WO2019051036A1

WO2019051036A1 - Apparatus, system and method of collaborative time of arrival (ctoa) measurement

Info

Publication number: WO2019051036A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/049678
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ofer Bar-Shalom; Yuval AMIZUR; Leor BANIN; Nir DVORECKI
Original assignee: Intel IP Corporation
Priority date: 2017-09-10
Filing date: 2018-09-06
Publication date: 2019-03-14
Also published as: CN111033295B; CN111033295A

Abstract

For example, an apparatus may include circuitry and logic configured to cause a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) client wireless communication station (STA) (cSTA) to broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; and to repeat transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle.

Description

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COLLABORATIVE TIME OF ARRIVAL

(CTOA) MEASUREMENT

CROSS REFERENCE

[001] This Application claims the benefit of and priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/556,451 entitled "APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COLLABORATIVE TIME OF ARRIVAL (CTOA) POSITIONING", filed September 10, 2017, and US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/568,714 entitled "COLLABORATIVE CLIENT IN COLLABORATIVE TIME OF ARRIVAL", filed October 5, 2017 the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] Embodiments described herein generally relate to Collaborative Time Of Arrival (CTOA) measurement.

BACKGROUND

[003] Outdoor navigation is widely deployed thanks to the development of various global- navigation-satellite-systems (GNSS), e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS), GALILEO, and the like.

[004] Recently, there has been a lot of focus on indoor navigation. This field differs from the outdoor navigation, since the indoor environment does not enable the reception of signals from GNSS satellites. As a result, a lot of effort is being directed towards solving the indoor navigation problem. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[005] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are listed below.

[006] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[007] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of messages communicated according to a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) protocol, which may be implemented in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[008] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of messages communicated according to a CToA protocol, which may be implemented in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[009] Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a multi-channel CToA client station (cSTA) ranging beacon transmission, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0010] Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a multi-channel cSTA ranging beacon transmission, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0011] Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a wireless communication channel, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. [0012] Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of a transmit duty cycle, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0013] Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration of a CToA measurement scheme, which may be implemented in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of messages communicated according to a CToA protocol, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0015] Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration of a structure of a CToA ranging beacon transmission, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0016] Fig. 11 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of CToA measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. [0017] Fig. 12 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of CToA measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0018] Fig. 13 is a schematic illustration of a product of manufacture, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments. However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the discussion.

[0020] Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. [0021] The terms "plurality" and "a plurality", as used herein, include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". For example, "a plurality of items" includes two or more items.

[0022] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "demonstrative embodiment", "various embodiments" etc., indicate that the embodiment s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

[0023] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third" etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0024] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, a User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Device (MD), a wireless station (STA), a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a sensor device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a wearable device, a handheld device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP), a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device, an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wireless network, a wireless area network, a Wireless Video Area Network (WVAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), and the like.

[0025] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (including IEEE 802.11-2016 (IEEE 802. il- 2016, IEEE Standard for Information technology— Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks— Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, December 7, 2016); and/or IEEE 802.1 laz (IEEE 802.1 laz, Next Generation Positioning)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WiFi Alliance (WFA) Specifications (including Wi-Fi Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) Technical Specification, Version 1.0, May 1, 2015) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WFA Peer-to-Peer (P2P) specifications (including WiFi P2P technical specification, version 1.5, August 4, 2014) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications (including Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MAC and PHY Specification Version 1.1, April 2011, Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing cellular specifications and/or protocols, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, and the like.

[0026] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable Global Positioning System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi- standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a Smartphone, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like. [0027] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, Radio Frequency (RF), Infra-Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Orthogonal Frequency- Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Spatial Divisional Multiple Access (SDMA), FDM Time- Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), Extended TDMA (E-TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi-carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi- Tone (DMT), Bluetooth®, Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee™, Ultra- Wideband (UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks, 3GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems and/or networks.

[0028] The term "wireless device", as used herein, includes, for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communication device capable of wireless communication, a communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, or the like. In some demonstrative embodiments, a wireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integrated with a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In some demonstrative embodiments, the term "wireless device" may optionally include a wireless service. [0029] The term "communicating" as used herein with respect to a communication signal includes transmitting the communication signal and/or receiving the communication signal. For example, a communication unit, which is capable of communicating a communication signal, may include a transmitter to transmit the communication signal to at least one other communication unit, and/or a communication receiver to receive the communication signal from at least one other communication unit. The verb communicating may be used to refer to the action of transmitting or the action of receiving. In one example, the phrase "communicating a signal" may refer to the action of transmitting the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of receiving the signal by a second device. In another example, the phrase "communicating a signal" may refer to the action of receiving the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of transmitting the signal by a second device.

[0030] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a WLAN, e.g., a WiFi network. Other embodiments may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network, for example, a wireless area network, a "piconet", a WPAN, a WVAN and the like.

[0031] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 2.4GHz or 5GHz. However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequency band of between 20Ghz and 300GHZ, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, and the like.

[0032] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to, be part of, or include, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an integrated circuit, an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or memory (shared, dedicated, or group), that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality. In some embodiments, the circuitry may be implemented in, or functions associated with the circuitry may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules. In some embodiments, circuitry may include logic, at least partially operable in hardware.

[0033] The term "logic" may refer, for example, to computing logic embedded in circuitry of a computing apparatus and/or computing logic stored in a memory of a computing apparatus. For example, the logic may be accessible by a processor of the computing apparatus to execute the computing logic to perform computing functions and/or operations. In one example, logic may be embedded in various types of memory and/or firmware, e.g., silicon blocks of various chips and/or processors. Logic may be included in, and/or implemented as part of, various circuitry, e.g., radio circuitry, receiver circuitry, control circuitry, transmitter circuitry, transceiver circuitry, processor circuitry, and/or the like. In one example, logic may be embedded in volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory, including random access memory, read only memory, programmable memory, magnetic memory, flash memory, persistent memory, and/or the like. Logic may be executed by one or more processors using memory, e.g., registers, buffers, stacks, and the like, coupled to the one or more processors, e.g., as necessary to execute the logic. [0034] The term "antenna", as used herein, may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. In some embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements. The antenna may include, for example, a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like.

[0035] The phrase "peer to peer (PTP) communication", as used herein, may relate to device-to- device communication over a wireless link ("peer-to-peer link") between devices. The PTP communication may include, for example, a WiFi Direct (WFD) communication, e.g., a WFD Peer to Peer (P2P) communication, wireless communication over a direct link within a Quality of Service (QoS) basic service set (BSS), a tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) link, a STA-to- STA communication in an independent basic service set (IBSS), or the like.

[0036] Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with respect to WiFi communication. However, other embodiments may be implemented with respect to any other communication scheme, network, standard and/or protocol.

[0037] Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system 100, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments system 100 may include a wireless communication network including one or more wireless communication devices, e.g., wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180.

[0039] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include, for example, a UE, an MD, a STA, an AP, a PC, a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an Ultrabook™ computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a sensor device, a handheld device, a wearable device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an onboard 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.

[0040] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more devices of wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include a mobile device, e.g., devices 102 and/or 160; and/or one or more devices of wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include a static device, e.g., devices 140 and/or 180. [0041] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more devices of wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include a tag, e.g., a low-power electronic Tag (e-Tag). For example, e.g., devices 102 and/or 160 may include a tag, e.g., an e-Tag.

[0042] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more STAs. For example, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include at least one STA.

[0043] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more WLAN STAs.

[0044] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more Wi-Fi STAs. [0045] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more BT devices.

[0046] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of one or more Neighbor Awareness Networking (NAN) STAs. [0047] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more of wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180, e.g., devices 140 and/or 180, may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of an AP STA, and/or one or more of wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180, e.g., devices 102 and/or 160, may include, operate as, and/or perform the functionality of a non-AP STA. In other embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may operate as and/or perform the functionality of any other STA. [0048] For example, the AP may include a router, a PC, a server, a Hot-Spot and/or the like.

[0049] In one example, a station (STA) may include a logical entity that is a singly addressable instance of a medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM). The STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.

[0050] In one example, an AP may include an entity that contains a station (STA), e.g., one STA, and provides access to distribution services, via the wireless medium (WM) for associated STAs. The AP may perform any other additional or alternative functionality.

[0051] In one example, a non-access-point (non-AP) station (STA) may include a STA that is not contained within an AP. The non-AP STA may perform any other additional or alternative functionality. [0052] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 160 and/or 180 may include, for example, one or more of a processor 191, an input unit 192, an output unit 193, a memory unit 194, and/or a storage unit 195; and/or device 140 may include, for example, one or more of a processor 181, an input unit 182, an output unit 183, a memory unit 184, and/or a storage unit 185. Devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of one or more of devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of one or more of devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be distributed among multiple or separate devices. [0053] In some demonstrative embodiments, processor 191 and/or processor 181 may include, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multiple-core processor, a microprocessor, a host processor, a controller, a plurality of processors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits, circuitry, a logic unit, an Integrated Circuit (IC), an Application- Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose or specific processor or controller. Processor 191 executes instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of device 102 and/or of one or more suitable applications. Processor 181 executes instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of device 140 and/or of one or more suitable applications.

[0054] In some demonstrative embodiments, input unit 192 and/or input unit 182 may include, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-screen, a touch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone, or other suitable pointing device or input device. Output unit 193 and/or output unit 183 includes, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch-screen, a flat panel display, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers or earphones, or other suitable output devices.

[0055] In some demonstrative embodiments, memory unit 194 and/or memory unit 184 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units. Storage unit 195 and/or storage unit 185 includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD) drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable or non-removable storage units. Memory unit 194 and/or storage unit 195, for example, may store data processed by device 102. Memory unit 184 and/or storage unit 185, for example, may store data processed by device 140.

[0056] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals via a wireless medium (WM) 103. In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless medium 103 may include, for example, a radio channel, a cellular channel, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Channel, an RF channel, a WiFi channel, an IR channel, a Bluetooth (BT) channel, and the like.

[0057] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication medium 103 may include a wireless communication channel over a 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency band, or a 5GHz frequency band, a millimeterWave (mmWave) frequency band, e.g., a 60GHz frequency band, a Sub- 1 GHz (S1G) band, and/or any other frequency band.

[0058] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may include one or more radios including circuitry and/or logic to perform wireless communication between devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180, and/or one or more other wireless communication devices. For example, devices 102, 160 and/or 180 may include a radio 114, and/or device 140 may include a radio 144. [0059] In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may include one or more wireless receivers (Rx) including circuitry and/or logic to receive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one receiver 116, and/or radio 144 may include at least one receiver 146.

[0060] In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may include one or more wireless transmitters (Tx) including circuitry and/or logic to transmit wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example, radio 114 may include at least one transmitter 118, and/or radio 144 may include at least one transmitter 148.

[0061] In some demonstrative embodiments, radio 114 and/or radio 144, transmitters 118 and/or 148, and/or receivers 116 and/or 146 may include circuitry; logic; Radio Frequency (RF) elements, circuitry and/or logic; baseband elements, circuitry and/or logic; modulation elements, circuitry and/or logic; demodulation elements, circuitry and/or logic; amplifiers; analog to digital and/or digital to analog converters; filters; and/or the like. For example, radio 114 and/or radio 144 may include or may be implemented as part of a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC), and the like.

[0062] In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may be configured to communicate over a 2.4GHz band, a 5GHz band, an mmWave band, a S1G band, and/or any other band.

[0063] In some demonstrative embodiments, radios 114 and/or 144 may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas 107 and/or 147, respectively.

[0064] In one example, device 102 may include a single antenna 107. In another example, device may include two or more antennas 107. [0065] In one example, device 140 may include a single antenna 147. In another example, device 140 may include two or more antennas 147.

[0066] Antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any type of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets, messages and/or data. For example, antennas 107 and/or 147 may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Antennas 107 and/or 147 may include, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication, e.g., using beamforming techniques. For example, antennas 107 and/or 147 may include a phased array antenna, a multiple element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and/or 147 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements.

[0067] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a controller 124, and/or device 140 may include a controller 154. Controller 124 may be configured to perform and/or to trigger, cause, instruct and/or control device 102 to perform, one or more communications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities, operations and/or procedures between devices 102, 140, 160, 180, and/or one or more other devices; and/or controller 154 may be configured to perform, and/or to trigger, cause, instruct and/or control device 140 to perform, one or more communications, to generate and/or communicate one or more messages and/or transmissions, and/or to perform one or more functionalities, operations and/or procedures between devices 102, 140, 160, 180, and/or one or more other devices, e.g., as described below.

