WO2018164754A2 - Enhanced signal parameters for wireless communications - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure describes systems, methods, and devices related to OFDM signal parameters. A device may determine a channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel. The device may select a tone grid associated with the channel. The device may determine the signal having tones set according to the tone grid. The device may send the signal according to the tone grid.

Description

ENHANCED SIGNAL PARAMETERS FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/469,777 filed March 10, 2017, entitled "Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Signal Parameters," the disclosure of which is incorporated 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 orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal parameters. BACKGROUND

[0003] Wireless devices are becoming widely prevalent and are increasingly requesting access to wireless channels. The growing density of wireless deployments require increased network and spectrum availability. Wireless devices may communicate over a next generation 60 GHz (NG60) network, an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) network, and/or any other network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 depicts a network diagram illustrating an example network environment for OFDM signal parameters, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0005] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of an OFDM signal spectrum in the IEEE 802.1 lad standard.

[0006] FIG. 3A depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of an OFDM single channel signal spectrum, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 3B depicts an OFDM multi-channel signal spectrum, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of a common pilot grid for an OFDM signal parameters system with a channel bonding factor of one, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of a common pilot grid for an OFDM signal parameters system with a channel bonding factor of two, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 6A illustrates a flow diagram of an illustrative process for using enhanced signal parameters, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 6B illustrates a flow diagram of an illustrative process for using enhanced signal parameters, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates 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.

[0013] FIG. 8 is 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

[0014] Example embodiments described herein provide certain systems, methods, and devices for enhanced signal parameters for wireless communications. 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.

[0015] Devices may communicate over a next generation 60 GHz (NG60) network, an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) network, and/or any other network. Devices operating in EDMG may be referred to herein as EDMG devices. This may include user devices, and/or APs or other devices capable of communicating in accordance to a communication standard.

[0016] The IEEE 802.1 lad standard defines orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal parameters for wireless communications in a frequency domain. Signal spectrum tones such as data subcarriers, pilot subcarriers, direct current, discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size, and other parameters are defined in the IEEE 802.1 lad standard.

[0017] A subcarrier (or tone) is a band of one or more frequencies that may be higher or lower than a carrier frequency. OFDM represents a multicarrier modulation scheme that allows for modulation of multiple subcarrier signals on multiple streams or channels. A resource unit (RU) may include a group of subcarriers as an allocation unit. There may be several types of subcarriers.

[0018] One subcarrier type may be a data subcarrier (e.g., data tone), which may be used for data transmission. Data subcarriers may be frequency channel dependent.

[0019] One subcarrier type may be a pilot subcarrier (e.g., pilot tone), which may be used for channel estimation and parameter tracking, such as carrier frequency offset and sampling frequency offset calculations. These calculations may be useful in making corrections at a device receiving the signal. Respective pilot subcarriers may be spaced by a constant step value, and therefore may have indexes referring to their location on a frequency spectrum. The frequency of a pilot tone may be used for determining a phase that may be used in demodulation of a signal, for example. Channel estimation using pilot subcarriers may allow for increased capacity of OFDM systems.

[0020] One subcarrier type may be an unused subcarrier that is not used for either data or pilot transmission. Unused subcarriers may include a direct current (DC) subcarrier (e.g., a DC = 0 value), a Guard band subcarrier at band edges, and Null subcarriers. Null subcarriers may be located near a DC or edge tone to protect those tones near the DC or edge tones from interference of a neighboring resource unit (RU). Null subcarriers may have zero energy.

[0021] An RU having a number of tones (e.g., signal sounds) may consist of a number of data and pilot subcarriers. For example, a 26-tone RU may consist of 24 data subcarriers and two pilot subcarriers. A 52-tone RU may consist of 48 data subcarriers and 4 pilot subcarriers. Other sizes of RUs may have different numbers of data and pilot subcarriers as defined by the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. The pilot subcarrier positions of the RU may be fixed (e.g., as set in the IEEE 802.1 lad standard), or may vary as described herein (e.g., may be frequency channel dependent).

[0022] The location of OFDM signal tones may be defined by a grid or structure in a frequency domain. In particular, pilot subcarriers (e.g., tones) may be set in fixed locations for a given frequency channel. However, the grids defined by the IEEE 802.11 ad standard may not apply to a multi-channel environment such as those defined in the IEEE 802.1 lay standard.

[0023] The IEEE 802.1 lay standard defines wireless operations in a millimeter wave (mmWave) (e.g., 60GHz) band, which represents an evolution of the IEEE 802.1 lad standard, also known as WiGig. The IEEE 802.1 lay may increase a transmission data rate by, for example, applying multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) and channel bonding techniques.

[0024] For backward compatibility, the IEEE 802.1 lay standard may use the OFDM signal parameters and tone grids (e.g., pilot tone grids) defined in the IEEE 802.11 ad standard, but with some enhancements for multichannel environments using MIMO and/or channel bonding. In addition, other bands (e.g., 6 GHz bands or other bands used in future versions of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards) may also apply enhancements to OFDM signal parameters and pilot grids.

[0025] Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems, methods, and devices for enhanced signal parameters.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, enhanced OFDM physical layer (PHY) signal parameters may be defined for the IEEE 802.1 lay standard or other next generation standards. In particular, OFDM signal spectrum tones, including data subcarrier, pilots, DC, and DFT size may be defined. The enhanced signal parameters may apply to single channel and channel bonding transmissions with NCB = 2, 3, and 4 (e.g., NCB may be an integer number of bonded channels). The enhanced signal parameter definitions may apply to a Cyclic Prefix (CP) duration (e.g., a CP may be a symbol prefix) in case of a short, normal, and long guard interval (GI). By defining different CPs in relation to different GI durations, the CP lengths may be different in the IEEE 802.11 ay standard than CPs in the IEEE 802.11 ad standard, and alignment (e.g., CP alignment with a corresponding GI duration) may be achieved for single channel (SC) PHY.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, enhanced signal parameter definitions may apply to OFDM signal tone structures in a frequency domain in case of single channel transmission, and when channel bonding is applied with NCB = 2, 3, and 4. Enhanced signal parameter definitions may apply to common pilot grid over all (e.g., eight) frequency channels defined in the IEEE 802.11 ay standard. For comparison, the IEEE 802.1 lad standard may use only four frequency channels. The use of common definitions and grids may simplify OFDM implementation in different cases of single channel transmissions, channel aggregation, channel bonding and frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) transmission modes. The use of common definitions and grids may allow for a number of DC tones to be unchanged over different NCB factors, which may also simplify implementation.

[0028] In one embodiment, an OFDM signal parameters system may define the number of data subcarriers in the way that allows a simple implementation of an interleaver.

[0029] The above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting. Numerous other examples, configurations, processes, etc., may exist, some of which are described in greater detail below. Example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. [0030] FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an example network environment for OFDM signal parameters, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. Wireless network 100 may include one or more user device(s) 120 and one or more access point(s) (AP) 102, which may communicate in accordance with IEEE 802.11 communication standards, such as the IEEE 802.11ad and/or IEEE 802.11ay specifications. The user device(s) 120 may be referred to as stations (STAs). The user device(s) 120 may be mobile devices that are non- stationary and do not have fixed locations. Although the AP 102 is shown to be communicating on multiple antennas with user devices 120, it should be understood that this is only for illustrative purposes and that any user device 120 may also communicate using multiple antennas with other user devices 120 and/or AP 102.

[0031] In some embodiments, the user device(s) 120 and the AP 102 may include one or more computer systems similar to that of the functional diagram of FIG. 7 and/or the example machine/system of FIG. 8.

[0032] One or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may be operable by one or more user(s) 110. The user device(s) 120 (e.g., 124, 126, or 128) and/or AP 102 may include any suitable processor-driven device including, but not limited to, a mobile device or a non- mobile, e.g., a static, device. For example, user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may include, a user equipment (UE), a station (STA), an access point (AP), a personal computer (PC), a wearable wireless device (e.g., bracelet, watch, glasses, ring, etc.), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an ultrabook^tm computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, an internet of things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a "carry small live large" (CSLL) device, an ultra mobile device (UMD), an ultra mobile PC (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an "origami" device or computing device, a device that supports dynamically composable computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, a set-top-box (STB), a blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a digital video disc (DVD) player, a high definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a personal video recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a personal media player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a digital still camera (DSC), a media player, a smartphone, a television, a music player, or the like. It is understood that the above is a list of devices. However, other devices, including smart devices, Internet of Things (IoT), such as lamps, climate control, car components, household components, appliances, etc. may also be included in this list.

[0033] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may be configured to communicate with each other via one or more communications networks 130 and/or 135 wirelessly or wired. Any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include, but not limited to, any one of a combination of different types of suitable communications networks such as, for example, broadcasting networks, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, cellular networks, or any other suitable private and/or public networks. Further, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may have any suitable communication range associated therewith and may include, for example, global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal area networks (PANs). In addition, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include any type of medium over which network traffic may be carried including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted-pair wire, optical fiber, a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) medium, microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication mediums, white space communication mediums, ultra-high frequency communication mediums, satellite communication mediums, or any combination thereof.

