Apparatus, system and method of beam selection for beamformed diversity wireless communication

Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of beam selection for beamformed communication. For example, an apparatus may include a controller to control a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over a plurality of selected directional links, which are selected based on at least one predefined selection metric.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein generally relate to beam selection for beamformed diversity wireless communication.

BACKGROUND

Some wireless communication systems may communicate over the Millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band, e.g., the 60 GHz Frequency band. A mmWave propagation has a few major distinctive features in comparison with lower frequency bands, e.g., the frequency bands of 2.4-5 GHz. For example, the mmWave propagation may have a propagation loss greater than the propagation loss in the lower frequency bands, and may have Quasi-optical propagation properties.

A mmWave communication system may use high-gain directional antennas to compensate for large path loss and/or employ beam-steering techniques. Design of appropriate antenna system and/or further signal processing may be an important aspect of mmWave communication system development.

Multi-element phased antenna arrays may be used, for example, for creation of a directional antenna pattern. A phased antenna array may form a directive antenna pattern or a beam, which may be steered by setting appropriate signal phases at the antenna elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing Wireless-Gigabit-Alliance (WGA) specifications (Wireless Gigabit Alliance, Inc WiGig MAC and PHY Specification Version1.1, April2011, Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (IEEE802.11-2012, IEEE Standard for Information technology—Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific requirements Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control(MAC)and Physical Layer(PHY)Specifications, Mar.29, 2012; IEEE802.11task group ac(TGac) (“IEEE802.11-09/0308r12—TGac Channel Model Addendum Document”);IEEE802.11task group ad(TGad) (IEEE P802.11ad Standard for Information Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems—Local and Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements—Part11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control(MAC)and Physical Layer(PHY)Specifications—Amendment3: Enhancements for Very High Throughput in the60GHz Band)) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing WirelessHD™ specifications and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, and the like.

The term “communicating” as used herein with respect to a wireless communication signal includes transmitting the wireless communication signal and/or receiving the wireless communication signal. For example, a wireless communication unit, which is capable of communicating a wireless communication signal, may include a wireless transmitter to transmit the wireless communication signal to at least one other wireless communication unit, and/or a wireless communication receiver to receive the wireless communication signal from at least one other wireless communication unit.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with suitable limited-range or short-range wireless communication networks, for example, a wireless area network, a “piconet”, a WPAN, a WVAN and the like. Other embodiments may be used in conjunction with any other suitable wireless communication network.

Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 60 GHz. However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an Extremely High Frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmwave) frequency band), e.g., a frequency band within the frequency band of between 30 Ghz and 300 GHZ, a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.

The phrase “peer to peer (PTP or P2P) communication”, as used herein, may relate to device-to-device communication over a wireless link (“peer-to-peer link”) between a pair of devices. The P2P communication may include, for example, wireless communication over a direct link within a QoS basic service set (BSS), a tunneled direct-link setup (TDLS) link, a STA-to-STA communication in an independent basic service set (IBSS), or the like.

The phrase “mmWave frequency band” as used herein may relate to a frequency band above 30 GHz, e.g., a frequency band between 30 GHz and 300 GHz. The phrases “directional multi-gigabit (DMG)” and “directional band” (DBand), as used herein, may relate to a frequency band wherein the Channel starting frequency is above 40 GHz.

The phrases “DMG STA” and “mmWave STA (mSTA)” may relate to a STA having a radio transmitter, which is operating on a channel that is within the DMG band.

The term “beamforming”, as used herein, may relate to a spatial filtering mechanism, which may be used at a transmitter and/or a receiver to improve one or more attributes, e.g., the received signal power or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at an intended receiver.

Reference is now made toFIG. 1, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system100, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

In some demonstrative embodiments, system100may include a wireless communication network including one or more wireless communication devices, e.g., wireless communication devices102and/or104, capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals over a wireless communication link, for example, over a radio channel, an IR channel, a RF channel, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) channel, and the like. One or more elements of system100may optionally be capable of communicating over any suitable wired communication links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, devices102and/or104may include a wireless communication unit capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals over at least one wireless communication link103. For example, device102may include a wireless communication unit110and device104may include a wireless communication unit120.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units110and/or120may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas107and108, respectively. Antennas107and/or108may include any type of antennas suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wireless communication signals, blocks, frames, transmission streams, packets, messages and/or data. For example, antennas107and/or108may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Antennas107and/or108may include, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication, e.g., using beamforming techniques. For example, antennas107and/or108may include a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, antennas107and/or108may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, antennas107and/or108may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements.

Devices102and/or104may also include, for example, one or more of a processor191, an input unit192, an output unit193, a memory unit194, and a storage unit195. Device102may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of device102may be enclosed in a common housing or packaging, and may be interconnected or operably associated using one or more wired or wireless links. In other embodiments, components of device102may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may include a direct link, e.g., a P2P link, for example, to enable direct communication between devices102and104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may include a wireless communication link over the mmWave band, e.g., the DMG band.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices102and/or104may perform the functionality of mmWave STAs, e.g., DMG stations (“DMG STA”). For example, wireless communication devices102and/or104may be configured to communicate over the DMG band.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may include a wireless beamformed link.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication link103may include a wireless gigabit (WiGig) link. For example, wireless communication link103may include a wireless beamformed link over the 60 GHZ frequency band.

In other embodiments, wireless communication link103may include any other suitable link and/or may utilize any other suitable wireless communication technology.

In some demonstrative embodiments, antennas107may include at least one antenna array including a plurality of antenna elements117. The plurality of antenna elements117may be configured, for example, for creation of a highly-directional antenna pattern. The plurality of antenna elements117may include, for example, about 16-36 antenna elements, or any other number of antenna elements, which may be placed in a predefined geometry. The plurality of antenna elements117may be configured to form a highly directive antenna pattern or a beam, which may be steered by setting appropriate signal phases at antenna elements117, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, antennas107may include a plurality of antenna subarrays. For example, antennas107may include a first antenna subarray135, and a second antenna subarray145. In other embodiments, antennas107may include any other number of antenna subarrays, e.g., more than two antenna subarrays.

