Abstract: The method and apparatus of data communications for a transmitter in a millimeter wave network are provided. The method includes: generating a control physical layer (CPHY) preamble; generating a header, wherein the header includes a mode indicator; modulating and encoding a payload according to the mode indicator; generating a packet according to the control physical layer (CPHY) preamble, the header and the payload; and transmitting the packet.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an efficient method for beam training to enable spatial multiplexing MIMO operation and spatial combining in a wireless network. The invention discloses a simple and efficient beam-training algorithm and protocol for MIMO operation that operates in high SNR condition for reliable MIMO operation. In one novel aspect, the best MIMO beam combinations are determined after TX sector sweeping and RX sector sweeping. In addition, the selection criteria includes not only signal quality, but also considers mutual interference and leakage among multiple MIMO spatial streams to improve overall MIMO performance.

Abstract: A method of closed-loop antenna tuning (CLAT) search strategy based on maximum Relative Transducer Gain (RTG) is proposed. A search region that account for TX input mismatch and forward voltage gain is pre-computed. The search region that is independent of antenna load can be pre-computed to reduce the computation complexity. The Maximum RTG is searched by estimating antenna S-parameters corresponding to a good load match. The search is conducted between the peak forward voltage gain and the best load match. Global optimal with reasonable RTG can be found with limited number of iterations. The transmitter search region can further be constrained by the receiver path mismatching.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for burst OFDMA support MU-MIMO in the WLAN network. In one novel aspect, pluralities of user channels are configured for a downlink wideband channel, wherein each user channel is associated with a user group selecting from a SU-SISO, or a SU-MIMO or a MU-MIMO. In one embodiment, the SIG1 and SIG2 signaling fields are independent for each user channel. In another embodiment, the SIG1 fields are duplicates for all user channels carrying common information. The SIG2 fields for each user group are different from each other carrying user group specific information. In another novel aspect, an uplink OFDMA frames contains ACK packets from multiple STAs concurrently using an uplink wideband channel. In one embodiment, one ACK packet is sent for a MU-MIMO user group. In another embodiment, the uplink ACK packet assignment is based on indications in the downlink PHY SIG field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying functions in a wireless communication device are described herein. The wireless communication device may receive a selection that indicates a power or a signal processing functionality. The wireless communication device may then modify functions associated with a plurality of smart antennas based on the power or signal processing functionality and in relation to a reference design. The wireless communication device may then determine performance associated with the modified functions. The modified functions may, for example, include adjusting power of the smart antenna of the transmitter or receiver associated with the wireless communication device, adjusting power of the radio frequency (RF) chain of the transmitter or receiver associated with the wireless communication device, varying the number of antenna elements for transmissions or receptions, selecting a signal processing technique, or varying the power control algorithm.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an efficient method for MIMO beam training for multiple antennas to enable spatial multiplexing MIMO operation and spatial combining in a wireless network. The invention discloses a simple and efficient beam-training algorithm and protocol for MIMO operation that operates in high SNR condition for reliable MIMO operation. In one novel aspect, the best MIMO beam combinations are determined after TX sector sweeping and RX sector sweeping. The best MIMO beam combinations are determined in such a way that no any selected TX/RX sectors come from the same TX/RX antenna/beamformer. The selection criteria includes not only signal quality, but also considers mutual interference and leakage among multiple MIMO spatial streams to improve overall MIMO performance. Simultaneous RX or TX training are also supported to reduce training time.

Abstract: A method of downlink multi-sector transmission is provided. An initiator station first performs sector training by transmitting a plurality of sounding signals to a plurality of responder stations in a wireless network. The coverage associated with the initiator station is partitioned into a plurality of sectors, and each sector is covered by a sectorized beam. The initiator station then receives sector ID feedback information from each responder station in response to the sounding signals. The sector ID feedback information indicates preference to each of the sectors from each responder station. Next, the initiator station groups multiple spatially orthogonal responder stations together based on the sector ID feedback information. Finally, the initiator station performs multi-sector transmission by simultaneously transmitting data to the multiple responder stations in different sectors using corresponding sectorized beams.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an efficient method for beam training to enable spatial multiplexing MIMO operation and spatial combining in a wireless network. The invention discloses a simple and efficient beam-training algorithm and protocol for MIMO operation that operates in high SNR condition for reliable MIMO operation. In one novel aspect, the best MIMO beam combinations are determined after TX sector sweeping and RX sector sweeping. In addition, the selection criteria includes not only signal quality, but also considers mutual interference and leakage among multiple MIMO spatial streams to improve overall MIMO performance.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an efficient method for MIMO beam training for multiple antennas to enable spatial multiplexing MIMO operation and spatial combining in a wireless network. The invention discloses a simple and efficient beam-training algorithm and protocol for MIMO operation that operates in high SNR condition for reliable MIMO operation. In one novel aspect, the best MIMO beam combinations are determined after TX sector sweeping and RX sector sweeping. The best MIMO beam combinations are determined in such a way that no any selected TX/RX sectors come from the same TX/RX antenna/beamformer. The selection criteria includes not only signal quality, but also considers mutual interference and leakage among multiple MIMO spatial streams to improve overall MIMO performance. Simultaneous RX or TX training are also supported to reduce training time.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an efficient method for beam training to enable spatial multiplexing MIMO operation and spatial combining in a wireless network. The invention discloses a simple and efficient beam-training algorithm and protocol for MIMO operation that operates in high SNR condition for reliable MIMO operation. In one novel aspect, the best MIMO beam combinations are determined after TX sector sweeping and RX sector sweeping. In addition, the selection criteria includes not only signal quality, but also considers mutual interference and leakage among multiple MIMO spatial streams to improve overall MIMO performance.

