METHODS FOR CONTROLLING UPLINK TRANSMIT POWER IN A WIRELESS NETWORK

Methods, apparatuses, computer readable media to control uplink transmit power in a wireless network. An apparatus of a wireless device comprising processing circuitry is disclosed. The processing circuitry is configured to determine MCSs to assign to stations based on an estimated transmission power the stations are to use to transmit using the corresponding MCS of the MCSs, and based on a receive range of the wireless device. The processing circuitry is further configured to encode a trigger frame comprising an uplink resource allocation for the stations and an indication of the corresponding MCS of the MCSs for each of the stations to use for the uplink resource allocation. The trigger frame may include a transmit power information request. The processing circuitry is further configured to decode packets encoded with the corresponding MCS of the MCSs, and each packet comprises a transmit power the corresponding station would use for a different MCS.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11. Some embodiments relate to high-efficiency wireless local-area networks (HEWs). Some embodiments relate to IEEE 802.11ax. Some embodiments relate computer readable media, methods, and apparatuses to control uplink (UL) transmit power in a wireless network. Some embodiments relate to wireless local area network (WLAN).

BACKGROUND

Efficient use of the resources of a wireless local-area network (WLAN) is important to provide bandwidth and acceptable response times to the users of the WLAN. However, often there are many devices trying to share the same resources and the devices may interfere with one another. Additionally, the wireless devices may be moving and the signal quality may be changing. Moreover, wireless devices may need to operate with both newer protocols and with legacy device protocols.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a WLAN100in accordance with some embodiments. The WLAN may comprise a basis service set (BSS)100that may include a master station102, which may be an AP, a plurality of high-efficiency wireless (e.g., IEEE 802.11ax) (HE) stations104, and a plurality of legacy (e.g., IEEE 802.11n/ac) devices106.

The master station102may be an AP using the IEEE 802.11 to transmit and receive. The master station102may be a base station. The master station102may use other communications protocols as well as the IEEE 802.11 protocol. The IEEE 802.11 protocol may be IEEE 802.11ax. The IEEE 802.11 protocol may include using orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), and/or code division multiple access (CDMA). The IEEE 802.11 protocol may include a multiple access technique. For example, the IEEE 802.11 protocol may include space-division multiple access (SDMA) and/or multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO). There may be more than one master station102that is part of a extended service set (ESS). A controller may store information that is common to the more than one master stations102.

The legacy devices106may operate in accordance with one or more of IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/af/ah/aj/ay, or another legacy wireless communication standard. The legacy devices106may be STAs or IEEE STAs. The HE STAs104may be wireless transmit and receive devices such as cellular telephone, smart telephone, handheld wireless device, wireless glasses, wireless watch, wireless personal device, tablet, or another device that may be transmitting and receiving using the IEEE 802.11 protocol such as IEEE 802.11ax or another wireless protocol. In some embodiments, the HE STAs104may be termed high efficiency (HE) stations.

The master station102may communicate with legacy devices106in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques. In example embodiments, the master station102may also be configured to communicate with HE STAs104in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques.

In some embodiments, a HE frame may be configurable to have the same bandwidth as a channel. The bandwidth of a channel may be 20 MHz, 40 MHz, or 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz contiguous bandwidths or an 80+80 MHz (160 MHz) non-contiguous bandwidth. In some embodiments, the bandwidth of a channel may be 1 MHz, 1.25 MHz, 2.03 MHz, 2.5 MHz, 4.06 MHz, 5 MHz and 10 MHz, or a combination thereof or another bandwidth that is less or equal to the available bandwidth may also be used. In some embodiments the bandwidth of the channels may be based on a number of active data subcarriers. In some embodiments the bandwidth of the channels is based on 26, 52, 106, or 242 active data subcarriers or tones that are spaced by 20 MHz. In some embodiments the bandwidth of the channels is 256 tones spaced by 20 MHz. In some embodiments the channels are multiple of 26 tones or a multiple of 20 MHz. In some embodiments a 20 MHz channel may comprise 242 active data subcarriers or tones for a 242 point Fast Fourier Transform (FTT).

A HE frame may be configured for transmitting a number of spatial streams, which may be in accordance with MU-MIMO and may be in accordance with OFDMA. In other embodiments, the master station102, HE STA104, and/or legacy device106may also implement different technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) 2000, CDMA 2000 1×, CDMA 2000 Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), IEEE 802.16 (i.e., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), BlueTooth®, or other technologies.

