereof. Different communication streams correspond to different beams between the transmitting and receiving antennas, thereby enabling the separation of different communications to support such parallel generation. In such embodiments, at least the initiator may have two antennas (with two different antenna / sector / beam IDs) configured to communicate with different responders. For example, different transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) antenna pairs can be used for this purpose. Other types of MU-MIMO or similar spatial or antenna diversity approaches may be used to achieve the separation of communication streams. Radio communication signal links can be non-overlapping in space (as spatially separated streams), in frequency (as frequency-separated subchannels), or both, as described above. Any of these methods can be used to separate signals to enable parallel transmission in time.

[0041] Figure 8 illustrates the procedure for coordinated monostatic sensing by responders 102 and 103, which perform monostatic sensing measurements in parallel via two subchannels. The measurement setup phase 201 of this procedure is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 2. Request frames 108 and 109 and response frames 110 and 111 are exchanged sequentially between initiator 101 and responders 102 and 103 via subchannel 801. During the detection phase 202, responder 102 transmits and receives sensing PPDU 104 via the first subchannel 801. Responder 103 transmits and receives sensing PPDU 105 via the second subchannel 802 in parallel with sensing PPDU 104. Thus, each responder uses its own subchannel for transmitting and receiving its own sensing PPDU. Thereafter (and as described above), the two different subchannels are different with respect to carrier frequencies and do not overlap in the frequency domain. Each detection responder (102 or 103) may transmit more than one sensing PPDU. For example, a detection responder (or, in other cases, a detection initiator) may transmit a burst of sensing PPDUs for coverage purposes. Measurement reports 106 and 107 are supplied to initiator 101 (in parallel, in time) by responders 102 and 103, respectively, via different subchannels 801 and 802. Poll (112 and 113), measurement report (106 and 107), and ACK (114 and 115) frames are exchanged between initiator 101 and responders 102 and 103 via subchannels 801 and 802. One or more of the Poll, report, and ACK frames may be transmitted in parallel with other respective Poll, report, or ACK frames corresponding to communication between other initiator-responder pairs. The disclosed embodiments may result in more efficient transmission of measurement reports.

[0042] Here, and elsewhere in this specification, receiving a sensing PPDU includes measuring the corresponding channel or subchannel based on the detected sensing PPDU as part of the acquisition of a measurement of such channel or subchannel. This measurement acquisition is performed to estimate the physical properties of the object, as described above. The measurement report includes information obtained from the responder's measurement to the initiator (based on the detected / received sensing PPDU).

[0043] Here, and elsewhere in this specification, the subchannels used for detection are also described as those used for subsequent reporting. This is considered to be in good agreement with current IEEE channel allocation practices. However, it is conceivable that the subchannels used for detection may differ from those used for reporting.

[0044] Figure 9 illustrates another procedure for efficient coordinated monostatic sensing, in which (temporarily) parallel detection measurements are performed on two different subchannels. The measurement setup phase 201 of this procedure is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 2. Request frames (108 and 109) and response frames (110 and 111) are exchanged sequentially between initiator 101 and responders 102 and 103 via the first subchannel 801. During the detection phase 202, sensing PPDUs 104 and 105 are used for detection on subchannels 801 and 802, respectively. Sensing PPDUs 104 and 105 are transmitted and received in parallel by responders 102 and 103, as in Figure 8. Poll (112 and 113), measurement report (106 and 107), and ACK (114 and 115) frames are exchanged between initiator 101 and responders 102 and 103 via the first subchannel 801. Thus, detection is performed in parallel, and reporting is sequential (each responder reports at different times, and the initiator prompts (polls) and confirms reports from different responders at different times). The subchannel used for reporting by each responder may be the same, or each responder may use a different subchannel for reporting. Such embodiments can improve accuracy through parallel sensing, and in some cases, different reporting schemes can be used to increase applicability.

[0045] Other embodiments may include each detection responder reporting its own information (e.g., measurement report) to the detection initiator using spatially separated wireless communication streams (also called paths) in different directions. Such embodiments are described, for example, with reference to Figures 10, 11, 14, 15, and 17. In such embodiments or other embodiments (see, for example, Figure 19), each detection responder may communicate with the detection initiator as part of an object detection measurement setup using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. Alternatively, an object detection measurement setup does not necessarily require the use of spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The initiator 101 disclosed in Figure 1 may have two antennas (having two different antenna / sector / beam IDs) to communicate with responders 102 and 103, respectively. Initiator 101, equipped with two antennas, can implement uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) MU-MIMO functionality.

