Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
  • H04L5/003—Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
  • H04L5/0058—Allocation criteria
  • H04L5/006—Quality of the received signal, e.g. BER, SNR, water filling
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L25/00—Baseband systems
  • H04L25/02—Details ; arrangements for supplying electrical power along data transmission lines
  • H04L25/0202—Channel estimation
  • H04L25/0224—Channel estimation using sounding signals
  • H04L25/0228—Channel estimation using sounding signals with direct estimation from sounding signals
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
  • H04L5/0001—Arrangements for dividing the transmission path
  • H04L5/0014—Three-dimensional division
  • H04L5/0023—Time-frequency-space

Definitions

• the present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems and, more particularly, to channel sounding and estimation techniques in wireless systems employing multiple antennas.
• Wireless communications continue to experience large growth in consumer demand and services.
• Wide coverage area systems such as cellular networks are commonplace, but increasingly so to are local area systems such as "WiFi,” IEEE 802.1 la, and IEEE 802.1 lb systems.
• WiFi wireless local area systems
• IEEE 802.1 la local area systems
• IEEE 802.1 lb local area systems
• various wireless technologies are described in detail in the 802.1 1 IEEE Standards, including for example, the IEEE Standard 802.1 la (1999) and its updates and amendments, the IEEE Standard 802.1 lg (2003), and the IEEE Standard 802.1 In, the IEEE Standard 802.1 1 ac, all of which are collectively incorporated herein fully by reference.
• OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
• Each frequency sub-band of an OFDM system may be viewed as an independent transmission channel within which to send data, thereby increasing the overall throughput or transmission rate of the communication system. Even though data on a particular sub-carrier is modulated at a low symbol rate, the large number of subchannels provides an overall data rate similar to single-carrier modulation schemes that utilize the same bandwidth.
• transmitters used in the wireless communication systems that are compliant with the aforementioned 802.1 la/802.1 lg/802.1 ln/802.1 lac standards as well as other standards such as the 802.16a IEEE Standard, perform multi-carrier OFDM symbol encoding (which may include error correction encoding and interleaving), convert the encoded symbols into the time domain using Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) techniques, and perform digital to analog conversion and conventional radio frequency (RF) upconversion on the signals.
• IFFT Inverse Fast Fourier Transform
• RF radio frequency
• the receivers used in the wireless communication systems that are compliant with the aforementioned 802.1 la/802.1 lg/802.1 ln/802.1 lac and 802.16a IEEE standards generally include an RF receiving unit that performs RF downconversion and filtering of the received signals (which may be performed in one or more stages), and a baseband processor unit that processes the OFDM encoded symbols bearing the data of interest.
• RF receiving unit that performs RF downconversion and filtering of the received signals (which may be performed in one or more stages)
• a baseband processor unit that processes the OFDM encoded symbols bearing the data of interest.
• the digital form of each OFDM symbol presented in the frequency domain is recovered after baseband
• the RF modulated signals generated by the transmitter may reach a particular receiver via a number of different propagation paths, the characteristics of which typically change over time due to the phenomena of multi-path and fading. Moreover, the characteristics of a propagation channel differ or vary based on the frequency of propagation. To compensate for the time varying, frequency selective nature of the propagation effects, and generally to enhance effective encoding and modulation in a wireless communication system, each receiver of the wireless communication system may periodically develop or collect channel state information (CSI) for each of the frequency channels, such as the channels associated with each of the OFDM sub-bands discussed above.
• CSI channel state information
• CSI is information defining or describing one or more characteristics about each of the OFDM channels (for example, the gain, the phase and the SNR of each channel).
• the receiver may send this CSI back to the transmitter, which may use the CSI for each channel to precondition the signals transmitted using that channel so as to compensate for the varying propagation effects of each of the channels.
• multiple transmit and receive antennas may be used.
• Such a system is commonly referred to as a multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) wireless transmission system and is specifically provided for within the 802.1 1 n and 802.1 1 ac IEEE Standards.
• MIMO multiple-input, multiple-output
• the use of MIMO technology can produce significant increases in spectral efficiency and link reliability; and these benefits generally increase with the number of transmission and receive antennas within the MIMO system.
• a MIMO channel formed by the various transmit and receive antennas between a particular transmitter and a particular receiver includes a number of independent spatial channels.
• a wireless MIMO communication system can provide improved performance (e.g., increased transmission capacity) by utilizing the additional dimensionalities created by these spatial channels for the transmission of additional data.
• the spatial channels of a wideband MIMO system may experience different channel conditions (e.g., different fading and multi-path effects) across the overall system bandwidth and may therefore achieve different SNRs at different frequencies (i.e., at the different OFDM frequency sub-bands) of the overall system bandwidth. Consequently, the number of information bits per modulation symbol (i.e., the data rate) that may be transmitted using the different frequency sub- bands of each spatial channel for a particular level of performance may differ from frequency sub-band to frequency sub-band.
• beamforming or beamsteering creates a spatial gain pattern having one or more high gain lobes or beams (as compared to the gain obtained by an omnidirectional antenna) in one or more particular directions, while reducing the gain over that obtained by an omni-directional antenna in other directions.
• the MIMO system can obtain better transmission reliability between a particular transmitter and a particular receiver, over that obtained by single transmitter-antenna/receiver-antenna systems.
• ASEL Proper antenna selection
• ASEL may involve selecting the best antenna elements at the transmitter and/or receiver for the particular data rate, data type, channel, etc., and then switching those antenna elements into a limited number of transmitter and receiver radio-frequency chains.
• the ASEL determination may be based on the CSI acquired by a channel training (sounding) procedure, which is defined in IEEE 802.1 In Standard as encompassing either a transmitter- side (TX ASEL) training procedure or a receiver-side (RX ASEL) training procedure.
• TX ASEL transmitter- side
• RX ASEL receiver-side
• a method is for selecting a transmit parameter in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system, wherein communication is between a first communication device having a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas and a second communication device having a second plurality of RF chains coupled to a second plurality of antennas.
