WO2025149179A1

WO2025149179A1 - Power handling in aggregated multi-user transmissions

Info

Publication number: WO2025149179A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/050704
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charlie PETTERSSON; Abhishek AMBEDE; Rocco Di Taranto; Leif Wilhelmsson; Sebastian Max; Dennis SUNDMAN
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2024-01-12
Filing date: 2024-01-12
Publication date: 2025-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-12

Abstract

A method in an access point (AP) station (STA) is described. The method includes determining a frame format of a packet. The method also includes determining a transmit power for each one of a plurality of fields based on a non-AP STA parameter and determining an average transmit power over a predetermined time associated with the packet based on the transmit power for each of one of the plurality of fields. The average transmit power is below a predetermined power threshold. The method further includes determining a duration of each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields based on the average transmit power and transmitting the packet having the frame format and using the transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields. Each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields being transmitted with the corresponding duration.

Description

POWER HANDLING IN AGGREGATED MULTI-USER TRANSMISSIONS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and in particular, to power handling in aggregated multi-user transmissions.

BACKGROUND

Wi-Fi, also known as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), is a technology that currently mainly operates in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and the 6 GHz band. At least some specifications regulate layers associated with an access point or mobile terminal such as physical (PHY) layer and medium access layer (MAC) layer. Other aspects are regulated in order to secure compatibility and inter-operability between different WLAN entities, e.g., such as stations (STAs). STAs may include Access Point (AP) STAs, which may be referred to as APs, and non-AP STAs, which may be referred to as STAs.

Multi-user transmissions in IEEE 802,11 WLANs

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 WLAN Standard describes two schemes for multi-user transmissions:

• Multi-user multiple-input-multiple-output (MU-MIMO): Describes multiplexing of data to (downlink) and from (uplink) multiple users by leveraging availability of multiple transmit and receive antennas, and thus is the multi-user enhancement of MIMO communications.

• Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA): Describes frequency multiplexing of data to (downlink) and from (uplink) multiple users by assigning groups of subcarriers (i.e., resource units) to different users in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation. OFDMA is the multi-user enhancement of OFDM communications.

Subchannel Selective Transmission (SST) Operation

SST operation was introduced in IEEE 802.1 lah with the purpose of allowing an AP that operates over a larger bandwidth to support efficient operation of STAs with limited capabilities. To that end, SST allows the use of subchannels within a wider bandwidth, which is advertised in beacons that are transmitted in every subchannel. Thus, a STA may choose from a semi-static allocation of subchannels, e.g., based on what subchannel is less affected by fading.

Aggregated PPDU

According to some discussions occurred at the ultra-high reliability (UHR) study group (SG), it is envisioned that the future Wi-Fi non-AP STAs will most likely not keep increasing their operating bandwidth from 80/160 MHz to 320 MHz as introduced by IEEE 802.1 Ibe standard amendment. However, as the APs likely will take advantage of the increase in operating bandwidth, the SST operation may be extended to be more dynamic than being tied to the beacon transmission. Furthermore, support for multiple generations of OFDMA frame formats into a single DL transmission may be provided. In addition, an aggregated physical protocol data unit (A-PPDU) frame format that should fulfill both these goals has been discussed. The proposals put forth so far have taken advantage of principles introduced with the OFDMA protocol and divided the transmission into different frequency resources or resource unit (RUs) to achieve orthogonality between the transmissions.

Aggregated PSDU and aggregated MPDU

The aggregated physical service data unit (A-PSDU) frame format was a proposed enhancement to the IEEE 802.1 In standard. The proposal describes a single preamble at the front of the PPDU followed by a framing structure that includes a PHY signaling field (e.g., high throughput signal field (HT-SIG)) delimiting one or more physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) service data units (PSDUs). A single A-PSDU may aggregate transmissions to multiple users, using an optimum data rate for each PSDU, depending on the user.

The A-PSDU format was not included in the IEE 802.1 In standard due to concerns over interoperability and the potential impact on network latency and congestion. Instead, the IEEE 802.1 In standard includes the simpler aggregated medium access control (MAC) service data unit (A-MPDU) format, which can only aggregate frames to a single user, seeking to increase the efficiency of single-user transmissions, while not providing the gain of multi-user aggregation.

Increasing power using discontinuous transmission

One approach to allow for increase of the instantaneous power is to send the data in bursts that are shorter than the time duration for the power measurement. Measurement may effectively measure the average power (e.g., over the time duration of the power measurement period). The instantaneous power may be higher, provided the duration of this high-power signal is sufficiently short. This approach may be applicable in the uplink (UL) of a system based on time division multiple access (TDMA), such as global system for mobile communications (GSM). However, this approach is only attractive for the UL, since when one transmitter is turned off, the channel may be used by another transmitter during the remaining time before the next measurement period. For the downlink (DL), when there is only one transmitter, this approach may not be directly applicable.

ETSI Regulation - ETSI EN 300 328 V2, 1 , 1

A burst may refer to a pre-defined time period over which power measurements are performed to verify compliance with regulations and standards. An exemplary definition of “burst” according to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) regulation based on ETSI EN 300 328 V2.1.1. Step 3 defines “the start and stop times [of the burst] as the points where the power is at least 30 dB below the highest value of the stored samples in step 2”. Other definitions of burst exist according to different regulations and standards.

TX power backoff in practical device implementations

Practical device implementations typically feature power amplifiers (PAs) with nonlinear characteristics. As the transmit (TX) power is increased, the non-linear leakage and distortion components in the transmitted signal increase, and the quality of the transmitted signal deteriorates. To counter this behavior and fulfil the TX signal quality requirements while transmitting signals with different modulation and coding schemes (MCSs), devices either back off their TX power for higher data-rate MCSs to obtain a relatively more linear response from the PAs and/or use some linearization techniques such as digital pre-distortion (DPD).

Some Wi-Fi devices, for example Wi-Fi 6 access points (APs), are known to back off their TX powers for higher data-rate MCSs. Further, for some Wi-Fi 6 compliant APs, the difference in the maximum supported TX power between MCSO and MCS11 may be as high as 8 dB. Moreover, future Wi-Fi devices may support even higher data-rate MCSs than typical devices and can be expected to back off TX power even more.

Receiver gain setting using automatic gain control (AGO in practical Wi-Fi device implementations

In practical Wi-Fi device implementations, AGC is typically employed to set and/or tune the receiver gain so that a signal being received may be within the limited dynamic range of the analog and digital front-ends of the radio receiver, thereby allowing for the possibility of decoding of the signal as needed in the later digital baseband stage. Correspondingly, the standardized Wi-Fi PPDU formats across different IEEE 802.11 generations have included at least one suitable field in the preamble intended for receiver gain setting using AGC.

