WO2018048473A1 - Apparatus, system and method of ranging measurement - Google Patents
Apparatus, system and method of ranging measurement Download PDFInfo
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- WO2018048473A1 WO2018048473A1 PCT/US2017/024926 US2017024926W WO2018048473A1 WO 2018048473 A1 WO2018048473 A1 WO 2018048473A1 US 2017024926 W US2017024926 W US 2017024926W WO 2018048473 A1 WO2018048473 A1 WO 2018048473A1
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- aggregated
- wireless station
- aggregated message
- ftm
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/74—Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems
- G01S13/76—Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems wherein pulse-type signals are transmitted
- G01S13/765—Systems using reradiation of radio waves, e.g. secondary radar systems; Analogous systems wherein pulse-type signals are transmitted with exchange of information between interrogator and responder
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
- G01S13/87—Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
- G01S13/878—Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector
Definitions
- Embodiments described herein generally relate to a ranging measurement.
- GNSS global- navigation-satellite-systems
- GPS Global Positioning System
- GALILEO Global Positioning System
- a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) Protocol may include measuring a Round Trip Time (RTT) from a wireless station (STA) to a plurality of other STAs, for example, to perform trilateration and/or calculate the location of the STA.
- RTT Round Trip Time
- FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) procedure.
- Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of messages of an FTM procedure utilizing aggregated frames, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a reciprocal FTM procedure.
- Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of messages of a reciprocal FTM procedure utilizing aggregated frames, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- Fig. 6 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a product of manufacture, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing”, “computing”, “calculating”, “determining”, “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes.
- the terms “plurality” and “a plurality”, as used herein, include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. For example, "a plurality of items” includes two or more items.
- references to "one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “demonstrative embodiment”, “various embodiments” etc, indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.
- Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Device (MD), a wireless station (STA), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a wearable device, a sensor device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP), a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device, an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wireless network, a wireless
- Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (including IEEE 802.11-2016 (IEEE 802. il- 2016, IEEE Standard for Information technology— Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, December 7, 2016); IEEE 802.1 lax (IEEE 802.1 lax, High Efficiency WLAN (HEW)); IEEE 802.11-2016 (IEEE 802. il- 2016, IEEE Standard for Information technology— Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, December 7, 2016); IEEE 802.1 lax (IEEE 802.1 lax, High Efficiency WLAN (HEW)); IEEE 802.
- Hay P802.1 lay Standard for Information Technology— Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks— Specific Requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications— Amendment: Enhanced Throughput for Operation in License-Exempt Bands Above 45 GHz)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WFA Peer-to-Peer (P2P) specifications (including WiFi P2P technical specification, version 1.5, August 4, 2014) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Wireless- Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications (including Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MAC and PHY Specification Version 1.1, April 2011, Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing cellular specifications and/or protocols, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and
- Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable Global Positioning System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi- standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a Smartphone, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.
- WAP Wireless Application Protocol
- Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, Radio Frequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency- Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), FDM Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth®, Global
- GPS Positioning System
- Wi-Fi Wi-Fi
- Wi-Max ZigBeeTM
- Ultra-Wideband UWB
- GSM Global System for Mobile communication
- 2G 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G
- Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks 3 GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like.
- Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems and/or networks.
- wireless device includes, for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communication device capable of wireless communication, a communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, or the like.
- a wireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integrated with a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer.
- the term "wireless device” may optionally include a wireless service.
- the term "communicating" as used herein with respect to a communication signal includes transmitting the communication signal and/or receiving the communication signal.
- a communication unit which is capable of communicating a communication signal, may include a transmitter to transmit the communication signal to at least one other communication unit, and/or a communication receiver to receive the communication signal from at least one other communication unit.
- the verb communicating may be used to refer to the action of transmitting or the action of receiving.
- the phrase "communicating a signal” may refer to the action of transmitting the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of receiving the signal by a second device.
- the phrase “communicating a signal” may refer to the action of receiving the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of transmitting the signal by a second device.
- circuitry may refer to, be part of, or include, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group), that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality.
- ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit
- the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules.
- circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware.
- logic may refer, for example, to computing logic embedded in circuitry of a computing apparatus and/or computing logic stored in a memory of a computing apparatus.
- the logic may be accessible by a processor of the computing apparatus to execute the computing logic to perform computing functions and/or operations.
- logic may be embedded in various types of memory and/or firmware, e.g., silicon blocks of various chips and/or processors.
- Logic may be included in, and/or implemented as part of, various circuitry, e.g. radio circuitry, receiver circuitry, control circuitry, transmitter circuitry, transceiver circuitry, processor circuitry, and/or the like.
- logic may be embedded in volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory, including random access memory, read only memory, programmable memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, persistent memory, and/or the like.
- Logic may be executed by one or more processors using memory, e.g., registers, buffers, stacks, and the like, coupled to the one or more processors, e.g., as necessary to execute the logic.
- Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a WLAN, e.g., a WiFi network.
- Other embodiments may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network, for example, a wireless area network, a "piconet", a WPAN, a WVAN and the like.
- Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a 2.4GHz band, a 5GHZ band, and/or a frequency band of 60GHz.
- other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequency band of between 20Ghz and 300GHZ, a frequency band above 45GHZ, a Sub 1 GHZ (SIG) band, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.
- EHF Extremely High Frequency
- mmWave millimeter wave
- SIG Sub 1 GHZ
- WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
- WPAN Wireless Personal Area Network
- antenna may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays.
- the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements.
- the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements.
- the antenna may include, for example, a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like.
- DMG directional multi-gigabit
- DBand directional band
- DMG communications may involve one or more directional links to communicate at a rate of multiple gigabits per second, for example, at least 1 Gigabit per second, e.g., at least 7 Gigabit per second, at least 30 Gigabit per second, or any other rate.
- DMG STA also referred to as a "mmWave STA (mSTA)"
- mmWave STA mmWave STA
- the DMG STA may perform other additional or alternative functionality.
- Other embodiments may be implemented by any other apparatus, device and/or station.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system 100, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- system 100 may include a wireless communication network including one or more wireless communication devices, e.g., wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may include, for example, a UE, an MD, a STA, an AP, a PC, a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an UltrabookTM computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a handheld device, a wearable device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non- portable device, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desk
- device 102 may include, for example, one or more of a processor 191, an input unit 192, an output unit 193, a memory unit 194, and/or a storage unit 195; and/or device 140 may include, for example, one or more of a processor 181, an input unit 182, an output unit 183, a memory unit 184, and/or a storage unit 185.
- Devices 102 and/or 140 may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components.
- some or all of the components of one or more of devices 102 and/or 140 may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of one or more of devices 102 and/or 140 may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.
- processor 191 and/or processor 181 may include, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multiple-core processor, a microprocessor, a host processor, a controller, a plurality of processors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits, circuitry, a logic unit, an Integrated Circuit (IC), an Application- Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose or specific processor or controller.
- Processor 191 may execute instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of device 102 and/or of one or more suitable applications.
- OS Operating System
- Processor 181 may execute instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of device 140 and/or of one or more suitable applications.
- OS Operating System
- input unit 192 and/or input unit 182 may include, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-screen, a touch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitable pointing device or input device.
- Output unit 193 and/or output unit 183 may include, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch-screen, a flat panel display, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers or earphones, or other suitable output devices.
- LED Light Emitting Diode
- LCD Liquid Crystal Display
- memory unit 194 and/or memory unit 184 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units.
- Storage unit 195 and/or storage unit 185 may include, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD) drive, a CD- ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable or non-removable storage units.
- Memory unit 194 and/or storage unit 195 may store data processed by device 102.
- Memory unit 184 and/or storage unit 185 may store data processed by device 140.
- device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more STAs.
- device 102 may include at least one STA
- device 140 may include at least one STA.
- device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more WLAN STAs.
- device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more Wi-Fi STAs.
- device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more BT devices.
- device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) STAs.
- NAN Neighbor Awareness Networking
- device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of an Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) STA.
- EDMG Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit
- one of wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of a non-AP STA, and/or one of wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140, e.g., device 140, may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of an AP STA. In other embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may operate as and/or perform the functionality of any other STA.
- the AP may include a router, a PC, a server, a Hot-Spot and/or the like.
- a station may include a logical entity that is a singly addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM).
- the STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.
- an AP may include an entity that contains a station (STA), e.g., one STA, and provides access to distribution services, via the wireless medium (WM) for associated STAs.
- STA station
- WM wireless medium
- the AP may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.
- a non-access-point (non-AP) station may include a STA that is not contained within an AP.
- the non-AP STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.
- an EDMG STA may include a DMG STA whose radio transmitter is capable of transmitting and receiving EDMG physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs).
- PHY physical layer
- wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140 may be capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals via a wireless medium (WM) 103.
- wireless medium 103 may include, for example, a radio channel, a cellular channel, an RF channel, a WiFi channel, an IR channel, a Bluetooth (BT) channel, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Channel, and the like.
- wireless communication medium 103 may include a wireless communication channel over a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, or a 5GHz frequency band.
- WM 103 may include one or more directional bands and/or channels.
- WM 103 may include one or more millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless communication bands and/or channels.
- mmWave millimeter-wave
- WM 103 may include one or more DMG channels.
- WM 103 may include one or more channels in a channel bandwidth over 45 GHz.
- WM 103 may include any other type of channel over any other frequency band.
- device 102 and/or device 140 may include one or more radios including circuitry and/or logic to perform wireless communication between devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other wireless communication devices.
- device 102 may include at least one radio 114
- device 140 may include at least one radio 144.
- radio 114 and/or radio 144 may include one or more wireless receivers (Rx) including circuitry and/or logic to receive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data.
- Rx wireless receivers
- radio 114 may include at least one receiver 116
- radio 144 may include at least one receiver 146.
- radio 114 and/or radio 144 may include one or more wireless transmitters (Tx) including circuitry and/or logic to transmit wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data.
- Tx wireless transmitters
- radio 114 may include at least one transmitter 118
- radio 144 may include at least one transmitter 148.
- radio 114 and/or radio 144, transmitters 118 and/or 148, and/or receivers 116 and/or 146 may include circuitry; logic; Radio Frequency (RF) elements, circuitry and/or logic; baseband elements, circuitry and/or logic; modulation elements, circuitry and/or logic; demodulation elements, circuitry and/or logic; amplifiers; analog to digital and/or digital to analog converters; filters; and/or the like.
- radio 114 and/or radio 144 may include or may be implemented as part of a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC), and the like.
- NIC wireless Network Interface Card
- radios 114 and/or 144 may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas 107 and/or 147, respectively.
- device 102 may include a single antenna 107. In another example, device 102 may include two or more antennas 107.
- device 140 may include a single antenna 147. In another example, device 140 may include two or more antennas 147.
- Antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any type of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets, messages and/or data.
- antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays.
- Antennas 107 and/or 147 may include, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication, e.g., using beamforming techniques.
- antennas 107 and/or 147 may include a phased array antenna, a multiple element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements. [0065] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a controller 124, and/or device 140 may include a controller 154.
- Controller 124 may be configured to perform and/or to trigger, cause, instruct and/or control device 102 to perform, one or more communications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities, operations and/or procedures between devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other devices; and/or controller 154 may be configured to perform, and/or to trigger, cause, instruct and/or control device 140 to perform, one or more communications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities, operations and/or procedures between devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other devices, e.g., as described below.
- controllers 124 and/or 154 may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, baseband (BB) circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, Application Processor (AP) circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of controllers 124 and/or 154, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of controllers 124 and/or 154 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.
- MAC Media-Access Control
- PHY Physical Layer
- BB baseband
- AP Application Processor
- controllers 124 and/or 154 may be implemented
- controller 124 may include circuitry and/or logic, for example, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, to cause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 102, and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 102, to perform one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities, e.g., as described herein.
- a wireless device e.g., device 102
- a wireless station e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 102
- controller 154 may include circuitry and/or logic, for example, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, to cause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 140, and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 140, to perform one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities, e.g., as described herein.
- a wireless device e.g., device 140
- a wireless station e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 140
- device 102 may include a message processor 128 configured to generate, process and/or access one or messages communicated by device 102.
- message processor 128 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be transmitted by device 102, and/or message processor 128 may be configured to access and/or to process one or more messages received by device 102, e.g., as described below.
- device 140 may include a message processor 158 configured to generate, process and/or access one or messages communicated by device 140.
- message processor 158 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be transmitted by device 140, and/or message processor 158 may be configured to access and/or to process one or more messages received by device 140, e.g., as described below.
- message processors 128 and/or 158 may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, BB circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, AP circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of message processors 128 and/or 158, respectively.
- circuitry and/or logic e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, BB circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, AP circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an
- one or more functionalities of message processors 128 and/or 158 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.
- at least part of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of radio 114, and/or at least part of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of radio 144.
- message processor 128 may be implemented as part of controller 124, and/or at least part of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of controller 154.
- the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102, and/or the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140.
- controller 124 and/or message processor 128 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC).
- SoC System on Chip
- the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functionalities of radio 114.
- the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller 124, one or more elements of message processor 128, and/or one or more elements of radio 114.
- controller 124, message processor 128, and radio 114 may be implemented as part of the chip or SoC.
- controller 124, message processor 128 and/or radio 114 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 102.
- controller 154 and/or message processor 158 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC).
- SoC System on Chip
- the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functionalities of radio 144.
- the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller 154, one or more elements of message processor 158, and/or one or more elements of radio 144.
