Group identification and definition within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications

• US 9,197,298 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2010
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kim, Joonsuk, Fischer, Matthew James, Amini, Peiman, Lauer, Joseph Paul, Erceg, Vinko, Aldana, Carlos H., Ojard, Eric J., Ariyavisitakul, Sirikiat Lek
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOUDHRY, SAMINA F
• Application Number:
  US12/796,655
• Publication Number:
  US 20110002219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,995 Days
• Field of Search: 370/203
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0452 Multi-user MIMO systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0643 Feedback on request
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0025 Transmission of mode-switching indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0065 Serial concatenated codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1664 the supervisory signal being transmitted together with payload signals; piggybacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1671 the supervisory signal being transmitted together with control information
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Group identification and definition within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A group identification definition field may be transmitted to a number of receiving devices for use in interpreting current or subsequently received packets that include a group identification field (group ID). The group ID can serve a number of functions such as indicating those receiving devices for which the packet is intended, the identification of fields within the packet corresponding to the various devices, certain parameters (e.g., code type, code rate, modulation type, etc.) associated with such fields within the packet, etc. The group identification definition field may be updated or modified to allow for modification of the manner in which subsequent packets, including respective group IDs, are processed. One of a variety of events may direct the group identification definition field may be updated or modified.

Claims

1. A method for execution by a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

generating a group definition field and a multi-user packet;

via a communication interface of the wireless communication device;

transmitting the group definition field to a plurality of wireless communication devices within a first transmission, wherein the group definition field specifies a group of the plurality of wireless communication devices that is associated with a first association ID (AID) of a first wireless communication device and a second AID of a second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

transmitting the multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a second transmission that is different than the first transmission and that is transmitted subsequently to the first transmission, wherein the multi-user packet includes a group identification field (group ID) that, when interpreted based on the group definition field, specifies that the multi-user packet is intended for the group of the plurality of wireless communication devices based on the first AID and the second AID associated with the group as specified by the group definition field, a first field therein to be processed by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and a second field therein to be processed by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

transmitting at least one additional group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a third transmission; and

transmitting at least one additional multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a fourth transmission that is different than the third transmission and that is transmitted subsequently to the third transmission, wherein the multi-user packet includes at least one additional group ID that, when interpreted based on the group definition field, specifies a third field therein to be processed by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a fourth field therein to be processed by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multi-user packet is a multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) packet or an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) packet.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device includes a cellular telephone, a two-way radio, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop computer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the group ID, when interpreted based on the group definition field, indicates a first manner by which the first field is to be processed by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a second manner by which the second field is to be processed by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first field includes a first plurality of long training field symbols for use by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a first communication channel between the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device;

and

the second field includes a second plurality of long training field symbols for use by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a second communication channel between the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first communication channel being between the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a first antenna of the wireless communication device;

and

the second communication channel being between the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a second antenna of the wireless communication device.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting at least one additional multi-user packet, that includes the group definition field, to the plurality of wireless communication devices before transmitting the multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the group ID that is associated with the first AID and the second AID, when interpreted based on the group definition field, indicating the multi-user packet being intended only for a subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

the subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices including the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices; and

the multi-user packet being discarded by a third wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices that is not within the subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting the group definition field that is a first group definition field at a first time;

transmitting a second group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication devices at a second time; and

transmitting a third group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication devices at a third time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the group ID indicating that the multi-user packet being intended only for a first subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

and

the at least one additional group ID indicating that at least one additional multi-user packet being intended only for a second subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices or the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices being included within each of the first subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the second subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device being an access point (AP), and the plurality of wireless communication devices being a plurality of wireless stations (STAs).

13. A method for execution by a wireless communication device, the method comprising:

generating a first group definition field, a first multi-user packet, a second group definition field, and a second multi-user packet, wherein;

the first group definition field specifies a first group of a plurality of wireless communication devices that is associated with a first association ID (AID) of a first wireless communication device and a second AID of a second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

the second group definition field specifies a second group of the plurality of wireless communication devices that is associated with a third AID of a third wireless communication device and a fourth AID of a fourth wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

via a communication interface of the wireless communication device, transmitting the first group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication-devices within a first transmission;

via the communication interface of the wireless communication device, transmitting the first multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a second transmission that is different than and subsequent to the first transmission, wherein the first multi-user packet includes a first group identification field (group ID) that, when interpreted based on the first group definition field, specifies that the first multi-user packet is intended for the first group of the plurality of wireless communication devices based on the first AID and the second AID associated with in the first group as specified by the first group definition field, a first field to be processed by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices within a first subset, and a second field to be processed by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices within the first subset;

