Patents by Inventor Liwen Chu

Liwen Chu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9232472
    Abstract: Multiple virtual MAC addresses may be added to WGA devices that may have different traffic streams to another device that requires different services, thus creating distinct MAC and device level implications. Beamforming training can be done at the device level for all virtual MAC addresses. Wakeup, doze, and ATIM power save can be done at the device level depending on the frames received. Authentication, deauthentication, association, and deassociation can be done variously at both levels. Further MSDUs can be aggregated for the multiple MAC addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, George A. Vlantis
  • Patent number: 9232469
    Abstract: An additional cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is inserted in IEEE 802.11 beacon or data frames prior to the end of the frame, at a location following information sufficient for the receiving station to determine whether the frame is from an overlapping basic service set or intended for a different station and to extract other necessary or useful information such as a time of the next full beacon. Upon detecting the CRC, the receiving STA can terminate reception of the frame early to conserve power, and then enter a low power operational mode to further conserve power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, George A. Vlantis
  • Publication number: 20150365940
    Abstract: A method for simultaneous communication with multiple communication devices in a wireless local area network is described. Respective sub-channels of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication channel are allocated to two or more second communication devices for simultaneous OFDM transmission to the two or more second communication devices, including allocating first and second sub-channels to first and second ones of the two or more second communication devices, respectively. Respective downlink OFDM data units are generated using the corresponding allocated sub-channels. The downlink OFDM data units are transmitted using the corresponding allocated sub-channels. At least first and second uplink OFDM data units transmitted by the respective second communication device in response to the corresponding downlink OFDM data unit are received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Lei WANG, Hongyuan ZHANG, Hui-Ling LOU, Yakun SUN, Jinjing JIANG
  • Patent number: 9215055
    Abstract: Respective sub-channels of an OFDM channel are allocated by a first device to second devices. A first control frame, transmitted from the first device to the second devices, indicates that the second devices are requested to transmit a second control frame to the first device. Respective second control frames are received from at the first device from least some of the second devices. A second control frame received from a particular second device indicates that at least a portion of the sub-channel allocated to the second device is available. An OFDMA data unit is transmitted by the first device. The OFDMA data unit includes respective OFDM data units transmitted to the at least some of the second devices. Each OFDM data unit is transmitted to a particular second device in the portion of the sub-channel indicated to be available by the second control frame received from the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, Hui-Ling Lou, Hongyuan Zhang, Yakun Sun, Xiayu Zheng, Rui Cao
  • Patent number: 9191889
    Abstract: An access point (AP) associated with a several mobile stations (STAs) implements a slot-based power save poll (PS-Poll) method. The AP divides a slot-based access period into multiple time slots and allocates each time slot to either a STA determined to have slot-based PS-Poll capabilities or a STA determined to have buffered data present at the AP. The AP creates a traffic indication map (TIM) having a number of bits equal to the number of stations associated with the AP, and then transmits a beacon including the TIM. The TIM indicates to a slot-based PS-Poll capable STA which time slots are assigned to a selected set of associated stations. After receiving the beacon from the AP, the STA refrains from attempting to communicate with the AP outside the time slot assigned to the STA, yet transmits information to the AP during the time slot assigned to the STA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, George A. Vlantis
  • Publication number: 20150319747
    Abstract: A respective primary sub-channel block is statically allocated to each of the two or more communication devices in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) group of communication devices. The respective statically allocated primary sub-channel blocks remain allocated to the second communication devices for transmission of at least two PHY data units. At least some of remaining sub-channel blocks are dynamically allocated among the two or more communication devices for transmission of each of the at least two PHY data units. Indications of the respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more communication devices. A physical layer (PHY) data unit is transmitted to the two or more communication devices or is received from the two or more communication devices. The PHY data unit includes respective orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) data units transmitted using respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more communication devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Hongyuan ZHANG, Hui-Ling LOU, Lei WANG, Yakun SUN
  • Publication number: 20150319782
    Abstract: An access point including a generation module, a transceiver, and an acknowledgment module. The generation module is configured to generate a synchronization signal. The transceiver is configured to (i) transmit the synchronization signal to a station, (ii) receive a medium access control protocol data unit based on the synchronization signal during a transmit opportunity period for the station. The acknowledgment module is configured to generate an acknowledgment signal based on the reception of the medium access control protocol data unit. The synchronization signal or the acknowledgment signal includes a null data packet frame. The null data packet frame includes a legacy signal field. The legacy signal field comprises a length of a portion of the null data packet frame subsequent to the legacy signal field. The transceiver is configured to transmit the acknowledgment signal to the station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, Lei Wang, Hongyuan Zhang, Hui-Ling Lou, Yakun Sun