[0046] Figure 10 illustrates an efficient monostatic sensing procedure performed in parallel on two different subchannels, with parallel detection reporting via MU-MIMO. During the measurement setup phase 201, request frames (108 and 109) and response frames (110 and 111) are exchanged between initiator 101 and responders 102, 103 for each initiator-responder pair via spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001 and 1002, each in a different direction. For example, such frames may be exchanged via each first Tx-Rx antenna pair and second Tx-Rx antenna pair on a single (common) subchannel. The frame exchange is sequential. Except for the use of such separated wireless communication streams or associated links for communication between initiators and responders to set up object detection measurements, the measurement setup phase 201 is in the same format as that in Figure 2. During the detection phase 202, sensing PPDUs 104 and 105 are transmitted in parallel via two different subchannels 801 and 802, as in Figures 8 and 9. Sensing PPDUs (frames) 104 and 105 are transmitted and received by responders 102 and 103, respectively. Poll (112 and 113), measurement report (106 and 107), and ACK (114 and 115) frames are exchanged in parallel between initiator 101 and responders 102 and 103, as in Figure 8. However, instead of using different subchannels (in frequency) as seen in Figure 8, in Figure 10, parallel transmission of measurement reports is achieved by using spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001 and 1002 (by responders and initiators) in different directions. For example, those frames may be transmitted by different Tx-Rx antenna pairs via a single subchannel implementing MU-MIMO functionality. The application of multiple spatially separated wireless communication streams (or associated Tx-Rx antenna pairs) can result in more efficient transmission of measurement reports.

[0047] More specifically, the initiator can transmit polling, ACK, or both in parallel to each other using one of the directional, spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001 and 1002, such transmissions using the stream in the reverse direction from the stream seen from the responder to the initiator. The responder can transmit those reports to the initiator in parallel using these streams.

[0048] Figure 11 illustrates an efficient monostatic sensing procedure performed by parallel sensing measurement operation on subchannels 801 and 802, where spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions are used during measurement setup and reporting. This procedure may be used, for example, when DL / UL MU-MIMO functionality is not implemented during measurement reporting to initiator 101. Initiator 101 may have two antennas with two different antenna / sector / beam IDs. The measurement setup phase 201 of this procedure is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 10. During sensing phase 202, which is also the same as in Figure 10, sensing PPDUs 104 and 105 used for measuring the channel are transmitted in parallel by the responders via two different subchannels 801 and 802 and received by responders 102 and 103, respectively. Reporting is sequential, and, for example, Poll, measurement report, and ACK frames are exchanged sequentially between initiator 101 and responders 102 and 103. The report may be made via a single subchannel. Frame exchange between initiator 101 and responders 102, 103 takes place via spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001 and 1002 (e.g., corresponding to different Tx-Rx antenna pairs) in different directions. Embodiments of monostatic sensing disclosed in Figures 8-11 may result in more efficient transmission of multiple sensing PPDUs and more accurate coordinated measurements when aggregating measurement results from responders 102 and 103.

[0049] Figure 12 illustrates an efficient coordinated bistatic sensing procedure involving parallel sensing measurement and parallel measurement reporting operations performed in parallel via two subchannels. Multiple sensing PPDUs are transmitted by the sensing initiator in parallel with each other in time (e.g., simultaneously). Each sensing PPDU is transmitted on one of several subchannels with different frequencies. In this embodiment, initiator 301 may have a single antenna (a quasi-omnidirectional antenna, or a directional antenna with a specific antenna / sector / beam ID) to communicate in parallel with responders 302 and 303. Alternatively, initiator 301 may have two or more antennas. The measurement setup phase 201 of this embodiment is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 2 (except for frame numbering). During the detection phase 202, the detection initiator 301 cooperates with the detection responders 302 and 303 by transmitting a sensing PPDU 304 to be received by the first detection responder 302 and a sensing PPDU 304a to be received by the second detection responder 303. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are transmitted in parallel via the first subchannel 801 and the second subchannel 802, respectively, for reception by the responders 302 and 303, so that each responder uses a different subchannel to receive its own sensing PPDU (and associated measurements). Subchannels 801 and 802 are different from each other with respect to carrier frequencies and do not overlap in the frequency domain. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are used for channel measurements and are transmitted in parallel in time via subchannels 801 and 802. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are received by responders 302 and 303, respectively. Responders 302 and 303 acquire measurements on subchannels 801 and 802 to estimate one or more physical properties of object 100 based on their respective received sensing PPDUs (e.g., through interaction with the sensing PPDUs).

