COMMUNICATION

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/455,334, filed February 6, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] This disclosure generally relates to coding methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications and, more particularly, to an enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) control mode frame format.

BACKGROUND

[003] Wireless devices are becoming widely prevalent and are increasingly requesting access to wireless channels. The growing density of wireless deployments requires increased network and spectrum availability. To accommodate this required increase in network and spectrum availability, wireless devices may communicate with each other using directional transmission techniques, and may communicate over EDMG networks. EDMG control mode frames may be coded and/or decoded during communications between wireless devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[004] FIG. 1 depicts a network diagram illustrating an example network environment with an EDMG frame format for an EDMG control mode physical layer convergence protocol data unit (PPDU), in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[005] FIG. 2 depicts a diagram illustrating a portion of an EDMG control mode PPDU, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[006] FIG. 3A depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for encoding an EDMG control mode PPDU, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[007] FIG. 3B depicts a flow diagram of an illustrative process for decoding an EDMG control mode PPDU, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[008] FIG. 4 depicts a functional diagram of an example communication station that may be suitable for use as a user device, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. [009] FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of an example machine upon which any of one or more techniques (e.g., methods) may be performed, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Example embodiments described herein provide certain encoding methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication. The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodiments may be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalents of those claims.

[0011] The disclosure includes an encoding procedure for enhanced directional multi- gigabit (EDMG) control mode physical layer convergence protocol data units (PPDUs). IEEE Wireless Communications Standard 802.11™-2016 includes the 802.1 lad amendment which provides an encoding procedure for DMG (DMG) control mode PPDUs (also called frames). The encoding procedure disclosed herein may extend the encoding procedure defined in IEEE Wireless Communications Standard 802.11™-2016 for a DMG control mode PPDU for coding an EDMG control mode PPDU defined in 802.1 lay.

[0012] Coding procedures in the 802.11 standards may allow information to be compressed (e.g., encoded) and transmitted from one device to another device. A device that receives coded data may decompress (e.g., decode) compressed data. A benefit of the encoding procedure disclosed herein is that the procedure may integrate efficiently with the existing process defined by the IEEE 802.11™-2016 wireless communication standard.

[0013] EDMG control mode may enable a communication link between devices to close before beamforming is performed between the two devices (e.g., an Access Point and a Station). Generally, beamforming may provide additional information in a set up process between devices. EDMG control mode may sacrifice the informational gains provided by beamforming, but may increase processing efficiency during a set up period between devices.

[0014] EDMG control mode may be differentiated from Single Carrier (SC) mode and from an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) mode by at least the EDMG- Header-A in the EDMG control mode PPDU. For example, in EDMG control mode, an EDMG control mode PPDU may include an EDMG- Header- A field, but not the EDMG-STF, EDMG-CEF, or EDMG-Header-B fields. EDMG control mode may also not support multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) or channel bonding. The modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for EDMG control mode may be zero, and EDMG control mode may use a digital binary phase-shift keying (DBPSK) scheme.

[0015] Transmission of EDMG control mode PPDUs may be necessary for setting up communications between devices. For example, EDMG control mode may be used when a transmission vector indicates that MCS equals zero.

[0016] A coding scheme for EDMG control mode PPDUs may include a way to separate an EDMG control mode PPDU into multiple codewords in order to limit the size of each transmitted data packet associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU, for example. As a result, latency may be reduced by the receiving device being able to decode portions of the EDMG control mode PPDU without having to receive the entire EDMG control mode PPDU. However, a device that receives a coded EDMG control mode PPDU may need to identify each codeword associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU, and may need to be configured to decode each codeword. The use of multiple codewords with parity bits in the coding of the EDMG control mode PPDU may allow for improved error detection and correction because the codewords may be robust, which may result in an increased likelihood of correctly recovering the encoded EDMG control mode PPDU. The present disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for the coding and decoding of codewords used to transmit an EDMG control mode PPDU.

[0017] An EDMG control mode PPDU frame format may be composed of a Legacy Short Training Field (L-STF), Legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF), a Legacy Header (L-Header), an EDMG-Header-A, payload data part, and an optional training field appended at the end of the frame. The EDMG control mode frame may be divided into codewords. Codewords may apply a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code for error correction, for example, in transmissions of data in busy communication channels. The L-Header and part of the EDMG-Header-A may be transmitted in a first LDPC codeword (e.g., immediately after the L-STF and L-CEF fields). The second part of the L-Header-A and at least the first bits of the data field may be transmitted in a second LDPC codeword. Any remaining data of the EDMG control mode PPDU may be coded into one or more additional codewords, including a final codeword. The number of codewords may be determined based on the maximum length allowed for each codeword and on the amount of data in the control mode frame.

[0018] Frames that are coded by an encoder may be decoded by a decoder. Coding and decoding standards may be used in wireless transmission protocols. For example, 802.11 standards may define the coding and decoding protocols that may be used in a wireless communication scheme.

[0019] Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a coding scheme for EDMG control mode frames in wireless communication.

[0020] In some demonstrative embodiments, an EDMG device may determine an EDMG control mode PPDU. To send the EDMG control mode PPDU, the EDMG device may divide the EDMG control mode PPDU into multiple codewords that are coded in a format that can be decoded by an EDMG device. The EDMG device may code a first and second codeword, and any additional codewords needed to transmit the entire EDMG control mode PPDU. The EDMG device may also code a final codeword, and may send all of the codewords in one or more communication channels.

[0021] In some demonstrative embodiments, the number of codewords may be determined based on the maximum size allowed for a codeword and on how much data is in the data field of the EDMG control mode PPDU. For example, if the amount of data in the data field is too large to fit into a second codeword, then additional codewords may be determined and sent to communicate the data of an EDMG control mode PPDU.

[0022] In some demonstrative embodiments, a first codeword for an EDMG control mode PPDU may include the L-Header portion of the EDMG control mode PPDU and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A of the EDMG control mode PPDU. The first portion of the EDMG-Header-A of the EDMG control mode PPDU may include a field that indicates the length of the data field of the EDMG control mode PPDU so that, for example, a receiving EDMG device may determine how many codewords are associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU and the length of each codeword. Including the first portion of the EDMG- Header-A may reduce latency and decoding requirements, for example, by reducing the number of codewords associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU, as sending a first codeword with both the L-Header and a portion of the EDMG-Header-A may result in fewer codewords than if the first codeword did not include any of the EDMG-Header-A.

[0023] In some demonstrative embodiments, an EDMG device having memory and processing circuitry may identify and decode a first codeword of an EDMG control mode frame having one or more fields, determine a length of data associated with the EDMG control mode frame, determine a number of subsequent codewords and a length of each subsequent codeword for the EDMG control mode frame, and decode each subsequent codeword. [0024] In some demonstrative embodiments, an EDMG device may determine the number of codewords associated with an EDMG control mode PPDU based on a field in a first codeword of the EDMG control mode PPDU. A field of the first codeword may indicate the length of the data field of the EDMG control mode PPDU. Knowing the length of the data field, the EDMG device may determine how many codewords are associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU so that the EDMG device may configure itself to decode the entire EDMG control mode PPDU.

