WO2018147904A1

WO2018147904A1 - Enhanced group identification for downlink multi-user multiple input and multiple output

Info

Publication number: WO2018147904A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/053328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ou Yang; Carlos Cordeiro; Solomon Trainin
Original assignee: Intel IP Corporation
Priority date: 2017-02-13
Filing date: 2017-09-25
Publication date: 2018-08-16

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO. A device may determine a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices. The device may cause to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification. The device may determine a first device of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming. The device may determine a second group identification for the MU-MIMO data transmission. The device may cause to send the MU-MIMO data transmission to at least one of the one or more stations devices using the second group identification.

Description

ENHANCED GROUP IDENTIFICATION FOR DOWNLINK MULTI-USER

MULTIPLE INPUT AND MULTIPLE OUTPUT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/458,220 filed February 13, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for wireless communications and, more particularly, to an enhanced group ID for downlink (DL) multiuser multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO).

BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless devices are becoming widely prevalent and are increasingly requesting access to wireless channels. Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 lay can refer to a standard in the mmWave (60 GHz) band, which can be related to IEEE 802.11 ad standard, also referred to as WiGig. IEEE 802.1 lay describes standards that can increase the transmission data rate in wireless networks, for example, by applying Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 depicts a network diagram illustrating an example network environment for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 2 A depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for a MIMO beamforming flow, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of a short sector sweep frame

200, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for an EDMG Group ID Set element, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative message flow for a MIMO phase of an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. [0010] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 7 A illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process for an illustrative enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 7B illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process for an illustrative enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 8 depicts a functional diagram of an example communication station that may be suitable for use as a user device, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of an example machine upon which any of one or more techniques (e.g., methods) may be performed, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Example embodiments described herein provide certain systems, methods, and devices for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO, including, but not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 family of standards.

[0016] The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.

[0017] During communication between two devices, one or more frames may be sent and received. These frames may include one or more fields (or symbols) that may be based on IEEE 802.11 specifications, including, but not limited to, an IEEE 802. Had specification, or IEEE 802.1 lay specification. Devices may operate in multiuser multiple-input and multiple- output (MU-MIMO) technology. It is understood that MIMO facilitates multiplying the capacity of a radio link using multiple transmit and receive antennas to exploit multipath propagation. MIMO provides a practical technique for sending and receiving more than one data signal on the same radio channel at the same time via multipath propagation. MU- MIMO provides a means for wireless devices to communicate with each other using multiple antennas such that the wireless devices may transmit at the same time and frequency and still be separated by their spatial signatures. For example, using MU-MIMO technology an access point (AP) may be able to communicate with multiple devices using multiple antennas at the same time to send and receive data. An AP operating in MU-MIMO and in a 60 GHz frequency band may utilize a MU-MIMO frame to communicate with devices serviced by that AP.

[0018] The concept of group identification (ID) may address the MU-MIMO destination STA(s) during MU-MIMO beamforming as well as MU-MIMO data transmissions. Compared to the alternative option of listing all the MU-MIMO destination association identifications (AIDs), a group ID uses much fewer bits and hence it is a more attractive solution especially when there are very few bits available in the MAC header or control trailer for addressing. However, there is currently no proposed mechanism to generate, signal, or maintain a group ID in MU-MIMO communications.

[0019] Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and devices for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO.

[0020] One of the major features being introduced in IEEE 802. Hay is support to downlink (DL) MU-MIMO. That is, a device such as an AP (or PCP), may communicate with multiple devices in the DL direction. For example, in order for the AP to communicate with multiple devices, beamforming may be utilized to establish a reliable MIMO link using at least in part short sector sweep (SSW) frames. The AP needs to notify the devices, of the MU-MIMO group they are part of and needs to update and or maintain the MU-MIMO group based on changes where some devices may need to be added or removed.

[0021] In one embodiment, an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system may generate, signal, maintain, and recycle a group ID for MU-MIMO beamforming and data transmission. In one embodiment, an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system may utilize a beamforming group ID (groupID_bf) for MU-MIMO beamforming, and may utilize a data transmission group ID (groupID_data) for MU-MIMO transmission, where the groupID_data and the groupID_bf may be different.

[0022] In one embodiment, an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system may facilitate that each MU-MIMO destination STA may maintain a group ID table to keep track of the group IDs the STA participates in and the corresponding MU-MIMO transmission configurations. In one embodiment, an unsolicited Information Response frame may be used to distribute the EDMG Group ID Set element. [0023] In one embodiment, an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system may use a groupID_bf for addressing. In one embodiment, MU-MIMO beamforming may use a groupID_data for addressing the STAs that were selected for the formation of an MU-MIMO group for data transmission.

[0024] In one embodiment, a MIMO beamforming selection frame may be used to carry the groupID_data, a status code, and a group ID recycle information.

[0025] The above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting. Numerous other examples, configurations, processes, etc., may exist, some of which are described in detail below. Example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an example network environment for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Wireless network 100 may include one or more user devices 120 and one or more initiator device(s) (e.g., AP 102), which may communicate in accordance with IEEE 802.11 communication standards. The user device(s) 120 may be mobile devices that are non-stationary (e.g., not having fixed locations) or may be stationary devices.

[0027] In some embodiments, the user devices 120 and the AP(s) 102 may include one or more computer systems similar to that of the functional diagram of FIG. 8 and/or the example machine/system of FIG. 9.

[0028] One or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may be operable by one or more user(s) 110. It should be noted that any addressable unit may be a station (STA). An STA may take on multiple distinct characteristics, each of which shape its function. For example, a single addressable unit might simultaneously be a portable STA, a quality-of- service (QoS) STA, a dependent STA, and a hidden STA. The one or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and the AP(s) 102 may be STAs. The one or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may operate as a personal basic service set (PBSS) control point/access point (PCP/AP). The user device(s) 120 (e.g., 124, 126, or 128) and/or AP(s) 102 may include any suitable processor-driven device including, but not limited to, a mobile device or a non-mobile, e.g., a static, device. For example, user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may include, a user equipment (UE), a station (STA), an access point (AP), a software enabled AP (SoftAP), a personal computer (PC), a wearable wireless device (e.g., bracelet, watch, glasses, ring, etc.), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an ultrabook™ computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, an internet of things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non- vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a "carry small live large" (CSLL) device, an ultra mobile device (UMD), an ultra mobile PC (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an "origami" device or computing device, a device that supports dynamically composable computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, a set-top-box (STB), a blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a high definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a personal video recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a personal media player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a digital still camera (DSC), a media player, a smartphone, a television, a music player, or the like. Other devices, including smart devices such as lamps, climate control, car components, household components, appliances, etc. may also be included in this list.

[0029] As used herein, the term "Internet of Things (IoT) device" is used to refer to any object (e.g., an appliance, a sensor, etc.) that has an addressable interface (e.g., an Internet protocol (IP) address, a Bluetooth identifier (ID), a near-field communication (NFC) ID, etc.) and can transmit information to one or more other devices over a wired or wireless connection. An IoT device may have a passive communication interface, such as a quick response (QR) code, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, an NFC tag, or the like, or an active communication interface, such as a modem, a transceiver, a transmitter-receiver, or the like. An IoT device can have a particular set of attributes (e.g., a device state or status, such as whether the IoT device is on or off, open or closed, idle or active, available for task execution or busy, and so on, a cooling or heating function, an environmental monitoring or recording function, a light-emitting function, a sound-emitting function, etc.) that can be embedded in and/or controlled/monitored by a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, ASIC, or the like, and configured for connection to an IoT network such as a local ad-hoc network or the Internet. For example, IoT devices may include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, toasters, ovens, microwaves, freezers, dishwashers, dishes, hand tools, clothes washers, clothes dryers, furnaces, air conditioners, thermostats, televisions, light fixtures, vacuum cleaners, sprinklers, electricity meters, gas meters, etc., so long as the devices are equipped with an addressable communications interface for communicating with the IoT network. IoT devices may also include cell phones, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. Accordingly, the IoT network may be comprised of a combination of "legacy" Internet-accessible devices (e.g., laptop or desktop computers, cell phones, etc.) in addition to devices that do not typically have Internet-connectivity (e.g., dishwashers, etc.).