[0050] The detection initiator may send each Poll 312, 313 to one of several detection responders requesting a report of their respective information. The detection initiator may also send each acknowledgment (ACK 314, 315) confirming the report 306, 307 of their respective information. Each polling signal, each acknowledgment (ACK), or both may be transmitted in parallel using different subchannels. Polls, reports, and acknowledgments corresponding to the same interaction with the same detection responder may use the same subchannel or a set of different subchannels. For example, in this embodiment, the Poll, measurement report, and ACK frames are exchanged in parallel (e.g., simultaneously) between initiator 301 and responders 302, 303 via subchannels 801 and 802. Similar to Figure 8, different responders work with the initiator to use different subchannels for reporting (including Poll, report, and ACK frames), thus achieving parallel reporting (for example, at least one of the Poll, report, and ACK frames). As disclosed in this embodiment, measurement reporting can result in more efficient transmission of measurement reports.

[0051] Figure 13 illustrates another procedure for coordinated bistatic sensing performed by parallel bistatic sensing measurements via two subchannels. The initiator 301 may use a single antenna (a quasi-omnidirectional antenna, or a directional antenna with a specific antenna / sector / beam ID) to communicate in parallel with the responders 302 and 303. The measurement setup phase 201 is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 2 (except for frame numbering). During the detection phase 202, the initiator 301 cooperates with the responders 302 and 303 by transmitting sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a to each of the responders. Similar to the embodiment in Figure 12, the sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are received by the responders 302 and 303 via subchannels 801 and 802, respectively. Subchannels 801 and 802 are different from each other with respect to carrier frequencies and do not overlap in the frequency domain. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are used for channel measurements and transmitted in parallel via subchannels 801 and 802. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are received by responders 302 and 303, respectively. Responders 302 and 303 acquire measurements from subchannels 801 and 802 to estimate one or more physical properties of object 100 through interaction with the sensing PPDUs. Poll, measurement reports, and ACK frames are exchanged sequentially between initiator 301 and responders 302 and 303 via subchannel 801 (for example) to achieve sequential reporting as shown in Figure 9.

[0052] Figure 14 illustrates yet another procedure for efficient coordinated bistatic sensing, performed by parallel sensing measurement operation on two subchannels, with parallel sensing reporting via MU-MIMO. In this embodiment, initiator 301 may have two antennas (having two different antenna / sector / beam IDs) to communicate with responders 302 and 303. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are transmitted in parallel by either one or more antennas. Initiator 301 with multiple antennas can implement uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) MU-MIMO functionality. The measurement setup phase 201 of this procedure is in the same format as disclosed in Figure 10 and in each respective description (thus using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions for communication between each initiator-responder pair). During the detection phase 202, sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are transmitted in parallel in time over different subchannels 801 and 802, as shown in Figures 12 and 13. Sensing PPDUs (frames) 304 and 304a are transmitted by the initiator and received by responders 302 and 303, respectively. Poll (312 and 313), measurement report (306 and 307), and ACK (314 and 315) frames are exchanged in parallel in time between initiator 301 and responders 302 and 303, as shown in Figure 10. Poll, report, and ACK frames may be transmitted by different Tx-Rx antenna pairs over a single subchannel implementing MU-MIMO functionality, as shown in Figure 14. More generally, the Poll, report, and ACK frames are transmitted via spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001 and 1002 in different directions, thereby allowing the responder to report in parallel via such streams. The application of multiple Tx-Rx antenna pairs or spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001 and 1002 can result in more efficient transmission of measurement reports.

[0053] Figure 15 presents a procedure for efficient coordinated bistatic sensing performed by parallel bistatic sensing measurement operation on two subchannels. Similar to the embodiments described above, the initiator 301 may have two or more antennas (having two or more different antenna / sector / beam IDs) to communicate with responders 302 and 303. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are transmitted in parallel by either one or more antennas. The measurement setup phase 201 of the procedure is in the same format as disclosed in Figure 10 and in each description. During the detection phase 202, sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are transmitted in parallel via different subchannels 801 and 802, similar to Figures 12-14. Sensing PPDUs 304 and 304a are transmitted by initiator 301 and received by responders 302 and 303, respectively. Poll (312 and 313), measurement report (306 and 307), and ACK (314 and 315) frames are exchanged sequentially between initiator 301 and responders 302, 303, for example via a single subchannel (in frequency), as in Figure 11, in order to achieve sequential reporting. The exchange of Poll, report, and ACK frames between initiator 301 and responders 302, 303 may be performed via different Tx-Rx antenna pairs, respectively. More generally, the Poll, report, and ACK frames are transmitted via spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001, 1002 in different directions. The disclosed embodiments of bistatic sensing disclosed in Figures 12-15 can result in more efficient transmission of multiple sensing PPDUs and more accurate coordinated measurements when aggregating measurement results from responders 302 and 303. Multiple sensing PPDUs are transmitted simultaneously to improve detection accuracy and reduce detection time. Reports can be temporally parallelized to reduce the time required for reporting, although this is not required in all embodiments.

