Abstract: Management frame directed cluster assignment within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. From a first wireless communication device, a management frame may be transmitted to a number of other wireless communication devices to assign respective clusters (i.e., cluster being one or more channels within one or more bands) for use in communications by those other wireless communication devices. The first wireless communication device may be an access point (AP), and the others may be wireless stations (STAs); alternatively, all of the wireless communication devices in the communication system (e.g., including the first wireless communication device) may be STAs. The cluster assignment may be modified for any of a number of various reasons (e.g., periodically, after a certain number of packets being transmitted and/or received, communication system operating condition change, change in number, type, capabilities, etc.

Abstract: Mixed mode operations within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Certain communication systems can include wireless communication devices of various capabilities therein (e.g., IEEE Task Group ac (TGac VHT), IEEE 802.11 amendment TGn, IEEE 802.11 amendment TGa, and/or other capabilities, etc.). In one manner of classification, wireless communication devices having legacy and newer/updated capabilities may inter-operate with one another, operate within a common region, and/or communicate via a common access point (AP). Coordination of such wireless communication devices (e.g., legacy and newer/updated) provides for their respective operation on a same set of clusters in accordance with various operational modes including: (1) time dividing medium access between the wireless communication devices of various capabilities, (2) assigning primary cluster(s) for a first capability set and assigning non-primary cluster(s) for a second capability set, etc.

Abstract: Carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In wireless communication systems that operate in supporting communications via one or more clusters, appropriate determination of when to begin making such transmissions on one or more clusters is made in accordance with intelligent carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) that may be performed in a number of different ways. In accordance with this, a cluster may be any combination composed of one or more channels among one or more bands. In supporting multi-cluster access, CSMA may be performed in selecting a primary cluster and performing backoff (e.g., countdown) thereon. After backoff is finished for the primary cluster, and the availability of one or more others clusters is checked, transmissions may be made using the available clusters. Alternatively, backoff may be made for each or multiple (a subset of) clusters or even individually for each respective cluster.

Abstract: Scheduled clear to send (CTS) for multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Before sending transmissions, a request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) exchange takes place between a transmitting wireless communication device and multiple receiving wireless communication devices may take place therein. The transmitting wireless communication device (e.g., an AP) may generate and transmit a multi-user request to send (mRTS) frame to a number of receiving wireless communication devices (e.g., STAs). The mRTS frame can include information and instructions therein to direct the manner by which all or a subset of the receiving wireless communication devices are to provide CTS responses back to the transmitting wireless communication device. The mRTS frame may be an OFDMA frame, a MU-MIMO frame, or a combination thereof. The CTS responses may be received in accordance with any one or combination of OFDM signaling, OFDMA signaling, and MU-MIMO signaling.

Abstract: Adaptive and selective frame formats within multiple user, multiple access, and/or multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communications. A reconfigurable channel circuitry, that may be implemented to communicate with one, a subset, or all of various blocks within a communication device provides for adaptive and selective frame formatting of communications between the communication device and other communication devices. In a wireless communication device context, and also in the context of multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO communications (e.g., multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) and/or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), etc.), frame formatting may be adapted in accordance with a number of parameters including: the one or more users with which communications are to be made, the clusters (e.g., channel, band, frequency, etc.) employed for such communications, the one or more antennae (e.g.

Abstract: Medium accessing mechanisms within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A multi-user super-frame (MU-SF), as controlled by a MU-SF owner, is used to govern the manner by which various wireless communication devices have access to the communication medium. When various wireless communication devices operate within a wireless communication system, communication medium access can be handled differently for wireless communication devices having different capabilities. Per the MU-SF, those having a first capability may get medium access in accordance with a first operational mode (e.g., carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA)), while those having a second capability may get medium access in accordance with a second operational mode (e.g., scheduled access).

Abstract: Cluster parsing for signaling within multi-user wireless communication systems. Cluster assignment allows for complete flexibility across a variety of operational parameters in accordance with communications provided from a transmitting wireless communication device to a number of receiving wireless communication devices. For example, an access point (AP) may communicate to a number of wireless stations (STAs) in accordance with multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), and/or MU-MIMO/OFDMA. The selectivity may involve employing different antenna for communicating with each of the respective, receiving wireless communication devices. Also, the formation of a cluster employed in such communications may involve using as few as one channel within one band, different channels within a single band, different channels within different bands, or other combinations.