The phrase “antenna subarray” as used herein may relate to a group of antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements117, which may be coupled, for example, to a common RF chain. In one example, antennas107may include an antenna array, which may be divided into a plurality of, e.g., independent subarrays, each capable of independently generating a directional beam. In another example, antennas107may include a plurality of different antenna arrays to generate a plurality of directional beams. In another example, antennas107may include two or more different antenna arrays. One or more of the different antenna arrays may be divided into two or more subarrays.

In some demonstrative embodiments, first antenna subarray135may include a first plurality of antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements117configured to form a first directional beam137directed in a first direction139.

In some demonstrative embodiments, second antenna subarray145may include a second, e.g., different, plurality of antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements117configured to form a second directional beam147directed in a second direction149.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may include a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains configured to control the first and second pluralities of antenna elements of antenna subarrays135and145.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the plurality of RF chains may be coupled to the plurality of antenna subarrays. For example, wireless communication unit110may include a first RF chain130connected to first antenna subarray135, and a second RF chain140connected to second antenna subarray145. In other embodiments, wireless communication unit110may include any other number of RF chains coupled to the any other number of the plurality of antenna subarrays, e.g., more than two RF chains connected to more than two antenna subarrays.

In some demonstrative embodiments, RF chains130and/or140may include or may be included as part of a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), which may be connected to antenna subarrays135and145through a plurality of feed lines118, which may be, for example, micro-strip feed lines.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the plurality of RF chains may enable processing of two or more independent RF signals, e.g., carrying different data. For example, RF chain130may process an RF signal131, and RF chain140may process an RF signal141.

In some demonstrative embodiments, RF chain130may include a plurality of phase shifters115configured to adjust the phases of the antenna elements of antenna subarray135. For example, a phase shifter of phase shifters115may be configured to adjust a corresponding antenna element of antenna subarray135.

For example, phases of the antenna elements of antenna subarrays135may be shifted, e.g., by phase shifters115, to provide a constructive and/or destructive interference, configured to change the beamforming scheme of antenna subarray135and to change the direction of directional beam137.

In some demonstrative embodiments, RF chain140may include a plurality of phase shifters114configured to adjust the phases of the antenna elements of antenna subarray145. For example, a phase shifter of phase shifters114may be configured to adjust a corresponding antenna element of antenna subarray145.

For example, phases of the antenna elements of antenna subarrays145may be shifted, e.g., by phase shifters114, to provide a constructive and/or destructive interference, configured to change the beamforming scheme of antenna subarray145and to change the direction of directional beam147.

Phase shifters115and/or114may be discrete, e.g., configured to rotate the phase of the antenna elements of antenna subarrays135and/or145to a limited set of values, for example, 0, ±π/2, and π, allowing only a relatively coarse beamforming for changing a direction of directional beams137and/or147.

In some demonstrative embodiments, RF chain130may include a summer/splitter block113coupled to phase shifters115and/or RF chain140may include a summer/splitter block112coupled to phase shifters114.

In some demonstrative embodiments, summer/splitter block113may include a splitter134, e.g., a multiplexer, configured to reproduce and split RF signal131between the antenna elements of antenna subarray135and to couple the reproduced signals of RF signal131to phase shifters115, e.g., when transmitting RF signal131.

In some demonstrative embodiments, summer/splitter block113may include a summer136configured to sum into RF signal131signals received from the antenna elements of antenna subarray135, e.g., when receiving RF signal131.

In some demonstrative embodiments, utilizing two or more RF chains may enable baseband processing of two or more independent signals, e.g., carrying different data, communicated via two or more directional beams. In contrast, utilizing a single RF chain may enable baseband processing of only one signal, e.g., even if a large number of antenna elements117are utilized.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may utilize the two or more RF chains to perform beamformed diversity communication, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may include a baseband150configured to control antenna subarrays135and145to form directional beams137and147directed to directions139and149for communicating a MIMO wireless transmission.

In some demonstrative embodiments, baseband150may process a data stream121into the MIMO wireless transmission to be communicated utilizing a MIMO beamformed scheme, e.g., as described below.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with reference to a wireless communication unit, e.g., wireless communication unit110, configured to perform both transmission and reception of a MIMO beamformed communication. Other embodiments may include a wireless communication unit capable of performing only one of transmission and reception of a MIMO beamformed communication.

The phrase “beamformed diversity communication”, as used herein may relate to any communication utilizing a plurality of beams.

Some demonstrative embodiments are described herein with reference to a communication system, e.g., wireless communication system100, wherein both the TX side and the RX side utilize a plurality of antenna subarrays to communicate a MIMO transmission. However, other embodiments may be implemented with respect to systems configured to communicate any other diversity communication, for example, systems in which only one of the Tx and Rx sides utilizes a plurality of antenna subarrays, e.g., to form a Single-Input-Multi-Output (SIMO) and/or a Multi-Input-Single-Output (MISO) beamformed link. For example, one of the Tx and Rx sides may utilize an omni-directional antenna, and another one of the Tx and Rx sides may utilize a multi-array transceiver, e.g., wireless communication unit110.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may include a plurality of baseband (BB) to RF (BB2RF) converters interfacing between the plurality of RF chains and baseband150. For example, wireless communication unit110may include BB2RF converters133interfacing between RF chain130and baseband150, and BB2RF converters143interfacing between RF chain140and baseband150. In other embodiments, wireless communication unit110may include any other number of BB2RF convertors connecting between baseband150and any other number of RF chains, e.g., more than two.

In some demonstrative embodiments, BB2RF converters133and/or143may include down-converters, configured to convert an RF signal into a baseband data signal, and to provide the baseband data signal to baseband150, e.g., if wireless communication unit110receives the MIMO wireless transmission.

For example, RF chain130may include a down converter132configured to down-convert RF signal131into data signal127, and to provide data signal127to baseband150.

In some demonstrative embodiments, baseband to RF converters133and/or143may include up-converters, configured to convert a baseband data signal into an RF signal and to provide the RF signal to an RF chain, e.g., if wireless communication unit110transmits the MIMO wireless transmission.