Some embodiments relate to HE communications. In accordance with some IEEE 802.11ax embodiments, a master station102may operate as a master station which may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium (e.g., during a contention period) to receive exclusive control of the medium for an HE control period. In some embodiments, the HE control period may be termed a transmission opportunity (TXOP). The master station102may transmit a HE master-sync transmission, which may be a trigger frame or HE control and schedule transmission, at the beginning of the HE control period. The master station102may transmit a time duration of the TXOP and sub-channel information. During the HE control period, HE STAs104may communicate with the master station102in accordance with a non-contention based multiple access technique such as OFDMA or MU-MIMO. This is unlike conventional WLAN communications in which devices communicate in accordance with a contention-based communication technique, rather than a multiple access technique. During the HE control period, the master station102may communicate with HE stations104using one or more HE frames. During the HE control period, the HE STAs104may operate on a sub-channel smaller than the operating range of the master station102. During the HE control period, legacy stations refrain from communicating. The legacy stations may need to receive the communication from the master station102to abstain from communicating.

In accordance with some embodiments, during the master-sync transmission the HE STAs104may contend for the wireless medium with the legacy devices106being excluded from contending for the wireless medium during the master-sync transmission. In some embodiments the trigger frame may indicate an uplink (UL) UL-MU-MIMO and/or UL OFDMA control period.

In some embodiments, the multiple-access technique used during the HE control period may be a scheduled OFDMA technique, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be a time-division multiple access (TDMA) technique or a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) technique. In some embodiments, the multiple access technique may be a space-division multiple access (SDMA) technique.

The master station102may also communicate with legacy stations106and/or HE stations104in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques. In some embodiments, the master station102may also be configurable to communicate with HE stations104outside the HE control period in accordance with legacy IEEE 802.11 communication techniques, although this is not a requirement.

In some embodiments the HE station104may be a “group owner” (GO) for peer-to-peer modes of operation. A wireless device may be HE station102or a master station102.

In example embodiments, the HE device104and/or the master station102are configured to perform the methods and functions herein described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 2illustrates a method for controlling UL transmit power in a wireless network. Illustrated inFIG. 2is time202along a horizontal axis, frequency208along a vertical axis, transmitter204, and operations250along the top. The transmitter204may be a master station102or a HE station104. The frequency208may be channels, e.g. less than 20 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, or another bandwidth. The frequencies208may overlap. For example, two HE stations104may be allocated the same frequencies208for MU-MIMO.

The master station102may include a gain configuration210. The gain configuration234may determine a range of signal strengths that the master station102can receive simultaneously from the HE stations104transmitting at TXP212.

The HE station104may use a transmit power (TXP)212and modulation and coding scheme (MCS)218to transmit UL data224. The TXP212indicates the TXP used to transmit UL data224and the MCS218indicates the MCS used to encode the UL data224. For example, the HE station104may include an encoder that can be configured to use the MCS218as a target MCS, and the HE station104may have a transmit (TX) gain control that can be configured with the TXP212as a target TXP. The MCS218may be the MCS218received from the master station102.

The method200may begin at operation252with the master station102transmitting a trigger frame (TF)216to the HE stations104.1,104.2, and104.3. The TF216may comprise MCSs218, TXP instructions308(described in conjunction withFIG. 3), TXP information request220, and resource allocation222. The resource allocation222may indicate a frequency208for the HE station104to transmit on. The resource allocation222may include other air resources as well. In some embodiments, the TF216may include TX instructions308as disclosed in conjunction withFIG. 3.

TXP information request220may be a request for the HE stations104to indicate a power the HE station104would use for a MCS. The TXP information request220may be relative to the power the HE station104would use to transmit using the MCS218. In some embodiments, the TF216does not include the TXP information request220. In some embodiments, the HE station104may generate TXP information226without the TXP information request220. In some embodiments, HE station104may generate TXP information226based on a predetermined arrangement with the master station102that the TX information226should be sent and what the TXP information226should include. In some embodiments, the TXP information226may be information in accordance with one or more wireless communication specifications such as IEEE 802.11.

The TXP information request220may indicate a request for the information of the TXP information226. In the following MCS refers to the MCS218, which may be termed the current MCS. The TXP information226may be one or more of the following: estimated transmit power for MCS218, estimated transmit power for +1 MCS; estimated transmit power for −1 MCS; estimated transmit power for +1 MCS and −MCS; estimated transmit power for an indicated MCS; estimated transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 MCS; estimated transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 MCS; estimated transmit power for X higher MCS, e.g., MCS +2 for X=2; estimated transmit power for X higher and lower MCS; or, estimated transmit power for X lower MCS. The reported transmit power may be one or more of the following: a differential power from a reference power, a differential power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS, a differential power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS with an instantaneous limitation, an absolute power, and an indication of the estimated transmit power. The term MCSx where x is an integer refers to MCSs defined in a communication standard such as IEEE 802.11. In some embodiments, the MCS may be represented differently. For example, the MCS may specify a particular type of MCS such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) 256 with a coding rate of ½.