[0034] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 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 102. Some non-limiting examples of suitable communications antennas include Wi-Fi antennas, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards compatible antennas, directional antennas, non-directional antennas, dipole antennas, folded dipole antennas, patch antennas, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, or the like. The 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 102. [0035] Any of the user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may include multiple antennas that may include one or more directional antennas. The one or more directional antennas may be steered to a plurality of beam directions. For example, at least one antenna of a user device 120 (or an AP 102) may be steered to a plurality of beam directions. For example, a user device 120 (or an AP 102) may transmit a directional transmission to another user device 120 (or another AP 102).

[0036] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 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 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 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 102 may be configured to perform any given directional reception from one or more defined receive sectors.

[0037] 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 102 may be configured to use all or a subset of its one or more communications antennas to perform MIMO beamforming.

[0038] Any of the user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may include any suitable radio and/or transceiver for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in the bandwidth and/or channels corresponding to the communications protocols utilized by any of the user device(s) 120 and AP 102 to communicate with each other. The radio components may include hardware and/or software to modulate and/or demodulate communications signals according to pre-established transmission protocols. The radio components may further have hardware and/or software instructions to communicate via one or more Wi-Fi and/or Wi-Fi direct protocols, as standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards. In certain example embodiments, the radio component, in cooperation with the communications antennas, may be configured to communicate via 2.4 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11b, 802. llg, 802.11η, 802.1 lax), 5 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11η, 802.11ac, 802.11ax), or 60 GHZ channels (e.g. 802.11ad, 802.11ay). 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.

[0039] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 60 GHz. However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an extremely high frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band), a frequency band within the frequency band of between 20 GHz and 300 GHz, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.

[0040] The phrases "directional multi-gigabit (DMG)" and "directional band (DBand)", as used herein, may relate to a frequency band wherein the channel starting frequency is above 45 GHz. In one example, DMG communications may involve one or more directional links to communicate at a rate of multiple gigabits per second, for example, at least 1 gigabit per second, 7 gigabits per second, or any other rate.

[0041] In some demonstrative embodiments, the user device(s) 120 and/or the AP 102 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more specifications, including one or more

IEEE 802.11 specifications, (e.g., an IEEE 802.1 lad specification, an IEEE 802.1 lay specification, and/or any other specification and/or protocol). For example, an amendment to a DMG operation in the 60 GHz band, according to an IEEE 802.1 lad standard, may be defined, for example, by an IEEE 802. Hay project.

[0042] It is understood that a basic service set (BSS) provides the basic building block of an 802.11 wireless LAN. For example, in infrastructure mode, a single access point (AP) together with all associated stations (STAs) is called a BSS.

[0043] In one embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, when an AP (e.g., AP 102) establishes communication with one or more user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, and/or 128), the AP 102 may communicate in a downlink direction and the user devices 120 may communicate with the AP 102 in an uplink direction by sending frames (e.g., frame 140) in either direction. A device (e.g., user devices 120 and/or AP 102) may respond to receiving a frame by sending a response frame 142. The user devices 120 may also communicate peer- to-peer or directly with each other with or without the AP 102. The data frames may be preceded by one or more preambles that may be part of one or more headers. These preambles may be used to allow a device (e.g., AP 102 and/or user devices 120) to detect a new incoming data frame from another device. A preamble may be a signal used in network communications to synchronize transmission timing between two or more devices (e.g., between the APs and user devices).

[0044] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0045] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram 200 of an OFDM signal spectrum in the IEEE 802. Had standard.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, an OFDM signal spectrum may be composed of data, pilot, zero DC, and zero Guard Band (GB) subcarriers. Data and pilot subcarriers may define the total number of occupied subcarriers (tones) in the OFDM signal spectrum. The IEEE

802.1 lad standard defines the following OFDM signal spectrum parameters:

[0047] NSD: number of data subcarriers: 336;

[0048] NSP: number of pilot subcarriers: 16;

[0049] Pilot indexes: p_idx = [- 150:20: 150], (e.g., starts with initial value - 150 with a step value of 20, and continues up to a value of 150);

[0050] NDC: number of zero DC subcarriers: 3;

[0051] NGB: number of zero guard band subcarriers: 79 subcarriers at the left hand side, and 78 subcarriers at the right hand side;

[0052] NDFT: DFT size of total number of subcarriers in the spectrum: 512 (e.g., 336+16+3+78+79); and

[0053] Δ_Ρ: subcarriers spacing: 2640 / 512 ~= 5.1563 MHz.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, data tones 202 and pilot tones 204 are shown. Note that the total number of occupied subcarriers is equal to the NSD + NSP = 352. A DC subcarrier 206 may be set in the middle of the subcarriers. The pilot tones 204 may be spaced from one another by a step value 208 that may be constant (e.g., a step value of 20 as defined in the IEEE 802. Had standard).

[0055] The IEEE 802.1 lad spectrum may have "blind zones" 210 at the edges of the spectrum with no pilots. Because the blind zones 210 do not have pilots, certain measurements and determinations (e.g., regarding phase) may not be determined at these frequency values. For example, the IEEE 802. Had spectrum may include guard intervals (e.g., GIs 212 and 214) at each of subcarriers in a channel to account for interference with nearby or adjacent channels. [0056] The IEEE 802.1 lad spectrum definitions does not provide support for MU environments with channel bonding. In addition, there may be situations in which it may be desirable to use a spectrum for which pilot tones 204 are set in a way that reduces the area of blind zones 210 that exist in the IEEE 802.11ad standard.

[0057] FIG. 3A depicts an illustrative schematic diagram 300 of an OFDM single channel signal spectrum, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058] In one embodiment, the OFDM parameters associated with the OFDM single channel single spectrum may include data tones 302, pilot tones 304, a DC subcarrier 306, a step 308 between respective pilot tones 304, blind zones 310, guard interval 312, and guard interval 314.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the step 308 may be increased (e.g., from 20 to 22) to provide increased coverage of the edges of the spectrum. For example, because of an increased number of data tones 302 in the IEEE 802. Hay standard from the IEEE 802.1 lad standard, a smaller step 308 (e.g., a step of 20 as in the IEEE 802.1 lad standard) may result in larger blind zones 310, which may be undesirable. By increasing the step 308 in combination with the increased number of data tones 302, the blind zones 310 may be reduced (e.g., blind zones 310 may be smaller than blind zones 210 of FIG. 2) because the result may be more pilot tones 304 closer to the guard intervals 312, 314.

[0060] In one or more embodiments, pilot indexes (p_idx) corresponding to the frequencies of the pilot tones 304 may be defined as follows: p_idx = [-165:22: 165], where the pilot tones 304 begin at a frequency value of -165 with step 308 of 22 subcarriers, and continuing up to a frequency value of 165 (e.g., a frequency range from -165 to +165). Because of the increased step 308, there may be pilot tones 304 closer to the guard intervals 312, 314. For example, by starting the pilot tones 304 at -165 rather than -150, a pilot tone 304 may be closer to the guard interval 312, thereby rendering the blind zone 310 smaller than blind zone 210 of FIG. 2. Similarly, by using the increased step 308 (e.g., value of 22 instead of 20), a sixteenth pilot tone may be at a frequency value of 165, thereby rendering the blind zone 310 smaller than blind zone 210 of FIG. 2.

[0061] In one or more embodiments, other OFDM parameters (e.g., other than the pilot indexes and step 308) defined in the IEEE 80.21 lad standard (e.g., as presented above in regard to FIG. 2) may be kept constant for backward compatibility and/or simplified implementation, for example. [0062] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0063] FIG. 3B depicts an OFDM multi-channel signal spectrum 350, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] The OFDM multi-channel signal spectrum 350 may include one or more channels (e.g., channels 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364, 366). Any one of the channels may be channel bonded to create a bonded channel. Bonded channels may consist of contiguous or non-contiguous channels (e.g., subchannels may be bonded to form a bonded channel). For reference, the channels may be frequency channels.

[0065] When a channel bonding factor is two, any two of the channels may be bonded to create a bonded channel. For example, channel 352 may be bonded with any one of channel 354, channel 356, channel 358, channel 360, channel 362, channel 364, or channel 366 to create a bonded channel. To reduce interference between channels, each channel may have a guard interval 370 on either or both edges of the channel. The guard interval (e.g., guard band) may provide three additional pilot tones to fill gaps between channels (e.g., guard interval of 79 or 78 divided by a step value of 22 allows for three pilot tones).

[0066] When a channel bonding factor is three, any three of the channels may be bonded to create a bonded channel.

[0067] When a channel bonding factor is four, any four of the channels may be bonded to create a bonded channel.

[0068] In one or more embodiments, a common tone grid (e.g., pilot tone grid) may be defined over the eight channels. In order to simplify implementation of different transmission modes defined in the IEEE 802.1 lay standard, a common subcarriers grid over eight frequency channels may be applied, but with a frequency shift for each channel. The transmission modes may include single channel, channel bonding, channel aggregation, and frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) transmission. Pilot tone indexes may be defined for the common grid to implement this approach with minimal determinations and adjustments required.

