BANDWIDTH SIGNALING FOR CONTROL FRAMES

A system for wireless communication includes data processing hardware, and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include generating a control frame including a frame control field. The operations also include transmitting the control frame including indicating data in the frame control field. The indicating data indicates that the control frame includes bandwidth information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a system for wireless communication (e.g., communication using Wi-Fi protocols).

BACKGROUND

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wireless networking standards have evolved to meet user demands for faster and more robust communication. One of the methods implemented to the standards to meet the demands is expending the bandwidth (capacity) for the wireless network. Accordingly, few methods have been implemented to the standards to manage expending bandwidth efficiently.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a system for wireless communication. The system includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include generating a control frame. The control frame includes a frame control field. The operations also include transmitting the control frame including indicating data in the frame control field. The indicating data indicates that the control frame includes a bandwidth information.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes color data (e.g., basic service set (BSS) color data). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes transmission opportunity data. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes preamble puncturing data. In some implementations the preamble puncturing data includes dynamic preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes data that support dynamic request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) negotiation. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes bandwidth information for any bandwidth value including 320 MHz or greater than 320 MHz. In some implementations, the bandwidth information is included in the control frame instead of a high throughput control field. In some implementations, the control frame is in a non-high throughput duplicate format. In some implementations, the bandwidth information in provided in a bandwidth information field.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system for wireless communication. The system includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include obtaining a control frame. The operations also include determining that the control frame includes indicating data in a frame control field. The indicating data is configured to indicate that the control frame includes a bandwidth information. The operations include processing the bandwidth information, when the indicating data is determined to be in the frame control field.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the indicating data is provided in a subtype sub-field of the frame control field. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes color data (e.g., basic service set (BSS) color data). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes transmission opportunity data. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the preamble puncturing data includes dynamic preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes data that support dynamic request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) negotiation. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes bandwidth information for any bandwidth value including 320 MHz or greater than 320 MHz.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system for wireless communication. The system includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The memory hardware stores instructions that when executed on the data processing hardware cause the data processing hardware to perform operations. The operations include generating a control frame. The control frame includes a high throughput control field. The operations also include transmitting the control frame including indicating data in the high throughput control field. The indicating data may provide that the high throughput control field includes bandwidth information. The indicating data may provide that the control frame includes bandwidth information.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes at least one from color data (e.g., basic service set (BSS) color data), preamble puncturing data, transmission opportunity data, and data that supports send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) negotiation. In some implementations, the preamble puncturing data includes dynamic preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes bandwidth information for any bandwidth value including 320 MHz or greater than 320 MHz. In some implementations, the control frame is in a non-high throughput duplicate format. In some implementations, the control frame is a control wrapper frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

IEEE 802.11ac, a wireless networking standard, introduced bandwidth signaling for control frames that may be sent in non-high throughput (HT) duplicate format. The bandwidth signaling may provide explicit bandwidth information that cannot be carried natively in non-HT duplicate. For example, it may not be carried in an occupied bandwidth, or in support of dynamic bandwidth request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) negotiation.

The bandwidth signaling may be un-conventional, such as with legacy devices. For example, some bits of a scrambler seed may be repurposed. Alternatively or additionally, the presence of bandwidth signaling may be indicated with an individual and/or group bit of a transmitter address (TA) (e.g., a bandwidth signaling TA). Additionally, the bandwidth signaling may not be adequate for a bandwidth that is greater than 160 MHz.

IEEE 802.11be, a newer wireless network standard, added support for an extra-wide 320 MHz bandwidth channel. For example, the single channel bandwidth is proposed to be increased from 160 MHz to 320 MHz with six channels (with possible overlap) in the 6 GHz. However, the bandwidth signaling discussed above for IEEE 802.11ac may not be able to provide explicit bandwidth information for the extra-wide bandwidth (e.g., bandwidth greater than 160 MHz).

The present disclosure provides various methods of communicating the bandwidth information in non-HT duplicate that may be more efficient for the extra-wide bandwidth. In some implementations, the non-HT duplicate format may be preferred for transmitting control frames since the non-HT duplicate format acts as a common denominator for any generation of Wi-Fi. Alternatively or additionally, duplication may make information available to all device, which may include a partially overlapping basic service set (OBSS) or an OBSS with different primaries.

The present disclosure includes implementations of methods of communicating bandwidth information in a control frame that may be compatible with legacy devices. In some implementations, a new control frame subtype (e.g., bandwidth signaling control wrapper) which may be similar to a control wrapper frame is used to carry the bandwidth information. In some implementations, the bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame includes bandwidth information field in lieu of high throughput (HT) control frame, which may be present with the control wrapper frame. The bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame includes the bandwidth information field that is suitable to include the bandwidth information (e.g., bandwidth information of 320 MHz bandwidth). In some implementations, a conventional control wrapper frame is used to carry the bandwidth information. To store the bandwidth information, the HT control frame of the control wrapper frame may be re-configured to include the bandwidth information.