[0068] In some demonstrative embodiments, controllers 124 and/or 154 may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, baseband (BB) circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, Application Processor (AP) circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of controllers 124 and/or 154, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of controllers 124 and/or 154 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below. [0069] In one example, controller 124 may include circuitry and/or logic, for example, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, to cause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 102, and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 102, to perform one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities, e.g., as described herein. In one example, controller 124 may include at least one memory, e.g., coupled to the one or more processors, which may be configured, for example, to store, e.g., at least temporarily, at least some of the information processed by the one or more processors and/or circuitry, and/or which may be configured to store logic to be utilized by the processors and/or circuitry. [0070] In one example, controller 154 may include circuitry and/or logic, for example, one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, to cause, trigger and/or control a wireless device, e.g., device 140, and/or a wireless station, e.g., a wireless STA implemented by device 140, to perform one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities, e.g., as described herein. In one example, controller 154 may include at least one memory, e.g., coupled to the one or more processors, which may be configured, for example, to store, e.g., at least temporarily, at least some of the information processed by the one or more processors and/or circuitry, and/or which may be configured to store logic to be utilized by the processors and/or circuitry. [0071] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of controller 124 may be implemented as part of one or more elements of radio 114, and/or at least part of the functionality of controller 154 may be implemented as part of one or more elements of radio 144.

[0072] In other embodiments, the functionality of controller 124 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102, and/or the functionality of controller 154 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140.

[0073] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a message processor 128 configured to generate, process and/or access one or more messages communicated by device 102. [0074] In one example, message processor 128 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be transmitted by device 102, and/or message processor 128 may be configured to access and/or to process one or more messages received by device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0075] In one example, message processor 128 may include at least one first component configured to generate a message, for example, in the form of a frame, field, information element and/or protocol data unit, for example, a MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU); at least one second component configured to convert the message into a PHY Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), e.g., a PHY Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) PDU, for example, by processing the message generated by the at least one first component, e.g., by encoding the message, modulating the message and/or performing any other additional or alternative processing of the message; and/or at least one third component configured to cause transmission of the message over a wireless communication medium, e.g., over a wireless communication channel in a wireless communication frequency band, for example, by applying to one or more fields of the PPDU one or more transmit waveforms. In other aspects, message processor 128 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative functionality and/or may include any other additional or alternative components to generate and/or process a message to be transmitted.

[0076] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may include a message processor 158 configured to generate, process and/or access one or more messages communicated by device 140.

[0077] In one example, message processor 158 may be configured to generate one or more messages to be transmitted by device 140, and/or message processor 158 may be configured to access and/or to process one or more messages received by device 140, e.g., as described below. [0078] In one example, message processor 158 may include at least one first component configured to generate a message, for example, in the form of a frame, field, information element and/or protocol data unit, for example, a MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU); at least one second component configured to convert the message into a PHY Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), e.g., a PHY Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) PDU, for example, by processing the message generated by the at least one first component, e.g., by encoding the message, modulating the message and/or performing any other additional or alternative processing of the message; and/or at least one third component configured to cause transmission of the message over a wireless communication medium, e.g., over a wireless communication channel in a wireless communication frequency band, for example, by applying to one or more fields of the PPDU one or more transmit waveforms. In other aspects, message processor 158 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative functionality and/or may include any other additional or alternative components to generate and/or process a message to be transmitted.

[0079] In some demonstrative embodiments, message processors 128 and/or 158 may include, or may be implemented, partially or entirely, by circuitry and/or logic, e.g., one or more processors including circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, Media-Access Control (MAC) circuitry and/or logic, Physical Layer (PHY) circuitry and/or logic, BB circuitry and/or logic, a BB processor, a BB memory, AP circuitry and/or logic, an AP processor, an AP memory, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of message processors 128 and/or 158, respectively. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of message processors 128 and/or 158 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below. [0080] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of radio 114, and/or at least part of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of radio 144.

[0081] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of controller 124, and/or at least part of the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of controller 154.

[0082] In other embodiments, the functionality of message processor 128 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102, and/or the functionality of message processor 158 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 140. [0083] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of controller 124 and/or message processor 128 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a System on Chip (SoC). In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functionalities of radio 114. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller 124, one or more elements of message processor 128, and/or one or more elements of radio 114. In one example, controller 124, message processor 128, and radio 114 may be implemented as part of the chip or SoC.

[0084] In other embodiments, controller 124, message processor 128 and/or radio 114 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 102.

[0085] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of controller 154 and/or message processor 158 may be implemented by an integrated circuit, for example, a chip, e.g., a SoC. In one example, the chip or SoC may be configured to perform one or more functionalities of radio 144. For example, the chip or SoC may include one or more elements of controller 154, one or more elements of message processor 158, and/or one or more elements of radio 144. In one example, controller 154, message processor 158, and radio 144 may be implemented as part of the chip or SoC.

[0086] In other embodiments, controller 154, message processor 158 and/or radio 144 may be implemented by one or more additional or alternative elements of device 140.

[0087] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 160, 180 and/or device 140 may include, operate as, perform the role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of, one or more STAs. For example, devices 102, 160 and/or 180 may include at least one STA, device 140 may include at least one STA, device 160 may include at least one STA, and/or device 180 may include at least one STA.

[0088] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may form, or may communicate as part of, a wireless local area network (WLAN). [0089] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may form, or may communicate as part of, a WiFi network.

[0090] In other embodiments, wireless communication devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may form, and/or communicate as part of, any other additional or alternative network.

[0091] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to perform a positioning and/or ranging measurement, e.g., as described below.

[0092] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160, and/or 180 may include one or more applications configured to provide and/or to use one or more location based services, e.g., a social application, a navigation application, a location based advertising application, and/or the like. For example, device 102 may include an application 125 to be executed by device 102.

[0093] In some demonstrative embodiments, application 125 may use range information, for example, to determine an estimated location of device 102, e.g., with respect to a coordinate system, e.g., a World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), and/or a local coordinate system.

[0094] In one example, device 102 may include a Smartphone, which is located in a shop, e.g., in a shopping mall. According to this example, application 125 may use the range information to determine a relative location of device 102, for example, to receive sale offers from the shop.

[0095] In another example, device 102 may include a mobile device, which is located in a parking zone, e.g., of a shopping mall. According to this example, application 125 may use the range information to determine a location of device 102 in the parking zone, for example, to enable a user of device 102 to find a parking area in the parking zone.

[0096] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a location estimator 115 configured to perform one or more positioning measurements to be used to estimate a location of device 102, e.g., as described below.

[0097] In some demonstrative embodiments, location estimator 115 may be configured to determine a location of device 102, for example, using a plurality of ranges from a plurality of other STAs, e.g., by performing trilateration. [0098] In some demonstrative embodiments, location estimator 115 may include circuitry and/or logic, e.g., processor circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, configured to perform the functionality of location estimator 115. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of location estimator 1 15 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.

[0099] In some demonstrative embodiments, at least part of the functionality of location estimator 115 may be implemented as part of controller 124.

[00100] In other embodiments, the functionality of location estimator 115 may be implemented as part of any other element of device 102.

[00101] In some demonstrative embodiments, location estimator 115 may be configured to estimate the location of device 102, for example, based on time based range measurements, for example, with one or more other devices.

[00102] In some demonstrative embodiments, the time based range measurements may be performed using WLAN communications, e.g., WiFi. For example, using WiFi to perform the time based range measurements may enable, for example, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the location estimation of device 102, e.g., in an indoor environment.

[00103] In some demonstrative embodiments, the time based range measurements may include a Time of Flight (ToF) measurement. [00104] In some demonstrative embodiments, a ToF value may be defined as the overall time a signal propagates from a first station, e.g., device 102, to a second station, e.g., device 140,. A distance between the first and second stations may be determined based on the ToF value, for example, by multiplying the ToF value by the speed of light.

[00105] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToF measurement procedure may include a Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) procedure.

[00106] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToF measurement procedure may include a Very High Throughput (VHT) ranging measurement procedure.

[00107] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToF measurement procedure may include a High Efficiency (HE) ranging measurement procedure. [00108] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToF measurement procedure may include any other positioning measurement. [00109] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to perform one or more operations of range measurements, location measurements, and/or positioning measurements, e.g., as described below.

[00110] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to perform one or more positioning measurements, for example, which may be implemented, for example, in accordance with a Next-Generation Positioning (NGS) Task Group (TG), e.g., in accordance with a future IEEE 802.1 laz Specification, for example, to provide a technical advantage of improved scalability.

[00111] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to operate as part of a geolocation system, which may operate, for example, indoor or outdoor, and/or may provide support to a large number, e.g., even an infinite capacity of, users, e.g., similar to a capacity of GNSS systems.

[00112] In some demonstrative embodiments, the geolocation system may be able to augment GNSS receivers, for example, in situations where not enough satellites are visible, such that a GNSS receiver may not be able to provide a position fix estimate.

[00113] In some demonstrative embodiments, with an aid of the geolocation system, a fix of the GNSS receiver can be determined, e.g., as described below.

[00114] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to implement one or more mechanisms, which may be configured, for example, to improve, e.g., to optimize, network behavior.

[00115] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to perform one or more positioning measurements, for example, according to a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) positioning mechanism, e.g., as described below.

[00116] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to implement one or more mechanisms, which may facilitate power management, for example, of a CToA client STA (cSTA) and/or resource management of one or more CToA broadcasting units (bSTA) (also referred to as broadcasting STAs (bSTA)) in the network, e.g., as described below.

[00117] In some demonstrative embodiments, a CToA network may include a plurality of bSTAs, which may be allowed to be independent and/or unsynchronized. In one example, devices 140 and/or 180 may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of, a bSTA, e.g., as described below.

[00118] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA network may include a plurality of cSTAs. In one example, devices 102 and/or 160 may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of, a cSTA, e.g., as described below.

[00119] In one example, a CToA protocol may be a next generation, indoor geolocation protocol, which may be designed, for example, for enabling scalability of existing IEEE 802.11/ Wi-Fi-based, geolocation systems. The CToA protocol may leverage on an IEEE802. i l FTM capabilities, may be enabled in Wi-Fi chipsets, and/or may support two concurrent operation modes, e.g., as described below.

[00120] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol may support a CToA "client- mode", which may enable, for example, "GPS-like" operation indoors, and/or may allow an unlimited number of clients to privately estimate their position and navigate indoors, for example, without exposing their presence to the network. [00121] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol may support a "network- mode", which may be designed, for example, for large-scale asset-tracking applications, and may enable a centric positioning server to pinpoint objects equipped with wireless, e.g., Wi-Fi-based, low-power e-Tags.

[00122] In one example, the Client-Mode CToA may be implemented as an indoor counterpart of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). It may be designed for enabling an unlimited number of clients to estimate their location and navigate, simultaneously, for example, while maintaining their privacy. The cSTAs may listen to the bSTA broadcasts. Once a cSTA receives a bSTA broadcast from a bSTA, it may measure its ToA and combine it with the ToD/ToA measurements log published by the bSTA in the CToA beacons, for example, in order to determine its position. The cSTAs may not transmit, so their presence may not be exposed and their privacy may be maintained.

[00123] in one example, the Network-Mode CToA may be designed to enable a network administrator to simultaneously track positions of a large number of clients. This mode is useful for large scale asset tracking, such as, fleet management, law-enforcement, and the like, e.g., using eTag devices. CToA clients, when operating in the network-mode, may not listen for CToA beacons, and/or may transmit CToA beacons, e.g., at a low rate, for example, in order to enable the network administrator to track their positions. The sporadic short transmissions executed by the CToA client devices may enable them to operate for long periods, e.g., using small, coin-cell, batteries.

[00124] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol may include a broadcast-based protocol, which may operate over an un-managed network, and may be built, for example, out of cheap, unsynchronized units called "CToA broadcasting stations" (bSTAs). The bSTAs may be stationed at known locations, which may periodically broadcast a beacon transmission, e.g., a unique beacon transmission, and may publish its Time Of Departure (ToD). Neighbor bSTAs and clients that receive the beacon transmission, may measure and log its time of arrival (ToA). In one example, every bSTA may publish its most recent timing measurement log as part of its next beacon transmission.

