Communication devices and methods

A second communication device configured to communicate with one or more fourth communication devices, the second communication device comprising circuitry configured to:

• receive first configuration information from a first communication device that is configured to communicate with one or more third communication devices, the first configuration information including first beamforming configuration information and first time information indicating a duration of an intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the first configuration information applies to the one or more third communication devices, from the first communication device to the one or more third communication devices or the first configuration information further including the maximum duration of simultaneous transmissions of data units by the first communication device and the second communication device;
• transmit second configuration information including second beamforming configuration information and second time information indicating the duration of the intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the second configuration information applies to the one or more fourth communication devices, to the one or more fourth communication devices;
• and
• communicate with the one or more fourth communication devices using the second configuration information and considering the first configuration information using coordinated beamforming, wherein the second communication device transmits a second data unit, comprising a preamble and a payload, to a fourth communication device of the one or more fourth communication devices, wherein beamforming weights are used for transmitting both the preamble and the payload of the second data unit that reduce or minimize interference towards a third communication device of the one or more third communication devices to which the first communication device transmits a first data unit at least partly overlapping in time with the transmission of the second data unit from the second communication device to the fourth communication device of the one or more fourth communication devices.

A third communication device configured to communicate with a first communication device, the third communication device comprising circuitry configured to:

• receive first configuration information including first beamforming configuration information and first time information indicating duration of an intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the first configuration information applies to the third communication device, from the first communication device to the third communication device and/or the first configuration information further including the maximum duration of simultaneous transmissions of data units by the first communication device and a second communication device that is configured to communicate with one or more fourth communication devices;
• communicate with the first communication device, wherein the third communication device receives a first data unit, comprising a preamble and a payload, transmitted from the first communication device, wherein beamforming weights are used for transmitting both the preamble and the payload of the first data unit;
• and
• decode the received first data unit using the first configuration information.

A first communication method of a first communication device that is configured to communicate with one or more third communication devices, the first communication method comprising:

• transmitting first configuration information including first beamforming configuration information and first time information indicating duration of an intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the first configuration information applies to the one or more third communication devices, from the first communication device to the one or more third communication devices and the first configuration information further including the maximum duration of simultaneous transmissions of data units by the first communication device and a second communication device that is configured to communicate with one or more fourth communication devices;
• listening for reception of second configuration information from the second communication device, the second configuration information including second beamforming configuration information and second time information indicating the duration of an intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the second configuration information applies to the one or more fourth communication devices, to the one or more fourth communication devices;
• and
• communicating with the one or more third communication devices using the first configuration information and, if received, considering the second configuration information using coordinated beamforming, wherein the first communication device transmits a first data unit, comprising a preamble and a payload, to a third communication device of the one or more third communication devices, wherein beamforming weights are used for transmitting both the preamble and the payload of the first data unit that reduce or minimize interference towards a fourth communication device of the one or more fourth communication devices.

A second communication method of a second communication device configured to communicate with one or more fourth communication devices, the second communication method comprising:

• receiving first configuration information from a first communication device that is configured to communicate with one or more third communication devices, the first configuration information including first beamforming configuration information and first time information indicating duration of an intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the first configuration information applies to the one or more third communication devices, from the first communication device to the one or more third communication devices or the first configuration information further including the maximum duration of simultaneous transmissions of data units by the first communication device and the second communication device;
• transmitting second configuration information including second beamforming configuration information and second time information indicating the duration of an intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the second configuration information applies to the one or more fourth communication devices, to the one or more fourth communication devices;
• and
• communicating with the one or more fourth communication devices using the second configuration information and considering the first configuration information using coordinated beamforming, wherein the second communication device transmits a second data unit, comprising a preamble and a payload, to a fourth communication device of the one or more fourth communication devices, wherein beamforming weights are used for transmitting both the preamble and the payload of the second data unit that reduce or minimize interference towards a third communication device of the one or more third communication devices to which the first communication device transmits a first data unit at least partly overlapping in time with the transmission of the second data unit from the second communication device to the fourth communication device of the one or more fourth communication devices.

A third communication method of a third communication device configured to communicate with a first communication device, the third communication method comprising:

• receiving first configuration information including first beamforming configuration information and first time information indicating duration of an intended transmission of one or more data units, to which the first configuration information applies to the one or more third communication devices, from the first communication device to the third communication device and/or the first configuration information further including the maximum duration of simultaneous transmissions of data units by the first communication device and a second communication device that is configured to communicate with one or more fourth communication devices;
• communicating with the first communication device, wherein the third communication device receives a first data unit, comprising a preamble and a payload, transmitted from the first communication device, wherein beamforming weights are used for transmitting both the preamble and the payload of the first data unit;
• and
• decoding the received first data unit using the first configuration information.