TWI632820B - Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for multi-user scheduling in wireless local-area networks - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods, devices, and computer readable media are shown for use in a wireless local area network (WLAN) for multi-user scheduling. A wireless communication device is shown to include circuitry to determine a plurality of schedules for each of a plurality of channels of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication in a wireless local area network (WLAN). Each of the plurality of schedules includes a frequency allocation for one or more communication devices. The circuit is further configurable to transmit a corresponding schedule of the one or more schedules on each of the one or more channels. Each of the plurality of schedules may include a schedule type and a user association identification (AID) list. The number of a user AID in the user AID list can be based on the schedule type.

Description

Method, device and computer readable medium for multi-user scheduling in a wireless local area network

Some embodiments relate to low overhead scheduling for efficient wireless communication including high efficiency wireless local area network (HEW) devices, and some embodiments relate to low overhead scheduling in 802.11ax.

Background of the invention

One of the topics of wireless local area networks (WLANs) is throughput and latency. The resources of the wireless medium are limited, and the user of the wireless medium continually requires the WLAN to have better performance. Therefore, a technical problem with WLAN is to improve the throughput and/or the delay time of the WLAN.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication device is specifically provided that includes circuitry for determining a plurality of orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communications in a wireless local area network (WLAN) a plurality of schedules for each of the plurality of channels, wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a frequency allocation for one or more communication devices; and transmitting the corresponding channels on the plurality of channels Wait for one or more scheduled schedules.

100‧‧‧BSS

102‧‧‧ access point

104‧‧‧HEW device

106‧‧‧Traditional devices

200‧‧‧ method

252‧‧‧Time

254, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264 ‧ ‧ time points

270‧‧‧ frequency

272‧‧‧ top

274, 276‧‧‧ channels

300‧‧‧ Schedule Type Table

302‧‧‧ Schedule type

304‧‧‧ Distribution

400‧‧‧Variable length schedule

Type 402‧‧‧

404‧‧‧Variable STA AID List

500‧‧‧ Schedule

Type 502‧‧‧

504‧‧‧STA1 AID

506‧‧‧STA2 AID

508‧‧‧STA3 AID

510‧‧‧STA4 AID

600‧‧‧ Schedule

Type 602‧‧‧

604‧‧‧STA5 AID

700‧‧‧ Schedule

Type 702‧‧‧

704‧‧‧STA1 AID

706‧‧‧STA2 AID

800‧‧‧Fixed length schedule

802‧‧‧Fixed STA AID List

900‧‧‧ Schedule

902‧‧‧STA1 AID

904‧‧‧STA2 AID

906‧‧‧STA3 AID

908‧‧‧STA4 AID

1000‧‧‧ Schedule

1002‧‧‧STA1 AID

1004‧‧‧STA2 AID

1006‧‧‧STA3 AID

1008‧‧‧STA4 AID

1100‧‧‧ Schedule

1102‧‧‧STA1 AID

1104‧‧‧STA2 AID

1106‧‧‧STA3 AID

1108‧‧‧STA4 AID

1200‧‧‧ Schedule Type Table

1202‧‧‧ Schedule type

1204‧‧‧ Distribution

1300‧‧‧ method

1354‧‧‧Time

1356‧‧‧ time

1400‧‧‧ Schedule Type Table

1402‧‧‧ Schedule type

1404‧‧‧ Distribution

1406‧‧‧Space Streaming

1500‧‧‧Fixed length schedule

Type 1502‧‧‧

1504‧‧‧Fixed STA AID List

1600‧‧‧HEW device

1601‧‧‧Transmission/receiving components

1602‧‧‧ transceiver

1604‧‧‧PHY

1606‧‧‧MAC

1608‧‧‧Process

1610‧‧‧ memory

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 2 illustrates a method for multi-user scheduling in a WLAN operation according to orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), according to an example embodiment; FIG. 3 illustrates a scheduling type according to an example embodiment. a table for indicating a schedule type in OFDMA; FIG. 4 illustrates a variable length schedule with a type and variable STA Association Identification (AID) list; FIG. 5 illustrates a schedule, It is an example of the variable length schedule of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 illustrates a schedule which is an example of the variable length schedule 400 of FIG. 4; FIG. 7 illustrates a schedule An example of the variable length schedule of FIG. 4; FIG. 8 illustrates a fixed length schedule, wherein the schedule includes a fixed length STA AID list; FIG. 9 illustrates a schedule according to an example embodiment. It is an example of a fixed length schedule; FIG. 10 illustrates a schedule thereof according to an example embodiment An example of a schedule of fixed length; 11 illustrates an example of a schedule that is a fixed length schedule, according to an example embodiment; FIG. 12 illustrates a schedule type table for indicating a schedule in OFDMA, according to another example embodiment. Figure 13 illustrates one method for multi-user scheduling in a WLAN operation according to OFDMA; Figure 14 illustrates a schedule type table for indicating a schedule in OFDMA, according to an example embodiment Type; Figure 15 illustrates a fixed length schedule with one type and variable STA AID list; and Figure 16 illustrates a HEW device in accordance with some embodiments.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

The following description and the annexed drawings are intended to be illustrative of specific embodiments Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, procedural, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or substituted for those of other embodiments. The embodiments set forth in the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents of the claims.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless network in accordance with some embodiments. The wireless network can include a basic service set (BSS) 100, which can include an access point (AP) 102, a number of HEW devices 104, and a number of legacy devices 106.