[0054] Figure 16 illustrates an efficient multistatic sensing procedure with parallel sensing measurement reporting on two subchannels. In this embodiment, initiator 501 may optionally have a single antenna (a quasi-omnidirectional antenna, or a directional antenna with a specific antenna / sector / beam ID) to communicate with responders 502 and 503. Measurement setup phase 201 is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 2 (except for frame numbering). The multistatic sensing PPDU 504 used for measuring the channel is transmitted via subchannel 801 and received by responders 502 and 503. Each responder measures the same subchannel for PPDU reception and associated measurements (for estimating the physical properties of an object). Poll, measurement reports, and ACK frames are exchanged between initiator 501 and responders 502 and 503 in temporal parallel via subchannels 801 and 802 of different frequencies, as in Figures 8 and 12. Therefore, responders can report detection results to detection initiators simultaneously, or at least without timing constraints regarding each other's transmissions. Initiator communication with responders related to such reporting can also be performed simultaneously, or without time constraints regarding initiator transmissions to each responder. The parallel measurement reporting implemented in this embodiment, by having each responder use a different subchannel for reporting, can result in more efficient or timely transmission of measurement report frames.

[0055] Figure 17 discloses another procedure for efficient multistatic sensing with parallel measurement reporting. In this embodiment, initiator 501 may have two or more antennas (having two or more different antenna / sector / beam IDs) to communicate with responders 502 and 503. Initiator 501 with two or more antennas may implement uplink (UL) / downlink (DL) MU-MIMO functionality. More generally, initiator 501 may communicate with each responder 502, 503 via different, respective spatially separated wireless communication streams (and vice versa). The measurement setup phase 201 of this procedure is in the same form as disclosed in Figures 10, 14, and 15 and their respective descriptions. A single sensing PPDU 504 used for channel measurement is transmitted via a single subchannel and received by responders 502 and 503, as in Figure 16. Poll (512 and 513), measurement report (506 and 507), and ACK (514 and 515) frames are exchanged in parallel in time between initiator 501 and responders 502, 503. The frames may be transmitted by different Tx-Rx antenna pairs over a single subchannel (in frequency) by implementing MU-MIMO functionality. More generally, as in Figure 14, the Poll, report, and ACK frames are transmitted over spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001, 1002 in different directions, respectively, thus enabling parallelization of reports in time without necessarily using subchannels of different frequencies (although such different subchannels may be used as desired). The application of multiple spatially separated wireless communication streams 1001 and 1002, implemented by using multiple different directions, for example, multiple different Tx-Rx antenna pairs, can result in more efficient or timely transmission of measurement reports. Figures 16 and 17 illustrate two different approaches to parallelizing detection reports over time, that is, either by using subchannels of different frequencies or different wireless communication streams.

[0056] Figure 18 illustrates an efficient multistatic sensing procedure involving parallel multistatic sensing measurements on two subchannels. In this embodiment, each of the multiple sensing responders (e.g., 502a or 503a) transmits one or more sensing PPDUs. In this embodiment, initiator 501a may have a single antenna (a quasi-omnidirectional antenna, or a directional antenna with a specific antenna / sector / beam ID) to receive reflected PPDUs transmitted by responders 502a and 503a. Initiator 501a acquires measurements on each of the different subchannels to receive the sensing PPDUs, and also acquires measurements on each subchannel to estimate the physical properties of the detected object based on the reception of the sensing PPDUs. The measurement setup phase 201 of this embodiment is in the same format as that disclosed in Figure 2 (except for frame numbering). During detection phase 202, sensing PPDUs 504a and 505a are transmitted in parallel in time by responders 502a and 503a, respectively, via subchannels 801 and 802 of different frequencies. The initiator receives the sensing PPDUs in parallel in time via both of these subchannels. Detection frames 504a and 505a are received by initiator 501a. Since the initiator itself performs the measurement, detection reporting is unnecessary.

[0057] Figure 19 illustrates yet another procedure for efficient multistatic sensing performed by parallel multistatic sensing operation on two subchannels. The initiator 501a may have two antennas (having two different antenna / sector / beam IDs) to communicate with responders 502 and 503. The measurement setup phase 201 of this procedure is the same in form as disclosed in Figures 10, 14, 15, and 17 and their respective descriptions. The detection phase 202 is the same in form as disclosed in the previously described embodiment (Figure 18). The embodiments disclosed in Figures 18-19 can result in efficient transmission of multiple sensing PPDUs and more accurate coordination of measurements when aggregating measurement results. Furthermore, these embodiments provide a multistatic sensing approach in which responders transmit sensing PPDUs for reception by the same initiator, and sensing PPDUs are transmitted in parallel in time, thereby improving sensing performance by avoiding the need for sequential sensing PPDUs (which can lead to inaccuracies due to time-varying channel conditions).