[0030] The user device(s) 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may also include mesh stations in, for example, a mesh network, in accordance with one or more IEEE 802.11 standards and/or 3 GPP standards.

[0031] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configured to communicate with each other via one or more communications networks 130 and/or 135 wirelessly or wired. The user device(s) 120 may also communicate peer-to-peer or directly with each other with or without the AP(s) 102. Any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include, but not limited to, any one of a combination of different types of suitable communications networks such as, for example, broadcasting networks, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, cellular networks, or any other suitable private and/or public networks. Further, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may have any suitable communication range associated therewith and may include, for example, global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal area networks (PANs). In addition, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include any type of medium over which network traffic may be carried including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted-pair wire, optical fiber, a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) medium, microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication mediums, white space communication mediums, ultra-high frequency communication mediums, satellite communication mediums, or any combination thereof.

[0032] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128) and AP(s) 102 may include one or more communications antennas. The one or more communications antennas may be any suitable type of antennas corresponding to the communications protocols used by the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126 and 128), and AP(s) 102. Some non-limiting examples of suitable communications antennas include Wi-Fi antennas, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards compatible antennas, directional antennas, non-directional antennas, dipole antennas, folded dipole antennas, patch antennas, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, omnidirectional antennas, quasi-omnidirectional antennas, or the like. The one or more communications antennas may be communicatively coupled to a radio component to transmit and/or receive signals, such as communications signals to and/or from the user devices 120 and/or AP(s) 102.

[0033] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configured to perform directional transmission and/or directional reception in conjunction with wirelessly communicating in a wireless network. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configured to perform such directional transmission and/or reception using a set of multiple antenna arrays (e.g., DMG antenna arrays or the like). Each of the multiple antenna arrays may be used for transmission and/or reception in a particular respective direction or range of directions. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configured to perform any given directional transmission towards one or more defined transmit sectors. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may be configured to perform any given directional reception from one or more defined receive sectors.

[0034] MIMO beamforming in a wireless network may be accomplished using RF beamforming and/or digital beamforming. In some embodiments, in performing a given MIMO transmission, user devices 120 and/or AP(s) 102 may be configured to use all or a subset of its one or more communications antennas to perform MIMO beamforming.

[0035] Any of the user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP(s) 102 may include any suitable radio and/or transceiver for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in the bandwidth and/or channels corresponding to the communications protocols utilized by any of the user device(s) 120 and AP(s) 102 to communicate with each other. The radio components may include hardware and/or software to modulate and/or demodulate communications signals according to pre-established transmission protocols. The radio components may further have hardware and/or software instructions to communicate via one or more Wi-Fi and/or Wi-Fi direct protocols, as standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards. In certain example embodiments, the radio component, in cooperation with the communications antennas, may be configured to communicate via 2.4 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11b, 802. llg, 802.11η, 802.1 lax), 5 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11η, 802.11ac, 802.1 lax), or 60 GHZ channels (e.g. 802.1 lad). In some embodiments, non-Wi-Fi protocols may be used for communications between devices, such as Bluetooth, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), Ultra- High Frequency (UHF) (e.g. IEEE 802.1 laf, IEEE 802.22), white band frequency (e.g., white spaces), or other packetized radio communications. The radio component may include any known receiver and baseband suitable for communicating via the communications protocols. The radio component may further include a low noise amplifier (LNA), additional signal amplifiers, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, one or more buffers, and digital baseband.

[0036] In order to achieve MU-MIMO training, the AP and one or more station devices may perform beamforming in order to determine antenna configuration to the various users in the group. When an AP (e.g., AP(s) 102) establishes communication with one or more user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, and/or 128), the AP(s) 102 may communicate in a downlink direction and the user devices 120 may communicate with one or more AP(s) 102 in an uplink direction by sending data frames in either direction. The user devices 120 may also communicate peer-to-peer or directly with each other with or without the AP 102. For example, an AP 102 may communicate with a user device 120 using a frame 140. In other examples, an AP 102 may communicate with another AP 102 using a frame 140, or a user device 120 may communicate with another user device 120 using a frame 140. In one embodiment, the AP 102 may signal an enhanced group ID filed 142 in frame 140 at various phases and subphases of beamforming training. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0037] FIG. 2A depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for a SISO phase of a MIMO beamforming flow, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2A, there is shown a MIMO beamforming flow that uses group ID for MAC addressing. However, how to generate/maintain the group ID is not addressed.

[0039] In one embodiment, an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system may generate, signal, maintain, and recycle a group ID for MU-MIMO beamforming and data transmission under this MIMO beamforming flow.

[0040] A MIMO beamforming flow may have 3 phases: (1) a SISO phase; (2) a MIMO phase; and (3) an optional nulling phase.

[0041] In the SISO phase, an initiator device (e.g., an AP) has a link to each of the responder devices (e.g., user device 222) and can reach them independently but also can reach them in a multiuser way. A SISO phase assumes existing control PHY from initiator device to each of the intended responder devices. For example, an AP has a link to each of the responder devices because the responder devices may have already associated with the AP. The AP may reach the responder devices independently. However, the AP may want to initiate a MU-MIMO communication with one or more responder devices. Before starting a MU-MIMO training, the AP may need to refresh to get the most up-to-date SISO sectors. The case may be that what was considered the best sector during the SISO phase may not be the best sector during the MIMO phase. The initiator device (e.g., an AP 202) may collect feedback on one or more suitable antenna/sectors between itself and each responder device (e.g., a user device 222), and sets up the subsequent MIMO phase. The SISO phase may consist of two subphases (e.g., subphase 212 and subphase 214): (1) an optional (may not be present in every instantiation of the flow) initiator device transmit sector sweep (I- TXSS) using a short sector sweep (SSW) packet (or another frame, like an SSW packet), if the initiator device has not yet discovered all suitable links with responder device(s), and (2) DMG SISO setup/DMG SISO setup response frame exchanges between initiator device and responder device(s) to collect feedback and setup phase 2 (MIMO phase). Control PHY transmission and quasi-omni reception would typically be used during this phase.

[0042] The one more short SSW packets may include information associated with the short SSW packet transmissions. For example, a short SSW frame may include a countdown field (CDOWN) which may be set to the number of short SSW packet transmissions remaining. For example, if there are N short SSW packets to be sent, where N is a positive integer, each short SSW packet would include a CDOWN value to indicate the number of remaining short SSW packet transmissions. That is, the first short SSW packet would have a CDOWN value set to N, the next short SSW packet would have a CDOWN value set to N-l, until the last short SSW packet, which would have the CDOWN value set to "0" indicating the last SSW packet transmission.

[0043] Subphase 212 may consist of an optional initiator transmit (TX) sector sweep (I- TXSS), where one or more short SSW packets are sent from the initiator device to the one or more devices (intended or not intended). The subphase 212 may be needed if the initiator device has not yet discovered all suitable links with the responder device(s). A second subphase (e.g., subphase 214) may consist of DMG SISO setup message and DMG SISO response frame exchanges between the initiator device and the intended responder device(s) to collect feedback and in order to set up phase 2.

