WO2015094313A1

WO2015094313A1 - Systems and methods for transmitting control information

Info

Publication number: WO2015094313A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/076782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ehsan ARYAFAR; Yang-Seok Choi; Shilpa Talwar
Original assignee: Intel Corporation
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented systems and methods for transmitting control information. A system may receive a first data symbol and a second data symbol. The first data symbol may be associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol may be associated with a second set of subcarriers. The system may also receive control information and encode the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers. Additionally, the system may transmit the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSMITTING CONTROL INFORMATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication, and in particular, to transmitting control information. BACKGROUND

In many wireless networks, control information may be difficult to transmit between devices. For example, some wireless networks may lack a dedicated channel for transmitting/receiving control information. Instead, such wireless networks may employ one or more separate devices for managing control information, which can prove costly and cause inefficiencies in certain situations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying figures and diagrams, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for transmitting control information, according to one or more example embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an encoding system for transmitting control information, according to one or more example embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another encoding system for transmitting control information, according to one or more example embodiments. FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram for transmitting control information, according to one or more example embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram for receiving control information, according to one or more example embodiments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it should be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," "various embodiments," and so forth indicate that the embodiment(s) of the present disclosure so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. 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.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term " device," "mobile device," and/or "user device" refers, in general, to a wireless communication device, and more particularly to one or more of the following: a portable electronic device, a telephone (e.g., cellular phone, smartphone), a computer (e.g., laptop computer, tablet computer), a portable media player, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or any other electronic device having a networked capability.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term "server" may refer to any computing device having a networked connectivity and configured to provide one or more dedicated services to clients, such as a mobile device. The services may include storage of data or any kind of data processing. One example of the server may include a web server hosting one or more web pages. Some examples of web pages may include social networking web pages. Another example of a server may be a cloud server that hosts web services for one or more computer devices.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term "receiver" may refer to any device or component capable of receiving data, signals, information, etc. For example, a receiver may include an antenna or any other receiving device.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term "transmitter" may refer to any device or component capable of transmitting data, signals, information, etc. For example, a transmitter may also include an antenna or any other transmission device.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the term "transceiver" may refer to any device or component capable of performing the functions of a receiver and/or a transmitter.

According to certain embodiments, the functionality provided by the receiver and the transmitter may be included in a single transceiver device.

The above principles, as well as perhaps others, are now illustrated with reference to FIG. 1, which depicts a system 100 for transmitting control information in accordance with one or more example embodiments. The system 100 may include a transmitting device 102 having one or more computer processors 104, a memory 106, which may store an operating system 108, a data transmission module 110, and a control encoding module 112. The transmitting device 102 may further include a radio transceiver 114, network and input/output (I/O) interfaces 116, and a display 118 in communication with each other. The system 100 may also be configured to facilitate communication between the transmitting device 102 and one or more receiving devices 122 via a network 120. The receiving device 122 may include one or more computer processors 124 and a memory 126, which may include an operating system 128, a data receiving module 130, and a control decoding module 132. The receiving device 122 may further include a radio transceiver 134, network and input/output (I/O) interfaces 136, and a display 138 in communication with each other.

In addition, both the transmitting device 102 and the receiving device 122 may include one or more wireless antennas (not illustrated) to facilitate wireless exchange of signals. It will be appreciated that all of the transceivers, receivers, transmitters, antennas and/or the like described with respect to the transmitting device(s) 102 and receiving device(s) 122 may be configured to receive and/or transmit any type of radio signals (e.g., WiFi radio signals, Bluetooth radio signals, Bluetooth Low-Energy radio signals, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced radio signals, Body Area Network (BAN) signals etc.).

The computer processors 104/124 may comprise one or more cores and may be configured to access and execute (at least in part) computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 106/126. The one or more processors 104/124 may include, without limitation: a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. The transmitting device 102 may also include a chipset (not shown) for controlling communications between the one or more processors 104 and one or more of the other components of the transmitting device 102. In certain embodiments, the transmitting device 102 may be based on an Intel® architecture or an ARM® architecture, and the processor(s) and chipset may be from a family of Intel® processors and chipsets. The one or more processors 104/124 may also include one or more application- specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or application- specific standard products (ASSPs) for handling specific data processing functions or tasks.