Abstract: Transmission acknowledgement within multi-user wireless communication systems. Within multi-access wireless communication systems such as those operating in accordance with multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), and/or MU-MIMO/OFDMA, acknowledgement of receipt (e.g., using ACKs) is provided back to the sending or transmitting wireless communication device from each (or a subset) of the intended recipient wireless communication devices. Appropriate coordination of these ACKs from the respective, receiving wireless communication devices may be performed using instructions embedded within a multi-user packet that is provided to the receiving wireless communication devices.

Abstract: Channel characterization and training within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within such communication systems, there can be a number of devices (e.g., STAs) that communicate with a single device (e.g., AP). A multi-cast sounding frame may be transmitted from a transmitting device to a number of receiving devices. Appropriate scheduling or ordering of feedback signals from some or all of the receiving devices may be performed explicitly (e.g., sounding frame sent from the transmitting device to a receiving device) or implicitly (e.g., control information sent from the transmitting device to the receiving device, sounding frame sent to the transmitting device from the receiving device). Such characterization and training is with respect to a channel or path in which data will subsequently follow. Such characterization and training can be performed in accordance with group membership (e.g., with respect to only some of the receiving devices).

Abstract: Transmission coordination within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Within wireless communication systems, there can be various wireless communication devices therein that are not all compliant with a common capability set, communication protocol, communication standard, recommended practice, etc. For example, some communication systems may have some wireless communication devices characterized as ‘legacy’ wireless communication devices, and other wireless communication devices therein may be newer and compliant with newer capability sets, communication protocols, communication standards, recommended practices, etc. In such instances, coordination of transmissions among the various wireless communication devices may be made, when performing simultaneous transmissions, by ensuring that transmissions of devices on different channels is made when aligned on a common boundary of an OFDM symbol.

Abstract: A method for multiple input multiple output wireless communication begins by determining protocols of wireless communication devices within a proximal region. The method continues by determining whether the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of a like protocol. The method continues by determining the number of transmit antennas. The method continues, when the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of the like protocol, formatting a preamble of a frame of the wireless communication utilizing at least one of cyclic shifting of symbols, cyclic shifting of tones, sparse tone allocation, and sparse symbol allocation based on the number of transmit antennas.

Abstract: Beamforming protocol for wireless communications. Various communications are made between an originating communication device and a remote communication device to effectuate steered communications there between. The beamforming approach presented herein is applicable and adaptable to communication devices having any combination of omni-directional and directional transmit and receive functionality (e.g., the transmit functionality and the receive functionality both being omni-directional; the transmit functionality being directional and the receive functionality being omni-directional; or the transmit functionality and the receive functionality both being are directional). The beamforming protocol presented herein allows for all combinations of communication device types and also provides collision rules as may be performed in accordance with the beamforming configuration.

Abstract: An RF transceiver includes a baseband processing module, a transmitter section, and a receiver section. The baseband processing module convert outbound data into a plurality of outbound symbol streams, wherein each of the plurality of outbound symbol streams is outputted as one or more frames, wherein a frame of the one or more frames includes a setup portion and a data portion, wherein the set up portion includes at least one of a training sequence field and a signal field, and wherein the set up portion is formatted in accordance with one of a plurality of protocols. The baseband processing module further converts a plurality of inbound symbol streams into inbound data. The transmitter section converts the plurality of the outbound symbol streams into a plurality of outbound RF signals. The receiver section converts a plurality of inbound RF signals into the plurality of inbound symbol streams.

Abstract: Aggregated fragment acknowledgement in a LAN. A transmitter sends a data packet to a receiver. The receiver then constructs an AFAF and sends that AFAF back to a transmitter. The transmitter is then able to determine the success and/or failure, in full or in part, of the transmission of the data packet to the receiver. A very precise granularity, or resolution, of the success of the transmission may be achieved on a per fragment basis. Bandwidth savings may also be achieved. When no resolution on a fragment basis is required, then that level of resolution is not employed. The resolution of the fragment basis may be adaptively employed when required to notify the transmitter of the status of one or more fragments within a data packet.