[0044] During the subphase 212, the initiator device (e.g., AP 202) may perform a sector sweep of one or more short SSW packets. During the sector sweep, an intended responder device (e.g., user device 222) may obtain a set of antenna/sector, signal to noise ratio (SNR), and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements from the initiator device to the responder device. However, the AP 202 may not need that information from each of the devices that may have received one or more of the short SSW packets. The AP 202 may only need to be in an MIMO communication with a subset of the one or more devices. In this example, the AP 202 may only need to be in MIMO communication with the user devices 222 and other devices in the MU-MIMO group.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2A, in the second subphase 214, the AP 202 may send a DMG SISO setup message 240 to the user device 222, which is an intended responder device of the MIMO communication with the AP 202. The user device 222 may respond with a DMG SISO response message 242. This exchange of messages is to determine the best TX sectors from the AP 202 to the user device 222 in preparation for the MIMO beamforming training of phase 2 (MIMO phase).

[0046] FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of a short sector sweep frame 200, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] In the MU-MIMO beamforming case, the short short SSW packets in the I-TXSS subphase (e.g., subphase 212 of FIG. 2A) needs to be addressed to a group of destination STAs.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2B, the short short SSW packet may comprise, a packet type field, an addressing field, a down-counter (CDOWN) field, an RF Chain ID field, an addressing mode field, a setup duration field, a direction field, a reserved field, and a frame check sequence (FCS). It should be appreciated that FCS refers to the extra error-detecting code added to a frame in a communications protocol.

[0049] The packet type field may indicate the type of packet being sent. For example, the packet type may be set to a short SSW type packet. The addressing field may contain address information associated with a user device (e.g., an STA), the CDOWN field may indicate the number of remaining SSW packet transmissions, the RF chain ID field may identify the RF chain that the initiator device is currently using for the current transmission, and the addressing mode field may indicate whether there is an individual address or a broadcast or group address. For example, if the addressing mode field is set to "1," this may indicate that the current transmission is for an MU communication with multiple devices. If the addressing mode field is set to "0," this may indicate that the current transmission is for an SU communication with one user device.

[0050] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting. [0051] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of an EDMG Group ID Set element 300, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] In one embodiment, if a group address is used, a new EDMG Group ID Set element may associate a group ID with a group of STAs. In one embodiment, EDMG Group ID Set element 300 may be transmitted in a DMG Beacon frame and/or Announce frames. The AP may be responsible to ensure STAs have up to date information on groups. All existent groups may be included into EDMG Group ID Set element 300. Consequently, an EDMG STA that receives a group addressed short SSW may determine whether they are part of the beamforming training.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, the EDMG Group ID Set element 300 may contain one or more fields including, but not limited to, an element ID field, a length field, an element ID extension field, a number of EDMG groups field 302, an EDMG group field 304, plus additional EDMG group fields. For example, the number of EDMG groups field 302 may indicate how many EDMG groups are included in the EDMG Group ID Set element 300. The EDMG group field 304 may contain information associated with one or more STAs. For example, the EDMG group field 304, may contain information such as an EDMG Group ID and one or more STA IDs (e.g., AID 0, AID 1,..., AID 7) that belong to the EDMG group 304. Although in this case eight AIDs are shown, it should be appreciated that other numbers of AIDs may be utilized.

[0054] In this example, the EDMG Group ID Set element 300 may include at least in part EDMG Groups, for example, EDMG Group 1, EDMG Group 2, ..., EDMG Group i , where i is a positive integer indicating the number of EDMG Groups within this EDMG Group ID Set element 300. That information may also be included in the number of EDMG groups field 302 of the EDMG Group ID Set element 300.

[0055] The EDMG Group ID Set element 300 may contain one or more fields that may be used for purposes such as determining a number of user devices that are part of one group.

[0056] The EDMG Group ID Set element 300 may be included or otherwise attached to one or more management frames such as beacon frames, announce frames, or any other frames that may carry user identification information. Management frames are used for network management and state synchronization between one or more devices. It is understood that a beacon frame is one of the management frames in IEEE 802.11 based WLANs. The beacon frame may contain information about the network. Beacon frames are transmitted periodically to announce the presence of a wireless LAN. Beacon frames are transmitted by the AP in an infrastructure basic service set (infrastructure BSS) or by a PCP in a personal BSS (PBSS). Similar to a beacon frame, an announce frame may be sent to one or more STAs in order to announce certain management information associated with the network.

[0057] In one embodiment, an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system may utilize at least one of the fields of the EDMG Group ID Set element 300 in order to facilitate identification of the STAs that are addressed or intended by an initiator device (e.g., an AP). In that sense, any STAs that receive the one or more short SSW packets and are not addressed or intended by the initiator device may refrain from participating in the beamforming training. These STAs then may be restricted from accessing the channel during a predetermined duration of the beamforming training between the initiator device and the STAs that are addressed or intended by the initiator device. This may result in power saving on the STAs that are not addressed or intended by the initiator device, since they are not required for the beamforming training. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0058] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative message flow for a MIMO phase 400 of an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0059] In one embodiment, now that the AP has collected all the best sectors from all the STAs in the MU-MIMO group during the SISO phase, in the next step, the MIMO phase 400, one or more subphases may be used to complete the MIMO phase. For example, there may be an MIMO beamforming setup subphase 404, and MIMO beamforming training subphase 406, MIMO feedback poll subphase 408, and MIMO selection subphase 410.

[0060] In the MU-MIMO beamforming setup subphase 404, given that the initiator device (e.g., AP 402) may have selected multiple sectors from each of the responder devices, or subset of the responder devices (e.g., user devices 422, 424, and 426), the initiator device may then decide to train only a certain number of sectors from the responder device that were selected for an MU-MIMO group. In other words, during the MU-MIMO beamforming setup subphase 404, the initiator device may select one or more responder devices (e.g., user devices 422, 424, and 426) from the group of responder devices that had sent sector information during the SISO phase. In addition, the initiator device may select one or more sectors for each responder device to train during the MIMO beamforming training subphase 406. The initiator device may send MIMO beamforming setup frames to the responder devices to inform them of the selected TX sectors for each antenna and the order of antenna/sector sweep in MIMO beamforming training subphase 406. [0061] In the MIMO beamforming training subphase 406, the initiator device may transmit one or more beam refinement protocol (BRP) frames with TX or RX training fields appended. The initiator device may transmit this setup information in a minimum set of frames in different antennas/sectors (sufficient to reach all responders).

[0062] In one embodiment, during the MIMO feedback poll subphase 408, the initiator device may send one or more MU-MIMO feedback frames (e.g., MIMO beamforming feedback poll frames 411, 413, and 415) in order to poll the responder devices (e.g., user devices 422, 424, and 426) to send the initiator device feedback frames. The responder devices may respond with MU-MIMO feedback frames (e.g., MIMO beamforming feedback frames 412, 414, and 416). The initiator device may optionally poll some responders to perform responder device sweep in fixed slots and in fixed channels. Polled responder devices sweep their TX sectors with feedback frames.

[0063] In one embodiment, during the MIMO selection subphase 410, the initiator device may determine, based on measurements during the prior subphases, a best transmission configuration to transmit to one or more responder devices. For example, the AP 402 may have started with 10 responder devices in the SISO phase, then the AP 402 may have decided to perform beamforming training with three responder devices (e.g., user devices 422, 424, and 426) based on the measurements during the SISO phase. Consequently, after receiving feedback from the three responder devices (e.g., user devices 422, 424, and 426) during the MIMO beamforming feedback poll subphase 408, the AP 402 may receive measurements from the responder devices (e.g., user devices 422, 424, and 426). The AP 402 may determine, based on the measurements, to create a MU-MIMO group with the three responder devices or a subset of the three responder devices. For example, if some of these responder devices were introducing interference such that the AP 402 is unable to reach a best transmission configuration, the AP 402 may select the responder device that allows it to reach the best transmission configuration.

[0064] The initiator device may then transmit the MU-MIMO selection for one or more sets of multiuser transmission configuration to all responder devices in a minimum set of frames (sufficient to reach all intended responders). For example, the AP 402 may, during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase 410, transmit data to the responder devices (e.g., user devices 422, 424, and 426) that were selected by the AP 402 to form a MU-MIMO group.