[0069] In one or more embodiments, the distance between DC tones (e.g., DC subcarrier 306 of FIG. 3 A) of adjacent channels may be equal to 419 subcarriers. A common grid may begin from a fourth channel (e.g., channel 358). The fourth channel may employ pilot indexes as p_idx = [-165:22:165]. To align sub-channel (e.g., channels 352, 354, 356, 358, 360, 362, 364, 366) pilot grids the following shifts for given frequency channel may be used:

[0070] CH#1 (e.g., channel 352): p_idx = [-165:22:165] + 3 (e.g., shift of +3 from channel 4); [0071] CH#2 (e.g., channel 354): p_idx = [-165:22:165] + 2 (e.g., shift of +2 from channel 4);

[0072] CH#3 (e.g., channel 356): p_idx = [-165:22:165] + 1 (e.g., shift of +1 from channel 4);

[0073] CH#4 (e.g., channel 358): p_idx = [-165:22: 165] (e.g., no shift);

[0074] CH#5 (e.g., channel 360): p_idx = [-165:22:165] - 1 (e.g., shift of -1 from channel

4);

[0075] CH#6 (e.g., channel 362): p_idx = [-165:22:165] - 2 (e.g., shift of -2 from channel 4);

[0076] CH#7 (e.g., channel 364): p_idx = [-165:22:165] - 3 (e.g., shift of -3 from channel 4);

[0077] CH#8 (e.g., channel 366): p_idx = [-165:22:165] - 4 (e.g., shift of -4 from channel 4).

[0078] As will be presented further below in regard to FIGs. 4 and 5, the shifts for the different channels that may be combined into bonded channels may result in different pilot indexes for different channels. For example, if channel 4 has no shift (e.g., a shift of 0) as shown above, a shift of +1 may result in a pilot tone (e.g. pilot tone 304 of FIG. 3 A) at a frequency value that is +1 from the first pilot index of channel 4. So if channel 4 begins at frequency value of -165, channel 3 with a shift of +1 may begin at a frequency value of -164, and channel 5 with a shift of -1 may begin at a frequency value of -166. This way, different channels may have pilot tones at different frequency values, even when channels are bonded.

[0079] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0080] FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of a common pilot grid 400 for an OFDM signal parameters system with a channel bonding factor of one, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a frequency spectrum having one or more pilots (e.g., pilot tones 402). The pilot tones 402 may have a step 404, and a second step 406 between the pilot tones 402 that are closest to the DC subcarrier 408. For example, if a channel (e.g., channel 4 as discussed above in regard to FIG. 3B) is selected and begins at a frequency value of -165 with a step 404 of 22, the channel may have pilot tones 402 of frequency values of - 165 and +165, with additional pilot tones 402 at frequency values of -11 and +11. Therefore, the DC subcarrier 408, which is in the center of the channel, may be at a frequency value of 0. When the DC subcarrier 408 is a frequency value of 0, the second step is only 11 (e.g., frequency 11 - frequency 0 = 11). However, as will be further presented below in regard to FIG. 5, other channels with shifts that result in the first of the pilot tones 402 being at a frequency value other than -165 may result in one or more pilot tones 402 being closer to the DC subcarrier 408 (e.g., second step 406 may be smaller than 11). For example, if a channel has an offset of +1 and therefore has a first pilot tone at -164 with step 404 of 22, there may be pilot tones 402 at frequency values of -10 and 12 (e.g., a second step value of 406 of 10).

[0082] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0083] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative schematic diagram of a common pilot grid 500 for an OFDM signal parameters system with a channel bonding factor of two, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0084] In one or more embodiments, two channels may be bonded to form a bonded channel (e.g., channel 9 of Table 1 shown below). Because guard intervals (e.g., guard interval 370 of FIG. 3B) may allow for three pilot tones 502, when two channels are bonded to form a bonded channel, there may be 35 pilot tones 502 instead of 32 pilot tones of a single channel. With a step 504 of 22, if the bonded channel begins at a frequency value of -372 (e.g., a shift of +2 from a frequency value of -374), pilot tones 502 may occur at frequency values of -372, -20, 2, 24, and 376, for example. As such, a second step value 506 may be smaller than step 504.

[0085] In one or more embodiments, it may be undesirable to have one or more pilot tones 502 at frequency values at or near a DC subcarrier 508. Because the DC subcarrier 508 is typically in the center of a channel (e.g., the center of a bonded channel), a pilot tone 502 may occur at the same frequency value of the DC subcarrier 508. Because of the use of pilot tones 502 to estimate phase information and track other parameters, it may be desirable to shift a pilot tone 502 occurring at a same frequency value of the DC subcarrier 508 to allow for the pilot tones 502 to be identified and used for estimations. Therefore, if the bonded channel begins at a frequency value of -372, it may not be desirable to have a pilot tone 502 at frequency value 2 because that may be the center of the bonded channel, and therefore the same frequency location as the DC subcarrier 508.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, to avoid having a pilot tone 502 at a same frequency value as a DC subcarrier 508 (e.g., to avoid interference that may cause the pilot tone 502 to not be identified properly), the pilot tone 502 that may otherwise occur at that same frequency value as the DC subcarrier 508 may be replaced by two different pilot tones that are shifted by a common value to the left and right of the DC subcarrier. For example, the shift may be +/- 5 frequency units or another value that allows for one or more pilot tones near the DC subcarrier 508 for measurement purposes, but not at the same frequency value as the DC subcarrier 508. The shift may be represented by [-Ns, +Ns] locations around this middle pilot. Ns may be any integer number. The recommended value can be equal to ns = 5. This way, if a pilot tone 502 were to occur at a same frequency value as the DC subcarrier 508, that pilot tone 502 may become two pilot tones, resulting in 36 total pilot tones, with each of the two pilot tones being shifted a value of 5 to the right and left (e.g., -5 and +5) of the DC subcarrier 508. If the DC subcarrier is at frequency value 2, then there may be pilot tones at -3 (e.g., 2 - 5 = -3) and +7 (2 + 5 = 7). Therefore, the pilot indexes may be frequency channel dependent.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, channel bonding values of two and four may result in the shifting of pilot tones 502 to avoid having a pilot tone 502 at a same frequency value as the DC subcarrier 508. This may be because the DC subcarrier 508 may be in the center of a bonded channel, and using the step 504 of 22, a middle pilot tone (e.g., an eighteenth pilot tone of 35 pilot tones) may fall into the DC subcarrier 508. This problem may not occur when the channel bonding factor is one or three.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, the pilot tones 502 may be set at the frequency values indicated in Table 1 below based on the channel bonding factor and the shift.

[0089] Referring to Table 1 below, there is shown pilot tones definitions for different frequency channels. In this Table 1, it is assumed that Ns = 5 for a channel bonding factor NCB = 2 and 4. In case of other Ns values, the indexes for two middle tones may be changed accordingly.

[0090] Table 1: Pilot tones definition.

8 [-169, -147, -125, -103, -81, -59, -37, -15, 7, 29, 51, 73, 95, 117, 139,

161]

9 [-372, -350, -328, -306, -284, -262, -240, -218, -196, -174, -152, -130, - 108, -86, -64, -42, -20, -3, 7, 24, 46, 68, 90, 112, 134, 156, 178, 200, 222,

244, 266, 288, 310, 332, 354, 376]

10 [-373, -351, -329, -307, -285, -263, -241, -219, -197, -175, -153, -131, - 109, -87, -65, -43, -21, -4, 6, 23, 45, 67, 89, 111, 133, 155, 177, 199, 221,

243, 265, 287, 309, 331, 353, 375]

11 [-374, -352, -330, -308, -286, -264, -242, -220, -198, -176, -154, -132, - 110, -88, -66, -44, -22, -5, 5, 22, 44, 66, 88, 110, 132, 154, 176, 198, 220,

242, 264, 286, 308, 330, 352, 374]

12 [-374, -352, -330, -308, -286, -264, -242, -220, -198, -176, -154, -132, - 110, -88, -66, -44, -22, -5, 5, 22, 44, 66, 88, 110, 132, 154, 176, 198, 220,

242, 264, 286, 308, 330, 352, 374]

13 [-375, -353, -331, -309, -287, -265, -243, -221, -199, -177, -155, -133, - 111, -89, -67, -45, -23, -6, 4, 21, 43, 65, 87, 109, 131, 153, 175, 197, 219,

241, 263, 285, 307, 329, 351, 373]

14 [-376, -354, -332, -310, -288, -266, -244, -222, -200, -178, -156, -134, - 112, -90, -68, -46, -24, -7, 3, 20, 42, 64, 86, 108, 130, 152, 174, 196, 218,

240, 262, 284, 306, 328, 350, 372]

15 [-377, -355, -333, -311, -289, -267, -245, -223, -201, -179, -157, -135, - 113, -91, -69, -47, -25, -8, 2, 19, 41, 63, 85, 107, 129, 151, 173, 195, 217,

239, 261, 283, 305, 327, 349, 371]

17 [-581, -559, -537, -515, -493, -471, -449, -427, -405, -383, -361, -339, - 317, -295, -273, -251, -229, -212, -202, -185, -163, -141, -119, -97, -75, - 53, -31, -9, 13, 35, 57, 79, 101, 123, 145, 167, 189, 206, 216, 233, 255, 277, 299, 321, 343, 365, 387, 409, 431, 453, 475, 497, 519, 541, 563,

585]

18 [-582, -560, -538, -516, -494, -472, -450, -428, -406, -384, -362, -340, - 318, -296, -274, -252, -230, -213, -203, -186, -164, -142, -120, -98, -76, - 54, -32, -10, 12, 34, 56, 78, 100, 122, 144, 166, 188, 205, 215, 232, 254, 276, 298, 320, 342, 364, 386, 408, 430, 452, 474, 496, 518, 540, 562,