[00125] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA clients STAs (cSTAs) may combine their own ToA measurements with those published by the bSTAs, for example, in order to estimate and track their location. CToA e-Tag clients may act similar to bSTAs, and may simply wake-up sporadically to broadcast a CToA beacon. The ToA of that CToA broadcast may be measured and logged by receiving bSTAs similarly to beacons broadcast by other bSTAs. A timing measurement report may be delivered to a centric positioning server that may be able to estimate and track a location of numerous CToA-based e-Tags, for example, simultaneously, e.g., as described below.

[00126] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTAs may be configured to broadcast one or more measurement frames, for example, periodically, e.g., as described below.

[00127] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160, and/or 180 may be configured to perform one or more positioning measurements and/or communications, for example, according to the CToA positioning mechanism, one or more FTM measurements, ToF measurements, positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications.

[00128] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160, and/or 180 may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications, for example, and/or according to any other additional or alternative procedure and/or protocol, e.g., an Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) procedure. [00129] Some demonstrative embodiments are described below with respect to CToA positioning measurements according to a CToA protocol. However, other embodiments may be implemented with respect to any other additional or alternative positioning measurements and/or communications, ranging measurements and/or communications, proximity measurements and/or communications, location estimation measurements and/or communications.

[00130] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160, and/or 180 may be configured to perform one or more positioning measurements and/or communications, for example, according to the CToA protocol, for example, using WLAN communications, e.g., WiFi. For example, using WiFi to perform time based range measurements, may enable, for example, increasing an indoor location accuracy of the mobile devices, e.g., in an indoor environment.

[00131] In other embodiments, any other additional and/or alternative wireless communication technology may be used.

[00132] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may include a CToA component 117, and/or device 140 may include a CToA component 157, which may be configured to perform one or more CToA measurements, operations and/or communications, e.g., as described below.

[00133] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more operations and/or communications of a CToA protocol. In other embodiments, CToA components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more operations and/or communications of any other positioning measurement.

[00134] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA components 117 and/or 157 may include, or may be implemented, using suitable circuitry and/or logic, e.g., controller circuitry and/or logic, processor circuitry and/or logic, memory circuitry and/or logic, and/or any other circuitry and/or logic, which may be configured to perform at least part of the functionality of CToA components 117 and/or 157. Additionally or alternatively, one or more functionalities of CToA components 117 and/or 157 may be implemented by logic, which may be executed by a machine and/or one or more processors, e.g., as described below.

[00135] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of the functionality of, message processor 128 and/or controller 124, for example, to trigger communication of one or more ranging messages and/or positioning packets, for example, sounding signals and/or Non-Data Packets (NDPs), e.g., as described below. [00136] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to perform one or more operations of, and/or at least part of the functionality of, message processor 158 and/or controller 154, for example, to trigger communication of one or more ranging messages and/or positioning packets, for example, sounding signals and/or DPs, e.g., as described below.

[00137] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to trigger ranging transmissions and/or measurements, for example, periodically and/or or upon a request from an application executed by a device, for example, to determine an accurate location of the device.

[00138] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more measurements according to the CToA protocol, e.g., as described below.

[00139] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA components 117 and/or 157 may be configured to perform one or more proximity, ranging, and/or location estimation measurements, e.g., in an indoor location, based on the CToA protocol. For example, the CToA protocol may provide a relatively accurate estimation of location, range and/or proximity, e.g., in an indoor location.

[00140] Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with respect to a positioning component, e.g., CToA components 117 and/or 157, configured to perform measurements according to the CToA protocol and/or procedure. However, in other embodiments, the positioning component may be configured to perform any other additional or alternative type of Time of Flight (ToF) measurements, VHT ranging measurements, HE ranging measurements, ranging measurements, positioning measurements, proximity measurements, and/or location estimation measurements, e.g., according to any additional or alternative protocol and/or procedure.

[00141] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more bSTAs of a CToA network, e.g., devices 140 and/or 180, may be configured to broadcast one or more measurement frames, for example, periodically, e.g., as described below.

[00142] In some demonstrative embodiments, the measurement frames may include Very High Throughput z (VHTz) measurement frames, e.g., as described below.

[00143] In some demonstrative embodiments, a VHTz measurement frame may include a Non- Data Packet (NDP) Announcement (NDPA) and an NDP, e.g., as described below.

[00144] In other embodiments, any other type an/or format of measurement frame may be used. [00145] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, a bSTA, e.g., device 140, may be configured to transmit a broadcast measurement frame, e.g., each broadcast, including its time of departure (ToD), which is measured by the broadcasting bSTA, e.g., as described below.

[00146] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToD may correspond to the transmission time of the NDP frame, e.g., as described below.

[00147] In some demonstrative embodiments, the ToD corresponding to the NDP frame may be broadcast in an NDPA frame that follows the NDP frame, for example, after a Short InterFrame Space (SIFS), e.g., 16 microseconds ^sec), or any other duration, e.g., as described below.

[00148] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more other STAs, e.g., one or more peer bSTAs and/or one or more cSTAs located within the coverage area of the bSTAs, may listen to the incoming broadcast transmissions and measure their time of arrival (ToA).

[00149] In one example, devices 102 and/or 160 may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of, a cSTA, e.g., as described below.

[00150] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, a bSTA, e.g., each bSTA, may also include in its broadcast transmissions Location Measurement Report (LMR) logs, e.g., periodically.

[00151] In some demonstrative embodiments, an LMR log may include, for example, all of the ToAs the bSTA has measured during a past time period, e.g., during a predefined number of seconds. [00152] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTAs may combine these LMR logs with their own ToA measurements, for example, in order to obtain an estimate of their current location, estimates of the offsets between their own clock and the bSTAs clocks, clock drifts, clock drift derivatives, and/or any other one or more additional or alternative parameters.

[00153] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, the cSTAs may be configured to estimate and track one or more of these parameters, which may be time dependent, for example, using a Kalman Filter (KF) and/or any other additional or alternative mechanism.

[00154] In some demonstrative embodiments, bSTAs may be implemented, for example, using simple (modified) responders, for example, Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) responders, or by multi-mode, standard IEEE802. i l access points (APs). [00155] In other embodiments, the bSTAs may be implemented using any other additional or alternative functionalities. [00156] In some demonstrative embodiments, when implementing a CToA network there may be a need to address a technical aspect that at least some of, e.g., all of, the bSTAs and cSTAs may be required to be able to receive each other, which may imply that at least some of, e.g., all of, the bSTAs and cSTAs are to be listening to the same channel frequency. However, as cSTAs and/or bSTAs may be involved in other activities on different channels, there may be a technical need to implement a technical solution in the form of one or more mechanisms, which may enable the cSTAs and/or bSTAs to manage their activities between the different frequency channels, e.g., as described below.

[00157] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to implement one or more methods of frequency management, for example, in a network (NW) centric CToA system, e.g., as described below.

[00158] In some demonstrative embodiments, the NW-centric CToA system may be configured, for example, to support at least NW-centric applications, such as, for example, asset tracking using e-Tags, e.g., as described below. [00159] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to implement one or more operations of frequency management, which may, for example, enable the bSTAs to manage the timing of their broadcasts events, and/or reception of beacon broadcasts by cSTAs, for example, CToA-enabled e-Tags, e.g., more efficiently.

[00160] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to implement one or more operations of an NW-centric CToA protocol, e.g., as described below.

[00161] In some demonstrative embodiments, the NW-centric CToA protocol may implement one or more operations and/or functionalities, which may be similar to and/or in accordance with a client-centric protocol. For example, such an implementation may, for example, enable the bSTAs to serve both client-centric as well as NW-centric applications, for example, even concurrently, e.g., as described below.

[00162] In some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., device 102, may be configured to perform one or more operations and/or communications, for example, of a CToA protocol, e.g., as described below. [00163] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may be configured to broadcast one or more cSTA ranging beacon transmissions of a CToA protocol, e.g., as described below. [00164] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

[00165] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission may include an announcement frame, e.g., a cSTA announcement frame, followed by a ranging measurement frame, for example, a cSTA ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below.

[00166] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA ranging measurement frame may include a Non-Data Packet (NDP), e.g., as described below. [00167] In other embodiments, the cSTA ranging measurement frame may include any other packet.

[00168] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA announcement frame may include an NDP announcement (NDP A), e.g., as described below.

[00169] In other embodiments, the cSTA announcement frame may include any other announcement message.

[00170] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission may include a Time of Departure (ToD) of the cSTA ranging measurement frame from device 102, e.g., as described below.

[00171] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to repeat transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel, for example, according to a client broadcast duty cycle, e.g., as described below.

[00172] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA announcement frame may include the ToD of the ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below. [00173] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission may include another frame, e.g., another cSTA frame, after the cSTA ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below.

[00174] In some demonstrative embodiments, the another cSTA frame may include the ToD of the ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below. [00175] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission, for example, by a transmit sweep, e.g., as described below. [00176] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels, e.g., as described below. [00177] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcast the ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels, e.g., as described below.

[00178] In some demonstrative embodiments, a duration of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels may be based, for example, at least on a clock stability of a clock of device 102 to determine the ToD of the ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below.

[00179] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a predefined wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

[00180] In some demonstrative embodiments, the client broadcast duty cycle may be based, for example, on one or more attributes of device 102, e.g., as described below. [00181] In some demonstrative embodiments, the client broadcast duty cycle may be based on a power consumption of device 102, e.g., as described below.

[00182] In some demonstrative embodiments, the client broadcast duty cycle may be based on a mobility of device 102, e.g., as described below.

[00183] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to determine a ToA at device 102 of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, for example, including devices 140, 160, and/or 180, e.g., as described below.

[00184] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to include in a cSTA ranging beacon transmission a cSTA measurement report, which may be based, for example, at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions, e.g., as described below. [00185] In some demonstrative embodiments, a bSTA, e.g., device 140, may be configured to perform one or more operations and/or communications, for example, of the CToA protocol, e.g., as described below.

[00186] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may be configured to broadcast one or more bSTA ranging beacon transmissions of the CToA protocol, and/or to receive one or more cSTA ranging beacon transmission from one or more cSTAs. For example, device 140 may be configured to receive the cSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 102 and/or one or more other cSTAs, e.g., as described below.

[00187] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 to broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

[00188] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission may include a first announcement frame, e.g., a first bSTA announcement frame, followed by a first ranging measurement frame, e.g., a first bSTA ranging measurement frame.

[00189] In some demonstrative embodiments, the first bSTA ranging measurement frame may include an NDP, e.g., as described below.

[00190] In other embodiments, the first bSTA ranging measurement frame may include any other packet. [00191] In some demonstrative embodiments, the first bSTA announcement frame may include an NDP A, e.g., as described below.

[00192] In other embodiments, the first bSTA announcement frame may include any other announcement message.

[00193] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission may include a ToD of the first bSTA ranging measurement frame from device 140, e.g., as described below.

[00194] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 to receive a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, for example, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 102, e.g., as described below. [00195] In one example, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from the cSTA may include, for example, the cSTA announcement frame from device 102 followed by the cSTA ranging measurement frame from device 102, and the ToD of the cSTA ranging measurement frame from device 102. [00196] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 to determine a ToA of the cSTA ranging measurement frame from device 102, e.g., as described below.

[00197] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 to send a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server 170, e.g., as described below.

[00198] In some demonstrative embodiments, positioning server 170 may include and/or may be implemented as, for example, a hardware sever, a software server, a web server, a cloud server, a local server, a network server, and/or any other server.

[00199] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA measurement report may include at least the ToA of the cSTA ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below.

[00200] In some demonstrative embodiments, the first bSTA announcement frame may include the ToD of the first bSTA ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below.

[00201] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission may include another bSTA frame after the first ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below. [00202] In some demonstrative embodiments, the another bSTA frame may include the ToD of the first bSTA ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below.

[00203] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 to transmit one or more bSTA ranging beacon transmissions including the bSTA measurement report, e.g., as described below.

[00204] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA measurement report may include measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, for example, bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., as described below. [00205] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA measurement report may include for example, a ToA of a bSTA measurement frame, for example, from another bSTA, for example, device 180, e.g., as described below.

[00206] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 140 may receive the bSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 180, for example, over the wireless communication channel.

[00207] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 to determine a ToA of a second bSTA ranging measurement frame in a received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA, e.g., device 180, over the wireless communication channel, e.g., as described below.

[00208] In some demonstrative embodiments, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 180 may include a second bSTA announcement frame followed by the second bSTA ranging measurement frame, e.g., as described below.

[00209] In some demonstrative embodiments, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission may include a ToD of the second bSTA ranging measurement frame.

