Puncturing Pattern Based Control of OFDM Transmissions

Abstract

A wireless transmitter (10, 11) transmits user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units. Based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, the wireless transmitter (10, 11) modulates a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly modulates the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units. The mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units.

Claims

1-33. (canceled)

34. The method of controlling wireless transmissions in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: a wireless transmitter transmitting user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; and based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, the wireless transmitter modulating a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly modulating the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units; wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units to mute one or more of the resource units.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is configured to prevent that both the first resource unit and the second resource unit are subject to puncturing.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on information indicating at least one of: allowed puncturing patterns; forbidden puncturing patterns; and interference levels on the resource units.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein at least a part of the information indicating is preconfigured in the wireless transmitter.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the multiple resource units are allocated to different users.

39. The method of claim 34, wherein the wireless transmitter is an access point of the wireless communication system.

40. The method of claim 34, wherein the wireless transmitter is a wireless device in communication with an access point of the wireless communication system.

41. The method of claim 34, wherein the wireless communication system is based on a Wireless Local Area Network technology according to the IEEE 802.11 standards family.

42. A method of controlling wireless transmissions in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: a wireless receiver receiving user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; and based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, the wireless receiver demodulating a symbol of the user data from a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly demodulating the symbol from a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units; wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units to mute one or more of the resource units.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is configured to prevent that both the first resource unit and the second resource unit are subject to puncturing.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on information indicating at least one of: allowed puncturing patterns; forbidden puncturing patterns; and interference levels on the resource units.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein at least a part of the information indicating the allowed puncturing patterns is preconfigured in the wireless receiver.

46. The method of claim 42, wherein the said demodulating of the symbol from the first set of subcarriers and redundantly modulating the symbol from the second set of subcarriers is based on Dual Carrier Modulation.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the multiple resource units are allocated to different users.

48. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless receiver is an access point of the wireless communication system.

49. The method of claim 42, wherein the wireless receiver is a wireless device in communication with an access point of the wireless communication system.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the wireless communication system is based on a Wireless Local Area Network technology according to the IEEE 802.11 standards family.

51. A wireless transmitter for a wireless communication system, the wireless transmitter comprising: at least one processor; and a memory containing program code executable by the at least one processor; wherein execution of the program code by the at least one processor causes the wireless transmitter to: transmit user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; and based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, modulate a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly modulate the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units; wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units to mute one or more of the resource units.

52. A wireless receiver for a wireless communication system, the wireless receiver comprising: at least one processor; and a memory containing program code executable by the at least one processor; wherein execution of the program code by the at least one processor (1450) causes the wireless transmitter to: receive user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; and based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, demodulate a symbol of the user data from a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly demodulate the symbol from a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units; wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units to mute one or more of the resource units.

53. A system, comprising: a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver; the wireless transmitter being configured to: transmit user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units, and based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, modulate a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly modulate the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units; wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units to mute one or more of the resource units; the wireless receiver being configured to: based on the mapping of the user data to the resource units, demodulate the symbol of the user data from the first set of subcarriers and redundantly demodulate the symbol from the second set of subcarriers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of preamble puncturing.

[0018] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of DCM.

[0019] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a wireless communication system according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a transmitter architecture according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a receiver architecture according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of allowed puncturing patterns.

[0023] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of multi-RU DCM according to an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a further example of multi-RU DCM according to an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an example of processes according to an embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart for schematically illustrating a method according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram for schematically illustrating functionalities of a wireless transmitter according to an embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for schematically illustrating a further method according to a further embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram for schematically illustrating a wireless receiver according to an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 14 schematically illustrates structures of a wireless transmitter according to an embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 15 schematically illustrates structures of a wireless receiver according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following, concepts in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments relate to controlling of OFDM based wireless transmissions in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) system based on a IEEE 802.11 technology, i.e., according to the IEEE 802.11 standards family. However, it is noted that the illustrated concepts could also be applied to other wireless communication technologies, e.g., to the LTE (Long Term Evolution) or NR (New Radio) technology specified by 3GPP (3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project). The wireless transmissions are from a wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver. By way of example, the wireless transmitter could be an access point (AP) of the wireless communication system and the wireless receiver a station (STA) associated with the AP. Alternatively, the wireless receiver could be an AP of the wireless communication system and the wireless transmitter a STA associated with the AP. In some scenarios, the same device could act both as a wireless transmitter a wireless receiver, e.g., an AP or STA engaged in bidirectional wireless transmissions.