[0025] The above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting. Numerous other examples, configurations, processes, etc., may exist, some of which are described in greater detail below. Example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a network diagram illustrating an example network environment with an EDMG frame format for an EDMG control mode PPDU, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. Wireless network 100 may include one or more user device(s) 120 and one or more access point(s) (AP) 102, which may communicate in accordance with IEEE 802.11 communication standards, such as the IEEE 802.1 lad and/or IEEE 802.1 lay specifications. The user device(s) 120 may be referred to as stations (STAs). The user device(s) 120 may be mobile devices that are non- stationary and do not have fixed locations. Although the AP 102 is shown to be communicating on multiple antennas with user devices 120, it should be understood that this is only for illustrative purposes and that any user device 120 may also communicate using multiple antennas with other user devices 120 and/or AP 102.

[0027] In some embodiments, the user devices 120 and AP 102 may include one or more computer systems similar to that of the functional diagram of FIG. 4 and/or the example machine/system of FIG. 5.

[0028] One or more illustrative user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may be operable by one or more user(s) 110. The user device(s) 120 (e.g., 124, 126, or 128) and/or AP 102 may include any suitable processor-driven device including, but not limited to, a mobile device or a non- mobile, e.g., a static, device. For example, user device(s) 120 and/or AP 102 may include, a user equipment (UE), a station (STA), an access point (AP), a personal computer (PC), a wearable wireless device (e.g., bracelet, watch, glasses, ring, etc.), a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a laptop computer, an ultrabook ^tm computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a handheld computer, a handheld device, an internet of things (IoT) device, a sensor 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. It is understood that the above is a list of devices. However, other devices, including smart devices such as lamps, climate control, car components, household components, appliances, etc. may also be included in this list.

[0029] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may be configured to communicate with each other via one or more communications networks 130 and/or 135 wirelessly or wired. Any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include, but not limited to, any one of a combination of different types of suitable communications networks such as, for example, broadcasting networks, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, cellular networks, or any other suitable private and/or public networks. Further, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may have any suitable communication range associated therewith and may include, for example, global networks (e.g., the Internet), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or personal area networks (PANs). In addition, any of the communications networks 130 and/or 135 may include any type of medium over which network traffic may be carried including, but not limited to, coaxial cable, twisted-pair wire, optical fiber, a hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) medium, microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication mediums, white space communication mediums, ultra-high frequency communication mediums, satellite communication mediums, or any combination thereof.

[0030] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may include one or more communications antennas. The one or more communications antennas may be any suitable type of antennas corresponding to the communications protocols used by the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126 and 128), and AP 102. Some non-limiting examples of suitable communications antennas include Wi-Fi antennas, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards compatible antennas, directional antennas, non-directional antennas, dipole antennas, folded dipole antennas, patch antennas, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, omnidirectional antennas, quasi- omnidirectional antennas, or the like. The one or more communications antennas may be communicatively coupled to a radio component to transmit and/or receive signals, such as communications signals to and/or from the user devices 120 and/or AP 102.

[0031] Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may be configured to perform directional transmission and/or directional reception in conjunction with wirelessly communicating in a wireless network. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may be configured to perform such directional transmission and/or reception using a set of multiple antenna arrays (e.g., DMG antenna arrays or the like). Each of the multiple antenna arrays may be used for transmission and/or reception in a particular respective direction or range of directions. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may be configured to perform any given directional transmission towards one or more defined transmit sectors. Any of the user device(s) 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may be configured to perform any given directional reception from one or more defined receive sectors.

[0032] Any of the user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may include any suitable radio and/or transceiver for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals in the bandwidth and/or channels corresponding to the communications protocols utilized by any of the user device(s) 120 and AP 102 to communicate with each other. The radio components may include hardware and/or software to modulate and/or demodulate communications signals according to pre-established transmission protocols. The radio components may further have hardware and/or software instructions to communicate via one or more Wi-Fi and/or Wi-Fi direct protocols, as standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards. In certain example embodiments, the radio component, in cooperation with the communications antennas, may be configured to communicate via 2.4 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11b, 802. llg, 802.11η, 802.1 lax), 5 GHz channels (e.g. 802.11η, 802.11ac, 802.1 lax), or 60 GHZ channels (e.g. 802.1 lad, 802. Hay). In some embodiments, non-Wi-Fi protocols may be used for communications between devices, such as Bluetooth, dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) (e.g. IEEE 802.1 laf, IEEE 802.22), white band frequency (e.g., white spaces), or other packetized radio communications. The radio component may include any known receiver and baseband suitable for communicating via the communications protocols. The radio component may further include a low noise amplifier (LNA), additional signal amplifiers, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, one or more buffers, and digital baseband.

[0033] Some demonstrative embodiments may be used in conjunction with a wireless communication network communicating over a frequency band of 2.16 GHz. However, other embodiments may be implemented utilizing any other suitable wireless communication frequency bands, for example, an extremely high frequency (EHF) band (the millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency band), a WLAN frequency band, a WPAN frequency band, a frequency band according to the WGA specification, and the like.

[0034] Any of the user devices 120 (e.g., user devices 124, 126, 128), and AP 102 may include an encoder and/or decoder for coding and decoding data. The devices may operate in accordance with one or more coding specifications such as those defined in 802.11 standards.

[0035] In some demonstrative embodiments, the user device(s) 120 and/or the AP 102 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more specifications, including one or more IEEE 802.11 specifications, (e.g., an IEEE 802. Hay specification, and/or any other specification and/or protocol).

[0036] In one embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a general frame format for the EDMG control mode PPDU 140. The preamble 142 of the EDMG control mode PPDU 140 may include, at least in part, a legacy Short Training Field (L-STF) 146, a legacy Channel Estimation Field (L-CEF) 148, a legacy header (L-Header) 150, and an EDMG-Header-A 152. Beside the preamble 142, the EDMG control mode PPDU 140 may include a data field 154, and optional beamforming training field 156 (TRN). It is understood that the above acronyms may be different and not to be construed as a limitation as other acronyms maybe used for the fields included in an EDMG control mode PPDU 140.

[0037] In one embodiment, a number of fields (e.g., fields 144) of the preamble 142 may be transmitted using SISO SC PHY modulation. EDMG control mode frames may be coded and decoded according to a variety of coding specifications, including but not limited to those disclosed herein.

[0038] The EDMG control mode PPDU 140 may be separated into multiple codewords as further explained in regard to FIG. 2. The number of codewords may be based at least in part on the length of the data field 154, and the information in each codeword is discussed further below in regard to FIG. 2. Separating the EDMG control mode PPDU 140 into multiple codewords may allow for portions of the EDMG control mode PPDU 140 to be coded with parity bits so that each codeword is robust enough to reduce the chance of not recovering coded information. Using a coding scheme similar to the coding process for DMG control mode PPDUs may also allow for efficient adaptation to an EDMG control mode.