The memory 106/126 may comprise one or more computer-readable storage media (CRSM). In some embodiments, the memory 106/126 may include non-transitory media such as random access memory (RAM), flash RAM, magnetic media, optical media, solid-state media, and so forth. The memory 106/126 may be volatile (in that information is retained while providing power) or non-volatile (in that information is retained without providing power).

Additional embodiments may also be provided as a computer program product including a transitory machine-readable signal (in compressed or uncompressed form). Examples of machine-readable signals include, but are not limited to, signals carried by the Internet or other networks. For example, distribution of software via the Internet may include a transitory machine-readable signal. Additionally, the memory 106/126 may store an operating system that includes a plurality of computer-executable instructions that may be implemented by the processor 104/124 to perform a variety of tasks to operate the interface(s) and any other hardware installed on the transmitting device 102/receiving device 122. The memory 106/126 may also store content that may be displayed by the transmitting device 102/receiving device 122 or transferred to other devices (e.g., headphones) to be displayed or played by the other devices. The memory 106/126 may also store content received from the other devices. The content from the other devices may be displayed, played, or used by the transmitting device 102/receiving device 122 to perform any necessary tasks or operations that may be implemented by the processor 104/124 or other components in the transmitting device 102/receiving device 122.

The network and I/O interfaces 116/136 may also comprise one or more communication interfaces or network interface devices to provide for the transfer of data between the transmitting device 102/receiving device 122 and another device (e.g., network server) via a network 120. The communication interfaces may include, but are not limited to: body area networks (BANs), personal area networks (PANs), wired local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), and so forth. The transmitting device 102 may be coupled to the network via a wired connection. However, the wireless system interfaces may include the hardware and software to broadcast and receive messages either using the Wi-Fi Direct Standard (see Wi-Fi Direct specification published in Oct. 2010) and/or the IEEE 802.11 wireless standard (see IEEE 802.11-2012, published March 29, 2012;), the Bluetooth standard, or any other wireless standard and/or a combination thereof. The wireless system (not shown) may include a transmitter and a receiver or a transceiver capable of operating in a broad range of operating frequencies governed by the IEEE 802.11 wireless standards. The communication interfaces may utilize acoustic, radio frequency, optical, or other signals to exchange data between the transmitting device 102 and another device such as a receiver device 122 an access point, a host computer, a server, a router, a reader device, and the like. The network may include, but is not limited to: the Internet, a private network, a virtual private network, a wireless wide area network, a local area network, a metropolitan area network, a telephone network, and so forth. The display 118/138 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display, a light- emitting diode display, or an E-Ink™ display as made by E Ink Corp. of Cambridge, Massachusetts. The display may be used to show content to a user in the form of text, images, or video. In certain instances, the display may also operate as a touch screen display that may enable the user to initiate commands or operations by touching the screen using certain finger or hand gestures.

Broadly, a transmitting device 102 may be in wireless communication with a receiving device 122 (e.g., via radio transceivers 114/134) using a particular wireless channel. As such, control information associated with the wireless channel may be periodically determined and communicated between the transmitting device 102 and the receiving device 122. The control information can include any information related to determining how data is transmitted between both devices. For example, control information may include, but is not limited to, channel condition information associated with the wireless channel, interference information from the environment or other sources, wireless queue length associated with the transmitting device 102, transmission order associated with the transmitting device 102, modulation information, signal strength information (e.g., received signal strength indication (RSSI)), and/or the like. To this end, the control information may be encoded within the transmission of one or more data symbols. As a result, upon receipt of the one or more data symbols from the transmitting device 102, the receiving device 122 may be configured to decode the control information from the one or more data symbols. Based at least in part on the control information, communication between the transmitting device 102 and the receiving device 122 may be adjusted. For example, the receiving device 122 may be an access point, and the control information may include information associated with a queue length of the transmitting device 102. In other words, the control information may indicate an amount of data left to be transmitted by the transmitting device 102. Based on this queue length, the access point may determine and/or adjust a priority associated with the transmitting device 102 as well as adjust priorities associated with other transmitting devices in the network 120.

