Determining Number of Midambles in a Packet

• US 20190097857A1
• Filed: 09/19/2018
• Published: 03/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Marvell World Trade Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: ZHANG, Yan, ZHANG, Hongyuan, CAO, Rui
• Granted Patent: US 10,715,365 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2605 Symbol extensions, e.g. Zero Tail, Unique Word [UW]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2613 Structure of the reference signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2666 Acquisition of further OFDM parameters, e.g. bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, or guard interval length
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0051 of dedicated pilots, i.e. pilots destined for a single user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/02 Data link layer protocols

Abstract

A communication device receives a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU). The PPDU includes i) a PHY preamble and ii) PHY data portion that includes one or more PHY midambles, and the PHY preamble includes i) an indication of a length of the PPDU, and ii) an indication of a periodicity of PHY midambles in the PHY data portion. The communication device calculates a number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the indication of the periodicity of PHY midambles. The communication device calculates a reception time for the PPDU using the calculated number of PHY midambles, and processes the PPDU using the calculated reception time.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:

receiving, at a communication device, a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the PPDU includes i) a PHY preamble and ii) PHY data portion that includes one or more PHY midambles, and wherein the PHY preamble includes i) an indication of a length of the PPDU, and ii) an indication of a periodicity of PHY midambles in the PHY data portion;

calculating, at the communication device, a number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the indication of the periodicity of PHY midambles;

calculating, at the communication device, a reception time for the PPDU using the calculated number of PHY midambles; and

processing, at the communication device, the PPDU using the calculated reception time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU includes:

calculating an estimate of a time duration of the PHY data portion using the indication of the length of the PPDU;

calculating a time period between neighboring PHY midambles using the periodicity of PHY midambles; and

calculating the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the estimate of the time duration of the PHY data portion, and ii) the calculated time period between neighboring PHY midambles.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the periodicity of PHY midambles is in units of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols; and

calculating the reception time for the PPDU includes;

calculating a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and

calculating the reception time for the PPDU further using the calculated number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein:

the PPDU includes a packet extension field after the PHY data portion;

calculating the reception time for the PPDU further includes;

calculating a time period of the packet extension field using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and iii) the calculated number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles, and

calculating the reception time for the PPDU further using the calculated time period of the packet extension field.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the PHY preamble includes a bit providing information regarding a packet extension field after the PHY data portion; and

calculating the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU further comprises using the bit providing information regarding the packet extension field after the PHY data portion.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a network interface device having one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices configured to;

receive a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the PPDU includes i) a PHY preamble and ii) PHY data portion that includes one or more PHY midambles, and wherein the PHY preamble includes i) an indication of a length of the PPDU, and ii) an indication of a periodicity of PHY midambles in the PHY data portion,

calculate a number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the indication of the periodicity of PHY midambles,

calculate a reception time for the PPDU using the calculated number of PHY midambles, and

process the PPDU using the calculated reception time.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to:

calculate an estimate of a time duration of the PHY data portion using the indication of the length of the PPDU;

calculate a time period between neighboring PHY midambles using the periodicity of PHY midambles; and

calculate the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the estimate of the time duration of the PHY data portion, and ii) the calculated time period between neighboring PHY midambles.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

the periodicity of PHY midambles is in units of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols; and

the one or more IC devices are further configured to;

calculate a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and

calculate the reception time for the PPDU further using the calculated number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

the PPDU includes a packet extension field after the PHY data portion; and

the one or more IC devices are further configured to;

calculate a time period of the packet extension field using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and iii) the calculated number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles, and

calculate the reception time for the PPDU further using the calculated time period of the packet extension field.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the PHY preamble includes a bit providing information regarding a packet extension field after the PHY data portion; and

wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to calculate the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU further using the bit providing information regarding the packet extension field after the PHY data portion.

11. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:

determining, at a communication device, a periodicity of physical layer (PHY) midambles to be included in PHY data portion of a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the periodicity of PHY midambles is in units of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols;

determining, at the communication device, a number of PHY midambles to be included in the PHY data portion using i) the periodicity of PHY midambles, and ii) a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion, wherein determining the number of PHY midambles includes;

determining that a further PHY midamble will be included in the PHY data portion when a number of OFDM symbols remaining in the PHY data portion after a last PHY midamble is greater than or equal to a sum of i) the periodicity of PHY midambles, and ii) a positive integer that is less than the periodicity of PHY midambles, and

determining that the further PHY midamble will not be included in the PHY data portion when the number of OFDM symbols remaining in the PHY data portion after the last PHY midamble is less than the sum of i) the periodicity of PHY midambles, and ii) the positive integer;

calculating, at the communication device, a transmit time for the PPDU using i) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and ii) the number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion;

determining, at the communication device, an indication of a length of the PPDU using the calculated transmit time; and

generating, at the communication device, the PPDU to include i) a PHY preamble, and ii) the PHY data portion with one or more PHY midambles included in the PHY data portion according to the calculated number of PHY midambles, wherein the PHY preamble includes i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) an indication of the periodicity of PHY midambles in the PHY data portion.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the number of PHY midambles to be included in the PPDU includes:

calculating a sum of i) a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion, ii) one, and iii) the positive integer multiplied by negative one; and

determining a smallest integer greater than or equal to;