In some of the newer Wi-Fi generations that have support for multiple-input-multiple- output (MIMO) communications, generation-specific short training fields (STFs) have been added to, among other things, further improve AGC performance while receiving a MIMO transmission. These fields provide the receivers of PPDUs with an additional opportunity to tune the AGC. This additional AGC tuning specifically seeks to help receiving the subsequent parts of the PPDUs (that arrive after the generation-specific STF field) that may arrive with a different receive power than the preceding parts, e.g., if beamforming is used for the subsequent parts. Further, many Wi-Fi devices, especially those involved in MIMO communications, can thus be expected to have the ability to tune their receiver gain multiple times while receiving a single PPDU. FIG. 1 shows an example scenario where an AP serves four STAs. The propagation conditions for third and fourth STAs are above a predetermined threshold (e.g., very good), while propagation conditions for the first and second STAs are below the predetermined threshold (e.g. poor). More specifically, the AP has good channel conditions to communicate with the third and fourth STAs but much poorer conditions to communicate with the first and second STAs. When the AP transmits to the first and the third STAs, the third STA may be served with a high modulation order, while the first STA has to be served with a low modulation order. In this scenario, the following problems may arise:

• If the AP determines to use an aggregated transmission, the AP needs to back off the power to use the high modulation for the third STA. Meanwhile, to reach the first STA, the AP may need to use the full power. Therefore, it may be impossible or difficult to aggregate the first and third STAs in the same transmission in an efficient manner.

• One alternative would be for the AP to serve the two STAs sequentially in time, by first sending a packet to the first STA with lower MCS, and then sending a packet to the third STA with a higher MCS. However, then there are no aggregation gains to be realized.

• The AP may be power limited by regulations. For example, the maximum power the AP can use for the independent transmission to either one of the first and the second STAs is lower than the capability of the AP. Even in the case above when serving the two STAs sequentially, the AP cannot increase the transmit power of the data sent to the first STA beyond the regulatory limit.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments advantageously provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for power handling in aggregated multi-user transmissions. Some other embodiments provide a method for a transmitter (e.g., AP) to transmit an aggregated frame to multiple users with varying transmit power across the frame. The variation may be applied to: (A) overcome the PA backoff limitation when one frame has a higher modulation than the other; and/or (B) such that power is reduced in one part of the frame and increased in another part of the frame, while maintaining a predetermined average power across the whole transmission.

Some embodiments provide a method implemented in an AP for transmitting a packet, wherein the packet includes at least a preamble part and multiple time-multiplexed parts addressed to one or more receivers. The transmit power for the multiple time-multiplexed parts addressed to the different receivers is different. The duration of the different parts addressed to different receivers may be such that when considering the average power over a predetermined time period, the average power is below or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

One of the advantages of the embodiments is transmission power that is higher than the transmission power of conventional transmission can be used. The higher transmission power may be used for some STA to which otherwise a communication link would be hard or impossible to establish, for example long-range high throughput applications. In addition, an AP may aggregate transmissions to multiple users together despite varying propagation conditions and realize aggregation gains in practical scenarios. Specifically, the power budget of the frame may be shifted such that a higher modulation order MCS may be supported, and the DL data rate may be improved for specific use cases, e.g., to enable long range high data rate transmissions.

Further, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with key limitations that restrict the applicability of the DL MU-MIMO and DL OFDMA schemes. Furthermore, one or more embodiments may be used in conjunction with other frame types such as the aggregated-PPDU.

According to one aspect, a method in an access point (AP) station (STA) is described. The AP STA is configured to communicate with at least one of a first non-AP STA and a second non-AP STA. The method includes determining a frame format of a packet. The frame format defines a plurality of fields to be included in the packet. The plurality of fields includes at least a preamble field and a plurality of time-multiplexed data fields associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA. The method also includes determining a transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields based on a non-AP STA parameter, where the transmit power of at least two fields of the plurality of fields is different, and determining an average transmit power over a predetermined time associated with the packet based on the transmit power for each of one of the plurality of fields. The average transmit power is below (or equal to) a predetermined power threshold. The method further includes determining a duration of each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields based on the average transmit power and transmitting, to at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA, the packet having the frame format and using the transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields. Each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields being transmitted with the corresponding duration.

In some embodiments, at least one of the average transmit power and an average power spectral density (PSD) over the predetermined time of the packet satisfies a corresponding rules and regulations.

In some other embodiments, the transmit power for a first field of the plurality of fields is greater than the transmit power of a second field of the plurality of fields. The first field is addressed to the first non-AP STA, and the second field being addressed to the second non-AP STA.

In some embodiments, the transmit power is bounded by a maximum transmit power and a minimum transmit power. A difference between the maximum transmit power corresponding to one field of the plurality of fields and the minimum transmit power corresponding to another field of the plurality of fields is less than a power difference threshold.

In some other embodiments, the power difference threshold is 30 dB.

In some embodiments, the packet is transmitted using additional transmission parameters including at least one of a modulation and coding scheme, a signal bandwidth, a number of spatial streams.

In some other embodiments, the plurality of fields includes at least one delimiter field and at least one subsequent field.

In some embodiments, the at least one delimiter field includes information usable for at least one of time synchronization and frequency synchronization associated with reception of the at least one subsequent field.

In some other embodiments, the at least one delimiter field includes additional information usable for tuning automatic gain control by at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA for reception of the at least one subsequent field.

In some embodiments, the at least one delimiter field includes at least one resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

In some other embodiments, at least one of (A) the at least one subsequent field is a user data field; (B) the time-multiplexed data fields include the at least one delimiter and the at least one subsequent field; and (C) the time-multiplexed data fields are addressed to at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

In some embodiments, at least one field of the plurality of fields includes frequency- multiplexed data for at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

In some other embodiments, the preamble field includes at least another resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

In some embodiments, the preamble field is transmitted using the same power as a highest transmit power used across the packet.

In some other embodiments, the plurality of fields includes a first group of fields that are transmitted using a first transmit power and a second group of fields that are transmitted using a second transmit power lower than the first transmit power. The first transmit power is the greatest transmit power for the packet, and the first group of fields is transmitted prior to the second group of fields. In some embodiments, the non-AP STA parameter includes at least one of: (A) a channel condition associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA; (B) a location of at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA; and (C) a software application parameter associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

According to another aspect, an access point (AP) station (STA) is described. The AP STA is configured to communicate with at least one of a first non-AP STA and a second non-AP STA. The AP STA is further configured to determine a frame format of a packet. The frame format defines a plurality of fields to be included in the packet. The plurality of fields includes at least a preamble field and a plurality of time-multiplexed data fields associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA. The AP STA is further configured to determine a transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields based on a non-AP STA parameter. The transmit power of at least two fields of the plurality of fields is different. AP STA is further configured to determine an average transmit power over a predetermined time associated with the packet based on the transmit power for each of one of the plurality of fields. The average transmit power is below a predetermined power threshold. AP STA is also configured to determine a duration of each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields based on the average transmit power and transmit, to at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA. The packet has the frame format and uses the transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields, and each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields is transmitted with the corresponding duration.

