EP3622634A1

EP3622634A1 - Enhanced beamforming training for wireless communications

Info

Publication number: EP3622634A1
Application number: EP17909294.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudio Da Silva; Carlos Cordeiro
Original assignee: Intel Corp
Current assignee: Intel Corp
Priority date: 2017-05-08
Filing date: 2017-09-28
Publication date: 2020-03-18
Also published as: EP3622634A4; WO2018208328A1

Abstract

This disclosure describes methods, apparatus, and systems related to beamforming training. A device may send a polling frame to one or more station devices. The device may identify an uplink response from a first station device of the one or more station devices. The device may determine an optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna. The device may send one or more feedback frames to the first station device.

Description

ENHANCED BEAMFORMING TRAINING FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/503,267, filed May 8, 2017, entitled "Beamforming Training for Wireless Communication," the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for wireless communications and, more particularly, to enhanced beamforming training for wireless communications.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless devices are becoming widely prevalent and are increasingly requesting access to wireless channels. Wireless devices in a communication network may improve transmissions through efficient operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 depicts a network diagram illustrating an example network environment of a beamforming training system, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates an enhanced beamforming training sequence, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an enhanced uplink (UL) beamforming training transmission, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates enhanced beamforming training, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 5A depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for enhanced beamforming training, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 5B depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for enhanced beamforming training, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 6 depicts a functional diagram of an example communication station that may be suitable for use as a user device, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the disclosure. [0011] FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of an example machine upon which any of one or more techniques (e.g., methods) may be performed, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.

[0013] During communication between two devices, one or more frames may be sent and received. These frames may include one or more fields or symbols that may be based on IEEE 802.11 specifications, including, but not limited to, an IEEE 802. Had specification or an IEEE 802.1 lay specification.

[0014] Devices may operate in multi-user (MU) multiple-input, multiple-output (MU- MIMO) technology. MIMO technology may facilitate a multiplication of radio link capacity using multiple transmit and receive antennas to exploit multipath propagation, for example. MIMO technology may provide a practical technique for sending and receiving more than one data signal on the same radio channel at the same time via multipath propagation. MU- MIMO technology may provide a means for wireless devices to communicate with each other using multiple antennas. For example, wireless devices may transmit at the same time and frequency and still be separated by their spatial signatures. Using MU-MIMO technology, an Access Point (AP) may be able to communicate with multiple devices using multiple antennas at the same time to send and receive data. An AP operating in MU-MIMO and in a 60 GHz frequency band, for example, may utilize an MU-MIMO frame or data packet to communicate with devices serviced by that AP.

[0015] An amendment to the IEEE 802.11 specifications may define modifications to the IEEE 802.11 physical layer (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layer to enable stations operating in the license-exempt bands above 45 GHz to have a maximum throughput of approximately 100 Gbps. One of the technologies that may achieve such maximum throughput is downlink (DL) AP or a personal basic service set (PBSS) control point (PCP) to STA (e.g., AP/PCP to STA) MU-MIMO communication. However, beamforming training overhead that may be required to enable DL MU-MIMO may be significant. [0016] For example, in conventional DL beamforming training transmissions, an AP may send a frame to an STA, and the STA may respond. Based on the STA's response, the AP may determine the best antenna configuration for the STA, and may send an additional frame to the STA indicating the best antenna configuration for the STA. Such a DL beamforming training process may require significant overhead that may be reduced with an enhanced beamforming training process. In particular, an enhanced beamforming training procedure for DL MU-MIMO, in which training may be performed by using uplink (UL) (e.g., STA to AP/PCP) transmissions, may be more efficient than conventional DL beamforming training. By relying on reciprocity, the AP/PCP may estimate the necessary channel impulse responses by making measurements on UL transmissions. Existing and considered beamforming training may therefore be enhanced using UL transmissions with feedback. For example, an advantage of such a UL approach may be to bypass the need for STAs to transmit a possibly quantized version of an estimated channel impulse response to the AP/PCP in order to estimate precoding vectors to be used, and another benefit may be to improve scheduling determinations.

[0017] DL MU-MIMO beamforming training that uses UL transmissions may be used by both millimeter-wave (mmWave) systems and microwave systems (e.g., systems that operate in bands below 30 GHz). However, in contrast with DL beamforming training using UL transmissions for microwave systems, in mmWave systems (e.g., including those based in IEEE 802.11ad and IEEE 802.11ay), in addition to obtaining precoding vectors and determining station scheduling as in microwave systems, beamforming training mechanisms may also determine the optimal transmit and receive antenna configurations, such as sectors and/or Antenna Weight Vectors (AWVs). As defined in current standards, AWVs may be vectors of weights describing the excitation (e.g., amplitude and phase) for each element of an antenna array.

[0018] Beamforming training using UL transmissions may not include a feedback mechanism to notify devices of the optimal antenna configurations in part because at the end of the beamforming process, the AP/PCP may have sufficient information (e.g., specifically, the channel impulse response between the AP/PCP and each of the STAs that participate in the training) to determine precoding vectors and scheduling information. In a "conventional" (e.g., sub-6 GHz) system, this information (e.g., precoding vectors, scheduling information) may be everything that the AP/PCP may need for MU-MIMO transmissions. However, this information may not be sufficient for mmWave/60 GHz/802. llad/802.11ay systems. For mmWave systems, beamforming training may actually be performed in order to determine the optimal transmit and receive antenna configurations (e.g., sectors and/or AWVs) for the two stations. Therefore, at the end of the DL MU-MIMO beamforming training mechanism that makes use of UL transmissions, the AP/PCP may inform each STA of which receive antenna configuration (e.g., sector and/or AWV) to use.

[0019] Example embodiments described herein provide certain systems, methods, and devices for enhanced beamforming training for wireless communication in various networks, including, but not limited to, the IEEE 802.1 lay standard.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, beamforming training may include a feedback phase in the beamforming training procedure, which may enable the AP/PCP to allow and/or inform STAs of "optimal" receive antenna configurations for DL MU-MIMO transmissions. In one or more embodiments, beamforming training may be extended to a case in which the STAs involved in the beamforming training procedure have more than one directional multi-gigabit (DMG) antenna.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, in DL MU-MIMO beamforming training mechanisms that make use of UL transmissions, an AP/PCP may poll STAs to make UL transmissions that will be used by the AP/PCP to determine precoding vectors and scheduling, possibly among other relevant information. For example, the polling process can be performed by polling each STA individually, by polling multiple stations with the same frame, or even implicitly with no polling frame.

