Abstract: Wireless communication devices with multiple receive (RX) chains may be operated to maintain high performance while saving power. This may be accomplished by evaluating signal strength during transmission of the RX packets, and/or evaluating a possible imbalance (gain difference) between the multiple RX chains within the wireless communication device. Signal strength (or good signal) detection may be enabled when non-MIMO (non-multiple-in-multiple-out) transmissions are taking place, while imbalance detection (antenna gain comparison) may be enabled when a specified number of single-stream packets have been received. Once the decision has been made to operate in a reduced number RX path mode, decision to reactivate one or more additional RX paths may be made based on MIMO detection, a detection of a drop in signal quality, and/or upon expiration of a power save timer.

Abstract: Wireless communication devices (UEs) may include multiple receive (RX) chains and associated antennas, and at least one transmit (TX) chain co-located with one of the RX chains. The UE may track instant fading of the antenna gain(s) during reception of packets from an associated access point (AP) device to which the UE intends to transmit packets. The UE may also track long term antenna gain(s), using any packets received at the multiple RX chains within the UE. At a switching occasion, a decision is made by the UE whether to switch antennas. If the instant fading detection is based on packets received no later than a specified time period prior to the switching occasion, then the UE may make the switching decision based on the results of the instant fading tracking. Otherwise, the UE may make the switching decision based on the results of the long term antenna gain tracking.

Abstract: Beamforming feedback frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A transmitting wireless communication device (TX) transmits a sounding frame to one or more receiving wireless communication devices (RXs) using one or more antennae and one or more clusters. Any antenna/cluster combination may be employed in communications between TXs and RXs. The one or more RXs receive/process the sounding frame to determine a type of beamforming feedback frame to be provided to the TX. Any one of a variety of beamforming feedback frame types and a types of information may be contained within a respective beamforming feedback frame including various characteristics of the respective communication channel between the TX and each of the various RXs. A common beamforming feedback frame format may be supported and employed by all such wireless communication devices (e.g., TX and RXs) when performing MU-MIMO operation such as in accordance with IEEE 802.11ac/VHT.

Abstract: Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g.

Abstract: Preamble and header bit allocation for power savings within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within a multi-user packet, information (e.g., partial address information) related to a recipient group of wireless communication devices (e.g., as few as one wireless communication device or any subset of a number of wireless communication devices, sometimes including all of the wireless communication devices) is emplaced within a PHY (e.g., physical layer) header of such a multi-user packet to be communicated within a multi-user (MU) environment. Such recipient indicating information can be encoded with relatively higher robustness (e.g., lower coding rates, lower ordered modulation, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) that remaining portions of the multi-user packet. Various portions of the remainder of the multi-user packet may respectively correspond to different wireless communication devices (e.g.

Abstract: A communication device includes antennas to receive a first signal from a remote device, wherein the first signal corresponds to a first operational mode. A baseband processor selects either a first operational mode for transmitting a second signal or a second operational mode for transmitting the second signal. When the second operational mode is selected the baseband processor transforms the phase-related information corresponding to the first operational mode to transformed phase-related information corresponding to the second operational mode. The antennas transmit the second signal to the remote device in accordance with the transformed phase-related information corresponding to the second operational mode.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a system and method for providing flexible receiver configuration in wireless communication systems, such as 802.11 WLAN systems. In one embodiment, a wireless device may transmit a first data frame including first configuration information specifying a first configuration of the receiver to notify a remote device that the wireless device intends to configure its receiver according to the first configuration. After receiving an acknowledgement frame confirming the first configuration information, the wireless device may configure the receiver according to the first configuration. In another embodiment, a wireless device may receive a first data frame including first configuration information and further including a request that the wireless device configure its receiver according to the first configuration. In response, the wireless device may configure the receiver according to the first configuration.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to determining load and estimating throughput of wireless networks by a wireless device. According to some embodiments, the numbers of active downlink and uplink nodes in a wireless network may be determined. Channel utilization of the wireless network may also be determined. An uplink data rate and a downlink data rate of the wireless device in the wireless network may be estimated. Based on the numbers of active downlink and uplink nodes, channel utilization, and the uplink data rate and a downlink data rate of the wireless device, the maximum possible uplink throughput and downlink throughput of the wireless device in the wireless network may be estimated. Such throughput estimates may be used to select a wireless network to join from among multiple available wireless networks.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to estimating throughput of wireless networks by a wireless device. According to some embodiments, estimated uplink and downlink actual temporal load available to a wireless device in a wireless network may be determined. An uplink data rate and a downlink data rate of the wireless device in the wireless network may be estimated. Based on the estimated uplink and downlink actual temporal load available to the wireless device and the estimated uplink and downlink data rates of the wireless device, the maximum possible uplink throughput and downlink throughput of the wireless device in the wireless network may be estimated. Such throughput estimates may be used to select a wireless network to join from among multiple available wireless networks or to select an initial data rate for an application executing on the wireless device, among possible uses.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to providing reduced power consumption in wireless communication systems, such as 802.11 WLAN systems. Timing information regarding power save opportunities (PSOPs) may be provided in communication frames, which may inform mobile devices of expected frame exchange periods during which they may transition to a Doze state. Additional PSOP information may be included in beacon frames, which may inform mobile devices of expected multicast periods during which they may transition to a Doze state. This may operate to provide improvements in terms of power consumption.