In some other embodiments, the transmit power for a first field of the plurality of fields is greater than the transmit power of a second field of the plurality of fields, the first field being addressed to the first non-AP STA, the second field being addressed to the second non-AP STA.

In some other embodiments, the power difference threshold is 30 dB.

In some embodiments, the packet is transmitted using additional transmission parameters including at least one of a modulation and coding scheme, a signal bandwidth, a number of spatial streams. In some other embodiments, the plurality of fields includes at least one delimiter field and at least one subsequent field.

In some other embodiments, at least one of: (A) the at least one subsequent field is a user data field; (B) the time-multiplexed data fields includes the at least one delimiter and the at least one subsequent field; and (C) the time-multiplexed data fields are addressed to at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

In some other embodiments, the plurality of fields includes a first group of fields that are transmitted using a first transmit power and a second group of fields that are transmitted using a second transmit power lower than the first transmit power. The first transmit power is the greatest transmit power for the packet, and the first group of fields being transmitted prior to the second group of fields.

In some embodiments, the non-AP STA parameter includes at least one of: (A) a channel condition associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA; (B) a location of at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA; and (C) a software application parameter associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 shows an example scenario where an AP serves multiple STAs;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example network architecture illustrating a communication system according to the principles in the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an AP communicating with a non-AP STA over an at least partially wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an example network architecture illustrating a communication system connected via an intermediate network to a host computer according to the principles in the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via an access point with a non-AP STA over an at least partially wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, an access point and a non-AP STA for executing a client application at a non-AP STA according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, an access point and a non-AP STA for receiving user data at a non-AP STA according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, an access point and a non-AP STA for receiving user data from the non-AP STA at a host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, an access point and a non-AP STA for receiving user data at a host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example process in an AP STA according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows an example frame format with a single delimiter for two users according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 shows an example frame format where power has been redistributed over the frame format according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13 shows an example frame format when each specific user data portion is preceded by its own delimiter according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to power handling in aggregated multi-user transmissions. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

In embodiments described herein, the joining term, “in communication with” and the like, may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be accomplished by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible of achieving the electrical and data communication.

In some embodiments described herein, the term “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, may be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily directly, and may include wired and/or wireless connections.

In some embodiments, the term “access point” or “AP” is used interchangeably and may comprise, or be, a network node. The AP may include any of base station (BS), radio base station, base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC), radio network controller (RNC), g Node B (gNB), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), Node B, multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), relay node, integrated access and backhaul (IAB), donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, positioning node, MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., 3rd party node, a node external to the current network), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The AP may also comprise test equipment. The AP may comprise a radio router, a radio transceiver, WiFi access point, wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, a network controller, etc.

In some embodiments, the non-limiting term “device” is used to describe a wireless device (WD) and/or user equipment (UE) that may be used to implement some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the device may be and/or comprise an access point (AP) station (STA). In some embodiments, the device may be and/or comprise a non-access point station (non-AP STA). In some embodiments, AP STA is referred to as AP, and non-AP STA is referred to as STA. In some other embodiments, the device may be any type of device capable of communicating with a network node, such as an AP, over radio signals. The device may be any radio communication device, target device, a portable device, device-to-device (D2D) device, machine type device or device capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), low-cost and/or low-complexity device, a sensor equipped with a device, a computer, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, or a Narrowband loT (NB-IOT) device, Reduced Capability (RedCap) device, etc.

A device may be considered a network node and may include physical components, such as processors, allocated processing elements, or other computing hardware, computer memory, communication interfaces, and other supporting computing hardware. The network node may use dedicated physical components, or the node may be allocated use of the physical components of another device, such as a computing device or resources of a datacenter, in which case the network node is said to be virtualized. A network node may be associated with multiple physical components that may be located either in one location, or may be distributed across multiple locations.

Even though the descriptions herein may be explained in the context of one of a Downlink (DL) and an Uplink (UL) communication, it should be understood that the basic principles disclosed may also be applicable to the other of the one of the DL and the UL communication. In some embodiments in this disclosure, the principles may be considered applicable to, e.g., a first STA and, e.g., a second STA. For DL communication, the first STA may be the transmitter, and the second STA may be the receiver. For UL communication, the transmitter may be the second STA, and the receiver may be the first STA . In some embodiments, the first STA may be an AP or non-AP STA, and the second STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA. Note also that some embodiments of the present disclosure may be supported by an IEEE 802.11 standard. IEEE 802.11 denotes a set of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) air interface standards developed by the IEEE 802.11 committee for short-range communications (e.g., tens of meters to a few hundred meters). Some embodiments may also be supported by standard documents disclosed in 3GPP technical specifications. That is, some embodiments of the description can be supported by the above documents (e.g., standard documents). In addition, all the terms disclosed in the present document may be described by the above standard documents.

Note that although terminology from one particular wireless system, such as, for example, IEEE 802.11, 3GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5th Generation (5G) and/or New Radio (NR), may be used in this disclosure, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including without limitation Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure.

Note further, that functions described herein as being performed by one or more of a first STA, second STA, transmitting STA, receiving STA, AP, non-AP STA, wireless device, network node, etc., may be distributed over a plurality of STAs, APs, non-AP STAs, wireless devices, network nodes, etc. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the devices described herein are not limited to performance by a single physical device and, in fact, can be distributed among several physical devices.

In some embodiments, the term “transmission signal quality condition” is used and may refer to transmit (TX) signal quality requirements, such as in terms of EVM of the transmitted signal. A maximum TX power may be limited by the transmit signal quality requirements.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring again to the drawing figures, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of the communication system 10, according to one embodiment, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The communication system 10 in FIG. 2 is a non-limiting example and other embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by one or more other systems and/or networks. Referring to FIG. 2, system 10 may comprise a wireless local area network (WLAN). The devices in the system 10 may communicate over one or more spectrums, such as, for example, an unlicensed spectrum, which may include frequency bands typically used by Wi-Fi technology. One or more of the devices may be further configured to communicate over other frequency bands, such as shared licensed frequency bands, etc. The system 10 may include one or more service areas 12a, 12b, etc. (collectively referred to herein as “service area 12”), which may be defined by corresponding access points (APs) 14a, 14b, etc. (collectively referred to herein as “AP STA 14” or “STA 14”), which may be configured as MLDs. A service area 12 may also correspond to and/or be associated with a coverage area, a cell, and/or a basic service set (BSS).