- controller 154, message processor 158, and radio 144 may be implemented as part of the chip or SoC.
- controller 154, message processor 158 and/or radio 144 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 140.
- device 102 may include one or more applications configured to provide and/or to use one or more location based services, e.g., a social application, a navigation application, a location based advertising application, and/or the like.
- device 102 may include an application 125 to be executed by device 102.
- application 125 may use range information between devices 102 and 140, for example, to determine an estimated location of device 102, e.g., with respect to a coordinate system, e.g., a World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), and/or a local coordination.
- device 102 may include a Smartphone and device 140 may include an AP, which is located in a shop, e.g., in a shopping mall.
- application 125 may use the range information to determine a relative location of device 102 with respect to device 140, for example, to receive sale offers from the shop.
- device 102 may include a mobile device and device 140 may include a responder station, which is located in a parking zone, e.g., of a shopping mall.
- application 125 may use the range information to determine a location of device 102 in the parking zone, for example, to enable a user of device 102 to find a parking area in the parking zone.
- device 102 may include a location estimator 115 configured to estimate a location of device 102, e.g., as described below. [0086] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of location estimator 115 may be implemented as part of controller 124.
- location estimator 115 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102.
- location estimator 115 may be configured to estimate the location of device 102, for example, based on time based range measurements, for example, with device 140 and/or one or more other devices.
- the time based range measurements may be performed using WLAN communications, e.g., WiFi.
- WLAN communications e.g., WiFi.
- using WiFi to perform the time based range measurements may enable, for example, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the location estimation of device 102, e.g., in an indoor environment.
- the time based range measurements may include a round trip time (RTT) measurement (also referred to as Time of Flight (ToF) procedure).
- RTT round trip time
- ToF Time of Flight
- an RTT value may be defined as the overall time a signal propagates from a first station, e.g., device 102, to a second station, e.g., device 140, and back to the first station.
- a ToF value may be defined as the overall time a signal propagates from a first station, e.g., device 102, to a second station, e.g., device 140.
- a distance between the first and second stations may be determined based on the RTT value, for example, by dividing the RTT value by two and multiplying the result by the speed of light, or by multiplying the ToF value by the speed of light.
- the ToF measurement procedure may include a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) procedure.
- device 102 and/or device 140 may be configured to perform one or more FTM measurements, ToF measurements, positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications, for example, and/or according to any other additional or alternative procedure and/or protocol, e.g., an Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) procedure.
- RSSI Received Signal Strength Indication
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform one or more FTM measurements, for example, using WLAN communications, e.g., WiFi.
- WLAN communications e.g., WiFi
- using WiFi to perform time based range measurements, e.g., FTM measurements may enable, for example, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the mobile devices, e.g., in an indoor environment.
- a first STA e.g., a responder STA
- the second STA e.g., the initiator STA
- TOD Time of Departure
- TOA Time of Arrival
- Ack Acknowledgement
- an implementation in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies. For example, if FTM frames cannot be aggregated, ranging may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth, e.g., as described below. [00102] Reference is made to Fig.
- ASAP As Soon As Possible
- device 202 may transmit to device 240 an FTM request message 231 to request to perform the FTM procedure 200 with device 240.
- device 240 may transmit an FTM request acknowledgement (ACK) 232 to device 202, to acknowledge receipt of the FTM request message 231, and to confirm the request to perform the FTM procedure.
- ACK FTM request acknowledgement
- FTM procedure 200 may include an FTM measurement period, during which devices 202 and 240 may communicate FTM measurement frames, e.g., as described below.
- devices 202 and/or 240 may communicate the FTM measurement frames between devices 202 and 240 during the FTM measurement period, for example, to determine a Time of Flight (ToF) value between devices 202 and 240.
- ToF Time of Flight
- device 240 may determine a time value, denoted ti l, based on a time at which an FTM message 234 is transmitted to device 202.
- the time value ti l may be based on a Time of Departure (ToD) of message 234.
- ToD Time of Departure
- device 202 may receive message 234 and may determine a time value, denoted t2_l, e.g., based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of message 234.
- t2_l a time value
- ToA Time of Arrival
- device 202 may determine a time value, denoted t3_l, based on a time at which a message 236 is transmitted to device 240.
- Message 236 may include, for example, an acknowledgement message transmitted in response to FTM message 234.
- the time value t3_l may be based on a ToD of the message 236.
- device 240 may receive message 236 and may determine a time value, denoted t4_l, e.g., based on a ToA of message 236.
- device 240 may transmit an FTM message 238 to device 202.
- Message 238 may include, for example, information corresponding to the time value ti l and/or the time value t4_l .
- message 238 may include a timestamp, e.g., a ToD timestamp, including the time value ti l, and a timestamp, e.g., a ToA timestamp, including the time value t4 1.
- device 202 may receive message 238.
- device 202 may transmit a message 239 to device 240.
- Message 239 may include, for example, an acknowledgement message transmitted in response to message 238.
- device 240 may transmit an FTM message 242 to device 202.
- Message 242 may include, for example, information corresponding to the time value tl_2 and/or the time value t4_2, e.g., corresponding to the messages 238 and 239.
- message 242 may include a timestamp, e.g., a ToD timestamp, including the time value tl_2 corresponding to the message 238, and a timestamp, e.g., a ToA timestamp, including the time value t4_2 corresponding to message 239.
- device 202 may receive message 242.
- device 202 may transmit a message 243 to device 240.
- Message 239 may include, for example, an acknowledgement message transmitted in response to message 242.
- Device 202 may determine a ToF between device 202 and device 240, for example, based on message 238 and/or message 242. For example, device 202 may determine the ToF based on an average, or any other function, applied to the time values ti l, t2_l, t3_l and t4_l . For example, device 202 may determine the ToF, e.g., as follows:
- Device 202 may determine the distance between devices 202 and 240 based calculated ToF.
- FTM procedure 200 may have one or more disadvantages, inefficiencies and/or technical problems, e.g., as described below.
- an FTM procedure e.g., FTM procedure 200, in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies.
- FTM procedure 200 may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth, e.g., as described below.
- FTM procedure 200 may have an overhead of 6 frames, e.g., three FTM messages and three ACKs, which may be communicated during an FTM burst.
- FTM procedure 200 may include communication of six frames, e.g., FTM frames 234, 238, and 242, and Ack frames 236, 239, and 243 during the burst.
- FTM procedure 200 may require at least three medium usages, e.g., which may require the initiating STA and the responder STA to wait to acquire a clear channel for three times.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform operations and/or communications of a ranging protocol, e.g., an FTM protocol, which may be configured to provide one or more benefits, to provide one or more advantages and/or to solve one or more of the problems and/or shortcomings of the FTM procedure 200 (Fig. 2), e.g., as described below.
- a ranging protocol e.g., an FTM protocol
- FTM protocol which may be configured to provide one or more benefits, to provide one or more advantages and/or to solve one or more of the problems and/or shortcomings of the FTM procedure 200 (Fig. 2), e.g., as described below.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform operations and/or communications of an "atomic" ranging protocol, e.g., an "atomic" FTM protocol, which may be performed even during a single medium usage, e.g., as described below.
- an "atomic" ranging protocol e.g., an "atomic" FTM protocol
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to communicate messages according to a ranging protocol, e.g., an FTM protocol, which may be configured to allow ranging packets, e.g., an FTM message, an FTM Request, an FTM Range Request, an FTM Range Report, and/or any other additional or alternative ranging packet, to be aggregated with other frames, for example, including data frames, Beam Refinement Protocol (BRP) frames, and/or one or more other types of frames, e.g., as described below.
- BRP Beam Refinement Protocol
- an FTM protocol may be configured with respect to communications over a directional frequency band, for example, a DMG band, e.g., according to a DMG protocol.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to communicate one or more messages of the ranging protocol, e.g., the FTM protocol, over a DMG band, e.g., as described below.
- the ranging protocol e.g., the FTM protocol
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to communicate one or more messages of the ranging protocol in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to aggregate an FTM frame inside another frame, for example, an Ack message, e.g., as described below.
- aggregating the FTM frame in an ACK frame may provide a responding STA with access to one or more timestamps from an initiator STA.
- aggregating the FTM frame in an ACK frame may allow, for example, a fast reciprocal ranging flow, e.g., as described below.
- devices 102 and 140 may communicate one or more aggregated messages, for example, to determine a ranging measurement between devices 102 and 140, e.g., as described below.
- device 102 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of an initiator device to initiate the FTM protocol, and device 140 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of a responder device.
- device 102 may include a mobile device, e.g., a Smartphone, which may initiate the FTM protocol with device 140, for example, to determine a location of the mobile device.
- device 102 may include an FTM component 117, and/or device 140 may include an FTM component 157, which may be configured to perform one or more FTM measurements, operations and/or communications according to the FTM protocol, e.g., as described below.
- FTM components 117 and/or 157 may include, or may be implemented, using suitable circuitry and/or logic, e.g., controller circuitry and/or logic, processor circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, which may be configured to perform at least part of the functionality of FTM components 117 and/or 157. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.
- suitable circuitry and/or logic e.g., controller circuitry and/or logic, processor circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, which may be configured to perform at least part of the functionality of FTM components 117 and/or 157.
- one or more functionalities of FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine
- FTM component 117 may be configured to perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of the functionality of, message processor 128 and/or controller 124, for example, to trigger communication of one or more FTM messages, for example, in the form of aggregated messages, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of the functionality of, message processor 158 and/or controller 154, for example, to trigger communication of one or more FTM messages, for example, in the form of aggregated messages, e.g., as described below.
- FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to trigger the FTM measurements, for example, periodically and/or or upon a request from an application executed by a device, e.g., application 125, for example, to determine an accurate location of the device.
- FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more measurements according to the FTM protocol, e.g., as described below.
- FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more proximity, ranging, and/or location estimation measurements, e.g., in an indoor location, based on the FTM measurements.
- the FTM measurements may provide a relatively accurate estimation of location, range and/or proximity, e.g., in an indoor location.
- FTM component e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157
- FTM component may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative type of Time of Flight (ToF) measurements, ranging measurements, positioning measurements, proximity measurements, and/or location estimation measurements, e.g., according to any additional or alternative protocol and/or procedure.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to capture one or more timestamps in an FTM Request, e.g., as described below.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to send the timestamps in an FTM Block Ack (BACK or BA), e.g., as described below.
- BACK FTM Block Ack
- a responder STA e.g., device 140
- BAs Block Acks
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to generate, transmit, receive, access and/or process an aggregation of an FTM and a Block Ack (also referred to as an "FTM block Ack"), which may include one or more timestamp fields, e.g., TOD and/or TO A fields, for example, inside the Block Ack, e.g., as described below.
- FTM block Ack also referred to as an "FTM block Ack”
- timestamp fields e.g., TOD and/or TO A fields, for example, inside the Block Ack, e.g., as described below.
- device 102 may initiate the FTM protocol, for example, to determine a location of device 102.
- device 102 may transmit a first aggregated message to device 140, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit the first aggregated message to device 140.
- the first aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging request message and a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR).
- BAR Block Acknowledgement Request
- the ranging request message may include a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- device 140 may receive the first aggregated message from device 102.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process the first aggregated message from device 102 including the aggregation of the ranging request message and the BAR.
- device 140 may transmit a second aggregated message to device 102, for example, in response to the first aggregated message from device 102, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit the second aggregated message to device 102.
- the second aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message.
- the block acknowledgement message may include a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- the ranging measurement message may include an FTM message.
- the ranging measurement message may include one or more timestamps measured by device 140.
- the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message may include a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to determine the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
- an implementation may include a STA configured to capture received timestamps on any incoming PPDUs, for example, regardless of whether the incoming PPDUs include FTM frames or not, and having a priori knowledge of a transmit time of an outgoing acknowledgement "Ack" frame.
- the a priori knowledge may be implemented by a fixed counter, which may be configured to provide a precise value of a time period between a ToA of an incoming message and a ToD of an outgoing message.
- the time period may include a Short Interframe Space (SIFS), e.g., 3 microseconds (us) for communication over a DMG band, and/or 16us for communication in a 2.4 band or a 5 GHz.
- SIFS Short Interframe Space
- the SIFS may have any other duration, e.g., which may be allowed to vary from one PPDU to another.
- the STA may have knowledge of the time period between the ToA of the incoming message and the ToD of the outgoing message.
- device 140 may be configured to implement the fixed counter, for example, to set the time period between an incoming message including the aggregation of the FTM request and the BAR, and the outgoing message including the aggregation of the FTM message and the block acknowledgement, e.g., as described above.
- device 102 may receive the second aggregated message from device 140 including the one or more time stamps measured by device 140.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process the second aggregated message including the aggregation of the block acknowledgement and the ranging measurement message including the one or more timestamps, e.g., measured by device 140.
- device 102 may determine a ranging measurement, for example, based on the one or more timestamps measured by device 140, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine the ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to measure a ToD of the first aggregated message and a ToA of the second aggregated message.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine the ranging measurement based on the ToD of the first aggregated message and the ToA of the second aggregated message, which may be measured by device 102, and the ToD of the second aggregated message and the ToA of the first aggregated message, which may be measured by device 140 and included in the second aggregated message.
- a capability to aggregate an FTM frame with an Ack frame may be signaled, for example, in a Trigger field of an FTM Request frame, e.g., as described below.
- a STA e.g., a STA implemented by device 102 and/or a STA implemented by device 140, may be configured to signal an indication of a capability of the STA to aggregate an FTM frame with an Ack, e.g., as described below.