According to one or more embodiments, a first data symbol and a second data symbol may be accessed, determined, generated, and/or otherwise received by the transmitting device 102. The first data symbol may be associated with a first set of subcarriers (e.g., in which to transmit the first data symbol), and the second data symbol may be associated with a second set of subcarriers (e.g., in which to transmit the second data symbol). Furthermore, in order to transmit the first data symbol and the second data symbol, the transmitting device 102 may determine an amount of power (e.g., via the data transmission module 110) to provide to individual subcarriers in their respective sets of subcarriers. As such, the first set of subcarriers may be associated with a first total power level, which may be equal to the sum of the power levels provided to its individual subcarriers. Similarly, the second set of subcarriers may be associated with a second total power level, which may be equal to the sum of the power levels provided to its individual subcarriers. In certain implementations, the first total power level may be equal to the second total power level. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the data symbols may be encoded and/or otherwise transmitted using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and/or orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDM A) modulation schemes.

In addition, control information may also be accessed, determined, generated, and/or otherwise received by the transmitting device 102 (e.g., by the control encoding module 112). To this end, the control encoding module 112 may be configured to encode the control information within and/or as part of the first data symbol and the second data symbol. In certain embodiments, such encoding may include adjusting the power level of one or more subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers. For instance, the control encoding module 112 may determine a binary sequence (e.g., a sequence of l's and 0's) that corresponds to and/or otherwise represents the control information. As such, the control encoding module 112 may be configured to identify, based at least in part on the binary sequence, one or more subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers.

To this end, the control encoding module 112 may adjust the power level of the one or more identified subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers. However, the power levels of individual subcarriers in the first set of subcarriers may remain unchanged and unadjusted. The adjusted power levels of the identified subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers may represent the binary sequence (e.g., and therefore the control information). In certain implementations, the power levels of the identified subcarriers may be adjusted according to a predetermined power adjustment ratio. Furthermore, the adjustment(s) may result in an increase in power provided to the identified subcarriers. Alternatively, the adjustment(s) may result in a decrease in power provided to the identified subcarriers. Regardless of an increase and/or decrease in power, the power adjustment ratio may be determined such that the adjusted subcarriers may be identified and differentiated (e.g., by the receiving device 122 ) from other sources of power variation (e.g., noise from other sources). Moreover, in order to keep the second total power level constant (e.g., and equal to the first total power level), the power levels associated with the rest of the subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers may be altered to compensate for the adjusted power levels of the identified subcarriers. However, such compensating adjustments may be negligible (e.g., neglected by the receiving device 122) compared to the adjusted power levels of the identified subcarriers. In addition, upon adjusting the power levels of the identified subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers, the data transmission module 110 may be configured to transmit the first data symbol and the second data symbol to the receiving device 122.

According to one or more embodiments, the receiving device 122 may receive, by the data receiving module 130, the first data symbol and the second data symbol. The data receiving module 130 may, in turn, provide the first data symbol and the second data symbol to the control decoding module 132. To this end, the control decoding module 132 may be configured to determine one or more power differentials between the respective power levels of subcarriers in the first set of subcarriers and the corresponding power levels of subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers. For example, the control decoding module 132 may be able to compare the respective power levels of subcarriers in the first set of subcarriers to the corresponding power levels of subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers. As a result, the control decoding module 132 may be configured to identify one or more subcarriers, in the second set of subcarriers, whose power levels have been adjusted by the predetermined power adjustment ratio. Based at least in part on the determined power differentials and/or the identified subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers, the control decoding module 132 may be configured to determine a binary sequence of control bits. The binary sequence of control bits may represent the control information transmitted from the transmitting device 102. Thus, the control information may be decoded, by the receiving device 122, from the transmission of the first data symbol and the second data symbol.