The MCSs218may indicate MCSs the corresponding HE station104is to use to encode the UL data224. For example, MCS218.1may indicate a MCS for HE station104.1to encode UL data224.

The master station102may determine the MCSs218so that its dynamic range is enough to receive all the signals from the UL data224. The dynamic range may be determined by its chain performance. The master station102may determine the MCSs218so that the same gain configuration can be used at the master station102to receive the signals from the UL data224. For example, if two HE stations104transmit, one at a higher MCS218and another at lower MCS218, then they should be received by the master station102with a power difference that is more or less their signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) difference. If the power difference is much larger than the SNR difference, then the master station's102automatic gain control (AGC) may tune to the strongest signal and the weaker signal will not be received properly. The master station102may determine the MCSs218so that the UL data224arrive at the master station102with the correct power so that all the signals form the UL data224can be decoded. The TXP212of the HE station104depends on the MCS218.

The method200may continue at operation254with the HE station104transmitting the UL data224in accordance with the TXP212, MCS218, and RA222. The MCS218may be the MCS218indicated in the TF216. The TXP212may be a power that is indicated by the master station102. For example, the master station102may include a TXP for the HE station104to use for the MCS218in the TF216. In some embodiments, the TXP212is determined by the HE station104based on the MCS218, e.g., as disclosed in conjunction withFIG. 3. The HE station104may be configured to encode TXT information226response in response to TXT information request220. For example, TXP selector304(FIG. 3) may determine TXP information226response to TXP information request220as described in conjunction withFIG. 3.

The method200may continue at operation256with the master station102transmitting an acknowledgment (ACK)228to the HE stations104to acknowledge receipt of the UL data224. In some embodiments, the ACK228may be a block ACK (BACK). In some embodiments, the ACK228may be a multi-user block acknowledgement (M-BA), which may be a broadcast frame and may include multiple ACKs or BACKs for multiple users. The master station102may ACK the UL data224in a different way. For example, in one embodiment, the master station102transmit a separate ACK to each of the HE stations104on their corresponding frequency208. In another embodiment, the master station102may send another frame such as another TF that implicitly ACKs the UL data224. The method200may end or continue with one or more additional operations250.

FIG. 3illustrates a HE station104configured to determine a selected transmit power (TXP) based on a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). Illustrated inFIG. 3is HE station104, MCS302, and selected TXP306. The HE station104may include a TXP selector304, TX instructions308, and constraints310. The TXP selector304may be configured to determine or select a selected TXP306for a given MCS302. The TXP selector304may be integrated into the operation of the HE station104. The TXP selector304may be used to determine or select TXP212. For example, the selected TXP306for MCS218may be used as the TXP212for UL data224. The TXP selector304may be configured to respond to TXP information requests220from a master station102by generating one or more selected TXP306for one or more MCSs302. The MCS302may be received from the master station102for the HE station104to use to transmit a packet.

The TX instructions308may be master station parameters/FB. The TX instructions308may include a signal path-loss through a link margin parameter where the signal path loss is between the HE station104and the master station102. In some embodiments, the TX instructions308or a portion of the TX instructions308is included in the TF216(FIG. 2). The TX instructions308may include a target received signal strength in (RSSI) from the HE station104to the master station102. The TX instructions308may include a predetermined SNR. The TX instructions308may be included with the TF216or another frame from the master station102. In some embodiments the TX instructions308may include a TXP for the HE station104to use for a given MCS (e.g., 17 dBm for MCS6).

The constraints310may include signal quality or error thresholds for error vector magnitude (EVM). The constraints310may include specific absorption rate (SAR) limits. The constraints310may include coexistent wireless communication standard selected TXP306limits. The constraints310may include station dependent restrictions (e.g., regulatory limits of a maximum selected TXP306of 15 dBm.) The constraints310may include one or more rules that are configured by the manufacturer. For example, the HE station104may be configured to reduce selected TXP306if a battery power is low. The HE station104may be configured to reduce selected TXP306if a device that includes the HE station104is also communicating using BlueTooth®.

The TXP selector selects the TXP212based at least on the MCS302. The TXP selector304may select the selected TXP306based on how the selected TXP306affects to EVM. For example, the HE station104may maintain errors of the EVM below thresholds. The thresholds may be based on one or more communication specifications such as IEEE 802.11. Higher MCS302may require a lower selected TXP306in order to ensure the signal quality is in compliance with EVM thresholds. If the selected TXP306is lower, which may be due to small path loss between the HE station104and the master station102, then the selected TXP306and MCS302may not be as dependent on one another. In some embodiments, the selected TXP306may not depend on the EVM.

