Physical layer data unit format

In a wireless communication system wherein communication devices exchange information utilizing data units that conform to a first format, a method for transmitting a beamforming training (BFT) data unit that conforms to a second format, wherein the BFT data unit is for transmitting beamforming training information, and wherein the second format comprises two or more sub-formats, the method comprising:

• generating a first portion of the BFT data unit to include a preamble and at least a portion of a physical layer (PHY) header, wherein the first portion conforms to the first format, and wherein generating the first portion includes setting at least one field in the PHY header to indicate that the BFT packet conforms to one of the sub-formats;
• generating a second portion of the BFT data unit according to the one of the sub-formats, wherein the second portion includes BFT information elements;
• generating the BFT data unit to include the first portion and the second portion;
• and
• causing the BFT data unit to be transmitted to the receiving device.

In a wireless communication system wherein communication devices exchange information utilizing data units that conform to a first format, a method for processing a beamforming training (BFT) data unit that conforms to a second format, wherein a length of the BFT data unit is shorter than lengths supported by the first format, wherein the BFT data unit is for transmitting BFT information, the method comprising:

• analyzing a first portion of a received data unit to determine if the received data unit is a BFT data unit, wherein the first portion of the received data unit includes a preamble and at least a beginning portion of the PHY header, wherein the PHY header conforms to the first format;
• in response to determining that the received data unit is a BFT data unit, processing the received data unit according to the second format, wherein processing the received data unit includes analyzing a second portion of the data unit, wherein the second portion includes a payload that i) does not conform to the first format and ii) includes BFT information elements;
• and
• utilizing the BFT information elements in the received data unit to perform a BFT function.

In a wireless communication system wherein communication devices exchange information utilizing data units that conform to a first format, a method for processing a beamforming training (BFT) data unit that conforms to a second format, wherein the BFT data unit is for transmitting BFT information, and wherein the second format comprises two or more sub-formats, the method comprising:

• analyzing a PHY header included in a first portion of a received data unit to detect whether at least one field in the PHY header indicates the received data unit conforms to one of the sub-formats;
• in response to determining that the received data unit conforms to one of the sub-formats, processing the received data unit according to the one of the sub-formats, wherein processing the received data unit includes obtaining BFT information elements from a second portion of the data unit, wherein the second portion includes a payload that i) does not conform to the first format and ii) includes BFT information elements;
• and
• utilizing the BFT information elements in the received data unit to perform a BFT function.

A communication device for use in a wireless communication system, wherein the communication device exchanges information with other communication devices utilizing data units that conform to a first format, and utilizing a beamforming training (BFT) data unit that conforms to a second format, wherein a length of the BFT data unit is shorter than lengths supported by the first format, wherein the BFT data unit is for transmitting BFT information, the communication device comprising:

• a controller configured to:
• generate a first portion of the BFT data unit to indicate to a receiving device that the BFT data unit conforms to the second format, wherein the first portion of the BFT data unit includes a preamble and at least a beginning portion of a physical layer (PHY) header, wherein the PHY header conforms to the first format,
• generate a second portion of the BFT data unit according to the second format, wherein the second portion of the BFT data unit includes a payload that does not conform to the first format, and wherein the payload includes BFT information elements,
• generate the BFT data unit to include the first portion and the second portion, and
• cause the BFT data unit to be transmitted to the receiving device.