[0022] In one or more embodiments, each polled STA may make UL transmissions (e.g., to the AP/PCP that polled the STA). The UL transmission process may be performed by STAs transmitting either Sector Sweep (SSW) frames, Short Sector Sweep (S-SSW) frames, or a beam refinement protocol (BRP) frame. It should be understood that the designation of SSW/S-SSW frames/packets means that either a Sector Sweep frame/packet or a Short Sector Sweep frame/packet may be used. If using SSW/S-SSW frames, the polled STA may transmit different packets in different antenna sectors. If using BRP frames, different Training (TRN) subfields may be transmitted using different AWVs.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, an AP/PCP may receive different SSW/S-SSW packets or BRP packets sent in UL transmissions from polled STAs using different sectors/ AWVs. Based on measured data, an AP/PCP may then determine the optimal transmit sectors/A WVs for each STA, the AP/PCP optimal receive sectors/A WVs, the optimal precoding vectors, the optimal transmission scheduling, and other relevant information. At least in part due to reciprocity, for example, the optimal transmit sectors/ AWVs for each STA actually may also be the optimal sectors/ A WVs for reception. Thus, after receiving feedback from the PCP/AP, the STAs may determine the optimal sectors/ AWVs their UL transmissions.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, one or more phases may be included in DL MU- MIMO beamforming training mechanisms. The one or more phases may use feedback based on UL transmissions. The use of feedback in one or more phases of enhanced beamforming training may allow the AP/PCP to inform the STAs involved in the enhanced beamforming training which of the transmission sectors/A WVs worked best, and thus, may be used when receiving DL MU-MIMO packets. The one or more phases may include a feedback phase, which may occur during a data transmission interval (DTI).

[0025] In one or more embodiments, required feedback for DL MU-MIMO beamforming training may be transmitted as part of an "MU-MIMO selection sub-phase" for DL MU- MIMO beamforming training mechanisms that use DL transmissions (e.g., a "conventional" beamforming training scheme). In a beamforming training procedure based on UL transmissions, beamforming selection frames may also include the sectors/ A WVs that each STA may use in the reception of DL MU-MIMO frames. In addition, other mechanisms/frames may be used to implement the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, information in beamforming training feedback frames for UL transmissions may include a list and/or an indication of the received transmit DMG antennas/sectors used by the STA together with a corresponding AP/PCPs receive DMG antenna/sector and the associated quality indicated, possibly among other relevant information.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, STAs may have a single antenna or multiple antennas, and a beamforming training mechanism may be enabled to support cases in which DL MU-MIMO packets (e.g., likely corresponding to different streams) may be received using multiple antennas. In such cases, orthogonal transmissions may be used.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, UL transmissions made by the STAs to the AP/PCP as part of the DL MU-MIMO beamforming training mechanism may adhere to the following rules/procedures.

[0029] If the UL training is performed using a sector level sweep (SLS) (e.g., SSW/S- SSW frames), STAs may transmit SSW/S-SSW frames using each of their DMG antennas.

[0030] If the UL training is performed using BRP frames, STAs may transmit "individual" BRP frames using each of their DMG antennas, or STAs may transmit one or more BRP frames simultaneously, using more than one transmit (TX) DMG antenna employing orthogonal waveforms.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, in order to enable the training of multiple antennas, relevant information may need to be exchanged in an MU-MIMO beamforming training set- up procedure, including the number of simultaneous TX DMG antennas that may be used (e.g., employing orthogonal waveforms), and the order in which transmit sectors/ A WVs may be trained.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, when the UL beamforming training procedure is performed using BRP frames, the beamforming training mechanism may have to allow STAs to transmit BRP frames with orthogonal waveforms in order to train multiple transmit DMG antennas simultaneously, and thus reduce the training time.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, the feedback transmitted at the end of the UL beamforming training process may include a list and/or an indication of the received transmit DMG antennas/sectors used by the STA together with a corresponding AP/PCP receive DMG antenna/sector and the associated quality indicated, possibly among other relevant information.

[0034] The above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting. Numerous other examples, configurations, processes, etc., may exist, some of which are described in greater detail below. Example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an example network environment, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Wireless network 100 may include one or more user device(s) 120 and one or more access point(s) (AP) 102, which may communicate in accordance with IEEE 802.11 communication standards, such as IEEE 802.1 lay, mmWave, and WiGig specifications. The user device(s) 120 may be mobile devices that are non-stationary and do not have fixed locations.

[0036] In some embodiments, the user device(s) 120 and the AP 102 may include one or more computer systems similar to that of the functional diagram of FIG. 6 and/or the example machine/system of FIG. 7.

[0037] One or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may be operable by one or more user(s) 110. It should be noted that any addressable unit may be a station (STA). An STA may take on multiple distinct characteristics, each of which shape its function. For example, a single addressable unit might simultaneously be a portable STA, a quality-of- service (QoS) STA, a dependent STA, and a hidden STA. The one or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and the AP(s) 102 may be STAs. The one or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may operate as a personal basic service set (PBSS) control point/access point (PCP/AP). The user device(s) 120 (e.g., 124, 126, or 128) and/or AP 102 may include any suitable processor-driven device including, but not limited to, a mobile device or a non- mobile, e.g., a static, device. For example, user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may include, for example, a DMG device, an EDMG device, a UE, an MD, a station (STA), an access point (AP), a personal computer (PC), a wearable wireless device (e.g., bracelet, watch, glasses, ring, etc.), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an ultrabook^tm computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, an internet of things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non- vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a "carry small live large" (CSLL) device, an ultra mobile device (UMD), an ultra mobile PC (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an "origami" device or computing device, a device that supports dynamically composable computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, a set-top-box (STB), a blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a high definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a personal video recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a personal media player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a digital still camera (DSC), a media player, a smartphone, a television, a music player, or the like.

[0038] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may be configured to communicate with each other via one or more communications networks 130 and/or 135 wirelessly or wired. Any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include, but not limited to, any one of a combination of different types of suitable communications networks such as, for example, broadcasting networks, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, cellular networks, or any other suitable private and/or public networks. Further, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may have any suitable communication range associated therewith and may include, for example, global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal area networks (PANs). In addition, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include any type of medium over which network traffic may be carried including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted-pair wire, optical fiber, a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) medium, microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication mediums, white space communication mediums, ultra-high frequency communication mediums, satellite communication mediums, or any combination thereof.

[0039] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may include one or more communications antennae. Communications antenna may be any suitable type of antenna corresponding to the communications protocols used by the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 124 and 128), and AP 102. Some non-limiting examples of suitable communications antennas include Wi-Fi antennas, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards compatible antennas, directional antennas, non-directional antennas, dipole antennas, folded dipole antennas, patch antennas, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, or the like. The communications antenna may be communicatively coupled to a radio component to transmit and/or receive signals, such as communications signals to and/or from the user device(s) 120.

[0040] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and/or AP 102 may include any suitable radio and/or transceiver for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in the bandwidth and/or channels corresponding to the communications protocols utilized by any of the user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 to communicate with each other. The radio components may include hardware and/or software to modulate and/or demodulate communications signals according to pre-established transmission protocols. The radio components may further have hardware and/or software instructions to communicate via one or more Wi-Fi and/or Wi-Fi direct protocols, as standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards. In certain example embodiments, the radio component, in cooperation with the communications antennas, may be configured to communicate via 2.4 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11b, 802.1 lg, 802.11η, 802.1 lax), 5 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11η, 802.11ac, 802.1 lax), or 60 GHZ channels (e.g. 802.1 lad). In some embodiments, non- Wi-Fi protocols may be used for communications between devices, such as Bluetooth, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) (e.g. IEEE 802.1 laf, IEEE 802.22), white band frequency (e.g., white spaces), or other packetized radio communications. The radio component may include any known receiver and baseband suitable for communicating via the communications protocols. The radio component may further include a low noise amplifier (LNA), additional signal amplifiers, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, one or more buffers, and digital baseband.

