Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for performing channel estimation between a beamformer and a beamformee. A beamformer can determine that a beamformee is configured to perform channel estimation for up to a pre-configured number of transmit spatial streams from the beamformer. The pre-configured number of transmit spatial streams can be less than a plurality of transmit spatial streams of the beamformer. The beamformer can determine a plurality of subsets of transmit spatial streams from the plurality of transmit spatial streams. The beamformer can send a plurality of sounding frames to the beamformee for channel estimation based at least on the determined plurality of subsets of transmit spatial streams.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for selecting a sub-group of user terminals (UTs) among a group of UTs served by a sector of a cellular network to schedule independent data streams for transmission to over the same time-frequency interval. In one embodiment, the sub-group of UTs is selected to limit inter-user interference among the sub-group of UTs. In another embodiment, the sub-group of UTs is selected to limit inter-user interference experienced by a UT that is at or near the boundary of the sector that serves the sub-group of UTs.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for enabling a wireless multi-access communication system having a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The first frequency band can be used to establish a first channel using a non-Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (M-MIMO) radio access technology (RAT). The first channel can be used to broadcast downlink/uplink control information (and, optionally, data) between an access point (AP) and a user device. The second frequency band can be used to establish a second channel using a M-MIMO RAT. The second channel can be used to communicate high speed downlink/uplink data between an AP and a user device. The non-M-MIMO RAT and the M-MIMO RAT can be of the same RAT family or of different RAT families.

Abstract: A systems and method of channel estimation can be used in wireless environments. The systems and method can: (a) determine, by a transmitter, a number of receivers with which to communicate wirelessly, the number of receivers being at least one and corresponding to at least a first receiver; and (b) generate, by the transmitter, a frame to transmit to the first receiver, the frame generated based on a total number of receivers that is higher than the determined number of receivers.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for transmitting packets (including but not limited to MU-MIMO packets). An access point communicating wirelessly with a plurality of devices can determine that a first packet for a first device of the plurality of devices has a first transmission duration. The access point can determine that a second packet for a second device of the plurality of devices has a second transmission duration shorter than the first transmission duration. The access point can adjust, based on the determination, a transmission power or a modulation and coding scheme to transmit the second packet during a third transmission duration. The third transmission duration can be greater than the second transmission duration.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for performing channel estimation between a beamformer and a beamformee. A beamformer can determine that a beamformee is configured to perform channel estimation for up to a pre-configured number of transmit spatial streams from the beamformer. The pre-configured number of transmit spatial streams can be less than a plurality of transmit spatial streams of the beamformer. The beamformer can determine a plurality of subsets of transmit spatial streams from the plurality of transmit spatial streams. The beamformer can send a plurality of sounding frames to the beamformee for channel estimation based at least on the determined plurality of subsets of transmit spatial streams.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for transmitting to static and non-static devices. An access point having a plurality of antennas can send a plurality of sounding frames from the plurality of antennas to a plurality of devices. The access point can identify, based on responses to the plurality of sounding frames, at least one static device from the plurality of devices. The access point can assign, based on the responses to the plurality of sounding frames, to each of the at least one static device, a corresponding one of the plurality of antennas for operation in a directional mode for transmissions to the corresponding static device, and the remaining antennas from the plurality of antennas for operation in an omnidirectional mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods can analyze a present channel estimation and a previous channel estimation and/or two or more prior channel estimations to improve communication performance, sense environmental conditions, and make location and velocity determinations. The methods can include: (a) sending, by a transmitter, a first sounding frame and a second sounding frame to a receiver; (b) receiving, by the transmitter, a first channel estimation response from a receiver responsive to the first sounding frame, and a second channel estimation response from the receiver responsive to the second sounding frame; and (c) detecting, by the transmitter, based at least on the first channel estimation response and the second channel estimation response, if a change in characteristics of a channel between the transmitter and the receiver occurred between the first sounding frame and the second sounding frame.

Abstract: A method for per-tone transmit (TX) antenna selection beamforming includes obtaining an estimate of a per-tone channel amplitude information corresponding to each antenna of multiple antennas of a transmitter. A spatial mapping matrix of the transmitter is determined using the obtained estimate of the per-tone channel amplitude information corresponding to the antennas. Each tone includes an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) sub-carrier, and the per-tone channel amplitude information corresponding to each antenna is associated with a propagation channel between that antenna and a receive (RX) antenna of a receiver. The spatial mapping matrix is determined to allow transmission of data corresponding to each tone through one of the antennas, and to allow each of the antennas to be active during a transmission time of the transmitter.

Abstract: A method for improving multiple-user (MU) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) acknowledge (ACK) protocol efficiency includes: receiving a sounding frame from a device, sending a feedback response, which includes quantized channel state information (CSI) to the device, receiving an MU physical-layer protocol data unit (PPDU) frame from the device, and in response to receiving the MU PPDU frame, sending an ACK frame to the device without receiving a polling frame prior to the ACK frame.