[0058] In monostatic, bistatic, and multistatic sensing, request and response frames exchanged between the initiator and responder may provide the allocation of per-responder subchannel information for performing multiple subchannel operations (including detection measurement and detection reporting) during the detection phase. The request and response frames exchanged between the initiator and responder may also provide the start times for parallel detection measurements across multiple subchannels. Thus, even if the measurement setup phase 201 in an embodiment of the present application is the same or substantially the same as the measurement setup phase in other approaches, the information exchanged between the initiator and responder during this measurement setup phase 201 will differ in the embodiments of the present disclosure compared to other approaches. The measurement setup phase is the phase in which the detection initiator communicates wirelessly with the detection responder to set up an object detection measurement. Thus, the measurement setup phases of different embodiments may be the same or similar in form, but their content may differ. Information indicating different frequency subchannels to be used, parallelization or deparallelization at various transmission times (or other timing aspects), designation of spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions, etc., may be communicated as needed during the measurement setup phase 201.

[0059] Figure 20 is a block diagram of electronic device 2000 as represented in this disclosure as a detection initiator and detection responder. Device 2000 can communicate wirelessly with one or more other devices to set up object detection measurement, where device 2000 and one or more other devices constitute a detection initiator and one or more detection responders. Device 2000 may be a device in a multi-master system. Device 2000 may have a computer processor operably coupled to computer memory. A computer equipped with networking capabilities, including a wireless transceiver, may be configured as device 2000. Device 2000 may correspond to a computer server, or a network node providing network access (e.g., an IEEE 802.11 access point (AP) or similar device), or a portion of a network node accessing the network, e.g., an IEEE 802.11 radio station (STA). In some embodiments, the initiator is an AP or STA, and each responder is also an AP or STA. APs and STAs may be wirelessly coupled via a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a WLAN, that conforms to IEEE 802.11, through communications that conform to various PPDUs, frames, and other communications described herein, such as IEEE 802.11 protocols.

[0060] As shown in Figure 20, device 2000 includes a processor 2001, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or specialized processor, for example, a graphics processing unit (GPU) or other such processor; memory 2004; non-temporary mass storage 2002; I / O interface 2005; network interface 2003; and wireless transceiver 2006, all of which are communicatively coupled via a bidirectional bus 2007. The transceiver 2006 includes one or more antennas. Depending on the particular embodiment, any or all of the elements shown may be used, or only some of the elements may be used. Furthermore, device 2000 may include multiple instances of a particular element, such as multiple processors, multiple memories, or multiple transceivers. Also, elements of the hardware device may be directly coupled to other elements without a bidirectional bus. In addition to, or instead of, the processor and memory, other electronic components such as integrated circuits may be used to perform the necessary logical operations.

[0061] Memory 2004 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), and any combination thereof. Mass storage element 2002 may include any type of non-location 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. Depending on a particular embodiment, memory 2004 or mass storage 2002 may store statements and instructions that can be executed by the processor 2001 to perform any of the method operations described above.

[0062] Figure 21 shows an electronic device 2100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device 2100 may be a sensing initiator or a sensing responder and may include components and aspects of the device 2000 described above. The device includes a transmitter and receiver 2106 which may transmit and receive PPDUs and / or frames in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 protocol. The electronic device further includes a measurement setup module 2110, a sensing PPDU module 2120, and a sensing result module 2130. These modules may be functional aspects of the device, implemented, for example, by the same computer processor or common electronic components, or by separate or partially separate processors or electronic devices. Modules 2110, 2120, and 2130 may operate differently depending on whether the device 2100 is operating as a sensing initiator or a sensing responder and the type of sensing operation being performed (e.g., monostatic, bistatic, or multistatic). Modules 2110, 2120, 2130 and the transmitter and receiver 2106 cooperate to perform some of the device's operations as described in the various embodiments described above, in which the device is a sensing initiator or a sensing responder. Multiple such devices can interact to provide a system of devices configured to perform sensing operations.

