WO2015094257A1

WO2015094257A1 - Apparatus, system and method of communicating scrambled transmissions according to a retransmission scheme

Info

Publication number: WO2015094257A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/076393
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Segev; Tomer DANIEL
Original assignee: Intel Corporation
Priority date: 2013-12-19
Filing date: 2013-12-19
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of communicating scrambled transmissions according to a retransmission scheme. For example, an apparatus may include a wireless communication unit to communicate a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame and to communicate a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

Description

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COMMUNICATING SCRAMBLED TRANSMISSIONS ACCORDING TO A RETRANSMISSION SCHEME

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] Embodiments described herein generally relate to communicating scrambled transmissions according to a retransmission scheme.

BACKGROUND

[002] In some wireless communication networks, scrambling may be used, for example, to improve PAPR (Peak to Average Power Ratio), reduce signal interference, and/or to improve encoding.

[003] A scrambler may change a bit sequence of a frame using a scrambling code.

[004] The scrambling code may be randomly selected for every frame transmission.

[005] A receiver may not be able to perform descrambling, e.g., if the receiver does not know the scrambling code used for scrambling the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[006] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity of presentation. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are listed below.

[007] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustration of a system, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[008] Fig. 2 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of communicating scrambled transmissions according to a retransmission scheme using a common scrambling code, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[009] Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless communication receiver to receive a scrambled transmission according to a retransmission scheme, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0010] Fig. 4 is a schematic flow-chart illustration of a method of communicating scrambled transmissions according to a retransmission scheme using different scrambling codes, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0011] Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a product, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of some embodiments. However, it will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the discussion.

[0013] Discussions herein utilizing terms such as, for example, "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "establishing", "analyzing", "checking", or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer's registers and/or memories or other information storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes.

[0014] The terms "plurality" and "a plurality", as used herein, include, for example, "multiple" or "two or more". For example, "a plurality of items" includes two or more items.

[0015] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "demonstrative embodiment", "various embodiments" etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment" does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

[0016] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third," etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

[0017] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices and systems, for example, a Personal Computer (PC), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an Ultrabook™ computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a consumer device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a wireless communication station, a wireless communication device, a wireless Access Point (AP), a wired or wireless router, a wired or wireless modem, a video device, an audio device, an audio-video (A/V) device, a wired or wireless network, a wireless area network, a Wireless Video Area Network (WVAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN (WLAN), a Personal Area Network (PAN), a Wireless PAN (WPAN), and the like.

[0018] 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 Version 1.1, April 2011, Final specification) and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing IEEE 802.11 standards (IEEE 802.11-2012, IEEE Standard for Information technology— Telecommunications and information exchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks— Specific requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications, March 29, 2012; IEEE802.il task group ac (TGac) ("IEEE802.11 -09/0308r 12 - TGac Channel Model Addendum Document"); IEEE 802.11 task group ad (TGad) (IEEE P802.1 lad-2012, IEEE Standard for Information Technology - Telecommunications and Information Exchange Between Systems - Local and Metropolitan Area Networks - Specific Requirements - Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications - Amendment 3: Enhancements for Very High Throughput in the 60GHz Band, 28 December, 2012)) 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, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existing and/or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) Alliance (WFA) Peer-to-Peer (P2P) specifications (WiFi P2P technical specification, version 1.2, 2012), and/or future versions and/or derivatives thereof, units and/or devices which are part of the above networks, and the like.

[0019] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one way and/or two-way radio communication systems, cellular radio-telephone communication systems, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems (PCS) device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable Global Positioning System (GPS) device, a device which incorporates a GPS receiver or transceiver or chip, a device which incorporates an RFID element or chip, a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transceiver or device, a Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) transceiver or device, a Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) transceiver or device, a device having one or more internal antennas and/or external antennas, Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) devices or systems, multi-standard radio devices or systems, a wired or wireless handheld device, e.g., a Smartphone, a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) device, or the like.

[0020] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, Radio Frequency (RF), Infra Red (IR), Frequency-Division Multiplexing (FDM), Orthogonal FDM (OFDM), Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM), Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Extended TDMA (E- TDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), extended GPRS, Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA 2000, single-carrier CDMA, multi- carrier CDMA, Multi-Carrier Modulation (MDM), Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT), Bluetooth®, Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, ZigBee™, Ultra- Wideband (UWB), Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, Fifth Generation (5G) mobile networks, 3GPP, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE advanced, Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), or the like. Other embodiments may be used in various other devices, systems and/or networks.

[0021] The term "wireless device", as used herein, includes, for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communication device capable of wireless communication, a communication station capable of wireless communication, a portable or non-portable device capable of wireless communication, or the like. In some demonstrative embodiments, a wireless device may be or may include a peripheral that is integrated with a computer, or a peripheral that is attached to a computer. In some demonstrative embodiments, the term "wireless device" may optionally include a wireless service.

[0022] 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. The verb "communicating" may be used to refer to the action of transmitting or the action of receiving. In one example, the phrase "communicating a signal" may refer to the action of transmitting the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of receiving the signal by a second device. In another example, the phrase "communicating a signal" may refer to the action of receiving the signal by a first device, and may not necessarily include the action of transmitting the signal by a second device.

[0023] The term "antenna", as used herein, may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. In some embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, the antenna may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements. The antenna may include, for example, a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like.

[0024] Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which schematically illustrates a block diagram of a system 100, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments.

[0025] In some demonstrative embodiments, system 100 may include a wireless communication network including one or more wireless communication devices, e.g., wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104, capable of communicating content, data, information and/or signals over a wireless communication medium 103, for example, a radio channel, an IR channel, a RF channel, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) channel, and the like. One or more elements of system 100 may optionally be capable of communicating over any suitable wired communication links.