[00210] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 157 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 to report the ToA of the second bSTA ranging measurement frame from device 180 and the ToD of the second bSTA ranging measurement frame from device 180, for example, to the positioning server 170, e.g., as described below.

[00211] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission from a cSTA may include, for example, a cSTA measurement report including ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA. For example, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 102 may include, for example, a cSTA measurement report including ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by device 102, for example, from other STAs, e.g., other bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., as described below.

[00212] Reference is made to Fig. 2, which schematically illustrates messages communicated according to a CToA protocol 200, which may be implemented in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. [00213] In one example, one or more operations of the CToA protocol 200 may be implemented as a Network-Centric CToA protocol message sequence, e.g., at a NW-centric mode.

[00214] In one example, the CToA protocol 200 may be implemented by a cSTA, e.g., an e-Tag or any other STA, and a plurality of bSTAs, e.g., as described below [00215] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more operations of the CToA protocol 200 may be implemented by a cSTA 202, a first bSTA 240, a second bSTA 280, a third bSTA 290, and/or a server 270. For example, device 102 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of cSTA 202, device 140 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of a bSTA of bSTAs 240, 280 and/or 290, and/or server 170 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of server 270.

[00216] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol 200 may utilize a ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol 200 including three frames, e.g., as described below.

[00217] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 2, bSTA 240 may broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission 242 of the CToA protocol 200 including an announcement frame (NDPA) 244 followed by a ranging measurement frame 246 (NDP) and another bSTA frame (NDPA) 248 after the ranging measurement frame 246.

[00218] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA frame 248 may include the ToD of the bSTA ranging measurement frame 244. [00219] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 2, cSTA 202 may broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission 212 of the CToA protocol 200 including an announcement frame (NDPA) 214 followed by a ranging measurement frame (NDP) 216 and another cSTA frame (NDPA) 218 after the ranging measurement frame 216.

[00220] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA frame 218 may include the ToD of the cSTA ranging measurement frame 216.

[00221] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 2, a bSTA of bSTAs 240, 280 and/or 290, e.g., bSTA 280, may receive cSTA ranging beacon transmission 212, and/or bSTA ranging beacon transmission 242.

[00222] In some demonstrative embodiments, bSTA 280 may determine ToA values, for example, of cSTA ranging beacon transmission 212, and/or bSTA ranging beacon transmission 242. [00223] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 2, bSTA 280 may send a bSTA measurement report 272 to positioning server 270.

[00224] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA measurement report 272 may include, for example, at least the ToA values determined by bSTA280. [00225] Reference is made to Fig. 3, which schematically illustrates messages communicated according to a CToA protocol 300, , which may be implemented in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[00226] In one example, the CToA protocol 300 may be implemented as a Network-Centric CToA protocol message sequence, e.g., at a NW-centric mode. [00227] In one example, one or more operations of the CToA protocol 300 may be implemented by a cSTA, e.g., an e-Tag or any other STA, and a plurality of bSTAs, e.g., as described below

[00228] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more operations of the CToA protocol 300 may be implemented by a cSTA 302, a first bSTA 340, a second bSTA 380, a third bSTA 390, and/or a server 370. For example, device 102 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of cSTA 302, device 140 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of a bSTA of bSTAs 340, 380 and/or 390, and/or server 170 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of server 370.

[00229] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol 300 may utilize a ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol 300 including two frames, e.g., as described below.

[00230] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, bSTA 340 may broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission 342 of the CToA protocol 300 including an announcement frame 344 followed by a ranging measurement frame 346.

[00231] In some demonstrative embodiments, announcement frame 344 may include the ToD of the bSTA ranging measurement frame 346.

[00232] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, cSTA 302 may broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission 312 of the CToA protocol 300 including an announcement frame (NDPA) 314 followed by a ranging measurement frame (NDP) 316.

[00233] In some demonstrative embodiments, announcement frame 314 may include the ToD of the cSTA ranging measurement frame 316. [00234] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, a bSTA of bSTAs 340, 380 and/or 390, e.g., bSTA 380, may receive cSTA ranging beacon transmission 312, and/or bSTA ranging beacon transmission 342.

[00235] In some demonstrative embodiments, bSTA 380 may determine ToA values, for example, of cSTA ranging beacon transmission 312, and/or bSTA ranging beacon transmission 342.

[00236] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 3, bSTA 380 may send a bSTA measurement report 372 to positioning server 370.

[00237] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA measurement report 372 may include, for example, at least the ToA values determined by bSTA 380.

[00238] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, for example, a cSTA, e.g., cSTA 202 (Fig. 2) and/or cSTA 302, may measure and publish the time of departure (ToD) of its beacon broadcast as part of the beacon itself, e.g., as part of cSTA ranging beacon transmission 212 (Fig. 2) and/or cSTA ranging beacon transmission 312. [00239] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, for example, a cSTA ranging beacon transmission, e.g., each cSTA ranging beacon transmission , may include 2 or 3 frames, which may be separated, for example, by a short-inter-frame-spacing (SIFS), or any other spacing. For example, the beacon broadcast may include a sequence of NDPA-SIFS-NDP- (optional SIFS-Data PPDU). [00240] In one example, the 3-frame format of Fig. 2 may be used, for example, in case that the cSTA cannot include a ToD value in an DPA, e.g., DPA 214 (Fig. 2). In such case, the bSTAs, e.g., bSTAs 240, 280 and/or 290 (Fig. 2), may also support the same beacon format, e.g., as shown in Fig. 2.

[00241] In some demonstrative embodiments, the first NDPA frame, e.g., NDPA 314, may announce the upcoming transmission of an NDP, e.g., NDP 316.

[00242] In some demonstrative embodiments, the NDP may be used by one or more bSTAs, e.g., all of the bSTAs that receive the NDP, for example, for measuring its ToA.

[00243] In some demonstrative embodiments, the second data PPDU, e.g., PPDU 218 (Fig. 2) may be optional and may carry, for example, the ToD of the NDP frame, e.g., NDP 216 (Fig. 2), measured by the cSTA, e.g., in its own time-base. Alternatively, the ToD may be transmitted in another message, e.g., broadcast in the NDPA frame. [00244] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA beacon broadcast protocol may be assumed to use the same format as used by the clients. For example, the ToD may be broadcast in the DPA, e.g., DPA 344.

[00245] In one example, for implementations that cannot support this format, the entire network (bSTA & cSTAs) may use the 3-frame beacon structure of Fig. 2.

[00246] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTAs may measure the time of arrival (ToA) of received ranging beacon transmissions, and may forward the log of their timing measurements, e.g., including ToAs of beacons broadcast by neighbor or remote bSTAs, to a centric positioning server, e.g., server 270 (Fig.2) and/or server 370, which may be configured to fuse the information collected from some or all of the bSTAs, for example, in order to estimate the clients position.

[00247] Referring back to Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., device 102, may be configured to transmit a client beacon according to a client beacon broadcast scheme, e.g., as described below. [00248] In some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., device 102 may be configured to transmit the client beacon transmission multiple times, e.g., as described below.

[00249] In some demonstrative embodiments, cSTAs may be configured according to a mechanism, which may facilitate the operation of an unmanaged network, in which, for example, every bSTA is independent and asynchronous of the other bSTAs, and may also act as a standard Wi-Fi access point (AP), e.g., as described below.

[00250] In some demonstrative embodiments, c the STAs be configured to broadcast multiple times and publish the time of departure of their broadcasts, e.g., as described below.

[00251] In some demonstrative embodiments, according to one mechanism ("Method #1"), a completely unmanaged network may be assumed, where each AP, e.g., each bSTA, may be allowed to operate on another channel. The cSTA in this case may be configured to sweep the spectrum and broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission on a plurality of channels, e.g., on every possible channel, e.g., as described below.

[00252] In some demonstrative embodiments, according to another mechanism ("Method #2") a semi-managed network may be assumed, in which at least one specific channel for CToA positioning applications may be allocated, e.g., by a system administrator. In this case, a cSTA ranging beacon transmission may be broadcasted, for example, even only on that specific channel, e.g., as described below.

[00253] In some demonstrative embodiments, a bSTA, e.g., device 140, may be configured to receive the cSTA ranging beacon transmission from the cSTA according to the client beacon broadcast scheme, e.g., as described below.

[00254] In some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to communicate the cSTA ranging beacon transmission according to a Transmit (Tx) sweep mechanism ("method 1"), e.g., as described below.

[00255] In some demonstrative embodiments, the Tx sweep mechanism may be suitable, for example, at least for a network, e.g., an unmanaged network, in which a CToA bSTA, e.g., even each CToA bSTA, may be allowed to operate as a Wi-Fi access point (AP) ST A, providing data services to Wi-Fi stations (STAs).

[00256] In some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., device 102, may "sweep the spectrum", for example, by broadcasting beacons on a plurality of frequency channels, for example, to cover some or all possible frequency channels, e.g., every possible frequency channel, at which the APs may operate.

[00257] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may be configured to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a plurality of wireless communication channels by a transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels, e.g., as described above. [00258] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may be configured to, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcast the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels, e.g., as described above.

[00259] In some demonstrative embodiments, a duration of the TX sweep by a cSTA, e.g., an interval between switching from one Wi-Fi channel to another, e.g., the client broadcast duty cycle, may depend, for example, at least on a clock stability, e.g., Crystal oscillator (XTAL) stability, of a clock of the cSTA, e.g., the clock of device 102 , and/or any other parameter. In one example, the less stable the XTAL is ,e.g., the higher is its clock skew/time drift or frequency deviation from its nominal frequency, the more frequent should be the broadcasts, and thus the switching between the channels. [00260] In other embodiments, any other switching scheme and/or parameters may be used. [00261] Reference is made to Fig. 4, which schematically illustrates a multi-channel cSTA ranging beacon transmission 400, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[00262] In some demonstrative embodiments, cSTA ranging beacon transmission 400 may be according to the method 1, e.g., as described below. [00263] For example, a cSTA, e.g., device 102 (Fig. 1), may be configured to transmit a cSTA ranging beacon transmission according to the multi-channel cSTA ranging beacon transmission 400, e.g., according to the method 1.

[00264] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 4, the cSTA may transmit a cSTA ranging beacon transmission 412 by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels 422.

[00265] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 4, the ranging beacon transmission 412 may include an announcement frame 414 followed by a ranging measurement frame 416, which may be optionally followed by another cSTA frame 418 after the ranging measurement frame 416, e.g., as described above. [00266] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 4, during the transmit sweep, the cSTA may sequentially broadcast the cSTA ranging beacon transmission 412 over the plurality of wireless communication channels 422.

[00267] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 4, a duration 427 of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels 422 may be according to a client broadcast duty cycle, which may be determined for example, based a clock stability of the cSTA, and/or any other additional or alternative parameter and/or criterion.

[00268] Reference is made to Fig. 5, which schematically illustrates a multi-channel cSTA ranging beacon transmission 500, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[00269] In some demonstrative embodiments, multi-channel cSTA ranging beacon transmission 500 may be according to the method 1, e.g., as described below.

[00270] For example, a cSTA, e.g., device 102 (Fig. 1), may be configured to transmit a cSTA ranging beacon transmission according to the multi-channel cSTA ranging beacon transmission 500, e.g., according to the method 1.

[00271] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, multi-channel cSTA ranging beacon transmission 500 may include sequential transmissions of transmission bursts ("Beacon

Burst") 510 according to a transmit sweep duty cycle. [00272] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, a duration 502 of a transmit sweep duty cycle may be determined, for example, depending at least on application requirements, for example, e-Tag application requirements, e.g., the cSTA may broadcast once a second/minute/hour/... , for example, based on one or more parameters of the cSTA, e.g., depending on its mobility and/or any other factors. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the cSTA may wakeup to broadcast at a duty cycle, which is once every couple of minutes.

[00273] In some demonstrative embodiments, a transmission burst 510, e.g., each transmission burst, may include one or more transmit sweeps 511.

[00274] In some demonstrative embodiments, transmission burst 510, e.g., each transmission burst, may include two transmit sweeps 511.

[00275] In some demonstrative embodiments, transmission burst 510, e.g., each transmission burst, may optionally include a third transmit sweep 513.

[00276] In other embodiments, a transmission burst 510 may optionally include any other number of transmit sweeps 511. [00277] In one example, two consecutive transmit sweeps 511 may be separated by a duration 515 of 500msec, or any other period of time.