The AP STAs 14 may or may not be connectable to another network, such as a core network over a wired or wireless connection. The system 10 includes a plurality of non-AP devices, such as, for example, non-AP STAs 16a, 16b, 16c (collectively referred to as “non-AP STAs 16” or “STA 16”), which may be configured as MLDs. Each of the non-AP STAs 16 may be located in one or more service areas 12 and may be configured to wirelessly connect to one or more AP STA 14. Note that although two AP STAs 14a and 14b and two non-AP STAs 16a and 16b are shown for convenience, the communication system may include many more non-AP STAs 16 and AP STAs 14. Each AP STA 14 may connect to/serve/configure/schedule/etc. one or more non-AP STAs 16.

It should be understood that the system 10 may include additional nodes and/or devices not shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the system 10 may include many more connections and/or interfaces than those shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the elements shown in FIG. 2 are presented for ease of understanding.

Also, it is contemplated that a non-AP STA 16 can be in communication and/or configured to separately communicate with more than one AP STA 14 and/or more than one type of AP STA 14. Furthermore, an AP STA 14 may be in communication and/or configured to separately communicate with other AP STAs 14, as described herein, which may be via wired and/or wireless communication channels.

A non-AP STA 16 is configured to include a non-AP STA Management Unit 17, which is configured to perform one or more non-AP STA 16 functions described herein. An AP STA 14 is configured to include an AP STA Management Unit 18, which is configured to perform one or more AP STA 14 functions described herein. Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the AP STA 14 and non-AP STA 16 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.

An AP STA 14 or a non-AP STA 16 may be generally referred to as a STA 19. For example, a first STA 19a may be an AP STA 14, and a second STA 19b may be a non-AP STA 16. System 10 may include one or more additional STAs 19n (which include AP STAs 14 and/or non-AP STAs 16), which may be in communication with STA 19a and/or STA 19b. Any STA 19 may be configured as an MLD.

The AP STA 14 includes hardware 20 including a communication interface 22, processing circuitry 24, a processor 26, and memory 28. The communication interface 22 may be configured to communicate with any of the nodes/devices in the system 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, such as with one or more other AP STAs 14 and/or one or more non-AP STAs 16. For example, communication interface 22 may be configured to communicate with one or more AP STA 14 via communication link 37 (e.g., a wired/wireless communication link), according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the communication interface 22 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more radio frequency (RF) transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and/or one or more RF transceivers, and/or may be considered a radio interface. In some embodiments, the communication interface 22 may also include a wired interface.

The processing circuitry 24 may include one or more processors 26 and memory, e.g., memory 28. In addition to a processor 26 and memory 28, the processing circuitry 24 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and/or control, e.g., one or more processors and/or processor cores and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 26 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and/or read from) the memory 28, which may comprise any kind of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) and/or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and/or optical memory and/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

The AP STA 14 may further include software 30 stored internally in, for example, memory 28, or stored in external memory (e.g., database) accessible by the AP STA 14 via an external connection. The software 30 may be executable by the processing circuitry 24. The processing circuitry 24 may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., AP STA 14. The memory 28 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 30 may include instructions stored in memory 28 that, when executed by the processor 26 and/or AP STA Management Unit 18 causes the processing circuitry 24 and/or configures the AP STA 14 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the AP STA 14.

Referring still to FIG. 3, the non-AP STA 16 includes hardware 32, which may include a communication interface 34, processing circuitry 36, a processor 38, and memory 40. The communication interface 34 may be configured to communicate with one or more AP STA 14 and/or other STA 19n, such as via communication link 35 (e.g., wired/wireless communication link), and/or with other elements in the system 10, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the communication interface 34 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more radio frequency (RF) transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and/or one or more RF transceivers, and/or may be considered a radio interface. In some embodiments, the communication interface 34 may also include a wired interface. In some embodiments, AP STA 14 may be configured to communicate with another AP STA 14, non-AP STA 16, and/or STA 19n via communication link 35 and/or via a wired connection (not shown).

The processing circuitry 36 may include one or more processors 38 and memory, such as, the memory 40. Furthermore, in addition to a traditional processor and memory, the processing circuitry 36 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and/or control, e.g., one or more processors and/or processor cores and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 38 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and/or read from) the memory 40, which may comprise any kind of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) and/or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and/or optical memory and/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

Thus, the non-AP STA 16 may further include software 42 stored internally in, for example, memory 40, or stored in external memory (e.g., database) accessible by the non-AP STA 16 via an external connection. The software 42 may be executable by the processing circuitry 36. The processing circuitry 36 may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by the non-AP STA 16. The memory 40 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software may include instructions stored in memory 40 that, when executed by the processor 38 and/or non-AP STA Management Unit 17, causes the processing circuitry 36 and/or configures the non-AP STA 16 to perform the processes described herein with respect to the non-AP STA 16.

In FIG. 3, the connection between the STAs 19 (i.e., AP STA 14, the non-AP STA 16, and STA 19n) is shown without explicit reference to any intermediary devices or connections. However, it should be understood that intermediary devices and/or connections may exist between these devices, although not explicitly shown.

Although FIG. 3 shows non-AP STA Management Unit 17 and AP STA Management Unit 18, as being within a processor, it is contemplated that this element may be implemented such that a portion of the element is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the element may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 10, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 4, the access point STA 14 and non-AP STAs 16 may be similar to those of the example of FIG. 2, described herein. Additionally, in the example of FIG. 4, one or more AP STAs 14 and/or non-AP STAs 16 may form and/or be part of a service set network 44 (e.g., a basic service set, or any other network, set, and/or grouping of AP STAs 14 and non-AP STAs 16). The communication system 10 and/or service set network 44 may itself be connected to a host computer 46, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 46 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 48, 50 between the communication system 10 and/or the service set network 44 and the host computer 46 may extend directly from the service set network 44 to the host computer 46 or may extend via an optional intermediate network 52. The intermediate network 52 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network. The intermediate network 52, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet. In some embodiments, the intermediate network 52 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of FIG. 4 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected non-AP STAs 16 and the host computer 46. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection. The host computer 46 and the connected non AP-STAs 16 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection, using the service set network 44, any intermediate network 52 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection may be transparent in the sense that at least some of the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, an AP STA 14 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer 46 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected non-AP STA 16. Similarly, the AP STA 14 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the non-AP STA 16 towards the host computer 46.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the non-AP STA 16, AP STA 14, and host computer 46 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the example of FIG. 4, the AP STA 14 and the non-AP STA 16 may have similar features and components as the AP STA 14 and non-AP STA 16 depicted in FIG. 3. Additionally, the host computer 46 comprises hardware (HW) 53 including a communication interface 54 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 10. The host computer 46 further comprises processing circuitry 56, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. The processing circuitry 56 may include a processor 58 and memory 60. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 56 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and/or control, e.g., one or more processors and/or processor cores and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 58 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and/or read from) memory 60, which may comprise any kind of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) and/or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and/or optical memory and/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

Processing circuitry 56 may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by host computer 46. Processor 58 corresponds to one or more processors 58 for performing host computer 46 functions described herein. The host computer 46 includes memory 60 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 62 and/or the host application 64 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 58 and/or processing circuitry 56, causes the processor 58 and/or processing circuitry 56 to perform the processes described herein with respect to host computer 46. The instructions may be software associated with the host computer 46.