The AP 102 may be an access point (AP) that is transmitted and received using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11. The AP 102 can It is a base station. The AP 102 can use other communication protocols as well as the 802.11 protocol as will be described below. The 802.11 protocol can be 802.11ax. The 802.11 protocol may include the use of OFDMA. The 802.11 may include multi-user (MU) multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) (MU-MIMO), spatial division multiplexing (SDM), and/or spatial division multiple access (SDMA). The HEW device 104 can operate in accordance with 802.11ax and/or DensiFi. The legacy devices 106 can operate in accordance with one or more of 802.11 a/g/ag/n/ac, or another conventional wireless communication standard.

The HEW device 104 can be a wireless transmitting and receiving device, such as a cellular phone, a handheld wireless device, wireless glasses, a wireless watch, a wireless personal device, a tablet, or can be made using an 802.11 protocol such as 802.11ax or another wireless protocol. Other devices that send and receive.

The BSS 100 can operate on a primary channel and one or more secondary channels or sub-channels. The BSS 100 can include one or more APs 102. According to an embodiment, the AP 102 can communicate with one or more of the HEW devices 104 on one or more of the secondary channels or sub-channels or the primary channel 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the AP 102 communicates with the legacy devices 106 on the primary channel. In an example embodiment, the AP 102 can be configured to interact with one or more of the HEW devices 104 on one or more of the secondary channels and with only the primary channel and without utilizing any secondary channels A conventional device 106 communicates simultaneously.

The AP 102 can communicate with legacy devices 106 based on legacy IEEE 802.11 communication technology. In an example embodiment, the AP 102 may also be configured to communicate with the HEW device 104 in accordance with conventional IEEE 802.11 communication techniques. Communicate. The conventional IEEE 802.11 communication technology may refer to any IEEE 802.11 communication technology prior to IEEE 802.11ax.

In some embodiments, an HEW frame can be configured to have the same bandwidth, and the bandwidth can be 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz continuous bandwidth or an 80+80 MHz (160 MHz) discontinuous bandwidth. one of them. In some embodiments, a continuous bandwidth of 320 MHz can be used. In some embodiments, bandwidths of 1 MHz, 1.25 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz, and 10 MHz, or a combination thereof, may also be used. In these embodiments, an HEW frame can be configured to transmit a plurality of spatial streams.

In other embodiments, the AP 102, HEW device 104, and/or legacy device 106 may implement additional or different techniques, such as code division multiple access (CDMA) 2000, CDMA2000 1X, CDMA2000 EV-DO, temporary Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Temporary Standard 95 (IS-95), Temporary Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) a standard, GSM Evolution Enhanced Data Rate (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), IEEE 802.16 (ie, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), WiFi®, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth® Low Energy ( BLE), 802.15.4, proximity aware network (NAN) plans, near field communication (NFC), and/or wireless personal area network (WPAN) wireless technologies.

In an OFDMA system, such as 802.11ax, an associated HEW device 104 can operate in any of the 20 MHz sub-channels of the BSS 100 (e.g., can operate at 80 MHz). In an example embodiment, one The AP 102, HEW device 104, and legacy device 106 use carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). In some embodiments, the media access control (MAC) layer 1606 (see FIG. 16) controls access to the wireless medium.

In an example embodiment, an AP 102, HEW device 104, and legacy device 106 perform carrier sensing and can detect if the channel is idle. For example, an AP 102, HEW device 104, or legacy device 106 may use a clear channel assessment (CCA), which may include determining whether the channel is idle based on a received decibel-milliwatt (dBm) level. In an example embodiment, the physical layer (PHY) 1604 is configured to determine a CCA for an AP 102, HEW device 104, and legacy device 106.

After determining that the channel is idle, an AP 102, HEW device 104, and legacy device 106 will delay their attempts to access the channel during a evasive period to avoid collisions. In an exemplary embodiment, an AP 102, HEW device 104, and legacy device 106 determine the backoff period by first waiting for a specific period of time and then adding a random backoff time, wherein, in some embodiments, The zero and one current contention window (CS) sizes are evenly selected. A period of time can also be called a duration.

In an exemplary embodiment, an AP 102, HEW device 104, legacy device 106, accesses the channel in different ways. For example, according to some IEEE 802.11ax embodiments, an AP 102 can operate as a primary station that can be arranged to contend for a wireless medium (e.g., during a contention period) to receive exclusive use of the medium. Control is used for a HEW control cycle (ie, a transmission opportunity (TXOP)). The AP 102 can transmit a HEW master-synchronous transmission at the beginning of the HEW control period. During the HEW control, the HEW device 104 The AP 102 can communicate with a non-competitive based multiple access technology. This is in contrast to conventional Wi-Fi communications in which the legacy device 106 and, optionally, the HEW device 104 communicate according to a contention based communication technology rather than a non-competitive multiple access technology. During the HEW control, the AP 102 can communicate with the HEW device 104 using one or more HEW frames. In this HEW control cycle, legacy device 106 will avoid communication. In some embodiments, the primary-synchronous transmission may be referred to as a HEW control and scheduled transmission.

In some embodiments, the multiple access technique used in the HEW control cycle may be a scheduled OFDMA technique, although this is not required. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique can be a time division multiple access (TDMA) technique or a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) technique. In some embodiments, the multiple access technology may be an SDMA technique or an uplink MU-MIMO (UL MU-MMIO).