[0026] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 may include, for example, a PC, a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an Ultrabook™ computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, a PDA device, a handheld PDA device, an on-board device, an off-board device, a hybrid device (e.g., combining cellular phone functionalities with PDA device functionalities), a consumer device, a vehicular device, a non-vehicular device, a mobile or portable device, a non-mobile or non-portable device, a mobile phone, a cellular telephone, a PCS device, a PDA device which incorporates a wireless communication device, a mobile or portable GPS device, a DVB device, a relatively small computing device, a non-desktop computer, a "Carry Small Live Large" (CSLL) device, an Ultra Mobile Device (UMD), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an "Origami" device or computing device, a device that supports Dynamically Composable Computing (DCC), a context-aware device, a video device, an audio device, an A/V device, a Set-Top-Box (STB), a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, a BD recorder, a Digital Video Disc (DVD) player, a High Definition (HD) DVD player, a DVD recorder, a HD DVD recorder, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR), a broadcast HD receiver, a video source, an audio source, a video sink, an audio sink, a stereo tuner, a broadcast radio receiver, a flat panel display, a Personal Media Player (PMP), a digital video camera (DVC), a digital audio player, a speaker, an audio receiver, an audio amplifier, a gaming device, a data source, a data sink, a Digital Still camera (DSC), a media player, a Smartphone, a television, a music player, or the like.

[0027] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 may include one or more wireless communication units to perform wireless communication between wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 with one or more other wireless communication devices. For example, device 102 may include wireless communication unit 110 and device 104 may include wireless communication unit 120, e.g., as described below.

[0028] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102 and 104 may form or communicate as part of a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0029] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102 and 104 may form or communicate as part of a WiFi network.

[0030] In other demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication devices 102 and 104 may form or communicate as part of any other wireless communication network.

[0031] Wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 may also include, for example, one or more of a processor 191, an input unit 192, an output unit 193, a memory unit 194, and a storage unit 195. Wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 may optionally include other suitable hardware components and/or software components. In some demonstrative embodiments, some or all of the components of one or more of wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 may 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 one or more of wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 may be distributed among multiple or separate devices.

[0032] Processor 191 includes, for example, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more processor cores, a single-core processor, a dual-core processor, a multiple-core processor, a microprocessor, a host processor, a controller, a plurality of processors or controllers, a chip, a microchip, one or more circuits, circuitry, a logic unit, an Integrated Circuit (IC), an Application-Specific IC (ASIC), or any other suitable multi-purpose or specific processor or controller. Processor 191 executes instructions, for example, of an Operating System (OS) of wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104 of one or more suitable applications.

[0033] Input unit 192 includes, for example, a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-screen, a touch-pad, a track-ball, a stylus, a microphone or, other suitable pointing device or input device. Output unit 193 includes, for example, a monitor, a screen, a touch-screen, a flat panel display, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display unit, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display unit, a plasma display unit, one or more audio speakers or earphones, or other suitable output devices.

[0034] Memory unit 194 includes, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a flash memory, a volatile memory, a non- volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units. Storage unit 195 includes, for example, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a Compact Disk (CD) drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD drive, or other suitable removable or non-removable storage units. Memory unit 194 and/or storage unit 195, for example, may store data processed by wireless communication devices 102 and/or 104.

[0035] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and 120 may include, or may be associated with, one or more antennas 107 and 109, respectively. Antennas 107 and 109 may 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, antennas 107 and 109 may include any suitable configuration, structure and/or arrangement of one or more antenna elements, components, units, assemblies and/or arrays. Antennas 107 and 109 may include, for example, antennas suitable for directional communication. For example, antennas 107 and 109 may include a phased array antenna, a single element antenna, a set of switched beam antennas, and/or the like. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and 109 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using separate transmit and receive antenna elements. In some embodiments, antennas 107 and 109 may implement transmit and receive functionalities using common and/or integrated transmit/receive elements.

[0036] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 may include, for example, one or more radios 114 and/or 124, e.g., including one or more wireless transmitters, receivers and/or transceivers able to send and/or receive wireless communication signals, RF signals, frames, blocks, transmission streams, packets, messages, data items, and/or data. For example, wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 may include or may be implemented as part of a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC), and the like.

[0037] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 may include one or more controllers, e.g., controllers 112 and/or 122, to control communications performed by radios 114 and/or 124.

[0038] In some demonstrative embodiments, radio 114 may include a wireless transmitter 115 to transmit wireless transmissions via antenna 107.

[0039] In some demonstrative embodiments, radio 124 may include a wireless receiver 125 to receive wireless transmissions via antenna 109.

[0040] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and 120 may communicate a data unit, e.g., as described below. For example, wireless communication unit 110 may transmit the data unit to wireless communication unit 120.

[0041] In some demonstrative embodiments, the data unit may include a PLCP (Physical Layer Convergence Procedure) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU).

[0042] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 may communicate the data unit according to a scrambling scheme.

[0043] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may transmit the data unit scrambled as part of a frame.

[0044] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may include a scrambler 117 to scramble the data unit according to a scrambling code. For example, wireless communication unit 110 may randomly select the scrambling code.

[0045] In some demonstrative embodiments, the scrambling code may be indicated within a Physical Layer Convergence Procedure (PLCP) header of the frame.

[0046] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may include an encoder 118 to encode the scrambled data unit according to an encoding scheme.

[0047] In some demonstrative embodiments, an encoding rate used by encoder 118 may be indicated within the PLCP header of the frame.

[0048] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may include a modulator 116 to modulate the data unit according to a predefined modulation scheme. For example, modulator 116 may modulate the data unit according to an OFDM scheme.

[0049] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may receive the scrambled frame including the data unit and may determine the data unit, for example, by descrambling and decoding the frame, e.g., as described below.