[0039] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0040] FIG. 2 depicts a diagram illustrating portion 200 of an EDMG control mode PPDU (e.g., EDMG control mode PPDU 140 of FIG. 1), in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0041] In one embodiment, the EDMG control mode PPDU 140 may include a first codeword 202 and a second codeword 204. The first codeword 202 may include a reserved field 206, a scrambler initiation field 208, the complete L-Header 210, and the scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212.

[0042] In one embodiment, the L-Header 210, the scrambler initiation field 208, and the reserved field 206 may consist of 40 bits. The 40 bits may come from a reserved field 218 (e.g., 1 bit), a scrambler initiation field 220 (e.g., 4 bits), a length field 222 (e.g., 10 bits), a packet type field 224 (e.g., 1 bit), a training length field 226 (e.g., 5 bits), a turnaround field 228 (e.g., 1 bit), a reserved bit field 230 (e.g., 2 bits), and a Header Check Sequence (HCS) field 232 (e.g., 16 bits). The 40 bits may be scrambled by scrambler 233 to create a first portion of the first codeword 202 that includes the reserved field 206, the scrambler initiation field 208, and the complete L-Header 210.

[0043] In one embodiment, a first portion of the scrambled EDMG-Header-A may be represented by scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 in the first codeword 202. Scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 may consist of 48 bits. The 48 bits representing the scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 may represent a second portion of the first codeword 202.

[0044] In one embodiment, the 48 bits may consist of a bandwidth field 234 (e.g., 8 bits), a primary channel field 236 (e.g., 3 bits), a data length field 238 (e.g., 10 bits), a training length field 240 (e.g., 8 bits), a training field 242 representing a number of receive training (RX TRN) units per each transmit training (TX TRN) units (e.g., 8 bits), a training configuration field 244 (e.g., 8 bits), and a reserved field 246 (e.g., 3 bits). The 48 bits may be scrambled by scrambler 233 to create the second portion of the first codeword 202 consisting of the scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212. The first codeword 202 may therefore consist of 88 bits (e.g., 40 bits plus 48 bits), and this number of bits may be fixed. Using a fixed number of bits in a first codeword may allow an EDMG device to be configured to receive and decode multiple codewords associated with an EDMG control mode PPDU.

[0045] In one embodiment, the bandwidth field 234 may indicate the channel(s) in which the EDMG control mode PPDU 140 may be transmitted. For example, if a bit is set to 1, the bit may indicate that the corresponding channel is used for a EDMG control mode PPDU 140 transmission. A bit value of 0 may correspond to channel 1. A bit value of 1 may correspond to channel 2, and so on. The bandwidth field 234 may be restricted to 2.16, 4.32, 6.48 and 8.64 GHz channels, for example. The primary channel field 236 may include three least significant bits of the primary channel number of the basic service set minus one. The data length field 238 may indicate an amount of data in the physical layer service data unit (PSDU). The training length field 240 may indicate a length of the training field (e.g., TRN 156 of FIG. 1). The training field 242 may be reserved if the value of the training length field 240 is zero. Otherwise, the training field 242 may indicate the number of consecutive TRN- Units in the TRN field 242 for which the transmitter remains with the same transmit Antenna Weight Vector (AWV). The training configuration field 244 may indicate a configuration of the training field 242.

[0046] In one embodiment, the second codeword 204 may include a second portion of the scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 and a scrambled data payload 216. The second codeword may consist of 24 bits plus however many bits are included in the scrambled data payload 216. The 24 bits may consist of a reserved field 248 (e.g., 8 bits) and a Header Check Sequence 250 (e.g., 16 bits). The data payload 252 can vary in length.

[0047] In one embodiment, the length of a codeword may be limited. In such a scenario, if the scrambled data payload 216 is long enough that including the entire length of the scrambled data payload 216 in the second codeword 204 would result in exceeding the limited length of a codeword, then the data payload 252 may be divided and spread among one or more additional codewords based at least in part on the allowed length of a codeword. The maximum allowed length of a codeword may be predetermined or may be calculated based on characteristics of an EDMG control mode PPDU, a device, system, and/or communication channel. [0048] In one embodiment, in an EDMG control mode PPDU 140, the fields may be scrambled, encoded, modulated, and spread, in a process similar to the one used for DMG control mode PPDUs. The processes of scrambling, modulation, and spreading that may be adopted by TGay may be identical to one used in the 802.11 ad wireless communication standard. However, because of the presence of the scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 and 214, the encoding process to be used in the 802.11 ay wireless communication standard may be different from the one used in 802.1 lad wireless communication standard.

[0049] In one embodiment, the fields of the EDMG control mode PPDU may be encoded using an effective LDPC code rate less than or equal to 1/2, or another code rate, generated from the data PHY rate 3/4 LDPC parity check matrix, with shortening. The 3/4 LDPC parity check matrix used may be defined in 802.11-2016 for a DMG single channel (SC) PHY and may be used with shortening in the encoding/decoding of EDMG control mode PPDUs. In one embodiment, the maximum number of data bits in each LDPC codeword may be 168. The following steps may be used for the encoding:

[0050] In one embodiment, the length of L-Header 210 may be set as L _L _ _Header = 5 octets. The length of scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 may be set as L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A1 = 6 octets. The total number of bits (e.g., useful information for L-Header 210 and EDMG- Header-A 212) in the first LDPC codeword 202 may be determined as L _FCW = (L _L _ _Header + LEDMG -Header-Ai) X 8 = 88 bits (e.g., 8 bits per octet x 11 octets). The length of scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 may be set as L _EDMG - _Header _ _A2 = 3 octets (e.g., 24 bits). The scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 may be transmitted in the second LDPC codeword 204. The number of LDPC codewords may be determined as

N _cw = l + r(L-en"gt"h"+^L _ED " _M ' _G --- _H "^ _ea( ie^r-A^2 ^{x 8} " _W here Length is the length of the scrambled data payload 216. The number of bits in the second codeword 204 and any subsequent LDPC codeword (e.g., if any are present), except the final codeword in an EDMG control mode

(Length+L _EDMG - _Hea( ier-A2 ^{x 8}

PPDU 140 of FIG. 1, may be determined as L _cw = The

Ncw-l

number of data bits in the second LDPC codeword 204 may be determined as L _scw = L _cw — (8 x L _EDMG - _Header _ _A2 ) where L _cw is the length of the second codeword and of any subsequent codeword other than the final codeword. The number of bits in the last LDPC codeword may be determined as L _LCW = Length + L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 ) X 8— (N _cw — 2) x Lew-

[0051] In one embodiment, all LDPC codewords may have 168 parity bits. [0052] In one embodiment, if the length of the scrambled data payload 216 is Length = 128 octets (e.g., 8 bits per octet), and if the predetermined maximum length of a codeword subsequent to the first codeword (e.g., L _CWD ) is 168 bits, and the length of the first portion of the EDMG-Header-A 212 is 3 octets, then the total number of codewords may be N _cw = 1 +

= 8 codewords, the length of any subsequent codewords to the first codeword

L CWD

(128 +3) x8

202 other than the final codeword may be L _cw = = 150 bits, and the length of the final codeword may be L _LCW = (Length + L _EDMG _ _Header→2 ) x 8 - (N _cw - 2) x Lew = 148 bits. For the first LDPC codeword 202, the length of the first codeword 202 may be represented by L _FCW =88 bits, and may consist of 40 L-Header 210 bits and 48 EDMG- Header-A 212 bits (e.g., the first portion of the EDMG-Header-A may be 48 bits). For the second LDPC codeword 204, the length of the second codeword 204 may be represented by L _LCW =150 bits, which may consist of 24 EDMG-Header-A 214 bits along with L _scw = 126 data bits.