[0065] In one embodiment, an enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system may facilitate an initiator device to assign a group ID for the selected responder devices during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase 410. For example, the AP 402 may assign a group ID to user devices 422, 424, and 426. The AP 402 may then transmit the group ID to user devices 422, 424, and 426. In other words, after the completion of the MIMO subphase 400, a MU-MIMO group is created. It should be understood that a responder device may be part of more than one MU-MIMO group.

[0066] In one embodiment, during the MIMO phase 400, a MIMO beamforming setup frame, a BRP frame, and a MIMO beamforming selection frame may use a MU-MIMO group address defined in the EDMG Group ID set element of FIG. 3.

[0067] In one embodiment, and in the optional nulling phase, the initiator device (e.g., AP 402) may poll each MU-MIMO destination STAs that have indicated nulling capability for the STA's estimated the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) under the transmit configuration defined in MIMO beamforming selection frame.

[0068] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] In one embodiment, the group of MU-MIMO destination STAs that participate in the MU-MIMO beamforming (e.g., group 504 that includes user devices 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, and 534) might not be the same as the group for the following MU-MIMO data transmission (e.g., group 506 that includes user devices 522, 526, 530, and 534) based on the SISO phase and/or the MIMO phase. Hence, the group ID that is needed for MU-MIMO beamforming may or may not be the same as the group ID that is needed for MU-MIMO data transmission.

[0070] In one embodiment, the group ID used for MU-MIMO beamforming may be defined as groupID_bf, and the group ID used for MU-MIMO transmission may be defined as groupID_data. Further, each of the user devices may assess its memory capabilities to ensure it can participate in the MU-MIMO group. For example, during association, a user device may send an indication to the AP/PCP of how many MU-MIMO groups it can participate in.

[0071] In one embodiment, each MU-MIMO destination STA may maintain a group ID table. An Entry in the group ID table contains (1) group ID (can be groupID_bf or groupID_data), and (2) MU-MIMO transmission configuration using the corresponding groupID_data. The MU-MIMO transmission configuration may be associated with the antenna weight vector for each MU-MIMO group that the MU-MIMO destination STA is part of. Referring to table 1 below, there is shown an example of a table that may be maintained by a MU-MIMO destination STA.

[0072] Table 1: group ID table

[0073] For example, group IDs 100 and 101 may be for beamforming and may have no specific MU-MIMO transmission configuration. However, group ID 10 may have a group ID for data transmission and may have a certain MU-MIMO transmission configuration associated with an antenna weight vector received from the initiator device. For example, the antenna weight vector may be based on a transmit antenna sector ID and a receive antenna sector ID. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0074] In one embodiment, to start the MU-MIMO beamforming, the AP/PCP may first generate a groupID_bf, which may associate a group of MU-MIMO destination STAs that are required to participate in the MU-MIMO beamforming. The generation of groupID_bf is implementation dependent, and it can be based on the control PHY link quality between AP/PCP and the group of MU-MIMO destination STAs. In other words, an initiator device such as an AP or a PCP may be responsible for the allocation and generation of the groupID_bf- The initiator device may distribute the groupID_bf information using the EDMG Group ID Set element of FIG. 3 in DMG beacon frames or announce frames. Another option to signal groupID_bf by an initiator device may be by sending out an unsolicited information response frame. An unsolicited information response frame may be a frame that is used by an initiator device to update and maintain the group IDs by including the EDMG Group ID Set element with, for example, a new or updated groupID_bf- In fact, unsolicited information response frame may also be used to signal groupID_data. For example, an AP/PCP may distribute all groupID_bf and groupID_data information in the EDMG Group ID Set element of FIG. 3. In another embodiment, an AP/PCP may distribute only groupID_bf information in the EDMG Group ID Set element, since groupID_data is distributed by MU-MIMO selection frame during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase 410 of FIG. 4. Further, each of the user devices may assess its memory capabilities to ensure it can participate in the MU-MIMO group. For example, during association, a user device may send an indication to the AP/PCP of how many MU-MIMO groups it can participate in.

[0075] In one embodiment, when a MU-MIMO destination STA receives a DMG beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame with the EDMG Group ID Set element, it may update its group ID table if it is included in a MU-MIMO group and the corresponding group ID has not yet been included in its group ID table. That is, a responder device may be responsible for updating its group ID table when it receives any of the DMG beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame that contains EDMG Group ID Set element.

[0076] In one embodiment, once MU-MIMO beamforming is completed, the initiator device (e.g., in AP/PCP) may generate a groupID_data, which may associate all or a subset of MU-MIMO destination STAs that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming for the subsequent MU-MIMO data transmissions. For each MU-MIMO transmission configuration in the MIMO beamforming selection frame, a groupID_data may be included.

[0077] In one embodiment, MIMO beamforming selection frame used during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase 410 of FIG. 4 may also carry a status code for each MU- MIMO destination STA that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming during the MIMO phase 400 of FIG. 4 to indicate whether the STA is selected in subsequent MU-MIMO data transmissions, as identified by the new groupID_data(s). Possible status code include: SUCCESSFUL, FAILED, ADD, and REMOVAL. Specifically, if a STA is selected by any MU-MIMO group identified by the groupID_data, the corresponding status code is SUCCESSFUL; if STA is not selected by any groupID_data, the corresponding status code is FAILED. For example, the AP/PCP 502 may transmit the status code to all the responder devices (e.g., user devices 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, and 534) in the beamforming group 504 indicating whether one or more of these responder devices will be part of the data transmission group 506. For example, the AP/PCP 502 may set the status code to SUCCESSFUL for user device 522 but may have set the status code to FAILED for user device 524. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0078] In one embodiment, when a MU-MIMO destination STA that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming receives the MIMO beamforming selection frame, it immediately knows if it is included in a groupID_data for MU-MIMIO transmission. For example, the AP/PCP 502 may set the status code to SUCCESSFUL for user device 522 but may have set the status code to FAILED for user device 524. The STA updates its group ID table with the groupID_data and corresponding MU-MIMO transmission configurations. As a result, AP/PCP 502 may start MU-MIMO transmission using the groupID_data immediately after the MU-MIMO beamforming. The AP/PCP 502 may need to wait until the next beacon to signal the new group ID and then start MU-MIMO transmission.

[0079] In one embodiment, the MIMO beamforming selection frame may also be used to recycle groupID_bf if the AP/PCP 502 decides to dismiss the MU-MIMO group for beamforming. A one bit of "groupID recycle" in the MIMO beamforming selection frame may be used. If the bit is set to 1, the groupID_bf is recycled and it can be reused by other MU-MIMO groups for beamforming in the future. If the bit is set to 0, the groupID_bf may still be used by the same MU-MIMO group for MU-MIMO beamforming. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0080] In one embodiment, when a MU-MIMO destination STA (e.g., user devices 522, 524, 526, 528, 530, 532, or 534) receives the MIMO beamforming selection frame, it may check the group ID recycle bit. If the bit is set to 1, the STA removes the corresponding groupID_bf from the group ID table it maintains. If the bit is set to 0, the STA may keep the corresponding groupID_bf in the group ID table it maintains.

[0081] In one embodiment, if the third phase (the nulling phase) is carried out, the AP/PCP 502 may use groupID_data that is generated in phase 2 to indicate the MU-MIMO group it refers to in the SINR polling. The nulling phase may be an optional phase. Here, the AP/PCP 502 may poll each MU-MIMO destination STA that have indicated nulling capability for the STA's estimated SINR under the transmit configuration defined in the MIMO beamforming selection frame. In that case, the AP/PCP 502 may be able to nullify interference with the MU-MIMO destination STAs that indicated the nulling capability.