[0050] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may include a demodulator 126 to demodulate the received frame according to the modulation scheme. For example, demodulator 126 may demodulate the frame according to the OFDM scheme.

[0051] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may include a decoder 128 to decode the scrambled data unit, e.g., according to the encoding scheme. For example, demodulator 126 may demodulate the PLCP header and provide the encoding rate to decoder 128.

[0052] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may include a descrambler 127 to descramble the decoded data unit, e.g., as described below.

[0053] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 may communicate the data unit according to a retransmission scheme.

[0054] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 may be configured to communicate the data unit scrambled as part of a first frame and to communicate a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame, e.g., as described below.

[0055] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may retransmit the data unit, e.g., if wireless communication unit 110 determines that the data unit was not properly decoded or received by wireless communication unit 120.

[0056] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may be configured to indicate to wireless communication unit 110 whether or not the frame was successfully received and/or decoded by wireless communication unit 120.

[0057] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may retransmit the data unit, e.g., based on the indication from wireless communication unit 120.

[0058] In one example, wireless communication unit 120 may transmit an acknowledgment frame (ACK) to wireless communication unit 110, e.g., if wireless communication unit 120 was able to successfully decode the frame.

[0059] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may retransmit the data unit, e.g., if wireless communication unit 110 does not receive an ACK frame from wireless communication unit 120.

[0060] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may not retransmit the data unit, e.g., if wireless communication unit 110 receives the ACK frame from wireless communication unit 120.

[0061] In other embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may determine whether or not to retransmit the data unit based on any other message or indication from wireless communication unit 120.

[0062] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 may communicate the first and second frames according to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) scheme.

[0063] In other demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 and/or 120 may communicate the first and second frames, e.g., according to a different retransmission scheme.

[0064] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may use data from the first and second frames to decode the data unit. For example, decoder 128 may decode the data unit based on a combination of information from the first and second frames.

[0065] In some demonstrative embodiments, the efficiency of the decoding operation at receiver 125 may rely on mutual base information between the first frame and the second frame. For example, receiver 125 may not be able to properly decode the data unit, e.g., without having knowledge of the scrambling code and/or a relationship between the scrambling codes used for each of the first and second frames.

[0066] In some demonstrative embodiments, the first and second frames may be scrambled by the same scrambling code ("the common scrambling code"), e.g., as described below. For example, scrambler 117 may use a common scrambling code to scramble the first and second frames.

[0067] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may transmit the first and the second frames, both frames being scrambled by the same scrambling code.

[0068] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may receive the first and second frames and may decode the data unit using the common scrambling code.

[0069] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may store the common scrambling code used to scramble the first and second frames. For example, wireless communication unit 110 may use the scrambling code for the first frame and save the scrambling code to enable reusing of the scrambling code for the second frame. In one example, wireless communication unit 110 may include a buffer 119 to maintain the common scrambling code.

[0070] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may initialize scrambler 117 with the common scrambling code, e.g., if transmitter 115 does not receive an acknowledgment frame from receiver 125.

[0071] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may clear the scrambling code from buffer 119, e.g., if transmitter 115 receives an acknowledgment frame from receiver 125, for example, in order to enable the transmission of a successive data unit scrambled with a different scrambling code. [0072] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may transmit the successive data unit as part of a third frame, and the third frame may be scrambled by another scrambling code, which is different from the common scrambling code.

[0073] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may receive the first and second frames and may descramble the data unit using the common scrambling code. For example decoder 128 may decode the first and second frames using the common scrambling code.

[0074] In some demonstrative embodiments, the retransmission of the frame using the same scrambling code may result in an identical scrambled part at receiver 125 for retransmission of frames.

[0075] In some demonstrative embodiments, the identical scrambled part may cause wide variations in the received power level. In one example, the performance of receiver 125 may be reduced due to the possible existence of an 'all zero' or 'all one' sequence. In another example, the scrambled part may result in an increased Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR), which, in turn, may result in increased Error Vector Magnitude (EVM).

[0076] In some demonstrative embodiments, a retransmission based encoding scheme may use a first scrambling code for the first frame and a different second scrambling code for the second frame, e.g., as described below.

[0077] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may transmit the data unit scrambled as part of the first frame and retransmit the data unit scrambled as part of the second frame using different scrambling codes, e.g., as described below.

[0078] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may receive and demodulate the first frame, e.g., transmitted by wireless communication unit 110.

[0079] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may decode the first frame. For example, decoder 128 may decode the first frame using the decoding rate, which may be extracted from the PLCP header.

[0080] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may determine descrambled values, e.g., by descrambling the first frame using the first scrambling code.

[0081] In some demonstrative embodiments, the descrambled values may include first soft values corresponding to the data unit.

[0082] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may include a buffer 129 to store the descrambled values.

[0083] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may receive and demodulate the second frame, e.g., transmitted by wireless communication unit 110.

[0084] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may decode the second frame and extract the second scrambling code, e.g., which may be extracted from the PLCP header, e.g., the Service field of the PLCP header.

[0085] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may determine scrambled values, e.g., by scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the second scrambling code.

[0086] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may encode the scrambled values.

[0087] In some demonstrative embodiments, the scrambled values may include second soft values corresponding to the data unit.

[0088] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may determine combined scrambled values, e.g., by combining the scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame.

[0089] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may decode the combined scrambled values, e.g., using decoder 128.

[0090] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may descramble the combined scrambled values using the second scrambling code.

[0091] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 110 may be able to indicate whether or not a frame includes a retransmitted data unit. For example, wireless communication unit 110 may transmit the second frame including an indication in a non- scrambled portion of the second frame of whether or not the frame is a retransmission of the data unit.