Abstract: Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In accordance with wireless communications, a signal (SIG) field employed within such packets is distributed or partitioned into at least two separate signal fields (e.g., SIG A and SIG B) that are located in different portions of the packet. A first of the SIG fields includes information that may be processed and decoded by all wireless communication devices, and a second of the SIG fields includes information that is specific to one or more particular wireless communication devices (e.g., a specific wireless communication device or a specific subset of the wireless communication devices). The precise locations of the at least first and second SIG fields within a packet may be varied, including placing a second of the SIG fields (e.g., including user-specific information) adjacent to and preceding a data field in the packet.

Abstract: Group identification and definition within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A group identification definition field may be transmitted to a number of receiving devices for use in interpreting current or subsequently received packets that include a group identification field (group ID). The group ID can serve a number of functions such as indicating those receiving devices for which the packet is intended, the identification of fields within the packet corresponding to the various devices, certain parameters (e.g., code type, code rate, modulation type, etc.) associated with such fields within the packet, etc. The group identification definition field may be updated or modified to allow for modification of the manner in which subsequent packets, including respective group IDs, are processed. One of a variety of events may direct the group identification definition field may be updated or modified.

Abstract: Multi-user null data packet (MU-NDP) sounding within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within communication systems including multiple wireless communication devices (e.g., one or more APs, STAs, etc.), channel sounding of the selected communication links between the various wireless communication devices is performed. A MU-NDP announcement frame is transmitted to and received by various wireless communication devices indicating which of those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded. Then, respective NDP sounding frames are transmitted via the communication links corresponding to those wireless communication devices (e.g., one, some, or all) are being sounded, and sounding feedback signals are subsequently sent back to the original transmitting wireless communication device.

Abstract: A communication device includes antennas to receive a first signal from a remote device, wherein the first signal corresponds to a first operational mode. A baseband processor selects either a first operational mode for transmitting a second signal or a second operational mode for transmitting the second signal. When the second operational mode is selected the baseband processor transforms the phase-related information corresponding to the first operational mode to transformed phase-related information corresponding to the second operational mode. The antennas transmit the second signal to the remote device in accordance with the transformed phase-related information corresponding to the second operational mode.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to wireless communication techniques for high short packet density scenarios. According to some embodiments, a wireless device may determine whether a wireless medium is experiencing crowded short packet conditions during a first period of time. The wireless device may select an operational mode from at least a first operational mode and a second operational mode based at least in part on whether the wireless medium is experiencing crowded short packet conditions. The wireless device may perform wireless communication on the wireless medium according to the selected operational mode.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to low energy communication techniques. According to some embodiments, a wireless transmission may be received by a wireless device. The wireless transmission may include a physical layer (PHY) preamble and PHY data. The PHY preamble may include destination information indicating a destination and length information indicating a length (or duration) of the wireless transmission. The destination and length information may be included prior to a portion of the PHY preamble configured for channel estimation. The wireless device may determine whether the wireless transmission is destined to the wireless device based on the destination information. If the wireless transmission is not destined to the wireless device, the wireless device may drop a remainder of the wireless transmission.

Abstract: A backward compatible L-LTF design that can provide control information in addition to channel estimation information in conjunction with Wi-Fi communication techniques. A wireless transmission may be received by a wireless device. The wireless transmission may include a physical layer (PHY) preamble and PHY data. The PHY preamble may include a field that has a training sequence configured for channel estimation and control information. The control information may be determined by the wireless device, and the wireless device may configure reception parameters for the wireless transmission based on the control information.

Abstract: Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In accordance with wireless communications, a signal (SIG) field employed within such packets is distributed or partitioned into at least two separate signal fields (e.g., SIG A and SIG B) that are located in different portions of the packet. A first of the SIG fields includes information that may be processed and decoded by all wireless communication devices, and a second of the SIG fields includes information that is specific to one or more particular wireless communication devices (e.g., a specific wireless communication device or a specific subset of the wireless communication devices). The precise locations of the at least first and second SIG fields within a packet may be varied, including placing a second of the SIG fields (e.g., including user-specific information) adjacent to and preceding a data field in the packet.

Abstract: A multichannel wireless local area network (WLAN) using multiple radio frequency (RF) channels simultaneously for a basic service set (BSS) is described. The multichannel WLAN provides efficient use of RF bandwidth and improves throughput. An access point of the multichannel WLAN communicates with client devices using at least two parallel RF channels, which can be located in two different RF bands. The access point supports connections to client devices using a “legacy” mode over a single logical channel mapped to a single RF channel and includes data traffic, control traffic, and management frames combined. The access point also supports connections to client devices using a high efficiency WLAN mode having multiple logical channels, each logical channel associated with one or more physical RF channels. The multiple logical channels include a management channel for management frames and a separate high efficiency WLAN data channel to carry data traffic and control traffic.

Abstract: A system and method for partial bandwidth communication. The system includes a device that has a transceiver configured to connect to a network, a memory storing an executable program and a processor. The program causes the processor to perform operations including receiving data to be transmitted to second device, determining if the data uses less than a predetermined bandwidth used as a unit for a carrier aggregation, determining a plurality of sub-bands in the predetermined bandwidth, each sub-band including at least one pilot and a plurality of frequency tones, receiving network information from the second device, the network information indicating a preferred sub-band of the sub-bands, assigning one of the sub-bands to the second device based upon the network information, generating a packet including an indication, the indication indicating the assigned sub-band; transmitting the packet to the second device and transmitting the data in the assigned sub-band.