Abstract: A method for improving multiple-user (MU) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) protocol efficiency includes transmitting an MU frame to multiple devices. The MU frame is beamformed to enable a corresponding one of the devices to receive an intended stream at high power. The MU frame includes an additional sounding-field. Acknowledgement (ACK) responses are received from at least some of the plurality of devices. Each of the ACK responses includes a sounding response frame including a channel feedback.

Abstract: In a base station having a Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output (M-MIMO) antenna array, the availability of the M-MIMO antenna array is exploited to manage the interference caused by the base station to neighboring cells. In one embodiment, the large number of antenna elements of the M-MIMO antenna array are used to create precise transmit and/or receive spatial nulls at specific User Equipments (UEs) being served by a neighboring cell and/or in select areas of the neighboring cell. Depending on whether the spatial null is partial or full, transmissions by the base station may have reduced or even zero receive power within the neighboring cell.

Abstract: As wireless networks evolve, network providers may utilize legacy LTE devices as well as devices that support massive multi-input, multiple output (M-MIMO). Systems and methods for simultaneously servicing legacy LTE devices and M-MIMO devices are provided. In embodiments, a transmission zone for M-MIMO communications is defined within a legacy, non M-MIMO radio frame. The location of the M-MIMO transmission zone is transmitted to user devices. For example, an identification of the location of the M-MIMO transmission zone is transmitted in a system information message. In a further example, the location of the M-MIMO transmission zone is transmitted in the downlink control information. The location of the M-MIMO transmission zone may be defined dynamically based on a variety of criteria. In addition or alternatively, a set of pre-defined transmission zones may be utilized.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of channel estimation is provided. The method includes determining a parametric model for a channel between a first transceiver and a second transceiver and transmitting a pilot signal to the second transceiver. The receiving transceiver is configured to determine a parameter of the parametric model based at least on the pilot signal and to estimate a channel transfer function coefficient for the channel based on the parameter and the parametric model.

Abstract: In wireless operating environments, wireless user devices are often within the coverage area of multiple base stations. The base station providing the best uplink for the user device may be different than the base station providing the best downlink for the user device. Systems and techniques for asymmetric uplink and downlink communications for a user device are provided. In embodiments, the user device initially synchronizes with a base station. Both the uplink and downlink are initially served by this base station. A determination is then made whether to handoff the downlink for the user device to another base station. When a determination is indicated, the downlink is handed off to the second base station. Thereafter, periodic measurements are made. The determinations whether to handoff the uplink and downlink for the user device are made independently.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a communication interface and a processor that operate to generate a first transmission stream by processing first information based on first parameter(s) and a second transmission stream by processing second information based on second parameter(s). In some examples, the second at least one parameter is relatively less robust than the first at least one parameter, and the second information augments the first information when combined with the first information. The wireless communication device then transmits the first transmission stream and the second transmission stream to at least one other wireless communication device. Examples of such parameters include forward error correction (FEC) code, error correction code (ECC), modulation coding set (MCS), modulation type including a mapping of constellation points arranged in a constellation, power (e.g.

Abstract: A communication device, such as a smart phone, includes transmit/receive logic to cancel an interfering signal component. The interfering signal component may originate from a communication interface on the device itself. For example, transmissions from the communication interface may interfere with received signals at other communication interfaces on the device. Transmit/receive logic on others of the communication interfaces may use known characteristics of the interfering signal component to cancel the interfering signal component.

Abstract: A radio device receives a band-limited signal and estimates signal components beyond the band edges to extend the signal and eliminate the band-limited effects. The extended signal is transformed to the time domain to produce an estimate of the true time domain channel.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a communication interface and a processor and is configured to generate a preamble of an OFDM packet that includes signal fields (SIGs) that specify first characteristics of a remainder of the OFDM packet that follows the SIG fields. A first at least one SIG includes information to specify second characteristics of a second at least one SIG that follows the first at least one SIG. The wireless communication device then transmits the OFDM packet to another wireless communication device. The second characteristics specifies any number of characteristics including any one or more of a size of a GI between the first at least one SIG and the second at least one SIG, a MCS used to generate the second at least one SIG, a length of the second at least one SIG, or a number of OFDM symbols of the second at least one SIG.

Abstract: A communication device includes a processor configured to generate OFDMA packets using various OFDMA packet structures and to transmit such OFDMA packets, via a communication interface, to at least one other communication device. The processor is also configured to receive, interpret, and process such OFDMA packets. One example of an OFDMA packet includes common SIG for two or more other wireless communication devices modulated across all sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. The common SIG is followed by first SIG and first data for a first other wireless communication device modulated across first subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet and is also followed by second SIG and second data for a second other wireless communication device modulated across second subset of the sub-carriers of the OFDMA packet. Another example of an OFDMA packet includes the common SIG followed directly by first data and second data modulated as described above.