[0092] In some demonstrative embodiments, wireless communication unit 120 may be configured to detect whether or not the first and second frames include a retransmission of the data unit, e.g., if the first and second frames include first and second consecutive frames scrambled by the same scrambling code and both the first and second frames are addressed to the same device.

[0093] In other demonstrative embodiments, any other method may be used to identify the retransmission.

[0094] Reference is now made to Fig. 2, which schematically illustrates a method of communicating scrambled transmissions according to a retransmission scheme using a common scrambling code, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method of Fig. 2 may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., device 102 and/or 104 (Fig. 1); and/or a wireless communication unit, e.g., wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 (Fig. 1).

[0095] As indicated at block 202, the method may include communicating a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame and communicating a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame using a common scrambling code. For example, transmitter 115 (Fig. 1) may communicate with receiver 125 (Fig. 1) a data unit scrambled as part of the first frame and a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of the second frame.

[0096] As indicated at block 204, the method may include transmitting the first and second frames. For example, transmitter 115 (Fig. 1) may transmit the first and second frames to receiver 125 (Fig. 1).

[0097] As indicated at block 206, the method may include generating a pre-scrambled data unit, e.g., a PPDU. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may generate the PPDU, e.g., including a service field, a PSDU field, and/or a tail field.

[0098] As indicated at block 208, the method may include selecting the scrambling code based on whether or not the frame includes a retransmission of the data unit. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may select the scrambling code based on whether or not the frame includes a retransmission of the data unit.

[0099] As indicated at block 210, the method may include randomly selecting the scrambling code and saving the scrambling code for retransmission, e.g., if the frame does not include a retransmission of the data unit. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may randomly select the scrambling code, e.g., as described above.

[00100] As indicated at block 212, the method may include selecting a previous scrambling code used to scramble a previous frame, e.g., if the frame includes a retransmission of the data unit. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may retrieve the previous scrambling code from buffer 119 (Fig. 1), e.g., if the frame includes a retransmission of the data unit.

[00101] As indicated at block 214, the method may include initializing a scrambler with the selected scrambling code. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may initialize scrambler 117 (Fig. 1) with the selected scrambling code.

[00102] As indicated at block 216, the method may include encoding the frame. For example, encoder 118 (Fig. 1).

[00103] As indicated at block 218, the method may include deciding whether or not the data unit is to be retransmitted. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may decide whether or not to retransmit the data unit, e.g., based on whether or not an ACK is received from wireless communication unit 120 (Fig. 1).

[00104] As indicated at block 220, the method may include clearing the scrambling code from memory, e.g., if the data unit is not to be retransmitted. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may clear the scrambling code from buffer 119 (Fig. 1), e.g., if wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) receives from wireless communication unit 120 (Fig. 1) an ACK indicating a successful transmission of the data unit.

[00105] As indicated at block 222, the method may include maintaining the scrambling code, e.g., if the data unit is to be retransmitted. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may maintain the scrambling code in buffer 119 (Fig. 1), for example, in order to reuse the scrambling code for retransmission of the data unit, e.g., if wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) does not receive the ACK.

[00106] As indicated at block 223, the method may include identifying the frame for retransmission. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may identify the data unit to be retransmitted as part of the second frame.

[00107] As indicated at block 224, the method may include receiving the first and second frames. For example, wireless communication unit 120 (Fig. 1) may receive the first and second frames.

[00108] As indicated at block 226, the method may include decoding the data unit using the first and second frames.

[00109] As indicated at block 228, the method may include descrambling the first and second frames using the common scrambling code. For example, wireless communication unit 120 (Fig. 1) may descramble the first and second frames using the common scrambling code.

[00110] Reference is now made to Fig. 3, which schematically illustrates a wireless communication receiver 300 to receive a scrambled transmission according to a retransmission scheme, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, receiver 300 may perform the functionality of receiver 125 (Fig. 1).

[00111] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a preamble detector 302 to receive a signal 362 including data of a received frame and to generate PPDU samples 364 based on signal 362.

[00112] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a demodulator 304 to generate PPDU soft values 368 and signal soft values 366 based on PPDU samples 364. For example, demodulator 304 may extract signal soft values 366 from a signal field of a header of the PPDU, and PPDU soft values 368 from a data unit of the PPDU. For example, demodulator 304 may perform the functionality of demodulator 126 (Fig. 1).

[00113] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a PLCP signal extractor 306 to extract an encoding rate 372 from signal soft values 366.

[00114] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a decoder 308 to generate PPDU soft values 374, and a scrambling code 376, for example, based on PPDU soft values 370 and encoding rate 372. For example, decoder 308 may perform the functionality of decoder 128 (Fig. 1).

[00115] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a descrambler 310 to generate descrambled PPDU soft values 378 based on PPDU soft values 374 and scrambling code 376. For example, descrambler 308 may perform the functionality of descrambler 127 (Fig. 1).

[00116] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a memory 312 to store descrambled PPDU soft values 378. For example, memory 312 may provide PPDU soft values 380 including descrambled PPDU soft values 378, e.g., upon receiving a subsequent frame. For example, controller 122 (Fig. 1) may control memory 312 to output descrambled PPDU soft values 378, e.g., upon receiving the subsequent frame.

[00117] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a scrambler 314 to generate soft values 382 based on PPDU soft values 380 and scrambling code 376.

[00118] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include an encoder 316 to extract PPDU soft values 384 based on soft values 382. For example, encoder 316 may encode soft values 382 according to the encoding scheme of encoder 118 (Fig. 1).

[00119] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may include a combiner 318 to generate PPDU soft values 370 by combining PPDU soft values 384 and PPDU soft values 368.

[00120] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may be implemented to decode first and second frames including a scrambled data unit, e.g., as described below.

