ALLOCATING AND RECEIVING TONES FOR A FRAME

• US 20110255620A1
• Filed: 04/13/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jones, Vincent Knowles IV, Sampath, Hemanth, Van Nee, Didier Johannes Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,025,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/20 Modulator circuits; Transmitter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/22 Demodulator circuits; Receiver circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0046 Determination of how many bits are transmitted on different sub-channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers

Abstract

A communication device for allocating tones is described that includes a processor and instructions in memory in electronic communication with the processor. The communication device determines whether a bandwidth for signal transmission is 20, 40, 80 or 160 megahertz (MHz). The communication device respectively allocates tones for 20, 40, 80 or 160 MHz as follows: for a very high throughput (VHT) signal A1 (VHT-SIG-A1): 52, 104, 208, 416; a VHT signal A2 (VHT-SIG-A2): 52, 104, 208, 416; a VHT short training field (VHT-STF): 12, 24, 48, 48; one or more VHT long training field(s) (VHT-LTF(s)): 56, 114, 242, 484; a VHT signal B (VHT-SIG-B): 56, 114, 242, 484; and a data field (DATA): 56, 114, 242, 484. The communication device also transmits the signal.

Claims

1. A communication device for allocating orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to;

determine whether a bandwidth for signal transmission is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

allocate 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

allocate 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

allocate 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz;

allocate 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz; and

transmit the signal.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable to:

allocate 12 tones for a non-high throughput (non-HT) short training field (L-STF), 52 tones for a non-HT long training field (L-LTF) and 52 tones for a non-HT signal field (L-SIG) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

allocate 24 tones for the L-STF, 104 tones for the L-LTF and 104 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

allocate 48 tones for the L-STF, 208 tones for the L-LTF and 208 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

allocate 48 tones for the L-STF, 416 tones for the L-LTF and 416 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

4. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries one or more pad bits if the bandwidth is 80 MHz or 160 MHz.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable to generate a bandwidth message based on the bandwidth.

6. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable to modulate the VHT-SIG-A2 using quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK) to indicate that a frame includes a very high throughput (VHT) signal.

7. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are further executable to insert pilot tones at subcarrier indices −

103, −

75, −

39, −

11, 11, 39, 75 and 103 if the bandwidth is 80 MHz.

8. A communication device for receiving orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor;

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable to;

determine whether a bandwidth for signal reception is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

receive 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

receive 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

receive 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

receive 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

9. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the instructions are further executable to:

receive 12 tones for a non-high throughput (non-HT) short training field (L-STF), 52 tones for a non-HT long training field (L-LTF) and 52 tones for a non-HT signal field (L-SIG) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

receive 24 tones for the L-STF, 104 tones for the L-LTF and 104 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

receive 48 tones for the L-STF, 208 tones for the L-LTF and 208 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

receive 48 tones for the L-STF, 416 tones for the L-LTF and 416 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

10. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

11. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries one or more pad bits if the bandwidth is 80 MHz or 160 MHz.

12. The communication device of claim 8, wherein determining whether the bandwidth for signal reception is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz comprises receiving a bandwidth indication.

13. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the instructions are further executable to detect a very high throughput (VHT) signal if the VHT-SIG-A2 uses quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK).

14. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the instructions are further executable to receive pilot tones at subcarrier indices −

103, −

75, −

39, −

11, 11, 39, 75 and 103 if the bandwidth is 80 MHz.

15. A method for allocating orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones on a communication device, comprising:

determining whether a bandwidth for signal transmission is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

allocating 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

allocating 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

allocating 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz;

allocating 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz; and

transmitting the signal.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

allocating 12 tones for a non-high throughput (non-HT) short training field (L-STF), 52 tones for a non-HT long training field (L-LTF) and 52 tones for a non-HT signal field (L-SIG) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

allocating 24 tones for the L-STF, 104 tones for the L-LTF and 104 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

allocating 48 tones for the L-STF, 208 tones for the L-LTF and 208 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

allocating 48 tones for the L-STF, 416 tones for the L-LTF and 416 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries one or more pad bits if the bandwidth is 80 MHz or 160 MHz.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating a bandwidth message based on the bandwidth.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising modulating the VHT-SIG-A2 using quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK) to indicate that a frame includes a very high throughput (VHT) signal.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting pilot tones at subcarrier indices −

103, −

75, −

39, −

11, 11, 39, 75 and 103 if the bandwidth is 80 MHz.