- a bit of the trigger field may be used as a "capability bit" to signal capability of the STA to communicate FTM messages with aggregation.
- a first STA e.g., device 102
- a second STA e.g., device 140
- the request may be signaled, for example, by using a bit, e.g., a reserved bit of 21 reserved bits, in an FTM frame format.
- a bit may be defined in a header, for example, an EDMG Header- A, to indicate that if an Aggregate bit in a DMG Single Carrier (SC) mode header is set to 1, the Aggregate bit is to indicate the presence of either an FTM frame or an FTM Request frame in an Aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU).
- a header for example, an EDMG Header- A, to indicate that if an Aggregate bit in a DMG Single Carrier (SC) mode header is set to 1, the Aggregate bit is to indicate the presence of either an FTM frame or an FTM Request frame in an Aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU).
- SC Single Carrier
- a STA may be configured to, for example, if bit 37 (Aggregation), e.g., in Table 20-17 of an IEEE 802.1 IREVmc Specification, is set to 1, set a bit in the header to 1 to indicate that the PPDU in the data portion of the packet contains an FTM or FTM Request frame; otherwise set to 0.
- bit 37 Aggregation
- bit 37 e.g., in Table 20-17 of an IEEE 802.1 IREVmc Specification
- a ToD/ToA capability may be added to one or more PPDUs, e.g., even to each PPDU, included in an Aggregate Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU).
- MAC Media Access Control
- adding the ToD/ToA capability to one or more PPDUs in the A-MPDU may allow, for example, performing ranging, e.g., even without having to contend for the medium every time ranging is desired.
- performing ranging e.g., even without having to contend for the medium every time ranging is desired.
- such a capability may be beneficial, for example, in dense scenarios, where individual FTM transmissions could be avoided.
- a capability to aggregate FTM frames may be implemented, for example, at least by an Enhanced DMG (EDMG) STA, e.g., devices 102 and/or 140.
- EDMG Enhanced DMG
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to aggregate FTM frames with any suitable type of data frame, BRP frame, and/or any other frame.
- one or more of the aggregated messages described herein may include an aggregation of an FTM message with a data frame, a BRP frame, and/or any other additional or alternative frame.
- an FTM (Request) frame may be transmitted as part of an A-MPDU sent to a STA, e.g., an EDMG STA.
- the FTM (Request) frame shall be transmitted as an Action No Ack frame and the A-MPDU shall not contain more than one FTM (Request) frame, e.g., and shall contain a BAR.
- device 102 may transmit an FTM (Request) frame as part of an A-MPDU to device 140.
- controller 124 may cause device 102 to transmit the FTM (Request) frame as an Action No Ack frame and the A-MPDU shall not contain more than one FTM (Request) frame, e.g., and shall contain a BAR.
- the A-MPDU containing the FTM frame shall have the FTM frame precede a Block Ack request (BlockAckReq) requesting immediate Block Ack.
- BlockAckReq Block Ack request
- retransmission of a subsequent FTM frame shall be spaced by a predefined time period, for example, at least a Min Delta FTM period, e.g., in compliance with an IEEE 802.11-2016 Specification.
- the Min Delta FTM period may include a minimum time between consecutive Fine Timing Measurement frames, which may be, for example, defined by the initiating SAT, and may be measured, for example, from the start of an Fine Timing Measurement frame to the start of a following Fine Timing Measurement frame, e.g., in units of 100 microsecond ( ⁇ ).
- device 102 may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of initiator station 302, and/or device 140 (Fig. 1) may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of responder station 340.
- FTM procedure 300 may utilize an exchange of one or more aggregated messages to communicate one or more FTM messages, e.g., as described below.
- STA 302 may transmit a first aggregated message 301 including an initiator FTM request (iFTMR) aggregated with a block acknowledgement Request (BAR) (iFTMR + BAR).
- iFTMR initiator FTM request
- BAR block acknowledgement Request
- STA 340 may determine a ToA timestamp, denoted T2 0, of first aggregated message 301.
- STA 340 may transmit a second aggregated message 304 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack (FTM Block Ack).
- FTM Block Ack an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack
- STA 340 may transmit the second aggregated message 304 at a ToD timestamp, denoted T3 0, of the second aggregated message 304.
- the second aggregated message 304 may include one or more timestamps.
- the second aggregated message 304 may include the ToA timestamp T2 0 and the ToD time stamp T3 0.
- STA 302 may receive the second aggregated message 304, and may determine a ranging measurement based on timing of the aggregated messages 301 and 304, e.g., as described below.
- STA 302 may determine the ranging measurement based on a ToD timestamp, denoted T1 0, of the first aggregated message 301, e.g., as measured by the STA 302, the ToA timestamp T2 0 and the ToD timestamp T3 0, which may be included in the second aggregated message 304, and a ToA timestamp, denoted T4 0, of the second aggregated message 304, e.g., as measured by STA 302.
- STA 302 may determine the ToF between STA 302 and STA 340, e.g., as follows:
- FTM procedure 300 may allow performing a ranging measurement using two frames, e.g., aggregated messages 301 and 304. According to these demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 300 may provide an improvement of 66% compared to FTM procedure 200, which requires at least 6 PPDUs to be transmitted before a single ranging measurement is performed.
- FTM procedure 300 may be, for example, self contained, for example, where Dialog Token logic and/or memory may even be removed, e.g., since FTM procedure 300 may allow even each FTM Request frame to get immediate timestamp information.
- devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform a reciprocal ranging measurement, for example, to allow both devices 102 and 140 to perform ranging measurements, e.g., as described below.
- the reciprocal ranging measurement may allow both devices 102 and 140 to obtain ranging information, for example, in opposed to the FTM procedure 300 (Fig. 3), which may be one-sided, e.g., to allow the initiating STA to obtain ranging measurement information, e.g., as described below.
- a reciprocal ranging measurement in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies. For example, if the FTM frames cannot be aggregated, ranging may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth, e.g., as described below.
- FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a sequence diagram, which demonstrates operations and interactions between a first wireless communication device 402 ("Initiating STA1" or “initiator”) and a second wireless communication device 440 (“Responding STA2" or “responder”), of an FTM procedure 400.
- FTM procedure 400 may have an overhead of 10 frames, e.g., five FTM messages 406 and five ACKs 404, which may be communicated during an FTM burst.
- FTM procedure 400 may require at least five medium usages, e.g., which may require waiting for a clear channel for five times.
- FTM procedure 400 in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies.
- FTM procedure 400 may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth.
- devices 102 and 104 may be configured to perform a reciprocal ranging measurement with aggregation of FTM frames, for example, to allow both devices 102 and 140 to obtain ranging information, e.g., as described below.
- aggregating an FTM frame in an ACK frame may provide a responding STA with access to one or more timestamps from an initiator STA. Accordingly, aggregating the FTM frame in an ACK frame may allow, for example, a fast reciprocal ranging flow, e.g., as described below.
- devices 102 and 140 may be configured to perform a reciprocal ranging measurement between devices 102 and 140, e.g., as described below.
- device 102 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of an initiator device to initiate the reciprocal FTM protocol, and/or device 140 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of a responder device.
- devices 102 and 140 may communicate one or more aggregated messages, for example, as part of the reciprocal ranging measurement between devices 102 and 140, e.g., as described below.
- device 102 may transmit a first aggregated message to device 140, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit the first aggregated message to device 140.
- the first aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging request message and a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR), e.g., as described below.
- BAR Block Acknowledgement Request
- device 140 may receive the first aggregated message from device 102, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process the first aggregated message from device 102 including the aggregation of the ranging request message and the BAR.
- device 140 may transmit a second aggregated message to device 102, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit the second aggregated message to device 102.
- the second aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, e.g., as described below.
- the ranging measurement message in the second aggregated message may include an FTM message, e.g., as described below.
- the ranging measurement message in the second aggregated message may include one or more timestamps measured by device 102, e.g., as described below.
- the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message may include a block acknowledgement request, e.g., as described below.
- device 102 may receive the second aggregated message from device 140 including the one or more time stamps measured by device 140.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process the second aggregated message including the block acknowledgement request and the ranging measurement message.
- device 140 may transmit a third aggregated message to device 102, for example, prior to the second aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- the third aggregated message may include an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- device 102 may receive the third aggregated message from device 140 including the another ranging measurement message and the block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process the third aggregated message including the aggregation of the another ranging measurement message and the block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- device 102 may transmit a fourth aggregated message to device 140, for example, after receipt of the second aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit the fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message.
- the fourth aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from device 102 and a block acknowledgement message from device 102, e.g., as described below.
- the ranging measurement message in the fourth aggregated message may include one or more timestamps measured by device 102, e.g., as described below.
- the ranging measurement message in the fourth aggregated message may include a ToD of the first aggregated message, and a ToA of the third aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to measure the ToD of the first aggregated message. [00235] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to measure the ToA of the third aggregated message.
- device 140 may receive from device 102 the fourth aggregated message including the block acknowledgement message from device 102 and the ranging measurement message from device 102, which may include the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process the fourth aggregated message from the device 102, e.g., as described below.
- device 140 may determine a ranging measurement between devices 140 and 102, for example, based on the one or more timestamps in the fourth aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message, and the ToD of the third aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to determine the ranging measurement between devices 140 and 102 based on the ToA of the first aggregated message and the ToD of the third aggregated, which may be measured by device 140, together with the ToD of the first aggregated message and the ToA of the third aggregated message, which may be measured by device 102 and included in the fourth aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
- FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a reciprocal FTM procedure 500 between an initiator station 502 (STA2) and a responder station 540 (STAl), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- device 102 (Fig. 1) may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of initiator station 502, and/or device 140 (Fig. 1) may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of responder station 540.
- reciprocal FTM procedure 500 may utilize one or more aggregated messages, e.g., as described below.
- the reciprocal FTM measurement 500 may allow both devices 502 and 540 to obtain ranging information, for example, in opposed to a one-sided FTM procedure, which may allow only the initiating STA to obtain ranging measurement information, e.g., as described below.
- STA 502 may transmit an aggregated message 501 including an initiator FTM request (iFTMR) aggregated with a block acknowledgement Request (BAR) (aggregate iFTMR BAR).
- iFTMR initiator FTM request
- BAR block acknowledgement Request
- STA 540 may determine a ToA timestamp, denoted T2 0, of aggregated message 501.
- STA 540 may transmit an aggregated message 504 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack (aggregate FTM Block Ack), e.g., to acknowledge the aggregated message 501.
- a Block Ack aggregate FTM Block Ack
- STA 540 may transmit the aggregated message 504 at a ToD timestamp, denoted T3 0, of the second aggregated message 504.
- STA 502 may receive the aggregated message 504.
- STA 540 may transmit an aggregated message 506 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack Request (aggregate FTM BAR), for example, subsequent to transmission of message 504.
- FTM BAR Block Ack Request
- aggregated message 506 may include, for example, the timestamp T2 0 and the timestamp T3 0, e.g., as measured by STA 540.
- STA 502 may be able to determine a ranging measurement, e.g., an RTT, between STAs 502 and 540, for example, based on receipt of aggregated message 506, e.g., as described below.
- a ranging measurement e.g., an RTT
- STA 502 may determine the ranging measurement based on a ToD timestamp, denoted T1 0, of the aggregated message 501, e.g., as measured by the STA 502, the timestamp T2 0 and the timestamp T3 0, included in the aggregated message 504, and a ToA timestamp, denoted T4_0, of the aggregated message 504, e.g., as measured by STA 502.
- T1 ToD timestamp
- T3 the timestamp included in the aggregated message 504
- T4_0 ToA timestamp
- STA 502 may transmit an aggregated message 508 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack (aggregate FTM Block Ack), e.g., to acknowledge aggregated message 506.
- FTM FTM Block Ack
- aggregated message 508 may include one or more timestamps measured by the STA 502.
- aggregated message 506 may include the timestamp T4_0 and the time stamp T1 0, which may be measured by STA 502.
- STA 540 may be able to determine a ranging measurement, e.g., an RTT, between STAs 540 and 502, for example, based on receipt of aggregated message 508, e.g., as described below.
- STA 540 may receive the aggregated message 508, and may determine the ranging measurement based on the one or more timestamps in aggregated message 508, e.g., as described below.
- STA 540 may determine the ranging measurement based on the timestamp T1_0 and the time stamp T4 0, which may be measured by STA 502, and the timestamp T2_0 and the timestamp T3_0, e.g., as measured by STA 540.
- STA 540 may determine the ToF between STA 502 and STA 540, e.g., as follows:
- FTM procedure 500 may allow performing an a reciprocal ranging measurement, for example, even by using four frames, e.g., aggregated messages 501, 504 506 and 508. Accordingly, FTM procedure 500 may provide an improvement compared to FTM procedure 400 (Fig. 4), which may require transmission of at least lO PPDUs.
- FTM procedure 500 may utilize a Dialog Token logic for FTM Request frames.
- a new EDMG FTM Request frame may be defined.
- the EDMG FTM request frame may be at a wide bandwidth, e.g., a widest bandwidth.
- Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a method of a ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- one or more of the operations of the method of Fig. 6 may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., devices 102 and/or 140 (Fig.
- a controller e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1); an FTM component, e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1); a location estimator, e.g., location estimator 115 (Fig. 1); a radio, e.g., radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1); a message processor, e.g., message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1), a transmitter, e.g., transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1); and/or a receiver, e.g., receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1).