[0041] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 60GHz. However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the mmWave frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequency band of between 20Ghz and 300GHZ, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.

[0042] The phrases "directional multi-gigabit (DMG)" and "directional band" (DBand), as used herein, may relate to a frequency band wherein the channel starting frequency is above 45 GHz. In one example, DMG communications may involve one or more directional links to communicate at a rate of multiple gigabits per second, for example, at least 1 Gigabit per second, 7 Gigabit per second, or any other rate.

[0043] In some demonstrative embodiments, user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more specifications, for example, including, one or more IEEE 802.11 specifications, e.g., an IEEE 802.1 lay specification, and/or any other specification and/or protocol. For example, an amendment to a DMG operation in the 60 GHz band, e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 ad Standard, may be defined, for example, by an IEEE 802.1 lay project.

[0044] Some communications over a wireless communication band, for example, a DMG band may be performed over a single channel bandwidth (BW). For example, the IEEE 802.1 lad specification defines a 60 GHz system with a single BW of 2.16 GHz, which is to be used by all STAs for both transmission and reception.

[0045] In some demonstrative embodiments, AP 102 and/or user devices 120 may be configured to implement one or more mechanisms, which may, for example, enable to extend a single-channel BW scheme, e.g., according to the IEEE 802.1 lad specification, for higher data rates and/or increased capabilities.

[0046] Some specifications, e.g., an IEEE 802.11 specification, may be configured to support a single user (SU) system, in which an STA cannot transmit frames to more than a single STA at a time. Such specifications may not be able, for example, to support an STA transmitting to multiple STAs simultaneously, for example, using an MU-MIMO scheme, e.g., a downlink (DL) MU-MIMO, or any other MU scheme.

[0047] In some demonstrative embodiments, user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may be configured to implement one or more Multi-User (MU) mechanisms. For example, user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may be configured to implement one or more MU mechanisms, which may be configured to enable MU communication of Downlink (DL) frames using a MIMO scheme, for example, between a device, e.g., AP 102, and a plurality of user devices, e.g., including user device(s) 120 and/or one or more other devices.

[0048] In some demonstrative embodiments, and/or AP 102 may be configured to communicate over a Next Generation 60 GHz (NG60) network, an Extended DMG (EDMG) network, and/or any other network. For example, and/or AP 102 may be configured to communicate MIMO, e.g., DL MU-MIMO, transmissions and/or use channel bonding, for example, for communicating over the NG60 and/or EDMG networks.

[0049] In some demonstrative embodiments, and/or AP 102 may be configured to support one or more mechanisms and/or features, for example, channel bonding, single user (SU) MIMO, and/or and multi user (MU) MIMO, for example, in accordance with an EDMG Standard, an IEEE 802. Hay standard and/or any other standard and/or protocol.

[0050] In one embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, an initiator (e.g., AP 102) may be configured to communicate with one or more responders (e.g., non-AP STAs, such as, user devices 120).

[0051] For example, in order for the AP 102 to establish communication with two devices (e.g., user device 124 and user device 128), the AP 102 may need to perform beamforming training with the user device 124 and the user device 128 using beams 104 and 106. The AP 102 may transmit one or more SSW frames over different antenna sectors defined by the one providing high signal quality between the AP 102 and the user device 124 and the user device 128. However, the SSW frames may reach the user device 126.

[0052] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates an enhanced beamforming training sequence 200, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, an AP 202 may perform the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200 with an STA 204. The enhanced beamforming training sequence 200 may use UL training transmissions with SLS (e.g., SSW/S-SSW frames) or with BRP frames. [0055] In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 may poll nearby STAs, such as STA 204, by sending a polling frame 206. The STA 204 may be polled individually, or the polling frame 206 may be sent to all nearby STAs, including STA 204 (e.g., all STAs may be polled by a common polling frame such as polling frame 206). Also, the polling frame 206 may be omitted, and STA 204 may be polled implicitly (e.g., in a manner defined by a wireless specification such as IEEE 802. Hay).

[0056] In one or more embodiments, in response to receiving the polling frame 206, STA 204 may send a polling response frame 208 to the AP 202. The AP 202 may receive the polling response frame 208 using antenna configuration 210. Once STA 204 has been polled, the AP 202 is aware that STA 204 may participate in the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200.

[0057] In one or more embodiments, the polling frame 206 may indicate to the STA 204 to send one or more training packets in one or more UL transmissions for the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200. Using one or more UL transmissions from the STA 204, the AP 202 and the STA 204 may perform the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200. In response to the polling frame 206, for example, the STA 204 may send one or more frames 212 using one or more DMG antennas (see FIG. 3) associated with the STA 204. The UL transmission of frames 212 may use SLS (e.g., SSW/S-SSW frames) or BRP frames.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the frames 212 sent by the STA 204 may be SLS frames (e.g., SSW frames or S-SSW frames). The STA 204 may transmit one or more SSW or S-SSW frames using each DMG antenna on the STA 204. The AP 202 may receive the frames 212 with different antenna configurations 214 (e.g., each of the SSW or S-SSW frames using each DMG antenna of the STA 204 may be received using each antenna configuration 214 as explained further below with regard to FIG. 3).

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the frames 212 sent by the STA 204 may be BRP frames. If the UL training is performed using BRP frames, the STA 204 may transmit frames 212 with each DMG antenna configuration of the STA 204, or the STA 204 may transmit frames 212 simultaneously using each TX DMG antenna configuration by using orthogonal waveforms as discussed further below with regard to FIG. 4.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 may receive frames 212 using antenna configurations 214 (e.g., each sector and/or AWV of the AP 202). Because the frames 212 may have been sent from the STA 204 using each DMG antenna configuration of the STA 204, the AP 202 may be able to determine optimal antenna configurations to use for communication between the AP 202 and the STA 204 (e.g., optimal transmit sectors/AWVs for the STA 204, optimal receive sectors/AWVs for the AP 202, optimal precoding vectors, optimal transmission scheduling, and other optimal configuration information). For example, relying on reciprocity, optimal transmit sectors/AWVs for the STA 204 may also be the optimal sectors/AWVs for reception. Therefore, the STA 204 may be aware of the optimal sectors/AWVs in the UL transmission(s). In addition, the optimal receive sectors/AWVs for the STA 204 may be used when receiving DL MU-MIMO frames.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, in a conventional (e.g., sub-6 GHz) system, precoding vectors and scheduling information, which may be determined using a channel impulse response in a DL beamforming training sequence, may be sufficient for the AP 202 to define MU-MIMO transmissions. However, in mmWave systems, beamforming training may be performed to at least determine the optical transmit and receive antenna configurations for the STA 204 to use. Therefore, the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200 using UL transmissions from the STA 204 may require the AP 202 to inform the STA 204 of the optimal antenna configuration(s).