[00278] In some demonstrative embodiments, a transmit sweep 511 may include a transmission of a cSTA ranging beacon transmission 512 by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels 522. [00279] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, the ranging beacon transmission 512 may include an announcement frame 514 followed by a ranging measurement frame 516, e.g., as described above.

[00280] In one example, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission 512 may have a duration of about lOOusec, or any other time period. [00281] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 5, during the transmit sweep, a cSTA may sequentially broadcast the cSTA ranging beacon transmission 512 over the plurality of wireless communication channels 522.

[00282] In some demonstrative embodiments, a duration 527 of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels 522 may be according to a client broadcast duty cycle, which may be determined, for example, based on a clock stability of the cSTA, and/or any other additional or alternative parameter and/or criterion. [00283] In one example, the duration 527 of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels 522 may be about 2msec, or any other time period.

[00284] Referring back to Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to communicate the cSTA ranging beacon transmission according to a single-channel broadcast mechanism ("method 2"), e.g., as described below.

[00285] In some demonstrative embodiments, the single-channel broadcast mechanism may be suitable, for example, at least for a network, e.g., a semi-managed network, in which a channel is allocated for CToA broadcasts, for example, such that APs, e.g., even all APs, may periodically switch to the channel to transmit and receive CToA broadcasts. In one example, a network administrator may allocate a fixed channel to all APs for the purpose of CToA operation.

[00286] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, a cSTA, e.g., device 102, for example, an e-Tag, may be configured to use the same fixed channel to broadcast its beacons, e.g., as described below.

[00287] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA client/tag, e.g., device 102, may repeatedly broadcast beacons on the same fixed (preconfigured) frequency channel e.g., as described below.

[00288] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may be configured to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel, for example, by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the predefined wireless communication channel, e.g., as described above.

[00289] In some demonstrative embodiments, a duration of the TX duty cycle, e.g., an interval between consecutive broadcasts of the beacon by the cSTA over the channel, e.g., the transmit duty cycle, may depend, for example, at least on the clock stability, e.g., XTAL stability, of the clock of a cSTA, e.g., the clock of device 102 , and/or any other parameter. In one example, the less stable the XTAL is, e.g., the higher is its clock skew/time drift or frequency deviation from its nominal frequency, the more frequent should be the broadcasts. In other embodiments, any other parameters may be used.

[00290] Reference is made to Fig. 6, which schematically illustrates a cSTA ranging beacon transmission 600 over a wireless communication channel, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. [00291] For example, a cSTA, e.g., device 102 (Fig. 1), may be configured to transmit a cSTA ranging beacon transmission according to the cSTA ranging beacon transmission 600, e.g., according to the method 2.

[00292] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 6, the cSTA may transmit a cSTA ranging beacon transmission 612 by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission 600 over a predefined wireless communication channel 622, e.g., as described above.

[00293] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 6, the ranging beacon transmission 612 may include an announcement frame 614, followed by a ranging measurement frame 616, which may be optionally followed by another cSTA frame 618. [00294] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 6, a duration 627 of a repetition 624 over the predefined wireless communication channel 622, may be according to a client broadcast duty cycle, which may be determined, for example, based a clock stability of the cSTA and/or any other parameter and/or condition.

[00295] Reference is made to Fig. 7, which schematically illustrates a transmit duty cycle 700, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[00296] In one example, transmit duty cycle 700 may be applied, for example, to cSTA ranging beacon transmission 600 (Fig. 6).

[00297] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 7, transmit duty cycle 700 may begin at a start of a first repetition 710 over a predefined wireless communication channel and may end at an end of a second repetition 720 over the predefined wireless communication channel.

[00298] In some demonstrative embodiments, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, a duration 702 of transmit duty cycle 700 may be determined, for example, depending at least on application requirements, for example, e-Tag application requirements, of the cSTA, e.g., the cSTA may broadcast once a second/minute/hour/... , e.g., depending on its mobility and/or any other factors.

[00299] Referring back to Fig. 1, devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 may be configured to implement, a CToA protocol, which may provide a scalable location, which may enable an unlimited number of users to estimate their position simultaneously. The CToA protocol may be based on periodic broadcasts of timing measurement messages, e.g., the ranging beacon transmissions. [00300] In some demonstrative embodiments, cSTAs may be configured to broadcast CToA measurement messages, e.g., the cSTA ranging beacon transmissions. These messages may assist nearby clients to estimate their position faster, may improve a network coverage, and/or potentially, may improve a geometrical deployment of the network, which may enhance an accuracy of an estimated position of a client. The CToA measurement messages may be broadcast in a format similar to a format of CToA measurement messages from other bSTAs in the network. In other embodiments, any other format may be used.

[00301] In some demonstrative embodiments, it may be beneficial to implement a CToA protocol which may enable cSTAs to broadcast timing measurement messages and to listen to one or more received timing measurement messages from neighbor bSTAs and/or cSTAs, and then measure and report the ToA of those received timing measurement messages, for example, in addition to timing measurement messages, which may be broadcast by bSTAs, which may also listen to more received timing measurement messages from neighbor bSTAs and/or cSTAs, and then measure and report the ToA of those broadcasts. [00302] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol may be configured to enable an option for cSTAs to collaborate and serve as broadcasting nodes in a CToA network, which may expand and/or improve a network coverage of the CToA network.

[00303] For example, the CToA protocol may enable a cSTA to determine its location using fewer bSTAs, and/or or may improve a location accuracy, for example, for a given number of bSTAs, e.g., as more information may be available to the cSTA. In addition, the CToA protocol may enhance a location accuracy, for example, by compensating for network deployment geometrical deficiencies.

[00304] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol may enable scalable indoor positioning protocol, which may support positioning of a large scale of devices, for example, simultaneously, even with a limited infrastructure, e.g., as described below.

[00305] Reference is made to Fig. 8, which schematically illustrates a CToA measurement scheme 800, which may be implemented in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[00306] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA measurement scheme 800 may be implemented by at least a first cSTA 802, a second cSTA 860, a first bSTA 840 and/or a second bSTA 880. For example, device 102 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of cSTA 802, device 160 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of cSTA 860, device 140 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of bSTA 840, and/or device 180 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of bSTA 880.

[00307] In some demonstrative embodiments, cSTA 802 may wish to estimate a location of cSTA 802 at coordinates [x₀,y₀], e.g., a 2D location.

[00308] In some demonstrative embodiments, cSTA 802 may use broadcast transmissions from bSTA 840, bSTA 880 and/or cSTA 860 to determine location of cSTA 802, e.g., as described below

[00309] In some demonstrative embodiments, there may be 10 unknown parameters in the configuration of CToA measurement scheme 800, e.g., as described below.

[00310] For example, the number of unknown parameters may include 4 positioning parameters, e.g., position coordinates [x₀,y₀] of cSTA 802 and position coordinates [xi,yi] of cSTA 860; 3 clock offset parameters, e.g., for clock offsets between cSTA 802 and each of bSTA 840, bSTA 880 and cSTA 860; and/or 3 clock drift parameters of clocks of bSTA 840, bSTA 880 and cSTA 860, e.g., a first time-derivative of the clock offset.

[00311] According to this example, a minimum of 10 measurements and/or equations may be needed, for example, in order to determine the unknown parameters, e.g., including the position coordinates [x₀,y₀] of cSTA 802.

[00312] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more non-recurring equations may be determined, for example, based on CToA measurement scheme 800, e.g., as described below.

[00313] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA measurement scheme 800 may enable to determine six equations, e.g., including 3x2=6 direct ToA measurements of cSTA 802, for example, from the broadcast transmissions from bSTA 840, bSTA 880 and/or cSTA 860 to cSTA 802, e.g., as described below. [00314] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA measurement scheme 800 may enable to determine another six equations, e.g., 3x2=6, including indirect, bi-directional measurements, for example, between devices 840, 860 and/or 880, e.g., as described below.

[00315] In some demonstrative embodiments, since the number of available equations, e.g., 12, is larger than the number of unknowns, the system should be solvable and the position coordinates [x₀,y₀] of cSTA 802 may be determined. [00316] Referring back to Fig. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., device 102, may be configured to include in an announcement frame of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission a location measurement report (LMR), and/or an estimated location of the cSTA, e.g., in accordance with IEEE 802.11-2016 location configuration information (LCI) element structure, and/or any other report format, e.g., as described below.

[00317] In some demonstrative embodiments, the LMR broadcast by the cSTA may include measured ToAs of ranging beacon transmission received from other cSTA and/or bSTAs, and/or the ToD of ranging beacon transmission from the cSTA, e.g., as described below.

[00318] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA may be configured to report its current position and, additionally, an accuracy of its estimated position, for example, according to an estimated KF error covariance. This report may be used by other cSTAs, for example, to correctly weigh measurements related to the cSTA, which may improve their own position estimates, e.g., as described below.

[00319] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA may be configured to broadcast on a single frequency channel or on multiple channels, e.g., where each channel serves as a "native" IEEE 802.11 AP channel, e.g., as described above.

[00320] In some demonstrative embodiments, a broadcast rate may be decided by the cSTA, for example, according to various considerations, e.g., including power consumption considerations, e.g., as described above. [00321] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA may be configured to assist a network administrator, for example, to estimate unknown positions of newly deployed bSTA units.

[00322] In some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., a device of devices 102 and/or 160, for example, device 102, may be configured to broadcast cSTA ranging beacon transmissions and listen to ranging beacon transmissions from other bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., as described below.

[00323] In some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., a device of devices 102 and/or 160, for example, device 102, may be configured to include in each cSTA ranging beacon transmission an LMR including measured ToAs of ranging beacon transmission received by the cSTA for example, from others bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., as described below. [00324] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to determine a ToA at device 102 of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, e.g., including devices 140, 160, and/or 180, e.g., as described below.

[00325] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to include a cSTA measurement report in a cSTA ranging beacon transmission, e.g., as described below.

[00326] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA measurement report may be based, for example, at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions, e.g., as described below.

[00327] In some demonstrative embodiments, the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions may include one or more received cSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other cSTAs, for example, a cSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 160, e.g., as described below.

[00328] In some demonstrative embodiments, the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions include one or more received bSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more bSTAs, for example, bSTA ranging beacon transmissions from devices 140 and/or 180, e.g., as described below.

[00329] In some demonstrative embodiments, the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions, e.g., from devices 140, 160 and/or 180, may include, for example, measurement report information, e.g., from devices 140, 160 and/or 180. [00330] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA measurement report, e.g., from device 102, may include measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions, e.g., as described below.

[00331] In some demonstrative embodiments, device 102 may be configured to determine a location of device 102, for example, based on the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions, e.g., as described below.

[00332] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to determine a ToA at device 102 of a plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions from a plurality of other STAs, e.g., including devices 140, 160, and/or 180, e.g., as described below. [00333] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 102 may include the estimated location of device 102, e.g., as described below. [00334] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to determine the estimated location of device 102, for example, based on the ToA of the plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions, e.g., as described below. [00335] In some demonstrative embodiments, CToA component 117 may be configured to control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 to determine the estimated location of device 102, based on a ToD of a ranging measurement frame in a received ranging beacon transmission, e.g., as described below.

[00336] In some demonstrative embodiments, a bSTA, e.g., a device of devices 140 and/or 180, for example, device 140, may be configured to broadcast bSTA ranging beacon transmissions and listen to ranging beacon transmissions from other bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., described below.

[00337] In some demonstrative embodiments, a bSTA, e.g., a device of devices 140 and/or 180, for example, device 140, may be configured to include in a bSTA ranging beacon transmission, e.g., in each bSTA ranging beacon transmission, an LMR including measured ToAs of ranging beacon transmission received by the bSTA, for example, from others bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., as described below.

[00338] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA measurement report may include measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs.

[00339] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA may receive a cSTA ranging beacon transmission from a cSTA, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission may include a cSTA measurement report including ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA, for example, from other bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., as described below. [00340] For example, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission received by device 140 from device 102, may include the cSTA measurement report including ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by device 102, for example, from devices 140, 160, and/or 180, e.g., as described below.

[00341] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA measurement report may include, for example, a ToA measurement of a bSTA ranging beacon transmission from the bSTA. For example, the cSTA measurement report received at device 140 from device 102 may include a ToA measurement at device 102 of a bSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 140.

[00342] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA measurement report may include a ToA measurement of another cSTA ranging beacon transmission from another cSTA. For example, a cSTA measurement report received at device 140 from device 102 may include a ToA measurement at device 102 of a cSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 160.