• the method includes: receiving, at the second communication device, consecutive training packets that were transmitted by the first communication device, the consecutive training packets having been produced at the first communication device by applying, at the first communication device, a power level rule to the first plurality of RF chains; determining, at the second communication device, respective channel measurements corresponding to the consecutive training packets based on the power level rule;
• a first communication device comprises: a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas; and a controller configured to: determine, based on a power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to consecutive training packets received via the first plurality of RF chains, the consecutive training packets having been i) transmitted by a second communication device having a second plurality of antennas, and ii) produced at the second communication device by applying, at the second
• RF radio-frequency
• the power level rule to a second plurality of RF chains at the second communication device, select a transmit parameter based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the first communication device to transmit the selected transmit parameter to the second communication device.
• a system comprises a first
• a communication device having: a first plurality of antennas, a first plurality of radio- frequency (RF) chains, and a first controller configured to: cause the first
• the system also comprise a second communication device having: a second plurality of antennas, a second plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains, and a second controller configured to: determine, based on the power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to the consecutive training packets received via the second plurality of RF chains, select a transmit parameter based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the second communication device to transmit the selected transmit parameter to the first communication device.
• RF radio-frequency
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example wireless communication configuration in which a MIMO transmitter and a MIMO receiver are able to communicate with each other, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example antenna selection (ASEL) training procedure using consecutive sounding packets sent by the MIMO transmitter in a transmitter-based ASEL determination, according to an embodiment
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of another example ASEL training procedure using consecutive sounding packets in a receiver-based ASEL determination, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an example receiver-based ASEL determination using scaling factors applied by the receiver to minimize distortion on a full-size MIMO channel, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example transmitter-based ASEL determination using scaling factors and gain factors to adjust power levels on the signals transmitted from the transmitter, according to an embodiment.
• FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method for determining a transmit parameter based on a power level rule utilized at a first communication device.
• FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a high definition television that may utilize transmit parameter determination techniques such as described herein, according to various embodiments.
• FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a vehicle that may utilize ASEL techniques such as described herein, according to various embodiments.
• FIG. 7C is a block diagram of a cellular phone that may utilize transmit parameter determination techniques such as described herein, according to various embodiments.
• FIG. 7D is a block diagram of a set top box that may utilize transmit parameter determination techniques such as described herein, according to various embodiments.
• FIG. 7E is a block diagram of a media player that may utilize transmit parameter determination techniques such as described herein, according to various embodiments.
• FIG. 7F is a block diagram of a voice over IP device that may utilize transmit parameter determination techniques such as described herein, according to various embodiments. Detailed Description
• the techniques may be implemented in various types of MIMO systems, such as OFDM(A) (OFDM and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) MIMO systems sending data over signals having a channelization bandwidth of 20 MHz divided into 56 sub- carriers as set forth in IEEE 802.1 In, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz channel bandwidths divided into a larger number of sub-carriers as set forth in the IEEE 802.1 lac
• OFDM(A) MIMO systems may employ various digital modulation and mapping schemes including binary phase-shift keying (BPS ), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPS ), 16 bit quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM), 64-QAM, 256- QAM, 512-QAM, etc.
• BPS binary phase-shift keying
• QPS quadrature phase-shift keying
• 16-QAM 16 bit quadrature amplitude modulation
• 64-QAM 64-QAM
• 256- QAM 256- QAM
• 512-QAM etc.
• Each transmitter and receiver in an MIMO system will have multiple antennas that are selected to produced desired beamforming and beamsteering and thereby optimize data transmission between the transmitter and receiver.
• the transmitter, the receiver, or both may perform this antenna selection (ASEL).
• the receiver may perform ASEL by knowing a pre-determined transmitter power level rule applied at the transmitter and then conducting appropriate scaling based on that transmit power level and a receiver gain factor.
• the transmitter may perform ASEL through a joint strategy with the receiver, where the receiver scales sub-channel estimates of the full-size channel appropriately and then feeds back channel state information (CSI) to the transmitter which then performs ASEL based on the CSI; or through a single device strategy in which transmitter adjusts its power levels based on a determination of the proximity of the receiver.
• CSI channel state information
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example MIMO communication system 10 in block diagram form as generally including a single MIMO transmitter 12 having multiple antennas 14A - 14M for communicating with a single MIMO receiver 16 having multiple antennas 18A - 18M.
• the number of transmission antennas 14A - 14M may be the same as, more than, or less than the number of receiver antennas 18A - 18M.
• a controller 20 in the transmitter 12 and a controller 22 in the receiver 16 controller general operation of each MIMO wireless device, respectively.
• the controllers 20 and 22 may be implemented as one or more standard multi-purpose, programmable processors, such as micro-processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc. or may be implemented using any other desired types of hardware, software and/or firmware.
• ASICs application specific integrated circuits
• the transmitter includes a plurality of radio frequency (RF) chains 24A - 24N that each may form a MIMO datapath for an antenna producing the RF signals that are to be applied to the antennas 14A - 14M.
• each RF chain may perform frequency interleaving of a spatial incoming data stream, QAM constellation point mapping (e.g., using BPS , QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, or 256-QAM) interleaved bits, antenna mapping of the mapped spatial data to the desired antenna streams, time domain transformation, and analog to digital conversion and final RF processing.
• QAM constellation point mapping e.g., using BPS , QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, or 256-QAM
• each transmitter RF chain 24A - 24N is coupled to an antenna switch 26, controlled by a switch controller 28.
• the controller 20 performs ASEL and control and also determines the power level applies by each of the RF chains 24A - 24N to optimally beamform and beamsteer the MIMO datapaths between the transmitter 12 and the receiver 16.
• the receiver 16 includes a plurality of RF chains 30A - 30N that are each coupled to an antenna switch 32 under control by a controller 34, which along with the controller 22 each may perform similar functions to those described above with respect to the transmitter 12.