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the AP 202 may send a feedback frame 216 to the STA 204 after determining the optimal antenna configuration(s). The feedback frame 216 may be sent as part of an MU-MIMO selection sub-phase for DL MU-MIMO beamforming training mechanisms that use DL transmissions (e.g., conventional beamforming schemes). When using UL transmissions for beamforming training, such as the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200, the feedback frame 216 may indicate the sectors/AWVs that the STA 204 may use for receiving DL MU-MIMO frames. For example, the feedback frame 216 may include a list and/or an indication of the received transmit DMG antennas/sectors used by the STA 204 along with the corresponding receive DMG antenna/sector of the AP 202, quality indicator(s), and other relevant transmission and configuration information. The STA 204 may receive the feedback frame 216 using antenna configuration 218. Using the information provided in the feedback frame 216, the STA 204 may configure its receive antenna for optimal reception of subsequent DL MU-MIMO transmissions from the AP 202.

[0063] In one or more embodiments, medium time within a DMG basic service set (BSS) may be divided into beacon intervals. Subdivisions within a beacon interval may be known as access periods. Different access periods within a beacon interval may have different access rules. Access periods may be described in a schedule that may be communicated by an AP to STAs within the BSS. For example, the schedule may include a beacon transmission interval (BTI) 220 access period. The BTI 220 may be an access period during which one or more DMG beacon frames are transmitted. A non-AP STA (e.g., STA 204) may not transmit during the BTI 220 of a BSS of which the STA is a member. The schedule may also include an association beamforming training (A-BFT) 222 access period. The A- BFT 222 may be an access period during which beamforming training is performed with an STA that has transmitted a DMG beacon frame during a preceding BTI 220. The A-BFT 222 may be optional, and may be signaled in a DMG beacon frame. The DTI 224 may follow the BTI 220 and the A-BFT 222, and may be the time when the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200 is performed.

[0064] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates an enhanced UL beamforming training transmission 300, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, an AP 302 may perform enhanced beamforming training (e.g., the enhanced beamforming training sequence 200 of FIG. 2) with an STA 304. In an mmWave system, the enhanced beamforming training may use the enhanced UL beamforming training transmission 300, which may include one or more UL transmissions (e.g., transmissions from a non-AP STA to an AP in the BSS).

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the AP 302 may have one or more antenna configurations (e.g., sectors/AWVs 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318). The STA 304 may also have one or more antenna configurations (e.g., sectors/AWVs 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332). In UL transmissions for the enhanced beamforming training, the STA 304 may send one or more beamforming training frames 334 to the AP 302 using one or more STA antenna configurations (e.g., sectors/AWVs 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332). The one or more frames may be SLS (e.g., SSW/S-SSW frames) or BRP frames.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, the one or more beamforming training frames 334 may be part of an SLS. The beamforming training frames 334 may be sent using each DMG antenna configuration. For example, when the STA 304 has seven antenna configurations (e.g., sectors/AWVs 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332), the STA 304 may send seven beamforming training frames 334, one for each sector/ A WV.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the one or more beamforming training frames 334 may be BRP frames. The BRP frames may each have a TRN field, and the respective TRN fields may be composed of TRN subfields that may be transmitted and/or received using different AWVs, thus enabling beamforming training.

[0070] In one or more embodiments, the AP 302 may receive the one or more beamforming training frames 334 using each antenna configuration (e.g., sectors/AWVs 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318). For example, if the AP 302 has seven antenna configurations, each of the one or more frames may be received using each of the one or more antenna configurations of the AP 302. For example, if the STA 304 uses seven antenna configurations to transmit the one or more beamforming training frames 334 in a UL beamforming training sequence, and if the AP 302 uses seven antenna configurations to receive the UL beamforming training frames (e.g., the one or more beamforming training frames 334), then 49 UL transmissions may be required for the enhanced beamforming training transmission 300 (e.g., a UL transmission sequence using sector/ AWV 320 may be made seven times - one for each sector/ AWV of the AP 302 - and so on). The AP 302 may receive beamforming training frames 334 directionally or using a quasi-omni antenna pattern. The AP 302 and the STA 304 may use any number of antenna configurations.

[0071] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0072] FIG. 4 illustrates enhanced beamforming training for devices having more than one antenna, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0073] In one or more embodiments, an STA 400 device may have more than one antenna (e.g., antennas 402 and 404). Each antenna may have one or more antenna configurations (e.g., sectors/ A WVs). For example, antenna 402 may have antenna configurations (e.g., AWV 406 and AWV 408) for UL transmissions in enhanced beamforming training, and antenna 404 may have antenna configurations (e.g., AWV 410 and AWV 412) for UL transmissions in the enhanced beamforming training.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the STA 400 may have a first antenna 402 and a second antenna 404. Antenna 402 may transmit frames using channel 414 and channel 416. Antenna 404 may transmit frames using channel 418 and channel 420. Channel 414, channel 416, channel 418, and channel 420 may be used to transmit frames between the STA 400 and the AP 422, which may include a first receive antenna (RX) 424 and a second RX 426. For example, antenna 402 may transmit UL frames (e.g., the one or more beamforming training frames 334 in FIG. 3) for each of AWV 406 and AWV 408. The UL transmissions from antenna 402 may be made to each receive antenna (e.g., RX 424 and RX 426) at an AP (e.g., AP 302 of FIG. 3). The UL transmissions for AWV 406 and for AWV 408 may be sent via channel 414 to RX 424, and the UL transmissions for antenna configuration 406 and for antenna configuration 408 may be sent via channel 416 to RX 426. The UL transmissions from antenna 404 may be made to RX 424 and to RX 426 as well. The UL transmissions for AWV 410 and for AWV 412 may be sent via channel 418 to RX 424, and the UL transmissions for AWV 410 and for AWV 412 may be sent via channel 420 to RX 426. The UL transmissions for devices with multiple antennas may therefore be orthogonal.

[0075] In one or more embodiments, if the UL transmissions use one or more SSW/S- SSW frames, the same AWV is used for the complete frame. For example, one or more SSW/S-SSW frames may be transmitted using antenna 402 using AWV 406. SSW/S-SSW frames may be transmitted using antenna 402 using AWV 408. SSW/S-SSW frames may be transmitted using antenna 404 using AWV 410. SSW/S-SSW frames may be sent using antenna 404 using AWV 412. There may be no change to AWVs during the transmission of SSW/S-SSW frames.

[0076] In one or more embodiments, if the UL transmissions use BRP frames, different AWVs may be used in the transmission of TRN subfields that compose the TRN field of the BRP frame. The changing of the AWV used in the transmission and/or reception of BRP frames may be different than the transmission of SSW/S-SSW frames where the AWVs are not changed during transmissions. For example, a BRP frame may be transmitted using antenna 402 using AWV 406 and AWV 408, and the AWV may be changed during the transmission of the BRP frame. A BRP frame may be transmitted using antenna 404 using AWV 410 and AWV 412, and the AWV may be changed during the transmission of the BRP frame. Also, one or more BRP frames may be transmitted simultaneously with antenna 402 (e.g., using AWV 406 and AWV 408) and antenna 404 (e.g., using AWV 410 and AWV 412), and the AWVs may change during the transmission of the BRP frame.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, if the UL transmissions use BRP frames, the BRP frames may be transmitted simultaneously using antenna 402 and antenna 404 by implementing orthogonal waveforms.