- a controller e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1); an FTM component, e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1); a location estimator, e.g., location estimator 115 (Fig. 1); a radio,
- the method may include transmitting a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request.
- FTM component 117 may control, cause and/or trigger device 102 (Fig. 1) to transmit the first aggregated message 301 (Fig. 3) to device 140 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.
- the method may include processing a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message may include one or more timestamps.
- FTM component 117 may control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process second aggregated message 304 (Fig. 3) from device 140 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.
- Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a method of a ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- a wireless communication system e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., devices 102 and/or 140 (Fig. 1); a controller, e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1); an FTM component, e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1); a location estimator, e.g., location estimator 115 (Fig.
- a radio e.g., radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1); a message processor, e.g., message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1), a transmitter, e.g., transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1); and/or a receiver, e.g., receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1).
- the method may include processing a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request.
- FTM component 157 may control, cause and/or trigger device 140 (Fig. 1) to process the first aggregated message 301 (Fig. 3) from device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.
- the method may include transmitting a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message including one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- FTM component 157 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit second aggregated message 304 (Fig. 3) to device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.
- Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a product of manufacture 800, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
- Product 800 may include one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media 802, which may include computer-executable instructions, e.g., implemented by logic 804, operable to, when executed by at least one computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor to implement one or more operations at device 102 (Fig. 1), device 140 (Fig. 1), controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1), FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1), location estimator 115 (Fig. 1), radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1), message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1), transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1), and/or receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig.
- Non- transitory machine-readable medium is directed to include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal.
- product 800 and/or storage media 802 may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or nonerasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like.
- storage media 802 may include, RAM, DRAM, Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory (e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase- change memory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppy disk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like.
- RAM random access memory
- DDR-DRAM Double-Data-Rate DRAM
- SDRAM static RAM
- ROM read-only memory
- the computer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involved with downloading or transferring a computer program from a remote computer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link, e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.
- a communication link e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.
- logic 804 may include instructions, data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause the machine to perform a method, process and/or operations as described herein.
- the machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, and the like.
- logic 804 may include, or may be implemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program, a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words, values, symbols, and the like.
- the instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like.
- the instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform a certain function.
- the instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab, Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.
- Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising circuitry and logic configured to cause a first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
- Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 3, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 4, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 6 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-5, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- Example 7 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-6, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
- Example 8 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-7, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and to determine a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 9 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-8, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 9, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 11 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-10, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- Example 12 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-11, and optionally, comprising a radio to transmit the first aggregated message, and to receive the second aggregated message.
- Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12, and optionally, comprising one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.
- Example 14 includes a system of wireless communication comprising a first wireless station, the first wireless station comprising one or more antennas; a radio; a memory; a processor; and a controller configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
- Example 15 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 16, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 18 includes the subject matter of Example 17, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 19 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-18, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 20 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-19, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
- Example 21 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-20, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and to determine a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 22 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-21, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 23 includes the subject matter of Example 22, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 24 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-23, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- Example 25 includes a method to be performed at a first wireless station, the method comprising transmitting a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and processing a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
- Example 26 includes the subject matter of Example 25, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 27 includes the subject matter of Example 25, and optionally, comprising processing a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 27, and optionally, comprising transmitting a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 29 includes the subject matter of Example 28, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 30 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-29, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- Example 31 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-30, and optionally, comprising determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
- Example 32 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-31, and optionally, comprising measuring a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and determining a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 33 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-32, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 33, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 35 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-34, and optionally, comprising communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- GHz Gigahertz
- Example 36 includes a product including one or more tangible computer-readable non- transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
- Example 37 includes the subject matter of Example 36, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 38 includes the subject matter of Example 36, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 39 includes the subject matter of Example 38, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to transmit a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 40 includes the subject matter of Example 39, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 41 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-40, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 42 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-41, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
- Example 43 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-42, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to measure a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and to determine a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 44 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-43, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 44, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 46 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-45, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Ack Action No Acknowledgement
- Example 47 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a first wireless station, the apparatus comprising means for transmitting a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and means for processing a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
- Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 47, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 49 includes the subject matter of Example 47, and optionally, comprising means for processing a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 50 includes the subject matter of Example 49, and optionally, comprising means for transmitting a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 51 includes the subject matter of Example 50, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 52 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-51, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- Example 53 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-52, and optionally, comprising means for determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
- Example 54 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-53, and optionally, comprising means for measuring a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and determining a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 55 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-54, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 56 includes the subject matter of Example 55, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 57 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-56, and optionally, comprising means for communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- GHz Gigahertz
- Example 58 includes an apparatus comprising circuitry and logic configured to cause a first wireless station to process a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and transmit a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 59 includes the subject matter of Example 58, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 60 includes the subject matter of Example 58, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 61 includes the subject matter of Example 60, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
- Example 62 includes the subject matter of Example 61, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
- Example 63 includes the subject matter of Example 61 or 62, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 64 includes the subject matter of Example 63, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 65 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-64, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 66 includes the subject matter of Example 65, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
- Example 67 includes the subject matter of Example 65 or 66, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
- Example 68 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-67, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 69 includes the subject matter of Example 68, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 70 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-69, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- GHz Gigahertz
- Example 71 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-70, and optionally, comprising a radio to receive the first aggregated message and to transmit the second aggregated message.
- Example 72 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-71, and optionally, comprising one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.
- Example 73 includes a system of wireless communication comprising a first wireless station, the first wireless station comprising one or more antennas; a radio; a memory; a processor; and a controller configured to cause the first wireless station to process a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and transmit a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 74 includes the subject matter of Example 73, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 75 includes the subject matter of Example 73, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 76 includes the subject matter of Example 75 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
- Example 77 includes the subject matter of Example 76, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
- Example 78 includes the subject matter of Example 76 or 77, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 79 includes the subject matter of Example 78, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 80 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-79, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 81 includes the subject matter of Example 80, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
- Example 82 includes the subject matter of Example 80 or 81, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
- Example 83 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-82, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 84 includes the subject matter of Example 83, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 85 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-84, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- Example 86 includes a method to be performed at a first wireless station, the method comprising processing a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and transmitting a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 87 includes the subject matter of Example 86, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 88 includes the subject matter of Example 86, and optionally, comprising transmitting a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 89 includes the subject matter of Example 88, and optionally, comprising processing a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
- Example 90 includes the subject matter of Example 89, and optionally, comprising determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
- Example 91 includes the subject matter of Example 89 or 90, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 92 includes the subject matter of Example 91, and optionally, comprising determining a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 93 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 86-92, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 94 includes the subject matter of Example 93, and optionally, comprising measuring the ToA of the first aggregated message.
- Example 95 includes the subject matter of Example 93 or 94, and optionally, comprising determining the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and transmitting the second aggregated message at the ToD.
- Example 96 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 86-95, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- Example 97 includes the subject matter of Example 96, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Ack Action No Acknowledgement
- Example 98 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 86-97, and optionally, comprising communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- Example 99 includes a product including one or more tangible computer-readable non- transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
- Example 100 includes the subject matter of Example 99, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 101 includes the subject matter of Example 99, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to transmit a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 102 includes the subject matter of Example 101, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to process a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
- Example 103 includes the subject matter of Example 102, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
- Example 104 includes the subject matter of Example 102 or 103, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 105 includes the subject matter of Example 104, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 106 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 99-105, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 107 includes the subject matter of Example 106, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
- Example 108 includes the subject matter of Example 106 or 107, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
- Example 109 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 99-108, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 110 includes the subject matter of Example 109, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 111 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 99-110, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- Example 112 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a first wireless station, the apparatus comprising means for processing a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and means for transmitting a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
- Example 113 includes the subject matter of Example 112, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
- Example 114 includes the subject matter of Example 112, and optionally, comprising means for transmitting a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
- Example 115 includes the subject matter of Example 114, and optionally, comprising means for processing a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
- Example 116 includes the subject matter of Example 115, and optionally, comprising means for determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
- Example 117 includes the subject matter of Example 115 or 116, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
- ToD Time of Departure
- ToA Time of Arrival
- Example 118 includes the subject matter of Example 117, and optionally, comprising means for determining a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
- ToA Time of Arrival
- ToD Time of Departure
- Example 119 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 112-118, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
- Example 120 includes the subject matter of Example 119, and optionally, comprising means for measuring the ToA of the first aggregated message.
- Example 121 includes the subject matter of Example 119 or 120, and optionally, comprising means for determining the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and transmitting the second aggregated message at the ToD.
- Example 122 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 112-121, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
- FTM Fine Timing Measurement
- Example 123 includes the subject matter of Example 122, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
- Example 124 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 112-123, and optionally, comprising means for communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
- GHz Gigahertz
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Abstract
Some demonstrative embodiments may include apparatus system and method of ranging measurement. For example, an apparatus may include circuitry and logic configured to cause a first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and to process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
Description
APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RANGING MEASUREMENT
CROSS REFERENCE
[001] This Application claims the benefit of and priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/383,715 entitled "APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RANGING MEASUREMENT", filed September 6, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] Embodiments described herein generally relate to a ranging measurement.
BACKGROUND
[003] Outdoor navigation is widely deployed thanks to the development of various global- navigation-satellite-systems (GNSS), e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS), GALILEO, and the like. [004] Recently, there has been a lot of focus on indoor navigation. This field differs from the outdoor navigation, since the indoor environment does not enable the reception of signals from GNSS satellites. As a result, a lot of effort is being directed towards solving the indoor navigation problem.
[005] A Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) Protocol, e.g., in accordance with an IEEE 802.11 Specification, may include measuring a Round Trip Time (RTT) from a wireless station (STA) to a plurality of other STAs, for example, to perform trilateration and/or calculate the location of the STA.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[006] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are listed below.
[007] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
[008] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) procedure. [009] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of messages of an FTM procedure utilizing aggregated frames, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
[0010] Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a reciprocal FTM procedure.
[0011] Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of messages of a reciprocal FTM procedure utilizing aggregated frames, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. [0012] Fig. 6 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
[0013] Fig. 7 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
[0014] Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a product of manufacture, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments. However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the discussion.
[0016] Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. [0017] The terms "plurality" and "a plurality", as used herein, include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". For example, "a plurality of items" includes two or more items.
[0018] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "demonstrative embodiment", "various embodiments" etc, indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.
[0019] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third" etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate 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.
[0020] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Device (MD), a wireless station (STA), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a wearable device, a sensor device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device,
a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP), a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device, an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wireless network, a wireless area network, a Wireless Video Area Network (WVAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), and the like.
[0021] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (including IEEE 802.11-2016 (IEEE 802. il- 2016, IEEE Standard for Information technology— Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, December 7, 2016); IEEE 802.1 lax (IEEE 802.1 lax, High Efficiency WLAN (HEW)); IEEE 802. Hay (P802.1 lay Standard for Information Technology— Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks— Specific Requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications— Amendment: Enhanced Throughput for Operation in License-Exempt Bands Above 45 GHz)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WFA Peer-to-Peer (P2P) specifications (including WiFi P2P technical specification, version 1.5, August 4, 2014) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Wireless- Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications (including Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MAC and PHY Specification Version 1.1, April 2011, Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing cellular specifications and/or protocols, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, and the like.
[0022] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable Global Positioning System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi- standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a Smartphone, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.
[0023] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, Radio Frequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency- Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), FDM Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth®, Global
Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee™, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks, 3 GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems and/or networks.
[0024] The term "wireless device", as used herein, includes, for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communication device capable of wireless communication, a communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, or the like. In some demonstrative embodiments, a wireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integrated with a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In some demonstrative embodiments, the term "wireless device" may optionally include a wireless service.
[0025] The term "communicating" as used herein with respect to a communication signal includes transmitting the communication signal and/or receiving the communication signal. For example, a communication unit, which is capable of communicating a communication signal, may include a transmitter to transmit the communication signal to at least one other communication unit, and/or a communication receiver to receive the communication signal from at least one other communication unit. The verb communicating may be used to refer to the action of transmitting or the action of receiving. In one example, the phrase "communicating a signal" may refer to the action of transmitting the signal by a first device, and may not
necessarily include the action of receiving the signal by a second device. In another example, the phrase "communicating a signal" may refer to the action of receiving the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of transmitting the signal by a second device.
[0026] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to, be part of, or include, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group), that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware.
[0027] The term "logic" may refer, for example, to computing logic embedded in circuitry of a computing apparatus and/or computing logic stored in a memory of a computing apparatus. For example, the logic may be accessible by a processor of the computing apparatus to execute the computing logic to perform computing functions and/or operations. In one example, logic may be embedded in various types of memory and/or firmware, e.g., silicon blocks of various chips and/or processors. Logic may be included in, and/or implemented as part of, various circuitry, e.g. radio circuitry, receiver circuitry, control circuitry, transmitter circuitry, transceiver circuitry, processor circuitry, and/or the like. In one example, logic may be embedded in volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory, including random access memory, read only memory, programmable memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, persistent memory, and/or the like. Logic may be executed by one or more processors using memory, e.g., registers, buffers, stacks, and the like, coupled to the one or more processors, e.g., as necessary to execute the logic.
[0028] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a WLAN, e.g., a WiFi network. Other embodiments may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network, for example, a wireless area network, a "piconet", a WPAN, a WVAN and the like.
[0029] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a 2.4GHz band, a 5GHZ band, and/or a frequency band of 60GHz. However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the
frequency band of between 20Ghz and 300GHZ, a frequency band above 45GHZ, a Sub 1 GHZ (SIG) band, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.