• the MIMO system 10 may execute a training procedure as generally illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• the training techniques described herein allow for ASEL in situations where the number of antennas, M TX , is larger than the number of respective RF chains, ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ , in either or both of the transmitter 12 and the receiver 16.
• an ASEL sounding protocol as defined in the IEEE 802.1 In Standard describes sending consecutive sounding packets from the transmitter 12 to sound the full-size channel corresponding to all transmitter antennas 14A - 14M, where the transmitter 12 may switch to a different subset of these antennas 14A - 14M each sounding packet until the full-size channel has been sounded.
• the transmitter 12 may send consecutive sounding packets in two example ways.
• the transmitter 12 may send a High Throughput Control field (+HTC) (not shown) with a null data packet (NDP) equal to 1 to announce for the receiver 16 the commencement of consecutive sounding PLCP Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) 50, which are each formed of a transmitter antenna selection sounding information (TX ASSI) signal 52 followed by a series of adjacent short inter-frame spacing interval (SIFS) and NDP 54 signal pairs.
• TX ASSI transmitter antenna selection sounding information
• SIFS short inter-frame spacing interval
• the transmitter 12 may send a series of segmented sounding PPDUs signals 56 each spaced apart by a SIFS.
• This antenna sounding, training mode may be initiated by the receiver 16 sending a transmitter AS sounding request (TX ASSR) 58 signal to the transmitter 12.
• TX ASSR transmitter AS sounding request
• FIG. 2 illustrates a training procedure in an transmitter ASEL (TX ASEL) mode, in which the receiver 16 responds to the sounding PPDUs 50 or 56 with an antenna system (AS) feedback signal 60, which may be a full-size channel state information (CSI) signal that is analyzed by the controller 20 to set power level policy, etc. for the RF chains 24A - 24N.
• AS antenna system
• the AS feedback signal 60 may include any of a number of signal information, including scaling indices applied by the receiver 16 for selected antennas 18A-18M, which information may be used by the transmitter 12 during a TX ASEL procedure to regulate control of its antennas 14A - 14M.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a training procedure in a receiver ASEL (RX ASEL) mode initiated by a receiver antenna selection sounding request signal 70 sent from the receiver 16 to the transmitter 12.
• This training procedure may be utilized when the number (MRX) of antenna elements 18A - 18M is larger than the number (NRX) of RF chains 30A - 30N.
• the transmitter 12 transmits consecutive sounding PPDUs 72 or 74 that are used to sound the full-size channel corresponding to all receiver antenna elements 18A - 18M.
• the transmitter transmits an HTC+ frame and NDP announcement bit (not shown) followed an RX ASSI data block 76 and a series of SIFS and NDP signal pairs 78.
• the consecutive sounding PPDUs 74 may be transmitted using a plurality of segmented sounding PPDUs, each separated from another by the SIFS. Because ASEL is performed at the receiver station, no AS feedback or other feedback is required.
• the transmit power settings and receiver scaling of each of the sounding packets will affect the accuracy of full-size CSI estimation.
• the transmit power levels applied by the RF chains 24A - 24N for the ASEL sounding packets may be made to conform to a predetermined or otherwise set power transmission rule, that is known to receiver 16 and allows the receiver 16 to properly baseline the received signals.
• the receiver 16 may adjust, i.e., scale, the amplitude of each estimated sub-channel upon receiving each ASEL sounding packet before the receiver 16 assembles all the sub-channels into the full-size CSI.
• the transmitter 12 may alter the power levels of the RF chains 24A - 24N accordingly. For example, the transmitter 12 may apply additional power scaling from packet-to- packet to avoid distortion, e.g., due to non-linearity in the power-amplifier. In some examples, the transmitter 12 may intentionally adjust its transmit power level for consecutive sounding packets to improve the quality of channel sounding or alternately to conserve power, in response to the feedback signal 60.
• N R x N T MIMO channel that represents one subcarrier in an OFDM system, where N R is the number of RF chains 30A - 30N and N T is the number of RF chains 24A - 24N.
• This N R x N T MIMO channel is represented at baseband by the expression H s .
• the number of antenna elements (M T ) at the transmitter will be greater than the number of transmitter RF chains, N T .
• the number of antenna elements (M R ) at the receiver will be greater than the number of receiver RF chains, NR. In other examples, few antenna elements may be used. In either case, the transmitter 12 and the receiver 16 are not required to have the same number of antenna elements or RF chains.
• a full-size MIMO channel, H includes the output from all the transmitter antenna elements, M T , and the input from the receiver elements, M R , and is thus an M R x M T MIMO channel, H.
• the antenna switches 26 and 32 within each transmitter 12 and receiver 16, respectively, are used to control antenna selection based on the channel estimation of this full-size M R x M T MIMO channel, H, where H s in Expression 1 is a submatrix of this full-size MIMO channel H.
• the gain factor G at the receiver may be governed by the automatic gain control (AGC) design for the MIMO system, as well as by other RF chain parameters or conditions. These values therefore are not design parameters adjustable for ASEL channel estimation, but rather constants for determining ASEL.
• AGC automatic gain control
• the full-size estimated channel, used for ASEL computation may be expressed as: (Expression 3) for a TX ASEL training procedure, or as
• Expressions 3 and 4 represent the estimated full-size channel at the receiver 16.
• the true full-size channel is represented as:
• the full-size channel expression can be expressed as a scalar of the full-size estimated channel expression, with the same scalar applied across all sub-channels:
• the assembled full-size estimated channel may have distortion due to different effective power levels (strengths) of the estimated sub-channels ⁇ HJ .
• techniques have been developed to jointly design the power level rule, P h at transmitter and the scaling factor rules, ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4 at the receiver to minimize this channel estimation distortion, and do so by allowing for different strategies for ASEL computation at the receiver side and at the transmitter side.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an example method for a RX ASEL training procedure 200.