The AP 102 can also communicate with legacy devices 106 in accordance with conventional IEEE 802.11 communication techniques. In some embodiments, the primary station, which may be the AP 102, may also be configured to communicate with the HEW station in accordance with conventional IEEE 802.11 communication techniques during HEW control, although this is not required.

In an example embodiment, the AP 102 is configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or methods described herein, such as determining whether to adapt the channel contention setting, selecting a new one CCA value, and At least one additional new setting, transmitting an indication to change a CCA threshold, and transmitting a new one CCA value and at least one additional new setting to a HEW device 104. In an example embodiment, the HEW devices 104 are configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or methods described herein, such as generating and transmitting a low overhead schedule and receiving according to the schedule And operation.

2 illustrates a method 200 for multi-user scheduling in a WLAN operation in accordance with OFDMA, in accordance with an example embodiment.

The horizontal axis along the horizontal axis is time 252 and the frequency is 270 along the vertical axis. Along the top 272 indicates which device is transmitting. This frequency 270 can be divided into channels or sub-channels having a bandwidth. As shown, there are two channels 274, 276, which may be referred to as sub-channels, and each of the channels has a bandwidth of 20 MHz. In an exemplary embodiment, the bandwidth of the equal channels 274, 276 may be a different bandwidth, such as 10 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, or 160 MHz, and the bandwidth of the channels 274, 276 may have different sizes. . In an example embodiment, there may be more channels 274, 276. For example, the number of channels 274, 276 may correspond to one or more criteria such as an 802.11 standard or 802.11ax. For example, there can be 8 channels, each 20MHz. In an example embodiment, no STAs may be allocated in more than one 20 MHz channel unless the STA is assigned all of the 20 MHz channels. In an example embodiment, there may be multiple spatial streams depending on MU-MIMO on one or more of the channels 274,276.

The method 200 begins at time 254, the AP 102 transmitting a signal field (SIG) 202.1 on the channel 276 and a SIG 202.2 on the channel 274. The SIG 202 can be a SIG that includes information such as modulation and coding information. The SIG 202.1 includes a schedule (SCH) 204.1, while the SIG 202.2 package Includes a SCH 204.2. The SCH 204 is a schedule for indicating how the channels 274, 276 are assigned to the HEW devices 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the SCH 204s are for a HEW control cycle and, in some embodiments, for 802.11ax. The AP 102 determines the schedules 204.

The method 200 continues at time 256, wherein the HEW devices 104 transmit in the uplink in accordance with the SCHs 204.1, 204.2. The HEW devices 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 interpret the SCH 204.1, each of which is transmitted on a 5 MHz band in channel 276 in accordance with the SCH 204.1. The HEW device 104.5 interprets the SCH 204.2 and transmits it over the entire 20 MHz of the channel 274 in accordance with the SCH 204.2. The transfer cycle of the HEW devices 104 ends.

The method 200 continues at time 258 where the AP 102 transmits SIG 202.3 on channel 276 and SIG 202.4 on channel 274. SIG 202.3 includes SCH 204.3 and SIG 202.4 includes SCH 204.4. The SCH 204 is a schedule for indicating how the channels 274, 276 are assigned to the HEW devices 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the AP 102 acquires the wireless medium through a contention period prior to time 258.

The method 200 continues at time 260 where the HEW devices 104 transmit in the uplink in accordance with the SCHs 204.3, 204.4. The HEW devices 104.1, 104.2 interpret the SCH 204.3, each of which is transmitted on a 10 MHz band in channel 276 in accordance with the SCH 204.3. The HEW devices 104.5, 104, 6, 104.7, and 104.8 interpret the SCH 204.4, each of which is transmitted on the 5 MHz band in which they are allocated in channel 274 according to the SCH 204.4. The transfer cycle of the HEW devices 104 ends.

The method 200 continues at time 262 where the AP 102 transmits SIG 202.5 on channel 276 and SIG 202.6 on channel 274. SIG 202.5 includes SCH 204.5 and SIG 202.6 includes SCH 204.6. The SCH 204 is a schedule for indicating how the channels 274, 276 are assigned to the HEW devices 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the AP 102 acquires the wireless medium through a contention period prior to time 262.

The method 200 continues at time 264, where the HEW device 104.2 transmits in the uplink in accordance with the SCHs 204.5, 204.6. The HEW device 104.2 interprets the SCHs 204.5 and 204.6 and transmits them on the channels 274 and 276 in accordance with the SCH 204.5 and SCH 204.6. The transfer cycle of the HEW devices 104 ends. These SIGs 202 may be referred to as MAP-SIG 202 because of the introduction of such SCHs 204. In an example embodiment, the SCHs 204 are included in a packet different from the SIGs 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schedule type table 300 for indicating a schedule type in OFDMA, in accordance with an example embodiment. Table 300 has two rows: a schedule type 302 and an assignment 304. The schedule type 302 indicates that the assignment 304 provides a 20 MHz channel to the HEW devices 104. Schedule 1 indicates that a STA is assigned the entire 20 MHz channel. Schedule 2 indicates that the two STAs each allocate 10 MHz of the 20 MHz channel. Schedule 3 indicates that in the 20 MHz channel, two STAs each allocate 5 MHz and one STA allocates 10 MHz. Schedule 4 indicates that each of the four STAs has 5 MHz of the 20 MHz channel. As described herein, the schedule type 302 can be represented by two bits in the packet. The STAs may be represented by an AID that includes an address that uniquely identifies the STA in the BSS 100 (see Figure 1). The HEW devices 104 can be STAs. In the example In the example, the schedule type can be represented by 2 bits. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the schedule type 302 can correspond to a different allocation 304. Those skilled in the art will recognize that schedule type 302 can be extended to split the channel into smaller bandwidths, such as 2.5 MHz and 1.25 MHz.