For example, RF chain130may include an up-converter138configured to up-convert data signal127into RF signal131and to provide RF signal131to RF chain130.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may be configured to perform hybrid beamforming. The hybrid beamforming may include, for example, performing a coarse beamforming in RF chains130and/or140, e.g., using phase-shifters139and/or149; and fine beamforming in baseband150, e.g., as described below.

In one example, the coarse beamforming may be performed between devices102and104. For example, during the coarse beamforming, device102may steer directional beams137and/or147to a plurality of directions, e.g., which may deliver a maximal RX signal power and/or according to any other criteria; and device104may have a fixed quasi-omni antenna pattern of antennas108to receive the transmissions from device102. Alternatively, device104may adjust antennas108to maximize the received RX signal power, e.g., by performing a sector level sweep.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the fine beamforming may include diversity processing, e.g., MIMO processing, MISO processing and/or SIMO processing, at baseband150. For example, the MIMO processing may include, for example, closed-loop (CL) MIMO processing, Open Loop (OL) MIMO processing, Space-Block Code (SBC) MIMO processing, e.g., Space Time Block Code (STBC) MIMO processing, Space Frequency Block Code (SFBC) MIMO processing, and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit may include a controller122configured to control RF Chains135and145and baseband150to perform the coarse beamforming and/or the fine beamforming.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may control antenna subarrays135and/or145utilizing a control signal128carrying the amount of phase shift to be applied to one or more phase shifters of phase shifters115and/or114.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the phase shift adjustments to phase shifters115may determine and/or control the beam width, gain and/or direction of directional beam137formed by antenna subarray135.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the phase shift adjustments to phase shifters114may determine and/or control the beam width, gain and/or direction of directional beam147forms by antenna subarray145.

In some demonstrative embodiments, each phase shifter of an antenna element of antenna subarrays135and/or145may perform a local phase adjustment to a signal to create a local phase distribution in a desired beam direction.

In some demonstrative embodiments, control signal128may include weighting coefficients, which may be generated and/or derived from controller122, configured to steer directional beams137and/or147.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may provide via control signal128a first set of weighting coefficients to phase shifters115configured to form a local phase adjustment to one or more antenna elements of antenna subarray135, resulting in directing beam137to direction139.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may provide via control signal128a second, e.g., different set of weighting coefficients, to phase shifters114configured to form a local phase adjustment to one or more antenna elements of antenna subarray145, resulting in directing beam147to direction149.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may be utilized by a Transmit (TX) side and a Receive (RX) side to form a plurality of independent directional communication beams between the TX and RX sides. Accordingly, the plurality of directional beams may be utilized for using a plurality of independent paths for communicating a plurality of data streams, e.g., different data streams, thus increasing total throughput.

In some demonstrative embodiments, a plurality of different signals may be communicated via a plurality of beamformed links formed by the plurality of beamformed beams. Each beamformed link, which corresponds to an antenna subarray of the plurality of antenna subarrays, may communicate a signal, for example, via a plurality of antenna elements of the antenna subarray.

For example, a first signal, e.g., signal127, may be communicated via a first beamformed link formed by directional beam137generated by antenna subarray135, and a second, e.g., different signal, for example, signal129, may be communicated via a second beamformed link formed by directional beam147generated by antenna subarray145.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may communicate the MIMO wireless transmission via a plurality of selected independent directional, e.g., spatial, links between device102and104.

For example, wireless communication unit110may select the first beamformed link to communicate the MIMO wireless transmission via directional beam137and the second beamformed link to communicate the MIMO wireless transmission via directional beam147.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the plurality of selected directional links may be selected from a plurality of directional links between devices102and104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, a directional link between devices102and104may be formed by a pair of a TX sector and an RX sector.

For example, device102may perform the functionality of the TX side and device104may perform the functionality of the RX side. A first TX sector of device102may form a first directional link with a first RX sector of device104, a second TX sector of device102may form a second directional link with a second sector RX of device104, a third TX sector of device102may form a third directional link with a third RX sector of device104, and/or another TX sector of device102may form another directional link with another RX sector of device104.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may determine the plurality of directional links during an establishment of wireless communication link103, for example, during a TX and/or RX sector scan between devices102and104.

For example, during the TX and RX sector scan, device102may detect the plurality of directional links, for example, according to a beamforming training procedure.

Reference is now made toFIG. 2, which schematically illustrates a plurality of directional links205between a TX side202and an RX side204in an environment200, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, device102(FIG. 1) may perform the functionality of TX side202, and/or device104(FIG. 1) may perform the functionality of RX side204.

For example, environment200may include a room, RX side204may include a receiver, e.g., a Television (TV) receiver, positioned on a wall of the room, and/or TX side202may include a transmitter, e.g., a video player.

As Shown inFIG. 2, the plurality of directional links205may include N links, e.g., including links211,212,213,214and215, between TX side202and RX side204. For example, a sector, denoted sector #1, of TX side202may form directional link211with a sector, denoted sector #1, of RX side204; a sector, denoted sector #2, of TX side202may form directional link212with a sector, denoted sector #2, of RX side204; a sector, denoted sector #3, of TX side202may form directional link213with a sector, denoted sector #3, of RX side204; a sector, denoted sector #4, of TX side202may form directional link215with a sector, denoted sector #4, of RX side204; and/or a sector, denoted sector #N, of TX side202may form directional link215with a sector, denoted sector #N, of RX side204.

In some demonstrative embodiments, directional links205may be determined during a sector scan performed between TX side202and RX side204, e.g., according to the WGA Specifications or any other Specification.

Referring back toFIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, diversity processing techniques, e.g., the MIMO processing techniques, may require reliable algorithms for selection and/or tracking of two or more directional links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may be configured to select the plurality of directional links for performing the beamformed diversity communication.