[0030] The term "antenna", as used herein, may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. In some embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements. The antenna may include, for example, a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like.
[0031] The phrases "directional multi-gigabit (DMG)" and "directional band" (DBand), as used herein, may relate to a frequency band wherein the Channel starting frequency is above 45 GHz. In one example, DMG communications may involve one or more directional links to communicate at a rate of multiple gigabits per second, for example, at least 1 Gigabit per second, e.g., at least 7 Gigabit per second, at least 30 Gigabit per second, or any other rate.
[0032] Some demonstrative embodiments may be implemented by a DMG STA (also referred to as a "mmWave STA (mSTA)"), which may include for example, a STA having a radio transmitter, which is capable of operating on a channel that is within the DMG band. The DMG STA may perform other additional or alternative functionality. Other embodiments may be implemented by any other apparatus, device and/or station.
[0033] Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system 100, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.
[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments system 100 may include a wireless communication network including one or more wireless communication devices, e.g., wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140.
[0035] For example, devices 102 and/or 140 may include, for example, a UE, an MD, a STA, an AP, a PC, a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an Ultrabook™ computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a handheld device, a wearable device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-
portable device, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a "Carry Small Live Large" (CSLL) device, an Ultra Mobile Device (UMD), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an "Origami" device or computing device, a device that supports Dynamically Composable Computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, a Set-Top-Box (STB), a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a High Definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a Personal Media Player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a Digital Still camera (DSC), a media player, a Smartphone, a television, a music player, or the like.
[0036] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include, for example, one or more of a processor 191, an input unit 192, an output unit 193, a memory unit 194, and/or a storage unit 195; and/or device 140 may include, for example, one or more of a processor 181, an input unit 182, an output unit 183, a memory unit 184, and/or a storage unit 185. Devices 102 and/or 140 may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of one or more of devices 102 and/or 140 may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of one or more of devices 102 and/or 140 may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.
[0037] In some demonstrative embodiments, processor 191 and/or processor 181 may include, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multiple-core processor, a microprocessor, a host processor, a controller, a plurality of processors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits, circuitry, a logic unit, an Integrated Circuit (IC), an Application- Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose or specific processor or controller. Processor 191 may execute instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of device 102 and/or of one or more suitable applications. Processor 181 may execute instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of device 140 and/or of one or more suitable applications.
[0038] In some demonstrative embodiments, input unit 192 and/or input unit 182 may include, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-screen, a touch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitable pointing device or input device. Output unit 193 and/or output unit 183 may include, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch-screen, a flat panel display, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers or earphones, or other suitable output devices.
[0039] In some demonstrative embodiments, memory unit 194 and/or memory unit 184 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units. Storage unit 195 and/or storage unit 185 may include, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD) drive, a CD- ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable or non-removable storage units. Memory unit 194 and/or storage unit 195, for example, may store data processed by device 102. Memory unit 184 and/or storage unit 185, for example, may store data processed by device 140.
[0040] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more STAs. For example, device 102 may include at least one STA, and/or device 140 may include at least one STA. [0041] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more WLAN STAs.
[0042] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more Wi-Fi STAs.
[0043] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more BT devices.
[0044] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) STAs.
[0045] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of an Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) STA.
[0046] In some demonstrative embodiments, one of wireless communication devices 102 and/or
140, e.g., device 102, may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of a non-AP STA, and/or one of wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140, e.g., device 140, may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of an AP STA. In other embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may operate as and/or perform the functionality of any other STA. [0047] For example, the AP may include a router, a PC, a server, a Hot-Spot and/or the like.
[0048] In one example, a station (STA) may include a logical entity that is a singly addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM). The STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.
[0049] In one example, an AP may include an entity that contains a station (STA), e.g., one STA, and provides access to distribution services, via the wireless medium (WM) for associated STAs. The AP may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.
[0050] In one example, a non-access-point (non-AP) station (STA) may include a STA that is not contained within an AP. The non-AP STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality. [0051] In one example, an EDMG STA may include a DMG STA whose radio transmitter is capable of transmitting and receiving EDMG physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs).
[0052] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102 and/or 140 may be capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals via a wireless medium (WM) 103. In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless medium 103 may include, for example, a radio channel, a cellular channel, an RF channel, a WiFi channel, an IR channel, a Bluetooth (BT) channel, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Channel, and the like.
[0053] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication medium 103 may include a wireless communication channel over a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, or a 5GHz frequency band. [0054] In some demonstrative embodiments, WM 103 may include one or more directional bands and/or channels. For example, WM 103 may include one or more millimeter-wave (mmWave) wireless communication bands and/or channels.
[0055] In some demonstrative embodiments, WM 103 may include one or more DMG channels. For example, WM 103 may include one or more channels in a channel bandwidth over 45 GHz.
[0056] In other embodiments, WM 103 may include any other type of channel over any other frequency band.
[0057] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may include one or more radios including circuitry and/or logic to perform wireless communication between devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other wireless communication devices. For example, device 102 may include at least one radio 114, and/or device 140 may include at least one radio 144.
[0058] In some demonstrative embodiments, radio 114 and/or radio 144 may include one or more wireless receivers (Rx) including circuitry and/or logic to receive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one receiver 116, and/or radio 144 may include at least one receiver 146.
[0059] In some demonstrative embodiments, radio 114 and/or radio 144 may include one or more wireless transmitters (Tx) including circuitry and/or logic to transmit wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one transmitter 118, and/or radio 144 may include at least one transmitter 148.
[0060] In some demonstrative embodiments, radio 114 and/or radio 144, transmitters 118 and/or 148, and/or receivers 116 and/or 146 may include circuitry; logic; Radio Frequency (RF) elements, circuitry and/or logic; baseband elements, circuitry and/or logic; modulation elements, circuitry and/or logic; demodulation elements, circuitry and/or logic; amplifiers; analog to digital and/or digital to analog converters; filters; and/or the like. For example, radio 114 and/or radio 144 may include or may be implemented as part of a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC), and the like.
[0061] In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas 107 and/or 147, respectively.
[0062] In one example, device 102 may include a single antenna 107. In another example, device 102 may include two or more antennas 107.
[0063] In one example, device 140 may include a single antenna 147. In another example, device 140 may include two or more antennas 147. [0064] Antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any type of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets,
messages and/or data. For example, antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Antennas 107 and/or 147 may include, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication, e.g., using beamforming techniques. For example, antennas 107 and/or 147 may include a phased array antenna, a multiple element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements. [0065] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a controller 124, and/or device 140 may include a controller 154. Controller 124 may be configured to perform and/or to trigger, cause, instruct and/or control device 102 to perform, one or more communications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities, operations and/or procedures between devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other devices; and/or controller 154 may be configured to perform, and/or to trigger, cause, instruct and/or control device 140 to perform, one or more communications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities, operations and/or procedures between devices 102, 140 and/or one or more other devices, e.g., as described below. [0066] In some demonstrative embodiments, controllers 124 and/or 154 may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, baseband (BB) circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, Application Processor (AP) circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of controllers 124 and/or 154, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of controllers 124 and/or 154 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.
[0067] In one example, controller 124 may include circuitry and/or logic, for example, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, to cause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 102, and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 102, to perform one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities, e.g., as described herein.
[0068] In one example, controller 154 may include circuitry and/or logic, for example, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, to cause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 140, and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 140, to perform one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities, e.g., as described herein.
[0069] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a message processor 128 configured to generate, process and/or access one or messages communicated by device 102.
[0070] In one example, message processor 128 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be transmitted by device 102, and/or message processor 128 may be configured to access and/or to process one or more messages received by device 102, e.g., as described below.
[0071] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may include a message processor 158 configured to generate, process and/or access one or messages communicated by device 140.
[0072] In one example, message processor 158 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be transmitted by device 140, and/or message processor 158 may be configured to access and/or to process one or more messages received by device 140, e.g., as described below.
[0073] In some demonstrative embodiments, message processors 128 and/or 158 may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, BB circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, AP circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of message processors 128 and/or 158, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of message processors 128 and/or 158 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below. [0074] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of radio 114, and/or at least part of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of radio 144.
[0075] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of controller 124, and/or at least part of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of controller 154.
[0076] In other embodiments, the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102, and/or the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140.
[0077] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of controller 124 and/or message processor 128 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC). In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functionalities of radio 114. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller 124, one or more elements of message processor 128, and/or one or more elements of radio 114. In one example, controller 124, message processor 128, and radio 114 may be implemented as part of the chip or SoC.
[0078] In other embodiments, controller 124, message processor 128 and/or radio 114 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 102.
[0079] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of controller 154 and/or message processor 158 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC). In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functionalities of radio 144. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller 154, one or more elements of message processor 158, and/or one or more elements of radio 144. In one example, controller 154, message processor 158, and radio 144 may be implemented as part of the chip or SoC. [0080] In other embodiments, controller 154, message processor 158 and/or radio 144 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 140.
[0081] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include one or more applications configured to provide and/or to use one or more location based services, e.g., a social application, a navigation application, a location based advertising application, and/or the like. For example, device 102 may include an application 125 to be executed by device 102.
[0082] In some demonstrative embodiments, application 125 may use range information between devices 102 and 140, for example, to determine an estimated location of device 102, e.g., with respect to a coordinate system, e.g., a World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), and/or a local coordination. [0083] In one example, device 102 may include a Smartphone and device 140 may include an AP, which is located in a shop, e.g., in a shopping mall. According to this example, application
125 may use the range information to determine a relative location of device 102 with respect to device 140, for example, to receive sale offers from the shop.
[0084] In another example, device 102 may include a mobile device and device 140 may include a responder station, which is located in a parking zone, e.g., of a shopping mall. According to this example, application 125 may use the range information to determine a location of device 102 in the parking zone, for example, to enable a user of device 102 to find a parking area in the parking zone.
[0085] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a location estimator 115 configured to estimate a location of device 102, e.g., as described below. [0086] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of location estimator 115 may be implemented as part of controller 124.
[0087] In other embodiments, the functionality of location estimator 115 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102.
[0088] In some demonstrative embodiments, location estimator 115 may be configured to estimate the location of device 102, for example, based on time based range measurements, for example, with device 140 and/or one or more other devices.
[0089] In some demonstrative embodiments, the time based range measurements may be performed using WLAN communications, e.g., WiFi. For example, using WiFi to perform the time based range measurements may enable, for example, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the location estimation of device 102, e.g., in an indoor environment.
[0090] In some demonstrative embodiments, the time based range measurements may include a round trip time (RTT) measurement (also referred to as Time of Flight (ToF) procedure).
[0091] In some demonstrative embodiments, an RTT value may be defined as the overall time a signal propagates from a first station, e.g., device 102, to a second station, e.g., device 140, and back to the first station.
[0092] In some demonstrative embodiments, a ToF value may be defined as the overall time a signal propagates from a first station, e.g., device 102, to a second station, e.g., device 140.
[0093] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, a distance between the first and second stations may be determined based on the RTT value, for example, by dividing the RTT value by two and multiplying the result by the speed of light, or by multiplying the ToF value by the speed of light.
[0094] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToF measurement procedure may include a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) procedure.
[0095] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 and/or device 140 may be configured to perform one or more FTM measurements, ToF measurements, positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications.
[0096] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications, for example, and/or according to any other additional or alternative procedure and/or protocol, e.g., an Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) procedure.
[0097] Some demonstrative embodiments are described below with respect to FTM measurements according to an FTM procedure. However, other embodiments may be implemented with respect to any other additional or alternative positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications.
[0098] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform one or more FTM measurements, for example, using WLAN communications, e.g., WiFi. For example, using WiFi to perform time based range measurements, e.g., FTM measurements, may enable, for example, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the mobile devices, e.g., in an indoor environment.
[0099] In some demonstrative embodiments, according to a ranging protocol, e.g., an FTM protocol, for example, in compliance with an IEEE 802.11 Specification, a first STA, e.g., a responder STA, may capture and send, for example, to a second station, e.g., an initiator STA, both a Time of Departure (TOD) of an FTM frame and a Time of Arrival (TOA) of an Acknowledgement (Ack) of the FTM frame, and the second STA, e.g., the initiator STA, may use the TOD and TOA to compute ranging information.
[00100] In some demonstrative embodiments, in some cases, implementations and/or scenarios it may not be advantageous and/or effective to perform an FTM procedure, which may be performed during a plurality of bursts, which may include communicating a plurality of FTM measurement frames, as separate dedicated FTM frames, e.g., as described below.
[00101] In some demonstrative embodiments, an implementation, in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies. For example, if FTM frames cannot be aggregated, ranging may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth, e.g., as described below. [00102] Reference is made to Fig. 2, which schematically illustrates a sequence diagram, which demonstrates operations and interactions between a first wireless communication device 202 ("Initiating STA" or "initiator") and a second wireless communication device 240 ("Responding STA" or "responder"), of an FTM procedure 200. For example, FTM procedure 200 may include a negotiation and measurement exchange sequence for a single burst instance, e.g., with an As Soon As Possible (ASAP) field equal to one (ASAP=1) and three FTM frames per burst (FTMs per burst=3).
[00103] As shown in Fig. 2, device 202 may transmit to device 240 an FTM request message 231 to request to perform the FTM procedure 200 with device 240.
[00104] As shown in Fig. 2, device 240 may transmit an FTM request acknowledgement (ACK) 232 to device 202, to acknowledge receipt of the FTM request message 231, and to confirm the request to perform the FTM procedure.