In some embodiments, the HE station104may be required to transmit the UL data (e.g., UL data224) with the MCS302. The HE station104may determine the selected TXP306according to some parameters provided by the master station102. For example, the signal path-loss or a target RSSI from the HE station104to the master station102.

In some embodiments, the selected TXP306of the HE station104may be limited based on regulatory requirements. In some embodiments, the selected TXP306of the HE station104may be limited based on an instantaneous limit (e.g. SAR or a coexistent wireless communication standard.) In some embodiments, the HE station104may be configured to minimize interference with co-existence standards. For example, if the HE station104is using BlueTooth®, then the HE station104may be configured to use a lower selected TXP306to reduce interference with BlueTooth® communications. In some embodiments, the master station102may request the HE station104not to use a selected TXP306higher than is needed to communicate with the master station102within a predetermined SNR.

In some embodiments, the TXP selector304selects a selected TXP306based on a required selected TXP306(e.g. 12 dBm) from the master station102. In some embodiments, the TXP selector304may select a selected TXP306based on one or more of the following: a standard or regulation (e.g., EVM, mask, spectral density maximum power, total maximum power, etc.), HE station104configuration (e.g., lowering selected TXP306to save power, lower selected TXP306to lower interference with a coexistent communication protocol such as BlueTooth®), and instructions from the master station102regarding power control.

The HE station104may respond to TXP information requests (e.g.,220). For example, the HE station104may indicate to the master station102that the UL data224was transmitted at 12 dBm with a MCS302of MCS6. The HE station104may respond to a TXP information request (e.g.,220) with, e.g., an indication of the selected TXP306the TXP selector304would select for MCS5 and MCS7. The following are examples of TXP information (e.g.,226) that the HE station104may send to the master station102in response to a TXP information request (e.g.,220.) For example, if the current MCS302is MCS6, then the HE station104may respond to a TXP information request (e.g.,220) with a TXP information including MCS6 at 12 dBm, MCS5 at 17 dBm, and MCS7 at 15 dBm.

In some embodiments, the HE station104may have used 12 dBm for MCS6 because the master station102instructed the HE station104to use that TXP. In some embodiments, MCS6 at 12 dBm means that the HE station104would select a selected TXP306of 12 dBm to transmit a packet at MCS6 under the current conditions. The HE station104may determine the selected TXP306the HE station104would use for different MCSs302based on the TXP selector304.

In some embodiments, the master station102may interpret the TXP information (e.g.,226) response. For example, in the example above the master station102may interpret the TXP information (e.g.,226) to determine that MCS6 is at 12 dBm now, but may be increased to between 15 dBm and 17 dBm. In some embodiments, differential TXP may be indicated in the TXP information (e.g.,226).

The HE station104may send the following TXP information (e.g.,226) response in response to the TXP information request (e.g.,220). MCS6 at 0 dB, MCS5 at +5 dB, and MCS7 at +3 dB, where 0 dB may mean that the HE station104uses a selected TXP306that is required by the master station102.

In some embodiments, the TXP selector304may determine the selected TXP306based on station dependent restrictions. For example, regulatory limits of 15 dBm for a maximum selected TXP306. For example, for a MCS302of MCS6 requested by the master station102, the response from the HE station104may be MCS6 at 12 dBm, MCS5 at 15 dBm, and MCS7 at 15 dBm, where the selected TXP306may be determined based on the maximum selected TXP306of 15 dBm.

In some embodiments, the master station102may request a TXP too high for the HE station104, for example a TXP greater than a 15.5 dBm regulatory limitation. For example, the master station102may request that the HE station104transmit a packet with MCS302of MCS6 and a selected TXP306of 16 dBm. The HE station104may have a 15.5 dBm maximum TXP regulatory limitation. In this case, the TXP selector304may determine the selected TXP306for MCS5, MCS6, and MCS7 based on capping the TXP of MCS5, MCS6, and MCS 7 at the maximum TXP regulatory limit. The HE station104may respond to the TXP information request220with MCS6 at 15.5 dBm, MCS5 at 15.5 dBm, and MCS7 at 15 dBm.

In some embodiments, the HE station104may have instantaneous limitations such as in-device coexistence requirements, e.g., a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) device may limits the selected TXP306to a maximum of 5 dBm through an intra-platform coexistence mechanism. The TXP selector304may then limit the selected TXP306for a given MCS302based on the instantaneous limitations (e.g., 5 dBm).