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system according to an embodiment. In the illustrated example, the wireless communication system includes multiple APs 10, in the illustrated example referred to as AP1, AP2, AP3, and multiple stations (STAs) 11, in the illustrated example referred to as STA11, STA21, STA22, and STA31. The station STA11 is served by AP1 (in a first BSS denoted as BSS1), the stations STA21 and STA22 are served by AP2 (in a second BSS denoted as BSS2). The station STA31 is served by AP3 (in a third BSS denoted as BSS3). The stations 11 may correspond to various kinds of wireless devices, for example user terminals, such as mobile or stationary computing devices like smartphones, laptop computers, desktop computers, tablet computers, gaming devices, or the like. Further, the stations 11 could for example correspond to other kinds of equipment like smart home devices, printers, multimedia devices, data storage devices, or the like. Each AP 10 may operate as a wireless transmitter, in the case of downlink (DL) transmissions from the AP 10 to a station 11, and/or as a wireless receiver, in the case of uplink (UL) transmissions from the station 11 to the AP 10. Similarly, station 11 may operate as a wireless transmitter, in the case of UL transmissions from the station to an AP 10, and/or as a wireless receiver, in the case of DL transmissions from an AP 10 to the station 11.

[0034] In the example of FIG. 3, each of the stations 11 may connect through a radio link to one of the APs 10. For example depending on location or channel conditions experienced by a given station 11, the station 11 may select an appropriate AP 10 and BSS for establishing the radio link. The radio link may be based on one or more OFDM carriers from a frequency spectrum which is shared on the basis of a contention based mechanism, e.g., an unlicensed band like the 2.4 GHz ISM band, the 5 GHz band, the 6 GHz band, or the 60 GHz band.

[0035] Each AP 10 may provide data connectivity of the stations 11 connected to the AP 10. As further illustrated, the APs 10 may be connected to a data network (DN) 110. In this way, the APs 10 may also provide data connectivity of stations 11 connected to different APs 10. Further, the APs 10 may also provide data connectivity of the stations 11 to other entities, e.g., to one or more servers, service providers, data sources, data sinks, user terminals, or the like. Accordingly, the radio link established between a given station 11 and its serving AP 10 may be used for providing various kinds of services to the station 11, e.g., a voice service, a multimedia service, or other data service. Such services may be based on applications which are executed on the station 11 and/or on a device linked to the station 11. By way of example, FIG. 3 illustrates an application service platform 150 provided in the DN 110. The application(s) executed on the station 11 and/or on one or more other devices linked to the station 11 may use the radio link for data communication with one or more other stations 11 and/or the application service platform 150, thereby enabling utilization of the corresponding service(s) at the station 11.

[0036] In the illustrated concepts, it is assumed that OFDM modulation is utilized for transmissions on a shared wireless medium. A bandwidth of the wireless medium, e.g., in the range of 20 MHz to 320 MHz, is organized in multiple RUs. Each of the RUs includes multiple subcarriers which can be used in the OFDM modulation. The RUs can be allocated to different users. However, in some situations the entire bandwidth, i.e., all RUs, could also be allocated to a single user. For example, the allocation of the bandwidth could be dynamically or semi-statically changed between configurations where the RUs are allocated to two or more different users, and configurations where the RUs are allocated to a single user.

[0037] Based on the OFDM modulation, user data is transmitted from a wireless transmitter to a wireless receiver. For transmitting the user data, the user data may first be encoded, e.g., using an LDPC (Low Density Parity Check Code), to generate a stream or sequence of bits, which is mapped to a first RU and to a second RU. For transmitting the user data, a symbol of the user data is modulated onto a first set of subcarriers of the first RU and redundantly modulated onto a second set of subcarriers of the second RU. The mapping of the user data to the RUs, i.e., the selection of the first RU and the second RU among the available RUs, is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the RUs. The puncturing patterns may be applied by the wireless transmitter to mute certain RUs in response to detecting intermittent interference. Accordingly, the transmission of the user data may utilize DCM, with two copies of code bits generated by DCM being mapped to different RUs. The mapping of user data to the RUs is determined in such a way that, in case of puncturing the RUs, at least one of the copies will not be punctured. In this way, gains from DCM can be used to effectively support preamble puncturing.

[0038] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example architecture of a wireless transmitter, which may be used for implementing the illustrated concepts, e.g., in any of the above-mentioned APs 10 or stations 11. In the example of FIG. 4, the wireless transmitter includes a PHY (Physical layer) entity 410, and a MAC entity 420. The MAC entity 420 provides a PSDU (PHY Service Data Unit) 430 to the PHY entity 410. The PHY entity 410 includes an encoder 411 and a mapper 412. The encoder 411 encodes the PSDU 430 provided by the MAC entity 430, e.g., based on an LDPC code. The mapper 412 maps the code bits provided by the encoder 411 to RUs for modulation of symbols onto subcarriers of the RUs. The operation of the mapper 412 in particular involves mapping of a sequence of code bits to a first set of subcarriers in a first one of the RUs, and mapping a copy of the sequence of code bits to a second set of subcarriers in a second one of the RUs. The sequence of code bits is thus redundantly modulated onto the first set of subcarriers and onto the second set of subcarriers, with the first and second set of subcarriers being in different RUs. The operation of the mapper 412 thus enables DCM using multiple RUs, in the following also referred to as multi-RU DCM. The mapping of the code bits to RUs as applied by the mapper 412 is based on possible puncturing patterns 413, which may be applied to the RUs. For example, the possible puncturing patterns 413 could be preconfigured in the wireless transmitter, e.g., by storing a set of allowed puncturing patterns or a set of forbidden puncturing patterns in a memory of the wireless transmitter.