[0053] In one embodiment, the first LDPC codeword 202 may have a fixed length of 88 bits of information. The second 204 and any subsequent LDPC codeword (e.g., if there are more than two codewords), except the final codeword (e.g., if there are more than two codewords), may have a variable length, denoted by L _cw . The length of the final LDPC codeword may also be variable, and may be denoted by L _LCW .

[0054] In order to decode the second 204 and any subsequent LDPC codeword (e.g., if any subsequent codewords are used), a receiver may need to calculate N _cw , L _cw and L _LCW . To do so, a receiver may need to know the value of Length, which may be signaled in the first LDPC codeword 202.

[0055] In an embodiment, after decoding the first codeword 202 of FIG. 2, the device may use the HCS field 232 included in the L-Header 210 to validate the L-Header 210. If the check fails (e.g., the HCS field 232 calculated with the received bits is different from the received HCS field 232 in the first codeword 202), the device may be expected to discard the packet. If the check passes (e.g., the HCS field 232 has not changed), the device may, among other things, obtain Length in the EDMG-Header-A 1 and calculate the parameters necessary to decode subsequent LDPC codewords (specifically, N _cw , L _cw and L _LCW ).

[0056] In an embodiment, as the decoding process continues, if Length is incorrect, it is likely that the values calculated for N _cw , L _cw and L _LCW would be incorrect. In this case, decoding of the second codeword 204 of FIG. 2 would likely fail and the frame would be discarded. If Length is incorrect, it is also possible that the values obtained for N _cw , L _cw and Licw ^ma y be correct. However, when the HCS 250 of the second codeword 204 is evaluated to determine if the HCS 250 calculated with the received bits is different from the HCS 250 received in the second codeword 204, an error may likely be detected and the frame may be discarded. If Length is correct, but the HCS 250 of the second codeword 204 fails (e.g. the HCS 250 calculated with the received bits is different from the received HCS 250 of the second codeword 204), the frame may be discarded. If Length is correct and the HCS 250 check of the second codeword 204 passes (e.g. the HCS 250 calculated with the received bits is the same as the received HCS 250 of the second codeword 204), decoding of the remaining LDPC codewords may continue. HCS field 232 and HCS 250 may be different from one another because HCS field 232 may be determined based on information in L- Header 210, and HCS 250 may be determined based on information in EDMG-Header-A 212.

[0057] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0058] FIG. 3A illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process 300 for encoding an illustrative EDMG control mode frame for transmission, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0059] In an embodiment, the illustrative process 300 for encoding an EDMG control mode PPDU (e.g., EDMG control mode PPDU 140 of FIG. 1) may include the following. At block 302, a processor for a device sending the EDMG control mode PPDU (e.g., AP 102 of FIG. 1) may determine a first codeword (e.g., first codeword 202 of FIG. 2) of an EDMG control mode PPDU. The EDMG control mode PPDU may include one or more fields associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU (e.g., L-STF field 146, L-CEF field 148, L- Header 150, EDMG-Header-A 152, data field 154, and training field 156 of FIG. 1). The first codeword may include the L-Header (e.g., L-Header 210 of FIG. 2) and at least a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A (e.g., scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 of FIG. 2). The first codeword may include one or more fields, including a field that indicates the length of a data field of the EDMG control mode PPDU. The length of the first codeword may be fixed (e.g., 88 bits). Determining the first codeword may include coding the first codeword.

[0060] At block 304, a processor of the device sending the EDMG control mode PPDU may determine a second codeword (e.g., second codeword 204 of FIG. 2) for the EDMG control mode PPDU. The second codeword may include a second portion of the EDMG- Header-A (e.g., scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 of FIG. 2) and at least a portion of the data field of the EDMG control mode PPDU (e.g., scrambled data payload 216 of FIG. 2). If the data field is long enough that it cannot fit into a maximum allowed length of the second codeword, then the data field may be divided into portions that can be coded as separate codewords in addition to the second codeword.

[0061] At block 306, a processor of the device sending the EDMG control mode PPDU may optionally determine additional codewords. Additional codewords may include any subsequent codewords, including a final codeword. The number of codewords used to send the EDMG control mode PPDU may depend at least in part on a length of the data field. The number of codewords used to send the EDMG control mode PPDU may also depend on an allowed length of codewords. For example, if the data field of the EDMG control mode PPDU is longer than a maximum allowed length of a codeword, then additional codewords may be used to send the data field.

[0062] The coding of the first, second, and any additional codewords at blocks 302, 304, and 306 may be further defined as follows.

[0063] In one embodiment, the length of L-Header 210 may be set as L _L _ _Header = 5 octets. The length of scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 may be set as L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A1 = 6 octets. The total number of bits (e.g., useful information for L-Header 210 and EDMG- Header-A 212) in the first LDPC codeword 202 may be determined as Lpcw = Ο-Ί-Header +

LEDMG -Header-Ai) X 8 = 88 bits (e.g., 8 bits per octet x 11 octets). The length of scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 may be set as L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 = 3 octets (e.g., 24 bits). The scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 may be transmitted in the second LDPC codeword 204. The number of LDPC codewords may be determined as

N _cw = l + _{where Leng th is the length of the scram} bl _e d data

payload 216. The number of bits in the second 204 and any subsequent LDPC codeword (e.g., if any are present), except the final codeword in an EDMG control mode PPDU 140,

(Length+L _EDMG - _Hea( ier-A2 ^{x 8}

may be determined as L _cw ΊΊκ' number of data bits in the second LDPC codeword 204 may be determined as L _scw = L _cw — (8 x L _EDMG - _Header _ _A2 ) where L _cw is the length of the second codeword and of any subsequent codeword other than the final codeword. The number of bits in the last LDPC codeword may be determined as

LLCW ⁼ {Length + L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 ) X 8— (N W ^— 2) X L _cw .

[0064] In one embodiment, all LDPC codewords may have 168 parity bits.

