SOUNDING AND TONE BLOCK ALLOCATION FOR ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY MULTIPLE ACCESS (OFDMA) IN WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS

• US 20150146807A1
• Filed: 11/26/2014
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Marvell World Trade Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: ZHANG, Hongyuan, SUN, Yakun, LOU, Hui-Ling, CHU, Liwen
• Granted Patent: US 9,473,341 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 375/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/336 Signal-to-interference ratio [SIR] or carrier-to-interference ratio [CIR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0632 Channel quality parameters, e.g. channel quality indicator [CQI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2646 using feedback from receiver for adjusting OFDM transmission parameters, e.g. transmission timing or guard interval length
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0037 Inter-user or inter-terminal allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/54 based on quality criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A first communication device obtains, for each second communication device of a plurality of second communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication channel associated with the second communication device. The first communication device selects, based on the quality indicators obtained for each of at least some of the second communication devices, a group of second communication devices for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication. The first communication device transmits, to the group of second communication devices, at least one OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more second communication devices of the group. The respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more second communication devices of the group.

Claims

1. A method for simultaneously communicating with multiple communication devices in a communication network, the method comprising:

obtaining, at a first communication device for each second communication device of a plurality of second communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication channel associated with the second communication device;

selecting, at the first communication device based on the quality indicators obtained for each of at least some of the second communication devices, a group of second communication devices for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication, wherein the group includes two or more second communication devices of the plurality of second communication devices; and

transmitting, from the first communication device to the group of second communication devices, at least one OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more second communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more second communication devices of the group.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each second communication device of the plurality of second communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises:

transmitting a sounding packet from the first communication device to the plurality of second communication devices,

receiving, at the first communication device, a plurality of respective feedback packets from the plurality of second communication devices, wherein the feedback packets include feedback generated based on the sounding packet, and

obtaining the one or more quality indicators for each second communication device based on the feedback packet received from the second communication device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each second communication device of the plurality of second communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises:

transmitting a request frame from the first communication device to the plurality of second communication devices, wherein the request frame requests the second communication devices to transmit respective sounding frames to the first communication device,

receiving, at the first communication device, respective sounding packets transmitted by the second communication devices in response to the requests frame, and

obtaining the one or more quality indicators for each second communication device based on the sounding packet received from the second communication device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each second communication device of the plurality of second communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises:

receiving, at the first communication device, respective non-sounding data units transmitted by the second communication devices for purposes other than sounding the OFDM communication channels associated with the second communication devices, and

obtaining the one or more quality indicators for each second communication device based on the non-sounding packet received from the second communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each second communication device of the plurality of second communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises obtaining, for each second communication device one or both of (i) indications of one or more preferred sub-channel blocks for the second communication device and (ii) indications of order of preference of multiple preferred sub-channel blocks for the second communication device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to transmitting the at least one OFDMA data unit to the group of second communication devices, transmitting a group management frame to indicate to the second communication devices of the group that the second communication devices are members of the group.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating, based on the quality indicators obtained for the two or more second communication devices of the group, the respective sub-channel blocks to the two or more second communication devices of the group.

8. The method of claim of claim 7, further comprising:

after transmitting the at least one OFDMA data unit to the group of second communication devices, obtaining, for each of the second communication devices of the group, one or more new quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device,

allocating respective sub-channel blocks to the second communication devices of the group based on the new quality indicators, and

transmitting at least one additional OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more second communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more second communication devices based on the new quality indicators.

9. An apparatus for use in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface configured to

obtain, for each of a plurality of communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication channel associated with the communication device;

select, based on the quality indicators obtained for each of at least some communication devices of the plurality of communication devices, a group of communication devices for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication, wherein the group includes two or more communication devices of the plurality of communication devices; and

transmit, to the group of communication devices, at least one OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more communication devices of the group.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the network interface is configured to:

transmit a sounding packet from the first communication device to the plurality of communication devices,

receive a plurality of respective feedback packets from the plurality of communication devices, wherein the feedback packets include feedback generated based on the sounding packet, and

obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device based on the feedback packet received from the communication device.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the network interface is configured to:

transmit a request frame from the first communication device to the plurality of communication devices, wherein the request frame requests the communication devices to transmit respective sounding frames,

receive respective sounding packets transmitted by the communication devices in response to the request frame, and

obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device based on the sounding packet received from the communication device.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the network interface is configured to:

receive respective non-sounding data units transmitted by the communication devices for purposes other than sounding the OFDM communication channels associated with the communication devices, and

obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device based on the non-sounding packet received from the communication device.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the network interface is configured to obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device by obtaining one or both of (i) indications of one or more preferred sub-channel blocks for the communication device and (ii) indications of order of preference of multiple preferred sub-channel blocks for the communication device.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the network interface is further configured to, prior to transmitting the at least one OFDMA data unit to the group of communication devices, transmit a group management frame to indicate to the communication devices of the group that the communication devices are members of the group.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the network interface is further configured to allocate, based on the quality indicators obtained for the two or more communication devices of the group, the respective sub-channel blocks to the two or more communication devices of the group.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the network interface is further configured to:

after transmitting the at least one OFDMA data unit to the group of communication devices, obtain, for each of the communication devices of the group, one or more new quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the communication device,

allocate respective sub-channel blocks to the communication devices of the group based on the new quality indicators, and

transmit at least one additional OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more communication devices based on the new quality indicators.

17. A method for simultaneously communicating with multiple communication devices in a communication network, the method comprising:

obtaining, at a first communication device for each of two or more second communication devices in a group of second communication devices for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication channel associated with the second communication device;

allocating, based on the quality indicators obtained for each of at least some of the two or more second communication devices of the group, respective sub-channel blocks to respective second communication devices of the group; and

transmitting at least one orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more communication devices of group.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each of two or more second communication devices in a group of second communication devices for OFDMA communication, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises:

transmitting a sounding packet from the first communication device to the two or more second communication devices,

receiving, at the first communication device, a plurality of respective feedback packets from the two or more second communication devices, wherein the feedback packets include feedback generated based on the sounding packet, and

obtaining the one or more quality indicators for each second communication device based on the feedback packet received from the second communication device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each of two or more second communication devices in a group of second communication devices for OFDMA communication, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises:

transmitting a request frame from the first communication device to the two or more second communication devices, wherein the request frame requests the second communication devices to transmit respective sounding frames to the first communication device,

receiving, at the first communication device, respective sounding packets transmitted by the two or more second communication devices in response to the requests frame, and

obtaining the one or more quality indicators for each second communication device based on the sounding packet received from the second communication device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each of two or more second communication devices in a group of second communication devices for OFDMA communication, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises:

receiving, at the first communication device, respective non-sounding data units transmitted by the two or more second communication devices for purposes other than sounding the OFDM communication channels associated with the second communication devices, and

obtaining the one or more quality indicators for each second communication device based on the non-sounding packet received from the second communication device.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein obtaining, at the first communication device for each of two or more second communication devices in a group of second communication devices for OFDMA communication, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device comprises obtaining, for each second communication device one or both of (i) indications of one or more preferred sub-channel blocks for the second communication device and (ii) indications of order of preference of multiple preferred sub-channel blocks for the second communication device.

22. The method of claim of claim 17, further comprising:

after transmitting the at least one OFDMA data unit to the group of second communication devices, obtaining, for each of the second communication devices of the group, one or more new quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the second communication device,

allocating respective sub-channel blocks to the second communication devices of the group based on the new quality indicators, and

transmitting at least one additional OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more second communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more second communication devices based on the new quality indicators.

23. An apparatus for use in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface configured to

obtain, for each of two or more communication devices in a group of communication devices for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication channel associated with the communication device;

allocate, based on the quality indicators obtained for each of at least some of the two or more communication devices of the two or more communication devices, respective sub-channel blocks to respective communication devices of the group; and

transmit at least one orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more communication devices of group.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network interface is configured to:

transmit a sounding packet to the two or more communication devices,

receive a plurality of respective feedback packets from the two or more communication devices, wherein the feedback packets include feedback generated based on the sounding packet, and

obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device based on the feedback packet received from the communication device.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network interface is configured to:

transmit a request frame to the two or more communication devices, wherein the request frame requests the communication devices to transmit respective sounding frames,

receive respective sounding packets transmitted by the two or more communication devices in response to the requests frame, and

obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device based on the sounding packet received from the communication device.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network interface is configured to:

receive respective non-sounding data units transmitted by the two or more communication devices for purposes other than sounding the OFDM communication channels associated with the communication devices, and

obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device based on the non-sounding packet received from the communication device.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network interface is configured to obtain the one or more quality indicators for each communication device by obtaining one or both of (i) indications of one or more preferred sub-channel blocks for the communication device and (ii) indications of order of preference of multiple preferred sub-channel blocks for the communication device.

28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the network interface is further configured to:

after transmitting the at least one OFDMA data unit to the group of communication devices, obtain, for each of the communication devices of the group, one or more new quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of the OFDM communication channel associated with the communication device,

allocate respective sub-channel blocks to the communication devices of the group based on the new quality indicators, and

transmit at least one additional OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more communication devices of the group, wherein the respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more communication devices based on the new quality indicators.