Abstract: For data transmission with spatial spreading, a transmitting entity (1) encodes and modulates each data packet to obtain a corresponding data symbol block, (2) multiplexes data symbol blocks onto NS data symbol streams for transmission on NS transmission channels of a MIMO channel, (3) spatially spreads the NS data symbol streams with steering matrices, and (4) spatially processes NS spread symbol streams for full-CSI transmission on NS eigenmodes or partial-CSI transmission on NS spatial channels of the MIMO channel. A receiving entity (1) obtains NR received symbol streams via NR receive antennas, (2) performs receiver spatial processing for full-CSI or partial-CSI transmission to obtain NS detected symbol streams, (3) spatially despreads the NS detected symbol streams with the same steering matrices used by the transmitting entity to obtain NS recovered symbol streams, and (4) demodulates and decodes each recovered symbol block to obtain a corresponding decoded data packet.

Abstract: Techniques for performing phase correction for wireless communication are described. Received pilot symbols and received data symbols may be obtained from an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and/or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission. First phase information is obtained based upon the received pilot symbols. Second phase information is obtained based upon the received data symbols. The phase of the received data symbols is corrected based upon the first and second phase information (directly and/or indirectly). For example, the phase of the received data symbols may be corrected based upon the first phase information, detection may be performed on the phase corrected data symbols to obtain estimated data symbols, the second phase information may be obtained based upon the estimated data symbols, and the phase of the estimated data symbols may be corrected based upon the second phase information. The phase correction may also be performed in other manners.

Abstract: An access point in a multi-antenna system broadcasts data using spatial spreading to randomize an “effective” channel observed by each user terminal for each block of data symbols broadcast by the access point. At the access point, data is coded, interleaved, and modulated to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be broadcast in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND data symbol blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and broadcast via NT transmit antennas and in one transmission span to user terminals within a broadcast coverage area.

Abstract: An access point in a multi-antenna system broadcasts data using spatial spreading to randomize an “effective” channel observed by each user terminal for each block of data symbols broadcast by the access point. At the access point, data is coded, interleaved, and modulated to obtain ND data symbol blocks to be broadcast in NM transmission spans, where ND?1 and NM>1. The ND data symbol blocks are partitioned into NM data symbol subblocks, one subblock for each transmission span. A steering matrix is selected (e.g., in a deterministic or pseudo-random manner from among a set of L steering matrices) for each subblock. Each data symbol subblock is spatially processed with the steering matrix selected for that subblock to obtain transmit symbols, which are further processed and broadcast via NT transmit antennas and in one transmission span to user terminals within a broadcast coverage area.

Abstract: Techniques for using at least one of omni-directional and directional antennas for communication are described. A station may be equipped antenna elements selectable for use as an omni-directional antenna or one or more directional antennas. The station may select the omni-directional antenna or a directional antenna for use for communication based on various factors such as, e.g., whether the location or direction of a target station for communication is known, whether control frames or data frames are being exchanged, etc.

Abstract: Techniques to schedule downlink data transmission to a number of terminals in a wireless communication system. In one method, one or more sets of terminals are formed for possible data transmission, with each set including a unique combination of one or more terminals and corresponding to a hypothesis to be evaluated. One or more sub-hypotheses may further be formed for each hypothesis, with each sub-hypothesis corresponding to specific assignments of a number of transmit antennas to the one or more terminals in the hypothesis. The performance of each sub-hypothesis is then evaluated, and one of the evaluated sub-hypotheses is selected based on their performance. The terminal(s) in the selected sub-hypothesis are then scheduled for data transmission, and data is thereafter coded, modulated, and transmitted to each scheduled terminal from one or more transmit antennas assigned to the terminal.