584]

19 [-583, -561, -539, -517, -495, -473, -451, -429, -407, -385, -363, -341, - 319, -297, -275, -253, -231, -214, -204, -187, -165, -143, -121, -99, -77, - 55, -33, -11, 11, 33, 55, 77, 99, 121, 143, 165, 187, 204, 214, 231, 253, 275, 297, 319, 341, 363, 385, 407, 429, 451, 473, 495, 517, 539, 561,

583]

20 [-584, -562, -540, -518, -496, -474, -452, -430, -408, -386, -364, -342, - 320, -298, -276, -254, -232, -215, -205, -188, -166, -144, -122, -100, -78, -56, -34, -12, 10, 32, 54, 76, 98, 120, 142, 164, 186, 203, 213, 230, 252, 274, 296, 318, 340, 362, 384, 406, 428, 450, 472, 494, 516, 538, 560,

582]

21 [-585, -563, -541, -519, -497, -475, -453, -431, -409, -387, -365, -343, - 321, -299, -277, -255, -233, -216, -206, -189, -167, -145, -123, -101, -79, -57, -35, -13, 9, 31, 53, 75, 97, 119, 141, 163, 185, 202, 212, 229, 251, 273, 295, 317, 339, 361, 383, 405, 427, 449, 471, 493, 515, 537, 559,

581]

22 [-586, -564, -542, -520, -498, -476, -454, -432, -410, -388, -366, -344, - 322, -300, -278, -256, -234, -217, -207, -190, -168, -146, -124, -102, -80, -58, -36, -14, 8, 30, 52, 74, 96, 118, 140, 162, 184, 201, 211, 228, 250, 272, 294, 316, 338, 360, 382, 404, 426, 448, 470, 492, 514, 536, 558,

580] 4 25 [-791, -769, -747, -725, -703, -681, -659, -637, -615, -593, -571, -549, -527, -505, -483, -461, -439, -422, -412, -395, -373, -351, -329, - 307, -285, -263, -241, -219, -197, -175, -153, -131, -109, -87, -65, -43, - 21, -4, 6, 23, 45, 67, 89, 111, 133, 155, 177, 199, 221, 243, 265, 287, 309, 331, 353, 375, 397, 414, 424, 441, 463, 485, 507, 529, 551, 573, 595, 617, 639, 661, 683, 705, 727, 749, 771, 793]

26 [-792, -770, -748, -726, -704, -682, -660, -638, -616, -594, -572, -550, - 528, -506, -484, -462, -440, -423, -413, -396, -374, -352, -330, -308, - 286, -264, -242, -220, -198, -176, -154, -132, -110, -88, -66, -44, -22, -5, 5, 22, 44, 66, 88, 110, 132, 154, 176, 198, 220, 242, 264, 286, 308, 330, 352, 374, 396, 413, 423, 440, 462, 484, 506, 528, 550, 572, 594, 616,

638, 660, 682, 704, 726, 748, 770, 792]

27 [-792, -770, -748, -726, -704, -682, -660, -638, -616, -594, -572, -550, - 528, -506, -484, -462, -440, -423, -413, -396, -374, -352, -330, -308, - 286, -264, -242, -220, -198, -176, -154, -132, -110, -88, -66, -44, -22, -5, 5, 22, 44, 66, 88, 110, 132, 154, 176, 198, 220, 242, 264, 286, 308, 330, 352, 374, 396, 413, 423, 440, 462, 484, 506, 528, 550, 572, 594, 616,

638, 660, 682, 704, 726, 748, 770, 792]

28 [-793, -771, -749, -727, -705, -683, -661, -639, -617, -595, -573, -551, - 529, -507, -485, -463, -441, -424, -414, -397, -375, -353, -331, -309, - 287, -265, -243, -221, -199, -177, -155, -133, -111, -89, -67, -45, -23, -6, 4, 21, 43, 65, 87, 109, 131, 153, 175, 197, 219, 241, 263, 285, 307, 329, 351, 373, 395, 412, 422, 439, 461, 483, 505, 527, 549, 571, 593, 615,

637, 659, 681, 703, 725, 747, 769, 791]

29 [-794, -772, -750, -728, -706, -684, -662, -640, -618, -596, -574, -552, - 530, -508, -486, -464, -442, -425, -415, -398, -376, -354, -332, -310, - 288, -266, -244, -222, -200, -178, -156, -134, -112, -90, -68, -46, -24, -7, 3, 20, 42, 64, 86, 108, 130, 152, 174, 196, 218, 240, 262, 284, 306, 328, 350, 372, 394, 411, 421, 438, 460, 482, 504, 526, 548, 570, 592, 614,

636, 658, 680, 702, 724, 746, 768, 790]

[0091] Therefore, as shown in Table 1, there may be eight different pilot grids to choose from when the channel bonding factor is one. This may be because with eight unbonded channels available (e.g., channels 1-8 as shown in Table 1), a different pilot grid may be used for each channel, with each pilot grid being shifted by a respective frequency value from another pilot grid. In addition, with a first pilot tone at a frequency value in the range of -162 to -169, and a step 504 of 22, there may be no pilot tones 502 that are at a same frequency value as the DC subcarrier 508, and therefore a shift of a middle pilot tone may not be appropriate.

[0092] When the channel bonding factor is two, any two of eight channels may form a bonded channel, meaning there may be seven bonded channel options (e.g., channels 9-15 as shown in Table 1). When any two channels are bonded, there may be a different pilot grid used for the bonded channel, resulting in seven possible pilot grids (e.g., channels 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4- 5, 5-6, 6-7, or 7-8 may form a bonded channel, each bonded channel with a different pilot grid). Because a middle channel may have a shift of 0 (e.g., the channel's first pilot is at -165), then a bonded channel using the channel with a shift of 0 may have a first pilot at the same frequency regardless of whether the channel is bonded with a channel having a shift of -1 or +1. Therefore, the pilot grid for either channel bonding option involving a channel having a shift of 0 (e.g., a bonded channel with a sub-channel of shift 0 and a sub-channel with a shift +1, and a bonded channel with a sub-channel of shift 0 and a sub-channel of shift -1) may result in a same pilot grid, and therefore there may be six pilot grids to choose from when the channel bonding factor is two (e.g., rather than seven pilot grids for seven bonded channel options). This explains why, for example, Table 1 shows two pilot grids beginning at -374 for channels 11 and 12.

[0093] When the channel bonding factor is three, any three of eight channels may form a bonded channel, meaning there may be six bonded channel options (e.g., channels 17-22 as shown in Table 1). When any three channels are bonded, there may be a different pilot grid used for the bonded channel, resulting in six possible pilot grids (e.g., channels 1-3, 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, 5-7, or 6-8 may form a bonded channel, each bonded channel with a different pilot grid). In addition, with a first pilot tone 502 at a frequency value in the range of -581 to -586, and a step 504 of 22, there may be no pilot tones 502 that are at a same frequency value as the DC subcarrier 508, and therefore a shift of a middle pilot tone may not be appropriate.

[0094] When the channel bonding factor is four, any four of eight channels may form a bonded channel, meaning there may be five bonded channel options (e.g., channels 25-29 as shown in Table 1). When any four channels are bonded, there may be a different pilot grid used for the bonded channel, resulting in five possible pilot grids (e.g., channels 1-4, 2-5, 3-6, 4-7, 5-8 may form a bonded channel, each bonded channel with a different pilot grid). However, as explained above in regard to the channel bonding factor being two, there may be a common pilot grid for two bonded channel options because of a channel having a shift of 0. Therefore, instead of five pilot grids available, there may only be four pilot grids. This explains why, for example, the pilot grids of channels 26 and 27 of Table 1 begin at the same value of - 792.

[0095] In one or more embodiments, the total number of pilots in case of different channel bonding factors NCB may be defined as follows:

[0096] NCB = 1 : NSP = 16, (e.g., as in a legacy case);

[0097] NCB = 2: NSP = 2*16 + 4 = 36 (e.g., 16 pilots/channel x 2 channels = 32, plus 3 additional pilots for the guard interval, where one of the 3 additional pilots conflicts with the DC subcarrier 508 and is replaced by two shifted pilots, resulting in 32+4 = 36 pilots);

[0098] NCB = 3: NSP = 3*16 + 4*2 = 56 (e.g., 16 pilots/channel x 3 channels = 48, plus 4 pilots/guard interval x 2 guard intervals results in 48 + 8 = 56 pilots); [0099] NCB = 4: NSP = 4* 16 + 4*2 + 4 = 76 (e.g., 16 pilots/channel x 4 channels = 64, plus 4 pilots/guard interval x 2 guard intervals, plus a guard interval where the middle pilot is replaced by 2 shifted pilots, resulting in 64 + 8 + 4 = 76 pilots).

[00100] In one or more embodiments, data and DC subcarrier indexes may be set for the pilot grids. For example, the following data subcarrier indexes (d_idx) for different NCBs may be used:

[00101] NCB = 1 : d_idx = [- 177:-2, 2: 177], excluding p_idx;

[00102] NCB = 2: d_idx = [-385:-2, 2:385], excluding p_idx;

[00103] NCB = 3 : d_idx = [-595:-2, 2:595], excluding p_idx;

[00104] NCB = 4: d_idx = [-804:-2, 2: 804], excluding p_idx.