[0078] In one or more embodiments, to enable the training of both antenna 402 and antenna 404 (e.g., multiple antennas of the STA 400), certain information may need to be exchanged during an MU-MIMO beamforming training procedure. Such information may include a number of simultaneous TX DMG antennas that may be used (e.g., implementing orthogonal waveforms), and an order in which to transmit sectors/A WVs.

[0079] In one or more embodiments, when UL beamforming training uses BRP frames, the beamforming training may need to allow antenna 402 and antenna 404 to transmit the

BRP frames with orthogonal waveforms to train both antenna 402 and antenna 404 simultaneously, thereby reducing training time.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the training of antenna 402 and of antenna 404 may be based at least in part on feedback (e.g., feedback frame 216 of FIG. 2). A feedback frame from the AP 422 having RX 424 and RX 426 may include a list and/or indication of the received TX DMG antennas/sectors (e.g., AWV 406, AWV 408, AWV 410, and AWV 412), the corresponding RX DMG antennas/sectors (e.g., RX 424 and RX 426), and other relevant transmission and configuration information.

[0081] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0082] FIG. 5A depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process 500 for enhanced beamforming training, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0083] At block 502, one or more processors of a device (e.g., the AP 102 of FIG. 1) may cause the device to send a polling frame to one or more polled devices (e.g., user devices 120 of FIG. 1). Polling of devices may include determining which devices are available and what their status is. Polling of devices may include indicating to the devices that the devices should make UL transmissions that may be used to determine precoding vectors, scheduling, and other information. Polling may include individually polling each device with different frames or polling multiple devices with a common frame. Also, implicit polling of devices may be performed without a polling frame (e.g., as defined in a standard such as IEEE 802.1 lay).

[0084] At block 504, the one or more processors of the device may receive and identify UL responses that may be sent by an antenna of a polled device. A polled device may transmit SSW/S-SSW frames or BRP frames. If a polled device uses SSW/S-SSW frames, the polled device may transmit one or more frames using each DMG antenna of the polled device without changing AWVs during transmissions. If a polled device uses BRP frames, the polled device may transmit different BRP frames having TRN fields, and the respective TRN fields may be composed of TRN subfields that may be transmitted and/or received using different AWVs, thus enabling beamforming training.

[0085] At block 506, the one or more processors of the device may determine an optimal antenna configuration. The device may receive the different SSW/S-SSW frames or BRP frames in block 504 using different sectors/ AWVs or using a quasi-omni antenna pattern. Based on measured data, the device may then determine the optimal transmit sectors/ AWVs for one or more antennas of one or more polled devices that send a response received at block 504. The device may also determine optimal transmission scheduling and other information. By relying on reciprocity, for example, the optimal transmit sectors/ AWVs for each polled device may also be the optimal sectors/ AWVs for reception. Thus, the polling device may determine which sectors/ A WVs worked best in the UL transmissions of the enhanced beamforming training.

[0086] At block 508, the one or more processors of the device may cause the device to send one or more feedback frames (e.g., feedback frame 216 of FIG. 2) to the antenna of the polled device indicating the optimal antenna configuration determined at block 506. The feedback frames may be transmitted as part of an MU-MIMO selection sub-phase for DL MU-MIMO beamforming training that uses DL transmissions. When using the UL transmissions (e.g., the UL responses of block 504), the feedback frames may include the sectors/ AWVs that each polled device may use in subsequent reception of DL MU-MIMO frames sent by the polling device. Also, the information included in the feedback frames may include a list and/or an indication of of TX DMG antennas/sectors used by the polled device in the UL transmissions, along with the corresponding polling device RX DMG antennas/sectors, an associated transmission reception quality, and other relevant beamforming training information.

[0087] FIG. 5B depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process 550 for enhanced beamforming training, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0088] At block 552, one or more processors for a polled device (e.g., user devices 120 in FIG. 1) may identify a polling message. The polling message may contain a request for information associated with one or more antenna configurations of the polled device. When the polled device receives the polling message, the polled device may respond with information associated with its antenna configuration(s). The polling message may have been sent from a polling device (e.g., AP 102 of FIG. 1) in a network. Polling devices may trigger UL transmissions that may be used to determine precoding vectors, scheduling, and other information. Polling of devices may include determining which devices are available and what their status is. Polling devices may include indicating to the devices to make UL transmissions that may be used to determine precoding vectors, scheduling, and other information. Polling may include individually polling each device with different frames, polling multiple devices with a common frame, or even implicitly polling devices without a polling frame. The polling frame(s) sent to the polled device may indicate a request to the polled device to send UL beamforming training frames to the polling device.

[0089] At block 554, one or more processors for the polled device may cause the polled device to send one or more responses. The response may be a UL transmission to the polling device, and may be sent using SSW/S-SSW frames or BRP frames. If the polled device uses SSW/S-SSW frames, the polled device may transmit one or more frames using each DMG antenna of the polled device without changing AWVs during transmissions. If a polled device uses BRP frames, the polled device may transmit different BRP frames having TRN fields, and the respective TRN fields may be composed of TRN subfields that may be transmitted and/or received using different AWVs, thus enabling beamforming training. The one or more processors for the polled device also may determine the antennas and antenna configurations (e.g., sectors or AWVs) used by the polled device. When the polled device sends one or more responses to the polling device, the responses may include an indication of the antennas and/or antenna configurations. Based on the antennas and/or antenna configurations used by the polled device, a polling device may be able to determine one or more optimal antenna configurations for the polled device.

[0090] At block 556, one or more processors for the polled device (e.g., an STA) may identify a frame indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations for the polled device. The one or more frames may be sent by the polling device to which the polled device sent the one or more UL transmissions. The one or more frames sent by the polling device may identify optimal antenna configurations based on, for example, how many antennas the polled device has. The polling device (e.g., an AP/PCP) may determine the optimal antenna configurations. The polling device may also determine optimal transmission scheduling and other information. By relying on reciprocity, for example, the optimal transmit sectors/ AWVs for each polled device may also be the optimal sectors/A WVs for reception. Thus, the polling device may determine the optimal sectors/ A WVs in the UL transmissions of the enhanced beamforming training. The one or more frames identified by the polled device may be feedback frames. The feedback frames may be transmitted by the polling device as part of an MU-MIMO selection sub-phase for DL MU-MIMO beamforming training that uses DL transmissions. When using the UL transmissions, the feedback frames may include the sectors/ A WVs that each polled device may use in subsequent reception of DL MU- MIMO frames sent by the polling device. Also, the information included in the feedback frames may include a list and/or an indication of TX DMG antennas/sectors used by the polled device in the UL transmissions, along with the corresponding polling device RX DMG antennas/sectors, an associated transmission reception quality, and other relevant beamforming training information.