• the transmitter 12 uses pre-determined power rule, P h to power the RF chains 24A - 24N, where this power rule is known to the receiver 16.
• the pre-determined power rule may be one specified in a wireless communication standard, such as 802.1 1 , 802.16, 3GPPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc. Although this need not be the case, as any reasonable power rule may be used instead.
• the system may be programmed to ensure that the MAC layer does not change the TX PWR LEVEL parameter in the MAC/PHY interface when sending consecutive ASEL sounding packets.
• the power rule may be based on setting the individual powers levels of each transmitter chain, as in this example. However, other power rules may be based the totals of all power levels across all the transmitter chains. For example, another power rule may adjust power levels, Pi, such that the TOTAL power across all active RF chains 24A - 24N is constant for ASEL sounding packets, which means that if the number of transmit antennas sounded is not constant across sounding packets, then Pi is not constant.
• a device has four (4) antennas and four (4) transmitter RF chains to be sounded in total using two (2) consecutive sounding packets
• a first sounding packet could be established that sounds three (3) of the four antennas using three of the transmitter RF chains
• a second sounding packet could be established that sounds the remaining antenna using the remaining
• the power rule is established at the protocol or wireless standard-level, such that the power rule is formed in a hardware, firmware, or software of all compliant devices.
• compliant MIMO devices may be compatible with multiple power rules, where the particular power rule in use is coordinated among communicating devices, either by the service provider or by the devices communicating power rule data to synchronize with each other.
• the consecutive sounding packets resulting from block 202 are received at the receiver 16, which determines MIMO sub-channel estimates based on the sounding packets which have amplitudes that have been inherently modified on a per signal basis by the gain factor, G h at block 204.
• the receiver 16 may then adjust the scaling factors a t of Expressions 3 and 4 to minimize distortion when assembling the full-size estimated MIMO channel.
• a block 208 assembles the scaled sub-channel estimates into the estimated full-size MIMO channel, for example, by applying Expressions 3 and 4.
• Block 210 then computers the ASEL, using known techniques, based on the full-size estimated MIMO channel.
• the receiver gain factor may be expressed as:
• G i GT I (Expression 7)
• GT is a constant regardless of i, which means that the signal for each RF chain 30A - 30N is scaled so that the average amplitude is GT.
• CSI full- size MIMO channel
• FIG. 4 is described as illustrating the training procedure of TX ASEL computed at the receiver (and the selected antenna indices fed back to the transmitter), the procedure 200 could be modified into a TX ASEL in which the receiver 16 determines the scaling factors for each of the sub-channels and
• the transmitter 12 may then adjust its power level strategies for sending consecutive sounding packets to optimize performance, for example, to reduce packet error rates.
• An example of such an TX ASEL training procedure 300 is shown in FIG. 5, bearing similar reference numerals to that of FIG. 4, but showing that a block 302 communicates the scaled sub-channel estimates, ⁇ 3 ; H ; ⁇ , in the form of CSI data, back to the transmitter 12, which then identifies the scaling factor, ⁇ 3 ⁇ 4 and along with the gain factor, d, determines new power level settings and adjusts the power levels accordingly at block 304.
• the procedure 200 can also be extended to RX ASEL procedure, where the estimated channel is expressed by Expression 4.
• Expression 4 the estimated channel is expressed by Expression 4.
• Expression 8 may still be applied by transposing the right hand side of the equation of Expression 8; and Expression 9 is still valid for the receiver 16 to scale the channel estimations when composing the full-size channel for receiver ASEL computation.
• the scaling rule a, and/or the gain factor may already be known to the transmitter 12, e.g., by defining both through the wireless communication protocol or standard - IEEE 802.1 1, 802.16, LTE, etc.
• the channel encoding strategy for the protocol may be used to set the scaling factors, ⁇ ,, such that the receiver 16 always applies the same scaling factor rules to create the sub-channel estimates of the corresponding sounding packets regardless of P ⁇ and G t .
• An example IEEE 802.1 In scaling factor rule may be:
• the scaling factor is predetermined, this leaves only the gain factor G, setting as needed at the transmitter 12, where with both values the transmitter 12 can adjust its power level policy to lessen distortion on the full-size MIMO channel communicating with the receiver 16.
• the gain factors may be communicated to the transmitter 12 by the receiver 16 or they may be preset at the transmitter 12.
• the TX ASEL training procedure may require that both a, and G l be sent from the receiver 16 as CSI data, e.g., from block 302, in order for the transmitter 12 to conduct its own scaling of received signals to minimize distortion.
• the transmitter 12 receiving the scaled sub-channel estimates from the receiver 16 may identify that scalar in the received signal and apply a similar scaling rule (e.g., a constant scalar regardless of i) before assembling the feedback subchannel estimations into the full size channel estimation.
• a scaling rule at the transmitter 12 may also depend on the power levels, P,, at the RF chains 24A - 24N, which is already known at the transmitter 12 but not necessarily known at the receiver
• the transmitter 12 may adjust its power level strategies for sending consecutive sounding packets to optimize performance (packet error rate).
• the transmitter RF chain power levels can be freely adjusted because the CSI feedback is always appropriately scaled by the receiver 16.
• This ability to dynamically set the transmitter RF chain power levels allows the MIMO communication system to achieve various levels of flexibility.
• the transmitter upon receiving the scaled CSI feedback from the receiver may determine that the receiver is nearby, upon which the transmitter may adjust its initial power level settings downward from that used in the consecutive sounding packets, to thereby save power.
• the transmitter may determine that the receiver is far away and increase power level settings to thereby improve performance.
• the MIMO channel barely changes over the over-the- air duration of sending and receiving these sounding packets. But in some cases, this assumption may not be true; the channel may change fast. As such, in some examples, depending on the channel conditions, the transmitter may perform a lower power sounding to test the MIMO channel and to track channel variations. In some examples, the MIMO system may probe a channel using only subset of the antennas, with a lower power sounding packets, to detect if the channel has changed, and thereafter determine if full antenna training, which can be intensive, is warranted. Of course, these are just some example applications in which controlling the transmitter chain power levels for sending consecutive ASEL sounding packets can be beneficial.