The software 62 of host computer 46 may be executable by the processing circuitry 56. The software 62 includes a host application 64. The host application 64 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a non-AP STA 16 connecting via an OTT connection 66 terminating at the non-AP STA 16 and the host computer 46. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 64 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 66. The “user data” may be data and information described herein as implementing the described functionality. In one embodiment, the host computer 46 may be configured for providing control and functionality to a service provider and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The processing circuitry 56 of the host computer 46 may enable the host computer 46 to observe, monitor, control, transmit to and/or receive from the AP STA 14 and/or the non-AP STA 16. The processing circuitry 56 of the host computer 46 may include a host management unit 68 configured to enable the service provider to observe/monitor/control/transmit to/receive from/configure/etc. the AP STA 14 and/or the non- AP STA 16.

The communication interface 22 of AP STA 14 may be configured to facilitate a connection 66 to the host computer 46. The connection 66 may be direct or it may pass through a service set network 44 of the communication system 10 and/or through one or more intermediate networks 52 outside the communication system 10. The communication interface 34 of non-AP STA 16 may be configured to facilitate a connection 66 to the host computer 46. The connection 66 may be direct or it may pass through a service set network 44 of the communication system 10 and/or through one or more intermediate networks 52 outside the communication system 10.

The software 42 of non-AP STA 16 may include a client application 70. The client application 70 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the non- AP STA 16, with the support of the host computer 46. In the host computer 46, an executing host application 64 may communicate with the executing client application 70 via the OTT connection 66 terminating at the non-AP STA 16 and the host computer 46. In providing the service to the user, the client application 70 may receive request data from the host application 64 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 66 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 70 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

In some embodiments, the inner workings of the AP STA 14, non-AP STA 16, and host computer 46 may be as shown in FIG. 4 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, the OTT connection 66 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 46 and the non-AP STA 16 via the AP STA 14, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the non-AP STA 16 or from the service provider operating the host computer 46, or both. While the OTT connection 66 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network). The communication link 35 between the non-AP STA 16 and the AP STA 14 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the non- AP STA 16 using the OTT connection 66, in which the communication link 35 may form the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of some of these embodiments may improve the data rate, latency, and/or power consumption and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc.

In some embodiments, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 66 between the host computer 46 and non-AP STA 16, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 66 may be implemented in the software 62 of the host computer 46 or in the software 42 of the non-AP STA 16, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 66 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 62, 42 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 66 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the AP STA 14, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the AP STA 14. Some such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary wireless device signaling facilitating the host computer’s 46 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. In some embodiments, the measurements may be implemented in that the software 62, 42 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 66 while it monitors propagation times, errors, etc.

Thus, in some embodiments, the host computer 46 includes processing circuitry 56 configured to provide user data and a communication interface 54 that is configured to forward the user data to a wireless network and/or cellular network for transmission to the non-AP STA 16. In some embodiments, the wireless network and/or cellular network also includes the AP STA 14 with a communication interface 22. In some embodiments, the AP STA 14 is configured to, and/or the AP STA 14 processing circuitry 24 is configured to perform the functions and/or methods described herein for preparing/initiating/maintaining/supporting/ending a transmission to the non-AP STA 16, and/or preparing/terminating/maintaining/supporting/ending in receipt of a transmission from the non- AP STA 16.

In some embodiments, the host computer 46 includes processing circuitry 56 and a communication interface 54 that is configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a non-AP STA 16 to an AP STA 14. In some embodiments, the non-AP STA 16 is configured to, and/or comprises a communication interface 34 and/or processing circuitry 36 configured to perform the functions and/or methods described herein for preparing/initiating/maintaining/supporting/ending a transmission to the AP STA 14, and/or preparing/terminating/maintaining/supporting/ending in receipt of a transmission from the AP STA 14.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIGS. 2 and 3, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 46, an AP STA 14 and a non-AP STA 16, which may be those described with reference to FIG. 5. In a first step of the method, the host computer 46 provides user data (Block SI 00). In an optional substep of the first step, the host computer 46 provides the user data by executing a host application, such as, for example, the host application 64 (Block SI 02). In a second step, the host computer 46 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the non-AP STA 16 (Block SI 04). In an optional third step, the AP STA 14 transmits to the non-AP STA 16 the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer 46 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (Block SI 06). In an optional fourth step, the non-AP STA 16 executes a client application, such as, for example, the client application 70, associated with the host application 64 executed by the host computer 46 (Block SI 08).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 5, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 46, an AP STA 14 and a non-AP STA 16, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In a first step of the method, the host computer 46 provides user data (Block SI 10). In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer 46 provides the user data by executing a host application, such as, for example, the host application 64. In a second step, the host computer 46 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the non-AP STA 16 (Block SI 12). The transmission may pass via the AP STA 14, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third step, the non-AP STA 16 receives the user data carried in the transmission (Block SI 14). FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 5, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 46, an AP STA 14 and a non-AP STA 16, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In an optional first step of the method, the non-AP STA 16 receives input data provided by the host computer 46 (Block SI 16). In an optional substep of the first step, the non-AP STA 16 executes the client application 70, which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer 46 (Block SI 18). Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step, the non-AP STA 16 provides user data (Block S120). In an optional substep of the second step, the non-AP STA 16 provides the user data by executing a client application, such as, for example, client application 70 (Block S122). In providing the user data, the executed client application 70 may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the non-AP STA 16 may initiate, in an optional third substep, transmission of the user data to the host computer 46 (Block S124). In a fourth step of the method, the host computer 46 receives the user data transmitted from the non-AP STA 16, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (Block S126).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 46, an AP STA 14 and a non-AP STA 16, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. In an optional first step of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the AP STA 14 receives user data from the non-AP STA 16 (Block S128). In an optional second step, the AP STA 14 initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer 46 (Block S130). In a third step, the host computer 46 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the AP STA 14 (Block SI 32).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example process in an AP STA 14. One or more Blocks and/or functions and/or methods performed by the AP STA 14 may be performed by one or more elements of the AP STA 14 such as by AP STA Management Unit 18 in processing circuitry 24, memory 28, processor 26, communication interface 22, etc. according to the example process/method. The AP STA is configured to communicate with at least one of a first non-AP STA 16 and a second non-AP STA 16. AP STA 14 is configured to determine (Block S134) a frame format of a packet. The frame format defines a plurality of fields to be included in the packet. The plurality of fields includes at least a preamble field 102 and a plurality of time- multiplexed data fields (e.g., data fields 106) associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16. The AP STA is further configured to determine (Block S136) a transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields based on a non-AP STA parameter, where the transmit power of at least two fields of the plurality of fields is different, and determine (Block S 138) an average transmit power over a predetermined time associated with the packet based on the transmit power for each of one of the plurality of fields. The average transmit power is below (or equal to) a predetermined power threshold. The AP STA is also configured to determine (Block S140) a duration of each one of the plurality of the time- multiplexed data fields based on the average transmit power and transmit (Block S142), to at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA, the packet having the frame format and using the transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields. Each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields being transmitted with the corresponding duration.