[00343] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA measurement report may include a ToA measurement of another bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA. For example, a cSTA measurement report received at device 140 from device 102 may include a ToA measurement at device 102 of a bSTA ranging beacon transmission from device 180.

[00344] Reference is made to Fig. 9, which schematically illustrates messages communicated according to a CToA protocol 900, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[00345] In one example, the CToA protocol 900 may be implemented as a Network-Centric CToA protocol message sequence, e.g., at a NW-centric mode. [00346] In one example, one or more operations of the CToA protocol 900 may be implemented by a plurality of cSTAs, e.g., an e-Tag or any other STA, and a plurality of bSTAs, e.g., as described below

[00347] In some demonstrative embodiments, one or more operations of the CToA protocol 900 may be implemented by a first cSTA 902, a second cSTA 960, a first bSTA 940, a second bSTA 980, a third bSTA 990, and/or a server 970. For example, device 102 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of cSTA 902, device 160 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of cSTA 960, device 140 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of bSTA 940, and/or device 180 (Fig. 1) may be configured to operate as, perform a role of, and/or perform one or more functionalities of a bSTA of bSTA 980 and/or 990.

[00348] In some demonstrative embodiments, the CToA protocol 900 may utilize a ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol 900 including two frames, e.g., as described below.

[00349] In other embodiments, the CToA protocol 900 may utilize a ranging beacon transmission including three frames, e.g., as described above. [00350] In some demonstrative embodiments, cSTA 902 may not know its locations, and may be configured to determine an estimated location of cSTA 902.

[00351] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, bSTA 940 may broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission 942 of the CToA protocol 900 including an announcement frame ( DPA) 944 followed by a ranging measurement frame ( DP) 946.

[00352] In some demonstrative embodiments, announcement frame 944 may include the ToD of the bSTA ranging measurement frame 946.

[00353] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, cSTA 902 may receive bSTA ranging beacon transmission 942 and may determine a TOA of ranging measurement frame 946 at cSTA 902.

[00354] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, cSTA 960 may receive bSTA ranging beacon transmission 942 and may determine a TOA of ranging measurement frame 946 at cSTA 960.

[00355] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, cSTA 960 may broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission 962 of the CToA protocol 900 including an announcement frame 964 followed by a ranging measurement frame 966.

[00356] In some demonstrative embodiments, announcement frame 964 may include the ToD of the cSTA ranging measurement frame 966.

[00357] In some demonstrative embodiments, announcement frame 964 may include a CToA measurement report (CLMR), which may include information based at least on the ToA of ranging measurement frame 946 at cSTA 960.

[00358] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, cSTA 902 may receive cSTA ranging beacon transmission 962 and may determine a TOA of ranging measurement frame 966.

[00359] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, cSTA 902 may receive cSTA ranging beacon transmission 962, which may also include the information based on the ToA of ranging measurement frame 946 at cSTA 960.

[00360] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, bSTA 980 may receive bSTA ranging beacon transmission 942, and may determine a ToA value, for bSTA ranging beacon transmission 942. [00361] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, bSTA 980 may broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission 982 including an announcement frame 984 followed by a ranging measurement frame 986.

[00362] In some demonstrative embodiments, announcement frame 984 may include the ToD of the bSTA ranging measurement frame 986.

[00363] In some demonstrative embodiments, announcement frame 984 may include a CToA measurement report (CLMR), which may include information based at least on the ToA of ranging measurement frame 946 at bSTA 980.

[00364] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, cSTA 902 may receive bSTA ranging beacon transmission 982 from bSTA 980 and may determine a TOA of ranging measurement frame 986.

[00365] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9, cSTA 902 may receive bSTA ranging beacon transmission 982, which may also include the information based on the ToA of ranging measurement frame 946 at bSTA 980. [00366] In some demonstrative embodiments, cSTA 902 may be configured to determine the location of cSTA 902 for example, based on ToA values determined at cSTA 902, e.g., ToA values of bSTA ranging beacon transmission 982, bSTA ranging beacon transmission 942 and/or cSTA ranging beacon transmission 962; and/or CToA measurement reports (CLMRs) in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions 942, 962, and/or 982. [00367] In some demonstrative embodiments, the bSTA beacon broadcast protocol may be assumed to use the same format as used by the clients. For example, the ToD may be broadcast in the DPA, e.g., DPA 944. In other embodiments, any other format may be used.

[00368] Reference is made to Fig. 10, which schematically illustrates a structure of a CToA ranging beacon transmission 1000. [00369] In some demonstrative embodiments, the structure of a ranging beacon transmission 1000 may be used for a cSTA ranging beacon transmission and/or a bSTA ranging beacon transmission.

[00370] In one example, bSTA ranging beacon transmission 982 (Fig. 9), bSTA ranging beacon transmission 942 (Fig. 9) and/or cSTA ranging beacon transmission 962 (Fig. 9) may include the structure of ranging beacon transmission 1000. [00371] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 10, ranging beacon transmission 1000 may include an announcement frame ( DPA) 1002 followed by a ranging measurement frame ( DP) 1004, e.g., a SIFS after NDPA 1002.

[00372] In some demonstrative embodiments, as shown in Fig. 10, NDPA 1002 may be, for example, in accordance with an IEEE802.11az standard, and may include a ToD of NDP 1004 and an LMR.

[00373] In some demonstrative embodiments, a cSTA, e.g., device 102 (Fig. 1), may be configured to estimate the location of the cSTA, and/or to track one or more bSTAs and/or cSTAs, e.g., as described below.

[00374] In some demonstrative embodiments, the cSTA may consider one or more parameters, for example, to estimate the location of the cSTA, and/or to track one or more bSTAs and/or cSTAs.

[00375] In some demonstrative embodiments, the parameters may be estimated and tracked, for example, using a suitable adaptive filtering technique, e.g., as the parameters may be time- dependent.

[00376] In one example, a Kalman filter (KF) or any other method and/or filter may be used to estimate and track the parameters.

[00377] In one example, it may be assumed that the cSTA tracks bSTA and N cSTA around it. According to this example, a KF states vector may include one or more parameters, e.g., as described below.

[00378] In some demonstrative embodiments, a KF system model may be defined, for example, by a recursive equation, e.g., as follows:

(1)

wherein the index k denotes a discrete time-step, the vector Λ¾ denotes an N x 1 states vector, which describes parameters being estimated and tracked by the filter.

[00379] In some demonstrative embodiments, a Kalman Filter state vector at a k^th time-step may be defined, e.g., as follows:

(2)

wherein the sub-vector p_k denotes a position coordinates vector, which may be defined, e.g., as follows: k -------- I OJe ? Pl_¥ * * * * ? N^' .k

(3) wherein p , may be defined, e.g., as follows:

(4)

wherein p_0;k denotes a position coordinates vector of the cSTA itself, and p_{n,k ,} (n = 1...N), denotes a position coordinates vectors of the cSTAs in the vicinity of the cSTA.

[00380] In some demonstrative embodiments, a sub-vector, denoted v¾ may include example, a clock offsets states sub-vector, e.g., as follows:

(5)

— T wherein v_k denotes clock offsets of the bSTAs with respect to the tracking cSTA, and v denotes clock offsets of the cSTAs with respect to the tracking cSTA. [00381] In some demonstrative embodiments, the clock offsets v_k of the bSTAs with respect to the tracking cSTA _k , and the clock offsets \_k of the cSTAs with respect to the tracking cSTA may be defined, e.g., as follows:

(6)

(7)

[00382] In some demonstrative embodiments, a sub-vector v^ may include, for example, a clock drift states sub-vector, e.g., as follows:

(8) wherein _k denotes the clock drifts of the bSTAs with respect to the tracking cSTA, and denotes the clock drifts of the cSTAs with respect to the tracking cSTA. These vectors may be defined, e.g., as follows:

(10) [00383] In some demonstrative embodiments, a dynamic system-model linear transfer function, denoted ¾ may be defined to include a (5N +2M + 3) x (5N + 2M + 3) block-diagonal matrix, e.g., as follows:

,VV 4- 3 0 0

0 0

(11)

wherein At corresponds to an elapsed time between two consecutive discrete time steps.

[00384] In some demonstrative embodiments, a vector, denoted w¾ may include a random N 7 model noise vector, which may describe uncertainties in the system model and may have statistical properties, e.g., as follows:

0

0, V&≠ j

0. V¾

(12)

[00385] In some demonstrative embodiments, a KF measurement model may be defined, e.g., as follows:

(13) wherein includes a J x 1 vector of measurements, in which each entry corresponds to a ToF measurement, the vector h(x) = [hi(x), h₂(x),.... , h_j (x)]^T, denotes a nonlinear measurement model vector transfer function, and v& denotes an additive measurement noise that has statistical properties, e.g., as follows: E{v_k) - o

E{v_kv^' _j } ·------.-. 0, V&≠ j

(14)

[00386] In some demonstrative embodiments, there may be four types of transfer functions, which depend on a type of a (bi-directional) measurement, e.g., as follows: bSTA >cSTA_n,

bSTA >cSTA ,

cSTA_n >cSTA₀,

bSTA > bSTA

[00387] In some demonstrative embodiments, four corresponding measurement transfer functions may be determined for the four types of transfer functions, e.g., as follows:

(15)

(16)

(17) fi i i X;

(18) wherein e_; denotes an M + N vector of zeros with l 's at its i entry [00388] In some demonstrative embodiments, since a measurement transfer function h ( ) is nonlinear, it cannot be applied, for example, to estimate the measurements covariance matrix directly. Instead, the measurement transfer function h (-) may be linearize, for example, by replacing measurement transfer function h (·) with its first order Taylor series expansion, which may be calculated around e.g., as follows:

(19) wherein denotes an estimate of x at time n, e.g., given observations up to and including time m < n .

[00389] For example, the matrix ¾ may include the Jacobian of the measurement model function vector h(-) , which may include a Jx N matrix, e.g., as follows:

(20)

[00390] In some demonstrative embodiments, the Jacobian value may be determined, for example, by calculating the partial derivatives of Equations (15)-(18).

[00391] In some demonstrative embodiments, the following Equations (21)-(24) may define correspondin lines of the matrix ¾, e.g., as follows:

(21)

S 01 r> ; _; : .. . 0 ;, (22)

(23) B_k \ _i - j (e_? ···· e^. oL] (24) wherein ® denotes a Kronecker product, and e_n denotes an N+l vector of 0's whose n^th entry is 1.

[00392] Reference is made to Fig. 11, which schematically illustrates a method of a CToA measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method of Fig. 11 may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 (Fig. 1); a controller, e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1); an application, e.g., application 125 (Fig. 1); a CToA component, e.g., CToA components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1); a location estimator, e.g., location estimator 115 (Fig. 1); a radio, e.g., radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1); a message processor, e.g., message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1); a transmitter, e.g., transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1); and/or a receiver, e.g., receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1).

[00393] As indicated at block 1102, the method may include broadcasting from a cSTA a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including a ToD of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA. For example, CToA component 117 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 (Fig. 1) to broadcast the cSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol over the at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including the announcement frame followed by the ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including the ToD of the ranging measurement frame from device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.

[00394] As indicated at block 1104, the method may include repeating transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle. For example, CToA component 117 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger the cSTA implemented by device 102 (Fig. 1) to repeat the transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to the client broadcast duty cycle, e.g., as described above.

[00395] Reference is made to Fig. 12, which schematically illustrates a method of a CToA measurement, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method of Fig. 12 may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 (Fig. 1); a controller, e.g., controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1); an application, e.g., application 125 (Fig. 1); a CToA component, e.g., CToA components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1); a location estimator, e.g., location estimator 115 (Fig. 1); a radio, e.g., radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1); a message processor, e.g., message processor 128 (Fig. 1) and/or message processor 158 (Fig. 1); a transmitter, e.g., transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1); and/or a receiver, e.g., receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1). [00396] As indicated at block 1102, the method may include broadcasting from a bSTA a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission including a first announcement frame followed by a first ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission including a ToD of the first ranging measurement frame from the bSTA. For example, CToA component 157 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 (Fig. 1) to broadcast the bSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol over the wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission including the first bSTA announcement frame followed by the first bSTA ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission including the ToD of the first bSTA ranging measurement frame from device 140 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.