• the above techniques may be applied to either single-carrier MIMO systems, multi-carrier MIMO systems such as OFDM(A) systems, where the expressions listed above would be applied per sub-carrier, instead of per channel. That is, the sounding packet identifier i represents the sub-carrier (or sub-channel) index.
• OFDM(A) system may include IEEE 802.1 1 n or IEEE 802.1 1 ac (e.g., "WiFi"), IEEE 802.16 (e.g., "WiMax”), 3GPPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), and others.
• LTE is considered a 4G communication standard which offers improved throughput and speed and reduced latency over 3G standards, such as UMTS, and 2G standards such as GSM, and is capable of supporting all IP -based services including voice, video, rich media and messaging with end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS).
• the LTE Physical Layer (PHY) employs both OFDMA and MIMO data transmission, through smart antennas.
• the LTE PHY may use OFDMA for downlink communications from the base station to remote user equipment and Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) for uplink communications from the remote users to the base station.
• SC-FDMA Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access
• ASEL is an example of a transmit parameter determined based on consecutive training packets (e.g., sounding packets) that were transmitted while applying a power level rule to a plurality of RF chains.
• other suitable transmit parameters are determined.
• consecutive training packets are transmitted while applying a power level rule to a plurality of RF chains such that each consecutive training packet is transmitted in a different direction, e.g., using directional antennas, using predetermined beamforming matrices (e.g., vectors), etc.
• Measurements of the consecutive sounding packets are determined at a receiver and utilized to select a beam direction for subsequent transmissions.
• consecutive training packets are transmitted while applying a power level rule to a plurality of RF chains such that each consecutive training packet is transmitted using a different frequency sub-band. Measurements of the consecutive sounding packets are determined at a receiver and utilized to select a frequency sub- band for subsequent transmissions. Other suitable transmit parameters are similarly selected, in other embodiments.
• FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method 400 for determining a transmit parameter, according to an embodiment.
• the method 400 is implemented by the system illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is described with reference to FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes. In other embodiments, however, the method 400 is implemented by a different suitable system.
• a first communication device transmits consecutive training packets to a second communication device, the consecutive training packets having been produced at the first communication device by applying, at the first communication device, a power level rule to a first plurality of RF chains at the first communication device.
• the device 12 of FIG. 1 corresponds to the first communication device and the device 16 of FIG. 1 corresponds to the second communication device.
• the power level rule is a power level rule such as discussed above, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, however, another suitable power level rule is utilized.
• each respective training packet is transmitted with a respective subset of antennas, such as discussed above, when the transmit parameter selection corresponds to selection of a particular subset of antennas to be used at the first communication device.
• block 404 corresponds to block 202 of FIG. 4.
• each respective training packet is transmitted in a respective beam direction (e.g., using directional antennas, using predetermined beamforming matrices (e.g., vectors)) when the transmit parameter selection corresponds to selection of a particular beam direction to be used at the first communication device.
• each respective training packet is transmitted in a respective frequency sub-band when the transmit parameter selection corresponds to selection of a particular frequency sub-band to be used at the first communication device.
• the training packets are regular sounding packets.
• the training packets are null data packet ( DP) sounding packets.
• other suitable training packets are utilized.
• training packets corresponding to the training packets transmitted at block 404 are received at the second communication device.
• block 412 respective channel measurements are determined at the second communication device based on the training packets received at block 408 and the power level rule.
• block 412 includes determining MIMO sub-channel estimates and scaling the MIMO sub-channel estimates based on the power level rule.
• block 412 corresponds to blocks 204 and 206 of FIG. 4.
• block 412 includes scaling channel measurements
• block 412 includes scaling channel measurements corresponding to the received training packets.
• block 412 includes generating channel quality measurements (e.g., signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINRs), bit error rates (BERs), packet error rates (PERs), signal power measurements, etc.) corresponding to the received training packets.
• SNRs signal-to-noise ratios
• SINRs signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios
• BERs bit error rates
• PERs packet error rates
• the second communication device selects the transmit parameter based on the channel measurements determined at block 412. For example, in an embodiment in which the transmit parameter selection corresponds to selection of a particular subset of antennas to be used at the first communication device, block 416 includes assembling a full-size estimate of the MIMO channel based on the MIMO sub-channel estimates determined at block 412, where the full-size estimate of the MIMO channel corresponds to the full MIMO channel between the first plurality of antennas and the second plurality of antennas. Then, a subset of the first plurality of antennas is selected based on the full-size estimate of the MIMO channel. For example, in some embodiments, block 416 corresponds to blocks 208 and 210 of FIG. 4.
• block 416 includes selecting the particular beam direction based on channel quality measurements (e.g., SNRs, SINRs, BERs, PERs, signal power measurements, etc.) determined at block 412. Similarly, in another embodiment, in which the transmit parameter selection corresponds to selection of a particular beam direction to be used at the first communication device, block 416 includes selecting the particular beam direction based on channel quality measurements (e.g., SNRs, SINRs, BERs, PERs, signal power measurements, etc.) determined at block 412. Similarly, in another channel quality measurements (e.g., SNRs, SINRs, BERs, PERs, signal power measurements, etc.) determined at block 412. Similarly, in another channel quality measurements (e.g., SNRs, SINRs, BERs, PERs, signal power measurements, etc.) determined at block 412. Similarly, in another channel quality measurements (e.g., SNRs, SINRs, BERs, PERs, signal power measurements, etc.) determined at block
• block 416 includes selecting the particular frequency sub-band based on channel quality measurements (e.g., SNRs, SINRs, BERs, PERs, signal power measurements, etc.) determined at block 412.