[0082] In one embodiment, if the AP/PCP 502 determines to remove one STA from a MU-MIMO group identified by a groupID_data, it may send a unicast message to the STA carrying the corresponding groupID_data and a status code of REMOVAL. Once a STA receives such a message, it may remove the entry of the corresponding groupID_data from the group ID table it maintains and excludes itself from the future MU-MIMO transmission identified by this groupID_data.

[0083] In one embodiment, if the AP/PCP 502 determines to add another STA in a MU- MIMO group identified by a groupID_data without repeating the MU-MIMO beamforming, the AP/PCP 502 may send a unicast message to the STA, where the unicast message may carry the corresponding groupID_data, the MU-MIMO transmission configuration, and a status-code of ADD. Once a STA receives such a message, it may add an entry of the corresponding groupID_data to the group ID table it maintains and includes itself in the future MU-MIMO transmission identified by this groupID_data.

[0084] In one embodiment, a STA may remove an entry in its group ID table in the following cases: (1) it receives MU-MIMO select frame which has groupID recycle bit set to 1, remove the corresponding groupID_bf in its group ID table; (2) it receives a message from AP/PCP indicating that it is removed from a MU-MIMO group, remove the corresponding groupID_bf or groupID_data in its group ID table; or (3) it receives EDMG Group ID Set element in DMG beacon, announce frame, or unsolicited information response, which does not include a specific groupID_bf or groupID_data, remove the corresponding groupID_bf or groupID_data in its group ID table. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0085] In one embodiment, MU-MIMO select frame may include the following information:

[0086] Note that the designation of BF1 bit may indicate TX Ant_Sec_IDi (non-beamed) or SS_ID1 (beamformed). It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0087] FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram for enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an example of generating, signaling, maintaining, and recycling groupsIDs for MU-MIMO beamforming and data transmission between an AP 602 and user devices 622, 624, 626, and 628 that form an MU-MIMO group.

[0089] The AP 602 may send one or more beacon frames to user devices 622, 624, 626, and 628. The beacon frame may include a group ID for beamforming (groupID_bf) that is generated by the AP 602 and transmitted to the user devices 622, 624, 626, and 628. The user devices 622, 624, 626, and 628, upon receiving the DMG beacon frames, may save the groupID_bf information in their respective tables that may be maintained in memory. Further, each of the user devices may assess its memory capabilities to ensure it can participate in the MU-MIMO group. For example, during association, a responder device may send an indication to the initiator device of how many MU-MIMO groups it can participate in.

[0090] The AP 602 may then perform MIMO beamforming through the three phases: (1) a SISO phase; (2) a MIMO phase; and (3) an optional nulling phase. During the SISO phase, the AP 602 may collect feedback on one or more suitable antenna/sectors between itself and each of the user devices and 622, 624, 626, and 628, which sets up the subsequent MIMO phase. In this example, during the MIMO phase, the AP 602 may decide to select only user devices 624, 626 and 628 due to measurements received from the four user devices. In that case, the AP 602 may transmit a MIMO beamforming selection frame that may use a MU- MIMO group address defined in the EDMG Group ID Set element of FIG. 3 to inform the user device 622 that it is not part of the group ID for data transmission.

[0091] The MIMO beamforming selection frame used during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase 410 of FIG. 4 may also carry a status code for each MU-MIMO destination user device that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming during the MIMO phase 400 of FIG. 4 to indicate whether the user device is selected in subsequent MU-MIMO data transmissions, as identified by the new groupID_data(s). Specifically, since the user device 624, 626, and 628 were selected to be part of a MU-MIMO group identified by the groupID_data, the corresponding status code is set SUCCESSFUL. However, since the user device 622 is not selected by any groupID_data, the corresponding status code is FAILED.

[0092] The AP 602 may then start the data transmission between itself and the user devices 624, 626, and 628. At some point, the AP 602 may determine to remove user device 624 from the groupID_data. In that case, the AP 602 may use an unsolicited information response to distribute an EDMG Group ID Set element of FIG. 3 to user device 624. A status code may be set to REMOVE. In that case, the user device 624 would update its group ID table and stop participating in the groupID_data that the user device 624 was flagged for removal from. Continuing with the Example of FIG. 6, the AP 602 may start (or continue) the data transmission between itself and the user devices 626 and 628. At one point, the AP 602 may determine to add user device 622 to the MU-MIMO group. In that case, the AP 602 may then send a status code of ADD to the user device 622 in a frame (e.g., an unsolicited information response). The user device 622 may identify the status code of ADD and updates its group ID table with that information in addition to the AWV settings. The AP 602 may then start (or continue) the data transmission between itself and the user devices 622, 626 and 628. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0093] FIG. 7 A illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process 700 for an illustrative enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0094] At block 702, a device (e.g., the user device(s) 120 and/or the AP 102 of FIG. 1) may determine a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices. For example, the AP 102 may utilize a beamforming group ID (groupID_bf) for MU-MIMO beamforming. To start the MU-MIMO beamforming, the AP 102 may first generate a groupID_bf, which may associate a group of MU-MIMO destination STAs (e.g., user devices 120) that are required to participate in the MU-MIMO beamforming. The generation of groupID_bf is implementation dependent, and it can be based on the control PHY link quality between AP 102 and the group of MU-MIMO destination STAs. In other words, an initiator device such as an AP or a PCP may be responsible for the allocation and generation of the groupID_bf-

[0095] At block 704, the device may cause to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification. The AP 102 may distribute the groupID_bf information using the EDMG Group ID Set element of FIG. 3 in DMG beacon frames or announce frames. Another option to signal groupID_bf by the AP 102 may be by sending out an unsolicited information response frame. An unsolicited information response frame may be a frame that is used by the AP 102 to update and maintain the group IDs by including the EDMG Group ID Set element with, for example, a new or updated groupID_bf- [0096] At block 706, the device may determine at least one of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming. During the MIMO selection subphase 410 of FIG. 4, the AP 102 of FIG. 1 may determine, based on measurements during the prior subphases, a best transmission configuration to transmit to one or more user devices. For example, the AP 102 may have started with 10 user devices in the SISO phase, then the AP 102 may have decided to perform beamforming training with three user devices based on the measurements during the SISO phase. Consequently, after receiving feedback from the three user devices during the MIMO beamforming feedback poll subphase 408 of FIG. 4, the AP 102 may receive measurements from the user devices. The AP 102 may determine, based on the measurements, to create a MU-MIMO group with the three user devices or a subset of the three user devices. For example, if some of these user devices were introducing interference such that the AP 102 is unable to reach a best transmission configuration, the AP 102 may select the user device that allows it to reach the best transmission configuration.

[0097] At block 708, the device may determine a second group identification for the MU- MIMO data transmission. For example, the AP 102 may utilize a data transmission group ID (groupID_data) for MU-MIMO transmission. Once MU-MIMO beamforming is completed, the AP 102 may generate a groupID_data, which may associate all or a subset of MU-MIMO destination STAs that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming for the subsequent MU- MIMO data transmissions. For each MU-MIMO transmission configuration in the MIMO beamforming selection frame, a groupID_data may be included.

[0098] At block 710, the device may cause to send the MU-MIMO data transmission to at least one of the one or more stations devices using the second group identification.