[00397] As indicated at block 1104, the method may include receive a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including a second announcement frame followed by a second ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including a ToD of the second ranging measurement frame from the cSTA. For example, CToA component 157 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 (Fig. 1) to receive the cSTA ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol over the wireless communication channel from device 102 (Fig. 1), the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including the cSTA announcement frame followed by the cSTA ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission including the ToD of the cSTA ranging measurement frame from device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.

[00398] As indicated at block 1106, the method may include determining a ToA of the second ranging measurement frame. For example, CToA component 157 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 (Fig. 1) to determine the ToA of the cSTA ranging measurement frame from device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.

[00399] As indicated at block 1108, the method may include sending a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server, the bSTA measurement report including at least the ToA of the second ranging measurement frame. For example, CToA component 157 (Fig. 1) may control, cause and/or trigger the bSTA implemented by device 140 (Fig. 1) to send the bSTA measurement report to the positioning server 170 (Fig. 1), the bSTA measurement report including at least the ToA of the cSTA ranging measurement frame device 102 (Fig. 1), e.g., as described above.

[00400] Reference is made to Fig. 13, which schematically illustrates a product of manufacture 1300, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Product 1300 may include one or more tangible computer-readable ("machine readable") non-transitory storage media 1302, which may include computer-executable instructions, e.g., implemented by logic 1304, operable to, when executed by at least one processor, e.g., computer processor, enable the at least one processor to implement one or more operations at devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 (Fig. 1), radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1), transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1), receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1), controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1), message processors 128 and/or 158 (Fig. 1), CToA components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1), and/or location estimator 115 (Fig. 1), to cause devices 102, 140, 160 and/or 180 (Fig. 1), radios 114 and/or 144 (Fig. 1), transmitters 118 and/or 148 (Fig. 1), receivers 116 and/or 146 (Fig. 1), controllers 124 and/or 154 (Fig. 1), message processors 128 and/or 158 (Fig. 1), CToA components 117 and/or 157 (Fig. 1), and/or location estimator 115 (Fig. 1) to perform one or more operations, and/or to perform, trigger and/or implement one or more operations, communications and/or functionalities described above with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and/or 12, and/or one or more operations described herein. The phrases "non-transitory machine-readable media (medium)" and "computer-readable non- transitory storage media (medium)" are directed to include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal.

[00401] In some demonstrative embodiments, product 1300 and/or storage media 1002 may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or nonerasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. For example, storage media 1302 may include, RAM, DRAM, Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory (e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase- change memory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppy disk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like. The computer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involved with downloading or transferring a computer program from a remote computer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link, e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.

[00402] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 1304 may include instructions, data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause the machine to perform a method, process and/or operations as described herein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, and the like.

[00403] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 1304 may include, or may be implemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program, a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words, values, symbols, and the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. The instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform a certain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab, Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.

EXAMPLES

[00404] The following examples pertain to further embodiments. [00405] Example 1 includes an apparatus comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) client wireless communication station (STA) (cSTA) to broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; and repeat transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle.

[00406] Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on one or more attributes of the cSTA.

[00407] Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 1 or 2, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a power consumption of the cSTA.

[00408] Example 4 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-3, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a mobility of the cSTA. [00409] Example 5 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-4, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00410] Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 5, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the cSTA to, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcast the ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00411] Example 7 includes the subject matter of Example 5 or 6, and optionally, wherein a duration of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels is based at least on a clock stability of a clock of the cSTA to determine the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00412] Example 8 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-4, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a predefined wireless communication channel. [00413] Example 9 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-8, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, and to include a cSTA measurement report in the cSTA ranging beacon transmission, the cSTA measurement report based at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions. [00414] Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 9, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received cSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other cSTAs.

[00415] Example 11 includes the subject matter of Example 9 or 10, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received broadcasting STA (bSTA) ranging beacon transmissions from one or more bSTAs.

[00416] Example 12 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 9-11, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00417] Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of a plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions from a plurality of other STAs, and to determine an estimated location of the cSTA based on the ToA of the plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00418] Example 14 includes the subject matter of Example 13, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the cSTA to determine the estimated location of the cSTA based on a ToD of a ranging measurement frame in a received ranging beacon transmission.

[00419] Example 15 includes the subject matter of Example 13 or 14, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises the estimated location of the cSTA.

[00420] Example 16 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-15, and optionally, wherein the announcement frame comprises the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00421] Example 17 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-15, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00422] Example 18 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-17, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A). [00423] Example 19 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-18, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a mobile STA.

[00424] Example 20 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-19, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a tag. [00425] Example 21 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-20, and optionally, comprising a radio, and one or more antennas.

[00426] Example 22 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-21, and optionally, comprising a memory and a processor.

[00427] Example 23 includes a system of wireless communication comprising a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) client wireless communication station (STA) (cSTA), the cSTA comprising one or more antennas; a radio; a memory; a processor; and a controller configured to cause the cSTA to broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; and repeat transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle.

[00428] Example 24 includes the subject matter of Example 23, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on one or more attributes of the cSTA. [00429] Example 25 includes the subject matter of Example 23 or 24, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a power consumption of the cSTA.

[00430] Example 26 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-25, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a mobility of the cSTA.

[00431] Example 27 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-26, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00432] Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 27, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the cSTA to, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcast the ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels. [00433] Example 29 includes the subject matter of Example 27 or 28, and optionally, wherein a duration of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels is based at least on a clock stability of a clock of the cSTA to determine the ToD of the ranging measurement frame. [00434] Example 30 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-26, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a predefined wireless communication channel.

[00435] Example 31 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-30, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, and to include a cSTA measurement report in the cSTA ranging beacon transmission, the cSTA measurement report based at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions. [00436] Example 32 includes the subject matter of Example 31, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received cSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other cSTAs.

[00437] Example 33 includes the subject matter of Example 31 or 32, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received broadcasting STA (bSTA) ranging beacon transmissions from one or more bSTAs.

[00438] Example 34 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 31-33, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00439] Example 35 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-34, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of a plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions from a plurality of other STAs, and to determine an estimated location of the cSTA based on the ToA of the plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00440] Example 36 includes the subject matter of Example 35, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the cSTA to determine the estimated location of the cSTA based on a ToD of a ranging measurement frame in a received ranging beacon transmission. [00441] Example 37 includes the subject matter of Example 35 or 36, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises the estimated location of the cSTA.

[00442] Example 38 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-37, and optionally, wherein the announcement frame comprises the ToD of the ranging measurement frame. [00443] Example 39 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-37, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00444] Example 40 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-39, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00445] Example 41 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-40, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a mobile STA.

[00446] Example 42 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 23-41, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a tag. [00447] Example 43 includes a method to be performed at a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) client wireless communication station (STA) (cSTA), the method comprising broadcasting a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; and repeating transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle.

[00448] Example 44 includes the subject matter of Example 43, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on one or more attributes of the cSTA. [00449] Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 43 or 44, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a power consumption of the cSTA.

[00450] Example 46 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-45, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a mobility of the cSTA.

[00451] Example 47 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-46, and optionally, comprising transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00452] Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 47, and optionally, comprising, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcasting the ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00453] Example 49 includes the subject matter of Example 47 or 48, and optionally, wherein a duration of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels is based at least on a clock stability of a clock of the cSTA to determine the ToD of the ranging measurement frame. [00454] Example 50 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-46, and optionally, comprising transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a predefined wireless communication channel.

[00455] Example 51 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-50, and optionally, comprising determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, and including a cSTA measurement report in the cSTA ranging beacon transmission, the cSTA measurement report based at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00456] Example 52 includes the subject matter of Example 51, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received cSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other cSTAs.

[00457] Example 53 includes the subject matter of Example 51 or 52, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received broadcasting STA (bSTA) ranging beacon transmissions from one or more bSTAs. [00458] Example 54 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 51-53, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00459] Example 55 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-54, and optionally, comprising determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of a plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions from a plurality of other STAs, and determining an estimated location of the cSTA based on the ToA of the plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions. [00460] Example 56 includes the subject matter of Example 55, and optionally, comprising determining the estimated location of the cSTA based on a ToD of a ranging measurement frame in a received ranging beacon transmission.

[00461] Example 57 includes the subject matter of Example 55 or 56, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises the estimated location of the cSTA.

[00462] Example 58 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-57, and optionally, wherein the announcement frame comprises the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00463] Example 59 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-57, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00464] Example 60 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-59, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00465] Example 61 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-60, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a mobile STA.

[00466] Example 62 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-61, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a tag.

[00467] Example 63 includes a product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) client wireless communication station (STA) (cSTA) to broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; and repeat transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle.

[00468] Example 64 includes the subject matter of Example 63, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on one or more attributes of the cSTA. [00469] Example 65 includes the subject matter of Example 63 or 64, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a power consumption of the cSTA. [00470] Example 66 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-65, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a mobility of the cSTA.

[00471] Example 67 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-66, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00472] Example 68 includes the subject matter of Example 67, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the cSTA to, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcast the ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00473] Example 69 includes the subject matter of Example 67 or 68, and optionally, wherein a duration of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels is based at least on a clock stability of a clock of the cSTA to determine the ToD of the ranging measurement frame. [00474] Example 70 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-66, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a predefined wireless communication channel.

[00475] Example 71 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-70, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, and to include a cSTA measurement report in the cSTA ranging beacon transmission, the cSTA measurement report based at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions. [00476] Example 72 includes the subject matter of Example 71, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received cSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other cSTAs.

[00477] Example 73 includes the subject matter of Example 71 or 72, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received broadcasting STA (bSTA) ranging beacon transmissions from one or more bSTAs. [00478] Example 74 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 71-73, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00479] Example 75 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-74, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of a plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions from a plurality of other STAs, and to determine an estimated location of the cSTA based on the ToA of the plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions.

[00480] Example 76 includes the subject matter of Example 75, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the cSTA to determine the estimated location of the cSTA based on a ToD of a ranging measurement frame in a received ranging beacon transmission.

[00481] Example 77 includes the subject matter of Example 75 or 76, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises the estimated location of the cSTA.

[00482] Example 78 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-77, and optionally, wherein the announcement frame comprises the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00483] Example 79 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-77, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00484] Example 80 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-79, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00485] Example 81 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-80, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a mobile STA.

[00486] Example 82 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 63-81, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a tag.

[00487] Example 83 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) client wireless communication station (STA) (cSTA), the apparatus comprising means for broadcasting a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; and means for repeating transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle.

[00488] Example 84 includes the subject matter of Example 83, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on one or more attributes of the cSTA.

[00489] Example 85 includes the subject matter of Example 83 or 84, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a power consumption of the cSTA.

[00490] Example 86 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-85, and optionally, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on a mobility of the cSTA. [00491] Example 87 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-86, and optionally, comprising means for transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00492] Example 88 includes the subject matter of Example 87, and optionally, comprising means for, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcasting the ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels.

[00493] Example 89 includes the subject matter of Example 87 or 88, and optionally, wherein a duration of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels is based at least on a clock stability of a clock of the cSTA to determine the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00494] Example 90 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-86, and optionally, comprising means for transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a predefined wireless communication channel. [00495] Example 91 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-90, and optionally, comprising means for determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, and including a cSTA measurement report in the cSTA ranging beacon transmission, the cSTA measurement report based at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions. [00496] Example 92 includes the subject matter of Example 91, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received cSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other cSTAs.

[00497] Example 93 includes the subject matter of Example 91 or 92, and optionally, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received broadcasting STA (bSTA) ranging beacon transmissions from one or more bSTAs.

[00498] Example 94 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 91-93, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions. [00499] Example 95 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-94, and optionally, comprising means for determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of a plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions from a plurality of other STAs, and determining an estimated location of the cSTA based on the ToA of the plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions. [00500] Example 96 includes the subject matter of Example 95, and optionally, comprising means for determining the estimated location of the cSTA based on a ToD of a ranging measurement frame in a received ranging beacon transmission.

[00501] Example 97 includes the subject matter of Example 95 or 96, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises the estimated location of the cSTA. [00502] Example 98 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-97, and optionally, wherein the announcement frame comprises the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

[00503] Example 99 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-97, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the ranging measurement frame. [00504] Example 100 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-99, and optionally, wherein the ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00505] Example 101 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-100, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a mobile STA. [00506] Example 102 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 83-101, and optionally, wherein the cSTA comprises a tag. [00507] Example 103 includes an apparatus comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (STA) (bSTA) to broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a first announcement frame followed by a first ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first ranging measurement frame from the bSTA; receive a CToA client STA (cSTA) ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a second announcement frame followed by a second ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the second ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second ranging measurement frame; and send a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server, the bSTA measurement report comprising at least the ToA of the second ranging measurement frame. [00508] Example 104 includes the subject matter of Example 103, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises a cSTA measurement report comprising ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA.