via the communication interface of the wireless communication device, transmitting the second group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a third transmission; and

via the communication interface of the wireless communication device, transmitting the second multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a fourth transmission that is different than and subsequent to the third transmission, wherein the second multi-user packet includes a second group ID that, when interpreted based on the second group definition field, specifies that the second multi-user packet is intended for the second group of the plurality of wireless communication devices based on the third AID and the fourth AID associated with in the second group as specified by the second group definition field, a third field to be processed by the third wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices within a second subset, and a fourth field to be processed by the fourth wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices within the second subset.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first multi-user packet being a first multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) packet or a first orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) packet;

and

the second multi-user packet being a second MU-MIMO packet or a second OFDMA packet.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, at least one of:

the third wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices being the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

or

the fourth wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices being the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first field including a first plurality of long training field symbols for use by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a first communication channel between the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device;

the second field including a second plurality of long training field symbols for use by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a second communication channel between the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device;

the third field including a third plurality of long training field symbols for use by the third wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a third communication channel between the third wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device; and

the fourth field including a fourth plurality of long training field symbols for use by the fourth wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a fourth communication channel between the fourth wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first communication channel being between the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a first antenna of the wireless communication device;

the second communication channel being between the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a second antenna of the wireless communication device;

the third communication channel being between the third wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a third antenna of the wireless communication device; and

the fourth communication channel being between the fourth wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a fourth antenna of the wireless communication device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of the second antenna, the third antenna, or the fourth antenna being the first antenna.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the wireless communication device being an access point (AP);

and

the plurality of wireless communication devices being a plurality of wireless stations (STAs).

20. A wireless communication device comprising:

a communication interface; and

a processor, the processor and the communication interface are configured to;

generate a group definition field and a multi-user packet;

transmit the group definition field to a plurality of wireless communication devices within a first transmission, wherein the group definition field specifies a group of the plurality of wireless communication devices that is associated with a first association ID (AID) of a first wireless communication device and a second AID of a second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

transmit the multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a second transmission that is different than the first transmission and that is transmitted subsequently to the first transmission, wherein the multi-user packet includes a group identification field (group ID) that, when interpreted based on the group definition field, specifies that the multi-user packet is intended for the group of the plurality of wireless communication devices based on the first AID and the second AID associated with the group as specified by the group definition field, a first field therein to be processed by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a second field therein to be processed by a second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

transmit at least one additional group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a third transmission; and

transmit at least one additional multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices within a fourth transmission that is different than the third transmission and that is transmitted subsequently to the third transmission, wherein the multi-user packet includes at least one additional group ID that, when interpreted based on the group definition field, specifies a third field therein to be processed by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a fourth field therein to be processed by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

21. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the multi-user packet is a multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) packet.

22. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the multi-user packet is an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) packet.

23. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication device includes a cellular telephone, a two-way radio, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop computer.

24. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the group ID, when interpreted based on the group definition field, indicates a first manner by which the first field is to be processed by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a second manner by which the second field is to be processed by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

25. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the first field includes a first plurality of long training field symbols for use by the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a first communication channel between the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device;

and

the second field includes a second plurality of long training field symbols for use by the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices in accordance with channel estimation of a second communication channel between the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the wireless communication device.

26. The wireless communication device of claim 25, wherein the first communication channel being between the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a first antenna of the wireless communication device;

and

the second communication channel being between the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and a second antenna of the wireless communication device.

27. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the processor and the communication interface are further configured to transmit at least one additional multi-user packet, that includes the group definition field, to the plurality of wireless communication devices before transmitting the multi-user packet to the plurality of wireless communication devices.

28. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the group ID that is associated with the first AID and the second AID, when interpreted based on the group definition field, indicating the multi-user packet being intended only for a subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

the subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices including the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices; and

the multi-user packet being discarded by a third wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices that is not within the subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

29. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the group definition field being a first group definition field that is transmitted at a first time;

and wherein the communication interface is further configured to transmit;

a second group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication devices at a second time; and

a third group definition field to the plurality of wireless communication devices at a third time.

30. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the group ID indicating that the multi-user packet being intended only for a first subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices;

and

the at least one additional group ID indicating that at least one additional multi-user packet being intended only for a second subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

31. The wireless communication device of claim 30, wherein at least one of the first wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices or the second wireless communication device of the plurality of wireless communication devices being included within each of the first subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices and the second subset of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

32. The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the wireless communication device is an access point (AP), and the plurality of wireless communication devices include a plurality of wireless stations (STAs).