In some other embodiments, the transmit power for a first field of the plurality of fields is greater than the transmit power of a second field of the plurality of fields. The first field is addressed to the first non-AP STA 16, and the second field being addressed to the second non- AP STA 16.

In some other embodiments, the power difference threshold is 30 dB.

In some other embodiments, the plurality of fields includes at least one delimiter field 104 and at least one subsequent field.

In some embodiments, the at least one delimiter field 104 includes information usable for at least one of time synchronization and frequency synchronization associated with reception of the at least one subsequent field.

In some other embodiments, the at least one delimiter field includes additional information usable for tuning automatic gain control by at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16 for reception of the at least one subsequent field. In some embodiments, the at least one delimiter field includes at least one resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16.

In some other embodiments, at least one of (A) the at least one subsequent field is a user data field 106; (B) the time-multiplexed data fields include the at least one delimiter and the at least one subsequent field; and (C) the time-multiplexed data fields are addressed to at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16.

In some embodiments, at least one field of the plurality of fields includes frequency- multiplexed data for at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16.

In some other embodiments, the preamble field 102 includes at least another resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA and the second non-AP STA.

In some embodiments, the preamble field 102 is transmitted using the same power as a highest transmit power used across the packet.

In some other embodiments, the plurality of fields includes a first group of fields that are transmitted using a first transmit power and a second group of fields that are transmitted using a second transmit power lower than the first transmit power. The first transmit power is the greatest transmit power for the packet, and the first group of fields is transmitted prior to the second group of fields.

In some embodiments, the non-AP STA parameter includes at least one of (A) a channel condition associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16; (B) a location of at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16; and (C) a software application parameter associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA 16 and the second non-AP STA 16.

In some embodiments, different fields in the packet are transmitted with different transmission parameters, including at least one of a modulation and coding scheme, a signal bandwidth, a number of spatial streams.

In some embodiments, the average transmit power may be an average maximum transmit power, which may be such that it complies with rules/regulations. Such average transmit power may be taken in time, across the entire packet duration.

Although the AP STA 14 is described as being configured to communicate with at least one of a first non-AP STA 16 and a second non-AP STA 16, the embodiments are not limited as such and the AP STA 14 may be configured to communicate with at least two non-AP STA 16, e.g., where transmissions to multiple users may be aggregated together despite varying propagation conditions. Having described the general process flow of arrangements of the disclosure and having provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the disclosure, the sections below provide details and examples of arrangements for power handling in aggregated multi-user transmissions. Although the embodiments of the present disclosure may be described as being performed by an AP, any of the steps and/or tasks and/or functions and/or processes and/or features of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be performed by any component of system 10 such as of a STA 19, AP STA 14, non-AP STA 16, etc. In some embodiments, the term “user” refers to non-AP STA 16. Further, although the term “field” is used in some embodiments, the term “field” is not limited to being only a field and may be any component, portion, or part of a resource such as a frame. A data field may refer to a user data field or a field including data intended for a user or device or AP.

One or more embodiments provide a method for a transmitter (e.g., of an AP STA 14) to time-multiplex several frames, each for different users or non-AP STAs 16, into a single transmission such that different power levels can be assigned to the different frames. If one of the aggregated frames requires PA backoff, the other frame(s) need not be affected by the backoff. Furthermore, if the transmission is power limited by regulation (e.g., not by hardware), the frame transmitted to the non-AP STAs 16 with a strong link can be reduced in power while the power for the frame intended for the STA with a worse link is increased, thereby ensuring the average power of the aggregated transmission is within the regulation. By doing this, trade-off of the throughput among the aggregated frames can be made to optimize some performance while fulfilling a predetermined average power of the aggregated transmission.

The AP of FIG. 1 when configured to perform the functions of the AP STA 14 (or functions associated with other embodiments) of the present disclosure may efficiently serve two users or non-AP STAs 16 that experience different propagation or interference conditions. For example, the AP of FIG. 1 when configured to perform the functions of the AP STA 14 can efficiently serve at the same time the first STA and the third STA. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited as such, and the AP STA 14 may efficiently serve two (or more) users or non-AP STAs 16 that experience different propagation or interference conditions.

In some embodiments, the AP STA 14 reallocates power from a non-AP STA 16 with good channel conditions (i.e., channel conditions that a exceed a predetermined threshold) that it intends to use a high MCS, towards another non-AP STA 16 with poor channel conditions (i.e., channel conditions below or equal to a predetermined threshold). As AP STA 14 may have to perform increased power backoff towards the non-AP STA 16 with good channel conditions due to the higher MCS, reallocating the power to the portions intended for the non-AP STA 16 with poor channel conditions can be performed. In some other embodiments, the AP STA 14 reallocates the power of two aggregated users or non-AP STAs 16 in order to support a software application exceeding a predetermined demand (e.g., high throughput application) at one of the non-AP STAs 16. Further, the AP STA 14 may support a software application at non-AP STA 16 having a distance from the AP STA 14 that exceeds a typical distance threshold (e.g., that is too far away) associated with the support of the software application. The AP STA 14 may also support the software application at non-AP STA 16 that requires a certain throughput. Further, the AP STA 14 may also support the software application at non-AP STA 16 in a manner that improves the quality of experience (QoE) of non-AP STA 16.

In some embodiments, how much power to be reallocated between the different time- multiplexed portions of the different non-AP STAs 16 may depend on the relative time portions of the users (i.e., non-AP STAs 16), what application requirements each have, and/or regulatory restrictions. Referring again to FIG. 1, if the third STA supports a low throughput software application that does not require a high MCS, while the first STA was streaming a real time video, the user experience of the first STA may be improved drastically performing the functions of one or more of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Frame structure

Some embodiments provide a frame structure. In some other embodiments, the frame is so that multiple PPDUs to different users are aggregated together into a single frame by having common preamble field 102 and signal fields of the preamble field 102 but separating the different data parts (i.e., data fields 106a, 106b) from other parts or fields of the frame by inserting a user specific delimiter field 104 in a predetermined location within the frame. For example, a user specific delimiter field 104 may precede a corresponding data fields 106a, 106b. The user specific delimiter field 104 may include one or more delimiters and/or control information regarding the subsequent data parts only. The preamble 102 may include a common preamble field and also the signal fields (SIG-field). Further, additional control information may be added to the common preamble field 102 and the user specific delimiter field 104. An example of a frame format 100 using the EHT SU PPDU frame format is shown in FIG. 11, where the example frame format 100 includes a single delimiter field 104 for two users. The data field 106 may be referred to as a data field. In some embodiments, any one of the preamble field 102, delimiter field 104, data field 106 may be referred to as a field or part of a packet.