As illustrated by FIG. 1 and described above, the system 100 may facilitate the transmission of control information between the transmitting device 102 and the receiving device 122. The control information may be transmitted as part of the transmission of one or more data symbols to the receiving device 122. In other words, the control information may be encoded and/or otherwise included in the transmission of data symbols. As a result, the control information may be transmitted without a dedicated control channel and/or without the participation of a third device.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, a third device may be configured to "listen in" and/or otherwise access the control information encoded in the transmission of the data symbols between the transmitting device 102 and the receiving device 122. To this end, while the receiving device 122 may be configured to detect both the data symbols and the encoded control information, the third device may be able to detect the control information but not the data symbols. For example, the control information may include a wireless queue length associated with the transmitting device 102. The receiving device 122 may be an access point capable of detecting the data symbols and the embedded control information. A third device in the wireless network 120 may be configured to detect only the control information (e.g., the wireless queue length). As such, the third device may be configured to communicate with the transmitting device 102 to determine, based on the control information, transmission order(s) between the transmitting device 102, the third device, and/or any other devices in the wireless network 120. In particular, the transmission order(s) may be determined without any action and/or processing with respect to the access point (e.g., the receiving device 122).

FIG. 2 provides a block diagram illustrating an encoding system 200 for transmitting control information in accordance with one or more example embodiments. According to the encoding system 200 in FIG. 2, four consecutive data symbols may be illustrated (e.g., data symbol 202 at time t, data symbol 204 at time t+1, data symbol 206 at time t+2, and data symbol 208 at time t+3) though it will be appreciated that more or less non-consecutive data symbols are also contemplated. In certain implementations, the data transmission module 110 of the transmitting device 102 may be configured to transmit the data symbols 202/204/206/208 consecutively to a receiving device 122. Furthermore, each data symbol may be associated with k subcarriers 210/212/214/216, respectively. Each of the subcarriers 210/212/214/216 may also be associated with respective power levels (e.g., a transmitting device 102 may provide respective power levels to the subcarriers 210/212/214/216 in order to transmit the data symbols 202/204/206/208. Thus, each of the data symbols 202/204/206/208 may be associated with a total power level equal to the sum of the power levels of its individual subcarriers 210/212/214/216. Moreover, the respective total power levels associated with each of the data symbols 202/204/206/208 may be the same.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the encoding system 200 may be configured such that consecutive pairs of data symbols may be used (e.g., by the control encoding module 112) to encode control information. For example, data symbol 202 and data symbol 204 may form one consecutive pair while data symbol 206 and data symbol 208 may form another consecutive pair. With respect to data symbol 202, each of its k subcarriers 210 may be associated with unadjusted power levels 218 (represented by "ρ")· With respect to data symbol 204, one of its k subcarriers 212 may include an adjusted subcarrier 224 (e.g., subcarrier 1), which may be associated with an adjusted power level. The adjusted power level may be equal to a product of the unadjusted power level 218 and a power adjustment ratio 220 (represented by the symbol "Y"). To this end, in order to keep the total power level associated with data symbol 204 unchanged (e.g., equal to the total power level associated with data symbol 202), the rest of its subcarriers 212 (e.g., all of the subcarriers 212 aside from subcarrier 1) may be provided a compensating power level 222

(represented by the symbol "p' ").

Based at least in part on the adjusted power level of the adjusted subcarrier 224, the control information may be encoded and/or otherwise stored with the data symbol 204. For instance, the control information may be represented as a binary sequence (e.g., the control encoding module 112 may generate and/or otherwise determine the binary sequence based on the control information). To this end, the binary sequence may be represented by the adjusted power level of the adjusted subcarrier 224 (e.g., subcarrier 1). A different binary sequence may be represented by adjusting the power level (e.g., by the power adjustment ratio 220) of a different subcarrier 212 (e.g., subcarrier 2). Thus, according to the encoding system 200, the amount of bits that may be encoded between data symbol 202 and data symbol 204 as control information may be equal to log2(fc). In addition, it will be appreciated that the above encoding process described with reference to the data symbol pair that includes data symbol 202 and data symbol 204 may also be applied to the data symbol pair that includes data symbol 206 and data symbol 208.