  • Patent number: 9179394
    Abstract: A first base station is associated with a first quiet period, and a second base station is associated with a second quiet period. The quiet periods are coordinated so that an amount of overlap between the quiet periods is acceptable. For example, the quiet periods could be coordinated so that no overlap exists between the quiet periods. During the first quiet period, the first base station and/or an associated device (such as a CPE served by the first base station) performs in-band sensing to detect wireless devices that use a first frequency or channel also used by the first base station. During the second quiet period, the first base station and/or a coordinate device (such as a CPE served by the first base station and assisting the second base station) performs out-band sensing to detect wireless devices that use a second frequency or channel also used by the second base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, Wendong Hu, George Vlantis
  • Publication number: 20150304007
    Abstract: As part of a beamforming training procedure, a first communication device transmits a beamforming training packet. The first device then receives a plurality of respective beamforming feedback packets from a plurality of second communication devices. The first device then uses the plurality of beamforming feedback packets to select a group of multiple communication devices from among the plurality of second communication devices, wherein the group is selected for simultaneous transmissions to the first communication device. The first device then transmits a synchronization signal to the group to prompt second communication devices in the group to simultaneously transmit to the first communication device at a particular time. The first device then receives simultaneous transmissions from the group responsive to the synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Hongyuan ZHANG, Hui-Ling LOU
  • Patent number: 9166660
    Abstract: As part of a beamforming training procedure, a first communication device transmits a beamforming training packet. The first device then receives a plurality of respective beamforming feedback packets from a plurality of second communication devices. The first device then uses the plurality of beamforming feedback packets to select a group of multiple communication devices from among the plurality of second communication devices, wherein the group is selected for simultaneous transmissions to the first communication device. The first device then transmits a synchronization signal to the group to prompt second communication devices in the group to simultaneously transmit to the first communication device at a particular time. The first device then receives simultaneous transmissions from the group responsive to the synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, Hongyuan Zhang, Hui-Ling Lou
  • Publication number: 20150257028
    Abstract: A first wireless communication device including a timing module and a fine timing measurement module. The timing module is configured to provide a first timer value. The fine timing measurement module is configured to receive, from a second wireless communication device, a first request to perform a fine timing measurement to determine a distance between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, and transmit a first response including a first time to start a burst period for performing the fine timing measurement. The first time is one of included in the request received from the second wireless communication device and based on the first timer value. The fine timing measurement module is further configured to perform the fine timing measurement in the burst period starting at the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, Sagar A. Tamhane, Sarang Shrikrishna Wagholikar, Hongyuan Zhang, Hui-Ling Lou
  • Publication number: 20150146653
    Abstract: A method for generating an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) data unit is described. A plurality of different orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) tone blocks for a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication channel are assigned to a plurality of devices including a first device and second device. The plurality of different OFDM tone blocks includes at least a first OFDM tone block assigned to the first device and a second OFDM tone block assigned to the second device. The first OFDM tone block and the second OFDM tone block together span a bandwidth equal to a smallest channel bandwidth of a legacy WLAN communication protocol. An OFDMA data unit is generated for the WLAN communication channel. The OFDMA unit includes a preamble portion and a data portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Hongyuan ZHANG, Yakun SUN, Hui-Ling LOU, Liwen CHU
  • Publication number: 20150146654
    Abstract: A method for selecting members of a client uplink group is described. An uplink traffic characteristic information signal is received from each of a plurality of communication devices. Multiple communication devices of the plurality of communication devices are selected as members of a client uplink group based at least on traffic information indicated by the respective uplink traffic characteristic information signals. An uplink group definition frame is transmitted to each member of the client uplink group. The uplink group definition frame indicates an uplink multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) transmission schedule for the client uplink group for members of the client uplink group to simultaneously transmit to an access point. The members of the client uplink group are triggered to transmit uplink data frames simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Hongyuan Zhang, Hui-Ling Lou
  • Publication number: 20150146807
    Abstract: A first communication device obtains, for each second communication device of a plurality of second communication devices, one or more quality indicators corresponding to one or more sub-channel blocks of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication channel associated with the second communication device. The first communication device selects, based on the quality indicators obtained for each of at least some of the second communication devices, a group of second communication devices for orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication. The first communication device transmits, to the group of second communication devices, at least one OFDMA data unit that includes respective OFDM data units directed to the two or more second communication devices of the group. The respective OFDM data units are transmitted in respective sub-channel blocks allocated to the two or more second communication devices of the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Hongyuan ZHANG, Yakun SUN, Hui-Ling LOU, Liwen CHU
