Abstract: A method for beamforming training is disclosed including SNR values with each of the SNR values associated with one of the antenna identifiers (IDs) in a first frame identifying different radio frequency (RF) chains for a process of beamforming training; receiving and transmitting the first frame bi-directionally between multiple pairs of communicating nodes, wherein each pair of the communicating nodes has at least one initiator node and one responder node; receiving feedback of the SNRs associated with the antenna IDs from two or more responder nodes of the multiple pairs of the communicating nodes to choose an RF chain as favorable transmit antenna for transmission; and determining respective one from the multiple antenna sectors of the multiple antennas for transmission for the responder nodes according to the feedback. A central network controller and a system are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An embodiment method for beam-related information and channel state information feedback includes receiving first analog beamformed reference signals; transmitting a first report indicating a set of selected analog beamformed reference signals and a transmission rank that jointly maximize a first performance criterion for subsequent transmissions by a transmitter that transmitted the first analog beamformed reference signals; receiving second analog beamformed reference signals maximized in accordance with the set of selected analog beamformed reference signals and the transmission rank; and transmitting a second report, in accordance with the second analog beamformed reference signals, indicating a channel quality indicator and a precoding matrix indicator that maximize a second performance criterion for subsequent transmissions by the transmitter that transmitted the first analog beamformed reference signals and the second analog beamformed reference signals.

Abstract: A method for multiple association includes associating with a first access point (AP) in a primary basic service set (BSS), associating with a second AP in a secondary BSS, informing the first and second APs of an inter-BSS relaying capability of a doubly-associated station, and relaying data between the first AP and the second AP.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless communications for relay communication are provided. The method includes a source node sets up one or more backup relay links between the source node and a destination node that comprises a route through one or more standby relay nodes; transmits a first frame to the one or more standby relay nodes to activate the one or more standby relay nodes, transmits a second frame from the source node to the destination node informing the destination node of a switch of the relay link. Apparatuses are provided thereof.

Abstract: An embodiment method for beam-related information and channel state information feedback includes receiving first analog beamformed reference signals; transmitting a first report indicating a set of selected analog beamformed reference signals and a transmission rank that jointly maximize a first performance criterion for subsequent transmissions by a transmitter that transmitted the first analog beamformed reference signals; receiving second analog beamformed reference signals maximized in accordance with the set of selected analog beamformed reference signals and the transmission rank; and transmitting a second report, in accordance with the second analog beamformed reference signals, indicating a channel quality indicator and a precoding matrix indicator that maximize a second performance criterion for subsequent transmissions by the transmitter that transmitted the first analog beamformed reference signals and the second analog beamformed reference signals.

Abstract: A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) region of a subframe may include a reference signal (RS) section that includes one or more of a beam-scanning subsection, a transmit (TX) beam-tracking subsection, a receive (RX) beam-tracking subsection, and a channel state information (CSI) subsection. Reference signals in the TX beam-tracking subsection may be used to update TX analog beams. Reference signals in the RX beam-tracking subsection may be used to update RX analog beams. Reference signals in the beam-scanning subsection may be used to evaluate different combinations of TX and RX analog beams for use in a future directional data transmission. Reference signals in the CSI subsection may be transmitted over quasi-co-located (QCL) antenna ports, and may be used for purposes of channel estimation.

Abstract: A method for multiple association includes associating with a first access point (AP) in a primary basic service set (BSS), associating with a second AP in a secondary BSS, informing the first and second APs of an inter-BSS relaying capability of a doubly-associated station, and relaying data between the first AP and the second AP.

Abstract: A method for beamforming training is disclosed including SNR values with each of the SNR values associated with one of the antenna identifiers (IDs) in a first frame identifying different radio frequency (RF) chains for a process of beamforming training; receiving and transmitting the first frame bi-directionally between multiple pairs of communicating nodes, wherein each pair of the communicating nodes has at least one initiator node and one responder node; receiving feedback of the SNRs associated with the antenna IDs from two or more responder nodes of the multiple pairs of the communicating nodes to choose an RF chain as favorable transmit antenna for transmission; and determining respective one from the multiple antenna sectors of the multiple antennas for transmission for the responder nodes according to the feedback. A central network controller and a system are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for channel reservation and communication using carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) with directional antennas in a wireless network. A source station (STA) may transmit a directional request to send (RTS) frame to a destination station before a data transmission. Upon receipt of the RTS frame, the destination STA may transmit a transmit network allocation vector (TNAV) frame instructing receiving stations not to perform transmissions toward the destination STA for a predefined period of time, which may include a channel quality measurement (CQM) period. The destination STA may transmit a directional clear-to-send (CTS) frame when channel quality estimated during the CQM meets a criterion. The source STA may then transmit a directional data transmission to the destination STA upon receipt of the CTS frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless communications for relay communication are provided. The method includes a source node sets up one or more backup relay links between the source node and a destination node that comprises a route through one or more standby relay nodes; transmits a first frame to the one or more standby relay nodes to activate the one or more standby relay nodes, transmits a second frame from the source node to the destination node informing the destination node of a switch of the relay link. Apparatuses are provided thereof.