In an example embodiment, the AP 102 and HEW device 104 may interpret the schedules differently, depending on whether there is more than one active space stream. In an exemplary embodiment, the AP 102 and the HEW device 104 interpret the types differently if there are multiple active spatial streams on the channel. In an example embodiment, the schedules may be limited to four HEW devices 104 or STAs. In an example embodiment, the type 402 includes an indication of whether the allocation is for a single stream or streams.

4-7 illustrate variable length scheduling for one channel in OFDMA, in accordance with an example embodiment. 4 depicts a variable length schedule 400 having a type 402 and a variable STA AID list 404. This type 402 can be described as being associated with FIG. The variable STA AID list 404 can be a STA AID list in which the number of STA AIDs in the list depends on the type 402.

Figure 5 depicts a schedule 500, which is an example of the variable length schedule 400 (Figure 4). This type 502 is 4, according to the schedule type table 300 of Fig. 3, which indicates that 4 STAs each receive 5 MHz. The order of the STA AIDs may indicate which portion of the 20 MHz channel the STA is assigned to. For example, schedule 500 can be schedule 204.1 of FIG. The STA1 AID 504 may represent the HEW device 104.1, the STA2 AID 506 may represent the HEW device 104.2, the STA3 AID 508 may represent the HEW device 104.3, and the STA4 AID 510 can represent HEW device 104.4. Similarly, schedule 500 can be schedule 204.4, which has a different correspondence between the STAs and HEW devices 104.

Figure 6 depicts a schedule 600 which is an example of the variable length schedule 400 (Figure 4). The type 602 is 1, according to the schedule type table 300 of FIG. 3, which instructs a STA to receive the entire 20 MHz channel. The schedule 600 can be a schedule 204.2, where the STA5 AID 604 represents the HEW device 104.5. Likewise, schedule 600 can be schedule 204.5 and schedule 204.6 with one STA5 AID 604 corresponding to HEW device 104.2.

Figure 7 depicts a schedule 700 that is an example of the variable length schedule 400 (Figure 4). This type 702 is 2, according to the schedule type table 300 of FIG. 3, which indicates that each of the two STAs receives 10 MHz. The order of the STA AIDs may indicate which portion of the 20 MHz channel the STA is assigned to. For example, schedule 700 can be schedule 204.3 of FIG. The STA1 AID 704 may represent the HEW device 104.1, and the STA2 AID 706 may represent the HEW device 104.2.

8-11 illustrate fixed length scheduling for one channel in OFDMA, in accordance with an example embodiment. 8 is a fixed length schedule 800 in which the schedule includes a fixed length STA AID list 802. The fixed length STA AID list 802 can indicate a portion of the channel assigned to the corresponding STA.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, depicted in FIG. 9 is a schedule 900 that is an example of a fixed length schedule. This schedule 900 does not have a type field. The allocation of each of the four 5 MHz channels of the channel may be within the schedule 900 of the AID The location to be instructed. For example, schedule 900 can be schedule 202.1 (FIG. 2), where STA1 AID 902 represents HEW device 104.1, STA2 AID 904 represents HEW device 104.2, STA3 AID 906 represents HEW device 104.3, and STA4 908 represents HEW device 104.4. As another example, schedule 900 may be schedule 202.4, where STA1 AID 902 represents HEW device 104.5, STA2 AID 904 represents HEW device 104.6, STA3 AID 906 represents HEW device 104.7, and HEW device 104.8 represented by STA4 908. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the order of the STAs may indicate the assignment of different portions of the channel.

According to an exemplary embodiment, depicted in FIG. 10 is a schedule 1000, which is an example of a fixed length schedule. This schedule 1000 does not have a type field. The allocation of each of the four 5 MHz of the channel can be indicated by the location of the AID within the schedule 1000. For example, schedule 1000 can be schedule 204.3 (FIG. 2), where STA1 AID 1002, 1004 represents HEW device 104.1 and STA2 1006, 1008 represents HEW device 104.2. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the order of the STAs may indicate the assignment of different portions of the channel.

According to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 11 depicts a schedule 1100 that is an example of a fixed length schedule. The schedule 1100 does not have a type field. The allocation of each of the four 5 MHz of the channel can be indicated by the location of the AID within the schedule 1000. For example, schedule 1100 can be schedule 204.2 (FIG. 2), where STA1 AIDs 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 represent HEW devices 104.5. Similarly, schedule 1100 can be a schedule of 204.5, 204.6, where STA1 AIDs 1102, 1104, 1106, 1108 represent HEW Device 104.2.

According to another example embodiment, FIG. 12 illustrates a schedule type table 1200 for indicating a schedule type in OFDMA. Table 1200 has two rows: a schedule type 1202 and an assignment 1204. The schedule type 1202 indicates that the assignment 1204 gives the HEW devices 104 a 20 MHz channel. Schedule 1 indicates that a STA is assigned the entire 20 MHz channel. Schedule 2 indicates that the two STAs each allocate 10 MHz of the 20 MHz channel. This allocation 1204 in table 1200 is limited to a minimum of 10 MHz. The STAs may be represented by an AID that includes an address that uniquely identifies the STA in the BSS 100 (see Figure 1). The HEW devices 104 can be STAs. The schedule type 1202 can be represented by one bit. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the schedule type 1202 can correspond to a different allocation 1204.