[0091] At block 558, one or more processors for the polled device may implement the optimal antenna configurations indicated by the one or more feedback frames sent by the polling device. The optimal antenna configurations may include optimal antenna sectors/ AWVs for the polled device to use in communication with the polling device. If the polled device has multiple antennas, the polled device may have multiple optimal antenna configurations to implement.

[0092] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary communication station 600 in accordance with some embodiments. In one embodiment, FIG. 6 illustrates a functional block diagram of a communication station that may be suitable for use as an AP 102 (FIG. 1) or user device 120 (FIG. 1) in accordance with some embodiments. The communication station 600 may also be suitable for use as a handheld device, a mobile device, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptop computer, a wearable computer device, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber station, an access point, an access terminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device.

[0094] The communication station 600 may include communications circuitry 602 and a transceiver 610 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from other communication stations using one or more antennas 601. The transceiver 610 may be a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver that are combined and share common circuitry (e.g., communication circuitry 602). The communication circuitry 602 may include amplifiers, filters, mixers, analog to digital and/or digital to analog converters. The transceiver 610 may transmit and receive analog or digital signals. The transceiver 610 may allow reception of signals during transmission periods. This mode is known as full-duplex, and may require the transmitter and receiver to operate on different frequencies to minimize interference between the transmitted signal and the received signal. The transceiver 610 may operate in a half- duplex mode, where the transceiver 610 may transmit or receive signals in one direction at a time.

[0095] The communications circuitry 602 may include circuitry that can operate the physical layer (PHY) communications and/or media access control (MAC) communications for controlling access to the wireless medium, and/or any other communications layers for transmitting and receiving signals. The communication station 600 may also include processing circuitry 606 and memory 608 arranged to perform the operations described herein. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry 602 and the processing circuitry 606 may be configured to perform operations detailed in detailed in FIGs. 2, 3, 4, 5A, and 5B.

[0096] In accordance with some embodiments, the communications circuitry 602 may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium and configure frames or packets for communicating over the wireless medium. The communications circuitry 602 may be arranged to transmit and receive signals. The communications circuitry 602 may also include circuitry for modulation/demodulation, upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 606 of the communication station 600 may include one or more processors. In other embodiments, two or more antennas 601 may be coupled to the communications circuitry 602 arranged for sending and receiving signals. The memory 608 may store information for configuring the processing circuitry 606 to perform operations for configuring and transmitting message frames and performing the various operations described herein. The memory 608 may include any type of memory, including non-transitory memory, for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, the memory 608 may include a computer-readable storage device, read-only memory (ROM), random- access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices and other storage devices and media.

[0097] In some embodiments, the communication station 600 may be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), a wearable computer device, or another device that may receive and/or transmit information wirelessly.

[0098] In some embodiments, the communication station 600 may include one or more antennas 601. The antennas 601 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas, or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some embodiments, instead of two or more antennas, a single antenna with multiple apertures may be used. In these embodiments, each aperture may be considered a separate antenna. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectively separated for spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result between each of the antennas and the antennas of a transmitting station.

[0099] In some embodiments, the communication station 600 may include one or more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screen including a touch screen.

[00100] Although the communication station 600 is illustrated as having several separate functional elements, two or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. For example, some elements may include one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio- frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements of the communication station 600 may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[00101] Certain embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Other embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein. A computer-readable storage device may include any non-transitory memory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a computer-readable storage device may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices and media. In some embodiments, the communication station 600 may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device memory.

[00102] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a machine 700 or system upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may be performed. In other embodiments, the machine 700 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 700 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 700 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environments. The machine 700 may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a wearable computer device, a web appliance, a network router, a switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine, such as a base station. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), or other computer cluster configurations.

[00103] Examples, as described herein, may include or may operate on logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations when operating. A module includes hardware. In an example, the hardware may be specifically configured to carry out a specific operation (e.g., hardwired). In another example, the hardware may include configurable execution units (e.g., transistors, circuits, etc.) and a computer readable medium containing instructions where the instructions configure the execution units to carry out a specific operation when in operation. The configuring may occur under the direction of the executions units or a loading mechanism. Accordingly, the execution units are communicatively coupled to the computer- readable medium when the device is operating. In this example, the execution units may be a member of more than one module. For example, under operation, the execution units may be configured by a first set of instructions to implement a first module at one point in time and reconfigured by a second set of instructions to implement a second module at a second point in time.

[00104] The machine (e.g., computer system) 700 may include a hardware processor 702 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 704 and a static memory 706, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 708. The machine 700 may further include a power management device 732, a graphics display device 710, an alphanumeric input device 712 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 714 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the graphics display device 710, alphanumeric input device 712, and UI navigation device 714 may be a touch screen display. The machine 700 may additionally include a storage device (i.e., drive unit) 716, a signal generation device 718 (e.g., a speaker), an Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719, a network interface device/transceiver 720 coupled to antenna(s) 730, and one or more sensors 728, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 700 may include an output controller 734, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, a card reader, etc.)). [00105] The storage device 716 may include a machine readable medium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 724 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 704, within the static memory 706, or within the hardware processor 702 during execution thereof by the machine 700. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 702, the main memory 704, the static memory 706, or the storage device 716 may constitute machine- readable media.

[00106] The Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may carry out or perform any of the operations and processes (e.g., processes 500 of FIG. 5A and 550 of FIG. 5B) described and shown above.

[00107] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may send a polling frame to one or more other devices in a network.

[00108] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may identify one or more uplink responses from an antenna of one or more other devices (e.g., polled devices).

[00109] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may determine a respective optimal antenna configuration for each antenna of one or more other devices.

[00110] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may send one or more frames to one or more antennas of the other devices indicating respective optimal antenna configurations for each antenna of the respective other devices.

[00111] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may identify one or more SSW/S-SSW frames. The SSW/S-SSW frames may be sent using AWVs of the sending device.

[00112] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may identify one or more BRP frames. The BRP frames may each have a TRN field, and the respective TRN fields may be composed of TRN subfields that may be transmitted and/or received using different AWVs, for example, thus, enabling beamforming training.

[00113] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may identify a polling message.

[00114] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may determine a number of antennas used by the device and/or the antenna configurations used by the device. [00115] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may send a response to a polling device.

[00116] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may identify frames indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations.

[00117] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may implement one or more optimal antenna configurations.

[00118] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may generate a list and/or an indication of antennas and sectors used by the device.

[00119] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may send the list and/or an indication of antennas and sectors used by the device to a polling device.

[00120] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may send one or more SSW/S-SSW frames. The SSW/S-SSW frames may be sent using AWVs of the device.

[00121] In one or more embodiments, the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may send one or more BRP frames. The BRP frames may each have a TRN field, and the respective TRN fields may be composed of TRN subfields that may be transmitted and/or received using different AWVs, for example, thus, enabling beamforming training.

[00122] It is understood that the above are only a subset of what the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719 may be configured to perform and that other functions included throughout this disclosure may also be performed by the Enhanced Beamforming Training device 719.

[00123] While the machine -readable medium 722 is illustrated as a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 724.