In some embodiments, assuming that the instantaneous limitations (e.g., 5 dBm) are in place for a current packet and a next packet, then the HE station104may respond to the TXP information request220with TXP information226response of MCS6 at 5 dBm, MCS5 at 5 dBm, and MCS7 at 5 dBm.

In some embodiments, if the instantaneous limitation is only relevant for current a packet (e.g., UL data224), then the HE station104may respond to the TXP information request220with a TXP information226response of MCS6 at 5 dBm, MCS5 at 17 dBm, and MCS7 at 11.5 dBm. The TXP selector304may refrain from capping the selected TXP306for a given MCS302if the instantaneous limitation (or any limitation) will not apply for a next packet.

In some embodiments, e.g., coexistence, a next packet is not likely to suffer from same limitation, while in other cases (proximity detection) a next packet is likely to suffer from same limitation. The TXP selector304may be configured to estimate the selected TXP306based on whether it is likely that a limitation or restriction is likely to occur for a next packet. The HE station104may send the TXP information226response based on the TXP selector304estimation based on the likelihood of a limitation or restriction being in place for a next packet.

In some embodiments, the master station102may transmit a TXP information request220for a specific MCS302. For example, TXP information request220may indicate MCS0, when the MCS218(FIG. 2) is indicated as MCS6. The TXP selector304may determine the selected TXP306for the requested MCS302, e.g. continuing the example MCS0. The HE station104may respond with a TXP information226response of selected TXP306for MCS0, which may be indicated by an absolute TXP or a differential TXP.

In some embodiments TXP information226(FIG. 2) requires less signaling than the HE stations104signaling an entire set of TXP212capabilities for MCSs218. The master station102may be able to make determinations of MCSs218for the HE stations104to use based on the TXP information226responses rather than larger responses with information regarding more MCSs. The selected TXP306(FIG. 3) for MCSs302may change with time, sometimes slowly (e.g., reacting to thermal aspects) and sometimes abruptly (e.g., reacting to proximity detectors or to coexistence needs with other devices on the same platform.)

FIG. 4illustrates a method400for controlling uplink transmit power in a WLAN in accordance with some embodiments. The method400may begin with operation402with determining modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) to assign to each of one or more stations based on first reported transmission powers the one or more stations would select to transmit using the corresponding MCS of the MCSs. For example, the master station102(FIG. 2) may determine MCS218based on previously received TXP information226. In some embodiments, the MCSs of the TXP information226may be different than the MCS218so that the master station102may not have received information for an MCS218the master station102assigns to a HE station104. The master station102may determine the MCSs218based MCSs received in TXP information226, but that do not include information for each of the MCSs218.

The method400continues at operation404with encoding a trigger frame comprising an uplink resource allocation for the one or more stations and an indication of the corresponding MCS of the MCSs for each of the one or more stations to use for the uplink resource allocation. For example, master station102may encode TF216. In some embodiments, the MCSs218may not correspond to MCSs reported in the TXP information226.

The method400may continue at operation406with configuring the wireless device to transmit the trigger frame. For example, an apparatus of the master station102may configure the master station102to transmit TF216. The apparatus may be a portion of the machine600.

The method400may continue at operation408with decoding one or more packets from the corresponding one or more stations, where each packet is encoded with the corresponding MCS of the MCSs, and each packet comprises second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for one or more probe MCSs. For example, the master station102may decode UL data224with TXP information226. The UL data224may have been transmitted in accordance with the TF216and the corresponding MCS218. The TXP information226may include information regarding a TXP the HE station would select for a given MCS. The probe MCSs may be indicated in the TF216, or the HE station104may be configured to select the MCSs based on one or more of the following: a communication standard, a prior agreement with the master station102, and/or a configuration of the HE station104for selecting the probe MCSs. In some embodiments the UL data is received in accordance with one or both of OFDMA or MU-MIMO. The method400may end or continue with additional operations.

FIG. 5illustrates a method500for controlling uplink transmit power in a WLAN in accordance with some embodiments. The method500may begin with operation502with decoding a trigger frame comprising an uplink resource allocation for the station and an indication of a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to use for the uplink resource allocation. For example, HE stations104may decode TF216that includes resource allocation222and MCS218.

The method500may continue at operation504with in response to the trigger frame, determining a transmit power the station would select for at least one second MCS. For example, the TXP selector304may determine a selected TXP306for one or more MCSs302. The HE station104may determine which MCSs302to select a selected TXP306for based on one or more of the following a request in the TF216(e.g., TXP information request220), a communication standard, or based on a configuration of the HE station104.