In one example, controller122may select directional links212and213(FIG. 2) for performing the MIMO communication. In another example, controller122may select any other directional links of the N directional links205(FIG. 2) for performing the MIMO communication.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may perform a MIMO final beam combining procedure configured to select two or more directional links, for example, to be formed by two or more pairs of sectors, e.g., an RX sector and a TX sector. For example, wireless communication unit110may select more than one pair of TX and RX sectors.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may select the selected directional links from a plurality of available links, e.g., the N directional links205(FIG. 2), based on at least one predefined selected criterion.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the selection criterion may be configured to relate to one or more predefined properties of wireless communication link103, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may select the plurality of directional links, which may provide significant signal power at the RX side.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may select the plurality of directional links, which may be mutually uncorrelated, for example, such that each directional link may be required to come from a different direction, be reflected from different objects, have a different angle of arrival and/or departure, and the like. For example, controller122may select directional links, e.g., directional links211and215(FIG. 2), which are coming from different directions, for example, directional link211(FIG. 2) is reflected from a ceiling of environment200(FIG. 2) and directional link215is reflected from a floor of environment200(FIG. 2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, the number of the selected directional links may be equal to or greater than the smallest of the number of TX and RX RF chains of the TX and RX sides, and equal to or lesser than the greatest of the number of TX and RX RF chains of the TX and RX sides.

In one example, the number of the selected directional links may be equal to or greater than one and equal to or lesser than two, e.g., if device102includes two RF chains, e.g., RF chains130and140, and device104includes a single RF chain. Accordingly, the beamformed diversity communication may include a MISO or SIMO communication.

In another example, the number of the selected directional links may be equal to or greater than two and equal to or lesser than four, e.g., if device102includes two RF chains, e.g., RF chains130and140, and device104includes four RF chains. Accordingly, the beamformed diversity communication may include a MIMO communication.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may select the selected directional links based on at least one predefined selection metric.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may control the plurality of antenna subarrays to form the plurality of directional beams for communicating the MIMO wireless transmission over the plurality of selected directional links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may control antenna subarrays135and/or145based on the directions of the selected plurality of directional links.

In one example, controller122may select directional beams213and215(FIG. 2) of the N directional beams205(FIG. 2) based on the predefined selection metric. Controller122may control antenna subarray135to form directional beam137directed in direction139, which is directed to a direction of directional link213(FIG. 2), and antenna subarray145to form directional beam147directed in direction149, which is directed to a direction of directional link214(FIG. 2), for communicating the MIMO wireless transmission over directional links213and214(FIG. 2).

For example, controller122may control antenna subarray135to steer directional beam137to a direction of directional link213(FIG. 2), e.g., if directional link213(FIG. 2) is selected for communicating the MIMO wireless transmission, and controller122may control antenna subarray145to steer directional beam147to a direction of directional link214(FIG. 2), e.g., if directional link214(FIG. 2) is selected for communicating the MIMO wireless transmission.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the selection metric may include a channel capacity metric, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may determine the selection metric with respect to a particular directional link based on a channel matrix corresponding to the particular link and a number of transmit antenna arrays, e.g., as described below.

In one embodiment, a MIMO channel capacity metric may be defined, for example, to increase, e.g., maximize, system throughput.

In one example, the channel capacity metric may be determined with respect to a directional link, e.g., as follows:

C=log2⁢det⁡[I+1σ2⁢Nt⁢HHH](1)
wherein C denotes the channel capacity metric corresponding to the directional link, σ2denotes an additive noise power, H denotes a channel matrix corresponding to the directional link, I denotes the identity matrix, and Ntdenotes the number of transmit antenna subarrays.

For example, the dimensions of the matrix H may be based on the number of RF chains in the TX side and RX side.

In some demonstrative embodiments, elements of the channel matrix H may be obtained, for example, by channel measurements for combinations, e.g., every combination, of TX side and RX side sector pairs. The channel capacity metric C may be determined, e.g., according to Equation 1, with respect to each sector pair. Two or more pairs, e.g., the pairs, which maximize the channel capacity metric C, may be selected for multi-beam MIMO communication.

For example, controller122may determine the channel capacity metric C for each of the N directional links205(FIG. 2), e.g., based on Equation 1. For example, the matrix H may include a channel matrix of a directional link of N directional links205(FIG. 2), and the number Ntmay be equal to two, e.g., if two transmit antenna subarrays, e.g., antenna subarrays135and145, are used.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may determine the selection metric with respect to a particular directional link based on a combination of a plurality of Signal-to-Interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) values corresponding to a plurality of received diversity streams, for example, MIMO streams, of the particular directional link, e.g., as described below.

In one example, a specific MIMO receiver scheme may be assumed for selection of the optimal combination of directional links. For example, in case of a minimum mean square error (MMSE) receiver scheme, the SINR for a k-th directional link may be calculated, e.g., as follows:

The SINR per the directional link my be utilized, for example, to compute the selection metric per a total system throughput, e.g., as follows:

For example, the SINR for each one of the N directional links205(FIG. 2) may be calculated. Controller122may select two directional links, e.g., directional links211and213(FIG. 2), providing the maximal selection metric C according to Equation 3.

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may determine an SINR value of the SINR values based on an effective channel after performing Space-Block-Code processing, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the matrix H defining the channel between the TX and RX sector pair may also account for additional space-time processing, e.g., the MIMO scheme, which may be performed at the transmitter and/or receiver, e.g., in baseband150. In one example, baseband150may perform space-time block coding processing of the MIMO wireless transmission.

In one example, the channel matrix H may be considered as an effective channel after performing the space-time block coding in baseband150. For example, if utilizing an Alamouti coding scheme, the SINR for the throughput calculation described above may be obtained, e.g., as follows:

In some demonstrative embodiments, the selection metric may be defined, for example, to improve system robustness.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the selection metric may be based on differences in angles of arrival and/or differences in angles of departure, e.g., as described below.

In one example, sectors with maximal differences in angles of arrival, e.g., at the RX side, and/or angles of departure, e.g., at the TX side, may be selected for communication, e.g., to overcome possible ray blockage, e.g., human blockage.

For example, controller122may select directional beams211and215(FIG. 2) for communicating the MIMO wireless communication, e.g., since a difference in angles of departure and angles of arrival between directional beams211and215(FIG. 2) is maximal with respect to other combination of directional links of the N directional links205(FIG. 2).