[00124] Various embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in software and/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form of instructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by one or more processors to enable performance of the operations described herein. The instructions may be in any suitable form, such as but not limited to source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such a computer-readable medium may include any tangible non-transitory medium for storing information in a form readable by one or more computers, such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; a flash memory, etc.

[00125] The term "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 700 and that cause the machine 700 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples may include solid-state memories and optical and magnetic media. In an example, a massed machine-readable medium includes a machine-readable medium with a plurality of particles having resting mass. Specific examples of massed machine-readable media may include non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD- ROM disks.

[00126] The instructions 724 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 726 using a transmission medium via the network interface device/transceiver 720 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communications networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), plain old telephone (POTS) networks, wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device/transceiver 720 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 726. In an example, the network interface device/transceiver 720 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 700 and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software. The operations and processes described and shown above may be carried out or performed in any suitable order as desired in various implementations. Additionally, in certain implementations, at least a portion of the operations may be carried out in parallel. Furthermore, in certain implementations, less than or more than the operations described may be performed.

[00127] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The terms "computing device," "user device," "communication station," "station," "handheld device," "mobile device," "wireless device" and "user equipment" (UE) as used herein refers to a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptop computer, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber station, an access point, a printer, a point of sale device, an access terminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device. The device may be either mobile or stationary.

[00128] As used within this document, the term "communicate" is intended to include transmitting, or receiving, or both transmitting and receiving. This may be particularly useful in claims when describing the organization of data that is being transmitted by one device and received by another, but only the functionality of one of those devices is required to infringe the claim. Similarly, the bidirectional exchange of data between two devices (both devices transmit and receive during the exchange) may be described as "communicating," when only the functionality of one of those devices is being claimed. The term "communicating" as used herein with respect to a wireless communication signal includes transmitting the wireless communication signal and/or receiving the wireless communication signal. For example, a wireless communication unit, which is capable of communicating a wireless communication signal, may include a wireless transmitter to transmit the wireless communication signal to at least one other wireless communication unit, and/or a wireless communication receiver to receive the wireless communication signal from at least one other wireless communication unit.

[00129] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third," etc., to describe a common object, merely indicates that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[00130] The term "access point" (AP) as used herein may be a fixed station. An access point may also be referred to as an access node, a base station, or some other similar terminology known in the art. An access terminal may also be called a mobile station, user equipment (UE), a wireless communication device, or some other similar terminology known in the art. Embodiments disclosed herein generally pertain to wireless networks. Some embodiments may relate to wireless networks that operate in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 standards.

[00131] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an on- board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, a wireless access point (AP), a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device, an audio device, an audio- video (A/V) device, a wired or wireless network, a wireless area network, a wireless video area network (WVAN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a personal area network (PAN), a wireless PAN (WPAN), and the like.

[00132] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a personal communication system (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable global positioning system (GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a single input multiple output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a multiple input single output (MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, digital video broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a smartphone, a wireless application protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

[00133] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems following one or more wireless communication protocols, for example, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), frequency- division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal FDM (OFDM), time-division multiplexing (TDM), time-division multiple access (TDMA), extended TDMA (E-TDMA), general packet radio service (GPRS), extended GPRS, code-division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier modulation (MDM), discrete multi-tone (DMT), Bluetooth®, global positioning system (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee, ultra-wideband (UWB), global system for mobile communications (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, fifth generation (5G) mobile networks, 3GPP, long term evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, enhanced data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems, and/or networks.

[00134] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a device. The device may include memory and processing circuitry configured to cause the device to send a polling frame to one or more station devices; identify an uplink response from a first station device of the one or more station devices, wherein the uplink response is associated with a first antenna of the first station device; determine an optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna; and cause the device to send one or more feedback frames to the first station device, wherein the one or more feedback frames indicate the optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna.

[00135] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The uplink response may include one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. To identify the uplink response may include to identify a first uplink response sent using a first AWV, and wherein the memory and processing circuitry are further configured to identify a second uplink response sent using a second AWV. The uplink response may include a BRP frame. To identify the uplink response may include to identify a first uplink response comprising a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV, and wherein the memory and processing circuitry are further configured to identify a second uplink response comprising a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The optimal antenna configuration may indicate at least one of a sector of the one or more station devices or an AWV of the one or more station devices. The device may also include a transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals. The device may also include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00136] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations that may include identifying, at a receiving device, a polling message received from a polling device; causing to send a response to the polling device using one or more antennas of the polling device; identifying a frame received from the polling device, indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations; and implementing the one or more optimal antenna configurations.

[00137] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The operations may include determining the one or more antennas used by the receiving device. Causing to send the response to the polling device may include causing to send an indication of the one or more antennas to the polling device. Causing to send the response may include causing to send one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. The polling device is an AP or a PCP, and wherein the polled device is a station device. Causing to send the one or more SSW/S-SSW frames may include causing to send a first SSW frame or a first S-SSW frame using a first AWV; and causing to send a second SSW frame or a second S-SSW frame using a second AWV. Causing to send the response may include causing to send one or more BRP frames. The one or more BRP frames may include a first BRP frame having a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV and a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The one or more optimal antenna configurations indicate at least one of a sector or an AWV.

[00138] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a method that may include causing to send, by one or more processors of a device, a polling frame to one or more station devices; identifying an uplink response from a first from a first station device of the one or more station devices, wherein the uplink response is associated with a first antenna of the first station device; determining an optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna; and causing to send one or more feedback frames to the first station device, wherein the one or more feedback frames indicate the optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna.

[00139] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The uplink response may include one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. The uplink response may include a BRP frame. Identifying the uplink response may include identifying a first uplink response sent using a first AWV, and wherein the method further may include identifying a second uplink response sent using a second AWV. Identifying the uplink response may include identifying a first uplink response comprising a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV, and wherein the method further may include identifying a second uplink response comprising a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The optimal antenna configuration indicates at least one of a sector of the one or more station devices or an AWV of the one or more station devices.

[00140] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations that may include causing to send, by one or more processors of a device, a polling frame to one or more station devices; identifying an uplink response from a first from a first station device of the one or more station devices, wherein the uplink response is associated with a first antenna of the first station device; determining an optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna; and causing to send one or more feedback frames to the first station device, wherein the one or more feedback frames indicate the optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna.

[00141] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The uplink response may include one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. Identifying the uplink response may include identifying a first uplink response sent using a first AWV, and wherein the method further may include identifying a second uplink response sent using a second AWV. The uplink response may include a BRP frame. Identifying the uplink response may include identifying a first uplink response comprising a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV, and wherein the method further may include identifying a second uplink response comprising a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The optimal antenna configuration indicates at least one of a sector of the one or more station devices or an AWV of the one or more station devices.

[00142] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for causing to send, by one or more processors of the apparatus, a polling frame to one or more station devices; means for identifying an uplink response from a first from a first station device of the one or more station devices, wherein the uplink response is associated with a first antenna of the first station device; means for determining an optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna; and means for causing to send one or more feedback frames to the first station device, wherein the one or more feedback frames indicate the optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna.