The method500may continue at operation506with encoding one or more packets in accordance with the uplink resource allocation and the first MCS, wherein the one or more packets comprise an indication of the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS. For example, HE station104may encode UL data224with TXP information226.

The method500may continue at operation508with configuring the station to transmit to an access point the one or more packets in accordance with one or both of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) or orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA). For example, an apparatus of the HE stations104may configure the HE station104to transmit UL data224using the TXP212and MCS218. In some embodiments, the TF216may include a TXP for the HE station104to use to transmit the UL data224. The method500may continue with additional operation or may end.

Machine (e.g., computer system)600may include a hardware processor602(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory604and a static memory606, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus)608. The machine600may further include a display unit610, an alphanumeric input device612(e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device614(e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit610, input device612and UI navigation device614may be a touch screen display.

The machine600may additionally include a storage device (e.g., drive unit)616, a signal generation device618(e.g., a speaker), a network interface device620, and one or more sensors621, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine600may include an output controller628, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.). In some embodiments the processor602and/or instructions624may comprise processing circuitry.

The term “machine readable medium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine600and that cause the machine600to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media.

Specific examples of machine readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; Random Access Memory (RAM); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, machine readable media may include non-transitory machine readable media. In some examples, machine readable media may include machine readable media that is not a transitory propagating signal.

In an example, the network interface device620may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. In some examples, the network interface device620may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MIMO techniques. The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine600, and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software.

The following examples pertain to further embodiments. Example 1 is an apparatus of a wireless device including a memory; and processing circuitry couple to the memory, where the processing circuitry is configured to: determine first modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) to assign to each of one or more stations based on first reported transmission powers the one or more stations would select to transmit using second MCSs; encode a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the one or more stations and an indication of the corresponding MCS of the MCSs for each of the one or more stations to use for the uplink resource allocation; configure the wireless device to transmit the trigger frame; and decode one or more packets from the corresponding one or more stations, where each packet is encoded with the corresponding MCS of the MCSs, and each packet comprises second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for one or more probe MCSs, and where the one or more packets are to be received in accordance with one or both of orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA) or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 can optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the first MCSs to assign to each of one or more stations based on the reported selected transmission power the one or more stations would use to transmit using the corresponding first MCS of the first MCSs.

In Example 3, the subject matter of Examples 1 or 2 can optionally include where the one or more probe MCSs are based on one or more of the following: the first MCSs for each of the one or more stations to use for the uplink resource allocation, the second MCSs, and predetermined MCSs.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-3 can optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: encode the trigger frame to comprise a transmit power information request for at least one of the stations of the one or more stations, where the transmit power information request comprises an indication of the one or more probe MCSs.

In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 4 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding first MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 of the corresponding first MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS and −1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower of the corresponding first MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower of the corresponding first MCS.

In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 can optionally include where the estimated transmit power is one from the following group: a differential power from a reference power, a differential power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS, a different power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS with an instantaneous limitation, an absolute power, and an indication of the estimated transmit power.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6 can optionally include where the receive range of the wireless device is determined by a gain configuration of the wireless device.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-7 can optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the first MCSs to assign to each of one or more stations further based on one or both of signal to noise ratios of signals received from the corresponding one or more stations or error vector magnitudes (EVMs) of received signals from the corresponding one or more stations.

In Example 9, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-8 can optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine third MCSs to assign to each of the one or more stations based on second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for the one or more probe MCSs.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-9 can optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine one or more third transmit powers to assign to each of the one or more stations based on second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for the one or more probe MCSs; and encode a second trigger frame including the one or more third transmit powers for each of the one or more stations to use the corresponding third transmit power for a corresponding second uplink resource allocation.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-10 can optionally include where the wireless device and each of the one or more stations are one or more from the following group: an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax access point, an IEEE 802.11 station, an IEEE access point, a station acting as a group owner (GO), and an IEEE 802.11ax station.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any of Examples 1-11 can optionally include transceiver circuitry coupled to the memory.

In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 12 can optionally include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.

Example 14 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors, the instructions to configure the one or more processors to cause a wireless device to: determine first modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) to assign to each of one or more stations based on first reported transmission powers the one or more stations would select to transmit using the corresponding second MCSs; encode a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the one or more stations and an indication of the corresponding first MCS of the first MCSs for each of the one or more stations to use for the uplink resource allocation; configure the wireless device to transmit the trigger frame; and decode one or more packets from the corresponding one or more stations, where each packet is encoded with the corresponding MCS of the MCSs, and each packet comprises second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for one or more probe MCSs, and where the one or more packets are to be received in accordance with one or both of orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA) or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

In Example 15, the subject matter of Examples 14 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding first MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 of the corresponding first MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS and −1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower of the corresponding first MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower of the corresponding first MCS.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 can optionally include where the estimated transmit power is one from the following group: a differential power from a reference power, a differential power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS, a different power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS with an instantaneous limitation, an absolute power, and an indication of the estimated transmit power.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Examples 15 can optionally include where the instructions further configure the one or more processors to cause a wireless device to: determine the first MCSs to assign to each of one or more stations based on the reported selected transmission power the one or more stations would use to transmit using the corresponding first MCS of the first MCSs and further based on a receive range of the wireless device.