Abstract: For data transmission with spatial spreading, a transmitting entity (1) encodes and modulates each data packet to obtain a corresponding data symbol block, (2) multiplexes data symbol blocks onto NS data symbol streams for transmission on NS transmission channels of a MIMO channel, (3) spatially spreads the NS data symbol streams with steering matrices, and (4) spatially processes NS spread symbol streams for full-CSI transmission on NS eigenmodes or partial-CSI transmission on NS spatial channels of the MIMO channel. A receiving entity (1) obtains NR received symbol streams via NR receive antennas, (2) performs receiver spatial processing for full-CSI or partial-CSI transmission to obtain NS detected symbol streams, (3) spatially despreads the NS detected symbol streams with the same steering matrices used by the transmitting entity to obtain NS recovered symbol streams, and (4) demodulates and decodes each recovered symbol block to obtain a corresponding decoded data packet.

Abstract: Mesh Network Access Points (APs) points, including gateways and routers, are deployed over a geographic area. The APs monitor the communication channel for other carriers and transmit accordingly. The APs selectively co-transmit when other carriers are sensed, if the efficiency of the mesh network will improve. APs select a transmission rate based on observed carrier-to-interference ratios. APs use directional antennas to increase carrier-to-interference ratios and spectral efficiency. AP transmit schedules are adaptable and adjusted according to observed carrier-to-interference measurements.

Abstract: Techniques for extending transmission range in a WLAN are described. In an aspect, a receiving station determines the frequency error between a transmitting station and the receiving station based on one or more initial packet transmissions and corrects this frequency error for subsequent packet transmissions received from the transmitting station. The residual frequency error is small after correcting for the frequency error and allows the receiving station to perform coherent accumulation/integration over a longer time interval to detect for a packet transmission. The longer coherent accumulation interval improves detection performance, especially at low SNRs for extended transmission range. The techniques may be used whenever the receiving station knows the identity of the transmitting station, e.g., if the subsequent packet transmissions are scheduled. In another aspect, a preamble is generated with a longer spreading sequence and sent with each packet transmission.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting data with space-time scrambling in cellular systems (e.g., CDMA systems) are described. At least one stream of data symbols is generated, mapped to one or more physical channels, and spread with channelization codes for the physical channels. Space-time scrambling is performed on the at least one stream of data symbols to generate at least two streams of output chips. The space-time scrambling may be achieved by performing matrix multiplication with a sequence of matrices. For each time interval in which space-time scrambling is performed, a matrix may be selected (e.g., based on a scrambling code for a base station), and data to be sent in the time interval is multiplied with the selected matrix. The matrices used for space-time scrambling may be defined and selected in various manners. The streams of output chips are processed and transmitted from respective transmit antennas.

Abstract: Techniques for performing sphere detection to recover data symbols sent in a MIMO transmission are described. In an aspect, sphere detection is performed for data symbols generated with at least two modulation schemes. In another aspect, sphere detection is performed for the data symbols in an order determined based on at least one attribute of the data symbols, which may be error probabilities, modulation schemes, and/or link margins for the data symbols. In yet another aspect, rates for multiple data streams detected with sphere detection are selected based on channel state information. Signal qualities of the data streams may be estimated based on the channel state information, e.g., (1) an upper triangular matrix used for sphere detection and/or (2) an assumption that interference from data streams already detected is canceled. The rates for the data streams may be selected based on the estimated signal qualities.

Abstract: Techniques for performing detection and decoding at a receiver are described. In one scheme, the receiver obtains R received symbol streams for M data streams transmitted by a transmitter, performs receiver spatial processing on the received symbols to obtain detected symbols, performs log-likelihood ratio (LLR) computation independently for each of D best data streams, and performs LLR computation jointly for the M?D remaining data streams, where M>D?1 and M>1. The D best data streams may be selected based on SNR and/or other criteria. In another scheme, the receiver performs LLR computation independently for each of the D best data streams, performs LLR computation jointly for the M?D remaining data streams, and reduces the number of hypotheses to consider for the joint LLR computation by performing a search for candidate hypotheses using list sphere detection, Markov chain Monte Carlo, or some other search technique.