[00105] In one or more embodiments, the values for the data tones may be set as shown below in Table 2 according to a number of channels.

[00106] Table 2: Data tones definition.

7 [-177:-169,-167:-147,-145:-125,-123:-103,-101:-81,-79:-59,-57:-37,-35:- 15,-13:-2,2:7,9:29,31:51,53:73,75:95,97:117,119:139,141:161, 163:177]

8 [-177:-170,-168:-148,-146:-126,-124:-104,-102:-82,-80:-60,-58:-38,-36:- 16,-14:-2,2:6,8:28,30:50,52:72,74:94,96:116,118:138,140:160,162:177]

99 [-386:-373,-371:-351,-349:-329,-327:-307,-305:-285,-283:-263,-261:-241,- 239:-219,-217:-197,-195:-175,-173:-153,-151:-131,-129:-109,-107:-87,-

85:-65,-63:-43,-41:-21,-19:-4,- 2,2:6,8:23,25:45,47:67,69:89,91:111,113:133,135:155,157:177,179:199,20 1:221,223:243,245:265,267:287,289:309,311:331,333:353,355:375,377:38

6]

110 [-386:-374,-372:-352,-350:-330,-328:-308,-306:-286,-284:-264,-262:-242,- 240:-220,-218:-198,-196:-176,-174:-154,-152:-132,-130:-110,-108:-88,- 86:-66,-64:-44,-42:-22,-20:-5,-3:- 2,2:5,7:22,24:44,46:66,68:88,90:110,112:132,134:154,156:176,178:198,20 0:220,222:242,244:264,266:286,288:308,310:330,332:352,354:374,376:38

6]

111 [-386:-375,-373:-353,-351:-331,-329:-309,-307:-287,-285:-265,-263:-243,- 241:-221,-219:-199,-197:-177,-175:-155,-153:-133,-131:-lll,-109:-89,- 87:-67,-65:-45,-43:-23,-21:-6,-4:- 2,2:4,6:21,23:43,45:65,67:87,89:109,111:131,133:153,155:175,177:197,19 9:219,221:241,243:263,265:285,287:307,309:329,331:351,353:373,375:38

6]

112 [-386:-375,-373:-353,-351:-331,-329:-309,-307:-287,-285:-265,-263:-243,- 241:-221,-219:-199,-197:-177,-175:-155,-153:-133,-131:-lll,-109:-89,- 87:-67,-65:-45,-43:-23,-21:-6,-4:- 2,2:4,6:21,23:43,45:65,67:87,89:109,111:131,133:153,155:175,177:197,19 9:219,221:241,243:263,265:285,287:307,309:329,331:351,353:373,375:38

6]

113 [-386:-376,-374:-354,-352:-332,-330:-310,-308:-288,-286:-266,-264:-244,- 242:-222,-220:-200,-198:-178,-176:-156,-154:-134,-132:-112,-110:-90,- 88:-68,-66:-46,-44:-24,-22:-7,-5:- 2,2:3,5:20,22:42,44:64,66:86,88:108,110:130,132:152,154:174,176:196,19 8:218,220:240,242:262,264:284,286:306,308:328,330:350,352:372,374:38

6] 114 [-386:-377,-375:-355,-353:-333,-331 :-311,-309:-289,-287:-267,-265:-245,- 243:-223,-221:-201,-199:-179,-177:-157,-155:-135,-133:-113,-l l l:-91,- 89:-69,-67:-47,-45:-25,-23:-8,-6:- 2,2,4:19,21:41,43:63,65:85,87: 107,109: 129,131 : 151,153: 173,175:195,197: 217,219:239,241 :261,263:283,285:305,307:327,329:349,351:371,373:386]

115 [-386:-378,-376:-356,-354:-334,-332:-312,-310:-290,-288:-268,-266:-246,- 244:-224,-222:-202,-200:-180,-178:-158,-156:-136,-134:-114,-112:-92,- 90:-70,-68:-48,-46:-26,-24:-9,-7:-

2,3: 18,20:40,42:62,64:84,86: 106,108: 128,130: 150,152:172,174: 194,196:2 16,218:238,240:260,262:282,284:304,306:326,328:348,350:370,372:386]

17 [-596:-582,-580:-560,-558:-538,-536:-516,-514:-494,-492:-472,-470:-450,- 448:-428,-426:-406,-404:-384,-382:-362,-360:-340,-338:-318,-316:-296,- 294:-274,-272:-252,-250:-230,-228:-213,-211 :-203,-201 :-186,-184:-164,-

162:-142,-140:-120,-118:-98,-96:-76,-74:-54,-52:-32,-30:-10,-8:- 2,2: 12,14:34,36:56,58:78,80: 100,102: 122,124: 144,146: 166,168: 188,190:2 05,207:215,217:232,234:254,256:276,278:298,300:320,322:342,344:364,3 66:386,388:408,410:430,432:452,454:474,476:496,498:518,520:540,542:5

62,564:584,586:596]

18 [-596:-583,-581 :-561,-559:-539,-537:-517,-515:-495,-493:-473,-471 :-451,- 449_:-429,-427:-407,-405:-385,-383:-363,-361 :-341,-339:-319,-317:-297,- 295:-275,-273:-253,-251 :-231,-229:-214,-212:-204,-202:-187,-185:-165,-

163:-143,-141:-121,-119:-99,-97:-77,-75:-55,-53:-33,-31 :-l l,-9:- 2,2: 11,13:33,35:55,57:77,79:99,101 : 121,123: 143,145: 165,167: 187,189:20 4,206:214,216:231,233:253,255:275,277:297,299:319,321:341,343:363,36 5:385,387:407,409:429,431:451,453:473,475:495,497:517,519:539,541 :56

1,563:583,585:596]

19 [-596:-584,-582:-562,-560:-540,-538:-518,-516:-496,-494:-474,-472:-452,- 450:-430,-428:-408,-406:-386,-384:-364,-362:-342,-340:-320,-318:-298,- 296:-276,-274:-254,-252:-232,-230:-215,-213:-205,-203:-188,-186:-166,-

164:-144,-142:-122,-120:-100,-98:-78,-76:-56,-54:-34,-32:-12,-10:- 2,2: 10,12:32,34:54,56:76,78:98,100: 120,122: 142,144: 164,166: 186,188:20 3,205:213,215:230,232:252,254:274,276:296,298:318,320:340,342:362,36 4:384,386:406,408:428,430:450,452:472,474:494,496:516,518:538,540:56

0,562:582,584:596] 20 [-596:-585,-583:-563,-561:-541,-539:-519,-517:-497,-495:-475,-473:-453,- 451 :-431,-429:-409,-407:-387,-385:-365,-363:-343,-341 :-321,-319:-299,- 297:-277,-275:-255,-253:-233,-231:-216,-214:-206,-204:-189,-187:-167,-

165:-145,-143:-123,-121:-101,-99:-79,-77:-57,-55:-35,-33:-13,-l l :- 2,2:9,11:31,33:53,55:75,77:97,99: 119,121: 141,143: 163,165: 185,187:202,2 04:212,214:229,231 :251,253:273,275:295,297:317,319:339,341 :361,363:3 83,385:405,407:427,429:449,451 :471,473:493,495:515,517:537,539:559,5

61 :581,583:596]

21 [-596:-586,-584:-564,-562:-542,-540:-520,-518:-498,-496:-476,-474:-454,- 452:-432,-430:-410,-408:-388,-386:-366,-364:-344,-342:-322,-320:-300,- 298:-278,-276:-256,-254:-234,-232:-217,-215:-207,-205:-190,-188:-168,-

166:-146,-144:-124,-122:-102,-100:-80,-78:-58,-56:-36,-34:-14,-12:- 2,2:8,10:30,32:52,54:74,76:96,98: 118,120: 140,142: 162,164: 184,186:201,2 03:211,213:228,230:250,252:272,274:294,296:316,318:338,340:360,362:3 82,384:404,406:426,428:448,450:470,472:492,494:514,516:536,538:558,5

60:580,582:596]

22 [-596:-587,-585:-565,-563:-543,-541 :-521,-519:-499,-497:-477,-475:-455,- 453:-433,-431:-411,-409:-389,-387:-367,-365:-345,-343:-323,-321 :-301,- 299:-279,-277:-257,-255:-235,-233:-218,-216:-208,-206:-191,-189:-169,-

167:-147,-145:-125,-123:-103,-101 :-81,-79:-59,-57:-37,-35:-15,-13:- 2,2:7,9:29,31:51,53:73,75:95,97: 117,119: 139,141 : 161,163: 183,185:200,20 2:210,212:227,229:249,251:271,273:293,295:315,317:337,339:359,361 :38 1,383:403,405:425,427:447,449:469,471:491,493:513,515:535,537:557,55

9:579,581:596]

4 25 [-805:-792,-790:-770,-768:-748,-746:-726,-724:-704,-702:-682,-680:-660,- 658:-638,-636:-616,-614:-594,-592:-572,-570:-550,-548:-528,-526:-506,- 504:-484,-482:-462,-460:-440,-438:-423,-421 :-413,-411 :-396,-394:-374,- 372:-352,-350:-330,-328:-308,-306:-286,-284:-264,-262:-242,-240:-220,- 218:-198,-196:-176,-174:-154,-152:-132,-130:-110,-108:-88,-86:-66,-64:-