In some demonstrative embodiments, controller122may utilize any other intelligent algorithms to support a robust mode, such as discovery and usage of directional links reflected from the room ceiling, e.g., directional link211(FIG. 2).

In other embodiments, any other suitable selection metric may be defined. For example, instead of a logarithm function, a mutual information function for the specific modulation scheme, e.g., that meets target packet error rate requirements, may be utilized in the selection of the optimal combination of directional links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may use one or more feedback mechanisms to communicate information (“beam selection information”) between the TX and RX sides, e.g., to support the beam selection procedures described herein. For example, wireless communication unit110may communicate with device104the beam selection information to support the selection of the directional links.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the beam selection information may be communicated as part of a channel measurement feedback element. In one example, the beam selection information may be communicated as part of one or more dedicated fields of a channel measurement feedback element, e.g., as described below.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the channel measurement feedback element may be transmitted by a STA, e.g., the Tx side or the Rx side. The channel measurement feedback element may be transmitted by the STA, e.g., in response to a beam refinement packet containing a channel measurement request.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the channel measurement feedback element may include a plurality of measurements corresponding to a plurality of sector identifiers.

For example, the channel measurement feedback may include a first sector identifier identifying a first sector of an antenna subarray, and a plurality of measurements corresponding to the first sector.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the channel measurement feedback element may include the channel measurement feedback data measured with respect to the channel measurement request. For example, the channel measurement feedback element may represent measurement feedback data, which may be measured on TRN-T fields of a Beam Refinement packet that includes the channel measurement request.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the channel measurement feedback element may provide, for example, a list of sectors identified by wireless communication unit110during a sector scan. The format and size of the channel measurement feedback element may be defined by parameter values specified in an accompanying beam refinement element.

In some demonstrative embodiments, an information element of the channel measurement feedback element may be used to provide the SINR and/or channel taps, e.g., channel impulse response, for a set of selected sectors.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the channel measurement feedback element may be configured to provide information about the particular antenna subarrays, in which measurements are performed.

In some demonstrative embodiments, a new field may be added to information elements, which may be communicated during the measurements, specifying the particular antenna subarray for which measurements are performed, e.g., as described below.

For example, a beam refinement element, e.g., DMG Beam Refinement element, may include a field, e.g., an “array index” field, to include an identifier of the particular antenna subarray for which information about the antenna subarray is provided, for example, if the device has more than one antenna subarray, e.g., as described below with reference toFIG. 3.

Reference is made toFIG. 3, which schematically illustrates a beam refinement element300, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 3, beam refinement element300may include a reserved field302, e.g., including five bits or any other number of bits. Reserved field302may include an identifier of an antenna subarray for which information about the antenna subarray is provided in beam refinement element300.

As shown inFIG. 3, the identifier may be of a size of three bits, e.g., capable of representing up to eight antenna subarrays in binary notation. For example, antenna subarray135(FIG. 1) may be represented by the binary notation “001”, and antenna subarray145(FIG. 1) may be represented by the binary notation “010”, or any other notation.

Referring back toFIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may communicate a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of a particular antenna subarray, and one or more measurements corresponding to the particular antenna subarray.

For example, wireless communication unit110may communicate the channel measurement feedback element, e.g., beam refinement element300(FIG. 3), in response to a channel measurement request transmitted from device104. The channel measurement feedback element may include an identifier, e.g., in field302(FIG. 3), of an antenna subarray, e.g., antenna subarray135and/or145, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray identified by field302(FIG. 3).

In another demonstrative embodiment, the enumeration and meaning of a “sector” may be extended, e.g., redefined, such that the sector number simultaneously identifies the sector index and antenna subarray index. For example, sectors 1:64 may be defined to correspond to antenna subarray135(FIG. 1), sectors 65-128 may be defined to correspond to antenna subarray145(FIG. 1), and the like.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the extended definition of the sector may require an increased number of bits for identifying a sector, e.g., eight bits to enable identifying sectors of up to eight subarrays. For example, a Channel Measurement Feedback element may include an ID beam field of a size of up to eight bits.

Reference is now made toFIG. 4, which schematically illustrates a channel measurement feedback element400, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may communicate channel measurement feedback element400, e.g., in response to a channel measurement request transmitted from device104(FIG. 1).

As shown inFIG. 4, channel measurement feedback element400may include subfields, e.g., subfields402,404,406and/or408, including information elements of the channel measurement feedback element400.

As shown inFIG. 4, subfield402may provide the SINR measured on the TRN-T fields, subfield404may provide the channel measurement, measured on the TRN-T fields, subfield406may provide the TAP delay of the sectors, and subfield408may include identifier of a sector ID to which the information of subfields402,404and406relates.

In some demonstrative embodiments, subfield408may be defined, such that the sector number simultaneously identifies the sector index and antenna array index, e.g., as described above with reference to the ID beam field. Accordingly, a size409of a sector ID field may be increased from six bits to eight bits.

Referring back toFIG. 1, in some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit110may communicate the channel measurement feedback element, in response to a channel measurement request transmitted from device104. The channel measurement feedback element may include a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying a particular antenna subarray and a particular sector corresponding to the particular antenna subarray. Fields402,404and/or406(FIG. 4) may include measurements performed with respect to the sectors of subarray135and145identified in subfield408(FIG. 4).

For example, wireless communication unit110may communicate the channel measurement feedback element including a first plurality of sector identifiers, for example, a first portion of subfield408(FIG. 4), identifying one or more sectors of antenna subarray135, e.g., a first sector identifier identifying a first sector of antenna subarray135, a second sector identifier identifying a second sector of antenna subarray135and one or more sector identifiers identifying one or more additional sectors of antenna subarray135; and a second plurality of sector identifiers, for example, a second portion of subfield408(FIG. 4), indentifying one or more sectors of antenna subarray145, e.g., a first sector identifier identifying a first sector of antenna subarray145, a second sector identifier identifying a second sector of antenna subarray145and one or more sector identifiers identifying one or more additional sectors of antenna subarray145. Fields402,404and/or406(FIG. 4) may include measurements performed with respect to the sectors of subarray135and145identified in subfield408(FIG. 4).