In some embodiments, a redistribution of power across the frame may be applied by AP STA 14, e.g., as shown in FIG. 12. In this nonlimiting example, the transmit power of the data field 106a (intended for user 1) has been reduced to increase the transmit power of the data field 106b (intended for user 2). Further, the preamble field (including the sig fields) 102 may also be power boosted, so that also the non-AP STAs 16 with weaker propagation conditions (user 2 in this example) can decode it.

In some other embodiments, time/frequency synchronization may be updated before a non-AP STAs 16 starts reception of its assigned data part (i.e., data field 106). The delimiter field 104 may build, i.e., further include, additional fields (e.g.., the “midambles” introduced in IEEE 1 Ibd). Those additional fields may be used/needed to keep time/frequency synchronization over long PPDU durations when the Doppler effect (due to movement) is very high, i.e., exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, for the case when the delimiter field 104 is used for time/frequency synchronization, multiple delimiters 104 may be spread out across a packet/frame. Such a case is shown in FIG. 13, where an example frame format 100 is shown and each specific data field 106a, 106b is preceded by its own delimiter field 104a, 104b, respectively. More specifically, a first delimiter field 104 (and a first data field 106a) is allocated a first power, while a second delimiter 104b (and a second data field 106b) is allocated a second power greater than the first power. The delimiter fields 104a, 104b may also act as a second preamble field such that only the user relevant portions have been power boosted, which allows the allocation of the power to be more efficient.

Furthermore, in some cases the AGC at the non-AP STAs 16 may need some additional time to adjust to the differing power levels of the frame and there may be added padding in between the varying power levels of the transmitted frame. This additional padding may include varying STF and long training field (LTF) in the delimiter fields 104 which may help set the AGC correctly.

New General SIG information

Additional control information may be included in the common preamble 102 and more specifically in the signal (SIG) portion/field (which is part of preamble 102 in the FIGS. 11, 12 and 13) of the example frame structure. The additional control information may include information associated with or indications of:

• Whether a common delimiter field 104 is used or whether several delimiter fields (104a, 104b) have been spread out over the frame;

• What STA matches up to which delimiter field 104;

• Length of the delimiter field 104;

• Length of data portions or data field 106;

• Power level difference between the preamble field 102 and each of the data fields 106; and • Length of the ramp period, i.e., the number of LTFs/STFs in the delimiters and/or length of padding, if any.

Delimiter

Control information may be signaled or included in the delimiter field 104 that precedes the power shifted data fields 106 (e.g., data portions). Such control information may include:

• Address of the non-AP STAs 16 associated with a data field 106;

• Timing information of data fields 106; and

• MCS of the data fields 106.

Additionally, the delimiter field 104 may be made up of a varying number of STF and LTFs such that the intended non-AP STA 16 may set its AGC correctly and perform time and frequency synchronization.

Any one of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with the aggregated PPDU concept that is being considered by IEEE. That is, the embodiments are also applicable to STAs with lower device capabilities from the A-PPDU concept.

On or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be beneficial at least because the transmit power may vary across different data portions of the packet and can be separately and independently set for different used MCSs based on their corresponding transmit signal quality requirements. Further, with respect to transmit beamforming gain in the baseline case, multiple antennas may be leveraged to transmit to a single user at a single time instant, which allows maximally using the transmit beamforming gain for a single user. In the non-baseline case with also frequency multiplexing of data, operations similar to MU-MIMO or OFDMA may be performed. Further, signal bandwidth may be supported at different receivers, where receivers need not support the full signal bandwidth similar to that of the transmitter.

In addition, the embodiments avoid interference issues due to spectral leakage, intercarrier interference, etc. Furthermore, modulation and coding scheme and/or the number of spatial streams can be different for different receivers.

The following is a list of nonlimiting example embodiments:

1. A method (e.g., implemented by an AP) for transmitting a packet, wherein the packet includes at least a preamble part and multiple time-multiplexed parts addressed to different receivers (e.g., STAs), the transmit power for the signals addressed to different receivers being different, the duration of the different parts addressed to different receivers being such that when considering the average power over a predetermined time period, the average power is below a predetermined threshold value. 2. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the average maximum transmit power or the average power spectral density (PSD) over the predetermined time period of the packet satisfies the corresponding rules and regulations, e.g., based on an IEEE 802.11 specification or ETSI or Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules.

3. The method of any one of Embodiments 1 and 2, wherein higher transmit power is used for the parts addressed to one or more receivers that have bad reception conditions, than for the parts addressed to the other one or more receivers.

4. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the difference between the maximum transmit power and the minimum transmit power used for the different parts is less than a power difference threshold.

5. The method of Embodiment 4, wherein the power difference threshold is 30 dB.

6. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-5, wherein in addition to the transmit power, the other transmission parameters used for the different parts are not the same.

7. The method of Embodiment 6, wherein the other transmission parameters may include one or more out of modulation and coding scheme, signal bandwidth, number of spatial streams.

8. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-7, wherein one or more parts are preceded by a delimiter.

9. The method of Embodiment 8, wherein the delimiter has some content useful to achieve appropriate time and/or frequency synchronization for the reception of the subsequent part.

10. The method of any one of Embodiments 8 and 9, wherein the delimiter has some content useful for tuning the AGC at the receivers for the reception of the subsequent part.

11. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10, wherein one or more parts also involve frequency -multiplexed data for different receivers, e.g., based on OFDMA.

12. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-11, wherein at least some resource allocation for different receivers is signaled in the preamble.

13. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-12, wherein at least some resource allocation for different receivers is signaled in the corresponding delimiters.

14. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-7, wherein the preamble is transmitted using at least the same power as the highest power of the packet.

15. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-7, wherein the highest-powered parts of the packet are transmitted first and the lower powered parts later in the packet. 16. A STA (e.g., an AP STA, a non-AP STA, etc.) configured to and/or comprising processing circuitry configured to perform one or more steps of any one of the Embodiments 1-

15.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system, computer program product and/or computer storage media storing an executable computer program. Accordingly, the concepts described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Any process, step, action and/or functionality described herein may be performed by, and/or associated to, a corresponding module, which may be implemented in software and/or firmware and/or hardware. Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer (to thereby create a special purpose computer), special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It is to be understood that the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Python, Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method in an access point, AP, station, STA, (14) the AP STA (14) being configured to communicate with at least one of a first non-AP STA (16) and a second non- AP STA (16), the method comprising: determining (S134) a frame format (100) of a packet, the frame format (100) defining a plurality of fields to be included in the packet, the plurality of fields including at least a preamble field (102) and a plurality of time-multiplexed data fields associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16); determining (SI 36) a transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields based on a non-AP STA parameter, the transmit power of at least two fields of the plurality of fields being different; determining (SI 38) an average transmit power over a predetermined time associated with the packet based on the transmit power for each of one of the plurality of fields, the average transmit power being below a predetermined power threshold; determining (SI 40) a duration of each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields based on the average transmit power; and transmitting (SI 42), to at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16), the packet having the frame format (100) and using the transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields, each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields being transmitted with the corresponding duration.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein at least one of the average transmit power and an average power spectral density, PSD, over the predetermined time of the packet satisfies a corresponding rules and regulations.

3. The method of any one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein the transmit power for a first field of the plurality of fields is greater than the transmit power of a second field of the plurality of fields, the first field being addressed to the first non-AP STA (16), the second field being addressed to the second non-AP STA (16).

4. The method of any one of Claims 1-3, wherein the transmit power is bounded by a maximum transmit power and a minimum transmit power, a difference between the maximum transmit power corresponding to one field of the plurality of fields and the minimum transmit power corresponding to another field of the plurality of fields being less than a power difference threshold.

5. The method of Claim 4, wherein the power difference threshold is 30 dB.

6. The method of any one of Claims 1-5, wherein the packet is transmitted using additional transmission parameters including at least one of a modulation and coding scheme, a signal bandwidth, a number of spatial streams.

7. The method of any one of Claims 1-6, wherein the plurality of fields includes at least one delimiter field (104) and at least one subsequent field.

8. The method of Claim 7, wherein the at least one delimiter field (104) includes information usable for at least one of time synchronization and frequency synchronization associated with reception of the at least one subsequent field.

9. The method of any one of Claims 7 and 8, wherein the at least one delimiter field (104) includes additional information usable for tuning automatic gain control by at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16) for reception of the at least one subsequent field.

10. The method of any one of Claims 7-9, wherein the at least one delimiter field (104) includes at least one resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

11. The method of any one of Claims 7-10, wherein at least one of the at least one subsequent field is a user data field (106); the time-multiplexed data fields include the at least one delimiter and the at least one subsequent field; and the time-multiplexed data fields are addressed to at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

12. The method of any one of Claims 1-11, wherein at least one field of the plurality of fields includes frequency-multiplexed data for at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

13. The method of any one of Claims 1-12, wherein the preamble field (102) includes at least another resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

14. The method of any one of Claims 1-13, wherein the preamble field (102) is transmitted using the same power as a highest transmit power used across the packet.

15. The method of any one of Claims 1-14, wherein the plurality of fields includes a first group of fields that are transmitted using a first transmit power and a second group of fields that are transmitted using a second transmit power lower than the first transmit power, the first transmit power being the greatest transmit power for the packet, the first group of fields being transmitted prior to the second group of fields.

16. The method of any one of the Claims 1-15, wherein the non-AP STA parameter includes at least one of: a channel condition associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16); a location of at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16); and a software application parameter associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

17. An access point, AP, station, STA, (14) configured to communicate with at least one of a first non-AP STA (16) and a second non-AP STA (16), the AP STA (14) being configured to: determine a frame format (100) of a packet, the frame format (100) defining a plurality of fields to be included in the packet, the plurality of fields including at least a preamble field (102) and a plurality of time-multiplexed data fields associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16); determine a transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields based on a non- AP STA parameter, the transmit power of at least two fields of the plurality of fields being different; determine an average transmit power over a predetermined time associated with the packet based on the transmit power for each of one of the plurality of fields, the average transmit power being below a predetermined power threshold; determine a duration of each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields based on the average transmit power; and transmit, to at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16), the packet having the frame format (100) and using the transmit power for each one of the plurality of fields, each one of the plurality of the time-multiplexed data fields being transmitted with the corresponding duration.

18. The AP STA (14) of Claim 17, wherein at least one of the average transmit power and an average power spectral density, PSD, over the predetermined time of the packet satisfies a corresponding rules and regulations.

19. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17 and 18, wherein the transmit power for a first field of the plurality of fields is greater than the transmit power of a second field of the plurality of fields, the first field being addressed to the first non-AP STA (16), the second field being addressed to the second non-AP STA (16).

20. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17-19, wherein the transmit power is bounded by a maximum transmit power and a minimum transmit power, a difference between the maximum transmit power corresponding to one field of the plurality of fields and the minimum transmit power corresponding to another field of the plurality of fields being less than a power difference threshold.

21. The AP STA (14) of Claim 20, wherein the power difference threshold is 30 dB.

22. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17-21, wherein the packet is transmitted using additional transmission parameters including at least one of a modulation and coding scheme, a signal bandwidth, a number of spatial streams.

23. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17-22, wherein the plurality of fields includes at least one delimiter field (104) and at least one subsequent field.

24. The AP STA (14) of Claim 23, wherein the at least one delimiter field (104) includes information usable for at least one of time synchronization and frequency synchronization associated with reception of the at least one subsequent field.

25. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 23 and 24, wherein the at least one delimiter field (104) includes additional information usable for tuning automatic gain control by at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16) for reception of the at least one subsequent field.

26. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 23-25, wherein the at least one delimiter field (104) includes at least one resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

27. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 23-26, wherein at least one of: the at least one subsequent field is a user data field (106); the time-multiplexed data fields includes the at least one delimiter and the at least one subsequent field; and the time-multiplexed data fields are addressed to at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

28. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17-27, wherein at least one field of the plurality of fields includes frequency -multiplexed data for at least one of the first non- AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

29. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17-28, wherein the preamble field (102) includes at least another resource allocation for at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).

30. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17-29, wherein the preamble field (102) is transmitted using the same power as a highest transmit power used across the packet.

31. The AP STA (14) of any one of Claims 17-30, wherein the plurality of fields includes a first group of fields that are transmitted using a first transmit power and a second group of fields that are transmitted using a second transmit power lower than the first transmit power, the first transmit power being the greatest transmit power for the packet, the first group of fields being transmitted prior to the second group of fields.

32. The AP STA (14) of any one of the Claims 11-31, wherein the non-AP STA (16) parameter includes at least one of: a channel condition associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16); a location of at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16); and a software application parameter associated with at least one of the first non-AP STA (16) and the second non-AP STA (16).