• channel quality measurements e.g., SNRs, SINRs, BERs, PERs, signal power measurements, etc.
• the second communication device transmits an indication of the selected transmit parameter to the first communication device.
• the selected transmit parameter corresponds to a selected subset of antennas to be used at the first communication device
• block 420 includes transmitting to the first communication device an indication of the selected subset of the first plurality of antennas.
• the selected transmit parameter corresponds to a selected beam direction to be used at the first communication device
• block 420 includes transmitting to the first communication device an indication of the selected beam direction.
• block 420 includes transmitting to the first communication device an indication of the selected frequency sub-band.
• the first communication device receives the indication of the selected transmit parameter and, in response, utilizes the selected transmit parameter when transmitting to the second communication device.
• block 424 includes the first communication device utilizing the selected subset of the first plurality of antennas when transmitting to the second communication device.
• block 424 includes utilizing the selected beam direction when transmitting to the second communication device (e.g., utilizing one or more particular directional antennas, utilizing a particular predetermined beamsteering matrix (e.g., vector), etc.
• block 424 includes the first communication device utilizing the selected frequency sub-band when transmitting to the second communication device.
• the second communication device does not perform the selection of block 416, but instead transmits to the first communication device the channel measurements determined at block 412. Then, the first communication device performs the selection of block 416. In such embodiments, block 420 is omitted.
• the above techniques may be applied to either single-carrier MIMO systems, multi-carrier MIMO systems such as OFDM(A) systems, where the techniques describe above would be applied per sub-carrier or per sub-carrier group, instead of per channel.
• OFDM(A) system may include IEEE 802.1 1 (e.g., "WiFi”), IEEE 802.16 (e.g., "WiMax”), 3GPPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), and others.
• Transmit parameter selection methods such as those described above may be utilized in various MIMO devices.
• techniques as described above may be utilized in base stations, access points, wireless routers, etc.
• the transmitter 12 may represent a base station, for example, and the receiver 16 any remote wireless device (mobile device or otherwise), or vice versa.
• Figs. 7A-7F illustrate various devices in which ASEL techniques such as described above, may be employed.
• HDTV 1020 includes a mass data storage 1027, an HDTV signal processing and control block 1022, a WLAN interface and memory 1028.
• HDTV 1020 receives HDTV input signals in either a wired or wireless format and generates HDTV output signals for a display 1026.
• signal processing circuit and/or control circuit 1022 and/or other circuits (not shown) of HDTV 1020 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other type of HDTV processing that may be required.
• HDTV 1020 may communicate with a mass data storage 1027 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices.
• the mass storage device may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8".
• HDTV 1020 may be connected to memory 1028 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
• HDTV 1020 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 1029.
• the HDTV 1020 may include a controller 1002 configured to perform transmit parameter selection techniques such as described above.
• WLAN network interface 1029 includes RF chains, an antenna switch, and switch controller, as discussed above in the example of the transmitter 12 or the receiver 16, and the controller 1002 is configured to perform channel sounding and estimation and determine ASEL for a MIMO antenna system.
• the vehicle 1030 includes a control system that may include mass data storage 1046, as well as a WLAN interface 1048.
• the mass data storage 1046 may support a powertrain control system 1032 that receives inputs from one or more sensors 1036 such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors and/or any other suitable sensors and/or that generates one or more output control signals 1038 such as engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, and/or other control signals.
• sensors 1036 such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors and/or any other suitable sensors
• output control signals 1038 such as engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, and/or other control signals.
• Control system 1040 may likewise receive signals from input sensors 1042 and/or output control signals to one or more output devices 1044.
• control system 1040 may be part of an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a telematics system, a vehicle telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, a vehicle entertainment system such as a stereo, DVD, compact disc and the like.
• ABS anti-lock braking system
• Powertrain control system 1032 may communicate with mass data storage 1027 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices.
• the mass storage device 1046 may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8".
• Powertrain control system 1032 may be connected to memory 1047 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
• Powertrain control system 1032 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 1048.
• the control system 1040 may also include mass data storage, memory and/or a WLAN interface (all not shown).
• the vehicle 1030 may include the controller 1002 configured to perform transmit parameter selection techniques such as described above.
• WLAN network interface 1048 includes RF chains, an antenna switch, and switch controller, as discussed above in the example of the transmitter 12 or the receiver 16, and the controller 1002 is configured to perform channel sounding and estimation and determine ASEL for a MIMO antenna system.
• a cellular phone 1050 may include a cellular antenna 1051.
• the cellular phone 1050 may include either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7C at 1052, a WLAN network interface 1068 and/or mass data storage 1064 of the cellular phone 1050.
• cellular phone 1050 includes a microphone 1056, an audio output 1058 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display 1060 and/or an input device 1062 such as a keypad, pointing device, voice actuation and/or other input device.
• Signal processing and/or control circuits 1052 and/or other circuits (not shown) in cellular phone 1050 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform other cellular phone functions.
• Cellular phone 1050 may communicate with mass data storage 1064 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs.
• the HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8".
• Cellular phone 1050 may be connected to memory 1066 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
• Cellular phone 1050 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 1068.
• the cellular phone 1050 may include the controller 1002 configured to perform transmit parameter selection techniques such as described above.
• WLAN network interface 1068 includes RF chains, an antenna switch, and switch controller, as discussed above in the example of the transmitter 12 or the receiver 16, and the controller 1002 is configured to perform channel sounding and estimation and determine ASEL for a MIMO antenna system.
• the set top box 1080 may include either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7D at 1084, a WLAN interface and/or mass data storage 1090 of the set top box 1080.
• Set top box 1080 receives signals from a source 1091 such as a broadband source and outputs standard and/or high definition audio/video signals suitable for a display 1088 such as a television and/or monitor and/or other video and/or audio output devices.
• Signal processing and/or control circuits 1084 and/or other circuits (not shown) of the set top box 1080 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other set top box function.