[0039] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an example architecture of a wireless receiver, which may be used for implementing the illustrated concepts, e.g., in any of the above-mentioned APs 10 or stations 11. In the example of FIG. 5, the wireless receiver includes a PHY entity 510, and a MAC entity 520. The PHY entity 410 includes a demapper 511 and a decoder 512. The demapper 511 demaps the code bits corresponding to symbols demodulated from subcarriers of the RUs. The operation of the demapper 511 in particular involves demapping of a sequence of code bits corresponding to a symbol demodulated from a first set of subcarriers in a first one of the RUs, and demapping a copy of the sequence of code bits corresponding to a symbol demodulated from a second set of subcarriers in a second one of the RUs. In other words, the demapper 511 indentifies that the symbol demodulated from the first set of subcarriers and the symbol demodulated from the second set of subcarriers relate to the same sequence of code bits. The sequence of code bits is thus redundantly demodulated from the first set of subcarriers and from the second set of subcarriers, with the first and second set of subcarriers being in different RUs. The decoder 512 then decodes the redundantly demodulated code bits, e.g., based on an LDPC code. Various methods may be applied for combining the redundantly demodulated symbols. The PHY entity 510 then generates a PSDU 530 from the decoded bits and provides the PSDU to the MAC entity 520. The operation of the demapper 511 thus enables DCM using multiple RUs, i.e., multi-RU DCM, at the receiver side. The mapping of the code bits to RUs as applied by the demapper 511 is based on possible puncturing patterns 513, which may be applied to the RUs. For example, the possible puncturing patterns 513 could be preconfigured in the wireless receiver, e.g., by storing a set of allowed puncturing patterns or a set of forbidden puncturing patterns in a memory of the wireless transmitter.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of allowed puncturing patterns, which constitute a subset of possible puncturing patterns. Puncturing patterns differing from the allowed puncturing patterns may be considered as forbidden. By such limitation to a set of allowed puncturing patterns, complexity issues, arising for example from the need to signal which RUs have been punctured, may be avoided. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the available OFDM bandwidth is separated into four RUs having the same bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The RUs are denoted by RU.sub.1, RU.sub.2, RU.sub.3, and RU.sub.4. The RUs indicated by dashed lines are allowed to be punctured.

[0041] When considering that at most 50% of the total bandwidth is allowed to be punctured, it is always possible to configure the mapping to the RUs in such a way that one full copy of the code bits is mapped to non-punctured RUs. This task may be further simplified if some of the possible puncturing patterns are forbidden, e.g., by specifying a set of allowed puncturing patterns like in the example of FIG. 6 or by specifying a set of forbidden puncturing patterns.

[0042] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an example of multi-RU DCM based on the illustrated concepts. The example of FIG. 7 assumes that the available OFDM bandwidth is separated into four RUs having the same bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The RUs are denoted by RU.sub.1, RU.sub.2, RU.sub.3, and RU.sub.4. The allowed puncturing patterns may correspond to those as shown in FIG. 6. In the illustrated example, the full set of code bits is mapped to RU.sub.1 and RU.sub.4 while DCM is used to repeat, i.e., redundantly modulate, the code bits in RU.sub.2 and RU.sub.3. In this way, it can be ensured that the receiver will get at least one full copy of the code bits, irrespective of whether puncturing is utilized and which puncturing pattern is applied. In the example of FIG. 7, k denotes an index of the subcarriers in RU.sub.1, while m denotes an index of the subcarriers in RU.sub.4. As illustrated, the multi-RU DCM modulates code bits onto a set of subcarriers with index k in RU.sub.1, and generates one copy of the code bits which are modulated onto a set of subcarriers with q(k) in RU.sub.2. Here, q(k) may be equal to k. Similarly, the multi-RU DCM the multi-RU DCM modulates code bits onto a set of subcarriers with index m in RU.sub.4, and generates one copy of the code bits which are modulated onto a set of subcarriers with index q(m) in RU.sub.3. Here, q(m) may be equal to m.