Example 18 is a method performed by an apparatus of a wireless device, the method including: determining first modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) to assign to each of one or more stations based on first reported transmission powers the one or more stations would select to transmit using second MCSs; encoding a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the one or more stations and an indication of the corresponding first MCS of the first MCSs for each of the one or more stations to use for the uplink resource allocation; configuring the wireless device to transmit the trigger frame; and decoding one or more packets from the corresponding one or more stations, where each packet is encoded with the corresponding first MCS of the first MCSs, and each packet comprises second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for one or more probe MCSs, and where the one or more packets are to be received in accordance with one or both of orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA) or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding first MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 of the corresponding first MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS and −1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower of the corresponding first MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower of the corresponding first MCS.

Example 20 is an apparatus of a station including a memory; and processing circuitry couple to the memory, where the processing circuitry is configured to: decode a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station and an indication of a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to use for the uplink resource allocation; in response to the trigger frame, determine a transmit power the station would select for at least one second MCS; encode one or more packets in accordance with the uplink resource allocation and the first MCS, where the one or more packets comprise an indication of the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS; and configure the station to transmit to an access point the one or more packets in accordance with one or both of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) or orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA).

In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 20 can optionally include where the trigger frame further comprises a transmit power information request.

In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 MCS and −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 MCS; reported transmit power for X higher MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower MCS.

In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 21 can optionally include where the processing circuitry is further configured to: determine the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS based on one or more of the following: Institute of Electrical and. Electronic Engineering (IEEE) 802.11ax standard, a regulation for maximum transmit power, an error vector magnitude (EVM), a transmit power for a mask, a spectral density maximum power, a total maximum power, a power save configuration, a transmit power to lower interference with a coexistent communication protocol such as BlueTooth®, and instructions from a master station regarding power control.

In Example 24, the subject matter of any of Examples 20-23 can optionally include transceiver circuitry coupled to the memory.

In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 24 can optionally include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver circuitry.

Example 26 is an apparatus of a wireless device including a memory, the apparatus including: means for determining first modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) to assign to each of one or more stations based on first reported transmission powers the one or more stations would select to transmit using second MCSs; means for encoding a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the one or more stations and an indication of the corresponding MCS of the MCSs for each of the one or more stations to use for the uplink resource allocation; means for configuring the wireless device to transmit the trigger frame; andmeans for decoding one or more packets from the corresponding one or more stations, where each packet is encoded with the corresponding MCS of the MCSs, and each packet comprises second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for one or more probe MCSs, and where the one or more packets are to be received in accordance with one or both of orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA) or multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO).

In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 26 can optionally include means for determining the first MCSs to assign to each of one or more stations based on the reported selected transmission power the one or more stations would use to transmit using the corresponding first MCS of the first MCSs.

In Example 28, the subject matter of Examples 26 or 27 can optionally include where the one or more probe MCSs are based on one or more of the following: the first MCSs for each of the one or more stations to use for the uplink resource allocation, the second MCSs, and predetermined MCSs.

In Example 29, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-28 can optionally include means for encoding the trigger frame to comprise a transmit power information request for at least one of the stations of the one or more stations, where the transmit power information request comprises an indication of the one or more probe MCSs.

In Example 30, the subject matter of Example 4 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding first MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 of the corresponding first MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 of the corresponding first MCS and −1 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 of the corresponding first MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher of the corresponding first MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower of the corresponding first MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower of the corresponding first MCS.

In Example 31, the subject matter of Example 30 can optionally include where the estimated transmit power is one from the following group: a differential power from a reference power, a differential power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS, a different power from a predetermined target power for a selected MCS with an instantaneous limitation, an absolute power, and an indication of the estimated transmit power.

In Example 32, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-31 can optionally include where the receive range of the wireless device is determined by a gain configuration of the wireless device.

In Example 33, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-32 can optionally include means for determining the first MCSs to assign to each of one or more stations further based on one or both of signal to noise ratios of signals received from the corresponding one or more stations or error vector magnitudes (EVMs) of received signals from the corresponding one or more stations.