In some demonstrative embodiments, flexible division of a large multi-element antenna array into several subarrays may be performed. To support such flexible subarray configurations, the information about the used configuration and about the number of antenna elements in each subarray may also be included in the feedback, e.g. in a separate information element.

Reference is made toFIG. 5, which schematically illustrates a method of beam selection for MIMO beamformed communication, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more of the operations of the method ofFIG. 5may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system100(FIG. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., device102(FIG. 1); a baseband, e.g., baseband150(FIG. 1); a controller, e.g., controller122(FIG. 1), and/or a wireless communication unit, e.g., wireless communication units110and or120(FIG. 1).

As indicated at block500, the method may include initializing TX and RX parameters. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may initialize TX and RX parameters of devices102and/or104(FIG. 1).

As indicated at block501, initializing the TX and RX parameters may include initializing TX parameters. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may obtain a number of antenna subarrays of device102(FIG. 1) and a set of sectors of device102(FIG. 1) to perform sector scanning, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block502, initializing the TX and RX parameters may include initializing RX parameters. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may obtain a number of antenna subarrays of device104(FIG. 1) and a set of sectors of device104(FIG. 1) to perform sector scanning, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block510, the method may include measuring beamforming parameters. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may measure beamforming parameters of a plurality of directional links between devices102(FIG. 1) and 104(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block511, measuring the beamforming parameters may include performing a TX sector scan. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may perform a TX sector scan to detect the plurality of directional links, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block512, measuring the beamforming parameters may include performing an RX sector scan. For example, wireless communication unit120(FIG. 1) may perform an RX sector scan to detect the plurality of the directional links, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block513, measuring the beamforming parameters may include performing TX-RX beam combining. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may perform TX-RX beam combining, e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the TX-RX combining may provide a plurality of pairs of the TX-RX sectors, with measured channel impulse response for each pair.

As indicated at block520, the method may include determining a MIMO beamformed scheme. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may determine the MIMO beamformed scheme for communicating between devices102and104(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block521, determining the MIMO beamformed scheme may include calculating a selection metric for each pair of TX-RX sectors. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may calculate the selection metric, e.g., the selection metric C, for each pair of the N directional links205(FIG. 2), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block522, determining the MIMO beamformed scheme may include selecting a pair of directional links. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may select directional beams211and215(FIG. 2) based on the selection metric, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block523, determining the MIMO beamformed scheme may include calculating an optimal MIMO mode and parameters for the selected directional links. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may calculate the weighting coefficients to be applied at baseband and/or RF processing, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block530, the method may include configuring the MIMO beamformed scheme. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may configure the MIMO beamformed scheme of wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block531, configuring the MIMO beamformed scheme may include selecting a MIMO mode. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may select the MIMO processing mode at baseband150, e.g., OL, CL, SBC and the like, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block532, configuring the MIMO beamformed scheme may include determining phases for the phase shifters for RF processing. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may determine phases to be applied by phase shifters115and/or114(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block533, configuring the MIMO beamformed scheme may include determining baseband weighting coefficients for baseband MIMO processing. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may determine weighting coefficients for MIMO processing at baseband150(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

Reference is made toFIG. 6, which schematically illustrates a method of beamformed diversity wireless communication, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more of the operations of the method ofFIG. 6may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system100(FIG. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., devices102and/or104(FIG. 1); a baseband, e.g., baseband150(FIG. 1); a controller, e.g., controller122(FIG. 1), and/or a wireless communication unit, e.g., wireless communication units110and/or120(FIG. 1).

As indicated at block602, the method may include selecting a plurality of directional links for beamformed diversity communication between a Transmitter (Tx) station and a Receiver (Rx) station, based on at least one predefined selection metric. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may select the plurality of directional links for MIMO communication between devices102(FIG. 1) and 104(FIG. 1), based on the selection metric C, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block604, the method may include controlling a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission via the plurality of selected directional links. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may controller122(FIG. 1) may control antenna subarrays135and145(FIG. 1) to form directional beams137and147(FIG. 1) for communicating the MIMO wireless transmission via the plurality of selected directional links, e.g., as described above.

In some demonstrative embodiments, the directional links may be selected based on channel measurement feedback communicated between the TX and Rx sides.

As indicated at block605, the method may include communicating a channel measurement feedback element. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may communicate the channel measurement feedback element to device104(FIG. 1), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block606, the method may include communicating the channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of a particular antenna subarray and one or more measurements corresponding to the particular antenna subarray. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may communicate beam refinement element300(FIG. 3) including field302(FIG. 3) representing an antenna subarray of antenna subarrays135and145(FIG. 1), and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray indentified by field302(FIG. 3), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block608, the method may include communicating the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, and a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers. For example, wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1) may communicate channel measurement feedback element400(FIG. 4) including plurality of sector identifiers, e.g., in subfield408, and a plurality of measurements, for example, in subfields402,404and408(FIG. 4), corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block610, the method may include selecting the plurality of directional links for the beamformed diversity communication based on a channel capacity metric. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may select the plurality of directional links for MIMO communication between devices102(FIG. 1) and 104(FIG. 1), based on the channel capacity metric, e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block612, the method may include selecting the plurality of directional links for the beamformed diversity communication based on differences in angles of arrival and/or differences in angles of departure. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may select the plurality of directional links for MIMO communication between devices102(FIG. 1) and 104(FIG. 1), based on differences in angles of arrival or differences in angles of departure of the N directional links205(FIG. 2), e.g., as described above.

As indicated at block612, the method may include selecting the plurality of directional links for the beamformed diversity communication based on a combination of a plurality of SINR values corresponding to a plurality of received diversity streams. For example, controller122(FIG. 1) may select the plurality of directional links for MIMO communication between devices102(FIG. 1) and 104(FIG. 1), based on a combination of a plurality of SINR values of a particular directional link of the N directional links205(FIG. 2) corresponding to a plurality of received MIMO streams of the particular directional link, e.g., as described above.