In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes color data (e.g., basic service set (BSS) color data). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the preamble puncturing data includes dynamic preamble puncturing data (e.g., preamble puncturing data that is decided on a per-packet basis, rather than a common puncturing data applied to all packets sent in the basic service set (BSS)). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes data that support dynamic request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) negotiation. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes bandwidth information related to a bandwidth (e.g, first bandwidth of 320 MHz, second bandwidth that is greater than 320 MHz, third bandwidth that is less than 320 MHz, any combination of the first bandwidth, second bandwidth, and third bandwidth).

The advantage of methods disclosed in the present disclosure is that the methods are compatible with the non-HT format and compatible with legacy devices. In other words, the methods are backwards compatible.

FIG.1is a simplified schematic view of a first station10(access point in this example) and a second station20(mobile computing device in this example) communicating (e.g., transmitting and receiving) an example control frame100(in non-HT duplicate format) including a bandwidth information field150that is capable of including bandwidth information (e.g., bandwidth signaling for 320 MHz bandwidth) in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In this example, a station (e.g., first station10, second station20) is a device or system (e.g., computing device with data processing hardware and memory hardware) that has the capability to use the IEEE 802.11 protocols.

As illustrated inFIG.1, in some implementations, the first station10is configured to generate and transmit the control frame100including various fields: a frame control field110, a duration ID field120, an address 1 field130, a carried frame control field140, the bandwidth information field150, a carried frame field160, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field170.

As shown, in some implementations, the frame control field110includes various sub-fields including a type sub-field112(including “01” value which indicates that the frame100is a control frame as shown in theFIG.1) and a subtype sub-field114. As shown in TABLE 1 below, based on pre-assigned values (e.g., binary values) in the subtype sub-field114, the subtype of the control frame100is determined.

As shown in TABLE 1 above, different values are pre-assigned for different control frame subtypes: “0111” for control wrapper frame, “1000” for block ack request (BlockAckReq) frame, “1001” for block ack (BlockAck) frame, “1010” for PS-Poll frame, “1011” for RTS frame, “1100” for CTS frame, “1101” for ACK frame, “1110” for CF-End frame, and “1111” for CF-END and CF-Ack frame.

As shown in TABLE 1 andFIG.1, in some implementations, a reserved value “0000” may be defined as a newly assigned value for a new control frame subtype: bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame. As a result, the control frame100inFIG.1is a bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame. In some implementations, other reserved value from “0000” to “0110” or any suitable value can be defined or pre-assigned as the newly assigned value to indicate that the control frame100is a bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame.

In some implementations, the newly assigned value (also referred as “first indicating data” in this disclosure) (“0000” in this example) in the subtype sub-field114indicates that the control frame100is a bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame that includes the bandwidth information field150instead of, or in addition to, a high throughput (HT) control field250(shown inFIG.2). In other words, the first indicating data in the subtype sub-field114indicates that the control frame100includes the bandwidth information field150that is configured to include or store bandwidth information. Accordingly, the first indicating data in the subtype sub-field114indicates that the control frame100includes the bandwidth information.

In some implementations, the bandwidth information field150includes the bandwidth information. As shown inFIG.1, the bandwidth information field150is capable of storing 4 bytes of information (e.g., 4 bytes of bandwidth information for 320 MHz bandwidth). However, the present disclosure does not limit the size of the bandwidth information field150. In some implementations, the bandwidth information field150is configured to store or include less than 4 byes of bandwidth information (e.g., one byte, two bytes). In some implementations, the bandwidth information field150is configured to store or include more than 4 byes of bandwidth information (e.g., five bytes, six bytes). In some implementations, the size of the bandwidth information field150increases as the bandwidth (of channel) increases. In some implementations, the size of the bandwidth information field150decreases as the bandwidth (of channel) decreases.

In some implementations, the bandwidth information field150includes bandwidth information related to a bandwidth (e.g., first bandwidth of 320 MHz, second bandwidth that is greater than 320 MHz, third bandwidth that is less than 320 MHz, any combination of the first bandwidth, second bandwidth, and third bandwidth). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes additional information (e.g., non-bandwidth related information). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes color data (e.g., basic service set (BSS) color data). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes bandwidth occupation data (e.g., data indicates what portion of the bandwidth is being occupied by other communication and/or noise). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the preamble puncturing data includes dynamic preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes data related to (dynamic) request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) negotiation. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes transmission opportunity (TXOP) information.

As illustrated inFIG.1, in some implementations, the second station20is configured to receive or obtain the control frame100from the first station100. As discussed, the control frame100includes various fields: the frame control field110, the duration ID field120, the address 1 field130, the carried frame control field140, the bandwidth information field150, the carried frame field160, and the frame check sequence (FCS) field170.