[0063] The measurement setup module 2110 operates to set up a sensing measurement by communicating with other similar devices via the transmitter and receiver 2106. That is, the measurement setup module 2110 can perform the device communication portion as described above with respect to the measurement setup phase 201. When device 2100 is the sensing initiator, the measurement setup module may further determine the type of sensing to be performed, the sensing responder to be used, etc. The measurement setup module 2110 configures the sensing PPDU module 2120 and the sensing result module 2130. Such configurations may be based on information obtained during the measurement setup. For example, the measurement setup module 2110 may configure which subchannels should be used at what time to transmit or receive sensing PPDUs, which subchannels or streams should be used at what time to transmit or receive Poll, report, and ACK frames, etc.

[0064] The sensing PPDU module 2120 configures the transmitter and receiver 2106 to transmit, receive, or both transmit and receive the sensing PPDU as described above with respect to the first part of the sensing phase 202. The sensing PPDU module may dictate aspects of transmission, reception, or both, such as the content, timing, and subchannels used of the sensing PPDU.

[0065] The detection result module 2130 operates to perform the communication portion of the device as described above with respect to the second part of the detection phase 202. This may include transmitting or receiving Poll, report, and acknowledgment frames as needed (in cooperation with the transmitter and receiver 2106). Such frames are also generated and set or processed as needed by the detection result module 2130. For example, the detection result module 2130 can generate and supply the content of a detection report frame to be sent to other devices based on information received from the sensing PPDU module 2120. The detection result module 2130 can receive a detection report frame from other devices and generate detection results, such as information related to an object, at least in part, based on such a detection report. Additionally or alternatively, the detection result module 2130 can generate detection results at least in part based on information obtained from the sensing PPDU module 2120.

[0066] It is within the scope of the art to provide 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 relating to the method of the art, and / or for structuring some or all of its components relating to a system of the art. The operations relating to the method described herein may be implemented as coded instructions within a computer program product. In other words, when a computer program product is loaded into the memory of a wireless communication device and executed by a microprocessor, the computer program product is a computer-readable medium on which software code is recorded to execute the method. Furthermore, each operation of the method may be executed on any computing device such as a personal computer, server, or PDA, and may follow one or more program elements, modules, or objects, or parts thereof, generated from any programming language such as C++ or Java. Furthermore, each operation, or the file or object that performs each operation, may be executed by specialized hardware or circuit modules designed for that purpose.

[0067] Throughout the descriptions of the embodiments described herein, the present invention may be implemented by using hardware alone or by using software and the necessary general-purpose hardware platform. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present invention 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 disc type read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB flash disk, or a removable hard disk. The software product includes a number of instructions that enable a computer device (personal computer, server, or network device) to perform the methods provided in embodiments of the present invention. For example, such execution may correspond to a simulation of the logical operation described herein. The software product may additionally or alternatively include a number of instructions that enable a computer device to perform operations for configuring or programming a digital logic device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0068] While 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 without departing from the invention. However, the specification and drawings should be considered merely examples of the invention as defined by the appended claims and are intended to cover all possible modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting an object using a wireless signal, wherein the detection initiator is To set up object detection measurement, a request frame is transmitted wirelessly to multiple detection responders via a first single subchannel among multiple subchannels, and response frames are received from the multiple detection responders. The process involves transmitting or receiving different sensing PPDUs from each of the detection responders using one distinct subchannel, wherein one of the sensing PPDUs is transmitted on the first single subchannel, the different sensing PPDUs are transmitted in parallel in time, and each of the different subchannels is different from the others with respect to carrier frequencies and does not overlap in the frequency domain. Based on the reception of the sensing PPDU by the detection initiator, or based on the reception of reports from the multiple detection responders, instructions for measuring the multiple subchannels are obtained, the reports are generated based on the reception of the sensing PPDU, and the instructions for measuring can be used to estimate one or more physical properties of the object. A method of having.

2. The reports from the plurality of detection responders include each different report from one of the plurality of detection responders, each of the different reports is received using each different subchannel. Each of the aforementioned different reports is received in parallel in time. The method according to claim 1.

3. The detection initiator transmits one of the sensing PPDUs, and each of the plurality of detection responders measures one of the different subchannels and receives its respective PPDU, and obtains the measurement with respect to that one of the different subchannels. The method according to claim 1.

4. Transmitting each of the different sensing PPDUs in parallel includes transmitting each of the different sensing PPDUs at a timing that at least partially overlaps with at least one other sensing PPDU among the different sensing PPDUs. The method according to claim 1.

5. Each of the different reports received in parallel is transmitted by the multiple detection responders at at least partially overlapping times. The method according to claim 2.

6. The further comprising transmitting each polling signal of one of the reports, each acknowledgment of one of the reports, or both, to each of the plurality of detection responders. Each polling signal, each acknowledgment, or both are transmitted in parallel in time using one of the different subchannels used by the one of the different detection responders to transmit its respective report. The method according to claim 2.