[00121] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may receive signal 362 including the first frame.

[00122] In some demonstrative embodiments, preamble detector 302 may detect the PPDU of the first frame and generate PPDU samples 364 of the first frame.

[00123] In some demonstrative embodiments, demodulator 304 may demodulate the PPDU samples 364 of the first frame and may generate signal soft values 366 of the first frame and PPDU soft values 368 of the first frame.

[00124] In some demonstrative embodiments, PLCP signal extractor 306 may extract an encoding rate 372 of the first frame based on the signal soft values 366 of the first frame. For example, the encoding rate 372 may be extracted from the PLCP header of the first frame.

[00125] In some demonstrative embodiments, decoder 308 may decode soft values 370 of the first frame using the encoding rate 372 of the first frame, and may generate decoded first soft values 374 and first scrambling code 376 of the first frame.

[00126] In some demonstrative embodiments, descrambler 310 may descramble first soft values 374 using first scrambling code 376 into descrambled PPDU first soft values 378.

[00127] In some demonstrative embodiments, the descrambled PPDU first soft values 378 may be stored in memory 312, e.g., in order to be used for decoding the PPDU using the second frame.

[00128] In some demonstrative embodiments, receiver 300 may receive signal 362 including the second frame.

[00129] In some demonstrative embodiments, preamble detector 302 may detect the PPDU of the second frame and generate PPDU samples 364 of the second frame.

[00130] In some demonstrative embodiments, demodulator 304 may demodulate the PPDU samples 364 of the second frame, and may generate signal soft values 366 of the second frame and PPDU soft values 368 of the second frame.

[00131] In some demonstrative embodiments, PLCP signal extractor 306 may extract an encoding rate 372 of the second frame based on the signal soft values 366 of the second frame. For example, the encoding rate 372 may be extracted from the PLCP header of the second frame.

[00132] In some demonstrative embodiments, decoder 308 may decode soft values 370 of the second frame using the encoding rate 372 of the second frame, and may generate decoded second soft values 374 and second scrambling code 376 of the second frame.

[00133] In some demonstrative embodiments, scrambler 314 may scramble the PPDU soft values 380 of the first frame using the scrambling code 376 of the second frame, and may generate soft values 382.

[00134] In some demonstrative embodiments, encoder 316 may encode soft values 382 into encoded soft values 384.

[00135] In some demonstrative embodiments, combiner 318 may generate combined PPDU soft values 370, for example, by combining PPDU soft values 368 of the second frame with soft values 384 scrambled by the second scrambling code. [00136] In some demonstrative embodiments, decoder 308 may generate decoded soft values 374, for example, by decoding PPDU soft values 370 using encoding rate 372 of the second frame.

[00137] In some demonstrative embodiments, descrambler 310 may descramble decoded soft values 374 using the second scrambling code 376 into descrambled PPDU 378.

[00138] Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which schematically illustrates a method of communicating scrambled transmissions according to a retransmission scheme using different scrambling codes, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. For example, one or more of the operations of the method of Fig. 4 may be performed by a wireless communication system, e.g., system 100 (Fig. 1); a wireless communication device, e.g., device 102 and/or 104 (Fig. 1); and/or a wireless communication unit, e.g., wireless communication units 110 and/or 120 (Fig. 1).

[00139] As indicated at block 402, the method may include communicating a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame and communicating a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame using a different scrambling code. For example, transmitter 115 (Fig. 1) may communicate with receiver (Fig. 1) the data unit scrambled as part of the first frame and a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of the second frame using a different scrambling code.

[00140] As indicated at block 404, the method may include transmitting the first frame.

[00141] As indicated at block 406, the method may include receiving the first frame. For example, receiver 300 (Fig. 3) may receive the first frame, e.g., as described above.

[00142] As indicated at block 408, the method may include demodulating the first frame. For example, demodulator 304 (Fig. 3) may demodulate the first frame, e.g., as described above.

[00143] As indicated at block 410, the method may include decoding the first frame. For example, decoder 308 (Fig. 3) may decode the first frame, e.g., as described above.

[00144] As indicated at block 412, the method may include descrambling the first frame. For example, descrambler 310 (Fig. 3) may determine descrambled values 378 (Fig. 3) by descrambling the first frame.

[00145] As indicated at block 414, the method may include storing the descrambled values. For example, memory 312 (Fig. 3) may store the descrambled values 378 (Fig. 3), e.g., as described above.

[00146] As indicated at block 416, the method may include deciding whether or not the first frame is to be retransmitted, for example, based on whether or not the first frame was successfully transmitted. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may decide whether or not to retransmit the first frame based on whether or not wirelesses communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) receives an ACK frame in response to the first frame.

[00147] As indicated at block 418, the method may include processing a next data unit for transmission, e.g., if the transmission of the first frame was successful. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may process a next PPDU for transmission, e.g., if wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) receives the ACK frame.

[00148] As indicated at block 420, the method may include transmitting the second frame, e.g., if the data unit was not successfully transmitted. For example, wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) may retransmit the data unit as part of a second frame, e.g., if wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1) does not receive the ACK frame.

[00149] As indicated at block 422, the method may include receiving the second frame. For example, receiver 300 (Fig. 3) may receive the second frame, e.g., as described above.

[00150] As indicated at block 424, the method may include demodulating the second frame, example, demodulator 304 (Fig. 3) may demodulate the second frame, e.g., as described above.

[00151] As indicated at block 426, the method may include decoding the second frame. For example, decoder 308 (Fig. 3) may decode the second frame, e.g., as described above.

[00152] As indicated at block 428, the method may include scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the scrambling code of the second frame. For example, scrambler 314 (Fig. 3) may determine the scrambled values by scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the scrambling code of the second frame, e.g., as described above.

