Patent ID: 8068550
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method for initiating a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication, the method comprises: determining a list of predetermined groupings of a plurality of transmitter antennas; indicating a particular mode of operation compliant with one or more modes described in 802.11 wireless local area network standards by a mode selection signal, wherein the mode selection signal indicates a first default MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas to initially activate for transmission to a target receiver, wherein the first default MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas includes a first one of the predetermined groupings with a plurality of transmitter antennas; generating a number of outbound streams compliant with the indicated particular mode of operation and activating the first default MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas; transmitting a frame formatted in accordance with the indicated particular mode of operation over the first default MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas to the target receiver; receiving at least one response frame from the target receiver; determining a number of receiver antennas of the target receiver from the at least one response frame; and reconfiguring the first default MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas based on the number of receiver antennas of the target receiver and based on a highest supported data rate to a second MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas, wherein the second MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas includes a second one of the predetermined groupings with a plurality of transmitter antennas; and transmitting further frames over the second MIMO configuration of transmitter antennas to the targeted receiver at the highest supported data rate.