7. The reports from the plurality of detection responders include each different report from one of the plurality of detection responders, each of which is received using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The method according to claim 1.

8. Each of the aforementioned different reports is received in parallel in time. The method according to claim 7.

9. The further comprising transmitting each polling signal of one of the reports, each acknowledgment of one of the reports, or both, to each of the plurality of detection responders. Each polling signal, each acknowledgment, or both are transmitted in parallel in time using the spatially separated wireless communication streams in each of the different directions used by one of the plurality of detection responders to transmit their respective reports. The method according to claim 7.

10. To set up the object detection measurement, a request frame is transmitted wirelessly to the plurality of detection responders, and response frames are received from the plurality of detection responders. This includes communicating with each of the detection responders using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The method according to claim 1.

11. A method for detecting an object using wireless signals, wherein the detection responder is Setting up object detection measurement involves wirelessly receiving a request frame from a detection initiator via a first single subchannel among multiple subchannels and transmitting a response frame to the detection initiator, wherein the object detection measurement involves the detection initiator, the detection responder, and one or more other detection responders. The first sensing PPDU is transmitted on one of the plurality of subchannels and the first sensing PPDU is received, wherein the first sensing PPDU is transmitted in parallel in time with one or more other sensing PPDUs transmitted and received by each of the other sensing responders on one of the other subchannels, one of the sensing PPDUs is transmitted via the first single subchannel, and the plurality of subchannels are different from each other with respect to carrier frequencies and do not overlap in the frequency domain. A method of having.

12. The system further comprises acquiring a measurement from one of the plurality of subchannels in order to estimate one or more physical properties of the object based on the reception of the first sensing PPDU, or reporting the measurement instruction to the detection initiator. The method according to claim 11.

13. Each of the one or more other detection responders reports to the detection initiator each instruction for measurement of the object based on a reception from each of the other detection responders. The detection responder reports its instruction for the measurement using one of the plurality of subchannels, and each of the one or more other detection responders uses each of the other subchannels to report its respective instruction for the measurement. The reporting of the measurement instructions by the aforementioned detection responder and the one or more other detection responders is performed in parallel in time. The method according to claim 12.

14. Transmitting the first sensing PPDU in parallel with the one or more other sensing PPDUs includes transmitting the first sensing PPDU at a timing that at least partially overlaps with at least one of the one or more other sensing PPDUs. The method according to claim 11.

15. The parallel reporting of the measurement instructions by the detection responder and the one or more other detection responders includes reporting the measurement instructions by the detection responder at a timing that at least partially overlaps with the reporting of each measurement instruction by at least one of the one or more other detection responders. The method according to claim 13.

16. Each of the one or more other detection responders reports to the detection initiator each instruction for measurement of the object based on a reception from each of the other detection responders. Each of the aforementioned detection responder and the one or more other detection responders reports its instructions for the measurement using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The method according to claim 12.

17. The reporting of the measurement instructions by the detection responder and the one or more other detection responders is performed in parallel in time by the detection responder and the one or more other detection responders. The method according to claim 16.

18. A detection initiator device that detects objects using wireless signals, To set up object detection measurement, multiple detection responders communicate wirelessly. Each of the multiple subchannels transmits a different sensing PPDU to or receives from each of the detection responders, each of the different sensing PPDUs is transmitted in parallel in time, and each of the different subchannels is different from each other with respect to the carrier frequency and does not overlap in the frequency domain. Based on the reception of the sensing PPDU by the detection initiator device, or based on the reception of reports from the multiple detection responders, instructions for measurement of the multiple subchannels are obtained, the reports are generated based on the reception of the sensing PPDU, and the instructions for measurement can be used to estimate one or more physical properties of the object. A device configured in such a way.

19. The reports from the plurality of detection responders include each different report from one of the plurality of detection responders, each of the different reports is received using each different subchannel. Each of the aforementioned different reports is received in parallel in time. The apparatus according to claim 18.

20. The detection initiator device transmits one of the sensing PPDUs, and each of the plurality of detection responders measures one of the different subchannels and receives its respective PPDU, and acquires the measurement with respect to that one of the different subchannels. The apparatus according to claim 18.

21. Transmitting each of the different sensing PPDUs in parallel includes transmitting each of the different sensing PPDUs at a timing that at least partially overlaps with at least one other sensing PPDU among the different sensing PPDUs. The apparatus according to claim 18.

22. Each of the different reports received in parallel is transmitted by the multiple detection responders at at least partially overlapping times. The apparatus according to claim 19.