According to one or more embodiments, the control information included in the transmission of data symbol 202 and data symbol 204 may be decoded at a receiving device (e.g., decoded by a control decoding module 132 of the receiving device 122). For example, upon receipt of data symbol 202 and data symbol 204, the control decoding module 132 may compare the power levels between the corresponding subcarriers 210 and subcarriers 212. For example, the control decoding module 132 may calculate respective differences in power levels between the subcarriers 210 and the subcarriers 212. Based at least in part on this comparison, the control decoding module 132 may determine that subcarrier 1 of subcarriers 210 and subcarrier 1 of subcarriers 212 differ in power level by a factor of the power adjustment ratio 220. Based on the power level difference identified in those particular subcarriers, the control decoding module 132 may determine a binary sequence. From this binary sequence, the control decoding module 132 may be configured to identify and/or otherwise determine the corresponding control information represented by the binary sequence.

It should be appreciated that other encoding systems are also possible aside from the encoding system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, in other encoding systems, more than one subcarrier may be provided with an adjusted power level. Furthermore, in other encoding systems, the control information may not be encoded as consecutive pairs of data symbols and may be encoded in more data symbols. For instance, referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating an encoding system 300 for transmitting control information is provided in accordance with one or more example embodiments. According to the encoding system 300 in FIG. 3, four data symbols may be illustrated (e.g., reference symbol 302 at time t, data symbol 304 at time t+1, data symbol 306 at time t+T-1, and data symbol 308 at time t+T). It will be appreciated that any number of data symbols in any time period is contemplated. In certain implementations, the data transmission module 110 of the transmitting device 102 may be configured to transmit the reference symbol 302 and the data symbols 304/306/308 to a receiving device 122. Furthermore, each symbol may be associated with k subcarriers 310/312/314/316, respectively. Each of the subcarriers 310/312/314/316 may also be associated with respective power levels (e.g., a transmitting device 102 may provide respective power levels to the subcarriers 310/312/314/316 in order to transmit the symbols 302/304/306/308). Thus, each of the symbols 302/304/306/308 may be associated with a total power level equal to the sum of the power levels of its individual subcarriers 310/312/314/316. Moreover, the respective total power levels associated with each of the symbols 302/304/306/308 may be the same.

Similar to the encoding system 200 in FIG. 2, the encoding system 300 may facilitate the encoding of control information as part of the transmission of one or more data symbols. However, the encoding system 300 may not encode the control information in consecutive pairs of data symbols. Instead, a reference symbol 302 may be transmitted and subsequently transmitted data symbols 304/306/308 may be compared against the reference symbol 302 to determine the control information. Furthermore, the encoding system 300 may allow for power level adjustments to more than one subcarrier 310/312/314/316.

For instance, according to one or more embodiments, each of k subcarriers associated with the reference symbol 302 may be provided a reference power level 318 (e.g., represented by "ρ")· However, with respect to the data symbols 304/306/308, one or more of their respective subcarriers 312/314/316 may be adjusted subcarriers associated with the adjusted power levels. For example, data symbol 304 may include two adjusted subcarriers 324 (e.g., subcarrier 2 and subcarrier k-l). Both of the power levels associated with the adjusted subcarriers 324 may be equal to the reference power level 318 adjusted by a factor equal to the power adjustment ratio 320 (e.g., represented by the symbol "Y"). The remaining subcarriers of subcarriers 312 associated with data symbol 304 may be provided respective power levels equal to the compensating power level 322 (e.g., represented by the symbol "p' "). The compensating power level 322 may be determined such that the total power level of data symbol 304 remains equal to the total power level of the reference symbol 302. Based at least in part on the adjusted power level of the adjusted subcarriers 324, the control information may be encoded and/or otherwise stored with the data symbol 304. For instance, the control information may be represented as a binary sequence (e.g., the control encoding module 112 may generate and/or otherwise determine the binary sequence based on the control information). To this end, the binary sequence may be represented by the adjusted power levels of the adjusted subcarrier 324 (e.g., subcarrier 2 and subcarrier k- l). A different binary sequence may be represented by adjusting the power level (e.g., by the power adjustment ratio 320) of different subcarriers 312 (e.g., subcarriers 1, 3, and k). Thus, according to the encoding system 300, the amount of bits that may be encoded in any data symbol 304/306/308 as control information may be equal to log₂(C(fc, m), where m is the number of adjusted subcarriers 324.