Abstract: A method of providing for synchronizing one or more synchronous terminals with one or more synchronous endpoints, each synchronous terminal and each synchronous endpoint having an asynchronous communications network coupled between at least one synchronous terminal and at least one synchronous endpoint. A synchronization protocol is established between a synchronous terminal and a synchronous end point by providing a gateway between the asynchronous communications network and the synchronous end point, the gateway communicating with the synchronous terminal over the asynchronous communications network in accordance with the synchronization protocol. The synchronization protocol includes sending a message from the gateway to the synchronous terminal, the message containing a timestamp identifying a clock associated with the synchronous end point.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) supports multiple slot times. A Basic Service Set (BSS)/Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) of the WLAN services a plurality of WLAN devices (STAs) and at least one STA of the plurality of STAs supports multiple slot times. Operation is initiated using a short slot time. Then, the a determination is made that operation of the BSS/IBSS requires use of a long slot time, wherein the long slot time is longer than the short slot time. Operation of at least one of the plurality of STAs is modified to be consistent with the long slot time. In altering the operation the STA sets a local Long Slot Termination Time (LSTT). When a Target Beacon Transition Time (TBTT) is before the local LSTT, a beacon is transmitted that indicates that the long slot time is to be used and that includes the local LSTT. When the TBTT is after the local LSTT, a beacon is transmitted that indicates that the short slot time is to be used.

Abstract: A method of providing synchronous transport of packets between asynchronous network nodes. An asynchronous network node capable of transmitting and receiving packetson the asynchronous network is designated as a master node. Each non-master asynchronous network node which desires to synchronously transport packets across the asynchronous network is designated as a slave node. Best arrival times for packets transmitted from slave nodes to the master node are communicated from the master node to the slave nodes. Bestpacket assembly times for packets to be transmitted by the particular slave node to the master node in the future for the packets to be received by the master node at future master clock referenced best arrival times are determined. Packets for transmission at slave nodes are prepared and transmitted according to determined future bestpacket assembly time information.

Abstract: A method of controlling data sampling clocking of asynchronous network nodes, each asynchronous network node having a local clock and transmitting and receiving packets to and from an asynchronous network according to an asynchronous network media access protocol. An asynchronous network node capable of transmitting and receiving packets on the asynchronous network is designated as a master node. Each non-master asynchronous network node which desires to synchronously transport packets across the asynchronous network is designated as a slave node. A master node clock of the master node is synchronized with a slave node clock of each slave node. Each slave node clock is continuously corrected compared with the master node clock to smooth slave clock error to an average of zero compared with the master clock as a reference using timestamp information from the master node.

Abstract: A method for distributing sets of collision resolution parameters to be used for resolution of network access contention events among nodes of a non-centralized media access control shared medium network. A set of collision resolution parameters is provided which includes a sequence of fixed numbers for resolving a single network access contention event. A single collision signal slot master node is identified when one or more candidate collision signal slot master nodes exist. Collision signal slot request messages are sent from client nodes addressed to all network nodes. Collision signal slot assignment messages are sent from the master node to the client nodes. A collision resolution parameter set to be employed by that given client node is obtained at a given client node from within a received collision signal slot assignment message. Collision signal slot acknowledgment messages are sent from client nodes addressed to all network nodes.

Abstract: A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) supports multiple slot times. A Basic Service Set (BSS)/Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS) of the WLAN services a plurality of WLAN devices (STAs) and at least one STA of the plurality of STAs supports multiple slot times. Operation is initiated using a short slot time. Then, the a determination is made that operation of the BSS/IBSS requires use of a long slot time, wherein the long slot time is longer than the short slot time. Operation of at least one of the plurality of STAs is modified to be consistent with the long slot time. In altering the operation the STA sets a local Long Slot Termination Time (LSTT). When a Target Beacon Transition Time (TBTT) is before the local LSTT, a beacon is transmitted that indicates that the long slot time is to be used and that includes the local LSTT. When the TBTT is after the local LSTT, a beacon is transmitted that indicates that the short slot time is to be used.