23. The further comprising transmitting each polling signal of one of the reports, each acknowledgment of one of the reports, or both, to each of the plurality of detection responders. Each polling signal, each acknowledgment, or both are transmitted in parallel in time using one of the different subchannels used by the one of the different detection responders to transmit its respective report. The apparatus according to claim 19.

24. The reports from the plurality of detection responders include each different report from one of the plurality of detection responders, each of which is received using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The apparatus according to claim 18.

25. Each of the aforementioned different reports is received in parallel in time. The apparatus according to claim 24.

26. The further comprising transmitting each polling signal of one of the reports, each acknowledgment of one of the reports, or both, to each of the plurality of detection responders. Each polling signal, each acknowledgment, or both are transmitted in parallel in time using the spatially separated wireless communication streams in each of the different directions used by one of the plurality of detection responders to transmit their respective reports. The apparatus according to claim 25.

27. To set up the object detection measurement, the plurality of detection responders communicate wirelessly, This includes communicating with each of the detection responders using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The apparatus according to claim 24.

28. A detection responder device that detects objects using wireless signals, To set up object detection measurement, a detection initiator communicates wirelessly with the object detection measurement, and the object detection measurement involves the detection initiator, the detection responder device, and one or more other detection responders. A first sensing PPDU is transmitted and received on one of a plurality of subchannels, and the first sensing PPDU is transmitted in parallel in time with one or more other sensing PPDUs transmitted and received on one of the other detection responders on another of the plurality of subchannels, and the plurality of subchannels are different from each other with respect to carrier frequencies and do not overlap in the frequency domain. A device configured in such a way.

29. The system is further configured to acquire a measurement from one of the plurality of subchannels in order to estimate one or more physical properties of the object based on the reception of the first sensing PPDU, or to report instructions for the measurement to the detection initiator. The apparatus according to claim 28.

30. Each of the one or more other detection responders reports to the detection initiator each instruction for measurement of the object based on a reception from each of the other detection responders. The detection responder device reports its instruction for the measurement using one of the plurality of subchannels, and each of the one or more other detection responders uses each of the other subchannels to report its respective instruction for the measurement. The reporting of the measurement instructions by the detection responder device and the one or more other detection responders is performed in parallel in time. The apparatus according to claim 29.

31. Transmitting the first sensing PPDU in parallel with the one or more other sensing PPDUs includes transmitting the first sensing PPDU at a timing that at least partially overlaps with at least one of the one or more other sensing PPDUs. The apparatus according to claim 28.

32. The parallel reporting of the measurement instructions by the detection responder device and the one or more other detection responders includes reporting the measurement instructions by the detection responder device at a timing that at least partially overlaps with the reporting of each measurement instruction by at least one of the one or more other detection responders. The apparatus according to claim 30.

33. Each of the one or more other detection responders reports to the detection initiator each instruction for measurement of the object based on a reception from each of the other detection responders. Each of the detection responder device and the one or more other detection responders reports its instructions for the measurement using spatially separated wireless communication streams in different directions. The apparatus according to claim 29.

34. The reporting of the measurement instruction by the detection responder device and the one or more other detection responders is performed in parallel in time by each of the detection responders. The apparatus according to claim 33.

35. The reports from the plurality of detection responders include each different report from one of the plurality of detection responders, and are received sequentially via the first single subchannel of the plurality of subchannels. The method according to claim 1.

36. The further comprising transmitting each polling signal of one of the reports, each acknowledgment of one of the reports, or both, to each of the plurality of detection responders. Each polling signal, each acknowledgment, or both are transmitted sequentially using the first single subchannel among the plurality of subchannels. The method according to claim 35.

37. The detection initiator transmits a first polling signal to the detection responder, which transmits the sensing PPDU via the first single subchannel among the plurality of subchannels, before any of the other polling signals. The method according to claim 36.

38. Each of the one or more other sensing responders reports to the sensing initiator via the first single subchannel each instruction for measurement of the object based on the reception of each of the other sensing PPDUs. The reporting of the measurement instructions by the aforementioned detection responder and the one or more other detection responders is performed sequentially over time. The method according to claim 11.

39. The system further includes receiving a polling signal from the detection initiator that causes the detection responder to report an instruction for the measurement, an acknowledgment of the report, or both. The polling signal, the acknowledgment, or both are received sequentially through the first single subchannel of the plurality of subchannels, along with at least one of other polling signals and other acknowledgments to other detection responders among the detection responders. The method according to claim 38.

40. The detection responder that transmits the sensing PPDU via the first single subchannel is the first detection responder that receives a polling signal from the detection initiator. The method according to claim 39.

41. A device that stores instructions, and when an instruction is executed by the processor of an electronic device, causes the electronic device to perform the method according to claim 1. Computer-readable media.

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