In some implementations, the second station20is configured to determine that whether the control frame100includes the first indicating data (“0000” inFIG.1in this example) in (the subtype sub-field114of) the frame control field110.

In some implementation, the second station20is configured to determine that the control frame100is a bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame (including the bandwidth information150field) based on the first indicating data in the frame control field110. In some implementations, the second station20is configured to determine that the control frame100includes the bandwidth information field150based on the first indicating data in the frame control field110. In some implementations, the second station20is configured to determine that the control frame100includes the bandwidth information based on the first indicating data in the frame control field110.

In some implementations, the second station20is configured to process the bandwidth information in response to determining that the control frame100includes the bandwidth information. In some implementations, the second station20is configured to process the bandwidth information (in the bandwidth information field150) in response to determining that the control frame100is the bandwidth signaling control wrapper frame and/or the control frame100includes the bandwidth information field150. In some implementations, the processed information is used to communicate with the first station10efficiently.

As discussed above, the bandwidth information field150is capable of including various types of information.

FIG.2is a simplified schematic view of a third station30(access point in this example) and a fourth station40(mobile computing device in this example) communicating (e.g., transmitting and receiving) another example control frame200(in non-HT duplicate format) including a HT control field250that is capable of including bandwidth information (e.g., bandwidth signaling for 320 MHz bandwidth) in accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure. In this example, a station (e.g., third station30, fourth station40) is a device or system (e.g., computing device with data processing hardware and memory hardware) that has the capability to use the IEEE 802.11 protocols.

As illustrated inFIG.2, in some implementations, the third station30is configured to generate and transmit the control frame200including various fields: a frame control field110, a duration ID field120, an address 1 field130, a carried frame control field140, the HT control filed250, a carried frame field160, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field170.

As shown inFIG.2, the type sub-field112of the frame control field110includes “01,” and the subtype sub-field114of the frame control field110includes “0111.” As a result, the control frame200is a control wrapper frame.

As shown inFIG.2, in some implementations, the HT control field250includes various sub-fields including a bandwidth information indication sub-field252and bandwidth information sub-field254. In some implementations, the bandwidth information indication sub-field252is capable of including a second indicating data which indicates that the control frame200includes the bandwidth information. In some implementations, the second indicating data indicates that the HT control field250includes a bandwidth information sub-field254(capable of including bandwidth information). For example, as shown inFIG.2, a value “01” in the bandwidth information indication sub-field252can be pre-assigned to be the second indicating data which indicates that the HT control field250includes the bandwidth information sub-field254. In some implementations, the second indicating data indicates that the control frame200includes bandwidth information. However, present disclosure does not limit that the second indicating data to be “01.” In some implementations, the second indicating data can be any suitable value.

In some implementations, the bandwidth information sub-field254includes bandwidth information. As shown inFIG.2, the bandwidth information sub-field254is capable of storing 3 bytes of information (e.g., 3 bytes of bandwidth information for 320 MHz bandwidth). However, the present disclosure does not limit the size of the bandwidth information sub-field254. In some implementations, the bandwidth information sub-field254is configured to store or include less than 3 byes of bandwidth information (e.g., one byte, two bytes). In some implementations, the bandwidth information sub-field254is configured to store or include more than 3 byes of bandwidth information. In some implementations, the size of the bandwidth information sub-field254increases as the bandwidth (of channel) increases. In some implementations, the size of the bandwidth information sub-field254decreases as the bandwidth (of channel) decreases. However, the present disclosure does not limit the location of the bandwidth information. In some implementations, the bandwidth information is provided at any suitable location (e.g., field, sub-field) within the control frame200.

In some implementations, the bandwidth information sub-field254(and/or the suitable location within the control frame200) includes bandwidth information related to a bandwidth (e.g., first bandwidth of 320 MHz, second bandwidth that is greater than 320 MHz, third bandwidth that is less than 320 MHz, any combination of the first bandwidth, second bandwidth, and third bandwidth). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes additional information (e.g., non-bandwidth related information). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes color data (e.g., basic service set (BSS) color data). In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes bandwidth occupation data (e.g., data indicates what portion of the bandwidth being occupied by other communication and/or noise). In some implementations, the bandwidth information field includes preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the preamble puncturing data includes dynamic preamble puncturing data. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes data related to (dynamic) request to send (RTS)/clear to send (CTS) negotiation. In some implementations, the bandwidth information includes transmission opportunity (TXOP) information.

As illustrated inFIG.2, in some implementations, the fourth station40is configured to receive or obtain the control frame200(control wrapper frame as shown inFIG.2) from the third station30. As discussed, the control frame200includes various fields: the frame control field110, the duration ID field120, the address 1 field130, the carried frame control field140, the HT control250, the carried frame field160, and the frame check sequence (FCS) field170.