[00153] As indicated at block 430, the method may include encoding the scrambled values. For example, encoder 316 (Fig. 3) may encode the scrambled values, e.g., as described above.

[00154] As indicated at block 432, the method may include combining the scrambled values with the scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame. For example, combiner 318 (Fig. 3) may combine the scrambled values with the scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame, e.g., as described above.

[00155] As indicated at block 434, the method may include decoding the combined values. For example, decoder 308 (Fig. 3) may decode the combined values, e.g., as described above.

[00156] As indicated at block 436, the method may include descrambling the decoded values. For example, descrambler 310 (Fig. 3) may descramble the decoded values, e.g., as described above.

[00157] Reference is made to Fig. 5, which schematically illustrates a product of manufacture 500, in accordance with some demonstrative embodiments. Product 500 may include a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium 502 to store logic 504, which may be used, for example, to perform at least part of the functionality of device 102 (Fig. 1), device 104 (Fig. 1), wireless communication unit 110 (Fig. 1), wireless communication unit 120 (Fig. 1) and/or to perform one or more operations of the method of Fig. 2 and/or the method of Fig. 4. The phrase "non-transitory machine-readable medium" is directed to include all computer-readable media, with the sole exception being a transitory propagating signal.

[00158] In some demonstrative embodiments, product 500 and/or machine-readable storage medium 502 may include one or more types of computer-readable storage media capable of storing data, including volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and the like. For example, machine-readable storage medium 502 may include, RAM, DRAM, Double- Data-Rate DRAM (DDR-DRAM), SDRAM, static RAM (SRAM), ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), Compact Disk ROM (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), flash memory (e.g., NOR or NAND flash memory), content addressable memory (CAM), polymer memory, phase-change memory, ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, a disk, a floppy disk, a hard drive, an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a card, a magnetic card, an optical card, a tape, a cassette, and the like. The computer-readable storage media may include any suitable media involved with downloading or transferring a computer program from a remote computer to a requesting computer carried by data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium through a communication link, e.g., a modem, radio or network connection.

[00159] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 504 may include instructions, data, and/or code, which, if executed by a machine, may cause the machine to perform a method, process and/or operations as described herein. The machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware, software, firmware, and the like.

[00160] In some demonstrative embodiments, logic 504 may include, or may be implemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program, a subroutine, instructions, an instruction set, computing code, words, values, symbols, and the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. The instructions may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform a certain function. The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Matlab, Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and the like.

EXAMPLES

[00161] The following examples pertain to further embodiments.

[00162] Example 1 includes an apparatus of wireless communication, the apparatus comprising a wireless communication unit to communicate a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame and to communicate a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

[00163] Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames are scrambled by a common scrambling code.

[00164] Example 3 includes the subject matter of Example 2 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit the first and second frames, the wireless communication unit is to store the common scrambling code.

[00165] Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 3 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit another data unit as part of a third frame, the third frame scrambled by another scrambling code, which is different from the common scrambling code.

[00166] Example 5 includes the subject matter of Example 2 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive the first and second frames, the wireless communication unit is to descramble the data unit using the common scrambling code.

[00167] Example 6 includes the subject matter of Example 1 and optionally, wherein the first frame is scrambled by a first scrambling code and the second frame is scrambled by a second scrambling code, the second scrambling code is different from the first scrambling code.

[00168] Example 7 includes the subject matter of Example 6 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive the first and second frames, the wireless communication unit is to decode the data unit using the first and second scrambling codes.

[00169] Example 8 includes the subject matter of Example 7 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to determine descrambled values of the first frame by descrambling the first frame using the first scrambling code, to store the descrambled values of the first frame, to determine scrambled values of the first frame by scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the second scrambling code, to encode the scrambled values of the first frame, to determine combined scrambled values by combining the encoded scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame, to decode the combined scrambled values, and to descramble the decoded combined values using the second scrambling code.

[00170] Example 9 includes the subject matter of Example 8 and optionally, wherein the descrambled values of the first frame comprise first soft values corresponding to the data unit, and wherein the scrambled values of the first frame comprise second soft values corresponding to the data unit.

[00171] Example 10 includes the subject matter of Example 6 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit the first and second frames.

[00172] Example 11 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-10 and optionally, wherein a non-scrambled portion of the second frame comprises an indication that the second frame includes a retransmission of the data unit.

[00173] Example 12 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-10 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames comprise first and second consecutive frames addressed to a common station.

[00174] Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-12 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to communicate the first and second frames according to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) scheme.

[00175] Example 14 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 1-13 and optionally, wherein the data unit comprises a PPDU.

[00176] Example 15 includes a system of wireless communication, the system comprising a wireless communication device including at least one antenna; and a wireless communication unit to communicate a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame and to communicate a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

[00177] Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 15 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames are scrambled by a common scrambling code.

[00178] Example 17 includes the subject matter of Example 16 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit the first and second frames, the wireless communication unit is to store the common scrambling code.

[00179] Example 18 includes the subject matter of Example 17 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit another data unit as part of a third frame, the third frame scrambled by another scrambling code, which is different from the common scrambling code.

[00180] Example 19 includes the subject matter of Example 16 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive the first and second frames, the wireless communication unit is to descramble the data unit using the common scrambling code.

[00181] Example 20 includes the subject matter of Example 15 and optionally, wherein the first frame is scrambled by a first scrambling code and the second frame is scrambled by a second scrambling code, the second scrambling code is different from the first scrambling code.

[00182] Example 21 includes the subject matter of Example 20 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to receive the first and second frames, the wireless communication unit is to decode the data unit using the first and second scrambling codes.