[0043] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a further example of multi-RU DCM based on the illustrated concepts. Similar to the example of FIG. 7, the example of FIG. 8 assumes that the available OFDM bandwidth is separated into four RUs having the same bandwidth, e.g., 20 MHz. The RUs are denoted by RU.sub.1, RU.sub.2, RU.sub.3, and RU.sub.4. The allowed puncturing patterns may correspond to those as shown in FIG. 6. Also in the example of FIG. 8, the full set of code bits is mapped to RU.sub.1 and RU.sub.4 while DCM is used to repeat, i.e., redundantly modulate, the code bits in RU.sub.2 and RU.sub.3. In the example of FIG. 8, k denotes an index of the subcarriers in RU.sub.1, while m denotes an index of the subcarriers in RU.sub.4. As illustrated, the multi-RU DCM modulates code bits onto a set of subcarriers with index k in RU.sub.1, and generates one copy of the code bits which are modulated onto a set of subcarriers with index q(k) in RU.sub.3. Here, q(k) may be equal to k. Similarly, the multi-RU DCM the multi-RU DCM modulates code bits onto a set of subcarriers with index m in RU.sub.4, and generates one copy of the code bits which are modulated onto a set of subcarriers with index q(m) in RU.sub.2. Here, q(m) may be equal to m. In the example of FIG. 8, the RUs to which the copies of the code bits are mapped are non-adjacent, i.e., there is at least one other RU between these RUs. Accordingly, the distance in the frequency domain between copies of the code bits can be increased as compared to the example of FIG. 7, which may yield larger diversity gains in the absence of puncturing.

[0044] FIG. 9 schematically illustrates an example of processes which are based on the above-described concepts. The processes of FIG. 9 involve an AP 10, e.g., corresponding to any of the above-mentioned Aps 10, and a STA 11, e.g., corresponding to any of the above-mentioned STAs 11.

[0045] As illustrated, in the processes of FIG. 9 the AP 10 may receive configuration data 901. The configuration data 901 may dynamically or semi-statically configure the AP 10 with information indicating allowed puncturing patterns, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6. Alternatively or in addition, the configuration data 901 may dynamically or semi-statically configure the AP 10 with information indicating forbidden puncturing patterns. However, it is noted that reception of the configuration data 901 is optional and that at least a part of such information indicating allowed puncturing patterns or forbidden puncturing patterns could also be preconfigured in the AP 10.

[0046] Further, the STA 11 may receive configuration data 902. The configuration data 902 may dynamically or semi-statically configure the STA 11 with information indicating allowed puncturing patterns, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6. Alternatively or in addition, the configuration data 902 may dynamically or semi-statically configure the STA 11 with information indicating forbidden puncturing patterns. However, it is noted that reception of the configuration data 902 is optional and that at least a part of such information indicating allowed puncturing patterns or forbidden puncturing patterns could also be preconfigured in the STA 11.

[0047] As further illustrated, the AP 10 transmits a wireless transmission 903 to the STA 11. The wireless transmission 903 transmits user data using OFDM modulation on the shared wireless medium, which is organized in multiple RUs. This involves that, based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, the AP 10 modulates symbols of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first RU of the RUs and redundantly modulates the symbols onto a second set of subcarriers of a second RU of the RUs. The mapping of the user data to the RUs is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the RUs, such as the above-mentioned allowed or forbidden puncturing patterns.

[0048] Based on the mapping of the user data to the resource units, the STA 11 may then demodulate the symbols of the user data of the wireless transmission 903 from the first set of subcarriers and redundantly demodulates the symbol from the second set of subcarriers.

[0049] As further illustrated, the STA 10 transmits a wireless transmission 904 to the AP 10. The wireless transmission 904 transmits user data using OFDM modulation on the shared wireless medium, which is organized in multiple RUs. This involves that, based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, the STA 11 modulates symbols of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first RU of the RUs and redundantly modulates the symbols onto a second set of subcarriers of a second RU of the RUs. The mapping of the user data to the RUs is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the RUs, such as the above-mentioned allowed or forbidden puncturing patterns.

[0050] Based on the mapping of the user data to the resource units, the AP 10 demodulates the symbol of the user data of the wireless transmission 904 from the first set of subcarriers and redundantly demodulates the symbol from the second set of subcarriers.

[0051] As can be seen, in the example of FIG. 9 the AP 10 acts as a wireless transmitter for the wireless transmission 903, and the STA 11 acts as a wireless receiver for the wireless transmission 903. For the wireless transmission 904, the STA 11 acts as a wireless transmitter and the AP 10 acts as a wireless receiver. It is noted that in variants of the processes either the wireless transmission 903 or the wireless transmission 904 could be omitted.

[0052] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method, which may be utilized for implementing the illustrated concepts. The method of FIG. 10 may be used for implementing the illustrated concepts in a wireless transmitter for operation in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be based on a wireless local area network, WLAN, technology, e.g., according to the IEEE 802.11 standards family. The wireless transmitter may for example correspond to or be part of any of the above APs 10. Alternatively, the wireless transmitter could for example correspond to or be part of any of the above stations 11. In the method of FIG. 10, it assumed that a shared wireless medium, e.g., a carrier from an unlicensed frequency spectrum, is utilized for wireless transmissions based on OFDM modulation. A bandwidth of the shared wireless medium is organized in multiple RUs. The multiple RUs can be allocated to different users, and OFDMA could be used for sharing the wireless medium. However, in some scenarios the RUs could also be allocated to a single user.

[0053] If a processor-based implementation of the wireless transmitter is used, at least some of the steps of the method of FIG. 10 may be performed and/or controlled by one or more processors of the wireless transmitter. Such wireless transmitter may also include a memory storing program code for implementing at least some of the below described functionalities or steps of the method of FIG. 10.