According to one or more embodiments, the control information included in the transmission of the reference symbol 302 and the data symbol 304 may be decoded at a receiving device (e.g., decoded by a control decoding module 132 of receiving device 122). For example, upon receipt of the reference symbol 302 and the data symbol 304, the control decoding module 132 may compare the power levels between corresponding subcarriers 310 and subcarriers 312. For example, the control decoding module 132 may calculate respective differences in the power levels between the subcarriers 310 and the subcarriers 312. Based at least in part on this comparison, the control decoding module 132 may determine that subcarrier 2 of subcarriers 310 and subcarrier 2 of subcarriers 312 differ in power level by a factor of the power adjustment ratio 320. The control decoding module 132 may also determine that subcarrier k- l of subcarriers 310 and subcarrier fc-lof subcarriers 312 also differ in power level by a factor of the power adjustment ratio 320. Based on the power level difference identified in those particular subcarriers, the control decoding module 132 may determine a binary sequence. As such, the control decoding module 132 may be configured to identify and/or otherwise determine the corresponding control information represented by the binary sequence. Subsequently received data symbols (e.g., data symbol 306 and data symbol 308) may be similarly compared to the reference symbol 302 to determine any encoded control information.

It will be appreciated that the encoding systems illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, respectively, are merely exemplary, and that various other algorithms for encoding control information as part of data transmission are also possible.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for transmitting control information in accordance with one or more example embodiments. The method 400 may begin in block 410 where, a device, such as the transmitting device 102, may receive a first data symbol and a second data symbol. The first data symbol may be associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol may be associated with a second set of subcarriers. In block 410, the transmitting device 102 may receive control information (e.g., via the control encoding module 112). In block 430, the control encoding module 112 may be configured to encode the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol. Such encoding may be performed based at least in part on a power differential/difference between the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and the corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers. In block 440, upon encoding the control information, the transmitting device 102 may transmit (e.g., via the data transmission module 110 and/or the radio transceiver 114) the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device 122. FIG. 5 illustrates a method 500 for receiving control information in accordance with one or more example embodiments. The method 500 may begin in block 510 where a receiving device 122 may receive a first data symbol and a second data symbol. The first data symbol may be associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol may be associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers. In block 520, the control decoding module 132 in the receiving device 122 may determine, based at least in part on one or more power differentials/differences between the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and the corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers, control information. In block 530, the receiving device 122 may adjust, based at least in part on the control information, communication with a transmitting device 102. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. 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 flow diagrams, respectively, can 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 embodiments of the present disclosure.

These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, 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 memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory 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, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide for a computer program product, comprising a computer-usable medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions embodied 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.

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, can 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. While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements 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.

This written description uses examples to disclose certain embodiments of the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice certain embodiments of the present disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of certain embodiments of the present disclosure is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. Examples

Example 1 is a device for wireless communication, comprising: a radio transceiver; at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: receive a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers; receive control information; encode the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers; and transmit, by the radio transceiver, the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the computer- executable instructions to encode the control information further comprise computer-executable instructions to: determine a binary sequence to correspond to the control information; identify, based at least in part on the binary sequence, one or more subcarriers from the second set of subcarriers for power level adjustment; and adjust respective power levels of the one or more subcarriers based at least in part on a power adjustment ratio.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include that the second set of subcarriers comprises a representation of the binary sequence. In Example 4, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include that the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 2 can optionally include that a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the first data symbol and the second data symbol are transmitted consecutively to the receiving device.

In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information. In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include that the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

Example 10 is a method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving, by a computer comprising one or more processors, a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers; receiving control information; encoding the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers; and transmitting the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device..

In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 can optionally include determining a binary sequence corresponding to the control information; identifying, based at least in part on the binary sequence, one or more subcarriers from the second set of subcarriers for power level adjustment; and adjusting respective power levels of the one or more subcarriers based at least in part on a power adjustment ratio.