44,-42:-22,-20:-5,-3:- 2,2:5,7:22,24:44,46:66,68:88,90: 110,112: 132,134: 154,156: 176,178: 198,20 0:220,222:242,244:264,266:286,288:308,310:330,332:352,354:374,376:39 6,398:413,415:423,425:440,442:462,464:484,486:506,508:528,530:550,55 2:572,574:594,596:616,618:638,640:660,662:682,684:704,706:726,728:74

8,750:770,772:792,794:805] 26 [-805:-793,-791 :-771,-769:-749,-747:-727,-725:-705,-703:-683,-681 :-661,- 659:-639,-637:-617,-615:-595,-593:-573,-571 :-551,-549:-529,-527:-507,- 505:-485,-483:-463,-461 :-441,-439:-424,-422:-414,-412:-397,-395:-375,- 373:-353,-351:-331,-329:-309,-307:-287,-285:-265,-263:-243,-241 :-221,- 219: 99,-197:-177,-175:-155,-153:-133,-131 :-l l l,-109:-89,-87:-67,-65:-

45,-43:-23,-21 :-6,-4:- 2,2:4,6:21,23:43,45:65,67:87,89: 109,111 : 131,133: 153,155: 175,177: 197,19 9:219,221 :241,243:263,265:285,287:307,309:329,331 :351,353:373,375:39 5,397:412,414:422,424:439,441:461,463:483,485:505,507:527,529:549,55 1 :571,573:593,595:615,617:637,639:659,661:681,683:703,705:725,727:74

7,749:769,771:791,793:805]

27 [-805:-793,-791 :-771,-769:-749,-747:-727,-725:-705,-703:-683,-681 :-661,- 659:-639,-637:-617,-615:-595,-593:-573,-571 :-551,-549:-529,-527:-507,- 505:-485,-483:-463,-461 :-441,-439:-424,-422:-414,-412:-397,-395:-375,- 373:-353,-351:-331,-329:-309,-307:-287,-285:-265,-263:-243,-241 :-221,- 219:-199,-197:-177,-175:-155,-153:-133,-131 :-l l l,-109:-89,-87:-67,-65:-

45,-43:-23,-21 :-6,-4:- 2,2:4,6:21,23:43,45:65,67:87,89: 109,111 : 131,133: 153,155: 175,177: 197,19 9:219,221 :241,243:263,265:285,287:307,309:329,331 :351,353:373,375:39

5,397:412,414:42

2,424:439,441:461,463:483,485:505,507:527,529:549,551 :571,573:593,59

5:615,61

7:637,639:659,661:681,683:703,705:725,727:747,749:769,771:791,793:80

5]

28 [-805:-794,-792:-772,-770:-750,-748:-728,-726:-706,-704:-684,-682:-662,- 660:- 640,-638:-618,-616:-596,-594:-574,-572:-552,-550:-530,-528:-508,- 506:-486,-484:- 464,-462:-442,-440:-425,-423:-415,-413:-398,-396:-376,- 374:-354,-352:-332,-330:- 310,-308:-288,-286:-266,-264:-244,-242:-222,- 220:-200,-198:-178,-176:-156,-154:- 134,-132:-112,-110:-90,-88:-68,-66:-

46,-44:-24,-22:-7,-5:- 2,2:3,5:20,22:42,44:64,66:86,88: 108,110: 130,132: 152,154: 174,176: 196,19

8:218,22

0:240,242:262,264:284,286:306,308:328,330:350,352:372,374:394,396:41

1,413:42

1,423:438,440:460,462:482,484:504,506:526,528:548,550:570,572:592,59

4:614,61

6:636,638:658,660:680,682:702,704:724,726:746,748:768,770:790,792:80

5]

[-805:-795,-793:-773,-771 :-751,-749:-729,-727:-707,-705:-685,-683:-663,- 661 :- 641,-639:-619,-617:-597,-595:-575,-573:-553,-551 :-531,-529:-509,- 507:-487,-485:- 465,-463:-443,-441 :-426,-424:-416,-414:-399,-397:-377,- 375:-355,-353:-333,-331 :- 311,-309:-289,-287:-267,-265:-245,-243:-223,- 221 :-201,-199:-179,-177:-157,-155:- 135,-133:-1 13,-1 1 1 :-91,-89:-69,-67:-

47,-45:-25,-23:-8,-6:- 2,2,4: 19,21 :41,43:63,65:85,87: 107,109: 129, 131 : 151,153: 173, 175: 195, 197:

217,219:

239,241 :261,263:283,285:305,307:327,329:349,351 :371,373:393,395:410,

412:420,

422:437,439:459,461 :481,483:503,505:525,527:547,549:569,571 :591,593:

613,615:

635,637:657,659:679,681 :701,703:723,725:745,747:767,769:789,791 :805]

[00107] In one or more embodiments, there may be more data tones in the IEEE 802.1 lay standard than in the IEEE 802. Had standard because the use of additional channels (e.g., using channel bonding) in the IEEE 802.11 ay standard may allow for an increased data rate.

[00108] In one or more embodiments, the DC subcarrier indexes (dc_idx) for different NCBs may be as follows:

[00109] NCB = 1: dc_idx = [-1, 0, 1];

[00110] NCB = 2: dc_idx = [-1, 0, 1];

[00111] NCB = 3: dc_idx = [-l, 0, 1];

[00112] NCB = 4: dc_idx = [-1, 0, 1].

[00113] In one or more embodiments, keeping the number of DC subcarriers the same for different NCBs may simplify implementation.

[00114] In one or more embodiments, the DFT size may be proportional to the channel bonding factor (e.g., proportional to a number of channels occupied). For example, the DFT size may be scaled such that the DFT size equals 512*NCB.

[00115] In one or more embodiments, OFDM signal parameter definitions may include a time domain cyclic prefix definition. For example, an OFDM cyclic prefix length and duration may be defined for three types of GIs as follows:

[00116] Short GI: 48 samples, TGI short = 18.18 ns. For example, 48*NCB samples, with a sample time duration of At = l/(NCB*Fs), fs = 2.64 GHz. The total duration T = 48*NCB*At ~= 18.18 ns.

[00117] Normal GI: 96 samples, Tcinormai = 36.36 ns. For example, 96*NCB samples, with a sample time duration of At = l/(NCB*Fs), fs = 2.64 GHz. The total duration T = 96*NCB*At ~= 36.36 ns. [00118] Long GI: 192 samples, Tci iong = 72.72 ns. For example, 192*NCB samples, with a sample time duration of At = l/(NCB*Fs), fs = 2.64 GHz. The total duration T = 192*NCB*At ~= 72.72 ns, where (TGI) may be a duration of the GIs.

[00119] In one or more embodiments, a long channel may require a long GI, whereas a shorter channel may allow for a short GI. For example, in a more complex environment with interference and/or deflections (e.g., from walls), a long GI may be appropriate to allow for more adjustments to be made, for example.

[00120] In one or more embodiments, a cyclic prefix (CP) duration for OFDM may be equal to an SC PHY GI duration.

[00121] In one or more embodiments, the duration of OFDM symbols may be independent of the channel bonding factor.

[00122] In one or more embodiments, subcarrier spacing may be unchanged regardless of the channel bonding factor, and may be 5.15625 MHz.

[00123] Referring to Table 3 below, there is shown a summary of proposed OFDM signal spectrum parameters, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00124] Table 3 : Summary of OFDM parameters.

NDFT: DFT size 512 1024 1536 2048

T_DFT: OFDM IDFT/DFT 0.194 μβ 0.194 μβ 0.194 μβ 0.194 μβ period

TGI short'- short guard interval 18.18 ns 18.18 ns 18.18 ns 18.18 ns duration

TGI normal', normal guard interval 36.36 ns 36.36 ns 36.36 ns 36.36 ns duration

TGI long- long guard interval 72.72 ns 72.72 ns 72.72 ns 72.72 ns duration

[00125] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[00126] FIG. 6A illustrates a flow diagram of an illustrative process 600 for using enhanced signal parameters, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00127] At block 602, one or more processors of a device (e.g., the user device(s) 120 and/or the AP 102 of FIG. 1) may determine an NCB for transmission of a signal over a channel. The NCB may be 1, 2, 3, or 4. If the NCB is 2, 3, or 4, the channel may be a bonded channel including two or more channels that have been bonded together. The signal may be an mmWave signal or a signal in another frequency band (e.g., 6 GHz).

[00128] At block 604, one or more processors of the device may select a tone grid. The tone grid may include and define the locations of pilot tones (e.g., pilot tone indexes) across a spectrum (e.g., a frequency spectrum) for a channel. The tone grid may include and set other tones as well, including channel guard tones (e.g., guard intervals), a DC tone, and one or more data tones. The tone grid may be selected from among one or more available tone grids based on the channel being used and the channel bonding factor NCB. Because it may be desirable to avoid having a pilot tone at a same frequency as, or frequency too close to, a frequency with a DC tone, tone grids may be set so that pilot tones are at least a threshold frequency unit away from a DC tone (e.g., a threshold of five frequency units). For example, using a step value (e.g., a step of 22), if a pilot tone were to occur at or near a DC tone, such a pilot tone may be replaced by two pilot tones shifted one or more frequency units (e.g., five frequency units) in each frequency direction from the frequency where the DC tone occurs (e.g., if the DC tone is at frequency 0, a pilot tone that would otherwise occur at frequency 0 would become a first pilot tone at frequency -5 and a second pilot tone at frequency +5). This may allow minimal adjustments to be made to tone grids to preserve pilot tone integrity, thereby allowing measurements using pilot tones to be made without the interference that may occur if a pilot tone were at or near to a DC tone.