[0065] In one embodiment, if the length of the scrambled data payload 216 is Length =

128 octets (e.g., 8 bits per octet), and if the predetermined maximum length of a codeword subsequent to the first codeword (e.g., L _CW D) is 168 bits, and the length of the first portion of the EDMG-Header-A 212 is 3 octets, then the total number of codewords may be N _cw = 1 +

= 8 codewords, the length of any subsequent codewords to the first codeword

L CWD

(128 +3) x8

202 other than the final codeword may be L _cw = = 150 bits, and the length of the final codeword may be L _LCW = (Length + L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 ) x 8 - (N _cw - 2) x L _cw = 148 bits. For the first LDPC codeword 202, the length of the first codeword 202 may be represented by L _FCW =88 bits, and may consist of 40 L-Header 210 bits and 48 EDMG- Header-A 212 bits (e.g., the first portion of the EDMG-Header-A may be 48 bits). For the second LDPC codeword 204, the length of the second codeword 204 may be represented by L _LCW = 150 bits, which may consist of 24 EDMG-Header-A 204 bits along with L _scw = 126 data bits.

[0066] At block 308, a processor of the device sending the EDMG control mode PPDU may cause the device to send the codewords associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU. The codewords may be sent to one or more EDMG devices in one or more communication channels, and may be sent as part of a device set up before a beamforming period would otherwise occur.

[0067] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0068] FIG. 3B illustrates a flow diagram of illustrative process 350 for decoding an illustrative EDMG control mode frame for transmission, in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] At block 352, a processor for a receiving device (e.g., user device 120 of FIG. 1) may identify an EDMG control mode frame (e.g., EDMG control mode PPDU 140 of FIG. 1). The EDMG control mode frame may include one or more fields associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU (e.g., L-STF field 146, L-CEF field 148, L-Header 150, EDMG- Header-A 152, data field 154, and training field 156 of FIG. 1).

[0070] At block 354, a processor for the receiving device may decode a first codeword (e.g., first codeword 202 of FIG. 2) associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU identified at block 352. The first codeword may include an L-Header (e.g., L-Header 210 of FIG. 2) and at least a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A (e.g., EDMG-Header-A 212 of FIG. 2). Decoding the first codeword may include processing one or more fields of the first codeword to determine, for example, if any subsequent codewords are associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU and their lengths. The only information needed to decode the first codeword may be the number of bits in the first codeword (e.g., 88 bits), and that may be true for both EDMG and DMG control mode PPDUs.

[0071] At block 356, a processor for the receiving device may determine a length of the data field (e.g., data payload 252 of FIG. 2) for the EDMG control mode PPDU. Knowing the length of the data field may allow the device to determine how many additional codewords to anticipate and associate with the EDMG control mode PPDU so that the device may be configured to decode each codeword associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU.

[0072] At block 358, a processor for the receiving device may determine additional codewords associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU. For example, if the data field is too long to fit entirely within a second codeword (e.g., second codeword 204 of FIG. 2), then the EDMG control mode PPDU may require additional codewords to transmit the data field. The receiving device may need to know how many codewords are associated with the EDMG control mode PPDU and their length(s) so that the receiving device may be configured to receive and decode each codeword.

[0073] At block 360, a processor for the receiving device may decode the additional codewords determined at block 358. For example, the additional codewords may include a second codeword, and may include more codewords than two. Knowing the length of the second codeword and subsequent codewords to the first codeword other than the final codeword (e.g., L _CW ), a decoder may have all the information necessary to decode the second and any subsequent LDPC codewords, except the final codeword. Knowing the length of the final codeword (e.g., L _LCW ), a device may have all the information necessary to decode the final LDPC codeword. To determine the length of each codeword, the receiving device may only need to know the length of the data field in the EDMG control mode PPDU and the maximum allowed length of each codeword other than the first codeword.

[0074] The operations of a receiving device at blocks 354, 356, 358, and 360 may be further defined as follows.

[0075] In one embodiment, the length of L-Header 210 may be set as L _L _ _HEADER = 5 octets. The length of scrambled EDMG-Header-A 212 may be set as L _EDMG _ _HEADER _ _A1 = 6 octets. The total number of bits (e.g., useful information for L-Header 210 and EDMG- Header-A 212) in the first LDPC codeword 202 may be determined as = (.^L-Header +

LEDMG -Header-Ai) X 8 = 88 bits (e.g., 8 bits per octet x 11 octets). The length of scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 may be set as L _EDMG - _HEADER _ _A2 = 3 octets (e.g., 24 bits). The scrambled EDMG-Header-A 214 may be transmitted in the second LDPC codeword 204. The number of LDPC codewords may be determined as

N _cw = l + where Length is the length of the scrambled data

payload 216. The number of bits in the second 204 and any subsequent LDPC codeword (e.g., if any are present), except the final codeword in an EDMG control mode PPDU 140, may be determined as L _cw ΊΊκ' number of data bits in the

second LDPC codeword 204 may be determined as L _scw = L _cw — (8 x L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 ) where L _cw is the length of the second codeword and of any subsequent codeword other than the final codeword. The number of bits in the last LDPC codeword may be determined as LLCW ⁼ (.Length + L _EDMG - _Header - _A2 ) x 8— (N _CW ^— 2) x L _cw .

[0076] In one embodiment, all LDPC codewords may have 168 parity bits.

[0077] In one embodiment, if the length of the scrambled data payload 216 is Length = 128 octets (e.g., 8 bits per octet), and if the predetermined maximum length of a codeword subsequent to the first codeword (e.g., L _CWD ) is 168 bits, and the length of the first portion of the EDMG-Header-A 212 is 3 octets, then the total number of codewords may be N _CW = 1 + | ^" 0-28+3)x8 _ g _coc iewords, th _e length of any subsequent codewords to the first codeword

I LcwD

(128 +3) x8

202 other than the final codeword may be L _cw = = 150 bits, and the length of the final codeword may be L _LCW = (Length + L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 ) x 8 - (N _CW - 2) x L _cw = 148 bits. For the first LDPC codeword 202, the length of the first codeword 202 may be represented by L _FCW =88 bits, and may consist of 40 L-Header 210 bits and 48 EDMG- Header-A 212 bits (e.g., the first portion of the EDMG-Header-A may be 48 bits). For the second LDPC codeword 204, the length of the second codeword 204 may be represented by L _LCW = 150 bits, which may consist of 24 EDMG-Header-A 204 bits along with L _scw = 126 data bits.

[0078] It is understood that the above descriptions are for purposes of illustration and are not meant to be limiting.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a functional diagram of an exemplary communication station 400 in accordance with some embodiments. In one embodiment, FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a communication station that may be suitable for use as an AP 102 (FIG. 1) or a user device 120 (FIG. 1) in accordance with some embodiments. The communication station 400 may also be suitable for use as a handheld device, a mobile device, a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptop computer, a wearable computer device, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber station, an access point, an access terminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device.