[00105] As shown in Fig. 2, FTM procedure 200 may include an FTM measurement period, during which devices 202 and 240 may communicate FTM measurement frames, e.g., as described below. [00106] As shown in Fig. 2, devices 202 and/or 240 may communicate the FTM measurement frames between devices 202 and 240 during the FTM measurement period, for example, to determine a Time of Flight (ToF) value between devices 202 and 240.
[00107] As shown in Fig. 2, device 240 may determine a time value, denoted ti l, based on a time at which an FTM message 234 is transmitted to device 202. The time value ti l may be based on a Time of Departure (ToD) of message 234.
[00108] As shown in Fig. 2, device 202 may receive message 234 and may determine a time value, denoted t2_l, e.g., based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of message 234.
[00109] As shown in Fig. 2, device 202 may determine a time value, denoted t3_l, based on a time at which a message 236 is transmitted to device 240. Message 236 may include, for example, an acknowledgement message transmitted in response to FTM message 234. The time value t3_l may be based on a ToD of the message 236.
[00110] As shown in Fig. 2, device 240 may receive message 236 and may determine a time value, denoted t4_l, e.g., based on a ToA of message 236.
[00111] As shown in Fig. 2, device 240 may transmit an FTM message 238 to device 202. Message 238 may include, for example, information corresponding to the time value ti l and/or the time value t4_l . For example, message 238 may include a timestamp, e.g., a ToD timestamp, including the time value ti l, and a timestamp, e.g., a ToA timestamp, including the time value t4 1.
[00112] As shown in Fig. 2, device 202 may receive message 238.
[00113] As shown in Fig. 2, device 202 may transmit a message 239 to device 240. Message 239 may include, for example, an acknowledgement message transmitted in response to message 238.
[00114] As shown in Fig. 2, device 240 may transmit an FTM message 242 to device 202. Message 242 may include, for example, information corresponding to the time value tl_2 and/or the time value t4_2, e.g., corresponding to the messages 238 and 239. For example, message 242 may include a timestamp, e.g., a ToD timestamp, including the time value tl_2 corresponding to the message 238, and a timestamp, e.g., a ToA timestamp, including the time value t4_2 corresponding to message 239.
[00115] As shown in Fig. 2, device 202 may receive message 242.
[00116] As shown in Fig. 2, device 202 may transmit a message 243 to device 240. Message 239 may include, for example, an acknowledgement message transmitted in response to message 242.
[00117] Device 202 may determine a ToF between device 202 and device 240, for example, based on message 238 and/or message 242. For example, device 202 may determine the ToF based on an average, or any other function, applied to the time values ti l, t2_l, t3_l and t4_l . For example, device 202 may determine the ToF, e.g., as follows:
ToF= [(t4_l-tl_l)-(t3_l-t2_l)]/2 (1)
[00118] Device 202 may determine the distance between devices 202 and 240 based calculated ToF.
[00119] For example, device 202 may determine the distance, denoted rk, e.g., as follows: rk =ToF*C (2)
wherein C denotes the radio wave propagation speed.
[00120] In some demonstrative embodiments, in some use cases, deployments and/or scenarios, FTM procedure 200 may have one or more disadvantages, inefficiencies and/or technical problems, e.g., as described below. [00121] In some demonstrative embodiments, an FTM procedure, e.g., FTM procedure 200, in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies. For example, FTM procedure 200 may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth, e.g., as described below.
[00122] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 2, FTM procedure 200 may have an overhead of 6 frames, e.g., three FTM messages and three ACKs, which may be communicated during an FTM burst. For example, FTM procedure 200 may include communication of six frames, e.g., FTM frames 234, 238, and 242, and Ack frames 236, 239, and 243 during the burst.
[00123] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 200 may require at least three medium usages, e.g., which may require the initiating STA and the responder STA to wait to acquire a clear channel for three times.
[00124] Referring back to Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform operations and/or communications of a ranging protocol, e.g., an FTM protocol, which may be configured to provide one or more benefits, to provide one or more advantages and/or to solve one or more of the problems and/or shortcomings of the FTM procedure 200 (Fig. 2), e.g., as described below.
[00125] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform operations and/or communications of an "atomic" ranging protocol, e.g., an "atomic" FTM protocol, which may be performed even during a single medium usage, e.g., as described below.
[00126] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to communicate messages according to a ranging protocol, e.g., an FTM protocol, which may be configured to allow ranging packets, e.g., an FTM message, an FTM Request, an FTM Range Request, an FTM Range Report, and/or any other additional or alternative ranging packet, to be aggregated with other frames, for example, including data frames, Beam Refinement Protocol (BRP) frames, and/or one or more other types of frames, e.g., as described below.
[00127] In some demonstrative embodiments, an FTM protocol may be configured with respect to communications over a directional frequency band, for example, a DMG band, e.g., according to a DMG protocol.
[00128] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to communicate one or more messages of the ranging protocol, e.g., the FTM protocol, over a DMG band, e.g., as described below.
[00129] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to communicate one or more messages of the ranging protocol in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz). [00130] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to aggregate an FTM frame inside another frame, for example, an Ack message, e.g., as described below. For example, aggregating the FTM frame in an ACK frame may provide a responding STA with access to one or more timestamps from an initiator STA. Accordingly, aggregating the FTM frame in an ACK frame may allow, for example, a fast reciprocal ranging flow, e.g., as described below.
[00131] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and 140 may communicate one or more aggregated messages, for example, to determine a ranging measurement between devices 102 and 140, e.g., as described below.
[00132] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of an initiator device to initiate the FTM protocol, and device 140 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of a responder device. For example, device 102 may include a mobile device, e.g., a Smartphone, which may initiate the FTM protocol with device 140, for example, to determine a location of the mobile device.
[00133] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include an FTM component 117, and/or device 140 may include an FTM component 157, which may be configured to perform one or more FTM measurements, operations and/or communications according to the FTM protocol, e.g., as described below.
[00134] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 may include, or may be implemented, using suitable circuitry and/or logic, e.g., controller circuitry and/or logic, processor circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, which may be configured to perform at least part of the functionality of FTM components
117 and/or 157. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.
[00135] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of the functionality of, message processor 128 and/or controller 124, for example, to trigger communication of one or more FTM messages, for example, in the form of aggregated messages, e.g., as described below.
[00136] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of the functionality of, message processor 158 and/or controller 154, for example, to trigger communication of one or more FTM messages, for example, in the form of aggregated messages, e.g., as described below.
[00137] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to trigger the FTM measurements, for example, periodically and/or or upon a request from an application executed by a device, e.g., application 125, for example, to determine an accurate location of the device.
[00138] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more measurements according to the FTM protocol, e.g., as described below.
[00139] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more proximity, ranging, and/or location estimation measurements, e.g., in an indoor location, based on the FTM measurements. For example, the FTM measurements may provide a relatively accurate estimation of location, range and/or proximity, e.g., in an indoor location.
[00140] Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with respect to an FTM component, e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157, configured to perform measurements according to an FTM protocol and/or procedure. However, in other embodiments, the FTM component may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative type of Time of Flight (ToF) measurements, ranging measurements, positioning measurements, proximity measurements, and/or location estimation measurements, e.g., according to any additional or alternative protocol and/or procedure.
[00141] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to capture one or more timestamps in an FTM Request, e.g., as described below.
[00142] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to send the timestamps in an FTM Block Ack (BACK or BA), e.g., as described below. [00143] In some demonstrative embodiments, a responder STA, e.g., device 140, may be configured to include timestamp information, e.g., ToA/ToD information, in one or more Block Acks (BAs), for example, when requested by an initiating STA, e.g., device 102, as described below.
[00144] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to generate, transmit, receive, access and/or process an aggregation of an FTM and a Block Ack (also referred to as an "FTM block Ack"), which may include one or more timestamp fields, e.g., TOD and/or TO A fields, for example, inside the Block Ack, e.g., as described below.
[00145] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may initiate the FTM protocol, for example, to determine a location of device 102. [00146] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may transmit a first aggregated message to device 140, e.g., as described below.
[00147] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit the first aggregated message to device 140.
[00148] In some demonstrative embodiments, the first aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging request message and a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR).
[00149] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ranging request message may include a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request.
[00150] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may receive the first aggregated message from device 102. [00151] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process the first aggregated message from device 102 including the aggregation of the ranging request message and the BAR.
[00152] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may transmit a second aggregated message to device 102, for example, in response to the first aggregated message from device 102, e.g., as described below.
[00153] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit the second aggregated message to device 102.
[00154] In some demonstrative embodiments, the second aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message.
[00155] In some demonstrative embodiments, the block acknowledgement message may include a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00156] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ranging measurement message may include an FTM message. [00157] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ranging measurement message may include one or more timestamps measured by device 140.
[00158] In some demonstrative embodiments, the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message may include a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message. [00159] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
[00160] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to determine the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
[00161] In one example, an implementation may include a STA configured to capture received timestamps on any incoming PPDUs, for example, regardless of whether the incoming PPDUs include FTM frames or not, and having a priori knowledge of a transmit time of an outgoing acknowledgement "Ack" frame. [00162] In one example, the a priori knowledge may be implemented by a fixed counter, which may be configured to provide a precise value of a time period between a ToA of an incoming message and a ToD of an outgoing message. For example, the time period may include a Short Interframe Space (SIFS), e.g., 3 microseconds (us) for communication over a DMG band, and/or 16us for communication in a 2.4 band or a 5 GHz. In other embodiments, the SIFS may have any other duration, e.g., which may be allowed to vary from one PPDU to another.
[00163] In some demonstrative embodiments, by not allowing variation in the time period between reception of the incoming message and transmission of the outgoing message, the STA may have knowledge of the time period between the ToA of the incoming message and the ToD of the outgoing message. [00164] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may be configured to implement the fixed counter, for example, to set the time period between an incoming message including the aggregation of the FTM request and the BAR, and the outgoing message including the aggregation of the FTM message and the block acknowledgement, e.g., as described above.
[00165] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may receive the second aggregated message from device 140 including the one or more time stamps measured by device 140.
[00166] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process the second aggregated message including the aggregation of the block acknowledgement and the ranging measurement message including the one or more timestamps, e.g., measured by device 140. [00167] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may determine a ranging measurement, for example, based on the one or more timestamps measured by device 140, e.g., as described below.
[00168] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine the ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
[00169] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to measure a ToD of the first aggregated message and a ToA of the second aggregated message.
[00170] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to determine the ranging measurement based on the ToD of the first aggregated message and the ToA of the second aggregated message, which may be measured by device 102, and the ToD of the second aggregated message and the ToA of the first aggregated message, which may be measured by device 140 and included in the second aggregated message.
[00171] In some demonstrative embodiments, a capability to aggregate an FTM frame with an Ack frame may be signaled, for example, in a Trigger field of an FTM Request frame, e.g., as described below.
[00172] In some demonstrative embodiments, a STA, e.g., a STA implemented by device 102 and/or a STA implemented by device 140, may be configured to signal an indication of a capability of the STA to aggregate an FTM frame with an Ack, e.g., as described below.
[00173] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, a bit of the trigger field, for example, a reserved bit of 7 reserved bits in the trigger field, may be used as a "capability bit" to signal capability of the STA to communicate FTM messages with aggregation. [00174] In some demonstrative embodiments, a first STA, e.g., device 102, may be configured to signal to a second STA, e.g., device 140, a request of having an FTM frame aggregated inside an Ack. For example, the request may be signaled, for example, by using a bit, e.g., a reserved bit of 21 reserved bits, in an FTM frame format.
[00175] In some demonstrative embodiments, a bit, e.g., 1 bit, may be defined in a header, for example, an EDMG Header- A, to indicate that if an Aggregate bit in a DMG Single Carrier (SC) mode header is set to 1, the Aggregate bit is to indicate the presence of either an FTM frame or an FTM Request frame in an Aggregate MAC Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU).
[00176] In one example, a STA may be configured to, for example, if bit 37 (Aggregation), e.g., in Table 20-17 of an IEEE 802.1 IREVmc Specification, is set to 1, set a bit in the header to 1 to indicate that the PPDU in the data portion of the packet contains an FTM or FTM Request frame; otherwise set to 0.
[00177] In some demonstrative embodiments, it may be advantageous to aggregate FTM frames, for example, at least when packet duration, e.g., physical layer (PHY) protocol data unit (PPDU) duration, is not a major issue, e.g., for drift errors. [00178] In some demonstrative embodiments, a ToD/ToA capability may be added to one or more PPDUs, e.g., even to each PPDU, included in an Aggregate Media Access Control (MAC) Protocol Data Unit (A-MPDU).
[00179] In some demonstrative embodiments, adding the ToD/ToA capability to one or more PPDUs in the A-MPDU may allow, for example, performing ranging, e.g., even without having to contend for the medium every time ranging is desired. For example, such a capability may be
beneficial, for example, in dense scenarios, where individual FTM transmissions could be avoided.
[00180] In some demonstrative embodiments, a capability to aggregate FTM frames may be implemented, for example, at least by an Enhanced DMG (EDMG) STA, e.g., devices 102 and/or 140.
[00181] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to aggregate FTM frames with any suitable type of data frame, BRP frame, and/or any other frame. For example, one or more of the aggregated messages described herein may include an aggregation of an FTM message with a data frame, a BRP frame, and/or any other additional or alternative frame.