[00183] Example 22 includes the subject matter of Example 21 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to determine descrambled values of the first frame by descrambling the first frame using the first scrambling code, to store the descrambled values of the first frame, to determine scrambled values of the first frame by scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the second scrambling code, to encode the scrambled values of the first frame, to determine combined scrambled values by combining the encoded scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame, to decode the combined scrambled values, and to descramble the decoded combined values using the second scrambling code.

[00184] Example 23 includes the subject matter of Example 22 and optionally, wherein the descrambled values of the first frame comprise first soft values corresponding to the data unit, and wherein the scrambled values of the first frame comprise second soft values corresponding to the data unit.

[00185] Example 24 includes the subject matter of Example 20 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to transmit the first and second frames.

[00186] Example 25 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 15-24 and optionally, wherein a non-scrambled portion of the second frame comprises an indication that the second frame includes a retransmission of the data unit. [00187] Example 26 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 15-24 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames comprise first and second consecutive frames addressed to a common station.

[00188] Example 27 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 15-26 and optionally, wherein the wireless communication unit is to communicate the first and second frames according to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) scheme.

[00189] Example 28 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 15-27 and optionally, wherein the data unit comprises a PPDU.

[00190] Example 29 includes a method of wireless communication, the method comprising communicating a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame; and communicating a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

[00191] Example 30 includes the subject matter of Example 29 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames are scrambled by a common scrambling code.

[00192] Example 31 includes the subject matter of Example 30 and optionally, comprising transmitting the first and second frames, and storing the common scrambling code.

[00193] Example 32 includes the subject matter of Example 31 and optionally, comprising transmitting another data unit as part of a third frame, the third frame scrambled by another scrambling code, which is different from the common scrambling code.

[00194] Example 33 includes the subject matter of Example 30 and optionally, comprising receiving the first and second frames, and descrambling the data unit using the common scrambling code.

[00195] Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 29 and optionally, wherein the first frame is scrambled by a first scrambling code and the second frame is scrambled by a second scrambling code, the second scrambling code is different from the first scrambling code.

[00196] Example 35 includes the subject matter of Example 34 and optionally, comprising receiving the first and second frames, and decoding the data unit using the first and second scrambling codes.

[00197] Example 36 includes the subject matter of Example 35 and optionally, comprising determining descrambled values of the first frame by descrambling the first frame using the first scrambling code, storing the descrambled values of the first frame, determining scrambled values of the first frame by scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the second scrambling code, encoding the scrambled values of the first frame, determining combined scrambled values by combining the encoded scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame, decoding the combined scrambled values, and descrambling the decoded combined values using the second scrambling code.

[00198] Example 37 includes the subject matter of Example 36 and optionally, wherein the descrambled values of the first frame comprise first soft values corresponding to the data unit, and wherein the scrambled values of the first frame comprise second soft values corresponding to the data unit.

[00199] Example 38 includes the subject matter of Example 34 and optionally, comprising transmitting the first and second frames.

[00200] Example 39 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 29-38 and optionally, wherein a non-scrambled portion of the second frame comprises an indication that the second frame includes a retransmission of the data unit.

[00201] Example 40 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 29-38 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames comprise first and second consecutive frames addressed to a common station.

[00202] Example 41 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 29-40 and optionally, comprising communicating the first and second frames according to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) scheme.

[00203] Example 42 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 29-41 and optionally, wherein the data unit comprises a PPDU.

[00204] Example 43 includes a product including a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a machine, result in communicating a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame; and communicating a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

[00205] Example 44 includes the subject matter of Example 43 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames are scrambled by a common scrambling code.

[00206] Example 45 includes the subject matter of Example 44 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in transmitting the first and second frames, and storing the common scrambling code.

[00207] Example 46 includes the subject matter of Example 45 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in transmitting another data unit as part of a third frame, and scrambling third frame by another scrambling code, which is different from the common scrambling code.

[00208] Example 47 includes the subject matter of Example 44 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in receiving the first and second frames, and descrambling the data unit using the common scrambling code.

[00209] Example 48 includes the subject matter of Example 43 and optionally, wherein the first frame is scrambled by a first scrambling code and the second frame is scrambled by a second scrambling code, the second scrambling code is different from the first scrambling code.

[00210] Example 49 includes the subject matter of Example 48 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in receiving the first and second frames, and decoding the data unit using the first and second scrambling codes.

[00211] Example 50 includes the subject matter of Example 49 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in determining descrambled values of the first frame by descrambling the first frame using the first scrambling code, storing the descrambled values of the first frame, determining scrambled values of the first frame by scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the second scrambling code, encoding the scrambled values of the first frame, determining combined scrambled values by combining the encoded scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame, decoding the combined scrambled values, and descrambling the decoded combined values using the second scrambling code.

[00212] Example 51 includes the subject matter of Example 50 and optionally, wherein the descrambled values of the first frame comprise first soft values corresponding to the data unit, and wherein the scrambled values of the first frame comprise second soft values corresponding to the data unit.

[00213] Example 52 includes the subject matter of Example 48 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in transmitting the first and second frames.

[00214] Example 53 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-52 and optionally, wherein a non-scrambled portion of the second frame comprises an indication that the second frame includes a retransmission of the data unit.

[00215] Example 54 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-52 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames comprise first and second consecutive frames addressed to a common station.

[00216] Example 55 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-54 and optionally, wherein the instructions result in communicating the first and second frames according to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) scheme.

[00217] Example 56 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 43-55 and optionally, wherein the data unit comprises a PPDU. [00218] Example 57 includes an apparatus of wireless communication, the apparatus comprising means for communicating a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame; and means for communicating a retransmission of the data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

[00219] Example 58 includes the subject matter of Example 57 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames are scrambled by a common scrambling code.