[00129] Based on the NCB, the channel may be a bonded or unbonded channel. The pilot tone grid may be one of multiple available pilot tone grids based on the number of channels being used (e.g., the pilot tone grids shown in Table 1).

[00130] At block 606, one or more processors of the device may determine the signal. The signal may be an mmWave signal or another type of signal (e.g., a signal for a 6 GHz band). The signal may be determined based on the tones set by the tone grid, and therefore may include guard tones, a DC tone, data tones, and pilot tones.

[00131] At block 608, one or more processors of the device may cause the device to send the signal over the channel. The channel may be a bonded or unbonded channel according to the NCB. The signal may be sent using the tone grid. For example, the set tone values of the tone grid may be applied to the signal so that, for example, pilot tones are at frequencies according the tone grid (e.g., the pilot indexes shown in Table 1).

[00132] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[00133] FIG. 6B illustrates a flow diagram of an illustrative process 650 for using enhanced signal parameters, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00134] At block 652, one or more processors of a device (e.g., the user device(s) 120 and/or the AP 102 of FIG. 1) may identify a signal (e.g, an mmWave signal). The signal may be received over a communication channel that may be unbonded or bonded according to NCB. Based on the channel that was used to transmit the signal, a pilot tone grid may have been allocated to the channel, and the subcarriers may be set. The signal may have been sent from another device (e.g., an AP or an STA).

[00135] At block 654, one or more processors of the device may determine pilot tones (e.g., pilot tones 502 of FIG. 5). The pilot tones may be set on a spectrum according to a tone grid that may have been selected for the signal. The tone grid may set the frequency locations of pilot tones and other tones. For example, the number of pilot tones may be based on the channel and other OFDM parameters. If NCB = 2 or 4, for example, one or more pilot tones may be adjusted to avoid a pilot tone conflicting with a DC subcarrier (e.g., DC subcarrier 508 of FIG. 5). Other tones that may be included in the signal and determined may include channel guard tones, a DC tone, and data tones. Determining pilot tones may allow for measurements and determinations about the signal and channel to be made.

[00136] At block 656, one or more processors of the device may determine a frequency offset of the channel used to send the signal. The frequency offset determination may be part of a channel estimation that may be useful for detection and decoding, for example. In OFDM systems, a channel used to transmit a signal may be estimated using pilot tones. A channel estimation may include a channel response, which may be determined by comparing received pilot tones with reference pilots. Pilot tones may provide channel estimations at given locations of a frame or subframe. Using the pilot tones, a channel may be estimated across multiple subframes, for example. Because the pilot tone values may be known, a channel response at the pilot tone locations may be determined using a method such as least squares estimation or minimum mean-square error. If the phase of a subcarrier has changed, the phase may be estimated at the receiver side because the phase at the transceiver side may be known.

[00137] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[00138] FIG. 7 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary communication station 700 in accordance with some embodiments. In one embodiment, FIG. 7 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 700 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.

[00139] The communication station 700 may include communications circuitry 702 and a transceiver 710 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from other communication stations using one or more antennas 701. The communications circuitry 702 may include circuitry that can operate the physical layer (PHY) communications and/or medium 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 700 may also include processing circuitry 706 and memory 708 arranged to perform the operations described herein. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry 702 and the processing circuitry 706 may be configured to perform operations detailed in FIGs. 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6A, and 6B.

[00140] In accordance with some embodiments, the communications circuitry 702 may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium and configure frames or packets for communicating over the wireless medium. The communications circuitry 702 may be arranged to transmit and receive signals. The communications circuitry 702 may also include circuitry for modulation/demodulation, upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 706 of the communication station 700 may include one or more processors. In other embodiments, two or more antennas 701 may be coupled to the communications circuitry 702 arranged for sending and receiving signals. The memory 708 may store information for configuring the processing circuitry 706 to perform operations for configuring and transmitting message frames and performing the various operations described herein. The memory 708 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 708 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.

[00141] In some embodiments, the communication station 700 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.

[00142] In some embodiments, the communication station 700 may include one or more antennas 701. The antennas 701 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.

[00143] In some embodiments, the communication station 700 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. [00144] Although the communication station 700 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 700 may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[00145] 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 700 may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device memory.

[00146] FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a machine 800 or system upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may be performed. In other embodiments, the machine 800 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 800 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 800 may act as a peer machine in peer-to- peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environments. The machine 800 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.

[00147] 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.

[00148] The machine (e.g., computer system) 800 may include a hardware processor 802 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 808. The machine 800 may further include a power management device 832, a graphics display device 810, an alphanumeric input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 814 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the graphics display device 810, alphanumeric input device 812, and UI navigation device 814 may be a touch screen display. The machine 800 may additionally include a storage device (i.e., drive unit) 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., a speaker), an enhanced signal tone device 819, a network interface device/transceiver 820 coupled to antenna(s) 830, and one or more sensors 828, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 800 may include an output controller 834, 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.)).

[00149] The storage device 816 may include a machine readable medium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 824 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 804, within the static memory 806, or within the hardware processor 802 during execution thereof by the machine 800. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 802, the main memory 804, the static memory 806, or the storage device 816 may constitute machine- readable media.

[00150] The enhanced signal tone device 819 may carry out or perform any of the operations and processes (e.g., process 600 of FIG. 6A, and process 650 of FIG. 6B) described and shown above.

[00151] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may determine a channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel.

[00152] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may select a tone grid for the channel.

[00153] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may determine a signal according to the tone grid.

[00154] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may cause to send the signal according to the tone grid.

[00155] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may apply a tone grid by replacing a pilot tone closest to a DC tone with a first frequency five units less than the frequency and with a second frequency 5 units more than the frequency.

[00156] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may identify a signal received from another device.

[00157] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may determine one or more pilot tones from a pilot tone grid.

[00158] In one or more embodiments, the enhanced signal tone device 819 may determine a frequency offset based on the one or more pilot tones. The enhanced signal tone device 819 may perform additional channel estimation.

[00159] It is understood that the above are only a subset of what the enhanced signal tone device 819 may be configured to perform and that other functions included throughout this disclosure may also be performed by the enhanced signal tone device 819.

[00160] While the machine-readable medium 822 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 824. [00161] 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.

[00162] The term "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 800 and that cause the machine 800 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples may include solid-state memories and optical and magnetic media. In an example, a massed machine -readable medium includes a machine-readable medium with a plurality of particles having resting mass. Specific examples of massed machine -readable media may include non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD- ROM disks.

[00163] The instructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 826 using a transmission medium via the network interface device/transceiver 820 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 820 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 826. In an example, the network interface device/transceiver 820 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 800 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.

[00164] 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.

[00165] 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. [00166] 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.

[00167] 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.

[00168] 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.

[00169] Some embodiments may be used in conj unction 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 single input single output (SISO) 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. [00170] 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 (TDM A), 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, 3 GPP, long term evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, enhanced data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems, and/or networks.

[00171] Example 1, the device comprising memory and processing circuitry configured to: determine a channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel; select a tone grid associated with the channel, the tone grid having tones comprising: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone, data tones, and pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; determine the signal, the signal comprising the tones, wherein the tones are set according to the tone grid; and cause to send the signal according to the tone grid.

[00172] Example 2 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal.

[00173] Example 3 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

[00174] Example 4 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00175] Example 5 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units. [00176] Example 6 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein the channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00177] Example 7 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

[00178] Example 8 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00179] Example 9 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, wherein a discrete Fourier transform size of the signal is proportional to the channel bonding factor.

[00180] Example 10 may include the device of example 1 and/or some other example herein, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals.

[00181 ] Example 11 may include the device of example 7 and/or some other example herein, further comprising one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00182] Example 12 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations comprising: identifying, at a first device, a signal received over a channel from a second device; determining one or more pilot tones from a tone grid, wherein the tone grid comprises: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone; data tones; and the one or more pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; and determining a frequency offset based on the one or more pilot tones.

[00183] Example 13 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 12 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal received over a bonded channel. [00184] Example 14 may include the non- transitory computer-readable medium of example 12 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

[00185] Example 15 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 12 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00186] Example 16 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 12 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

[00187] Example 17 may include the non- transitory computer-readable medium of example 12 and/or some other example herein, wherein a channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00188] Example 18 may include the non- transitory computer-readable medium of example 12 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

[00189] Example 19 may include the non- transitory computer-readable medium of example 12 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00190] Example 20 may include a method comprising: determining, by one or more processors of a device, a channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel; selecting, by the one or more processors, a tone grid associated with the channel, the tone grid having tones comprising: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone, data tones, and pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; determining, by the one or more processors, the signal, the signal comprising the tones, wherein the tones are set according to the tone grid; and causing to send, by the one or more processors, the signal according to the tone grid.