[0099] For example, the AP 102 may transmit the MIMO beamforming selection frame for one or more sets of multiuser transmission configuration to all responder devices in a minimum set of frames (sufficient to reach all intended responders). The MIMO beamforming selection frames include at least in part a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that includes an antenna weight vector (AWV) associated with the second group identification. For example, the AP 102, during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase 410 of FIG. 4, may transmit data to the user devices that were selected by the AP 102 to form a MU-MIMO group. A MIMO beamforming selection frame used during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase 410 of FIG. 4 may also carry a status code for each MU-MIMO destination STA that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming during the MIMO phase 400 of FIG. 4 to indicate whether the STA is selected in subsequent MU- MIMO data transmissions, as identified by the new groupID_data(s). Possible status codes include: SUCCESSFUL, FAILED, ADD, and REMOVAL. Specifically, if a STA is selected by any MU-MIMO group identified by the groupID_data, the corresponding status code is SUCCESSFUL; if a STA is not selected by any groupID_data, the corresponding status code is FAILED. It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[00100] FIG. 7B illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process 750 for an illustrative enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO system, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00101] At block 752, a device (e.g., the user device(s) 120 and/or the AP 102 of FIG. 1) may identify a MIMO beamforming frame received from a device to participate in beamforming within a MU-MIMO beamforming group identified by a first group identification. MU-MIMO provides a means for devices to communicate with each other using multiple antennas such that the devices may transmit at the same time and frequency and still be separated by their spatial signatures. For example, using MU-MIMO technology an AP may be able to communicate with multiple devices using multiple antennas at the same time to send and receive data. For example, in order for the AP 102 to communicate with multiple devices, beamforming may be utilized to establish a reliable MIMO link using at least in part short SSW frames.

[00102] At block 754, the device may perform beamforming with the device. A MIMO beamforming flow may have 3 phases: (1) a SISO phase; (2) a MIMO phase; and (3) an optional nulling phase. The SISO phase, the AP 102 may have a link to each of the user devices and can reach them independently but also can reach them in a multiuser way. A SISO phase assumes existing control PHY from the AP 102 to each of the intended user devices. For example, the AP 102 may have a link to each of the user devices because the user devices may have already associated with the AP. After the AP 102 has collected all the best sectors from all the user devices in the MU-MIMO group during the SISO phase, in the next step, the MIMO phase, one or more subphases may be used to complete the MIMO phase. For example, there may be a MIMO beamforming setup subphase, and MIMO beamforming training subphase, MIMO feedback poll subphase, and a MIMO selection subphase. During the MIMO selection subphase, the AP 102 may determine, based on measurements during the prior subphases, a best transmission configuration to transmit to one or more user devices. For example, the AP 102 may have started with 10 user devices in the SISO phase, then the AP 102 may have decided to perform beamforming training with three user devices based on the measurements during the SISO phase. Consequently, after receiving feedback from the three user devices during the MIMO beamforming feedback poll subphase, the AP 102 may receive measurements from the user devices. The AP 102 may determine, based on the measurements, to create a MU-MIMO group with the three user devices or a subset of the three user devices. For example, if some of these user devices were introducing interference such that the AP 102 is unable to reach a best transmission configuration, the AP 102 may select the user device that allows it to reach the best transmission configuration.

[00103] At block 756, the device may identify a MIMO beamforming selection frame from the device comprising a second group identification, wherein the second group identification identifies a MU-MIMO group for MU-MIMO data transmission. For example, the AP 102 may utilize a data transmission group ID (groupID_data) for MU-MIMO transmission. Once MU-MIMO beamforming is completed, the AP 102 may generate a groupID_data, which may associate all or a subset of MU-MIMO destination user devices that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming for the subsequent MU-MIMO data transmissions. For each MU-MIMO transmission configuration in the MIMO beamforming selection frame, a groupID_data may be included. A MIMO beamforming selection frame may be used to carry the groupID_data, a status code, and a group ID recycle information. The MIMO beamforming selection frame used during the MIMO beamforming selection subphase may also carry a status code for each MU-MIMO destination STA that participated in the MU-MIMO beamforming during the MIMO phase to indicate whether the STA is selected in subsequent MU-MIMO data transmissions, as identified by the new groupID_data(s). Possible status codes include: SUCCESSFUL, FAILED, ADD, and REMOVAL. Specifically, if a STA is selected by any MU-MIMO group identified by the groupID_data, the corresponding status code is SUCCESSFUL; if a STA is not selected by any groupID_data, the corresponding status code is FAILED.

[00104] At block 758, the device may maintain or update a group identification table comprising one or more entries of one or more MU-MIMO groups to participate in. Each MU-MIMO destination STA may maintain a group ID table to keep track of the group IDs the STA participates in and the corresponding MU-MIMO transmission configurations. Each MU-MIMO destination STA may maintain a group ID table. An Entry in the group ID table contains (1) group ID (can be groupID_bf or groupID_data), and (2) MU-MIMO transmission configuration using the corresponding groupID_data. The MU-MIMO transmission configuration may be associated with the antenna weight vector for each MU- MIMO group that the MU-MIMO destination STA is part of. For example, when a MU- MIMO destination user device receives a DMG beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame with the EDMG Group ID Set element, it may update its group ID table if it is included in a MU-MIMO group and the corresponding group ID has not yet been included in its group ID table. That is, a responder device may be responsible for updating its group ID table when it receives any of the DMG beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame that contains EDMG Group ID Set element. In addition, each of the user devices may assess its memory capabilities to ensure it can participate in the MU-MIMO group. For example, during association, a responder device may send an indication to the initiator device of how many MU-MIMO groups it can participate in.

[00105] FIG. 8 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary communication station 800 in accordance with some embodiments. In one embodiment, FIG. 8 illustrates a functional block diagram of a communication station that may be suitable for use as an AP 102 (FIG. 1) or a user device 120 (FIG. 1) in accordance with some embodiments. The communication station 800 may also be suitable for use as a handheld device, a mobile device, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptop computer, a wearable computer device, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber station, an access point, an access terminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device.

[00106] The communication station 800 may include communications circuitry 802 and a transceiver 810 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from other communication stations using one or more antennas 801. The transceiver 810 may be a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver that are combined and share common circuitry (e.g., communication circuitry 802). The communication circuitry 802 may include amplifiers, filters, mixers, analog to digital and/or digital to analog converters. The transceiver 810 may transmit and receive analog or digital signals. The transceiver 810 may allow reception of signals during transmission periods. This mode is known as full-duplex, and may require the transmitter and receiver to operate on different frequencies to minimize interference between the transmitted signal and the received signal. The transceiver 810 may operate in a half- duplex mode, where the transceiver 810 may transmit or receive signals in one direction at a time.

[00107] The communications circuitry 802 may include circuitry that can operate the physical layer (PHY) communications and/or media access control (MAC) communications for controlling access to the wireless medium, and/or any other communications layers for transmitting and receiving signals. The communication station 800 may also include processing circuitry 806 and memory 808 arranged to perform the operations described herein. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry 802 and the processing circuitry 806 may be configured to perform operations detailed in FIGs. 2, 3, 4, 5A and 5B.

[00108] In accordance with some embodiments, the communications circuitry 802 may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium and configure frames or packets for communicating over the wireless medium. The communications circuitry 802 may be arranged to transmit and receive signals. The communications circuitry 802 may also include circuitry for modulation/demodulation, upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 806 of the communication station 800 may include one or more processors. In other embodiments, two or more antennas 801 may be coupled to the communications circuitry 802 arranged for sending and receiving signals. The memory 808 may store information for configuring the processing circuitry 806 to perform operations for configuring and transmitting message frames and performing the various operations described herein. The memory 808 may include any type of memory, including non-transitory memory, for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, the memory 808 may include a computer-readable storage device , read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices and other storage devices and media.

[00109] In some embodiments, the communication station 800 may be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), a wearable computer device, or another device that may receive and/or transmit information wirelessly.

[00110] In some embodiments, the communication station 800 may include one or more antennas 801. The antennas 801 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas, or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some embodiments, instead of two or more antennas, a single antenna with multiple apertures may be used. In these embodiments, each aperture may be considered a separate antenna. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectively separated for spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result between each of the antennas and the antennas of a transmitting station.

[00111] In some embodiments, the communication station 800 may include one or more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screen including a touch screen.

[00112] Although the communication station 800 is illustrated as having several separate functional elements, two or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. For example, some elements may include one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio- frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements of the communication station 800 may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[00113] Certain embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Other embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein. A computer-readable storage device may include any non-transitory memory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a computer-readable storage device may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash- memory devices, and other storage devices and media. In some embodiments, the communication station 800 may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device memory.