22. A method for receiving orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones on a communication device, comprising:

determining whether a bandwidth for signal reception is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

receiving 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

receiving 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

receiving 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

receiving 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving 12 tones for a non-high throughput (non-HT) short training field (L-STF), 52 tones for a non-HT long training field (L-LTF) and 52 tones for a non-HT signal field (L-SIG) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

receiving 24 tones for the L-STF, 104 tones for the L-LTF and 104 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

receiving 48 tones for the L-STF, 208 tones for the L-LTF and 208 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

receiving 48 tones for the L-STF, 416 tones for the L-LTF and 416 tones for the L-SIG if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries one or more pad bits if the bandwidth is 80 MHz or 160 MHz.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein determining whether the bandwidth for signal reception is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz comprises receiving a bandwidth indication.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising detecting a very high throughput (VHT) signal if the VHT-SIG-A2 uses quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK).

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving pilot tones at subcarrier indices −

103, −

75, −

39, −

11, 11, 39, 75 and 103 if the bandwidth is 80 MHz.

29. A computer-program product for allocating orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones, comprising a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, the instructions comprising:

code for causing a communication device to determine whether a bandwidth for signal transmission is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

code for causing the communication device to allocate 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

code for causing the communication device to allocate 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

code for causing the communication device to allocate 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz;

code for causing the communication device to allocate 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz; and

code for causing the communication device to transmit the signal.

30. The computer-program product of claim 29, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

31. The computer-program product of claim 29, the instructions further comprising code for causing the communication device to generate a bandwidth message based on the bandwidth.

32. The computer-program product of claim 29, the instructions further comprising code for causing the communication device to modulate the VHT-SIG-A2 using quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK) to indicate that a frame includes a very high throughput (VHT) signal.

33. A computer-program product for receiving orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones, comprising a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium having instructions thereon, the instructions comprising:

code for causing a communication device to determine whether a bandwidth for signal reception is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

code for causing the communication device to receive 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

code for causing the communication device to receive 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

code for causing the communication device to receive 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

code for causing the communication device to receive 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

34. The computer-program product of claim 33, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

35. The computer-program product of claim 33, wherein determining whether the bandwidth for signal reception is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz comprises receiving a bandwidth indication.

36. The computer-program product of claim 33, wherein the instructions further comprise code for causing the communication device to detect a very high throughput (VHT) signal if the VHT-SIG-A2 uses quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK).

37. An apparatus for allocating orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones, comprising:

means for determining whether a bandwidth for signal transmission is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

means for allocating 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

means for allocating 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

means for allocating 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz;

means for allocating 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz; and

means for transmitting the signal.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising means for generating a bandwidth message based on the bandwidth.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising means for modulating the VHT-SIG-A2 using quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK) to indicate that a frame includes a very high throughput (VHT) signal.

41. An apparatus for receiving orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) tones, comprising:

means for determining whether a bandwidth for signal reception is 20 megahertz (MHz), 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz;

means for receiving 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A1 (VHT-SIG-A1), 52 tones for a very high throughput signal field A2 (VHT-SIG-A2), 12 tones for a very high throughput short training field (VHT-STF), 56 tones for one or more very high throughput long training fields (VHT-LTFs), 56 tones for a very high throughput signal field B (VHT-SIG-B) and 56 tones for a data field (DATA) if the bandwidth is 20 MHz;

means for receiving 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 104 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 24 tones for the VHT-STF, 114 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 114 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 114 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 40 MHz;

means for receiving 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 208 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 242 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 242 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 242 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 80 MHz; and

means for receiving 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A1, 416 tones for the VHT-SIG-A2, 48 tones for the VHT-STF, 484 tones for the one or more VHT-LTFs, 484 tones for the VHT-SIG-B and 484 tones for the DATA if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the VHT-SIG-B carries 26 bits if the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 27 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 80 MHz and the VHT-SIG-B carries 29 bits per 20 MHz of bandwidth if the bandwidth is 160 MHz.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein determining whether the bandwidth for signal reception is 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz or 160 MHz comprises receiving a bandwidth indication.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for detecting a very high throughput (VHT) signal if the VHT-SIG-A2 uses quadrature binary phase-shift keying (QBPSK).