[00191] Example 21 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal.

[00192] Example 22 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

[00193] Example 23 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00194] Example 24 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

[00195] Example 25 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein the channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00196] Example 26 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

[00197] Example 27 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00198] Example 28 may include the apparatus of example 20 and/or some other example herein, wherein a discrete Fourier transform size of the signal is proportional to the channel bonding factor.

[00199] Example 29 may include an apparatus comprising means for performing a method as claimed in any one of examples 20-28. [00200] Example 30 may include a system, comprising at least one memory device having programmed instruction that, in response to execution cause at least one processor to perform the method of any one of examples 20-28.

[00201] Example 31 may include a machine-readable medium including code, when executed, to cause a machine to perform the method of any one of examples 20-28.

[00202] Example 32 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations comprising: determining a channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel; selecting a tone grid associated with the channel, the tone grid having tones comprising: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone, data tones, and pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; determining the signal, the signal comprising the tones, wherein the tones are set according to the tone grid; and causing to send the signal according to the tone grid.

[00203] Example 33 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal.

[00204] Example 34 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

[00205] Example 35 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00206] Example 36 may include the non- transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

[00207] Example 37 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein the channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00208] Example 38 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

[00209] Example 39 may include the non-transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00210] Example 40 may include the non- transitory computer-readable medium of example 32 and/or some other example herein, wherein a discrete Fourier transform size of the signal is proportional to the channel bonding factor.

[00211] Example 41 may include an apparatus comprising: means for determining a channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel; means for selecting a tone grid associated with the channel, the tone grid having tones comprising: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone, data tones, and pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; means for determining the signal, the signal comprising the tones, wherein the tones are set according to the tone grid; and means for causing to send the signal according to the tone grid.

[00212] Example 42 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal.

[00213] Example 43 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

[00214] Example 44 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency. [00215] Example 45 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

[00216] Example 46 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein the channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00217] Example 47 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

[00218] Example 48 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00219] Example 49 may include the apparatus of example 41 and/or some other example herein, wherein a discrete Fourier transform size of the signal is proportional to the channel bonding factor.

[00220] Example 50, the device comprising memory and processing circuitry configured to: identify, at a first device, a signal received over a channel from a second device; determine one or more pilot tones from a tone grid, wherein the tone grid comprises: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone; data tones; and the one or more pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; and determine a frequency offset based on the one or more pilot tones.

[00221] Example 51 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal received over a bonded channel.

[00222] Example 52 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency. [00223] Example 53 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00224] Example 54 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

[00225] Example 55 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, wherein a channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00226] Example 56 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

[00227] Example 57 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00228] Example 58 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals.

[00229] Example 59 may include the device of example 50 and/or some other example herein, further comprising one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00230] Example 60 may include a method comprising: identifying, at a first device, a signal received over a channel from a second device; determining one or more pilot tones from a tone grid, wherein the tone grid comprises: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone; data tones; and the one or more pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; and determining a frequency offset based on the one or more pilot tones. [00231] Example 61 may include the method of example 60 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal received over a bonded channel.

[00232] Example 62 may include the method of example 60 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

[00233] Example 63 may include the method of example 60 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00234] Example 64 may include the method of example 60 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

[00235] Example 65 may include the method of example 60 and/or some other example herein, wherein a channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00236] Example 66 may include the method of example 60 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

[00237] Example 67 may include the method of example 60 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00238] Example 68 may include an apparatus comprising means for performing a method as claimed in any one of examples 60-67.

[00239] Example 69 may include a system, comprising at least one memory device having programmed instruction that, in response to execution cause at least one processor to perform the method of any one of examples 60-67.

[00240] Example 70 may include a machine-readable medium including code, when executed, to cause a machine to perform the method of any one of examples 60-67. [00241] Example 71 may include an apparatus comprising: means for identifying, at a first device, a signal received over a channel from a second device; means for determining one or more pilot tones from a tone grid, wherein the tone grid comprises: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel, a direct current (DC) tone; data tones; and the one or more pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; and means for determining a frequency offset based on the one or more pilot tones.

[00242] Example 72 may include the apparatus of example 71 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal received over a bonded channel.

[00243] Example 73 may include the apparatus of example 71 and/or some other example herein, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

[00244] Example 74 may include the apparatus of example 71 and/or some other example herein, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00245] Example 75 may include the apparatus of example 71 and/or some other example herein, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

[00246] Example 76 may include the apparatus of example 71 and/or some other example herein, wherein a channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

[00247] Example 77 may include the apparatus of example 71 and/or some other example herein, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids. [00248] Example 78 may include the apparatus of example 71 and/or some other example herein, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

[00249] Example 79 may include an apparatus comprising means for performing a method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

[00250] Example 80 may include Machine -readable storage including machine-readable instructions, when executed, to implement a method as claimed in any preceding claim.

[00251] Example 81 may include machine-readable storage including machine-readable instructions, when executed, to implement a method or realize and apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.

[00252] Example 82 may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions to cause an electronic device, upon execution of the instructions by one or more processors of the electronic device, to perform one or more elements of a method described in or related to any of examples 1-81, or any other method or process described herein.

[00253] Example 83 may include an apparatus comprising logic, modules, and/or circuitry to perform one or more elements of a method described in or related to any of examples 1-81, or any other method or process described herein.

[00254] Example 84 may include a method, technique, or process as described in or related to any of examples 1-81, or portions or parts thereof.

[00255] Example 85 may include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors and one or more computer readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the method, techniques, or process as described in or related to any of examples 1-81, or portions thereof.

[00256] Example 86 may include a method of communicating in a wireless network as shown and described herein.

[00257] Example 87 may include a system for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein.

[00258] Example 88 may include a device for providing wireless communication as shown and described herein.

[00259] Embodiments according to the disclosure are in particular disclosed in the attached claims directed to a method, a storage medium, a device and a computer program product, wherein any feature mentioned in one claim category, e.g., method, can be claimed in another claim category, e.g., system, as well. The dependencies or references back in the attached claims are chosen for formal reasons only. However, any subject matter resulting from a deliberate reference back to any previous claims (in particular multiple dependencies) can be claimed as well, so that any combination of claims and the features thereof are disclosed and can be claimed regardless of the dependencies chosen in the attached claims. The subject- matter which can be claimed comprises not only the combinations of features as set out in the attached claims but also any other combination of features in the claims, wherein each feature mentioned in the claims can be combined with any other feature or combination of other features in the claims. Furthermore, any of the embodiments and features described or depicted herein can be claimed in a separate claim and/or in any combination with any embodiment or feature described or depicted herein or with any of the features of the attached claims.

[00260] The foregoing description of one or more implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments.

[00261] 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.

[00262] 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.

[00263] 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.

[00264] 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.

[00265] 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 channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel;

select a tone grid associated with the channel, the tone grid having tones comprising:

one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel,

a direct current (DC) tone,

data tones, and

pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with

the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency;

determine the signal, the signal comprising the tones, wherein the tones are set according to the tone grid; and

cause to send the signal according to the tone grid.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein a discrete Fourier transform size of the signal is proportional to the channel bonding factor.

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

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

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which when executed by one or more processors result in performing operations comprising: identifying, at a first device, a signal received over a channel from a second device; determining one or more pilot tones from a tone grid, wherein the tone grid comprises: one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel,

a direct current (DC) tone;

data tones; and

the one or more pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency; and determining a frequency offset based on the one or more pilot tones.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal received over a bonded channel.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

15. The non- transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein a channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the tone grid is a first tone grid of one or more tone grids, wherein a first pilot tone of the first tone grid is set to a different frequency unit than a first pilot tone of a second tone grid of the one or more tone grids.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the signal comprises a guard interval duration of 18.18 ns, 36.36 ns, or 72.72 ns, and wherein a cyclic prefix duration of the signal is equal to the guard interval duration.

A method comprising: determining, by one or more processors of a device, a channel bonding factor for transmission of a signal over a channel;

selecting, by the one or more processors, a tone grid associated with the channel, the tone grid having tones comprising:

one or more channel guard tones, the one or more channel guard tones comprising one or more first channel guard tones at a beginning of the channel and one or more second channel guard tones at an end of the channel,

a direct current (DC) tone,

data tones, and

pilot tones, wherein a pilot tone closest to a frequency associated with the DC tone is at least a threshold frequency unit from the frequency;

determining, by the one or more processors, the signal, the signal comprising the tones, wherein the tones are set according to the tone grid; and

causing to send, by the one or more processors, the signal according to the tone grid.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the signal is a millimeter wave signal.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the threshold frequency unit is between three and seven frequency units from the frequency.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the pilot tone closest to the frequency comprises a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency, and further comprises a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein a first pilot tone of the pilot tones and a second pilot tone of the pilot tones are consecutive pilot tones set apart by a step value greater than twenty frequency units.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the channel bonding factor is two or four, wherein a pilot tone would be within the threshold frequency unit from the frequency associated with the DC tone if applying a constant step value between respective pilot tones, and wherein the pilot tone that would be within the threshold frequency unit is replaced by a first pilot tone set a first threshold frequency unit less than the frequency and by a second pilot tone set a second threshold frequency unit more than the frequency.