the sum divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU further includes:

determining the number of PHY midambles to be included in the PPDU as the maximum of;

i) zero and ii) one subtracted from the smallest integer greater than or equal to the sum divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the positive integer is two.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU includes:

determining a smallest integer greater than or equal to;

a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU includes:

determining a largest integer less than or equal to;

a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a network interface device having one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices configured to;

determine a periodicity of physical layer (PHY) midambles to be included in PHY data portion of a PHY protocol data unit (PPDU), wherein the periodicity of PHY midambles is in units of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and

determine a number of PHY midambles to be included in the PHY data portion using i) the periodicity of PHY midambles, and ii) a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion, wherein determining the number of PHY midambles includes;

determining that a further PHY midamble will be included in the PHY data portion when a number of OFDM symbols remaining in the PHY data portion after a last PHY midamble is greater than or equal to a sum of i) the periodicity of PHY midambles, and ii) a positive integer that is less than the periodicity of PHY midambles, and

determining that the further PHY midamble will not be included in the PHY data portion when the number of OFDM symbols remaining in the PHY data portion after the last PHY midamble is less than the sum of i) the periodicity of PHY midambles, and ii) the positive integer;

wherein the one or more IC devices are further configured to;

calculate a transmit time for the PPDU using i) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and ii) the number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion,

determine an indication of a length of the PPDU using the calculated transmit time, and

generate the PPDU to include i) a PHY preamble, and ii) the PHY data portion with one or more PHY midambles included in the PHY data portion according to the calculated number of PHY midambles, wherein the PHY preamble includes i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) an indication of the periodicity of PHY midambles in the PHY data portion.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to determine the number of PHY midambles to be included in the PPDU by performing acts that include:

calculating a sum of i) a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion, ii) one, and iii) the positive integer multiplied by negative one; and

determining a smallest integer greater than or equal to;

the sum divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to:

determine the number of PHY midambles to be included in the PPDU as the maximum of;

i) zero and ii) one subtracted from the smallest integer greater than or equal to the sum divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the positive integer is two.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to determine the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU by performing acts that include:

determining a smallest integer greater than or equal to;

a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to determine the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU by performing acts that include:

determining a largest integer less than or equal to;

a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion divided by the periodicity of PHY midambles.

23. A method for wireless communication, the method comprising:

receiving, at a communication device, a trigger frame to solicit a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) from the communication device, wherein the trigger frame includes i) an indication of a length of the PPDU, and ii) an indication of a periodicity of PHY midambles in a PHY data portion of the PPDU;

calculating, at the communication device, a number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the indication of the periodicity of PHY midambles;

generating, at the communication device, the PPDU to include i) a PHY preamble, and ii) the PHY data portion with one or more PHY midambles included in the PHY data portion according to the calculated number of PHY midambles; and

transmitting, from the communication device, the PPDU in response to the received trigger frame.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein calculating the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU includes:

calculating an estimate of a time duration of the PHY data portion using the indication of the length of the PPDU;

calculating a time period between neighboring PHY midambles using the periodicity of PHY midambles; and

calculating the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the estimate of the time duration of the PHY data portion, and ii) the calculated time period between neighboring PHY midambles.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein:

the periodicity of PHY midambles is in units of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein generating the PPDU includes calculating a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion of the PPDU excluding PHY midambles using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the PPDU includes a packet extension field after the PHY data portion, the method further comprising:

calculating a time period of the packet extension field using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and iii) the calculated number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein:

the trigger frame includes a bit providing information regarding a packet extension field after the PHY data portion of the PPDU;

calculating the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU further comprises using the bit providing information regarding the packet extension field after the PHY data portion.

29. An apparatus, comprising:

a network interface device having one or more integrated circuit (IC) devices configured to;

receive a trigger frame to solicit a physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) from the communication device, wherein the trigger frame includes i) an indication of a length of the PPDU, and ii) an indication of a periodicity of PHY midambles in a PHY data portion of the PPDU,

calculate a number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the indication of the periodicity of PHY midambles,

generate the PPDU to include i) a PHY preamble, and ii) the PHY data portion with one or more PHY midambles included in the PHY data portion according to the calculated number of PHY midambles, and

transmit the PPDU in response to the received trigger frame.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to:

calculate an estimate of a time duration of the PHY data portion using the indication of the length of the PPDU;

calculate a time period between neighboring PHY midambles using the periodicity of PHY midambles; and

calculate the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU using i) the estimate of the time duration of the PHY data portion, and ii) the calculated time period between neighboring PHY midambles.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein:

the periodicity of PHY midambles is in units of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the one or more IC devices are configured to calculate a number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion of the PPDU excluding PHY midambles using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, and ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein:

the PPDU includes a packet extension field after the PHY data portion; and

the one or more IC devices are further configured to;

calculate a time period of the packet extension field using i) the indication of the length of the PPDU, ii) the calculated number of PHY midambles, and iii) the calculated number of OFDM symbols in the PHY data portion excluding PHY midambles.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein:

the trigger frame includes a bit providing information regarding a packet extension field after the PHY data portion of the PPDU;

the one or more IC devices are further configured to calculate the number of PHY midambles in the PPDU further using the bit providing information regarding the packet extension field after the PHY data portion.