Reference is made toFIG. 7, which schematically illustrates a product of manufacture700, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Product700may include a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium702to store logic704, which may be used, for example, to perform at least part of the functionality of device102(FIG. 1), device104(FIG. 1), wireless communication unit110(FIG. 1), wireless communication unit120(FIG. 1), and/or controller122(FIG. 1) and/or to perform one or more operations of the methods ofFIG. 5andFIG. 6. The phrase “non-transitory machine-readable medium” is directed to include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal.

EXAMPLES

The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

Example 1 is an apparatus comprising a controller to control a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over a plurality of selected directional links, which are selected based on at least one predefined selection metric.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1 and optionally, wherein the selection metric comprises a channel capacity metric.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 1 or 2 and optionally, wherein the selection metric is based on differences in angles of arrival, differences in angles of departure, or a combination thereof.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-3 and optionally, wherein the controller is to determine the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a channel matrix corresponding to the link and a number of transmit antenna subarrays.

Example 5 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-4 and optionally, wherein the controller is to determine the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a combination of a plurality of Signal-to-Interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) values corresponding to a plurality of received streams of the directional link.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 5 and optionally, wherein the controller is to determine an SINR value of the SINR values based on an effective channel after performing Space-Block-Code processing.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-6 and optionally, wherein the controller is to communicate a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of Example 7 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of Example 8 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 7 and optionally, wherein the controller is to communicate the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of Example 10 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 12 includes the subject matter of Example 11 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12 and optionally, wherein each of the directional links is formed by a pair of a transmit (Tx) sector and a Receive (Rx) sector.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-13 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-14 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-15 and optionally, wherein the wireless transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 17 includes apparatus of wireless communication, the apparatus comprising a controller to control a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a wireless beamformed transmission, the controller is to communicate a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray of the antenna subarrays, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of Example 17 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of Example 18 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of Example 17 and optionally, wherein the controller is to communicate the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 21 includes the subject matter of Example 20 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of Example 21 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 17-22 and optionally, wherein the controller is to control the plurality of antenna subarrays to form the plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over the plurality of directional beams.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of Example 23 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 25 includes the subject matter of Example 23 or 24 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of directional links.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 17-25 and optionally, wherein the wireless beamformed transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 27 includes a system of wireless communication, the system comprising at least one wireless communication device to communicate a beamformed diversity wireless transmission, the wireless communication device comprising one or more antenna arrays controllable as a plurality of antenna subarrays; a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains coupled to the plurality of antenna subarrays; and a controller to control the plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating the beamformed diversity wireless transmission over a plurality of selected directional links, which are selected based on at least one predefined selection metric.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 27 and optionally, wherein the selection metric comprises a channel capacity metric.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of Example 27 or 28 and optionally, wherein the selection metric is based on differences in angles of arrival, differences in angles of departure, or a combination thereof.

The system of any one of claims27-29, wherein the controller is to determine the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a channel matrix corresponding to the link and a number of transmit antenna subarrays.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-30 and optionally, wherein the controller is to determine the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a combination of a plurality of Signal-to-Interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) values corresponding to a plurality of received streams of the directional link.

Example 32 includes the subject matter of Example 31 and optionally, wherein the controller is to determine an SINR value of the SINR values based on an effective channel after performing Space-Block-Code processing.

Example 33 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-32 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication device is to communicate a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 33 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of Example 34 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 36 includes the subject matter of Example 33 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication device is to communicate the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 37 includes the subject matter of Example 36 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of Example 37 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-38 and optionally, wherein each of the directional links is formed by a pair of a transmit (Tx) sector and a Receive (Rx) sector.

Example 40 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-39 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of another wireless communication device.

Example 41 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-40 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 42 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 27-41 and optionally, wherein the wireless transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 43 includes a system of wireless communication, the system comprising at least one wireless communication device comprising: one or more antenna arrays controllable as a plurality of antenna subarrays; a plurality of Radio Frequency (RF) chains coupled to the plurality of antenna subarrays; and a controller to control the plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a wireless beamformed transmission, the wireless communication device is to communicate a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray of the antenna subarrays, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 44 includes the subject matter of Example 43 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 44 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 46 includes the subject matter of Example 43 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication device is to communicate the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 47 includes the subject matter of Example 46 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 47 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 49 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-48 and optionally, wherein the controller is to control the plurality of antenna subarrays to form the plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over the plurality of directional beams.

Example 50 includes the subject matter of Example 49 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of another wireless communication device.

Example 51 includes the subject matter of Example 49 or 50 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of directional links.

Example 52 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-51 and optionally, wherein the wireless beamformed transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 53 includes a method of wireless communication, the method comprising: selecting a plurality of directional links for beamformed diversity wireless communication between a Transmitter (Tx) station and a Receiver (Rx) station, based on at least one predefined selection metric; and controlling a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission via the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 54 includes the subject matter of Example 53 and optionally, wherein the selection metric comprises a channel capacity metric.

Example 55 includes the subject matter of Example 53 or 54 and optionally, wherein the selection metric is based on differences in angles of arrival, differences in angles of departure, or a combination thereof.

Example 56 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-55 and optionally, comprising determining the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a channel matrix corresponding to the link and a number of transmit antenna subarrays.

Example 57 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-56 and optionally, comprising determining the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a combination of a plurality of Signal-to-Interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) values corresponding to a plurality of received streams of the directional link.

Example 58 includes the subject matter of Example 57 and optionally, comprising determining an SINR value of the SINR values based on an effective channel after performing Space-Block-Code processing.

Example 59 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-58 and optionally, comprising communicating a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 60 includes the subject matter of Example 59 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 61 includes the subject matter of Example 60 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 62 includes the subject matter of Example 59 and optionally, comprising communicating the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 63 includes the subject matter of Example 62 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 64 includes the subject matter of Example 63 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 65 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-64 and optionally, wherein each of the directional links is formed by a pair of a transmit (Tx) sector and a Receive (Rx) sector.