13 is a method 1300 for multi-user scheduling in OFDMA operation in accordance with OFDMA, with an alternate schedule being used instead of schedule 204.1 in FIG.

The method 1300 begins at time 1354, the AP 102 transmits a SIG 1302.1 on the channel 276 and transmits the SIG 1302.2 on the channel 274. The SIG 1302.1 includes an SCH 1304.3 and the SIG 1302.2 includes a SCH 1304.4. The SCH 204 is a schedule for indicating how the channels 274, 276 are assigned to the HEW devices 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the SCH 1304 is used for a HEW control cycle. The AP 102 can determine the schedules 1304 based on information regarding the operating bandwidth of the HEW devices 104. Moreover, the HEW devices 104 can interpret the 1304 of the SCHs with their operating bandwidth. For example, the HEW device 104.1 may not operate in the pass. All of the tones in channel 276 are assigned. In an exemplary embodiment, the HEW device 104.1 assigns an interpretation to indicate that the HEW device 104.1 is assigned the tones within the allocation as part of its operating bandwidth. Moreover, the AP 102 can determine the schedules 204 based on information regarding the operating bandwidth of the HEW devices 104. For example, the AP 102 can assign the HEW device 104.1 to the lower end of the channel 276 (as shown in Figure 13) rather than at the upper end of the channel 276 (as shown in Figure 2) because the HEW device 104.1 is at the lower end. There may be more operational tones than at the top. Alternatively, the AP 102 may have scheduled the HEW device 104.1 at the lower end, thereby allowing the HEW device 104.4 to be scheduled at the upper end of the channel 276, where the HEW device 104.4 may have more than the lower end of the channel 276 More tones.

The method 1300 continues at time 1356, and the HEW devices 104 transmit in the uplink in accordance with the SCHs 1304.3, 1304.4. The HEW devices 104.1, 104.2, 104.3, and 104.4 interpret the SCH 1304.3, each of which is transmitted on a 5 MHz band in channel 276 in accordance with the SCH 1304.3. The HEW device 104.5 interprets the SCH 1304.4 and transmits it over the entire 20 MHz of the channel 274 in accordance with the SCH 1304.4. In an exemplary embodiment, the HEW device 104 interprets the SCH 1304.3, 1304.4 based on its operating bandwidth.

In an example embodiment, the AP 102 and HEW device 104 may interpret the schedules differently, depending on whether there is more than one active space stream. In an exemplary embodiment, the AP 102 and the HEW device 104 interpret the types differently if there are multiple active spatial streams on the channel. In an example embodiment, the schedules may be limited to four HEW devices 104 Or STA. In an example embodiment, the type 402 (Fig. 4) contains an indication of whether the allocation is for a single stream or streams.

FIG. 14 illustrates a schedule type table 1400 for indicating a schedule type in OFDMA, in accordance with an example embodiment. Table 1400 has three rows: a schedule type 1402, an allocation 1404, and a spatial stream number 1406. The schedule type 1402 indicates the assignment 1404 to the HEW devices 104 a 20 MHz channel. Schedule A indicates that a STA is allocated to each spatial stream 1406 having the entire 20 MHz channel. Schedule A may indicate a number of STAs, where each STA receives one or more 20 MHz allocations in an entire spatial stream. In an example embodiment, the number of STAs may be limited to four in the schedule. Schedule B indicates that each of the two STAs is allocated 10 MHz of one or more spatial streams of the 20 MHz channel. Scheduling B may represent two pairs of STAs, in which case each pair of STAs is assigned one or more spatial streams of the 20 MHz channel and each pair of STAs is assigned 10 MHz of the spatial stream. In an example embodiment, schedule A and schedule B may be mixed. For example, four STAs can be indicated in the schedule type, and there can be four active spatial streams. Each of the two STAs can be assigned a full 20 MHz channel of a spatial stream, while the other two STAs can be allocated 10 MHz in each of the two spatial streams.

Schedule C indicates that two STAs are allocated 5 MHz, respectively, and a STA is allocated 10 MHz of the 20 MHz channel. Schedule D indicates that each of the four STAs receives 5 MHz of the 20 MHz channel. Schedules C and D may only be applicable to a spatial stream. As described herein, the schedule type 1402 can be represented by a bit in a packet. The STAs may be represented by an AID, which includes One can uniquely identify the address of the STA in the BSS 100 (refer to FIG. 1). The HEW devices 104 can be STAs. In an example embodiment, the schedule type may be represented by 2 bits. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the schedule type 1402 can correspond to a different allocation 1404. Those skilled in the art will recognize that schedule type 1402 can be extended to split the channel into smaller bandwidths, such as 2.5 MHz and 1.25 MHz, or be extended to different spatial streams using one or more rows. Process type 1402. In some embodiments, a packet similar to SCH 400 can be used to indicate the schedule based on table 1400. In some embodiments, a fixed size packet of a type similar to the SCH 1500 can be used to indicate the schedule based on the table 1400.

In an example embodiment, the AP 102 and HEW device 104 may interpret the schedules differently, depending on whether there is more than one active space stream. In an exemplary embodiment, the AP 102 and the HEW device 104 interpret the types differently if there are multiple active spatial streams on the channel. In an example embodiment, the schedules may be limited to four HEW devices 104 or STAs. In an example embodiment, the type 402 includes an indication of whether the allocation is for a single stream or streams.