[00509] Example 105 includes the subject matter of Example 104, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of the bSTA ranging beacon transmission from the bSTA.

[00510] Example 106 includes the subject matter of Example 104 or 105, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another cSTA ranging beacon transmission from another cSTA.

[00511] Example 107 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 104-106, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA.

[00512] Example 108 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 104-107, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report is based at least on the cSTA measurement report. [00513] Example 109 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-108, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs.

[00514] Example 110 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-109, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the bSTA to transmit one or more bSTA ranging beacon transmissions comprising the bSTA measurement report.

[00515] Example 111 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-110, and optionally, wherein the apparatus is configured to cause the bSTA to determine a ToA of a third ranging measurement frame in a received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA over the wireless communication channel, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a third announcement frame followed by the third ranging measurement frame, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the third ranging measurement frame; and report the ToA of the third ranging measurement frame and the ToD of the third ranging measurement frame to the positioning server.

[00516] Example 112 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-111, and optionally, wherein the first announcement frame comprises the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00517] Example 113 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-111, and optionally, wherein the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the first ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00518] Example 114 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-113, and optionally, wherein the first ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the first announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00519] Example 115 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-114, and optionally, wherein the bSTA comprises an Access Point (AP) ST A.

[00520] Example 116 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-115, and optionally, comprising a radio, and one or more antennas.

[00521] Example 117 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 103-116, and optionally, comprising a memory and a processor. [00522] Example 118 includes a system of wireless communication comprising a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (ST A) (bSTA), the bSTA comprising one or more antennas; a radio; a memory; a processor; and a controller configured to cause the bSTA to broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a first announcement frame followed by a first ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first ranging measurement frame from the bSTA; receive a CToA client STA (cSTA) ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a second announcement frame followed by a second ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the second ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second ranging measurement frame; and send a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server, the bSTA measurement report comprising at least the ToA of the second ranging measurement frame.

[00523] Example 119 includes the subject matter of Example 118, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises a cSTA measurement report comprising ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA.

[00524] Example 120 includes the subject matter of Example 119, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of the bSTA ranging beacon transmission from the bSTA. [00525] Example 121 includes the subject matter of Example 119 or 120, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another cSTA ranging beacon transmission from another cSTA.

[00526] Example 122 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 119-121, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA.

[00527] Example 123 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 119-122, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report is based at least on the cSTA measurement report.

[00528] Example 124 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 118-123, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs. [00529] Example 125 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 118-124, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the bSTA to transmit one or more bSTA ranging beacon transmissions comprising the bSTA measurement report.

[00530] Example 126 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 118-125, and optionally, wherein the controller is configured to cause the bSTA to determine a ToA of a third ranging measurement frame in a received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA over the wireless communication channel, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a third announcement frame followed by the third ranging measurement frame, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the third ranging measurement frame; and report the ToA of the third ranging measurement frame and the ToD of the third ranging measurement frame to the positioning server.

[00531] Example 127 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 118-126, and optionally, wherein the first announcement frame comprises the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame. [00532] Example 128 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 118-126, and optionally, wherein the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the first ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00533] Example 129 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 118-128, and optionally, wherein the first ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the first announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00534] Example 130 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 118-129, and optionally, wherein the bSTA comprises an Access Point (AP) ST A.

[00535] Example 131 includes a method to be performed at a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (STA) (bSTA), the method comprising broadcasting a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a first announcement frame followed by a first ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first ranging measurement frame from the bSTA; receiving a CToA client STA (cSTA) ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a second announcement frame followed by a second ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the second ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second ranging measurement frame; and sending a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server, the bSTA measurement report comprising at least the ToA of the second ranging measurement frame.

[00536] Example 132 includes the subject matter of Example 131, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises a cSTA measurement report comprising ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA.

[00537] Example 133 includes the subject matter of Example 132, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of the bSTA ranging beacon transmission from the bSTA.

[00538] Example 134 includes the subject matter of Example 132 or 133, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another cSTA ranging beacon transmission from another cSTA. [00539] Example 135 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 132-134, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA.

[00540] Example 136 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 132-135, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report is based at least on the cSTA measurement report.

[00541] Example 137 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 131-136, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs. [00542] Example 138 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 131-137, and optionally, comprising transmitting one or more bSTA ranging beacon transmissions comprising the bSTA measurement report.

[00543] Example 139 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 131-138, and optionally, comprising determining a ToA of a third ranging measurement frame in a received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA over the wireless communication channel, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a third announcement frame followed by the third ranging measurement frame, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the third ranging measurement frame; and reporting the ToA of the third ranging measurement frame and the ToD of the third ranging measurement frame to the positioning server. [00544] Example 140 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 131-139, and optionally, wherein the first announcement frame comprises the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00545] Example 141 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 131-139, and optionally, wherein the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the first ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00546] Example 142 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 131-141, and optionally, wherein the first ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the first announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A). [00547] Example 143 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 131-142, and optionally, wherein the bSTA comprises an Access Point (AP) ST A.

[00548] Example 144 includes a product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (ST A) (bSTA) to broadcast a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a first announcement frame followed by a first ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first ranging measurement frame from the bSTA; receive a CToA client STA (cSTA) ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a second announcement frame followed by a second ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the second ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second ranging measurement frame; and send a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server, the bSTA measurement report comprising at least the ToA of the second ranging measurement frame. [00549] Example 145 includes the subject matter of Example 144, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises a cSTA measurement report comprising ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA.

[00550] Example 146 includes the subject matter of Example 145, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of the bSTA ranging beacon transmission from the bSTA.

[00551] Example 147 includes the subject matter of Example 145 or 146, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another cSTA ranging beacon transmission from another cSTA. [00552] Example 148 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 145-147, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA.

[00553] Example 149 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 145-148, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report is based at least on the cSTA measurement report.

[00554] Example 150 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 144-149, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs. [00555] Example 151 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 144-150, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the bSTA to transmit one or more bSTA ranging beacon transmissions comprising the bSTA measurement report.

[00556] Example 152 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 144-151, and optionally, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the bSTA to determine a ToA of a third ranging measurement frame in a received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA over the wireless communication channel, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a third announcement frame followed by the third ranging measurement frame, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the third ranging measurement frame; and report the ToA of the third ranging measurement frame and the ToD of the third ranging measurement frame to the positioning server. [00557] Example 153 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 144-152, and optionally, wherein the first announcement frame comprises the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00558] Example 154 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 144-152, and optionally, wherein the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the first ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00559] Example 155 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 144-154, and optionally, wherein the first ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the first announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00560] Example 156 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 144-155, and optionally, wherein the bSTA comprises an Access Point (AP) ST A.

[00561] Example 157 includes an apparatus of wireless communication by a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (ST A) (bSTA), the apparatus comprising means for broadcasting a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a first announcement frame followed by a first ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first ranging measurement frame from the bSTA; receiving a CToA client STA (cSTA) ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a second announcement frame followed by a second ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the second ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; means for determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second ranging measurement frame; and means for sending a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server, the bSTA measurement report comprising at least the ToA of the second ranging measurement frame.

[00562] Example 158 includes the subject matter of Example 157, and optionally, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises a cSTA measurement report comprising ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA. [00563] Example 159 includes the subject matter of Example 158, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of the bSTA ranging beacon transmission from the bSTA. [00564] Example 160 includes the subject matter of Example 158 or 159, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another cSTA ranging beacon transmission from another cSTA.

[00565] Example 161 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 158-160, and optionally, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA.

[00566] Example 162 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 158-161, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report is based at least on the cSTA measurement report. [00567] Example 163 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 157-162, and optionally, wherein the bSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs.

[00568] Example 164 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 157-163, and optionally, comprising means for transmitting one or more bSTA ranging beacon transmissions comprising the bSTA measurement report.

[00569] Example 165 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 157-164, and optionally, comprising means for determining a ToA of a third ranging measurement frame in a received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA over the wireless communication channel, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a third announcement frame followed by the third ranging measurement frame, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the third ranging measurement frame; and reporting the ToA of the third ranging measurement frame and the ToD of the third ranging measurement frame to the positioning server. [00570] Example 166 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 157-165, and optionally, wherein the first announcement frame comprises the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame.

[00571] Example 167 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 157-165, and optionally, wherein the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the first ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the first ranging measurement frame. [00572] Example 168 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 157-167, and optionally, wherein the first ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the first announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

[00573] Example 169 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 157-168, and optionally, wherein the bSTA comprises an Access Point (AP) ST A.

[00574] Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa. [00575] While certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising logic and circuitry configured to cause a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) client wireless communication station (STA) (cSTA) to:

broadcast a cSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over at least one wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising an announcement frame followed by a ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the ranging measurement frame from the cSTA; and

repeat transmission of the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel according to a client broadcast duty cycle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the client broadcast duty cycle is based on one or more attributes of the cSTA.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by a transmit sweep over a plurality of wireless communication channels.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 configured to cause the cSTA to, during the transmit sweep, sequentially broadcast the ranging beacon transmission over the plurality of wireless communication channels.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a duration of the transmit sweep over the plurality of wireless communication channels is based at least on a clock stability of a clock of the cSTA to determine the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to cause the cSTA to transmit the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over the at least one wireless communication channel by transmitting the cSTA ranging beacon transmission over a predefined wireless communication channel.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 configured to cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs, and to include a cSTA measurement report in the cSTA ranging beacon transmission, the cSTA measurement report based at least on the ToA of the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received cSTA ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other cSTAs.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions comprise one or more received broadcasting STA (bSTA) ranging beacon transmissions from one or more bSTAs.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in the one or more received ranging beacon transmissions.

11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-10 configured to cause the cSTA to determine a Time of Arrival (ToA) at the cSTA of a plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions from a plurality of other STAs, and to determine an estimated location of the cSTA based on the ToA of the plurality of received ranging beacon transmissions.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the announcement frame comprises the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises another frame after the ranging measurement frame, the another frame comprising the ToD of the ranging measurement frame.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the ranging measurement frame comprises a Non-Data Packet (NDP), the announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDP A).

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1-10 comprising a radio, and one or more antennas.

16. A method to be performed at a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (STA) (bSTA), the method comprising:

broadcasting a bSTA ranging beacon transmission of a CToA protocol over a wireless communication channel, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a first announcement frame followed by a first ranging measurement frame, the bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a Time of Departure (ToD) of the first ranging measurement frame from the b ST A;

receiving a CToA client STA (cSTA) ranging beacon transmission of the CToA protocol from a cSTA over the wireless communication channel, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a second announcement frame followed by a second ranging measurement frame, the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the second ranging measurement frame from the cSTA;

determining a Time of Arrival (ToA) of the second ranging measurement frame; and sending a bSTA measurement report to a positioning server, the bSTA measurement report comprising at least the ToA of the second ranging measurement frame.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cSTA ranging beacon transmission comprises a cSTA measurement report comprising ToA measurements of one or more ranging beacon transmissions received by the cSTA.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of the bSTA ranging beacon transmission from the bSTA.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another cSTA ranging beacon transmission from another cSTA.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the cSTA measurement report comprises a ToA measurement of another bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the bSTA measurement report comprises measurement report information from one or more received measurement reports in one or more received ranging beacon transmissions from one or more other STAs.

22. The method of claim 16 comprising:

determining a ToA of a third ranging measurement frame in a received bSTA ranging beacon transmission from another bSTA over the wireless communication channel, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a third announcement frame followed by the third ranging measurement frame, the received bSTA ranging beacon transmission comprising a ToD of the third ranging measurement frame; and

reporting the ToA of the third ranging measurement frame and the ToD of the third ranging measurement frame to the positioning server.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the first ranging measurement frame comprises a Non- Data Packet (NDP), the first announcement frame comprising an NDP announcement (NDPA).

24. A product comprising one or more tangible computer-readable non-transitory storage media comprising computer-executable instructions operable to, when executed by at least one processor, enable the at least one processor to cause a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (STA) (bSTA) to perform the method of any one of claims 16-23.

25. An apparatus means for causing a Collaborative Time of Arrival (CToA) broadcasting wireless communication station (STA) (bSTA) to perform the method of any one of claims 16- 23.