• Set top box 1080 may communicate with mass data storage 1090 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner and may use jitter measurement.
• Mass data storage 1090 may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs.
• the HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8".
• Set top box 1080 may be connected to memory 1094 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
• Set top box 1080 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 1096.
• the set top box 1080 may include the controller 1002 configured to perform transmit parameter selection techniques such as described above.
• WLAN network interface 1096 includes RF chains, an antenna switch, and switch controller, as discussed above in the example of the transmitter 12 or the receiver 16, and the controller 1002 is configured to perform channel sounding and estimation and determine ASEL for a MIMO antenna system.
• the media player 1 100 may include either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7E at 1 104, a WLAN interface and/or mass data storage 1 1 10 of the media player 1 100.
• media player 1 100 includes a display 1 107 and/or a user input 1 108 such as a keypad, touchpad and the like.
• media player 1 100 may employ a graphical user interface (GUI) that typically employs menus, drop down menus, icons and/or a point-and-click interface via display 1 107 and/or user input 1 108.
• GUI graphical user interface
• Media player 1 100 further includes an audio output 1 109 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack.
• Signal processing and/or control circuits 1 104 and/or other circuits (not shown) of media player 1 100 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other media player function.
• Media player 1 100 may communicate with mass data storage 1 1 10 that stores data such as compressed audio and/or video content in a nonvolatile manner and may utilize jitter measurement.
• the compressed audio files include files that are compliant with MP3 format or other suitable compressed audio and/or video formats.
• the mass data storage may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs.
• the HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8".
• Media player 1 100 may be connected to memory 1 1 14 such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
• Media player 1 100 also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface 1 1 16.
• the media player 1 100 may include the controller 1002 configured to perform transmit parameter selection techniques such as described above.
• WLAN network interface 1 1 16 includes RF chains, an antenna switch, and switch controller, as discussed above in the example of the transmitter 12 or the receiver 16, and the controller 1002 is configured to perform channel sounding and estimation and determine ASEL for a MIMO antenna system.
• VoIP phone 1 150 may include a MIMO antenna 1 152.
• the VoIP phone 1 150 may include either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in FIG. 7F at 1 154, a wireless interface and/or mass data storage of the VoIP phone 1 150.
• VoIP phone 1 150 includes, in part, a microphone 1 158, an audio output 1 160 such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display monitor 1 162, an input device 1 164 such as a keypad, pointing device, voice actuation and/or other input devices, and a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) communication module 1 166.
• Signal processing and/or control circuits 1 154 and/or other circuits (not shown) in VoIP phone 1 150 may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform other VoIP phone functions.
• VoIP phone 1 150 may communicate with mass data storage 1 156 that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices, for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs.
• the HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8".
• VoIP phone 1 150 may be connected to memory 1 157, which may be a RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.
• VoIP phone 1 150 is configured to establish communications link with a VoIP network (not shown) via WiFi communication module 1 166.
• the VoIP phone 1 150 may include the controller 1002 configured to perform transmit parameter selection techniques such as described above. For example, in an
• WLAN network interface 1029 includes RF chains, an antenna switch, and switch controller, as discussed above in the example of the transmitter 12 or the receiver 16, and the controller 1002 is configured to perform channel sounding and estimation and determine ASEL for a MIMO antenna system.
• a method is for selecting a transmit parameter in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system, wherein communication is between a first communication device having a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas and a second communication device having a second plurality of RF chains coupled to a second plurality of antennas.
• MIMO multiple-input-multiple-output
• the method includes: receiving, at the second communication device, consecutive training packets that were transmitted by the first communication device, the consecutive training packets having been produced at the first communication device by applying, at the first communication device, a power level rule to the first plurality of RF chains; determining, at the second communication device, respective channel measurements corresponding to the consecutive training packets based on the power level rule; selecting, at the second communication device, the transmit parameter based on the respective channel measurements; and transmitting, with the second communication device, the selected transmit parameter to the first communication device.
• the method also includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the first plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the first plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• Selecting the transmit parameter comprises selecting a subset of antennas among the first plurality of antennas based on the respective channel measurements; and transmitting the selected transmit parameter to the first communication device comprises transmitting an indication of the selected subset of antennas.
• the method further includes determining an estimate of a full MIMO channel between the first plurality of antennas and the second plurality of antennas based on the respective channel measurements; wherein the selecting the subset of antennas among the first plurality of antennas is based on the estimate of the full MIMO channel.
• the consecutive training packets were transmitted by the first communication device in respective frequency sub-bands; selecting the transmit parameter comprises selecting a particular frequency sub-band based on the respective channel measurements; and transmitting the selected transmit parameter to the first communication device comprises transmitting an indication of the selected particular frequency sub-band.
• a first communication device comprises: a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas; and a controller configured to: determine, based on a power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to consecutive training packets received via the first plurality of RF chains, the consecutive training packets having been i) transmitted by a second communication device having a second plurality of antennas, and ii) produced at the second communication device by applying, at the second
• RF radio-frequency
• the power level rule to a second plurality of RF chains at the second communication device, select a transmit parameter based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the first communication device to transmit the selected transmit parameter to the second communication device.
• the first communication device also comprises any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the second plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the second plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the controller is configured to: select a subset of antennas among the second plurality of antennas based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the first communication device to transmit an indication of the selected subset of antennas to the second communication device.
• the controller is configured to: determine an estimate of a full MIMO channel between the second plurality of antennas and the first plurality of antennas based on the respective channel measurements, and select the subset of antennas among the second plurality of antennas based on the estimate of the full MIMO channel.
• the consecutive training packets were transmitted by the second communication device in respective frequency sub-bands; and the controller is configured to: select a particular frequency sub-band based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the first communication device to transmit an indication of the selected particular frequency sub-band to the second communication device.