[00182] In some demonstrative embodiments, post association, an FTM (Request) frame may be transmitted as part of an A-MPDU sent to a STA, e.g., an EDMG STA. In one example, the FTM (Request) frame shall be transmitted as an Action No Ack frame and the A-MPDU shall not contain more than one FTM (Request) frame, e.g., and shall contain a BAR. [00183] For example, post association with device 140, device 102 may transmit an FTM (Request) frame as part of an A-MPDU to device 140. In one example, controller 124 may cause device 102 to transmit the FTM (Request) frame as an Action No Ack frame and the A-MPDU shall not contain more than one FTM (Request) frame, e.g., and shall contain a BAR.
[00184] In some demonstrative embodiments, the A-MPDU containing the FTM frame shall have the FTM frame precede a Block Ack request (BlockAckReq) requesting immediate Block Ack.
[00185] In some demonstrative embodiments, if a Block Ack to an FTM frame is not received, retransmission of a subsequent FTM frame shall be spaced by a predefined time period, for example, at least a Min Delta FTM period, e.g., in compliance with an IEEE 802.11-2016 Specification. For example, the Min Delta FTM period may include a minimum time between consecutive Fine Timing Measurement frames, which may be, for example, defined by the initiating SAT, and may be measured, for example, from the start of an Fine Timing Measurement frame to the start of a following Fine Timing Measurement frame, e.g., in units of 100 microsecond (μβ). [00186] Reference is made to Fig. 3, which schematically illustrates an FTM procedure 300 between an initiator station 302 (STA2) and a responder station 340 (STAl), in accordance with
some demonstrative embodiments. For example, device 102 (Fig. 1) may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of initiator station 302, and/or device 140 (Fig. 1) may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of responder station 340.
[00187] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 300 may utilize an exchange of one or more aggregated messages to communicate one or more FTM messages, e.g., as described below.
[00188] In one example, FTM procedure 300 may be implemented with ASAP=1, e.g., for a fast FTM measurement.
[00189] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, STA 302 may transmit a first aggregated message 301 including an initiator FTM request (iFTMR) aggregated with a block acknowledgement Request (BAR) (iFTMR + BAR).
[00190] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, STA 340 may determine a ToA timestamp, denoted T2 0, of first aggregated message 301.
[00191] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, STA 340 may transmit a second aggregated message 304 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack (FTM Block Ack).
[00192] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, STA 340 may transmit the second aggregated message 304 at a ToD timestamp, denoted T3 0, of the second aggregated message 304. [00193] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, the second aggregated message 304 may include one or more timestamps. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the second aggregated message 304 may include the ToA timestamp T2 0 and the ToD time stamp T3 0.
[00194] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, STA 302 may receive the second aggregated message 304, and may determine a ranging measurement based on timing of the aggregated messages 301 and 304, e.g., as described below.
[00195] For example, STA 302 may determine the ranging measurement based on a ToD timestamp, denoted T1 0, of the first aggregated message 301, e.g., as measured by the STA 302, the ToA timestamp T2 0 and the ToD timestamp T3 0, which may be included in the second aggregated message 304, and a ToA timestamp, denoted T4 0, of the second aggregated message 304, e.g., as measured by STA 302.
[00196] For example, STA 302 may determine the ToF between STA 302 and STA 340, e.g., as follows:
ToF= [(T4_0-Tl_0)-(T3_0-T2_0)]/2 (3)
[00197] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, FTM procedure 300 may allow performing a ranging measurement using two frames, e.g., aggregated messages 301 and 304. According to these demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 300 may provide an improvement of 66% compared to FTM procedure 200, which requires at least 6 PPDUs to be transmitted before a single ranging measurement is performed.
[00198] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 300 may be, for example, self contained, for example, where Dialog Token logic and/or memory may even be removed, e.g., since FTM procedure 300 may allow even each FTM Request frame to get immediate timestamp information.
[00199] Referring back to Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and/or 140 may be configured to perform a reciprocal ranging measurement, for example, to allow both devices 102 and 140 to perform ranging measurements, e.g., as described below.
[00200] In some demonstrative embodiments, the reciprocal ranging measurement may allow both devices 102 and 140 to obtain ranging information, for example, in opposed to the FTM procedure 300 (Fig. 3), which may be one-sided, e.g., to allow the initiating STA to obtain ranging measurement information, e.g., as described below. [00201] In some demonstrative embodiments, a reciprocal ranging measurement, in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies. For example, if the FTM frames cannot be aggregated, ranging may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth, e.g., as described below. [00202] Reference is made to Fig. 4, which schematically illustrates a sequence diagram, which demonstrates operations and interactions between a first wireless communication device 402 ("Initiating STA1" or "initiator") and a second wireless communication device 440 ("Responding STA2" or "responder"), of an FTM procedure 400.
[00203] As shown in Fig. 4, in order for both sides to get information, an exchange of an FTM Range Request and an FTM Range Report may be used. As shown in Fig. 4, the exchange of messages may require at least 10 PPDUs.
[00204] As shown in Fig. 4, FTM procedure 400 may have an overhead of 10 frames, e.g., five FTM messages 406 and five ACKs 404, which may be communicated during an FTM burst.
[00205] For example, FTM procedure 400 may require at least five medium usages, e.g., which may require waiting for a clear channel for five times. [00206] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 400, in which ranging information is to be sent only in FTM frames, which cannot be aggregated, may not be efficient and/or may suffer one or more deficiencies. For example, FTM procedure 400 may have to occupy a dedicated amount of time and bandwidth.
[00207] Referring back to Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and 104 may be configured to perform a reciprocal ranging measurement with aggregation of FTM frames, for example, to allow both devices 102 and 140 to obtain ranging information, e.g., as described below.
[00208] In some demonstrative embodiments, aggregating an FTM frame in an ACK frame may provide a responding STA with access to one or more timestamps from an initiator STA. Accordingly, aggregating the FTM frame in an ACK frame may allow, for example, a fast reciprocal ranging flow, e.g., as described below.
[00209] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and 140 may be configured to perform a reciprocal ranging measurement between devices 102 and 140, e.g., as described below. [00210] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of an initiator device to initiate the reciprocal FTM protocol, and/or device 140 may perform a role of and/or the functionality of a responder device.
[00211] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102 and 140 may communicate one or more aggregated messages, for example, as part of the reciprocal ranging measurement between devices 102 and 140, e.g., as described below.
[00212] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may transmit a first aggregated message to device 140, e.g., as described below.
[00213] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit the first aggregated message to device 140.
[00214] In some demonstrative embodiments, the first aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging request message and a Block Acknowledgement Request (BAR), e.g., as described below.
[00215] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may receive the first aggregated message from device 102, e.g., as described below.
[00216] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process the first aggregated message from device 102 including the aggregation of the ranging request message and the BAR.
[00217] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may transmit a second aggregated message to device 102, e.g., as described below.
[00218] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit the second aggregated message to device 102.
[00219] In some demonstrative embodiments, the second aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, e.g., as described below.
[00220] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ranging measurement message in the second aggregated message may include an FTM message, e.g., as described below.
[00221] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ranging measurement message in the second aggregated message may include one or more timestamps measured by device 102, e.g., as described below.
[00222] In some demonstrative embodiments, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message may include a block acknowledgement request, e.g., as described below. [00223] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may receive the second aggregated message from device 140 including the one or more time stamps measured by device 140.
[00224] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process the second aggregated message including the block acknowledgement request and the ranging measurement message.
[00225] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may transmit a third aggregated message to device 102, for example, prior to the second aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00226] In some demonstrative embodiments, the third aggregated message may include an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00227] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may receive the third aggregated message from device 140 including the another ranging measurement message and the block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, e.g., as described below. [00228] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process the third aggregated message including the aggregation of the another ranging measurement message and the block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00229] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may transmit a fourth aggregated message to device 140, for example, after receipt of the second aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00230] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to transmit the fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message. [00231] In some demonstrative embodiments, the fourth aggregated message may include an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from device 102 and a block acknowledgement message from device 102, e.g., as described below.
[00232] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ranging measurement message in the fourth aggregated message may include one or more timestamps measured by device 102, e.g., as described below.
[00233] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ranging measurement message in the fourth aggregated message may include a ToD of the first aggregated message, and a ToA of the third aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00234] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to measure the ToD of the first aggregated message.
[00235] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to measure the ToA of the third aggregated message.
[00236] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may receive from device 102 the fourth aggregated message including the block acknowledgement message from device 102 and the ranging measurement message from device 102, which may include the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00237] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to process the fourth aggregated message from the device 102, e.g., as described below. [00238] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may determine a ranging measurement between devices 140 and 102, for example, based on the one or more timestamps in the fourth aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00239] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message, and the ToD of the third aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00240] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to determine the ranging measurement between devices 140 and 102 based on the ToA of the first aggregated message and the ToD of the third aggregated, which may be measured by device 140, together with the ToD of the first aggregated message and the ToA of the third aggregated message, which may be measured by device 102 and included in the fourth aggregated message, e.g., as described below.
[00241] Reference is made to Fig. 5, which schematically illustrates a reciprocal FTM procedure 500 between an initiator station 502 (STA2) and a responder station 540 (STAl), in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, device 102 (Fig. 1) may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of initiator station 502, and/or device 140 (Fig. 1) may perform a role of and/or one or more operations of responder station 540.
[00242] In some demonstrative embodiments, reciprocal FTM procedure 500 may utilize one or more aggregated messages, e.g., as described below.
[00243] In some demonstrative embodiments, the reciprocal FTM measurement 500 may allow both devices 502 and 540 to obtain ranging information, for example, in opposed to a one-sided
FTM procedure, which may allow only the initiating STA to obtain ranging measurement information, e.g., as described below.
[00244] In one example, FTM procedure 500 may be implemented with an ASAP=1, e.g., for a fast FTM measurement. [00245] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 502 may transmit an aggregated message 501 including an initiator FTM request (iFTMR) aggregated with a block acknowledgement Request (BAR) (aggregate iFTMR BAR).
[00246] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 540 may determine a ToA timestamp, denoted T2 0, of aggregated message 501. [00247] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 540 may transmit an aggregated message 504 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack (aggregate FTM Block Ack), e.g., to acknowledge the aggregated message 501.
[00248] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 540 may transmit the aggregated message 504 at a ToD timestamp, denoted T3 0, of the second aggregated message 504.
[00249] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 502 may receive the aggregated message 504.
[00250] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 540 may transmit an aggregated message 506 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack Request (aggregate FTM BAR), for example, subsequent to transmission of message 504.
[00251] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, aggregated message 506 may include, for example, the timestamp T2 0 and the timestamp T3 0, e.g., as measured by STA 540.
[00252] In some demonstrative embodiments, STA 502 may be able to determine a ranging measurement, e.g., an RTT, between STAs 502 and 540, for example, based on receipt of aggregated message 506, e.g., as described below.
[00253] In some demonstrative embodiments, STA 502 may determine the ranging measurement based on a ToD timestamp, denoted T1 0, of the aggregated message 501, e.g., as measured by the STA 502, the timestamp T2 0 and the timestamp T3 0, included in the aggregated message 504, and a ToA timestamp, denoted T4_0, of the aggregated message 504,
e.g., as measured by STA 502. For example, the STA 502 may determine the ranging measurement based on Equation 3.
[00254] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 502 may transmit an aggregated message 508 including an FTM message aggregated with a Block Ack (aggregate FTM Block Ack), e.g., to acknowledge aggregated message 506.
[00255] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, aggregated message 508 may include one or more timestamps measured by the STA 502. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, aggregated message 506 may include the timestamp T4_0 and the time stamp T1 0, which may be measured by STA 502. [00256] In some demonstrative embodiments, STA 540 may be able to determine a ranging measurement, e.g., an RTT, between STAs 540 and 502, for example, based on receipt of aggregated message 508, e.g., as described below.
[00257] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, STA 540 may receive the aggregated message 508, and may determine the ranging measurement based on the one or more timestamps in aggregated message 508, e.g., as described below.
[00258] In some demonstrative embodiments, STA 540 may determine the ranging measurement based on the timestamp T1_0 and the time stamp T4 0, which may be measured by STA 502, and the timestamp T2_0 and the timestamp T3_0, e.g., as measured by STA 540.
[00259] For example, STA 540 may determine the ToF between STA 502 and STA 540, e.g., as follows:
ToF= [(T4_l-Tl_l)-(T3_l-T2_l)]/2 (4)
[00260] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, FTM procedure 500 may allow performing an a reciprocal ranging measurement, for example, even by using four frames, e.g., aggregated messages 501, 504 506 and 508. Accordingly, FTM procedure 500 may provide an improvement compared to FTM procedure 400 (Fig. 4), which may require transmission of at least lO PPDUs.
[00261] In some demonstrative embodiments, FTM procedure 500 may utilize a Dialog Token logic for FTM Request frames. In one example, a new EDMG FTM Request frame may be defined. For example, the EDMG FTM request frame may be at a wide bandwidth, e.g., a widest bandwidth.
[00262] Reference is made to Fig. 6, which schematically illustrates a method of a ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method of Fig. 6 may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., devices 102 and/or 140 (Fig. 1); a controller, e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1); an FTM component, e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1); a location estimator, e.g., location estimator 115 (Fig. 1); a radio, e.g., radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1); a message processor, e.g., message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1), a transmitter, e.g., transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1); and/or a receiver, e.g., receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1). [00263] As indicated at block 602, the method may include transmitting a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request. For example, FTM component 117 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger device 102 (Fig. 1) to transmit the first aggregated message 301 (Fig. 3) to device 140 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above. [00264] As indicated at block 604, the method may include processing a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message may include one or more timestamps. For example, FTM component 117 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger device 102 to process second aggregated message 304 (Fig. 3) from device 140 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.