In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 11 can optionally include that the second set of subcarriers comprises a representation of the binary sequence. In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 11 can optionally include that the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 11 can optionally include that a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 10 can optionally include that the first data symbol and the second data symbol are transmitted consecutively to the receiving device.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 10 can optionally include that the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 10 can optionally include that the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information. In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 10 can optionally include that the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

Example 19 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, that when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers; receive control information; encode the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers; and transmit, by a radio transceiver, the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally include that the computer- executable instructions to encode the control information further comprise computer-executable instructions to: determine a binary sequence to correspond to the control information; identify, based at least in part on the binary sequence, one or more subcarriers from the second set of subcarriers for power level adjustment; and adjust respective power levels of the one or more subcarriers based at least in part on a power adjustment ratio.

In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 20 can optionally include that the second set of subcarriers comprises a representation of the binary sequence.

In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 20 can optionally include that the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 20 can optionally include that a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers. In Example 24, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally include that the first data symbol and the second data symbol are transmitted consecutively to the receiving device.

In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally include that the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 26, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally include that the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information. In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally include that the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

Example 28 is a device for wireless communication, comprising: a transceiver; at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to: receive, by the transceiver from a transmitting device, a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers; determine, based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers, control information associated with data communication with the transmitting device; and adjust, based on the control information, communication with the transmitting device.

In Example 29, the subject matter of Example 28 can optionally include that the computer- executable instructions to determine the control information further comprise instructions to: compare the second set of subcarriers with the first set of subcarriers; identify, based at least in part on the comparison, one or more subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers associated with an adjusted power level; and determine, based at least in part on the identified one or more subcarriers, a binary sequence of control bits corresponding to the control information. In Example 30, the subject matter of Example 29 can optionally include that the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

In Example 31, the subject matter of Example 29 can optionally include that a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 32, the subject matter of Example 28 can optionally include that the first data symbol and the second data symbol are received consecutively.

In Example 33, the subject matter of Example 28 can optionally include that the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 34, the subject matter of Example 28 can optionally include that the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information. In Example 35, the subject matter of Example 28 can optionally include that the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

Example 36 is a method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving, by a computer comprising one or more processors, a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers; determining, based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers, control information associated with data communication with the transmitting device; and adjusting, based on the control information, communication with the transmitting device.

In Example 37, the subject matter of Example 36 can optionally include that the computer- executable instructions to determine the control information further comprise instructions to: compare the second set of subcarriers with the first set of subcarriers; identify, based at least in part on the comparison, one or more subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers associated with an adjusted power level; and determine, based at least in part on the identified one or more subcarriers, a binary sequence of control bits corresponding to the control information.

In Example 38, the subject matter of Example 37 can optionally include that the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted . In Example 39, the subject matter of Example 37 can optionally include that the computer comprises a mobile device attached to the user' s body.

In Example 40, the subject matter of Example 36 can optionally include that the first data symbol and the second data symbol are received consecutively.

In Example 41, the subject matter of Example 36 can optionally include that the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 42, the subject matter of Example 36 can optionally include that the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information In Example 43, the subject matter of Example 36 can optionally include that the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop Example 44 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means for receiving a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers; means for receiving control information; means for encoding the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers; and means for transmitting the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device. In Example 45, the subject matter of Example 44 can optionally include means for determining a binary sequence corresponding to the control information; means for identifying, based at least in part on the binary sequence, one or more subcarriers from the second set of subcarriers for power level adjustment; and means for adjusting respective power levels of the one or more subcarriers based at least in part on a power adjustment ratio. In Example 46, the subject matter of Example 45 can optionally include that the second set of subcarriers comprises a representation of the binary sequence.

In Example 47, the subject matter of Example 45 can optionally include that the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

In Example 48, the subject matter of Example 45 can optionally include that a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 49, the subject matter of Example 44 can optionally include that the first data symbol and the second data symbol are transmitted consecutively to the receiving device.

In Example 50, the subject matter of Example 44 can optionally include that the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers. In Example 51, the subject matter of Example 44 can optionally include that the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information.