Abstract: Techniques to iteratively detect and decode data transmitted in a wireless (e.g., MIMO-OFDM) communication system. The iterative detection and decoding is performed by iteratively passing soft (multi-bit) “a priori” information between a detector and a decoder. The detector receives modulation symbols, performs a detection function that is complementary to the symbol mapping performed at the transmitter, and provides soft-decision symbols for transmitted coded bits. “Extrinsic information” in the soft-decision symbols is then decoded by the decoder to provide its extrinsic information, which comprises the a priori information used by the detector in the detection process. The detection and decoding may be iterated a number of times. The soft-decision symbols and the a priori information may be represented using log-likelihood ratios (LLRs).

Abstract: A wireless communication method, apparatus, and system for simultaneous communication of a wide area network with a wireless local area network. The system having the wide area network configured to transmit control signals, the wireless local area network configured to transmit data signals, and a mobile station configured to receive control signals from the wide area network and data signals from the wireless local area network.

Abstract: Techniques for efficiently computing spatial filter matrices are described. The channel response matrices for a MIMO channel may be highly correlated if the channel is relatively static over a range of transmission spans. In this case, an initial spatial filter matrix may be derived based on one channel response matrix, and a spatial filter matrix for each transmission span may be computed based on the initial spatial filter matrix and a steering matrix used for that transmission span. The channel response matrices may be partially correlated if the MIMO channel is not static but does not change abruptly. In this case, a spatial filter matrix may be derived for one transmission span l and used to derive an initial spatial filter matrix for another transmission span m. A spatial filter matrix for transmission span m may be computed based on the initial spatial filter matrix, e.g., using an iterative procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments describe methods, systems, and devices that utilize positional information to determine location of other device and/or to provide a location-based message. A method can include receiving a location information of a mobile device and using an access point to transmit location information to one or more other devices that do not include location functionality that are in communication with the mobile device. The method can further include transmitting a message to the mobile device based at least in part on the received access location information. In another embodiment, the method can include receiving a user preference data from the mobile device or one or more other devices and transmitting a communication to the mobile device or one or more other devices that conforms to the user preference data.

Abstract: Embodiments describe utilizing time-based information to improve communication in a wireless network. A method can include receiving beacon information from at least one access point and utilizing time-stamp information associated with the beacon information to determine whether to hand off communication with a second access point. According to other embodiments the method can further include detecting beacon quality is below a threshold level and transmitting a poor beacon quality message. Information relating to a plurality of alternate access points can be received in response to the transmitted poor beacon quality message.

Abstract: Embodiments describe registration in a wireless communication system. A method includes wirelessly transmitting over a WWAN a first registration message from a mobile device, wirelessly transmitting through the WWAN a second registration message to a WLAN access point and receiving at the mobile device access through the WLAN access point. According to another embodiment is a method for constructing a self-configuring ad-hoc network. The method can include receiving a GPS coordinate from a WWAN channel node at a management system and creating an initial topography based at least in part on the GPS coordinate to achieve a network connectivity with diverse routes between a plurality of nodes.

Abstract: Techniques to process data for transmission over multiple transmission channels. The available transmission channels are segregated into one or more groups, and the channels in each group are selected for use for data transmission. Data for each group is coded and modulated based on a particular coding and modulation scheme to provide modulation symbols, and the modulation symbols for each selected channel are weighted based on an assigned weight. The weighting “inverts” the selected channels such that they achieve similar received SNRs. With selective channel inversion, only “good” channels in each group having SNRs at or above a particular threshold are selected, “bad” channels are not used, and the total available transmit power for the group is distributed across the good channels in the group. Improved performance is achieved by using only good channels in each group and matching each selected channel's received SNR to the required SNR.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting multiple data streams to a single receiver using a single code rate and different modulation schemes are described. Channel estimates are determined for the multiple data streams and used to select a single code rate and multiple modulation schemes for the multiple data streams. The system may support a set of code rates, and each code rate may be associated with a respective set of modulation schemes that may be used with that code rate. The single code rate for all data streams is selected from among the set of supported code rates, and the modulation scheme for each data stream is selected from among the set of modulation schemes associated with the single code rate. The multiple data streams are encoded in accordance with the single code rate. Each data stream is further modulated in accordance with the modulation scheme selected for that stream.