[0054] At step 1010, the wireless transmitter may determine possible puncturing patterns. The puncturing patterns may be applied by the wireless transmitter to mute certain RUs in response to detecting intermittent interference. This may for example be based on information indicating allowed puncturing patterns, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6. At least a part of the information indicating the allowed puncturing patterns can be preconfigured in the wireless transmitter. Alternatively or in addition at least a part of the information indicating the allowed puncturing patterns could be dynamically or semi-statically configured by configuration data provided to the wireless transmitter. Alternatively or in addition, the wireless transmitter may determine the possible puncturing patterns based on information indicating forbidden puncturing patterns. At least a part of the information indicating the forbidden puncturing patterns can be preconfigured in the wireless transmitter. Alternatively or in addition at least a part of the information indicating the forbidden puncturing patterns could be dynamically or semi-statically configured by configuration data provided to the wireless transmitter.

[0055] At step 1020, the wireless transmitter may determine interference levels on the RUs. This may involve that the wireless transmitter performs measurements on the RUs and/or receives information on interference levels on the RUs.

[0056] At step 1030, the wireless transmitter may determine a mapping of user data to the RUs. The mapping is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the RUs, e.g., as determined at step 1010. Further, the mapping may be based on interference levels on the RUs, e.g., as determined at step 1020. By considering the interference levels, it can be taken into account that RUs with high interference level, e.g., with an interference level above a certain threshold have a higher likelihood of being subject to puncturing.

[0057] Accordingly, the method may utilize a mapping of the user data to the RUs, which is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the RUs, in particular on allowed puncturing patterns and/or forbidden puncturing patterns. Further, the mapping may be based on interference levels on the RUs.

[0058] At step 1040, the wireless transmitter transmits the user data on the wireless medium, using OFDM modulation. This involves modulating the user data onto subcarriers of the shared medium in accordance with step 1050.

[0059] At step 1050, the wireless transmitter modulates a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first RU of the RUs and redundantly modulates the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second RU of the RUs, e.g., based on DCM. This is accomplished based on the above mapping of the user data to the RUs. In particular, the mapping determines selection of the first RU and the second RU. The mapping of the user data to the RUs may be configured to prevent that both the first RU and the second RU are subject to puncturing.

[0060] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of an wireless transmitter 1100 which operates according to the method of FIG. 10. The wireless transmitter 1100 may for example correspond to one of above-mentioned APs 10 or stations 11. As illustrated, the wireless transmitter 1100 may optionally be provided with a module 1110 configured to determine possible puncturing patterns, such as explained in connection with step 1010. Further, the wireless transmitter 1100 may optionally be provided with a module 1120 configured to determine interference levels, such as explained in connection with step 1020. Further, the wireless transmitter 1100 may optionally be provided with a module 1130 configured to determine a mapping of user data to RUs, such as explained in connection with step 1030. Further, the wireless transmitter 1100 may be provided with a module 1140 configured to transmit user data, such as explained in connection with step 1040. Further, the wireless transmitter 1100 may be provided with a module 1150 configured to modulate a symbol of the user data to a first set of subcarriers and to a second set of subcarriers, such as explained in connection with step 1050.

[0061] It is noted that the wireless transmitter 1100 may include further modules for implementing other functionalities, such as known functionalities of WLAN AP or WLAN station. Further, it is noted that the modules of the wireless transmitter 1100 do not necessarily represent a hardware structure of the wireless transmitter 1100, but may also correspond to functional elements, e.g., implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0062] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart for illustrating a method, which may be utilized for implementing the illustrated concepts. The method of FIG. 12 may be used for implementing the illustrated concepts in a wireless receiver for operation in a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be based on a wireless local area network, WLAN, technology, e.g., according to the IEEE 802.11 standards family. The wireless receiver may for example correspond to or be part of any of the above APs 10. Alternatively, the wireless receiver could for example correspond to or be part of any of the above stations 11. In the method of FIG. 12, it assumed that a shared wireless medium, e.g., a carrier from an unlicensed frequency spectrum, is utilized for wireless transmissions based on OFDM modulation. A bandwidth of the shared wireless medium is organized in multiple RUs. The multiple RUs can be allocated to different users, and OFDMA could be used for sharing the wireless medium. However, in some scenarios the RUs could also be allocated to a single user.

[0063] If a processor-based implementation of the wireless receiver is used, at least some of the steps of the method of FIG. 12 may be performed and/or controlled by one or more processors of the wireless receiver. Such wireless receiver may also include a memory storing program code for implementing at least some of the below described functionalities or steps of the method of FIG. 12.