In some implementations, the fourth station40is configured to determine that whether the HT control field250includes the second indicating data. In some implementations, the fourth station40is configured to determine that whether the bandwidth information indication sub-field252of the HT control field250includes the second indicating data (“01” in this example).

In some implementations, the fourth station40is configured to process the bandwidth information in the control frame200in response to determining that the second indicating data is in the HT control field250. In some implementations, the fourth station40is configured to process information in the bandwidth information sub-field254in response to determining that the second indicating data (“01” in this example) is in the bandwidth information indication sub-field252.

FIG.3is a flowchart of an example arrangement of operations for a method300of communicating the control frame100. The method300may be performed by processing logic that may include hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (such as is run on a general purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), or a combination of both, which processing logic may be included in any computer system or device. For simplicity of explanation, methods described herein are depicted and described as a series of acts. However, acts in accordance with this disclosure may occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presented and described herein. Further, not all illustrated acts may be used to implement the methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the methods may alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events. Additionally, the methods disclosed in this specification are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium, to facilitate transporting and transferring such methods to computing devices. The term article of manufacture, as used herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device or storage media. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation.

The method300, at operation302, includes generating, at the first station10, the control frame100. As discussed above, the first station10is configured to generate the control frame100that includes the frame control field110.

At operation304, the method300includes transmitting the control frame100including indicating data (e.g., “0000” shown inFIG.1) in the frame control field110via a wireless communication connection. As discussed above, the indicating data indicates that the control frame100includes a bandwidth information field150.

At operation306, the method300includes, at the second station20, receiving or obtaining the control frame100.

At operation308, the method300includes, at the second station20, determining that the control frame100includes the indicating data in a frame control field110. As discussed above, the indicating data is configured or pre-assigned to indicate that the control frame100includes the bandwidth information field150.

At operation310, the method300includes, at the second station20, when the indicating data is determined to be in the frame control field110, processing bandwidth information in the bandwidth information field150.

FIG.4is a flowchart of an example arrangement of operations for a method400of communicating the control frame200. The method400may be performed by processing logic that may include hardware (circuitry, dedicated logic, etc.), software (such as is run on a general purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), or a combination of both, which processing logic may be included in any computer system or device. For simplicity of explanation, methods described herein are depicted and described as a series of acts. However, acts in accordance with this disclosure may occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and with other acts not presented and described herein. Further, not all illustrated acts may be used to implement the methods in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In addition, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the methods may alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram or events. Additionally, the methods disclosed in this specification are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium, to facilitate transporting and transferring such methods to computing devices. The term article of manufacture, as used herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device or storage media. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation.

The method400, at operation402, includes generating, at the third station30, the control frame200. As discussed above, the third station30is configured to generate the control frame200that includes the high throughput control field250.

At operation404, the method400includes transmitting, at the third station30, the control frame200including indicating data (e.g., “01” shown inFIG.2) in the high throughput control field250via a wireless communication connection. As discussed above, in some implementations, the indicating data indicates that the high throughput control field250includes a bandwidth information field150. In some implementations, the indicating data indicates that the control frame200includes the bandwidth information.

At operation406, the method400includes, at the fourth station40, receiving or obtaining the control frame200.

At operation408, the method400includes, at the fourth station40, determining that whether the high throughput field250includes indicating data. As discussed above, in some implementations, the indicating data is configured or pre-assigned to indicate that the high throughput control field250includes the bandwidth information sub-field254. In some implementations, the indicating data is configured or pre-assigned to indicate that the control frame200includes the bandwidth information.

At operation410, the method400includes, at the fourth station40, when the indicating data is determined to be in the high throughput field250, processing bandwidth information in the control frame200(e.g., bandwidth information sub-field254of the control frame200).

The example computing device500includes a processing device (e.g., a processor)502, a main memory504(e.g., read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as synchronous DRAM (SDRAM)), a static memory506(e.g., flash memory, static random access memory (SRAM)) and a data storage device516, which communicate with each other via a bus508.

The computing device500may further include a network interface device522which may communicate with a network518. The computing device500also may include a display device510(e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), an alphanumeric input device512(e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device514(e.g., a mouse) and a signal generation device520(e.g., a speaker). In at least one implementation, the display device510, the alphanumeric input device512, and the cursor control device514may be combined into a single component or device (e.g., an LCD touch screen).

The data storage device516may include a computer-readable storage medium524on which is stored one or more sets of instructions526embodying any one or more of the methods or functions described herein. The instructions526may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory504and/or within the processing device502during execution thereof by the computing device500, the main memory504and the processing device502also constituting computer-readable media. The instructions may further be transmitted or received over a network518via the network interface device522.

While the computer-readable storage medium526is shown in an example implementation to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable storage medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable storage medium” may also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods of the present disclosure. The term “computer-readable storage medium” may accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical media and magnetic media.