[00114] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a machine 900 or system upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may be performed. In other embodiments, the machine 900 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 900 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 900 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environments. The machine 900 may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a wearable computer device, a web appliance, a network router, a switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine, such as a base station. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), or other computer cluster configurations.

[00115] Examples, as described herein, may include or may operate on logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations when operating. A module includes hardware. In an example, the hardware may be specifically configured to carry out a specific operation (e.g., hardwired). In another example, the hardware may include configurable execution units (e.g., transistors, circuits, etc.) and a computer readable medium containing instructions where the instructions configure the execution units to carry out a specific operation when in operation. The configuring may occur under the direction of the executions units or a loading mechanism. Accordingly, the execution units are communicatively coupled to the computer-readable medium when the device is operating. In this example, the execution units may be a member of more than one module. For example, under operation, the execution units may be configured by a first set of instructions to implement a first module at one point in time and reconfigured by a second set of instructions to implement a second module at a second point in time.

[00116] The machine (e.g., computer system) 900 may include a hardware processor 902 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 904 and a static memory 906, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 908. The machine 900 may further include a power management device 932, a graphics display device 910, an alphanumeric input device 912 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 914 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the graphics display device 910, alphanumeric input device 912, and UI navigation device 914 may be a touch screen display. The machine 900 may additionally include a storage device (i.e., drive unit) 916, a signal generation device 918 (e.g., a speaker), an enhanced group ID for downlink MU- MIMO device 919, a network interface device/transceiver 920 coupled to antenna(s) 930, and one or more sensors 928, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 900 may include an output controller 934, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, a card reader, etc.)).

[00117] The storage device 916 may include a machine readable medium 922 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 924 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 924 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 904, within the static memory 906, or within the hardware processor 902 during execution thereof by the machine 900. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 902, the main memory 904, the static memory 906, or the storage device 916 may constitute machine-readable media.

[00118] The enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may carry out or perform any of the operations and processes (e.g., processes 400 and 500) described and shown above. For example, the enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may be configured to generate, signal, maintain, and recycle group ID for MU-MIMO beamforming and data transmission.

[00119] The enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may facilitate a groupID_bf that may be used for MU-MIMO beamforming, and groupID_data may be used to MU-MIMO transmission, and they can be different.

[00120] The enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may facilitate that each MU-MIMO destination STA may maintain a group ID table, which keeps track of group ID the STA participates in and corresponding MU-MIMO transmission configurations.

[00121] The enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may facilitate that unsolicited Information Response may be used to distribute EDMG Group ID Set element.

[00122] The enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may facilitate that MU-MIMO beamforming phase 1 and 2 may use groupID_bf for addressing. [00123] The enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may facilitate that MU-MIMO beamforming phase 3 may use groupID_data for addressing. Formation of MU- MIMO group for data transmission may be at the end of MU- MIMO beamforming phase 2 using MU-MIMO select frame.

[00124] The enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may facilitate that MU-MIMO select frame may carry groupID_data, status code, and groupID recycle information.

[00125] It is understood that the above are only a subset of what the enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919 may be configured to perform and that other functions included throughout this disclosure may also be performed by the enhanced group ID for downlink MU-MIMO device 919.

[00126] While the machine-readable medium 922 is illustrated as a single medium, the term "machine- readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 924.

[00127] Various embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in software and/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form of instructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by one or more processors to enable performance of the operations described herein. The instructions may be in any suitable form, such as but not limited to source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such a computer-readable medium may include any tangible non-transitory medium for storing information in a form readable by one or more computers, such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; a flash memory, etc.

[00128] The term "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 900 and that cause the machine 900 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples may include solid-state memories and optical and magnetic media. In an example, a massed machine -readable medium includes a machine-readable medium with a plurality of particles having resting mass. Specific examples of massed machine-readable media may include non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD- ROM disks.

[00129] The instructions 924 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 926 using a transmission medium via the network interface device/transceiver 920 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communications networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), plain old telephone (POTS) networks, wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device/transceiver 920 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 926. In an example, the network interface device/transceiver 920 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 900 and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software. The operations and processes described and shown above may be carried out or performed in any suitable order as desired in various implementations. Additionally, in certain implementations, at least a portion of the operations may be carried out in parallel. Furthermore, in certain implementations, less than or more than the operations described may be performed.

[00130] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The terms "computing device," "user device," "communication station," "station," "handheld device," "mobile device," "wireless device" and "user equipment" (UE) as used herein refers to a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptop computer, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber station, an access point, a printer, a point of sale device, an access terminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device. The device may be either mobile or stationary.

[00131] As used within this document, the term "communicate" is intended to include transmitting, or receiving, or both transmitting and receiving. This may be particularly useful in claims when describing the organization of data that is being transmitted by one device and received by another, but only the functionality of one of those devices is required to infringe the claim. Similarly, the bidirectional exchange of data between two devices (both devices transmit and receive during the exchange) may be described as "communicating," when only the functionality of one of those devices is being claimed. The term "communicating" as used herein with respect to a wireless communication signal includes transmitting the wireless communication signal and/or receiving the wireless communication signal. For example, a wireless communication unit, which is capable of communicating a wireless communication signal, may include a wireless transmitter to transmit the wireless communication signal to at least one other wireless communication unit, and/or a wireless communication receiver to receive the wireless communication signal from at least one other wireless communication unit.

[00132] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third," etc., to describe a common object, merely indicates that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[00133] The term "access point" (AP) as used herein may be a fixed station. An access point may also be referred to as an access node, a base station, an evolved node B (eNodeB), or some other similar terminology known in the art. An access terminal may also be called a mobile station, user equipment (UE), a wireless communication device, or some other similar terminology known in the art. Embodiments disclosed herein generally pertain to wireless networks. Some embodiments may relate to wireless networks that operate in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 standards.

[00134] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, a personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an onboard 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.

[00135] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a personal communication system (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable global positioning system (GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a single input multiple output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a multiple input single output (MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, digital video broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a smartphone, a wireless application protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

[00136] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems following one or more wireless communication protocols, for example, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), frequency- division multiplexing (FDM), orthogonal FDM (OFDM), time-division multiplexing (TDM), time-division multiple access (TDMA), extended TDMA (E-TDMA), general packet radio service (GPRS), extended GPRS, code-division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier modulation (MDM), discrete multi-tone (DMT), Bluetooth®, global positioning system (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee, ultra-wideband (UWB), global system for mobile communications (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, fifth generation (5G) mobile networks, 3GPP, long term evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, enhanced data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems, and/or networks.

[00137] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a device. The device may include memory and processing circuitry configured to determine a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices. The processing circuitry may be further configured to cause to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a first station device of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a second group identification for the MU-MIMO data transmission. The processing circuitry may be further configured to cause to send the MU-MIMO data transmission to the first station device using the second group identification.

[00138] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The processing circuitry may be further configured to cause to send one or more beamforming training frames to the one or more station devices associated with the first group identification. The processing circuitry may be further configured to cause to send one or more feedback poll frames to the one or more station devices. The processing circuitry may be further configured to identify one or more MU-MIMO feedback frames from the one or more station devices. The processing circuitry may be further configured to cause to send the first group identification to the one or more devices using a beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame. The processing circuitry may be further configured to encode an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element in the beacon frame, the announce frame, or the unsolicited information response frame. The second group identification is signaled to the first station device using one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to. The status is successful, fail, add, or remove. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that may include an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification. The device may further include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The device may further include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00139] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a device. The device may include memory and processing circuitry configured to identify a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) beamforming frame received from a device to participate in beamforming within a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) beamforming group identified by a first group identification. The processing circuitry may be further configured to perform beamforming with the device. The processing circuitry may be further configured to identify a MIMO beamforming selection frame from the device may include a second group identification, wherein the second group identification identifies a MU-MIMO group for MU- MIMO data transmission. The processing circuitry may be further configured to maintain a group identification table, wherein the group identification table comprises one or more entries of one or more MU-MIMO groups to participate in.