  • Publication number: 20150146808
    Abstract: Respective sub-channels of an OFDM channel are allocated by a first device to second devices. A first control frame, transmitted from the first device to the second devices, indicates that the second devices are requested to transmit a second control frame to the first device. Respective second control frames are received from at the first device from least some of the second devices. A second control frame received from a particular second device indicates that at least a portion of the sub-channel allocated to the second device is available. An OFDMA data unit is transmitted by the first device. The OFDMA data unit includes respective OFDM data units transmitted to the at least some of the second devices. Each OFDM data unit is transmitted to a particular second device in the portion of the sub-channel indicated to be available by the second control frame received from the second device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Hui-Ling LOU, Hongyuan ZHANG, Yakun SUN, Xiayu ZHENG, Rui CAO
  • Publication number: 20150146656
    Abstract: A communication device is configured to operate in a first wireless communication network that utilizes a communication protocol developed for use in frequency bands that are licensed by a government entity for wireless communication applications. The communication device determines whether one or more communication channels in an unlicensed frequency band are not being utilized by any second wireless communication networks, wherein the government entity does not require licenses to use the unlicensed frequency band. In response to determining that one or more communication channels in the unlicensed frequency band are not being utilized by any second wireless communication networks, the communication device selects a set of one or more communication channels in the one or more communication channels for use by the first wireless communication network, and utilizes the set of one or more communication channels for communications in the first wireless communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Yakun Sun, Hongyuan Zhang, Mingguang Xu, Liwen Chu, Hui-Ling Lou
  • Publication number: 20150146812
    Abstract: As part of a beamforming training procedure, a first communication device transmits a beamforming training packet. The first device then receives a plurality of respective beamforming feedback packets from a plurality of second communication devices. The first device then uses the plurality of beamforming feedback packets to select a group of multiple communication devices from among the plurality of second communication devices, wherein the group is selected for simultaneous transmissions to the first communication device. The first device then transmits a synchronization signal to the group to prompt second communication devices in the group to simultaneously transmit to the first communication device at a particular time. The first device then receives simultaneous transmissions from the group responsive to the synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Hongyuan Zhang, Hui-Ling Lou
  • Publication number: 20150131517
    Abstract: A first communication device allocates respective sub-channels of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) channel to two or more second communication devices for uplink orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission from the two or more second communication devices. A first sub-channel is allocated to a first one of the second communication devices and a second sub-channel is allocated to a second one of the second communication devices. The first communication device provides, to the second communication devices, indications of the respective sub-channels allocated to the second communication devices. The first communication device receives an uplink OFDMA data unit that includes a first OFDM data unit transmitted from the first one of the second communication devices via the first sub-channel, and a second OFDM data unit transmitted from the second one of the second communication devices via the second sub-channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Hongyuan ZHANG, Hui-Ling LOU, Yakun SUN
  • Publication number: 20150131628
    Abstract: A wireless communication device including a first media access control device and a first transceiver. The first media access control device is configured to selectively generate a first timestamp having a first length and a second timestamp having a second length. The first timestamp indicates a first synchronization time of the wireless communication device, the second timestamp indicates only a first portion of the first synchronization time, and the first synchronization time is used by a client station to synchronize timing between the wireless communication device and the client station. The first media access control device is further configured to generate a beacon including either the first timestamp or the second timestamp, and an indication of whether the beacon includes the first timestamp or the second timestamp. The first transceiver is configured to transmit the beacon from the wireless communication device to the client station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Liwen CHU, Hui-Ling LOU, Hongyuan ZHANG
  • Patent number: 9020422
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of stations capable of communicating with each other. A station of the system may comprise multiple antenna subassemblies and a receiver coupled to the subassemblies. The station is operable to activate one or more of the subassemblies to determine a direction of a first incoming signal, and to then activate another one or more of the subassemblies to receive a second incoming signal from substantially the same direction. Alternatively, the station may comprise multiple antenna subassemblies and a receiver coupled to the subassemblies and operable to activate each of the subassemblies for a respective interval to service at least one respective transmitting station covered by the activated subassembly during the interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Liwen Chu, George A. Vlantis