• a system comprises: a first
• a communication device having: a first plurality of antennas, a first plurality of radio- frequency (RF) chains, and a first controller configured to: cause the first
• the system also comprises a second communication device having: a second plurality of antennas, a second plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains, and a second controller configured to: determine, based on the power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to the consecutive training packets received via the second plurality of RF chains, select a transmit parameter based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the second communication device to transmit the selected transmit parameter to the first communication device.
• RF radio-frequency
• system also comprises any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the first plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the first plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the second controller is configured to: select a subset of antennas among the first plurality of antennas based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the second communication device to transmit an indication of the selected subset of antennas to the first communication device.
• the second controller is configured to: determine an estimate of a full MIMO channel between the first plurality of antennas and the second plurality of antennas based on the respective channel measurements, and select the subset of antennas among the first plurality of antennas based on the estimate of the full MIMO channel.
• the first controller is configured to cause the first communication device to utilize the selected subset of antennas when transmitting to the second communication device.
• the first controller is configured to cause the first communication device to transmit the consecutive training packets in respective frequency sub-bands; and the second controller is configured to: select a particular frequency sub-band based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the second communication device to transmit an indication of the selected particular frequency sub-band to the first communication device.
• the first controller is configured to cause the first communication device to utilize the selected particular frequency sub-band when transmitting to the second communication device.
• a method is for selecting a frequency sub-band from amongst a plurality of frequency sub-bands for use in a multiple-input- multiple-output (MIMO) system, wherein communication is between a first communication device having a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas and a second communication device having a second plurality of RF chains coupled to a second plurality of antennas.
• the method includes: receiving, at the second communication device, consecutive training packets that were transmitted by the first communication device in respective frequency sub- bands, the consecutive training packets having been produced at the first
• the method also includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the first plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• Tthe power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the first plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• Transmitting the indication of the particular frequency sub-band to the first communication device is responsive to receiving the consecutive training packets.
• a first communication device comprises: a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas; and a controller configured to: determine, based on a power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to consecutive training packets received via the first plurality of RF chains, the consecutive training packets having been i) transmitted by a second communication device having a second plurality of antennas in respective frequency sub-bands, and ii) produced at the second
• RF radio-frequency
• the communication device by applying, at the second communication device, the power level rule to a second plurality of RF chains at the second communication device, select a particular frequency sub-band based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the first communication device to transmit an indication of the particular frequency sub-band to the second communication device.
• the first communication device also includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the second plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the second plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the controller is configured to cause the first communication device to transmit the indication of the particular frequency sub-band to the second communication device responsive to the first communication device receiving the consecutive training packets.
• a system comprises: a first
• a communication device having: a first plurality of antennas, a first plurality of radio- frequency (RF) chains, and a first controller configured to: cause the first
• the system also comprises a second
• a communication device having: a second plurality of antennas, a second plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains, and a second controller configured to: determine, based on the power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to the consecutive training packets received via the second plurality of RF chains, select a particular frequency sub-band based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the second communication device to transmit an indication of the particular frequency sub-band to the first communication device.
• RF radio-frequency
• the system also includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the first plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the first plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the first controller is configured to cause the first communication device to utilize the particular frequency sub-band when transmitting to the second communication device responsive to receiving the indication of the frequency sub- band from the second communication device.
• the second controller is configured to cause the second
• a method of is for selecting a frequency sub-band from amongst a plurality of frequency sub-bands for use in a multi le-input- multiple-output (MIMO) system, wherein communication is between a first communication device having a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas and a second communication device having a second plurality of RF chains coupled to a second plurality of antennas.
• the method includes: receiving, at the second communication device, consecutive training packets that were transmitted by the first communication device in respective frequency sub- bands, the consecutive training packets having been produced at the first
• the communication device by applying, at the first communication device, a power level rule to the first plurality of RF chains; determining, at the second communication device, respective channel measurements corresponding to the consecutive training packets based on the power level rule; and transmitting, with the second
• the method also includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the first plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the first plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• a first communication device comprises: a first plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains coupled to a first plurality of antennas; and a controller configured to: determine, based on a power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to consecutive training packets received via the first plurality of RF chains, the consecutive training packets having been i) transmitted by a second communication device having a second plurality of antennas in respective frequency sub-bands, and ii) produced at the second
• RF radio-frequency
• the communication device by applying, at the second communication device, the power level rule to a second plurality of RF chains at the second communication device, and cause the first communication device to transmit the respective channel measurements to the second communication device.
• the first communication device also includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the second plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the second plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• a system comprises: a first
• a communication device having: a first plurality of antennas, a first plurality of radio- frequency (RF) chains, and a first controller configured to: cause the first
• the system also comprises a second
• a communication device having: a second plurality of antennas, a second plurality of radio-frequency (RF) chains, and a second controller configured to: determine, based on the power level rule, respective channel measurements corresponding to the consecutive training packets received via the second plurality of RF chains, and cause the second communication device to transmit the respective channel measurements to the first communication device.
• RF radio-frequency
• the system also includes any suitable combination of one or more of the following features.
• the power level rule corresponds to each of the first plurality of RF chains using the same power level for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the power level rule corresponds to the sum of the power levels applied for all RF chains in the first plurality of RF chains is constant for each of the consecutive training packets.
• the first controller is configured to: select a particular frequency sub-band based on the respective channel measurements, and cause the first communication device to utilize the particular frequency sub-band when transmitting to the second communication device responsive to selecting the particular frequency sub-band.
• At least some of the various blocks, operations, and techniques described above may be implemented in hardware, a processor executing firmware instructions, a processor executing software instructions, or any combination of hardware, and a processor executing firmware and/or software instructions.
• the software or firmware instructions may be stored in any tangible, non-transitory computer readable medium or media such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, tape drive, etc.
• the software or firmware may include machine readable instructions that are capable of causing one or more processors to perform various acts.
• the hardware may comprise one or more of discrete components, an integrated circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), etc.
• ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
• PLD programmable logic device

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• 2014
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