[0064] At step 1210, the wireless receiver may determine possible puncturing patterns. This may for example be based on information indicating allowed puncturing patterns, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6. At least a part of the information indicating the allowed puncturing patterns can be preconfigured in the wireless receiver. Alternatively or in addition at least a part of the information indicating the allowed puncturing patterns could be dynamically or semi-statically configured by configuration data provided to the wireless receiver. Alternatively or in addition, the wireless receiver may determine the possible puncturing patterns based on information indicating forbidden puncturing patterns. At least a part of the information indicating the forbidden puncturing patterns can be preconfigured in the wireless receiver. Alternatively or in addition at least a part of the information indicating the forbidden puncturing patterns could be dynamically or semi-statically configured by configuration data provided to the wireless receiver.

[0065] At step 1220, the wireless receiver may determine interference levels on the RUs. This may involve that the wireless receiver performs measurements on the RUs and/or receives information on interference levels on the RUs.

[0066] At step 1230, the wireless receiver may determine a mapping of user data to the RUs. The mapping is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the RUs, e.g., as determined at step 1210. Further, the mapping may be based on interference levels on the RUs, e.g., as determined at step 1220. By considering the interference levels, it can be taken into account that RUs with high interference level, e.g., with an interference level above a certain threshold have a higher likelihood of being subject to puncturing.

[0067] Accordingly, the method may utilize a mapping of the user data to the RUs, which is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the RUs, in particular on allowed puncturing patterns and/or forbidden puncturing patterns. Further, the mapping may be based on interference levels on the RUs.

[0068] At step 1240, the wireless transmitter receives the user data from the wireless medium, using OFDM modulation. This involves demodulating the user data from subcarriers of the shared medium in accordance with step 1250.

[0069] At step 1250, the wireless receiver demodulates a symbol of the user data from a first set of subcarriers of a first RU of the RUs and redundantly demodulates the symbol from a second set of subcarriers of a second RU of the RUs, e.g., based on DCM. This is accomplished based on the above mapping of the user data to the RUs. In particular, the mapping determines selection of the first RU and the second RU. The mapping of the user data to the RUs may be configured to prevent that both the first RU and the second RU are subject to puncturing.

[0070] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram for illustrating functionalities of an wireless receiver 1300 which operates according to the method of FIG. 12. The wireless receiver 1300 may for example correspond to one of above-mentioned APs 10 or stations 11. As illustrated, the wireless receiver 1300 may optionally be provided with a module 1310 configured to determine possible puncturing patterns, such as explained in connection with step 1210. Further, the wireless receiver 1300 may optionally be provided with a module 1320 configured to determine interference levels, such as explained in connection with step 1220. Further, the wireless receiver 1300 may optionally be provided with a module 1330 configured to determine a mapping of user data to RUs, such as explained in connection with step 1230. Further, the wireless receiver 1300 may be provided with a module 1340 configured to receive user data, such as explained in connection with step 1240. Further, the wireless receiver 1300 may be provided with a module 1350 configured to demodulate a symbol of the user data from a first set of subcarriers and from a second set of subcarriers, such as explained in connection with step 1250.

[0071] It is noted that the wireless receiver 1300 may include further modules for implementing other functionalities, such as known functionalities of WLAN AP or WLAN station. Further, it is noted that the modules of the wireless receiver 1300 do not necessarily represent a hardware structure of the wireless receiver 1300, but may also correspond to functional elements, e.g., implemented by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

[0072] It is noted that the functionalities as described in connection with FIGS. 10 to 13 could also be combined. For example, the same AP could operate as a wireless transmitter according to the method of FIG. 10 and as a wireless receiver according to the method of FIG. 12. Similarly, the same station could operate as a wireless transmitter according to the method of FIG. 10 and as a wireless receiver according to the method of FIG. 12. Further, the functionalities as described in connection with FIGS. 10 to 13 could also be combined in a system including a wireless transmitter operating according to the method of FIG. 10 and a wireless receiver operating according to the method of FIG. 12.

[0073] FIG. 14 illustrates a processor-based implementation of a wireless transmitter 1400 which may be used for implementing the above-described concepts. For example, the structures as illustrated in FIG. 14 may be used for implementing the concepts in any of the above-mentioned APs 10 or stations 11.

[0074] As illustrated, the wireless transmitter 1400 includes one or more radio interfaces 1410. The radio interface(s) 1410 may for example be based on a WLAN technology, e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard. However, other wireless technologies could be supported as well, e.g., the LTE technology or the NR technology. The radio interface(s) 1410 may be based on multiple antennas of the wireless transmitter 1400.

[0075] Further, the wireless transmitter 1400 may include one or more processors 1450 coupled to the radio interface(s) 1410 and a memory 1460 coupled to the processor(s) 1450. By way of example, the radio interface(s) 1410, the processor(s) 1450, and the memory 1460 could be coupled by one or more internal bus systems of the access point 1400. The memory 1460 may include a Read-Only-Memory (ROM), e.g., a flash ROM, a Random Access Memory (RAM), e.g., a Dynamic RAM (DRAM) or Static RAM (SRAM), a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, or the like. As illustrated, the memory 1460 may include software 1470 and/or firmware 1480. The memory 1460 may include suitably configured program code to be executed by the processor(s) 1450 so as to implement the above-described functionalities for controlling wireless transmissions, such as explained in connection with FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0076] It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 14 are merely schematic and that the wireless transmitter 1400 may actually include further components which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated, e.g., further interfaces or further processors. Also, it is to be understood that the memory 1460 may include further program code for implementing known functionalities of a WLAN AP or WLAN station. According to some embodiments, also a computer program may be provided for implementing functionalities of the wireless transmitter 1400, e.g., in the form of a physical medium storing the program code and/or other data to be stored in the memory 1460 or by making the program code available for download or by streaming.