[0080] The communication station 400 may include communications circuitry 402 and a transceiver 410 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from other communication stations using one or more antennas 401. The transceiver 410 may be a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver that are combined and share common circuitry (e.g., communication circuitry 402). The communication circuitry 402 may include amplifiers, filters, mixers, analog to digital and/or digital to analog converters. The transceiver 410 may transmit and receive analog or digital signals. The transceiver 410 may allow reception of signals during transmission periods. This mode is known as full-duplex, and may require the transmitter and receiver to operate on different frequencies to minimize interference between the transmitted signal and the received signal. The transceiver 410 may operate in a half- duplex mode, where the transceiver 410 may transmit or receive signals in one direction at a time.

[0081] The communications circuitry 402 may include circuitry that can operate the physical layer (PHY) communications and/or medium access control (MAC) communications for controlling access to the wireless medium, and/or any other communications layers for transmitting and receiving signals. The communication station 400 may also include processing circuitry 406 and memory 408 arranged to perform the operations described herein. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry 402 and the processing circuitry 406 may be configured to perform operations detailed in FIGs. 3A and 3B.

[0082] In accordance with some embodiments, the communications circuitry 402 may be arranged to contend for a wireless medium and configure frames or packets for communicating over the wireless medium. The communications circuitry 402 may be arranged to transmit and receive signals. The communications circuitry 402 may also include circuitry for modulation/demodulation, upconversion/downconversion, filtering, amplification, etc. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 406 of the communication station 400 may include one or more processors. In other embodiments, two or more antennas 401 may be coupled to the communications circuitry 402 arranged for sending and receiving signals. The memory 408 may store information for configuring the processing circuitry 406 to perform operations for configuring and transmitting message frames and performing the various operations described herein. The memory 408 may include any type of memory, including non-transitory memory, for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, the memory 408 may include a computer-readable storage device, read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices and other storage devices and media.

[0083] In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may be part of a portable wireless communication device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wireless communication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a smartphone, a wireless headset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, an access point, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), a wearable computer device, or another device that may receive and/or transmit information wirelessly.

[0084] In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may include one or more antennas 401. The antennas 401 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, dipole antennas, monopole antennas, patch antennas, loop antennas, microstrip antennas, or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some embodiments, instead of two or more antennas, a single antenna with multiple apertures may be used. In these embodiments, each aperture may be considered a separate antenna. In some multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, the antennas may be effectively separated for spatial diversity and the different channel characteristics that may result between each of the antennas and the antennas of a transmitting station.

[0085] In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may include one or more of a keyboard, a display, a non-volatile memory port, multiple antennas, a graphics processor, an application processor, speakers, and other mobile device elements. The display may be an LCD screen including a touch screen.

[0086] Although the communication station 400 is illustrated as having several separate functional elements, two or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements, such as processing elements including digital signal processors (DSPs), and/or other hardware elements. For example, some elements may include one or more microprocessors, DSPs, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), radio- frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) and combinations of various hardware and logic circuitry for performing at least the functions described herein. In some embodiments, the functional elements of the communication station 400 may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements.

[0087] Certain embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware, firmware, and software. Other embodiments may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device, which may be read and executed by at least one processor to perform the operations described herein. A computer-readable storage device may include any non-transitory memory mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). For example, a computer-readable storage device may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices and media. In some embodiments, the communication station 400 may include one or more processors and may be configured with instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device memory.

[0088] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a machine 500 or system upon which any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methodologies) discussed herein may be performed. In other embodiments, the machine 500 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 500 may operate in the capacity of a server machine, a client machine, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 500 may act as a peer machine in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environments. The machine 500 may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a wearable computer device, a web appliance, a network router, a switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine, such as a base station. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), or other computer cluster configurations.

[0089] Examples, as described herein, may include or may operate on logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations when operating. A module includes hardware. In an example, the hardware may be specifically configured to carry out a specific operation (e.g., hardwired). In another example, the hardware may include configurable execution units (e.g., transistors, circuits, etc.) and a computer readable medium containing instructions where the instructions configure the execution units to carry out a specific operation when in operation. The configuring may occur under the direction of the executions units or a loading mechanism. Accordingly, the execution units are communicatively coupled to the computer- readable medium when the device is operating. In this example, the execution units may be a member of more than one module. For example, under operation, the execution units may be configured by a first set of instructions to implement a first module at one point in time and reconfigured by a second set of instructions to implement a second module at a second point in time.

[0090] The machine (e.g., computer system) 500 may include a hardware processor 502 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 504 and a static memory 506, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus) 508. The machine 500 may further include a power management device 532, a graphics display device 510, an alphanumeric input device 512 (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device 514 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the graphics display device 510, alphanumeric input device 512, and UI navigation device 514 may be a touch screen display. The machine 500 may additionally include a storage device (i.e., drive unit) 516, a signal generation device 518 (e.g., a speaker), an EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519, a network interface device/transceiver 520 coupled to antenna(s) 530, and one or more sensors 528, such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a compass, an accelerometer, or other sensor. The machine 500 may include an output controller 534, such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, a card reader, etc.)).

[0091] The storage device 516 may include a machine readable medium 522 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions 524 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 524 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 504, within the static memory 506, or within the hardware processor 502 during execution thereof by the machine 500. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 502, the main memory 504, the static memory 506, or the storage device 516 may constitute machine- readable media.

[0092] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may carry out or perform any of the operations and processes described and shown above. For example, the EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to encode and decode an EDMG frame structure according to the processes 300 and 350.

[0093] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine an EDMG control mode frame.

[0094] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a first codeword of an EDMG control mode frame.

[0095] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a second codeword of an EDMG control mode frame.

[0096] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine additional codewords of an EDMG control mode frame.

[0097] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to cause a device to send the codewords of an EDMG control mode frame.

[0098] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to identify an EDMG control mode frame.

[0099] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to decode a first codeword of an EDMG control mode frame.

[00100] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a length of a data field of the EDMG control mode frame.

[00101] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine additional codewords of an EDMG control mode frame.

[00102] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to decode additional codewords of an EDMG control mode frame.

[00103] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a maximum allowed length of codewords of an EDMG control mode frame other than the first and the final codewords of the EDMG control mode frame.

[00104] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a total number of codewords that are associated with an EDMG control mode frame. In one example, the EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to execute the following equation to determine a total number of codewords that are associated with an EDMG control mode frame: N _cw = 1 + _{whefe L th is the}

length of a data field of the EDMG control mode frame, and L _CWD is a maximum allowed length of a second codeword of the EDMG control mode frame. [00105] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a number of bits in a second and any subsequent codeword of an EDMG control mode frame other than the final codeword. In one example, the EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to execute the following equation to determine a number of bits in a second and any subsequent codeword of an EDMG control mode frame other than the final

(Length+L _EDMG - _Hea( j )x8

codeword: L, cw— where Length is the length of a data field of Ncw-1

the EDMG control mode frame, L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 is a length of a second portion of an EDMG-Header-A of the EDMG control mode frame, and N _cw is a number of codewords associated with the EDMG control mode frame.