[00143] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The uplink response may include one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. The means for identifying the uplink response may include means for identifying a first uplink response sent using a first AWV, and wherein the apparatus further may include means for identifying a second uplink response sent using a second AWV. The uplink response may include a BRP frame. The means for identifying the uplink response may include means for identifying a first uplink response comprising a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV, and wherein the appartus further may include means for identifying a second uplink response comprising a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The optimal antenna configuration indicates at least one of a sector of the one or more station devices or an AWV of the one or more station devices.

[00144] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a method. The method may include identifying, by one or more processors at a receiving device, a polling message received from a polling device; causing to send, by the one or more processors, a response to the polling device using one or more antennas of the receiving device; identifying, by the one or more processors, a frame received from the polling device, indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations; and implementing, by the one or more processors, the one or more optimal antenna configurations.

[00145] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method may include determining the one or more antennas used by the receiving device. Causing to send the response to the polling device may include causing to send an indication of the one or more antennas to the polling device. Causing to send the response may include causing to send one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. Causing to send the one or more SSW/S-SSW frames may include: causing to send a first SSW frame or a first S-SSW frame using a first AWV; and causing to send a second SSW frame or a second S-SSW frame using a second AWV. The polling device is an AP or a PCP, and wherein the polled device is a station device. Causing to send the response may include causing to send one or more BRP frames. The one or more BRP frames may include a first BRP frame having a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV and a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The one or more optimal antenna configurations indicate at least one of a sector or an AWV.

[00146] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for identifying a polling message received from a polling device; means for causing to send a response to the polling device using one or more antennas of the apparatus; means for identifying a frame received from the polling device, indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations; and means for implementing the one or more optimal antenna configurations.

[00147] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The apparatus may include means for determining the one or more antennas used by the receiving device. The means for causing to send the response to the polling device may include means for causing to send an indication of the one or more antennas to the polling device. The means for causing to send the response may include means for causing to send one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. The means for causing to send the one or more SSW or S- SSW frames may include means for causing to send a first SSW frame or a first S-SSW frame using a first AWV; and means for causing to send a second SSW frame or a second S- SSW frame using a second AWV. The polling device is an AP or a PCP, and wherein the polled device is a station device. The means for causing to send the response may include means for causing to send one or more BRP frames. The one or more BRP frames may include a first BRP frame having a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV and a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The one or more optimal antenna configurations indicate at least one of a sector or an AWV.

[00148] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a device. The device may include memory and processing circuitry configured to identify a polling message received from a polling device; cause the device to send a response to the polling device using one or more antennas of the device; identify a frame received from the polling device, indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations; and implement the one or more optimal antenna configurations.

[00149] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The memory and processing circuitry of the device may determine the one or more antennas used by the receiving device. To cause the device to send the response to the polling device may include to cause the device to send an indication of the one or more antennas to the polling device. To cause the device to send the response may include to cause the device to send one or more SSW frames or S-SSW frames. To cause the device to send the one or more SSW or S-SSW frames may include to cause the device to send a first SSW frame or a first S-SSW frame using a first AWV; and to cause the device to send a second SSW frame or a second S- SSW frame using a second AWV. The polling device is an AP or a PCP, and wherein the polled device is a station device. To cause the device to send the response may include to cause the device to send one or more BRP frames, the one or more BRP frames may include a first BRP frame having a first TRN subfield associated with a first AWV and a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV. The one or more optimal antenna configurations indicate at least one of a sector or an AWV. The device may further include a transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals. The device may also include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00150] Certain aspects of the disclosure are described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or computer program products according to various implementations. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and the flow diagrams, respectively, may be implemented by computer-executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some implementations.

[00151] These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto a special- purpose computer or other particular machine, a processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer, processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage media or memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage media produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. As an example, certain implementations may provide for a computer program product, comprising a computer- readable storage medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions implemented therein, said computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements or steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elements or steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.

[00152] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, may be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[00153] Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.

[00154] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A device, the device comprising memory and processing circuitry configured to:

cause to send a polling frame to one or more station devices;

identify an uplink response from a first station device of the one or more station devices, wherein the uplink response is associated with a first antenna of the first station device; determine an optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna; and

cause to send one or more feedback frames to the first station device, wherein the one or more feedback frames indicate the optimal antenna configuration for the first antenna.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the uplink response comprises one or more Sector Sweep (SSW) frames or Short Sector Sweep (S-SSW) frames.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein to identify the uplink response comprises to identify a first uplink response sent using a first antenna weight vector (AWV), and wherein the memory and processing circuitry are further configured to identify a second uplink response sent using a second AWV.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the uplink response comprises a beam refinement protocol (BRP) frame.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein to identify the uplink response comprises to identify a first uplink response comprising a first training (TRN) subfield associated with a first AWV, and wherein the memory and processing circuitry are further configured to identify a second uplink response comprising a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the optimal antenna configuration indicates at least one of a sector of the one or more station devices or an AWV of the one or more station devices.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations comprising: identifying, at a receiving device, a polling message received from a polling device;

causing to send a response to the polling device using one or more antennas of the receiving device;

identifying a frame received from the polling device, indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations; and

implementing the one or more optimal antenna configurations.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise determining the one or more antennas.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein causing to send the response to the polling device comprises causing to send an indication of the one or more antennas to the polling device.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein causing to send the response comprises causing to send one or more Sector Sweep (SSW) frames or Short Sector Sweep (S-SSW) frames.

13. The non- transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the polling device is an access point (AP) or a personal basic service set control point (PCP), and wherein the polled device is a station device.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein causing to send the one or more SSW or S-SSW frames comprises:

causing to send a first SSW frame or a first S-SSW frame using a first antenna weight vector (AWV); and

causing to send a second SSW frame or a second S-SSW frame using a second

AWV.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein causing to send the response comprises causing to send one or more beam refinement protocol (BRP) frames.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the one or more BRP frames comprise a first BRP frame having a first training (TRN) subfield associated with a first AWV and a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the one or more optimal antenna configurations indicate at least one of a sector or an AWV.

18. A method, comprising:

identifying, by one or more processors at a receiving device, a polling message received from a polling device;

causing to send, by the one or more processors, a response to the polling device using one or more antennas of the receiving device;

identifying, by the one or more processors, a frame received from the polling device, indicating one or more optimal antenna configurations; and

implementing, by the one or more processors, the one or more optimal antenna configurations.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining the one or more antennas.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein causing to send the response to the polling device comprises causing to send an indication of the one or more antennas to the polling device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein causing to send the response comprises causing to send one or more Sector Sweep (SSW) frames or Short Sector Sweep (S-SSW) frames.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein causing to send the one or more SSW or S-SSW frames comprises:

causing to send a second SSW frame or a second S-SSW frame using a second AWV.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the polling device is an access point (AP) or a personal basic service set control point (PCP), and wherein the polled device is a station device.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein causing to send the response comprises causing to send one or more beam refinement protocol (BRP) frames.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the one or more BRP frames comprise a first BRP frame having a first training (TRN) subfield associated with a first AWV and a second TRN subfield associated with a second AWV.