In Example 52, the subject matter of Example 44 can optionally include that the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop. Example 53 is an apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: means for receiving, by a computer comprising one or more processors, from a transmitting device, a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers; means for determining, based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers, control information associated with data communication with the transmitting device; and means for adjusting, based on the control information, communication with the transmitting device. In Example 54, the subject matter of Example 53 can optionally include that the computer- executable instructions to determine the control information further comprise instructions to provide: means to compare the second set of subcarriers with the first set of subcarriers; means to identify, based at least in part on the comparison, one or more subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers associated with an adjusted power level; and means to determine, based at least in part on the identified one or more subcarriers, a binary sequence of control bits corresponding to the control information.

In Example 55, the subject matter of Example 54 can optionally include that the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

In Example 56, the subject matter of Example 54 can optionally include that a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

In Example 57, the subject matter of Example 53 can optionally include that the first data symbol and the second data symbol are received consecutively.

In Example 58, the subject matter of Example 53 can optionally include that the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers. In Example 59, the subject matter of Example 53 can optionally include that the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information.

In Example 60, the subject matter of Example 53 can optionally include that the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A device for wireless communication, comprising:

a radio transceiver;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to:

receive a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers;

receive control information;

encode the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers; and

transmit, by the radio transceiver, the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device.

The device of claim 1, wherein the computer-executable instructions to encode the control information further comprise computer-executable instructions to:

determine a binary sequence to correspond to the control information;

identify, based at least in part on the binary sequence, one or more subcarriers from the second set of subcarriers for a power level adjustment; and

adjust respective power levels of the one or more subcarriers based at least in part on a power adjustment ratio.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second set of subcarriers comprises a representation of the binary sequence.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first data symbol and the second data symbol are transmitted consecutively to the receiving device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

10. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

receiving, by a computer comprising one or more processors, a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers;

receiving control information;

encoding the control information in the first data symbol and the second data symbol based at least in part on one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers; and

transmitting the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining a binary sequence corresponding to the control information;

identifying, based at least in part on the binary sequence, one or more subcarriers from the second set of subcarriers for a power level adjustment; and

adjusting respective power levels of the one or more subcarriers based at least in part on a power adjustment ratio.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second set of subcarriers comprises a representation of the binary sequence.

The method of claim 11, wherein the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

The method of claim 11, wherein a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

The method of claim 10, wherein the first data symbol and the second data symbol are transmitted consecutively to the receiving device.

The method of claim 10, wherein the first set of subcarriers comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

The method of claim 10, wherein the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information

The method of claim 10, wherein the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, that when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

receive control information;

transmit, by a radio transceiver, the first data symbol, the second data symbol, and the encoded control information to a receiving device.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the computer-executable instructions to encode the control information further comprise computer-executable instructions to:

determine a binary sequence to correspond to the control information;

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the second set of subcarriers

comprises a representation of the binary sequence.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein the respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers are unadjusted.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein a total power level of the first set of subcarriers is equal to a total power level of the second set of subcarriers.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the first data symbol and the

second data symbol are transmitted consecutively to the receiving device.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the first set of subcarriers

comprises a same number of subcarriers as the second set of subcarriers.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the control information comprises at least one of channel condition information, wireless queue length, transmission order, received signal strength indication information, interference information, or modulation information.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the device comprises at least one of a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, a personal computer, or a laptop.

28. A device for wireless communication, comprising:

a transceiver;

at least one processor; and at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

receive, by the transceiver from a transmitting device, a first data symbol and a second data symbol, the first data symbol associated with a first set of subcarriers, and the second data symbol associated with a second set of subcarriers corresponding to the first set of subcarriers;

determine, based at least in part one or more power differentials between respective power levels of the first set of subcarriers and corresponding power levels of the second set of subcarriers, control information associated with data communication with the transmitting device; and

adjust, based on the control information, communication with the transmitting device.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the computer-executable instructions to determine the control information further comprise instructions to:

compare the second set of subcarriers with the first set of subcarriers;

identify, based at least in part on the comparison, one or more subcarriers in the second set of subcarriers associated with an adjusted power level; and

determine, based at least in part on the identified one or more subcarriers, a binary sequence of control bits corresponding to the control information.