Figure 15 depicts a fixed length schedule 1500 having a type 1502 and a fixed length STA AID list 1504. This type 1502 can be associated with Figures 3, 12, or 14 as described. The STA AID list 1504 may be an AID list of one STA, where the number of STA AIDs in the list is a fixed number of STAs, which may be, for example, four STAs.

Figure 16 illustrates a HEW device in accordance with some embodiments. The HEW device 1600 can be a HEW compliant device that can be arranged to One or more other HEW devices, such as HEW device 104 (FIG. 1), or AP 102 (FIG. 1), communicate with conventional device 106 (FIG. 1). The HEW device 104 and the legacy device 106 may also be referred to as HEW STAs and legacy STAs, respectively. The HEW device 600 can be adapted to operate as an AP 102 (FIG. 1) or a HEW device 104 (FIG. 1). According to an embodiment, HEW device 1600 may include, in particular, a transmit/receive component (e.g., an antenna) 1601, a transceiver 1602, a PHY 1604 circuit, and a MAC 1606 circuit. PHY 1604 and MAC 1606 may be HEW compliant layers, or may conform to one or more conventional IEEE 802.11 standards. In addition to this, the MAC 1606 can be arranged to be configurable with a PHY Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) and arranged to transmit and receive PPDUs. The HEW device 1600 can also include other hardware processing circuits 1608, and the memory 1610 can be configured to perform the various operations described herein. The processing circuit 1608 can be coupled to the transceiver 1602, which can be coupled to the transmit/receive element 1601. Although FIG. 16 depicts the processing circuit 1608 and the transceiver 1602 as separate components, the processing circuit 1608 and the transceiver 1602 can be integrated together in an electronic package or wafer.

In an example embodiment, the HEW device 104 is configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or methods described herein, such as the methods, devices, and functions described in connection with Figures 2-15. In particular, the descriptions of schedules 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and 1500; and schedule types 300, 1200, and 1400.

The PHY 1604 can be arranged to transmit the HEW PPDU. The PHY 1604 can include circuitry for modulation/demodulation, up-conversion, and down-conversion Conversion, filtering, amplification, and similar operations. In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuit 1608 can include one or more processors. The hardware processing circuit 1608 can be configured to perform functions based on instructions stored in a RAM or ROM, or based on dedicated circuitry. In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1608 can be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein for transmitting and receiving schedules.

In some embodiments, two or more antennas can be coupled to the PHY 1604 and configured to transmit and receive signals, including the transmission of the HEW packets. The HEW device 1600 can include a transceiver 1602 to transmit and receive data such as HEW PPDUs and packets, including the HEW device 1600 should adjust one of the channel contention settings based on settings included in the packet. The memory 1610 can store information for configuring other circuitry to perform the operations of configuring and transmitting the BAR and BA packets, and for performing the various operations described herein including transmitting and responding to the BAR and BA.

In some embodiments, the HEW device 1600 can be configured to communicate using OFDM communication signals over a multi-carrier communication channel. In some embodiments, HEW device 1600 can be configured to communicate in accordance with one or more specific communication standards, such as IEEE 802.11-2012, 802.11n-2009, 802.11ac-2013, 802.11ax, WLAN. The standards and/or proposed specifications, although the scope of the example embodiments is not limited in this respect, as they may also be adapted to transmit and/or receive communications in accordance with other technologies and standards. In some embodiments, the HEW device 1600 can use 4 times the symbol duration of 802.11n or 802.11ac.

In some embodiments, a HEW device 1600 can be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a PDA, a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capabilities, a network tablet, a wireless telephone, a smart phone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a medical device (eg, a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure) , a base station, a wireless standard such as a transmission/reception device of 802.11 or 802.16, or other device that can receive and/or transmit information wirelessly. In some embodiments, the mobile device can include a keyboard, a display, a non-electric memory cartridge, a plurality of antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, a speaker, and one of other mobile device components. Or multiple. The display can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen including a touch screen.

The transmitting/receiving element 1601 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas or suitable for transmitting radio frequency (RF) ) Other antenna types of the signal. In some MIMO embodiments, the antennas can be effectively separated to take advantage of spatial diversity and different channel characteristics that may result.

Although the apparatus 1600 is illustrated as having a number of separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements can be combined and can be configured by a software-configured element, such as a processing element including a digital signal processor (DSP), and / or a combination of other hardware components to achieve. For example, some components may include one or more microprocessors, DSPs, and field programmable gate arrays. A column (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), and combinations of various hardware and logic circuits are used to perform at least the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements may refer to one or more programs that operate on one or more processing elements.

The example embodiment has this technical effect of increasing the efficiency of the wireless medium, as disclosed in connection with Figures 1-16. The HEW device 104, therefore, can simultaneously increase the throughput of the HEW device 104 and the throughput of other HEW devices 104 and/or legacy devices 106, and can reduce the delay time.

Embodiments can be implemented in a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Embodiments can also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer readable storage device that can be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein. A computer readable storage device can include any non-transitory mechanism for storing information in a form that can be read by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a computer readable storage device can include ROM, RAM, disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, and other storage devices and media. Some embodiments may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer readable storage device.

The exemplary embodiment has the technical effect of increasing efficiency by providing a low overhead schedule for the channels during a multi-user OFDMA uplink.

The example embodiment has the technical effect of increasing efficiency by transmitting a separate schedule for the channel in each channel instead of transmitting a combined schedule.