[00106] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a number of data bits in a second codeword of an EDMG control mode frame. In one example, the EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to execute the following equation to determine a number of data bits in a second codeword of an EDMG control mode frame: L _scw = L _cw - (8 x L EDMG -Header -A2 ) where L _cw is the length of the second codeword and of any subsequent codeword other than the final codeword, and LEDMG—Header— A2 is ^a length of a second portion of an EDMG-Header-A of the EDMG control mode frame.

[00107] The EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to determine a number of bits in a final codeword of an EDMG control mode frame. In one example, the EDMG control mode encoder/decoder 519 may be configured to execute the following equation to determine a number of bits in a final codeword of an EDMG control mode frame: LLCW = (Length + L _EDMG _ _Header _ _A2 ) x 8 - (N _cw - 2) x L _cw where Length is the length of a data field of the EDMG control mode frame, L _EDMG - _Header _ _A2 is a length of a second portion of an EDMG-Header-A of the EDMG control mode frame, N _cw is a number of codewords associated with the EDMG control mode frame, and L _cw is the length of the second codeword and of any subsequent codeword other than the final codeword.

[00108] While the machine -readable medium 522 is illustrated as a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions 524.

[00109] Various embodiments may be implemented fully or partially in software and/or firmware. This software and/or firmware may take the form of instructions contained in or on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Those instructions may then be read and executed by one or more processors to enable performance of the operations described herein. The instructions may be in any suitable form, such as but not limited to source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. Such a computer-readable medium may include any tangible non-transitory medium for storing information in a form readable by one or more computers, such as but not limited to read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; a flash memory, etc.

[00110] The term "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 900 and that cause the machine 500 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting machine-readable medium examples may include solid-state memories and optical and magnetic media. In an example, a massed machine-readable medium includes a machine-readable medium with a plurality of particles having resting mass. Specific examples of massed machine-readable media may include non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD- ROM disks.

[00111] The instructions 524 may further be transmitted or received over a communications network 526 using a transmission medium via the network interface device/transceiver 520 utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communications networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), plain old telephone (POTS) networks, wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, and peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. In an example, the network interface device/transceiver 520 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network 526. In an example, the network interface device/transceiver 520 may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. The term "transmission medium" shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 500 and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible media to facilitate communication of such software. The operations and processes (e.g., process 300) described and shown above may be carried out or performed in any suitable order as desired in various implementations. Additionally, in certain implementations, at least a portion of the operations may be carried out in parallel. Furthermore, in certain implementations, less than or more than the operations described may be performed.

[00112] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The terms "computing device," "user device," "communication station," "station," "handheld device," "mobile device," "wireless device" and "user equipment" (UE) as used herein refers to a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone, a smartphone, a tablet, a netbook, a wireless terminal, a laptop computer, a femtocell, a high data rate (HDR) subscriber station, an access point, a printer, a point of sale device, an access terminal, or other personal communication system (PCS) device. The device may be either mobile or stationary.

[00113] As used within this document, the term "communicate" is intended to include transmitting, or receiving, or both transmitting and receiving. This may be particularly useful in claims when describing the organization of data that is being transmitted by one device and received by another, but only the functionality of one of those devices is required to infringe the claim. Similarly, the bidirectional exchange of data between two devices (both devices transmit and receive during the exchange) may be described as "communicating," when only the functionality of one of those devices is being claimed. 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.

[00114] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first," "second," "third," etc., to describe a common object, merely indicates 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.

[00115] The term "access point" (AP) as used herein may be a fixed station. An access point may also be referred to as an access node, a base station, or some other similar terminology known in the art. An access terminal may also be called a mobile station, user equipment (UE), a wireless communication device, or some other similar terminology known in the art. Embodiments disclosed herein generally pertain to wireless networks. Some embodiments may relate to wireless networks that operate in accordance with one of the IEEE 802.11 standards.

[00116] 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, 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.

[00117] 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 system (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.

[00118] Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types of wireless communication signals and/or systems following one or more wireless communication protocols, for example, radio frequency (RF), infrared (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 communications (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.

[00119] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a device. The device may include memory and processing circuitry configured to determine a first codeword of an Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) control mode frame may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG-Header-A, and a data field. The first codeword may include the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a second codeword may include a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A and at least one portion of the data field. The processing circuitry may be further configured to cause to send the first codeword and the second codeword to a wireless device.

[00120] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword may have a fixed length. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of a data field added to a length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The second codeword and any codeword subsequent to the second codeword, excluding a final codeword, may have a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field plus a length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by the total number of codewords in the EDMG control mode frame minus one. A number of bits in the data field of the second codeword may be equal to the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. A length of the final codeword for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header- A, minus the first number of codewords, multiplied by the length of the second codeword. The device may further include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The device may further include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00121] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a device. The device may include memory and processing circuitry configured to identify an EDMG control mode frame may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG-Header-A, and a data field, and wherein the one or more fields are identified in one or more codewords may include a first codeword and a second codeword. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode the first codeword, wherein the first codeword comprises the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG- Header-A. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a length of the data field based at least in part on a first field in the first codeword. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a number of additional codewords to the first codeword in the EDMG control mode frame based on the length of the data field, wherein the additional codewords comprise one or more subsequent codewords to the first codeword and a final codeword.

[00122] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword may have a fixed length. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a length of the one or more subsequent codewords. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a length of the final codeword. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode the additional codewords. To determine the length of each of the one or more subsequent codewords may comprise to determine a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field added with a length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a total number of codewords minus one. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of the data field added with the length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a number of bits in the data field of the second codeword by determining the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. To determine the length of the final codeword may comprise to determine the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, minus the first number of codewords multiplied by the total number of codewords minus two. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header matches a first received HCS in the first codeword, and that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A matches a second received HCS in the second codeword. The processing circuitry may be further configured to decode at least one of the additional codewords. The processing circuitry may be further configured to determine that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header does not match a first received HCS in the first codeword, or that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A does not match a second received HCS in the second codeword. The processing circuitry may be further configured to discard the EDMG control mode frame. The device may further include a transceiver configured to transmit and receive wireless signals. The device may further include one or more antennas coupled to the transceiver.

[00123] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include identifying an EDMG control mode frame that may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG-Header-A, and a data field, and wherein the one or more fields are identified in one or more codewords may include a first codeword and a second codeword. The operations may include decoding the first codeword, wherein the first codeword comprises the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The operations may include determining a length of the data field based at least in part on a first field in the first codeword. The operations may include determining a number of additional codewords to the first codeword in the EDMG control mode frame based on the length of the data field, wherein the additional codewords comprise one or more subsequent codewords to the first codeword and a final codeword.