[0077] FIG. 15 illustrates a processor-based implementation of a wireless receiver 1500 which may be used for implementing the above-described concepts. For example, the structures as illustrated in FIG. 15 may be used for implementing the concepts in any of the above-mentioned APs 10 or stations 11.

[0078] As illustrated, the wireless receiver 1500 includes one or more radio interfaces 1510. The radio interface(s) 1510 may for example be based on a WLAN technology, e.g., according to an IEEE 802.11 family standard. However, other wireless technologies could be supported as well, e.g., the LTE technology or the NR technology. The radio interface(s) 1510 may be based on multiple antennas of the wireless receiver 1500.

[0079] Further, the wireless receiver 1500 may include one or more processors 1550 coupled to the radio interface(s) 1510 and a memory 1560 coupled to the processor(s) 1550. By way of example, the radio interface(s) 1510, the processor(s) 1550, and the memory 1560 could be coupled by one or more internal bus systems of the access point 1500. The memory 1560 may include a ROM, e.g., a flash ROM, a RAM, e.g., a DRAM or SRAM, a mass storage, e.g., a hard disk or solid state disk, or the like. As illustrated, the memory 1560 may include software 1570 and/or firmware 1580. The memory 1560 may include suitably configured program code to be executed by the processor(s) 1550 so as to implement the above-described functionalities for controlling wireless transmissions, such as explained in connection with FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0080] It is to be understood that the structures as illustrated in FIG. 15 are merely schematic and that the wireless receiver 1500 may actually include further components which, for the sake of clarity, have not been illustrated, e.g., further interfaces or further processors. Also, it is to be understood that the memory 1560 may include further program code for implementing known functionalities of a WLAN AP or WLAN station. According to some embodiments, also a computer program may be provided for implementing functionalities of the wireless receiver 1500, e.g., in the form of a physical medium storing the program code and/or other data to be stored in the memory 1560 or by making the program code available for download or by streaming.

[0081] As can be seen, the concepts as described above may be used for efficiently controlling OFDM based wireless transmissions with redundant utilization of multiple carriers, in particular OFDM based transmissions utilizing DCM and preamble puncturing. More specifically, the illustrated concepts may enable efficient use of unlicensed spectrum by enabling the use of preamble puncturing for DCM. Further, since DCM duplicates the code bits, combining DCM with the channel code, e.g., an LDPC, the code rate is effectively halved. For example, the concatenation of existing channel codes, e.g., such as LDPC codes, and DCM may yield effective code rates as low as 1/4. Accordingly, the illustrated concepts may also be used to increase the robustness of a punctured transmission, without a need to design, evaluate and implement new, low-rate codes. Rather, the existing codes can be re-used. Further, the illustrated concepts can be implemented with low complexity.

[0082] It is to be understood that the examples and embodiments as explained above are merely illustrative and susceptible to various modifications. For example, the illustrated concepts may be applied in connection with various kinds of wireless technologies, without limitation to WLAN technologies. Further, it is noted that the concepts may be applied with respect to various configurations of separating the bandwidth of the wireless medium into RUs or bandwidth segments. Further, the concepts may be applied with respect to various types of APs and stations. Moreover, it is to be understood that the above concepts may be implemented by using correspondingly designed software to be executed by one or more processors of an existing device or apparatus, or by using dedicated device hardware. Further, it should be noted that the illustrated apparatuses or devices may each be implemented as a single device or as a system of multiple interacting devices or modules.

[0083] In view of the above, embodiments provided in the present disclosure include:

Embodiment 1

[0084] A method of controlling wireless transmissions in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: [0085] a wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) transmitting user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; [0086] based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) modulating a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly modulating the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units, [0087] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units.

Embodiment 2

[0088] The method according to embodiment 1,

[0089] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is configured to prevent that both the first resource unit and the second resource unit are subject to puncturing.

Embodiment 3

[0090] The method according to embodiment 1 or 2,

[0091] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on information indicating allowed puncturing patterns.

Embodiment 4

[0092] The method according to embodiment 3,

[0093] wherein at least a part of the information indicating the allowed puncturing patterns is preconfigured in the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400).

Embodiment 5

[0094] The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4,

[0095] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on information indicating forbidden puncturing patterns.

Embodiment 6

[0096] The method according to embodiment 5,

[0097] wherein at least a part of the information indicating the forbidden puncturing patterns is preconfigured in the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400).