The following examples relate to further embodiments. Example 1 is a wireless communication device that includes circuitry. The circuitry can: determine, in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a plurality of schedules for each of a plurality of channels for an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication, wherein the plurality of rows Each of the processes includes a frequency allocation for one or more communication devices; and the scheduling of the one or more schedules is transmitted on corresponding channels of the plurality of channels.

In Example 2, the technical subject of Example 1 can optionally include the circuitry further configured to: transmit the corresponding schedule of the one or more schedules as a one on a corresponding channel of the plurality of channels Part of the signal field frame.

In Example 3, the technical subject matter of Example 1 or 2 can optionally include wherein the number of a user AID in a User Association Identification (AID) list is based on the schedule type.

In Example 4, the technical subject of any of Examples 1-3 can optionally include wherein the number of the user AIDs is limited to a maximum of four; and wherein a minimum bandwidth allocation is five million hertz (MHz) .

In Example 5, the technical subject matter of any of Examples 1-4 can optionally include wherein the schedule type further indicates one or more spatial streams associated with each of the plurality of channels The schedule for each.

In Example 6, the technical subject matter of any of Examples 1-5 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a fixed number of User Association Identifications (AIDs), and a bandwidth allocation system Fixed number The position of each of the AIDs of the AIDs is indicated.

In Example 7, the technical subject matter of Example 6 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules is for each of the plurality of channels and for use with the plurality of channels The schedule of each of the one or more spatial streams associated with each.

In Example 8, the technical subject matter of any of Examples 1-7 can optionally include wherein the circuitry is further configured to: transmit the ones on each of the one or more channels in accordance with 802.11ax Or the corresponding schedule of multiple schedules.

In Example 9, the technical subject matter of any of Examples 1-8 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a schedule type and a user association identification (AID) list.

In Example 10, the technical subject matter of any of Examples 1-9 can optionally include wherein the circuitry is further configured to: determine, based on at least an operational bandwidth of the one or more wireless communication devices, The plurality of schedules for each of the plurality of channels.

In Example 11, the technical subject matter of any of Examples 1-10 can optionally include wherein the communication system is a transmission opportunity (TXOP).

In Example 12, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a fixed number of User Association Identifications (AIDs) and indications for the ones Or one of a plurality of bandwidth allocations of each of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-12 can optionally include a memory and a transceiver coupled to the circuit.

In Example 14, this technical subject of Example 13 can optionally include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

Example 15 is a method for performing multi-user scheduling on a high efficiency wireless local area network (HEW) device. The method can include determining, in a wireless local area network (WLAN), a plurality of schedules for each of a plurality of channels for an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication, wherein the plurality of schedules Each of the ones includes a frequency allocation for one or more communication devices; and a schedule for transmitting the one or more schedules on corresponding channels of the plurality of channels.

In Example 16, the technical subject of Example 15 can optionally include wherein the transmitting the corresponding schedule further comprises: placing the one or more schedules on corresponding channels of the one or more channels Schedule transmission is part of a signal field frame.

In Example 17, the technical subject matter of Example 15 or 16 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a schedule type and a user association identification (AID) list.

In Example 18, the technical subject matter of any of Examples 15-17 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a fixed number of User Association Identifications (AIDs), and a bandwidth allocation system Indicated by the location of each of the AIDs of the fixed number of AIDs.

Example 19 is a wireless communication device that includes processing circuitry to: receive a plurality of schedules, one of the plurality of schedules for a quadrature frequency division multiple memory in a wireless local area network (WLAN) Taking one of each of a plurality of channels of (OFDMA) communication, wherein the plurality of schedules Each of the plurality of transmissions includes a frequency allocation for a transmission opportunity (TXOP) for one of the plurality of channels; determining whether the frequency assignment of each of the plurality of schedules indicates that the wireless communication device receives The frequency allocation; and simultaneously transmitting on each of the plurality of channels, wherein the frequency allocation indicates that the wireless communication device receives at least a portion of the frequency allocation.

In Example 20, the technical subject matter of Example 19 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a schedule type and a user association identification (AID) list.

In Example 21, the technical subject of Example 20 can optionally include wherein the number of a user AID in the list of user AIDs is based on the schedule type.

In Example 22, the technical subject matter of Example 21 can optionally include wherein the schedule type further indicates each of one or more spatial streams associated with each of the plurality of channels The schedule.

In Example 23, the technical subject matter of Example 19 or 20 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a fixed number of User Association Identifications (AIDs), and a bandwidth allocation is by the The location of each of the AIDs of the fixed number of AIDs is indicated.

Example 24 is a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors for high efficiency Wi-Fi (HEW) operations. The instructions are configured to assemble the one or more processors to: determine each of a plurality of channels for an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication in a wireless local area network (WLAN) Plural a schedule, wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a frequency allocation for one or more HEW devices; and simultaneously transmitting the ones or ones on each of the one or more channels The corresponding schedule for multiple schedules.

In Example 25, the technical subject matter of Example 24 can optionally include wherein each of the plurality of schedules includes a schedule type and a user association identification (AID) list.

This abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), which requires an abstract to allow the reader to determine the nature and gist of the present invention. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of such claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description of the Detailed Description, and each of claims

Claims (24)

A high efficiency (HE) access point (AP) device, the device comprising: a memory; and a processing circuit coupled to the memory, the processing circuit configured to: encode a HE entity layer convergence procedure (PLCP) a protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a plurality of HE-SIG fields, wherein the plurality of HE-SIG fields are to be transmitted on respective 20 MHz sub-channels of the plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels, Each of the HE-SIG fields includes a schedule type field and a station list field, wherein a value of the schedule type field indicates a list of subchannel assignment assignments, and the station list field therein A multi-station field is included, wherein each station field of the multi-station field includes an association identification (AID), wherein the sub-channel assignment assigns the list and the location of one of the platform stations in the multi-station field Identifying a frequency allocation identified by the AID of the station field for a HE station; and generating a credit to cause the HE PPDU to be wirelessly transmitted within the plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels by the HE AP Where the plurality of HE-SIGs of the HE PPDU Bits are transmitted simultaneously on a plurality of such sub-channels associated with one of those 20MHz. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to: encode the HE PPDU according to the plurality of HE-SIG fields A data section. The device of claim 1, wherein the value of the schedule type field further indicates the number of HE stations sharing the frequency allocation. The device of claim 1, wherein the HE-SIG field further indicates the number of spatial streams for each of the HE stations identified by the AID of the station field in the plurality of station fields. The device of claim 1, wherein the frequency allocation for the HE station is an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frequency allocation. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of 20 MHz channels are from one of the group consisting of: 40 MHz, 80 MHz, and 160 MHz. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the HE PPDU transmitted wirelessly starts a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the plurality of station fields further includes a field for indicating a spatial stream assigned to the HE station identified by a corresponding AID Quantity. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the plurality of station fields further includes a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field for indicating one of the MCSs for a corresponding frequency allocation. . The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the station fields comprises a different AID. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to: decode the HE PPDU based on the plurality of HE-SIG fields. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the HE station and the HE AP are each from one of the following groups: an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax access point, an IEEE 802.11 platform And an IEEE 802.11 access point. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a transceiver circuit coupled to the processing circuit, and one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuit, and wherein the memory is assembled To store the HE PPDU. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for execution by one or more processors of a high efficiency (HE) access point (AP) device, the instructions being associated with the one Or a plurality of processors for: encoding a HE entity layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a plurality of HE signal (HE-SIG) fields, wherein the plurality of HE-SIG fields are to be Transmitted on each of the 20MHz subchannels of the 20MHz subchannel, where each of the HE-SIG fields contains a schedule type field and a station list field, where the value of the schedule type field is Pointing a list of subchannel assignment assignments, and wherein the station list field includes a multi-station field, wherein each station field of the multi-station field includes an association identification (AID), wherein the sub-channel assignment assigns the list And identifying, in the location of one of the plurality of station fields, a frequency assignment identified by the AID of the station field for a HE station; and generating a credit to cause the HE PPDU to be by the HE AP at The plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels are transmitted wirelessly, wherein the plurality of HE-SIG fields of the HE PPDU are simultaneously transmitted on one of the plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions further comprise the one or more processors for encoding one of the HE PPDUs according to the plurality of HE-SIG fields section. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 14 or 15 wherein the value of the schedule type field further indicates the number of HE stations sharing the frequency allocation for the HE station. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the HE-SIG field further indicates that the AID identified by the station field in the plurality of station fields is for each HE The number of space streams at the station. A method performed by a high efficiency (HE) access point (AP) device, the method comprising: encoding a HE entity layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU), the PPDU comprising a plurality of HE signals (HE-SIG) field, wherein the plurality of HE-SIG fields are to be transmitted on respective 20 MHz sub-channels of a plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels, wherein each of the HE-SIG fields includes a scheduling type a field and a station list field, wherein a value of the schedule type field indicates a list of subchannel assignment assignments, and wherein the station list field includes multiple station fields, wherein each of the multiple station fields The station field contains an associated identification (AID). The list of sub-channel assignment assignments and the location of one of the station stations in the multi-station field identify the frequency assignment identified by the AID of the station field for a HE station; and generate a credit to cause The HE PPDU is to be wirelessly transmitted by the HE AP within the plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels, wherein the plurality of HE-SIG fields of the HE PPDU are simultaneously in one of the plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels The associated person is transmitted. The method of claim 18, the method further comprising: encoding a data portion of the HE PPDU based on the plurality of HE-SIG fields. A first high efficiency (HE) station device, the device comprising: a memory; and a processing circuit coupled to the memory, the processing circuit configured to: decode a HE entity layer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol a data unit (PPDU) containing a plurality of HE-SIG fields, wherein the plurality of HE-SIG fields are to be transmitted on respective 20 MHz sub-channels of a plurality of 20 MHz sub-channels, wherein HE Each of the -SIG fields includes a schedule type field and a station list field, wherein a value of the schedule type field indicates a list of subchannel assignment assignments, and wherein the station list field contains multiple a station field, wherein a station field of the multiple station field includes an associated identification (AID) of the HE station, wherein the list of sub-channel assignment assignments and the location of the station field in the multiple station field Identifying the frequency assignments for the HE station together; The data is decoded according to the frequency allocation. The device of claim 20, wherein the value of the schedule type field further indicates the number of HE stations sharing the frequency allocation with the HE station. The device of claim 20, wherein the HE-SIG field further indicates the number of spatial streams for the HE station. The device of claim 20 or 21, wherein the frequency allocation for the HE station is an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) frequency allocation. The device of claim 20 or 21, further comprising: a transceiver circuit coupled to the processing circuit; and one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuit, wherein the memory is assembled to store the HE PPDU .