[00220] Example 59 includes the subject matter of Example 58 and optionally, comprising means for transmitting the first and second frames, and storing the common scrambling code.

[00221] Example 60 includes the subject matter of Example 59 and optionally, comprising means for transmitting another data unit as part of a third frame, and scrambling third frame by another scrambling code, which is different from the common scrambling code.

[00222] Example 61 includes the subject matter of Example 58 and optionally, comprising means for receiving the first and second frames, and descrambling the data unit using the common scrambling code.

[00223] Example 62 includes the subject matter of Example 57 and optionally, wherein the first frame is scrambled by a first scrambling code and the second frame is scrambled by a second scrambling code, the second scrambling code is different from the first scrambling code.

[00224] Example 63 includes the subject matter of Example 62 and optionally, comprising means for receiving the first and second frames, and decoding the data unit using the first and second scrambling codes.

[00225] Example 64 includes the subject matter of Example 63 and optionally, comprising means for determining descrambled values of the first frame by descrambling the first frame using the first scrambling code, storing the descrambled values of the first frame, determining scrambled values of the first frame by scrambling the descrambled values of the first frame using the second scrambling code, encoding the scrambled values of the first frame, determining combined scrambled values by combining the encoded scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of the second scrambled frame, decoding the combined scrambled values, and descrambling the decoded combined values using the second scrambling code.

[00226] Example 65 includes the subject matter of Example 64 and optionally, wherein the descrambled values of the first frame comprise first soft values corresponding to the data unit, and wherein the scrambled values of the first frame comprise second soft values corresponding to the data unit.

[00227] Example 66 includes the subject matter of Example 62 and optionally, comprising means for transmitting the first and second frames.

[00228] Example 67 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 57-66 and optionally, wherein a non-scrambled portion of the second frame comprises an indication that the second frame includes a retransmission of the data unit.

[00229] Example 68 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 57-66 and optionally, wherein the first and second frames comprise first and second consecutive frames addressed to a common station.

[00230] Example 69 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 57-68 and optionally, comprising means for communicating the first and second frames according to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) scheme.

[00231] Example 70 includes the subject matter of any one of Examples 57-69, wherein the data unit comprises a PPDU.

[00232] Functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more embodiments, may be combined with, or may be utilized in combination with, one or more other functions, operations, components and/or features described herein with reference to one or more other embodiments, or vice versa.

[00233] While certain features of some embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

a wireless communication unit to communicate a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame and to communicate a retransmission of said data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second frames are scrambled by a common scrambling code.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication unit is to transmit said first and second frames, said wireless communication unit is to store said common scrambling code.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said wireless communication unit is to transmit another data unit as part of a third frame, said third frame scrambled by another scrambling code, which is different from said common scrambling code.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said wireless communication unit is to receive said first and second frames, said wireless communication unit is to descramble said data unit using said common scrambling code.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first frame is scrambled by a first scrambling code and said second frame is scrambled by a second scrambling code, said second scrambling code is different from said first scrambling code.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said wireless communication unit is to receive said first and second frames, said wireless communication unit is to decode said data unit using said first and second scrambling codes.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said wireless communication unit is to determine descrambled values of said first frame by descrambling said first frame using said first scrambling code, to store the descrambled values of said first frame, to determine scrambled values of the first frame by scrambling the descrambled values of said first frame using said second scrambling code, to encode the scrambled values of the first frame, to determine combined scrambled values by combining the encoded scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of said second scrambled frame, to decode said combined scrambled values, and to descramble said decoded combined values using said second scrambling code.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said descrambled values of said first frame comprise first soft values corresponding to said data unit, and wherein said scrambled values of said first frame comprise second soft values corresponding to said data unit.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said wireless communication unit is to transmit said first and second frames.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a non-scrambled portion of said second frame comprises an indication that said second frame includes a retransmission of said data unit.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second frames comprise first and second consecutive frames addressed to a common station.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication unit is to communicate said first and second frames according to a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) scheme.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said data unit comprises a PLCP (Physical Layer Convergence Procedure) Protocol Data Unit (PPDU).

15. A system of wireless communication, the system comprising:

a wireless communication device including:

at least one antenna; and

the apparatus of any one of claims 1-14.

16. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising:

communicating a data unit scrambled as part of a first frame; and

communicating a retransmission of said data unit scrambled as part of a second frame.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said first and second frames are scrambled by a common scrambling code.

18. The method of claim 17 comprising transmitting said first and second frames, and storing said common scrambling code.

19. The method of claim 18 comprising transmitting another data unit as part of a third frame, said third frame scrambled by another scrambling code, which is different from said common scrambling code.

20. The method of claim 17 comprising receiving said first and second frames, and descrambling said data unit using said common scrambling code.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein said first frame is scrambled by a first scrambling code and said second frame is scrambled by a second scrambling code, said second scrambling code is different from said first scrambling code.

22. The method of claim 21 comprising receiving said first and second frames, and decoding said data unit using said first and second scrambling codes.

23. The method of claim 22 comprising:

determining descrambled values of said first frame by descrambling said first frame using said first scrambling code;

storing the descrambled values of said first frame;

determining scrambled values of the first frame by scrambling the descrambled values of said first frame using said second scrambling code;

encoding the scrambled values of the first frame;

determining combined scrambled values by combining the encoded scrambled values with scrambled data unit values of said second scrambled frame;

decoding said combined scrambled values, and descrambling said decoded combined values using said second scrambling code.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said descrambled values of the first frame comprise first soft values corresponding to said data unit, and wherein said scrambled values of the first frame comprise second soft values corresponding to said data unit.

25. A product including a non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a machine, result in the method of any one of claims 16-24.