In Example 34, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-33 can optionally include means for determining third MCSs to assign to each of the one or more stations based on second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for the one or more probe MCSs.

In Example 35, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-34 can optionally include means for determining one or more third transmit powers to assign to each of the one or more stations based on second reported transmission powers the corresponding station of the one or more stations would select for the one or more probe MCSs; and means for encoding a second trigger frame including the one or more third transmit powers for each of the one or more stations to use the corresponding third transmit power for a corresponding second uplink resource allocation.

In Example 36, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-35 can optionally include where the wireless device and each of the one or more stations are one or more from the following group: an Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax access point, an IEEE 802.11 station, an IEEE access point, a station acting as a group owner (GO), and an IEEE 802.11ax station.

In Example 37, the subject matter of any of Examples 26-36 can optionally include means for processing electromagnetic waves.

In Example 38, the subject matter of Example 37 can optionally include means for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves.

In Example 39 is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors, the instructions to configure the one or more processors to cause a station to: decode a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station and an indication of a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to use for the uplink resource allocation; in response to the trigger frame, determine a transmit power the station would select for at least one second MCS; encode one or more packets in accordance with the uplink resource allocation and the first MCS, where the one or more packets comprise an indication of the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS; and configure the station to transmit to an access point the one or more packets in accordance with one or both of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) or orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA).

In Example 40, the subject matter of Example 39 can optionally include where the trigger frame further comprises a transmit power information request.

In Example 41, the subject matter of Examples 39 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 MCS and −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 MCS; reported transmit power for X higher MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower MCS.

In Example 42, the subject matter of Example 39 can optionally include where the instructions further configure the one or more processors to cause the station to: determine the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS based on one or more of the following: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) 802.11ax standard, a regulation for maximum transmit power, an error vector magnitude (EVM), a transmit power for a mask, a spectral density maximum power, a total maximum power, a power save configuration, a transmit power to lower interference with a coexistent communication protocol such as BlueTooth®, and instructions from a master station regarding power control.

Example 43 is a method performed by an apparatus of a station, the method including: decoding a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station and an indication of a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to use for the uplink resource allocation; in response to the trigger frame, determining a transmit power the station would select for at least one second MCS; encoding one or more packets in accordance with the uplink resource allocation and the first MCS, where the one or more packets comprise an indication of the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS; and configuring the station to transmit to an access point the one or more packets in accordance with one or both of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) or orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA).

In Example 44, the subject matter of Example 43 can optionally include where the trigger frame further comprises a transmit power information request.

In Example 45, the subject matter of Example 43 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 MCS and −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 MCS; reported transmit power for X higher MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower MCS.

In Example 46, the subject matter of Example 43 can optionally include determining the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS based on one or more of the following: institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) 802.11ax standard, a regulation for maximum transmit power, an error vector magnitude (EVM), a transmit power for a mask, a spectral density maximum power, a total maximum power, a power save configuration, a transmit power to lower interference with a coexistent communication protocol such as BlueTooth®, and instructions from a master station regarding power control.

Example 47 is an apparatus of a station, the apparatus including: means for decoding a trigger frame including an uplink resource allocation for the station and an indication of a first modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to use for the uplink resource allocation; in response to the trigger frame, means for determining a transmit power the station would select for at least one second MCS; means for encoding one or more packets in accordance with the uplink resource allocation and the first MCS, where the one or more packets comprise an indication of the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS; and means for configuring the station to transmit to an access point the one or more packets in accordance with one or both of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) or orthogonal frequency division multiple-access (OFDMA).

In Example 48, the subject matter of Example 47 can optionally include where the trigger frame further comprises a transmit power information request.

In Example 49, the subject matter of Example 47 can optionally include where the transmit power information request comprises one of the following group: a reported transmit power for the corresponding MCS, a reported transmit power for +1 MCS; a reported transmit power for −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for +1 MCS and −1 MCS; an reported transmit power for an indicated MCS; a reported transmit power for +2, +1, −1, and −2 MCS; a reported transmit power for +3, +2, +1, −1, −2, and −3 MCS; reported transmit power for X higher MCS; reported transmit power for X higher and lower MCS; and, an reported transmit power for X lower MCS.

In Example 50, the subject matter of Example 47 can optionally include means for determining the transmit power the station would select for the second MCS based on one or more of the following: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE) 802.11ax standard, a regulation for maximum transmit power, an error vector magnitude (EVM), a transmit power for a mask, a spectral density maximum power, a total maximum power, a power save configuration, a transmit power to lower interference with a coexistent communication protocol such as BlueTooth®, and instructions from a master station regarding power control.