Example 66 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-65 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 67 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-66 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 68 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 53-67 and optionally, wherein the wireless transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 69 includes a method of wireless communication, the method comprising: controlling a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a wireless beamformed transmission; and communicating a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray of the antenna subarrays, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 70 includes the subject matter of Example 69 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 71 includes the subject matter of Example 70 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 72 includes the subject matter of Example 69 and optionally, comprising communicating the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 73 includes the subject matter of Example 62 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 74 includes the subject matter of Example 73 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 75 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 69-74 and optionally, comprising controlling the plurality of antenna subarrays to form the plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over the plurality of directional beams.

Example 76 includes the subject matter of Example 75 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 77 includes the subject matter of Example 75 or 76 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of directional links.

Example 78 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 69-77 and optionally, wherein the wireless beamformed transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 79 includes a product including a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a machine, result in selecting a plurality of directional links for beamformed diversity wireless communication between a Transmitter (Tx) station and a Receiver (Rx) station, based on at least one predefined selection metric; and controlling a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission via the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 80 includes the subject matter of Example 79 and optionally, wherein the selection metric comprises a channel capacity metric.

Example 81 includes the subject matter of Example 79 or 80 and optionally, wherein the selection metric is based on differences in angles of arrival, differences in angles of departure, or a combination thereof.

Example 82 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 79-81 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in determining the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a channel matrix corresponding to the link and a number of transmit antenna subarrays.

Example 83 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 79-82 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in determining the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a combination of a plurality of Signal-to-Interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) values corresponding to a plurality of received streams of the directional link.

Example 84 includes the subject matter of Example 83 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in determining an SINR value of the SINR values based on an effective channel after performing Space-Block-Code processing.

Example 85 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 79-84 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in communicating a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 86 includes the subject matter of Example 85 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 87 includes the subject matter of Example 86 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 88 includes the subject matter of Example 85 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in communicating the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 89 includes the subject matter of Example 88 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 90 includes the subject matter of Example 89 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 91 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 79-90 and optionally, wherein each of the directional links is formed by a pair of a transmit (Tx) sector and a Receive (Rx) sector.

Example 92 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 79-91 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 93 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 79-92 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 94 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 79-93 and optionally, wherein the wireless transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 95 includes a product including a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a machine, result in controlling a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a wireless beamformed transmission; and communicating a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray of the antenna subarrays, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 96 includes the subject matter of Example 95 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 97 includes the subject matter of Example 96 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 98 includes the subject matter of Example 95 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in communicating the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 99 includes the subject matter of Example 98 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 100 includes the subject matter of Example 99 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 101 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 95-100 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in controlling the plurality of antenna subarrays to form the plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over the plurality of directional beams.

Example 102 includes the subject matter of Example 101 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 103 includes the subject matter of Example 101 or 102 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of directional links.

Example 104 includes the subject matter of any one of Example 95-103 and optionally, wherein the wireless beamformed transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 105 includes an apparatus of wireless communication, the apparatus comprising means for selecting a plurality of directional links for beamformed diversity wireless communication between a Transmitter (Tx) station and a Receiver (Rx) station, based on at least one predefined selection metric; and means for controlling a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission via the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 106 includes the subject matter of Example 105 and optionally, wherein the selection metric comprises a channel capacity metric.

Example 107 includes the subject matter of Example 105 or 106 and optionally, wherein the selection metric is based on differences in angles of arrival, differences in angles of departure, or a combination thereof.

Example 108 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 105-107 and optionally, comprising means for determining the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a channel matrix corresponding to the link and a number of transmit antenna subarrays.

Example 109 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 105-108 and optionally, comprising means for determining the selection metric with respect to a directional link based on a combination of a plurality of Signal-to-Interference-plus-noise-ratio (SINR) values corresponding to a plurality of received streams of the directional link.

Example 110 includes the subject matter of Example 109 and optionally, comprising means for determining an SINR value of the SINR values based on an effective channel after performing Space-Block-Code processing.

Example 111 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 105-110 and optionally, comprising means for communicating a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 112 includes the subject matter of Example 111 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 113 includes the subject matter of Example 112 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 114 includes the subject matter of Example 111 and optionally, comprising means for communicating the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 115 includes the subject matter of Example 114 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 116 includes the subject matter of Example 115 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 117 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 105-116 and optionally, wherein each of the directional links is formed by a pair of a transmit (Tx) sector and a Receive (Rx) sector.

Example 118 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 105-117 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 119 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 105-118 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of selected directional links.

Example 120 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 105-119 and optionally, wherein the wireless transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.

Example 121 includes an apparatus of wireless communication, the apparatus comprising means for controlling a plurality of antenna subarrays to form a plurality of directional beams for communicating a wireless beamformed transmission; and means for communicating a channel measurement feedback element including an identifier of an antenna subarray of the antenna subarrays, and one or more measurements corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 122 includes the subject matter of Example 121 and optionally, wherein the channel measurement feedback element comprises a beam refinement element, and wherein the identifier is included in a field of the beam refinement element.

Example 123 includes the subject matter of Example 122 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a three-bit identifier.

Example 124 includes the subject matter of Example 121 and optionally, comprising means for communicating the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of sector identifiers, each sector identifier identifying an antenna subarray and a sector corresponding to the antenna subarray, the channel measurement feedback element including a plurality of measurements corresponding to the plurality of sector identifiers.

Example 125 includes the subject matter of Example 124 and optionally, wherein the identifier comprises a sector number representing the sector corresponding to the antenna subarray.

Example 126 includes the subject matter of Example 125 and optionally, wherein the sector number comprises an 8-bit number.

Example 127 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 121-126 and optionally, comprising means for controlling the plurality of antenna subarrays to form the plurality of directional beams for communicating a beamformed diversity wireless transmission over the plurality of directional beams.

Example 128 includes the subject matter of Example 127 and optionally, wherein the plurality of directional links comprise a plurality of beamformed links between the antenna subarrays and one or more antenna subarrays of a wireless communication device.

Example 129 includes the subject matter of Example 127 or 128 and optionally, wherein the beamformed diversity wireless transmission comprises a multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) wireless transmission over the plurality of directional links.

Example 130 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 121-129 and optionally, wherein the wireless beamformed transmission comprises a transmission over a millimeter wave (mmWave) channel, or a directional multi-gigabit (DMG) channel.