[00140] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first group identification is associated with a group of one or more MU-MIMO devices that are required to participate in MU-MIMO beamforming. The processing circuitry may be further configured to identify an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element received in a MIMO frame from the device. The MIMO beamforming selection frame may include a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to. The status is successful, fail, add, or remove. The MIMO beamforming selection frame may include a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that may include an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification. The processing circuitry may be further configured to update the group identification table with the antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification. The device may further include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The device may further include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00141] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include identifying a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) beamforming frame received from a device to participate in beamforming within a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) beamforming group identified by a first group identification. The operations may include performing beamforming with the device. The operations may include identifying a MIMO beamforming selection frame from the device may include a second group identification, wherein the second group identification identifies a MU-MIMO group for MU-MIMO data transmission. The operations may include maintain a group identification table, wherein the group identification table comprises one or more entries of one or more MU-MIMO groups to participate in.

[00142] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first group identification is associated with a group of one or more MU-MIMO devices that are required to participate in MU-MIMO beamforming. The operations further comprise identifying an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element received in a MIMO frame from the device. The MIMO beamforming selection frame may include a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to. The status is successful, fail, add, or remove. The MIMO beamforming selection frame may include a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that may include an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification. The operations further comprise updating the group identification table with the antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification.

[00143] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include determining a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices. The operations may include causing to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification. The operations may include determining a first station device of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming. The operations may include determining a second group identification for the MU-MIMO data transmission. The operations may include causing to send the MU-MIMO data transmission to the first station device using the second group identification.

[00144] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The operations may further include causing to send one or more beamforming training frames to the one or more station devices associated with the first group identification. The operations may include causing to send one or more feedback poll frames to the one or more station devices. The operations may include identifying one or more MU-MIMO feedback frames from the one or more station devices. The operations further comprise causing to send the first group identification to the one or more devices using a beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame. The processing circuitry is further configured to encode an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element in the beacon frame, the announce frame, or the unsolicited information response frame. The second group identification is signaled to the first station device using one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to. The status is successful, fail, add, or remove. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that may include an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification.

[00145] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may include a method. The method may include determining, using one or more processors, a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices. The method may include causing to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification. The method may include determining a first device of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming. The method may include determining a second group identification for the MU-MIMO data transmission. The method may include causing to send the MU-MIMO data transmission to the first station device using the second group identification.

[00146] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The method may include causing to send one or more beamforming training frames to the one or more station devices associated with the first group identification. The method may include causing to send one or more feedback poll frames to the one or more station devices. The method may include identifying one or more MU-MIMO feedback frames from the one or more station devices. The method may include causing to send the first group identification to the one or more devices using a beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame. The method may include encoding an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element in the beacon frame, the announce frame, or the unsolicited information response frame. The second group identification may be signaled to the first station device using one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to. The status may be successful, fail, add, or remove. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that includes an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification.

[00147] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may include a method. The method may include identifying a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) beamforming frame received from a device to participate in beamforming within a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) beamforming group identified by a first group identification. The method may include performing beamforming with the device. The method may include identifying a MIMO beamforming selection frame from the device may include a second group identification, wherein the second group identification identifies a MU-MIMO group for MU-MIMO data transmission. The method may include maintaining a group identification table, wherein the group identification table comprises one or more entries of one or more MU-MIMO groups to participate in.

[00148] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first group identification is associated with a group of one or more MU-MIMO devices that are required to participate in MU-MIMO beamforming. The method may include identifying an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element received in a MIMO frame from the device. The MIMO beamforming selection frame includes a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to. The status may be successful, fail, add, or remove. The MIMO beamforming selection frame includes a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that includes an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification. The method may include updating the group identification table with the antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification.

[00149] In example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for determining a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices. The apparatus may include means for causing to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification. The apparatus may include means for determining a first station device of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming. The apparatus may include means for determining a second group identification for the MU- MIMO data transmission. The apparatus may include means for causing to send the MU- MIMO data transmission to the first station device using the second group identification.

[00150] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The apparatus may further include means for causing to send one or more beamforming training frames to the one or more station devices associated with the first group identification. The apparatus may further include means for causing to send one or more feedback poll frames to the one or more station devices. The apparatus may further include means for identifying one or more MU-MIMO feedback frames from the one or more station devices. The apparatus may further include means for causing to send the first group identification to the one or more devices using a beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame. The processing circuitry further may include means for encoding an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element in the beacon frame, the announce frame, or the unsolicited information response frame. The second group identification is signaled to the first station device using one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to. The status may be successful, fail, add, or remove. The one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that includes an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification.

[00151] Certain aspects of the disclosure are described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or computer program products according to various implementations. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and the flow diagrams, respectively, may be implemented by computer-executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some implementations.

[00152] These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto a special- purpose computer or other particular machine, a processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer, processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage media or memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage media produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. As an example, certain implementations may provide for a computer program product, comprising a computer- readable storage medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions implemented therein, said computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements or steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elements or steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. [00153] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, may be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[00154] Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.

[00155] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A device, the device comprising memory and processing circuitry configured to: determine a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices;

cause to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification;

determine a first station device of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming;

determine a second group identification for the MU-MIMO data transmission; and cause to send the MU-MIMO data transmission to the first station device using the second group identification.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to: cause to send one or more beamforming training frames to the one or more station devices associated with the first group identification;

cause to send one or more feedback poll frames to the one or more station devices; and

identify one or more MU-MIMO feedback frames from the one or more station devices.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause to send the first group identification to the one or more devices using a beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to encode an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element in the beacon frame, the announce frame, or the unsolicited information response frame.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second group identification is signaled to the first station device using one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the status is successful, fail, add, or remove.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the one or more MIMO beamforming selection frames include a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that includes an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification.

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

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations comprising:

identifying a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) beamforming frame received from a device to participate in beamforming within a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) beamforming group identified by a first group identification;

performing beamforming with the device;

identifying a MIMO beamforming selection frame from the device comprising a second group identification, wherein the second group identification identifies a MU- MIMO group for MU-MIMO data transmission; and

maintain a group identification table, wherein the group identification table comprises one or more entries of one or more MU-MIMO groups to participate in.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first group identification is associated with a group of one or more MU-MIMO devices that are required to participate in MU-MIMO beamforming.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise identifying an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) Group Identification Set element received in a MIMO frame from the device.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the MIMO beamforming selection frame includes a status code bit to indicate to a station device a status of a group that the station device is assigned to.

15. The non- transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the status is successful, fail, add, or remove.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the MIMO beamforming selection frame includes a MU-MIMO transmission configuration that includes an antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise updating the group identification table with the antenna weight vector associated with the second group identification.

18. A method comprising:

determining, using one or more processors, a first group identification identifying a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) beamforming training with one or more station devices;

causing to perform beamforming with the one or more station devices using the first group identification;

determining a first device of the one or more station devices to be included in a multiuser MIMO (MU-MIMO) data transmission based on the MIMO beamforming;

determining a second group identification for the MU-MIMO data transmission; and causing to send the MU-MIMO data transmission to the first station device using the second group identification.

19. The method of claim 18, further including:

causing to send one or more beamforming training frames to the one or more station devices associated with the first group identification; causing to send one or more feedback poll frames to the one or more station devices; and

identifying one or more MU-MIMO feedback frames from the one or more station devices.

20. The method of claim 18, further including causing to send the first group identification to the one or more devices using a beacon frame, an announce frame, or an unsolicited information response frame.