[00265] Reference is made to Fig. 7, which schematically illustrates a method of a ranging measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method of Fig. 7 may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., devices 102 and/or 140 (Fig. 1); a controller, e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1); an FTM component, e.g., FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1); a location estimator, e.g., location estimator 115 (Fig. 1); a radio, e.g., radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1); a message processor, e.g., message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1), a transmitter, e.g., transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1); and/or a receiver, e.g., receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1).
[00266] As indicated at block 702, the method may include processing a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message including an aggregation of
a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request. For example, FTM component 157 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger device 140 (Fig. 1) to process the first aggregated message 301 (Fig. 3) from device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.
[00267] As indicated at block 704, the method may include transmitting a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message including an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message including one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station. For example, FTM component 157 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger device 140 to transmit second aggregated message 304 (Fig. 3) to device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above. [00268] Reference is made to Fig. 8, which schematically illustrates a product of manufacture 800, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Product 800 may include one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media 802, which may include computer-executable instructions, e.g., implemented by logic 804, operable to, when executed by at least one computer processor, enable the at least one computer processor to implement one or more operations at device 102 (Fig. 1), device 140 (Fig. 1), controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1), FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1), location estimator 115 (Fig. 1), radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1), message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1), transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1), and/or receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1), and/or to cause device 102 (Fig. 1), device 140 (Fig. 1), controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1), FTM components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1), location estimator 115 (Fig. 1), radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1), message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1), transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1), and/or receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1) to perform one or more operations described above with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 5, 4, 5, 6, and/or 7, and/or one or more operations described herein. The phrase "non- transitory machine-readable medium" is directed to include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal.
[00269] In some demonstrative embodiments, product 800 and/or storage media 802 may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or nonerasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. For example, storage media 802 may include, RAM, DRAM, Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory (e.g.,
NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase- change memory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppy disk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like. The computer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involved with downloading or transferring a computer program from a remote computer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link, e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.
[00270] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 804 may include instructions, data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause the machine to perform a method, process and/or operations as described herein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, and the like. [00271] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 804 may include, or may be implemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program, a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words, values, symbols, and the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. The instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform a certain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab, Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.
EXAMPLES
[00272] The following examples pertain to further embodiments.
[00273] Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising circuitry and logic configured to cause a first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement
message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
[00274] Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message. [00275] Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
[00276] Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 3, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
[00277] Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 4, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00278] Example 6 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-5, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message. [00279] Example 7 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-6, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
[00280] Example 8 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-7, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and to determine a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first
ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
[00281] Example 9 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-8, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00282] Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 9, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00283] Example 11 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-10, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00284] Example 12 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-11, and optionally, comprising a radio to transmit the first aggregated message, and to receive the second aggregated message.
[00285] Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12, and optionally, comprising one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.
[00286] Example 14 includes a system of wireless communication comprising a first wireless station, the first wireless station comprising one or more antennas; a radio; a memory; a processor; and a controller configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps. [00287] Example 15 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00288] Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 14, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a
block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
[00289] Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 16, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station. [00290] Example 18 includes the subject matter of Example 17, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00291] Example 19 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-18, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00292] Example 20 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-19, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message. [00293] Example 21 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-20, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and to determine a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
[00294] Example 22 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-21, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00295] Example 23 includes the subject matter of Example 22, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00296] Example 24 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 14-23, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00297] Example 25 includes a method to be performed at a first wireless station, the method comprising transmitting a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and processing a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
[00298] Example 26 includes the subject matter of Example 25, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00299] Example 27 includes the subject matter of Example 25, and optionally, comprising processing a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request. [00300] Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 27, and optionally, comprising transmitting a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
[00301] Example 29 includes the subject matter of Example 28, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00302] Example 30 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-29, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00303] Example 31 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-30, and optionally, comprising determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
[00304] Example 32 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-31, and optionally, comprising measuring a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and determining a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
[00305] Example 33 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-32, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00306] Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 33, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00307] Example 35 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 25-34, and optionally, comprising communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00308] Example 36 includes a product including one or more tangible computer-readable non- transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
[00309] Example 37 includes the subject matter of Example 36, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00310] Example 38 includes the subject matter of Example 36, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the
third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
[00311] Example 39 includes the subject matter of Example 38, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to transmit a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
[00312] Example 40 includes the subject matter of Example 39, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00313] Example 41 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-40, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00314] Example 42 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-41, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
[00315] Example 43 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-42, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to measure a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and to determine a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
[00316] Example 44 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-43, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message. [00317] Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 44, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00318] Example 46 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 36-45, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00319] Example 47 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a first wireless station, the apparatus comprising means for transmitting a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and means for processing a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
[00320] Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 47, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00321] Example 49 includes the subject matter of Example 47, and optionally, comprising means for processing a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request. [00322] Example 50 includes the subject matter of Example 49, and optionally, comprising means for transmitting a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
[00323] Example 51 includes the subject matter of Example 50, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00324] Example 52 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-51, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00325] Example 53 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-52, and optionally, comprising means for determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
[00326] Example 54 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-53, and optionally, comprising means for measuring a first Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second aggregated message, and determining a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
[00327] Example 55 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-54, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00328] Example 56 includes the subject matter of Example 55, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00329] Example 57 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 47-56, and optionally, comprising means for communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00330] Example 58 includes an apparatus comprising circuitry and logic configured to cause a first wireless station to process a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and transmit a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
[00331] Example 59 includes the subject matter of Example 58, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00332] Example 60 includes the subject matter of Example 58, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block
acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
[00333] Example 61 includes the subject matter of Example 60, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station. [00334] Example 62 includes the subject matter of Example 61, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
[00335] Example 63 includes the subject matter of Example 61 or 62, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00336] Example 64 includes the subject matter of Example 63, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
[00337] Example 65 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-64, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00338] Example 66 includes the subject matter of Example 65, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
[00339] Example 67 includes the subject matter of Example 65 or 66, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine the ToD of the second
aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
[00340] Example 68 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-67, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00341] Example 69 includes the subject matter of Example 68, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00342] Example 70 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-69, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00343] Example 71 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-70, and optionally, comprising a radio to receive the first aggregated message and to transmit the second aggregated message.
[00344] Example 72 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 58-71, and optionally, comprising one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.
[00345] Example 73 includes a system of wireless communication comprising a first wireless station, the first wireless station comprising one or more antennas; a radio; a memory; a processor; and a controller configured to cause the first wireless station to process a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and transmit a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station. [00346] Example 74 includes the subject matter of Example 73, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00347] Example 75 includes the subject matter of Example 73, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block
acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
[00348] Example 76 includes the subject matter of Example 75 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station. [00349] Example 77 includes the subject matter of Example 76, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
[00350] Example 78 includes the subject matter of Example 76 or 77, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00351] Example 79 includes the subject matter of Example 78, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
[00352] Example 80 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-79, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00353] Example 81 includes the subject matter of Example 80, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
[00354] Example 82 includes the subject matter of Example 80 or 81, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine the ToD of the second
aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
[00355] Example 83 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-82, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00356] Example 84 includes the subject matter of Example 83, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00357] Example 85 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 73-84, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00358] Example 86 includes a method to be performed at a first wireless station, the method comprising processing a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and transmitting a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
[00359] Example 87 includes the subject matter of Example 86, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00360] Example 88 includes the subject matter of Example 86, and optionally, comprising transmitting a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
[00361] Example 89 includes the subject matter of Example 88, and optionally, comprising processing a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement
message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
[00362] Example 90 includes the subject matter of Example 89, and optionally, comprising determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message. [00363] Example 91 includes the subject matter of Example 89 or 90, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00364] Example 92 includes the subject matter of Example 91, and optionally, comprising determining a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
[00365] Example 93 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 86-92, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00366] Example 94 includes the subject matter of Example 93, and optionally, comprising measuring the ToA of the first aggregated message.
[00367] Example 95 includes the subject matter of Example 93 or 94, and optionally, comprising determining the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and transmitting the second aggregated message at the ToD.
[00368] Example 96 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 86-95, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message. [00369] Example 97 includes the subject matter of Example 96, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00370] Example 98 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 86-97, and optionally, comprising communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz). [00371] Example 99 includes a product including one or more tangible computer-readable non- transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when
executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a first wireless station to transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
[00372] Example 100 includes the subject matter of Example 99, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00373] Example 101 includes the subject matter of Example 99, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to transmit a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
[00374] Example 102 includes the subject matter of Example 101, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to process a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
[00375] Example 103 includes the subject matter of Example 102, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message.
[00376] Example 104 includes the subject matter of Example 102 or 103, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00377] Example 105 includes the subject matter of Example 104, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement
based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
[00378] Example 106 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 99-105, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00379] Example 107 includes the subject matter of Example 106, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
[00380] Example 108 includes the subject matter of Example 106 or 107, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to determine the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD. [00381] Example 109 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 99-108, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00382] Example 110 includes the subject matter of Example 109, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame. [00383] Example 111 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 99-110, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to communicate the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00384] Example 112 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a first wireless station, the apparatus comprising means for processing a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and means for transmitting a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
[00385] Example 113 includes the subject matter of Example 112, and optionally, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
[00386] Example 114 includes the subject matter of Example 112, and optionally, comprising means for transmitting a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request. [00387] Example 115 includes the subject matter of Example 114, and optionally, comprising means for processing a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
[00388] Example 116 includes the subject matter of Example 115, and optionally, comprising means for determining a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the fourth aggregated message. [00389] Example 117 includes the subject matter of Example 115 or 116, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement message from the second wireless station comprises a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the third aggregated message.
[00390] Example 118 includes the subject matter of Example 117, and optionally, comprising means for determining a ranging measurement based on a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message, a Time of Departure (ToD) of the third aggregated message, the ToD of the first aggregated message, and the ToA of the third aggregated message.
[00391] Example 119 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 112-118, and optionally, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of the second aggregated message.
[00392] Example 120 includes the subject matter of Example 119, and optionally, comprising means for measuring the ToA of the first aggregated message.
[00393] Example 121 includes the subject matter of Example 119 or 120, and optionally, comprising means for determining the ToD of the second aggregated message based on the ToA of the first aggregated message, and transmitting the second aggregated message at the ToD.
[00394] Example 122 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 112-121, and optionally, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
[00395] Example 123 includes the subject matter of Example 122, and optionally, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
[00396] Example 124 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 112-123, and optionally, comprising means for communicating the first and second aggregated messages in a frequency band above 45 Gigahertz (GHz).
[00397] Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa.
[00398] While certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising circuitry and logic configured to cause a first wireless station to:
transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and
process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a fourth aggregated message after receipt of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the first wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the first wireless station, the ranging measurement message from the first wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Departure (ToD) of said first aggregated message, and a Time of Arrival (ToA) of said third aggregated message.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more timestamps in the second aggregated message comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of said first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of said second aggregated message.
7. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6 configured to cause the first wireless station to determine a ranging measurement based on the timestamps in the second aggregated message.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6 configured to cause the first wireless station to measure a first Time of Departure (ToD) of said first aggregated message and a first Time of Arrival (ToA) of said second aggregated message, and to determine a ranging measurement based on the first ToD, the first ToA, a second ToD, and a second ToA, the timestamps in the second aggregated message comprising the second ToD and the second ToA.
9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the ranging request message comprises a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) request, and the ranging measurement message comprises an FTM message.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the FTM request comprises an Action No Acknowledgement (Ack) frame.
11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6 comprising a radio to transmit said first aggregated message, and to receive said second aggregated message.
12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-6 comprising one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.
13. A product including one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a first wireless station to:
transmit a first aggregated message to a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and
process a second aggregated message from the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps.
14. The product of claim 13, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
15. The product of claim 13, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the first wireless station to process a third aggregated message received from the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
16. A system of wireless communication comprising an apparatus, the apparatus comprising circuitry and logic configured to cause a first wireless station to:
process a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and
transmit a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the block acknowledgement message comprises a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to transmit a third aggregated message to the second wireless station prior to the second aggregated message, the third aggregated message comprising an aggregation of another ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement of the first aggregated message, the block acknowledgement message in the second aggregated message comprising another block acknowledgement request.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to process a fourth aggregated message from the second wireless station after transmission of the second aggregated message, the fourth aggregated message comprises an aggregation of a ranging measurement message from the second wireless station and a block acknowledgement message from the second wireless station, the ranging measurement message
from the second wireless station comprising one or more timestamps measured by the second wireless station.
20. The system of any one of claims 16-19, wherein the one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station comprise a Time of Arrival (ToA) of said first aggregated message and a Time of Departure (ToD) of said second aggregated message.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to measure the ToA of the first aggregated message.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the first wireless station to determine the ToD of said second aggregated message based on the ToA of said first aggregated message, and to transmit the second aggregated message at the ToD.
23. The system of any one of claims 16-19, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more antennas, a memory, and a processor.
24. A method to be performed at a first wireless station, the method comprising:
processing a first aggregated message from a second wireless station, the first aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging request message and a block acknowledgement request; and
transmitting a second aggregated message to the second wireless station, the second aggregated message comprising an aggregation of a ranging measurement message and a block acknowledgement message, the ranging measurement message comprising one or more timestamps measured by the first wireless station.
25. A product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a wireless station to perform the method of claim 24.
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