Patent ID: 8644368
Filing Date: 2014-02-04
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method for beamforming in a multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) communication system, the method comprising: transmitting, from a first communication device, a data unit that includes an unsolicited modulation and coding scheme (MCS) feedback (MFB), wherein the data unit that includes the unsolicited MFB requests the transmission of a non-sounding data unit with a number of spatial streams equal to a number of transmit antennas available at a second communication device; responsive to the transmitted data unit that includes the unsolicited MFB, receiving the non-sounding data unit, wherein the non-sounding data unit does not include an indication that the non-sounding data unit is for estimating a MIMO communication channel; developing, based on the non-sounding data unit, an estimate of a reverse channel through which the non-sounding data unit traveled; developing, based on the estimate of the reverse channel, an estimate of a forward channel; and developing, based on the estimate of the forward channel, a steering matrix to perform beamforming in the forward channel.