Abstract: A method of a ranging and positioning with sensor STA/neighbor AP is proposed. An initiating wireless device establishes an FTM procedure with a responding wireless device in an indoor wireless local area network. The initiating device exchanges FTM frames with the responding device and thereby receiving a first set of timestamps from the responding device. The initiating device receives a second set of timestamps associated with the exchanged FTM frames from one or more listening devices. Finally, the initiating device determines location information from the first and the second set of timestamps.

Abstract: A communication method for a wireless network is disclosed. The wireless network comprises a plurality of wireless devices. The method comprises transmitting one or multiple packets with an omni-beam by a first wireless device to a second wireless device in a packet exchange during an omni-beam duration to indicate a sectorized-beam duration, receiving the packet(s) by a third wireless device, transmitting/receiving data by the first wireless device using a sectorized beam in a packet exchange with the second wireless device during the sectorized beam duration, and detecting by the third wireless device the sectorized beam packet(s) from the first wireless device and packet(s) from the second wireless device, if no sectorized beam packet(s)from the first wireless device and packet(s) from the second wireless device is detected, the third wireless device starting to communicating with a fourth wireless device.

Abstract: A method of indoor positioning using Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) protocol with multi-antenna access point (AP) is proposed. In a wireless local area network, an AP has multiple antennas that are strategically located in different physical locations. The AP is used to exchange FTM frames with a wireless station for timing measurement of the FTM frames via its multiple antennas independently. The timing measurement result (e.g., timestamps of transmitting and receiving FTM frames) is then used to determine an absolute location of the station. A simplified Indoor Location operation with simplified deployment is achieved.

Abstract: A method of group-based location service is proposed. A wireless station initiates a ranging process with a plurality of wireless communications devices in a wireless local area network. The station belongs to a group of wireless stations. The station exchanges measurement frames with the plurality of wireless communications devices during the ranging process. The station then computes a plurality of distances to each of the plurality of wireless communications devices and thereby determining an absolute location of the station. Finally, the station informs the absolute location to a group owner of the group of wireless stations.

Abstract: The present invention proposes methods for facilitating and improving the performance of MU-MIMO transmission in wireless communication systems. Each user within a MU group inserts an inter-user interference indication field in its acknowledgement packet. The inter-user interference indication field includes signal-to-interference-noise-ratio (SINR) and interference source information. The MU-MIMO transmitter extracts inter-user interference indication feedback and improves subsequent MU-MIMO transmission. Feedback of the inter-user interference information such as SINR and interference source allows efficient link adaptation, smarter user selection, channel re-sounding selection, and fine-tuning of precoding matrix.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling diversity beamforming antenna array is disclosed. One aspect of the techniques is to utilize low-power and low area circuits to achieve combining gains, mitigate the effects of multipath fading, provide spatial suppression and diversity gains to a single input receiver. The device is radiofrequency transparent yet provides antenna gain by selective three G and four G code acquisition and tracking of a desired downlink channel.

Abstract: A method of monitoring channel-sounding quality for VHT WiFi devices is provided. A mobile station (the receiver) receives a sounding signal transmitted from an access point (the transmitter) over one or multiple sub-channels of a wide channel in a wireless network. The receiver performs channel estimation and determines an estimated channel response matrix. The receiver then calculates sounding quality for each valid sub-channel by computing an estimation error of the received sounding signal based on the estimated channel matrix. The receiver transmits a feedback message to the transmitter. The feedback message contains sounding quality information derived from the calculated channel sounding quality. If the channel sounding qualities for all valid sub-channels are poor, then a null VHT channel feedback frame is sent back to the transmitter.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of data communications for a transmitter in a millimeter wave network are provided. The method includes: generating a control physical layer (CPHY) preamble; generating a header, wherein the header includes a mode indicator; modulating and encoding a payload according to the mode indicator; generating a packet according to the control physical layer (CPHY) preamble, the header and the payload; and transmitting the packet.

Abstract: A method of channel estimation enhancement is provided. In a wireless communications system, a transmitting device transmits a long preamble frame comprising a first training field, a signal field, and a second training field. The signal field has a beam-change indicator bit indicates whether there is beam change between the first training field and the second training field. A receiving device receives the long preamble frame, performs a first channel estimation based on the first training field, and performs a second channel estimation based on the second training field. If the beam-change indicator bit indicates negative beam change, then the receiving device performs channel estimation enhancement by combining the first channel estimation and the second channel estimation. As a result, channel estimation performance is improved.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides an efficient method for beam training to enable spatial multiplexing MIMO operation and spatial combining in a wireless network. The invention discloses a simple and efficient beam-training algorithm and protocol for MIMO operation that operates in high SNR condition for reliable MIMO operation. In one novel aspect, the best MIMO beam combinations are determined after TX sector sweeping and RX sector sweeping. In addition, the selection criteria includes not only signal quality, but also considers mutual interference and leakage among multiple MIMO spatial streams to improve overall MIMO performance.