Embodiment 7

[0098] The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6,

[0099] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on interference levels on the resource units.

Embodiment 8

[0100] The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7,

[0101] wherein the said modulating of the symbol to the first set of subcarriers and redundantly modulating the symbol to the second set of subcarriers is based on Dual Carrier Modulation.

Embodiment 9

[0102] The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8,

[0103] wherein the multiple resource units are allocated to different users.

Embodiment 10

[0104] The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9,

[0105] wherein the wireless transmitter (10; 1100; 1400) is an access point of the wireless communication system.

Embodiment 11

[0106] The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9,

[0107] wherein the wireless transmitter (11; 1100; 1400) is a wireless device in communication with an access point of the wireless communication system.

Embodiment 12

[0108] The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11,

[0109] wherein the wireless communication system is based on a Wireless Local Area Network technology according to the IEEE 802.11 standards family.

Embodiment 13

[0110] A method of controlling wireless transmissions in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: [0111] a wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) receiving user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; [0112] based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) demodulating a symbol of the user data from a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly demodulating the symbol from a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units, [0113] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units.

Embodiment 14

[0114] The method according to embodiment 13,

[0115] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is configured to prevent that both the first resource unit and the second resource unit are subject to puncturing.

Embodiment 15

[0116] The method according to embodiment 13 or 14,

[0117] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on information indicating allowed puncturing patterns.

Embodiment 16

[0118] The method according to embodiment 15,

[0119] wherein at least a part of the information indicating the allowed puncturing patterns is preconfigured in the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500).

Embodiment 17

[0120] The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 16,

[0121] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on information indicating forbidden puncturing patterns.

Embodiment 18

[0122] The method according to embodiment 17,

[0123] wherein at least a part of the information indicating the forbidden puncturing patterns is preconfigured in the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500).

Embodiment 19

[0124] The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 18,

[0125] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on interference levels on the resource units.

Embodiment 20

[0126] The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 19,

[0127] wherein the said demodulating of the symbol from the first set of subcarriers and redundantly modulating the symbol from the second set of subcarriers is based on Dual Carrier Modulation.

Embodiment 21

[0128] The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 20,

[0129] wherein the multiple resource units are allocated to different users.

Embodiment 22

[0130] The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 21,

[0131] wherein the wireless receiver (10; 1300; 1500) is an access point of the wireless communication system.

Embodiment 23

[0132] The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 21,

[0133] wherein the wireless receiver (11; 1300; 1500) is a wireless device in communication with an access point of the wireless communication system.

Embodiment 24

[0134] The method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 23,

[0135] wherein the wireless communication system is based on a Wireless Local Area Network technology according to the IEEE 802.11 standards family.

Embodiment 25

[0136] A wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) for a wireless communication system, the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) being configured to: [0137] transmit user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; [0138] based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, modulate a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly modulate the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units, [0139] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units.

Embodiment 26

[0140] The wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) according to embodiment 25,

[0141] wherein the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) is configured to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 12.

Embodiment 27

[0142] The wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) according to embodiment 25 or 26, comprising: at least one processor (1450), and

[0143] a memory (1460) containing program code executable by the at least one processor (1450), whereby execution of the program code by the at least one processor (1450) causes the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12.

Embodiment 28

[0144] A wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) for a wireless communication system, the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) being configured to: [0145] receive user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units; [0146] based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, demodulate a symbol of the user data from a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly demodulate the symbol from a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units, [0147] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units.

Embodiment 29

[0148] The wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) according to embodiment 28,

[0149] wherein the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) is configured to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 14 to 24.

Embodiment 30

[0150] The wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) according to embodiment 24 or 25, comprising: [0151] at least one processor (1550), and [0152] a memory (1560) containing program code executable by the at least one processor (1550), whereby execution of the program code by the at least one processor (1550) causes the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 24.

Embodiment 31

[0153] A system, comprising: [0154] a wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) and a wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500); [0155] the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) being configured to: [0156] transmit user data using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, modulation on a shared wireless medium having a bandwidth organized in multiple resource units, and [0157] based on a mapping of the user data to the resource units, modulate a symbol of the user data onto a first set of subcarriers of a first resource unit of the resource units and redundantly modulate the symbol onto a second set of subcarriers of a second resource unit of the resource units, [0158] wherein the mapping of the user data to the resource units is based on possible puncturing patterns applied to the resource units, [0159] the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) being configured to: [0160] based on the mapping of the user data to the resource units, demodulate the symbol of the user data from the first set of subcarriers and redundantly demodulate the symbol from the second set of subcarriers.

Embodiment 32

[0161] A computer program or computer program product comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor (1450) of a wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400), whereby execution of the program code causes the wireless transmitter (10,11; 1100; 1400) to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 12.

Embodiment 33

[0162] A computer program or computer program product comprising program code to be executed by at least one processor (1550) of a wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500), whereby execution of the program code causes the wireless receiver (10, 11; 1300; 1500) to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 13 to 24.