[00124] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword has a fixed length. The operations may further comprise determining a length of the one or more subsequent codewords. The operations may include determining a length of the final codeword. The operations may include decoding the additional codewords. Determining the length of each of the one or more subsequent codewords comprises determining a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field added with a length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a total number of codewords minus one. The operations further comprise determining a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of the data field added with the length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The operations may further comprise determining a number of bits in the data field of the second codeword by determining the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The operations further comprise determining a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. Determining the length of the final codeword may further comprise determining the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, minus the first number of codewords multiplied by the total number of codewords minus two. Decoding the operations further comprise determining that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header matches a first received HCS in the first codeword, and that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A matches a second received HCS in the second codeword. The operations may include decoding at least one of the additional codewords. The operations may include determining that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header does not match a first received HCS in the first codeword, or that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A does not match a second received HCS in the second codeword. The operations may include discarding the EDMG control mode frame.

[00125] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a non- transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include determining a first codeword of an Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) control mode frame may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG-Header-A, and a data field. The first codeword may include the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The operations may include determining a second codeword may include a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A and at least one portion of the data field. The operations may include causing to send the first codeword and the second codeword to a second device.

[00126] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword may have a fixed length. The operations may further include determining a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of a data field added to a length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The second codeword and any codeword subsequent to the second codeword, excluding a final codeword, has a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field plus a length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by the total number of codewords in the EDMG control mode frame minus one. A number of bits in the data field of the second codeword is equal to the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The operations may further comprise determining a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. A length of the final codeword for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, minus the first number of codewords, multiplied by the length of the second codeword.

[00127] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may include a method. The method may include determining, by one or more processors of a first device, a first codeword of an Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) control mode frame that may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG-Header-A, and a data field. The first codeword may include the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The method may include determining, by the one or more processors, a second codeword may include a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A and at least one portion of the data field. The method may include causing to send, by the one or more processors, the first codeword and the second codeword to a second device.

[00128] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword may have a fixed length. The method may further include determining a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of a data field added to a length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The second codeword and any codeword subsequent to the second codeword, excluding a final codeword, has a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field plus a length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by the total number of codewords in the EDMG control mode frame minus one. A number of bits in the data field of the second codeword is equal to the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The method may further include determining a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. A length of the final codeword for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, minus the first number of codewords, multiplied by the length of the second codeword.

[00129] According to example embodiments of the disclosure, there may include a method. The method may include identifying an EDMG control mode frame may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG- Header-A, and a data field, and wherein the one or more fields are identified in one or more codewords may include a first codeword and a second codeword. The method may include decoding the first codeword, wherein the first codeword comprises the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The method may include determining a length of the data field based at least in part on a first field in the first codeword. The method may include determining a number of additional codewords to the first codeword in the EDMG control mode frame based on the length of the data field, wherein the additional codewords comprise one or more subsequent codewords to the first codeword and a final codeword.

[00130] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword may have a fixed length. The method may further include determining a length of the one or more subsequent codewords. The method may include determining a length of the final codeword. The method may include decoding the additional codewords. Determining the length of each of the one or more subsequent codewords may comprise determining a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field added with a length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a total number of codewords minus one. The method may further include determining a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of the data field added with the length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The method may further include determining a number of bits in the data field of the second codeword by determining the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The method may further include determining a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. Determining the length of the final codeword comprises determining the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, minus the first number of codewords multiplied by the total number of codewords minus two. The method may further include determining that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header matches a first received HCS in the first codeword, and that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A matches a second received HCS in the second codeword. The method may include decoding at least one of the additional codewords. The method may further include determining that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header does not match a first received HCS in the first codeword, or that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A does not match a second received HCS in the second codeword. The method may include discarding the EDMG control mode frame.

[00131] In example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for determining a first codeword of an Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit (EDMG) control mode frame may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG-Header-A, and a data field. The apparatus may include means for determining a first codeword may include the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The apparatus may include means for determining a second codeword may include a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A and at least one portion of the data field. The apparatus may include means for causing to send the first codeword and the second codeword to a second device.

[00132] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword has a fixed length. The apparatus may further include means for determining a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of a data field added to a length of the second portion of the EDMG- Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The second codeword and any codeword subsequent to the second codeword, excluding a final codeword, has a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field plus a length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by the total number of codewords in the EDMG control mode frame minus one. A number of bits in the data field of the second codeword is equal to the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The apparatus may further include means for determining a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. A length of the final codeword for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, minus the first number of codewords, multiplied by the length of the second codeword.

[00133] In example embodiments of the disclosure, there may be an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for identifying an EDMG control mode frame may include one or more fields, wherein the one or more fields comprise a legacy header, an EDMG-Header- A, and a data field, and wherein the one or more fields are identified in one or more codewords may include a first codeword and a second codeword. The apparatus may further include means for decoding the first codeword, wherein the first codeword comprises the legacy header and a first portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The apparatus may further include means for determining a length of the data field based at least in part on a first field in the first codeword. The apparatus may further include means for determining a number of additional codewords to the first codeword in the EDMG control mode frame based on the length of the data field, wherein the additional codewords comprise one or more subsequent codewords to the first codeword and a final codeword.

[00134] The implementations may include one or more of the following features. The first codeword may have a fixed length. The apparatus may further include means for determining a length of the one or more subsequent codewords. The apparatus may further include means for determining a length of the final codeword. The apparatus may further include means for decoding the additional codewords. The means for determining the length of each of the one or more subsequent codewords may further comprise means for determining a length equal to a ceiling function of a length of the data field added with a length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a total number of codewords minus one. The apparatus may further include means for determining a total number of codewords for the EDMG control mode frame is equal to one plus a ceiling function of the length of the data field added with the length of a second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, divided by a predetermined maximum length of the second codeword. The apparatus may further include means for determining a number of bits in the data field of the second codeword by determining the length of the second codeword minus the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A. The apparatus may further include means for determining a first number of codewords excluding the first codeword and the final codeword. The means for determining the length of the final codeword comprises means determining the length of the data field added to the length of the second portion of the EDMG-Header-A, minus the first number of codewords multiplied by the total number of codewords minus two. The means for decoding may further comprise means for determining that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header matches a first received HCS in the first codeword, and that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A matches a second received HCS in the second codeword and means for decoding at least one of the additional codewords. The apparatus may further include means for determining that a first calculated Header Check Sequence (HCS) from received bits of the legacy header does not match a first received HCS in the first codeword, or that a second calculated HCS from received bits of the EDMG-Header-A does not match a second received HCS in the second codeword. The apparatus may include means for discarding the EDMG control mode frame.

[00135] Certain aspects of the disclosure are described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or computer program products according to various implementations. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and the flow diagrams, respectively, may be implemented by computer-executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some implementations.

[00136] These computer-executable program instructions may be loaded onto a special- purpose computer or other particular machine, a processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a particular machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer, processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage media or memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage media produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. As an example, certain implementations may provide for a computer program product, comprising a computer- readable storage medium having a computer-readable program code or program instructions implemented therein, said computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement one or more functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational elements or steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide elements or steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow diagram block or blocks.

[00137] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of elements or steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, may be implemented by special-purpose, hardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions, elements or steps, or combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[00138] Conditional language, such as, among others, "can," "could," "might," or "may," unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.

[00139] Many modifications and other implementations of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.